1:45 AM Sunday, January 24, 1943
Hello Darling:
Well Darling, here it is another week closer to Christmas August and you. I won’t be getting a Special Sunday as it came Saturday just before I left for work. That darn mail, you can never tell anything about it, it doesn’t run like it used to. The Special is sure a swell one. I’m sorry about mine, especially about the paper on which it was written. The way you feel about coming out as soon as you get $100 is exactly the way I feel. I also feel that as soon as you say so, I will send you the money to come out, that is as soon as the bank opens.
Your plan is a very good one, but why don’t you quit your job in July and then we could get married in August. Any way you want it is all right with me Darling. But, please don’t make us wait too long. I imagine you know how I feel out here by myself. I feel sometimes I’ll go crazy for the want of you in my arms. Just to be able to hold you and kiss you. I don’t feel sorry for myself, but I sure get lonesome for someone back home, especially a certain special person.
Your plan is a very good one, that is after I have been thinking it over a little bit. There are several places we can go for our honeymoon. We could go down to Los Angeles or maybe up to the Nordic Ski Lodge, or up in the mountains. When you come out in August, we will make our plans for that happy, happy occasion.
Right now Darling, I guess I had better get some shut eye, I will finish this tomorrow. I love you, miss you and W – – – you very, very much. Good night sweetheart.
Love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
11:00 AM
Good morning Darling:
Dick just called and is coming in to spend the afternoon. I was going to play golf this morning, but it was raining out when I got up so went back to bed. I have to meet Dick at the post office at noon, so I will have to step on it. I will have to finish this letter tonight or in the morning. I love you.
Love Harlan xxxxxxxxxx’s xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s
10:30 AM Monday, Jan 25, 1943
Hello Darling:
Well here it is another day closer to August and the swellest girl in the world. I am sure popular to get another Special today. That was sure funny about your Special. It came Saturday morning, just before I left for work.
First of all, I will let you tell you what Dick and I did. I met him at 12, noon. We walked up to a restaurant and had lunch. We then walked up to the courthouse and saw the pigeons, then took the streetcar to my place to get Herman. We then drove out to Golden Gate Park and saw the artificial lakes around the mountain. We saw the ocean and walked up and down the beach. Then we went to the zoo and spent quite a bit of time there. We then drove to the Cliff House and saw a lot of Seals on seal rocks and I bought your horoscope. We saw the ice-skating rink and the warm indoor saltwater pools.
(Fun Fact: The Sutro Baths was a large, privately owned public saltwater swimming pool complex in the Lands’ End area of the Outer Richmond District in western San Francisco, California. Built in 1896, it is located near the Cliff House, Seal Rocks, and Sutro Heights Park. Sutro Baths operated as a swimming center until 1937 when it was partially converted to an ice-skating rink. For current information or for pictures, check out https://www.nps.gov/goga/learn/photosmultimedia/now-and-then.htm)
We drove down and saw the Golden gate Bridge and the Marina, where all the sailboats and motor boats are. We saw Alcatraz and also watched the tide come in. We then had supper and went to the show. We saw “Flying Fortress” and “Eyes in the Night”,
after the show we went up to see the bowling alleys and then I took Dick down to the Bridge Terminal as he had to be getting back. In two weeks he is coming in on Saturday and spend the night with me. Then on Sunday we’re going to make a full day of it.
The weather was pretty nice yesterday. It was cloudy most of the time, but it didn’t rain. This morning I was going to play some golf but it is raining out now so I can’t.
You know Darling, I haven’t had but one letter from the folks since I got back, and that was two weeks ago today. I don’t think that is very thoughtful of them, do you? I received a nice letter from Sis telling me how much she missed me and thanked me for everything but as much as I saw of Max when I got back, I didn’t hear one word of thanks him.
Yes Darling, you are very sweet to send to Specials. I never get tired of hearing you say how much you miss me. I know how you feel about wanting to come back with me, for I wanted you to do that as much as you wanted to. I have thought of another place we might go on our honeymoon, how about Yosemite Park?
You and I are in the same boat as to being able to say pretty things, so I guess we know what each other means when we say only –” I love you very much.” I know I’m pretty lucky to have a girl like you to be waiting for me. I know it would have been a mistake to have gotten married Christmas, ( but I wish we had ) I know I’m going to be the happiest fellow in the world when I hear you say,” I do.”
Well Darling, I guess I had better close as this is getting quite long.
All the love I have now or will ever have I give to you.
Love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Please let me know when I can call you next week, sometime, maybe after work some night.
12:45 AM Tuesday morning January 26, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well, here I am again and dead tired too. How are you? I hope you are well, happy, and as handsome as ever and not working too hard.
I received three letters today, so I’m quite happy again. Thanks a lot for telling me what you do after work, do you really have a highball after work sometimes?
Do you want to know what I’m doing at about 11:30, O.K? O.K! Well at 11:20 PM each night we fill, or I fill up each machine with just enough primers to run them until 11:30 and then they all blow out their machines and clean them up. In the meantime, we are cleaning up our tables trays and screens, helmets and glasses and the floor. Then at 11:30, I go out and fill up my primer machines again, which takes about 10 minutes and then I go back and the other girls load the empty trays up, stack them, and put the right number on them and then we are both through at 11:45 and we take off of our take off our uniforms, helmets, glasses, etc. and go out wash up and then down to the cafeteria for a smoke and then back to punch out at 12 o’clock sharp. Then there is a mad scramble for the cars. We usually drive home, but sometimes it’s the boys who are in the mood to stop. We usually stop for a beer or a hamburger, but I usually have a Coke only, once did I have a Tom Collins. However, I am usually home by 12:55 AM. I come in the house, turn on the radio, take off my coat and bandanna, flop down on the davenport and read the paper. Momie fixes me a hot cup of chocolate and then I have a cigarette and sit down to write you. I am almost always in bed by 2:00 AM. How’s that? O.K? I don’t usually get up until your letter comes, which isn’t until about 10:30 or 11:00 AM.
It’s very cold here again tonight, about 5 above. Did you hear about the moron who drank seven Cokes —- and burped 7-Up?
Thanks a lot for the matches. I’ve showed them to everyone, even at the plant and we aren’t supposed to carry them inside.
Harlan are you still buying that Mixmaster? Answer There isn’t any news. Next month is February and with February comes Valentine’s Day, but it seems too long since I’ve seen or talked to you, so very long. The radio is on a playing “Somewhere A Voice is Calling”. (Somewhere a Voice is Calling is a World War I song originally released in 1901. Arthur F. Tate composed the song and Eileen Newton wrote the lyrics. The song was published by T.B. Harms & Francis, Day & Hunter in New York City. In 1914, John McCormack recorded “Somewhere a Voice is Calling.” It was released under the Victor record label. ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLWtbIyHG_4), I hope there was one at 10:00 PM my time, 8:00 PM your time.
Well sweets, I’m very tired so I better close and get some sleep I hope I love you Harlan so much. Good night for now.
L and xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin Janie
PS I hate to say anything Honey, but have you forgotten my Mom? I’m sure you will know what I mean. We talked about it at the depot when you left.
Love Janie
1:30 AM Tuesday, January 26, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to August and you. Boy am I popular. Five letters came today, one from the folks finally and 4 from the sweetest girl in the world. I sort of caught heck in one of them, didn’t I. The letters are dated – 20, 21, 22, 23. Darling, please don’t worry about me because of the mail not getting there. I’m writing every single day. If you don’t receive a letter for about a week then you can start worrying. You see the letter that you wrote last Tuesday took 6 days to get here. Now you didn’t hear one word from me wondering why you had written when I didn’t get any letters. I know it is just the mail. I will start going through the letters and answer every single question. I have been answering just the questions that I think you will be interested in (except one I sort of took for granted that you knew, about the 8:00 deal)
Yes, if I’m injured in any way seriously, they know who to notify. Yes, I’ll tell my landlady your address so she can notify you if I get hurt seriously, but will you please stop worrying about it so much. There are more things that can happen to you then there is that can happen to me. Now I know a very good way to get you out here, so you had better watch out! That is too bad about the lady that froze to death, the weather must really be cold. Now you, please be careful. I’m fine. I’m sorry I make you so mad. About the paper, I’m sending it in the morning. You said you wanted a Sunday paper, but you didn’t say what you wanted it for. There are several ones here and I didn’t know which one you wanted. If you had told me that you only wanted any old one, I would have sent.
Yes Darling, I still think of you every night at 8:00 – and 9:00 and 10:00 and 11:00 and on and on. Especially at 8:00, I do say hello to you. Again, no Darling, I don’t think it’s silly. Syd has been transferred from Treasure Island to Frisco. He is working at a Navy dock checking cargo that is being shipped out. He called me Sunday afternoon, but I was out with Dick.
About the telephone number, I also sent it about a week ago. Here it is again. WEST0853
“No Darling, I don’t see what you mean when you said” – “Now of course the time and you had nothing to do with me having to see the moon and the Big Dipper – Oh No. See what I mean?” Please tell me. Is that supposed to be sarcastic or what? You told me you went out at 9:45. I’m usually up on the main deck about that time or shortly after for a special reason. Why do you think I’m not thinking of you then at that time?
In your next letter you sounded like you were in a bad way physically. Maybe you had better come out here and let me do the working. Thanks for the clipping. Yes, I’m glad you’re here again. I’m fine. Yes, songs like that you hurt a little.
No nothing’s wrong!!! It is the mail again. Mom is out to Clark’s, mostly with Opal. When your Mom didn’t get a letter for a week from Dick, you say it is probably the mail. When you don’t get one from me for three days, you ask me what is the matter. One of the days I’m going to write you a letter giving you the devil about that.
Well my Sweet, I guess I had better close now as I’m getting a little sleepy. I love you so very very much. I also get a little mad at you once in a while too.
Please, please stop worrying about me. If anything should happen then you can start worrying. The stars and moon haven’t been out for about four weeks. Once in a while I can see the moon through the clouds.
All the love I have I give to you.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Good night Sweetheart
Long Letter Sent to Janie from Harlan Jan 26, 1943
12:50 AM Wednesday Morning, January 27, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well to start with this is only going to be a note as I am dead tired, and I have to go downtown tomorrow morning. I love you.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin Janie
All kidding side… How are you? I hope fine. I didn’t get a letter today, but I suppose it’s the mail. I haven’t even read the paper. I haven’t even taken my shoes off. How’s that for loyalty? Momie is fixing me a cup of hot chocolate. We worked very hard tonight, my foreman is production crazy and he really pushes us and with no thanks.
I wish you were here so I could cuddle up to you and quietly but completely passed out in your arms.
Well Sweets, there is no news, so I better go now. I love you Harlan very much and miss you oh so much. I will make up for this short note tomorrow night. Goodbye for now.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin Janie
PS Be careful for your sake and my sake and T & T’s sake.
Wednesday morning 11:00 AM
Hello Sweetheart:
I just received your letter of Sunday and Sunday night, oh Darling that was a honey, a perfectly swell letter. It was worth waiting two days for and I’m so happy about you going to call me. Do you know I’ve been hinting for you to call me for the last week. Remember I told you in every detail what I was going to do with my weekend off and telling you I was going to stay home all day Saturday and Sunday night just hoping and praying you would call, but you didn’t and I’m kind of glad because it would be all over now. So Darling, it would be nice if you could call me sometime before 3:00 PM, my time Sunday. When Dick called last Sunday at 12:00, he got right through. I will be home all day just waiting but remember I have to leave for work at 3:00 PM. This is Wednesday, only four more days and I talked my Honey again.
Thanks a million for the ‘Future Told”, but I must go. I should have left for town an hour ago. I will write again tonight after work.
All my love, Always “Your” Darling Janie
PS I love you more than life itself. I’m crazy insane in love with you
1:30 AM Wednesday, January 27, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to August you. Before I get very far, I had better tell you this is going to be just a note, I’m very tired and sore all over my body. I worked in the double bottom all night, laying on cold steel and it doesn’t feel like a feather bed.
At 8:00 tonight I went up on deck as usual, it was raining a little bit, but I said hello to you and told you again that I love you. When I got off work, it had cleared up a little bit, but I could see the Big Dipper. I could just barely see the moon through the clouds. I sure hope it’s clear tomorrow. I have quite a bit to do. I have to see about my car license and my tire inspection.
I’ll sure be glad we get married. Tonight on the way home Lang’s wife (my boss), and Leo’s wife were at the car line to meet them. They want me to go bowling with them Saturday night, but they said I’d have to have a girl to take with me, and as there is only one girl I want to take, and she is 2100 miles away, I won’t be able to go. I want to play golf Sunday morning anyway.
Well Darling, I guess I’m getting pretty sleepy, so I had better close. I love you very much, more than you will ever know.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Thursday 1:30 AM, January 28, 1943
Hello Darling:
Well here it is another day closer to August you. Oh happy, happy August! I didn’t get your letter today, but I got 5 Monday, so that makes up for it. I did get my jacket and the other things. Thanks a lot Darling, they look swell.
I wish you were here so you could always take care of my things. Won’t we have fun when we are married? Just think, together all the time. It won’t seem possible.
I got my make out slips for last week. One for $9.34 and one for $6.91. I will send them to you after I get my check and see if I get paid for them.
Darling, there is something I want you to do for me. Would you please look at the time my last letters have left town. The reason is that the only place I can leave them is a drop on the way to work. The mail is supposed to be picked up at 2:30 and I put them in the box about 2:00.
That song “There Are Such Things” is a swell song. Yes, you may take our ring off (not mine) to have it cleaned.
You will notice that my letters have been rather long compared with what they used to be. I got the papers back that I sent you Monday. I guess I didn’t wrap them right. I am sending them again tomorrow, you should get them the first of next week, I hope. If you don’t get them will I get my head bit off?
Every night I get kind of a funny feeling when I see Carl and Leo get up the streetcar and see them walk up to meet their wives on the corner. I think to myself – “Well Johnny Harlan, next year you will have the sweetest little wife in the world doing the same thing. I am going to get a big kick out of introducing you to everyone. Just to be able to say, ” – I want you to meet my wife.” Darling, would you excuse me for a little bit. I haven’t had my shower yet and I feel like taking one? O.K? O.K! I’ll be back in a jiffy Darling. I love you so very much.
Now I feel a lot better. Well how are things going into morning? Is the cold weather still there? If it gets too cold, you can always come out here to sunny California. I hope we have some nice weather Sunday so I could play golf with my new clubs. I wish you were here to play with me.
Well my Sweet, I guess I had better close so I can get some sleep. I love you very much.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
1:15 AM Friday morning January 29, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again. How are you? I hope this finds you well and happy and not too content.
It’s the beginning of another day and it’s a payday too, oh happy day.
Harlan please may I go to bed? I’m very tired and I will continue this tomorrow morning. I thought I could write tonight but guess not. I love you very much, good night for now Honey.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Janie
12:30 PM
Hi Honey: I just arrived home from the dentist and I’m all through except I have to go back next Thursday to have them cleaned. I’m still owe him money about $20. When that is paid, all I have owe is on my coat.
How are you? I didn’t receive the letter this morning, but it must be the mail. I just tried to call your Mom but imagine she is over to Clark’s because of Opal. Trinkie called a few minutes ago, Jack called her last night and she told him she wanted a chest a cedar chest, so he is going to send her the money for one. She’s all excited now because we will both have one.
There isn’t a bit of news working as usual and it is somewhat warmer here, in fact the snow is all gone. Darn! Look Harlan, I have time for a little nap before I go to work so I think I’ll take advantage of the fact. I will write again tonight. Bye-bye for now.
Love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin Janie – I love you
Saturday morning, 1:30 AM January 30, 1943
Hi Honey: Well here I am again and Sunday morning too. How are you? I hope you’re just fine. I just got through with my hot chocolate and am up in my room. To my left is a beautiful cedar chest given to me by the sweetest guy there is or ever will be. He is a very special person. To my right is a picture of this wonderful fellow, smiling at me. Jeepers he looks swell.
Well tomorrow or rather today Donna is going to get married. I wonder how she is sleeping. If it was me, I would probably still be up with no intentions of sleeping at all. Mrs. Didier is having a party Sunday for her, I guess everyone, and his Pop is invited. Donna and her husband will be home sometime Sunday afternoon. My but I’ll bet that she is thrilled.
There isn’t any news as usual. That little note in my letter last night was from Momie.
I still haven’t talked to yours. Daddie came home tonight, he’s been gone for two weeks and it sure is swell to have him home again. Honey, you still haven’t told me if its ok to take your ring off to have it cleaned.
You know what? If everything goes the way I want it to, a year from right now we will be married. I think I would be like to go to Yosemite National Park on our honeymoon.
Harlan, I have a problem to put up to you. Do you remember Mac, that fellow you met that down town? Well, I paid him the two dollars, but he wants to take Kathleen and I out to a steak dinner next week, some night after work. He is leaving to go back to Los Angeles in two weeks. Kathryn is one of the girls who ride in to work with me, she’s 20 and married six months. We talked it over but don’t know whether to go or not. He is a swell fellow and I trust him and all that, in fact everyone is going to miss him terribly when he leaves but I just don’t know what to do, so will you please give me your opinion. Please & hurry.
Jeepers, I miss you every night. It seems I get worse coming home from work, it’s the toughest part because when I’m at work I almost don’t have time to think, but you’re always there, don’t worry. This is Saturday morning so I can say – tomorrow I talk will to Harlan – I hope.
Well Sweets, it’s 2:00 and I’m getting sleepy. Your letters have been perfect, nice, and long. I love them almost as much as I love you. Yes darling, I W – – – too but that can wait. Someday all our wants and wishes and dreams will come true and it isn’t too far off. Good night Honey.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin Janie
1:30 AM January 30, 1943 Saturday
Hello Sweetheart:
Well here it is another day closer to August you. This is a Special letter for a special person. To start out with I will answer your questions in the letter I received today. – Outside of being lonesome as the devil, I’m feeling swell. I wish you were here so we could take a little drive in Herman, then you could cuddle up to me like the good old days. I doubt if you would be able to fall asleep though. I always try to be careful for your sake, my sake and T and T.
I was going to call you last Sunday, but Dick said he called, and he didn’t know for sure, but he didn’t think you were home. I thought you were hinting at the phone call. I don’t know just what time it will be, but it will be before you leave for work. I guess Darlin’ that completes that letter. There isn’t any news, so I don’t know what else I’m going to write about. The weather is still rainy. I don’t imagine that I will be able to play golf Sunday, so I’m going bowling Saturday night after work. I don’t know whether I told you about Jack or not, he is an inspector on the boat. About 5’7” and about 40 years old. He is a bachelor and he has his mother living with him. He is a swell guy. It is sure too bad that he never got married before. Lang and Leo are taking their wives, I’m taking Jack, Jack is taking me. I’ll let you know how I do. (excuse me the radio is playing “Daybreak” ~ JANE FROMAN SINGS – DAYBREAK – 1942 – on stage, radio and television ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEbaiRGej30). It sure is nice having music any time; each and every song reminds me of you.
I sure love you a lot Darlin’, it seems like ages and then again it seems like only yesterday, that I was with you, holding you in my arms. Memories are sure swell aren’t they? I remember a lot of things we used to do, like the time we went to the Ledges and went wading in the Creek. Coffee went with us one time and had that girl that blew bubbles with her tongue.
(Fun Fact: Ledges State Park is a state park of Iowa, USA, located approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) south of the city of Boone. The park contains a sandstonegorge carved by Pea’s Creek, a tributary of the Des Moines River. The gorge is 100 feet (30 m) deep in places, with concretions jutting from the cliffs.)
Have I ever told you some of the reasons that I love you? Yes? Oh, you want to hear some of them again? O.K! To begin with, you are a very pretty and cute girl. Not beautiful but very sweet. You’re such a good sport about everything. If you don’t want to do something, you never make excuses but just say no and tell me a good reason for not doing so. There aren’t very many things you will not try like swimming, golf, skiing, etc. etc. you are a good dancer (if the music is good) (remember? ). All in all, you like to do things I like to do, like to go to places that I like to go. You are thoughtful and considerate and trustworthy. You have perfect folks. I guess I just love you an awfully lot. I could name a lot more but I had better get some sleep so I can get this in the mail. So until tomorrow, when I will hear your voice again I will say, All the love I have I give to you.
Love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Good night Sweetheart
Sunday Morning January 31, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another week closer to August and you.
Well, the telephone conversation is over with. We talked for 10 1/2 minutes. It seemed like about two. If we could have a telephone conversation until August, I think August would be here tomorrow. As usual, (excuse me the radio is in its playing “Wonder When My Baby’s Coming Home” ~ Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp-aELNwxvw) It sure hits home, doesn’t it? As usual, I didn’t say half the things I wanted to say. I’m glad Opal got a girl. I think that is what she wanted.
Saturday night is the first night for a long time that I haven’t written you a letter, but I wasn’t even home. I’ll tell you just what I did. I got off of work at 11:30, changed clothes and then met Jack outside the gate. We walked up to the car line and took the streetcar up to his place. I took a shower and shaved there. Then we took his car and drove up to my place. I put my clean clothes on. We left my place about 2:00 AM. We got down to the bowling alley about 2:30 and started to bowl at about 3:00. There is always a line and you have to sign up for an alley, (excuse me the radio is playing “Just as Though You Were Here” ~ Frank Sinatra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG8pSaxIPQw). We bowled until about 5:00 and then had something to eat at the restaurant at the alley. The whole evening cost me $.40. I was pretty lucky. The fellows kept betting $.10 a frame. If you got a strike or a spare, you got a dime from whom ever you bet, if you didn’t you had to pay a dime to ever you bet. I then came home and went to bed, the folks called at 6:00 AM. I then went back to bed and when I got up, I went right up and called you. It was sure good to hear your sweet voice again.
There isn’t any news so I think I will close now. I have to eat breakfast and then I’m going out and play golf. Do you remember my brown and white sport shoes? Well, I had them made into golf shoes. I had spikes put in them. I will write again tonight. I love you very much. Your Special hasn’t come yet so I haven’t anything to answer. I miss you very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
11:00 PM Sunday, January 31, 1943
Hello Darlin’: To begin with I don’t feel sorry for myself, but I have never in my life felt so alone and lonesome. I went out and played 18 holes of golf. I played with three fellows I met at the club. After I finish playing golf it was about 6:30. When I got home it was about 7:00. I took a shower and went downtown by myself and saw Bob Hope in “They Got Me Covered”,
and on the stage were the Three Stooges. They sure are funny. It was awful hard to laugh as there is always something missing. After the show I walked down to Market Street a few blocks to the car line. All along the way were boys and girls walking together. I hope you never experienced that, to have to walk alone without anyone you know or even can just talk to. It is true that I had an awfully lot of fun Saturday night, but even then, you were always on my mind. The night is very clear out. I saw the Big Dipper for the first time since way before Christmas. Seeing that made me just feel worse. I hope I get over this soon. I’m sure glad Dick is coming in this coming weekend. The next weekend that he has off after this coming one. I am going out to Treasure Island to see him. He can get a pass for me. I can eat dinner with the sailors and Dick can show me all around the island.
I forgot to tell you that very good way of getting you out here. I could have one of the fellows write or call you and say I was hurt or something. But I won’t, or will I? No, if someone should call you, you had better come out.
If you ever want to call me, let me know when you’re going to call, or you will have to call person-to-person. The people here can find out if I’m here or not I coming down to my room. If I’m not here, they probably won’t know where I am at.
You ought to see my face. It got kind of tan this afternoon playing golf in the warm sun.
Well Darling as much (excuse me the radio is playing “Every Night About This Time” ~ The Ink Spots 1942 ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-MtKNq5NV8) as I love you and miss you I had better get some sleep. I’m getting tired so I can sleep, so I can dream, so I can be with you. I love you very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Monday morning 3:30 AM February 1, 1943, I know… (This letter was mis-addressed and actually mailed with the Saturday 1 PM February 6, 1943 letter)
Good morning sweet and swell wonderful Honey:
I just got home from Donna’s; I went over after work. My what a wild house, everyone was as drunk as I don’t know what, Mrs. Didier especially. Donna’s husband is really a swell fellow after one gets to know him. Everyone felt sorry for me because you weren’t here, thus leading me without a mate, and I’m going to be the next one to be married. And I’ve been ordered not to be married in California because they all want to help celebrate. Leslie, Donna’s husband, is simply crazy over Donna, you can tell it in every look, and Donna is as crazy about him as she ever will be about any man.
I’m a little woozy Honey because the minute I stepped in the door Mrs. Didier made me drink, a good size glass of wine, to toast the newlyweds and I hadn’t eaten since 7:00 PM. But that was all I had, everything else they handed me I poured down the sink and put up a good bluff, which wasn’t hard.
We went over to the Hi-Ho, Don, Katy – Gabby & Russ, Donna & Leslie, and myself. I didn’t want to go but they insisted. That’s why I’m so late getting home. From what I heard, 51 people were there, and everyone was drunk, and some got sick, others acted like fools etc. Darling,, I don’t want that. All I want is for you and to be alone, together just you and I and our love. Things like that remind me more and more how very, very lucky I am to have a swell fellow like you. I love you so much.
It was so grand to hear your voice today. After we hung up. I thought if only I was crazy enough to chuck it all and go out with to you. Where I belong and want to be but someday soon I will be there, and I will be the happiest and the luckiest girl in this whole world. You’re so good and kind and sweet.
Well tomorrow or rather today is my day off and I’m going to try and get over to see Opal. You’re an Uncle you know.
Well Sweets, I better close now as I am very tired and I’m writing on some paper I found as I didn’t have time to buy any today. I love you more than you will ever know Harlan. Thank you again for calling me. I even love you more. I will write again tomorrow night. Please overlook the paper.
All my Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s
Always “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Good night Honey I miss you more than terribly tonight., Yours Janie
(Fun Fact ~ The Hi-Ho Grill was located on Euclid between 6th Ave and 2nd Ave at 417 Euclid in the Highland Park area. It was opened in November 1937, by Dwight Standers and his daughters. It was to 3 different people and it was owned by Mary and Fred Hall in the early 1940’s, who also owned 4 other now closed restaurants including the Silhouette Restaurant. It was on the north side of Euclid, somewhat close to the theater and an ice cream shop. The Hi-Ho was noted for its great hamburgers and toasted buns.)
9:15 PM Monday night, February 1, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again. I just arrived home from town and guess what? I made my first purchase for our chest. It’s a three-piece set of ashtrays, a big one for you, a middle sized one for me, and a little one for -well – for someone. The big one is blue, the middle sized one is white and the small one is yellow. It’s Fostoria glassware and for $2.00. It’s real pretty and they will be awfully cute in our apartment. I also bought a present for Opal’s baby and a wedding present for Donna, so no money in the bank this week.
Your letter today was perfect. Although it was short. About my Mom, something should have been done about at least two weeks ago. I’ll make a suggestion however, you might send her a nice bottle of Yanky Clover Toilet water or Tweed Toilet water , and a nice thank you letter. That would be very nice, and very reasonable, and besides, you used quite a bit of her’s in the past. If you don’t like this suggestion then use your own judgment on the subject but Please, Honey do some little thing, if only a letter. O.K? O.K! Thanks Honey.
How are you? I hope you are fine and dandy. You are working now as it is only 7:30 PM there, in another half hour I will receive a little personal message from you. Oh Jeepers, excuse me it’s 10 o’clock here right now. Are you standing out on the deck smoking? I hope so. I would light one up too but Daddy’s sitting right here so I can’t. I sure wish you were here or I there. I love you so much. The radio is on the Chesterfield hour and playing “My Devotion”. Four weeks ago tonight I went back to work, , a whole month and it seems like six instead. And it’s still six more before I will see you again. We will have fun, won’t we Honey.
I’m happy even thinking about being in your arms again, looking into your nice blue eyes, feeling your lips on mine. I love and miss you more than you will ever know Harlan, and I too am living for the day we say, “I do”. Sometimes at work when I am shaking down primers, I try to picture our wedding, I even know what I’m going to wear. But to get back, I get all skeared and a thrilled feeling for when that day comes. I’ll know that I’ll be with my Honey forever and we will never be apart and lonely again.
Well Sweets, better close now as I’m going to bed early tonight. Don’t work too hard and be very careful. Please
Love & xxxxx’s
Always “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Good night Honey. I enclosed is a few clippings Momie thought you might like to see. She is always looking for something that will interest you.
Love “Your” Janie
1:30 AM Tuesday, February 2, 1943
Hello Darling:
Well here it is another month closer to August and you. Your Special came this afternoon after I left for work. There was one in the mail that came about noon, so that makes two today. (excuse me but the radio is playing “Miss You”)
First of all I will answer your questions. Yes Darling, you may go to bed and finish in the morning. I am fine but lonesome. That is all for the first letter, now for the Special. It isn’t your fault it didn’t get here until today. It left Des Moines Saturday afternoon at 3:30. I’m fine but lonesome. I don’t imagine I will sleep much the night before we get married either. Darling, I guess we might be called the last of the Mohicans. Don is the last one in the game besides ourselves. I told you that you could take your ring off to have it cleaned. Whether everything goes the way you want to or not, I hope we will be married before a year from this time. If you want me to, I will find out about Yosemite National Park and send some pictures of it if I can.
I wouldn’t care who it was, but if someone asked me out to a steak dinner, I’d think they were crazy, but I go. I don’t mind if you go, but please be careful. That is if you really want to go, why go ahead.
This is Tuesday morning, so I can say (excuse me, Harry James playing “You Made Me Love You” ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMaCoxOGXPM ~ boy what a song) getting back 2 days ago I talked to my Darlin’. I’m glad you liked my letters lately. I wish you were here so I could read them to you.
Well Darling, I guess I had better close. Tomorrow is the last day at the dentist quotation (I hope). I will write you again tomorrow night. I love you very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
1:30 AM Wednesday Jan February 3 , 1943
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to August in you.
I didn’t get a letter today, so I have nothing to answer. Darn this mail.
I worked in the double bottom all night, so I’m just about dead. My back feels like a ton of bricks fell on it. The darn place, you can’t sit up straight, you can’t stand up, you can’t lie down unless you lay across the longs. Oh, what a hell of a place. I made out in it though, that makes it two nights this week. Excuse me the radio is playing “When Your Lips Meet Mine” (May have been Frank Sinatra ‘That Old Black Magic’ Top hit Jan 1943, lyrics include –And every time your lips meet mine, Darling down and down I go. Round and round I go. In a spin, loving the spin I’m in, under that old black magic called love- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZr_wFPDxMQ), have you heard it? Darling, if you don’t mind I think I will close for now. I love you so very much.
Good night Darling
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Good morning Darling, I had the sweetest dream about us last night. Remind me to tell you what it was after we get married. Oh Darling, it doesn’t seem right to have you way out there and me clear out here. Well, will August please hurry a little bit. It’s a beautiful day out. And the sun is out, and it is just like spring. If you were here we could go out and play some golf or do anything you would like to do. Well I can dream, can’t I?
There still isn’t any news so I don’t know what to write about. All I can say is that I want to come out as soon as you can. I love you and miss you.
Dick will be here in will be Saturday night and then Sunday will be well spent. Golf, swimming in the ocean, horseback riding, and then maybe to a nightclub. I would kind of like to see ‘Slapsy Maxies’ that is run by Maxi Rosenbloom.
You know who I mean, they have a floor show with Ben Blue and the lot of radio, stage, and screen stars. It is a little expensive, so we may have to be content with a show.
Have you been up to see the baby yet? I wonder what the baby looks like. I should get a letter from the folks today telling me of it. How’s Sis getting along?
I have some laundry to send out, so I guess I had better sign off now. “Constantly”, have you heard it? To me that song is just a dream.
All the love I have I give to you
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
PS Tell the folks hello for me
Wednesday morning 1 AM February 4, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again and pooed out. How are you? Fine I hope.
I didn’t get a letter today but received the papers. Thanks a million.
I was over to Donna’s is this afternoon before I went to work to see her gifts. She has some very lovely things. I gave her the story a glass Fostoria candy dish with sterling silver designs on it and signed it both of our names. Honey I’ve come to the conclusion, with so many gifts to buy, that you save your money and I will buy the things and save what little I can. O.K? O.K! Thanks a lot. Donna’s ring is lovely, she just has the wedding ring, but it has seven diamonds in a row, very nice. Leslie her husband, gave her a fur for coat, it’s a natural muskrat too but it’s a dark brown one, it’s really very pretty. And clothes, my gosh, she has more swell looking clothes then I have letters from you – well almost. She evidently spent all her money on clothes. They’re very happy, the both of them.
Harlan, don’t forget to try to take some pictures Sunday when you and Dick are together please.
Well as usual there isn’t much news. Work is going on as usual. Tonight it is raining here, maybe some of your Frisco rain weather?
Well Sweets, I’m getting so sleepy, I can hardly hold my eyes open, so I guess I better close.
Enclosed are some pictures taken of the last snow and oh yes, I’m there too.
Good night for now
Love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
1:30 AM February 4, 1943 Thursday
Hello Darling:
Well here it is another day closer to August and the most wonderful girl in the world.
I didn’t get a letter again today, this darn mail. So I don’t have anything to answer.
To begin with I sure wish you were here, and we were married. Today was the busiest day I’ve had, and I think it will be the largest bonus I’ve ever made. I ran 74 feet of 5/16 weld. That is all 3 pass welds, thus making 222 feet of welding. In welding 95 feet or 75 feet is considered a good night. Leo and I worked together. We’ve been working together all this week so far. I believe I’ve made more than $20 in bonuses so far this week. Pretty good huh? Anyway we welded three times as much as what the company considers a good nights work. The reason I wish you were here is that when I get home all tired out and dirty and hungry, it would be good to have someone waiting for me.
Darling, will you excuse me for a little while? I haven’t had my shower yet and I don’t think I will feel so tired when I get back. Okay? Okay! I love you very much.
Hello Darling, well I’m it back and I feel a lot better but I’m still tired. If you were here, you could cuddle up next to me. I would open all the windows, so it would be rather chilly, and you would have to keep warm. That’s pretty good idea, isn’t it?
Well Darling, I think I had better close and get some sleep I will finish this in the morning. All the love I have I willingly give to you. Good night Darling.
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Good morning Darling:
I hope you are as I am, fine but lonesome. I was going out to play a little golf this morning, but it is raining now. Sooo, that is impossible.
If it keeps up, my work I mean, like it was last night I will have enough money in the bank by August for us to get married. Then by January I will have more than enough. Don’t you think August 12 would be a swell day to get married on. I will work until you come out for us after we get married and part of the money I save after August we will be spent on a honeymoon. (If I get another deferment.)
Well my dearest, I guess I had better close for now, until tonight. I love you more than life itself all the Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Thursday morning 1:15 AM Feb. 5, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again and what a day. To start with I was gotten out of bed by a letter from you that was written when you were lonely and blue, then Donna and Leslie came over and talked about all their plans and everything, that didn’t help one bit, then Trinkie called and said Eleanor, you remember the cute one, was married and I was lower yet. I then wrote Eleanor a long letter and came to work and everything went wrong. I even got a bawling out. Then I came home and Trinkie had called again and Peggy is married, and her husband gave her a fur coat. Oh well, tomorrow’s another day. Your letter today was perfectly terrible, I’m awfully sorry when you feel like that.
Tonight is a lovely night, the stars are very bright, I saw the Big Dipper. But by July it ought to be back in the front yard again.
Oh jeepers, I’m so sleepy, may be may I please close? I have to go to the dentist to have my teeth cleaned tomorrow morning then I’m all through, oh happy day.
Well Honey, I think I will go to bed now. I love you very, very much.
Good night Honey
Love and xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darin Janie
PS Enclosed is a piece of Donna’s wedding cake, even if it is all crumbs just put it under your pillow and what ever you dream will come true. I have a piece and I’m going to sleep on it tonight and will tell you what I dreamed. Please now, just for me, sleep on it. I love you.
Friday morning 3 AM February 5, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again, glad? Oh I hope so. I just arrived home from that chicken dinner with Mac. Jeepers, I feel so strange when I am out with anyone else I hardly know. All I could do is think of you. I suffer every time I go out and swear I’ll never do it again. This time I mean it. When I’m with you, I feel confident of myself. I can let myself go, say what I think, do as I please and not feel everyone is looking at me. When I’m with anyone else, I feel just the opposite. I guess you are my backbone Honey, and I love you so much. When I’m out, I think what I am what am I doing here, why aren’t I in San Francisco with my Honey, I am doing the right thing by staying here in waiting. Oh, it’s hard to put into words on paper but I think you’ll understand, that I won’t be able to relax and be happy and myself until I’m with you. Maybe Harlan, just maybe, we can make it August.
How are you?
I can’t understand about your Special not getting here until Monday. I mailed it Saturday morning at the downtown post office. I’m awfully sorry about it. And by the way, how did you like the pictures? Oh!
I haven’t talk to your Mom for some time. Which reminds me, if you want to, it would be nice to send Momie, what ever you’re going to send her, so that she will get it for Valentine’s Day.
I think I’ll make this your Special so you will be sure to get it on Sunday or by Sunday anyway. Sure hope you and Dick have a nice time. I wish Rosie and I were there to help you have it.
My day off has been changed from Tuesday next week to Thursday, so as I had Monday this week, I’m going to have to work nine straight days before a day off. I’ll sure welcome it.
Its sure been perfect weather here lately. The sun shining every day for a week now and the stars as bright as diamonds. I see the Big Dipper every night when I get off of work, it’s so clear out at the plant, so big and bright.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better go as I am tired. I love you and I miss you more than you’ll ever know. I hope it’s a real nice California day Sunday and all of your plans work out perfect.
Good night for now Honey
Love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
10 AM Friday, February 5, 1943
Hello Darling:
Well here it is another day closer to August and you. I didn’t write last night because I was very tired. I wish you were here with me. Dick is coming tomorrow night and we three could sure have a lot of fun. But beings that you can’t be here, Dick and I will have to go alone as best as possible without you.
I received a letter yesterday just before work. I will answer your questions now. You say you made the first purchase for our hope chest? Do you mean everything else was given to you? Have you told Nana of our engagement yet? I’m fine but still very lonesome. Yes at 8:00 Monday night I was standing up on the main deck, lighting up a cigarette, and thinking of you. “I’m getting tired so I can so I can sleep”, they should have played that last night, because I sure dreamed of you. Boy this letter sure is a hot one. I have often wondered too what are wedding will be like. The night before our wedding I will be or probably will be going crazy. I won’t be getting any sleep the night before or the rest of the nights for a week or more. Thanks for the clippings. I guess that is all that there is to that letter.
I only received two letters so far this week, counting your Special that came on Monday afternoon, and one yesterday. This darn mail delivery out here is terrible. There isn’t any news, so I don’t know what I’m going to write about.
About all I can say is that I love you very much and miss you something terrible. Every time I see a couple together, I wonder if we deserve this being apart so long. Last night on the way home, I will was riding on the platform at the back of the street car. The car stopped and let someone off and when it stopped, there was a car parked on the street right next to me. In the car there was a couple necking. The girl was laying across the fellow’s lap and they were kissing. It reminded me of some of the times when we were parked in the Union Park and some car would come by and we wouldn’t even move or pay any attention to it. Oh how I wish you were here now.
Well Darling, I guess I had better close now as I am too much in a rut. I love you more than you will ever know and I’m just living for you
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
1:30 Saturday, February 6 , 1943
Hello Darling:
Well here it is another day closer to August and the most wonderful girl in the world.
Thanks for the pictures. They were very good. You look a lot better than your picture though. Boy that’s snow sure looks good. The weather is perfect out here today. I hope it lasts through the weekend. There sure is a big mix up in the offices about Leo and my welding the other night. They seem to think it is impossible to weld that much in one night. Our welding was a perfect job. There were no holes or rough places in the whole thing. What it was, we welded was gun foundations on the main deck. They are what the gun turret swings around on. There is 74 feet in each one and we finished two of them. The company says they will only allow 62 feet in them, so I guess that is what we have to take. Lang, our boss, Leo, and I went over the Navy checkers and raised hell with them, but they said there was nothing they can do. We may get paid for it later on. I hope. We will still make pretty good on it though.
The first ship I saw launched was commissioned into the Navy today, it is the first of the 2100-ton class in the Navy. It is the largest destroyer in the world and the fastest ship in the world not counting the small torpedo boats. It sure is a beautiful ship.
I had better answer your questions if in the letter I received today with the pictures. Yes, I am fine but lonesome. I was beginning to wonder if those papers were going to get there. I’m going to borrow some body’s camera and take some pictures Sunday of Dick. That is all there is, so I guess I had better get along with my Special for my ‘special’.
The stars are out and as bright as ever. Yes, the Big Dipper is out too. It looks like a king standing among a bunch of tramps. I was up on the deck donated 8:00 and the Big Dipper was just like tie between you and myself.
I sure wish you were here now. We could start planning on what he would do on Sunday. Maybe out on a picnic at the beach to let the twins play in this sand. Or maybe out in our boat for a little trip up the Sacramento River.
Well Sweetheart, I’m getting tired so I can sleep, so I can dream, so I can be with you again. I will finish in the morning before I mail the Special. All the love I give to you. Please hurry and take it.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
PS I haven’t gotten a letter yet telling me how you liked the telephone call.
PS Goodnight Sweetheart
Good morning Darling, well Dick just called and said he is coming in tonight if he gets his clothes ready. If not, he will be in tomorrow morning, early. Anyway he’s coming in.
Well my Sweet, there isn’t any more news so I guess I had better close I get this in the mail, so you can get it Sunday. I hope. I love you very much.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Saturday 1 PM February 6, 1943
Hi Honey:
I just arrived home from town, excuse me honey but the radio is on and the ‘Ink Spots’ are on, Jeepers I like, them don’t you? They are at the Orpheum Theatre this week, but I can’t go because of my days off being changed.
Well to get back, I mailed your package today and I want to mind the message on the front. Now don’t you dare open it until it’s time. I sure hope you like it.
I’m sorry I didn’t write last night but we were short of girls again and I had to do two girls work and I fell into bed. I know I should have written, but please forgive me.
No I haven’t been to see the baby because I haven’t had any time off, and can’t go down before work, but I have a present for her if I ever do see her or your Mom.
I sure wish I could be there when you get your package. If you like it half as much as I do, you’ll make me very happy. Be sure and let me know when you get it.
Honey, I know just how you felt when you wrote the letter I received today. I feel the same. I have another plan or idea about when we can get married but I’m not going to tell you until you hear whether or not you are going to get another deferment. You said when you were home that you could find out this month about it, so I’m writing waiting to hear before I say but you will agree to I’m to it I’m sure.
Just tried to get your Mom but she wasn’t home.
Enclosed is a letter I wrote last Saturday night and sent to the wrong address and it was returned so I will send it now. O.K? O.K!
It’s a beautiful day here the sun is very bright and thee are little white clouds in the sky. Last year at this time you are beginning to think about putting Herman top down. Oh, I forgot to tell you when I was out with Mac night before last, he has a 36 Ford coupe and it’s quite rattlely, and honestly if I had shut my eyes I could almost believe I was in Herman again, and the gas smell and all. How is little Herman, is he still holding out for us? Jeepers it’s been six months since I’ve seen him. But I will see him in August, wont I Hon?
Be sure and tell me all about what you Dick do tomorrow.
Well Sweets, I had better close now and go get ready for work. I love you so much and miss you more every day.
Love and xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Johnny & Jane 