Excerpts:

Irma Nichols’ First Year

At College, 1917-1918

September 17, 1917

Dear Irma, This is Sunday evening, and your mother and I are all alone and so I thought I would write you a few lines … Do you like it up there as much as you anticipated? And how does it seem to go to bed and get up to the song of a bell? With love, Dad

P.S. Have been looking for a card from you all week, says Mother.

Late September 1917

Dear Sister, I hope the melons etc have reached you safely by this time. We certainly are enjoying them. Dad and I are right handy to them while filling the silo, and we make the most of our opportunity, you bet. We are going to get my things ready today and begin to pack the trunk. I rather hate to leave but I suppose it’s the best thing to do … With love from all, Perkins

October 7, 1917, from Providence, R.I.

Dear Sister, Well, here I am back at the “old grind” again at the same place as last year … I suppose Mother told you how I started back [to college] last Sunday afternoon but didn’t get any further than Aunt Flora’s. Got nearly down to Stratfield when one of the rod bearings became loose and we just managed to get the car to Aunt Flora’s barn … Must close now and write to the folks, With love, Perkins

October 19, 1917

My dear Irma, Received both cards. It is quite fine to hear so often ... Hope you enjoy the cookies. I made them this AM and had to hustle like everything get them in the mail … Hope the flowers [last] as well as the others. Lots of buds but the frosts are hurting them … Mother

November 2, 1917

My dear Irma, We are trying to get our potatoes dug and oh, dear, what a task. Sugar is high and everything else is proportional. I don’t know where we shall land if things keep up. I guess we shall have to fight in our own country … I am putting Perkins laundry up with apples & cookies the same as yours. Some job, Ma

 

November 5, 1917

Dear Irma, I suppose everything seems as military up your way as down here (Liberty Bonds, Red Cross, etc,) I supposed you have lots of time to knit etc … There are 17 young fellows gone [into the service] from our church already. Your sincere friend, Hen Knapp

November 21, 1917

My dear Irma, We are thinking seriously of sending Perkins the mileage to visit you Thanksgiving if he can. He has only one day off I believe and may not think it best. If he should have to go to war he wouldn’t have another chance and there is a possibility of all the boys going eventually. I must close and get to work. Will send cash in laundry. Lots of love, Mother

December 1, 1917

“Night and the stars are gleaming Tender and true; Dearest! My heart is Dreaming of you!”

The above as you know is taken from the song, “Somewhere a Voice is Calling” which I have just been playing over and over … There are many things to be thankful for on the New England Holiday but the two greatest to me were these: that I have been taught to trust in God and have a girl who is now attending Mt Holyoke College … Did you receive my package in time for Thanksgiving? Do me one favor — tell me the kind of candy you like so that I may send you the right brand. Sincerely, Earl

January 16, 1918

My dear girl, I can hardly realize P is where he is, it seems as though it must be a dream, all these years of struggle over books and means to keep him at it, and now see. That we may see good in it eventually is my hope and prayer … Hope you won’t break your umbrella again. If you see you are going to fall, stop and lay it down first … I found the calendars, they had fallen back of the desk … Had better stop now and go to bed. I have made two hospital shirts today and a pair of mittens for Dad. Lots of Love, Mother

January 23, 1918

My dear Irma, I have wondered if you are having as much winter as we. It is snow & ice all the time. We certainly are having plenty of use for sleighs and I have been out quite a few times … Lots of love, Mother

 

February 10, 1918

It has been damp and misty here today with a chill in the air that gets next to one. We have killed the four pigs that we kept under the barn this last week. They averaged about 85 lbs each. Uncle Ebbert had one and another went to one of our Bridgeport customers … I expect to get the universal joint from Bridgeport Tuesday and then I shall get the car together so we can use if it the weather and traveling permit.  Mother is knitting and joins me in sending love, Dad

 

May 1, 1918

Dear Irma, It has been quite warm here today and the grass is quite green. Our peas are up as all the radishes and lettuce but the potatoes are not out of ground yet so I finely believe that spring is coming for tonight I heard the first whippoorwill …Love, Dad