August 1943 - A Letter From Ellen Hall - Part One

Ellen wrote to her sister Margaret in early August.

Letter - Page 1

"August 9, 1943

Dear Sis and family;

I have just about 10 minutes before time to start work so I will start a letter to you.  That is the way have to take care of my correspondence since I started back to work.  Incidentally you owe me a letter - how about writing!

I can't remember if I wrote and told you or not that I am working at Georgia Aero Tech.1  It is quite a place, long hours, and low pay but even at that they pay better than anywhere in Augusta.  Just to be back on the West Coast where you make enough to live decently and still have some left over.  I'll tell you about my day now.  I get up at 5:30 (When Grover works day shift - he is working at night this week) I leave the apartment between 7:40 and 7:45 and start work at 9.  Bush Field (where G.A. Tech is located) is 12 miles out of Augusta so the bus leaves early.  I work there until 5:30 with..."

Letter - Page 2

"...half hour for lunch.  I don't get home until 6:45 or later.  By the time I get dinner, do the dishes, and clean the apartment and bathe and in bed it is 10:30 or 11P.M.  So you see I have a long day of it.  I am only supposed to work half a day on Saturday but from all appearances I will be working every Sat. afternoon from now on.  Oh yes, I forgot to tell you that my office job is assistant to the accountant, although I do a little bit of everything.

I started this letter this morning at the office and wrote some at the canteen tonight while waiting for the bus.  Now I'm home trying to finish it.  I'm all ready for bed.  Grover has to work from 5:30P.M. until 1A.M. this week am I am alone this evening.  He'll be in about 1:30.  He made me promise I would be in bed by 9 so I had better hurry.  I came home this evening and got me a light supper (salad, beans - bread & butter, and cake).  I washed the dishes, washed..."

Letter - Page 3

"....some clothes out, cleaned my shoes (saddles), washed my hair & put it up, and took a bath.  So I feel as if I had accomplished quite a bit for one evening.

It is sure swell of you to send me your slip.  Maybe I can give you something someday when I get to(sic) big for it.  My hubby says I'm going to be terribly fat when I get older.  I only weight 111 lbs now but guess I have plenty of time to gain a lot.

Yesterday was our 7th month anniversary.  Grove had to work.  I was sick nearly all day but did get up energy to bake a cake, cook some navy beans and then for dinner fried a chicken.  After dinner we left the dishes and went to a show to celebrate (first show in 2 weeks).  We saw 'Buckskin Front'.2  It was one of those rottin' tootin' westerns, it was the only show we hadn't seen that was in town.  It is surprising now many people picture the west to be right this day just like those western picture shows..."

LETTER TO BE CONTINUED...

1 Georgia Aero Tech was one of three contract pilot schools in the country to offer basic flight training, employing an estimated 300 civilians civilians with an annual payroll of 1.5 million dollars.

2 'Buckskin Frontier' - A railroad man and the owner of a freight line battle for control of a crucial mountain pass.  Stared Richard Dix, Jane Wyatt and Albert Dekker.     

July 1943 - A Letter From Janet McAdam Waning

This is an undated letter from Janet McAdam Waning.  Based on the farming topics I place it to have been written in July of 1943.

Letter - Page 1

{There are notes all around the edge of page one - here they are in no particular order}

"Egg day tomorrow & my letter goes too"


"Tomorrow - corn on cob, cream carrots, beet pickles - rest of noodles roast pork canned peaches cookies coffee - Potatoes of course"


"Will send Ellen's1 letter & pictures - return pictures some time"


"Vivian M. was picking beans - Rhoda will bring her ironing & iron tomorrow PM"


"How's Bill2?"


"Dexter, Oregon
Wed - 11 PM 1943

Dear Children -

Well you'll not get a very long letter tonight for we're threshing and got up early - We began yesterday noon was to bed here - about 10 or 10-30 (but didn't get over till after dinner -- I fixed dinner but had 9 with my two - Rhoda3 didn't expect them & had to go to Dexter for meat so guess she was a little late but Bill Raush & a Larson boy -bro of the one that was here last yr - went to his place & ate - so she didn't have many -  This year we have lust 3 teams so it will be a bit slow - Walter, Lew, & Bill W - Billy would have used that sled & the tractor but no men - Walter - the lame fellow from the Grayhum place, Rust from Tom Cruzan place, & two fellows from up Lost Crk Rd - Benke is one but I don't know the other - Billy went over to Hurzlers & bot(sic) 300 sax(sic) & has 200 so he is putting the grain (oats & vetch) in them & having them sewed at the machine so he won't have to sack it in the granary but just haul it in from the straw pile.  He has the cows in the south pasture & the horses either in the barn or barn yard -
Mon - I canned 22 qts of beans baked on Sat I baked bread & a big batch of ginger..."

Letter - Page 2

"...cookies - Mon the beans & dressed 3 roosters & had them yesterday & today. You see my men didn't eat any - I had cooked (roast) pork to day but didn't use it because the chicken was enough - I was done yesterday but Rhoda came to day & will help me thru I expect it will take a good part of Sat so that will make 5 dinners this yr. Today we had mashed potatoes - good gravy noodles with the broth & meat from the gizzards & necks & ribs of the chicken  I boiled.  They sure are fat & it made nice noodle flavor - (bot(sic) noodles) string beans cabbage salad with some grated carrot slices cukes onion, sweet pickles, apple sauce, cookies orange jello with whipped cream coffee & water.

Dexter Ranch - July 1941

Grain is quite good - Have threshed the hill the piece above the ditch north of the spring & most of the oats from north of the house New'm4 hasn't worked - but may tomorrow for Rust can't come - Of course the Kittel boys are here too - Kenny thinks he can pitch but Billy sent him to the house this PM - for it makes it hard for Billy to get his bundles laid on any old way - He takes Billy's wagon because it's low - I know he was mad when he came in (Kenny) & Billy told me tonight.  Got letter & card will send horse radish just as soon as I can won't matter for a week or so as I'll just put in some taps to plant too - I'm not going to answer your letter tonight - Glad you are all OK - & had a good visit with June5 - Billy was saying tonite he wished we had Barbra(sic) for a while.  You're right about where she gets the imagination.  Billy is putting linement(sic) on his leg, cramps.
Love, Ma -"   

   
1 Perhaps Ellen Upton Hall
2 Billy Hucka - boarding with Waning family in Portland
3 Rhoda Kittel
4 Newman Hall - Billy Waning's partner
5 Perhaps Margaret's cousin - June Gantenbein Suckow

July 1943 - A Letter From Ellen Hall - Part Two

Ellen's letter continues...

Letter - Page 5

"...It is terrible.  There is never any breeze and it is just as hot at night as it is in the day time.  I have to take salt tablets 3 times a day to keep going.  Will I ever be happy to get back to civilized country.  By the way if you can imagine it I have a suntan.  Course it is kind puney(sic) compared to some of the peoples around here but it is sure good for me.

Grover and I had a funny experience Sunday.  We decided to go get a bottled Coke at the U.S.O.  There is one right next door so we walk in get our Coke (U.S.O. is about the only place you can get them) and sit down to drink them.  We noticed how stiff and queer everyone was, nearly all foreigners.  They were all sitting...

Letter - Page 6

"...around the walls of the room saying nothing to their neighbors all acting very queer for it being a U.S.O.  Finally Grover said look up on the wall at that flag.  In great big letters it said National Catholic Committee.  Then we looked around us a bit and there were crosses and things all over the place.  I don't know why we never saw them when we went in.  We got out of there in a hurry and unconspicuously(sic) as possible.  We decide after that we would go to the regular U.S.O., if it was a little father.  The regular one by the way is in a building that housed wounded Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.  This town has a lot of historical buildings in it.  It is the oldest city1 in Georgia."

Letter - Page 7

"I'm going to go see if I can find me a job today.  They are terribly hard to find here.  Particularly soldiers wives, they don't like soldiers or their wives here.  They claim they have ruined their town.  Maybe so but if it weren't for the soldiers this town would be absolutely dead.

By the way what do you think of Mussolini quitting?  Sounds pretty swell to me.  But I hope they don't let him get away like they did the Kaiser in the last war.  

Ann Holcomb isn't very old to be married is she?  Seems to me she is several hears younger than I am.  Guess age doesn't have much to do with it though.  The couple next door have been married a lot longer..."

Letter - Page 8

"...than Grover and I but she was only 18 yesterday and he's not 20 yet.  She is a Greek and has only been in this country 7 years.

Sure, Sis I would like to have the slip.  About keeping it for me or sending it.  That is up to you.  The only thing it's hard telling when I'll have a chance to come home.

I would like to see your new dress.  You're doing almost as good as I am.  I hadn't had a new dress in over 2 years when I bought that one in L.A.

Well, Sis I have a lot to do so will sign off for now.  Write often.  Tell Jim to write a line too.

Love,

Ellen & Grover"   

1 - Augusta, Georgia

July 1943 - A Letter From Ellen Hall - Part One

At the end of the month a letter arrived from Ellen Hall.

Letter - Page 1

"July 28, 1943

Dear Sis,

Believe it or not but it is the early hour of 6:30am that I am writing this.  We have had breakfast and Grover is on his way to camp. 
Sounds like Waldo1 and his bride had quite the wedding.  If I had been the bride I would have been petrified having so many people watch me.  No I still think a small wedding is nicest, what do you say?  He has really done all right for himself in the navy though.

You asked me if Pat Hedkind wasn't here in George.  No, she left Hinesville (about 100 mi. from here) last March for Buzzard's Bay, Mass.  I got a letter from her not..."

Letter - Page 2

"...so long ago.  She said then that Bob would be at Camp Edwards at least 18 more weeks as he was helping to train a new company of men.  She said she thought he would be made Staff Sgt. (he is Tech. Sgt. now).  She is also working at camp and seems to like it immensely.

You also asked if Grover got to stay home at night - yes.  We got us an apartment last Sat. and now are eating our meals at home which sure seems swell.  The apartment itself was the dirtiest place I ever stepped into.  But it was the only thing we could get and we were lucky to get it.  The woman that did live here..."

Letter - Page 3

"...claimed that she was going to have a baby, so she did absolutely nothing.  Her husband when he got home from work did the cooking, sweeping, scrubbing, washed clothes and dishes.  So when we loved in the apartment was terrible.  But Monday and yesterday I got busy and cleaned it all spick(sic) and span and it looks pretty homey like now.  We have a kerosene (sp?) stove to cook on.  If you have never cooked on one don't try it unless you have to.  I'll have to tell you a joke on Grover.  Monday night he went down to get some kerosene for the stove.  The man filled the jar, Grover gave him the money, and the man said, 'Your ration stamp please.'  My hubby..."

Letter - Page 4

"...said, 'What stamp.'  He had to come back and borrow one from the girl next door.  So we have another ration book now.

By the way if we are still here in Sept. Grover is due a 15 day furlough.  If we are here and he gets it we are going to go see Grandma2 and on to Niagra(sic) Falls (Grover has never been there).  I sure hope he gets it.

Barbie wasn't the only one to have a good time when she was down home.  Her grandparents had the time of their life while she was there.  I got a letter from Mom after she got home and she said it was so lonesome without her.  

If you think it is hot here you should be here.  It is..."


1 Waldo Caufield - Jim Waning's maternal cousin
2 Nellie (Ellen) Carter Upton - Ellen and Margaret's paternal grandmother.

LETTER TO BE CONTINUED      

Waldo's Wedding - 1943

In July of 1943 the Waning Family received an invitation to a wedding!

Eleanor Blanchard and Lieutenant Waldo Caufield

Envelope

Invitation

Card Enclosure

Flower Girl, Bride, and Groom

The Blanchard / Caufield Wedding Party

July 1943 - A Letter From Elsie Upton

In early July, the Margaret and Jim received a letter from Elsie Upton.

Letter - Page 1

"Thursday Morning

7-8-43

Dear Margaret and Jim:

Just a note this morning to let you know we got your card and was(sic) glad you had a safe trip home.  Barbie is still a-sleep.  I believe she is having a very fine time.  I gave her a blanket to play with in the yard and she sure had fun."

Elsie Upton and Barbara - undated

"We have been having pretty warm weather but cooler this morning.  We had two cards and a letter from Ellen.  She is in Denver after quite a trip.  I wish she would get well and strong and not be so tired.  I must get a letter off to her. 

I have jelly to make this morning and get Dad's bills..."

Letter - Page 2

"...made out for the 10th is just around the corner.  And I am behind with my book work as usual.

We took Barbie over to see V'Ona Tuesday evening and she had a lot of fun and last night she wanted Dad to take her to see V'Ona for she 'hadn't seen her in a long time.'

I enjoyed having you with us to(sic) Margaret and I hope you can come again.  I was glad to see Jim and was pleased he could go home to see his folks.  I have several things to do and must get busy.  Let us hear from you soon and often.

With our love

Dad and Mom

Barbie got to see Pat Ragan."

June 1943 - A Letter from Ellen - Part Two

Ellen Upton Hall's letter of June 28, 1943 continues...

Letter - Page 3

"...and the heat would be too much for me, but he doesn't know me cause nothing can keep me from following him as long as he is here in the U.S.  I am leaving at midnight tomorrow night for Denver and will get there at 4A.M. Friday.  I don't like it about the time at all but it was the best I could do and it's the [cannot read word] at that.  You have to have reservations on all buses going out of L.A. now.  I couldn't get a reservation on the train for 3 weeks.  We will only have 24 hrs together on week-ends but 24 hrs is heaven to nothing at all.  As I started to say Sis, if I let you know in time, when Grover gets through school, when I'm going to be home will you and your young daughter try and make it down home at the same time.  Please do for hard telling when I will be able to make the trip again.  And I do so want to see the whole family.  I will try to let you know in plenty of time.  Write and let me know.

Also let me know how Mom is.  She said in her last few letters she hasn't been feeling well and when she says that she must be sick cause she never will admit she's sick until she can hardly go anymore."

Letter - Page 4

"I think Grover's mother is feeling better although she is working far too hard canning, etc.  I wish she wouldn't.

I was glad to hear all the relative gossip.  It has been sometime since I have heard anything about them.  Must wrote to Aunt Fannie too.  I think I will wait until I get to Denver however.  By the way, write to me General Delivery Denver until I send you an address.

I'm sure proud of my hubby being corporal.  He still is cause he had Cpl. Grover Hall on the envelope (letter I got this A.M.) Course I knew he was smart all the time - brag, brag."

Say you people gad around too much.  How can you take it - I can't.  If I'm not in bed by 9 every night I'm absolutely no good the next day.  I guess I'm getting old.

Well Sis will sign off for now.  Write soon and to Denver, Colorado next time,  Have a good tome down home.

Love Grover and Ellen

P.S. What a sense of humor my young niece has to think The Wolf Man was funny?  She must take after her father - she's no relative of mine (I was scared to death)."    

June 1943 - A Letter from Ellen - Part One

Envelope

By the end of June 1943, Ellen Upton Hall was in Los Angeles, CA.

Letter - Page 1

"June 28, 1943

Dear Sis and family,

I received your most welcome letter this morning.  I was afraid maybe that you had forgotten that you had a sister way down here in southern Cal.  Say that's cute stationary Mildred gave you.  It tickled me when you said that about your family not getting much to eat when you read your book.  When I went down and got that Grover looked at it and said, "Honey couldn't you find anything else to send her for her birthday?"  I told him that I didn't know of anything you would like better.  He said, "I don't doubt that she will like it but I was just thinking of poor Jim." 

You sure made me hungry telling what Aunt Fannie1 fed you for dinner.  Boy will it seem good to sit down to a family table again and eat a real meal.  But what will seem even better will be to have my own kitchen and cook Grover three meals a day.  We had so much fun when we had our little apartment in Courtland.

I went to see "Aunt Mary"2 last  Wednesday.  She certainly is failing.  I would notice it even from the last time I was..."

Letter - Page 2

"...there.  But her mind is sure just as keen as it ever was.  She never forgets a thing.  I took her out a small cake and we had tea together.  She seemed to enjoy herself immensely.  She said Beth3 and her boy friend had broken up.  That girl has had more boy friends and something always happens.  Wish she would make up her mind.  But supposed I might have been the same way if I hadn't fallen in love with such a grand person as Grover.

Wish I could be with you folks on the 4th - I mean if Grover could be there too.  When Grover leaves Denver I think I will make a trip home.  I planned to come this time.  Grove could (maybe and again maybe not) have gotten a furlough if they hadn't decided to send him to school some more.  We had planned to go up home if he had of but since he couldn't I didn't want to make the trip alone and then clear on to Denver.  I haven't been any too well (but don't tell Mother) and I don't like to travel any more than I have to.  Grover left here a week ago today and got to Fort Logan (12 miles out of Denver) on the 24th.  He says it is beautiful there but how hot.  He rather hated to have me come for fear moving..."

1 Ellen and Margaret's maternal aunt - Fannie Greenwell Gantenbein

2 Mary - Jim Waning's aunt and Janet McAdam Waning's oldest sister - Mary Burnet Emert - lived in the L.A. area

3 Beth - Beth Emmert - Mary Emert's granddaughter

LETTER TO BE CONTINUED...  

Margaret Upton Waning and Ellen Upton - 1937

Margaret Upton Waning and Ellen Upton

McKenzie Pass

August 1937

World War II Enlistment February 1942

U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946

Name: Grover C Hall

Birth Year: 1921

Race: White, Citizen (White)

Nativity State or Country: Texas

State of Residence: California

County or City: Sacramento

Enlistment Date: 27 Feb 1943

Enlistment State: California

Enlistment City: Sacramento

Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA

Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA

Grade: Private

Grade Code: Private

Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law

Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)

Source: Civil Life

 

Education: 1 year of college

Civil Occupation: Carpenters

Marital Status: Married

Height: 70

Weight: 157

1943 - Another Note From Elsie Upton

An undated note from Elsie Upton - 1943

Note - Page 1

"Dearest Barbie:

We were sure glad to get a letter from you.  Your Momy(sic) said you went to see Jimmie Bill and his baby brother.  I am glad he has such a nice little brother.  Grandad has a new little calf in the pasture and he would like you to see it.

When you come to Springfield to see us we will take you up to the barn and to see the calf.  How is your dog?  I see Phil playing around nearly every day and he asks about you and wants to know why you don't stay here.  We have lots of walnuts for you.  Won't it be fun to have you come and see us and stay all night.  I can't think of any..." 

Note - Page 2

"..thing I would like better.  Write to us often Sugar Pie.  Bye bye for now for I must get to work.

With all our love - Grandad & Grandmother"

June 1943 - A Letter From Elsie Greenwell Upton - Part Two

Elsie Upton's letter continues...

Letter - Page 3

"...Barbie had better take time to write to us for we do love her you know.  I went over and visited with Mrs. Gerlach a little while this P.M.  She was worried and sewing so hard.  She finished several dresses this week with all of her own work.  Saturday morning I will add a little more and mail this.  More rain this morning and it is to(sic) bad for there is so much hay down.  I guess Dad and I will go to look for another white face calf tomorrow.  I wish Barbie was here to go with us.  My tho'ts always turn to our sweet heart when I need good company.  The Haven of Rest is on the radio and I am trying to listen and write and I don't do either one very well.  Dad was so tired last night by the time he got home.  I wish he didn't have to put in such long hours.  Did Ellen tell you they might come home for a short visit.  I do home they can come.

If the weeds in your garden are only two jumps ahead of the vegetables you shouldn't care for ours are doing much better than that..."

Letter - Page 4

"...I must hurry now and finish my work and take a bath and go over {to} town.  That is a joke about me trying to hurry for I am getting pretty slow.  Write often for we love to hear from you and we do miss you a lot.  With our love

Dad and Mom

P.S. love my baby for me and Grandad. xxx

If your letters sound dumb to you I don't know what mine must sound like."   

June 1943 - A Letter From Elsie Greenwell Upton - Part One

In June 1943, a letter from Elsie Greenwell Upton arrive in Portland.

Letter - Page 1

"Springfield, Oregon

6-18-43

Dear Margaret, Jim, and Sugar Pie:

It is now 6:30 and Dad said he wouldn't be home not before eight.  I tho't I would write to you while waiting.  This has been a nice day after the rain we had last nigh(sic).  I would like a piece of your pie.  I don't make pies often as they last to(sic) long and I usually have to throw the last piece out.

Margaret dear about Mr Waning, I haven't seen the folks since they were here last Monday on their way to Eugene and I didn't see Mr. Waning then, he stayed in the car.  He is not well and I tho't he looked tired but I didn't think he looked much different than when you were here.  

I told Mrs. Mitchell what you said about her and she was pleased.  She didn't get to go to Portland after all her plans.  Mr. Ray brought me 24 chickens and they looked like a big job.  Mr. Roden killed them for me and Mrs. Mitchell helped me dress them.  She could dress about 3 to my 1.  We had them dressed cut up and in the refrigerator..."    

Letter - Page 2

"... in 4 1/2 hours.  I tho't that was pretty good.  We will give you chicken when you come to see us.  Her daughter and babies came over in the P.M.  She has to(sic) nice little girls. "Judy ask where my girls was."  Gladys called Wednesday and we had quite a visit.  She said she would bring her baby to see me some time soon.  She said her mother and father had been to see them.  Dad had to take a trip out in the country last evening so I went along.  We saw some beautiful country we had never seen before.  Dad took me out to dinner and I enjoyed it a lot.  I am feeling better.  I am going to the Dr. tomorrow and I hope I won't need to go for a week or so again.  I have felt pretty low for two weeks.  

It is after seven and I had better put something on the stove to cook.  I see Dad got a card today from Corporal and Mrs. Grover C. Hall.  Grover is getting along pretty fine.  I tho't of you yesterday.  Dad and I were remembering a lot of things about you when you were our baby."   

Margaret Upton - Age 1

Letter to be continued...

A Note From 1943

An undated note from 1943 - from Elsie Upton to her grand-daughter, Barbara,

Note - Page 1

"Dearest Barbara Ann:

We sure miss our little helper and sweet-heart.  Judy didn't know you had moved and she came over Wednesday and brought her big doll and was going to play with you.  Her little sister was so sweet.  Judy sat in your chair when she ate her lunch.  Come and ... 

Note - Page 2

"...see us when ever you can.

Lots of love from us to you.

Grandad and Grandmother

xxxxx

P.S. I wish you were here to get my slippers and wear them for they don't seem the same when I have to get them.  Gammy"



Antique Sunday 2011

Sunday morning my Mom and I headed off to the small town of Coburg, Oregon just north of Eugene to attend the Coburg Antique Show.  As it was to be another hot day, we arrived at 7:30am.

With over three hundred booths, there was something for everyone!

Doorknobs...

Costume Jewelry...

French Country pieces...

Cookie-cutters...

Darling Doggies! 

(Oh, right - these guys were not for sale!)

Trunks and Furniture...

  

Salt and Pepper Shakers...

Wash Tubs and Watering Cans...

As a gardener, I liked the watering cans, and thought about who might have used them when new...what was their garden like?  But they were priced from $20-$45 based on their condition, and the "fanciness" of the watering rose...a bit dear for my pocketbook.   

As a stitcher, these needle-books called to me, and I ended up buying three or four of them.  Again to me, they beg the question, who owned them originally, and how where they used. 

A lovely morning in Coburg, OR.  We strolled around for about 2 1/2 hours - had a good time, and beat the heat.

A New School Year - 2011

A New School Year - 2011

Quinten and Mikaila

Lili and Riley

Kierstyn

William - The Last Day of Summer Vacation 2011

Halle is leaving for Florida to begin school there.