Sneaky and Kid: the letters of Tom and Ruth

Ruth and Tom met in early 1910 in Reno, Nevada. In the fall of 1911, Tom entered the University of Nevada, Reno, as a freshman, and Ruth started two years later. They were engaged around the time Tom graduated in 1915, and they were married November 16, 1917. A month after they were married, Tom left for Europe as a 2nd lieutenant in the Army Signal Corps, not to return until June 1919.

Starting in 1911, there were many periods, sometimes quite long, when Tom and Ruth were separated. During those times they wrote often to each other. Ruth saved many of the letters from Tom, and Tom and Ruth saved some of the letters from Ruth. In addition, Ruth saved postcards and photos, many from the first decade of their lives together, and also from later periods.

In July 1975, based on the newspapers used as padding, Ruth gathered these letters, photos, postcards, and other documents and put them into a 14 x 11.5 x 8.5 box. The items were grouped into different bundles, organized by time and location, with each bundle tied with white string. The box with these bundles was at Rabbit Lane when Canary sold the house in 2003, and I brought it up to Belmont with the intention to copy or catalog it somehow. Good intentions aside, nothing really happened until this spring. I was probably waiting for Amazon Web Services and a speedy scanner all the time.

Why Sneaky and Kid?

Tom had several nicknames for Ruth which he often used. "Sneaky" was a popular one, and Ruth would sometimes sign her letters that too. "Rufus", "Wruth", and "Hobo Queen" were other terms of affection Tom had for Ruth.

Ruth had fewer nicknames for Tom, choosing to call him Tom or Tommie. "Honey Love" and "Sweetheart" worked too. Sometimes she used "Kid", and her letter of August 13, 1915 opens with "Dearie Kid" and signs off with "your Sneaky". That's why I chose sneaky-and-kid.com as the domain for these love letters.

Chronological Organization

While I scanned the items by bundle, I have re-organized them slightly on this site, consistent with Ruth's original intention to group items by time and place. Here are the broad groupings:

1911 - 1915: Early Courtship

This first group goes through Tom's four years at college. They wrote letters to each other only when one or both were away from Reno. For instance, during Christmas break Tom's freshman year, he worked in a silver mine to earn some extra money. Each went to visit family, Tom to Los Angeles, and Ruth to British Columbia.

1915 - 1916: Ruth at Reno, Tom at work in Los Angeles and Tonopah Nevada

During Ruth's junior year, Tom taught high school in Tonopah, Nevada.

1916 - 1917: Ruth at Reno, Tom in Boston and Haverhill

In April 1916, through his connection with "J.B. Lukes", Tom is offered a job in the Boston office of Stone and Webster as a statistical analyst. Within the year he was promoted to an operations job at the Haverhill subsidiary.

Fall 1917: Transitions in the Bay Area

With the war in Europe starting to get closer to home, Tom applies for officer training, ahead of getting drafted. He is accepted and in late August 1917, reports to officer training in San Francisco. Meanwhile, Ruth graduates in May 1917 and accepts a teaching job herself in Wells, Nevada. But Tom's enlistment and assignment has her re-think her plans, and she resigns her teaching position before she starts. A University connection -- professor I think -- arranges a job for Ruth at the Berkeley Land Bank. Ruth moves out to Berkeley, where she can see Tom on weekends. They get married in Berkeley on November 16, 1917, about a month before Tom sails for Europe.

1918: Tom in France, Ruth in NYC

During the fighting, up until November 1918, Tom is in France. He sees his first action in April 1918 and receives the French Croix du Guerre for his actions. During the war years, Ruth is living in New York City, working at the Episcopal Girls' Friendly Society under the care of "Mrs. Brown". Very few of Ruth's letters to Tom during the war made it into the box -- were they left in Europe, or otherwise not included?

1918: Tom's letters to his family in Elko Nevada

Tom also wrote to his mother, his sister Eva, and his brother Bert who were in Elko Nevada.

1919: Tom in Germany, Ruth in NYC

After the Armistice, Tom goes to Germany with the Army of Occupation. He has a motorcycle accident at the end of April 1919, which lays him up for a few weeks, and then he returns to New York in June 1919.

1919: Tom's letters to his family

More letters to Tom's family, while he was in Germany.

Journals from 1918 and 1919

Tom has two different journals, one from spring 1918 and the other from 1919.

1919 - 1929: The First Decade of Married Life Together

Again, Tom and Ruth wrote to each other only when they were apart. Just back from Europe, Tom travels to Los Angeles for family business while Ruth is with her family in British Columbia. Later, in December 1922, Ruth returns to British Columbia to visit her ailing mother; her mother dies shortly after Ruth returns to Haverhill, in February 1923. There are other items, such as a business pamphlet from 1924 and a letter from Tom's younger sister Eva written in 1926.

1930 - 1939: Living in Beaumont

After moving around frequently to various Stone and Webster subsidiaries during the 1920s, Tom and Ruth remained in Beaumont, Texas for all of the 1930s. The largest batch of letters saved were to Ruth from her three daughters when Ruth was in a Fort Worth hospital in 1931. There is also a newsy letter from Tom to Ruth in Baltimore in 1939 about Mary Caroline's high school social activities.

1940 - 1949: Bethesda and New York City

The war brought Tom and Ruth out of Texas to Washington, D.C., where Tom helped the government coordinate the activities of the utilities during the war. After the war Tom and Ruth moved to Washington Square, New York City and Tom worked as a banker. There are not a lot of letters from this decade. The best of the lot is when Tom tells Ruth that Bill has asked him for Betty's hand in marriage.

1950 - 1960: New York City and Houston

Most of the time apart happens when Ruth visits her daughters. There is a set of letters from when she visits Betty in Ohio, and another one when she visits Mary Caroline in Utah. While Ruth is in Utah, Dr. Jim visits Tom in NYC as Jim is looking for a place to set up his medical practice. Tom refers to young Jimbo's features courtesy of Walker family genes.

Photos and Records

Ruth and Tom have photos saved, and Ruth's various relatives provide some documentation and recollection about ancestors.

A Sampler of Letters

There is a lot in the box. If you want a sample from most periods, try this list.

Percy's Letter for Santa, via Aunt Carrie

This is the earliest item in the box -- a letter to Santa.

Dear Aunt Carrie I am a good boy. If you see Santa please tell him I would like to have a pencil box.

June 17, 1911: Postcard from "Percy Walker"

This is the earliest letter to Ruth in the box. It is so early that Tom is still calling himself Percy.

August 27, 1911: a postscript, with "don'ts" for "Rufy"

Tom is just starting his freshman year at the University of Nevada, Reno, and he writes to Ruth who is in Lewiston Montana.

But say Ruth I can't write a thing so I'll give you some don'ts -- Don't go around with your hair down your back -- it will get knotted. Don't walk in water you'll get your feet wet. Don't carry a parasol, freckles become you and above all don't fail to come back soon.

December 24, 1911: Tom's Christmas Greetings

Tom sends a Christmas present for Ruth. Tom is taking the Christmas break to earn some money in the mines at Virginia City.

December 26, 1911: Ruth's Limericks

Ruth writes a poem in five limericks about Tom the silver miner. Here is the first verse:

I know a young Freshman from Reno,

Who's far from what he now seems-o!

With ideas for cash

He made a wild dash

To the mines to complete his dreams-o!

May 20, 1912: "and with all my love Tom"

Most of Tom's letters before this were signed 'Sincerely' or the like....

If I send you a kiss will anyone else get it? No! Well here goes and with all my love Tom.

August 12, 1913: Sabine

This is an early mention of Sabine Schindhelm who three years later comes and visits Tom in Boston. Bill remembers that in later years a woman named Sabine was Tom's secretary at Gulf States. Not clear whether it is the same person, but it is a pretty distinctive first name.

Mother and Sabine Sneezeship (or pardon me Schindhelm) will journey to Fairview Wednesday and take in the sights. I've got coyotes stalked out all over the hills, burros at every turn, and have even tamed a few rattlers to play fully and perform for their amusement. Can't you suggest a bit more of local color?

January 6, 1914: Tom's Mother writes to Tom

News from home.

My Dear Boy, you will get a box of candy with this mail those girls are so popular they have had no time to make candy.

July 29, 1914, from Tom (not Percy)

Ruth must have been calling Tom "Tom Percy" in her letters.

Say!! nix on the Tom Percy stuff see!! -- nuf sed.

May 24, 1915, from Tom

Tom graduates from college in May 1915.

You are a wonder for the way you acted last night sweetheart! I wouldn't have missed that last kiss for all the jobs in Boston.

August 13, 1915: Ruth, aka Sneaky, writes to the Kid

This is the letter with both Sneaky and Kid.

The bell tolls + tra! la! Angel ch--ild!! With a mad desire to hug you up tight + tell you over + over again how I love ya! want yuh!! All from Your Sneaky.

September 8, 1915: Tom to Ruth on her birthday

After college Tom goes to Tomopah Nevada to teach high school.

Today you are twenty-four and at last I know the right date. Ha! Ha! Did all your meanness pay? Was it all that much fun to tease me along? Alright just for that, I shall never -- so long as you are alive -- forget that Sept. 8 is the day I hold holy, for the best girl on earth -- and that's my tribute from henceforth.

March 18, 1916: Tom, the High School Teacher

There is a lot of tri-delt bashing in these letters.

Here's a line on a future ΔΔΔ. Margaret Bird played forward for Reno [High School, against Tonopah] and swore during the whole game -- loud enough for a lot of people to hear her. Lots of damns and things like that.

April 2, 1916: Tom looking to leave Nevada

Been day-dreaming a lot about Boston today. It seems more real and natural all the time. I'm just that optimistic to think that about July 15th will be the starter.

...I'm thinking of April 1917 now. That's only a year away and only two months before June 1917. After five years when nothing was definate -- one year, fairly well outlined, isn't too long. I'm thinking how tired and warn you;ll be after commencement, and how much good a week or two of play in strange parts will seem, and what a wonderful thing even the little honeymooning we will get, is going to be for us both.

April 12, 1916: Tom weighs the new job offer

Tom has a firm offer from Stone and Webster in Boston, and the OK from his current boss to quit before year-end and take the job now.

If I don't jump now the chance may never come again, and certainly Lukes will never take the same interest again. All things except Mother say "go!!!"...Golly Sneaky it looks like we can make things come our way if we use plenty of persistence, and persuasion, and proper thinking. You and I are starting our teamwork already. Watch out for Ruth and Tom -- they're a team that know where they are going, and intend to get there.

May 28, 1916: Tom in Boston

It pretty near rained all day today, but didn't, and Jo and I had a great old time at Wellesley. Their campus is beautiful -- wonderful big trees -- lakes -- and a great deal of grass. We walked to East Natick, about two miles, then got a canoe, and rowed a couple of miles more up the Charles River. Gosh it was great.

July 3, 1916: Tom's Holiday in Salem

More touring around eastern Massachusetts.

This afternoon we spent in Salem, the quaintest little old time shipping town in the U.S.A. I guess. We saw their wonderful museum with collections from all the funniest parts of the world that sailors had ever been. We saw the old time whaling industry laid out before us, and souvenirs of all sorts and conditions, only mostly odd and real sailor like.

July 13, 1916: How about El Paso or Seattle?

Al, Tom's friend from the Boston office, is moving up. Tom thinks about his next move, and asks Ruth a question.

Al leaves the office Saturday for a weeks vacation -- then to Brockton to be a power solicitor at $70 or $75 per month. He has been in the office only four months, and steps over the heads of three men. I automatically take head of our section, and again the wheels start to grind. It surely filled me with a great big 'glad', only I hate to lose my roomy, because he's been a good one. Hope I can get the same sort of a job in El Paso or Seattle. All right with you?

July 18, 1916: Ruth answers Tom's question

Ruth responds, and since we know what happens later, it's some kind of answer!

I don't wanta live in Texas! Seattle is great! That's an awful jump from S.A. to Seattle, but while we're jumping let's do it good and not land in Tex.

August 21, 1916: Tom, the Red Sox fan

Tom enthuses about his team, the World Series bound Boston Red Sox.

Here I've been following baseball -- like I never could before, and rooting for a winning team, and never even told you why that are at the head of the league. (It's the Red Sox I'm talking about, of course) Why their pitcher's name is Ruth, and the catcher is Thomas. That combination would win anywhere. Walker the center fielder is a demon too. No wonder!!!

February 7, 1917: Ruth to Tom

Ruth negotiates a job offer.

Did I tell you I talked to Prof. Doten the other day about a job. He'd give me $50 a month "since salaries have been lowered" etc. etc. I thanked him for his kindness , but told him my price was $75.00 for a new office and $90.00 for an old. He doesn't know it's 10 times harder to work for him, to suit his whims, as for any other business man. I may fail in my threat, but he's not my Waterloo anyhow.

April 2, 1917: Tom looks towards war

Some of these days you and I will have to talk pretty seriously about war because it's pretty close at hand. I've written Boyle for what I should expect from him. If he doesn't want me, I want to be an aviator, Sneaky. Think awhile now before you jumps on me.

April 22, 1917: Tom's 26th Birthday

I have determined to investigate the Officer's Reserve Corps, now that these other activities seem to be dormant. Because of your serious objections I am not now quite so enthusiastic about aviation. I'd sure like it tho, Sneaky. Maybe that quip about its taking more stuff to do the prosaic struck home. It's true that's the reason.

August 8, 1917: Telegrams.

Ruth sends Tom news about both of them, and Tom is reporting to San Francisco. Wells is the high school in Nevada where Ruth has already accepted a job.

Made Officer Training Corps, must report in two weeks.

According to paper tonight you must report at San Francisco August 25. If I go to Wells I can be with you until school opens September 10. Send nightletter immediately if satisfactory with you that I go to Wells. Must give notice Monday. Difficult to resign.

September 12, 1917: Ruth writes from Berkeley

Ruth turns down the job in Nevada and gets another one in Berkeley, much closer to Tom who is in camp at the Presidio.

To see you all drill Monday afternoon was wonderful!! ... I still am not afraid of the strength of your arms, even with another weeks training. There are a lot of microbes in here -- "Tommie, clean you gun" -- and I wanta see you dearie kid.

November 16, 1917: Tom and Ruth Wedding Announcement

Tom and Ruth are married shortly as Tom finishes officer training and gets ready for war.

December 3, 1917: Letters from the Pyle Family

Letters from Ruth's grandparents and uncle and aunt sending congratulations about Ruth and Tom's marriage.

Yes we were surprised -- then again we were not surprised to learn you were married -- you see I remember the "Civil War" -- well I wish this horrid war was all done and settled -- I don't like to live in such suspense -- it weries my nerves.

January 19, 1918: Tom in France

Have been out to a signaling class, and it's the most interesting stuff we've found yet. Gee I like it and more and more I'm glad for the branch I chose.

May 30, 1918: the Battle of Cantigny

This letter recounts the Battle of Cantigny. Tom was in the trenches on the front line, and his communication system withstood shelling for 15 hours. Tom receives the Croix de Guerre for his efforts in this battle.

I helped draw up the plans for the communications, and asked to carry the line over with the Infantry. Now I had no time to ask you whether I could do it -- and I wouldn't 'cause I'm afraid you wouldn't let me -- so I just went and did it. The reason? -- because this is the first American offensive -- and your Tommie wasn't going to pass up such a wonderful chance.

June 6, 1918: Telegram to Ruth

A short telegram, announcing that Tom has received the Croix de Guerre, a decoration given by the French for heroic deeds.

Everything fine have croix de guerre Walker

March 16, 1919: Tom meets General Pershing

Tom describes the day Pershing came to visit. See the picture here.

Friday General Pershing inspected the Division. We were formed on a gentle slope -- some 25,000 men -- three regiments of artillery -- three machine gun battalions -- and hundreds of supply wagons and trucks. It was truly a wonderful sight. The band was 200 pieces -- some band. First Pershing and his staff rode around the Division on horseback, then we formed for inspection and he walked up and down the ranks inspecting the men....

We had the Signal Battalion formed as two companies...I had the first company, and had them fixed up fine -- every man spick and span, and a beautiful line. I met him at one end, and we walked down the line together and he asked me about casualties in the battalion. I told him all about it, and when we got to the end he stopped and talked quite awhile about the 2nd F.S.B Said he knew all about 'em -- knew that it was an outfit that always had communication no matter what the danger or the difficulties -- said he personally knew of our work in Picardy, in Soissons and in the Argonne -- and so on and so on -- then he said that the appearance of the company demonstrated what good soldiers they were. All this to me -- think of it. I was so flabbergasted I don't know now half what he said. Today Mac handed me this picture as a surprise. I didn't know he was taking it at all. He sneaked it out of the pack -- developed it himself, and made two copies before he sent it in. I'm going to get its number as soon as I can so we can get some because I'm awful proud of it. Aren't you?

The fellow behind Gen. Pershing on the right is Maj. Gen. McGlachlin commanding the Div. The other one is Maj. Gen. Dickman commanding the 3rd Army. Capt. Brown -- in command of the Battalion -- is behind me -- and the fellow at my left is a Lieut. Col. on Pershing's staff. The fellow just in the picture on the left is Floyd Gibbons correspondent for the Chicago Tribune.

April 30, 1919: Journal Entry

Tom describes his motorcycle accident.

Monday afternoon I went down to the club for a bath and a good cleaning up. A captain showed me a list of the officers being transferred to the 36th Div. for transport home, and in the list was Kenneth J. Booth -- 'member Nevada State Journal? I says -- "why I know that fellow Booth" -- and from over in the corner he yells out -- "Here I am" -- and we had a glad old reunion. About six I stuck him in my sidecar and we started for Groshalbach for supper. Now then -- if you have tears prepare to shed them now -- for on a sharp slippery turn the machine skidded -- and Booth and I are both in the hospital. Can you beat that? He with order to leave -- I preparing for it and we're banged up.

For me the miracle happened. I have only a badly bruised leg that will be healed in a few days [JG's note: it takes weeks to heal], and I'll be tra-la-laing off to home. But Booth was badly dealt with. Both his legs were broken, one in three places. It all seems so strange just like we were not supposed to leave now and this happened to delay us. The machine was going slow -- very slow and there isn't a mark or dent in it. Nor is the tree scratched a bit. How were were hurt will never be discovered I guess. Sure I don't know.

September 2, 1919: Tom, back from the war

Tom is on the train to San Francisco.

There's a fellow on this car -- the observation car -- that imitates a dog exactly, and he has a youngster about thirteen believing that there is one in the car. The kid goes from chair to chair looking for it and every once in a while the fellow snarls and grabs him by the seat of the pants, till the kid nearly jumps out of his skin. The car is in an uproar continuously.

And can Tom just sit by and watch?

I just called the kid down for tormenting the poor animal like he does, said it is my dog -- a pet of my wife's, and offered him a quarter to find it. He doesn't know what to do.

September 20, 1939: Tom from home writes to Ruth

Tom writes to Ruth when she is at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore. The excerpt below talks about 14 year old "M.C." (Mary Caroline) and her invitation to join a "S.S." (secret society, I guess).

Our baby had some inkling the S.S.'s would elect last night but, of course, they wouldn't come here. I asked her if I shouldn't leave a light on so they could find the house -- "Oh! Daddy." I was just about asleep when the bell rang furiously and about a dozen brushed passed me when I opened the door, and rushed upstairs. Then at 12 the Western Union boy came with a collect message.

This afternoon they gave them the works on Pearl Street. Eggs in her hair -- lipstick all over face. M.C. had begged over $3 with a tin cup -- had swallowed a raw egg -- rolled an egg in the gutter with her nose. What a savage they made of our sweet child. She said last night she wasn't a bit excited -- oh yeah!

March 4, 1942: Tom and Bill discuss the future

Tom is on a trip to Washington and NYC, setting up the war effort. Well, he waited until page 6, but Tom finally delivers some real news.

Your daughter (and sister) Betty is radiant and looks fine. When I called Sunday morning at 9:30 she said "Guess who's here?" and of course, I knew. Bill came by in his car and we went to the Cathedral for communion -- it being the first Sunday in the month. Mr. DeWolf preached and after the service he was so glad to see us. We had dinner at the Waldorf, and then went to Radio City where Hepburn and Tracy played something. It and the stage show was good.

Then when Betty went to the lounge (wonder if that was framed) Bill asked me what I thought about him and Betty getting married. Bong! Well I really didn't know what a well dressed man does in a case like that. Maybe after I have six or eight experiences I'll know better. I inquired what the program is, and learned that about July 1943 is the present idea. Then I told Bill that at the moment I couldn't think of any reason why it wasn't a swell idea, and that I knew all my family, and especially Mother, thought a great deal of him. I did ask for time to think it over and promised to write as soon as we had a chance to discuss it.

April 12, 1954: Tom writes Ruth after seeing Jim in NYC

Jim says the baby looks like him. No Gammill ever had ears like little Jim's.

See for yourself about those ears.