Tag Archives: correspondence

May 7, 2012 · 4:40 pm

I’ll Have Another

This past Saturday was the 138th Kentucky Derby.  The thoroughbred I’ll Have Another won the run for the roses.  The winner of the 56th Kentucky Derby in 1930 was Gallant Fox, who went on to win the Triple Crown.  Gallant Knight finished second and Ned O. finished third.

This is correspondence Mary wrote to Jim on her trip with her Dad to the Fairmount Derby at Fairmount Park near St. Louis.  The winner in 1930 was Gallant Knight.

Wondering if Mary bet on Gallant Knight with Jim in mind?  Either way, she clearly picked the winner and wouldn’t have another!

Postmark St. Louis, MO

May 16, 1930  10 PM

Friday

Dear Jim:
Well, I am about half gone I think-I wrote you a letter today and lost it somewhere.  You get it but again you may not.

Jim-Henry is going home tonight.  He is driving down with some boys.  He has talked to me twice lately.  He will be with Helen alright.  I think maybe Henry is in a good humor now.

Jim-I am writing this while waiting to leave for St. Louis.  

We have a nice big Drawing Room on a special car.  So, we couldn’t be fixed better.  I hope we have as big a time as we are counting on.  Dad and I are pals when it comes to sports.  Mother just looks on and says nothing.

Margaret Enloe couldn’t get a pass.  So she didn’t come.  She sent some money for me to bet.  I am not going to put up much just enough to say.  I have won or lost on the Derby.

I surely wish you were going.  We would have a big time.  Henry wants me to call him tomorrow night and I think he wants to take us for a ride.

The party last night was grand such good food and so much fun.  All the girls were really happy for some reason and it was a gay party.

I hope that you have a grand time at home and don’t have to work too hard at school next week.  I’ll write or send you a night letter for Sunday.  I may send it to Columbia.

Remember me to your Mother and Father and Bill.

Love,

Mary

Postmark St. Louis, MO

May 18, 1930  9 PM

Sunday

Dear Jim:
We are on our way home.  It was certainly a grand trip.  We won on every race a little-but one-it was all so much fun I didn’t mind the loss of 2.00-

It didn’t rain but a little and wasn’t hot either.  The weather was fine for a good race.  I called Henry about 9:00 P.M. also at 7:30 Couldn’t get him.  Finally when I did his father said he had gone down town.

Jim-I am going to a party every night this week I think unless I turn down the one Wednesday.  

Have you heard from Henry?  I think he is alright now-but believe he is angry at his girl-because he wasn’t going to be with her that all.  I couldn’t find out.  Please don’t mention it to him though.

I imagine you will be plenty busy this week.  I’m sure I will.  If you don’t hear it is because I couldn’t get time to write.

This weather today looks bad for May.  Maybe I won’t have to take the children out for a picnic this year.

It’s almost train time so must quit. 

Love,

Mary


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April 30, 2012 · 6:27 pm

He Ran Out of Gas

It’s Monday and I’m reflecting on all the wonderful weekend moments.  How is it that Friday-Saturday-Sunday passes so quickly and Monday seems to drag on so slowly?  It’s the beginning of the week and I already feel out of gas.

 

Jim writes to Mary shortly after he returns to Columbia from visiting her in Jefferson City.    Sweet moments recollected in his correspondence filled with sweet nothings.  Oh, and it sounds like he ran out of gas…literally.  At least they were well chaperoned!

 

Postmark Columbia, MO

April 28, 1930  5 PM

 

Monday

 

Dear Mary-

 

I got here about forty five minutes ago so I’m afraid there won’t be much of interest to tell you this time.  Maybe tomorrow there will be.  I hope so.

 

I surely enjoyed the weekend with you darling.  That slipped.  Really though it seems that every time I am with you I enjoy it more than I did the time before.  “Funny dear what love can do.”  Now isn’t it? —

 

I hope your Aunts didn’t think I had gone crazy or something similar yesterday.  Really though, I don’t know how they felt, but I enjoyed the bridge game immensely.  Next time, I’ll try to act so that the rest can enjoy it.  Do you suppose I could do that?  I hope that you aren’t too tired by night.  Take care of yourself this week and don’t go until you can’t go any more.  That is no nice way to act is it.

 

I hope that your father didn’t get too disgusted last night that he won’t go anyplace else with us.  Really Mary-I would hate that.  Tell him that it probably won’t happen again in ten years.  I’ll see to it next time that we have plenty of gas.  You can bet on that.  I don’t care, but I know how he felt.
I didn’t get a letter from home this morning.  I think they have forgotten they have a son.  I guess I’ll have to write home and ask for money.  Then they will know they have one.  I’m going to call them tonight and see what the trouble it.

 

Mary you do just what you think you would rather and what you feel that you should about leaving your mother on Mother’s Day.  I won’t blame you a bit if you want to stay there.  Do as you think best honey.  That’s the way I want you to do.

 

I must stop and do a bit of studying before lunch.

 

Love, 

 

Jim

 

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April 27, 2012 · 6:14 pm

Say What?

 

Postmark Jefferson City, MO

 

April 21, 1930 8:30 PM

 

Monday

 

Dear Jim:
Well-I haven’t very much to say.  I am really not as angry as I might seem, however I felt better after you came by last night.  I was surprised though that you did.

 

I worked hard today and am tired tonight.  I tried to get my art ready and did but it’s a big job.

 

I had a letter from Helen she said Lillian Rogles told her that Henry said he want to be Helen’s next flame.  Now I am sure he didn’t say that, just what he said I can’t say.  Helen said she was sure Lillian got her wires crossed.  Anyway Helen wants to come up this coming weekend, but on account of some parties and all, I am writing to her to come later. She really wants to come the 9th but I think that’s when we can go to Clinton.  I believe from now until school is out I’ll be busy.

 

Jim-the flowers are still pretty.  They were so sweet Sunday morning.  I will forgive you for most anything when you are so thoughtful as to send flowers to me on Easter.  I think you’re real sweet.  

 

Write soon–and when will you be over Saturday afternoon or when?
Love,

 

Mary

 

 

 

Postmark Columbia, MO

 

April 24, 1930 5 PM

 

Thursday

 

Dear Mary-

 

I just finished reading your letter.  I am sure Helen would understand if she wants to come that weekend.  As for going down home is concerned, we can make the trip anytime, or leave it out if you are too busy.  I’ll tell mother not to plan any party for you for about a week and a half yet.  By then we should know for sure.  Then if something happens that you can’t leave she can call it off alright.  Don’t worry yourself about that.

 

I wrote an eight hundred word paper last night.  I wrote it, corrected it and copied it over by midnight.  I didn’t get started until eight thirty.  I hope the thing is satisfactory.  I have to read it at the banquet tomorrow night before all of the Tau Beta Pis and all of the faculty of the Engineering School.  I’ll be glad when that is over.  I have an examination in Heat Machinery at one o’clock and an exam for Tau Beta Pi at four o’clock.  I don’t know how I’ll come out in either one of them, but I don’t really care.

 

Tomorrow classes are dismissed for the funeral of the former President of the University, whatever his name is.  That means I don’t have any classes at all tomorrow.  I think I will put the whole day in on my Graphic Statics.  Maybe I can get caught up on some of it.  I have a Heat report to write tonight and an electrical report to write up before Monday, so  you see, I really have plenty to keep me busy for some time.  I’ll be over there Saturday about 5:45 P.M.  

 

Really Mary I am just about out of something to say, so I guess I’ll have to quit for this time.  You’ll forgive me once more want you?  Please~~~~~~~~~~

 

Love,

 

Jim

 

Henry called me from downtown last night.  He had a date and two couples over here.  He didn’t come out here though.

 

 

Two people without much to say, but their letters say a lot.  Parties and plans and projects and papers.  And tittle-tattle about Henry’s romantic life.  Just exactly what his romantic life is…who can say?

 

 

 

The correspondence leaves out a lot information.  I guess we’re better off not knowing the particulars of what had Mary annoyed with Jim.  Kiss and make up.  The flowers were a nice touch.

 

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