Dear girls of 1903,

These letters grow in interest as the years go by. To think of all the distance Robin travels to find us all and in what different circumstances he finds us, and yet how many interests we have in common! I agree with many of you who suggest that nothing be allowed to interrupt his journeys.

I notice the date of my last letter is July 4. 1917. I will not detail the war activities of the busy months that followed. The work to be done was much the same as many of you have described and I did all that I could. Learning new methods of baking and cooking etc. was a detail that I recall often. How glad we were to go without flour and sugar etc. but I am glad it is no longer necessary.

It was hard to see my youngest brother start away in the air service in the winter of '17. He was in France a year a half, a pilot and had so many of the nerve wracking experiences of flyers that even yet he is not really strong aside from the fact that he seems so much older.

Another brother was auditor in two different Aviation Camps for two years. He also was an officer, but in Ground Division of Air Service.

Blainton Trosh, my husband's younger brother went across in a hospital unit in the spring of '18. They buried him the following September, a victim of pneumonia in France. I knew him as a boy and the loss was like one of my own brothers. The cost of war is too tremendous. May the efforts of great men of all nations for peace be successful beyond all our hopes.

In August 1920 Mary Maxim Caudrey and I spent a few days with Edith Powell Pringle in Punxatawney. While we were there Louise Powell Johns, her husband and three of their children joined us. They had motored across New York and Pennsylvania from Oneonta, New York. Edith needed all her large house to take care of so many of us. We had lots to talk over and it was interesting to watch the children. Edith's five girls and Louise's one girl and two boys were surely worth going a long way to see. Louise left a tiny daughter at home who would add to the group by this time.

Perhaps I should have left this for Edith to tell but she will have other items of interest. While on a visit at home in *Oil City last summer I spent a few days with Mary Maxim Caudrey at Chautaugua. We were glad to see a number of girls who were at Baltimore while we were. In order that we might at least see others for a little while, Laura Snyder '01 arranged for our meeting at an attractive Tea Room along the Lake. Madesin Phillips was honor guest. The others were Marge Bunting, Norfolk VA ex. '03, Edith Beck '04, who distinguished herself by taking her PhD in Latin at Johns Hopkins last June, the first woman to take this degree (at JH) I believe - Clara Kellogg on her way to Michigan, her new home, Margaret Hukill Taylor, who lives near enough to drive over often, Mary and myself. Madesin asked about our work, and told us something of hers, so the hour was delightful but very short one. Madesin's time was full up to train time when she was to go north for a month's rest. Her lecture had been canceled because of throat trouble but she was holding conferences and committee meetings etc. I believe the title of her office is President of the National Federation of Business Women's Clubs. She said the work was becoming so heavy that must give up all or part of it. The strain was too heavy. She hoped to go back to her profession as lawyer in Kentucky as soon as it could be arranged.

Just a few words about our work here and I will close. I am still very happy to be able to do a part of the large work every minister's wife finds at hand. If only there were more days in each week. Missionary work this winter is especially interesting. In particular, the appeal of the seven union colleges for Oriental women is so important at this time, to all following current events in China and India. I enjoyed hearing Flora Robinson Howell speak on this subject a few weeks ago!

James, our only boy is a live active boy of twelve. He and his father have had a lot of pleasure this winter with a wireless outfit, indeed we all enjoy it. I think my husband enjoys it because he made a part of it several years ago, before the war. Since war restrictions are off he finished it, and recently started a radio club among the boys here.

With best wishes to all of you for continued success I am sincerely yours,
Rinda Philp Trosh

Handwritten Excerpt (32 KB)