November 25th, 1922

Basel, Switzerland.
Nov. 25th 1922.
Prof. Erwin Bunnell Esp.
Dear Bro:- Say but I was some surprised duck to find a letter in the mail last Wed. from a fellow by the name of Erwin G. Bunnell. At the same time I received a letter from the Hon. Elvin Wayne Bunnell, and Mother. I sure was glad to hear from you all.  You certainly are having fine weather to dig the beets. I hope you can get them out all right.  It is warmer again here, and as yet, we have only had a few flakes of snow. Say if you make the basketball team I will send you Swiss present. Nothing larger than an automobile, and nothing smaller than a pocket knife. Don't wait too long about sending me the scores. 
I have seen two wild ducks over here, on the fly. They have many of them in the bird ponds, but not many wild ones.
Say you are about as large as I am.  I am only weighing 165 lbs. just wait and see when I get home, I will sit on you and Lamond altogether at one time, or doubled up or any other way.  
Listen--.??? Ihave something to tell you. Guess what it is! Do you think you would know if I told you? I don't believe you would. But just the same it looks fine. I am a real man now. It is spelled in Basel dialect S-c-h-n-o-u-t-z, but beings that you don't know what that is, as Jim what schnurbart means. Wait a minute, I spelled it wrong, it has two R's. Schnurrbart. Do you know any more than you did before. I will tell you this much more about it, there isn't anything in the middle, but is thick on both sides, and it looks like horse----.
So Elvin had to write a letter for language in school, that is fine. You just tell your teacher that you are going to write letters everyday whether you are in school or not.  And you can send them all to your Uncle Dudley, over here, in the near of no mans land.
There are not many mountains in the near from Basel.  The highest mtn. I can see from here are about one third as high as those, are that one, straight across the lake. Further up in Switzerland, when you get to the Alps, then they get to be 12 to 14 thousand feet high, with snow on them the year round. Can Bobby throw yet? How much do you weigh?
The old biddie still comes to meeting, and seems to think she still has a chance.  It always taked two to make a bargain. She is anyway on the road to feeble mindedness. She wants to be baptised now, so she can receive the Holy Ghost, then she can prophecy, give revelations etc.  I don't pay any attention to her.
Tell Lafe Johson hello, and give him congratulations for me. 
Thursday, we were tracting, and a police followed us in a house and was going to raise cane with us, but couldn't do anything.  He wasn't satisfied with what I told him, so came to the lady where I am staying, and she told him if the whole world were as good and honest as we were, he would be out of a job. He hated to give up but had to.  It seems that they are getting pretty strong on us, but let them go, they can't prove anything on us.  It just makes the work more interesting.
While I was tracting, this week, that is at one time, a lady came to the door, and I ask for the man. I said I had a special message from America.  She invited us in so quick, and went and called the man.  I expected, that when I told him I was a missionary, I could be looking for a soft place to light, but he was very kind, and we had a good talk with him. 
I must get this letter off, or it will be late, so I will close with lots of love, and praying the Lord to bless you all.
Sincerely, 
LeRoy
Klybeckstrasse 78.
P.S. I suppose I will be in Basel until after Xmas.
P.P.S. Here is 50 marks or just exactly one mill .001 in our money - buy Provo out.

November 4, 1922

Basel, Switzerland
Nov. 4th 1922.
Mrs. L.L. Bunnell.
8 a.m.
Dear Mother:-  I received your letter last Tuesday, Oct. 31st, and by this time you all know how I appreciate to get one.  I received the money Wed. Nov. 1st on the afternoon, and if it been only one day later, I would have to borrowed some more money. It just saved my life;  because I  sure need some now. I am taking my trousers to a tailor this morning to get a new seat put in, and also to lengthen them out.  They sure have been balling me out lately about my short trousers so I supposed I had better act.  You remember how short they were (on my old suit) when I was home.  Well I have grown taller now, and the pants have shrunk some so they come almost ? to the top of my socks.  I also must register with the police, which will be about $1.75. They sure are hold ups here on a foreigner. I am not sure whether they can fix my trousers or not, if they can't I supposed it will mean a new suit.
2 p.m. 
I  have taken my trousers down and they are going to fix them for 10 frans or about $1.85. The rate of exchange now is 5.54 for $1.00. I think it will still go lower, so in order to save a little money, if you can't send "dollars" over please try and send it in smaller quantities, and then oftener, for example 20 to $25 a month.  You see then if the rate of exchange changes much, I won't lose so much.  The money I got was changed at 5 francs 38 cents, compared with a little less than five francs when I came over. Today ther is over 6,000 marks for $1.00, or it takes about 60 marks for one penny. Two missionaries came in from Hamburg last night, and they were on the train 18 hours, and rode first class, and had a sleeper.  It cost each of them 10 cents for the trip.  Still they claim that it costs a lot of money now for wearing apparel and food; almost as much as here. I don't see how a Revolution will hold off until spring. A friend (investigator) was over into Ger. last week, and went into a restaurant to get a meal, and they didn't have a thing to give her except black coffee -- without milk.  If that is the case what will it be by spring. --Russell Hughes was working in Berlin. I would like the chance to work there myself, but it seems that I must stay in Switz.  
I enjoy the Herald's very much. Of course the funnies are a little to laugh at, but probably it will be just as well to add a few others instead. Does it really take 5 cents to send them? Shouldn't they come cheaper?
How are the Boy Scouts now?  Is Karl a first class scout? Tell Karl to tell all the Scouts hello for me, and be sure and not forget. Also give Spen my regards.  I am sure glad that Merrill Olsen can go back to his work. He never would feel satisfied if he didn't go back.  Tell Vern and Minnie I wish them good luck on their trip to Florida.  Where is Ida? 
Tell one of the boys to shoot a duck for me -(I mean at one)-or let Lamond shoot the Blue Cranes.  Nothing like that over here, all talk-talk-talk, then nothing accomplished, only get hoarse. 
Being that Lamond is there now, I will answer his letter of Oct. 2nd now because I suppose one letter for all.
I have been offered more than the price I paid for the field glasses, I suppose a dozen times.  Nearly every missionary that sees them, either wants them or a pair like them.  Lots of them sure kick themselves because they didn't get some too while they were in Ger.,  but now it is too late.  I could sell them at any time now for more than the price I paid. But I wouldn't depart with them until absolutely necessary. See that fly on Mt. Timpanogas!!
Someday I will play horeshoe with you again. Ten mo. day after tomorrow since I left, eins (1), zwei (2), drei (3), vier (4), funf (5), unsu (etc).  If Lavina is up in Twin Falls, tell her to tell Nell hello. I wrote her a letter once, and preached the gospel to her man and she never answered. Maybe he is (the husband) nonreligious, and got peeved. If he did tell him to scratch it where it itches, that is what I tell them. Tell Nell to swallow the Doc. of Cov. Tell first Lavina and the kiddies all hello.
The old biddie (the woman that proposed to me ) was here again this week, but I soon ditched her.  Some people can't take a hint.  I have ordered a bear trap to set at the door, and when she comes I will catch her.  But by heck, that would be bad because then I would have her.  I never thought of that. But the Rhine is only about 200 yards from my room, so I will feed her to the fish. How will that be? Still I don't believe a shark would eat her, she into poison.
The weather is quite damp again.  It has rained almost the whole week.  It isn't as cold as it was last week. Nevertheless it is quite miserable.  I will be glad when I can have Utah weather again. 
There is a large fair here in Basel (for Switz) and it lasts two weeks. It is a Catholic celebration. The only objection I have to it, it has taken many people away from home, and we can't do our regular missionary work. We do lots of walking but can't find anyone home. I haven't seen it all yet, but it isn't anything great.  It lasts a week longer yet. It is all free, unless you want to buy something. 
I must prepare my Sunday school lesson now, because I must teach again tomorrow, so I will close, wishing you all a good appetite for Thanksgiving, and that it will be a Thanksgiving for you all. 
Sincerely,
Frog.
P.S. Last Sunday, Eccles, from Ogden were here in Basel. Say but you can't imagine how it seems to be in company of Americans: Oh! Boy! Just wait!!!
P.P.S. There are certainly lots of beggars on the streets here now.  On every corner is somebody passing his own hand. Playing a grind organ, singing, crying, whistling, yelling, moaning or anthing else, coaxing people to give them five cents, whether they are cripples or not. A person would think the whole town is nothing but bums just something to take up the weight. 

October 22, 1922

Basel, Schweiz.
Oct. 22, 1922
Variwood Farm.
Dear Folks:- 
In the letter I wrote yesterday, I told you about the old lady proposing to me.  You remember she also asked me not to dance.  Well, I fooled her. Pres. Ballif  is not so terribly strict about that and he was present last night, so after one of the missionaries had danced several times, I got President Ballif's permission, and danced with Evelyn, his daugther. Say but you should have seen that woman stick her giraffe neck up in the air, and almost climbed on the tables and look. She sure didn't know what to think. During the whole evening I hadn't spoken to her at all, so it was not long after, she came down to where I was, and asked me for my answer. If I ever told anybody the truth, I did her.  I told her I never came over here to find a wife, but to preach the gospel of Christ. I told her I felt very sorry, that she had taken me on instead of the gospel, but just the same she had heard enough of the gospel, that she is responsible now.  I told her I would not come anymore to her place, but I would send other missionaries.  I told her a few otehr things, which she never thought I would, but just the same I told the truth.  She didn't seem to get sore (she is too simple) and promised to come right on to the meetings as usual.
Well I must study my S. S. lesson so will close for this time, and finish another time. Auf Wieder Sehen.
Oct. 26th 1922.
I got another letter from the biddie today, simpler than ever. I had a chance to talk in meeting last Sunday night, and I slammed pretty hard, even if she was there.  It doesn't seem to make much difference with her, how many slams she gets.  She also sent me 5 fr. or $1.00 in the letter, but I won't use it, I will give it as a fast offering or tithing or something.  I certainly think it is the bunk.  She tries her best to get me to come again, but I won't.  I think to get away from her I will have to leave Switzerland, becaues it seems that she hasn't enough sense to take a hint. I am going to take the letter to Pres. Ballif again.
It snowed just a little here today. It certainly is cold.  We had to give up and make a fire.  it is too cold to study without.  Good night for this time, and I will finish Saturday.  I have eaten too much sauer kraut to write more tonight. 
Oct. 28th 1922.
I received a letter from Mother Oct. 23rd, was glad to hear of the success you had in the fair.  How much money did you get out of it? Did the county pay anything? What was the score to the football game?  Where does Merrill play? I would like the chance to work some of my fat off.  I hope when I get back I will be able to do a little more in such lines.  I have been nothing but an old dummy in school, and never accomplished anything.  I feel about the same way here, that I am about 100 years behind time, which almost equals me to a Swiss man. 
There was one of the Saints died last Sunday morning, and the people here are so religious??? that they wouldn't take his body away on Sunday, and let him lay until Monday. The family was afraid to stay there alone so I sit up there all night - (to see that  Bro. Yinkel wouldn't get up and run away). He was buried Tuesday, and I am almost sure that when they broke through the large stones on the coffin (the grave yard was very gravely) that they broke through right on his body.  How would you like to be buried like that? Not for me.
I went up and saw Pres. Ballif this morning, and showed him the letter from the Biddie, and he sure did laugh. One of the boys in the Bureau is going to write her a letter, and tell her to mind her business, and if she says anything more to me I will answer her in three words, and the first two are go to____.  If there is anymore said, I will have to leave Basel.  I was just about to be sent either to Bern, or Zurich, but Pres. Ballif says he needs me here in Basel to much at present, to shop me away, but still I wouldn't be surprised, if I would leave before another month. 
I supposed when you get this letter, you will be about done with the sugar beets. How did they turn out? How does the plowing go this fall? Who does it? Is the ground very wet?
I haven't more to write, only that I feel the bunk, and that the work that I have done in Basel is in vain, that frau Schnid has undone more than I have done. Nevertheless, I have warned a good many people. I hope in the future I will feel better.  It sure feels tough to be out spending so much time and money and still have no progress. 
May the Lord bless you all in your labors.
Sincerely, 
Elder LeRoy Bunnell.
Klybeckstrasse 78.
Basel.
P.S. The money hasn't come, but maybe it will be here in a few days. 
P.P.S. Please forward this letter to Leona. There are so many other letters lost, this is the surest way. 
P.P.P.S. Ask Leona what she thinks of my address on the envelope. 

October 14th, 1922

Oct. 14th 1922.
Miss Vinna Bunnell.
Dear Sis:- Well I suppose if this letter gets there by your birthday, I will have to be sending it.  I really haven't time to write, but it is already a week since I wrote, so you will be expecting a letter.
I received a letter this week from Papa, Mama, and Merrill, all together.  I was sure glad to hear from them.  I have also received newspapers twice. They sure are fine.
I was in Bern last Sat. and Sunday, but it rained continually, and also we had so many meetings that all I saw in the whole two days, was just the street between the railroad station, and the meeting house.
I even didn't have a chance to eat for 24 hours.  Bern is built up very peculiar. The sidewalks are all built under the buildings, something like Taylor's Bro's. only not soo wide (about 6 ft.) and not so high (7ft.). I also saw the old famous clock in Bern.  The conference was certainly fine, only not very well attended. There were about 30 missionaries there. 
I still make mistakes in the language.  The other night, I was visiting a friend, and she was telling me some of her religious  experiences, and I meant to tell her she was a little over religious, and instead I told her she was a little crazy. She sure looked at me cross eyed, but it was a day later before I realized my mistake.
The other day while tracting, I found a lady, that had had seventeen children, and ten of them are dead.  Of course my topic there was Salvation for the dead, and as I explained it to her, she broke down and cried.  I talked to her for over an hour. The next door I went to, the woman broke out all over , and oh! how she did tear into me because I was a Mormon.  I gave her the verse from Math 16, about sign seekers, then told her right out, that those people who always find fault with the Mormons, are the same. I also told her that 99 chances out of 100, she herself was an adulterous woman.  She didn't deny it at all, but just slammed the door in my face.  Just the same, she had something to think about, and she don't need to think that she can be pure and clean, just by her words.
Well I just passed my 21st milestone yesterday. If I was there now I could vote. I will probably get a chance later.  I hope the Republicans win.  
I have a new companion now, Elder Wayne Stratford, from Pocatello. He has studied a little German in school, but he can't talk, but just a few words. He is about the same age as I am, and I am satisfied, if they don't bring some other local man in here, or somebody else that needs to be watched, everything will go fine.
Say tell Merrill not to worry too much about me and the German girls.  They are nothing to worry about.  One of my friends (an old widow) just came to the room not long ago (15 minutes) and brought me a bouquet of roses, but she is too old - ha -ha,  The bomb Merrill sent was two days early. It reached me two days before my birthday. Say, why don't some of you study German in school, so I can talk to you when I come back.
No Father, I can't preach a sermon a rod long.  We are not supposed to talk over 20 minutes, and I only get a chance once a month, so they can't expect too much.  I would also like to see you drop in here sometime.  The only trouble I could preach for an hour and you wouldn't understand me.  Try and make it so you can meet me here- when I am released.
Say, before I forget. Would it be possible to send me one of those Indian arrow heads (a small one) in a registered letter. If so, please do it.
Last Tuesday night I sit up all night with an old saint here 78 years old.  That is something new for me, but all went good.  I think he will pass away in the next day or two.
Well Vinna, it is time to close so I will wish you many happy returns for your birthday, and hope that all goes good with you.  Praying the Lord to bless you.
Lovingly,
LeRoy Bunnell.
P.S. I will send the mate to that post card next letter.

Oct. 6th, 1922

Basel, Oct. 6th 1922.

Mr. L.L. Bunnell.

Dear Father:- It is nine months ago today, since I said goodbye to you all at home, and I celebrated by saying goodbye to my companion, who left this morning for home, sick. We have been living here together now over four months, and we sure loved each other. He left home May 6th. His boat doesn't sail until Nov. 15th, but has relatives he wants to visit in Ger. so hehas gone now. Look for him down to see you about Dec. 1st are maybe the 10th anyhow, sometime in December.

I am left again without a companion, but I think in a few days I will have another. Pres. Ballif told me he was going to bring another good one in here to help me. He told me right out that I had had one of the hardest rows to hoe in the whole mission field, and said I had earned a change, but he like my work and wanted to keep me here.

Anyhow, now I am not so anxious to leave Basel. I never knew there was so many good people here until Elder Plewe left today, and since i have seen what they done for him. If I would leave now, it would be just like leaving home, because lately, I certainly have learned to love the Saints. There is a possibility now, that I will fill my whole mission in Basel.

Before I forget, will you please get the song for me, "Out Where the West Begins." and send to me, as soon as you can. One of my Mothers here plays the piano fine, and I sure love that piece.

I got two letters from home this week and I was sure glad to hear from you again. I got one Oct. 2nd from Momma and Elvin, and one Oct. 5th from Papa, then the Variwood News from Din. I read the newspaper article that Momma sent me first, and saw how Papa was praised for Commissioner, and got all worked up then I read in the letterthat he lost, and I almost fell over backwards with discouragement. I enjoyed those newspapers very much. Keep them coming. Also the "White and Blue" when you can spare one. The kids here surelaugh at those funnies. This country hasn't woke up to that fact yet.

Mr. Skinny (Elvin) Bunnell: Well Old top did you at last get up courage to write your buddy a letter. I thank you a thousand times, and hope next time you won't wait so long to write. I sure hope you enjoy the school and your teacher. You know here the children go to school from 6 to 14 years old, and go the whole year round, that is a short vacation here and there. They have about 2 weeks off for Easter, 5 weeks for summer, I think 2 weeks for Christmas. Here they sure teach the children to write good. I am ashamed to let anyone here see my writing.

So Happy is dead. The poor old fellow. Who preached the funeral sermon? I'll bet you hated to see him die. I hope the other one lives alright. Did you pull the tail off the other one when you caught it? Well Elvin that you very much for your letter, and I hope you will write again soon.

I wish to thank you all for your best wishes for my birthday. As far as my buying a birthday present, I think I already have one, and that is the field glasses. I wouldn't lose them for anything. The other night I was looking at the moon through them, and I'll tell you there was some difference. On one of the stations here there is a large clock, a little larger than that one on the Schwab our Metropolitan building. I was at least a mile away from it, and I could tell what time it was to the minute. One fellow took a pair from here and they was going to charge tariff on them, but they couldn't or didn't. This pair that he had was no. 8x40 and they told him, they doubted if he could buy those there for $150.00. Mine are 16x40, so what do you think of them? I paid about $22.50 and I have priced them here in Basel and they are $65 or more. But I think as far as buying a present goes, that is enough, but I would hate to part with them now.

I think probably I will go to Bern in the morning to conference. It is a general conference for Schwiz, especially for missionaries. Pres. Ballif wants me to go up. It is about 50 miles from here I also want to see Elder Hirschi , my former companion. Another thing I am all alone now and I think I would feel better by going up. I don't think the trip will cost $5.

Don't worry about me getting enough to eat. I am just cutting the breakfast down some because I am eating too much. Then I can't eat all the Saints want me to. I will not endanger my health, because I have saw several Elders on their way home on account of sickness, and I don't want to go that way. As far as that goes, I never felt better in my life than in the last two months, since the hives left me. I want to be as economical as possible, but not to ruin my health - I will care for the eats.

Do you still get 90 cents for the cream? How much do you make now? How many cows are milking? How are Jersey and Blackie doing? Does Lady still kick your hat off?

Say Din don't you make fun of my German. They can understand me when they want to, and especially if I get a little mad. They all call me a liar when I tell them eight months ago I couldn't talk any German. Many here now take me as a German - because I don't talk Swiss dialect. You just wait till I come home, you won't be able to understand me talk English, let alone German. - But I will be to blame, because I can't talk English.

It has been raining like sixty again this afternoon. Here it is true that a wise man takes his coat when the sun shines. This morning and up until 2 bells it was as clear as a crystal, then at four it began pouring down, and has done ever since. It isn't very cold at present.

I am sending you one of the program's for the program we are going to have. They made a mistake andput Duet (do-quit) for Elder Holmes and myself, but you know how good I can sing, so more than likely we will go through with it ___(NIX). I hope you understand it all.

Last Wednesday evening the branch gave a farewell for Elder Plewe. The saints sure hated to see him go. They certainly gave a fine program. He has teased all the saints so much, on one hand, then again, he was sincere, but he sure got the love of the people, partly through teasing. Have the girls of the branch wanted him to take them back with him, but he has left one over there in S.L.C.

Well I have my room all to myself now for awhile, also companionship all to myself, so I suppose during that time, I will turn Basel upside down - tracting so much. That is my hobby- work-work-work-work, but I have been hindered the last few weeks on account of this missionary trouble, then also Elder Plewe going away too. But when I come back from Bern, here's one that will keep busy.

Say you remember that record you have "Traumerie", on the opposite side of "Hearts and Flowers,"is a German piece. The translation in English is "Dreaming, My Mother" Anna Stocklin, played it for me last night on the piano. She has several American pieces there, and I sure like to hear them. The German's also have "Asleep in the Deep," and many of those songs. There are also many stories in both languages. Believe me I am sure glad I had the chance to learn the German language. In many ways, you are helped out, just in leaving the world. I wish now I could learn French. I could learn French easy now because there is so many of their words, either like English or German.

I suppose bu the time you get this letter you will be in the beets hot and heavy. I sure hope they turn out good. At least better than what I have seen over here. They are all little bits of scrubs, and I don't believe would go 15 tons to the acre. Not that much if they hadn't transplanted so many and made almost perfect a stand. I think all of our crops at home are better than these here. They grow celery here and use just the root, and throw the stock away. You would probably think it was celerac, but they have both.

I wish I was there to drive the tractor, but I suppose that time will come later. Just the same what mission I have already had, has been worth more than a college education to me, let alone what I will get later on. I sure am glad that I can remain longer to preach repentance unto this people - which they need very bad.

Today there is 2,165 Marks for $1.00, and in Germany they are kicking hundreds of foreigners out, because they haven't enough for them. You see everything has been so cheap in Germany, thousands of foreigners, have went in, bought stuff, and went back out again, that Germany is overworked, to manufacture stuff, and to have food enough for all, that would like to go in. Prices there now are clean out of sight -- for certain things. Railroad fare is till cheap for Americans, but for Germans I don't see how they make it. It cost Elder Plewe 95 cents to ride six hours on a through train 2nd class, which is doubled since Oct. first. One pound of butter there is now 300 marks, shoes 10 to $5,000 marks, suit 25-30,000 etc. I myself look for trouble there before long, at least before spring, because I don't see how they can hold out.

It is time now, that I go over to Mother Stocklin's for supper so I will close for this time, thanking you for all, and praying the Lord to bless you.

Lovingly,

Elder LeRoy Bunnell.

Klybeckstrasse 78.

Basel. Switzerland.

p.s. The saints told me to send you all their best regards.

Oct. 7th Well I am just ready to hit for Bern, and it is raining like sixty. There is quite a number going in from Basel, and also the missionaries are coming together from all over Switzerland. Bern, you know is the capitol from the Schweiz (Switz.). They say it is very pretty. Well I must go, so, Good bye.

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.