Dear Alice,

We have no letter from you since the tragedy of Catherine's passing, we can judge this has hit you just as hard as has us here, and to write under such tension is more than we can bear. People here are just as sympathetic as you could wish, cards, calls, gifts, some folks, are just now learning of our sorrow and sending letter-cards, and every one reminds us of the terrible thing that has happened to us. Evelyn and Eric were here drove us in our old Dodge car to Tillsonburg on your Mother's Birthday. Jan. 25th, sad birthday indeed. The weather was bad, snowing nearly all the time, such a crowd at the funeral parlors, some we had not seen for years, about 9 people from our church here attended the service, Rev. Harvey of Brownsville U.C. conducted the service, Rev Clifford G. Park added his tribute very well indeed. We were surprised to see Betty, and Murray, and Douglas, and such a number of the Marshman family, we met them all at Hugh McDonald's farm home immediately after the service in Tillsonburg Cemetery (Hugh, is Wilford's cousin).

Wilford was much thinner we thought, but was well enough to come by train, with Douglas, Douglas wife stayed at 1804 with the 3 boys.

We were glad to know that you went to Minneapolis, Wilford told us that you were at the memorial service there. Jan. 26th. Evelyn & Eric, left for Ottawa, at 7:55am. and later we heard that they made it home about 5 pm. In the afternoon Wilford, Betty & Murray, & Douglas called to see us, during their visit, Rev A. Elson, and Jean, called, for a few minutes, Jean is now caring for her father. In about an hour or more the four who came so far left, Wilford and Douglas to go back to Hugh McDonald's home, Betty & Murray to begin their long drive to Fredericton, a letter from Wilford told us that they arrived back home to Minneapolis safely, found everything all right there. Wesley, sent us a cable on the 8th of Feb that he had sailed for the Solomons, Wilford had written to him as he did to all the rest, and Wesley knew that he might expect the worst. I had written to Wesley also.

Wesley figures he will be at sea for 21 days, so from the 8th to the 28th of Feb. and plus about 10 days to get an air mail letter to us here, will be the quickest time for any news of his arrival in the Solomons, unless he sends us another cable as he promised. This is Robert Park's birthday, he will be 15 years old to-day.

We are fairly well, your Mother went to the WMS, yesterday, Mrs Jolly drove her to and from the church, she is baking today, I think she may add some to this letter, if she is able to. I have to watch her close, see she takes rest.

Yesterday, we had a thaw, to-day we are all covered again with snow. I keep busy as I can, but I have not the strength I once had, nevertheless I repaired another break-down in the Washing Machine, quite a chore, but the old thing is spinning again, I am glad to say.

I guess I have covered all the news for this time, and we hope you are all well there, and that we shall hear from you soon.

Love to all SIX of you there,       As ever, Your Father

P.S. Your mother is too tired to add to this letter, she thinks I have covered all the news.

WML