Tag Archives: moving

December 9, 1939

Saturday Night
Dec. 9, 1939.

Dearest Sweetheart:

We were so glad to have your letter of Thursday night today. I had been thinking and thinking of your conference with Dr. B., and wondering how it would come out. It looks as if you have things going your way, doesn’t it? I’m glad that you will have so much to say about the consolidation etc; also, I’m glad there was no struggle over the salary. Now I’m wondering where your leave comes in, and when we are going to move. No doubt those things will have to be decided after you have made your trip to Texas.

December 9, 1939

December 9, 1939

Lewis Dunbar was so pleased to have your letter. He wanted to write you and Claudelle tonight, but I persuaded him to wait until morning as he was so sleepy.

We are very happy that Claudelle is coming. Polly and I want to know just when she will arrive, so we can meet her.

I read Polly’s letter from you over the telephone to her. She asked me to thank you for it and to tell you that she would be glad to remain in Mpls. as long as she is needed here; also that she was glad to know that she still had a job. You know her name has been omitted from most of the plans for the personnel. She was glad to continue working this month instead of taking leave, because she really had no place she cared to go, and she would hardly know what to do with a vacation in Mpls. Not that she complained at all when it looked like she was going to have to take leave, but I just know she preferred to continue working.

Kenneth was pleased when I read him the paragraph you wrote about him.

We had a good time last night. I left the children with Louise while Polly & I entertained Kenneth, Helen, and Hallie Fulcher at dinner at the “Wishing Well.” It is on LaSalle back of the Y.M.C.A. The food was good, and Mrs. O’Brian, the fortune teller, is remarkable. I’ll tell you some things she told me when you return. The fortune telling is included in each dinner. Polly & I plan to take Claudelle there. After dinner Kenneth & Helen took us to a movie.

Honey, will you please send me a list of the men in the work to whom you wish to send Christmas cards? Or would you prefer sending them yourself? If so, will you tell me the names so we will not duplicate? Of course I realize that you don’t want to send one to all the men, but I know there were a few special ones you wished to remember.

Dr. & Mrs. Dickinson & baby had hardly gotten out of Mpls on their way east when someone ran into their car and demolished it, but fortunately they were uninjured. The man who caused the accident was sentenced to a number of days in jail, and the Dickinsons hope to get a new car from the insurance co. About the same time, I believe, Mr. & Mrs. Gray Butcher and children were making a trip in their car when a coal truck ran into them as they (the Butchers) were passing another truck at high speed, Mr. Butcher admitted. The children were uninjured, but Mr. B. received a severe cut on the face, almost from ear to mouth, and Mrs. B. was very seriously injured about the head and elsewhere, I believe. She is still in the hospital. I almost forgot to say that the Dickinsons proceeded to the east by train a few days after their accident.

I have mailed all Christmas packages except to Mother Dove & Revah. I thought I would send a shirt to Revah – size 18 collar, I believe – and Mother Dove prefers a check. Would you mail her the check please? I believe she would appreciate it more if it came from you.

Our weather continues to be very mild – down to about 23º at night and up to 45º or 50 during the day – and as dry as a bone. I noticed that last month was the driest November in Minn. for over 100 years.

Your last letter was unique; it is the first one I have received from you in almost 2 years that did not contain a mention of grasshoppers. When I told Kenneth about it he was pleased; he said your change of thought will refresh you. I’m glad you are having a little social life while you are in Wash. Kenneth & I agreed that a touch of that in the future would be of great benefit to you.

We are very happy that you plan to be with us at Christmas; it just wouldn’t be much Christmas without you.

Lots of love to you & to Claudelle.
Ina.

December 3, 1939 (Ina)

Sunday A.M.

Dearest Sweetheart:

Your letter this A.M. was most welcome – it was thoughtful of you to send it “special.” I was finding it hard to make up my mind to wait until tomorrow to hear. The outlook looks pretty good, doesn’t it? I hope you will insist upon the $5600 though; that is the least that you can expect. Of course you hvae not had time to make definite plans, but it may be that we shall want to move to Menard after Jan. 26 (mid-term at school) during your leave. It would not be so bad to stay down there without you for a while. Of course we would want to go to Washington if you were going to be there many months.

December 3, 1939 (Ina)

December 3, 1939 (Ina)

We are so happy that Claudelle may come by to see us. Lewis Dunbar cried the other day because you were going to get to see her and he wasn’t. Perhaps you and she could come home together. We must put in an order for a big snow and freeze-up for her – not that the snow would be new to her. Today is quite cold with little snow flurries. The children have just returned from Sunday school with the rosiest of cheeks.

I telephoned Polly this A.M. and gave her such news as I thought you would not mind my giving. She promised not to hint it to a soul, and I’m sure she can be trusted. She seemed greatly relieved that she would have some old friends in the Denver office.

Now for a little local color. Our neighbors upstairs are having a round with the new janitor this morning. I had no trouble hearing it because it happened at the back door (and you know their voices). The house became a little chilly last night, due to the cold wave. All during the night I could hear Mr. D. running down stairs to do something to the furnace. Well, it seems that he found the furnace room door padlocked when he came down this A.M. You should have heard his and Louise’s angry voices, especially after the janitor “just stood there and grinned at you, Father,” so I heard Louise reminding Mr. D. after their interview with him. They are excitedly running about trying to get in touch with Mr. Vieman or one of the Thorpe Bros. because “I’ll bet we get a new set of janitors, Father, because we can’t afford to be grinned at, you know,” says Louise.

I must go prepare some dinner. Wish you were here, although I’m sure you will have a better dinner elsewhere. It’s lonesome without you.

We had Thanksgiving dinner at the Rainbow Cafe at Lake & Hennepin.

Give our love to Claudelle. We hope to be seeing you both soon.

Lots of love from the 3 of us.
Ina.

September 17, 1939

Telegram from Dallas, via Postal Telegraph.

1939 SEP 17 AM 400

MRS W E DOVE=
1928 FREEMONT AVE SOUTH MPLS=

CONSOLIDATION DALLAS MENARD SONORA AND UVALDE AT MENARD SUGGEST STRONG AND MEETING BISHOPP HERE JEFFERSON HOTEL SUNDAY. I WOULD PREFER MOVE MENARD WITHOUT GOING WASHINGTON=
WALTER.

September 17, 1939

September 17, 1939

Translated: Walter is probably going to be put in charge of a consolidated USDA research facility in Menard, TX.

September 14, 1939

It’s been five months since the previous letter, because Walter and Ina were together again at home in Minneapolis. Now he’s traveled to Washington to sort out his future work at the USDA. He’s considering a transfer back to the Division of Insects Affecting Man & Animals (medical and veterinary entomology), but his exact assignment is still unclear.

Sept. 14
10:30 PM

My dear Ina,

Have just returned from the Cushings. Claudelle and I had them for dinner in Silver Springs & were joined by Mrs. Bishopp & Jimmie who were also there for dinner. Cushings took us in their car, and we left Claudelle at her place on the way here. A very pleasant visit & Mrs. B. suggested that she imagined that I wanted to work in the South again. I judged that B. had talked with her about my move to the Man & Animals division. Bish is now on a trip to Texas & will be in Dallas on the 16th & here on the 21 or 22nd. I don’t see how I can wait here until he returns & I don’t believe I can get through here in time to meet him down there. I doubt if that would be necessary.

September 14, 1939

September 14, 1939

Strong saw me this PM in company with Gaddis & we went over ‘hopper work. He seemed very pleased & took copies to show the Secretary of Agric. He said that he wanted to see me tomorrow morning & would call for me at Gaddis’s office. He seems to be in a good mood but is very thin and with some forced pep in talking. I am to prepare a news article on the program to be ready here next Tuesday for Mr. Milloy of the Minneapolis Tribune.

From talking with Gaddis & Cushing I am led to believe that there is no difficulty in transfer, but BM did ask if I wished to reconsider & stay on hoppers. I told him that that depended upon Dr. Bishopp’s attitude & what the chief’s office had to say. BM is doing all he can for me & I appreciate it. He is willing to pay my salary on ‘hopper rolls until Bish can get money. I have an idea Bish would like for him to do that until July so that he need not drop anyone. Apparently he & Cush have not considered who would be transferred to Gaddis’s division.

Cushing thinks it would be better for me to come to Wash. & seems anxious, as Stage from Oregon was supposed to come & he did not care especially for that. He also mentioned the same possibilities suggested in Claudelle’s letter & said it looked like a question of where I wanted to live if I did not care to come to Wash. Bish did call on Gaddis & say that he would like to have me.

I have an idea that the Chief is going to ask me to pep up the work in that division & see that they produce, regardless of my assignment.

More tomorrow, possibly by wire if unsure or different from what we already know.

Love to the 3 of you
Walter

July 28, 1939

Friday PM.

My dear Ina,

We had a half day meeting of supervisors this morning at the West Hotel, and this PM with the Canadians & U of M men at the University. Wakeland Gaddis and I returned to the office and are not planning to go to Dr. Ruggles lawn picnic tonight. Tomorrow we have a whole day on survey with the General Supervisors and surveyors. Then the adult survey should get under way.

July 28, 1939

July 28, 1939

Gaddis feels fine about the control work of the season and was in an unusually good mood. He said that I was right fundamentally on Govt spreaders on private farms, but that the special conditions at that time warranted it. No explanation or excuse yet on changing my instructions. I am not sure this is the time & place for making an issue of it. It will have to come out later because a program cannot be run that way.

He talks moving the office to Denver before Christmas, but the people here are not to know of it now. Naturally it is confidential but something we want to keep in mind, whether I work on ‘hoppers or not. The more I analyze the situation, the more convinced I become that I should ask for a change in assignment to another division. We have had a successful program this year and I could make the change in good standing, leaving the job of slaving for some one else next season.

You did not say if you received the laundry I sent by parcels post. I presume that you did.

Not enough time to write the boys now but I’ll write them Sunday.

With love,
Walter

July 26, 1939

Wednesday Afternoon.
July 26, 1939.

Dearest Sweetheart:

The children were so happy to have the letters from you. They will answer them soon. Those compliments on their good behavior work like magic. Really, I’ve never known them to behave so well for so long before. I think a great deal of it is due to the fact that they both feel so well and they have plenty of room to play.

July 26, 1939

July 26, 1939

I believe you are behaving well too. I like the idea of your quitting work at 6 or 7 o’clock and walking home every evening. No doubt you notice a big difference in the way you feel.

I’m so tickled over the rug. Has the Olson Co. suggested what adjustment might be made? It would suit me to get another one exactly like the one in Reitha’s room – color and all; we know it’s all right. Perhaps we can wait until after we return to order it.

It is well that you are looking around for a place to live. Before we decide on one I wish we could know whether or not we shall be in Minneapolis for another year. It would be too bad to go to the expense of moving, and then have to leave town in a month or two, wouldn’t it? If we knew positively we were to be there only a month or two longer we could stand the dirty walls and even the neighbors for that short time. However, if we are going to remain in Minneapolis for a year, let us move by all means.

Mama is feeling very badly now. Her favorite sister, Aunt Ophelia Brumfield – the one you met in Jackson – is being buried there this afternoon. She must have passed away very suddenly, because Mama had a letter from her this morning which she wrote Sunday; she was feeling fine then. Mama and Papa enjoyed her so much when they visited her in Mississippi recently. It gave us a strange feeling to have the letter from her today after we had already received the telegram telling of her death. The shock of the message yesterday affected Mama so deeply that we were worried about her for a while – her arms and legs remained numb for a long time.

Perhaps you don’t like this high-handed way in which we are planning the trip to Mississippi, but I had to admit to Mother Dove that the children and I were hoping we could go after I learned that someone, perhaps you, had written her that we were going. I’m anxious to hear from you about it. I shall not answer the enclosed letter until I hear from you. If you want to go by Ethel’s after we go to Mother Dove’s it suits us fine.

We love you lots, Honey.

Always, your
Ina.

July 22, 1939 (Walter)

707 Thorpe Bldg
Saturday PM

My dear Ina,

In order to keep peace in this family, separate letters are being enclosed to Lewis Dunbar & Walter White. They have been good boys at Uvalde and it looks as though we can take them places.

July 22, 1939 (Walter)

July 22, 1939 (Walter)

The week has been light for shipments but vouchers and payrolls have been heavy. Most every evening I have been able to leave here about 6 or 7 o’clock and I’ve walked home every evening. When the sun shines I park on a bench at Loring and read the evening paper, then go by a restaurant for dinner. Three times I’ve eaten dinner at home, eggs, bacon and hot cakes. I made up some syrup & then found some already made.

A letter finally came from the Olson Co. enclosing shipping tags for return of the rug. They say send to Chicago so I am arranging to do just that. I am not writing to them as the tags have numbers and they also show your return address.

It is surprising how long one can keep the same sheets on the bed and how long towels can be used. This week I’ll send them to the laundry.

I looked up our lease and find that it expires August 31st. It therefore seems advisable to look for a place to live. I’ve walked to a few places near our apartment. Tomorrow I’ll have a pickup truck so that I can see some that are not so near by. The Studebaker is at Mandam & will be returned when some one comes in to Mpls from up there, probably this week.

On Friday & Sat. we have a conference scheduled for survey & the general supervisors will be here. Also Wakeland & Gaddis.

Mrs. Quarterman came by for Kenneth and she looks just fine.

Polly was pleased to get your hello and love. She is about normal now and she came back at a good time.

Dorward phoned a few times last week. The planes are still working & flights are there but not nearly as serious as last year. The general opinion is that we have done a good job. Nebraska may be in for some criticism of us but most of the states have already expressed strong approval. Canada received some of our hoppers on Thursday & Friday of this week.

I love all three of you just lots and lots and lots, and I’ll be glad when you come back home.

Your
Walter

July 22, 1939 (Walter to Lewis)

July 22, 1939 (Walter to Lewis)

Dear Lewis,

You have been a pretty good boy and both Mother and Daddy are proud of you.

I saw Judy on the side walk last night.

I hope you have a good time and that you will be ready to go to school when you finish your vacation.

With love
Daddy.

Dear Walter White,

I was pleased to get your letters also the report from Mother that you had been a good boy.

During June we shipped 90,000 tons of grasshopper bait. A ton is 2000 pounds or 20 sacks. This much bait would make a line of box cars 41 miles long. In other words as far as Uvalde to Hondo. That is a lot of bait. Of the 14 airplanes, 3 have crashed so that only 11 are working now. They are still working in eastern Montana and we are getting some flights out there. Some of the ‘hoppers are flying into Canada.

I am proud of the way you can shoot a rifle and I hpoe we can go to Reagan Wells again.

With love,
Daddy

June 6, 1939

Western Union telegram, received at Uvalde, TX.

MINNEAPOLIS MINN JUN 6

MRS W E DOVE=
222 WEST MESQUITE ST

FURNITURE ARRIVED AND NEARLY ALL PLACED IN LIVING ROOM TODAY. WHY DONT YOU COME UP AND SEE ME? COULD DADDY LEWIS DRIVE HERE IF SO WOULD BUY HIS TICKET WHEN HE WANTS TO RETURN PLEASE WIRE AND LET ME KNOW IF I SHOULD MEET YOU AIRPORT OMAHA SATURDAY WITH LOVE=

WALTER.

June 6, 1939

June 6, 1939

June 9, 1938

Western Union telegram.

1938 JUN 9 AM 8 22

MCALESTER OKLA 9 802A

DR W E DOVE
707 THORPE BLDG MPLS

EVERYTHING FINE MAY BE REACHED WESTERN UNION KANSAS CITY MISSOURI TODAY. LOVE

INA.

June 9, 1938

June 9, 1938