Letter # 50

Letter #50

Boulder, Colorado

July 2, 1918

My Dear Sweetheart,

Here it is 7:30 and just through with work, for I volunteered to help prepare the hall for our grand celebration farewell party tonight. The people here surely are treating us fine, for by all reports, everyone is coming. The only thing that makes me feel blue is that I haven’t a partner for tonight. If I were within 15 miles of home, I know I would have one. Will you be willing to go, dear? I know you would go if you feel like I do.

Last night a report was given to this effect: “All men who wish partners just leave their names with the sergeant and you will be provided therewith.” If you would have seen me laughing, you would have thought me out of my mind. It may have been alright, but none of that for me. If I want a girl, I’ll go and get mine. Then I’d have the choice of my heart, if not my eyes.

I surely wish you were here to go tonight with me, for it is the first dance I have attended since the one you and I and the rest of the crowd attended at Kaysville, just before leaving. We surely have the hall fixed up fine, for we have taken a row of cots and used the blankets as covers. It makes it look a great deal like a soldiers’ camp. In the main entrance, in the fireplace, we have guns crossed, and a third gun erect in the center. And above the mantle we have the dear old Stars and Stripes, which we are fighting for. I don’t think you will enjoy hearing anymore about it, but I will tell you tomorrow how I enjoyed myself.

Since writing last, I have had some enjoyable time. We surely had some meeting Sunday night, for we had about 50 or 60 out, the most we have ever had.

There were three missionaries from Denver present: Elder Maw, of Plain City, Utah, and two lady missionaries from Salt Lake. After listening to Elder Maw, we listened to the lay missionaries, who surely proved to me they were in the work of God. The spirit they manifest surely held the audience, so that they took in every word which was said. As I listened to her talk (that is the first one), I said to myself that I wished I had someone like that near me all the time, for life would be much more pleasant, and things would be of a different nature. Now listen, dear, such a girl or person, I find in you. Were it not for your sweet, loving letters I receive during the week, life would be like an empty barrel with the lid off, so that everything would spill out. You seem to be my greatest teacher, for you instill into your sweet messages those things which go to make life worth it. You give me the material, and I try in my weak way to build them together in such a manner that you will be able to see the structure I have erected. Then, after that heart filled spirit, which entered my body, I am humbled.

Elihu Call sang two songs, then Bro. Harmond spoke a few minutes, and then Elihu sang two more. The last one was, “Oh, My Father.” Never had I been filled with a true sense of that song until last Sunday when he sang it. I wondered if all present believed it, for it is true, every word of it. It makes we think a great deal of the future life. It makes me want to be back home with my sweetheart girl, who is patiently waiting for me to return to her. For what would the life to come be like if men and women were single in the next world? I surely would be disappointed if such a thing existed, for there surely would be a great many miserable people over there.

Monday afternoon we were lying on the front lawn of the residence here. We were only resting, and the first thing I knew, someone spoke to us. It happened to be a lady and she asked if we would like some grape juice. Oh, how my mouth watered! You must know what our answer was. In a few minutes, she came out with a large pitcher, and a platter of cookies. Oh how they tasted! For it was just before drill hour, after our day’s work. We thanked her very kindly, and she seemed to be pleased to think she could serve us, for we were soldiers of Uncle Sam.

Last night, George and I went downtown to hear the band concert, but did not stay long, for George is not feeling very well. He surely had a bad arm, caused from the vaccination. As we were sitting on the grass listening to the music, something else attracted me. I’ll bet you can’t tell what it was. Girls? No. Something that made my mind think of home: little girls and boys playing and having a good time. Oh how I wished I could have gotten down and played with them. It was the only thing that was real pleasure to me, for there was one little fellow which put me in mind of little Wilford or Fee. But no, I had to stand and watch them romp. But you wait till I get home. There will be a romp every night. If nobody will play with me I will ask you, dear. Will you do it? I think I can hear that faint whisper, “Yes.”

Well, dear, I sure have been thinking a great deal of late about where they will send me. For tomorrow, 38 men from our number will leave on their way for overseas duty. They have been given all their clothing. I have received another pair of shoes, a comb, hairbrush, toothbrush, and a barrack’s bay made of canvas. It looks like a big laundry bag.

Before I forget it, do not send me any more parcels after this week, for there is no telling where I will be. I sure can appreciate and thank you, dear, and the folks, for being so kind to me. For the sweets I have received has made life more pleasant and enjoyable for me, and it makes me thing a great deal more of you and the ones from home. For if you only knew what it meant to one here. I sometimes wonder what the other boys do who have not a sweetheart at home. Who thinks of them? For there are some here who only receive a letter once a week. Today is the first time I have missed not getting something daily for over two weeks.

Today is the second of July. Yes, it is more than that…. It is payday for the soldiers. I received $23.40. My, but that looks a lot. I feel richer than any millionaire. Not that I’m broke, for I have over $14 with me. Last
Sunday, or the day I went to Denver, I loaned $5 to a fellow who had just received a telegram from home saying that his mother was dying, and for him to come home as soon as possible. Oh dear, for how could I refuse him? For he only had $8 with him. He has not returned yet, but if he doesn’t, I will think I am well paid. For I may be in the same fix someday myself.

(FYI: According to www.dollartimes.com …. $1.00 in 1918 had the same buying power as $15.76 in 2010, with an annual inflation at 3.04%.... so with a bit of figuring, Henry’s payday of $23.40= $368.79 in 2010 dollars, and that $5 loan = $78.80)

Well, dear, you may think I am trying to write a book, but if you’re anything like me, the longer the letter, the better. For I never get tired of reading your love messages which you send to me. I hope you feel the same about me, for if you ever stop sending that which my heart most craves, I would be like a walking statue, the smile from my face would be gone, especially when at work. (If one smiles in rank, he is apt to be sentenced to police the kitchen for a few days.)

The card your father sent was a good one, but only for those who are not in love like me. It may be alright to elope, but none of that for me. It makes me think I am ashamed to face the public. I suppose you think I take everything too seriously, don’t you dear? Well, I laughed, and showed it to some of my neighbors.

Do you remember me saying the captain hurt his foot playing ball? It turned out he had broken his foot, which makes it too bad for the fellows who are just leaving.

Well dear, I must say goodnight to you and don’t forget what is coming to me for writing such a long one this time. The next one will have to be a short one. I will write just as my heart desires, no matter how many pages or how much it costs. I do hope, dear, you are enjoying yourself, for when you say you have a good time it makes me feel much better, although I can’t be there to take my part. At night I must hug myself and imagine the rest.

I have almost forgotten the best part of the letter. It did not frighten me at all, but it surely did some of the men. Monday, about four o’clock, someone who was half asleep raised his head and looked toward the staircase, where the red globe light is located; it having paper around it, looked a lot like a fire, for it threw out a red glow all around the place. He yells, “Fire, Boys!” and at that, all jumped out of bed and asked, “Where?” It was a joke on all. I raised my head and commenced laughing. Some of the fellows said to throw him out. But he was not to blame.

You will have to give me another precious gift for writing another two pages. It was such a good joke. I could not miss telling it to you. Well dear, I must be going, for it is almost time for me to join the fun tonight. I may not dance long, but I’m going to try it. You may think I have almost forgotten my dear, by this letter, for I am not speaking very much of my sweetheart. But I have a prayer in my heart for her that she will be able to stand the trial which she has been put to. But, oh, dear, how I wish I could be there once more to see if you were the same sweet girl of the days gone by. There seems to be a great deal of space between us. May God bless you is my prayer,

Your Sweetheart Soldier,

Henry

P.S. The girls of Boulder sent us thirty cakes this evening. Give my love to all.

P.S. If you get tired of reading this, just throw it in the fire.

FYI (Henry mentions a barracks bay):

Barracks

No ammo or pyro in the barracks! Do not clean weapons in the barracks. 120 Bed Barrack buildings - 30 beds per bay - 4 bays per building. Bring your own sheets, pillows, and soap. Please keep it clean - Be considerate of your neighbors. If you want to stay up late or snore like a chainsaw, consider staying off post. Barracks bunks are free, no additional cost. Lights out at 23:00 sharp! There are no female Barracks Bays. Women should contact the Event Staff for other options. Units with at least 25 people will be given their own Barracks Bay.