Dorothy to Ellsworth, 25 January 1934

Dorothy to Ellsworth, 25 January 1934

[Today is Ellsworth’s birthday! Read the newsy letter his fiancé wrote to him, and why she turned down Torleif Knaphus’s invite to the Beaux Arts Ball. -Cathy Gilmore]

2368 Highland Dr
S.L.C Utah
Jan 245/34

Good Morning Merry Sunshine!

How do you feel today? A beautiful, coral-streaked opal sky heralds the dawn of your Birthday Anniversary. The cool, crisp air promises continued winter for us.

Yesterday morning we rose to see the world blanketed in the heaviest snow of the season. The trees—a varied collection of weeping willows bowed reluctantly under their heavy burden, wires were rope-like in appearance and the general appearance was as tho a fairy had touched the landscape with her magic wand strewing the skyline with a lacy network of white branches.

Today enough snow remains on the trees to disguise them as cotton plants—what a frivolous climate.

I’m hoping your birthday joys were complete. Am sending my present today along with one from Knaphus. Eleven in all. You can buy a car with it if you like or a radio or a train ticket for a weekend in S.L.C.

I will be celebrating tonight by doing some sealings in Temple tonight as it is also Grandma Bushman’s birth anniversary & a group of us are going including Vera. Tomorrow night I am helping put over a pageant depicting N.D.A. growth and Saturday Olive & I & June & 3 other of the Knaphuses are doing some baptismal work.

Vera and I had to postpone our missionary meeting but hope to get started next week.

What did you think of the proposition we had to offer. Don’t drop it from your mind without due consideration will you?

Do you hear from Lewis? You know I was just thinking the coincidence it was that you and he should both get Arizona girls. Come to think of it she may even be a relation  – everyone else around there is. Now I have it! If she lives around Taylor she must be related to Vera for Vera was born there & it’s the home of he[r] Father’s folks. Ha! who said we weren’t a smart bunch. Tying a not [sic] right around the 3 couples of us. And Gene Murphy is related to some Smiths in S.L. I’ve got to look that up.

Now for my diary incidentally it is sadly neglected.

Stayed with Vera Sun. night. Monday night skipped school & sent to dinner at Eight with Torleif and Olive. Honestly honey. I was too tired to study  he had been wanting one to chum more with Olive so I felt rather obliged. Please forgive?

Tuesday night I attended a Stake Mutual party on Stratford Ave. with Oliver.

It was a grand affair & the most fun I’ve had in ages.

Tomorrow night (Fri) Don & Oliver have dates from for Granite Gold & Green Ball.

Knaphus has his car back & says it is at my service. Would I like to have a week end off? Better watch for me hiding under one of the seats in your Sunday School.

Rec’d letters the other day from Marv & one of his old girlfriends simultaneously. Marv’s enjoying life, what with a dance now & then & now & then a new good-looking ‘frill!

Virgil is well now & is back into mischief again.

Connie is still undecided. I have a 50¢ order from her to make a Valentine for John. Didn’t think I’d be making them for other men did you? This coming Sat. the Art Barn sponsors are staging their first annual Beaux Arts Ball — a grand costume affair.

Last night T.S.K. called for me at school and asked if I would care to go. Didn’t say definitely but a ‘couple’ is a ‘couple’ and I’d rather ensure my social standing than my artistic one so I’m waiting till I get a personal invitation from the committee at which time (if ever) you will be the other party. How’s that?

It’s lunch hour now. We’re certainly busy at Kress. S.H. arrives Mon Tues the 30th!

Burbidge tells me his son, Smith leaves Feb. 22 for Western States mission. He may even be your companion. Watch for him.

Edna Remington (office girl) says her sweetheart ‘Wid’ Davidson presided over that branch about 2 yrs ago & that he organized the original basketball team there.

I still see Aunt Annie Folsom upstairs now & then. She sends her best wishes to you & always asks about you. She tries to check up on my behavior & says I look better than at Xmas time.

I saw Helen, Iris & your mother for awhile yesterday.

Time’s up See you tonight under that big bright moon. Where’s that birthday kiss? Here’s mine “X” [stylized “x”]

Forever,

Dorothy

Figure this out & don’t ask me. [underneath looped lines leading up to her name]

DS-EMC-1934-01-25-1

A Working Artist’s Christmas

A Working Artist’s Christmas

Dorothy Smith was an art student at the University of Utah in the early 1930’s, and had many outlets for her artistic talents. In addition to her job decorating store windows and making signage at Kress, she often took side jobs to supplement her income. She  lettered doors and windows, and sold handmade greeting cards. Christmas was a particularly busy time for her, as she writes on November 12, 19331:

I have Christmas card orders to fill for Torleif S. Knaphus2 in return for clay which he gave me for modeling. He certainly has inspired me and been a great help in pushing me, as it were, along the road to accomplishment. I don’t know many other grown people who have so influenced me to good and been as companionable.

At the same time, her fiancee Ellsworth received a call to serve a 6-month Western States mission.On November 29, 1933 Dorothy writes:

Ellsworth’s farewell testimonial in Capitol Hill Ward. He spoke splendidly. We, his friends and relatives were more than proud of him. Received $25.00 contributions, 10.00 of which was sent to other Capitol Hill missionaries for Xmas.

We glimpse at Ellsworth and Dorothy’s generous nature as they both sought to support one another and others. On December 3rd, she writes:

Attended Sunday School and fast service. Paid some back-tithe
for Marv. I feel especially grateful today for opportunities
Ellsworth and I are having of helping each other and the world at large.
Thankful for our peaceful home, health and the love of friends –
for my close association with the Clarks and above all for the
directing hand and inspiration of God in the lives of Ellsworth
and myself.
He has been gracious and understanding – helped us to
cooperate in facing life – helped us to find the one real Love –
that of sacrifice and true devotion.

Throughout December, Dorothy was  busy filling Christmas card orders, tinting photos for Esther Jahries (wife of Walter C. Jahries, Kress store manager) creating displays for Kress, and hand-lettering doors for local businesses. Dorothy was so busy, that Mr. Jahries gave Dorothy permission to hire Dorothy’s friend Olive Knaphus as an assistant. On Saturday, December 12th Dorothy writes:

A big rush at Kress and all over the city. Business seems good. I
finished shopping at 7:30. Visited Ellsworth’s folks for awhile
came home and finished wrapping parcels & mailing cards.
Made about 4 or 5 dozen for us this year besides 2 1/2 dozen for
Knaphus. Have been extra busy. Sent Ellsworth box of mother’s
chocolates. His folks sent a cake, shirt, tie and hankies and candy.

Dorothy’s talents and work ethic provided means of support for her family, her brother Marvin on his mission, and her fiancee Ellsworth, to whom she sent money every week. Here is the card she sent Ellsworth that Christmas a hopeful scene that was reflected in their ensuing  years.

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DSC-c-c-12-32b

1Diaries of Dorothy Smith Clark, 1929-1934, Salt Lake City, Utah.
2Torleif S. Knaphus was Dorothy’s artistic mentor and friend.