1:00 AM July 8, 1943 Thursday
Hello Darlin’:
Boy oh Boy, the time is getting closer and closer. I can hardly wait until you get here. One week from now I will say to myself. ‘I have one more night to work and then she’ll be here’. What a big day that’s going to be.
I have to get up early in the morning again to go to the ration board, so I think I had better get a bite to eat and then get to bed. I will finish this in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart
1:00 AM July 9, 1943 Friday.
Hello Darlin’:
Yes, it’s another day closer to July 16 and you. The reason for this letter being written as it is, is that this morning I got up at 9:00 and fixed breakfast and then I drove down to the ration board and I was down there until about 1:15. I came home and it was time to go to work. I didn’t even have time to fix my lunch. I hope you will forgive me. You will be happy to know that I got everything straightened out. I think I will get another tire and my new ration book about the 21st or 22nd.
Darling, I saw the Big Dipper’s tonight for the first time in a long while. I came up on the main deck at 8:00 and it was foggy out, then at 11:30, when it was time to quit, I came up and there it was, big and bright. Just like it was before I came out here. Just one week from this morning and I will be able to hold you in my arms again and tell you much I love you and adore you. Oh! Oh! I just went upstairs to see if I had gotten in the mail today. There were 3 letters from you. 2 ordinary airmail and 1 Special. I guess I sure caught the devil that time. In your Special, you forgot to tell me you love me.
The other two letters were written Monday at 1 AM and Tuesday at 12:45 AM. They were both past postmarked the same day and the same time. You must have done the same as thing I did. Forget to mail one. I didn’t mean that I have changed in the way you of lending you money, a year ago or now, I meant it a little differently as you will soon see.
To answer you questions, Yes, I remember ‘Sleepy Lagoon’. I have to buy a new pair of shoes for one thing. The rest I’m not sure of.
I’ve been praying ever since the first attack that your father had.
Now about this Special. Jane, I don’t like to get letters like this from you. It doesn’t sound like you and I don’t think it is you. I haven’t missed 3 days writing. I wrote you and told you how busy I was and you told me you understood. When you see Herman, you will be able to tell how much work I put into him. I’ve been busy trying to get my tires straightened out. That alone has taken me almost 3 days. The work on Herman has taken two days, all day Sunday and the other morning and I am still not through. I am still washing and ironing my close, fixing my own meals. I’m not complaining but when I get letters like this Special you sent me, it makes me feel like an awful heel.
Why do you say you haven’t heard from me since Saturday? In one of your other letters I got today, you thanked me much very much for the swell Special you received at 11:00 AM Sunday morning.
I still love you as much as I did and I always will. When I get letters like this one it makes a fellow wonder a little bit. Good night Jane.
Good morning Darling: The time is 11:30, I got a flash last night. I woke up about 2:30 AM and I couldn’t open my eyes. They were real sore and swollen quite bad. I put cold packs on them for about 2 hours. They seemed to get worse. I went upstairs and called Johnny and he took me out to the hospital. We got there about 5:45 and was there until 6:30. He brought me home and I lay down for a while. I slept a little bit. My eyes are still pretty sore. I shouldn’t work today but I can maybe get an easy job.
Well just one week from now you will be here. I sure hope that next Thursday night is like this one.
I guess I had better close now. I will write again tonight. I love you very very much
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan
Thursday 11:00 PM July 8, 1943
Dear Harlan,
There were two letters this morning, so I just want to apologize for the one I sent bawling you out. I’m terribly sorry Honey but I was terribly worried and with Daddie and all, but even then I shouldn’t have written that letter.
I’m sorry you were sick and hope you are all O.K by now and the very idea of you forgetting all those things, you’re as bad as me. As I said before, those chops sound delicious and I’m very anxious to try them out.
Well Honey, I may as well get to the point of this letter. Yesterday morning they took x-ray pictures of Daddies chest and they show that he has a growth in both of his lungs as big as your fist. I went down and talk to the doctor this afternoon and he said that this is very serious and explained it to me as clearly as he could. It’s pretty awful Harlan, the doctor hasn’t told Daddie yet and neither has Momie, so he doesn’t know about. Harlan, I never hated to write anything so much as my in my life but I told the doctor that I was leaving for San Francisco next Thursday night and he told me not to go. Yes, Harlan it’s pretty hard to take. The doctor told Momie it wasn’t a matter of years for Daddie, but a matter of months and he took more tests this morning and will know all about it for sure tomorrow. As yet I haven’t canceled my reservations, still hoping. The doctor told me to call him tomorrow afternoon and you would let me know. I’m sending this Special and if he still says for me to stay home, I’ll call you tomorrow night after work. Of course, you won’t get this until Saturday but if you haven’t heard from me by phone or wire by the time you get this then you can be pretty sure I’m coming. Also if you haven’t heard from me by the time you get this, you can expect a wire Sunday.
Harlan it’s awfully hard to write things like this, we had planned such a long time and looked forward to this time. It’s so hard because Daddie is such a grand man and to have to write about him like that and because you are such a grand fellow, you have waited so long already, and now, it’s going to be longer.
Harlan, this is pretty hard to say, but are you tired of waiting, are you tired of all these disappointments? If so, I’ll understand and at least I’ll try, I love you very very much, more than I think you realize. It took a long time for me to find it out but there is no doubt in my mind now and there will never be. I just hope and pray that I won’t have to call you tomorrow night for every ones sake. Please don’t tell anyone yet about Daddie.
Well Honey, I guess there isn’t any more I can say. I’m not very good at talking or writing you know. Please Honey, try to understand.
Love as Always “Your” Darlin FW Janie
PS You have probably guessed by now that I stayed home from work today, but Momie asked me to so I thought you would understand, tomorrow is my day off.
Love J.
Friday 4:00 PM July 9, 1943
Hello Harlan:
Every time I write it’s harder, because now I know for sure I’m not coming. The doctor called this morning and he said that Daddie had asked too many questions and he had to tell him what was wrong with him and then Daddie wanted to come home immediately, so Momie and I went after him and brought him home. Oh Harlan, he is so thin and weak and he cried when he heard that I wasn’t going to Frisco. He wanted me to go so bad, he still wants me to go but the doctor says no. So Honey, it’s out. This isn’t a very happy Special for Sunday but then it’s the best I can do.
I’m going to the show with Rosie tonight as I haven’t been out of the house for a week other than to the hospital and work and I got to get my mind off of things or I’ll break. Tomorrow morning I’m going down and get my money back on my ticket then put it back into the bank. I guess I will go right on saving until something comes up that we can be together again. I have all of my bills paid thinking I was leaving, so I can save quite a bit and I’ll send you the $10 next week.
Harlan, you will never know how very sorry I am this happened but there just isn’t one thing I can do about it. Please don’t be bitter and there was no letter today. Please try to write every day for a while anyway because your letters are the only thing I have to look forward to. Please? Daddie is going to stay on the payroll as long as possible, then we are going to sell the car and I’m going to take over the house by paying the rent. That won’t be hard though. Rosie and Dickie Jr. are going to have to move from where they are living and they may move in here, but that is yet to be just seen.
Gosh Harlan, I shouldn’t tell you all of this, you have enough to worry about as it is. I’m sorry, I won’t say anymore but you’re my only out, I’m sorry.
It’s a terrible day, gloomy and hotter than heck. I took our ring down to Plums yesterday morning to be cleaned and I sure miss it. I’m going after it tomorrow. I sure hope there’s a letter tomorrow.
I’ll bet Herman really looks grand. Tell him not to give up, I’m going to get a ride in him yet, wont’ I Honey. Oh by the way, your Mom and Josie were here this morning with Donna, they were on their way to some lady’s house, I forgot who. Donna sure looks like Max and has a very nice smile. Your Mom wanted to drive over to these people’s house later on but when I came in, I laid down and went to sleep and only woke up about half an hour ago so now it’s too late. I sure didn’t look very nice.
Well Honey, there isn’t any more to write. I’m awfully sorry about your Specials not getting there. I’m going to mail this down town tonight, so it should get there in plenty of time.
Well Darling, must go for now, be talking to you tonight. I love you Harlan and I’m so very, very sorry. The next time we won’t make any plans, I’ll simply get on the coach and come. Don’t forget to write every day.
Love & xxxxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin Janie
Saturday 12:45 AM July 10, 1943
Hello Harlan: Well here I am again, but nothing much to write about. Rosie and I went to see Mr. lucky, it was pretty good.
I’m all ready for bed now, hair up and everything. Everyone else is asleep but I can’t seem to go to sleep, so thought I would get up and drop you a line as I was thinking of you anyway. I was going to call you tonight but will call you in the morning about 9:00 and if I get you out of bed, I’m sorry. I guess I’m putting it off as long as I can. The radio is on and so far they have played; Harry James “I’ve Heard That Long Before”, All or Nothing At All” and “The Trumpet Rhapsody”, pure torture.
I go back to work tomorrow and I’m sure glad we changed shifts this week. I’ll get off tomorrow night at 12:00 midnight and have to be back to work at 8:00 AM Sunday morning. That’s the day shift you know. I sure wish it was this shift again. I sure dread the evenings. Honey, the way to spell dinner is with two n’s, ‘dinner’ not diner.
Well maybe I can go to sleep now. I will call you in the morning.
Good night Honey. Love as Always. Jane
1:00 A.M. July 10, 1943
Hello Darling:
Just 6 more days now and I will be holding you in my arms. One week from right now, we will be together.
I just got home from work. I wish now that I hadn’t gone. I did a good job to my eyes, they are pretty sore and I also have a headache.
I’ll bet you are really going around in circles, just like I was before I left at Christmas time. Harry James is playing “All of Nothing At All”. It is sure going to be swell being with you again – dancing, laughing, making love and doing all of the things we used to do. Just so nothing goes wrong. I’m almost afraid to breathe. Now the radio is playing “I’m So Sorry For Myself” (Glen Miller Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpcV4AyuZB4 ). That song is just opposite of the way I feel. I’m just walking on clouds. I hope it doesn’t start to rain. Well Sweets, I guess I had better go to bed. I want to dream of you and what we are going to do together when you get here. Harry James is playing “Prince Charming” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXTu-7iOsrs). Now all blue Baron is playing “Linger A While” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFEkVCJSDBE).
I love you more than you’ll ever know. Good night Little Angel.
11:30 AM (Jane’s letter continued after the phone call)
Well Honey, it’s over. You know I’m not coming. It was so hard. I’m terribly sorry I cried. I haven’t cried only once until I heard your voice and then I just couldn’t stop. You sounded so grand, then so quiet. Oh Honey I’m so sorry. I feel just like I did when you first went away, a lump in my throat is big as my fist and no matter what I do, it just stays there. I love you. What more can I say?
I have to go down town now. Please keep the letters coming Honey, and don’t give up hope, maybe, who knows, something good might happen to us pretty soon, it can’t go on like this forever.
Love, all I have. “Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie
… Dad’s letter continued after the phone call.
Good morning Darlin’: Your Special came about a half an hour after you called me. Now I’m at a loss as to what to say now. Of course, you should stay with your father. I’m terribly sorry. Yes, I’m tired of all these disappointments but I’ll never be tired of waiting for you. I’m sure going to miss you now. Herman will too.
I’ll call you tomorrow afternoon. I’m not very good at writing what I want to say either. The mail is here but no letter from you. I sure don’t feel like going to work today. If I was a drinking man, I’d probably go out and get stiff tonight instead of going to work.
Well Darling, I guess I had better close. I want to fix my lunch and go down the bank before noon. That is when it closes. I love you very very much. Everything will turn out all right, so don’t worry.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan
I love you and you alone
Sunday 11:00 PM July 11, 1943
Dear Harlan,
Gosh Honey, I’m awfully sorry I wasn’t home when you called, but when I arrived home from work the doctor was here. Daddie could hardly breathe and the doctor said you must go to the hospital at once, so we took him down. Mary Jane couldn’t take him because she had been waiting for a call from Chuck since 4:00 o’clock. Daddy has one desire and that is to live long enough to see Chuck, so he is coming home as soon as we can get hold of him and tell him. Of course, he would give his right arm to see Dick too, but there is no way whatsoever. He is slipping the rapidly. He had to have an oxygen tent. I’m not going to work today. In fact, I don’t suppose I will work much all week but I have plenty of money, so I’m not worried. In a way I wish you were here with us, but then again, I guess it’s better that you are not. I will call you first thing in the morning. I’m terribly tired as I only had three hours of sleep last night. It’s still hard to realize this is happened. To think that three weeks ago, he was in perfect condition. Momie is taking it terribly hard naturally, but she sure puts up a swell from in front of Daddie. And Daddie, he is just as jolly as ever, when he is conscious.
Jeepers Harlan, I hate to write to you because it is all such bad news, but we have to face facts. As soon as Chuck calls, I’m going to take Mary over to her place to get money to wire him. We think he can fly but if he has to take the train, well I’m afraid he won’t be here in time, unless a miracle happens.
Well my Darling, I’m going to take a bath and put on some different clothes. I will finish this after I talk to you. This is costing you quite a bit of money isn’t it. Well good night Honey. I love you.
6:45 P.M.
Well Harlan Dear, here it is evening again and I’m just getting around to finishing this letter. After I talked to you, Mary Jane and I went downtown, I paid the rest of my Yonkers bill and got our ring. I feel a lot better now that I have it on. Somehow it brings you closer. I love you so much and miss you more than I ever have. Thanks so much for calling.
To get back, after I got our ring, we went to the hospital. Daddie didn’t even know I was there until he heard my voice. We stayed there until 4:30 then came home and I made dinner, steak, French fries, peas. I pretended I was making it for you. O.K?
Honey, this is the 12th and I forgot to even mention it, 3 years and 11 months ago.
When I got home your Special was here, and thanks Harlan for saying what you did about waiting for me. Thanks so very much. Someday I’ll make up for all this.
Nana just called and she is coming in tonight, so that means up all night again tonight. She is coming in 2:00 A.M.
Well Sweetheart, we are going to the hospital now, better get dressed. I’ll let you know as soon as Daddie takes a turn, either way.
Love as Always “Your” Darlin FW Janie
You are my Sweetheart.
PS You know the mailman came while I was talking to you? Well no letter, but don’t feel like a heel, it isn’t your fault.
12:30 AM Monday, July 12, 1943
Hello Darlin’: I sure had a tough time getting through today. I started to call about 2:30 and didn’t get through until after 6 o’clock. I went over to Hook’s for dinner and came back at 2:00 to call you. I then went back and we went to a show. We saw ‘Bataan’ with Robert Taylor. It was a good show.
On the way home I put my lights on and they burned out. I don’t know yet what the trouble was. I hope I don’t need a new battery.
Well Darling, I think I had better get to bed as I expect you to call in the morning. I love you very very much. You’ll never know how much.
Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
I just got up and started to dress and the lady came down and called me and said there was a call. You must have started to call me just when I woke up. Maybe I heard you call my name. I was dreaming about you just before I woke up.
I’m terribly sorry your father is worse I wish there was something I could do to help. I know how you must feel. I did all of my ironing this morning and have had dinner. I was shorted $4 in my last two checks, so I have to go down and see about them.
I will write you a nice long letter tonight when I get off work. I love you, I miss you, I want you – to be mine. I will see you at 8.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
1:00 AM July 13, 1943, Tuesday
Hello Darling:
Well here it is another day gone and another day closer to you. When? I wish I knew. In the letter I wrote last night and this morning I told you I would write you a nice long letter tonight. Now I find I have only two sheets of paper left so I will have to write on both sides.
It is maybe a good thing that you aren’t coming for a while. I don’t think I could get off work now. No one in our crew can even take his vacation until after the first of August. We are very short of welders and we all have about two men’s work to do. The ship is supposed to be launched the first of August and we can hardly keep on schedule. There is something new on our ship that others don’t have. There is a big knife on the bow. It is made with real hard steel and is reinforced with heavy armor plates. With the speed and power ship as it will be able to split a submarine and half by just ramming it.
The weather is foggy and damp out it would be in my night go out and parks some place.
Well Darling, as much as I love you and I miss you, I think I had better get some sleep. I love you more and more every day. Keep your chin up and everything will turn out all right. Good night Darling.
Good morning Sweetheart. I didn’t get up until 10:15 this morning. I guess I was really tired. The mail came and there was a Special from you. I guess it came yesterday but whoever was here to get it said that I didn’t live here, so they took it back and now came in the mail. There was no other mail though. I also went to the store and bought another package of paper.
Darling, I can’t tell you how very sorry and things are happening like they are. I wish there was something I could do, if only to be with you so you could maybe cry a little on my shoulder. It used to help a lot if I could just be with you and tell you my troubles. It was a lot better than writing them on paper.
You don’t need to send the $10 back. Ever since I asked you to marry me, and you said yes the next day, I considered us as almost married. What is mine is yours and what’s yours is mine. All of your troubles and heartaches of mine too. If it helps a lot to write down your troubles, worries and thoughts to me, I wish you would. If your folks are sure they want to sell the car, why don’t we buy it? If you need any help in keeping up house, don’t hesitate asked me.
Herman is still waiting for you too. A girl at the station I had him greased at offered me $150 for him, so you can imagine how swell he looks.
I don’t think it is your fault that the Specials haven’t been getting here on Sundays. This is one was postmarked Friday, July 9 at 8:30 and it was received in San Francisco Monday, July 12 at 12 PM, so you see, the plane must have gotten a flat tire or ran out of gas on the way.
Well Sweets, the time is coming in for me to shove off for work.
I love you very very much. If you need anything or want to tell me your troubles, I’m still your ‘pal’ and F.H.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Harlan
Tuesday 11:00 PM July 13, 1943
Hello Honey:
As you say, here it is another day gone by and what a busy day. Last night at 11:00 we received a letter from Chuck saying he would come into Omaha at 8:00 this morning by airplane and would take the train from there. And we received a wire from Nana saying she would arrive here at 1:30 AM. So first of all, went down to pick up Nana and then I got the car gassed up and everything checked. On the way home we stopped at the hospital to see how Daddie was, he was resting under a hypo, then we came home and Mary Jane and I left about 3:00 this morning for Omaha and as the next train didn’t leave there until noon, thus he wouldn’t get here until about 4:00. We arrived at 6:30 this morning and went out to the airport. The plane was late and he didn’t get in until 8:45. Well we left immediately. He was so surprised to see us, that he could hardly talk as he didn’t have any idea we would be there. We left at 9:30 and arrived home at last, I drove. We went right to the hospital. Daddie was so glad to see Chuck. It upset him so, they again gave him a hypo and we left. We just arrived home and received a wire from Aunt Dod, that she would arrive here at 5:00, so I took of bath and cleaned up and went and got her. Then back to the hospital again. Daddie was stronger then, and then home to eat and back down again at 8:00 but Daddie was asleep so we came back home and Toots and Ralph were here, they had driven the way down from Carra just to see Daddie and then couldn’t because it was too late. It’s now 11:15 and they left about a half an hour ago. I have taken another bath and am all ready for bed except for putting my hair up. Boy am I tired, 36 hours without any sleep is a little bit much and oh yes, we received another wire from Aunt Jenny and Uncle Jack and they are arriving tomorrow at 5:00 PM. Mary Joe and I have to go out to the plant tomorrow at 3:00, as she is making arrangements to take her vacation now and I have to go see my boss about not working.
There is no change in Daddie, except that he is having to be under hypos more every day.
Your Mom called this afternoon but I was at the hospital and have been so busy that I haven’t had a chance to call her back.
Well Hon, I as I said before I’m really pooed. There was a letter today but of a sad & short. Keep them coming Honey and write nice long ones, full of news and how much you love me. See I can’t even write. A nice long puppy love letter would sure hit the spot right now.
It cooled off now, I should sleep good. Bye for now and Honey. I miss you so much and I’m in love with you.
Love as Always “Your” Darlin FW Janie
PS Nana says hello and to keep your chin up and Toots wanted me to say hello when I wrote. They all ask about you. Love again Jane
1:00 A.M. July 14, 1943 Wednesday
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to you and God only knows. I just got home from work and I have I am just about dead. I worked in a pretty tough spot tonight and I guess I worked a little too hard. Lang thought I would get about half through with it and I finished it. I don’t feel so good tonight. I don’t know whether it is the galvanize or the thought that if everything that had gone the way we planned first, you would be here in the morning about 9:00 AM, but then you had your reservation changed and you would’ve been leaving right now.
It is funny how things seem to turn out for us. It just doesn’t seem possible that your Father is ill. He just has to get well.
Well Darling, I guess I had better go to bed and get some sleep. I love you so very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling:
I got up this morning and fixed breakfast, then I went out and worked on Herman. I have him fixed pretty good. Tomorrow I’m going to clean the spark plugs. Last night after I finished saying good night to you, I went to bed. I couldn’t go to sleep just thinking about your father. I got up and slipped some clothes on and put my topcoat on over me and went out for a little walk. I took my pipe with me. I walked up to the top of the hill and looked out over the channel. There I said a prayer for your Father. I guess that is all I can do for him, I wish there was more.
I guess I had better fix my lunch and get to work. I love you more and more every day. Keep your chin up.
Love & xxxxxxxs YFH Harlan
Wednesday 11:45 PM July 14, 1943
Hi Honey:
Oh Honey, I have the most wonderful news. This morning Chuck and I went down to see Daddie and we met the Doc. He said that on an impulse, he had taken an x-ray picture of Daddie’s chest and that they show that Daddie’s right lung is all cleared up. What ever was there, is gone. Just like that and there is now a chance for Daddie. His heart is still very low and his left lung is still plugged up but it too is going away. Oh Darling we are so happy, but we try not to let our spirits get too high. The next 24 hours tell the tale. I know that Daddie is going to be okay. By noon tomorrow I will call you, otherwise I will call you Friday morning. If Daddie gets well, oh Honey he just has to. You can’t get Hare down, not only for Daddie, but you know what this will mean for us. I wanted to wire you so bad tonight but hated to in case he is worse in the morning. When you get this, you will probably have heard from me one way or the other. The water pump in the car has sprung a leak and I have to get it fixed at 8:00 and go get it fixed while Chuck is at the hospital. He isn’t allowed to see anyone but Momie, Chuck and me and Honey, he hasn’t had a hypo for 12 hours. Oh Honey, everything is going to be all right.
Well Honey, I’m really tired as I didn’t sleep very good last night. I thought of you all day long and wanted to talk to you as bad, but I’ll try very hard to call you tomorrow. I’m in love with you but definitely. Aunt Jenny and Uncle Jack both like my ring and think you’re swell. I’ll have lots to tell you when I’m come out. I’m sleepy Hon, bye for now. I love you and keep that handsome chin up for me.
Love as Always, “Your” Darlin and F.W. Janie
1:00 AM July 15, 1943, Thursday
Hello Darling:
Well here it is another day closer to you and what I’m still waiting for. I received two letters from you today so I had better answer them first of all. That dinner you fixed sure sounded swell. I wish I was there to help you eat it.
There are no questions in either letter, so I don’t know what else to write about.
All this that has happened in the past weeks seems like a bad dream. I seem to believe that you will be here Friday. I guess I have been planning on you coming for so long, it is hard to realize that you won’t be here.
When you get here, we will have to just up and say “let’s get married” and then get married. That’s about the only way you will ever make it.
Well Sweets, I’m just dead. I just that I think I had better get to bed and get some sleep. I love you more and more every day. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning, good morning, good morning Darling.
This is the most beautiful day I’ve seen out here, even if it is raining and foggy and damp out. I was never so happy to hear anyone’s voice in my life as I was to hear yours this morning. After you called, I ate breakfast and went out and worked on Herman I cleaned all of the spark plug, fixed the aerial and then the mailman. No letter though, but who cares. After working on Herman, I took a little drive right up in the sky and all over the clouds and everywhere. I don’t even feel like going to work today. I have fixed my lunch and it is 1:00. Almost time for me to go to work again. I sure wish you were getting here tomorrow morning at 9.
Next Monday is the 19th. That is the day I left for Frisco last year. I sure hated to leave. Just think, in over a year only get together as less than two weeks. Over 50 weeks have been lonesome.
Well Darling, I guess I had better close for now. You will never know how much I love you and how happy I am that your Father is going to be all right.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxs YFH Harlan
1:00 AM July 16, 1943 on Friday
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to you and August, I hope. I just got home from work. Although I’m pretty tired I feel very very extra special good. First because your Father is better and second is because something happened tonight that made me feel pretty proud. Lang, the quarterman over the whole yard and a big shot Navy inspector went on the ship. I was working in a tank and Lang came down and said he had a special job for me. It was under the ship on the sounding device. The quarterman whose name is Howell and the Navy inspector took me down and told me what they wanted done. They took me over to another ship and told me one that was completed. The Navy inspector said that it wasn’t too good a job because there were 3 little pin holes and. He said that the water passing through those holes could be picked up through the sounding device. It can also pick up the movements of the fish swimming in the water under the ship. The holes would have to be filled up and then ground off. When I walked away Howell slapped me on the back and said “Well Johnny, let’s see you go over and really put in a good weld. About 11 o’clock all 3 of them came down to see how I was getting along. The Navy inspector took one look at it and said he thought that was the best one he had ever seen. Howell said it was perfect. Laying said that I wasn’t the fastest welder on the ship but I was just about the best he had ever seen. Just I just about passed out. So now you see why I feel pretty good.
There isn’t any news and I haven’t any letters to answer so I guess I had better get some sleep. I love you so very very much, more than I can ever hope to show. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: Boy what a sleep I had. I didn’t get up until 10:30, drove Herman to the store and got some eggs, butter, bacon, bread and soap. I fixed breakfast and wash my dishes. It is 1 o’clock and I haven’t fixed my lunch yet, so I had better do that now and go to work. I have a letter from you but I will answer it in your Special tonight. Okay? Okay!
I will see you in thoughts at 8.
Love & xxxxxxxxs Harlan
Friday 9:30 PM July 16, 1943
Hello Sweetheart: (let’s pretend)
Well here it is Friday night, 9:30, Gee Frisco is pretty night but doesn’t it look kind of busy with half the lights out and look at the moon, and the ocean, after the dance let’s go up on the peaks and looked down on the city. O.K? O.K! And you know what? Jeepers, it’s so nice being in your arms again. Oh look, what’s look what’s that building over there? Oh, well what do you know, I’ll have to tell Momie about that. You say you missed me terribly. I missed you too. I remember Friday night, the 16th July. I had just got home from the hospital and had washed my hair. It wasn’t quite dark yet but I did see the stars and the moon. Gee, I was sure lonesome for you that night. I’m afraid I almost cried but I didn’t have your shoulder so didn’t.
Well it’s no go Honey, I’m sorry, but I sure am lonesome for you tonight. There were two letters today, wait, I’ll see if there are any questions. They are playing “You’ll Never Know How Much I Love You” (Vera Lynn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZtWNlCTc6o ).
One was written the 13th and the other the 14th. The first one was swell. Thanks for saying all of those nice things. They mean a lot to me. I love you very much, you are in a one in a million and I’m very luckie.
I’ll bet Herman looks swell. Now if you take care of him, you won’t have to do it all over again when I come. Thanks for the prayers. It sure was swell to hear you sounding happy on the phone yesterday, which reminds me. I didn’t write yesterday, because I didn’t have the heart, you see yesterday afternoon Dadie got worse. The nurse and the Doc worked over him for over an hour and he came through. After that is hard was barely beating, you see his lungs have cleared up but he has put up such a fight for six days that his heart is almost gone, what he needs now is complete rest, and all the nourishment he can get. The only ones he can see is Chuck, Momie and me. If he can only get stronger, he still has a chance but he still in very grave danger. We are still praying and hoping. However Harlan, I will be able to call you this time, I’ll send a wire or special.
As far as I know I’m going back to work Monday, but if he is still going like this, I won’t. He has to go one way or the other pretty soon. But like the Doc said, even he can’t tell, we can only wait.
Well Sweetheart, it’s time to put my hair up. They are playing “In The Blue of Evening” (Frank Sinatra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz59m9bliak). Darling you you’re a brick, some day I’ll pay you back for all this. I love you, so very much. My chin is up and you keep ears of too, I want to tell you this though Honey, if anything should happen to Dadie, I won’t be able to come out for a long time. I have to stay with Momie and help take your things, but nothing is going to happen, is it Honey?
Better close now.
Love as always “Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie PS Be careful and don’t work too hard. Oh I forgot, I got a bond today, $625 now. Darling how much have you in the bank? J
1:00 AM July 17, 1943 Saturday.
Hello Darlin’:
Just think if everything had gone as planned that we would be out parking in Herman someplace. The air is very damp and chilly out. It would be a nice night cuddle up very close. But there will come a day. Work went on about the same as usual tonight. I made a little bonus but not much. I got my first check with my income tax taken out and I made eight $93.86 and after everything was taken out, I got $56.
When we were waiting for a streetcar to bring us home, John and I saw about 5 fire engines heading out towards South San Francisco. The streetcar came so we got on it. When we got to the top of the hill and saw the fire. It was really a big one, so we went over to his house and got his car and we were going to drive out and see it.
We drove up to the top of a big hill and couldn’t see the flames anymore so he brought me on home and here I am.
Your Special that you said you said isn’t here yet. I sort of looked for it today. I do have a letter to answer that came today. The letter is a little behind times because you of your father still very bad then. It was written before you called me. I guess you really had a busy, busy day or rather two days.
About writing you a real “love letter”, I wish I could really write down what I want to write but I just can’t seem to find the right words. Maybe I can do a little better when you get here. I love you so very very much and miss you more than ever now. One thing I’m living for is you.
Well Sweets, it’s getting late and I have to get up pretty early so I had better get some sleep.
Good night Darling.
Good morning Sweetheart: it is cloudy and very damp. The time is 8 AM. So I will have to hurry if I’m going to get this in the mail. I also have to go to the bank. The barbershop will also have to be one stop. I was going to get a new pair of shoes but I think I will wait until next week to get back.
Now you keep me posted on how your father is getting long.
I will see you at 8 tonight.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxs YFH Harlan
Saturday 1:30 PM July 17, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well, Dadie is a little better but they have him in an oxygen tent now, one of those big one you know. Momie and Nana are down there now. He told Momie he had bought four horses for $16,000, two were a little cheaper than the others and he would take care of those but she would have to take care of the other two and that they were coming back to Des Moines and going into business. You see he is so confused with all of that dope he has had, but he sure is cute. I can’t help but laugh.
Guess who I received a letter from today? Don Shields, remember that boy I used to write to, well he is in Tunisia, he wanted to know if I was married. There was a letter from you too, one written after I talk to you. It was more like you, peppy and nice.
There isn’t much news, but as I think I will go to a show tonight, thought I would start this now. Your mom called this morning to see how dad was, she has called every day all week.
Oh yes, I received your bond today $650. Now if we can only reach $1000, I’ll be happy.
Momie just called and said that Dadie is afraid of the tent, he thinks he can’t breathe under it. He says ‘this damn thing isn’t any good’. You know Pop, he’s one in a million.
Well Honey, I have to drop Toots a line, so better close now. I love you very much.
Bye for now.
Love & xxxxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin & FW Janie
Saturday 11:30 PM July 17, 1943
Hello Honey:
I just arrived home from the hospital and have had a bath and put up my hair. I didn’t go to the show. Momie and Chuck stated the hospital but someone had to come home as we were expecting a call from Uncle Jack and Nana didn’t want to stay alone, so I came with her. Dadie isn’t any better and he wanted Momie to stay with him tonight. Chuck didn’t want to leave her alone. Dadie is afraid of being closed up oxygen tent and as he fought it constantly and wouldn’t relax, they took it off and are now giving him oxygen through the mask again. He isn’t doing good at all tonight Honey, he doesn’t seem to care and that isn’t like Dadie, he is so tired of fighting. Tomorrow will be the seventh day and his heart can’t hold out much longer.
There isn’t anything to write about except Dadie, but Honey I have to talk to someone and as everyone is so busy with this their own thoughts, you are my only consolation. I took Momie to the hospital at 6:00 and came back home because they said I couldn’t stay. I know more than got home when she called and said he was sinking fast and for all of us to come down so we raced down and it looked bad, but he saw Chuck and me and seemed to snap out of it a bit. I don’t know whether it was seeing Chuck for not. So we stayed until about 11:00.
Chuck just called and Dadie is resting again so I’m going down after them. I’ll finish this in the morning.
Good morning:
It’s 11:30 and your special just came, so yours gets there today. There were no questions but it was a nice letter, just right. Thanks.
Momie is down to the hospital again. Dadie had a fair night and is sleeping now. So Momie stayed state down. Mary Jane is out in the sun, Chuck is making a meatloaf and Nana is taking a nap, so everything is quiet and peaceful around here this morning. If I was out there, I would probably be playing golf with you or maybe taking a ride or swim or anything but sitting, writing a letter.
Well Honey, Chuck wants me to help them, so better close. I love you with all my heart.
Bye for now.
Love & xxxxxxxs “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Johnny & Jane 