Robert Gauss - 1911-08-14


Robert Gauss - 1911-08-14

Home ] The Letters 1800-1850 ] The Letters 1851-1900 ] The Letters 1900-1970 ]

 


 

Home
Bible
Biographical Material
The Black Book
Cemetery
Contacts
Deeds
Genealogy
Guestbook
John Jay Johns Journal
Letters
Links
Maps
Miscellaneous
Notes on Families:
Fawcett
 Johns
Lindsay/Glenday/Durfee
Obituaries
Orrick Johns
Pen of John Jay Johns
Photos
Pioneer Families of MO
Search
St. Charles, MO
Tax Records
Willis

Carl Friedrich Gauss Page
Wilhelm Ahrens Speech
Scan of Letter from Gauss
G. Waldo Dunnington Article

Chambless, Sanderson, Simmons

 

Disclaimer: The opinions on these pages are those of the writers and don't necessarily reflect my own views. More...

(To Robert Gauss of Denver, Colo.)

Gebhards Hotel              
Goettingen, Germany
1 August 1911

Dear Cousin Robert:-
        Cheer up for today - or the day you get this, rather - if the weather's hot.  You look like your ancestor; and considering all that we've seen and heard of him, of late, that should be enough to satisfy any one man.  I hope you've long ere this letter arrives, read Associated Press notices of yesterday's dedication.  Mamma's done her best in recommending the said reports to their notice, as of interest to some papers in America.  at least it was the biggest day of my humble existence, looking before as well as behind, I surmise; and I've come pretty clearly to realize that not much if anybody has a bigger ancestor to look back to.  If you haven't already realized the same, come to Germany and find out what the biggest brains over here think of him.  I've written several reams on the subject to Papa, and intended to do the same by you, but courage and ink fail me, and I ended by telling him to send his letter on to you.  If you can't read it, Uncle Andrew can; and remember that the handwriting was not originally intended for the eyes of cranky old bachelors.  Isn't it too bad I didn't know in time, when Herr Gieseke was holding my hand, that a Frau Excellenz was still lacking; I might have used the golden moments to better advantage.  the photographs of the new bust, made by the sculptor, Eberlein, for the Gauss-Zimmer in the Tower, were presented to us by Pastor Gieseke, at whose house we supped after the ceremonies and before train-time, with many big bugs and their gnädige Fraus.  One for you and one for us, - as is also the copy of the Niedersachsen.  Of only postcards have we a sufficient supply for still other members of the family; so appreciate your favoritism.  The Gauss family over here is well up to standard; may we do as well by it in America.  When I was cool yesterday you'd have been quite proud to hear me conversing with Excellenzes and Herr Geheimrats and Herr Rectors and Herr Ober-Präsidents and Herr Barons in German; and fortunately the day was not too warm; tho' once or twice, when a trifle "erreqt", I suppose you'd have disowned me.  If only you'd got the paper (Denver Republican) to send you over!  You ought to write up something for them still - and perhaps will, from all the "copy" sent you.  I'll tell Papa to send you the Excellenz Gieseke's  speech, too, of which he gave us the typewritten copy - tho' hope the newspapers will have them all.
        We've been simmering here, but so has everybody else everywhere, apparently.  and the cool breezes of today and yesterday, with the thought of Heidelberg tomorrow and the Rhine next, cheer us on.  Love to you and Uncle Andrew, and also to Miss Lister and Miss Cummings when you write - and who is this new lady who's inviting both of you to high-toned breakfasts?
        Come to Germany before you die and meet a few Herr Professors and such-like!  It might prove worth-while.  I'm not sure but that I'll come back myself and hunt den hochgrachten Herr Geheimrat Gieseke down! *

As ever your cousin,               
Helen          

The ivy leaves are from the grave.

* This is:  "Hunt the highly-honored Mr. Privy-Councillor Gieseke down".

Source:    Location of handwritten original unknown.  Typewritten copy in the private collection of the Chambless family.  Transcribed to softcopy by Susan D. Chambless, April 29, 2000.




  Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

 

 

 

Site Map
powered by FreeFind

 

 
Search my sites
 
     powered by FreeFind

 

What's New
powered by FreeFind   
Google
Search WWW
Search homepages.rootsweb.com
Search freepages.science.rootsweb.com
Search freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com

Search this site for:

Comments, errata or suggestions? Email me

 
Last modified:Sunday, 09-Nov-2003 16:31:29 MST