My Dad was fortunate that, even in New York, he had family. His sister, Aletheia, had moved to New York in 1939.
She had gotten her graduate degree at Teacher's College Columbia University, and was teaching English at Garden City High School on Long Island.
English Dept. Garden City High School, Aletheia Garrison seated bottom left |
Miss Aletheia Garrison |
In the spring of 1942, Pauline and Elgin wrote these letters home to his parents in Oklahoma. Aunt Aletheia kept them all these years, and cousin Jim found them in a box and shared them with me.
April 19, 1942 Planning the Wedding (Pauline's Letter)
Dear Folks,
Well, it seems like
a long time since we have written you but we have been pretty busy planning for
the big wedding. Only wish you could be here- we were wishing you would come,
I’m sure you would get a big thrill out of it. You would like Fred too, I know.
At least we think he is the most eligible one we’ve met for her- ha!
She was
over yesterday and we made a few plans and ordered the wedding cake. We are
going to have Elgin take some pictures of the house before and after the
wedding and some more after which we will send you and then we will be coming
back there in a few weeks and can tell you all about it too. We are going to
try and rent a trellis and decorate it with flowers, then also rent tall candle
holders to put on each side of the trellis and just have candle light which I
think will be nice, don’t you? She is going to try and bring over her radio and
we will get a record of a wedding march and some wedding music to be played
during the ceremony. She probably has told you what she is going to wear, etc.
so I won’t go into that. I’m so thrilled that she asked me to be her matron of
honor! I haven’t bought my outfit yet.
Just six more weeks and we will be on our way to Illinois
and Oklahoma. I’m beginning to get anxious and I’m sure Elgin can use the rest
from work. The work is letting up now, I believe, and he certainly hasn’t lost
any weight over it. In fact, I told him he’d better get rid of that stomach or
he’ll be ashamed – to take a vacation- ha! Ha!
I’m trying to get my house cleaning done but it isn’t such a
job. We have had some nice warm days here. One day it is warm- next day cold.
Today we drove downtown, passed the Normandie and really got a good view of it
turned over. Tell Bob I think the joke will be on him this time- think Aletheia
means business. She is even forgetful these days so you know it’s love – ha!
Ha!
Well, Elgin wants to add a few lines so I’ll close. Write
soon, Love, Pauline
Planning the Wedding (Elgin’s Letter)
Dear Folks,
Things sure are flying around here these days- don’t think
there is much doubt about Aletheia getting married. She, Pauline, and Constance
had a big pow-wow yesterday and think they have it all planned. Sorry you won’t
be here- but we will take some pictures so you will have some idea about it.
Won’t be long now before we will be seeing you- about six
weeks and time sure flies.
Glad Bob and Louise were able to be up for Easter and sounds
as though they are getting along fine. Dad I’m glad you are feeling better-
expect warm weather will help out.
Let us hear from you- will be writing you before the wedding
takes place- unless they wear me out washing windows, etc. Fred is a swell
fellow- am sure you will like him.
Must hit the hay- Love, Elgin
The Wedding Day (Pauline's Letter)
Aletheia came over Sat. night and we tried to do a little
practicing of the wedding march, etc. She stayed here all night and she and I
slept in the bedroom thinking I could just close the door and she would sleep
late but she was up at the crack of dawn anyway. Well, we fixed a white trellis
at the end of the living room between the two windows and decorated it with
lilacs and huckleberry. Then we put a large white vase of lilacs and pink
carnations on each side.
She had the room lighted with candlelight. She brought
her radio Victrola over and we entered the living room to the wedding march,
Elgin giving her away (and very proudly) then had soft music during the
ceremony. The minister had on his long, flowing black robe and it was all very impressive. I've never seen Aletheia look more beautiful nor Fred more handsome- they sure made a good looking bride and groom. The yellow suit was so becoming to her and her hair looked especially nice. Her corsage of two orchids and lillies of the valley was beautiful. I don't know if she told you what I was going to wear or not but anyway I wore a tan shantung suit with beige and brown shoes and a corsage of two gardenias. The groom, best man, and Elgin all wore a white carnation in their button hole.
Newly married- Frederick and Aletheia Hainfeld- Elmhurst 1942 |
Elgin Garrison, who gave away the bride, and Pauline Garrison, Maid of Honor |
The Reception (Pauline's Letter)
I used my lace tablecloth on the table. The cake with a
little bride and groom on top served as a centerpiece. We put a wreath of pink
carnations and huckleberry around it. Then we put large glass plates of
fancy little sandwiches on the table too. We used our new card table for the
big punch bowl which I borrowed from Bernice and her cook presided over the
punch.
Of course, Aletheia and Fred cut the first piece of wedding cake.
Everyone stayed until about 7:30 when the bride and groom left, then we
followed them downstairs and showered them with rice. Seriously, Aletheia seems
very happy and they are very much in love. Fred is such a nice fellow. I know
when you meet him you will not wonder why she married him.
He just
makes himself so at home here and we are glad he does. You remember Elgin said
she needed to marry someone who would hit her over the head every day- I don’t
believe Fred has temper enough to do that – ha! Ha! Her ring is very pretty and she is so thrilled
over it. I think she is relieved it is all over. She has been going at such a
pace but now she can relax and not have so much on her mind.
When we come home, which won't be long if we are able to get enough gasoline to get to Ohio, I can really describe the whole wedding to you much better and answer all your questions. I forgot to tell you about the ice cream - it came in all different molds. Some in the shape of wedding rings, wedding bells, cupids, slippers, doves, horseshoes, and lillies. It was really nice.
Elgin received your birthday card and was pleased about it. I gave a little surprise dinner for him and baked a birthday cake. Aletheia, Fred, Mrs. Fletcher and Mary Jane were here. When I mentioned the new card table I meant one we bought last week. It is mahagany with a white leather top and four folding chairs with white leather cushions and lyre backs to match our dinette chairs.
Aletheia left her radio for us to use this week and we will be spoiled when they take it away! Do you know as long as Elgin and I have been married I've never heard him play the cornet until tonight? He got it out and had lots of fun trying to play again...........
I forgot to tell you we liked Fred's family too. They are all jolly. He has a very nice father and mother. Elgin took some pictures and we are hoping they turn out good.
Mother's only sister died last week. She was 78 and had had three strokes. She had her leg amputated when she was 70 and had been in the wheel chair ever since but you never heard her complain.
Well, I think I've written about all I know for tonight. Hope you are well and that we will hear from you soon.
Love as ever, Pauline and Elgin
p.s. Some rich old lady who has Fred take care of her banking business gave them a $100 bill for a wedding present. She gave her 5 butter spreaders to her set and paid $15 of the wedding expenses.
Harold Hainfeld, Pauline Allen Garrison, Fred Hainfeld Jr., Aletheia Garrison Hainfeld, Margaret and Frederick Hainfeld Sr. |