June 30, 1924

“Written from The Menger, San Antonio”

Dear Miss Ina,

Had I taken Mr. Parman’s advice last evening I would not have left Uvalde until 5PM today. This would have made it possible for me to reach Dallas just as soon, and I probably could have seen you again this noon. I had a “hunch” that I was leaving too soon, but remembered that during the Army days in 1917 I went from here to Dallas in the afternoon. It gave me quite a while to spend here and I rather enjoyed it, but I would much rather have seen you again. But maybe it is best as it happened, for some of your friends might have had an occasion to talk about it. Not that they are different from other people, but in a town of less than 15000 population, everyone knows the affairs of everybody else.

June 30, 1924

June 30, 1924

I realize that we got pretty well acquainted in a short time, but I want you to know that I realized that the time would be short. There was no intention on my part to force myself upon you and monopolize so much of your time, but if we hadn’t gotten acquainted then it would have taken a very long time in letters, and in writing there is always a chance of being misunderstood.

I believe we understand one another pretty good, and you don’t know how glad I am. Ever since you were at Regan Wells, your smile and your eyes have “haunted” me and I had to know you better. I’d like to call you “Angel Eyes” but had better wait to see if I may. Your frankness in telling me about the ring is something that I admire, and I can assure you that I think even more of you. I know that you are not fickle minded, and that you want to be sure of yourself.

As a rule I am quite shy of the girls, and with the exception of the case I told you about, I don’t believe there is anything to tell. Certainly I would tell you if there was more to tell. In the eyes of the public there is a double standard for men and women. So many expect the girl to be as pure as a lily and at the same time know that the men sow their wild oats. I have always entertained the idea of an equal standard and have tried to live as clean a life as I would expect of a girl. You won’t know whether to believe this or not, but nevertheless it is true. I hope that you will have confidence enough to believe me, but can hardly expect you to on such a short acquaintance. The most trying place was in France, and I hope you will believe me when I tell you that I did not have a single date with a girl over there.

I have no girl friends in Dallas and it is seldom that I go any place with one. The girls I knew years ago have all been married for a long time and I haven’t met any new ones, except yourself. As long as you will write and don’t give me a “cold shoulder” I don’t care to go with anyone else. I don’t expect to find anyone with whom I have as much in common, and with whom I could be as congenial. Pardon me for writing it so soon but I want you to know.

I’ll write you from Dallas tomorrow night and I’ll be glad to hear from you anytime you care to write.

Kindest regards to your Mother, Sis and everybody and very best to yourself,

I am,
Sincerely
Walter

Box 208 – Dallas.

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.

July 4, 1924

Friday, July 4th.

My dear Miss Ina,

I was surprised and words can’t tell you how glad I was to get your letter this morning. I was wishing that I could hear from you for it seemed such a long time since I saw you. I am mighty glad that you didn’t wait until you received another letter from me after I had arrived at Dallas.

July 4, 1924

July 4, 1924

When I came by the post office and found your letter, I had just returned from the garage where I carried the Elgin yesterday. It was promised this morning but the mechanics quit work at noon yesterday so as to get a good start on today’s celebration. I had wanted the push rods adjusted and also the carburetor set for this climate as it had not been changed since the cool weather in the Dakotas. Had rather planned that I would look at some property this afternoon with a view of making a deal. It will probably be Sunday afternoon before I can use it now as tomorrow will be a busy day.

Mr. Bishopp is expected home this noon so I understand.

It has been misting rain and has been cloudy all day, which is not very favorable picnic weather. I wonder how you are spending your 4th, then. I wish that I could be with you. You don’t know how very much I enjoyed being with you and I feel that I know you pretty well. Especially since you have some confidence in me. I realize that you confided in me, and “Angel Eyes” I can’t help but love you for it. The frankness with which you told me was something that I’ll always remember, and something that I’ll always admire in you.

Had I stayed over until Monday night some of your friends probably would have remarked about it, but certainly they could not have said anything unfavorable about you. I don’t believe that any of them could say anything except of a complimentary nature. I might have been criticized for not returning with the other folks, as they might have felt that I was not on the job. Your personality and the sweetness of your smile are sufficient evidence of your character, and everybody admires you, they can’t help it. There isn’t another like you, Miss Ina. You have a personal magnetism which accounts for your host of friends.

I could not expect anything else but that you did go pretty regularly with young men and I rather expected that there were about seven, for the simple reason that there are only seven days in a week. I know that each of them would want to see you at least once each week. I would consider myself fortunate if I were one of the seven. At the present I only hope that you will not be disappointed in me and that I may be favored with an occasional letter as nice as the one received today. In the short time we have known one another we have found that we have lots in common, and I trust that in the future we will find that our ideas are even more similar. To be congenial is the basis of all happiness and while it is impossible for two people to always think alike, there should be a tendency to go a little more than half-way. Most people have good intentions if we could always get their viewpoint, but there are some who consider it a weakness of character to agree with anybody.

Yesterday I posted a photo which was selected by some of the office people in Aberdeen as being the best likeness of “yours truly,” but I am of the opinion that they had a mental picture of me when I had to deal with some of the disagreeable customers. I can assure you that I am not so “hard boiled” or “half baked” as the corners of the mouth would indicate. However, this is the only pose that I have a photo of and I am taking a chance by sending it. I also enclosed one of “Johnnie Osh” and myself. I’ll try and find another one of him as he was really a cute little kid. The view from the hotel Consolation gives a fair idea of the scenery near the Swiss border and in the foothills of the Alps. I am told that other sections are more beautiful in the interior of Switzerland, but we were not permitted to cross during the War. From an airplane one can see the snow-capped Alps and get a fairly good idea of the Swiss scenery that so many rave about. It isn’t like what Mark Twain said about Arizona. He said that in Arizona one could see more cows and less milk, more chickens and fewer eggs, and see more country and see less than in any place in the world. However, there isn’t much in the foothills of the Alps except beautiful scenery and timber. We frequently listened for a yodel song but the only time we heard one was when one of our men would sing it. Johnnie’s favorite song was the “Madelon,” though he often sang “One keg of beer for the four of us.” He picked up the Army songs and could sing them before he knew what they meant.

Please remember me when you have a picture of yourself. Haven’t you a Kodak picture that you could give me? The bobbed hair is all right. You did not have yours clipped so close on the back of your head and it will be long again pretty soon, but don’t wait until it grows. I’d like a photo of those eyes and your smile, so please favor me with one. I am enclosing another of Johnnie. Found that I had duplicates in a Kodak album.

Miss Ina I’d like to have you call me Walter if you feel that you know me well enough. The “Mr.” sounds a little distant. May I leave off the “Miss” when writing you? I’ll use it when I am talking in the presence of some one else. Several times in this letter I have almost called you sweetheart but to do so might mean that I won’t get an answer. I don’t want to take that chance now, for I want to hear from you as often as you care to write. I’ll think of you as one and with tender affections but guess I’d better keep this part in reserve. But I told you I’d tell you everything and why should I keep this.

I’ll be mighty glad to get another letter real soon if you care to write, and I won’t think you are a “flapper.” Had I formed that opinion I would hever have asked you for a date. I simply feel that we have so many beliefs in common that it didn’t take us long to get acquainted. I love you, and you might as well know it now as at any other time. I hope you have confidence enough in me to believe it, for I love you far more than you have any idea.

Always,
Walter,

Box 208

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 10, 1924

Thursday Nite
July 10th

My Dear Ina,

Does that sound too familiar? I hope not.

You don’t know how glad I am to get the photo and the Kodak pictures of yourself. They are the next thing to seeing you, which is more than I have the nerve to tell you. You didn’t answer my letter until you had the birthday and then you very modestly told me how you were enjoying it. You are a good one. Maybe it was because you did not want me to send anything. I hope not, for I am taking the liberty to send something anyway. Please accept it, for it is more fun for me to send it than you imagine. I wouldn’t like you near so well if you didn’t take it. I know that you feel that maybe you don’t know me quite well enough and I rather think that your mother would feel the same way, but please try to feel that you do know me well enough. I’d be very glad.

July 10, 1924

July 10, 1924

It was mighty sweet of you to send the photo and you can bet your life that I’ll take good care of it until you want it. I believe that you look younger now than you did at 18, but the smile is just the same. I’ll keep it with me and it will be a real pleasure to have it when I am in Florida. You won’t seem quite so far away. Of the Kodak pictures I like all of ‘em best. All of them are good.

I am just as happy as a kid with a toy. I made the deal and traded in the Elgin today. I looked for quite a while and came back to the little brick-veneer I tried to describe to you. Maybe I can draw a little diagram which would give you some idea.

Dallas house plan

Dallas house plan

This is some drawing and I don’t have room to show the back yard, but it’s there just the same. Tall Johnson grass and brick bats. The garage is just a frame building and at the back of the lot.

I have a negro engaged to plow up the Johnson grass and re-sod with Bermuda. I guess he started this afternoon, cause he didn’t wan “to start no job on Friday.” He started one job on Friday and the following Monday had his finger cut off, so he won’t do it again. The curtain man will put them up tomorrow afternoon. I bought 21 so I guess there are 18 windows. The rear bed room has 6. 3 of the curtains are for doors. The 2 front doors and the ones between the living room and dining room are French.

I expect to get the lawn in pretty good shape and will arrange to have it watered regularly. May start a hedge and put in a few shrubs too, as the nursery people take care of them at first and guarantee them to live.

Don’t know whether I’ll ever live here or not but I want it attractive, for it is the house that one would like to live in that sells. It can’t help but increase in value and if I rent it, the rent will now take care of the payments pretty well. Others to be constructed of the same size but varying in design will be put on the market at $750 more than what I am paying. Will take a Kodak picture before I go to Florida and will send you one. You may think I’m crazy to tell so much about the house, but pardon me, as it is like a new toy to a kid.

The little girl (10) living next door didn’t know why I should want a house. She wanted some one to move there so that she would have some one to play with.

You say that there is nothing of importance on which we disagree, and I have been wondering if there is anything. You must know of something. What is it? Could it be that you think that I drink? Will tell you to what extent. Last Christmas I got a pint in South Dak. and it is yet 5/6 full. I have had one egg nog out of it. If you want the balance of it I’ll bring it down to you. I have never been a drunk and have had very little to drink, even in France. I believe my bad habit is smoking and maybe that’s what you think of. If it is, please tell me. I know that your Dad doesn’t have the habit. I do get an awful lot of comfort out of it and as far as I can tell, it has never been detrimental.

Mr. Parman has a good sense of humor, but in this case it is the Dove who needs the hunting license.

If possible I shall try to leave here Saturday night so that I can be at home for a few days. Won’t you write me soon to Roxie so that I can get it before I go to Fla. I’d be mighty glad to hear from you when I am with my mother and sister. I’ll probably not be there very many days but I’d like a letter anyway.

Always,
Walter.

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 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 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 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 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.