2-4-1939 John Howard to Punkie Pace

2-4-1939 John Howard to Punkie Pace

(Punkie/Punky was my grandfather’s nickname)

Envelope: none

Postmark: none

Letterhead:

United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

Eastern Region

Virginia Forest Service

Cooperating

Roxburg, Va.

Feb. 4, 1939

My dear friend “Punkie,”

Received your very astonishing letter and was doubly glad to hear from you. I was not quite sure that you would get my card, but anyway I thought of you.

It is indeed a pleasure to hear you are progressing in this life. I have had my ups and downs since leaving Cedartown as you know the last time you saw me was in Miami. I left school in 1932 and went back to Dalton. Liked to starved to death in 1933 but finally was ordered to active duty as 2^nd Lt. Inf.Res. with the CCC [Civilian Conservation Corps]. Went to Louisiana and got married, but the good wife & I separated and she got a divorce in 1934. I went back to Miami in 1934 and sold fruit for a year and then got back with the CCC, away down in Mississippi. After 6 months I returned to Miami, and then joined up with the whiskey business & also a steamship line to New York & Galveston. I quit and came to Virginia in April 1937 and got a job with the United States Forest Service on club in one of these camp. I make a fair living, but wish for more. More of an administration and training position.

How are the gang. Whatever became of my old sweetheart Katherine Hightower? She was a mighty fine young lady?

Write me at your leisure time and I will try to answer it –

Regards to all –

John Howard

Card enclosed:

greetings

Good Wishes

for the Holiday Season

from

Johnny Howard

Auld Lang Syne

now with: U.S. Forest Service

Roxburg, Va.