August 24, 1942 Monday 1:30
Hi Honey:
Well how are you, I hope this finds you well, happy (if not a little lonesome) and safe. I’m feeling swell, I seem to be getting used to these hours. It’s about time, don’t you think? No letter from you today but I’m sure there will be one tomorrow. I hope so anyway.
Well Sweets, I finally got a ride yesterday. I was just leaving for work when a car drove up in front of the house and honked for a fellow up Witmer. I thought; Gee, he looks like he works out at the plant so I takes my little self out to the car and asked him and sure enough he does, and he said he was looking for a rider, so I say I will join him, and he says O.K. I pay him a $1.50 a week, thus saving $.90 a week on car fare, which I intend to put in the bank. I wasn’t able to put any in the bank this time because I gave Momie $5 I owed her.
I don’t know whether I told you were not that the CIO Union got in at the plant and according to rumors, as soon as I join, I will be making from $30-$40 a week but I’m not going to count on it. But I’m sure of my top wage of been $.70 instead of $.60. If I ever get up there, I’ll be O.K. However next week $6 goes into the bank. It isn’t much compared to you but it’s a start.
Honey, I’m sorry I didn’t write you last night when I got home from work, but I was too tired to do anything but fall in bed. The safety committee came through our wing last night and really raise cane, because we girls didn’t have our hair up and because some of the girls had dresses on instant of slacks. They told us if we didn’t have our hair tied up today, we would be sent home and lose our pay. They also said when the cold weather rallies around we will be compelled to wear safety uniforms and safety shoes. They sure play safe but it sure costs us money, but then I guess it’s worth it.
Well Sweets, this is just a note to hold over until the phone call. Which I try to wait patiently for. Where are those pictures I was supposed to get? Come on honey, come across and I will send you some of me but not unless you send yours first O. K.? O. K.! “Please”
All my Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie.
August 26, 42 12:00 PM
Hi Honey:
Well, well, well three letters today, all at once now. I’m happy again, very happy in fact because I’m going to talk to my Honey tonight. I’ll tell just what I’ll do when I get home at 12:30. First I’ll sit down, take off my shoes and read the evening paper. Then get up and make myself a sandwich, go upstairs take a nice hot bath and put the top of my hair up, as that is the only part that shows now. By that time it will be about 2:00, then I will sit and wait until you call. Wondering what you will say and if the news is bad or good. You see, I’m expecting to hear about whether you got your deferment or not.
Yesterday when I didn’t receive a letter, which was the second day without one, I was mad and hurt and wrote a nasty letter but just before I left for work I got to thinking and picked up the letter and tore it up and now I’m glad.
Frank Webb received his notice to report for his physical and so he is going to try and enlist in the Army Air Corps. Donna is quite upset. You see, he can’t join unless his mother signs for him (and you know his mother) and if she won’t he will have to be drafted. Regardless of what he does however, he won’t be home. If everything had gone as planned, he would have come home a week from next Friday for two weeks but now if he comes at all it will only be for a few days. Donna went out yesterday and put her application in at the plant. So the plans for marriage this year are definitely out. I feel sorry for Donna but remember when Frank missed the draft by about four days and how smart they thought they were, well I guess they weren’t after all, were they?
I received a letter from Nana yesterday and she said to send you her best wishes and to say hi So…Hi!
Honey, when you were at the Mark Hopkins Hotel did, they announce on the radio? Last night between 12:00 and 12:30 Henery King’s orchestra played from the Mark Hopkins in San Francisco California. From 12:00 to 12:15, Momie heard it and was all excited when I arrived home.
Harlan, I know you love me, and don’t you ever fear that I get tired of hearing it because I don’t. If you should stop telling me, I don’t know what would happen but I’m sure it would be something awful.
About what I said on the telephone two weeks ago. Yes you are putting me on the spot but I’m not worried. When I said that I loved you, I was excited and would have given 10 years of my life if you could have been here and thought you were a little sad to so I thought I would tell you something that would make you happy, so I did. Harlan, I loved you more that night then life itself, so you see, I did mean it and I’m not sorry I said it.
If you really want to get into that repair work, well I hope you make it. But Honey, if you do that, remember you won’t have any time for pleasure and that’s no fun. I know.
Bob and Barbie are getting to be pretty good drinkers. Bob told me if you were home we would be too. But I don’t think so, do you?
Momie sends her love (so does Dickie Jr., he just said so) and Harlan, would you like to have some of those delicious chocolate chip cookies Momie makes? If so, reply immediately and I will send you some.
Where are those pictures?
Well Sweets, I miss you very much and oh what I wouldn’t give to feel your arms around me and your lips on mine, I miss them so. Will see you tonight Honey
All my Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s
“Your” Darlin’ Janie
August 27, 42 Thursday 1:30 PM
Hi Honey:
Well it’s all over, the phone call I mean, I think we talked quite a bit. Although I was so sure you were going to tell me about your deferment. Please be sure and let me know as soon as you hear.
This letter isn’t going to be much Harlan because I don’t seem to have anything to say. I think you know what I mean. I’m awfully tired this morning but it’s worth it. Ever since we hung up last night, I have a great big lump in my stomach. I wish I could scream. (Please excuse the shaky writing but I can’t help it) I didn’t get to sleep until about 5:00 o’clock, just laying thinking about all of the things we used to do together and wishing we were together again. Thinking about Christmas and what we are going to do and what will happen if you don’t get your deferment. What will happen Honey?
I’m so glad you had your picture taken. I hope it’s good and I hope you smiled but if you didn’t, I’ll like it anyway.
Harlan, I’m sorry you were so disappointed last night because I couldn’t tell you what you wanted to know. Honest, I do feel bad about it. I’m trying so hard to decide because I know sometimes you wonder if it’s worth working and waiting for and when I think maybe someday you may get tired waiting and start looking for someone else, it just kills me. But I promised you I would let you know in two weeks and I haven’t broken any of my promises yet, so I won’t that one. Honey I miss you so, you probably don’t think I do but I don’t even have much fun with the girls anymore for thinking of you!
Well Sweets, I’m afraid I’ve been very selfish in this letter talking about myself when you probably went through the same thing. I’m sorry Harlan. Please forgive me. I will write a happier letter tomorrow.
All my Love and XXX’s
“Your” Darlin’ Janie
1:30 AM August 27, 1942
Hello Darlin’:
Well it’s my turn now. How are you; I’m sure I don’t know. It has been 3 days now since I have heard from you outside of the telephone call last night. I feel the same way you do when you don’t receive any letters from me. I was sure I would get a letter tonight when I got home from work but – no letter. I hope I get one or better get one in the morning. If not – well, I better get one in the afternoon.
I finally got a card from Opal. It sure is something. Syd and I had planned to go to Sacramento to see them, but she says they won’t be home. Max is there and they’re going to go on a picnic, and I guess Syd and I would only be in the way. The best part of it is that she mailed the card from San Francisco. She says that they tried to find me but couldn’t find the street. That’s a lot of baloney and I’m writing her tonight and telling her so. Height Street is a very main street in San Francisco. It runs right into Market Street. Market Street is the main street in San Francisco, so anyone would be able to tell them where Height Street was. It makes me mad. I have some clothes of theirs in the car that they left, so if they want them, they can come and get them. I’m not going to go out of my way to see them or take their clothes to them if they are too busy to have us come on the day we planned, and then not stop in to see me when they were here, twice. I don’t want to waste the rubber on my tires. WHEW!!
Where were we Darlin’, Oh yes. Oh yes, I do hope you are not mad at me or anything and that everything is going fine at home and at work. If not don’t stop writing. You and the folks are the only ones I get letters from anymore.
All the love I have and possess I give to you, Love xxxxxxxxs & oooooos. Harlan
Tell your folks hello for me. Also T. & T., You haven’t forgotten have you!
I will write again tomorrow as usual. Will you to? Harlan
August 28, 42 Friday 1:30 PM
Hi Honey:
Well how are you today? I hope this finds you well and happy. I’m feeling a lot better myself. There isn’t much news. But tomorrow and Sunday are my days off so that’s why I’m feeling so well.
Last night we had a terrible storm here; lightning, thunder, rain and all and all were wings closed down when it’s lightning because of all the electricity and powder and stuff to draw the lightning to us so – we all left and went to the cafeteria and waited about two hours then went back. The wings are the only ones to shut down, however. We just sat in there and drank Cokes and smoked and gossiped.
Honey, the man I ride with is just like your Dad. He talks acts and even looks a little like him and he says Janie just like Johnnie does. There’s only one thing he doesn’t do like your Dad, he doesn’t ask me to sit on his knee.
We girls are going out tonight to a show and dinner (or vice versa), Judy is paying the bill which will be all right with us. Barbie is going to stay all night with me then we are going horseback riding again Sunday morning. I’m going to try to get over to see your Mom Sunday sometime, I haven’t seen her since they moved.
Well Harlan, I received my first real paycheck today and so tomorrow I’m going downtown and open a savings account for Ms. Nancy J. Hare. And plank $6 in as a start. Isn’t that swell? I can hardly wait. Just think an account all of my own. In a month I’ll have $25, 1/3 of $100.
I didn’t get a letter today, but I will get one tomorrow, won’t I Honey. Sure. Be sure and let me know about the cookies.
I’m afraid this will bore you Honey so better go. Hate to but must. I miss you Darling terribly more than ever. Please write often Honey.
All the Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Be sure and let me know when you find out about your deferment.
2:00 AM August 29
Hello Darlin’
First of all I will have to apologize for not writing on Friday or Friday night. I received both of your letters Friday night when I got off of work. I wrote you a letter Wednesday night after our telephone conversation and one Thursday night. Friday, I went bowling in a tournament down at the bowling alley. The shipyard swing shift had it. About 50 fellows. It cost $.50 to enter and then they had prizes. Get ready for a shock. The first game I bowled 197, the second hundred and 168 and the last 210. I won second place. My prize was a pair of white bowling shoes with my name on the side in black. I started out good and really had a streak of luck. I have been bowling 3 times here now. My other scores were 93,98, 116, 150, 103 or thereabouts. I couldn’t do it again in 1 million years.
That was Friday night, I didn’t write you a letter, so I was going to this morning, Saturday. When I got up, I had a letter from my draft board in Des Moines, to report for my physical. I cleaned up and went downtown and was going to send you a telegram telling you I had enlisted in the Navy here at San Francisco. Then I thought I had better go to the company and see what they had found out first. I took my letter to show them. The fellow I talked to before said he hadn’t sent my recommendation for deferment to Des Moines yet. They are not allowed to until you get a letter like mine. I also found out that the letter I had is just a duplicate copy of the one that was sent to a San Francisco draft board. When my time comes the draft board here will mail me my order for my physical. I was surely relieved. He, the fellow I talked to, is sending my report of experience to Des Moines tonight. He said the reason he waited was because the more time I had with this company the better chance I would have of getting a deferment. When I first talked to him, I had had only about two weeks with the company. My chances for a deferment were very excellent he said. The fact that I was a Navy welder, combination welder with a year’s experience in Des Moines would be very helpful. So I am positive I will get it. As soon as I find out I will let you know.
Both of the letters I received were really swell. I am glad that you miss me so much. I think we are both going through the same things. Our feelings are so close that I can almost tell the way you feel by the way I feel. I miss you more every day. Working nights helps me a lot because I have a lot of time to think and something to do that keeps those dreadful lonely nights occupied. I wouldn’t trade the nights I have had in the past three years for anything in the world. I will give you anything you want except my heart because you are the only thing I have in it. I hope we don’t have to wait too long before we can be married. I love you so. I remember when you used to say that you wouldn’t marry me and tell I was making $35 a week. Darling, I am making about twice that much now. I would never ask you to marry me until you were sure and not until things are a little more settled in the world. But the way I feel now I think all you would have to say is the word and I would almost take you up on it. I had better close or a you might think this is a proposal, but I made you a promise to you about my proposal. I promised you that I would ask you on my knees when you were sitting, we didn’t say what on did we?
P.S. I love you.
P.S. Tell our folks hello for me. Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s oooooooooooooo Harlan
August 29, 42 5:30 PM
Hi Honey:
I received your Special early this morning and did it give me a scare. I thought sure it was going to say you didn’t get your deferment. I’m sorry but this letter probably won’t reach you by Sunday but Honey, I’ve been very busy since I got up this morning. I went downtown and bought some new clothes so I would look real sharp tonight and boy I really am going to. We are going to Babes, then to the show and I’m going to be late as it is.
There isn’t much news. My pay – check only amounted to $18 as I missed one day other than my day off but next week, I’ll get $23. Honey, I put $6s in the bank, next week $7 goes in.
I’m sorry about the letter less days, I can’t see how it happened. Lucy Gel called me last night and wanted me to go out with them but as I was working I couldn’t. I tried to get your Mother yesterday, the day before and today, but of no avail. Now Honey, please don’t be mad but I must go as I must go downtown again and get her blouse I forgot. Please forgive me. I’ll write a nice long one tomorrow.
All my Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
now this is an hour later
Get ready – August 29, 40 to 6:00 PM Saturday.
Hi Honey,
Well Sweets – here I am again. I just took one letter down, but it wasn’t much I thought, so I pulled it. I can’t see why three days went by without a letter from me as I have gotten one off every day. I’m sincerely sorry Darling. Please forgive me. As long as I receive the Special today, I don’t suppose I will get one tomorrow, but that’s okay.
Harlan they are playing “Miss You“ on the radio. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2U-PCxsKSwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGiTPimgQWg ) Why do they play such pieces? Again I say there is no news. I went downtown with Gabby today and we had lunch and went shopping and called about everyone. Here I am with two days off and no Harlan. I miss you more than ever. I’m not even very enthusiastic about going out with the girls because I wish it was you and said. Just think we would go to a show then for a Coke, then if you asked hard enough, we would smooch for a while. That is, if times were normal. Now you won’t even have to ask me, I’d smooch with you tonight even if I was mad at you.
As yet I haven’t gone out with anyone other than the girls. Of you been out with a girl? (I hope the answer is no! )
Donna hasn’t heard from Frank since he called last Sunday. So this morning she sent him a cable telling him she must talk with him and to call her anytime tonight so – she is sitting home just waiting for the phone to ring. Harlan, how will it be if I continue this tomorrow? Then I can tell you what happens tonight O.K.? O.K!
I’ll see you tonight at 10 o’clock and all keep my promise about the Tom Collins.
Bye-bye Honey, I’ll think of you every minute.
Sunday 12:30 PM
Hi Honey, well I just took Barbie home and so thought I would finish my letter. Last night we went to the Corona Room for dinner and then to see ”The Talk of the Town” which was very good. I was sitting there, and something told me to look at my watch, so I did, and it was exactly 10 o’clock, so I was thinking of you. Then we went to Babe’s and had a Tom Collins. (Just one) and came home in a cab. Judy paid all the bills.
Gee Honey, I wish you were home. I think Sunday is the hardest day and especially having it off doesn’t help. I talked to your Mom but there wasn’t much news from her. They are both fine, I guess. Momie and Daddie both send their love and Oh yes Harlan, Nana wrote and says to say ‘Hi’ and she sends her best wishes. Honey, I miss you terribly. Last night in the show I wanted someone to hold my hand so bad and when we were in Babes, they played all the pieces we used to listen to and remember when that week you were out of town for 5 days and we didn’t talk to each other or anything all that time? Then that Saturday night we went to Babes and you played the piece “Miss You” and sat right there in the booth and smooched. I thought about that last night, wishing that I could set the clock back to that night. Honey I have no desire to go out with anyone else and honestly believe I never will. I miss you too much and all I would do is compare whoever it was with you. Harlan, I’m ready to keep my promise.
I better close now Honey before I break down. I’m sorry. I hope you’re okay because Harlan your one – in – a– million and I consider myself the most fortunate girl in the world to have you as a boyfriend.
All my Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS Chuck is going to join the Marines next week, but he won’t actually go until they call, which will be about three months.
August 31, 42 Monday 12:30 PM
Hi Honey:
Harlan, I’m just about going crazy not hearing about your deferment. Last night I dreamt about you first. I saw you in an office and heard someone say, “it is” impossible for us to give you a deferment. Then next I saw you in a white sailor uniform and then I could see a letter from you saying you wouldn’t be able to get permission to come home and that you were leaving for active duty immediately.
Well Honey, you can imagine what was on my mind when I went to sleep. I’m sorry but this waiting is driving me insane. By the way, I didn’t get a letter today, but I’ll get one tomorrow, won’t I Harlan?
Donna and I went to the show “Pied Piper” then out to Fiskars to eat. It’s the first time I’ve been over there since you left and all I could think of was you. Frank didn’t call Donna Saturday night, but he called yesterday at 2 PM saying he had joined the Army Air Corps but wouldn’t go for about a month. She wanted to know if he was coming home and he said he couldn’t afford it, then she wanted to know if he wanted her to come out and he said he couldn’t afford that either so she’s going to Chicago next Sunday with her aunt for two weeks then she’s coming back to work out at the plant.
Harlan, I don’t believe I ever missed you as much as I did this week. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I seem to always have the feeling something awful is going to happen and not knowing what it is, is terrible. Please find out about your deferment soon and let me know. And another thing, about two weeks ago, I wrote a letter asking a lot of questions, such as what you will do if you don’t get in and so on and you never answered them. Please do Harlan.
Well Harlan, I must get ready to go to work so must close. Please don’t think I’m too anxious but I must know what it’s all about. Have you been called for your physical? I’ll write tomorrow again.
All my Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Johnny & Jane 