Chapter 11 – Dear Daddy – The Farm Letters

Category: Chapter 11

Nov 28, 1932-from Ruth to James

Posted on November 28, 1932 by ddadministrator

Dear Daddy,

How are you? I am fine. Three days before Thanksgiving Jensons chopped down 3 lodes of wood in our woods and the day before Thanksgiving came they had the saw come and saw it all up for us. Day before yesterday John made a little cave in the side of the wood pile and then I started to dig down from the top and John did too and then we went in to dinner and when we came out again mr. Jenson had been cutting up some wood and he had plugged up the doorway to John’s cave and then when John was digging down he bumped right into his other little cave and then he decided to make a roof over his and make a door way on the side. and then after that I tried the same thing and the side door of mine caved in so I put two logs one on each side of it and put a board acrost and then put my roof on and now have got a swell little house in the wood pile.

About 2 weeks ago Mother and me gave Betty June a oparation and we glued Betty June’s teeth in and glued the top of her head on and Mother combed out her hair and put vasolin on it and curled it. I made Betty a pair of new white stockings and a pritty new white dress.

The mother kitty is getting awful fat and is she heavy.

We put the apples and oranges on the chest in a bowl. For Thanksgiving dinner John ate the following, 2 pork chops, one helping escalloped potatoes, 1helping carrots, 2 helping cranberrys, 2 slices cake, 1 piece candy, 1 apple, 1piece pie and 10 dates and he almost burst when he left the table. I ate just about as much. Well this is all for now so goodby.

Love to Daddy from Ruth and John

Nov 24, 1932-from James to John

Posted on November 24, 1932 by ddadministrator

My dear John,

I wish I could have been with you today. It is so lonesome here without Mamma and you kiddies. Today is going to be a long one. I got up at 4:30 this morning and thought I could get a day run along with my night run but so few laid off that I only made about a dollar extra taking cars over to the Snelling shops where they are repaired. Today is nice here, the sun is nice and warm and there is no wind, just a fine day to be outdoors. I want you to write and tell me how you spent Thanksgiving. Tell me about the games you played and about your dinner and everything. I got to the station so early and I did not get any work until 8:30, so I rolled up my coat for a pillow and laid on the bench for a while. Have you seen any more deer? I have seen quite a few dead ones being brought into Mpls. on autos. I hope you and I can get some game this winter. Have you the sled up there? How do the new overshoes go on and off?

I believe I am coming down with a horrid old cold. Well Johnnie, I want to write to Ruth so lots of love from Daddy.

Nov 18, 1932-from Martha to James

Posted on November 18, 1932 by ddadministrator

Dear James,

The packages came yesterday and we enjoyed opening them. The overshoes and underwear fit good and the blanket is a dandy. The sweater fits me like a sack so I am sending it back but I think you can wear it under your uniform coat if it is large enough for you. It is nice and warm and a good color. I’d like one with a deeper V neck and buttoning the other way. The groceries are all good. Now if we could only get haircuts.

The temp. was 24 above at 7:30 this AM. A fine snow is falling that looks as tho it might last all day. We got another load of wood from Jensons and I and the children have piled it inside, one pile for the heater and one for the kitchen stove. We also gathered in the rest of the last load that had got snowed under and piled it by itself and put 2 more strips of building paper on the back of the shed to keep the snow from blowing in. There is a little paper left and a few lath. We put the kerosene in the cellar, half of it is left.

You ought to get yourself a new Sunday shirt. I’ll put new cuffs on the blue ones so they’ll last longer.

We just got your letter. I’m sorry you are so short of money. We can get along without the other things. Eggs are the hardest to get but I have been baking cakes without eggs and this morning I made pancakes without eggs and they were pretty good so we’ll get by. I’ll see what I can do about wood. We have a nice lot of it under cover and can work up what is around the house. We are well fixed for clothes now except for mittens for the children when it gets colder.

We are sorry you can’t get up for Thanksgiving. It will be a lonesome day for all of us. Still we have a great deal to be thankful for. I got the “Woman’s World” yesterday. The children send love and kisses, and I’ll send some money if you want it.

Love, Martha

Nov 13, 1932-from Ruth to James

Posted on November 13, 1932 by ddadministrator

Dear Daddy,

How are you? We are all fine. Here is something funny that happened to me. One night last week Mother was reading us a story and I happened to be feeling of my teeth and I took my thumb and hooked it in the bottom of one of my teeth and the tooth toppled right over into my mouth and I almost swallowed it. Me and John are in the Thanksgiving play at school. John takes the part of Miles Standish and I am supposed to be Squanto, the Indian, so last night I got bissy and strung all the beads that was to be strung, and say, that little yellow and white braselit you gave me?, and remember I couldn’t get it on? well just this morning I got it on and I have been wearing it all morning. Well, that is all so love from Ruth.

Nov 13, 1932-from Martha to James

Posted on November 13, 1932 by ddadministrator

Questions by James		Answers by Martha
1. About how much snow have you?		3 inches on the level
2. How far did you get with the painting		1 coat of green(mostly oil) on the windows and door outside and the 2nd coat on the N window and the door. Two coats of white on the windows inside.
3. Have you any paint left?		Yes, over half
4. Did you take the long chair out of the attic to use to lock the car?		No
5. Did the stove pipes stay in place?		Yes
6. Do you get my letters the next morning when I mail them downtown at night?		Yes
7. Did you use all the tar paper and lath?		There is a little of each left.
8. Did you get the windows in the lean-to fixed on the outside?		No, and it would be much warmer if that part were papered with the pink rosin inside.

Please send larger envelopes.

Nov 11, 1932-from Martha to James

Posted on November 11, 1932 by ddadministrator

Dear James,

Winter is here. It is snowing again and the North wind is blowing hard. The children put on all the heavy clothes they could find; 2 pairs of mittens, heavy socks and scarfs. They have a cold stretch the first half mile. I knit Ruth a warm cap and shall make her a winter dress out of my black one. I have pajamas to make for John. It was cold when we got up this morning but it doesn’t take long to warm the place. We have dry kindling and wood in for both stoves and also water. The children are very good to help and don’t complain about anything. I am busy every minute of daylight and evening. Am baking rye bread for the first time today. We’re very short on supplies.

The other day 6 fat pigs were rooting around in the yard. I chased them out with a long stick. I didn’t want them to root up the flowers. I am sorry your mother is so bad but can appreciate her wish to be at home. Send me some papers with election news. Write us a long letter soon. What do you do on Sundays?

The children send lots of love and kisses,

Martha

Requests.

2 suits long underwear for Ruth, size 12, with dutch neck and short sleeves
ditto for John, size 10
one lb. coffee
bottle of vanilla
package of brownies
try to get some egg powder for baking
lard
macaroni
cheese
dried fruit
baby limas
crackers
I would like a sweater fine, coat style, brown or heather
A nice long letter from Jim.

(Tuesday evening)

It is 5 o’clock. The children are out playing with the sled and having a great time judging from the shouts. Monday morning I got up to build the fire at 6AM and it was 4 degrees above zero and the water in the water pail had ice on it. Last night we put on a lot more clothes so slept warm except for our heads and it was 12 below at 5:45 AM. We will wear caps and put coats and things over us tonight. Is there anything I should do about the car?

(Wednesday morning)

Below zero again this morning, but the sun is shining bright. I hope you’ll send my coat soon. Take good care of yourself and if I ask for too much let me know.

Love from us all, Martha

Nov 7, 1932-from Martha to James

Posted on November 7, 1932 by ddadministrator

Dear James,

Glad to get your letter. We have plenty to do all the time. It rained the afternoon the children were home but we got most of the last load of wood inside first. Yes, Jenson brought the last load. Sham hasn’t started to cut yet. Darrel set fire to some dry stuff near the school house and frightened the children half to death. They keep the strip around the school plowed all the time in case of fire. We can get wood from Jenson to last until you come.

Saturday and Sunday were mild and fair. We walked around the grove and through the fields and found deer tracks, rabbit tracks and partridge tracks and I saw the bird (pileated woodpecker) again yesterday in our grove. I’ve been afraid someone had shot it and I hope no one gets our deer. It is nice to think of the little wild folk living near so quietly.

I’ll put the paper around the house as soon as I mail this letter. It is not cold and the wind has died down but it looks like rain. We went to Park Rapids Sat. afternoon. I put real hot water into the radiator and left it covered a few minutes and it started right off. I tried it first without the hot water and it wouldn’t start. I looked at the pump first as you told me to and the fan belt was off. I always try the pump as you told me to. I shall look over everything very carefully and only use the car when it is necessary. I couldn’t get eggs around here and hadn’t had any for a week and had been out of coffee for three days, and Sat. was a fair day so I thought we had better go then. I bought a dozen eggs for 30 cents, a dozen oranges for 25 cents, a bedspread for 98 cents, and a yard of cloth for 15 cents to hang over the tops of the windows as the curtains are 4 inches too short. I dyed the oldest curtains a light yellow and put them up at the east and south windows and the yellow ruffled ones at the north window. They look very cheerful and the cretonne for the tops has yellow, blue and brown in it and blends very well with the blue walls, yellow curtains and wood beams. I am sending you a pan of biscuits and John says the canoe is for matches. The pictures are good. I have one stamp left. I’ll send a list of things to get and don’t forget your laundry. The vegetables are good but just send a few at a time.

Lots of love from us all, Martha

(Wednesday)

I didn’t get to vote, the car wouldn’t start. I got the paper around the house just in time. I banked it with dirt. I also covered the coop roof and the corner where the wood is piled. I covered the flowers with grass. We greased John’s boots again, that keeps them dry for a while. It snowed last night and is sleeting today but it is not cold. The children send their love.

Write soon,
Martha

Nov 2, 1932-from James to John

Posted on November 2, 1932 by ddadministrator

Dear Johnnie boy,

I bet it keeps you busy shoveling paths for Ruth and Mother. Did you use up the little rick of wood that was closest to the house? Say John, if you find any more hollow logs will you keep then so we can make some more bird houses? The man where I stay has just put up a bird house by the back porch that has 4 or 5 rooms in it. I will watch and see if the little fellows move in it. Where did you find the folding-rule you sent in the last package? I thought sure I had lost it. A man on the street car gave me a big black crayon to give to you and if I mail a package to you tomorrow I will put it in. Be careful not to drop it for I think it will break.

Let me know if you liked the jig-saw puzzle. If you did I will try and get another one.

By-by with lots of love from Daddy

Nov 2, 1932-from Martha to James

Posted on November 2, 1932 by ddadministrator

Dear James,

Glad to get your letter. John is trying his new laces now. There is a cold south wind blowing but it is snug and warm in the house. The teacher came home with the children yesterday and stayed for supper and the evening. Then about 8 o’clock Shaws came over and stayed until 10. After they left I took the lantern and walked down to Jenson’s corner with the teacher and it was 11 before I got back home. John had gone to sleep on the couch while the company was here so I just covered him up and Ruth went to bed while I was gone and both were sound asleep.

Shaw asked about when to cut wood. He said some of the neighbors are having wood sawed the first of next month. There are deer tracks leading into our woods. I can vote up here, the law is 6 months in the state and 60 days in the county. We vote at a schoolhouse 3 miles south of here.

I hope all goes well with you. The children send their love and a big hug and kiss.

Love, Martha

(Thursday evening, Nov. 2nd)

We received your surprise package and the $5. I stayed in school with the children yesterday and we drove to Park Rapids afterwards. The road was not bad and it was real warm again today. We all got a haircut and I bought a dozen eggs, 5 cans of milk and some gas. I may not be able to send your clothes until Monday this time. It takes longer when I dry them in the house. I’d knit John a sweater if I had the yarn. Can you get me yarn like your sweater? 2

Oct 31, 1932-from Martha to James

Posted on October 31, 1932 by ddadministrator

Dear James,

It looks very much as tho winter is here. There are 2 inches of snow on the ground and it is snowing again this morning, great, soft white flakes. I’ve had a time keeping the children’s feet warm and dry. Today Ruth is wearing her skating socks and my overshoes. John’s boots have been wet thru every night and this morning I greased them with lard and polished them. He can’t wear his heavy socks because his boots pinch his feet and they get real cold. He has no rubbers. I’ll draw around his boot and you can get him some. You might find some leather mittens. I can get some here for 35 cents.

It is nice and cozy in here this morning and thru each window I can see pictures as pretty as any painting. We let the cat stay in at night now. She caught a mouse last night. I have the car covered and it is close by the north window. With the snow it is easy to tell if any one comes around the house and where they come from.

I’m sorry money is so scarce but I know you are working as much as you can. I’ll send you a list later of things to send me if I can’t get to town, but if you can get John a pair of boot laces now he’d like it a lot. I’d better close and get at my sewing. We get the Tribune right along. Thanks for that.

With love, Martha