{Postcard}
Postmarked
Mojave. California
July 30, 1936
Mrs. Frankie Phillips
Cor 7th Ave & 73 St
Los Angeles, Calif
Dear Norma & Ted
Had a nice trip. When I got off the train I thought I was in a fire. Sure hot up here. Would you call mother or Gwen and tell them where I am, also get their addresses.
Love Victor
Smyth
Kingston Hotel
Mojave, California
Mrs. Norma Smyth
c/o Mrs. Louis Phillips
Cor 7th Ave and 73 rd
Los Angeles, California
August 2, 1936
Dear Norma and Teddy,
Gosh it’s hot! 105 and not a leaf moving. I am off for lunch so I will take half the time to let you know I am safe and sound.
Has Teddy taken any more steps yet. I was just looking at his picture and am sure thankful we have such a bright, sweet baby. I say a prayer for both of you each night.
The public is better to deal with up here and I know I am going to like it when we are all together again.
Em’s baby died Saturday at eleven P.M. He feels terrible. He had two doctors come up by plane Friday but they couldn’t do anything.
Honey if you can get me two polo shirts (white) please send them as soon as you can. It costs twenty cents to have a shirt done here and you have to wait four or five days to get them back.
Take good care of yourself and the baby and tell your mother hello also Bill and The big bad wolf.
I must get back to work now so I will write again tomorrow.
Your loving husband
Victor
Victor Llewellyn Smyth
Kingston Hotel
Mojave, California
August 3, 1936
Dear Norma and Teddy,
It's cooler tonight (about 90 degrees 12:30 AM) Thins seem to be running smooth here so far. I worked until. Em came in and asked me to take a little ride with him. It was beautiful on the desert a full moon and a million stars, made me think of our trip to Las Vegas. We drove up to Tehachapi about 25 miles away sure which you and Ted could have been with us. I hope it gets cooler so we can all be together soon. I miss you so much.
Darling will you send me Daddy's and Ida's address. I would like to drop them a line.
Had a start saw Jack James on the street the other day he was going up to his uncles about thirty miles east of here.
I haven't had a word from anyone makes me feel like a fellow without a country.
They are having a service for Em's buddy tomorrow so I will have to be at work early in the morning.
Kiss the baby and your mother for me. And say hello to Bill and Mr. Phillips
Yours as ever
Victor
P.S.
The ink on the pen dries so fast you can't complete on word.
(Aint dat sumpin)
Victor Llewellyn Smyth
Kingston Hotel
Mojave California
Mrs. Norma Smyth
2900 W 73 Street
Los Angeles
California
August 4, 1936
Dear Norma and Teddy,
How are you tonight. Honey I staid awake all night thinking of you. I suppose you think I am crazy with the heat, letters like I wrote last night, but I started and just couldn't stop.
Tonight is payday for the mines so I expect a busy day tomorrow. Em wanted me to take the night off but I would just as soon work. The only thing these people do is drink beer and talk, and I don't care much for either. Then Em said he would take me hunting tomorrow afternoon and I am sure I will enjoy myself that way.
Sweetheart I guess I had better get some sleep. Kiss Ted and take good care of yourself. Homey I have had one letter. Not forgetting me are you. Please write my I beg you. Well good night my sweet. Give everyone my love.
Yours for ever and ever.
Victor
Kingston Hotel
Mojave, California
August 4, 1936
Dear Norma and Teddy,
I am just getting ready to go to bed. 12 AM. Have been helping Emmett count money to take to the bank tomorrow, there is no bank here so once or twice a week he drives up.
Em took me up to Rosemont and we had dinner., it was the only meal I have enjoyed since I came up here (seems like I have been away you six months, I love you and the baby with all my heart.)
John came back from Los Angeles about ten o'clock says he took off his tie on the way back, no one uses a tie up here.
Has the baby gained any weight and have you. I miss you both so.
Honey do you know we talked a dollar and twenty cents worth tonight To hear you talk was forth a thousand times that much. I have been thinking so much about how wonderful it is to have such a fine, sweet, honorable, lovable, beautiful and noble wife like you. It makes my heart ache to see Ted and you. Honey we must thank the Good lord we have such a bright healthy baby.
I received your letter this afternoon it was so glad to hear from you please write more often, even a letter is something for a lonely old man.
Dearest I love you a million times more than this letter will ever say. how I would like to hold you in my arms and say I love you sweetheart, kiss me goodnight. I hope we will be together ever so soon. I can't wait but I know I must. Honey I will work hand and make a path where the grass grows green, for you and Teddy.
Norma dear I can't keep up that or I'll be on veranda watching old man moon the rest of the night.
Our dreams will come true my sweet and we will be together soon, but I wish it could be sooner. Darling I must get some sleep so I'll wake up in the morning because I have no one to wake me and no clock.
Dear Father in heaven
Bless Teddy and Norma
May They have their health
May they have plenty to eat
a good place to sleep
We shall be good
And thank the for all you have done for us.
In the name of thy son.
Amen
good night sweetheart
(Sweet dreams)
Victor
V L Smyth
Kingston Hotel
Mojave, California
Mrs. Norma Smyth
2900 West 73 Street
Los Angeles, California
August 5, 1936
Dearest Norma and Ted,
In early tonight 11:15 P.M. feel a little tired, had a busy day, going to start on phone tomorrow, hope I catch on in a hurry.
How are you, the baby your Mother, Bill and Mr. Phillips.
Received your letter and package this morning. Thanks for the money. I will send some Friday morning Special Del. I hope you write again real soon it makes me feel so much better to know that someone cares. I love you sweetheart. It was sure hot today about a hundred and ten. I hope it calls off real soon so we can be together again. Honey I don't want to be away from you for even a day. How about you. I wish I had a picture of you to put beside the baby's.
The food is sure terrible. I can't eat it. O'boy for some good home cooking.
Homey I haven't Mothers or Daddy's address yet, will you please send them.
Next time I call you up get a clock beside the telephone (O'kay).
When I send the money will you send a pair of white pants 30 W 31 L.
I have written a letter a day have you received all of them.
Your devoted husband
Victor
12:10 AM Guess I'll go to bed goodnight sweetheart. People up hear have started to call me snowball because I am so warm. ha ha________
Smyth
Kingston Hotel
Mojave, California
Mrs. Norma Smyth
2900 West 73 Street
Los Angeles, California
Aug. 6, 1936
Dear Norma,
Just an hour since I talked to you. Seems like a year. Honey I am so lonesome without you. Darling if I would let myself go I could go on like this for hours.
Sure sorry to hear Bill is not well. Give him a slap on the back for me.
Sweetheart please keep the baby away from him because I couldn’t stand to have anything happen to him. Will you?
I have been working from twelve to fifteen hours a day and can’t stand to eat in a Café. Wish you were here to give me some good old meat loaf or sumpin.
John’s wife said if we can get a house with an extra bedroom they will take it.
Something is sure funny me receiving only two of your letters. Gee the first thing every morning I go to the desk and ask, then to the Post Office, then to the store, but no letter.
Honey save all the money you can and perhaps we shall be together again in a couple of weeks. Wouldn’t that be swell? (hurry I miss the baby so)
Dearest this is my song (Girl of My Dreams). Do you remember it?
I am going to drop a line to Daddy and Ida so will close. Answer soon.
Yours as ever
Victor
Smyth
Kingston Hotel
Mojave, California
Mrs. Norma Smyth
2900 West 73 Street
Los Angeles, California
August 9, 1936 12 A.M.
Dear Norma,
Gee it would be swell of you here when I came in. Seems so lonesome only four walls and a bed. Gosh honey I had a swell day being with you. Be sure and thank daddy and Ida again for me.
Sweetheart I hope you don't come down with the flu. Take good care of yourself won't you?
It is nice and cool tonight if it keeps this up we can be together in a few days.
I Bill feeling better? I hope so! Tell him to keep his chin up.
I will write again tomorrow night so kiss the baby for me and give everyone my love.
Yours for keeps
Victor
P. S.
Did I get a dollar from you? I can't find it any place.
Smyth
Kingston Hotel
Mrs. Norma Smyth
2900 W 73 Street
Los Angeles, California
August 11, 1936
Dear Norma,
Well it's only been about twenty minutes since I talked to you. Homey I just had to hear your sweet voice again. It is so lonesome to come to a room with nothing but silence. How I wish you were here.
John and I have been cooking our dinners they taste much better than the Cafe food. I had the afternoon off so John and I went up in the hills. I only saw one rabbit but got him. A fellow up here tells me if you touch them this time of year they give you some kind of skin trouble. Em went to L. A. this afternoon. Would have gone with him only I didn't have any money. He it going to stay two days. It would have been so nice to have been with you and Teddy, But the more I sit tight the sooner we can all be together again.
I don't know when I'll nail this but i had to write my nightly and tell you how much I love you. Now I shall go to bed and dream a sweet dream of you. Give my love to everyone.
Love
Victor
Smyth
Kingston Hotel
Mojave, California
2900 W 73 Street
Los Angeles, California
August 12, 1936
Dear Norma,
Excuse this paper but its a letter I started to write four or five days ago.
Em came back from Los Angeles tonight has been looking at a sandwich setup for the place, will cost about six hundred for the whole outfit. Boy I'll have to sell a lot of sandwiches to pay that back.
John and I went looking for houses this afternoon. The houses up here are sure rotten. We looked at one place. It was almost new. The rent is eighteen a month. There is a kitchen about 6' by6' with a very small sink a little bathroom the front room is small with a wall bed. It is just a small apt no linens or dishes and the gas and lights run about 5 dollars per mo. Its about three blocks from the store and fifty feet from the cemetery and wouldn't have it for a gift. That's a sample of what we are up against. Sounds cheerful, don't it.
I can get a room with a butcher and his wife and if its still vacant next week I'll take it for the company as well as a saving of two dollars a week.
I had to borrow twenty cents from John and we cooked up a pot of stew. Tested good too.
Honey, I am so lonesome for you and Ted. Hope I can find a decent place to live real soon. When I do will you come right up?
It's nice and cool here tonight and there are lots of stars. How is it down the I hope you had a good time at the opera, but I hate to think of Ted being left with someone else.
I am running out of paper so will have to close.
With all my love XX
Victor
Smyth
Kingston Hotel
Mojave, California
Mrs. Norma Smyth
2900 W 73 Street
Los Angeles, California
August 13, 1936 3:05 a m
Dear Norma,
Gosh I am tired have been working since this morning early. Have been by myself most of the day. Sure a lot of work for one. Took in more than I used to at sixth and Hill. Besides the Telephone which is enough for one be itself. I was sure disappointed when I called and couldn’t get ahold of you. Oh! I miss you than two pens could ever say. Golly I hope we won’t be separated this long ever again. Honey I feel so miserable tonight I would like to leave here and come down even for a few minutes. I think I shall next week. Would you like me to. I don’t want to live away from you any longer. Funny how it will eat your heart out to be alone.
Well I guess I’d better cut the sob stuff.
How is Teddy, has his teeth come through yet? Are you alright Sweetheart I do hope so.
Honey I am only going to send you a small amount this week because I owe for my laundry room and I’ve been so hungry the last three days I thought my naval would hit my back bone.
Doll I guess I’d better lay dawn and rest because the next three days will be very busy I hope and I didn’t even go to sleep last night, just read all your letters and looked at the stars and thought of you. I love you Sweetheart.
Yours for all time
Love, Victor
Smyth
Kingston Hotel
Mojave, California
Mrs. Norma Smyth
2900 W, 73 St.
Los Angeles, California
August 18, 1936
Dearest Norma,
Arrived here at 1:30 am. I have been sitting up thinking what a wonderful day this has been. It’s now four ten so I must get a couple of hours in the hay. I will write tomorrow. I love you_________
Yours forever
Victor
V. L. Smyth
Kingston Hotel
Mojave, California
Special Delivery
Mrs. Norma Smyth
2900 West 73 Street
Los Angeles, California
August 19, 1936
Dearest Norma,
Well Honey, another day nearer to when we shall be together again. It has been nice today, just a nice autumn breeze and about seventy nine degrees. Honey I feel swell got up this morning about eight, had a glass of tomatoe juice, some corn flakes and a cup of coffee. Worked until twelve thirty. Then I ate a sandwich and malt with and an egg and a dish of ice cream. About five o'clock my stomach was empty again so I went to the Coffee Shop and ate a big dinner, didn't leave a bite. I just had two sandwiches and a Coca Cola. I guess it was a longing to see you that made everything taste so bad.
Tonight Em was talking to a friend and he bet him that I would take in at least five dollars than the three girls did yesterday. He checked the cash and I had eight dollars more. He got a great kick out of it.
I am going to find a house and you can come up next week, the week after at the latest.
I am more than sorry that I caused your mother so much trouble. I am going to write a letter and try to tell her. I don' blame her if she won't even open it.
I can hear a train coming down the hill. I wish you and Ted were on it.
Honey
Em says when you come up we can take anything we need from the drug store such as pans pillow slips, sheets etc And we don't have to pay for them until we get ready for them.
I'll bet the baby was all tired out, a big lug like me pestering him all day. Honey how do you feel? Keep well and don't work too hard Honey I sure had a swell day Tuesday being with you and Ted. Give him a big kiss for me won't you.
Just as soon as I get my check cashed I will send you all the money I can spare. You had better buy the dishes you were looking at so as to be more prepared when we get the house. Honey will you come up just as soon s I get one?
I don't think I shall be able to sleep much tonight for thinking haw perfect it will be when i see you coming.
Gee honey I didn't think you were going to see me when the train pulled out last night. I almost yelled out. You looked so small and pure and sweet.
Gosh darling it's one thirty so I must try and get a little sleep.
I love you with all my heart and soul sweetheart. Good night dearest. Sweet dreams and a big ling kiss for both you and Teddy.
My goodness, I thought you were right here.
Yours for always
Victor
Kingston Hotel
Mojave, California
Mrs. Norma Smyth
2900 West 73 Street
Los Angeles, California
August 20, 1936
Dearest Sweetheart,
The first thing I will say is that I love you (Oh! a million times more that this pen will ever say.) Is the baby alright? Take it easy honey and when you come up I will help you with everything you do. (honest) don’t laugh.
It’s twenty minutes to one. I was coming tight up and go to bed, but I got so lonesome that I went for a ling walk just like we used to do before the baby came. Honey I could just feel you beside me. Honey I don’t know any news. Tell Bill and Mother hello.
Yours as ever
Victor
Smyth
Kingston Hotel
Mojave, California
Mrs. Norma Smyth
2900 West 73 Street
Mojave, California
August 21, 1936
Dearest Norma,
Oh! honey how I miss you tonight. Darling when I heard your voice tonight I wished there had been a train going to L. A. tonight and I am sure I would have taken it. I am so terrible lonesome. Honey I love you a million times more that the last billion. (How I talk)
It has been nice and cool up here all day all day and tonight it’s just a bit chilly out.
I must find some place for us to live because it isn’t right that we should be separated this long.
Honey I do hope your mother will forgive me just a little, but I don’t blame her if she won’t even read my note.
Jack came through town tonight and we had dinner together. Tomorrow he is going to bring is little girl to town for me to see.
Honey do what you want with the little money I send you but try to save a little because when you get here we will probably need every dime we can get.
I forgot to get some writing paper so will have to make this do.
Have you heard how Mother and Gwen are.
Well girl of my dreams kiss Ted and give every one my love.
Yours for ever and ever
Victor
P.S.
Honey I tipped the ink over and have the wash bowl full of washing so I can’t wash my hands right now. E
Excuse the finger prints
Victor L Smyth
Kingston Hotel
Mojave, California
{no date--postmark August (24?), 1936
Dear Norma and Teddy,
Gosh but I'm tired and do my feet hurt. Today I beat any day so far by eight dollars. Besides the big girl was off and the other one wasn't feeling well so I sent her home too.
Honey I could sure sleep good if you were here, but you are not so I will stay awake and think of you. I think I will take Tuesday off and look for a house. it I don't find one I shall take the small one I mentioned before. I was told there is a washing machine to use and even if we don't have much space that will make your duties somewhat lighter. Don't you think so?
Honey I miss you and Ted so and I want us to be together real soon. I love you___.
I hope everyone is in good health.
Now I must close because it is twelve forty five.
Yours for ever and ever
Victor
Smyth
Kingston Hotel
Mojave California
August 24, 1936
Mrs. Norma Smyth
2900 W. 73 Street
Los Angeles, California
Dearest Sweetheart,
Today was my day off so I got up this morning and went shopping. First I went to the drug store and bought some antiseptic and a jar of Mentholatum for my feet. Next I went to the grocery and got a bottle of Purex. Then to the dime store for a needle and thread.
I have been washing and mending all day long. Now I have everything in pretty fair shape.
John cooked dinner for Em and I. We had steak potatoes and corn. Al some hot rolls (Tasted good too.)
How are you and the baby? Golly honey I an just dying to see both of you. It's been a whole week since we were together (seems a year). One thing makes me feel more cheerful and that's to know we won't be apart much longer. The weather here is getting nicer every day. I love it honey. It's so different from down on the coast.
Darling I think of you every minute and i love you more that a few works will ever say.
I must go down and close up the store.
Yours as ever
Victor
P.S. Give Ted a big Hug and Kiss from his daddy
VL Smyth
Kingston Hotel
Mojave, California
Mrs Norma Smyth
2900 W 73 Street
Los Angeles, Calif
Special Delivery
August 26, 1936
Dearest Norma,
Well darling I am so glad this day is over because it brings me that much closer to you and Ted.
Sweetheart I have such a heartache and feel so rotten I han hardly see this paper, (not enough sleep I guess.)It is sure swell here tonight , a big half moon and millions of stars with a gentle soft breeze. Honey I can't wait until we are together again. I love you Honey I must stop as I am going to lose what I had for supper.
All my love
Victor
P.S.
I will write you a big long letter tomorrow
Kingston Hotel
August 28, 1936
{No Envelope}
Dearest Norma and Teddy,\
Gee honey I feel so much better. Guess getting your sweet letters and hearing your beautiful voice makes the difference. Darling I hope and pray that we can get the little house from Judge Arber. When you asked me who I was getting it from over the phone I was sitting at the switch board and didn't want anyone to know for fear someone else would take it. I love you so and want us to be together again as soon as possible.
Honey when I talk to you over the phone I get a big bump in my throat and just cant talk. Won't it be swell if we can be together next week.
My laundry was over two dollars this week and I have about another seventy five cents worth coming Monday. I shall try to pat the rent then I can have the gas and lights turned on Thursday out of next week we will have twenty five left for getting you up here and eats. If there isn't a good ice box I will keep most of Ted's milk over at the store. What do you think of that? Honey, I will have to hurry to get this on the 2:45 A M so will close with all my love
Yours as ever
Victor
Smyth
Kingston Hotel
Mojave. California
Mrs. Norma Smyth
2900 W 73 Street Los Angeles, California
Special Delivery
August 29, 1936 (postmark)
Dear Norma and Teddy,
Well another day closer to when we shall be together. Honey I love you than all the paper and pencil can ever say. I do hope we can e together this week. I went over to the Judges office three times today to find out about the house but he was in Bakersfield so I went over and looked at the one next door. They have a nice yard with lawn and trees and a fence al around. Three rooms all furnished fairly decent. Plenty of room for Ted's bed. I hope and pray that the people move out on the first of the month. I will go completely nuts if I don't see both of you before long.
I had the biggest day at the store so far. Em says he don't see why business is holding up so good this year. I think I know. I hope I can keep it up.
Tonight I was going straight to bed but after laying there three hours I had to get up because I could not sleep. It is now two twenty. I haven't been to bed before four o'clock for the last three weeks and am generally up by six thirty or seven. Being nothing else to do I go right to work and work straight thru until about ten thirty or eleven o'clock at night. I am so tired but I just can't lay down and rest. Dearest (I love you) honest I do.
It is now two thirty and I want to get this on the two forty five so good night sweet dreams.
Yours an Ever Victor
__________________________________________________________________
Kingston Hotel
{No Date or Envelope}
{Four weeks after arriving in Mojave , around August 30, 1936}
Dearest Norma and Teddy,
Honey, how much my heart aches to be with both of you. sweetheart, I almost quit my job when you cried over the phone. I know God will find a way for us to be together real soon (Don't you). Honey I love you so.
Honey I would like to have told you to go ahead and buy the furniture, but I think it wiser if we don't go and pile up a lot of debts (Don't you). I will take the first place I can find even it is only partly furnished and we will get along as best we can for a couple of weeks. Then you can take twenty of twenty five dollars and buy a few little things to make the place more comfy.
I am sure that my work is satisfactory and I get along swell with everyone.
This morning I went over and had a sample of my blook taken for em's wife. Hers is number two and mine was number four but John also had his taken and his is alright to match with hers so he is going to give some to her.
I have been here four weeks and everyone of them shows an increase in volume of business we have done. After the first of the month we will check and see what my gross is.
Honey, thanks for not going out to the Opera last night (guess I am just a little bit jealous but I do love you so and just can't start to think of you with anyone else.
Honey I have been checking the paper every night and it is only four or five degrees hotter up here than it is in L.A.
Guess I had better pay another weeks rent here at the hotel because even if I do leave early the cost won't be anymore that a daily rate.
How is Ted? Every time I wee a little boy I could just go nuts I miss him so much the little rascal. Will you give him a big hug and kiss and try to get him to say daddy so he won't forget.
Now I've got myself more blue that ever. I would give the world to hold you tight and kiss your beautiful eyes good night.
Well I won't take up anymore of your time with all my blubbering, so with a big a hug and kiss.
Yours for ever and ever
Victor
P. S. I started to write on this little table with a cover on it and the paper was put way under I didn't notice until I was through what an uneven margin on both sedes of the paper.
I love you
oxxxxo
________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Kingston Hotel
Mojave, California
1:05 A. M.
August 31, 1936
Dear Norma,
Just a few words to let you know that I weathered another blue weekend apart from the ones I love most dearly.
Had a busy weekend and am very tired, hope I can go right to sleep. Foolish to even imagine such a thing without you beside me. As soon as you get here I am goi9ng to open up in the morning as seven work until about one then come back for about an hour at night. Just think of all the happy hours we will have.
The weather is simply grand here now. It generally gets a little warm about one o’clock, but a nice gentle breeze soon comes along and no one could ask for nicer afternoons. The nights are not too warn and thee is generally a nice moon and lots of stars.
I haven’t any stamps tonight so you probably will not receive this before Tuesday. In the next letter I hope to tell you everything is all ready for you and Ted to come up. (I love you both so!)
Well I have the wash bowl full of clothes so I shall finish them
Hope everyone is in the best of health. Give everyone my love.
Yours forever
Victor
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