February 20, 1931
Letter from Elma on the pink paper
The transcript:
Evansville, IN
Feb 20, 1931
Dear Al,
Just came home from church and the rest are going to bed, Marie asked if I was coming too. I told her I’d be there in a few minutes for I know I wasn’t going before I sent a few sweet kisses and just a few words far away to you Al. Far away as far as the distance is concerned yet Al no matter how many miles between us you always seem closer and really are closer to my heart than anyone right here with me. Telling the truth Al I don’t see how I can do what I am doing around here with my mind and all my thoughts right with you. I go around all day, half in a dream feeling like something terrible has happened when I wake up and realize Al is gone and I won’t get to see or be with him for a long, long time. Better cut this out before I make you too homesick Al for we’re going to brace up and stick it out for we ought pray that you still have and will keep your job. We’ll be together again someday and it might not be so long. Really Al it’s two weeks today you came in from Rockport seems like two years and yet it passed in a hurry. A few more of those blue Sundays and you might be coming closer home. I’ll pray harder every day.
I almost gave up getting a letter today though the mailman had passed already, was looking for a long one tomorrow when here he came at 1:30 and whenever I’m close around I don’t give anyone else a chance. I get there first to see if I got a letter from Al and gosh Al I’m always glad to hear that you’re still among the living even if I don’t know just where Al I never knew you could write such wonderful letters and Al If I would have known you were going so many kisses. To think anything about Roy Marx at Kerns I might not have told you as I never even gave such a thing a thought and I’m not going to let Ed nor anyone else think I did. Yes Al I’m going to tell you all but don’t you worry about anything like that I’m not worrying about him or a dozen like him I’m waiting for you.
Had wash day today and market tomorrow and still feeling plenty tough so I guess I’ll make this short well otherwise and sweet. I don’t know when you’ll get this letter but if not sooner maybe it’ll help out on blue Monday. All the rest are well. Sure hope you’re still ok. If not be sure to tell me Al.
Goodnight with love and kisses,
Elma
My commentary:
They were so in love and it’s obvious from this letter. I was thinking about what I would have said/written to my husband before we were married and I don’t think I would be as passionate as Elma and Al were. I was almost the same age as Elma when I got married. I was 27 when I got married. Elma was 25–almost–and Al was 31. I just now realized that there is a 6.5-year gap in age between them. That gap didn’t stop them, though.
You might be wondering who Roy Marx was. According to the letter, he was pursuing my grandma, and she wrote that she is committed to Al. I wondered also so I asked my mom, but she didn’t know. I did a little bit of research and it turns out that Roy founded Marx BBQ in 1955, before barbecue was even a thing. Growing up we would eat Marx’s or Wolf’s whenever there was a family gathering. Little did I know that Roy Marx could have been my grandpa or technically someone’s grandpa. I like barbecue as much as the next person, maybe more, but I have to say “thank you Grandma for staying with and marrying Grandpa”. Life wouldn’t be the same if you hadn’t.