My surname is CATES, however my great grandfather UJ 'Riley' CATES was born a
CATE 1864 McMinn County Tennessee. His parents were Christopher C. Cate and
Lutitia C. Russell. After his marriage December 1885 in Monroe County, TN.
he and his bride, Addy 'Callie' Watson moved to Fannin County, TX. They
raised a family of 5 in a small community of Orangeville, Fannin, TX. Then
about 1900 plus or minus a few years moved to Whitewright, Grayson, TX.
Tennessee records list him as CATE, Texas records list him as CATES. JB
CATES, my father, his grandson was in the Army during WW II. Recently I
received 25 letters my father wrote to his mother Mattie Skipworth CATES. I
want to share one of the letters written from Scott Filed Illinois to his
mother in Whitewright, TX.
If you recognize any of the people mentioned please let me know. I would
love to contact someone my father knew personally. He died when I was 7.
Scott Field, Il.
Wednesday Night
Dear Mother;
I received your package the day after Christmas. I sure was glad to get
such a nice gift from home. Made me feel almost as if I was spending
Christmas with you all. The boys in the barracks enjoyed the fruit & cake as
much as I did. We have a custom here that ever time someone gets a package
from home, he shares it with the rest. So you can see that see that we soon
done away with the eats. How ever there is still plenty of candy & fruit in
the barracks. Those big oranges were the envy of all the boys. They asked
me if they were grown in Texas, & ofcourse I told them sure. If you tell the
truth no one will believe you, so just think up some big lie & they fall for
it hook line & sinker.
I'll bet all the kids sure had a wonderful time at home. Sure wish I could
have seen them Xmas morning playing with their presents. Junior I know was
making the girls step around. I can see Ann getting off in a corner playing
by herself. But Martha & Joan I see all over the house into ever thing,
making ever body step even you & Dad. I can still picture Grand ma sitting
on the Divan with her head wrapped up smiling while she watched the kids
play. I am sure she was watching you all this year from her home in heaven,
happier that any Xmas before.
I hope you enjoyed your Xmas this year. I was sorry that I couldn't send
you all something, but maybe you will understand the situation I am in at the
present. Someday when you and Dad may find it necessary for help, then I
might be able to repay you for all that you have done for me.
Well mother I must close and get to bed, I have to get up a twelve & do
four hours of guard duty. So think ever body for the nice Xmas they sent me
& tell Dad to take it easy & I might bring him a present from Japan if I have
good enough luck to go over there. Tell the hound I sure thank her for the
calf, but maybe she is where she can take better care of it.
Good bye, Good luck, God bless you, & a Happy New Year to all.
Pvt. J. B. CATES
34 School Squadron
Scott Field, Ill
P.S. Tell Dad to give my regards to Bill Head & George Bennett.