[Fraser?] Thomson, Letter to Blodwen Davies, May 19, 1930

Seattle Wash
5-19-30

Dear Ms Davies:

Received your letter May 17th – inviting material regarding my brother Tom’s sojourn in Seattle. Will endeavor to give you as much data as I can remember although a long time has elapsed since his leaving the Pacific Coast. When Tom first came to Seattle in 1901, he attended my oldest brother Georges Business School called the Acme Business College.

[…]

I do not remember how long Tom attended the school – may be six months or so. He was very clever with pen and ink and secured a position with Maring and Ladd later Maring and Blake successors Photo Engravers as artist. It was not long before he could do the work of experienced artists. Instead of his doing the work according to the instructions given by Mr Maring he would invariably work out the design to suit his own ideas which would make Mr Maring angry. During his stay with this concern there was not a single instance when a customer refused to accept his work.

[…]

One day Tom was sent over to the Seattle Engraving Co Maring and Blakes strongest competitors. While there waiting to see Mr Adams he made a pencil sketch on the counter Mr Adams when he saw it asked Tom how much money he was getting when told said that he would give $10⁰⁰ per week more if he would go to work for him. Tom accepted and went to work at once, but kept on boarding and rooming at Mr Marings house – void of any kind of fear.

Tom was always neatly attired in the best of clothes. He was a good tenor singer and would sing for hours but did not talk very much. He appeared to be in the best of spirits and always smilingly happy.

He left Seattle in 1904 or 5

[…]

Yours very truly
[Fr?] Thomson