Now we know that Mattie did indeed join D.L. in Detroit, and that Cornell was at least planning a visit home.
I know the drive “home” from Detroit now would take about 11 hours. I’m guessing they would’ve taken the Dixie Highway.
Detroit, Mich.
Oct 21, 1942Dear Daddy,
Will write again. Why haven’t you wrote to me? I haven’t heard from you all since I’ve been up here. I wrote Polly a letter and you a card. I got a letter from Cornell and Grannie. I wrote them the same time I did you. They’re both OK. Cornell said he was coming home about the [illegible] of Nov. I guess I’ll be home in about 3 or 4 weeks. D.L. got his questionarre Monday. We’re coming home when he has to take his examination. Tell Beckey I dreamed about her pocket book the other night. I dreamed she lost some money and me and Junior was the only ones that had a chance to get it. Ha. Tell her to write to me. Is Lennis still going to school? Where is Polly now? Tell her to write too. Well there’s not much to write about. I wrote to Cornell today. Well answer real soon. If you don’t write to me I’m going to hurt you when I come home. Ha. Well I will close.
Love Mattie P.P.S I dreamed you come up here the other night. Ha.
A few years ago, my mom gave me a shoebox full of old papers that her grandfather had saved. Some of them were yellowed receipts and such, but there were also quite a few letters from various family members. This is one of them. Here are some others.
You know what would be good? A family tree. I struggle to keep track of who’s who.
A Free Man´s last blog post: “Before you start you’re already beat…“
Cornell, Mattie, Polly and Lenis (my grandfather) are siblings. I’m not sure who Becky and Junior are.
And Mattie is still alive and kicking. I believe she is oft referred to as “Batty Mattie.” When she first met dad she reportedly said, “Well, he looks just like Jesus. Make him come over here so I can touch his face.”