November 1943 - A Letter From Janet McAdam Waning - Part One

In late November 1943 Janet McAdam Waning wrote a letter to her grand-daughter, 'Barbra'.

Letter - Page 1

"Dexter, Oregon
Nov 21, 1943

My dear little Barbra -

Grandma has been thinking of you all day and tho' it's time for folks to be in bed I'm just going to write and tell you how much I like to get your letters - even Grandad & Newm read them & say - 'How straight she writes across the paper'.  I read what you write for I know you tell me about Teddy lying on the floor with you - and about you and Daddy cleaning up the yard - so it will

Barbara & Bill Hucka - Summer 1943

look nice - and too about you & Bill staying home while Daddy & Mamma went up town - I'm glad you didn't go up town - for you might get sick & then..."

Letter - Page 2

"...Gramma, Grandad & Newm would be so sorry & I'd say, 'I wish Barbra was better I don't like to have her sick'.  Mrs. Reinvault told me some of the children in the hospital cried & cried themselves to sleep & their mamas didn't come - she was so sorry for them - but she staid(sic) with her little boy & helped take care of him.  They were to put woolen clothes wrung out of warm water around the muscles or parts affected cover that with an oil cloth then warm dry cloth 6 times a day & she said lots of them only got it done twice-a day - & the towels would {be} to(sic) cold & wet on the little things - but she said they were so short of help & so busy.  They just couldn't do it.  Dr. told her she couldn't take Raymond home - for she didn't know how to take care of him - so she worked with..."

Letter - Page 3

"...the nurse and learned just what to do - & Dr. said OK - They could eat anything but just got potatoes & squash - She took in things to Raymond - So Barbra Ann you just play with Teddy & keep well - No hospital for you - 

Last Friday we started for town right after dinner so I didn't have anytime to shop for Xmas or Joe's birthday.  I went to Fed Loan Office while Billy went to the elevator & I got the cancelled Mortgage & abstract & took them & the last bond we bot(sic) to the safety deposit box - met Billy there - as we went out we were surprised to have Mrs. Holcomb step along & say 'Hello there.'  Then we talked quite a while with her - They live out towards Irving, 6 mi out - Live in a garage The house on the place they bo't(sic) had burned - but she says..."

Letter - Page 4

"...It isn't half bad - They have electricity & only she & Del - He works at BK's in Springfield yet - Said Jean was doing just fine in the Wacs, she's quite a go getter.  She said the girls all call her 'Holkie' same as her Dad.  She was to have 10 days furlough & she was going to visit Ann - She's down in the south too - & Sheldon has quit teaching & is a salesman for some oil Co - She said he didn't come home last summer but was going to work - so went to work at a mill and got his leg broke - I think he has a cane or crutch yet - They live north of Tacoma - Said he'd have to go to school more if he kept on teaching - so he had a school but resigned for this other job.  She had just come from the hair dresser & looked like a million - she did look real nice - up & coming - Billy says 'Smart.'  She said it just about done them up to have Ann get married - The Baby..."

LETTER TO BE CONTINUED...