30 April 1891 Letter from Lee Emmitt Thomas to Florence Smith Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Robert S. Hendrick, 11/2006 ************************************************ 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. ================================================================================= 30 April 1891 Letter from Lee Emmitt Thomas to Florence Smith 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. Despite the "farewell" in the letter, Thomas and Smith were married later in 1891. ================================================================================== ================================================================================== At Office April 30, 1891 Miss Florence: Your last note was duly rec’d and I am certainly due you an apology for my neglect in sending the ex-precious little lock, but it was in the back of my watch and to tell you the truth I never happened to think of it until your note was rec’d. I beg pardon. I gave Hattie your fan and requested her to deliver same as I was I reckon so “comflusterated” I forgot it also, I hope she delivered the same. You need not mind about the croquet set as I’ve enough to bear now without more reminders of our late unpleasantness. And furthermore I have no use in the world for it, not feeling any predisposition to indulge in the knights of the ball and mallet. You say you hope we may remain friends as you care for me only as such, and in reply all I can say is what I have said on a previous sad mishap, that is that “Friendship often ends in love, but love in friendship never”, and I don’t suppose that I am any exception to the law of nature, however when I shall have buried my sorrow, chagrin to beneath the sod of forgetfulness I may consent to be your friend. I have though not the faintest idea how long that may be. I also return your notes as per request as I am not by any means desir-ous of doing you the slightest wrong, and I hope that I have retained at least my own respect in your eyes. I am sorry things have taken the position they have but “God disposes” and shatters our brightest air castles. I have one part-ing request and that is to beg of you not to tell G____ anything concerning us and more especially to reveal that “grip” of our Fraternity that I taught you as it is profoundly secret and is only made known to those whom we esteem above all others & whom we deem worthy of becoming honorary members of same and that I considered you. I do not censure you at all, for some Higher powers I guess controls the hearts of all, though they were unable to shake or change mine, yet I hope they will deal kindly with me and give me that true courage and change of heart to stand all trials that may beset me. Well I’ve written this too lengthy fear, so will not tax you further. You need not mind about returning it but I’ll trust you to burn or destroy it, also please destroy my old precious diaries of recorded happiness bliss supernal. Don’t keep them. Farwell. May god bless, shield and protect you. Again farwell. With Profound Respect, L. E. Thomas P. S. Written very hastily. Please excuse errors. If your folks should say anything lay all the blame on me. I’ll bear it & not murmur. My kindest regards to your chum Miss Retha. ##################################################################################