handwritten letter postmarked October 28, 1936
10/27/36
Dear Bet
Cold, chilly evening and here I am in bed and just a little after ten. Received your lengthy letter today.
I went to Portland Sunday afternoon. Lena Musgrave went with me and we went via Silverton. We attended CE out at Freemont and Sandy. Not many there but a nice meeting. I stayed at Orin's. Had a nice visit. I finally got loaded up and headed out of Portland by noon. I purchased an electric drill. Better than ninety bucks.
We started on Mr. Tuckers house today. The drill is just the thing for drilling the holes for roughing in. It is a large heavy one 3/4" heavy duty - Black and Decker.
I spent most of my time over at Charley Green's watching the Silverton men install the furnace. They think they will have it finished by late tomorrow evening.
They said they would show me a few tricks to the trade. Today was mostly preliminaries.
Gee, it sounds like you are getting up in about the 1000 class. You will never be able to leave all that. It is better to be king among dogs as dog among kings.
I don't know much more about the new building that you do. Joe Myers is building it. But they haven't started yet.
Make up some more candy when you run out of something to do.
Lee
handwritten letter postmarked October 30, 1936
Friday afternoon
Dear Lee--
I was rather surprised to get your letter today but also very pleased. I have plenty of studying that I might do but instead I'm going to write to you.
I've got a new dress! Mom sent me the money last Wednesday and I went right down and got it. It's grey silk crepe with bright colored embroidery, a high neck and big puff sleeves. I like it very much but you probably won't.
Your trip to Portland sounded interesting. Am I to infer that you and Lena are going together now? It sure sounds like your getting in the money to buy a drill for $90 without blinking an eye (or did you?)
Say, listen to me you big bum! Don't you think I won't be able to leave all this! Why, never a day goes by but what I stop and count the days, weeks, or months 'till I"ll be back there. Every time anyone mentions Christmas (by the way it's exactly 8 weeks from today) my old heart starts thumping! What did you mean by it being "better to be king among dogs as dog among kings"? Do you mean I'm a dog or a king? I don't see how I could be either.
I'm really almost getting the big head down here. I'm always getting a compliment from someone. One lady said I was such a sweet, charming, wholesome girl! And Oh! I hear a lot of nice things but whooie! I know they're just blarneying so I try to forget it. and speaking of compliments I've heard from up Lebanon several times as to how nice you look in your new suit and hat. I'd surely like to pass judgement on them. How do you suppose your new suit will go with my new dress? I'm going to wear it tonight to the Preacher's reception so I'll see how it goes with some of the suits down here.
Our play (Drama Class) is going to be put on first the afternoon of Nov 19 and I don't even know all my first act real good.
Oh dear! When I think of how much I have to do --------- and to think, I'm wasting my time writing a lot of stuff you don't care to read and doing everything in general, that I shouldn't.
I wish I was going home for the weekend and had all my studying done ready to have a grand time. It won't be long tho' so I guess I'll keep plugging along.
Bet
Friday afternoon
Dear Lee--
I was rather surprised to get your letter today but also very pleased. I have plenty of studying that I might do but instead I'm going to write to you.
I've got a new dress! Mom sent me the money last Wednesday and I went right down and got it. It's grey silk crepe with bright colored embroidery, a high neck and big puff sleeves. I like it very much but you probably won't.
Your trip to Portland sounded interesting. Am I to infer that you and Lena are going together now? It sure sounds like your getting in the money to buy a drill for $90 without blinking an eye (or did you?)
Say, listen to me you big bum! Don't you think I won't be able to leave all this! Why, never a day goes by but what I stop and count the days, weeks, or months 'till I"ll be back there. Every time anyone mentions Christmas (by the way it's exactly 8 weeks from today) my old heart starts thumping! What did you mean by it being "better to be king among dogs as dog among kings"? Do you mean I'm a dog or a king? I don't see how I could be either.
I'm really almost getting the big head down here. I'm always getting a compliment from someone. One lady said I was such a sweet, charming, wholesome girl! And Oh! I hear a lot of nice things but whooie! I know they're just blarneying so I try to forget it. and speaking of compliments I've heard from up Lebanon several times as to how nice you look in your new suit and hat. I'd surely like to pass judgement on them. How do you suppose your new suit will go with my new dress? I'm going to wear it tonight to the Preacher's reception so I'll see how it goes with some of the suits down here.
Our play (Drama Class) is going to be put on first the afternoon of Nov 19 and I don't even know all my first act real good.
Oh dear! When I think of how much I have to do --------- and to think, I'm wasting my time writing a lot of stuff you don't care to read and doing everything in general, that I shouldn't.
I wish I was going home for the weekend and had all my studying done ready to have a grand time. It won't be long tho' so I guess I'll keep plugging along.
Bet
handwritten letter postmarked November 4, 1936
11-3-36
In Bed
Dear Bet,
Yours received and contents noted.
Dawsons radio has been spealing about Wolves of the wine press or something like that. The radio has died down till I can't make out anything so will scratch just a little.
Oh, yes from what I have heard the Sunflowers are about done for-dropping fast.
Your dear cousin was to go to Silverton again this Sunday. Terrible! He asked me if I wanted to go.
Dad and I looked around for a cow in the afternoon but haven't found one yet.
We started on Paul Chilcote's new house Monday morning. We worked there today, too. It was raining this evening so will probably put coils in Charles Greens new Eastman furnace in the morning.
They have finally started on our new building.
The work on the new theater is progressing very rapidly. Very few local men are working on it.
I did not get to speak to your folks Sunday. Hunting season is over and I never killed a thing but a couple of Mom's bantams.
Paul Chilcote is building his house across the street east from Chet Meyers on the lot he purchased from Mrs. Turnidge.
Don Furch and Bill Guy in Bill Guys car and Keeblers and some body else had an auto accident just south of the Power Plant Sunday night. I do not know the particulars.
Don Keebler was down in Portland trying to run things and someone broke his jaw, I don't know any particulars.
The wind is sorta blowing and I am getting scared. Maybe I had better get to sleep.
Oh yes, I dined with LaForges Saturday. More fun.
Lee
11-3-36
In Bed
Dear Bet,
Yours received and contents noted.
Dawsons radio has been spealing about Wolves of the wine press or something like that. The radio has died down till I can't make out anything so will scratch just a little.
Oh, yes from what I have heard the Sunflowers are about done for-dropping fast.
Your dear cousin was to go to Silverton again this Sunday. Terrible! He asked me if I wanted to go.
Dad and I looked around for a cow in the afternoon but haven't found one yet.
We started on Paul Chilcote's new house Monday morning. We worked there today, too. It was raining this evening so will probably put coils in Charles Greens new Eastman furnace in the morning.
They have finally started on our new building.
The work on the new theater is progressing very rapidly. Very few local men are working on it.
I did not get to speak to your folks Sunday. Hunting season is over and I never killed a thing but a couple of Mom's bantams.
Paul Chilcote is building his house across the street east from Chet Meyers on the lot he purchased from Mrs. Turnidge.
Don Furch and Bill Guy in Bill Guys car and Keeblers and some body else had an auto accident just south of the Power Plant Sunday night. I do not know the particulars.
Don Keebler was down in Portland trying to run things and someone broke his jaw, I don't know any particulars.
The wind is sorta blowing and I am getting scared. Maybe I had better get to sleep.
Oh yes, I dined with LaForges Saturday. More fun.
Lee
typed letter postmarked November 8, 1936
Sunday afternoon
Dear Lee ---
Well, you old Democrat, how does it feel to still be in power? Personally I think it is a big mistake for you Demo.s to be in again but we hope for the best.
Why didn't you go to Silverton? Surely there are some good looking girls over there.
So you have been stepping out on me, huh? Going up and eating dinner with La Forges. Am I mad? Am I mad?
There's really not much new from this end of the country. Tuesday night a WWG meeting. Wednesday night Play practice. Thursday a Sophomore class Barbeque that was a flop as far as I was concerned. The meat was good but the crowd was a mess.
Friday and Saturday I stayed home and in a few minutes I have committee meeting and then tonight I lead BY on Building---the same lesson that I lead at home just before I came.
Armistice Day will soon be here, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas!
This is a poor excuse for a letter but you that I'm well and happy so I guess that will have to suffice.
Bet
P.S. Mom sent me clippings telling of Opal Garland's wedding and a shower for Vena Holst who is to be married soon. What is the younger generation coming to?
editor's note: Franklin Roosevelt won by a landslide in 1936. Bet was a lifelong Republican, Lee a Democrat. That was always a puzzle to their kids.
Sunday afternoon
Dear Lee ---
Well, you old Democrat, how does it feel to still be in power? Personally I think it is a big mistake for you Demo.s to be in again but we hope for the best.
Why didn't you go to Silverton? Surely there are some good looking girls over there.
So you have been stepping out on me, huh? Going up and eating dinner with La Forges. Am I mad? Am I mad?
There's really not much new from this end of the country. Tuesday night a WWG meeting. Wednesday night Play practice. Thursday a Sophomore class Barbeque that was a flop as far as I was concerned. The meat was good but the crowd was a mess.
Friday and Saturday I stayed home and in a few minutes I have committee meeting and then tonight I lead BY on Building---the same lesson that I lead at home just before I came.
Armistice Day will soon be here, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas!
This is a poor excuse for a letter but you that I'm well and happy so I guess that will have to suffice.
Bet
P.S. Mom sent me clippings telling of Opal Garland's wedding and a shower for Vena Holst who is to be married soon. What is the younger generation coming to?
editor's note: Franklin Roosevelt won by a landslide in 1936. Bet was a lifelong Republican, Lee a Democrat. That was always a puzzle to their kids.
handwritten letter postmarked November 17, 1936
Tuesday morning
Nov. 10, 1936
Dear Lee --
I suddenly had a desire to write to you so I'm doing it instead of studying as I should. Seems like when I wait until Sunday to write I can't think of much to say so I'm starting now and it will probably end up by being another magazine.
I have a secret to tell you. I believe I told you and I'm quite certain I did the folks, that we had classes right up until a day or two before Christmas. Just yesterday I found out that we get out Friday Dec. 18th (nearly a week before Christmas!) My plan is to let the folks keep on thinking that I"ll be home Christmas Eve but I'll take the bus from Fresno, Friday P.M. and get into Albany Sat. P.M. Then if you could meet me there we'd drive out home and surprise the folks. I know this more than a month away but I got to thinking about it and I just had to write to you. We get two full weeks and 3 weekends vacation! Course, I s'pose your getting so stuck up with your new suit and all that you wouldn't even consider coming over to Albany to meet a goofy gal like me. Am I right?
Tomorrow is Armistice Day and I can surely use a day's vacation. My clothes are all a mess and my lessons all need studying. Did I tell you I had my hair cut? It was getting down about to my shoulders and I remembered your saying my neck was too short to wear my hair long and so Rachel cut it. It surely is a mess now! It's so short I look like something the cat's drug in. It's a real shingle up the back. I hope it grows some before Christmas.
I suppose you saw Marion's pictures. He sent (through Mom) me the ones of you laying on the sand and you and I and Grace and Mr. & Mrs. Holmes on the sand, and the one of you and I and the Dodge taken at Kent's. When I showed Rachel the last one she said "my what a pretty tree!" I like it very much.
We are to put on our play at Visalia Dec. 4 and I don't know any of act III yet. Don't you think I'd better get busy.
I bet you think ("what a goofy gal") one time I write a book and the next time a short note but it all depends upon the time I have and the mood I'm in. I write the same way to the folks. By the way, don't you even hint to a soul that I'm coming home early. I had a notion to surprise you too but I was afraid I'd find you "stepping out" so -----.
Did I tell you that I may spend all of Thanksgiving week here alone? The folks are going over to Fresno to test John's eyes and I don't want to go along, but I may. If not, I'll have the whole house to myself so I can surely run things my way. I tho't some of going to Los Angeles but it costs more than I want to spend right now and I guess I can make pretty good use of my time here.
I didn't have any classes this morning but there's an AWS meeting at 11:30 and since it's getting along about that time I'll quit scribbling for the time being.
Love,
Bet
Thurs. nite
Tsk-tsk! Here I am starting to add some more to this letter and it still isn't time to mail it. I was just reading The Lebanon Distress. Is this new building really yours? or are you just going to rent it? Sounds good anyway. I surely don't like the paper so well with the new managers. It's so full of mistakes I can hardly read it.
I just came home from a Guild meeting. Chocolate cake and tea. Don't you wish you'd been there?
I got a letter from "Smithie" today. She says she's working near me and thinks I'd better look out. Should I? She sent me a hug and kiss from you. Where did she get them? She said Mom that I was getting lonesome. Does she tell you that too? You inform everyone that I"m not the least bit lonesome and I'm having the time of my life. It is grand down here. The kids are all swell. Almost as nice as the kids in Lebanon. I've been getting acquainted with a minister, Rowland Dow (20 years old). Did I tell you about him? We've been on a committee or two together and I find him very interesting. He came from Texas and preaches at Oilfields ( a small oil community). He has a girl friend in Fresno, so don't worry, but he's very interesting to talk with and he has some excellent ideas. I try to write them down so I can give some good BY meetings when I go home.
Here I've written another page so I guess I'll stop for to-nite.
Bet
(a girl called me Bet today and it surely sounded swell!)
Tuesday Morn.
Nov. 17, 1936
Well! Why haven't I received a letter from you? I don't know whether to be mad or sad or what? I know my last letter was short but I thought you'd answer it. Didn't you even get it? Or have you written and the letter is lost? or are you through with me? If it's the latter please drop me a card to that effect and ignore the first part of this letter.
Oh dear! I guess I'm very silly but you've got me worried. The last thatI've heard about you was your eating dinner with Lydia. Did you run off with her?
I'm busy all this week and this is about the only time I have to study so I won't bore you with anymore.
I'll mail this and if you haven't written before you get it, please write and tell me where I stand. Far be it from me to keep on writing if you don't care to hear from me!
Betty McClain
Editor's note: The Lebanon Distress is slang for the local paper, The Lebanon Express. Also, the first time she says Love, Bet!
Tuesday morning
Nov. 10, 1936
Dear Lee --
I suddenly had a desire to write to you so I'm doing it instead of studying as I should. Seems like when I wait until Sunday to write I can't think of much to say so I'm starting now and it will probably end up by being another magazine.
I have a secret to tell you. I believe I told you and I'm quite certain I did the folks, that we had classes right up until a day or two before Christmas. Just yesterday I found out that we get out Friday Dec. 18th (nearly a week before Christmas!) My plan is to let the folks keep on thinking that I"ll be home Christmas Eve but I'll take the bus from Fresno, Friday P.M. and get into Albany Sat. P.M. Then if you could meet me there we'd drive out home and surprise the folks. I know this more than a month away but I got to thinking about it and I just had to write to you. We get two full weeks and 3 weekends vacation! Course, I s'pose your getting so stuck up with your new suit and all that you wouldn't even consider coming over to Albany to meet a goofy gal like me. Am I right?
Tomorrow is Armistice Day and I can surely use a day's vacation. My clothes are all a mess and my lessons all need studying. Did I tell you I had my hair cut? It was getting down about to my shoulders and I remembered your saying my neck was too short to wear my hair long and so Rachel cut it. It surely is a mess now! It's so short I look like something the cat's drug in. It's a real shingle up the back. I hope it grows some before Christmas.
I suppose you saw Marion's pictures. He sent (through Mom) me the ones of you laying on the sand and you and I and Grace and Mr. & Mrs. Holmes on the sand, and the one of you and I and the Dodge taken at Kent's. When I showed Rachel the last one she said "my what a pretty tree!" I like it very much.
We are to put on our play at Visalia Dec. 4 and I don't know any of act III yet. Don't you think I'd better get busy.
I bet you think ("what a goofy gal") one time I write a book and the next time a short note but it all depends upon the time I have and the mood I'm in. I write the same way to the folks. By the way, don't you even hint to a soul that I'm coming home early. I had a notion to surprise you too but I was afraid I'd find you "stepping out" so -----.
Did I tell you that I may spend all of Thanksgiving week here alone? The folks are going over to Fresno to test John's eyes and I don't want to go along, but I may. If not, I'll have the whole house to myself so I can surely run things my way. I tho't some of going to Los Angeles but it costs more than I want to spend right now and I guess I can make pretty good use of my time here.
I didn't have any classes this morning but there's an AWS meeting at 11:30 and since it's getting along about that time I'll quit scribbling for the time being.
Love,
Bet
Thurs. nite
Tsk-tsk! Here I am starting to add some more to this letter and it still isn't time to mail it. I was just reading The Lebanon Distress. Is this new building really yours? or are you just going to rent it? Sounds good anyway. I surely don't like the paper so well with the new managers. It's so full of mistakes I can hardly read it.
I just came home from a Guild meeting. Chocolate cake and tea. Don't you wish you'd been there?
I got a letter from "Smithie" today. She says she's working near me and thinks I'd better look out. Should I? She sent me a hug and kiss from you. Where did she get them? She said Mom that I was getting lonesome. Does she tell you that too? You inform everyone that I"m not the least bit lonesome and I'm having the time of my life. It is grand down here. The kids are all swell. Almost as nice as the kids in Lebanon. I've been getting acquainted with a minister, Rowland Dow (20 years old). Did I tell you about him? We've been on a committee or two together and I find him very interesting. He came from Texas and preaches at Oilfields ( a small oil community). He has a girl friend in Fresno, so don't worry, but he's very interesting to talk with and he has some excellent ideas. I try to write them down so I can give some good BY meetings when I go home.
Here I've written another page so I guess I'll stop for to-nite.
Bet
(a girl called me Bet today and it surely sounded swell!)
Tuesday Morn.
Nov. 17, 1936
Well! Why haven't I received a letter from you? I don't know whether to be mad or sad or what? I know my last letter was short but I thought you'd answer it. Didn't you even get it? Or have you written and the letter is lost? or are you through with me? If it's the latter please drop me a card to that effect and ignore the first part of this letter.
Oh dear! I guess I'm very silly but you've got me worried. The last thatI've heard about you was your eating dinner with Lydia. Did you run off with her?
I'm busy all this week and this is about the only time I have to study so I won't bore you with anymore.
I'll mail this and if you haven't written before you get it, please write and tell me where I stand. Far be it from me to keep on writing if you don't care to hear from me!
Betty McClain
Editor's note: The Lebanon Distress is slang for the local paper, The Lebanon Express. Also, the first time she says Love, Bet!
handwritten letter postmarked November 16, 1936
11-15-36
In Bed
Dear Bet,
How is every little thing? We surely have had a beautiful day. It turned warmer and the sun shone nice today. Somewhat cooler again this evening.
I left home here Thursday morning twenty after four and arrived in Portland for my breakfast. Gee, but it was foggy. I brought back 200 feet of terra cotta sewer tile and was back to Lebanon soon after twelve. We spent Thursday afternoon laying tile also parts of Friday and Saturday. We layed the tile for Carl Whinery's new house. Also hooked Boggie's house up to the city sewer.
Friday and Saturday nights we pestered your parents and got all the money we could from them. From what they said you must like California better and better all the time. Would they give you half price for your dress?
Eldon dined with us today. After dinner we motored to Sweet Home and measured up the two McCreedy houses for lave trough and mapped out Harry Johnston's house for a furnace. They are all just estimates. We put in the afternoon measuring so nothing ventured nothing gained.
Eldon tells me Edna sorta strung him along. A week ago Sunday when he was down she had another boy friend there too. I never got the details.
Dad has been in bed since Friday with a cold but we think he is a lot better. We will not be up tomorrow either. The laundry people keep a key and I put a sign on the door to call there. They are very accommodating that way.
The strike in Portland has raised the price on materials. Most of what I sell and use is made in the east and all rail shipments are high, high!
I greased the truck this morning under Virgil's instruction for the first time for me.
Lee
11-15-36
In Bed
Dear Bet,
How is every little thing? We surely have had a beautiful day. It turned warmer and the sun shone nice today. Somewhat cooler again this evening.
I left home here Thursday morning twenty after four and arrived in Portland for my breakfast. Gee, but it was foggy. I brought back 200 feet of terra cotta sewer tile and was back to Lebanon soon after twelve. We spent Thursday afternoon laying tile also parts of Friday and Saturday. We layed the tile for Carl Whinery's new house. Also hooked Boggie's house up to the city sewer.
Friday and Saturday nights we pestered your parents and got all the money we could from them. From what they said you must like California better and better all the time. Would they give you half price for your dress?
Eldon dined with us today. After dinner we motored to Sweet Home and measured up the two McCreedy houses for lave trough and mapped out Harry Johnston's house for a furnace. They are all just estimates. We put in the afternoon measuring so nothing ventured nothing gained.
Eldon tells me Edna sorta strung him along. A week ago Sunday when he was down she had another boy friend there too. I never got the details.
Dad has been in bed since Friday with a cold but we think he is a lot better. We will not be up tomorrow either. The laundry people keep a key and I put a sign on the door to call there. They are very accommodating that way.
The strike in Portland has raised the price on materials. Most of what I sell and use is made in the east and all rail shipments are high, high!
I greased the truck this morning under Virgil's instruction for the first time for me.
Lee
handwritten letter postmarked November 18, 1936
Wednesday morn.
Dear Lee --
Well, it's about time I got a letter from you. I suppose I'll have to answer it or you won't write for another week and a half.
I want you to understand that I didn't begrudge you the work for the folks, but I don't want them to have things inconvenient just so I can go to school. Looks like they should have waited until I was home but maybe you wouldn't have got anything done if I was there.
So Eldon is going to let another guy get the best of him! You better tell him a thing or two.
I hope your Dad is feeling better.
Well, old dear, exactly one month from the P.M. I'm leaving Coalinga (for two weeks). Will you meet me as planned?
Here I am in the P.O. and it's almost time for the mail to go out. Inez is here with me, so I must dash.
As ever,
Bet
Betty's old stand by. By the way Bet isn't having a good time (Like so much)
Inez Kahl, 194 Buchanan, Coalinga, Calif. <------Betty's idea
Wednesday morn.
Dear Lee --
Well, it's about time I got a letter from you. I suppose I'll have to answer it or you won't write for another week and a half.
I want you to understand that I didn't begrudge you the work for the folks, but I don't want them to have things inconvenient just so I can go to school. Looks like they should have waited until I was home but maybe you wouldn't have got anything done if I was there.
So Eldon is going to let another guy get the best of him! You better tell him a thing or two.
I hope your Dad is feeling better.
Well, old dear, exactly one month from the P.M. I'm leaving Coalinga (for two weeks). Will you meet me as planned?
Here I am in the P.O. and it's almost time for the mail to go out. Inez is here with me, so I must dash.
As ever,
Bet
Betty's old stand by. By the way Bet isn't having a good time (Like so much)
Inez Kahl, 194 Buchanan, Coalinga, Calif. <------Betty's idea
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