My turn: Dad's letters tell of different world

Here are more excerpts from my dad's 1940s letters to my mom in Mt. Vernon, Texas, when he had to live in distant cities for carpentry jobs to support their existing kids (eventually six).

"July 9, 1944, Orange, Tex."

"Dearest Wife — I am sitting here on Sunday night and I thought I would drop you a line as I am sorta lonesome…I have been here a week and it seems like a month.

"This is the ungodliest place I have been. There are more honkeytonks, beer joints and whisky stores than any place I ever saw and more drunk people, but believe me I haven't been in one or had a bottle of beer and I don't intend to — but just to be sure I want you to come here."

• • •

"Sunday Morning, Midland, Tex."

"Dearest Wife — I sure wish you were here. I have missed you a lot. No place like home.

"Sure hated to leave you. I am sending you the money to come on. I sure would love to see my boys and girl.

"Get Olin (her brother) to help you load up the washing machine. Put the other junk in the house and nail up the doors.

"Get a tire for the spare in case you have a flat.

"Give Myrtle (his sister) half of the rest of the cotton to tend to it. I need you here more than that cotton needs you there."

Contact Wendel Sloan at [email protected]