This letter, from his father, Willis Tappan, was on the back side of the paper Donald used for his April 29 letter, where he also references some of the questions his father asks in this letter. The date of April 14 is inferred, because it was written shortly after Franklin Roosevelt’s death (April 12, 1945)
Saturday Eve.
Dear Donald,
I am going to surprise you and start my Sunday letter tonight. There hasn’t been much work accomplished out of doors to-day as we had planned as it has been raining a cold chilly rain to-day. I was going to finish planting potatoes if it hadn’t rained. This is earlier than usual but everything here is two to four week ahead of its self. Jimmie & I planted two rows last night with the shovel. We are putting them on the east side of the east this time. I expect you will recall you were here and helped plant them last year & just look where you are now. We have all the garden planted. It really looks nice for this time of year. The peas are about 1.5 inches high and the onions are 4 or 5 in. high. We hope no cold spell will come along and spoil things for us. Our early potatoes are not up yet but should be most any time now.
We are laying out a big order for our spare time this summer. You remember mother has wanted the old bee house torn down for a long time, well Richard started on it the other evening and would have finished it today if it hadn’t rained. Don’t be surprised if when we get at it we cut down the size of the old big porch. This is another thing mother has wanted for some time. We may change the well house & porch into one room. I also want to build to the north of the garage and make the big doors on the south. If it is possible I will make a double garage out of it. The house should be painted & I hope to build some cement walks. Now don’t be excite we may not get all this done but one has to plan before anything is accomplished.
I expect you heard about the death of the President (Roosevelt) almost as soon as we did. It came in here about 5PM. It certainly was unexpected to all. I wonder what re-action you saw among the soldiers over the news. I just heard over the radio a minute ago that next week will be the last week of organized resistance among the Germans. We all certainly hope that that is true. But from what we hear, it will not be all over even then. However that certainly will be a big step toward the end.
We received your April 1 letter to-day and was very happy to receive so recent a letter. It certainly would be a very joyous experience if you could be on hands to help liberate Wendell. I certainly hope all of the Allies soldiers are soon freed.
I will sign off for this time. Take care of yourself. May the Lord watch over you at all times.
Your Daddy, Good Night son.
Sunday after Sunday School just before dinner.
The radio is on now: We are listening to a news broadcaster in Germany. Giving an account of underground German prisoners. We hear quite a bit of discussion as to whether many of the horror reports we hear are true or are they only the exception. Especially the starving of the soldiers in the camps. I’ll bet you know first hand about some of these things. Mary says the news reporter was George Hicks.
To-day continues to be cool with a drizzling rain starting. As it coming from the east it will probably last a few days. Sunday School and church wasn’t crowded to-day as one might expect according to the weather.
Tuesday night is Morris’ commencement. (If he is yet at home at that time.) They were to let us know if he had to leave soon. We haven’t heard anything recently so we assume he will get to be at home for a while yet. Mother & I went to Alex. yesterday to get Morris a graduation present. It is a job to know what to buy a person entering the service. We found a fountain pen at Baileys for $2.39. (It is difficult to find pens of any kind on the market now.) We don’t know if he has a pen or not, but we thought this would be good enough for him to take with him. We may call Everetts this afternoon to find out if they have heard things recently. If we do we will let you know in this letter. We want to attend his commencement.
May you always hold fast to your Faith,
Your Daddy