Tag Archives: snakes

October 9, 1925

Friday Night.

My Dear Little Girl,

Have worked hard all day toward closing up work and getting things together for the trip. It looks as though it will be Monday before I get started. It will take that long. As there will be no one here in the house I am getting things so that they can be stored. Also some material I’ll send to Washington and get that out of the say. Today I used all of my animals and there will be none to leave with the neighbors for attention.

October 9, 1925

October 9, 1925

You are a good shot to have killed the snake by shooting it through the head. They have rattle snakes down here so I am told, but I have never seen one. It might be a good idea to keep in practice with your shooting. If you had the revolver in the pocket of your car Sweetheart, and also had it loaded, it might be handy when you need it the next time. Really, no kidding, you should have it there for protection when you are driving. I often read and hear of cases in which a negro jumps on the running board. I wouldn’t have you frightened that way for anything in the world, and I’d feel better if I knew that you had some protection in case such a thing should happen to you.*

With a real sweet goodnight and with all my love, your,

Walter.

* Yes, these letters were written in the early 20th century, and I’m not editing them. Walter’s and Ina’s opinions are their own, and were a product of the times and places they lived in.

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?

August 27, 1925 (Ina)

Thursday Nite
Aug. 27, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

It was late when I returned from down town so we left the house at dark this evening and took our walk by moonlight. The moon was bright enough for us to be able to see snakes if there had been any, but when we returned Mama had resolved for us that we shouldn’t take any more walks after dark since the Mexican man who has been on the Hollifield ranch (that joins ours) for about a month had just told her that he had killed fourteen rattlesnakes there during his stay. It was nice of him to kill them before they came over to see us, don’t you think?

August 27, 1925 (Ina)

August 27, 1925 (Ina)

Thelma and I have been making calls this afternoon. It is something that I don’t indulge in often – not nearly as often as I should. I always enjoy it when I get started, but it takes me a long time to get started.

The account of your Saturday afternoon hunt was very interesting. An experience similar to that adds interest to life, don’t you think? The last excitement I had along such lines was our experience in the storm. However, I suppose yours of Saturday was a little lacking in romance, was it not?

Sweetheart, I am glad you took the idea of the church wedding so nicely. It was mighty sweet of you not to object, so, with your permission, we will plan it that way. It really will be a lot more convenient and I am glad you can see it that way too. As far as I can see now, it will not be necessary to have a reception afterwards. If we are still living out here it seems to me that it would be quite a distance to come after the ceremony just for a short reception. I have not decided yet whether or not to be married in a traveling suit. In case I should not, I could very easily change clothes at Thelma’s. I want you to feel free to express your opinion on anything in regard to the wedding because it is your wedding as much as it is mine, you know. It makes it seem more like a reality when we begin planning things definitely and I get so happy and enthusiastic.

Yes, Dear, I understand your explanation of your work, our possible locations etc. and it was very interesting to me. I think you are wise in studying the situation carefully before deciding definitely what you want to do. I am sure it will all come out all right and that we are going to be happily located somewhere.

I love you Sweetheart, worlds and worlds and want so much to see you. I think of you most all the time.

Your devoted
Ina.

August 12, 1925 (Ina)

Wednesday Nite
Aug. 12, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Claudelle and I have just finished our evening walk. We didn’t go until unusually late as she did not return from down town in time. It was almost dark when we started and we could imagine all sorts of snakes and things before we came in sight of the house. Our imaginations were so active that when a poor little innocent grasshopper settled himself peacefully on my dress for a rest I accidentally became aware of his whereabouts by upsetting him with my hand. I gave a hop, skip and a jump that made us both almost think a rattlesnake had me. I hereby resolve never to go out for a pleasant stroll in the pitch dark on a ranch road that snakes like so well.

August 12, 1925 (Ina)

August 12, 1925 (Ina)

No, I didn’t get a letter today. I miss them very much when I don’t get them, but I spend the rest of that day in looking forward to the next when I feel sure that I will receive one.

I love you, Sweetheart, lots and lots and would give so much if I could be with you tonight.

Your devoted,
Ina.

Thursday Night.
Aug. 13, 1925.

Dearest Walter:

Yes, sir-ree, I did get it today and I’ve been happy “every minute” since. Mama, Papa, Claudelle and I were on our way to the Neuces River when we went by the post office and found your letter. It was a good one and made my swim a lot more pleasant.

Even Mama and Papa went in swimming so you know the water must have been tempting. There were about 30 people in and everyone seemed to be having a good time. I thought of you a great deal while we were in the water and imagined that you were enjoying the surf at the same time.

I noted what you said of Mrs. Gallagher. I suspected quite a while ago that perhaps she had a deeper interest in you than mere appreciation for the attention you paid the children. I didn’t blame her a bit because I am “rather” interested in you myself. However, I am not jealous, just because I feel that if you were going to fall in love with her, you would have done it last summer, and second, because I am convinced that you truly love me and I know that you will be true to me. From the description you have given me of Mrs. Gallagher, I feel sure that I will like her, and I know the children are cute. I think it will be nice if you have the little boy down on the beach with you to spend a while. It will be a treat for him and you will enjoy it too.

We appreciated the compliment you paid Thelma Lee and Reitha. They certainly think lots of you and speak of you often.

Lots of love from one who loves you more than anyone else in the world.

Ina.