January 31, 1945

Tuesday  morning 6:30am

Good morning Sweetheart,

     This way of saying good-morning and starting the day isn’t near as nice as it used to be, even if I did always hate to wake up. 

     Well, I got a letter, at last, yesterday-written last Friday.  You and the censor must have had to say, “one for the money, two for the show, etc,  before you could agree to let one out?  Anyhow, I sure enjoyed it because it was from my ole man!

     Your little girl is sitting here in her buggy, dictating, this morning with lots of grunts, goos, and squeals because she is happy.  I told her, forty-’leven times, that her Daddy may come tonite, see.  Just wait until you see all the curls?   She’s grown since you left!!  She is getting enough hair to see, now, stands straight up, but it’s so cute.  LeRoy and her Grandmother are spoiling her to rolling the buggy (in the house)- she’s sure getting to like it fast.

     Mother eats supper with us every other nite and is over here part of every day, stays until bed-time, nearly every nite but she still sleeps over at Nina Faye’s as she can sleep better, because every time the baby grunted she’d be wide awake.  But she intends to stay over here some, at nites.  I take her with me whenever I go to the store and we drive around, a little.  Your B book hasn’t come in yet and I’m going easy until it does, see.

     We went up to Mr. Graham’s yesterday afternoon, got gas, oil, etc.  He said give you his regards.

     I took the baby in the Market yesterday and she stopped the show- one of the girls took her behind the counter and everyone wanted to buy her- even offered points per pound.  She just looked and looked and laughed- she thinks people are such dopes. 

     Harrison is gone, honey, but I haven’t gone by Helen’s, she passed us going into National City yesterday, she and Eleanor have been running around a lot.  Some one of her neighbors hollered at her, yesterday, and said they had heard Melvin was gone and she hollered back and said, “You couldn’t think around here without everybody knowing it”- I still can’t figure out why they take that attitude but guess it’s all right.

      Sugar, you mustn’t worry about us, we’ll be ok, if we get sick, we have the clinic right here and everything.  LeRoy and Jerry stay home with me, good, and help me every way they can, if I cook, they play with the baby and when I have to take her, they do everything else.  I’m lonesome for you, all the time, as nothing could ever take your place, with me, but I don’t want you making yourself miserable worrying about us.  We keep the doors locked and I won’t go out at nite, alone, one of the boys walk home with Mother every nite, too. 

     I do hope we can get back on our schedule this month, darling, as to my suit–we’ll see about that, I need everyday clothes worse, right now and after you leave here, I won’t have any need to dress up too much- just things to wear shopping.  So, we’ll discuss what’s best when you are here next week.  (We hope.)

     We had a letter from the girl who lives in Pedro, that Nina Faye went to school with, saying if you came up there, I was more than welcome to come up, anytime, as they have an extra bed.  Their telephone number is: Beacon 3067 J, if you should like to call them for any reason.  Remember, you met she, Anita, her husband, Walter, and brother, Carol.  Cahoon is their last name.  Maybe we’ll take them up on the invitation sometime.

     We also had a letter from Red- but I’ll not send it until tomorrow, if you don’t get to come home tonite, then I will.  I’ll write him and you must, too.

     Your daughter is acting up-looks like i”m going to be forced to go get her.  I just stopped and rocked her to sleep but you know how she is about that laying down business.

     Honey, I think LeRoy is beginning to wake up about his school work and wants to do better.  We are planning how he can study more.  I’m going to help him with his History and English so with us all aiding, he can at least get each day’s lesson.  He has actually decided he wants to go to a higher school after High School and I told him how it would be.  He can go back home to a school that doesn’t require such good grades.  It would make me so happy for him to start realizing these things, as without an education things will sure be hard for him.

      We have been playing cards at nite, helps pass off the  hours.  I try to stay up until ten, your daughter eats then, now, just as regular!

     Later

     Honey, I’m sure neglecting you but Miss Prissy acted awfully ugly until after her bath and I’ve washed, etc, so the clothes will dry so you’ll be a little later getting this- hope you don’t miss a day, tho. 

     Guess what your little daughter knows how to do!!?  She turns over on her back when I put her on her tummy! I was so proud of her and we needed her Daddy here to be proud, too, it would be so much more fun to share it all with you, honey!  I still feel  bad when I get to enjoy her and you have to be so far away.

     The mail just came and I got 2 letters from my best boy friend.  One written last Thurs. and one written Sat., the one I got yesterday was written Friday.  Boy, do they help.  I’m so glad you’re getting mine, now, too, darling, as that’s the least I can do is write to you while you’re away.  I’m like you about the money, I mention it just because I hope it doesn’t get lost.

     When I fed Mary Jan her Pablum this morning she ate 3 spoonfuls!! I was so surprised, she just kept eating and wanting more and I fed her all she would eat.  There’s nothing the matter with your daughter except she’s so rotten she stinks, I told you, you were going to ruin her!!

     I sure would have enjoyed being there when the ship was commissioned, honey, then I’d get to see you and your ship and everything.  You know how badly I’ve wanted to go aboard a ship, anyway.

     It seems like Ernie and Kay would write us, surely she’s had her baby by now.  Guess I could write them and let them know your address, etc. 

     I’ve sent your address to Sis and Daddy but haven’t written anyone else much since you left.

    HONEY, IF YOU’D LIKE DADDY’S PAPER, YOU’LL HAVE TO WRITE HIM AND ASK FOR IT, AS YOU HAVE TO DO ABOUT THINGS I SEND.

     AM QUITTING, NOW, HOPING TO SEE YOU TONITE, DARLING, CAN HARDLY WAIT!!

     PLEASE WRITE AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE, HONEY, MAKES ME FEEL SO GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU-THAT’S ALL THE LOVING I GET , YOU KNOW.  

 Worlds of love, and kisses,

Your wife, Jan

Wed. nite 8:10

My Darling:

     Rec. your 2 letters today, was glad to get them even tho I already knew the news.

     That few hours was really nice wasn’t it?  I only wish I could make it every nite in the week.

     But you should be in LA tomorrow nite, I hope so any way.

     I didn’t do much today.  We are getting all messed up again.  Will tell you about it when I see you.  And then too I was pretty sleepy and tired today.  I got back to ship at 3. We made connections ok.  So we didn’t have to hitchhike.

     Clark drank all his present by his self.  Then left me awake for 50 miles.  ha!  I couldn’t take it any more.  In fact, I am going to quit all together.  That is alone.  I decided there was no sense to it.

     Let them kid you, darling.  About us, I mean.  We don’t care.  Maybe inside, they are a little jealous because they don’t get along like you and I.  Twenty months without an argument, is quite a record, uh?

     I certainly miss my two little gals.  I only hope, she won’t be too big and grown by the time this is over.  Because I have a lot of time to make up, for being away from you both.  

     Well, Darling, I will make this short because I may see you soon anyway.  I should, from all accounts.  If not, will call you tomorrow anyway.  And will double up on the next one.  Remember, don’t expect a letter for Tues. nite.  I was with you. ha!

     Be sweet Darling, and until tomorrow.  Kiss my little daughter for me.  All my love to you both. Regards to the others.  

                                             I love always,  Pop

     

Monday Morning, January 29, 1945

Hello, Darling,

I feel like a different human this morning, sweetheart,  after talking to you last nite-I just soared and soared, last night, and even slept better, you seemed so much closer, knowing, too, that you were missing me, too.  It’s awful to try to talk to you with folks around, there’s so much I’d like to say that would sound so silly to anyone else, I’d like to say over & over how much I love you and miss you, how empty life is without you near, how big our bed seems all by myself, oh! so many things, darling, but anyone listening always takes the wrong attitude & their minds get low and that I’d like when my feelings & lonesomeness ??? above sex, etc, its just all of you I miss and just think you may be home for a little while tomorrow night!!  Boy, is that something to get me through today & tomorrow, I’ll try not to be too disappointed if you can’t make it but will keep hoping.  We’re saving our chicken so you can have some-of course, we’ll eat but will put you some back.  I guess you won’t get here until nearly nine o’clock.

Page 2  

     The Hardys & Mother took a long ride with the Blantons and had just got back when N.F. came came over while I was talking to you.

     LeRoy & I stayed home all day, I think he thought i’d be too lonesome, the reason he didn’t go to a show or anything.  They have both been very good about staying home and helping me.

     Your little possum is still asleep, she woke up about four and filled her little tummy so she is sleeping away, yet.  She wakes up about ten now, then 3 or 4- I don’t believe it will be long until she’ll sleep from ten to six.  I loved her & told her all you said when I got home she was so happy over it all, especially that you may come home Tuesday.  

     Mrs. Murphy’s husband was home, again last nite, they are in here (San Diego), now, it’s been 3 or 4 days since he got liberty, guess they are going out on shake-downs  I’ll have to go down and talk to her and find out things.  

     I’m so glad you like your ship and crew, etc, that will help us both.  You won’t regret going out so bad if it’s pleasant duty.  Made me feel good when you said you didn’t like being away from home.  Darling, I want you to be happy, always and have things like you want them, then I’m happy.  It’s awful that we have to have this separation, but it’s out of our hands so let’s try to take it, even tho’ it’s harder than I ever imagined.  When I say anything about being anxious, someone always ruins it by saying something about all the others that have gone thru the same thing.  That’s well and good, but it doesn’t make feel any better- I still miss you and want you home.

     I was awfully glad to find out about the letters and it was so sweet of you to write when I know you must have been awfully busy, sometimes, but I love you for thinking of me.  It sure was getting awful, not hearing a word, of course, I figured you were just too busy and too tired.  After you leave the states, I won’t expect regular mail, of course, I’ll worry every day, but still will know not to expect mail too often.

     Mother sure surprises me, always telling me how I’m spoiling the baby, I fool with her too much and how she didn’t think she’d ever see the day I’d be so silly over one.  When the others were little, it was the other way around, I wouldn’t let anyone else spoil them.  She is always explaining about the boys ages and how we must be patient, etc. Believe me, she could have used a little of it when I was growing up.  Even told me, “What was furniture for, if not to use?”.  That got me, when even to this day she won’t use hers.  It’s always easy to say those things.

     I’m fixing to iron, sweetheart, and it’s almost time for Jerry to go to school.  (He mails your letter on the way.)

     Hope you have plenty of money, darling and I’ll have some here for you when you get here or will send it if you don’t get home.

     Be sweet, darling, think of your girls, now and then, we think and talk about you all the time.

     After pay day, I’d like you to have me a nice big picture taken, to look at and love, all by myself-will you?

                                               Love you lots,

                                                   Janice

 

Grandfather’s letter to Mom

April 7, 1937

My Dear Daughter:

Your Birthday letter this morning unloosed a flood of tender memories, and my mind groped in the past as I recalled the great joy and pleasure you have been to me all the years of your life upon this earth.

I remember as on my knee you first lisped the word Daddy; how your toddling steps always led you to me; how your sweet childish ways enmeshed my heart, and with what joy I beheld the unfolding of your lovely life.  I recall how you always were Daddy’s girl; how you preferred to be with me.

No wonder I have loved you through every hour of the way.  Love begets love.  Like encourages like.

As the years swept by, I recall your blooming youth, your sweet and generous spirit which enthralled all with whom you came in contact,  I recall how popular you were with your playmates; how your sunny disposition carried you through many hectic days.

I read your letter as day was about to dawn, and I went to sleep with thoughts of you.  I recalled your courtship days, your marriage, your first born.  Then I recalled the joy that sweet Gay brought to all of  us; and then the tragedy of her taking away; but the short span of her life had brightened your and our lives. I recall the bitterness and the utter agony of laying the little body beneath the sod, to be with the Saviour who said “suffer the little children to come unto me.”

I remembered the coming of Jerry, sweet faced, mischievous and merry; how his life assuaged the grief caused theretofore by the all but irreparable loss of Gay.

What little in material ways that I have done for you was done with  joy, with gladness because I was able to do it.  It may seem sometimes that we have been denied many things, but such denials have been made up with in other joys not vouchsafed to those without.  Where love and contentment dwell there is true happiness.  You have had that.  Struggle has been your lot, but with it has been the sweetening of joys of love, honor and trust, with mutual respect.

Those things that cost us most are the more cherished.  If things came without effort, there would be little joy in the having.

I wanted you to have some of the things, little bright trinkets that other women have; and I wanted the folks to see something when they beheld you.  I need not tell you that I want to have you give the folks an eyeful as you go along.

Furthermore, you have a big job, one worthy of the best efforts of any woman upon the earth-that of raising your two sons to be real men, hale, hearty, healthy, honest, happy.  I want you to do that job well-and you are doing it.

I was glad that you went to Shawnee.  Travel is broadening.  I know a woman who weighs 600 pounds dressed, who got it by travel.  I think she went a little too far.  Anyway, you will find the further you enter life that the best things will come to you through the church and its people.  Faulty as it may be, the church yet is the greatest civilizer and stabilizer that we have, and you will find the best and most worth while people are those who support, attend and love the church.  Raise the boys right, and there is little chance they will finally depart therefrom.

I earn a few sheckles at night now extra; got to bed at daylight this morning, up at 11; work again tonite.

McKinnis told me that Nina Fay and Mildred Jean are tied for the best all-round pupil in high school: both are straight A, both have perfect attendance records, and both are in glee club.  Two awards will be made-and am I proud of her.  Was proud of the Yuba record of Caddo, and hope NF will win at Durant.

You have and you can help me by helping your sister in keeping her the bright unspoiled girl she should be.  And did she nick me when here?  Its OkeyDoke by me.

Your Daddy Partner.

Another one from Grandfather

PECANS ARE LIFE SAVERS

And good to eat

By G.A. Crossett

Pecans have proven life savers to many southern farmers and their families this and other years.

In Bryan and Atoka counties in Oklahoma pecans grow wild on trees, and were to be had for the gathering this fall.  The drop was rather heavy.  Ordinarily the price in 1932 was 3c to 4c per pound for the native nuts.

Some families are known to have gathered 2000 pounds.  Other amounts varied from 100 pounds up.

This was a great help in buying winter clothing and foods not raised on the farms.  It was a cash money crop on which there was no mortgage, the whole proceeds going to those who wrought.

In the two counties mentioned probably a half million pounds of pecans were gathered and marketed.  Multiply this by five hundred other such counties, and the whole amount is quite considerable.

Pecans are native in Southern United States.  The trees are about the hardiest nut trees known.  Some are known in history to be four hundred years old, still hale and hearty.

Pecans have a peculiar root system, in that the roots go into the ground often as far as the trees reach above the ground.  Unlike most trees, pecan trees do not sap the soil. That is very far from the tree.  The roots go deep, hence take toll from depth rather than width.

The Indians inhabiting Southern United States early understood the value of pecans-in fact all kinds of nut trees: walnut, chestnut, chinquapin and hickory. Much of their food came from these nuts so bountifully bestowed by nature.

The more civilized tribes protected nut bearing trees by a law that provided a severe penalty for cutting down a nut-tree needlessly.  Depending largely upon the unaided bounty of nature for sustenance, the early indians practiced a species of rude conservation-believing that this generation should not despoil so that the next might suffer.

The pecan is a rich, well-flavored nut, has a mild aperient (?) value.  Is used everywhere in candies, cakes, salads and other preparations.

Modern mankind has improved upon the nuts as originally bestowed by a beneficent Provident, in that Man had made the nuts larger, thinner shelled and more prolific.  He has classified and grouped them into families by name-the name being taken usually from the man who developed a particular strain.

It has been found that the pecan tree requires a great deal of water, therefore it flourished best in the river bottoms.  In Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma men have been propagating pecans, and using lands that are subject to overflow, since a swollen river does not destroy the pecan crop.  The only danger of loss is when the trees are small, and drifts might uproot them.

Many thousands of acres of lands have been set to pecans that otherwise would be in waste.

By using buds of a certain strain of pecan, other trees have been budded.  Native pecan trees having been found best suited, though young hickory trees have been found very well-suited to budding.  Orchardists have grown many thousands of young trees.

These two methods are used in pecan culture.

If there are plenty of hickory or native pecan trees on the land, it is better and much less costly to bud the native trees.  If cleared or prairie land is to be used then it is necessary to get trees.  These trees about four feet out of the ground cost in the neighborhood of $2 each, so it is seen that to set an acre in pecans will cost about $100 for the trees.  The buds usually are sold for 2c each.  Budding charges are somewhere around 15c each bud.  Fifty trees of budded pecans will cost (ten buds to a tree) $75 for an acre.

Budded or set trees must wait some ten years before profitable crops may be expected.  Young pecan trees have been known to bear the third year after setting out, but not many nuts may be expected under ten years.  The  young trees may be expected to yield fair returns every year if properly taken care of.

Prices vary, like that of every other farm product, and methods of marketing have a great deal to do with the net returns received.  Marketing associations have proven profitable.  Direct selling by growers to consumers also have yielded profits.

This year a great number of small manufacturers have grown up by reason of prevalent unemployment.  For less than a dollar a hand nut cracker was had.  Families gather nuts during the day, crack and pick them at night, sell the meats by the pound to those who desire them.  A little industry had grown-that of putting an ounce of meats in a cellophane bag, a dozen bags on a card at 5c a bag, sold in grocery, drug and other stores, thus a pound of meats is retailed for 80c.  A pound of native nuts this year brought the gatherer 4c a pound.  Three pounds of nuts are required for one pound of meats, so it is a rather profitable cry from twelve cents to eighty cents a pound.

Another job was created for the ingenious and thrifty.

The soft- or paper-shell pecans brought prices ranging from 10c to 40c per pound for the grower, depending upon his selling ability and upon his hurry for his money.  If he retailed them from a roadside station, he got the high price.  If he sold to dealers he got the low price.

One grower in Bryan County, Oklahoma, had 600 pecan trees budded on native hickories.  This year his crop was about 50 pounds to the tree, and he is retailing them at an average of 20c per pound.

The ground occupied by the pecan orchard is not useless for other crops, as pecans thrive better if cultivated, and this man raises beans, peas, clovers and the like between his trees, getting the worth of the land in these cover crops, at the same time enriching his soil, and has profits from his trees.

Native pecan trees of great size and age have been known to yield 600 pounds in a single season.

Great care is needed if pecans are to bear every year.  The practice of thrashing limbs must be prohibited.  I have known gatherers to thrash a tree unmercifully with flails.  The next year that tree would bear no pecans.

Owners of pecan orchards are under necessity of keeping strict watch over trees during the fall, to keep roadside trespassers from abusing the trees  and stealing the fruits thereof.

A rather amusing incident occurred.  A party of city autoists, one Sunday afternoon, parked their four cars beside a certain farmers’ pecan orchard, unloaded and went in to gather nuts.

The farmer noticed this, and after the picnickers had their fill, he came to the cars as they were coming out of the grove.

“Are these your trees?” said the spokesman, apologetically.

“Yes, who gave you permission to enter my property?”

“Well, we saw the pecans on the ground, and did not think, since you had so many more than you could use, that you wouldn’t care if we gathered a few of them”

“Oh, that’s all right by me, “said the farmer.  “I saw you each had an extra tire on your cars, so I took the spare off of each, as I needed a new set, and since you had plenty, I did not think you would care.  Good day.”

Fair enough.

I digress. This is a story written by Grandfather Crossett.

Are All Men Equal?

Inequalities in the conditions of men ever have obtained.

The picture that accompanies this article is that of the home of Joel H. Nail, a Choctaw citizen.  (I don’t have this picture.  MJ)

This home was built in 1884 and stood at Nail Crossing on Blue River, nine miles west of Caddo.  In it the Nail family were reared-two girls and three boys, only two are now living: D.O. Nail and Mrs. Vivia Locke, of Caddo, OK.

Joel Nail was the son of Jonathan Nail, who was a Captain during the Civil War.  The home of the elder Nail was on the east of Blue River; the younger Nail built his on the west bank.  Near this home now can be seen the remains of an earthen redoubt built during the Civil war at Captain Nail’s direction, to repel the Union Soldiers should they venture so far south.  None ever came.

At the time this home was built it was the finest and costliest in the Choctaw Nation, the lumber being hauled from (the city of) Sherman’s mills.  It was the work of a German carpenter named Hauer, who built well.  There are many houses of his construction still standing in and near Caddo.

Until thirty years ago, Joel Nail was wealthy.  He literally owned cattle on a thousand hills.  He claimed and occupied many thousand acres of what is now known as Twelve Mile Prairie and Caddo Prairie, an extent of perhaps twenty miles each way-a good-sized county.  The land was the famous rich, black, waxy soil, then thought not fit for farming purposes, but productive of prodigious quantities of succulent prairie grass, on which cattle and horses throve.

With the coming of the Dawes Commission and the Atoka Agreement, whereby the Choctaw lands were allotted in severalty, this land was divided among the tribesmen.  But of the time I am writing a Choctaw citizen could claim as much land as he could fence, and then he could graze his stock on outside land.

There were but few farms near this vast pasture.  Some of the bottom land was cleared and on this the corn and wheat was raised.  The cattle raising was the principal occupation of the Nails.

Negro servants did the household drudgery.  The girls were taught by a governess; they were given every protection and advantage.  Later, they were sent to school at Sherman.  The philosophy of the Nails was that thouroughbred horses and thoroughbred women should not work.  (!!!)

And they kept many horses.  As late as twenty-four years ago when the estate was divided, more than five hundred horses were found that bore the Nail brand.  Of course, horseback riding was the vogue.  Good carriages were kept, but the vigor and the health produced by horseback riding was so wonderful that this mode of travel was most used.  Money without stint was spent for the best of everything.

Joel Nail built a large hotel at Maytubby Springs near his home, and here, for many years, was a health resort that was patronized by many people from great distances.

Mrs. Locke related an instance of when she was six years of age, she attended with her family, a grand ball at the hotel.  Here she first Robt. L. Owen, who later became United Stated senator, and Miss Daisy Hester, his sweetheart, who later bacame his wife.  She says Miss Hester was dressed in the latest style, with filmy white garments.  She, in her childish mind, longed so to be arrayed.  But by the time she became old enough to wear such clothes, the styles had changed.  How like today.  Only styles now change before the clothes are paid for.

The family life of the well-to-do Choctaws was peaceable.  No quarreling, nor bickering.  Good breeding dictated consideration for others, and plenty, at all times, seemed to obviate any necessity for worry.  If food were needed, there were steers to kill, or cattle to sell, and a trip to town meant nothing.

Hospitality was noted-true old-style Southern hospitality.  If you arrived anyways near mealtime, it was considered an insult to refuse to eat with the family.  If nightfall overtook the traveler, he was a welcome guest.  Newspapers being scarce, the visitor always was doubly welcome because he brought news of the outside world.  There was a Free Masonry among cattlemen that was remarkable.  They delighted to entertain each other.  Cattle brands were sacred.  Thieving was severely punished, but no true cattleman ever thought of selling or appropriating to his own use other than his own cattle.

If the visitor arrived at midnight, the servants were roused to prepare a meal for the hungry traveler.  Pay! Not much!  Perish the thought!  It was an insult to the family to offer to pay.  You were a guest and right proud the folks were to entertain you.

In later years, the wealth of the Nails melted-mostly because of misplaced confidence in men.  A cattle deal, in which the partner got away with the cattle, leaving the Nails to pay for them.  Money loaned without security.  Many were the mules and horses loaned to farmers to make crops, never to be seen again.

In some families dissipation accounted for a changed condition.  Lack of business acumen, sometimes not transmitted to the sons also played its part.  Then, as the lands were allotted, the opportunities of free and cheap grass were not so many.

The girls, by attending schools with their white sisters, took on the ways of the white girls, married white men, became as white women.  Dances, parties and picnics were frequent.  Enterprising white men came to the country and with them brought other means of entertainment.  Books, music, art, all were a part of the lives of the well-to-do Choctaws.  Yet these girls could ride like the men, shoot pistol and shotgun like the men-in every way able to cope with any situation.

The other picture is of a typical hut of the average Choctaw of the same time.  He led a miserable life.  He owned perhaps a pony, he had a rifle.  His women worked a small clearing with spade and hoe.  Blankets and rough clothing he wore.  His children had no advantages.  Unless the U.S. Government intervened they grew up in ignorance.  Schools were provided by the Government, but not all the children attended.  These at home idled about, hunting and fishing.  The girls did the field work, the housework, picked the berries, cured the meat, picked the cotton, gathered the wood.

A fireplace of mud and sticks provided a place for cooking and for heat in the miserable hut.  Few utensils were available: a copper kettle, a cedar pail, gourds, horn spoons.  Later, the peddlers provided better things.  But life, at best, was primitive and severe.

White man’s firewater undermined his pride, made of him a wreck.  He had nothing to hope for.  Work, he would not.  Steal, he did not.  so in want, he and his family lived from year to year.

With the allotment of the lands, he had an average of 320 acres for each member of his family.  At first, he could neither sell nor hyphthecate this land.  Later, as restrictions were removed, he could sell a part.  As some died, the lands became alienable.  White men improved his lands for a term of years as rents.  Sometimes he would improve it himself.  But it is of the poorer Choctaw we are writing.  If he had not lands under fence, he had to buy some improvements from those who had the improvements.  Here is where the white man came in for his “graft”.  He would buy the improvements from the Choctaw owner of more fenced land, then he could allot, and then it would be allotted to the poorer Choctaw, who, in payment, gave the white man a lease on the land for a term of years, two to five.

Other rents were paid in crops, one-third of the grain and one-fourth of the cotton.

As land became alienable, much of it was sold.  Large numbers put a mortgage on the land, five to ten years.  The money was soon spent without any idea of repayment.  The idea that a mortgage would come due never seemed to occur to the simpler mind.  As these mortgages came due, the lands passed to the loan companies.

So after a few months or years of good living, money gone, land gone, home gone, Mr. Choctaw or Chickasaw must go back to h is original way of living.  a poor hut, a small cabin, left on  the homestead still was his.  He had not learned to labor.  His hunting ground was in farms.  Fish became scarce.  So he could not return to that means of livelihood.  Through it all he was a prey to his more cunning white brother, his patrimony almost all is gone.

Thus we see contrasts.  Not alone are there inequalities among the condition of white peoples, but we find it among all peoples.  In the heyday of Choctaw Government, we find the rich and the poor, the provident and the improvident, the well-to-do and the poverty stricken.

There is no answer.

a

Dad- Date unclear

Wednesday nite

8:10

My Darling,  

Received your 2 letters today.  Was glad to get them even tho I already knew the news.

That few hours was really nice, wasn’t it?  I only wish I could make it every nite in the week. 

But you should be in L.A. tomorrow nite.  I hope so anyway.

I didn’t do much today.  We are getting all messed up again.  Will tell you about it when I see you.  And then, too, I was pretty sleepy and tired today.

I got back to ship at 3.  We made connections ok so we didn’t have to hitchhike.

Clark drank all his present by his self.  Then kept me awake for 50 miles!  I couldn’t take it any more.  In fact, I am going to quit all together.  That is alone.  I decided there was no sense to it.

Let them kid you, Darling.  About us I mean.  We don’t care.  Maybe inside they are a little jealous because they don’t get along like you and I.  Twenty months without an argument, is quite a record, eh?

I certainly miss my two little gals.  I only hope she won’t be too big and grown by the time this is over.  Because I have a lot of time to make up, for being away from you both.

Well, darling, I will make this short because I may see you soon anyway.  I should from all accounts.  If not, will call you tomorrow anyway.  And will double up on the next one.  Remember, don’t expect a letter for Tuesday nite.  I was with you.

Be sweet, Darling, and until tomorrow kiss my little daughter for me.  All my love to you both.  Regards to the others.  

 

I love you always,

Pop

Mom-January 28, 1945

Sunday Morning

January 28, 1945

Hello, Darling,

Your daughter really got a good spanking yesterday because there was no letter, again, from her “Pappy”.  Guess you just don’t mind her suffering, do you”?  I felt terrible because there was no word from you, dear, but still I try to understand that you are not in much position to write, just yet.

Mary Humphrys came over last nite with Leona and we had a nice long visit.  Bob is in ‘Frisco, left here last Wednesday, called her Thursday nite, they hadn’t gone aboard their ship yet.  The name of his ship is French or something and I can’t even spell it, let alone pronounce it, but I’ll get it written down after she’s sure of it herself and send it to you.  She plans to stay here until he is definitely gone from the States then she’ll move to L.A.  The better I know her the better I like her, she certainly is nice company and I hope we can spend more time together as long as she’s here.  Said she’d just bought a new suit to help lift her morale which reminded me that you promised me your pay to buy me one-remember?

Ole sweet, I just got so lonesome for you I can hardly stand it, especially when nite starts coming and I can’t expect you to come home.  I sit up and sit up, dreading to go to bed all alone, honey, cause I miss you there to pester and love-so much!!

Eleanor had a letter from Pop and his address had been changed to New York-how about that?  Looks like we won’t know where to expect you to go after you leave here, will we?  If you get to come home again, maybe we should revise our code or something to cover a little more territory.

2 hours later

Now the boss has had her bath, been fed, put to bed where she watched her Mama dress and straighten up the bedroom until she got tired then she went to sleep-that’s my baby!!  She’ll sleep 2 or 3 hours now, which gives her Mama plenty of time to clean the house, etc, and if Daddy was here—–?  Did you know, when you come home, your little girl knows how to hold out her arms to you, to take her.  Also, her feet help, too, as she is learning to push herself up with them.  I put her to bed last nite, but she cried.  I let her cry a few minutes but when I went to her she was so mad!  Nina Faye and Pat came over about that time, N.F. took the baby and rocked her.  All the time Mary Jan was looking at me with the most injured look and sobbed and sobbed.  Finally went to sleep.  But she had forgotten how mad she was at her Mama this morning and let me tend to her!  Mother said you’d whip me if you knew I let her cry like that , but you wouldn’t, would you, sugar?

Jan still talks about writing you a letter and telling you to come home.  She says Mary Jan needs you here.  We try to explain about you going on a big ship but she just can’t quite understand.

We got some work done in the yard, but not much as it was too wet to do much.  Will do some more today, maybe, if we don’t have  company or something.

I think Melvin is gone but still don’t know anything as I haven’t seen Helen.  She has the car, though.  I thought surely if he was coming up there they’d come tell me, but can’t ever tell about them.

Leona finally found out some more about Louise’s daughter’s baby.  It had a collapsed lung when it was born and they had to leave it 9 more days at the hospital after she came home, but is doing fine now.  The daughter isn’t too well yet, so Louise is having all the care of them both and is beginning to get tired of it, it seems.

Mrs. Moore saw me ride up on the bicycle yesterday.  She stuck her head out and said “You’re getting kinda girlish, aren’t you?”  I told her I was slimming up my waistline.  I had been over to Nina Faye’s after the little garden fork and came back by Leona’s a minute.  I had her (Mrs. Moore) kinda figured as the nosey kind, she sure doesn’t miss anything.

Pat said they got notice at the office about your ship being commissioned and ten days for conditioning, (is that the word?) meaning loading, etc, I guess, like you said.  That means you probably  won’t leave there until next Sunday, doesn’t it?  Sure hope you do come this way and can get a little Liberty, now and then.  Sure would like to have you home some more, even just a little bit.

Mother has gone to Sunday School with all of the Hardy’s this morning.  She ate supper with us last nite, made hot biscuits for us.  They sure were good.  When you come home we’ll have her make you some, every nite!!

I went over after the papers last nite, but it didn’t seem right without you here to help read them, darling.  Guess I’ll gradually get out of the habit of doing those things as they all turn out so flat without you.

Honey, I’m trying to be patient about not getting any letters but if it wears too thin I’ll need an explanation.  How about having your “boy” drop me a line or something so I’ll know you’re all right, but busy, or whatever is wrong.  Sure hope you’re getting my letters ok, even if I don’t have any news, darling, I don’t want you to worry about us for a minute.  I know how much I’d like to have just a “hello” and “goodbye”.  I can’t help but believe, though, that you’d write if you had time.

I love you worlds and worlds, darling.  I miss you so much.  Am just living from day to day for the time when you are home to stay and we can plan our future: buy our home- you buy the home and I’ll buy you a new car!  How’ll that be?  Then, I’ll drive the car and keep the house, too, see!?

Leona says I can come stay with her if you’re ever there, close by, where I can see you and she is coming down here when and if Johnny’s ship comes in here and he can get Liberty.

Well, darling, I’ve run out of ramblings, looks like, but  if I think of anything else I’ll write again after awhile, or would you just as soon I not write so much, does it take up too much time?  (You’d better not say “Yes”)

Be a good boy and here’s hoping for some news tomorrow.  We all miss you so much, darling.

Lots of love, loving and kisses

Your “Ole Lady”

P.S. LeRoy passed all his subjects except history, which was as he had told us it would be.  Jerry gets his report this week, but I don’t guess there’s need for any concern about his.

Kisses-to you- from me- and one minute of me sitting in your lap–!!  Don’t struggle.

Dad-January 30, 1945

Monday Nite

8:00

Hi, Sweetheart,

Sure was glad to get your letter today.  This mail must really be messed up.  Just now received your Friday letter with the 3 in it.

I wonder what my two little gals are doing.  Both of you are probably asleep by now. (ha)  I will be shortly.

She likes to get up and get busy early in morning, like her Pop.  So you will have to play with her.  You will soon have to get up and get her some coffee.

So ole Jimmy has gone out.  Boy, he really hated to go. 

Don’t you dare take my daughter close to those measles.

We are getting our equipment aboard and set up today.  So guess I will be getting into my work soon.  A long drop from Supervisor of a shop to just one of the working hands, isn’t it?  But I like it much better.  At least there is no petty jealousies among the other guys like at ATB.

Which reminds me, I must drop Lt. Woodward my address pretty soon.

 Jim and I were just out on deck, and I was thinking, how nice it would be, if this were a luxury liner and you and I were on our way to Shanghai with Dinner Dance music and all the trimmings.  We used to pass them at sea.  But maybe it will be sooner than we think.

So you told Mother.   What did she say about it?  Very much?  Oh, well, she won’t mind.

Does you rock my baby to sleep like I used to do?  You better.  The best is none too good for her, you know.  After all, she is the first and last of her line.

Oh, yes, Darling, don’t forget our income report.  Be sure.  My taxable salary for the entire year was $131 per month.  Less $7.00 a month for ins.  Don’t forget the sales, at home.

Well, Darling, guess I better go.  Be sweet, Honey, and tell my daughter that Pappy misses both of you, so very much.  He has even changed his mind about the 2-18 year olds.  Cause Pappy is going to be the home type after this is all over.

So, Darling, until later, always remember, I love both of you very much.  Never forget that or doubt it, no matter how long I am away.

Lots of love, Pop

ps No, Harrison won’t make this ship.

Mom-January 24, 1945

Wednesday Morning

Good Morning, Sweetheart,

If you were here you’d just about be leaving the house and I could be forcing you to kiss me “good-bye”-so this is the next best thing, just torture you with a letter.

By-the-way, I’m crating your daughter this morning and sending her to you, she gets up entirely too early to suit me, now that I can’t just turn over and let you play with her.  She has discovered the most peculiar squeal, you can’t tell whether she’s just playing or crying as she us it for both purposes.  She sure misses her Daddy.  I talked to you last nite, I came home and woke her up to tell her all you said.  (As well as to feed her)

LeRoy and Jerry were as excited over your call (almost) as I was.  They waited up until I got back to tell them the news.  Leroy has been working hard getting up all his semester’s work, so maybe he’ll pass.  They have stayed close home since you left and have been very considerate.

I was so glad to hear your ole sweet voice last nite, honey, but it just made me twice as home-sick for you.  It just wasn’t enough, but guess I’ll have to be satisfied, don’t you? Even tho’ everyone has tried to help keep me company, it isn’t you, Sweetheart, and I am still…..

Honey, It made me feel awful, last nite, when you said you should have stayed-now that you are gone, let’s try to forget that you could have stayed a while longer.   You’d have had to go eventually, anyway, and the longer you stayed home, the harder it would have been for all of us.  This way, you kinda got your choice of duty and if you had waited-no telling what, where or whom you would have gotten, too.  Now it will all be over sooner, then, maybe, you’ll be home for always.

Be sweet, darling, and if you are too tired, don’t worry to call or write, just as long as that is the reason, I’ll try to understand, even tho’ I’d love a half dozen letters a day and phone calls, too.  I love you, sweetheart, and miss you more than you’ll ever know-be a good boy!

Lots of loving,

Janice

P.S. Be careful with your money, baby, watch your cards, keep your mind on them.  J