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WCU - Horace Kephart

Leonard Kephart to Laura Kephart, June 8, 1947

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  • In this letter of June 8, 1947, Leonard Kephart (1892-1988) writes his mother, Laura Kephart to tell her about his time in East Lansing with Cornelia’s family where he attended Cornelia’s funeral. He shares his feelings on his sister’s death and updates her on the rest of the family.
  • June 8, 1947 Dear Mama, I’m leaving in a little while for Chicago where I have to give a talk Monday before the annual convention of the National Association of Insecticide and Disinfectant Manufacturers, Inc. on “The Future of Chemical Weed-Control”. Like most such talks they seem silly to those outside of that particular field but they are serious business to those inside. Anyway this group thought enough of the mutter to offer to pay my way out there and the Bureau said OK. Last month I flew out to California and back (in five days) at the expense of the Sherwin-Willis Co. Next month - who knows. Yesterday I heard that Congress is giving us a very nice increase in our appropriation for weed work - one of the very few increases that anyone is getting in these days of Economizing. If this really goes through I’ll get some help at last and the heavy pressure should ease up a bit. I got back from East Lansing after spending two days with Deacon and th [sic] girls. It was pretty grim but not as bad as I had feared. Its still hard to realize, though, that Cornelia is gone. I guess well [sic] never ge [sic] used to the idea. Somehow I just took it for granted that the family would go on forever. Yet when I saw her, and realized what she had gone through, physically and spiritually, I was glad. It could have been so very much worse. Cornelia was always the one who had confidence and courage - a sort of never-say-die detirmination [sic]. It would have been un- bearably pitiful if she had lived an invalid, not able to do the things she wanted to do. So, its well it happened as it did. I was amazed at the way the girls and Deacon took it. Of coursethey [sic] had been prepared for it but they really showed a lot of good old-fashioned character. I guess I was the baby of the lot - I just broke down for a few minutes before I could get myself in hand. But really it wasn’t sad or funeral at all. The flowers were tremendous. The service was nice - the regul [sic] impersonal Episcopalian service that does not pull your heart out. The [sic] friends were wonderful. And now, I guess, the family will take up wher [sic] they left off and go ahead. Deacon, I think, would like to retire and go back to Delaware though I dont know how soon he can. Virginia would like to go back to California - and I think she is right. Susie, of course, will go where Roger goes. Only Jeanette does not know yet wha [sic] she wants to do. She is a wonderful girl, capable and cool-headed. I only hope she finds the right boy and settles down. She is a natural wife and mother. I’m glad that Margaret came up to Ithaca. I’d like so much to see her. I dont know how long it has been but at least six or seven years. I’ve not been in New York for a long time but I’ll see her when I do. Tomorrow night I’m having dinner with George and Pauline in Chicago. I have never seen their home though I go through Chicago frequently but just between trains. Roy and George are pretty disgusted about the way Cornell has handled their application for admission and I dont blame the [sic] I still think that sons of graduates have a prior [?] to consideration especially, as with Roy, they have a fine scolatic [sic] record. It certain [sic] wont increase my contribution to the alumni fund now. Everey [sic] one down here is well. Jane and Ralph etc. were supposed to lea [sic] this month for California where Ralph was to take graduate work at Lela [sic] Stanford. But the out in the Army’s appropriation has balled things up and they dont know whether they will go. At present it looks doubtful. If they dont go to California Ralph will probably get an over-seas assignment as he has not had one yet. That’s not so good. Buddy has sold his house and they have moved into an apartment until he can build or buy what he wants. The house was too small for them

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Horace Kephart

Background and Early Career Horace Kephart was born in 1862 in Pennsylvania, but spent much of his youth in Iowa. He went on to achieve success in two careers. Trained as a...

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