Janie’s trip to San Francisco to see her Johnny continues.
(Letter from Jane’s Momie while she was in San Francisco)
Wed Night, Sept 8
My Dear Janie:
Well my dear, no letter today or yesterday and my Monday letter was written last Thursday, a week ago tomorrow, so seems a long time since I’ve really known what you are doing. Having fun, I hope.
Been cold Saturday and Sunday it rained and Monday it rained and we had to have a fire. Jenny and Jack were here and we have had one ever sense. Yesterday, Tuesday we went to Carl’s for a little while. Today was Patrick’s birthday, so we have been over there this afternoon. Was so sure I would get a letter today, that was quite disappointing. Hope everything is okay. It seems your letters are quite long in getting them.
Am anxious to know what you did at Lang’s and about the launching. We will have lots to talk about when you get back. I guess I have to go to Nana’s and stay all night, probably the first of the week.
You haven’t said much about Harlan and coming home and so forth.
This unconditional surrender of Italy is going to make a difference in this war, don’t you think. Have you had another letter from Miriam? Do you like his friends? Had a letter from Charles yesterday, we’ll let you know about his rate around the 21st or 25th. Sent Mary Jane and Rose a Special for Labor Day and got an answer right back from Rose. Her mother went to the hospital today and Dickie starts preschool. She has some girl in the neighborhood take him forth and back, he goes to St. Joseph’s. They say they miss us very much.
Got Chuck’s pictures Monday and they are very good but Mary had them put in a folder.
7:30 PM Mary just called and wants us to come over, so we are going over for a bit and I want to mail this so it will go early in the morning. Am looking at your picture and you seem so far away.
Now write Janie and tell me all as you know. We are anxious to hear from you. There better be three letters tomorrow. Love and kisses from Momie ~~
First letter after their vacation is dated Sept 14, 1943
1:00 A.M. Sept 14, 1943, Tues.
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is, 29 hours and 15 minutes apart from each other. Right now as I am writing, I would imagine you are about in Wyoming, somewhere close to Rock Springs. If I had any sense, I would have stayed about an hour longer in the shower, then maybe you wouldn’t have been able to leave, I sincerely wish you hadn’t now. I love you so much and miss you more than ever.
I had quite a tough time welding tonight. (Harry James is playing ‘I Don’t Want To Walk Without You’). My eyes are all rested up and I couldn’t tell the difference between the slag and the metal. All of the fellows didn’t believe me when I said we didn’t get married. They all say they expected some cigars. They wouldn’t even believe you went home so soon. (Begin The Beguine, do you remember that one? I sure do. ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZPndC-F5SE)
The sky was very clear at the yard and the moon was nice and bright. Now, here over the house we have some more fog, I really like it. You will too after you have a little more of it.
I made a couple dollars bonus tonight, I think. After I get back in the swing of things, I will make a little more.
I was down and paid my income tax today. It sure knocked me for a loop. It cost me $107.28. I also have to pay $107.28 the 15th of December, then I’m all through. I thought it would be best to get rid of all of it now, then I won’t have to bother with it next year.
Well Sweets, I’m going upstairs to make some pancake dough for my breakfast. I won’t have time in the morning.
I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darlin’: I got up about 9:00 A.M. I fixed breakfast and then took some clothes to the cleaners on Jr. and also picked up some groceries. When I got back, I fixed my lunch and now I am going to take Jr. down to the shop and also, I have to go to the doctor.
Well Sweets, I will see you at 8 and I will write again tonight. I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s H Johnny
1:15 A.M. Wed. Sept. 15, 1943
Hello Darlin:
Well, here it is almost time for you to be getting into D.M. I wish you were still here. I am really getting lonesome now.
I took Jr. down to the shop to have it overhauled. It should be ready this Saturday. (I hope) I can maybe take a ride on it Sunday.
I’m pretty tired tonight. I made over $10 bonus, I think.
Darling, we forgot to see about getting a wedding ring. I don’t see how I happened to forget that.
Darling, if you don’t mind too much, I think I will get a little sleep. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darlin’: I got up about 9 and went into the B.R. to wash and shave. When I was almost through shaving, I got a phone call from Western Union. When I answered the phone, the girl said to me, “You have received a very sweet telegram from your wife in D.M.”, then she read it to me. It was a very nice, sweet one. I asked her if she would please send it to me. She said she wasn’t supposed to do that but in this case she would.
I then went in and fixed breakfast. Before I fixed breakfast, I finished shaving. My lunch is all fixed and I’m ready for work again.
There isn’t any news so far. The weather is beautiful today. I will write again tonight. I love you more and more every day.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s Y.F.H. Johnny
PS See you at 8
Wednesday 1:00 P.M. Sept 15, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well as you know by now, I got into Ames at 2:00 and your Mom and my Mom were there to meet me, which I was very grateful for because I only had $2.00 left in cash. My trip back wasn’t as nice as the one out but I slept most of the way, dreaming of you while sleeping and thinking of you while awake. I had a pretty hard time getting to sleep the first night, but we won’t go into that. O.K? I talked so much on the way home from Ames, neither your Mom or mine hadn’t a chance to get a word in edgewise. Then after we got home, I kept Momie up until 4:30 telling her things. She got home yesterday at 5:00, so everything was O.K.
Your letter was here when I got up this morning and a very nice one Honey. Hope you don’t miss me as much as I miss you because if you do, you’re pretty miserable.
It’s a beautiful day here, what’s it like there? Foggy and nice or sunny and nice? Either way I’d give my right arm to be there to see, but we won’t go into that either.
I called about my luggage and it won’t be in until tonight at 11:45, so I have to wear what I have to work.
In about 15 minutes, we are going over after Pito & Rosy and I’m going to go to the plant after my check and badge. Rosy had a letter from Dick just the other day and he has moved from where he was, but she doesn’t know where.
Last night, while waiting to pull into Ames, I was just sitting, looking out the window and we went around a curve & there was the moon, just as big as anything, and Darling, the thoughts and memories. Jeepers! I don’t know if I can wait 8 months or not.
Well Honey, I must go now or I would be late. Thanks again for everything, I had a wonderful time. I shall never in all my life forget. Those two weeks will be my life for the next ? months. I love you very much. By the way, was the wire mushy enough and don’t forget the pictures, have 2 made of each print.
Well, until again after work. Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin’ & F.W. Janie
Ps. Thanks Honey for the extra $5.00. I cashed the check at my bank this morning. That was very sweet of you and thanks again for having your Mom meet me. Love lots, Janie
Wed. 10:00 P.M. Sept 15, 1943
Hello Johnnie Honey:
My first night home and Harlan, I’m so lonesome and tired I could ~ well ~ we won’t go into that. How are you? Working hard as usual I suppose. How does it feel to get back to work and how are all the boys? By the way, I’m not going to work tonight as I don’t feel good. (‘Chesterfield Pleasure Time’ is on) I think I ate something that doesn’t agree with me, besides I only had 5 hours sleep since Monday night, so I am rather tired.
Fun fact: The Fred Waring Show (radio show) was an American old-time radio musical variety program that broadcasted from 1933 through 1957. This program was sometimes called Chesterfield Time or Pleasure Time. (CREDIT WIKIPEDIA)
I went out to the plant this afternoon and got my check, which amounted to $35.00, so that, plus your $30.00 will take care of my bills and leave me enough to last until a week from next Friday. Thanks again for the extra $5.00.
I read your letter a least a half a dozen times and so help me Honey, the next time I get on a train it will either be going to see you or it will be with you.
How did you come out with you income tax? (Now they are playing ‘Night & Day’ with Dinah Shore (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfJHwO4wr2M)
Well, Johnnie Boy, there isn’t much more for me to say, only things that make you sad. Things look pretty gloomy right now but I’m sure they could be worse. I love you very much.
Love as always
Your F.W. Janie
PS I forgot my white sweater (I think) and I believe it is in one of your drawers, could you please send it when you send the camera, and any bobby pins you happen to find on the floor or around, just stick in with you letters. And Honey, one more request, I’ll send you a paper dollar if you send me a silver dollar. Please, you can put it in the box with the sweater. Don’t forget, a Silver Dollar.
Love again. Janie
PS I was upstairs rinsing out some of my underclothes & wondering where they all were, when I remembered that Sunday morning, I rinsed out some panties and socks and hung them out on the roof. Darling, when packing, I forgot completely about them, would you please run up and see if they are still up there and if so, please send them back with my sweater. I’m awfully sorry Honey, but please send them as soon as possible.
Thanks, Don’t forget. Janie
If they are not there, would it be embarrassing to enquire about them? I hate to lose them.
Love Janie
1:45A.M. Sept. 16, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another day farther away and another day closer to you.
I had a very busy night last night and also tonight. I have worked in the other yard. After the whistle blows, we have to walk from there, clear over to our yard, change our clothes and then punch out. By the time we get out, the last car had left and I didn’t get home until late. I’m very sorry I didn’t write last night but I was dead tired.
Tonight about 9:00, I was up on the deck and this yard faces the long part of the bay. The moon was up and sort of yellow. It’s reflection reminded me of the night at the Cliff House. About 10, the moon was a bright silver. It was very beautiful.
Fun Fact: The owners of the sprawling theme park on nearby Ocean Beach, Playland, bought the Cliff House in 1937 and converted it into an upscale roadhouse diner. The most notable exterior change was the addition of large, illuminated letters spelling out CLIFF HOUSE on two sides, facing towards Point Lobos Avenue and Ocean Beach. Photo credit https://clickamericana.com/topics/places/san-franciscos-cliff-house-1896-1907#google_vignette.
Your Special hasn’t come yes, so I have nothing to answer. A letter from your mother came yesterday so I’m sending it with this letter.
I’m going to see about Jr. tomorrow morning. He should be just about finished.
Well Sweets, it’s getting late and I am very tired. I will finish this in the morning. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darlin’: It is almost time for work so I will have to make this short. Your Special some this morning. I will answer it tonight.
I went down and got Jr. today. He really runs swell. It cost me $45 and was really worth it. I had to get a new connecting rod and piston. The others were just about shot. I plan on painting it Sunday.
Well, I must go now. I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxs Y.F.H. Johnny
Thursday 7:30 P.M. Sept. 16, 1943
Hello Honey:
Another night, another day, paid my bills and am in the clear, except owing $35.00 on my coat, so that’s that.
There was another letter this morning. Thanks for the rose petals.
Darling, I want to tell you something. Before I left, you kept asking me if I wanted to stay and telling me I didn’t want to go and I kept saying I didn’t want to leave, but I couldn’t go into detail and tell you how must I wanted to stay because I knew if I did, I would break down. Johnnie, you will never know how bad I wanted to stay, to get a little room somewhere not too far from you and get a job and for us to be together, going to the beach or up in the mountains or the Marina on Sundays and for midnight rides on Junior or in Herman, having an all-around good time, saving, and planning for the future. And you’ll never know how close I came to backing out when you wanted to go back to Frisco, just before I got on the train. But it isn’t supposed to be I guess, but I know some people are going to think you are an awful sap for letting me come back home for no apparent reason. But there is a very good reason, and we know what it is. I only ask you to have a little faith and patience in me, it’s bound to work out someday and I know it won’t be too long, believe me it won’t. I trust you very much, in fact to the fullest extent, so please trust me too. O.K?
Well enough of this. How are you? I hope not too tired and how is everyone at the house? O.K., I hope.
It was a very nice day here but kind of cold and now the first stars are coming out. As soon as I finish this, I’m going to take a little nap before I go to work.
Gosh Honey, how come you had to pay $107.00 now and $107.00 later when you only owed $120.00 all together? I don’t get it, do you? Remember Honey, there are quite a few deductions you can make, a certain % of your doctor bills, a certain % of your phone bills and etc. Those little things add up. Be sure you know what you’re doing.
Well Hon, it’s getting late. Please remember what I w=said in the first part of this letter. I love you very much, very much and will write again tomorrow.
Good night Honey.
Love Your F.W. Janie
1:00 P.M. Sat. Sept. 18, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
I suppose you are wondering at the time this letter was written. Well, last night I drove Jr. to work. Someone drained my gas tank. John and I were riding home and we ran out of gas and had to push it home and get some more. I took him home and then we washed and went out for a bite to eat. When I got home it was about 3:30, I got to bed about 4. When I got up, Robert Apland was here with another fellow. I fixed breakfast for us. We talked for a while and they left a short time ago.
Now it is almost time to leave for work.
Robert and this kid have a room at a hotel and they are coming over in the morning to spend the day with me.
The day is really beautiful now. I hope it is like this tomorrow.
The pictures will be ready on Monday. I found your gloves under the cot and also a white sweater in one of my drawers. I will send them with the pictures. Okay? Okay!
Well Sweets, this is going to be a heck of a Special but it is getting late and I have to go. I will write a nice long one tonight. Okay? Okay!
I love you more than you will ever know.
Love& xxxxx’s Y.F.H. Johnny
Sat. 10:00 P.M. Sept. 18, 1943
Hello Honey:
Saturday night last week at this time we were at the Cliff House, 8:00 out there and it was just dark. We were just about to leave I guess, then went down and bowled, remember?
I have to drive to work tonight because Don doesn’t have to work, so have to leave early as I have to pick up some girls. By the way, I won’t be riding with Don anymore as he sold his car this morning, he got $650 for it.
He and Katy have bought a little five room bungalow down on 17th and Clark and had to sell their car to make the down payment. Isn’t that something?
Well Hon, just thought I would start this before I go get ready for work and as I’m not dressed yet, better close for now. Good night Honey. I love you.
Sunday night 9:30 P.M.
Yes Honey, its Sunday night but I was so tired this morning. I just got into bed, then Toot’s & Ralph came over. They were in town today and the stayed until 12:30, sooo I didn’t get to bed until 1:00, then little Dickie Jr. work me up at 7:00 and we ate and I took them home and here I am still tired. Just talked to your Mom, she wants us to come over for dinner Thursday night but if I don’t get some sleep pretty soon, I won’t be able to go. Your Dad is going over to Salars tomorrow and see about a job there. The fellow who lives in Woodard’s house thinks he can get him on. Personally, I think your Dad would like that kind of work.
Jeepers Honey, my Special hasn’t come yet, but I hope it’s because of the weather and not because you forgot. It has been raining and cloudy all day, so maybe that’s it. Did mine get there O.K. and when?
There really isn’t much to write about, no news, nothing happening, so guess I’ll close. I sure hope my Special comes. Well, I do really hate to close, honest I do and I so wish I was out there. Now, I know I’ve got to go.
Good night Honey.
I love you very much.
“Your’ Darlin’ Janie
Johnny & Jane 