Love Letters of Fred and Florence
A Collection
Yearbook Autographs
Pages from Florence’s Senior yearbook and the notes from friends written inside.
6/5/1923 My dreams are paradise
Port Arthur, Tex
June 5th 1923
My Dearest Florence;
Whoo-pee some town we have down here, can’t imagine anything so sweet. Never saw another like it. Today was Pay day at Gulf and everybody and his brother and kids are on the streets. You can’t imagine such a sight. You know they all they have here is population, and some of it is peculiar. Most are the people are working people and when pay day comes they sure spend the money. I went to town a while after supper to look things over with Jesse and his bro and I didn’t see a thing along the exciting nature. We went down to the naditorium and I have seen better ones. One the way back we passed a fire station and all of the firemen were playing musical instruments and having a good time. Well before we had gone a half block the fire signal was sounded and the cars passed us before we got to the corner. Now that is some action it is not? I’ll swear I sure don’t like this joint. This place I am staying in is sure some outfit. Nine rooms and all that but they sure are dumb. This old bird has been standing here talking to me for 20 minutes and didn’t say a word. This is the only place in town that we could get tho’ so I suppose I can stand it for a while.
I wish I was in Houston. Just think, Florence ole Dear, how good a time we could have. Oh it’s too good to think about. I get off work at 4:30. I will start tomorrow morning. I am also going to play Base-Ball if they pay anything for it, but if they don’t, of course I can use my time elsewhere. For instance, I am sure that I have a friend that would like for me to write to, eh? Florence it sure is not a great place here. Just a one street town. I have met a great number of people here already and I have met two de Molays. One belongs to the Hts chapter of Houston. he lives only 1 1/2 blocks away. We will be right close. Close range to visit you know.
I suppose you are having the time of your life. Gee, Florence my dear I sure wished that I was there to go on that House party. I can imagine just what a wonderful time you will have, only if I could share it with you. My dreams are paradise, just to think of you Florence. I have thought of you much since I left. Every time I see a Buick it reflects upon my mind the girl whose picture I have before me. But oh, wait “till we meet again.” I can see you smiling at me in the picture now. I wonder if you are. At this time you are on the stage at the auditorium where a large crowd is situated, and hot. oo-wee. Florence, my dear write a long letter and tell me lots. any tinie [?] and (any kind) of letter, will be appreciated.
Heaps of Love
Fred.
6/4/1923 the awkward position I am in
Port Arthur, Tex
June 4, 1923
My Dearest Florence;
just as I told you, old Dear, isn’t it. (that I would write you as soon as I arrived). Jesse and I arrived at one o’clock and I was disgusted with it as soon as I landed. But I suppose it will be ok. I went out to see the man that I had corresponded with and they would not let me see him until I showed some form of identification. I had the letter in my suit-case and of course could not show it to him as it was checked. Well to make a long long story short I will appear tomorrow and start work Wed.
We found us a nice room 1 1/2 blocks from Jesse’s bro. altho things are not as I would like to have them, I expect they will do for the summer. I don’t care a bit about this town but I have to put up with it now, since I am here.
I got on a car today and there was a good friend of myne from Rice, so you see it was not so bad. But just before this I found a De Molay down town, made myself acquainted and found out all the necessary news.
This is very hard to write as you don’t know the awkward position I am in. But the main thing it to let my old dear know I am here and my address. please write me a long letter.
With Love
Fred
1027 – 5th St
I will write soon.
5/22/23 I Have the Blues So Bad
Houston, Texas
May 22, 1923
My Dearest Florence,
I have the blues so bad that I can hardly keep from crying. I received a letter from Port Arthur this morning, saying that I could go to work as soon as school is out. They have given me a good proposition with good pay. I will have to take it, I am sure, because it may mean my success in the future. Florence, my Dear, you cannot realize how I feel. Just to think we may not meet after the first part of June. It seriously is a terribly feeling I have. But if you don’t move to California, my Dear, it will sure be great.
I was planning to have such a good time this summer but I suppose it is ruined. But Florence, my Dearest, maybe you will be a Rice Stude. If so happier yet will I be. I have my final in engineering today. I will see you next Tuesday nite – 29th.
With affectionate love,
Fred.
Today, this project is two months old
At least the web published portion. The subject matter is almost 90 years in development.
A few months ago, I am taking photos of some of the mementoes I have from Fred and Florence. As I collect more from my father’s stash of things I will add more – and some fun items will be posted in the next few weeks, but I thought I would put up a few of the images today.
One of the treasures I found was my grandfather’s pocket watch. He wanted to keep a photo of Florence close and this was the best way he came up with to do so.
This is Florence in front of the “famous” (at least in my family) 2204 Crawford. While I never had the opportunity to see the house, I heard about it in so many stories of my grandmother’s childhood.
I have been transcribing letters and posting them in advance and have been drawn into the story as much as I hope everyone else reading this blog has been. For a wee bit of a teaser, soon Fred will be leaving Houston for Port Arthur, Texas and we will be hearing about his adventures working for the Texas Company (any guessing – without googling – what that company later became?)
Thanks for reading. Spread the word, comment and ask questions if you are so inclined. I enjoy hearing your thoughts on our lovely couple.
Cheers,
Sheridan
5/16/23 Every Particle of My Heart
9:30 pm
Fredibus, dear,
Can yo bear with me for a very few minutes?? I hope so. If you can’t, well – but why think of that.
A few minutes ago, I was out looking at the glorious stars – Memories? Oh, wonderful ones. Orion was beaming down – and all the rest that some time, perhaps, if you care to hear it. I’ll tell you the stories of – but these stars have guarded over us both so well. For years – ever since I was a real tiny girl, I’ve wished on the stars – you’ve heard that poem that one always says. throws three kisses to the star then make a wish?
“Star light, star bright,
first star I’ve seen tonite,
Wish I may, wish I might
Have this wish I wish tonite.”
And in the years I’ve said that verse, there have only been 2 real wishes denied me. One as I remember long ago, I wished I’d never have to have another tooth pulled. Wasn’t that foolish? ut the teeth would just keep getting loose and of course, they finally ceased that but that was a long time after I first wished it. I have wished to be popular, I have wished for a car – for real friends, etc. and I’ve gotten them all save one. i wished for you to win in the T. I. A. A. meet – and in the conference – and the conference meet was the wish that failed. But next year – oh – wait!!
It seems sometimes that our lives are individually watched by the stars. There are certain stars which watch over certain people, and Orion seems to be ours. So, Fredibus, big boy, when you look up at Orion, just know that we aren’t going to be separated this summer. We’ve known each other such a short time – long enough to really be friends – to find out what we’re each one made of – and I’d hate so bad to part now.
Things look sort of gloomy, I’ll admit, but I feel that somehow things are coming out right. Please don’t think too much about it. We understand each other – and you know my true feelings toward you. Know them deep inside your heart – Fred – and light into those lessons. If you flunked out this year, I’d never forgive myself, but you know that I’m behind you. You know that every particle of my heart is with you. And you’re going to tell me pretty soon that you passed O.K. Don’t think of this summer. Remember, the Fates were wonderfully kind when they introduced us at the Halloween party – they’ve been kind ever since. I’ve been fortunate – and lucky and I’ll be so this summer. So we’re going to have a glorious time together and be so happy – and my own big athlete that the papers talk of is going to always be as precious as he is now.
Please don’t think of this summer, but just know that I’ll think as much of you, a million miles away – and you’ll study real hard won’t you? I’ll lend as much inspiration as I can.
As Ever –
Florence.
The Parting of the Ways
There comes a time in each of our lives,
That means the parting of the ways.
We know not whither these roads may lead,
To sadder or happier days,
To days that are filled with gladness
And sorry and pain cast aside,
Or to days with haunting memories,
And a love that we cannot hide.
Who knows where when the parting comes.
We may meet again on this earth.
Who knows how, after years apart,
We may hide our joy and mirth
At the meetings we have longed for,
When we tell our hearts to each other,
Our joys, our hopes and our fears.
Perhaps it is best for our future,
Perhaps it is best that we part,
Who knows what has been planned for us,
And just where we ought to start.
Distance may be measured by miles, Dear,
The ocean might keep us apart.
The years might come and might leave us,
But still linger the love in my heart.
New friends will come and will love us,
But the memories of old friends remain
It seems thru the years that are passing
The first love is always the same.
Remember that tho’ we are parted
True love and true friendship ne’er cease.
Tho miles and miles are between us,
Let our love and friendship increase.
“cum omne amore in mea pectore”*
*With my complete lack of any Latin, the closest I can guess is referring to love from the bottom of her heart… any corrections are more then welcome.
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