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Written by Jeanne Lougheed & Cook Lougheed to their Grandson Jason. First part is from Jeanne, with Cook's comments below.
Dearest Jason,
Well, how is it going? Sometimes things don't go as we had planned.
In 1940, almost 60 years ago, when I graduated from High School, I wanted to go to college. Mother & Dad couldn't afford to send me to a 4 year college. There was this International Business College in Fort Wayne - 100 miles away - that had a good reputation and several of my friends had gone to. It was a 2 year course. It was $25.00 a semester.
They brought me to Ft. Wayne and the college found a room in a home. There were 5 of us that stayed there.
To help pay - the school placed me at the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce - to wait tables at noon. Most of the men were Lawyers, Doctors - had their own business - one at my table a Judge. They sat at the same table every day.
I was so scared, as I had no experience with anything like that, coming from a rural background.
The Chef was a "mean old women" and screamed and yelled at us if we didn't call our order in right. I'm too sensitive and it scared me.
But the men were nice and I got along O.K. They would tip a dime. Only had 3 or 4 men. I would take a quarter and stop at a good hamburger place called "Gardners" and get a hamburger, fires and shake for 25 cents.
Several of the girls I lived with worked at C. of C. and we ate together. Then we would go home and hit the books.
Isn't that some story?! :)
Anyway, I graduated and got what was considered a good job as secretary for Gas & Light Company for $18.50 a week. Some paid $12.00 a week.
It would be hard for you and Peter to understand this. Of course, no car - unheard of - we walked. We were happy and in a couple of years - I met your Granddad! Whee.
We are having Father's Day here at our home.
Granddad caught some fish at Lake Michigan and we are going to try our luck on the grill.
Your parents always do such a nice job of having everyone at their lovely spacious home. We will miss you.
{Below is written by Cook O.P. Lougheed}
Hi Jay - These fish are 8 lb. Coho Salmon and we got enough for you too. But you wouldn't get this in the right time to market it. Ha Ha, but we will miss you.
Jeanne asked me if I ever was a waiter. I was a busboy where I cleaned off the tables at General Electric here in Fort Wayne while I was going through Tool Maker School. I would get to work at 5:30, the factory cafeteria opened at 6:00 and I worked until 8:00. Picking up dishes off the table, make pots of coffee, making sure the silverware bins were full, etc. Then at noon & work from 11:30 to 1:00. I would be five minutes late every time and would leave 5 minutes early, but the manager knew I was on classes and worked so hard I got full pay.
{Can't read} I went to Ball State to play Football. I opened the University Bookstore at 6:30 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. Then to 8:00 class until 11:30 - 1/2 hour lunch - then Bookstore to 1:00 p.m. to class 1:00 to 3:00. Football from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. Leave early - buy bread and cold cuts on way to work at Tool Shop from 6:00 to 12:00 midnight. Back to dorm and up at 6:00 to University Bookstore. I thought it was a ball. Hope you are enjoying it all, Love Granddad