20 October 1896 Letter from James Monroe Smith to Eva Slaton Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Robert S. Hendrick, 11/2005 ************************************************ 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. ================================================================================= 20 October 1896 Letter from James Monroe Smith to Eva Slaton Smith became the Union Parish Clerk of Court in 1879 and served until 1900, when he resigned to serve as a Louisiana State Senator ================================================================================== ================================================================================== James M. Smith Sr. to Eva Slaton (Addressed c/o A. C. F. College Tuskegee, AL) Jas. M. Smith, Clerk Edward Everett, Deputy Clerk's Office Parish of Union Farmerville, LA October 20, 1896 My Own, Sweet, Darling Girl, Your long-looked for and sweet little letter came Saturday evening, the 4th day after mailing. It was two weeks from the date I wrote you and had I not received a few days before its reception the photo of my sweet little angel, I would have about concluded that my precious little girl had about forgotten me. Dearest, you can't know how I appreciated that pretty sweet photo, the shadow of which my sweet little darling is the substance. I look at it 2 or 3 times a day & think how happy I would be if I just had the original with me. When I look on the sweet face and into those pretty eyes, which look love to eyes which speak again, and behold that angelic smile, I feel that of all men, I should be the hap-piest in being the possessor of the heart and hand of the sweetest, loveliest and noblest woman on earth, and darling I am. Darling, when I read over and over again your letter and see how good and sweet and self-sacrificing you are for my happiness, I wonder if there is another your equal in the world. I doubt it. I just know my angel girl will make me one of the sweetest & most devoted wives that lives, and your presence in my home will cast a halo of sunshine and happiness in my life, that no one else living can. If a heart-full of pure love & devotion will make my little darling happy. I hope to be able to make my precious little girl the owner of a husband, whose chief aim in life will be to make hers equally as happy. Dearest- your sweet little letter is perfectly satis-factory, for I know you will do all you can to arrange matters as you suggest, and knowing that, I am willing to abide your judgments. Dearest, you don't know how anxious I am to see you. I would give anything tonight if I could just be with you and have a long talk. I agree with you that I feel if we could just see each other, everything would be understood without a word for we could read our hearts in our eyes. Really, the only pleasure I have is reading your sweet little letters, looking at your photo and thinking of you and that about consumes all my time. I get real gloomy when I think it will probably be several long months before I can see you again and just feel that I can hardly stand it. Court began yesterday a week ago & will probably last all this week and a portion of next, and I have been very busy day & night. Although very busy with court matters, I made up my mind I would write my sweet girl tonight any way, and not wait a week as you did in responding to my last. After getting your photo I looked impatiently every mail for a week before your letter came. Dearest, in your next letter send me the size of your finger as I have forgotten, so I will know what size to get your ring the first chance I have. Darling I will be sure to send you my photo the first chance I have to have it taken. I may go either to New Orleans or Hot Springs next month to have my throat treated, and if I should, will have it taken then, if I should not go will have it taken here. When was the photo you sent me taken? It is mighty sweet and pretty and when I look at it I feel by you like I told you my little boy said he felt toward me. Do you remember what that was? Yes, you answered those three questions dearest, but the answers are to short and formal to be true and I am loath to believe it. But believe the evidence is in my favor. Emmet (L E Thomas) and sister (Florence Smith) came today & will remain a week or more. As it is now late will have to close. You will get this Saturday if no delay. Dearest, be sure & write me soon so I will get it any way, the last of next week. As Ever Lovingly & Devotedly, James #####################################################################