Tag Archives: Jacksonville

August 6, 1924

153 Powell Place, Jacksonville, Florida

Wednesday A.M.

My Dear Ina,

I received your very nice letter a few minutes ago and believe me I was glad to hear from you. I had become worried and thought that possibly I would not hear from you again. It is so easy to have a misunderstanding in writing, and I am mighty glad that you have some patience with my crude way of doing things. I knew that I should have written you a nice letter and a long one, but jumped at a chance of utilizing a minute’s time in writing at least a line. I am sorry, Dear, for I know the circumstances under which you received it and it must have made you feel badly. However, I am mighty glad to know that you cared enough to have it affect you, though I would not have intentionally used such means to find out.

August 6, 1924

August 6, 1924

The clinic was a success and we have developed a very satisfactory treatment, even though we have not yet been able to unravel the identity of the parasite. It is a microscopic form, either a small worm or a spirochete and not an insect as we supposed. Such a form has never been reported in medical or entomological literature so it gives one nothing to start with.

Expect to begin tomorrow on a survey of conditions where the cases originated and will either have a city sanitary inspector or a trained nurse to go with me. I’d have a time locating all these street addresses in a strange city, though I have already made up a city map showing the locations.

Will enclose a questionnaire & form letter we are sending all physicians of the county. The composition is mine.

I haven’t been with anyone except on business and have been busy every evening until we went to sleep, with the exception of a couple of trips to the beach. These were of a survey nature as so many become infested down there.

Last Sunday we drove to Waldo about 130 miles to see a physician who had several hundred lesions. We had treated him here a few days before. Have had an invitation to come down & spend a while fishing, but I don’t think I would be very happy unless you could be there too. I always wish for you. I can’t help it and you might as well know it. I think lots more of you than you think I do, and I certainly hope that I can see you again in September. It looks doubtful now but we live in hopes. Expect to see you Xmas anyhow as you promised me I could.

My Sis has a mighty fine fiance and I can’t see any reason why they won’t be congenial & get along OK. In all probability he will be cashier of his bank on Jan 1st. My mother doesn’t like to part with Sis, but I told her she would simply get another son. She doesn’t see it this way. I guess every mother feels the same way.

You have had lots of excitement in Uvalde and I hope everything is quiet and to your liking by now. Sorry that your boss was not re-elected but strange things happen in politics.

Remember that I love you and I am anxious to see you again.

Always,
Walter.

Enclosed form letter and questionnaire:

Larva Migrans Form Letter

Larva Migrans Form Letter

Larva Migrans Questionnaire

Larva Migrans Questionnaire

July 31, 1924

153 Powell Place
Jacksonville, Florida

July 31, 1924

Dear Ina,

I have a few minutes to write a note and feel that I owe you a lengthy letter, but what I lack in length perhaps I can make up in numbers. For I certainly don’t want you to misunderstand me. I have thought of you just the same and I have wondered if I am going to get through early enough to be in Uvalde this Fall. I certainly won’t complete the work, but may return because there has been no appropriation for this work. It will probably require work for a few years and I imagine the bulk of the work will be done when we have special money for it. At this stage of the game we cannot say that it falls under the domain of our Bureau, but I hope that I can finish it. The importance is greater than it might seem.

July 31, 1924

July 31, 1924

We are using a treatment which Dr. Roark suggested with good results and it simplifies matters. Previously it has required sometimes as long as a year in extreme cases. Lots of the treatments have been so drastic that they were worse than the malady.

Mr. Bishopp will return from Washington about the 24th and will stop with me for a few days. I also expect Dr. Hunter to spend a day or two with me on his way to Washington, which will probably be about the 15th.

I want you to know that while I am busy, I think of you lots and wish for you. I can’t help but believe you would enjoy it very much if you were here. It is so different, so beautiful, and much cooler than the weather we had at Uvalde.

Kindly remember me to your Mother, Sis & Dad and write me a nice long letter. Please?

Sincerely,

W.E.D.
500 Professional Bld.

July 30, 1924

153 Powell Place
Jacksonville, Florida

July 30, 1924

Dear Ina,

I am very sorry indeed that you misunderstood me from my short note & I hope you will forgive me. I have been rushed so that I don’t hardly know straight up. The clinic opened when I arrived & we have had more than 250 patients, 150 of which were afflicted with what we call “larval migrans.”*

July 30, 1924

July 30, 1924

The thing is not what we expected to find, a result of something imported from the tropics but is entirely new – can’t find anything in literature on it and we are working for the origin as well as the treatment. Technically speaking it does not come under our Bureau but I want to work it out with Dr. Kirby-Smith if possible. Previous to this the treatments consisted of cutting out skin sections with the knife or injecting something under the skin to kill the parasite. We are now using a fumigant which penetrates the skin & apparently kills the parasite without having any ill effects. Some are treated for a year for extreme infestations, and I believe we have the thing that will get them in one or two treatments with no ill effects.

Dearie, you will probably think that I am crazy to go into details of my work in writing to you, but my whole energy is in it and we mean to work it out.

Will probably spend next week at homes where it originated in the city and the following week will be on the beach for a comparative study as to the source of infection etc.

Dr. Kirby-Smith has treated me royally since I’ve been here and he spends lots of time with me from his valuable practice. He is a specialist in skin diseases, and considered the best south of Washington.

Please don’t think hard of me Dearie for writing such a short note to you. I was at the clinic then & wanted to let you know that I arrived OK.

Trust I’ll hear from you soon and a long letter.

Sincerely,

Walter

Professional Bld of Dr. Kirby-Smith

* Yes, in 2011 you can Google “larva(l) migrans” and instantly learn what causes it. In 1924, though, it was a complete mystery. You are reading the personal letters of the fellow who figured it out, and for the next few weeks this blog will feature his efforts to explain that work to his girlfriend as he’s doing it. Go ahead and look it up, but be sure to come back to this story to see what it really took to get that answer.

July 26, 1924

James B. Young
Tax Collector Uvalde County
Uvalde, Texas

July 26, 1924.

Mr. Walter E. Dove,
Somewhere, I don’t know where.

Dear Walter:

Won’t you please tell me why you refuse to answer my last two letters? I have racked my brain to think of something I might have said or done to offend you, but, to save me, I can’t. I most earnestly beg your pardon if I have, and I sincerely promise never to do so again. I don’t know where you are as I have not heard from you since you left Dallas, but, in order to be sure, I am making this letter in triplicate, sending one to Dallas, one to Jacksonville, and another to Roxie.

July 25, 1924

July 25, 1924

I have already mailed you one letter to Roxie, and, a few days later, one to Jacksonville, (not duplicated, however) but, as far as I know, you have not received either.

I hope I will find out the why and wherefore of it all soon.

Ina Lewis
Deputy Tax Collector, Uvalde County.

July 25, 1924

United States Department of Agriculture,
Bureau of Entomology,
Investigations of Insects Affecting the Health of Man.

July 25, 1924

My Dear Ina,

I am sorry that my letter was so short yesterday, but I am rushed almost to the limit. Had 38 cases at the clinic today and a total of about 125 this week. Have good assistance but have to tell the surgeons what I want cut out and get histories of cases myself. Dr. Kirby-Smith has every evening and spare time planned and he is showing me a wonderful time. Great host and lots of fun. His family are away and I think he is enjoying the vacation. Has given the clinic good publicity and we have wonderful co-operation City & State Health Boards & members of profession. Have had the dignified title of Dr. since I’ve been here. It sounds better to a clinic. It will close about next Wednesday and we will spend about 10 days at points where cases originated – mostly on the beach. Wish you were here. You would like it.

July 25, 1924

July 25, 1924

Excuse this stationery but I simply must write you something tonight while Doc. tells the neighbors he is home early.

Regards to Claudelle & Mrs. Lewis, and very best to yourself.

Sincerely, Walter

505 Professional Bld. Jacksonville

July 24, 1924

July 24 1924

Dear Ina,

Lots to do, clinic well advertised and good attendance. Cooperation medical profession, City, & State Board good. Dr. K.S. is a prince and work is very interesting and we are also having a good time. Will write more soon.

Sincerely,
Walter

July 24, 1924

July 24, 1924

July 16, 1924

Dallas Texas
Wednesday PM

My dear Ina,

Excuse this stationery but I am out and within an hour I expect to leave the city for Mississippi. Will be at Jacksonville Fla. on the 21st. Will stop at home for a longer period when I return. The enclosed photos look pretty rough but a week ago the lawn was tall Johnson grass. Bought some shrubs today and he will take care of them and guarantee them to live. Will wait until December to set out some fruit trees, roses, etc.

Excuse this short note but I must hurry. Can’t let my train leave me this time.

Sincerely,
Walter

Address
Professional Building
Jacksonville, Fla.
C/o Dr. Kirby-Smith

July 16, 1924

July 16, 1924

July 7, 1924

Dallas – Mon. Nite

My Dear Ina,

Haven’t heard whether I can address you this way or not, but I am taking the chance and am leaving off the “Miss.” Mrs. Roark gave me two sets of the Kodak pictures one for yourself, and I am taking the liberty to write an extra note in sending them.

I am mighty glad to have some of you though I wish they would show your face more distinctly. These are all that I have of you and I prize them just the same. I haven’t made my trade as yet, but I am about sold on the idea of a brick veneer cottage in Owenwood addition. I guess I should take my chances with a lot or two but so far I haven’t found any that I want to take that much chance with. These new cottages are just completed, brick veneer, living room, dining room, 2 bed rooms, bath, large pantry, kitchen, back porch screened, and front porch small but with bricked sides, cement walks, paving, garage with cement drive. House completed with all fixtures electrical and plumbing with Hoffman instantaneous water heater, also piped for gas. Has every modern convenience except telephone and they will be there this Winter. Located 1 block from end of car line with paving all the way. Oh yes, I forgot to tell you that they have hardwood floors, plenty of windows some narrow ones on either side of the large ones, built in book cases, brick mantel and fireplace, big closet in each bed room, built in linen closet and medicine cabinet in bath room. Kitchen sink built with drain boards on either side. The brick are dark color and the shingle roof is green. They are back from the walk about 40 feet (this is a guess) but they are back further than the average, which allows room for a pretty fair size lawn and shrubs. Have two trees between pavement and sidewalks. The whole lot is quite level but slopes enough to drain well. Grass about knee high just now.

July 7, 1924

July 7, 1924

You might think it rather peculiar that I would go into this description which is quite a vague one, but I thought you might be interested. That’s about all I’ve thought of since I returned and I naturally have to tell you something. There are about nine of these cottages together and five of these have been sold and families are living there. The whole addition are brick veneer cottages but vary in design. Most of them are occupied. This addition is quite high, higher than the business section and it is about four blocks of where the new million dollar Ford plant is under construction. As I see it this section will have to develop and property values will have to increase. Mr. Laake says it is a real buy and I believe he wishes that his home was out there. This Ford plant will have 1750 men employed which means about 1000 homes. This residence section is the most desirable for them and it can’t help but develop. As a home it will be very desirable and as an investment it will be good. Don’t know which I’ll use it for in case I close the deal, but it will be great either way. I probably won’t know for sure about the deal for a couple of days, as I expect to look over some more tomorrow and possibly the next day.

I may leave for Mississippi the latter part of the week as Mr. B and I are supposed to be at Jacksonville Fla. on the 20th, and he is anxious to get there earlier so as to return and fill an engagement at Texas A&M on the 30th. I’ll write you again before I leave and I am in hopes that I’ll have a letter from you tomorrow morning. It seems a long time since I had one, but I must not expect so much.

I hope you will pardon me for the crudeness of this letter as it is not intended as a real estate advertisement. I just couldn’t help but tell you.

Please remember me to your Mother and Sister.

Always,
Walter

July 1, 1924

Dallas, Texas
Tuesday PM

Dear Miss Lewis,

After spending the greater portion of the day in San Antonio, I was surprised to find that Dr. & Mrs. Roark had also been there all day. They left Uvalde Sunday AM and on arriving at S.A. the Doctor had an attack of stomach trouble which kept him in bed for two days. He seems to attribute it to the Mexican dinner, but please don’t mention it to Mrs. Parman as it would make her feel badly. It was not the dinner that caused it, but the condition of his stomach, as the rest of us enjoyed the dinner immensely and had no ill effects. Mrs. Roark tells how much she enjoyed the dinner and that it did not affect her in the least.

July 1, 1924

July 1, 1924

Mr. Bishopp was not in the city when I arrived, and we expect him to return from Omaha tomorrow. He was called there as a witness in Federal Court in a prosecution case. I am sure that my getting left in Uvalde will not be mentioned by himself, but I wouldn’t regret it if I had a severe reprimand. That, however, is not his nature. Mr. Laake says that he rather expected that I would miss the train.

I note from correspondence from Dr. Smith of Jacksonville Fla. that Mr. B and I are expected about July 20th. He has had about 20 cases recently and is sure that other physicians have had a good number. He enclosed a photo of a boy’s legs and feet which were in a severe condition. I believe I told you that this is some tropical form which has appeared in Florida the last two summers and we do not yet know what the cause is. Several Englishmen and Frenchmen have published works from the tropical sections and I am searching the literature on the subject. My French isn’t any too good, but I can handle it better than before the war.

Just now I am looking at property here with the view of trading in the Elgin to advantage. Whether I’ll get unimproved property or a residence, I do not know, but I am particular that I get something in East Dallas where the city is developing most rapidly.

I am to have dinner with Dr. & Mrs. Roark this evening and then we will probably go for a drive. I wish you were here to go with us as we would then have two couples.

Miss Ina I did not learn the day of your birth anniversary. Won’t you please tell me? I know that it is July and I meant to find out when I was there, but didn’t. I’d like to know.

I also hope that you will favor me with a letter real soon for I am anxious to hear from you.

Sincerely,
Walter.

Kindest regards to your Mother and Sister.