L.L. Whitman correspondence, 1903-1911
Finding aid prepared by Gina C Giang.
Manuscripts Department
The Huntington Library
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2203
Fax: (626) 449-5720
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
© 2015
The Huntington Library. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: L.L. Whitman correspondence
Dates: 1903-1911
Collection Number: mssHM 81903-82022
Creator:
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932
Extent:
121 items in 3 boxes
Repository:
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
Manuscripts Department
The Huntington Library
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2203
Fax: (626) 449-5720
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
Abstract: This collection consists of letters from L.L. Whitman and his wife to his mother R.J. Whitman, in South Paris, Maine.
Language of Material: The records are in English.
Administration Information
Access
Collection is open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information,
please go to following
web site .
Publication Rights
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material,
nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and
obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], L.L. Whitman correspondence, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Acquisition Information
Purchased from DeWolfe and Wood, February 2015.
Biography
Lester L. (Lester Lee) Whitman was born in 1861. He was a well-known transcontinentalist. Whitman made several cross country
automobile trips in a Franklin, a Reo, and an Oldsmobile. In Pasadena, California, he owned an automobile manufacturing shop.
He held several automobile records including San Francisco, California to New York City in 15 days 2 hours and 12 minutes
in 1906. He also made the ascent to Mount Wilson in his 1907 Franklin and said, "Not for five hundred dollars would I make
the trip again."
Scope and Content
The Whitman correspondence begins on May 28, 1903 in Pasadena, California. Whitman writes to his mother about a potential
automobile trip from San Francisco, California to New York and introduces her to his driving partner, E.I. Hammond. The duo
will be trailing several hundred miles behind E.T. Fetch and M.C. Krarup, another pair on their way to New York. Whitman writes
that he has more faith in his 4.5-horsepower Oldsmobile than the 1903 Packard, which Fetch is driving. Postcards and letters
concerning his trip east are sent from various locations including Lovelock and Elko, Nevada, Ogden, Utah, Rawlins, Wyoming,
and Elwood, Nebraska. On the road, Whitman and Hammond face mechanical issues, rugged roads, and harsh weather conditions.
In one letter, Whitman writes about frightening a lone Indian to death when they approached him in their "machine." In another
event, they recruited the help of two cowboys, who used "their lassos to pull us up a bank some 15ft high..." (July 20, 1903).
When driving through the country side, the undeveloped roads prove to be difficult: "The country is all mud, terrible. We
can make but little progress. This mud is the black adobe like lard and dries hard as flint" (Aug. 13, 1903). In Detroit,
Michigan, Whitman meets Ransom E. Olds and appears to be an honored guest at an automobile race with 10,000 people in attendance.
Whitman speaks too soon when he writes "I don't want any more endurance runs..." because he dashes across the continent again
in 1904, 1906, and 1910 at record-setting rates, which include breaking Fetch's record. Whitman reflects that his automobile
trip "helps to season and spice the short life we stay on this earth" (Oct. 18, 1903).
The correspondence resumes in June 1904 in Syracuse, New York. Whitman appears to be preparing for his next transcontinental
trip with Charles S. Carris. Whitman and Carris left San Francisco, Californ ia on August 1, 1904 and arrived in New York
City 33 days later on September 3, 1904. Whitman writes, "I am well and hearty- and have in my pocket a check for $1,200 –
for my labor, pretty good eh?" (September 3, 1904).
After a brief vacation on the east coast, Whitman and his wife arrive home in Pasadena, California on November 13, 1904. At
this point in time, the letters mainly concern family, friends, social life, and updates on Whitman's business as a car manufacturer
with his partner W.G. Hansen. Concerning car sales, Whitman jokes: "If I can't sell them we can run them into the ocean" (July
11, 1909). There are a number of letters from Syracuse, New York as Whitman was offered a position with H.H. Franklin Mfg.
Co. after his trip; however, he did not remain with the company for very long. In late 1910 and early 1911, Whitman and W.T.
Harrington opened a garage selling automobiles and supplies in Pasadena, California. Unfortunately, business was "rotten"
and the garage was bought out in late February. Besides occupying himself in the automobile industry, Whitman writes often
about his vegetable garden, trapping gophers, and his health. He suffered from asthma, frequent headaches, and rheumatism.
Thus, there are several letters from hot springs in San Jacinto, California, which he calls a "stinking place."
Much of the correspondence from Pasadena, California consists of letters from Whitman and his wife Sophia in the same envelope.
Occasionally, there are letters addressed to an "Elizabeth," possibly a relative in South Paris, Maine. Some of the letters
include dried pressed flowers. There are also clippings related to Whitman's travels from the Lewiston Saturday Journal and
Pacific Automobiling in 1904. There are two pamphlets that Whitman wrote about his cross country trips:
From Coast to Coast in a Motor-Car (1905) and
Coast to Coast in a REO (1910). Note:
Coast to Coast in a REO was transferred to the Rare Books Department in May 2015. The call number is RB 645458. Lastly, there is one photograph from
Whitman's transcontinental trip in 1910.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Indexing Terms
Personal Names
Carris, Charles S.
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932
Hammond, Eugene I. (Eugene Irish), 1880-1948
Corporate Names
Reo Motor Car Company
Subjects
Automobile drivers
Automobile driving
Automobile industry and trade
Automobile racing
Automobile supplies industry
Automobile travel
Franklin automobile
Garages
Hot springs--California--San Jacinto
Oldsmobile automobile
Reo automobile
Geographic Areas
California--Description and travel
Pasadena--Social life and customs
San Gabriel Mountains (Calif.)--Description and travel
San Gabriel River Valley (Calif.)
Syracuse (N.Y.)
United States--Description and travel
Genre
Correspondence (letters)
Clippings (information artifacts)
Photographs
Box 1
Correspondence
1903-1904, Oct. 18
HM 81903
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, May 28)
HM 81904
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, June 30)
HM 81905
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, July 1)
HM 81906
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 postcard to R.J. Whitman
(1903, July 1)
HM 81907
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 postcard to [Sophia Whitman]
(1903, July 3)
HM 81908
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, July 5)
With envelope and business card
HM 81909
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 postcard to R.J. Whitman
(1903, July 10)
HM 81910
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, July 15)
HM 81911
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 postcard to R.J. Whitman
(1903, July 16)
HM 81912
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, July 20)
HM 81913
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 postcard to R.J. Whitman
(1903, July 27)
HM 81914
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, July 30)
With envelope, business cards, notes, and a typewritten story entitled "How the Brownies went to the North Pole, and what
they did there."
HM 81915
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 postcard to R.J. Whitman
(1903, Aug. 3)
HM 81916
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, Aug. 13)
HM 81917
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, Aug. 16)
HM 81918
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, Aug. 23)
HM 81919
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, Aug 28)
With envelope, Bill of Lading, and receipt
HM 81920
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 postcard to R.J. Whitman
(1903, Sep. 3)
HM 81921
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 postcard to R.J. Whitman
(1903, Sep. 6)
HM 81922
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, Sep. 8)
HM 81923
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, Sep. 17)
HM 81924
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, Sep. 21)
HM 81925
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 telegram to R.J. Whitman
(1903, Sep. 23)
HM 81926
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, Oct. 6)
HM 81927
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 postcard to R.J. Whitman
(1903, Oct. 11)
HM 81928
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, Oct. 13)
HM 81929
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, Oct. 16)
HM 81930
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, Oct. 18)
HM 81931
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1903, Oct. 19)
HM 81932
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1904, June 26)
HM 81933
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1904, July 1)
HM 81934
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1904, July 8)
HM 81935
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1904, July 19)
HM 81936
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1904, July 21)
With envelope and receipt
HM 81937
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1904, July 24)
HM 81938
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 postcard to R.J. Whitman
(1904, Aug. 3)
HM 81939
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1904, Aug. 11)
HM 81940
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1904, Sep. 3)
HM 81941
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1904, Sep. 14)
HM 81942
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1904, Sep. 20)
HM 81943
Dingley, B.H. letter to Lester L. (Lester Lee) Whitman, 1861-1932
(1904, Oct. 18)
Box 2
Correspondence
1904, Oct. 25-1909
HM 81944
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1904, Oct. [25])
With envelope and business card
HM 81945
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 postcard letter to R.J. Whitman
(1904, Oct. 27)
HM 81946
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1904, Nov. 7)
HM 81947
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 postcard to R.J. Whitman
(1904, Nov. 9)
HM 81948
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 postcard to R.J. Whitman
(1904, Nov. 11)
HM 81949
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 postcard to R.J. Whitman
(1904, Nov. 12)
HM 81950
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 postcard to R.J. Whitman
(1904, Nov. 12)
HM 81951
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1904, Nov. 16)
HM 81952
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1904, Nov. 26)
HM 81953
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1904, Nov. 28)
With envelope and newspaper clippings
HM 81954
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1905, Nov.)
HM 81955
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1904, Dec. 27)
HM 81956
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1905, Jan. 6)
HM 81957
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1905, Jan. 14)
HM 81958
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1905, Jan. 23)
With envelope and business cards
HM 81959
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1905, Jan. 24)
HM 81960
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1905, Jan. 26)
HM 81961
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1905, Jan. 27)
HM 81962
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1905, Jan. 28)
HM 81963
Franklin, H.H. letter to Lester L. (Lester Lee) Whitman, 1861-1932
(1905, Feb. 25)
HM 81964
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1908, Nov. 15)
HM 81965
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1908, Dec. 13)
With envelope. Includes letter from Sophia [Whitman] letter to R.J. Whitman
HM 81966
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, Jan. 5-6)
With envelope and pressed flowers
HM 81967
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, Feb. 4)
With envelope. Includes letters from Sophia [Whitman] to R.J. Whitman and Elizabeth -----
HM 81968
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, Feb. 23)
HM 81969
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, Mar. 2)
With envelope and newspaper clipping
HM 81970
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, Mar. 4)
With envelope and business card
HM 81971
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, Mar. 16)
HM 81972
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, Mar. 26)
With envelope and newspaper clippings
HM 81973
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, Apr. 7)
HM 81974
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, Apr. 18)
HM 81975
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, May 7)
With envelope. Includes letter from Lester L. (Lester Lee) Whitman, 1861-1932 to R.J. Whitman on the same letter
HM 81976
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, June 16)
HM 81977
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, June 29)
HM 81978
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, July 11)
With envelope. Includes letter from Sophia [Whitman] to R.J. Whitman
HM 81979
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, Aug. 3)
HM 81980
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, Aug. 30)
With envelope and newspaper clipping. Includes letters from Sophia [Whitman] to R.J. Whitman and Elizabeth -----
HM 81981
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, Sep. 28)
With envelope and newspaper clipping
HM 81982
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, Oct. 27)
HM 81983
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, Nov. 8)
With envelope, pressed flowers, and fabric swatch. Includes letter from Sophia [Whitman] on the same letter and a note to
Elizabeth -----
HM 81984
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1909, Nov. 29)
Box 3
Correspondence, Ephemera, and Photograph
1910-1911
HM 81985
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1910, Oct. 28)
With envelope. Includes letter to Elizabeth -----
HM 81986
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1910, Nov. 12)
With envelope. Includes letters from Sophia [Whitman] to R.J. Whitman
HM 81987
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1910, Nov. 25)
With envelope. Includes letters from [Sophia Whitman] to R.J. Whitman. One letter written on letter from Elizabeth -----
HM 81988
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1910, Dec. 16)
With envelope. Includes letter [Sophia Whitman] to [R.J. Whitman]
HM 81989
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, Jan. 3)
With envelope. Includes letter to Elizabeth ----- on the same letter
HM 81990
[Whitman, Sophia] letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, Jan. 9)
With envelope and pressed flower
HM 81991
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, Jan. 28)
HM 81992
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, Feb. 7)
With envelope and business card
HM 81993
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, Feb. 9)
With envelope. Includes letter to Elizabeth -----
HM 81994
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, Feb. 21)
With envelope. Includes letter from Sophia [Whitman]
HM 81995
[Whitman, Sophia] 1 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, Mar. 7)
With envelope. Includes letter from L.L. Whitman on same letter and letter from Sophia [Whitman] to Elizabeth ----
HM 81996
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, Mar. 27)
With envelope. Includes letter from Sophia [Whitman]
HM 81997
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, Apr. 3)
With envelope. Includes letter from Sophia [Whitman]
HM 81998
[Whitman], Sophia letter to Elizabeth -----
(1911, Apr. 8-20)
With envelope. Includes letter to R.J. Whitman dated Apr. 20 1911
HM 81999
[Whitman, Sophia] letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, Apr. 10)
HM 82000
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, Apr. 17)
HM 82001
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, Apr. 25)
HM 82002
Whitman, Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, May 5)
With envelope and pressed flowers. Includes letter from Janette ----- dated Sep. 28, 1911 and Susie ---- dated Sep. 28, 1911
HM 82003
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, May 15)
HM 82004
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 1 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, May 20)
With envelope. Includes letter from Sophia [Whitman], a flyer, and pressed flowers wrapped in portion of another letter
HM 82005
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, May 20)
HM 82006
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, May 26)
HM 82007
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, June 10)
HM 82008
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, July 14)
With envelope. Includes letter from Sophia [Whitman]
HM 82009
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, July 31)
With envelope. Includes letters from Sophia [Whitman] to "Little Henry" , Elizabeth -----, and R.J. Whitman
HM 82010
[Whitman], Isabel letters to "Mother, Papa, and Grandma"
(1911, Aug. 25)
HM 82011
[Whitman, Sophia] and Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, Sep. 1)
HM 82012
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, Sep. 13)
With envelope and plant leaves
HM 82013
Whitman, Lester L. (Lester Lee), 1861-1932 letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, Sep. 27)
With envelope and newspaper clippings
HM 82014
[Whitman], Sophia letter to R.J. Whitman
(1911, Oct. 5)
With envelope. Includes letters from Janette dated Sep. 28, 1911 and Susie dated Sep. 28, 1911
HM 82015
Godfrey, Abbie Prentiss letter to George Crockett
(1911, July 7)
HM 82016
[Whitman, Sophia] letter to ----- -----
[undated]
HM 82017
Among the Automobiles [clipping]
(1904, Oct. 22)
From Lewiston Saturday Journal
HM 82018
Whitman Reduces Transcontinental Record 28 Days [clippings]
[1904]
From Pacific Automobiling
HM 82019
L.L. Whitman's Second Transcontinental Tour [clipping]
[1904]
From Pacific Automobiling
HM 82020
From Coast to Coast in a Motor-Car by L.L. Whitman [pamphlet]
[1905]
With note card: "There are 'many men of many minds' and also men of many kinds. But this kind of a man, I am sure you'll
agree. Is the kind we are always glad to see."
HM 82021
Coast to Coast in a Reo [pamphlet]
(1910)
Original transferred to Rare Books Department, May 2015. Call number: RB 645458
HM 82022
"From N.Y. to S.F. in a Reo – 10 day – 18 hour – 12 min. From N.Y. to Los Angeles in a Reo – 12 day – 21 hour – 51 min" [photograph]
[1910]
Photograph by N. Lazarnick
L.L. Whitman's business cards
[undated]
