George Looks Forward to Coming Home For Christmas 1915

1915-1212 – George Stevens Sherwood to Will & Ella Jane Sherwood and Susan

Appleton, Wisconsin  December 12, '15

Dear Ones All:           

 

             Please excuse the pencil but as I believe I told you, I lost my fountain pen and have nothing but a common pen to write with and that scratches enough to drive me wild.

            There isn’t much to tell and the excitement of thinking of going home is in my blood as I write so that I doubt if you can read even what I do scribble.  Mr. Moss alias Charlie is here to study Physics.  Suppose I’ll break my custom as well and study on Sunday again too, as Analytics still continues to “get my goat.”

            My standings for the six weeks are rather lower again than I like.  They run something like this:  Analytics – 82, Physics II – 85, Physics III – 92, Mech Drawing – 84, Surveying  –  85, Money and Banking – 85?  Well, again I swear – better next time.  And again I suppose they will be worse.  Edw and I have both written W Canney asking him to come back to Kendall for a visit at Xmas time, but don’t know whether he will or not.  Have about decided to go by way of Beaver Dam now which would bring me home Monday but don’t know yet for sure.  It will be Sunday or Monday anyway, I think. 

            By the way, I’m just wild to go hunting and how in the world am I to arrange it when you have “no hunting” signs in the Kendall Keystone and posted all over the valley.  I’ll go hunting I believe if I have to go ten miles!  We got beat in basketball 23 to 21 by Stevens Pt. normal yesterday on our gym floor.  What do you know about that.  Verily this school is locoed on athletics this year.  I’d give a lot to come back and try out for football next year, the way the outlook is now, but I suppose it “Kan’t be Did.”  Well, a week or so more so love to all for now,

                                                            Geo. S. Sherwood

George Writes His Mother Before Heading Back to College

1915-0815 – George Steven & Susan Rosina Sherwood to Ella Jane Sherwood

Kendall, Wisconsin,

Aug 15, 1915

Dear Mother;

            At last your naughty son has once more set him down to write to his mother.  I was commencing to wonder if you had entirely forgotten your son and was going to spend the rest of your days taking care of your granddaughter. 

            However you have at last broken away and I am hoping to see you soon now.  Don’t forget that there is a time limit on that ticket and that the railroad lives up to its end of the bargain and expects you to live up to yours.  So don’t expect extra time on it.  Besides, we would like to see you here once more as I guess I mentioned.  Say hello to all the folks along the way for me.

            The oats are down flat and will take us the better part of next week to cut if the weather is good.

            The wheat was down bad too, but not so flat and was a fair crop.  It is in shocks now.  Have about 14 brush sets left to sell, but as my line is as full as I care to carry won’t use your suggestion, tho I thank you just the same.

            I didn’t go to church to-day, but read, ate and slept.  It has been very hot and my head aches to beat the band.

            Well, guess I’d rather tell any more news after you get home.

            Lots of love from       

                        Your Son

                                    George

1915-0718 George Welcomes his New Niece

1915-0718 – George Sherwood to his mother Ella and the Lindsey Family

Kendall, Wisc.

July 18, 1915

Dear Mother: alias Grandma Sherwood

            Rec.d your letters all rite.  A couple had to be forwarded from Appleton as you see I got away a little early.  Haven’t heard from either German exam yet and don’t know as I want to very bad. Am glad you are enjoying your self so much, but don’t over do the mountain climbing. 

            Sold nearly 4 doz. Brush sets and averaged real well for the time put in.  Have 14 sets left and think I can sell them in 3 days with fair luck, sometime when haying is poor.  Lodge seems to run fairly well considering the setback and present conditions but wish you were here and Mrs. Campfield would come up too.

            I suppose you are so proud of your 1^st grandchild (yee, that sounded odd) that the 19 year old baby home isn’t in it.  Oh!  well, such is life.

            Went to town with Herman last nite and Susan drove to Lodge. Later I went down the track to Glendale and " [somewhat illegible]" her (nach haus).

            We have been eating peas from the garden (nigh on to a week).  Don’t forget to tell Billie* she’s got an “Uncle George” back east in Wisconsin.

            We have somewhere around 18 loads of hay in now, I think a few more.

            Herman and I walked to church today and Susan and Daddy rode.

            I am somewhat soft and short-winded but get along all rite only when it is extra sultry and hot. 

            As I am a poor correspondent I guess I better ring off as I must send a little special line to Ma and Pa Lindsey and Family and I want something to say next time.

            Write to me again soon as I like to receive letters anyway.

I only set down to rite,

A meager little letter

You think if you have read this far

The shorter ‘tis the better.”

            With lots of love to you all

                                    “Uncle George”

 

 

 ____________

Kendall, Wis

_____July  18

Dear Mother and Father Lindsey and Family,

            I must write you just a line to let you know how pleased we are, and to wish you all continual good health and long life, and the very best of all that life may afford (I suppose Mother and Father Lindsey have that now).  May you all be well and happy when this reaches you.  Am also very glad that Mother or Grandma Sherwood, as she now is, could be with you, both for her sake and yours.

            It must have been especially nice to have both grandmas there.  But Miss Billie*, don’t you let them spoil “your sweet little disposition” this early in life.  I warn you as they will no doubt be sure to try it by petting you too much, to the detriment and at the expense of your Uncle George who has always been the baby of the family till now. 

            But I guess I can trust you to leave my share of the babying to me, or at least all that is good for me.  Anyway, I guess I can get along without getting jealous for awhile anyway.

            Well, I went to sleep last night so didn’t get any farther.

            Must close now as I must go to town. 

Here’s a little ditty in honor of Billie

She came the 13^th of July

This stranger clad so scanty

And best of all, she was my niece

My sister was her aunty.

Dedicated to Billie by

            her

                        Uncle George

*  "Billie" was a generic name that they used for all babies in the family before they were born, gender ascertained, and named.  This "Billie" is Margaret Lindsey, born July 13, 1915 in Tucker, Utah.