11 July 1897 Letter from James Monroe Smith to Eva Slaton 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. ================================================================================= 11 July 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. ================================================================================== ================================================================================== James M. Smith Sr. to Eva Slaton - Addressed Mrs. M. L. Brooks; c/o T. T. Slaton ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Jas. M. Smith, Clerk Edward Everett, Deputy Clerk's Office Parish of Union Farmerville, La July 11, 1897 My darling little Eva girl: Your short, sweet little missive came promptly Friday evening and as usual I was the happiest fellow in town. Darling I hope you are well enough to enjoy the Chautauqua exercises first class, for I feel that the more exercise you take in a prudent, reasonable way, the faster you will improve. Besides I know the exercises are generally very entertaining & an intellectual feast to all those capable of appreciation. I wish it was so that I could be there during the entire session, for I know we would enjoy it exceedingly & doubly so darling as we could be together great deal & talk over that “old, old story”’ which grows sweeter and sweeter each time we hear it. I may get to Ruston Tuesday or Wednesday if I can get off, if not it will probably be the first of next week. I am anxious to go this week if I can, but don’t look for me till I come, will write you so soon as I get there. I am so *very anxious* to see you darling. I don’t see how I can wait another week. I received a letter from Mr. Atkinson a few days ago saying that on account of Mr. Love lecturing on 15th or 16th, La. State University day would have to be deferred later on at a date not yet fixed. Unless it is fixed for Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, I don’t think I can be there as our protracted meeting begins on Thursday 22nd & I cannot well leave there, besides our court will be close at hand & I will be quite busy. Belle came yesterday, I sent my buggy for her at Shiloh, she having been there several days visiting Mr. Heard’s relatives. She is now at Uncle Gus’, but will spend a portion of her time with us. I was to see her this evening, but had no chance to talk to her about my little darling. I know from the way she looked, she has something to tell me about her & of course I am anxious to hear. Of course you showed her your ring, or did you do as you did at the marriage *(if you wore it)*, keep your hand in your pocket all the while, fearing someone would see & say I told you so, I know they were engaged, for she has on a new ring, I never saw her with *that ring* on before. Darling I think it is just *too bad* if you didn’t get to wear your new ring at the marriage, but I reckon you did & when you thought any one was looking at you the least inquiringly, you would put your hand in your pocket right quick, which of course was a confession of guilt. I rec’d the Chautauquan you sent me this evening giving an account of the marriage. No doubt it was a very well ordered & pretty affair. I had already seen a notice of it the Ruston Leader. Yes I know parting with your cousin brought sadness. While the marriage occasion brings joy to the contracting parties where they love as they should still there is always a degree of solemnity & sadness too especially to the relatives where happy associations are to a degree severed. Darling I am glad you & Belle have decided to take a trip to Biloxi & spend some weeks. I believe it will do you great deal of good especially during August when it is so warm. The exhilarating health giving sea breeze, I am hopeful, will return you in perfect health. I am glad Belle will be with you, as I know my sweet little darling will be in good hands. I wish I could be with you then, but as *you didn’t invite* me to go, I guess I’ll not go. Well I couldn’t go any way darling as court will begin 1st Monday in August & last 2 or 3 weeks & besides I couldn’t be away so long any way from my business. So I couldn’t think of letting my little darling leave without seeing her, no never. Well I suppose you heard Mr. Mauship, how did you like him? One thing I wish to impress especially upon my sweet little girl, is not to *dissipate too much* & loose sleep during Chautaugua, for I think regular hours for rest especially in the way of sleep absolutely necessary to health. You know darling we are now more interested in your rapid recovery than all things else & I know you will observe this injunction for *your boy’s* sake if for no other. Write me at the regular time in case I don’t come as stated, a long, sweet letter. With a heart full of tenderest love for my sweet little girl, I am ever, Yours Devotedly, James ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: Mr. Smith underlined many words in this letter. The underlined words are those enclosed between * *. ##################################################################################