My Grandmother
Emma Waldner Schlatter:
Letter to my mother
Among the family memorabilia that my mother had was this letter, dated 13 December 1944. I was born in Centreville, Wilkinson County, MS, on 12 December 1944. My grandmother Emma Waldner Schlatter lived in Shaw, Bolivar County, MS -- Wilkinson County is in the far SW corner of the state, Bolivar County is in the Mississippi Delta, 200 miles away.
This letter is from my grandmother to my mother. When I was born, my mother or father sent a telegram to Emma announcing my birth and in this letter Emma describes receiving the telegram and her joy at the birth of her first grandson.
Note the envelope. The address -- Mrs. Joe Schlatter, Box 32, Centreville, Mississippi -- is in my mother's handwriting while the return address is in my grandmother's hand. It appears that my mother gave my grandmother pre-addressed envelopes for her use in writing letters.
| Dec. 13. 44 Dear Joseph and Baby I found a thellegram today in my P.O.B. and my spirit was low, as it cold be, believe it or not, till I opened the envelop of the thelegram, I start too smile Susi asket me whats the matter Emma, I told her that Joseph is a Papa of a little boy name Joe, and you know, all of them start to leave at me, and caling me Grandma Emma. Ar you happy Joseph do you tell John and Fred, Louis too, do so, Joseph, it is sooner than we was expeckting, I hope to see you soon Joseph, tell me if you com for 2-3 days if you can I know you will, Baby will miss you, so do I. Auf-wiedershen Emma
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| The note on the margin of the letter reads: Soon I am going to the show that's all I can do now, it is so cold lately.
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Here's an explanation of some of the items in this letter.
- My transcription retains the misspellings of the original. My grandmother was from Switzerland and her native language was German. She came to the US at age 27, thus, it was difficult for her to pick up English spelling.
- "Baby" is my mother. Her name was Annie Lee Richardson but she was called "Babe" or "Baby." Her older sister called her "Baby Sister" and the nickname stuck with her all her life.
- Joseph is my father. My grandmother had three sons -- John (1911-1960); Joseph (1915-2005); Fred (1921-2010).
- Note that she asks my father (Joseph) if he has told his brothers John and Fred about my birth. She also asks if he has told "Louis" -- her brother, Louis Waldner.
- My father's family lived in Shaw, Missisisppi. My grandfather was a baker and operated a bakery. Later the family operated a small grocery store and a small movie theater -- this may be the "show" she mentions in the note written in the margin of the letter: "Soon I am going to the show . . . "