Martha transcribed all the letters with their unique spelling, punctuation, and grammar — or lack thereof — so they are immortalized here as originally written.
Nevis, Minn 86
October 29, 1932
Saturday
Dear James,
While waiting for the wash water to heat I'll write you a few lines. We are all feeling well. We had a nice rain Wed. A.M. It started before daylight and lasted off and on until noon. I had jars and pails along the places where the roof leaks but in spite of that the rain leaked thru in two places. The children are learning pieces for a Halloween program at school.
Treadle sewing machine
I sewed two afternoons at Jenson's. I wish I had a machine as there is lots of sewing to be done. Ruth is growing out of all her clothes, and John isn't far behind. Please send me the heaviest outing flannel you can find, either white or colored 36 ins. wide; some Kolynos (toothpaste) and a jar of cold cream.
One of the bows on Ruth's eye glasses broke. I must get busy now. Hope you are feeling better, Sleep all you can or lie down as much as you can. That is the best thing you can do for a cold.
Love from us all, Martha
Here are the temperatures:
| September | 30 | 36 | degrees at | 6:30 a.m. |
| 56 | 9:00 P.M. | |||
| October | 1 | 50 | 7:30 A.M. | |
| 48 | 10:00 P.M | |||
| 2 | 52 | 7:30 A.M | ||
| 60 | 7:30 P.M. | |||
| 6 | 40 | 6:30 A.M. | ||
| 59 | 8:00 P.M. | |||
| 7 | 40 | 6:00 A.M. | ||
| 40 | 7:30 P.M. | |||
| 8 | 34 | 6:30 A.M. | ||
| 30 | 9:30 P.M. | |||
| 9 | 32 | 7:30 P.M. | ||
| 10 | 32 | 6:30 A.M. | ||
| 11 | 34 | 6.30 A.M. | ||
| 32 | 8:30 P.M. | |||
| 17 | 40 | 6:30 P.M. | ||
| 19 | 50 | 6:30 P.M. | ||
| 20 | 30 | 6:30 A.M. |
P.S. I'll send Ruth's glasses next week.
Nevis, Minn 87
October 30, 1932
Sunday
Dear Daddy
How are you I am fine. We had another biger snow and we built a snow fort. Thank you for the Hallowe'en things. We got another load of wood. It was real cold in the morning. well good night. John
Nevis, Minn 88
October 30, 1932
Sunday
Dear Daddy,
How are you we are fine. We've snow on the ground two three or four inches deep. Gee, we had a keen Halloween party. it was friday afternoon after recess. first we played games. the first game was sitting still hide and seek. The way you play it is just like real hide and seek. only you just pretend where your hiding. then we played cat and mouse and last of all we played pin the cat's tail. John put it on the bottom of the cat and I put it on the ear of the cat. then we said our pieces and I said Little Orphan Annie and Johns was in a poem with three other boys. then school was out and we all went home. the first time it snowed John and me went outside and made a snow fort. well this is all. love from your daughter Ruth
Nevis, Minn 89
October 31, 1932
Monday
Dear James,
It looks very much as tho winter is here. There are 2 inches of snow on the ground and it is snowing again this morning, great, soft white flakes. I've had a time keeping the children's feet warm and dry. Today Ruth is wearing her skating socks and my overshoes. John's boots have been wet thru every night and this morning I greased them with lard and polished them. He can't wear his heavy socks because his boots pinch his feet and they get real cold. He has no rubbers. I'll draw around his boot and you can get him some. You might find some leather mittens. I can get some here for 35 cents.
It is nice and cozy in here this morning and thru each window I can see pictures as pretty as any painting. We let the cat stay in at night now. She caught a mouse last night. I have the car covered and it is close by the north window. With the snow it is easy to tell if any one comes around the house and where they come from.
I'm sorry money is so scarce but I know you are working as much as you can. I'll send you a list later of things to send me if I can't get to town, but if you can get John a pair of boot laces now he'd like it a lot. I'd better close and get at my sewing. We get the Tribune right along. Thanks for that.
With love, Martha
Mpls., Minn 90
October 31, 1932
Monday
Dear John,
Daddy has not had a letter from you for quite a while and I sure hope I get a nice long one from you tomorrow. Have you seen any more nice little fawns? I bet they looked pretty. How close to them did you get?
Tonight is Halloween and I suppose you will have your program in school this afternoon. I wish I could hear you speak your piece. Will you copy it and send it to me? I hope you help Mama get in wood every day because that is a boy's chore and seeing as how Daddy's away you will help for me. Did you get the Halloween things I sent? I did not try the whistles but hope they will work. Have you caught any mice in the traps yet? I don't think of any more news so bye-bye with lots of love.
Daddy
