Spitball Army

April 28, 1943
Brawley, California

Dear Doc,

Received your letter of March 26th and was glad indeed to hear from you, and also glad you arrived safely even though you didn’t say where.  I just came from the drug store and your fountain pen hasn’t arrived yet.  Will you give me a complete description and make of the pen then I will have them replace it.  Haven’t heard from Beverly since we were in San Diego.

Everything here is O.K. – and there’s a nice crop of rabbits.  I know what you mean by the “busy spurts.”  Surely hope you don’t have much work to do.  Surely glad you like the people there.  Will you send Beverly’s address as Minnie wants to “bawl her out.”

Tell Majors Kirk and Hiatt “Hello” and lots of luck to them and all the gang.  I made one trip back to the river fishing at the same place and killed a big rattlesnake on one of the rocks we fished from.  I believe it’s warm where you are but it’s a darn sight hotter here.

We feel confident that you fellows can handle the situation there and I know we can handle it here.  Write me when you can and all you can under the Pure Food Law.

With best wishes and regards, I remain,
“Tex,” Minnie, and C.L.

[Note: Tex’s mention of the Pure Food Law is almost certainly a reference to the over-eager censors of the military mail. He seems to be suggesting that Ande attempt to tell him what is happening where he is stationed, and to communicate it in the most shrouded manner possible. The Pure Food Law imposed rigid specifications on the reporting of the ingredients of marketable foods, and was enforced with a practically religious fervor after its passing. The New York Times article linked to in Tex’s letter (at the words Pure Food Law) is a vivid description of the passion that this issue aroused while being deliberated in the United States Congress.]