I had a discussion with my granddaughter a few years back about the Great Depression. “It couldn’t have been all that bad Gramps,” she said. “You could always get a job at McDonalds or some other minimum wage job, or do like you did and sign up for the Army.” I realized this young lady had no clue what the times were like back during the 30’s. Trying to explain there were no fast food restaurants, no such thing as minimum wage and a long waiting list to get into any of the military services, just didn’t have the impact I wanted it to have. Most small towns did not even have a restaurant during that period. In 2007 I decided to write a memoir, primarily for my grandchildren, and include some of the wonders I had seen as well as the conditions we lived with.
I began to gather material and organize a time line. In the process I came across a web site called the Korean War Project and discovered an old unit of mine had a page so I clicked and was surprised to find a guy named Joe was searching for me.
Back during the Great Depression one of the few social events we had in our rural community were barn dances. A farmer would clear an area of his barn; usually the second floor between the straw and hay mows, and hold a barn dance. The ones held in the fall were the best because food was plentiful. People would bring pies and all sorts of home made food and there was always a barrel of cider. A lot of families got their start in those mows. There were literal “rolls in the hay” in those days.
When I was 12, I took every job I could find, for any wage I could get. I picked apples for 4 cents a bushel and strawberries for 2 cents a quart. I could always find work at harvest time. Some of the money went to my mother but I squirreled a bit away and when I accumulated the monumental sum of $18.00 I bought a fiddle from the Montgomery Ward Catalog. I worked on my fiddle playing skills and eventually worked the dances. In the early 40’s I took a summer job in a rolling mill and had money to upgrade to a really fine fiddle. I bought it from the guy who made it for the sum of $25.00.
I will let correspondence pick up the story from here. I have xed out names where I have not obtained permission to use. This is the search notice from the Korean War Project Site.
Joseph xxxxxxxxxx wrote on 2007-07-22 13:54:43.0
Comments: Just found this site. I am trying to locate a GI who was in the 25th MRU – name of (This Old Man). Cannot remember first name. Do have some important info for him.
My response:
Dear Joseph, I am in the process of writing a memoir for my grandchildren. I was in the 20th - transferred to the 25th and was in Korea from the fall of 50 to the spring of 52. I have some photos of that era and would be pleased to share. Please contact me at (email & snail mail address). (This old man.)
Email From Joe
You should be getting a package from me sometime in the next week along with an explanation. Can’t divulge contents—but you will be surprised I’m sure. I was in the 25th and transferred to the 20th when the 25th left. I was a draftsman in the 25th and 20th MRUs. Then I was on orders. Ended up in Kobe Japan in a QM Depot. I came back and got discharged in Sept. of ’52. Several months later I went to work as a civilian at the MRU and attended college at night. Transferred to IRS in Atlanta in 1960 and to NASA at Kennedy Space Center in ’67. Retired with 36 years govt. service. Was in the first data processing center with IRS—still used the old punch cards at that time. With NASA worked on the Apollo program, Expendable Vehicle Operations launching satellites, then shuttle payloads.
How did you end up in Hawaii? It’s a beautiful place. Our troopship stopped in Honolulu on the way to Japan.
Let me know when you get the package, please.
Joe
Email to Joe
Dear Joe,
I shall be looking forward to receiving the package with great anticipation. I seem to recall you did cartoons and I had one of me that I kept for years but has since disappeared somewhere along my travels. I was transferred from the night shift to the front office in 47 to take care of a couple of daily reports and to learn how to maintain the MO, and Authorized strength files. My boss was Jewel Gxxx. I worked with MO xxxx, Emily xxxx and Ivan Armbruster. Any of those names ring a bell? I was not a big fan of Jewel BTW.
I went to Korea with the 25th if you’ll recall and in the spring of 52 was transferred to Japan on a special by name assignment. That got all screwed up and I wound up in the 25th Inf. Div. in far northern Honshu, near the town of Misawa. I had made T/Sgt in Korea and the Commander of the Division was livid that I was occupying slot that he could not use in his command. He raised hell till I was reassigned to an Ordnance outfit in Tokyo. The Truman “year” pushed me over the edge time wise so I stayed on active duty till I retired in 1967. I married a Japanese girl in 53 and after several Army assignments to include a year at the Army Language School in Monterey; I switched services to the AF. One of my AF assignments was at Hickam AFB. When I retired I worked a few years for Civil Service then quit – came to back to Hawaii and with a retired Navy Chief started a yacht charter service here.
The only member of the old 20 -25th MRU I am still in contact with is Jim xxxx who lives in California. Do you remember him? He was an analyst.
While in Tokyo in 52 or 53 I ran into Jewel Gxxx at some doings at the old Imperial Hotel so she must have transferred some time after I left.
I’ll let you know when the package arrives and my reaction to the contents.
Much Aloha Joe,
(This old man)
Email from Joe
When I got to Japan I came out on orders to Korea as an Intelligence specialist. Have no idea how that happened except that I was once attached to an intel. outfit in Ft. Bragg. I had to convince the powers that I didn’t have that training. Then came orders to Korea as an engineer draftsman. Again, had to convince them I didn’t have that background or training. Third time, assigned to Kobe QM Depot as draftsman, but never worked as draftsman there. Ended up as senior NCO in the Management Office. MOS was changed. Made SFC there and recommended for direct commission. (Two of us). Did the paperwork, went before the board, paperwork went to Osaka. Was approved there and papers sent to Tokyo for final approval. Then, Truman’s year was reduced and GI bill passed. Both of us ran to personnel and told them to get the papers back. Just made it; we would have been Second Lts in another week. We would have had to sign up for another four years. The Depot Commander called us in and raised hell. Turned out he had planned a big soiree’ because he had never pinned bars on 2Lts before.
I worked for Jewel G. She could be a real pain. Remember Emily. I took her out a few times. She married an Air Force captain—her landlady’s son. Remember Mo, too. I remember the name, Armbruster, but can’t remember what he looked like. Jim xxxxxxx rings a bell, but can’t picture him. I think I’m getting old and names and faces are fading.
Joe
The package arrived this evening (Nov 28) via UPS. A big box full of plastic peanut packing and the fiddle I bought in 1943 from the maker who lived in Franklin PA. This note was included in the box.
Dear (This old man)
I have been trying to find you for about 57 years. So glad I finally found you through the 25th MRU web site.
When you shipped out with the 25th MRU you gave me this violin and $10 to send it to your mother. I came out on orders soon after ward and gave your violin and the money to another GI who said he knew you and promised to send it. I can’t remember the GI’s name. I spent a year overseas. When I got back and got discharged I visited the MRU at Ft. McPherson. He still had your violin and bought it to me. However the card or paper with your mother’s address was not in the case. I questioned the people at the MRU and the only clue I got was that somebody thought you were from Pennsylvania.
I really tried to find you without luck. I’ve always felt bad about having your instrument. No one has ever tried to play it. In fact, I don’t think the case has been opened but three or four times since 1950. When I ran across the 25th MRU web site I decided to give it a try. Thank God for the internet.
I am very happy to finally return it to you. I wish it were in better condition.
Sincerely, Joe
Email to Joe
Dear Joe,
The violin arrived last evening around 7:30 Hawaiian time. To say I was surprised is an understatement. Absolutely amazed is more apt. When I left Atlanta of course I had things on my mind other than the violin. I did not get back to the States till the summer 1953 with my new bride in tow. When I visited my mother in 55 I ask about the violin but of course it was not there. I forgot that I had given it to you to mail and just assumed that it was lost forever. I bought the fiddle from the guy who made it and played it at square dances for which I received as much as $5.00 some nights. $3.00 was average but that was big money in 1939. Thank you so much Joe for sending it and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.
Much, much Aloha Joe, (This old man)
At that point in time and for apparent reasons, I decided to try to find a descendant of the fiddle maker and if possible return it to that family. I advertised on the ROOTS-L site and received this response.
> Mr (This old man)
> Stumbled on to your post and find it interesting!
> I'll have to ask my father today if Thomas S. was one of my
> (g)grandfathers or one of my g(uncles). I am certain that he is related
> to me, as I remember hearing stories as a young boy about one of my
> namesakes who was so good with the "fiddle". Though we no longer live there, our family is all from Venango Co, PA.
> I find this especially interesting because my 11 year old son, Caleb
> Thomas XXXX, has recently taken a suprising interest in the violin and
> is pretty good. (easy for me to say since I have no talent). I am sure
> this violin is special to you, but certainly at some point in the future,
> it may be equally as special to my family, if you are so willing.
> Thank you for your time in the service and your interest in our family. I
> will pass along this information to other members of our family.
> Any other census/paperwork you have on the xxxxxx family would also be helpful as I have been collecting for a few years now. (The original
> decendant in Venango Co was a Sgt Hugh xxxxxxx who service in the
> Revolutionary War, he arrived in Venango around 1790 and was one of the first settlers, though there is hardly any record other than his claim for pension)
> Maj. Thomas Vernon xxxxx, USMC
Email to my daughter
My darling daughter,
I received the following communication this morning. Unless you wish to claim the fiddle for one of your offspring, I intend to give it to the young man mentioned in the email. I really can’t play it anymore – except perhaps for slow tunes, but I can’t really, really PLAY it! I made a recording of my attempt to do “The Devil’s Dream” several months ago and the results brought tears to my eyes. This fiddle put a lot of bucks in my pocket during some very hard times and the thought of it laying dormant in its case again for years and years, makes my heart ache. Since the fiddle was created by one of his ancestors I’m sure the young man will treasure it and it will sing again. Please let me know ASAP.
Much love,
Your father
She declined
My letter sent to the young man along with the fiddle
Dear Caleb,
I’m so very pleased the violin is once again in the hands of a young person interested in playing. This violin was my best friend for a number of very bleak years and provided me with an income that was most welcome at the time. When I was not too much older than you (13) I joined a group that played for country dances. At the end of the dance evening a collection would be taken up – usually in someone’s hat and I often got as much as three dollars for my share. You may think that’s not much but back then, a farm hand got one dollar for 10 hours of hard labor. A pare of jeans could be bought for around fifty cents. Gasoline was 12 cents a gallon. We played mostly schottisches, reels, jigs, and quadrilles, which are considered backcountry hillbilly but include a lot of very difficult pieces. I also played the classics for my own pleasure. No matter my mood or situation, happy or sad, I could always pick up the violin and play a tune to make it even better. I hope this violin becomes a trusted friend to you and in a way an extension of your personality.
Your ancestor was in his 70’s when I visited his very neat shop for the first time. He had several fiddles on offer then. He was sad that no one wanted to learn the violin making craft and that he had no apprentices. The violin you have now, he had sold to a man who was a locally famous as a fiddler, a man I had heard of. The man died and his widow sold the fiddle back to Thomas xxxxxx. I picked that violin out of the lot and Mr. xxxxxxx then asked me to play two fast and two slow pieces for him. I played ‘Sally Goodwin’ and ‘Gray Eagle’ for the fast ones ‘A Man of Constant Sorrow’ and ‘Rosewood Casket’ for the slow. You probably have never heard of these tunes. Anyway, after hearing me play, Mr. xxxxxxx gave me the violin at his cost – that is what he paid the widow, $25.00 and allowed me to make payments on it. The violin is really not so old – only 9 years older than I am. Later I bought this case that you have now for $8.00. The hard case protected the fiddle for all those years it lay silent. The handle should be replaced and I’m sure you can have that done.
My hope Caleb is that the violin brings you as much joy as it did me. I would very pleased it if you could send me a photo sometime, of you holding the violin.
Much Aloha
(This old man)