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 241
July 26, 1933
Wednesday
Dear Daddy,
how are you I am fine we got home without having to go in low any time up the hill we ate lunch outside little falls. We got home 5 minits after 4. on the way we guest what time we wood get home John said 3 o'clock Mother said 4 and I said 2 o'clock so you see the time came within 5 minits of the time Mother thought we would get home the kittens are over 1/2 of a foot long John and I havent been able to cach ether of them yet. there house is under the old barn all safe and sound. the toemaytoes and the watetermelons and the sqwash all have fruit on them about the size of a silver dollar. the cucumbers have fruit of about 4 inches long.the beans have some of them gone to seed and the same with the peas. our corn has a lot of ears on it and we can eat it in a few days How do you like the picher on the front of this? I did not use a pensel on any of it you should have seen Mitzi when we let her out of the car she jumpt and ran all over us and the farm we set the little round tabal up but we coulden't find the screws. Do you remember where you put them? This morning I tried to cach the kittens but they ran to fast.well I guess this is all the news so lots and lots of love from Ruth. P S.this morning coming home from getting the milk I found a Ruster fesent's tail feather it was black yellow brown and tan I gave it to John
love from Ruth
Nevis, Minn 242
July 26, 1933
Wednesday
Dear James,
We are gathered around the family table writing letters. It is now 8:30 PM. We reached home by way of Wadena, and Park Rapids. From Brainerd to Park Rapids the road is wonderful. We stopped at Little Falls for gas and oil, 3 gals gas and a qt. of oil, 77 cents. We bought groceries at Menagha. 1 doz. eggs, 5 lbs. potatoes, l qt vinegar (so I can make bean pickles), 1 loaf bread, 2 pkgs, corn flakes, total $1.11 also 3 ice cream cones. We ate lunch just outside Little Falls. We had packed lunch for you too but forgot to give it to you before we left. What bus did you take to the cities? We met two, one about 8 o'clock and one about 9. The car worked perfectly and the weather was ideal.
The first thing we did was to look at the garden. The potatoes are still blossoming and have grown a lot. Ruth dug 2 hills and found 10 potatoes a little smaller than an egg. The sweet corn is in the milk and the corn is beginning to tassel. The cabbages are forming heads and the onions are ripe. The tomato plants have many, many little tomatoes set on and the plants are 3 times as big as they were.
There must have been a heavy rainfall lately as the garden soil was washed some and both tubs and boiler were full of soft water. The cat came running from the barn as soon as she heard the car. She had moved the kittens again.
I unloaded the car and picked a basin of raspberries, enough for supper. I brushed our coats and picked all the hair off of them and hung them away. I feel pretty tired now and am only waiting my turn at the tub. John is already asleep. The children were both very good all the way up here.
I am sorry I was cross with you but you'll simply have to be more patient. I've been thinking over what we talked about, and if you get more work I think we ought to rent a house and stay with you this winter. We can't even bear to think of another winter up here alone. And then we can spend the summer months up here and rent out the land as before. If your work gets less you might see about the loan and find out if you can quit it and go to farming and I guess this farm is as good as most of them.
Eddie Rood was cutting the oats on the north half of the field just as hay, on the rest he will use the binder. The millet and sudan grass look nice. The grain isn't ripe enough to harvest yet. The grass in the yard is green and everything is just as we left it.
Be sure to get your new shoes right away and pay Ted all up if you have enough money.
I'm sorry again for being cross. Bruce had been here twice while we were away, on the 17th and the 22nd of July. He left 2 notes.
(Continued in A.M.)
We're all feeling great. Had a good sleep. It is cloudy today and as soon as this is in the mail box we are going after the cherries and the garden. Blueberries were 10 cents a lb. in the store. I hope you are rested now and that things will go well with you.
Lots of love. Martha
Nevis, Minn 243
July 26, 1933
Wednesday
Dear Daddy
How are you we are fine The corn is not ready to eat yet but in a few days it will be We got home all right the beans aren't dried up either. the watermelons are this (insert drawing) big. the pumpkins are this (insert drawing) big, the squash is (insert drawing) this big, the millet is almost up to my knee, the sudan grass is up to my shoulder.
Well I want to catch the kittens so good by love from John
Mpls., Minn 244
July 27, 1933
Thursday
My Dear Martha John and Ruth,
I sure hated to see you start off alone yesterday when I knew you had not slept. I hope you got home without any trouble and that you found things in good shape there. I asked a fellow who was taking a load of stock to the cities if I could ride to the city with him and he said no so I rode the bus it cost .85¢. While I was waiting for the bus I walked over to the river and it was clear I could see a lot of big fish swimming around and some turtles. I think the fish are carp or suckers but they were great big fellows.
I got the money from Bennetti today and will pay the bank loan this afternoon. I am working Kenwood this afternoon from 3:00 till 9:09. I was on Emerson this morning.
I hope they get the 6 hour day soon and most of the boys think we will. I haven't much news except it's mighty lonesome here and I will look for a nice long letter tomorrow.
Lot a of love to you all from Daddy
Mpls., Minn 245
July 29, 1933
Saturday
Dear Martha, Ruth and John,
I received your nice letters last night and you don't know how thankful I am that you got home safe and that you found everything in good shape. I would of wrote so you could of got this today If I had been home but Fred asked me to go out to the farm as we were both marked off. We left here at 9:10 Thursday night and came back last night. I milked 3 cows night and morning and stacked hay most of the day besides, besides riding to Lakeville with Fred after groceries and after that Fred took his nephew and 2 other boys to Crystal lake swimming. The lake is 11 miles from the farm. We had lots of fun but the water felt cold. 3 of us only had our shorts on as bathing suits but there were no ladies present.
I had a night run on 34th-North Bryant tonight, 7:03 till 12:53. Today I got my hair cut and took some shoes to be fixed, after I got home from that I made a batch of cookies like you made and a sour cream cake. They all turned out good except the cake I had in the mess kit fell a little.
Oh say if you haven't all ready found the soap it is in the box with the dishes and the screws for the table are in the tin box of tire patches in the tool bag. Try and keep the car in the shade as much as possible for the hot sun is bad on the tires and top. You might even throw something over the tires that are in the sun most. Don't be afraid to buy plenty of eats and anything I can get cheaper here I'll be glad to send it to you
As I was milking the cows yesterday I was wishing you folks could have been here too. They gave me a 2 qt. jar of milk to bring home so we have been drinking heavy today. I am sorry ice is so high but here we have to have it. Its terrible hot today but it looks like rain. I am glad you had rain there and the garden is coming so good.
Well sweethearts I must stop and get ready for work. Lots of love to all from Daddy.
Write often
P.S. Dearest girl I know why you were so upset so just forget it. I love you very much and hope you like me a little.
Better send all the books back right away and I will send you some more.
