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Human Sexuality Reflected in the Samuel Odell Letters
By Scott Cross
There seems to be a general myth concerning Victorian morality and the sexuality of Americans during the 19th Century. Even the word “Victorian” conjures up images of straight laced ladies and gentlemen who never discussed sexual matters. It is true that there wee certain codes of morality imposed upon Victorians from religious sources of the times, but what were the attitudes of every day people? The fact of the matter is that human beings are sexual creatures and that is just as true of Victorians as it is for anyone else. Primary sources related to these subjects are very rare. The sensitive nature of the subject itself caused many of these documents to be destroyed, but some have survived.
Samuel Odell migrated west from Cold Springs, Putnam County New York around 1857. He had operated a dry goods store there for several years. In 1858, he went into partnership with Lathrop W. Hull and purchased a small dry goods store from F. F. Hamilton. The store was located in the small community of Butte des Morts, Wisconsin. Odell remained a bachelor for most of his life and eventually married Sarah Van Doren some time in the 1890s. He operated his store until his death until 1917 and his widow ran it until it closed in 1935.
Odell collected and kept everything, from advertising flyers and broadsides to posters and personal correspondence. Among his collection of personal correspondence are letters from a friend, G. R. Woodworth and some unidentified married women. These letters and notes are extremely rare since they deal with the subjects of sexuality and infidelity. They are even more rare because Odell did not destroy them as their authors requested. The letters have been edited for spelling and punctuation to make them more easily readable.
W. R. WOODWORTH LETTERS
Letter #1 - Fairibault, Minn. August 7, 1864
Well Sam I received your epistle a long time ago and was glad to hear that your Bowells was regular. Sam it has been so hot here that the Farmers done their cooking in the Sun, they say it is Cheaper than wood. Sam what do you think about the draft[?] that is what Bothers me now. Sam we sold out about three weeks ago and made a good thing. I have rented a store and started another shop and there was a man here that wanted to Buy me out yesterday. We have not made the trade yet but I think we shall. I am a going to Osage Iowa if I sell, that is Eighty miles from here. Sam this is the best country that I ever see and a good Place to make money. I don’t see what the Devil you stay in Butte de Morts for when you can make more up here and a Damned sight more business going on here than there unless Butte des Morts has grown since I left. Sam you must of made a good thing on your goods as they have Advanced so much in the last Four months. Everything is high here Except Fucking. That is very low and Plenty to be had at the old Prick. Sam where did you go the Fourth, did you go to Bogk’s? You and me went there last year and got pretty drunk, at least I did. I suppose that Mage Ashby and Wesley B had a good time shooting fire crackers. Sam give my love to all of the Girls and tell Mary Ann that I will come back if there is any chance to, since Peter and Dalton left my chance would be good I think. How does Neilson make it go, does he get as much trade as Pete did? Tell old Mike Doty that I have seen Liby’s Husband that lived at the Agency and he feels very bad to think that Lib got married. Tell woodward that I would like to go in company with him this Fall. Well Sam this is a damned poor letter and you will do well if you can read it. Tell Sarah fish to Kiss my Arse. Give my respects to mr. & Mrs. Hull and Mrs. Petford. Write soon as you get this and I will try to do better next time. Tell me all of the news and what Lucy Abells is doing this summer. Sam burn this letter as soon as you read it. Amen.
From your Friend
G.R. Woodworth
Letter #2 - Fairibault February 6, 1865
Friend Sam
It has been a long time since I received your letter. I should have wrote to you before, but I have been very busy and have not had time to write. Dick was taken sick and was sick four days with the brain fever and died Jan. 24th. Rome has gone East with the remains and I am running the machine alone and have all I can do. I had a letter from Frank Robinson last week. He is well and having lots of fun. Sam, Frank says that you are shoving it to Jane Brown. If that is so, Bully for you. That is better than Mrs. Becker. Don’t you think so?
Sam, what do you think about this draft? I would like to see you with a Suit of Blue Clothes on. Sam, there has not been enough snow here this winter to make a good sleighing, yet the weather is very nice here and no snow. Sam, I sent some papers to Mr. Hull last week. Sam, do you go over to see Lucy Abels now? I would like to be down there about a week. I think that I could have some fun. I suppose that old Miller is there yet. Sam, Has Hull found out who it was that stopped him when he was coming from Oshkosh? That was a good joke on him. How does Nelson get along? Does he do as much business as Pete did? I thought he would do better. I suppose that Old Schoettle is a selling whiskey yet. Sam Beckwith was here from Oshkosh last week. He said that Hull was now running the mill this winter. I suppose that Lattin’s eyes will be sore now until after the draft.
Sam, you would have had a good time if you had been with me last night and got your Old Root Scraped. If I was in your place I would get out of that place and come up here where you can make something. Sam, give my respects to Mr. & Mrs. Hull and my love to Mary Ann petford and get all the fucking you can. Write as soon as you get this and tell me the news.
Amen
Don’t show this
Letter to annyone
From your Friend
G.R. Woodworth
Letter #3 - Cherry Creek, Dec. 2nd, 1865
Well Sam
Here I am in a store doing a Bully Business and making money. I should of wrote to you before, but have had all I could do and more too.
I received a letter from Ed Moran. He said that he had been to Osage and had got back to Butte. He could not keep away from Miss Jones. He is a Hell of a Boy.
I suppose that Johny Latham is at Petford’s yet. Has Thomas made up his mind what Kind of a Boy George was yet? I suppose that Ed Brown has got his Pea Nut stand to running by this time.
Sam, I have made four hundred dollars $400 since I came home and have got in a Bully place to make more. I have not Drank a Drop of anything since I left Oshkosh.
Sam, how does Lucy Abels get along? I would like to see her and Diddle her once more. I suppose all the folks in Butte think that I am a Dam little fool, but I can take care of myself yet. Sam, I wish that you was down here long enough to get your Old Root Scraped. If you can ever come in the state, and don’t come and see me, I will Kick your Ass. I am looking for mr. & Mrs. Hull down here this month, but have not heard from them yet.
Now Sam, I want you to find out all the news and write and let me know as soon as you get this. Tell Johny that I will write to him as soon as I get time. Give my respects to Mr. & Mrs. Hull and all of the Snots left. [Tell] Ed Moran to get it into every one that he can. Rome has been quite sick, but is better now. Sam, I have got something that I want you to hand to Johny after you read it; Women’s Rights and Bill of Price.
Write as soon as you get this. Don’t show this to anyone.
Yours with a Jerk
G.R. Woodworth
Direct to Cherry Creek
Chatauqua County
New York
Letter #4 - John E. Latham Letter - Prairie du Chien May 2d
Friend Sam
I received your letter some time ago of which it was very interesting to me. It found me well & sound as a Brick & I hope this will find you the same. It is very pleasant here. There is some gay girls up here. I wish you was up here. You could get your old bone varnished. They are thicker than the hair on a dog. They are all a getting married down there I suppose by what I heard. Mary Ann was agoing to be married to that Norwegian. You will have to hurry around or you will lose Mary.
Well Sam, how does she get along? Is her teats as as big as ever? When you see her, give her my best respects and tell her to keep her nose clean.
I had a letter from Pat Riley yesterday. He said the folks was all well. He said Ed Moran was living with Old Jones. How does old Bogk get along with his [illegible]. Does the Boys yet go on a spree down there? I haven’t been tight since I came up here. I heard old Braun said I got tight down to Oshkosh that day I left. That ain’t so. How does Oshamus get along this Summer with his farm? Does he keep a man? I suppose he stays home and tends bar. Well as it is a getting late, I will close.
Write soon, yours
With a Jerk Bully Boy his Nut Cork by
John E Latham
Letter #5 - Unknown Female Author
[This is possibly the Mrs. Becker referred to in previous correspondence.]
Vinland Oct. 18th /62
Friend Sammy
I suppose you will be surprised to get a letter from me this morning, but perhaps you will not be so much so when you read it. Circumstances oblige me to write it and I hope you will not be offended at me, for believe me I do not mean any offence. Well to begin with I have made up my mind not to come into your store unless I have very particular business. For you know Sam that your conduct towards me is what no woman in my circumstances ought to allow, and still I do not think you are any more to blame than I am. I do not know whether you were really in earnest, what you said about caring so much for me or whether you does it to see how far you could go. There is so much deceit in the world it is almost impossible to know who to trust, but let it be as it will. Time will prove you if you said true or not. As for me I will tell you candidly what I think, and I will trust you to your honor as a Gentleman and not to betray what I tell you. I do think too much of you and it is best for me not to meet you more than I can help. For it can be no benefit to either of us as long as things remain as they are. And if I was free today I do not think you would….well, no matter what……I will not trouble you to read any more. But my honor as a wife forbids me tell you as I do. May god bless you Sam, and bless you with a good true loving wife when you see fit to take one and sometimes please think of one who will always prove a true
Friend
PS If you will answer this it shall be safe and please destroy this as soon as you read it.
Letter #6 - V Sat. July 2d /64
Dear S
I remember my promise about the 5th & if you want me to go anywhere I will go. I want to see you very much, but I will tell you all about it when I see you. Now, if you want to go anywhere with me, please let me know by the afternoon mail. I have been up to Julia’s for a week past and the children are there now, so I am all alone, but if I don’t get any line from you this afternoon I shall go back,
Yours truly
F______
Direct to Box 72, nothing else.
Letter #7 - [No Date]
[torn section]
If you want to see me you will have to come here. I have been sick ever since I came back from Osh[kosh]. I have not been to Butte since almost two weeks. I would like to see you very much. I am alone now. I wish you would come up tonight and I will be sure there is no one here. Now be sure & come tonight and oblige
Yours A____
Letter #8 - Unknown Author
GENRL. FREIGHT AND
TICKET OFFICE
Desmoines Valley Rail Road
Keokuk, Iowa June 1st 1866
Friend Sam
I wrote you shortly after I came to Iowa but you never seen fit to answer my letter or if you did it never reached me. You promised to write me when I left you, after the dance at Johnny’s Corner. By the way Sam, that was a gay time. I have thought of it often. Hope to indulge in like pleasures with same girls and boys the minute when I get home.
I am making a longer stay in Iowa than I anticipated when I left home.
I was for 13 months at Otumwa Junction, 75 miles above here, but am now in the General Office in Keokuk.
I like the business well, but do not like Keokuk as well as Otumwa. Notwithstanding, it is overflowing with good ripe Maidenheads. You can get any amount of that you set in, in any imaginable Shop. We are having a great season of pleasure just now. Charlie Shay’s Incomparable Troupe – very good; then two weeks later by the fair performers Mr. M. Kean Buchanan & Daughter, Miss Minnie Buchanan, Excellent; Then Palmer’s Great American Circus – not so good; then
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