Tag Archives: money

August 7, 1953

Bemis, Tenn. 8-7-53

Mr. W.E. Dove
Gambrills Md.

Your letter received and I don’t like misinterpreted words. First you try to make it sound like I thought Senie had lied to me. Read the letter again & see if that is right. I stated if you Affirm your statement is right, under same token you would [illegible] admit Senie was wrong [illegible] you and your mother don’t have same wording now who is right? As you know you should have sent me a copy of the will when it was written and by who witnessed and by who acknowledgement by who. Walter I’m not mad or threatening you as you know the Dove farm was under a heavy mortgage when Senie Bond married. She told me so and she is the one who cleared the debt as it stands it was a gift and you & Ethel are no more rights of Justice to all of it than I am, since you and Ethel have through some source took my part. I am now quoting[?] Revah Dec. 1946 said to me while we were on the front porch [illegible] you don’t know Walter & Ethel if Mama was to die they would take every thing here if they can and leave you and me out of the picture and neither of them don’t need [illegible] of it they never stayed here to try to work on it. So this end of quotation of Revah. I’m perfectly willing to meet you Revah Senie & Ethel at the Judgement Bar of God to answer why. Please read the Scripture citations here with enclosed.

J.D.S.

August 7, 1953

I’m not going to transcribe the enclosure. Here’s a scan.

August 7, 1953 (enclosure)

July 20, 1953

This letter and the next one from J.D. Stampley are written in a shaky hand with frequent misspellings, so they’re hard to read. I’m transcribing what I can make out, correcting spelling but not grammar. This appears to be the start of a rather unpleasant disagreement in the family.

Bemis Tenn.
July 20, 1953

Dear Walter

Many thanks to you & Ethel for 25.00 check. Ethel & Marshal were here yesterday a few minutes. She brought me a table cloth, said it was her Mama’s. I do appreciate it so much.

July 20, 1953

Now, about the will to me it don’t make sense you stated I wasn’t mentioned. Your mother said I was. She has also told Enola & Mary & Ida that I was mentioned in the will in 1946. She told me I would share alike as you & Revah & Ethel. Now if you affirm your statement is right by same token you confess your Mother’s statements were wrong, then that leaves your Deceased Mother under the curse of Lying. Bible says all liars will have their part in the lake of Fire. I can’t believe she lied, & about 3 months ago Senie wrote Ida & said she didn’t want me to suffer & if [illegible] thing for her to get it & send her the bill. In 1939 she got on me about church work & I told her I had no way of getting there. She remarked if she bought me a car she would change her papers & show the cost. I thought it too much trouble so we didn’t get the car. Senie has always proved she loved me, and I can’t somehow believe she has thrown me away like you said.

May I have your reply as to what you desire to do.

Thanking you for your reply.

Love to all
J.D. Stampley
P.O. Box 792 Bemis, Tenn.

September 7, 1943

Walter’s $5,600 salary in 1943 would equal $75,585 in today’s money.

March 15, 1942

Sunday PM.

My dear Ina & Boys,

The income tax blank was made out this PM & I’ll file it tomorrow. I am drawing a check in the amount of $192.51 and I am sending a check for $65.58 to the Panama City bank for deposit. This figures a balance of about $55 to cover any checks that you may have given after I left Panama City. Also the Chamberlain check should come on the 15th and I would suggest that you cash it. If you should find that something unexpected took up the available cash please telephone me at the office here number 3106 and I’ll telegraph or send you more.

March 15, 1942

We are late in getting the bids to Wash. & we hope to have one from the Van Horn Co. of Panama City. It would be convenient if they could get the low bid. Will try to come Friday night or Saturday if possible. In a pinch we could get Mr. Weir to come in our car with you, but it puts too much responsibility on you to get the household things loaded & care for 3 boys. I think I’ll come in a car (pick up truck) so that Mr. Weir can return to Orlando in it with a lab desk, washing machine, & any cages or wire fence we may want from Panama City.

I had dinner with the Bushlands today.

Will be glad when the whole family can get moved here & all of the work is started here. Travis will be here next Friday. Glass, Smith & Schecter are here now.

With love
Walter.

Later

We received the bid from Van Horn and it is the same amount as the other low bid from Jacksonville. We are recommending Van Horn and I am sure that they will get it, but we have to have approval from Washington. The bids are going to Wash. by air mail tonight.

My salary check came too, so I’ll deposit two salary checks here tomorrow.

February 22, 1942

Sunday 2/22.

My dear Ina & Boys,

I am enclosing a clipping from the Washington Post of today which is of much interest. They tried to get voluntary releases of personnel from government agencies but this failed, so now they are trying a new wrinkle. If you wanted a transfer to Wash. instead of Orlando, I imagine it would be easy because it could not be blocked in the Bureau. If it were not for Cushing I would not mind so much, because you know how I feel about the rest of them. The work at Orlando will be the most important war work in the Bureau & probably just as important as any except firing bullets.*

February 22, 1942

I kept the sedan delivery here today but I did not go out to Beltsville. It has been real cold yesterday & today and it was not especially urgent that I go over the fumigated material until tomorrow. I hope I can get away about the end of the week but cannot tell yet. I want to get the answer if I can by that time.

If you have any strong convictions about transferring, please let me know. After the war it may be difficult to get into other govt work which might mean taking the retirement. It would amount to about $150 per month at present. After about 6 yrs more or 30 yrs service would amount to about $200 per mo. I doubt if I could leave the Bureau before about 6 yrs. By that time we may be in the middle of another depression & it would be difficult to get started in something else.

With love,
Walter.

P.S. Think I’ll talk to the Public Health Service. Theirs should be permanent.

* Walter is not bragging. Louse-borne typhus was deadlier than any weapon in World War I, and all indications were that it would take a similar toll in this war. An army that could prevent and/or treat louse infestations would have an immense advantage over one that couldn’t.

May 19, 1940

Sunday Night 5/19-40

My dear Sweetheart,

Yours of last night was received a few minutes ago. I certainly hope the Cushings are not disappointed in the prospect of an heir, and they should not think for a second that I have any feeling about their going to Menard. I am very glad they are going. I also have the feeling that we will get somewhere on the SW problem through him.

May 19, 1940

Even though Panama City is said to be mine, I just don’t have the feeling that we are going down there. I think the assignment would be pleasant work and we could get something accomplished. Yet, if I do not go there I just do not know of anyone else to do it. Of course it could continue just as it has been for the past few years. Bruce could not supervise Dr. King’s work, and I doubt if they would let him go just for Panama City. That would be one way of reducing Dallas. Also if Laake came to Wash., that would leave only Wells & Eagleson to be transferred. My suggestion would be that, but I doubt if the Bureau is ready to boost Mr. Bruce that much. The other alternative would be to get Mr. Lindquist down there & to move Stage to assist Dornier. That would not meet with Mr. B’s approval either. Annand wants me to go & get King in good grace of Strong.

Strong did not discuss the matter with me. My visit was very short, a hello & the highlights on the bran market & our purchases. He listened with very little comment. Thought it best not to discuss Florida unless he brought up the subject.

Am returning the statement for the Liberty Mutual Co. Please look in your check stubs. I am quite sure that I gave a check when I signed the application. Also, the cancelled check should be in the April lot & listed on the statement. If not, would you send one to them. Pls. look in the black folder with my name printed on it, under auto insurance, & I think you will find the policy & the receipt.

Yesterday PM (after 5 o’clock), this AM & again this PM I took some long walks and exposed myself to the sunlight. I can breathe much better tonight & I feel better. Will continue to do this. I believe that is why I felt so much better when I came home the last time.

With love,

Your,
Walter.

The grape fruit, oranges & ham sound mighty good & it was nice of Mr. Gaddis to share them with us.

May 8, 1940

My dear Ina,

I mailed the checks to the Skellet Co. for storage, the New England Mutual & one to Mother Dove.

Love
Walter.

Will bring checks & deposit them at Wash.

May 8, 1940

Separate note:

May 8, 1940.

Dear Lewis Dunbar,

What kind of a boat are you building? It sounds like an Irish submarine (a brick bat). Will it float? Will see you Sunday.

Daddy.

And another…

Wednesday Night 5/8-’40

Dear Walter White,

I had some very good news on your school work and we want you to know that both Mother and I are very proud of your fine record. At the rate you are going in school you should be ready for college at an early age, and should get trained for your life work while you are young.

The grasshopper program is small in comparison to the past two years, and it seems perfectly natural to be working on it now. I plan to leave here Friday PM and should reach Washington on the B&O Sunday morning about nine o’clock, if I remember the schedule correctly. I’ll be there in time to eat Sunday dinner with you.

Yours,
Daddy.

December 10, 1939

Sunday Night
Dec 10, 1939

My dear Sweetheart,

Saturday PM Mr. Gaddis took Claudelle and I to lunch, to visit his house which is being remodeled and enlarged, and then to dinner. We had another invitation from the Bishopps Saturday night so we went out there, and again we got back about 2 AM Sunday. The Bishopps brought us back to town. Mrs. B. was so dog goned mean in her manners last week at the office that I am considering the party last Saturday as a sort of a peace offering. Although the Bs appear most cordial in every other way, I know that they resent deeply my being returned to the project. I will be in the status of investigating his project until my assignment is determined, also I may be considered as serving in Cushing’s place. Both of these give me right of way to discuss things with the chief’s office.

December 10, 1939

Gaddis has been very fine indeed to me and I am sure that he feels that we can be of mutual help in the future. He seems to be in good grace in the Chief’s office again, but he was in the dog house this season.

I expect to visit some of B’s workers at Beltsville & at Martha’s Vineyard this week, also review Dr. Back’s work & others in the office. I have annual reports for the past five years and quarterly reports for all stations for 1939, also budgets for the past three years. I’ll probably leave here about Saturday night, after seeing Dr. Parker & Wakeland, and go to Orlando to meet King. Think I’ll ask Bradley to meet me there, drive me to Ft. Pierce, New Smyrna, & Gainesville. Then get Brody to come to Gainesville and drive me to Panama City. From there I want to go to Dallas and Menard & get to Minneapolis by Xmas. Claudelle is planning to leave about Saturday & I am pretty sure she will come to Mpls & will try to make Uvalde by Xmas. Laake is in the hospital with a hernia & it may be an operation like Dr. Drakes.

My check for salary on Dec. 1 also two small expense checks should be at the office. I’ll have to endorse them for deposit. Would you mind telephoning Miss Beckwall and ask her to mail them to me care Mr. Gaddis. I’ll cash the small ones & return the salary check to you for deposit. The check for Dec. 15 could be sent to you from the office if you will tell her for me.

With all my love,
Your
Walter

May 31, 1939

Postcard from the Railway Express Agency, Uvalde, TX.

You are notified that 1 trunk forwarded by you on 12-9 1938 addressed to Elvira White 267 N. Grove St. Uvalde Tex., charges $5.93 remains in this office undelivered because no funds to pay charges.

Storage began 12-19-38 at rate of .50¢ per mo.

May 31, 1939

Apparently Madie’s sister wasn’t able to pay the shipping on the trunk after all. I have no additional paperwork about this, but assume that Walter and Ina picked up the tab.

November 5, 1938 (from Elvira White)

Uvalde, Tex.
Nov 5 – 1938.

Mr. & Mrs. Dove,

I am just coming to my self after the shock of my sister Mada. Don’t seem like it is true. We are so sad. When you called over the phone Sunday morning and said she was sick, I knew she must have been low sick then, so I began to worry and cry. Sent my mother a telegram in New Mexico. Could not find her so the next day which was Monday, I sent a special to one of my friends asking for her to find Mother for me and tell her Mada was low sick. So just as I mailed the letter and come back home, the telegram boy came. I opened it and just saw the word died, and it like to killed me, just made me sick.

November 5, 1938 (from Elvira White)

I prayed so hard for her to get well, but the Lord’s will was done. She was my sweet sister. I loved her so much, and my children was just crazy about her. Just don’t know what we are going to do without her. We are full of sorrow. Had letters from friends in San Antonio and said they were crying about Mada. Oh, she was so sweet we’ll never forget her. She will always cling in my heart as long as I live. When my mother did get the news, it made her sick, and she is not feeling so well now.

Mr. and Mrs. Dove, I want to let you know that we highly appreciate your kind deeds, and all the good you did for Mada, when she was sick. God will bless you some day, after we read your letter we understand that you done your best to save her. We feel like it is true. Oh, she could have been saved if she would let some one know her trouble. Poor child, maybe she didn’t know she was in that fix. I am sure.

I am sure you all were out of lots of money, if I was just able to pay some of that. She did not have any insurance in Uvalde. She did have at one time, but she got out of it. When she was in S.A. she joined the Tennessee insurance. It is found in the Travis Building in S.A. but if she didn’t keep it up, well she will not get any thing at all. Did you look in her room? Well, the Tennessee man will be in Uvalde next week and I will ask all about it. If there is any money in it, you will get it. We will be glad to do that. I will see what I can do about it and let you know at once. Mada looked so sweet, you had her fixed up so nice, and that made us feel so good. You and Dr. Dove have been highly praised by all, white and black, for the shipment of Mada’s body, and has been highly appreciated by the entire family. Her father took the bill over when the body arrived. Don’t know for sure just what it cost. Let me know what you all’s bill was in your next letter.

I will look for Mada’s clothes when you have time to get them together, and send to me. Did she have a trunk? She said she was paying on a coat, did she ever get it out? Mrs. Dove when you send the trunk charge on this end and I will pay it out. I feel like you all have done more than your part. I will always remember you and Dr. Dove, also pray that you will have good luck all your days. When you are in Uvalde let me know, I’ll come to see you.

Wish I could take Mada’s place with you all. Talk about me to your little boys so they will know me. Maybe that I can help you in some way. I always enjoy talking with your mother.

Answer soon,

Elvira White
267 N. Grove St.
Uvalde, Tex.