Category Archives: Uncategorized

July 8, 1925

New Orleans L&N Station
Wednesday 7:30 PM.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Pardon the pencil but my pen is in my brief case and I can’t put my hands on it just now. It would not be a very nice display in the waiting room if I should search for it and unpack everything. I am fortunate that I have just enough time between trains to write.

The trip has been quite pleasant and not as hot as it was last year. It is lonesome though and I console myself in the fact that you will be with me the next time. I wish you were along now. I guess I have as much hand luggage as if you were with me, two suit cases and a brief case. I checked the small trunk and shipped the other trunk and a box by Express. I expect to leave most of it in Florida and we won’t have to carry it on the next trip.

July 8, 1925

July 8, 1925

Mr. Seaton was mighty fine to me in Dallas.When I arrived he gave me a key to his Ford roadster and I had use of it the whole time I was there. Last night he came to the train with me. He is one of Mr. Galele’s men and for some time was in San Antonio.

Last night and the night before I went to sleep about the usual time, but I didn’t get up until about light this A.M. If I had gotten up early I would have had more time to loaf and I got pretty tired of that with what time I had today. There were two or three pretty girls in the same car and they seemed lonesome too, but I didn’t get acquainted. Thought of you most all day, and I have no desire to meet any other girl. They don’t interest me any more.

Have read a couple of magazines which might interest you and I am posting them with this letter. In the Legion Weekly the “Barsts and Suds” page has a bit of humor.

Mrs. Goodman had promised to take her little boy to the movies last night and they were showing “The Ten Commandments.” He said he wanted to go down to see God play. He is a good little kid and in the event we want to live in our own home while in Dallas, I believe he would not bother you. Mrs. Goodman says that anytime I come to Dallas she will arrange to let me have a room out there. She has an idea I might find a wife.

The low lands of Louisiana looked good today. The lack of rain seemed to be about what they needed. The crops were real good.

I’ll write you again, Dear, as soon as I arrive at Jax which will be about 8:30 tomorrow nite. I hope Dr. K.S. will not come down town then, but it would be the natural thing for him to do. If he does meet me he will talk until quite late. Anyway I’ll write if only a few words. I presume Dr. White will be there when I arrive. I should have been there a day earlier, but I wouldn’t have taken anything for the time I spent with you Sunday. Seems that I love you more every time I see you and each time I wonder if it is possible to love you more. You are so sweet and I love you with all my heart.

Sweet dreams,

Your
Walter

July 7, 1925 (Walter)

July 8, Tues. Night.*

My Dear Sweetheart,

All set, and everything is packed. Leaving at 11 PM and connections are good. Should reach Jax Thursday night 8:45. Couldn’t possibly get away sooner, and had it not been for Mr. Gingell who helped me pack I probably would not have had a breathing spell. He helped as though it were his own stuff and I certainly appreciate it. He was the one who got the bunch together to help me at our house last spring. He is a drug inspector and makes headquarters here. Is a mighty nice chap.

July 7, 1925

July 7, 1925

I have packed just about everything that I claim at the lab, for I have learned that everything here becomes common property. Everyone feels pretty free to use anything here. I’ll store most of the stuff in Florida and we won’t have to move it from here when we go down there. I could do a better job moving it now, than I could when I go with you. Besides, it might be that we would not care to come back via Dallas before going to Fla.

Have a surprise. Had dinner in our house tonight. I went by to leave a plumbing fitting and was invited to eat with them. Met Mr. Goodman. Both are lovely people and the kind I believe you would like. The dinner was not a special one, but it was served in our breakfast room. You don’t know how I enjoyed it, though I had hoped that my first meal there would be with you. You can bet that I thought of you, Dear. Mrs. Goodman says that it is very cool there, despite the fact that it has been hot here. She says that they can open the windows only about two inches at night as the breeze is so strong.

I’ll write from Jax as soon as I arrive. You are apt to hear from me real often. You mean everything to me and I can’t help but love you lots and lots and lots.

Always

Your
Walter.

* The 8th was a Wednesday, so I’m assuming this letter was actually written on the 7th.

July 7, 1925 (Ina)

Tuesday Nite
July 7, 1925

Dearest Walter:

It is now just past ten o’clock and you haven’t come yet. Wish I really could expect you.

I spent my birthday with Thelma and enjoyed it very much. We had baked chicken and dressing ‘n everything. By the way, Jim Young, the former Tax Collector who was my employer, had the nerve to bring me today a bouquet of old maids! Very appropriate, don’t you think?

This afternoon I heard Claudelle give the alarm, I rushed out in the yard where she was and found that she had cornered a big tarantula. I finally succeeded in finding the axe and, while Claudelle held it down (the tarantula, not the axe), I knocked it in the head. “Really, it was a perfectly lovely specimen, now don’t you think so?” I suppose Mrs. Roark doesn’t object to being quoted.

Mr. Savage called up this afternoon and renewed his date for tomorrow evening. I am going to be wishing for you then.

This is one of those beautiful moonlight, breezy nights that makes sitting in a porch swing of a country home with a Bird a night of perfect happiness and contentment. We have spent many of just such hours during the past two months, and I am so thankful for them. I think that they are just the beginning of a lifetime of companionship and happiness.

I can hardly wait for to-morrow as I feel sure that there will be a letter in the office for me from you.

No doubt you spent last evening with Alvis – I mean, Mr. Petit. I am sure you had a pleasant time after several weeks of separation.

I suppose you are on your way to Florida tonight. I hope you are having a pleasant trip. I think it would have been so pleasant for you and your family if you could have had the time to have spent a short while with them on your way over. However, I appreciate so very, very much the fact that you spent as long time as you did in Uvalde. I am sure they could not have enjoyed having you more than I did, and I hope they can forgive you and me.

It is getting late so I will write you more after I receive your letter to-morrow.

I still love you lots and lots and always will.

Always your
Ina.

Wednesday Nite
July 8, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

It is now twelve o’clock and Mr. Savage has just left, but I am determined that a date shall not interfere with my writing to you. I couldn’t help wishing for you every few minutes while he was here. He didn’t discover the ring until a short time before he left, but I don’t think he was surprised. He admired it very much, wished me all sorts of happiness and said that he wished he could have an opportunity to congratulate you etc. I probably will not see him again as he said he thought he would be leaving Uvalde County soon.

Your letter came this afternoon and I was almost “tickled to death” to get it because it seemed ages since I had seen you or heard from you. I enjoyed every word of it several times since I didn’t stop at reading it only once. I am going to live on letters and anticipation this summer.

I am glad everything is looking so well “at home.” I am anxious to see the pictures of it.

This afternoon Mama and I called on Mrs. Brown, the lady who lives on the ranch joining ours. She and Mr. Brown had called on us twice but it had been impossible to get Mama off until this afternoon. We enjoyed it very much as they are good friends of ours. They are special friends of Mr. and Mrs. Parman, and Miss Mary Brown was the young lady they invited to the barbecue for Mr. Dodd. You remember she was in San Antonio at the time.

Mama, Papa and Claudelle send best regards and say that they surely do miss you. Do you suppose I do too? “You bet!!!”

I love you lots and lots all the time.

Always your
Ina.

P.S. I surely do appreciate the literature you sent. I haven’t had time to read it yet, but am going to soon.

Love
Ina.

July 6, 1925

Monday Night

My Dear Little Girl,

Happy birthday and I hope you will live always; also hope that I’ll never die. Nothing of unusual interest occurred on the trip to Dallas. Made close connections at San Antonio, and arrived as per schedule. I packed nearly all day, but quit in time to see the house and to call on Mrs. Laake.

The house looks fine and Mrs. Goodman says she only hopes that they can stay there. She is afraid that I’ll want it for my wife. She has kept everything in excellent condition and the addition of pot plants and a couple of swinging baskets of vines add quite a little to the appearance of the porch. The lawn looks good, though she has had a fight with Johnson grass. I made a couple of Kodak pictures of it. Said she made some recently and hadn’t gotten the prints as yet. Had an invitation to eat dinner with them, but I had already phoned Mrs. Laake and she had asked me to eat with her.

July 6, 1925

July 6, 1925

Mrs. Laake wished that she had been with us on the 4th, and was pleased when I told her that you wished to be remembered to her. She served me a couple of bottles of Mr. Laake’s beer, some deviled eggs, fish and head lettuce, Swiss cheese sandwiches etc. I visited with her for about an hour and met her brother-in-law’s adopted daughter. Mrs. L. thinks that you are just about right. Nice, pretty, and everything. She was pleased when I told her. I believe you will like her.

This has been a mighty long day and night, due to the fact that I could not look forward to seeing you tonight. You don’t know how much I miss you, Dear, nor how much I would like to be with you. I’ll be mighty happy when I can have you with me always, and I only hope that I can make you happy. I love you lots more than you know.

Under separate cover I am mailing you the SS teacher book of which I told you, and also the laundry book I promised to locate.

It is 11 o’clock and I am going down town to post this, so I had better go.

Lots and lots of love.

Your
Walter.

July 5, 1925

Sunday Nite
July 5, 1925

My dearest Walter:

You don’t know what a queer feeling it gave me tonight to come home from church without you. This time last night we were having such a pleasant time. It hurt me like everything this afternoon to tell you “good-bye.” When you drove off I had such a lost, sinking feeling. A lump came in my throat, but I swallowed it because Mr. and Mrs. Parman were right there. They must have had an idea about it because Mrs. Parman made a few appropriate remarks about how lonesome I would be after you left etc.

July 5, 1925

July 5, 1925

By this time I am sure you have left San Antonio. Perhaps you are asleep as it is after eleven o’clock, and, knowing your never failing habit of retiring early, I am not a bit surprised. I hope you are having a pleasant trip. Altho I would have been so glad if the circumstances had been so that you coiuld have remained longer in Uvalde, I am glad you succeeded in making connections this afternoon.

No, the little Ford roadster didn’t come out this evening. I have just looked out of the door to see if I could see it but its chair is vacant. Merwin must have roped it and tied it securely, or would surely have been here by now.

I just had to write you a few words before going to sleep. I will write some more tomorrow.

I love you and love you and love you.

Good night and pleasant dreams.

Love,
Ina.

Monday Nite

Hello-o!

It is now eight o’clock – just about time for you to be coming in the gate saying that. I can almost hear you right now – wish I could.

Altho I have been busy at different things all day, the day has been uneventful, that is, as far as startling events are concerned. Time and again I have found myself looking at the clock to see how long it would be before time to dress for you to come. I think it will be some several days before I can get out of that habit.

Last night after church, when Claudelle, Lucile and I started to get in the car, we saw Mr. Owens and another young man parked near us. He came over, shook hands with us and talked a long time. The moon was bright, and finally he remarked pointing to my ring, “Please turn that thing around, it hurts my eyes.” I said “‘scuse me” and turned it on the inside of my hand. However, the other young man examined and admired it but said it was rather hard on Mr. Owens. Just about that time they discovered the baggage in the car. Altho they inquired the “why and wherefore” of it, I didn’t offer any explanation, so I suppose they thought it belonged to Lucile or someone else. By the way, I am still just as proud as can be of my birthday gifts from you. They are so pretty and useful and necessary too that I like to keep them out where I can see them every few minutes. I get most sweetly thrilled when I look at them and realize that before so terribly long I will be using them when you and I are making our trip. Yes, “the madam” (don’t you dare!!) still experiences lots of thrills even though her “beeswa_” ‘scuse me! I mean even though you are away and also, even though she has almost reached her twenty-sixth milepost. Ripe old age, don’t you think?

A short time after you left yesterday afternoon, I went over to see Thelma and Bob and stayed until League time. Thelma said that the other day she asked Thelma Lee if she had seen Ina’s ring. Whereupon she calmly, most seriously and simply answered “yes.” Thelma asked her if she thought it was pretty. Again the solitary word, “yes,” spoken in a sadder tone. Then she asked if she knew who gave it to me. “Yes, Mr. Dove.” Then Thelma very enthusiastically told her that it meant that Ina was going to marry Mr. Dove, they were going to be happy, and, incidentally, that they were going to move away from Uvalde. At that point Thelma Lee shocked her by breaking down and crying as though her heart would break. She kept it up continuously for at least twenty minutes, and nothing would quiet her. Thelma tried to make her laugh by telling her that your Mama and Papa lived a long way from you, that you were lonesome and needed someone to take care of you; that you needed someone to darn your socks and sew up your shirts, and since you thought I could do it better than anyone else you were going to marry me (you didn’t know that, did you?). That didn’t have the desired effect though, so she cried until she was about exhausted. Yesterday afternoon while I was there, she saw my ring, tears came into her eyes, she bit her lip, turned her head, and did everything she coiuld to keep from showing her feelings. It shocked me that a child her age would take anything like that so seriously and so much like a grown person. Of course it isn’t that she objects to you in the least, because you know what sentiments she has expressed about you many times before, but it is the idea of my leaving that concerns her so deeply.

Thelma Lee and Reitha are spending the night with us tonight while Thelma and Bob have gone to Eastern Star. They were by the desk where I am writing a moment ago and I told them I was writing to you. When I asked Thelma Lee what I should tell you for her she said “Tell him that we miss him and want him to come back soon. If he can come back day after tomorrow, tell him to come.” Reitha said “Tell ‘im dat I tank ‘em for divving me lots of shewin dum.” I hereby deliver the messages. Thelma Lee furthermore asked me if Mr. Dove knew how to read my letters. What she meant I don’t know, but I could have told her that you had taken a year’s correspondence course in it, and I believed you could almost pass an examination in that subject. However, if you think you will need any assistance I shall gladly render it personally in the Fall.

Walter, you don’t know how much I wish for you tonight. The moon is wonderful, and everything would be ideal if — Well, the moon will shine again, and you are coming back too, and then, won’t we be happy? I am happy now thinking of the past two wonderful months and of the many, many many happy months we have ahead of us, when we can be together always.

My, my, how I do love you!

Goodnight, bless your heart.

Lots of love,
Ina

June 19, 1925 (Walter 9pm)

Uvalde, Texas, Friday Nite 1925

My Dear Ina,

It is now about 9 o’clock and I have just returned from a little drive. I took myself out for a ride. Mrs. Hollifield says that I look lonesome. You have no idea how much I miss you nor how very much I would like to see you tonight. Seems like an awfully long time since I saw you, and I am wondering what I will do this summer. Your mother seems to miss you so much too. I would have gone out there again tonight but I don’t want to wear out my welcome.

June 19, 1925 (Walter 9pm)

June 19, 1925 (Walter 9pm)

I haven’t heard anything more of E. and Mrs. H., and I presume that I will not hear from either of them again. If I do, it will probably be in the nature of a “balling out.” By this time they probably realize that such a procedure does not get anything, for they have failed in the past. Mrs. H. is naturally of a domineering type and as long as I was in Aberdeen, I never crossed her. E has an idea that she can get anything she goes after, and I don’t believe there is another person in the world who would have come to Texas (without knowing where they were going) except herself. She had an idea that she would give me a surprise visit and that everything would be fixed up. Please understand that she and I “severed diplomatic relations” several months ago and that in the meantime I have not heard from her. Had three letters from her mother and I have told you about them. My answers were anything but polite, and she said they made her sick. I did not sympathize with her in either of them. She always feels so sorry for herself. I wonder what she will tell her friends in Aberdeen as they will ask about me, but I’ll not let this worry me. Most of them know her as well as myself.

I guess this is enough of my experiences. I wanted you to know and I feel better when I have told you. Please don’t let any of it worry you, for I love you more than I can tell you and nothing will come between us. I am mighty glad that we understand each other and that it is possible for me to see you again after this happened. I am sure that you will feel all right about it when you know all about it. If it is not clear in a letter, I can tell you when you return. Remember that I love you and only you and that nothing will come between us if I can have anything to do to prevent it.

With a real sweet goodnight and assuring you that I am real anxious to see you again, I am, with all my love, Dear,

Your
Dove

P.S. As you leave there Monday AM I would not have time to get another letter to you.

June 19, 1925 (Ina)

Friday Afternoon
June 19, 1925.

Dearest Walter:

You see, I did succeed in borrowing a fountain pen.

Your letter came this morning at the breakfast table, and you don’t know how much better the cold toast and raw eggs tasted after reading it. But the way, I believe I enjoy my meals more than any other “service” we have. They are certainly nothing to boast of but I think the reason I enjoy them so thoroughly is because they are the only thing we don’t have to take notes on. Yes, Claudelle’s appetite has improved wonderfully too. She eats all they give her and sings for more. At the present moment she is enjoying “College Humor.” They are not working us so hard today, so I think I can find time to read some too.

June 19, 1925 (Ina)

June 19, 1925 (Ina)

You may rest assured that I sleep well. No amount of heat can keep me from that. I don’t get to sleep until about 11:30, but that is early, isn’t it?

I am heartily ashamed of myself for complaining about anything here, and I’ll take it all back. I think they do wonderfully well to have things arranged as well as they have. I think the real trouble with me is that my heart is in Uvalde. It is still there, but I am enjoying the services here much better now than at first. They really are wonderful, and I consider myself fortunate in having an opportunity to take part in them. Never-the-less, I shall be most happy when we are homeward bound. I would be so glad if you could be [now in pencil] (the borrowed pen and ink gave out) here to go back with us, but that would be a long way for you to come just for that. The girls here like you so much (A lady just came in, and, since my bed is almost under the shelf where the water is, she accidentally poured some in my lap. Hence the blots), that I am sure they would be delighted to have you go back with us. Anyhow, I surely am looking forward to seeing you Monday after we return. I can hardly wait.

I like your friend, Mr. Petit. I feel like I have known him before, but I suppose that is because I have heard you speak of him so much. I would enjoy having him come out this week. I enjoyed the drive Tuesday afternoon with you all so much. You are so thoughtful and nice that you know just what to do to make people comfortable and happy. I love you for that and everything else.

It is now 3:15 and we are supposed to be at the tabernacle in fifteen minutes to have our pictures taken and I haven’t dressed yet.

Wish I could see you now.

Claudelle appreciated the “sisterly” love, and sends her “brotherly” in return. And I send mine which is neither sisterly nor brotherly.

We appreciate your going out to see Mama. I know they enjoyed having you. Tell Thelma Lee and Reitha hello for us when you see them. I am sending them cards this afternoon.

I love you.

Ina.

June 19, 1925 (Walter)

Uvalde Friday A.M.

My Dear Ina,

I did not write you last night as a letter would not go to San Antonio until this afternoon, so I waited until this morning. You don’t have any idea how much I missed you last night and in fact ever since I left the camp. I certainly enjoyed your letter this morning and it came at a time when I wanted one. I realize how difficult it is for you to write while there and I appreciate your efforts and the fact that you missed the hike in order to write to me. It was mighty sweet of you, Dear.

June 19, 1925 (Walter)

June 19, 1925 (Walter)

Have something to tell you but please do not let it worry you, for you are everything to me. Mrs. H. and Evalyn went to Dallas and E. wired me from there yesterday A.M. I ignored the telegram. In the afternoon I had another one intended for me at Regan Wells. She said that Bishopp advised her to wire me up there. He evidently thought that I had gone up to help Mr. Laake during Brundrette’s absence. She stated she was anxious to see me and wanted to know if they should come to Uvalde. I answered it “would advise you not to come to Uvalde.” Don’t let this worry you, Dear, for you have already known about everything. They thought I was in Dallas, and I had no news that they were coming. I don’t believe they will come down here, but if they do, the reception will be a cold one for them. I have not heard from E. for several months when we busted up, and have only had the letters from Mrs. H. which you know about. When I answered them I was very plain to her in telling her that there could never be anything but friendship between E. and I. I will probably get a letter telling me how mean I am, but I have gotten to the point that I do not care how mean they think I am. I cannot be courteous to them and have them feel that I am through.

Will write you again tonight. With all my love,

Your,
Bird.

June 17, 1925

This undated letter was misfiled with a later set, so I’m posting it now (8 September 2011) and backdating the post. Sorry for any confusion.

Wednesday Nite.

Dearest Walter:

I have been trying ever since you left to write to you, but I couldn’t very well do it and take notes on class work at the same time. I didn’t think I would ever write to you with a pencil, but my fountain pen, with several other things that I intended to bring, is peacefully at rest in Uvalde. Maybe I can borrow one at the post office to address the letter. Most of the crowd went on Mount Wesley this evening after the lecture for games and campfire, but I preferred writing.

June 17, 1925 (Ina)

June 17, 1925 (Ina)

We are taking only five courses, and these, in addition to committee meetings, special services, study periods etc. keep us more than busy. I should be studying right now since I haven’t read half my assignments for tomorrow, and I will not have a minute before classes, but, do we care? What I want most right now is to be with you. I had ten thousand times rather be with you than to listen to lectures, go to campfires or anything. It is certainly fortunate for me that there will be no exams here, because just as my instructor reaches the most eloquent point in his discourse my mind is back in Uvalde on Mr. Lewis’ front porch in the swing with my favorite Bird. If it were left with me, I would set sail at once. It seems like an age since I saw you, and I feel like I am losing so much time that I could spend with you. Now, of course these preachers, instructors etc. would thoroughly appreciate my attitude if they knew it.

I thought of you so much on your trip home. I surely do hope you found a better road going back than the one we had coming over. You don’t know how I appreciated the way you had the car fixed for me, and the candy ‘neverything. I divided candy with the Uvalde crowd, and they thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated it. You are just as sweet as you can be to me. I don’t deserve it, but I do love you so, and always will.

Thursday P.M.

I had so many interruptions last night when I was writing you that they ordered the lights out before I could finish.

I have already been to morning watch, and must go to classes now. Will try to write a better letter later.

I love you lots and lots and lots.

Love,
Ina.

June 16, 1925

Stationery from the Uvalde Hotel, “Mrs. R. C. Hollifield, Proprietress.”

Uvalde, Texas, Monday Nite 6/16 1925

My Dear Ina,

Am sorry that I did not see you again before we left Kerrville, but I dreaded to say good-bye even for a period of less than a week. Mervin and I left Kerrville about 9:30 this morning, both of us having slept until 8 o’clock. At that time you were probably attending classes. I wanted to be able to tell your mother than you slept good last night, but I didn’t want to say “good-bye.” We arrived here at 5:30 and did not have a puncture or trouble of any kind.

June 16, 1925

June 16, 1925

After dinner tonight I drove out to your house and I have just returned from out there. Your mother misses both of you and it will be a long week for her too. Thelma Lee and Retha met me at the gate and informed me that both yourself and Claudelle were at Kerrville. They are spending the night out there and were almost asleep when I left there at 9:15 (quite an early hour for me to leave your house, isn’t it?) Some time during the week I am going to take them out to spend another night with your mother. We didn’t set a time but I am sure that your sister will let them go. I think I told your mother the details of the trip and about the camp. I wish I felt sure that you are comfortable and that you are really enjoying it. The first day is the most difficult, and before the week is over I am sure that you will like it. Your mother hopes that Claudelle’s appetite will improve. I hope it will not rain while you are there (no connection with appetite).

Mervin and I returned via San Antonio and while it is about 50 miles further, I believe I would rather go that way and enjoy the good roads. It would be easier on your car and your good disposition. But of course I know that you will return with the crowd. I wish I could come up and be with you on the way back, but I can’t plan it and be sure that I could come. It is quite likely that next Monday will be a busy day for us here.

Mervin had a good time last night and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. He took the Ford and a couple of boy friends to a dance and says he “petted” all the girls there.

Mr. Pettit and I visited at the hotel until about 10:30 and then he returned to Legion by himself. I was surprised to find him getting along so nicely and that he felt so cheerful over his condition. He has had no trace of TB for several months, but has been fighting a kidney trouble. No doubt it is about the same as that of Mrs. Parmans. I told him that there was a possibility that I’d see him again about Sunday, but I doubt if I can arrange to come up then. It is quite likely that he will come out to the Conference sometime during the week and visit with you some more. When in Dallas he was quite a lady’s man.

I am sorry, Dear, that I left you so abruptly and I feel that I might have added something to make it more comfortable for you up there, but I can’t figure out what it would be.

I am going to take this to the bus station and see if it can be posted in San Antonio tonight, otherwise it would probably be here until sometime tomorrow before leaving.

With love to Claudelle (sisterly) and wishing to be remembered to others in the party, I am,

Your
Walter.

Box 509
Uvalde, Tex.

The letter was addressed to Ina “3 miles North of Kerrville, Texas, c/o Rev. Campbell, Methodist Conference.” She was apparently there for some sort of training, probably related to her Sunday School teaching credentials.