Author Archives: Alan

October 1, 1925 (Walter)

Jax Beach, Thurs A.M.

My Dear Sweetheart,

I worked until late last night and was so sleepy that I waited until this morning to write. Had two real good letters from you yesterday and I enjoyed them. I guess one of them came a day early.

October 1, 1925 (Walter)

October 1, 1925 (Walter)

The weather is certainly fine down here now and I know that you would like it. The wind has gone down leaving a fine little breeze. I do most of my work on the porch here and it is mighty fine. The cottage faces north, but I can see the ocean from the porch. It is two blocks away. The mosquitoes have entirely disappeared so it is good in that respect. I guess it will be this way most all winter and spring though I am told that a few times each winter one can use an overcoat or wrap. The lady who owns this place will soon leave for the winter to be with her husband and then I’ll have the whole place to myself. As he is making good money down the state it is likely that she will now stay down there most of the time. She wants to sell here so that she can stay with him. As it is, she comes up for the summer season and rents for a good price and then works for good wages at the same time. I think she wants about three thousand for the place with everything in the cottage. The cottage itself is not much for looks but is “comfortable,” as you said when you saw the photo. The lot is a good one 75 ft. front and 150 feet deep, is on a corner facing north. Some time it will be worth a good price. The garage is a single one and with a dirt floor. There are no flowers, no trees, the fence is not very good & in all there is a lot to be done but I believe it could be made a good looking place. I believe it would be a good investment. The street west will be a highway to St. Augustine but I don’t know how soon.

It occurred to me that this cottage could be moved to the rear & turned to face the new highway. It could be used for a laboratory. Then we could build to suit ourselves on the front part. This is just an idea. I don’t know how it would strike you. If it were me, I would want to close in the porch and use it as a living room until we did build. I am telling you so you can think it over. I could not buy it right now for I am already buying about as much as is possible. Perhaps the lot at Fulford can be turned at a good profit and then that money could be used as a substantial payment on this. It would not leave a big balance and it could be handled about as easy as I am carrying the Fulford lot at this time.

The acreage near Jax takes $50 per month, but it looks as though I’ll be able to sell one tract for enough to pay for both of them. Then we could hold the other for a good price.

Am telling you this, Dear, so that you can think it over. The lady here doesn’t even know that I am thinking about it. I’d like to take you into a nicer home to start with, but if we can stop some of this real estate money that runs pretty freely at this time, I believe the effort will pay.

I love you Dear and I want you to know that I am constantly thinking of your comfort and happiness.

Your,
Walter.

September 30, 1925 (Ina)

Wednesday Night
Sept. 30, 1925.

My dear Sweetheart:

This has been one of those unusual days when nothing noteworthy has happened. Just the same I wouldn’t feel that any day was complete without a conversation with you, even though it may be in the form of a short note.

September 30, 1925 (Ina)

September 30, 1925 (Ina)

No doubt you will judge from the enclosed paper that I am trying to give you a correspondence course in kindergarten work, but really you have made a wrong guess. Almost every day since you left Thelma Lee has “written” you some sort of a letter and has given a number of them to me to mail. So far, I have run a bluff and not done it. However, I believe my conscience would hurt me if I didn’t send you this “masterpiece.” Part of it is copied from her Primer, part from a tube of toothpaste, and the remainder as per her mother’s instructions. So the news that you can’t find in my letter, will be revealed in hers. I haven’t yet delivered your message of advice in regard to the cats’ names to the children, but I expect to soon as I know it will solve their problem. If they haven’t any unnamed ones, I am sure they will be ready to change the ones they have as they often do. Also, they may want to bestow one or two of the names on their new pet goat.

I love you, Sweetheart, and I would give ‘most anything if you could be here right now. We are having a nice slow rain and it is so nice and cozy inside – just an ideal night for a long chat with the only one in the world you really and truly love as a sweetheart.

Goodnight and sweetest dreams, from

Your own
Ina.

September 29, 1925 (Walter)

Tuesday Night 9/29

My Dear Sweetheart,

Last night I had to go down town so I mailed your letter at that time. I am going to post this one early too. Am writing it before I go to supper. I do not know whether they reach you any quicker this way or not.

It is raining slowly now and it has been since about 3 o’clock. It is now about 6. I have had plenty to do today and I think I made pretty good headway.

September 29, 1925 (Walter)

September 29, 1925 (Walter)

Yesterday, I shipped Dr. White some of the experimental animals. Before he left he wanted them, and after he went back he wrote that it would be just as well to ship them in about six weeks. They are infected with the parasite we were working with when he was here, and as I am on an entirely different lead I am anxious to let him have them. So I shipped them yesterday. I still have a bunch, but it makes quite a difference whether one is working with six or twelve at one time. I expect to use most of mine in the near future so that I can give all my time to the new lead. I can’t help but believe that I am on the right track, but it takes a lot of work to prove it. If this is the right track it is where I slip one over on Dr. White, and I don’t intend to tell him about it until it is worked up with proof. He was so “dog gone” domineering when we first started at the beach, that I intend to leave him out as much as possible from now until we finish. If my new lead is the one, then he will only get a mention in the paper. If the other had been it, he of course would have been a joint author. He wants to make a joint report at Dallas on the work we have done and wants me to write it up. He has his nerve all right. I am going to write him that in as much as our work this summer has been negative as far as we have worked that I do not believe we have data that should be published at this time. I am going to suggest that he can publish on the parasite we worked with in some Journal of Parasitology if he cares to do so. He likes the idea of having some one else do the work and then put his name on the paper as a co-author. He feels that he has an advantage in that every paper presented which deals with disease has to be referred to him for an opinion. Last fall, it was not submitted through channels and I can get by with it again. If I have the right thing, that is what I intend to do this time. I hope that I can give a positive report at Dallas. I’ll present it and then send him a manuscript copy afterwards. He can’t possibly hold it up then until he follows up the work or for any other excuse. If it is positive, I only need to have the diagnosis confirmed, and that is easy.

I guess this is about enough of my “crabbing” as you may call it, but I just wanted you to know what was on my mind.

I love you, Dear, and I want to tell you everything. It is time to eat and I am hungry so I’ll go while it is not raining.

With a sweet goodnight, and with all my love,

Your,
Walter.

September 29, 1925 (Ina)

Tuesday Nite
Sept. 29, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

This has been a very interesting day and not a very busy one either. We had our busy moments in the office, of course, but not nearly as much as I expected. The District Clerk was out of the office a great deal of the time and his deputy was busy in another office, so the main idea was to have someone there all day in case a rush should come. While I was not busy I enjoyed hearing the cases or talking with some of the lawyers who were not busy. Our office joins the courtroom and we left the door open most of the time.

September 29, 1925 (Ina)

September 29, 1925 (Ina)

I went to Thelma’s after work and stayed until seven o’clock when I went to our monthly business meeting of the League. Mama was afraid for me to come home alone after dark, but the moon was shining and I started home about 8:30 which was not very late. No, Spooks didn’t get me. The moon was bright enough for them to get a good look at me, so they passed on.

Your letter of Friday night came today and made me feel good all day long, and I still feel that way. It gives me such a good feeling to know that someone loves me as much as you do and is as true to me as you are. I am sure too that I love you that much, Sweetheart, and I am as true as I know how to be. I love you, love you, and then love you a whole lot more.

Always, your own,
Ina.

September 28, 1925 (Walter)

Monday Night 9/28.

My Dear Sweetheart,

The letter came today, three in one, and they were mighty welcome. I certainly missed them the past few days and some how they make everything look different. I have to pinch myself, to see if it is a dream, or if it is true that I have the love of such a wonderful little girl as yourself. You mean so much to me, Dear. I guess I realize it more after I have waited an extra day or two for a letter.

September 28, 1925 (Walter)

September 28, 1925 (Walter)

I had a busy day and I feel that I accomplished quite a bit. I know that your letter helped a lot.

Had a letter from Mr. Laake today to the effect that Mr. Bishopp had written to him asking about the work and whether he considered it urgent that I join them this winter. Laake says that he would like to have me with them but that he does not want to take any steps which might be contrary to my plans. He knows of our engagement, but I haven’t written to Mr. Bishopp as yet. I’ll do so soon so that he will know what is up. No doubt Dr. Hunter mentioned it to him recently.

Am tired and sleepy, Dear, and I’ll try to chat more the next time.

With a sweet goodnight and with all the love that is possible, I am,

Always your,
Walter.

September 28, 1925 (Ina)

Monday Nite.
Sept. 28, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Your note of Friday Nite came this afternoon, and, even though it was short, as you say, it “hit the spot.” The quality was there just the same, even though there wasn’t as great quantity as there sometimes is. Just one word from you each day means lots to me, whether you have any special news or not. The old story “old but ever new” is always sweet. Love’s story never grows old.

September 28, 1925 (Ina)

September 28, 1925 (Ina)

Really, I am going to work tomorrow. It is only for one day I think. The District Clerk has asked me to help him. Court is in session, and I suppose he is so busy that his deputy is unable to handle it all. It has been so long since I worked that it will be a peculiar sensation I’m sure. It has been six months since I worked regularly, and I have not for one moment had that longing for the “thrill” of public work. Of course, if I were not engaged to be married soon, I would find a position and really enjoy it, but, under the circumstances, I don’t care anything about it. You needn’t ever worry about my regretting my choosing married life to that of the life of a business woman because, even though I do enjoy my office work when I am doing it, I prefer a home and home life with someone I love worlds more than I do the other.

We are going to be happy, Dear, because I love you above everyone, and I believe you feel the same way. Yes, indeed, I do love you.

Always, your
Ina.

September 27, 1925 (Walter)

Sunday Night 9/27

My Dear Little Girl,

No letter last night or tonight so they will probably come in a bunch. I’ll be mighty glad to get them when they do come. Have worked most of today, though I did not get up as early as usual. Couldn’t go to sleep as early last night. This time I was thinking about my work as well as yourself.

September 27, 1925 (Walter)

September 27, 1925 (Walter)

The wind has continued with occasional showers, but they did not amount to very much. There is quite a crowd in the surf. They never pay much attention to rains down here. Dr. KS rather feels disappointed if he goes fishing and it does not rain. As a whole this summer has been dry.

For some time I thought that it would be mighty fine to live here at the beach the year round. One feels that way when he finds the surf so fine. I am not so sure of it now. The salt air rusts things pretty badly, and unless one lives right on the ocean front the mosquitoes give some trouble. I am not so sure but that it is better to live at a higher elevation, but near enough the beach to drive down. This probably accounts for the fact that there has not been as much development between Jax and the Beach. The growth of Jax has been along the St. Johns river, and I expect that soon it will push to the higher elevations west of the city. We hope so anyway, for we want to cash in on the acreage.

I have no news for you, Dear, as I have been sticking so close to my work that I haven’t picked up much. Hope to hear from Mr. Bishopp before long.

I certainly do love you, Dear, and I am mighty happy to think that the time is drawing nearer for me to have you with me always.

With a sweet goodnight,

Your
Walter

September 27, 1925 (Ina)

Sunday Nite.

9/27/25.

Dearest Sweetheart:

No, I didn’t go to church four times today – I went only once, and that was this morning. I think the Sunday School will thrive after I leave, because, as I was absent this morning, they had 306 present which is the largest attendance they have had for years. Our Mississippi cousins were here so I didn’t go. They are going to leave in the morning.

September 27, 1925 (Ina)

September 27, 1925 (Ina)

By the way, I have a confession to make. I am practicing one hand driving!! You perhaps wouldn’t mind if you had been sitting beside me, but you weren’t – nor was anyone else. I was all alone, driving with one hand and holding your letter with the other and reading it all at the same time. I went by the post office after church this morning and found your Wednesday’s letter and, as it was sprinkling rain, I decided I had better not stop to read it until I reached home. I might have known I couldn’t wait that long, so, as soon as I passed through the business part of town, open came the letter and I got quite a thrill out of reading it, even while driving in the rain.

Ray and his wife visited Miss Zoe yesterday and Thelma called on her. She likes her very much. She says she is pretty, sweet, and that they seem to be very happy. I’m so glad. If they love each other as much and are as happy as you and I are and are going to be, I think it’s great.

I love you Sweetheart, and wish and wish for you. I’ll be so happy when I can be with you again.

Always, your own
Ina.

September 26, 1925 (Walter)

Saturday Night 9/26.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Had a good shower of rain this noon and by the time I had finished eating it was all over and the sky was clear. The soil was so dry that it soaked in PDQ. Incidentally, they do not have any mud here after it rains. There is quite a bit of sand. About an hour ago it rained another shower. We are glad to have them. The wind is blowing from the Northeast, and I guess this is what the old timers call a Northeasterner. It always stays for 3, 6 or 9 days. Coming on Sat & Sun will keep the crowds away as these are the busy days for the Board Walk business places.

September 26, 1925 (Walter)

September 26, 1925 (Walter)

I am writing before dinner tonight as it is yet sprinkling. Hope to have a letter down there from you when I go to eat.

Tomorrow is Sunday but I have some work to do. It keeps me on the go just now. It’s because I am so interested in my problem and I’m anxious to get the missing links in C.E.

I love you, Dear, and I wish that I could hug you real hard, right now.

Always your,
Walter.

September 26, 1925 (Ina)

Saturday Night.
Sept. 26, 1925.

My dear Sweetheart:

‘Tis 11:08 P.M. and I wonder what you are doing – slumbering sweetly though I suppose. I am rather late tonight due to the fact that we have company. This afternoon a Mississippi cousin of ours and his wife arrived – coming by to say “Hello-o” before returning to Mississippi. They left home the first of August and drove to California and other states out West. They have seen some wonderful scenery, they say, but have agreed that the old home state will be beautiful to them. It is true that often people have to get away from home for a while in order to properly appreciate it. They expect to leave here Monday morning I think. We have been enjoying them this afternoon – finding out where people we knew back home have gone and what they are doing etc. It is almost equal to a visit there.

September 26, 1925 (Ina)

September 26, 1925 (Ina)

No, Sweetheart, Claudelle was not trying to tease at all about your calling Mama “Mother Lewis.” I’m sure nothing of the kind entered her mind when she wrote it, and, had I had the slighest idea you were going to take it that way, I wouldn’t have sent you the letter. I’m sorry. It was really just this way: Thelma, Claudelle and I have always said “Mama & Papa,” but, as Lucile and Claudelle’s other intimate friends happen to call theirs “Mother,” she decided she would do likewise as she was going away and ‘twould be easier than if she were here with us. ‘Tis only a whim of hers and didn’t have the slightest reference to or connection with what you said. I told Mama how you took it and she was surprised and sorry too. She said she thought the “Mother Lewis” was nice – she liked it.

In one of C’s letters to me she closed it by saying “I love you and Mr. Dove and everybody.”

I am puzzled over Mr. Bishopp’s writing and not saying anything about your staying in Florida. He evidently hadn’t the information yet from Dr. Hunter. Don’t you wish they were as anxious to let you know as you are to know? It is inconvenient for you I’m sure, as you don’t know what to plan about your work. Surely you will hear soon.

I love you, Sweetheart, and if I could be sitting out in the swing in this beautiful moonlight with you, I believe I would try mighty hard to tell you how much. I’d give ‘most anything to be with you right now.

Love,
Ina.