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Letter from John G. Neihardt to Lucile Aly, June 26, 1969

  • Title: Letter from John G. Neihardt to Lucile Aly, June 26, 1969
  • Date: June 26, 1969
  • Author(s): Neihardt, John Gneisenau, 1881-1973
  • Recipient: Aly, Lucile Folse, 1913-
  • TEI XML: nei.j4c.58.27-34.xml
(1.)
5835 Vine Street
Lincoln, Neb.
6-26-'69. Dear Lucile:

We're back again, as you see, after 2000 miles of travel. Incidentally, we went up to South Pass from Rock Springs, and it was good to see that country again, altho' I don't like the new highway arrangements, which [spoil the exaiste?] spoil the Pass for me. No one, now, ever gets on the real old wagon road that I describe in Jed Smith — that about a "hind-sight out of [true?] ," and the "left-hand shoulder to the Little Sandy. Even the Pacific Springs are off the new road. (What a nuisance Time is can be!)

We had no trouble except little, fixable things; but a day after we passed through Laramie homeward bound, the Youngs' daughter, Kay, and her family ran into a terrific wind, accompanied by hevy snow, and were properly wrecked. We had only golden weather, which indicates good livin' on our part. (I always say [it?] it pays to be good)

-3-

You certainly had more trouble with clean nice people than you should have had. What have you been doing?

The great national Gem and Mineral show was a big success! My Golly! What a display! I Mine was a Special Exhibit, by which is meant that it was there by invitation. — an honor, but it cut me off from the competition. I was not ashamed of my stuff. It was beautifully displayed in a lovely grglass case, and many, many people stopped to examine it. I had the following items on display.
  • 1. Jade-gold necklace.
  • 2.- Hololith jade ring, gold lined.
  • 3.- Pair jade-gold earrings (pendant)
  • 4.- Hololith crystal ring with white sapphires in shanks and setting of Royal Jade.
  • 5.- Hololith crystal ring, flower-cut design, red fire-opal in center.
  • 6. Pair jade ear-ringsearrings, flower-cut design, with white sapphire centers
  • 7. Jeweled ceremonial knife with Ozark walnut sheath, [Aryzone ironwood?] handle, three [?] rub rubies in handle and large one in sheath.
  • 8- All ivory ring with setting of amethyst and [pyrope?] carbuncle (Ivory from Martin Johnson's last elephant)

I had the only hololith rings in the show.. And what secretly secretly delights me is the fact that I had such poor equipment. I even made tribe drills (for diamond driling the jade) by drilling through [?] a a nail with a $2.75 Sears drill that wobbled drunkenly. Yes I had symmetry and precision throughout.

___________________________ The above refers to horizontal drilling through center [marble?] !
The xeroxing is paid for.
In my work, the tool-making, outout of nothing much (!) was as important as the gem-product.

I would hesitate now to undertake some of the work I did. I doubt that I could do it with these eyes.

If I must come back into the world for another test period, I'd like to come as a gem expert and a great lapidary! My God! It's as good as making beautifully fitted lyrics!

How fine to see all of you [together?] Old Stewart is good to see! And what was Bower doing in [?] ? Anyway, hurrah for him! And how I'd love to get the major to talk to me! There's so much he [knows?] that I'd love to [know?] know. And my next president!! I tried hard to get him last time, but they headed me off. I'll try harder next time.

And you! Pretty a always — althoaltho I realize what a weak word that is. I really mean beautiful.

I've read Ollie's letter (careless), and it perfectly [expresses?] my view.

Your book does not need the passages in question. It's a fine book.

Love to [you?] [?] — John N.
_____________________ See 9 page 8
P.S.

People noted the all-jade ring with the gold-lining, and I heard one wondering aloud "how he got that gold in there." That was a trick of mine, and I'm proud of it! The thing looks impossible because the gold is so thin it would, apparently, break with the pressure needed to insert the gold band. I had fun figuring out that one!

Love again — John the Gak P. S. again.

This is some more good reading matter for you all.

Mrs. Anderso, president of the Gem & Mineral Show, wrote me a most gracious letter which I've just received. She also sent me a bolo tie — a combination of rock and gold with the inscription: The Salt Palace — 1969.

Would a look at this letter do you any good? I can send xerox copies.

(over)

This readin' matter is furnished free of charge by John the Gak. And is recommend for people who are already quite pious. Follow the pagination, which are a fine word.

LINCOLN. NB PM 26 JUN 1969

6¢ FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT U.S. POSTAGE

 Dr. Lucile Aly 1138 22nd Ave. East Eugene, Oregon. 97403 5835 Vine Street
Lincoln,
Neb. 68505