Author Archives: Alan

September 9, 1925 (Ina)

Wednesday Nite.
9/9/25.

My dearest Walter:

I was sure enough lucky today as I received three letters from you. The pleasure of today made up for the disappointment in having to miss one yesterday. You are so good to write often and I send up a mental card of thanks every time I receive one of your letters. They are so soul-satisfying.

September 9, 1925 (Ina)

September 9, 1925 (Ina)

And the cards of scenes from the Beach were very very interesting to me. I always like to form a mental picture of the place where you are living, so I feel that, with these scenes, the pictures of the cottage and everything you have written me about things down there, I have a very good idea of what the place is like. Sweetheart, it makes me want to be down there with you awfully badly. I’m “crazy” to see you and, too, I am sure I would like it down on the Beach. It would be a fine place to begin our honeymoon. It would be an ideal place to be together with just ourselves. I will be happy with you anywhere, but I would be very glad if we could begin down there. However, if it happens that your work calls you elsewhere, we will be happy there too. Whatever happens, I think it will happen for the best.

Oh, yes, about the coffee. I am going to begin tomorrow morning to try to cultivate a taste for it. I’ll let you know about my progress, and if I don’t succeed, I will continue to drink cocoa, but I think it would be much nicer and more convenient for both of us to like coffee.

I have been helping Claudelle mark her clothes, linens etc. today so I have a fine coat of indelible ink on my fingers.

Wish I could be with you tonight. I’d be so happy. I love you, Sweetheart, more than I have ever loved, and more than I ever expect to love anyone.

Always, your devoted

Ina.

P.S. Best regards from “Mother Lewis” and all the family.

September 8, 1925

Tuesday Night 9/8.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Your good letter of Thurs. & Friday was here when I returned from Jax tonight, and I enjoyed every second of it. I was very much interested in what you said about the homesteading idea. I was pretty sure that you felt that way about it and I am glad that you told me just how you felt. I have felt the same way for many years, but it suggested something which I thought might work all alright here. I have given up the idea, so please don’t recall the unpleasant mental pictures you have of the West.

September 8, 1925

September 8, 1925

Dr. White and I spent all forenoon looking at close in acreage near Jax, and it looked too good to turn down. Each of us made a purchase and “our” tract adjoins his. He bought two lots of 10 acres each & I bought one of 10 acres for an investment. Both his and ours are high and dry, located 8 miles due West of Jax Post office on the Atlantic Coast Line RR. At the present time they are about 3 miles (the way a crow flies) from the city limits and about 5 miles in driving. At $75 per acre, with the boom just beginning at Jax, these tracts were too good to pass up. I feel confident that we could double our money on them in less than a year, probably before Christmas. Jax was 125,000 population last year, is about 160,000 now and it is claimed that by 1930 it will be 500,000. At any rate it is growing, and we bought the closest acreage which is high & dry. Please don’t think I am a pig for property, Dear, as it is only because I don’t like to pass up an opportunity like that.

This property jumps to $100 per acre on the 20th of this month, and when the Northern people get down here it is a question how fast it will increase. This tract is one of our “eggs,” Dear, and I hope it will hatch out something for us. I know that it will.

I love you, Sweetheart, and with a sweet “goodnight,” I am,

Your
Walter.

September 7, 1925 (Walter)

Monday Night 9/7

My Dear Sweetheart,

‘Tis Labor Day but we did not take a holiday. There were auto races and big crowds. The restaurant was crowded this noon and evening. I did not go in the surf, but Dr. White joined the multitude.

We are to spend tomorrow A.M. in Jax. Have some work and will also see some small acreage tracts with Dr. White. I rather think that he will invest in some. I believe that they are good investments, but it will require a few years before he will realize a profit. If we were to live near here, I believe they would be good for us but I don’t believe it would be the right thing just now. Must keep in mind that we will want to live where we invest.

September 7, 1925 (Walter)

September 7, 1925 (Walter)

Dr. White will leave Thursday afternoon, but will spend Wed PM with his niece. His work here is about over. The latter part of his stay has been very agreeable and after we had an understanding things seemed to go better. We have not proven that we have the host of “Aggie” but it certainly looks favorable at the present time. Will tell you all about when I am with you, Dear. I hope to hear from Mr. Bishopp before I go down the state. It would give me a better idea as to what I should do down there. If I am to return to Dallas, I’ll spend a little more time down there on this trip.

I did not get a letter yesterday or today, but they will probably come together tomorrow. It is a lot of fun to get several in one day.

Sweetheart, I have not seen a girl down here whom I could compare with you. They don’t grow as pretty. I’ve tried to find some-one whom I could point out to Dr. White so that he would know what you look like but there is no such one except yourself. I realized this a long time ago but I was in hopes that I could give him a pretty good idea. You are the only Ina and the only one I love. Gee, but I love you. The best part of it, is that I know that you care for me too, Dear. There won’t be any jealousy in our family, for I believe both of us can be trusted. I have unlimited confidence in you.

I love you Dear and only God knows how much.

Always your,
Walter.

September 7, 1925 (Ina)

Monday Night
Sept. 7, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Your note of Thursday night came this afternoon, and I appreciated it just as much as I would have a long letter because the spirit was there just the same. Of course I enjoy the longer ones more because they last longer, but this one was fine as long as it lasted. Of course we can’t always have lots of news to write because we write so often, but your letters are interesting to me – very very interesting – even though they might not contain a single thing that outsiders would call “news.” If you didn’t say a thing except “I love you” I would get quite a thrill out of it. I wish I could have been with you the night you wrote the note. Yes, Dear, a nice quiet place like the beach would be fine for a honeymoon. It would please me very much and I am sure I wouldn’t get lonesome if you were there.

September 7, 1925 (Ina)

September 7, 1925 (Ina)

Just at sunset this evening Mr. Parman came out to kill a rabbit, and, while he was hunting, Mrs. Parman visited with us. They have an idea that perhaps Mr. Parman will be called to Dallas soon to work for a while. They are waiting for a letter from Mr. Bishopp. You, also, are waiting for one, aren’t you. I know you are anxious to hear, and I am too. The Beach, Dallas or anywhere suits me for a honeymoon. The main idea is the honeymoon and not the place. I hope that you can arrange at all times to be at the place that is best suited for your work.

Do you realize, Sweetheart, that only four months ago tonight you had your first date with me after our long separation? How different things are now to what they were then! Can’t a short time make a wonderful lot of difference? We didn’t know then that within a few days we were going to be engaged, did we? That night was a rather uncertain one for both of us. Neither one knew just what the other one thought and how much he felt about it. However, we didn’t lose much time the next few days in getting “reacquainted.” ‘Twas very interesting, don’t you think?

One thing I know – I love you ‘most to death now, and I am ten dozen times happier over it all tonight than I was four months ago tonight.

Forever, your loving
Ina.

Tuesday Night.
9/8/25.

Dearest Sweetheart:

None of us went down town today as we were so busy, so here comes a lengty P.S. to last night’s letter. This has been another one of those “something lacking” days without a letter from you. I can look forward to perhaps two tomorrow though.

This evening Papa was not feeling well, so Claudelle and I extended our hike down into the pasture to coax the cows home. After quite a search, we found them and thought we were driving them home, but, after walking the poor creatures almost down, we saw no sign of home. We turned, and after much wandering and wondering on the part of all parties concerned, the house loomed up in the distance and we had no regrets because it was getting dark. Honey, I am relating all this to you, not because it is of unusual interest, but because it is intended for a timely warning to you that after we are married, you will have to tie a pretty little blue ribbon about my neck and lead me around like the ladies do their little poodles, to keep me from getting lost.

Yes, four months ago tonight we were stranded upon the hilltop in the storm and flood, and ’twas also four months ago tonight that you got your “Sunday pants” muddy. It is now nearly ten o’clock. We were soaked well by that time weren’t we? Just at this point I want to recommend wrapping paper as a splendid protection when used as a coat against the hardest of rains, winds and hail. It also has unusual warmth. I think it was all a very amusing experience.

I am not accustomed to late hours for the past few months, Dear, so I am getting sleepy.

Goodnight and sweet dreams.

I love you.

Ina.

September 6, 1925 (Walter)

Jacksonville Beach, Fla.,
Sunday P.M.

My Dear Sweetheart,

It is rather hot outside today, but since I came back to the cottage a breeze has started and it is pleasant enough. Quite a number of people are here for the week end and for Labor Day tomorrow. Under usual conditions, the activities of Labor Day close the season and only the residents are here all winter. There are about 2000 who live here the year around. The post cards give an idea of this place. I should have sent them long ago but it did not occur to me that I should until today. They will give an idea of the place, but it is larger than when those cards were made.

September 6, 1925 (Walter)

September 6, 1925 (Walter)

The crowd in the surf have no attraction for me, but I certainly do wish that you were here to go with me. I’d be mighty happy. But you will be here and we will enjoy the surf when you join me. It was three months last night that you said “yes.” I wonder if you thought of it, I did, but after I had written. I have been mighty happy ever since then & I certainly believe that we are beginning a long period in which both of us will be happy. Dear, I certainly do love you. I am in hopes that we can come down here just after we are married and that we can begin our life time honeymoon here at the beach. I do not know of a better place to start. I do not have many acquaintances down here and do not know any in a social way as I have not attempted to get acquainted. It will no doubt be a good thing for the time that we will be here will be comparatively short, and I have an idea that I would like to see “just you” and to be with “just you” during that time.

With the same love, Dear, and with a sweet goodnight, I am,

Your
Walter.

September 6, 1925 (Ina)

Sunday Night.
Sept. 6, 1925.

Dear Sweetheart:

We have just returned from church services. I drove home alone since Claudelle had a date and Mama and Papa came home in the Ford. As Claudelle and I have to go to League so early in the evening, Mama and Papa can’t go with us but they follow up about an hour later. When C. leaves for school I am going to try again to persuade Mama and Papa to go to places more than they do now. I want them to get in the habit so that they will not be so lonely when we both are away. They are accustomed now to having young people around and that keeps them feeling younger, but I can’t bear the idea of their settling down out here after we leave and growing old. They are both inclined to be very much of “stay at homes.”

September 6, 1925 (Ina)

September 6, 1925 (Ina)

The moonlight on the water sounds very tempting to me. I wish I could be with you this evening and we could go in the surf together. We are going to be so happy, Sweetheart, when we can be together always. I get so much pleasure out of planning it.

In your Wednesday’s letter which I received today you sounded so tired and sleepy after your trip into Jacksonville. I know how you feel after a rushed day and I know how you crave a good night of refreshing sleep. Sometimes those days that seem the busiest and most tiresome are those on which we feel that we have accomplished least. However, later we often find that day’s work amounted to a great deal more than we thought it did at the time. I have been through a number of days like that in my business experience and also in my work at home. Even at that though, every day is immensely worth living.

I love you Sweetheart, most preciously and would give worlds to be with you right now and tell you in the most “impressive” way.

Always your
Ina.

September 5, 1925

Jacksonville Beach.
Saturday Night.

My Dear Sweetheart,

This has been the hottest day I have experienced in Florida, and while I do not know what the temperature registered, no doubt it was the effect of the high humidity. It was a pretty busy day for me in Jax and perhaps I felt it more. It is quite a bit cooler tonight and as usual everyone will sleep well. There was quite a crowd in the surf before dinner and until now 10 PM.

September 5, 1925

September 5, 1925

Tomorrow and Monday (Labor Day) will bring big crowds down here, and too, they have added attractions in the way of auto races.

While in Jax today I made a reservation for Dr. White which would mean that he leaves there Thursday afternoon at 3 o’clock. His niece will be at Jax Wednesday en route to Daytona where she is to teach.

They are boosting real estate here at the beach and some predict that this winter the place will have an open season just the same as they have down the state. I can hardly believe this, though there probably will be some to spend the whole winter here besides the residents.

I love you, Sweetheart, and I’d write a longer letter this time, but regardless of how long I made it I could not tell you how much.

With a sweet goodnight,

Your,
Walter.

September 4, 1925

Friday Night 9/4.

My Dear Sweetheart,

I am happy tonight – both letters came at one time. They were short and sweet and as usual they hit the spot.

It was awfully nice of you, Dear, to say that you would cook all three meals if I thought my digestion would stand it. You can bet your life that my digestion can stand it and I already know that you are a dandy little cook. Too, your taste is very similar to mine and I know that both of us will enjoy the meals. I guess I’ll have to drink coffee by myself but this will be all right. Mother Lewis is a good cook and from what I know of your cooking, I know that you are a good one too. I am looking forward with pleasure to yours.*

September 29, 1925

September 29, 1925

I agree with you and the minister who preached that The World is Getting Better. Years ago everyone had a high fence around the house and on the inside of the yard they had a ferocious dog. Lots of them have gotten rid of the dog and some have taken part of the fence down. I have particular reference to homes in the cities, as both the fence and dog are often necessary in homes on ranches and farms.

I am going to Jax again tomorrow morning and I guess I’ll be up there most of the day. Dr. White will stay down here. It makes a pretty hard day and he is older than I. He goes in the surf about twice each day and has quite a coat of tan, much more than I have. I believe that he is going to invest in a lot or two here on the beach. He thinks it is mighty fine and that the beach will develop. I believe it will, but I also believe that I made a better purchase at Fulford. I’ll be down there the latter part of the month and will investigate the present value. You did not mention the idea of a homestead, and I guess that it did not strike you favorably. I won’t consider it if you do not approve of it. I want you to know, Dear, that I have no idea of giving you any undesirable place to live. I want it to be such that both of us will enjoy it and I am going to do my best to make it that way.

You mean the world to me and I love you lots and lots and lots.

With a sweet goodnight, I am,

Yours always & forever,
Walter.

* Walter was a true gentleman.

September 3, 1925

Thursday Nite 9/3.

My Dear Sweetheart,

No letter today but I am sure that it will be here tomorrow. The letter of yesterday was a real good one so I’ll read it some more.

There was a good crowd in the surf this afternoon and the water was fine. It was one of the days when a person will not get sun-burned and can enjoy it all the time.

September 3, 1925

September 3, 1925

There has been no excitement of any kind. Everything is quiet. If you like a quiet place for a honeymoon you will certainly like it down here. But I’ll try and keep you from being lonesome.

I love you, Dear, and while this letter is a short one, I always want to remind you of this fact.

With a sweet goodnight,

Yours always, & all ways,
Walter

September 2, 1925

Wednesday Night.

My Dear Sweetheart,

I just received a nice long letter from you and I should write you a good one if I possibly could, but Dear, I am awfully tired and sleepy. Took the early train & spent the whole day in Jax. Was busy the whole time too. Missed the train I intended to take as KS and I ate lunch together and it was a place where they don’t serve quickly. So the rest of the afternoon was spent in mailing out reprints of the New Orleans report, like the copy I sent you. KS said that I should mail one to each of my girls and he rather expected to see one addressed to a “Miss.” I sent you the first one I received, even before I had a regular mailing envelope.

September 2, 1925

September 2, 1925

I note what you said about the wedding present, and I am mighty glad that you gave me your ideas. I want you to always be that way and then we will not have on hand some presents to be stored in the attic. You did not suggest what you wanted, I’ll think about it some more and will ask you what you think. It might be a good idea to wait until after the wedding and then let you suggest. Something given may suggest one to complete a set etc.

It is an extremely pleasant pastime to plan what we want and I certainly do get a lot of pleasure in thinking of you and that you are soon to be with me always. I’ll probably hear from Mr. BIshopp before a great while to the effect that I can either spend the whole time down there or that I should join Mr. Laake in Dallas. I hope we can come here, but either way will be a mighty happy trip if you are with me. Sweetheart, I certainly do love you.

It certainly is nice that Lucile and Claudelle are going to room together and that they are going to be so near home. It will be lonesome for Mother Lewis for a while. I guess I am calling her Mother a little soon. It certainly sounds all right to me.

I didn’t go in the surf today but the moonlight on the water looks tempting tonight. It will be just as beautiful when you are with me, and I’ll enjoy it more for there is no one else whom I want to go in with except you.

If Dr. White’s plan sticks, he will leave me a week from today.

I’m mighty sleepy, Dear, so with a real sweet “goodnight,” I am,

Yours forever & always,

Walter.