Tag Archives: politics

August 13, 1925

Jacksonville Beach, Fla.,
Thurs. Nite. Aug. 13, 1925.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Another real sweet letter this morning and I thoroughly enjoyed it. You certainly know what to say to hit the right spot with me, Dear, and best of all I know that you mean it. I consider myself mighty fortunate to have such a dear little girl. I have no idea of calling her “Mama,” for she is just right.

August 13, 1925

August 13, 1925

We are busy and the work is very interesting. It certainly made a difference in Dr. White when we started on this lead and I have enjoyed the past few days with him more than all the other time put together. I believe we are getting somewhere with the problem now and he feels the same way. It was amusing today, when a kid brought over a crab and wanted to know if we wanted it. Dr. White said “yes” but he told me that he took it just to make the kid feel encouraged. Have gotten the idea of crabs as carriers of creeping eruption out of his mind, and I believe he is not so much of a crab himself as he was when I wrote you such blue letters. He has been human the past few days and I believe he will be just fine from now until we are through.

He knows his stuff and I have been able to get him to open up some during the past few days. We had an understanding, without any hard feelings either way. He expects to be in Texas again this fall on the cotton disease, and maybe he will be here until he is ready to go there. He thinks it will be almost the 15th of next month.

The mosquitoes have been visitors with us recently and we found it necessary to get under some netting. Dr. White brought me some safety pins so I could pin it down well tonight. Last night I had to get up a few times and finally used a lotion. The cottage isn’t screened very well.

Haven’t been in the surf the past few days but I guess we will go down at about 5:30 in the morning. That is a mighty good time to go in.

I guess you think that I am never going to send the photos (Kodak) of the Dallas house, but I did not get the roll out of the Kodak until a few days ago. They should be back tomorrow and I’ll send them as soon as they come. Will send one of this cottage too.

Had a nice letter from Sister yesterday. She is a happy girl and wants me to know it. Says she is going to teach again this year, but it would seem to me that she has enough to do in keeping house. He is good to her and she always mentions it to me.

Had a letter from the Lab at Dallas and they are expecting Laake back about the 15th. This is quite a while for him to be away from the Mrs. and I have an idea that he is getting anxious to get back. His beer ought to be good when he gets there, and I reminded him to take one for me. Mrs. L had started a new lot when I was in Dallas so he will have quite a supply.

Will say “goodnight,” Dear, for I have no news. It is the same old story but I am going to tell you again. I love you with all my heart and you don’t know how much I wish for you.

With a real big hug and a sweet kiss,

Your,
Walter.

August 10, 1925 (Walter)

Jacksonville Beach, Fla.,
Monday Night.

My Dear Sweetheart,

I was mighty glad to get your letter this morning, but very sorry, Dear, to know of your toothache following the dental work.* I can sympathize with you for I know how disagreeable it is for the first few days. No doubt you are glad that it is all over and that you won’t have to go back again soon. I always feel relieved when I leave the dentist’s office. You should feel better by this time and I hope that when you receive this that you will feel just right again.

August 10, 1925 (Walter)

August 10, 1925 (Walter)

The last time I went to a dentist’s office I showed him a real filling and I told him that it was painful. Then I told him that the dentist was dead now. He was quite small so he asked if I was giving him a warning to go easy.

When I came to the beach, Sweetheart, it made the mail service between us about a day more, so that probably accounts for one missing day. Too, the letters are not always forwarded promptly from KS office. Dr. White and I are going to Jax tomorrow and after doing some shopping will have dinner with Dr. K.S. and family. Am glad that there will be no card party connected with it nor a movie show, as we will want to come back before it is so late. We are getting into some interesting work right now and I believe it has helped a lot in getting Dr. White off some of his notions. We had some stuff today which makes him feel that we have the thing we are looking for, and I anticipate a more pleasant connection with him during the next few weeks. Incidentally, it is my lead and I think he is more considerate of it. This will keep him occupied and I believe I can keep him off the cold trails for the rest of the season. The time passes quicker since we are on experiments again, but it isn’t fast enough yet, Dear, for I want the time to come when I can be with you. Don’t think that my love is the least bit colder since I left you, for it is all yours and I wish for you just the same. If I could only be with you occasionally it would help some, but the time is coming and every day makes it a little nearer. It is probably difficult for you to wait too, and I wonder if your duties during the day are as interesting to you as mine are to me. Mine help some, but I always have to look at your photo occasionally and wish that I were near enough that I could hug you real hard.

I love you, Sweetheart and Goodness only knows how much I want you.

With a sweet goodnight and with all my love, I am,

Always your,
Walter.

P.S. I have not yet had a letter addressed to Jax Beach, but I guess they will come addressed this way before long.

*This letter might be slightly out of sequence – Walter had a habit of only writing the (sometimes incorrect) day on his letters, and the postmark on the envelope for this one is illegible.

August 9, 1925

Sunday Night.
Aug. 9, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Claudelle and I left before the League service was over tonight as it looked like it would rain and we were not crazy about the idea of coming over our road after it was wet. It was mostly false alarm as it only sprinkled a little. There seemed to be enough thunder and lightning to make the Noahs of Uvalde think seriously of building an ark, but perhaps past experience has taught them better. However, we haven’t quite overcome our Mississippi ideas of the weather.

August 9, 1925

August 9, 1925

You really did seem distressed in your Wednesday’s letter over the Dr. White situation. Sweetheart, I am awfully sorry you are having so much trouble with him, and I wish so much that I could do something to help you out. I know just about how you feel and I don’t blame you a bit. I surely do wish I could be there to try to help you forget it. I know that when you are so constantly and closely associated with someone who is so oldmaidish, particular and slow about things that are often of minor importance or things that you have already thoroughly investigated yourself it is no less than nerve-racking. But aren’t you glad you found it out before you got deeply into some kind of partnership work with him that it would be harder to get out of? Maybe he will not be with you much longer, and then, won’t you feel good! I think you will be better able to appreciate your own work and the pleasant dealings you have had with Dr. K.S. and others than you would have, had you not had this experience with Dr. White. Sometimes these experiences are rather bitter while they last, but we often profit by them. However, Sweetheart, I am sorry you have had to endure this one and I hope you will not have to do it again. I am glad you are writing me about it because I like to know what you are going through even when you have to write it, because, if I were with you, I would certainly want to know, and I like to feel as much like I am with you as possible. I want you to feel free to write me anything you would want to tell me if I were with you. I will be so glad when we can be together and each evening can discuss the difficulties as well as the pleasures of the day. That is the way a husband and wife are drawn closer together and into a more complete understanding of one another. I don’t see how I could love you more than I do now, but that is what I said at first and I know I love you more now than I did then. Isn’t it wonderful how one’s capacity for loving can be increased so much?

You spoke of my photos. I still wear yours on my dressing table and I get lots of pleasure out of looking at it. You would really be surprised to know how often the expression of your face changes. When I don’t get a letter from you and I can’t help but be disappointed, I look at you and you look solemn and almost call me “Mama,” but when I do get a nice letter from you, I look at you and you almost laugh. I don’t know what I’d do without the picture. I love it. (and you).

Always, your,
Ina.

August 7, 1925 (Ina)

Friday Afternoon.

Aug. 7, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Now, don’t you feel good when you do get a letter? And especially so if you get two letters and your mother and Dad get one too? That was my experience yesterday afternoon and I was so happy over it. I knew you had some perfectly good reason for not writing before.

I enjoyed the description of your new house, new landlady etc. I am mighty glad you have found such a pleasant place to stay. It all “made my mouth water” and I am sure I would like and enjoy it. Take a dip in the surf for me, will you? Yes, we are going to be so happy in Florida. I know I shall like it, and, best of all, I can be with you. Sweetheart, I surely do love you.

August 7, 1925 (Ina)

August 7, 1925 (Ina)

I am so glad for you that Dr. White finally consented to part with the manuscript. I suppose he has to bestow his affections upon something, so he seems to have showered them generously upon it. Yes, I judge that his wife would certainly need the sympathy of her many friends if he continued in his old maidish ways.

No, Sweetheart, I know you are not ego-tistical, and I am so glad you tell me the situation as you do. I understand and appreciate your motive in telling me, and you may rest assured that I will not misunderstand and feel that you are flattering yourself. I am proud of you and love to hear of the progress you are making. In fact, I would feel badly if you didn’t tell me about your work etc. I am looking forward to the time when we can be together all the time and can discuss it more freely.

Mama and Papa appreciated the letter you wrote them. I am so glad that everything is coming out so nicely. They like you so much. (I don’t see how they could help it), and we are going to be so happy, aren’t we?

I must dress to go down town now.

Lots of love from

Your
Ina.

August 6, 1925

Jacksonville Beach, Fla
Thursday Night.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Another day and I have not had a letter, but I feel sure that they were not forwarded from Dr KS office until late and I’ll probably get two when they come tomorrow. If you didn’t write, I’ll love you just the same.

This afternoon there was quite a crowd in the water as the stores closed as usual and allowed the clerks a half holiday. It is quite a different crowd from those coming Saturday afternoons. We went in the surf just before noon as Dr. White thought it would not be so chilly when we came out. It was quite warm (the air) and my back feels as though I have a pretty good sun-burn. I hope he feels about the same way, as he needs something to take a little conceit out of him. I have a mighty hard time to keep him steered right in this work, and I think I put it over pretty good this afternoon. He wants to work with some crabs which burrow along the beach, believing that they might be the host of our parasite causing creeping eruption. It is about the most foolish thing a person could do, as lots and lots of our cases originated on the interior where there are no possible chances that they could be concerned. I told him that what I needed of him was some technique in preparing the slides for identification and that if he would do this I would feel grateful. I have worked up the epidemiology of the cases so that I have a very good idea as to what animals we should test, and I have told him in plain English that he didn’t know anything about it. If my work is not to be regarded, he can have the problem when I am through. He was asked to come down but not to take charge, and in a polite way I told him that I had “my problem” pretty well in hand. I always welcome suggestions, but he will have to “snap out” of the idea that he knows so much about this particular problem. If he doesn’t make a move to return to Wash before long, I will probably make my trip down the state while he is here and then work this when I come back. It is a certain thing that he will not get anywhere if he takes his way in doing it. No wonder he said it would take 20 years. I don’t mean to burden you with this, Dear, but I feel that I should tell you everything that concerns me. Here’s hoping that I will not be so set in my ways that I will bore you.

August 6, 1925

August 6, 1925

K.S. was quicker to give an opinion than I was and I believe he was about right. He says don’t let him be so dogmatic, for it is not his problem. I can’t ask him to leave, but if he does not change his tactics I may tell him that about the best thing he can do is to return to Wash. He feels that I want to keep on the good side of him on account of possibilities in future work, but I don’t believe I want to work with such a slow man again.

I love you, Dear, and if you only knew how much, I’d be happy. I wish with all my power that I could have you with me now.

With a big hug and real sweet kiss

Always your
Walter.

August 5, 1925 (Walter)

Jacksonville Beach Fla
Wednesday Nite 8/5.

My Dear Sweetheart,

I did not get a letter today and I presume that it was not forwarded from Dr. KS office. The girl probably held the mail until this afternoon to see if one of us came into the city. We have been busy today but it doesn’t seem like we have accomplished anything. Dr. White is so slow that I am about all in before he gets alive. I never worked with anyone who is so slow and lots of times he wants to follow up a lead which I worked my head over last summer. I tell him that I had that idea a year ago, but it led to a blind alley. Between us I’ll be glad when his time is out. He could be of a great deal of help, but he is so slow that I could look up the information about as easy. In other ways he is too much like an old maid, and can’t see any thing except his own way. I try to meet him more than half way and usually give in on most things for in a way I feel that he is a guest of mine. He is mighty finicky and like most of the men in Washington, he will let the other fellow do it. I told him that I thought he was right when he said it would take a long time to find the host of the parasite causing creeping eruption and that I didn’t believe that we would find it while he was here, but that I was going to work it out this summer. I meant it and I also told him that it would not be necessary to get a Harvard or Hopkins man on it. I did this so that he will not make any other suggestions to his Hopkins friend Sandground. I didn’t like this in Dr. White and I am mighty glad that K.S. told him that I could work it out without any assistance. Thus far, I can’t say that I have profited by Dr. White’s presence. Instead, he has hindered the work. I am mighty careful that I don’t get tied up with winter work with him, for when he leaves me this summer he and I are going to be through working together. I might send material to him but I don’t intend to work with him again. I should not tell you my troubles, Dear, for you are always so sweet about everything but I wanted you to know. I won’t cross the old man in an argument but I will let him know how I feel.

August 5, 1925 (Walter)

August 5, 1925 (Walter)

This is when I need you most, Dear, not that I want to burden you with my troubles but if I could only be with you I could forget the others and just love you. You are the dearest little girl in the world and I wish for you real often. It would not be very home like for you to be here now, but if you were here I’d arrange for a better place for you.

I love you with all my heart, Dear, and I am looking forward to that time, the happiest moment of my life, when you say “sure,” or “you bet” or “I do.”

Yours always,
Walter

August 3, 1925 (to Ina)

Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
Monday Noon.

My Dear Sweetheart,

The manuscript was carried into Jax by Dr. White when he went up this morning. No doubt the arrangement is better, but KS does not believe that it was improved. I really believe, that when Dr. White found out that there was no chance to hold it up until this season’s work had been completed, he next sought to reduce the size. It was reduced about one-fifth. He probably wanted to feel sure of everything in the text, before it was published under all three of our names. If he could have held the whole thing up, he might have worked himself in as second on the list. As it stands, my name is second and the text shows that most of the work is mine. I like the work but I want to be sure that I get credit for it, especially since this is so important and most of it is mine. This may seem peculiar to you, but it means much to me.

August 3, 1925 (to Ina)

August 3, 1925 (to Ina)

When we planned to move down here Saturday, I checked the manuscript and illustrations with Dr. White until about 3:30. He had not yet satisfied himself in every detail, so I arranged for a truck and had the supplies at the P.O. loaded, then came by the hotel. We had to load up from there, and he was not yet through with the Msc., so we brought it along and yesterday we checked it again. I am certainly relieved that it went out this morning, and I wonder how in the world he even managed to get his other papers to press. He has been criticized in the Bureau for not publishing more, and I thought it was because he was so careful. He is very careful but I never worked with anyone who was so slow. About the time I had gone over everything carefully and in detail and had figured we were through with certain sections, he agreed, but later brought it up for a post mortem, suggested changes etc., and then later a second post mortem usually resulted in putting it in as it was originally written. When he left this morning I told him that I was willing to bet that when he returned tonight that he would bring the manuscript back with him so as to make some change. He says he feels satisfied about it now and that we really have finished it. I want to be sure of it before I celebrate. I kid him about being so old maidish etc, and he takes it good naturedly. He knows that I mean it even though it is in a joking manner.

This morning I went up the beach and returned on the next train. Obtained a few samples of sand from where a severe case of C.E. originated in a 4 yr old boy. When Dr. White comes back we will have something to keep him busy. He plans on being here until Aug. 15th, but with my recent experience with him, I would say that it would be Sept 1st. At least I am planning to go down the state at that time and we will have to do the work here during this month.

Don’t misunderstand me, Dear, I like Dr. White and he is lots of help to me but it gets on my nerves to work with such a slow man. He will not take any responsibility or use any initiative in the work. During the clinic Dr. White told Dr. KS that it would take twenty years to work up the subject of creeping eruption. About five minutes later, K.S. told him that this summer was the end of his research. Later, KS told me that it would take 20 yrs. if a man expected to spend that much time, but that he was certain that I could do it in much less time. If I do say it, Dear, K.S. thinks I am OK and he always agrees with me when a subject comes up. He is pretty strong for me and can help me in pushing myself along in the Bureau. When this season’s work is over, he will pull for me through the Secretary. He says that our Bureau ought to have a good force in Florida and that I ought to be the head of it. I feel that with his pushing and the interest shown in the Southern part of the state, that we will have a station in Florida which will grow into an important and good sized place.

This letter is not the kind that I like to write to you, Sweetheart, but I want you to know about things. Don’t blame me if it sounds egotistical, as I don’t mean it that way. I love you, Dear, with all my heart and I’d be the happinest man in the world if you were down here with me now. I know that you would enjoy it.

With a hug and a real sweet kiss,

Your
Walter.

General Delivery
Jacksonville Beach, Fla.

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)

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.

July 31, 1925

Friday Night.
July 31, 1925.

Dearest Walter:

You will notice that this is Friday. Furthermore, the wind blew a large mirror we had hanging on the back porch down, breaking it. Now are you ready for the “hard luck” story? Well, while we were down town this afternoon getting the gasoline tank filled the starter refused to work and, after careful examination, the man announced very calmly, that I would have to buy a new battery. Oh, it was only around $35.00 for a Willys-Knight. I didn’t quite faint because I realized that I had had the car for over a year and a half and this was the first expense. However, paying $35.00 for a battery without any warning whatsoever didn’t appeal to my sense of humor, nor was it my idea of a good time. He put in another one and said he would try to charge mine but didn’t think it was strong enough to stand it. I left him with prayers that it would. So that’s that.

July 31, 1925

July 31, 1925

We were at Thelma’s for a short while this evening and Mrs. Parman and Miss Zoe came over. Mrs. Parman told me of the letter they had just received from you and of what she had written you in reply to what you had said of Mervin’s roping etc. She told me to tell you that she thought she had saved Merwin the trouble of helping you rope the “dear” as she had already helped accomplish it. She is almost like a child in her enthusiasm over something she has helped to accomplish. I love to see her enjoy it so much, and am mighty glad that she can get so much genuine pleasure out of our happiness, aren’t you? I like Mrs. Parman so much and I am sure that she would be a great deal happier if she would think of pleasant, happy things instead of the unhappy and unfortunate things on which her mind dwells so much of the time. Her many years of ill health of course have caused this state of mind.

Sweetheart, I am awfully sorry you are having such a time with Dr. White. I am glad you told me of it because, as I have often told you, I am interested in everything you are interested in, and I want you to feel as free to tell me your difficulties as you do to tell me your pleasures. That will draw us closer to one another because, as we know the likes and dislikes of one another we can have a clearer understanding. Dear, I love you so much that I want to live your life with you with all its ups and downs. I don’t want you to feel like you should keep any of them as a secret from me, because you mean the world and all to me. You just don’t know how very, very much I do love you. How I do wish you were here right now! But, back to the subject of Dr. White. I don’t blame you for resenting some of the things he does, especially if he is trying to get more of the credit for himself. You have worked hard on it and certainly deserve all the credit you have gotten – and then some, and it is certainly not true to human nature to sit quietly back while someone else steps in and tries to walk (I suppose the word “walk really expresses too swift action for Dr. White, but I can’t think of a more approproiate word unless it is “creep” and I imagine you have heard C.E. so much that you are tired of it) away with the laurels. I’m for you strong. I sincerely hope it will come out all right and I believe it will.

Goodnight and sweet dreams.

Lots of love,
Ina.

Saturday night.
Aug. 1, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

A broken mirror on Friday does not mean bad luck. Papa ‘phoned the garage this afternoon and inquired after the health of the battery and they said there was nothing wrong with it – only a wire broken, a loose connection or something. Anyhow, everything’s lovely.

It is so nice and cool tonight. We have been on the verge of scorching for several days but last night we were blessed with a tub full of rain water (I washed my head in it and can’t do a thing with it) and it has been lots cooler ever since. It is so nice and cool tonight that I believe a blanket will be comfortable. It reminds me of autumn and gives me a thrill of joy when I realize that today is the beginning of a new month that brings me a month nearer you.

In one of your letters a short time ago you were afraid I was missing dates with others. It reminded me of a few evenings ago when I was sitting very quietly and thoughtfully in the moonlight. I was thinking of you, but I believe Mama had an idea I was wanting a date because she said “Ina, don’t you wish you had a date?!” I told her that I did want one with you and you only. Although I value the friendship of my other gentlemen friends, I don’t care a thing in the world about having dates with them any more. I want you. Don’t worry. I am not going to change my mind. I love you and am going to love you always and no one else matters. I am going to be true to you.

With all my love forever, I am,

Your loving
Ina.

July 29, 1925 (Walter)

Jacksonville, Fla., 7/29.
Wednesday Night.

My Dear Sweetheart,

I didn’t get a letter today, but I have been so fortunate in getting them so often, that I realize it when I miss one. But I know that you thought of me and that you still love me, so I feel mighty good just the same. You have certainly written often and the sweetest letters in the world too. Gee, but I love you.

July 29, 1925 (Walter)

July 29, 1925 (Walter)

It is now about 11 o’clock. We have been adding another plate of illustrations in the article and have been arranging and trimming them tonight. I hope we will get everything in the mail tomorrow, but it is a slow job and Dr. White simply won’t be hurried. After we insisted on publishing in full, he consented, but he is most critical. I hope I won’t be that way when you are living with me. He wants everything just as he has always arranged them when he published his early papers, and while I don’t believe they are any better than the way we had them, we want to be agreeable. The funny thing is that K.S. and I feel the same way and tell him so, and he and I have not previously discussed it. He is a real good man, but he is careful and slow in the superlative degree. I have told him that persons who never make mistakes are ones who never do anything, and that even the Bible and the Declaration of Independence have some things which would sound better changed. I don’t make him angry but tell what I think in a kidding way. I can tell him just what I believe without hurting his feelings. I like him but I would like him much better if he were not so much of an old maid.

I should go down the state as soon as possible, but I intend to stay with Dr. White as long as he is here. He will probably be here until the middle of August. After that time I believe that I can go down there and get things shaped up. If it is so that I can go before then I’ll do so, for I want to direct the efforts of those folks who want the Bureau to work down there. You are going to like it in Fla., Dear, and I am going to like it more when you are here with me.

With a sweet goodnight and with all my love,

Always,
Your
Walter.