Tag Archives: real estate

December 5, 1925

The Beach, Sat PM.

My Dear Sweetheart,

I haven’t had mail yesterday nor today so there will probably be a letter from you tonight. Some times the mail train leaves Jax without the mail. It is a poor service. As yet I have not seen Dr. & Mrs. Roark as I missed them in town yesterday, but I’ll attempt to see them again Monday. They leave their rooming place early in the morning and cannot be reached during the day unless one knows where they are going.

December 5, 1925

December 5, 1925

I had lunch with Dr KS yesterday noon and in the afternoon he took me out to the new home. It is very beautiful and is arranged conveniently. Can’t say that I like the antique furniture, but lots of people appreciate it. When the house is completed and furnished it will not have the appearance of a new one, but will be home like etc. It is an English style. I have an idea that we can have a home which you and I would like better and which would cost considerably less. His lot was 18,500 and the house is costing about $50,000*.

Dear, I have not yet said anything to Rev. Campbell but will do so a few days before the 23d. The time is getting nearer all the time and before long the long looked for wedding will take place. Should I have anything to do about making arrangements for the church? If so, let me know. I expect to come a couple of days before the wedding. Will let you know when to expect me. I want to do this so that I can help with preparations etc.

With a sweet goodnight, I love you,

Your
Walter.

Sunday AM.

Dear, I did not get this in the mail last night. Dr. & Mrs. Roark drove down. They had purchased a used Willys Knight & came down in it. We drove up the beach & then had supper. I am going to St. Augustine with them today. They will be here soon.

I was called out of bed at 3AM. The lady next door died with a stroke. Could not do anything for her. She was dead when they came over. A physician came about one hour later but I have sent telegrams for the family by that time.

Lots of love,
Walter

* $644,777 in 2011 dollars.

December 1, 1925

Tuesday Night.

My Dear Sweetheart,

No news, Dear, but I am writing that I love you just the same.

The storm played havoc with the piers and bulkheads along the water front. I don’t know what the damage was, but it is quite evident. The ocean was pretty angry.

December 1, 1925

December 1, 1925

I haven’t sold the acreage as yet. Perhaps you will have reasons to call me a bum realtor. Have reduced my price as I was probably too high. At least, I was told so by the people whom I purchased the tracts from. Hope to be able to tell you that I sold them, before long.

I love you, Dear, and always will.

Your,
Walter.

November 29, 1925

Sunday PM.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Yours of Wed. night came today. It was a real good one too. I note with interest that Mother had written to you. I have just received a letter of hers which went to Dallas. She neglected to put Beach in the address and of course Box 61 Jacksonville was wrong. I am writing her today.

November 29, 1925

November 29, 1925

I am not surprised at Mrs. Parman’s brother’s success with real estate down here. Most everyone can tell of similar experiences. Some have lost money too, but one never hears of them. Well selected property, especially water-front or in good developments increase rapidly. Some Jew developments in swamps and where there is no reason for a town can’t possibly be of any value. One should see what he buys down here and then if he uses common sense, it will turn out OK. Fulford has not increased as rapidly as lots of the other developments, but it is building a beautiful city and we are going to come out OK on our lot down there.

I am not going wild over real estate, for with my limited means and desire to play a safe game, there is no reason to be over enthusiastic. The biggest money is made when the chances are greater, but I am a poor fellow in gambling. Many buy options and devote much time to them. I was a little high on the acreage and have not sold as yet. Have pulled in my horns a little. Will go out with a prospect tomorrow PM.

I love you Dear and I will be a happy human when the time comes.

Always your
Walter.

November 22, 1925

Jacksonville Beach Fla
Sunday Night

My Dear Sweetheart,

Received a letter today and I feel pretty happy over it. Had begun to worry for fear that I had “gotten in Dutch.” I note with interest what you had to say about prospects on your Daddy’s place at Uvalde. I can appreciate how you prepared the rooms for inspection.

November 22, 1925

November 22, 1925

Yesterday I wrote an ad for Mrs. Mac and this PM her cottage was sold for $4000. I guess I can live here until Xmas but I am not sure about it after that time. It is difficult to obtain desirable living quarters even at the beach. We may have to spend Jan & Feb in Dallas. I wonder what you think about it? Would you feel disappointed?

I asked Alvis to stand up with us. He is the best man friend I have. If anything prevents. I’ll ask Mr. Pool. Will let you know as soon as I hear. I may have to ask Mervin. I think he would enjoy every minute of it.

With all my love, Dear, I am,

Your
Walter

November 20, 1925

Jax Beach. Friday Nite Nov 20th

My Dear Sweetheart,

I did not get a letter last night nor today but I had such a nice lot of them (4) when I returned. I guess I don’t deserve one for quite a while now, but I hope that you will not make it too severe on me.

November 20, 1925

November 20, 1925

I am running an ad on one of the 10 acre tracts and my first nibble was the M E preacher. Will take him out to see it Monday A.M. if I do not sell it before that time. Am enclosing the clipping. May not get the price I am asking but we want all we can get and it is worth just what we can get for it. Will have to stay at home again tomorrow if I get my work in shape, but may start to the fair tomorrow afternoon. If I have a live prospect on the tract I’ll take him out. During the fair would seem to be a good time to sell such property.

I have no news for you, Dear, but want you to know that I love you just the same.

With a sweet goodnight,

Always your
Walter.

November 19, 1925

Jax Beach, Thurs Nov-19.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Before starting on my report and with lots of work ahead of me, I am passing up the first day of the Fair and the first thing I am doing is to write to my little girl. It was mighty nice of you to write so often when I was away and I feel that I have been mean in not writing to you. Your last letter with the 2nd page missing shows that you are hurt, and I am very sorry. To write from Marco Island is about the same as writing from Regan Wells. The mail service is very poor even where the towns are better. I was up at 6 o’clock in the morning and I worked hard all day, scouting through brush, cactus, over hills, among shells etc. When night came I was as tired as the next one, and with everyone going to bed at about 8 o’clock and with no place to write, I passed it up with hopes of getting through with my work as soon as possible.

November 19, 1925

November 19, 1925

It may seem strange to you that I am so busy at times that I do not write, but you will have more patience with me when you are more familiar with what I am doing. I work hardest when I am alone on a problem and am apt to take it easy when I am working with some one else. I try to make a creditable showing when there is a chance and to this end I am apt to neglect personal duties. When you are with me, Dear, I am sure that this will be different. When I am real busy I seem to pass the time quicker and I do not long for you as much as when I have lots of time. But I wish for you real often and always wonder how you would like to be with me at just that time. There is no doubt, Dear, about my love for you. I love you with every tender affection and I would not hurt your feelings for anything in the world if I knew it. I hope you will be patient with me just now as I have several irons in the fire and it is up to me to do something with them.

Mr. Bishopp has just asked me for a list of my articles with exact references, and I know that he wants this for use in a recommendation for a salary increase. It will come in mighty handy too. At this time I believe it will go through as there is a sufficient amount to permit it. We can use the money OK.

You certainly surprised me Dear when you said you had 1000 at interest. I had no idea that you had saved any, as it would seem to be a difficult thing to do. It is difficult for me to save unless I have a place for it as soon as it comes and it sounds mighty good to know that you can save. You will have to be our Secy.-Treas. It almost took me off my feet when you said you had this for furniture. If you use it that way, Dear, we will arrange to put an equal amount at interest for you. We will not split hairs over anything, for my salary is yours as much as mine and I want you to always feel that what is yours is yours and what is mine is yours. You are going to be a wonderful little wife and I am proud of you. I know that we are going to get along OK.

I am enclosing a Fulford report which sounds good to me. They have never discounted any of their notes through banks and have made the improvements too. It is a real development and I would not be surprised if our little lot down there brings enough to build a home. I’d like to take up the balance with the 15% discount but cannot at the present time. Most of the people who have purchased there will probably do this as very few were sold to salaried people like myself. Most salaried people down there bought options for $100 or thereabouts and made or lost in 30, 60, or 90 days. I try to be a little more conservative, though I probably missed some real big money. I might have lost out. Many are losing in property in Florida, due to the fact they did not use common sense in buying. A person should see what they are buying and if they can visualize it ahead of the other fellow, they make the money.

I have not yet made up the list for you Dear but I’ll begin on it today. It would seem to be about time to set the date too. Would like to know what you have in mind. Perhaps Wednesday before Christmas would be a good time. We could then visit my folks and come to Jax. We would return to Dallas about March 1st.

Mrs. Mac has not sold her cottage yet and if she does not sell it we will be comfortable here for the time. She does not seem anxious to sell, though he wants her to sell.

Will close for this time, Sweetheart, as I must get busy. I love you with all my heart.

Yours only & always,
Walter.

November 18, 1925

Stationery from The Everett Hotel

Jacksonville, Fla., Nov. 18 1925

My Dear Sweetheart,

I arrived here about two hours ago or less and our train was about four hours late. All trains run late down here except the beach train which went out on time this morning and left me to wait until this PM. But I had a few things to do, including the writing of this letter which is by far the most important. Had to go to the bank about the first thing. I didn’t buy anything down the state either, except meals and lodging.

November 18, 1925

November 18, 1925

I am certainly well pleased at the outlook of securing an appropriation for the work down there and I am going to keep behind it until we get something. It is an important problem and I expect to be able to present an effective report on it. Have given Mr. B. the details in a letter and also my “modus operandi” for getting the funds. My mission in attending the state fair here is to help out on another project which affects poultry, but I am more interested in the sand fly situation at Marco Island. It will be my problem while the poultry problem will be one for Mr. Parman and the folks at Dallas. I’ll have to help some too, but I won’t have a personal interest that I’ll have for my own problem. I don’t like these partnership problems for the Dept. and there is only one partnership that I am interested in. Yours and mine. I am mighty anxious for that one too, Dear, though you do have your little doubt sometimes. When you know me as a hubby you will understand how it occurred to you in that way. I am going to try to prevent you from having any reason to ever regret it, and I am going to try to give you the comforts of life and as many pleasures as possible. If I am not good, you tell me.

While the fair is in session and much interest will be shown in poultry here I am offering one of the 10 acre tracts for $2000. At this figure I would consider selling both of them, as it would net us a nice profit. I am not so anxious to sell both until you have seen one of them. We may want to build on it. I’d like to turn one of them for enough to pay for both. Then we would not have much invested.

If the sand fly money is obtained OK, it would be a good idea to have you go to Marco with me for a little trip after Xmas. During that time the govt will probably offer its land for sale down there and we may want our home there. I don’t like the idea of taking you where those things will bite you, but if everyone else depends on me to help them, maybe you would do the same thing.

With all my love, Dear, and looking forward to a bunch of letters from you when I get to the Beach this PM, I am,

Yours only & always,
Walter.

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 8, 1925

Jax Beach, Sun PM. Nov 8th

My Dear Sweetheart,

Yesterday and today were regular days with comfortable temperatures and folks were in the surf. It seemed more like summer. I went to Jax yesterday afternoon. Dr. KS had written that a veterinarian had telephoned him of a peculiar skin affection on a dog, and that he thought it of interest to us. The lesions were not characteristic of C.E. but it is possible that the trouble was of a nematode origin. The dog was too valuable to obtain it for experimental purposes, so I gave him the C.E. treatment to be tried. When I have isolated and cultured the C.E. nemas I’ll try them on dogs. The material I am working with has not produced C.E. but it is nearer than anything we have worked on yet. I get so interested in it that I forget most everything else. I haven’t written an official letter for a long time, but I’ll have to answer some of them soon.

When I was in town yesterday I drove out toward the acreage to see what the new developments look like. They are encouraging and with a development like “Biltmore” beginning in that part of town I have hopes that ours will be valuable stuff. I’ll be glad when you see them. I don’t know what you would think of building out there, but I am of the opinion that a nice home out there on one of the tracts would be mighty fine. It looks as though we might get enough out of the Fulford lot to go a long way toward building and furnishing a new home.

Monday A.M.

I stopped here last night and now I want to get this in the P.O. before the mail leaves.

With worlds of love, Dear, and a [ink smear on page] kiss.

Your
Walter.