Sunday night 9:15 PM February 21, 1943
Hi Honey:
Now hold on a minute. Your Special came at 10:30 this morning, but of course I didn’t get it until I got home from work. Darling, I must say this, you just can’t go into the Para Troopers. It’s all right to fight for your country, in fact, it’s the thing to do, but to take and sign up with the suicide squad for no good reason is beyond me. Why, why do you want in that division? And another thing Darling, I do not, or rather would not rather have you in Navy than where you are. I love you Honey, and I like any other girl, I don’t want my Honey going off to war. What I meant was, I would rather have you in the Navy than the Army but Harlan, it’s your life you’re offering, not mine, and your choice, not mine. Please Honey, I will be happy if you get another deferment because if you do, it means us being together but if you can’t get one, that’s not your fault. I will be sad, but Harlan, I will wait for you what ever you do, where ever you go, and that is my solemn promise.
Your Special was swell, simply perfect. I’m sending this Special before you do something we may be sorry for. Are you going to keep on sending your bonds? I would like that if you would, besides, I hate to have you keep them in your room.
Look My Sweet, I’m very tired and I will be up late tomorrow night as Chuck leaves Tuesday morning, for we don’t know where, so please may I go? Oh thanks Honey.
I love you so much, just as much as you miss me. Please try and understand by responding and please understand my questions.
I love you, I love you. Good night Honey
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
9 PM Sunday, February 21, 1943
Hello Little Darlin’:
I imagine you are wondering at the time I wrote this letter. I just got home from being with Dick. The day has been terrible. It is warm but raining.
I didn’t write last night because I got hurt at the yard. I was working inside of the ventilation system and when I came out I stepped from a slanting floor to a small stool. My foot slipped and I came down on top of a piece of iron. It hit me right at the bottom of my spine. I don’t think it’s chipped any bones, but I sure bruised it. Last night I couldn’t even sit up. I tossed and turned all night. It feels much better tonight, and I still miss you more than ever. Every Sunday I have off a gets worse. I sure wish you and Rosie could have been with us today. Even if it was raining, we had a lot of fun. I believe it is impossible to tell anyone in words what Treasure Island is like. How they sleep, eat, and live so on and so forth.
Dick and I are getting to be very close I believe. I sure like him a lot. We had dinner together with all of the soldiers. He showed me all around Treasure Island, that is as much as he would was allowed to show me.
You are going to be very disappointed in what I’m going to tell you. I’m I tried to call you when I first got home just a little bit ago it would have been 10:30 PM your time. The operator said it would be a 2 to 3-hour delay, so I didn’t think I had better try calling any later than that as you would probably be in bed.
Your Special is late again. I don’t know why it hasn’t come yet. It should be here in the morning, then I will finish this letter then.
I wish to God that I could put into words the way I feel. All I can say, I guess, is that right now I feel like hell. I have your picture right in front of me and all I’m able to do this just sit here and look at it. I can’t reach out and take you by the hands and tell you how much I love you, I can’t hold you in my arms and kiss you. It is a very terrible feeling. I wish I could ask you to just chuck everything and come out here, but I can’t. I guess I love you too much, or I would ask you if I loved you as much is I think I do?
Good night Sweetheart
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
PS I will finish in the morning.
Good morning Darlin’: Well how’s my little girl this morning? I hope to find hope fine and as lonesome for me as I am for you. The radio is playing “Can’t Get Out of This Mood” (Kay Kaiser https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIRV9N-xgrs&list=PLDa3bYQEop4lQLwEsLGoacmqElFM-eyO8&index=19&t=0s ). How true.
With the last week’s check I saved $43.85. That is pretty good, isn’t it? That doesn’t include my bonds for that week.
I just finished eating breakfast, picking up my laundry and some shaving soap. Your Special came while I was eating, it sure is a swell one. It didn’t leave D.M. until 7 PM Saturday. If you put it in the mail Friday night, I don’t see why it should leave so late Saturday.
I will try to tell you everything just as it happened Sunday. I got up Sunday morning and found that someone had called me and wanted me to wait right here as they were coming right over. They didn’t leave any name or anything, so I waited until almost 10, that was the time I was supposed to meet Dick at the island. I told Mary to have them wait at the house until I called from the island when I got there. I left and took a train for the Island. When I got there, – no Dick. I called back to the house and he was there. It had been him that had called. He said he had had told the girl that answered the phone who he was. Well anyway, I waited at the Island until he got there. We went in together after he came. He went to his barracks first and he took a shower and shaved. Then we ate dinner. That is something I don’t think I can explain as I said before. We had chicken, squash, potatoes, vegetable soup, carrots, celery, butter biscuits and cake with ice cream, coffee and bread and butter. Can you imagine it? Everything in is steam cooked in great big kettles. They have a regular bakery, meat market and everything. Their dining room is something like the Colosseum, only larger. After dinner we went into the ships exchange, I bought a sweatshirt and some shorts. We had a malted milk and then (it started to rain just when we got to the main gate) Dick took me over to see the school. Where he goes and also the welding school. We saw the ships at dock. They are were mostly patrol boats. No large ones. We saw a formation of Navy patrol planes take off. We saw a big convoy of ships, including tankers, cargo ships, Navy escort destroyers. You could ever see some planes even seaplanes on the top deck where they didn’t have room for them in the hole. The wings were off of them. We saw the clipper repair hangar, then we went back to the barracks and had a Coke. By the time we got there, I was pretty wet. We took the bus up to the bridge and then caught the train for Frisco. We were going to go and see “The Outlaw” but there was such a crowd we decided we would go to some other show. First we went home to my place and I put on some dry clothes and the jacket you gave me. We then went downtown to the show and we saw “Gentleman Jim”
and Red Skelton in “Panama Hattie”.
After the show we had a drink and Dick went back to the Island and I came home. That is all there is to it. I had an awful good time, even if it did rain. The next Sunday that would he has off we may drive down to the Redwood Forest. There is also going to be a ship launching. My ship. So I don’t know just exactly what we will do.
Well Darling, I guess I had better close. I will write again tonight. I love you very much.
All of my love I have I give to you.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Monday 1:20 PM February 22, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well here I am again and only this time it’s something special. Guess what? I’m writing from work on the back of an inspection sheet. I am back in the primer room and Marian is on the floor and as I had a little time, but it would be cute to drop you a line. O.K? O.K! Marian is back now and is writing her boyfriend Wesley. He is in the Navy Air Corps stationed in Oakland California and I believe I told you before, but if he is still there in August she is coming out with me. Excuse me honey but I have to go fill trays –
Back again. Marion brought Wesley’s picture today and he is awfully nice-looking so tomorrow I’m going to bring yours’ as she has never seen you and wants me to. O.K? O.K! I like to show it off anyhow.
My mind is on you constantly lately, thinking about that deferment deal. No matter what I do, I can’t get you off my mind. Excuse me again Hon – –
I don’t know but I think it’s the suspense and not knowing or having any idea what’s going to happen, and so much depends on it.
Mac was here about 5 minutes ago to say goodbye. He is leaving tomorrow to go back to Los Angeles. He wanted me to go back with him, only have me get off in Frisco. I promised him I would or whether we would come see him next year, so is it a date? (Must go again, be right back) I told Marian I was going to read her letter and she said on one condition only, that she read mine, so that’s out. Marion is really a swell girl. I really don’t know what I would do without her, the rest are a bunch of bags with very few exceptions.
I’m sitting with my back to the exit and the door is wide open so you can know how warm it is here. Right now it is about 75°. Honest, I’m not kidding one bit. I’m looking out towards the West and the sun is so bright with the blue, blue sky as a background and in the foreground are the number one and number two plant buildings – – be right back.
The reason I have to go so often is because Eva is on the floor now and when she comes back we have to fill her empty trays. See? I thought you would.
You know I think this is fun, from now on every day that I can I’m going to write from here, only the next time I think I better bring a pen. Don’t you? This is the first time that I remember of ever writing you in pencil, hope you will forgive me. Do you like me writing from the plant or not? Well, I do anyhow.
Well Honey, it’s 2:00 now, that means it’s 12:00 there, noon, you are probably just eating or have just eaten. By the way I have next weekend off – ahem – but then I guess I told you that before, didn’t I.
Jeepers, I wish you were here, and it was Sunday. You could come over and we would take a nice long ride and as soon as we got away from the house we could put the top down on Herman. Maybe we could buy a couple of comic magazines and drive over to Union Park and read them. By the way, they aren’t letting young kids park anymore because of so much liquor floating around. The kids can’t get in the taverns anymore, so they buy it illegally and take it to a park or sit on the streets and drink there. The cops are always picking someone up. Be right back – – sooo, I guess we would simply take a ride then go home and lay in front of the radio. Which would be okay with me.
I just happen to think, Harlan you never so much as commented on Elinor and Peg’s marriage. Why? Maybe you weren’t interested. Huh?
Jeepers, I can’t get over this. I can look all around me and see big machines going, making bullets and here I sit in all this racket and congestion writing to My Honey. What won’t happen in time of war. Oh Oh, here comes Howard my foreman and – – be right back…
Jeepers, I almost got caught but didn’t. Well, my honey of a fellow, I better be closing now and go out on the floor in. Harlan, will you do me a favor? Thanks. Will you please write me as soon as you hear about your deferment? It will help a lot if you will. Here comes Eva, so I must go now. I love you so much and I wish with all my heart I could have come out with Matt.
Goodbye for now.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
8:35 PM
Hello again:
I’m home now and have been for about 4 hours. Guess what, Eleanor and Don are home. Trinkie, Barbie and I jumped into the car and drove over. Jeepers, Honey they are so happy, so young, and gay and so very happy. I envy them so much. He looks at her and smiles and she smiles back and then they would wink and there was a little secret message that flew between them. Oh, I hate, yes, hate to see young couple so happy. No, I don’t Honey. I’m sorry but we are so young, why can’t we do what we want to. I know I shouldn’t write things like this because they make us both feel very blue but sometimes it craps on me and my only outlet is you, my wonderful you. I love you so much. I say it so much lately, maybe you are getting tired of reading and hearing it, but I hope with all of my heart you aren’t. Don brought each of us girls a miniature bottle of wine.
There isn’t any news as usual. You are working now, working hard and strong like you always do. You are doing so much for your country now, I don’t see how you can do more. I’m going to come right out and say it this time, if you don’t want to call me Sunday, I’ll call you, but if you call me Sunday, I’ll call you the next time. O.K? O.K!
Well Honey, I guess I better close this now I am very tired. How are you? I didn’t get a letter today, but I know why so it is o.k. Again I say I love you and am waiting.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
1:30 AM Tuesday, February 23
Hello Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to August and you. There isn’t any news and I have no letters to answer so I’ll be darned if I know what to write about.
How are you doing your job getting along? Do you like it as well as you did when you first started? Is the weather still cold and do you have any snow? Have you heard from Donna or Bud or Von lately? Do you think we might be able to get married in August when you come out if I get another deferment? How are your folks? Has your Dad got in B or C card yet? Have you seen Opal’s baby yet? Do you know how much I love you? Well in case you don’t, I will tell you. I love you very much. How does Chuck like or think you will like the Navy? I sure wish you were here, don’t you? We could sure have a lot of fun, couldn’t we? I guess what that’s enough questions, don’t you?
Now I will try to tell you how much I really love you instead of saying just ‘very much’. Love, I don’t believe, is very much different than everything else you like! You just don’t like something without having a reason for it. It is that way with love. My reasons for loving you are numerous, but you can sum them up in one phrase or two words. You’re you. I don’t believe I have ever told you this but as long as I can remember I’ve always tried to picture what my wife would look like. I knew the kind I wanted and hoped I would get that certain one. Someone who wasn’t beautiful but awfully cute, one who is rather small and not fat. One who was kind and considerate and like to do things that I like to do. One who you could trust and believe in. And one who loved me as much as I love her. And when I found all of these things in a girl, I knew I would have the right one. And when I found all of these things in you, I knew you were the only girl for me. I don’t remember just when that time was, but I think I knew deep down in me when I first had a date with you, and then asked you to go steady without even thinking it over.
I love you Jane and you alone. I think you are the swellest girl I have ever known and ever hope to know. Life will never be complete without you.
All the love I have I give to you, Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
PS Good night Sweetheart
(my bank account is $264.93)
(In WWII A, B, C & D ration cards were issued. The “A” sticker is the most common of the WW2 gas ration stickers and were issued to the general public and entitled the holder to four gallons a week. The “B” sticker was issued primarily to business owners and was worth about eight gallons a week. The “C” sticker was issued primarily to professional people: physicians, nurses, dentists, ministers, priests, mail delivery, embalmers, farm workers, construction or maintenance workers, soldiers and armed forces going to duty, and several others. The “M” sticker was issued to motorcycle drivers, which included Western Union and other types of delivery people who used motorcycles for their business. The “T” sticker was issued to truck drivers. The “X” sticker was issued in special instances for high mileage type jobs such as traveling salesmen that needed be able to purchase gasoline in unlimited quantities. Many rich people and politicians also received these stickers. Actually, gas wasn’t what they were rationing at all. The main purpose of the restrictions on gas purchasing was to conserve tires. Japanese armies in the Far East had cut the U.S. off from its chief supply of rubber.)
1:30 A.M Feb 24, 1943 Wed.
Hello Little Darlin’:
Well, here it is another day closer to August and you. I forgot to tell you that I was in to see my draft board at the yard on Monday. They sent a letter to D.M. on Tuesday, so I should hear from them sometime soon. I will let you know as soon as I find out anything.
I sure do rate. I received 5 letters today, one special, two ordinary letters from you and two letters from the folks. I will answer them and go along. – We could put the top down if your Mother says we could. You said ‘Timmie’ or our little girl. We ought to think of the name for a girl, don’t you think so? I didn’t say nothing about the bond because I had already put the letter and envelope and I thought about leaving it in my room and didn’t sound so good, so I just slipped it into the envelope. Okay? Okay! I will send all of them to you. Yes, that $500 does sounds good. I guess enlisting in the Para Troopers was just a passing fancy. I get them every once in a while. (You know!) Even about enlisting in the Navy, I don’t know. I think I will try to stay right where I’m as long as I can.
I’m going to tell you something I don’t want you to tell anyone, your folks, Rosie, or even write Dick about it. Dick doesn’t like the Navy. He said he thought it was very foolish of Chuck to enlist in it. He said he doesn’t know any more now than he did when he first started to school. He doesn’t like it out there at the Island and he said it was really a big joke. The only thing really nice is the name of the island. The food is good, but they waste too much of it. He said there wasn’t a working man in the USA that wasn’t doing as much or more then the larger percentage of servicemen in-country.
Well Sweet, I guess I had better close as it is getting late and I’m very tired. I love you and miss you very, very much. I will add a little more in the morning.
Good night Sweetheart
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
PS Don’t say anything about what Dick said.
Good morning Darlin’, Well how it is my little girl this morning? there isn’t any news, so I don’t have much to tell you. I think I will go down to the Y this morning. I feel pretty stiff. I haven’t been there since I got back from Christmas. I love you very much
Wednesday 7 PM Feb 24, 1943
Hi Honey:
Well I’m here again. Jeepers Honey, this is another day without a letter, and we have had deliveries every day. Are you sick Honey? Are you hurt? Oh Honey, what’s wrong are you mad or what? I was so sure I would get one today. So far this week’s it’s Monday no letter, Tuesday no letter, Wednesday no letter, this is Wednesday night. There must be an explanation. What is it? Golly, I don’t have any thing to write about, without your letters, I’m lost.
Work went along as usual today but I’m awfully tired tonight as I slept with Mary Jane last night and she cried almost all night. I know just how she feels, but I’m sure she will be okay in a couple of weeks. She is going to stay here until she gets feeling in higher spirits.
Jeepers Harlan, I’m worried about you and if I don’t get a letter tomorrow you can expect night letter or wire. Golly, you could be seriously hurt or very sad and I wouldn’t know.
The weather here has been perfectly clean, warm, and sunny but night it is definitely colder, and it’s supposed to be 10 above tomorrow morning.
I received a notice for another bond today.
Well Honey, I don’t know what to write about. No questions to answer or anything to comment on so I guess I had better close. I love you Harlan and hope you still love me. Oh silly me. I know you do, and I miss your letters almost as much as I miss you. Please may I have a letter tomorrow?
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
5:30 PM Thursday February 25th, 1943
Hi Honey:
Jeepers Honey, do I feel happy? Well anyway, a lot better? You bet! You probably know why. I just arrived home and two nice letters waiting for me. What a relief. The one you wrote Sunday night and the one you wrote Monday night after work. I was so worried, and this is only two reasons why I’m sad now. 1. – Because we aren’t together, 2. – Because you didn’t keep on trying to get me Sunday night because I was up until 11:30 PM, nearly 12:00 PM and I was thinking of you all evening and would have been so thrilled to hear your voice, again, just your voice.
I’m so glad you had a nice time Sunday. I thought of you all day wondering you what you were doing and if it was raining. That’s the second Sunday you and Dick have been together that it has rained, next time it won’t rain, third times a charm. Jeepers, I hope your little old spine will be better. It’s so sensitive, if it keeps bothering you, you better go see a doctor because you might have chipped a bone or something.
$43.85 out of one check is just swell Honey. You are so good and perfect. I’m very proud of you, very, very proud of you.
I’ll bet you got a big kick out of seeing all those planes and boats on Sunday. I’m so glad you and Dick got along so well. I suppose you know by now that although I love Chuck, I love Dick just a little tiny bitsy more. I guess it’s because he always paid so much attention to me, he’s one swell brother.
Me and my little old job are getting along so well. (Have you heard the piece “Black Magic”?) We work hard but it’s fun because I’m working for you and I still like it as well as I did when I first went to work, of course I sort of take it for granted now, but I still like it.
The weather is colder but no more snow.
I received a letter from Donna last week and that reminds me, I must visit her. Thanks for reminding me. She didn’t have much to say, she and Leslie are very happy, and she also wanted to know when we were going to be married, that’s about all. But then for Von and Bud, the only thing I have heard is the card, one of which I sent to you. Did you read it?
My folks are just fine. Daddy is in this week and Momie is well to. They are always swell. Daddy has a C card. Lucky or not, he got one.
No, I haven’t seen Opal’s baby. This is the first time there has been a car around and now I can’t use it and when I was on the first week of this shift I was too tired to take the streetcar over.
Yes, I know how much you love me as you show it in everything you are doing, but don’t get me wrong, I still like to read those three little important words, I love you.
Mary received two letters from Chuck today and the folks got one. They were written in St. Paul. He is on his way to Idaho, somewhere near Spokane (we think) he hinted of it anyway, but even he doesn’t know for sure.
Oh yes, I too wish you were here, or I was there, mostly I there. You will never know how much I wish I was there with you, near you, to see you, too – – –, now to say that would be torture and I’ve had enough for the last three days. But yes, we sure could have some fun.
Yes that’s enough questions, as you have probably noticed I have answered all of them except one and you know what and you know why.
I got awfully mad at work today, some bity by the name of Sadie is an operator and she rides with the foreman and speaks to him everything. Well anyhow, tonight we shut down at three o’clock because of shortage of cases and after she cleaned up her machine she went down to the cafeteria for a smoke and was gone for 25 minutes. Well you know Marion, well she and I always go down at 3:45 for a smoke before we punch out at 4:00 its always griped her. Well anyway, she got caught tonight and as the foreman wasn’t there she really got told off by the assistant foreman and she told him that Marianne and I were down there too, but we worked, we didn’t go down until 3:45. You see, we get through about 15 minutes before the operators do and the foreman knows we go down there and never say anything. Well anyway, she said we were there, and we denied it. We told Huffy, our group leader, that we went down at 3:45, but she stood there and swore we were there when she was. Well I blew up. I was never so mad my life. Some people think just because they are older they know it all, but I showed her.
Excuse me, will you Honey, I must go eat and don’t want to close yet.
Boy am I full, you bet!
Well Sweets, I guess I better start closing but I sure hate to. With your $46.85, we have $546.85 now. I love you Honey and miss you so much and am so glad nothing serious is wrong, but you better watch that’s spine. Be more careful and take care of yourself cause I don’t know what I would do if anything would happen to you. I guess that would be one sure way of getting me out there. Now don’t get any more funny ideas.
I simply got to stop writing or it will take more than 6K to carry it. Again I love you, I love you, I love you.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS Daddy wrote a little note
1:30 AM February 26, 1943 Friday
Hello Little Darlin’:
Well here it is another day closer to August and you. I’m sorry for not writing last night but I had a terrible headache and haven’t been able to get rid of it. It is quite a bit better now. I received a letter tonight when I got home that you wrote at work. It is very nice. I wish I had time to write at work myself.
I will send this Special so you should get it Saturday sometime or early Sunday morning. I will call you in the morning as it is very hard to call through in the evening. I tried last week and couldn’t make it. You didn’t say anything about being disappointed so you either didn’t read that part very carefully or your answer to that letter I wrote Sunday night hasn’t come yet. Probably the latter.
You know, sometimes I get awfully mad at you. I even think I hate you sometimes, yet I love you. You always seem to find room in your letters to say something about seeing so and so and they are so happy, or so-and-so just got married, or so-and-so is going to Los Angeles and wants me to go as far as Frisco, to go with them, or so-and-so is going out to the coast to be married. Things like that drives me mad. That is why I never commented on them. Kids go out and get married and haven’t a dime. They will probably always be happy. I wonder to myself sometimes, why don’t you just come out. You always talk about someone coming out and you sure wish you could come out with them. You once told me there was only one thing that was keeping you from coming out here and being with me and that was Opal. What you said then keeps racing through my mind. In a world that is mixed up and uncertain as this one it only seems right that a person should take all the happiness and fun he can, while he can, for you never know what is going to happen next. Don’t you think so?
We have sure had a lot of excitement in the yard last night and tonight. A wife of a fellow who works for Bethlehem got a telephone message the other day. The fellow who called started to talk in German. The lady said she couldn’t understand it because she was an American. Then the fellow started speaking English. He told her that her husband was supposed to blow up the next ships to be launched. (That is my ship.) He said her husband had $10,000 of German bond money and if he didn’t do the job, he would be killed. They have the San Francisco Police and be FBI on the case now. The lady called the police and reported it as soon as the fellow hung up. We have guards all around the ship at all times and a lot of precautions have been taken.
Well my Sweet, as much as I love and miss you I guess I will have to close now and get some sleep. I will finish in the morning. I love you very very much.
Good night sweetheart.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Good morning Darlin’:
Well we’ll finally have a clear day. This is something unusual. I hope it stays this way over the weekend. There isn’t any news, so I don’t know what else to write about.
I will try to call you in the morning so I will be sure to get a hold of you. I will start calling about 8:00 AM my time, 10:00 AM your time.
All the love I have I give to you
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Friday 5 PM February 26, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well, here I am again home from work and no letter again, it’s the fourth day this week and I’m getting kind of disgusted. When I came in the door and saw no letter in its usual place I was mad. But then I got to thinking, he must be ill or it’s the mail or he didn’t write Tuesday night and when I think maybe you didn’t write it makes me a little mad, then I think maybe you’re ill, I usually worry, so you see I’m between the devil and the deep blue sea.
Well here it is Friday and as I have the weekend off I don’t have to be back to work until Monday morning, so far I haven’t planned a thing, all the girls have dates, so I’ll go to bed.
I just happen to think this is my Special. I’m sorry it isn’t very cheerful. When Daddy gets home I’ll take it downtown. Oh Golly, why couldn’t I have gotten a letter today? I hate to gripe about it but jeepers it means so much to me.
There isn’t any news. Your Mom called last night but I was so tired I didn’t have much to say and all she could talk about was Max, Opal, and the baby. She wanted me to come over, but Daddy didn’t have enough gas.
Work is still the same. Got paid today, which means $10 more in the bank. Makes it to $260, isn’t much but the best I can do. This is what my check goals for this week. $10 to the bank, $4 to my coat, $5 to the dentist, $5 to mommy, $2 to Don, $2.50 to the Red Cross, total $28.50. $29 when the government gets through with it. Oh next week is another check. But that’s enough of this sob stuff, I guess is the way I feel.
How are you? Momie says hello and sorry you got hurt and hopes that it isn’t anything serious. By the way don’t you let Dick talk you into anything.
Well Sweets, its colder today and it snowed last night after I went to bed, so the ground is all white, but I wish it was warmer. It was so nice last week but if it’s going to be cold, I would rather have it be now rather than in March. Boring isn’t it.
Well let’s see, what else I can write. I know what dirty joke, but again I guess I had better not tell you. Mary is going to a show tonight.
Well Honey, I’m not as hard boiled as I sound in this letter. I miss you more than ever tonight, yes I do. How I wish I could spend the next two days with you, and you alone. I just glanced at your ring and gee it’s pretty Honey. I could say something, but I won’t until I get your wire about your deferment. Well Sweetheart, I better close on second thought I’ll lay this aside until I take it down. Goodbye for now.
Love Janie
Hi again. Well Barbie just called and wants to go up to Boyce’s for Coke, so I guess I’ll join her. I still love you Harlan and hope that a letter comes tomorrow.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
PS I’m back. I love you very much. Be careful and be good like you always are.
Love Janie
(Fun Fact: Boyce’s Sweet Shop, at 2427 University, was first listed in the city directory in 1929. The owner, Floyd D. Boyce, then acquired the Liberty Grill at 610 Grand, remodeled and opened it in 1934 a Boyce Downtown. In 1936 he opened Boyce’s Uptown, located at 4119 University. His brothers, Guy, and Roland, joined him and helped to manage these ventures. They had previous experience as their father had a confectionary store in Creston. Guy was once arrested for operating gambling at the sweet shop because pf pinball machine payouts to students.
11:30 PM Friday night February 26, 1943
Hello Sweetheart:
Yup here I am again. I pop up quite often, don’t I?
How are you? I just arrived home from having a Coke with Barbie at Boyce’s. No one much was up there, just the regular high school gang and a few college kids.
I’m writing this so you will get one on Monday (I hope). Also took your Special direct to the main post office, it should get on the 10:00 plane tomorrow morning. Honey, I want you to listen to this piece “There Are Such Things” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lBmxVnhVW4 Tommy Dorsey) and when you do, pretend that I dedicated it to you because the words are for you.
Barbie’s boyfriend is leaving for the Navy Air and we are hoping he goes to train in Oakland, so that she can come out with me in August. Don’t you think that would be nice?
Love me Honey? Miss me Honey? Silly questions aren’t they? In your letter Tuesday you wrote about your dream girl. Well now I’ll tell you one of my dreams that came true. The girl always dreams of what it will be like when the man she loves asked her to marry her, and I’m no exception. I planned how we would be sitting, how he would approach it, where we would be and every little detail and Darling you fulfilled my dream perfectly. I can shift my eyes and see the whole picture. All the lights off except the Christmas tree lights, most of the presents were under the tree and we were on the Davenport. I was laying across your chest, you had just kissed me and I was sort of dosing, just a little bitty and I felt you fumbling in your pocket and I thought you were taking your ring off and then there was, your diamond for me and do you know what? I was scared and surprised and so very happy. And oh yes Harlan, I remember what you said. You did everything so sweetly. Oh Harlan, I love you so much and long for you so much it scares me, it hurts inside. You’re so strong, yet so gentle, you’re so sweet and good, you deserve the best and I hope and pray every night that I could fulfill your wishes and expectations.
Oh shoot, I wish I could write what I think. I guess all I can say is that – – I love you Harlan and miss you terribly and am living for the day we are together for always. Till death do us part. – – Those words aren’t as pretty as a poet could do it but it’s dreaming that counts and you know I mean and live in those words as much as I do in my own life.
Well Sweets, this is the last sheet of paper, so better close and go to bed. Will write tomorrow. Be careful honey, for T & T’s sake.
Love as Always and kisses too
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
1:30 AM Saturday, February 27, 1943
Hello Little Darlin’:
Well, here it is another day closer to August and the most wonderful girl in the world.
There were two letters here for me when I got home. I just don’t get what you mean. You said in starting the letter “oh my, here I am again, another day, another $5, Chuck just called, he left this morning, you know well anyway he just called, and he leaves tonight.” I don’t quite catch on. I know that Chuck leaves but what’s the $5 for. I haven’t gotten the letter you wrote Monday night. The one you said you were sorry for. Darling, I believe I told you in my letter of Sunday night that I didn’t write last Saturday night. I was very tired when I got home, and I was supposed to be out to treasure Island at 10:00 to meet Dick.
Herman’s tires are as good as they were since I stopped driving him to work. I only have four tires though.
I can’t imagine why you haven’t been getting my letters. I haven’t missed writing more than once in any one week. If there is an explanation for it you had better ask the post office. I sincerely hope you get a letter soon or I’m afraid I’ll have someone on my neck. By the way, I wish you were here now.
I made out again tonight. I am beginning to lose track of the days I make out in the days I don’t, I welded hundred and 117 ½ feet. I should make about $7 or $8 on it. I hope. We could almost live on my bonuses. Why don’t you take the next train out here? We’ll be married and then in August I will have a vacation and we can take our honeymoon. Say Darling, which reminds me, you gave me another plan for marriage and told me not to just say “that’s swell”, but to say what just what I think about it. I did say what I thought about it and I haven’t heard any more about it from you. Didn’t you read that part in my letters? I don’t like to have my letters completely ignored you know! Just kidding. But please let me know what you think about what I said.
Well my Sweet, it is getting late and I’m very tired so I think I will mosey on to bed and dream of you, I hope. I will finish this special in the morning. All the love I have I give to you. Good night sweetheart. xxxoxoxx
Good morning Darlin’:
Boy what a night I had. I really got galvanized. Right after I went to bed I started to chill, and I thought I was freezing to death. I turned my heater on and put an extra blanket on the bed. My teeth were shaking so much I couldn’t even talk. I put my robe on and went upstairs and fixed a glass of warm milk. Then I came back and went to bed. In about an hour, I started to get real hot. I started to sweat so much I thought I was burning up. I must’ve fallen asleep about 4:00 or after. I feel a lot better now. I have to shave and then take this letter to the post office, then to the bank. I saved $44.50 last week in cash and $6.25 in bonds. I have another bond paid for. I will get it in about another week. After I deposit this week’s check, my bank account will be $328.50. Pretty good, huh?
Well Darlin’, that seems to be all the news, so I guess I had better close, shave and get downtown. I will probably already talked to you when you get this, so I will say, your voice sure sounds good. I wish I could talk to you in person instead of over a wire. I love you so very very much and miss you something terrific.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Saturday 10:30 PM February 27, 1943
Hi Honey:
You know what? In the morning I’m going to hear my Honey’s voice. Isn’t that swell? You bet! Every time I think about it I get a little thrill and once I hear your voice I get a big one. Mary Jane and I just arrived home from the show “I Married a Witch”.
It’s quite good. We were sitting at the dining table wondering what we were going to do with ourselves tonight and we decided to go downtown, but as it was early we were home early.
I can’t understand about Dick, are you sure he wasn’t just feeling low when he told you that, his letters home are so cheerful but then maybe that is, so the folks won’t feel bad. Dick is very thoughtful about things like that. By the way, he said in his last letter that you and him were going to a dance the next Saturday night before his Sunday off. Oh?!?
You’re Special came about 3:00 PM today, I was kind of scared at first because I thought maybe you have heard about your deferment. But it ended up to be a nice letter. Please Harlan, please don’t ever use the phrase “I hate you sometimes”, after all it’s bad enough without you writing things like that. It’s the second time you have written it or rather said it. I said it once and was very sorry later that I did and I believe I apologize, if I didn’t I say now I am very sorry because if it hurt you as much as it hurts me, it’s pretty bad and I’m also sorry I wrote you about the kids, I honestly thought it would be good news and that you would be interested. I’ll see that it doesn’t happen again. Yes, I do think one should snatch up all the happiness and fun they can because life is short, but you know the circumstances as well as I do, and if you are getting bitter about it I’m sorry, more so than you’ll ever know.
Gosh that’s awful about that man and the German. I hope nothing comes of it but to be on the safe side maybe you better stay away, Sunday I mean. O.K? Be sure and let me know the outcome of it and be extremely careful.
Date did you get Momie’s letter, and has my package arrived yet? Your Mom called tonight but as I wasn’t home, I didn’t get to talk to her. How was your back? Better, I hope.
Well sweets, I’m running out of words again. I think though that I’ll continue this after I talked to you and then send that Special. O.K? O.K! I saw the Big Dipper tonight and it was awful pretty, big, and bright but I still haven’t found our soldier yet – I’ll look real hard tomorrow night.
I hate to but guess I better go to bed now, I’m feeling kind of sleepy. The radio is on and oh — I won’t write it.
I love you Harlan and you know how much I miss you. Good night Honey
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
Hi again:
Well one more call is over. When the phone rang I wasn’t decent, that’s why it took me so long to answer. Jeepers, you sound swell, just like you did when I used to come in and get you up when you were home Christmas time. And to think, you were going to hang up without telling me you love me or asking me if I love you. I can remember the time when you used to call every two weeks just to find out if maybe I did love you.
But regardless I enjoyed it a lot Honey. Thanks a lot for calling. I would send you a couple dollars, but I’ve only got $.75 left for the week, but I’ll call next time.
Better close up. I love you so much and would like very much to be playing golf with you.
Goodbye for now
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Janie
be careful next Sunday
8:15 PM Sunday night February 28, 1943
Hello Honey:
Yup, I’m here again, “There Are Such Things” is being played on the radio. I like that song.
What I said about another day another $5 means I’ve earned another $5. Jeepers, you sure do make out a lot, you wonderful thing you. The reason I didn’t comment on what you said about my plan is because you didn’t like it and you don’t like it, then it’s out. But as I have said before, I have another one, (this is more fun, all these supposed the plans, I mean now if we could only settle on) but am not saying until you hear about your deferment. Now don’t be impatient.
Just think Honey, after we are married, and you get galvanized then I will be there, and I can take care of you. You can just tell me what to do and I’ll do everything. Now they are playing “You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To” ( a popular song written by Cole Porter for the 1943 film Something To Shout About, where it was introduced. Dinah Shore had a major hit with the song at the time of its introduction 2w5KNm1LQ78 ). Do you think I would you? You would. I know.
Your checking account is really the right deal, isn’t and it Honey. When I get $100 in the bank, I think I’ll start one. O.K? O.K! Then we will have something more in common.
I talked to your Mom tonight and she said she hadn’t heard from you for over a week, but I told her it was probably the mail as I too had had not much mail this week. But you sure made up for it this weekend. Two Specials, one letter and letting me talk to you. Thanks again for calling. I hope it doesn’t set you back too much.
Well Harlan My Dear, I guess I better close this. Tomorrow back to work and 5:45 comes awfully early and I have to take a bath, put up my hair and fix my nails. (I still say no about what you said)
I love you, your lips, your arms, your eyes, your hair, your hands, every part of you, I love and miss more than you will ever know.
Goodnight Fiancé
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s “Your” Darlin’ Fiancé Janie
1:30 AM Sunday, February 28, 43
Hello Darlin’:
Well it is another week closer to August you. I just got home from work and your Special was here waiting for me. I got this one really early Sunday morning. I can’t for the life of me see why you haven’t gotten any mail from me. Maybe if you don’t get any for about a week you’ll come out to see what’s wrong, huh?
If I ever get seriously hurt or ill, my landlady has your address and telephone number and she will call you.
Darling, don’t ever be mad at me if I miss a day or so writing. It is kind of hard to write sometimes when you come from work. I’m tired and dirty and all I want to do is fall into bed after I’ve had my shower. Frankly, I think I have been doing very well in writing. You have been doing extra swell. I guess both of our Specials were written while we were kind of down in the dumps.
The night is beautiful tonight. Tomorrow is going to be a swell day. I think I will go and play golf in the morning after I call you.
Well Darling, it’s getting late and I have to fix a bite to eat before I go to bed, so I guess I’ll have had better close for now. I will finish this in the morning.
I love you and miss you very much. Why don’t you just quit your job and come out here and will be married now?
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
PS Goodnight Sweetheart
Good morning Little Darlin’:
I got up this morning and made a telephone call. Now it it’s all over. I believe that was about the fastest 9 minutes I have ever spent. It was awfully nice talking to you again. I wish we could talk as long as we used to. Do you remember how we used to talk, and we could hardly find enough things to talk about? Those were sure good old days. It seems like ages since I last saw you and yet it seems like only yesterday. I miss you so much after I get through talking to you, I sometimes wish I hadn’t called.
It is such a beautiful day and I’m going out to play some golf. I will finish this letter when I get back.
Darling, would you let me know whether you would rather have me write a letter Sunday and Saturday both or have a nice long one telling you all my weekend as everything happens. I would start writing Saturday night and continue through Sunday night. Whichever you want, I will to. You see how you like this letter and then let me know.
I think I forgot to tell you of a new fiend of mine. His name is Johnny too. He is a ship fitter at the yard. He is the same age as I am, same weight at and height, dark hair and very nice looking. He wants me to come over to his house tonight for dinner and then we may go to a show. He has a 39 Chrysler four-door convertible, red leather upholstering.
I will write tonight and try to finish this letter. I love you more than you will ever know.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxx’s Harlan
Johnny & Jane 