December 19, 1919, from Richard

148 Sheety Street
La Fayette, Ind.
Dec. 19, 1919

Dear Esther,

You have proven that you are obstinate and contrary. Well, all right this was a case where I do not object so strongly; but I've got you now where you will have to wait awhile despite the fact. If I appear to have a careless attitude in regard to certain things, what can anyone tell atall about it?

Say, you are lucky to get to go home so soon and have company all the way! There is no one around [...] to raise an excitement by strewing everything around and packing up to go home. "Webb" went to Chicago this evening and if Roomie and I can get ready in time and have enough money left we may go home ourselves tomorrow (Sat.). I've got a class till noon (12:00) tomorrow and it may be impossible for me to get ready, eat, and go over to the station in time to take the 12:15, my homeward bound train! Roomie wants me to go out on a date tonight; but our girls do not like to go to the family vaudeville, and we do. So? It will be treating our pile of ready cash rather kindly if we stay shy of "such".

How do you like Indianapolis about this time? I hope you have had a nice trip home, and a nice visit already. Hoping to see you at home. I "extend my hand" for a happy farewell.

Yours,
Richard

December 16, 1919, from Alva Glendening

Geneva, Ind.,
Dec. 16--1919

Dear Friend:

This may surprise you but I hope it don't shock you too much. I received a letter from Katheryn yesterday and I happened to think that I have written to every Willing Worker absent but you, our teacher. Don't you think that is awful? I hope you will forgive me, and I think you will.

I don't know very much news just now except about the measles and I am over them now and I think about everybody else is, and beside you were home not very long ago and heard about all the news and will soon be home again to hear the rest of it better than I can write it. But I do know one thing, that they didn't shred today at Lehman's as it was too cold for them. But it looks as if it is going to warm up today as the sun is coming out nice. We have had some zero weather the last few days.

I was at S.S. last Sun., first I've been there for several Sundays. Our population was five, Maisie, Fred, Harry, Emile and I were the faithful ones, your big brother was absent, and we won the collection penant by a number of pennies. I am afraid we will have to adopt some children if we win many attendance banners after New Year's.

I heard you disagreed with me about Kath--getting married. I am sorry to hear such a thing. But listen! The reason I wrote as I did was because I heard she was getting advice not to come home Xmas for fear she might get married. Now, I want her to come home, not that I am eager to see her, but she can't have a merry Xmas down there and I don't want her to know that matrimony is so dangerous, and then again she might pull thru with it all right. Of course it would hurt you or I to get married for you don't know enough about home economics and I'm too young.

Well, I must close. I won't ask you any questions now but will wait till you come home. Hope to see you once more before Santa comes anyway. Faithfully yours,

Alva Glendening

December 15, 1919, from Lloyd and Mamma

Geneva Ind.,
Dec. 15, 1919.

Dear sister,

I am at school now and will soon recite so I will write as much as I can while I can.

I just received a letter from Robert last Saturday and wrote to him Sunday.

He said, When it (the Poodle dog) wanted a drink he would stand up on his hind legs and pat his front paws together. Did you ever see him do that? Well it is time to recite now ... Time is passing ... Now I am back again.

We had a game at school last Friday. You had to write your name on a slip of paper and fold it so that no one could see it without unfolding it. Then you dropped your slips all in one box and teacher wold mix them up. Then each person drew one out. The game rather the plot is to whoever you get when you draw, give him or her a useful article that costs 25¢. When I drew I got Henry Ehersam (Minnie Ehersam's brother). I got him a good Printing outfit.

When we was playing shinny Solomon Eicher was first swinging his shinny club back to hit the ball and instead of hitting the ball he hit Edward Ehersam (Minnie Ehersam's brother) and knocked the skin flesh off right on his forehead till you could see the bone. You could track him everywhere he went by big dropes of blood about 3/4 inches in diameter. It knocked him unconscious for a while. Then Tressie and our teacher took him to the doctor and he said if it would have hit him just a little bit closer to the eye it would have killed him instantly.

Your brother
Lloyd Munro



Lloyd has written some to you at school and copied it at home. But I must have my "say".

Went to town last eve I now have all material for making three bags. But if you decide to give them to L. & K. you can help make them for I know it does not take long. Spoons have not come yet. Hope you will get here before all Carter's best stuff is gone. Am so sorry you are not here now.

Mrs. Lindsey is going to make Ruth's dress this week if I can get trimming for it. I may have to go to Berne for that. So you see where part of my time goes to any how.

I will have to prepare good & hard for shredders tomorrow. They are at Lehman's now & will be here next expect them Wed. Thur. & Fri. or Thur. Fri & Sat.

Well, I hope you a safe journey home.

from,
Mamma.

December 14, 1919, From Mamma and Ruth

Geneva. (Sun.) Dec. 14--‘19

Dear Esther--

Well, I promised to write some so I'll have tow write tonight if I do at all before you get home. I went to town yesterday A.M. to that sale, and the store was packed as quick as the door was opened. So you can imagine ones chance at trading with such a crowd. But I finally got Addie Hoskisson to wait on me. I only bought the common necessaries, and not all of those. So will go back again if I can get the time. I need comfort material so bad. Now let met ell you what is before me this week. I don't know if I can make those bags or not. I could have done it last week, but could not get the material by sending for it so thought I'd see to it this week myself. But Papa told me today that I might look for those corn-fodder shredders Wed. Thur. & Fri. that means 14 men each day. Then on Mon. I'll wash (if weather permits) and go see Mrs. Lindsey about Ruth's dress. Tues I'll iron& bake up everything I can think of for those men. Of course it may storm and spoil all the plans. But I really wish to have it over with before you come. So we can talk & sew.

Clark went to Bluffton yester ever to get Justus Kelley & family. He has had to take them back this eve. He had a sore throat too. Lloyd has been complaining about his. No one went to S.S. but Ruth and papa. They walked. A very small turn out. I suppose you have decided by now how you are coming home.


[Continued by Ruth]

This is Ruth Writing now. I have received one Christmas present allready. It is a pair of brown gloves. They are made of cloth not even lined. I am going to have a test in General S. to-morrow. And I am begining to shake now. I belive I did not tell you my grade in test the first and last time was 94 next to the highest grade. The one that grade cheated so much. And I am glad to say that none of the rest cheated. The highest grade was 96. Please tell me when you come home tell me what you want for Christmas. I'll tell what I want Christmas now: books, fountain pen, my graduation picture framed. We just called were called up and Mr. Lehman told us he could not have the thrashers shredders Mon. So that means that we will have them Thursday, Friday, and Sat.


[More from Mamma]

Wilma stayed with us when Clark took the folks back to Bluffton as Mrs. Whitsel went along, just for the ride. Now, I don't think you'll hear from us again till you come home. Come home which ever way you think best, but I would not come alone.

I must close & go to bed early and prepare to work, work, work.

From,
Mamma


Mon. A.M.

Clark just told me that if you came to Portland Fri. night he can meet you there as well as not there is to be a B.B. game at Bryant that night. But come any way that suits you best & we will meet you. Just let us know.

Mamma.

December 14, 1919, from Richard

P.U. La Fayette, Ind.

Dear Esther,

I think I ought to start this week off as if I meant to do the right thing at least. Although I have quite a lot to do today and all this week, I can usually transfer enough time to write a little while. Due to the fact that I went to Sunday School today, had a number of visitors, and loafed some myself, I am afraid I must forgo any dates or other similar escapades for the evening. Of course it is a disappointment to me as well as others. Ha.

I hope you are not suffering yet of the fine cool weather that is whizzing around outside. Everybody around here, who can, go over to the park to skate, and it is a great sport too. I have no skates here; but am longing for them with little hope of having my desire gratified. Do you skate? I rather think you once said you didn't. So, you did not like those plays that you saw there at the University. And Hamlet was no good. I have never seen it played myself, so I take your word for it. A lot of people, however, are hard to humor, when they have ideas.

We have such a warm room here that it is hard to believe there was any coal shortage. No, I'm not freezing; but I do have a lot of "chicken" problems on my mind. Pardon me, but I have two classes of ‘em to study and mix with. Nevertheless I shall be very glad to go home; just like I was about a year ago. Ha, ha! I have classes until 12:00 Saturday, the 20the., so I'm not quite sure just when I can get home. I hope you do not have any more such exciting trips as you had a few weeks ago. Ha.

Wishing you the best of luck this week. I hope to see you during vacation.

Sincerely,
Richard

P.S. I had to cut this short so as to send it up to be mailed by roomie.

R.N.G.

December 12, 1919, from Mamma

Home. Dec. 12--Friday Eve.

Dear Esther--

Your letter came today. I hope you have rec'd my last letter by now for may be there are a few suggestions in it that might help you out with Xmas. You will have time enough after you get home to get him some thing. You need not get it there unless you see the very thing that suits. But of course if you are intending to give the girls there each something, it shoudl be done before you leave there. Even Luella & Kathryn's could wait till you get home. We have sent for those spoons; but of course they have not come yet.

Carter is going to sell out for good & move to Wabash, Ind. I am going tomorrow A.M. buy some, for that is when sale begins.

I do not know which way you had better come home. But papa said he'd rather you'd come with Justine than to make trip alone.

We have not noticed any coal shortage here, and Ben's said there seemed to be plenty in Van Nest.

Well, I didn't know I began on wrong side of paper. [At top of second side, which is, indeed, the "right" side.]

I've a notion to get myself a nice new dress at Carter's, but when would it ever get made? I wish you could stay home a month and sew.

Yes, the school play will be while you are home; but Clark don't brag on it any. So don't expect too much.

Sat. A.M. Clark said he would give up getting stationary if you wanted to give that to some one else.

You will hear from me again before you come. If no one comes tomorrow I expect I'll write to you then. I may have fodder shredders next Tue. Wed. & Thur.--

With love,
Mamma

December 10, 1919, from Mamma

Home. Wed. A.M.

Dear Esther--

As usual, it's hurry. Am sewing every spare min. of daylight I have.

No, I would not dress up as boy in that playlet.

About Xmas. presents. Am going to send off those oleomargerine coupons for xix teaspoons. How would it be for you to give one with initial on it to each of your friends there. It is the Community silver & I should think would be good and nice to give. I will make two bags any how, a blue & yellow.

Am making myself night-gowns.

Hope you are warm enough there. We were not until papa put up dining-room stove.

If you don't want those spoons I can keep them but would they be nice? We send to Chicago for them & they might come soon enough.

Will send you an article I saw in Youth's Companion.

I think a map of Ind. would be nice, according to what you said when you were home. Will inquire of Long in Geneva & see if any can be got & let you know soon.

Must close & get papa something for dinner.

About 20 loads of beets are in the field. Do not think Glendenning's are through either.

With love from--
Mamma.

December 7, 1919, from Richard

148 Sheety Street
La Fayette, Ind.
December 7, 1919

Dear Esther,

You seem to be having your share of adventure in all lines of activities. Also many new experiences with the weather. Purdue University has only a car or two of coal ahead at any time; but we are going fearlessly ahead with the work just the same. You see it takes about two car loads per day here and if the shortage is not met there will be something doing at Purdue. The only way the coal shortage could affect our vacations would be to make them longer, wouldn't it? I heard that Indiana U. has enough coal to run till March; but there is a rumor that we may get out one weak earlier. However, I have no confidence in such reports. In two weeks tho! Ha, ha!

When I read in the paper about the Monon train being almost wrecked, I never thought you were on the train. You might have been killed, and that would not have even suited you, would it? I'm glad you escaped so fortunately.

I did not go to Sunday School today on account of the slippery side walks; and my laziness. Roomie brought a Sunday paper back with him, from breakfast, and I read that, when I got up. Ha, ha! I also did a poultry problem for next Wednesday, before going to dinner. Now this afternoon I have nothing to do but write letters or go on dates. Of the two, I chose letters for the present, and the others later. Did it give you a miserable day yesterday, as we had? I went over to the shows with a friend last evening, took in the [...] and a vaudeville at the Family.

It's surely inconvenient for you to have so much work to do, letters, sewing, and all that other stuff you mentioned. I do not believe they can put me "under" here, at least I hope not. Since you have so much to deal with, I shall not ask you any new questions this time; but hope you find lots of enjoyment out of the others. Wishing you a speedy relief from all your hard work.

Yours,
Richard

December 7, 1919, from Clark and Mamma

Geneva Ind.
Dec 7 1919

Dear Sister:--

We got beat again Fri. night on Bluffton floor by Petroleum score 26-33 two defeats out of eleven games.

I am in an awful rush so you see the writing.

Would one of those boxes of writing paper ($1.85 a box) do for a present for Luella, I think you mentioned about her saying she would like to have some of it get either white or cream color. I'll pay for it. I wasn't at SS today I'm getting awful bad. Cousin Bens were over Sat night and today. School is awful.

There is a little snow it fell Fri. night. It's awful cold now and you know how warm this house is when the chimney stops up. Well I'm sleepy and have Chem. Phy's. and Caesar to get yet so By By for this time

Hopeing hat the remaining 2 weeks pass swiftly by.

Yours
Clark.


Mon.A.M.

Am not washing today. Weather looks bad & also Is Ben's were here, the house is torn up from one end to the toher. The kids got out every thing they could get & didn't put back anything. I was not looking for Ben's at all. But had not only looked for them the last four Sat. (except for the Sat. you were at home) but had prepared for them. They want up to all come over Xmas and stay Xmas night and longer if we will. I told her I'd let her know as soon as I had heard from you. I do not think there'll be any thing going on here Xmas night, any way, there never is, So don't you think we can go?

Ricky Marsh went to Iowa last summer & while there married. Then she came back & I believe taught school until Thanks-givign then went to Ames, Ia. to live. Tho' her husband hasn't finished going to school yet.

They are having quite a time at school. I haven't time, nor paper, nor patience to tell all, so will not tell any. I guess tho' that Willis is quite bossy & overbearing, even to Tressie. Suppose we will se you in two weeks. I think you must have had a dangerous, exciting & tiresome trip back to Bloom.

Must close & go to work.

With love. from
Mamma.

December 5, 1919, From Ruth

Geneva Indiana.
Dec. 5, 1919.

Dear Sister:

I have been writing wanting to get a chance to write. I wanted to write last night but I had to write on my book report. Well, I suppose you have heard some things about the squabble. Well I will tell you some more. You know Clark was suspended from school for three days. That happened Tuesday. Papa went back the next morning and told him what the school was for and Clark kept on coming to school. the same night the Senior class went there to practice a play and finish up putting up the stage. Clark saw that Tressie was there that night too. The next morning he said he was surprised to see the stage half way up. He also said he could fine them each $5 and upward to put for breaking in the school building. Neusbaum & Mr. Willis ordered that the stage should be taken down and never be put up again. Also threatened to take the Seniors credits away from them and I do not know what. Neusbaum came the next morning anyhow he was there before we got there.

They were waiting for Tressie to come. First They called Josephine down in the furnace room. There was no one down there besides Mr. Willis

[...]

Neusbaum & asked her if she was there the night before. Of course she had to say she was & asked her to tell all who were there that night of course she had to tell. She went up stairs to tell Tressie all about it. Tressie was called out at that time. In about ha[l]f an hour or less she was back and began to cry. All the Seniors class...

[There seems to be a page missing from this letter. If it turns up in one of the later letters, I'll insert it and make a note of it.]

December 3, 1919, from Mamma

Home. Wed. A.M.

Dear Esther--

As usual, it's hurry. Am sewing every spare min. of daylight I have.

No, I would not dress up as boy in that playlet.

About Xmas. presents. Am going to send off those oleomargerine coupons for xix teaspoons. How would it be for you to give one with initial on it to each of your friends there. It is the Community silver & I should think would be good and nice to give. I will make two bags any how, a blue & yellow.

Am making myself night-gowns.

Hope you are warm enough there. We were not until papa put up dining-room stove.

If you don't want those spoons I can keep them but would they be nice? We send to Chicago for them & they might come soon enough.

Will send you an article I saw in Youth's Companion.

I think a map of Ind. would be nice, according to what you said when you were home. Will inquire of Long in Geneva & see if any can be got & let you know soon.

Must close & get papa something for dinner.

About 20 loads of beets are in the field. Do not think Glendenning's are through either.

With love from--
Mamma.