Letter #41

Letter #41

June 23, 1918

Boulder, Colorado

My Dear Sweetheart,

Well I’m back home again and I have just finished reading your letter. It surely makes me feel better after coming home from Denver. I’m feeling fine and I have never felt better in my life. Oh, dear, of all days in my life, I shall never forget today, for we were treated with the greatest respect and treated just as we had been known for years.

George and I were on orderly duty until 9:00 o’clock. We left Boulder at 9:30 and arrived in Denver at 11:10. We walked around a little and then took the car for the Mission Headquarters. It is located at 242 Broadway, not in the central part of town. We had a little trouble in finding it, but we finally found our destination. The services began at 12:15. We were 20 minutes late, but we went in and marched up to the front. We enjoyed ourselves a great deal. Elihu Call was there. He sang “Oh My Father”. Just as the meeting closed, Sister Herrick asked all the soldiers to go to dinner. Oh, dear, if you only knew how I felt. It seemed like I was having a dream and I just woke to find it to be a true one. We went and, Oh! How we were treated, for we had the honor of sitting down at a table with while linen again, the first since leaving home. They served us well, and for dessert they served us strawberry shortcake. How it reminded me of home. There were two single girls there. I only know the name of one, Miss Edith Powell. She surely treated us fine, but nothing like you do, dear. It only made me think of you, dear.

After dinner we went into the sitting room and heard some singing. After about a half hour, we went out and had our pictures taken. When you see them, you will feel a bit jealous. But listen, dear, it was all in fun, for never did I think how much the voice of a girl meant to me. She just cheered me up and I am ready to complete the greatest week’s work I have done here.

The next move was to the hotel, where Sis. Herrick stays. She took us up to her rooms and we heard more music. Oh dear, how motherly she is, for she took us by the have and wished for us the blessings of protection as any mother would. She seems so kind and loving, it would be impossible for anyone to evade her sweet spirit of love for all. She also asked us to come again, and listen, we are going if we get another chance.

Liberty Park in Salt Lake City

At 4:00 Mrs. Herrick told her boy to take the young men for an auto ride (it was only a Ford) but what did we care, we saw all of Denver (Washington) (Cheeseman) and (City). They surely were beautiful. They seemed to be much larger than Liberty Park at home. Lawns and rolling hills in every direction, oh how beautiful, never in my life had I seen so many people out pleasuring on a Sunday before. After seeing these parks, we went over a viaduct for over a mile long to Jew town. They had their Sunday yesterday and today they were working. It surely looked like a junk town, for there were old iron rags and sacks in every direction. But as we got out further out, we saw some little Jewish ladies (you know how foolish I am when seeing ladies. I just waved at them and smiled). You will forgive me won’t you, dear, for I am just the same old Henry sending you the greatest love and man can send.

This is not the entire trip, for after being returned back to the station, we were waiting to get on the car. The First thing we knew a street car had run into the rear of the waiting electric. We were on the electric railway. It was raining when we left, and it surely did rain for about ten minutes.

Denver

Now, dear, I am going to tell you something that George and I did while going home. There were three girls sitting in front of us, and we smiled a little t them and kept kidding them. Finally, two of them moved, so George and I moved, too. Well, we just had a nice friendly chat, and Oh dear, how it made me feel, just to talk to a girl again, for it was the first time since leaving home. Now, dear, don’t think I am out here just for the purpose of chasing after girls, for I am not. They looked so lonely, and I felt that way. I surely enjoyed talking to them even if I didn’t know them. Did I do wrong, dear? If so, just forgive me and I will never do it again, if you think it is making me lose my love for you. For it is making my love for you greater. It will take a great deal of taking and actions to persuade me to let my love for you deteriorate. For it has been ground into me in such a way, that to take it from me would be like taking me life.

Denver is much larger than Salt Lake, but it is not as pretty, that is, the buildings. The streets are very narrow, and the street cars are not near as good. The people there seem to be just a shade darker than those at home, for our people are much lighter, and very much prettier, especially the one I am in love with. She is the ideal of my heart, and Oh how I wish the time would soon hasten when I can make her my wife.

If I could only feel as I am tonight, I would be in the best mode, to accomplish all I am sent her to do. There are times when it seems like everything has left me. The only thing left for me to do is to go ahead and trust in God, for I know He will help me if I strive to obey His commands.

Oh, dear, you surely are becoming some cook, for that cake just puts new life and love into me, even down to the crumbs. I don’t know how you will enjoy this letter, but if you enjoy this love as I have, you will feel like giving me a dozen kisses. Well dear, I must say goodnight, half the bed and all the clothes [?]. I surely wish you the greatest desires of your heart desires, and that entire mine does, for I never will forget you. I remain as ever, Your ever-loving Sweetheart Soldier, Henry

P.S. Many, many thanks for the cake, Henry X X X. Tell Deloras I will write her later.

George’s girl sent me a note today. You don’t object? Give my love to all.

FYI …… About WWI Civilian Draft Registrations

In 1917 and 1918, approximately 24 million men, (98 percent of men present in America), born between 1873 and 1900 completed draft registration cards. During these two years, three registration days were held in each district where the registrant completed the registration card. Information found on these cards generally included, among other information, birth date, birth location, father's birthplace, and the address of next of kin. This civilian registration is often confused with induction into the military; however, only a small percentage of these men were actually called up for military service.