5 January 1919

3902 Cottage Grove Ave
Des Moines, Iowa
Jan 5, 1919

My dear Leone:

Why am I writing? Well, no one seems to know much about you, so I'm going to write all the news I know, and if you don't write and say thank you, I'll never do it again. You just seem to have lost yourself in Minn. and if we don't watch out you'll be married before we can ever talk about the engagement. But truly the sad new about Maurine W. Gousseff is why I'm writing. It jist made me think of you more I guess as she roomed with you the last year. Phil called me up Friday, and told me about it. Helen Dysart an Ottumwa girl told her. It seems that about Dec 1 she was home visiting. ??? was in at the Chicago International so suppose they both visited there for awhile. Just three weeks from the day she went home to Minn. she was sent back. She had the flu, followed by pneumonia, and as she was about five months along, suppose it was too much for her. Now you may know more about this than I do, but that is all Phil knew. It seems so sad. This flu is terrible. We have just gotten over it ourselves. Ken had it first, so light that we thought it only a terrible cold. Then Joe took it and next day after he came down with fever, I came down with fever. We got a nurse & Joe & I went to bed. We had the nurse a week. She left day before Xmas. So we are over ill effects that show now except my cough which still hangs on. I told Phil then the girls as school would call me J.B. sure now. But it is getting better. We didn't have pneumonia. Ken & I both took the serum but of course won't know if that helped or not. I'm glad we have had it. I hope we can't get it again. We think Ken got it at International as about every man there but two that we know has had it since.

Joe Bill has gained most of his flesh back already. I gained my strengtt at last. It sure leeves [sic] you lazy like.

Well, what are you doing to yourself? Do the breezes blow up there. We have just been having some -17 deg weather. I also heard Mason City had some real weather this week. D.M. was cold enough for me. This afternoon Ken & I took Joe out for a ride on his sled we got him for Xmas. We fixed a box on it so can wrap him up good. He never wants to get out. We have about 9 inches of snow, & sleighing is great. Ken & I were just wishing for some young giddy people to go bobbing with. We sure miss the college people when it comes to something like that for there are so many of ones age and acquaintance in those things.

News. Well, the Ames girls have gotten together here and meet once a month at Harris Emery Tea Room for dinner. They gave a dance Xmas. Also, they edit an 'Ames Maid' which has quite a bunch of news that one is really interested in. We couldn't go to the dance for I was jist over the flu. But Marjorie W.W. was there & she brought me the news.

Brown got leave of absence for his mother having the flu. Then he got it extended and he & Mary spent Xmas here. Then Brown had to go back last Sunday so Mary came & stayed with me until New Years morning. They are both fine. Brown never weighed so much in his life and his clothes fit him like a glove. He is at Ensign school, Navy in Chicago. He wants to get discharged as soon as possible but things don't look very favorable yet. Mary is still going to Commercial School at York.

Phil is home, yet jist now she is suppling [sic] teacher at West High here. Stew is still in France, wanting to come home as soon as possible.

Dutch Uhl is discharged. Helen's come home a couple of weeks ago & he will probably be home this week. They were married this fall. Dutch jist about died of flue at Annapolis. He was in hospital & they sent for Helen who was in bed with flu at hotel to come for they thought he was dying. She couldn't go. I guess she nearly died from homesickness & worry, but they both pulled through. He doesn't know where he will locate.

Evinger [sic] is a Capt. out here at Camp Dodge. They live just two blocks from us & we see quite a bit of each other. They have a cute baby, April. He doesn't know when he will be discharged.

Ruth Curtis had influenza just before Xmas. Clayton (Beta) died of pneumonia in France. He was engaged to Edith Vorhees. She also goes with Winchester Theta Sigma/Epsilon Kappa. She has quite a case on her. John Porter Theta Gamma Delta died of pneumonia. He purchased lumber for U.S. Floyd Wambean [sic] (Orator) died in France.

Madge Eliotts brother was wounded in shoulder with machine gun but is getting along nicely. Jim Dowell is safe (by cable). I got a card from Dot. She is in Bedford.

Zada [sic] Kenis [sic] has a girl. Jesse Pierce Vorse has a girl. She came down with flu next day. I haven't heard how she is getting along. Jeb was in same hospital with the flu. Polly Witwer [sic] Walker has a boy. Bess Watson - has a boy. Zaa and Geo Avery have a boy called just "Bill". Maud Donohue Ellis has a boy. I don't believe I know of any other.

Ruth Clark is married to Cal. fellow & is teaching in Pella. He has been to France twice, to ???, I believe.

I hear Morry Garst has been discharged from Officers Training Camp and has a position in Philadelphia. Eunice's eyes are growing worse & doctors don't give her any hope at all. She is chaperoning Pi Theta house at Simpson.

Mary Montgomery -- married (Joe Mark), her husband is Capt. in France. She is living at Goldfield. Eugenia Brown is traveling in south with a rich invalid lady. She is her dietician. Myra Eggers is teaching in Story City, taking place of Sis Hulz [sic] who accepted position in Chem Dept. at Ames.

Marshall Miller (Margaret Fords fiance) was killed in France. Margaret went to New York City to marry him & he only had an hour there so they didn't have time. I believe she is teaching or doing someting like that there.

Helen Kaue [sic] a Pi Phi at Ames who graduated last year announced her engagement to John Kelleher other day. They will be married in Feb.

Rushing is over and the Pi Phi got 15 (?) grand girls. They had wonderful material. Miss Shadduch who took Mrs Cunningham's place is ruling with an iron hand, & the girls just hate her. The Pi Phi are crazy about Miss Wilson for chaperone. Miss MacKay has pledged Tri-Delta. Everyone is shocked beyond measure. Irene Ringham has charge of H.Ec. in all of Salem Schools of Oregon. Daisy Laird has a daughter (?) I believe, some time last fall any way.

Ruby Hopkins E. had flu jist terrible. It left her with rheumatism in chest. She is still doctoring. She taught school in Missouri Valley until she came down. Rex was 2nd Lieut. stationed last in Miss. I think he is discharged now. Was home Xmas anyway. Hilda Stern - married - is teaching there also.

Wayne K. Hunt & baby had flu. Wayne had pneumonia but got over it ok.

Elizabeth Canady writes adds for Harris Emery Co here. Divida Henderson Davidson is here. I don't know if she teaches or not. Agnes Remmers Logan teaches here. Bernice Benge Nussbam works on newspaper here. Leota Wagner Schreiber works in bank here. Her man is in France. Diserius is married, he just was discharged from Camp Pike. Bob Miller is engaged to Nina Hodge Tri-Delta. Red Bradford was in to Xmas Ames dance. He is ?? someplace. Blanche Hopkins has gone to Cal. for winter.

Well, I do believe this is about all. Now do write & tell me what you are doing, etc. Where is Don. How is your niece etc. Lots of love.

Yours sincerely,
Billie

P.S. Leslie Lynch [sic] is with Brown in Navy.
Mary Vaugh's husband had the flu. He is in Navy at Chicago.
Ruth " " - & she later volunteered for red cross & had 30 men under her care in nursing - Seattle.