Monthly Archives: November 2011

September 23, 1925 (Walter)

Same Place
Wednesday Night 9/23-’25

My Dear Little Girl,

Two letters tonight, Dear, Sat nite and Sun nite. Good ones, too. You certainly are sweet in writing me so regularly and you can bet that I enjoy them. Makes me feel that I have been mean toward you in not having written on Sat or Sunday, and that you went to church four times Sun while I went fishing.

September 23, 1925 (Walter)

September 23, 1925 (Walter)

I am glad to have an expression from you on our investments and had you been here I would have talked it over with you. I want to do this, Dear, when we are maried for you have some mighty good ideas and we can use them. The tracts are just open cut over pine land with a few palmettos growing, but they are high and dry and I believe that by spring they will sell for $300 per acre. If so, that would be a good time to turn them.

The surf was fine tonight but I was alone and I did not stay in very long. Had you been with me we probably would have played in the water much longer. Then, when we came out we would have enjoyed dinner. There are not very many people down at the beach now except the residents, but the water is warm and just right.

I was interested to know that Claudelle was taking shorthand. That is fine and good judgement on her part, for she will have plenty of time to find her other half.

I have no news for you except that I have been busy with a microscope all day. Am finishing some of the tests we started when Dr. White was here. I am in no hurry to go down the state as I have more than I can do right here and I want to know whether we are going to be in Florida this winter before I start down there.

Dear, if I could only be with you tonight may be I could give you somewhat of an idea of how much I really love you. I’ll be so happy with you that I won’t know enough to try and make you comfortable.

With a sweet goodnight and a real big hug,

Your,
Walter.

September 23, 1925 (Ina)

Wednesday Night.
Sept. 23, 1925.

My dear Sweetheart:

Since in your yesterday’s letter you said I would not get a letter today, none of us went down town today. We will go down in the morning rather early so I think you will receive this one on the same day that you would have had it been mailed late this evening. I missed your letter, Dear, but don’t blame you in the least for not writing. I have thought of you lots and lots during the day just the same.

September 23, 1925 (Ina)

September 23, 1925 (Ina)

We have all been busy today. Papa is repapering two of the bedrooms and the bathroom, Mama is as busy as a bee all day as usual, and I have cooked some, washed dishes, cleaned house, almost made a dress and capped it all by mowing the lawn. Now, I would have put that “mowing the lawn” in Capital letters, but you know almost as well as I do how “enormous” our lawn is. It is some larger than it was when you were here, but it doesn’t cover all the yard yet. I don’t know what it needs – real honest-to-goodness rain though I suppose.

It is getting late now – almost eight thirty, so I must “catch up”?? with some sleep (that I lost last June).

Goodnight and sweet dreams.

I still love you and love you and then – I love you some more.

Yours, always,
Ina.

September 22, 1925 (Walter)

The Beach 9/22
Tuesday Nite.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Two real good letters from you today and an enclosure of Claudelle’s. I enjoyed hers too. I wonder how she happened to say “Mother” during the past few weeks. Is it because I say Mother Lewis and she wants to tease? I am sure that Mother Lewis does not care or she would have objected before now.

September 22, 1925 (Walter)

September 22, 1925 (Walter)

I went to Jax for a little while today. There is so much to be worked that it will keep me pretty busy. However, I am going to stay with it until I hear from Mr. B as to how long I am to be in Fla. I’d like to know before I go down the state. Had a letter from him yesterday and he did not mention the Dallas work. Evidently he had not heard from Dr. Hunter. He seemed to be pleased with Dr. Riley’s (University of Minnesota) letter of congratulations on the findings of last season, for he said “It is pleasing to note that he agrees with me and many others in considering the work you have done in Florida of a very distinct value.” Bish does not pin on any bouquets. Dr. Hunter’s comment was that it was “a good constructive piece of work.” Dr. Cort of Johns Hopkins said that it was the greatest contribution in human helminthology that had been made for a long time. He told Dr. White this. But all of this has not yet increased my check any, though Dr. White told me that he knew that Bish had made the recommendation. Sometimes they are slow in going through and are apt to be dated back when they are received. You and I can use the increase very nicely and here’s hoping that it is effective pretty soon. I have not asked for a raise, but if I don’t hear something I may remind Bish of it. He has always been very fine to me and I am sure that he will do what he can. Anyway, we are not going to starve or go hungry.

There are some good prospects of our acreage increasing in value. The remaining tracts, which are only a few, are selling at $100 per acre now. The same company are buying beyond our tracts and they are going to ask $200 for them when the “snow birds” come down. At that rate, ours should see $300 by Spring. This would make a nice little profit, considering the small amount invested. We can use the money, and when any dollars are rolling our way I hope we can stop them.

I love you, Dear, more than I can tell you. With a sweet goodnight,

Your
Walter.

September 22, 1925 (Ina)

Tuesday Night.
Sept. 22, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Your “just before fishing” letter came today and I enjoyed it lots even though it did happen to be a short one. I am sure you and Dr. K.S. enjoyed your fishing trip. I think it is good for you to go off and leave your owrk for an outing like that once in a while. It doesn’t pay to stick too closely to work all the time, even though we sometimes feel we shouldn’t leave it, because we often save a great deal of time by forgetting it for a while in a trip out in the country and then returning with renewed energy and refreshed mind to take it up again with greater ability than we would have had if we had plodded along almost to the extent of nervous prostration. In the office I have often worked and puzzled and figured for hours and hours on one particular phase of the work, finally striking a “stump” that seemed so difficult while I was in that exhausted state of mind that I felt it would be impossible to solve it. However, if I would take a walk to the post office or even take up a new line of work that was not so difficult, I could soon return to the original problem and solve it almost immediately. It is the same way with sewing or anything. There is no doubt but that recreation is a time saver when not indulged in to excess, and I certainly know you don’t do that, Dear.

September 22, 1925 (Ina)

September 22, 1925 (Ina)

I was interested in what you said about Dr. White’s letter and our engagement. Since you mentioned it I believe Mr. Webb was the one who was here with Dr. Hunter. Mrs. Parman told me his name in a conversation we had over the ‘phone after they left, and, as well as I remember, that was the name. She told me that she had told Dr. Hunter of our engagement, and that he had said you were a “fine fellow.” No doubt Mr. Webb was present when she told him.

Sweetheart, would it shock you so terribly much if I were to tell you right here and now that I loved you? Prepare for it, ’cause I do love you. You have first place in the heart of

Your own loving
Ina.

September 21, 1925 (Walter)

The Beach. Monday 9/21

My Dear Sweetheart,

I came back this afternoon and of course I went to the Post Office the very first thing. There were two real good letters from you. Was getting hungry for them too, despite the fact that I am pretty sleepy now.

September 21, 1925 (Walter)

September 21, 1925 (Walter)

It was about 11 o’clock Sat. Night when we arrived at Orange Springs, about 100 miles from Jax. Then we found a Negro to row the boat, and early the next morning we started. Did not go upstream as we had planned as there was nothing to pull us up there. So we drifted down about 12 miles by water and then had a man to drive down for us. It was about a four mile drive & it had to be made with a one-horse wagon. It was slow enough in getting back. I really caught 3 this time, about 3 to 5 lbs. bass. Dr. K.S. caught about 12 bass, 1 cat fish weighing about 8 or 9 lbs., 1 pickerell & several brim (a variety of perch). We had a good time but we were about worn out when we returned to his home about 1:30 this AM. Mrs. KS had gone to the beach with some folks and on account of car trouble had not returned. There were a number of the neighbor children at his home asleep on the floor of the living room. They had been left with Elizabeth and all had gone asleep. The parents returned about 2 or 2:15 A.M.

This morning (a few hours later) after having had breakfast with Dr. KS at home, I used his car for a little work near Jax. Incidentally, I drove by the recent purchases and looked at the 10 acre tracts again. They look mighty good. A new grade has been made on a road leading from the paved road to a point below these tracts, leaving about 1 1/4 miles of unimproved road leading to them. They can be driven over with a car – some pine bushes and palmetto, but no real big trees.

Had two letters from Dr. White today. One enclosed clippings giving an account of Dr. Ransom’s death. You probably remember that I mentioned Dr. Ransom when I was in Uvalde. We had planned to invite him down here when the time was ripe, but had not reached the point of asking him. He was one of the very best research men in the Dept.

I am going to mail this tonight so that it will go on the early train to Jax. It has been two days since I have written to you and I am anxious to get this one going. If it had been possible I would have written you while on the trip, but Dear, it was practically impossible.

I love you and I only wish that you knew how much. With a sweet goodnight.

Your
Walter.

September 21, 1925 (Ina)

Monday Night.
Sept. 21, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

I spent today with Thelma and the children and we had a good time. Thelma and I were busy about half the day making a dress for Thelma Lee. I brought both the children home with me, so they are making things lively for us this evening. They donate a few cats to our flock occasionally, then come out here to play with them.

September 21, 1925 (Ina)

September 21, 1925 (Ina)

I saw Dr. Bowman down town yesterday morning and he told me of the Medical Association article he received from you and said he read it all very carefully, enjoying and appreciating it. I sincerely hope you will be successful in the work you have taken up since Dr. White left. I certainly can’t see any harm in your keeping quiet about it to him, because it is yours and not his.

I’ll bet you can’t guess what I saw as I was going down town this morning about 9:30. As I was driving leisurely along just beyond “Claudelle’s and my hill” I saw something, I mean two somethings, jump the fence at my left about 30 ft. ahead, and I was honestly stunned to see two big deer (they didn’t have any horns either) run across the road in front of the car and jump the right hand fence, finally disappearing across the guajilla ridge beyond. I was so surprised that I could hardly believe my eyes. I wish you could have been with me, Sweetheart, to have seen them too. If they had had horns and it had been in season, it would have been fine, wouldn’t it? I believe even I could have killed them both easily if I hadn’t been so excited and, too, if I had the nerve, but honestly, they are such beautiful, graceful and (quoting Mrs. Roark’s description of the calf she saw) innocent looking creatures, I don’t believe I could do it.*

The coffee is coming fine. I really do like it now, almost as well as I do cocoa, and I know that I shall soon like it as well if not better. No, Dear, I wouldn’t want you to think of giving it up because you like it better than I did cocoa. I have been wanting to like coffee for a long time but just hadn’t had the nerve to start. I am so glad now that I did start because it is almost perfectly good already.

By the way, I had the nicest dream last night. I dreamed that you and I were married and were visiting in Mississippi. Before going to your mother’s home, we went to a church social (I’m sure that’s the first place you would want to go!?) and there I met your Mother. I dreamed that she was so sweet and that I fell in love with her at once. I know that she is sweet and that I am going to love her lots.

I also love you lots, Sweetheart, and then lots and lots more. I love to think of you in the daytime and dream of you at night.

Yours, forever,
Ina.

*Ina is being modest about her hunting skills. She was an excellent shot, and would have had no trouble taking down a deer at 30 feet.

September 20, 1925

Sunday Nite
Sept. 20, 1925.

Dearest Sweetheart:

I have just returned from my fourth church service today and it is after ten o’clock. The evangelist preached tonight, so you know that always means a long service. I really believe he is doing a great deal of good here in the way of restoring the peace in the community. Of course you don’t realize like me the terrible feeling of strife that has existed for a long time between so many people here. Our little town and community have been torn to pieces and it is extremely pleasant and gratifying now to see men and women who, in some cases, have not spoken to each other for months or perhaps years, shaking hands and talking with one another again in a true friendly and forgiving manner. This is a hard old town and it does my soul good to see such manifestations of peace once more.

September 20, 1925

September 20, 1925

Mine is a peace-loving soul, and it hurts me to see friends and acquaintances who are at enmity toward one another. It would be worth worlds if something could be done to help the situation, and I believe it can. There must have been about 1500 people present last night.

I was interested in what you said about the letter from your war friend. I know you enjoy hearing from them and I wish you could attend the reunion. I know it would be fine. Yes, I surely will enjoy meeting the men with whom you were associated during that time. It speaks well for you that you are all such friends now as it was not always the case between the officers and their men.

It is getting late, so goodnight and sweet dreams.

I love you, Sweetheart.

Always your
Ina.

September 19, 1925

Saturday Nite
Sept. 19, 1925.

Dearest Walter:

Papa and I went in town this afternoon and I experienced that same thrill of joy that I always have under the circumstances when I found your two letters waiting for me. I felt even more so than usual this time as it seemed like such a long time since I had heard.

September 19, 1925

September 19, 1925

The Jacksonville paper was there also and I have read quite a bit of it. I note especially the ad on “our” property. It is certainly thoroughly advertised isn’t it? It sounds very desirable to me. There is one outstanding fact that I notice throughout the paper, everyone and everything seems to be a strong booster. That is what it takes to make a boom. I am sure there are sufficient grounds for that spirit too, or it would not be so effective. Dear, I am really glad you invested in another tract and I feel like it is going to bring Mr. and Mrs. Dove a reward in the future. I am very anxious to see the tracts, and perhaps I will some time. In fact, all of those glowing descriptions of the country down there make me very anxious to see Florida. I believe you are thoroughly converted.

Sweetheart, I love you and love you and LOVE You. My, my! So very much.

Yours, always,
Ina.

September 18, 1925 – Evening (Walter)

The Beach, Friday Nite.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Yours of Sunday and Monday came tonight. As usual they were good ones, too. Also had a letter from Dr. White tonight, telling me that our engagement had been announced in Washington. Mr. Webb gave out the news when he returned. No doubt he visited Uvalde on his trip. Dr. White did not know of it until he returned to Wash. He wrote a very nice letter.

September 18, 1925 - Evening (Walter)

September 18, 1925 - Evening (Walter)

Am taking the early train for Jax. Dr. K.S. and I will leave about noon. It will hardly be possible for me to write you tomorrow night as we will stop at a private home on the river & it will be late by the time we will have arranged for a boat and a Negro to row. But I’ll be thinking of you just the same and I’ll wish for you a great many times. I will spend Sunday night at Dr. K.S. home. We will probably get there about 2AM. Monday. Will write again Monday night, Dear.

I have some mighty interesting work going just now and I don’t like to leave it even for a few days, but the change will do me good. We always have a good time.

I hope that Claudelle is getting settled in school by now. Give her my brotherly love and say hell-o.

With lots and lots of love, I am

Always your,
Walter.

September 18, 1925 (Walter)

The Beach, 9/18-25
Friday Morning.

My Dear Sweetheart,

I did not write last night but am doing so the first thing this morning. Have just had breakfast and now I am on the porch of the cottage. Today, I want to get everything in shape so that I can leave it over Sat & Sun. Will go to Jax on the early train tomorrow AM & will finish some work up there so that Dr. K.S. and I can leave at noon on our fishing trip. I always have a good time with him.

September 18, 1925 (Walter)

September 18, 1925 (Walter)

We are going to the same point near Orange Springs, but will go up the river this time & have a Negro to run the boat as we drift back. The last two times we were down there we drifted down the river & then had a gasoline boat pull us back. I do not know whether anyone else will go with us or not, I hope not, for two men casting from one boat is about as many as can fish conveniently. At that the Negro will probably dodge the Dowdgiacs* some.

The material I am working with since Dr. White left looks very encouraging. I don’t intend to tell him about this until I get somewhere with it. He has plenty of the other to keep him busy and if he knew of this it might get him away from the other. The other should be worked up anyway and he can go to it.

Will write you again tonight, Dear, and will post it in Jax tomorrow A.M.

I love you, and love you and love you,

Your,
Walter.

*Probably a phonetic spelling of “Dowagiac.” The Heddon lure company was originally headquartered in Dowagiac, MI, and their earliest products were branded “Dowagiacs.”