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August 26, 1925

Jacksonville Beach, Fla
Wednesday Night 8/26.

My Dear “Lovable and Loving” Sweetheart,

The Ouija didn’t tell me to begin this letter with such a salutation, but it sounded so well in your letter that I am acting as a Poly-parrot in repeating it. Your letter made mighty good time. The Sunday letter came tonight. It left North Uvalde at 4 PM Sun. No doubt you were lonesome that afternoon, Dear, and I certainly wish that I could have been with you. But the time is coming when we will be together practically all the time, and then you may get tired and call me such a name as “Beeswax.”

August 26, 1925

August 26, 1925

We were quite busy today and tomorrow we are going to Jax to look up the origin of two severe cases of creeping eruption. The patients are electricians who were wiring a new home. Thus far, our cases have not been extensive and most of them had only a few lesions so we are tickled to have such cases at this time. We believe that we are working with the right thing, but as yet have not perfected laboratory technique of growing them to the infectious stages in quantities for good tests.

We are in hopes that we have the right methods, but it will take some time and quite a bit of work to be sure. The locations tomorrow will probably be very suggestive and may furnish the stages we are searching for. The adults can barely be observed with the naked eye, and when they are filled with blood, so you see the thing is quite small. The forms which cause the skin affection are yet smaller, and the size has been the reason why they were never found until last year. You will know all about them when you are with me, Sweetheart, though I don’t believe you will ever have any infections yourself. We will know how to avoid them. We have some very good treatments in case we should have neighbors affected.

Please pardon this short note, but I have some records to write up and I want to do this while they are fresh in my mind. I’ll not have time to do it tomorrow as we will be away & busy all day.

I love you, Dear, and with a real sweet kiss I’ll say “goodnight.”

Your,
Walter.

August 25, 1925 (Walter)

Tuesday Night, Aug 25th.

My Dear Sweetheart,

This noon I received your letter of Friday night, and tonight your letters of Wed. and Thurs. came. It was a mighty pleasant surprise to get the two extra ones, for I had thought that possibly you had not managed to get them posted. I am sure that the first two went to Jacksonville, while the last one came direct to the Beach. They were just as sweet as they could be and I wish you knew how much I enjoy them.

August 25, 1925 (Walter)

August 25, 1925 (Walter)

It was nice of Mrs. Parman to give a photo of her home and I am pleased that you thanked her for both of us. It reminds me that I promised to make one of her home while I was in Uvalde but neglected it until it was too late. However, the camera was left there and I presume that DC made it. The photo she gave has a sentiment that I rather like, too, but I am sure that it is different from the mental picture that I have. You would have to be standing on the porch to make it like the one I have in my mind. I certainly did hate to leave there. Dr. White says that he can’t understand how I could leave there on the 5th P.M. and pack up at Dallas & reach here the night of the 9th. I had to hustle, but I wanted to be with you as long as possible. I’ll never forget how excited Mrs. Parman was when we told her that you were leaving with me. Next to you and I, she will be more pleased over our marriage than anyone else. It will be the happiest day of my life, Dear, and I hope and believe that it will be the beginning of a lot of happiness for both of us.

You asked for me to suggest a present for you and you will tell me what you think of my suggestion. I believe it should be something which we would probably not get in the ordinary purchases, but something which you could use very nicely. Rather a luxury than a necessity. I know that you would hesitate to make such a suggestion, but if I get something to please you I’ll have to get an idea of what you want. I have thought something of getting started on a set of solid silver, and then add to it from time to time until a complete set is obtained. This would be of such a nature that I would want you to select the pattern. The same thing comes into my mind if we start on some DeHaviland China or a set of Libby’s cut glass. I want you to have a set of each and perhaps it would be well to start on them with a wedding gift but I believe you should decide on the designs you want. Perhaps this could be done to better advantage when they have been compared and after we are married. Maybe a Lovelier (I guess that’s the way to spell it) would be OK. Something in white gold, possibly of a pendant nature, with a couple or three small diamonds. If you have an idea of what you would like I’d like to know.

I can think of any number of things we would need for the home but I don’t believe this present should be of that nature. It depends upon what you think about it. I think it should be something which would last you a lifetime and on the nature of a luxury. We can’t expect to have everything to start out with, but we can plan on what we want and have the pleasure of getting them. I think that is about the greatest pleasure one can have.

Dear, I’d rather you would not worry about your wardrobe and if you are planning your needs in clothing, I’d plan about the same that you would wear as far south as Uvalde. The winters in Florida are mild, too, and I believe it is a pretty safe bet to say that we will spend the latter part of the winter and spring down here. Just as soon as I know I’ll certainly let you know and I believe you will then have plenty of time to decide on some of the things. You need not try to have so many clothes ready. You see, I have never had a wife and I hardly know about a wife’s clothing etc.

It was real sweet of you to say that you thought it would be nice on the beach this winter. I have wondered how this would strike you. I would much rather go direct to our home and know that we were not stopping at a place temporarily. I rather wish that it were possible to have our Dallas cottage in Florida.

Must say “goodnight” Sweetheart for it is getting late. I love you and with all my heart.

Always your,
Walter.

August 25, 1925 (Ina)

Tuesday Nite.
Aug. 25, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

It is now fifteen minutes until twelve, and we have just returned from a party so I will just say “Hello-o,” good night and sweet dreams and

I love you.

Your sleepy,
Ina.

August 25, 1925 (Ina)

August 25, 1925 (Ina)

Wednesday.

Dearest Walter:

Yes, it was a League party and everyone seemed to have had a good time. It was given as a farewell party honoring Gladys, Alberta, Nina Mae and Bobby Odom who are moving away tomorrow.

I didn’t have a letter yesterday but I received two the day before so I feel duly grateful for them. One of them was my yesterday’s letter that just arrived a day ahead of time. You are so good about writing and Sweetheart, I love you for that and everything else.

Yours always,
Ina.

August 24, 1925 (Walter)

Monday Night 8/24

My Dear Swetheart,

The wind has subsided some and today it has been raining regular spring showers. According to the old timers these “Northeasterners” last for 3, 6, or 9 days and usually close with some rain. We have had two days of the wind so we expect that tomorrow will be the last day. The beaches are certainly nice and clean with all the rough places smoothed out. I believe it is a good thing to have one of these occasionally, but it is a little unfortunate if one happens to be driving up the beach.

August 24, 1925 (Walter)

August 24, 1925 (Walter)

Dear, you don’t know how much I wish you were down here with me. It will be dull here during the winter but the people who live here say that it is delightful and that there is hardly a day but what one can go in the surf. As a place to begin our “long time” honeymoon, it strikes me as being a very desirable place. If we are living here before going down the state, we could do our shopping for furniture and household goods at Jax and have plenty of time to decide on just what we want. We would not need them here at the beach, but could have them shipped to our home. (That “our home” sounds mighty good).

We could buy more reasonably in Jax than in Miami or Palm Beach, and too, would have more variety from which to select. It may not strike you just right to live here at the Beach, but I am inclined to believe that you would like it. I have had an eye out for the most desirable cottage in the event you think you would like it down here, and some of them are very nice. I’ll look around at Atlantic Beach some too, for you would probably like it up there. There are no stores up there, only cottages or rather homes. The cottage we have now is better than the average and for my work it serves the purpose very nicely but of course is not adapted for the work. The lady who owns it and who lives in the rear says that she is not going to be here this winter. I guess she will join her husband.

There seem to be quite a few Negroes who live further back and I imagine it would not be difficult to get help.

Most of the cottages are equipped with oil stoves, and I believe that most of the people eat dinner down town. One of the cafeterias, and the best one, will run all winter and spring. I have an electric grill which I have never used and it may be better for breakfast or lunch than the oil stove. I do not know anything about oil stoves but the land-lady seems to think they are OK.

I would like to know just what you think of taking a cottage until we go down the state, for if the idea does not strike you favorably I would not want to do it. I wouldn’t want you to live at any place where you did not want to live, and we will make arrangements accordingly. Please tell me exactly what you think. I am going to make you as comfortable as I can, and I hope to show you that you have a devoted husband. We have electricity & running water in all cottages and most of them are furnished.

I love you, Dear, and I’ll certainly be a happy human when I have you with me always. I hope to be as good and as considerate of you as one can, and if I can make you happy I’ll be happy too.

With all my love, I am,

Your
Walter.

Box 61

P.S. I guess Dr. White will be with me about one week longer.

PS #2 Whatever you and Mother Lewis plan for the wedding will be perfectly all right.

August 24, 1925 (Ina)

Monday Nite.
Aug. 24, 1925.

My dear Sweetheart:

Bless your heart, I did get two such good letters from you this afternoon. Everything does take on the rosiest hue when I receive a letter, but it does tone down most miserably when I don’t. I didn’t realize before I met you what a wonderful lot of difference one letter, no matter if it is only one page, can make in the happiness of the day. You have made my life so happy, Dear, and I know both of us are going to be a great deal happier when we can be together always.

August 24, 1925 (Ina)

August 24, 1925 (Ina)

This is the last week in August, so I suppose you are getting your songs of praise and thanksgiving ready to sing when Dr. White makes his departure. I am so sorry his stay in Jacksonville has been so unpleasant and unprofitable for you because it could have been otherwise if he had only half tried. I suppose you can put his summer’s work down in your notebook as “a rather trying experience.” I am very thankful that you didn’t have to endure it any longer because it isn’t fair that you should. I have thought of it a lot and wished that I could do something to help you out.

I love you ever so much.

Your own,
Ina.

August 23, 1925

Jacksonville Beach, Fla.,
Sunday PM.

My Dear Sweetheart,

When it rains it pours. I had two letters this morning and I am mighty happy over them too. It seems mighty good to plan our wedding, though Dear, you are too considerate of me. To be sure, it is perfectly all right to have it at the church. All the time I have expected you to suggest that it be there, for I realize that there will be more room and too your friends whom you would not care to invite to your home would not have any reason to feel offended if it were at the church. If it were at your home it would probably mean a reception afterwards. Will this be necessary if we have it at the church? I hope not, but just as you say. It would seem that four or five o’clock in the afternoon would be a good time, and I believe that it would be well to leave shortly afterwards. Do you plan to be married in a traveling suit or would you change clothes before leaving? This is all for you to decide, and whatever you say, suits me.

August 23, 1925 (Walter)

August 23, 1925

I wish that I knew at this time whether we would come direct to Florida or whether we would live in Dallas before coming. I’d rather come down here and perhaps we could spend a little while in Dallas before coming. If we stay in Dallas for a while perhaps it would be well to have the honeymoon before going there, as we would meet quite a few people while there and I’d rather see them after we have been together more.

After I have been down the state I expect to write Mr. Bishopp and suggest what I would like to do, and I believe he will agree with me. He has promised that I could be in Johns Hopkins for about three months this winter or spring, but if we cannot get an appropriation to work on creeping eruption I don’t feel that I want to put special effort on nematodes. I would rather work on C.E. as much as possible this fiscal year and then start the new fiscal year on a problem for which we can get an appropriation. The work at Hopkins would be good regardless of what I am working on, but it would be more helpful if I went there while I had a problem for which we were getting appropriations. I’d get more out of the course. If I spend the winter and spring on C.E. I’ll get more credit on this work, and believe me I want all I am entitled to.

Mr. Bishopp is taking his work for a PhD now and I am inclined to believe that it will push him along more at this time than if he had taken it several years ago. It seems to be a good idea to get as high as possible then get the doctor’s degree for an additional push. There are a few young men in the Bureau who came to us with a doctors degree and they are getting about the same that I am. I don’t believe they will climb any faster than I will, for they are on problems of less importance and will have to show some results in order to climb.

I am not writing Mr. Bishopp at this time about spending the whole time down here, for after I have been down the state I may find a more desirable place to live where I can work on C.E. and another problem. He is inclined to stay away from the other problems until we have money for them and in that event I think it would be mighty fine for us to live here at Jax Beach until the latter part of the next June and then go down there. By that time, perhaps, I’ll have the C.E. worked up in pretty good shape.

I don’t know whether I am making all of this clear to you, Dear, but I hope you understand. Regardless of whether I come here or go to Dallas, it need not interfere with our plans of the wedding. We are going to have a little home of our own here in Florida, that is a sure thing, and I am anxious for you to be down here with me. I can probably make a pretty definite plan after I have been down the state, and have seen what they will do toward getting an appropriation. Once it is started we can ask for our requirements every year, but we can’t ask for the original appropriation, or at least we are not supposed to do it.

I am getting to where I want to see you awfully bad, Sweetheart, and I want you to know that I love you more than I can tell you.

Always your,
Walter.

Box 61

August 22, 1925

Saturday Night,

My Dear Sweetheart,

It was a little late when I came home last night and Dr. White was asleep. I gave the letter from Atlantic Beach to a trainman (flagman) and he promised to post it in Jax, so if that one seems to come thru a little quicker that probably accounts for it.

This afternoon the little boy across the street, Betha Hill, 14, and I went hunting. He has been helping me trap since I have been down here, but works every week day with his father (a plumber), so we had to plan the hunting on Sat PM when he was not working. His father went with us in their Ford, and we drove about twelve miles south, to what is known as Palm Valley. There were palms in the valley and palmettos too, but there was no town. The roads were very narrow and crooked. We did not find anything to shoot, but killed the afternoon and had a good time. It was the first time I had been south of the beach here and I was interested in the country. We had quite a little experience in coming back, as we found a high tide and with about five miles driving on it. We were either driving in soft sand or in the water. It wasn’t funny, as there was a northeastern wind beginning which carried the water pretty high. At one time it got into the carburetor and killed the engine. It was getting rougher all the time and we felt fortunate that we got off the beach when we did. It is blowing pretty hard now and I have been told that the “North Easternsers” usually continue for 3, 6 or 9 days at about the same speed. Since it is over I am glad that I have had the experience on the beach during a high tide as I will be cautious when you are with me. It is hardly possible that a person could drown as the water is not deep, but it would be disagreeable to experience. Besides, you might get your “Sunday dress” wet with salt water. (Remember what Thelma Lee said about my “good pants” when you and I were caught in the rain).

August 22, 1925

August 22, 1925

The day has passed rather quickly, but I miss your letter. The post office had closed when we got back tonight so I have it to look forward to for tomorrow. Wish I could see you instead. I’d hug you so hard. I certainly do love you, Sweetheart, and I hope we will always feel the same as we do now.

I had a mighty nice letter from a Mr. Roy Watson of Caxambas a few days ago. He had written to Dr. Howard and his letter had been given to Mr. Bishopp. I wrote to him to find out the nature of his trouble and he came back with a long letter. What is known as “sand flies” which are small biting gnats are of considerable annoyance on the southwest coast. I am planning to spend at least two weeks with him when I go down the state. I would prefer to work on these, before you are with me in Florida, as I do not care to be located where they are going to bite you and I. You can bet that I am thinking of you, and I want to be able to locate where we will not be troubled in that way.

I love you, Honey, and I want you. With a sweet goodnight, I am,

Always your,
Walter

August 21, 1925

Friday Night

My Dear Sweetheart,

This is only a few miles north of our place on the beach, but I let the train get by this afternoon and I am here until about 11 o’clock tonight. To amuse myself I went in the surf and then had a very good dinner. This is probably a more desirable place to live than Jax Beach, but there is nothing here except the hotel and residences along the beach. It is more exclusive. For our work, Jax Beach is better but I had one severe case to originate up here and I have been working here some. When you come down I’ll bring you here and tell you all about it.

August 21, 1925

August 21, 1925

I did not have a letter from you this noon, but I feel quite sure that there will be one for me tomorrow. Dr. White did not come up with me this afternoon. It seems rather good to be away from him for a little while. This is one of the few times I have been away from him since he has been down here. I am looking forward to his departure with more or less pleasure. May be I shouldn’t feel this way, but the idea with him is to take all the credit he can get. This comes out every now and then. If the thing we are working on does not prove to be the right thing I am going to suggest that he take the infected animals to Washington with him and work up the dope for an article on it. Further studies I’ll do by myself and I’ll then publish by myself on them, leaving his name out of the authorship. If it does not cause creeping eruption the thing we are searching for, I’d gladly let him have it to publish on by himself.

I love you, Dear, and I want you to know it.

With a sweet goodnight, Dear, I am,

Always your
Walter

August 20, 1925

Jacksonville Beach, Fla,

Thursday Night.

My Dear Sweetheart,

It came at noon today. A mighty good one too. It certainly seems longer than six weeks to me since I left Uvalde and I agree with you that it has seemed to be about six months. It was real sweet of you to say that the early portion of November would suit you, or either before or after the Dallas meeting. Don’t let me do the suggesting on the date, Dear, for you have a perfect right to set the time which suits you best. I mentioned it as a possibility only, and I want you to know that I feel that this is a matter for you to decide and you can have it when you want it. I’ll gladly tell you as far in advance as it is possible, what time would seem to fit in as convenient, and you can set the time you want. I consider that the question of the date should be the girl’s privilege. I certainly don’t want to be old maidish enough to want the say so on everything, for I have been experiencing some of this with my co-worker. I have made some pledges to myself that I am going to try and not be that way, especially with you.

August 20, 1925

August 20, 1925

One reason why I suggested about the trunk was on account of the possibility of coming direct to Florida and in which event there would be little use for one. I don’t intend to do an awful lot of traveling, but I do want you with me when I have some to do. Most of it will probably be in the state so that we really wouldn’t need one. It seems that I have an awful lot of luggage as it is, and I sometimes wonder where we will find attic and closet room for a lot of it. I agree with you in that trunks are not ornamental.

I am posting a letter to Texas for Dr. White tonight in which he tells them that he expects to leave about the latter part of the month. I can’t say that he has helped very much, but the fact that he was here and is an MD adds some prestige. I don’t expect to have him down here with me again, nor any other person showing symptoms of laziness and eagerness to get in on the credit end of the problem. We haven’t pushed the problem ahead any, and what we have done has been more of a confirmation of some of my results down here last spring and at Dallas just after that. The laboratory technique from Johns Hopkins was about the same as what I picked up in literature while in Washington. When he leaves, I’ll have the thing to work out. I expect to go down the state about the same time that he leaves, and after about a month down there I’ll probably pick up the problem here and push it. I think I can get Mr. Bishopp to consent to my staying with it all winter and spring. I believe this is the thing to do. We have some animals infected, or at least we hope they are infected but we have not been able to produce creeping eruption with the infection. Possibly, we haven’t tried the right stages and maybe we have not made the conditions just right. It looks as though we have the right thing, but it remains to be seen. It looks like the same thing I worked with during the spring.

It is getting late, Dear, and I am going down town so that this will get off on the early train tomorrow A.M.

I love you Sweetheart and I’d give most anything if I could hug you real hard right now.

Good night, Dear, and sweet dreams.

Always your,
Walter.

August 19, 1925

Jacksonville Beach, Fla.

Wednesday 8/19-’25

My Dear Sweetheart,

I didn’t get one today but I was so fortunate yesterday that I am yet rejoicing over it. We spent about an hour and a half in the surf tonight before we had supper, so we enjoyed the meal more and now feel that we can sleep good. Dr. White has already retired. I worked pretty hard today but didn’t seem to accomplish very much. I guess everyone has this experience, occasionally. Also at other times with little effort it seems that I get lots accomplished.

August 19, 1925

August 19, 1925

A few days ago a fisherman’s gasoline boat was washed ashore and crippled so that it was necessary for the insurance people to replace the craft. There was no storm nor even a high rough tide. Today it was blasted into pieces so that it could be burned. That constitutes all the excitement during the day and we happened to be at lunch so as to witness the dynamiting.

Last night a Ford roadster was raffled away. The paid admissions to the pier counted as chances. The contest has been running for about two weeks and the number of chances were about 37,000. Some young lady was the fortunate one and it was quite a kick to hear her answer when her number was called. She squealed as though a mouse was near her. The pier is used for dancing and for all sorts of chance games that one finds at an amusement park or street carnival. There are two dance places and two churches here at the beach, and all four work on Sundays. Every place except the post office is open on Sundays, and it observes Sunday hours. The dances never bother me, Dear, as you already know. May be that is my peculiarity, but I can’t have the same respect for a girl who dances, that I have for those who don’t dance. One of the most interesting things you ever told me was that you didn’t dance and that you were from Mississippi. I seemed to have your number at the start, and somehow I couldn’t help but love you from that instant. The next time that I felt a stronger love for you was when we were out on the Neuces and exchanged experiences about public service. We seemed to understand each other then and it has developed into a mighty pretty story which is to be continued … happily ever afterward.

Dr. White and I were visiting tonight and at the same time observing an engaged couple on the same bench, whow ere holding thands. He (White) wanted to know if that made me homesick. Told him that if he were a stranger and saw you and I when we were on our honeymoon that he would not suspect that we were newlyweds. Also, ten years later he would find us the same way. He said that he believed it, and, that that was the way it should be. Of course I meant public demonstrations of affection, and that was what White had in mind.

I love you just as much as I ever have and I don’t believe it is possible for me to love you any more than I do. I certainly do love you, Dear, and I want you. I love you, ove you, love you, love you.

Yours always
Walter.