Letters to Shirley
This represents the transcript of
letters that my Mother saved in a cardboard box under her dresser. David and I found them after her death in
2002. They represent mostly letters written
by Dad to her when she left Wichita
Falls in the fall of 1947 to go to California to help her mother in the last
few months of her pregnancy with Linda.
The last two are letters found in the same box but were undated. I have tried to place the letters in order
but some were not in the envelopes and I did the best I could. I have also left the spelling as it was. Their last date was apparently on Friday night
August 22, 1947. She left the following day. (Two years later to the date they had gotten married and I was born.) That was a time after mother’s sophomore year
in high school. she never returned to school. Dad had already finished
high school. He was 20 at the beginning
of the letters and turned 21 in November 3.
Mother turned 16 on September 17th as nearly as I can
figure. No mention of either birthday is
noted in any of the letters. I don’t know when she returned but Linda was born
on Tuesday December 2, 1947.
All letters were written from JP
Smith at 1809 Buchannan Wichita Falls, Texas and sent to Miss Shirley Payne at 1346 North Whitnall Hwy, Burbank, California. Each air mail had a 5 cent stamp. Some special delivery letters had a 5 and a
13 cent stamp as well. Some time two 3
cent stamps were used. There are large
blocks of time with no letters and I don’t know if those are lost or were times
with no letters. It would have been very
interesting to have seen Mothers responses, but those were not preserved. No attempt to correct spelling or grammar was
made.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls Texas August 28, 1947 10:00 a.m.
Wed. nite 7:45 p.m.
My darling Shirley,
Well I came home
tonight a found I had another letter from you.
I sort of expected one but didn’t know for sure. Honey I’m awful sorry you’ve got a cold. Please take care of yourself. I just finished watering the front yard. Mother and daddy have gone to some sort of
party at the church. Baldy has a date
and here I am writing to the sweetest, cutest, and most adorable girl in California the whole
world. I was just talking to one of our
neighbors and she ask me about you. She
said mother told her you were the cutest little thing and that we were going to
get married. She said she didn’t think I
was making a mistake and that I know my heart better that anyone. So there.
We have one more rooting for us. Had
a nice talk with Tommy this evening and we talked about marriage he said we
could make it if we wanted to. I think
we want to, don’t you? Honey it sure is
lonesome with out you. Don’t you recon
you could talk your mother into running you off sooner that two week? If she knew how much I love you and miss you
she’d run you off tomorrow. Remember
what I said about not staying longer that what you want to. I’m about to run out of anything to say so
I’ll just say I love you some more. I
love you Angel, If it isn’t too much
trouble keep writing to me so that I’ll get two letters a day. You don’t know how much it helps to shorten
these long days while you’re gone. Well
its about 8 or 8:15 now so I expect I better take a bath and go to bed because
the moons sure getting bright. Did you
know that right now its only 6 o’clock
where you are. I saw Sarah Ann this evening. I was going down Brook and she was going to
the store. She said she was going to
send you a bunch of hurry home cards. Do
you thing they would help?
I’ll
write you again tomorrow at noon.
With
more love than money,
J.P.
P.S. “I think of you” all day “and dream of you
every night.”
Love
you “Rosey”
J.P.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas August 28, 1947
Hi Rosey,
Well
I got you card this morning that coliseum looks like quite a place. Sure would like to see it. Well I went up to see the man about the
surveying job and he said that the boy wasn’t sure he was going to get to go to
school because he had waited too long to enroll. He’s going to A & M College. So he said if I could get something else I
had better take it. Sooo… Mac said that
I had better get something else because the feed business was slack and they
wouldn’t need me. He also said they
might could use me again in about a mouth if business picked up. Tommy Leach said he might could use me for a
few days. Kinda doubt it though. So things look kind of bad, don’t they? Sort of looks like I’ll be unemployed for a
while. Maybe it’s a good thing your in California. However, I’d rather have you here anytime. The firemen told me last night that my
poppa-in-law (Cleo namely) was quitting the fire department. But they didn’t no anything else about
it. Well I guess I’d better go back to
work. Tell everyone hello and tell them
to take care of my honey for me.
Love
you a whole bunch,
J.P.
P.S. Recon I could get a job in California???
P.S # 2
Hurry
Home
P.S. #3 Write more
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas August 29, 1947 10:00 a.m.
Love
you precious
Dear Shirley,
What? No letter in the evening mail? I’m so surprised. Well I’m going to work for Tommy after
all. We will be out of town for about 7
or 8 maybe 10 days. I’ll write you from
there. We will be in Paducah for a few days then we will go to
Haskell for a few days. We’re going to
put on tool joints. Kenneth Ashley is
going to work with us. I guess you will
have to write here and Tommy can pick them up for me I imagine he will come
home every day. It isn’t but about 100
miles from here. Will get paid $1 per
hour. We will leave probably Sat.
I
sure hope your cold is better. I worried
all night about your being sick. Still
worry some about other things. Mainly
how long you will be there. Sure hope
not. Gosh! That’s a long time
Shirley! Well, come home as soon as you
can. I love you more every minute. Look at the moon tonight and think of
me.
I
love you,
Your
precious darling angel: (I hope)
P.S. Don’t let anyone talk you into making me a
has been.
J.
I Love You
Maybe we will get there by
Saturday Sept. 6. Remember that day??
Come home soon.
Love you Rosey
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas August 29, 1947 11:30 p.m.
Friday
night 7 p.m.
Dearest Shirley,
I
got your letter this evening I was beginning to think you weren’t going to
write me anymore. Yesterday I got a
postcard and that was all until this afternoon.
It is still daylight but the moon is coming up. I will not be dark for about an hour
yet. Tonight the moon will be full. You are right, I do talk to you thru the
moon. I tell it too take care of you and
bring you back quickly and safely to me.
When do you think you will be come home?
I imagine I will be gone until the 7th or 8th of
September. I hope you can come home by
then. You probably are seeing more and
experiencing more than you will for a long time. We might get to go out to the edge of town
once a week after we’re married. Recon
maybe? Ha! Ha!
Tonight’s
the night of the Oil Bowl Game. Don’t
think I’ll go tho’ too damn tight. Would
break my record. Haven’t been out since
last Friday. Remember that? That was the last night we were together.
Well
angel, darling, sweetie-pie, I guess I better go clean up. I’ll let you know when I go to Haskell and Paducah. Keep writing hear and I’ll let Tommy bring
them to me. Please try to come home by
the time I come back and we’ll celebrate.
Tell your mother and Russ hello.
Write more like you did Wednesday and Thursday. Until tomorrow then,
Love
you Shirley an awful lot,
J.P.
P.S. No P.S.
Love you
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas August 31, 1947 11:30
a.m.
Exactly
1 week
Apart
from my sweetie
Sat.
Night 7:45
Dearest Shirley,
Well here it is one week gone
by. I sure wish you were here. It’s getting more lonesome every day. Tommy and all of us are going to leave Monday
nite or early Tuesday morning. We will
be gone eight(8) days. That means we
will be back on the 10th of
September. I sure wish you could be back
by then. Sarah Ann, Bobby Jo and Francis
just came by and brought my bathing suit home.
I don’t know were going. Darn it, I’m having more interruptions. Bobby Jean just now called to see if I had
heard anything from you. She said she
lost that card you wrote her that had your address on it. So I had to give her your address. She’s sure mad at you for not writing her
more. Her mother and daddy are in
Eastland. Her daddy is working
there. She said she didn’t know how long
they would be gone. She said you could
live with them if you wanted to. They’re
just fixing to play “When you were Sweet Sixteen.” Shirley, I know your mother will need you but
I do too. Don’t stay too long. Bobbie Jean said Sarah Ann said your mother
wrote Francis and told her to seen your coats, annual and rest of your
thing. Honey, please don’t stay that
long! If you do I’ll come out
there. I love you too much to be apart
that long. Well, I’d better close
now. Keep on writing. I think you’re wonderful.
With
all my love,
Johnny
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas August 31, 1947 8:30 p.m.
Sunday
Evening
6:45 P.M.
Dear Shirley,
I
just came home from the show with Ed, Springer, Squeek and Stanley. Stanley
came home yesterday. He’s been to Colorado and Mexico.
Much
to my surprise I came home and found your special delivery letter. I am in a very good mood now. Shirley honey, you stay out there with your
mother. Yes, I’d give anything if you
were here but she needs you an awful lot.
You can save you mother an awful lot of work and worry. It won’t be too long. Maybe in the meantime I can find a job so
that I will be prepared to take care of you better. Tell your mother to take care of your and you
do the same for her. I don’t know why
but today everything seems bright. I
don’t feel down in the dumps about anything.
I waited twenty years before I found you I guess I can wait a month or
two. Can’t we? Shirley sweet, if you will write to me
everyday it won’t seem so long. If you
don’t know anything to say just tell me you still love me as much as ever and
that will be enough. You’re right about
how wonderful it will be when you come back.
I was thinking this evening it’s not as bad as it seems. This week has gone by very fast. Of course I miss you that’s natural after
seeing you and being with you nearly every day but knowing you as I do I can
and will wait. I can save and work and
write you every day and hardly before we know it the right time will be here
and we will be prepared to spend our lives together with having to struggle to
have what we need. I’m fixing to call
Tommy and see if I can get out of going down to Haskell. I think it would pay me to stay home and rest
and look for a permanent job. I’m tired and need a rest before I can do much
good at anything. Mother said she
thought she would write your mother a letter. I ask her why and she said she didn’t know she
just thought she would. Sounds goofey,
doesn’t it?
Honey,
you tell your mother I’m sorry about trying to get you to come home soon. What I want now is to have you stay until
your mother is absolutely O.K. We’re
both young and someday might need help.
Well I’d better sign off for today.
But not before I tell you I love you more than ever, think you’re
sweeter than ever. And… you’re my
precious darling sweetheart angel. There
now. Don’t worry about loosing you
boyfriend. There just isn’t anyone else
got what it takes. You have.
Until
tomorrow
Be
sweet for me
J.P.
Tell my future in-laws howdy.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas September 1, 1947 7 pm
Monday
Even.
3:30 P.M.
My Precious Darling,
Well
how’s my little angel today. Boy it’s
hotter that hell and still heating. It
was 105° at noon so I guess
it’s about 108-109° by now. I just got
to thinking. From now until November is
a hell of a long time. I just don’t know
what I’ll do without you for two months.
Derned if I do. Did you ever
think how long it will be? I sure hope
you don’t forget poor little ole me.
Dern it anyway. I hate to stay at
home all the time but when I get out I see everybody and their dates and then is
when I get the lonesome blues. Then is
when I miss you most. Sometimes I nearly
go crazy for wanting to see you. If I
could see you for just a few minutes it would help so much. Just to know I can’t see you or talk to you,
just to be with you is all I want. I
just can’t see how I can make it but I guess I will. I had it figured out last night but today it
just doesn’t work out. I’ve tried to run
around with Ed and them but it just isn’t any fun any more. I wish you hadn’t gone so soon then it
wouldn’t be so long. Well I guess you’d
like to see the old town again yourself.
Talking about me being in my own home town doesn’t help a bit. I fell like a stranger without you here. I’ve been thinking. I think the only way to get a good job is to
get out and get away from W. F. There
just isn’t anything her as far is work or a good job is concerned. I’ve got a cold so I told Tommy I’d better
not try to go with them. I guess you’ve
lost your cold because I’ve got it now.
Well sweetheart I’d better close now so write and let me know all the
news. I’ll write again tomorrow. Be sweet for me precious.
I
love you,
J.P.
Postmark: Wichita Falls, Texas September 4, 1947 Midnight
Wed
nite
7:00 P.M.
Dear Shirley,
Well
I wrote and said I was going with Tommy then I wrote and said I wasn’t. Guess what.
I went after all. We left about 5:30 Tuesday morning. We just got back about 10 minutes ago. I bet my little angel thought I’d forgotten
her. You, God, and I know darn well I
didn’t. We stayed in Cattle Hotel in Paducah which was 30
miles from where we were working. So we
drove 90 miles to work not counting the 7 miles from the highway to the rig
where we worked. It was just a road made
by one sweep of a bulldozer thru this big ranch. Seven miles of dust 4 times a day. I’m not fooling at all when I day you could
not see five feet behind the truck. It’s
so dry it takes about fifteen minutes for the dust to settle. We will be home till Friday then we have to
go back for two or three days. Then we
will come back and go to Haskell for 3 or 4 days. No, the job is not permanent but I might get
some help from them in getting a permanent job.
I would have written you last night but I was tired and we worked hard
all day yesterday in that hot sand and so I knew you’d understand. I thought you mothers letter was sweet so I’m
going to undertake to answer it. You
know how much I miss you but I think its best that you stay with your mother
until the baby arrives. By that time I’m
positive I’ll have a steady job by then.
I’ll do my darndest. Just for
you. We got up this morning at 3 am and went to work. We only got about 4 hours sleep last night
but we got the hottest work done while it was cool. Correction!
There isn’t anything cool about that work. We have to heat those tool joint until they
are red hot. Well I’m going to write your
mother a few lines. I’ll write you as
often as possible. After next week I’ll
write every day. I love you ore every
day Shirley and I’ll miss you an awful lot more before November. Be sweet darling.
I’ll
love you always,
J.P.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas September 5, 1947
Thurs
Evening
My Precious Angel,
Well
how’s my honey today? Much to my regret
no mail today. I started to town to mail
that special delivery letter and just couldn’t make it so I mailed it this
morning. Hope you don’t mind. I was just
too tired. Boy you talking about feeling
bad. I really felt that way this
morning. I felt like I’d been run over
by a truck or a train. My cold really
got worse last night. Sore? Man I was so
sore I could hardly move my hands, feet and legs or blistered where I got
kerosene on them and the sun just blistered them.
They
have opened a private employment agency here and I’m going up tomorrow morning
and see if I can get an easy job. Ha!
Ha! That sounds funny, me with an easy job, doesn’t it? I don’t much want to go back with Tommy and
them but may not be able to get out of it.
We
are still having 105-108° temperature. It’s
supposed to get cooler tomorrow tho.
Honey
I know your mother wants you to stay until the baby comes but between you and
me you do whatever you want to. It’s
just like it’s always been. You can do
anything you want to. It will be all
right with me. It’s a long time till
November. I’d better stop that or our
mother will kill me.
I’d
better closed before I say too much. I
know it doesn’t make it easier for you.
I
love you my precious darling angel, Rosey
J.P.
I ran out of paper.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas October 1, 1947 9:30
PM
Wed.
Night
Dear Shirley,
No
letter today. I’m not in a very good
mood I’ll tell you for sure.
Nothing
(ran out of ink) happened today that was new.
I didn’t work very hard. Went to
see “The Fabulous Dorsey’s” last night.
How’s everyone out there getting along?
Fine I hope. Jimmy had a party
today and Mother said she never heard the like of noise crying and everything
in her life. Do you need any more
money? If you do let me know. I’m going to pay my $16 acct at the Hub and
pay Mother her dammit $15 the fifteenth.
Well
I’ll write again tomorrow,
Love
you,
J.P.
P.S. I’d better get a letter
tomorrow!
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas October 2, 1947 7:30
PM
Thurs.
Night
7:00 P.M.
Dearest Shirley,
I
received you letter this morning and was glad to hear from you again. I’m just about to die from wondering what
you’ve go to tell me. Well I didn’t get
to talk to Me. Huff today but I’m going to corner him tomorrow. I’d kinda like to go back to the feed
store. I’ll make about $50 or more a
month and I don’t think I will every get much more where I am now. Besides that Mac and them will do more for
me. I figure if Mac eve gets the chance he will help me get ahead. I mean that If he ever gets another business
besides the feed store he will give me an easier job.
I
heard Jo Stafford sing “Ain’t You Ever Coming Back” tonight. Sure did make me blue. Gosh sometimes I just nearly die for wanting
to see you. But I’ll just have to
wait. It won’t be too much longer I hope. I just love you more every time I think about
it.
You
know, I figure I can save $15 a week at the feed store while you’re gone. That will help you know.
Honey,
when are we going to get some dishes, silverware and linens and
everything? When we get them I guess we
will be ready to get married. I’m ready
now. How about you?
Well
I guess I’ll close for now and go mail this.
So till tomorrow when I’ll find out what you’ve got to tell me, I’ll
just tell you that I love you some more.
Be sweet and careful darling,
‘Bye
‘Bye,
J.P.
P.S. Watch those young men out
there.
J.P.
Postmark: Wichita Falls, Texas October 3, 1947 9:30 AM
Friday
Night
6:30 P.M.
Dear Shirley,
Well
I just listened to the Supper Club and Perry Como sang “That’s My Desire” and
”When You Were Sweet Sixteen”. You
probably heard it. I hope so. Jim called last night and said he was going
down to Chico, Texas and see Carrie Ruth, Gayle, Kay and Frankie and everyone
so I’m going to meet him in Bowie tomorrow and spend the week-end with them on
the farm. It belongs to Carrie Ruth’s
family. I’ll write you tomorrow before I
leave and I’ll write Sunday night when I get back. I haven’t seen Jim and them since the time
you and I went to Waurika and met them.
Remember that? You gave me your
mother’s ring. Also you had a date with
B.K. that night. Remember how mad I
got? I’m sure glad I don’t have to
worry about anyone now!
Oh
I forgot to tell you in my letter last night that I almost cut the end of my
finger off yesterday on a machine that I cut picture frames on. I was cutting a little piece and thought I
had a hold of the molding but I had my finger under the blades of the
machine. It split my fingernail about
1/8 of an inch and then sliced thru the end of my finger. I went across the street to the drug store to
get a band-aid and I nearly fainted.
Loss of blood I guess. Could have
been worse I guess.
Well
your letter today was a little better.
I’m glad. I don’t blame you for
them. Mother gave me a good eating out
too.
I
guess I’ll close by telling you I still love you more than anything in the
world. I can hardly wait until you come
home and become Mrs. Smith. Sound good
to me. A little apartment of our own. Sure will be happy when that day comes.
Be
sweet darling, and careful too. I don’t
want anything to happen to you.
Lots
of love angel,
J.P.
P.S. I saw your daddy this
morning before I went to work. He was
friendly as he always was.
P.S. #2 I’m still sorry about
those letters.
P.S.#3 Guess I’ll get a lot of kidding about getting
married Sunday. I don’t care though.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas October 4,1947 4:30 PM
Sat.
Noon
Dearest Shirley,
Well
I got your letter and it sounded more like you.
Your mother must be a fine educator on “how to keep your husband in the
doghouse.” You seem to be learning fast.
I’m
going to Chico
at 3:30 this evening. I’ll go to Bowie on the bus and catch a train in Bowie and ride it into Chico. It’s just a little farm town and there’s no
thru highway. Jim called and said he was
going to have to work tonight so he won’t come down until in the morning. I understand they have some horses down there
so I guess I’ll go horseback riding. The
four legged kind. Who said that awful
thing.
Well
here it is a month and a half since you were here. That’s sure a long time but maybe it won’t be
much longer. I hope not.
I’ve
been working a Huff’s now 3 weeks and 2 days.
It sure doesn’t seem that long does it.
I sure hope I get a raise the fifteenth.
We’ll sure need it I’ll tell you for sure. We’ve got $60 in the bank now and by the time
you get home we should have a good bit.
Well
I guess I’d better go take a bath and get ready to go. I’ll write tomorrow night when I get home.
Be
sweet, I love you,
J.P.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas October 5, 1947 8:30 PM
Sunday
Night
9:00 o’clock
Dear Shirley,
Well
I just got off the bus and I’m at the Post Office. So you will have to excuse the writing
because I wouldn’t miss writing your for anything. I had a wonderful time on the farm with all
the kids. Jim didn’t get there until 3 o’clock this evening so we didn’t
have very long together. Everyone wanted
to see your picture and when they did they thought you were really cute. So do I.
Carrie Ruth told them you were a lot cuter than the pictures show. So do I.
Well
honey I’ll close for now because I’m really tired. I had to stand up on the bus all the way
home.
Will
writ more tomorrow.
Love
you lots,
J.P.
P.S. Can hardly wait till you
come back.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas October 6, 1947 10:00 AM
Dear Shirley,
Well here I am
home at last. This sure was a long short
week-end, if you know what I mean. I
sure had a good time with the kids and everyone
There was one of the kids in my lap all the time I was there. Kay mostly.
Every time I go to see them Kay won’t hardly let e get out of her
sight. Last night Carrie Ruth let Gayle
and Kay draw straws to see who got to sleep with me. Kay won.
She wanted to know if Gayle couldn’t sleep with us too. About twelve
o’clock Kay woke up and sat up in the bed and said who is
that. I told her it was me so she laid
back down and went to sleep. We slept in the front room and the moon was
shining thru the trees right on me. I
just lid there thinking about you. I
really did get homesick for you (more that is).
Today I changed
clothes and just laid my clean clothes across the bed and put on my
Levi’s. When I came back I couldn’t find
them. Carrie Ruth said she hung them in
the closet. I ask her why she put them
there. That was the last place I’d have
thought to find them. She said ”Brother
you just wait, Shirley will put a stop to that.” She asked me when you were coming home and I
told her November. She said “when are
you going to get married? In November?”
Gayle and Kay just talked about us getting married all the time. Carrie Ruth seemed to be for us getting
married. She always has bee
understanding. Jim too. I know you’ll just love them when you got to
know them.
I can’t figure
out how come it takes so long for a paper to get out there. I’ll try to find one to send you tomorrow.
I was really
glad to get your special Delivery letter tonight. I was kinda expecting it. You’re exactly right about how nice it is
after an argument, but what say we just don’t have anymore? It does show how much you love someone after
it’s over. I just had to get it out my
mind that you couldn’t come home before the baby comes. By when it does, you hi tail it home
quick. See? I know you will so I don’t need to tell
you. Everybody asks about you. The firemen and everyone around the drugstore
and everywhere I go. “Ham” Hamilton told me tonight
that daddy wasn’t going to quit the fire dept.
Well I’ll close
now because I’m so tired I can hardly see.
Will write tomorrow. I just
wanted to tell you how sweet and precious you are to me, and how much I miss
you. Thanks again darling for the S.D.
letter today.
Love you
sweetheart, darling, precious, angel, Rosey
J.P
P.S. Hope your
mother is doing O.K. Russ too.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas October 6, 1947 9:30 PM
Monday
Night
Dearest Shirley,
Well
I’m mad tonight at my boss. He didn’t
start writing a letter until we got ready to close so I had to wait and mail it
so I had to miss the Supper Club. Oh
yeah, lets just say it wont be but 2 more months instead of 58 days, it sounds
shorter.
They
are playing a song on the radio. It’s
called “How Soon.” I think it will be a
hit. It says “how long will it be before
I hold you” or something like that. Just
fits. I really will be glad when you
come back. I get more anxious every day. I’m hoping “it” will come the first of
November instead of the last part. Don’t
you hope so too?
Honey
I think it would be better if I just put what little I can in the bank until I
start making more money. I should get a
raise the 15th. If I don’t,
I’m going to ask for one. I’m working
hard and building picture frames and that’s what he said I would have to do to
get one, so… We will still have time to
get everything. But listen, if you find
something you don’t think we can get later let me know and I’ll send you some
money.
While
I was at Chico
I saw in the Ft. Worth paper a set of beautiful
dishes. Service for eight and a 18 piece
dinnerware set all for $19.95.
If
I don’t get a raise I’m going to tell him I’ve got to have more money because
I’m going to get married. Maybe he’ll
come across then. Don’t you imagine? He’d better.
I
was sort of disappointed with my check too.
But you’ve got to remember, I worked at the feed store nearly three
years. I started out at $18.00 per
week. If I get a 10 cent an hour raise
that will be about $135.00 per month.
Honey, that’s not too much but I think we can make it! Don’t you? I’ve noticed a lot of 2 and 3 room apartments for rent lately, not too high
either.
Well
I guess I’d better cleanup and go mail this so I’ll close as usual telling you
I’m sure in love with you. More than
ever now. I don’t think I’ll have to
fuss with you though to find that out.
Be
sweet to me please my precious, darling, sweetheart angel.
Love
you a whole bunch,
J.P.
P.S. Don’t you think this letter
sounds better than the ones last week.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas October 7, 1947 9:30
PM
Tuesday
night
6:00 pm
Dear Shirley,
Well
it has been 6 weeks and 3 days now. Only
a little less than 2 months to go. I
hope it goes by quick. Ed went to work
this morning swamping an oil field truck.
Lucky devil. I wish I had a
steady job like that.
How
come I didn’t get a letter today?
I’m
listening to Jo Stafford, she is singing “In the Still of the Night”. It’s really pretty.
Dadburn,
that mother of mine, she’s got fish and beans for supper and I just can’t stand
either one of them.
I’m
sure tired tonight. Didn’t do anything
today. I guess that’s why I’m tired.
What’s
going on out there anyway? You haven’t
said lately.
It
rained here a little while this morning but it has been clear all the rest of
the day.
Well
sweetheart, I guess I’ll close for now.
Don’t forget I love you, I love you.
I love you. I’ll be the happiest
person in the world the day you come back.
Miss you terribly.
Good
Night Darling,
J.P.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas October 8, 1947
Wed.
Night
Dear Shirley,
Well
another day has gone by. They seem to be
going pretty fast. Hope they keep on going fast. There hasn’t been very much going on here the
last day or two. I haven’t has to do
hardly anything at work the last two days.
Business has been pretty slack.. It will pick up again thought.
I
called Sarah Ann awhile ago to see if they has heard from you. She said that she hadn’t heard from you but
one time since you have been gone. It
rained last night and its cloudy tonight.
It’s been real nice and cool the last two days.
How
come I haven’t got a letter from you the last two days? Honey if you’re busy and can’t write
everyday, just send me a little note and say you’re busy so I’ll know what’s
the matter.
Well
it’s fixing to rain so I guess I’d better run mail this before it does. Remember I love you an awful lot and I’ll be
happy to see you come back. I miss you a
lot more that I can tell you.
Until
tomorrow, I’ll just wait and hope I hear from you tomorrow.
Be
sweet darling
I
love you for sentimental reasons!
J.P.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas October 9, 1947 12:30
PM
Wed.
Night
Again
Dearest Baby Doll,
Well
I went over to the drug store and mailed your letter and came home. When I got back I had me a special delivery
letter. You never did say why you
haven’t written. I don’t guess I mind
you going out with other kids. You say
they don’t mean anything but you said that before Grady remember. Now don’t get excited I know it won’t
happen. I hope it doesn’t at least. There is always the possibility of it though. Be careful.
Guess
what? Max called awhile ago. While I was at the drug store and he said he
had a job for me now at the feed store. You know he said that if business
picked up he would put me back to work.
So he told me that I would have a job as long as that was a feed store
and as long as they were in business. So
it pays about a dollar a day more and I can eat at home and won’t have to ride
the bus so I’ll be coming out about $40 or $50 a month more than I am getting
at Huff’s. I’m going to talk to Mr. Huff
in the morning and if he won’t pay me as much as the feed store well I’m going
back to the feed store. I like that work
better than this anyway. What do you
think about it? I guess if I take the
feed store job we can get married as soon as you come home.
Talking
about horseback riding, I didn’t even see a horse while I was at Chico. Besides that, I can barely stay on a horse
anyway. Get it. Not much of a rider.
Dern
I sure wish this was November. Honey
please don’t go out with those kids too much.
Will you not? I’m saving all my
fun for your homecoming. Hot dogs, will
I be glad when that day comes. You’ll
never know how glad I’ll be.
Well
I’d better close or I won’t have anything to say tomorrow. I won’t mail this until in the morning.
Goodnight
Mrs. Smith
J.P.
P.S. Watch those boys (bozos). We don’t want to have that all to go thru
with again, do we?
Love you
L.M.R.L.H
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas October 9, 1947 11:30
PM
Thurs.
Night
6:30 P.M.
My dearest Shirley,
Has
the smoke settled yet? Boy I haven’t had
a chewing out like you gave me in years!
I’ll try to explain, apologize and everything. First I want you to know I’m not a
drunkard. I’ve drunk a few bottles of beer,
that’s all. I didn’t know I said
anything in my letters that would hurt you.
Shirley honey, you know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. I’ll admit my letters were cady and I
deserved a good eating out. Which I
got. Some of which I think was unnecessary. But that’s over with, I hope. I’ll probably get another red hot letter from
you in the morning. We went for about 5
or 6 months without having the slightest argument so I don’t think this is the
time to start. I’ll tell you now that I am very sorry for the things that I
said. No this wait isn’t hurting me at all.
I just thought it was. I’m
getting along a lot better that I thought I would. Talking about my knowing your mother was
going to have a baby in November, we you knew it too yet you told me you’d be
back in two weeks. Remember that?
Enough
of this. You think I don’t just love
you for working so hard on everything but I do.
You never told me you were working so hard on them. It makes me proud of you to know you’re
working so hard for us. I do know
how much you love me. You proved
it. More than one way.
So
I hope the next letter I get from you sounds a little more like you love me.
When
we get married I’ll know what to say and what not to say in order to stay out
of the doghouse. Let me out now will
you, honey, please.
Lets
just forget all this and start clear again What do you say Rosey?
I
love you more than I ever did. I’ll
never get mad and write you another like those as long as I live. I think you are smart, sweet, cute, adorable,
precious, darling and everything. There
now don’t you think I love you as much as ever.
Well
I’d better go mail this so I’ll write again tomorrow.
Good
night darling, Love you some more,
J.P.
P.S. I’m sorry again
.
P.S.#2 I’ll wait til hell freezes over for you.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas November 5, 1947 1:30 AM
Tuesday
Night
Dear Shirley,
Well
another day has passed. One day nearer
to your homecoming. I sure will be glad
when it comes. I talked to Mrs. Wright
last night. She said we had a good
chance to get her apartment if we wanted it.
It’s up to you. I like it
myself. Don’t think we could beat it for
$30 a month, do you?
I’m
going to hear the Barbershop Quartets tonight at the auditorium at 8:30.
I
saw Phyllis Webb over at the drugstore last night. She ask about you. She ask me when we were going to get married. I ask her who told her and she said Ed told
her. I think Ed about has the S.A. on
her. Stanley has the sweets on some girl Phyllis
runs about with. I hardly ever see Ed or
Stanley anymore. I saw them last night
the first time in about 2 weeks.
I
guess you went over to the Gambells this weekend because I didn’t get a letter.
They’re
singing “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” on the radio. Remember when we say
State Fair at the drive in with Tommy and Mary Lou? I see Tommy has him a new Chevy pickup. One of those fancy streamlined ones.
I’m
running out of paper.
I
love you so much,
J.P.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas November 7, 1947 1:30 AM
Friday
Night
Mt dearest Shirley,
Boy
I really feel good today. Thank you
precious for the lighter and the card. I
can really use the lighter as I don’t have one.
Your letters sounded more like the Shirley I use to know. I must say you haven’t been acting like you
love. Somehow I just couldn’t believe
you would ever quit me because knowing you as I do, I knew you weren’t lying or
pretending to love me so I never completely broke down ever. However I came damn close to quitting you.
Mother
has started to telling me we’ll be making a mistake by getting married again. As you know I am now 21. A man.
There is nothing they can do but just holler about it because they can’t
make me do anything I don’t want to. I
do want to get married. I will be
contented to sit a home and look at the four walls until we can save enough to
buy us a car. That’s practically all
we’ve ever done anyway. I’ve already
told Mrs. Wright we want the apartment.
She said it would be vacant about December sometime. It may not be fancy but we can fix it
up. Maybe Kemtone it. It will be large enough for two. I imagine I’ll get another raise next
month. Maybe sooner. Mr.
Huff hired two more men yesterday.
One to handle the stock and a salesman.
That doesn’t leave me anything else to do but build picture frames. I built 20 the last two days. I ware a clean white shirt and a tie and my
sport suit today and it’s as clean as it was when I left home this
morning. That sure beats the feed store.
It
really turned cold last night. It was
the first freeze of the year.
Honey
they are advertising silverware at Zales for $18 and $19 a set with the
case. Dishes are about the same. I noticed sheets in yesterdays paper for
$2.79. They have lots of sheets so we
don’t need to worry about them.
I’m
catching a darned cold. It’s been
getting worse today. Sure wish you were
here to make me take Sulfa tablets. Well
darling my nose just started bleeding so I guess I’d better close for now. I’ll write tomorrow when I get off.
Remember
I
love only you
J.P.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas November 8, 1947 9:30 AM
Sat.
Night
My dearest darling Shirley,
Well
it’s been 978 years tonight since I’ve seen you. Darn honey I’ll be glad when this is all over
with and you come home. Every time I
start getting lonesome for you I get up and do something to try to forget how
long it’s been or how long it will be before I see you but I’ve run out of
things to do.
Hardin College
had their annual homecoming parade this morning. It lasted about an hour and a half. I saw Bobbie Jean and Louise strutting down
the street.
I
saw Arnold the
other day playing with some little kids in front of the house. I saw Joan Mankins in the show the other
night. Didn’t speak to the old heifer
tho.
I
may go down to Chico
again next weekend. If Jim is going to
come down.
Honey
I just wish you could see Jimmy. That
little devil just jabbers all the time.
Hi really is getting cute.
Mother
and Daddy gave me a new hat for my birthday.
Yep, just like the rest you used to sit on. It’s a grey colored. Goes with my frontier suit and my other suits
too.
Well
precious I’d better close and get ready to go to the Hardin football game. So, I’ll just say I love you Shirley darling,
more than anyone will ever know.
Love
and kisses,
J.P.
P.S. How’s your Maw and Paw? You haven’t said lately. Everyone in town is fine but me. I’m lonesome for you. Oh yeah got a cold too.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas November 9, 1947 11:30 PM
Sunday
Night
Dearest
Shirley,
Well here it is another lonely night
without you. Won’t be too much longer
now I guess. Bobbie Jean called me about
noon to see if I’d heard
from you. She said you hadn’t answered
her long letter. She was out at
Louise’s.
Jimmy, Helen, and Max just came out
a few minutes ago. Daddy’s been chewing
tobacco and had a little urn to spit in.
Jimmy looked at it and before we could catch him he poured it all out
all over everything. Including me and
him. He’s really beginning to get meddlesome. Into one thing after the other.
Well I’m counting the days until you
and I will be married. I don’t think
anything will ever make me happier than having you with me all the time.
All the firemen have asking about
you. They’ve been instructing me about
our getting married. I thought they
would all tease and kid me but they all seem to think I’m not making a
mistake. One of them said I’d make a
good husband because I’m just the family man type. They say I’m settled and everything. They seem to know more about me that I do.
You know I think I’ll get another
raise before he said he would raise me.
I don’t know why I just do.
I hear “How Soon” and “A Fella Needs
A Girl” have both made the hit parade.
“Forever Amber” was on at the midnight
show last night. I didn’t see it
though. Have you all seen the “Fabulous
Texas”? It’s real good.
Dern, I wish this was next month so
you’d be home. I don’t know whether or
not I’ll know how to act being around a girl again. It’s been nearly 3 months now. Do you remember? I know you do. How’s you mother feeling these days? More like it I hope. I expect to hear of her having her baby
anytime now. Honeys please call me after
the baby comes. If and when you do call
pretty late at night so I’ll be sure to be here. I’d give anything to hear your voice
again. Allie or one of the firemen said
“I’ll bet you can’t even remember her being here can you?” I’ll agree with him. I can’t remember hardly ever knowing you.
Well I guess I’ll close now. Wait a minute; Daddy is going to take his
vacation next Friday. I think they’ll be
gone two weeks. Sure is going to be
lonesome without anyone around except my bald headed brother to keep me
company.
Better run mail this so, I love you
a whole bunch, be sweet,
Until
Tomorrow
J.P.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas November 10, 1947 11:30 PM
Monday
Night
I’m at the Post
Office, Think I don’t love you?
Dearest Shirley,
I really got a sweet letter from the
one I love, you namely. The reason I
didn’t write early tonight was because I came back to town and worked about 3
hours. I didn’t have to do any hard work
and I get paid extra for it so I decided I might as well make that extra money
because I didn’t have anything to do anyway.
I was really glad to get your long
letter. They seem to get better all the
time.
I called Mrs. Wright last night and
she said some other couple was trying to get that apartment. I told her you really wanted it. She said she’d try her best to get it for
us. Doesn’t that sound good, Mr. and
Mrs. J. P. Smith’s apartment? I thing it
sounds wonderful. When we go someplace
at night we’ll both go to the same home together. It will always be a good home.
Everything seems to be turning out
better than I expected. I expect that
next month after congress meets that something will be done about the high
prices.
You been right I’ll send you some
money this payday. It’s next
Saturday. I’m supposed to sell my jacket
tomorrow. I’m not going to clear but
about $5 on it. I owe Mother and Daddy
$10 I borrowed to buy it. But this extra work will add up some. I figure by the time you get back we’ll have
over a $100 or more, besides our linens and things. Of course we’ll have to buy our dishes and
silverware.
I’m glad to hear you won the bag and
slip. Hope I’m lucky the 20th
of this month and win that new Kaiser fund raiser car. I have a ticket now. Sure could user the $2500 couldn’t we?
We’ll darling, I guess. I’d better
get home and get some rest so I can do a good days work tomorrow so I can get
another raise before long. I like my
boss better all the time. I imagine
he’ll let me off a few days when we get married.
Goodnight Rosey darling,
J.P.
P.S. I sent you a paper this morning.
P.S Jr. Keep writing letters like the one I got this
morning.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas November 12, 1947 10 AM
Tuesday
Night
Dear Shirley,
Well I worked about 3 hours last
night and I’m going to work again tonight.
Maybe every night this week. We
are making advertising banners for White’s Auto Stores. I’m working at Nanny Sign and Process Co. Mr. Huff owns half of that. We gotta have that extra money you know. I’m not able to spend any during the day and
working nights so I’m going to have a pretty good check this Sat. I’ll send you some money Special Delivery
Sat. I imagine I’ll get about $70 this
payday clear. I usually get $61.10 with
taxes already taken out.
Dern it I didn’t get a letter today
so I haven’t got much new to think about.
All I know is I love you and it
won’t be but about 35 or 40 more days until you will be back home.
Well honey I’ve got to go back and
work a little while so I’d better close for now.
I
love you,
J.P.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas November 12, 1947 9:30 PM
Wed.
Night
Hello Sweetie,
How’s my precious one and only? I’m not going to work tonight but we’re going
to work late tomorrow night. We ran out
of ink and we were supposed to get some today.
We had to order it from Dallas
and it didn’t come in today.
Honey the new stock clerk they hired
is just about my age. Maybe a year
older. We were talking this evening and
I asked him how long he’d been married.
He said he’d been married 2 ½ weeks.
I’m glad somebody down there thinks marriage is good. The new salesman is not but about 24 or 25
years old. They’re all swell guys. He hasn’t been married too long either.
We’ll I don’t know of anything else
I can buy in the way of clothes. I’ve
got all I could possible need for another year.
Everything from socks to hat. I
bought me some new gloves today.
Glad to hear you got some new high
heels. Wondered if you were every going
to wear high heels. Bet you look more
beautiful than ever.
You know I’ll bet you don’t remember
exactly what I look like. I couldn’t tell
exactly what you look like. It’s seem
like its been a lifetime since I’ve seen you.
Last night I was lying in bed thinking about you. Thinking about how we would sit in front of
you house when we had been to a show or someplace and talk and smooch to beat
hell. I was thinking how wonderful it
will be to just be able to turn over in bed and find you there with me. Then is when I think the best. I can just tell you exactly how much I love
you.
Jimmy and Mother just said to tell
you hello. Jimmy is spending the evening
with us.
Won’t it be fine to know you don’t
have to worry what somebody else is going to do? To know that we’re our own boss and what we
do will bother no one. I’m not worried
in the least about taking on the responsibility of making a home and keeping us
both safe and comfortable.
Honey, unless your mother and them
plan to be here a couple of weeks or so I can’t see how we can get married in
just two or three days after you come home.
How much do you think everything we’ll need will cost. I mean everything from silverware, dishes to
linens. Figure it up and let me know.
Well darling hope you have a good
time in S. F. and please keep writing.
I
love you Shirley darling,
J.P.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas November 15, 1947 6:30 PM
Saturday
Night
My dearest Angel,
I’ll start off by explaining why I
haven’t written. As I told you in my
last letter I worked Monday and Wednesday nights. Well I worked Thursday and Friday too. We worked until 12 o’clock Thursday night and on o’clock last night. I’ve just barely had ti9me to come home and
get a bite to ear and get back to work.
When I get home I don’t get into bed I fall in. I never have been so damned worn out and
tired in my life. But it was only
temporary and we certainly need the extra money. I got paid a Huff’s for my regular work and
I’ll get paid Mon. for my night work.
Honey, I got the box of things this
morning. They delivered them yesterday
but no one was at home so I went by the P.O. and picked it up. Shirley, I think they are just beautiful. Mother said they were the prettiest she had
ever seen and they are too. Just
precious because you made them and picked them out and everything.
I called Mrs. Wright tonight and she
said she thought that old man was going to rent that apartment to some friends
of his. We may still get it though. If we don’t we’ll find something as good or
better. Gwen got a letter from you. Beating me isn’t she. Oh, yeah, what happened to that long letter
you were supposed to write me the other night?
I get off every other Sat at noon since we got some more help at
the store now. When I got off today I
came home and slept until six o’clock. I got up and took a bath and thought I’d do
something but there wasn’t anything to do.
I’m so sick and tired of not having you here with me I’m about to lose
my mind. I just wo0nder if these next 30
days will pass by at all. When I get off
at night the only thing I come home for is to see if I’ve got a letter from you
and listen to the Supper Club. I
sometimes think I wouldn’t even come home if it wasn’t for that.
Well Honey I’m going to close for
now but I’ll write some more with this in the morning. Goodnight darling,
Sunday Morning.
Good Morning Sweetheart,
Well I just slept 12 good
hours. Mother, daddy, Helen, Mac and
Jimmy just went to Chico
for the day. Joe and I didn’t go. I guess I’ll go see “Body and Soul” this
evening. When I get paid tomorrow for my
night work I’ll send it to you. Well
honey, one month from tomorrow you’re supposed to be home. That sure sounds good to me. So good I can hardly believe it’s true.
I guess we’ll have to learn to smooch
all over again. That won’t be hard to
learn with you.
Well honey I guess I’ll close for
now.
Love,
J.P.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas November 18, 1947 10 AM
12:00 o’clock Midnight Monday Night or Tuesday
morning???
Hello Darling,
Well I guess you think I’ve
forgotten you but I want you to know I just got home from work. We finished up tonight so that’s all of the
night work. I hope. If it hadn’t been for you I wouldn’t have
been working. I will get paid tomorrow
for my overtime. I imagine we’ll get
about a $1 an hour. Believe me honey we
can damn sure use it. We now have $85 in
the bank. I’m not going to take another
cent out of the bank until you come home if I have to do without something to
eat. I’m going to start staying at home
except on Friday’s when there is a football game.
Darling I can’t get over the things
you sent home. They’re just
wonderful. Just think belong to us. Just Shirley and J.P. It wont be long until we have a lost of
things. Each other mainly.
I was just thinking tonight how much
I miss you. It hurts when I know you are
so far away from me. What I wouldn’t
give to have you home where I can be near you always.
These people (married people) that
tell me I don’t know what I’m getting into by getting married just don’t know
how much I love you. I don’t give a damn
if I’m in the doghouse, or whether I can do anything, I don’t care if you stay
on my neck all the time, at least you’ll be near me. That’s the one thing I want most of all. There’s nothing in the world I world I would
take for you. Nothing could take you
place. If someone offered to make me
the richest man on earth, I wouldn’t even think it over. I don’t care if I ever have anything but
you. Oh I know people will or would say,
just wait and see. I don’t think half
the people living know what they’re talking about. Some people might not be able to make it but
we can. Shirley I’ve go it all figured
out and there’s nothing that can upset my plans. I figure that within 10 years after we’re
married we’ll have everything we will every want. A family, home, car, money. Most people would say “yeah, I wanted that
too but look what I’ve got.” Honey those
people gave up to easily. If you’ll stay
with me and back me up, I’ll do it. I’m
going to make a success of everything I undertake to do, from now on. Beginning right today.
If anyone else were to hear me talk
like this, they’d just laugh and forget it.
But I know you won’t. Anything I
thought was right, you thought was right, too.
That’s the way our marriage is going to be, a 50-50 proposition. That’s the only way it will work.
I’m sure in a hell of a mood
tonight. I’ve been thinking that in
about a month we will be getting to say “I do.”
It can’t come too soon. I still
can’t hardly believe it, never having to part with you for more that a few
hours. Not more that four at a
time!! I’ll come home to lunch and
pester you for an hour every day.
Tell me something. How long is your hair? If you’ve cut it off I’m going to bite the
thunder out of you. Glad to hear you’re
trimming down. Although it really
doesn’t make a damn to me. You couldn’t
be my “Rosey” if you got too slim.
Honey I’m sorry about the paper this
week. I just plain forgot to send it. Please don’t be too mad at me. Will you not?
Huh? I’m gaining a little weight
now. I weighted 120 this evening with my
boots, clothes, and the junk in my pockets taken out I guess I’d weigh about
115?
Shirley baby, I’m about to fall
asleep so I guess I’d better close now.
I promise I’ll write again tomorrow.
I love you and miss you, more that
you’ll ever know.
J.P.
P.S. I’ll really know how to appreciate you when
you come home. I don’t think I did until
you were away from me.
Love,
Jay
Postmark: Wichita Falls, Texas November 18, 1947 9:30
PM
Tuesday
Night
Hi Sweetheart.
How’s my precious? Madder than hell at me I guess. For not writing. I’m sure glad that’s not permanent. I’m sore all over from standing so damn
long. They still haven’t paid me
yet. I’m going to ask them in the morning. They’ve had plenty of time to pay us.
Honey, the new stock man I told you
about, the one my age, is really a swell guy.
I really like him. He’s sure a
regular feller. We really get along
swell. We really have a good time
working together. The days sure seem
shorter since he’s down there. He’s the
one that just been married 3 weeks. They
have been living in Burk. She goes to
Hardin. They found them an apartment
over here and they are going to move over here tomorrow. We’ve been talking about having a big beer
party New Year’s Eve. Recon you’d be
home by then. You’d better.
Do you happen to know what today
is? We’ve been going together exactly 10
months today. Remember? I called you early Sat. Morning and goat a
date with you. Ed had a date with
Patsy. That was when we were
surveying. I can remember almost exactly
what I said to you that morning. I ask
you if I woke you up. I told you to call
Patsy. I also told you I didn’t know
exactly what time we would be back in town.
I’ll tell you what I was thinking all the time I was talking to you. I love you Shirley. I love you Shirley. You know what I’m still thinking and saying
that. I love you Shirley, with al my
heart I do. I’ll sure be glad when I
can kiss you and tell you that.
I just got a good eating out from
daddy for not saving more money than I have.
I saw Bobby Jean walking down the
street with some boy this morning. I was
in the Marchman Hotel drug store and they were walking to the Post Office. Wonder what she was doing out of school? It might have been Buck Jr.
Well it sure is awful weather. It’s been raining and misting for the last
few days. It gets cold as the devil at
night. Sure wish I had my honey here to
keep me warm at nights. But-----
I guess I’d better close and run
mail this. May go to see “Mother Wore
Tights” again tonight. I think Joe wants
to go so – until tomorrow.
I’ll
love you always,
J.P.
Postmark: Wichita Falls, Texas November 20, 1947 9:30 PM
Thurs.
Night
Dear Shirley,
Well here it is a cold damp winter
evening. I sure do miss you on days like
this other too. I wonder why I haven’t
had a letter from you for the last three days.
Better be a good reason.
I can’t figure me out. I’ve go to where I hate to leave the store
everyday. That’s how much I like my
job. I don’t want to quit in the evenings. It seems like I don’t now more that get there
and its time to come home. I’d just as
soon work at nights for a little while.
I think I’ll see if I can’t find one until you come home.
Jim the boy at the store is always
telling me about married life. He is real
a card. He’s always telling me when I
laugh at something he says about married like “just wait and see if you thing it’s
funny”. That tickles me more that ever
before.
Well I’m going to run mail this and
come back and go to bed.
Goodnight
darling,
J.P.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas November 25, 1947 10 AM
Monday
Night
5
more days
My dearest darling
Shirley,
I received you most welcomed letter
this morning. Was beginning to think I
wasn’t going to get any more. I would
have written the past few days but I would have said some awful hard things so
I just didn’t write. I was so mad at
you, every time I came home I would look at you picture and cuss you out good
and proper. Of course, I didn’t mean it
really but I never have been as mad at anyone in my life as I was with
you. I hope I never get that mad at you
again. I’m afraid if I got that mad
again I’d quit you flat. But maybe you
won’t make me mad again. Will you not?
I saw Bobby Jean at the football
game Friday night. It was raining like
hell all day last week and that stadium was nothing but mud. It was misting all during the game. Colder that an ice cube.
Now about you staying with Jo
Ann. As much as I want you back here,
I’d rather see you stay out there as too stay with that damned fat bitch. I hate her guts Shirley and you know it. Surely you can stay with someone besides
her. Couldn’t you? I’d hate for you to stay with her. Please honey, just for me see if you can’t
fine someplace besides there to stay.
Oh, you know I’d rather have you back here staying with her as out there
but please try.
I’ll be off Thursday for
Thanksgiving and then again Sat. afternoon.
This Sat. is my evening off. I
get off every other Sat. noon.
Jim Caslett, the stock boy works
when I’m off. He’s got a cute little
wife. I met her the other day. She’s not much bigger that you are.
We get paid Saturday and I’ll get
about $80 or $85. I’ll finally get my
overtime. I’ll send you some money if
you think you’ll have time to spend it. When are you going to come home after
the baby comes? Dern, I’m sure getting
anxious.
Mother said tonight that she didn’t
want us to run over to Oklahoma
and get married. She said for us to go
down to the church and be married by a preacher. I said we would. Let’s try to get married by two or three
weeks after you get home. Looks like
we’ll have to find another apartment. I
don’t guess well get Mrs. Wright’s. I
sure wish we could though.
Well precious I’ll write again
tomorrow. Promise.
Lots of love to the
future Mrs. J. P. Smith
J.P.
P.S. Love you more that anything.
Jay
P.S. #2 Tell your mother I said hello and hope she
gets along O.K. I’m sure she will.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas November 26, 1947 1 PM
Tuesday
Night
Dearest Shirley,
Well I got another letter from my
sweet little sweetie. Boy, I’m really
getting excited. Just think in just a
few weeks we will be married. Doesn’t
that sound good? No more partings. We’ll be together all the time. I just feel silly all over when I think of
it.
I guess by the time you get this,
the baby will be there of shortly afterwards.
I sure hope your mother gets well in a hurry so you won’t have to stay
too much longer.
You’re going to have to hurry home
so we can find an apartment. Jim the
stockman said he bet they got a thousand dollars worth of things when they got
married.
Now dern it, I want you to come home
and lets find an apartment and get married and get that marring over with. I sure do dread that part of it. Of course I’ll have to do it though. Jim said you’d never hear half what the
preacher said anyway. So I don’t guess
it’ll be so bad after all. It will be
worth it.
Well sweetheart, I guess I’ll close
now. Don’t forget how much I love
you. I’m getting more anxious every
minute. I can’t hardly believe it. Shirley coming back. Whoopee. (Remember that joke?)
Till
tomorrow,
Goodnight to the
sweetest girl in the world!
J.
P.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas November 26, 1947 9:30 PM
Wed.
Night
My dear sweet
little Rosey,
How’s my one and only today? Fine I Hope.
How’s my future Mother-in-law?
Hope she’s doing O.K. Sure hope
the baby comes when it’s supposed to and not wait a week or so.
Have you noticed the new moon? It’s full tonight and it sure is
beautiful. Like you. It sure does bring back memories. I hope by the time there’s another new moon
you’re home. We’ve been having wonderful
weather this last three days. Nearly warm enough to go without a coat during
the day.
I bought me some new Levi’s
Monday. Haven’t worn any other things
(pants that is) since I bought them.
They’re still as clean as they were when I first put them on.
I haven’t talked to Mrs. Wright in
several days. Talked to Louise and
Bobbie Jean the other night. B.J. said
Jo Ann said you were going to stay with them when you got back and B.J. said
she told her that wasn’t any need in your staying with them because you were
going to stay with her. I think Bobby
Jean has pushed Buck Jr. aside now.
Ed, Stanley, Springer, Squeek and I
played poker Sat. night and until 4
o’clock Sunday morning. I
slept all day Sunday. We played until 1 o’clock Monday morning. All together I think I won about 50 or 75
cents. We are going to get paid
Sat. I’ll send you some money then.
I may go to Graham tomorrow and see
the football game. We play don
there.
Well I’ll be off tomorrow, work
Friday and Sat. morning then I’ll be off for a day and a half.
They’ve put up all the new lights
like they have around the auditorium.
They’ve also put up a lot of Christmas decorations, too, so our little
city is all lit up.
Everybody has started asking me when
you’re coming home and when we’re going to get married.
It sure sounds good to tell them
you’ll be home in about three weeks.
Sounds almost unbelievable doesn’t it?
Jim our stock man has found another apartment since they moved from
Burk. They moved just one block from
where they lived. They’re living at 1408
Burnett and are going to move to 1508 Burnett.
It’s just 2 blocks from Auntie down on Bluff. Remember where I nearly busted my
you-know-what that day we went by when she was sick? You liked to have died laughing at me.
I sure hope we can find an apartment
fairly easy. I can hardly wait.
Well I’ll close for now. Will write
again tomorrow. So goodnight my sweet,
precious, little wife.
J.P.
Postmark: Wichita
Falls, Texas November 27, 1947 11:30 PM
Thur.
Night
My dearest
Shirley,
Well honey we just got back from
Graham where the Coyotes defeated Graham 39 to 0. I’ll bet you can’t guess who I saw? I saw your Daddy and Gwen. They sat abut 4 or 5 rows behind us. She ask me when I’d heard from you. I saw Louise in Graham. Somebody hit her in the nose with a
baton. I nearly laughed in her face, but
I didn’t. It’s real funny when I think
about it.
Well sweetheart it doesn’t look like
we’ll have to be apart much longer now does it.
All this waiting is nearly over.
I’ll sure be glad when it is.
I’ll tell you fro sure this full
moon certainly doesn’t help matters any.
It sure is beautiful tonight. The
whole day has been just perfect. Tonight
it’s not too cold and real clear. The
moon is so big and full it nearly makes me croak.
Honey, when you mother goes to the
hospital why don’t you let know what her room is and I’ll send her some
flowers.
Well darling I’ll close for tonight
as I’m kinda worn out. Be sweet and keep
me posted on all the excitement and news.
I love you lots and then
some,
J.P.
