John M. Rogers to Walt Whitman, 14 June 1875

About This Item

Title: John M. Rogers to Walt Whitman, 14 June 1875
Date: June 14, 1875
Creator(s): John M. Rogers
Whitman Archive ID: loc.01873
Source: The Charles E. Feinberg Collection of the Papers of Walt Whitman, 1839–1919, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Transcribed from digital images or a microfilm reproduction of the original item. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.
Contributors to digital file: Alex Kinnaman Elizabeth Lorang Kevin McMullen Ashley Lawson John Schwaninger Caterina Bernardini Marie Ernster Paige Wilkinson Amanda J. Axley Stephanie Blalock
Cite this page: Rogers, John M.. "John M. Rogers to Walt Whitman, 14 June 1875." The Walt Whitman Archive. Gen. ed. Matt Cohen, Ed Folsom, & Kenneth M. Price. Accessed 09 May 2025. <http://www.whitmanarchive.org>.
Source File: loc.01873.xml (TEI)

loc.01873.007_large.jpg New Britain June 14/751 Dear Friend & Father

your letter came to hand last week2 and I was glad to hear from you This leaves me all well hopeing it may find you the same My Wife & Boy3 are well as can be Expected You spoke about your Picture I received one with a paper that I received from there some time ago

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you want me to write all the particulars about my self I am not doing much at preasant work is very dull here and the waiges is small it is imposable to everage a liveing here from the pay that I receive for work last month I earned a bout $(15.00) Dollars in the shop and this month I shall not have above ten Dollars If it were not for what I make out side I should come out short. And I expect to lose that chance for this reason they are a going to open a cooperative Store and keep it open through the day loc.01873.009_large.jpg and unless I get a position in the store I shall look for someing else to do It is a socity call the Soverigns of Inustry If you see any chanc for me to get any thing to do let me know as I have given you all the news I will close

I remain Yours &c J M Rogers

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loc.01873.011_large.jpg John Rogers June 14 '75.

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Correspondent:
John (Jack) M. Rogers was a Brooklyn driver with whom Whitman had a loving relationship. Whitman first met him in Brooklyn on September 21, 1870. For more on Rogers and his relationship with the poet, see Charley Shively, ed., Calamus Lovers: Walt Whitman's Working-Class Camerados (San Francisco: Gay Sunshine Press, 1987), 122–135.

Notes

1. This letter is addressed: Walt Whitman. Esq | No 431 Steven S Cor West | Camden | N Jersey. It is postmarked: New Britain | Jun 14 | Conn. [back]
2. This letter has not been located. [back]
3. As yet we have no information about these people. [back]