Tom & Eini's Christmas email

We wish you a beautiful Christmas. We are celebrating tonight with Helen's family. Miss being with you. Eini. Here is Tom to write our Christmas card since we did not have a chance to get them out.

Hi all, We had Eini's brother show up here yesterday. He had returned to Canada to get his papers renewed and jumped on the bus and spent 36 hrs in Holiday traffic coming down here from Vancouver. He will be with his main land family for Christmas.

I am still playing around in Big Sur. We put a culvert in across the creek and have a road that takes us to the top of our property. I have spent a lot of time working on the road with my little dozer. The house in Big Sur is established. Granite counter, cook top, sink, shower, toilet and loft to sleep in.

I talked with Richard a few days ago and all seems well with him and family. He is learning to ride horses. He did not tell me if he had any planes for western movies in the future. Maybe we could use some lip stick and play the part of Indians as we did as kids.

Talked with Michael this week and he is enjoying his new job. He got hired as a programmer for a company that does the computer soft ware for smaller size companies. He has the one class left on his masters in IT. He is enjoying Australia.

Deborah is at the moment in South Carolina with her mother. Susie is working part time in the library in her small community. Deborah has learned a lot about car sales and she and John are doing very well in their business. I finally got a cell phone. Deborah and I talk on the phone a lot. We are both with AT&T so its a free b. Phone number is 831 905 4784.

Eini has new hours at work. She starts at six am and works till 2:30pm. She is enjoying these hours, but we go to bed earlier and get up earlier. The traffic for her, at that time in the morning, is much better and she can take a shorter route to work. I am still going to the YMCA in the morning. They are adding a gym at the Y so maybe I will get a chance to shoot a few baskets in the near future.

God is still my source and He is still talking with me about a future and a hope.

Hope you all have a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.

Love Tom

Fire on Mountain

Arizona Daily Star 4/29/2007

Lightning starts fire in Santa Ritas

A lightning-sparked fire atop a peak in the Santa Ritas south of Tucson burned about 270 acres of grass and brush Saturday, the Forest service said.

The fire started about noon at 5400-foot elevation on Mount Fagan, and two firefighting crews were on the scene last night and a third crew is due to arrive today.

No Structures were threatened, and the blaze has been beneficial so far because it’s clearing out brush and grass that has been accumulated for years, said Coronado National Forest spokes woman Heidi Schewel.

"At this point it’s burning fuel that needs to be burned," she said. There weren’t any weather-related problems for firefighters, she added.

The fire, in the eastern end of the mountain range, was visible from Tucson Saturday night, leading a number of concerned residents to call the Forest Service.

"Its important for the public to know that the fire will look worse and closer at night than it really is," Schewel said. "It’s nowhere near Tucson …. And if it gets worse, we can increase suppression efforts as needed."

This fire was about 1 to 1 ½ miles from our house. I can vouch that on Sat. night it looked impressive. We went to town about noon on Sat and returning about 6 pm one could see the heavy black Smoke and as we got closer to home we could see the helicopters bringing in water. We are ½ mile from the Nation forest boundary and have many neighbors on the boundary.

It was exciting and a little scary, but by Monday it was out.

Judy Billbrey's last picture

Great Great Grandma Lucas ( maiden name was Hartman) her husband was Levi. And Great grandma Lucas (Webb) I believe she was only 15 when she had grandma. Then she had another little girl who died and is buried beside her in Hoopeston. I can't remember if her name was Julie, or Jenny. When I go to Illinois next time I plan on looking that up. I almost didn't find Great Grandma's grave because I only knew she was called Belle. I didn't know untl later that it was Mary Belle.

So on the left is Great Grandma Mary Belle Webb (maiden name Lucus) and her mother on the right Sarah Ann Lucas (maiden name Hartman). I have been thinking about some kind of web site where I can begin to put together variuos family trees with pictures and stories and dates etc. Does anyone have any thoughts on that? RLR

Gladys Cover Girl

Gladys Williamson formerly Morse, maiden name Moore was on the cover of the Illinois State Alumni Magazine last summer. I have been trying to get this on for a while. I struggled getting the scanned picture loaded on the blog. Gladys has always been very athletic but she has earned many metals in state and national Senior swimming events during the last few years. Inside the magazine is a four page article on Gladys and her busy life. I can send a copy to anyone interested. Gladys is my aunt my mother's younger sister.

Judy's next picture

The middle girl is Great Grandma Mary Belle. She was one of twelve children I have their names somewhere which I will have to look up. There was one set of twins which did not live very long. One was named in the family tree but the other one wasn't. I do not know why. Marita who might have been able to answer my questions is no longer with us. They had to delay the funeral because of the snow storms. Aunt Gladys did make it to the visitation after the storms. Jimmy I keep in touch with Carolyn and Marilyn live somewhere else I to find their addresses I Put them somewhere and with all that has been going on I will have to search for them. I don't know if they knew any of Great Grandma's family. I do know that Grandma Moore's daddy was Names Miles but I don't know if it was a first name of last name. Your mom knew him but my mom didn't know him she was to little to remember.

If you go back a few posts to "Four Generations of Lucas" the back left is Mary Belle Lucus. Mary Belle has changed a bit. She had Agnas when she was not married. About the time Grandma had married and had Martha; Mary Belle had married a Webb and had a son named Charley. That was mom's uncle Charley they were very close in age and did everything together when they were young. I think Charley ended up married to one of Martha's college room mates.

RLR

Another Picture from Judy

I think this is on the farm in between Hoopeston and Ambia Indiana. This would be somewhere aroung the time Eva was born. 1921 They moved to Pine Village in 1939.

Four Generations of Lucas

From Judy:

This is four generations. Great Grandma Sarah Lucas, Grandma Mary Belle Lucas (Webb), Grandma Agnas, and Martha (your mom) I look like her in my pictures at her age. I was really surprised how much. I will have to try and find my picture so you can compare them.

I always thought Martha & Eva looked a lot alike. Gladys had a different look more athletic, more like Grandma. Also notice Grandma's jaw. Some how it got passed through to me. RLR

Pictures from Judy Billbery

I will post a series of pictures I have received from Judy. This one is a picture or William and Agnas Moore on their wedding day. Judy says, "This is Grandpa and Grandma's wedding picture. They were married in 1914 if I remember right".

From Martha's list of dates posted earlier on the blog we have:

June 2, 1890 Daddy (William Moore) born in Brown County, Indiana
Feb 17, 1893 Mother (Agnes Lucus) born in Hoopeston, Ill
Dec 4, 1912 Mother and Daddy Married in Danville, Illinois
Nov 27, 1913 Martha born in Hoopeston, Ill. Thanksgiving
June 5, (1917) William born in Hoopeston, Ill Died that fall (Sept 13, 1917)
1918-1922 Martha attended Lincoln Grade School in Hoopeston, Ill
1921-1922 Martha promoted at semester from 3rd to 4th grade
Feb 21, 1919 Gladys (Esther) born in Hoopeston, Ill
Dec 23, 1921 Eva (Agnes) born in Hoopeston, Ill
Jan 1922 Moved to farm near Oxford & Uncle Kirts (Daddy’s Uncle)
Martha attended Oxford School – by bus
May or Apr 1922 moved to farm North of Boswell, Ind. On Rte 41 Martha attented Boswell School until May 1929
Mar 1929 Moved to Ambia area in Ill. 1 ½ mile from state line
May 1930 (Martha) Graduated from Ambia, Ind H.S.
Sept 1930 (Martha) Entered ISNU at Normal, Ill
Jun 1934 (Martha) Graduated with B. Ed from Normal
Sept 1934 (Martha) started teaching business at H.S. in Mt Pulaski, Ill

Building a Barn Part One

We were going to build a bar for two horses. It needed two stalls, a tack room, a place to store feed (hay, pellets, etc.), and a covered area out of the sun. The covered area is an Arizona requirement. The finished barn was 36' x 24'.

This is Dan the next door neighbor on his tractor. Dan used to have his own landscape business. During one of the housing busts of the boom / bust building cycle he was doing work for several builders who went bankrupt on him. He got caught by the IRS for late payment of employee taxes. Rather than let him work through it they stepped in and sold off all of his equipment. Dan now works for a company that builds swimming pools. They use his landscape license and he runs their crews.

The idea is to make a large flat spot. There are no flat spots on our five acres. We start on a place right below the garage. We had to cut about 5 feet in the high corner and fill about 8 feet in the low corner. I had 9 truck loads of fill brought in for the down side. Dan did all of the tractor work.

Here I am on the tracker. My assignment was to drive back and forth on the fill area and pack it down. Back and Forth, Back & Forth, maybe I found my calling.

We decided to get a county permit to keep everything legal. It cost me $481 and several trips to the county permit building. There were many different things that were needed.

1. Set backs drawing ( I did)

2. Cut and Fill drawing (I did)

3. Native plants ( Area of grading was small and there were no protected plants) this got OK based on the above drawings

4. Septic tank placement in relation to building (again used drawings above)

5. Review of plans building plans (Plans must be drawn by engineer licenced in AZ). The drawings were provided by the company building the barn.

6. Inspection of foundation forms prior to concrete

7. Final Inspection

Another neighbor Sergio is a supervisor for KGE a large Construction Company. He and one of his foremen did the concrete work on Saturdays and the day after Thanksgiving. He looked at the plans and said "Piece of Cake", He wanted $1000 plus material cost. I said "OK". I gave him $500 for materials. It turned out to be harder than he thought because of the ground. I loaned him my jackhammer and when it was over I I gave him and extra $200.

You will note the fence on the right. I had the fence built after we started working on the site prep. It runs along the front of this picture then over to Dan & Marsha's (the house with the pickup) then down to the left to another neighbors fence. We had to cut the fence during construction and once the barn was up I put in new end posts and re-stretched the wire. Amazing the things I was learning.

This story is to be continued.

Barn Part Two

The reason I broke this into two parts was because it was hard to load all of the pictures. If you want to load pictures load them from the bottom up. This is the finished froms ready for the concrete. You can see the well and water tank behind. Those cylindrical tubes are great they make it very easing to make concrete piles that hold every thing in place. Notice there is no re-bar. The concrete we used had special fibers in it which help to hold it together. That costs and extra $9 per yard.





This is the truck that brought the concrete. I paid this guy $1100 on Nov 22.

Here is the finished foundation.














The barn came from Riverside, CA on a large flat bed 18 wheeler. There is no way such a truck could get into our place so I had to rent a smaller flat bed. They rent a fork lift to put walls etc. up so they off loaded to my smaller truck and we did the last three miles with it. This is the complete load. The largest pieces were 8' x 12'. It is all steel construction and the pieces kind of slide together.









The construction crew was from Southern California. There were 5 of them and three spectators from the Phoenix Distributor. They arrived the night before and we all got together at 6 am the next morning at the unload point except the flat bed semi got lost. By 7am we were together. These guys work fast. In less than 2 days it was up and they were gone. They did a super job. Everything was square and level. As it turned out it was a cold 2 days. The night between it got down to 25 deg. F. and there was a cold wind. We tried to keep hot coffee and served lunch and breaks.






This is the crew at break. Notice they are all bundled up. A little cold for Southern Calif guys. The foreman is on the front right. The second on the left and the second on the right were two young men named Jr. & Jr. I don't know how the kept them straight.













This is pretty much the finished barn. It has everything except the roof cap. The one that shipped was the wrong color. The company shipped a replacement and the distributor came down from Phenxi the next week and put it on. Thats me in the orange down jacket.

This is it. Up and working. Salt block between stalls and a corner of the water tank on left.

e-mail from Corey

My youngest son Corey is in the Army at the Army Language school in Monterrey, CA studying Tagalog (The main language of the Philippines). I haven't spoken to him for a few months and got this email. He has three girls and a boy. I'm terrible with ages but I will try below in [].

... How is everything going? Things are going fairly well here. Chugging away at tagalog trying to do my best. The baby [boy 4-5 months] is doing very well and is very cute. The girls are doing well. Elise [oldest girl about 9] is doing much better in school. All high marks. Alex (girl about 5) basically taught her self to read with the help she gets at school... and she is just in kindergarten. Austin [girl 4] is doing well but I think she really wants somewhere to go like her sisters.

.....

I miss you

Love Corey

For Mary's Birthday

No, you climb and I'll watch

From the city of Jena in eastern Germany comes news that - after three years of experimentation - researchers reluctantly have concluded that their objective cannot be achieved. And it's all Mats's fault. Who is Mats and what has he done to blunt the advance of science? Well, ah, Mats is a sloth - one of the species of medium-sized mammals that are native to Central and South America and are best known for their lack of get up and go. Which is what
scientists at the University of Jena's Institute of Systematic Zoology and Evolutionary Biology were trying to overcome. Since sloths live in trees, they had hoped to observe Mats climbing a pole in their laboratory and then backing his way down again. But he wouldn't ... despite being offered such inducements as spaghetti and cucumbers. Sloths, you see, mostly eat leaves, digesting them so slowly that the process can take more than a month to complete. Result: an extremely low metabolism and lots of sleeping - as many as 18 hours in every 24. Said a spokesman for the institute: "Mats obviously wanted nothing to do with furthering
science." So he has been packed off to a zoo elsewhere in Germany, where he is said to be resting comfortably.
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR http://www.csmonitor.com Feb 2,2007

When graphic artists get bored

I thought Mary would like this. Click the line below.

When graphic artists get bored

1914 minimum wage

On Jan. 5, 1914, Henry Ford, head of the Ford Motor Company, introduced a minimum wage scale of $5 per day.

Royal's Letter to Martha May 1937

This is the last of the letters I have from before Royal & Martha were married. There is a big gap. This must have been written in early May 1937. So we have a big gap. We don't know what happened except from what we remember from Martha's stories at Christmas time and then there is a gap up to this letter in May. I assume they continued to write but for some reason Martha did not keep those letters or they were lost or maybe they were to personal to pass on. I have a few cards Royal sent I will scan those and include them later. Note their Honeymoon consists of stopping at his sister's in Kansas, then to his Mother's for a few days then off to summer school and a day in the mountains. This was the summer he finished his masters degree. Martha typed his thesis five carbon copies.

Anyway I must get on to other things. Tom sent me links to some pictures on a Kodak web site that shows the "Big" culvert in the Big Sur property. They just put it in and now can go all the way up to the top of their property. The pictures show them gluing special rubber matting down to keep rocks from ripping the culvert up. They also show views from various points on the hill overlooking their valley. I don't know how to down load them so if anyone wants to see them e-mail me and I will send you the link.

Next I will try to put together pictures of the horse barn from dirt to finish.

RLR

Dearest,

I don't know about the trip to Illinois. What do licenses cost there? Would there be a saving?

I planned to spend some time at my sisters taking adjustments. I do feel much better now. In fact I am on the go about sixteen hours per day. I don't know at all that I can come, but I'll enclose a calendar. You check and see if this could meet with your desires. If it is not correct sent it back. I don't know just how long it will take to straighten up here before I leave. You know a good superintendent must leave things in good order.

Now of course if the cost to get hooked is more then maybe we can take up a silver offering.

The senior play is scheduled for tonight. People are getting the first things. I know someone will walk in and want to know if I'm busy. Will I am.

The last three weeks has been stormy. A group of kids went to a music contest and put on a beer party. I believe everything is straight, but I'm not sure.

Write me what you think of the schedule!

Yours with love,
Royal

These are the attachments:

1st

ACTIVITIES

Junior-Senior Banquet ------------- May 10
Baccalaureate ---------------------- May 16
Rev. Young, Baptist Church
Class Night H. S. ------------------- May 18
8th Grade Commencement -------- May 19
H. S. Commencement -------------- May 20

2nd Hand written

Leave Wellington June 3.
Arrive Ambia June 4.
Marriage Ceremony June 8.
Leave Ambia June 8.
Arrive Wellington June 9.
Leave for Springfield June 11.
Leave for Greeley June 14.
Leave for Mts. June 16
Return to Greeley June 17
Registration College June 18
Enter School June 21.

Royal's Letter to Martha #36

This is the last letter I have for 1936. Some how I have it out of place. It should be placed in October 1936, based upon the contents. He talks about the election, which was Nov 3 and the fact that he doesn't have a car yet. I don't know how I missed these when I tried to arrange the letters in order.

Anyway he is off to spend Chrismas with Martha. given his tendency to pun I'm supprised he didn't say, "I want Moore, I want Moore.

I hope everyone has great holidays. It is nice to know that now the days will start to get longer.

RLR

Dearest Martha,

Your letter certainly came in well today. I sat in a poorly lighted room for about an hour this morning and I did not feel so well along about noon. Well, I guess I don’t bang doors only when I’m mad, but you and I must not get mad at least not both at the same time.

Mr. Lewis and I are hitching quite well on most things. I really think we are quite like minded – maybe he just gives in. Mr. Austin, the grade school principal is also a fine fellow to work with.
Our football team beat Eads by the one-sided score of 65 – 0. We play Lamar this Friday evening. This will be a good game – Lamar have the advantage as our boys play under the lights. We have a chance, but not fifty-fifty.

Yes, I love to walk when I have companionable people to walk with. I believe you and I have walked several places, have we not my dear?

I don’t know just as if I’ll come Christmas if I am going to have to beat all the carpet form you. But really I think anything I did for you would be a pleasure. Anyway let’s use a vacuum cleaner!

The preacher here insists that people can let a few things go. He says, "After all what business can compare in importance with the Lord’s"? I believe in God and church, but not in same way as some.

The inner office is small, and I had the door taken down so there is not a partition between the offices. The Board suggests we wait until after the election for the desk. It is their idea that we may be able to get plenty of desks from government offices that are being discontinued.
You have probably guessed that I am following your letter and answering your writing. I had rather start in June on less than wait a year and start on more. Life is too short to put our marriage off another year.

Say dear, none are so helpless as those that refuse to learn. It may even be possible for a woman to have knowledge about home making that makes them very unpractical. Our Home EC. Teacher has ideas that could not be put in use in N.Y. City or London.

9:40 pm.
Mr. Lewis and I have just returned from Lodge. It certainly was fine to see all the brothers again. You will be eligible for Eastern Star by June of 1937. That will be a good way for you to get started with some of the women here – Go into Eastern Star – maybe you have already. Excuse mw if I have made an error, but the Monsonic Lodge is an organization of high ideal – even if the revivalist does think it a work of the devil. It will [be] grand to really live instead of just existing.

It is raining a little here tonight.

Here is a joke told in the lodge tonight. A man appeared on a stage, and he noticed that his audience was composed largely of expectant mothers waiting for their children to arrive.
I feel tonight as if I should rather see you, look into your eyes, kiss you, feel your head on my arm, look and see you beside me than all else in the world. But all things come to those who wait. I sometimes feel as if we will have to almost get acquainted again – it has been so long.

I have not been to a show since we went in Denver. When I get a car I must go and take Mr. Lewis and four of the women teachers. They have been quite nice to us. We played bridge with them for a while one evening and we were guests at dinner another. Sweetheart don’t you ever worry, because you are my sweetheart, and anything I do shall be solely to meet my social obligations. We can meet these obligations much better when we get established next year. We can really live.

Your last letter seem to indicate that you had become a bit better settled. All the trouble with both of us can most probably be traced to the age-old ailment called LOVE. Ever hear of it? I have and am experiencing it. Really, it [is] kinda fun if one lives through it. Please don’t get on some "Slicker" and leave me out.

I had to buy a Gladstone bag the other day. I am planning a trip, starting Wednesday morning December 23, and lasting until about Jan. 3. I plan to visit a very dear friend, and wife to be in the state of Indiana perhaps you have heard of her, a certain Martha Moore. Could be called postscript – she makes a fellow want more. Tell her I shall be there with bells on.

I’m afraid I can’t bring a ring, but maybe I can stop at a near by town and give her a ring – Original Scotchman. I always take the wife’s false teeth when I leave so she won’t eat between meals.

I must cut this rambling and tell you what I wanted to write you about. There is a little matter that concerns us both, and that I have intended breaking to you for some time. Failure on my part to have done this, neglect of this, or failure to perform this little chore might change the entire course of our natural or unnatural existence together. The information is not that Mutt is taller than Jeff, but that I Royal F Rutherford being in sound mind, and of perfect health do Love one Martha Moore.

More, & more.

Yours,
Royal

Royal's Letter to Martha assumed Dec 8, 1936

Tuesday Evening

Dearest Martha,

I wrote you a small note of which I was quite ashamed this morning. I was busy, tired and did not get to write before I left for school and I wrote there. Mr. Lewis and Mr. White the janitor stood over and supervised. I like to write you in the privacy of my own room so I may feel free to write as near as I feel free to write as near as I feel as my vocabulary permits me. At the best my expression is very inadequate when I consider what a wonderful you [? Young] lady, sweetheart and friend you are. It may seem as if we are almost married or maybe have been for some time as I have already started making excuses. Maybe if I were perfectly honest and did no rationalizing I would say that I failed to arise in time.

Tomorrow will be another red-letter day. Big Celebration here. Seems to me as if we had enough for the rest of my life, but never the less tomorrow we have another sponsored by the American Legion. The school enters two floats and marches in the parade at ten. In the afternoon we play our last league football game and after the football game comes the carnival. After the carnival comes a big dance in the evening. Being Superintendent I shall most probably not go.

We are having the most interest in ping-pong at present. There just don’t seem to be enough time and tables on which to play. Maybe some of the enthusiasm will wane before long. Come see me and I’ll play you a game between hugs!

Wed Morning

I’m either getting lazy or else losing my "pep". It is awful hard for me to get up before seven. I always make it to bed by 11:30.

It is an ideal day for the celebration – sunshine, warm etc. Will be a lot of things happen before night. Gallons of army stew will be served in the public square before evening. I must sign off and get to school. No matter what happens I love you more and more everyday.

Yours,
Royal

Royal's Letter to Martha early December

Two more letters to go. I was in LA all week and got back with a slight case of the flu. We bought a tree last weekend and it is sitting bare in the living room. Getting presents wrapped and mailed has taken over the priorities.

Note Royal talks about joking. Martha must have warned him about her father who was a great practical joker and loved to tease. He was known to tease to the point that he would make the girls cry. When Royal did arrive Bill had put up signs in several places along the country roads saying, "This way to Martha's".

You might also note Royal uses a rather risque quote from Mae West, "come up and see me sometime". It was underlined in the letter.

RLR


Dear Martha,

I guess I don’t tell you everything. I have not been in the play for some time. I shifted my part, as it did not fit in well with my other work. The name of the play is "Go Easy Mabel". It will be given as a matinee Friday afternoon, and as a night performance Friday Evening. It’s quite a modern play. I sure don’t know just how well it will go over.

I thought Gretchen’s birthday was the same day as yours? I am sorry the glass was broken. I shall buy you another frame if you will wait until I come. It was not an expensive frame but it did look very nice. That picture was taken two years ago. It does not show all of my gray hairs. Nor my wrinkles. I did think it very good.

As soon as I know when I shall come I shall write you more definitely. I am sure to have one or more passengers. I don’t know how many or who they will be.

It snowed a light snow last night. We have had some grand weather, with the temperature just below freezing even at night.

I can take all the jokes if your folks will just give me the daughter. I don’t mind jokes. I am quite a joker myself. Sometimes they rebound rather uncomfortably in my case.

I know the names of our mules at home, but cows change to often to have names. I hope Martha got better.

I got a lot of work done at the office last night. I am secretary for the Baca Co Ed Assn. I put my time trying to get all the books up to date.

I have a new heater on the car. It surely does warm up. With this and my trusty Coneco Touraide I am sure I shall come right to your arms. That is if you have your arms at Ambia, and don’t have someone else occupying them at the time. If so I’ll just drive around the block and wait my turn, Or maybe I’ll decide I shall see your sister? Of course I love you and I am living only to "come up and see you sometimes", but I could not help but think what would I do gracefully, if such thing did happen.

The pay for the picture? Will, I guess I get one in return. I agree to present said picture and keep same in good repair for a similar article of the said Martha Moore.

Gotta go to school. I love Martha

yours,

Royal.

Royal's letter to Martha assumed written 11-27-1936

It's Martha's birthday but I don't think Royal has been able to find out her actual birthday. He is carrying a map (touraide) and has been pouring over it and planning his trip which is to start in less than four weeks. He is looking for company on the trip partly to share costs and partly so he is not alone for the long trip. He seems to be good at games. Notice he wins at "Big Business" which must have been something like Monopoly.

I have only a few more letters left and hopefully I will get him to Indiana before Christmas.

RLR

Friday Morning

Dearest Martha,

Thanksgiving and turkey are over. We are at my sister Lydia’s. It was a lovely dinner with turkey and the fixin’s. I ate so much I had indigestion all afternoon. We played "Big Business" during the afternoon. I finally cleaned up with all the money and all the states. I took my touraide from the Conoco Oil Co. and showed them the trip I am taking at Xmas time. Maybe you have heard tell of the same.

When is your school out? Certain things might cause me to start before the 22nd but I think not before that time. I’m angling for passengers all time. I may not have to come alone after all.

I thought a lot about you yesterday. I suppose the Thanksgiving dinner will fall our lot next year. A lot of things can be planned when I see you Xmas. None of my plans for coming are definite yet, but will have to be changed to suit what passengers I may get.

I am back in Springfield this morning ready to start work. As a matter of fact I got up before it was light this morning. I want to work on my thesis do some bookkeeping, and work with the fish and flowers. Mr. Lewis went with the football team yesterday. He will go home to see his family today (50 miles). The score of the game was 6 – 6. Referee was plenty dirty I guess.

I’ll write again tomorrow. I guess you’ll get there when you get back from the vacation.

Yours with Love,
Royal.

Royal's letter to Martha #32

Anybody know about King George & Wally? George's brother had advocated to marry a commoner. George was married to Elizabeth, who was known as the Queen mother in my time. I think that means the mother of Queen Elizabeth.

Dearest,

I finally had turkey dinner at my sisters. Mother and brother and sister (another) and her husband were there. We did have a lovely dinner> If [?] the afternoon I made over seven hundred thousand at Big Business.

Excuse the writing but I'm sitting on top of the world waiting for the sun of Dec. 23 to rise. If nothing happen I might make your home by December 24 - late.

The faculty play comes tomorrow night. I went to the dress rehearsal last night. I really think there will be many laughs in it. It is a light thing, but I'm sure it will go over in Springfield quite well.

We have regular Board meeting and an oyster stew tonight all employees of the school are invited. There should be about fifty bowels of stew.

We had a light snow here, but much of it melted yesterday. We have had no better cold weather here yet this year.

King George and Wally are having quite a time in England. It looks as if it will be the throne or Wally. Power to him; he will have to decide between Wally and Mammon? People always resist change. They just won't allow things to be done in a different way.

I must go to school.
Love to all,
Yours truly,
Royal

Truly yours
Yours, yours with love
Love to Martha,

Royal's letter to Martha #31 Late November 1936

Dearest Martha,

Today has been another red-letter day for me. Everything to make a fellow go crazy has happened. Mr. Morris blew up and went frantically mad at play practice. Mr. Lewis informed me that I was of the old school and what else I don’t know. But really I came through in rather good style and I am able here at ten o’clock to write (even sit up) Maybe I won’t have a job a year from now, but if I don’t I can get on relief, or maybe the old age pension. A man that teaches school needs a wife with patience of Job and a great broad understanding. If you were just here we would talk things over and I am sure everything would be OK.

A good administrator cannot be stampeded when the mob goes but must stand and look far ahead and see the final result rather than be excited about the present.

I played a little ping-pong tonight. Just as a matter of relaxation. I do love to play, but I never have time to play enough to really learn how. It would be nice to have a home large enough so one could have room for such.

I’m going to bed because I’m getting up soon after six in the morning. I will write again in the Morning.

Love,
Royal

Yes, I did get up at six as planned. I am cleaned up clean as a pin, and I am now ready to go to school.

Darling, I certainly need you here now. There have been times when I just knew I needed you more and more. I guess I’ll see (I know) see you in about four more weeks, but the time will be so short. But I’m sure plans can be made for long future. Darling I could wait for years if I knew you were to be at the end of the wait. I love you.

How did you find out I was to maybe send you a picture. Must be your friend and counterpart wrote that. It’s OK, but I might not be able to do so.

I must ring off get to school and start to work.

I love Martha,
Royal

Royal's letter to Martha #30 Nov 1936

It is a little confusing how Royal talks about home. When he is in Denver home is Baca County. When he is in Baca County sometimes home is his room in the boarding house and other times it is the family homestead where he grew up. This home is where his Mother and brother Bill live.

I've been thinking about the Ford cars. For many years Ford made the model T which was the first low cost car and transformed the American world. In 1928 because of competion Ford came out with the Model A. It had a four cylinder engine and came in a coupe or sedan. It had a throttle on the steering wheel. They had not worked out the standard cluck, brake, and gas used on cars until the mid 30's. The model A was made until 1932 when they came out with a new model which was more streamlined with either a 4 banger or a V8. The 1934 was just a little more stream lined. I owned one of these that set beside the house for several years but never ran. These cars had machical brakes. There were push rods and levers and these were poor brakes. I think by 1936 they had hydraulic brakes and the cars were starting to be more rounded. So Royal left his new car with his brother Bill and drove Bill's Model A. Royals brothers were mostly very mechinal though he was not. So Bill was getting the car ready for the trip to Indiana.

Dearest,

I am very sorry it is not possible for you to meet me in K.C. I hate going places by myself. I probably won't arrive there until late afternoon on Christmas Day you will have Christmas dinner with your family without interruption. I am having Mother and one of my sisters eat with me here on Thanksgiving Day.

I was home this afternoon and stayed from 2:00 until 8:00. Mother was quite well. Bill my brother was washing and polishing my car. He has had it here for about two weeks now. I have been driving his model A. about. I ate a big piece of apple pie, and I have had indigestion ever since I came back home. I have made some rather definite efforts to find out just when your birthday is, but have not succeeded. The picture man just came Friday.

At the party we had at my sister two tables played Big Business and one played bridge. Mr. Austin got to working a card trick for the teachers that took no little time. The evening ended by a group playing Hell, pounce, or there is another name for the game.

Saturday night after play practice Mr. Lewis and I served spaghetti to the play cast. The spaghetti was enjoyed by all. We played ping-pong and bridge afterwards then. The gang are really quite a fine group. There has been some little difficulty among play cast & I have been trying to iron this out.

I paid every cent I owed to the beal [?] bank this month. I am surely making a drastic effort to get all my obligations taken care of. I now have last summers school paid for and am ready to start saving to get ready for next summer- I hope to be able to work on that thesis this week too.

I must sign off and get to school. I'll be seein' you before long.

Love,
Royal.

Royal's Letter to Martha #29 written 11/6/1936

No Comments. RLR

Denver Y.M.C.A.
November 6, 1936

Dearest Martha,

Today makes my third day here. Of all the faces strange and otherwise – None seem to satisfy. There are dozens of pretty faces and swell fur coats but is all filled with a longing and strangeness. There is a vacancy that I can not express; I really feel better when I assure myself that next year shall not find the "situation" such. I can see where it would be the grandest thing in the world to have a sweet wife, and to be really in love with the same.

Much has been said since I have been here about the Indiana trip. I looked up a map last night and even planned two routes I might take. I think if favorable weather comes that I might be there the 24th or early the 25th. Mr. Lewis and Gretchen have seen the far away sign and asked me several times if I were on my way already.

Mr. Lewis left for Greeley this afternoon. Gretchen and I went to the show "Cain and Mabel". Gretchen is a swell girl. I can promise she would never double cross Martha. Gretchen is a good girl. She says she went shopping for a wedding present for us yesterday. I said, "well if I had my way about things we would already be married". I’m really in love and the sooner we can start on our journey together the better pleased I shall be. I’ll try and get you my picture along about Thanksgiving time. I cannot remember but I’m sure that is the day when you pass another milestone.

I’m certainly looking forward to arriving home Sunday and getting my mail. It will contain letters from the sweetest girl in the whole world. God bless her! I do wish you were here tonight so we could go to sleep on each other’s arms.

Don Best, the boy who waited tables at the house this summer dropped in this afternoon. He wanted Mr. Lewis to act as best man at his wedding. He is getting married. He waits table for help in getting through college. I sort of envy him that he can get married anyway. I guess we college graduate people take things entirely too seriously. It is better for all concerned that we waited until Xmas at least. See the old conservative creeping in. Lewis refused as he was on his way out of town.

Mr. Lewis is coming back Sunday. We shall leave for home. If nothing happens I’ll be home by 8:00 P.m. I’ll try to write Monday Eve. We have a hard week ahead; Armistice Day Celebration, Football game, School Carnival and National Education Week.

I’ll mail this Sat. Morning. If time permits I’ll write more.

Remember sweetheart that whatever happens I love you.

Yours,
Royal.

I just don’t think I could get along until Xmas if I did not have so much to do that I can not thing [think] of you If I were not so busy I’d go nuts.

I have been by the Auditorium Hotel and looked in several times. I would have stayed there but I felt I just could not. It was better to be where familiar scenes did not remind me of when I saw the girl who filled the big place in my life off. Martha I never thought anyone could fill such a big place in my life.

The convention has been quite good. I have not gone to any sectional meetings. I have attended the general sections quite religiously. I went about town shopping a lot with Mr. Lewis. I have not bought anything but a pair of parcel post scales for the office. I am holding everything until Xmas. Two kisses bet on envelope flaps are drawing interest. There will come a payday too.

Royal's letter to Martha #28 written Nov 4, 1936

I don’t want your rambling letters
I don’t want your picture framed
All I want is you beside me
And a change to change your name

Words from song at Tucson Blue Grass Festival Oct 2006

Royal’s letter to Martha #28 written Nov 4, 1936

Wednesday Eve
New Kenmark Hotel
Denver, Colorado

Dearest,

I find that I love you in Denver as I do on the plains of Baca County. We got in here about six. We window shopped a short time ate a bowl of chili and sat in the hotel lobby and read for more than two hours. (Mr. Lewis & I compose "we") and Eads Student came part way with us. You can naturally know how I feel to be back in Denver and not have you. It is almost unbearable. I told Mr. Lewis in the lobby tonight you meant all to me and that we should get married just as soon as you would say the word. Shall we go to someplace when I come Christmas and get married, or shall we get married at your home?

I may go to Greeley Sat., but nothing is definite as yet. If Mr. Lewis goes to Ft Collins I may go and let him drop me off there. I had a letter from the Linchion Lane [?] suggesting such an arrangement.

Mr. Bohlender, the ex-school prin. was badly defeated in the election. This was a bit unfortunate, but I really don’t believe it will effect our school situation a great deal. I certainly feel sorry for he and wife. Santa Claus is bringing them another child about Xmas. It looked like a clean sweep, but the scandal on the former Supt. put everything in a cocked hat.

It is past ten o’clock and I must turn in, but remember dear, that of all the faces I shall see the one that really makes a difference won’t be there. I’ll grin and bear it then marry that sweet face a Christmas time when I journey back to the Hoosier state to see her.

Goodnight sweetheart, I’ll always love you.

Yours,
Royal

Royal's letter to Martha #27 written Nov 2-3, 1936

Royal’s letter #27 assumed written Nov 2-3 1936
It is election day and the New Deal wins big.

Dearest Martha,

Only tomorrow and we will be off for Teachers Convention and election will be over.

I had a terrible spell of "inferiority Complex" today. I feel like quitting, just throwing up everything, quitting, like going off into the woods and twiddling my thumbs through out eternity. It would be fine to have you here tonight. It would be wonderful to have an understanding soul nearby.

We had board meeting tonight. Everything went quite civil. We are actually having a fine school. Some criticism perhaps but very little I think. This helps explain why I am writing with my pencil. I left myfountainn pen at school where we signed warrants.

I have tons of work to do tomorrow. It will be one of the busiest days of the year. I will be tired so that I can sleep tomorrow night. I'll get up about am Wed. and find out how the election came out.

I sat in the Lodge and heard talk of expelling the Co. Supt that came up a total of $12,000 short. I am afraid it is going to cause quite a dissension among the different members. There was some fireworks. The Editor of the Republican Paper has made her brags that she will get me in the paper next week. But really I'm like the Nudist nothing can be pinned on me. I think I'll be here after she is gone.

7:07 a.m.

Mr Lewis and I are situated in my office listening to the Denver Post News Cast on my radio. The score between Roosevelt and Landon now stands Landon 38, Roosevelt 22. Mr. Lewis is going down at 8:00 and go before a notary and vote his absentee ballot. I shall vote at ten.

It would have been grand to have woke up and found you here this morning. This morning of all mornings would this have been desirable. You will be sometime. How about doing something in a definite way Christmas when I come?

I must close and write some letters evoked by our Board meeting last night. See you fore long.

With love,

Royal

Royal's letter to Martha #26 Assumed written 10/27/1936

I guess my order of letters is not quite right. From closer reading of this and #24 it would seem #24 should be moved to follow this letter because of the sequence of the Holloween Party.
RLR

Dearest Martha,

I think everyday of the world how nice it would be to have you here. It certainly would the last word in living. We certainly could be worth a lot to each other.

I am going to La Junta with the football team tomorrow. We are sure to get beat but I think the boys will put up a good scrap. Speaking of football our grade school boys played the H.S. scrub team today. The score ended a 6 – 6 tie. It was quite a game. I was somewhat surprised how well the grade people did. I wish Mr. Lewis were going in my place – I never relish such trips when I don’t have you along.

Mr. Lewis and I went to school tonight. Mr. Lewis wrote warrants while I worked on the books. It was quite a calm peaceful evening. I was to have washed my hair when I got home, but Mrs. Measel forgot to leave the bathroom open.

The Ford is functioning very well. The only trouble it burns gas just like all cars – gas of course costs money. The heater has not been installed, but will be soon.

I got a letter from my sister today. She wants me to come to her house Sat. night to a Halloween party. Come out and we’ll storm the party together. That would be a real treat.

I shall look forward to seeing the luncheon set. I am glad you are a changed person. There is a chance for me. I’d love to see you smile and see your sweet face tonight. Too bad I can’t kiss you goodnight and have you lie on my arm, and be able to awake and find you there in the morning. Time is going a little faster now. The time will soon come when Santa will bring me to you.

Yours with love,

Royal

Royal's letter to Martha #25

So here we finally have the new car. Gunmetal must be gray and he is getting a radio. Also note he "dozed" in church. I've been there myself.
RLR

Sunday Eve.

Dearest Martha,

This has been a rapid-fire weekend. Football game Friday night, circulated Petition Saturday morning, went to Church and Sunday school this a.m., to a birthday dinner, to the creek for sand, and to school and worked on the aquarium and window boxes. It is now six, Mr. Lewis was just in to see about going to church tonight. I wanted to go to Two Buttes to hear Dr. George Verity a brother of one of the county’s grand old men. He is a missionary in China, and talked in this country about ten years ago. We shall most probably stay home and perhaps go to church here.

The new, gunmetal, V-8 Tudor with built-in-trunk works quite well. I am quite well pleased with it. It may have a radio installed in it when you see it at Christmas. I paid nearly twenty-five dollars for insurance and signed a note for three- ninety-five. I really did need it quite bad. And it is going to be fine.

The football game was a thriller last Friday night. Score 0 – 0. The first time in History that Springfield has ever held Lamar in football. They have beaten them a lot of times in basketball. We play Las Aninas here Friday afternoon all the stores are closing during the game. We will have a large crowd of enthusiastic rooters.

All that I have told you in this letter indicates that you should be here, helping me to make adjustments in this community. It is awful hard for a single man to be properly adjusted to make a good school Supt.

Monday Morning 7:15

Mr. Lewis and I went to church. I dozed off several times. I just could not keep awake. I came home and fooled around for some time before I went to sleep. I then went to sleep with the radio on and woke up later and turned it off. It may have been much later.

Mr. Lewis and I are going to Lamar to see the "Gorgeous Hussy" tonight. That is if I can get my six weeks grades figured out.

I am going to the grade school just after nine today to observe the 1st grade teacher. She is having something special.

I have been listening to the breakfast club. They are singing their final song so that means it is seven-thirty and time I ate breakfast and got to school.

Martha dear I surely wish you were here to go to this show with us. You could also help break in the new car.

Yours with love,

Royal

Royal's letter to Martha #24 assumed written 10/27/1936

Tuesday Evening

Dearest,

More debts to pay. I have the all seeing eye and boy! Will I enjoy the payment. I’ll live the next seven weeks for this, and that and the other that you will pay. You know some way said, "It is always the woman who pays".

School is still going rather smoothly in spite of everything that might happen. My greatest worry right now is why the election is not over. Our local election here is likely to have a certain upsets, due to the hand of God or the actions of certain humans. Roosevelt seems to be hitting it hard in New York now. Well it won’t be long now.

The faculty started on the play last night. I’m to be Bruce the young boy. It is a lousy thing called "Go Easy Mabel". I wonder the town will let us teach here after they see it. It is I should say rather Crude in places. A committee of teachers did the picking. I had not read it until last night. I got the part for the reason that there was no one else to take it.

I’m going to a holloween party here in town to night. A ghost is supposed to meet me at the gate. I may pass out but I think I can stand it.

Dear, I surely do need you. I need you every day. I have told Lewis any number of times that he and I needed to get married more that any other thing. I will surely look forward to seeing that picture. You can’t send it too soon to suit me. I love you, sweet.

Goodnight, pleasant dreams.

Yours with love,

Royal

Roosevelt in landslide over Landon

ON THIS DAY (70 years ago)

On Nov. 3, 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was re-elected in a landslide over Republican Alfred M. ''Alf'' Landon.

This kind of goes with Royal's letters. Gives us a National poltical context.

Royal's letter to Martha #23 assumed written 10/19/1936

Royal’s Letter to Martha #23 assumed written 10/19/1936

Dearest,

You wrote a swell letter today. This day of all days I needed such. Our ex-county superintendent came back to town last night and plead guilty to forging eight thousand dollars worth of school warrants. He is now residing in the county jail, awaiting sentence to the Federal Penitentiary. This is the third blow Baca County schools has had in six years. It is terrible. I knew the man and had implicit confidence in him. It will set our school back at least 5 years, and practically kill the Baptist Church of whom the man was formerly a leader. This man has preached wonderful sermons all over the county. He has given the baccalaureate sermon here for five year. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and it is really a slap in the face to our schools, church, and community. One of the fellows told me that Mr. Mitchell has just been sentenced to from 3 to 6 years. Things like this cause we humans to have less faith in humanity Ah?

Of course, I should not be adverse to accepting payment on the little debt every night. I just have not been able to figure just how the thing can be done before Santa Comes at Christmas time. I may be so hard up I can’t do anything else but I am coming at Christmas time if nothing else comes. I am not the least worried about not going to Colorado Springs. Really I did not even have to stop to think before I knew that I should not plan to do other than come to see the girl I love.

Our faculty this year is thus far reasonably free of pressure groups, spites [?], backbiters, etc. We are putting over quite a school program believe it or not.

We got a big Sousaphone last weekend. It surely does make our band sound differently. We are on the way to a better and better band.

We had a school program tonight. Mr. Morris put on a dramatic program. He staged some songs, tap numbers, a puppet show, and ended by the little play The Wonder Hat. Quite a crowd was out considering the fact that there was two political rallies in the neighboring towns.

Oh, yes I see by the paper that Earl Browder the Communist Candidate for president is not being so well received in your native state of Illinois.

I am quite sorry to hear about the accident, but I am sure glad you nor sisters were hurt. Fenders can be replaced but injuries can’t always be taken care of so easily.

Mother was to see me and gave me a chrysanthemum today. It was really that. And I’m not trying to air off my spelling either. The students teased me no little about it when I went back to school, but I paid little attention to their fun. I had to rush back to school and see my physics class so I did not see her long, even she was in town.

The Nevada girl knows all sees all of course. I always treat them that way. Don’t I? Of course she can’t raise her eyes like you!

Martha I surely wish you were here and I could go to sleep thanking God I had you beside me on my arm. I need you sweetheart. This work is big work – I love you truly.

Your Beau,

Royal

Royal's letter to Martha #22 assumed written 10/17/1936

Royal's Letter to Martha # 22 assumed writtenn 10/17/1936
This letter is all hand printed rather than written in his normal script.

Saturday Morning

Dearest,

I realize with a heart that is swelling with emotion that ten weeks ago today you entrained for San Antonio. I left for Baca County - Much unknown lay before - I have met the job - There has been problems, but today the world seems to have a place for two - a man and wife to direct the activities of the school. I know the way has seemed dark for you many times - Colorado is so-o-o far away. When a girl goes - she gives all, family, home. This man might turnout to be only a passing fancy. But Martha you must believe! You must leave it all and take me, and help me, and let me help you. We need each other! It won't mean leaving all in this day of rapid transportation. But we must crowd everything from our hearts but each other. I am ready to live entirely for you. Think it over sweetheart, and I'll see you at Xmas time. We'll talk for hours, and plan our entire future.

Dear, I love you truly.

Royal.

Jackson Rutherford

This is Richard Jackson Rutherford born in late September 2006 to Corey & Angela. He is doing fine. He is the first grandson for Anita & me. We have 8 granddaughters and Anita was wondering if she was ever going to be able to buy a toy truck.

I also included a picture of his three sisters. I am not sure who came up with this pose.

Angela sent me a link with about 50 pictures. If anyone is interested in seeing more send me a email and I will forward the link. rlrutherford@triconet.org

RLR

Royal's letter #21 assumed written 10/13/1936

Tuesday Eve.
Dearest Martha,

I am sure that the State Inspector must have looked into your classroom and fronded terribly, but of course all was well when you braised your eyebrows. That smile of yours would knock any of them cold. Of course none of you will get fired, or be in anyway jeopardized. The commerce dept will check well ahead of the other depts. Of course I am correct.

Today is a grand day here. I have seen few more beautiful evenings in my life. Not a cloud in sight, and the day not too hot or too cold. I am afraid this evening will be at least partially wasted, as it would be a swell time for romance. I suppose I can go to the revival, but that fails to seem very romantic to me. We could enjoy a drive if you were here and I were so fortunate as to have a car. Sense I am Supt. (please excuse color, I poured all the black down the sink) I can’t afford to have a car.

Seriously, I am trying to figure out how I can get on top the earth financially, pay my insurance, and buy a car. I’ll do me best and I’ll have a good financial head to help next year. I need a new overcoat on top of all else. I’ll try to get my Masters finished next summer, and at least you’ll get a man with a M.A. degree.

The preacher has almost appropriated our school program now. He gave a meeting for boys at eleven today, one for girls at 2:30 today, and will give a meeting for boys at ten Thurs. and Fri. We excuse any boys that want to go. Between this and the World Series we won’t have much school this week. He talked to the boys on venereal diseases this am. His errors outnumbered his facts, but I should worry.

I am sorry your father does not like his V8. Maybe he does not like fellows who contemplate buying v-8’s and stealing his daughter either. Maybe he will not be too sorry about either in the years to come.

10:15
I have just come from Walsh. I went with Mr. Lewis to take Shonts Stein and Dorris Dickey to the concert. The concert was good for the second time. The school refused to place the piano on the stage this lessened the effect of the piano, but was quite good anyway.

All teachers go to church again tomorrow evening.

7:03 Thursday (all ready for school)
It is foggy here; however the weather forecast says clear and warm.
I wish you were here to tell me just how my office should be arranged just right. I am going to ask the board to buy me a typewriting desk for the outer office and the secretary.

I slept like a log last night. I always sleep good. I usually read for a few minutes until I get sleep. Then switch out the light and off to sleep. The only thing I need to have everything perfect is you. I miss you everyday in everything I do.

I have been listening to the news report. It seems that Illinois has the communist presidential candidate in jail. From the news report I think his attorney gave the same address for him as he gave in Greeley. Correction Earl Browder is in Terre Haute, Indiana in the jail. I just heard that Norman Thomas had sent a telegram to President Roosevelt protesting.

I have been up and coming this week. I can’t think of any week of my life that I have felt better. I go to the office about seven-thirty every morning. That means that I had better get the breakfast food swallowed kiss you good bye and be on my way. (Perhaps, I’ll need to imagine the latter).

Yours with love,
Royal

Royal's letter to Martha assumed written 10/8/1936

I published this one letter earlier but it belongs here in the actual sequence of letters.

If we look at Martha's dates in the blog we see that she and Royal meet in July 1936 in Colorado. In August 1936 (only two or three weeks after they met) she left Colorado to return to Illinois and her teaching job. I am not sure when the plans were made but they decided to get married after the end of the school year and live in southern Colorado.

So there was a year of letters with a brief visit of Royal to Illinois at Christmas time. This letter was written sometime before that Christmas trip.Anyone who has ever has a long distance romance via letters may identify with this. There is a need to write as often as you can and many times during the day you think about how to tell the other about what is going on around you. You can only say I love you and want you so many times so you must begin to find different ways to get the message across. This is certainly a different view of a man we all knew and loved. I have tried to reproduce this letter as close as I can to the original. It is in italics to be similar to the original hand writhing.
RLR

Thursday Evening(your Sunday Letter)

Dearest,

May you enjoy teaching your Sunday School Class, I bet they will think a lot of the love of the Lord is being showered down when you give them one of those big smiles. I know I should if I could just enjoy such.

A poem Midmorning by Edgar Ward

Know that the dawn has found me
Eager and earnest and Strong
My feet on the way set soundly,
My throat sounding a song.

Know that the dusk shall find me
Glad of the way I trod
The day of my grief behind me
And lifted unto God.

I am now in the office. The lady teachers are having a big Ping-Pong game. I just had to run a group of high school people away to keep them from taking the table. Mr. Lewis and I are both working. He in his office and I in mine. We just ordered some aquarium plants to get the aquariums started again. We shall order some fish later. He wants some guppies and a pair of angel fish. I am not spending much money: however, as I realize there are very important things for all the money I can save.

Mr. Lewis just came down he is going to challenge a pair of the lady teachers for a Ping-Pong game and we are going to show them how it is done.

I might have an automobile after tomorrow. It all depends on whither the man trades or not. We play Lamar a game tomorrow night; I might drive home from it in a new gunmetal, Tudor V-8 built in trunk, exhaust heater, 97 Carburetor, and six ply tires. Don't you think I'd make a good salesman.

Well, dear it would be grand to see you tonight. Every night since I saw you in Denver has been wasted as far as my romance goes. I have maybe put in some light licks on this putrid gray paper (What Judge you by your heart!) Does this paper make you sad when I write thereon? If so, thee must let me know at an early date so that thou needst not be so provoked. Willst thou do so me love? Please, me love do let me know about this matter the next time thou dost take thy pen in hand. Well just remember some artist can make a person cry by one stroke of the brush, my mother always could with one stroke of the hair brush. But when one becomes a man he must put away childish things. Yea, put them far away.I am rambling on at great length in this letter and saying nothing which means that in my memoirs these letters maybe published as Great letters of a Great Man or the man that we all knew. Perchance they may be taken for a modern Novel if anything I wrote was of Importance. Of course, dear I naturally expect you to be interested since I love you truly, and intend to drag you off to my den in the "Dust Bowl". Does that not make chills go up and down your spine? I was afraid so. But the early days of June must find the knot tied and the pair ready to travel to Northern Colo. I say must of course I mean, with the willingness and consent of the governed. We'll settle all that in the shant Christmas vacation. Time can't go too fast.This is the goofiest letter I have written, but I feel that way.

Love Royal

Royal's letter #19 assumed writtn 10/1/1936

The revival reminded me of this.

Fair maid you need not take the hint;
Nor idle texts pursue;
Twas guilty sinners that he meant,
Not angles such as you.

Dearest Martha,

Last night was go to church night. Seventeen of the eighteen teachers went to church. One had already arranged a date for the occasion. If you had been here I should not have gone either. The minister preached very well and very long. The services lasted until past ten – well past – 10:30. The roosters were crowing when I came home and I came straight home. Roasters crow at any unusual noise and of course it is unusual for me to stay out after nine, much less ten. And so they crew. [?] When you come out we will cook the old rooster and make thin soup and eat his tough legs – could even give a drum stick to the baby to chew on.

The preacher was at school and gave an assembly again yesterday. I am afraid that word was not so well divided as not so well divided as the animals on the ark, or the Saints and Sinners at a revival meeting.

Miss Moore, it might interest you to know that I love you; that I would like very much to see you, to hold you, and look into your eyes once again. If these facts don’t interest you please disregard them as the ink can no more go back into the pen than the sun can refuse to shine. At least this will look bad before the jury. If you raised your eye brows I am sure all would be off, the foreman would arise and say you marry that "gal" and provide her with all she’s been "useter". I’d say well, Mr. I think I’d just be too glad to do so if she could share my lot thru thick and thin. Don’t let me fool you because I don’t have a lot of anything but love (and debts).

School is coming quite well. The Quaker preacher came to school and said some rather sarcastic things to brother Lewis, but another mother writes him and signs the notes affectionately yours so I really guess he will have love whether from the Quaker or from the Jones.

Today is payday. I’ll have a dollar or two when all is paid. I surely wish you were here we would go to town and get a "Coke" and look at the things in the windows.
You can probably tell that I have just a little different mental set this morning than usual. Well I washed my head yesterday, and when all the soil was gone I found very little left.

I have been waking up early every morning. Six o’clock finds me shuffling the cards of life to determine just what the new deal shall or shall not be. Fortune takes it upon herself to deal hands very meager and at other times the color is rich. It may depend a lot upon what we do or do not do. I am sure I don’t know.

Well, Honey, don’t forget I am out west, and that I still love to hear from you. There will come a day when you will be here to.

Yours with Love,
Royal

Royal's letter to Martha #18 assumed written 9/28/1936

Royal’s letter #18 assumed written 9/28/1936

Dearest,

Just a note to let you know I am still alive and that I love you intensely. How[s] that?

We had a fellowship banquet last night followed by volley ball here at school. A fine time was enjoyed by all.

Providing all disasters can be sidetracked everything is sailing rosy now. One of our grade teachers who is an old horse is doing some little throat cutting, but it will only mean that the same knife will cut her own throat in the spring. You see dear, I feel viscious today, maybe it is good you are so many miles away? But you know I just believe it would be safe for you to come west to live? Don’t you really?

This is my office hour and I must get busy in here or else someone will be in here and report that all I do is sit in my office and write that girl in Indiana.

Yours,
Royal.

Royal's letter to Martha #17assumed written 9/26/1936

Here Royal visits "home", the farm in Vilas where his Mom & Brother Bill live. Then he goes back "home" his room at the boarding house in Springfield. He is moving to a smaller room to save a little money.

He talks about his older brother who has several thousand acres to plant, this must be Turk. Again it is the dust bowl times and there has been little rain or snow. Turk must be planting winter wheat. I think you plant in the fall and harvest in the spring or early summer.

He is still working on getting his car. his style of trading required lots of jawing and offers and counter offers.

He was always a workaholic. He spent long hours in preparing for his jobs. As a school administrator this often involved late nights and Saturday and Sunday. Then he would work most of the summer. If there was anything happening at the school he would be there. Even in his fifties, when he was just a teacher, Mom would drop him at Edison HS and go to her work at Marshall Jr HS. In the evening she would then pick him up often having to wait. Then he would often work in the evening at home.

RLR

Royal’s letter to Martha #17 assumed written 9/26/1936

Dearest, Saturday Morning

I worked until about 10 last night and then went home and slept, ate breakfast, visited awhile, and then came back home this morning. I have just cleaned up neat as a new pin and I am ready to go to the office. I have to finish balancing the books and finish everything ready for the board meeting tonight. Everyone was well and in good spirits. My brother at home has a little coop [?], but he did not have much last year. My older brother is running three drills sowing wheat. He has several thousand acres to sow but will sow only a thousand acres unless more moisture come[s]. We had from seven to ten inches of snow.

I am still trying to trade cars. I may get the job done, if nothing happens.

I am moving into a smaller room today. I suppose I shall move at noon. The next letter you get from me will be from room three instead of room five. This will cut my rent some but the room will not be quite so nice, But really I think I can love you just as much from room three as five.

With Love from room
Five Measel [?] domicile,

Royal

Royal's letter to Martha #16 assumed written 9/24/1936

This letter has no end. It was very likely sent with the next letter. Notice at the end football scouting has been around for a long time.

He seems down and depressed. He always worked so hard. He could never be completely prepared and so many things he would only do himself. I also think he had such strict rules in his head but it always bothered him when he had to enforce them. Example here is stopping the teachers from going for a Coke.

Royal's letter to Martha #16 assumed written 9/24/1936

Thursday Eve
Dearest Martha,

I certainly feelguiltyy that I have not written you more this week, but I have been so upset that really did well to go as far as I have.

We played football with Eads today. The score was 65 - 0 Spg [Springfield won]. Our boys are going to come through and play some good ball this year. I really am too enthusiastic about football. I like basketball better.

I had to sit on a group of teachers rather hard today. They were going to town before the ball game to get a Coke. This would not have been allowed for students so why allow faculty members such privileges.

I am going to the office to do dome book work in getting the accounts setup. One of the students is to come to help me.

The revival is coming quite well - several of our students have joined the church. I hope it will be lasting, and they will really stick with it. The religious way is the only way to live, but I often times think I am far from it.

I have not read anything or done anything of interest in the whole number [of] days in this week. I feel as if I like to get away for a day or two and not be harassed by a multitude of problems. It would be fine to be cast with you on an island in the mid-ocean, and just live ourselveslfs for a time. Problems weight heavy on ones mind after a while.

Mr. Lewis and Mr. Hale are on their way to Lamar to the game between Lamar & Johnson, Kansas. We play Lamar next Friday.

Royal's letter to Martha #15 assume written 9/22/1936

Letter 15 assumed written 9/22/1936

Dearest Martha,

The way I have been writing you would think I did not have my darling, but I surely do. I just got back those mountain pictures we took on our trip, and gave them a once over. You certainly are a sweet girl – I love you.

The revival is still going. It was supposed to have closed last night, but the preacher decided to stay over another night.

My brother was here and visited me last night he stayed until almost midnight. We had a very successful Board Meeting Saturday night, it was almost twelve when it was all over.

Our state convention is Nov. 4, 5, 6. I surely wish I were going to see you. I don’t [know] whether I can enjoy having dinner with Mr. Lewis and Gretchen if you aren’t there. I’ll probably be rather silent, and think a lot.

School is really getting along quite well. We can’t complain at all.

It will only be about ten weeks after this week until I can see you [,] look into your face and realize again that you are mine. Honey I wish I could see you this morning before I go to school.

Your Soup,
Royal

Five kids from the same family in class

This is an interesting picture from the Baca County Book. There are 5 Rutherfords in this picture. Royal is the end of the second row on right. I figure the 1913 caption has to be wrong because Royal was born in January 1909 which would make him 4 years old. That's a little young even for an exceptional kid. 1914 or 1915 would be more likely. Bill on the Left side of the row was about a year older, then we have Tom and Madie behind Bill. Deet in the right back was born December 1900 which makes him about 8 years older than Royal.

So the missing in this picture from Annie's family are: (This is the sequence Annie has them in her will and I assume it is their birth sequence.

• Lydia who became Lydia Yokum
• Almon (Chuck) lived in Lincoln, Nebraska and I think was using the name Conover when I was young.
• Sarah who became Dr. Sarah Blanchett (see last postin)
• Rollins (Turk) he stayed in Baca County and bought up land during the dust bowl. He was the most financially successful of the family. Turk was born April 24, 1899 so he was a little over a year older than Deet.
• Margret - died in accident as a young adult.

This is a one room school house picture. One teacher taught all of those kids. It had to work out that much of the teaching was done by the older kids to the younger. If you have ever done much teaching you know this is a good way to learn. The young Rutherfords were oriented to teaching. Both Royal and Madie taught. Tom was getting ready to teach when he was killed in an accident. Bill was getting ready to start college when a motorcycle accident put him in a hospital and recovery in stead.

Royal's letter to Martha #14 assumed written 9/21/1936

In the letter below, "My sister and brother-in-law from Wellington, Kansas", would be Sarah and her husband H O Blanchett. Henry (assume H O) Blanchett was a early teacher in the county. He taught in a country school there sometime 1915-1920. The story as I heard it from Mom (Martha) was that H O showed up to spark Annie Rutherford, the mother, but caught the eye of the older daughter, Sarah and that was it. One can see from the picture above she was a striking woman. Sarah was also a bit of a flapper from what I can tell from pictures in the Baca County Book. They left to study chiropractic under Doctor Palmer. They both became Doctors of chiropractic setting up offices in Wellington, Kansas not far to the East.

What I remember as a kid was that when ever they came to visit we all got adjustments. They would line up chairs or put us on a table and we would lie down and get our bones cracked. By that time late 40's H O was usually sick but Sarah was a ball of fire.

H O would have been the one who said he knew Landon who was running as a Republican against FDR that year. In other letters Royal refers to the Communist Canadate for president being arrested in Illinois and Norman Thomas who was the perennial Socialist Candidate complaining to Roosevelt. I never thought of Royal as a polical being but he certainly stayed aware of things around him. I will have other things to say about Dr. Sarah later.

RLR

Letter 14 assumed written 9/21/1936

Dearest Martha,

I was out to a bridge party after I came in from the country one of the teacher's fiance came from Greeley & Mrs. Michal had a little party. I had a very nice time. Everything was quite tame, I played one no trump hand and cleaned up. My sister and brother-in-law from Wellington, Kansas were here over the weekend. They came Sat Morningng at 3:00 am and left about 3:00 pm Sunday. I went home Sat Night and came back about six Sunday. I brought back some swell petunias for the window box. Also a nice banquet of snapdragons and one of zinnias. I went to school planted the petunias as soon as I got here.

I did not expect a letter Saturday but the one I got certainly was a fine one. It was next best to seeing you. I won't be too long until I shall see you. It has been five weeks since you pulled out of Union Station in Denver. Xmas will come sure.

My brother-in-law, who knows Landon quite well, does not think him such a big man. He thinks Landon is being backed by big business, and that he will be a machine in the hands of big business.

I wish I could see you today. You will be here by me this time next year. It looks as if June would be the month?

Love,
Royal

Royal's Letter to Martha #13 assumed written 9/19/1936

Letter 13 assumed written 9/19/1936

Saturday Morning

Dearest Sweetheart,

You will notice that I am holding you up as my bestest. Please don’t let me down.

It is now nearly eight o’clock and I have not been down stairs for breakfast. Of course I had to practice on the lyre given me at the faculty picnic for telling the most enormous story. I think perhaps in a short time I shall be ready to come east for the liars contests. Perhaps I shall be gaining international fame as a lyrist.

I went to the Baptists Church to a party last night. The fortune teller told my fortune – I am going to marry a pretty blonde in my early thirties, have two children (Impossible) have a happy life, and meet many people due to my wining personality. I just imagine pretty blonde is OK, but why think of a later time than June?

I am sending this special delivery. You should get the same Sunday. I wanted to celebrate the fact that my first pay check came in. I am surely making a drastic effort to pay everything and have the car, Life Ins., and such paid out next spring, so that the bells can ring without worry. Martha you just got to.

School has gone the smoothest I have ever seen a school go. Really I never saw a school so uneventful. No news in this instance means good news. If nothing happens Bersche and I will be on our way early Dec 23 to visit Indiana, Illinois, and other points east. Mr. Morris may come with us, too. His girl friend lives in Chicago.

I am sorry you are not here this morning Sweetheart we would go to school and have a big time.

Love to Martha,
Royal.

Royal's letter to Martha #12 assumed date 9/17/1936

Letter 12. Assumed written 9/17/1936

It is interesting how things have changed. The janitor's and their wives served the lunch. The entertainment- Would we do such things today?

Royal was always good at tall tails or tails of any kind. He used to receive "Quote" news letter from Toast Masters which I think were always full of stories. He also had books that he would pull stories from. I remember once I was at a Lions Club lunch meeting, I think I was being honored for getting the Star rank in scouts. An older boy, in high school was there probably getting his Eagle, the highest rank in scouts, and Dad introduced him. I will use the name Walter but I am not sure who it was.

He told this story about Walter.

Walter had a girl friend he liked a lot, but the girl's father did not like Walter for some reason. The father took the girl aside and told her that Walter was like and old beat-up car. He said he is all rusty, his engine misses, and his fenders rattle. The girl looked at her father and thought for a few seconds and said, "Yes, but his clutch is good.". As I remember this got some good laughs and Walter turned red.

Also always the horse trader. He is going to ask the car salesman to throw in a free radio.


Thursday Nite
Dearest Martha;

We had one swell time at our picnic. The Janitors and their wives served the lunch. Weinners, buns, pickles, potato chips, mustard, marshmallows, cookies, and last fair ice cold watermelon. We played a guessing game with beans, jumped with the rope, told tall stories and blew up balloons. Given up I might say that yours truly received the Lyre for telling the biggest one. The party ended in a blaze of glory when the art teacher took the men into a huddle and allowed us to take kisses as we chose. The janitor gave kisses to the "gals". Our faculty are all a fine group. I really don't see how we did so well in choosing them. The load must have been on our side.

If I'm to have a gray car why not write on gray stationary. I might nget the car in two more weeks. I am going to try the man and see if he won't throw in a radio free.

I surely wish you could have been at the picnic. I needed you. It would have been quite nice for the Superintendent to have appeared with the wife. There will come a day. First payroll for this year comes out tomorrow. Teachers made a mad rush to get their certificates registered today so that they would be eligible.

Mr. Lewis is out of the bathroom and I must get in. I shall write you more in the morning if I have time. I may go with the bus driver on ine of the routes tomorrow morning. I wish I could see you, and just sit and look into your eyes.

Love,
Royal

Royal's Letter to Martha #11 assumed date 9/16/1936

Now we start un-dated letters. He was writing often enough that he would just put the day of the week at the top or in this case nothing. I have used the letter's content to put together a sequence and assign an assumed date. I also put together monthly calendars for August to December 1936 to aid me in placing the letters. If he talks about the picnic on Thursday I can place it especially if as in this case he says fifteen more weeks. Sometimes he looks forward (so many more weeks) and sometimes he looks backwards (It was 3 weeks ago I put you on the train). It is interesting he is using metaphors and similes to talk about his feelings. I think "water to a drowning man" is interesting but a little mixed. The sailor and the port seems right on though. Some times he slips into the colloquial "Sorta" but generally he stays with proper english. The Mr. Lewis etc. is definitely from an earlier age. I hope someone is enjoying these. I certainly enjoy getting them to gether.

RLR

Letter 11 (I think this was written 9/16/1936)

Dearest Martha,

We had a session of teachers concerning library cataloging. Later Mr. Austin, Mr. Lewis, and I got together and divided other questions of importance. If we do not have any changes our Christmas vacation will be from Dec. 22 (start 23rd) to Jan 3. A total of twelve days. School will be out approximately May 21. We are going to give a faculty play sometime before Christmas. I am sorta thrilled about twelve day Christmas vacation. I think I can do a lot toward persuading you in that time.

Your letter came like water to a drowning man today. It hit the spot, filled the bill, and thrilled me through and through. I really think I can carry on, and on if you just love me, and promise to be with me next year. There is not limit to where we can go together. The distance I can travel without you is so short. I truly need you everyday. The sailor can carry on if the lighthouse is in sight. Fifteen more weeks and I shall see you - the sailor shall put in at port.

We are having a faculty picnic tomorrow evening starting a 5:30. The janitors and their wives are planning the lunch. A committee of teachers are planning the entertainment. I am sorry you can't be here.

I'd love to be in your town for the horse show. I have never attended any type of stock show in my life. I am quite interested in good farm stock but have never known anything very definite about such.

Oh, yes we are all invited to the Baptist church to a party Saturday evening. We certainly are being feted. A revival meeting starts Monday or maybe Sunday. I did not choose to let them use our school auditorium for it.

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