Spitball Army

Our big-city paper transforms the news into decidedly small-town titillations by portraying snarky online comments as headlines.

Card is titled: “Greetings from Pueblo Colorado.”

Printed on back of postcard:

KEY TO VIEWS ON OTHER SIDE:-
P – Balance Rock
U – Mount of Holy Cross
E – Will Rogers Shrine
B – Royal Gorge and Bridge
L – Montezuma Temple, Garden of Gods
O – C.F. & I. Steel Mills.

Publishing information: “Published by Elmer C. Clark, 739 Marion St., Denver, Colo. / Natural Color Post Card, Made in U.S.A. by E.C. Kropp Co., Milwaukee, Wis. – IAY.”

(photo: spitballarmy.com)

[Letter postmarked on 15 July 1941 at 10 a.m. at Riverside, Illinois.  Addressed to Miss Crystal K., Marshalltown, Iowa, c/o Mrs. P.  Return addressed to Mr. Richard N., Riverside, Illinois.]

July 12

     Up at 8:00, airport at 9:00, the air was awful bumpy this morning. Back to the office till 2:00.

     Came home to find a letter for me. Boy, that pepped me up a little. I am certain, and agree with you, nature made some beautiful spots and Yellowstone ranks high as one. It’s just like you, spoiling those beans. I can’t wait to see those pictures. I remember that night scene very well – how could I forget such beauty? Your set-up sounds wonderful. Well, I’m glad you miss me a little and am waiting for some of those “loads of love.” I’m spoiled, I guess.

     I went out to the lake with my folks this afternoon and we had a very nice ride. The weather was fine as it has been all week. We rode quite late – 7:30 or so. We took our time going home and stopped at the Casa Nova for dinner and saw the floor show – pretty good. Got home about 11:00. As I was walking from the car to the house, I heard the music from the St. Mary’s dance. The one that we missed, remember? Oh, was it beautiful! A full beautiful moon, good music, and there I was just looking on all alone thinking of you and wishing I had you in my arms dancing. Oh me, what a life. Hon, those minutes were just awful – believe me!

     I had to do something then so I went to the Bonnet and met Jim S. and Ed B. again. They said I looked like really tying one on. I felt like it, but I didn’t. Jerry had a date with Bubby so I didn’t see him. Joe came in with a date later on. As soon as I got in, Mack came in, after he had taken Betty home. We all had about 3 brews and left. It’s a good thing I met up with those guys or it would have been a different story. I was in bed again by 1:30.

     (Honey, I love you) xxxxxxxxx

Cities dot the state as Hail Marys on a rosary chain: St. Francis, St. James, The Angels, The Sacrament – Glory be! – St. Bernard.

1890s growth: The Magic City. 1920s steel: Pittsburgh of the South. 1960s unrest: Bombingham. 2006 vagueness: The Diverse City.

[Letter postmarked on 15 July 1941 at 10 a.m. at Riverside, Illinois.  Addressed to Miss Crystal K., Marshalltown, Iowa, c/o Mrs. P.  Return addressed to Mr. Richard N., Riverside, Illinois.]

July 11

     Up at 8:00, airport 9:00, office till school. I flew like a bird this morning, Hon. It was a real thrill, let me tell you, but I must say that it was not half as thrilling as one of your kisses, Hon. There was simply no comparison there. Honey, I sure could use one of them now. You see, I can’t even write thinking about it. Oh me, miss me a little, Hon? Friday night and no you. What a life – there is no justice.

     After school, I picked up Jerry and we went to the Bonnet to drown my sorrow. Jerry felt sorry for me so he bought me a brew and I bought him a brew. Then Jim S. and Ed B. came in and we had a couple of brews. Then Mack and Grace came in and we had a few more. I immediately gave Grace your regards and told her the situation as you wished. We had a fairly good time but we all missed you – especially me. Grace kept telling me to snap out of it. We all broke up and I was in bed by 1:30.

     (Honey, I love you.) xxxxxxxx

     P.S. No word from you.

Cat bites my finger as I force-feed her meds. A month later, she dies. Today, I notice the bruise under my nail, moving up and on.

Card is titled: “587 / First House Built in Utah. Now Under Pergola on Temple Block, Salt Lake City, Utah / 78134.”

Printed on back of postcard:

THE FIRST HOUSE built in Utah was erected in 1847, under the direction of Brigham Young, by the Pioneers who reached Salt Lake Valley July 24th of that year.  The material used was rough logs, and slabs cut from same for the roof.  The crevices between logs were filled with mud.

Publishing information: “C.T. American Art Colored / Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, Utah.”

(photo: spitballarmy.com)