Tag Archives: lab

August 16, 1928

Walter and Ina are together now, and therefore not writing letters to each other, so I’ll be posting some work- and family-related correspondence to and from them during this period.

Uvalde, Texas, Box 509
August 16, 1928.

Dr. F.C. Bishopp,
Bureau of Entomology.

Dear Dr. Bishopp,

Enclosed you will find a copy of a letter I have just written to Mr. S.J. Miles, Miles Furniture Co., Corsicana, Texas. I made up the expense account of the late Frank Adams, and on the last portion of the account I furnished a sworn statement regarding the account. There is a small item of expense for lodging and meals amounting to $6.50 which I intend to submit on my account. The amount covers the period of August 1st to the 4th, when the accident occurred. I presume that it can be handled on my account provided an explanation accompanies it.

August 16, 1928

Mr. Sonnier arrived yesterday afternoon and will work with me for a few weeks. We have some mighty interesting studies on the goat louse survey, but it is a little early to draw conclusions. When herds are located which have not been dipped, we do not find L. stenopsis. We find the blue louse on young animals and on old animals which are dipped occasionally. As yet I have not found herds which had been dipped at short intervals. Many of them are dipped two or three times between shearings, but with intervals which are too long to obtain control of L. stenopsis. One dipping is fairly effective for both T. hermsi and T. climax. The protozoan found in L. stenopsis could be a commensual in T. hermsi and T. climax. This phase is one to be worked later. At the present time I am fixing lice for sections and I trust that these can be made upon my return to Dallas. The pathogenic organism of L. stenopsis should be demonstrated in sections. I have hopes of culturing it in vitro so that a further demonstration can be made of the effectiveness in control.

We shall have other need for a microtome. I have some tissue from shedding goats. We have the tissue obtained by Mr. Adams, and may have additional tissue of this nature. The Spencer Rotary should serve our needs, but I would like to have you talk with Dr. White about it. The chances are that others will use this machine and I should like for others to help select it.

At the present time the microtome and an extra knife should be ordered. I shall need a small oven, but we can get this when I return to Dallas. The large one cannot be regulated satisfactorily, but can be used for infiltrating. The smaller one would be needed for culturing.

Yesterday I wired you regarding Mr. Roberts. I do not want you to think that I am interfering with your business. I have no desire to do so. It occurred that Mr. Roberts might be in Uvalde until he can be appointed in the grade of assistant. Mr. Roberts was reared in this section and in a letter to me he expressed a desire to be in Uvalde. He would work here for the amount you could pay him. I would like to see Mr. Roberts in our service if it is at all possible to keep him. My interest in the thing is for the good of the service, whether it is a question of keeping a good man or discharging a poor one. I know that Mr. Roberts could get the tissue which we wanted Mr. Adams to obtain. He could continue the experiments on the amount of tissue used by larvae in their development. Mr. Adams had a method of extracting fluid from larvae with a saline and he then diluted this to a normal salt solution. With this he was making some injections to see if immunity could be established. He was testing for toxic effects also. It might be well to reserve the tests for toxicity until the B.A.I. can cooperate. Mr. Parman favors such cooperation on the toxicity tests. Mr. Roberts would have plenty to do in getting the tissue and in studying the amount of tissue consumed.

Very truly yours,

Walter E. Dove
Associate Entomologist.

July 8, 1927

Friday the 8th – Lab.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Was down town this noon but did not post a letter to you then. Mr. Diffey said that he had not heard from my application for the loan, but that he expected a wire this P.M. The President of the Company had been away and just returned yesterday. Will phone him tomorrow morning as the loan is due tomorrow. Will be mighty glad if it goes through OK.

July 8, 1927

Bish sold his house last night. Mrs. B said they had to cut more on their price and they are getting just about what they put into it. Bish did not want to sell, but she did. She says that they are going to buy a lot in the very best residential section for the next house they build. I think they did well to get their money out. Don’t know what it sold for. They sold only 50 ft of the lot. This would seem to be a step in his moving to Washington. Don’t know when they give possession but no doubt it will be soon.

It has been hot here for the past few days, but the sleeping porch is fine for sleeping. I believe it is cooler than the Apt at Miller’s Court.

Have given the car the blue coat. Will give the black one this evening.

Had a card from Alvis, Little Rock. He expects to return to Dallas today. Will soon leave on another trip.

Should get the advance check in a few days. Will need part of it for a renewal fee of the loan. Don’t know when I can come to Uvalde but I want to come as soon as possible.

I love you Dear and I certainly do miss you.

Your
Walter.

July 5, 1927

July 5, 7:15 PM. The Lab.

My Dear Honey Bunch,

Your letter posted yesterday A.M. came this noon and it was a real good one. I have such a sweet little wife.

I slept at the Lab last night and the camp bed was very comfortable. The sleeping porch is going to be O.K.

July 5, 1927

Bish is thinking about renting his home. I guess he plans on leaving before very long, though he did not say just when. One reason for leaving as I see it, he cannot get his promotion until he reports in Wash. for duty. Thinks he ought to get $60 for his house unfurnished. Says that the records show that Dallas has 6.4% vacant residential property. 10% is considered good in large cities. With no building to speak of, the demand should be good for homes this fall. Haven’t heard from Mr. Diffey yet. Will try and phone or see him tomorrow.

Had more supplies to come in today. Seems like Xmas to be unpacking them. Also had a visitor from SMU, Dr. Geiser head of the Dept of Biology out there. He is a Hopkins man. Did his work under Dr. Jennings. Says that a Hopkins PhD does not have to apologize to anyone for the degree. He was very interesting. Is doing some work on nematodes right now – some that breed in vinegar. Is studying effects of acids and alkalis. He says that he will call often in the future. Think he is the one whom Brown & Hoff mentioned, as he knew Brown.

You are missing the peaches at the Lab. Your husband has been eating enough for both of us. The kittens are fine & the goats too, thank you.

I love you Dear with all my heart.

Mighty sweet dreams,

Your
Walter.

July 3, 1927

Sunday 12:30 PM. Lab.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Haven’t had dinner yet. Thought I’d drive down town by the P.O. before eating. Will post this at the same time. The Uvalde paper came last night and I enjoyed reading it. I am at the Lab today. I fed the kittens and have been doing a little work and some reading. Am reading what Bish has on the nematodes. He has most of what has been published by the Zoological division. Since he is to move his library before long I want to go over this section of it and obtain some of the better publications.

July 3, 1927

I sure do miss you Sweetheart. Have been trying to keep this to myself but must tell you. Have kept busy and it helps some but I find myself looking at your photo and wishing for you. It won’t be so long now, before I see you though it will be after the 9th or 10th. I hope that you enjoy the 4th. I’d enjoy it more if I were with you. You sweet Little Thing.

I love you, Dear,

Your
Walter.

July 2, 1927

The Lab. Sat. Nite

My Dear Sweetheart,

Have just returned from the Apt. Did not have a letter there, so will go by the P.O. when I post this one. Bishopp returned this A.M. He was in Uvalde yesterday but said he was out of town most of the day. Parman didn’t know he was coming, so they had gone up the canyon. Bish said that he intended to phone you while there.

July 2, 1927

Things are going as usual here. Am getting in some supplies occasionally. Eventually, I’ll get what I want for my work. Bought a blood counting outfit (haematocytometer) today. Had selected it during Bish’s absence ($14 worth). Said he did not have a chance to make any blood counts at Ohio State. The centrifuge & some glass ware has already arrived.

This PM I posted a box of Martha Washingtons to you. They are a summer variety for shipping. Not a peace offering. Haven’t been guilty of anything that I would not want you to know about.

I love you Dear with all my heart & I hope it will not be so long before I see you.

Your
Walter.

July 1, 1927?

This letter ended up with the ones from later in July, and I believe it was actually written on or about July 1. I’m inserting it now and backdating the post so it will be in the correct order. Sorry for any confusion.

Friday 7:15 PM. The Lab.

My Dear Little Girl,

As usual I enjoyed your letter very much. Today I brought all of the things from the Apt. except a laundry bag, my shaving equipment and the bed clothing. I’ll sleep there until it is rented or until the 5th.

July 1, 1927?

I understand that Bish is returning by the way of Uvalde. Don’t know when he is expected to return here but probably within a day or two.

Had a letter from Dr. White today. He had heard nothing more of the C.E. work, but will find out after the 4th. He thinks we had better get things in shape to go down pretty soon. I am not taking him seriously.

Mrs. Brundrette went to Stephensville for a few days. Will return about Sunday.

Had a letter from Mr. Scott in answer to mine. Said that Cornelia was dead.

Have not had supper yet so I’ll post this & eat.

I love you Dear, and I am mighty anxious to see you again. It has been a long time.

Your
Walter.

June 30, 1927

The Lab. 5:30 PM.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Had a letter last night and it was great. You have been so good to write to me every day, and I certainly appreciate and enjoy the letters.

Alvis came by our apt. last night and visited with me for a couple of hours. He left for Little Rock & other points on a midnight train. He doesn’t seem to be getting along very good with his girl. He didn’t go to see her last night. Think he saw her one night this week for about 5 min. She told him he could stay 10 min. At the end of five minutes he said it had seemed longer to her so he left and has not been back. Mrs. Pettit sent me a glass of plum jelly by Alvis. She made it at home. Am keeping it until you come home.

June 30, 1927

Sweetheart, I don’t know what you think of it but I told Mrs. Rankin that I would give up the apartment. It seems foolish for me to keep it by myself, when we have so much need for the money in other ways. I have bedding and everything here at the Lab and can use the sleeping porch until I come to Uvalde. When we return we can take an apartment again or whatever you say. Last night I packed most everything and brought them to the Lab. My suits & your trunk are yet there, but I’ll bring them down soon. Am sleeping there yet, but told her to rent it as soon as she wanted to. She should be able to rent it by the 5th. I do not have a key. It is on your key chain. Would you please tie the enclosed frank to it and drop it in the mail box. I packed the china and silver carefully and counted the pieces so that I know we have all of them. I guess it would be a good idea if you would begin addressing your letters to Box 208.

I trust it will meet with your approval about giving up the apartment. It means a saving of $45 per month. It may be that long before we want one. Mrs. Rankin was very nice & hopes that we will come back to Miller’s Court when you return.

With all my love, Dear,

Your
Old Man. (Hubby)

So now Walter is living at the lab in Dallas.

August 2, 1925 (Walter)

Jacksonville Beach, Fla.,
Sunday Aug. 2, 1925

My Dear Sweetheart,

It seems like a long time since I have written to you, Dear, for it was impossible to write last night or the night before. Friday PM we came to the beach and spent all the afternoon in locating a place. We, finally, decided on one and late last night we arrived here with a pretty good truck load of stuff. It wouldn’t seem possible that two men would accumulate so much to be moved. It was so late when we arrived and we were so tired that we did not do anything but eat, unpack what we needed and then went to bed. I didn’t hear anything until 8 this morning. We have been getting up early but I didn’t wake up this morning.

August 21, 1925 (Walter)

We have a cottage with a long screened in front porch and two bed rooms adjoining. The lady lives in the rear and will do the housekeeping. Will use her garage for the experimental animals and our cultures, and lab. work. We can do very nicely on the screened porch. The arrangement is good, and even better than I had thought it possible to obtain. She is a lady about 40 or more (with bobbed hair which looks like a mop) but she is a good housekeeper and everything is just as neat as can be. I could go away for a few days and feel that everything was safe, and this is worth a lot. Her name is MacDonald, and the cottage has a name plate Mac’s Place over the door. The neighbor says that Mr. McDonald is working at Miami. They live in the cottage the year round but rent it during the beach season. She works at a cafeteria on the board walk and the only time we see her is when we go down there for meals. She is pleasant and we are very comfortable here. We have running water, bath plumbing, water shower after we come from the surf, electric lights, and a mighty good breeze (not too strong) day and night.

We have been rushed so much that Dr. White did not have time to purchase a bathing suit at Jax, and we haven’t been in the surf yet. We will probably go in this evening.

As usual I wonder how this place would strike you. I can’t help but believe that you would like it if you were here, but I hope we will have our own home and not camp to the extent that I am camping now. I believe that we would enjoy coming to the beach for a couple of weeks at a time, after we have our own home, unless we are living close by. The lot at Fulford is near enough to drive down in five minutes.

There is no news of interest. I haven’t been able to get the manuscript away from Dr. White yet. He still nurses it and looks for something to change. It should have been mailed yesterday, but he had some reason for holding it over. It is true that it reads OK and everything has been checked and re-checked, but I did this on the original. I hope that we will work up the next one separately as it is most aggravating. Guess he is naturally that way and maybe it is well that he does not have a wife. I would feel sorry for her.

I love you, Sweetheart, with all my heart, and you can bet that I am true to you. Will be mighty happy when I can have you with me.

Always your,
Walter.

Jacksonville Beach, Fla,
General Delivery.