CA1310

Charlie Rudd writes home from Rockwell Field, California
(C. Avis Catalog entry #1310)
(Document ID #311)


                                                        Rockwell Field,
                                                        San Diego, Cal.       
                                                        May 28, 1919

Dearest Mother: --
                                                        I have been putting off writing a few days but here it is.  It is the last of May and I am still in the Army.  That's pretty good.  I suppose now I can stay in as long as I want to as so many fellows have gotten out and so many discharged that they will need all the pilots they have left.

Roy Epperson is going to the Phillipines.  He likes the idea very much.  I suppose it is alright to tell now for I feel sure he has told his folks.  But Roy has been married two or three months.  He sure has a jolly wife and they get along fine together.  He[r] folks are now living in Texas both in San Antonio and Beaumont.  They have some oil interest.  It's funny isn't it that Roy as Texas boy should meet a girl from Texas in Cal. and marry her.  She was visit[ing] out here when Roy met her.  She likes the idea of going to the Islands too so harmony reigns supreme.  They expect to come back to Texas in June prior to leaving and if they come thru Temple I will ask them to go out and see you.  Roy is a big fat fellow now, and very jolly.

I am still stepping out with my little friend Wadham.  She is some little kid.  She is better to me and more considerate of my feelings than any girl I have ever met.  She tries to please my at all times and that's what counts.  Just between you and I, I am terribly hard to please at times.  Her family seems to think well of me so again I say that harmony is a big word.

My work polks along and I don't seem to be able to get far enough ahead to get out in the shop.  I suppose it will progress thusly for sometime but if I remain in the Army sooner or later I will get out and learn something.

I suppose Hilda is all thrilled about her graduation isn't she?  I can remember when that old day rolled around in 1913 and I brought the "old bacon home".  I never have brought home the Houston bacon yet though have I?  I should and may some day but I can't say at present. It's too bad to get as close as I did and not make it isn't it.

    Are all the old Temple boys home yet?  Write me a letter soon saying something about all the fellows, and girls as I would like to hear some the dope.  Is Leonard at home now and what is he doing?  Tell me how dull or lively Temple is and tell me some of the oil stories and prospects.  Roy Sanderford of Belton was discharged shortly.  He used to tell me of the Belton oil prospects.  Have they materialized or is it the "bunk".

    I bought 50 shares of oil stock in the El Paso - Duke oil Co. Service me got it at 50 c[ents] a share.  It is a company of servicemen and the prospects look good for the fall.  The shares are selling for $1.00 a share now.  I saw some advertized when I was in Los Angeles last week.  It would be fine if they struck wouldn't it?  If it would I would make about 10 or 15 to 1 in all probability as it either makes that much at least or nothing at all.

Last Sunday I had a very pleasant mountain trip.  Amy and I accompanied Martha (Amy's older sister) and Ronald Strong (her husband, recently discharged from the Navy.  He was  a senior Lieutenant which corresponds to an Army Captain) up to Hulbard's Ranch, a resort, where they were going to spend a few days.  We left the Wadham home a little after ten in the car.  Went out to the ranch stayed for a while and then went up into the back country.  We arrived at 2 p.m. had chicken dinner and romped around until after four and then Amy and I returned with the driver.  We arrived at about seven and there dinner was waiting us.  I stayed until eleven and the day was completed.  That was about a usual Sunday but sometimes they aren't that good.

We had a good trip back from L. A.  I was skeduled to fly the Blue Bird back since I took it up but I had never made a good boat trip and I wanted to come back on the U. S. Steamer Minneapolis.  They agreed to take most of the officers and enlisted me[n] up and back on the trip.  The fellows thought it a very fine trip going up so I got busy and made the change.  It was a very pleasant day and the trip was thoroughly enjoyable.  The Steamer is one of the largest on the Pacific Coast and didn't rock or roll hardly at all.  I had no feeling of sea sickness at all.  We were on the ship for over seven hours and it was fine.  

I saw a flying fish, a shark and plenty of water.  The life on board a ship is the indolant life.  You never do anything you just shout out to an orderly what you would like to have done.  A whole lot more than I do in my office where I have four men under me.

I got quite a few complements on my flying up at Los.  I didn't do anymore than any other pilot would have done in my place though.  I was just given the best ship and naturally won.  It is sure some ship.  I felt pretty good when the[y] asked me to drive that ship as they at least thought well of my flying or they wouldn't have asked me.

I don't think we are going to have any more circuses soon as I haven't heard of any.  There was at one time a little talk of taking the Los Angeles circus on up to San Fransisco but I am sure that has fallen thru now as most everybody is tired of circuses.  There is a lot of work about them and not so much in it after all.  During both circuses I have flown and haven't had much chance to get out and see anybody so you see I don't particularly care whether we go or not.  I would like to see Frisco and all of that again but I am not dying to.  I may get over it if we don't go.

When is Madge coming home and what is she planning in during in the Summer.  Just as a dream wouldn't it be fine if Madge and Hilda could come and spend a month or Summer with me.  It sure would be a nice trip for them and they could have a good time for sure.  

There are some San Diego people who I know who are expecting to visit the Campbell's in Temple.  They are relatives to them and are planning on staying with C.M. and family I think when in Temple.  There names are Estel Warlich and her mother.  I'm not sure if her name is Warlich or not she has been married since I think.  Estel is a friend of Amy's. She is young, and not very pretty or even homely I think and terribly stuck on the men.  No not in particular but any of them.  I suppose you will meet them and when you do, say you have heard me speak of them or something.

I got a nice letter from Sister a while back.  She said she enjoyed my letter and added "let's write often."  I am willing if she will do most of the writing.  I am mean don't you think.  I have been in a writing mood this morning though don't you think.  Must close.  All kinds of love,
                                                        Charles



Envelope:

Lieutenant C. M. Rudd
Rockwell Field.

Mrs. James C. Rudd,
    916 S. 1ST.,
        Temple, Texas


Postmark:

Los Ang. & San Diego
1919 MAY 28
    TR75
    RPO