SentLetters

“I was half hoping you would say to hell with soldiers, crowds, adn governmental requests and thus give me an excuse for coming (not a good one I grant you that - but an excuse nonetheless”

“particularly after seeing that movie short (which really prompted my last letter) and this week’s Life”

Norma talks about the oil shortage and how they have to keep their home extremely cold, sometimes rooms get as low as 20 degrees. Man that is frigid!

She talks about a movie short, and this month’s issue of Life as if they are talking about something very important. Ideas?

I really like the “For Victory Buy War Bonds” stamps at the bottom of every page. Does anyone know what the “Office of Price Administration” is?

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Sometimes this project is frustrating and exciting, but especially frustrating right now as I am posting these letters from an unknown time. I am posting them out of order from the rest of the letters. So I am getting a sneak peak of what is to come, but it makes absolutely no sense to me yet. Its like someone continuing a conversation from the middle that they started with someone else 70 years ago! I wish I knew more about what is going on here. Only time will help me find out.This project creates little historical mysteries for me, that inevitable leave me scouring the internet for clues. As I get into the meat of this collection of letters, I hope to find more clues as to the time in which these letters belong, so I can get more information about what they are talking about in the letters!

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“… 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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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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Envelope Front:

After 5 days, return to
R.B. MOORE
Drawer H.
Bolivar, N.Y.

Miss Mary Sherwood
Waldorf-Astoria Hotal
New York, N.Y.

Envelope Back:

The
Waldorf-Astoria
Hotel
SEP 20 12 06 PM -41
Fifteenth Floor
Park Avenue

 

Letter:

Powers Engines Pumps Compressors Pipe Valves Fittings 100% Penna. Oils Building Supplies

R. B. MOORE
OIL and GAS WELL SUPPLIES
BOLIVAR - NEW YORK

Thursday-

Mary dear-

Well, dear, how is the big city? I do hope you and “Aunt Rettie” are standing up under the strain of it all.
I ate at the Apple Tree Inn on the way home and had a very enjoyable dinner. In fact, I’ll bet it was better than what you received on the plane. Must have been a beautiful evening to fly down, wish I could have been with you.

I got a letter from Mayers today about the watch. Because of the defense etc. they are unable to furnish an Elgin. However, they suggest some other kind as a substitute. The price is approximately the same. Throught I would see Rita and ask her about it, but we haven’t crossed paths. Cosnsequently, you can understand that I have been at home and in bed very early these evenings.

Did you call Joe Commiskey? Also, did you get the shirts for me?

I haven’t heard from Doie about the trip Saturday. In fact, I don’t know yet whether I could go Saturday. This was news to me, and furthermore, on his advise I am to get a telegram advising when ou will reach Buffalo. Is all of this True?

Your letter has not reached me yet. I do hope you haven’t been too busy to write. Please thing of me anyway, I want you to, you know.

I have thought about you a helluva lot and have missed seeing you so much. If you do have plans to come home Sat. please wire me and I’ll be there to meet you.

I do hope I hear from you tomorrow. Good Night, dear, be a good girl, d-e-a-r.

All my love,
Bill

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