- Date: Thursday, 30 December 1937, 7 a.m.
- Written at: New York, New York
- Stationery: Hotel Taft, 7th Ave. at 50th St., New York
- From: Joseph “Joe” Sharmer
- To: Ruby
- Condition: Pages 1, 3 and 4 and a separate note; page 2 is missing
Each page of the original is shown beside its transcription. Click a page to enlarge it.
PAGE 1
Happy New Year Lover
Thursday
7 a.m.
Ruby My Sweetheart
Here I am in the big city. Left Dodes last night at 1230 & here at 630 checked in a very nice room with both bath & shower. I hated to leave Wash over New Years but Mr. B was rather anxious I get here so I came along. I havent heard from my Baby for so long but I know how busy you have been, very busy and are tired. Thanks Honey for sending my Xmas cards on but dont worry about the Gr Gr & double Gr [?] because you are the only one for me. God Honey how I would love to get my hands on you. I am going to love you with in an inch of your life when I get back — I am lonesome for you Dear — That pretty hair and beautiful eyes, sweet lips & white teeth, lovely neck and soft voice and God Honey your beautiful body — Sure wish you were here right now.
over
PAGE 2 IS MISSING
Page 1 ends “Sure wish you were here right now,” and Joe’s page “3” begins in the middle of a sentence — “are way out there in that little town” — so the back of the first sheet, page 2, is lost.
PAGE 3
are way out there in that little town I shudder. I would much prefer to be with you Dear than here. I guess you know that by now. Just took your letter of the 19th out of my bag and am going to read it again for about the 25th time. Honey Dode is so happy that we love each other & she is crazy about you. Larry, Cath & I have talked about you so much that they all took it up & Jacy refers to you as Aunt Ruby. He is such a little gentleman in every respect — wanted to know all about you and I let him have it. He may come to Planada next year & work in the cannery — or the orchards — You will love him Dear. He is a dead ringer for me — Combs his hair like I do & does everything the same as I did when I was his age. He wanted to know if he came out West and nights I had to work if he could take the Ford and you to Merced to the show. He said “Uncle Joe I wouldn’t let Aunt Ruby be lonesome I could take her everyplace — even if you have to work.” You would love it Honey because he is such a little gentleman not at all like his Uncle in that respect. (over)
PAGE 4
I am a roughneck — Look how I treat you Dear — Never do a thing for you I am ashamed of myself once in a while dinner & a show every now & then — “Bad Boy Me” Ill make up for it when I get home because Honey, I didn’t think it was possible to love anyone as I love you. You know I told you several nights I didn’t think I could love you any more than I did then but now I can see how little I loved you then compared to the way I love you now. You are my Sweetheart regardless — Honey I will always love you — and even tho you find some one else I want you to know that I will love you forever — I want you to be happy and I am afraid I am or rather lack — that little something that would make you happy. I would & could do all that is within my power but still Honey you are entitled to so much more than I could ever give you — Lover Dear please write me here. Rush it thru & Ill pay you when I get home — Special — I am lonesome for you Dear. Must get ready for work — All my love to the sweetest girl in all the world & that is you Ruby Sweetheart
Joe
Regards to all. Don’t tell the Head I am in N.Y.
A NOTE KEPT WITH THE LETTER
Just tell them you havent heard from me since before Xmas
Love Joe
Notes & context
The date. Joe wrote “Thursday, 7 a.m.” and “Happy New Year,” having left Dodie’s in Washington at 12:30 that night and checked into the Taft at 6:30. The Thursday before New Year 1938 was 30 December. Two days later he wrote “Have been here 2 days and this makes 5 letters to you” (Report on New Year Eve). This is the first of them.
The envelope. A Taft envelope postmarked New York on 30 December 1937 was found with Burn Them Up, which was written three days later; it very probably carried this letter.
“Mr. B.” Joe’s boss, J.S.B., who wanted him in New York for the start of the year.
Jacy and “Aunt Ruby.” Jacy, Dodie’s son, was sixteen. He already called Ruby “Aunt Ruby,” planned to come to Planada to work in the cannery or the orchards, and offered to take her to the show in Merced in Joe’s Ford. Seven years later he was killed in action over the Philippines (Jacy). Joe said much the same about him from Philadelphia in December (From the Broad Street Station).
“Larry, Cath & I.” Aunt Larry and her daughter Cath had evidently been at Dodie’s for Christmas too; on 8 December Joe had a wire from “Larry & Kath” who were “leaving tonight for Wash.”
“Don’t tell the Head I am in N.Y.” Together with the note “Just tell them you havent heard from me since before Xmas,” this suggests Joe’s whereabouts were not for general knowledge at home — see “The Head”.
“Rush it thru & Ill pay you when I get home — Special.” Ruby was to send her reply special delivery, at Joe’s expense.
Uncertain readings: “the Gr Gr & double Gr” is how the words appear; what Joe meant is not known.
