Congo (76) Luebo, Congo 6/6/1922 [DCS]

June 6, 1922

My dearest homefolks:

We start on our vacation to Bulape day after tomorrow, so I want to get off a letter to you now so I can be sure of one. If we get to having too good a time, I may not get to write much. But please don't think I forget you, for I never do that. If you only knew how often I really do think of you and love you.

I have just been sitting on the porch thinking about what a good time we had before I left. It just seems wonderful to be out at home with you and Daddy, Hickman and Nettie and Aunt Hon and John like we were the day and night after we married, but you know I was thinking too much of my new husband to appreciate it then as I do now. It seems like everything just went off so perfectly lovely at the time of my wedding and that whole month we were there afterwards. I often wonder if anybody's mother is or could be as sweet and good to me as mine is. Oh! I just love you and Daddy so much, and sometimes I think you don't think I do, and I don't think I have ever been as expressive of my love as I should or could have been, but I'm learning a few things in this old world. This letter sounds like I'm homesick. Right? Does it not? But I think really I'm just waking up to a few things. I'm very happy out here, and especially just at this time, as we are planning our trip. I am looking forward to it with so much pleasure. It seems like B. M. and I are together very little comparatively here on the station. We were rather sorry at first to spend our vacation with the Hobsons, but if we can only be friends, I'd be willing to give up most anything. I know we are going to have a good time, though.

I certainly was sorry to hear that you have appendicitis. Hope you won't have another attack. Do the Dr.'s say you should have an operation or do they think you will be all right now?

Thursday, June 15, 1922 On lake at Bulape

As well as I can remember without reading it over, this was more of a "love letter" than anything else, but now I'll start on narrating our trip.

We started from Luebo just a week ago this evening and stayed at Kampunge about two hours from Luebo. Georgia came that far with us to spend the night and left the next morning at six o'clock, in time to get back to her school for eight o'clock writing lesson. She certainly seemed to enjoy her trip, and we wished she could have come on with us. B.M. also left at six in order to hunt monkeys in the forest and keep out of the noise of my hammock men. I left at six thirty. It was very cool, but I had on my heavy khaki suit, made a middy for the skirt we got in Brussels and my sweater on top, so I was very comfortable. I had heard how hard a long hammock trip was, and how tired out we got, but I enjoyed every step of the way, only pushed my helmet back too far on my head, so I could rest my head against the back of my hammock and when we got to Ibange at 12:00 had such a hard headache that I had to take some aspirin before I could get comfortable. Still some people say you don't need a helmet in Congo, and even some of the Doctors.

Our stay in Ibange from Friday noon to Monday morning was very pleasant. B. M. hunted guineas some, but didn't kill any, and I read a book by Gene Stratton Porter, "The Song of the Cardinal," and started "Laddie" by the same authoress. B. M. preached on Sunday. You know Ibange used to be one of our stations, but was abandoned on account of its nearness to Bulape and Luebo. There is a very nice mud house there which could be made a very nice place to live in, with only a little work. There are lots of rose bushes which Mrs. Edmiston planted there; you know Mr. and Mrs. Edmiston just as much as made that station by themselves, and they were very much hurt when it was done away with or abandoned. There is a nice church shed there which Mr. Edmiston built and several other houses. The one we stayed in is still good.

Will continue in another letter, as this is getting too long for one envelope. Hope you won't get out with me for not writing regularly, as it's been quite a while since I mailed you a letter. Time just slips by these days, it seems like. I love you just the same and think of you often, even if I don't write.

Lovingly,

Dorothy

Congo (75) Luebo, Congo 5/28/1922 [BMS]

AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN CONGO MISSION

Luebo, Belgian Congo

May 28, 1922

Dear Mother and Daddy:

It has been now a couple of weeks since we have written you, which doesn't happen very often, but these past few weeks have been full of those unexpected events which devour so much of one's time here at Luebo. In fact, interuptions form a large part of our life here, as I think I have already written you, and as you have also doubtless read from my letters to you.

First it was Dr. Smith getting off, a meeting or two with him, et cetera. Then the Hobsons were here from Bulape, and stayed with us for about six days, and now Miss Larson has just come and the party is getting away for Mutoto and Bibanga, about which Dot is writing you.

Everything has been moving along smoothly enough with us; Dorothy is back in school, now, after the month of vacation, for you know we have three months of school followed by one month of vacation the year around, instead of three months of vacation on a stretch. One of the most important events to us lately is the medical examination we have both had. The Mission at our last annual meeting passed an action that every missionary should undergo an medical examination every year, so carrying out this action we have taken ours, and I am glad to report that the doctor found us both in fairly good condition, what you would call normal. The only exception to Dorothy was that her blood is a trifle thinner than most people after a year's stay, but I account for that by the fact that she has been living in a kind of subtropics all of her life.

The important item is that we expect to go on our vacation in about two weeks, and have planned to go up to Bulape for at least the larger part of this time. About three miles from our station at Bulape, there is a beautiful little lake, and the Bulape folks building a little rest house there for just such purposes. So we will be able to enjoy both fishing and bathing in nice clean water. And you know how Dorothy enjoys both of these. We are both tickled over the prospect. The Hopsons may come out and spend part of the time with us, as their vacation time is due now too. I want to add a little explanation here, for this may sound inconsistent, for when we came out together I'm pretty sure none of us would have thought of spending any vacation together, but I'm glad to say that's all over now, and we are on the best of terms.

We have about given up the idea and hopes of doing much with chickens and are getting rid of all of them except a few good seting hens. We are not properly fixed up to raise them and it seems to be more difficult to raise the little fellows out here, the larger part of the difficulty being due to the fact that conditions are so different here, I believe.

I wish you could see our new table boy. His name is "Mukambala"and his head reaches just a little higher than the table. He is a dignified little chap, nearly always solemn. But he seems to be a good little chap; he's a brother to one of my little apprentices in the printing Office. He has the hardest kind of a time to get the knives and the spoons out of the cupboard as the drawer is up pretty high.

Just now we have one of the best libraries on the station, with some of the best literature in print. Mr. Martin sent us his library and asked us to take care of it for him. Among his books are the famous "Harvard Classics," and you know what they are -some of the best books or a good part of the best books. Then he also has some splendid religious books, as well as some of the light reading. He also has the big Webster's International Dictionary, which we are keeping. In other words, we are surrounded with the wisdom of the ancients and the moderns; here's hoping we will imbibe a portion of it…

We had a nice little mail yesterday afternoon, among which some mighty nice letters from you. We are trusting that your attack of appendicitis will prove to be a mild one. We are especially glad to hear how you have been improving in getting so fat! Please save me your formula!!!

With lots of love,

B. M.

Congo (74) Luebo, Congo 5/10/1922 [DCS]

Luebo, Africa

May 10, 1922

Dear homefolks:

This has been a very eventful day in a way as Dr. Smith left for America after three days stay with us after his stay at Bulape. You remember I suppose that Bulape is only two days from Luebo. That was his last station to visit. He is trying to catch the June Belgian boat, and I think he has plenty of time. That will put him at home in August or September. He and Mr. Rochester, one of our colored Missionaries at Motato, are going home at the same time. Dr. Smith got your names from me the other day and he is going to write to you about his trip out here & I suppose tell you what bad children you have in the Congo. He took breakfast with us this morning. My table looked so nice, I had on the table set you made for me with the blue morning glories. It certainly did look pretty.

May 28--There is quite a lapse of time between this and the last time I wrote. I'm sorry but it just seems like we don't find time to write letters. I made great plans how I [was] going to write every one I owe letters to but never get it done. then when I make such a resolution I generally am awful late writing to you and I just look forward to the coming of your letters so much.

Miss Larson came down from Bulape on her way to Bibanga for the nurses conference, which by the last mission meeting is to meet once a year. I think the chief object of this meeting is to get the young ladies together and it was acted on along with the question "how" to attract single ladies to our Congo Mission field. This also helps very much as it gets the nurses together to talk about their work and what they have learned and turn their experience over to other nurses. In some ways I think its very fine but it is quite an expense on the stations and they are so deeply in debt anyway. You see we look at the financial side as B.M. is station treasurer and has to keep down expenses as much as possible.

Well getting back to the subject, Miss Larson is joined here by Mary (Miss Porter) and right at the very last minute Miss Black decided to go. Some people thought she was foolish just picking up and going on such short notice, two days before she left, as it is such a long trip to Bibanga. She is paying her own expenses so the station did not feel like objecting. I was mighty glad for her to have the trip as we had been here a year and she was due a short vacation, she will likely not get to take a vacation next year. The worst thing of all though,it seemed like to me, was that Georgia is the only single person, I mean lady, on our whole mission who will not be there. She is teaching school and anyway I don't suppose she would feel able to foot her own expenses. I felt sorry for her this morning when the crowd left, because I remember how I sometimes felt when the crowd out at Kiam left me out. Only there was a difference, too, they did it on purpose to hurt me. Understand that does not bother me now, I only wish that I might have stayed away from them more, but I'm off the subject again. Miss Black had four days more in her month for keeping the "Club," but I took it for her so the[y} are with me now for a few days. Mr. Hillhouse and Mr. Craig are the only two left now as Gilliam left with this crowd for Bibanga, but he is only going to Mutato.

The station gave Gilliam a farewell dinner the other evening, and we enjoyed it so much. There were several toasts and speeches that were good. First we served cocktail, tomato gelatin salad, duch dressing, palm cabbage and green peas (canned, of course) and gelatin with whipped cream for desert with angel food cake. I believe that is all, but I may have left out something. A small paper cup was sent around to catch our tears when we said farewell.

I spoke of Georgia being lonesome, I'm trying to prevent some of this by having her here for her meals, that is until we go up to Bulape, which will be in about two weeks. The reason I've gone into detail about these people is that this is the crowd I'm thrown with a great deal, especially Georgia and Mary.

Now I am going to tell you about another of my best friends. Lucile Wilds is in very poor health and the Dr. has advised her to go home with Mr. Martin, of course I mean she and her husband. They hate to go so bad as Mr. Wilds has had to leave each time he's been out here before his time is up on account of his health. He is alright now and she has to go. I hate to see her go so badly, as she is my next door neighbor and we are together a good deal. She came over last night after supper and read to me in my new Ladies Home Journal, you know I do like to be read to, and it is so pleasant to read together. It seems to me that she is actually one of the nicest women I ever met. She has to be operated on and can't be out here as she isn't strong enough. Litle Ann, her baby, has measles now but it does not hurt babies much generally, you know.

Kemp and Rowena came down and spent a week with us not long ago and we enjoyed their visit very much and it seems that we are better friends than ever before. I guess you will think so when you hear that we are going to spend our vacation with them at Bulape out on the lake. This seems fine to me for I hate to be at outs with anyone.

I will have to play for church now as Mary and Mrs. Martin are both away. Don't get to practice very much. Georgia and I visit in the village every Tuesday and Thursday. We visit the teachers, there are about fifty in all and scattered all over Luebo.

It's time for the mail to close, so good bye. I will write again soon.

Lovingly,

Dorothy

Congo (73) Luebo, Congo 4/10/1922 [DCS]

Luebo, Africa

April 10, 1922

Dearest Homefolks:

Your three last letters came today, and Oh! I was so glad to get them. One of them contained only the clipping from the Terrell paper with the pictures of some of my old schoolmates in it. Certainly was glad to get it. I suppose Virgie is a sure enough grown lady now, and she has a Military Academy boy for a beau. That used to be the highest of her ambition to have one of those boys for her beau, so I suppose she is perfectly happy. Don't say anything like that to her, though; she might not like it.

I note with interest the wedding of Carroll Rutledge. Hope he is doing well, for he seems like a fairly nice boy. I suppose they will live in Dallas. I'm always glad to hear news of the Terrell folks, you know that next to the Indian Village in my heart [sic.]. I don't know so many people, at least I have no very close friends there outside the kinfolks, but I like it just the same.

I was so surprised to hear that Mrs. Porter was taking such an interest in me, for she certainly did not seem at all interested in me while I was there. I liked her older daughter very well, but there was nothing like intimacy between us. We first met at the B.Y.P.U. pretty often. Of course, don't say anything like that to Aunt Hon and Aunt Minnie, but she always seemed kind of "ofish" with me, but I never knew why. As far as her boys are concerned, I don't know which one she meant, possibly the one that was in my class. He was about fourteen years old, toe-headed--white headed I mean and as ugly as "homemade sin." She had a very good looking boy who graduated in John's class, but I can't remember ever so much as speaking to him. I can hear some people say, well she did not have to speak to him; she might have flirted with him, but I didn't flirt with everybody in Terrell as "some" people thought. I was not an angel, I know, but I wasn't near as bad as you all thought I was. That's enough on that subject. I hope you will continue to like Mrs. Porter, as she can certainly give you a nice time, I imagine. They have such a lovely home, they say, but I've only been there at night, so I couldn't tell very much about it.

Stella wrote me of Edd's plan to go to school in Port Arthur and I wondered if he and Dedie had not kind of broken off. But I notice you don't seem to think so. I can't seem to convince myself that he wants to marry her when he could do so much better, it seems to me. O! well, that isn't my business, and it far from worries me., I hardly ever think to those people out there except Stella. I got a letter from Dedye D. a good while ago which I should answer, I suppose, but I have so many other that are more important and mean so much more to me that I don't know when I'll answer it. I get such nice sweet letters from Lucile, Evelyn, Eva, and Stella. She was praising Douglas to the skies, well I just feel that B. M. deserves so much more praise, but don't feel like doing it in a letter to her. Trying to surpass when there is no comparison. I did not notice that you had not been mailing your letters at Pinckney. I'm kind of sorry, as I'm afraid we have run things into the ground. Perhaps they are not as bad at Kiam as we thought for a while.

I find that it is not at all certain that Mrs. Martin is coming back out here. If she does, she is not likely to stay more than a year or so, they say she never has and has been out here three times. I have not played for church in a long time and never when I can get out of it, so don't say anything to Mr. Martin about that if you see him. They have appointed me, but I have never acted.

I don't want you all to think B. M. and I are extravagant, we live cheaper than anyone on our station except the Stegalls and as cheap I believe as they. We have plenty to eat, but a lot of it comes out of the garden and living is just cheaper out here.

Give my love to everybody please. This is just to acknowledge your letter. Want to write another soon.

Dorothy

Seems that I can ramble on and on without saying a thing. This is a "bum" letter. Dot

Congo (72) Luebo, Congo 4/10/1922 [DCS]

Luebo, Africa

April 10, 1922

Dearest Homefolks:

Your three last letters came today, and Oh! I was so glad to get them. One of them contained only the clipping from the Terrell paper with the pictures of some of my old schoolmates in it. Certainly was glad to get it. I suppose Virgie is a sure enough grown lady now, and she has a Military Academy boy for a beau. That used to be the highest of her ambition to have one of those boys for her beau, so I suppose she is perfectly happy. Don't say anything like that to her, though; she might not like it.

I note with interest the wedding of Carroll Rutledge. Hope he is doing well, for he seems like a fairly nice boy. I suppose they will live in Dallas. I'm always glad to hear news of the Terrell folks, you know that next to the Indian Village in my heart [sic.]. I don't know so many people, at least I have no very close friends there outside the kinfolks, but I like it just the same.

I was so surprised to hear that Mrs. Porter was taking such an interest in me, for she certainly did not seem at all interested in me while I was there. I liked her older daughter very well, but there was nothing like intimacy between us. We first met at the B.Y.P.U. pretty often. Of course, don't say anything like that to Aunt Hon and Aunt Minnie, but she always seemed kind of "ofish" with me, but I never knew why. As far as her boys are concerned, I don't know which one she meant, possibly the one that was in my class. He was about fourteen years old, toe-headed--white headed I mean and as ugly as "homemade sin." She had a very good looking boy who graduated in John's class, but I can't remember ever so much as speaking to him. I can hear some people say, well she did not have to speak to him; she might have flirted with him, but I didn't flirt with everybody in Terrell as "some" people thought. I was not an angel, I know, but I wasn't near as bad as you all thought I was. That's enough on that subject. I hope you will continue to like Mrs. Porter, as she can certainly give you a nice time, I imagine. They have such a lovely home, they say, but I've only been there at night, so I couldn't tell very much about it.

Stella wrote me of Edd's plan to go to school in Port Arthur and I wondered if he and Dedie had not kind of broken off. But I notice you don't seem to think so. I can't seem to convince myself that he wants to marry her when he could do so much better, it seems to me. O! well, that isn't my business, and it far from worries me., I hardly ever think to those people out there except Stella. I got a letter from Dedye D. a good while ago which I should answer, I suppose, but I have so many other that are more important and mean so much more to me that I don't know when I'll answer it. I get such nice sweet letters from Lucile, Evelyn, Eva, and Stella. She was praising Douglas to the skies, well I just feel that B. M. deserves so much more praise, but don't feel like doing it in a letter to her. Trying to surpass when there is no comparison. I did not notice that you had not been mailing your letters at Pinckney. I'm kind of sorry, as I'm afraid we have run things into the ground. Perhaps they are not as bad at Kiam as we thought for a while.

I find that it is not at all certain that Mrs. Martin is coming back out here. If she does, she is not likely to stay more than a year or so, they say she never has and has been out here three times. I have not played for church in a long time and never when I can get out of it, so don't say anything to Mr. Martin about that if you see him. They have appointed me, but I have never acted.

I don't want you all to think B. M. and I are extravagant, we live cheaper than anyone on our station except the Stegalls and as cheap I believe as they. We have plenty to eat, but a lot of it comes out of the garden and living is just cheaper out here.

Give my love to everybody please. This is just to acknowledge your letter. Want to write another soon.

Dorothy

Seems that I can ramble on and on without saying a thing. This is a "bum" letter. Dot

Congo (71) Luebo, Congo 4/10/1922 [BMS]

Luebo 4/10/22

Dear Mother and Daddy:

As I haven't had a typewriter handy tonight I'll have to manage with a pen this time.

We had another mail today, and I notice it came through in pretty good time, as your letters dated early in Feb. came today, making a few days more than two months.

The Allens and Longeneckers (and two children) ·arrived in Luebo this past Tuesday. They reached us a bit earlier than we had anticipated, but of course we were anxious for them to be here. The Longenecker family are planning to leave for Mutoto tomorrow; from there they go to Bibanga where they are to work. The Allens remain here at Luebo, at least for the present. Then we have news that Mr. and Mrs McKinnon are on the way out here and will no doubt be here sometime next month. Mrs. McKinnon left here about three years ago with cancer of the stomach. After several exceedingly severe operations, including a radium treatment, she seems to have gotten rid of the cancer.

We had five visitors from the Forminiere--an American Mining Co., at least made up of a good number of Americans--to stay with us from Sat. afternoon till this morning. We enjoyed seeing them, two ladies in the crowd, although we were put to it to find room for them along with our recent arrivals on the station.

No doubt you understand now how we feel about your sending excerpts from our letters, as you used to do, and that we have not the slightest objection to this. We have been writing a few more letters lately, and also receiving more; the second perhaps in a measure due to the former.

We had already written you, but as it has been several days since we mailed your last letter, we wanted to include a few lines in the mail that leaves early in the morning.

As you are drinking so much good milk every day you ought to be gaining in weight. We trust this letter finds you still improving.

With love to all,

B. M.

Congo (70) Luebo, Congo 3/6/1922 [DCS]

Luebo, Africa

March 6, 1922

Dear Folks:

I am just going to try to answer some of your questions in this letter. Have just mailed one letter to you, but if I tried to catch up with all your letters I'd have to write one most everyday.

I enjoy all the newspaper clippings you send. That little cupie "Cheerful Cherub," I believe it's called, was so cute and just suited in this case exactly didn't it? Was glad to get the clipping of Miss Louise Evans' marriage. That's another case where the bride's father performed the ceremony. I'm mighty glad daddy did insist on performing ours now, but I'll have to admit I certainly did not approve of it at the time.

The "Dorothy Schlotter Aux." is not the only place our name gets misspelled, and there are people on this station who call our name Slaughter yet. Certainly must be a hard name to get. I would not change it again for anything, though. Sounds much better to me than "O! The Dickens!"

From what we hear Mrs. Kellersburger is in better health now; she is continually in our prayers. I don't believe Mrs. K. is the one Mrs. Stixrud meant. B. M. seems to think it might be Mrs. McKee, but we do not know. You know there are several out here that came against their parents' wishes. I thank God you and daddy are not that way. I don't believe I could stand it.

As to my weight, I have not weighed lately, but the last time I weighed I was about like I am in the summer time at home. I feel perfectly well, have a good appetite generally, but I'm just not meant to be fat. B. M. weighs quite a bit more than he did when he was out at home. I think our being able to get away and go hunting and take our dinner with us some Saturdays helps us both.

We are planning a little vacation of about two weeks some time in June. All missionaries are supposed to take a two weeks vacation each year. We want to go for about a day away, but the idea is to get away from everybody and take books to read, write letters and just have a good time by ourselves. Won't that be nice! Wish we could take you too.

You all seem to want me to be sure to know Wyatt is married. I think I have heard it several times and if I'm not mistaken he was married before I left. Lucile wrote me about it also.

Aviation service has been talked of for some time, but there is no telling when it will be. One of the men fell down at Kinshasa and tore his machine to pieces. If it is ever carried out, the line will be within a few hours of us. But I don't think it will be while I'm in the Congo.

Do you know who Frances Myer is? If you can find out, I would like very much to write to her. Dr. Smith knows them very well, and we talked about them when he was here, but he did not know what school she was in either.

That was certainly bad about Ed Willson losing his shingles. I can't say anything bad enough about those people, so I won't try.

Father, we thank you for your letter written in Livingston--we enjoyed it very much.

I would like so much to see your flowers. I have not been able to have any pot flowers; mine are all in the yard, that is they are mostly foliage plants. My monkeys won't let me have any in the house, I mean on the porch. They get loose sometimes, then it's goodby flowers.

I hope Aunt Minnie will not have to leave Kiam, if so I hope you go with her.

I am so glad to be getting the "Blossoms Home Echoes." Aunt Sarah is sending it to me.

Lovingly,

Dorothy