Letter

Charlie Rudd writes home from aviation ground school in Austin, Texas
(C. Avis Catalog entry #1311)
(Document ID #312)

[No spelling corrections have been made -ca]

["Cousin Alice" was Charles' father's first cousin, Alice Pridmore Sugg (1839-1933)]


                                    April 21, 1918

Dear Mama: -
    How did it happen?, I didn't hear from you at all this week.
    Along at the first of the week I need consolation too as I was very sick.  Sunday night it rained here terribly hard here and the barracks in which I Iived at that time leaked terribly right over my bed the results being that I slept the remainder of the night wet and cold.  I contracted a bad cold, sore throat and chest and a very bad pain up and down my back and in the back of my head.  I went on the sick report for three day but still continued to go on with my classes.  About Thursday I began to get along alright, but Monday & Tuesday I just though I would have to give up and loose a week going to the infirmary.  I came out pretty well so I suppose my sickness didn't thouroughly incapacitate me.  We had our finals in Lewis Machine Guns Thursday and I made 95.  That's a pretty good mark, and for a final too.  I made g in rigging and engines and I think it was an f in signals.  The grade was floted with both and F & G but I think it was an F as the fact of being off color made me show up a little weaker in signal than I suppose I really am.  I made Vg's in Calistenics, drill and conduct and the same old 70 in efficiency.
    I have been here a month and a half now.  The time has gone by pretty fast though.
    Last Sunday Steel and I went out to dinner with Hulen Black out at his fraturnity.  We enjoyed the dinner very much especially some nice hot biscuits.  They were grime and very delicious.  During the evening we strolled out to the Gribbles, where we received an invitation for dinner to-day.
    Yesterday afternoon we were marched over to the University, where we stood retreat and attended a so called, "Fete of Natiins", a red cross benefit.  Steel and I strolled around quite a while and then went over where they were dancing.  I met a little girl from Marlin, stayed with her most of the evening and Edwin carried us home.  Willard Wade finished this week and I am sure he sure was glad to make it.  I suppose he had to stretch a little to make it as he didn't have so very much education.  He is in Temple now and he may see you while he is there.  Just think if I was on the 8 weeks course I would have only 2 more weeks to go but as I am only lalf through.  I have passed the hardest part of the course now however as very few of our class is busting back now and after you get this far, you certainly should make it.
    The next place we are sent is the concentration camp at Dallas.  While there, if I get there, I could go out to see cousin Alice quite often.  There the work is pretty soft and we will have much more time on our hands.  
    Well good bye Mama and don't worry about my physical condition as I am alright and will get better still this week.

                            With love,
                                    Chas.

You may knit gray if you want to but the color doesn't matter much.

 

Letter from Charlie Rudd to family from Mather Field, California
(C. Avis Catalog entry #1309)
(Document ID #310)

[No spelling corrections have been made -ca]

The Rudd Family, 
    916 S. 1st St.
        Temple,
            Texas

Postmark:
SACRAMENTO
MATHER BR
Oct 15 
9 AM

[3 cent stamp]



Mama and Dad

                                    Mather Field, 
                                        Oct. 4, 1918

Dearest Mother and Father: ----
    Quite a few letters have rolled in the last few days.  I got an nice letter from Madge Saturday, a combined letter from Hilda and Mildred Sunday and a letter today from LeRoy Talley.  On top of all of that I received a letter from you and Mrs. Selfridge the first part of the week.  That's pretty good for me don't you think?  
    I have gotten three letters from Madge since she went to Alvin.  I sure was grieved to hear of Roy's sad calamity.  It is just too bad.  He was such a capable boy and the only one at that.  His mother worried quite a bit about him all the time and I am sure it will break her heart.  I am going to write a letter of condolence to her real soon.  I will first have to get into the mood to do it as it will be the first letter of that type I have ever written.  
    It sure makes me sad to think of it.  He was such a wholesome boy, a good room-mate an a finer friend couldn't be found.  I am very sorry I didn't keep in closer touch with him.  For now that opportunity is forever blocked.
    I mailed the second issue of the "Air Currents" to you Sunday.  I consider this issue superior to the first copy.  The comic hints at the men on the field are good. 
    I don't think peace is possible now as the German government, whoever that may be now, is trying to add provisions before evacuating Allied territory.  This within itself should be a clue that the Germans are not ready to humble themselves as they will have to in any peace or Armaistus that the Allies will make.  Do you think, after all the horrible deeds and treaterous acts of the "German Intrique", that the Allies would give the Germans would give the Germans an honorable peace.  Would it be right to those who have sacrificed so much, for the Allies to come to easy terms with the Huns just as soon as they are gaining the upper hand?  Do you think the Germans would abort, if they had the upper hand coming forceably their way?  Did they in the big drive in 1914 when the[y] had the Christmas diner engagement?  No I say.  This is only a German skeme to gain time.  They are beaten on the lines now they are trying to retrieve with pretty shallow "Mankind Saving Peace talk".  It was only when they were the looses, their men were being sacrificed to no avail, that the Kaiser and his co-workers realized that mankind was being so brutally sacrificed.
    We must push this affair, since we have been compelled to enter it, until, as I have read so often, a world-wide democracy is safe for eternity.  
    But off the war talk.  Let the talk of Peace drop your mind because Germany is not ready to come to our terms now.  They have too much "German honour" to do that now.
    I would sure like to know Martel's address.  I would like to write to him and will do so if you can furnish the address.  
    Madge has been keeping pretty well supplied with Houston Post clippings.  That keeps me in closer touch with school than I have been since I left last fall.
    I can hardly Mildred being in High School.  When they start up while you are away, it always seems like another "Springing up in the night" affair. 
    LeRoy told me he had a little touch of the "Flu", but is alright now.  This little spree is about like the one that happened in the early fall last year, only it seems to be hitting the Northern States harder.
    Here is a pun on it.  "He opened his mouth and Influenza."  I suppose you have already heard it.
    I may have a chance to go to Houston when I am winged up.  I am going to try to on account of Madge.  In a letter to her I mentioned the fact and she seems to want me to come so much that I am going to use my influence to go there if a choice is available.  Then I could come up home ever so often.  That would be find don't you think?
    Tell Papa that flying is quite safe much more so than I had an idea.  Just so long as the ship is functioning properly and the pilot holds his head it is as simple and as natural as ride on a motorcycle.  You just drive it by the way you feel.  A man shouldn't drive a ship unless he feels natural in it.  If he doesn't feel natural sooner or later he will be bumped off.  The one important thing that training gives you is the "Feel of the Ship".  When you acquire that you can  just fly the old ship just be the way it feels to you.  Fly it so that you feel natural and you are safe.
    Stalls are the accident makers in flying.  They are easily detected but if not remeded and you haven't sufficient altitude, they may result seriously.  Most all the accidents are traced to just this thing and a natural feel of the ship can pick up a stall in a second.  Don't think we dread stalls for we don't.  A stall is next to nothing with plenty of altitude, (which is the smart safety you have).  And only an item when you are close to the ground if you realized you are stalling.  Ignorance, of this apparently simple fact, until it is too late, resulting in a tail spin close to the ground, is the thing that takes the toll.  A ship usually goes into tail spin from a stall, and in a tail spin altitude is loss very quickly.  In a tail spin you will loose at least around a hundred feet and much more usually.  Men have fallen thousands of feet in a tail spin with out ever coming out of them.  Don't worry about me and flying.  I hope I am safe and I want you folks to think that I am.  Worry is a fore-runner of trouble, so don't invite an unwelcomed visitor.  
    I will close now for this time just on the verge of the writers' cramp.

            With love to all of you,
                    Chas.


 

Letter of condolence from Lt. Col. Hartney re Charlie Rudd
(C. Avis Catalog entry #1307)
(Document ID #308)


Mrs. James C. Rudd,
    916 South 1 st.
        Temple,
            Texas


H. E. Hartney, Lt. Col.
War Department 
Office the Director of the Air Service
Washington

Postmark:
WASHINGTON
D. C.
DEC 20
330 PM
1919

[2 cent stamp]


                                    December 20, 1919

My dear Mrs. Rudd,
    On my return to the city today I was deeply grieved to learn of your son's death in an aeroplane accident last month.
    I am writing to tell you how kind and helpful he was to me at Reno Nevada on the recent transcontinental test when he was stationed there and I had the pleasure of making his acquaintance on passing through in my plane.  His energy and thoughtfulness made my short forced soujourn there pleasant when it would otherwise have been so tedious.  
    His loss so sudden and unexpected will be terrible for you; to the air service it will be inestimable, and to his friends, of whom I am proud to have called myself one it will be irreplaceable.  Let us hope that the memory of his life so lived and thoughtful of others will help you bear this great sacrificed you have been called upon to take.  With deepest sympathy, I am 

            Yours Sincerely,
                Harold E. Hartley
                    Lt. Col. Air Service

 

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




 

Letter from Charles Rudd to his mother from Rice Institute
(C. Avis Catalog entry #1308)
(Document ID #309)

[Context:  Charles attended Rice Institute in Houston, Texas.  At the time of this letter, he must have been returning to school from Christmas break, spent at his home in Temple, Texas.  'Brown' may have been a cousin.] 


        Houston, Texas
        1/4/17.

Dear Mother - 
    On account of Cleveland Lindley's death we did not have school Wednesday the 3rd.  He was a senior and got sick Christmas Day.  He was buried Wed. afternoon.
    We made the trip just fine.  It was the first time I had riden the day train to Houston in quite a while, as I usually come and go on the night train.
    About 43 freshmen flunked according to the circulating talk and about twelve upper classmen makes the total about 60.  A few are leaving school and that means we will lose about 75 students the first term.  This year is the first year that they have inserted in the lease the clause that unless you[r] board and room bill is payed in full you will not be able to take the exams.  Some of the boys sin[c]e had to hustle to get the ready money and one upperclassman failed to raise the money and was not allowed to take the exams.  He is not really an upperclassman.  He is rated as a freshman but this is his third year here.  The first year he passed 3 courses.  The second he flunked almost all of his courses and lost his standing entirely.  This year he did get to take the exams.  Now isn't that some record.
    I am very sorry I didn't spend more time with you and the rest of the family especially the last few days, but I don't really know.  I don't see how I could have been so mean and indifferent but really I didn't mean to be.  I just didn't stop and consider.
    I weighed the morning I got to Houston and I weighed 165 pounds.  That is the most I ever weighed in my life.  That is pretty heavy for me.  You see what home cooking will do for you.
    Our basket ball season starts next week.  We have a good chance for a real good team.  Brown is on probation and can't play basket ball and I heard he has quit school because he can't play basket go out for athletics until he is off of probation.
    Well I will send this letter on now and will write again in a few days when I have more to say.

                                                    With lots of love,
                                                                    Chas.
 

Letter from Lt. Charles Maples Rudd to his family in Temple
(C. Avis Catalog entry #1000)
(Document ID #649)

[This letter is undated but, based upon other sources, it must have been written during his second assignment to Mather Field (Sacramento, CA) between August and November 1919.]

HOTEL OSBURN

EUGENE, OREGON

                            Please return

Sunday nite

Dear folks:

    Last week it just seemed as if I hardly had time to write.  It wasn't the time I lacked tho but I suppose I needed a little stimulator.  Some one to say you must do such and such a thing.  Do you know any efficient advisor who would take the job for life.  (Female preferred).  Only bluffing.  I'm too hard to please. Well to get back to where I once was, at night as a rule we play cards.  Our favorite game this last week was five handed five hundred.  It is quite interesting.  The highest bidder chooses his pardner by a certain card which he designates.  The other three then play against them.  Each count just what is made on his side and the sides change every deal according to pardners as above.  There are some married people on the post now at Mather and I have been playing mostly with Lt. & Mrs. Haggety (Madge and Hilda know them) and Lt. & Mrs. Gowns.

    I have been quite content with staying right on the post and saving my money.  

    Thursday I got orders to leave Friday by Aeroplane to deliver De Havelland to the Forrest Patrol at Eugene Oregon.  Lt. Korll was to fly was to fly another ship to Eugene and I was suppose to fly back to Red Bluff, Cal. with him where he was going to stay and then I would return to Sac. by rail.  Well Lt. Kroll came up from Sacramento alright Friday afternoon.  He had been all the way up thru this part of the country so I had nothing to worry about all I had to do was follow him.  Well as I said, we left Sac. and came up to Red Bluff, Cal. Friday.  Spent the night there and left there about 11:15 a.m. (late because of engine trouble with his ship).

    Shortly after leaving Red Bluff I got to tinkering around with my motor and got lost from Lt. Kroll.  Wow imagine my uneasiness to be lost from the man who knew the way and I hadn't even consulted a person or a map and I only knew to fly to the left of Mt. Shasta, which was on about the border of the two states.  And I also knew to fly a northerly course.

    Oregon is a country, as a bird man sees it, of mountains and trees.  They both run as far and a whole lot farther than the eye can see.  

    Well I flew, and flew and didn't know where I was going.  Past over Redding and for a wonder knew it was Redding.  Came over Wedde and was much puzzled as there the railroad branched one went apparently north west and the other went north east and all I knew was that I wanted to fly a northerly course.  I didn't know and I split the difference went between them.  

    I flew and not a sign of any town.  I had quite a wind which reduced my speed 40 miles an hour so I wasn't going but about 80 miles per hr. (my ship flies about 120 miles per hr.) (equipped with 400 horsepower Liberty motor).  Over hills (mountains  I mean) and trees, two hours and half past and I began to worry for my oil was good for not much after three hours and not a place to land and not a town in sight and I could for miles.  I didn't know where I was or where I was going.  Imagine my uneasiness.  I saw a lake way over on my right, a very large one,  and I was pretty sure I could find a town on it somewhere.  I saw a bunch of sawmills and started to land at two of them but I could always see one that looked better back further in the direction I had come.  At last I sighted Klamath Falls, a little town, and I finally landed after much meditation, five miles east of town.  I had to land out there since I had a large ship and need a nice large field.  I landed in an oat stubble field safely and found out where I was.  Well I had never heard of the town but I found out I was in Oregon.  I got to a house phoned for gas and oil which came out in an hr. and I looked for the first time at a map.  I saw where Eugene was and that I had gone east of my course as I knew since I headed over to the lake.

    Well I got serviced up and got started with a little better idea where I was going.  I knew I wanted to fly about (very roughly) north 35 deg west.  I took that course staring at 4³⁰ o'clock.  I thought I could make Eugene by night.  I flew and I never saw anything but mts and trees.  Mile after mile I couldn't land a place but my old motor hummed along very nicely but I had a strong north mostly wind.  It got after six o'clock and I began to worry.  It was hasy [sic] and the sun was getting low and I couldn't see down in the valleys well and I was trying to find the Southern Pasific [sic] rail road as it lead into Eugene and I thought I would hit it just before I landed at Eugene.  Finally at about six thirty I hit the rail road, highway, and then a nice little valley imagine my relief.  I now could land without danger and it would be dark before long.  

    As I did up at Kalamath lake, I thought there must be a town near a prosperous place like this and I knew I must find it. 

    There were scattering houses places to land (maybe).  I kept going on but I knew I wouldn't leave the valley and head into the hills for I had been up two hrs and I knew I wouldn't head toward the rough country with only fuel for an hr.  I kept going on and at little before seven I sighted a town.  The sun was getting low and I knew I must land.  I couldn't see Oregon University and I knew it was Eugene but I had to land.  After much circling I landed found out that I was @ Springfield, five miles from Eugene.  Eugene was under me when I sighted Springfield.  It was hard to see because it was late and it was directly into the Sun.  I felt awfully lucky, since I was that near Eugene, but still I was sorry I hadn't seen Eugene and landed on the flying field there.  I spent the night out on the farm and came over Sunday morning to Eugene, took about seven minutes to fly over.

    However, I came over to Eugene Sat. night to have them wire back to Mather Field that I was safe and sound.  Ship O.K..

    Today I found our that Lt. Kroll wrecked at Medford, when his motor cut out shortly after leaving.  He was very much relieved when he found out I got here safe.  He knew I didn't know a thing about the country, and he was worried for me after we got separated.  

    (I am going to have to write on backs)

    I am supposed to fly back to Red Bluff with Lt. Kroll and now since his ship is out of commission I don't know when I will go back.  I am waiting instruction from somebody in command.  Either Western Dept. San Fransisco or Sac. maybe tomorrow. All the fellows say I sure was lucky and I know I was.  I made four successful landing and twice I landed in old farmers meadows where I might have turned over in any of the ruts and irrigation ditches.  But I looked the situation over closely before landing.

    I like Oregon fine what I have seen of it and it is nice and cool here in Eugene and the people trust us fine.  Feel like a real aviator since I have made a long trip.

    Well its almost one o'clock and I don't know what tomorrow may bring forth so I must good night.  I expect to be back at Mather any day now.  Write there. 

        Love, Charles

[Less than two months later, on Nov. 12, 1919, the same situation occurred again.  That time Charles was not so lucky.  He died in his attempt to land after dark near Stockton, CA.  That plane was also a De Havilland.]

Letter from Alberta Mooring to her sister Maggie Mooring Rudd
(C. Avis Catalog entry #791)
(Document number #621)

11-25-13                                                    Hotel Sheldon, El Paso, Texas

Dear Sister, [Maggie] Please read to yourself first.
Now don't be too disgusted, but I have married again. Yesterday at noon here, and by Presbyterian minister. I got so terribly disgusted, had things at store almost straightened out, when a note was presented to me, leaving me no better over a hundred, after selling for fifteen hundred. I still have two hundred to be paid in March. They stopped, or attached, my account at bank, so as I couldn't do anything but just thank you. Four crooked lawyers against just me. Well, Mr. Keoun had asked me in October, and continually since, and he said I am going to Jacksonville, Fla. to live, and I want you, haven't much, but am well, strong and, so far, made a living for myself; and want you to let me take all your worry and troubles, all I ask is the privilege to take care of you. I just said yes, so it is done. Now don't talk about the other, let's all forget it, and hope that Jim will take good care of me, and be good to me. I bought a blue dress, one gray waist, and here I am Mrs. James W. Keoun. Write me, and try to love me just the same. Jim is six years younger than I. Dandy looking fellow. I hope you will all like him. I am happy and miserable at same time. I love Pat still, and just the same I love Jim, but Pat was my all. God bless all of you, and don't tell anyone yet. I don't want to write any more now. Please tell Ross, as one letter is enough. Love to all, and tell all the children to love Aunt Bert, and, I hope some day, Jim.  Lovingly Bert

Letter from Rufe Thompson relating the passing of Clark Thompson
(C. Avis Catalog entry #747)
(Document ID #411)

March 17th,1952.

Dear Nora & Jennie:-
    Well Clark passedd away at 4:00 A.M. Friday and was a great releif for him and also for the family as every one had done all that could have been done, I couldn't tell that he ever suffered, I got there Tuesday about 1:30, he knew me and knew me up until about Wednesday noon, Every thing was pleasant with him, it seemed that he went backinto the past and thought of all the good times and his friends, Once he said, Rufe, we have had a lot of good times hav't we,He mentioned of dreaming of fishing all night Wednesday night, after he became unconcious, he said Rufe do you see all those Prairie chickens out there,Once he wondered where the wagon was going to camp, just like we were on a hunting or fishing trip, He remembered you folks either writing or sending a cliping of Tom Lechners's passing away, he mentioned Chalie Featherstone, several times,   The funeral was beautiful, flowers were banked up around the casket,The sheriff's force here and all the employees here in the court house went into gether and sent flowers, Lola and all thought that was wonderful that the folks here were so nice,
    Cecil and Zonelle and Isabelle have nice homes, and all are doing well, Clark and Lola had some insurance and hospitalization, and I think the Company he was working for paid him an extra months salary, and they were both drawing social security,
    Zonelle said Lola,was going to stay with her about two weeks,until she could get to feeling stronger and fix up or straighten up the house inside, said the boys were going to paint the house and clean up the yard for her, Lola said she was going to keep children or baby sit, she has a big back yard, just needs cleaning up, and fixing some play things for children, she can make a fairly good living that away, they had bought this place, about 3 years ago, its small, but is all right, seems like for her, they said something about getting her to sell at and get closer to all of them, but I think that would be a mistake,it is only a little over a block from a nice business center, and might be valuable property some time,   Noel went down to Lubbock Firday, got there about 7:00 o'clock and that kepts me from having to ride the busses back, it was a pretty day saturday for the funeral and was pretty all day, we came home
yesterday(Saturday) after noon, Friday noon, the younger church workers and friends filled the kitchen full and food, and stayed and served it, some of the young men got in the kitchen after we a 11 ate and put on aprons and washed dishes, and yesterday after the funeral Friends of Loa's and Clark's and the older class of women came in and filled the kitchen again, I never saw so much food, Fried chicken and meat loaf and cakes and pies of all kinds, the tables and kitchen cabinet was loaded,Cecil's wife sure is a fine woman, she is a teacher, Zonell’s husband is a fine man and is certainly a leader, has a good job and lots of friends, Isabell’s husband is a quiet kind of fellow, but is nice and they say has a good occupation, he is a glass install-tion man, like around doors and trimmings in finer homes etc.,
    I am sending clipping out of the Lubbock paper,Nora keep good care of yourself, They are all O.K. down there, and I feel a lot better now, that I went on down when I did, as I saw them all and know how well off they all are, and they are all happy and doing well and have a lot of friends,I know some of them are going to write to you,

Love
{signed ‘Rufe’}