Tag Archives: work

September 22, 1925 (Walter)

The Beach 9/22
Tuesday Nite.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Two real good letters from you today and an enclosure of Claudelle’s. I enjoyed hers too. I wonder how she happened to say “Mother” during the past few weeks. Is it because I say Mother Lewis and she wants to tease? I am sure that Mother Lewis does not care or she would have objected before now.

September 22, 1925 (Walter)

September 22, 1925 (Walter)

I went to Jax for a little while today. There is so much to be worked that it will keep me pretty busy. However, I am going to stay with it until I hear from Mr. B as to how long I am to be in Fla. I’d like to know before I go down the state. Had a letter from him yesterday and he did not mention the Dallas work. Evidently he had not heard from Dr. Hunter. He seemed to be pleased with Dr. Riley’s (University of Minnesota) letter of congratulations on the findings of last season, for he said “It is pleasing to note that he agrees with me and many others in considering the work you have done in Florida of a very distinct value.” Bish does not pin on any bouquets. Dr. Hunter’s comment was that it was “a good constructive piece of work.” Dr. Cort of Johns Hopkins said that it was the greatest contribution in human helminthology that had been made for a long time. He told Dr. White this. But all of this has not yet increased my check any, though Dr. White told me that he knew that Bish had made the recommendation. Sometimes they are slow in going through and are apt to be dated back when they are received. You and I can use the increase very nicely and here’s hoping that it is effective pretty soon. I have not asked for a raise, but if I don’t hear something I may remind Bish of it. He has always been very fine to me and I am sure that he will do what he can. Anyway, we are not going to starve or go hungry.

There are some good prospects of our acreage increasing in value. The remaining tracts, which are only a few, are selling at $100 per acre now. The same company are buying beyond our tracts and they are going to ask $200 for them when the “snow birds” come down. At that rate, ours should see $300 by Spring. This would make a nice little profit, considering the small amount invested. We can use the money, and when any dollars are rolling our way I hope we can stop them.

I love you, Dear, more than I can tell you. With a sweet goodnight,

Your
Walter.

September 22, 1925 (Ina)

Tuesday Night.
Sept. 22, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Your “just before fishing” letter came today and I enjoyed it lots even though it did happen to be a short one. I am sure you and Dr. K.S. enjoyed your fishing trip. I think it is good for you to go off and leave your owrk for an outing like that once in a while. It doesn’t pay to stick too closely to work all the time, even though we sometimes feel we shouldn’t leave it, because we often save a great deal of time by forgetting it for a while in a trip out in the country and then returning with renewed energy and refreshed mind to take it up again with greater ability than we would have had if we had plodded along almost to the extent of nervous prostration. In the office I have often worked and puzzled and figured for hours and hours on one particular phase of the work, finally striking a “stump” that seemed so difficult while I was in that exhausted state of mind that I felt it would be impossible to solve it. However, if I would take a walk to the post office or even take up a new line of work that was not so difficult, I could soon return to the original problem and solve it almost immediately. It is the same way with sewing or anything. There is no doubt but that recreation is a time saver when not indulged in to excess, and I certainly know you don’t do that, Dear.

September 22, 1925 (Ina)

September 22, 1925 (Ina)

I was interested in what you said about Dr. White’s letter and our engagement. Since you mentioned it I believe Mr. Webb was the one who was here with Dr. Hunter. Mrs. Parman told me his name in a conversation we had over the ‘phone after they left, and, as well as I remember, that was the name. She told me that she had told Dr. Hunter of our engagement, and that he had said you were a “fine fellow.” No doubt Mr. Webb was present when she told him.

Sweetheart, would it shock you so terribly much if I were to tell you right here and now that I loved you? Prepare for it, ’cause I do love you. You have first place in the heart of

Your own loving
Ina.

September 21, 1925 (Walter)

The Beach. Monday 9/21

My Dear Sweetheart,

I came back this afternoon and of course I went to the Post Office the very first thing. There were two real good letters from you. Was getting hungry for them too, despite the fact that I am pretty sleepy now.

September 21, 1925 (Walter)

September 21, 1925 (Walter)

It was about 11 o’clock Sat. Night when we arrived at Orange Springs, about 100 miles from Jax. Then we found a Negro to row the boat, and early the next morning we started. Did not go upstream as we had planned as there was nothing to pull us up there. So we drifted down about 12 miles by water and then had a man to drive down for us. It was about a four mile drive & it had to be made with a one-horse wagon. It was slow enough in getting back. I really caught 3 this time, about 3 to 5 lbs. bass. Dr. K.S. caught about 12 bass, 1 cat fish weighing about 8 or 9 lbs., 1 pickerell & several brim (a variety of perch). We had a good time but we were about worn out when we returned to his home about 1:30 this AM. Mrs. KS had gone to the beach with some folks and on account of car trouble had not returned. There were a number of the neighbor children at his home asleep on the floor of the living room. They had been left with Elizabeth and all had gone asleep. The parents returned about 2 or 2:15 A.M.

This morning (a few hours later) after having had breakfast with Dr. KS at home, I used his car for a little work near Jax. Incidentally, I drove by the recent purchases and looked at the 10 acre tracts again. They look mighty good. A new grade has been made on a road leading from the paved road to a point below these tracts, leaving about 1 1/4 miles of unimproved road leading to them. They can be driven over with a car – some pine bushes and palmetto, but no real big trees.

Had two letters from Dr. White today. One enclosed clippings giving an account of Dr. Ransom’s death. You probably remember that I mentioned Dr. Ransom when I was in Uvalde. We had planned to invite him down here when the time was ripe, but had not reached the point of asking him. He was one of the very best research men in the Dept.

I am going to mail this tonight so that it will go on the early train to Jax. It has been two days since I have written to you and I am anxious to get this one going. If it had been possible I would have written you while on the trip, but Dear, it was practically impossible.

I love you and I only wish that you knew how much. With a sweet goodnight.

Your
Walter.

September 18, 1925 (Walter)

The Beach, 9/18-25
Friday Morning.

My Dear Sweetheart,

I did not write last night but am doing so the first thing this morning. Have just had breakfast and now I am on the porch of the cottage. Today, I want to get everything in shape so that I can leave it over Sat & Sun. Will go to Jax on the early train tomorrow AM & will finish some work up there so that Dr. K.S. and I can leave at noon on our fishing trip. I always have a good time with him.

September 18, 1925 (Walter)

September 18, 1925 (Walter)

We are going to the same point near Orange Springs, but will go up the river this time & have a Negro to run the boat as we drift back. The last two times we were down there we drifted down the river & then had a gasoline boat pull us back. I do not know whether anyone else will go with us or not, I hope not, for two men casting from one boat is about as many as can fish conveniently. At that the Negro will probably dodge the Dowdgiacs* some.

The material I am working with since Dr. White left looks very encouraging. I don’t intend to tell him about this until I get somewhere with it. He has plenty of the other to keep him busy and if he knew of this it might get him away from the other. The other should be worked up anyway and he can go to it.

Will write you again tonight, Dear, and will post it in Jax tomorrow A.M.

I love you, and love you and love you,

Your,
Walter.

*Probably a phonetic spelling of “Dowagiac.” The Heddon lure company was originally headquartered in Dowagiac, MI, and their earliest products were branded “Dowagiacs.”

September 16, 1925 (Walter)

9/16-25
The Beach, Wed. Nite.

My own Dear Sweetheart,

Your letter was received tonight just as I had wished. They always give me so much real pleasure, and I never read one but what I wish that you were near enough so that I could hug you for it. They are always just as sweet as they can be.

Last night I received a letter from Raymond Laird, who was a chauffeur in Flight C 800th Aero Squadron with me. The boys are having a reunion at Omaha next month during the Legion Convention. Most of my men came from Iowa & Nebraska and all enlisted within a period of two or three days. It would be fine to be with them then, but of course it is beyond any possibility. They were as fine a bunch of men as Sam had in his Army at any place. Most of them have good positions now, and are making good. They were just like one big family of 53 men in camp, and I did not have to be hardboiled. We got along fine. No doubt you will meet some of them during our married life as they are all good friends of mine.

September 16, 1925 (Walter)

September 16, 1925 (Walter)

It was amusing and I can’t help but sympathize with you, Dear, in that you took your last hike to the top of the hill with Claudelle. You are going to se her every once in a while, and will hear from her often just the same. We are going to have her with us and you will enjoy her company just the same. I think a lot of Claudelle and I want you to feel that we want her with us. I’ll try and be a brother to her, and a hubby to you. I can see no reason why you could not love her just as much and enjoy her company the same way. Perhaps you won’t hike to the top of the same hill, but you can go to other places. I’ll take both of you with me and you two can play while you are waiting on me.

Had a letter from Dr. White today and it was a real nice one. He found it pretty hot in Washington, and to quote him “Me for the land of sun and flowers where the weather and water are fine and the women fat.” He is now a real Florida booster, and he thinks that Jax and the beach are about right. I know that we will get along fine now, as it is quite different from being with him all the time. I really feel that he will boost for me in Wash when the opportunity presents itself, for we are on good terms.

The surf was fine tonight, and I always enjoy dinner more when I have had a dip. Also get sleepy earlier. Wish you could have been with me for I was all alone.

I love you, Dear, and I certainly appreciate that fact that you love me. Only one thing could make me happier and that is to have you with me. I’ll be the happiest man in the world then.

Believe me, I sure do love you,

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 11, 1925 (Walter)

The Beach, Friday Nite 9/11.

My Dear Sweetheart,

I have been busy today, due to my absence yesterday and also had a general house cleaning. I like to have my Lab in pretty good order, but it has been almost impossible before this time. Had a nice letter from both Sister and Mother tonight, and they are anxious for me to bring you to see them. Both want to know when the wedding will take place. I doubt if either of them could come for the wedding, but just the same they want to know you. As I have told you before, Dear, my people “are just folks” and they are the same 365 days in the year. You will be just as welcome as I am, and I know that they will love you too.

September 11, 1925 (Walter)

September 11, 1925 (Walter)

Mr. Bishopp’s letter came tonight and while he had made tentative plans that I should return to Dallas when the most active work was completed here, he is considering my suggestion for all winter work in Florida and has written to Dr. Hunter for his opinion.

I am going to Jax again tomorrow as I did not accomplish my mission yesterday. The late schedule of the trains, and our interest in acreage, caused me to lose out on the work. But I’ll have time to do it tomorrow and also some additional running about. It is difficult to get Lab supplies even at Jax and it means to run about quite a little.

I note what you said about your Dad and Mother, after they are at home alone. It will be lonesome for them and it would be well if you can get them to visit. We will have them to come down and be with us when we are located, and I know that we can show them a good time. I want them to feel just as much at home with us as they would feel in their own home, and to stay just as long as they want to.

With a sweet “goodnight,” I love you, and love you and love you.

Your
Walter

Enclosed in the same envelope:

This was not addressed to “The Madam” but as it is a Ladies Furnishings store, perhaps it was intended for you?

W. E. D.

A. Harris Charge Account

A. Harris Charge Account

September 7, 1925 (Ina)

Monday Night
Sept. 7, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Your note of Thursday night came this afternoon, and I appreciated it just as much as I would have a long letter because the spirit was there just the same. Of course I enjoy the longer ones more because they last longer, but this one was fine as long as it lasted. Of course we can’t always have lots of news to write because we write so often, but your letters are interesting to me – very very interesting – even though they might not contain a single thing that outsiders would call “news.” If you didn’t say a thing except “I love you” I would get quite a thrill out of it. I wish I could have been with you the night you wrote the note. Yes, Dear, a nice quiet place like the beach would be fine for a honeymoon. It would please me very much and I am sure I wouldn’t get lonesome if you were there.

September 7, 1925 (Ina)

September 7, 1925 (Ina)

Just at sunset this evening Mr. Parman came out to kill a rabbit, and, while he was hunting, Mrs. Parman visited with us. They have an idea that perhaps Mr. Parman will be called to Dallas soon to work for a while. They are waiting for a letter from Mr. Bishopp. You, also, are waiting for one, aren’t you. I know you are anxious to hear, and I am too. The Beach, Dallas or anywhere suits me for a honeymoon. The main idea is the honeymoon and not the place. I hope that you can arrange at all times to be at the place that is best suited for your work.

Do you realize, Sweetheart, that only four months ago tonight you had your first date with me after our long separation? How different things are now to what they were then! Can’t a short time make a wonderful lot of difference? We didn’t know then that within a few days we were going to be engaged, did we? That night was a rather uncertain one for both of us. Neither one knew just what the other one thought and how much he felt about it. However, we didn’t lose much time the next few days in getting “reacquainted.” ‘Twas very interesting, don’t you think?

One thing I know – I love you ‘most to death now, and I am ten dozen times happier over it all tonight than I was four months ago tonight.

Forever, your loving
Ina.

Tuesday Night.
9/8/25.

Dearest Sweetheart:

None of us went down town today as we were so busy, so here comes a lengty P.S. to last night’s letter. This has been another one of those “something lacking” days without a letter from you. I can look forward to perhaps two tomorrow though.

This evening Papa was not feeling well, so Claudelle and I extended our hike down into the pasture to coax the cows home. After quite a search, we found them and thought we were driving them home, but, after walking the poor creatures almost down, we saw no sign of home. We turned, and after much wandering and wondering on the part of all parties concerned, the house loomed up in the distance and we had no regrets because it was getting dark. Honey, I am relating all this to you, not because it is of unusual interest, but because it is intended for a timely warning to you that after we are married, you will have to tie a pretty little blue ribbon about my neck and lead me around like the ladies do their little poodles, to keep me from getting lost.

Yes, four months ago tonight we were stranded upon the hilltop in the storm and flood, and ’twas also four months ago tonight that you got your “Sunday pants” muddy. It is now nearly ten o’clock. We were soaked well by that time weren’t we? Just at this point I want to recommend wrapping paper as a splendid protection when used as a coat against the hardest of rains, winds and hail. It also has unusual warmth. I think it was all a very amusing experience.

I am not accustomed to late hours for the past few months, Dear, so I am getting sleepy.

Goodnight and sweet dreams.

I love you.

Ina.

August 31, 1925 (Walter)

This letter was out of sequence in the file, so I’m inserting it at the appropriate point in the blog now (22 November 2011) and backdating it to when it should have appeared. Sorry for any confusion.

Jax Beach. Monday Night. 11PM.

My Dear Sweetheart,

We were in Jax again today on account of the new C.E. location of which I wrote you a few days ago. Your letter and also one each from Mr. Laake and Mr. Bishopp were waiting for me. Dear, you always write such good letters and I always enjoy every word. Especially did I enjoy that portion in the last letter on the wedding plans. The place seems to be settled, and the parties have been agreeable to it, so it seems to be a question of when? It doesn’t make any difference to me about whether you wear a suit or the white dress with the laces etc. I’d say “yes” and feel awfully proud of you if you wore a house apron. Just suit yourself about that, Sweetheart, and whatever you decide upon will suit me.

August 31, 1925 (Walter)

August 31, 1925 (Walter)

Mr. Laake’s letter stated that Mr. Brundrette had accepted a position with the Jr. A&M College at Stevensville and plans to leave Dallas within the next week or ten days. They are giving him an increase in salary and I believe he is getting a good place. Mr. Bishopp tried to get an increase in the Bureau for him so as to meet his offer, but I guess it could not be arranged. I am sorry that Brundy is leaving us, but I believe it is a position which he cannot afford to turn down. It will no doubt be teaching for most of the time, but he is interested in entomology as a whole and I believe he is the man for the place. He has been a good man for us and we hate to see him go.

I do not know just what the effect of Brundy’s leaving will have on my work. If his place is not filled during this fiscal year it will give us more funds for operating and in view of the need I believe it should be left open with no attempt to fill it until after next July 1st. Just how Mr. Bishopp will consider it, I do not know, but I am in hopes that he will give me a little more toward the work down here. It is possible that he may want me to join Mr. Laake in Dallas as soon as I can, but I am not so anxious for that. We have already made a contribution on creeping eruption which Dr. Cort of Johns Hopkins says is the greatest advance in human helminthology that has been reported for years. We are working on a point which is the next step in the problem and which is more important than the work of last year. I believe that Mr. Bishopp realizes this, and it so happens that I have just written him to the effect that I’d like to work on it all winter. With the chance of having funds, I rather suspect that he will be of the opinion that I can stay most of the winter. It isn’t that I do not want to be in Dallas, Dear, for I certainly do like Dallas, but I am more interested in my work here than I am in the work they are doing at Dallas. This will mean more to me and to you and I. At the present time I would not trade jobs with anyone, and when Dr. White leaves I’ll be pretty happy. He has increased the duration of his stay until the 10th. His niece is going to teach at a point (Dayton) south of here and he wants to stay until after she arrives. I told him that I’d meet her and see that she got the train out of Jax OK, but he thinks he should stay and meet her. In the mean time we will continue the studies we have under way. He says it is the most interesting piece of work he has ever been connected with, and I can’t blame him for wanting to stay. He has been quite human the past few days and we are good friends etc.

In checking over the list of home stead land, Dear, I do not find very much in the southern part of the state. I am keeping this in mind. Possibly some one down there has a notion of selling his claim so that he can sell real estate. If I can buy one reasonable & then apply my Army service in lieu of residence, it might be a good thing.

I am enclosing a little paster which came on the back of my notice from Fulford. It looks as though their race track will soon be in operation. I am anxious to know the values down there now. Before the 1st of Oct I’ll go by there.

With a real sweet kiss and a goodnight hug, I am,

Your
Walter.