Herbert Carleton Sawyer

[[Alcatraz]] Isl^d [Island] May 19, 1882

My Dear { Mother Father Taylor Susie

It seems an awful long time since I left SF. I expected a letter from you today but none came the mail comes once a day viz: at 5:00 O Clock [O'clock] and is taken away once at 9 am I feel a little solitary but not lonesome as I have enough to think of. One if the officers called on me last night a nice fellow none of the others have called and I am afraid I shall be rather secluded by messing alone as I do. Still I guess its about as well. The steward who is my right hand man is a good fellow and puts me up to all the hicks of this trade. I will not write all the details of my life here as I shall see you soon and can tell it so much easier and better. I will try and cone home Monday. Either on the 9 Am or 5³⁰ Pm boat and stay over night leaving Tuesday on the 4¹⁵ Pm boat for Alcatraz

I must have some dishes about 3 plates knives forks spoons n n a milk pitcher glass

Some visiting cards (must have), a pair of slippers to wear evenings while the man is blacking my shoes (drawing of finger pointing) but I guess my ties will do for that a valise a wash bowl and pitcher, and a Suit of clothes if I could get them – I draw my pay the last of this month and of every month. I wish you would buy something nice for Sunday as a little present from me a box of Strawberries or a chicken or Something. Dear Mother if there is anything you need or want or fancy get it while I am earning – I am not going to save much on this "job" unless I stay several months A man comes to me every morning and very respectfully enquires if I wish anything today from S. F. [San Francisco] I can have anything and pay when I please. This post is considered the hardest on the coast for the a Surgeon on ac [account] of the prisoners who are up to all Sorts of tricks and Shamming and I have to use all my wits and guessing powers. Every morning at Sick call to decide in 5 minutes which of 12 or 15 men are able to work and which not – This is a beautiful place – this

island – although it looks so bleak and barren from a distance – chiefly because of the magnificent water views, Sunrises and – Sets – there is very little wind, too. On the Eastern Side where I am – Angel island is a nicer post than this in climate and because they have a band and danciing floor there, so Beardsley will have a fine time – he will not mess alone Either as I do but will be "heigh O" with everyone. The officers and their wives here are nearly all from the East within 8 or 9 months, this moving is a peculiarity of army life – They spend so long in each military division and must go where ordered – My predecessor D^r Raymond a graduate of Bellevue was a young man with a charming wife, they went to Fort Whipple A. T. with 1700 lbs of Furniture &c. [etc.] They left a hired upright piano in my quarters and when it is taken away the rooms will look awfully bare. There is one point in Etiquette I wish you would decide for me – when I called lunched on Thursday noon at Colonel Frank's they treated me very nicely but did not say "call again" What Shall I do? call anyhow?

When I first Saw the Colonel in the morning (when I reported for duty) he told me on leaving that he would be glad to see me "at any time" they are very nice genial people somewhat aristocratic in their notions but unaffected and kind-hearted. As Soon as I get my cards I shall call on the gentleman who called on me and maybe on the Colonel. They all treat me very pleasantly when they meet me out (Pretty tough for the young doctor) I have carried more dignity since I came here than you could imagine. You wouldn't know me I must appear something like Mac as Meyers described him when he told me "you cant [can't] touch him with a ten foot pole" I fairly ache from going about So Stiff, but I have to do it here or Somebody will impose on me. The Steward tells me I get along a great deal better than my predecessor did when he came here, green, a few months ago.

An extra boat has just come with a lot of prisoners from Arizona, So I could not come home tomorrow anyway, as I have to examine all these men and report on their condition. I think I will be home Tuesday Monday anyhow, but dont [don't] be disappointed if I don't come.

Ever your affectionate Son and brother

Herbert

P. S. My title is Acting Assistant Surgeon H C Sawyer USA I sign a dozen things a day that way but you had better address simply Dr. HCS.

Alcatraz Is^d

Wednesday Eve! 6 Pm

My Dear Mother

I have just received my visiting cards from Bancrofts' (^$4⁰⁰) and I enclosed you Some so you can use one for Gerties bouquet if you receive it soon enough. I have a new case – a nurse girl in one of the officers families. The poor girl needs rest and wants a vacation of a month but the la dies of the house beseech me to cure her so she can stay and work – for they don't know what they'll do with the three children if Kitty goes away. There are only two of them and I think I shall advise that Kitty take a rest after a few days treatment.

You can't please everybody even on this little island. I got my ^$5 for the tapeworm (but haven't got the worm yet) gave the steward 1⁵⁰ commission. Offered him ^$2 but he refused to accept more than 1⁵⁰ though he has done all the work so far. All my dishes came safe and I am much more comfortable now than I was Mac treated me very nicely when I called on him – cordially for him – I shall come over again on Monday or Wednesday next and shall draw my pay first thing so if you could meet me at 10³⁰ o'clock 11 o'clock at the Palace Hotel (sidewalk) We might buy that Ovaltine and I could bring it home for you I expect to call on Sal and Mrs Frank tonight and so I must read the Etiquette book in the entry.

Thursday morn

Dear Mother – I did not call anywhere last night but