I Bought Cement and Paint

This is written on a 3x3 scrap of paper.

Burning Desire: The Cemetery Run

and Many, Many More

Dora said she wished she had a light-weight iron

Lincoln, Nebr.

Dec. 12, 1965

Dear Lottie -

Thank you for your letter which I received and it was post-marked Oct 5th.

I was in Omaha Dec. 2nd to the 4th. Your father took Dora and I up to Blair. I went to see an attorney - who is Clark O'Hanlon. I spoke about you.

I remember when my late brother was born out in Colorado. As an infant he slept in a lovely cradle. I and my brothers becamse half orphans at a very early age. My late brother Garifled 15 months.

At this time of year when attendiont is for children and every-one. Well there was a family living up in South Dakota with several children. The parents were in an automobile accident and so serious that they passed away. Well people from near and far heard about these children and wanted to help. The accident happened about last May. And about 2 week or 3 weeks ago 7 thousand dollars had been sent to these orphan children. And then 1 man said he had become an orphan when only a child and sent 12 hundred dollars. Now most of the letters and donations have come from the East. Very few letters have come from the West.

When I was in Omaha Dora said she wished she had a light-weight iron to iron clothes. She said the iron she has is heavy. I was thinking that I could suggest to you - that I could mention this - that if you could, may-be buy a second-hand iron for Dora. If it needs cleaning perhaps you won't mind have it look clean. You know she will appreciate it and value it when it comes from you. Think how useful, also.

My brothers and I have Christian parents.

My wishes and expressed with-in the greeting card.

As ever

I am

Your Mother.

Lottie's Travel Notebook, Nebraska 1974

click to enlarge pages

Oakland Cemetery

Also: Zachariah's ister

Mary G. Ocander

Born June 15, 1871

Died July 15, 1912

Weston Bethel Cemeterey

1/2 mile East off Highway 92, 1 1/2 miles west of Weston turn off

David Norby - Mom's brother

Born

Died 1952

Itinerary

Aug. 9, 1974 10:30 AM

35234 Tacoma

35532 Pendleton 7:30 PM

Aug. 10 7:30 AM

35532 Pendleton, Oreg

36002 Jackpot, Nev 10:30

Aug. 11 8:00 AM

36002 Jackpot, Nev

Salt Lake City 8:00 PM

Aug 12

Salt Lake City 9:00 AM

36254

Aug 13

36505 Vernal 7:30 PM

Mom's grandparents

buried in old Oakland cemetery

Ulrika Julia Norby

Born Apr. 30, 1830

Died Jan. 25, 1908

Z.P. (Zachariah Peter) Norby

Born Feb. 7, 1834

Died Sept. 20, 1913

Mom's parents (Oakland also)

Christine Norby

Born Oct. 24, 1863

Died Sept. 28, 1944

Peter Norby

Born July 13, 1856

Died Dec. 27, 1897

That money is almost used up now

Omaha, Nebr.

Feb. 24, 1946

Marie -

Well I thought I would write a few lines to you being this is Sunday afternoon. I hope that you received the last note I sent with the birthday greeting card. Did you have a happy birthday? Please write and let me hear how you passed the day before you forget. I have been looking for the water bottle Marie which you wrote in your letter that you would send as soon as you get a chance to go shopping. I hope you are not working too hard so that you can't find time to go out and take a walk in the fresh air.

And how is Frank and the children? No doubt you are looking forward to summer when you are leaving Chicago.

Marie please try have a family picture taken and please don't any of you look at the camera. And don't wear your glasses. Answer me when you write Marie about pictures.

I was thinking that I thought it would be nice if Betty and Morgan could come for a visit to you when Frank graduates in June. You can be thinking this over and then write Betty.

Yes I was over to Fremont to see Dave as he stays there. Well I wanted to see him about having some repairs made to the house here. Hasn't there been a great deal printed in the news-papers about housing conditions?

Now about my utilities, you know there is only one water meter. So the people up-stairs pay the bill and that is taken out of their rent. And your father pays the electric light bill. Also he has brought me package coal this winter. Now about food, I have had some money which I have spent for food but that money is almost used up now. So Marie do you think you could send me some money what you can spare? You don't need to send the water bottle if you haven't already bought it. You may send the money instead and please Marie will you send money just as soon as possible?

Yes Lottie, Betty, and Martin sent me something for Christmas as well as Elin. But Marie I have had some personal taxes that should have been paid a long time ago. And your father didn't want to pay them for me. So with some of the money you sent me at Christmas I paid taxes with.

Now about 100 Home Avenue I wish that you or Frank could take a taxi some time and go out and se about about how big the house is. But first Frank could look up and see where it is being the street name has been changed.

Thank you for sending the letter from my cousin. I hope that you can visit them real soon and see how my cousin is who had injured her knee.

There are many divorces in Chicago isn't there? Even Sonja Henie and do you take any dayly paper? And so many young brides coming to America from England. I read that this was a greatest number of youmg woman coming to this country in 2 hundred years. But that they would be an asset to the States. The biggest number of women and children at one time. Marie I have written you about coming to Omaha and why can't you answer me about this. You know you have some things here still.

I wish that you would write and answer questions. I try to answer your questions. I hope I will hear from you this week.

So good-by,

I am,

Your

Mother.

P.S. You may sent any letter you have received from your sisters. Did you received the valentine box I sent with a few cookies? If you wish you may send me a pair of stockings.

1910 Census: Christina A Norby household

click to enlarge...see 2nd item for close-up view

Oaklamd, Nebraska

Norby, Christine A - Head ... age 46 - Widowed - 4 children - 4 living - born Sweden ... arrived 1886 ... Washerwoman

Norby, Ruth - Daughter ... age 20 - born Nebraska ... Housework

Norby, David L - Son ... age 18 - born Nebraska ... Laborer

Norby, Garfield P - Son ... age 13 - born Colorado ... Janitor

She is well taken care of where she is

Blair Nebr

Oct 4th 1952

Dear Marie & all

I am writing a line in regards to your Mother. I know that she would like to be released from the hospital. That would certainly be wonderful. However with my wife in a State hospital and the fact that I cared for David for some time, I feel that one of her children should be responsible for her, in case she can leave. I really believe that she is well taken care of where she is and she should be satisfied. It sounds cruel I know but one must take a broad view of the matter.

As you may know, David left a small estate to be divided between Joe, Your Mother and myself. We each received one thousand one hundred twenty nine dollars and ninety cents ($1,129.90). A guardian was appointed by the court for your Mother. In case that you want to write to him at some time, his address is -

Frank Wolf

c/o Wesley M Johnson

Douglas County Welfare Dept

Court House

Omaha Nebr.

I have been summoned to serve on the Federal Petit Jury starting Oct. 6th. How long the court will be in season I dont know.

How are you doing? Good I hope. I was up to see Margaret a month ago. She is about the same.

I haven't made any long trip as yet. I would like to go West some time, when I don't know.

Greetings to all

& Good Luck

Your Uncle

Garfield

Christine's Christmas Letter, 1942

Oakland
dec 29 1942

Dear Marie & Husband

I thank jau sa much for the nice box af good tings to eat. Wonder have jau can fine time for all vork. Garfield David vas her Christmas day. I have recieved over 40 cards a box candy from Elin. Glad to here from  Elin. I am well but et is hard to valk upp town My hart is veek and in walking et also hurth my back ve have Sunchan and nice weather we have recieved visit from Chicago a Jaung Lady her name is Rutie Durand She came to stay ve like to have her She is pruttie Thanks for the Picture

I have 2 more letters to writ sa I can not writ a lang letter Thanks for all and Gad bless oss all

Love and greetings
from me,
Jour Grandma

Garfield's Christmas Letter, 1950

1950

Dear Marie & Family

Thanks for the letter received some time ago.

I plan to retire Oct 1st. Yes I would like to travel out that way some time.

We are having nice weather now, no snow on the ground although we had a cold speel a couple of weeks ago.

Hope that all is well with you and the rest of your family.

With love & sincere greetings from Garfield, Dave, and Ida

Mrs. Schultz wants her name on my bank book

Lincoln, Nebr.
May 14, 1956

Dear Marie -

I received your most welcome letter post-marked May 5th and also the short letter with the greeting card and $2.00 enclosed.

I had a mother's day greeting card from Lottie and Elin also. I am enclosing Elin's letter as I am sure you are interested to read it over, you don't need to return it to me.

Thank you Marie for writing that you want to do all you can for me by letter. Before I sent you the air-mail letter I had written I think it was 2 letters which were un-answered. I would just like to know if you received them? So don't over-look to let me know when you write please Marie.

You wrote in your last short letter that "you hope things are working out for me." Well I have not talked to the social worker so far. I wish very much that I could talk to my guardian. Could you please write in your next letter that you will give me permission to see him? Then I will ask the social worker if it is all-right.

That was thoughtful of you to write to Mrs. Leopold and some-body else. But Marie it seems that it depends on you to come here and take my part. You remember when we went to the court-house in Omaha to get my birth certificate? Well it sure was the thing to do as I needed it when my papers were sent in for my social security. We could see the man who knows my guardian.

It is so difficult to explain how Mrs. Schultz wants her way. One time she tells me something and then she will change to something different. But Mrs. Schultz wants her name on my bank book. It just frightens me. Mrs. Schultz just talk on and on as though I had no rights. She said she is some Jewish nationality. I try my best to please Mrs. and Mrs. Schultz. But they don't change their ways.

Your father didn't come to Lincoln yester - which was Mother's day. I asked your father if he would send you some money for train fare. He said he would but wanted you to write and ask him for the money. So Marie now don't be too proud but write and ask him at once.

I have wrote and asked Elin and Lottie if they would send you some money also which I hope they will do. Please Marie it is important for you to come as I have written before.

When I have wrote and asked my brother Garfield if he would help me he answers - That your father should help me because we lived in my brother David's house for years. And you know how we didn't pay rent like we should.

So don't feel sorry for your father because he draws over 1 hundred dollars a month. But I know he has worked hard. Don't forget he, lived in my brother's house when social security started back in 1935.

Please write that I may see my guardian when you write. I hope that if you get enough money for the one way to come here I can help you or we can talk that over when you come. It will be just wonderful if we can all cooperate and show a little kindness.

Please write at once.

As ever, I remain,
Your mother.

Your mothers' share of David's estate

Xmas Season '52

Dear Folks

First of all I wish to thank you for the box of nice dates. We will enjoy them I am sure.

In regard to your mothers' share of David's estate; any thing that you want to know about it, you will have to write to the address I have you at the Dougles County Courth House. Everything has go thru the hands of the guardian. With Margaret the State has a dentist come out from Norfolk to check patients' teeth and the State for wishes her reading glasses.

We are still planning out Western trip prehaps next summer (?)

With love to all - Garfield

Please greet your sisters when you write.

I shoud be intilted to work on W.P.A

Early 40s?

Sept 22

To whom it may concern

1923 I bought a house at 2507 Pierce Street the sole purpose for my sister Mrs Jensen to live in.

So by doing I owned realesate in Douglas County of which I have to pay taxes now I figure because I have to pay taxes I shoud be intilted to work on W.P.A. My mother is a widow my father died when he was 39. now I never married alawys helping us as much as I can my mother so she could get a long.

I work at private jobs when I can do so in 1939, have only worked 4 months out of the 9 months. now I am again out of a job so I owuld be real thankful if I could get on the W.P.A. in one sense of the word. I support my mother she gets $10 a month old age pension now it is time I get some rent up stairs. If the renters are behind in there rent and the plaster came down so what in the world do I make on the renters? the money I get goes back on repairs on house and taxes so; do not make any thing on that. Well kind reader I am now living at my mother's home because I have no other place to be when I am not working. if I could get steady empolyment on W.P.A. in Douglas County I would live here with my mother upstairs in this house 2507 Pierce St.

Yours turly

David Norby

"David is gone."

Blair Nebr

April 21 - 52

Dear Marie & Family: -

I just received your card of sympathy and wish to thank you for the same.

Tomorrow: April 22nd it will be two months since David's passing.

I didn't realize, and I don't think he did either, that he was so seriously ill.

Through the American Legion he was permitted to enter the Veteran's Hospital in Omaha Wednesday the 20th. On Thursday he was operated for bladder trouble. He went into what the nurses called "complete shock"; that is he didn't regain consciousness at any time. The doctors asked that post-mortem be held, that is, they asked my brother Joe's and my permission to do so. We consented and they pronounced the cause as "uremia"; poisoning the system. The doctor performing the operation told me that David's bladder was very high towards his stomach. The surgeon and nurses did all in their humanly power to help him. He hemoraged after the operation. Two nurses were in attendance up to the last at 12:05 (noon) P.S. Friday February 22nd. They gave him ten pints of blood by transfusion, also a large amount of blood plasma.

A young Swedish Lutheran minister said that he talked to David before the operation and remembered him in prayer.

This same minister preached a very comforting sermon at the hospital chapel on Monday the 23rd.

At one time David mentioned that when he died he wished to be buried near his birthplace at Weston Nebr. next town to Wahoo. I went down there and bought a lot in the Swedish Babtist cemetary which is about 1 3/4 (of a) mile from his birthplace. Also the birthplace of your mother, you know.

David is gone. It once more emphathizes the fact that life is uncertain. At heart David was very tender and he did much for your mother, as you know.

So much for that. You might send this information to your sisters.

As to retirement, - I already have; - Oct 1st last year. - I haven't done any traveling up to now. Hardly feel like it without Margaret along, as you might suppose. However don't be too surprised if I pulled up to the front walk some fine day. I have had all my teeth pulled and got my plates a week ago. Kind of awkward yet.

Greetings to Frank & all.

With love - Garfield

"I have known all along that they were thieves."

Oakland, Nebraska

Feb. 10, 1941


Marie,


I received your letter and was glad to hear from you. Yes I’ll excuse you for not writing sooner. No you did not write to me on my birthday. I only received one birthday card from Garfield. Thank you for the $1.00 which you sent. I appreciate it very much.


I hope you all have dressed warm enough this cold weather. I am glad too if you haven’t been sick as well as Betty and Martin this winter.


My mother and Dave have had colds and my mother was quite sick. I did the work in the kitchen as best I could. The morning that my mother got up again to start work I thought she looked older and her hair grayer. I began to cry and I don’t know how many times I cryed that day.


Yes I am careful when it is so icey and I am walking out on the grounds. I don’t think I have had what one could call a cold this winter. We read in the paper about Charlie Parrish as we still take the Omaha paper. I have known all along that they were thieves. So I was not surprised to hear about this.


You forgot to mention if you have had Martin’s teeth taken care of. I mean those towards the front. Have you had time to take him to the Dentist and have them extracted? Please answer me about this.


I am very disappointed that you are not taking a course along medical lines. You know I have talked and written about this before. Why make speeches and face a crowd of people, all their breath coming toward the speaker. I once hear a minister say that once and he asked that the window be opened before he started talking. I have never forgotten what he said though I was only a child then. My advise to you is let the speaking down as much as you can in winter time when there is not much fresh air in the room. It is different when out at Campus where there is more air.


Tell Betty to write me what subjects she is taking now in school.


Thank you for sending Elin’s letter. The little letter from Marilyn was surely cute. I did not think she was so capable. If you have time send her a valentine or have Betty send her one – please.


I am sending you a birthday card and wishing you “Many Happy Returns of the Day”. I will answer Betty’s letter later.


My mother is better now. Dave went to the Dr. and got some medicine and pills to take. Answer soon.


I remain,
As ever,
Your Mother.

P.S. I sewed back one of the corners on the handkerchief so that you will be able to see which one is yours as it is very much like the one I sent to Betty.