1915 Letter from Harry A. Mount, rising newspaper man, on the roller skating craze and sinking of the Lusitania

2-page T.L.S. to Thomas Weber, Springfield, Ohio. With original "Republican-Gazette" postal cover, the writer’s then-employer. Shallow chipping at the fragile paper edges, else VG.

Witty and economically written, as to be expected of a newspaper man, the letter touches on a range of topics in just 1.5 pages, from his personal dilemma about staying in Lima and desire to play horseshoes, to the office rollerskating craze, to Governor Frank Willis, to the sinking of the Lusitania and what it could mean for the United States. No mention of the weather!

Harry Anderson Mount (1894-1968) was at the beginning of his professional life. His letter captures a youthful restlessness concerned with horseshoes and rollerskating, with a maturing sense of his prospects—he wants to leave Lima, but, “The editor says that if I will stay this summer, he will make me assistant city editor. I don't think I will turn down the chance.” But, Mount resigned the position in October 1915 to become the publicity agent for the "Buckeye Corn Boys" (Lima News, 10/3/15, p.2).

Transcription:

(May 10, 1915)
Dear Thomas: 
Excuse my delay in answering. I have been so busy trying to find something to do, that I couldn't find time to write. I was home a week ago yesterday and wanted to come out but there were too many places to go. On Monday I went to Columbus with Harold Edmonds. We went to Keith's theatre in the evening.

I am just itching to get at the game of horseshoes. If you want to lower the record, you want to be doing some strenuous practising. If the trees don't leaf out in dollar bills, you might try grafting a dollar bill to one of them to see if you can't at least raise quarters. I have been wanting to go mushroom hunting but haven't done it yet. The roller skating craze has struck this town. The whole office force have equipped themselves with rollers and every morning when we quit work at 8:30 we go skating. Can you imagine the sight?

I have been thinking some of leaving Lima but have about decided to stay. The editor says that if I will stay this summer, he will make me assistant city editor. I don't think I will turn down the chance. I had a notion to come back to Springfield, but I don't believe there is anything there for me.

You are quite busy, now, I suspect. When you get your spring work done, come over to Lima if you get a chance. I'll show you everything there is here. I think the Governor is a friend of the farmer, if he ever had one in the Governor's chair. People in this section of the state have a lot of respect for Willie. He was raised on a farm and ought to know what the farmers need. Of course, with a balky legislature, it's pretty hard sledding for him, just now.

What do you think of the Lusitania affair? It looks pretty serious to me. The Germans had no right to blow up that ship without first giving the passengers a chance to escape. On the other hand, I can't blame the Germans for doing what they did. I don't see what the United States can do. We can demand an indemnity from Germany, which they would probably promptly refuse to pay. There would be nothing else to do but fight. That would be a foolish thing to do.

Two weeks ago I tumbled off of a fire engine and cracked my head. But it is getting all right now. I had it all tied up for a week and looked like a war hero.

Give my best to all the Webers. As soon as I get a chance I will be down to see them.