Family names in this letter and their relationship to my father are:
- 'Mom' was Olive Letha Rose Schnack, his mother
- 'Mr. Cole' was Howard Cole, his father-in-law
- 'Mrs. Cole' was Ruth Elma Harder Cole, his mother-in-law
- 'Cindy' or 'Cindy Lou' is Cindy Lou Schnack Arsenault Coffell, his daughter
- 'Eddie' was Edward Alexander Schnack, his brother
- 'Dad' was Jochim Walter Schnack, his father
26 December 1955
Manhattan, Kansas
Dear Mom and all,
I'm sorry I haven't written sooner but, gosh, we have been so busy we don't know whether we're going or coming. We have moved. Where we were living, the owner's father-in-law had a house, 12 rooms, which he wanted $125 for and, of course, it scared me away. Then an old friend of mine from Fort Knox and Germany came over to see us one day and mentioned he had to find a larger place because he had only 3 rooms and two kids. So, I mentioned this house to him. We all got in the car and came to see it. It was so large, we decided to share it. There is only one kitchen and bath but rather than share it we both use it. I guess that sounds a little crazy but what I mean is that, rather than them cook something and us cook something, we all eat at the same time and all eat the same thing. We buy the staples and they buy the meat. It works very nice. There is a large front room, a library room, bathroom, kitchen, dining room, and 2 large bedrooms downstairs. Upstairs, there are
3 rooms. We use two of them for the kids and use the other for a sewing room, although I haven't seen much sewing going on. In back of the house there used to be a barn about the size of our horse barn on the farm in Laurens. It caught fire in October and they put it out but it sure was an eyesore and the people around have complained and the owner offered a dollar an hour to take it down. It's down now and we are waiting for a big truck so we can haul it away. The 4th of December, our main body got here and we had to get them straight. Then they started classes and, of course, I had quite a few. We have newer tanks than those we had in Germany and a lot different. Actually, none of us know too much about them yet. We had to give classes so that used up many hours of time reading and preparing. Then again, half the company is on leave; and guard and charge of quarters still roll around only a lot faster. We just barely got time to do any shopping. I'm sure glad the stores stayed open later or we would never of made it.
I presume you received your gifts. We received yours and I can sure take a hint and we do want to thank you. They are swell. We had planned to buy some in January because the Army says I will lose weight or else. We called Mr. & Mrs. Cole last night and will call you New Years if we can get a circuit. It took all afternoon, till 7:00, to get Coles. I have changed cars again. The Chevy turned out to be either an ex-taxi or police car and after you looked close, was in sad shape. The guy gave me $737 trade-in. I paid $750. A different dealer, of course. I now have a '53 Studebaker Land Cruiser, 4 door, tinted glass, white sidewalls, large hubcaps, radio, under seat heaters, and window washers. The cost was $1095 plus $462 he paid off on the Chevy. I sold the Lincoln for $55 junk. I met the man who used to have the car and he's an office supervisor for Kansas Farm Mutual Insurance and an ex-college professor here in town.
It only had 34,000 + on it. A brand new tire as spare and the rest look very good. I met him before I bought the car because he was trading for a '56 which hadn't arrived yet. The dealer had to let him have a car till his came in after I bought his old one. Irene even likes this one. So, I guess I'll keep it. Our T.V. quit night before last and, of course, no repairman until tomorrow due to holidays. Makes me quite mad. We had a lot of guests and expect more and no T.V. to help entertain. Cindy had a temp of 103.2 last night and we took her out to see a doctor. He examined her and its her tonsils. They are bad and cause her ears to be infected. Its the second time. He gave her a shot of penicillin and some drops for her ears and told us to keep her inside and not let her catch a cold because that's what causes all the trouble. I hope she doesn't catch one because he said they can't take tonsils out until 3 years of age and that's a long time off.
I got Irene a pair of loafers for Christmas and she got me a pair of house slippers. Cindy Lou got clothes. She received quite a few toys from people we know within the 63rd. As soon as we get some pictures developed, we will send some on. I know you'll want some. Cindy still has no teeth but indications are she's trying. I'm sorry to hear about Eddie and the Ford plant. I think he should try the Army and go in for Tanks. How's business at the shop? I still owe Dad $12 which I'll send as soon as I can see daylight through all my bills which I have to pay or quit living. I sure appreciate him waiting so patiently. Well Mom, I'll TRY to write more often, but we are quite busy. So, until another time we remain,
The Schnacks
Sgt. & Mrs. W. Schnack
1227 Poyntz Ave.
Manhattan, Kansas
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