Cadet Emil E. Narick
Sqd. D. Group 1
Orderly Office
Maxwell Field, Alabama

May 10, 1942

Just few lines for writing. Receve you leters. I not understanding good writing English that what not writing from my self. Home everything right. Beky been here last Sunday after-non. Show me and mother you pichers and left here so we old family see pichers then she kam back for pickhers before leve for trip to you by plane. She told me and mother that going be nice of her. Me and mother like here that you in office work something extra better - - - - -my be not going in action. Here cold every day litle. I not work for 1 week repair by mine on - - - - - - - - -we not work sence 3 May. Maybe start on 13 May. Beky say she not - - - - nothing else only has going on trip for you by plane 22 May. She say what got money from her mother and dad for graduation that going spending on trip and take lot of pichers over here by you place. - - - - - -mother filing o.k. and everybodyelse.

Yours mother and dad

Good by

P.W. I receve your papers what you send 1 month ago in Charleston. Charleston and in Morgantown - - - - - -Receve old that paper except not receve yours diploma from Pittsburgh University

Yours mother and dad
Steven and Rose Narick

I keep that papers home in safe- - - -

May 3, 1942


Sunday night

Darling, My gosh hold me down, I'm flying high--Just missed my bus to go back to Pittsburgh, Aunt Eva has been fitting dresses on me all afternoon and evening. Called Mr. Potts while I was down in Moundsville, and he said he had written Mr. Higgenbotham last week , and as yet had not received any word from him. So, I called Mr. Higgenbotham as soon as I got back in Wheeling, and he said is just a minute ago over the telephone, that he thought I could consider the proposition settle, and would write me Tuesday, when he returned to Charleston confirming it. Then he will make out a program of suggested studies for this summer course of mine. Yipe, I'm happy. School marm---that's e. Just had to add this to the note, and pictures that mother is sending.

Stopped in to see your mother today, and take her a little present for mother's day, but she had gone to the Cathedral to see your coustin as may queen or something. Saw George and Mary (note to the reader: George and Mary are Emil's brother and sister). Will go down again next Sunday afternoon to see them all, and get all the messages to be sent to you, for do you realize that it is the next Thursday evening, that I start my little jaunt down to see you young man--hardly seems possible does it. I'm all excited, and if I talk as much as I have talked this week end--heaven help you.

Now let me see what else in a hurry--oh yes, if there's a dance--fine I'm ready to keep up with you young man--and how. Daddy is getting his coat on--and I've got to catch a five thirty bus in the morning--so lordy lordy little man, I love you bushels and think your elegant, and gosh I wish you were here for I'm in a celebrating mood--but that will wait until I get down there to see you.

All my love is yours--Becky xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx guess you know who there for --xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Yippee, as a school teacher to be I'm a rotten speller & typist.

Love you Boo!

In the previous letter from Becky's Folks, they mention getting the gem sized (engagement ring) . The receipt shows the name of the jeweler as W.J. Lukens Co. Jewelers in Wheeling, W. VA. It was located on Market Street. Date of the receipt is 4/28/42 and the amount paid on the account was $55.00. Name on receipt is Emil E. Narick, Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Alabama.

W.J. Lukens Co. opened in Wheeling, W. Va., in 1883. I am thrilled that I have this actual receipt. It was in the letters that I bought on E-Bay.

Pent House 12th St. Garage Bldg.
Wheeling, West Va.

April 29, 1942

Cadet Emil E. Narick

Squadron D. Group 1

Barrack 813, Room 2

Maxwell Field

Montgomery, Alabama

Wed. Afternoon

Dear Emil:

We were so happy to have your letter this morning, so happy that you are getting along so well. We are betting on you, we know you can do it.

We have our girl home for the week. She is all worn out and the Dr. would not hear to her going back to school until she is all rested up and her pain gone.

We were so worried when Kay brought her home Monday night, but after she had a new blood count we are certain that the rest will do the work. As you know her, she was hard to make know she was a sick girl. But I guess we have her under control now.

She has worked so hard all winter and all the things to worry about, beside her school work, which has not been easy at all. But I think we can have her all in good shape and able to make her trip to see you that is if she minds the doctor.

I am enclosing receipt on the amount you sent Becky. She had never been able to have it cashed until yesterday. So while we had her out to the Dr. she cashed the money order and went and had the Gem sized for her finger.

I will await your instructions about having it shipped your way. No doubt you will want to use it when the little girl comes down.

She's about decided to fly both was. Her Dad thinks it would be so much nicer and easier for her since she is not feeling up to par. We have most decided not o let her go through her graduation on the first of June. It would be a lot of rush and worry, and if she goes to summer school she will need some rest before the gets into it again. All depends.

Got to go to work, Boss is calling.

Best of good luck,

Becky's Folks

The McLure House Hotel

Where Becky went for her interview

(see her letter dated April 2, 1942)

Constructed in 1851 and opened in 1852, the McLure House Hotel has been a mainstay for Wheeling, West Virginia.

The Hotel was originally built in a doughnut shape and contained a watering trough and hitching posts for horses and carriages. The registration desks and offices were located on the second floor due to the muddy mess that occurred in the open lobby. However, this was not the fascinating feature of the Hotel.......the 12th street entrance was marked 'Ladies' and was built with a wider door. The width of the door made room for the cumbersome and fashionable wide hoop skirts that were worn by the women of the time. The McLure Hotel had a beautiful menu as the railroads could bring in everything. Wheeling was the Western terminus of the B&O railroad. Wheeling was where you "jumped off" to go west. There was a lot of seafood in those days. The old Russians had fresh oysters and fresh clams. They would bring them in, in ice barrels from Baltimore. Wheeling became a big seafood town. The Hotel had gold table service, all the fine foods, exotic foods....Hundreds of beautiful, detailed, formal dinners were conducted at the McLure Hotel. It is still open for business today.

Just a bit of history information regarding the George Deen Act that Rebecca mentions in her April 2, 1942 letter to Emil:

In 1936, the United States government instituted the George-Deen Vocational Law. This law provided federal funds to states to improve vocational education in public schools and colleges. Under the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917, the federal government provided matching funds to states to provide vocational education in agriculture and home economics. The George-Deen Vocational Law extended funding to workers in "distributive" occupations. These jobs included any positions involving the sale of a product or of a service. Some examples of these occupations are store managers, purchasing agents, and salespeople, among others.

The George-Deen Vocational Law of 1936 helped provide students and workers with job training, helping them to attain better positions.

April 3, 1942

My Darling fiancee,

Love you so dam much......We had classes all morning and after lunch we went out to the "shooting range". We stayed at the Pistol Range until 5:30 and it really was enjoyable. We learned lot about the official pistol of the U.S. Army. We were all given a chance to shoot 15 rounds of shots at targets. I must confess dear, my shooting wasn't so good. There were about 1000 of us out, and it really is a nice range. We all took turns shooting, while the sun beat down. The Range officer was very nice.

This evening dear, we're all cleaning our rifles. During the next two weeks sometime we will meet the commandant of Cadest, Lt. Colonel Guenther and General Stratmeyer, the Commanding office of Maxwell Field. It'll be a treat though just to see General Stratmeyer , because we hear a lot about him but haven't seen him as yet.

Yours forever darling,

Emil