Holiday Activities at the Lincoln State Hospital

(click to enlarge)

Do You Sing Softly As You Send Your Babies To Sleep?

Lincoln, Nebr.

Sept. 11, 1949

Lottie dear - 

I will write a few lines as I am sending you a birthday greeting card. I hope that you received the card I sent to Roxanne. Two weeks ago I wrote to Betty and sent her a card also. I hope that Betty is with you at the present time and will stay and help you with your work as long as you need help and until you feel stronger. 

Have you heard from any of your sisters or Martin? I wish Martin would write to me. If you happen to know what Martin's address is I wish you would send it to me.

I sent my brother Garfield a card as it was his birthday the 7th of September. 

Betty is about the same age as Margaret Truman and only about 6 month's difference.

I read that in England they consider a child a baby until it is 2 1/2 or 3 years of age. And that they take such good care of their little children. By the way do you sing softly as you send your babies to sleep. These was a line in a baby lullaby song which went as follows - "And baby has fallen a sleep." Lullaby means - a song to quiet infants.

You remember surely when the song "On the Isle of Capri" was so popular. Well I read in Time magazine about Margaret Rose taking a journey to Capri and she had 3 chaperons. In the article it said "I don't think she's much of a threat to the other girls."

I wish to send you a sauce dessert and I wish you or Betty would let me know how it turns out. (1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, 2/3 cup light corn syrup, 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup better, 2/3 cups cream, little sale, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and chopped nuts if desired. Put sugar, corn syrup, water and butter into a pan, stir well, then boil to a soft ball stage. Cool and beat in the cream, salt, and vanilla. Serve on ice cream or pudding.)

May I remind you to serve oysters once in a while for health's sake and the children may learn to like them. Hope you have a nice birthday cake and wish you many happy returns of the day.

Lottie I hope I may be dismissed now very soon and I am so lonesome. I surely have been very patient. I wish you would be kind to write soon and fine the fine and have the ambition. 

When you write describe the jumper for me but don't sent it as I don't need it. 

Best wishes to all.

I remain,

From,

Your Mother.

P.S. I wish I had some stamps.

Storage, 1949

Births: Mrs. & Mrs. Robert N. Johnson, a daughter

Hospital Bill, 1949

Happy Birthday, Jacque!

You may send me a book of 3-cent stamps

Lincoln, Nebr.

Feb. 6, 1949

Marie dear -

To-day is Sunday and I will write to you all-though it is your turn to write. I wish to thank you for the clothing you sent me for Christmas. I haven't worn them as yet because I haven't needed to.

Betty sent me this stationary and 3 bars of nice soap for my birthday present. Lottie sent 2 pairs of stockings. I hope your sisters send you some-thing for your birthday Marie. I will not be able to for your birthday which is with-in a few days but I wish you many happy returns of the day.

I am wondering if you are still working and if Frank is giving singing lessons. I suppose you are tired when your work is done so have neglected to write to me. Do you know where you are doing when you move? It reminds me of when I would move and there were so many, many things to look after. You haven't answered me whether or not the house where you move, if, you know, has furniture in it. I don't have your last letter so can not remember if you asked me any questions.

I was wondering if you sing the song at your church, "I would be true, For there are those who trust me/"

Have you read about President Truman's daughter Margaret is going to sing at concerts? I read where the Pres. gave a father's advice to her when she left recently for New York. The Pres. was asked what advice he gave her and the answer was "no". Pres. Truman would not tell.

Marie, being it soon will be Valentine's day I was going to mention that instead of sending me a Valentine card you may send me a book of 3-cent stamps and also some candy. Thanking you in advance. If you sent money to the Storage Company for me I wish to thank you very much.

Marie, from time to time I keep wondering how long I shall be here. At the present time it is winter weatherhere. I wonder how my brothers are with G's work out on the road. Well I must close and please write soon. Best greetings to you an all. My addres is - Box 271, Lincoln, Nebr.

As ever,

From, Mother.

Ruth's Christmas Letter, 1949

Dec. 21, 1949

Marie dear -

I received the 2 cards from you this morning and I was pleased to hear from you. Thank you very much for the pretty handkerchief and for the present you are sending.

I received a box from Betty which was kind of her.

Martin and your father were here to visit me a few weeks ago. I was glad to see Martin as you can well image [imagine]. I expect them to come and visit some time soon when weather is fair for traveling. I am thankful for Martin has returned safely. Pardon me if I repeat anything I have written before. Yes I wish you would wrote and answer my letter as you wrote you would on the card. If there is anything I need I will let you know. But what I wish is that I may be dismissed. I was here last Christmas also you know.

Mother.

Martin's Christmas Card, 1949

Please write to Martin and remind him to write to his mother

Lincoln, Nebraska

April 19, 1949

Sunday

Marie dear -

I received your most welcome letter and the book of 3 cent stamps. Also later received the box of candy and thank you also for the card enclosed with the candy. The flowers pictured on the card are lovely and I like the words. Also wish to thank you for the money you sent the Storage Co., for me. When you hear from them please let me know what they say. Thank you.

Marie I had a short letter written for your father and enclosed was the short letter that Martin had written. I was very pleased to receive it. I can hardly believe Martin is in those far away places can you Marie? I don't know how much post-age it take to send a letter that far. Will you find out and let me know when you write next time? And now that you have Martin's address please write to Martin and remind him to write to his mother.

I received the Easter card from you, handkerchief, receipt for money and short letter. I thank you very much Marie for all. Also thank you for sending card to my cousin in Chicago.

Marie in your letter you did not write what I most wished to know about if you are coming out here. I hope you can take a vacation with your family like last summer. I would like for you to come when the weather warms up and please arrange to come. I would be so glad to see you all for I am so lonesome and hope that you will come. Are you intending to go to any convention before long? I hope you are.

I suppose you buy big enough shoes for your little girls. Well in the Ladies Home Journal for October 1948 there is a good article about - Fit Your Child's Foot by H.L. Whitman. If you can send the article to Lottie.

Well Frank will surely get used to driving a car like Garfield.

If you attend some convention then you can come this way and please write very soon. Now this is what I wish for you to answer so please don't fail. And thank you again for what you have sent me so recently.

As ever,

I am,

Your, Mother.

Afgans seem rather popular now

May 21, 1949

Marie dear -

I receive the Mother's day card and short letter also that $1.00 enclosed. Thank you very much and I appreciated what you sent me. I also had a Mother's day card from Lottie and Betty and also a nice gift from each. Also your father came and brought a few things for me. Marie I am glad that you receive my letter and I hope that you answer soon. I am anxious for you to send me a copy of Martin's letter as you mentioned in your letter as he had not written to me. I surely hope that he receives the kodak pictures you sent him.

Have you head from Elin since you sent her some pictures? I did not hear from her or receive a mother's day card from her. I hope you write and let her know any news about points of interest.

Marie when you write be sure and let me know if you have heard from the Storage Co., since you sent the money for me. If they write and say that there is more due please Marie send it. I hope that you don't mind. Remember how much my family helped me when you were young and growing up. I wish my brohers would help me now for I feel so lonely. I should have those who care for me come and help me. You wrote that all of you will be thinking of me on Mother's day and on your card were expressed about the kindly things I have done. So please, please help your mother and I hope you and Frank will have luck and find an unfurnished house. It seems in my letters I please as though you didn't understand.

I was going to write to Lottie to-day but instead I am writing to you.

In the magazine for Jan. 1949 Woman's day it describes how to make an afgan on a small frame. I wish I could send you the magazine and you could teach your little girls to weave the squares. The magazine costs only 5 cents and perhaps you can find one at some second-hand book store in Phoenix. Perhaps you have some afgans made with yarn. I think I like light blue with a darker shade of blue. Afgans seem rather popular now.

I have been writing this with paper on my lap and excuse pencil.

Best wishes to you and family and thank you for what you sent.

As ever,

I am,

Your,

Mother