Sincerely, Joel C. Swisher

Dear Helen, The weather, country, and conditions have changed somewhat since I wrote last. Then we were sleeping in barns, sheds, and empty houses; the thermometer was around zero, there was a foot of snow…

Dear Folks, Got your letter of April 23 the other day. We have been having some splendid weather lately. Getting repaid for last winter and spring I suppose. This country is wonderfully pretty now. Grass…

Dear Mary (1)NOTE: This letter contains an offensive racial term for Asian people that was acceptable among white Americans at the time it was written. Just 6 months today we started on our way to…

Dear Folks, Still somewhat raw and cold. Raining a little bit today. This makes the 4th rainy First Day. It was clear a couple of days this week and one day we had a slight…

Dear Aunt Mary, Got thy letter of Mar 11 a few days ago. Thy letters seem to be coming thru in good time. I think my mail will be very satisfactory from now on unless…

Dear Folks, This is a good day for resting and sleeping but a poor day for Easter bonnets as the rain came down quite lively this A.M. Your letter of Feb 15 was received couple…

Dear Aunt Mary, Thy letter of Feb. 18 reached me a few days ago and the one Feb 11 today. I am sorry to disappoint you but that picture in the Nat. Geog. Mag. was…

Dear Folks, Got back from the hospital yesterday, feeling fine and went back to work to-day. Am in fine shape now. Had a splendid 3 weeks rest. Mumps did not bother me very much. When…

Dear Folks, Have been intending to write you for some time. I had just about started when they fetched me here and for the last two weeks I haven’t done anything but take life easy….

Dear Folks, I guess you took too good care of me when I was a kid so I am having all of my childish diseases now. Last Wed. the 13th I came in here (the…