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

Grand Canyon 1978, 2001 and 2011

Four generations of the Waning Family have now visited the Grand Canyon.

James Waning - 1978

Margaret Waning - 1978

Matt, Cathy, and Will - May 2001

Barbara & Chuck - September 2011

October 1943 - A Letter from Charlotte Dorsey

Envelope

In October 1943, a letter /  thank you note arrived from Ike and Charlotte Dorsey.

Letter - Page 1

"October 13, 1943

Dear Margaret:

Since I'm not sure just how dependable our husbands are as a means of communication, I'm going to write a note to tell you how much we've enjoyed all the Waning baby things.

We put the bassinet to use right away, and find it so light and easy to handle.  It's height makes Tommie easy to handle too.  We put it in the car the other night,..."

Letter - Page 2

"...and he rested as well as he would have at home.  And does he love to ride!  I used one of my pillows in the basket for a mattress, but it doesn't fit too well.  The corners aren't rounded, which leaves the ends a little short.  So lately I've been letting him sleep in the buggy.  It's a honey.  The springs are really grand.  I'll bet it's really comfortable riding.

My fondest dream for months was to dress myself and Tommie up, and go walking.  But as for me, there are only two or three of my dresses that I can get into.  And as for him, except for a few days, it's seemed pretty cold to take him out.  I planned to go today, but they're both sleeping so late that I'm afraid we won't make it.

I nurse the baby, but also have to supplement, and altogether it takes me at least 45 minutes to feed him.  I don't seem to do much else.  I'm feeling fine now, but spend quite a lot of time lying down." 

Letter - Page 3

"...We've started using the bathinette for our tub baths now.  I soap him first, then rinse in the tub.  I'm not sure whether he likes it or not.  The hose doesn't fit the faucet - it is partly broken through, too, so I fill it with a pan, but the drain hose works.

Thanks so much for all the things.  And for the lovely glads that came to the hospital.  The white ones had the biggest flowers I've ever seen.  The colors were beautiful together, and they came just at the right time, when I..."  

Letter - Page 4

"...was getting restless and tired for bed.

I've started Tommie with Dr. Henricke, at that white clinic on 37th & Sandy.  We went yesterday, and he's doing beautifully.  He weighs 9 lbs. 9 ozs. now, at one month, and the doctor threatens to cut out the formula.  That will make the baby unhappy, I know.  He's the best baby there ever was, I think, and it surely is fun to take care of him.  He seems so much easier to handle -..."   

Letter - Page 5

"...perhaps because I'm not afraid of him.  We had Jimmie examined at the clinic too.  He's fine - they gave him another whooping cough shot.

When will we see you?  It's a little hard for us to travel.  Why don't you come and see us soon?

Both boys are awake now, and it's eating time for Tommie.  Again.

Love, Charlotte" 

October 1943 - A Letter From Janet McAdam Waning - Part Two

Janet McAdam Waning's letter continues...

Letter - Page 4 

"...run a fence from above the gate by the spring to the Grayum fence north & seed grass seed & pasture in it - He'll be powerful short of hay I think - but he can try it I don't think he'll be farming many years anyway.  Dr. said the heart caused the stomach trouble & those dizzy spells  He thinks all vegetables except potatoes1 hurt him - so it is just potatoes & bread some apple sauce.  I made two pumpkin pies yesterday & he eats them & the ginger cookies & milk - So maybe he can get along without vegetables - No teeth extracted yet - Both he & New'm have had bad colds but are on the mend.  Billy had Maynard, the man he bo't(sic) the tractor from out it fix it some.  It started so hard & finally quit - Billy would crank & crank until he was all in & feel bad the rest of the day - He fixed it so it starts alright now - I don't know what hew parts he put in - but possibly spark plug & some thing on that little box like thing on the rt. side.  Billy's in bed or I'd ask him - Cost him $11.00 but is was worth it - We cleaned the hen houses the days he was waiting for Maynard & he bro't(sic) home rest of his grain - from F's Union.  He'll get about $1000 for what he sold - So the old place will be paid the 1st of Nov - I hope.2

I cleaned the brooder house & another little house - so when I get the upstairs cleaned I'll think I'm about thru - I can peel apples any rainy day - We must sell the old hens & get the pullets in - a few are laying..." 

Letter - Page 5

"... This morning a dog came - It looked like a German police - It had a Portland license plate 1941 - nice collar with brass buttons all round & nice & fat - He was real friendly - & would have liked to have stayed - Billy was out to the store & took him - He like to get in the car & Billy let him out - at Dexter - Tho't(sic) he might belong some where round & they'd see him - He was smart and very good to mind - but we didn't want that kind of dog.  I told Billy he may be back in the morning.  A wk ago or so Lew Matthews shepherd dog & {can't read} went to the Kintsley's place - & killed 80 pullets they had just paid $150 for, the folks were away.  Walter Kieney saw them chase one into the road & went over there - Mary Kieney has gone east somewhere to Bible College - Vivian Mauney is clerking in Woolworths - Billy took 3 pigs in & neither packing plants would do any custom killing - so Newm says what did you do, he says, I sold them - so he got no meat & Dad Upton didn't get any either.  This is Thurs 1:30PM - and I'm just in from picking up the eggs & putting them in the case - hurries me to get 1 case now.  I have just written a card to Swift to come & get the2 yr. old ones - Then we'll get the pullets shut up tho not may are laying yet - but guess if they got egg mash they'd start.  They are well developed & should lay soon..."

Letter - Page 6 

"...Florence Parvins came while we were there last Fri evg. - & it looks like there's to be another Montgomery in 2-3 mos. - Dorothy the one in Eastern Ore. is teaching this year - so that will help them some - 2 mi. from home & she drives - She & June are speeded up the same some thing to help her & the district too - oh Mrs Allphin wrote & said Mrs. Earl J. had wrote to her & told her Ruth Davis's (Jimmie will know who she is) husband as died - cancer of kidneys I think, Ruth has 4 children last just a baby & her mother Mrs. Wilbur Davis was in the hospital & Wilbur milking 10 cows & taking care of several hundred chickens - He is quite crippled up - Remember Earls talking how poorly they were - but real happy.  So who is bad off?  Not me - with my foot on a chair I have a bad ankle & foot too I guess & soon as Billy gets thru I must see about arch supports - He is drilling the old apple tree field today to wheat - Mrs Jackson said too that Earl was standing the store job just fine - Agnes3 said she suggested me getting Jean4 a warm sweater - (I said I'd try & find something to send her, Jean) & if I cared to she's do the purchasing there - So I sent her $5.00 & told her if there was a balance to let me know & I'd send it to her - I'd never be able to find a garment to fit & then send it back & forth or let Julia or Agnes wear it & send another - Maybe not.  I'm doing that puzzle contest that was in Register Guard - Rebus, I have done 10 series of 6 - I think there's another series - but not sure - It was fun - but I haven't decided what to do with my prize money - any suggestions?  No sale in Minn yet.5  Now you tell Barbra I want her to write Granma(sic) again - & send her a big love.  Love to all of you & keep well - Bill too -
Ma"


1 This is the Barbara Ann Diet!

2 Paying of the mortgage to The Dexter Ranch - a huge event!
3 Jean - Janet's 2nd 1/2 sister - Born Jean Burnet, but known as Jean McAdam Dennis (1866-1944) 
4 Agnes - Janet's sister Agnes McAdam Ingvalson (1879-1972)
5  I think this refers to Janet's oldest brother Tom McAdam (1869-1948).  They moved from Blooming Prairie to Fertile, Minn.

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

In October, a doting Grandmother wrote a long, newsy letter to her grand-daughter...and her grand-daughter's parents!

Letter - Page 1

Written on the side of the letter page 1:
"Haven't heard from Ella recently.  Did you notice the Dale Rexford increase -  a daughter"

"Enclosed for Barbra
Dexter, Ore -
Oct 11, 1943

Dear little Barbra Ann -

I must write and answer your two nice letters you wrote to me - I was so glad to get your letters - for I know some day you will write Grand-dad & Grandma big letters about your work at school - I am sorry you had a could & it made you sick in the night - Grandma should have been sleeping with you so I could put the light on quick & help you - I hope you are all better now - & no more colds - Grandma & Grandpa Upton were here a little while Sunday evg. on their way home & she said your mommie had been quite sick - that was too bad & I hope she is better too - 'Grandad' is sitting in his old rocking chair, reading & if you were here you could have the shawl all wrapped round you & sit on his lap & rock - till Grandma got ready for bed. - Then we'd hurry & jump into bed & tell some stories - Grandma Upton told me about the nice coat & the pretty pretty red dress she sent up to you I'll bet you look pretty nice in your red dress & blue coat - Grandma Upton is a..."

Letter - Page 2

"...pretty good Grandma I think.  I picked up some apples Saturday & some strawberries, 3 boxes on Sunday & I tho't(sic), now if Barbra was here how she would help Grandma - I carried 9 pails full up to boxes in Jim's shop - They had fallen off or I couldn't have gotten them from that high tree - They are quite large & I'll work some of them up before they spoil - I used all the tomatoes (ripe ones) today I made some catsup - not much - only 6 bottles but that will be plenty.  I have 4 or 5 bottles in the cellar now from 2 yrs ago - I have some cucumbers I'll make some of those sweet chunk pickles - so Kenny can have some when he is here - They have only been here once since we threshed - Dick has been home with a bad finger - He was splitting wood - at home - and cut his first finger on the left had - (his good hand) nearly off - but the Dr. sewed it on & I guess in time it will be alright.  He is working at their place preparatory to building - so Rhoda has been home.  Mr. Parvin is done up again & in the hospital this time - a broken rt. leg - He was out in the pasture on one of the work horses bareback going to run his saddle mare in when she turned & kicked his leg above the shoe top..."

Letter - Page 3

"...he rode in to the barn & got off & called to Loris who happened to be there sacking some seed grain - So Loris got his pickup & backed it up & dropped the end gate & took him over to the house - & while Loris went for the pickup - Mr. P. lit a cigar & was smoking when Loris got there - Sther said, it was quite a bad break & he'd be in the hospital quite a long time - They were just getting cattle in & selling them - sold 24 head & had more to sell & more to get in.  Mr. P. wanted some left to feed there at home this winter & Loris asked him how he was going to get up in the hay barn to put down hay on his crutches.  Mrs. Parvin had told him before the accident if he didn't sell those cattle she would & Loris said, "Dad looked at her & says Do you mean that?"  She said, "Yes, I mean it"  This will do him up worse than he thinks - We haven't gone to see him yet - Guess it happened last Wed., but Billy is plowing & hates to take a day off - He has the south field sowed - & the north field is double disked but has so much straw on it he thinks he'll have to rake it & burn the straw before he can drill.  He has plowed the field north of the spring where the apple tree was - He isn't going to farm the hill this year, he thinks, & will dig out that spring & run a fence from above the gate by..."

LETTER TO BE CONTINUED...           

Late August 1943 - A Letter From Elsie Upton - Part Two

Elsie Upton's letter continues...

Letter - Page 4

"...I guess they are pretty busy.  I wonder how Mr. Hall's1 baked beans are coming.  The tomatoes look pretty good.  I hope they ripen.  We plan to have a beef just as soon as it is cool enough to butcher.  Yesterday would have been a pretty good day it wasn't cold but plenty wet.  It sure did rain hard Saturday night but nice to-day.  My clothes are dry and I must get them in.  I wish Barbie was here to help me.  I need some good company.  I feel better now but I sure had a time last week.  My blood pressure was up and the Dr. couldn't think of any reason for it and he ask me if I had had a fight with some one to bring it up so high.  I had to laugh and I guess that was good for me. 

Fred Gantenbein - about 1940

Did Fannie2 and Fred come over for dinner when..."

Letter - Page 5

"...you expected them.  I hope they did.  Aunt Fannie wrote me Mrs. Dickson had passed away.  It does seem strange Mrs. Dickson and Grandad should go in the same week but they both had a long life.  Dad feels pretty bad but doesn't say much very much about it.  

Fannie Greenwell Gantenbein - about 1940

I hope to get my peaches this week.  I am getting rather tired of canning and will be glad when it is finished.

Tuesday morning and I must stop writing to you and write to my other girl3.  I have 12 qt. of beans for you if you want them.  There are other things I want to tell you but they can wait until next time.  Write soon and often.  Love from all of us to you.  Give Barbie a big hug and kiss for us.

Dad and Mom"   

1 Newman Hall - Willard Waning's partner
2 Fannie Greenwell Gantenbein and her husband Fred Gantenbein - Margaret's aunt & uncle.
3 other girl - probably Ellen Upton Hall who was linving in Augusta, GA. 

A Shared Day!

Wishing Jennifer & Chuck

The Happiest of Days!

Jen and Jeff - 2009

Chuck - 2011

Late August 1943 - A Letter From Elsie Upton - Part One

In late August Elsie sent a letter saying James Monroe Upton had passed away.

Letter - Page 1

"Springfield, Oregon
8-30-43

Dear Margaret, Jim, and Sugar Pie:

I was sure glad to hear from you and thanks a lot for the pictures.  We got a telegram Saturday P.M. from Pa. stating that grandad1 had passed away.  We didn't know he was any worse.  Dad telegraphed the folks he couldn't come for the funeral.  We telegraphed flowers I hope they got them.  I hope grandmother2 doesn't get down.  Dad is afraid Mother2 won't last long.  I hope he can go east while little grandmother2 is still is still living. 

James Monroe Upton and Nellie (Ellen) Carter Upton - 1934

Sure we will be glad to have company, when do you think you will come.  We were up to the garden Sun.  Tell Barbie that Pat and Mrs. Ragin..."

Letter - Page 2

"...were there.  They went up early and had their breakfast at the fire place.  They caught seven nice fish and had fun.  I picked beans and cucumbers.  I canned 14 qt. of beans and 6 pt. of bread and butter pickles and washed this morning and I am tired.  I want to work on Dad's books when I finish your letter.  I have quite a schedule for to-day don't you think.  I got a pattern for Barbie's coat and I hope you will like it, also a dress pattern for a new dress.  Mrs. Gerlach3 and I have to keep busy.  Mrs. Mitchell4 will iron for me tomorrow.  We brought her a box of beans to can and she came over after them this morning. 

I want to write to Ellen and Grover.  Did they tell you Grover's folks had sold their home in Yuba City.  They should try Oregon.  Barbie doesn't..."

Letter - Page3

"...like to write letters any better than her grandmother does.  

We are going to have corn and fish for supper tonight.  I wish you could be here.  We sure are going to have pie pumpkins plenty for everybody and they look nice.  We planted the seed from the pumpkin Barbie gave us.  Everything reminds us of Barbie.  Gladys called me one evening and we had quite a visit.  She is afraid her husband will have to go for his furlough  is up in October.  Elsie was in to see me this morning and brought me some things from her garden.  She was canning corn this morning and had to come in town for Guy.  Delmar is still picking beans.  He has done well for a little guy.  I haven't seen the Waning Family since last Sunday..."


LETTER TO BE CONTINUED...
  
1 grandad - James Monroe Upton (10 Oct 1862 - 28 Aug 1943)  - Otto's Father
2 grandmother, mother, and little grandmother all refer to Nellie (Ellen) Carter Upton
(26 Aug 1863 - 5 Dec 1953)  Margaret's grandmother, Otto's mother, and James' wife.
3 Mrs. Gerlach did sewing for Elsie Upton  
4 Mrs. Mitchell was Elsie's housekeeper and boon companion.  

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.  

Happy Q Day!

...Or should I say Happy B Day! 

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