Letter to Pvt. Souil W. Garner U.S. Army Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana December 21, 1943

This letter is also from Phoebe Emma Garner, Bill, Mary and Souil's mother.

Mrs. S. Wade Garner

6000 York Rd

 Baltimore -12 Md

Dec 21 st Tuesday

My Dear Souil,

Your letter just arrived, + without writing a letter in return I could just say, "thems my sentiments too." It just seemed as though a good part of that letter I must have written to you, instead of just the opposite. Well I certainly do share thoroughly the way you feel about Christmas, to me it doesn't seem possible it will be here + gone in just a few short days, + even now since Dad has put up a tree + trimmed it, it still does not seem actually that Christmas is here. Bernard went out on the lot in back of their house + cut one for us + Christman's + himself. Mr. C drove back there + brought them home; he trimmed theirs last Sunday afternoon + Dad trimmed ours while I sat in a chair + bossed the job. I am getting more expert at that all the time. But the tree has not made it seem a bit more like Christmas, neither could all the gifts the world holds, without my kids; it only emphasizes the fact that they are not here. Jane's mother + Dad want her home for Christmas day + Bernard don't want to go. He vows he is going to have dinner in his own home if he has to cook it,  + eat it alone.
So Dad + I are going to be home as usual + if he comes in for a while, or they both do, all right, if not we may go to Aunt Eva's a little while in the afternoon. But I told him to go along with Jane + don't spoil their  Christmas because he wants to be with us. My cold does not seem to leave, it is better for a few days + then I seem to start all over again, I have been afraid to go out for every time I do I come back sneezing + coughing. Maybe I am coddling myself too much. But I am getting out of patience with myself.
Hugh Sebra called yesterday, said he  + Alameda had both been sick with Grippe + he has an ulcered stomach. He said too; Uncle Willie Johnson is in bed with a heart ailment + is not expected to recover. Aunt Gertrude has had a hemorrhage in one eye + has lost the sight of it. He said she has been working for about two years in a millinery store on N. Charles St., but has had to quit now. Also said Frank Groton was married about three weeks ago. Wonders never cease, do they? It is very cold here, but you must have Balto beaten, for we have only had two mornings that the thermometer registered 17, last week it hovered around between twenty + thirty degrees a good part of the time. It looks like snow this morning + I shouldn't be surprised if we get some. I was talking to Aunt Eva on the phone and she said Uncle John has gotten over his bad cold + is feeling fairly well again. Dad is surely breaking the record this year, he has not had one cold so far + I hope he continues so. I am glad Harriet seems to be content  + I felt sure she would adjust herself to conditions as she found them, don't spoil the present, thinking  about the future. Just be thankful for the day as it comes, + trust for the rest. It seems that is all any of us can do, + after all, we are only given that one day at a time, so why waste the strength we need to get through that one, fretting about tomorrow.  Guess you can understand all this lingo.

I received a card from the War Department too notifying me of Wilbur's (Bill's) change of address. I couldn't explain how I do feel about it, if I tried, so its best not to try I guess. All we can do is trust. Poor Kid! He surely has had some hard knocks in his short life, + I do think he was dreading, the coming  of Christmas at Camp Polk without Betty. Well now My Dear Boy I do sincerely wish for both of you + Harriet a happy Christmas, + am certainly thankful you can be together, at least some time through the Christmas season. My love to both of you + lots of it.

Yours Lovingly Mother

Letter to Pvt. Souil W. Garner U.S. Army Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana December 19, 1943

This letter is from Phoebe Emma Garner (Souil, Bill and Mary's mother). As of the date of this letter, she had three of five children in the armed services, Mary in Minneapolis, Souil in Indiana and Bill in DeRidder, Louisiana, preparing to depart for Europe.

Mrs. S. Wade Garner

6000 York Road

 Baltimore -12 Md. 

Dec. 17 - 43

My Dear Souil,

Your letter received yesterday morning + I surely did enjoy reading it and so did Dad when he came home last night. I surely felt relieved to know that Harriet had gotten a comfortable room. See, what a lucky bunch we are! But that's not luck either, simply the one who notes the sparrow's fall, supplying our daily needs; call it what will. I don't think I would like at all, to feel that you children were in a strange City, among strangers and not Also know that He who made the universe has you under His care.Well, today is the big day you have looked forward to; so I, like yourself am wondering where + what, for you. I had a phone call from Wilbur on Tuesday night, (I think it was Tuesday) He said he had been trying to get one through to you, all the evening, he was then in DeRidder, + said there was no change in his plans. He had said before in his letters he expected to leave on the 15th of December, so I suppose he didn't want to say so, but meant that as good bye, for the present. Well, the only thing we do is trust, where we can't see, + we surely can't see far.

We are having a very cold spell of weather; last Monday it began + yesterday it was down to seven degrees. I expect it is just as cold this morning. Was nice clear weather though + the weather bureau says clear today. Baltimore is certainly hard hit by the Grippe Epidemic. There is talk of closing the schools, on account of it. I am glad you will be able to use the barracks for sleeping during that extra period. I don't imagine it would be very comfortable sleeping outdoors in such cold weather, unless absolutely necessary, it does not seem practical or sensible to me, but guess Uncle Sam might think otherwise. 

Dad + I had a good laugh about the long underwear, but I'll bet you are thankful to have it now. I wonder how Mary is managing to keep warm. I think about her each morning when we get up, how cold she used to be. I'll bet she, like ourselves + thousands more, will be too happy for words, when Peace finally comes. 

I am much relieved, + not at all surprised to know Harriet has landed herself work to keep her busy: you can't keep a jump ahead of that girl, + I imagine, she'll keep two jumps ahead of you and that is good for you. Well I hope she doesn't over do her strength, for she is a real bunch or energy, + would never be happy idle. 

Colin Bell will be home next Sunday + will leave on the 26th of Dec. to go back to college at Macon, Georgia, so I imagine he would get your note here before he leaves, I do not have his school address, but if you want it I will get it from his mother, for his birthday is Jan 1st and we have always sent him cards, so I will need it anyway. 

We are fairly well, my cold is still trying to hang on, but I feel pretty good except coughing + hoarseness + time will take care of that, I think. Jane has been home with a cold since Tuesday, is better now. Hope you get the box all right, wish it could have been more, but I couldn't get out shopping much on account of the cold, so now, Bye, Bye, + lots of love to you both, we certainly do think of you often.

Yours Lovingly Mother 

Letter to Pvt. Souil W. Garner U.S. Army November 6, 1943 Baltimore Maryland

This letter is from Phoebe Emma Garner (Souil and Bill's Mother)  to Souil after he was drafted into the Army and sent to finance school at Fort Benjamin Harrison,  Indiana..........

Mrs. S. W. Garner

6000 York Rd.

Baltimore Md - 

Nov. 6-43

My Dear Souil,

I received your letter on Wednesday, was surely glad to get it. Harriet called the night before, + told us of her change in plans; she sure did feel badly about it. We certainly do sympathize,  I told her to come anyway, + stay a couple weeks, but she didn't think that would be practicial, + I suppose she knows best. Well, Dear Boy, we surely will be thinking of you this weekend especially. I don't often stop my work on Saturday morning to write a letter, but I can't get you out of my mind this morning, for even a few minutes, so thought I would stop + write to you. I had a letter from Wilbur this morning telling  me, his unit is slated to be the next one out of there for overseas, when the maneuvers are over. It seems terrible for this war to drag on + on as it is. There must surely be some good reason the Good Lord has for allowing it, + who am I to question? I know you must be digging into that course you are taking. I hope it will be of use to you when things are settled once more, + this night mare is over. Souil Mr. C says just about the same as that Officer told you; he thinks you have gotten a wonderful break, so lets hope any way. There does not seem to be much left in this life anyway-but hope,  so lets hold on tight to our hopes + faith which is only a confirmation of our hope. Hope says I expect so + so, + faith says, I know in the Lords own good time he will bring some special thing to pass, because he has promised that, "No good thing will be withheld from those that love him." So lets not lose heart. Well, here's the Old Lady preaching again. Souil Mr. & Mrs. C are very much worried about Jim. Patty's sister has a boy friend, who is a sailor; his boat docked over a week ago in Boston + he went home, to Plattsburg, on furlough. He was surprised on arrival, that Jim was not home, for he says Jim's boat, The Spencer, was in Boston dry docks laid up for repairs. He told Patty + she has waited almost a week , after that for some word, and then wrote to Christman's. He had written Patty a few weeks ago and told her he had lost his hearing entirely from concussion of big guns, (he is in charge of a gun crew.) The Dr's think one ear drum is burst, but that the other will respond to treatment. Since that she has not heard a word. Mr. C thinks it must be a mistake, + that the boat couldn't be in, but Mrs. C thinks it is in, + Jim is hurt more seriously than his letter said + he is in a hospital + won't let them know. Well they are really worried. So I have spent a lot of time trying to keep her talking, so she won't have time to sit and think much this week.  See, I always have an alibi, when I don't write often, when the reason really is I get lazy, once in a while. Now Souil I guess I shall have to bring this to an end. We are both well, + getting along all right. I laughed at your reference to Dad's pay,  (the mistakes) for he came home the last pay day, with nearly six dollars more than he should have had + they don't seem to be able to figure it out. Well, if they want it that way, I hope it won't be six less. Now Lots of love from us both, to the very best boy in the world, none excepted.

Yours Lovingly

Mother 

Letter to Mrs. Souil W. Garner June 14, 1943 Camp Polk Louisiana

This is the last letter in our files that was sent to Harriet and Souil before Bill's beloved Betty passed away in Baltimore. She had returned to Baltimore to live when Bill was transferred to Camp Polk.
Betty Sutton Garner, Bill's wife passed away at the age of 21, on June 25, 1943, when she went into a diabetic shock from an undiagnosed diabetic condition.  She had been married to Bill just shy of two years. She was laid to rest in Druid Hill Cemetery, (Groveland section) Baltimore, Md. Bill was notified of her passing by the Army and he spent 48 hours traveling on trains, trying to get back to Baltimore for her burial, which was handled by her parents. Having not slept in the past 48 hours, he arrived in Baltimore the day of her burial filled with sadness. (Not the jovial upbeat Bill who wrote the letter below just two weeks before her passing.)

 Cpl. W.C. Garner
HEADQUARTERS, III ARMORED CORPS
G-1 Section APO 353

Camp Polk, La.

12 June 1943

Dear Souil & Harriet,

Hello you hard workers. What's wrong? Can't you even drop me a line? How is Harriet's job coming? Tell me is she losing any weight on that job or is IT spreading. Lets hope it isn't spreading. Don't be offended my little chubby-wub. As long as we can still beat the pants off of Betty and her in pinochle everything is OK.

Well I guess you are anxious to know about my job. There really isn't much to it at present. I am working for a Colonel L. LeR. Martin who is in charge of G-1 section. I am supposed to be classified as a stenographer. I take dictation from the Colonel and also a Captain in this section. I know nothing about what rating I'll end up with or when I'll get it but here's hoping it isn't far off. As for maneuvers, I am supposed to go out for about 15 days and then return to the office for awhile.  As for the cadre; I don't know whether I'll go out on cadre or not. That just about sums up the military situation at home.

It looks like our boys will soon be giving them hell. The sooner they start blasting away at them, the sooner this thing will be over. I hope it won't be long either.

It has really been hot down here lately. I guess it is beginning to get hot at home too now. I would rather be hot at home than to be hot in Louisiana.

I hear Betty spent a very enjoyable evening with you and Harriet about a week ago. You didn't tell her any good jokes that I should know did you? I'm all ears if you have any.

Well be good and don't take and wooden nickels. I hope to hear from you all soon.

Luck to both of you

Wilbur C. Garner, 33377578,

Corporal, Hqs, III Armd Corps

Letter to Mr. and Mrs. Souil W. Garner April 15, 1943 Louisville, Kentucky

Mrs. W. C. Garner 

1129 S. Third St. 

Louisville, Ky.

Thursday
April 15, 1943

Dear Harriet and Souil,
Thought I'd better answer your nice letter because I don't know when Bill will get a chance to write. He is finished half of his classes with an average of 90. He is also looking very well. Very much surprised to hear that Harriet has gone back to work. At least she has swell working hours. Bill and I like the idea of Bernard and Jane being engaged, but are willing to bet that they don't wait any year before they get married. We have the funniest weather down here we have had hot weather cold weather, sleet, snow, and plenty of rain. We are having a grand time sight seeing and taking pictures. The races have started. I think the Derby is to be run May 10th. There is a circus in town an several beautiful parks. Louisville is the best place I have been in yet, but of course there is no place like home!!! This is Bill's afternoon off so he is taking a snooze. Last Sunday we walked 11/2 miles out to the University of Louisville. The grounds and buildings are beautiful. All the trees and shrubs were in bloom. I get about three hours walking in each day. We can use the streetcars but it's nicer walking and healthier. There are quite a few large movies in town. The last picture we saw was "Keeper of The Flame" which we enjoyed very much. Louisville reminds me of New York on a very small scale.
It is hard to realize that this Sunday is Palm Sunday. The winter has gone so fast. Before we know it, summer will be here.
I guess you have read or heard about the letters we sent to York Road so I wont repeat all that stuff. It was swell hearing from you. There doesn't seem to be any news so I'll close for now. Bill and I both send our love.
As ever,
Betty

Letter to Mr. and Mrs. Souil Garner March 29, 1943 Louisville, Kentucky

Mrs. W. C. Garner

1449 S. Third St. 

Louisville, Ky.

Monday
March 29, 1943

Dear Harriet and Souil,

Bill asked me to drop you a line to let you know he hasn't forgotten you. He seems to be getting along swell at school, at least he is ahead of the rest of the fellows in his class. I arrived here last Thursday. The train was only 20 minutes late getting in. This part of the country certainly has been flooded. The waters were still up even with the railroad tracks. It rained the day after I got here but has been sunny and nice ever since. Yesterday Bill and I walked for about 3 hours. The houses here are very big and beautiful. My room is on the 3rd floor. What a climb. We are at least 8 blocks from the center of the city. We usually walk in to dinner and take a street car back, incidentally, the fare is 2 persons for 15 cents. The blocks are very long. It takes us a good half an hour to walk to town. The only bad feature about this set-up is that it is so far from Fort Knox. I would like to find something closer. I understand there is a town closer to camp called "Elizabeth Town." I want to see if we couldn't get something there. You have to be careful about these small towns though and be sure they have inside "johnny's." Louisville is about 30 miles from camp. Has Souil heard any more from the draft board? Bill is very anxious to know all about it. We heard that he has had his blood test. Is that correct? Bill expects to graduate May 16 - and has to go back to Camp Polk the next day. Don't ask me what I am going to do because I really don't know. It would be swell to hear from you. Please write soon. Better send all mail to Bill.

Love Betty

Letter to Mr. Souil Garner February 18, 1943 DeRidder, Louisiana

Wednesday,  February 17

Dear Souil,

Gee, thanks a million for the $40.00. It was so nice of you to think of us. The money certainly will come in handy. We had to wire home and borrow some money because we found ourselves running short. Bill misses a pay because he will be home on his furlough. We expect to arrive home Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning. I have decided to come back with Bill. Hope we can arrange to see you while we're home. As far as we know we will be out York Road on Friday evening, Sunday afternoon and evening and maybe Monday for lunch. We will have to leave to come back the following Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning. Seems like we will spend most of our time traveling but it is still worth it. You have no idea how good it will be to get home again. I am glad Mary finally got into the "Waves." I believe she was really anxious to go.
She has more courage than I would have. My brother Bill is in New Guinea now and has just received his Christmas package and cards. He is going to send a complete native outfit home. We are both so excited and anxious about coming home, thats all we even talk about anymore. I have been busy getting our clothes cleaned and laundered all week. We have just about every minute planned. You'll never know how much we appreciate the money, but you shouldn't have done it. You know you don't realize anyone is thinking about you until something like this happens. It will be so good to see you again. let me say thank you again, you are really swell to think of us.
Lots of love,
Betty

Letter to Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Garner February 2, 1943 DeRidder, Louisiana

Tuesday, Feb. 2

Dear Harriet + Souil,
I am so glad to hear that you are out and around again. We have found a swell place to live just around the corner from where Bill gets the bus for camp. This is a nice clean place~ all modern furniture and Mr. and Mrs. Terry are lovely people. I fix my own breakfast and lunch here which saves us quite a bit of money. I can use her icebox etc. She furnishes us with plenty of fresh linens and towels. Today Bill and I have been married 1 1/2 years and it is my 21st birthday so I guess we'll celebrate by going up the drug store and get a couple of sundae's. The weather has been beautiful lately. Bill thinks maybe he can get a furlough sometime in March. Gosh, it will be swell to get home for a few days. I almost forgot to mention that I do my own washing and ironing too. Mrs. Terry teaches school and I have the whole place to myself all day. We worked out a budget. I hope we can stick to it. The boys at camp send me their fruit Saturday. Bill walked in with 8 apples and 8 oranges. Last night he brought me more. All the fellows and officers seem to like Bill very much. I think right much of him myself. Well, Harriet, take care of yourself and try to keep Souil from working so hard. It was good to hear from you. Hope to hear again soon and maybe see you soon.

                                                                 Lots of love,

                                                                 Betty

Letter to Mr. and Mrs. Souil Garner January 6, 1943 Gatesville, Texas

(Note: This letter contains racial slurs and bias and are not my beliefs. I have typed the letters exactly as they are written for historical purposes only. They are not meant to hurt any one, but to share a time in history as it happened to and with the people who wrote the letters.)

Tuesday
January 5, 1943

Dear Harriet and Souil,

I certainly had a hair raising trip down here but it was worth it a million times. It's so good to be with Bill again. So far he has gotten out every night and leaves about 5:45am for camp. Three of the boys have the mumps so of course everyone is supposed to be confined to the camp. But as usual Bill has managed to get out. He seems to be getting along swell. He has his corporal's rating now. We won't move to Louisiana now for at least 2 or 3 more weeks on account of the mumps. I spend most of my time at the U.S.O. They have some activity planned for the wives each day and then something else for the evening such as movies, dances, song session, etc. We went to Waco Sunday and went to the movies "The Palm Beach Story." There is nothing much to do around here except eat and sleep. I have noticed quite a few Mexicans around, they are almost as dark as our negro's and rather ugly. My room is very plain but very comfortable. I was lucky to get a room at all. All the rest of the girls that came down for Christmas have gone home again. We saw them off Sunday while we were in Waco. I felt sorry for the boys watching the train pull out with lipstick smeared all over their faces.
I was glad I wasn't leaving. I forgot to tell you, Bill has poison oak all over his body. For the last three nights I have been up about every cpouple hours with him. It seems to be much better now. Up until today , the weather seems to go from one extreme to the other. Either it's too warm of freezing cold. We have tried several times to call Baltimore but can't get through. When we do move to Louisiana I have a ride over with the first sergeants wife and 2 other people. That's much nicer than going by train or bus. We went to the New Years Eve dance at the U.S.O. but all soldiers had to be off the streets by 11:30pm.Well there isn't much news so I'll close this letter.
Hope you are well and hope to hear from you soon.

Love,
Betty

Letter #4 to Mary from Wilbur C. Garner, Sr. 30 November 1943

Sgt. Wilbur C. Garner 

Hq XIX Corps, G-1 Section
APO 270
Camp Polk, La.

Mary W. Garner, SK3C
U.S. Naval Air Station
Disbursing Office
Minneapolis,Minn. 

30 November 1943                                                                                                                                             Dear Mary,

     Well, sis, I was'nt kidding you about Christmas presents. I have at last gotten a chance and boy am I really taking advantage of it. Today I am a Sergeant. A technician Fourth Grade to be exact. (Tec. 4) Don't under any condition send me any Christmas presents. I am getting a three-day pass this coming weekend and I intend to go to Beaumont, Texas and try to do a little Christmas shopping.
     I was a little sick at my stomach last Friday but I am OK now. I'm going into DeRidder tonight to take in some cleaning so I'll have some clean clothes to wear next week-end. This is strictly confidential. I'm going with the Captain and I think we will fly all the way. That should be some trip. It's to the best section. I've really been busy this last couple of weeks.
     I'll tell you Mary because I'm sure you realize our safety is in the balance if anyone should say anything out of turn. I leave here the 15th Dec by air for the East coast. We are to fly from there to England. Boy I'm anxious. I hope I can get my hands on one of those turret guns on the way over. Please don't worry about me. This will be my first Christmas out of the country. I've got to stop now because I've got a lot to do. I'll call you by phone before I go. In fact maybe this weekend.
                                -2-                                                                             
     Well it is a lovely day here. It is nice and warm. It was cold last night and this morning but it warms up as soon as the sun comes up. I have'nt had time to write to anyone in the last four or five days.

Lots of love to a real Sister
                          Bill 

Sorry this is so scratchy, but you can see I'm real busy 
                                               Love Bill

Camp Polk Unit Louisiana Wilbur C. Garner bottom row second from left

Postmarked December 13, 1943

Letter #3 to Mary from Mrs. Wilbur C. Garner (Betty)

This blog entry continues with the actual "Letters to Mary." 
I have also added a short narrative at the end of this blog letter entry.

Mrs. W. C. Garner

3600 Copley Road
Baltimore, Md. 15

Mary Garner S2C
4th Battalion 13th Company
U.S.N.T.S.
University of Indiana
Bloomington, Indiana
                                                                                                            Monday, May 24, 1943

Dear Mary,

     How are you getting along now? Hope you are feeling well. It was raining "cats and dogs" the day we left Kentucky. Bill says it's very hot down in Louisiana.  He seems to be dissatisfied with conditions at Camp Polk now. Seems as though all the decent fellows have left the company. He has been studying very hard for his Warrant Officers exam. He has already had his physical. Bill seems to think his company officers are trying to keep him from getting his commission. I hope he gets it or he will be one terribly dissapointed person. He called  me Sunday, boy it was good to talk to him  again. I miss him so much. I had lunch with your Mother last Friday. I have been house cleaning ever since I got home. Sunday we went down the shore and opened up the house. We started in cleaning and hope to start painting next week. Bernard called dad and offered to help paint. I thought that was very nice. The weather was rather warm the first week I was home, but is now cool again. Our yard at home here is beginning to look real pretty again. We had quite a time finding someone to cut the grass for us this season. Finally we got a little 12yr. old boy to cut it. 

I am losing weight, Mary, but I don't know why. I am eating all the time. I only weigh 102 lbs. now. By the way, your Mother is looking very well. I have been practicing up on my cooking lately. I should be able to give Bill a pretty good home by the time all this mess is over.  

Please forgive me if this letter doesn't make sense. This is the 3rd letter for me tonight and I am getting kind of sleepy.
It hardly seems possible that June 1 is practically here. The time has gone so fast the past few years. Just think in 2 months Bill and I will be married 2 years. It has been the happiest years of my life. I bet you don't know just how wonderful he is. Mary he has been so good to me. I could never tell you how much I love him. Guess I'd better stop this slush. You know I'm sleepy when I talk like this. Well, be good Mary. I promise again that I will write more often. Hope everything's O.K. If you have time, drop me a line sometime.

                                                                                          Love, Betty

This is the first and last letter from Betty (Mrs. Wilbur C. Garner). She passed away a month after she wrote this "Letter to Mary," at the age of 21, on June 25, 1943, when she went into a diabetic shock from an undiagnosed diabetic condition.  She had been married to Bill just shy of two years. She was laid to rest in Druid Hill Cemetery, (Groveland section) Baltimore, Md. 

As told to me (Karen Garner Martin Messick) by Bill prior to his death in 2002.

"At the time of Betty's death, I was stationed in Camp Polk, Louisiana and out on cadre when I received the news. I was notified by the Army of Betty's sudden passing and given bereavement leave to return home. I immediately began my long journey home. The darn trains in the country were tied up with military comings and goings in support of the war effort and it took me over 48 hours of constant travel to arrive in Baltimore. I arrived tired and exhausted the day Betty was laid to rest, as I had not slept for those 48 hours. Betty's father, chastised me for not arriving sooner. I could not believe he did that, as I was mourning the loss of my beloved young wife. He was a real bastard.
Shortly after Betty was buried I headed back to Camp Polk to continue my service to my country, leaving my parents and Betty's to dissolve our marital home."