Thomas Goldin (CMOH Little Big Horn) TLS, 2pp, 4to, mentions Mrs Custer, DeRudio and Charle King.

Wisconsin Veterans Home

April 8, 1933

A.L. Baron

Nat. Military Home

California

Dear Old Buddy :

If you were killed or scared to death by that quake why didn't you write and tell us so and kept us awake nights worrying about you. The fact is we were in doubt as to whether you had cashed in or organized a relief expedition and plunged into the jungles of South America after the Maynards.

It may be old pard that you have been ill in that case rest assured you have our fullest sympathy, but we would sure like to hear from you and to know just how you are. It has been a long time since we heard from you and I have been on the verge of writing you two or three times but kept putting it off thinking we would sure hear from you in the next mail, but I couldn't wait any longer, Your letters have meant a lot to us and were always looked for with pleasant anticipation.

We have been having all sorts of weather here for a month or more some heavy snow, the heaviest of the season and just about the time we dug out of that along came another lighter one followed by a rain that soon took it off. Last night they unloaded a couple of inches more on us but that too is rapidly melting away, just what the next instalment will be is an open question, possibly rain. The farmers are feeling pretty good as there is plenty of moisture in the soil as there was but little frost and the snow mostly went into the ground.

We are sure wishing for some warm, settled weather as the brand they have been issuing us hasn't been very good for either of us. Mrs. Goldin is limping around as a result of a badly sprained ankle caused from a fall on a slippery back porch, it has been, in fact still is very painful although somewhat better than it was. I have been a bit off my feed, no appetite, no pep and none too much sand, but we feel sure some warm spring weather will change things for us.

Just now all the interest here as I presume it is wherever there is an old soldier is in what is going to happen to them under this darned Economy Bill and the new rulings made by the Great American Dictator. So far as the veterans of Indian Wars are concerned, I haven't been able to find anything about where we land, other than that there is a rumor afloat that we are to be bunched in with the Civil War men and get a 10 pr. ct. cut, but it is only a rumor and those amount to nothing. As near as I can get at it the Spanish War boys are to be pretty badly hit as are the Legion fellows who are getting compensation. There seems likely to be a big cut in hospitalization and medical care and the chance that some of those now getting pensions, but cannot show service connection with their ailments may be dropped from the rolls, but it looks as though those past 62 years of age might be left on the rolls for something, but no one knows how much. My own uneasiness lies in the fact that I first went on the rolls through a Special Act of Congress, but later applied for a disability increase and received a raise of $20 per month, but where I am going to land under this mix up no one can tell. We need every cent we get as we have to pay a 20 pr. ct. rebate to the Home here and that with even a 10 pr. ct. cut at Washington makes a big hole in the check, but there is no use crossing a bridge until you get to it and I am doing a lot of watchful waiting until the new rulings go into effect. About Aug. 4th when we get our July checks we will know the worst, and we have no recourse, we are barred from going into court by mandamus or certiorari so there we are.

Webb certainly shot off some fireworks in the lst WINNERS, but it will do no good. Fine old country this, take bread out of the mouths of widows and children and give them BEER.

We will, for the time being at least have the shelter of the Home, with something to eat, but our appropriations have been cut by the Legislature and with the loss on rebates even our eats will suffer. I could stand it if I had to, but it hurts me to see my wife and many other women cut out of the little comfort they had. My wife is of course not entitled to a pension, our marriage came too late, but if I pass on first she can remain in the Home as a non-pensioner. Not a very pleasant prospect as you will admit.

Some time ago in writing to Brininstool I asked him if he had seen anything of you and he said he hadn't since the time you were out to his place for dinner. He has been in very poor health and has been disposing of a lot of his valuable collection of material as he thinks his health is not going to permit him to do much more work. Mighty sorry for that, he is a fine fellow and has gotten out some good stuff but has been able to do but little the past winter.

I presume you have heard of the death of Mrs. Custer, which occurred a few days ago in New York. We caught just a news flash of it over the radio but my Chicago paper did not have a word regarding it. A friend of mine in New York called on her just a few weeks ago and wrote me she was well and full of pep and quite talkative and he was to see her again on his return from Europe about the middle of the month. He will learn of her death with sincere regret.

My dear old friend Gen. Charles King adjutant of the 5th Cavalry in '76 on the B.H. & T. expedition passed away a few weeks ago at the age of 88 or 89.

Hope you saw the De Rudio story in the March H.T.T. It isn't as good a story as Tom O'Neil's but corroborates it as far as it goes.

If you are able dear old pal, drop us a line and let us know just how you are. Mrs. Goldin joins me in a world of good wishes for your health and happiness.

I sed it. I meant it.

Thomas Goldin.