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 106
December 9, 1932
Friday
Dear Daddy,
How are you? I am fine. I sure would like to have a little car or maybe a train. I sure liked that pretty paper you sent. It is real good skating only it is a little rough in places, and there is some snow at the lowest parts. I don't know whether the other boys have skates or not well the mailman is coming so goodby lots of love from John.
Nevis, Minn 107
December 10, 1932
Saturday
Dear James,
It is not so cold today but still below zero. It is snowing a little. We got your letter just now with the money. Thanks. John picked out the sample he likes best. Ruth says she wants the jersey. Send thread to match and 2 yds. narrow ribbin to match. Am glad you are getting more work. Unless you use the radio a lot can you have it fixed so that we can have it up here? That is all the Christmas present I want. About Christmas again, get 1 yd of pretty yellow flowered material and 1 yd ribbon 1 inch wide for Ruth's doll and 1 yd. pink and, white checked material. We can make the doll shoes out of imitation leather. Get each one a book, get Ruth one about girls her own age.
Love, Martha
Nevis, Minn 108
December 11, 1932
Sunday
Dear James,
Well this has been a busy day, even if it was Sunday. When we got up it was snowing a fine snow that looked as though it could keep up all week, so after breakfast Ruth stayed inside to keep the fires going and tidy up and John and I went to work on the wood pile. The children had scattered the wood around a lot when they built their houses, and we filled John's house with big chunks and John filled Ruth's with kitchen wood, as we call it. There are a lot that don't need splitting and a lot that need to be split only once so we have wood for several days, dry and easy to get at. It snowed the same all day, about 3 inches.
The ends of my fingers and nose were frostbitten last week, and I have had a time trying to sew or knit or do anything. I am knitting a little outfit for Ruth's doll and we can give her the cloth and ribbon and she can make the doll dress herself, and if you want to make a little boy happy give him that ax. Held rather have that than skates or anything else and I don't believe he'll get hurt. They can change off using Ruth's skates if the ice is still good.
We had a baked dinner today, a pork roast baked with sweet potatoes and onions, and mashed potatoes. It was so good I thought you might like to try it. Get a thick pork chop and brown it on both sides, then put it in the baking dish with a 1/2 inch of water and surround it with peeled and quartered sweet potatoes onions and apples, cover and bake slowly until done, about 3/4 of an hour. We used cranberry sauce instead of apples.
Wood cook stove
(Monday)
It is 20 below and the children are staying home. We need some matches and salt. They will write letters while they are home. I'm baking bread. We are all well and hope you are taking good care of yourself.
Lots of love from us all. " We'll be seein' you ", Martha
Nevis, Minn 109
December 19, 1932
Monday
Dear James,
We received your letter and the package on Sat. and are glad you have your vacation time settled. The children's' presents are all nice. We are putting all presents in a big box and I am the only one who can go into it. They have made a number of things for everybody and have them wrapped and labeled. It was much warmer yesterday and today, and the last snowfall was light. If the weather is right I'll ask Mr. Shaw to start the car and we'll drive to Park Rapids to meet you. We'll need groceries for over Christmas. The beads and purse are fine. How about another game, like "Old Maid" and some candy canes for the tree? I haven't a thing for anybody and it seems strange. Buying the things is half the fun. Never mind about the radio, it would probably be too expensive. The children have a 6 weeks vacation as this is an 8 month school. These last days are going to drag.
Today is fine, the sun is bright and the temp. is 20 above. We'll meet the train if we can get the car started.
Until we see you, love from us all, Martha
Nevis, Minn 110
January 10, 1933
Tuesday
(4 o'clock)
Dear Daddy,
How did you get to the city? We got home all right. Did you mail my letter to Tose? I have made a holder for you out of that copper colored material. The wind is rising again, quite a bit, and I think we'll have a storm out of it. I told the cat that she wasent going to see you for a long time and she meowed and stared at me for a long time and then went back to sleep again. Well this is about all so by-by from Ruth
