Chapter 19 – Dear Daddy – The Farm Letters

Category: Chapter 19

Jul 29, 1933-from James to Martha

Posted on July 29, 1933 by ddadministrator

Dear Martha, Ruth and John,

I received your nice letters last night and you don’t know how thankful I am that you got home safe and that you found everything in good shape. I would of wrote so you could of got this today If I had been home but Fred asked me to go out to the farm as we were both marked off. We left here at 9:10 Thursday night and came back last night. I milked 3 cows night and morning and stacked hay most of the day besides, besides riding to Lakeville with Fred after groceries and after that Fred took his nephew and 2 other boys to Crystal lake swimming. The lake is 11 miles from the farm. We had lots of fun but the water felt cold. 3 of us only had our shorts on as bathing suits but there were no ladies present.

I had a night run on 34th-North Bryant tonight, 7:03 till 12:53. Today I got my hair cut and took some shoes to be fixed, after I got home from that I made a batch of cookies like you made and a sour cream cake. They all turned out good except the cake I had in the mess kit fell a little.

Oh say if you haven’t all ready found the soap it is in the box with the dishes and the screws for the table are in the tin box of tire patches in the tool bag. Try and keep the car in the shade as much as possible for the hot sun is bad on the tires and top. You might even throw something over the tires that are in the sun most. Don’t be afraid to buy plenty of eats and anything I can get cheaper here I’ll be glad to send it to you

As I was milking the cows yesterday I was wishing you folks could have been here too. They gave me a 2 qt. jar of milk to bring home so we have been drinking heavy today. I am sorry ice is so high but here we have to have it. Its terrible hot today but it looks like rain. I am glad you had rain there and the garden is coming so good.

Well sweethearts I must stop and get ready for work. Lots of love to all from Daddy.

Write often

P.S. Dearest girl I know why you were so upset so just forget it. I love you very much and hope you like me a little.

Better send all the books back right away and I will send you some more.

Jul 27, 1933-from James to Martha

Posted on July 27, 1933 by ddadministrator

My Dear Martha John and Ruth,

I sure hated to see you start off alone yesterday when I knew you had not slept. I hope you got home without any trouble and that you found things in good shape there. I asked a fellow who was taking a load of stock to the cities if I could ride to the city with him and he said no so I rode the bus it cost .85¬¢. While I was waiting for the bus I walked over to the river and it was clear I could see a lot of big fish swimming around and some turtles. I think the fish are carp or suckers but they were great big fellows.

I got the money from Bennetti today and will pay the bank loan this afternoon. I am working Kenwood this afternoon from 3:00 till 9:09. I was on Emerson this morning.

I hope they get the 6 hour day soon and most of the boys think we will. I haven’t much news except it’s mighty lonesome here and I will look for a nice long letter tomorrow.

Lot a of love to you all from Daddy

Jul 26, 1933-from Ruth to James

Posted on July 26, 1933 by ddadministrator

Dear Daddy,

how are you I am fine we got home without having to go in low any time up the hill we ate lunch outside little falls. We got home 5 minits after 4. on the way we guest what time we wood get home John said 3 o’clock Mother said 4 and I said 2 o’clock so you see the time came within 5 minits of the time Mother thought we would get home the kittens are over 1/2 of a foot long John and I havent been able to cach ether of them yet. there house is under the old barn all safe and sound. the toemaytoes and the watetermelons and the sqwash all have fruit on them about the size of a silver dollar. the cucumbers have fruit of about 4 inches long.the beans have some of them gone to seed and the same with the peas. our corn has a lot of ears on it and we can eat it in a few days How do you like the picher on the front of this? I did not use a pensel on any of it you should have seen Mitzi when we let her out of the car she jumpt and ran all over us and the farm we set the little round tabal up but we coulden’t find the screws. Do you remember where you put them? This morning I tried to cach the kittens but they ran to fast.well I guess this is all the news so lots and lots of love from Ruth. P S.this morning coming home from getting the milk I found a Ruster fesent’s tail feather it was black yellow brown and tan I gave it to John

love from Ruth

Jul 26, 1933-from Martha to James

Posted on July 26, 1933 by ddadministrator

Dear James,

We are gathered around the family table writing letters. It is now 8:30 PM. We reached home by way of Wadena, and Park Rapids. From Brainerd to Park Rapids the road is wonderful. We stopped at Little Falls for gas and oil, 3 gals gas and a qt. of oil, 77 cents. We bought groceries at Menagha. 1 doz. eggs, 5 lbs. potatoes, l qt vinegar (so I can make bean pickles), 1 loaf bread, 2 pkgs, corn flakes, total $1.11 also 3 ice cream cones. We ate lunch just outside Little Falls. We had packed lunch for you too but forgot to give it to you before we left. What bus did you take to the cities? We met two, one about 8 o’clock and one about 9. The car worked perfectly and the weather was ideal.

The first thing we did was to look at the garden. The potatoes are still blossoming and have grown a lot. Ruth dug 2 hills and found 10 potatoes a little smaller than an egg. The sweet corn is in the milk and the corn is beginning to tassel. The cabbages are forming heads and the onions are ripe. The tomato plants have many, many little tomatoes set on and the plants are 3 times as big as they were.

There must have been a heavy rainfall lately as the garden soil was washed some and both tubs and boiler were full of soft water. The cat came running from the barn as soon as she heard the car. She had moved the kittens again.

I unloaded the car and picked a basin of raspberries, enough for supper. I brushed our coats and picked all the hair off of them and hung them away. I feel pretty tired now and am only waiting my turn at the tub. John is already asleep. The children were both very good all the way up here.

I am sorry I was cross with you but you’ll simply have to be more patient. I’ve been thinking over what we talked about, and if you get more work I think we ought to rent a house and stay with you this winter. We can’t even bear to think of another winter up here alone. And then we can spend the summer months up here and rent out the land as before. If your work gets less you might see about the loan and find out if you can quit it and go to farming and I guess this farm is as good as most of them.

Eddie Rood was cutting the oats on the north half of the field just as hay, on the rest he will use the binder. The millet and sudan grass look nice. The grain isn’t ripe enough to harvest yet. The grass in the yard is green and everything is just as we left it.

Be sure to get your new shoes right away and pay Ted all up if you have enough money.

I’m sorry again for being cross. Bruce had been here twice while we were away, on the 17th and the 22nd of July. He left 2 notes.

(Continued in A.M.)

We’re all feeling great. Had a good sleep. It is cloudy today and as soon as this is in the mail box we are going after the cherries and the garden. Blueberries were 10 cents a lb. in the store. I hope you are rested now and that things will go well with you.

Lots of love. Martha

Jul 26, 1933-from John to James

Posted on July 26, 1933 by ddadministrator

Dear Daddy

How are you we are fine The corn is not ready to eat yet but in a few days it will be We got home all right the beans aren’t dried up either. the watermelons are this (insert drawing) big. the pumpkins are this (insert drawing) big, the squash is (insert drawing) this big, the millet is almost up to my knee, the sudan grass is up to my shoulder.

Well I want to catch the kittens so good by love from John

Jun 28, 1933-from Martha to James

Posted on June 28, 1933 by ddadministrator

Dear James,

We got your letter with the $5.00 yesterday. I’m glad you O.K. our plan. We had another nice rain last night at bed-time. The children have gone after the milk. Mitzi goes with them when they walk. Lately she wants to ride in the car too. She sits quietly on the back seat.

I believe we’ll drive down on Friday. We can go to West Concord on Saturday and we must come home on Monday as the garden is coming along and the fruit is ripening. The juneberries are nice this year and we’ll pick all we can this week. They ripen a few at a time so we have to pick often.

I did our washing yesterday and will iron today and go to town tomorrow. The Sweet William are blooming and also the little pansies. We had a mess of peas for supper last night. The children cultivated the peas, beans, potatoes, corn, onions, cabbage and sweet corn yesterday and I hoed the melons from 6 AM ’till 7:30. I’ll write to you again tomorrow and give you our exact plans.

I didn’t get the car painted. I’m sorry as I should like to have it look nice for our trip, but we don’t let that stand in our way. During the dry spell it was too dusty and there hasn’t been time since the rain.

“We’ll be Seein’ you” so look for our latest plans tomorrow.

Love from us all, Martha

(Thursday morning. June 29th-1933)

We had another shower last night. We found a lot of high bush juneberries loaded with berries on the south side of the field about where the fence ends. They are not quite ripe but we may pick them and leave them in the house to ripen while we are gone. The things you sent haven’t come nor has the second letter with the $5. This stalls me as I can’t use the car until I get the tire pumped. I believe I’d better start early Sat. morning. We should get there early in the afternoon and you can meet us at Camden. The car is running good and we’ll be very careful and with this rain the sand won’t bother. We’ll be back on Monday so everything will be O.K. I’ll write again Friday so you’ll know whether the things have come.

Love, Martha

Jun 27, 1933-from James to Martha

Posted on June 27, 1933 by ddadministrator

Dear Martha,

I received another letter from you today. I am always glad to hear from you and it answered a question that was bothering me. That was if you had the car on 4 legs again. I answered your question about what to do only the more I think about it the more I think you should come Thursday so as to be sure to make it and have a little time to shop altho money is scarce but we always get by (don’t we?). Say sweetheart I can’t hardly wait to see you and the kiddos and the Pup. Tell Ruth I have her order filled and I have something nice for John.

Today has been just terrible, the radio said 100 when I got home at 4 this afternoon. I worked a one-piece day run on Bloomington. I am glad you got the rain for it is going to be a life-saver for us to get the garden stuff and some grain. Things look pretty tough for a lot of folks. They are burned out in the Dakotas and some of the other wheat states. Wheat is over $1.00 a bu. now.

Well I think I gave you all the instructions you need for the trip, just be careful, and leave the car in a place in Camden so you can tell me where to get it and leave Mitzi in the car as you can’t take her on the street car unless she is in a box. Be sure to lock things up on the farm and have tools and things like that put away. Bring the car keys to the room here with you.

Well Martha I will try to send you one more letter before you leave. So by-by with lots of love to you and the youngsters from Daddy

Jun 26, 1933-from James to Martha

Posted on June 26, 1933 by ddadministrator

My Dear Martha Ruth and John

Well folks I am going to O.K. your plans but will add a little to them. If you want to come down and go to the Reunion I will be mighty pleased.

Now for a few instructions. I had already bought a tire, tube and pump at Sears, and they will come to you by Parcel Post and ought to be there tomorrow. I had done this before I got your letter today. I wish you would have someone mount the new tire for you then put it on the wheel where you are having the trouble then take the other tire you are using and have it fixed as a spare and ready to use. Keep all the inner tubes and leave the old spare that is in the car now up there. I think everything about the engine and battery is O.K. See that you have plenty of oil and gas and see that the grease cups under the front floor boards are full. Then start at daylite or before and if it gets too hot stop during the middle of the day and don’t drive after dark. Camp if you don’t make it and come on the next morning.

By Backus is the shortest only go slow thru those miles of coarse gravel. Be extra careful and stay on your own side of the road at all times. Leave the car at Camden Place and come here to the room first and I will have things arranged at Esther’s. It would be O.K. to come Thursday instead of Friday so as to have a day of rest. I’ll send $5.00 in this letter and another five tomorrow. Better bring Mitzi and leave the cat. If I am not working I will meet you at Camden Place but if you don’t see me come on out to the room for further instructions.

Well my sweethearts I guess if you remember all this I will be seeing you either Thursday or Friday.

Lots of love and good luck,

From Daddy

Jun 26, 1933-from Martha to James

Posted on June 26, 1933 by ddadministrator

Dear James,

Well good news at last. We’ve had the most wonderful rain and none too soon. I believe this will give the oats a chance and the garden will be O.K. now. We went to church this morning. Services were at 11 O’clock. It’s a nice clean little church and we enjoyed the services. We just got home when it began to cloud up. We covered the car and gathered in some wood and then came a nice heavy shower. The children put on their bathing suits and had lots of fun. The grass in the yard is looking green again. I drove down after the milk this morning and used Jenson’s pump to put more air in that tire. The car sounds fine.

I forgot to tell you I broke one of the windows trying to open it, the one on the North. Sat. I finished tacking the last of the screen on the windows and tacked screen on the inside of the open places in the Little House and painted the seat. It looks nice.

I felt awfully tired after we had come home from church and lay down for a while. I fell asleep and the children were quiet and didn’t waken me and I slept all afternoon. We had dinner at 6 o’clock, macaroni, bacon and chocolate pudding.

Oscar Jenson’s son is to be married around the 4th of July. They say there is going to be a big neighborhood picnic at Stony Lake on the 4th. I don’t care whether we go or not as long as you are with us. I liked the book you sent me. It was so warm Friday I just sat down and read the book and have read parts of it twice.

The dog kept me awake most of the night barking. I had her in the house and her growling is enough to frighten any one away. Some of the corn is up to John’s waist and the rain will boost the rest along. The lower part of the garden is still pretty weedy and I think I’ll leave that for you to hoe.

Well I’m going to bed now. Let me know right away what to do,

Love, Martha

Jun 24, 1933-from Martha to James

Posted on June 24, 1933 by ddadministrator

Dear James,

We got your letter and package yesterday and everything was fine except the news about your mother. I think, under the circumstances, that we should drive down and be there for the Reunion and then you bring us back here for the Fourth. We will need a few clothes. Here are my plans. We will drive down on Friday and you will have to see Esther so that we can stay there Friday nite. Then early Sat. morning we will drive to West Concord, stay over Sun. and start back for here Mon. morning and you can spend the rest of your vacation here if your mother is all right and see her as often as you can when you go back to work. I can make the trip alright and you can meet me at Camden or have Alfred meet me if you are working. Let me know what you think of this. I would like to see your mother and have the children see her. It won’t look so conspicuous to her if we come down for the Reunion and I think it is the best thing. If you O.K. this I’ll write Esther a card and let her know we are coming.

It is cloudy and cool and we may get the rain we need so badly. Send me some money and we’ll get the things we need here.

Your fish story sounded good. We haven’t had any yet.

Well the coffee is ready and we must have breakfast, and I am going ahead with plans to leave here Friday. I think the way by Backus is best and from there on it won’t be hard. You won’t need to send any more food and your washing we can bring back with us.

Lots of love from us all, Martha