Summer 1942 - The Accident - Letter from Ella McAdam Caufield

In late July 1942, Ella Caufield sent Jim a letter...

"July 23 - 42

Dear Jim - At last I found out that you were in the Sacred Heart H. I hope it is a concrete or brick building so it will not be too hot. It has been either very hot here or raining. We cut some hay in orchard about the 4th & got that in dry but the rest or most of it - got rain for a wk. Some we had to turn & shock twice but it is all in but a couple of loads on the X?X?(cannot read). Ezra, Jack & myself with the help of Ezra's wife driving the hay fork. Took hay across river this year.

Joe1 may get over before school starts as he must have a little vacation. Looks very thin..."


"...Joe is a real dairyman now - works at a place we pass going into T.  It is from 4 or 4:20 (if they sleep in) until 8 when he eats.  Sun & Sat's.  He gets from about 10-4 on Sun off.  There have been a number of filling station jobs open but he has no transportation except a bike & with rain that wouldn't be too good.  He says he gets less than 10cents an hr - Anyway he figures 16 hr and gets $40 a mo.  He runs a machine & strips his own string now.  We feel if he sticks it out (1 mo. Sun) he will be ready for a dif. job..."
  

"...next summer & he'll be 16 & able to drive a car.  Boys 16 are getting $6 a day in Astoria on the nets, driving horses that draw nets in.  Our new Blimp base, back of the Fairgrounds, pays boys 18 .80-.90 an hr & every man who can, has gone there to work so filling stations etc are just left with owners.
About 35 families (some places) have been vacated in that region.
Ronnie was in for 4th but Joe only had 10-4 off so not much sport.
Have wondered if Beth2 takes a chance on leaving her new man.  Tires are surely a premium here, but I do believe gas rationing the only solution as it seems..."

"...some get new tires & cars for pleasure while some logger has to walk to a neighbor & then they patch up tires between them.  No more word from Bud3 so I think he is not 5 da. away now.  The war does not look too good & casualties are beginning to be felt in Til.  Just the notice but not where.  Marjorie4 said, "Tell Jim to keep his chin up" but she has it wrong as you have your feet up if you look like some I've seen here.  Well it was bad but could have been worse & a rest maybe what you needed - anyway it is what your are getting - Anyway luck & hope you are not in too long.  The Armstrongs have moved away & do I miss them.

Lots of love & the best,

Aunt Ella"

1 Joe - Joe Caufield

2 Beth - Beth Emmert - niece to Ella - cousin to Jim

3 Bud - Waldo Caufield - in the Navy in WW2

3 Marjorie - Beth's mother Rob Emmert's wife