Vernon and Martha Phelps and their kids

Vernon and Martha had five children.  Viola Beth was born in 1935, Lola May in 1937, Marion Ann in 1939, Bennie in 1942, and Kennie Jay in 1955.  Kennie was born much later than the rest, and aunt Marion and grandma Lola told me stories of their mom being pregnant.  Lola and Viola were both married when Kennie was born, Viola with two kids of her own and Lola with her first on the way, .  Below are photos of Vernon and Martha's family when their kids were very young.

Martha Phelps and baby Lola, about 1938

Vernon and Martha Phelps with kids (L-R) Marion, Viola, and Lola, spring 1939

Two of Vernon's sisters with the kids: (L-R back row) Versey, Marion, Lola, unknown name sister (front) Marion, about 1939

These two photos: (L-R) Marion, Viola, Bennie, Lola, about 1943

This is a photo of Marion and Lola with 3 unknown cousins.  Marion is front-L, and Lola is front-R with her head down, about 1943

Martha (Becker) and Vernon Phelps 50th Wedding Anniversary, 1983

Martha (Becker) and Vernon Phelps 25th Wedding Anniversary, 1958

I found these photos at aunt Marion's home with grandma Lola and aunts Cindy and Molly.  When we found them, aunt Marion and grandma shrieked, exclaiming that they didn't want to see their parents kissing!

Martha (Becker) and Vernon Phelps Wedding Photo August 19, 1933

Martha Becker and Vernon Phelps were married on August 19, 1933 in Hubbard County, Minnesota.  This was one day before Martha's 15th birthday.

Love Letter #4 Vernon Phelps to Martha Becker 1933

Transcription

(*transcriber’s note* This letter was found with other letters from Vernon Phelps to Martha Becker written in 1933.  The topic of the other letters was similar to this one.  I suggest that this letter is from 1933 as well.)

(This letter has large tears that removed parts of the letter.  Missing parts designated with *)

(page 1)

Hitterd*l

                                                                                                                    M*

*** little sw******e have stru***good luck in a potato storage house Thursday I worked from 7 O clock to 20 min. to 11.  I have worker all day and just got through and its half past 11.  I am writing this waiting for lunch we eat 6 times a day.  I havent got any pay yet

(The name “Ernest” is written in light pencil in the left margin.  This may not have been Vernon’s writing).

(page 2)

I guess this is all for this time.

write to me at this address.

*ernon Ph*

In care of

H. Belby

Hitterdal

Minn.

(Written in light pencil under the word address is the name “Ernest Scovl.”  This may not have been Vernon’s writting.)

(Written diagonally along the page)

1,65,000,000,00*

KISSES

2,0880,00000

hugs

Love Letter #3 Vernon Phelps to Martha Becker April 27, 1933

Vernon wrote letter #3 only 2 days after his last letter, written in Walker MN.  According to Google maps, the journey by foot would have been a little over 3 days of continuous walking, not accounting for sleep time.  Vernon made it in 2 days. Perhaps he rode a train.  It also makes me wonder where they slept along the way.

Transcription

Postal card letter front

(Post mark stamp)

DEVILS LAKE

APR 27

5 PM

1933

N. DAK.

(Addressee)

Miss. Martha Becker.

            Park Rapids

            Minn.

To Albert Becker.

Postal card letter back

Dear Marthia

            I am thinking of you most.  I am in Devels Lake N.D.  I havent found any work yet.  If We dont find any work in the next few days I am coming home.  I will write If I find work.  so I can give you my adress  It no use of you writing I dont no where Ill bee.  Your (best) (best)

                        Vernon Phelps

Love Letter #2 Vernon Phelps to Martha Becker April 25, 1933

The letters #2 and #3 were written in April, 1933.  In them, Vernon wrote that he walked to Walker MN (probably from his home in Park Rapids, MN), and then went on to Devils Lake, ND.  1933 was the depression era when times were tough economically and work was scarce.  He and others (he references "we" in the letter) walked many, many miles in the Minnesota winter to find work.  I google mapped it.  Park Rapids to Walker is about 28 miles (9 hour walk) and Walker to Devils Lake is 235 miles (3 days 4 hours).  And this in April in Northern Minnesota!


Letters #2 and #3 were written on postal cards.  

Transcription

Postal card letter front

(Post mark stamp)

WALKER, MINN.

APR 25

         M

(year indiscernible)

(*transcriber’s note* The letter was found with other letters written from Vernon Phelps to Martha Becker in 1933.  One of the other letters is also a postal card like this one, written on 4-27-1933.  I suggest this letter was also written in 1933).

(Addressee)

Miss Martha Becker.

            Park Rapids

            Minn.

To Albert Becker.

Postal card letter back

Dear Martha.

            I landed hear in Walker last night walked all the way.  No work to be had hear so we are goying West to Devels Lake North Dakota.  Dont hold any hard fealing against me.  I dont no when I’ll see you gaain.  May be a week or a month  Ill write and let you no where I am     You lover V.V.P.

Love Letter #1 Martha Becker to Vernon Phelps, February 6, 1933

This is a letter from 14 year old Martha to her beau, Vernon, who was quite a bit older at 21.  It was written in the heart of the Minnesota winter.  They would be married the following August, one day before Martha's 15th birthday.

The images of the envelope and letter are first, followed by the transcription.  I transcribed the letter as written, maintaining all original punctuation and spelling.

Transcription

Envelope Front

After 5 days, return to

Miss Martha Becker

Box 22   PARK RAPIDS, MINN.

(Post mark stamp)

PARK ARAPIDS, MINN.

FEB 6

2-PM

1933

(Postage)

UNITED STATES POSTAGE

3 CENTS

(Addressee)

Mr. Vernon Phelps

            Park Rapids,

            Minnesota

Route #2

Envelope back

(Written along the seal)

L. H. A. K.

(*Transcriber’s note* L.H.A.K. may stand for Love Hugs And Kisses)

Letter

1.

(Written at the top of the page)

a 1,000 Kiss From your loving wife

Park Rapids

Minn.

Dearest Vernon.

            How are you I am just fine.

            When are you coming down to see me.  You wasnt down to me for two weeks.

            I was looking for you down Sunday.  But you didn’t come.  I no you could get out with your car because you was in town Sat.  I seen your car go by.

            You must be mad at me why you dont come down to see any more.

2.

            I am not mad at you I have reason to get at you.

            I got a new coat last Sat.  Papa got it for me.  It is Brown.

            My little Baby Brother wight 9 ½ Pound.  He is 3 weeks old to day.

            Ernest and Babe was over Sunday all day we had fun a playing cards. 

            Was you to the dance a weeks go last Sat. or was your dad down there to the danc.

                        That is all for this time.

                        From your little sweetheart

                                                                                                Martha Becker

(Written in the left margin and along the bottom of the page)

answer if you don’t come down (the word “down” is underlined twice)

love and a kiss

Love Letters

This summer I hung out with my grandma Lola, my aunts Molly and Cindy, and my amazing great aunt Marion.  I'd heard she had exciting family stories and some photos.  Unknown to her, she had more than photos.  In an Avon box behind her recliner, she had old love letters between three different couples in our family.  I read them all out loud, sitting at her kitchen table, carefully opening the yellow paper and ripped envelopes.  I read them in the order they appeared in the stack, deciphering penciled cursive and creative spelling.  I read their words, their handwriting, their adolescent poems of love and hope and 1,000 kisses, their sadness, difficulties finding work, the weights of baby brothers and the corn yield.

I scanned them all into my computer and am now, in the heart of winter, I am beginning to transcribe them.   It is a comforting and romantic, and exciting, process.  I notice details I didn't before.  Over the next few months, I'll post scanned images of the original letters and envelopes, along with a typed transcription of the letters.  Enjoy!