Publisher’s Note
The following are fac-similes of a few of the letters received by the author during the serial publication of “Friday, the Thirteenth.”
RESIDENCE OF
THE PAULIST FATHERS
2158 PINE STREET
San Francisco, CA 21 October 1906
My Dear Mr. Lawson
Kindly allow one of your countless admirers to express his extreme
gratification with the announcement that you will add fiction to your
distinguished literary achievements. Your gifts as a writer are so wonderful
and fascinating that I look forward eagerly to your work in this new
field—and I pray God to prosper you in all good.
Sincerely,
John Marus Haudly
70 Kirkland St., Cambridge
Dec. 26, 1906.
Mr. T. W. Lawson,
Boston, Mass.
My Dear Sir: Allow me to congratulate you on your last move and on your story,
“Friday, the Thirteenth”.
It is the best yet, not merely as a story but as an eye opener. I can begin
to see daylight in spots, where it looks like a remedy and a real one. I
can’t see how you will work it; but I think I do get a hint, and it holds
me tightly.
That story ought to be issued in a cheap (25¢) edition in paper, and
every man in American ought to read it. The third part is yet to come; but, if
I mistake not, it will make us all say “Hurrah!” In this form the
facts go home. They were too abstract before. Now they live and palpitate.
Sincerely yours,
[Illegible: H. W. Majorson]
Dowagiac, Mich., Dec 26, 1906.
Mr. T. Lawson,
Boston, Mass.
Dear Sir—
I have just finished reading your second installment of “Friday the
13th.” It is one of the greatest stories I ever read. Your previous
articles are good, but this is a wonder. I believe you are sincere and cannot
help admiring your wonderful courage + grit in going up against big odds. I
have no axe to grind with you, simply think that no matter how big you may be
you like to know that what you write is appreciated by the majority of good
american citizens. So Here’s to you Mr Lawson + I back you to eventually
win. Smash ’em good.
Yours Truly
A. J. Hill.
Grinnell, Iowa, Nov. 3 1906
Thomas Lawson
Boston, Mass.
Dear Sir,
What did “Bob” hear when he picked up the receiver. Impossible
to wait one month to find out.
Yours truly,
A. W. Talbott
103 Stedman Street
Brookline Mass.
Dear Mr. Lawson:—
I have hit just read the first instalment of your serial “Friday the
13th.”
I was so interested, aroused and stirred, I felt I must express to you
some of the appreciation I feel for the work you have done and are doing.
The army of those who suffer is so great the human spoilers so strong;
that one’s heart goes out in gratitude to a champion who comes around and
able willing to do better for the oppressed.
Would it be an intrusion to extend sympathy to one bereft of the beautiful
gift of loving companionship? I hope that it is sincerely felt.
Many admire and rejoice in your work—may it go forward bringing the
knowledge which is power to ever increasing numbers of American people.
Most Sincerely
Marion E. Major
December 14th, 1906
L. GUY DENNETT
ATTORNEY AT LAW
48 TREMONT ST., BOSTON
TELEPHONE CONNECTION
Nov. 21/06
Thomas W. Lawson Esq.
Boston, Mass.
Dear Sir,
I take it for granted that you want to know how the “Public” is
going to take to your latest writing “fiction” and how are you to
know unless your unknown friends write you?
I have read every thing you have ever written because I believe in you and
admire the work you have done and are doing and allow me to say that I finaly
believe that you will one day be recognized as one of the greatest story
writers of the age. The first section of “Friday the Thirteenth”
has convinced me that you will be a sure winner.
Yours very truly,
L. Guy Dennett
Angola Tulare Co. Cal.
Dec. 29, 1906
W. T. Lawson,
Dear Sir,
I wanted to thank you for the first number of “Friday the
13th”, but did not know your address. “Everybody’s”
contains some letters written you to Boston so hope this may reach its
destination.
I live in the wildest of the wooley west + such a god send as in
“Everybody’s” (sent me by a sister in Oakland Cal.) +
containing the first number of your story, words inadequately suffices. Friday
the 13th made an impression on me which I could not easily shake off if I
would. I was so sorry it ended where it did that I wanted to cry out + could
hardly wait for the Jan. number. Yesterday I bought one in Hanford Cal. rode 30
miles north to get it. I live a mile from the recently filled in basin of old
Tulare Lake. The snowfall on the mountains argue that our part of the Wild +
Wooley may soon be a fishing station instead of an alfalfa ranch.
Perhaps you don’t understand how much your story is appreciated.
You are Bob Brownley, I know. Can you really feel what you
write as you make us do? Your characters appeal to me so that I live with them,
every nerve alert to the straining point (but with pleasure). You are certianly
the idol of the American people. I’ve heard you discussed by rich + poor,
monopolist + antimonopolist during the publication of “Frenzied
Finance” + the worst a monopolist could say was that you were as bad as
the Standard Oil, but wanted to get even. “What is that but a
virtue,” exclaimed I. “Couldn’t he have made millions by
staying in, but he recognized his past failings and exposed
them S.O. to uphold a nation. May honor attend him. Isn’t that
being a man and a gentleman?”
People read “Frenzied Finance” to a man + would loan the
magazine one to another so those who felt the 15¢ impossible could get the
good of your revelations.
I’m glad you believe in sentiment—the heart-lasting sentiment
(instead of dollars and desire) which I feared was becoming a thing of the
past; There are still splendid men in America. God bless them.
O happy New Year may the weight of your pen sway millions. Amen.
Respectfully,
Louise D. Tennent
See 14 Kings
Angola P.O.
Ca.
Spokane, Wash.
December 28. 1906.
Mr. Thomas W. Lawson,
Boston, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I have lived nine years in Anaconda, Montana, and therefore become somewhat
familiar with amalgamated copper, etc. I want to say I have followed your
writings with lively interest and have sworn by all the statements you have
made. It is, therefore, with the greatest regret that I am compelled to state
that my faith in you has been shattered.
When you state in your story of “Friday the 13th” that the
heroine walked in to an office in New York in the middle of July with a feather
turban on her head I simply cannot swallow it. That a lady of refinement and
good taste with $30,000 in the bank, and anxious to make a good appearance,
should walk into an office in New York with a winter hat taxes my credulity to
the breaking point. However, be that as it may, I want to say that you have
made a big fight against great odds and that I admire your pluck and genius,
and I hope you will keep right on fighting for the right.
By the way, I might as well admit that it was my wife by the way is a
superior woman who called my attention to the turban when I was reading your
story aloud to her. I am,
Very truly yours,
John Ortson
O’Fallon, Ill. Nov. 22nd, 1906
Thos W. Lawson
Boston, Mass.
Dear Sir,
It has afforded me great pleasure to just have finished your first
installment to “Friday the 13th,” as have also your previous
writings, from which I learned a great deal,—although from a financial
standpoint, following what I thought to be your advice, I am several thousand
dollars looser,—and I take this means of contributing my mite of
encouragement, firmly believing that your work is doing a great good, and
trusting that success on the lines you have mapped out, will be your reward.
Very respectfully,
Wm. A. Staney.
(I’m awaiting your next installment)
Dear sir:
I have only had the pleasure of meeting you once—in your private car,
with Thayer, when you were returning from your western trip—but I hope
you will not consider me presuming if I take a moment of your valuable time to
thank you for your masterpiece just begun in Everybody’s.
Such magic has not flowed from a pen for many a year.
Yours Truly
John O Powers
206 North 34th Street
Philadelphia
Des Moines, Iowa, 11/20, 1906
Mr. Thos. Lawson
Boston.
Dear Sir,
I like your story “Friday the Thirteenth.” For the information
and added knowledge your previous writing has given me I thank you.
—“for the crow that is in him and the spurs that are on him to
back up the crow with.” You certainly are a game and competant old
fighter.
Sincerely, with best wishes
[Illegible signature: A. S. Goodman]
St. Paul, Minn.,
November 26, 1906.
Mr. Thomas W. Lawson,
Boston,
Mass.
Dear Sir:
I wish to congratulate you on the good story you wrote in Everybody’s
Magazine this month. It is the beat story I ever read and the best I ever
saw published in any magazine.
I am well posted on the “Brokers” business and enjoyed your story very
much. I hope you will continue to write them. I know they are taken more
from real life than immagination. I am sure they will be appreciated as
much as “Frenzied Finance”. I have taken the liberty to send a good word
to Ridgway’s.
With best wishes, I remain
Yours respectfully,
Western Union Telegraph Co.
R.A. Kelly
Los Angeles, Calif.,
December 11, 1906.
Mr. Thomas W. Lawson,
Boston, Mass.
My dear Sir:
It was indeed a pleasure to read your novel in this month’s
Everybody’s. Being an old trader myself, I have appreciated every word of
it and look forward for the continuation with much interest.
I just want to say this too—that anyone who says that you cannot
write anything else but “Street” gossip had better cover his
“shorts”.
Wishing you all kinds of success, and with congratulations on your splendid
work, I am
Very sincerely,
Nancy Brown
214 Citizens Nat’l Bank Bldg.
Washington, D.C.,
December 1, 1906.
Thos. W. Lawson, Esq.,
Boston,
Mass.
Dear Sir:
I have just read with very great pleasure and edification the first
installment of your excellent story “Friday the 13th”. It is so far
a masterpiece.
Congratulating you. I remain
Very truly,
M. H. Ramaze
Cleburn, Texas, Dec 3 1906
Mr. Thos. W. Lawson
Boston
Dear Sirs:
I have just your first installment of “Friday 13th.” It is OK +
if the balance of the story is as good (+ I have no doubts on that score) you
are “It” when it comes to writting fiction as well as tricking the
Insurance Thief + Standard Oil Grafters.
Wishing you success
I am yours very truly
S. F. Welch
Rumford Falls, Maine,
November 20, 1906.
Mr. Tom Lewson,
Boston,
Mass.
Dear Sir:
I have read all your writings in Everybody’s, including the first
installment of your story in the December number, and I must say that I am more
than pleased with it. As a writer of fiction you are sure to make another big
hit.
Yours truly,
W. I. White.