Letter from AVOLON HOTEL Orlando

Letter from Home

Letter to Guy in Clearwater FL. April 17th 1934

Care of H. Reed forward to R H Simpson Monticello Fla

Newport Ky.
Apr. 21-34


Dear Son,
Received your letter the 19th and was very glad to hear from you. I had a letter wrote to you about not getting any mail from Ange & us. but before I mailed it Ange came over and told us she just got a letter telling her you got mail from her and us. so I did not send it. I sure am glad you are enjoying your self and having a good time Eddie Snyder and Ham and Al was over last night and we played cards until 12:30 PM. Eddie win 25 and I win 20. Witte came down yesterday and brought a little gold basketball down for you from the tournement. It has a Y on it. I will not send it to you will keep it till you come home Guy I wish you would send George Neifarth & Dr. Higgins a card from down there also Aunt Dicea & Ruby. 375 Hineman Ave Col. O. Boy the reds are sure taking it on the chin. I did not get to play golf the other day Dr. Gill could not go. We have not had any gas in the house for 3 days. The pipe leading into the cellar had a hole in it and they are so slow fixing it. We are cooking on a little electric stove. That don't go so good. I weighed 186 lbs last Sat. That makes 33 lbs I lost but I feel pretty good. How are you feeling. I sure do hope you are well. Don't forget and take good care of yourself and gargle your throat everyday. That must have been a thrill when you all went in that show and they played My Old Kentucky home. All the boys sends their regards. I heard you all lost a 20 inning game 1-0 in Orlando but do not know if there is any truth in it or not.

over

We are all well at present. How is cannonball and Strofe. I hope they are ok by this time. It sure was tough. Give all the team and High Pocket and Henry Bill our best wishes and kindest regards and hope they all stay well. I was talking to Myrtle Risch yesterday she said she heard you was in Florida. Well as I can't think of amnything else I will say good bye. Loads of love from all of us. ans as soon as possible
Love and kisses your Mother & Dad
PS just received your letter from Orlando. It sure was tough you lost that game. Grandma says she wished they would turn her loose in them oranges she said she would bust herself. She said send that crate and she will eat them all up. At the West Side they have a bulletin board. Everybody goes up to see how you boys are going. Tell old man Bill everything seems to be going all right. They have very large crowds on Sat & Sun nights. His brother told me last Sat. night they had to turn about 100 away both rooms full. Your Mother and I stop almost every night with someone and gets a couple. I tell Knox all the news. I want you to write Marg Stiles 45 W. McMicken Ave. Cincinnati O. a card.Maybelle Schulte wants to hear from you, Oak Veiw Jrs win a double header yesterday, 10-0- 3-2 Little Dettie is here he says hello. Grand Ma says tell Johnny Deaver & Tiny hello. Roy says give his brother his love. with Love Mother & Dad
25 million kisses from
your wonderful Mother
the sweetest Mom on earth

Orlando postmark APR 21 12 PM 1934 FLA.

Written on AVALON HOTEL stationary:

Addressed to :

Miss Anna Botts
521 W 11th Street
Newport,
Kentucky


Dearest Ange:

Received your letter of Apr.16th. What do you mean by what happened to me. I have been writing a letter to Mother and dad and you [all underscored] almost every day. Can I help it if there not delivered on time. Thats all I do in the evenings is write letters and send postcards. I have written no one else letters but to you and to Mom and dad. We were supposed to play in Clearwater Fla today but the game was called off on account of rain. We had to travel 165 mi. over there and 165 mi. back for nothing. If this rain keeps up will probably be home sooner than expected I hope we don't wind up in the chain gang. I wish you was here with me. Wouldn't that be great, moonlight, Palm trees, a few stolen kisses and you, as you said. You ask me if I would like it. Can fish swim. I got a letter from Schneider today and he said that you worked him to death cleaning wall paper. I guess him and Ed go fishing quite a bit now that Ed is back. Do you still go to the show every Sunday with Dot Hendricks. Whats the matter with Al and Martha again. Let me know and I'll fix it up again for them. I may be in my glory up here playing ball but I know something else that I'd be in my glory if I were home. What do you think. Well, Ange, I haven't much more to say so I'll have to close with love and kisses

Always Guy Daines Jr.


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (I'll collect)
Tell everybody hello--

P.S. The boys I am rooming with are waiting to go to bed. It's 2 o'clock in the morning.

April 20, 1934

Avalon Hotel Orlando Fla.

Dearest Ange:

Received another of your letters today and sure was glad to get it. We sure are having some terrible weather down here. We were scheduled to play two games yesterday but got rained out before the first one. After the field had dried out a little we played and lost 1- 0 20 innings to the Poinsetta team, Florida state champs. The umpire gave us a raw deal. I scored once on Davidsons (our second baseman)hit but the umpire made me get back to third. The next man up flied out ending the inning. We traveled over to Haines City tonight and defeated there team 11- 1. I got three hits in this game but none in the other. After the game we were invited over to an orange packing house run by a man from Cincinnati named Pusaten [ or Pausatevi]He sure treated us swell. He gave us all the oranges we wanted to eat and then gave us four large sacks before we left. Well be eating oranges from now until Christmas. Whats Ed doing now that he is home. I'll bet he is knocking the girls dead with that tan of his. I had a fairly good tan until I washed and then it all came off. What do you do in the evenings now since I am gone. Does Bob, Ham and rest come down very much. Does Bob get to see Dot Hendricks anymore. He sure likes her. Well Ange this letter might be a little short but I'll close with lots of love an kisses. Hope to hear from you soon
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx As ever and ever Guy Daines

P.S. What did you mean by the cracks of getting "high hatted" Tell your mother, Ed, Art and rest hello.

AVOLON HOTEL ORLANDO, FLA.

Dearest Ange,

I just received your letter and sure was glad to hear from you. I thought you had forgotten me. We were rained out here at Orlando last night and also at Daytona beach the night before. The team was invited out to the walkashow here. As we came in about 5,000 people stood up because they were playing my ole Kentucky home. They took us all in the center of the floor and announced our names one by one over the microphone. Frank Callery and I have been rooming together since we left. We sure have a swell room here. We have a bath, shower, two beds, telephone, dresser and etc. We are going to play a double header tonight, here in Orlando, with the Pointsetta team, Florida state champs. Their park here will seat about 1800 people. Sorry to hear that you have been laid off for a wk. I'm glad Ed came home and I wish I was there to see him. Tell him to write to me. I received a letter from home too and I want you to go over and tell them that I received it. From here we go to a town about 37 miles away. "Tiny" was over there the other day and they had the streets blocked for an hr. looking at him. I have been doing pretty good in hitting so far. The first game I got 1 for 4, second 2 for 3, third 2 for 4. I am batting fourth. Not bad eh! I sent some clippings home the other day so go over an look at them. Tell your mother, Ed, aunt, Sarah & husband, Charles and Jerry, Art, Earl, Mildred, Martha, and Francis hello. if I have forgotten anybody tell them hello also. All the boys are getting ready to eat and then we have to get dressed and go out to the ballpark so I guess I'll have to close hoping to hear from you again soon, I remain as ever xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lots of love & kisses
Guy Daines

2010 reflections

Today, I simply wish to reflect on my journey of re-discovering my grandparents, Guy and Ann (Botts) Daines. It has been a couple of weeks since I veered off the track and paused to describe a bit of family history. They grew up very close to each other in what Newportonians refer to as the "West Side"--He lived on West 10th Street and she lived at the Corner of 11th and Brighten Street. At the bottom of 10th Street there still stands a monolith of an ancient granary, and it remains as imposing today as it was then.
My grandmother was the youngest of five, and there were 16 years between her and Sarah her sister. She had three brothers, Arthur, Glenn and Ed. Sarah Botts Herman had two young sons, Charles and Jerry around this same time and they may have been living at 10th and Brighten as well. It was at any given time a full house, very diverse and busy, and for Ann, my grandmother, who was the youngest daughter, overflowing with many bosses telling her what to do and when.
I never really read my grandfathers scrapbook, or really listened to his stories about baseball closely. I always knew he was an exceptional athlete, but only enjoyed the satisfaction that came when he would demonstrate a curve ball, spit ball, or fast ball to the neighborhood kids, who could never believe it as well as never even see some these pitches--- and that was the best satisfaction placing me temporarily on a neighborhood pedestal for a fleeting moment in kid time. I relished the look on every single one of their faces when he threw those pitches! Growing up, I took my grandparents for granted, as most young children do, and lived every day as if they would always be there for me, and I was lucky, because for most of my life they were.
If someone were to ask my today to describe my grandfather, my Pop, I would say steadfast, reliable, my very foundation that my life was built on ... you know the type, he would always be on time, always be home for dinner, always be there when I went to bed and when I woke up in the morning. He rescued me many times from rain, snow and utter boredom, never missed a game I cheered in, a recital I danced in, the measles or the chickenpox, or Sunday in church. He was kinda quiet, and he never raised his voice at me, and if he did, you can place a bet on the very fact that I certainly most readily deserved it. I did not know anyone who could make me laugh louder, smile wider, or cry longer, wallowing in self-pity because I disappointed him,and he was beyond a doubt my biggest supporter.
Reading these letters and articles now, makes me see him from a different angle, it slows down the curve ball, so to speak, adding velocity and spin to his life. I imagine him young, so full of love for adventure and the game. He loved the game, he would watch the Cincinnati Reds on television, when he wasn't at the stadium, but he always listened to the radio. The volume on the TV remained turned way down, and almost off. As I read some of the old articles, I can hear the game, smell the game, and I can see those pitches. I can imagine those young men, bases loaded, playing their best game. Wow, that is amazing. I can see him on third base and my Uncle Glenn in the outfield. I want to run out on that field and hold on to them both.
When I read the letters that Ange writes to Guy in 1934, I imagine her as that young girl so in love with life, her friendships, her family, her very world. She was having a "grand" time herself, going to movies, visiting with friends. She was really something in 1934, wasn't she!
She used to wait up for me on the week-end nights when I was in high school. If I close my eyes I still can see her there, she would be putting her hair up in pin-curls with two bobbie pins, in her night gown and robe, patiently urging me to talk about anything. She was interested in me. She used to always end these conversations with the old analogy of "not paying for the cow if they can get the milk for free--if you know what I mean." She bought my school clothes, my new shoes and then complained about how I chose to wear them and my hair. She struggled with me, being my grandmother and not my mother, and yet she remains there beside me in many ways as I make my daily way through life. She was there when all three of my babies were born, and she was always there for them, just like she was for me, when I was sick she and my Pop would be over with ice-cream, and they did the same for my children.
Once again, reading their conversations, I feel as if I am watching them as they become who they will be, ultimately shaped by 1934 events. This is a rare gift given to me, and ...
I am beginning to see depth where once I saw only form and function.

Headlines from Florida Newpaper [1934]

...From page 16 of Guy Daines scrapbook


COLONELS PLAY AL-STAR CLUB ON BEACH FIELD
Newport's Kentucky Colonel diamondball team will open a three game series with the Miami Beach All-Stars on Flamingo Park diamond today at 8:30 p.m. as the openning games of a tour which will take the Colonels through 15 states.

The series will give greater Miami fans a chance to see some of the best diamondball players in the country in action. Chief among them is Cannonball Bailey, the brilliant pitcher who will oppose the Miami Beach ten on the mound tonight. Bailey had the Miami Beach all-stars helpless in two games he pitched against them in Cincinnati last fall, giving Miami Beach two of the four defeats it suffered on the trip.
Bailey was by far the best pitcher Miami Beach had to face, and members of the touring team rate as the greatest speed ball pitcher they ever opposed.
But Sroufe is the other pitcher carried by the Colonels and he is especially talented as a curve ball heaver.
The third outstanding athlete on the visiting aggregation is Tiny Gilbert, the seven-foot, 11-inch first baseman, who is the tallest diamondball player in the world. He towers almost a foot and a half above Primo Carnera and wears a size 23 shoe.
Other players on the Kentucky squad are from Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago, Hamilton, Dayton, Springfield, and Ironton Ohio, as well as from Covington and Newport, Ky.
Newport's Colonels in claiming the world's diamondball championship, point to a record which is one of unbroken victories in exhibition games. However, J.B. Lemon, director of the Miami Beach recreation department, has selected a strong line-up for his all stars and figures his aggregation will prove the hardest the Colonels have ever had to beat.

APR18, 1934

1934 Photo of Guy Daines and Ann Botts.



Dear Guy,
I received your card and letter this morning. I am glad that you didn't wait so long to write this time.
I have written you four letters so far I don't understand why you don't get them. I guess that by the time you get this letter you will have already received the other three. I hope so anyway.
It isn't very cold up here we're still wearing coats but there Spring coats. Don't get too brown Guy or I won't know you when I get back.
I was over to your house tonight and talked to your mother for about two hours. She was home alone so I kept her company, and "boy" am I company.
It don't hurt how good of a time I was having I'd always find time to write to you and you know it. I don't think that Glenn has gotten any letters either for he doesn't know that Ed is home and Mom wrote him that ed was home on the 10th of April. "Murph" better stay clear of Newport if he cares to play on the team for Agnes said that when "Murph" gets back in Newport it's going to be for good. He's not leaving any more for she's keeping him here.
I hope that you do come to Cincinnati by next month. It seems years since I saw you last. How long do you think you'll be in Cinci? I hope it's a week or two at least.
That's swell you get to go to the Pig Tail Inn for free lunch and beer but don't drink too much or an "old sot" will come home instead of Sweet Guy Daines Jr. Keep up your batting average for your really doing swell.
Every time you write about the Atlantic ocean I go down to the river and stand against a tree and look across the beautiful Licking river. I think I am in Florida looking over the Atlantic ocean with you. That's the nearest I'll ever get to Florida or the ocean so I'll go on dreaming the rest of my life.
Every day that passes it seems like I miss you more. It seems good to know that you miss me maybe I mean a little more to you that I thought.
Always yours
With Love
Ange
Lots of kissesxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

(Ange, spelled out in little x's)

A letter from Ange dated April 16, 1934

The mail from Guy is being sent through a third person, sometimes it is an H. Reed and sometimes it is being forwarded to an R. B. VanFleet in Clearwater Florida. After games are played, Guy is once again on the move to the next location. He has been in Florida now since March. He has written letters and sent home post cards, but these are just not arriving fast enough for the homesick Guy or for the folks waiting news at home. It is even more frustrating for him as other players on the team are receiving mail without any difficulties. Ange at home watches mail arrive from her older brother, Glenn (who plays outfield for the Colonels)and sees that her Mom is receiving mail in a timely fashion, begins to feel a bit frustrated as well. The local newspaper, The Kentucky Post, has been reporting about the success of their hometown team. For the future, it looks like they might be coming back to Northern Kentucky for some summer exhibition games.


From Newport APR 17 10 AM a letter from Ange is forwarded to R.B. VanFLeet in Clearwater Flo.

Dear Guy,

Your letter came this morning. What happened to you, I thought that you died. I haven't heard from you since the beginning of last week? Can't you find time to drop a line evry other day? Write to your Mother and Dad that often even if you can't find time for me.
Glenn has been writing to Mom every other day. Your dad came over a couple of times last week wondering if I heard from you. He didn't know why you didn't write either.
Glenn sent Charles and Jerry each a turtle one is blue and the other is red. Sarah will have a fit when she sees them.
Dot and I went over to the Albee Sun to see "Men in White with Clark Gable and Myrna Loy, it was simply grand. Agnes (Callery's girl) came over home to see the "Miami paper" She sure misses her "Murph" the way she talks "it must be love."
Another romance went to the rocks, Martha and Al split up and it looks as tho it's for good this time, maybe not, for they broke up more than once and started to go together again.
Guy I know that your really in your glory now, down their playing ball for that's your one and only ambition "Baseball". I'm glad that you got a break for once. I miss you here but when I think of what you are seeing and what you are going to see I'm glad your their only I'm a little jealous because I'm not seeing thse places with you. I'm glad the people likes the team, they really must be treating you pretty grand.
I wish I was there with you. Moonlight, Palm trees and you with a few stolen kisses for good measure, what a swell combination. Would you like it? There just pipe dreams tho but we sure would be living a terrible life if we didn't have dreams to brighten it up. There beautiful even if there not real maybe someday some of our dreams will come true. I think that your dreams came true already beinng down in Florida playing ball.
Well I'll have to be closing darling for supper is nearly ready. Let me hear from you real soon.


With love
Ange

P.S. You can collect for the kisses when you get back.XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ange.

I hope you win all your games plus a lot of hits for you and Glenn.