ST. JOSEPH'S HILL INFIRMARy
Eureka, Missouri
Nov. 27, 1942.
My dear Jim:
There was no rural mail delivery yesterday because of Thanks-
giving day but fortunately the car was sent to Eureka for the mail, and it
brought back your package sent by parcel post. I opened it expecting to
find only the dressing gown, but really found much more. It made Thanks-
giving seem just like Christmas. I surely thank you for what you sent, Jim,
and will never forget your kindness. The dressing gown will be a big help
and I recognized poor old Bob's room jacket that he got from the Legion at
the hospital. I remember negotiating with Menke to get it for him, and how
glad he was to get it. The half-pint was a life-saver and I needed it, and
the three bucks will surely come in handy. I can't tell you how much 1 ap
preciate getting this box with all it contained, Jim, and I thank you for
it with all I've got. It arrived at just the right psychological moment.
Some few days ago I received a swell letter from Jack Nygaard, who is
with Tee and the gang in Africa. He told me of what a wonderful job Tee is
doing, among other things. I have sent the original to the Convent for
Marie and Sister to read, and asked them to send it on to Wim, and for him
to send it to you. After you have received it and read it, you might pass
it on to Tee's kids at home as I believe they are saving all the reports
they get about Tee. It is a good thing for them to do this. I have copied
what Nygaard said about Tee and sent it on to Ruth and the kids already but
I am sure they will prize the original letter.
It is surely hard for me to sit out here in the hills with the greatest
upheaval in the world's history going on and do nothing; especially when
some of my best friends are running the biggest part of the show and want
you with them. I burst out of here last Saturday night to spend a few days
in St. Louis just to get the situation off my mind. But I guess I am doom-
ed to stay on here and suck my thumb. After all, it is God's will that
counts. Life is surely a battle and the older one gets the more this is
realized. Whenever one of the patients here passes away I really envy him
and wish I could get out of the whole mess.
Wim seems to be hitting on all four out in Denver and I am surely glad
of it. He surely likes to figure things out and to construct his own theo¬
ries. His present one is that the white race is doomed to give way to the
rule of the darker races under the leadership of Japan. Time will tell.
Things are popping in Africa right now and I hope Tee is making out all
right. 1 haven't heard a word from him since he left England and I guess
nobody else has. The trip from England to Africa, the invasion of the con
tinent and what is following must be interesting and exciting. Read where
Fr. Pat Ryan had a funeral service on the shore so I at least know where he
is. The whereabouts of the dozen or more other chaplains that I know are
unknown.
Sister sent me your last letter to them and I surely enjoyed reading it
just as much as they did. They are both well and following every move of
the war. Iter says she is afraid of Communism but I hardly even think of
that just now. For the time being I feel that it has been swallowed up in
a greater evil. But it is far from being dead.
Please give my love to each one at home as you see them or phone them.
I hope that Ruth is getting along all right, and the kids, and Aunt Nettie.
All we can is to take each day as it comes and make the most of it. This
gas rationing that goes into effect next Tuesday, I believe, is going to
throw a monkey wrench into things for a while. Am glad we did not try to
get Bob's car down here when we first planned to.
It is too bad that you can't make Mass in the morning, but there is a
limit to what one can do; and God knows that you would go if you could.
With love & thanks again,
John

St. Joseph's Hill Infirmary
FRANCISCAN MISSIONARY BROTHERS
Eureka, Missouri
NOV 27
2-PM
1942
MO
Mr. James C. Markoe,
1937 Selby Ave.,
St. Paul,
Minn.