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