Royal's Letter to Martha 8-31-36

Royal is living in Springfield, Colorado located in Baca County. Baca County is in the south-east corner of Colorado. Oklahoma is to the south and Kansas to the east. This is planes country, flat and dry. It is a part of the dust bowl. They are over 200 miles from Denver.

He is the new County Superintendent of Schools. The last Superintendent left in a scandal something to do with taking county money. He has a High School Principal (Mr Lewis) and a Grade School Principal working for him. He is living in a boarding house i.e. he has a room and they serve meals.

He started teaching in a one room country school grades 1-8 at the age of eighteen in this county. He told me once some of the boys were bigger than he was. He took college correspondence courses and went to college in the summers. He had worked at various teaching and administration jobs since. He was one summer away from having his masters degree in 1936. He was twenty-seven. He had just met the girl of his dreams at the last summer school and he was starting this new demanding and political job. He was also into science and photography.

Royal's mother and brother Bill (see picture and write-up in earlier posts) live on the family homestead out side of Vilas (about 15 miles away). He is the youngest in a family of twelve so he has older siblings living in the area. He doesn't have a car. He is dependent on others or a bus when he travels.

Springfield, Colorado
August 30,1936

Dearest Martha;

Mr. Lewis and I went to church this morning and worked at school this afternoon. I wrote some letters and put the sand in the big aquarium in preparation for the winter season.

Mrs Measel had a birthday dinner for Mrs Hernes today. She is a dear friend I have made since I have been here in Springfield. She keeps tropical fish. Her health condition has been somewhat alarming due to an internal cancer. Mrs Measel thought this might be our last time with Mrs Hermes. Hermes' run the motion picture here in Springfield. We took some pictures and if they are good I'll send you some.

My brother came after me to go home last evening, but I could not leave as we were invited out to dinner.

I need a car powerful bad. Don't be surprised if I turn up with a new one any letter I may write.

Oh, yes Martha you must write me more. I have forgiven you as I realized that you were not settled and perhaps writing comes quite hard.

A young man from here leaves for a month's vacation next week. He is going straight to PA where he will pick up the girl friend. They will be married Thursday and after honeymooning for the rest of the vacation will return to Springfield for the winter. I certainly envy any man who can do this. The Lord just has not blessed me in such great way.

Be sure to write me soon.

Yours with love,
Royal