Somethin' to Write Home About

Items

• Dr. Giles Paddock Ransom Family Collection. RC 275, Box 15, Folder 1
  These two letters, both written by Winnebago County native Gregg Marshall, were composed only four days apart. He writes to his boyhood sweetheart while away working as a guide in Big Bear Lake, California. The two letters both show his deep affection for her, but can be contrasted by tiny intricacies and thoughts of his day that he writes in the typed letter: “Does [your brother] still enjoy potato chips?” “There is still snow in the canyons on the north side of Grey-back mountain” “Started parting my hair in the middle.” Although these might seem slightly absurd to an outside reader, he shares them because they represent his day-to-day ponderings—which are the very things he finds most important. 1920.