8:00 Sunday, August 9, 42
Hi Honey,
Do you mind if I drop you another line? I’m so low and lonesome today and when I am writing you, I feel closer, as if I was talking to you. I haven’t been doing much today except wistful wishing. Dickey Jr., Dick and Rose are here, and we are just sitting around talking. They all send their love and best wishes.
I hate to be talking about it all the time and Honey it seems like I miss you more today than ever before. Momie said all anyone had to do was to look at me and I cried. I’m sorry Honey, but I’m going crazy to have you so long, then snap your gone. This doesn’t help you any, but I won’t write anymore letters like this after today as it is really being selfish on my part. Forgive me please.
You’ll never know how thrilled I was when you said you were going to call me Wednesday; I honestly was happy for a while for the first time since you left. There I go again. Well I guess I better go before I start again. I am waiting for the call and for you to return to me.
Love and xxxxx’s. “Your” Darlin’ Janie
5:30 PM Sunday, August 9, 42
Hi Honey
Well Sweets,
How are you? I’m terrible. Do you want to know what we did last night O.K.? O.K! Well about 8:15, I went over to Trinkies, then we walked down to Barbies. Pegs was there and soon Ulyne came and then we had to wait for Eleanor. So finally we walked over after her. After finally getting her dressed, we called a cab and went straight to Babes, where we had a table reserved.
It was approximately 9:15 when we arrived there. Well, we ate and was merry for about three hours. Then six fellows came over to our table, each one picking out a girl and pulling up a chair beside her. Well, about that time I thought we better go, so after refusing all of their offers for dances (by the way I had four chances other than these to dance but Honey I didn’t and don’t ask me why, I just didn’t want to dance with anyone else last night) and more food, we went out to the lobby and called a cab. When we went downstairs, they followed and tried to talk us into going to the Main Liner with them. Then Trinkie up and says, “You pay the taxi fare and we will meet you out there in 15 minutes.” So, they said okay and gave us a dollar for the fare.
Well — we told the driver to take us to Trinkie’s house and to ditch the fellows and he could have the whole dollar, so he did. Well, we all got nicely in the house and some of us to bed when the phone rings and it was those fellows. Somehow, they had found out Trinkie’s last name. Anyway, they said they didn’t like what we did and were coming up. So, we shut off all the lights and locked the doors and waited and sure enough out in front stops a big car and up they came pounding on the door and ringing the bell.
Well Honey, by that time it was about 2:30 AM, so you can well imagine what the neighbors thought. So, to go on, well, I said to them if we give the dollar back will they go away and they said yes. So Trinkie and I sneaked out the back door (afraid if we opened the front they would come in) and ran down the alley thinking to come up in front and give it back to them. We got around in back of the Boyer’s and there was Bob Waldron and Jack Cata. We stopped a minute and talked to them when up walked 2 of the fellows, they looked mad, so we (Trinkie & I) were skeared and I said to Bob stick with me, will you? Then Jack rushed Trinkie into his car and Bob and I got in the back and we left quick. We were driving down University Avenue and up pops a fellow in a car. The cops. We were doing 42 miles in the 30-mile zone. So, there was $12 right there. Well, after that Bob and Jack wanted to treat us and we wanted to get to a phone to call the girls, so we went to a little place on the end of University and each had a Tom Collins, danced once and left (I didn’t dance, Trinkie did). We went right back to the apartment and found the girls skeared to death. It seems those boys had practically broken the door down, but the girls finally slid a dollar under the door, and they left, but they thought they had taken us with them. Well we finally got all settled again (Jack and Bob left) when the alarm went off announcing that it was 5 AM. Time for Peg and Barb to get up because Peg had to get her clothes. So, Eleanor and Noly walked them over to Barbies. Pretty soon, just as we were dozing off for the first time here comes Eleanor and Noly, yelling that there was a dead man over on the Drake campus. God what next, we thought! Well, they went back over and decided he was only drunk, so they came back and got a whole dishpan of water, took it clean over there and poured it on him. At this time, it was about 6:15 AM. Well, he was just too drunk to do anything but lay there, so they left him alone. Someone in the neighborhood called the cops and they picked him up.
Well by that time, it was time we got up, so we could be to the depot by 6:45. Well, strange enough, we made it, had breakfast, the whole bunch of us and saw Peg off. I’ll bet we were a queer site. None of us had any sleep and we were all crying. So, we came back over to the apartment and slept until 11 AM and up and home. What night or morning! I hope I didn’t bore you.
I received your Special this morning when I came home. Oh Honey, I can just wait until Wednesday and what’s all this about December? I don’t know about it because that would cost you a lot of money. Oh, it isn’t that I don’t want to come. Honey, I wish you were home so bad last night so you could come after me and keep me out of trouble. I have had nothing but worry and trouble since you left.
Well Honey, I will write again tonight, my arms are just about broken. So, until Wednesday Honey.
All of my love & xxxxxxxxxx’s I possess “Your” Darlin’ Janie
P.S. Do you think I’m a bad girl. Please answer if you’re mad about last night
Love Janie
1:00 PM Monday, August 10, 42
Hi Honey.
Well, how are you? I hope this finds you well and happy. I am well.
I want to apologize again for that letter I wrote last night. If I had any sense, I never would have mailed it. Please forgive me, I’m really sorry.
Well how is everything going? Fine, I hope. Last night about 12 o’clock here, I wondered if you were at your place of entertainment and if you were having lots of fun. I didn’t do much yesterday and last night after I mailed that letter and bought a magazine and went to bed and read it until about 12:30, said good night and finally went to sleep.
Toots and the kids are here for a moment and send their love and say Hi. Mary just asked. “Is Harlan your boyfriend?” And I said yes, then she said do you love him like I love Tommy my boyfriend? And I told her I thought so.
I tried again to get your Mom this morning, but she wasn’t home again.
Just think, day after tomorrow I will hear your voice and you will hear mine. As yet I’m not working but Wednesday, I’m going to Dick’s to clean the house for $2 and then Friday and Saturday out at Amend’s at the cash register and the next week I may get on steady but that is indefinite. If it comes through, I will work only until I’m called for at the plant. Well that’s all for now, I will write tonight.
Love and xxxxx’s Honey “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Monday 6:00 PM August 10, 42
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again, and I received your letter which I’m not too open until Wednesday, August 12. You tease, that’s plain torture. But I will try and wait.
I just talk to your Mom; she didn’t have much to say. Said you told her about the boys calling you Johnnie. Then she told me about Andreanna’s wedding. I guess it was lovely. You would have been an usher.
She also told me that you had were going to send her some money to pay your bills. Honey, I don’t want to be nosy or interfere in your affairs, but I thought you were going to take care of those bills yourself. It would be just as simple to send money orders, then you would be sure of you having your receipts and everything. Please forgive me if I’m butting into something that isn’t any of my business, but it’s for your sake.
I haven’t done much today. I was up at 9:00 and cleaned my room and then washed my hair, did it up and helped Momie out in the backyard, which took most of the day (Oh yes, in the meantime I wrote you a letter.) Then I took a bath and cleaned up. Momie said I had lost interest in my appearance since you left, so from now on I’m going to clean up every night just like I had a date with you.
Donna was just over, and she is all excited. She just received a letter from Frank saying he was coming home the first of September to try and settle the thing (that Donna started) so now she’s just counting the hours until then.
I don’t know whether I told you or not, but Eleanor went to work out at the plant today. They called her Saturday, so she is all thrilled.
Do you remember Bob Conley, that fellow we saw at Babe’s the last time we were there? I saw him Saturday night and he said he had heard you were in Frisco and wanted to know if I would go out with him next week. I told him I couldn’t say then and would he please call me next week and I would let him know. As yet I haven’t decided whether I will go or not. Probably not.
Starting next Sunday, that big army show is going to be here. Daddy bought reserved tickets for Sunday night. Chuck, Mary Jane, Dick, and Rosie, Daddy and Momie and I are going. Sure, wish you could go too.
I have that letter you wrote me in front of me and it sure is a temptation… I moved it…
Your idea about the skiing trip is wonderful as I said before, but as I said before it is out, I’m afraid. In the first place, to make any time I would have to fly, which would cost at least $100 and if Momie came to it would be $200 and she wouldn’t have any fun at the ski lodge. Oh Darlin’, it’s a dream, but an impossible one. It would be a lot cheaper for you to come home for a few days. I have a plan, want to hear it? O.K? O.K! Christmas is on Saturday, if you get your week, off you could fly home Saturday, or I should say Friday night arriving here at 5 AM Saturday morning. Then you could stay until the next Saturday, leave that night and be back to Frisco at 5 AM Sunday, sleep all day and back to work Monday morning. That way we could have New Year’s Eve together and have a good excuse for staying out all night. There Honey is my idea, it’s cheaper and we could be together longer. If you think that is to impossible then say so and we will simply have to wait until July. If we have to wait until July I’m going to try and save enough money so that we can fly at least one way so I can spend more time and not so much on the way to and fro. Think my idea over Honey and please let me know what you think of it. Just think, six glorious nights together, dancing, skiing, petting – all you want to, honest! Look let’s keep this little plan under our hats, yours and mine, I’m not even telling Momie because if we tell everyone and it don’t work out then we will feel sort of foolish and if it does pan out, we will surprise everyone O.K.? O.K! I think that’s the best way, don’t you?
Daddy left today, so another week begins but the week is something special as I am going to talk to my man. I’m going to set my alarm clock for 2:30 our time so I will be sure and be awake. Not that I really expect to go to sleep in the first place. By the time you get this letter, which should be Wednesday, it will only be a few hours.
Well Honey, I guess I told all I’ve changed my mind about that certain letter, I promised you I will write it next Monday. Word of honor. As yet, you haven’t said anything about receiving my pin. What about it?
Goodbye now
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
P.S. Answer the questions soon.
I miss you Honey too much, I won’t say anymore.
How is this for a nice long letter? Honey, maybe you better destroy this letter because if ever your Mom should read it, she might take what I said about you sending money to her wrong. Love Janie.
August 12, 42 (The promised letter)
Three years ago tonight, three girls and a boy drove up in front of the public library. The boy got out of the car and when he came out there was another boy with him. He had on green pinstriped pants which had their cuffs rolled up about 3 inches above his ankles, loud socks, a loud sport shirt with the shirttail out and his blonde hair was ruffled down on his nice high forehead. The girl under the wheel of the car looked at him and said to herself “Not bad, not bad at all”. Little did she know that moment that she was going to spend the three happiest years of her life to come with that boy. The boy’s name was Harlan and the girl’s was Janie.
It seemed that this boy Harlan wanted to take the odd girl out not Janie, but the other boy persuaded him differently. The next day which was Sunday the two couples of us went to Premier Park and spent the day together. That night Harlan did not try to kiss Janie good night. This made a big hit with her because it was the first time this had happened. Three nights later, Harlan called Janie and asked her for a date. She accepted. That night he kissed her. She remembers that night so plainly because she was so scared, he would not like her kiss. (He did and she liked his, although it was very green and boyish) The next night he asked her to go steady with him and she said yes.
The first year flew and they had two bad fights, thus breaking up but always going back together again. They were just two young kids out for a lot of fun, who had a lot in common. Liking to do the same things. Going to shows, out to dinner, hunting, skiing, swimming, taking walks, dancing and going to the train yards, taking long rides and then petting a while… all the things they did, most of them, they did together for the first time. Always with another couple, very seldom alone.
Then the second year rolled around and during that year the boy fell in love with the girl. She remembers the first time he told her. She was all thrilled and felt kind of funny inside because like other girls she had dreamed of the time when a man would fall in love with her. She never told the boy this, she doesn’t know why. As the second year came to an end, he naturally wanted to know what she thought of him, but she was too young and having too much fun with this boy to think or know about love.
As the third year rolled around, they began to grow up. He was 21 and she was close to 18 they began to look at things a little more seriously and he began to think about planning for the future and a better career and he was naturally more persistent about her returning his love. The girl liked this boy very much, more than any fellow she had ever met but she still didn’t know if it was love. She told him this because she thought enough of him not to want to string him along. Still he went with her and was very happy. Suddenly she began to change, she noticed every little move, watching and admiring him. Then she to begin to look at the future. What was there about this boy that she kept wanting to go with him? It wasn’t his money because he had very little, it wasn’t his clothes because he didn’t know how to dress and it wasn’t his looks because although he was a nice clean cut looking fellow, he wasn’t handsome. Then she decided it was just the boy himself that she liked, his way of doing things and the way he looked at her and the nice laugh he had. The way he wasn’t always shooting off his mouth and when he did say something, he said something worthwhile. The clean-cut way of thinking he had and respect he paid to her. Because for all of the three years they had gone together this boy had never tried anything out of the way. She liked the way he made friends and had so many who were really friends and the way when he had a job to do, he did it to the best of his ability. All of these things and many more made a grand perfect fellow. And she was the luckiest and most fortunate girl in the world to be able to go with the grand fellow. Still she didn’t know how she felt about him. Then Wednesday night July 1, 42, Harlan told her he made up his mind to go to California, to be a shipbuilder so that he could save some money so that we (Janie and Harlan) could sometime get married. And when he told her that, she felt like her whole heart had fallen out, but like she had always done, she didn’t tell him how she felt. For two weeks they got ready for him to leave, then all of sudden, quick like the night and he was gone. Although she was very sad, in a way she was very happy because now she would find out if she loved him or not. While three weeks, almost 4 has passed since he has left, and she is almost sure, but she thinks she has a few more things she must do before she tells this wonderful boy if she loves him and for sure. One of these things is getting herself a job and having the satisfaction of knowing she can do things of importance without anyone. So this girl, Janie is asking this fellow Harlan, if he will please allow her until Christmas to tell him what he wants to know. She will be true to him in the meantime and keep the flame burning for she misses him very much, more than she ever thought she would. And the feeling that she has for him is very big, so big she can’t explain it and is sort of frightened by it. She hopes this boy will understand and if he loves her like he says, he will wait until that time for her answer. For she will agree that if she can’t answer by then that she won’t ask him to wait any longer. However, if he thinks it is too long to wait for her answer, will he please let her know. What she has in her heart she thinks his love for Harlan, love for a perfect boy who would be a perfect husband and father.
Happy Anniversary Harlan,
Love Janie
Thursday, August 13, 1942 8:10 PM
Hi Honey,
Well, it’s all over. For two weeks I looked forward to last night, then all of a sudden, quick like, it was here. The phone rang, we talked, the minutes were up, and it was all over. Harlan, I’ll never be able to put into words how I felt after you hung up. It seemed like it went so darn fast. Oh Honey, it was so swell hearing your voice, yet it seems like it never happened. It doesn’t seem possible that I talk to you. But I’ll never forget it as long as I live. The roses were beautiful and still are. I put them on the coffee table in front of the davenport, they are just opening today. And the letter, a more beautiful letter I never read, Honey I’m sorry, but I cried when I read it and I cried after he you hung up. I’m sorry but I just couldn’t help it. One minute, you’re right there here in the room and the next you were 2000 miles away. It was the happiest yet the saddest day of my life.
Honey, we are so proud of you for passing your test. Harlan your one-in-a-million. There will never be another like you.
Well I’m working Thursday. About 2 PM they called and told me I was to report for interviews between 8:15 and 2:00 PM. So I went to out yesterday morning and waited for two and hours before I was called (by name), then I was interviewed, rushed into another room, interviewed again, rushed into another room, waited a 1/2 hour, given my physical, had to wait another 1/2 hour to see if I passed it (I did), then into another room, fingerprinted and sign my life away, practically. Then my picture was taken, signed some more papers, got my pictures and was told to report there at 8:00 AM this morning (by that time it was 5:00 PM). This morning they told me I was a “primer feeder”; in other words I insert the bullet case into the machine. This department is rather dangerous, as no matter what they do there is at least one explosion every day. So I have to have safety glasses with special lenses, and I have to wait for a week for them because as I am wearer of glasses. Anyhow, the lenses have to be ground according to my eyesight. So while I’m waiting, I will have to be up “packer” but as soon as I’m equipped with the right safety glasses I start on my machine. I pledge 10% of my earnings for bonds and took out accident insurance. So I’m all set. I make $.45 and I work 48 hours a week. I get time and a half for the last eight hours. Then, 2 weeks after my first paycheck, I receive seven cents an hour increase. (My first paycheck will be Friday on the 28th). Which will make 40 hours at $.52 and eight hours at $.78 in other words $29.80 a week. (Now I am making $23.80 per week, not bad huh!) I’m going to save 1/3 of each paycheck, which will be about $30 a month. Christmas is four months away which will be $120 and by July I will have about $250, which will enable me to fly one-way O.K.? O.K.! Now I told you my plans, why don’t you tell me yours?
Well Hon, that’s about all. I miss you more than ever since last night.
All of the love & xxxxxxxxxx’s I have “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS Thanks again Honey
(Fun Facts: DMOP Des Moines Ordnance Plant ~ Six to eight sites surrounding Des Moines were originally considered for the small arms cartridge plant, but a signed United States court order on Monday, July 7th, gave the War Department immediate possession of 2,445 acres southwest of Ankeny for the proposed $30,000,000 small arms ammunition plant. A second area of over 2,000 acres for a rifle range would be added to this site at a later date. The entire site was approximately three miles long and two miles wide with thirty-nine parcels of land owned by seventy-five persons and firms. Although the War Department could take immediate action due to an emergency wartime statute, the land would be appraised and purchased with possible appeals. This site was just ten miles north of Des Moines on the outskirts of the small town of Ankeny. .-“206 ~ ^^Des Moines Tribune, 7 July 1941, 1.Almost 45% of the workforce were women. A noisy, dangerous and complicated effort continued 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 4 1/2 years. Most of the hourly production works earned .45-50 cents an hour which in 2016 money would be equal to $7.00 to $8.00 an hour. The ordnance plant also had its own fire department and hospital. (© 2018 by Ankeny Area Historical Society)
Friday, August 14, 1942
Hello Harlan,
Well tomorrow is your birthday and you will be 22. This is just a line to wish you a happy one and many more of them. I know it can’t be too good so far away from home and friends, but you are always wanted to make the best of things. Here you been gone for four weeks; the time goes very fast. How does it feel to be strictly on your own? I bet you like it.
We’ve been having some nice weather, lots of sun and cool, in fact too cool for August. They are having a big Army show here Sunday. Got tickets last week but of course Janie won’t be able to go, she says that will be her first sacrifice. I think there are lots of them when one takes the defense job because one has to be their best all of the time on the job.
Do you think your job will last? We read so much about shortage of materials. Jane is quite thrilled over her work and I think right down deep I am just a little proud of her am sure she will do her best. We were glad to hear you past your Naval test. Just what does that mean? Can they send you any place they want to?
Well this is getting quite long and boring so will wish you another happy birthday and get busy.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Hare
August 15, 42 10:25
Say Harlan, what is the matter with you, seven days have passed, and I have had two letters and your Mother has called the last three days wanting to know if I have heard saying it has been over a week since she has. Now listen here, you just have a to write as Honey, because when I don’t get a letter for about three days, I begin to wonder whether something is wrong. Are you hurt, are you mad or what? At least drop me a line if only to say you’re O.K. As I said once before, it is no fun looking for letters that never come. If you don’t write, I’ll stop too.
Well I went to work yesterday at 4:00 PM and much to my surprise was put on my machine. Now when you think of me at 8:00 PM, you think of me sitting on a very high chair in front of a large machine into which I feed bullet cases and have to watch four things all at once. The room is so noisy, that even when you shout right in a person’s ear you could hardly hear. There is a tool setter or for every three machines and when the machine jams you call or go get Keith (my tool setter) and then you can rest until he fixes your machine, then you take over. Oh Honey, I sure like it when I was thinking of you last night. I thought, if only Harlan could see me now. I saw Don Tanger at the plant.
There isn’t much news. I suppose your Mom has told you about them moving into the Woodland house. I’m having her bring your skis and other personal things here then when you want them you can have them.
Everyone here is just fine and sends their love and I hope you had a nice birthday. About my gifts, Honey, I looked and looked and looked for something for you. I didn’t want to buy you clothes because I didn’t think you either needed them or wanted them, so I bought it and hope you like it. I got you something really nice for Christmas Ha! Ha!
Well Sweets, as I said before there isn’t much news as I’m a factory worker and that’s all I can talk about. I expect a letter from you tomorrow and if I don’t get one, I’m going to feel very bad and a little mad. So please if only a line, write or I’m going to be really mad.
I guess that’s about all Honey. I’m still thinking about our conversation and trying to hang on to every bit of it. But in two weeks maybe we can talk again. Must go now.
All the love and xxxxx’s I have “Your” Darlin’ Janie
P.S. Write Please
1:30 August 15, 1942
Hello Darlin’ :
Well today I add another year to my age. Right now I feel like I was about 60. I have been welding all day in a small airtight fuel tank. The tank has one hole, it’s just big enough to crawl through. I had to wear a respirator, but I still got a lot of galvanized smoke down my lungs. It was very hard to breathe. It is a funny feeling because you think you’re going to pass out any minute but instead you get a little stuffy and kind of sick to your stomach. I think I will be all right in the morning though. I received your birthday card this morning, it was very sweet of you to remember. The card was very beautiful. I know which line you meant without even reading the card. I think I had better get to bed and get some sleep. I will finish this letter in the morning. Good night sweetheart. I love you so very very much and miss you more than anyone can express even in words. Good night xxxxx’s oooooo’s. I now go but that wasn’t enough kisses, may have just one more X O, good night X O.
Good morning Darlin’, how are you this morning? I feel a little better. I didn’t get a letter this morning, but I will look for one this afternoon. Syd and I are going to drive down to Santa Cruz tomorrow morning. I’m going downtown this morning to get a new swimsuit. I don’t know what kind I will get though.
Let me know all about your new job and what kind of work it is and if you like. Please be careful of the kind of people you mix with at the plant. I put $5 in the bank my first paycheck and $30 in my second one.
I don’t have any new news except that Syd, and I saw Gary Cooper in “The Pride of the Yankees” yesterday before we went to work. I haven’t been bowling lately. I will write you a letter from Santa Cruz and tell you all about it. We only have one day off a week, so we have them all planned ahead about a month. The company canceled the system of days off, so everybody still has a Sunday off. Next week were going to drive up to Russian River and the following Sunday, we’re going to drive to Sacramento and see Opal.
I found out I can take time off in December, so I’m coming home if it is all at all possible. Don’t tell anyone because I don’t know for certain. I also found out I think I get a six-month deferment from the Army. That is all you can get at one time. I had better close now, so until tonight at 8:00. I love you with all of my heart.
P.S. Write soon
P.S. Tell your folks hello for me
Love and xxxxx’s and oooooo’s Harlan
Johnny & Jane 