Huntsville Herald

Huntsville, Missouri

Letters from Europe written by General George Warren Taylor to his acquaintances in Randolph County, Missouri 1906.

June 29, 1906, On board Steamer Sicilia
July 25, 1906, Florence, Italy
August 4, 1906, Venice and Milan, Italy
August 21, 1906, St. Moritz, Switzerland
September 20, 1906, Grand Hotel Mediterranee, Pegli, Italy



From Italy

Florence, Italy
July 25, 1906

C.D. Vasse

Dear Charles:
We left Rome Monday and arrived here the same evening about 3:30 p.m. This is 180 miles from Rome and has a population on 200,000. It is certainly a lovely city and has, it is said, the most lovely villas all around it in all Italy. We have had two drives to the country, and it is certainly lovely. They even have the nice gravel road swept as clean as the streets are in Redlands or Riverside, California. I have not been all over the city, but it is very similar as a rule to Rome. We were all so well pleased with Rome that we regretted to leave it so soon. We were there about two weeks. We will remain here until Monday morning, when we will go to Venice. So far we are all well. I felt very tired when we arrived here Monday night, and unfortunately I had a very bad sty on my good eye, and I remained in my room Tuesday and bathed it all day with ice water, and it is all right now, I am glad to say. The Vaughans were all out visiting churches, museums and other places of note. To-day (Wednesday) we have been on the highest mountain near the city and had a lovely view of the city and surrounding villas with the river which flows through the city.

Well, Charles, we have at this hotel over one hundred tourists from the United States, and at least three-fourths of them are ladies,

and I am unable to say just how many of them are red-haired, but I know some of them are, and I do wish you could be here. They are now keeping such a clatter that I can hardly write. They are in two parties and are conducted by the Thomas Cook & Sons men who have all engagements ahead for the entire trip. They seem to be enjoying themselves and having a good time generally. We have met several times two ladies traveling entirely alone and were going to Greece.

They had the 40-mile drive from Sorento on the beautiful road and scenery I mentioned in my previous letter, and they came into the hotel after we had been there perhaps one hour, and as I had seen them where we dined that day, I met them in the reading room and wanted to know if they were traveling alone, and if they felt no uneasiness. They were from New York and Massachusetts. I told them I thought they were quite brave.

Well, I have no news especially to write, but want you to keep track of me until I leave for home. The Vaughans are out to-night to hear some band music on the street or plazza, and I thought I would stay in and drop you a line, with my kind regards to all the bank people, including Bro. Lingo of course, and all friends as well as yourself. I am as ever,

Yours truly,

Geo. W. Taylor

Remember, I am expecting you to write me up to September 1st; after that date a letter will not reach me.


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