Postcard from Washington, DC, postmarked Atlanta, GA.
At Griffin last night & here this AM. Saw Mr. Yeo tonight also Mr. Gaddis. Mr. S. at Valdosta tonight and due here tomorrow P.M. No further news from Wash. on status of coop-agreements.
Walter.
April 1, 1936
Postcard from Washington, DC, postmarked in Atlanta, GA.
Wed. AM.
Arrived Atlanta Thurs. Noon, expect RA, Bruce, Brundrett and McGehee for conference. Plan come home just after conference. Will have to go to Wash. again shortly account final cooperative arrangements. Our project has been recommended as a division. Mr. Strong is driving & will be Savannah about April 1.
Walter.
March 25, 1936
Postcard sent from Washington, DC.
Still in DC & anxious to come home. May get away today (Tues.) but one can never tell. Saw the Corts at Baltimore, & Dr. Roark yesterday. New film on Screw Worms needs a lot of work and Mr. Hall is helping out.
Walter.
March 24, 1936
Saturday PM.
My dear Sweetheart,
All this week I have thought that I would be able to return to Atlanta right-a-way, but the job of getting the work program cooperative statement for states and a thousand other things have prevented it. This noon I gave the information in typed form to Mr. Rohner and I hope that I can get away Monday PM. If so, I’ll be in Atlanta Tuesday noon. After a few days of organization work in Georgia and a conference with Bruce and Roberts I’ll have to return here. As a matter of fact, Mr. Rohner says that I’ll have a lot of travel between Washington and the field until things are going. The job is not easy but I’ll have a lot of experienced men to assist me this time. I have not been officially informed, but I learn that the job is to be set up on a pay with other division chiefs at $5200 or $5600, I do not know which pay. At present it is the same $4200.
March 21, 1936
Headquarters are to be at San Antonio Texas and I guess you will not mind that, except for our house and furniture at Savannah. Think you would want to stay at Savannah until after school closes when we should have an office set up at San Antonio.
Not many men to be used this year, but a variety in the program. More instruction necessary and more supervision & more responsibility. I am to have full charge but that means under Mr. Strong.
The telegram from Ethel shocked me and I hope Marshall is OK to. Did you get word to Frank? I am sure that they had a comfortable place in a neighbor’s home until they could get a place. Ethel & Marshall are known by all there and I am sure that they are well liked. It is a shame to suffer the loss, but I feel that Marshall had some insurance. Too, his bonus should help out some.
I have been stopping at the Hotel Cushing and in spite of their protests I think I can pay them OK. I drew $25 from our account since I left, asked Ethel to draw $100, will need about $30 for Cushings Monday. If our check went from Atlanta, deposit it. If not, there is plenty to take care of everything. I have not given the $100 to the New England for annuity yet and will wait until we can check up at Savannah.
Will ask R.A. to meet me at Savannah for a conference, after I get all of the state supervisors together at Atlanta. I plan to use him as my right hand man if agreeable to him.
Excuse me for running away after I got to Atlanta, but I think it is to our mutual advantage.
With lots & lots of love to the three of you.
Your
Walter.
Western Union telegram.
1936 MAR 20 PM 1 39
MRS W E DOVE
PHONE 4737 SAVANNAH GA=
WIRING ETHEL DRAW DRAFT ONE HUNDRED OUR BANK ACCOUNT STOP SHE AND CHILDREN ESCAPED FIRE BUT EVERYTHING LOST STOP SHE IS WRITING SAVANNAH STOP TRYING FINISH HERE TOMORROW SO CAN RETURN ATLANTA AND SAVANNAH TO ORGANIZE NEW WORK SOUTHEAST STOP GET HULL GIVE NEWS FRANK STOP HOPE YOU CHILDREN FINE=
W E DOVE
March 20, 1936 (Walter)
Friday A.M.
March 20, 1936.
Dearest Sweetheart:
It would be nice if you would write your wife once in a while if nothing more than a card. The grocery store cares that much about us. Just this morning I received a nice card from Orsini’s. John telephoned me about the letter he received from you yesterday. He or Sara have been ‘phoning me twice a day since you left to know if I have heard anything. They are so anxious to know if they will be returning to Fort Pierce. Also, since receiving your letter John wants to know if he is supposed to let Mr. Strong know that he knows of the new screw worm arrangement when he comes.
March 20, 1936 (Ina)
John telephoned Ethel’s message to us this morning. He forwarded it to you. I’m so sorry their house burned. Can we do anything to help? I hope they had plenty of insurance. John said he imagined that, being in a bank, Marshall would pay special attention to properly insuring his home. Of course there are dozens of things that insurance never can replace. Think of the old letters that would be destroyed if our house should burn! I shall write Ethel today.
Don’t try to cross the Potomac. I notice in today’s paper that it is on a rampage and is threatening Washington’s Monument. You probably hadn’t noticed.
I was lucky last week. About 9:30 last Saturday night a man from Adler’s telephoned and said he was pleased to inform me that I had won their second prize of the week – $25 – in merchandise. I had been saving up coupons, you see. They give one for each 50ยข purchase. The drawings take place every Saturday night. Now I believe in Santa Claus. I haven’t decided what I shall buy with the $25.00. I was hoping you would come home some time and help me decide. After all it was your credit I used. I had thought of part of it for slip covers for the couch and your chair – pretty printed linen ones. However, if we are going to have to rent our house furnished I am not in favor of spending any more on furnishings. We can buy anything or any number of things we like – up to $25.00. Of course, now, if we could strike a sale there we might get our money’s worth. Mr. Dyer said he would rather we would make our selections within the next 30 days.
We all feel fine. Our colds are practically well. Walter White’s hearing is perfectly normal now. He has not missed any time from school. His report card shows that he passed in everything but his writing grade is nothing to crow about. He is improving though. In “Effort” he received a mark of “Excellent,” so I suppose we can’t tell him that he doesn’t try. I’m especially proud of the fact that he can assemble and fly his own kite without help from anyone and with the shedding of very few tears. He and I are doing very well selling magazines. He gets enough commission to buy guns and kites. He’s saving up coupons too. Lewis Dunbar is a very sweet child. He keeps us all busy.
We had a letter from Claudelle today. She has mumps and Mrs. Palmer has flu so they have not been to Galveston.
I love you just the same.
Always, your
Ina.
Wednesday A.M.
March 11, 1936.
Is your overcoat heavy enough?
Dearest Sweetheart:
Congratulations and more congratulations! Quite a come-back you’ve made. I’m anxious to know the particulars. I telephoned John and he was elated; so much so, in fact, that he said he was going to wire the news to Frank immediately in a personal telegram. When I questioned the wisdom of it he said he was sure there would be no harm in a personal telegram. He knew R.A. and Frank would be very much interested he said. Of course I’m wondering where your headquarters will be etc. etc.
March 11, 1936 (Ina)
Yesterday afternoon Sara and two other ladies were here. She said Dr. Atchley failed his physical examination in the same way that he had done previously. I think the doctor took him through the book. However, he did have the kindness to write a nice letter in which he said he thought this handicap would not interfere with Dr. Atchley’s being able to do his work well. However, I think Dr. A. has given up hope. I’m sorry.
Monday afternoon I carried Walter White to Dr. Lang. He examined his ears and said the tubes were stopped up. As a result of his cold his adenoids are swollen, obstructing the tubes so that he is hard of hearing. He prescribed some nose drops and said they should correct the condition in a few days. He said a great many people were having the same trouble this winter. I see no improvement yet but I’m sure there will be soon. He is the first doctor who has said W.W.’s tonsils and adenoids should be removed. He says it should be done this summer as they are bad. I think you and I agree with each other on such operations though. W.W. is feeling fine, is in school and is so full of pep that a rainy day like yesterday is just too bad. I’m thankful for today’s sunshine so he can play outside.
I think Lewis Dunbar has a little fever today but is at least 50% better than he was yesterday. He wouldn’t sleep anywhere then except on my lap.
Laura came this A.M. but was almost too weak to walk so she went with me after Mazie [?]. Laura thinks she will be able to work again by Sunday.
Please give my love to the Cushings and the Halls.
Lots of love to you.
Always, your
Ina.
P.S. About half of this letter sounds like a recitation of grief. I don’t mean it that way. I just thought you would be interested. Love, Ina.
1936 MAR 11 AM 12 12
MRS W E DOVE
FONE 4737 1504 EAST 51 T SAVANNAH GA=
ARRIVED TUESDAY MORNING AND HERE SEVERAL DAYS STOP WILL CONDUCT ALL CONTROL WORK NEW PROGRAM UNDER STRONG OFFICE STOP TEN STATE ORGANIZATIONS BUT REDUCED NUMBER FIELD MEN PER STATE STOP WORKING UP PLANS NOW AND WILL SPEND TOMORROW NIGHT CUSHING RESIDENCE STOP DINNER TONIGHT BISHOPS FAMILY STOP CORDIALLY RECEIVED LOVE=
WALTER.
March 11, 1936 (Telegram)
Stationery from the Hotel Houston, Washington, DC.
Washington, D.C. March 10 1936
My dear Sweetheart,
I wired the news by night letter and there is very little more to tell now. I am to have full charge under Strong’s office, which means not full charge, but as near full charge as any one else in Bureau. Right now I am busy trying to make set ups and detailed plans for work of next season. This to be done before the Cooperative Statement for States can be prepared. It means I’ll be here several days this time. (Will mail Income tax blank & check to Savannah). I am told by Cushing Bishopp & Rohner that the temporary nature of the S.W. program does not mean that I’ll not have a place when this is over. A place will be held open for me. Rohner insists that I have nothing to worry about on that score.
March 10, 1936
Do not know if we will have two administrative offices in field as planned or only one. Atlanta is undoubtedly too far east for a single office. Seems that Texas would be better, since program includes California. More about this later.
Bishopps were very cordial to me tonight and had a wonderful dinner. I am sure that he feels hurt. I intend to be so d. nice and cooperative, because I will not be subject to his many suggestions! I am writing Mr. Townsend & John but I certainly want the present kept secret. It is not known about Washington, even in B’s office. Parman and Babcock are to return to research. Roberts and Bruce are to be with me. All other state men etc. to be with me.
The music goes round and round but it is not coming out here very much.
There are a number of things to be discussed & all plans to be made.
With all my love, Honey,
Your
Walter
Postal Telegraph – “Telephone Your Telegrams to Postal Telegraph.”
1936 Mar 11 AM 12 12
WASHINGTON DC 10
ARRIVED TUESDAY MORNING AND HERE SEVERAL DAYS STOP WILL CONDUCT ALL CONTROL WORK NEW PROGRAM UNDER STRONG OFFICE STOP TEN STATE ORGANIZATIONS BUT REDUCED NUMBER FIELD MEN PER STATE STOP WORKING UP PLANS NOW AND WILL SPEND TOMORROW NIGHT CUSHING RESIDENCE STOP DINNER TONIGHT BISHOPS FAMILY STOP CORDIALLY RECEIVED LOVE=
WALTER.
March 11, 1936