[Gladys included this letter from Ruth Mutchler in her May 2nd letter. Ruth was Roscoe’s sister.]
Letter transcription:
Wilmington Ill.
April 30, 1944
Dear folks,
Just a line before I go downtown this morning. I am sewing & must go down to get some thread. It is raining again this morning as usual.
We have been anxious to know what has become of you. In your last letter you said you had been apartment hunting & we have been wondering if you have found one. It will be nice if you can be near Jake while he is stationed there. Romaine & I were in Chicago, all day on Saturday, two weeks ago. We eyed every Naval officer that we saw. Thinking just perhaps
[page 2] Jake may have been downtown, but – no see –
We went up for her formal. Had a hard time finding one, but finally found one which we think is quite pretty. It is yellow marquisette. She is getting all excited now, the Senior activities are “stepping up.” Had the Senior play Fri. & Sat. nights. She had so hoped grandpa & grandma would come up for commencement, but Mom wrote & said that it wouldn’t be possible for them to come now. She is still counting on you to be here.
Earl & Chuck are trying hard to get their garden in but so much rain keeps
[page 3] them from it. They now have their potatoes, peas & early stuff such as lettuce carrots & onions in. Earl went fishing
for a little while yesterday after-noon, but too cold for that, got two I think he said. He is so busy at the mine, he hasn’t much time for fishing & gardening.
Must run along now. Let us hear from you, haven’t Jake’s address so can’t write to him, so send it along when you write again. Hope you are all well
Love Ruth
Come for commencement if you can. It is May 26.
©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/15/romaines-commencement-ruth/
“I am sewing & must go down to get some thread.” The sewing genes run widely in this family! Or did all the women in those days sew?
“Romaine & I were in Chicago, all day on Saturday, two weeks ago. We eyed every Naval officer that we saw. Thinking just perhaps Jake may have been downtown, but – no see –” It’s so nice to find these little bits of history in these letters, otherwise lost forever.
I think most women still knew how to sew, and did.