September 19, 24, and October 7, 1940

We all take telephones for granted today, but in 1940, only 36.9 percent of households had a telephone. It’s apparent that neither Johnnie nor Lucile had access to a one, so he continued to communicate with her via postcards. In a postcard dated September 19, 1940, and postmarked in Atlanta, Johnnie told Lucile the exact day and time of his next visit to College Park.

Dear Lucile, 

Just a line to let you know that I am sure I will be down Saturday about three o’clock so don’t go off. Tell Dot and Nell and all hello and lots of love to you. 

Johnnie

September 19, 1940 postcard

Lucile must have been sick when Johnnie arrived on Saturday. He mailed her another postcard on September 24, 1940, postmarked in Atlanta, inquiring about her health … and her cow.

Dear Darling,

Just a line or two hoping you are better. Did any of that ice cream and fish make any one sick down there. I hope not. Did you ever sell your cow? Ha Ha. I expect to be down Wednesday nite if nothing happens so till then lots of love and tell Dot and Nell and all hello. 

Johnnie

September 24, 1940 postcard

As required by the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 passed by Congress on September 16, 1940, Johnnie knew he would be required to serve in the military for 12 months. Goodbyes can be hard on the soul, and Johnnie expressed his feelings about leaving Lucile for a year in a postcard dated October 7, 1940 and postmarked in Atlanta.

Dear Darling,

I am awful sorry about not seeing you Sunday. Please forgive me. I found out it is going to be hell for me when I leave for a year of military training with you near me when we parted Friday night. I didn’t sleep a wink all night long. 

So, lots of love. Johnnie. 

October 7, 1940 postcard

July 2, July 18, and September 3, 1940

Johnnie didn’t make it to College Park to see Lucile that weekend nor did she make it to Atlanta. It was too far for Johnnie to walk, and his now ex-friend Demp was no longer an option. Johnnie expressed his love and then explained why he didn’t make it to College Park in a postcard to Lucile dated July 2, 1940, postmarked in Atlanta. He lived at 553 Washington Street in Atlanta at the time.

Dear Lucile, 

I love you and always will. I am very sorry I didn’t get down there last weekend. But I didn’t have no way to come. Me and Demp are not on speaking terms now so I didn’t ask him to take me. I thought you would be up here Sunday, but you weren’t. I will try to be down Fri + Sat. If not, you try to come up here. 

Love Johnnie

I still care and always will.

July 2, 1940 postcard

In a postcard dated July 18, 1940 and postmarked in Atlanta, Johnnie seemed a little concerned about his relationship with Lucile. He hasn’t been to visit her in several weeks, so he probably expected her to be upset. In this postcard, Johnnie hints at something … perhaps a marriage proposal?

Dear Darling,

Or shall I say Lucile. I am very sorry you haven’t heard from me sooner. But it is my fault and I think I shall be shot. But Darling, I have been getting ready to go to camp Aug 4. I want to see you this weekend and next week. So please don’t have no date. Because I want to ask you one thing before I go. 

Johnnie

July 18, 1940 postcard

A month and a half passed before Johnnie’s next communication to Lucile and it provides no clue as to whether he made it to visit Lucile or whether he got the chance to ask her “one thing” before he went to camp. In a postcard dated September 3, 1940 and postmarked in Atlanta, Johnnie wanted Lucile to know he was thinking about her, and her sisters as well.

Dear Lucile,

Just a line to let you know I wasn’t fooling you when I said I was going to write you. I will see you Saturday at noon. So be good till I see you. 

Love, Johnnie

Tell Dot and Nell hello. 

September 3, 1940 postcard

Lucile's sister Nell Stacks

June 14 and 26, 1940

Over two weeks passed before Johnnie wrote Lucile again. In a postcard dated June 14, 1940 and postmarked from Atlanta to her College Park address, Johnnie referred to Lucile as having been sick. Perhaps that was why he didn’t make the trip to Red Oak.

Dear Lucile, 

I received your card and was glad to hear from you. I am sorry you had the sore throat. Bill said Hello to all of you. This card makes us even again so start writing. 

Lots of Love, Johnnie x x x 

 

June 14, 1940 postcard

Trouble was brewing between Johnnie and his friend Demp, who apparently was not following through on promises to give Johnnie a ride to Red Oak. Johnnie complained about Demp in a postcard dated June 26, 1940, postmarked from Atlanta to Lucile at her College Park address.

Dear Lucile, 

Please excuse me for not writing sooner. But I been expecting to be down there. I would have if it hadn’t been for Demp. He was supposed to pick me up at my house. We made a date to come down, three times the last two weeks, but I haven’t saw him yet. So, I just quit trusting him anymore. If I can I will be down there this weekend. Try to be up here Sunday. If I don’t show up down there. 

Love, Johnnie x x x x x 

June 26, 1940 postcard

May 20 and 28, 1940

Johnnie lived in Atlanta; Lucile lived in Red Oak, almost 14 miles away. He didn’t have a car, so had to depend on others for a ride, or walk, which he hinted at in a postcard dated May 20, 1940. The postcard was postmarked from Atlanta to Miss Lucile Stacks, College Park, Ga Route 1. He used a different term of endearment this time when he addressed Lucile.

Dear Darling, 

I am sorry, but I couldn’t get down Sunday. But I will be down there this weekend. Boy is my feet sore, Ha Ha. That the first time I have ever walk six miles for any girl, and for you I will do it again. 

Love, Johnnie x x x x x

May 20, 1940 postcard

Although he had good intentions, Johnnie apparently didn’t make it to Red Oak that weekend. On May 28, 1940, he sent an apology via postcard, postmarked from Atlanta to Lucile at the same address. Johnnie didn’t include a return address on this postcard.

Darling, 

I am sorry I wasn’t down there on the weekend. I didn’t have no way to come. But I will be there next weekend if I have to walk, so be good till I see you. 

With Lots of Love, Johnnie

 

May 28, 1940 postcard

January 3 and February 16, 1940

It was five months before Johnnie mailed another postcard to Lucile, at least that we know of. This one was postmarked January 3, 1940 from Atlanta and addressed to Lucile at the same College Park address as the previous postcards. Like people often do after a year changes, he wrote 1939, the old year instead of the new year, 1940.

Dear Lucile, 

I haven’t much to say, except I hope to see you Friday night if nothing happens. Tell Dot, Dent sent his love and I will give you my when I see you again. Tell Nellie I bring her a boyfriend. 

All my love, Johnnie

January 3, 1940 postcard

By February 1940, things must have started getting serious between Johnnie and Lucile. In a postcard dated February 16, 1940, he addressed her for the first time with a term of endearment. This postcard is addressed to Lucile at the same College Park address.

Dear Sweetheart, 

Just a line to let you know I haven’t forgot you and thanks for the valentine. I am coming down Thurs evening if I have to walk this weekend. You just don’t know how much I miss you. 

So, Lots of Love, Johnnie

February 16, 1940 postcard