Dave makes at least two trips up to Adams Center during this time period, one visit may have been interrupted by the sudden death of his father. He received many cards from Ruth’s family, as mentioned, but work more or less goes on as usual.
October 26, 1936
Adams Center, N.Y.
Hello Honey,
Well here I am again trying to write something about nothing. I had quite a vacation from writing to my hubby but now it seems harder than ever.
For some reason or other I am so nervous I can hardly sit still. Just more evidence that I am a crab I guess. For one thing I have just finished trying to figure out the checking account which is always a mess. It wouldn’t be so bad only there are about ten different checks made out for Harold and he never makes an account of anything. Here I was supposed to know all about the checks that were made out when I wasn’t even here. By the time I was finished I was ready to tear my hair and I’m not much better now.
This forenoon we went wood seeking. Harold went to help find it. We went about ten or twelve miles above Adams before we found any wood. If you think we live in the sticks, you should take a trip up in that country. We sure had a hectic time. It was snowing and freezing on the windshield and we near froze to death. I sure missed the heater.
We bought five cords of hard, dry wood so we ought to keep warm for a while yet. We paid $2.50 a cord and $4.00 more for having it delivered. They brought it tonight. The kids and I have over half of it piled in the cellar already. Mom says the reason she didn’t get it before was because she had no one who could drive the car. I’m glad we have it anyway.
We are listening to “Uncle Zeek” and it reminds me of last week when I listened to it with my honey.
After you left Edna came and stayed about three hours. Glenn and family were here a little while. Dot’s mother and grandmother were with them. Glenn said he thought he would get here early enough to see you.
As usual I am waiting to hear what kind of a trip you had. I guess I went to bed about 7:30 last night. I thought you must be home by then. I bet you were awfully tired last night. I know I was, seemed like I couldn’t get to bed soon enough.
Mom says that in one of Bill’s letters he said the captain told him that lots of years they had still been sailing after January 1. I sure was surprised to hear that as the other company seldom runs after the first of December anyway. If that is the case, I don’t know what to say. I don’t feel like staying here more than one more month and if Bill shouldn’t get home until January 1st, I don’t know what to do. That is just a little more than I bargained for. I know Lydia would think I should stay right here until Bill gets home. It just seems as though one more month is all I can possibly stay away from you and that looks like an endless length of time. I felt just like crying when Mom told me. Of course if you aren’t working and can be here too, I wouldn’t mind so much. Mom keeps telling me she doesn’t want me to stay only as long as I feel like leaving you but she knows I won’t leave her alone.
This would be worse than leaving her in the summer on account of the fires. She would have to go up and down the stairs to take care of the furnace. Gosh darn the luck anyway. I don’t know why Bill can’t stay home and tend to his business.
Gee, honey, don’t pay any attention to what I say in this letter ‘cause I’m sort of burned up and this is the only overflow I have. Maybe Bill will be home early after all and this rambling on is all for nothing. I hope so anyway.
We moved the rabbits into the barn tonight. The kids say the white rabbit is about to have little rabbits, rather quick work I would say. These kids know all the answers anyhow.
Well, dear, I guess I have raved about my troubles long enough. Maybe I will be in a better mood in the morning and will write some more. This is my idea of a “Blue Monday”.
Oh yes, what did Nelson have to say because you weren’t at work Saturday? I do hope it doesn’t cause you any trouble. I have thought about you all day and wondered if the weather where you were was like the weather we have had today. I bet I had a tired and cold boy tonight when he got home, didn’t I?
How did it seem to get 45 minutes more sleep this morning? I’m glad you don’t have to get up quite so early. I was awake at 6:15 this morning and I imagined my Sweetheart was just getting up.
I just went down cellar and put some chunks on the fire. I hope the house won’t be quite so chilly in the morning. This morning it stormed so I had to go after the milk in the car.
The radio is pretty good but I can’t get “Fibber & Molly” very good.1
I don’t know when I’ll get to the bank. I hate to make a special trip and I don’t like to keep that much money in the house.
Billy is having a bad time for himself upstairs so I’ll have to go up and see what it is all about.
Night, my darling, and take care of you for me.
Yours always,
Ruth
P.S. I love you.
Tuesday morning
This looks like it will be a nice day and I am in a much better mood than I was last night.
The kitten insists on sitting right on the register. Mom says she is a regular sissy.
Today I think I will make my sofa pillows. I haven’t had any feathers to eat in a long time.
We have to go to Smithville sometime today. Guess Mom and Lydia got sort of tired of staying at home at times.
Mom wants to use my pen so I will sign off.
Oodles of love,
“Scoop”
November 8, 1936
Middleburg, N.Y.
Hello Hon,
Well here goes for an apology for a letter and that is all it will be, too, because it is cold here in the house and I’m sitting on the edge of the bed upstairs.
Didn’t make very good time coming down. It was poor driving all the way and terrible from A.C. to Lowville. The fog was so thick you could come within twenty feet of a car before it could be seen if it had no lights on. Had a couple of close calls just out of A.C. Both cases were cars coming towards me with no lights and way over on my side. The last one was so close I was nervous myself for the next few miles. I had to dodge way out on the shoulder to miss the car and then cut in quick to miss some guardrail posts. I thought sure I was going into a tailspin when my wheels started skidding on the soft shoulder.
However, I’m here O.K. and no damage done. It was 9:15 when I arrived. Was held up in Little Falls for a half hour. A big truck tried to go under the low overpass and the top caught and turned it on one side. Everyone had to wait until they pulled it out backwards. Some traffic jam for a while. Stopped in Ft. Plain and had a bite to eat and then came right on.
Well, hon, my feet are getting cold and I have no wife I can put them on tonight so I’ll close and jump in bed before they get too cold.
I hope you don’t have too much difficulty trying to read this. I can’t make it out myself.
Lots of love and kisses,
“Me”
November 10, 1936
Middleburg, N.Y.
Dear Ruth,
Seems funny to start a letter this way but if I don’t use your name once in a while, I’ll forget you have one.
Boy, if I didn’t earn my seven dollars today, I never have. It has been the worst day of the year and we had to go up on the cupola to work. The wind blew so hard up there you had to shout to a man next to you to make him hear and it was freezing all the time. They turned the heat on yesterday but it didn’t do us any good up there. We have two or three more days of work outside, not all of it on the cupola however.
Yesterday I only worked 5½ hours but it took all day to do it. Four hours in the morning, a half hour after dinner and one hour from 3:30 to 4:30. That will help cut down the paycheck this week. Claude was sick yesterday and didn’t go to work but he did today.
I have been wondering if the letter I wrote Sunday might have reached you today. I forgot to mail it when I went thru M. so I mailed it when I got in Jefferson.
Jimmy was out here Sunday. He never manages to come when I am home. He saw Lula, however, and said he would try and get out again some night this week. He will probably come after I have gone to bed.
Wilbur Coffin
We haven’t heard any more from the insurance company yet. They seem to be taking their own sweet time.2
I tried to get some chisels in M. last night and couldn’t do it. I don’t know how I’ll be able to get to the city either. Guess I‘ll just have to struggle along with what I have and trust to luck that I can get by.
Last night I listened to Fibber McGee and Molly. Did you hear them? They were pretty good as usual.
Gee, hon, it is pretty tough sleeping alone these cold nights. However, I keep consoling myself with the thought that cold weather will do more to bring Bill home than anything else, so let her come. I’m sitting in a chair with my feet parked on the stove and does the heat feel good. You can probably tell from the writing that I’m not in Palmer Method position.
We had a nice card from Eva and Hermann yesterday. It was addressed to Livingstonville. How did they get the name of that place?
Mom says to tell you the flies are all froze up now. Guess this is all I can think of for now, hon, so I’ll say bye, bye, read the paper and go me to bed.
Love and kisses,
Dave
November 12, 1936
Adams Center, N.Y.
Dear Dave,
While I am waiting for bath water to heat I will try and get a few lines written to my hubby.
Well, I have some news for you which I think will make you be all atwitter. Mom had a card from Bill this morning. He says they are laying up the boat. He expects to be home in the morning (Friday) or sometime over the weekend. You couldn’t come for me this week anyway. I think Billy will have his tonsils out the first of next week and I will have to be here then.
Even though Mom thinks they need the money badly I think Bill should be here to take care of things. It would be too much for her to go and make arrangements for Billy and of course there are some things I can’t do. Going to the Dr. yesterday upset Mom. She has been awfully nervous all day.
I finally succeeded in getting the washing done today. It was quite large as I had three double outing blankets to wash. Incidentally I found a blanket for the bed upstairs. Guess it is a good thing as I’ll probably be sleeping up there after tonight.
I didn’t dare tell you on the card, but Dr. Alden told me that the breaking out I have is caused from bites. Possibly spider bites but he thought bed bug bites. I could have shot him for even suggesting such a thing. Mom told him she would give him or anyone else ten dollars for every bug they can find in this house. He says maybe someone came here and brought them. Mom said the only one who had been here to stay was my husband so it sort of looks like you are guilty. Just to give him the benefit of the doubt I gave the bed a thorough going over and still maintain we are bugless. I still say I have the hives or sompin’ and that guy doesn’t know his bites. I do know the darn stuff, whatever it is, has me about crazy. It bothers me nights mostly, bet you are sorry you aren’t around to enjoy it.
I’m sorry you missed Jimmy Sunday and hope you see him this week.
The letter you mailed from Jefferson I got Tuesday. O.k. I noticed it was mailed from there and intended to mention it but forgot to.
Both rabbits got out today and Mr. Chin Bunny sure led me a merry chase. I finally grabbed him by the ears and stuck him in the pen.
Friday morning
I had to interrupt this last night to take a bath. Sort of tough on a person to have to wash their own back.
Looks like Bill isn’t coming this morning as he usually calls from Syracuse and tells us what train to meet. Maybe he is coming on a later train or has stopped at Grace’s.
I am waiting for mop water to heat so I can clean the floor. I also have a nice ironing to do today.
Nope, I didn’t hear Fibber & Molly Monday night. We did listen to “Town Hall” Wednesday night.3
The kitten seems to think there are mice out in the back room. She spent her evening out there last night and has gone out again this morning.
I would say from your letter that you have been having worse weather than we have this week. Yesterday was sort of a nice day only a little breezy.
We haven’t heard from Lydia yet this week. I wonder if she is sick or something.
My water looks hot so guess I’ll clean the floor.
Lots of love,
Ruth
November 12, 1936
Middleburg, N.Y.
Hello Hon,
I guess I have some letters to answer so I’ll get at it. I didn’t write last night because if I write every day, there wouldn’t be anything to say.
Gee, hon, when did you run into anything to give you the hives? I hope the Dr. knows his stuff and can fix you up. Too bad you had to be sick from what you took. I hope it doesn’t happen again.
I received the pajamas O.K. Thanks a lot, dear. They were nice and will be worn plenty. Just now the weather has moderated considerably. It was so warm today I had to take off my heavy shirt and the result is a slight tickle in my throat tonight. I’ll gargle with soda and take a ginger tea before I go to bed.
You must be broke after your shopping trip to Watertown. I’ll send you some money in my next letter and don’t be afraid to spend it at the Dr.’s.
The insurance representatives were here last night. Had to answer a million questions and then get an affidavit from someone who saw the body. Tonight I managed to see Dr. Best and he finally completed his form and will send it out tomorrow. Probably in another month we will get the money.
That was a nice card and letter from June and Lynn. Haven’t seen anything of Lynn.
Those darn pheasants have an awful nerve I would say. If I had been there, I would have shot one anyway.
Tex just stuck his head up on this letter and said hello to you. No, I don’t have anything to do after I get home nights. LaVere does most of it I guess.
I hope the cold weather continues up where Bill is. I’m getting quite anxious to have my wife with me.
I thought about the canned stuff when I got about halfway down here Sunday. Both of us are bright people.
Well, hon, I thought I had quite a lot of material to write about but I guess it doesn’t take up much room after all. I’m not the letter writer I used to was. Take care of yourself, dear, and keep going to the Dr. till you are all right. I’ll be waiting anxiously to hear how you are.
So long, honey. I’ll write again Sunday, so until then remember I love you and am always thinking of you.
Always yours,
Dave
November 14, 1936
Middleburg, N.Y.
Hello Darling,
It is Saturday evening and while I have some spare time I may as well start this letter. I received your card yesterday and letter today. You were right about the good news setting me all atwitter. It seems too good to believe. Of course I would expect you to stay until after Billy’s operation but the fact that Bill is coming home right off is sure good news to me.
I didn’t work today, neither did I get the wood sawed or the pigs killed. Last night I ran all over trying to get someone to saw wood but no luck. It is hard to get anyone on a moment’s notice and I can’t engage them ahead because I never know if I will have Saturday off or not. Nevertheless, I had a busy day. The first thing I did was to go to Albany and go on a spending spree. My pay was $32.81 and I have $15 left. As near as I can remember here is what I bought. A few groceries, gas, thermos bottle (I broke LaVere’s), hat, rubbers, gloves, 3 chisels and a saw set, floor mat and weather strip for the car, Prestone and, oh yes, cigarettes. Guess I got away with more than you did. However, I managed to salvage 8 dimes from the wreck. Just as I was starting to go from home I saw Jo and Ralph. They wanted to know where and how you were and want us to come down the first chance we get.
I got back home about 1:30 changed my clothes and went up on the hill to hang a door that my father was supposed to have done. I didn’t get it finished before dark so will have to go up again tomorrow as there is no way of locking the cabin until it is finished.
Before I went I stuck the gun in the car thinking I might accidentally see a deer, but as it turned out I was about fifteen minutes too late. As I turned off to go down to the cabin, I saw a car there with a bunch of men around it. They were just loading a nice nine-point buck. It seemed they had gone down there with the idea of hunting in the swamp below the cabin. Just as they got out they saw this deer feeding in the lot directly in front of the cabin and it was a simple matter to pull the trigger and go over and pick him up. Some hunter I be.
Wilbur Coffin. “Mom is all worked up tonight. She has begun to worry already about how she is going to live.“
Mom is all worked up tonight. She has begun to worry already about how she is going to live. Ward came up this afternoon and tried to get some money from her. When she didn’t give it to him he started in with a whole line about not being wanted and of course that made Mom feel awfully good. I guess he and Lena aren’t getting on so well and he says Lena doesn’t want him there anymore. He has faults and plenty of them but I wouldn’t be surprised if Lena was quite hard to get along with.
Mom asked what you and I planned on doing. When I told her she said she was going to see Mr. Ray and have him rent half of the house. She says if we don’t want it, she is going to have someone here.
Lula and Claude just came in so I guess I’ll quit until tomorrow night. Claude says to tell you Oscar needs underwear. Goodnight, honey.
P.S. Lena just came in. Looks like a reunion.
Sunday evening.
I’m all alone here on the ranch so it should be a good time to get this letter finished. There isn’t anything new to relate but I’ll try and fill this space up somehow.
I got up about seven this morning. After chores and breakfast I went on the hill and finished that job. Got back here about 11:30 and spent a half hour putting in some storm windows for Mrs. White. Got two packs of cigarettes in pay. By the time I had that done LaVere was all dressed up to go for a ride with Freddie and another kid so before he got away I took him and the other two out and introduced them to the woodpile and saw. The three of them took turns on one end of the saw and I handled the other.
Mom and I had dinner about two o’clock then I went out and put the new mat in the car and put up a couple of nests in the henhouse. After that, believe it or not, I came in and sat down until chore time. Guess that is a full report of the day. Oh no, I forgot, I went to P.H. after I did the chores to get my saws. I left them there yesterday to be filed.
So Doc says the bedbugs have been after you. I’m inclined to agree with you that he doesn’t know his bites. I might think you got them here if it wasn’t for the fact that I’m still sleeping in the same bed we were in and I haven’t any bites as yet.
I have a slight cold but it is well under control and hardly worth mentioning.
Well, dear, I’ll be waiting to hear from you and I’ll leave it up to you when I am to come after you. You know best when you can leave.
I’ll sign off now and eat me some bread and milk. Mom has been down to Lula’s since after dinner and it is rather lonely here. I wish my honey was here.
Bye, bye, dear. I love you.
Always yours,
“Me”
P.S. I had an envelope all sealed and addressed and was just licking the stamp when I happened to think I forgot to include any money. I also forgot to get a money order Saturday so I’ll trust $5.00 thru the mail this way. I know you must need it if you are going to the Dr. Here’s hoping he does you some good and you get over it. It must be plenty annoying. I’d probably kick you out of bed if I were with you.
I love you.
Dave
Footnotes
- Fibber McGee and Molly was a radio comedy series that ran from 1936-1959 and starred a real life husband and wife team, Jim and Marian Jordan.
- This comment is likely in reference to the death of Dave’s father, Wilbur Coffin, who died at home on November 1, 1936 at the age of 67 (just short of his 68th birthday on December 19). He had been sick with pneumonia for a few days and the cause of death was listed as “acute myocarditis”, suggesting heart failure. At the time, he was survived by his wife, Ida, six children (Florence, Emma, Lula, Dave, Ward, and LaVere) and five grandchildren.
- “Town Hall” was probably the radio talk show, “America’s Town Meeting of the Air“. It was broadcast from New York City’s Town Hall, with George V. Denny as a moderator. The format was typically a discussion or interview with an expert on a particular topic relating to a current event or issue, such as social security, which featured the U.S. Secretary of Labor, Frances Perkins, on a discussion panel. Questions or comments were heard from a live audience.