Historical Context
Historical Context
This letter is probably from James "Jim" Ockey.
"Whistle Berry and Hen Fruit": This is vintage 1930s slang. Whistle berries are beans, and hen fruit refers to eggs. He’s promising Evan a simple, hearty meal.
Embedded Files
June 4, 1933.
I sure enjoyed the Papers. Thanks alot. (with the house on it)
Dear Evan.
I guess I am just as slow to write as ever. It seems that one just doesn’t take time anymore to write or keep promises. I sure had a splendid trip home visiting in New York and my former fields of labor. I spent a very pleasant week in Chicago visiting one of my school mates and his wife + kiddy. I too enjoyed coming home with his wife on the bus, I had the honor of being called the father of a very charming daughter of 9 months. We stopped in Denver for five hours and while
there saw the mission headquarters and had a fine dinner at the Presidents home. Our headquarters are much nicer in some respects than theirs. I had the privilege of speaking in the University Branch of in Chicago, and saw as well the fair grounds and building.
Oh yes. we had a problem or two to solve. one was what and where is the book called “Ibid.” Well I found out the other day. for a crude example suppose we were reading a quotation from the D+C and then immediately afterward the next reference was also from the D+C, instead of writing out D+C they use the word Ibid which means the same book as was just quoted.
How is that? I hope it helps some little bit. The other was about tithing, why don’t we today consecrate all our possessions to the Lord and then tithe our surplus. we do while going through the Temple we covenant to consecrate our time and talent and all that we have to the Lord. However that is not called for by the church today as was necessary then.
I saw Dr. Call in I.F. [Idaho Falls] He wanted to be remembered to you. Jim
I received the Messenger and Liahona, on my returned from Idaho Falls. I have been up there for two weeks. They wanted to put me in as assistance teacher of the Missionary Class and Counselor
in mutual work. But things have changed so completely here at home with the folks that I feel I had better stay around to help them necessary. So I guess we will be a little farther apart out here than we thought for. When you come home though it’s only two hours drive from Salt Lake so I’ll be looking for you. We will have a whistle berry and a hen fruit for you any time you come. Give my regards to everyone I know there in Altoona and tell them if they write I’ll answer. How did Buckvalley come out? Let me know I’m sure anxious.
My address is 308 So 2nd East, Nephi, Utah
Your friend + Ex Companion Jim
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