Albert Hafner Letters
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, June 5, 1893
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner thanks Elizabeth for sending him lilies and his birthday present, which is a musical instrument he can enjoy playing in addition to the piano. He apologizes for writing irregularly and updates Chandler on his work at the cigar factory while Mr. Muñiz is out of town. Hafner thanks Chandler for writing him while sick with a cold, but he insists she get the recreation and rest she deserves as well. He closes by informing Chandler that his mother wishes to decorate his father's grave, and Hafner asks Chandler if she could send him ideas for decorations.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, May 10, 1893
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner updates her on his trip from Tallahassee. He calls the beautiful landscape "God's Country," and says all the residences feel like home. Hafner ponders the city's economy and workforces and gives Chandler his observations of Florida lawmakers. He closes the letter saying how happy he is that their disagreements are in the past.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, May 9, 1893
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. The couple appears to have recovered from their argument and reversed their decision to call off the engagement, meeting in St. Augustine and deciding to marry as soon as Hafner can afford it. Hafner writes to her from Tallahassee while on his trip to Chicago. He recounts his trip and updates her on Mr. and Mrs. Gray.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, May 3, 1893
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He responds regarding the letter Chandler received from another woman indicating he was in love with someone else. He tells Chandler there has never been another woman besides her. He recounts that when he was ill and suffering from many financial losses, he worried Chandler would leave him, but his friends consoled him and affirmed otherwise. As matters worsened, Hafner says he hoped Chandler would offer him love and support, but she did not offer him the compassion he wanted. At this, he insinuates others might have seen an opportunity to fill her place. Hafner swears his heart remained with Chandler all the same and the only concern preventing him from marrying her was his lack of wealth. Recently, Chandler's messages have becoming loving and supporting once again, and Hafner implies others might wish to intercept these affections, using the phrase "dogs in the manger." However, he says he cannot tell if the message was meant kindly or maliciously, and he says the author's need to speak for him proves that he never voiced any wish to stray from Chandler. Hafner says the future is entirely in Chandler's hands, and since her last letter indicated her wish to call off the engagement, he agrees to respect her wishes and return her photos, Gifts, and letters. Hafner expresses surprise at the extent of her temper, saying he can picture her destroying all of their furniture in a fit of rage. Hafner tells Chandler that now that they've broken up, he is all alone and without a single friend. He gives Chandler his blessing to find another worthy man and marry him. He announces that he will be on his way to Tallahassee when the letter reaches her and will skip his stop in St. Augustine now that he will not be meeting her there.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, April 28, 1893
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner returns to Tarpon Springs from a business trip in Tampa. He informs Chandler of a business proposition from the Macfarlane Investment Company: If he will relocate the cigar factory to their land in West Tampa and produce a desired quantity of cigars, the company will donate a factory building and production sites. He has also been offered membership in the Florida Press Association. Hafner thanks Chandler for the picture frames she gifted him, and he updates her on Mr. and Mrs. Hunting and the Safford Family's estates. Hafner apologizes for any hurt he caused Chandler in recent letters, telling her he does not wish to project his discontent with others onto her.
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Letter, Carrie Woodson to Elizabeth Chandler, April 26, 1893
Carrie P. Woodson
A letter sent to Elizabeth H. Chandler by a woman named Carrie P. Woodson. Woodson tells Chandler that if she loves Albert Hafner, she must release him from their engagement because he is in love with another woman.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Mary Ware, April 24, 1893
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to Mrs. Mary Ware, the aunt of his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner tells her he didn't get a chance to read her previous letter until recently due to a trip taken during a storm. He recounts a story of when his business "saved" his life; While onboard the Ellen, Hafner and his colleagues find themselves without food, and he is able to get out of providing a meal because his clothes are saturated with the smell of tobacco. Hafner forgives Ware for insinuating he was not serious about marrying Chandler, saying the distress that caused themselves after that were their own faults. He tells Ware he could never hurt someone who loves him as much as Chandler does and reaffirms Chandler's loyalty to him. He argues that the messages they send via letter are just as effective as verbal conversation because they are honest with each other. Hafner's mother remains unwell. Hafner tells Ware he plans to meet up with Chandler in St. Augustine as soon as he is finished with his business in Tampa.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, March 24, 1893
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner discusses his choice to complete his work separately from Chandler instead of marrying her first. He says he does not want to subject her to his financial insecurity or stress and works better knowing his loved ones are not burdened by his business. He thanks Chandler for a nice picture she sent him of his mother. Hafner then reflects on the anniversary of his father's death and updates Chandler on the state of his canoe.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, March 17, 1893
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner offers his condolences for the death of Chandler's brother. He attaches recent newspaper clippings about his accomplishments and announces he has been voted city clerk and treasurer of Tarpon Springs.
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Incomplete Letters, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler
Albert Hafner
Three pages containing unfinished or miscellaneous messages from Albert Hafner to Elizabeth H. Chandler.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, May 12, 1893
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner has arrived in Kentucky near the Mammoth Cave system. He recounts his travels and sleeping accommodations. The group will travel to Cincinnati to stay and will then make the final trek to Chicago. Hafner tells Chandler he wishes they could be experiencing the landscape together.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, March 31, 1892
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner compares Chandler's thoughtful letters to his friends' generic condolences. He says she is the sole reason he does not feel alone and only further confirms that she is the ideal match for him. Hafner hasn't heard from home, but receives a message from his brother John, who expresses his shock and grief at learning of their father's death. John says he also does not know whether they should return home or not, but they should be prepared for further instructions. John tells him their brother Joseph is in Texas. Hafner and his father previously agreed that no one would give Joseph any more money, but this knowledge informs Hafner that Joe went to John in America and appeared to get money out of him regardless. Hafner says he wishes to know no more.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, March 28, 1892
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner thanks her for her compassionate, genuine condolences in her previous letters. He sends a translated version of her words to his mother, telling Chandler his mother will find comfort in them. He summarizes a letter from his mother, who wrote about his father's fatal disease and their youngest son appearing to help care for him.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, March 25, 1892
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner receives a letter from his mother dated before his father's death. Against his father's wishes, she wrote to announce he was ill for several weeks and described her experiences caring for him. Hafner expresses relief at having the full story and knowing his father died a natural death.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, March 23, 1892
Albert Hafner
Content warning: This letter contains mentions of grief and suicidal ideation. Digital Collections provides access to these materials to preserve the historical record, but we do not endorse the attitudes, prejudices, or behaviors found within them. If you are struggling with suicidal ideation, please call or text the suicide hotline at 988. A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner continues to grieve his father's death and expresses panic at the fact that no one has answered his messages, including his brother in the United States. Hafner condemns the general condolences offered by other townspeople, but writes about his gratitude to Mrs. Keeney and the town drug clerk, who have both offered quiet, genuine demonstrations of support since he learned the news.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, March 22, 1892
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner grieves the death of his father. He asks his brother to send a cablegram to their mother, who is alone in her grief in Switzerland. Hafner despairs over the decision whether to return home or remain in Tarpon Springs, and he touches upon his complicated feelings regarding his father.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, March 20, 1892
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner compliments Chandler on a fundraising fair she helped put together, saying that Tarpon Springs rarely hosts an event that is financially successful. He then tells her about a broken walkway by the bayou that women in town insisted he and other men help fix. Hafner gives an update on the new Tarpon Springs Yacht Club he has joined and recounts a story about saving his friend Margarita, a woman who is a skilled sailor, on her sinking canoe. Hafner closes by discussing the death of Mr. Wilson, which Chandler informed him of. On March 21, he tells Chandler he has just learned of his father's death.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, March 19, 1892
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner updates Chandler on the cold weather in Tarpon Springs. He tells her he will be very busy receiving tobacco shipments this week, and informs her he has joined the newly founded local yacht club.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, March 15, 1892
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner laments that he could not comfort her while she felt poorly, recounting his own experienced with a toothache. He then updates Chandler on Mr. Muñiz, who is having some trouble with the business. Hafner confides that he thinks their upcoming visit in St. Augustine will not be as enjoyable as their previous days together because it will be a performance for so many onlookers.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, March 14, 1892
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner writes her a short letter at 5 in the morning after taking the canoe out to the Anclote River. He then writes her a longer letter telling her how happy it makes him to write to her. Hafner says many of his friends think he overestimates the ability a woman has to understand a man, but he disagrees, saying Chandler understands him perfectly. He tells her she has given him a clarity of thought and purpose he lacked before they began writing each other. Hafner closes by updating Chandler on an anonymous female writer in Truth magazine who many single men in town are seeking to identify.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, March 10, 1892
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner was to write on new, uglier paper since his usual sheets have run out. Hafner expresses his joy at receiving Chandler's charming letters because she is the only person who doesn't annoy him at the moment. He tells her he has been invited to numerous social gatherings since his dinner with the governor and is becoming popular among many residents, including tourists. Hafner then ponders the significance of him picking Elizabeth for his wife even though he has is surrounded by plenty of charming women; his answer is that she is the sole woman he can love for "her own sake," and he prefers no one else.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, March 7, 1892
Albert Hafner
Content warning: This letter contains mentions of suicidal ideation. Digital Collections provides access to these materials to preserve the historical record, but we do not endorse the attitudes, prejudices, or behaviors found within them. If you are struggling with suicidal ideation, please call or text the suicide hotline at 988.
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He responds to Chandler after receiving a letter from her aunt, Mrs. Ware. Chandler's aunt calls Hafner inconsiderate; in lack of a response for her letter, Hafner writes to Chandler instead, saying he does not believe she would turn to her aunt to tell him about his misdoings. If she did, however, he asks her to come to him directly in the future. -
Summary of March 1892 Letters, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, March 1892
Elizabeth H. Chandler
A summary of letters sent in March 1892 by Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth H. Chandler in Massachusetts.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, March 1, 1892
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner expresses concern because he received a letter from his mother announcing her health is fine, but the letter was clearly written by his father. He also received a Family portrait from his mother, which he immediately sent to Chandler. He says he can tell by their faces how much his brother John, who is also in the picture, has caused their Family to stress and worry through his actions. John is urging their parents to sell their things and move to Chicago where they can forget the black sheep of the Family: Joe, another brother.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, October 30, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner teasingly complains that Chandler did not find one of his jokes funny in a previous letter. He then defends Chandler's love for antiques, saying he will be happy to see her include old furniture and decorations in their future home.
