Measles

 [on tan stationery with a red drawing of “Pacifica”]

                                                              Mar 28^th 52

My Dear Laura,

How are you I received a letter one from Jane and one from Betty.  Betty said she had the measles I hope they don’t all get it.  Are you coming for Conference.  Jane said you had some Hand Lotion you were going to bring to me;.  I would like some if you have any to spare.

I hope you are well.  We will be expecting Harold anyway.  I haven’t seen Mother Carlson for some time I think she has been busy over at Gordon’s, as Ruby is still in bed, and Mother Carlson hasn’t been feeling up to Par herself.  It might have been the bad weather that we were having for so long.  There was a lot of sickness around.  The sun has been shining the last two days so it makes us all feel better. People will be thinking of Gardening and House cleaning now.  We are all pretty well here.  The last snow is nearly all gone.  There is still some on the north side of the house but the roads are all drying up.  

Conference is only one week away.  We have fast Sunday on the 30^th Mar.  That is Roland’s birthday and I have not written to Him.  I had a letter from Kathryn but she didn't have much news of the family.  They have had bad weather up there too.  They are all well she said.  I guess Roland is busy with church work and insurance and Red Cross, so it keeps him busy.  I haven’t heard from Lois for a long time.  She usually gives me all the news.  Kathryn didn't say if any one from up there was coming for Conference.  

I hope all your neighbors and friends are well.  Remember me to all of the Relief Society Ladies.  Tell Sister Rumsey and Richardson that I appreciate their letters and will write to them some time.  I think of them all often and Pray for them.  How is Opal and family.  Don’t forget my Pills I had to get new glasses and they cost me a lot and I have to wear them all the time.  I took money out of the bank to pay for them, and paid $17. for a coat for Spring. It isn’t very good but it will do, it is a nice gray color. I am hurrying this for the mail man.  Take care of yourself and hug all the children for me.  Hope Alice doesn’t get the measles.  

Bye Bye May the Lord Bless you always.  Lovingly Mother.  

Tell Betty & Jane I will write to them some time.  Love to Harold and will be glad to see him.

Jane Davidson was 63 years old at this time, quilting and teaching lessons.

                                    Mar 27^th 1942   Monday is Roland’s birthday

Dear Laura,

            I was so glad to get your letter today.  Glad you are getting rested and I do hope that you will keep well and that Alvin will get over his cold.  You have to be careful as you don’t know the climate there, and it is better to be on the safe side and keep him warm.  Does he eat well, and how are you.  Have you plenty food.  How is Harold.  Does he like it there.  Does he like his work.

            I was away quilting today for the Relief Society.  I think the quilt was for Sister Jackstien.  We quilted at Sister Ellers.  Did you know that Sister Oldham boy was married.  I think he got married Monday.  I don’t know who the girl is or anything but will tell you when I know.  I also heard that the Stout boy was married. We are having a party in the Relief Society the 2^nd Tuesday in April.

            They have a dance tonight for the two wards for the Budget.  I hope it is a success.  Pearl went.  She has been working 8 to 5 all week.  We are having Stake Conference Sunday, at Hill Crest ward.  I had a letter from Jesse yesterday.  He met some cadets that are Mormons in Sikeston. One boy sent to the Mission headquarter to know where the nearest missionaries were and they sent the letter on to Jesse, and he phoned the barracks and asked for the Lindsey boy and got him.  He is from Ariz and there were 3 others.  Jesse says 3 of them seem to be nice boys and they did not know one another was there until Jesse Phoned.  He will tell you all about it when he writes to you.  I hope you will write to him.  I have not heard from Daniel since Mary went back.  I think Mont went to work yesterday.  Willard & Edna are well, also the children.  The weather is still cold.  I was down to the last piece of coal, so I called Mr. Margetts today to send me some.  I don’t know when it will be paid, but he had it down here within an hour.  The house was cold when I came home from quilting so I ordered it.  The sun was shining but the wind is cold.  Yvonne Caproni is getting married to a Thomas in Holladay.

            Sister Shurtleff is still in California.  I haven’t seen any of Harold’s folks.  I guess they are all well. It is too late or I would call now.  I will call tomorrow.  Willard & Edna & the children are all well.  Helen came down yesterday and we went to see Edna and sister DeYoung.  Sister DeYoung has lumbago and could hardly walk.  She has had it for several days.  Pray for me that I may give my lesson all right next Wed.  Now my Dear ones bye bye and be careful and do the best that you can.  Take care of one another and love & cherish one another and all will be well with you. Love and kisses to you all.  Kiss Alvin for Grandma. I always think of him when I go down to the furnace.  I miss you all.   

                                      Lovingly Mother

Letter from Harold's mother, Hannah Jane Carlson with a P.S. from his father, Alvin Emanuel Carlson

770 Springview Drive

Salt Lake City Utah

                                                                                                    March 26, 1942

Dear Harold and Laura,

            Well I guess you are pretty well settled by now I hope that Laura is rested up after her long trip I was so sorry to hear of that long wait at the depot in Denver, it was a shame you didn't phone before you left Aunt Nell’s you might as well have spent a couple more hours there.  I received a letter from Nell, she sure enjoyed your short stay.

            As time goes on we miss you more and more but always try and think of it as being a grand adventure for you.  I hope little Alvin is enjoying the nice sun shine.  We are having our occasional spring days but it is still freezing at nights.  We will sure be glad when the weather is settled.  Uncle Hy, Aunt Mae and Effe, Dad and I are going up to Idaho Saturday morning and stay untill Monday.  Uncle Hy is doing the driving but we have to take our car.  I think Dad is feeling better than when Laura left.  I feel quite sure he will be much better when summer comes.  Neffs, across the way have sold out and moved away.  I heard he has work in Colorado Spring, he left about the same time as you and she has just left.  She was left to do as Laura had to.  I don’t know wheather his work is for the goverment or not.  Yes, the time is rolling on pretty fast and it wont be long before June is here.  I can hardly bare to think of Jean getting married the closer the time draws near the more I hate it but we will have to have faith in this matter to and pray that things will turn out for the best.  We heard today that Dewane Oldham got married.  He married a girl from Oregon.  She met her at Mutual last night, I wonder how Oldhams feels about that. [Mother]

            [hand writing change]

P.S. Dear Harold Laura and Alvin.  I just have to drop you all a line or two on this paper before Mother mails it.  I do hope you all well and happy because that is what it takes to make it.  I bet Laura was all in when she got there and I bet she has had all the train ride she wants for the rest of her life.

            I know I would if it were me.  I rode 800 miles once and I thought we would never get there.  I never was much of a writer myself, but I pray our Heavenly Father to bless you all and keep you all well and happy which I know he will. Keep on smiling and God bless you

                                                        Your old Dad and Loving Mother. [Dad Carlson]

(Give little Alvin a big kiss from his Grandpa)

Kiss Little Alvin a dozen times for Grandma and Grandpa

A letter from Aunt Maggie

27 Cooper Street

Hopeman

March 25, 1946

My dear Laura,

Just a few lines to let you know I received your very kind & welcome letter. It was real nice of you to write me. It’s a long time since I had any word from your Mother.  I expect she has plenty of writing to do with the family all scattered. I hope she is well & always on the go.  You know Jeannie was the youngest, and I am oldest.  I often wish she was nearer, but a letter is always welcome.  I had a nice letter from Roland, and a photo from him & Lois & the family. They really are a very nice bunch.  I often wondered how many grandchildren your Mother had till you told me quite a good collection I am sure.

Well we just have Gladys.  She is a very nice girl & is 19 years during the last of the war years she was down in Fraserburg in a bank but now she is home with us again working as a typist in Elgin. Goes in the 9 bus in the morning & home about 6.  Lizzie gave up the Post Office work when her husband came home from Italy last August, then she went & helped them out at the Christmas rush.  She is always busy cleaning & she does a whole lot of knitting.  Her husband is in a war department job down at Leith & sometimes Isle of Man.  You will see it on the map

We have had a wonderful winter & now the nice spring days are coming.  The garden will be next. 

I had a parcel from Thelma Main from San Francisco.  You know Auntie Jesse’ grandchild.  I doubt you have no chance of seeing her.  I must write her some of these days but it’s a job for me to get started. 

We had 2 of the Vancouver boys seeing us when they were over at the war. 2 of them were in the Air Force & Auntie Jessie’s Jim was in the Navy.  They were very pleased to get here & I am very glad they were all spared to get home safe and well.

Mary Anns 2 boys were here.  Your Mother will know who I mean.  Now dear Laura, I think this is all my news at present;.  Give our very best wishes to your husband & family.  Hope you are all very well & remember us to all the rest of the family when you write them & tell your Mother I am longing for word from her.  Your Grandma Davidson is away at Pitlochry staying with her daughter. Always on the go tho she must be near the 100.  Cheerio dear & mind I shall always be pleased to hear from you ever

Your loving Auntie Maggie.

Life in San Antonio

March 24, 1942

Dear Mother,

I intended to write to you Sun. evening, but during the afternoon we walked down by the river. It was so beautiful, & so warm. The river lies about 20 or more feet below the surface of the streets, & it winds all thru the city. There are walks & lawn, & benches on both sides of the river, & you can follow it for miles. When we got home I was so tired that Harold went to church with Reed & Alan and I went to bed with Alvin. For the first 3 days I was terribly sleepy all the time, partly from the trip I suppose, & partly from the weather. It is regular spring weather here. The mornings are cool, but by 5:o'clock in the afternoon it is hot. I haven’t dressed Alvin any different than I did at home except for Sun. afternoon. The sun is hot, but in the morn & eve the wind is quite cold & Sat eve. Alan & Reed helped Harold unpack everything and Alvin was running out & in with them & caught a nasty cold. It really didn’t develop until yesterday, and I did practically nothing all day but tend him. He is feeling much better this morning, and has already been asleep nearly 2 hrs. I think the trip tired him considerably.

All our freight arrived Sat. and in good condition with the exception of the table that has a couple of dents in the top, & the back of one of the chairs that had the paint rubbed off. I was surprised how well everything else got here.

We are living in a nice location Mom. It is just a good walk to town, yet there is plenty of yard. There is a grocery & hardware store within 1/4 a block & a bakery where I can get day old goods within 2 blocks. Harold put Alvin’s wagon together this morning. It will be easy to pull him to the bakery & back.

As for the house, we haven’t too much room, & I still haven’t found a place to put my washer, but it is big enough for me to manage & keep clean. The ceilings are quite high, & the windows longer than any I have ever seen. My front room curtains will do very well for my front room, & also the bedroom. The old bedroom curtains will do in the bathroom, & the kitchen will have to have new curtains. We have all the hot water we can use, and the gas range is really very good. It was all reconditioned & repainted & looks like new.

Alan is having a time trying to find a room. The best he has been able to do so far is $40.00 for room & board. Everything is high here, and I find no difference in the kind of food sold here than at home. Eggs are 29¢ & 31¢ but butter starts at 45¢ & goes up. Lettuce is 8¢ & 10¢ per head & bananas 10¢ lb. Asparagus is just coming on, & I haven’t seen any good spinach. Bread is 15¢ & milk 14¢ to 17¢ per qt. We are taking 2 qts a day now but will have to have more if Reed stays with us. Meat seems to be much cheaper here. Bacon is 27 a lb as compared with 43¢ at home. But one thing we’ve got to get before anything else is either an ice box or a refrigerator. You can’t keep food overnight without finding a very small ant in it. I mean hundreds of them they are just about the size of this ink mark (-). They get into everything. I washed the cupboard out last night & put the food in casserole dishes with lids on them, & still this morning those tiny ants were in the food. They seem to come on vegetables from the store, & must multiply by the tens of thousands.

So far we are getting along fine. We have no expenses other than our rent, altho Harold says he heard starting next month they well get paid the 10th instead of the 1st & the 25th instead of the 15th. Alvin is finally awake as you can probably tell from my writing. He is feeling good after his sleep & his cold seems to be nearly gone.

It is 8:30, & the dishes are done, & Alvin back in bed again, and I’m so sleepy I can hardly stay awake. Alan has been here tonight, & another Elder Jorgenson also a former Swedish missionary who is taking the school for the job. This weather is still getting me I guess. I could sleep all the time. How is everything at home? Tell Wid that San Antonio streets surely do follow the old cow trails. You go a block, & can’t find your way back to your own street. I’ll bet you are having a time getting the mess cleaned up that we left. I hope the weather is better up there by this time, but please don’t try to get things done too fast. Harold is talking, & I don’t know what I’m writing, and its time for bed. God bless you Mother, and take care of you. We hope we will soon be able to help.

With love, Laura

A year letter - A Letter from Harold's mother, Hannah Jane Carlson to Harold and Laura

From 795 Jeppson Ave

Salt Lake City, Utah

                                                      Mar 23, 1943

Dearest Harold and Laura,

            Your welcome letter came this morning.  Your other letter hasn't been answered yet so I was really ashamed.

            I knew it was a year about now since Laura and Alvin left but wasn't sure of the date.  It will aways be a day to be remembered not only your going away but the way Dad felt was heart rendering.  It was the most pitiful thing I ever seen.  The way he hung on to Alvin and the look on his face.  It’s to terrible to think about.

            I don’t blame Laura for wanting to come home on a visit.  A year away from home is a long time.  And Life is to short to make to many sacrifices.  I am so glad she phoned her mother.  I know only a few sobs in one another’s ear would be very comforting to both of them.

            I was talking to the Insurance man today about the time your letter came. He was on the outside and didn't come in for it isn't his time to call untill the 13^th.  You know I carry a .05 policy on you, Genevieve and Gordon and a .10 one on Jean and as I need a spring coat badly I was thinking a cashing them in, besides 2.00 to 2.50 per month is to much insurance for me to put out.  Of course I carry a .05 one and a .20 one for myself.  The Insurance man suggests that you children pay me the cash value or part of it and keep up the premiums yourself for it’s a very cheap policy.  Its about $150 in case of natural death but carries double indemnity and liabilities.  I was thinking maby you could carry that easier than pay back you[r] loan Of course I don’t know how much you borrowed, and I don’t know how much I could get out of your policies till he comes again.

            What do you think about it as far as you know?  I will tell you more about it after he comes again.  He also suggests that I pay that .30 on another policy for myself as the two I have would amount to less than 300 which is far to little to lay any one away, the extra.30 on me would bring it up to between 4 and 5 hundred which is not any to much .

            Funny talk, but facts, just the same.

            I sure wish you were here to advice me once in a while.

            Uncle Vance was in tonight.

            Lois is married again but it looks like she has wished her two kids on to her parents.

            I do hope that when Genevieve gets married it will be to some one who can provide a home for her and her children.

            In the morning is the time that I expected to be on my way to Idaho to celebrate Uncle Ray’s birthday but I got sadly disappointed for Uncle Hy phoned me today from up town and gave a half a dozen excuses why he couldn't go but they all sounded pretty flimpsy to me.  It was always Dad that would see to it that we went.

            I guess you have already heard about the new Bishoprick in Wandemere.  Bro Marsh, Bro Jackman, Bro Fiamore. Mae Fiamore, Ruth’s friends brother, I amagine they will be very good.

            Jean is feeling pretty well just now but for her teeth, they are giving her considerable trouble.  The doctor said her heart and kidneys were much better.  She still heaves a lot.  She expects the latter part of July.

            I am enclosing the Title to the Plymouth, will you please sign it and return it as I want to get the Title changed in my name.

            Uncle Sant was here on a visit week before last.  They are sure anxious for me to come to Denver on a visit this summer and I sure hope I am able to go.

            How is the butter rationing etc. hitting you.

            I have only used 24 pts as yet in my no J  book and I haven’t felt things very bad yet, but I am afraid with my butter and meat rationing we are going to be hit pretty hard.

            Well I guess I better close.  I am sure nervous tonight.  Little Phyliss is crying so hard, she has been very sick again the last few days but has slept most of the time but she must be getting better for she sure is crying tonight.  I hope next time my letter won’t be quite so choppy

                                                Love Mother [Carlson]

(over)

            Laura’s last letter came this morning.  I sure feel ashamed to think I am so slow in writing.

            I think I will write at nights when every thing is quiet but when night comes I am so tired I just have to go to bed.

            Hope I do better from now on.

                                                Love Mother [Carlson]

When letters responded to letters

                                        3112 So 7^th East Salt Lake City, Utah  March 23^rd 42

My Dear Laura,

            I got your letter this morning glad that you got to your destination safely, and that Harold was meeting you. Sorry you were so late.  You didn't say if you had any trouble with Alvin about the toilet, or if you got a sleeper the second nite.  We have had two nice clear cold days, wonder if it will snow tomorrow.  Mary’s Grandfather died and she came for the funeral and went right back Sunday morning.  She didn't take the baby this time.  She left her with Sister West, ;and Daniel was to take care of her at nights as he was going to stay at West’s. She would just have been gone 3 nights.  Her Grandfather was only sick a few days.  Maybe Harold knows him, his name was Oleikan.  He was 68 Years old. This letter from Roland was type written on a letter to Jennette, yours on one side of the sheet, and hers on the other. Yours was the shortest so I copied it, sorry I don’t have ink, but I wanted to get this letter off today, as I know you are looking for a letter. Roland and his family are all well but tired of the long cold winter.  He says that Lois is fine.  I will have to write to Jennette today.  They got home o.k. no snow up  there yet.  The rest of us are all well, trying to adjust ourselves to the quiet. Mugs [our dog] felt it as much as we did.  He wouldn't keep still for several days.  He wouldn't stay in or out. 

            Helen & Mont came down yesterday.  I haven’t heard from Jesse yet.  He sent some Liahona’s.  I guess I will get a letter soon.  Pearl is working 8 to 5 this week.  She had yesterday off.  Mrs. Webber is home.  Margaret is o.k. but didn't come.  She wants to stay where she is.  Now my dear keep up your courage, do the best that you can, have the landlord paint the kitchen some other color.  Ask him anyhow.  You won’t  get anything unless you ask.  Make your home look nice.  Tell Harold thanks for his nice letter.  I will write to him when I get Ink. 3 kisses for Alvin.  

Lovingly, Mother  Write soon.