Tag Archives: C. hominivorax

November 21, 1935

Atlanta, Ga.
Thurs. Nov. 21, 1935.

My dear Sweetheart,

I am at Mr. Townsend’s apartment and the paper was kindly furnished by him. Every evening has been spent with him and at the present time we are listening to Amos & Andy. Tonight we went to a movie, a Monte Carlo picture also Mrs. Laake’s niece, Dorothy Dare in a technicolor picture. A Western ranch with color scenes of the Grand Canyon, Bridal Veil Falls & others. She plays the leading feminine role. Has red hair with green dress.

November 21, 1935

November 21, 1935

Sunday night at Valdosta Laake and I visited until 11 PM and again the AM of Monday. Said he filled a date after he left me Sunday night. I forgot that he might have a date and did not think to inquire. Saw Mr. Yeomans yesterday AM. He ran a color movie on the potato weevil for me. He is in Valdosta now but will be back for Saturday morning. I am expecting Mr. Strong then and I have invited Roberts to come up for the conference. Dr. Bishopp is in Dallas today and should be back in Washington Saturday.

Following my report on Dr. Stiles, Cushing wired that if we could not find a place for him we should terminate his appointment. Mr. Brundrett agreed to take him, but today Cushing advised that I would have to describe the job as one Brundrett could not take care of by his present personnel and that such a transfer would have to be a demotion for Dr. Stiles. He suggested no arrangements until Bishopp returns to Washington. This sounds like Cushing talked it over with Rohner. Cushing is supporting me on my name “the true screw worm” since it is already in use & the name “primary screw worm fly” has not become established.

Plenty of letters had accumulated on my desk, but today I dictated answers for most of them. They should go out tomorrow.

Roberts and Prince are going to Mississippi for Thanksgiving and at the same time Mr. Hull plans to be in Mississippi. Roberts suggested that if I went to Savannah, Miss Fulcher could come home for Friday & Sat. and could write any letters for me during that time. This sounds OK, so with your consent I’ll plan to come home about Wednesday night. Put my name in the pot for Thanksgiving dinner. Ask Dorothy if she can make some of those good biscuits. I have the snake jumping racer [?] for Walter White and I hope he will be a good boy. Also, I have a keen little truck for him to show the neighbor kids. Excuse the ink, him quit. With love to the three of you.

Your
Walter.

June 23, 1924

In June 1924, Walter was visiting ranches near Uvalde, TX to teach the ranchers how to combat the pernicious screw-worm fly (Cochliomyia hominivorax), which was then wreaking havoc with cattle and sheep. One Sunday, he met a young lady named Ina, but didn’t quite catch her last name. Nonetheless, he was so smitten that he wrote her a letter the next day.

Regan Wells, Tex.
June 23, 1924

Dear Miss Field,

I am taking the liberty to write this because I’d like to have you know that I certainly enjoyed your company Sunday. I only wish that I could have become better acquainted with you, though I feel that I know you quite well.

I started this note just before the dinner bell rang and immediately after eating we went coon hunting at Mr. Miller’s. The ladies didn’t go but I thought of you just the same. Had some fun and caught one good coon. They hunt them here just as they do in Mississippi.

June 23, 1924

June 23, 1924

When I returned Sunday evening Mrs. Taylor said some mighty nice things about you, but I can assure you that they only confirmed my opinion of you. You were a good sport to climb the mountain and get wet, and I wonder if the after effects were good. Have felt that you might have taken a cold, or that the exercise was too much for you.

Miss Ina, I am not sure just now but I believe that I can persuade Mr. Laake and Mr. Brundrette to get along without my assistance Saturday. I would like to come to Uvalde and return Sunday. If it is agreeable to yourself and you have no other engagement, I would like to see you Saturday evening. I presume that you are on duty during the afternoon. If it is not possible to see you Saturday, possibly I could go to church with you Sunday morning. I am not so anxious to go to church but I would like to see you.

Would you drop me a line so that I’ll get it Thursday? Trusting that I may hear from you and hoping that I can see you, I am,

Your friend,
Walter E. Dove