Dave visits Ruth mid-week on Wednesday, but they still get a few letters in anyway. There is a letter from Ruth’s mother, Jennie Parker-Sedgemore, at the end of this post.
January 5, 1936
Middleburg, N.Y.
My Darling,
It is now 6 P.M. Sunday evening and I am about forty-five miles from where I would like to be. Where is that? Well, you guess.
Mom seemed quite surprised when I came in so early last night. She said it was too bad I couldn’t see you longer and so sez me but I’m thankful I can see you even that long, hon.
I slept until 9:30 this morning, quite a treat for me. I haven’t done anything all day but read and go down to Lula’s a few minutes. They are coming up here tonight to listen to Major Bowes.1
I tried putting some water on Fluffy today and got scratched a couple of times for my pains. I don’t think you would have much success giving her a bath now. She has grown a lot and is not so easy to handle. I don’t think the water did much good. She was so lazy she just laid by the stove and let most of it dry in strings. Just now she is quite busy trying to keep two marbles, a spool and a piece of rag all in motion at the same time.
I left the uniforms in Mrs. Snyder’s wash room last night. Lydia and Fran were not home yet. When I got up by the church I saw a car coming so I slowed down and stuck my head out the window. My ear recognized the rattles of a Ford approaching so I stopped and sure enough it was them. I told her about sewing the one up and having them done by Wednesday night so I guess they will be ready. I also paid her so she can settle with Mrs. Snyder.
I can’t think of much more to write, hon. One of my off nights for letter writing I guess.
I’ll see you Wednesday night if possible. I add that “if possible” because I’m never sure what will happen at the last minute and I don’t want you to worry if I shouldn’t get there. I’ll try and make it by 7:30 but it may be a little later. I suppose you will let me know in your letter whether or not you will still be in the same place.
So long, my sweet, see you Wednesday.
Lots of love,
Dave
January 5, 1936
1807 Ninth Street
Rensselaer, New York
Hello Honey,
I bet you have forgotten where you were a year ago tonight at this time. Unless my memory has gone back on me, I believe you were at the bus terminal and I was in Syracuse.
This doesn’t seem at all like Sunday to me. Sunday just doesn’t seem like Sunday to me unless I see my “Sweetie Pie”.
When I got back to the house, everyone was in an uproar. The heat was turned off and everyone was shivering while they awaited the arrival of the furnace man. When he got there he found the furnace was out of oil. They found out that even a $1500 furnace won’t run without oil.2 I guess Mrs. Hannon and Kathryn didn’t get to bed until 3:45. Mrs. Lally went on a tear but I didn’t pay much attention to her. I heard her tell someone today that I was the only one who could put her in bed so her arm didn’t hurt. She needn’t think I am going to stay in just so I can put her to bed.
She drank three or four glasses of beer just before I left tonight. I hope she drinks a little more and gets the load on.
I don’t know what to tell you about where to call for me Wednesday night. I don’t believe we will be in Albany yet. Dr. Hannon wants to watch her arm for a few days after we start bending it and we haven’t even started yet. However, just by way of being sure you can call me in Rensselaer. Ask to talk with me and if I’m not there they will tell you. Lally’s residence is at 2 Van Buren Street. That is nearly at the upper end of Washington Avenue. You will find it on the right coming from downtown.
If I can get a $10 bill cashed, I will send you a dollar for Mrs. Snyder. Tell her to keep the change if she stitched the uniform. If Lydia did it, you can give her a big kiss for me.
Nobody is at home but Cliff and Helen, of course, they should be parked on the davenport.
Monday 7:35 p.m.
I just got on the bus and while I am waiting for it to move on, I will try and write a little.
8:15 p.m.
The bus started so I didn’t get time to write much. I am in hopes I will get this letter written so I can mail it tonight. It is rather a stormy night to be out, but I knew I wouldn’t get any chance to write if I stayed in. The streets are awfully slippery. I hope the roads aren’t slippery Wednesday night. If they are, don’t take any chances on coming up.
I don’t know yet where I will be Wednesday night. I started massaging the arm and we bent the elbow a little today. Someone said she might go home Wednesday.
Gee, you should have heard Cliff and Loretta quarrel last night. It gets sort of tiresome after a while. I guess Mrs. Hewitt felt like telling them both to shut up.
Well, darling, I haven’t written to my Mom yet, so I think I’ll sign off and write a few lines to her before she thinks I am sick or something.
Oodles of love to my Honey,
Ruth
January 9, 1936
Middleburg, N.Y.
My Dear Parky,
There, just to prove I have no disliking for you nickname I will use it in this letter. When the “er” is changed to “y” it sounds all right but I never have liked to hear anyone designated by their last name alone. Lately I have found myself calling Fran by his last name and every time I do I feel like giving myself a good, swift kick.
I told you that you were wrong last night when you thought I was sleepy. I could coax out only one yawn all the way home. I stopped in P.H. and woke up Fran and Lydia. She didn’t want me to leave the box outside so Fran got up and let me in. I only stayed long enough to find out if they were going to Evelyn’s Saturday night and if they would come up with me Sunday night. They expect to go Saturday night if the roads are decent. I couldn’t get them to promise to come Sunday night but I have hopes they may. I was down a few minutes this afternoon and gave them some more arguments why they should come. About the only excuse they can dig up is the fact that they are going out Saturday night and will be too tired, but I think I can overcome that.
I mailed the picture today from Livingstonville and had it insured. I told him it was a picture and he asked me if it was worth fifty cents. I nearly bopped him one.
Lydia says Mrs. Snyder fixed both of your uniforms so I’ll give her the quarter you put in my coat.
If there is dirt all over this paper, don’t blame me. There is a dirty little animal trying to walk all over it and chew it up.
Has this been a day or has it? I guess we did too much work yesterday and everybody’s morale was all shot. Clayton hadn’t been on the ice for ten minutes before he yelled for help and we looked around to see him standing in about three feet of water. He went home and changed his clothes and on the way back struck some ice on the road in Livingstonville. The car turned completely around, went through the guard rails and down a four foot bank on its side. He wasn’t hurt but it made quite a mess of the car. About the middle of the morning another fellow went in and just before dinner yours truly had a hot flash and had a dip to cool off. What a thrill that is, you should try it sometime.
Guess I’ll sign off now, honey, and climax the day with a good night’s sleep. I’ll send this to Rensselaer and call there Sunday night when I reach the city to find out where you are. Goodnight, my sweet.
Lots of love,
Dave
January 9, 1935 [actually 1936]
1807 Ninth Street
Rensselaer, New York
Hello Hon,
I am undressed and sitting on my bed while I am waiting for the chance to fold up for the night. Mrs. Lally is translating Jack’s Latin for him over the telephone, so don’t think anything of it if I suddenly become all excited about Caesar crossing the Delaware or was it the Rubicon.
Gee, what a day this turned out to be. I am glad it waited to snow until today instead of last night. The streets in the city are terrible and I don’t imagine the roads outside are much better.
I met Zelma this afternoon even if the weather was lousy. I had to purchase some overshoes to fit my white shoes. I tried in vain to find some white ones but to no avail. I also bought a skirt and sweater. You’ll get a good laugh when you see them. The sweater is green and the skirt is plaid. I look like a cross between a Scotsman and an Irishman.
About Sunday night, I hardly know what to tell you. Mrs. Lally is still at sea about when she expects to go home. I guess the best thing to do is tell you to call Lally’s residence 8-1433. If you get no answer, you will know I am still in Rensselaer. Mrs. Lally says to tell you to come at 7:30 as usual and if she is home, to have you come in the house until I am through. I sort of think I can break away early as the Dr. will be home Sunday night.
I am of the opinion she will be in her own home. I was talking with Dr. H. this morning and somehow I managed to ask if she could go home Saturday. He said, “You’re darned right she will go home Saturday or I’ll know the reason why.” So you can figure it out for yourself.
I fear the telephone is going to keep me awake. It woke me up last night.
Well, darling, I have to sign off and try and get some sleep. Be sure and take care of yourself and don’t work too hard.
Lots of love,
Ruth
January 10, 1936
Adams Center, N.Y.
Dearest Ruth,
I very gladly received your letter. I told everyone that came in that I was worried about Ruth and that it had been over a week since I had heard from her.
Bill and Jennie Sedgemore
Well it has been dark, dismal weather lately, enough to give anyone the blues.
Billy has been at home now for three days with a hard cold and cough, however, he seems better today. Today is Bill’s last day in Adams, for a while at least, as they finish with the ice house today.
The birthday card you sent me was lovely.3 I wish I could feel worthy of the sentiments your cards always express. I received one from Eva and Hermann, also a nice fine black wool sweater and was I surprised. I also got another surprise. Grace and Janie came up the evening of the seventh. Janie had made a very lovely birthday cake and Grace made a large dish of Jello and they both brought sandwiches. Janie gave me a lovely box of writing paper and handkerchiefs and Grace gave me linen dish towels and a dish cloth.
Did you get my letter with Lynn’s address or have you heard from him? I am writing on the cabinet and watching for the mailman. I have got to get a stamp for this so I must keep tabs on him. I had thought I would get a bunch of post cards to send you that you might send just a word or so letting me know you were alright, but it will not be this morning.
Lots of love,
Mom
Footnotes
- Dave must have been a big fan of this program. Click here for previously posted notes on this show.
- This was a lot of money for 1936 (worth about $27,000 today)! Most likely, she was exaggerating. Oil furnaces were fairly new to households in the 1930’s, as coal heat was more common.
- Jennie Eunice Spencer was born on January 7, 1873 in Sacket’s Harbor, Jefferson, NY.