Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: BIOGRAPHY – Staff
Olive Coolidge, Nurse Asst, 1941-1942
Correspondence 1941
August 22 – September 10 (Transcriptions)
September 13 – December 30 (Links)

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TAGS: Olive Coolidge, Robert Butman, personal correspondence 1941, Oggy to Bob, Nantucket MA, Pine Mountain Settlement School KY, Waynesboro VA, Charlottesville VA, Harlan KY, train travel, Dromedary Dates Co., WWII

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OLIVE COOLIDGE Correspondence 1941 Oggy to Bob AUG-SEPT

August 22 – September 10 (Transcriptions & Images)
September 13 – December 30 (Links to Images in PDF Format)

Olive Coolidge, a young girl from Nantucket, Mass. applies for a job at Pine Mountain Settlement School in Harlan County, Kentucky. She receives word that she has been successful in securing a position as a nurse assistant to Grace M. Rood at the remote boarding school deep in the Appalachian mountains. She has no medical background, is newly graduated, and has a new boyfriend with whom she is just beginning to become acquainted and intends to marry.

The letters between the two are full of hope, fear, love, and excitement as America cautiously turns its gaze toward Europe and the looming war with Germany. The following letters pick up the couple’s relationship, the fear of their unknown futures, and the excitement of finding their way as adults in a world about to push the two and old and new societies outside their comfort zones.

The letters of Olive, known as “Oggy,” cover her earlier year in Nantucket, her new and evolving relationship with Robert “Bob” Butman, and her journey to Harlan County, Kentucky, to begin her new job.

 Transcriptions and images of letters:  

1. OGGY TO BOB August 22, 1941 Nantucket, MA
2. OGGY TO BOB August 22, 1941 New Bedford, MA
3. OGGY TO BOB September 3, 1941 Waynesboro, VA
4. OGGY TO BOB September 8, 1941 Charlottesville, VA
5. OGGY TO BOB September 9-10, 1941 [Bristol] Harlan, KY

Links to letters in PDF format:

September 13 – December 30, 1941

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TRANSCRIPTION AND IMAGES

1. Postmark: August 22 1941, Nantucket, MA

[No Date] Thursday Night

Darling —
I’m back to my old self at last and I’m so happy. I hate to be in that grumpy old stage and I felt guilty sending that letter to you but I did feel SO blue. Somehow it always makes me feel better -when you know – bc you understand. But it’s unfair. I sat on the beach all alone after mailing it –a calmness spread over me after awhile and I came to a little. I chastised myself and day dreamed a bit till you were real close.

Then I got the telegram saying no Pleasant Hill job. Well at least I know. Have decided to take the Pine Mtn one if they’ll still have me. I was afraid of it before—because I am afraid of sickness but after studying it, it sounds good. And I’m not going to run away from anything. It’ll be interesting and so good for me. Maybe it’d ???? – –if I get it.

Then I’ve been talking to Mother and have repented all. She is such a wonderful person and I’ve been a bear! What I go through is nothing compared to her.

Oh darling, do you really love me when I [am] so incomprehensible at times. I know you do—but I marvel at it. It makes me weep [?] to think of not seeing you but darling you’re sure of me—I’m telling you—so I suppose things can wait ‘till December or November. My wanting to see you, talk to you, laugh with you, enjoy things with you – -and kiss you. Can hardly seem to wait—but other things can, I guess. Oh darling—if you were only here.

But we’re so lucky to have each other that we mustn’t complain too much—things will work out. Perhaps even seeing you when I find out about the job—if I have one.

I’m a goof dear, I admit—but I’m goofy over you (terribly!) and I’m yours with a smile.
me

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Friday morning —

Have spent the morning cleaning house and does it ever look better. Did you know I am quite a housekeeper?—Yes, I am! Whoopee.

A beautiful day here – how you’d love it and I’d love to have you.

Hoping to hear from other job soon so that I can let [you] know dates. Life is so complicated. Especially with a baby around.

Well I’ll mail this.—Did you know I love you – yes – how could you forget? – Anyway I miss you all the time.
Love Oggy

GALLERY 1: OLIVE COOLIDGE Correspondence
1. August 22, 1941, Nantucket, MA

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2. Postmark: August 22, 1941, New Bedford, MA

[No Date] Wednesday night 10:30 or thereabout

Bob darling,
I don’t feel as though I had written you very many good letters of late. I’ve been too rushed or agonized in my own mind. I really don’t know what’s the matter with me – I don’t seem to be very pleasant all the time – and I should be.

Somehow I feel so far away from you here, of all places, when I should feel much nearer. I can’t quite seem to get at you. You don’t visualize clearly. You seem too far away and as if I hadn’t seen you for years. Sometimes everything about us seems so dull and distant. At other times it is so clear. Why it’s hazy here I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I’ve lost the hope of seeing you too soon – gosh and that’s what I need more than anything. If you could only come walking in here, kiss me, say hello, I’d know you again through and through in a flash. Oh hell, dearie, I guess in a mood like this I’d better go to sleep. You’ll profit more. I’ll probably worry you.

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Thursday Afternoon

Got a letter just now and I don’t blame you for wondering why I hadn’t written – now you know. Your letter makes me hurt – talking about coming to Miami. If only things would settle out – one way or the other – I’d know – but instead I have to stand this agonizing not knowing. No word yet from those jobs. I’ve gotten into an awful frame of mind. If I knew about them – maybe I could come with Roberta – the gal I mentioned previously. I’m in such a //bad mood anyway – I guess I’ll stop talking of jobs and seeing you – it makes me cringe inside. Damn everything – if you don’t mind my saying so.

Went blueberrying this morning. I got 2 qts, mother one – so we ought to have some good blueberries for a change. It was nice out there – but it couldn’t quite completely penetrate my feelings. Lorin keeps me running. Boy, that boy is so active. And if anyone ever tells you a mother’s job is easy – they are crazy. It’s an all-time one with no vacations. I pity people who have kids the first year of marriage – it must be an awful strain on everybody.

I think I’m leaving Medford on the second of Sept. if all goes well.

Fran is invited for this weekend – whether she is home or coming – is another matter. Maybe she’ll cheer me up – I hope so.

I got considerable kidding around here – you would laugh to hear some of it.

Well, darling, if you want to see me, it looks as if you may have to meet me somewhere. How, I don’t know and very impractical. Everybody is just agin’ us –vnot really – it’s just circumstance.

About the southern factory – one of Aunt Og’s directors owns one in Florida – that’s how it came up and Dromedary Dates Co. is one of the best. It wasn’t because of you – in the beginning. Well, is squelched now anyway. But I admire your judgment – but I guess you didn’t like the way I talked – I’m sorry.

Washed clothes, and dishes and generally cleaned house today – what fun! I really don’t mind doing it.

Well, I’d better dash down and mail this so as to get car to beach for Lorin to ride back in. I’m going down specially to mail this to you. I’ve been rereading your old letters – and they are good. They cheer me up – ’cause it makes me feel as if you are really right here. 

I’ll snap out of it sometimes, dearie, in the meantime I love you. Oh-oh sounds bad – I merely meant the mood.

Yes, I do love you, and what your presence wouldn’t do to me! Wow!
Always, Oggy

GALLERY 2: OLIVE COOLIDGE Correspondence
2. August 22, 1941, New Bedford, MA

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3. Postmark: September 3, 1941 Waynesboro, VA

Wednesday Noon

Darling, –
Have been dashing around right and left – bed at 12:45 last night –so sleepy I could hardly move, so lonely too. I dashed off another note to the family and June and Aunt Og explaining all – and telling them how happy I am and how wonderful you are – no kidding. I feel so happy when I think about you – everything seems to be just as I want it, You’re just as I want you and there is such a quiet serenity about the whole thing – such understanding. There was none of that heavily passionate “goup[?].” As I look back over the weekend – it all seems so simple, direct, and such fun. I can only keep on repeating how deep it all was – so peaceful, so lacking in anything but pure enjoyment of each other. No arguments – oh darling, it really couldn’t have been more beautiful or satisfying. I’m proud to be marrying you. Oh well –

I talked with Milme last night about her – proposal – 3 hrs of argument as to whether she’d go on to University of Va. To do nursing. If she wanted to, it was all off – hers was so completely complacent.

My stomach has got a lonely ache – and I want to talk and talk about you. But I don’t particularly want to tell Milme and I won’t say anything ‘til I hear family reactions. Mother said in letter today – “If you get married” – so I guess it won’t be much of a shock.

Darling, I love you with all my heart – and have no doubts at all. I only wish we could be married at Christmas – but I really think we’re wise. When you think over the weekend – it’s wonderful to realize what a good time we had just being together.

Let’s keep our chins up darling – and I love you – always and all the time –
Oggy

GALLERY 3: OLIVE COOLIDGE Correspondence
3. September 3, 1941, Waynesboro, VA

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4. Postmark: September ?, 1941, Charlottesville, VA

[Note by Marcia Butman: “Two blurred postmarks – hard to read I think – possibly Charlottesville.”]

Sunday nite

Darling
Just a “goodnight” kiss. How I miss you. And I’m scared about going to Pine Mtn. How I’d like a little reassurance. Got a telegram today – 6 o’clock – saying they wanted me tomorrow so I made connections rushed around furiously packing etc. Gee, I’d hoped I could stay here a day or 2 to recuperate – I’ve been so hellishly busy. Have to stay overnight in a strange city, got to Harlan Tues. noon on bus from Bristol [VA/TN]. Gosh, I’m scared and I don’t know a thing.

I miss you and love you so. I wish I were with you on Nantucket as Mrs. instead of starting out. Not really – I want to wait – but I’m kinda excited and scared. It will be interesting.

I’m all yours, honey, – for life
Oggy

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Monday morning in Charlottesville

My train for the rough country leaves in an hour – so I walked up to PO and attempted to have my watch fixed. Lord, everything happens at the wrong time.

And lord, is it hot!

I’m getting a bit apprehensive now. I feel awfully kinda alone. I have to stay overnight at Bristol and then take the bus from there to Harlan. Tomorrow noon, I arrive and I sure will be glad when I get there. Why did I have to go there?

Got your letter this morning and it made me feel a little less alone. I love you so and I want you so – darn it all. But it’s all in a lifetime. I guess I can take care of myself.

Had a good date Sat. night – first one I’ve enjoyed since I met you. It really was fun. He attempted to kiss me – but I said no.

Someone else wouldn’t like it. I liked him a lot till he tried that and the old arm in back of the seat stuff. Then I got disgusted – you always win out, dearie –

How I wish I could just see you.

No connection.

Address: Pine Mt. Settlement School
Pine Mt.
Harlan County, Kentucky

All my love, darling – Oggy
Note – Sent mother’s letter back to me. It came airmail special.

GALLERY 4: OLIVE COOLIDGE Correspondence
September ?, 1941, Charlottesville, VA

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5. Postmark: September 9, 1941, Harlan, KY

[No Date]
Monday Afternoon En Route to Bristol, [VA/TN]

Well, darling, I’m lonely and bored so I might as well start a note to you – though there are plenty of people that I should be writing to. Well, I wanted experience and I sure am getting it. I wonder if it’ll be worth it. Of course it will – but now I know how you felt when you started for Florida – not knowing anybody and feeling very much alone. I’d much rather be getting my MR degree in experience, that’s the penalty for loving you, I guess. Yes, for the first time, I’m beginning to realize how really lonely you were. But at least you weren’t scared – a boy can go anywhere. I have to be careful who I look at.

You can see how my train of thought runs – I guess I’ll stop writing and continue in Bristol – it doesn’t help to write to you – I just want you more. Think I’ll write to Fran and tell her something I’ve been wanting to do for some time. OK?

I’ve been thinking all day [about] what fun it’ll be to fix an apartment just the way we want it and to have time no longer an evil. Boy, what time we’ll have – and we won’t be blind [?] as some people are.

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Hotel Bristol
Bristol, Va. – Tenn.
[No Date]

Tuesday Morning

Happy birthday to you this morning I’ve been saying to myself. Of course, I realize this will be there too late – it’s just what I’ve been thinking. You know I completely forgot about your birthday till yesterday. I’ve been so rushed one way or another that I hadn’t had a chance to think of it – and I have given you my presents. On the train, I woke up with a start, so when I got here I sent you that night letter. I hope you didn’t think I was too goofy. I thought it was rather clever.

Well, I’m all dressed now –its 7 [am] – packed, ready to really start off on my adventure of a year. The bus leaves in ¾ of an hour – I must breakfast, etc. Last night I wrote a long letter home and then fell on the bed and went sound asleep. I was so tired.

Well dearie, wish me luck. I wish you all the happiness one could ever have on your 21^st birthday and after it. I hope I have given you happiness in the form of myself.

I wonder how I’ll like it tonight. I’m kinda excited now – my first job.

My first job before that though is loving you. I think I do it rather well – too well sometimes. The rest of your life dear after 1 more year will be one of happiness with me. And a beautiful life too

Always – Oggy

GALLERY 5: OLIVE COOLIDGE Correspondence
5. September 9, 1941, Harlan, KY

[Travel to Pine Mountain, Kentucky [Last letters before arrival at PMSS.]

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[This is a long journey … stay with us to follow Oggy and Bob’s journey as the Archive processes more materials and leads you to the many corners of Oggy’s inner self and growth as she makes her way in the new world of eastern Kentucky.

Pine Mountain is most grateful for the gracious addition of the physical and digital materials related to Olive Dame Coolidge Butman’s life by her grandniece, Marcia Butman, in February 2024. This very personal story complements the records held at Pine Mountain Settlement related to Miss Coolidge’s time at the school assisting Grace M. Rood, the school’s nurse, as she struggled to meet the medical needs of the close community as war loomed, coal mining exploded, and women’s jobs accelerated. This fast pre-war pace is captured in the story of Oggy and Bob.]

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Next:
OLIVE COOLIDGE Correspondence 1941 Oggy to Bob SEPT-DEC

See Also:
OLIVE COOLIDGE Staff – Biography
OLIVE COOLIDGE 1941-1942 Bob and Oggy GUIDE