Tag Archives: cars

July 6, 1927

July 6, 1927 – The Lab
Noon.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Had one letter at the Apt & another came in the mail this noon. They make me feel so much better. There was also a letter at the Apt from Mrs. Roark. I read it and am forwarding it to you. I gave Mrs. Rankin $1 to hire a woman to go over the woodwork in the Apt. She is very anxious for us to come back when you return.

July 6, 1927

July 6, 1927

As yet I do not know when I can come to Uvalde, but I hope it will not be long. I have some supplies to come yet and I want to make some media before I leave. The sterilizer came yesterday. Have not tried it yet.

I am going to try and improve the finish on the car. I would not want the Uvalde people to see it as it was. Think I can improve it some. Will not change the color.

I love you, Dear, with all my heart.

Your
Walter.

June 3, 1927 (Ina to Claudelle)

St. James, MO
Friday night.
June 3, 1927.

Dear Claudelle:

We are having a splendid trip – no trouble of any kind. The roads are fine. We passed through St. Louis at noon today. We decided not to go by Little Rock on account of another rise in the Mississippi. Instead, we are going through Oklahoma. So don’t worry about the floods affecting us. We are far from them now, and will be all the way. We are in the mountains now.

June 3, 1927 (Ina to Claudelle)

June 3, 1927 (Ina to Claudelle)

Lots of love to all of you. Will write again soon.

Waler & Ina.

June 12, 1926

Sat Nite 7:30 PM.

My Dear Honey Bunch,

We have just returned from dinner. Dr. Roark and I are going up to Bakers about 8 o’clock. Tomorrow at 1:30 we will eat dinner with the Bishopps.

June 12, 1926

June 12, 1926

This PM I gave your car a coat of blue which I believe is about the same shade as the original color. During the week I have been using sandpaper and it looks as though it will be a fair job. The garage is not very tight and the dust settles on it some but I doubt if it affects it very much. I gave the wheels the same shade of blue. Apparently they were blue, judging from the color when I sandpapered. I am not doing anything to the black metal work, but will polish so that it looks OK with the fresh painting. Don’t expect too much as I am not an expert auto painter. The job is not perfect by any means but I believe it looks better. I hope that you will not be disappointed.

Had a note from Dr. Larimer thanking for a C.E. reprint. He sends his regards to you, also.

The Fulford letter does not tell us much but we should have a letter from the Realty Co. with an idea of the sale price.

Sweetheart, I certainly do love you and I never want to be separated from you again. It seems ages since you left. I try to keep busy and that helps some but nothing can take the place of being with my sweetheart. I love you love you love you.

Your, Walter.

P.S. Dr. Roark and I found the lighted fountain in Oak Cliff last night. It is very fine. Am sorry that you and I did not locate it.

June 6, 1926

The Lab. 8:30 PM. Sun Nite.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Believe me, I was getting anxious to hear from you and had I not heard today, I would have phoned tonight. Your letter came this PM. I read it several times. You don’t know how glad I was to get it. It seems like you have been away a mighty long time.

June 6, 1926

June 6, 1926

Last night I had dinner with Smith at a Mrs. Aikens. It was a very good dinner and I enjoyed it, but I couldn’t help but think of you. Dr. Roark and I are eating at Mrs. O’Callaghan’s. I started this morning. Both meals were up to her standard, except for the coffee.

Today I crated the two chests and case of books. Also boxed most of the packages. It will be a few days before I ship them as I also have some stuff at the Lab to ship with them. Found some lumber to replace the strips I spoiled when I uncrated them. I believe that they are in good shape.

The news clipping re Fulford lot is interesting and probably explains why I did not get an answer to my inquiry. If they have gone into the hands of a receiver, the lot is worth much more than what we are paying. The improvements already established, and the fact that the company are bonded for the hotel and public buildings makes it OK. We are too close to those buildings to be holding a sack. I am writing the Miami East Coast Realty tonight.

The top of your car looks the same as before the hail storm. The dents were also removed without marring the finish.

I love [you] Dear, no one knows how very much.

With a sweet goodnight,

Your
Walter.

November 2, 1925

Tuesday (It’s Monday tho) Nite.
Nov. 2, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Yours of the “dark night” and Friday night came this afternoon, and they afforded me more pleasure than anything had since I received your last letter. Yes, Dear, I’ll be glad to help you with your letter writing after we are married. I think that will be fun. I’ve gotten so I love to write letters.

November 2, 1925

November 2, 1925

Sweetheart, Sunday evening my battery gave me another scare. I thought it had done what it said before it was going to do – died. I rushed out to the car in a great big hurry to get to the church a little early in order to practice a duet another girl and I were going to sing at League, I stepped on the starter and it – well, you know that sickening groan it gives when something is wrong, but it refused time after time to turn. Papa came to the rescue and cranked ‘most all his breath away, but there didn’t seem to be a spark of life left (in the car, not in Papa). We left it and resorted to the Ford. It did the same way. Finally though, it seemed to realize the desperateness of the situation (you know Fords are always so sympathetic) so it yielded to the crank. By the time I was about halfway in town, I realized that there must be something almost flat about the tire, but I was afraid to look. I finally took a peep though and saw that the left rear wheel looked awfully mushy but not entirely so. Pretty soon though that convincing “swish, swish” and a knock brought me to a standstill. In spite of the fact that I had never before changed a tire, and also that I was in a desperate hurry, and, worst of all, that I was wearing for the first time a perfectly new dress on which I had labored many many hours while making – in spite, I say, of all these entirely good reasons why I should be allowed to travel unmolested, I had to step right out, remove my coat, roll up my sleeves, make a great big wish for someone to come right away quick, and begin. I got out the right tools, (I know they were right because the man used every one of them later), jacked up the wheel and had some of those little … nuts unscrewed when a gallant young man (married) came to the rescue. While I sent forth a sigh of relief and many words of thanks, his experienced hands did the work. It was soon finished, and, with a final crank, he sent me on my way rejoicing and feeling very thankful that all the people on earth didn’t happen to be women (I think we both thought that). Later, the mechanic discovered that my battery was good yet, and the trouble was a bad connection. He fixed that in a few minutes, so everything’s lovely.

No doubt this is what you would call a “garage letter,” but I love you even though I did spend most of the time on flat tires.

With lots and lots of love, I am,

Always, your loving,
Ina.

October 16, 1925

Oct 16, 1925
Friday Night.

My Dear Sweetheart,

I haven’t much news tonight Dear, but I want to let you know that I am getting along OK. I have changed my plan about going to the West Coast on this trip. It would mean to drive about a hundred miles north and then to the other side and it is too much of a trip for me at this time. The roads across the state are not good and with a car rented from a friend I don’t believe it is worth the effort. I haven’t had any car trouble yet, and I don’t want any. I expect to leave here Monday A.M. but I may not get to the Beach until Tuesday.

October 16, 1925

October 16, 1925

With worlds of love,

Your
Walter.

October 14, 1925 (Ina)

Wednesday Night.
Oct. 14, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

It was late before I finished work this evening and I’m tired and sleepy tonight so I will continue this note tomorrow and post it tomorrow afternoon. Mr. Burney wants me to work again in the morning but I think I can finish by noon tomorrow.

October 14, 1925 (Ina)

October 14, 1925 (Ina)

I love you, Sweetheart, just as much when I’m tired as I do when I’m rested.

Love,
Ina.

Thursday afternoon.
After washing dishes.

Hello-o!

I didn’t work long this morning, and had the honor of coming home in the rain. The little Ford and I did some fantastic dancing on the slippery road, but I finally succeeded in guiding it safely home. It was quite a task at times when I was not a successful mind reader. How did I know when it was going to suddenly jerk around to the left or right like a person turning clear around to see who is coming? I didn’t get ditched though, all for which I am duly grateful.

My work down at the office would have been very pleasant had it not been for the District Judge. Of course a Judge is necessary, but, by the time Court adjourned this term I feel sure that you couldn’t get a single soul to testify that this particular Judge would ever be necessary anywhere. Honey, he is as cross as a bear all the time. Honestly, I didn’t dare even suspect that such a disposition existed on earth. He is rather old, and is a widower (I don’t know whether it’s grass or sod, but if his wife is dead, I know she’s glad – poor woman!) I wouldn’t be a lawyer, or a witness or a juror or a little puppy or anything in his court for anything on earth if I could help it because his tone of voice can make you fear for your life. I’m ‘most scared to death of him. He orders the lawyers to “sit DOWN!!-!!**!!!” Bang!!! Just like that. And if they don’t, he threatens to send them to jail or do anything else he wants to with them. During the spring term of court this year, as the Judge was leaving the courthouse, a young lawyer whom he had abused (verbally) considerably in the courtroom, greeted him at the front door with his fist and knocked him down. The town (the people who knew him not) said it was an outrage, a young man taking advantage of an old gentleman like that etc. etc., and I shared in the general opinion most heartily, but now – I almost respect the young man for doing it. Of course it looks cowardly, ungentlemanly etc., but this man has the rare quality of working up the rage of a person who is sure absolutely that he possesses no temper whatsoever. I couldn’t help but sort of tremble when he was around and he was a little cross to me once, but he shocked me this morning when he started to leave by heartily shaking my hand, complimenting me very highly on my work, (and he called me “Little Girl” twice!!, telling Mr. Burney that he just must have me to help him next spring during court, and, wishing me a happy and prosperous year, he threatened to give me a box of candy but failed to do so in his rush to catch his train. I’m glad he didn’t give me the candy though, because he needs it and lots more to sweeten his disposition.

Now! Your descriptions of Dr. White are mild compared with that, aren’t they?

Sweetheart, I have been thinking all along that it would be nice to have the wedding about Thanksgiving as Claudelle would be here anyway and would also at that time be here a few days with Mama after we left. Of course I don’t want it to appear that I am “rushing” you in the least because I know as well as you know that that would be a most unladylike thing to do. I realize that we can’t set a date yet as you don’t know where you will be or when or anything but perhaps you will know before long. At the time that is convenient for you to be married, I will be married at that same time too. Sweetheart, if, sometime while you’re “resting” you’ll make out a list of the friends and relatives to whom you want invitations sent you can send the list to me so that I will know how many invitations to order when we set the date. Since it is to be a church wedding, I expect my list to be rather long as I want to invite all my friends, and I want you to feel free to make yours as long as you like. As for where I would like to spend Christmas, I’d like to spend it wherever you do. I want to hang up my stocking right by the side of yours so Santa Claus will be sure to find it. Any of the three places you mentioned would be fine I think, if you were there.

Dear, I love you an awful lot, and I’d be mighty glad if I could see you right now.

Always, your
Ina.

October 7, 1925 (Walter)

The Beach, Wed Nite,

My Dear Sweetheart,

I went to town this morning for a little while. My landlady, Mrs. McDonald, started to work up there today and as she is going to rent me her car to make the trip down the state, I drove to Jax and brought the car back. She is very accomodating, considering the fact that she never lets anyone have her auto.

October 7, 1925 (Walter)

October 7, 1925 (Walter)

It will give me a better chance to do some work down the state and will probably be about as reasonable as if I took the train. I would have to rent a car if I did go by train, and the short trips count up. I have not yet made up my routing, nor have I started to get together what I will need. My work always gives me plenty to do and it is going to be mighty difficult to break away from it long enough to make the trip.

I have no news for you, Dear, except that I love you the same whole hearted way and that I wish for you real often.

With a hug and a sweet goodnight,

Your,
Walter.

In a separate envelope posted the same day, Walter sent this full-page newspaper ad.

Jacksonville Heights Ad, 1925

Jacksonville Heights Ad, 1925

October 5, 1925

Monday Nite.
Oct. 5, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Just three months ago this afternoon I saw you last. In many ways, it seems much longer than that, but it certainly has not been long enough for me to forget you a particle, nor has it been long enough for me to lose any of my love for you. It would take more than mere time to make me do that. I am going to love you always. Instead of its diminishing, it has grown bigger and stronger as the days have passed, and, if it is possible for it to be stronger than it now is, it is going to continue to grow after we are married.

October 5, 1925

October 5, 1925

Sweetheart, I am glad you wrote Mr. Bishopp. Perhaps it will remind him that he should give you a definite idea as to where you may spend the winter. I hope he will let you know before long so that you can make definite plans. You see, it will be necessary for me to know when you can come in time for me to order the invitations and get them ready and mailed at least two weeks before the wedding day. I don’t know for sure whether they do the work here or not and, in case they do not, they will have to order them for me which will of course take time. Surely he will write you soon.

You asked for my opinion on driving the car to Fla. I agree with you in that it would depend on the length of time we would be there as to whether or not we should take it. I had thought, and I believe you mentioned this when you were here, that it might be nice to drive it part of the way and ship it the rest of the way if we found the trip by auto tiresome. This is, of course, if we knew where we were going to stay in Fla. long enough to justify us in taking it. Just use your judgement about it, Dear, and it will suit me. You know more about the distance etc. than I do.

Mama and I had a most exciting time this afternoon when we were coming home from down town. Just as we turned the next to the last curve before we reached the house, Mama discovered a big rattlesnake in the road. We stopped, found a fence post and Mama instructed me to kill it (the snake). Just at that time, it coiled and rattled ready to spring, so she and I both decided that the fence post I was holding was unusually short, and the snake unusually long, and neither one looked safe. So, while Mama guarded the rattler with the post in hand at an extremely safe distance, I rushed to the house int he Willys-Knight after Papa who was nowhwere to be found. I did find the pistol and the little twenty-two, and thus well armed, I drove back to where Mama was standing, ready to run any moment. On arrival I found that the pistol was not loaded, and the twenty-two was on safety and neither of us could get it off. That snake was the most patient one I ever saw. It had remained in that same coiled, rattling position all that time, seeming to dare us to shoot. I suppose the poor thing knew not to worry when a woman was behind the gun. After a long conversation we decided that I should drive back and either bring Papa or the shotgun. I did so, and brought Papa. He slipped the gun off safety, gave it to me, and I shot the snake, the first time right in the head and killed it dead. So the poor thing didn’t have to die of impatience after all.

I love you, Sweetheart, and I get all thrilled when we plan anything about our wedding or honeymoon, because then I realize, as much as I can, that it really isn’t just a dream after all, but that I am really and truly going to be with you always. I do love you so very much.

Your devoted,
Ina.

P.S. The clipping from the newspaper came and I was glad to see that the property was increasing in value. We surely do hope it keeps it up, don’t we?

October 1, 1925 (Ina)

Thursday Night.
Oct. 1, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Your interesting letter of Sunday night came this afternoon, and, as usual, brightened up my countenance considerably. It (the letter) was a little longer than usual and I liked that because the pleasure of reading it lasted longer.

October 1, 1925 (Ina)

October 1, 1925 (Ina)

I note what you said about living the year round on the beach. Your view sounds very reasonable to me as I have always thought of the beach as being a temporary resort rather than a permanent home. I am sure it is fine for a while, and, as I can’t speak from experience, it may be all right the year round, but you are in a position to judge whether you would like it for a permanent location. I have never been on the beach longer than two weeks at a time and I enjoyed every minute of it then because it was an ideal place for a vacation. However, I did notice that the salt air made everything look and feel rather “mussy.” Things don’t look fresh and clean very long. Perhaps that is partly because I am accustomed to such a high, dry atmosphere though. At any rate, I think it would be fine for a while, and it would be a mighty fine place to start a honeymoon in the winter. Don’t you think so? No doubt we would prefer a higher and drier location when we were ready to choose a location for a permanent home.

We arrived in town this afternoon just in time to avoid witnessing what seemed to be a very serious accident. A girl friend of ours (newly married) ran into a newsboy who was on a bicycle, and they thought for a while that he was seriously injured but found later that he was just stunned and bruised some. The poor girl saw him lying there unconscious and thought he was killed. She became so hysterical etc. that they had to put her to bed, and her sister in-law said she thought surely for a while that she was going to die. I know it would be a terrible shock to anyone, and especially to one of such a nervous temperament as she is. Such accidents as hers and such a mild one as I had when I ran into the young man’s Ford, all go to prove that we can’t be too careful even though we have had quite a bit of experience in driving. I feel like it would ‘most kill me if I were to really hurt someone seriously like that.

With a heart brimfull and overflowing with love for you, I still am and always will be,

Your own loving
Ina.