Letter from Captain Smith's Widow
Woodhead
Winn Road
Southampton Telephone 1400
Dear Frank,
I'm sorry to be so long in answering your letter and picture of your family which I am pleased to have. What a lovely outlook from your home. By the "Olympic" I have sent you a menu of "The Dinner", December 28th, 1911. My dear one said only in March, 1912 he wanted you to have a copy, which of course I could not send not having your address. I am more than proud of that picture. I have a large one of "the dinner" -it's a great souvenir to hand down to his Gillie and her children, please God, and he also seemed to think you might be proud to possess a menu. His own was bound in white morocco, edged with silver bands. I suppose you have a nice picture of him, the last one taken on "Olympic" in his white uniform; if not I could let you have a copy taken from it. It's a glorious picture, so spirited and fearless- no one with an expression like that would do other than he did. I am proud to bear his name. I wish you could know- read all the magnificent tributes paid to him. I never knew any one man create such esteem and love as he had the power of doing, and no son of England died a more noble death; he and Captain Gates may stand together and a way up higher than the highest. The way has been and is hard. NO sooner is one thing over than another looms ahead. I have had to face the all too-horrible actions on the part of the Congress working up the "Titanic" claims. They intend to make out faulty navigation. By lies only can they succeed and has been proved by the experience of the "Olympic" case, lies do succeed in the hands of the evil one.
Melville went away to boarding school last May 7th so I am alone. She is happy and has the same bright-happy disposition as her Father. I hope to spend June 14th and 15th with her, being mid-term. I want to go from this house soon as I can but what a wrench to leave the sacred room of his, where one last said good-bye. I cannot write you a decent letter as I would like. It is too trying even yet, so please excuse. I wish I had a picture of myself to send you. My dear Ted was always asking me to have one done, as Melville now is. Did you know of the memorials they have put up in Hanley? -a brass tablet and two pictures in the old school. There is also to be something in New York in the Seaman's Church Institute, and from what I hear, there is something afoot on in England. I believe the Duke of Sutherland is the chairman, and some very prominent men on the committee including Lord Pirrie, Bishop of (illegible) and Willisden. Did you ever hear of dear Ted saving the child? It is quite true and so like him. I should much like to hear from you again. Receive my kindest message for yourself and family whom I hope enjoy good health.
Very Sincere Love,
Eleanor Smith
Winn Road
Southampton Telephone 1400
Dear Frank,
I'm sorry to be so long in answering your letter and picture of your family which I am pleased to have. What a lovely outlook from your home. By the "Olympic" I have sent you a menu of "The Dinner", December 28th, 1911. My dear one said only in March, 1912 he wanted you to have a copy, which of course I could not send not having your address. I am more than proud of that picture. I have a large one of "the dinner" -it's a great souvenir to hand down to his Gillie and her children, please God, and he also seemed to think you might be proud to possess a menu. His own was bound in white morocco, edged with silver bands. I suppose you have a nice picture of him, the last one taken on "Olympic" in his white uniform; if not I could let you have a copy taken from it. It's a glorious picture, so spirited and fearless- no one with an expression like that would do other than he did. I am proud to bear his name. I wish you could know- read all the magnificent tributes paid to him. I never knew any one man create such esteem and love as he had the power of doing, and no son of England died a more noble death; he and Captain Gates may stand together and a way up higher than the highest. The way has been and is hard. NO sooner is one thing over than another looms ahead. I have had to face the all too-horrible actions on the part of the Congress working up the "Titanic" claims. They intend to make out faulty navigation. By lies only can they succeed and has been proved by the experience of the "Olympic" case, lies do succeed in the hands of the evil one.
Melville went away to boarding school last May 7th so I am alone. She is happy and has the same bright-happy disposition as her Father. I hope to spend June 14th and 15th with her, being mid-term. I want to go from this house soon as I can but what a wrench to leave the sacred room of his, where one last said good-bye. I cannot write you a decent letter as I would like. It is too trying even yet, so please excuse. I wish I had a picture of myself to send you. My dear Ted was always asking me to have one done, as Melville now is. Did you know of the memorials they have put up in Hanley? -a brass tablet and two pictures in the old school. There is also to be something in New York in the Seaman's Church Institute, and from what I hear, there is something afoot on in England. I believe the Duke of Sutherland is the chairman, and some very prominent men on the committee including Lord Pirrie, Bishop of (illegible) and Willisden. Did you ever hear of dear Ted saving the child? It is quite true and so like him. I should much like to hear from you again. Receive my kindest message for yourself and family whom I hope enjoy good health.
Very Sincere Love,
Eleanor Smith
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