April 1941
APRIL
In April 1941, Earl moved from Norton, Virginia, to start working for the du Pont Company in Charlestown, Indiana (about 15 miles north of Louisville). I believe he must have been working for the new Indiana Army Ammunition Plant, the world's largest smokeless powder plant. "When it was obvious after the fall of France that the US was going to get pulled-into another World War, congress authorized 3 new powder plants. Du Pont, the oldest powder manufacturer in the country, won the first National Defense Program powder contract and selected the Louisville area for the huge project. Construction began August 26, 1940, and by the next spring, 800 permanent buildings were complete" (Substreet.org).
"Indiana Ordnance Works Plant 1, though government-owned, was operated by the DuPont Company. The INAAP represented a chance at a new life for the thousands of Hoosiers, Kentuckians, and other Americans who had been hit by the Great Depression. According to Julius Hock, a former employee at IOW#1, DuPont paid its unskilled laborers sixty cents per hour. Construction officially commenced on August 26, 1940, but actual building did not get underway until September 4. By December 1940 the population of Charlestown had swelled to over 13,400, with some 10,000 working at the INAAP. By May 1, 1941, employment at the plant reached its height of 27, 520 persons. Hock characterized the plant during construction as "a beehive." ("Charlestown, IN and the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant:
The Making of A War-Industry Boom-Town" by Rob Vest)
The Making of A War-Industry Boom-Town" by Rob Vest)
To learn more about the INAAP, read this article from the Indiana History Blog. It is fascinating to read about how the plant impacted the town and its surroundings. "Housing these workers became the town’s most immediate problem, as Charlestown had approximately 235 existing homes and one hotel so crowded that “you can’t get a room for love or money” (Gary-Post Tribune, December 1940). Indianapolis newspapers reported that new arrivals were so desperate for housing that they lived in trailers, cars, chicken coops, barns, lean-tos and even the town jail. A Charlestown Courier article colorfully reported in February 1941 “It may have been a hen house, wash house, wood house, garage or what have you for lo, these many years, but the minute it has been insulated, windows and chimney installed and Powder Plant workers have moved in and hung lace curtains, it becomes a guest house.”
Abandoned Building Photography has an outstanding INAAP history and photo gallery.
There are not many letters between Earl and Mabel during April 1941, possibly because Earl was between jobs and addresses.
Postmark April 10, 1941
From: Earl Boggs
To: Miss Mabel Dixon, College P.O. Box 183, Richmond, Ky.
Postmark April 10, 1941
From: Earl Boggs
To: Miss Mabel Dixon, College P.O. Box 183, Richmond, Ky.
Wednesday Night at home
I skip about a lot, honey, first one place then another but I don’t forget you, ever. I came home today to stay the rest of the week. It’s quite a nice vacation and it would be complete if I could spend at least a part of it with you. Work was light this week because of the coal miner’s strike. I was glad it was, myself.
When I came home from work yesterday and saw that nice letter in the mail box I immediately became very happy. When I opened it and saw ten pages I grew more happy. And when I read it I was most happy because even though you seemed a little moody yourself, I fancied that I detected at least a little feeling for me. I’m not wrong am I?
When I think back I recall that I felt practically the same way you did Sunday—lonely, discouraged, blue and all out of sorts. I wonder if that was coincidental or something stronger. Somehow I can seem to believe it was a coincidence.
But, sweetheart, I am interested in your troubles because I feel that they are partly mine too. And I’m going to be mad if you don’t tell me when you’re blue and out of sorts. I always tell you when I feel that way and I know that it helps. Troubles are always smaller if you have someone to tell them to.
Maybe this song will help.
“Come to me my melancholy baby
Cuddle up and don’t be blue
All your fears are foolish fancy baby
You know, dear, that I’m in love with you
“Every cloud must have a silver lining
Wait until the sun shines through
Smile, my honey dear,
While I kiss away each tear
Or else I shall be melancholy too.”
To say that I was disappointed when you said you weren’t coming home would be putting it mildly, but I don’t know that it can be helped. Still I doubt if I can wait nine more weeks or not. I may have to come to Richmond yet if I don’t feel better. I think I’ll act like a kid and start crying “I want see Mabel.”
The weather is so nice up here. It rained a little this afternoon and then the sun came out again. Everything was so cool and sweet. You could almost see things growing. It sure is great to be out in the country spring evenings with the birds singing and the spring peepers sounding off. I like late evening better than any part of the day.
The moon is shining tonight. A very lovely round full moon. I sort of imagine myself sitting out under that moon with you, listening to the rustling of the wind but mostly listening to you. That’s one day dream—but it’s a prophecy and hope.
I do have an awful lot of faith in you, Mabel, more than I ever had in any one. And I’m so sure that I want you to have my heart that I’ll offer the whole of me to make certain you get it. Since I have only one heart I can’t be giving it but once, and I wouldn’t give it to someone I couldn’t trust. Because I love you, Mabel. I couldn’t get around that if I tried and it isn’t the make-believe kind either. It’s real.
I meant to save that until I saw you. Perhaps I shouldn’t have said it at all but it may be a long time until I see you and I want you to know. And believe me, sweetheart, I’ve never said that but once—now.
That’s one thing I can truthfully say I’ve been honest about. I’ve liked girls and I’ve told them as much but nothing more. I’ve never lied about that because it seemed to me that a lie of that kind would be the worst possible sort of a lie and could bring the most unhappiness. And from what you’ve written I think you are of the same opinion.
Don’t you worry about competition, darling. Even though the world was full of people like you there couldn’t be your equal. There’s only one Mabel. I’m sure of that. If you ever had any competition you don’t have any now nor won’t have any no matter what Jessie told you.
I think I’ll toss you something before I stop so you’ll think about me tonight. Catch it and don’t forget to throw a substitute back.
Just keep thinking a “whole big lot” about me.
I love you
Earl
P.S. I had an enlargement made of that picture you gave me. I just got it back yesterday. Let you see it sometime.
Answer to Norton—I’m going back Sunday.
Postmark April 29, 1941
From: Earl Boggs, Otisco, Indiana
To: Miss Mabel Dixon, College P.O., Box 183, Richmond, Ky.
Monday Night
Otisco, Ind.
Dearest Mabel,
It's been two weeks since I've heard from you but it seems like two years. I've been writing you but it's like a one-sided conversation—not much fun. That's the longest I've ever gone without a letter from you since the first letter your wrote me. Sweetheart, I don't want to wait that long anymore for the rest of my life without being with you or hearing from you. You won't disappoint me.
I had an empty feeling every since I left home. I could write you but I knew I couldn't get a letter from you or find anything out about you until I found a permanent address. I can imagine now how empty life would be without you. Believe me, Mabel, I couldn't live without you. I love you that much.
I go to work in the morning for the duPont Company at Charlestown. Maybe it would have been correct to have told you that first but I always have to unburden the first thing I do. I've been all day taking a physical examination. It was harder than work standing and waiting. I'll make about $30 a week but I'll have to pay board from that. It isn't so bad though.
Honey chile, I've sure been doing my share of thinking these two weeks. You must have been thinking some about me or I wouldn't have thought of you so much. Think begets think, I suppose, just as love begets love.
When you answer write me at Otisco, Indiana, care of Henry Gilbert.
It's crowded here so I won't write much tonight but I'll write you a long letter Sunday when I can get out by myself and tell you everything.
Good-night, dearest.
Love
Earl
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