Tag Archives: housekeeping

February 27, 1948

This is just one of many odd pieces of domestic paperwork that happened to find their way into the archive, but I’m posting the ones I find especially interesting or poignant. Walter was a tall man, and here we see that Ina has decided to splurge on something special for him: an extra-long boxspring and mattress for their bed. He’d probably slept on beds that were too short his whole life. Hecht Brothers was a high-end department store, the Baltimore equivalent of Macy’s.

$62 in 1948 equals $600 in today’s money, but Hecht’s is extinct, and ordinary department store employees who dictate lengthy letters to customers are no longer available.

February 27, 1948

February 27, 1948

August 23, 1941

Sat. A.M.
Aug. 23, 1941.

Dearest Sweetheart:

Tommy is 7 months old today. I don’t know how much he weighs, but he is a heap big man. He sits alone on the floor and plays now. No doubt it will not be long before he crawls. He really is a very fine baby.

August 23, 1941

August 23, 1941

Honey, I employed a Mexican girl to come at 8 o’clock every morning and stay until she washes the dishes after noon. During that time she cleans the house (at least she cleans as much as Mama will let her), and does most of the boys’ and my laundry. I pay her $3.00 a week, although I had a hard time persuading Mama to let me do it.

I must say you were smart to do all of that laundry. I can’t imagine ironing that many shirts.

It is definitely summer time here, but 108ยบ here doesn’t seem as hot as the Panama City temperatures.

We are going to see Reitha this afternoon. She brought her baby to see us when it was a month old. Last Sunday afternoon she carried W.W., L.D., and me to a show. Mama talked to her over the ‘phone this A.M., and she said tell you “hello.” She seems to be happy. Bolivar is making $30 a week keeping books for the construction company at the new air school here, and says he is in line for another raise. He started at $20 per week, was soon raised to $25, and now to $30.

Mama said to tell you she is very proud of your boys, and that she wishes you could take your vacation now in “good, cool Uvalde.”

A few afternoons ago Papa carried W.W., L.D., and me to the Nueces at the La Pryor crossing. The children could only wade though, because the water that was not real shallow was much too deep for them. He plans to take us all to Garner Park Sunday afternoon for a swim and a picnic supper.

Honey, will you please find out how early in Sept. the grammar schools open? The high school opens a week before the others, I believe. Uvalde schools are changing from 11 to 12 grades this year. We have 12 in Panama City. The work here will be rearranged in the grammar grades.

I do hope the control project has been arranged by now.

It is time for the postman.

We think of you lots and wish for you.

Lots of love,
Ina.

P.S. Have the sweeper and the ice cream freezer come? The freezer is not paid for because there had been difficulty in getting that item, and the lady in the Panama City Sears office thought it best to have it shipped to that office C.O.D.

Ina.

August 18, 1941 (PM)

At home, Monday nite,
Aug. 18, 1941

My dear Sweetheart & Boys,

Your letter was a real good one and I was more than pleased that our boys are on their best behavior. I hope that they will keep up the standard they have already set, and that all of them including Tommy will not give any trouble to Mother and Daddy Lewis.

August 18, 1941

August 18, 1941

It is lonesome here without you and I’ll be glad when you return. At Gulfport I saw Helen and Kenneth and their little red headed boy. He whines like Helen used to, and I think she has quit it. They have a nice new home about 1 1/2 blocks from US 90 and the water front. The corn in the back yard is not as tall as it was in Minneapolis, but there is a larger lawn of fast growing grass to mow. Helen put a little package in my coat pocket for you, Ina, and at home I find that it is some sort of Verbena soap. I opened it to see if it was fruit cake which might spoil before you come home. You might care to send her a card. I had to promise that we would stop there on the return trip. I did not leave Gulfport until about 8:30 PM, after Kenneth and I had dinner down town, so that I did not get home until about 3:30 Tuesday morning. I had a good visit with the White FB men and learned something. Dr. Dickison was expecting his family soon. R.A. was in a very good mood and will be there two or three weeks.

As yet there has been no word on the control program. I am expecting it at any time, but am inclined to believe that the papers showed up on the desks of some disinterested parties. Mr. Wylie of the USPHS has been here a few days going over the problem. Apparently with a view of making recommendations for a PHS project by WPA. A high tide on Santa Rosa Sound gave a good degree of natural control, and it seems that there has been quite a delay in the season this year.

Saturday PM I washed 2 lots of soiled clothes and dried them. Sunday I ironed them, on the ironer, including 10 shirts and 3 pairs of trousers. Sunday night I drove to the Old Dutch Tavern for a steak. It was fair and I met Mr. Bergdorf who had a collection of heads and skins from Alaska. I found that he had spent about the same amount of time up there as you and I. He went north from Fairbanks to Point Barrow. I drove back by Panama City Beach and listened to Mr. Weir toot his trumpet. He isn’t as good as Walter White thinks he is.

That quart of milk each day makes me think that I am cheating some calf out of something. It is more than I need.

Have a good time and be good.

With love
Walter.

Walter is starting up a program to control dog flies in the Panama City coastal area. The flies breed along the shoreline, which is why an unusually high tide killed off a batch of them. Apparently there are some administrative snags holding up the program.

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

January 29, 1938

Stationery from the White House Hotel, Gainesville, FL.

Jan. 29 – Friday*

Dear Sweetheart,

It was a joy to get your letter yesterday and I am sure that my letter reached you. I know that you have not been as comfortable in that house as you should have been, and I hope you are getting the best use of Madie with the fires and attending children. I think you should call on her to do all those jobs. You have had a lot of cold weather. It is cold here now but for the greater part of January it has been like summer.

January 29, 1938

January 29, 1938

Strong insists that he won’t have Bruce at the head of one of his offices & steps have been taken to get Mr. Roberts down here. On account of the strong friendship between Bruce and the University people here, they are going to resent this & are apt to make efforts to keep Bruce. Yeomans will protest if Roberts comes down & Bruce goes out. He likes Bruce & the Fla. job. There are a number of small things, lax methods etc. against Bruce & probably more against McGehee. Strong & Spencer were here two days. Strong is in the state now & will probably leave Dodson down here for further checks. I am sure that they will go over the actual field operations in some detail & that later some of them will check the San Antonio office too.

Bruce is sick in bed with malaria & I’ve discussed the plan for him to return to research with Bishopp. He does not like the idea & says that he will resign. The university here have been trying to get money & to take Bruce from us in the next appropriation as a leader.

I do not know how long I’ll be here but at least for a week or more. May be advisable for me to keep Roberts out but I’ve already followed the suggestion of Strong to get Roberts down here. Yeomans is going to give trouble & he is going to resist on another appropriation. Strong does not want another one on SW.

With lots & lots of love to all of you.

Your
Walter.

* Probably right date, wrong day.

May 29, 1936

Friday A.M.
May 29, 1936.

Good Morning!

We have a new maid this morning and she seems to be good. She says she can cook. Once more the world seems rosy – although it really is raining today. It looked as if we might be here for some time yet and I thought it worth while to get someone. Think I’ll pack all silver except that which we use every day and put it under lock & key – just in case. However, she is recommended as being honest. Anyhow, if you will come home I think I can be with you more than I was last time.

May 29, 1936

May 29, 1936

Kenneth came home this A.M. I haven’t talked with him yet. Elton’s job is gone for good. He is getting mighty tired staying around home with nothing to do. He has no money to buy gasoline or whiskey.

We all are well. Hope you are. Shall we be seeing you soon?

Always with love.

Your
Ina.

October 29, 1931

Thursday Night.
Oct. 29, 1931.

Dearest Sweetheart:

It is almost eleven o’clock and I have been sewing buttons on Walter White’s shirts for hours. Mama and I have almost finished seven winter pants suits for him. You see, he had no long sleeve suits and none can be bought ready made in Uvalde. These, with his red overcoat that I made, should almost complete his winter wardrobe. Boys’ clothes, we have decided, are much more difficult to make than girls’. I bought over fifty buttons at one time.

October 29, 1931

October 29, 1931

Tonight feels a little wintery. We had a fire in one of the fireplaces early this morning. I am glad our circulating heater is in working order now. We may need it a few times this winter. Do you think you will need a gas heater at the lab this winter? We have one for sale, you know.

There was no letter today but I’m looking forward to one tomorrow. You are very busy with manuscripts, exhibits etc. I’m sure.

We hope you are getting along comfortably at home. Tell Rebecca I’m trusting her to take good care of you. The housekeeping is probably very easy now since Walter White and I are not there to scatter things.

Kind regards to the lab force and the Robinsons and the Shaws and Wilsons in case you should see them.

I love you, Honey, and I hope you sleep good.

Always, your devoted
Ina.

May 20, 1930

May 20, 1930-

My dear Honey Bird,

Your letter came this Noon. I had begun to think that perhaps Walter White was not well and that you did not care to tell me. Had I not heard from you today I intended to phone you tonight.

May 20, 1930

May 20, 1930

I am sending Claudelle part of my thesis for copying. If she is busy with the new company or fixing dresses for herself or anything, do not let her bother about the copy. If she does copy it I’d appreciate any changes she may make which will improve the English or add to the clearness of thought.

Today has been a hot day. It looks like we might have a little dry weather for a change.

The house looks just fine. The hedge is planted along the west side, but of course it is very small. It extends from the corner of the fence to the side-walk.

I saw the little Chamberlain girl on her porch this AM. I think they were away Sat PM & Sunday. They are so quiet over there that I can’t tell when they are at home.

Hon about Walter White’s “Double Sugar” Dextrose-Maltose? Does he need another can now or should I bring it with me about the first of the month? I’d like to see you now but I can’t start any new work at Uvalde. Besides I have more than I can do here. The trip to Longview & vicinity will probably add more to my lot. Then the Shelmire paper will need the attention of both he and I.

I love you Sweetheart and it seems like an awful long time since I saw you and Walter White.

With love,
Walter.

May 15, 1930

Walter’s current project is figuring out the etiology of endemic typhus (Rickettsia typhi). He suspects – correctly, it turns out – that rat mites are vectoring the pathogen.

Thursday PM.

My dear Sweetheart,

Your letter and the pictures came this noon. The pictures are very good and I am mighty glad to see them. Will keep them for the Baby Book. Walter White seems to be holding his own with so many new people.

May 15, 1930

May 15, 1930

I am enclosing a letter which was received from Mother today. Uncle Henry lost the little boy we saw at Sibley, La. I’ll write to him and to Mother tonight.

Yesterday Dr. Bedford brought his addition to the manuscript. It is very good for a rough draft but there is some duplication of information. This noon I had lunch with him at the Athletic Club. We plan to go to Longview and nearby places next Thursday PM. They have had quite a few cases of typhus. We want to determine whether or not rat mites are present. He wants to test samples of blood for typhus reactions (Weil-Felix test).

Mr. Somnier painted the gables of the house and the front of the garage. Today he is mowing the lawn and cutting the weeds in the back yard. The place is changing quite a bit. Perhaps this will be an added inducement to get the Mrs. to return to her husband.

With all my love, I am

Your Walter.

May 14, 1930

Walter’s next assignment will be studying the sand flies (Culicoides spp.) that are major pests in the coastal areas of the Southeast. He and Ina are figuring out the logistics for their pending move to either South Carolina or Georgia.

Wednesday A.M. 5/14

My dear Sweetheart,

It is difficult to tell you just what we should do. As much as I dislike the idea of being separated from you and Walter White, I am in favor of making it as comfortable for both of you as possible. I do not like the idea of leaving you in Dallas while I am in the Southeastern states. You could have everything delivered but you would be alone at night. I could get Mr. Somnier to let his oldest boy stay out there but it would be a responsibility to look after him. I think Mrs. Bucklin would be glad to stay with you but she would get on your nerves. Mrs. Chamberlain would be a lot of company and congenial.

May 14, 1930

May 14, 1930

If you wanted to stay in Uvalde until I get things located in the S.E. states it would be too much of an imposition on Daddy and Mother Lewis. They are going to have some anxiety over Thelma. They are going to have some visitors from Mississippi in June.

I am not sure but that it would be wise for me to come for you as we had planned. Then we could bring Claudelle and Daddy Lewis back with us. This would save Claudelle a little on her travel to Oklahoma. Then when you and I drive to Charleston or Savannah we could stop with Ethel for a little visit, also at my home if you care to. What do you think?

If you let me know just what you would like to do I’ll try to see it your way.

This PM Mr. Somnier is going out to our house with me to fix back steps, roof, gate, and paint the gables of the house. Will also paint front of garage.

With lots of love,
Walter.