Tag Archives: real estate

September 19, 1925

Saturday Nite
Sept. 19, 1925.

Dearest Walter:

Papa and I went in town this afternoon and I experienced that same thrill of joy that I always have under the circumstances when I found your two letters waiting for me. I felt even more so than usual this time as it seemed like such a long time since I had heard.

September 19, 1925

September 19, 1925

The Jacksonville paper was there also and I have read quite a bit of it. I note especially the ad on “our” property. It is certainly thoroughly advertised isn’t it? It sounds very desirable to me. There is one outstanding fact that I notice throughout the paper, everyone and everything seems to be a strong booster. That is what it takes to make a boom. I am sure there are sufficient grounds for that spirit too, or it would not be so effective. Dear, I am really glad you invested in another tract and I feel like it is going to bring Mr. and Mrs. Dove a reward in the future. I am very anxious to see the tracts, and perhaps I will some time. In fact, all of those glowing descriptions of the country down there make me very anxious to see Florida. I believe you are thoroughly converted.

Sweetheart, I love you and love you and LOVE You. My, my! So very much.

Yours, always,
Ina.

September 15, 1925 (Walter)

The Beach, Tues. Nite 9/15.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Your little letter was “Johnny on the spot” tonight and I enjoyed it too, Dear. You always write and say the right thing at the right time. I was in Jax again this morning and you will wonder if I have gone crazy when I tell you that I bought another 10 acre tract of land. It is located in the same quarter of a section with the other one, and they represent the two lower corners of that section quarter. This particular quarter was marked out on the map, but it was due to an error in the office in which another tract had been sold twice. I have been wanting another tract ever since I got the first, and when I came home last night I couldn’t go to sleep until I had made up my mind that I would go up and get it this morning. An Omaha man had just visited the section where Dr. White and I & you are interested, paid twice the amount in cash for one tract then purchased four other tracts about a mile from there which had a much lower elevation. I really believe that our tracts are the best of any they are offering, and I have no doubt but that one of them can be sold this winter for a sum which will pay for both of them. High dry land, clear of brush, good drinking water, no mosquitoes, 1 1/2 miles from a paved highway and located on the Atlantic Coast Line is what I call a good buy at $75 per acre. Why, Dear, $1000 per acre is not an enormous price for such land. I believe that it will be worth $300 per acre this winter. I am anxious to have you see them, and I believe that you will agree with me that one of them would be a dandy little place to build a home. Either one of them for that matter, but we will probably make one of them pay for both. We will have plenty of time to look them over after you come down here, and we will see what the “Missus” says.

September 15, 1925 (Walter)

September 15, 1925 (Walter)

Your coffee report was amusing Dear, but don’t think for a second that you should drink coffee just because I do. Perhaps I can learn to drink Cocoa with you. Maybe we can have both, or perhaps coffee at breakfast & something else at other meals. The incident is one which shows your nature and I certainly do love you for it. If I can be as unselfish toward you, we certainly ought to get along. We are going to get along, for I love you so very much that there is hardly a thing I would not do for you. I do not know of anything.

I am beginning another lead on the solution of this C.E. problem, in fact, two others. Have been keeping these up my sleeve. Dr. White was not telling everything that he knew, and sometimes I think that he kept his technique as much as possible. So I have not been telling him everything that I knew. I am going to try one of them pretty well before going down the state, for I am anxious to follow it up. I probably won’t go for anotehr week. Next Saturday, however, Dr K.S. & I are going on a fishing trip. He planned it when I had lunch with him today. He is certainly a Prince of a fellow.

This is getting to be a long one, so I’d better tell my “sweetie” goodnight. I love you, Dear and I want you always.

Your
Walter.

September 14, 1925 (Ina)

Monday Nite
Sept. 14, 1925.

Dearest Walter:

In the rush to get Claudelle to the train this morning I failed to take your last night’s letter, so will post the two tomorrow.

Your joyful letter celebrating Dr. White’s departure came this morning and it was an unusually good one. Also, the other letter which I am returning for your files. It was interesting too, and I know that you are glad that is closed after working on it so long. I wonder if Dr. White is satisfied.

September 14, 1925 (Ina)

September 14, 1925 (Ina)

Sweetheart, the “write-up” in your letter about “our” real estate was very interesting to me and I feel that you have exercised some mighty good judgement in making the purchases that you have made. Yes, indeed, that will come in mighty nice, won’t it? I am very enthusiastic about it.

I am anxious to know what Mr. Bishopp will have to say about our being in Florida this winter and I know you are anxious too. Also, I hope your plans for succeeding in getting the appropriation materialize, and will be effective. You have my best wishes for success.

That “long chat” of yours was fine, Dear, and I hope you’ll feel that way again. I have read and re-read it several times.

I love you, Sweetheart, the best in the world.

Lots and lots of love from

Your devoted
Ina.

September 13, 1925 (Walter)

The Beach, Sun PM 9/13.

My Dear Sweetheart,

I hope that you are not ill. Did not get a letter yesterday nor the day before, but I presume they will come in a bunch. Perhaps they detoured for Jax. I did not go up there yesterday but went out with the Hill boys across the street. We went north on the beach, then to Mayport where they caught a bucket of fiddler crabs for fish bait.

September 13, 1925 (Walter)

September 13, 1925 (Walter)

I am enclosing a letter from Mr. Blanchard Manager of the light Co. in Aberdeen. After the war I had the merchandise department of the company and he was my boss. A copy of the New Orleans report was mailed to him, as I knew he would be interested.

I am yet busy getting things in shape since Dr. White left me. Have had a number of letters to write today. Will go to Jax tomorrow & also to a place called Hilliard if I can conveniently make the run up there. Will come back the same day.

Am sending part of the Jax Sunday paper as there are some real estate ads which may interest you. The one “Jacksonville Heights Improvement Co” is one of our investments. There is also an article on state lands on another page.

I had a complimentary letter from Prof. Riley of the University of Minnesota, regarding the C.E. report at New Orleans. He is about the best medical entomologist in the U.S. I wanted Mr. Bishopp to read it so I sent it to him, hoping that he will send it to Dr. Hunter and Dr. Howard. He will tell them of it anyway and that will have the desired effect.

Sweetheart, I hope that I get a letter from you tonight for I need one.

With all my love, I am,

Your
Walter.

September 12, 1925

Saturday Nite.
Sept. 12, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Your Tuesday’s letter came today and, as usual, I enjoyed every minute of it.

Sweetheart, I didn’t intend for my former impression of homesteading to cause you to give up the idea entirely. I thought that perhaps you would find it very different down there from that in the West. Don’t hesitate on my account to investigate it, because I don’t know a thing about the conditions there, and it may be the very thing to do. I note with deep interest your new investment, and it sounds good to me. It is one of which you can feel sure of at least a reasonable profit no matter what happens, and, as you say, you stand a good chance to realize a big profit. Dr. White did go contrary to his disposition, didn’t he? The proposition must have been very attractive or he wouldn’t have departed from his conservative ways long enough to make a purchase.

September 12, 1925

September 12, 1925

Bob, Thelma and the children have just left after spending the evening with us. Thelma Lee is proudly exhibiting a loose tooth. She thinks she is getting to be a mighty big girl. I always hate to see them begin shedding their teeth. It gives them such a ragged appearance. It’s too bad that there isn’t a more graceful way of doing it.

Claudelle and I went for our last hike to the hilltop this evening. It gives me sort of a queer sad feeling when I realize that probably it was the last hike we will take together. She is leaving Monday morning and very likely will not return until about time for the wedding. I suppose it seems a little strange to you that I should take her leaving so seriously since she will really be so near home in San Antonio, but when you realize what great chums we have become you will understand. However, I am mighty glad that she can go.

I love you, Sweetheart, and although I love the members of my family very very much, I feel that I couldn’t be happy without you and I want to go with you even though it means leaving them. Dear, you don’t know how very much I do love you.

Always,
Your Ina.

September 10, 1925 (Walter)

Thursday Night 9/10.

My Dear Little Girl,

At last I am down here alone, as Dr. White left tonight, and there is one dear little girl whom I wish for above everything else. I’d be mightily happy if you were here right now.

September 10, 1925 (Walter)

September 10, 1925 (Walter)

Dr. White’s train did not leave until 6PM which was after my train returned to the beach. He enjoyed it here and said that he would like to stay right here and keep on this problem. He really hated to leave. This was not due to my hospitality in particular, but the problem is so interesting and the climate and conditions for the work were so good that I believe that this accounts for his enjoyment. He invited me to use his lab in Washington at any time and assured me that there would always be room up there if I wanted to do some work there. Before leaving, we went back to the real estate office and he invested in three more tracts of land, making five in all. He is thoroughly sold, and will go back to Washington as a Florida booster. This gives him 50 acres and I really believe that within a year, one tract can be sold for enough to pay for the other four. $75 per acre is not much for acreage high and dry, so near a fast growing city. In Dallas, Mr. Munger of the Continental Gin Co. paid $163,000 for his 163 acres of land which at that time was miles from any development in the city. This was about 1912. The land was not adapted for any use as it was rough and cut into by small ravines. He developed this, with building restrictions for nice two story homes only, and in this one development he made a small fortune. The same thing has been accomplished in most every city showing growth, and I really believe that our acreage and also Dr. White’s will be suitable for use in such an addition here. It would not be unreasonable to suspect that this property may be wanted for a similar development and which would bring $1000 per acre or more. The Miami people here paid much more than this for some of their tracts. At $75 per acre, with the knowledge that this could not be bought after the 20th of this month for less than $100 per acre, it is a mighty safe and conservative investment. Here’s where Mr. & Mrs. Dove will cash in something, and Dear it will come in mighty handy for us.

I had a personal letter from Mr. Bishopp tonight. He will write another letter tomorrow. He did not mention the possibility of all winter work down here, but it is quite likely that he will favor it. He did not mention Mr. Brundrette, and it is his vacancy which makes me believe that we will have additional funds which would permit me to do field work here all winter. The economy program of the President makes it difficult to secure additional appropriations, and our request was turned down with others. This was not the Florida work request, but one which was requested from Texas. It so happens that the same problem affects this state seriously and I am going to make a few good contacts with the idea of having it added to the bill in Congress. We believe that it can be added and we hope that the requests will be strong enough to get it in over the Budget Committee. If we get that increase, there will be enough to do quite a bit of work in Florida, without an appropriation I had intended to work for. In other words, I am going to combine my efforts with those already given from Texas to show that their problem is not local but is important and affects the whole South. The problem has to be an urgent one in order to get more money. Don’t let this worry you, Dear, for whether we get it or not I’ll be on the pay roll from the regular appropriation just the same as I am now.

Had a note from my landlady tonight. I hadn’t seen her for a few days and suspected that she had gone. She is in West Palm Beach and will be here Sunday, but will not spend the winter here. She wants to rent me the cottage for the winter and says that the price will be as reasonable as any at the beach. I have very little doubt but what you would like it here until Spring (June). It looks better on the inside than it does from the street, and is modern except for gas to cook with. The bath is a shower like all of them down here, as everyone uses the surf and then rinses when they return. I can’t engage this or any other place until I know for sure where we will be.

This is getting to be a long chat and I must go to sleep, Dear. I love you and “you bet” I’d like to tell you in the most “impressive” way. You are just as sweet as you can be.

Your
Walter.

September 9, 1925 (Walter)

Wednesday Nite 9/9.

My Dear Sweetheart,

This was my Red Letter day, for there were two of your letters which I read. One of them was posted on the 3d and was delayed at Jax. The postal folks don’t always find the word Beach in the address and sometimes they try to deliver them in Jax. This one contained Mr. Cavitt’s letter, which I am returning herewith, as it is likely that you may want to keep it. It was mighty nice of him to write as he did and no doubt he cared for you too. But I am sure that he could not love you anymore than I do. You have a faculty of keeping your old beaus as good friends. Perhaps some of them think that there will even be a chance that you will be widow. If they do, they are mistaken, for I am not going to die so soon and I know that this is the only thing which could happen that would separate us. I hope that you will live always and that I’ll never die. We are going to be happy, Dear, and I am mighty happy now to know that I am so fortunate. There is no other in the whole world like you, and I love just you. Goodness only knows how much I do love you.

September 9, 1925 (Walter)

September 9, 1925 (Walter)

Dr. White leaves me tomorrow at 3PM. I will go to Jax with him and will probably post this letter up there. He is thoroughly sold on his acreage which adjoins ours, and he is of the opinion that he will buy some more tomorrow, another 20 acres. He is so conservative that I did not believe that he could be interested in real estate, but now he is thoroughly sold on it. Ours is only ten acres, but it is about as much as I want at the present time. I don’t believe in putting all my eggs in one basket. At the present time they are in three baskets, and I believe that all are good buys. The Dallas home will not increase as fast as the one down here, but it is a good buy anyway. I believe that we will realize a profit from the sale of any of them.

With a goodnight kiss,

Your
Walter.

September 8, 1925

Tuesday Night 9/8.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Your good letter of Thurs. & Friday was here when I returned from Jax tonight, and I enjoyed every second of it. I was very much interested in what you said about the homesteading idea. I was pretty sure that you felt that way about it and I am glad that you told me just how you felt. I have felt the same way for many years, but it suggested something which I thought might work all alright here. I have given up the idea, so please don’t recall the unpleasant mental pictures you have of the West.

September 8, 1925

September 8, 1925

Dr. White and I spent all forenoon looking at close in acreage near Jax, and it looked too good to turn down. Each of us made a purchase and “our” tract adjoins his. He bought two lots of 10 acres each & I bought one of 10 acres for an investment. Both his and ours are high and dry, located 8 miles due West of Jax Post office on the Atlantic Coast Line RR. At the present time they are about 3 miles (the way a crow flies) from the city limits and about 5 miles in driving. At $75 per acre, with the boom just beginning at Jax, these tracts were too good to pass up. I feel confident that we could double our money on them in less than a year, probably before Christmas. Jax was 125,000 population last year, is about 160,000 now and it is claimed that by 1930 it will be 500,000. At any rate it is growing, and we bought the closest acreage which is high & dry. Please don’t think I am a pig for property, Dear, as it is only because I don’t like to pass up an opportunity like that.

This property jumps to $100 per acre on the 20th of this month, and when the Northern people get down here it is a question how fast it will increase. This tract is one of our “eggs,” Dear, and I hope it will hatch out something for us. I know that it will.

I love you, Sweetheart, and with a sweet “goodnight,” I am,

Your
Walter.

September 7, 1925 (Walter)

Monday Night 9/7

My Dear Sweetheart,

‘Tis Labor Day but we did not take a holiday. There were auto races and big crowds. The restaurant was crowded this noon and evening. I did not go in the surf, but Dr. White joined the multitude.

We are to spend tomorrow A.M. in Jax. Have some work and will also see some small acreage tracts with Dr. White. I rather think that he will invest in some. I believe that they are good investments, but it will require a few years before he will realize a profit. If we were to live near here, I believe they would be good for us but I don’t believe it would be the right thing just now. Must keep in mind that we will want to live where we invest.

September 7, 1925 (Walter)

September 7, 1925 (Walter)

Dr. White will leave Thursday afternoon, but will spend Wed PM with his niece. His work here is about over. The latter part of his stay has been very agreeable and after we had an understanding things seemed to go better. We have not proven that we have the host of “Aggie” but it certainly looks favorable at the present time. Will tell you all about when I am with you, Dear. I hope to hear from Mr. Bishopp before I go down the state. It would give me a better idea as to what I should do down there. If I am to return to Dallas, I’ll spend a little more time down there on this trip.

I did not get a letter yesterday or today, but they will probably come together tomorrow. It is a lot of fun to get several in one day.

Sweetheart, I have not seen a girl down here whom I could compare with you. They don’t grow as pretty. I’ve tried to find some-one whom I could point out to Dr. White so that he would know what you look like but there is no such one except yourself. I realized this a long time ago but I was in hopes that I could give him a pretty good idea. You are the only Ina and the only one I love. Gee, but I love you. The best part of it, is that I know that you care for me too, Dear. There won’t be any jealousy in our family, for I believe both of us can be trusted. I have unlimited confidence in you.

I love you Dear and only God knows how much.

Always your,
Walter.

September 5, 1925

Jacksonville Beach.
Saturday Night.

My Dear Sweetheart,

This has been the hottest day I have experienced in Florida, and while I do not know what the temperature registered, no doubt it was the effect of the high humidity. It was a pretty busy day for me in Jax and perhaps I felt it more. It is quite a bit cooler tonight and as usual everyone will sleep well. There was quite a crowd in the surf before dinner and until now 10 PM.

September 5, 1925

September 5, 1925

Tomorrow and Monday (Labor Day) will bring big crowds down here, and too, they have added attractions in the way of auto races.

While in Jax today I made a reservation for Dr. White which would mean that he leaves there Thursday afternoon at 3 o’clock. His niece will be at Jax Wednesday en route to Daytona where she is to teach.

They are boosting real estate here at the beach and some predict that this winter the place will have an open season just the same as they have down the state. I can hardly believe this, though there probably will be some to spend the whole winter here besides the residents.

I love you, Sweetheart, and I’d write a longer letter this time, but regardless of how long I made it I could not tell you how much.

With a sweet goodnight,

Your,
Walter.