1954 9 19 Walter J. and Irene Schnack to his mother

This letter was written by my father and mother to his mother.  What I find endearing in this letter is his comment about the newspaper photograph accompanying the announcement of his cousin, Chuck's wedding.  I've included the newspaper clipping at the end.

In my previous post, I wondered about the identity of 'Kathy.'  I'm almost sure now that it is my Aunt Katie, Katharine Rose Schnack Jones Gall Hammon.

The names in this letter and their relationship to my father are:

• 'Mom' was Olive Letha Rose Schnack, his mother
• 'Irene' was Irene Orvetta Cole Schnack, his wife
• 'Eddie' was Edward Alexander Schnack, his brother
• 'Mr. Cole' was Howard Cole, his father-in-law
• 'Dad' was Jochim Walter Schnack, his father
• 'Kathy' was Katharine Rose Schnack Jones Gall Hammon, his sister
• 'Chuck' is Charles Elbert Rose, his cousin
• 'Betty' is Elizabeth Ann Olmsted Rose, Chuck's wife
• 'Jake' was Walter J. Schnack, himself

Sept. 19, 1954
E'town, Kentucky

Dear Mom,

Well, I see where six days have gone by since we received your very welcome letter so I think its high time (we) I wrote you.

I'm glad to hear your cake arrived in such good condition.  I guess the boys didn't get too hungry.  When Irene told me she had sent it, I figured the boys might get hungry and goodbye cake.  I know I would have been tempted.  They sure made good time getting home.  I know they must have really rolled because in 24 hours I drove as close to 60 as much as I could.  Maybe they didn't get lost like I did.  Did they follow the route I mapped out or did they take one of their own?  Have them (Eddie) tell Mr. Cole the route, too, so he won't have as much trouble

when he comes down.  Irene and I were both real pleased to have them come down.  I only wish they could have stayed a little longer, for Irene's sake anyway.  I showed them all of the tanks I could in the short time they were here.  I wish I hadn't of had CQ the night they were here but as it was, they were tired and needed the sleep.  I know Irene was tickled to have them.  She still all of a sudden up and says, "Gee, I'm glad the boys came."  I hope they can come again soon.  I hope also to see you and Dad and Kathy, too.  Has Eddie heard from Morrisville?  Or, has he gotten himself a good job?  They're hard to find.

I know what you mean when you say you've had to go it alone when it comes to church.  We haven't missed a Sunday yet.

I really enjoy listening to his sermons.  They hold my attention better than any other minister's.

I saw the picture in the paper of Chuck and Betty and I didn't think it was a very good one.  Of course, you would recognize Chuck but he seemed to be looking at something off to one side.  It's too bad they have to be separated so soon after being married.  They sure sent Chuck his papers at a very bad time.  I'm glad to hear you have such a good bunch of pupils this year.  Maybe you'll have an enjoyable year this year.

I'll want those license papers, also my pretty blue shoes, and all my ties.  If there are any more of my clothes around, send them down, too.

 I'm glad to hear you received so much nice cabbage.  It is good food.

We brought four with us when we came and today we finished the last of it.

The weather here has cooled off.  It's only 77 days now that the temp has been over 90°.  I suppose you could use some of it up there, couldn't you?

If Reynold's sends you another bill, hold on to it.  I'm going to send them some money the first of October.  Gee, you just don't seem to have so much cash when you're married, do you?  I know, "I told you so."  But, darned if I'm not happier with no money and a nice wife than I was with no money and no wife.  A few years ago I thought you could live on love.  I'm sure glad I changed my mind about that.

Well, we do have a nice car and a lot of nice furnishings and we aren't hurting for anything; so we shouldn't

complain.  I know quite a few couples that have debts coming out their ears and don't know how to pay them.  (Just give me time and I'll be the same way.)  I'm only kidding.

I'm going to work at the restaurant all next week while the boss is on vacation.  I know it will be hard on both Irene and myself but its not going to be steady and a week won't hurt, I don't believe.

You know, Irene has gotten so she can cook almost as good as I can.  She baked a real good cake the other night.  It was the landlady's birthday so we had her over for supper.  By over, I mean over on our side of the house; she had to walk from her dining room into ours.  Pretty neat, I'd say.  Irene's leaning over my shoulder and just pestering the

the daylights out of me.  Whatcha gonna do?

How's business for Dad?  I hope it is still good, after all, ___ ___ ___ to go skiing this winter.  When I come home next time (whenever that is), I'll let him do some work for me.  I'll probably need it by then.

Since I haven't written to my in-laws since I've had them, I think it's about time I did so.  I'll just put in my scribble with Jake's.  I don't know as there's much left for me to say.

Do you remember the cookies we liked so well when my folks were there?  They're the ones Pa said are never made twice alike.  I would like the recipe.  How do you make your brown sugar icing?  Jake wants me to put it on our next

chocolate cake.  And too, how do you fix the chocolate on the white icing?  Jake wants that, too.

You sure raised a wonderful son.  I think he's grand.  Noone knows how wonderful he is.  I consider myself real lucky.  We get along swell, too.

Love,
Irene and Jake

Almost a manuscript, no?

The Oneonta Star, 15 Sep 1954, page14, 1st column