How Young Are They?

"Sirs:

I have just read the article in the Aug. 12 issue of LIFE on Elwood, Wendell Willkie's home town.

I notice you say "...young girls drink Coca-Cola chasers with their whisky while planning to attend Baptist Sunday School next morning."

I happen to be the teacher of a class of young girls in our Baptist Church and no one, not even the Editors of LIFE, can say things like that about my girls without my fighting back. They aren't that type of girl.

You also said: 'The Golden Garden is Elwood young folks' favorite hangout.' That is unfair to our Elwood boys and girls for while it is a favorite hangout of a certain bunch we have hundreds of girls and boys who wouldn't go in that place, for it and others like it are a disgrace to Elwood or any other city.

You seem to have printed all the bad things about Elwood...

Elwood is a lovely little city and there are nowhere in America finer or more loyal, courageous people. Wendell Willkie has every right to be proud of his home town even as we are proud of him.

MRS. RALPH WILLIAMS

Elwood, Ind."

-found in the August 26, 1940 issue of LIFE