shortages and tick shots

U.S. Veterans Adm.

April 7, 1946

Dear Mother,

Today is General Conference and I can’t even get it on the radio.  We can get the National B. Co. at Billings, Mont. And the Mutual here at Sheridan, and that is all.  In the evening we can get more.  It has been over 2 weeks since I’ve written, and I fully intended to.  Two weeks ago this morning we had quite a scare.  I had Alvin & Betty in the tub, when the hot water tap under the sink in the bathroom sprung a leak.  All I could do was get the children out, and close the door.  The hot water is really boiling hot.  One afternoon when the gas was shut off I boiled an egg in the hot water for Jane.  I called the station plumber, but it was over an hour before he came.  It took Harold about 15 mins. To find out how to turn off the water in the basement.  The hot water streamed on thru the pantry & down to the basement.  It was something that no one was hurt or nothing badly damaged.

Robert Carlson & his wife stopped here Friday afternoon, and spent the night with us on their way to Oakland.  They left here Sat. morning intending to drive to Salt Lake Sat. night.  It is a long drive for one day.  We hope they made it ok.  It was good to see them, and nice that we had a place for them to stay.  I doubt if they have time to visit you, because they will just have Sunday home, & will leave Monday morning for the coast.  He has to report at the Naval hosp. In Oakland Wednesday.

We are all well, and enjoying the lovely spring weather.  Harold went fishing yesterday afternoon, and caught one about 12 inches long.  I hope he can get in some good fishing.  He hasn’t done much since we left S.L. and this seems to be a good country for it.

It would surely be good to have you come up this summer, but only if I can get someone to do the house work, so we can really enjoy having you here.  Mrs. Raish has a daughter that I’ve had tend the children, and she is very good, altho she wants to work on a Dude Ranch this summer.  It seems that everyone else likes to too, & as yet she hasn’t found a place.  Her mother would rather that she found work here, so I’m hoping.  It is difficult to get anyone from Sheridan because there is no bus service.  Jane is on my lap doing her best to upset me.  Harold & Alvin & Betty are in Sunday School.

The material Helen sent came yesterday. Thanks a million Helen.  I’ll try to get a dress made for each of the girls for Easter with it.  Thanks too for the lesson book.  I hope you got the butter ok, & that it wasn’t melted.  I thot at the time the weather was cool enough to send it.  There was a shortage here for about 6 weeks, but we still got all we needed.  The shortage here is soap, shortening & toilet tissue.  I finally got about 6 lbs. of shortening but soap is getting to be more scarce.  I guess I’ll just have to go to town every morning in hopes of getting it when it is in.  It is as hard to get as nylons.

I must have spring fever today.  I don’t want to do anything.  We all had tick shots a week ago, even Jane.  This is a sheep country & ticks are bad.  Here at the fort there is more danger from them than in town.  The rabbits bring them in from the fields.  We have wild rabbits around the house all the time.  I believe they must make their homes under the porches.  People just don’t think of killing them for meat because of tick fever.  Harold says that is what is wrong with Bro. Wilkins.  It seems the fever recures every year, so they don’t take any chances with it.  Here at the Ft. they innoculated everyone.

It is good to know Matt Reese is home.  I must get Harold to write to him.  I believe he talked more freely with Harold than with anyone else.  Yes, I hear from Winnie quite regular.  Her family has been sick with flu & colds a couple of times this winter besides having measles.  I never hear from Lillieth.  In fact I don’t even remember her married name.

I had to stop writing this morning & we want to mail it this afternoon so I’ll close.

With Love, Laura

67 years ago in Estes Park, Colorado

From:  Box 1041, Estes Park, Colo.

To: Mrs. Jane S. Davidson, c/o Lamont F. Toronto, 870 Wilshire Pl, Salt Lake City, Utah

                                                                                April 6, 1947

Dear Mother,

            We’ve just tucked the children in bed after a busy Easter Day.  We left this morning at 8 A.M. and went to Fort Collins for Sunday School.  It was warm in the valley, and a beautiful day.  Mother C. and Alvin went with Youngs in their car, and we had a very nice trip.  None of the children were car sick.  Louis slept all the way down, and part of the way back.  We had the buggy & put him to sleep while we were there.  They had fast meeting first, & Mrs. Young asked Harold to bless the baby.  Then they had an Easter Program which was rather long and drawn out.  We enjoyed it tho, and the children were very good.  There were 3 former Granitians [high school alumnus] there that we knew and it was good to see them again, Bob Kunkel & his wife Norma Mackay, and Afton Gold from down on 7^th East.  She is married & her husband [is] going to school here.  Bob teaches at the college.  After S.S. we went back to Loveland & ate our sandwiches in the park, and then on home by 2 P.M.  We all went to bed & slept till 4:30.  Mother C. seems to feel fine.  I believe the Dr. has just scared her and she is afraid to move.  She enjoyed herself today.

            Louis has had another flare-up with his penis, and yet I’m as careful with it as I can be.

            Wed. Harold is going to Denver, & we are all going except Alvin.  The girls should have their throats examined and I’ll ask the Dr. about Louis.  Then we are going to spend the afternoon with Mrs. Niemeyer.

            Tell Mont the table held up for 3 days, then flopped.  I wrote to them, & hope we can get satisfaction.

            Mother C. has told Harold he has to buy a vacuum cleaner.  She won’t even try to sweep the rug, so Harold has been doing it.  I manage very well with the washing 3 times a week, & Mother C. keeps dishes done up.

            Today is Conference, and I hope you have had good weather.  I’ll bet you have been in a turmoil with all of them home.  Don’t work too hard.  The children surely enjoyed the Easter things you got in Denver.  Jane helped us dye eggs, & she did a good job, & was as happy as a lark.  I went to Loveland shopping with Youngs yesterday & bought Alvin some shoes.  He has grown out of the others.  Thurs afternoon I went to Mothers Club but came home with a headache, so have decided to wear my glasses.  Harold took me to a show last night & I didn't get a headache.

            Mother C. said she must have left her slippers home, so she’ll write for them.  Take care of yourself, and May the Lord bless you, 

Lovingly, Laura

Work often required travel. The kids would have been the five youngest.

[A letter from Dad from the Bell Hotel  Ephrata, Washington.]

                                                                 April 5, 1965

Dear Laura and Kids,

We arrived in Ephrata at 10:00p.m. (1:00 a.m. Washington time) Vivian Bogart from Denver and Bertha Steel from Sacramento were in the same plane with me from Portland and Ed Arnold the Personnel officer here at Ephrata met us at the airport.  The 6 technicions from the Projects arrived last Thursday Morning and have already put in 4 full days.  Thurs, Fri. Sat & Sunday going over some of the 1300 cases we have to audit.  I understand they reviewed about 700 and put aside over 50 that looked bad for me to check.  It would be wonderful if we could get it done by Thursday so that I could spend Friday in Boise – Sat. in Salt Lake and be home Sunday.  The real important thing however is to get the job done RIGHT (without a single error)

Ephrata is a very dry sage brush town of 6500 population.  They have had no rain or snow since Jan. 1 – The grand Coulee Dam – largest in the world is 60 miles away and Ephrata doesn’t even get a drop of irrigation water from it – We stopped last night at Yakima which does get water for its apples.  Azaleas and cherry blossoms were blooming at Portland.  The trip was fine except just a little rough from Portland because we were in a very small plane – I feel fine. – Its 6:30 a.m. here (9:30 your time) and we have breakfast at seven and to work at 7:45 – Will know better by tonight how things are – I saw what looked like a nice L.D.S. Church – Will check so can go to Priesthood. 
                                                     Love Dad

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.