The Fishing Trip by Norman Rockwell

On Tuesday, August 11^th, my grandmother received the letter from my grandfather which was written as he was leaving California. The same letter which he wrote on Saturday traveling on a Pullman car heading south to Port Hueneme. The last letter he wrote (I believe) until arriving in the South Pacific.

This letter is filled with more names of Kentland people. My uncle Mark went fishing with Phil Virgin and the Sammons boys on this cool August day. Phil Virgin was the same age as Mark and the middle Sammons’ boy, James. They were all in the same class at school. Since my grandmother mentioned the Sammons boys, I feel obligated to mention James’ brothers. James had a younger brother William who would have been 5-6 in 1942 and an older brother George who would have been 13. I’m not exactly sure if a 13 year old would have wanted to hang out with a bunch of 9 year olds, but times were different then. On the other hand, what teenage boy wants to hang out with his younger brothers…But I can definitely imagine a younger William trying to keep up with the bigger boys.

I am not sure who Cliff and Geo. T are yet, but Agnes Molter, I managed to find. In 1942, Agnes would have been about 48, being born in 1893. Agnes was a single woman and a lawyer. Wow! A female lawyer in 1948! She must have had some interesting experiences (and tales to tell) from her career. An interesting fact from the 1940 census is that Agnes had only a high school diploma. Modern lawyers complete way more schooling than that. Agnes was the daughter of Leonard and Bridget (Dorsch) Molter. She died in 1971 and is buried in Kentland.

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind

Aug 11-1942

Dear Daddy-

Yours of Sat rec’d. I wrote about returning the Estrogenic and had a reply to return so have it wrapped to send back. I will write about the half bottle you said thought could be returned and see if Lakeside will take it back.

The weather we are having is more like fall than summer. The wind is so cool and strong today a sweater would feel comfortable. I suppose next month when school begins we will have warm weather again.

Mark is fishing again. Came home and said he had caught one bluegill. I told him he would have to do the cleaning. Says he can but I have my doubts. He, Phil Virgin and the Sammons boys are together this afternoon. John just came back from his music lesson and is waiting to take mail to the P.O.

There were two surveyors working along here today. They measured to the house then the length and width of the house. They said they didn’t know anything about the road, their job was to survey.

(page 2) I hope they don’t get too close this way. I don’t see why they should as much space as there is between our house + Kent.

I went in to pay Geo. T. yesterday and he mentioned something about form letters he used. He evidently had talked to you when you were home. He seemed to think they were effective. If I don’t get any response this month I might try them. Geo said to let his bill go but I told him I would pay it. I have rec’d only two replys from the statements I send out the first. I think Cliff’s efforts must be failing too. Haven’t heard any more from him. Will let you know how I get along with things. Talked to Agnes M. and the tax business is as you stated.

Will write tomorrow

Love Mother