12 September 1949

Fontenay-aux Roses
Seine, France

Mr. D.J. Roenigk
Morganville
Kansas, U.S.A.

Dear friend,

As I am temporarily sojourning with Mr. and Mrs. Utley in Paris, I take this opportunity to write you in English, for once, with the help of the friend of the Utleys who acts as their interpreter.

My wife and I are enjoying our stay here considerably, thanks to the extreme kindness and hospitality of the Utleys who do everything in their power to make us happy and at home. You may realize that, in fact, they are more at home in Paris than we are.

I received your letter of July 7th and wish first of all to congratulate your son on the happy result of his studies; also, it is difficult for us to realize the vastness of your extensive trip through the U.S.

The package which you sent us personally arrived quite safely and we wish to thank you heartily therefor.

As regards the large shipment of sugar, cocoa, and rice, eight packages arrived at the station of Maiziere les Metz on Sept 6th, the very day we were leaving Feves for Paris. We had just been advised of the arrival when we left, consequently, the distribution will take place as soon as we return to Feves some time about September 18th. We are purposely extending our stay in Paris in order to have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Koelling on his agricultural trip.

The celebration of June 23rd which was put on record for the radio broadcast, (in answer to the Morganville broadcast) was recorded at Feves in the presence of the high local authorities and the population of Feves worked wonders to make the broadcast a success so that Morganville could feel when they hear it how very near the heart of the Feves people is to that of the Morganville people. The records were sent, we understand, by the broadcasting station called Radio-Nancy, to one of the broadcasting stations at Boston (I do not know yet which one, but will try to find out on my return to Feves), on August 31st. I wonder whether you have been advised in Kansas City of how and when the people of Morganville will be able to listen in. We presume that this will be done by the same broadcasting station which transmitted the Morganville/Feves broadcast - (through Mr. Robert Franck who is in charge of the French transmissions for the U.S.)

I had announced the wonderful large shipment to the inhabitants immediately on receipt of your letter of July 7th. So you can imagine how impatient they must be now to know that only my return to Feves is holding up the distribution. As soon as it is done, I shall write you to give you the particulars and to thank the Morganville people again on behalf of our good populations.

It may be premature to mention it, but I have an idea that it would please the Morganville people to have a souvenir from their friends in Feves and when Mr. and Mrs. Utley come to visit us towards the end of September (we hope), I intend to submit the idea to them, and to give you more particulars thereafter. We have been constantly receiving presents and, although we cannot reciprocate in the same manner, we would like you to have something which will remind you of our deep gratitude and of our fine friendship.

Please convey again to the whole Committee, and particularly to Miss Velma Carlson who takes so much trouble for us, the most sincere gratitude of all your friends at Feves.

Believe me , as usual,
Very sincerely yours

Henri Torlotting
Instructor of Feves

p.s. And do not forget to remind everyone in Morganville that they are expected to visit us in Feves if ever they come to France on a visit.


(Utley handwritten note below)

September 13, 1949

Dear Dan and all,

Mr. Torlotting wanted me to add a line to his letter. We have really enjoyed having them - can converse quite well [with] them now. They seem to be having a wonderful time here - have taught them to play Pachisi and he insists he will say, �How do you do, Mr. Kolling� when he meets August instead of the usual french �Bonjour.�

The boat train from the Ile de France arrives tonight at 11:57. Tomorrow, at 10:52, respectively, we should be able to at least to talk to August on the telephone tomorrow if not see him.

We have friends arriving from Rome in about 1 week to spend several days with us. We may go to England then or wherever they want to go. They are T.W.A. and being surplussed to the states. He lived with us in Cairo - just married this June. Sure wish more of the Morganvilleites could meet the Torlottings. They are a wonderful couple - about 33 - 35 years old.

Sincerely,

Billie and Ed Utley