Page 114 - Three Score Years & Ten
P. 114
“THREE SCORE YEARS AND TEN” MISSIONARY WORK IN CHINA
Amy Moore
It was your Dad who introduced me to T.V.Soong and the Generalissimo. Then Percy
(your cousin?) Came to Hankow and your Dad was in Shanghai on a special mission, so Percy
and I had a grand time. I had to sign execution papers for the culprits who were caught stealing
or disposing of U.S.A. donated wheat and flour for the relief of the flood refugees during your
Dads numerous trips to Nanking etc. to consult with the late T.V.
Our trip to Lanchow was the most exciting of all. At Pingliang (Kansu) in the month of
February the cold was very severe (22 below) and your Dad still insisted on wearing his cotton
pyjamas and slept in his canvas camp cot (which was far too short for him) and I slept in my
heavy clothes with two pairs of pants and woollen sox etc., and I was still cold!
If we do meet one of these fine days, Les, I can tell you many other exciting and
dangerous missions your Dad and I had in N.W.China. Nearly everybody knew him and loved
him. We slept mostly within CIM confines and R.C. compounds. I believe when we were still in
Hankow that your Dad arranged with T.V. to employ you.
There was an incident which I thought most interesting. That was when GFA went down
to fetch Sir John and they left Shanghai aboard a Chinese gunboat. I went down river to meet
them. Since the Captain and his crew were all Chinese they served only Chinese food. On board
was the Editor of the North China Daily News who was sceptical about the work performed by us
and he wanted to see for himself. I discovered that the Captain of the ship and many of his
officers were from Foochow and since I was born there I was able to speak that dialect much to
the surprise and admiration of the officers. I was given a cabin all to myself and I had ham and
eggs for breakfast. The others were served Chinese dishes and the Editor nearly threw his food
when I playfully poured a generous dose of soya sauce into his porridge.
Another exciting period was the visit of Co.Lindbergh and his wife (former Anne Morrow) when
they were sent by the State Department to assist us in taking pictures over the flooded areas
which we were unable to reach. They arrived in Hankow when a flood was in progress. The
Colonels sea plane was shipped up from Shanghai and it was anchored in the Yangtze on the first
night in Hankow. The flood waters reached 27 feet and the next morning there was no sea plane.
It went to the bottom and was swept downstream. The Lindberghs were recalled home and sent
to South America on another mission covering a disaster area.
Well Les, I really must conclude this letter - we have a visitor from H.K. coming for dinner
tonight.
As ever,
Frank (Doodha) Kay and family.
(Frank Doodha was GFAs secretary)
114
Amy Moore
It was your Dad who introduced me to T.V.Soong and the Generalissimo. Then Percy
(your cousin?) Came to Hankow and your Dad was in Shanghai on a special mission, so Percy
and I had a grand time. I had to sign execution papers for the culprits who were caught stealing
or disposing of U.S.A. donated wheat and flour for the relief of the flood refugees during your
Dads numerous trips to Nanking etc. to consult with the late T.V.
Our trip to Lanchow was the most exciting of all. At Pingliang (Kansu) in the month of
February the cold was very severe (22 below) and your Dad still insisted on wearing his cotton
pyjamas and slept in his canvas camp cot (which was far too short for him) and I slept in my
heavy clothes with two pairs of pants and woollen sox etc., and I was still cold!
If we do meet one of these fine days, Les, I can tell you many other exciting and
dangerous missions your Dad and I had in N.W.China. Nearly everybody knew him and loved
him. We slept mostly within CIM confines and R.C. compounds. I believe when we were still in
Hankow that your Dad arranged with T.V. to employ you.
There was an incident which I thought most interesting. That was when GFA went down
to fetch Sir John and they left Shanghai aboard a Chinese gunboat. I went down river to meet
them. Since the Captain and his crew were all Chinese they served only Chinese food. On board
was the Editor of the North China Daily News who was sceptical about the work performed by us
and he wanted to see for himself. I discovered that the Captain of the ship and many of his
officers were from Foochow and since I was born there I was able to speak that dialect much to
the surprise and admiration of the officers. I was given a cabin all to myself and I had ham and
eggs for breakfast. The others were served Chinese dishes and the Editor nearly threw his food
when I playfully poured a generous dose of soya sauce into his porridge.
Another exciting period was the visit of Co.Lindbergh and his wife (former Anne Morrow) when
they were sent by the State Department to assist us in taking pictures over the flooded areas
which we were unable to reach. They arrived in Hankow when a flood was in progress. The
Colonels sea plane was shipped up from Shanghai and it was anchored in the Yangtze on the first
night in Hankow. The flood waters reached 27 feet and the next morning there was no sea plane.
It went to the bottom and was swept downstream. The Lindberghs were recalled home and sent
to South America on another mission covering a disaster area.
Well Les, I really must conclude this letter - we have a visitor from H.K. coming for dinner
tonight.
As ever,
Frank (Doodha) Kay and family.
(Frank Doodha was GFAs secretary)
114
