Monthly Archives: February 2012

December 8, 1925

The Beach. Dec 8th
Tuesday Nite.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Have had a letter from Mr. B and he wants me to stay in Fla as long as I can during this month. Expect to leave here about the 18th, and will not plan on going to Dallas before I come to Uvalde. I want to be with you a day or two before the wedding.

December 8, 1925

December 8, 1925

We could then go to Mississippi via Dallas, but stop there just long enough to leave some things. I want to leave some of my work, and also a trunk which I will check to San Antonio then to Dallas.

Sister says that Marshall cannot get away on account of book work, and she wants us to come to see her at their home. If not, she would come to my Mother’s but she does not want to leave him. It would probably be well to go to my Mother’s first and then go up to see her.

To eat Christmas dinner with my Mother would mean some travel, and I am of the opinion that we had better tell her to expect us on the 26th. We could make it the 25th for dinner if trains were running on time, but that is doubtful.

I was with the Roarks Sunday and at noon yesterday I had them to eat lunch with me in Jax. They like Jax very much, and both of them were delighted with the beach. Mrs. Roark thought it would be ideal for a honeymoon. After lunch Monday, she kept an appointment with a dentist. They expected to leave Jax this AM for points in the southern part of the state. They were also going on the West Coast & to Marco Island where I stopped on my last trip.

The time will soon be here, Dear, and I’ll be a mighty happy human. I love you lots & lots.

Your
Walter.

December 5, 1925

The Beach, Sat PM.

My Dear Sweetheart,

I haven’t had mail yesterday nor today so there will probably be a letter from you tonight. Some times the mail train leaves Jax without the mail. It is a poor service. As yet I have not seen Dr. & Mrs. Roark as I missed them in town yesterday, but I’ll attempt to see them again Monday. They leave their rooming place early in the morning and cannot be reached during the day unless one knows where they are going.

December 5, 1925

December 5, 1925

I had lunch with Dr KS yesterday noon and in the afternoon he took me out to the new home. It is very beautiful and is arranged conveniently. Can’t say that I like the antique furniture, but lots of people appreciate it. When the house is completed and furnished it will not have the appearance of a new one, but will be home like etc. It is an English style. I have an idea that we can have a home which you and I would like better and which would cost considerably less. His lot was 18,500 and the house is costing about $50,000*.

Dear, I have not yet said anything to Rev. Campbell but will do so a few days before the 23d. The time is getting nearer all the time and before long the long looked for wedding will take place. Should I have anything to do about making arrangements for the church? If so, let me know. I expect to come a couple of days before the wedding. Will let you know when to expect me. I want to do this so that I can help with preparations etc.

With a sweet goodnight, I love you,

Your
Walter.

Sunday AM.

Dear, I did not get this in the mail last night. Dr. & Mrs. Roark drove down. They had purchased a used Willys Knight & came down in it. We drove up the beach & then had supper. I am going to St. Augustine with them today. They will be here soon.

I was called out of bed at 3AM. The lady next door died with a stroke. Could not do anything for her. She was dead when they came over. A physician came about one hour later but I have sent telegrams for the family by that time.

Lots of love,
Walter

* $644,777 in 2011 dollars.

December 3, 1925

Box 61, Jacksonville Beach, Fla.,
Dec. 3, 1925.
Thursday PM.

My Dear Sweetheart,

I was mighty glad to get your letter this morning, the Sunday Nite letter. Am glad that you finished the church duties O.K. and that everything went off O.K.

December 3, 1925

December 3, 1925

I think your idea of the hour 3:30 is a very good one. That should give enough time to get through and make the 4:10 train. If agreeable to you, we might spend the first night at San Antonio, as there is no fun in making a hurried trip of it. From there we could go to New Orleans, then to my folks. Mother says that it will probably be after the 25th before Sister & Mr. Prince get there as he is pretty busy until the 24th. If we get there about the same time, it would be O.K. Perhaps you would have a different routing in mind, if so, let me know. The main thing with me is that you are going to be with me. (Mr Pettit) Alvis is on an organ installation in Little Rock just now and has to make a trip to Okmulgee. He is trying to be best man for us, and if possible I know that he will.

I love you, Dear, and I am happy, too, that the time will soon be at hand.

Always your
Walter

P.S. Dr. & Mrs. Roark sent a card this AM. Will see them in Jax tomorrow.

December 1, 1925

Tuesday Night.

My Dear Sweetheart,

No news, Dear, but I am writing that I love you just the same.

The storm played havoc with the piers and bulkheads along the water front. I don’t know what the damage was, but it is quite evident. The ocean was pretty angry.

December 1, 1925

December 1, 1925

I haven’t sold the acreage as yet. Perhaps you will have reasons to call me a bum realtor. Have reduced my price as I was probably too high. At least, I was told so by the people whom I purchased the tracts from. Hope to be able to tell you that I sold them, before long.

I love you, Dear, and always will.

Your,
Walter.

November 29, 1925

Sunday PM.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Yours of Wed. night came today. It was a real good one too. I note with interest that Mother had written to you. I have just received a letter of hers which went to Dallas. She neglected to put Beach in the address and of course Box 61 Jacksonville was wrong. I am writing her today.

November 29, 1925

November 29, 1925

I am not surprised at Mrs. Parman’s brother’s success with real estate down here. Most everyone can tell of similar experiences. Some have lost money too, but one never hears of them. Well selected property, especially water-front or in good developments increase rapidly. Some Jew developments in swamps and where there is no reason for a town can’t possibly be of any value. One should see what he buys down here and then if he uses common sense, it will turn out OK. Fulford has not increased as rapidly as lots of the other developments, but it is building a beautiful city and we are going to come out OK on our lot down there.

I am not going wild over real estate, for with my limited means and desire to play a safe game, there is no reason to be over enthusiastic. The biggest money is made when the chances are greater, but I am a poor fellow in gambling. Many buy options and devote much time to them. I was a little high on the acreage and have not sold as yet. Have pulled in my horns a little. Will go out with a prospect tomorrow PM.

I love you Dear and I will be a happy human when the time comes.

Always your
Walter.

November 26, 1925

Thursday Night.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Tonight I received the best letter yet. The date letter. The hour does not make any difference to me, but if it were at such a time so that we could take a train soon after, I think it would be OK. I doubt if we would want to take an auto to San Antonio on account of checking baggage. This is left with you, Dear. I don’t mean to say the date. It was just a suggestion. I am mighty happy Sweetheart, and I know that both of us are going to be. I just know that we are going to get along fine.

November 26, 1925

November 26, 1925

Always your
Walter.

November 22, 1925

Jacksonville Beach Fla
Sunday Night

My Dear Sweetheart,

Received a letter today and I feel pretty happy over it. Had begun to worry for fear that I had “gotten in Dutch.” I note with interest what you had to say about prospects on your Daddy’s place at Uvalde. I can appreciate how you prepared the rooms for inspection.

November 22, 1925

November 22, 1925

Yesterday I wrote an ad for Mrs. Mac and this PM her cottage was sold for $4000. I guess I can live here until Xmas but I am not sure about it after that time. It is difficult to obtain desirable living quarters even at the beach. We may have to spend Jan & Feb in Dallas. I wonder what you think about it? Would you feel disappointed?

I asked Alvis to stand up with us. He is the best man friend I have. If anything prevents. I’ll ask Mr. Pool. Will let you know as soon as I hear. I may have to ask Mervin. I think he would enjoy every minute of it.

With all my love, Dear, I am,

Your
Walter

November 21, 1925

The Beach, Sat Night Nov 21

My Dear Sweetheart,

I did not hear today, and no doubt you intend to make me wait a while for a letter. I deserve it, and will have to take my medicine.

November 21, 1925

November 21, 1925

Did not go any place today and spent most of the time on a report on the Caxambas trip. It will go into hands that I am very particular about and I want it to be in tip top shape.

I love you, Sweetheart, and I hope that you will write to me soon.

Always your
Walter.

P.S. I am enclosing the list. If I think of any names to be added I’ll write them, but I believe I have included all.

November 20, 1925

Jax Beach. Friday Nite Nov 20th

My Dear Sweetheart,

I did not get a letter last night nor today but I had such a nice lot of them (4) when I returned. I guess I don’t deserve one for quite a while now, but I hope that you will not make it too severe on me.

November 20, 1925

November 20, 1925

I am running an ad on one of the 10 acre tracts and my first nibble was the M E preacher. Will take him out to see it Monday A.M. if I do not sell it before that time. Am enclosing the clipping. May not get the price I am asking but we want all we can get and it is worth just what we can get for it. Will have to stay at home again tomorrow if I get my work in shape, but may start to the fair tomorrow afternoon. If I have a live prospect on the tract I’ll take him out. During the fair would seem to be a good time to sell such property.

I have no news for you, Dear, but want you to know that I love you just the same.

With a sweet goodnight,

Always your
Walter.

November 19, 1925

Jax Beach, Thurs Nov-19.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Before starting on my report and with lots of work ahead of me, I am passing up the first day of the Fair and the first thing I am doing is to write to my little girl. It was mighty nice of you to write so often when I was away and I feel that I have been mean in not writing to you. Your last letter with the 2nd page missing shows that you are hurt, and I am very sorry. To write from Marco Island is about the same as writing from Regan Wells. The mail service is very poor even where the towns are better. I was up at 6 o’clock in the morning and I worked hard all day, scouting through brush, cactus, over hills, among shells etc. When night came I was as tired as the next one, and with everyone going to bed at about 8 o’clock and with no place to write, I passed it up with hopes of getting through with my work as soon as possible.

November 19, 1925

November 19, 1925

It may seem strange to you that I am so busy at times that I do not write, but you will have more patience with me when you are more familiar with what I am doing. I work hardest when I am alone on a problem and am apt to take it easy when I am working with some one else. I try to make a creditable showing when there is a chance and to this end I am apt to neglect personal duties. When you are with me, Dear, I am sure that this will be different. When I am real busy I seem to pass the time quicker and I do not long for you as much as when I have lots of time. But I wish for you real often and always wonder how you would like to be with me at just that time. There is no doubt, Dear, about my love for you. I love you with every tender affection and I would not hurt your feelings for anything in the world if I knew it. I hope you will be patient with me just now as I have several irons in the fire and it is up to me to do something with them.

Mr. Bishopp has just asked me for a list of my articles with exact references, and I know that he wants this for use in a recommendation for a salary increase. It will come in mighty handy too. At this time I believe it will go through as there is a sufficient amount to permit it. We can use the money OK.

You certainly surprised me Dear when you said you had 1000 at interest. I had no idea that you had saved any, as it would seem to be a difficult thing to do. It is difficult for me to save unless I have a place for it as soon as it comes and it sounds mighty good to know that you can save. You will have to be our Secy.-Treas. It almost took me off my feet when you said you had this for furniture. If you use it that way, Dear, we will arrange to put an equal amount at interest for you. We will not split hairs over anything, for my salary is yours as much as mine and I want you to always feel that what is yours is yours and what is mine is yours. You are going to be a wonderful little wife and I am proud of you. I know that we are going to get along OK.

I am enclosing a Fulford report which sounds good to me. They have never discounted any of their notes through banks and have made the improvements too. It is a real development and I would not be surprised if our little lot down there brings enough to build a home. I’d like to take up the balance with the 15% discount but cannot at the present time. Most of the people who have purchased there will probably do this as very few were sold to salaried people like myself. Most salaried people down there bought options for $100 or thereabouts and made or lost in 30, 60, or 90 days. I try to be a little more conservative, though I probably missed some real big money. I might have lost out. Many are losing in property in Florida, due to the fact they did not use common sense in buying. A person should see what they are buying and if they can visualize it ahead of the other fellow, they make the money.

I have not yet made up the list for you Dear but I’ll begin on it today. It would seem to be about time to set the date too. Would like to know what you have in mind. Perhaps Wednesday before Christmas would be a good time. We could then visit my folks and come to Jax. We would return to Dallas about March 1st.

Mrs. Mac has not sold her cottage yet and if she does not sell it we will be comfortable here for the time. She does not seem anxious to sell, though he wants her to sell.

Will close for this time, Sweetheart, as I must get busy. I love you with all my heart.

Yours only & always,
Walter.