Today we find out that Maj. Gillham has finally learned that the family has made it safely home to Atlanta and that they had some trouble just before they made it. To refresh your memory, the family lost use of the car's headlights on Christmas Eve in Tallapoosa, GA, about an hour east of Atlanta, and the girls were so afraid that Santa Claus would pass them by if they weren't at home. Luckily, a man at the garage they stopped at was heading into Atlanta, too, so Pop drove close behind him the whole way, using the man's headlights as a guide. As Maj. Gillham puts it, they "came in with Santa Claus" and made it just in time.
Just to let you know, it's only a few more posts until Frances gets into the act. Her first letter is from January 14, so I will post that soon. Stay tuned!
My mother (Monty) remembers seeing the gong that Maj. Gillham refers to in this letter, but she's not sure where it ended up. Does anyone out in Blogland have any information as to its current whereabouts?
Tokyo
7 Jan 46
Dearest Love,
Yours written Christmas day received, and it was a great relief to know you had gotten to Atlanta safely. I am sorry you had so much trouble on the home stretch. You must have come in with Santa Claus.
I was surprised to hear that that box was there. I didn't think you would get it before spring. Parcel post must move faster going to the states, as they have a better organized distribution system on the receiving end.
I sent a little box to the children today containing some little odds and ends that might interest them. Among them are the seashells I picked up a couple of weeks ago. They are ordinary types of shells, but seem to contain more color, especially when wet. Notice how some look like they have Japanese writing on them.
I am also sending two big boxes of metal objects from my scrap metal pile. I haven't cleaned them up but I think they have potential. If some need minor repairs we can work on them in our metal shop when we get set up again.
See that everybody in the family that wants any of the stuff gets some. The only things I particularly want to keep are the cymbal and the gong. That gong has a wonderful tone when struck with a padded object.
You said you were going up to Memphis soon. I will be interested in your report on things there, but hope you don't overdo yourself.
Cpl. Newton Allen (Seddon Allen's son from Memphis) brought a Sgt. Broadnox by to see me last night. Broadnox is from Atlanta, Ga. Tech and Camp Callan. Allen had just finished at Princeton when the Army got him. They are both very fine young fellows. I enjoyed talking to them very much. It almost made me feel young again. They are scheming to get discharged here and hook up with some newspapers and go home via Europe. If I were a little younger I think I would go with them. However, I hear there is some possibility of the Army taking some officers home that way, and I may do it if I have a chance when the time comes.
I am anxious to hear all about the Holsenbeck house party. I know you will have a fine time. How long since you were all together at the same time? I hope that you won't be so crowded that you get in each other's hair. I tried to help a situation like that once by staying at a hotel, and only got myself in the dog house.
I am sorry that my letters which greeted you on your arrival in Atlanta were those where I was fussing about your lack of plans. I trust that you have received some more pleasant ones since.
Goodnight, Sweetheart.
Bill
Showing posts with label brass scrap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label brass scrap. Show all posts
Monday, March 15, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
A few days off for Christmas, to straighten up the room and explore Japan
Christmas is coming and Maj. Gillham is finally getting some time off after working for nearly 20 days straight. Now he is finally going to have some time to clean up his hotel room, which has suffered from neglect. It reminds me of my college days when I was working on an important paper: all my energy was devoted to producing the paper, and after I handed it in, I would then survey the catastrophe that had become my dorm room.
Tokyo
22 Dec 45
My Own Sweet Darling,
The letter that I received from you yesterday is the nicest you ever wrote, I do believe. It contained beautiful thoughts and they were so well expressed. It certainly does me a lot of good to know that someone as sweet as you loves me. You can just imagine how much I miss you over here where the whole world is strange and new and wonderful. I long to consult with you on each strange new thing I see; I try to write you about them, but it is not the same. I find that I am happiest when I am packing a gadget or taking a picture to send to you. It seems that then I am a little closer to you, since at least the article will reach you. I think you should try your hand at writing. You did all right in that last letter.
I am off today for the first time in three weeks. I will only work 1/2 day during the next four, so I should get rested up. I already feel fine. I slept late, got up an took a Japanese bath, and ate breakfast in my room It consisted of Nescafe, crackers, and "Bruce's Juices." My room is a mess. I have too much junk and get more all the time. I have brass, papers, books, food, shoes, clothes, duffle bags, etc. scattered everywhere. The room boy does his best, but it is too much for him.
So, this morning I have been trying to classify the stuff and find a place for it all. I can't throw any of it away. I even have a temple gong -- I must try to get that home. It has a wonderful tone and is about 1-1/2 feet in diameter. I have the box of brass I am sending you all ready to ship today. That will help some.
Last night I opened my 1-lb. can of Edgeworth Junior tobacco that I bought in Charlottesville over a year and a half ago. It was in fine condition and quite an improvement on the dried out stuff we get here.
I was able to buy a nice pair of low quartered shoes at the quartermasters for $3.60.
Joe Atwood just called up. He is coming over and have lunch with me. He is just passing through Tokyo. Says he is going to move to Osaka soon.
Do you remember Grant from Camp Callan? He has just moved in down the hall, on the same floor.
I have been reading about the cold wave in the states and worrying about you all. I hope you don't get cold or have any trouble. The price for fixing the car sounds very reasonable. I thought it would be much more.
Christmas I plan to cultivate the cultural side a little. I will go hear Kagawa, the famous Japanese Christian, in the morning; and hear a choir from the Imperial University give Handel's Messiah in the evening.
Tomorrow night I am going to the play "Kiss and Tell."
I met a newly arrived "civilian expert" from Washington the other day named Harry Wright. Six months ago, he was a sergeant in Europe. Now he has a $10,000 job here. He is 31 years old. He is from Memphis -- used to have a boat on the Mississippi. In fact, he once went to Helena on a raft made of oil drums. He has done a lot of jug fishing. You can imagine that we hit it off pretty good. We are planning to get a car Sunday and do a little exploring.
The neighbors at Robles were mighty nice to you before you left. We have some good friends there.
I love you,
Bill
The famous Japanese Christian Kagawa that Maj. Gillham refers to in this letter is in fact Toyohiko Kagawa (1888-1960), who was also well known as a pacifist and labor activist. He fell into disfavor with the Japanese government in 1920 and was arrested as a labor agitator. After the WWII, he was part of the Japanese goverment that offered to surrender to the Allies. He wrote over 150 books, many of which were composed during his long prison sentence in the 1920s. He is one of the few people to be nominated for the Nobel Prizes for both Literature and Peace, although he never won either. As you will find out later in these letters, Maj. Gillham was not able to see Kagawa in person, as he cancelled his lecture.
Edgeworth Junior Ready-Rubbed tobacco was a product of the Larus & Brother company in Richmond, Virginia, and the brand still exists today. Here is a photo of an old tin, most likely exactly or very similar to the one-pound tin mentioned in today's letter.
Tokyo
22 Dec 45
My Own Sweet Darling,
The letter that I received from you yesterday is the nicest you ever wrote, I do believe. It contained beautiful thoughts and they were so well expressed. It certainly does me a lot of good to know that someone as sweet as you loves me. You can just imagine how much I miss you over here where the whole world is strange and new and wonderful. I long to consult with you on each strange new thing I see; I try to write you about them, but it is not the same. I find that I am happiest when I am packing a gadget or taking a picture to send to you. It seems that then I am a little closer to you, since at least the article will reach you. I think you should try your hand at writing. You did all right in that last letter.
I am off today for the first time in three weeks. I will only work 1/2 day during the next four, so I should get rested up. I already feel fine. I slept late, got up an took a Japanese bath, and ate breakfast in my room It consisted of Nescafe, crackers, and "Bruce's Juices." My room is a mess. I have too much junk and get more all the time. I have brass, papers, books, food, shoes, clothes, duffle bags, etc. scattered everywhere. The room boy does his best, but it is too much for him.
So, this morning I have been trying to classify the stuff and find a place for it all. I can't throw any of it away. I even have a temple gong -- I must try to get that home. It has a wonderful tone and is about 1-1/2 feet in diameter. I have the box of brass I am sending you all ready to ship today. That will help some.
Last night I opened my 1-lb. can of Edgeworth Junior tobacco that I bought in Charlottesville over a year and a half ago. It was in fine condition and quite an improvement on the dried out stuff we get here.
I was able to buy a nice pair of low quartered shoes at the quartermasters for $3.60.
Joe Atwood just called up. He is coming over and have lunch with me. He is just passing through Tokyo. Says he is going to move to Osaka soon.
Do you remember Grant from Camp Callan? He has just moved in down the hall, on the same floor.
I have been reading about the cold wave in the states and worrying about you all. I hope you don't get cold or have any trouble. The price for fixing the car sounds very reasonable. I thought it would be much more.
Christmas I plan to cultivate the cultural side a little. I will go hear Kagawa, the famous Japanese Christian, in the morning; and hear a choir from the Imperial University give Handel's Messiah in the evening.
Tomorrow night I am going to the play "Kiss and Tell."
I met a newly arrived "civilian expert" from Washington the other day named Harry Wright. Six months ago, he was a sergeant in Europe. Now he has a $10,000 job here. He is 31 years old. He is from Memphis -- used to have a boat on the Mississippi. In fact, he once went to Helena on a raft made of oil drums. He has done a lot of jug fishing. You can imagine that we hit it off pretty good. We are planning to get a car Sunday and do a little exploring.
The neighbors at Robles were mighty nice to you before you left. We have some good friends there.
I love you,
Bill
**********************
The famous Japanese Christian Kagawa that Maj. Gillham refers to in this letter is in fact Toyohiko Kagawa (1888-1960), who was also well known as a pacifist and labor activist. He fell into disfavor with the Japanese government in 1920 and was arrested as a labor agitator. After the WWII, he was part of the Japanese goverment that offered to surrender to the Allies. He wrote over 150 books, many of which were composed during his long prison sentence in the 1920s. He is one of the few people to be nominated for the Nobel Prizes for both Literature and Peace, although he never won either. As you will find out later in these letters, Maj. Gillham was not able to see Kagawa in person, as he cancelled his lecture.
Edgeworth Junior Ready-Rubbed tobacco was a product of the Larus & Brother company in Richmond, Virginia, and the brand still exists today. Here is a photo of an old tin, most likely exactly or very similar to the one-pound tin mentioned in today's letter.
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.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Early Christmas greetings for the family
Today's letter was addressed to the Gillhams' new "home," 992 Washita Avenue in Atlanta, which was actually the home of Frances' parents, Lucile Dixon Kiser Holsenbeck and Daniel Marshall Holsenbeck, Jr. (known throughout the family as Mother Cile and Pop). It is located in the Inman Park section of Atlanta, about 2 miles east of downtown, and is still standing today.
The house at 992 Washita had become the family homestead of the Holsenbecks, with various children and grandchildren living there with Mother Cile and Pop over the years, especially during the War. Frances, Emily and Monty had lived there while Maj. Gillham was at officer training in Ft. Monroe, VA, in 1940-41. Pop's youngest brother, Gartrell, lived there for a long time after the First World War, and the Holsenbecks' daughter Bryant and son-in-law Carl lived there at various points during and after the Second World War. Mother Cile's mother, Mary Emma Dixon Kiser (Mother Ki), also lived in the house, so by the time Frances and the girls arrived in December, 1945, the only place for Emily and Monty to sleep was in a little alcove in the hallway at the top of the stairs. Frances, of course, introduced the idea as an exciting adventure, so the girls took to it right away and felt very special in their new digs.
We also learn about Maj. Gillham's discovery of a brass and metal dump, which is where he finds much of the brass items that we now have around the house.
Tokyo
14 Dec 1945
Dear Love,
I haven't heard from you in several days, in fact it was before I wrote you the letter to Memphis. It seems that the mail comes in bunches.
It is getting so close to Christmas that I want to get this off in time to wish you and the children and all the family a very Merry Christmas. I am glad that you are all together and only wish that I could be there too.
I hope that your trip was not too hard on you and that you are not too tired to enjoy Christmas.
I saw a Life magazine last night about Oct 20th. It had a series in it on "The Californian Way of Life," which made me very homesick for California There were several shots of the Lek's house in La Jolla.
If Life ever uses the Carmel Art Gallery subject, let me know.
I have been working pretty hard for the past two weeks with no time off and some night work. It makes the time go faster and I am glad to have something useful to do.
However, I haven't been able to get out and see and do things much lately. The only time is when I had to go across town to see a Navy captain about some information on Japanese shipping. My jeep driver and I found a great pile (about 5 acres) of scrap metal that the Japs had collected, apparently much of it from China, as there were many Chinese brass coins lying around. There was everything imaginable in this pile. I found an excellent brass statue of the laughing Buddha about two feet high which I would like to have, but I am afraid it is a little big and heavy to send home. I didn't have as much time to "dig" as I needed and want to go back the first chance I get.
We should be through with this rush in a few days and I will have time to get out some.
The weather here is gradually becoming cooler, but so far it is very pleasant. We have had very little rain and no freezing weather. It is about like October at home.
This will be the first Christmas I haven't been at home for at least a part of the day. The war broke into some of them but I always got to see you and the children for a little while. I will be missing you and thinking of you and loving you and looking forward to our reunion.
Take full advantage of this visit and enjoy yourself.
Just by virtue of coming over here, and some recent changes in regulations, I have become entitled to several ribbons. You can't get them here, so will you send me a set please: (1) American Defense, (2) American Theatre, (3) Asiatic Pacific Theatre, (4) World War II Victory. They should be mounted on a bar in that order. The type that fastens on with the same kind of catch as used on branch insignia is better than a pin. Also, if they are covered with some sort of transparent plastic they don't get dirty so quickly. A small package can be sent air mail at not too great a cost. It seems that the air mail is the only dependable means of communication here at the moment. Cables are now available for general use, voice telephone is expected in January, but for emergency use only. We will surely have to get up some emergency!
Give each member of the family my especial love and all of your have a very merry Christmas.
Love,
Bill
*******************
This past week I found four medals of Maj. Gillham's, two of which he mentioned in the above letter. Three of them were issued by the Army, and one was presented by the UDC for its members who fought in WWII. I also found an "A" artillery patch that he no doubt got while assigned at the Coastal Artillery base of Camp Callan in the early 1940s. As with all the photos in this blog, you can click on them to get a larger image.
The American Defense medal, front and back
The World War II medal, front and back
Army of Occupation (Japan) medal, front and back
The United Daughters of the Confederacy WWII medal
Fortes-Creantur-Fortibus
(Strength-Creator-Fortune)
Artillery patch from Camp Callan, CA, ca. 1942
The two other medals he mentions in the letter, those for service in the American Theatre and Asia-Pacific Theatre, have not been located. It is assumed he didn't mention the Army of Occupation medal since he had not been awarded it yet.
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