Another long, two part letter from Pop to Newton Mfg. The first part touches on what it was like fighting on a battleship in World War II.
December 27, 1964
Beth Murphy
Newton Mfg. Co.
Newton, Iowa.
Dear Beth:
I have just been going through my big old roll top desk and sorting out things. I came across several nice comments [...]
In this second half of his December 20 letter Pop describes a different social era from our own.
Speaking of Counties and Towns. Another thing that we did was “to take care of our own.” Every child in school knew of the children that were very poor, or who had parents who were sick and could [...]
Continue reading about Pop’s Letters – December 20, 1964 part 2
In this “two-parter” Pop writes about life growing up in Maine. The first part is about food preparation back then.
December 20, 1964
Mr. Harold Lufkin, V.P.
Newton Mfg. Co.
Newton, Iowa.
Dear Mr. Lufkin:
Having been one of those “State of Mainers” like your Grandpappy, your Christmas letter was of special interest to me. You and some of the Gals [...]
Pop occasionally added a postscript to his letter. This one reviews much of his life.
Just want to add the Postscript that I don’t know why I ever complain. I have lived a dozen lives already, been over half the World and met all kinds of people.
Led Jack Kennedy around by the hand when he was [...]
Continue reading about Pop’s Letters – November 18, 1964 – Postscript
Pop describes a Thanksgiving dinner and a relative he did not like. This is the second part of the letter posted last week. There is also a postscript I’ll add next week.
We used to most always go to Grandfather’s and I think there were from 20 to 35 of us kicking around the house, although [...]
Continue reading about Pop’s Letters – November 18, 1964 – Part 2
Pop examines his temper in another long letter from Pop to Newton, which I will split into two parts.
November 18, 1964
Mr. Harold Lufkin, V.P.
Newton Mfg. Co.
Newton, Iowa.
Dear Mr. Lufkin:
Someone ought to put a “boot in my butt”. I had no sooner sent the darned thing out, than I was ashamed that I had written it.
It [...]
This is reply from Newton Mfg. regarding Pop’s doubts about his writing abilities.
August 18, 1964
Mr. Leon R. Sinclair
Box 473
Norfolk, Conn. 06058
Dear Mr. Sinclair:
Several weeks ago you wrote me a note of appreciation for the “vote of confidence” I had given you in regard to your writing.
The letter didn’t actually require an answer so [...]
Pop responds to the suggestion from Newton Mfg. that he write a book.
July 16, 1964
Dear Beth:
I never know whether you and Mr. Lufkin are kidding me or are really serious. At any rate thanks a lot for “the vote of confidence”.
All the same I can’t punctuate, spell, capitalize or do anything else right that goes [...]
Find out why American sailors would get more drunk than their British counterparts.
Speaking of foolish chaps, and we used to take care of our own in those days as there were very few insane hospitals, and also there were very few insane. Foolish, half witted Etc but none too dangerous or at least that was [...]
This is the first of two parts, focusing on Mt. Desert Island.
June 26, 1964
Mr. Harold Lufkin, V.P.
Newton Mfg. Co.
Newton, Iowa.
Dear Mr. Lufkin:
It always arouses memories when I get a letter from dear old Bar Harbor. I am sorry you got stuck on the “Bar”, but the Sea has a tendency to teach “all landlubbers [...]
