U.S. Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson Writes From Summer Camp
November 20, 2008 / 11:06 am • By Dr. Melissa ClouthierIowahawk found the letters of a young Henry Paulson. The writing was on the wall:
July 12, 1956
Dear Mom and Dad,
How are you? I am very tired. Last night was the big snipe hunt so I am realy tired. It was realy dark and scarey but Jimmy and the other boys stayed close to me most of the time. We heard a lowd noise in the woods and Jimmy told me it was a snipe and that I shood go check it out. I got lost and scarred. When I got back there were cigaret buts and beer cans all over the ground. There was also a nauty lady magazine but I did’nt peek I promise. Jimmy said they must have been from the snipe. Jimmy says the really big snipes like drinking beer and little kids blood. I had a nitemare last night and cood’nt sleep. Jimmy says we can keep the snipes away from the camp if we just had enouf money for playboys and beer and cigarets. Please send me $25 dollars for snipe bate I dont want to die! Also please sent $8 to Mr. Beatty for a new mattress becase I wet the bed last nite realy bad.
Your Son,
Henry
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CAMP WAPSIPINOCONOMOWAC WISCONSIN
“Where Boys Learn the Ways of Nature”July 21, 1956
Dear Mom and Dad,
Thank you for the snipe money. All the kids in camp even the older boys say I am a hero for saving everybody from the snipes. I even get to sit at the big tabel at lunch time. When I was giving the snipe money envalope to Jimmy Mr. Beatty saw us and aksed what was going on. Jimmy told him and Mr. Beatty looked kind of funny. But then Mr. Beatty also said I was a hero to! And gave me a speshial hero badje!
Mr. Beatty said no more snipe hunts becuase it is to dangerus and these are exstra big snipes the kind that coold eat lots of kids. He said he and his grownup frends from the colege will keep watch out for the snipes but it will cost allot a exstra money for snipe traps and things. Mr. Beatty says $700 oght to do it. Please help!! The hole camp is in danger!!
Love,
Henry
Go read the whole thing. It all started benign enough. A few bucks here. A few bucks there.
