16 March 1891 Letter from Lee Emmitt Thomas to Florence Smith Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Robert S. Hendrick, 10/2006 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Materials from the Personal Collection of Dr. Robert S. Hendrick, Jr. Transcribed and submitted by Robert S. Hendrick, Jr. ================================================================================= ================================================================================== 16 March 1891 Letter from Lee Emmitt Thomas to Florence Smith Explanation: Florence Eleanor Smith (9 Nov 1870 – 11 Apr 1957) was the daughter of long-time Union Parish Recorder William Callaway Smith (6 Nov 1828 – 23 Dec 1880) and Elizabeth Amy Manning (4 Nov 1837 – 15 Nov 1879). William C. Smith had moved with his father John Smith from Dallas County Alabama to Linville about 1840. Smith was elected as the Union Parish Recorder in the early 1850s and served until his health declined in the latter 1870s. Florence's brother James M. Smith served as the Clerk of Court for Union Parish from 1879 through 1900, and later held statewide office himself. Lee Emitt Thomas was a prominent politician with Union Parish roots. He was born in Marion to Benson B. Thomas & Susan S. George, both of whom were born in Perry County Alabama near the Town of Marion. B. B. Thomas owned a store in Marion (Union Parish) and seemed to have done well. L. E. Thomas (or Mimi as my family called him) received his law degree from Washington & Lee and returned to Farmerville to practice. Before 1900 he moved to Shreveport where he quickly became active in politics. His offices included: Louisiana St Representative from Caddo Parish Speaker of the House State Bank Examiner Mayor of Shreveport L. E. Thomas also ran for the United States Senate as an anti-Long candidate, but was defeated. Mimi is mentioned more than once in T. Harry Williams' book. Huey Long referred to him as "Old Wet Jug". Family lore says that Huey visited his house one night before he ran for his third term as Mayor and told him he would defeat him if he didn't support his programs. Mimi refused and lost all his savings running an unsuccessful campaign. Florence Smith, known as "Yayee" by the family, had a domineering personality. It can be summed up by my grandfather. When she was widowed he told my grandmother (her niece) "If Yayee moves in. I'm moving out!". Also, she insisted that my Aunt be named after her. From the tone of the letters, you can tell that she played very hard to get with Mr. Thomas. ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Transcription of Letter ================================================================================== ================================================================================== (Written on Everrett & Thomas Attorneys at Law letterhead) Farmerville, LA March 16, 1891 Miss Florence, I am very sorry I did not get back in time to fulfill our engagement on last Friday March night, but circumstances were such that I could not and besides I knew that it but little mattered to you anyway. Since leaving you I have maturely deliberated on your mode of treatment of myself for the past few months and the encouragement that has been extended to Guy T. until I am of the firm opinion that you care as much or more perhaps for him than for me and I think the best thing we can do is to quit. I could tell of your growing coldness since November, but was loathe to believe it and thought that may hap fortune would favor me and that be overcoming in time, but seeing as I no that time but adds to the frozen feelings. I have finally concluded that it is better for both to let you go to G-, who I doubt not will better please you than your humble servant, my disposition being as you think irrascible and his not I have been true in my heart and every action toward you since first we were engaged and even now I love with my whole soul, but my pride, manhood and self respect direct my course and I there ever, though I become footsore and lacerated with trials and troubles. I would indeed be simple to hold you or myself longer to an engagement, when I became convinced, as I now am, that you cared more for another. Indeed, I would be an idiot and that I do not propose to do. You, yourself have told me sufficient long ago to show your wishes in the matter and your conduct has spoken in unambiguous terms louder than words to indicate your real sentiment. You put off our marriage and why? For no reason. You have in the past refused to wear our ring, the badge of our plighted faith and why? Because the sentiment for which it was the emblem had withered. You never wear my badge that I am sure you need not be ashamed of and why? Because you would not have G- see it. You know you had it on just a half an hour before you went to church when I saw you and when you were with him it had disappeared. I could tell of a dozen other matters and remarks, which, however, it is needless to mention, but the fact is that I am at least convinced (against my will) that your esteem for me has been supplanted and we had as well end matters at once and now as to wait till G- should propose to you, which I doubt not will be ere long. It has taken along time to come to this determ-ination on account of my high regard for yourself, but now that my mind is made up nothing, no nothing, can dissuade me from my resolve. The only thing that I regret and censure you for is that I even permitted myself to go in Nov. 1889, but I could not help but trust and refuse confidence in you, for then I felt sure of your regard. Also there is a slight semblance of censure against you for not telling me last Nov. that you did not have the esteem for me that you once had and thus putting an end to matters then. But I shall forgive you for all wrongs done me as I know your sex follows the dictates of their hearts. I would have made you happy if possible, for I loved you truly and devotedly, notwith-standing I could not help but sometimes feel offended at the way you did me as you know all of our quarrels have been on G’s account. For last Winter and Spring where you did love me we had no disagreements with one single exception. You may rest assured that any confidence reposed by you in me will be forever held sacred and shall always respect and esteem you and you can always rely on my regard for you, though you have caused me to be compelled to deny myself the pleasure of your good company. If you prefer it’ll come over Thursday night and bring your letters and get mine and thereby avoid all publicity, for I am deeply chagrined and wounded as it is. The reason why I say Thursday night is because I am compelled to go Park’s place near O.(auchita) City this eve & will not get back till Wednesday, however, if you desire it that way, I need not go over at all but will send your letters and you can return mine by a messenger. Let me know the way you prefer as it is immaterial with me. I wish you joy and happiness in the future, and for Heaven’s sake don’t deceive another and cause them the pain you have me & I don’t believe you will, for I don’t believe that another will ever love as I did. I feel that I shall never trust woman again, for you were my idol, and especially can I never trust you as loving me after you have made me the promises you have and then being recreant in heart to those promises. I do want your pity, rather give me your scorn, contempt, hatred or anything, but not your pity. Nothing can alter my opinion, so now farewell, and may heaven’s choicest blessings abide with you. This I know is an eternal farewell so good bye. I will conclude & trust you will pardon the length of this it being the last Farewell, goodbye. I am With Profound Respect, L. E. Thomas ###############################################################################################