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      Tape 3b (23 minutes)   [Right click to download the tape]

a.       Arrives in Germany just after WW I. Mom talks about how Pop could have married the farmer’s daughter, because as an American he was a good catch. But he had already seen Mom with her great legs and was hooked.

b.      Marries Mom in 1920 but returns to America by himself soon after.  Leaves money for Mom to live at $2/week.  Made 13 trips back and forth across the ocean as a seaman in years 1920-23, each taking about six weeks.   On this first return to Germany Pop had come across with his German birth certificate, so Mom couldn’t return immediately as his American wife. This was a mistake because he could have signed on with his American seaman’s papers.

c.       In America Pop now had a car (see Tape 4), and his itchy feet made him leave Mom for long periods as he continued his wandering ways.

d.      The railroad paid Pop’s way from New York to Sacramento to work on the railroad as a strike breaker. Eventually works six years for the railroad, starting with outside construction and working up to finish cabinet work inside the cars. His supervisor liked Pop because Pop  knew how to play cribbage with him.

e.      Mom comes from Germany with Vernon and $50 from Pop, most of which was stolen on the train from New York to Sacramento by short changing her (Mom spoke only German at the time). Arrived in New York February, 1923.

f.        Pop soon builds their own house in Sacramento.  Used heavy mahogany doors from railroad surplus. He first built a small house then added onto it (as he did several times later in the state of Washington).

g.       Mom notices Sunday funnies and learns English with Pop’s help reading them.