[Addressed to 8 Summit Street, Ticonderoga, N.Y.]
June 4, 1937
Adams Center, N.Y.
Darling Rutsie,
Have just finished a letter to Lydia and will write a short one to you also. You are so kind and thoughtful to write me so often.
I am so glad that David is keeping watch that you do no more than you ought.
We had some quite warm weather but had another A.M. of pouring rain today. Would you believe it, Harold and Beulah went to Watertown alone today. Now, lest I forget Lynn and June’s address is Dairyman’s League Garage, 741 Main Street. Harold has 12 acres of oats in, but much of his land is still too wet to work.
We are keeping broke trying to keep up paying for hay and grain. He feels sorry not to finish paying up on the horse yet.
Lynn and June are living in the trailer. They are charmed with it. I think school is out about the 18th and it seems now as though I will be very glad. I call both little youngsters good little workers. Of course June would rather look after Jean than do what you might wish her to.
Our yard looks fairly good. Our grass shears have become very dull. Think they need Bill to get after them as I use a butcher knife around trees, steps, etc., etc.
“I can just see that smile on David’s face as Francis holds the baby, the perfect model” – Jennie Sedgmemore. Dave, baby Janet, Francis and baby Richard, 1937.
I think both families are managing good with your expenses and savings. I just know the time will pass slowly for Lydia until she gets home caring for her own baby. David wants to be very patient and let Francis enthuse about “their baby” because David, too, will go thru the same experience. I can just see that smile on David’s face as Francis holds the baby, the perfect model. I wonder if the nurses won’t tell David the same thing about yours and his baby. Well you all deserve all the happiness you can get from them.
It is only a little after 5 A.M. I started this last night but did not finish it. Unless Girlie got her increase last night, she hasn’t had it yet. While “Snooky Puss” looks very much that her family might arrive most any time, nothing had happened last night. Harold’s folks have a cute little puppy he got of Elmer Williams.
I think I better close and try and get in a few lines to Eva. Haven’t sent her a letter since she was here.
Love,
Mom
June 16, 1937
Adams Center, N.Y.
Dearest Girls and Boys,
It is 5:50 A.M. so think it a very quiet time to write. I was so glad of David’s good luck and hope it continues. I think he is most unselfish to think of putting it into the house. I am glad the baby is so good. Would love to see the little fellow. Also glad that Lydia got along so nicely. Hope Ruth is feeling just as well as she writes me she is.
Grace is going to have an operation about the 15th of July she tells me. More anxiety but she is doing remarkably in putting down her flesh. I wrote for her to come home with her children and I would try to go back with her when she went home for a short stay with Billy and June. I wrote the same to Eva but, of course, want them at different times. Kent and Ethel went over to Glenn’s yesterday, Kent’s day off, and went down to spend the night with her people. They go home Saturday to stay I think.
Billy and June are as good help as I need and unless my family raises the dickens about my being alone, I shall not even have Joyce. With the telephone in I do not need anyone.
I’ll bet Francis is being some pains-taking with little son’s bench for his basket to sit on. I think what you say about the doll carriage will be alright if you want to do it, but you do so much for me anyhow I feel as though you ought not to do more. You know I went to the Bee Hive once to look at one and it was so much I was discouraged. If she gets it, I think it will call for a nice doll and keep it for herself alone as she would keep them nice if it was not for younger and one in particular older children being rough with them.
You girls better write to Grace if you can find time.
Our garden is not up yet, only radishes and lettuce. I hope I can keep it clean, I mean different children can. I hired Alvin Frasier to help get the lawn down where I wanted it and think Billy and June can keep it clean cut now. Kent really does not like a hand scythe, lawn mower or hoe. A truck or tractor is more in his line.
Well think I’ll sign off and maybe write Bill. You are right about his sending his money home and I hope I never wrong him in the way I use it.
Love,
Mom
Am feeling good. Will drive down to Janie’s and Harold’s place this noon.
[From Grace to Jennie]
June 14, 1937
330 Elm Street
Syracuse, N.Y.
Dearest Mom,
Well this has been a long, rainy day. I have been cleaning bureau drawers and clothes presses, also changed two rugs, so have made good use of the rain.
I would have liked to have done my washing today as I’m invited to Niles’ mother’s tomorrow as it’s her birthday so will have to work fast if I am to get it done in the morning.
I went to see the Dr. Friday night and he was pleased as I had lost eight lbs. I’m going to have my operation about July 15th. He says I’ll be better than I ever have been or rather better than I’ve been in a long time. I dread it but he says if I lose the fat on my stomach, that there won’t be so much danger. Mrs. Wilkes, one of the ladies over at church, has offered to take one of the girls while I’m in the hospital. Her husband is fire marshal of the city and she is just lovely with a lovely home, but I wouldn’t let her as I know I would never be able to do anything in return for her. I thanked her very nicely and told her that we would manage it some way.
I have to take some pills twice a day and a big dose of Epsom salts twice a week. I’m not eating any starchy foods, sugar or fat. So all in all it doesn’t take much work to floor me and my back is terrible bad. I had a bad spell of gall stones one night last week and was in bed all day.1
Niles is looking for a raise any day now as they are changing things around and he rather expects to be made foreman over a group. I wish he might be as we sure need some money now. It seems as though that we ought to get some let-up soon. All it has been for the last six or seven years is hospital. We are going to try and get a hospital loan that we can pay back a little every week and I do think that you get better care if you have a private room. I know it costs more but for a while at least I think it will be better. I explained our circumstances to the Dr. and he said he would do the operation as cheaply as he possibly could and see what he can do about the hospital bill.
I’m looking forward to your coming down in July. Do you want me to come up to drive back or will some of the boys come down with you with their cars and let someone drive yours so you can have your car? Tell the kids to be sure and bring their skates and bathing suits. Alfy is making great plans for Billy.
Are Kent and Ethel with you and what do you hear from the girls? I wrote them but haven’t heard anything.
Well I must close as Niles has come home and the kids will be here soon.
Lots of love to all.
Lovingly,
Grace
June 20, 1937
Adams Center, N.Y.
Darling Rutsie, Lydia and Boys,
Received your letters yesterday. Am glad you are feeling so well. I was surprised at the amount you sent for the purpose you speak of. It seems too much for you all to do when you have so many ways for money. However, I thank you and will try with Bill’s help to do the same. It ought to last her as long as she wants to play with it and come down to Ruth’s or Lydia’s girls.
I am glad little Dickie is so nice and good, would love to see him. I am planning on seeing each of you, according to promise, this summer sometime later.
I think if Carlton wants to come and stay with me and keep the grass mowed around the house and take care of the garden, I will let him come. Might be that he could help Harold some and we could pay him something. Harold hasn’t any corn in yet but to all appearances he will have a lot of hay. Glenn’s tractor is here. We will pay for the use of it of course and I think they have the land partly plowed. Do not think we can put in any beans this year but will save our seed for next year’s use for both families.
Your Snooky Puss has four kittens, two are three colored, one is very black and white with very little yellow on them, one black one and one tiger cat. Isn’t this interesting? They are about two days old.
I have forgotten, Ruth, what you told me the name of the hospital was and I do not know as I could search it up, so you better send it again. As I said before Lydia went, you know who to go to for help in these last hard hours and so does mother so we are all right. I feel so glad you are near the hospital and that David and Lydia will both be near you and now Lydia knows what the Dr. is and also the care she got in the hospital.
Kent and Ethel are home now. I feel great. I asked the Dr. if once a month was often enough to come and he said yes if I kept in medicine. I weigh 158 lbs. Not very small.
P.S. The children said to send their report cards to you and you can save them and bring them back to them.
Worlds of love,
Mother
June 29, 1937
Adams Center, N.Y.
Darling Ruthie,
Well I was so pleased over the good news that Lydia sent us. This is Tuesday morning and we have just received her letter. I hope you are feeling well and that baby is fine. I know you will have good care and just to think both of my girls are over the hardest part makes me very happy.
Eva was here from Friday morning until Sunday night. Grace came Saturday and will stay one week. She is on a good, stiff diet, two slices of whole wheat bread and a cup of coffee for breakfast and two slices of whole wheat bread and vegetable of some kind the other meals.
Carlton does real well and I think I shall have a good garden if it does not rain all the while.
Love,
Mother
June 29, 1937
Adams Center, N.Y.
Dearest Sis Ruthie,
We were so glad to hear you were safely over your ordeal and hope that you and baby get along fine. We will be thinking of you even though we can’t see you.
I have lost fifteen pounds up until last Saturday from the first of June. I lost five pounds last week from Monday night until Saturday noon. Some of the time I feel terribly weak but I don’t seem to mind the diet. I guess I’m so anxious to get it over I think I will I will be a nervous wreck when it’s all over. I think maybe I can have both operations done at the same time. I hope so as it is going to cost a lot for it to be done so we can’t afford two separate operations. Although I don’t want to be foolish enough to insist if the Dr. doesn’t think I should.2
Mom seems to be nearly her own self again. I’m so pleased. Of course she gets tired but I think she is good.
Janie has a lovely garden and mom does also only they both need weeding again as it has rained so much.
Well, Sis, I must close as we are going to the city. Remember we are all thinking of you and wishing we could see the new babies. I certainly hope that the baby takes after some of its good-looking relatives, say me for instance.
Grace
Footnotes
- Based on this comment and Grace’s previous illness, it’s possible that she suffered from cholecystitis, or infection/inflammation of the gall bladder. It causes pain, fever, and frequent gall stones. Obesity and being female are considered high risk factors. During the 19th century and earlier, doctors had believed the gall bladder to be a vital organ and so did not consider surgical removal from diseased patients. By this time, the 1930’s, gall bladder surgery had been practiced since the late 1800’s. After cholecystectomy, the body can function normally. Instead of having the gall bladder store bile, the liver delivers it directly to the small intestine. Relief to patients is immediate. Grace had probably been preparing to have her gall bladder removed.
- See this post here for a note (#3) about health costs and insurance prior to 1940.