Friday after dinner April 19, 1918
My dear Family,
This was my lucky day. Letters from Margaret, Alice, Fanny, Mrs. Pearce, and cards from Uncle and Floss. They came from Lakewood.
This has been a busy day. We are not permitted out of the hotel until 10 AM. Has some high mucky mucy's office does not open until 9 AM and he is given an hour to get his orders over to us.
We went back downtown for shoes and were given two pairs of tan, one of black, and a pair of rubber boots. They are Coward shoes-straight last similar to the pair I am wearing, but not quite as fine leather. I got them large.
After lunch we bought identification tags and had our serge suits and ulsters fitted. They are a dark blue serge with four pockets on jacket and two on skirt trimmed with button on each pocket buttoning it closed, and four or five on each sleeve. They button up to the neck but the collar turns down. The suits feel warm and the ulster which is fitted over the suit is quite heavy and good-looking on willowy figures. I bought a dark blue silk blouse from the Red Cross. They give us a flannel and two whitewaists which I have not yet seen. We then went to another place and tried on our grey duty uniforms and raincoats. The former are very unattractive and as all they will alter is the length of the skirt some of the girls will look anything but trim. Fortunately my build is as easily fitted as anyone's. We gave the Red Cross some idea of our sizes and they will send here the rest of our stuff-tights, stockings, underwear, gloves, etc. Will tell you about it later.
Last evening we went to the Hippodrome. Were you ever there Margaret? It is an immense theatre and "Cheer Up" very good. Such a large company and marvelous scenery. It was similar to a wonderfully complicated vaudeville. There was a terrible accident due to some apparatus breaking and two men injured, one fatally. Several women in the audience fainted and had to be carried out.
I am sorry I did not go down to Ardmore last Sunday, but Saturday was still so cold and dismal I thought I'd risk another week. Absolutely no leaves for overnight we were informed when we reached here by an official superior to Miss Gossman. I'll visit them upon my return and then what tales Ben, Joe and I may relate!!
I suppose Floss is rather broken up over Ben's going, but she has Uncle and is very much more fortunate than some other wives.
It is amusing how Minneapolis people still insist that we will never go across. Even the Tribune coming out stating we were to stay in New Jersey. We are asked to wear something else on the boat so I'll take my suit, but other civilian clothes must be sent back. I'll send them by parcel post. If I am not back by fall Margaret or Fanny can wear the serge dress.
Yes, I stood the car riding very well by keeping my stomach full.
I have not received the paper. Perhaps it could not be forwarded from Lakewood. How badly you must need rain.
I hope Mae gains rapidly. Sent her a card yesterday. Let her see my letters as it takes so much time and postage to write to each member of the family. Please send my letters around.
How terrible pneumonia is in Minneapolis. Frances, I hope Marion continues to have pleasant dreams!
How is Clear Lake doing with Liberty Bonds? Will she earn a flag? Is Minneapolis doing her duty? Have you bought my War Stamps?
Mother, if I should not return home (the fortune teller says I shall live to be over 70 yrs.) you will inherit my immense personal estate. I wish you to give Alice the Liberty Bonds and stamps and then spend the rest of it on yourself. There is $650 in Dakota and $100 in Clear Lake banks. Also the Penn Mutual Insurance.
The two Northwestern nurses who left Minneapolis several weeks ago are still in New York. It will take some time for the firms to alter our suits and get the other equipment to us.
For dinner tonight I had consommé, shrimps a la Newburg (with salad dressing), lovely are roast beef, potatoes, summer squash, Liberty steam pudding with fruit sauce (very good), and tasteless sherbet.
Fare thee well until tomorrow. Love, Jane
So many Jews to be seen on the streets of NY, and it is from Jews we are getting our equipment.
Saturday
Walked down to the Battery this morning and along Wall St and Liberty St. passed the Sub treasury, Stock Exchange, etc. Interesting listening to the men at the curb stock market. Spent the afternoon at the Metropolitan Art Gallery. Went both ways on the inside of the 5th Ave bus. Too cold on the outside, and light rain falling. Miss Samuelson has gone to the theatre again tonight, but bed for me. She did no sightseeing today.