Evan Call Family

Historical Context

This letter, dated January 9, 1935, was written by Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Jones from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Evan after he had returned home following his mission.

This letter is a rich primary source regarding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in Pennsylvania during the Great Depression.

The Setting (1935): The letter is written during the Great Depression. The mention of "work is very bad to get" reflects the economic hardship of the era. The Susquehanna River freezing over highlights a particularly harsh Pennsylvania winter.
The Palmyra Connection: The author mentions being ordained an Elder at Palmyra, New York in July. Palmyra is the site of the "Sacred Grove," where LDS founder Joseph Smith reported his first vision. By the 1930s, Palmyra had become a major pilgrimage site for church members, and the author likely attended the annual Hill Cumorah festivities (which began formally in 1934/1935).
Missionary Activity: "Brother Call" had recently completed his service in the Harrisburg area and returned home. The letter mentions traveling elders from St. George and Salt Lake City, illustrating the church's efforts to proselytize in the East.
Genealogy and Temple Work: The author mentions sending names of the "departed dead" to the Salt Lake and St. George temples. This refers to the LDS practice of proxy baptism, which was a significant focus for members even in the 1930s as they sought to connect with their ancestry.
Linguistic Style: The phonetic spelling ("buin" for been, "gowing" for going) and the informal, warm tone ("Ha-Ha-Oh Boy") suggest a writer with deep sincerity but perhaps limited formal education.

Harrisburg PA
Jan 9th 1935

Dear Brother Call,

Now houbt [hope] you will be more than glad and will welcome news from Harrisburg and to know how things is gowing along her [here] since you left. Well Bro Call, in the first place we are real good in health and for this we do thank our Dear Strict Heavenly Father for His gooness [goodness] and loving kindness to us. And we can truly say that the Lord has Verefigh [verified] His promas [promises] to us. And we do hope when this reach you that all will be well with you. Oftimes we do think and speak of you at meatings [meetings].

Now Bro Call, we got a Sundy School class and we do have the Church History for our lessons and sure do like this study. I think it do much good to increase ones faith. Now they have made me the Superintendent of the Sunday School and again I will tell you that while at—

—Palmyra ed [end] of last July the 23 in the Grove under the hands of Patrich [Patrick] Wallus & Presiden [President] Colton & Christison in the Grove on the Platform ther [there] and then I was made an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ to be an honor and blessing to God and this I pray to be a glory to my Heavenly Father. This I know will make you glad on learning this.

Elder Brooks of St-George & Elder miller of Salt Lake is here, was at New Cumberland but finished that place but now at Lemoine and have buin [been] doing good work over there. We have had a cottage meating for each night in the wk [week] but we found this to much for us so we had to slow down. At Altoona I think things is gowing right along fine. President Bowers W.P. will be leaving the last of this month for his home in California. Some fine Elder. And the 20 of this month at Yorks we are having a get to geather meating to learn how to how—this will be fine to see and to know. I think this is a real good thing to do and we expect while there to hold 5 for Betyard [Baptized?]. Oh say I wish—

—that only you could stand and be there. Now Bro Call I am just as busey as when you was here. Oftimes I can see you and Sister Coolman & Sis Green and Bro Jones beating it in and out just like as thow [though] we was beating five dollars per hour. And oftimes I do pray and ask our Father to bring to pass all the good that we do will to the other missioners in His own good way just like the Nephites prayed that God would remember the Lamanites. And true to God He did bring forth the Books of Mormon.

We have meatings to get at Harbold’s & Betty & Clara has buin maryed [been married]. The Kings do come out yet oh yes some sweet day and the others that has had the teaching. Well Bro Call I supose by this time you have got a wife you know what I ust [used] to tell you about those women but I supose you will haft [have] to find this out Ha-Ha-Oh Boy. And how I would tell you how to do things.

Oh well we must take our lissons [lessons] here for to prepare us for the grate drama over on the other side. We are having very cold weather, the Susquehana is frozen over and last winter was a—

—hard one too. But the work is very bad to get. I have just complated [completed] a good meny [many] name of our departed dead. I sent six in yesterday to the Salt Lake Temple and to St-George Temple. This has come back all the old man is still holding on but very timie [timid/tiny?]. And Tiney the little dog is still my pall [pal].

If you see any of the other missioners tell them how things is gowing along in Harrisburg. We do expect next summer after confrance [conference] at Palmyra to start from there for Salt Lake Temple that is with the Matthues family of Fan Grove [Fawn Grove], him & mrs and child. But before that time we will let you know of our planes [plans].

Now Bro Call I will ring off by sending you our very best wishes. Both your Father, Mother & all will be glad to here [hear] from you any time. And I trust the coming year 1935 will bring you the best our [ever] yet. God bless you and keep you and protect you in all wander.

Your Bro & Sister, Mr & Mrs R. W. Jones Good Night.

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