Evan Call Family - 19320420

Historical Context

This letter, written by Evan's mother, is dated April 20, 1932--about halfway through Evan's service on his mission.

Ethel mentions the Lindbergh baby in the margin of page two. Only seven weeks prior to the writing of this letter, on March 1, 1932, the 20-month-old son of famous aviator Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh was kidnapped from his nursery in New Jersey. At the exact moment Ethel was writing this letter in Wyoming, the fate of the baby was still unknown to the public. The Lindberghs had paid a $50,000 ransom on April 2, and the nation was gripped by daily newspaper updates hoping for the infant's safe return. Tragically, the baby's body would not be discovered until May 12, 1932. The phrase "now that their baby is gone" reflects the community's grief over the ongoing disappearance. She contrasts her own joy at seeing her grown son thrive and complete a year of service with the profound, publicized grief of the Lindbergh family—concluding on the left margin of page two that "God has made the joys of married life and parenthood so great that—they outweigh the sorrows and disappointments."

Afton April 20 1932

My Dear Boy,

This I believe is the anniversary of the day you took up your work in the Missionary Home. We all felt like celebrating here for the last three days. 18th the day you left home 19th the day we took you to Salt Lake City and the 20th the day you started to work as a Missionary because one year of the time is past and you will now be going down hill. I even got a letter from Vivian tonight reminding me that it was a year as though she too wanted to join us in our rejoicing. I remember how I followed you in your

Top Margin: I guess I must do as Maxine says, hurry and get your letter in the mail before the Post Office goes. I wish you could hear some of the things she says. Lots of Love and Gods Blessings. Mamma.

Left Margin (written vertically): Life is so real and we must be broad in our views if we would be happy, gt take a heap of living as they say.

a long journey and how it seemed to me the time would never pass. Two years looked like a lifetime most but half of that has now passed and instead of it looking so far away we are looking forward to the end of another year. May you grow in knowledge and understanding during the next year and be able to do much good. It is for the good we do that we get our reward. The little Maxim in your last letter was the sentiment exactly. There is a long time we can do good if we do it as long as we can. Milnot Holbrook has returned home he spoke in meeting last Sunday. Looks fine.

Left Margin (written vertically) and Top Margin: God has made the joys of married life and parenthood so great that they outweigh the sorrows and disappointments.

Right Margin (written vertically): What is money or title to the poor Lindbergh family now that their baby is gone.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse