Tag Archives: Uvalde

August 4, 1928

STATEMENT OF W.E. DOVE, WITNESS TO ACCIDENT OF FRANK ADAMS. Supplement to Form C.A. 2 Question 44

Uvalde, Texas, August 10, 1928.

August 4, 1928

August 4, 1928

Mr. Frank Adams was a personal friend and an associate of the undersigned in research work for the Bureau of Entomology, U.S. Department of Agriculture. On the morning of August 4th, Mr. Adams and I started to Con Can, Texas to conduct some experimental work on parasites of Angora goats. On account of the flood waters of the Frio river we were compelled to return. On our way back we intended to call at the ranch of Mr. A.F. Dismuke. We met Mr. Dismuke on the road and were informed that heavy rains had fallen also in the upper portion of the Dry Frio river. We were advised to go to Uvalde and to return to the ranch on the following Monday. When we reached the Dry Frio crossing, the road contained about six to twelve inches of water. Both Mr. Adams and I felt that we could drive across safely. On the upper side of the road we could not see any water. On that side the high weeds and brush appeared normal. We started across the Dry Frio in high gear, but near the center of the stream the engine suddenly stalled. Even though the water was rising rapidly we managed to get out of the car. Mr. Adams made a swimming plunge toward the south side. This was the last I saw of Mr. Adams. In a wall of water I was carried down stream with a force which was sufficient to break down a barbed wire fence. I made four attempts before I could catch to the top of one of the small trees. The fourth one was stable enough to support me and to allow me to partly overcome exhaustion. From this tree I could look up the stream but could see nothing of Mr. Adams. Releasing my grip from this small tree I was able to catch a hackberry tree and from this position I was able to stay above the water line and to call for help. The water came down about 11.30 A.M. My calls for help were answered by Mr. Pfeifer about two o’clock. Mr. Pfeifer secured aid from Uvalde, and about four o’clock I was rescued from the tree by the aid of a rope.

Respectfully submitted,

Walter E. Dove

Associate Entomologist.

September 20, 1925

Sunday Nite
Sept. 20, 1925.

Dearest Sweetheart:

I have just returned from my fourth church service today and it is after ten o’clock. The evangelist preached tonight, so you know that always means a long service. I really believe he is doing a great deal of good here in the way of restoring the peace in the community. Of course you don’t realize like me the terrible feeling of strife that has existed for a long time between so many people here. Our little town and community have been torn to pieces and it is extremely pleasant and gratifying now to see men and women who, in some cases, have not spoken to each other for months or perhaps years, shaking hands and talking with one another again in a true friendly and forgiving manner. This is a hard old town and it does my soul good to see such manifestations of peace once more.

September 20, 1925

September 20, 1925

Mine is a peace-loving soul, and it hurts me to see friends and acquaintances who are at enmity toward one another. It would be worth worlds if something could be done to help the situation, and I believe it can. There must have been about 1500 people present last night.

I was interested in what you said about the letter from your war friend. I know you enjoy hearing from them and I wish you could attend the reunion. I know it would be fine. Yes, I surely will enjoy meeting the men with whom you were associated during that time. It speaks well for you that you are all such friends now as it was not always the case between the officers and their men.

It is getting late, so goodnight and sweet dreams.

I love you, Sweetheart.

Always your
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 (Walter)

Uvalde Friday A.M.

My Dear Ina,

I did not write you last night as a letter would not go to San Antonio until this afternoon, so I waited until this morning. You don’t have any idea how much I missed you last night and in fact ever since I left the camp. I certainly enjoyed your letter this morning and it came at a time when I wanted one. I realize how difficult it is for you to write while there and I appreciate your efforts and the fact that you missed the hike in order to write to me. It was mighty sweet of you, Dear.

June 19, 1925 (Walter)

June 19, 1925 (Walter)

Have something to tell you but please do not let it worry you, for you are everything to me. Mrs. H. and Evalyn went to Dallas and E. wired me from there yesterday A.M. I ignored the telegram. In the afternoon I had another one intended for me at Regan Wells. She said that Bishopp advised her to wire me up there. He evidently thought that I had gone up to help Mr. Laake during Brundrette’s absence. She stated she was anxious to see me and wanted to know if they should come to Uvalde. I answered it “would advise you not to come to Uvalde.” Don’t let this worry you, Dear, for you have already known about everything. They thought I was in Dallas, and I had no news that they were coming. I don’t believe they will come down here, but if they do, the reception will be a cold one for them. I have not heard from E. for several months when we busted up, and have only had the letters from Mrs. H. which you know about. When I answered them I was very plain to her in telling her that there could never be anything but friendship between E. and I. I will probably get a letter telling me how mean I am, but I have gotten to the point that I do not care how mean they think I am. I cannot be courteous to them and have them feel that I am through.

Will write you again tonight. With all my love,

Your,
Bird.

June 16, 1925

Stationery from the Uvalde Hotel, “Mrs. R. C. Hollifield, Proprietress.”

Uvalde, Texas, Monday Nite 6/16 1925

My Dear Ina,

Am sorry that I did not see you again before we left Kerrville, but I dreaded to say good-bye even for a period of less than a week. Mervin and I left Kerrville about 9:30 this morning, both of us having slept until 8 o’clock. At that time you were probably attending classes. I wanted to be able to tell your mother than you slept good last night, but I didn’t want to say “good-bye.” We arrived here at 5:30 and did not have a puncture or trouble of any kind.

June 16, 1925

June 16, 1925

After dinner tonight I drove out to your house and I have just returned from out there. Your mother misses both of you and it will be a long week for her too. Thelma Lee and Retha met me at the gate and informed me that both yourself and Claudelle were at Kerrville. They are spending the night out there and were almost asleep when I left there at 9:15 (quite an early hour for me to leave your house, isn’t it?) Some time during the week I am going to take them out to spend another night with your mother. We didn’t set a time but I am sure that your sister will let them go. I think I told your mother the details of the trip and about the camp. I wish I felt sure that you are comfortable and that you are really enjoying it. The first day is the most difficult, and before the week is over I am sure that you will like it. Your mother hopes that Claudelle’s appetite will improve. I hope it will not rain while you are there (no connection with appetite).

Mervin and I returned via San Antonio and while it is about 50 miles further, I believe I would rather go that way and enjoy the good roads. It would be easier on your car and your good disposition. But of course I know that you will return with the crowd. I wish I could come up and be with you on the way back, but I can’t plan it and be sure that I could come. It is quite likely that next Monday will be a busy day for us here.

Mervin had a good time last night and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. He took the Ford and a couple of boy friends to a dance and says he “petted” all the girls there.

Mr. Pettit and I visited at the hotel until about 10:30 and then he returned to Legion by himself. I was surprised to find him getting along so nicely and that he felt so cheerful over his condition. He has had no trace of TB for several months, but has been fighting a kidney trouble. No doubt it is about the same as that of Mrs. Parmans. I told him that there was a possibility that I’d see him again about Sunday, but I doubt if I can arrange to come up then. It is quite likely that he will come out to the Conference sometime during the week and visit with you some more. When in Dallas he was quite a lady’s man.

I am sorry, Dear, that I left you so abruptly and I feel that I might have added something to make it more comfortable for you up there, but I can’t figure out what it would be.

I am going to take this to the bus station and see if it can be posted in San Antonio tonight, otherwise it would probably be here until sometime tomorrow before leaving.

With love to Claudelle (sisterly) and wishing to be remembered to others in the party, I am,

Your
Walter.

Box 509
Uvalde, Tex.

The letter was addressed to Ina “3 miles North of Kerrville, Texas, c/o Rev. Campbell, Methodist Conference.” She was apparently there for some sort of training, probably related to her Sunday School teaching credentials.

April 23, 1925

Stationery: Walter E. Dove, 4529 Reiger Avenue, Dallas, Texas

April 23, 1925

Dear Ina,

Was pleased to get your letter and to know that I can see you occasionally before very long. I know about how you feel toward me and I couldn’t blame you if you didn’t give me a date. I really have been mean though my intentions were not so mean as it appeared. Will tell you how it happened and ask you to forgive me, and if you feel that you can’t, I won’t trouble you any more. I guess if you had had very much temper I would have had a good reprimand, but you were too sweet to do that.

April 23, 1925

April 23, 1925

Am working up a manuscript for the meeting just now and I have been fairly busy but not as much as during last winter. I cannot tell just when we will go to Uvalde and I guess I had better wait until I get there before I ask for a date. I presume there are equally as many as there were last year, so I am speaking early. However, if you don’t feel that I should have your company, don’t do it just for courtesy. I really want to see you, and will be mighty glad to be with you again. Mr. Laake thinks that it will probably be about the 10th of May, which should give me ample time to get the manuscript off my hands. Feel like I have already accomplished a year’s work since I saw you, and I look upon this more like a vacation.

With very best wishes,
Walter.

April 9, 1925

Dallas, Texas,
April 9, 1925.

Dear Ina,

It seemed like old times “a year ago” to get your letter today and I enjoyed it very much. No doubt it will be only a couple of weeks before I see you, and I am anxious.

Am working on a manuscript and also doing some work on the cottage lawn and floors, so I am pretty busy just now. Hope to get through before we leave for Uvalde. The manuscript should be completed as soon as possible as it will be presented the latter part of next month and it has a number of hands to go through yet for the necessary criticism. Have been pretty much on the job ever since that work started and I believe we have a real contribution to make. Am anxious to get as much done as possible before next summer’s work starts, as there will be less credit in having assistance next summer. I am anxious to have Dr. White down there with me and I believe it will be arranged OK. In all probability we will have some one from another Bureau too, and I am not so eager for that. However, we must show the courtesy of an invitation as we are getting into another domain to some extent.

April 9, 1925

April 9, 1925

Had another letter from the little French boy a few days ago. He is a pretty prompt correspondent considering the distance.

I am in hopes that I can see more of you this summer than I did last year, and with a beginning earlier in the season, we ought to be pretty well acquainted before I leave Uvalde. It all depends on how many you are dividing your time with, and provided I can get a share of it. I hope you will be liberal enough to let me see you fairly often.

In what direction are you living from Uvalde? Are you between Regan Wells and Uvalde? I imagine we will be up there again this summer, and as far as I can tell most of the men are going to have their wives with them. This is a good reason why you should be considerate enough of me to let me see you. However, I wouldn’t want you to do this just as a matter of courtesy. Don’t let me impose on that sweet disposition of yours. We will talk it over, and see what we have to say about it.

Am glad that you are enjoying a vacation, and I hope you can come up to the Wells and spend some time with us. I think you would like Mrs. Roark and Mrs. Laake, and with a number of these ladies I think you would be properly chaperoned.

I wasn’t very nice to some of Mrs. Roark’s friends in Washington and she may not like me for it, but I wasn’t interested and I guess I was not very courteous in calling on them. I am yet of the same opinion that the girls don’t grow as pretty in any place like they do in Mississippi*. This is a comp. It would be nice if Mrs. Parman could come up to the Wells and spend a while with you up there, as I know that you two get along nicely together.

Looking forward to seeing you, I am

Sincerely,
Walter.

* Though Ina spent most of her formative years in Texas, she was born in Mississippi.

March 8, 1925

Washington D.C.
March 8, 1925.

Dear Ina,

I haven’t had an answer to my letter and I wonder if I will get one or if there is some doubt in your mind as to where to send it. May be I don’t deserve an answer, but I’d like one just the same.

I expect to leave here about Wednesday for Jacksonville and I’ll be there for at least a week. Am looking forward to a good fishing trip while there. Dr. Kirby-Smith says they are biting good. Mr. Bishopp is getting anxious for me to return to Dallas and I am equally as anxious to get there. I certainly had some job here but it was worth the effort. With the exception of a very few evenings I have been on the job constantly since the middle of November. I did stop long enough to eat Christmas dinner with one of the men and his family. I have made between fifty and sixty thousand sections from the skin tissue taken at Jax this summer, and am able to demonstrate the thing in five instances. This was mighty good news to Dr. K.S. as he has been searching for the thing during the past fifteen years. There are no less than fifty reports in medical literature, dating back to ’92, and none have found the thing that causes the majority of the cases. During the past week have worked with a photographer in getting photos made, and I imagine it will take us until Wednesday to get prints and slides made. I hope to have Dr. White with me at Jax next summer, and possibly also Dr. Ransom. They will probably be there during the clinic.

March 8, 1925

March 8, 1925

I am in hopes of being at Uvalde during the spring, and there is no one in the world whom I want to see more than I do you. I trust you will grant me permission. I have something to tell you, and when I have told you I hope you won’t think I am so mean and heartless.

With every good wish, I am,

As ever,
Walter.

P.S. This is swell stationery for me to be using, and I only use it when I write to you.

October 19, 1924

Sunday Afternoon.
Oct 19, 1924.

Dear Walter:

Your letter came as a relief, and it made me happy again. I had already figured how long it would take you to receive my letter, and then how long it would be before I could receive a reply. Your letter came exactly the hour I expected it, and it certainly saved me a great disappointment by its being on time. When I mailed my last letter to you I almost felt like doing as our Court house janitor’s little four year old son did a few days ago. The little boy’s Aunt at Yoakum, Texas had just sent his mother some pretty red beads, and nothing would do but that the mother must write the aunt at once to send the little boy some beads too. They sent him down to the postoffice alone to mail the letter. That was at eleven o’clock in the morning – noon came, but the little boy did not return. His parents searched, but he was nowhere to be found. Finally, about three-thirty in the afternoon, Son came home. When they asked him where on earth he had been so long his reply was “Well, I was just waitin’ for my beads.” So I felt very much like sitting in the post office and waiting for a reply to the letter I had just written. I suppose you thought I was foolish for writing such a letter, but I hope you will forgive me for it. That was just the way I was feeling, and just the way I would have talked to you had you been here, so I just wrote it. I want you to know that I appreciated the letter you wrote in reply, and appreciate your frankness in telling me of the things that thappened while you were living in Aberdeen. I sincerely hope that the whole affair will turn out for the best.

October 19, 1924

October 19, 1924

Mr. and Mrs. Parman returned from their Tenn. visit two days ago and reported a “grand and glorious” time. They were gone only two weeks, and a high school boy here took care of things while they were gone. None of the entomologists from out of town came for special work while they were gone. Mr. and Mrs. Parman came by this morning and asked all of us to go up in the canyons with them to spend the day, but Claudelle and I had some special church work today, Papa was out of town, and Mama didn’t want to go without us, so we didn’t accept the invitation.

The Baptists have been having a big revival for the past week, and we have been enjoying it very much. I think a revival of the “old time religion” is the finest thing in the world for Uvalde right now. There seems to be so much hatred and strife among the people here and some people refuse to speak to each other – all on account of political differences. It is a terrible condition of affairs, and I can’t help but believe that this revival will do a great deal toward re-uniting them.

No, we haven’t moved yet. I think it will be the first of November before we go. We went up to the ranch a few days ago and think we will like it fine after the house is repaired some. We are very anxious to get out there so that we can begin to make it look more like someone is interested in making it look home-like. The weeds are about waist high in the yard, part of the fence is down, the doorsteps are almost down, and dozens of other things need repairing.

Walter, it makes me awfully happy every time I think of your coming Christmas. It seems like an age since you were here, but really it will have been only about six months Christmas since I first met you. That is a half year though, isn’t it. Anyhow, I surely will be glad when the time comes.

I must hurry and mail this so it will get off on the next train.

Sincerely,
Ina

September 12, 1924

Friday Evening
Sept. 12, 1924

Dear Walter:

Your nice long letter came yesterday afternoon, and it sounded so nice that I’ve been happy ever since. It was the kind that made me feel like I had been talking with you, and that’s the kind I like.

You said you didn’t care much for posed pictures, but I am sending you two anyhow since I promised you quite a while ago that I would. I didn’t know which one you would like better, so I thought I would give you one of each pose. Guess you think I’m very fond of having pictures made of myself, but, when you get too many, just let me know, and I’ll quit sending them. Ordinarily I dislike very much having my picture made, but you seemed to want some, so I did it.

September 12, 1924

September 12, 1924

Last Friday morning about six o’clock Mama, Papa, Claudelle and I started to San Antonio in my car and returned that evening. We had a very pleasant trip even though they were working on the roads a great deal, and we had to detour several times.

We unworthy Uvalde people received a wonderful blessing today in the form of a good rain. Can you imagine such a thing in Uvalde? It had been such a long time since we saw anything of the kind that I imagined I saw a shocked look on the faces of some people in town when the drops began to fall. We are having a slow rain tonight, it is so cool and pleasant, and it’s just an ideal night to sit and talk. You don’t know how glad I’d be if you were here right now.

Mr. Bishopp must not have received Mr. Parman’s letter until he returned to Dallas because he would have, of course, mentioned it while he was with you. I hope he has it by now, and will feel that it is absolutely necessary for you to come to Uvalde. It seems most too good to be true, but I can’t help but half way believe that he will.

Walter, you said you are sorry you haven’t more to offer me in a material way. The fact that you are offering me your true love is what makes me happy. If you had worlds of money and offered it to me without love it wouldn’t appeal to me. I have never had wealth, but still, I am happy most of the time, so what more could a person ask than happiness? I am glad you haven’t lots of money because so many young men who have been reared in wealth lack the ambition to get out and try to amount to something. You have accomplished lots already, and are so ambitious that I admire you a great deal more than I would one who had worlds of money and no ambition. I am glad you are just like you are. In other words, I’m glad you’re you.

Did you celebrate Defense Day today? We made a brave attempt, but it was not a wonderful success on account of the frequent showers. We closed the office from ten A.M. until two P.M., but we worked most of that time since they were unable to have the parade etc.

By the way, I talked to Mr. Shirley the other day and he said he would like very much for me to be his deputy at least until my term is up with the Independent School District on the First of April. I was delighted, of course, and consented.

I appreciate your telling me to ask you anything I would like to know. If there is anything, I will ask you and I want you to feel perfectly free to do the same by me. I have confidence in you and feel that you are not trying to keep anything from me. If I should ask you questions, I have confidence enough in you to feel that you will tell me the truth.

It is getting late now, so goodnight and pleasant dreams.

Sincerely,
Ina