Letter from Garner

While cleaning out my husband's desk, I found a letter which his uncle wrote shortly after my father-in-law's death (Grover) in 2003.

Dear Harry, Dave, Tom:

It was probably in 1943 that Grover became a distinct figure for me, as opposed to "generic older brother" (of which I had four at the time).  I remember looking at a photograph (probably from a letter to Mother) of a strikingly handsome young man in khaki U.S. Army uniform with the three chevrons up, three rockers down and the diamond of a master sergeant.  To a fifteen-year-old West Virginia kid, this was truly impressive.

After the war (1946?), Mother wanted to visit Riverside, California relatives (Charlie and Carrie Smith), so Mother, Grover, Lowell and I headed west in the 1942 Chevy. (I wanted to take Father's new Olds--Hydramatic shift!- but was overruled.)  At age 18, I had a license but little experience, so after a close call or so Grover took permanent possession of the steering wheel.

Letter from Ellice 25 Oct. 1954

Cincinnati, Ohio

Between the last set of letters (Oct. 1945) and this set of letters, the Grover D. Morgan Family moved from Louisiana to live in an apartment on the property of Ellice and Harry B. Morgan. They didn't write letters to each other living next door, but by 1954, the Harry B. Morgan's had moved to Miami and the Grover D. Morgan Family had moved to Cincinnati, Ohio.
Oh, the Grover D. Morgan Family had grown to three sons---Harry, Dave and Tom!

H.B. Morgan's Letter Oct. 29, 1945

This photo above of Dave was a whole year before the letter below was written by his grandfather on the same day.
This letter to his son Grover Morgan is mostly about the car that Grover is to drive when he gets home from the army.
Grover's brother, Paul, was able to get new tires and needed to get a new battery for the car.
This photo of Harry and Dave was July 1947, but notice Dave is still wearing the same hat that he wore 3 years earlier.

H.B. Morgan's Letter October 23, 1945

Grover Davis Morgan, Jr. above in November 1945. The letter below is to Grover D. Morgan's family living in Alexandria, Louisiana from his father H. B. Morgan in West Viriginia.
The page above tells about Fall coming and his son Mason's work on the garage.
His son Paul has also been helping out. Bread delivery drivers are on strike.
H.B. thinks it's funny seeing people carrying flour to make bread when they probably don't have any shortening.
Finally, he assures Grover that he and his family can live and work on the farm when he gets out of the army. He's afraid Eloise will start to like the milder climate in Louisiana. He also mentions that Mason's wife Libby is sick, but her mother Mrs. Porter is taking care of her and the family.

H.B. Morgan's Letter 16 Oct. 1945

Harry and Dave Morgan (Alexandria, Louisiana 10/9/45)

This letter was from H. B. Morgan to his son Grover Morgan who was stationed at Alexandria, Louisiana during World War II. In the letter he talks about the coal mine strikes in Kanawha district.

Then he talks about the tires that are needed on the spare car Grover wants to use when he gets back home. They can't get any tires because the "car is non essential."

H. B. wonders "if transferring the title would enable you to get tires".

Ellice Morgan's Letter 16 Oct. 1945

Ellice Smith Morgan wrote this letter to his son, Grover D. Morgan, and his family who were living in Alexandria, Louisiana where Grover was stationed during World War II.
She writes about the possibility of a coal strike. But she also mentions her son Mason helping build the garage and that Harry (her grandson) reminds her of Mason when he was small.
Above she writes about Lowell and his piano playing. Then she mentions that her husband (H.B.) was sowing rye.
Her son, Paul, who just returned from to the United States, earned "another stripe"---he got a promotion in the Army. She ends with "Tell Eloise & Boys I still miss them on Sundays and love to all."

Eloise and "Boys"---Davis and Harry. July 14, 1945 Alexandria, LA.

Letter from H.B. Morgan Oct. 8,1945

Above is Grover Davis Morgan, Jr. in Alexandria, Louisiana (Sept. 29, 1945) where his father was stationed in World War II. Doesn't this photo speak volumes about his life at that time?
The letter is from Harry Byron Morgan to his son Grover D. Morgan who was stationed at Esler Field, Louisiana. H. B. was a mine supervisor so he first talks about the mines and the possibility that the government (Govt) will be taking over the mines.
This B-24 Bomber didn't usually fly into Esler field, but had difficulties.
I think H. B. must be talking about the car which he said Grover could have when he gets out of the army.

Letter from Ellice Morgan Oct. 7, 1945

This letter from Ellice Smith Morgan was written to Grover Morgan stationed in Louisiana. She talks about her visitors which included Clifford Morgan pictured above. She also talks about her work on the farm. Double click on the letter to enlarge it.Her second page ends the same each time---she misses her grandsons.
Uh, Dave, did you notice Harry's elephant is bigger?

Ellice Smith Morgan's Letter October 6, 1945

Harry Morgan, Davis Morgan, Grover Morgan; Alexandria Louisiana, 10 July 1945

Ellice Smith Morgan wrote this letter to Grover D. Morgan and his family stationed in Alexandria, Louisiana. She expressed her hope that she will see them at Christmas this year.

Davis Morgan, Grover Morgan, Harry Morgan; Alexandria, LA; 7/19/45

The second page is about her chickens and her hope that Paul and Grover will be out of the army and "get back to normal living again."
Harry (3 yrs 11 mo) and Davis (2 1/2 yrs) Alexandria, LA 7/23/45

The last page expresses her concern that Garner will also have to go into the army.

H.B. Morgan's Letter Oct. 3, 1945

This note is from Harry Byron Morgan to his son Grover D. Morgan who was in the army at Esler Field, Louisiana. In the page above, he says that another son Paul Morgan is home and looking good.

Grover Morgan is at the right.

The rest of the note talks about the coal industry and his belief that the "rich uncle" (Uncle Sam or the Federal government) would be taking over the mines.

Ellice Morgan Letters: Sept. 17, 28, 1945

Ellice Morgan wrote to her son Grover Morgan in the Army at Esler Field, Louisiana. She thanks her grandson Harry for his letter, but her good news is that her son Paul Morgan is on his way home and has already shipped his clothes to his wife Janice. She also mentions that her son Clifford Morgan has recently visited with his wife Ethel and son Garrett with Aunt Sarah (who "lives at Walnut Akers")
She mentions that she sent Harry a book.

Davis-Harry Alexandria, LA (9/22/1945)The letter dated Sept. 28, 1945 is mostly Paul---Janice had met him in "Greensburough". She also tells a little about her husband's work, tells Grover he can have her car---Garner says he can ride a bus to school. (Dave says he never knew she could drive a car) It turns out the book she sent Harry in the letter above was his ration book.

She reveals that she dug 12 bushels of potatoes, the wind is blowing like winter. The good thing about winter is "Xmas". Finally, her P.S. celebrates Paul is home, but thin at 180 lbs.

Dad can fix anything! Alexandria Louisiana (9/30/1945 2yrs 7mos; 4 yrs)

Compare how they're dressed in Louisiana with her letter talking about winter coming to West Virginia.