Destry Rides Again is a movie staring Jimmie Stewart and Marlene Dietrich. The movie has a rather infamous fight scene between Marlene Dietrich and Una Merkel and Jimmie Stewart. Although I have never seen the movie, here’s a clip of the big fight from the movie.

Letter transcription:

Nov. 27, 1942

Dear Mother,

The dates on my letters are a little confusing since I write in the P.M. The letter goes thru the censorship routine the next morning and to the P.O. about noon then to the main P.O. in the P.M. and then leave the next day so you see a letter is about 3 days off old before it really leaves the island but I guess that doesn’t make much difference in the long run because of the length of time it takes them to get there. I never seal the envelope until it is ready for censorship so if anything important comes up I can add it and that takes off one day. There is no point to the above whatever only just telling you the procedure.

I’ve been very lazy in the letter writing business the past few days. It seemed that when I wanted to write there was something else that had to be done and when I had time I wasn’t in the mood. The nightly shows cut into my writing schedule but they are pretty good past time. Last night’s show was a little odd. I guess. The name “Destry Rides Again.” Don’t know what the one is tonite we always have pretty good house even if the title isn’t

[page 2] known ahead. Most everyone goes even if they have seen it before. And many persons who go to the movies often have seen them, but as for me they will have to hunt pretty hard if they find one I have seen, as you are well aware.

Our living quarters are pretty good now. We – Three of us – have a space 12 feet by 16 feet. Have Iron bunks with springs. And electric lights. I’ve told you that before but I’m so pleased. We were up last night until 11:00 P.M. We seem to be in a part of the outfit where lights out don’t affect. So we can read write etc. And too the mosquitoes aren’t so bad but we still use our nets at night because the little bugs slip in some way.

Today outside the heat is very oppressive and the sun really burns. Inside the hut it is rather comfortable and there is a slight breeze, but standing perfectly still in the sun is almost unbearable.

So far today I received a copy of the Newton County Enterprise dated Oct. 22 and two V-mail letters one from you and one from John – Yours was dated Nov. 5 and John’s Nov. 3. That’s two V-mails from John and none from Mark. The one I got from John on Nov. 1 sounded more like Mark but it had John’s name.

I haven’t written Bart yet about the paper

[page 3] but I intend to in the very near future and I also intend to write Boonie again. I got his letter 3 days ago but wasn’t in the mood to write and have been a little busy what with moving etc.

Was interrupted for a time – Have just been to the P.O. but no mail or packages. I brought two packages for another Dr. but none for myself. Guess mine will be along sooner or later. It is now 1700 and still the sun is very hot. It’s supposed to be the dead of summer or very near it and by 1915 it is dark enough to start the movies so that proves the period of twilight is shorter here than there because it still very light there at 1915 in the Eve. As I remember it.

Just got a case of cold beer and is it good. Most of the time it is warm but once in a while we are able to get a cold one. Our beer supply is running low and I’ll be sorta glad because it put on too much weight.

Well, I’ll save the rest of the space until morning. It isn’t morning yet but the show was short. The name “Gold Rush Mazie”. It was about as good as it sounds. I’ll add more in the morning.

Nothing new. Very warm at 7:30 A.M. – will start another letter today

Love Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

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