Introduction

Dear Dora was created to share the letters of William McGregor Mitchell (18 April 1893 to 15 September 1955) to his wife, Dora Maude Knapton Mitchell (14 November 1893 to 17 November 1975), and their children. The letters were written between 1931 and 1942 and kept by Dora Mitchell until her death. These letters are presently in the possession of a grandson of William and Dora Mitchell, who received them from his mother, Phyllis Dora Mitchell Cannon, a daughter of William and Dora.

William and Dora Mitchell with their three oldest children (L to R: William, Miriam, Lolita, Dora, and Max Mitchell) circa summer 1918.

William and Dora Mitchell were married in the Salt Lake Temple on 25 June 1913. The Salt Lake Tribune that morning wrote, "An interesting wedding of today will be that of Miss Dora Knapton to William Mitchell, which will be solemnized in the Salt Lake temple at high noon, with a reception in the evening at the bride's home." Six children would be born to the marriage. Five of them lived to adulthood.

12 November 1931, Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles

                                                                        Nov 12, 1931

Dear—Dora— Miriam Lolitta Phylis— Max & Warren—

            I would sure like to write a big long letter but I don’t know what to write about. Your daddy is about the same as he was three years ago. Only my hear is grey and I feel lots older.

            I have chased all over the country just can’t stay in one place long. But every place I go I still remember you all. I don’t know why I went out to aunt Merle’s place, But I was sure glad [p. 1] that I did. Your letter have made me very happy, they were sure sell please write again. I don’t know when I will get them. I may not be in L.A. for some time again But I will try to see Merle next week before I leave.

            Well kids I miss the piano too. Haven’t played for nearly a year, I had a job in a n nite club near S.F. for six months but I got tired of nite work and quite Guess all I will ever do is cut tin.

            Your pictures were just dandy I hardly knew. Lolitta. I will send one of me If I can find one. Hope you like it.

            I am sure glad you are all well and getting along so well. I will agree with you that you sure have a wonderful mother Take her advice and you will never go wrong.

            I know so many things I could write about but I don’t know just what to write about. I supose you [p. 2] will be surprised to hear from me as it is. So maby next time I will be able to write you a bigger and better letter.

            Sorry to hear about dear old Dan. He was sure a pal. I hope this finds you all well as it leaves me. May God bless and guide you all

Your Daddy

Bill.

            Many Happy returns of the day Dora. Nov 14,

x

27 March 1932, Los Angeles, California

                                                                        Los Angeles

                                                                        Mar 27, 1932

Dear Dora & all—

            Just a few lines to let you know I am still thinking about you. It is Easter Sunday today but to me it is just another day.

            I don’t write very often but today I have got to admit I am sick all over. Sometimes things look pretty blue. So if I can find some relief in writing you a letter I know you will bear with me.

            Work has been terrible all over Cal. About two days a week and lucky at that. But when you are away from all your loved ones it is sure tough. The only [p. 1] news that I know is bad news so I will forget the news.

            How are all my great big girls and boys. Gee I wish I could see you all rite now. Miriam was eighteen on the 23 of this month. I have a good memory for a piker like me.

            I wrote dad a letter but he did not ans. So if I don’t get an answer from this one I will swear off for ever. You know the old saying “If a fellow has just one friend he can make a million” and I still think I have one in Salt Lake??

            I can’t write or a darn thing today so I think I will have to quit. There is a good ball game today Detroit & Pittsburg at Wrigley Field so I will go see that.

            I went to church last sunday at Hollywood. And say they sure have some chapel. It is the one of the nicest churches in town. It has a pipe organ and sure is swell. Is it OK for me to go [p. 2] a mormon church?  I still believe the things I learned more than ever.

            Say the kiddies promised me a picture of the person that opened this letter. How about it? Maby I shouldn’t ask any favors of you but I just can’t resist this one.

            Please write and tell me all the news or scandal and I will write again sooner I hope. From one who love you all.

                                                                        Daddy Bill.

c/o Vermont Sheet Metal

374 So Vermont Ave L.A.

3 September 1932, Oakland, California

Oakland Calif—

Sept. 3, 1932

Dear Dora & Kiddies

            I guess I never write only when I have to. But here are a few lines to let you know I love you all and am thinking about you so far away, and yet so near

            As per usual I am all sick and blue and disgusted. I try to keep up a bold front but I think I have just about reached the limit of my road. When one is all alone in the world things get oh so tuff. Sometimes I don’t know what to do. I still have some good breeding in me that keeps one from utter dispair. [p. 1]

            Well I hope this finds you all well. The last three months I have longed to be with you all. Maby some day

            I will have received my punishment for what I have done. What do you think? I will try to finish this under better spirits.

            I received your letter Lolita. It went to L.A. and then to Seattle and then to Oakland. And here it caught up with me. I don’t know just what to say. I have had the worst luck of my life just now as far as money is concerned. I have just had enough to eat and [p. 2] that is all, When I left L.A. I had some money coming and the man was to pay the last payment on my car two weeks after I left. When I got to Oakland they picked it up one nite and I could not raise $16⁰⁰ so I had to lose it. That left me broke and stranded here. I was on my way back to L.A.> Gee but it sure hurts to think I can’t send you some rite now, To tell the truth I don’t know where my next meal is coming from. Not working and none of the shops here are busy. over [p. 3]

            I played piano over station K.W.JJ. while I was in Portland but did not make very much I played here in a club one week and they got closed up.

            Well Dora old pal how are you? Your few lines were missed in Lolita’s letter. You know who I love and who I alway’s will. I could get [three or four illegible words] but I must have permission, from the mamma, That is you. Please drop me an answer today as I may leave here soon. As ever your loving Daddy boy Bill.

xxxxxx

5 April 1933, El Cerrito, California

                                                                        El Cerrito

                                                                        Apr—5— 33

           
Dearest Dora:—
            Well sweetheart I suppose I am a piker. But honey girl, I have been working nites in El Cerrito and living in Emeryville. So I havent had a chance to get my mail for ten days and I have felt to punk to write. I was holding down two jobs and I got sick and quite one. Well I think I quite the wrong one because the one I am on now is cut down to four days and it may be only two days a week[.] I have been trying to [p. 1] save enough money to get out of this country but it looks like I never will get enough. All I seem to get is a place to sleep and something to eat. If I ever get some new clothes I will be on my way damn soon.

            You want to know what I do. Well that is easy to explain. I work in a joint and when I am off for a while I visit some other joint or else go to bed. I have been to one show in six months. I am more or less sponging on a friend of mine. Four of us fellows are living together in [p. 2] a nice house. His wife is In Napa that is the Hospital for the feeble minded. We do our own cooking and cleaning. How would you like a job? I don’t have any women on the string. I have always kept my nose clean. I have trouble enough to keep myself. That is the way I spend my time. What I life. Shit!!! I could get sentimental as hell every time I think what an ass I am.

            Well darling that is enough of that. I am off tonight, no dough, no place to go, all I have to do is sit here and drink [p. 3] We have plenty of stuff here because we sell it wholesale. All kinds Whiskey, Jin, Alky, & Wine. Some racket. I should be proud of my self.

            How is the chances of getting a job with the Sherriff. I would go for that in a big way. All I do now is play piano. Do they sell beer & wine in Utah yet? I was up to Antioch and some other small touns to see about giving weekly dances[.] If I could put them over I could make some money. At least wages. [p. 4]

            I am sure glad you have a good job and like it. But gee dear I wish it was me that had the job and you could take care of a good home.

            The pictures you sent were sure swell. Please send some more. If I were to see my kiddies I hardly think I would know them. I would sure know my Dora. Same as ever. You never change, do you honey? Some day if I call you on the phone and say. Hello honey hows for a date tonite. Please meet me at six [p. 5] oclock some place. Oh boy what a thrill. Yes or No? That is what you may expect. Could you take care of me like you used to or are you going to make me wait?

            Give my best regards to dad and all the kids Thanks for the Easter card and the extra letter I will try to write more often dear. But I don’t have much news. All I can do is tell you my troubles. And I want to forget them. Love & kisses to you all will hope to hear from you soon. As ever your lover & daddy

                                                                        W^m Mitchell

28 September 1933, El Cerrito, California

El Cerrito Cal—

Sept. 28— 33

Dear Dora:—

            You know doubt will be surprised to hear from me. It has been a long time. But I would like to know how you all are. I often think about the old home and all my old pals, and family.

            I have been all over the country and thing are as tough as possible I have been half sick [p. 1] for six months. I think it is caused by my bum teeth.

            How are all the kids[?] give them my love and a kiss. I will write them a letter If I get an ans. to this one.

            Write and let me know how everything is. Another question I want you to ans. is this. When I was in L.A., Merle said you got a divorce. Is that the truth?

            I hope you are well [p. 2] and happy. You are sure entitled to it.

            Please ans. this now because I suspect to go to L.A. soon and I would like to here some news from home.

            I will write more next time. Love and kisses to all.

                                                                        Your old pal

                                                                        W^m Mitchell

22 October 1933, El Cerrito, California

El Cerrito Cal—

Oct 22— 33—

Dearest Dora—

            Just a few lines to let you know I am thinking about you. Well old pal you sure do have a way of reading between the lines. But you are all wrong. I hope that makes you feel better. I wouldn’t be as foolish as you may think. It was just out of curiosity that I asked that question. You know I would never marry again unless I could find [p. 1] another Dora. And I don’t think they ever made another one.

            Honey girl I do think of you at all times. But there is just some sort of pride that keeps me from S.L. City. I don’t have many real friends out here, and things are pretty tough at times but I don’t like to complain, so I just grin and bear it. I have lost nearly a thousand dollars this last year. In two places I have worked. I just can’t get ahead. The place I am in now owes me 3 weeks [p. 2] back wages. It looks like I will have a hard time collecting. And I am about broke. My clothes are wore out and winter is nearly here. Why tell you all this bunk? When I get some dough ahead I will come to S.L. and see you if it is just for a few short hours. I just as well tell you the truth. I have wanted to for 4 years.

            I live here in the club where I work. I used to have a third interest in it. I have a room here [p. 3] and do all my cooking right here. I tend bar and play piano. It is a swell place but times are to tough on these joints now

            How is work in S.L.? Can you find me a job? What a question. But it goes. There are many things I would like to talk to you about. Some day soon I hope I will be able to hold you tight never to let you go again. I swore I would never weaken but I sure have darling mine. [p. 4]

            I supposed you know how I feel by now. So you can ans. this letter and tell me what to do. If I do come back I will do a good job of it.

            Give my lave to the big girls and boys. I will write to them when I feel better. I am sure nervous today.

            Sweet dreams sweetheart[.] I will always love you. So cheer up and be happy. Love and kisses to all, and more for you. <Ha Ha>

X                                                                      Your Loving Daddy Bill