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Prisoner Number 50875 Name Walter Duncan To Dollie Duncan Box No. Route #1 City Stilwell State Okla April 1, 1951
Sunday morning. Hello Ge-yu-ne-ga. Are you still doing fine? I felt so happy when I received a letter [from you], but as I was reading it, it ended up badly with [news of] your serious illness. But I have great hope that you will keep feeling better this morning. I also was not feeling good since last night. I went to where they go and “act up” last night. When I got back, my head was really hurting. I was blaming it on how great it was when I was gawking around at everyone. This morning, I feel terrible.
OK, A-ma is with me. We are working up front where the people come to visit. We can’t really say that we are working. Most of the time we just sit there.
Ge-yu-ne-ga, this is what I’m thinking—also, I think that this is how my mind is [works]. Do not send the cigarettes that you said you would send, Ge-yu-ne-ga. Do you understand? You look beyond [ahead] to a situation where favors will be needed. You are like a parent to me. It really embarrasses me for a woman to give me something or for me to charge her anything. Ge-yu-ne-ga, I think I will be able to do it [get by], because we will soon get our money. We receive our veteran’s pay for life. We will receive the pay this month. This is how much I receive: $263.00. I think it’s enough, because I don’t have a family [this word could include children] to support, only the boy, but he receives support [from another source*] (*Note: Possibly, the boy was not his biological son, and received other support, maybe welfare).
Go ahead and send me your photo and let me fix it for you free [of charge], to make [my] mind feel happy. I don’t know when you will [be able] to depend on somebody because we live in a bad time. We don’t know what will happen day to day. If I ever get to go to Salem [Church], I will set things right and become one who does things for God. I don’t mean just worldly things. This new covenant that we have is from God. He has given it for us to follow.
Yes, Ge-yu-ne-ga, I have not really been able to make a decision, even unto this day. What I told you, when you were here, it’s still the same. The ones that hired me want me to go help them [again] when I get out of here. It is very lonely there, but the job is good there.
These who have families would really look good if . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . you asked me to take over their work. Very much . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . And so, to this day, no one can fail to find work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . It will happen, when the time comes, for me to get out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I am not saying this is what I will do, for the time being, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . That is what I believe. Anytime now, Ti-go-la-nv-s-di-i [place name] . . . . . . . . . . from the time when I grew up. That is why, when people get sick, now . . . . . . . . . the time has come, do you know that?
This is it, Ge-yu-ne-ga, when will I put flowers on [the graves] at Salem? If you already know, [write and] you let me know. Also, tell me this— don’t forget. Are there any singers who live there? Who is the lead singer? In the past, singers from Salem were well-loved. You can also tell me this—I have not heard from my brother I-tsa-ga. Is he still living and doing well?
Ok, Ge-yu-ne-ga, I consider this [building] a beautiful place and it is a beautiful place. But I can draw you a comparison. You might consider a person beautiful, but it is not known or cannot be discovered what their mind is like. And the person who speaks as if they are knowledgeable, but it cannot be known if they speak the truth. Or if they seem to be a Christian person, it cannot be known if they truly pray from their heart. That is the way it is about this building. For it is really bad here. That’s all there is to say [about it].
Ok then, now there is the smell of the beans [in the air]. I guess now, our jaws will be flapping again. Afterwards, we may go to the church service. Are you all also having church at Salem? I wish I was there right now. But these days, I would not have any Christian [commitments], unless I pretend to be a stranger. And there is something else, I am extremely, in one word, bashful. But I have hope that when I grow up [spiritually], if I am well, the fear in me will dissipate.
It has been very cloudy all day. It looks like autumn, but we are stepping towards summer. You all are probably fishing already. It is so good when I think of things that remain the same, because I really love to go fishing, probably even more so now. It’s been so long since I’ve been fishing, I would probably fall in [the water] if I went fishing.
Ok, Ge-yu-ne-ga, us Cherokees are doing fine. I have great hope that you are well also. I will stop writing now. I greet you all from afar and also with just a paper [letter]. Hello, with great love. I will have hope to hear from you soon, if God approves and allows another daybreak, since the sun has not been swallowed up yet [sunset]. Be sure to let me know if you were able to read this letter. I wrote while feeling embarrassed. I think that I may have made mistakes.