Tag Archives: Jacqueline Lee “Jackie” (Bouvier) Kennedy Onassis

The Acropolis and Parthenon

Letter transcription:

March 23, 1964

Dear David:

Your cable was here when we returned from cruise. Our cruise ended at about 8 a.m. It was a most interesting experience. We boarded a week ago today at 5 p.m. Sailed at 7. The first evening a cold buffet was served and one could sit at any table. We had met a couple on plane when we flew from New Delhi to Beirut who were on the cruise, so we ate with them first evening. We were assigned to table 17 so next morning we found our table did not meet the rest of our group until noon. Seems some people hadn’t got the word so were just sitting at any table. At our table at noon we met a couple from Ann Harbor, Michigan (man with Dept. of Architecture at Michigan U.) a man from San Francisco who sells fruit and skis for a hobby – Carl Anderson and a woman who had been skiing, Esther Hail, also from San. F. our cruise took us to Island of Crete where we saw the remains of Minoan civilization in museum and a palace that has been excavated. Island of Rhodes where we visited an acropolis and saw more remains. In afternoon we visited a museum and saw hospital which had been used by Crusaders. Thurs. we visited Ephesus and saw and took about 2 rolls of pictures of remains of Roman city & the supposed site of burial place of St. John. Also prison (from a distance) where Paul was kept. Friday afternoon we had reached Istanbul and had a tour of city. Sat. a.m. we had another tour. On the Fri. tour I corrected a Muslim guide who in relating the story of Jesus visit to temple and return home said they returned home to Damascus. I told him it was Nazareth. He got a little confused and said a Bishop had corrected him about another detail one time. We sailed back toward Athens, stopping at the Island of Delos yesterday a.m. In the afternoon we docked at Island of Mykonos and spent afternoon there. It was quite pleasant. I bought a few things and had them send home. Also bought two scarfs I have in suitcase. The people of Mykonos were very friendly and very proud that Mrs. Kennedy had visited there.

Island of Rhodes

On Island of Rhodes we saw a crowd of people receiving U.S. surplus food. Dad took a picture of one woman after she had her sack and was putting it on her pony cart. I probably will not write again. I hope you will be able to meet us – providing our plane isn’t too late. Glad you have your acceptance at Boston. We can see the Acropolis & Parthenon from our room. We have a tour this afternoon so we are just resting and looking over city from our room this a.m.

Love Mother

We are wondering if you received your suit. If you did we would like to know before we go thru customs. I do hope you get the house dusted before we get home. (I hope I am not being too repetitious). We had so much to eat on the cruise we have, as of since breakfast, started on a crash diet. I think I won’t be hungry for days, and the way my clothes feel around the middle I need to lose a few pounds.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/12/22/the-acropolis-and-parthenon/

Golden Anniversary

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

[Wright 533 – handwritten by David]

Kentland, Indiana
February 19, 1962

Dear David: In your last letter you mentioned having a sore throat, but that you were taking some antibiotic. I hope you were able to get rid of it. I heard there was a lot of Flu in Bloomington. Sara told me that one day the temperature got up into the 70’s, but fell drastically the next. We are still having all kinds of winter weather. The Statons celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary yesterday and when I was ready to go we were having a freezing drizzle. I waited a while, but it wasn’t much better. The reception was held in the Pythion building. In spite of the weather, there was a large crowd.

Yesterday there were several accidents near Kentland. Dad was in the hospital all morning taking care of patients from the accidents. Last night there was another one and since I had intended to go to the hospital to check stock this morning, I went along last night. The roads were slick. The highways are in terrible condition from all the ice and snow we have had this winter. 16 is one continuous series of holes. I hope the highway dept. gets busy in our area as soon as possible.

The Jr. MYF is going to have a chili supper Saturday night (tournament time) to raise some money. I gave Mary Dye the chili receipt I had saved from the last MYF supper. Mary is going to be in charge of the supper. There are only 12 members in that MYF group.

I went to the church last night to a Bible study class. Several weeks ago Rev. Fields started a class and used The Unfolding Drama of the Bible. We had finished that one last week. He said if the class wanted to continue he was willing. At first there was a large group – 35 or more, but it has dwindled down to about 1/5 of that. There was 7 present last night besides Rev. Fields. We are not using a book now, but following an outline made by our teacher. A few people have learned that we have a good Bible teacher. Of course, a lot of our congregation aren’t interested.

We watched a program on TV last week that we thought very interesting. Mrs. Kennedy gave a tour of the White House. I do think they are doing a fine thing in trying to restore pieces that were in the White House years ago. Mrs. Kennedy has a committee working on the project and if they are only in the WH four years, her committee should be able to accomplish a lot. She told one thing which I thought had been a good idea – they got a law passed that thinks cannot be sold from the WH, as has been done in the past. So many of the pieces they are reclaiming now, which they think should belong to the WH were sold by different past presidents.

Dad got the shelves built in the work area and our bedroom. He still has to build shelves over the new washing machine and a cabinet around it. He thought he should get the lawn mower ready to roll, so worked on that Saturday night. He will be rolling the lawn at the first opportunity. Geo. V. asked me recently what kind of tree I would like to have. He is getting himself some magnolia trees, so I think I will tell him to bring one to us.

Let me know when to put $ in the bank for you. Did you know your National Homes has gone up. It had a bid last Friday of $10.50, which makes your stock worth $100 more than you paid for it. I don’t think you should sell just yet. Wait and give it a chance to climb some more. The new bucket shop is in operation. Dad visited it last Thursday. We haven’t been able to buy anything this year – that is on the market, since we bought 50 shares of bank stock. I think we are going to pick up a note at the bank for an individual here in town, so that will take all our ready cash in the near future. We will also need some money to do the remodeling on the office, as soon as weather permits.

Love Mother

Jeptha B. and Eva J. (Stockledger) Staton celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on February 21, 1962. Read the newspaper article here.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/10/01/golden-anniversary/

Jackie and Carolyn Dolls

1 Reply

October 11, 1962 envelope

Letter transcription:

October 11, 1962, p. 1

Kentland, Oct. 11, 62

David Dear

At long last I thank you for your two good letters and enclosures. I, too, feel sorry about Goldwater’s statements. I happened to catch him on a film in a late news cast while the Miss trouble was going on, and heard him say that he thought Gov. of Miss had every right to do what he did, although he did not approve of his actions and was sorry he had done it. He did not even look like he did on film a couple of years ago. I still have your book by Goldwater, and have been going through it again.

I am enclosing the clipping on Jackie, and share your feelings exactly. I sometimes think she is not really very bright. I heard on the Tonight show last night, there is a Jackie and Carolyn doll coming out for Christmas, and the two dolls and their complete wardrobe cost $400. I wonder if it was a gag?

A week ago tonight I saw a TV program Alcoa Premier and it was a baseball story, shown at this time on account of the World Series I suppose, and it starred Jimmy Stewart as an old worn out player, who sponsored and coached a young chap who of course went on to become a star and win a World Series. Jimmy turned in his usual flawless performance.

I have been ailing, really kinda bad this time. I have had a spell of acute pain and disability with arthritis and my lameness. For the first time in five years I was not able to do for myself. I almost decided to go to the hospital, but then Nettie Fitzgerald came and stayed with me during the day for several days, until I was able to be around again. The medication has made me listless and dreamy like, although it has taken the edge off my misery and helped me sleep.

I have heard nothing from your mother, and I too, am anxious to know about the new baby when SHE arrives. I hope it will be Julie.

Your description of the tasks before you sounds like you have too much. I don’t see how you can do it all, but I know of course that you will. I wish you had time to take one of your wonderful books and sit in the woods under the beautiful trees and read for a whole day. Yesterday I went to Watseka to have my feet taken care of, and enjoyed the little drive. We are having real Indian Summer, and I love it. I like warm weather, and would like to go where it is always warm.

Hope you enjoy the football game, and whatever else you can find time to do that isn’t work. I enjoy your letters and appreciate your writing when you are so busy.

Love
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/2016/08/15/jackie-and-carolyn-dolls/

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?