Tag Archives: correspondence

November 14, 1925

Saturday Nite
Nov. 14, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Of course I may not mail this letter – at least I will not until I hear from you – but I don’t feel right going to sleep without saying a few words to you. That always seems necessary to make it a well rounded day.

November 14, 1925

November 14, 1925

I have been spending the evening by reading in the “National Geographic” of an Arctic expedition while a stiff norther is blowing outside. I imagine it will be really cold by morning. We will feel it too after the fine springlike days we have been enjoying.

This afternoon Thelma Lee called us up to tell us that Mr. and Mrs. Parman had returned. They have had quite a stay.

I am so accustomed to writing you every day that when I wrote Claudelle day before yesterday I addressed it to Box 61 instead of her box number which is 55. Mama called my attention to my error when I started down town, but I forgot to correct it. It seems unnatural not to send the mail to 61 every day.

I love you, Sweetheart, a mighty heap.

Always, your own
Ina.

Now, I think I can go to sleep. Goodnight and sweet dreams.

Sunday Nite
Nov. 15, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Here goes the second installment. Perhaps I will get a letter tomorrow so that I can mail this one.

This morning Mrs. Bunting, a friend of ours who has several school teachers boarding at her house, ‘phoned and invited me to take dinner with her. She has been insisting for quite a while on my calling on a young lady who boards there but on whom I had not called so I accepted her invitation to dinner. Mr. Priddy, the commercial teacher in high school here, and whom I went with some last session, boards there too. He introduced me to Mr. Butler, a friend and his former Baylor University roommate, who was visiting him, so this afternoon Mr. Priddy, Miss Wilhaus, Mr. Butler and I went to Eagle Pass crossing kodaking. You remember that is the spot on the Nueces river where you and I went that Sunday afternoon when you missed the train. It was beautiful this afternoon. There was more water than usual and the clear sky and warm sunshine made it ideal for an outing. I thought of you and wished for you when those familiar scenes all reminded me of the pleasant afternoon of “getting acquainted” you and I spent there. Then I thought of the Sunday afternoon, almost a year later, after you and I were happily engaged, when we spent several hours at the same place. And, Sweetheart, Mr. Butler, in a number of ways, reminds me of you. He doesn’t dance, and his ideas on things of that kind are very similar to your own. If any of the two dozen pictures we took are good, I will send you some. We returned about six o’clock and I had a date with Mr. Butler to go to church this evening.

When I go down town tomorrow after your letter, I am going to have my fountain pen repaired so that I can write you a neater letter.

I love you, Sweetheart, and think of you often.

Always, your
Ina.

November 13, 1925

Friday the Thirteenth
8:25 P.M.

My dearest Sweetheart:

In spite of the fact that I had resolved to wait about a week to write you in order to see whether you would even miss my letters, here I go, as usual, answering your letter on the same day that I received it.

First of all, I want to tell you that you needn’t be at all surprised at any particular cuts this pen takes as I am unaccustomed to wielding one of its kind, especially when my only source of fuel is a great big ink bottle with a little tiny bit of sediment comfortably settled in one of its corners. My fountain pen is out of commission (overworked, poor thing!) so this letter promises to be a master-piece.

November 13, 1925

November 13, 1925

Yesterday and today have been two of the most beautiful days I have ever experienced I think. The sky has been just as clear as could be, and not a particle of cloud could be seen. It has been so nice and warm, everything is so pretty and green, and it has been just like springtime. I spent the day with Thelma today and we have been spending the afternoon pleasantly in making a few calls.

Mama and I went to a reception last night and enjoyed it so much. I was asked to pour tea for the occasion. My! how I did envy the young lady who had the privilege of pouring coffee. There were about a hundred and twenty five guests present.

No, Sweetheart, I mustn’t tell you how relieved I was to get your letter today nor how long I had been looking for it. Neither would it be very wise to tell you how many times of late that I have had to swallow a big lump in my throat consisting of anxiety, pride, independence, ‘n’everything, when I realized that it would take only about three minutes at the close of even the very busiest

One page missing – I tore it up. I didn’t want you to think I had gone back on my promise to be good, nor did I want you to think I was foolish or sensitive. Anyhow, I love you and love you and love you and don’t expect anything to ever come between us.

Yes, Sweetheart, from the description you have given me of the acreage west of Jacksonville, I think it would be mighty nice to live in a nice little home out there. I have no objections to living in the suburbs because we can drive in any time we get ready. We could enjoy there the advantages of both the city and the country. Yes, the profit on the sale of the Fulford lot would go a long way toward building a home, and, Dear, by the time we are married I will have a thousand dollars left from my savings, made while I was a “business woman” which I had intended for us to use for furnishing our home. It is drawing eight per cent interest at present, but we can get it any time we are ready to buy the furniture.

I am enclosing an account of the marriage of Zelma Barnette and Pat Campbell. As you have met them both I thought you might be interested.

I love you, Sweetheart, and I get so enthusiastic and happy when we are planning our wedding, home etc.

Always, your
Ina.

November 11, 1925

En Route to Fort Myers.
Armistice Night

My Dear Sweetheart,

Yesterday I found that I had things in pretty fair shape to make the trip to Caxambas so I packed last night and left early this AM. Had breakfast at 6:30 left the beach at 7 AM and should have left Jax at 9, but did not get away until 10:45. The train has lost more time since then so we are now running about 4 hrs late. I should have arrived at Fort Myers at 7:30 P.M. and it will now take until about midnight. The stage leaves Fort Myers about 8 tomorrow morning and then should get to Caxambas about noon. I do not expect to be there very long, only a few days, and if you write me to the Beach I will be mighty glad to get them when I get back. This writing is awful but it is about the best I can do on a moving train. The writing looks as though I might be drunk, but such is not the case.

November 11, 1925

November 11, 1925

All one can hear is real estate. Everyone talks it and the only way to keep from talking it is to keep from visiting with anyone. The mens’ smoking room has a bunch now, and while no particular section is being discussed, the state as a whole is talked about. Some of this part is very pretty and I am looking forward to seeing Fort Myers tomorrow A.M. It is said to be very picturesque etc. It is hardly fair to judge by what one sees from a train.

I’ll write you from Caxambas tomorrow night, Dear, and I hope that it will reach you in less time than was required for my letter from West Palm Beach.

I love you, lots and lots and lots. With a sweet goodnight.

Your own
Walter

November 9, 1925

Monday Nite
Nov. 9, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Yours of Friday night came after a second trip today after it. It didn’t come this morning, so, since I felt like I just had to have a letter today, I went down town again this afternoon. If it hadn’t come I would have – well, waited until tomorrow or the next day or the next to get one. I didn’t write you last night because I didn’t know what to write. You see, I had received only three letters the past week when I had been accustomed to receiving, usually, seven. So I didn’t know what was wrong.

November 9, 1925

November 9, 1925

The real estate letter you enclosed was interesting also. It will be mighty fine to make a nice profit by the time we are ready to have a home of our own. I am glad that Jacksonville is coming to the front of the Fla. boom so that the acreage west will be increasing.

Yesterday afternoon Mrs. Monagin and June Latham (the young school teacher from Mississippi whom you met at the Uvalde Hotel) came out and spent quite a while with us. Mervin is quite a football hero this session. I think he enjoys every minute of it too.

It was announced last night at church that part of our pipe organ had already arrived and the remaining part and a man to install it were expected soon. I don’t know why the shipment has been delayed so long.

Wednesday is Armistice Day. Are you going to take a holiday? I don’t know how we are going to spend the day – as per usual though, I suppose. Yesterday evening we had a debate at League “Resolved, that Christians should not participate in War.” There was lots of room for argument, of course, on this question, and the four debaters did it justice too, I think. I most earnestly hope that some plan can be presented and carried out that will honorably and effectively prevent all wars in the future. It makes me shudder to think of the losses, terrors, ruin and desolation caused by the World War. It seems impossible that the people of the world would bring about another one as horrible. Here’s hoping it’s all over!

I love you, Sweetheart, ever so very very much!

Always, your
Ina.

November 7, 1925

Saturday Nite.
Nov. 7, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

First and foremost I have a weather report to make. I didn’t write you last night nor the night before because, on account of the rains, none of us could get in town to mail you the letter I had written you Wednesday night. I didn’t even get to make that talk to the ladies of the Missionary Society Thursday afternoon. What a loss! I wonder if the poor women realize what a wonderful opportunity they missed all on account of the weather? But, be that as it may, we appreciated the showers very much. It has turned cooler, faired off, and everything looks so pretty and fresh and green. Of course we are situated in a mud puddle when it rains the least bit, and are in a position to appreciate beautiful drying sunshine after plenty of moisture. We have been in Texas so long that we just naturally enjoy this sunshine that is usually with us.

November 7, 1925

November 7, 1925

Your letter of Wednesday nite came this afternoon. From a selfish point of view, I was glad I didn’t go to the post office those other two days because there would have been nothing but an empty box to greet me until today.

I love you, Sweetheart.

Goodnight and sweet dreams.

Always, your
Ina.

October 30, 1925

Jax Beach, Fla.
Friday Night.

My Dear Sweetheart,

I have not been to the post office today, but will go when I have finished this little letter. I have no news, Dear, but simply want to say that I love, love, love you and I am anxious to have you with me.

With a sweet goodnight,

Your,
Walter.

October 30, 1925

October 30, 1925

October 29, 1925 (Walter)

I don’t know whether this is Wed or Thurs Nite.
Anyway it’s dark.

My Dear Sweetheart,

I have been so interested in my work that the past two days have gone by so quickly that I didn’t realize it. I did not intend to let yesterday get by without writing to you but it was so late Dear, that I went right to sleep. Maybe you think that I am a poor sweetheart, but I have been so interested in my work. You are the only one I have written to for quite a while. I should write several letters but it seems a loss of time to write to anyone except you. Last winter I did the same thing and my mother wrote to Mr. Bishopp to find out where I was. When you are with me Dear I’ll have to wish some of my letter writing onto you. There won’t be much of it, because I am getting to the point where I have very few to write.

October 29, 1925 (Walter)

October 29, 1925 (Walter)

I am glad that you are over your blues, Dear, and I hope you realize that it was just a play on your imagination. It is very difficult to get mail or to send letters from southern Florida. I just received yours of the 19th, which makes about 10 or 11 days.

I am doing quite a little staining and microscopic work just now and it takes an awful lot of time to get anything accomplished. The material is so small that it is quite different from what any of our men are doing. I have to try methods on fresh material to get a technique as it is just a little different. Dr. White has written about how he is working on the other stuff, but it doesn’t help me any. I haven’t told him anything about what I am working on here, for I wouldn’t gain anything to do it.

I love you Dear and I wish I could be near enough to tell you all about it. With a sweet goodnight.

Always your
Walter.

October 28, 1925 (Walter)

Oct 28th
Wednesday A.M.

My Dear Sweetheart,

I feel much better since your letter came last night. The day before I did not write for I could not understand, and so I waited. It seems that my short notes made you feel so badly. Last year the same thing happened. I have always had the opinion that a short letter was better than none and when I am rushed I have frequently written short ones. Whenever I have written them to you they have been more harmful to your feelings than no letter at all. I would not hurt your feelings, intentionally, for anything in the world. I love you, Dear, and the short letters were written because I was very busy and because I wanted to write too. I am very sorry that you misunderstood me. Last year when the clinic was under way and when Dr KS kept on the go every minute, one of my letters gave you the wrong impression because it was short. I certainly hope that we will not have such misunderstandings again. When we are together always we will know each other better. I have already learned that your feelings are more sensitive than I had suspected, but back of these you have a big heart, Dear, and there is no doubt in my mind but that you love me. I love you, too, lots and lots, and we are going to get along fine.

October 28, 1925 (Walter)

October 28, 1925 (Walter)

I am enclosing a letter which will interest you, as it concerns Mr. Pettit whom you met at Legion last summer. I had no idea that he was so near the point of getting married. I had thought of asking him to stand with you and I, since he was near and could come more easily than Alvis. Alvis is on the go so much with pipe organ matters that it is difficult to get him. I have not asked him. Perhaps H.J. would be glad to come, since he has no occupation and since he does not get away from Legion very much. What do you think about it? Mr. Parman is a good friend of mine too, and might be glad to stand with us. Let me know what you think.

I’ll make up the list for you real soon, Dear, as it will take a little time to include all that I want on it. It will not be a long one, however, and I would estimate that 50 would be more than I would have. It may be that 25 will be nearer the number. I’ll start the list and keep it a few days, adding names, as I feel that they should be included.

I love you, Dear, with all my heart and I am very sorry that I caused you to feel so blue.

Always your,
Walter.

October 25, 1925 (Ina)

Sunday Afternoon.
Oct. 25, 1925

My dearest Sweetheart:

Your letter and the letters from Mr. Petit and Mr. Bishopp came this morning and Dear, they made me feel so good. You see, until now, everything has been so indefinite that it didn’t seem real. I knew that you and I loved one another and that we were engaged, but that was all the definite information I had. I am sure that you too were very anxious to know something for sure. Mr. Bishopp’s letter was very very interesting and I appreciate your sending it to me. Yes, Dear, some time about Christmas suits me for the wedding and the other plans you mentioned sound good to me. I am glad you have expressed an opinion as to some particular time and place as it makes me feel like we are really going to be married. If Mr. Bishopp doesn’t write you pretty soon of any change in plans, we can set a date before long, can’t we? Somehow, I like the idea of having something definite in mind and working toward it.

October 25, 1925 (Ina)

October 25, 1925 (Ina)

Mr. Petit’s letters were very interesting also. I was so sorry to hear of Dr. Hunter’s death. Although I was not personally acquainted with him, I have heard a great deal of him for several years and have heard so many fine things about him. All of the men seemed to think so much of him. Sweetheart, I note what was said of his opinion of you, and I am proud of it. Mr. Petit writes an interesting letter and puts quite a bit of individuality into it which always adds a great deal to a letter I think. That is what keeps a letter from sounding like a news paper write-up.

It is raining so much this afternoon that we can’t go to Mrs. Crisp’s funeral. I think it always makes it a great deal sadder to have to bury a person on a cold gloomy day in the rain.

Sweetheart I want to tell you again how “tickled to death” I am over your letter and that I love you, love you and love you and will be mighty happy when I can be with you always.

Your own
Ina.

October 24, 1925

Saturday Nite.
Oct. 24, 1925.

My dearest Sweetheart:

Your letter of Sunday P.M. written at West Palm Beach reached me today, and the irregularity of the mail is shown by the fact that your letter from the Beach written two days later reached me yesterday. Of course the difference in the distance makes some difference, but still you traveled faster than your letter, according to that.

October 24, 1925

October 24, 1925

I am enclosing a little article on the Florida boom that I came across in the Uvalde Leader-News. I hope that the steps that are being taken to stop the rush will not be effective any time soon, don’t you?

This morning I was very much shocked when someone ‘phoned that Mrs. D.H. Crisp, the wife of my former employer for whom I kept books for about six years, had suddenly died last night. It was so sudden that it was a shock to everyone. As soon as we heard it I went to her home for a few minutes. I always have a feeling of utter helplessness and uselessness in a case like this because all I can do is to show respect by going and carrying flowers. They already had enough friends to sit up with the corpse tonight. The funeral is to be tomorrow afternoon. I feel so sorry for Mr. Crisp, and it is especially sad as she left two little girls, one eight and the other four years old. No doubt one of his sisters here will care for them.

Sweetheart, I love you, you don’t know how very very much. I wish I could be with you right now.

Always, your loving,
Ina.

Sunday P.M.
P.S. I rushed off this morning without carrying this letter, so I am enclosing the one for today also.

You can click and zoom into the image of the letter if you want to read the news clipping.