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Delivered again
Elinor Haskew of Maurepas, La. moved from the area decades ago. Years ago before she moved, she had purchased a old filing cabinet from someone in Peachtree. She has used the cabinet to store the type of information we all hide away from ourselves until we're ready to throw it away. During a recent cleaning out of the cabinet she felt way in the back and came across four letters - one from 1905, one from 1917, one from 1918 and another one from 1933. The three oldest ones were written to Loyal J. "Bud" Smith Sr. and the other to one of his sons, Big Boy (Bill) Smith. Mrs. Haskew sent these letters to her sister Agnes Buckalew in Thomasville to return to some of the Smith family still residing in the area. One of Smith's children, Melba Anderson, is now almost 92 years old and resides at Country Oaks in Thomasville. Another of his surviving children is retired jeweler L.J. Smith Jr., who is 15 months older than Mrs. Anderson. The letters take a look back to a time when life was much different than it is today. In the 21st century we take for granted being able to communicate instantaneously with people around the world and those down the street. Handwritten letters are very seldom used to relay information. Phone calls, text messages, emails and instant messages are the preferred methods used today. But a hundred years ago it was quite different. The United States Postal Service provided that vital link to others. In the oldest letter found by Mrs. Haskew, "Mamie" told "Bud" she had stood her trip very well and got back on Sunday in time for dinner but didn't get home in time for the preaching. She speaks of her "Mamma" and "the boys" and said she was anxious to hear from him soon. Mrs. Anderson explained that Mamie was her mother and the letter was written to her daddy (Loyal J. "Bud" Smith Sr.) not long before they were married. **** The second and third letters, written in 1917 and 1918 were written from Jim Smith (Bud's oldest brother, the oldest of 12 children) to Bud. On April 6, 1917, the United States declared war on Germany and officially entered the "Great War." Six weeks later, on May 18, 1917, the Selective Service Act was passed, which authorized the president to increase the military establishment of the United States during the war. As a result, every male living within the United States between the ages of 18 and 45 was required to register for the draft. Both of these letters were written during the time of World War I. Jim was working in Akron, Ohio. He told Bud in the first one that the company he was working for was hiring a few men, but not many and if Bud wanted to come apply for a job he'd better bring all of his "war card" information or they wouldn't hire him. In the 1918 letter Jim is talking about buying a pair of overalls for Bud. Jim tells Bud that he's making good money but is working such long hours he doesn't have time to go shopping. Instead he will send Bud money and Bud can buy the overalls for himself. Jim said, "Bud I am makeing good money but I have to work hard to make it. I made $12.71 one day last weak." **** The final letter found was written about 15 years later to Big Boy "Bill" Smith from a young schoolgirl, Miss Nettie Grey, in 1933. The first letter (1905) was written using a fountain pen and looked eloquent in the writing style. This letter was written with a pencil. The writing was very neat and precise. The dialect used by the author showed terms and phrases of the day, such as "Gee dear," which was used several times. In the 21st century the formality and beauty of letter writing has been lost. One look at the first paragraph of Miss Nettie's letter shows this formality, "I will to night take the greatest of pleasure in answering your letter which I received a few days pass and words cannot express how glad I was to here from you once more after waiting so long a time." What will the world think if a hundred years from now someone stumbles across a handwritten letter from today in the back of an old filing cabinet? Chances are they'll have to plug in an old computer and to read what's left filed on there. ********** Letters found in old filing cabinet Thomasville, Ala. Aug. 8th, 1905 Mr. Loyal Smith Dearest I take my pen in my hand this morning to drop you a few words to let you know that I have not forgotten you. I stood my trip very well. Sunday we got to the church at 1 o'clock but we got our dinner all right. I did not go to preaching yesterday. I thought it was too much riding at once for me but I am going to day if it don't rain. It looks now like it would rain for a little. I have the room alone now and the boys talking to a young man that has just come in there was one here last night but I did not speak to him. I staid at the supper table till he left. They have got four members and the melting will not break to day I guess I will get to see them baptised if nothing happens you must not work too hard while I am away and don't be sick. I am getting on fine. I have not had the headache since I left home. I feel real good now I want you to tell me how Mamma and all the rest are getting on. You must not think hard of this short letter I have not got time to write much as the boys are in a hurry. I will try to do better next time and you must write me a long letter and tell me about all the folks down there for you know I am anxious to hear from you all I have not got home sick yet but I don't know what I will do in the three weeks. Write real soon Your truely Mamie [Note: Mamie and Bud (Loyal Smith Sr.) were married not long after this was written.] ****** 1917 My Dear Bro. I will drop you a few line in Bud letter for I had to write to Donnie and children and Bud and you I will write you again. Marvin they are hiring some men but not many you can past the examination all rite but if you come you bring all of your war card with you for you will have to have them are they wount hire you so don't you come tel you get your casfication and I will write to you again in a few days. From your Bro. Jim Note: - Jim, brother of Bud (Loyal J. Smith) was the oldest of 12 children - Donnie was Jim's wife - Marvin was another brother to Bud and Jim ****** 1918 1130 Akley St. Akron Ohio My Dear Bro I will write you a few line I was glad to hear from you this leave me well and I hope tease few line will find you all the same Bud you ask me to get you some overall I dont know what they will cost but they are high I know for ever thing els is I am going to send you $ 10 dollars so you can get them your self for I dont have much time to look a round I wounted to get off yesterday but had to work tel 8 30 a clock last night before I got off Bud I am makeing good money but I have to work hard to make it I made 12.71 one day last weak Bud you do what you think is the best a bout the mule trade well Bud I will have to retister I guess for the age is from 18 to 45 so that will get us all this time what has the corn don has it made good or not I hope it has I wount you to find out when redistering day is and let me know Just as soon as you can for I wount to redister from home if I have to come home to do it ****** Thomasville, Ala. January 10, 1933 Dearest one: I will to night take the greatest of pleasure in answering your letter which I received a few days pass and words cannot express how glad I was to here from you once more after waiting so long a time. Gee dear just wondering what you could be doing these lonesome days having a good time I bet. For my self trying to study but trying is all for I have not looked at a book since yesterday for I did not go to school to day. I guess you see I study lots. Gee dear but you had a good time Sunday. But I mean Sunday was a long and blue raining day with me. Ha Dear you all did not gt to ride home Saturday nite did you really did you all think that I would tell them that you all had rode Sat. night you ought to know that I would have not of told. I don't know whether you can read this for I cannot half write for Maxine every time I go to write she grab at the pincil. Dear you sure don't know how surprise I was to get a letter from you. But I sure was glad am only hoping you won't do me this way again. Well I will ring off for this time for I know you are tired of reading this. So please excuse sorry writing and take all mistakes as love. From the one love you best of all. So love. Nettie Grey
Note: Letter written to Bill "Big Boy" Smith
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