27 OCTOBER 1944
U S S PRAIRIE
DEAREST FAMILY,
WELL, THERE ISN'T MUCH THAT I CAN TALK ABOUT IN THIS LETTER, SO I WILL MAKE IT MORE OR LESS OF A NOTE TO LET YOU KNOW I'M STILL KICKING.
HARRIET ANN WROTE AND SEEMED QUITE PROUD OF THE FACT THAT LOMMY ENTERTAINED VICE-PRESIDENT WALLACE. I HOPE HER ENTHUSIASM ISN'T AN INDICATION THAT SHE IS BECOMMING A DEMOCRAT. HEAVEN FORBID THAT. NOW SHE AND LOMMY ARE STARTED ON THE SECOND ROUND OF THEIR LIFE BOUT. I WONDER WHO GOT THE DECISION ON THE FIRST.
MY TIME MAGAZINES CONTINUE TO ARRIVE AND ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED. IN THE 15 OCTOBER EDITION, THERE IS A LETTER TO THE EDITORS WRITTEN BY A SHIPMATE OF MINE WHO WORKS IN THE OUTER COM-OFFICE. MY MAGAZINE IS CALLED A 'PONY' EDITION. VERY SMALL, HANDY AND COMES BY FIRST CLASS MAIL AND THEREFORE ARRIVES SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE ORDINARY SECOND CLASS MATTER. I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A POST IN OVER A MONTH. WHEN THEY DO ARRIVE I OUGHT TO HAVE PLENTY OF LITERATURE.
I NOTICE BY THE PRESS THAT WE RECEIVE, THAT PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT MUST HAVE ABONDED HIS SIT AND WAIT CAMPAIGN. HE IS MAKING MORE SPEECHES THIS ELECTION YEAR THAN HE DID WHEN HE HAD WILLKIE TO CONTEND WITH. TO ME THIS IS AN OBVIOUS INDICATION THAT DEWEY MUST HAVE SOMETHING ON THE BALL, OR AT LEAST SOMETHING THAT HAS FDR A LITTLE DOUBTFUL OF HIMSELF.
SAY, THAT MUST HAVE BEEN SOME LITTLE FIRE ON THE EAST SIDE. GEE, FIFTY BLOCKS IS A LOT OF CITY TO BURN. I SEE THAT THE CASUALTIES HAVE RISEN TO WELL ABOVE THE HUNDRED MARK.
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INDIANAS FOOTBALL TEAM IS DOING ALL RIGHT FOR THEMSELFS THIS FALL. 75-0, AND OTHER BIG SCORES AGAINST TOUGH TEAMS HAS CAUSED QUITE A LITTLE TALK AMONG THE BETTORS.
IT SURE SOUNDS GOOD TO HEAR ABOUT FALL AND COOL WEATHER. I SURE DO MISS THOSE SUNDAY HIKES IN THE PENNSYLVANIA HILLS BACK INTO THE OLD COAL MINES- OR FOLLOW THE KANAMAUGH RIVER AS IT CIRCLES THE VALLEY SOUTH OF THE SCHOOL. I SIT HERE AND WHILE I SWEAT DREAM OF THE WILD FOOTBALL GAMES BEHIND WILSON HALL OR THE NOISY FREE-FOR-ALLS NEAR THE SKATING POND. OF COURSE, MANY IS THE AFTERNOON I SPENT WORKING WITH MR. MARKS DIGGING DITCHES OR SOME OTHER THING AS PART OF THE WORK PROJECTS COURSE. (EITHER THAT OR BECAUSE OF TRYING TO 'WORK OFF SOME TIME' INCURRED FOR SOME PREVIOUS OFFENSE). WE USED TO HAVE SOME FUN AT THE SATURDAY FOOTBALL GAMES. THEY WERE ALWAYS SUCH GOOD GAMES AND PLENTY OF ROOM TO SEE. OH, I COULD RAVE ON FOR HOURS, BUT ----
THIS STARTED OUT AS JUST A NOTE AND I'VE GOT TO GET ON WATCH, SO FOR THE PRESENT I'LL AGAIN SAY,
LOTS OF LOVE,
Bud [signature]