Sears, M. L.

M. L. Sears and L.B.R. are unknown. The letter references Stephen Crane (1871-1900), the well-known American novelist, and Della Fox (1871-1913), a popular American actress and singer. Crane died very young of tuberculosis; Fox suffered from alcohol and drug abuse for much of her life.

The phrase "the pace that kills" occurs a number of times in early 20th century popular media. One may find examples in a January 23, 1898 editorial in the St Louis Post-Dispatch (pressures of high society); in an October 22, 1905 New York Times article (overwork); in a November 19, 1906 New York Times letter to the editor (excessive consumer indulgence); as the caption of a 1907 postcard (picture shows the automobile, but may be a metaphor); in a January 1913 article by the Socialist Party of Great Britain (automobiles); as the title of a 1928 movie (fast living, drugs, remade in 1935 as The Cocaine Fiends ).

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