Post #55: Boarding an aircraft carrier and arrival at Camp Haan
Sunday Night, 8 p.m.
October 28, 1945
Dear Pop and Katie,
We just arrived here at Camp Haan in time for supper after riding all last night all day today in a crowded coach car on a troop train. This camp is about 60 miles southeast of Los Angeles and about 15 miles from Riverside, which is the nearest city. We are also about 150 north of the Mexican border.
We traveled about 400 miles from Monterey down the California coast – most of it right alongside of the ocean, and through the heart of the citrus fruit area. We also went through the center of the oil region around Los Angeles – thousands of oil derrick wells, all in operation.
However, after getting up at 3:30 a.m. yesterday and working all day getting ready to leave last night or today, I didn’t enjoy the scenery as much as I might have, and was plenty glad to hit here.
This is a tremendous camp and is about ten miles long from one end of the buildings to the other – no tents either, which we are all very glad of. We have six man wooden huts with a stove in the middle.
This is sort of a desert region up in the mountains, and no vegetation to speak of. Everything is painted olive drab color and camouflaged.
There is also a huge air field in conjunction with the camp (March Field – 4th Air Force). They have hundreds and hundreds – I should say thousands of planes here which they have scrapped for salvage.
One huge pile about a mile long and 15 feet by 15 feet. You never saw anything like it. Much of this is composed of new plane parts which haven’t even been uncrated, but when the war ended were thrown into the scrap pile.
All during the war, this camp was an artillery camp, and anti-aircraft training center. Now it is more like a huge ghost camp and is used for a final embarkation center before going to the actual P.O.E. (Port of Embarkation) and sometimes they go right from here to the ship.
Editor’s note: For photos of Camp Haan, see http://www.skylighters.org/special/forts/haan.html
Well there’s lots I could say, but I can’t think of everything and am pretty tired, but I would like to tell you that I had the privilege of being escorted along with the rest of my company, through the great aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hornet. This was yesterday morning before leaving Monterey.
The Hornet is one of the largest and most famous aircraft carriers in the world.We had a special naval escort take us all through the major portions of the carrier and were taken out and back in an L.C.M (Landing craft medium) – the kind where the whole end lets down, like they used in the invasion of Normandy and in the Pacific. The L.C.M. we rode in actually took part in the invasion of two islands in the Pacific.
Editor’s note: After WWII, the U.S.S. Hornet remained in service and was the carrier which recovered the Apollo 11 astronauts after the first manned space mission to the moon.
Since 1998, the U.S.S. Hornet has been open to the public as a floating museum at the Naval Air Station Alameda on San Francisco Bay. For info see: http://www.uss-hornet.org/
It was an experience I shall never forget and most educational. We also drew up alongside of three destroyers and one large submarine (The Blackfin).
Editor’s note: For info on the Blackfin see: http://ww2db.com/ship_spec.php?ship_id=680
We don’t expect to be here long but probably will stay for a few days. I hope so as it is a much nicer camp than Monterey from the standpoint of eating, washing, and sleeping facilities. I shall write again as time permits, and please remember me to the rest.
I hope Phillip and John are feeling fine and getting along well in school. I hope you all are managing to keep warm and that you don’t have a winter anything like last year.
I always appreciate hearing from you, but I know you both are very busy and I know I have more time to write at the present.
Lovingly,
Hall
Post #54: Aboard the troop train to California
Post #54: Going cross country - postcards home
October 1-5, 1945, on board the troop train from Florida to California
Monday a.m. October 1
Dear Kay, We left Camp Blanding at 5 p.m. yesterday on a troop train - we just ate breakfast at Atlanta, GA and had a few minutes to walk around. We are going to Birmingham and St. Louis. It's a lot colder now than it was. I'll write again later. Love to Keith and all of you, Hall
Monday night, 9:30
Dear Andy, We have reached Memphis, Tenn, came through Georgia, Miss, - will get into St. Louis 7:30 in the morning. I am tired of riding already. It's very crowded and rough riding, nothing much to see, but I hope for new scenery tomorrow. I wish you could be here with me for company - no one I know here. Love - Hall
###
Tuesday morning, 6 a.m.
Dear Aunt D. We are in St. Louis now, but I haven't a chance to get off train yet. It is really a big place and really cold - we nearly froze last night. It's nice to get out of the South. We got off of train for a few minutes. They have a very large station. It's almost freezing. Love - Hall
Tuesday afternoon
Dear Kay, There are 2000 troops on this train and this is just a small train that never saw so many soldiers before. Engine trouble has delayed us - the store keepers are doing a rushing business. We won't hit Kansas City Missouri till 8 p.m. tonight and will ride all night in Kansas. Kiss Keith for me. How is his foot?
Love - Hall
Wednesday morning, 10 a.m.
Dear Kay, We just reached here. Love, Hall
Editor's note: Though this postcard contains just a few words of greeting to Hall's sister Catherine, the postmark of "Hastings Nebraska" provides a possible clue to the brevity.
For thousands of WWII era soldiers, Hastings Nebraska was a remarkable stop on the troop trains that crossed the United States. There, the North Platte Canteen was located in the Union Pacific Railroad Station and operated by volunteers from local communities. The caring townspeople distributed coffee, milk, sandwiches, fruit, cakes, candy, cigarettes and magazines to the men and women on the trains. From Christmas Day 1941 through April 1, 1946, the volunteers met every troop train that came through town, extending their hospitality and good cheer to six million service men and women.
Postmark October 3, 2:50 p.m. Hastings Nebraska
Dear Andy, This is lovely farm land out here - just as level as a dime. The towns are few and far between. We are in Nebraska now. Love - Hall
Postmark October 4
4 p.m.
Dear Linda, I thought you would like this card. We just hit Colorado and are now back up in Nebraska at Sidney. The people and houses are few and far between out here. Love, Uncle Hall
Editor's note: I was curious about the geography of the train route and discovered that Sidney Nebraska is located in the notch of Nebraska just north of Colorado. Going from east to west, the train tracks went from Southern Nebraska through the northeast corner of Colorado to the northwestern corner Nebraska.
Wednesday night, 7 p.m.
Dear Kay, We just pulled into Cheyenne and have 20 minutes. It's a nice place and capital of Wyoming. We will hit Salt Lake City tomorrow. Love - Hall
Friday 7 a.m.
Dear Kay, We just crossed the border into California, went through Reno. It's nice to see trees again.
Love - Hall
Friday, 8 a.m.
Dear Kay, I didn't see this - but went through a lot of country just like it. It's beautiful when the sun is coming up - 3 miles high in places. Lots of tunnels. Love - Hall
###
Friday 8 a.m.
Dear Andy, I have to write when the train is stopped - so can't write much. The meals are lousy and hard to eat on the train. We have to walk through 20 cars with coffee in one hand and a plate in the other. We don't end up with much. Love - Hall
Postmark Oroville, California, October 5, 1945
Friday 8 a.m.
Dear Linda, Well at last we have reached California and I am sure glad. I am going to stay off trains after I get home and just travel by car. I'll bring you home something when I can. Love, Uncle Hall
October 1-5, 1945, on board the troop train from Florida to California
Dear Kay, We left Camp Blanding at 5 p.m. yesterday on a troop train - we just ate breakfast at Atlanta, GA and had a few minutes to walk around. We are going to Birmingham and St. Louis. It's a lot colder now than it was. I'll write again later. Love to Keith and all of you, Hall
###
Monday night, 9:30
Dear Andy, We have reached Memphis, Tenn, came through Georgia, Miss, - will get into St. Louis 7:30 in the morning. I am tired of riding already. It's very crowded and rough riding, nothing much to see, but I hope for new scenery tomorrow. I wish you could be here with me for company - no one I know here. Love - Hall
###
Tuesday morning, 6 a.m.
Dear Aunt D. We are in St. Louis now, but I haven't a chance to get off train yet. It is really a big place and really cold - we nearly froze last night. It's nice to get out of the South. We got off of train for a few minutes. They have a very large station. It's almost freezing. Love - Hall
Tuesday afternoon
Dear Kay, There are 2000 troops on this train and this is just a small train that never saw so many soldiers before. Engine trouble has delayed us - the store keepers are doing a rushing business. We won't hit Kansas City Missouri till 8 p.m. tonight and will ride all night in Kansas. Kiss Keith for me. How is his foot?
Love - Hall
Wednesday morning, 10 a.m.
Dear Kay, We just reached here. Love, Hall
Editor's note: Though this postcard contains just a few words of greeting to Hall's sister Catherine, the postmark of "Hastings Nebraska" provides a possible clue to the brevity.
For thousands of WWII era soldiers, Hastings Nebraska was a remarkable stop on the troop trains that crossed the United States. There, the North Platte Canteen was located in the Union Pacific Railroad Station and operated by volunteers from local communities. The caring townspeople distributed coffee, milk, sandwiches, fruit, cakes, candy, cigarettes and magazines to the men and women on the trains. From Christmas Day 1941 through April 1, 1946, the volunteers met every troop train that came through town, extending their hospitality and good cheer to six million service men and women.
Postmark October 3, 2:50 p.m. Hastings Nebraska
Dear Andy, This is lovely farm land out here - just as level as a dime. The towns are few and far between. We are in Nebraska now. Love - Hall
Postmark October 4
4 p.m.
Dear Linda, I thought you would like this card. We just hit Colorado and are now back up in Nebraska at Sidney. The people and houses are few and far between out here. Love, Uncle Hall
Editor's note: I was curious about the geography of the train route and discovered that Sidney Nebraska is located in the notch of Nebraska just north of Colorado. Going from east to west, the train tracks went from Southern Nebraska through the northeast corner of Colorado to the northwestern corner Nebraska.
Dear Kay, We just pulled into Cheyenne and have 20 minutes. It's a nice place and capital of Wyoming. We will hit Salt Lake City tomorrow. Love - Hall
Dear Kay, We just crossed the border into California, went through Reno. It's nice to see trees again.
Love - Hall
Dear Kay, I didn't see this - but went through a lot of country just like it. It's beautiful when the sun is coming up - 3 miles high in places. Lots of tunnels. Love - Hall
###
Friday 8 a.m.
Dear Andy, I have to write when the train is stopped - so can't write much. The meals are lousy and hard to eat on the train. We have to walk through 20 cars with coffee in one hand and a plate in the other. We don't end up with much. Love - Hall
Postmark Oroville, California, October 5, 1945
Friday 8 a.m.
Dear Linda, Well at last we have reached California and I am sure glad. I am going to stay off trains after I get home and just travel by car. I'll bring you home something when I can. Love, Uncle Hall
Post #53: Bivouacs, bayonets, and barb wire at Camp Blanding
July 7, 1945, 1:30 a.m.
Service Club
Camp Blanding, Florida
Dear Pop,
Thank you for the letters and for taking care of obtaining my teacher's retirement number for me and for sending the insurance approved form. It was a good plan to make that copy. I decided to have the government take care of the policy's payments for me while I am in the army, and I will have two years to pay it back to the government after I get out of the army. I am taking care of all of the other insurance payments myself.
It is now between 1 and 2 a.m. I am Sergeant of the Regimental Guard tonight for the 66th Regiment. I have to see that the guard is posted on time by the corporals of the guard house in case any trouble should arise in the Regimental area. The guard has walls around their various posts. They have two hours on and four hours off all night. We have three different shifts of ten men each.
I guess you have been having pretty warm weather up there from what Catherine says, and I noticed last Sunday that the high in N.Y.C. was 97 degrees F. It is extremely hot here too, and very muggy with showers every day. Also we are in the toughest part of our training cycle now and will be going out on bivouac again for two weeks the last part of July. It will be my fourth two week bivouac since I've been here, but the first one in the middle of the summer, and from that angle it will probably be the toughest. Of course we have a lot of short bivouacs from time to time of two or three days each, in which we have night training and sleep out on the ground, and often get soaked, as we did two nights ago.
Yesterday the non-commissioned officers had to put on a bayonet obstacle demonstration for the company four different times. The course is about 500 yards long and consists of running through it, bayoneting the various obstacles, crawling under barb-wire entanglements, without getting your rifle dirty, and scaling ten foot log walls, jumping wide ditches full of water, throwing hand grenades etc. We demonstrate to the trainees and then they do it. That is the way all of our training is carried out here, and one has to keep in pretty good shape to stand it, especially at this time of the year. We also give lectures and constructive analytical critiques before and after the demonstrations.
Today I have been in the army exactly 51 weeks without having missed any time at all when I wasn't either on duty or able to be on full duty. July 17th will be the beginning of my second year and July 27th, I believe, will mark the beginning of my second year at Camp Blanding. I certainly never expected to be here this long when I came down last year, and I hope the war keeps on going well so that I won't have to be here this time next year.
There are many times when I have an intense desire to volunteer for overseas assignments, as different opportunities arise to do so, but so far I have stuck it out here, realizing that in many ways this position has more potentialities for advancement, and is more advantageous to me at the present time.
One such opportunity presented itself last week when they asked for volunteers between 26 and 30 years of age, with fairly good educational requirements, for the C.B.I. (China, Burma, India) Theater of War, consisting of becoming a para-trooper first and then going to China to assist in the training of Chinese soldiers in American combat methods.
I have been advanced to full Platoon Sergeant of the 1st Platoon and have 65 men under me, who I am responsible for. So far we have the best record of any of the three platoons in the company. I have as my understudy and assistant, Pvt. Edward Veach, whose people at the present time live on Catherine Street in Poughkeepsie. However he lived several years in Bangall and went to school in Stanfordville. He knows Andy and a lot of the people I know. He was a Sergeant when he came back from Germany in January but went AWOL for 10 days to keep from being sent back over again in the army of occupation, so was demoted to a private.
He was in continuous combat from June 6, 1944 until January 1945 in France, Belgium, and Germany, and was wounded twice and has the Purple Heart. He is only 19 years old, but has been through a lot, and it is these men who really should be doing all the training here in the States to the replacement troops. They have been through it already and can give the trainers a lot of valuable instruction which has been learned the hard way.
Most of the instructors here are overseas men at the present time, but many are not physically fit to stand the pace here, or are just marking time until they get out on points. One of our non-commissioned officers from Minnesota left today after five years in the Army. They certainly deserve to get out, and for many, the re-acclimation and readjustment back into civilian life will be very difficult, indeed after the regimented life in the Army. Many of these men have changed a lot and have different viewpoints on life than originally. Many will be much better civilians because of their experience, and many I fear will not.
Remember me to Katie and I hope that you and Katie and the boys had a nice time during Katie's vacation on Pugsley Hill. This is all I have time for now. Please tell Aunt Dorothy and Aunt Julia I enjoyed hearing from them and will write soon. I also wrote this as sort of a general letter as I just don't get around to writing to everyone.
Thanks again, and I hope this finds you feeling fine and everything going well.
Lovingly, Hall
July 7, 1945, 1:30 a.m.
Service Club
Camp Blanding, Florida
Dear Pop,
Thank you for the letters and for taking care of obtaining my teacher's retirement number for me and for sending the insurance approved form. It was a good plan to make that copy. I decided to have the government take care of the policy's payments for me while I am in the army, and I will have two years to pay it back to the government after I get out of the army. I am taking care of all of the other insurance payments myself.
It is now between 1 and 2 a.m. I am Sergeant of the Regimental Guard tonight for the 66th Regiment. I have to see that the guard is posted on time by the corporals of the guard house in case any trouble should arise in the Regimental area. The guard has walls around their various posts. They have two hours on and four hours off all night. We have three different shifts of ten men each.
I guess you have been having pretty warm weather up there from what Catherine says, and I noticed last Sunday that the high in N.Y.C. was 97 degrees F. It is extremely hot here too, and very muggy with showers every day. Also we are in the toughest part of our training cycle now and will be going out on bivouac again for two weeks the last part of July. It will be my fourth two week bivouac since I've been here, but the first one in the middle of the summer, and from that angle it will probably be the toughest. Of course we have a lot of short bivouacs from time to time of two or three days each, in which we have night training and sleep out on the ground, and often get soaked, as we did two nights ago.
Yesterday the non-commissioned officers had to put on a bayonet obstacle demonstration for the company four different times. The course is about 500 yards long and consists of running through it, bayoneting the various obstacles, crawling under barb-wire entanglements, without getting your rifle dirty, and scaling ten foot log walls, jumping wide ditches full of water, throwing hand grenades etc. We demonstrate to the trainees and then they do it. That is the way all of our training is carried out here, and one has to keep in pretty good shape to stand it, especially at this time of the year. We also give lectures and constructive analytical critiques before and after the demonstrations.
Today I have been in the army exactly 51 weeks without having missed any time at all when I wasn't either on duty or able to be on full duty. July 17th will be the beginning of my second year and July 27th, I believe, will mark the beginning of my second year at Camp Blanding. I certainly never expected to be here this long when I came down last year, and I hope the war keeps on going well so that I won't have to be here this time next year.
There are many times when I have an intense desire to volunteer for overseas assignments, as different opportunities arise to do so, but so far I have stuck it out here, realizing that in many ways this position has more potentialities for advancement, and is more advantageous to me at the present time.
One such opportunity presented itself last week when they asked for volunteers between 26 and 30 years of age, with fairly good educational requirements, for the C.B.I. (China, Burma, India) Theater of War, consisting of becoming a para-trooper first and then going to China to assist in the training of Chinese soldiers in American combat methods.
I have been advanced to full Platoon Sergeant of the 1st Platoon and have 65 men under me, who I am responsible for. So far we have the best record of any of the three platoons in the company. I have as my understudy and assistant, Pvt. Edward Veach, whose people at the present time live on Catherine Street in Poughkeepsie. However he lived several years in Bangall and went to school in Stanfordville. He knows Andy and a lot of the people I know. He was a Sergeant when he came back from Germany in January but went AWOL for 10 days to keep from being sent back over again in the army of occupation, so was demoted to a private.
He was in continuous combat from June 6, 1944 until January 1945 in France, Belgium, and Germany, and was wounded twice and has the Purple Heart. He is only 19 years old, but has been through a lot, and it is these men who really should be doing all the training here in the States to the replacement troops. They have been through it already and can give the trainers a lot of valuable instruction which has been learned the hard way.
Most of the instructors here are overseas men at the present time, but many are not physically fit to stand the pace here, or are just marking time until they get out on points. One of our non-commissioned officers from Minnesota left today after five years in the Army. They certainly deserve to get out, and for many, the re-acclimation and readjustment back into civilian life will be very difficult, indeed after the regimented life in the Army. Many of these men have changed a lot and have different viewpoints on life than originally. Many will be much better civilians because of their experience, and many I fear will not.
Remember me to Katie and I hope that you and Katie and the boys had a nice time during Katie's vacation on Pugsley Hill. This is all I have time for now. Please tell Aunt Dorothy and Aunt Julia I enjoyed hearing from them and will write soon. I also wrote this as sort of a general letter as I just don't get around to writing to everyone.
Thanks again, and I hope this finds you feeling fine and everything going well.
Lovingly, Hall
Post #52: Boiling hot basic training at Camp Blanding
A note from Jim Flint, Gilbert's son and letter transcriber ...
A gap in letters exists from the February 17, 1940 letter from Cornell until this next letter of October 4, 1944. I hope that there may be a few letters from this period tucked away in family attics and storage boxes. If found, please forward the letters to me to help fill in the missing pieces in this story of a remarkable life. Here are a few details to help fill in the gap...
Gilbert Hall Flint graduated from Cornell in the spring of 1940 and returned home to the family farm at Flint Hill. In the summer of 1940, he married Viola A. Morris and moved to South Byron, New York to start his first position as a teacher of agriculture. A son, Keith Gilbert, was born in the spring of 1941.
Gilbert Hall Flint's next teaching position was in Pine Bush, New York, from where he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944 along with many of his agriculture students. His basic training took place at Camp Blanding, Florida, where he prepared for combat in Europe. This letter is written home from Camp Blanding to his Aunt Dorothy at the family homestead on Flint Hill.
October 4, 1944
Camp Blanding, Florida
Dear Aunt Dorothy,
I was certainly very pleasantly surprised to receive your nice letter and very generous package all on the same day. I can sincerely say that they both were very deeply appreciated and they will surely last me awhile.
I am glad that you had a nice time in New York City, and it was also nice for Cousin Ethel. I will try and write her a letter soon. I am badly behind in my letter writing, but will try and get caught up in the next couple of weeks. Also I have to write in the day room with about 10 people beating on the piano and some playing a trumpet, others ping pong, others singing, so it is rather hard to concentrate at times.
I went to Jacksonville this last Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, and went to Sunday School and church in the Presbyterian church there. I thought maybe Mrs. James would be interested in seeing the enclosed circulars.
I am as usual kept very busy here and am going through very intensive training. The weather has improved a little and the nights are some cooler, although about like our July nights at home. The sun is still boiling hot in the daytime and most of us have trouble with prickly heat and heat rash from sweaty clothes.
I haven't missed an hour of training so far and this Saturday will complete my first 10 weeks - only seven more to go. But those seven will be real tough ones - speed marches, forced marches, endurance tests of all kinds, and an integrated and combined final work out with all the weapons we have learned to use in actual battle conditions. We will take part in village fighting with rifles, carbines, pistols, machine guns, rifle grenades, hand grenades, rocket launchers (bazookas), mortar guns, and t.h.t. bombs. You have to keep on your toes every minute and make sure that you don't make any mistakes, or it's just too bad as we use all live ammunition.
For two weeks we will go on maneuvers in the woods and swamps and never come back to camp at all - about the middle of November - sleep on the ground on a raincoat - at night wild hogs and dogs and some wild cows run all over.
I must close for now but always enjoy getting your letters and hearing all the news. The war is far from over and I am learning everything I can while I have the chance. It will probably be very useful in times to come. Sometimes we wonder what the future holds for us and what destiny is to be granted to us, but we only hope for the best and find as much humor in our task as possible - whatever happens one must always be able to laugh occasionally.
If you have a chance the next time you go someplace - get Keith a little book that you think he will like and wrap it up and tell him his Daddy sent it to him. I tried to get one Saturday and couldn't find any. Thank you very much.
How was the apple crop this year? Remember me to everyone -
Lovingly,
Hall
A gap in letters exists from the February 17, 1940 letter from Cornell until this next letter of October 4, 1944. I hope that there may be a few letters from this period tucked away in family attics and storage boxes. If found, please forward the letters to me to help fill in the missing pieces in this story of a remarkable life. Here are a few details to help fill in the gap...
Gilbert Hall Flint graduated from Cornell in the spring of 1940 and returned home to the family farm at Flint Hill. In the summer of 1940, he married Viola A. Morris and moved to South Byron, New York to start his first position as a teacher of agriculture. A son, Keith Gilbert, was born in the spring of 1941.
Gilbert Hall Flint's next teaching position was in Pine Bush, New York, from where he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944 along with many of his agriculture students. His basic training took place at Camp Blanding, Florida, where he prepared for combat in Europe. This letter is written home from Camp Blanding to his Aunt Dorothy at the family homestead on Flint Hill.
October 4, 1944
Camp Blanding, Florida
Dear Aunt Dorothy,
I was certainly very pleasantly surprised to receive your nice letter and very generous package all on the same day. I can sincerely say that they both were very deeply appreciated and they will surely last me awhile.
I am glad that you had a nice time in New York City, and it was also nice for Cousin Ethel. I will try and write her a letter soon. I am badly behind in my letter writing, but will try and get caught up in the next couple of weeks. Also I have to write in the day room with about 10 people beating on the piano and some playing a trumpet, others ping pong, others singing, so it is rather hard to concentrate at times.
I went to Jacksonville this last Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, and went to Sunday School and church in the Presbyterian church there. I thought maybe Mrs. James would be interested in seeing the enclosed circulars.
I am as usual kept very busy here and am going through very intensive training. The weather has improved a little and the nights are some cooler, although about like our July nights at home. The sun is still boiling hot in the daytime and most of us have trouble with prickly heat and heat rash from sweaty clothes.
I haven't missed an hour of training so far and this Saturday will complete my first 10 weeks - only seven more to go. But those seven will be real tough ones - speed marches, forced marches, endurance tests of all kinds, and an integrated and combined final work out with all the weapons we have learned to use in actual battle conditions. We will take part in village fighting with rifles, carbines, pistols, machine guns, rifle grenades, hand grenades, rocket launchers (bazookas), mortar guns, and t.h.t. bombs. You have to keep on your toes every minute and make sure that you don't make any mistakes, or it's just too bad as we use all live ammunition.
For two weeks we will go on maneuvers in the woods and swamps and never come back to camp at all - about the middle of November - sleep on the ground on a raincoat - at night wild hogs and dogs and some wild cows run all over.
I must close for now but always enjoy getting your letters and hearing all the news. The war is far from over and I am learning everything I can while I have the chance. It will probably be very useful in times to come. Sometimes we wonder what the future holds for us and what destiny is to be granted to us, but we only hope for the best and find as much humor in our task as possible - whatever happens one must always be able to laugh occasionally.
If you have a chance the next time you go someplace - get Keith a little book that you think he will like and wrap it up and tell him his Daddy sent it to him. I tried to get one Saturday and couldn't find any. Thank you very much.
How was the apple crop this year? Remember me to everyone -
Lovingly,
Hall
Post #51: Snowbound in Ithaca
February, 17, 1940
Ithaca, New York
Dear Folks,
Well I guess you must have been pretty well snowbound, as well as we were. It didn't do Farm and Home Week any good but the high school boys from around the state who were visiting here go a real kick out of being marooned for a couple days.
Mrs. Roosevelt and Governor Lehman drove in from Syracuse by car on the afternoon of the blizzard. She arrived after the Chamber of Commerce had announced that all roads leading from Ithaca were blocked, and it took her five hours to come the 60 miles from Syracuse.
I did a lot of shoveling here, but you must have had an awful job getting shoveled out, and I was sorry I couldn't have been there to help you. The trains haven't been able to make it up here from New York City for three days. I saw some pictures of cars in the Syracuse paper today that had been completely buried in the snow by 12 foot drifts, and the ones down here were pretty well buried too.
Did the snow plow get the road plowed out going up the hill? Having the whole road widened ought to have helped a lot. If you get any more real cold weather, you ought to leave the water running in the house overnight to avoid it freezing. The ditch by the silo may be down deep enough so that it let the pipe freeze there.
I hope that Katie didn't have too much trouble with her car. Everyone is hoping that the snow doesn't melt too fast, because if it does, downtown Ithaca will probably have to get out their row boats. I hope everyone is fine, and that things are running okay.
Lovingly, Hall
Ithaca, New York
Dear Folks,
Well I guess you must have been pretty well snowbound, as well as we were. It didn't do Farm and Home Week any good but the high school boys from around the state who were visiting here go a real kick out of being marooned for a couple days.
Mrs. Roosevelt and Governor Lehman drove in from Syracuse by car on the afternoon of the blizzard. She arrived after the Chamber of Commerce had announced that all roads leading from Ithaca were blocked, and it took her five hours to come the 60 miles from Syracuse.
I did a lot of shoveling here, but you must have had an awful job getting shoveled out, and I was sorry I couldn't have been there to help you. The trains haven't been able to make it up here from New York City for three days. I saw some pictures of cars in the Syracuse paper today that had been completely buried in the snow by 12 foot drifts, and the ones down here were pretty well buried too.
Did the snow plow get the road plowed out going up the hill? Having the whole road widened ought to have helped a lot. If you get any more real cold weather, you ought to leave the water running in the house overnight to avoid it freezing. The ditch by the silo may be down deep enough so that it let the pipe freeze there.
I hope that Katie didn't have too much trouble with her car. Everyone is hoping that the snow doesn't melt too fast, because if it does, downtown Ithaca will probably have to get out their row boats. I hope everyone is fine, and that things are running okay.
Lovingly, Hall
Post #50: Night skating on Beebe Lake
Ithaca, New York
February 4, 1940
Dear Folks,
Well I'm all through with my finals and I have a couple of days before registration for the second term. I guess I made out fairly well and expect a little better than an 80 average for the term, which isn't too bad. Besides my finals I put in $10 worth of NYA time this last week, so with both activities I really kept stepping.
(Editor's note: NYA refers to National Youth Administration, a New Deal work study program for high school and college youth. A later notation by GHF on the letter states that NYA paid 25 cents per hour, so $10 represented 40 hours of work.)
I saw Professor King on Friday, and he told me that he's going to have a few boys who will have to go out on a farm this coming term, starting in February. I was thinking that it would be rather a good investment if I could get someone who had some experience to help out. By the time spring came around, when there was even more work, he ought to be fairly helpful, and it would be much less lonesome for Andy. I am going out in the county about five miles today to see a boy who has been working all last summer and last term on a farm near here, and find out if he would like to change.
I received nice letters from Catherine and Martha last week on the same day. Martha says she feels much better and is gaining some weight, which I am certainly glad to hear. I was thinking that perhaps Catherine and Andy would like to look into the advisability of making use of the Home Loan Association for a small loan sometime, perhaps something on a similar style that Katie and Pop have used. I think it might be quite practical in their case, and I am going to mention it to Catherine when I write.
Lat night I was skating on Beebe Lake for the first time in over two years, and I sure feel it today. However I hadn't forgotten how at all, and didn't fall down once. They have flood lights which made it just as bright as day. They have the toboggan slide all fixed up so that six people can go down it and the whole length of the lake. It's the first time I ever saw it in operation.
I am expecting a good mark in my Rural Education course. I have received nothing less than A+ in it the whole term. Catherine said that Aunt Dorothy wasn't feeling too good for a few days. I sincerely hope that she is fine now and that Aunt Julia had a very pleasant birthday, and that everyone else is fine.
This is about everything for now, so I will close, hoping that I hear from you soon.
Lovingly, Hall
February 4, 1940
Dear Folks,
Well I'm all through with my finals and I have a couple of days before registration for the second term. I guess I made out fairly well and expect a little better than an 80 average for the term, which isn't too bad. Besides my finals I put in $10 worth of NYA time this last week, so with both activities I really kept stepping.
(Editor's note: NYA refers to National Youth Administration, a New Deal work study program for high school and college youth. A later notation by GHF on the letter states that NYA paid 25 cents per hour, so $10 represented 40 hours of work.)
I saw Professor King on Friday, and he told me that he's going to have a few boys who will have to go out on a farm this coming term, starting in February. I was thinking that it would be rather a good investment if I could get someone who had some experience to help out. By the time spring came around, when there was even more work, he ought to be fairly helpful, and it would be much less lonesome for Andy. I am going out in the county about five miles today to see a boy who has been working all last summer and last term on a farm near here, and find out if he would like to change.
I received nice letters from Catherine and Martha last week on the same day. Martha says she feels much better and is gaining some weight, which I am certainly glad to hear. I was thinking that perhaps Catherine and Andy would like to look into the advisability of making use of the Home Loan Association for a small loan sometime, perhaps something on a similar style that Katie and Pop have used. I think it might be quite practical in their case, and I am going to mention it to Catherine when I write.
Lat night I was skating on Beebe Lake for the first time in over two years, and I sure feel it today. However I hadn't forgotten how at all, and didn't fall down once. They have flood lights which made it just as bright as day. They have the toboggan slide all fixed up so that six people can go down it and the whole length of the lake. It's the first time I ever saw it in operation.
I am expecting a good mark in my Rural Education course. I have received nothing less than A+ in it the whole term. Catherine said that Aunt Dorothy wasn't feeling too good for a few days. I sincerely hope that she is fine now and that Aunt Julia had a very pleasant birthday, and that everyone else is fine.
This is about everything for now, so I will close, hoping that I hear from you soon.
Lovingly, Hall
Post #49: Planning ahead
Ithaca, New York
Sunday afternoon, January 21, 1940
Dear Folks,
I enjoyed your nice long letter very much, but was sorry to hear that you have been having so much trouble with the cars. It certainly has been cold for the past week. It's been almost constantly below zero here, and together with the damp atmosphere and wind, it was pretty uncomfortable outside.
Tell Andy that I certainly sympathize with him when he has to be up in the paddock in this kind of weather. I've had plenty of work myself this last week, and have finals starting this week and next.
I finished up my practice teaching and gave the class their term exam on Thursday, and reviewed it with them on Friday. That winds up my teaching for awhile.
Katie asked what courses I'm taking next term. Over half of them are Education courses in Psychology, Principles of Education, and Methods of Teaching (an advanced course in which there will only be about 10 students.) I am also taking a course in Farm Electricity, and a course in Advanced Judging of Farm Animals, which I thought I would like to have. I will also have a course in Cooperative Marketing as applied to Farming Cooperatives, so I guess I will have plenty to do.
I got a nice letter from Martha this week.
I am still one of four out of ten who were interviewed and asked to send their credentials to Levonia (the town on the last one of the Finger Lakes where the teaching job is open.) Don't worry about my getting it because three have gone to Summer School and are better qualified for this particular job, but I think it's good experience.
How are Linda and Catherine and everyone? Remember me to them.
Lovingly, Hall
Sunday afternoon, January 21, 1940
Dear Folks,
I enjoyed your nice long letter very much, but was sorry to hear that you have been having so much trouble with the cars. It certainly has been cold for the past week. It's been almost constantly below zero here, and together with the damp atmosphere and wind, it was pretty uncomfortable outside.
Tell Andy that I certainly sympathize with him when he has to be up in the paddock in this kind of weather
I finished up my practice teaching and gave the class their term exam on Thursday, and reviewed it with them on Friday. That winds up my teaching for awhile.
Katie asked what courses I'm taking next term. Over half of them are Education courses in Psychology, Principles of Education, and Methods of Teaching (an advanced course in which there will only be about 10 students.) I am also taking a course in Farm Electricity, and a course in Advanced Judging of Farm Animals, which I thought I would like to have. I will also have a course in Cooperative Marketing as applied to Farming Cooperatives, so I guess I will have plenty to do.
I got a nice letter from Martha this week.
I am still one of four out of ten who were interviewed and asked to send their credentials to Levonia (the town on the last one of the Finger Lakes where the teaching job is open.) Don't worry about my getting it because three have gone to Summer School and are better qualified for this particular job, but I think it's good experience.
How are Linda and Catherine and everyone? Remember me to them.
Lovingly, Hall
Post #48: A near miss
Ithaca, New York
Saturday night, January 6, 1940
Dear Folks,
Well I've been back here almost a week now but the time passes so quickly that it certainly doesn't seem like it. This weather we are having is cold enough to freeze an Eskimo, and I bet it is pretty cold and windy there too. We don't have very much snow but what we have is pretty well drifted.
Herman got here OK on Wednesday and made all of his connections. I wondered whether he would. I got the box today. Thank you very much for doing everything up so nicely and for the apples.
Did Andy get Mandy's letter alright? Tell him that I hope he can manage to keep warm and that he should drink plenty of good-hot-milk-Postum in the morning. How much longer does Katie have for her vacation? I hope that she has entirely recovered from the trouble she had before I left.
I didn't tell you that the morning I took the train from Amenia I almost missed it because I was over in Philip's store keeping warm since the station was unheated. It was the first time I had ever been up that way to Chatham and the scenery was quite nice.
This is about all there is for now.
Lovingly, Hall
Saturday night, January 6, 1940
Dear Folks,
Well I've been back here almost a week now but the time passes so quickly that it certainly doesn't seem like it. This weather we are having is cold enough to freeze an Eskimo, and I bet it is pretty cold and windy there too. We don't have very much snow but what we have is pretty well drifted.
Herman got here OK on Wednesday and made all of his connections. I wondered whether he would. I got the box today. Thank you very much for doing everything up so nicely and for the apples.
Did Andy get Mandy's letter alright? Tell him that I hope he can manage to keep warm and that he should drink plenty of good-hot-milk-Postum in the morning. How much longer does Katie have for her vacation? I hope that she has entirely recovered from the trouble she had before I left.
I didn't tell you that the morning I took the train from Amenia I almost missed it because I was over in Philip's store keeping warm since the station was unheated. It was the first time I had ever been up that way to Chatham and the scenery was quite nice.
This is about all there is for now.
Lovingly, Hall
Post #47: Buttons to sew
Ithaca, New York
Saturday afternoon, December 9, 1939
Dear Folks,
I received Aunt Dorothy's and Pop's letter this week and am glad to hear that the well drillers finally arrived. There is nothing much going on here except a lot of exams and reports. I got back a 93 on a Rural Ed prelim which was one point from being the highest in the class, and also an A+ on a report and a 94 on an identification exam in Agronomy.
I have been down in the infirmary for a couple of days with the grippe and I just got back today. One of the other boys in the house is down there with a temperature of 105 degrees as a complication which set in from a football injury.
I've got quite a bit of sewing to do, buttons etc. but I sort of let it drag because I'm not as stuck on sewing as I used to be. I'll probably have a fellow up for a few days after Christmas to help with the wood, as Frank has been sick and probably won't be up.
I don't know when I'll be going home for sure, either the 20th or the 21st. Will Katie be in Poughkeepsie those two days? I'll be getting there in plenty of time to go home with her if she is. I may ride in with a fellow who has a fairly good car if the roads are OK, and if not I'll stay over until the 21st and go by train.
I'll send a card in a week or so to let you know for sure.
Lovingly, Hall
Saturday afternoon, December 9, 1939
Dear Folks,
I received Aunt Dorothy's and Pop's letter this week and am glad to hear that the well drillers finally arrived. There is nothing much going on here except a lot of exams and reports. I got back a 93 on a Rural Ed prelim which was one point from being the highest in the class, and also an A+ on a report and a 94 on an identification exam in Agronomy.
I have been down in the infirmary for a couple of days with the grippe and I just got back today. One of the other boys in the house is down there with a temperature of 105 degrees as a complication which set in from a football injury.
I've got quite a bit of sewing to do, buttons etc. but I sort of let it drag because I'm not as stuck on sewing as I used to be. I'll probably have a fellow up for a few days after Christmas to help with the wood, as Frank has been sick and probably won't be up.
I don't know when I'll be going home for sure, either the 20th or the 21st. Will Katie be in Poughkeepsie those two days? I'll be getting there in plenty of time to go home with her if she is. I may ride in with a fellow who has a fairly good car if the roads are OK, and if not I'll stay over until the 21st and go by train.
I'll send a card in a week or so to let you know for sure.
Lovingly, Hall
Post #46: Coping with colds
Ithaca, New York
Saturday afternoon, December 3, 1939
Dear Folks,
Well, I've been back a week, and it has gone so fast that it just seems like yesterday that I returned. I had a prelim this week in Rural Education and quite a few quizzes.
I hope Katie was able to get out with her car alright by Monday. Did they plow the road out? It is getting ready to snow here again, I think, because it is very damp and cold. A lot of the kids have been skating this weekend on Beebe.
Tonight we are having a little program at the Coop celebrating our third anniversary. Last night we had quite a lengthy membership meeting.
Did Martha come up, or is she going to wait until Christmas? Linda was real playful the morning I was at Keller's. She would pull my hair and Andy's when we let her, and she didn't seem to like to let go.
I hope that everybody's colds are much better now. It seems that everyone around here has a cold of one sort or another, but I have learned how to take care of myself so that I don't get them here anymore.
I hope Pop and Tony are getting up at 5:00 instead of at 4:00 now that they don't have to get the milk down so early. I can't think of anything else now so will write more next week.
Lovingly, Hall
Saturday afternoon, December 3, 1939
Dear Folks,
Well, I've been back a week, and it has gone so fast that it just seems like yesterday that I returned. I had a prelim this week in Rural Education and quite a few quizzes.
I hope Katie was able to get out with her car alright by Monday. Did they plow the road out? It is getting ready to snow here again, I think, because it is very damp and cold. A lot of the kids have been skating this weekend on Beebe.
Tonight we are having a little program at the Coop celebrating our third anniversary. Last night we had quite a lengthy membership meeting.
Did Martha come up, or is she going to wait until Christmas? Linda was real playful the morning I was at Keller's. She would pull my hair and Andy's when we let her, and she didn't seem to like to let go.
I hope that everybody's colds are much better now. It seems that everyone around here has a cold of one sort or another, but I have learned how to take care of myself so that I don't get them here anymore.
I hope Pop and Tony are getting up at 5:00 instead of at 4:00 now that they don't have to get the milk down so early. I can't think of anything else now so will write more next week.
Lovingly, Hall
Post #45: Coming home for Thanksgiving
Ithaca, New York
Saturday night, November 19, 1939
Dear Folks,
Would someone be able to meet me at Buckley's house, right across from the high school in Rhinebeck Wednesday night at nine o'clock? It is a brown house if I remember right, but anyone would know if you ask them. It is just a block or two before you get to the red light coming in from Pine Plains. We plan to leave here at noon Wednesday and will go around by Albany, so I want to allow plenty of time as it's only a '31 Chevy. If you should have to wait, which I hope you won't, I am sure the Buckley's wouldn't mind if you waited there.
I received Katie's and Aunt Dorothy's nice letters the beginning of the week. This morning I made up my lab for next Wednesday. It has been raining and snowing all day.
Last night I went up to the Straight and saw moving pictures in technicolor of the Cornell-Dartmouth game Saturday. Afterwards, I went to a lecture by a Russian woman social worker which was very good. Tonight the Coop is having another dance but I am not going as I am still having foot treatments, and besides I'm kind of tired and am working on a report.
If the weather is bad Wednesday, it may take us longer, but it shouldn't take us over nine hours unless we have car trouble. I don't look forward to these long rides too much, if it's cold, because I remember how I used to freeze last year, but maybe it will be nice.
This is about all I can think of now so will look forward to seeing everyone in about one day from the time you get this letter.
Lovingly, Hall
Saturday night, November 19, 1939
Dear Folks,
Would someone be able to meet me at Buckley's house, right across from the high school in Rhinebeck Wednesday night at nine o'clock? It is a brown house if I remember right, but anyone would know if you ask them. It is just a block or two before you get to the red light coming in from Pine Plains. We plan to leave here at noon Wednesday and will go around by Albany, so I want to allow plenty of time as it's only a '31 Chevy. If you should have to wait, which I hope you won't, I am sure the Buckley's wouldn't mind if you waited there.
I received Katie's and Aunt Dorothy's nice letters the beginning of the week. This morning I made up my lab for next Wednesday. It has been raining and snowing all day.
Last night I went up to the Straight and saw moving pictures in technicolor of the Cornell-Dartmouth game Saturday. Afterwards, I went to a lecture by a Russian woman social worker which was very good. Tonight the Coop is having another dance but I am not going as I am still having foot treatments, and besides I'm kind of tired and am working on a report.
If the weather is bad Wednesday, it may take us longer, but it shouldn't take us over nine hours unless we have car trouble. I don't look forward to these long rides too much, if it's cold, because I remember how I used to freeze last year, but maybe it will be nice.
This is about all I can think of now so will look forward to seeing everyone in about one day from the time you get this letter.
Lovingly, Hall
Post# 44: Ag tours and competitions
Ithaca, New York
Sunday afternoon, November 12, 1939
Dear Folks,
I appreciated receiving Katie's letter and Aunt Dorothy's card very much. I can't tell you as yet just how or when I'm coming home but expect to go the same way as last year. I'll write a card later in the week and let you know for sure.
I got my new glasses the beginning of the week, and they surely are very much better than the others. On Friday and Saturday, I had occasion to take a couple of trips which were educational. On Friday night, our professor in Rural Ed took three of us to Endicott about 50 miles south of here to attend a Future Farmer Rally. The high school there is very large and holds about 2,000 students, about 100 of which are taking vocational agriculture. They had competition contests with about 10 other agriculture departments in that section in basketball, volleyball, ping pong, cow-calling, etc. It was certainly very interesting and I was also able to meet several agriculture teachers and talk with them.
We returned home about 12:30 a.m. and I was up at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday to go on a placement tour up toward Lake Ontario with one of the agriculture teachers whom I am doing my practice teaching under. About 10 or 12 agriculture teachers and 30 young men who are starting in farming went on the tour. We returned in time to hear the last half of the Cornell-Colgate football game which we won 14-12.
The purpose of the tour was to acquaint these young men with the methods and practices employed by men who are getting established in farming in other areas. This too was certainly very worth while. I have a chance to do much more of this type of activity now that I'm not working very much at the Coop.
The weather around here has been real cold and snowy. In fact it's snowing outside right now. I sincerely hope that it is nice next Wednesday when we go home. I'm having some pictures made from the ones I had taken for the Annual. I'll have them before Christmas sometime. This is all I have time for now.
Lovingly, Hall
Sunday afternoon, November 12, 1939
Dear Folks,
I appreciated receiving Katie's letter and Aunt Dorothy's card very much. I can't tell you as yet just how or when I'm coming home but expect to go the same way as last year. I'll write a card later in the week and let you know for sure.
I got my new glasses the beginning of the week, and they surely are very much better than the others. On Friday and Saturday, I had occasion to take a couple of trips which were educational. On Friday night, our professor in Rural Ed took three of us to Endicott about 50 miles south of here to attend a Future Farmer Rally. The high school there is very large and holds about 2,000 students, about 100 of which are taking vocational agriculture. They had competition contests with about 10 other agriculture departments in that section in basketball, volleyball, ping pong, cow-calling, etc. It was certainly very interesting and I was also able to meet several agriculture teachers and talk with them.
We returned home about 12:30 a.m. and I was up at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday to go on a placement tour up toward Lake Ontario with one of the agriculture teachers whom I am doing my practice teaching under. About 10 or 12 agriculture teachers and 30 young men who are starting in farming went on the tour. We returned in time to hear the last half of the Cornell-Colgate football game which we won 14-12.
The purpose of the tour was to acquaint these young men with the methods and practices employed by men who are getting established in farming in other areas. This too was certainly very worth while. I have a chance to do much more of this type of activity now that I'm not working very much at the Coop.
The weather around here has been real cold and snowy. In fact it's snowing outside right now. I sincerely hope that it is nice next Wednesday when we go home. I'm having some pictures made from the ones I had taken for the Annual. I'll have them before Christmas sometime. This is all I have time for now.
Lovingly, Hall
Post #43: Student teaching
Ithaca, New York
Friday night, October 27, 1939
Dear Folks,
I received Pop's interesting letter this week and wanted to write sooner, but I couldn't find time. You see I had to do considerable teaching this week and it meant a lot of preparation. In fact, I quit most of my Coop job this week because I was getting so far behind with my other work, and exams were rolling around.
I just got through correcting papers that my class had for today. There are 17 boys in the class and they are mostly Seniors and full of the devil, so I really had my hands full.
I am glad to hear that Walter is doing fairly well. I also think it's the only thing to do about drilling the well, because the water might not have started up again all winter.
How did the plow work this fall? It ought to have worked pretty well with the hard ground, didn't it? Tomorrow is the all important football game between Ohio State and Cornell out there, but I doubt whether we have much of a chance.
The weather is just like summer out; I'll be glad when it settles down because this is very bad for colds. I had my picture taken this week for the Cornell Annual, which contains all the pictures of the graduating class. I think we get off for our Thanksgiving vacation around the 22nd of November this year. I am looking forward to seeing everyone.
At Trumansburg, the next town up the lake, they only are able to have school in the morning because the water runs out at noon. It's very dry all around here too, and not nearly the rain that we usually get here. It snowed a couple hours one day this week.
I hope Katie's cold is alright now. I am getting sleepy so will close.
Lovingly, Hall
Friday night, October 27, 1939
Dear Folks,
I received Pop's interesting letter this week and wanted to write sooner, but I couldn't find time. You see I had to do considerable teaching this week and it meant a lot of preparation. In fact, I quit most of my Coop job this week because I was getting so far behind with my other work, and exams were rolling around.
I just got through correcting papers that my class had for today. There are 17 boys in the class and they are mostly Seniors and full of the devil, so I really had my hands full.
I am glad to hear that Walter is doing fairly well. I also think it's the only thing to do about drilling the well, because the water might not have started up again all winter.
How did the plow work this fall? It ought to have worked pretty well with the hard ground, didn't it? Tomorrow is the all important football game between Ohio State and Cornell out there, but I doubt whether we have much of a chance.
The weather is just like summer out; I'll be glad when it settles down because this is very bad for colds. I had my picture taken this week for the Cornell Annual, which contains all the pictures of the graduating class. I think we get off for our Thanksgiving vacation around the 22nd of November this year. I am looking forward to seeing everyone.
At Trumansburg, the next town up the lake, they only are able to have school in the morning because the water runs out at noon. It's very dry all around here too, and not nearly the rain that we usually get here. It snowed a couple hours one day this week.
I hope Katie's cold is alright now. I am getting sleepy so will close.
Lovingly, Hall
Post #42: Trouble at the Coop
Ithaca, New York
Sunday afternoon, October 9, 1939
Dear Folks,
Hello, Everybody - I missed getting a letter from you this week, but trust that everything is alright - at least I hope so. How is Kate's foot now, and the other horses and cows? I'm always interested in hearing about everything.
I was going to write sooner, but I was sick last Sunday and got back on my work some. I also have a Saturday class from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. so it cuts down my weekend quite a bit. The reason I wasn't feeling well Sunday was that I ate something that didn't agree with me and was sick to my stomach. This followed up with severe stomach cramps so that I had to have a doctor. He gave me some gas relieving capsules and I finally got to sleep about 2 a.m. Monday morning.
I felt alright in the morning except for being pretty weak, so I gave my rescheduled Farm Practice tests at 8 a..m and 9 a.m. and went to all my classes, took a final, and got in four hours of NYA work besides working at the supper meal. I've been alright ever since, but will watch what I eat more in the future.
Yesterday there were 25,000 fans in to see the annual Syracuse - Cornell game, which we won 19-6, much to the surprise of most people. I met several of my friends who graduated last June.
Friday I went to a teacher's conference for my professor whom I work for, and heard an excellent address by A.K. Getman, who is the Supervisor of Agricultural Education in New York State. Besides being very educational, I got NYA time for going and also credit toward my practice teaching hours. I'm going to be teaching until Thanksgiving and then dropping it, unless the Coop folds up before that.
Business is bad now because we have too few members and too big an overhead - $35,000. There are only five of us on the Board of Directors who are in charge of it, and I've had to put in a lot of time lately trying to figure out a way to keep going, but as I am not majoring in Hotel Administration, I don't intend to sacrifice my studies for it very much longer.
I've got to work tonight so will close. I received a short letter from Catherine and Andy at the World's Fair and will answer them sometime soon. How is Linda Jo?
Lovingly yours, Hall
Sunday afternoon, October 9, 1939
Dear Folks,
Hello, Everybody - I missed getting a letter from you this week, but trust that everything is alright - at least I hope so. How is Kate's foot now, and the other horses and cows? I'm always interested in hearing about everything.
I was going to write sooner, but I was sick last Sunday and got back on my work some. I also have a Saturday class from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. so it cuts down my weekend quite a bit. The reason I wasn't feeling well Sunday was that I ate something that didn't agree with me and was sick to my stomach. This followed up with severe stomach cramps so that I had to have a doctor. He gave me some gas relieving capsules and I finally got to sleep about 2 a.m. Monday morning.
I felt alright in the morning except for being pretty weak, so I gave my rescheduled Farm Practice tests at 8 a..m and 9 a.m. and went to all my classes, took a final, and got in four hours of NYA work besides working at the supper meal. I've been alright ever since, but will watch what I eat more in the future.
Yesterday there were 25,000 fans in to see the annual Syracuse - Cornell game, which we won 19-6, much to the surprise of most people. I met several of my friends who graduated last June.
Friday I went to a teacher's conference for my professor whom I work for, and heard an excellent address by A.K. Getman, who is the Supervisor of Agricultural Education in New York State. Besides being very educational, I got NYA time for going and also credit toward my practice teaching hours. I'm going to be teaching until Thanksgiving and then dropping it, unless the Coop folds up before that.
Business is bad now because we have too few members and too big an overhead - $35,000. There are only five of us on the Board of Directors who are in charge of it, and I've had to put in a lot of time lately trying to figure out a way to keep going, but as I am not majoring in Hotel Administration, I don't intend to sacrifice my studies for it very much longer.
I've got to work tonight so will close. I received a short letter from Catherine and Andy at the World's Fair and will answer them sometime soon. How is Linda Jo?
Lovingly yours, Hall
Post #41: Life insurance and the war scare
Ithaca, New York
Friday night, September 29, 1939
Dear Folks,
I received both Katie's and Pop's letter and Aunt Dorothy's card this week and was glad to hear from everyone. This has been a very busy week for me and has passed away before I hardly realized it. The first few days I spent all the time working for the Coop, as I was put in charge of the registration of members. Besides that I had to register on Tuesday and get my Rural Ed job with my professor fixed. I have the job and worked all day yesterday afternoon on it, running off mimeograph copies and other work in his office.
I also have been working four hours a day at the Coop, since our opening Wednesday night, as a cashier in order to check up on all the people who eat and guests. Starting next week I'll have someone to help me with this work however, and I'll only be working for part of my meals.
School got off to a good start this week, and I'll have plenty of work in my various courses. I have one lab tomorrow (Saturday) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Ag Engineering. Besides this I am taking courses in Animal Genetics, Animal Diseases, Agronomy, and Rural Education. This latter course will consist of my practice teaching which I'll have to do in the Ithaca High School one or two days every week.
Yes, I bought myself a pair of shoes, suspenders, tooth brush, paste and numerous other incidentals which are necessary and which I realized I haven't got as I begin to get assembled. I also purchased a small radio - 8 inches x 4 inches x 6 inches - a "Westinghouse" which is very helpful and worthwhile. Irving didn't bring his back and I decided I would want one next year anyway, so why not get it a little ahead of time. I think maybe Pop and Katie would like to have one like it or else an "Emerson." This size costs less than $10 new, in either case, and is just as good as a larger one for a couple of years.
I received both boxes OK with my clothes - Thanks a lot - What is Martha's address again? Thanks for the check; I won't need anymore before Thanksgiving as I am taking out a loan from the university to pay my fees and rent with for awhile. I am thinking of increasing my insurance policy and changing it somewhat, but have not fully made up my mind. I have a chance to have the policy start right away without having to pay for it for a couple of years. Most of the students in Rural Education are taking advantage of this. This will mean less that I have to pay every year, and would be very worthwhile to me. If I don't wait very long I won't have to worry about the rates going up on account of the war scare also.
I am going to talk to my advisor (Dr. Olney), whom I work for, about it as he is quite well acquainted with the best size of policy to have, but I would like to have Pop's advice on it before I do anything. New York Mutual Life is the company I am thinking of taking the policy out with.
Lovingly, Hall
Friday night, September 29, 1939
Dear Folks,
I received both Katie's and Pop's letter and Aunt Dorothy's card this week and was glad to hear from everyone. This has been a very busy week for me and has passed away before I hardly realized it. The first few days I spent all the time working for the Coop, as I was put in charge of the registration of members. Besides that I had to register on Tuesday and get my Rural Ed job with my professor fixed. I have the job and worked all day yesterday afternoon on it, running off mimeograph copies and other work in his office.
I also have been working four hours a day at the Coop, since our opening Wednesday night, as a cashier in order to check up on all the people who eat and guests. Starting next week I'll have someone to help me with this work however, and I'll only be working for part of my meals.
School got off to a good start this week, and I'll have plenty of work in my various courses. I have one lab tomorrow (Saturday) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Ag Engineering. Besides this I am taking courses in Animal Genetics, Animal Diseases, Agronomy, and Rural Education. This latter course will consist of my practice teaching which I'll have to do in the Ithaca High School one or two days every week.
Yes, I bought myself a pair of shoes, suspenders, tooth brush, paste and numerous other incidentals which are necessary and which I realized I haven't got as I begin to get assembled. I also purchased a small radio - 8 inches x 4 inches x 6 inches - a "Westinghouse" which is very helpful and worthwhile. Irving didn't bring his back and I decided I would want one next year anyway, so why not get it a little ahead of time. I think maybe Pop and Katie would like to have one like it or else an "Emerson." This size costs less than $10 new, in either case, and is just as good as a larger one for a couple of years.
I received both boxes OK with my clothes - Thanks a lot - What is Martha's address again? Thanks for the check; I won't need anymore before Thanksgiving as I am taking out a loan from the university to pay my fees and rent with for awhile. I am thinking of increasing my insurance policy and changing it somewhat, but have not fully made up my mind. I have a chance to have the policy start right away without having to pay for it for a couple of years. Most of the students in Rural Education are taking advantage of this. This will mean less that I have to pay every year, and would be very worthwhile to me. If I don't wait very long I won't have to worry about the rates going up on account of the war scare also.
I am going to talk to my advisor (Dr. Olney), whom I work for, about it as he is quite well acquainted with the best size of policy to have, but I would like to have Pop's advice on it before I do anything. New York Mutual Life is the company I am thinking of taking the policy out with.
Lovingly, Hall
Post #40: Orchards and Muck Farms
Ithaca, New York
Saturday noon, May 20, 1939
Dear Aunt Dorothy,
Thank you very much for doing my laundry up so nicely, and also for the excellent cakes. I won't wear the flannels much; I just wanted them for Sundays.
I could make it down to Martha's graduation as I don't have any finals on the 8th or 9th (you said it was on the 8th), but it will probably be just as well for me if I don't, as I have two big finals on the 7th and one on the 10th (which is my last). I haven't thought much about how I am going to get home yet; the man I am bringing home is going to New York City first for a few days to see his folks.
We had a lovely day for our trip yesterday up to Lake Ontario, and everything was very beautiful and impressive. The orchards were all in bloom, and we traveled through miles and miles of cherry, apple, pear, and peach trees with their different colored blossoms stretching right down to the lake shore. We also visited about a half dozen other types of farms on the way up, including a muck farm where only lettuce and celery and potatoes were grown.
We also visited about the largest certified seed farm in the state, the Robson Seed Farm, and saw how they grow and prepare different types of seed. We went up along the shores of Seneca Lake and by the Agriculture Experiment Station at Geneva. There were 30 of us in the bus from about half as many different countries, so we had a lot of fun.
I received my gold fraternity key at this week's meeting and also will get a membership diploma. I am looking forward to seeing Linda Jo and everyone in three weeks.
Lovingly, Hall
Saturday noon, May 20, 1939
Dear Aunt Dorothy,
Thank you very much for doing my laundry up so nicely, and also for the excellent cakes. I won't wear the flannels much; I just wanted them for Sundays.
I could make it down to Martha's graduation as I don't have any finals on the 8th or 9th (you said it was on the 8th), but it will probably be just as well for me if I don't, as I have two big finals on the 7th and one on the 10th (which is my last). I haven't thought much about how I am going to get home yet; the man I am bringing home is going to New York City first for a few days to see his folks.
We had a lovely day for our trip yesterday up to Lake Ontario, and everything was very beautiful and impressive. The orchards were all in bloom, and we traveled through miles and miles of cherry, apple, pear, and peach trees with their different colored blossoms stretching right down to the lake shore. We also visited about a half dozen other types of farms on the way up, including a muck farm where only lettuce and celery and potatoes were grown.
We also visited about the largest certified seed farm in the state, the Robson Seed Farm, and saw how they grow and prepare different types of seed. We went up along the shores of Seneca Lake and by the Agriculture Experiment Station at Geneva. There were 30 of us in the bus from about half as many different countries, so we had a lot of fun.
I received my gold fraternity key at this week's meeting and also will get a membership diploma. I am looking forward to seeing Linda Jo and everyone in three weeks.
Lovingly, Hall
Post #39: An Explosion at the Coop
Ithaca, New York
Saturday, March 18, 1939
Dear Folks,
I received Katie's nice letter early in the week and am glad to hear that you have a radio now. I think it adds a lot to a house and is really almost a necessity nowadays rather than a luxury. My heel is coming along very nicely but I still have to go to the doctor occasionally.
I think I am lucky not to be working on the morning shift this term because yesterday morning, they had an explosion in the kitchen when the big baking oven blew up. Someone had covered up the gas escape vent on top and when one of the boys went to light it, the commotion started. All the windows got blown out of the kitchen, and everything was knocked off the shelves. Luckily there was only one person in there at the time, and he didn't get hurt very bad.
My first speech in Public Speaking went off fairly well. I discussed Briarcliff Farms from the angle of its history, accomplishments and future, for a few minutes. We have to make four speeches during the term, with two on agricultural topics at least.
Last night we had a St. Patrick's Day party up at the Coop and had it decorated up quite nicely. We had quite a nice crowd too. I have plenty of work this term to keep me busy. Almost all of my courses have long reports attached to them, and my work at the Coop fills up the two or three hours between my morning and afternoon classes every day. They also want me to run for the Board of Directors of the Coop this year, but I haven't fully decided. I need $20 sometime if you can spare it to catch up on my rent.
Lovingly, Hall
Saturday, March 18, 1939
Dear Folks,
I received Katie's nice letter early in the week and am glad to hear that you have a radio now. I think it adds a lot to a house and is really almost a necessity nowadays rather than a luxury. My heel is coming along very nicely but I still have to go to the doctor occasionally.
I think I am lucky not to be working on the morning shift this term because yesterday morning, they had an explosion in the kitchen when the big baking oven blew up. Someone had covered up the gas escape vent on top and when one of the boys went to light it, the commotion started. All the windows got blown out of the kitchen, and everything was knocked off the shelves. Luckily there was only one person in there at the time, and he didn't get hurt very bad.
My first speech in Public Speaking went off fairly well. I discussed Briarcliff Farms from the angle of its history, accomplishments and future, for a few minutes. We have to make four speeches during the term, with two on agricultural topics at least.
Last night we had a St. Patrick's Day party up at the Coop and had it decorated up quite nicely. We had quite a nice crowd too. I have plenty of work this term to keep me busy. Almost all of my courses have long reports attached to them, and my work at the Coop fills up the two or three hours between my morning and afternoon classes every day. They also want me to run for the Board of Directors of the Coop this year, but I haven't fully decided. I need $20 sometime if you can spare it to catch up on my rent.
Lovingly, Hall
Post #38: Future Farmers of America
Ithaca, New York
Friday night
March 10, 1939
Dear Folks,
I was very glad to receive two letters from home yesterday noon. Thanks very much for the check. I am not certain that Dr. Raeder in Millbrook will remember my dentist appointment. I would like to have it between the 3rd and the 8th of April; probably about the 3rd is best. I will be coming home the 31st of March and have to be back here the 10th. This term has been going very fast and I have lots of work to keep me busy until about 1 o'clock every night, but have good marks so far - over ninety average in Farm Management.
When is Easter Sunday - it's around the 10th of April isn't it? I was sorry to hear about Mrs. Benton; it will sort of disrupt their home, won't it. I'll write Charles over the weekend. The weather is pretty tricky around here; one day it's like spring and the next we have a foot of snow.
A couple of weeks ago I was invited to a Kappa Phi Kappa Fraternity meeting along with several others interested in education. It is an honorary Education Fraternity and the only one they have here at Cornell. It is comprised of prospective teachers, mostly in Agriculture, Arts, Engineering, and Law. They have about twenty-five members, and over half are Seniors and the rest are Juniors. They also have about 30 other national chapters throughout the country and none of them have houses. Here at Cornell, they have meetings at Willard Straight Hall every week, and a member has the opportunity of meeting all the important professors, in education, from here and other colleges and also acquiring valuable information relating to our profession.
Today the president of the fraternity (he is also president of the FFA Organization) told me that I have been selected to join if I cared to. I hadn't really expected to be picked because I didn't think my marks were high enough, but I guess my average last term raised it quite a bit. I have talked with several of the members who have belonged to it for a year, and they tell me it is really very much worthwhile and that they have gotten a lot out of it, so I am thinking rather seriously of joining as the initiation fee is only fifteen dollars and I don't have to pay it now. You might tell me what you think about it in your next letter.
Wednesday night I was invited up to a Ho-Nun-De-Kah smoker. This is an honorary agriculture society comprised of Juniors and Seniors. The name is the Indian word for maize or corn. The organization was originated partly by a group of Seneca Indians who attended the College of Agriculture about fifteen years ago. There was a very good speech at the meeting by Professor Bates on Indian History and Traditions of New York State. Afterwards, there were color movies of the Cornell-Dartmouth game which I had seen once before. When I got home, I had to light into a Farm Management report until about 2 a.m.
Last night, I was one of several given the degree of Future Farmer of America by the FFA Organization here at Cornell to which I belong. It was the second and highest degree which one can receive in a local chapter. After the business meeting, there was an excellent speech by Bristow Adams of the Journalism Department telling about some of his experiences in his two trips around the world. He is a very gifted speaker, I think, and possesses a very good blend of humor and tact in all that he says. He spoke mostly on rice and tobacco production in different areas of the world.
Maybe the warm weather will start the hens laying again. Do they get outside occasionally? I will delay mailing this until I have a chance, tomorrow, to find out about guinea pig production. They don't have any bulletins on it, but I can probably get something in the library about it, and at least I can bring home a bulletin on Rabbit Production when I come.
Frank Hedges, from Pine Plains, has a job already in a town near Amsterdam. He is going to teach Agriculture there. He is in the same department I am in and is taking several courses with me now. I visited a large Central School in Spencer down near the Pennsylvania border in my Practice Teaching lab this week. They have an excellent agriculture department there.
You will probably be tired of trying to read this by now so I will say good night for now.
Lovingly, Hall
Friday night
March 10, 1939
Dear Folks,
I was very glad to receive two letters from home yesterday noon. Thanks very much for the check. I am not certain that Dr. Raeder in Millbrook will remember my dentist appointment. I would like to have it between the 3rd and the 8th of April; probably about the 3rd is best. I will be coming home the 31st of March and have to be back here the 10th. This term has been going very fast and I have lots of work to keep me busy until about 1 o'clock every night, but have good marks so far - over ninety average in Farm Management.
When is Easter Sunday - it's around the 10th of April isn't it? I was sorry to hear about Mrs. Benton; it will sort of disrupt their home, won't it. I'll write Charles over the weekend. The weather is pretty tricky around here; one day it's like spring and the next we have a foot of snow.
A couple of weeks ago I was invited to a Kappa Phi Kappa Fraternity meeting along with several others interested in education. It is an honorary Education Fraternity and the only one they have here at Cornell. It is comprised of prospective teachers, mostly in Agriculture, Arts, Engineering, and Law. They have about twenty-five members, and over half are Seniors and the rest are Juniors. They also have about 30 other national chapters throughout the country and none of them have houses. Here at Cornell, they have meetings at Willard Straight Hall every week, and a member has the opportunity of meeting all the important professors, in education, from here and other colleges and also acquiring valuable information relating to our profession.
Today the president of the fraternity (he is also president of the FFA Organization) told me that I have been selected to join if I cared to. I hadn't really expected to be picked because I didn't think my marks were high enough, but I guess my average last term raised it quite a bit. I have talked with several of the members who have belonged to it for a year, and they tell me it is really very much worthwhile and that they have gotten a lot out of it, so I am thinking rather seriously of joining as the initiation fee is only fifteen dollars and I don't have to pay it now. You might tell me what you think about it in your next letter.
Wednesday night I was invited up to a Ho-Nun-De-Kah smoker. This is an honorary agriculture society comprised of Juniors and Seniors. The name is the Indian word for maize or corn. The organization was originated partly by a group of Seneca Indians who attended the College of Agriculture about fifteen years ago. There was a very good speech at the meeting by Professor Bates on Indian History and Traditions of New York State. Afterwards, there were color movies of the Cornell-Dartmouth game which I had seen once before. When I got home, I had to light into a Farm Management report until about 2 a.m.
Last night, I was one of several given the degree of Future Farmer of America by the FFA Organization here at Cornell to which I belong. It was the second and highest degree which one can receive in a local chapter. After the business meeting, there was an excellent speech by Bristow Adams of the Journalism Department telling about some of his experiences in his two trips around the world. He is a very gifted speaker, I think, and possesses a very good blend of humor and tact in all that he says. He spoke mostly on rice and tobacco production in different areas of the world.
Maybe the warm weather will start the hens laying again. Do they get outside occasionally? I will delay mailing this until I have a chance, tomorrow, to find out about guinea pig production. They don't have any bulletins on it, but I can probably get something in the library about it, and at least I can bring home a bulletin on Rabbit Production when I come.
Frank Hedges, from Pine Plains, has a job already in a town near Amsterdam. He is going to teach Agriculture there. He is in the same department I am in and is taking several courses with me now. I visited a large Central School in Spencer down near the Pennsylvania border in my Practice Teaching lab this week. They have an excellent agriculture department there.
You will probably be tired of trying to read this by now so I will say good night for now.
Lovingly, Hall
Post #37: Plucking chickens
Ithaca, New York
Friday night, January 1939
Dear Folks,
I received Andy's card today and was glad to hear from home. I hope the traveling isn't as bad now as he said it was. It is still just like spring here and it rained about all day on and off.
I was through with my classes for the day at 8:30 this morning instead of 10 or 11 as I usually am, as they are having a veterinary conference here. I worked about four hours at the Coop and have been working all afternoon and some tonight on the last half of my Sociology problem.
My glasses arrived Monday all done up so carefully that I had to cut the box open with my jackknife. They are a wonderful help for close work as they magnify the letters considerably, but they aren't any help where I have to see any distance, so I only use them in my room. Wesly Smith was down to my room to copy some notes that he missed, and he informed me that he had to get glasses while he was here also.
In your next letter, would you send Jessie's address which is on her Christmas card? I forgot to copy it down and she asked me to write to her. Thanks for the toothbrushes, even though neither of them are mine, but it is my fault for not telling you what color, and I can use them just the same.
Have the chickens started to lay any more yet, or did I kill the only two that were laying? In poultry recitation yesterday, they showed us how to cold pluck a chicken by slitting the roof of the mouth and sticking the cerebellum of the brain. This loosens up the feather follicles so that if one is very quick he can pluck the feathers out before they set again. Seeing that it is time for me to go to bed, since I get up quite early.
Good night,
Hall
Friday night, January 1939
Dear Folks,
I received Andy's card today and was glad to hear from home. I hope the traveling isn't as bad now as he said it was. It is still just like spring here and it rained about all day on and off.
I was through with my classes for the day at 8:30 this morning instead of 10 or 11 as I usually am, as they are having a veterinary conference here. I worked about four hours at the Coop and have been working all afternoon and some tonight on the last half of my Sociology problem.
My glasses arrived Monday all done up so carefully that I had to cut the box open with my jackknife. They are a wonderful help for close work as they magnify the letters considerably, but they aren't any help where I have to see any distance, so I only use them in my room. Wesly Smith was down to my room to copy some notes that he missed, and he informed me that he had to get glasses while he was here also.
In your next letter, would you send Jessie's address which is on her Christmas card? I forgot to copy it down and she asked me to write to her. Thanks for the toothbrushes, even though neither of them are mine, but it is my fault for not telling you what color, and I can use them just the same.
Have the chickens started to lay any more yet, or did I kill the only two that were laying? In poultry recitation yesterday, they showed us how to cold pluck a chicken by slitting the roof of the mouth and sticking the cerebellum of the brain. This loosens up the feather follicles so that if one is very quick he can pluck the feathers out before they set again. Seeing that it is time for me to go to bed, since I get up quite early.
Good night,
Hall
Post #36: A sore rear end
Ithaca, New York
Sunday, January 8, 1939
Dear Folks,
Well I'm pretty well started on the last lap of this term and only have three more weeks until finals. It doesn't seem much like January here; it is so warm and springlike.
This morning I heard an excellent sermon by an Elmira preacher on childhood psychology, which was very good. Last night Cornell won their first league game of the year from Penn in basketball.
You might tell Mrs. James sometime when you see her that I was sorry I didn't have a chance to say goodbye to her before I left. Today I got up in good time and did quite a bit of studying for tomorrow.
Fred Pulling came back with us from Rhinebeck so we were pretty well crowded on our trip. In fact I could hardly sit down for the next couple of days. It's one consolation to know that I haven't got very many more in front of me.
Did the tractor start alright after more gas was put in? There doesn't seem to be much else to say just now so I will close.
Lovingly, Hall
Sunday, January 8, 1939
Dear Folks,
Well I'm pretty well started on the last lap of this term and only have three more weeks until finals. It doesn't seem much like January here; it is so warm and springlike.
This morning I heard an excellent sermon by an Elmira preacher on childhood psychology, which was very good. Last night Cornell won their first league game of the year from Penn in basketball.
You might tell Mrs. James sometime when you see her that I was sorry I didn't have a chance to say goodbye to her before I left. Today I got up in good time and did quite a bit of studying for tomorrow.
Fred Pulling came back with us from Rhinebeck so we were pretty well crowded on our trip. In fact I could hardly sit down for the next couple of days. It's one consolation to know that I haven't got very many more in front of me.
Did the tractor start alright after more gas was put in? There doesn't seem to be much else to say just now so I will close.
Lovingly, Hall
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