Edith Bates

INTRODUCTION
by D. Forest Bates

     On October 7, 1996 I was looking for an original picture of my great grandmother, Lydia Harrington.  I couldn't find one but I saw a box in the corner of the room that had been there since my sister Thora had died.  Her daughters gave it to me two years ago.  It was a box my mother had had and she had made it a little fancy by putting some kitchen wall paper on it.  I decided to look through the box and see if the picture I needed was in it.  I took many things out of the box, but no pictures.  Then, at the very bottom of the box I saw some very old letters still in their original envelopes with a rubber band still around them.   I placed everything back in the box and took the letters to my desk.  I felt like I had just discovered a hidden treasure, an old hidden treasure.   There were ten letters that had been written by my mother and one letter from our grandmother Luvena Adams Bates written between October 1932 and January 1934 to my brother Grant who was living with our Grandmother and Grandfather Lee while going to college at Pocatello, Idaho.  Donna and I have typed them so that all can read these wonderful letters.
     Just a little background to start with.  My father died on 14 May 1932, just a year before she wrote the first letter.  LaVarr, one of the twins, was very sick with a bad heart. He died 28 October 1933.   This was during the Great Depression when the government closed all of the banks and Mother couldn't get her money out.  The sheep business in which Dad was a partner  had to file bankruptcy and Mr. Lincoln, the original owner, had to assume the debts to protect mother from losing her home and two small farms; a thirteen acre farm with a nice house and barns, and a forty acre farm about a mile east across Dry Creek.  Grant had just graduated from high school and wanted to stay home and work the farms and take care of the family, but mother wouldn't hear of it. Your father wanted you to go to college and there is where you will go."  So he went off to college in Pocatello, Idaho, about 100 miles away, mostly graveled roads to travel on.  Mother's stepmother Margaret, whom she sometimes called Maggie, her father Alfred Lee, a sister Wanda and her husband Harley Ward, lived in Pocatello.
     I am certain that after you read these letters you will have a greater appreciation for this wonderful mother, her strong faith and assurance that all will be taken care of by the Lord no matter what happens.  To lose her husband and have to raise eight children alone, then see one of the twins suffer so much as she tried hard to care for him when medical help could do nothing, and then let him go; to see all that she had to do - lease out the two small farms and see that the crops were planted and harvested; to take care of not only sick children but sick cows and sheep, gardens and fruit trees; cows milked and milk was separated, pigs fed, cream churned into butter, the excess milk put out on the street in a five gallon milk can to be picked up so she could have a milk check to buy groceries and clothes for the family;  She raised chickens, kept after the children to make sure they did their home work so they would get good grades in school and had mountains of clothes to wash and iron and mend for those eight kids.  Remember, there were no automatic washers and driers.  You used a clothesline outside in summer and winter. She had a potato cellar built to keep potatoes and garden produce in during the winter. There was little money in those days but she managed to provide all the important things that her family needed; clothes, schooling, music lessons, even sending Grandma butter and cream to help pay for Grant's board and room.

October 1932

Dear Grant and all;

     I received your letter today and was glad to get it. I washed today and sure had a big one - 25 shirts.  I never washed last week.   (From mothers history she discribed the washing machine. "What a washer compared to now a days.  It was a big barrel of wooden slats that went round and round in a tin tub affair.")  It sure has been a cold day and is raining tonite.  We surely enjoy our furnace.  We have all the hot water we want with just the little fire we have been making.  I have my canning all done now except a bushel of prunes.  I want to cover a quilt this week.
     I am sorry grandma was disapointed about us not coming up.  I told her we wouldn't be up until thanksgiving but she didn't think I meant it, but I did.  But I will be glad when it comes. I wish she could have my cream can but am afraid I won't be able to bring it up.  Is she out of butter?
     I guess you had quite a time Thursday.  I bet you freshman got as much fun out of it as the others did.
     I can plainly see what you enjoy most in school.  You never mention any of your work except music.  How are you getting along in your other subjects? and how do you like them? But I am glad you are getting along so well in music.  You will have a lot of songs to sing for us when you come home.   Does Wanda play for you? (Wanda Ward mothers sister)  What are the names of your songs?  If she hasn't given you any sacred songs yet, have her do so if she will.
     I was so glad you went to see Brother Sessions (a good friend of the families who Grant stayed with later on) and got to take the New Testement.  I was quite disapointed when you didn't get to take it at first.
     The Bishop and the men that are digging and hauling his beets are comming to do yours the last of this week or first of next.
     I went to church last nite and had to make a speech for the Relief Society.
     I went to see Lincoln Saturday when I went to Twin. He gave me the money for my share of grain over on the forty which was $28.00.  He handed me a check for $50.00 and said the rest was to go on what he owed on Daddy's wages but he wouldn't tell me just how much he owed.   I spent part of it for some blankets and the kids some underwear and shirts. What do you think about letting James (James Clausen Aunt Thelma Lees brother) having that place over there.  I don't see how I am going to hire a man this fall for hauling manure and plowing.  And then again in the spring.  Roe (Uncle Roe Lee mothers brother) wants this place here and put it all in beets.  I told him I would write you and see if you wanted it, but we would have to hire a man to plow it this fall and plant the seed in the spring.  Think it over or talk to Dad (probably Mother's father) and see if he thinks it would pay to try and run it ourselves.  Roe wants to know right away so he can start to plow, but I really do think we'd better let the other place go.  Don't you?  It is so hard in the spring to find anyone with teams and machinery who are not busy.  Let me know when you write what you think about it so I can let them know.  Guess I will close and go to bed.
                                                                                 Love to all - Mother.

P.S. I received a letter from Grandma Bates the other day.  I wish you would write to her.  She would be so glad to get a letter from her.  Tell her about your work and about Brother Sessions talking to you.  She knows him so well.  Her address is:

Mrs. Lavina Bates
64 West Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah

I am sending five.  If Grandma wants some, let her have half of it and if you need more, let me know.  I want you to keep track of everything you spend so we will know just how much your school costs.

(These were included in the same letter:)

Dear Grant,

     How are you.  I am just fine.  I like school fine.  How are you getting along in school, Big Chief.  From Forest Bates.

 (LaVarr enclosed a sheet of paper showing how he could write his numbers, 1 to 100 then wrote.)  "To Grant from LaVarr"

March 12, 1932

Dear Son and folks,

     We received your letter the other day and was glad to hear from you.  Had begun to think you were not going to write.  I hope you are up in your studies or at least making progress that way. I don't know when I am going to be able to send any money, but guess you all understand and why. They say the banks will open tomorrow.  I hope so.
             LaVarr is about the same.  Some nights he sleeps real well, and others he doesn't sleep much.  He had about as bad a night last night as he has ever had.  He has just simply refused to take his medicine and I believe it helped him a lot.  I am trying to starve him to it this morning.  I have tried every other way.      The young black cow has been awfully sick.  We thought sure yesterday she was going to die, but is feeling better this morning.  The old red cow freshened yesterday.  We all getting along fine.  Roe and Thelma are still here.  (Roe was mothers brother) He is going to quit over at the sheds this week and start to hauling manure here so it will be lots more handy with them here.  He will be able to get more done.   I told you Vern (Vern Lee another of mothers brothers) went after that house, but they wouldn't let him have it. It was up for sale for taxes.  I should have looked into it more before I bought it, so I am just out $35.00, but guess we will live just as long.  I could buy it from the county for $35.00 more, but don't fell like it is worth it.
     The snow is almost gone here.  The roads are dusty in some places. Uncle Judson (Tolman) and Emerett (Dad's sister) came home yesterday.  I hope Harley J. (Ward) and Grandma are feeling better. Don't guess you are getting much work now with money like it is here.  If things don't change soon, we will have to send Grant home.  Wish I could send you some more butter and cream.
     Will close.  Lots of love and good luck to all

Mother.

April 1933

Dear Grant and folks,

     We are getting poor at writing on this paper, but can't find any other thing in the house.  If I wait for more, no telling when I will write and I guess you have been waiting for a letter before now.  The kids got home okey but were sure all in.  Did they drive you about crazy while they were there.  That was quite a bunch to put off onto you, but we all appreciate you taking them all in. Roe is here this morning marking off the hay so it can be watered. We are having nice weather. Wish I could get out and work.  LaVarr is feeling pretty good this morning.   Has been sleeping all morning.  I have quit taking him to that doctor.  He told me he was afraid he couldn't do anything for him. He expected to have the bloating all down the first week. but never got it down any.  He said if the bloat did go down, he knew he could cure his heart. For me to bring him back and he could treat him regardless of any money.  So I guess there is nothing to do now but just wait and see how things turn out.  Sometimes I feel he just isn't supposed to get better and again I feel he will surely outgrow it.  It doesn't seem to get any worse.
     I have 11 chicks hatched yesterday.  Three more hens sitting so maybe we will have some fries.  I got my car license with some of that government money. James got it - cost $15.35.  I don't know of any more news and it's about time they are going to school.  I started this letter yesterday.  I heard last night that you were terribly homesick.  How about it.  You musn't get that way.  If you need any more money I can spare a dollar or so out of the cream check.  Let me know if you do.  We're getting along just fine with the work since Thelma (Lee) left.  She comes back and does her and my washing so that helps out a heap.

Love to all Mother 

P.S. Leo (her brother from Salt Lake City) was down but didn't get to see much of him.  I think he took back a load of apples but maybe he has been there.

June 1, 1933

 Dear Son and all,

     I just received two letters in the mail today.  One of them had been to San Jaonits, Nev.  I will have to confes I was very much put out to think you couldn't at least find time one Sunday to write.   LaVarr is about the same as I can see, and boy is he tanned.  He stays outside almost all the time when the weather is good.  I got him a rubber cushion (maybe I told you).  I put it on the ground and he digs in the dirt with a hoe.  Sometimes I am tempted to let him try and walk a little every day and see if that would take the swelling down from his feet.  Doesn't swell at all any more no matter how long his feet hang down.  He has been eating anything he wants for some time and it doesn't seem to bother him any.
     I was sure sorry about Bessie's boy.  It is certainly bad enough to have sickness when you have plenty to get along with.  I often wonder what in the world I would do now if I had no income. It seems to go so quick.  Every month and I am always broke before the month is half up.  This month I have to dig up $55.00 life insurance, mine and yours, Grant, are both due this month.  I will pay it and then you can pay me back.  If you make anything this fall, my electric bill is $12.15.  This month we have sure got to shut off our hot water heater, but we sure do miss it.  I am going to send the wheelchair with Picketts.  It is my only chance and if they think I should pay some rent, I will.
     Maggie (Grandmother Lee), I am sure sorry I haven't one of my little beds to send up, but I sold them both.   I came almost keeping them but was afraid they would just get broke up.  I only got $2.50 a piece for them and they were just as good as new.  
     The boys are helping Roe thin his beets and he is going to make us a rubber tired wagon.  He has just got through making him one.  We have about two more days thinning here.  Some of them were still coming up so they left them for a few days. The beet man was here the other day. He came while they were in to dinner. Roe went out and he asked him who was doing the thinning.  He said it was about the best job in the country and he could get them several more patches if they wanted them.  I sure wish ours had been done. They start on those on the forty next Monday or Tuesday.
     I have had rhumetism in my shoulder the last few days until I could hardly stand it or sleep at nite.
     We sure had a terrible dust storm this evening but it is quite nice now.  We went to Twin this morning, Thora and I and the three little ones. We took our cream check and got a few groceries.
     I must close and go to bed. Hope you get along fine in your exams.  Am glad you are enjoying the young folks in the ward.  It is nice of Grandma to let them come there.
     The fruit trees are all doing fine. Some of them are in blossom, can you believe it, but guess we will be able to pick all the fruit they have on this year.  Yes, we got the other two trees out.  I am sure discouraged about my family in school this year they did fine up until christmas.  I guess because I wasn't behind them all the time and encourageing them they never tried.  Lavell, Forrest and Arlin all failed. I know if I had taken more interest in them and the teachers they would never have failed. It seems like the parents just have to show an interest in their children or the teachers won't. Some of them at least.
     I just see out the window the boys have made a big fire out of those limbs.  I feel like spanking them. They should be in bed. They hate so to get out in the morning.
     Must close. Lots of love to all

Mother

September 21, 1933

Dear Grant;

     I have just been looking the house over for a piece of paper to write to you on but couldn't find a sheet any where so finely got one of your examination books down stairs.
     You said we would be suprised to hear from you so soon, but I surly would have been disapointed if we had not gotten a letter last nite.  I was so anxious to hear how you came out with your registration. It sounds to me real good and I hope you will study hard and make a real success of them this year. Was also glad you are satisfied with your meals.  Will you have to have more money before I get my check next month?  If so, I will have to try and sell these calves and lambs.  Ivan Lincoln was here the other day but I didn't have the nerve to ask for any.  Let me know right back about it. Did you pay Brother Sessions for the room?
     It is certainly just like fall here today, the wind blowing and quite cold.
     Mark and Roe are putting the dirt on the cellar today. We had to buy a lot more straw. Got it from Randalls.
     Some of the people are digging their beets now.  Roe is going to cut our hay tomorrow. We butchered one of the calves day before yesterday.  I canned meat all day yesterday and have some more to do.  It is certainly a job, but it looks so nice and I'm glad we have it.
     You said you were taking a vocal and ensemble class.  What do you do in that class?
     You said you were so thankful to me for letting you stay so close.  I am sure thankful too that you are and all I ask is that you get as much out of your work as you can.  Be a good boy and if you are ever up a stump as they say, don't be afraid to go to Brother Sessions or Sister Sessions.  I know either one of them would help you.  Even in your chemistry I know they will help you.
     I must close.  It is almost dinner time.  Write and tell me about everything.  I hope you keep well.  We are all well except LaVarr.  He hasn't been to school for 3 days.  He looks so pale. Today he hasn't been off the cot at all.  I was so in hopes he would be able to stay in school.  But guess it just wasn't meant to be.  And yet he may just be having a cold.  There are so many around with it.
     Saw Ruby this morning.  Said she had just received a letter from you.

                                                                        Lots of love
                                                                            Mother

P.S.  Roland is feeling so bad to think the typewriter is not here. They have decided to give typing this year and he wants to take it so bad.  Do you still have that one in your room?  If so, I sure wish yours was here.

September 1933

 Dear Grant

     Just received your laundry.  Was surprised you boys do not have more dirty shirts.  If you don't dirty more than that, you won't have to send your laundry more than every two weeks.  I was just talking to Rex's (Tolman) mother and we decided you could wait and just send it when all your shirts are dirty. We will send them right back before you need them.  And your pajamas don't need washing every week.  They may get a little mussed, but they won't be very dirty when you have such a nice clean bed to sleep in.
     You may think your laundry box won't hold so much, but it will if you put them in right.

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