The Beach. Monday 9/21

My Dear Sweetheart,

I came back this afternoon and of course I went to the Post Office the very first thing. There were two real good letters from you. Was getting hungry for them too, despite the fact that I am pretty sleepy now.

September 21, 1925 (Walter)

It was about 11 o’clock Sat. Night when we arrived at Orange Springs, about 100 miles from Jax. Then we found a Negro to row the boat, and early the next morning we started. Did not go upstream as we had planned as there was nothing to pull us up there. So we drifted down about 12 miles by water and then had a man to drive down for us. It was about a four mile drive & it had to be made with a one-horse wagon. It was slow enough in getting back. I really caught 3 this time, about 3 to 5 lbs. bass. Dr. K.S. caught about 12 bass, 1 cat fish weighing about 8 or 9 lbs., 1 pickerell & several brim (a variety of perch). We had a good time but we were about worn out when we returned to his home about 1:30 this AM. Mrs. KS had gone to the beach with some folks and on account of car trouble had not returned. There were a number of the neighbor children at his home asleep on the floor of the living room. They had been left with Elizabeth and all had gone asleep. The parents returned about 2 or 2:15 A.M.

This morning (a few hours later) after having had breakfast with Dr. KS at home, I used his car for a little work near Jax. Incidentally, I drove by the recent purchases and looked at the 10 acre tracts again. They look mighty good. A new grade has been made on a road leading from the paved road to a point below these tracts, leaving about 1 1/4 miles of unimproved road leading to them. They can be driven over with a car – some pine bushes and palmetto, but no real big trees.

Had two letters from Dr. White today. One enclosed clippings giving an account of Dr. Ransom’s death. You probably remember that I mentioned Dr. Ransom when I was in Uvalde. We had planned to invite him down here when the time was ripe, but had not reached the point of asking him. He was one of the very best research men in the Dept.

I am going to mail this tonight so that it will go on the early train to Jax. It has been two days since I have written to you and I am anxious to get this one going. If it had been possible I would have written you while on the trip, but Dear, it was practically impossible.

I love you and I only wish that you knew how much. With a sweet goodnight.

Your
Walter.