Letters by William Mark Leonard

Letters written by William M. Leonard to family members
DateRecipientHighlights
Aug 8, 1947 Alice, Clyde, Frank and Archie Watt Your father's sudden death; "I remember I built the house long ago...."
Jan 11, 1951 Lucy Leonard "I am busy writing up my personal history...and I want to say things now that cannot be said when I am gone." Family history questions. "Edith's sister is here with us for the winter, she is recovering from a bad accident, a broken hip, in the hospital 6 months is getting better in our care...." "Wesley...went to B.C. over the Rockies on his Motor Cycle, is having a good time, photography is his beloved hobby. We are well, as I write, prices, taxes, cost of living is too high, so we must tighten our belts like everybody else is doing."
Jan 23, 1951 Clyde and Alice Watt, Edmonton "I am busy gathering up the threads of my life, and writing from memory as much as I can, where I have been, gone, and what I have done since I was born, away back in 1871. As you know I am the last of my generation of the Leonards, and I would like to pass on to my family my story of the years. I keep a diary, but in the fire of the parsonage at Fairground in '35 I lost a lot my records." "I recall that I built the house that your Father & Mary Ann lived on First Street, do some of you boys live in that house?" "Wesley still unmarried, is off on a world HIKE, he went over to Vancouver from Minneapolis on his Motor Cycle, hopes to go to New Zealand this spring...."
Jan 29, 1951 Evelyn Henderson Jay one year old; Edith suffering from Intercostal Neuralgia. "Your aunt E. now free from pain, but still very very weak, gets very unhappy here away from her ain folks...." "However, she tells us jokes she recalls, and I tell the chestnuts I know, and your Mother laughs actually, even although she has heard them before." "Catherine thinks [Douglas may] be called up like others."
Feb 17, 1951 Alice & Clyde Watt Older preachers regarded as "worn-outs"
July 2, 1951 Watt nieces/nephews Preaching every Sunday for summer; profits from war
Nov 7, 1951 Lucy Leonard, Edmonton 14th grandchild born; Normandale work discouraging; preaching to Baptists
Nov 30, 1951 Alfred Weekes, The Maples Surprise visits to Alice and Evelyn in old Dodge
Dec 14, 1951 Alfred Weekes Church wants Edith to do too much, jobs younger dames refuse
Dec 18, 1951 Geo. Henderson, Toronto We forget to see some we intended to visit in Toronto
Jan 14, 1952 Alfred Weekes "It feels funny that our family now raises their own Xmas Tree. But so old FATHER TIME dictates, so we accept the rotation of the years." You know "the church dumped me off with no pension, after I had given them in West China, and Ontario, 24 years service. Ontario work at a miserable pittance that did not keep us."
Feb 6, 1952 Evelyn Henderson Road test to continue driving; Lambeth Church fire
Feb 12, 1952 Bert Cowan Q. about copying tape recording from Wesley to records; anxious about folks at Dixie
March 13, 1952 Alfred Weekes and Gertrude (Weekes) Pointer False teeth; Hungarian Presbyterian Church with sermons in Hungarian; slides from Wesley in New Zealand
April 2, 1952 Evelyn Henderson Heard Wesley's song
April 2, 1952 Henderson family English speech lesson for Chinese boy Poy Dong
April 17, 1952 Alfred Weekes Wesley planning a month of motorcycle travel between Auckland and Christchurch New Zealand; Eric to return to Indiana to finish Ph.D. after easter; WML saved church from being closed
June 22, 1952 Alfred Weekes "Our visit to Minneapolis was the trip of a lifetime, a most beautiful city, and three weeks of just seeing the lovely lakes, drives and scenic grandure, colleges, the great Mississippi and the wonderful Methodist church...."; "Rev. Clifford G. Park, is a good preacher, glad you could get his message over radio." "I am still driving the Dodge, and it runs wonderful for its age...."
Aug 4, 1952 Alfred Weekes "JAY stuck his fingers through the mica in the door of the heater, and when challenged he said 'No me, Ardur'. (he cannot say Alastaire)"; "Paul aged 3. turned on the Gas in the living room and dining room heaters...."
Oct 16, 1952 Alice Cowan "Hildegard is working across the floor at great speed, Triple Action, Hand, Hip, and Knee." "Wesley...went off on a HIKE to see the Glaciers...."
Oct 20, 1952 Evelyn Henderson Birthday card for Hildegard Joanne; one dollar to open a bank account for her
Dec 8, 1952 Alice Cowan Your mother had an accident last Wed. "She had on a rubber glove on her right hand and fed it into the wringer on the washing machine, it took her three fingers in crushing them, we got Dr Gerhard, he found no bones injured...healing up all right now...." "Catherine's recent letter tells us...Wilford has had an attack of Rheumatic Fever again off work one week...."
Dec 18, 1952 Mr. Henderson Rejoicing over Eric's successful college career
Dec 28, 1952 Lucy, Kathleen, and William M. Leonard "Catherine and Wilford have gone down to Texas for holiday, Minneapolis is a beautiful city, but it has seven months winter, and Wilford has periodic attacks of Rheumatism [sic], so they leave the boys to keep and go off to find a warmer clime for a fortnight...." [Better info in next letter]
Jan 7, 1953 Alfred Weekes "Catherine and Family went to the Sunny South, TEXAS for a trip Catherine Wilford, Douglas, Robert, and Jim. they left Warren in care of some friends in Minneapolis."
Feb 3, 1953 Alfred Weekes Snow about 3' deep. "The old Dodge, still goes but, she feels the cold and refuses to start, then I have to walk to the P.O."
April 3, 1953 Alfred Weekes "Wesley still in Christchurch, finished his side trip to the east and west, told us the story of the heights he climbed etc. wonderful beauty on the lone mountain-tops, the pictures in color are rare indeed."
April 17, 1953 Evelyn Henderson and Alice Cowan "I have no OPERATOR'S PERMIT, so must not be seen behind the wheel, I got a temporary Instruction Permit, but it demands that I have an experienced DRIVER sitting beside me...."
April 27, 1953 Evelyn Henderson "The accident on Dec. 29th insurance is still hanging fire...Corner who made the repairs want their money of course."
June 2, 1953 Evelyn Henderson Suitcase and shopping bag loaded by mistake in Cowan moving van. Adjuster refuses to pay for repairs to Dodge after Dec. 29 accident. "Jim is on diet, taking off weight, Wilford is down to 142 lbs, lucky fellow, I am too big in the center."
June 23, 1953 Alice Cowan "Catherine and Family, are coming here for a stopover visit, 28th & 29th, Evelyn and her cherubs are coming to us at the same time, What Ho!!!! What a Hilarious Hope!!!! The humbug is I have a car dare not drive it because I am put off the road they wont give me a permit."
Aug 28, 1953 Alfred Weekes 400 mile trip to Ottawa, Evelyn driving. "Now as I cannot drive, I must sell the Dodge, $375.00, but not many buyers so far." Edith canning peaches.
Oct 8, 1953 Evelyn and Eric Henderson "Alice's reference to Wesley's verbosity, had better be treated with silence."
Oct 30, 1953 Alice Cowan "Catherine's letter of Oct. 25th tells of a serious accident to Warren, he fell from the loft above the garage on his ear, produced a slight concussion, he was not knocked unconscious, he is making a good recovery. He cannot recall what happened, he heard Catherine tell the Dr about the fall. About midnight he seemed to coming back to normal, but will have to be carefully nursed for some time." Asking $350 for Dodge "but they wanted it for nothing so no sale."
Dec 14, 1953 G. W. Henderson, Toronto "Eric is all right, Evelyn quite proudly tells us that he gave a 25 minute address to the National Research Council, using some 15 color-slides of his field work. so there !!!"
Dec 26, 1953 Anna Weekes "Betty Park (Now Mrs Betty Neilson) is expecting to give birth to her Baby just about now, that will make us Great Grand Parents, we are waiting eagerly for the news of the EVENT." "Wesley is still in Christchurch New Zealand, he is going to spend his Christmas holidays by going again to the North Island, he may see our Queen there."
Dec 28, 1953 Herb Weekes "We had a fine Christmas, just the 2 of us, roast Duck just done to a turn as Edith can, Radio music, carols, the Queen's speech from Auckland N.Z. very clearly heard, good girl, she is made of good British humanity...."
Jan 30, 1954 Alfred Weekes Brother's surgery; great grandchild Linda Claire born in Minneapolis; "Alice sent us a fine letter in the form of a record. We heard their voices singing, 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing' then they sang, 'Happy Birthday to You.'"
Feb 5, 1954 Alice Cowan Record letter with COWAN QUARTET played for visitors; "My Judith has shot up quickly!! 5ft. & 85lbs, at 10 yrs, what will she be at twenty????." "Tell the children that they have a new cousin in Minneapolis and they call her 'LINDA CLAIRE'...born Dec 30th." "I am suffering from a sprain in my left ancle, I slipped and fell icy way, there was a light coat of snow that covered the icy spot and down I went, I got to a taxi cab, home, called Dr Macallum, he bandaged it."
Feb 14, 1954 Alfred Weekes My "broken ankle bone is a nuisance, I was trussed up in this cast, and will have to hobble about for six weeks on crutches...." "Wesley...has'nt a care in the world, is quite happy, without any responsibility, and he lets the rest of the world go by."
Feb 19, 1954 Evelyn and Eric Henderson "Yes, the bone, or bones, of my left ankle were broken, it was several days before I knew, Dr McCallum took me down to Simcoe for XRAY, and found the break, put my leg in a cast, on the 9th. now I must hobble for 6 weeks, then learn how to walk." "Delhi, has no future to warrant a new Protestant Church, I think Rome has too deep a grip here for the future success of our persuasion, I fear we'll have to sing the Swan-Song." "Betty Neilson's letter in to-day tells of happy little LINDA, gurgling, smiling, taking her Pablum on a spoon, etc. etc." "Do you want to buy a car???. The Dodge...needs new rings...I want $300.00 for it."
Feb 26, 1954 Alfred Weekes "We have come serious thinking sometimes about our case, our family are very far away from us, and all have family cares, I would be in a fix if I had no wife to care for me...."
March 9, 1954 Alice Cowan "I hope the school singing festival was a great success, and that the COWAN QUARTETTE, sang well...."
March 17, 1954 Evelyn Henderson "Judith sent me a St Patrick's Day letter, quite a fine girlish effort...."
March 27, 1954 Evelyn & Eric Henderson Enjoyed Eric's visit. "Eric is a past master at the wheel, and the Dodge was beginning to recognize his touch right away." "I go for some steps without the crutches this am."
March 29, 1954 Alice Cowan "Your Mother is like me developing a fine forgettery, so I must take a memory course." "I had my cast taken off on the 24th. Dr M. took me down to the Hospital at Simcoe, where they have a wonderful saw that cuts the cloth and not the skin." "Eric...dropped in here on Monday 22nd...got busy on the Dodge, got it off the Blocks, going Ok. took us to see your aunt Evelyn and back home on the 24th. The Dodge just went humming at 50MPH so there is life in the old car yet. Off he went on the 25th taking the Dodge with him, bought the car, it is his now."
April 2, 1954 Evelyn & Eric Henderson "Dr McCallum was here on the 31st (Wed) examined my foot and told me I can discard one crutch...." Visit to the Maples.
April 7, 1954 Evelyn & Eric Henderson "Very glad the measles are going, fair wind to them, and soon the cherubs will be all alive and full of fun again. Hoping the nurse will be the same. We were amused at Alastaire's query as to the Divine Gift of Measles, the young theologian is asking questions." "Sincerely glad that the Dodge measured up to expectations, and I sincerely trust the mechanics there will give her back her old time vigor." "Glad of the cheque Eric gave me I have to meet the Doctor's bill for this foot cure." "Catherine is having a heavy time, Wilford has by doctor's orders been off on rest for a long time, but he was well enough to come down stairs for his birthday dinner...." "Warren has be sick too, rheumatic Fever, was threatened...."
April 8, 1954 Gertrude, Alfred & Don Weekes "My broken ankle is mending I think, but I walked too much on it yesterday, and now I again take my crutch to help me hobble."
April 20, 1954 Alice & Bert Cowan "We had a nice surprise visit from Evelyn & Alastaire, on Thursday the 15th...spent the week-end here with us." "Alastaire, is very much interested in music, can play little pieces in the key of 'C' just the nursery rhymes type of tunes, my she is quite proud of herself." "Eric bought the car...has it running fine now, they can get around much better than the '32 Chev. could take them...."
April 21, 1954 Herb Weekes Fine visit with John Elson. "Mr John Elson, is a Geologist in the same office with Eric, also the son of a West China Missionary."
April 24, 1954 Alfred Weekes "My ankle is getting better too slowly, I dont need the crutches now, but I have to limp to save the pressure on my left foot."
June 5, 1954 Evelyn Henderson Wonderful time in Toronto at reunion in Annesely Hall for 1904 graduates. Garage roof leak fixed and whole roof tarred for $12.
June 16, 1954 Gertrude & Alfred Weekes "I am still improving on my feet, I use no cane now, but I have a limp that keeps me in low gear, but I get up to the Post Office daily...." "Catherine in Minneapolis, reports all well there...."
June 19, 1954 Evelyn Henderson "When I called your Mother in to read the letter, here we had a happy laugh a the wonderful FATHER'S DAY greeting card, or folder. the HIKE, the TRUMPETER, the SLEEPER, the SINGER, the FISHER, and the BIG ONE that DID'NT GET AWAY!!!!!! Oh how apt, these good wishes, done up in ARTISTIC STYLE. 1000 thanks, plus..."
July 16, 1954 Alice Cowan "Your Mother will go the Simcoe Hospital for an operation she has long planned...careful attention for a week there, then home again. The operation is the removal of Hemorrhoids, a major case but the Dr says not dangerous, I am not very happy about this but it is necessary." Catherine says "that Douglas is going to be married, to a girl in Colorada [sic]...." "Wesley is...working on his motor cycle and side car to carry him on his wonderful world hike, but he is inventing a special kind of side-car, with brakes of his own design...."
July 16, 1954 Doris Cowan "Thank you for your nice wee letter enclosed in your Mother's letter, we heard about that big fire over the radio, it must have been a big blaze...."
July 21, 1954 Edith Leonard "I was down to see you last night, but you were so plugged up with ether, that you could hardly keep your eyes open or talk, you wanted to come home with me right away." "Nobody comes here, nobody enquires, and few care so we are easily forgotten you see, I am as lonely as hen in a cellar and I wish these 5 days will soon pass to get you here again."
July 22, 1954 Edith Leonard "Another day, and I wonder how ye are?" "There is not much to do, so time hangs heavy."
July 25, 1954 Alice Cowan Edith home from hospital. During "my Bachelor's week here alone, not a soul called, or phoned, very few knew your Mother was away. Just as we might expect, we oldsters, are soon forgotten, I have not been called to preach anywhere for over a year. I guess they all know that now I have no car, so I am virtually on the shelf, and pushed back out of sight."
July 26, 1954 Evelyn Henderson Mother is very weak, and "will have to go very quietly for some time to make sure recovery."
July 26, 1954 Doris Cowan "I am glad you sent me your reply to my wee letter to you...."
Aug 4, 1954 Gertrude & Alfred Weekes "Delhi is filling up with 100s of men and women looking for work in the Tobacco Harvest, we hope there will be no trouble this year, they are not a very choice group, nobody wants them near, we certainly don't." "Alice and Bert, went on a flying visit to Minneapolis from Winnipeg. spent 3 days in MLPS and of course they went back direct, Bert had just a WEEK OFF."
Sept 21, 1954 Alice Cowan "We had a good laugh at how HECTOR is annoyed by the teacher insisting that he read and write." "We had a surprise visit from Montie Park and his Wife, both looking well, he was selling SOX, XMAS CARDS, PICTURES, etc. but we did not buy much, I got a pair of sox, but there not like those you gave me. We were a little surprised, we thought he did not need to do this, having inherited some means, property etc. but we know no details, so he is quite right to get what he thinks he needs." "Catherine reports that Wilford got home from the hospital on Aug 31st. progressing toward full recovery, but will have to gain muscular strength slowly...."
Oct 13, 1954 Alice Cowan "I am at long last, getting your mother's long hoarded Walnut, into a nice table, 2ft, by 3ft, 27" high, with an 11" shelf the same length as the top. I could not get walnut for the legs but have them cut out of White Ash, to be stained later. The Shelf is for books etc. easily reached underneath." Supply work for Rev. Morrow Sept. 5th and in Courtland for Harvest Home Thanksgiving, "they drove me to and from Courtland, they were very appreciative, and said so. I had no calls at all before these, since June. '53. at DUNN. So you can see that I am really on the shelf, and no car, I have to stay put." "Eric is home now from his field work, they had a tragic time in Labrador, 4 of their field men were drowned, from Canoes, Eric, had some sad duties to get the bodies home to the bereaved." "Wesley, writes long letters, the last one was 25 pages, he is emotionally upset at present, he wants to go as a mechanical missionary to the SOLOMON ISLANDS, has offered himself, but the officials have not sent him their acceptance as yet."
Oct 14, 1954 Evelyn & Eric Henderson Your "Mother had hoarded some pieces of Walnut that grew some forty years ago, or more, on the old farm. Now I have a small table almost put together of very fine WALNUT, 24" x 36" x 27" high one long shelf underneath for books or tea pots, cream jugs etc. etc. all this work done by hand goes slow...." "We were much moved about the tragic loss by drowning of those 4 bright Surveyors, we can sympathize with Eric, in such sad conditions." "Wilford is recovering very slowly...Betty & Murray, are in the thick of early problems of married life...." 25 page letter from Wesley took about 2 hours to read.
Oct 27, 1954 Alice Cowan Could not tend the lawn "because my left leg is too lame to tackle the Lawn Mower work." "Catherine...tells us that Wilford latest blood test is the best yet, he may be permitted to get up now I think...."
Oct 31, 1954 Evelyn Henderson Left leg and knee problems; Catherine's unique birthday card.
Nov 3, 1954 Gertrude & Alfred Weekes "I have done my bit, and Edith, and I, deserve a quiet, happy retired, restful time."
Nov 30, 1954 Alfred Weekes "There is no woman in New Zealand that is keeping Wesley in there so long, he is not much of a lady's man, I wish he would think up how lonely he will be later on...." "We were down at the Maples from the 4th to the 8th, had a nice visit, they were all very anxious to get the corn in, Maurice has fine machinery to cut and load the corn...." "We do not expect anybody here for Christmas, but we will enjoy ourselves nevertheless. All the family are setting up their own TREE now, and their interests, fill all their time, so it goes...."
Dec 25, 1954 Alice & Bert Cowan "I get no pension from the church, and having no car, cuts off the chance of supply work I might do. Of course your Mother is not very anxious that I preach, she thinks it takes too much out of me, but I could do it yet."
Dec 25, 1954 Evelyn & Eric Henderson Thanks for "all these wonderful gifts that Santa sent us...that RECORD, with its IRISH JAUNTING CAR song, made me feel like dancing...." "We have a Vacuum Cleaner now, and it sucks up, the fuzz, and kicks up a fine row, while doing it, your Mother can work it fine, and I slither it along too, a great labor-saver, but it talks too much...."
Dec 29, 1954 Alfred & Gertrude Weekes "Wilford, is making progress, getting better though he is still very weak." "Wesley sent us his first letter from Australia, got here Dec. 27th. he says SYDNEY is a big big city, 2,000,000 population, and riding in the city traffic was a strenuous affair. He had a rough time finding storage for the things he cannot take further, but his motor cycle, and its side car tent, came in fine and useful for his need."
Jan 7, 1955 Alice Cowan "We have two letters from Wesley since he landed on Australian soil, his first impressions of the Central Office, were very much of a cold reception, they have BRASS HATS in Sydney just like Toronto. He...took his Motor Cycle, and all its gear, tent, etc. and went off on a fine trip thru the mountains, on to Canberra the Capital, got to meet a lot of nice people, contacted the Canadian Office, was very well received. He told us of the wonderful country, took Photos, saw Wallabies running wild across the roads." "The latest news from Minneapolis is that Wilford, has walked down stairs, he is on the mend...."
Jan 7, 1955 Judith Cowan "I have your part of the letter of January 4th. and I think your writing is very like your Mother's, your grandmother thinks so too." "I hope you...keep at the top of your class."
Jan 7, 1955 Doris Cowan Glad to learn "you are having such good times in WINNIPEG...."
Jan 20, 1955 Evelyn Henderson "On the 18th we got the dreadful news of Catherine's illness which you all have mercifully hid from us until now. We assure you it has hit us hard, it was a shock, we never dreamed of Cancer. We are very much in prayer for her recovery despite the fact that the chances are one in four, you will join us I am sure in our appeal to the great Physician." "Wesley, will sail for a 21 day sea trip from Sydney to the Solomons, I sent him an air-mail letter on the 18th when we got the tragic news from Minneapolis, urging him to pray for his sister." "We are glad we are at home here, we could NOT travel safely in our present state, we are fairly well but care must be taken of the strength we have, we would fain go to Minneapolis, but to arrive there sick would never do."
Jan 21, 1955 Montie Park "We have just learned from Ostrander, in Tillsonburg that our Catherine passed on this morning in Minneapolis Hospital. The funeral will be held in the Ostrander Funeral Home 2 pm on Tuesday Jan. 25th. We have no car, and will you come for us and bring us home again if necessary...."
Jan 22, 1955 Alfred & Gertrude Weekes "We are the gloom of deep sorrow because of the death of our Catherine in Minneapolis Hospital on Friday morning Jan. 21st." "She had been suffering from Cancer, and the rest of the family did not tell us, this had been going on for a long time, but they kept silent, but we got a shock finally. Evelyn & Eric will come in their car from Ottawa, likely be here to-morrow."
Feb 11, 1955 Alice Cowan Full letter
Feb 12, 1955 Mrs. Charles Watson, Vancouver We "cannot yet think that Catherine has passed on. We were quite unaware that Catherine was suffering from Cancer, the rest of the family kept it a secret from us. It was only when a recent operation revealed the worst that they decided to tell us with Catherine's consent." "Wilford kept us well informed, every few days as to her condition, and wrote to Wesley in Australia telling him of how she was sinking, so Wesley knew before he sailed for the Solomons...." "The funeral was on her Mother's birthday Jan. 25th a sad birthday indeed, snowing almost all the time. A big company of people were present. Evelyn and Eric, left for Ottawa on the 26th. Wilford, Douglas from Colorada [sic], Betty and Murray from Fredericton, called on us on the 26th, then off home again."
Feb 12, 1955 Mr. & Mrs. J. C. Watt, Edmonton "You will be sorry to learn that our Catherine died in Minneapolis Hospital on Jan. 21st, her body was brought to canada for burial, she lies in Tillsonburg Cemetery just 12 miles from here." The "shock was so great we feel it keenly."
Feb 15, 1955 Evelyn Henderson "Wesley sailed for the Solomons on the 8th, sent us a cable, with one word, 'SAILING", will sail for 21 days."
Feb 25, 1955 Alice Cowan "Here the church people, and others of the surrounding district just poured their sympathy cards, gifts, flowers, visits, expressing their real feelings about this shock, it broke us up terribly." "Evelyn and Eric were here for the funeral in the Tillsonburg Funeral home, about nine of our church members including our pastor were present, and such a lot of people we had not seen for years, Douglas got special leave and came with his wife to Minneapolis, and I suppose you met them at MPLS Betty & Murray Neilson from Fredericton all the way by car. Rev Clifford G. Park, and his daughter were there, he spoke wonderful kindly words about Catherine. After the Service at Tillsonburg Cemetery, all the relatives went to the farm home of Hugh McDonald, Dereham, near to Tillsonburg, we again met a large number of people we had not seen before. We left about 5 pm. Eric at the wheel of my old Dodge, dull snowstorm, blackened our dark day." "Wilford, Douglas, Betty and Murray, came on the 26th spent an hour with us then off for home again."
Feb 26, 1955 Evelyn Henderson "It is nice that you can have such nice visits to your neighbors to chat on topics feminine."
March 3, 1955 Jay Henderson "We had a big railway smash here on the morning of March 1st...at the crossing close to us here. It was about 6 O-Clock in the morning. Four men in an automobile tried to get over the track in front of the train. I think all the men were hurt and taken to the Hospital. The big steel Rails were twisted, the Engineer had to put on the Brakes, stopped the train and about thirty cars were all crushed up, and piled on the top of each other. A great big CRANE came and began to lift the cars, put new wheels on them, and they worked all night for two nights, now all the line is cleared up, but the cars are lying on the side of the track, some on their side, some twisted, broken, some up on end, and such a lot of people came to see the big wreck, Girls and boys from the school, so many cars could not get across, they came round to our sub-way."
March 12, 1955 Evelyn Henderson "I am much amused that JAY got so much fun of that letter addressed to HIMSELF." "Glad you got a letter from Wesley, we had a cable from yesterday, he has arrived in the Solomons after a month's sea trip from Sydney. His letters are so full of details written so small and the names of the Islands visited are hard to pronounce, it takes us both a long time to read them that we have to watch that there is nothing on the cookstove that will burn." "I have never seen much of Ballet Dancing, in my boyhood days it was considered dreadful, so I got a bad picture of it." "Tell Jay, all the broken cars are gone now and the long long trains are rolling along again all right."
April 15, 1955 Alfred Weekes "We are having a happy Eastertide, Evelyn, Eric, and their 3 children are here for a holiday they came on the 9th. will return to Ottawa 16th, alas, such visits are very rare, and we prize them. Another, good bit of news is that ALICE and Paul, will pay us a visit on April 25th. It is quite a trip from Winnipeg, she will by train visit, Bert's Father & Mother in Toronto and then come on to us...." "Wesley, landed in the Solomon Islands on the 10th. sent us a Cable, he is [having] a wonderful experience as Missionary there, they need him so much at so many ISLANDS, that he cannot get there soon enough, he has charge of building, boats, has to draw plans, has to bach it, in his allotted room in a broken house that was smashed during the war. His first letter was a revelation, of the confusion, the natives speak poor English, and he has a tough job indeed. However, he is well, and tackling it all like a missionary Structural Engineer...."
May 25, 1955 Alfred Weekes "We had a nice letter from Wilford, he sent us a nice book of poems that Catherine composed, we prize it very much. Wilford and his boys are all well, busy at their school work. They are planning a holiday trip into Canada they think it may take place in June." "We get a monthly letter from Wesley per AIR Mail, he is busy at almost every kind of a job you could imagine, they have to get from one island to another by using their Mission Launches, Wesley, has had to repair these boats, fix their Engines, then go to another one of the island to fix some break-down in the Electric Engines, and light, all this in addition to building new school buildings, houses for the missionaries. During the last war, there was a break up of their mission property from Bombs etc. He is living in a broken house like that himself, has 2 boys to attend him like cook boys but he likes to do his own cooking."
July 11, 1955 Gertrude & Alfred Weekes Having a heat wave. "Indeed the thermometer touched 100 deg. yesterday...." "We are well, I have been busy preaching, a sick preacher had to go to the hospital...." "I had to hold the fort for 3 Sundays at Courtland...." "I had a good time every service, the people know me at Courtland, I began to help there away back in 1931. On June 30th. we had guests all the way from Minneapolis, Wilford, and this three boys Robert 15, James 14, and Warren 9. We were glad to see them, but how changed, Robert is 5ft.9", Jim not much shorter and Warren, a happy boy, they all enjoyed the space we have here. On July 1st. we went to the Forrestry Farm here, a big Pic-Nic, such a lot of the PARK FAMILY, quite a re-union, very happy day, home again to Delhi here, July 2nd, we all paid a visit to CATHERINE'S GRAVE in Tillsonburg Cemetery, Wilford took a photo of us all at the grave, a very sad moment for us all. Back home to Delhi, then Wilford and the boys bid us good bye, off to Fairground to see his father, spent the time until Sunday at 9pm when they left London for Minneapolis." "Alice seems very much disturbed about" talk of being transferred back to Toronto. Wesley "is mostly boating here and there repairing MOTOR LAUNCHES, he is off to another ISLAND, will likely stay two weeks, they have several ENGINES that WON'T GO. Then its an hospital ELECTRICITY, that has winked out, oh my, what strange bunch of missionaries, feel shut off from the world and each other. Wesley's letters are strange tales of strange folks, of strange color, strange language, etc etc."
July 18, 1955 Doris Cowan "We had Robert, James, and Warren here to visit us, they came along with their Father, Uncle Dr Park. They came here on June 30th and took us traveling in Grandfather Park's Car. They had fine fun on the Tree swings, the Big One began to crack, so Robert sawed it off then sawed all the branches off, and gathered the wee apples to play with. They left us here on July 2nd. went to Langton, then to Fairground, then on Sunday night, July 3rd. they left London by train for Minneapolis....;"
July 19, 1955 Alice & Bert Cowan "We want to see you again of course, but that is very very uncertain at our age, you will note changes in both of us that will show the end of the road."
July 23, 1955 Evelyn Henderson "The glorious news has come at last, Eric phoned us last night, about the golden-haired, 8½ lb BABY BOY, had safely arrived all well, his name, your choice Mark sounds good, but don't call him Marc Anthony." "Wilford's 3 boys are in Oakbank...." "Alice planned to have the 3 Parks and Adelene, Barbara and Bruce all to the cottage for a visit, wow, too muchee I think." "Wesley is in the confusion of jobs, boats to fix and float, houses, and engines to repair, but I guess he is happy in celibacy, and being much wanted for his mechanical fingers to make their dead engines go. I preached to the Baptists last Sunday, hot day few people about 50 I guess, their preacher is in the hospital...." "I have 3 appointments for August...."
Aug 25, 1955 Alice Cowan "Your report of the 3 boys from Minneapolis makes painful reading, I am very much disappointed." Sorry "for your having to transfer to Toronto with all it means...." "Wesley...seems to be going from Island to Island, repairing Engines, Electricity, broken Boats, I trust he will feel that he is wasting time there, and come home at the end of his probation year...."
Sept 12, 1955 Evelyn Henderson "I have had the enclosed historical story of Evelyn E Hartman M.D. for some time, indeed, since August 29th. when Wilford told us he was goin to marry Evelyn on Sept. 23/55." "We...think this is a good solution of his tragedy of losing Catherine, and in face of this urgency and for the future of his three boys."
Oct 29, 1955 Evelyn Henderson "We...are not connected to the street drain either, too costly for us and we have better water than the town supplies." "The latest from Wesley is that he has applied for a passage to Sydney in March '56. His probation year expires on March 10th. He feels the work is needed, but the workers are impossible, cranks, an intolerable BOSS, and there is no sociable life for him at all, to be on call for jobs they cannot do, keeps him at work all the time." "We have no recent word from Minneapolis, the LINK is broken, and very likely we grow further apart."
Oct 31, 1955 Alice Cowan Wesley "is properly fed up with the antiquated personnel, of alleged missionaries, under an intolerable BOSS, he has to work all the time, no relaxation of any kind, he thinks all night and works all day. The jobs he gets, are those no others can do, he is shipped here and there to odd jobs. So he will get out we think, and we don't blame him. Of course to start again will be hard."
Nov 3, 1955 G. W. Henderson Word from Ottawa is that "young 'MARK' is growing fine, and sleeps twelve hours." "JAY is particularly fond of his wee brother who can smile at him."
Nov 8, 1955 Herb Weekes "No news from Minneapolis, now there is a new Mrs Park, and we hope all is going well there." "Edith is not very well, but her tablets are very effective indeed too much so, I think. I keep her resting as much as I can...."
Nov 16, 1955 Evelyn & Eric Henderson "We had a visit to the Maples Oct. 7th to the 10th...." "Maurice, had a wonderful lot of fine collored photos of the points to and from B.C. these were all enlarged thru his projector, we saw some of our relatives that had not seen for years and years."
Nov 19, 1955 Alice Cowan "Our FORGETTERY, interferes with our success, the pot boils dry, or roasts the spuds, etc etc. this adds to the work in the cookery dept, but I think I am not so useless as I was." "We trust that you will be happy in your new home, be sure to get to church as often as possible, and be very sure the children get to S.S. If they should drift away from the church, it will break your heart."
Dec 14, 1955 Evelyn Henderson "So MARK tried his TENOR range of voice while you were away, I wonder did he reach the upper Bflat, that was once my limit in the Soldiers Chorus...South Africa Male Voice Choir." "As to Wilford's letter re-his generous high talented relatives, give me the peculiar feeling it does to you, all honor to their literary excellence, but I will feel very small if ever I meet any of them...." "The memorial to Catherine touches me as a nice gesture." Judith wrote that "she was delighted to be absent from school because of the MUMPS..."
Dec 16, 1955 Frances (Weekes) Layton "Wilford (Dr W.E. Park) married again on Sept. 23/55. Catherine left three sons...." "The new Mrs. Park is a medical doctor a very fine christian, cultured woman, the boys like her."
Dec 22, 1955 Alfred & Don Weekes "Edith came in my study...to tell me about Mr DONG of the local Resturant, we got a nice gift of very sweet things all the way from CHINA. The Dong family are very nice, Edith taught one of their sons ENGLISH...."

Letters to Catherine and Wilford
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