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Nile Kinnick correspondence, 1935-1938

1938-10-24: Front

October 24, 1938
Dear SB:
Another fine letter from you this morning, exhibiting a
splendid spirit in the face of seeming adversity. Your unflinching
confidence that victory is certain and close at hand is the sort
that makes for victory and will sooner or later set fire to others
who lack the vision. I do not refer alone to football wins. They
are of passing importance. I mean those steps which day by day are
proving the Principle that you are building on. Blessings on you
little man, and you may be sure that the steady building of your
foundations, as evidenced in your letters this fall, have been the
very greatest comfort to your mother and me.
Last night mother found your new picture in the laundry, and
was almost overcome. We wondered about the occasion for having it
taken, and you made no mention of it in yout letter. We like it,
tho there is a something around the mouth that doesn't quite ring
the bell. Otherwise an excellent picture and one that will please
us daily. You will be surprised at the similarity to one of mine that
still adorns mother's bureau.
Mother, George and I were at Ames for t he Homecoming last
Saturday, and it was everything that a Homecoming should be. I rode
over to Ames Friday afternoon with Tom Oldham etux, in order to
attend a football dinner that evening. Mother, Grandma and George
came over to Adel Friday aft, and on to Ames Saturday morning, bringing
Aunt Kate too. I had a good visit with Ben Friday night, tho Mother
had no opportunity for a like tete-a-tete. During both days I saw more
old friends than I have seen in all, the years since leaving the college.
And the win over Kansas made it just about perfect. It was so cold on
Saturday that we nearly froze in the stands. Mother had brought Be0's
heavy jacket and cap, and with her new coat and some blankets we sat
thru all of it. Sat evening back to Adel and home Sunday eve. We saw
Elsie and Marney, but not Bett. Marney will be Adel for Thanksgiving,
as someone probably has written you.
Your winetr coat and gray top-coat, together with your jacket
are coming over in two packages, starting to-night. Muffler also,
but we didn't find any gloves. If you do not have them with you,
give us your best guess on their whereabouts.
I am going up to Brookings with Stewart and Michaels next
Thursday aft, and will be back Saturday morning; a meeting with some
of the Extension men on farm management areas of the state. A similar
meeting at Ames on the 2lst of November. Will be at Holdrege, Nebraska
on the 3rd, and at Des Moines on the 8th, attending some pasture
meetings; that is, meetings to discuss pasture problems. When you
know what your plans will be for Thanksgiving, let us know; Mother
may have written to you about that.
I have a new suit; mother a new heavy sport coat,and hat. The
coat is just like a man's and I figured it might fit me, but the
shoulders are too narrow and it buttons on the left. Your mom looks
very smart in it. George's new shoes are just my fit, and are
about the only break I have had in the clothing exchange line since
you and Ben began to wear my stuff.
We three are going down to hear John Randall Dunn at the
Paramount - lecturing, not playing, tonight. 
Love Pop

Saving...

October 24, 1938 Dear SB: Another fine letter from you this morning, exhibiting a splendid spirit in the face of seeming adversity. Your unflinching confidence that victory is certain and close at hand is the sort that makes for victory and will sooner or later set fire to others who lack the vision. I do not refer alone to football wins. They are of passing importance. I mean those steps which day by day are proving the Principle that you are building on. Blessings on you little man, and you may be sure that the steady building of your foundations, as evidenced in your letters this fall, have been the very greatest comfort to your mother and me. Last night mother found your new picture in the laundry, and was almost overcome. We wondered about the occasion for having it taken, and you made no mention of it in yout letter. We like it, tho there is a something around the mouth that doesn't quite ring the bell. Otherwise an excellent picture and one that will please us daily. You will be surprised at the similarity to one of mine that still adorns mother's bureau. Mother, George and I were at Ames for t he Homecoming last Saturday, and it was everything that a Homecoming should be. I rode over to Ames Friday afternoon with Tom Oldham etux, in order to attend a football dinner that evening. Mother, Grandma and George came over to Adel Friday aft, and on to Ames Saturday morning, bringing Aunt Kate too. I had a good visit with Ben Friday night, tho Mother had no opportunity for a like tete-a-tete. During both days I saw more old friends than I have seen in all, the years since leaving the college. And the win over Kansas made it just about perfect. It was so cold on Saturday that we nearly froze in the stands. Mother had brought Be0's heavy jacket and cap, and with her new coat and some blankets we sat thru all of it. Sat evening back to Adel and home Sunday eve. We saw Elsie and Marney, but not Bett. Marney will be Adel for Thanksgiving, as someone probably has written you. Your winetr coat and gray top-coat, together with your jacket are coming over in two packages, starting to-night. Muffler also, but we didn't find any gloves. If you do not have them with you, give us your best guess on their whereabouts. I am going up to Brookings with Stewart and Michaels next Thursday aft, and will be back Saturday morning; a meeting with some of the Extension men on farm management areas of the state. A similar meeting at Ames on the 2lst of November. Will be at Holdrege, Nebraska on the 3rd, and at Des Moines on the 8th, attending some pasture meetings; that is, meetings to discuss pasture problems. When you know what your plans will be for Thanksgiving, let us know; Mother may have written to you about that. I have a new suit; mother a new heavy sport coat,and hat. The coat is just like a man's and I figured it might fit me, but the shoulders are too narrow and it buttons on the left. Your mom looks very smart in it. George's new shoes are just my fit, and are about the only break I have had in the clothing exchange line since you and Ben began to wear my stuff. We three are going down to hear John Randall Dunn at the Paramount - lecturing, not playing, tonight. Love Pop