July 20, 1943: Speak to Madge

Hi my Darlings:

Well how's the family today, fine I hope.  I'm still getting along, but will sure be glad when we leave this camp.  I just have 20 more days including the field test, and rifle range.

Boy it is sure how down here, and they are still tough as hell with us, but I'd still rather be here than where Scotty is.  I got another letter from him, and boy does he bitch about this army.  I have also received letters from Merlin B and Carl Wilde.  I don't write much anymore except to you, we don't have much time and besides I'll too lazy.

We are going to start eating out of our mess kits tomorrow, I guess they want us to get used to it.  I've dont it plenty before, so it won't be new to me.


We got a bunch of new guys in our squadron they are waiting to start school.  (the poor terds).  Gee I'm glad I'm not in their shoes.  That's one reason they try to keep us on the beam, so as not to learn them our bad habits. 

I sure like working on these new planes, we have a lot of them here, none of them have over 50 hours on them.

Princess are you still planning on living over at the farm with the folks?  How are they coming with their new home?  I'm glad they are thru the cherries, I hope they get the pears done as well.

Gee darling I can hardly wait to get a picture of you and Joyce Ann, I got on of Ed and Larry, I hope our baby is cuter than Larry looked.  but of course he was only 1 month old.  Mayve I expect too much from wee babys, huh?!

Well my Princess, I'll close for now, by telling you again I love you, and Joyce Ann, more than I could ever write in a whole book. 

so I'll show you how much you mean to me, when were together again for good.

Bye Sweets, sure hope you are still getting along ok.  Time for bed, and the dream of my two sweethears.

All my love,

Your Speak

P.S.  Are yo u still my Princess?

July 6, 1943: Dorothy (sister) to Speak

Dear Speak:

Hello Daddy, say your daughter is sure cute, Madge is feeling fine she sure looks good, the second day after baby came she wrote a 9 page letter to you.

We, Ella and I, went up to the hospital to see Madge and baby gee she stretched and yawned so cute and couldn't quite wake up, she has the most lot of hair, 7 lbs, she's quite a girl.

I'll bet you chest is out a foot isn't it, I guess it seemed a long time before you got the telegram, the roses you sent to the hospital are sure pretty.

Speak, what do you think about us selling this lot, La Rue Gammell and her husband wanted to buy it, we asked George's advice, I told them taxes were due on it, which hadn't been probated, they haven't been back to see what his answer would be, but now he don't want to sell it for less than $500 or $600 so that when taxes are paid and it's probated we make $100 profit, he would, I guess he think this is too soon, frankly I don't think for a minute it can be done, do you?

Now he says not to do anything about it till he comes up for vacation.  George Myers said it would sell for about $350 and that's his .50 cents.  We quoted Ra Rue $300 but don't tell George the girls wrote him we hadn't set price, but at that La Rue thought for the cash price they should get it cheaper, I don't do you?

They will bring house from Eureka and put it here, George thinks it would be better to have someone build a swell brick home here.

It was sure a dull 4th here, no celebration, not evn a band concert, did you have anything down there?

Ed and Lela are out to Vernal for their vacation, her folks brought Bruce out to Salt Lake to join air force, he will be 18 soon, so he wanted to join up before he is drafted, so Lela rode home with her folks it would be more comfortable for Larry and her Ed went Friday.

Polly is going to quit the infirmary, he hands are bad again, the Dr. says to quit is only way to keep em out of water and they will clear up.

Ella wants to take her place and I don't think she would like it, she can't get release from her work unless she quits for 30 days.  She wouldn't like to stay there every night, I don't know whether to try it or not, I really don't believe I would like it, so many dishes to do and stay nights, it's hard to catch buses, Mr. Nussink said Ella could have it if she wants the job.

Us girls are all well and hope this letter finds you the same.

It is surely hot here lately for the last 2 weeks we've nearly cooked.

It was wash day today.  So, I'll close so postman can have this.

Be careful and take good care of yourself.

Lots of love,

Dorothy

July 5, 1943: Speak to Madge

Darling Madge and Baby:

How's my darlings today, gee I hope you are starting to feel better by now.  Honey I hope you had the baby easy, and did not have to suffer too long.

I can't stand to think of you, being sick or in pain.  I sure hope that is the only kind of sickness you ever have.  Princess I love you did you know it?  I always will too.  Have you had a chance to kiss my daughter for me?  Thanks a million, I can hardly wait to be there, and do it myself (and mostly you).

Honey I'm dying to get more news about it all, but don't you write until you feel well enough.  But maybe you could get Mom or Jessie to huh?

Gee princess I've about wore that telegram out, reading it so much.  I got three letters from you today, was I ever glad to get them too.

that one you wrote on the 3rd was the most wonderful letter I ever received, especially how you ended it, just before going thru it all.  I'll always love you and worship you, for being such a wonderful wife and sweethear.

Honey, Geo B called me last night, and he was sure glad to hear that good news.  He is coming up there about the 12th, so I too would think Follis silly, if she goes back for just a few days.  It's the first time he has ever called me, and I was sure glad to hear from him.

Hey if you can, will you send me the clipping out of the Herald telling about the birth of our Darling baby?  Gee we'll save it and put it in our scrap book.

I'm glad Ed got the cherries, and was able to get them put up, that was nice of Freda to do it for them.

Well Mommy I'm out of phase now, and tomorrow we start on engine change, so I'll only have about 3 more phases to go thru to be exact I have 32 more days of this school, and then?

Boy they are sure getting tough around here now, we have to fall out in different formations 8 times a day, and there's no chance of screwing off any more, or it means out stripe if were caught.  and I don't want to lose mine, cause I'd sure like to be a corperol when I come home.  I will be too, if they keep giving us that rating when we graduate, cause I'm gonna stay on the beam from now on.  but it will just be my luck to have them stop, about the time I finish here.  But I'm hopin'.

Honey do you nurse the baby?  what color hair has it got, what color eyes?  does it look like you?  How much did it weigh?  Does she seem to be as healthy as can be expected? 

Darling, I don't know why I'm asking all these questions, I'll probably know all about it before you even get this.  Then watch our cause I'll sure pour the letters that way, and I hope you don't get tired of them.

Darling, I sure hope you got the candy and gum I sent, in time to have it out there with you, and I hope the telegram and flowers got there this morning.  I tried to send them last night, but every place was closed for the fourth.  Hey I sure spoled your fourth didn't I?  Please forgive me, we'll have to time the next one a little different huh?

Well sweethearts I better close for now, and get my lessons.  Remember to give my love to the baby and I'll always keep on loving you more each day.  Hope you are recovering ok, Bye for now my princesses.

All my love,

Daddy Speak

May 2, 1943: Speak to Madge

Hi Darling:

     Gee toots I'm glad you got a letter when you did, I'll die if you ever got a divorce.  I had a pretty rough weekend, that is the reason I haven't wrote since Thur. night.

     I got my pay only $12.00 bucks, but now I'm all even with them, so from now on I'll get my full $19.85.  We all went to town Fri. and got portdy stinks, there were 7 of us got a room together and stayed till Sat. Conkel and I lasted long than the rest, we got back at 9 pm but we had to shave, clean up the barracks and stuff.  We sure had a lot of fun we had some more of those little pictures taken, how do you like them?  That kid with Conkel and I, is Norman Hansen, he's from Utah, Syracuse I believe.  It's 10 miles out of Ogden.  Boy he's the best kid in this camp.  I've just started going with him, about the last 2 weeks.

     I've never drank so much beer, or shot so much pool in my life.  We were down to the U.S.O.  We also burrowed a camera from the U.S.O. and took some pictures, I'll send them later.

     We bowled about 4 games in the afternoon, then went to a show and slept.

     Darling by this time you should have received 4 or 5 letters I wrote last week.  So am I safe from that divorce for a while?  Of Madge, I miss you.  I beginning to get so damn lonesome and homesick for you, I hope I can stand it till I get a furlough.  If not, I'll be tempted to go over the hill.

     Honey, how come you work so much in the lot?  I though I told you to take it easy, do you want me to come home and kick your bum?  I'd sure have liked to been with you when you took the trip up the canyon, I sure miss those days.  I'll bet it was fun.  time for school.

Monday, May 3rd.

     Hello again, here it is another blue Monday.  Honey, I'm having 6 photos made, I don't know the size.  Hey toots I made another 85 average for the 3rd phase.  If I can make three more I'll have a chance to go to a specialist school, after I finish here.

     Madge don't worry about me liking it too much here, I'd crawl to you on my knees if there would let me.

     The girls, Lela, Wanda, Bernice, Bessie and your mother have all told me what nice things you have made for the baby.  I"m sure dying to see them.

     Princess I"ll always think your the best soldier in the whole world.  So don't let me catch you thinking different.  I know Jr. will think the same too.  the cute little cuss.  Does he still keep you awake at nights?

     I don't know if I'm going to like this shift or not, it's too damn hot to sleep in our barracks.  It's nearly 3 pm so I think I'll try it again.

     Darling I sure wish I had a lot of money to buy you something nice for Mothers Day, but I'm sending you both tons and tons of love.  Maybe next year it will be different. (I hope)

     Please believe me Sweetheart when I say I'll always love no matter where I go, or how long we are apart.

     Honey, I just got your letter telling me about Ed and Lela.  Gee isn't that well.  I'll bet I"m as thrilled as they are.  I got some cards over at the PX.  I'll send them today.  But you tell them how happy I am for them.  I'll write them real soon.

     As for our child, I still don't care if it's a boy or girl.  I'll love it.  But I'll always love you the most. (I bet a buck it would be a boy, I kinda hope I lose it)

     I sure hope the army don't get Ed or Murray, they really got enough of us.  We waste a lot of gout, money and equipment here, and I guess it's the same all over.  So I don't see what they need more men for.

     Well my darling, I better sign off and get some sleep.  So until tomorrow I'll be thinking of you every minute.  I remain your homesick husband and little boy.

     All my love,

     Speak

Madge, I'll call you between 8 pm and 10 pm Fri.  If I can't get a line I'll try again Sat. So remember either the 7 or 8th.

     Bye Darling.

January 23, 1943: Madge to Speak

Sat. Night, Jan 23/43

Dearest:

     When will I hear from you?  Soon I hope.  Maybe Monday.

     Did I tell you the Dr. gave me a cold shot to help throw off my cold and if anything it's worse.  How is your cold, is it worse or better?  Better I hope, 'cause after going as long as you did with no cold it would be a shame to have a bad one now.

     Mother is listening to "Thanks to the Yanks" and Dads in bed and it's 9:15 - and Madge is missing her yank like hell.

     It snowed a little bit the other day but the wind has blown ever since.  Boy was it cold for a few days.  I guess we just don't have any snow this winter.

     the wind blew so hard is Salt Lake yesterday it blew "Sunset beach" right down level and took a couple of roofs of off the Smelter at Garfield.

     Well Honey, I am going to stay with Jessie tomorrow night (sun) again.  So I'll finish that then.  Or I'll sure have to box this bunch of letter up to send them.

                                                 Good night Sweet.

Sun. Night
Jessies Place

     Hello Dear, here I am again as full as a tick.  Jessie and I just went to the A and W (it's open finally) and had a cheeseburger and a milk shake, I have to have my milk.  Then down to Dalebouts Bakery and bought a half dozen do-nuts, then had coffee and donuts.

     I slept until noon today again.  About 12:15 Murray and Brenda came up.  She is so cute.  She kept pointing at your picture and saying Spee - Spee.  Unitl I gave it to her and boy did she ever give you a nice sticky love and would I like it to.  The little cuss is 20 month's old and doesn't say a word.  Hope our baby is brighter than that.  Letsee - next month I'll be able to feel him, don't you wish you could?

     Ed and Lela were in the store again yesterday to see if I had heard from you.  Gosh, she really looks pregnant, she wouldn't look quite so bad if she'd wear a little powder and lipstick, I thought she had been sick but she said she felt swell - Heck Honey, I wore my black dress to the Drs. the other day and now no one believes I am pregnant.  They think it's a little rumor. - I guess I'll have to start looking haggy so I'll feel that way.  As I've said before I feel so darn good it's hard to believe.  Are you getting tired hearing about us two?  Hope not 'cause you'll be hearing more.

     I practically made myself out a liar in the Sat. edition of the letter - it snowed this morning, gosh it was swell to sit and watch the snow fall, maybe my cold will go now if not now maybe by the time you come home on your furlough it'll be gone.

     Mom informed me today that she intended to buy more of our babys things as their part in the local war effort.  I told her she didn't need to but she says - She'll take no sass from either of us 'cause it'll be her best grand child and they can if they want and you to keep that suit case as long as you need it because it will just kick around home and she wants you to have it and she hopes you don't remember her as she was that last nite we went over there with her hair up in curlers.  Honey, they are really swell.  I guess I just never realized it before.

     I worked the fountain with Lovinia to other night.  They started to paint the kitchen so I told Von I was going home, but as it was I didn't get within 20 ft of it all night.

     Sweetheart, it's awful not to know ever where you are or how you are.  I just have to shut my mind of when I start to think about it, but maybe I'll know soon. 'cause I miss you so.  It's not so bad during the day, but at night its awfull.  I'm kinda getting over waiting for you to come home at least I've quit watching for you.  I'm sending you the words to a song.  I have Butch play it over and over every morning, it's kind of a bright spot in the dark days.

     Hon. Be sure and tell me everything you do what army life is like and anything as long as it's about you.

     Well, I guess I'll close now for tonight and hope and pray I get that letter tomorrow.  As I said before don't worry about me.  I'm getting along wonderfully well and I promise as soon as I hear from you all my letters won't read Ill.

     So Good Night Lover for now.

     Madge