SentLetters

“… something awfully embarrassing happened on the train. Just as I stepped on, both garters on my right leg unsnapped and I clutched my knee with one hand. People must have thought i was hunched back or I had to ‘do my duty’ because i was hobbling down the aisle in a very peculiar manner.”

I find it a little humorous that she was playing “Mahj” (Mahjong) until 2:00 and lost the significant amount of13 cents. That amount now would probably be equivalent to dollars. At first it seems silly because one usually compares it to the current rate of exchange without considering that this letter is somewhere in the range of 60-80 years old.

I really liked this commentary on parents (Don’t we all feel this way at some point?):

“No reasonable, logical, simple explanation on my part will convice them that they are wrong, pig-headed, stubborn, and generally dumb…”

Then in a moment of understanding and seeming forgiveness, she finishes the letter with:

” - however I feel that time will smooth it over.”

I know that it is hard to see in the scan, but there are two lip drawings on the page after Alice signs the letter. One is for Norma, and the other for Ella. This leads me to believe that Norma and Ella are sisters, or at the very least good friends.

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From Wikipedia:

“… the Deshler-Wallick Hotel, which was considered at the time to be one of the world’s largest hotels. (The hotel was later the Deshler Hilton and then later still demolished and replaced with a parking lot which was replaced in turn by One Columbus Center).”

The letter claims that the Deshler-Wallik Hotel had 1000 rooms and 1000 baths, and was managed by Biltmore Hotel our of Providence Rhode Island

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Envelope:

Mr & Mrs. Raymond M Coffey

23 Hagen Rd

Letter:

Feb. 15, 1933

Dear Cousins

sorry to hear you half to cepe moving hope you can git in at St Anns It seemed to be a nice place hope Tom has a successful operation Josaphen Gorman Myers had one Eye operated on 5 years a gow & can see good with it but her other one is not very good. her Husben Cliferd has been in Hopsital 3 week befor him as it is his hart Josaphene said the Dr told her he could not drive his car. Grelna Franks wife has been sick with Broncitus & isnt vary good. I had it befor Him as had to go to the Dr & I thought I wasnt going to get over the tarable cough. Robert he had Virus Pneumonia he didnt go to bed he had to go Penacilin shots & had to go to Warrin Hospital got EXrays twice make him ofly week he did git a young fellow from town to come out & help him with teh chors he was hear three week then he had to go in traning. to day the tok Dennis to the Dr & he told them he has Asthma he will be 3 years April 10 I hope he will outgrowit it. Aust & I wer at Bernice House as I havent been over thair. since. but the 11 Feb was our 31 wedding anniversary so Bea & Bernice came in Eve with Flours & Minice Pie & Chese & Coffie the both have T.V. now. Aust gits out to cary the milk to milk house & feeds the Chickens. we dont have horses. well we both feel old & we are glad we got down to see you folks as we may not git a chance to go agane we preciate your letters just to tell us how you are & send your addres

your cousin Aust & Gilma

I think that it is so amazing how spelling has changed since 1933. My perception was that we went from delicate spelling and handwriting to sloppy cursive and then eventually to typing everything to guarantee readability. I guess it has to do with more than just the timeline. This letter is very interesting because it deals with mainly Aust and Gilma telling Raymond and his wife about the illnesses that everyone is dealing with.

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Envelope:

Free

From -
LT. W.F. Hogan
Naval Supp. Corps School
Galatin - C-26
Soldiers Fields STA
Boston, Mass

Miss Mary Sherwood
Bolivar, N.Y.

Letter:

Fri. P.M.

Mary dear -

No mail from anybody at home yet. Hope you have received my address by this time and that something ill be coming along tomorrow.

I have been “bending my elbow” this afternoon. After class my roomieand I walked over to Harvard Sq., about 1/2 mi. We have to wear our garrison caps, the kind you like, when off the post. This area is alive with Navy and Army men - so I am bending my elbow most of my way up and down the street acknowledging salutes.

There is about the same number of Naval men over at Harvard Sq. as here, approximately 1000.
the Army’s Chaplin School is over there too. If I get a chance I will try and locate ???. Donald Sunday. he will be leaving here soon as their’s is a 30 day Cou?? too.

Hope to get into Boston tomorrow P.M. and get some shoes. Also see a movie, anything to get a change.
Some snow fall her elast nite, about 14 inches. Hope you escaped this one. Going to be cold tonite - clear and about 15 above now.

Wish I could think of something to say. I a m looking for a letter and thinking of you all the time. I don’t have much time to pray now - so you will have to do most of it.

All my love,
Bill

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Envelope:

Buy
War Savings
Bonds and Stamps

Via Air mail

Miss Mary Sherwood
149 Wellsville St.
Bolivar, N.Y.

Envelope Watermark:

LETS GO USA

Uncle Sam Needs Pilots

Be A Us Army

Flying Cadet

KEEP EM FLYING

Letter:

25 Jan. 1943

My mary -

The first day is about finished. It’s 23:00 and lights out at 24:00. No more o-o for awhile.

My train didnt get in until 1:15 and I got out here at 2. Only asked where I was this A.M. Filled out a lot of papers, had room assigned, supper over at 6:30 & in the room since. Classes begin tomorrow. We get up at 7.

My roommate is a bank examiner from San Francisco, Cal. He flew in but was grounded in N.Y. & didnt get in until I did.

I’ve sure thought about you a lot since last night. Hope mary & you got back to the Hotel ok and that the roads were allright today.

Will have to make this short - but I am thinking of you all the time.

My address -
Lt. W.F.H.
Navy Supply Corps School
Harvard University
Soldiers Field
No. C-26 Gallatin hall
Boston, Mass

Please tell them at home you got this and that I will write tomorrow.

All my love,
Bill

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