Grammatical Error

Letter transcription:

August 13, 1964

Dear David and Bonnie:

The enclosed came here yesterday and we were at a loss to understand what it was all about. We haven’t had an account with Hayden, Stone for several years, but that isn’t the point. This statement is for you. If you are dealing with Hayden, Stone, you should inform them that you are of age and statements do not have to come to us. I am curious however, did you buy Sunset International Petroleum and if so, what did you make of it? It is a low priced stock and listed as a B in our Stock Guide.

Yesterday afternoon John went with me to see Aunt Ruth. We couldn’t see Uncle Earl. He has been in hospital at Joliet (we stopped at Wilmington and talked to Mrs. Johnson and she told us Ruth was at the hospital – where we thought she would be) and has had a stroke. He was quite ill when he was rushed to the hospital and since he reacts unfavorable to sedation, the Dr. had a hard time getting him quieted down. He was sleeping yesterday. We left here at 1:00 and arrived at the hospital at 3:00. We stayed with Aunt Ruth the rest of the afternoon, then took her home. Romaine had not been able to go to Wilmington because Tye was away from home on business and the woman who stays with the children was not available, but Aunt Ruth thought Tye would be back home and Romaine would be able to come any day now. Dad called the Dr. who is taking care of Uncle Earl and his report wasn’t too favorable. At a time like this I wish I could be closer to her so I could furnish transportation for her, but their friends have been very good about getting her to and from the hospital. Tye’s parents live in Wilmington and they have been very helpful.

In your last letter you made a grammatical error, which I hope you know better than to make and which I hope you won’t repeat in anything you hand in to be graded. Your last paragraphs reads, Could you please send a small print of the black and white picture of Bonnie and I leaving the church? As you know it should have been, Bonnie and me.

I suppose this cold wave has reached the east coast by now, but believe it or not, we turned on the furnace last night – at least Dad had turned it on before we came back from seeing Aunt Ruth. The thermometer outside the front door reads 62 at 10:30 AM today.

About your Virgin Birth paper. Last week when I took the Cadillac to Lafayette I took it with me, because I thought I would deliver it in person and had it when I met a friend to have lunch and when she saw what I had asked me if she could take it and read it before passing it on to Mrs. Northacker (the woman who asked for it). Also Mrs. Green’s husband, who is a teacher at the high school in Lafayette was going to read it. Mr. and Mrs. Green are quite active in the Trinity Church in Lafayette.

The picknick basket came from L. Feichter, 113 Conover Kronshage, Univiety of Wisconsin, Madison 6, Wisc. I hope you have received it by now and I also hope you have sent the jacket back to Dad. John had some clothes sent and said if by any chance they got sent to you, send them back here. I was talking to him about how that coat could have gotten sent to you and he said, “You know the Chinese, one big family” and the difference in address didn’t seem to make much difference to them. He said tho, he stressed that they send his things to this address. You see they had your Bloomington address and our address, but evidently were careless about which address they used. John has to go to New York next week. He said he would call you when he gets there. He has to go back for a physical and to wind up his business with Stat University of New York.

Time is getting away from me and since this is Thursday and the bank closes at noon, I must get this finished and get to the office.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/07/grammatical-error/

2016 – A Year in Review

Uncle Earl is Ill

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

8-10-64

Dear David and Bonnie:

Glad to receive yours, posted the 6^th. We will send the picnick basket to you and you send the jacket back to us. I don’t remember of having sent a package on to you that came from Hong Kong, but if you received one, it has to be Dad’s coat – the one we have been looking for, for months, in fact the one we were hoping would come in time for Dad to wear to the wedding. John stopped in H.K. and had some clothes made at the same tailor shop and asked about Dad’s suit coat and was told it had been mailed in May. I was just wondering last week if we would ever receive it. Aunt Ruth just called, and from Silver Cross Hospital in Joilet. Uncle Earl is very ill and since he reacts unfavorable to sedation, it has been hard to find something to make him sleep. Aunt Ruth said they couldn’t tell what his trouble was, whether a kidney stone, or what. Just wish we were close enough to help out a little. We did stop there two weeks ago when we went to see Mark. I am glad we did. I will get another print for you to send to David Watson. Dad said (in his usual RSY manner) where did Doctor McGraw get her information about the tablets? He hasn’t had any such information so didn’t think you needed to be too concerned. Will let you know if any such information comes and you should know how much come thru this office all the time – besides the drug salesmen keep Dad posted on all the new drugs, etc.

[page 2] John is in Bloomington, Indiana today. He went to Urbana last week and in addition to attending a meeting, was able to secure an apartment. His lease begins Sept. 1. All furnished, except for linens, curtains, and such. John had to go to Lafayette one day last week to have his VW serviced and while he waited he went shopping. He bought me an opera – Mozart’s Seraglio. He said that was a commission for his broker. – I have been working for Arvella today – she had to see a throat specialist in Lafayette and she just returned, so I am back at home. John is going to register so he can vote against you know who. He thinks about as much of him as you do. The more I see him (his picture) on TV and in the papers the more I dislike him. I think he is about the worst thing the R party has had for a long, long time. When we were watching the convention on TV, Dad said he thought he acted like he was mad about something. John has his opinions about him from having lived in Arizona three years. He says he represents a group of people who are not concerned about the welfare of anyone but their own small group. I rather think he won’t win anything in the fall. I hope that isn’t just wishful thinking. My new Interpreters Bible and Dictionary came. I ordered from Bookshelf and it cost me about $103.00 including postage for the 16 volumes. I ran into a little difficulty Sunday. Two who have had too much fundamental teaching were questioning the book we are studying. The mother (who goes to Remington church and

[page 3] thinks one has to believe literally every word – which proves she hasn’t read too extensively on the matter – ) had a fit – in the words of her son when they took the study book home for her to read. My class members, Pat and Keith Alberts, were a little upset about the reaction of his mother and I think she has had some influence on their thinking. The sad part is, it is such a good book and has a message so timely, but I think she has bogged down because she has been impressed about the parts she doesn’t agree with and can’t see what the book is trying to say. However, I haven’t detected the same feeling from any of the rest of the class. If I thought you would have time to read the book, I would send you a copy. Genesis, Beginnings of the Biblical Drama by Charles F. Kraft. Fields are on vacation this week and next and the minister from Raub, Rev. Rahn was in our pulpit Sunday. I think the Raub people are very lucky to have him, and when he gets his degree, they won’t be able to keep him very long I am sure. He sounds like the kind who will make progress. From what Marge tells me, he is not a fundamentalist. I stopped to see Mrs. Myers and she had received your gift. She was quite pleased. It was thru her letter that I learned you plan to come home for Christmas. We are going to keep Kirk the last week in August. He is quite a character. I am sure we will have a lot of fun with him. Time is getting away from me, so I had better wind this up and get to the P.O. Excuse fancy writing paper.

Love Mother

To read more about the presidential election of 1964 and Barry Goldwater, click here.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/06/uncle-earl-is-ill/

Heat Wave

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

Monday August 3, 1964

Dear David & Bonnie:

Long time, no letter. There is a package here for you and since it was large and light of weight and not very securily wrapped I looked in to see if I should send it on – it is a picknic basket. Do you want it sent on? If you do I will send it. John has gone to Urbana today on business. He had to make a trip over last Thursday. We had planned to go to Chicago. Dad got the baby-case out of the way (he has a little time now until the next one scheduled) so we (Dad and I) went and stopped at Aunt Ruth’s. Romaine and her children were there (Tye had to make a trip to Chicago on business, so we missed seeing him). We had a nice visit with them, then went on to Mark’s. Becky came home with us and Friday evening Mark and Shirley stopped for her as they were going to Wards. She seemed to have a very nice time and yesterday when they stopped on their way back home she didn’t want to go with them, but wanted to say here. It has been very hot here – in fact I think we have set some kind of record again. You know the Midwest is always having some kind of first in weather. Mr. Harris told me this morning that every window fan and air conditioner they have has been sold. I think from the way he talked every dealer has sold out. I talked to Mrs. Myers one day last week and she was having a bad time with the heat. She said it was the first time it had bothered her. She told me she had tried to buy a window fan and couldn’t get one. The weather forecast is for cooler this evening. I hope so for all the people who do not have air conditioners. We are going to give a program for the Nurse Association at the Hospital tonight and I think it will be a rather warm evening. The air conditioner at our office wasn’t functioning properly and the repair man from Sears was working on it this morning. Dad told me at noon if he didn’t get it fixed he was going to cancel out the afternoon appointments. He hasn’t come home, so I presume it has been put in order. I decided to buy myself the Interpreter’s Bible and Dictionary. The dictionary came today, but I haven’t had time to look it over. I brought back 23 Genesis study books and have distributed all but two. I am in a dilemma. I still have 3 families. I just didn’t bring enough copies back with me. However, I know some of those books will not be opened. – Yesterday afternoon Dad had a telephone call from one of his Commanding Officers (in South Pacific). He was stopping at Tri-Way so Dad asked him to stop and see us. He told us how much he thought of Dad and what a morale booster he had been during the war. Mark and Shirley and children came just as he was leaving so he got a chance to see them. Of course John was here too, so he got to see all of us but you and Bonnie. Please excuse lack of paragraphs, but I got so used to writing this way to John, I hope you don’t mind. Last week (Sat. to be exact) John helped me and we sent out the statements. Isn’t such a bad job when there is some help. He even used my old typewriter. He has his work spread out all over your room. He is doing some work on Indonesian language (I think). His work at U of I will be in Linguistics and with graduate students. He may try to find something in housing on this trip. At present he will be staying at Bob & Lea’s. He asked me if I knew what Bob taught. I replied, “Business English.” He said, “He teaches people how to write junk mail.” I suppose it needs to be well written because once in a while someone will read it. My afternoon is getting away from me, so must bring this to a halt. I want to stop and see Mrs. M. before I go to the office.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/05/heat-wave/

John’s Homecoming

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

July 27 1964

Dear David & Bonnie:

I have read the enclosed. It couldn’t be forwarded, so I thought I would see what it was all about – I don’t do that to letters, but since this was a circular type of thing I didn’t want to spend postage on it if was not something you would want. Since it is from New York, you probably don’t want it. I am deep in the heart of getting things caught up, since my week off (which I enjoyed very much).

John was on the train and we headed for Kentland via Lafayette as soon as possible. We stopped at the VW place and he bought a new car and drove the rest of the way home by himself. I took him to Morocco the next day to get his car license and renew his driver’s license. The Motor Co. loaned him a license plate so he could drive the car home. He is working on some of his papers and using the tape recorder. He brought several tapes home with him. He has one he made of a Javanese street singer and little boy. He said man and boy were passing his house one day singing and playing drum and he asked then in so he could record. We have listened to it once. He is going to the U of I next Monday to see Prof. and take care of any business at hand. He plans to stay with Bob and Lea. He is also going to look for a place to live (apt or house). We plan to go to Mark’s one day this week and hope Dad can take Thurs. off so he can go with us. (Dad plans to go if Sandy Puetz Smith has her baby before Thurs). John was quite impressed with Kirk. He thinks he is very bright. He said Kirk would start to crawl over him and he would say, “Kirk, I am going to give you a bath and put you to bed” – and that would send him away, (for the time being). John asked me if I had heard of the Soaky bath. They give the children bubble baths which have been dubbed Soaky. They both like the soaky baths and never object to having one. Mark told he last Sunday they went to the beach and that the children loved playing in the water. John said to get Kirk excited, all one has to say is “Let’s go to the beach.” Probably like the excitement over Grandpa’s little dog. Kirk is going to stay here while M. & S. vacate.

I have launched my class on the study of Genesis by Charles F. Kraft. I was so sorry I didn’t know what a good teacher we would have last week. I would have taken our tape recorder along and gotten his entire series of lectures on tape to use in my class. However, I think I have been able to generate a little enthusiasm by my description of the lectures. I talked to Rev. Marrs a time or two. He said he doesn’t believe in the Virgin Birth and from the way he lectured I know he believes in the theory of evolution.

John and I just hung the bamboo drape on the west bedroom window. I didn’t think to ask Dad to do that little chore yesterday and this afternoon after the sun got around John decided upon my suggestion that it would be a good idea. You will begin to think I have hidden talents. First I write and tell you I took all the old wax off the linoleum and now I tell you we hung a drape. Just necessities. I am not interested in a full career of that kind. John has some pictures (slides) that belong to the Georges (the people who have been working with him the past 2 yrs.) which were taken in Bali and Java. Some of the scenes are from places where we had been and we are going to have some duplicate slides made for ourselves. They were they during a special festival last December.

I have a desk full of work staring me in the face, so must get this finished and get to work.

Love Mother

P.S. Have promised to loan Legend of Virgin Conception to a friend to read.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/04/johns-homecoming/

School of Mission

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

July 23, 1964

Dear David and Bonnie –

This is my fourth day at School of Missions and so far have felt fine. No infections this time. I hated to leave Dad home along, but he said he could take care of himself. I left food in the refrigerator and his clothes in order so hope he hasn’t missed me too much. It has been awfully hot – I think the hottest so far this summer. I think I have perspired more since Monday than I have in the past year. I have a room in Rector and the noise of the trucks

[page 2] has not bothered me. I was asked to be a Secretary for one of the classes – which makes me do a little extra work, but since this is really a vacation I don’t mind. Just wish Dad could take off for a week, but I know he doesn’t want to take a vacation until we can really get away for a month later on. I called on Sam Kirk this afternoon after one of my clinic meetings – and after one of his. He sends you his best wishes. Please excuse the lack of paragraphs in this but it is easier to do it this way. John arrived in the States Sunday. He stopped in Chicago long enough to call us, but since he was on his way to N.Y. we didn’t see him. He called me here yesterday

[page 3] and said the man he was to see in N.Y. wasn’t in so he flew to Bloomington and is visiting friends there. He is coming on the Monon tomorrow (1:14) and since our session ends at 11:30 I will have time to pack and eat lunch before I pick him up. I don’t know whether Dad knows John didn’t remain in N.Y. If not, he might be surprised to see me bringing him home – Just went for a ride. Mrs. Kathryn Jackson (her parents used to live in Kentland and her father owned the Bank – Mr. Teague) lives in Chesterton and wanted to give her car an airing. We saw the cultural center of Indiana (That’s a joke, son) I had heard

[page 4] so much about Greencastle but after seeing it can’t say I am too impressed. All the Greek letter house look like the caretakers are taking the summer off. I think the lawns in Kentland look neater than those close to the campus. I have just taken a shower and if I don’t get out of here into the cool air outside I will have to bathe again. It’s about time to attend Vespers, so must go.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/03/school-of-mission/

Update on John’s Arrival

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

July 15, 1964

Dear David and Bonnie:

I had my letter to you ready to mail when yours came today. I received a cable from John that he would be arriving in N.Y. July 19. Cable came after I had sealed your letter and since you made two requests thought I should write another letter to tell you I mailed the pillows this afternoon. I have two enlargements – one from my collection and one from Alma’s – of the exit from the chapel. I will send the ones I have and have more made for us.

The T.V. set is on and I have been listening to the nomination and seconding speeches. Looks like Barry is in. You never can tell – he may win in Nov.

Dad is at the hospital for surgery. I have finally finished the waxing and buffing. I haven’t decided yet what to do about going to School of Missions. Since John was delayed almost a week in leaving I thought he wouldn’t be arriving home before the 25^th but since he will be arriving in N.Y. the 19^th I have no idea now as to when he intends to arrive in Chicago. Will be able to tell you better

[page 2] about what I do after I hear from John again. He is supposed to call me when he gets to N.Y.

I was able to get rid of one of the old worn out pianos in the church basement today – I mean the piano tuner hauled it away. I secured 3 other tuning jobs for the tuner here. If word gets around he may have to make another trip back. Seems tuners are scarce.

Love Mother

P.S. Congratulations on Bonnie’s success in getting a contract.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/02/update-on-johns-arrival/

Waxing Floors

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

July 15 – 1964

Dear David & Bonnie –

I presume you have been having a vacation as you mentioned in one of your letters, the reason we haven’t heard form you recently. We received a long letter from Bonnie’s mother one day last week. They evidently had a good time in Japan.

Today I am having the piano tuned. I was desperate and told Daddy I had to find a tuner. He said, “Why don’t you try the yellow pages,” and I did. Not only found a tuner but a means of getting rid of the extra piano in the church basement. This man is from Lafayette and rebuilds pianos besides tuning. I found 4 jobs for him today. Seems I wasn’t the only one looking for a tuner. I thought I had better get the piano in shape before John gets home. We received a cable from him Monday the 13^th which had been sent from Malang the 8^th. He was ill and couldn’t leave when he had planned. We hope by now he is in Hong Kong. His cable said he would leave Djakarta around the 14^th.

You won’t believe what I am going to tell you, but I cleaned the built up wax of the kitchen, family room, hall & bath room floors all by myself. Seems John H. had other jobs he had contracted and I decided that wax – really it isn’t wax but more like varnish – had to come off. I was on my hands and knees part of the time – using wax remover which doesn’t remove but just loosens, then I brought the scrubbing machine from the office and with steel wool pads got the rest off. I started last Thurs. afternoon and yesterday – Tuesday – I almost finished – that is cleaning and waxing. I decided to use paste wax and buff. I just have where my desk, couch, and washing machine area to wax then it will be finished. I was so tired yesterday

[page 2] afternoon I went to bed for two hours and hardly moved. I think every muscle in my body ached, but I had the satisfaction of knowing the floor in clean and shouldn’t need such a cleaning for at least six months. Liquid was is a bad word as far as I am concerned and mothering could induce me to use it again. When I was in the cleaning process that stuff would come off in sheets. I used a paint scraper in places.

I am going to Greencastle Sunday evening to attend School of Missions – that is if John’s homecoming doesn’t interfere. I hardly think he will get to Chicago before the 26^th since his departure was delayed about a week. He was planning to spend some time in Hong Kong & Japan before coming back to the States.

Dad & I went to Mt. Ayr Monday evening to give a program for the Hospital Auxiliary and had a record crowd. Meeting was held in the Methodist church. Every seat was filled and folding chairs had to be set up. We showed our Hong Kong and Cambodia pictures. I just hope no one was disappointed. We received many compliments & comments after the meeting was over.

The Janssens are going to the Black Hills and into Colorado for their vacation. I got them some Triple A guide books and told them about our trip via the Million Dollar Highway – The Alps of America. Do you remember that drive? – it was the trip when we visited Colorado Springs and went to the top of Pike’s Peak. They plan to visit Mesa Verda National Park – one of the places we saw as we were on our way to see John.

Don’t forget to write.

Love Mother

Thanks for the pictures.

Beautiful Eyes

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

7-7-64

Dear David and Bonnie:

Tues. evening. We had a hard rain today so the lawn will be in shape for mowing in a day or so. Dad finished the fence so the little dogs next door can’t come over so easily. If they do they will get a bebe or two. When Mark was here for the 4^th he said Dad was pulling “an Uncle Mutch.” At least we haven’t been bothered since he gave three of four of them a pelting last Friday evening.

While Mark & Shirley were here Shirley and I took the children to see Mrs. Myers. Mrs. M. said Kirk has beautiful eyes – in fact she said he is a beautiful child. Of course, his grandmother agreed. You remember the little dog in a basket the girls gave Dad for Christmas? The children discovered it on this visit and Shirley wouldn’t let them have it, but would wind it up and let them watch it. Kirk would get so excited he would act like he would explode. We found it a nice interlude to amuse them. Kirk doesn’t say much but he certainly can communicate without words. Becky seems to have much more fun with him. They play together very well now – and get into trouble together. If M. & S. take a vacation – they weren’t sure because of some unforeseen financial stress – had to buy a new refrigerator – they are going to leave Kirk here. I think we will be able to get along with him if he stays with us.

If John’s plans go according to schedule he should be on his way to Hong Kong

[page 2] at this time since it is Thursday there, and that is departure day.

We are going to the Hospital Administrator’s home this evening to show them some pictures. Mrs. Wahler seems quite interested. We have selected 480 pictures from the whole trip so we are giving a selected round the world program. We watched an 80 hr. trip which Chicago Tribune sponsored. We saw it Sunday evening. A travel agent Harvey Olson (the one L. Kresler works for) and a photographer and another man made the trip. We saw some familiar sights.

Dad had to leave home at 5 a.m. for a baby case. He also has some surgery scheduled so I have no idea when he will be home. Probably not for lunch.

I am trying to get ready to attend School of Mission in Greencastle and hope I won’t have an infection this year. I am not sure about John’s homecoming date. I want to meet him at airport and can’t very well be in Greencastle and O’Hare at the same time. He may not get home before July 24 and I will be home by then.

We haven’t heard from the McGraws. Have you? We wondered about them and the earthquake in Japan.

Love Mother

Her Grandmother’s Favorite Granddaughter

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

7-3-64

Dear David and Bonnie:

This mail has accumulated in the past few days, so thought I had better get it forwarded to you – not that it amounts to much. Mark and Shirley and the children came last night and are going back to Roselle tomorrow. They are both (the children) very tanned and very lively. We have had some rain today, so they have played in the house most of the time. Kirk says Ma-ma (sounds like a mama doll) dog and NO and that is about the extent, so far, of his vocabulary, but he is pretty sharp. He climbs all the time and must be going to climb mountains because nothing seems to discourage him. Becky talks constantly like a recording, but is as cute as ever and still her grandmother’s favorite granddaughter. Last night we showed the wedding pictures and then some pictures of the children. Both children sat very still and seemed to get quite a thrill out of seeing themselves on the screen. John is receiving mail from U. of I. I have talked to the Professor he will be assistant to, over the phone. He wanted to know how he could get in touch with John. John should be beginning his journey home next Wed., which will be Thurs. in Indonesia. I have sent one letter to Hong Kong in care of Miramar Hotel for John. I am about out of paper and it is time for another patient to come in, so must get this in the mail.

Love Mother