But then of course if you think it would be good to enter Harvard in June, that would change everything. I might come east from here, or get Ross to drive east early.
And so please send me the date for entry in June; it was probably in that Accelerated Programmer book, but I think I sent it back with that bag I shipped. So please tell me which you think would be best — Harvard in June, or a little more working around, until fall.
I seem to be in good physical condition; I had a physical exam and the doctor wrote ‘good’; the work is pretty hard (building a pipeline for a dredge in big hip boots etc!) and I’ll watch myself and if anything looks like it’s going wrong will go to the doc — however I think this work will build me up—if anything will, and it is an experience. The boys here are a ripping bunch, and the food good and plenty (4 meals a day). And they all think I’m an Arizona cowboy! We do have fun!
Love
Bill
To Edith Gaddis
St Louis, Missouri
[26 May 1942]
Dear Mom—
I know you had a hard time getting the birth certificate — and as for shipping out of New Orleans — I wouldn’t do that even if I did get down there — and I don’t expect to do that now — unless I’m fired and it should work out that way conveniently.
However I am planning on coming home in June — very definately unless something radical should happen — then we’ll plan from there — and at least have time to talk over the sea before I go, if I should.
We paint and scrape daily and pretty hard too, down below deck, but Frank (the captain) doesn’t seem to think we’re fast enough — so I may leave (by request!) any day! And say tell Granga I expect to be leaving this town about the eighth — she said she might come out here and I’d like seeing her. I expect to work thru the weekend of the 7th—then leave and come home slowly — stop in Chicago — Indiana — Ohio — but of course the job may move or end before then, so I can’t be sure.
We go out once in a while but not often — I haven’t had a day off since I started so can’t do much and work next day. The time passes fast enough on the job it is rather monotonous and so this evening I went down to some 2nd hand book stores — saw a beautiful copy of Omar Khayam’s Rubaiyat—leatherbound — I’ve read it and like it a great deal — but it was $6 so I left with a copy of Ibsen’s plays to help pass the time—
Love
Bill
Omar Khayam’s Rubaiyat: twelfth-century collection of Persian poems, especially popular in Edward FitzGerald’s nineteenth-century translation.
Ibsen’s plays: his Peer Gynt (1867) plays an important role in R.
To Edith Gaddis
Saint Louis, Missouri
[1 June 1942]
Dear Mom—
Well everything still under control — and June 9th drawing closer every day! Boy it’s going to be good.
Still painting down in the hold, tho today I worked out on the shore line.
I think I’ll have enough money when I leave here to start home — I get paid Friday the 5th and and have some debts to collect so think it will turn out all right
Am quite sure I won’t be home by next week-end — right now I expect to work through Saturday — then off 8 hours, go back out at midnite ’til 8 Sunday morning — then plan to drive down to Cape Gerardo about 135 miles south, with some of the boys with whom I work here on the boat. They’re a swell bunch and have been wanting me to go down for some time — so we’ll go Sunday morning — and back Monday afternoon; then perhaps see Granga Monday or Tuesday nite — (preferably Monday evening) and leave next day for Chicago. So if you’ll see what her hotel will be so I can look her up Monday nite (or Tuesday nite if this isn’t possible) it will work out fine.
Well it won’t be too long now — I expect to stay in Chicago — and around in Indiana and perhaps Sandusky Ohio — however that trip is uncertain — and say is Henry driving a school bus?? George said so.
Love
Bill
Cape Gerardo: i.e., Cape Girardeau.
Sandusky Ohio: WG’s journal indicates he met (or intended to meet) a Carole Potter there on 16 June.
To Edith Gaddis
The Mark Twain Hotel
Eighth and Pine Streets
Saint Louis
[7 June 1942]
Dear Mom—
Well can you believe it?! Free at last! And in a hotel room with bed! and tub! and easy chair! And tonite I go out and sink my teeth into a thick juicy red steak — haven’t had any red meat since I started!
And say but these dress pants feel good after a month and a half of those heavy work pants!
I heard from Gram and planned to meet her the 13th in Indianapolis — but now is changed to Keokuk, Iowa the 9th—so I’ll see her there and then wander on east thru Chicago and Indianapolis etc. and home — I don’t know when but probably around the end of the week of the fourteenth. But will let you know when I’m definately headed for New York.
And say, I forgot to mention — but you might write Dr. Gumere or some such — Mr Garrett’s friend; he’s the dean of admissions at Harvard and probably the boy who’d know.
Well I’ll write and keep you posted — and you’ll probably get a letter from Gram soon telling you I look ragged or something — but I haven’t changed a bit — my watch still fits just like it did and pants etc — I’ve hit a ‘bottle neck’ and my regular life ab’d the boat apparently hasn’t helped — or done bad — I guess I’m lucky—
Love
Bill
Dr. Gumere: Richard M. Gummere (1883–1969), Dean of Admissions at Harvard from 1934 to 1952. Mr. Garrett is unidentified.
To Edith Gaddis
[Returning to New York on 18 June, WG changed his mind about returning to Harvard and headed back west on 18 July.]
Cheyenne, Wyoming
[25 July 1942]
Dear Mom—
Thanks so much for the letter and check. And I do hope that you haven’t wondered too much about me — I haven’t had a chance to write, and that last letter I didn’t have a 6¢ stamp.
At any rate here it is Saturday evening and having seen a wonderful rodeo and ‘Frontier Days’ we’re going north tomorrow — to his ranch just for a little — a few days — then back south I guess.
And now a tale of which I don’t know what you’ll think. You see we got up here late Friday evg., met a couple of cowboys in town, and proceeded to celebrate ‘Frontier Days,’ until, Mother, we were taken to the local ‘calabozo’ to spend the rest of the night. Don’t worry — we’re out and everything’s all right — no fingerprints etc. — and quite an experience. You know a newspaper-man must see things first hand — and the Cheyenne jail is something to see! I am getting rid of the bed-bug itches I acquired and will soon be back to normal.
Don’t know when I’ll write again as mail is infrequent from the ranch — but everything’s fine—
Love
Bill
Frontier Days: a celebration held in Cheyenne on the last ten days of July ever since 1897. calabozo: Spanish for jail.