Letters from life at KU: Fall 1941 to fall 1942

September 1941, beginning of first semester at Kansas University

Dear Mom:

I hated to send all this laundry home but it costs too much down here, shirts are 15 cents, shorts and short-shirts six cents, towels five cents and washrags two cents, socks three cents and that adds up pretty fast when you have as little money as I have… The only job that will trouble will be that milk delivery job. You get up at 5:00 and you’re not through till around 8:30 or 9:00. That makes me miss part of my economics class which starts at 8:30. I’m sending two pair of pants home too… I’m also sending a list of the freshman rules, so that you won’t have to worry about me.

November 1941

Dear Folks:

Well I suppose you think it’s terrible because I haven’t written but I’ve been so busy studying for test besides my work and football and basketball practice. I guess Russell really poured it on Hays Tuesday… I asked our treasurer about putting a slot machine on second floor and he thought it would be a swell idea. He believes I could make around $5 a week. If I could do this I could quit one of my jobs and have more time for study.

March 2, 1942

Dear Folks:

… My grades are still O.K., so far I think I have around a B in German a B in Geology and a C in Rhetoric.

Fall, 1942

Dear Mom and Dad:

… I haven’t heard a word from the Army so I’m still going to school although I can’t say that I’m getting much out of it. About every day we hear a different story as to when we will be called and I just can’t see this studying when we will be called. My orders to report will come to Russell so as soon as you get them call me and let me know.

I’m running the quarter for K.U. next week in Kansas City in the Big Six indoor track meet. I will run against boys from Missouri, Kansas State, Iowa State, Nebraska and Oklahoma. I haven’t much chance to win but I’m sure going to try. The fastest anyone has run ii indoors so far is 52 and my best time is 54 but I’m not in very good condition.

In December 1942, the 19-year-old Dole signed up for the Army’s Enlisted Reserve Corps. Six months later he reported to an army base in his home state of Kansas.