August 25th, 1922

Basel Switzerland

August 25th 1922

Mr. M. John Bunnell.

Dear 23 year old scrub :- About 23 years ago, on the 19th of September if I remember right, there was one of the spirits of the spirit world had the chance to enter the body of one of the ugliest little rascals that ever came to earth and they named him Merrill John Bunnell. You see it is quite a long time back, and i can't remember him extra well, only how ugly, and how mean he was at first. But the funny part of it was, the spirit was pretty good, really a fine looking chap, and you know an ugly and a pretty person cannot get along together, and being that this particular spirit was so pretty, and so strong when he looked on the ugly body he had entered, he decided he had some real hard work, to make his mate (the body) a better looker. And you know, I remember it so well, the spirit worked so hard with the body that he had to line in, that at last he made a fine looking young mad out of him. And he still gets prettier from day to day and the spirit still works so hard with him, and made him such a pretty looker, that the President of the Alpine Stake of Zion's daughter admired the boy. At first, the (body) thought oh I am too ugly, and not far enough along in life, to step out with such classy gems. The spirit pushed him forward again, and said, don't be so little, get ahead with the others, and show them you are something, and don't always think you are just a little behind the other fellow. So it went on until the spirit made a date for him, because he did not dare to do it himself. He took the hint this time, and he began to show really waht he was, and before long, he was way, way, up in life, and was well thought of by everybody and he keeps getting prettier and better all the time. Well it went on so for a while, and the body got disgusted again, and thought he should not go to A. F. anymore. But you know the last I saw was that that little spirit gave M.J. another inspiration, and the last I saw was that little old ford of L.L. Bunnell's (with M.J. ) going north so fast, I thought the wheels would all come off. I noticed at the same time, that the gas feed was pulled down so far it was almost bent double. The fellow that sit in the Ford had a smile on his face a yard long. I would sure liket o have a picture of the pretty fellow now and compare it with someone else who had at first a pretty body and an ugly spirit and where the spirit had overcome the body and won it over.

Well Merrill, I hope you many happy returns for September 19th and hope that all is well with you at present, and will always remain so. I would like to be there to give you 23 spats but instead I will give you 23 oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo then we'll give you the spats when I get home.

Last monday August 21st I got three letters. One from Lamond, one from Irwin, and one from Momma and Papa. I was certainly glad to hear from you all again. TEll Irwin that he shouldn't get sick like that again; it isn't healthy for him. How did the hay come out? Was it spoiled bad or not? I heard that they have had a terrible storm in America, but I never see a newspaper, and never know, but very little about conditions there just what you write me in the letters. I haven't taken many pictures to send. I will have another bunch now soon. It costs so much to geth the work done here, and also there isn't much to take. I have tried several timesto take pictures of some old buildings and things, but everytime I try it the police get after me and won't let me, and I won't buy post cards, just to spite them. Say I would be very much pleased if you would take a picture of all the grain stacks and send me when you have them ready. Please send also one of the house, and when there is anything else of importance. Say, Irwin, take an old man's advice, and if it is possible get a little more schooling. Don't be such a dumb donkey as I am. I wish I had studied harder when I did go. Please give Aunt Litty, and the family my best regards.

Say, if it isn't too much bother for you, I wish once and a while you would nap up some of the Provo papers and send me. You can send them quite cheap. I would like to know some of the conditions there.

Another thing, I wish that you would inquire in some of the optical stores how much you must pay for the "Carl Zeiss" field glass No. 16x40. Lots of them will probably tell you they don't make such a large glass. They will probably say the best is 8x30, but tell them you know different the 16x40 is an extra large glass. Then please write and tell me how much they are - please. But don't tell them anything about this pair that I have, because they might get sore, and might make trouble for me to get them over.

Today, there is about 2000 marks forone dollar, compared with 1200 for a week ago, conditions don't look so extra good. The Austrian kronen is now worthless. 1,000,000 Rubels (Russia) for 50 cents. If you want to be a millionaire easy, buy 50 cents worth of Russian Rubels. By the way, when you send me money from now on, I wish you would send it in dollar's not francs. Probably you will have to tell them at the Church office, because they do it. The reason is, I believe the Swiss money will also go down some, and if it does, I don't like to have so much changed into franc's at once because then I lose so much money on it. At present there is about 5 francs 25 sonteens to one dollar. When I came over it was a little less than five francs. Well I am tired of writing at present so I will do something else for a while, and ship this off probably tomorrow. I must go have supper yet, and then afterwards go to visit a friend. There is never resting hours for a missionary, they are always busy. 

July 30th, 1922

July 30th, 1922.

I sent the letter off yesterday, but it came back for more postage, so I thought I would add a line.

Probably you won't get this letter on Monday, because it is a day late to start with now.

I just came back from Sunday school to the room. We haven't any meetings this afternoon so we are free. We will probably take a walk out somewhere, just to see some of the country.

Yesterday afternoon we visited family Breuan the parents to the girls who wrote Elvin the letter. They are bitter apostates now. They have certainly sinned somewhere. I sure do feel bad over it, but can do nothing. Before, I never saw better people.

Well, excuse the scratching, but I am so nervous today I don't know what to do. I fear I will have to preach tonight.

Be good,

LeRoy

July 29th, 1922

Klybechstrasse 78

July 29th 1922

Mrs. L.L. Bunnell

Dear Mother :- I received your very welcome letter of July 10th and 13th last Wednesday, July 26th, and was as usual glad to get a word from home.

I haven't been back to Liestal since that day, but I am going to start working there agian soon. Don't worry about anybody knocking me down the steps, because these people like to talk too much but when it comes to doing the act, it is different. And to as long as I am in the work of the Lord, and do my duty, nobody will harm me. These people must be warned, then if they don't take it on , they can throw it away, but they must have the chance.

I sure do take that attitude towards all of these bad women. I had also an experience in Germany while I was there in Munchen. A lady about 30 years old came up behind me, touched me on the arm, naturally I turned around, and she said "come and go to the hotel with me." I told her right out to go straight to hell. She then went on about her own business. This country is lousy with such people, but let them stay with themselves, and not bother the Americans.

Tell Dr. Hughes hello, and there is room for his son Russell over here in the mission field. Say how are those girls (Margarite Cluff and the Anderson girl) who were hurt in the automobile accident. Are they disfigured? Last Tuesday I was talking with two missionaries who just came over, and came with Bob Anderson of Provo. Bob is sent down into Vienna Austria. They have about 12 missionaries there now.

We have also been having cool weather hear lately, but lots of rain. Through the months of June and july, the weather has been always fairly cool, considering what it usually is. They tell me it will melt during August.

Tell Leona hello for me and that she must hurry up and get better. I should write her a letter, but I suppose she reads all of these any how, so she knows I am not dead. How are all of her kiddies, I mean children, not goats! Does Nora still remember me, or has she forgotten that I exist? How about Arlo? Does he talk yet at all? You know he never talked when I left. And of course Wayne talks, and runs all around like a little duck. I sure would like to see the kids now, but I suppose the time will come when I can see them.

Yesterday morning, I went out tracting rather tired, on account of going so long the day before. I felt just a little grouchy. Elder Gleich was with me. I tried to give a lady a tract and she turned it down. I then gave one to a young man just across the hall. This old hen kept chipping in, and throwing insults, then besides that a man yelled down from the story above to throw me out. That me sore and I sure tore loose and told that old Hen something. I also talked loud enough so the man over, could hear me. My main topic was that it was too bad that the people of the world were so ignorant, that when something good came to them they turn it away and slam and slur it, and wanted always to stay in their wickedness. I also told them right out, that when they slammed and slurred the message I had brought to them, they done the same to their Father in Heaven. Nobody then offered to put me out and then I had a very good talk with the young man, and he promised faithfully he would come and visit the meetings with us. he told me what I said was just right. While i was talking to him, Elder Gleich went back and had a talk with the lady, that wouldn't take a tract from me, and gave her two tracts, and had a very good talk with her. After we went out Elder Gleich said to me, "you sure did talk sharp to that lady, he said the cap must have fit or she would have put you out." I sure can't help but get out of patience, with the ignorance of some of these people.

At present in our missionary work, we are hunting up some old saints who haven't been to church for from 5 to 15 years. Most of them we can't find, some others have been baptized in other churches, others kick us out, and a few give weak promise that they will come back. We have about 50 such names to hunt out. We sure will have to excommunicate quite a number. I hate to do it, but when a person denies the gospel, what do you do?

Elder Plewe and I just got to joking and we changed writing tabs and wrote a little nonsense on each others letter. We like to play sometimes.

Well there isn't more to tell about so I will close for this time. Hoping you are all well and happy.

Sincerely,

LeRoy  

July 22nd, 1922

No. 8

Basel.

July 22nd

Mrs. L.L. Bunnell.

Dear Mother:- I was sure glad to hear once more from home after a two weeks lay off. I thought perhaps America had all blown up. I felt about like Lamond did in Australia when he wrote that song, When the boat didn't bring a letter for him, when i waited so long and heard nothing. Of course though i didn't write any peotry about it.

Don't worry about me being tarred and feathered or anything like that. It isn't that bad here. These people here like to talk, but that haven't any force behind it. I don't worry about such things at all. In fact, it tickles me when they start yelling "help, murder here is a mormon," and they want to throw me down the stairs. Still this doesn't happen very often. We are treated much better now than a while ago. The police never say anythign at all. All they have police for, is so they can get on the best side of the women. Last week I saw two men scraping on the street, and the police sticking their heads around the corner, watching them, but didn't say a word. The men were trying their best to hurt each other, but neither one could do it. I see now why they haven't any pugilists here. when the people once turn me out, I don't go back again. There is no use throwing pearls among the swine. I never try and quarrel with them, when they say they don't want it, I let them go.

Say for Pete's sake, tell Lake View to put their gloves away to the little kids. They might as well let me play, so they could beat you a little worse. Who plays? And who pitches? I think I will go out this afternoon and play football, whith the fellows of the branch. this isn't in a game, but just for fun.

Tell Leona she had better eat a little more, so she can grow. She certainly must be skinny now. I sure hope she soon gets better. I have also lost 11 lbs in the last couple of months, but I am feeling better now than for a long time.

So Merrill is stepping American Fork again. I thought he would, and I don't blame him. Just wait til I get the chance again, I won't be as dead, (and bashful) as before. Just go until old top.

Monday is the 24th of July. We missionaries are going to celebrate, by not working. Probably we will take a walk out to some of the neighboring towns, possibly to Dornach, and see some more of those old castles out there. The saints are not celebrating.

Nothing has happened since I wrote the last letter, only, I have been, very busy, just with the missionary work. We are working a little with the friends again now, and I enjoy it much better.

I think the saints are all feeling better now. In the meetings we have better spirit, and there isn't so much backbiting as there was. I know myself I feel much better. There are a few that we must disfellowship but that when done will make a better feeling here.

Last week it snowed down to 3,000 feet altitude on the Alps, so you can see we have had some cold weather here. It is much better now though. It is more like summer weather.

Well there is nothing more to write at present, so I will close for this time, hoping you are all well and happy, and that Leona will soon be better.

Sincerely,

LeRoy

Klybeckstrasse 78.

P.S. Say I sent to New York and got a boy scout handbook. We intend to start up scout work. Ask Irwin if he would send 40 cents to 200 fifth Ave. New York to the scout headquarters, and tell them it is for me. I would do it only i haven't any American cash.

P.P.S. How is Karl coming with the scout work. Is he first class scout yet? Tell all the scouts hello for me. 

July 16th and July 17th 1922

No. 7

July 16th 1922.

Mr. Irwin J. Bunnell.

Dear Bro.:- I thought I would get a letter from you today, but the darn thing didn't come. I haven't heard a word from home since Vinna wrote the "Variwood Weekly" on June 22nd, and that is a long time back. What's that matter, have you run out of writing paper, envelopes, stamps, or have you forgotten this little old scrub over here eight thousand miles from home, like most of the others have, that I have written letters to, and they don't think it would do me a nickel's worth of good just to hear from them, just once.

Much hasn't happened since I wrote you last, because I haven't been doing anything only passing the time away. Wednesday I worked fourteen hours, came to the room at eleven o'clock, and the light was on here, and the door was locked from the inside. I called Elder Plewe, but no one answered. I called, yelled, howled, hammered, kicked, squealed and everything, to try to get the door opened for me. Nothing doing, so I go in another fellow's room, take my pocket knife, use it for a screw driver, and took the lock off. After about half an hour's work I got in, and here was Elder Plewe sound asleep. He was waiting for me, but was tired and fell asleep, and with all my yelling I didn't wake him up.

Thursday morning, I got up, half dead, and after breakfast, I went back to bed again. I got up agian at noon, and went to dinner, but as soon as possible, I was back in bed. I got up again, and went to supper, to try to pass it off, but I was glad to get back to bed again. Friday I thought i felt better, so I went out tracting. I got pretty weak before i was through, and after dinner I went to bed again, and stayed until the morning. I feel fine now, couldn't ask to feel better, only the hives have come back on me double dose. I look like I had the small pox. It seems to me the Lord is trying me, like he did Job. If it wasn't for these hives, I would feel better tonight, than for a long time, but I can hope these will soon leave me. This sickness has been working on me for some time, but now it can go find somebody else, because I am through with it for this time. Don't worry that i will get out too soon or anything like that after you get this letter, because everything is fine.

Elder Plewe wants me to go to bed now, so I will finish another time.

July 17th 1922

Well I have been out tracting this morning again. It sure seems fine to get to work again. A person feels so much better when he can work than when he lays around. I feel much better today, except I couldn't sleep much last night, on account of the bees stinging me, in those hives of theirs. I should soon be sweet enough to eat, if those bees work much more, storing the honey in the hives on me.

Well it is time that I go again now. Please forward this envelope and letter I am sending to Grandpa and Grandma Johnson. Tell Grandpa and Grandma Bunnell hello. Hoping you are all well and happy.

Sincerely,

LeRoy Bunnell.

P.S. Say Irwin didn't get peeved over what I said in the last letter about you and Mai. I just said it as a joke, but after I had sent the letter I thought it might hurt your feelings. So let it go or just as if I hadn't said it. Sometimes I say lots of things that I don't mean, so when I write something in the letters that way just pass it off again.

P.P.S. The missionaries tell me to send you their best regard.

P.P.P.S. It has been so cold here the last two days, that a man almost needs his overcoat. I did wear it to Sunday school yesterday. There were a few snowflakes mixed with the rain. It isn't storming today but it certainly is cold. The Rhine has raised again higher than it has been since I have been here, on account of so much rain. I don't think there be frost because that is very unusual here.

P.P.P. P. S. I forgot to tell Leona and the kiddies hello, and that I hope Leona will soon be better again. 

June 17th, 1922

Basel

June 17th, 1922.

Dear Folks:-

I have about 20 minutes to finish this letter and send it off, so you won't get much more.

Trouble is coming up here all the time. You know I told you about Luscher family, where we had to go and settle so many quarrels, and now he is making Hell for us. He is to blame because Bro. Haltinner and Elder Gliech were driven out of Liestal. He is a pretty big man with the police, and he sure has been feeding them not only in Liestal, but here also. I have to register here with the police again, and I fear I will have trouble doing it. they are sure getting to know us "mormons" here now. I think the old man Luscher must of wrote an article in the paper, because everybody are sure against us now. Some of the friends have turned back on us, but it is them to suffer and not me. yesterday Elder Plewe took his watch to a jeweler to get a crystal put in his watch. He never told the jeweler who he was at all, but when he came back to get the watch, the jeweler had a tag on it "a mormon". How he knew is more than I can tell, because we've never been there before. They seem to know us everywhere we go.

I am afraid I will have to have my eyes tested. Every afternoon for the last week I have had a terrible headache, and my eyes also ache. I think I will buy a pair of dark glasses, and try them a while. I blame it on the sun shining on the cement street and glaring up in my eyes.

For the last couple of weeks we've been buying milk from the milk man, and drinking it cold. It hasn't been treating us very good, so we will have the Frau boil it for us. It must be terribly dirty in the barns. Milk costs 7 cents a quart here now.

I expect I will have to go to Germany now to see the Passion Play. I think Elder Snell has ordered my ticket. The trip will cost about 20 dollars but I can save that on a suit of clothes alone, that is if I can get it back again. I must also buy socks, shoes, and shirts. I would never consider going if I thought I couldn't make more money than it cost, by buying my clothes there.

It has been very cold here again for the last two weeks. We have had much more rain, and  I think it will rain more today.

Well I must close, so I can go to the meeting. Hoping you are all well.

Sincerely

LeRoy

P.S. How are the crops looking? Is the stand of beets good?

P.P.S. I am going to start to number the letters and you do the same, because other fellows are losing letters, and I want to see if we do. 

May 18th and 19th, 1922

Basel.

May 18th 1922.

Dear Varwood.

It has been better than a week since I received a letter from home, and also since I wrote I sent "Der Stern" but that wasn't a letter.

I have just been out tracting a couple of hours, and have a little spare time before I go to dinner, so I thought I would tell you of some of the troubles.

we are sure having hard work here in Basel. A good many of the Saints have got the big head because they have a little office, and ever since I and Bro. Hirschi has been here they have been plotting against us. The local missionaries have also had a good hold on it to. Finally Sunday in Priesthood meeting it came to a head, and these "no nothings" took turns standing up and told even a bunch of lies about us, about how we wanted to take his friends away from him, and that we were trying to push him out. I was by that time so mad I was sweating. I ask Pres. Ballif if I could say something, and he said no, you hadn't better. I guess it was a good thing or I am afraid I would say something that wouldn't have pleased them. Then the President of the Branch (also a local man) got up and told more lies. Talk about a church, this is more of a lodge here.

You see they haven't had any American missionaries here since the war began, and they had to put local men in to win things. They can't get into their beans, that we should do anything only tract and that they should tell us how the church should be organized. Because we didn't follow their advice, that has caused the trouble. Won't I be a rich man, when I can get back and work with Americans again. You can't imagine difference in the class of people. Pres. Ballif has to be as wise as a cat, because if he isn't, the whole mission would turn upside down. He is changing the branch, and con. Pres to Americans as fast as he can, but he has to be very careful, or a good many of the Saints would turn against him. A good number here are not worthy to be called saints. There are a few that are good, but that isn't many. Some join the church here because they are poor, and they know that the church will help them. Such is life.

Say if you want some pretty shade trees, get some of those chestnut. They are sure pretty. Half of the trees in Basel are chestnut and if it isn't pretty now. They are all out in bloom now.

Last Monday I went to another funeral. It was the Father of a Saint. The services were Protestandish and if it was dry. The Pastor done everything, read prayer from a book and even read the sermon. He never mentioned resurrection. In the particular graveyard where this man was buried, it is the second time, for people to be buried , it is the second time, for people to be buried in the same place. The ground had all been stirred up, and talk about stink, it was worse than a dozen dead horses.

It is raining again today for a change. It never goes a week here without rain. Pres. Ballif just came back from Ger. last Saturday and he said there they have had so much rain and snow, and it has been so cold, that the farmers hadn't yet done anything on the farms.

May 19th 1922.

I didn't finish yesterday so I will just add a few lines now. Bro. Hirschi, my good old American companion goes to Liestal Schwiez today, with Bro. Haltinner. They are going to open up a new branch. I have got to stay here in Basel, and work with Bro. Brunner, a local bird, that kept saying, when tracting that I was extra from America, until I put him on the right path. He is a fine fellow (for local man). I am either going to have a little better order here or I will pick up a walk out.

There is a ten day forlough from July 1st-10th given to all missionaries who want to go and see the Passion play in Germany. I believe I explained it before to you. It is considered the best in the world, and only plays every 10 years. It has been played for hundreds of years. There is people coming from all over the world to see it. The only trouble is for us missionaries from Schweiz to go over it would cost us $10 for a visa to get into Germany. That would cost more than all other expenses there together. President Ballif was pricing field glasses in Germany last week. He can get a pair of the best for $12 or $13. they would probably cost $60 or $75 in America. Should i get a pair?

Well I just received three letters from home. One from Merrill, one from Vinna and one from Grandma. I am glad you are all well, and think that I am learning the language so fast. Maybe if you heard me talk you wouldn't think so. Forgive the way I have wrote but I haven't told it all. I am sure hoping we can make it better.

you are not the only ones that have the Spring fever. I would like to get out on the farm myself. How happy I would be when I can get there once more, and especially in good old U.S.A.