Albert Hafner Letters
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, September 17, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He tells her how little rest he's gotten recently and confides that he thinks they understand each other perfectly. He recounts a conversation with Mr. Clapp during a busy day at work and updates Chandler on the big business changes taking place in Tarpon Springs.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, September 11, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Chandler has a fascination with fortune-telling and is disappointed to have turned down a basket peddler offering her future, but Hafner says it wouldn't be in her nature to look to fortune-telling instead of real, improbable futures. He recounts his encounter with Mr. Joe Patten, who recently returned from a vacation to Boston. He said he looked for Hafner in the Northeast because he assumed Hafner would've taken off the moment he had a chance to leave Tarpon Springs. Hafner laments that he has spent so much time without Elizabeth, as he wished to be with her and ask her parents for their blessing to marry. However, Hafner concludes that this time was for the best, and soon he will be able to see her again.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, September 8, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He kisses Chandler's picture she sent him and tells her even though they agreed to write carefully, he is too tired to do so after writing carefully all day. He expresses that he is equally as upset about the delays keeping him in Tarpon Springs as his friends, but that nothing can be done until the owner signs the lease. Until then, he asks for patience and warns Chandler he will be busy in the days ahead.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, September 6, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Chandler sent him an advertisement from her cousin Kate's music school in Philadelphia, and Albert says he would like to send some of his friends there. He argues to Chandler that he is fond of and will not be repairing his hole-ridden umbrella. He recounts a story of his mother teaching him how to put on pillowcases while explaining to Chandler how his thoughts wander as he cleans. Hafner's employee Cora returns to school tomorrow. Hafner tells Chandler he wanted to find a woman like his mother, and she is that woman.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, September 2, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He thanks her for the support she provides through her letters and discusses the difference between a wife who is a "puppet" and a wife who is a free thinker. Hafner compares hearing from Elizabeth to wishing to return to a dream after waking from sleep. He tells Chandler it isn't unusual to go without hearing from his father for over a year, but he used to hear from his mother regularly. Now, she leaves the correspondence to her husband as it all discusses her wayward son Joseph. Hafner's father finds his theories about the world to be meaningless; Chandler agrees with them. He confesses to keeping one of Chandler's previous gossiping letters but promises her his confidentiality. The building of his business will be finished by October 1st. Hafner shares a German publication with Chandler. He closes by saying white is a good color for a canoe and will take no more girls on the water until Chandler gets to go in it.
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Summary of September 1891 Letters, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, September 1891
Albert Hafner
A summary of letters sent in September 1891 by Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth H. Chandler in Massachusetts.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, August 31, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He excitedly announces new stamps he has found for her young Family member Winthrop. He then thanks Chandler for a Calendula blossom she sent him. Hafner contemplates the value in marrying young versus marrying later in life. He answers Chandler's question about his mother's approval of his decisions. Hafner then enters a long argument for wearing knee-length breeches as opposed to trousers. He tells Chandler their relationship is in no means an entrapment, as a real man would never need to trap a woman into marrying him and having his children. Comparatively, though, he considers that love itself might be called a trap, but one he willingly enters. He closes by updating Chandler on the well-being of the sick guests in the hotel and the stifling heat that is coming to an end.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, August 30, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He complains that he cannot tune out the sound of the Methodist church music nearby and says the congregation sings horribly. He then recounts some gossip he overheard outside, including ladies who criticized him for sailing on Sundays and rumored that Hafner only said he was getting married as a scheme to sell more stock. He closes the letter by describing a lovely image of himself and Chandler and sends her his love.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, August 28, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He reviews a clipping about Unitarianism Chandler sent him and reflects on his free-thinking views of religion. Hafner ponders what he and Chandler will be reading once they are married and how they will discuss it in person. He also tells her that if she were with him, he would have the pleasure of confiding in her about his stress and value her consideration. Hafner responds about a friend of Chandler's who cares for rats, emphasizing the fact that she kisses these pets. He then reviews another clipping Chandler sent to him about the language of monkeys. For the remainder of the letter, he discusses the stamps he sends for Chandler's young Family member Winthrop and the Canoes and canoeing trips he embarked on with some of the hotel guests who remain in good health. He closes with a story about a piece of wood eaten by shipworms and thanks Chandler for her correspondence and support.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, August 27, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He recounts a conversation he had with a sailor named Mr. Sweat, during which they discussed the sailing conditions in the Northeast, where Chandler lives. Chandler previously told Hafner about her trip to New Haven; he is surprised and concerned to hear Mr. Sweat say this is a poor place to visit. Sweat goes on to say it is a poor place because it is a temperance society, and the people who live there are either no fun or obtain alcohol in discrete ways.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, August 25, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He informs her his parents have sent him a letter from home, and he provides a translation of the German correspondence for her to read. In it, his parents discuss their Heartbreak at his brother Joseph losing everything and moving to the Americas. While Hafner doesn't respect his brother, he says his brother's actions are almost noble because he had the courage and independence to leave their home behind. Hafner's parents also give congratulations and love to their future daughter-in-law.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, August 23, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Chandler's previous letter arrived very late. Hafner laments about the heat and the absence of a breeze that prevents him from sailing. After Chandler told him about a story about a new hat she bought for a deal and cut down to fit her head, Hafner teases that he might be worried about the security of his own hats once they are married. He sends her some lichens and other Florida curiosities she has requested. Hafner continues to update Chandler on the illness at the hotel; he and one other guest are the only people in good health, and the cases of Mr. and Mrs. Weller are serious.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, August 19, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. After learning that Chandler has found her lost umbrella, he tells her about the poor state of his own umbrella and promises he will have a nicer, better one when they are married. He laments about the ongoing sickness at the hotel and ponders the phenomenon of meeting many Elizabeth's now that he is partial to the name; he says Chandler is "the only genuine Elizabeth" to him.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, August 17, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He discusses his fascination with maps and his thoughts on the definition of a yacht. Hafner also informs her of the excessive Florida heat and the cloudy weather that prevented him from viewing Mercury in the sky. Hafner explains that many people in the hotel are sick with malaria and recounts his attempt to help a hotel employee named Susie avoid a scam. He also tells a narrated tale on behalf of his pet owl, Jack, and recounts an argument he had with Mr. Clapp about riveting.
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Letter, A. Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, August 13, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He thanks Chandler for an orchid she sent him as a surprise gift and ponders the youthfulness of women. Hafner promises to look for the planet Mercury in the sky for her. He recounts a day trip during which he took an ill woman at the hotel out on the water in his canoe. He then tells her a comical story about taking two young girls fishing under their mothers' strict commands.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, August 11, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He compliments Chandler's letter writing once more, saying her letters are always substantial and thoughtful. He also ponders a sermon he came across and asks Chandler's opinion.
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Letter, A. Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, August 10, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He compliments Chandler's letter writing and says she always sounds happy. He apologizes for not writing as much as her because he requires a certain state of mind to write letters. Hafner also makes some jokes about Chandler's friend Miss Alice and ponders the sacredness of kissing.
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Letter, A. Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, August 9, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He asks Chandler to patiently wait for him to decide and share his future plans with her. He recaps his recent experience taking his canoe out to Anclote Key.
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Letter, Albert Hafner's Father to Albert Hafner, August 8, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter originally written in German for Albert Hafner from his father in Switzerland. In Albert's translation, his father says Albert's brother Joseph left for America and advises neither Albert nor his other brother John give him any money.
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Letter, A. Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, August 6, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He discusses Chandler's upcoming vacation to Maine and recounts a story of when he got typhoid fever at age 14. He also responds to a joke Chandler made about umbrellas and urges her to stay warm during her trip.
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Letter, A. Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, August 5, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner says he sailed to Anclote Key to look for sea cows at her request. He did not find any, though he saw three marine mammals often called sea cows that are actually porpoises. He compliments Chandler's youthfulness and responds to her calling him her German teacher. He updates her on his cigar business and teases her about encountering and impressing other men on her vacation, saying any compliment made to her is a compliment to him as her fiancé.
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Summary of August 1891 Letters, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, August 1891
Elizabeth H. Chandler
A summary of letters sent in August 1891 by Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth H. Chandler in Massachusetts. Attached is a slip of paper written in Chandler's handwriting. It contains a quote from Act I of Love's Labour's Lost, one of William Shakespeare's early comedies. The quote is spoken by the character Don Adriano de Armado and reads, "Love is a familiar; Love is a devil. There is no evil angel but Love."
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Letter, A. Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, August 3, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He recounts a trip to Hog Island in which he followed a steamship called the Ellen from his canoe, the Elizabeth.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 31, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Following his Diseases, Hafner admits he felt neglected by his friends on his own account because he didn't wish to see anyone. He informs Handler on the local typhoid fever epidemic and his tendency to take his canoe out. He says the bread in America is often terrible, and he cannot stomach biscuits.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 29, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He says he can be a sentimental man and a businessman at the same time. He asks Chandler if she is familiar with the saints and tells her the German phrase for "bride and groom."
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 28, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner reflects on his past Diseases, saying few people checked on him and he felt lonely. He discusses his choice to leave his parents and create his own life in America.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 26, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He admits to being easily distracted in his long-windedness. He defines the fishing term "bobbling" for her and makes some comments about his intelligence before contemplating her ability to tell surprising stories. Hafner tells Chandler he doesn't believe in metaphysical circumstances/coincidences. He expresses surprise that Chandler got a glass splinter in her eye and had to wear an eye covering; Hafner recounts his experience working and seeing friends. He also expresses his opinion on the smell of cigar smoke. He delights that Chandler got a German instructor.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 24, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner recounts a trip to Big Pass with a friend and his Family. He responds to Chandler about German lessons he gave her in previous letters. He also tells Chandler about a friend named Clinton whom he taught German in exchange for English lessons.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 22, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner sends Chandler a Tarpon skin, some Florida moss, and orchids from his garden.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 21, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner tells her he wrote to his father and told him neither he nor Hafner's mother will be blamed for how his brother Joseph has acted. He tells Chandler he is guarded about giving information to his parents about her because she is so special to him. Hafner expresses that Tarpon Springs is an awful place due to the number of people sick with typhoid fever. He suspects the water they get their ice from and put in their drinks is impure even though people claim otherwise. The ice factory broke down, so they all must drink warm rain water. He tells Chandler she is the one thing that gives him strength to persevere, and he thanks her.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 19, 1891
Albert Hafner
Content warning: This letter contains mentions of suicide. 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 thoughts of suicide, please call or text the suicide hotline at 988. A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He tells her he's been under the weather but will be better the next day. He recaps a letter he received from his parents: they congratulate his engagement. They also mention the railroad accident that day in Manchester that killed 11 men. Then his mother gave him bad news about his brother Joseph; he has not been reforming his behavior as previously thought and is almost out of credit. Joseph gets into trouble with his reckless friends and has lost the money their parents sent him. Hafner's mother tells him they won't be giving Joseph another cent and are heartbroken by the situation. Hafner tells Chandler he has no sympathy for his brother at all, and he wishes she were with him.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 17, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He says thoughts of her and her letters kept him up at night. He says a friend of his at the hotel will be sitting with him at his table now that his wife has gone up North for the summer. Hafner tells her he won't have time to write another letter that day and sends her a sample of sea oats, asking if she would like them for decoration.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 15, 1891
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 admits to Chandler he is very lonely and recently stayed in bed all day. He updates her about work and laments that he isn't doing something he is more passionate about. He complains about Florida Blue-Jays who screech nonstop while he bathes. He also admits he grows impatient waiting for his business to complete and has grown tired of Tarpon Springs. He sends a clipping of a letter sent from Maria Theresa of Austria to her daughter Maria Christina. He said his love for Friedrich Schiller's poetry aligns with his love for Chandler, as he now hears his favorite lines spoken in her voice. He insists Chandler ought to live in the South where it is warmer. Hafner reminisces to the day he met her, calling it the moment he got engaged. He said his friend had just died and he was depressed with suicidal thoughts, but he was meant to defy his sorrow so he could meet her. -
Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 13, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He tells her about an outdoor excursion where he saw three porpoises by his canoe. Chandler had teased him for frequently mailing an elderly woman in New Hampshire; Hafner tells her the woman was a housekeeper at the hotel who also became a caretaker to an ill man named Mr. Martin. Hafner sent fresh flowers from his garden to Martin's sick room every day, and he was impressed by how genuine and compassionate the woman was. He also recaps a conversation with a friend where he pondered connections between minds.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 10, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Writing to her from Tampa, Hafner reminisces about his bashful demeanor in the past and updates Chandler on the cigar industry. He tells her about a map he once made for a man and updates her on his friends. He also continues his discussion about the German language.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 9, 1891
Albert Hafner
Content warning: This letter contains racial slurs and mentions of racial violence. 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.
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He tells her about an incident in which his neighbor woke him to come apprehend a Black male trespasser from his home, and Hafner escorted the trespasser to a deputy of the law to avoid him being killed by angry neighbors. He cautions Chandler to be aware in her home and learn how to handle a firearm. -
Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 8, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He tells her he bought her Tarpon scales that he will send when they are dry and discusses politics. He also gives Chandler feedback on some sentences she previously wrote him in German and compares her to both an angel and a devil depending on how much he misses her.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 7, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He discusses the benefits of Canoes and canoeing and how it improves his health. He tells Chandler that his neighbor died of heart failure and their Family is suffering from typhoid fever. Hafner insists that another player, contaminated water, is behind the Diseases, and that he's been spreading this warning for a while. He updates Chandler on changes he makes to his canoe and informs her she can plan their wedding ceremony however she wishes.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 6, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He tells Chandler about the Fourth of July celebration he attended in Dunedin, where many Tarpon Springs residents participated in sailing races. He says, as a Prohibition town, everyone from Tarpon Springs was inebriated while others remained sober, and some Tarpon residents were the first to engage in fighting and shooting at the celebration. In his letter to Chandler, he also sends a response to a question from Mrs. Ware about fruit.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 3, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. Hafner discusses his Fourth of July plans and the concept of "old maids." He laments that the hotel is closed for guests, so he will not have any staff to cook for him.
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Summary of July 1891 Letters, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 1891
Elizabeth H. Chandler
A summary of letters sent in July 1891 by Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth H. Chandler in Massachusetts.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, July 2, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts. He explains his failure to write her in the past few days and informs her that worker strikes have delayed the opening of his office. He tells Chandler he will answer the rest of her letters at a later time.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, June 29, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth H. Chandler in Massachusetts. He talks about young women and tells Chandler he is glad she is the mature, thoughtful woman she is. He responds to Chandler's previous messages informing him she had a fight with her sister; he tells her to stand tall, as her sister is ill and holds resentment from causes other than Chandler. He also tells Chandler a historic Greek story that reminded him of her.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, June 28, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth H. Chandler in Massachusetts. He responds to a previous letter in which Chandler showed concern over his great love for his cousin Bertha, who is 10 years older than him. He admits that while he loved her and they shared a kiss, he felt no disappointment when Bertha married and had children, and he only has feelings for Chandler. He tells her stories from a train ride between Paris to Berlin.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, June 26, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth H. Chandler in Massachusetts. He updates her on his work, his friends, and the air plants in his garden. He inquires about plants he sent her previously and discusses the impact of tobacco and gambling. He tells her that while he misses her greatly, he will wait for her to marry him whenever she wishes.
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Letter in German, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, June 26, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter written in German by Albert Hafner for his fiancée Elizabeth Chandler in Massachusetts.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, June 23, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth H. Chandler in Massachusetts. He writes her about his recent trip to Clearwater with friends, and asks for an update on their shared friend, Miss Bertha. He contemplates the value of conscience versus logic and jokes about her mother detesting him. Chandler sends him a group picture of her with friends.
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Letter, Albert Hafner to Elizabeth Chandler, June 22, 1891
Albert Hafner
A letter from Albert Hafner to his fiancée Elizabeth H. Chandler in Massachusetts. He writes her about their friends and colleagues and ponders dreamily about their upcoming marriage.
