August 1, 1944: Peeping Tom

 

"Window 'Peeker' Fined $25.00," Article in St. John Daily Capital Newspaper, August 1, 1944

Transcription:

WINDOW "PEEKER" FINED $25.00

Thomas Doeppner, who is employed with a geophysical surveying company, was fined in city court this morning $25 and costs, for window peeking last night at the Wm Davison apartment. Willard Ausmus, who lives in the apartment at the Davison home, heard someone and upon investigation, he found Thomas Doeppner. He was arrested, and fined this morning.

When Opa said in his August 1st letter to Grandmother that something "pretty bad" had happened the night before, he wasn't exaggerating. Somehow Opa was in the wrong place at the wrong time (and had the wrong "look" and "accent" about him), and he was arrested for "window peeking." It's pure irony that the phrase for this crime is "Peeping Tom." 

I did look into other sources and the letters between Opa and Grandmother, and I can honestly say I believe that Opa did not commit this crime.

I cannot imagine the embarrassment, the frustration, and the feelings of injustice that happened in that night. I assume Opa spent the night in jail and had to pay the fine the next day. For Opa, it was a big amount of money, adjusted for inflation it would be the equivalent of about $360 today. It seems a bit harsh and without evidence, especially since there was no indication of any witnesses actually seeing Opa "peeking" in. Only that they heard a noise and found Opa outside when they looked. 

We actually had an incident with a window seeker one time. It was when my husband and I were first married, living in a big parsonage in Fairfax. We were downstairs in our basement, watching a movie (it was a drama- not a sexy movie) and we were both just in our regular shorts and t-shirts type of clothing. (I say this to show just how utterly boring we were to peep). We saw something moving in the window well behind the TV. We thought it was a cat, and then realized it was a man! My husband moved as fast as I've ever seen him, and my gentle, slow-to-anger spouse ran out the front door yelling at the man who had long sprinted down the street. We never figured out who it was, but he never came back!

Probably because we got a St. Bernard a month later.

I don't know the details of Opa's incident. Opa only told Grandmother when they saw each other, and this certainly was not among the stories he repeated as he got older. In fact we didn't hear much about this time at all, and in his auto-biography, he blurred the lines on this time in his life: 

...when I finally came to America I went to college; and as soon as graduated, I volunteered for military service. (pg 5, From Nazi Germany to a Career in Freedom, Doeppner)... Both my wife and I graduated from Kansas State College (now Kansas State University), Marjorie in Home Economics and Child Welfare, and I in Electrical Engineering. I really wanted to get into the Army "to fight the Nazis." As an "enemy alien," however, I was not eligible to enlist. Someone suggested I could volunteer for the draft (probably thinking, if you are stupid enough). Also, Marjorie and I were engaged to be married. (pg 30).

So, not exactly how things happened. Opa was arrested on that summer night, and after that, everything changed. In fact, things happened so quickly, I genuinely believe Opa may have forgotten (blocked out) his time at St. John's altogether! 

There was a calm before the storm, so he pressed on with everything, hoping it would just be a blip on the radar. It wasn't.

August 1, 1944: Something Terrible Happened

Letter from Opa to Grandmother, August 1, 1944.

Transcription:

St. John

August 1, 1944

Dearest,

It is sure now that I will have to work on Saturday, so I shall take, if possible, the bus that leaves here Saturday afternoon at 5:08. It arrives in Hutch shortly before seven, from where I take a bus leaving Hutch at 7:15. I don't know the exact time of arrival in Newton, but I assume it will be approximately the same time as you do. If, however we work so late that I can't get that bus, I shall have to take the doodle-bug which leaves St. John at 9:45pm I would hate to have to wait that long, but in all probability I shall come by bus. Let me know what time your train gets in. I have applied for my travel permit, so it will be difficult to change the date. You don't know how much I look forward to this weekend, honey.

Something pretty bad happened last night who might bear influence on my visa affair. I don't care to write about it but will tell you when we are together. I came as close to the point of desperation as I ever care to get, but I believe now that it can be straightened out.

There was no mail from you either yesterday or today, and I was sort of disappointed.

Since they are still working on our drill, we could not shoot any today. I took this opportunity and in the afternoon went out with the surveyor to get an idea of what he is doing. It was interesting and took my mind off other things.

I started reading an excellent book: The Outline of History, by H.G. Wells; you may have heard of it. There is a complete history of mankind, written in almost novel form, divided not into dates and pedigrees, but ages, nations, races, and cultures. It reads like a mystery novel; I never dreamed that history could be interesting. 

Honey, I don't think I ever felt so lonesome for you as today. When things go wrong, when people throw filth on you, love is the only harbor; love and the feeling that there is someone who believes in you and will help you fight things out. I hope we don't have to wait much longer until we can be together for always.

Well, I am awfully tired tonight; it I only 8:30, but I shall go to bed anyhow. Tomorrow we can probably work gain.

Good night, darling; I'll be seeing you soon,

Tom.

Something terrible has happened, which I will show in the next blog (sorry, I cheated and looked ahead for research). When Opa says it may have an effect on his visa, it means that the something terrible involved something potentially criminal. When you apply for a visa (an hope for citizenship), you go through quite a process, including a background check of sorts. If you have any smear on your record, it may greatly hurt your chances of staying in the US. It's like how adoptive parents must prove their virtue and value, but folks who are able to carry a child to birth, get sent home with nary a glance. 

What Opa doesn't know is that this smear on his record could mean nothing, or everything. The process for the approval of a visa and even citizenship is surprisingly quite subjective. Sure, there are things that are important and necessary to have in place, but after that, the details are read and processed by a human who ultimately gets to stamp it, or not. 

This is a side note, but I think this is something that is important for anyone to know: there is no such thing as a completely monolithic and consistent system. Every system has humans, and humans have always been bending the rules (for good or for bad). This has proven to be helpful wisdom for me in my life. Always ask, always try, and also never assume that the "monolith" will always work in your favor either. This isn't a wisdom of cynicism, but actually of hope. It reminds us that humans are not machines, and though some can be exceedingly hard, there is always softness. Which means there's a chance we can find it and appeal to it. Even within the so-called monolith of the Nazi government, there were exceptions, unexpected helpers, and people looking the other way. 

Opa sounds worn completely out in this letter. He couldn't work because the damn drill was still broken, so to get his mind off things, he shadows a surveyor. 

It looks like Grandmother was never planning to get to Newton early on her train, and Opa will be arriving late after working. Now this romantic weekend is starting to look kind of sad. Not for Opa, he is so desperate to see Grandmother and be with someone who loves him and can support him. This line struck me as so profoundly beautiful: 

When things go wrong, when people throw filth on you, love is the only harbor; love and the feeling that there is someone who believes in you and will help you fight things out.

Opa is longing for a familiar and loving face. Reading and working and writing are all helps, but nothing like connection with his love. He'll get to Newton, by train, bus, or doodle-bug (which I think is a self-propelled rail-car, so like a mini train?).

July 31, 1944: Dammit Margie!

Letter from Opa to Grandmother, July 31, 1944.

Transcription:

St. John

July 31, 1944

Dear Margie,

Our damn drill broke down again and we have to lay off today. That probably means that all my overtime was in vain, and it also might mean that we have to work Saturday. However, if we do, I shall make sure that we quit early enough to take the late bus to Newton. (No train at that time.)

Why in the world did you ask Elna to come down that weekend? Not that I don't like Elna; she and her folks are awfully nice people, but I am not going to Newton to visit with them. However, we shall have to be in early Saturday night because it is "not proper" to stay out late when you are an overnight guest; in the morning, you will have to eat breakfast with them (around ten o'clock, because you probably will talk all night with Elna and not get up till then). Then, we shall have to go to church with them. They feel obligated to invite us for dinner, we feel obligated to accept, it will last till three o' clock, and then, maybe, we shall have a couple hours for ourselves. Well, I am not going to Newton for such a weekend. I hope Elna can't go this weekend; tell her I can't the next.

I guess I'll go to the library and see if they have anything besides Westerners and Ladies Home Journals, for this is a nice day for reading. Also, I can catch up on some of my love letters to the State Department. Just mailed a registered letter to my Employment Agency; things are going to get hot there pretty soon, for I think they will take it to court.

Give Yvonne my love and tell her I enjoyed her postscript. Ask her to send me one of those pictures. How are our graduation pictures?

Love, 

Tom.

When my husband's Grandfather, "Grampy," played games with partners, he was famously remembered for uttering the words: "Dammit, Miriam!!"  Miriam was Jason's grandmother, "Grammy," who was not especially good at paying attention during those games. She would miss something and her husband would utter this phrase, which my husband and I now repeat to each other if the other has missed something in a game. It cracks us all up, and reminds us of the sweet, and not so game-savvy mannerisms of Grammy. 

As soon as I read that Grandmother had invited a friend to her romantic weekend with Opa, I immediately heard in my head "Dammit Margie!" lol.

But seriously, what was she thinking?! In my best "give her the benefit of the doubt" scenario, I think she was trying to get around paying for a hotel room (or sharing one with Opa). I think perhaps she didn't feel comfortable sharing a room, and rather than have Opa pay for another room, she would stay with her friend's parents who lived there. And of course if you stay with the friend's parents, you should invite the friend too. 

Clearly she missed literally every signal Opa was sending about this being a nice romantic getaway for the two of them. It was to be a time for them to reconnect after not seeing each other for  a while, a time to plan out wedding details, and decide, once and for all, on a date. Or maybe she thought they could still do all this, she would just sleep over at her friend's house.

But Opa knew better (and I would venture that he's right in his predictions). He knew that they would need to turn in early, because it's rude to stay out late when you're a house guest (still true). He knew that she would stay up late catching up with her friend, that they would eat a late breakfast at the house and then have to go to church, and then be obligated for dinner (lunch). After all the social norms were covered, Grandmother and Opa would have a few hours alone together. This was not the weekend Opa signed up for, and he made that very clear.

I appreciate that he didn't make this about the friend, but really about the kind of weekend he was hoping for. 

Now, in Grandmother's defense (besides the weak financial one), when Opa opened his letter with "I might have to work Saturday, but I'll still be able to get there later," I thought, is she supposed to just hang out in this town until he maybe or maybe don't show up depending on the very unreliable instruments of his work? Maybe she knows something we don't and decided to have a back up plan in case Opa's work interfered. 

I don't know why Opa didn't just take the day off either way. Pretty sure that's a thing. 

Ah, bad communication in young couples, what a mess. 

I do love this line, though: "I hope Elna can't go this weekend; tell her I can't the next."

July 30, 1944: What is Grandmother's Deal?

 

Letter from Opa to Grandmother, July 30, 1944.

Transcription:

St. John,

July 30, 1944

Dear Margie,

As you see, my typewriter got here yesterday, and so did the radio. Somebody did an awfully good job crating them, for they arrived in perfect condition. The whole gang was in my room last night and we played records until my landlord complained about the noise.

Why can't you spend the whole weekend in Newton? When I was in Kansas City and we saw each other near every week, you could be there two days, and now, where we haven't much of a chance to see each other at all, you can spare only a day. What's the matter, now, Margie? You know what size town Newton is; there won't be a place where we can be alone, unless we have a room; also you know how much it means to be together in the evening and at night. Suppose it rains; do you want to spend the whole day in a drugstore or at the movies? I am going ahead to make hotel reservations for the night August 5 to 6; if you still insist, we can cancel them, but please get there on Saturday; it would be silly not to. There is a Santa Fe train leaving Lawrence somewhere around three, and one at about six in the afternoon; please find out theme when you arrive in Newton so I can meet you. I am pretty sure that I can get away on Saturday; one of our trucks needs to be taken to Hutchinson on Saturday morning, so I shall go that far without expense. I shall be able to be in Newton about noon on Saturday, so please get there as soon as you can. As I said before, we can always cancel the hotel reservations, but it certainly would be foolish to make a long trip like that for a few hours in cafes and picture houses. If we were sure of good weather it won't be quite so bad, but you know Kansas.

Three of us boys are contemplating renting an apartment for the month of August and do our own cooking. It would be quite a bit less expensive, but rather inconvenient since we work all day; we will have to cook at night and fix lunches in the morning. So far, we haven't been able to locate a decent apartment yet for such a short period of time, but naturally we cannot give any guarantee that we will stay longer than a month. One the other hand, my room is nice and cozy now; I dug up an old cardboard typewriter table, have my radio and phonograph right close to it, the K-State pennant and some pictures on the walls, and it approaches a home-like atmosphere as much as can be expected of a furnished room. My landlord is getting tired of my moving the furniture around every other day, but continuous improvement is the only way to perfection.

I have a notion I am not going to be here in St. John very long; they are transferring people from party to party, and Bob thinks they will probably send me into different territory, so that I shall become familiar with different types of shooting; possibilities are Wyoming, Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. On the other hand, I may remain here as long as our party does, which means till at least Christmas. I personally would prefer that, for I think that I can learn under Bob more than anyone else could teach me about the business.

Our party chief had me over for a game of poker, and I had a good talk with him. He is married and has a little boy (one year old), and I asked him how he manages to take his family along on the many trips they are making. He said it took both him and his wife quite a while to get adjusted to the great amount of traveling, but that now it has gotten "in his blood," and he prefers it to a desk job where he remains at the same place year after year. When his boy gets older, though, i.e. in about four or five years, he plans on going back to Dallas to work in the laboratories, so that the kid will have a steady home. I don't think that it will take us as long time to get adjusted, though, since both of us like to travel. Anyhow, if it shouldn't work, there would probably be a place for me in Dallas, too.

Let me know how much you paid for having my stuff crated, and I shall repay you. I surely appreciated that, honey; I know it was hard to find somebody who would do it.

No letter from you today, so I am hoping for tomorrow. There will be something to look forward to all week; and Saturday night, there will be many things to talk about and to get straightened out.

Love,

Tom.

I know Opa was particularly happy to have his typewriter, but my eyes are also very happy to be transcribing typewritten letters again. Opa is very appreciative of the efforts that went into sending his things, and is sweet to make sure Grandmother knows.

Now we move on to another edition in the saga of "What is my  Grandmother's deal?" It is SO hard not to know what her letters are saying because all of this may be very clear with her side of the story. But from Opa's perspective, I'm at a loss too. She is acting weird. It's like she wants to marry Opa and be with him, but like maybe next year. I will say that Opa could have made the hotel reservations a long time ago if it was easy to cancel, there was no reason to put pressure on that part. 

I can't tell if Grandmother is trying to be frugal and it's translating poorly, or if she's genuinely acting weird. This is the weekend they are supposed to talk about the wedding date, so maybe she's trying to avoid it? Opa wants to know what's up, but it doesn't stop him from trying or forging ahead with the plan he wants. I'd love to know if Grandmother is being too subtle in her communication, or if Opa is oblivious in receiving clear signals. It may be somewhere in the middle.

Opa is slowly making a home in his little room in St. John, Kansas. A bachelor pad of the 40s with a cardboard desk, radio, and turntable for the raging tunes... I wonder what he listened to? I feel like it was classical music but maybe he had some more modern music in his collection.

Opa tells Grandmother about some potential traveling in their future, and shows that he cares about her and any potential family by asking his chief boss how he and his family manage the travel. It sounds like the answer is that they got used to it and have plans to settle when they need to. Opa is appeased by this, is Grandmother? Opa seems to be more and more invested in his job as the days go by. He's met lots of higher management folks and enjoyed getting to know them. He has the work gig in his room for record listening. He's settling, even though he knows his time in St. John is likely not very long.

Opa ends his letter with a little bit of foreboding language, depending on your perspective. This weekend is the weekend for them to settle on a wedding date one way or another!

July 28, 1944: Junior

 

Letter from Opa to Grandmother, July 28, 1944.

Transcription:

July 28, 1944

Daring,

"Only" thirteen hours of work today; reason: it started to rain, so I had to quit. I got a new helper today, a boy of fifteen years. A tough son-of-a-gun, smokes, spits, cusses, and works like a man; full of ambition and enthusiasm (neither of which will probably last very long.) On my question tonight how he thinks he's going to like it, he replied, "By God, that's the best goddamn job I've had for a hell of a long time." He really worked hard, though, and didn't get tired. His name is Bob, but in order to not confuse him with the other Bob, I re-christianed him Junior.

The records and player came today, thanks a lot. Radio and typewriter hasn't come yet, even though you had sent them earlier. It may be a good idea to call up the express office.

I had a love letter from my Employment Agency today; they threatened to go to their attorney if I don't pay immediately. In my reply I told them to go to the devil, in different words, though.

How about next weekend? Are you coming to Newton? If you haven't already done so, let me know immediately, for it may already be too late for reservations. Any objections if I reserve a double room? Tell me soon.

Had a letter from Winton, who is now in bivouac training and, naturally, hates it. He expects, though, to be returned to personnel and classification work before long.

Well, I guess I quit now and write a long letter again on Sunday.

Night, Honey,

Tom.

P.S. Did you write that you almost dated you last letter "September?" You scratched it out then; anyhow, I am glad you give that month that much thought.

Bob, aka "Junior," is a character from the movies! What has this child been doing in his short 15 years to create a 38 year old seasoned sailor? Opa obviously is endeared to him, and doesn't begrudge him his salty personality, especially since it is paired with such enthusiasm and energy. I want to know so much more about this kid. I hope Opa talks about him more in subsequent letters!

Has Grandmother seriously not confirmed their weekend plans? Opa has way more patience than I do. I'd be like: yo- I've been asking you for two straight weeks!

Opa can't help but put in a little not-so-subtle hint about the date of their wedding. 

July 26, 1944: College Life

 

Letter from Opa to Grandmother, July 26, 1944.

Transcription:

July 26, 1944.

Honey, 

I guess you kids can start a K State Kappa Phi at K.U. now; Yvonne, Eileen, and who else besides you? Get Yvonne to have some prints made of those pictures! Also, tell her not to be a fool but to return to K-State in September.

Thanks for finding someone to crate my stuff. Do not try to find a second-hand radio unless you go with someone who knows his business. It is easy to get a radio with weak tubes or condenses; if they should fail, you cannot possibly replace them for the duration I shall look for a second-hand set for you; one, though, for pretty soon you will be able to use mine again.

Tonight, we got in at eight o' clock, and I worked on the equipment for another hour. By the end of the week I ought to have plenty of overtime!

I am about to fall in love with Bob's wife; by way of the usual stomach approach. Every week, I buy a dozen eggs, keep them in Bob's refrigerator, and his wife boils two of them for me daily for lunch. Quite a deal, ain't it? (Bob's suggestion, after he had found out how crazy I am about eggs.)

I hope I'll hear from you tomorrow concerning time and place of our meeting. If we get in a good week of work, we shall probably have Saturday off, but I'll get down there anyhow, just a little later.

How are your folks getting along with the harvest? They ought to be done for now. Has your dad had any kids on that cow yet? It's midnight; time to go to bed.

Good night,

Tom.

Opa is happy to be clocking some overtime, perhaps saving for the honeymoon? Or just life in general. I wonder if those fabulous eggs he raves about are all he eats for lunch. It's an easy way to save money but I can't imagine he felt full after two eggs. Bob's wife didn't have to do much to earn Opa's love and admiration, ha. I didn't even think about the fact that Opa didn't have a kitchen, a fridge, a stove. He really had to eat out or get invited to dinner. 

I remember when I was first married and how wonderful it was for people to invite us to their homes for a meal. It was a night we didn't have to cook, a free meal, and a chance to eat better (because my husband and I are not the greatest cooks). If we were invited to a restaurant it was always a bit of a stressor because we knew we would likely have to pay for our meals and that could get expensive!

I actually love boiled eggs, I should do that for myself. 

Grandmother seems to have a lot of familiar friends at her grad school at the University of Kansas. Even though Kansas State and the University of Kansas were rivals in a way (do NOT get it mixed up with an alumni from either place!), the odds that you would go to one or both if you were pursuing higher education from Kansas was pretty high. Grandmother is enjoying an extended college experience. She started at Fort Hays, a community college and then transferred to Kansas State, where she met Opa. She graduated and now is getting her masters degree in early childhood development. I love how driven she is in her education. I know that is part of what Opa loved about her.

Opa is looking forward to seeing Grandmother. This letter is so normal, you'd forget what is happening outside their little sphere. For now, they're still living in the glow of college life and friends (even Opa, with his dorm-like situation).

July 25, 1944: Remit Payment Please

 

Letter from Opa to Grandmother, July 25, 1944.

Transcription:

July 25, 1944.

Margie,

I have been working fourteen hours today and am very tired, so this letter is going to be a brief one. (I am trying to get in some overtime, but I have to work at least 66 hours per week to do so.)

I hadn't thought about bus connections to Kanton(?), but the Santa Fe train gets through there and, I believe, at a convenient time for the both of us. Please check on that and let me know soon because of hotel reservations.

Now I know I'll have to see you soon: Eileen Carswell in town. I just hope she doesn't have as bad an influence on you as she did last summer, or else...

Will you do something for me? The St. John Post Office has none of those forms to have mail forwarded, so I had them order some. What I received was something entirely different from what I asked for, so I gave up. Could you get me about five of them from the Lawrence Post Office?

I just decided to make a final but drastic attempt to keep from paying my Employment Agency. I shall write him a registered letter, tell him that according to legal advice which I received (from Bob), I am obligated to pay only 10% of the money I earned at the Airport Restaurant, which amounts to $7.92. Since I already paid $10, I paid $2.08 too much, "which kindly remit at your earliest convenience." Naturally, I don't expect it back, but it might scare him. Bob suggested I should not pay him under any circumstances, but if needs be, let him go to court. I think I'll do that.

Nothing new around here, except that I like my work and Bob better and better.

See you soon!

Tom.

P.S. I haven't given up September 2 yet. Have you?

I'm not up to par on my research of the employment agencies that existed at this time. I get the feeling that Opa's agent/agency turned out to be more of a scam than a good service. In the 1940s, the work force was looking for people to hire to replace the significant numbers of employees who were now fighting overseas or otherwise engaged in the war effort. This should have been a boon for Opa, but with his complicated visa standing, and the fact that his skills just happened to connect him with jobs that were potentially war-related and classified, he felt he needed some help from an agency to place him. After all, he'd had positive results from the Quaker agency, the AFSC. It turns out this agency just gave him a headache and expected him to pay for it. It looks like they wanted him to pay them for services rendered, and a portion of his pay he made at that awful restaurant (which I guess they helped him get that job). 

What he did as a last ditch effort to not pay a dime more for their unhelpfulness is straight out of the Doeppner Play Book. He wrote them using official language with words that could be assumed to mean things, but didn't mean much: "legal advice" (given by a buddy at work). The part that made me laugh was when he detailed the amount he felt he owed, and demonstrated that he had actually overpaid, and therefore would await them sending the change. 

A blanket memory I have growing up (that stretches across several examples) is of my Dad on the phone with the insurance company, or whoever provided the services whose charges he was contesting. 

Dad one time quipped to me that he was going to start sending the company a bill for his time on the phone to correct their mistake. In fact, I think that was the hospital for my second spinal surgery. I remember receiving a phone call to my hospital room the day after my surgery and I answered it, thinking it was a friend or family member checking in. It was someone from the hospital calling to let me know my insurance had denied my claim and would not be covering my surgery. Or something to that effect. I was hopped up on morphine and was only eighteen years old. I basically handed the phone over to my parents and thus started my father's long fight with the hospital and insurance company. I'm pretty sure eventually they paid, or at least found some resolution. My Dad fought with many an insurance rep over whether my newest pair of hearing aids would be covered. 

And honestly, we should be able to bill for our time spent advocating for our insurance to cover what it is supposed to cover. I know my Dad, like Opa, did not expect them to pay the bill, but rather hoped they would get the point and leave it. Who knows if it worked for Opa. I'll have to ask my Dad if it ever worked for him.

In the meantime, Opa is looking forward to seeing Grandmother, still trying to nail down logistics, and really hoping that Eileen Carswell doesn't mess with Grandmother's head. At least that's how I read into it. Maybe this friend was part of Grandmother's reason for being so wishy-washy about the wedding? Maybe Eileen wasn't a fan of Opa's? Who knows. Opa's still rooting for September 2nd, and he has no idea what Grandmother will say.