Tag Archives: love

July 9, 1925

Thursday
10:30 P.M.

My Dearest Walter:

Claudelle and I have just returned from a meeting of the Young Peoples’ Union. The Christian Endeavor furnished the program for the evening which was in the form of a missionary pageant. It was very good and interesting.

Your Tuesday letter came this morning and I could hardly wait until I opened it to see what you had to say. Honestly, I get so thrilled every time I see a letter addressed to me in your handwriting. I enjoy every word of it when I read the contents too. In fact, my dear Walter, I fear I am most hopelessly in love, and you are the victim. I realize it more and more each day, and I feel sure I shall never get back to normal. However, I’ll have to confess that I like the sensation wonderfully, and would be terribly disappointed if I thought there was a chance for my recovery. Furthermore, I will say that I hope you have a genuine case of it yourself. If there is anything I can do to prevent your recovery I shall be more than glad to do it.

July 9, 1925

July 9, 1925

We have had company all day today. Sterling Fly, his wife and little six month old boy have been with us. She is Bob’s sister, and we enjoyed having them all so much. I am afraid the baby is very much spoiled this evening as we all petted him so much. He is just as sweet and good as he can be and is just the kind you want to squeeze real hard. Soon after they left, Mrs. Hines and Eugene Monagin’s wife called. She is very attractive and sweet. I don’t blame Gene a bit. I haven’t seen Mervin since you left. He may be in deep mourning for you. I think I shall find him and share my widows’ weeds with him. I know he can’t miss you half as much as I do tho.

I am glad you had an opportunity to eat dinner in our little breakfast room, even tho I couldn’t be there. Won’t it be nice when we can eat breakfast together? I met you at the breakfast table and I have had more respect for breakfast ever since. There is a halo of sentiment about it now that used to be lacking. I get all thrilled every time I think of having you for three meals every day. I can hardly wait for the time to come. And to think that it will sometime be in a home of our own!

I thought of you at 8:45 this evening when you were supposed to have arrived in Jacksonville. I am sure you will be so busy tomorrow that you will hardly know where you are. However, it will be work in which you are deeply interestted, and that will make it pleasant. I am going to be thinking of you and wishing you well.

It is getting late and I am trying to get into the habit of retiring early, so goodnight and pleasant dreams.

I think the world and all of you.

Yours always,
Ina.

July 8, 1925

New Orleans L&N Station
Wednesday 7:30 PM.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Pardon the pencil but my pen is in my brief case and I can’t put my hands on it just now. It would not be a very nice display in the waiting room if I should search for it and unpack everything. I am fortunate that I have just enough time between trains to write.

The trip has been quite pleasant and not as hot as it was last year. It is lonesome though and I console myself in the fact that you will be with me the next time. I wish you were along now. I guess I have as much hand luggage as if you were with me, two suit cases and a brief case. I checked the small trunk and shipped the other trunk and a box by Express. I expect to leave most of it in Florida and we won’t have to carry it on the next trip.

July 8, 1925

July 8, 1925

Mr. Seaton was mighty fine to me in Dallas.When I arrived he gave me a key to his Ford roadster and I had use of it the whole time I was there. Last night he came to the train with me. He is one of Mr. Galele’s men and for some time was in San Antonio.

Last night and the night before I went to sleep about the usual time, but I didn’t get up until about light this A.M. If I had gotten up early I would have had more time to loaf and I got pretty tired of that with what time I had today. There were two or three pretty girls in the same car and they seemed lonesome too, but I didn’t get acquainted. Thought of you most all day, and I have no desire to meet any other girl. They don’t interest me any more.

Have read a couple of magazines which might interest you and I am posting them with this letter. In the Legion Weekly the “Barsts and Suds” page has a bit of humor.

Mrs. Goodman had promised to take her little boy to the movies last night and they were showing “The Ten Commandments.” He said he wanted to go down to see God play. He is a good little kid and in the event we want to live in our own home while in Dallas, I believe he would not bother you. Mrs. Goodman says that anytime I come to Dallas she will arrange to let me have a room out there. She has an idea I might find a wife.

The low lands of Louisiana looked good today. The lack of rain seemed to be about what they needed. The crops were real good.

I’ll write you again, Dear, as soon as I arrive at Jax which will be about 8:30 tomorrow nite. I hope Dr. K.S. will not come down town then, but it would be the natural thing for him to do. If he does meet me he will talk until quite late. Anyway I’ll write if only a few words. I presume Dr. White will be there when I arrive. I should have been there a day earlier, but I wouldn’t have taken anything for the time I spent with you Sunday. Seems that I love you more every time I see you and each time I wonder if it is possible to love you more. You are so sweet and I love you with all my heart.

Sweet dreams,

Your
Walter

July 7, 1925 (Ina)

Tuesday Nite
July 7, 1925

Dearest Walter:

It is now just past ten o’clock and you haven’t come yet. Wish I really could expect you.

I spent my birthday with Thelma and enjoyed it very much. We had baked chicken and dressing ‘n everything. By the way, Jim Young, the former Tax Collector who was my employer, had the nerve to bring me today a bouquet of old maids! Very appropriate, don’t you think?

This afternoon I heard Claudelle give the alarm, I rushed out in the yard where she was and found that she had cornered a big tarantula. I finally succeeded in finding the axe and, while Claudelle held it down (the tarantula, not the axe), I knocked it in the head. “Really, it was a perfectly lovely specimen, now don’t you think so?” I suppose Mrs. Roark doesn’t object to being quoted.

Mr. Savage called up this afternoon and renewed his date for tomorrow evening. I am going to be wishing for you then.

This is one of those beautiful moonlight, breezy nights that makes sitting in a porch swing of a country home with a Bird a night of perfect happiness and contentment. We have spent many of just such hours during the past two months, and I am so thankful for them. I think that they are just the beginning of a lifetime of companionship and happiness.

I can hardly wait for to-morrow as I feel sure that there will be a letter in the office for me from you.

No doubt you spent last evening with Alvis – I mean, Mr. Petit. I am sure you had a pleasant time after several weeks of separation.

I suppose you are on your way to Florida tonight. I hope you are having a pleasant trip. I think it would have been so pleasant for you and your family if you could have had the time to have spent a short while with them on your way over. However, I appreciate so very, very much the fact that you spent as long time as you did in Uvalde. I am sure they could not have enjoyed having you more than I did, and I hope they can forgive you and me.

It is getting late so I will write you more after I receive your letter to-morrow.

I still love you lots and lots and always will.

Always your
Ina.

Wednesday Nite
July 8, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

It is now twelve o’clock and Mr. Savage has just left, but I am determined that a date shall not interfere with my writing to you. I couldn’t help wishing for you every few minutes while he was here. He didn’t discover the ring until a short time before he left, but I don’t think he was surprised. He admired it very much, wished me all sorts of happiness and said that he wished he could have an opportunity to congratulate you etc. I probably will not see him again as he said he thought he would be leaving Uvalde County soon.

Your letter came this afternoon and I was almost “tickled to death” to get it because it seemed ages since I had seen you or heard from you. I enjoyed every word of it several times since I didn’t stop at reading it only once. I am going to live on letters and anticipation this summer.

I am glad everything is looking so well “at home.” I am anxious to see the pictures of it.

This afternoon Mama and I called on Mrs. Brown, the lady who lives on the ranch joining ours. She and Mr. Brown had called on us twice but it had been impossible to get Mama off until this afternoon. We enjoyed it very much as they are good friends of ours. They are special friends of Mr. and Mrs. Parman, and Miss Mary Brown was the young lady they invited to the barbecue for Mr. Dodd. You remember she was in San Antonio at the time.

Mama, Papa and Claudelle send best regards and say that they surely do miss you. Do you suppose I do too? “You bet!!!”

I love you lots and lots all the time.

Always your
Ina.

P.S. I surely do appreciate the literature you sent. I haven’t had time to read it yet, but am going to soon.

Love
Ina.

July 6, 1925

Monday Night

My Dear Little Girl,

Happy birthday and I hope you will live always; also hope that I’ll never die. Nothing of unusual interest occurred on the trip to Dallas. Made close connections at San Antonio, and arrived as per schedule. I packed nearly all day, but quit in time to see the house and to call on Mrs. Laake.

The house looks fine and Mrs. Goodman says she only hopes that they can stay there. She is afraid that I’ll want it for my wife. She has kept everything in excellent condition and the addition of pot plants and a couple of swinging baskets of vines add quite a little to the appearance of the porch. The lawn looks good, though she has had a fight with Johnson grass. I made a couple of Kodak pictures of it. Said she made some recently and hadn’t gotten the prints as yet. Had an invitation to eat dinner with them, but I had already phoned Mrs. Laake and she had asked me to eat with her.

July 6, 1925

July 6, 1925

Mrs. Laake wished that she had been with us on the 4th, and was pleased when I told her that you wished to be remembered to her. She served me a couple of bottles of Mr. Laake’s beer, some deviled eggs, fish and head lettuce, Swiss cheese sandwiches etc. I visited with her for about an hour and met her brother-in-law’s adopted daughter. Mrs. L. thinks that you are just about right. Nice, pretty, and everything. She was pleased when I told her. I believe you will like her.

This has been a mighty long day and night, due to the fact that I could not look forward to seeing you tonight. You don’t know how much I miss you, Dear, nor how much I would like to be with you. I’ll be mighty happy when I can have you with me always, and I only hope that I can make you happy. I love you lots more than you know.

Under separate cover I am mailing you the SS teacher book of which I told you, and also the laundry book I promised to locate.

It is 11 o’clock and I am going down town to post this, so I had better go.

Lots and lots of love.

Your
Walter.

July 5, 1925

Sunday Nite
July 5, 1925

My dearest Walter:

You don’t know what a queer feeling it gave me tonight to come home from church without you. This time last night we were having such a pleasant time. It hurt me like everything this afternoon to tell you “good-bye.” When you drove off I had such a lost, sinking feeling. A lump came in my throat, but I swallowed it because Mr. and Mrs. Parman were right there. They must have had an idea about it because Mrs. Parman made a few appropriate remarks about how lonesome I would be after you left etc.

July 5, 1925

July 5, 1925

By this time I am sure you have left San Antonio. Perhaps you are asleep as it is after eleven o’clock, and, knowing your never failing habit of retiring early, I am not a bit surprised. I hope you are having a pleasant trip. Altho I would have been so glad if the circumstances had been so that you coiuld have remained longer in Uvalde, I am glad you succeeded in making connections this afternoon.

No, the little Ford roadster didn’t come out this evening. I have just looked out of the door to see if I could see it but its chair is vacant. Merwin must have roped it and tied it securely, or would surely have been here by now.

I just had to write you a few words before going to sleep. I will write some more tomorrow.

I love you and love you and love you.

Good night and pleasant dreams.

Love,
Ina.

Monday Nite

Hello-o!

It is now eight o’clock – just about time for you to be coming in the gate saying that. I can almost hear you right now – wish I could.

Altho I have been busy at different things all day, the day has been uneventful, that is, as far as startling events are concerned. Time and again I have found myself looking at the clock to see how long it would be before time to dress for you to come. I think it will be some several days before I can get out of that habit.

Last night after church, when Claudelle, Lucile and I started to get in the car, we saw Mr. Owens and another young man parked near us. He came over, shook hands with us and talked a long time. The moon was bright, and finally he remarked pointing to my ring, “Please turn that thing around, it hurts my eyes.” I said “‘scuse me” and turned it on the inside of my hand. However, the other young man examined and admired it but said it was rather hard on Mr. Owens. Just about that time they discovered the baggage in the car. Altho they inquired the “why and wherefore” of it, I didn’t offer any explanation, so I suppose they thought it belonged to Lucile or someone else. By the way, I am still just as proud as can be of my birthday gifts from you. They are so pretty and useful and necessary too that I like to keep them out where I can see them every few minutes. I get most sweetly thrilled when I look at them and realize that before so terribly long I will be using them when you and I are making our trip. Yes, “the madam” (don’t you dare!!) still experiences lots of thrills even though her “beeswa_” ‘scuse me! I mean even though you are away and also, even though she has almost reached her twenty-sixth milepost. Ripe old age, don’t you think?

A short time after you left yesterday afternoon, I went over to see Thelma and Bob and stayed until League time. Thelma said that the other day she asked Thelma Lee if she had seen Ina’s ring. Whereupon she calmly, most seriously and simply answered “yes.” Thelma asked her if she thought it was pretty. Again the solitary word, “yes,” spoken in a sadder tone. Then she asked if she knew who gave it to me. “Yes, Mr. Dove.” Then Thelma very enthusiastically told her that it meant that Ina was going to marry Mr. Dove, they were going to be happy, and, incidentally, that they were going to move away from Uvalde. At that point Thelma Lee shocked her by breaking down and crying as though her heart would break. She kept it up continuously for at least twenty minutes, and nothing would quiet her. Thelma tried to make her laugh by telling her that your Mama and Papa lived a long way from you, that you were lonesome and needed someone to take care of you; that you needed someone to darn your socks and sew up your shirts, and since you thought I could do it better than anyone else you were going to marry me (you didn’t know that, did you?). That didn’t have the desired effect though, so she cried until she was about exhausted. Yesterday afternoon while I was there, she saw my ring, tears came into her eyes, she bit her lip, turned her head, and did everything she coiuld to keep from showing her feelings. It shocked me that a child her age would take anything like that so seriously and so much like a grown person. Of course it isn’t that she objects to you in the least, because you know what sentiments she has expressed about you many times before, but it is the idea of my leaving that concerns her so deeply.

Thelma Lee and Reitha are spending the night with us tonight while Thelma and Bob have gone to Eastern Star. They were by the desk where I am writing a moment ago and I told them I was writing to you. When I asked Thelma Lee what I should tell you for her she said “Tell him that we miss him and want him to come back soon. If he can come back day after tomorrow, tell him to come.” Reitha said “Tell ‘im dat I tank ‘em for divving me lots of shewin dum.” I hereby deliver the messages. Thelma Lee furthermore asked me if Mr. Dove knew how to read my letters. What she meant I don’t know, but I could have told her that you had taken a year’s correspondence course in it, and I believed you could almost pass an examination in that subject. However, if you think you will need any assistance I shall gladly render it personally in the Fall.

Walter, you don’t know how much I wish for you tonight. The moon is wonderful, and everything would be ideal if — Well, the moon will shine again, and you are coming back too, and then, won’t we be happy? I am happy now thinking of the past two wonderful months and of the many, many many happy months we have ahead of us, when we can be together always.

My, my, how I do love you!

Goodnight, bless your heart.

Lots of love,
Ina

June 19, 1925 (Walter 9pm)

Uvalde, Texas, Friday Nite 1925

My Dear Ina,

It is now about 9 o’clock and I have just returned from a little drive. I took myself out for a ride. Mrs. Hollifield says that I look lonesome. You have no idea how much I miss you nor how very much I would like to see you tonight. Seems like an awfully long time since I saw you, and I am wondering what I will do this summer. Your mother seems to miss you so much too. I would have gone out there again tonight but I don’t want to wear out my welcome.

June 19, 1925 (Walter 9pm)

June 19, 1925 (Walter 9pm)

I haven’t heard anything more of E. and Mrs. H., and I presume that I will not hear from either of them again. If I do, it will probably be in the nature of a “balling out.” By this time they probably realize that such a procedure does not get anything, for they have failed in the past. Mrs. H. is naturally of a domineering type and as long as I was in Aberdeen, I never crossed her. E has an idea that she can get anything she goes after, and I don’t believe there is another person in the world who would have come to Texas (without knowing where they were going) except herself. She had an idea that she would give me a surprise visit and that everything would be fixed up. Please understand that she and I “severed diplomatic relations” several months ago and that in the meantime I have not heard from her. Had three letters from her mother and I have told you about them. My answers were anything but polite, and she said they made her sick. I did not sympathize with her in either of them. She always feels so sorry for herself. I wonder what she will tell her friends in Aberdeen as they will ask about me, but I’ll not let this worry me. Most of them know her as well as myself.

I guess this is enough of my experiences. I wanted you to know and I feel better when I have told you. Please don’t let any of it worry you, for I love you more than I can tell you and nothing will come between us. I am mighty glad that we understand each other and that it is possible for me to see you again after this happened. I am sure that you will feel all right about it when you know all about it. If it is not clear in a letter, I can tell you when you return. Remember that I love you and only you and that nothing will come between us if I can have anything to do to prevent it.

With a real sweet goodnight and assuring you that I am real anxious to see you again, I am, with all my love, Dear,

Your
Dove

P.S. As you leave there Monday AM I would not have time to get another letter to you.

June 19, 1925 (Ina)

Friday Afternoon
June 19, 1925.

Dearest Walter:

You see, I did succeed in borrowing a fountain pen.

Your letter came this morning at the breakfast table, and you don’t know how much better the cold toast and raw eggs tasted after reading it. But the way, I believe I enjoy my meals more than any other “service” we have. They are certainly nothing to boast of but I think the reason I enjoy them so thoroughly is because they are the only thing we don’t have to take notes on. Yes, Claudelle’s appetite has improved wonderfully too. She eats all they give her and sings for more. At the present moment she is enjoying “College Humor.” They are not working us so hard today, so I think I can find time to read some too.

June 19, 1925 (Ina)

June 19, 1925 (Ina)

You may rest assured that I sleep well. No amount of heat can keep me from that. I don’t get to sleep until about 11:30, but that is early, isn’t it?

I am heartily ashamed of myself for complaining about anything here, and I’ll take it all back. I think they do wonderfully well to have things arranged as well as they have. I think the real trouble with me is that my heart is in Uvalde. It is still there, but I am enjoying the services here much better now than at first. They really are wonderful, and I consider myself fortunate in having an opportunity to take part in them. Never-the-less, I shall be most happy when we are homeward bound. I would be so glad if you could be [now in pencil] (the borrowed pen and ink gave out) here to go back with us, but that would be a long way for you to come just for that. The girls here like you so much (A lady just came in, and, since my bed is almost under the shelf where the water is, she accidentally poured some in my lap. Hence the blots), that I am sure they would be delighted to have you go back with us. Anyhow, I surely am looking forward to seeing you Monday after we return. I can hardly wait.

I like your friend, Mr. Petit. I feel like I have known him before, but I suppose that is because I have heard you speak of him so much. I would enjoy having him come out this week. I enjoyed the drive Tuesday afternoon with you all so much. You are so thoughtful and nice that you know just what to do to make people comfortable and happy. I love you for that and everything else.

It is now 3:15 and we are supposed to be at the tabernacle in fifteen minutes to have our pictures taken and I haven’t dressed yet.

Wish I could see you now.

Claudelle appreciated the “sisterly” love, and sends her “brotherly” in return. And I send mine which is neither sisterly nor brotherly.

We appreciate your going out to see Mama. I know they enjoyed having you. Tell Thelma Lee and Reitha hello for us when you see them. I am sending them cards this afternoon.

I love you.

Ina.

June 17, 1925

This undated letter was misfiled with a later set, so I’m posting it now (8 September 2011) and backdating the post. Sorry for any confusion.

Wednesday Nite.

Dearest Walter:

I have been trying ever since you left to write to you, but I couldn’t very well do it and take notes on class work at the same time. I didn’t think I would ever write to you with a pencil, but my fountain pen, with several other things that I intended to bring, is peacefully at rest in Uvalde. Maybe I can borrow one at the post office to address the letter. Most of the crowd went on Mount Wesley this evening after the lecture for games and campfire, but I preferred writing.

June 17, 1925 (Ina)

June 17, 1925 (Ina)

We are taking only five courses, and these, in addition to committee meetings, special services, study periods etc. keep us more than busy. I should be studying right now since I haven’t read half my assignments for tomorrow, and I will not have a minute before classes, but, do we care? What I want most right now is to be with you. I had ten thousand times rather be with you than to listen to lectures, go to campfires or anything. It is certainly fortunate for me that there will be no exams here, because just as my instructor reaches the most eloquent point in his discourse my mind is back in Uvalde on Mr. Lewis’ front porch in the swing with my favorite Bird. If it were left with me, I would set sail at once. It seems like an age since I saw you, and I feel like I am losing so much time that I could spend with you. Now, of course these preachers, instructors etc. would thoroughly appreciate my attitude if they knew it.

I thought of you so much on your trip home. I surely do hope you found a better road going back than the one we had coming over. You don’t know how I appreciated the way you had the car fixed for me, and the candy ‘neverything. I divided candy with the Uvalde crowd, and they thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated it. You are just as sweet as you can be to me. I don’t deserve it, but I do love you so, and always will.

Thursday P.M.

I had so many interruptions last night when I was writing you that they ordered the lights out before I could finish.

I have already been to morning watch, and must go to classes now. Will try to write a better letter later.

I love you lots and lots and lots.

Love,
Ina.

May 10, 1925

There’s no letter for this date, but from later correspondence we learn that Walter did get to Uvalde in early May. On the 10th, he proposed to Ina. She accepted.

November 30, 1924

Sunday A.M.

My Dear Ina,

I expected you to write me a pretty severe letter and I almost dreaded to read it, for I felt guilty of having been quite mean in writing. However, I was not aware that it had been so long. I was at West Palm Beach only a day when I returned and that probably accounts for the fact that I did not fill my promise in writing from there. I was rushed when I returned to Jax and I am sure that I did not write a letter of any nature until I reached Washington. But just the same it was mean of me to have waited so long and I deserved a good calling for it. Instead, you wrote a most wonderful letter and you don’t know how much I appreciated it nor how much it is helping.

November 30, 1924

November 30, 1924

You were quite right in saying that I could not be sure of myself in so short a time. I am not sure, and that is where your letter helps me. You seem to understand me and my dilemma. I know that everything will come out for the best, and I always feel that things happen for the best. The Supreme Being has a way of doing things that we cannot always understand. The fact that I met you and learned to care so much in so short a time, and that our ideas seemed so perfect in harmony, was no doubt more than a coincidence or happening. You haven’t heard me say anything about religion but in a large manner I believe in predestination. The Bible certainly teaches it in the case of Judas. I cannot believe that everything is predestined, but I do believe that through our conscience we are influenced by a Divine Plan. I believe we are held accountable for violating what our conscience dictates to us.

You have been an inspiration to me and you don’t know how much I really do care for you. I really feel that I love you best, but I believe that the other loves me more. Of course you and I have been together very little and I doubt if you can tell whether or not that you love me. My hope is that I can be with you more and then we will be more sure of ourselves. I had planned on seeing you Christmas, but it has developed that my work here will keep me going until after that time. I have worked every evening since I’ve been here and holidays too, except Thanksgiving when I had dinner with Dr. and Mrs. Roark. Mr. Bishopp writes that it would be fine to attend the meeting of the American Association of Economic Entomologists which will be held here during the Christmas holidays. I know that I can’t possibly finish the sectioning and staining before that time, so I’ll plan to attend the meeting. I came up without an overcoat as I expected to get through shortly, but am writing Mr. Laake to ship it to me. I had really planned on seeing you, Dear, and am disappointed. I hope you will believe me. Maybe I can run down for a few days during the early part of the year, that is if you feel that you would like to see me. If you don’t care to see me I would appreciate your telling me.

The sections of skin removed from patients in Florida have been brought here and I am working under Dr. White and am doing my own sectioning. They are first put through a number of solutions and then embedded in paraffin blocks. From these blocks I use a machine to cut the sections, which are mounted on slides in the order that they occur in the skin specimen. They are then subjected to 15 various treatments and stains, so that the complete structure can be studied microscopically. It is a tedious task and when they are completed I’ll probably have 20,000 sections for study. I wanted to give you an idea of what I was doing.

The appropriation bill has not passed as yet and we will not know until about April, but a request was made by Dr. K.S. with endorsements of the State and City Health boards. The Senator promised support, so no doubt but that we will get enough to do some good work in Florida another year. I believe the station will be permanent when it is established for there are a number of problems to be worked out by our Bureau on the line we are following.

I certainly enjoyed the work down there and I like the climate year round.

I am enclosing a newspaper account which we ran about the time I left Florida. It isn’t complete by any means and couldn’t be at this stage of the study. We also reported at the Southern Med. Meeting at New Orleans last week. I’ll send a copy of it when it is published.

You do understand me, Dear, and I hope you will be patient with me. I’ll try and not disappoint you again, for it hurts to know that I did not keep my word about writing from W. Palm Beach.

You are wonderful and your letters are an inspiration.

Sincerely,
Walter

Clipping in separate envelope.

Government Experts Finish Study of Creeping Eruption (clipping)

Government Experts Finish Study of Creeping Eruption (clipping)