The 1940 Census - Ella McAdam Caufield

1940 US Census - Fairview District, Tillamook County, OR

The Caufield family is living on a dairy farm worth $900 outside of Tillamook, OR.  Jack Caufield reported 2 years of high school education.  Waldo 3 years of college, and Joe 6 years - interestingly there is no educational information reported for Ella McAdam Caufield, though she did attend Normal School.

Waldo's occupation: Whey Condensery

Fall 1942 - The Accident - A Letter from Ella McAdam Caufield

In October Jim and Margaret received a letter from Ella McAdam Caufield.

Envelope

By October Jim had made lots of progress and was about to be released from the hospital. 

Letter - Page 1

"Tillamook, Ore

Oct. 8 - 1942

Dear Family: -

Well your letter rested my mind, it was like waiting for a 'blessed event' waiting waiting for the day he could try his feet and the day came.  So it was a blessed event too.  We never doubted that he couldn't walk as we've seen cases whole lot worse than Jim's and even a neighbor boy's life was despaired of even and he now walks but it was a couple of years,  One leg was just as tho' it was paralyzed.  He dragged it along like it was wooden but now he bends it and walks real well.  

Joe1 says now he'll be over this week end and I hope you can come when Jim is able.  Thanks for the picture of Barbara.  It is very cute.

You will both be glad to come to your own house & live alltho- it is not very close to Dr. but he perhaps won't need a Dr.  Expect Jim's people were very much surprised to see him and very glad. 

Letter - Page 2

"Yes, Joe was initiated into the High from Jr. High.  He wouldn't tell what he had to do, but said it was the worst they could yet!  Anyway he lived thru it and he is thru wearing a green ribbon around his neck for a wk - Ribbon in his hair for a couple of days, etc.  He plays on the B squad but is rather light, better I think for basketball.

We have had quite a little rain, but the hunting season is not on yet, and may not be one.

Haven't heard from Bud2 for three wks now, but he may be something thru by Mon. that is usually the day we get mail.

Gave not heard from Aunt Mary3 for a long time.  Perhaps she is planning a wedding as Beth4 did want a big affair.

Well the silo is built & filled with corn & some oats but they are still busy with a chute & other things.  The Blimp base back of the Fairgrounds is employing about 1500 men.  Building air ways & R.R. into it.  No one gets very close as it is guarded well.  Well I must close & hope Jim doesn't dance Highland Fling before he is really well - Come anytime you can.  Lots of love & luck.

Aunt Ella"

1 Joe - Joe Caufield - Ella's youngest son.

2 Bud aka Waldo - Ella's oldest son.  

3 Mary - Mary McAdam Emert - Ella's oldest sister

4 Beth - Beth Emmert - Mary's grand-daughter.   



Summer 1942 - The Accident - A Letter from Ella Caufield

Jim's maternal aunt, Ella McAdam Caufield wrote again in September.

Notice that she used her husband's old legislative stationary!

Waste not, Want not! 

Envelope

Letter - Page 1

"Sept 16

Dear Margaret, Jim & Barbara - This letter I have been planning to write for some time but it seems I always get something I think I must do & there it goes.  Nevertheless I often think of you all and wonder if it isn't about time that Jim is leaving there.1  At least I hope so and am anxious to see how he is when he gets straightened out on earth again.  Its been long but nice he hasn't had too much pain the last 2 mo.  

Joe2 had a fine trip & I want to thank you for all your kindness to him.  He came back ready for school but Ronnie showed up Sat. nite so stayed over until Mon. (Labor Day) P.M. so then he was about all used up again as we had to milk for Eyra & Joe got up at 4:30.  School is going pretty well he finds science (Biology) quite hard.  It is not like I used to have it - is lots harder to work out - It is rather..."    

Letter - Page 1

"...advanced ideas & a new way of working them out - He plays football at nite so is pretty tired by the time he catches a ride out.  He takes Higher Algebra, Eng., Biology, and Wood Work.  One period is physical Ed - It is new as it requires all to take athletics as touch tackle etc - It is to train the physical side that was not tho't of until now.

I canned peaches last wk.  Eyra's Dad bro't him 9 bu & Eyra bro't in about 3 or 4 from valley.  Jack has been working on silo & they have it painted now but need to make doors & something over the top. 30' x 10'."

Waldo (Bud) Caufield

"Bud3 writes about every 2 wks.  He does not give much news.  I have tho't & tho't what to send for Xmas but it is a slicker.  Sent him a box of nuts today - Will send a cheese & I've been looking for air mail paper with red envelopes but no luck.  We sent him a pen & pencil & pocket knife last yr so that about ends the "thinks".  May send him some magazines but unless I disguise them I doubt how soon they are delivered.

No news from S.A. Agnes4 has an old one eyed, stiff hired man but she says he eats just same - Ha Ha!  Much love to all.

Aunt Ella

Hope you are able to get over before the gas is rationed if it is or maybe just a scare.  Expect Aunt Agnes sees about even dropping in Oregon."

1 reference to Jim's months long stay in Sacred Heart - much of it in traction.

2 Joe Caufieed - Jim's cousin - Joe sent Jim a postcard in late August and made the trip from Tillamook to Eugene and Dexter to visit his Waning Cousin and Aunt.  Link to his postcard here.

3 Bud - AKA Waldo Caufield - Jim's cousin.

4 Agnes McAdam Ingvalson - sister to Ella and Janet .  

Rob and Ella McAdam

Rob and Ella McAdam - undated

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     

The Caufields Visit Blooming Prairie, MN - 1925

Ella McAdam Caufield travelled back "home" a second time with her son, Waldo.  The photo  shows Waldo, and Bowser the dog, Jean McAdam Dennis (a half-sister, she really was Jean Burnet Dennis, but took her step-father's surname as a young child), Ella McAdam Caufield, and her father Matthew McAdam.  The photo is dated 1925.   

The Caufields

Ella McAdam Caufield and Waldo Caufield - about 1918

Joseph Caufield - about 1936

Ella McAdam Caufield

Ellen Florence McAdam was born the 20th of December 1884 in Westfield Township, Dodge County, MN. She was the youngest of the nine children in the Minnesota McAdam family.  In typical McAdam fashion, all her names are recycled.  She was named Ellen after a paternal aunt, Helen McAdam Scott, and Florence is in remembrance of her paternal great-grandmother, Florence Hamilton McAdam.  She was called "Ella" all her life - I did not know she was Ellen until I got a copy of her birth certificate.  She was the baby of the family, the youngest of the nine children of Matthew McAdam and Mary Burnet McAdam. 

Like her older sisters she too became at teacher, and like her sister, Janet she had a bit of wanderlust in her soul.  In the postcard below dated 1912 she is found in Sentinel Butte, North Dakota.

"Sentinel Butte, N.D.

March -4-1912

Dear Sister: - Have been looking for a letter from you: write -

Got a letter from home and Matt.  They are all fine. 

I finish here March 22. 

This has been a cold winter here -

Lots of love, Ella

- Write-"

Sentinel Butte, N.D. is in the southwestern edge of North Dakota.  I think that Ella had a very cold, lonely winter of it in 1912.  Sentinel Butte was part of Billings County until 1910 and in 1912 became part of a new county, Golden Valley.The vote in 1910 to create Golden Valley County was 837 for and 756 against. Shortly after the vote was certified, suit was filed against the Billings County Commission to overturn the result. The plaintiffs alleged that the certification of election was improper, and that certain pre-marked "unofficial" ballots printed by supporters of the new county were cast in place of official ballots, and should be voided. The trial court originally ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. The county appealed to the North Dakota Supreme Court, which upheld the county's certification of the election. The court also ruled the pre-marked ballots were invalid, but that the number of invalid votes was not sufficient to overturn the election results. The court's decision upholding the new county was made on September 19, 1912, and Golden Valley was formally organized on November 13, 1912.

She also homesteaded 160 acres while in N.D.:

Ella continued teaching and travelling - she married Jack Caufield in Reno, NV.  They settled in Tillamook and had two sons, Waldo and Joseph Caufield.  I remember my parents driving our great-grandmother, Janet McAdam Waning up to Portland to visit the Oregon Zoo and her sister Ella.  We left Janet and Ella sitting at the dining room table - talking.  When we returned, hours later, they were still at the dining room table - talking!  It was the last time they would see each other as Ella passed away in Portland 13 January 1968.