Tag Archives: correspondence

September 24, 1925 (Ina)

Thursday Nite
Sept. 24, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Third time is a charm. Maybe if I write this one tonight, I can mail the three tomorrow. We intended going down town this morning, but, just at daybreak, it started raining and kept it up until late this afternoon. It was then too muddy to drive down town. I am sorry you will have to miss a few days getting your letter, but you understand how it is.

September 24, 1925 (Ina)

September 24, 1925 (Ina)

I can hardly wait until tomorrow for a letter from you, but I am going to thoroughly enjoy it when it does come. Had it not been for wanting to post the letters to you, I would not have wanted to go down town until tomorrow because I would not have to experience that “sinking” feeling that I always have when I look in the box and there is no letter from you. Of course you understand, Dear, that I know why you didn’t write, and I surely didn’t expect you to – I wouldn’t either under the circumstances – but it just shows that I value your letter so highly that I can’t keep down that feeling of disappointment when I look into an empty box.

I love you, Sweetheart, with the tenderest, truest and most eternal love.

Always, your
Ina.

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 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 (Ina)

Friday Night.
Sept. 18, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

We have been having fine showers just about all day today and you know how much like a boat in the middle of a big lake this house looks. However, we were tickled to death with both the boat and the lake except that I couldn’t help but wish and wish hard for either an airplane or a boat to carry me to the post office to get your letter. Mama said she had a mental picture of me if it were to rain for a week so that we couldn’t get in town. I suppose, in a case like that, something would just simply have to be done. However, the stars are shining now, so I think we can make it tomorrow. We really didn’t have a flood, you understand, but you know this road when it does rain.

September 18, 1925 (Ina)

September 18, 1925 (Ina)

You may have to wait until you have a holiday to read this and the other letter I am mailing at the same time.

Exactly twelve years ago this morning at five o’clock we “set sail” from Bogue Chitto to make our home in the “Wild West.” Worlds of things have happened since that morning, and little did I suspect at that time that in a dozen years I would be engaged to marry a man whose home was not many miles from ours in Mississippi. I wonder what would have happened if we hadn’t moved to Texas? I firmly believe I would have met you though, because I believe there is a Higher Power that arranges those things. It is interesting to think of how it all came about though, isn’t it?

I love you, Sweetheart, and that even more than I knew twelve years ago that I could love anyone. I’m so happy, and can hardly wait until tomorrow to get your letter.

Lots and lots of love,
From
Ina.

September 17, 1925

Thursday Nite.
Sept. 17, 1925.

My dear Sweetheart:

Whilst the lamp is sputtering in the breeze I want to tell you that I did get a letter today and I was thoroughly ready for it too, as I always am, but especially because I failed to get one yesterday.

I am returning Mr. Blanchard’s letter as you may want to keep it. It is a mighty nice one, and I believe I am as proud of those complimentary letters as you are. Of course I know you are making a success anyway, but there is nothing like encouraging words from people, is there? It just puts new life into you and makes you realize more than ever the importance of your task or problem and its accomplishment. Bless your heart, I’m proud of you.

September 17, 1925

September 17, 1925

When you received this fat envelope, did you think I was sending you my whole life’s diary? False alarm! ‘Tis just Claudelle’s of what has happened since she left here Monday morning. I don’t know what she would think of me if she knew I was sending it to you, but it is the first letter we have received from her there and it gives a detailed description of everything she saw and thought I think. As you will gather from her letter, she and Lucille are expecting to work part of the time. We don’t know yet just how many hours a week they will be on duty (office work), but not many I think. You can judge for yourself just how much of the letter to take seriously. Perhaps the following will better enable you to understand the “book”:

Cast of Characters:

Mother – Just Mama. She took a sudden notion before leaving to change it.

Turner D – Sort of a “sissy” young man whom Claudelle and the other girls have refused numbers of dates.

Mrs. Shirer (Aunt Lee) – Lucille’s Aunt.

Lois, Juanita, Lucille Lewis – the other girls from Uvalde.

Dr. Stanford – Pres. of Westmoreland College who was our instructor in two courses at Kerrville and of whom C. and I formed a rather unfavorable opinion. You remember my telling you of his carrying me home etc. from church services one night?

Three O’Clock – A poor little ugly black kitten we have that C. plays with when we sit on the front porch in the evenings.

Also, I will add by way of explanation that the reference to the probability of my liking the “beautiful painting” is because of my well-known admiration for anything pink or peach colored. When I can I choose ‘most all of my dresses of that color.

Dear, the Jacksonville paper of which you wrote didn’t come today, but I’m sure it will tomorrow. Thank you for sending it because I’m very much interested. I am looking forward to the time when I can be with you and see the property first hand.

Could you stand the shock if I told you it was – raining!? It really is – too bad! Papa has just gone out on the front porch and said there were stars everywhere. It did rain some though.

Sweetheart, I love you lots and lots and lots and then a whole lot more.

Goodnight and sweet dreams.

Yours always,
Ina.

September 14, 1925 (Walter)

The Beach. Monday Nite.
9/14, 1925

My Dear Sweetheart,

Three letters today and each of them was a message of joy. I had begun to worry, fearing that you were ill. Two of them came this morning before I went to Jax and the other came on the same train that I returned on tonight. Gee! but they were great and I wish I could hug you real hard for them. I am returning Mr. Womack’s letter as you will probably want it. No doubt you have quite a collection of letters of such a nature by this time, for I know that there were a number previous to the two you have sent me. I can’t blame them for wanting such a dear little girl as yourself, and I often wonder how it happened that you had not fallen off the limb before I told you something. I certainly consider myself lucky, Dear, and I am going to do my best so that you will never regret your choice.

September 14, 1925 (Walter)

September 14, 1925 (Walter)

My sister writes that she certainly did not make a mistake in her hubby. He seems to be mighty good to her, and now even my mother thinks that he is alright. Mother would have felt the same way regardless of the man. I guess it is natural. I certainly appreciate the attitude of Mother Lewis and Daddy Lewis. They have certainly shown a good spirit toward us, and I hope that as the years go by they will never have an occasion to wish that your choice had been different.

I certainly do love you, Dear, and I am in hopes that I’ll get word from Mr. B to the effect that I can work here all winter. That would make it mighty fine for the honeymoon here.

After I had written you that our engagement was four months old I remembered that it was on the 10th. I intended to mention it in my next letter. It was the 5th when I left Dallas.

With a sweet goodnight, I am,

Yours always,
Walter

September 14, 1925 (Ina)

Monday Nite
Sept. 14, 1925.

Dearest Walter:

In the rush to get Claudelle to the train this morning I failed to take your last night’s letter, so will post the two tomorrow.

Your joyful letter celebrating Dr. White’s departure came this morning and it was an unusually good one. Also, the other letter which I am returning for your files. It was interesting too, and I know that you are glad that is closed after working on it so long. I wonder if Dr. White is satisfied.

September 14, 1925 (Ina)

September 14, 1925 (Ina)

Sweetheart, the “write-up” in your letter about “our” real estate was very interesting to me and I feel that you have exercised some mighty good judgement in making the purchases that you have made. Yes, indeed, that will come in mighty nice, won’t it? I am very enthusiastic about it.

I am anxious to know what Mr. Bishopp will have to say about our being in Florida this winter and I know you are anxious too. Also, I hope your plans for succeeding in getting the appropriation materialize, and will be effective. You have my best wishes for success.

That “long chat” of yours was fine, Dear, and I hope you’ll feel that way again. I have read and re-read it several times.

I love you, Sweetheart, the best in the world.

Lots and lots of love from

Your devoted
Ina.

September 13, 1925 (Walter)

The Beach, Sun PM 9/13.

My Dear Sweetheart,

I hope that you are not ill. Did not get a letter yesterday nor the day before, but I presume they will come in a bunch. Perhaps they detoured for Jax. I did not go up there yesterday but went out with the Hill boys across the street. We went north on the beach, then to Mayport where they caught a bucket of fiddler crabs for fish bait.

September 13, 1925 (Walter)

September 13, 1925 (Walter)

I am enclosing a letter from Mr. Blanchard Manager of the light Co. in Aberdeen. After the war I had the merchandise department of the company and he was my boss. A copy of the New Orleans report was mailed to him, as I knew he would be interested.

I am yet busy getting things in shape since Dr. White left me. Have had a number of letters to write today. Will go to Jax tomorrow & also to a place called Hilliard if I can conveniently make the run up there. Will come back the same day.

Am sending part of the Jax Sunday paper as there are some real estate ads which may interest you. The one “Jacksonville Heights Improvement Co” is one of our investments. There is also an article on state lands on another page.

I had a complimentary letter from Prof. Riley of the University of Minnesota, regarding the C.E. report at New Orleans. He is about the best medical entomologist in the U.S. I wanted Mr. Bishopp to read it so I sent it to him, hoping that he will send it to Dr. Hunter and Dr. Howard. He will tell them of it anyway and that will have the desired effect.

Sweetheart, I hope that I get a letter from you tonight for I need one.

With all my love, I am,

Your
Walter.

September 9, 1925 (Walter)

Wednesday Nite 9/9.

My Dear Sweetheart,

This was my Red Letter day, for there were two of your letters which I read. One of them was posted on the 3d and was delayed at Jax. The postal folks don’t always find the word Beach in the address and sometimes they try to deliver them in Jax. This one contained Mr. Cavitt’s letter, which I am returning herewith, as it is likely that you may want to keep it. It was mighty nice of him to write as he did and no doubt he cared for you too. But I am sure that he could not love you anymore than I do. You have a faculty of keeping your old beaus as good friends. Perhaps some of them think that there will even be a chance that you will be widow. If they do, they are mistaken, for I am not going to die so soon and I know that this is the only thing which could happen that would separate us. I hope that you will live always and that I’ll never die. We are going to be happy, Dear, and I am mighty happy now to know that I am so fortunate. There is no other in the whole world like you, and I love just you. Goodness only knows how much I do love you.

September 9, 1925 (Walter)

September 9, 1925 (Walter)

Dr. White leaves me tomorrow at 3PM. I will go to Jax with him and will probably post this letter up there. He is thoroughly sold on his acreage which adjoins ours, and he is of the opinion that he will buy some more tomorrow, another 20 acres. He is so conservative that I did not believe that he could be interested in real estate, but now he is thoroughly sold on it. Ours is only ten acres, but it is about as much as I want at the present time. I don’t believe in putting all my eggs in one basket. At the present time they are in three baskets, and I believe that all are good buys. The Dallas home will not increase as fast as the one down here, but it is a good buy anyway. I believe that we will realize a profit from the sale of any of them.

With a goodnight kiss,

Your
Walter.

September 9, 1925 (Ina)

Wednesday Nite.
9/9/25.

My dearest Walter:

I was sure enough lucky today as I received three letters from you. The pleasure of today made up for the disappointment in having to miss one yesterday. You are so good to write often and I send up a mental card of thanks every time I receive one of your letters. They are so soul-satisfying.

September 9, 1925 (Ina)

September 9, 1925 (Ina)

And the cards of scenes from the Beach were very very interesting to me. I always like to form a mental picture of the place where you are living, so I feel that, with these scenes, the pictures of the cottage and everything you have written me about things down there, I have a very good idea of what the place is like. Sweetheart, it makes me want to be down there with you awfully badly. I’m “crazy” to see you and, too, I am sure I would like it down on the Beach. It would be a fine place to begin our honeymoon. It would be an ideal place to be together with just ourselves. I will be happy with you anywhere, but I would be very glad if we could begin down there. However, if it happens that your work calls you elsewhere, we will be happy there too. Whatever happens, I think it will happen for the best.

Oh, yes, about the coffee. I am going to begin tomorrow morning to try to cultivate a taste for it. I’ll let you know about my progress, and if I don’t succeed, I will continue to drink cocoa, but I think it would be much nicer and more convenient for both of us to like coffee.

I have been helping Claudelle mark her clothes, linens etc. today so I have a fine coat of indelible ink on my fingers.

Wish I could be with you tonight. I’d be so happy. I love you, Sweetheart, more than I have ever loved, and more than I ever expect to love anyone.

Always, your devoted

Ina.

P.S. Best regards from “Mother Lewis” and all the family.