Sixty five years ago

[Sent from 1323 West Virginia, Denver, Colo.]

                                                          April 4, 1949

Dear Mother,

I was glad to hear from you again.  Had a letter from Helen the other day too, and they all seem to be feeling better.

Brother & Sis Eaccle from Springview were just here for half an hour visiting.  They came over with their son Ray who is living here, and also working for the Bur. of Reclamation.  Ray & his wife live in the same ward we do, so we should see more of them.

Harold left for S.L. last Thurs. evening, and since conference continues until Wed. I don’t know when to expect him home.

I let Alvin borrow my pen to write to his class in Estes and I can’t seem to make it work for me again.

We moved down a week ago Fri expecting the children to start to school on Monday but found that Spring Vacation just started so they were off all last week, and it snowed every day, even all day yesterday but today dawned bright & sunny & most of the snow melted, but oh! The mud!  You know we didn't have mud in Estes.  There is not a place on earth that doesn't have its good points and its bad ones.

We did catch slight colds in moving, but are mostly over them.  Mrs. Kennedy invited us to their house while the movers moved things in here, & Harold came back there & we had dinner with them.  Harold helped them in a move several months ago.

Mrs. Reed had us over for supper the night before we moved, so all in all it worked out nicely without too much last minute fussing.

We like our house even tho it is small, and there is a lot of waste room that could be utilized.  We have been looking into the possibility of an automatic washer instead of building on a utility porch, but find that a washer would cost $300.00, and we would have to have a larger hot water heater to take care of it because the one we have is just 20 gal, and the automatic washers need at least a 30 gal & preferably a 40 gal. tank.  Besides that they will only allow us $18. On our old washer, which doesn't seem reasonable at all to us.  So it may be that the utility porch with the installed drain tubs will be cheaper all around, but we will have to decide on that when Harold returns.

Mrs. Eakle was telling me that Ruth Owen’s little girl 5 years old was hit by a car and has a broken leg, and was hurt in the head too.

Helen seemed worried in her letter about Jennette wanting to pull out and move to S.L. now that Reed has to be in the hospital.  Labor conditions seem to be getting worse every day, and I can’t see that they would profit by going to Salt Lake.

Betty has had a continuous cold since Feb 14^th and I took her to the Dr. the other day when I went.  She has been biting her teeth at night for several months, & Mrs. Thompson told me that was a sign of worms.  The Dr. said that was just an old idea without any truth in it, but told me to watch for them anyway.  I had looked before, but never found any, Fri night I found she did have them, Sat discovered the other 3 had them and yesterday decided I had them too.  So it looks like we are in for a rigid spell of treatment.  I talked to Helen Monson last night on the phone.  She is in the hospital with her 8^th baby, & she said she has been treating her 7 for them for the last month.  I remember having them when I was a child, but I thought adults were immune from them.  I’m glad spring is coming so we can get some sunshine and fresh air.  We all need it.

You asked about our heat.  We have a gas floor furnace.  It seems quite adequate yet I think the attic needs some insulation.  Well, I should write several cards yet tonight so will close.  May the Lord bless you.

Lovingly, Laura

The children started school today and Betty goes from 12:30 to 4:30 afternoons Alvin from 9 to 3:15

a complicated life

                                        April 3, 1961

Dear Mother,

            It seems a long time since I wrote to either you or Betty.  It is now past 9 P.M., and I have been up since 5: trying to get the washing and ironing done so we can come to Salt Lake.  Last week was spring vacation, and while I sewed, the children did the cleaning, and not very much of that.  A week before Spring vacation the Wilsons called and wanted a baby sitter while they went to Texas.  Alvin and Marilyn took the job, because they had vacation too.  They were gone from March 24 to April 1^st.  They asked if Trudy couldn’t stay up here with us because they have been having problems with her, well, ever since she was 4 years old, but particularly during the last 3 years.  She spent one year out at the orphanage, and it didn’t help matters much.  It all boiled down to a constant fight between Mother and daughter, so Trudy stayed with us all last week, and her mother came home on Sat. the day before Easter.  Trudy came up this morning, and said she had decided to go live with her Grandmother, but they wouldn’t let her go until Sat. and could she stay up here with me till Wednesday when she starts back to school after spring vacation.  I called her Mother, and found out there had just been constant trouble again. She let her come up, and said she would send her clothes up tomorrow.  So we may have another daughter.  There is a lot involved, and I couldn’t begin to tell you in a letter.  I have usually tried to keep out of family troubles of this sort, but this is one I couldn’t help, and Mrs. Wilson seems relieved when Trudy is gone.  In fact she told her this morning she would be glad when she was gone for good.

            We are still planning on leaving here early Wed. morning, and we may get to Salt Lake early on the 6^th.  We had been planning on bringing a stove over for Jennette, but she won’t let us, and we thought we would have to help set it up on the 6^th.  But now, we can come straight on.  We still want to be in Provo on Thursday evening, and will be at Dan’s on the eve of the 7^th.  He has invited our old gang to his place that night.  Tell Helen she will get a letter for me.  Some people in Golden owed me some money for yeast, and are sending it on there because we will need it before we get back.  I’m terribly tired tonight, so I must stop and get to bed.  We are most anxious to see all of you again, and to bring you back with us.

            The apricot tree burst into bloom this afternoon, and a week ago today and tomorrow we had more than 8 inches of snow on the ground.

                                    Lovingly,

                                                Laura

P.S.  Ten dollars inclosed for milk cereal etc.

Will you call Mary and tell her we plan on coming to her party.

back in 1942 in San Antonio

                                                                        April 2, 1942

                                                                        643 Cedar St.

Dear Mom,

            It is so good to hear from you.  Your letters brighten the whole day.  I suppose now that you are alone again you do have a little more time, but don’t go working so hard.  Take time out to visit your friends, there’ll always be work to do.

            I can hardly believe that the time has passed so quickly.  Sunday is Easter and I’m not even sending you a card.  I’m sending a dollar tho so you can buy something you want.  I hope you have got your dress out, and make sure you wear it.  Your new hat & dress will make you feel 10 years younger, and everyone needs a new dress at least every half doz. years anyway.  I do hope you have a nice time on Easter tho, and that the weather is so that you can get out.

            We are getting used to the changing weather, and are better able to regulate the heat in the house too.  Alvin got over his cold ok, but I just have to watch him all the time.  When you said you missed him when you went to put on the furnace I nearly bawled my eyes out.  The first cry I’ve had.  But the way he used to want to go downstairs every time any one else went down, is how he wants to go outside.  And when he is in his high chair & has a piece of bread he doesn’t want he hold it up & looks around for Muggs, and trys to say “Speak” like he did at home.

            Yesterday I took out our family picture of the girls, & you were the only one he knew.  He kept pointing to your picture saying something, goodness knows what.

            Alvin is still eating as well as when he was home, and I haven’t had a minutes trouble with his toilet.  He is as regular as the day.  I too am feeling fine, the climate seems to make me feel much better.  We take a long walk every afternoon.  I pull Alvin in the wagon till it is nearly time to go home again, so I can walk briskly, then let Alvin walk maybe a block so he can get his exercise.

            We got a letter from Sister Carlson Mon. and she said that Dewaine Oldham got married.  I wonder how Sister Oldham feels about it.  I know she only met the girl about a month before I left home.  How is the Relief Society coming?  Have they a new counselor yet?  They were turned down on Sister F._____ because she was on a Stake Board.  I know your lesson Wed. must have been good.  I missed your lesson.  We have our R.S. on Wed evening at 7:30, & I went last night.  There is a Sister Shelton living on the same street as we do within a block, and she called for me.  We went in another Sister’s car.  The lesson was good, and the Spirit there too, but there was not enough scripture used, and they tried to reason things out thru their own thoughts.  I can see where I’ve got to keep up on the lesson, & give it a good going over before meeting comes around again.

            I haven’t written to Jesse yet, but I intend to soon.  He wrote to me quite often at home, & I’d like to continue hearing from him.  You said Mont went to work.  Where is he working?  I wish he could get something steady.

            Reed Clinger is still with us, altho in fear of being called every day.  Today a card came asking him to report today for a physical exam, but I couldn’t get in touch with him so I called the Draft Board, & they postponed the exam until tomorrow which is his day off.  So, he may not be with us much longer.  It has been nice having him here altho it does make a difference, but he has fit himself to our household very well.

            It seems strange that it could still be so cold up there that you would need the furnace on.  It has been so pleasant here that you find it hard to think of cold weather again.

            Mother Carlson said that Dad is feeling much better than when I left.  She said that when everything runs smoothly he feels good, but when things go wrong he is right down again.  It is strange how worry can upset a person’s physical well being.

            I was sorry to hear that Sister DeYoung has been down.  That Lumbago usually hits her pretty hard doesn’t it.  I guess you will all shout hurrah when the good old sun starts shining steady again.  It can take a lot of the kinks out of the joints anyway.  They say that this has been the coldest winter down here for years, & with all this glorious sunshine they are all complaining about the cold.  It feels pretty good to us tho after all the cold we had.

            The ants are still as bad as ever, altho I’m finding out what people do to keep them off.  The lady next door has a 10 month baby, & she said to keep them off the baby bed she got some tape called hoo doo tape, & put it around the bottom of the bed & the ants won’t cross it.  It looks like ordinary white tape, & isn’t sticky either.  Mrs. Brown, the lady next door said that she ties a piece around the table legs & around the legs of the stove, & they don’t climb up them, and her food she puts in a container & then inside a pan of water, & the ants won’t go thru the water either.  Boy, we don’t know how lucky we are in Salt Lake when it comes to bugs.  I suppose I’ll get used to them, and be able to combat them as well as anyone else before long.  I’m going to try to get the land lady to paint the bath, bedroom & kitchen tho and I think that will help more than anything.

            Harold likes his work, but not as well as teaching.  They have been working 8:30 to 5:30, but starting last Sun. they now get off at 10 mins. to 5.  That gives them a little more time in the eve to rest.  All 4 of the boys have to work this coming Sun. Easter Sun.  I think I’ll invite them all to dinner, & then we can all go to church together.  Alan & Milton Jorgenson are rooming together about 2 blocks from here, paying $40 per month for board & room.  There is a war on here now over high rents, and we think ours is quite reasonable especially when we have no light bill or fuel bill.

            Alvin was in bed for 2 hrs this morning & didn’t sleep a wink.  He just lay talking to himself.  I think we’ll walk to town and mail this letter.

            Take care of yourself Mother until we see you.  I’d like you to plan on visiting us for 2 or 3 months this summer & fall.  It won’t hurt us to plan anyway.

            God bless you Mother, all three of us miss you more than we can say.

            With love, and a wish for a Happy Easter.  

                        Your Children, Laura, Harold & Alvin

A letter about me

                                             April 1, 1945

Dear Mother,

            I guess you thought I was a big baby when I called the other night, but I couldn’t help crying when I heard your voice.  It sounded so sweet; just as I remembered it.  I’ve wanted to call you ever since Jane was born, but have just kept putting it off.  It is so good to know that Royce will be in the country.  Surely the Lord is watching over us.  I don’t want you to think I am too soft.  I have managed beautifully with Harold away altho we miss him very much.  His letter yesterday said San Antonio is off his list.  Instead he will go back to Abiline where he is this coming week.  He will leave Dallas tonight.  He had a bad time trying to find a place to live, & ended up by taking out a years membership in the Y.M.C.A. for $21.00 but can stay for $3.75 a week, and it is good in any city where there is an organization. It entitles him to swim in their pool free, free lectures, and a clean place to eat & sleep.  He is sleeping on the Pullman tonight to save a hotel bill.

            This morning was a beautiful clear morning but by 9 it was cloudy, and bitter cold but the children & I went to Sun School and fast meeting anyway.  It is the coldest day we’ve had in weeks and it is trying hard to snow altho I think it is too cold.  Yesterday was a balmy spring day.  I had Jane outside for half an hour on the south side of the house.  She loved it.  Even last night it was so warm it was wonderful.  I went over to Maxines and we each dyed a dozen eggs for the children.  I bought each of them one candy egg, & with the other eggs they’ve had enough.  I pity the canyon picknicers today.  I’m sure they won’t have a very pleasant time.

            Jane is coming along fine.  I thought for a while she wasn’t gaining.  The whooping cough shots may have taken her down a little.  She was 4 months Thurs and is 26 1/4 in. long and weighs 14 lbs 13 oz. She is eating cereal & vegetables and I will start with fruit tomorrow.  She still likes her thumb, & I put several types of thumb guards on, but she just sucked them.  I believe she wasn’t getting enough to eat when she started, & if I put something in her hands she will play rather than suck.  We’ve taken some pictures, but Harold hasn’t been in Denver enough to take them to be developed.  I’ll have to go in the week after next & will take them in.

            Betty is a quiet little tyke.  She will play for hours by herself.  Alvin still must have an audience.  Jane doesn’t look like either one of them.  Everyone says she looks like me.  She still has blue eyes.  Maybe she is going to look like the grandma she was named for.  I must stop now and get supper.  Its 5 P.M. and getting colder by the minute.  Take care of yourself, and don’t do too much house cleaning.  Mine needs cleaning but I’ll wait until Harold can help me.  I’ve done some of the cupboards & drawers, & may get them all done before he gets back so he can help with the walls.

                                   With love, Laura

[Envelope note:] There is a foot of snow this morning.

Laura got a quick response to her letter

Mar 31^st 54

My Dear Laura,

             Just got your letter after coming from Relief Society.  I am glad you are coming and hope & pray that you will have a safe and pleasant trip.  Ruth said she would have a bed for Sister Norris, and the others can go where they want to.  So Sister Norris will be near to go with you when you go.  We don’t know whether Roland or Jennette will be coming.  They will come if they can get a way.  We had another snow storm yesterday but it is all gone today and the sun is shining bright only it is cold.  Don’t be working too hard.  I am glad the little ones are coming with you & Jane.  Do they have spring vacation.  Love to you all and we will see you soon

                        Lovingly  Mother.

12 years later, Denver again and it's Conference time

March 30, 1954

Dear Mother,

            We were so glad to hear from you, but I have been up to my neck in sewing for Easter, and then some.  I’ll tell you all about it this coming week.  Yes, we are coming for conference.  We are leaving here Sat. morning around 5, and will arrive we hope before 6 P.M.  Harold wants to make the Priesthood meeting at 7 and we have a Swedish reunion at 9:30.  We are bringing the baby

and Alice, and Jane to help take care of them.  Jimmy Bohn is also coming he has relatives to stay with.  George Phillips too has sleeping arrangements, and Mary Norris is coming, but she has no place to stay, and no money.  Harold and I are insisting that she come so she can get away from those kids of hers for a short time.  We know your house is usually full, but if Mother Carlson’s apartment is empty, that is if Sister Christenson isn’t there she could stay there.  Or perhaps Ruth Owen has a room she could have.  Will you have Mary call them.  I am also writing Ruth and Mother Carlson, and also Bishop Edwards.  Perhaps he has room, and I’m sure he would love to have her.

            I’ll stop for now.  Barbara Green just called and asked me to be Special Interest leader in the Stake.  Maybe I ought to try it.  It will require 4 nights a month.  May God bless you Mother, and we will see you soon.

                        Lovingly

                                    Laura

Back to 1942 in San Antonio - Getting adjusted

                                                                                                                                                                   March 29. 1942

Dear Mother,

            It was so good to hear from you.  We haven’t heard from anyone else as yet, but the mail takes so long it seems.  I believe it takes longer now than it used to.  I can’t remember now what I did tell you in the letters I’ve written, but on the train the second night we couldn’t get a sleeper, but the train was grand.  We each had a seat to ourselves, and I made a nice bed for Alvin.  He slept well the last day on the train too.  Alan Lundgren was such a big help with him, I don’t know what I’d have done without him.  The toilet seat & pot were too cumbersome to even use on the train, and the trains were so jerky he wouldn't use the toilet even to wet. However the trains were so hot he sweat most of his water I guess, & then when we made a stop I would take him.  We managed much better than I thought we would, only next time I travel I’m going to take just as little in my hands as possible.

            I was sorry to hear about Mary’s Grandfather.  I met him the day Mary left for California.  I don’t believe Harold has met him.  It surely seems that one must prepare themselves for emergencies of all kinds.

            By now I guess you are getting used to the quiet.  Alvin surely misses Muggs.  I guess that is one reason he wants to go outside all the time, and he chases every dog he sees.  I’m afraid I’ll have to get a harness for him when we go for a walk, because he can go faster than I can some times.  We are still thankful to have his heavy coat & hat, because the wind gets cold about 4:30 or 5: in the evenings.  It is Sunday morning, and he is sleeping.  Harold and Reed both have to work today.  It is Harold’s first Sunday to work and it doesn’t seem like Sun.  I didn’t go to Sun. School because I don’t know the way there alone yet.  We went last Sun, and it takes 45 minutes to get there.  We have to go into town then transfer to the west a couple of miles.  Sun. School is from 10:00 to 11:30, & priesthood meeting until 12:00 so it is 1:00 before we get home.  We are all going to church tonight tho.  The boys will get home at 6:00 & meeting starts at 7:30.  They’ll just have time to eat & run.

            I’m really enjoying our new home Mom.  It is easy to keep clean, because there doesn’t seem to be the dirt here that there is home.  Alvin stays so clean its wonderful.  The gas range is so convenient and hot water all the time.  The water is quite soft too.  I don’t use half the soap in my wash as I did, and I haven’t had to use lotion on my face since I came, altho I do use it on my hands about once a day.  At that rate this I have will last a long time.

            I enjoy cooking for Harold & Reed too. Perhaps because I have a little more to cook with, yet I still have to use all the food saving methods you taught us.  Our fruit came day before yesterday, and we have to keep it in the garage, but it is nice & clean there, and close to the back door.

            I have felt very good since we got here with the exception of being so drowzy all the time, but I hope I’m pretty well over that by now.  The weather is so changeable tho that I have to watch Alvin closely.  For 2 days & a night it was so hot we could hardly stand it, & Alvin’s head was constantly wet from sweating, then the next night the wind started to blow, & by morning we had to turn on the gas heaters & wear sweaters.  It can change from hot to cold within an hour it seems.

            I was glad to hear from Roland, and I’ll try to write to him today.  If I could spend each morning while Alvin is asleep writing letters I think I could keep up with everyone.

            Harold & Reed have spent the week looking for refrigerators or ice boxes, and they are not to be had in this town.  One like ours can’t be had for less than $100.00 & one smaller than Helen’s for $60.00, and that is second hand.  We could get an ice box like yours second hand for $30.00 but ice would come to $6.00 or $7.00 per month, whereas if we had an electric one it wouldn’t cost us anything to operate.  We have been watching the want ads too, but as yet nothing has come up.  Harold called the freight ofc. & asked how much it would cost to ship ours here, & they said about $12.00 although it would have to be boxed.  The freight ofc. Also said that most people just go to a refrigerator co. & usually can get a box to fit.  I don’t like to take the refrigerator away from you, but I don’t hardly know what to do.  If the ants & the heat weren’t so bad we might manage, but I can’t even keep food overnight, and my butter & sugar & everything else have to be kept in air tight cans.  Alvin is awake & I’ll have to give him his dinner.

            Our milk for Sunday & Monday comes Sat. about noon, and it is almost impossible to keep it fresh till Monday morning.  Anyway Mom, that is the refrigerator problem.  If you think you could manage without it, it seems much better for us all the way around to send for it.  At any rate we wont be able to send any money for it until after April 12^th.  I thought I’d write to Wid today & see if he couldn’t take care of it for us.  He would have to have the R.R. freight come after it tho even if it cost a little more.  They have delivered all my things here right to the door.

            Alvin is wanting to go outside again.  He is just after me all day long to take him out.  It is cooler today, & we haven’t been out at all yet.

            Did Bro. Clayson finally come for those Sunday School reports?  I called him again the day I left, & he had forgotten about them.

            I suppose you have found a lot of things I left, but I haven’t missed anything as yet that I need.

            I’ll bet it was good to have Pearl working 8 to 5 for a week anyway, and perhaps now you can adjust yourselves to living peacefully again.  I’m only sorry that I left things in such an awful mess for you.

            I’ll close for now Mama and tell the others to write to us occasionally.

            God bless you Mother.  I believe Harold loves you nearly as much as I do, altho I don’t think he could as much.  He wants so much to be able to send for you this summer, We’ve been counting on it so.  But only time will tell.  We pray for you always,

                                     Your loving children

                                              Laura Harold & Alvin