Monthly Archives: March 2013

July 22, 1939 (Walter)

707 Thorpe Bldg
Saturday PM

My dear Ina,

In order to keep peace in this family, separate letters are being enclosed to Lewis Dunbar & Walter White. They have been good boys at Uvalde and it looks as though we can take them places.

July 22, 1939 (Walter)

July 22, 1939 (Walter)

The week has been light for shipments but vouchers and payrolls have been heavy. Most every evening I have been able to leave here about 6 or 7 o’clock and I’ve walked home every evening. When the sun shines I park on a bench at Loring and read the evening paper, then go by a restaurant for dinner. Three times I’ve eaten dinner at home, eggs, bacon and hot cakes. I made up some syrup & then found some already made.

A letter finally came from the Olson Co. enclosing shipping tags for return of the rug. They say send to Chicago so I am arranging to do just that. I am not writing to them as the tags have numbers and they also show your return address.

It is surprising how long one can keep the same sheets on the bed and how long towels can be used. This week I’ll send them to the laundry.

I looked up our lease and find that it expires August 31st. It therefore seems advisable to look for a place to live. I’ve walked to a few places near our apartment. Tomorrow I’ll have a pickup truck so that I can see some that are not so near by. The Studebaker is at Mandam & will be returned when some one comes in to Mpls from up there, probably this week.

On Friday & Sat. we have a conference scheduled for survey & the general supervisors will be here. Also Wakeland & Gaddis.

Mrs. Quarterman came by for Kenneth and she looks just fine.

Polly was pleased to get your hello and love. She is about normal now and she came back at a good time.

Dorward phoned a few times last week. The planes are still working & flights are there but not nearly as serious as last year. The general opinion is that we have done a good job. Nebraska may be in for some criticism of us but most of the states have already expressed strong approval. Canada received some of our hoppers on Thursday & Friday of this week.

I love all three of you just lots and lots and lots, and I’ll be glad when you come back home.

Your
Walter

July 22, 1939 (Walter to Lewis)

July 22, 1939 (Walter to Lewis)

Dear Lewis,

You have been a pretty good boy and both Mother and Daddy are proud of you.

I saw Judy on the side walk last night.

I hope you have a good time and that you will be ready to go to school when you finish your vacation.

With love
Daddy.

Dear Walter White,

I was pleased to get your letters also the report from Mother that you had been a good boy.

During June we shipped 90,000 tons of grasshopper bait. A ton is 2000 pounds or 20 sacks. This much bait would make a line of box cars 41 miles long. In other words as far as Uvalde to Hondo. That is a lot of bait. Of the 14 airplanes, 3 have crashed so that only 11 are working now. They are still working in eastern Montana and we are getting some flights out there. Some of the ‘hoppers are flying into Canada.

I am proud of the way you can shoot a rifle and I hpoe we can go to Reagan Wells again.

With love,
Daddy

July 22, 1939 (Ina)

Saturday A.M.
July 22, 1939.

Dearest Sweetheart:

I judge from the enclosed letter from Mother Dove that either she is a mind reader or you have written her that we are going by there en route to Minneapolis. I replied to her letter yesterday and admitted that the children and I had been planning that way. I promised that we would let her know when we would be there as soon as we learned when you could go. I know it is against your principles to let her know when to expect us, but I know she much prefers to know, and it will be much easier for her as she can arrange her work so as to be with us more.

July 22, 1939 (Ina)

July 22, 1939 (Ina)

We are anxious to make the visit. The children are especially looking forward to being at the farm, so please don’t plan to go to the house in Roxie or to Ethel’s instead. If your time is limited you might want to fly to Dallas; the children and I would be glad to meet you there. According to the map it is 365 miles to Dallas from Uvalde, and 374 miles from Dallas to Natchez by way of Shreveport. The map shows a paved short cut to Natchez from Shreveport. We shouldn’t think of returning to Mpls. without visiting Mother Dove; she would feel hurt, and I don’t blame her.

Mama, the boys, and I plan to drive to Barksdale tomorrow afternoon to see Mr. & Mrs. Fisher. I’m wondering how you are going to spend the day Sunday.

We have just about decided not to spend a day in San Antonio. It would be a little expensive, and we haven’t any business there except to visit friends. Perhaps we can see them some time in not the far distant future when we may be transferred to the South – we hope, we hope.

We love you lots, Honey.

Always, your
Ina.

P.S.
This jittery writing is not caused by nervousness; I’m using my lap for a desk.

July 21, 1939

Friday A.M.
July 21, 1939.

Dear Sweetheart:

Lewis Dunbar is in the back yard building a railroad and Walter White is at Ina Marie’s where he spent last night. They are enjoying the freedom of the wide open spaces immensely. Mama and I have carried them on several picnics. Yesterday afternoon we carried our boys and Ina Marie to the Nueces for supper and a swim. It was the first time they had been in the river since the flood, so I felt that I had to go in and locate any deep holes that might have been left. There were some, but I stood on the edge of them while the children swam to me over the shallow section. As much as I dislike the water, I feel that I should go in with them now while the water is clean. When we first came it was too dirty in most places for them to go.

July 21, 1939

July 21, 1939

Honey, you remember the car was missing some when we arrived in Uvalde. It grew worse, so I asked Papa to take it to Ray Baker, the best mechanic in town. Papa stayed with him while he examined it, and found that the overheating of the motor had done quite a bit of damage; he said we never would have been able to make the return trip with it in that condition. The points were bent, two valves had to be replaced and the others ground. I don’t remember what else had to be done except I had the crippled hose replaced with a new piece. The bill was $18.55*. I gave a check for $33.55 to cover it and to give me cash for $15.00, which I might need. I’m sure this work was not a mistake; I’ve never heard our car run like it did before the work was done.

It had been 7 months since my teeth had been examined, so I went to Dr. Massie and had them cleaned and the small amount of necessary work done. The bill will not be much. He examined Lewis Dunbar’s teeth and said it had been a long time since he had seen as fine a set of teeeth in the mouth of a child his age; they were perfect. I am taking Walter White today; I think the report will be the same on his. Dr. Massie doesn’t make any charge for just an examination.

I hope you are finding time to take your daily walk – and relax. It will pay.

Dr. and Mrs. Donier (recently he has received his Dr’s degree from Ames) have just been informed by Dr. Bishopp that they are to be in California by August 1st to work on gnats with Mr. Lindquist. They don’t seem to relish the idea. They are expecting a little Donier some months from now.

I hope you’re not playing on the Dibbles’ lawn.

Lots of love,
Ina.

* That’s $226.32 in today’s dollars. Apparently the cost of car repair has gone up considerably faster than inflation.

July 19, 1939

Wednesday Afternoon.
July 19, 1939.

Dearest Sweetheart:

Thank you for your letter and the air mail stamps. Often in writing you I have had the uncomfortable feeling that you think the reading of my letters takes up too much of your valuable time. It pleases me greatly to feel now that I was wrong. I shall be delighted to use the postage. The clever grasshopper post card puzzles Lewis Dunbar; he said he didn’t know they had such big grasshoppers. No doubt he has visions of capturing such a one on our return trip.

July 19, 1939

July 19, 1939

We are having a quiet, pleasant visit. We don’t see Reitha a great deal; she has a date almost every night, but not with the same one every time. She has been with Bolivar Black of Del Rio twice. The heat of our first week here almost finished her, she thought. We were entirely wrong in thinking that Thelma Lee had any regrets about her marriage. She is as happy as a bride, and Paul is as happy as she is. He makes $100.00 a month, and they live on it without the help of anyone.

If the survey begins on August 1st, will you be able to make your plans and requests for another year some time in September? I’m so anxious for you to let the Powers know that you are not going through another year like this one has been.

I don’t think I have ever thought of you as often as I have since we have been away this time, Honey. Some of my thoughts are very disturbing, based upon a sudden realization that I had just before we left Minneapolis.

You don’t know how much I love you.

Ina.

[Enclosed letters from Lewis and Walter White.]

Dear Daddy I love you
Lewis

July 18, 1939
220 W Mesquite
Uvalde, Tex

Dear Daddy,
We have had a good time here in Uvalde. We wish you were here. Mother wonders if you could come down here so we can all go to Mother Dove’s. We hope you will do it.

Yours Truly,
Walter D.

July 19, 1939
220 W. Mesquite
Uvalde, Tex.

Dear Daddy,

I have read your letter and I enjoyed it very much. We are using one of the stamps you sent us for this letter.

Your Son
Walter D.

July 18, 1939

707 Thorpe Bldg
Tuesday AM.

My dear Ina & Boys,

Came down about 30 minutes before 9 today & have time for a short letter. Have not heard from you during the past week. Enclosed for your convenience are a few air mail stamps.

July 18, 1939

July 18, 1939

Sunday noon I had dinner with Polly at her boarding place & then we went to a movie near Lake Street. Some kind of an airplane picture. We ate lunch at the Rainbow about a block from the movie & walked to her home. She talked about Wash. but I believe there was nothing especially new. She seems to be feeling much better, looks better and is in a better mental state.

A few times I’ve eaten at home. Most of the time I have been eating all meals down town.

The work is greatly reduced now, except at the office where vouchers & payrolls are heavy. Most of the labor came off duty Saturday. Airplanes still working. Large number of minor flights & one large one in Montana toward the west. It looks as though they are headed for the Rockies. They have done some damage but not as much as we expected. As a whole the flights do not compare with those of last year.

Polly just came by & sends her Hello to all of you.

Shotwell returned from Montana after having about 3 days with Dr. Parker in the flight areas. Next week we expect to hold a conference on the adult survey & get that started about Aug. 1.

More rain here yesterday & I note that Uvalde had a real good one (Leader News sent to Reitha).

Next time I’ll write to Walter White. Is he a good boy? Is Lewis a good boy?

With love
Walter.

July 15, 1939 (Ina)

Saturday Night
July 15, 1939.

Dearest Sweetheart:

We were glad to have your letter today.

It greatly pleases us to know that most of the baiting season is over. We hope you will have more time to relax now. Walks home from the office should be refreshing. I don’t like the idea of your going home to an empty apartment – or had you noticed?

July 15, 1939 (Ina)

July 15, 1939 (Ina)

Lewis Dunbar wrote you a letter, but I can’t find it now. He cried when he found that you hadn’t written him a separate letter. If you could write a separate note to each of the boys in your next letter they would be pleased. They are having a good time and are behaving beautifully.

Please give our love to Polly. I’m anxious to talk with her. I’m glad you are having dinner together Sunday.

The floods came. We always bring one you know. Uvalde had 3 inches of rain, and the much heavier rains in the canyons brought the rivers down to within a few feet of the bridges. The ranchmen are delighted but they think there should have been several inches more.

Sunday A.M.

Paul & Bob caught lots of fish last night. The children and I are going to help them eat them at Thelma’s today. Our boys have gone to Sunday school with Ina Marie this A.M. Thelma & Reitha will be by soon to take me to church.

We think about you often, and want to see you.

Lots of love,
Ina.

July 12, 1939

Wednesday Night.
July 12, 1939.

Dear Sweetheart,

Your letter was here when I returned tonight. I walked home from the office. Have just finished writing checks for milk coupons, Auto Assn. Club dinner, rent, fire & tornado insurance on Owenwood, electric bill, gas bill & for laundry $6.60. Storage & drayage Savannah. Will get the laundry out to you. The only thing from the Olson Rug Co. is a mimeographed sales letter. Will not do anything with them but will await your return.

July 12, 1939

July 12, 1939

The release for Owenwood was recorded & returned OK.

There is no news except that requisitions continue for Minn., Nebraska & numerous diversions come right along. Fires in Black Hills are handicapping loading of sawdust for Nebraska. Hope this clears up some tomorrow. Minor flights reported in Mexicanus area. They are not nearly as serious as last year. This week should complete the major part of baiting out there.

Polly looks just fine & as normal as ever. She thoroughly enjoyed Claudelle & Wash. She has lots to tell me about Wash. & I promised to eat dinner with her at her boarding house next Sunday noon.

Tell W.W. I appreciated his letter very much. When Lewis can write I’ll be glad to hear from him too. I want both of them to be good boys.

With love
Walter

July 10, 1939 (from Ina and Walter White)

200 W. Mesquite
Uvalde, Texas
July 10, 1939

Dearest Sweetheart:

We were so glad to have your letter from Denison and your telegram from Minneapolis today. It seemed like old times for you to be thoughtful about writing and wiring us. You have been on our minds a great deal since you left Saturday. We were afraid that bus ride would be awfully hot. Do you know that the temperature here that day was 112ยบ – the hottest in 20 years? It was the same again yesterday, but I think it was a little cooler today. At least we have had a breeze.

July 10, 1939 (from Ina)

July 10, 1939 (from Ina)

Walter White and Lewis Dunbar have been behaving nicely. Walter White has seemed so much more grown-up since he went to Reagan Wells with you. He hasn’t cried a time since then.

Honey, I’m not giving orders, but may I remind you of three things – the laundry, the due bills, and the letter from the Olson Rug Co.? Please have Mr. King B mail us clothing belonging to Reitha, the boys, and me. Your insurance, the gas, milk, rent, and perhaps other bills are due. You remember I told you about complaining to the Olson Rug Co. about the way the rug in our room behaves. If you will forward their reply to me, I shall appreciate it.

We hope you are not snowed under with work since your brief vacation. Don’t forget the sunshine and walks to the lake.

We love you lots and lots.

Always, your
Ina.

220 W. Mesquite
Uvalde, Tex.
July 10, 1939

Dear Daddy,

We went to Ina Marie’s today. We had a nice time only Ina (Ina Marie) couldn’t come back with us.

Tonight Lewis is going to sleep on the studio couch for the first time this summer.

See if you can manage to get a few days off to go to Mother Dove’s (which I doubt).

We went to Garner park yesterday to go swimming (which I didn’t).

Your Son,
Walter W. Dove

July 10, 1939 (from Walter White)

July 10, 1939 (from Walter White)

July 9, 1939

Stationery from the Katy Lines, “Missouri-Kansas-Texas R.R.”

Sunday En Route.

My dear Ina & Boys,

Had a good visit with the McDonalds at San Antonio and they brought me to the train last night. Mrs. Mc is going to write you and is expecting to see you at San Antonio. Mr. Mc is just getting ready for Pink Boll Worm clean up work in the valley and Mr. Dutton will report for duty soon to assist him. It will last about two months. They have about $600,000 which is about half the estimated needs. We should be able to release a number of our men & pickups to help them. Mr. Mc seemed willing to take my recommendations on any men for temporary transfer and I think the men will be glad to get work for a couple of months.

July 9, 1939

July 9, 1939

I started to spend today at Dallas but I am not enthusiastic about airplane travel. I could have left there at 8 tonight & reach Mpls about 10 tomorrow morning. By train & not stopping at Dallas today will reach Mpls 2:50 PM Monday, which is very good time. I have enjoyed the trip and I’ll feel fine on returning to Mpls.

With love,
Walter.

June 20, 1939

I’m not going to transcribe this whole report, but it gives some idea of what was occupying Walter’s time and mind – and consuming a large chunk of Federal funding – at this point. Click the image for a slightly larger scan.

June 20, 1939

June 20, 1939