Now I am back home in Atlanta for a stretch, so my posts should be fairly regular for a while again. Alas, I am without a scanner now, so the photographic additions to my posts will be mainly from the Internet. If any of you out there in Blogland has an old scanner that's up on cinder blocks in the backyard that you don't use much any more, I'd be happy to take it off your hands.
Be sure to watch the HBO miniseries "The Pacific" starting tomorrow, Sunday March 14th. I don't know the exact time, and I won't even be able to watch it, since I don't have cable. It has gotten good reviews, and it should provide you with background to the ultimate occupation of Japan. A good DVD that I can highly recommend as well is "MacArthur: American Experience," which is available on Netflix. It is long but fascinating and quite comprehensive, and it shows actual footage of MacArthur at the Dai Ichi Building.
The third letter of the new year was actually misdated as 1945, but, as we all know, it takes a week or so for the new year to sink into one's mind. It's a short letter, since I assume Maj. Gillham is still battling his New Year's cold. Again, he uses the word "Jap," which I have discussed before, and I am convinced that there is nothing derogatory in Maj. Gillham's intent. It is akin to our current usage of the word "Brit" to signify a Briton. However, there is no doubt that the word "Jap" is now pejorative and should never be used except with a historical perspective.
Tokyo
4 Jan 1945
Dearest Love,
A Jap that I met on a train made me a present of this paper. There is an old Japanese proverb that says, "That which is bought is cheaper than a gift." I wound up by giving him a candy bar.
Enclosed are some recent pictures. The place that I found that did good work is temporarily closed, and these were not printed very well. Also the trouble with getting someone else to take pictures with you in them is that they frequently mess them up. You will notice that I have had no more trouble with the camera leaking. It was that little red window that shows the shot number; it had faded so it was letting white light in. I keep tape over it now.
Stew Barron, whom we knew in Chicago, has been promoted to major and moved over here. I had him up for a drink before supper tonight.
I am going to take it easy tomorrow and try to get rid of this cold. Starting Monday, I will have another working spell which will keep me tied down for two or three weeks. I have had a good deal of spare time lately, but haven't been able to take advantage of it on account of this blooming old cold.
We have movies 2 or 3 times a week, but they are generally third-class stuff. However, it is diverting.
I met a Cpl. Allen at the Dai Ichi Bldg. today. He is from Memphis and is working here as a telephone intsaller. In fact, he is the son of Seddon Allen, our lawyer in Memphis. Isn't it a small world and don't the tables turn?
I plan to sleep late in the morning and spend the time dreaming of you, my love. Then I will get up and make me a cup of Nescafe from my nice, little bottle. Everyone admired both my bottles.
Much, much love,
Bill
Showing posts with label Chicago. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago. Show all posts
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Update on the brass "looting," and a health report
Today we hear about George Bull, who comes through Tokyo for a visit, and Maj. Gillham makes another visit at "his" junk pile with another major.
Maj. Gillham brings up the idea of having another baby, but, as we now know, that idea didn't get very far.
Tokyo
18 Dec 1945
My Dearest,
There is so much that I want to write you that I never get caught up. I sent the kimono for your birthday off today by first class mail. It should get there within a month it seems to me. It is well wrapped and should go in good condition. Getting the kimono was an interesting transaction that I must tell you about sometime. These fellows that have a lot of spare time and official contacts with the Japanese have a chance to get a lot of things, but it is difficult for me because nothing is available in the open except at exhorbitant prices. However, I will get my share of junk before I leave. For instance, although I had to work Sunday, I slipped off for a while and got Maj. Marr, who used to be an instructor at Charlottesville, and we went out to my scrap metal pile again. We spent a couple of interesting hours digging through great piles of junk. I think I learned more about oriental culture there than at Chicago. I have some interesting things which I will send you and the children before long. I am still polishing on them now. The pressure for metal got pretty hard here at the last and they collected some nice things. Also they must have stripped some Chinese temples and sent the metal over here. I know we are burdened with an oversupply of vases, but I liked these. Also there are a pair of brass dogs for each of the children and other things. You can give any of it away that you wish and if you want more, let me know what and I will send you a trunk full of it.
George Bull came in and spent he night Saturday night with me. A place to stay in Tokyo is very difficult for visitors to find, but we solved it very nicely by just rolling out my bedding roll on the floor. With the air mattress and sheets it is as good as one could ask for.
The enclosed "Christmas card" is very novel, don't you think? It was Japanese occupation currency and is now worthless. He probably got a bale of it.
You asked about my health. It is as good as it has been in a long time. No ulcers, no heartburn, no foot trouble and very little arthritis. The latter is always with me, but doesn't disable me for any of my present duties. I have noticed it most in a couple of spells of depression, but they didn't last long and I know about what to expect now. The only trouble is that I am afraid that I am putting on a little weight. The cooking here is superior and everything is easily digested. They also make a lot of desserts like custard, etc. The dining room service certainly beats any I got in the states during the past two or three years. As you take the last mouthful from one course, a little Jap girl picks up the plate and puts down the next course and you never even have to miss a lick.
I have an abacus and am learnig to use it. It is a right clever gadget. It uses the same type of mental process that I always used in mathematics, for instance, to add 8 you add 10 and subtract 2.
I wonder where you are tonight. Probably La Jolla, or somewhere in Arizona. I am glad you got the car fixed. We will probably have to keep it a couple more years, and if any major repairs are needed they should be done now so we will get the benefit of them. I hope they did a good job. I think that is a reliable place where you took it.
I am sorry you have to work out all these weighty financial problems alone. I hope your allotment isn't delayed. I sent you $50 for Christmas which should be in Atlanta by the time you get there.
I will try to send you some more Jan 1st to apply on Father's ticket if he came or to use otherwise if not.
How is Atlanta and how are all the folks? What do they think of Martha? You surely are having a fine family reunion. With Dan in the running now, the clan really should increase. Yes, I would like one more baby, if we can afford it. Think it over. It seems to be the most successful project that we ever undertake.
Tell Emily and Monty I appreciate their letters very much. I know Monty is a good girl. She told me so herself. I am very proud of them both.
Tell Father there is a great demand for shoe polish here now that the troops are getting settled down and none is available at the PX yet. They should be sold some.
Give my love to all and remember that I love you most of all.
Bill
Maj. Gillham brings up the idea of having another baby, but, as we now know, that idea didn't get very far.
Tokyo
18 Dec 1945
My Dearest,
There is so much that I want to write you that I never get caught up. I sent the kimono for your birthday off today by first class mail. It should get there within a month it seems to me. It is well wrapped and should go in good condition. Getting the kimono was an interesting transaction that I must tell you about sometime. These fellows that have a lot of spare time and official contacts with the Japanese have a chance to get a lot of things, but it is difficult for me because nothing is available in the open except at exhorbitant prices. However, I will get my share of junk before I leave. For instance, although I had to work Sunday, I slipped off for a while and got Maj. Marr, who used to be an instructor at Charlottesville, and we went out to my scrap metal pile again. We spent a couple of interesting hours digging through great piles of junk. I think I learned more about oriental culture there than at Chicago. I have some interesting things which I will send you and the children before long. I am still polishing on them now. The pressure for metal got pretty hard here at the last and they collected some nice things. Also they must have stripped some Chinese temples and sent the metal over here. I know we are burdened with an oversupply of vases, but I liked these. Also there are a pair of brass dogs for each of the children and other things. You can give any of it away that you wish and if you want more, let me know what and I will send you a trunk full of it.
George Bull came in and spent he night Saturday night with me. A place to stay in Tokyo is very difficult for visitors to find, but we solved it very nicely by just rolling out my bedding roll on the floor. With the air mattress and sheets it is as good as one could ask for.
The enclosed "Christmas card" is very novel, don't you think? It was Japanese occupation currency and is now worthless. He probably got a bale of it.
You asked about my health. It is as good as it has been in a long time. No ulcers, no heartburn, no foot trouble and very little arthritis. The latter is always with me, but doesn't disable me for any of my present duties. I have noticed it most in a couple of spells of depression, but they didn't last long and I know about what to expect now. The only trouble is that I am afraid that I am putting on a little weight. The cooking here is superior and everything is easily digested. They also make a lot of desserts like custard, etc. The dining room service certainly beats any I got in the states during the past two or three years. As you take the last mouthful from one course, a little Jap girl picks up the plate and puts down the next course and you never even have to miss a lick.
I have an abacus and am learnig to use it. It is a right clever gadget. It uses the same type of mental process that I always used in mathematics, for instance, to add 8 you add 10 and subtract 2.
I wonder where you are tonight. Probably La Jolla, or somewhere in Arizona. I am glad you got the car fixed. We will probably have to keep it a couple more years, and if any major repairs are needed they should be done now so we will get the benefit of them. I hope they did a good job. I think that is a reliable place where you took it.
I am sorry you have to work out all these weighty financial problems alone. I hope your allotment isn't delayed. I sent you $50 for Christmas which should be in Atlanta by the time you get there.
I will try to send you some more Jan 1st to apply on Father's ticket if he came or to use otherwise if not.
How is Atlanta and how are all the folks? What do they think of Martha? You surely are having a fine family reunion. With Dan in the running now, the clan really should increase. Yes, I would like one more baby, if we can afford it. Think it over. It seems to be the most successful project that we ever undertake.
Tell Emily and Monty I appreciate their letters very much. I know Monty is a good girl. She told me so herself. I am very proud of them both.
Tell Father there is a great demand for shoe polish here now that the troops are getting settled down and none is available at the PX yet. They should be sold some.
Give my love to all and remember that I love you most of all.
Bill
*********************
The novelty Christmas card that Maj. Gillham mentions in this letter was an old 100 peso bill that had a Christmas greeting superimposed on the face by Capt. Samuel Wrightson, an army friend from California who was now also in Japan. The peso currency was printed in the Philippines by the Japanese during their occupation of the country after MacArthur left in 1941. When the U.S. recaptured Manila in 1944, the armed forces used this currency throughout the Pacific. When the base of army operations in the Pacific moved from Manila to Tokyo in 1945, the Filipino-Japanese peso became worthless in Japan and the army began using the local Japanese currency.
The entire text on the face of the bill reads "Captain Samuel H. Wrightson and The Japanese Government wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Wakayama Honshu Japan Christmas 1945." Wakayama is a large steel-producing city and prefecture just south of Osaka, on the main island of Honshu.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Two letters sent to the family on their way east, and a stroll down memory lane
Today I finally made a substantial number of scans and retrofitted them into my previous posts. You are encouraged to go back to those posts and take a look at them. I have also added some text regarding the new images. Here is a list of the affected posts:
January 9, 13, 14, 17, 23, 25 and 31
February 11, 12 and 13
Today's first letter is one of my favorites, and one of the family's as well. In it he takes a stream-of-consciousness walk down memory lane, recounting several incidents that were dear to them both. I hope I have given you enough background so that you can recognize most of the places he mentions. If not, just let me know in a comment.
He wrote two letters today: the first one he wrote to General Delivery in El Paso, TX, for the family to pick up on their trip east. The second one he wrote to 992 Washita Avenue, Atlanta, GA, the home of Frances' parents and their ultimate destination.
Tokyo
8 Dec 1945
Dearest Lovely,
I am sending this letter on now so it will get to El Pase before you do. There is not much that I can write in the way of news, but I can say again that I think you are mighty sweet.
I wonder how the trip has been so far. How you been able to get good places to stay at night? Is the car running all right? Be sure to keep the tire pressure right; about 32 lbs. should be O.K.
It has been nearly five years since you and I were in El Paso before. We had just been to Carlsbad Caverns and were heading west on a big adventure. It has been fun, hasn't it? I think we made the most of it. When I think back over the past five years, it is interesting to see the scenes that come to mind -- A pane of glass broken out at the foot of my bed in a dirty old barracks at Ft. Monroe -- You in a slick black dress in our room at the Chamberlain -- Washington in the snow -- A patch of green grass by the side of the road in Texas where we ate lunch -- Water running through the streets of San Bernardino -- Red geraniums -- "Our" beach at La Jolla with the breakers coming over the green, green sea grass on the rock -- Sleeping in our sleeping bags in the rain in the mountains east of San Diego -- Riding a troop train across the country -- Climbing the bluff at Callan all out of wind -- Looking at battlefields in Virginia with Glore -- Swimming in a warm lake at Orlando -- Sailing on Buzzards Bay -- Bringing in a Christmas tree, getting holly in the heavy snow -- Walking up a blacked-out street in Boston not knowing where we could spend the night -- selecting wine at the Waldorf-Astoria -- A night at Browns Court before getting to Charlottesville -- The people coming out of church at Charlottesville -- Camping in the misty clouds in the Shenandoah -- Winning at the races in Chicago -- Looking at the zoo -- Putting you and Grandmother on the train -- 63rd Street in the snow and slush -- The keen bite of the zero wind on the Midway -- Searching for Flip-Flop down the alley -- Giving the guard your entrance slip at Gardner General -- the lights of Chicago from aboard the aircraft carrier -- The bright stars in Oklahoma -- The first green valley in California -- Martha in her pretty basket -- A chuck roast cooking on the charcoal -- Going up the hill at the Presidio through the everlasting fog with everything drippy -- Kissing you good-bye in the car at CASA -- Watching men come up the gang plank with their duffle bags on their backs -- The spray of a big wave breaking over the bow of the ship -- Fuji Yama looking just like it was supposed to -- And many, many others. All in all I think it has been a good five years, don't you? It has certainly broadened our lives and given us some wonderful memories.
Edward Lang's mother, Cousin Helen, lives at Yesleta, about 12 miles east of El Paso. I think you go right by there so stop and see her. I am sure you will enjoy it. Pass the word conveying my love to all the El Paso relatives. If you go by Dallas look up cousin Herbert.
I also have many childhood memories connected with El Paso. I used to climb all over Mt. Franklin, and I frequently went down to Yesleta to spend the week-end with Edward.
The next place that you may be able to pick up a note from me will be Memphis. I am still writing to Mother's old address there -- 1042 E. McLemore.
Tell Emily and Monty I am looking at their pictures every time I write a letter. I love them very much.
Take good care of yourself and hold our family together until I get home.
All the love in the world,
Bill
Tokyo
8 Dec 1945
Dearest Love,
It is 10 P.M. and I am at the office. I had to catch up on some work and then went to a picture show here in the building. Charles Lawton in Capt. Kidd. It was very good.
After getting my boxes of brass all banded and ready to ship, one of them was a few pounds too heavy to go by parcel post, so I will have to undo it when I get a chance and take something out.
I got a letter this afternoon which exasperated me. It was from that Transportation Officer at the Presidio. He thought I hadn't signed those forms on the right line and is holding your things in Monterey until he hears from me in Japan. In the first place, he is wrong, in the second stupid. I will sign him some more forms just like I did before and send them in the morning. I hope you won't be too muchly inconvenienced by the delay.
I will have to work pretty hard for a few days now. I hope I get another letter from you tomorrow.
My cold is improving.
I surely do miss you, my little sweetie pie. It would be so nice to have you around. You are a part of my being now and I feel very bob-tailed without you. Time is passing and we will be together again before long.
Lots of love,
Bill
January 9, 13, 14, 17, 23, 25 and 31
February 11, 12 and 13
Today's first letter is one of my favorites, and one of the family's as well. In it he takes a stream-of-consciousness walk down memory lane, recounting several incidents that were dear to them both. I hope I have given you enough background so that you can recognize most of the places he mentions. If not, just let me know in a comment.
He wrote two letters today: the first one he wrote to General Delivery in El Paso, TX, for the family to pick up on their trip east. The second one he wrote to 992 Washita Avenue, Atlanta, GA, the home of Frances' parents and their ultimate destination.
Tokyo
8 Dec 1945
Dearest Lovely,
I am sending this letter on now so it will get to El Pase before you do. There is not much that I can write in the way of news, but I can say again that I think you are mighty sweet.
I wonder how the trip has been so far. How you been able to get good places to stay at night? Is the car running all right? Be sure to keep the tire pressure right; about 32 lbs. should be O.K.
It has been nearly five years since you and I were in El Paso before. We had just been to Carlsbad Caverns and were heading west on a big adventure. It has been fun, hasn't it? I think we made the most of it. When I think back over the past five years, it is interesting to see the scenes that come to mind -- A pane of glass broken out at the foot of my bed in a dirty old barracks at Ft. Monroe -- You in a slick black dress in our room at the Chamberlain -- Washington in the snow -- A patch of green grass by the side of the road in Texas where we ate lunch -- Water running through the streets of San Bernardino -- Red geraniums -- "Our" beach at La Jolla with the breakers coming over the green, green sea grass on the rock -- Sleeping in our sleeping bags in the rain in the mountains east of San Diego -- Riding a troop train across the country -- Climbing the bluff at Callan all out of wind -- Looking at battlefields in Virginia with Glore -- Swimming in a warm lake at Orlando -- Sailing on Buzzards Bay -- Bringing in a Christmas tree, getting holly in the heavy snow -- Walking up a blacked-out street in Boston not knowing where we could spend the night -- selecting wine at the Waldorf-Astoria -- A night at Browns Court before getting to Charlottesville -- The people coming out of church at Charlottesville -- Camping in the misty clouds in the Shenandoah -- Winning at the races in Chicago -- Looking at the zoo -- Putting you and Grandmother on the train -- 63rd Street in the snow and slush -- The keen bite of the zero wind on the Midway -- Searching for Flip-Flop down the alley -- Giving the guard your entrance slip at Gardner General -- the lights of Chicago from aboard the aircraft carrier -- The bright stars in Oklahoma -- The first green valley in California -- Martha in her pretty basket -- A chuck roast cooking on the charcoal -- Going up the hill at the Presidio through the everlasting fog with everything drippy -- Kissing you good-bye in the car at CASA -- Watching men come up the gang plank with their duffle bags on their backs -- The spray of a big wave breaking over the bow of the ship -- Fuji Yama looking just like it was supposed to -- And many, many others. All in all I think it has been a good five years, don't you? It has certainly broadened our lives and given us some wonderful memories.
Edward Lang's mother, Cousin Helen, lives at Yesleta, about 12 miles east of El Paso. I think you go right by there so stop and see her. I am sure you will enjoy it. Pass the word conveying my love to all the El Paso relatives. If you go by Dallas look up cousin Herbert.
I also have many childhood memories connected with El Paso. I used to climb all over Mt. Franklin, and I frequently went down to Yesleta to spend the week-end with Edward.
The next place that you may be able to pick up a note from me will be Memphis. I am still writing to Mother's old address there -- 1042 E. McLemore.
Tell Emily and Monty I am looking at their pictures every time I write a letter. I love them very much.
Take good care of yourself and hold our family together until I get home.
All the love in the world,
Bill
******************
Tokyo
8 Dec 1945
Dearest Love,
It is 10 P.M. and I am at the office. I had to catch up on some work and then went to a picture show here in the building. Charles Lawton in Capt. Kidd. It was very good.
After getting my boxes of brass all banded and ready to ship, one of them was a few pounds too heavy to go by parcel post, so I will have to undo it when I get a chance and take something out.
I got a letter this afternoon which exasperated me. It was from that Transportation Officer at the Presidio. He thought I hadn't signed those forms on the right line and is holding your things in Monterey until he hears from me in Japan. In the first place, he is wrong, in the second stupid. I will sign him some more forms just like I did before and send them in the morning. I hope you won't be too muchly inconvenienced by the delay.
I will have to work pretty hard for a few days now. I hope I get another letter from you tomorrow.
My cold is improving.
I surely do miss you, my little sweetie pie. It would be so nice to have you around. You are a part of my being now and I feel very bob-tailed without you. Time is passing and we will be together again before long.
Lots of love,
Bill
**********************
I will have to do a little more digging into the Montagues of Texas that Maj. Gillham speaks of here, but I can pretty much guess that the little boy Monte Lang pictured in a previous post is somehow related to Helen and her son Edward mentioned in today's first letter.
Ysleta, Texas (which Maj. Gillham erroneously refers to as Yesleta in the letter), is a small border town east of El Paso along the Rio Grande. There is a very old mission there, and the town itself was settled in 1680 and is one of the first European settlements in the state of Texas.
The "Mt. Franklin" he refers to in the first letter is actually a small chain called the Franklin Mountains, and there are two major peaks, North Franklin and South Franklin. North Franklin Mountain is the highest, at 7,192 feet.
From left to right, North and South Franklin Mountains,
near El Paso, TX
The film Captain Kidd was released in 1945, so it was a relatively new film for a foreign Army outpost. It starred Charles Laughton ("Lawton" in the letter) in the title role, and also Randolph Scott.
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