2 January 1898 Letter from James Monroe Smith to Eva Slaton Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Robert S. Hendrick, 6/2007 ************************************************ 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. ================================================================================== ================================================================================== 2 January 1898 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 to Mrs. M. L. Brooks Ruston, LA) Jas. M. Smith, Clerk Edward Everett, Deputy Clerk’s Office Parish of Union Farmerville, LA January 2, 1898 My Own, Sweet, Precious Little Angel, Your dear, sweet little letter came promptly and to say darling that it found a heart felt welcome from one who loves his sweet precious little doll better than himself, even as life itself is not a meaningless expression, but words full of meaning & trust. No man certainly has more to be thankful and happy than the proud know-ledge of the fact that he has the undivided love and affection of the sweetest, loveliest, best and most womanly Christian woman that graces this earth; and further that this sweet little angel in a few days is to be his darling little wife, the guardian angel of his fondest & best hopes, happiness and ambitions, his life itself. Darling the sweet little souvenir you sent me is just as pretty, artistic and dainty as can be & especially so knowing it was entirely designed and made by the hand of one dearer to me than all others and one who loves me I believe with a love as pure, true and tender as woman ever bestowed upon man. But dearest your boy doesn’t a remembrance to keep in mind and heart his precious little doll that is fixed. A seal is set that will never be broken until the angel of death shall decree that time is no more. Well darling the time is now getting quite short & only about 4 days more and the Good Lord permitting I hope to lead to the sacred altar to be my precious little wife the woman that possesses more of the graces of head and heart than any that breaths the breath of life. My sweet girl I just know we shall be supremely happy-none happier. Darling God gave us to each other-made us for each other and knows that our love is in ac-cordance with His Will and command-as near divine in its purity as it is possible for lovers to love. Darling I don’t think I will be able to go to Ruston until Wednesday, possibly Thursday. My intention is to go Wednesday if working prevents. Should I not come Wednesday don’t be uneasy about it, for I will leave early Thursday morning so as to get there by about 2 P. M. I feel very sure though that I shall go Wednesday & if I should not will write you so as to get my letter that evening. Don’t you reckon I would have time enough to address all the announcements (about 50) I wish after I get there? I think so. But should you prefer you can send them. Do as you wish about it. I intend going Wednesday if nothing prevents & will visit you that night & reckon we could find time to address them then. Do as you like about the matter. Sister (Florence Smith Thomas), Brother Wharton (unknown relative who preformed ceremony & Lois Smith’s 13 years later) & Alice (Sarah Alice Kidd Lewis? – Aunt of deceased May Olive Kidd Smith) are here making preparations for the reception of my prospective bride. Of course all hands will be very busy for next few days. There will be none of my relatives there except Sister (Florence Smith Thomas) & Emmett (Lee Emmett Thomas) & Alice & my cousin Jennie Thornton & Mr. Davis (?) & Aunt Jennie’s (possibly Virginia Manning) children. I only invited Emmett Kidd (former brother in law) & wife & Mr. Wright & Mrs. Kidd (former mother in law). They will be present except Mrs. Kidd. Darling it is indeed very gratifying to me to know that our marriage meets the approval of your relations & I sincerely hope they’ll never have cause to change this good opinion. This is probably the last letter I will address to Miss Eva Slaton, but I hope hereafter instead to be my darling little wife. It is now about 11 P. M. & my file is quite low so will close. With a heart overflowing with love & many sweet little k_s_ and hoping that this may be a happier new year to her than ever before. I am darling always. Your Devoted Boy, James #######################################################################################