Douglas-Unknown County KS Archives Biographies.....Balch, William Monroe November 25, 1871 - November 17, 1941 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ks/ksfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sheila Lein rwlein@comcast.net August 29, 2006, 1:02 am Author: Letter from William Monroe Balch Baldwin, Kansas, Saturday May 17, ‘41 My dear Beulah: Since home-coming the days have been occupied almost to measured seconds. Work was behind, somewhat in confusion, Dean Gessner (?) brought loads more business affairs and Sig Ep affairs have taken time, etc. Our trip home was fatiguing, but less so than going. One of my memory & pictures, always to be cherished will be the beautiful lady waving me good-bye at Phoenix that Monday afternoon, - yes, the beautiful lady. We rode all that night faster than necessary, arriving at White’s City long before the carom (?) was open. I studied Summer School lessons while the children explored. They were impressed by the beauty and the vastness of it, - like all others beyond words. We resumed travel about 4 p.m., thro’ Roswell and Amarillo to McLean near the Okla. Border where we stopped 1230 to 5p.m. I slept in a cabin, Esther and Carlyle in the car. In the morning we drove eastward to El Reno, thence north to Medford, Okla. (US.81) where we had a good hotel dinner about 11a.m. By fast driving we arrived here 530p.m. Austin was on hand and took the children to Topeka. Carlyle had been tired from the time he went through the caverns and arrived here ‘all in.’ Having the back-seat for a couch all of us had had some sleep in the car. My classes had fared well for the most part, though two difficult sessions had occurred. The “substitutes” had all done well. Thursday and Friday my classes were pretty good and the students were cordial and sympathetic. Thursday evening I saw Quincy S. and Dick Gray initiated Sig Ep. There is good prospect of getting Mo Hodges (if not called by the Navy) and Larry Timmons (whose girl favors Sig Ep strongly.) To-night the Golden Heart Ball occurs. I have no heart for such things now but must attend at least part of the time, - lest the boys be disappointed. Louis Rodwell wants me to come on acc’t of his mother coming, and all want me because Larry T. – is expected. The boys are doing several errands for me and begging for more. Yesterday Kan.Conf. track – and – field meet was held here. B.U. won easily – 58 points. – runner-up only 38. Robt. Findlay scored 11 points. Last night Tom Custer took the Roper-car, giving me note for $100.00 payable $10 monthly or sooner. He needed to go to his farm and oil prospects for both of which he is full of hope. There was some difficulty in conveying title, of course, - so I called up Carl B., Rolla C., Austin V., and got clues. This morning went to Bank and on the way stopped at P.O. where I found Dick Roper’s cert of ownership just arrived from Topeka. Then went to Carl’s office. (I had found all the other pertinent papers in your desk.) Unable to get Dick R’s transfer of ownership to us. Carl will foreclose mortgage and so enable us to get title and transfer it to Tom C., all with little difficulty or delay. So that’s almost that. Many speak with kindest sympathy of our loss and Elizabeth’s greater loss. No one has spoken more graciously and appropriately than Tom Custer. He is a grand gentleman now. He still loves little Betty as though she were if his kindred, -thinks she was the sweetest child he ever knew. Since your air-mail letter, I have had no further word from you. Perhaps there will be something this afternoon. You mentioned physical examination of the children there and I will be relieved if I can soon hear good reports, but meantime need not worry. Dora is busy as bees or beetles keeping me fed, clothed, comfortable and ready for what’s next. I had taken no thought for to-night’s “formal” until she reminded me of all the details (?), one by one. She couldn’t remember name of laundress who had my dress-shirt but Sig Ep Boys scavenged until they found it. Dora found shirt-studs and has now gone to Cox’s for a dress tie. Once going good, her wits work fast and strait. The more I think of Elizabeth’s fortitude and clarity of mind, the more my admiration for her strength and beauty of character. She will have many rough roads and dark days ahead, but one who has been proved as she has been of late is already an assured victor, no matter what my betide. Any help or comfort either of us can give her in these days ought to be our own greatest privilege. You said not whether you were going to California, nor if so, when. Perhaps there has been no decision. For you and Elizabeth to see my mother will do great good, and may perhaps simplify our problems later in the summer. I have talked with L. L. Thompson (’phone). He has no vacancy at present, but seemed interested. He will surely keep Elizabeth in mind in view of possible openings later. I will hope to see him personally. Many send greetings and sympathy, naming Elizabeth with you, - Jim Chubb, Ben Gessner, Tom Custer, Carl Butell, Hattie Osborn. Charles Moon thinks it won’t be a real “Golden Heart” without Mrs. Balch. Later: Just returned from Golden Heart Ball. Beautiful as ever – perhaps more so. Flowers less lavish, more artistic. The Southalls were present, - also Louis Rodwell’s mother and brother, - and a few “Alums.” These, and many boys and girls send greetings, all in earnest affection for you. I think you will hear from them. Also, you will like the ‘favor’ they are giving you. Larry Timmons did not come. Will write more in the morning. Sunday morning. – This letter would have been mailed yesterday save for hoping one might come from you. Will finish now and presently go to the Sig Ep house for dinner. To attend the ball last night was not a pleasant prospect but proved to be rather comforting. Instead of a festivity, it seemed a demonstration of friendliness, all in a gentle and earnest way. The boys, girls, grown-ups, everybody treated me as though it were mainly for me and intended to express more than words. Jimmie Bradley and Mary Fauchtinger came for me with a car and when I tried to “slip out” midway through, nearly everything stopped and many crowded round to bid me good-night, not only by word, but by strong hand-clasps and arms about me. During the evening as I sat in the rear parlor, some of them were constantly with me, always in heartfelt expressions, no light talk. The band music was the sweetest I have heard since the ‘modern’ outbreak and uproar began, - low in tone, harmonious, often melodious, and once all stood at attention while Dick Southall sang and the band played sweetly “Dear old fraternity.” Louis Rodwell brought his mother to me for a long talk about his plans and future, especially with the draft in view. It is a problem in many homes, with added complications for the Rodwells now. Little I could say, but it seemed to comfort Mrs. Rodwell to open her heart about her boy. She says he loves us both dearly. Mr. And Mrs. Southall were more than friendly and, - with Mrs. Blackburn, and others, send you their “love “ in a way that means just that. We have always thought Betty Harvey a ..(unreadable).. no other girl expressed her good will more fully and warmly than Betty, nor in so womanly a way. Dick and Gladys Marsh were there and, of course, expressed loving good- will out of deep hearts. We already knew that there was true friendship there. Beulah, dear, how people love you; young and old and all. So I came away feeling all the helpfulness that friendship can give. It occurs to me that little Betty, Joseph M., and Tony might come home with you and remain until Mary returns to Tucson. If so, don’t hesitate to bring them. Our usual summer tour may be omitted in any case for economy regardless of whether or not the children come. It is lonely here. Our own problems and sorrows are grievous. And the world-tragedy throws deeper shadows over us day by day. But it always heartens and strengthens me just to say “Beulah.” Good-bye, dear love, and love to all. M.M.B. Bishop Meade died yesterday. A good man. Additional Comments: Preface: This letter was written by Dr. William Monroe Balch to his wife, Beulah Genevieve Richards Balch shortly after the death of Joseph O. East, husband of their daughter Elizabeth Jane Balch East, and father of three young children. William was a professor at Baker University in the History Department, and mentions many of his students and their families facing WW2. It was written upon stationery from Baker University, Baldwin Kansas, the office of Dr. W. M. Balch, Department of History. There is no envelope with this letter. William died six months to the day after writing this letter. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/douglas/bios/balch125bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/ksfiles/ File size: 9.1 Kb