August 29, 1943: Jess to Madge (Tennesee)

Dear Madge,

I decided to take the day and answer all the letters I owe - It's been so damned hot here the last while I haven't done anything except try to cool off and that's almost impossible.  It's the hottest it's been here since 1930.  all the gardens and lawns are burned right up.  everything except the cotton and Tabasco and they look pretty withered.  When we go to bed we lay and sweat and stick to the sheet.  That's what I can't get used to, but I suppose it will cool off sooner or later.

How have you and the baby been Madge?  Fine I hope.  I also hope by now that Speak is home or soon will be.

We had a letter from Alf and Helen yesterday and we're very sorry to hear about her bad luck, but like she says now, she know she can get that way she can build herself up and try it again.

I'll bet they did feel plenty bad I know we would if anything would happen to ours.  Helen's letter saying she had been in the hospital made me feel kinda funny cause about three weeks ago I dreamed she was in the hospital.  She said they had seen you a few times and that your baby was just darling.  Said it made her feel kinda bad.  I hope she can get that way soon again.

I went to a Dr. down in M'boro Thursday he is Mrs. Randolph's family Dr. (she is the lady we stay with).  She went with me - he said everything was fine and Madge I've gained nearly 5 lbs and it's all on my front, boy I've sure filled out in the last 5 weeks.

He gave me another blood test it's just his routine - I guess.  One of the girls I met is also pregnant.  Her husband is a S/Sgt in his squad, they live in Smyrna.

I was sure glad to find some one else that way too.  She is only about two months along.  When we get a place in Smyrna we can have a lot of fun sewing and what not.  Madge I've learned to crochet.  I have finished a petticoat and a pair of flannel slippers.  I also worked  a little Kimono - it had baby Ric rack braid one so I didn't crochet on that.  I have some pillow cases to do but haven't started them yet.

I got me a seersucker brown and white material nity dress.  It's quite cute.  It has elastic gathers on each side of the waist and is real big.  I think I'm going to use Dot's dress from later on.  She said I could before I left.

Lee was in Salt Lake two weeks ago Tuesday they didn't get in SL til around 7 pm and had to wait till 9 pm for a gas truck to come and drain the gas out of the plane so by the time he left the base to go into town it was 11 pm, he went to see Alf and Helen but I guess they were in Provo.  He said their paper and milk were in the hall.  He wrote them a not on the top of the paper but I guess they didn't ever get it cause they didn't mention it in their letter.  He didn't have time to go down home cause they left Salt Lake at 6 a.m. the next morning to come back here.

How is Wanda Madge?  I am going to write her on of these days.  Does Scotty have any idea that he is coming home?  It would be swell if he and Speak could make it home together. 

Madge I sure hope Joyce Ann hasn't had the colic anymore.  I don't blame you and wouldn't let her cry anymore either.  I bet it about scared your pants off didn't it?  Boy! It sure would me.  That sounds like what Mina's baby had.  Grace was saying she cried and couldn't get her breath on nite and that Mina was very worried about her. 

I haven't heard from Harold and Iney yet but I suppose they will write when they get the time.  Have you been up for their place?

Oh! Madge did Helen give you the things she had for you?  Aren't they just darling?

Madge well you do me a big favor?  When you are downtown sometime will you go in Gloria's shop and see if you can find me a dress on the order of the green house dress you got there with the draw string around the waist?  I have looked I can't find one here.  I still wear the blue one I got at home but could sure use another one on the same oaten if you can find one let me know and I'll send you the money for it.

The Dr. changed the date to around the 17 of Dec. I don't know how he figures but guess it doesn't matter as long as I have it in Dec. same time dates it?  I've been feeling swell ever since we've been here.  I only hope I continue to feel as good and I'll feel very lucky.

I know you are busy Madge but write us when you can and take good care of you and the baby.  I'll try to do better in the future and answer sooner than I did this time.

Love,

Jessie and Lee
 

July 25, 1943: Speak to Madge

Darling Madge:

Honey I'm sure sorry I haven't been able to write the last two days.  Yesterday on my day off, we had to go out to the firing range, then come in and do detail.  We went to school last night, it is sure nice in school at night, but it's sure hot as hell trying to sleep in the daytime.

I guess I won't be able to write very much from now on unless I do it at night in school.  we only have 7 more days of school before we go out to the field test.  and boy are they trying to break us, and make it tough for us.  They told us we didn't no what the army was like, but we would find out the next two weeks.

Honey, I believe we will be able to write, while we are out there, so I'll try to let you know what it's like.  I do know that we go on maneuvers and a 20 mile hike on our day off.  And that we work on planes, under actual battle conditions.

Princess, I tried to call you the last two days but I couldn't get a line thru, I'll try again when I get thru this letter.  I'm sure glad you are nearly as well as ever, but don't try to do too much for a long long time yet.

Gee darling, I'd give anything to be able to see Joyce Ann.  She sure must be an angel and I know I'll hate to leave you both, when I come home on furlough.  She must be the most perfect baby in the world, I'll sure be glad to get that snapshot of you two angels.

Honey, I fixed up that papers for the exta allotment but I gotta get a copy of Joyce Ann's birth certificate. so as soon as you can, why send it to me, will ya?

They sent the papers in, so you shoudl get it in your next check, but if you don't they will probably make it up in the next one.  I sure hope youare able to get along alright on it.  Gee toots, I'll work all the time when I get out of theis army, and try to make a lot of dough, so you can make up for the fun you've missed.

I got that card Mom sent, it was sure swell, tell her thanks a lot.  I guess I won't be able to write them, cause it's all I can do to find time to write to you.

I'm sure glad we got such a lovely daughter, she must be just like you.  It's sure good news to hear she is growing, and that you are able to feed her, I think that's a lot better than on a bottle.  You will soon be able to take her down town and show her off won't you?  That is sure swell of Murray and Bernice to let us use all their stuff.  I would have cost us a fortune to have  bought it.

So Geo Bills didn't know we had our family, I guess I'll write him if I ever get time.

Hey I'm glad Uncle Lee was able to get home, I'll bet they really had a swell time.  It's swell that Jessie is able to go back with him, although I don't think they are doing the smart thing.  She would get lots better care at home.

I'll bet the folks are really thrilled to get started on their home, I know we will when we build our dream home, won't we?  Honey I know you hate to leave our place, but it will be better for you and the baby, and also for Mom.  and Murray and Bernice will take good care of our place.  Princess this war can't last forever, I'll soon be home again, then we will have more happiness than ever before.  So keep your chin up, and try to always think of the bright side.  You have sure been swell thru this, you are a better soldier than any in this army.  I'll never forget it either.

See I love you so darn much, that if I soon don't get to see you I'll bust.  Just think toots, it will be nearly a year since I left (well it seems like it).  I guess I better sign off for now, and go see if I can get a call thru.

Remember darling how much I love you both, and how much I miss you.

Good night my angels, God Bless you both.

All my love,

Your devoted husband and Dad.

Pfc. Speak

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

January 17, 1943: Madge to Speak

My Dearest:

     We (Jessie and I) went up to see you Saturday, but you had been shipped for parts unknown, anyway that's what everyone told us.  We left here about 3:30.  so if by some chance you were still ther we wouldn't miss a minute with you.  I thought maybe you couldn't phone until after 5.  So we just decided to take off. I was awful disappointed, altho, I tried not to plan on seeing you for sure.  But I guess you were too, weren't you?

     I had already told the folks that I was going to stay with Jessie, So we stayed all night at Alf & Helens.  Alf worked until 1:30, so Jess, Helen and Leah B sat around and talked all night - Helen went to the liqour store.  She had to stand in line for a half hour.  Boy if I had to do that there'd be no whiskey drank.  I only had one short one.  So you see, I'm being a good gal.

     Honey, Do you remember putting some wood in the oven to dry the morning you left?  Well, Tues night when I got home and got my tears shut off a minute Mom asked me if I could smell wood burning, she had looked all over for it.  I started to giggle and told her to look in the oven.  Oh lordy, talk about smoke whew.  Daddy grabbed it and threw it out in the yard, did it blaze - if I hadn't of felt so bad it would have been funny.

     Murray quit his job out there Monday.  They came up home Tues night to tell us he was going to Tooelea to work.  He was up there one day and came home.  I don't think he has taken another job yet.

     When I got home thurs nite, someone turned on the light and said booh.  It was Bessie, Dick and Gary.  She brought down 6 of Gary's baby dresses.  They are just like new so that solves that.

     Honey, How is your cold?  Better I hope.  If not be sure and take good care of it and of you.  Cause you're all the papa us two has got or will have.

     Gosh Hone, I'd sure like to see you in your uniform.  I'll bet you really make a good looking soldier.  As long as you're there, I hope you'll like it a little bit and I do hope you are in some thing you like.  By the time I mail this I'll probably know.

     I am going to stay with Aunt Jessie tonight.  Eleanor has gone to the city again.  I am going to work at 8:30 and nothing to do.

     I is sure swell with the folks there.  The other night Jessie and Grace came up when I went to go Dad said, "Now hurry home" and Mom said, "You don't have to stay as long as you want."  There's only one thing wrong.  She won't wake me up in the mornings. (am I kicking, no) - Daddy has a 'hellava' cold, he has been off work for 2 days.  Mother and I went to the show today, it was "the Black Swan" it was a pirate picture you'd sure like it.

     Gosh sweetheart, you'll never know how thrilled I was when you called that morning, I shook for an hour. - Honey, I miss you so dam much and I'll probably miss you more - but all in all we'll make out, won't we?

     I have an appointment with the Dr. on the 20th.  I suppose I still feel well and still can hardly believe it's true.

     Loris says that she is going to marry that guy we met down there that night.  Of all the changable people, she's the worst.

     Bessie brought that picture down so as soon as I find out where "parts unknown" is I'll sent the ring and this to you.  Do you still want your lighter?  How is your underwear and things holding out?  And Honey, if you need any money, please write and tell me.

     Alf got his deferrement, it is only good until June 28th, this morning his sister, Leah said, "Everyone is in the Army, but Alf."  Gosh, he went red, I almost felt sorry for him.

     Honey, did you say a prayer for me that night?  I'm sure you must have, nothing could have made me stop crying and feel so at peace as I did.  After working and having to keep a straight face all day, I got practically histerical and all of a sudden between 9:30 or 10 o'clock, I just stopped and didn't cry anymore.  Went right to sleep and I told Mom that you had prayed for me.  Hope you did.

     Well Honey, I'll sign off for today, I'll probably have to ship this first letter express if I don't stop and go to bed.

     Goodnight Sweet and dream of me - Toots.  

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

January 19, 1943: Madge to Speak

Thursday night, 8:30, 1/19/43

Dearest Speak:
   
     I received your wonderful letter from Denver and was I glad to get it.  Don't you wish we could have seen each other just once more? 'Cause that was sure a little, tiny, hurried, goodby kiss that we squeezed into that last minute.  But I guess it'll have to last us for a quite awhile, huh?

     This is the first night that I have slept home since last Fri night we stayed in Salt Lake, Saturday night and I stayed with Jessie Sun & Mon nights!

     Mon night we collected all that war widows (except Grace) and sat around and tore everyone apart had babys operations and were just cats in general.  I think we were all bored stiff. - I am all the time.  Nothing seem to matter to me except our baby and when you get home again.

     Daddy went down to Kings today and told them about the stove door.  He told him he'd better fix it 'cause it was sure a gyp.  So he sent a man up to fix it.

     I think I'll get a permanent Thurs. night.  My hair is so darn long it too darn hard to do.  so it gets cut off.

     Honey, this sure is a screwy letter, but if I asked you all the questions I want to, I know you'll have already told me the answers in the first letter I get so it's all me and I.

     I am awfully glad you were sent our with some of the fellows you know.  I imagine it makes it a lot better for you all.

     I saw Polly, Ella and Ed uptown today.  They all wanted to know if I had heard from you yet and then when I got home there was a letter from you, for me.

     I sent Scotty a birthday card from us today.  Did you know that Wanda is going down to see him? (wish I was goin to see you.)

     Mother and Dad sure think I'm good and when I am I don't seem to have anything to say. I don't want anyone to even talk to me but I suppose I'll get over being so lonesome in awhile and then I'll be nicer.

     It's now 9:00, and nothing to do.  So I guess I'll go to bed too.

     Oh yes, your letter was postmarked at just the time Jessie and I were up to the Fort, having the M.P. phone all over for you at 6:00 on the dot.

     Well my darling, I'll close for now and hope that we soon find out where to send these.

     With all my Love,

     "your Princess"