Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, October 1, 1945

Happy day honey, I finally hit the jackpot in letters today. I received five from you, the 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th, also one from Hanks, Ada and mother. I’m not kidding when I say those boosted my morale 100%. You can imagine how depressed one can get when every day is rainy and gloomy, nothing to do for excitement and then to top it off, no mail. It is still raining here tonite which makes nine consecutive days and nights. While I think of it honey, I want to tell you I received the last $15.00 making a total of $30.00. Incidentally I could have sold them tonite for 5 to 1 or $150.00 but didn’t do it as would still like to buy a watch as I stated before. If it works out that I can’t go to Switzerland, I can always get rid of them at a profit.

Ada wrote that she had quit her job with J & R and taken one as Senior Clerk in the State Assistance Office. Hanks also wrote about her leaving but as he stated no doubt some of the boys would be coming back for jobs and apparently she used that as one of her reasons for leaving. She mentioned that the job wore her out too much and that at her new one she will be sitting most of the time.

Hanks said to hurry home soon and that the Lincoln store was waiting for me. He also remarked that perhaps we could meet in Chicago and stay with them while there however I think that would be impossible with my going to Leavenworth. I sent him some of the Dachau pictures and he mentioned taking them to luncheon club and showing them to some of the fellows. Said some of them didn’t eat much after viewing them.

I was really busy again today with my three jobs and even yet they are trying to switch me to Bn Hq’s. I worked like hell in Supply trying to get all equipment checked in for the boys leaving Wednesday. There will be forteen leaving then and Insull will be one of them, the lucky guy. I worked in the C.P. tonite and will have to work there again in the morning. We are really in a mess at present for lack of clerks and don’t seem to be getting any in our new group coming in.

Last night we went into Salzburg and saw one of the best pictures I have seen over here. It was “Music For Millions” with Jimmy Durante and June Allyson and little Margaret O’Brien and it was really marvelous. If you havn’t seen it be sure to do so. I think it is quite a recent picture but don’t remember that you wrote of seeing it.

You mentioned in your letter of the 20th of receiving five letters. My mail must be coming through much better again. I was surprised to hear of Jake wanting Otto to return to work so soon but suppose as you say they are still so short that they wanted him as soon as possible. I should think they would know he would want some time to get things lined up before going to work.

Honey you asked what I used for a bag on my trip, I used my barracks bag. Please don’t bother to send anything else as it is only more stuff to carry. I would like to have had my dress shoes earlier but not now. We will soon have deep snow and I wouldn’t be able to wear them anyway. We are even getting four buckle overshoes to wear this winter.

Well darling it is after 11:00 so I must close and go to bed. Bye for now —