Bio: Kolbo, Betty (Letter from Kansas – 18 Jul 1951)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Kolbo, Larson

----Source: Greenwood Gleaner (Greenwood, Clark Co., Wis.) 02 Aug 1951

The following letter was received by Mrs. Anna Larson from her daughter, Mrs. Palmer (Betty) Kolbo.

Manhattan, Kansas, July 18, 1951

Dear Folks, Just a line to let you know we are all okay and went through the worst flood in history. We were evacuated from home for 7 days. The water came up to our bottom steps.

An army truck was out front. One or two carried Jesse in the buggy; one took Gene and two carried me out to the truck and away we went, up to the College. We were in the Nichol's Gym. Had plenty to eat and a change of clothes, once in a while, from the Red Cross. There were thousands there and everywhere else.

The first day we all got our first shots for Typhoid fever and our arms got sore. Today, the 18th, we took our second ones. Jesse got one also. But Gene made more of a fuss. He had fever and chills and we have one more to take in four or five days.

The water was about two feet in our house and talk about mud to mop up, just like sticky glue. Will try to send you some pictures later. Right now I don't know if I am coming or going.

There was a shortage of water and shut off at time. Now we have enough to wash clothes and for cooking. Must boil all drinking water for 10 minutes.

They say this whole town is built on a river bed and the Indians said never to settle and build a town right here, but they did I guess. Anyway, I hope I never see another flood.

Now don't worry, we are all okay.

(July 19th)

Today is very nice and sunn, so I guess I will clean more mud and wash clothers. Palmer has a 4-day pass to help me and am surely glad. He was stranded out to camp and we hadn't seen him for a week.

Will close for today. Did you get my telegram saying we safe?

Hope you are all okay.

Betty, Palmer, Gene & Jesse