DIY History | Transcribe | Nile Kinnick Collection | Correspondence to and from Nile Kinnick, friends and family regarding his championship football season, August-December 1939

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Correspondence to and from Nile Kinnick, friends and family regarding his championship football season, August-December 1939

1939-08-06: Front

Milbank, So. Dak.
August 6, 1939
Dear Ben: 
The East bound Olympian has just deposited me in this village and hastened on toward the Minnesota line a few miles hence. Altho this is a good little town, I am reminded of that part of Gray's poem where he comments on the close of day, as the plodding plowman and the winding cattle "leave the world to darkness and to me." This week end has been peaceful and just a bit lonely. Numberless times on this trip I have remarked to myself that it would be grand to have one or more of you with me. Some time I hope that it will be your turn, as it is not a little interesting to tour the neighboring states. It always has rather facinated me and I believe that George will so testify, also mother. Nile has had a couple of bad breaks, to be along when there was some pushing to do. But that "is good experience".
If the mails do not fail this should reach on your 20th birthday; and well I remember that morning twenty yearsago. You have seen the cartoons with the stork flying along with his bundle and the old doctor larruping his horse in an effort to be in at the finish. Well in the race twenty years ago the stork won hands down, as the Doc wasn't even in the home stretch when you arrived. But the nurse and I had things under control and mother handled her role right well too. So I take this occasion to felicitate you with the affection and admiration of a fond parent and to wish you most earnestly many, many happy returns of this day, with your full share of victory, honor, love, compassion, contentment and those fruits which come to him who strives with a purpose and serves with humility.
In reading the Minneapolis Tribune this morning I noted a story about Sloan of General Motors, and it is enclosed for your perusal. I believe that his philosophy on working with his associates instead of ordering them, is rather a sound one. And his last remark on the simplicity of the decision when all the facts are in, is a truth that has long impressed me. In the Sunday Magazine, which you have with the World-Herald also, is an article by Stanley High that will interest you. Also is enclosed a short clipping from Redfield that might interest mother as she has a warm spot for Redfield (still).
Love
Pop

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Milbank, So. Dak. August 6, 1939 Dear Ben: The East bound Olympian has just deposited me in this village and hastened on toward the Minnesota line a few miles hence. Altho this is a good little town, I am reminded of that part of Gray's poem where he comments on the close of day, as the plodding plowman and the winding cattle "leave the world to darkness and to me." This week end has been peaceful and just a bit lonely. Numberless times on this trip I have remarked to myself that it would be grand to have one or more of you with me. Some time I hope that it will be your turn, as it is not a little interesting to tour the neighboring states. It always has rather facinated me and I believe that George will so testify, also mother. Nile has had a couple of bad breaks, to be along when there was some pushing to do. But that "is good experience". If the mails do not fail this should reach on your 20th birthday; and well I remember that morning twenty yearsago. You have seen the cartoons with the stork flying along with his bundle and the old doctor larruping his horse in an effort to be in at the finish. Well in the race twenty years ago the stork won hands down, as the Doc wasn't even in the home stretch when you arrived. But the nurse and I had things under control and mother handled her role right well too. So I take this occasion to felicitate you with the affection and admiration of a fond parent and to wish you most earnestly many, many happy returns of this day, with your full share of victory, honor, love, compassion, contentment and those fruits which come to him who strives with a purpose and serves with humility. In reading the Minneapolis Tribune this morning I noted a story about Sloan of General Motors, and it is enclosed for your perusal. I believe that his philosophy on working with his associates instead of ordering them, is rather a sound one. And his last remark on the simplicity of the decision when all the facts are in, is a truth that has long impressed me. In the Sunday Magazine, which you have with the World-Herald also, is an article by Stanley High that will interest you. Also is enclosed a short clipping from Redfield that might interest mother as she has a warm spot for Redfield (still). Love Pop