Entry - September 21, 1936

7.00 Took this is? pretty easy today. Can’t understand why the h--l I ain’t getting a letter from home.

It sure does look like the fire season is over. We haven’t had a fire for quite a spell. I hope it just stays that way till we move.

Robert

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Comments from Chris

Robert was the fourth child in a family of five boys and one girl. Back at home in Cairo, Robert's family were all still living at a small house located at 425 20th Street. Living there were:

Hatti (Mom) - Age 52
Edward (Brother) - Age 25
Richard (Brother) - Age 24
Paul (Brother) - Age 22
Pauline (Sister) - Age 18
John (Brother) - Age 15
Lena (Aunt) - Age 67

Robert's father had passed away a little more than a year ago at the age of 57. You can see from the ages this a little different than what is common today. Lena and Hatti both managed the household while the older sons worked to bring income to the family. Remember Robert was sending $25 of his $30 each month home to support the family. This tight family arrangement allowed for stability in rough economic times.
I have seen many family letters from around this era. The mail was used commonly even for people living less than 10 miles away. You have to consider travel was not quite as convenient then as it is today. After knowing that, I'm not sure why Robert wouldn't be getting letters.

Avalanche Falls
From Robert's CCC Photo Collection