But Don't Eat Too Much

1962

Thanks for the xmas letter. Margaret and I are doing fairly good. Hasn't snowed for a while. Earn lots of money but don't eat too much. Greetings to all.

Uncle Garfield and Aunt Margaret

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

From now on it will be foot ball and elections to read about

Blair Nebr.

Sept 17 - 1956

Ruth -

I haven't gotten around to write to you before but I want to thank you for birthday gift.

I received a card from Joe's but none from any of your girls.

I went to Norfolk on the 7th - my birthday - Margaret was feeling pretty good. Stopped at Joe's and Aunt Addie on the way home. Didn't get a cup of coffee either place.

Blanche had company and we told her that we were stopping at Aunt Addie's place so really can't blame her. And as you probably know Aunt Addie hasn't been feeling so well of late although when we werethere she was dressed and walked around. She had had her supper. We stopped at Lyons at Charlie Swanson's. They gave us coffee. I suppose you remember the blind lady's son, a brother of Gilbert Swanson.

I am going to read meters for the city tomorrow.

I suppose that we will have fall weather soon.

I didn't go to the Fair. From now on it will be foot ball and elections to read about.

No news to write about I suppose that you still get the Oakland paper.

Thanks again

- Garfield

"I am Ruth"

Question #1: Who is Margaret? Margaret Norby?

Question #2: How did this letter make its way to Lottie or Marie (and then into the boxes of items in the Basement)?

Observation #1 (confirmed from multiple letters): Taking turns on letter writing was quite important to Ruth!

Omaha Nebr.

Dec. 20, 1966.

Dear Margaret -

It is really your turn to write to me. If you are rested and feel beter why don't you try to write letters?

I am now living in Omaha. I sent you a number of Oakland papers and hope you looked them over. I do not take the Okalnad paper any more. I read Omaha papers.

I hoe you can go out-of-doors and take walks. The weather is wonderful at the present time.

Marie and Lottie were here to visit me this summer. Both are school teachers.

I thought I would send you the enclosed greeting card because it reminds me of the scenery down by the old mill in Oakland. But I don't suppose you remember it or the bridge by the mill.

Hope you will write and let me know that you have received the greeting card from me and this short letter.

My address is on the envelope.

Sincerely,

I am Ruth

P.S. Excuse writing

"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