This week, Dave battles a massive snow storm followed by blistering cold. So cold, in fact, that he can’t work. Ruth finally gets paid. At the end of this post is a letter from Jennie Sedgemore with the first mention of who we think is a foster child, Donald.
January 20, 1936
Middleburg, N.Y.
Hello Darling,
Well I’m home at last and I’ll write a few lines to let you know. I wish I could have let you know sooner that we arrived safely but there was no way because I was snowbound in P.H.
We came back by way of Middleburg. Most of the roads were clear and we made good time until we hit the Albany County line again just below Livingstonville. The plow had not been thru there and maybe we didn’t have some fun getting that last three miles. We made it eventually though and I stayed there for the night.
In the morning there was still no sign of the plow so I helped Fran shovel out the station. I think I have moved enough snow today to last me the rest of my life.
About three o’clock I decided to try and get back home and I sure had a slow ride. There was a milk truck ahead of me and about ten men with shovels ahead of him. I got home about five thirty. Some fun, eh!
Oh well, maybe I was foolish for starting out but it seemed I just had to see you, sweetheart, and I’m not sorry I did.
My cold is no worse and I’ll be over it shortly. I’ll see you Wednesday night if the roads are decent, but if they seem quite bad yet, I’ll wait until Thursday night so don’t worry if you shouldn’t see me Wednesday.
I’m pretty tired now, hon, so I’ll sign off and see what a good night’s rest does to me.
All my love to you, dear.
Dave
January 23, 1936
Middleburg, N.Y.
Dearest Ruth,
I’ll surprise you and get this letter in Albany a day before you expect it. I’ve got plenty of time to do it as we are not working today. The wind is blowing a gale and it is just zero here now at 11 o’clock in the morning. It must have turned cold after I got home, although there wasn’t much time between then and daylight. It was 4:30 when I got here. Mom wanted to know if I had gone crazy to stay so late on such a night. Seems like I’m a worry to someone wherever I am. She worries when I am in Albany and you worry when I’m not there. I’ll bet a cookie you didn’t sleep much last night yourself. I didn’t get sleepy coming home because it took plenty of attention to keep the car in the road. There weren’t many drifts and I only got stuck once. On the Greenville crossroad I struck one drift that took about fifteen minutes of backing and bucking the line to get thru. I think if I had been a half hour later, I wouldn’t have made it. The weatherman seems to be against me lately.
Since there was no work this morning Mom let me sleep and it was 10:15 when I came downstairs. I feel just as lazy though as I would if I had gotten up early. The sleep that I get after daylight never seems to do me much good.
Did you keep your promise to me, dear, and smile back the tears? It certainly is tough to go without work so long and then work for no pay. I think you will get it eventually though so don’t worry, please, hon.
And another thing, if your back keeps bothering you, I wish you would do something about it. It has been a long time now that it has bothered you and I know there is something you could do for it. You worry too much about other people and not enough about yourself and then you try to tell me you are selfish. You are anything but that, hon, and to me you will always be the sweetest girl in the world.
It seems as though there was something else I was going to say but it has vanished from my mind, so I’ll sign off until Sunday.
Lots of love,
“Me”
[Post Card]
[Postmarked January 24, 1936]
Thursday 9:00 p.m.
Hello Dave,
Loretta insists that I go to a show with her, so here goes nothing nowhere.
I have the promise of $50 Saturday night.
I managed to get a taxi this morning and tonight so I didn’t have to freeze waiting for buses.
I’m glad you came up Wednesday instead of tonight. My patient has been on a tear all day. I plan to bop her tomorrow if she doesn’t act better.
See you Sunday.
Love,
Ruth
January 25, 1936
Adams Center, N.Y.
Dearest Ruth,
We have had two very cold, windy days. The bus did not go either day. You are quite safe in saying poor Mom. Bill and Joyce1 went to Adams yesterday. Pat has a new lease of one year from January 1 as Bill stopped and paid her tax. He said he was glad that cats were not licensed.
Nettie Joyce Parker
We moved Billy into our room the first of the winter, closed up your room and put June out into the middle room. Still she complained that her feet were cold so Bill asked Joyce to come down and sleep with her so they have changed beds with Donald.2
Joyce says to thank you for the picture you sent them. They were very much pleased with it. I have put your other picture away for you and mine stands on the mantle where I see it whenever I enter the room. Bill often says when he sees it, “Hello, Ruth. How are you?”
Did you discover why you did not get Joyce’s box sooner? She directed it to Albany, N.Y., and after Christmas she received a letter from that P.O. asking if she wished it returned or sent on to a more complete address. Hence the delay.
Eva, Hermann and youngsters were here Wednesday. The children look so rosy and healthy. I was surprised to find Frederick so heavy. Edward too cute for words and baby Margaret just a little rosy ball of fat and health. Glenn and Dot were over for a short time the same day.
I suppose I am doing a fine job as I am writing on my knee and Joe Cuffy with his nose nearly on my pen. He sits on a chair beside me. I only just noticed him.
I am glad you wrote the card as I would be getting anxious about you by this time. Grace expects to move to Syracuse about February 15. I am positive I . . . .
[Letter unfinished and unsigned.]
Footnotes
- Nettie Joyce Parker (1922-1983) was the daughter of Harold Parker (1896-1970; Ruth’s older brother) and Beulah Marion Tucker (1900-1980). She married Ross Overton in 1941 and they had four children, Judith Eileen, Jerrold Ross, Rosalyn Ann, and Rollin Lester. Joyce and Ross were killed in a car accident in 1983.
- Donald is believed to be a foster child; as of the date of this post, we have not identified who he was or where he came from. Foster care in the U.S. started to become more common in the mid-19th century due to the efforts of Charles Loring Brace. For a brief synopsis on foster care history, click here. Jefferson County NY had a few orphanages, one of which was in Watertown. This facility still exists today, the Children’s Home of Jefferson County. Donald may also have been the “unknown” child pictured at Lydia and Francis’ wedding here.