October 25, 1942 Sunday 9:30 PM
Hi Honey:
Well here I am darlin’, again I mean. How are you? I hope this finds you both well and happy and not as lonesome as I am. Your special was waiting for me when I arrived home from work today and it was a honey. But look Honey, I’m not making any excuses about Saturday night, but Harlan for three months I haven’t been out, really been out, you know what I mean. Yes, I know you haven’t either but here I had a chance to have some fun with the girls, so I went. I know what we did wasn’t right but Harlan I’m not perfect and I don’t claim to be. I believe I said I was sorry for what happened, and I was not tight. No one bought the gin for me. We all chipped in and Harlan, you asked me to be careful I am. There isn’t anything I do but what I think of you and what you would think about it. Yes, I even thought of you Saturday night but thought you would understand. Harlan, about me changing, I am bound to change a little. After all, when you left, I was just a high school graduate but now I’m a working girl. I’ve seen and met up with a lot of people and things I didn’t think existed. I have learned to stand on my own feet. You see, I’m on the grownup side now instead of the kids’ side. I still smoke and I’ve had about 6 Tom Collins altogether since you left. I go out about two nights of each week. And my only reason I go out then is because if I don’t, I would get to be an awful lonesome person. And Harlan, I’m older because I know what loneliness is. Please try to see that change is natural. Before you left, I was just a kid. went to school, had an easy time (up to the last) had a swell fellow to take me out and where I wanted to go, and I didn’t have bills etc. etc. Now I’m a working girl, making money, paying bills and no man to take me out. So I resort to the girls. No, I’m not sorry. I love my work but I’m just trying to it’s plain that although I will still have the same looks and the same ideas, the same characteristics etc. etc. I will not be quite the same girl. Just like you will seem different to me. Because you too are living an entirely different life and will change it will change you too.
But Honey, I’m not going to do anything you would be ashamed of and I know you would do anything I would be ashamed of.
I’m very tired now. So I better go now. Oh, I forgot to tell you. We girls went to the Roosevelt / North game last night and they beat 7 to 6, darn. Tomorrow is my day off and I will write again.
Good night My Honey.
I love you and miss you very much and hope you will please forgive me and please don’t think too bad of me. Please
All my love and xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Sunday, October 25, 1942
Hello Darling,
Well another day closer to Christmas and you. I found out something at work Saturday. I may be able to only get off for 10 days. Would you please let me know whether you would want Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve? I will let you know for sure as soon as I can, whether I can get off 10 days or two weeks. I may get 10 days and be there Christmas Eve and just stay New Year’s Eve also. Darling excuse the change in ink, Opal just came up to my room and said that breakfast is ready I will continue this after I have eaten.
Hello Darlin’, Well I’m back. I sure feel better. You asked me to tell you about our rooms. Sis has a room on the second floor, and I have one on the third. Our kitchen is a community kitchen. That is, everyone on the same floor uses the kitchen. There are two showers and two baths bathrooms on each floor. We use the top floor kitchen. I have never yet seen two parties use the kitchen at the same time. Pardon me a moment the landlady says the phone is for me. It was Syd. He wants to go out and play some tennis. I seem to be running out of words so I will close now and when I get your Special, I will answer it in the letter. I love you and miss you more everyday
Love Harlan
Hello Darling; I just got back from playing tennis and your Special was here waiting for me. Boy oh boy, what a Special! It just makes my blood tingle. I know for sure that your back wouldn’t ache, and I also know that you wouldn’t be cold. You said you didn’t get a letter for two days. I think I did miss a day and I am terribly sorry. I have been moving my things around quite a bit and also working on Herman. His tires are sort of going on the bum. The other night somebody cut a hole in the side and swiped my camera. I had a lot of pictures on it that I wanted you to have. But they are gone now and so is my camera.
I am very proud of you on your bank account. I should have more than I do but I guess I just can’t handle money. That will be your job someday soon, I hope. My bank account is $275.00.
Opal is just fine. She went to Sacramento yesterday on the train to see the doctor and to get some of her things. I gave her $10 to get a coat she had in will call. I also paid for her train fare.
Syd, Opal and I are going to a show tonight we are going to see Sonja Henie in “Iceland”. May I close and continue this in the morning. Okay? Okay! I love you so much I wish you were here with me rather than Sis. Everything is so mixed up for me I don’t know quite where I’m at.
Good night Darlin’ Love and xxxxx’s Harlan
Good morning Darling:
Well here it is, another day closer to Christmas and you. I can hardly wait until then. I have read your Special about a dozen times now. It gets better every time I read it. There isn’t any news since last night, so I had better close and get this in the mail. I will mail it Special so you should get it Thursday. I didn’t write two of them Saturday like I should have, so probably won’t get one on Monday. I love you. Each day I keep wondering if all this waiting is worth it. I guess I had better close now before I get myself into trouble.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
October 26, 42 Monday 11:00 PM
Hello My Honey:
Well here I am again, and I am ever glad. How are you Sweets? I hope this finds you well happy and not as lonely for me as I am for you. And I’ll tell you why. The girls and I went downtown tonight and shopped and then took a taxi too Boyce’s. We were sitting in their when in walked don ( I can’t for the life of me remember his name) but he’s the one who used to give me massages down at the “Y” and went with Eleanor). Well anyway, him and another girl we know, and another fellow walked in and sat down. Don asked us if we wanted to go for a ride, so for nothing better to do we went. Well – this Don drove, and his girl and Phil were in the front. I got in the back with Joyce when this fellow gets in beside me. I didn’t think anything about it until he put his arm around me. I nudged Joyce and she started talking about us, meaning her and me getting married and he said, “Are you going to get married?” When I said yes. November 26. Well he still didn’t take the hint and kept pulling me closer to him. Finally I said, can’t you take a hit fella, he said “why no, what you mean?” I said “ I’m going to be married next November so hands off! . He said “well, in that case I better kiss the bride as I won’t be at the wedding”. Well, that made me mad, even the feel of his arm around me made me crawl. So I slapped him and Honey that’s why I miss you so much because if it had of been for you, it would never have happened. I don’t suppose I should tell you about it because you might think it will happen again. But don’t worry it won’t. Every time I even so much as look at a fellow, I always find something missing that you have.
I have more bad news. I am now in debt about $50, can you imagine? I went to see my eye doctor today and he said I needed new glasses which will be $20, and I went to the dentist and I have to have $30 worth of work done. The reason it’s going to cost so much is because I have to have a gold in my front tooth. So when I get all through I ought to be worth something.
I called your Mom today, but she wasn’t home. The reason I haven’t told you about all the sailors is because I haven’t noticed them. I’m not downtown enough. The only time I go to town, is on Monday night and otherwise we go to Boyce’s. How’s your little dog?
Honey, I don’t know what we’re going to do about Christmas. I almost dread to have you come home because I am going to want to go back with you so much and I know I can’t. I could just scream. This war it ruined so many people’s lives. But Honey, I want you to trust me and I know that I am working hard and saving every penny I possibly can. And every time I spend money unnecessarily, I think Harlan and I will have to less if I do. So I have spent money on clothes, Momie, my rider, and a little fun once in about seven days and the bank. So please don’t think you are wasting your time because in my opinion, I don’t believe I’ve done anything that you wouldn’t forgive me for or that you would have be ashamed of. Because Harlan, I love you very much and I wouldn’t do anything to hurt such a wonderful fellow as you are. I think you’re one in 1 million and from what I’ve seen in the last two months I know you are, because what you are doing now is great a great sacrifice and Darling, I’m trying to hold up my end and the only thing I’ve done really wrong is, I didn’t realize until you left me what a perfect guy you are. I miss you more and more and more every day. I must close now as I am very tired. I love you Harlan take care of yourself and keep that nice chin up and those nice blue eyes clear.
All my love and xxxxxxxxxx’s I send to you “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Are you going to call me Sunday night. “Yours” and only “Yours” Janie
Don’t be alarmed if this envelope looks like it’s been opened because I tore it open after I sealed it to tell you when I was downtown, I bought you something and sent it. It isn’t much but you always liked those colors, so I bought it for you. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to wear. And another thing, although I have already picked out your Christmas present will you please do a favor please? Okay? Okay! Please tell me what you want for Christmas. Name a few things you would like to have but you wouldn’t buy yourself. I think you would like what I have picked out, but I sure would appreciate some suggestions so please, please give. “Your” Janie Good Night Honey
s.w.100,000,000 K’s
October 28, 42 Wednesday 11:30
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again. How are you? Your special came this morning 20 minutes after I left for work. It sure was a nice letter. I just arrived home from the shower for Gabby, we had a nice time.
Today I suppose you had the thrill of seeing your boat launched, I hope so and wish I could have been there to see it too.
Your Mom called tonight but of course I wasn’t home, Harlan did you ever get the accident deal straightened out? If so, how did you come out?
Look Darling, I’m going to cut this short because I’m very tired. I was on my feet all day again today but tomorrow night I am coming home, taking a bath eat and write you a really nice long letter to make up for these two short ones. I had another chance to go out today with the guy from the plant but nothing doing! I’m waiting for my one and only you Honey. Oh, I could just cry I miss you so, but you will be home soon and then Harlan, just wait and oh yes, you see, I won’t be able to get Christmas Day off as so many people have asked for it, but if you have no chance choice all play sick. Maybe if they didn’t need me to bleed just so you can come home.
But I must go now Harlan I love you and you are always in my heart and mind. Have you heard that song “Just as Though You Were Here.”? Well that is almost exactly what I do every day. Good night Honey.
All my love and xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
About coming home in December, I hate to tell you when to come but if you really want to know I would rather have you here the 25th to the 2nd, if you can get two weeks or the 29th to the 2nd, if you only get 10 days but Honey I know you would like to be home Christmas Eve so it’s up to you so please let me know. My intentions are to lay off from the 27th until the second or third so anything will be swell, l if you only come for a day, even 24 hours together would be better than heaven to me.
Love Janie
1:30 AM Thursday, October 29, 1942
Hello Darling:
Well another day closer to Christmas and you. I hope this letter finds you well, happy and as lonesome as I am. I just got off work and have had my nightly shower. I am lying on my bed writing to my favorite girlfriend and future wife. The night is a beautiful one the stars are big and bright. There’s only one thing missing in that is you. If we have nights like this, I know you are going to like California very much. Darling, after we’re married, we will never stop going out and parking under the moon and the stars and going out to shows and dances like we used to will we? Tonight after I got off of work the fellow that rides, home with me, and I were walking up to the parking lot. As we got up to Herman I said, “Isn’t this a beautiful night? “, the fellow says, “yes I know and the only thing missing is Janie! for Christ sake Johnny, why don’t you go back to Iowa and married her and then bring her out here to live instead of just talking about her all the time”. (Excuse the words) You know I’ve written quite a bit and as, yet I haven’t said anything. 0h, By the Way, I’m sending my make out slip. I’m kind of proud of it. That is the most I have made out yet.
Opal is just fine but is a little worried. She hasn’t heard anything from Max since last Wednesday. I’m very proud of both of us for our writing, most people just write whenever they don’t have anything else to do and pretty soon, they don’t write any and all. Darling, do you remember the night we parked out by Coffee’s House? That was where I first told you of my plans to come out here to San Francisco. First you said, “you’ll never go”. And as we talked about it you saw that I was really in earnest about leaving. You said “Harlan, you better write to me every single day. You also said you loved me that night. I don’t know whether you know you said it or not. The last night we had together is one I will never forget. Up on the Park Hill overlooking the railroad tracks. It doesn’t sound very romantic but it sure was. I don’t believe that there are two other kids in the world who could be as close to one another as we were that night.
I’m glad that nothing happened and also glad that what did happen happened. I seemed to know that someday you would be my wife, never in all of my life have I had such a feeling. I think you are the swellest, sweetest and the loveliest girl in the world and I love you with all of my heart and soul. Someday Sweetheart, you and I are going to be together. I sometimes feel we should get married Christmas and then again sometimes I feel we should get married November 26 and sometimes I think we should wait until the war is over. What you think?
Well Darling, I think I had better close for the night. I will continue this in the morning. Good night Darling, I love you very much. Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Good morning Darling, how are you this morning? I am fine. There isn’t any news since last night, so I had better close and get this in the mail. I love you very much and miss you more this morning. By the way I dreamt about you last night. Love Harlan
Thursday, October 29 42 6:30 PM
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again. How are you? I hope this finds you well happy and not as lonesome as I am. I received your letter of Tuesday today it was swell, but I hope your eyes are better by now. Gosh Honey, I worry about you out there all alone no one to take care of you or look after you, take care of your clothes and things. It’s raining here today which means if I was at work, we, the wing would be shut down as it is lightning too.
I did something today I hadn’t done yet at work. On the side of my machine there is a big wheel which you have to turn by hand when the motor is dead. Well I turned it by hand, moving the whole machine by hand. It was awfully hard, and my arm is all shaky and icky. When you come home in December, I’m sure your girl, being young and pretty, will be old and weak and shaky. The two of us will have money but we will sure be a mess, physically (excuse me but they are playing “Alone” on the radio.
I have searched the paper inside and out looking for a picture of your ship that they’ve launched yesterday but of no avail… Last week, however, I saw a picture of the “Oakland” which was launched form the Bethlehem Steel Yard in San Francisco. Did you ever work on that one? It was an awful pretty boat Honey if you did.
Gee but I’m tired and it seems like I’m always tired anymore till I get home and start writing to you. I don’t have a bit of news, darn it, so I don’t have a darn thing to write about.
Daddy just called to see how we were getting along. Don’t know why he was worried after 20 years of living alone, but it was nice of him anyway. Which reminds me, you haven’t said anything more about call calling Sunday night but as you won’t get this letter until Monday, there isn’t any sense in me asking you again about it. By the time you get this I will know.
Coming home from work tonight I heard a train whistle and I thought to myself, someday soon I’ll be in the station and I’ll be in the station and I’ll hear the train whistle and I’ll think, My Honey is on that train and in a few minutes I’ll see him and I got the sweetest feeling.
Henry Aldrich is on now, remember when we used to hear him? I do. (Henry Aldrich Editor 1942 – Jimmy Lydon – John Litel – Charles Smithhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eyI1gEXZ_4)
Well Sweets, five pages and nothing said. I guess I better go now and take a bath and go to bed. I’m pooed. How about you? Tomorrow night I’ll be better though. Good night Honey.
All my love and xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
10 PM Hello Again! I just heard Bing Crosby and he said he was going to play golf with Bob Hope against two shipyard workers in San Francisco Sunday morning. Gee honey, why don’t you go, he said it would be either in the morning or the afternoon. I sure would go if I were you, it’s for the public. Why don’t you go? Please do… I’m all ready for bed now. I love you very much and miss you more. Please keep your chin up.
“Yours” and “Yours” only and always “Yours” Janie
Oct 30, 42 Friday 5:30 PM
Hi Honey:
Well here I am Sunday afternoon, I hope. How are you? I hope this finds you both well and happy. I received two letters today. One telling me about your going out Sunday night with Syd. I know just how you feel the girls have been after me to go out on a blind date with them and they can’t understand why I don’t go either. Several times lately, we girls have started out together and then end up with a bunch of fellows and I always come home or have them bring me home before they go out. So I understand how you feel about the situation. It’s awfully hard to hold out when they keep asking all the time.
I also received your ship slip. Gee Honey that sure is swell. I’m very proud of you.
I’m going out with the girls to the show, then to Boyer’s, downtown. We want to go out as much as possible this next week because of Joyce leaving for LA a week from today and Eleanor and I will be changing shifts next Saturday. We get off work at 4 PM and have to be back at 12 AM that night and get off at 8 AM for seven weeks. I work, eat, sleep and dream of Christmas and you. Oh yes! I write letters too, but that will be the extent of my entertainment.
I have very little news, none in fact. I haven’t gotten a hold of your Mother yet. Oh yes, I will be here and ready for your phone call Sunday night. It has been very gloomy here, nothing but damp rainy weather for a week and very cold. Why it doesn’t snow, I don’t know.
Well Sweets, I better go now so as I am running out of words. I hope you have a very nice time Sunday night.
All my love and xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Johnny & Jane 