1:30 AM Saturday, November 29, 1942
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is, another day closer to Christmas and you. I received two letters when I got home tonight. They were swell but kind of short.
Darling, I’m not going to tell the folks I’m coming home. I will just surprise them. This way you can be at the train alone to meet me. Okay? Okay!!!!
Darling, you’ll never know what a thrill I get out of hearing you talk or rather reading what you write about what we will be doing after we are married.
I hope your folks get the letter alright. I’m sorry it couldn’t have been more.
Just think, a year from tonight we will have been married two whole days, or on our second night. That is if everything goes as we planned it. No later than that and maybe sooner. (I hope)
Tonight is the first night in about 3 weeks I have really felt good. That is outside of being a little tired. I was up to the Y today and had a good workout before I went to work. I played volleyball, basketball, punched a punching ball, boxed, done a little weightlifting, swam, steam bath and then had a cold shower. Do you call that a good workout? … I thought so.
Darling, I hope you don’t mind too much if I don’t call before I come home. I don’t think I can really afford it. I have some clothes I have to buy before I come home and then it will cost me a little for transportation. I know you will understand and forgive me.
Well Sweets, it’s getting late and I had better get some sleep. I love you very much and can hardly wait for Christmas.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
PS. Goodnight Sweetheart
November 28, 1942. Saturday 9:00 AM
Hi Honey:
Well do I ever have good news. Today at work we found out that the plant will be closed Christmas Day, all the shifts, isn’t that perfect? So you must try to get here by Christmas. And then Honey, more good news. I get a leave of absence for seven days starting December 27. Now you’ve just got to make it. I’m so thrilled I can hardly work this morning. Just think, seven whole days and nights free to spend with you. Oh Honey, you are coming home Christmas?
This is just going to be a note because I’m very tired must get to bed. I’m going out tonight for the first time in two weeks. I’m going to dinner with some girls from the plant, they are a swell bunch. We won’t have much time so because we are going to work or rather have to go to work. I will be a good girl and not more than one, Collins. O.K? O.K!
Well Darling I better close. Please forgive me for the short note. I love you very much and am dreaming of Christmas and you. I will write again tomorrow.
All my love and XXXXXXXXXXX’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
See you Christmas, Harlan when you come home!
1:30 AM Sunday, November 29, 1942
Hello Darlin’:
Well I hope this letter finds you as happy and as lonesome as I am. The reason I’m happy is that I talked to my big boss about going home for Christmas. He said he would like to know why I wanted so long off. My boss on the boat told me to tell them that my Mother wasn’t well or something like that. As you know, I don’t like to lie about anything, so I took my billfold out and showed him your picture. I told him that you were the main thing I was going home for. He asked me if we were married. I told him not yet but someday: he said, “You mean that you’re not going to be married at Christmas time ?” I said I didn’t think so. He said if I came back without you, he would make the me a welder’s helper then he said he was just kidding but he really did think I was a sucker for leaving you out there. So that is why I am so happy. Three weeks from today I will be leaving for you. (Oh Happy Day!).
Monday I am going to make my reservations for my train fare home. Darling, I saw something downtown yesterday that I’m going to buy for you. I will put some money down on it and when I get it, I will send it to you so you can put it in your hope chest. I’ll tell you what it is, (I guess I’m kind of lost my mean streak I used to have in me), It is an electric Mixmaster. Would it be all right to get it for us?
Darling, I love you very much and can hardly wait till Christmas to see you and really tell you how much I love you.
it is getting late so I think I will close for tonight and will continue after I get your Special. I will mail this after that because won’t leave leave San Francisco until Monday morning anyway. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Hello Darlin’:
I just got back from a good work out at the Y. Your Special was here waiting for me when I got home. It was a very nice. I forgot to tell you I didn’t get a letter three days this week. Tuesday, Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) or yesterday. But 2 days I received 2 letters, so that makes up for it. How did my letters come in this week? I wrote every night when I got home from work.
Down at the why I can lift 325 pounds my legs. With my arms it is about 200 pounds. I shouldn’t have any trouble lifting you and carry you to the door every night when we get home. Well Darling, I guess I had better close now. Syd, Opal and I are going to the show “Gentlemen Jim”.
All the love I have as ever hope to have I give to you.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
November 29, 1942. Sunday 10:00 AM
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again. How are you? I hope this finds you well, happy and not too lonesome. Gee, you ought to be here. There is about 3 inches of snow on the ground and it is about 10 above zero. Ain’t that something? I sure hope that’s the same when you get home. This morning when I got off work it was only 5 above.
Your Mom was over last night and brought your green corduroy coat, the one I bought. I’m sending that coat, your overcoat and your hat tomorrow night O.K? O.K.
How’s Opal? I hope okay. I haven’t a bit of news. I just washed my hair and am waiting for it to dry before I go to bed.
While Sweets, three weeks from today you will be on your way home for Christmas. I will do my best to find out about dances, shows, bowling nights, etc., etc. But Harlan, is completely up to you what we do New Year’s Eve. That Tuesday night deal is perfect. I had the same thing in mind and don’t forget that night you come in and we’re going to stay up all night. Know what? The snow is just right for skiing. Where those pictures you promised ??? Looking at that coat of yours sure brought back fond memories. Remember when I’d bought it for you, and you wore it constantly. I was so sick of it. I wished would have never bought it. But Honey, I thought it would be ideal to wear to and from work during the bad season and thus saving your new one. But you can do as you please about it.
Well Sweets, I better go to bed now as I am having a hard time keeping my eyes open. Are you wearing the ring and chain?
I will write again tonight if I have time.
All my love and XXXXXXX’s belong to you “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS Your Special hasn’t arrived yet so there are no questions to answer
November 30, 1942. Monday 9:15 AM
Hi Honey:
Well Sweets, the beginning of another week and everything is off to a bang. Last night after I left for work Daddie needed some change and went to my good pocketbook, and here my dear, was a package of cigarettes. Wow! And then he found a cigarette butt in my ashtray under my chair. This morning when I got home Momie told me, but Daddie didn’t say a word about it. I sure was skeared though. I guess I’m going to have to quit for a while. But to tell the truth, I’m honestly relieved that he knows.
Harlan, in your Special you said something about a letter to the folks. As yet, none has come. If you meant my folks and that’s how I took it. I’ll let you know as soon as it arrives. I don’t have a bit of news. The weather here is swell, it’s snowing again and about 15 above zero. There’s about 4 inches on the ground now. I sure hope this holds out until you get here. Where are those pictures?
I sewed the button on your coat and mended your pocket. I also took a spot off that was on the inside. I would just like to get all of the things cleaned but I didn’t have the time and didn’t think I’d better take it.
Honey, did you ever write to Max? If so, what was the outcome of.
Well Sweets, I hate close but there isn’t any news. And no questions. Oh yes, I remember now. About your pajamas. You better keep on wearing them as long as you have started. Because you are right about me really wanting to sleep without. I better go now Honey. I love you and miss you very much.
All my love and XXXXXXXXXX’s
“Your” Darlin’ Janie
1:30AM Tuesday, December 1, 1942
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is, another day closer to Christmas to you, I hope this finds you both as well and as is happy and I am.
I was going to write you a letter Monday morning I change my plans. I just know that you will forgive me. I went downtown and made my reservation. I leave at 7:40 PM Sunday night and will arrive Tuesday at 11:49 PM. That is, I will get into Ames at 11:49 PM. Then I have to take the bus to Des Moines to you. If I change trains at Omaha and take the Rock Island in, I would have a layover all night. I wouldn’t get home until Wednesday. If I take the train onto Ames, I will get home a lot sooner. And when I get to Omaha, I will find out for sure and wire you. My train fare was $90.13 not including my meals and birth coming back.
I received two letters yesterday and got them when I got home tonight or this morning that is. It sure is mixed up isn’t it? I’m sure glad you get seven days off. We will have an off all the lot of fun, making love mostly. I sure wish we were getting married. It is going to be awful hard coming back without you and harder when I get here not having you with me.
Well Darling, it is getting late, so I had better close. I love you very much and miss and I can hardly wait until Christmas.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
PS I love you
PS I miss you
PS I want you
PS Christmas will be here very soon.
December 1, 42 Tuesday 9:00 PM
Hi Honey:
Oh buy, is it ever cold here. Only 3 above and snowing and the wind is blowing at the rate of 40 miles an hour. Ye Gads!!! What a night and I have to go way out into the country to work. Every morning we have been afraid to go out to the car for the fear that we might be snowed in out there. And that would be one H – – – of a place to be snowed in at.
Well here it is Tuesday night and Fibber McGee and Molly are just signing off. Four weeks from this very moment will be laying on the floor, right down there by the radio. Oh God Harlan. You just got to come home. One of the girls who rides with me, well her husband came home today from the Army and Oh My! was she ever happy? You bet. He will be home for 10 days. Then he is going across. And so naturally I’ve been taking more than usual about your coming home for Christmas. Bob Hope is on now. Pretty good too.
I don’t have a bit of news Honey I’m sorry. How are you? I hope O.K. I haven’t talked to your Mom for some time I guess I’ll go call her okay? O.K.? O.K! Excuse me please.
Back again, the lines are busy, I’ll try again in a few minutes.
Gee Honey. I miss you. I never, never, thought when you left that I would miss you so and that instead of getting used to it and not missing you very much I’m just the opposite. Every night it gets worse, every time I hear a love song I could cry. Every time I see a young couple together, I feel lost. I don’t even have any fun with girls anymore. In fact I’m really worried, because I’m lonesome for my honey.
Well Sweets, I better go get ready for work. Momie and Daddie say thanks a lot for the nice letter and send all their love and best wishes and they are expecting you for dinner Christmas Day so PLEASE don’t disappoint them. And Honey, about your calling me Sunday night that’s O.K. I understand perfectly. And I don’t mind, just so I get my Special.
Look I just have to go Honey, I will write again tomorrow. Take care of yourself and be careful honey and ,be sure to let me know as soon as you find out about the ticket to come home for Christmas.
Good night honey. All my love and XXXXXXXXXX’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS I didn’t get a letter today, darn that mail.
Tuesday 9 PM December 2, 1942
Hi Honey:
Oh dear another day. I’ve just had eight hours sleep but wish I could have eight more before I go to work. How are you? I hope you’re fine Honey.
I received your letter of Sunday morning today and am I ever thrilled. A Mixmaster, gosh you sure are thoughtful Honey and that is surely one thing I’d never be able to keep house without.
I thought for sure I would hear whether or not were able to get your reservation on the train today, but I will tomorrow, won’t I dear?
Gosh I don’t have a bit of news. I haven’t reached your Mom yet. This morning the line rang and rang but no answer and tonight it’s busy, so no.
This morning out at the plant it was 11 below zero and we didn’t have a bit of heat in our wing. The fan was broken, and they couldn’t get another one until 12 o’clock noon today. The temperatures in the wing was 28 above. We all worked with our coats and hats and jackets on then when we went outdoors, we didn’t freeze. So tonight I have a terrible cold. Why Honey, it was so cold in their you could see your breath. We had a lot of fun though trying to keep warm. It was only 7 below zero when I reached home this morning and now it’s 5 below and hasn’t been above zero all day so honey you better bring all the clothes you have.
You know how cold blooded I am. Why I dirtied all my clothes in one day trying to keep warm. I’ll sure be glad when you get here then I won’t have to wear so many. O.K? O.K!
I have this weekend off and I’m going to sleep, sleep and then sleep some more. I don’t have any desire to go out. I’m saving it all for you. Well Sweets I’m on the fourth page and have it said a darn thing. That’s a waste of paper when I write so I better close. I miss you and am patiently waiting for the news of if you can get a train ticket or not. (excuse me but Kay Kaiser is on and he is playing “They’ll Never Never be Another You”. how right he is ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZb1ysfiymM&list=OLAK5uy_lG4o6lyNiQqi9UhX6frqaMhtnf_1C0lI8&index=6&t=0s).
Just think, three weeks from tonight we will be together. For you will have come home. I will prove my love for you then Honey. Must go now, it is 9:35 PM and I have to go get ready for work. I will write tomorrow.
Goodnight Honey. All my love and XXXXXXXX’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Be careful.
PS Your letters have been coming through the swell, only one day this week without one, keep it up.
Thursday 9 AM December 3, 42
Hello Honey:
Well to start with I’m kind of mad at you tonight because I’ve been waiting since yesterday to hear from you concerning your result in getting your reservation. And as yet no word has come…, In my opinion if you had written Monday night, I would have surely gotten it by now and you said you were going to go down Monday morning for sure and see about it. Darn you.
I don’t have a bit of news. Everyone is fine and it is snowing again but is warmer. I’m quite tired tonight because I worked unusually hard last night. I sure wish I could go back to bed but tomorrow night and Sunday are my days off and am I glad? You bet.
I’m sorry Harlan but I don’t have a thing to write about, so I think I’ll close. I miss you very much and I’m waiting for you at Christmas.
I will write again tomorrow.
Love and XXXXXXXXXXXXXX’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS I hope you’re not ill. And oh yes, please let me know as soon as you get your clothes.
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is, another day and almost another week closer to Christmas and you.
I had a very busy day and it feels so good last night when I got home. I was working in a small change and it was pretty smokey. I made out too, I don’t know – however much but I made a little bit. Anyhow I’m sorry I didn’t write when I got home.
I didn’t get either yesterday or the day before. The mail delivery is sure terrible.
I absolutely don’t know what I’m going to write about. I miss you more than ever and can hardly wait until Christmas to see you and hold you in my arm again. That day seems so far off, but I guess it won’t be long now.
Oh, darling I was downtown yesterday. I went up to dentist and when I got there, I went around looking at some of the things that you would want and I’m going to get them for you.
I know you’re not going to like this, but I wish you would go down and pick it out. They are going to get when I get there and this way you will be re to get what you want, and I will be sure of being able to get it for you. If you would rather wait until I get home and then we could both go down together I guess that will be all right. I do wish you could go in look at some. Let me know who but you think of it, the idea I mean.
Well Darling, I seem to be running out of words, so I guess I had better close. I love you, miss you, want you very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Friday 1:30 December 4, 1942
Hello Honey:
Well here I am again and on Sunday morning, I hope. How are you? I hope this finds you both well and happy.
Harlan what is the matter with you? Why don’t you answer and tell me what I want to know? I received your letter up Wednesday 1:30 AM today, and not one single solitary word about your reservation. WHY? And you didn’t write Monday night. Harlan if you think it is too close to our meeting again and the Christmas to write well tell me I will stop too. O.K? O.K!
There I guess I told you. I wouldn’t be so mean, but you said that you definitely were going down Monday to see about your ticket and that you would write me Monday night telling me how you came out and I’m still waiting to hear.
No my Daddy hasn’t said a word to me about smoking, I’m still holding my breath though. I’ve cut down immensely though, a package lasts me about 3 days. Pretty good huh?
We received a letter from Dick today, and he hasn’t left Great Lakes as yet, but he thinks he will be sent to Treasure Island, that’s right across the bay from you, isn’t it? He has your address in case he doesn’t so that he could write you and maybe you can get to gather some time. How would you like that?
Well Dear, as far as I know, two weeks and two days from today you will be on your way home, Oh Boy, Oh Happy Days!
I just tried to get your Mom but of no avail. I guess I try to get her at all the wrong times. Well I don’t have to be back to work until Sunday night 12 o’clock or I should say Monday morning, but I’m not going out tonight and I guess the same program is on for tomorrow night.
You know it’s bum thinking about the man who tried to kill himself in front of your house. How could he aim and his own heart and miss it???? He must’ve been a pretty poor shot, huh?
Darling you wouldn’t do anything like that would you? I sure hope not because you probably wouldn’t miss. Only kidding, Honey.
There was quite a bit of excitement at work last night. They caught two men sabotaging. I thought maybe you might like to read about it so enclosed is the write up about it. I knew Bob Mercer quite well. He was in our wing quite a bit about a month ago.
Well Harlan, that’s about all the news. If you haven’t told me about the tickets then I suggest you find out about them and send me another special telling me the result because if I don’t hear soon, I’ll go crazy. See. I’m glad.
Well I better go now as I am going to bed for a while. Goodbye now. I will write again tomorrow.
All my love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s “Your Darlin’ Janie
PS I love you very much Harlan and I miss you terribly. Please – please write if you’re coming for sure it worries me immensely. Love Janie
December 5, 1942 Saturday 1:00 PM
Hi Honey:
Oh Darlin’, I am so happy about you getting your reservation. I’ve been lying in agony for the last five days. I was thinking about driving up to Ames but Honey it would take too much gas and we want to have plenty more for reasons such as taking long rides and – – – oh boy. Anyway back to the point, if you could call from Ames the minute you get in you should be able to let me know exactly when you will reach Des Moines. It will be sometime in the morning, early morning I mean. I’ll take the night off and be down at the bus depot to meet you. Now if you don’t like this idea all you have to do is say O.K? O.K!
My, I’m so thrilled Honey, if the next two weeks will just whiz by, everything should be swell. I have a lot of things to do though, so I will be very busy. I really haven’t done a thing to get ready, waiting to hear for sure if you were coming.
I’m awfully sorry about my Special. I hope the night letter made up for it. About that letter you wrote Monday night – it left Frisco December 1, and it didn’t get here until today, December 5? Lord only knows where it has been, but I was the happiest little girl in the country when I opened it and read the good news. If I haven’t heard today about your reservation, I was going to call you. I’m not going out tonight because I want every penny for when you come home.
Better go now Sweets because I have an ironing to do. I love you more than life and miss you terribly. I am impatiently waiting for Christmas and you. I will write again tomorrow.
All my love and xxxxxxxxxx’s belong to you. “
Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS Please take care of yourself.
Enclosed is a clipping about your old boss, I thought maybe you might be interested
Johnny & Jane 