26 May 1897 Letter from James Monroe Smith to Eva Slaton

Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Robert S. Hendrick, 6/2007

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Materials from the Personal Collection of Dr. Robert S. Hendrick, Jr.
Transcribed and submitted by Robert S. Hendrick, Jr.

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26 May 1897 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. Smith had courted Slaton prior 
to his marriage to May Olive Kidd in 1885, but May had died in February 1895. Smith 
and Slaton married in January 1898.
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James M. Smith Sr. to Eva Slaton
(Addressed to Mrs. M. L. Brooks; c/o T T Slaton)
Jas. M. Smith, Clerk						Edward Everett, Deputy
       
       Clerk’s Office
       Parish of Union

							Farmerville, LA May 26, 1897

My Darling Sweet Little Eva Girl!

   Your much appreciated letter came Saturday evening & as you well know your letters 
always make me feel gladder and happier than all things else except seeing you and 
being with you my sweet little darling. I notice your letter is dated the 20th (Thursday & 
postmarked 22nd or Saturday) & received it that day. How is that? I suppose you wrote it 
that day & failed to mail it until 22nd. Tell Mrs. Brooks her invitation is much appreciated 
and as Mrs. Callaway can’t conveniently go I have decided if I can arrange to get off to 
attend her entertainment as proxy for Mrs. C. Yes dearest I have decided to visit you 
next Friday if I can arrange some business I have on hand. If I should fail to come don’t 
be disappointed. I will if I can get off. If I go I will leave it with you to decide whether we 
shall go to the entertainment or stay away & have an old fashioned talk & hold a lover’s 
communion. Of course I would be glad to go to the entertainment & know I would be 
delighted as I am a great lover of good music and Mrs. Brooks being the leader is 
sufficient guarantee that it will be a most enjoyable and grand affair.

   Darling I did think I would wait about 2 weeks longer until I go to Baton Rouge to visit 
you, but after getting your or rather Mrs. Brooks (?) invitation, I feel that I can wait no 
longer, for I was never more anxious to see my own sweet little girl. While it has only 
been about a month it seems so long since I saw you darling. I received a notice to 
attend a meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the University on June 14th& will attend 
if nothing prevents, but it would be so much more enjoyable to me if I had the future 
Mrs. Smith along with me. Darling I am so glad you think you are steadily improving & 
hope the Lord will continue to bless my little angel & soon restore her to robust health & 
hasten the time when she will be mine indeed to be with me all the time, to bless, 
sweeten & make happy my life as no other can. I notice my little girl speaks of others 
making preparations for their nuptials in the way of preparing “the wedding garments” 
and the “sub rosa” plan I wonder if she is doing any thing of the kind herself? 

   I reckon my little girl will be much surprised should I visit her next Friday. I suspect her 
invitation was merely intended as a courtesy, not thinking I would respond but believe I 
will fool her by accepting. Now darling don’t be in the least disappointed if I fail to go or 
uneasy for fear I am sick, as my health is fine, but you will know that business 
prevented. If I don’t go Friday will probably wait until I go to B. Rouge. As I hope to see 
you soon will not write more but wait & talk it out. Take good care of yourself & be a 
sweet good girl till I see you. If I don’t come, you must write me as usual.
   

       Always Yours Devotedly,
       
                     James


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