Evan Call Family

Historical Context

This letter was written by Thomas J. Call from Afton, Wyoming, to his son, Evan, on November 10, 1932.

Thomas Call was living through the absolute nadir of the Great Depression. Just days before this letter was written, Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated Herbert Hoover in a landslide election, though the "New Deal" had not yet begun.

The mention of the "razor back runt" being slaughtered and salted at 11:00 PM highlights the "make-do" attitude of the era. Families relied heavily on their own livestock to survive the winter.

The mention of Reuel’s new "plane" and building a T-shaped "house" (hangar) for it is quite remarkable for 1932. This was the "Golden Age of Flight," only five years after Lindbergh’s Atlantic crossing, suggesting that despite the Depression, the family was staying connected to modern technological leaps.

Thomas’s detailed explanation of the "Heiner bldg" contract illustrates the cutthroat nature of business at the time. Paying a competitor $100 (roughly $2,200 today) just to step aside so they could secure the primary contract shows how desperate local builders were for steady work. Based on historical records from the Star Valley Historical Society, the Heiner Building was a significant commercial and medical structure in Afton. It served a dual purpose that was vital to the remote community of Star Valley: the ground floor was designed to house the Afton Post Office, and the second story was specifically planned as a medical facility. It was run by Dr. Beal until his passing, after which it was taken over by Doctors Treloar and Worthen. For a valley that was often snowed in during the winter (as Thomas mentions in his letter), having a modern brick-and-mortar hospital was a massive leap forward from home-based medical care.

Location Note: The building still stands today on Afton's main street (Washington Street/U.S. 89), known historically for its distinctive architecture in the heart of the business district.

Afton, Wyo Nov 10, 1932

Dear Son Evan:

We received your splendid letter of Nov 7th today. I wish I were able to do justice in a reply to sentiments expressed. I just have to acknowledge that I am happy to have a son whose experience and study have given understanding of the deeper and more precious things which have been given man through “The Great Gospel Plan” as revealed to the Latter Day Saints.

I can appreciate to only a small extent those things as I go on absorbed in the daily routine and I can say pressure of the cares of every day life. Maybe some of us take life somewhat too serious yet real joy surely does not spring from frivolity. I believe labors of the missionary and the Temple worker come the nearest of putting one in a position to understand in part that which is of the greatest worth to man. Now I did not intend

to write in just this way when I commenced these few lines. I was going to tell of how my work of late is absorbing almost my entire time and mentality (I guess that is the word).

We did not at first get the contract for the Heiner bldg. They promised to give the job to Johnson of Idaho Falls. When he came to Afton Monday after the Saturday the bids were read, to finish the business and get the job started, the Architect came with him, and for some reason no contract had been signed, so we just, (through the suggestion of the Architect) got together with Johnson and satisfied all concerned by paying him $100.00 and we took the job at his figure and they made the original contract to us, contrary to what is published in the paper that we have a sub contract.

The floor is now finished in basement in spite of winter weather. We will start on forms for walls tomorrow. Charly is directly in charge; as I am working for Reuel.

Reuel has his new “plane” we started yesterday to make a house for it. It is being made to fit the plane in a T-shape we got most of the frame completed today. It is a fine “ship” for an inexpensive one. It is new which makes it more interesting to make something good, when it can have proper housing and care. Reuel handles it perfectly.

We completed the concrete floor in Reuel’s garage this last Monday. I worked there two nights past midnight finishing that work. We have had winter weather for all this work. We have only about an inch of snow at present, but the days are so cold, not mentioning the nights, that it looks as though Winter had already set in.

Well it is past 11:00 o'clock P.M. and I must go out yet and care for our pork which is in the shop unsalted. Just killed last Saturday Osborne caught this pig on the 4th July. It was what you would call a razor back runt

then, but it has dressed about 200 lbs.

Mama is out tonight to her club meeting. This is about the only meeting she seems to take a real interest in. I am glad to have her go somewhere she goes so little, and I feel she does not know enough of others but that she feels that hers is the hardest lot.

I will enclose your check, and wish you continued joy and may the Lord continue his blessings.

Your Father,

Thomas J. Call.

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