Introduction... 136 WWI Letters

Dear Call Family,

     A few years ago at a Call reunion, Aunt Elizabeth brought out an antique white wicker basket filled with old letters. She wanted to pass them out; one letter each for a grandchild to treasure. They were from Grandma and Grandpa Call. These letters were written during the years he spent in training camps, then overseas in France during WWI. They had just become engaged the day before he left for the war. Elizabeth said she wanted each grandchild to take one for a keepsake. A sweet and sentimental idea, but I persuaded her to give them all to me so I could transcribe them and bind them as a journal for all to treasure.

     There are 136 letters. They smell musty but are in good condition, exhibiting classic cursive handwriting with blue ink from a fountain pen. The penmanship of Violet's letters and Henry's letters are so similar I imagine they were taught from the same Zaner-Bloser handwriting curriculum in the Davis School District. Each letter has a 3 cent stamps on the envelope. I decided to arrange them in the order of their dates, whether it was from Henry or from Violet, so we have the same general time frame

   This was not an easy project. Each letter took about two hours to decipher, type, then proofread; but doing this was a labor of love, ever endearing and incredibly interesting. Most letters had six to twelve sheets in them, written on both sides. No wasting paper! Many are humorous. All the letters show a budding romance blossoming into a strong  love they had for each other. They are a testament to Henry’s patriotism, good character, and testimony of the gospel… which they both shared deeply. Violet was truly smitten by her beau. Henry was crazy about his girl.

     I have been gathering email addresses from my children, brothers, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles. If there are others who would like to be on the mailing list, let me know. Maybe some of my dad’s cousins would be interested. I imagine this project will take about six month. I will try to send a transcription of a letter every couple days, and won’t it be wonderful to get a letter from the grandparents? A missive from the grave! Most of us knew them well and now we’ll know them better. The letters have a familiar voice to them. I’ve read them all. I am confident ‘the grandparents’ would not be distressed that I am sending them out. We come from a wonderful Call/Wood heritage, and these letters confirm it. These letters are a treasure. They are nothing but uplifting…. and sweet, and familiar, and funny, and historical, and romantic….

      I have a few photos of this 1917-1919 time period, but if anyone has others, email them to me and I’ll plant them between the letters. You may wish to print out each letter as it comes so that you have your own personal booklet. If you want to respond regarding a certain letter, send it to me and I’ll include comments from anyone. I encourage Dad, Steve, Jay, and H.D. to write what they remember about Grandpa as a soldier in The Great War, and what they were told about Grandmother during this time period. I’ll add them as sidebars to the letters. Enjoy! You’ll find yourself, as I am, immersed in the years of 1918-1919.

Transcribed by Anne, daughter of Richard Call, son of Henry and Violet Call.

Anne Call House

627 Grove Cir.

Alpine, UT 84004

801-791-7704

annehouse7@gmail.com