Bob
&
Alice
1
Tuesday, July 29, 1947
From: Alice in South Lake Tahoe, CA To: Bob in Oakland, CA
H
ello Honey,
Tahoe is so lovely but not as nice as when you and I were here last winter. I miss you already so very much. Oh yes—I’m tired already too. My Love Dear,
Alice 2
Tuesday, July 29, 1947
From: Alice in Winnemucca, NV To: Bob in Oakland, CA
H
ello My Bobby,
I’m here in a nice motel in Winnemucca, Nevada. I just had a nice cool shower and feel as if I lost 10 lbs. The moon is shinning beautifully here tonite. I know it must be same there but it seems as if we came so darn far today. My love—my darling—Alice
3
Tuesday, July 29, 1947
From: Bob in Oakland, CA To: Alice in Pittsburg, PA
M
y Darling.
I hope you enjoy my letters as much as I enjoy writing them. They aren’t the best in the world but I do my best to keep them interesting. I phoned the real estate woman this afternoon, she gave me one apt. to go see. I didn’t look at it because if I had of got it we probably wouldn’t have moved in for four weeks anyway. The rent was 37.50, partly furnished in a three unit house, (two other apts. beside ours). It was an old house down on East 17th St. not a vary good district but not a bad one either. Anyway I don’t think we will have much trouble getting a place through this woman. Coming home from work today I ran into a woman that attempted to make a right hand turn in front of me. The reason this happened; quote—I poked myself in the eye, (accident of course) - …
4
Tuesday, July 29, 1947
From: Bob in Oakland, CA To: Alice in Pittsburg, PA
...w
ith a piece of wire at work. It hurt, and driving home the brightness of the sun made my eyes
burn even more than they were, hence I did not see the woman turn until I hit her (car), causing undo damage to one right fender of the undersigned and slight damage to the injured party, the injured party was very excited and exclaimed “Why don’t you look where your driving?” The undersigned thought that that was a good question and thought maybe he should try it some time. AH NUTS I took the car to the garage and it will be fixed tomorrow [I wanted it fixed right away as it didn't look very good.], the bill will be 15.00. The woman’s car will not be paid for by me even though she does have my name and address, as she did not give a hand signal and neither of us could prove we were right anyway because no one saw it. I guess you are in Nevada by now, I wish we were together no matter where we were. I love you so much sweet. I said a prayer for us last night…
5
Tuesday, July 29, 1947
From: Bob in Oakland, CA To: Alice in Pittsburg, PA
...a
nd I know it will come true dear. I will say “So Long For Awhile” and I’ll be dreaming of the day when your in my arms
forever. Goodnight Dearest Y.L.H. Bobby
6
From: Alice in the Great Salt Lake Desert, UT To: Bob in Oakland, CA
H
i Honey,
We’re in the middle of the Great Salt Lake desert roasting to death. I don’t know how anyone can stand being here very long. We’re now about 80 miles from Salt Lake City.
Wednesday, July 30, 1947
Love,
Alice
7
Wednesday, July 30, 1947
From: Alice in the Great Salt Lake Desert, UT To: Bob in Oakland, CA
H
ello My Darling,
This has got to be just a short note because it’s been such a tiring day that I’m completely exhausted. We’re in Evanston, Wyoming—you know, one of those small cowboy towns where all the men walk around bow-legged. But we’re in a nice quiet motel which is very clean and swell.
8
Wednesday, July 30, 1947
From: Alice in the Great Salt Lake Desert, UT To: Bob in Oakland, CA
I
just took a shower and changed clothes for be but I wanted to write you, honey, before I lay my little
“headie” down to dream about you. The trip this far has been extremely scenic but the trouble is that for hundreds of miles the scenery is the same. (This writing is going uphill—it’s hard to write in bed). California was lovely, especially the Lake. Of course I don’t have to tell you that. Nevada was nice—in places—very few places. Oh I guess it’s lovely to look at but it gets terribly boring and terribly hot. Utah was disappointing at first with just mile after mile of Salt flats but Salt Lake City is very pretty and in a lovely location. 9
Wednesday, July 30, 1947
From: Alice in the Great Salt Lake Desert, UT To: Bob in Oakland, CA
W
e weren’t in Utah very long—nor Wyoming. We’re still here.
Darling—I miss you so much already. Every time I look at the beautiful full moon I feel like crying. I suppose I bored you with most of this letter but honey I love you so very, very much. I can hardly wait till I get back to you. My love, my sweetheart,
Alice
10
Wednesday, July 30, 1947
From: Bob in Oakland, CA To: Alice in Pittsburg, PA
“...I love you with all my heart, and wish you would please hurry home.”
S
weetheart,
Well here I am again my darling, trying to push the days along so that you will be in my arms again. Nothing unusual happened today except that I took the street car to work. I got my car after work, if I keep it up all the fenders will be painted like new. The weather has cooled off quite a bit since Monday. I guess its really hot back there. I haven’t to much to say tonight except I love you with all my heart, and wish you would please hurry home. I don’t think its necessary to send a telegram to…
11
Wednesday, July 30, 1947
From: Bob in Oakland, CA To: Alice in Pittsburg, PA
...the Gilmor’s as I can let them know when you will arrive and it will be less trouble for everyone. Please don’t forget to phone Wed. the sixth, as I will be waiting to hear your lovely voice. Be sure and phone after six p.m. your time and station to station not person to person—collect!
Last night I went to bed at 8:30, tonight I am going to bed early again as soon as I throw a little junk away that’s been laying around for years. Haven’t seen anyone that you or I know, (Howie and Harvey just went burning down the hill) since you left. Well my pretty baby, guess I’ll kiss you goodnight for today. I love you honey, very much. Y.L.H. Bob
These are kisses not xoxoxoxoxoxoxo swearing, I better xxoxoxoxoxooox get them returned. (The kisses) P.S. I love you so very much please hurry home.
12
From: Bob in Oakland, CA To: Alice in Pittsburg, PA
M
y Darling Alice,
Friday, August 1, 1947
I had a surprise when I came home from work. I got two cards from you. I was sure glad to hear from you. It seems like so long since I’ve seen or heard from you (or talked to you). It makes me sick to think I even let you go back. Oh honey I miss you so very much. Yes there has been a full moon these past nights and I wished so many times that you were in my arms again. Nothing new except I got a hair cut which should make you happy. Oh yeah, there won’t be any more…
13
From: Bob in Oakland, CA To: Alice in Pittsburg, PA
...n
ight work for awhile so I guess we don’t have to worry about that anymore either.
Hope you can read this. I have a terrific headache. Went to bed early again last night as usual. Guess I’ll close for awhile my dear. I love you with all my heart. Please hurry home to me. Your Loving Husband,
Bobby (XOXOXOXOXOXOX)
Friday, August 1, 1947
P.S. Tahoe sure looked great. Wish I were there with you. It’s just as beautiful in the winter though but it guess everything is beautiful when you’re with the one you love.
14
Saturday, August 2, 1947
From: Alice near Laramie, WY To: Bob in Oakland, CA
H
i Bobby,
We just had to stop for a few minutes because we’re in the middle of a lovely hail storm about 10,000 ft in the mountains. Snow is in patches all around us. We made it, ahhh! Love,
Alice
15
From: Bob in Oakland, CA To: Alice in Pittsburg, PA
Saturday, August 2, 1947
job—for my dad. We got finished about seven, around two hours ago, as it’s nine o’clock on the nose right now (that’s what the man on the radio said). About all I did was hang up the canvas and wipe off spots but I was here anyway. Last night Don came down so I went over to his house for awhile and fooled
M
y Dearest,
Received a card and letter today. Both from you. I guess by now you should be in Chicago. I have been trying to follow your route on the map. I guess I have it about right. Yea darling, I know how you feel when you look at that big full moon. I feel exactly the same way. I want to take you in my arms and hold you and kiss you and tell you all the little things I know you want me to say; I love you so very much and miss you so. I dream and dream and dream some more but it still doesn’t make the time go any faster. I wish I were with you honey. Well today, Saturday, my dad and I painted the two rooms. It was quite a 16
From: Bob in Oakland, CA To: Alice in Pittsburg, PA I’ll be dreaming of you. Goodnight Dearest. -Your loving Husband-
Bobby (xoxoxxoxoxox)
Saturday, August 2, 1947
Gee I love you— Goodnight Dear
...a
round on his car and then he brought me home so I got to bed early.
Tonight I will go to bed as soon as I finish writing this to you my darling. It wasn’t such a pleasant day as my folks were kind of disagreeable. My dad warned me about my disposition. He told me that I had better not hurt you in any way. I told him that if I got away from here it would probably be better for everyone concerned. But I don’t think we have to worry about anything after we are married and you don’t have to worry about my hurting you. Well my darling I had so much to say but I guess I’ve forgotten most of it. I didn’t forget the important thing anyway—I love you with all my heart sweetheart. 17
Sunday, August 3, 1947
From: Alice in Pittsburg, PA To: Bob in Oakland, CA
H
ello My Darling,
We finally arrived her and as soon as we neared Pittsburgh and saw the smoke from the mills even my mother said “Isn’t it awful.” It was about six when we arrived at Irene’s. It’s good to be home again after so long but it’s just the same—dirty, sooty and hot. I went up to see Marion just before we ate dinner and she looks and acts just the same. I rang the bell, her mother came—and she just stood there with her mouth open—couldn’t say a word.
18
Sunday, August 3, 1947
From: Alice in Pittsburg, PA To: Bob in Oakland, CA
E
veryone is trying to talk me
into staying here for good. It’s nice to be with the people I’ve always known—but I’m not the same girl that left here though I imagine it wouldn’t take me long to get back into the old swing of things, that is, sitting on the front porch talking with Marion like we did before dinner. Boy, I’ll be all talked out before bedtime. Will I ever get this letter finished—I keep getting interrupted by everyone, Donna especially. She’s the sweetest little girl and so smart. I’m rather excited now so don’t mind the way this letter is written.
19
From: Alice in Pittsburg, PA To: Bob in Oakland, CA
A
Sunday, August 3, 1947
s I said before, it’s swell
here, but honey I miss you so very much. I hope I can get reservations soon. I have so many people to visit it would take me a month or two to see them all. But I just have to say hello to a few and forget about the rest. It won’t be too long honey. I had two letters from you waiting for me when I arrived—which is wonderful. But that accident honey, be careful—don’t hurt my Bobby—you be careful with him. My dearest—I’ll have to get cleaned up now. I feel awful. I love you so very much and miss you terribly. I’ll be with you soon baby. Good night darling. My love—sweetheart,
Alice
20
Sunday, August 3, 1947
From: Bob in Oakland, CA To: Alice in Pittsburg, PA
I
’m sorry darling, you mean so very much to me; your food and drink and air and
sunlight to me! So please dear, whatever you do, hurry home. I love you with all of me—
Bob
21
From: Alice in Pittsburg, PA To: Bob in Oakland, CA
D
ear Bob,
Wednesday, August 6, 1947
I just received your letter of Monday evening and you sound just like when you used to work nights. I won’t have it Bob—I just won’t have it. Whether we’re apart or together there’s absolutely no excuse for it. I told you in yesterday’s letter that I have reservations for Monday—that’s the best I can do. If you don’t care to wait until Tuesday for me, don’t bother—because—perhaps you’ll find someone you wouldn’t mind waiting months for; let alone weeks. Remember Bobby, I love you. But I’m a nervous wreck now from everyone telling . . .
22
From: Alice in Pittsburg, PA To: Bob in Oakland, CA
…m
e to stay; and telling my parents to make me stay. You think I don’t have time to think
about us—oh honey, I cry myself to sleep every night—and half the day—wondering and waiting. I’ll talk to you on the phone tonight baby and I hope everything will be all right. Please honey don’t make me cry more than I have to. I just can’t stand it knowing you’re angry with something I do. Our marriage won’t work if it’s that way and you know it. So have patience. We’ll have the rest of our lives together. One day more won’t hurt too much more.
Wednesday, August 6, 1947
P.S. I can hardly wait until I can talk to you tonite.
My love to you, my darling,
Alice
23
Thursday, August 7, 1947
From: Alice in Pittsburg, PA To: Bob in Oakland, CA
M
y Darling,
I’ve been wanting to write since last night after I phoned you but I just couldn’t until now. I know I must have sounded terribly mean or nasty last night—I don’t really remember. I am sick again and with this heat—I feel miserable. Everyone has been getting on my nerves and I on theirs and things are just becoming unbearable. I’ve almost been tempted to go jump off a bridge somewhere.
24
From: Alice in Pittsburg, PA To: Bob in Oakland, CA
M
Thursday, August 7, 1947
y mother told me that she wouldn’t try to tell me what to do—she feels whatever my decision is it
will be the right one. I haven’t seen much of my family though. They’re always up at my grandmothers’ or aunts’ and I spend most of my time here at Irene’s. Today I got out of bed at 3:00 this afternoon. Isn’t that an awful way to spend a vacation? I got sick last night just before I phoned you and could hardly sleep at all last night. I hope you’ll forgive me for sounding so mean on the phone. I don’t remember just what I said honey but I’m sure I wasn’t very sweet. My baby—it will only be 4-1/2 more days until I’ll be with you again—this time for keeps. There’s one thing I want to tell you—Bud has been calling me here just about every day. Today was the first time that I was at home when he called. I asked him why he couldn’t understand that he meant nothing to me…
25
Thursday, August 7, 1947
From: Alice in Pittsburg, PA To: Bob in Oakland, CA
...a
nd he said “If you lose a
million dollars and then find it again you’re sure to try to not lose it again”. He wanted to know if you felt that way about me too. I told him to please not call again because I won’t be home even if I am at home—if he know what I meant. He went over to my grandmothers the other day looking for me. How do you discourage a guy like that? Oh Bobby—I wish I was with you right this minute. I feel so dog gone rotten and sick.
26
Thursday, August 7, 1947
From: Alice in Pittsburg, PA To: Bob in Oakland, CA
Y
ou said that I didn’t have
time to think like you do—oh my darling, how wrong you are. I know that we will be happy when we’re together for good but when such small things bother us now how can we be sure that we’ll be able to cope with the big problems even though we’ll be facing them together. Honey we’ll have to work hard at our marriage—both of us. You’ll have to help me and I’ll help you—or otherwise we couldn’t possibly be happy for very long.
27
From: Alice in Pittsburg, PA To: Bob in Oakland, CA
Y
Thursday, August 7, 1947
ou know that as well as I do. We have to make allowances for each other and help and love each oth-
er always. Yes and we’ll have to grow up together because we’re both young in our ways of thinking—not young for our ages—but you for marriage. Honey I would have taken a train to be back Sunday but it’s hard enough on my mother anyway—losing me, but Saturday is her birthday and God knows when I’ll see her again—if ever. It’s easy for you, can’t you see that, but how do I know what will happen to my family. They’re not old but they’re not young anymore and I may never be able to see them again. After all we’ll be close to your folks and be able to see them anytime but remember that I was born of my parents and still love them as I want my child to love me—ours to love us—even though things didn’t turn out as well for us as it does for some. Oh baby let’s be close to our children—never let them have any reason to dislike us in anyway. I love my family but my love for you is greater than . . .
28
Thursday, August 7, 1947
From: Alice in Pittsburg, PA To: Bob in Oakland, CA
...I
can say—but darling,
believe in me and love me for we’ll have the rest of our lives together while I’ll never be with my parents again. Can’t you see Bobby how hard it is to hurt them and see how deeply I am hurting them? I know I’m hurting you too darling but we’ll be together forever soon. I can’t see what I’m writing anymore—my eyes are blurry. I wish I could cry hard and get it over with. Goodnight my darling. You’re loving wife to be,
Alice 29
Friday, August 8, 1947
From: Bob in Oakland, CA To: Alice in Pittsburg, PA
30