First, something from the Heartmelting Files:

Me: Poppy, I’m glad I get to be your Mommy.
Poppy: Mommy, I’m glad I get to be your sweetheart.

Me too, kiddo.

And now, on to today’s letters:

Nov. 11 1942

Dear dad,

We arrived here O.K. all except we were awful tired. I’m leaving Friday for Texas and Annis is coming back [home]. She is going to stay with Mrs. Higdon until I get her a place to stay in Texas. I can’t say much at this time except I hope to see you agan soon and tell Rebecca we are O.K. and I’ll write you agan soon. So good by for now.

Your son
Cornell

Just a few days later, Cornell writes again. And once again, the poor guy is broke.

Nov. 16, 1942

Dear dad,

I haven’t time to write but a few lines. I have a lot to do. We are in hard luck here. We have to buy a lot of suplyes, and I haven’t got a cent. So if you can get me $10 dollars it would really come in handy. I’ve got to have at least ten dollars. So I don’t know anyone who can spare it here. So if you can get me ten dollars, I’ll send it back when I get paid. Well theres no news so I’m going to close for this time. Send the money real soon.

Cornell

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.

It’s snowing here this morning. That has boggled my mind to the extent that I don’t have much to add about these letters.

Detroit, Mich
Nov 2, 1942

Dearest Daddy

Got your letter. Was sorry to hear you all were sick. I got a card from Polly and a letter from Cornell. They’re both O.K. Annis is down there with Cornell. Polly said Tallie and Mama was in Asheville. Are you and Lennis living with Beckey or by yourselves? Tell Lennis to be good. Daddy, have you been drinking? If you have I want you to stop. When you get my letters, Daddy, write straight back. Is it cold down there yet? It’s cold up here. Did Polly take all her clothes with her? She isn’t working is she? Tell Beckey we’re O.K. and tell J.T. Dougan Jr. is getting along fine so far but he might have to change his notch. Ha. Tell him I’ll write to him soon. There isn’t any news so I will close for this time.
Love to all
Mattie Pearl

Detroit, Mich
Nov, 1942

Dear Daddy & Bug
Will answer your letter. How are you all by now? We’re all OK up here. I got a letter from Mama today. She’s OK. But I’ll bet you can’t guess where she is – she’s at Sal’s in S.C. She said her and Polly was going to get them a job as quick as they could. I haven’t heard from Cornell since he went back. Say, did he get married, and how long did he stay at home? I sure wanted to see him, but I guess I will have to go see him when I come home. Daddy, I don’t know when we’ll be home, but before Christmas I guess when D.L. has to go to the Army. That’s when we’ll be there I guess. He hasn’t took his examination yet but I guess he will soon. Daddy, tell Beckey Hello and to write to me again. Tell J.T. and Junior and Bug hello and to write. Daddy don’t wait so long to write next time.
Where are you working underground? I hope it isn’t at John Burlesin’s old mines. They’re too dangerious, Daddy. So tell Bug to write a little. So answer soon.
Love to all
Mattie P.

P.S. Mama didn’t say anything about Daddy Talley.

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.

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, 1942

Dear 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.