Martha – Dear Daddy – The Farm Letters

Category: Martha

Aug 23, 1933-from James to Martha

Posted on August 23, 1933 by ddadministrator

My dear little sweetheart,

I just read your Aug. 21st letter over for the third time. I sure am getting lonesome for you and the children. I have just finished a letter to John. I was mighty glad to get his card this morning, tell him that Daddy would like to hear from him a little oftener, and I enjoy Ruth’s letters a lot and hope she keeps them coming. I think (as John says it) that they are both doing just “swell” in their writing and spelling, but I bet a nickel against a cookie that he said, “Ma, how do you spell machine” yesterday morning. Who wins? I am alone here today. Jack has gone to his sister’s. I fixed myself a nice dinner. Yesterday, it was catch as catch can all day but this morning we did not get up till 10 AM so I did yesterday’s dishes while Jack fried fish, we ate 4 apiece and called it a meal. We then did the housework. I washed dishes again, washed the icebox inside and out and put a clean paper on top, and Jack tended the beds, swept the floor, emptied the icebox pan so everything is in order today. I started to tell about dinner but got off the track. I had boiled potatoes, peas in milk, peaches and cream, 2 little chocolate cupcakes, bread butter and coffee. I had dinner between John’s letter and yours. It is now 4:30 PM. It’s still cloudy but no rain.

Say Martha, the N.R.A. [National Recovery Administration] has caused more hard feelings between the regulars and the extra boys since they had the strike. I am just keeping mum now and hoping for the best. The regulars seem to think they should have it all (that is some of them), the ones that used to steal the good pullouts away from us a few years back. And us extras think we should have enough to live on. We have not heard anything official yet but ought to soon if they are to be under the code on September 1st.

How is the car working? Have the tires checked once in a while and if you have not had it done I believe you should have some more water put in the battery. I do not have the library card. I guess it’s in one of the 2 books on how to make things. I am glad our crop is as good as the rest of the neighbors, and if Rood is ready to plant and wants to put in the place the same as this year tell him he can have it. For he used good judgment on it this year and it will be the first year we have got anything out of it since we had it, And you can see him right away so he can get the rye in early.

I believe I’ll wait till payday to get the cloth and knife for you but I will send you $2.00 in this letter so if you want to get things for over Sunday you can buy them.

Say I must have sent all three of my undershirts up there for when I went to get one I couldn’t find any. Please take it easy and have the children help with the work. My how I wish I could take you in my arms right now and hug you tight. Will you give each of the youngsters a good night hug and several kisses for me. And I wish you a nice kiss on each cheek. Love from Daddy Jim

Aug 20, 1933-from James to Martha

Posted on August 20, 1933 by ddadministrator

My Dear Peggy Girl,

How I wish I could be up there with you folks today. Jack and I are both going to work night runs. Mine is driving on Selby, and I suppose we will be off again tomorrow. If we are, we’re going fishing. We would go wild staying shut up in this room and as it don’t cost anything except a little gasoline we are better off out in the country.

Last night when I got home Jack had a big dish of macaroni, crackers and cheese baked for supper and we had sliced tomatoes for desert. It all tasted good as I had my dinner at about 11 o’clock and supper at 7:15. We had Wheaties and toast for breakfast today and the rest of the macaroni for dinner. I have got Jack to let his mustache grow and it’s about a week old now and it looks good. He says it’s the first time he has ever wore one. I bought a Sunday Tribune today and will send it along with my clothes tomorrow. My razor works just fine since it was fixed.

Say if you can find a couple of mouse traps handy send them in the next package for we have a mouse here, he got in the closet and the day-bed. I cannot find any place where he did any damage but he left his mark.

It’s cloudy here this afternoon and I hope we get rain as it’s awfully dry. Fred said they could hardly plow out at his brother’s place. They put new blades on the plow and are using 6 horses on the gang in order to turn it over. Have you seen much plowing done up there? I believe we should rent the place back to Mr. Rood if we can and get it plowed this fall so we can get a better start on next year. What do you think about it? And If I get up soon I want to see about the garden and berry bushes.

Well I guess this is about all the news. Have the children write. So wishing you all lots of love I will close, Daddy

I am mailing this at the main P.O. at 4:30 PM on Sunday.

Aug 18, 1933-from James to Martha

Posted on August 18, 1933 by ddadministrator

Dear Martha, Ruth and John,

I just got another nice letter so will answer right away. I am always glad to get them. I am well but I did not tell you that I sun-burned a strip about 8 inches wide around each leg the other day when I was fishing. They were pretty sore yesterday but are better today. Next time I am wearing my overalls instead of a bathing suit. We ate the last of the fish for dinner today they were sure good. I hope I can take you folks fishing soon. Say seeing the work is so slack, I think I’ll come up before long instead of your coming down as I want to see about disposing of the grain and hay and look things over. The railroads have cut the fare till it’s about the same as the buses and I can have lots more time up there by using the train. The train leaves here about 10:30 PM and gets to P.R. at 5:38 AM and leaves there at 2:39 PM and gets here a little after nine so it would give me nearly 2 days more time that way.

I’ll send the postcards soon and let me know the length of the collar Mitzi has now and I’ll see what I can get her. You had me puzzled about the new cream. I thought you meant the kind you use in coffee until it dawned on me that it was face cream. I am glad that it’s good and that you like it. The druggist said it was a good seller.

Jack and I were both marked off again today but he was on the official chisel list so he has gone down to try his luck and as he has done all the cooking the last few days I cleaned the room while he was out . Everything is ship-shape again. While I was writing this my box of clean clothes-arrived.

I stopped and took a bath and I was already shaved and now I am dressed in my clean clothes and feel fine. I got my razor back yesterday and it looks just like new and cuts good. It cost 75 cents to have it fixed up

Say, I forgot and sent my Library card so before you forget it stick it in your next letter so I can return these books and get another supply. I am sending a little card I got telling about the Library being closed so I want to get more books right away, I am glad you folks are getting the rains. We have had but the one little shower and it hardly laid the dust. Thanks lots for the nice clean clothes and I think I will send a package tomorrow so you rill get it on Monday.

Well I seem to be running out of news except I am awfully lonesome without all of you and I hope I can see you soon, I hope this finds you all well and happy so lots of love to each of you and a nice big hug and kiss.

From Daddy Jim

P.S. Say hello to Mitzi from me.

Aug 17, 1933-from James to Martha

Posted on August 17, 1933 by ddadministrator

My Dear Martha and children,

Well Daddy had lots of fun yesterday. We were all marked off so Foster, Jack and I went fishing up the river. We stayed out till almost eleven o’clock the night before catching night crawlers. They are overgrown angleworms that come out of the ground at night and you use a flashlight to find them. We left the house about 6:30 in the morning. Foster was over and had breakfast with us and we all went in his car. Well we sure had fun catching fish. We could wade clear across the river. Now don’t tell how many fish we caught except that we went over the limit which should have been 12 apiece of the bass but we got 55 small mouth bass, 1 walleyed pike and 11 red horse. I caught the pike and the rest was about even so we have fish for supper and fish for dinner and lunch. I wish you folks could have had part of them they were so good.

I am glad the packages came and you probably have the other one by now with the books. I am glad you write about the little things that happen around the place for it’s all news to me and I am interested in what you are all doing. I think it’s fine that you are giving the kiddies a chance to earn a little money. That is the only way to do.

We had a meeting at the station today in regards to the N.R.A [National Recovery Administration] Supt. Bjork was the speaker. Their code according to him is a 48 hour week and they are allowed 6 extra hours to get the runs in. The code is not accepted yet at Washington and I hope it never is for it is N.G. all the way thru. The extra men will starve but I don’t think Mr. Johnson will accept it nohow.

Well I must go to work so by-by with love to all, Daddy

P.S. I got 2 letters from you folks today, one from you and one from Ruth and John.

Aug 15, 1933-from James to Martha

Posted on August 15, 1933 by ddadministrator

My Dear Martha,

I have made notes on what I should write so I will just take them in order and then write my letter.

1. It cost 15 cents to send your glasses back the same way you sent them to me.

2. I got the 2nd notice from Gore and will write them and tell them we cannot pay them for a little while but that we expect to have the money soon if we get the raise thru the NRA [National Recovery Administration].

3. I don’t think we can get the paint just yet but think we can get it done this fall.

4. I am awfully glad you are getting as much canning done as you are. And I hope you can put up a nice lot of tomatoes and peaches and such things. Peaches are just beginning to come in but I don’t know the price.

5. My hands are O.K. again but I had the hide off in several places at once.

6. I am glad John tends to the potato digging. About how many do they go per hill? and how big are they?

7. I sure wish we could put a little in the bank each month as you said. Our next check, Aug.26th, will be $36.00 and $4.00 of that will be savings.

8. The show with Tom Mix costs too much so I wont be going but they say that he and his horse, Tony are mighty fine actors and maybe we can all see him some other time.

9. I am just as well satisfied that you took the sign down. If they want one up let then come and ask permission to put it up.

10. (Well that’s that). Now for the letter.

Jack fixed us a good feed yesterday, it was macaroni and ground beef. He fried the hamburger good and then broke it up and he had the macaroni cooked in the regular way. Then he put a layer of macaroni, then meat and so on till he had the dish full and he also had broken crackers mixed in, and afterwards he baked the dish in the oven till it was nice and brown on top. It made us 2 nice meals. Your Pepsodent cream only cost 10 cents more than the kind you have been using so I bought it and the blankets were on sale at a dollar so I bought a pair. Things like that are going up in price and I thought you could use an extra pair. The price tags are on the youngsters’ socks so you can see what I paid.

We are marked off again today with a 2 hour pull-out this afternoon. The talk is that the [NRA – National Recovery Administration] codes must be in by the 18th and they must have them working by Sept.1st so we should hear something soon. McGill [head of Minneapolis Transit Company] has had to make the second trip to Washington but I don’t know if he is back yet or not.

I’ll bet it seems like fall to have the nights and mornings get so cool. It’s the same here but no rain. Tell Johnnie that he can take another drill out of the box of tools in the attic and keep it in place of the one he broke. I think the youngsters will like the 2 books I am sending today for they show how to make lots of things and there are some drawings of rustic furniture in John’s book that he can try out. If they need nails I will send some or you can get them some in town. Don’t forget to send me ropes because I had to use another piece of my clothes line today.

I guess that Carl Bowman is working at the Glen Lake Sanatorium. Well I must close with lots of love for you all.

P.S. Tell Ruth I will write to her soon.

Aug 13, 1933-from James to Martha

Posted on August 13, 1933 by ddadministrator

My dear Martha and children,

Well I should be scolded for not writing sooner but I will write a long letter now, and try and make up for it. I am well but disgusted with the work. I was marked off Thur, Fri, and Sat. all in a row but Thurs. I chiseled 9 hr. 14 min. I was 2nd.up that day on the official list. I went to the barn 3 times yesterday but did not get a thing and the regular 4 AM man did not get a thing till noon and then only the last half of a run. Thursday night Fred, Jack and I saw that we were all marked off Friday so Fred took us all out to his brother’s place and we helped them thresh. The grain was pretty poor. I think they had 1400 bushels. But their corn is extra good if the frost doesn’t get it. I drove team and hauled bundles and Jack picked in the field and Fred tended to stacking the straw. It seemed like old times. I wish you folks were here to eat dinner with me for I am alone. Jack has gone down to chisel. I have a night run on Bloomington. The dinner is roast beef, boiled potatoes Biscuits and honey and coffee. They fed us good out at Sewell’s and gave us a bunch of corn and milk to take home.

I sent you a package yesterday with my clothes and the things you ordered and I also had your glasses fixed and sent them back. I Put 5 $1.00 bills in with the glasses.

The check was $38.02 after EMBA [Employee Member Benefits Association] was taken out. I paid New England [furniture] $3.00, rent $6.00,Ted $7.35, insurance $5.00 and your $5.00 and have $10.00 left. I will send you the note book again and some more of the money in the next package.

Gee folks, I wish we could all be together – this being here alone is the bunk especially when there is no work. There are so many things up there to be done. Have they cut the hay yet and about the stack in the yard what is it? Where abouts in the yard is it? and what size is it? There are lots of wild grapes out at Sewell’s so we are going out and gather a bunch of them to make jam out of.

Have you heard any more about school, when it starts etc? and what are the youngsters going to need in the line of clothes. I have both Sunday papers ready for you. Well folks I don’t know of any more news except that I would like to give each of you a big hug and kisses.

We have not heard anything for sure about the New Deal only that they are supposed to start something by Sept.1st. Your slip off the geranium did not make it alive so after a little I will go up to the cemetery and take up the big plant so you can keep it. We have not had but the one little shower for ages so it’s dry here but not very warm just right for comfort. I will need my dish towels next time as we are using Jack’s and I have a clean sheet left. I just figured up Jack’s and my eats bill and Jack came May 5th and his side adds up to $16.27 and mine is $16.16 so they stay pretty close together.

I am glad you take the setting up exercises. I think they are helpful and I want you to keep looking young. I bought a shave yesterday so as to get my neck and mustache trimmed so I would look good and I have a nice tan on my arms now.

Have you been down in the big woods lately? I’m awfully sorry I did not get around to write sooner and I hope you get the packages O.K. By-by with lots of love and kisses from Daddy Jim

I am mailing this at the main P.O. at 5:15 PM and I hope you get it tomorrow morning.

Aug 8, 1933-from James to Martha

Posted on August 8, 1933 by ddadministrator

Dear Martha and Ruth,

You girls are sure good about writing to me, and it makes me feel good to get such nice letters for its hard to be separated this way.

I slept late this morning for I have to work so late tonight. I got up this morning and made myself some coffee and toast and had a dish of apple sauce for breakfast, then I washed dishes, there were not many only 2 cups, 2 saucers, 2 spoons and my sauce dish. After that I wiped out the icebox and scrubbed the floor so everything is ship-shape. I moved out both beds and cleaned under them, emptied the waste basket and then I put on hot water and shaved so now there is nothing to do till dinner time so I am writing letters to you.

Say I sure wish I could of got in on that Sunday dinner of yours for the menu sure sounded good. Ours was pretty slim– sauerkraut and wieners, bread and butter and coffee, but we did better yesterday. It’s now 11:15 AM so I am wondering what to get for dinner today and I have to get something to take along for lunch tonight. I believe I’ll get some boiled ham for sandwiches and one of those little pies and with coffee I’ll make out all right.

Jack just told me that the bus drivers here went on the 40 hour week yesterday and also got a raise in pay and the rumor is that we are to get not less than $25.00 a week, I hope it’s true. If I get the raise, I want you and the kiddies to winter here with me. And maybe we can get things going up on the farm next year.

The librarys here are all going to be closed for two weeks so send me the card and I will get some more books to keep till they open again. I had left it in one of the last books.

I am glad you found out where the trouble was on the car. You were lucky to be close to help. Was it one of the cables that was fastened to the battery? Well sweethearts I must ring off for this time. Lots of love from Daddy Jim

Aug 7, 1933-from James to Martha

Posted on August 7, 1933 by ddadministrator

Dear Martha and Children,

I received your Sat. letter this morning was glad you liked the things I sent and I will look for a big letter tomorrow. I worked a day run yesterday and when I got home I got word the folks were up so I had my dinner and shaved and changed clothes and walked over to Emily’s, and Roy, Emily, George, and Ma were there. I visited till they left which was about dark then I came back to the room and went to bed. Today we were both marked off with an afternoon pull-out so after a breakfast of cakes we took a streetcar out as far s the Falls and then walked as far as the Mendota bridge along the river. We stayed on the West side of the river and it was a nice walk. We found another big spring down by the river about opposite the round tower on the reservation. Before we got home we wished we had taken along a lunch. We saw some quite good-sized fish in the river too, where they had been dredging.

Tomorrow I am working a run, the Emerson owl, go to work at 5 in the afternoon and don’t get thru till 3 AM. There are lots of rumors about the NRA– they are sure getting after outfits that don’t try and help. I hear the head of it has given them 2 more weeks to get agoing but we have not heard anything about our own jobs. Bill T. has moved back to town, 2919 Franklin Terrace right by Riverside Park. I have not picked out a pair of shoes yet but I have been in several places and looked them over. I want to get a real good pair and still not pay too much.

I have another book here that I think you will like it’s about a wild stallion the by name of Mistral and is written by Max Brand. If you have enough cucumbers will you make some sweet sliced pickles? I made biscuits and we had them with honey for dinner. I want to mail this at the P.O. and is now 8:20 PM so I had better be going, so by-by with lots of love to all, Daddy

It’s been real warm today but no rain.

Aug 4, 1933-from James to Martha

Posted on August 4, 1933 by ddadministrator

My dearest girl,

I did not expect a letter again today and I received it on my knees. I was scrubbing the floor and Jack brought it up to me. I have just packed a little box for you with the things you ordered and I’m sending my cash book for inspection so send it back soon and I am sending 2 of the latest newspapers. There is lots of talk about the NRA, I guess it’s going to go through OK, everyone seems hopeful. I am glad you are putting up the cherries.

Last night I got done two hours before Jack so I made an apple pie and then peeled the rest of the apples and we had a cup of raspberries left so I mixed them all together and made a qt. of sauce. This morning Jack bought a qt. of vinegar and I fixed the beet pickles. I think I should have put a little water and more sugar on them for they were pretty strong. The pie was good.

Jack did the dishes and emptied the garbage can and got ice while I scrubbed so we were both busy all morning. Each one takes care of his own bed. I am ahead of Jack on the food bill so I won’t have to pay out much more till pay day so I have plenty of money.

Well sweetheart, it don’t look as if I was going to get much work today. I hope President Roosevelt socks old McGill plenty as we sure have slim pickings as it is now.

Lots of love from Jimmie

Aug 3, 1933-from James to Martha

Posted on August 3, 1933 by ddadministrator

My Dear Martha,

Well Martha I am getting behind with my letters but will try and catch up. Sundays are sure long ones. I am glad you are putting up jam and things and I hope you can get some blueberries. And say each time you are in town buy yourself a nice roast or some other nice meat for I want you and the children to have plenty to eat.

Potatoes are still awful high. The ones from around here are small and ill-shaped and sell for $1.00 or $1.50 a bu. The shipped in ones like we had while you were here are still about 4 cents a lb.

About the cow I think $40 is pretty much unless she is fair-sized and so far as color and breed is concerned I guess it don’t make so much difference just so the milk is good. If you can find one gentle enough to milk I would buy it right away. Jensens are sure having tough luck with their horses. The arrangement with Rood with the grain is OK. Fred Sewell was out to the farm yesterday and he brought us enough corn for two messes and some beets. Say how do you fix beet pickles?

I sure would of liked to sample the apple pie you made the other day. It made me pie hungry so I went out and bought a few apples but did not get around to make the pie. I think I’ll do that tomorrow. I am on 11 o’clock station call today and I hope I draw a night run.

I hope you like the package I have sent today and don’t forget to put in some of the longest pieces of rope when you send things this way. I had to pay 6 cents on the books and I have sent you more. I think John will like the ones for boys.

I think I told you I had cleaned my pants and they look nice. I have ditched the old coat. Today I have on the clean white shirt and collar and all shaved and I feel good. Say I can have my razor fixed up just like new for 75 cents. I believe I will have it done as the old one does not work good and I have to shave so often.

We have not heard anything about the New Deal in regards to our job but it is sure helping a lot in lots of places and we still have hopes. I knocked a big piece of skin off my knuckle the other day, caught it on a screw head as I was throwing a switch. I had to get another outfit of tape and gauze.

Well I hope this finds you all O.K. so by-by with lots of love from Jim

PS. Tell Johnnie I will write to him next.