Category Archives: Ruth Myers

Bing & Bob

1 Reply

July 27, 1962 envelope

Letter transcription:

July 27, 1962, p. 1

Kentland, July 27, 62
8 PM Friday

Dear David

I enjoyed your nice newsy letter. I have had a rather busy week as Harold has been away. He and his family last Sunday drove up into Wisconsin to join Dr. & Mrs. Logan at their cottage, and will return Sunday.

Your comments about the Road to Hong Kong took be back twenty or more years. You know Bob & Bing made a series of “Road” pictures away back when, and we didn’t miss a one. An early one, I think, the Road to Zanzibar, had an incident I have never forgotten. A black tribe of some sort had captured Bing & Bob, and had a huge kettle boiling over a fire, and the boys stood petrified, and one of the tribe turned to Bob and said “Don’t worry, we won’t cook you today, we are going to put you in the deep freeze for the Fall festival, but we are going to serve him (Bing) on our blue plate special tomorrow.” And of course they were forever chasing Dorothy Lamour.

I haven’t read Around the World with Auntie Mame, and would like to. You could bring it with you when you come home. That article about Maurice Chevalier was in a magazine that a guest gave me to read, and he took it away with him. It was one of those movie magazines, but I don’t remember what one.

You know, if Kennedy keeps up his present rating, I don’t believe he will get a second term. I hear nothing but critical comment about him. Of course not from Harold, but he has quit bragging about him.

I’m glad you are having an opportunity to read your Interpreter’s Bible, and make use of it in your work also. I think that’s wonderful. It surely would be absorbing reading.

No doubt it is cool enough to suit you. The Lafayette paper this evening said that it was 48 there this morning at sic o’clock. I know I had to arise and close my window in the night, and get another blanket.

I am wondering if you went on your trip to Tell City. Somebody is knocking on my door, and I think I have a caller, so will say by for now. Don’t work too hard

Love
Grandma

[Disclaimer: The views of Ruth Myers are not necessarily my own. My task as a historian is to present documents in their true and unedited form.]

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/13/bing-bob/

Your Daddy Says Not So

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July 17, 1962 envelope

July 17, 1962, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland, July 17

David Dear

Your Grammaw has not willfully neglected writing to you, but last week’s heat together with the terrific humidity brought on a bad case of stupidity, also a slight attack of asthma to which I have recently been subject, making breathing, and exertion, difficult. At first I thought I was having a heart attack, but your daddy says not so, it is a mild asthma. I have always enjoyed hot weather, when others were uncomfortable, I felt fine, and I still love the hot summer time, but last week was a rough combination. Today, for a change, it is quite cool with a brilliant sun.

I do so enjoy hearing about all your work and other activities. Geography was always one of my great burdens in school. I always just barely passed, and sometimes not even that. I simply cannot locate other countries. To this day, I cannot tell you in what direction from here a given country is located. Way back in grade school, I used to get an F in geography. F meant “Fair,” but I would get an E plus (excellent) in reading, spelling and grammar, and once in a while a G (good in history) but always an F in geography and sometimes a scolding about it. I don’t believe I would have even got the F except for my efforts in other subjects.

I am so glad that good books are coming out in paperbacks although the few times I am in the drug store, which is the only place I know of in Kentland to buy them, I never seem to find anything worthwhile. I am so glad you are going to finish your set of the Interpreter’s. They are so wonderful.

I just finished reading an article in the July Red Book “The Nixon Family Under Fire Again.” I am almost sorry he is going to place himself in position to suffer the ignominy of another defeat. He doesn’t deserve it, and I just cannot see why some people feel as they do about him.

I also read an article in July McCall’s about William Holden, you remember “Father O’Banion” in Satan Never Sleeps. The reason I mention it, it said that he is strongly Conservative Republican. Now I admire him more than ever. If I were young enough, like Joyce, I’d gladly wear a Goldwater sweatshirt.

Your Chevalier record reminds me of another article I read last week, which was about him. Imagine, he is 72 and still has everything. It seem incredible that he could be my age. Still dancing and singing, and still the gay dog.

I miss Ike too, even Harry. Ike is going to be in Indiana I think it is this week. I wish I could see him.

Your trip to Tell City sounds like fun, and I think you have

July 17, 1962, p. 2

[page 2] a “break” coming. It sounds to me as if you are working hard, and then being a soda jerk also, yet. No doubt you are as anxious as I am as to what they are going to do today with “Medicare.” Phooey! The senate finance committee disposed of the withholding tax on dividends and I read where Kennedy had brought all his powers to bear on it, and left nothing undone to try to get it through, but how thankful I am he failed.

I must close so this will go in the afternoon mail, and get busy with a bite of dinner, or I won’t be though by 5:30. I have not seen your mother but once since she was in the hospital. She stopped in for a minute one morning, and said she was going to Lafayette for therapy. I do hope it is all worth while and that she will be more comfortable.

Lovingly,
Grandma Ruth

[Disclaimer: The views of Ruth Myers are not necessarily my own. My task as a historian is to present documents in their true and unedited form.]

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/12/your-daddy-says-not-so/

State Convention

1 Reply

May 10, 1962 envelope

Letter transcription:

May 10, 1962, p. 1

Kentland, May 10, 62

Dear David

Thank you for your two good letters since I have written you. You do indeed have a busy week, and today you are going your observation and taking a test. I hope the weather is better there for your ROTC parades than it is here. It has been rainy all week, and quite cold. Right now we are having a cold rain, with a lot of thunder.

I haven’t seen your mother, but I presume they went to Bloomington on May 2^nd. You didn’t mention it. I thought of you all that day, and hoped you were together.

I have the Post with the Nixon article, and started to read it last night, but had callers so will finish it sometime today. I read the book condensation that ran for several months in Reader’s Digest of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. I was glad I read it, for a lot of things I had not realized, or had forgotten.

I now understand how you can enjoy seeing a movie more than once, because I am sure I could see Pocketful of Miracles again with great enjoyment.

Your colored church dinner must have been quite an experience and no doubt delicious. In the old days when we had the dining room operating in the hotel at Mattoon, there was an elderly colored woman in charge of the kitchen and the food she turned out was wonderful, at least it seems so to me now, and I don’t think it is entirely nostalgia.

I pray that nothing interferes with your attending the State Convention. That would be just tragic. You just must go.

We are having a good week of business for a change, in fact the last two weeks have been better. But for goodness sake, look at where AT & T is today. The stock market started to fall and has fallen steadily ever since Kennedy and the steel affair. He scared business to death and it won’t recover in a hurry. I mean big business. I hope he’s satisfied. I would hate to have to sell at the present price. Still he wants to withhold 20 percent of the dividends.

May 10, 1962, p. 2

I read a lot in the papers about your new President, Mr. Stahr. From his history he should be qualified. I am enclosing some clippings from the Trib.

Yesterday I went to Watseka to Dr. Wood to have my feet taken care of. He is the only podiatrist closer than Lafayette. Our maid drove me in Harold’s car. Marie brought me an armload of lilac from her yard, and they are so fragrant and lovely, a real breath of spring.

Now please don’t work too hard, and I will be anxious to know how your tests came out, and how you survived your busy week.

By for now
Grandma Ruth

[Disclaimer: The views of Ruth Myers are not necessarily my own. My task as a historian is to present documents in their true and unedited form.]

© 2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/11/state-convention/

Future Republican President

1 Reply

April 5, 1962 envelope

Letter transcription:

April 5, 1962, p. 1

Kentland
April 5, 1962

Dear David

Thank you so very much for your letter and the campus newspapers. I am taking my time and shall read them thoroughly. My, what publication, and daily, at that. I’m sorry you are not going to show “King of Kings” as I remember the old silent movie of many years ago, and it has always remained with me.

I am delighted to hear about you’re a on your government test. Ah youth – how wonderful to be able to accomplish so many worthwhile things. I have not been feeling well recently, and last week I was in the office and while Arvella was doing a blood test for me, we decided that a certain young man of whom we are both very fond, would very likely, twenty years from now, be our smart young Republican present of the U.S. Or, if that is expecting too much, we would settle for having him be governor of Indiana. How about keeping that in mind. I would not expect to be here to see it, but it could very easily come to pass.

Yes, I remember Faye Emerson when she used to be on I’ve Got A Secret. She always impressed me as being a person of great elegance. I remember one time she lost one of her very high heels on stage. She proceeded with the utmost aplomb to remove both her pumps, and carry on from there in her stocking feet.

It’s fine that you are elected chairman of the council for next year, and I am sure there couldn’t be a more competent one and that you will do fine things. No, your mother and I do not compare your letters. I think we are both to glad to get them to have any thought other than appreciation. I know I am telling you no secret when I say that your mother is quite a little proud of you.

I watch the Tribune for anything worthy of sending you, but it is all in such a negative vein that I dislike to read some of it, and of course you are familiar with it all anyway.

I am glad your snow lasted only the day in Bloomington. A year ago it was April 16 when we had the terrific snow storm here that blocked traffic for two days. The grass is only starting to green here, quite late. My fingers are quite stiff and painful, so I make mistakes, but I intend to keep at it. Bye for now, and thanks again.

Ruth M.

[Disclaimer: The views of Ruth Myers are not necessarily my own. My task as a historian is to present documents in their true and unedited form.]

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/10/future-republican-president/

Spring Fever

3 Replies

March 22, 1962 envelope

Letter transcription:

March 22, 1962, p. 1

Kentland, March 22, 62

Dear David

Thank you so much for your good letters, which are always so welcome and so much enjoyed. No, dear, you have never sent a duplicate card. I have them all. Now I am much surprised when you say “This is where I will live this summer.” I didn’t know you planned to study this summer, and I think that is wonderful, unless you need some rest. I know you must work hard, and no doubt you will have some vacation during the spring. Am so glad to hear you did well in the tests, but of course you would.

Yes, you sent me a picture of the auditorium. I can well imagine how you enjoyed the Beethoven music, and with Met singers, well, I wish I could have heard it with you. There is sometimes some good music on WGN on Sunday night “Great Music from Chicago.” But to be able to hear it as you did would indeed be a treat.

I was interested in Dr. Buley’s views on Cleveland. You know I have read many times in articles about the early turn of the century times, that Cleveland was a fine man. I think my Dad was just one of those Republicans who felt that any Democratic president had to be a scoundrel just because he was a Democrat. I remember as a child hearing all his old comrades speaking in the same vein. It seemed universal among the Civil War veterans.

If I see Rev. Fields again I will tell him about your Bloomington ministers. Was sorry you had to miss Goldwater and hope you get another chance. I don’t know of anybody running against Sen. Landgrebe. I usually get a chance to see the Indianapolis newspapers in the evening. I feel the same way about Nixon in Calif. I wonder.

Yesterday may have been the first day of Spring, but it is so cold, but Oh how good it looks to see the bare pavement, no snow. I was married on March 21^st, 1914, forty-eight years ago, in Chicago, and there was a windy snow storm that day, but a few days later Spring was bustin’ out all over, so maybe it will eventually come. I know what you mean about spring fever making it hard to work. I used to have that too.

Your mother dropped in for a few minutes yesterday. She seemed to be O.K. and busy as usual. I was pleased to hear you had another date. She better be nice.

Thanks again for writing, I look forward to your letters.

Sincerely,
Ruth M.

[Disclaimer: The views of Ruth Myers are not necessarily my own. My task as a historian is to present documents in their true and unedited form.]

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/09/spring-fever/

Jackie Does the Twist

2 Replies

March 2, 1962 envelope

Letter transcription:

March 2, 1962, p. 1

Kentland, March 2^nd 1962

Dear David

Your wonderful letters have given me much pleasure, and I do so appreciate the pictures you send me. I do indeed have the map you sent, and I locate the buildings on it. I am particularly delighted with the pictures of the Lilly Library. What a joy it would be to have access to that place. I didn’t know there was a Gutenberg Bible in this part of the U.S. how I would love to have a few hours in the Lincoln Room and the Poetry Room. I know you must appreciate these things.

I was glad to have Sen. Landgrebe’s message and hope to meet him. I thought of you Wednesday night, and hope you had a good attendance at the Lincoln Day dinner. We too had a storm here when you had the ice storm, but it was mostly snow. Also note with interest that you had a date. Good.

Your mother was in this morning, and she tells me you taught a Sunday School class for one of those who went to Washington. I was so thrilled with Col. Glenn’s orbit that I was really shook up that day, even forgot to eat. He has also conducted himself in a wonderful manner since that event. He seems to be the personification of dignity and modesty, and I think he has done more for our prestige than the billions wasted on foreign aid.

I had a pleasant surprise yesterday. Rev. Field called on me and brought a tape recording of last Sunday service, the whole thing, including his sermon, and sat with me through it. I appreciated his giving me his time, and also enjoyed the recording very much. It has been such a very long time since I have heard a church service. I like him very much.

I know you can’t imagine how much I appreciate your letters, and I realize what a busy life you have and I think it is lovely of you to take the time to write me. I am just now appreciating what Indiana University is and what a fine thing for you to be there.

I watch the papers for some little things you might like to read, and am sending some clipps. As you can see, my fingers are not very accurate, as they are becoming quite stiff, but I don’t want to quit trying.

March 2, 1962, p. 2

You will be having another attempt soon.
Ruth M

Over

Your feelings about “Jackie” doing the “twist” in the White House with the Sec. of Defense is exactly mine. When I saw that item in the paper I had to look again to make sure I was seeing correctly, I could hardly believe it. Also, what about “Ethel” wife of the Atty. Gen. when in Rome, riding a motor scooter and striking a car with it, did you read about it?

Newspaper clippings

[Disclaimer: The views of Ruth Myers are not necessarily my own. My task as a historian is to present documents in their true and unedited form.]

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/08/08/jackie-does-the-twist/

Thank You for the Pictures

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

February 8, 1962

Dear David

Your two good letters delighted me very much, and thanks so much for the pictures. It’s an excellent on of you, and it’s interesting to see where you live and work.

I hope all went well with your two important visitors. I gave Harold your message about “Charlie.”

Your description of the warm Sunday which made you want to sleep, made me smile. It was near zero the morning your letter came.

Yesterday I went to Watseka to the podiatrist, and felt as if I were out of jail. First time I had been out for so long, it has been so very icy. Marie takes me in her car.

Your desk looks interesting. Who is that hanging behind the elephant? Is it Ike or Dick?

Your grades were very wonderful, and I was very happy about that, and of course so was your mother. She was in for a minute the other day. She had been to Lafayette for XRay treatment.

Knowing about your activities and interests at school gives me an uplift, and your letters are like a breath of fresh air.

Sincerely
Ruth M.

The Inauguration

2 Replies

January 17, 1961 envelope

Letter transcription:

January 17, 1961

Dear David

Thank you for the interesting cards and the map you marked for me. I am indeed glad to see some of the things you see every day. They all look most wonderful, and I know you [are] enjoying your interesting life there.

You know, David, I don’t believe I can watch the inauguration. I suppose I will have to accept facts, along with everybody, but I still find it hard to do.

I am happy for dear old Ike, that is he will be relieved of a heavy burden, which I should think is becoming too heavy for his years, but I am thankful we have had him for eight years.

It is nice you can be home again for a while.

Sincerely,

Ruth Myers

Gladys Dear

2 Replies

January 1, 1961 envelope

Letter transcription:

January 1, 1961, p. 1

January 1st, 1961

Gladys Dear

New Year’s Day, and I am thinking about what a happy day I spent with you folks in your home on Christmas Day.

I felt I must thank you again for having me and to tell you how much I enjoyed being with you. You cannot imagine what it means to one with no family ties left, to have dear friends on such a day.

Thank you again for a lovely dinner and companionship, and for the lovely sweater and ear rings.

Thanks, too, for dear David’s kindness to me on the occasion of our trip to Lafayette. I love him dearly.

When thanks are in order, I always think of Doctor’s kindness to my dear Lloyd, which I assure him will never be forgotten.

May the New Year bring continued happiness to all your dear ones and you, and a special prayer for Becky.

Most sincerely
Ruth Myers

(over)

January 1, 1961, p. 2

Forgive me useing the typewriter, but it is so much easier for me than trying to hold a pen for any time. My fingers just don’t seem to want to do it.

Ruth

Report From Washington

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

November 15, 1960

November 15

Dear David,

Since we have to take what comfort we can find, I thought you might appreciate the enclosed clipping from last Saturday’s Chicago Tribune “Report from Washington.”

I saw your mother this morning and she is pleased with your progress at I. U.

With best regards to you
Most sincerely
Ruth Myers