DIY History | Transcribe | Nile Kinnick Collection | Nile Kinnick's correspondence with his family, January-June 1939

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Nile Kinnick's correspondence with his family, January-June 1939

1939-04-26: Page 01

April 26th, 1939
Dear Ben:
Your last three letters, April 17, 18 and 22 have been read with the usual
interest and care.   We rejoice in your lively interest in affairs of the
campus and share the activities that fill your days.   Might I suggest that
you assay carefully the affiliations and "opportunities" that come your
way.  Make them worthwhile and with activities that really concern and
interest you.    Don't be just a "joiner". You can easily dissipate your
tine and energy if you are careless, making it more difficult to keep up
with the things that should have first attention.   You realize by now that
outlets for ones attention are nanifold, and college is a very busy place
for a person of normal capacities.   You said as much in your last letter.
Perhaps you have noticed a gradual increase of your interests and activities
as you have progressed from garde school to high school and into college.
You my think that when you are thru with college that there will be a
leveling off of demands on your time.    I doubt if that will be true.    It
hasn't been in my case, and probably I am only average.    It seems that my
tine is just about as rusted with demands, as it used to be when I was in
your place.    The past few weeks have been especially busy at the office,
and I always have plenty of home work, so that I never get caught up.   But
I take pleasure in being busy; not too busy, you understand.    I don't like
being rushed or hurried.    Take it with some deliberation and you will do
better work and get there about as soon.
It was thoughtful of Bill White to look  you up when he was in Ames, and I
think that it was smart of you to mention your contemplated trip east.    Let
us know what developes on the job with the Power Company.
Please get me the facts on Marney and the Pi Phi initiation.    I hope
that there is nothing wrong there.
We wish that you boys could be here for the week end, as the Golden Spike
celebration promises to be really pretty good.    The atmosphere of the town
has undergone a decided change because of the whiskers, costumes and the
old-time fronts along the streets.    I had the queerest feeling yesterday,
as I walked down town and around the walks in front of the court house.    The
bearded gents in the beaver hats and frock coats; the ladies in the billowy
gowns, facinators and half-handers; the group of soldiers in old Union
Army uniforms, etc, created an illusion that was postively startling in its
reality.    You seemed to be in a different period, really.    It was apparent
that the people haven't changed abit, only the clothes and the whiskers.    This
weekend chould offer some sights that probably will not be seen in Omaha
again. Down town you can hear a horse's footbeats on the paving, and it
brings you up with a start, as something foreigh and strange.    I wish that
I could be here for all of it.
But I an coming back to Adel on Friday evening and expect to meet Judge
Bradshaw in Des Moines on Saturday morning.    This seems the best time to
make that trip, as it shouldn't be postponed longer.    If you happen to be
in DM you might try to get in touch with me in his office, which is 510
Crocker building, probably about 9 to 10 o'clock.    George may be along but
wo far that is only a possibility. My return to Omaha is undetermined but
may be either Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

Saving...

April 26th, 1939 Dear Ben: Your last three letters, April 17, 18 and 22 have been read with the usual interest and care. We rejoice in your lively interest in affairs of the campus and share the activities that fill your days. Might I suggest that you assay carefully the affiliations and "opportunities" that come your way. Make them worthwhile and with activities that really concern and interest you. Don't be just a "joiner". You can easily dissipate your tine and energy if you are careless, making it more difficult to keep up with the things that should have first attention. You realize by now that outlets for ones attention are nanifold, and college is a very busy place for a person of normal capacities. You said as much in your last letter. Perhaps you have noticed a gradual increase of your interests and activities as you have progressed from garde school to high school and into college. You my think that when you are thru with college that there will be a leveling off of demands on your time. I doubt if that will be true. It hasn't been in my case, and probably I am only average. It seems that my tine is just about as rusted with demands, as it used to be when I was in your place. The past few weeks have been especially busy at the office, and I always have plenty of home work, so that I never get caught up. But I take pleasure in being busy; not too busy, you understand. I don't like being rushed or hurried. Take it with some deliberation and you will do better work and get there about as soon. It was thoughtful of Bill White to look you up when he was in Ames, and I think that it was smart of you to mention your contemplated trip east. Let us know what developes on the job with the Power Company. Please get me the facts on Marney and the Pi Phi initiation. I hope that there is nothing wrong there. We wish that you boys could be here for the week end, as the Golden Spike celebration promises to be really pretty good. The atmosphere of the town has undergone a decided change because of the whiskers, costumes and the old-time fronts along the streets. I had the queerest feeling yesterday, as I walked down town and around the walks in front of the court house. The bearded gents in the beaver hats and frock coats; the ladies in the billowy gowns, facinators and half-handers; the group of soldiers in old Union Army uniforms, etc, created an illusion that was postively startling in its reality. You seemed to be in a different period, really. It was apparent that the people haven't changed abit, only the clothes and the whiskers. This weekend chould offer some sights that probably will not be seen in Omaha again. Down town you can hear a horse's footbeats on the paving, and it brings you up with a start, as something foreigh and strange. I wish that I could be here for all of it. But I an coming back to Adel on Friday evening and expect to meet Judge Bradshaw in Des Moines on Saturday morning. This seems the best time to make that trip, as it shouldn't be postponed longer. If you happen to be in DM you might try to get in touch with me in his office, which is 510 Crocker building, probably about 9 to 10 o'clock. George may be along but wo far that is only a possibility. My return to Omaha is undetermined but may be either Saturday evening or Sunday morning.