Submitted by Anna Rodriguez, Feb 2004
Here are two letters and one postcard. They were found in the rafters of the house on 1390 E. 3rd. St. Mattie Lou Young was Edd Leonard's wife, but I'm not sure why she uses her maiden name in these letters. I was thinking they were already married by this time.
The letters are addressed to Bridgeport, which is also the name of a
current road (west of Hwy. 50 and south of Whitewater) leading to
Dominguez Canyon. I can only guess that Edd was working on roads, a
bridge, ranch, or something of the sort. Anna Rodriguez [prodrigu @
co.tds.net] (remove spaces)
Letter #1 Postmarked June 8, 1950 from Delta, Colorado
Stamp Price - 3 cents
From: Mattie Lou Young
Route #2 Box 139
Delta, Colorado
To: Edd Leonard
Bridgeport, Colorado
June 7, 1950
Dear Edd,
Well I certainly was surprised to hear from you!!!
Luanna said that it takes quite a while to get letters down there, but I will mail this in the morning and maybe you’ll get it Saturday. If you don’t come in this Saturday and if you do come in next Saturday, I won’t get to see you because I am leaving next Wednesday (the 14th) for Colorado Springs for Rainbow Grand Assembly. I think Luanna is going too.
My mother went to Ouray today so Luanna and I stayed at the store all
day - more fun - ha!
We sure did have a wind storm today. The dust was so thick you couldn’t
hardly see. I went over to Luanna’s for dinner and I had to drive with
my lights on. Did the wind blow there?
Boy, this town is certainly dull!!! Luanna and Bonny and Pat and I went swimming Sunday. Monday night we went to Rainbow. That is all that happened this week. Doesn’t that sound exciting?? I don’t think so either. Oh, yes, Mom and I went to the show Tuesday. Pretty good.
We saw Mr. Wiley today and he said that Don got a job and they were leaving tomorrow. So...... I suppose if Don goes to work he won’t be a able to come and get you. Darn!
If you get this letter Saturday, and if you don’t come in. I wish you would write as soon as you can (if you have time) so I will get it before I go to Colorado Springs.
I’ll write to you from Colorado Springs if I have time (If I don’t have time, I’ll make time!!) I’ll be home from C.S. the 18th.
I sure hope you can come in this Saturday! If not I’ll see you after I get home.
By (Bye) for Now
Write Real Soon!
Love,
Mattie Lou
Letter #2 Postmarked June 15, 1950 from Colorado Springs, CO
Stamp Price - 6 cents
From: Mattie Lou Young
Hotel Joyce, Colorado Springs, CO
To: Edd Leonard
Bridgeport, Colorado (Post Office crossed out Bridgeport and write “Try
Whitewater”)
June 14, 1950
Dear Edd,
Well here I am in the Springs. I got your letter yesterday evening and I had to go to Rainbow and it was pretty late before I got home so therefore I didn’t have time to write. This is pretty sloppy as I am in the bed. We have had a lot of fun so far. We got here about 6:15.
We are going to Denver tomorrow, as we don’t have anything to do
until 7:00 tomorrow.
I don’t have much time as there are five of us in this room and you have
to do just about what the other guy wants. I will send a card later when I
have more time.
I will be home Sunday evening.
See you soon - I hope. Send my mail home, answer soon!
Lots of Love,
Mattie Lou
I don’t think you or your letters are dull at all!!!
Postcard Postmarked June 16, 1950 from Colorado Springs, CO
Stamp Price - 1 cent
From: Mattie Lou Young
To: Edd Leonard
Bridgeport, Colorado (Post Office crossed out Bridgeport and write “Try
Whitewater”)
Well Hi,
Had a free minute so I thought I’d write. Hope you can read it! We went
to Denver yesterday. To the show last night. I’ll tell you all about it
when I get home. See you soon.
Love,
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