Late December 1943 - A Letter From Ellen Upton Hall - Part Two

Ellen's letter continues...

Letter - Page 3

"I got a pretty Christmas card and very nice letter from Mrs. Haach yesterday.  I really must write to Pat.  I've been slow about it.

Something awful happened the other day.  The wife of one of the fellows in Grover's outfit was burned to death.   Sunday morning she was standing in front of the open fire dressing and her clothes caught on fire.  Instead of trying to put the fire out she ran downstairs to her husband.  That was 6 o'clock Sunday and she lived until Monday morning at 10.  I saw her at a ballgame one night - she was a cute little thing.  Her and Nichols had only been married the latter part of Sept.  I feel sorry for him. 

31 December 1943

I had to go to work when I got this far yesterday.  I got yours and Mother's letters yesterday.  We were so..."

Letter - Page 4

"...disappointed that our package never got there in time.I mailed it the 10th. same time as I mailed Mother B.'s and she got hers the 20th.  I sure hope you have it by now - if you haven't let me know for I kept the insurance receipt.

Ellen Upton and Grover C. Hall II - 1943

It isn't seven o'clock yet and I'm all huddled up in front of the fireplace for it is might cold here of a morning.  Grover has been gone nearly half an hour.  He sure is working long hours.  He has been working nearly every night and doesn't get home until 8:30 or 9:30 (buses her only run every hour).  He is getting so terribly tired looking.  He is afraid his outfit is going overseas this spring sometime and it scares me to death.  If he has to go over I will be absolutely lost.

Well, Sis, am most out of paper so will sign off for now.  Write soon.

Love,
Ellen     

P.S. Sure wish Grover & I could have been with you (for) Christmas.  Hope you get our presents soon."

Late December 1943 - A Letter From Ellen Upton Hall - Part One

1943 ends with a letter from Ellen Upton Hall.

Letter - Page 1

"30 Dec 1943

Dearest Sis & family,

We got your letter last night and sure was glad to hear from you.  Sis, congratulations on the expected arrival.  Gee whiz, I was ever(y) bit as excited when I read your news as I was before Barbie came.  If you do even half as good as you did before not matter whether it be boy or girl it will be might swell.  I hope however you don't feel too bad.

James, Barbara, and Margaret - 1943

Also, Sis and family I want to thank you so much for the 'family' picture.  You couldn't have given us anything we would have liked better. 

It was almost like having a visit from the Waning family.  And Barbie, I just love my pretty apron and hankie.  It is about the prettiest apron I ever..."

Letter - Page 2

"...had.  And someday when you come to dinner, I'll wear it and show you how nice it looks.

Your package sure came just in time.  We had just finished opening our other presents when a boy brought yours to the door.  Mother B. sent me the prettiest nightie - first one I ever owned (I think at least as far back as I remember).  It is about as fancy as your black one only pink.

I understand from your letter that you were going to be home with Mom and Dad until your house is sold.  I bet they will be happy to have you and Barbie.  Can't say as I blame them, I'd be glad to have you come see me too."

LETTER TO BE CONTINUED...

Last Day of November 1943 - A Letter From Ellen Upton Hall - Part Two

Ellen's Letter Continues...

Letter - Page 3

"...It was a war picture and a bit horrible but was a pretty fair show all in all.  They sure have been putting out some 'corny' shows here of late.  They are all terrible it seems like.

Our office is sure going to be upset.  Three of the girls are leaving.  One is just plain quiting (sic) working.  She's been married 4 years and has worked the whole time.  I guess she is getting tired of it and I don't blame her.  The other two girls husbands are going over seas.  One of them would have had to quit soon anyway as she expects an increase in her family in early March.

I'm terribly tired this morning and I have so much to do that it scares me to think about it.  I've gotten so I hate Saturdays.

Got a letter last night from Mom.  She said they went to Newport1 for Thanksgiving.  It rather surprised me for they hadn't been down in such a long time.  Grandma says Aunt Olivia is terribly 'thick' so to speak with Uncle Parney.  She {does not} write to the rest of them but keeps up a lively correspondence with him...

Well, Sis, really must get ready for work.  Write soon and give my love to your family.

All our love,

Grover and Ellen"

1 Olivia Upton Adams, Ellen & Margaret's paternal aunt, lived in Newport, Oregon in the 1940's. 

Last Day of November 1943 - A Letter From Ellen Upton Hall - Part One

Ellen Upton Hall followed up her letter of November 27th, with one dated November 30th.  

Letter - Page 1

"Ml. Rt. #38

Augusta, Ga.

c/o D.J. Bowles

30 November 1943

Dearest Sis and family,

I'm almost frozen but will try and answer your letter I got today.  I'm waiting for Grover to come home and is this house cold.

You aren't the only one that has the willies seeing Christmas so close.  It won't seem like Christmas not being home.  I've got to make a happy Christmas for Grover this year though.  His folks don't believe in making much over Christmas and he's never had a really gay time.  So this year I'm going to try and make our Christmas as much like we've always had at home for I don't believe anyone ever has more fun than we always have had.  I think I'm going to have chicken for dinner as you say it is just as good as turkey and besides just the two of us couldn't..."   

Letter - Page 2

"...put away a whole turkey.  I have most of the presents already.  Just got a few more odds and ends to get.  Have gotten all the paper, ribbon, etc.  We will have to send the presents home by the 10th to insure getting them there in plenty of time.

1 December 1943

Grover came home last night just about the time I got this far and it was a good thing for I would surely have frozen to death if he hadn't.  We have a very wee fireplace in our bedroom.  We have to use coal and can't get wood to start it with.  I absolutely can not get the coal to burn so I just sit and freeze until Grover gets homes.

4 December 1943

Got just this far the other morning and Mr. Hellrung came over to dictate a letter to me so I didn't get it finished.  

Grover took me out to dinner and a show last night.  We saw "Above Suspicion"1 with Fred MacMurray and Joan Crawford.  It was a war picture and a bit horrible but was..."   

LETTER TO BE CONTINUED...

1 "Above Suspicion" - Frances and Richard Myles (Joan Crawford and Fred MacMurray) are newlyweds honeymooning in Europe on the eve of World War II. Unexpectedly, they find themselves commissioned by the British secret service to secure the plans for a new secret weapon masterminded by the Nazis (involving magnetic mines). The trail leads them to Innsbruck where they arouse the suspicions of Gestapo chief Von Aschenhausen (Basil Rathbone). Having secured the plans, the couple find great difficulty leaving the country. Frances is captured and held in a remote castle. She is rescued by her husband and a group of British agents, and, using underground routes, the couple finally cross the border to safety. (Wikipedia).

After the Trip - November 1943 - A Letter From Ellen Upton Hall

Grover got his furlough, and he and Ellen Upton Hall visited Upton relatives in N.Y. and Pennsylvania.

Ellen wrote a letter in late November of 1943.  The letter is written in pencil and difficult to read.

"Did you get my cards I sent on the trip?"

"Mother said Pat & Bob were home. Lucky stiffs."

"Excuse pencil - my pen is at the factory being repaired."

"Ml. Rt. #38

Augusta, Ga.

c/o D.J. Bowles

27 November 1943

Dearest Sis and family,

You do owe me a letter but will write and tell you something of our trip.

There was just oodles of snow all the time we were there - which made it beautiful (scenery I mean) and it was fun to play in but was very unpleasant in other ways.  Grandma is fine, looks much better than I had expected.  Sure hope Dad gets to see her soon though.  That is about all she looks forward to is when Dad and Mom can go see her again.  By the way she and Grover clicked it off at once, just like old pals.  Jimmie1 is a big boy - fact didn't know him - even mistook a neighbor for him.  Aunt Mildred2 looks much different...There is a new arrival3 coming there on April 26 is "she" arrives when expected.  Say nothing to anyone that I told you as Grandma doesn't know and they don't want to tell her for awhile. Uncle Robert is the one I was shocked when I saw...He could barely walk.  He had the flu and when he got over it his legs were absolutely useless.  They are taking him to a chiropractor (sp?) in Erie and he was getting a little better when we left but was still pitiful...

We went to see Aunt Ida4 for a little while,  She looks old and tired - but still not much gray in her fair.  Helen5 was home....Helen had had a boil and hadn't worked since Wed (that was Sat.)  Went downtown and saw Jane.6  She is a big girl, not quite as tall as I am but before she's twenty she'll be taller.  I'm quite a bit taller than Helen.  Jane is a pretty girl.  Never got to see Virginia7 and family.  From their picture the boys are sure handsome little fellows.  Did you know Bill was a strict Catholic - I didn't.  Uncle Robert, Aunt Mildred, Grover & I stopped by Aunt Ida's again on Monday but no one was home.  As for Aunt Jennie & Uncle Ross8 and family, Aunt Jennie looks the same...Uncle Ross looks very tired...Rachel is a sweet little girl and as bright as a dollar...Janet sure looks like V'Ona did as a little girl.  Except for the brown eyes she's almost identical to V'Ona, especially in that picture of you two kids...All in all we had a swell time while there.

I got home from the trip and came down with the flu.  I'm supposed to be well now but my body hasn't been thoroughly convinced  of the fact and I still drag around a bit.  I have a bad cold.  I went back to work Wednesday but was mighty glad to have the day off Thurs.  We both got the day off.  Instead of having turkey for dinner we had a nice roast.  After dinner we went to a putrid show.

Must get Grover's dinner now.  Bye and write soon.

Love,

Grover and Ellen

P.S. Now about about a letter Jim?"  

       

  

1 Jimmie Upton b. 1928 1st child of Robert & Mildred Upton. Would have been 15 in 1943.

2 Aunt Mildred b. abt 1905 - wife of Robert Upton b. 1898 the 5th child of James & Nellie Upton. 

3 New arrival - "she" turned out to be Robert Upton born April 1944 - son of Robert & Mildred Upton.

4 Aunt Ida b. abt 1890 - wife of Parney Upton b. 1888 the 2nd child of James & Nellie Upton. 

5 Helen Upton b. abt 1914 - 1st child of Parney & Ida Upton 

6 Jane Upton b. abt 1927 - 3rd child of Parney & Ida Upton.

7 Virginia Upton b. abt 1920 - 2nd child of Parney & Ida Upton. 

8 Ross Upton - 4th child of James & Nellie Upton b. 1893 - married Jennie - two daughters - Janet & Rachel.

A Postcard From Ellen Upton Hall

The long wait over, Ellen and Grover were finally able to travel to New York and Pennsylvania.

Postcard - Front

Postcard - Reverse

"11-15-43

Dearest Folks,

Am in Erie today.  Grover drove Uncle Robert1 down to the Dr.  Boy have we been having snow.  It is warmer today thought and the snow is beginning to melt.  I will write a real long letter when I get home to tell you all about the trip.  Hope all are well.  Love, Grover & Ellen" 

1 Robert Upton born 1898, Ellen and Margaret's paternal uncle. 

Late October - A Letter From Ellen Upton Hall

A 2nd letter from Ellen arrived before month's end.

Letter - Page 1 

"October 27, 1943

Dearest Sis and family,

Grandma1 sent me your letter and got it Monday.  She sure is a sweet little person.  I really believe she was even more disappointed than we were at not getting to go.  I sure hope we get t go even yet.  He - Grover - says he thinks we can go sometime after the first of Nov., but I'm not going to count on it this time.

Glad to hear you folks (sic) going back to Eugene2.  I know both sets of folks will be tickled to death to have you 'home'.  Sure be glad to get to go home on a visit myself.  Mother Burks thinks we ought..."

Letter - Page 2

"...to make the trip home this time but neither one of us see it that way.  It wouldn't be any vacation for us at all cause we would be travelling nearly the whole time.  And travelling isn't exactly my idea of a good time.

I surely haven't been seeing much of my hubby this week.  Nor will I until after the 3rd.  He has to be at camp at 7A.M.  In order to get him there in time we have to get up at 4:30 - that is lots of fun (my foot).  He has to walk over a mile to catch a bus in order to get there in..."

Letter - Page 3

"...time.  He has to go to Aircraft Identification School until 9:30 at night.  The girls at the office made me mad.  They said I spoiled him cause I got up and got breakfast for him (sic) of a morning, but personally I think he would have a poor wife indeed if I didn't beside I like to have that much time with him.  This week-end - Friday night until 6p.m. Sunday - the 15th RCD is going on 'Biv Wac' (sp?)  I'm so afraid it is going to rain too.  Grover says it will probably just wait until they start.  This other will last through the third - they say we can save our furlough then but I'm not going to believe it until I..."

Letter - Page 4

"...am on the way.  I imagine we will be getting into plenty of cold weather up there too.  If we see any snow it will be all we will see this year unless we leave Georgia before this winter is over.

10-29-43
Well, today is the folks' Thirtieth Wedding Anniversary.3  Wish us kids could all be there for dinner this evening.  Remember their 25th?

Poor Grover Wednesday eve. I felt so sorry for him.  I had to go register for my Ration Book #4.  Incidentally I registered at the Boys Catholic High School and it..." 

Letter - Page 5

"...was one of the spookiest places I have ever been it.  Anyway after I registered I went to see 'We've never Been Licked'4 and met Grover at 9P.M.  He got off real early, forgot about meeting me and went clear home.  Grady and Gertrude had gone to the show too and so the house was all locked up and he couldn't get in.  He made the trip clear back to town and met me.  Poor child he was absolutely frozen.

This gum is for Barbie.  It is all I have handy.  If it is as hard to get gum there as it is here it is almost impossible but Grover gets it for me out at camp.

I really must get to work now.  Write soon.

Love,
Grover and Ellen" 

1 Grandma - Ellen and Margaret's maternal grandmother Nellie (Ellen) Carter Upton. 
2 By June 1944 the Waning family had returned to Eugene, OR.
3 Otto Upton and Elsie Greenwell married the 29th of October 1913.
4 'We've Never Been Licked' - WWII morale film for Texas A&M graduates fighting overseas. Young Brad Craig (Langton) enters the military school with a chip on his shoulder which Robert Mitchum and other upperclassmen quickly knock off. Once adjusted, Craig falls in love with a professor's beautiful daughter, only to find she is in love with his roommate, played by Noah Beery. In the meantime, Craig associates with Japanese spies (including William Frawley of "I Love Lucy") bent on stealing a secret chemical compound being worked on a the University. But is he one of them, or a double agent for his country?     

Mid-October 1943 - A Letter From Ellen Upton Hall

A Letter arrived to the Waning family from Ellen.

Letter - Page 1

"October 19, 1943

Dear Sis and family,

Received your most welcome letter yesterday.  No we haven't gone as yet.  They froze furloughs Saturday so we couldn't go last night as planned.  Grover said he thought he would find out today for sure about if and when we can go.  There is a rumor around that the 15th R.C.D. is going to be sent to Macon, Ga.  It may or may not be true."

Jim, Barbara, and Margaret - Waning Home

Portland, OR - Summer 1943

"I'm not envying you being in Portland for the Winter.  Here I am in Ga. freezing in the early mornings.  Grover and I have gotten used to..."

Letter - Page2

"...the warm weather down here and when it gets a little chilly we nearly freeze to death.

You asked about Grover's cold.  Yes it is nearly gone thank goodness.  But before he got over it I got it and how.  Mine is nearly gone too except for a cough which id very disgusting.

You said you had baked your family some apple pie.  I baked my hubby one Sunday.  It turned out just right.  Just to see Grover 's grin when he saw it repayed (sic) me a million times for all my work."

Letter - Page 3

"It is a lot of to make him things.  He's just like a little boy, when I make him something he likes he is just tickled to death.

October 21, 1943

Didn't get this finished yesterday (I mean Tues.) as you see.

I think we are going to get to go yet.  Grover talked to the Lt. yesterday and he said he thought he could get it in order to leave tomorrow night or Saturday sometime. I sure hope we get to go.

My hubby was so sweet to me last night.  I was so..."

Letter - Page 4

"...(sic) when I got home from work that I could hardly manipulate.  I got dinner all right but I was so tired I couldn't eat.  Grover made me go to bed and he washed and wiped the dishes all by himself.

I got a package from Mom yesterday with the prettiest dress in it you ever saw.  It is black with red trimming that forms a little pocket on the left, and red buttons.  It fits me as if it had been made for me in particular."

Letter - Page 5

"I didn't have to alter the belt - which is very unusual.

I also got a very nice letter from Helen.1  She wants us to come to Erie first and then go to Grandma's.2  I don't know what to do.  She said they didn't have enough gas to go out to the farm and naturally I want to see all of them in Erie.  But on the other hand Grandma wants us to come straight to the farm.  Maybe it will all work out.

Well, I must get to..."

Letter - Page 6 

"...work now so will sign off.

By the way Barbie Honey thank you for writing Auntie and Grover such a lovely letter.  We will both try and answer it next time we write your Mommy.

All our love,

Grover and Ellen"

1 Helen - Helen Upton - Ellen and Margaret's cousin
2 Grandma - Nellie (Ellen) Carter Upton - Ellen and Margaret's paternal Grandmother

August 1943 - A Letter From Ellen Hall - Part Two

Ellen's letter continues...

Letter - Page 4

"...The only name people recognize here is Hollywood.  Most of the natives don't know where Calif. is (they don't know Hollywood is in Calif.) and a lot of people have never heard of Oregon.  Kids are still fighting the Civil War in school here.

My hubby was sure swell to me today.  After I left he washed the breakfast dishes along with last nights dinner dishes.  He fixed the Nucoa1 for me (butter to high here & too many points).  He defrosted the refrigerator and in general was a very swell husband.

Nucoa Ad from the 1940's

I wish you could be here to see the cotton.  It is just coming out.  They are going to start picking it this next week.  That will be something new for me to see.  Oh by the way, remember Tobacco Road.2  I ride to work over it ever(sic) morning from the New Savanah(sic) highway to Bush Field.  The government has made a wide wide highway out of it.  But the houses along the road are still the same as when the book was written and twice as bad as a person can imagine."

Letter - Page 5

"8/10/43  Am back at the office again.  I got awfully sleepy last night so went to bed.  Last night when Grover got home his legs hurt him so bad that he can hardly walk.  And then this morning his hands were swollen about twice their size.  I'm just afraid that it is arthritis.  The doctor told him when he went into the army that he had hereditary arthritis, but this is the worst attack of it he has had if it is that.  I made him promise to go see a doctor for I'm terribly worried.  

Grover is going to get us a watermelon today.  As much as I dislike the south I must admit their melons beat ours at home a 100 ways.  But that is all I can say about the south that I like.

Grover and I went to see "Action in the North Atlantic"3 when we were in L.A.  I thought it was good too."

Letter - Page 6

"Well, Sis it is time to get back to work.  Write again soon.  I enjoy your letters a lot.  And tell your hubby to write too.

Love,
Grover and Ellen"


1 Nucoa - a brand of Oleo Margarine.  The Dairy lobby was strong at that time and margarine was sold white with coloring to stir in and turn it yellow.
2 Tobacco Road is a 1932 novel by Erskine Caldwell about Georgia sharecroppers. It was dramatized for Broadway by Jack Kirkland in 1933, and ran for a then-astounding eight years (3,182 performances). A 1941 film version, deliberately played mainly for laughs, was directed by John Ford, and the storyline was considerably altered.
3 Action in the North Atlantic is a 1943 war film directed by Lloyd Bacon, featuring Humphrey Bogart and Raymond Massey as sailors in the U.S. Merchant Marine in World War II.  

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 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      

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...