September 2, 1922

Basel, Switzerland

Sept. 2nd 1922

Variwood Farm.

Dear Folks:- I should address this letter to Mamma, to Irwin, and to Vinna, so I thought I would address to Variwood. I got a letter from Momma last Monday, August 28th, and one from Vinna Thursday Aug. 31st.

I also started to no. my letters, but I forgot to. I will start again, and see if I can remember this time. There are so many letters get lost between America and here. I think it would be the best to number them, so we can tell when one gets lost. I will tell you, Mother who I have written to, and haven't any answers, then probably you can tell me whether they have them or not. First Aunt Josephine, Beulah Hatton, Uncle August, Mart, Alfred, Will, Aunt Littie, Vera, Marley & June. I have two unanswered letter's one from Ruby, and one from Aunt Edith. When anyone wants to send money, please tell them not to send it through letters, unless they are registered, because many letters are searched. I know, several cases where money has been sent, but not received. It would be better, if they gave the money to you, then you can send it as you have done. Have you sent any money since about the 1st of June? I want to know when you send it so I can know if the letter goes lost, or is already lost. I haven't received any since June, and I don't know whether a letter with money is astray or what. I still have on my credit about 120 francs, or about $24.

The Saints and missionaries thank you for the regards you sent to them. I forgot, I also wrote Anna and Jack a letter, and have no answer.

Miss Din. Orthella ate cake- Orthella ate jelly, Orthella went to bed with a pain in her ____. But don't get excited, and don't be mislead, because Orthella had no pain in her head. Say Din you have about as much judgement in the mots as I used to have. Just go easy next time. I hope you enjoyed your whole trip.

Yesterday, Elder Plewe got three fruit cakes from home, all packed up tight in a tin can. When he got it he had to pay about 90 cents tariff on it and when he opened it the smell almost knocked him down. All of the cakes had rotted. He sure feels bad over it, but I tell him there is no use crying of rotten eggs. The main trouble was the cakes were packed in a tin can and could get no air. It was also handled, terribly rough.

Last Sunday one of the Saints came here to Basel, from Germany and President Weissenberger called him to talk. He talked 45 minutes on nothing but business affairs, and how the Lord had blessed him, so that he could purchase an automobile, etc. Also how he was blessed so that he could smuggle stuff over into Switz. from Ger. and not get caught. I had 4 personal friends in the meeting, that had to listen to such dope. Everybody was so mad, they could have eaten him alive.

Last Monday night as I was walking home from Richen (just a little ways from the border of Ger.) a Swiss officer came up behind me, and asked me who I was. I told him an American. He ask me where I had been; I told him in Richen, by family Schneidli. He says good night and went on. You see I had a package on my arm, of pears and a cake that Schmeidli's had given me. The officer had seen me carring this package, and he thought that probably I had come through the forest from Germany and was smuggling stuff over. He learned better. You know they are very strict on the line here now. They make many people, men and women, undress and show all their clothes to be sure they are not smuggling anything across. At present, there is about 150 marks to one dollar. Last week for just 1/2 hour, there was about 3,500 marks for $1.00 but now it is better again. It changes back and forth from 100 to 1000 marks nearly everyday.

Last Wednesday I went to visit a friend, and they were very busy sewing. They had so much work to put out at a certain time, and they were a little behind. I ask for a needle and thread, and I worked there for a couple of hours sewing buttons on for them. They certainly wondered that I could do it.

It has been raining here again most of the week, and again it is as cold as blazers. I never see the like, it rains nearly all the time. It is out of the ordinary to, for it to rain so much.

Well I must close now, and go get a bath and a hair cut. I usually write so much anyhow, I suppose you will be glad when I do stop. I am also sending a letter to Aunt Josephin, with this, so she will be more sure to get it. Please forward it, if you will. I will try and send others letters the same way, so they all won't go lost. May the Lord bless you.

Lovingly,

LeRoy

Klybeckstrasse 78.

P.S. Elde Plewe says to send you his regards.

August 26th, 1922

Aug. 26th 1922

I think today also makes the 53 milestone for Papa. I sure hope he has a good day and enjoys himself well, and can enjoy many a happy birthdays still.

We had two baptisms here last Sunday night, one child and one old man (August Dreier). I confirmed Dreier, being my first time to do so. That makes the total to seven baptisms here in Basel so far this year (but none are on account of me). Last year they had 28 baptisms here, and there are not more than 4 that come to church now, so you see somebody was in a terrible hurry to get the honor of baptising a lot of people to come into the church, but they don't stay long. I have a few personal friends that visit the meetings quite often, but it will be sometime before any are ready to be baptised. Probably none of them, we nenver can tell. It seems to me that the Spirit of the Lord has almost entirely left this people, and that they are getting blinder every day, because they certainly cannot see the bright light in front of their nose. You can talk a week to them and it goes in one ear and out of the other; they will cry to your face, and when you leave them, they will laugh and make all manner of fun of you.

Last week I visited another old war castle in Dornach. This on e was built about 1346. It is almost rebuilt over now though. There has certainly been some great work done there, building caves, etc. for hiding places.

Last Monday night, there was a chorus out on the street singing. There was one yoddler among them who certainly was good. They were all fine singers. There was to be a wedding the next day, and the chorus was in front of the brides home, singing to them. Last night one of the sisters here played "My Isle of Golden Dreams" and a part of "Barcarolli" from tales of Hofman, on the piano. Believe me it certainly was fine to hear those pieces again.

Tuesday Elder Gleich and myself went to Allschwiel, a small town not far from Basel, to visit a friend: This old fellow is a gardner. When we got here he took us out in the garden, and filled us up on prunes (what we lacked of being full already). Again, he asked me if I would take him to America with me when I went over. He certainly is a fine old fellow. On our way back to Basel, a cloud bursted and we came almost getting wet. We saw it coming a little ahead, and made for a farm house. We just got there as the sheets of water began coming. We just got a little damp.

Wednesday I found a man while tracting, a very stong catholic, but after talking to him a while on the Resurrection, and showed him a few things he said "that is just what I believe but my Minister tells me it isn't true, and also many others that I have asked." He said he had proved it to them and then they said that that part of the Bible was wrong. I lent the old chap a Book of Mormon.

Last Thursday night I visited a friend, with Elder Plewe, and she had the nerve to ask me if I would not peddle shoes for her, along with my missionary work. What do you think about that? She thought probably I could make good money for her. Of course, I told her yes, that would do it for her. Some of these people sure get a funny idea about a missionary.

Well I think I have written you about all the news there is only that during August we have had fall weather instead of summer. It has rained about half of the time, and then also gets so cold. It is cloudy this morning like we will have rain again, and it is also quite chilly. Many of the leaves from the tree's here have already fallen, especially from the Linden trees. The crops here look terribly rusty to me on account of being so wet all the time. Last year here, they never had no rain at all, but it is sure paying up for it now.

It is time now that I eat my breakfast, so I can go have a bath, hair cut, etc. Then this afternoon have a meeting with the Presidency of the branch.

Tomorrow I have to teach the theological class in Sunday school. I don't know what kind of success I will have. I hope it goes alright. Tell Irwin this letter is answering his letters to so he won't wait for one. I will probably write to him (that is address it to him) another time, but just the same the letters I write for all.

May God Bless you Merrill that the next year may be a happy one.

Sincerely,

Elder LeRoy Bunnell

Basel Switzerland

(French) - [illegible] Swisse

Klybeckstrasse 78

P.S. Don't get peeved at the first page, you know they used to talk abou how ugly you was as a baby then how pretty you turned out to be. 

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.