Letters Part 1

Introduction: 

The letters transcribed below belonged to my great grandmother, Phyllis Schaub. They include exchanges between Phyllis and her mother, Pauline Schaub. The letters were written during 1941 and cover the months of March to June. During this time, the United States has not yet entered World War II. Although the United States is involved with helping the Allies, American Society does not want to think about the war. Throughout all the letters there is no mention of it, except for the few references to friends or family enlisted in the army. American Society is not ready to acknowledge the possibility of entering a second world war. 

Another historical element of the letters is their detailed descriptions of everyday life. Although the activities seemed insignificant at the time they were being written, they now provide readers with insight into the Luzerne County history. Phyllis mentions numerous movie theatres, clothing and grocery stores, as well as parks and roller-skating rinks. Many of these places no longer exist and having a written record of them adds more to Hazleton Area's history. The letters also include slang and phrases unique to 1941. This provides a look into how American slang has changed over time (there are more details about this in the footnotes).

Phyllis is writing to her mother from Hazleton, Pennsylvania. Her address at the time was  604 Peace Street. Phyllis is living with her father, Henry. His letters to Pauline are also included with Phyllis'. Pauline is living in Jacksonville, Florida and her address is 1635 Laura Street. Donald, Phyllis' older brother, is also staying with Pauline in Florida. The stamps on the envelopes show that the letters were delivered by airmail. This was faster than standard mailing because planes were used to quickly deliver the letters. It also cost more money to deliver letters by airmail. 

Throughout the letters, Phyllis mentions her mother's absence, hoping she will come home soon but not until she is ready. Pauline and Donald typically live in Hazleton with Phyllis and Henry but something has happened to make them want to stay in Florida. The reason is unknown but it is important to understand that Pauline is not in Florida permanently. 

The letters are listed in chronological order. The parentheticals in the letters are there originally, excluding the ones added for the footnotes. 

21st March 1941 

3/21/41

  6:30 PM  

My dears, (P.S. read diary first) 

How are you all? It's just like spring today. In the beginning of the week I was beginning to wonder if spring would come. But I think spring is definitely here. It must be beautiful down there.

Received your cards and letter today. They are all really interesting.

Everything is going well here. At first we missed you all but we are getting used to it. The meals are atrocious. Dad helps me good with homework and housework. I cleaned downstairs tonight so tomorrow I only have scrubbing. I may wash after necessities. I am doing my homework as well. This weather inspires me. Tues and Wed, though, was inclement.

Aunt May comes over often now. She is going to spend a half day tomorrow if she doesn't have to take grandpa to Berwick. She sewed in my sleeves one day. She had little trouble with them. Dad says I could buy a new hat tomorrow for my fur one will be too hot looking. I have been filling his church envelopes. I have 6 filled. I'd like to have 15 filled more which will only bring him up to Sept 1.(1)

My french doll was very cute. I think it was nice as any. My doll was much prettier than any other one (2).

Dad is sending coat tomorrow.

It seems as though "youse" (3) have been gone more than a week. Here hoping Don gets a job. Hoping you get one, too so we get rich.

I haven't been cutting down on meals much it seems. Tonight we have fish, beans and raw stuff (4)

Grandma Schaub called today to see how I was getting on. Helena called tonight to ask Dad about his day and she asked about you.

Your correspondence are, as I said before, very entertaining. If you could tell me a bit more about customs and such. Maybe they aren't much different.

I was in the state of trepidation (trembling nervousness) when one day I looked up in English class and saw Ronnie (5). He was home all week. I didn't see him once to speak to. Dolus said he looks very nice in his uniform.

I am solicitous (eager) to hear from you again. I am not having an difficult times so don't worry. I'm very felicitous (happy).

(See how I been studying literature!)

We both send our best wishes, luck and success. Hope this letter hasn't been insipid. (dull)

Lots of Love,

Phil and Henry 

Notes:

1) Personalized envelopes that people use when making a donation to the church. Phyllis must be in charge of sorting the donations and envelopes.

2) Doll made out of porcelain 

3) "You'se" is a term used in the Hazleton area (still used today) that means you guys. 

4) From the other letters, it can be assumed that "raw stuff" is an assortment of raw vegetables.

5) Ronnie is believed to be a close friend of the Schaub family.

March 24th 1941

3/24/41 

6:30PM

Hello again!

Received your letter today. The insignia is fine (1). and was it only a dime? We enjoyed looking at your clippings. Wish we could get fruit so cheap. I paid 14 cents a half dozen oranges(2) Ain't that something that they remembered wee little Hazleton. I don't remember seeing anything about those flights here. 

Today it is damp and cool. It's not so nice. The weather predicts snow tonight. I have a little cold but not very bad dad. I still cough at night. It's nothing to worry about but could you suggest anything? See, the way you talk of the people down there, they must be terribly nice(3) Hope Don get a good job so I can go to visit you this summer.

It's too bad Don did not like [illegible] picture as good as the others. "Buck Privates" (4) is still in the Grand (5). This is the third week for it. It's the first time in Hazleton that a pictures was ever held over. Is it really true that people don't wear [illegible]?

Dad said I can have a new raincoat soon. He also is going to give me money for a hat this Saturday. They said that last Saturday, Down Town was jammed (6). For my Easter dress I would like a dark blue silk skirt a flimsy blouse and a real belt. What are the girls wearing down there (7)?

Please, whatever you do, don't acquire a southern accent. If you get what I mean. Tomorrow at Stimman's they are going to paper the kitchen (8) so aunt May is coming over for dinner. She is bringing her dinner with her.

I have only a little homework tonight. I think I will got to bed early tonight. Last night I went at 9 o'clock but was awakened about 10:30 and didn't go back to sleep until about 1 o'clock. I am going to make Dad do the dishes tonight. Wish we could get a little of your sunshine. Well I think I will close. 

Yours ever, love Phyllis. 

P.S. Last night I sent to Miss Harry the hankie Claire gave me and put in a greeting card saying, "Belated Birthday Greetings! But my wish for your happiness is nonetheless sincere. Phyllis something."

So you think that was all right? Do you remember if I ever used the hankie? I didn't want to send it, but I couldn't get down town after school. 

Notes

1) She could be referring to a a military insignia 

2) Oranges were roughly 8 cents a pound in 1940. With inflation that is equivalent to today's $1.48. Today oranges are around $1.33lb (Piazza). 
3) This is an example of the "Trans Atlantic Accent." Actors and actresses were taught to speak this way in Hollywood ("Mid-Atlantic Accent"). Although Phyllis probably did not have a fully transatlantic accent, she probably imitates some of the phrases used in movies from 1930s to end of 1940s.
4) Buck Privates is a movie that came out in 1941. It was a musical about being in the military.
5) The Grand is a theater in Hazleton. It opened in 1889 but burned down in 1892. It reopened in 1922. It closed in 1977 and the building was removed in 1982. It was located on 234 West Broad Street, Hazleton. ("Grand Theater" )
6) Down Town Hazleton and probably around the Broad Street area.
7) The style was the same. It consisted of blouses, padded shoulders, and skirts below the knee ("Women's Clothing).

8) To put up wallpaper 

April 2nd, 1941

April 2nd

9:50PM

Dear moms;

Just washed my hair so while I'm waiting for it to dry I will write you a note.

Aunt Laura and Uncle Bill (1) came tonight. They were here awhile and they went to Grandma's. They wanted Dad and I to go along but I though it'd be better not because our S.S. class (2) is counting on a perfect attendance. Uncle Bill's car is neat, I'll say. Imagine him having a new one after all these years. I guess us'ens (3) around here will never get one. Of course with Don making $60.60 a month, could be! 

I got pretty much work done today but not all. The wash kind of held me back. I got scrubbing done and cleaned downstairs but that's all. I ironed all I washed also. 

I went downtown about noon. I was looking for reversibles but the Bon-Ton (4) only had one and it didn't suit me. I was looking at hats there too but I didn't see any. I got a pretty blouse for 87 cents and a silk shirt for $1.98 which I guess will do me for Easter. I bought 2 pairs of stockings and there not the same shade. Isn't that dumb. I was down to Grandma's for dinner. They had wheat cake which was good. 

You know last Thursday I got all splashed with mud and my coat was a mess. Well I couldn't get the spots off so dad had to take it to Joe Mire's (5) and her fixed it ok but in 2 places the coat is a little worn where we scrubbed it too hard. 

Didn't get anything done to my dress since Aunt May was here. She'll shoot me. But I just don't seem to have time. Seems so long since you went. We miss you a lot. I hope you come home soon. but don't come until you're ready.

It's gotten lots colder. There was a heavy blizzard here today. It snowed for about an hour! It was so nice all week and then this had to come.

For supper tonight we had pineapple salads, cauliflower and filling (6).

We didn't get eggs today. I guess he comes when I was down town (7) I called the laundry today and told him to come for stuff in afternoon but he also must have come when I was gone (8). There was nothing specifically we needed so I guess it doesn't matter much. We did need eggs.

Well here it is 10:30 and I guess my hair is pretty dry so I'll go put it up now. @ least send me some more fashion adds and stuff and things. I enjoy them much more than if they were something bought in a store. 

Don't spend all your money at once. We all think it's simply well about Donnie's job. Hope he likes it alright.

So long till next time with all my love,

Your A

Phyllis Anne

P.S. Don't work too hard. We aren't. Of course, we aren't exactly loafing but take it you all aren't either

P.S.S. Please excuse mistakes and scribbling 

1) After speaking with my grandmother, she thought Aunt Laura was Henry's sister and Uncle Bill was married to Aunt Laura.
2) S.S. is short for Sunday School
3) slang that means us
4) In the Greater Hazleton of Commerce book for 2018, it states in 1941 there was  a Bon-Ton in downtown Hazleton. There is no information available about when it opened or when it closed. The book also lists other department stores located in the same area during 1941: Deisroth's, the Leader, Charles, and Kresge's 5 for $1 (Brady 35).
5) Information about this business is unavailable. From the context of the letters it is assumed to be a laundry business. 
6) Stuffing
7) Although there does not seem to be any information available online about this, from the context of the letters it can be assumed that eggs were delivered like milk. 
8) There was also no information on laundry delivery for 1941. It seems like the owner of the laundry mat or dry cleaners would pickup the wash. 

April 4th 1941

7:30pm

Dear Mommy,

How do you like my new paper? I think it's pretty neat, don't you? Jack and E just brought it over.

Hey, you'd better either not put so much stuff in your letters or put more postage on your mail. Today we got two letters with postage due on each. One was 6 cents and the other 9 cents. But the mailman left them both. Aunt Barbra came over and said that the mailman wanted to know if anyone was home here. So she told him that no one was here until after school. He said he'd better leave them for they were so thick they might have been important. 

Your letters were so very interesting! Like Aunt Harriet said once, "there just like a book." Aunt May said that whenever you go anywhere no matter where you go you enjoy yourself. I'm glad you went to St. Augustine. I think while you're down there you should see all you can for you probably will never get that far again. $3.00 wasn't much to pay. Enjoyed clippings as usual. The maps of Jacksonville were enlightening as to where you live. The ones from St. Augustine I didn't read over thoroughly yet but will later. The two snapshots were cute, too. The one picture of you didn't look like you. Maybe you did change. Your house is awful nice also. Can we have the negative developed (1) or aren't they any good? 

Lois was over tonight sewing a blouse. She was asking us if we missed Janice. She said Janice says she like Mr. Schaub the best, Mis Schaub the next, then Donny and she doesn't like me at all because I get too excitable. Lois was showing me a cute coat she got like the kind down in Allentown, but instead of a reversible it was just a coat with a zipper lining. 

My dress is practically done. All but the hem, zipper, and a few knick knacks. It's ok Aunt May did everything since when you left off. So maybe if you could pick something nice up for her to bring home she won't feel so bad.

Went to the [illegible] last night to see "Kitty Foyle" (2). It was very good. I would recommend for you to see it if you could. It was really something. 

Poor dad and his supper. I guess their pretty dull. I'm never hungry at night and I don't feel much like making a big meal. But he gets one big meal a day so I guess he won't starve. They usually are rare. He usually brings himself home a steak or pork chops. 

Dad got the licenses and will be sending them down. Tell Donney I was going to write about the station changing but forget all about. We didn't get ours changed. I can find the station easily. School is going well. We got two big exams this week, geometry and literature. In geometry I made 41 out of 52 but 42 is a B. Was I mad. I hope I don't get a D on my report card.. I mad an E on my theorems and an A in my models (that dad made.) So that averages a C but I really don't deserve it but here's hoping. Didn't get the returns on the literature ones.

Joined a book club where you can get books for 25 cents in school. I am getting a book about Lincoln (3). It looks good,

Wish you could get a nice easy job where the pay was pretty good. Even $4 a week would help you, wouldn't it. But just enjoy yourselves while you're there (4).

Dad got his pay today and he has been writing checks. There is $6.75 in the box. ($2 for my hat $2 for the bank, 75 cents for Sat Payoffs and $1 for envelopes.)

Glad to hear you go to church. We were much interested in that Dr. Mac Gowan you spoke of. He sure must be good.

I would certainly like to meet Mildred. I love to hear them talk. Is she a big, fat one like the one that Scarlet O'hara had for a mammy?(5)I don't think I want to go to camp, now. I would like to go somewhere, where I could learn something like typing or short hand. Well we'll see. 

I guess my letters don't seem very interesting toward yours but we are usually not bored. There is not much that goes on, little things, too trivial to write about.

Here is 8.00. Yes, does time fly. I would like to get my cleaning (dusting) done tonight. I ran the cleaner after school. I think I'll wash my hair first. Please write every day if you can. 

The weather is very beautiful here. Hasn't rained at all this Spring. Must be swell there. My regards to Don. Tell him I think of him. 

With love your, Phil

1) This is the part of the film that shows the light parts of the picture as dark and the dark parts as light 
2) Kitty Foyle is a romance film that came out in 1940. 

3) Forever Free: A Novel by Honore Marrow published in 1927.

4) $4 with inflation is equivalent to $74.26

5) It seems like she has never meet a black person before. In an article that charts the census statistics for the U.S. revealed these statistics for the Middle Atlantic Region (which includes PA): total population - 27 539 487 of that 95% were white and only 4% were black (Gibson 25). 

References

Brady, Michael, et al. Greater Hazleton Pennsylvania 2018-2019. Precision Design, 2019. https://www.hazletonchamber.org/images/ChamberBook2018web.pdf

Gibson, Campbell, and Kay Jung. "Historical Census Statistics on Population Totals by Race..." Census.gov, no. 59, 2002, pp. 25.

"Grand Theater." Cinema Treasures, http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/12610. Accessed 19 Sep 2020.

“Mid-Atlantic Accent.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Sept. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid Atlantic_accent. 

Piazza, Bianca. "The Cost of Popular Items 1940 vs Now Are Leaving People in Awe." MoneyVersed, https://moneyversed.com/groceries-prices-1940/?nogdprc=1#:~:text=The%20delicious%20fat%20costs%20about,inflation%20considered%2C%20that's%202020's%20%246.66!. Accessed 19 Sept 2020.

"Woman's Clothing." The University of Vermont, https://www.uvm.edu/landscape/dating/clothing_and_hair/1940s_clothing_women.php. Accessed 19 Sep 2020.