A letter from 1938

That's Daddy, Mother, and my Uncle Leo in back; and my sister and brother (from Daddy's first marriage... their mom died in childbirth). I didn't make the scene until five years after this picture was taken.

My mother kept a lot of letters and post cards written in 1938-39; it was a bad time for her. Her daddy passed away then, and I believe it was also around that period that she lost a baby boy full term. Maybe that's why she felt compelled to keep so much of the correspondence she received.

When I read these old letters, I'm made aware of how easy we have it these days. This coming recession is child's play compared to the 1930's. I don't know all the people Aunt Gladys mentioned in her letter, but it's still interesting. Especially if you read between the lines a little.

Jobs were scarce, babies died of pneumonia, and evidently turpentine was used to abort unwanted pregnancies. Let's count our blessings, shall we? I left the spelling pretty much as it was.

Oh, the "Jack" mentioned here is my brother; when my parents first married, Daddy's aunt had raised him from a baby and refused to give him up. They didn't get custody of him until he was a young teenager.

January 3, 1938

Dear sister Lola and family

I got your letter today and was glad to get it. Hope this finds you all OK. We all have a cold and I’ve got an awful sore arm. I opened a pimple on my arm with my fingernails and infection set in. There were one big sore formed as a boil. It broke and run, and now there are more places started. I keep my arm wrapped good with poultices. It isn’t swelled quite so bad but it hurts all the time. I guess I’d better cut my fingernails off and learn some sense. Ha ha. I got a little wee letter from Ruth today. Dad isn’t feeling very well and Sadie is trying to get the county to keep Jack as an orphan child and if she gets any money you kids can sure get him.

Raymond got him a job for 30 dollars a month. He will begin March the 1st. He is working for a neighbor now. The place where he got the job is 9 miles south of Clarinda. They are sure nice folks but I’m afraid Raymond won’t stay with it. He is awful dissatisfied. Wanda Lou and Roberta are sure growing. I’ll send you the dress length for Wanda Lou, and Roberta Mae’s is about 1 inch shorter.

Yes Lola the kids would be tickled to death to get the dolls. I don’t think they could have too many. The other day Wanda Lou was in her rocking chair and she had both of the dolls on her lap and she was singing to them. She stopped all at once and gave one a little slap and said If I had a dozen like you I don’t know what I would do. Ha ha. I thought that was a pretty good one. It is sure fun to see them play. I wish you could see them now. Wanda Lou is combing Roberta Mae’s hair and washing her face. Ozel and Marie was up last night and we made ice cream. Mr. Fisher gave us a 280 pound hog to butcher. It is sure good. Wish you were here to eat a leg. Tell Everett that Sad Cooke married Mary Williams. She married Carl Cooper and they got a divorce. She has 3 children.

Verda has been sick. She had a misscarry (more turpentine I suppose) If that’s what she done it’s no pity. I haven’t heard from Bill’s folks for a long time.

Paul and Opal has another child that is very low. They don’t think there is any chance for it at all. It has bronical pneumonia. It is sure bad.

Well Lola I’ll finish this and get it mailed in the morning. I’ve got to scrub yet this evening. I scrub every day and don’t seem like I can keep my floors very clean either. Ed Lacys are wanting a job up here. They might get one I don’t know for sure. I know dad thinks we are foolish because we don’t save our money but that’s all right. I don’t care what they think or say, do you?

Just as soon as we get you paid and Dr. Propst we are going to get us a radio like yours, and in the spring I’m going to get me two new rugs. I’d like to get a linoleum for the dining room and a second handed wool rug for the parlor. I’ve got the cutest bedroom if I just had something to put in it. But maybe we can get some more furniture some day. I’ll sure be glad when we get moved in the rest of the house.

Say, you ought to live down here this fall if Everett could get a job and you could run the switch board. They sure have a time getting someone that’s any good at it. They tried to get Marie to take it. They pay $25 a month. I’d sure take it if it wasn’t for the kids. Well Lola, I’ll close. Answer soon. We sure enjoy your letters. We’ll come up when we can and say if you make them little dolls I’ll send you the postage to send them when you get ready to send them. Good bye Lola and try not to be lonesome. I know it is terrible.