On offer is a large archive of handwritten letters of particular interest to Christian Science historians and collectors. The writers were devoted believers and faithful followers which is obvious from even a casual reading. The grouping consists of 105 handwritten letters of which 100 date from 1916-1924. The last 5 are around the 1930's and 1940's. Most of them are addressed to Alex P. Olsson who lived in Junction City, Oregon and are from his girl friend and eventually his wife, Rose Herminghaus of Portland, Oregon. A goodly number of them are also from Alex to his sister in Central Point, Oregon while he was away at war. Alex was a Naval Band member during the war, which gives a rather different and highly interesting perspective. Here are just a few snippets: 1917 "February 21st, Dear Alex……Last Wednesday mother and I spent the day in Salem. We visited the legislature at the state capitol both morning and afternoon. Then we went through the blind school and met two Christian Scientist inmates. We met several of the Scientists in Salem. Did you ever see Mr. Burt, the tenor again? I had the privilege of reading Mr. Wilson's letter from you telling of your demonstration. That certainly was fine Alex. Isn't it joyful to know we have the truth ever present. I had a most wonderful visit with mother. I feel that so much more time must be given to C.S. study……Your Friend Rose Herminghaus" "May 28th, Dear Alex……Mr. Reed a Scientist, knowing of me wrote and asked if I would consider a book keeping position with the Pacific States Fire Insurance Co. The minute I read the letter I knew that Love was opening the way for me…….I rode over to Vancouver over the new Interstate Bridge and we walked around the barracks. We go to some good movies once in awhile. The young folks crowd from the church have planned a big picnic at Lake Oswego on Decoration Day. I have not decided whether I will go or not. Some of the boys have enlisted so it will perhaps be their last picnic with the crowd…..Most Sincerely, Rose." "Sept. 30th, Dear Alex…..I hope you are having nice sunny weather like we are, having to live out in a tent. Some of the C.S. boys from here who joined Company A Oregon Engineers and are in North Carolina, write home that they are so busy they hardly have a minute to themselves. Last Sunday I spent the day out on Columbia Highway in a Ford machine. At Multnomah Falls we left the car and hiked up in the mts. We climbed higher then the source of the falls. It was a beautiful trip…Most Sincerely Rose" 1918 "May 30th, Dear Sister Betta…..Has any of the girls besides Sadie Beebe entered the government service? Rosa is preparing herself for a wireless job. Before I left Frisco I started to study radio, so she got interested. I got a sounder and key and we use to practice sending messages. She said she wants to get in the Navy but I thought it was a passing whim. …Her parents have consented to let her enlist if she can stay on the west coast which is near a thing impossible…..Lovingly your brother Alex." "June 27th, Dear Betta, ……That little clipping telling of Albert Forgey's marriage was sure a surprise. I met the girl when I was home xmas but I never thought he would get married until he was out of the service. I don't approve of those kind of marriage, do you? But they seem to be marrying wild through, "everybody is doing it". Our bandmaster was married a few weeks ago to a girl he met since we came here. Seems to be a very nice girl. He gave me a dandy big photo of himself and I'm the only one in the band he gave to……We have a man in the band who has been in the circus and show business since he was seven years old and he is about thirty now. He was in the Chatanque business before he enlisted and his brother is manager of several big companies now in the east. I told him about Sells Floto Circus and he told me about how they use to do. They would send an advance agent to arrange it with the mayor to not allow the show to enter the town. Of course there would be an extra big write up in the paper and in this way it would be put more forcibly before they eyes of the public. But when time come for the show they mayor would change his mind and in that way they always had bumper crowds….Lovingly your brother, Alex." Overall VG.
