1:30 a.m. October 17, 1943, Sunday
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another beautiful day and night gone by. I took some pictures of Junior and took him to the drugstore. They will be ready by Wednesday.
I think I will call you in the morning. I am going to work tomorrow night so I will be able to afford it. There isn’t any news so I don’t know what else to write about. I have one letter to answer. Well, here we go again. I can’t figure out why you haven’t received my mail again. There is definitely something wrong some place. I wish I knew what it is. Maybe my mind is slipping or something.
You know, it is getting to be the same old story. Every night, I stopped for a paper, Junior gets all the attention. He sure looks good. I’m going to wax him in the morning. I wish you were here so you could help me.
Well Sweets it is getting rather late so I had better close. I will talk to you in the morning. (I hope) I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: I fixed breakfast after taking a cold shower. I then watched Shane to see whether she did the dishes or I did. I won, so I didn’t have to do them. I then made a phone call. It took about a half an hour to get you. It sure was a swell telephone call. It was good to hear your voice again. I didn’t get to say half of the things I wanted to say, as usual. After we talked, I went down to the garage and washed and polished Junior. It looks even better. Darling it is getting time for me to leave for work. I love you very very much. I will see you at 8 as always.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny
1:00 a.m. Monday, October 18, 1943
Hello Darling:
Boy am I tired. Now it is my turn. I wish you were here to rub my back. I welded stooped over all night. I got your Special when I got home. I don’t wish you were here in the next room, I wish you were here in my room, sitting on my lap right now. I think I will go to Patterson next Sunday. I will take the bus or the train up. A ship Wright (that is the way it is spelled) is a person who lines the ship up from all the Stern. He has to keep the ship straight. He also works with the ship letters. If a ship fitting asked to put something, say 7 feet away from the center of the ship, the ship Wright has to line the spot where the ship fitter can measure the 7 feet from. It is not such an unimportant job. He just sends those fitters a little time.
Well Darling, there isn’t any more news, so I think I will trod off to bed so I can be with you in my dreams. I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: it is a beautiful day out but very chilly. I was going to go downtown to the Y this morning but was just about dead. I got up about 10:30 and then went to the store and bought some groceries. I came back and fixed breakfast, and my lunch to take to work. I feel pretty good. The mail came and there were 3 letters for me. 2 from you and 1 from Mom. I will answer them tonight. I will have a little more time. I have to go down to the shoe shop and get my boots. I took him down to have been fixed last Friday. I got the $2. I think I will be going downtown tomorrow morning. It has been so long since I have been down around any stores, I have forgotten all about the belt. It is a good thing you reminded me.
Gosh, I wish you were here now. It is such a beautiful sunny, windy, cold day.
Well Sweets, it is 1:30, so I must leave for now. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxs YFH Johnny
Monday 2:30 p.m. October 18, 1943
Hello Honey:
Yes, it’s 2:30 p.m. and this will be the time that I will be writing from now on, then I won’t keep Momie up after work writing and I never get up in time to catch the mailman in the morning, sooo will this is the way it will be.
There was a letter this morning, a nice one. Did you get your lung x-ray get, somehow I think you should and I think it’s swell that you are joining the Y again. It will do you good and you always have fun there.
It’s another beautiful day, 80° warm, almost hot but really swell. Wish we were together at Frisco down at the beach, laying in the sun, or running from the breakers, wasn’t that fun? I’ll never, never forget that or the moon on the water when we were up on the ledge. Oh Darling, someday we will do it again, someday.
I sent your cookies this morning and something else. I’m awfully sorry that I didn’t send it long ago, it isn’t much but you wanted one, so I sent it. I hope you like it. Now will you please send the camera back in the box I sent the cookies in, please?
I don’t blame you one bit for being proud of Junior. I am too, although I have never seen him, that is since you fixed him all up.
Well Honey, I have to go get ready for work. Oh I forgot to tell you, we received a bit of bad news. Dick has malaria. Will write again tomorrow.
Love & xxxxxs
“Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie
12:50 a.m. October 19, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another day closer to ? and you. I have just finished taking a shower and am all ready for bed. I wish we were married now and you were sitting on my lap, pajamas, and all. I have the heater on. It is very chilly outside and saying as how I had my windows open all day, my room but very cold.
I didn’t write Junior to work today, I think I will take it a little easy on him, because he is small and can’t stand too much.
Darling, I had a pretty good job tonight with the chance to do a lot of thinking well I was working. If we go on repair, I will be working 10 hours a day. I don’t know whether I will work 6 or 7 days a week. I do know this though, that if I work 10 hours, I won’t be able to do what I’m doing now. That is doing my own laundry and cooking besides working. The repair work will begin as soon as all of these ships are out. About February 1 before, I think you ought to come back out and we will be married. Maybe sooner. As soon as I get my papers from Sacramento, I will send for my induction papers, if they will send them to me. If I passed my physical, I pass, if not, I don’t. Chances are pretty large that I won’t, you know that. I need you out here now and when I’m working more hours I will need you more yet. You let me know what you think. Then we will make a few more definite plans. Okay? Okay!
Well Sweets, it is getting late and I must close. I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: the time is 1 p.m. I got up about 10 and fixed breakfast. I then went down to the ration board to get a guestbook for Junior. After I got it, I stopped at a fellow who works at the yard and talked to him for a while. When I started to leave, it started to rain. It is the first rain we have had since Dick and I were together. The ration board is down in the marina. I rode Junior down that long hill and I can hardly stop him. They are sure is fresh. The rain falling on the channel made the water real smooth. That ship that we saw is still there. I stopped at the drugstore to see if the pictures were ready yet. They will be in tomorrow. The radio is on and Tony Pastor is Playing “You Should Be Set To Music” (Tony Pastor & His Orchestra 1941 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTDpJ4M2CbU). How do you like the song ‘Paper Dolls”? (The Mills Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3Kl3puJTqU).
Well Sweets, I have to get my lunch and work. I love you very, very much. I will see you at 8 as always.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny
12:30 p.m. October 20, 1943, Wednesday
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another rainy day. I really go for this rain. Everything outside smelled nice and fresh and clean.
I didn’t write last night when I got home because I was tired and sore all over. I laid over some ‘longs’ and had my head down in the whole most of the night. It made my just and stomach a little sore. I feel pretty good now. I got up about 10 and fixed breakfast and did the dishes. Then went down to the drugstore and got the pictures. There weren’t very many, as you can plainly see. The ones of the Herman and Junior came out very good. The mail has come and no letter today. This makes two days. The mail delivery is really terrible.
I was down to the Emporia and got up about. I will send it out tomorrow with the camera and the gloves. Okay? Well, all right!!
I had planned on going down to the Y this morning but so far it hasn’t worked out very well. I can’t seem to wake up in the morning.
Oh Darling, I found out at the first of year is when we start repair and 10 hours. If I’m still here, I will really need you then. How about it ? Have you thought over? Personally I think I will make the best husband you ever had.
Well sweets, I think to but I must close for now. I have my lunch to fix and then work. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you very, very much. Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Johnny
Wednesday 1:00 p.m. October 20, 1943
Hello Honey:
Another day and no letter, no letter yesterday either. Personally I’m getting rather tired of this deal of no letter for two and three days every week.
Again there isn’t any news. I’m sorry I didn’t write yesterday but was so tired that I didn’t get up until 1:00 P.M. so just had time to eat, press my clothes, before June got here.
It’s a gloomy old day here, rainy, and chilly. If I had my way, I wouldn’t go to work but I have to get my hat and coat paid for, sooo must go. I was going to call your Mom this morning but know she is working, so can’t.
Dick is out of the hospital now, we received three letters from him yesterday and he said he was feeling pretty good but had to rest for a two more days before he goes back to work, so he is getting a nice little rest. He deserves it.
Have you heard any more about the changing over of the yard?
Russell Jiglem has gone overseas, did I tell you and Don is still 3A.
My hands are healed up now, I even have the bandages off, which is sure a relief and my arms and legs are better too, so I’m getting along pretty well now. Does it still hurt you to breathe?
Well Honey, I’m sorry but I simply don’t have one thing to write about. Maybe there will be a letter tomorrow and I will have something to write about. O.K? O.K! I think of you constantly and have dreamt of you three nights in a row.
Love as always “Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie
1:15 a.m. October 21, 1943, Thursday
Hello Darlin’:
Boy oh boy, it’s raining out. I sure wish you were here and we were married now. The air is cool and you can hear the rain outside on the wall. It is a grand night for sleeping. I feel good even if I did work extra hard tonight. I didn’t make out though. I worked the same place as I did last night. My clothes were just wringing wet when I finished. There were 4 of us welders working in one small tank, so you can imagine how hot and smoky it was. This rain and cool air makes one feel good.
Jane, I want to tell me the time that last letter you got from me was postmarked. That should be the one with the pictures in it. I put it in the box I usually looked it in. The mail is supposed to pick up at 3:35 PM.
There isn’t any news, so I don’t know what else to write about. It is still raining now and I still wish you were here. I should have a letter to answer in the morning, so I think I will close for now and get some sleep. I love you very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: the Sun is out in the weekend is down and the air is warm and I’m sitting out on the front court waiting for the mailman to show up. I think he is on his way up the street. It is really a beautiful day out. It is just about like the day we went over to Muir Woods on Junior, only not as nice because you were here. I have had breakfast and finished the dishes. – The mail just came and no letter from you or anyone. Whenever I don’t get any mail and get to thinking that you are on your way out here and then I get disgusted by getting a letter or two.
The girls across the street are starting to beat their drums again. They sure can make a lot of rocket for a small school.
Well Sweets, I have to go to the store and get a loaf of bread and a head of lettuce to fix my lunch, so I had better close for now. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny
Thursday 12:30 p.m. October 21, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well, this is a little better, there were two letters this morning. You better be careful of Junior, someone might be interested enough to try and steal him. Do you have any way to lock him while you’re working? As for Junior not being able to stand too much, hope you have as much consideration for me.
About that idea as the result of your easy night, I would love to say, yes Johnny I will come out in February or as soon as you say, but I can’t. All I can say is that as soon as I am able, I will come. Your papers will have a lot to do with it. Don’t know why but think it will. The way I see it now, it is utterly impossible to make any plans whatsoever definite or indefinite. Remember we said we would never plan again anyway because they never work out for us.
I cleaned out my closet this morning and found some old love letters written by you way back in “39” and “40” and Honey you are slipping. Remember the one you typed while working at Story & Kenworth, you sure did yourself proud that time, but you couldn’t do so well now.
Guess what I heard today? Rosie told me that Frank Webb didn’t get his wings because he did some stunt flying over an area where it wasn’t allowed. Can you imagine, after 9 months of training and then not getting your wings? I wonder how he will be able to talk his way out of that. He was put in some ground crew. I’ll bet his chest isn’t so big now. His poor mother.
Well it is 1:00, so better be going. Hope I get another letter tomorrow. How is my mail coming through, did you get the $2.00? I’m getting tired of waiting for the belt and camera.
Love as always “Yours” F.W. Janie
Friday 1:30 p.m. October 22, 1943
Hello Honey:
How are you? I hope you are fine and dandy when this comes. Johnny have you ever heard the piece “Holiday Strings” (https://open.spotify.com/track/0w0Ggn5qGzS7LfkNK54Bta). If you have, don’t you like it? I sure do, better than any song I have heard for a long time. Watch for it on the jukeboxes.
Gosh, I just happen to think, it’s time for a Special, so this is it. “Stage Door Canteen” is here at the Des Moines’s Theater and “Youngest Profession” is at Ophouse Theater, we saw them both in Frisco, remember?
It sure is a beautiful day here, about 70° out and sunny, with the different colored leaves it really is beautiful. Wish you were here.
Chuck and Mary J. are coming over for dinner tonight and staying all night and tomorrow. I would stay home from work but as we didn’t work last Sunday, it would make my check short.
There was a letter today written the 18th and mailed the 18th. Gosh only knows where it has been. I sure hope I get the pictures either tomorrow or in my Special Sunday. I am very anxious to see them. I hope you are in some of them, as well as Junior. I hate to mention again but hope you sent the camera too.
I wish I could rub your back too O.K., then I wish I was sitting on your lap but I would rather wish that we were down at the marina sitting on the dock watching the breakers hit against the wall and the blimps and the planes. I wish we had on our old clothes, then we wouldn’t have to be careful, then we could walk down by those sales ships and if we did it every day may be we would get acquainted with someone who owns one and would give us a ride. That is my wish, to be at the marina with you and someday have a sailboat of our own down there.
Thank you for telling me what a ship wright is. Have you received my package yet?
Please try and get the belt Monday or Tuesday. Please.
Well Honey, it is getting late so better close now and go get my clothes ready for work. I love you very much.
“Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie
Hope you have a nice time if you do go to Patterson.
12:45 AM October 23, 1943, Saturday
Hello Sweetheart:
Well, here it is another beautiful night gone by without you. I don’t think I can stand much more of this.
Just got home from work. There is a letter from you and I also got one from dad. Your letter was written Sunday afternoon and left Des Moines Monday at 12 and didn’t get here for four days. The mail it sure and uncertainty. Yes, I think you are right about driving out when you come. After we are married, we will do everything together. My dear girl, I’ll have you know that I very seldom catch cold. I was thinking of painting Junior red or maroon but on something that small, it sort of cheapens it. This black and white makes it look rich.
I have been trying to decide whether to go to the country tomorrow or not. But I’m not so much in favor of it. I think I had better go and get it over with.
I was up to the Y this morning and had a good workout. I’m just a little stiff. It will probably be worse when I get up. “Put Your Arms Around Me Honey” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnPqSn-8Go4) is on the radio now. It is good.
Well Darling, it is getting late and I must get a bite to eat and then go to bed. I will finish this in the morning. I love you very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: It is a beautiful day out again and again I wish you were here. I am really stiff and sore all over. I could use a good rubdown. There isn’t very much news that I can think of now. I have already answered your letter, so now I don’t know what else to write about. I can’t close yet as this is your Special, so I will try to tell you how much I love you and adore you. That is very hard for me to do because I love you so much, I don’t have words to tell you. You are everything to me, my life, my hope, and my ambitions. Everything I do is for you. Every minute I live you are in my heart. You will always be there.
Well Darling, I think I had better close for now. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you so very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny
1:15 a.m. October 22, 1943, Friday
Hello Darling:
Well, here it is another day closer to ? and the sweetest little bundle of love the side of heaven. It is a beautiful night out. The stars are bright and is down and the air is nice and cool. It is just the kind of weather to do a little loving. In fact, any kind of weather is the right kind to smooch and as long as you are there.
I worked on the struts again tonight. This is 3 nights in a row. They are all finished now though.
I am definitely going down to the Y in the morning. I can sure use a good workout and steamed bath.
I think I will go to Patterson this week and and get it over with. I don’t care so much about going, but I promised them I would come up, so I had better go.
I still have no mail to answer, so I’m having a hard time finding things to write about. All I seem to be able to think about is you, wishing you were here and wondering when I will see you next. Life sure plays funny tricks on people, doesn’t it? Some of them aren’t even within reason. There will come a day though. I wish that day was tomorrow. I guess I had better close for now. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: it is another beautiful day out. I got up at 8:30, shaved and ate breakfast. I’m going to meet a fellow down at the Y at 9:45. It is 9:15 now, so I will have to make this short. I love you very much. I will see you at 8 as always.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny
Saturday 1:30 p.m. October 23, 1943
Hello Honey:
There were two letters this morning, the one with the pictures in it was postmarked October 21, 11:30 a.m. It was written the 20th, 12:30 p.m.
The pictures were swell and Junior, Gee Honey he sure looks swell, really swell. No wonder everyone ooows and awes at him. You really did yourself proud. I’m crazy about it, sure wish I could have a ride on it but then maybe I will next spring.
Yes Darling, I have thought about what you said about me coming out when they change the yard over. Will I have to go to work? But I still think we can’t make any plans until at least December 22 until you know about the Army for sure. And even then, gosh Honey, I just don’t know, sometimes I could scream for not being any surer about the future than I am. Things would look so much better and seems so much better if we could look forward to some thing definite. But we will figure out some things. I know because next year, by June anyway, if you aren’t in the Army, I’m going to be out there with you. I don’t suppose that will make you feel much better but maybe it will help a little.
I have to go get ready for work now, so will finish this in the morning. O.K? O.K! Thanks for sending the things.
Sunday 1:30 p.m.
Hello Johnnie: It’s a gloomy old Sunday, chili, damp and dark and I so wanted to wash the car. If I can get some gas, I’m going to drive Chuck to Ames tomorrow night after work, as he leaves from there. Johnny I just had an idea, why don’t you send me your gas ration book when you sell Herman. You can do it because if you sell your car to a private owner you don’t have to turn it in. How about that, huh? I sure could use it. O.K?
Your Special isn’t here yet so there isn’t much to write about. I talked to your Mom yesterday and she and John are just fine.
I showed the pictures to the girls last night at work and they sure thought they were swell. Again, I’m running out of things to write so will finish this when I receive your Special. O.K? O.K! Honey, I love you.
Monday morning 10:00
Good morning Honey: Your Special just came about a half an hour ago, a little late but there was a storm, a snowstorm in Cheyenne Wyoming yesterday, so maybe that caused the delay.
Last night Momie, Rosy and I went down to see “”A Lady Takes A Chance”, but the theater was so packed, we didn’t go.
Your Special was a very nice one and I got the bond. I count up and now see I think it’s $1025. Well Honey, we finally made it over the $1000, doesn’t that make you feel pretty good.
Here comes the mailman, gotta go. I love you very much Johnny, remember don’t change.
Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie
11:00 a.m. October 25, 1943, Monday
Hello Darling:
I didn’t write when I got home from Patterson. It was late and I was very tired. There were two letters for me when I got home. Your Special came this morning and also a package. Thanks a lot for the billfold. It is really a honey. The cookies are swell. Thanks a lot. I have the box on package and pack up again with the camera and belt and gloves.
I have an appointment with the dentist morning. I am going to have him just check over my teeth.
No, I haven’t had my lungs x-rayed yet. I think I will sometime this week. That is too bad about Dick getting malaria. It is swell that he is getting better. The yard will change over to repair definitely by the first of the year. No, you didn’t tell me that Russ had gone overseas. The weather today is really beautiful. I wish you were here. I had a nice trip to Patterson Saturday and Sunday. Ervin is raising turkeys and has contracted them to the government. He has 7000 turkeys. That is really a lot of them, they can sure make a lot of noise. We went to a show and Patterson Saturday night. We saw “Air Force”
I didn’t go to see it when it was to hear in Frisco. It was very good. We had a big dinner on Sunday. Sunday afternoon we drove over to Ervin’s and around the country. It is really beautiful pair. There is a long range of mountains about 20 miles away. You can see the whole range.
Well Sweets, I must go for now. I will write tonight and see you at 8 as always.
Love & xxxxxs YFH Johnny
Monday 1:00 p.m. October 25, 1943
Hello Honey:
This is your little bundle of love writing her little bundle of independence. How are you Hon. There was a letter this morning, surprisingly enough, but it’s daytime here, no stars, no moon, just gloom and cold air and it feels very much like snow. I wish you would snow.
Gosh Honey, you know what I heard last night on the radio, of course you wouldn’t. I heard “White Christmas”, you remember? “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”, Jeepers I could’ve cried because last year that song meant so much to me because you were coming home but then I can listen to it this year and have some very pleasant memories, especially of Christmas Eve, the eve I became engaged, right over on the davenport. You are so dear. Next Christmas, we will be together, I know.
I’m sure glad you have started at the ‘Y’ but am sorry you were stiff.
Oh I forgot to tell you, I think Momie and I are going to Minneapolis on the Rocket for Thanksgiving. Nana wants us to come, we can stay three days and it will be the last chance I will have to see all my people before we are married. Do you mind?
Johnny, do you remember the night we took Herman and drove up on that hill in Frisco, and parked and talked and what we talked about? Well honey, you were right.
I better go now as I have two iron a blouse and press my slacks. Will write again tomorrow.
Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin’ & F.W. Janie
11:00 a.m. October 26, 1943, Tuesday
Hello Darling:
I got up this morning at 10. I woke up about 9 and just laid in bed for an hour before I got up. I had about $13 bonus last night so was very tired when I got home.
I have some news. We had an earthquake here last night at 9:50 p.m. I was standing on a stool when it came. My stool was jumping around. I thought Hook was fooling around and kicking my stool. I turned around and he was clear on the other side of the room. After work, someone told me there was an earthquake. Some Windows downtown work and and a few of the streets were cracked. This is the first one in a long time.
I was down to the dentist yesterday morning. I have a little work to do and also have to have my teeth cleaned.
There isn’t any other news, so I don’t know what else to write about. There was a letter here for me when I got home last night. Just what do you mean by “hoping I have as much consideration for you as I do for Junior”? Please answer!!
I feel sorry for Frank Webb. Your mail is coming through all right. There is usually a couple of days is here and there but then some days I get a couple of letters. You can’t expect too much in times like these.
Well Sweets, it is getting late so I must close for now. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny
1:00 a.m. October 27, 1943, Wednesday
Hello Darlin’:
it is a beautiful clear out tonight. I sure wish you were here with me. There was a very nice letter here for me when I get home. I’m glad you liked the pictures. I’m sorry there weren’t a few more than there were. If you come out when the yard changes over you will have to go to work – for me. I will be working for you and you will be working for me. We will be working together. June is a long ways away, but it helps a little. If I sell Herman, I will send you the gas coupons. That $1025 sure looks good. Darn you anyway, you haven’t told me how Chuck is, if he looks or act any different. Does his back bother him any?
I have some news. I think Carl and his wife are going to split up. Frankly, I don’t blame him in a way. Francis is nice but she wants to oversell. Carl told me last week that she had been too sick to go to work and when he came home from work she was gone. He looked all over for her, even had the police looking to see if there had been a wreck with his car. He came in about 5:30 a.m. and said she had been to a party with some girlfriends and had stayed over to one of the girls houses. He said that she got mad at them because he gave her the devil for not even thinking a note telling him where she had gone. I don’t know whether it will get a divorce or not.
Well sweets, it is getting late and I am going to the Y in the morning so I had better close. I love you so very, very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: It is a beautiful morning out, sunshine and all. It is 9 AM and I want to be at the Y by 10, so I don’t have much time. There isn’t any news, so I don’t know what else to write about.
If you were here, it would be a nice day to go out and play a little golf or something. I haven’t played any for a long time.
Well Darling, I’m afraid I had better close for now. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny
Wednesday, October 27, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well, I had quite an exhausting day or rather 24 hours. Last night at work Mariam and I were on the same machine and she was on station 1 and I was on station 4 when Mariam screamed. The punch had come down on her finger and practically took it off. I & Cliff, the powder charger, rushed for over to the first aid and then I came back and told Mike, our boss, he went over to the base hospital to see her. I got dressed and when Mike came back he said they took x-rays and that it looked pretty bad and that Mariam wanted me to go into town in the ambulance with her, sooo I got her clothes together and a guard take me over to the base hospital. Mariam was in an awful state, she had seen her finger and said she was going to lose it. Mike and I finally got her calmed down and got her into the ambulance, then we came into town to the Mercy Hospital. They took us right up to the room and got her undressed and as she asked me to please stay as long as I could, I stayed until they took her into the operating room. Then I waited until she came out and they told me they thought they could save it. By that time it was 2:00 a.m., so I called a cab and came home. It made me kind of ill but I finally got to sleep. Marge and I are going over to see her this afternoon.
I got up about 9:00 this morning and took the car over and got it all fixed up for the winter. It’s good for 21 below. O.K?
I haven’t had a letter since Monday and the belt and camera isn’t here yet so guess it’s the mail again. Sure hope so. How are you and Herman and Junior? Have you received your license yet?
Well Honey, I have to leave early today, so better be going. I miss you terribly one I don’t hear. The day seems so empty.
Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin F.W. Janie
1:00 a.m. October 28, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
it is another beautiful night out tonight and still no you. We had quite a sight over town today. There were about 500 planes in formation and 4 blimps. It was really a beautiful site. I wish you could have seen it.
I didn’t get a letter today, so I have nothing to answer.
Good morning Darling: I thought last night that I had better start writing your letters before I took my shower because I was very tired and I wouldn’t go to bed before I took my shower. I started to write and I found out I had to take a shower before I could go any further. After I had my shower and shaved I sat down in my chair to rest for a little while. I fell asleep. I don’t know just exactly how long I slept but I know that all I can remember is getting up and turning the radio off and putting the lights out. Then I crawled into bed. I didn’t wake up until 11:00 a.m. I had a nice long sleep. I feel good now.
It is a beautiful day out. The sun is bright and warm and there is no wind at all. I sure wish you were here.
Oh Darling, all dim – out regulations are going to be off after November 1. All the city will be lit up. The beach is going to be open again. All of the rides and things. All of the stores will light their signs. It really will be the old gay San Francisco again.
Well Darling, it is 1:15. I have to get my lunch and leave for work. I had to iron a work shirt and a pair of jeans this morning. I love you very, very much. I will see you at 8 as always.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny
Thursday 2:30 p.m. October 28, 1943
Hello Honey:
I’m sorry that I didn’t get this in the mail but I was so tired this morning I didn’t get up until 12:00 and I had to dress and drive over to the hospital and see Miriam as I told her we would be over in the morning. She is pretty fine today, they took x-rays again and if complications don’t set in, her finger will be O.K., so she is feeling pretty good, mentally as well as physically.
There were two letters this morning but I will answer them later as I haven’t time now. O.K? I’m glad you like the billfold. I got to thinking, I did take the price take off of it, huh, didn’t I?
It is a beautiful day here in Des Moines and for some reason or another I miss you terribly today. Don’t know just why, guess it’s love, huh.
I talked to your Mom this morning.
Am very glad you had a nice time in Patterson. I’ll bet those turkeys made a lot of noise.
I meant just what I said, when I wrote “I hope you’re as considerate of me as you are of Junior”, think on it Honey, you’ll get it.
That’s terrible about the earthquake, weren’t you a little scared. I’m afraid I would’ve been.
I’m sure glad you sent the things but thought that you said you sent them Saturday. You must have gotten mixed up. What?
Well Honey, it’s almost 3:00 and June will be here any minute so better close now. I miss you terribly and love you with all my heart.
Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie
1:30 a.m. October 29, 1943, Friday
Hello Darling:
Well, here it is another day closer to ? and you. I’m afraid this will be your Special. I will mail it after work tomorrow night. Then you should get it Sunday morning. (I hope)
There is a sailor and his wife have to go over to Sausalito Saturday morning and they have no way to get there, so I told them I would pick them. They live here at the house. They moved in shortly after you left.
It is a beautiful night out, very warm. There are a few scattered clouds or fog. It will probably remain tomorrow. I am going to get up at 7 and wash clothes. Friday is my wash bay you know. It is also a Pay-Day. I seem to have forgotten what that means. I haven’t been to the bank sent you left to put any money in. A check I get tomorrow is going to look awfully sick. I will be lucky if I don’t know the company money. If I get a, it won’t be over two dollars. I sure would like to see some snow again. I heard “I’m Dreaming Of A White Christmas” too the other day. It brought back a lot of sweet memories to me too.
I’ve gotten over my stiffness from the Y. Yes Darling, I remember the night we drove up to the top of that hill and parked and talked but I don’t exactly remember all we talk about. I remember some things. Please answer – What do you mean I was right about?
Darling, there is a cabin for sale up in the Santa Cruz Mountains with ¼ acre for sale. I had half a notion to look into it. It would be the matter nice to have if we lived in Frisco. It would be about 75 miles away. We could take some weekends off and take T&T up there and say. If we had a motorboat, we could drive it out in the channel and out in the ocean and sail right down to Santa Cruz Bay. There is a big resort at Santa Cruz with swimming, dancing, all kinds of sports, deep sea fishing and everything. They are asking $300 for it. It would cost us around 5 or 600 to fix it up the way we would want it. This gives you an idea of what we will do after we are married. Okay? Well, all right!
Well Darling, it is getting rather late and I must go get some sleep. I will finish in the morning. I love you very, very, very much. Good night Sweetheart. Gee, I sure wish you were right here with me now. We sure can have some fun lovin’.
Good morning Darling: well it is still morning for another 15 minutes. I got up at 7. Wash my hands and face and fixed breakfast. I then washed clothes and hung them out. I took Junior down to the filling station and change the oil and put in a little transmission grease. I drove over to Dempsey’s to get my new ration book that Mrs. Dempsey got for me. I stopped at the Gilt Edge Nickle on the way back and bought some groceries. I bought some delicious apples. Do you remember the ones we bought?
It is a beautiful day out. It was very nice writing unit. It isn’t hot out but nice and cool. It is just about 12 noon now. Glenn Miller is playing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNrg3ZpRXFo) “I Remember You”.
There isn’t any news so I haven’t very much to write about. Gosh Honey, I sure love you a lot. I sure wish things were a little different.
I have to get my lunch, so I think I had better close for now until tonight. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you, I adore you, I miss you, and I want you.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny
Friday 10:45 AM October 29, 1943
Hello Honey:
It’s a beautiful morning in Des Moines this morning. I suppose you are wondering why I am up so early but I was awakened by something and wasn’t able to go back to sleep, sooo after eating breakfast decided to start your Special. I’m afraid I’ve kind of neglected you the last couple of days.
Gosh, I don’t know why I cannot go back to sleep because I can hardly hold my eyes open. I still have my PJs on and my feet are cold but here I sit writing to my little bit of independence.
How are you Johnny? How is Herman, have you received your license yet and how is Junior and all the kids at the house and all the boys at work, but most of all, how are you? Your lungs? Just you?
Little Pete is coming over tonight to stay all night and tomorrow. I kind of thought I would go out tomorrow night, guess not now.
Darling, I’m running out of words so believe I’ll lay this aside until the mail comes. O.K? O.K.
Hello again. The mail is here and one letter from you, a nice one. Wish I had of been there when the earthquake occurred.
Gee Honey, that’s swell. I’d lot rather work for you then work any place else, so that’s a deal. Remember I said I would be out there at least by June, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t come sooner. You just save as much as you can and I’ll do the same, then when I do come, we will both be prepared. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Chuck, guess I didn’t think you would be interested, but he’s just fine, he acts a little different, a little more independent which isn’t’ a bit becoming, other than that he is O.K. I told him that I would see him next summer, he said O.K, he would be looking for Johnny and I. Mary J is going out the 1st of December.
That’s too bad about Carl and Francis. They are so young, but then if she is stepping out on him, I can’t blame them.
You feel any better since you started to go to the ‘Y’ again?
Well Honey, it’s almost well 12:30 and I have to go see Marian at the hospital. This is her last day there. I miss you and awful lot lately. Don’t know just why. I love you with all my heart Johnnie.
Love as Yours… Janie
Hello, I’m back from the hospital & Marian has gone home so everything is going to be O.K, although she probably won’t be back to work for a while.
It’s so nice & warm out that one doesn’t even need a jacket, it’s really swell. I sure wish – well you know what I wish. What are you going to do Sunday? Just mess around or what? Dickie Jr. will be here and I bought a pumpkin for him to make a jack-o’-lantern with & we are going to have a bonfire. I will be thinking of you all day, O.K? Hope you will be or are thinking of me also.
I wrote Dick wrote a letter yesterday, he is all well now you know. He said that he was going to try and drop you a line, have you received any word yet?
Johnny, I have something I want to ask you, your Mom gives me the impression that she thinks I should go to Frisco right now or at least by Christmas. Have you asked or said anything to her about it?
Well Honey, I better go now as June will be here any minute, maybe I can add more in the morning. Then I can make this a nice long Special. Johnny, have you heard the song “You Can’t Hold A Memory in Your Arms”?
Saturday morning 11:30, but no time to had any more as the mailman is coming, so will write again tomorrow and see you at 10:00 as always. I love you with all my heart.
“Your Darlin’ & F W Janie
11:30 a.m. Saturday, October 30, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another day closer ? to and you. I suppose you are wondering at the time this was written. Well I worked a little overtime last night and asked that 3 – cars don’t run late, I stated Hook’s place. We got up about 9:30 and had breakfast downtown.
Hello Jane, here we are just 2 lonely lads longing for you and my wife and daughter. You remember me don’t you? My wife and daughter left for Missouri last night and I came home with Johnny after work and have been here since. I better stop this nonsense and let someone write that will mean something to you. I think you have the swellest guy in the world for sweetheart. So long, Hook.
That was Hook. After breakfast we came here at the house and the shower. I feel good now. Some ship came in for some small repairs and they needed some welders for four hours. It isn’t much, it will help to buy our little cabin in the mountains. I mailed your letter at the post office after work. It should go out about 6:30. That is a little earlier, so you should get it Sunday. Please let me know.
Hook’s wife left for Missouri last night for a vacation. She will be gone for about two months I think, maybe less. Hook may give up his apartment and come up in the room with me. When they come back he is going to try to get a better apartment in the Marina. Do you remember the Marina? I thought so.
Well Darling, I’m going to get a haircut before work so I had better close for now. Let’s stay in the apartment for a while. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you so very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny
PS My check was $6.46
Sunday 1:30 p.m. October 31, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well another Sunday, which means another week. Jeepers. That must’ve been quite a sight, 500 planes in formation.
Johnny, have you ever seen in Frisco when it wasn’t dimmed out? Gosh, I’ll bet that you will go down to the beach after that now, right? I’ll see it though. I’ll see it all, someday.
Trinkie was over yesterday, she had another diamond and says she is going to be married the 19th of November and is going to have a formal wedding and wants me to be one of her bridesmaids. Barb will be the other one, but I won’t believe it until I’m at the church. She doesn’t love him, I know she doesn’t, she doesn’t know what the word means. I don’t envy her one bit.
Your Special hasn’t come yet, so think I will close until it does. I’m wondering what you are doing, it’s only 11:30 a.m. out there.
It’s 3:30 now Honey and just a few minutes ago Harry James “You Made Me Love You” was on. Been thinking of you all day, trying to figure out what you might be doing. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMaCoxOGXPM)
I just called Mariam and she is getting along swell. Wes, her boyfriend, called her yesterday, she was thrilled. It’s a beautiful day here, nice, and sunny and warm. Sure wish my Special would come. I guess Momie and I aren’t going to a show tonight, she is feeling very low today, Sunday and all. I kind of hope she does go to work, it will help her. Poor Momie. I’m in the mood for writing but don’t seem to have much to write about.
Just happen to think. Guess I’ll go give myself a facial. O.K? Will finish this later.
11:45 PM Yes, it is rather late but Momie and I drove over to the Knott’s and they went to a show with us. “Pride Of The Yankees”, a very show and we just arrived home.
Your Special came just as we were leaving, about 5:30 and your bond too ($1075). Jeepers Honey, $2,00, just how do you intend to live on that? Sorry, I can’t send you some. That really sounds dreamy about the cabin and ¼ acre in the Santa Cruz Mountains, but before you go investing any money in property, don’t you think you should make sure of your staying there?
You can be sure I remember the apples we bought, wish I had one now. They aren’t in season here yet. I remember everything about it Dear. About the night on the hill, where we were or I should say you were talking about married life, remember? You said we should be able to and should talk about it then as it might be our last chance. Well gosh Honey, it’s hard to put it on paper, but seriously I remember, and well anyway. you were right.
Well Honey, your Special was very nice, in fact very nice. I love everything about you, even your independence (but not when it gets toward me).
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin & FW Janie
Oct 31, 1943, Sunday 2:00 PM
Hello Darling:
I’ll bet you can’t guess where I’m at. I’m out at the China Beach. It is next to the channel. I can look to the east and see the Golden gate Bridge. Across the channel are the mountains we went through when we went to Muir Woods. There are three ships in the channel going out to sea. It looks like sort of a convoy or part of one. If you listen hard enough you should be able to almost here the breakers here on the beach.
Syd is here with me. He called me about 11. I had just gotten up. He has to make a speech tomorrow, so he is hard at work writing it. It is a beautiful day out. There are a lot of sea gulls flying around. Did you hear that last breaker? It was a big one.
I didn’t write when I got home last night because I didn’t feel so good. I pulled a couple stomach muscles in the double bottom. At first I was afraid I had ruptured myself. I went over to the hospital. They said it wasn’t anything serious, but to take it easy for a while. They put tape around me. I took it off this morning. It is so warm here laying in the sun. It is the only beach in Frisco that is safe to swim in because there is no undertow here. The water is rather cold though. Well Sweets, I’m going to have to close for a little while. It has taken me about an hour and a half to write what I’ve written. I have to turn over on my back to keep from burning too much.
I think Syd and I are going to see a show tonight. “For Whom The Bell Tolls”.
Hello Darling, I’m back in my room now. It is 6:00. Syd and I stopped and had dinner. Now we are going down to see a show.
I will write again when I get home. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny
11:00 PM Sunday Oct 31, 1943
Hello Darlin: I just got back from taking Syd home on Jr. We saw “For Whom The Bell Tolls”. If you haven’t seen it yet, please do. It is very good.
Glenn Miller is playing “Blue Rain” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ66X7UJ5Ms)
After Syd and I left China Beach, we drove Jr. around by the main beach. You should have seen the people there. It was just packed. We then stopped at a restaurant on Geary Street and had dinner. Then we rode down to the house and then to the show. After the show we stopped and had a Coke and I took him home. After I left him, I drove down by the beach. I stopped by the Cliff House and smoked a cigarette. The sky was very clear but I couldn’t see the moon. I couldn’t see the ocean I could hear the water breakers. It brought back a lot of sweet memories. I almost feel like crying a little bit. I left and drove up the hill, the cold air blowing in my face and making my eyes water. Little Jr. just passed everything on the street. Everyone just stares at him, just like when you were on him riding around on the Marina. Glenn Miller is playing “You Are Always In My Heart” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RZn-JvrVe8).
Darling, I have to go to bed now. I love you so very, very much. Your Special isn’t here yet. Darn mail. Good night Little Angel.
Good morning Darling: it is another beautiful day out. The time is 11:45 AM. I got up about 9 and fixed some pancakes for breakfast. I washed the dishes and came down to my room. Your Special still isn’t here yet. I sure hope you are are on your way out here.
I am going down to a doctor to have him take a look at my lungs today. I’m going to quit welding pretty soon. I will write you a long letter tonight. I will have a little more to write about. I love you very, very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx YFH Johnny
Johnny & Jane 