August 4, 1925

Jacksonville Beach, Fla.,
Tuesday Night.

My Dear Sweetheart,

You don’t know how much I have wished for you this evening. Dr. White and I went in the surf for about an hour and the water was just right. Last night we went in after dinner but tonight we went in before eating. I think both of us enjoyed about every minute of it. He seems to be thriving on the Florida weather and gains steadily. I am holding my own with about 200. The work is getting started, and this month will probably be a very interesting one. If you were here with me, it would be ideal.

August 4, 1925

August 4, 1925

I have watched the same moon during the past few evenings and thought of you, and wondered if you were looking at it too.

The cottage we have looks a great deal like the one Mr. Brundrette had at Regan Wells and is a little bit larger. Has two front rooms, and one rear room as a kitchen & dining room. We use the porch and garage as a laboratory and sleep in the front rooms. The lady has a bed in the dining room. As she works at a cafeteria, there is no cooking here. We are now using the ice box for drinking water, as the beach water tastes of sulphur.

I don’t know how this cottage would strike you as it isn’t much for looks, but it is convenient to the surf and has running water and electric lights. It is much better than Reagan Wells. It would be a dandy place for a honeymoon, but maybe you like a little more excitement. I didn’t have in mind spending our honeymoon here, but I always think of our whole married life as a honey-moon and can’t help but wonder how different things will appeal to you.

Your letter was received when I was in Jax this morning. I took the 7 o’clock train and returned at 3. It is 17 miles from here.

I have your photos on the dresser in front of me. I am beginning to like the standing one, enlarged from a Kodak one, real well. It looks like you when you met me on the porch last month. I have some mighty good mental pictures of you at that time and I use them often. You are a wonderful little girl and I love you with all my heart. When I can be with you always I’ll be the happiest man in the world. More and more I do realize that you do love me, and Dear, you can bet that I am true to you. Not a single date of any kind except the evening I called on Mrs. Gallagher & then I talked of you most of the time.

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

Always,
Your devoted,
Walter.

P.S. I love you lots and lots and lots and then some.

August 5, 1925 (Ina)

Wednesday Night.
Aug. 5, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Again I say, “don’t you feel funny when you don’t get a letter!” I had that sensation again this afternoon when I opened the box and there was none. I suppose you are too busy to write. I am sure you still love me, but I will be mighty glad to get a letter. The last one I received was written a week ago tomorrow night. I like letters.

August 5, 1925 (Ina)

August 5, 1925 (Ina)

Well, I went to Jewel Tate’s wedding this afternoon at five. It took place at her home and there was quite a crowd there. Yes, the groom was there and I really like his looks. He looks human and hasn’t that hands-clasped-eyes-cast-heavenward look that I was afraid Jewel’s husband would have. It was a very simple wedding – no attendants – and, honestly, it is hard for me to believe that it is legal – the minister omitted so many of the “I do’s” and “I will’s.” Why, they hardly had time to get in the room before he pronounced them man and wife. It surely doesn’t take long to do it up for a life time. However, the brevity of the ceremony suits me. There was a short reception afterwards, and then they left in their car for their home in Plainview, Texas. Sweetheart, all during the ceremony I was thinking of how happy I will be when you and I stand at the altar and take those solemn vows. But there was something about it that I didn’t exactly like, and I don’t know exactly what it was. After the ceremony was over, there was an awkward pause, and throughout the reception that spirit seemed to prevail. The majority of the guests didn’t seem to be enjoying it much and finally I think they all left before the bride and groom did. There were only a few left when it dawned upon me that perhaps I had better leave too. Rice, old shoes etc. were not even hinted by anyone. Of course brides and grooms don’t like to be the victims of too much of this, but I think half the fun is in trying to escape it. It doesn’t seem like a real wedding if there are not some young people around who are trying to plan and carry out some mischief. I didn’t feel like doing it all by myself so I didn’t mention it.

No, I don’t know how to prepare shrimp. I am glad you are taking notes so that you can tell me how. I am sure you all enjoyed the fishing. It was good recreation after a day’s work.

Thursday Afternoon.

Dearest Walter:

Just to tell you that I still love you and I am sending this letter to the post office with the prayer that I may get a letter this afternoon. If I don’t –! I guess I’ll write you again tonight.

Love,
Ina.

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 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 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 7, 1925 (Walter)

Friday Nite 8/8 – 1925*

My Dear Sweetheart,

This was a wonderful day for me. I had two real good letters from the dearest little girl in the world and you can bet I enjoyed them. I have read them several times already and I’ll probably read them again before I go to sleep. Dr. White is already in bed. He goes to sleep early and usually wakes pretty early. We have just finished using vinegar for our sun burned backs. They are pretty tender tonight and I guess his is equally as sore as mine. I have never used vinegar before but he says it works fine and that it prevents the skin from peeling. I have an idea that he knows, as it is difficult to get a positive statement out of him.

August 7, 1925 (Walter)

August 7, 1925 (Walter)

I was amused at what you said about your battery. They usually last from 18 to 24 months, but as yours has been used so little it hardly seems possible that you would need a new one at this time. Am glad that they found it OK. I usually figure that the bad luck in breaking a mirror consists in the purchase of another. The number 13 is unlucky if some one happens to count that way for a dozen. But I believe in horse-shoes. We have had luck with them, haven’t we? The Fulford lot is Lot No. 13 (block 9) and I can’t help but believe that it is a lucky number. I am enclosing a circular which was enclosed with my receipt this month. It looks as though they may have a real university at Fulford. The tract is evidently in a new addition they are opening, but it is bound to affect the value of our lot. I only wish we had more lots down there and located as well as this one for we can use the money very nicely and we want a good one for our own home, whether we live there at first or not.

Fulford University Story

Fulford University Story

Honey Bunch, it was mighty sweet of you to say what you did about dates when Mother Lewis asked you, and I appreciate it. However, Sweetheart, I feel that I have unlimited confidence in you and if you want to go with others it will be perfectly all right. You are real sweet about it.

Dear, I never had an idea that you were of such a lovable nature and you don’t know how happy I am over it. I was a bit afraid that you were naturally cold and I have thought of this some, but not since I left Uvalde. I feel that I know you pretty well by now and the idea that we can live happily together is well fixed in both of our minds. We can’t help but be happy, or at least I can’t be otherwise. You were mighty sweet to want ot know my troubles, and that is what it takes for a good understanding and happiness.

I certainly do wish for you, Sweetheart, and the past month has been the longest I have ever spent. But as you say, the time is a month nearer and that is mighty encouraging. I hope that before a great while we can set a date, for I want you, Honey, and I love you with all my heart.

Yours always,
Walter.

The 8th was a Saturday – I’m assuming Walter got the day right and the date wrong.

August 8, 1925

Saturday Night.
Aug. 8, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Bless your heart, your Tuesday’s letter was mighty nice, and I enjoyed every minute of it. It almost made me feel like I had been talking with you. It made me want so very very much to be with you. The cottage, the surf and everything sounded so good. Yes, I think a honeymoon there would be fine. My disposition is not so “high strung” that I would want more excitement. I prefer the quiet spots where I can be with you most. No matter where we spend – shall I say the “beginning” of our honey moon? – I know it will be ideal because we love one another so much. I am looking forward to going to the different places with you that you have mentioned. You describe them so well to me that I think I shall have an “at home” feeling when we arrive. I like the idea of the life long honeymoon. It is true that it can be made that way if each of us will resolve to make it so. I hereby resolve to try to do my part in making our married life one great, long happy honeymoon. No matter where we spend it, in a home of our own, here, there or everywhere. I hope and believe that we can keep that spirit. Of course we will have our problems, but I think we can work them out together, and, with love guiding us, can come out safely on the happy side. With our understanding of each other I can’t see why we should ever have a fuss. I believe that when difficulties arise we will both have patience and come to an understanding without any cross words. Sweetheart, I love you more than anyone else on earth, and I trust you in everything. In sincerely hope you trust me, and, if you do, I am going to try never to betray that trust. I believe you absolutely when you say you are true to me, and I hope you will believe me when I say that I am true to you. I haven’t had a date since you left except the one I had with Mr. Savage of which I wrote you. I wear the ring all the time except when I wash dishes. I don’t care anything for dates with others, and am looking forward with the greatest of pleasure to the time where I can have one eternal date with you.

August 8, 1925

August 8, 1925

I believe I failed to tell you that I have received two letters from Mr. Cavitt and two from Mr. McCreless (the young ministers I met in Kerrville). I have answered one of each, but haven’t decided yet whether I shall answer their last ones. If you don’t want me to, I will not. It was merely as a matter of friendship that I answered the others.

Claudelle and I went to a kitchen shower on the church roof last night given by the League, honoring Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Lee. They have just recently returned from their honeymoon and are starting to keeping house. We had lots of fun. The gifts were presented in a unique manner. One of the boys, dressed like a Mexican girl, suddenly appeared at the top of the fire escape with a big laundry basket and interrupted our games by calling “Madama, Madama Lee, aqui estan las ropas de Ud.” – “Mrs. Lee, here are your clothes.” The basket, of course, was filled with kitchen utensils. The bride and groom seem very happy but are not silly about it. They act just like they did before they were married.

I am glad the Florida climate agrees with you. I have gotten down to 119. However, I always lose weight in the summer. It is plenty warm here during the day, but the evenings are usually cool. I suppose it will continue being warm thru August and September.

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

I love you now and will love you always.

Your
Ina.

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 9, 1925 (Walter)*

Jax Beach, Fla.,
Sunday Night.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Yesterday was a pretty busy day and by the time I had finished rubbing my sun burns, it was quite late. At the time I thought I would write to you this morning, but we had some experiments which needed attention, so the whole day got by us and now I find that I have missed a day.

There is quite a crowd down here today, and I left Dr. White on the Board Walk watching the pretty girls. He admires them anyway, and sometimes I believe he wishes that he had married when he was younger. Tonight he told me that he thought that I ought to get married. Told him that I intended to, but asked him what I would do with a wife at the present time. I guess I could take care of you if you were here now, but I certainly couldn’t make it home like and neither could you. Perhaps it would be all right as a honeymoon, but at the present time I wouldn’t know just where I was going to take you. But it won’t be so very long, Dear, before we will have it figured out and I’ll be the happiest human in the world.

August 9, 1925 (Walter)

August 9, 1925 (Walter)

I can hardly wait for the time to come when I can come for you and can then have you with me always. I look at your photos many times every day and have them handy where I can see them often. Then I think of the many happy evenings of my stay in Uvalde and the swing where you and I spent most of them. Tomorrow will be three months, since you said “yes” and it seems longer, especially since I left you.

Tuesday, Dr. White and I are invited up for dinner with the Kirby-Smiths again. They will drive back with us after dinner. I haven’t seen Mrs. Gallagher except the one time, and I feel a little mean about it for she left word at Dr. K.S. office for me to phone her and later wrote a note to the effect that she was leaving on a vacation. I’ll see her again, but am in no hurry about it. After Dr. White leaves, I may have her little boy to come down here and spend a few days with me. He is a nice kid and I think a lot of him. When I saw him he wanted to know when I was coming back to their house to live. The little girl is mighty sweet too, but not nearly as pretty as Thelma Lee or Rietha. I haven’t seen any as pretty as Thelma Lee anywhere.

I didn’t get a letter yesterday or today but tomorrow will probably bring one. I love you, Sweetheart, with every tender affection and I am continually wishing for you. You can bet that I am true to you every minute of the time, too.

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

Always your,
Walter.

* This one got out of sequence in the file, so I’m putting it on the blog in the right spot.

August 10, 1925 (Ina)

Monday Night.
Aug. 10, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

I was sorry today when I read in your Thursday’s letter that another day had passed and you had not heard from me. The trouble must be in the office of Dr. K.S. as I have written you every day since you left with the exception of the Sunday we went to Hondo. It is true that I don’t always get it off on the first train, and I sometimes mail two letters in one, but I don’t see how you could miss two days in succession except through delay in the office. At any rate, when you don’t get a letter, just rest assured that there is at least one somewhere in transit that you will soon receive and that I still love you better than anyone and am thinking of you.

August 10, 1925 (Ina)

August 10, 1925 (Ina)

Tonight is our “anniversary night” – just three months since we became engaged, and it seems like you have been gone longer than that. My, but I have been happier these three months than I have ever been before – just to know that you love me and I love you and that each day brings the time nearer when we shall start out life together. Sweetheart, I would give so much if you could be here tonight and we could enjoy the evening as much as we did that memorable 10th of May evening. We could really enjoy it even more now because we know each other better and really love more deeply than we did then.

I spent the day with Thelma today and we enjoyed it so much. I asked Thelma Lee and Retha what message they would like to send to you and they both said to tell you to come to see us sometime. That is nearly always the message they want me to give you. Perhaps you will consider coming sometime?

Walter, I have just received a letter from Lionel Womack, a young man from Bisbee, Arizona who lived in Uvalde for about two years, but who left here about two years ago for his home in Arizona. I went with him for about six months during which time he fell in love, proposed and I refused. Shortly after we broke up was when he returned to Arizona. I hadn’t heard from him in almost a year until last December he wrote me a letter telling me that he was engaged. I answered only with a Christmas card across the face of which I wrote “Congratulations.” I suppose I have never mentioned him to you as I supposed he was already married. Imagine my surprise today when I received a long letter from him in which he told me that he and his fiancee had already broken up, as he found she was not the kind of girl he thought she was. Also, he said he was coming to Texas in about sixty days and was very anxious to come to see me. He writes as though he feels the same toward me as he did when we were going together, but, Sweetheart, don’t worry one moment about it. I am going to write him the exact situation as it is – our engagement etc. and I don’t think he will even want to come under those circumstances. And, even if you and I were not engaged, and if Lionel were to come and stay until “Doom’s Day,” I couldn’t love him. I made up my mind to that effect a long time ago. He is a good friend but not the kind I could love. Now, you won’t worry about it, will you? I am writing you this because if I were with you I would tell you and I am sure you would do the same by me if you had a similar occasion.

I love you worlds and worlds, Dear, and, as far as I am concerned, no one is going to come between us.

Always
Your
Ina.