9-15-1941 E Pace to Mr Orville J Pace

9-15-1941 E Pace to Mr Orville J Pace

Envelope:

Mr. Orville J. Pace

409 Herbert St

Cedartown, Ga.

Return:

Return to

Georgia Power Company

Georgia

After five days

Postmark: 9-15-1941 Paris, TENN.

Sunday A.M.

Dear Orville –

Has it been a long week for you? I wonder the condition of the apartment. I have missed you very much and wished many times to have been there to do certain things that need to be done. However I have enjoyed the week here. I have felt just fine – everything here has been quiet.

It was right funny about our missionary meeting – we took our lunch & 3 other ladies & went Wed morning. Cousin Arbie is president and was the one who had been notified of date & time – well we got there a day late – we had lots of fun over it. That afternoon we took Uncle Ewin over to Thoburn’s & he looked over the job (& started to work over there Friday)

Thoburn talked like my trouble could be right serious if I didn’t correct it right now. I told him I wanted him to be brutally honest with me & tell me if he thought I was just being crazy about letting the neighborhood children worry me. He said certainly not. He said he considered himself a modern doctor but an old fashioned father in many ways. He said his two boys (even if they were his) didn’t make a third the noice his nephew made at half their age. But that he guessed he had that to profit from & to make him more determined that his wouldn’t be that way. Mary has the same idea that I have also about how children should behave in the house – and it isn’t just ideas either – it works.

Monday

At this point yesterday I had to quit & take Papa to McKenzie to Thoburn’s office. He cut his (2 fingers) in the gin saws Thursday & it got infected. He didn’t sleep much Sat night. It was very much better after Thoburn worked on it. It was dinner when we got back.

Loudelia came fro me in the afternoon and I am going to be here until late this aft. She is teaching all day today of course. Paris is beginning to look like Milan in the early stages of that project. They are almost finished at Milan now. Clifford got his job he has been working for. Loudelia is paying $20 for her room alone.

Mama & I went to Jackson Friday. We bought a few things. I got a sport dress & a hat (I don’t much like) We went grocery shopping also.

I am clipping a good write up from Commercial about W.W. and about Shell plant.

Cousin Maggie Fagg died & was buried at home Sat. aft. I didn’t go to the funeral.

If you go to the Series when will you go? Do you want me to come home to help get you off?

Papa bought 70,000 lbs of cotton Sat & has ginned about 200 lb. A year ago today he ginned the first of last season – 2 wks later it burned.

The Standards came the day I wrote you the card. I had expected each separately.

Loudelia has her plans already laid to come down by plane for a weekend this fall.

I never heard from the Sharps about our tickets not have I written about Luke’s stickets I expected to hear from them first. If anything has come there let me know.

I love you and miss you very much but as you well know I am not an ardent writer of lover letters.

Love

Evelyn

9-12-1941 E Pace to Mr Orville J Pace

9-12-1941 E Pace to Mr Orville J Pace

Envelope:

Mr. Orville J. Pace

409 Herbert St

Cedartown, Ga.

Return:

None, postcard

Postmark: 9-12-1941 Huntingdon, TENN.

Friday

Dear Orville –

I haven’t rec’d the Standard yet so I wondered if you have forgotten. We are going to Jackson today to do some shopping for Mama – I might get something. I am feeling just fine and eating most everything I want. It is really fall weather here now.

Love

Evelyn

I am going to Loudelia’s Sun. aft. until Mon. aft.

9-8-1941 E Pace to Mr Orville J Pace

9-8-1941 E Pace to Mr Orville J Pace

Envelope:

Mr. Orville J. Pace

409 Herbert St

Cedartown, Ga.

Return:

E. Pace

return to

Georgia Power Company

McLemoresville,

Postmark: 9-8-1941 McLemoresville, TENN.

At Home

Monday Morning

Dear Orville –

We left about 10 min after you did yesterday morning. The trip did not seem so long. One girl and I were the only ones to Nashville. We talked quite a bit. I enjoyed her. She is from Oklahoma city and a Junior at O.U. At Nashville the car became quite crowded.

Mama & Papa had been looking forward to you coming. I thought they would get my card Friday but it was Sat aft before it came so they already had plans made for you. For instance Pape & Mr. Adams included you in their fishing trip – they had waited until you would be here – They left about 3:30 this a.m. for Pickwick Dam – Also Papa had planned for you to do some work on his starter at the gin. They have already ginned 28 bales. I told them you were waiting to see how Brooklyn came out - & planned to go to the Series if they won. Papa volunteered that they were in the lead so you see you have him keeping up with it. I notice this a.m they are now 3 games ahead. Mama said she didn’t blame you for going & that if she were me she would hide my head & if she couldn’t live on “nothing” whil you were gone as I had been so much expense lately. Anyway we all hope you can make the trip – so save your money so you can.

Rebecca & Uncle Ewin & Janice came down last night. Uncle Ewin is going to try to go to work on the Paris project – if not then he is going to remodel Thoburn’s hosue. He bought it Saturday for he said he didn’t think it wise to build & got a bargain in it – also intends to add to it & rent an apartment.

Please remember all instructions and that I love you-

Evelyn

Attached sheet:

Instruction Sheet

Be sure to deposit all of the check that you do not need at once. You can keep about $5 to tide you over for your meals. I have already mailed (today) the following checks in order that they will reach there before the books close –

Standard Oil 6.60

Sinclair 1.84

Davison 6.93

Richs 5.00

I am sending checks to you for Moore’s (made out for 11.00 I think it is 10.98 or about – By the way I already have about 14 nickels and 17 pennies for you) because you wanted them to be sure to get it by 21^st.

If something happens you decide for me to stay on I will mail the rest of the checks to you & you can mail from there. I want to pay Mark a lot this time for I have missed him entirely the last two pay days – so be sure to deposit it – Also Dr. McGehee & several little bills must come – (Have your shoes from Sears come yet?)

Note: The check to Moore’s Pharmacy was never sent. It remains attached to the “Instruction Sheet”

8-8-1941 Leona to Mr Orville J Pace

8-8-1941 Leona to Mr Orville J Pace

Envelope:

Mr. Orville J. Pace

Cedartown

Georgia

Return:

1411 North Ave. N.E.

Atlanta, Georgia

Postmark: 8-8-1941 Atlanta, GA.

Printed Birthday card:

Birthday Greetings

Greetings,

Just to wish for you,

Birthday joys

And pleasures too,

With good luck,

good times,

good cheer,

Down the pathway

Of the year.

Handwritten:

Doris S. siad you wondered if I remembered you. Not only do I remember but also that you are 30 yrs. old today. The best of every thing to you to day and always is my wish for you.

Leona

5-20-1941 Marguerite to Mrs Orville J Pace

5-20-1941 Marguerite to Mrs Orville J Pace

Envelope:

Mrs. Orville J. Pace

409 Herbert St.

Cedartown, Ga.

Return:

Box 426

Conroe, Texas

Postmark: 5-20-1941 Conroe, TEXAS

May 20-1941

My dearest Evelyn:

I’m somewhat more settled than when I wrote you that card. It seemed everything happened at once and it took time to straighten out.

Pete is stationed at Brownwood-127 miles west of Ft. Worth. It’s 297 miles from here – I quit work May 5 and left next day to go up there. I drove up alone and had nice trip both ways – I stayed a week and as Pete could get out of camp after 6:00 pm. till next a.m. and was off Sat. p.m. & Sunday, we had a little time together. There are 27,000 men in Camp Bowil and expect 3,000 more soon. You’ll get some idea as to size of the place. I plan to go back June 15^th and stay 6 wks or so. They go on manouvers for 2 weeks in June and 6 wks starting 1^st part of August so there’s no point in me staying there while he is away. We can’t leave the house & yard for long at a time so I’ll be here some of the time. It is a most unsatisfactory way to live, I assure you. I’m living alone – have 2 cocker spaniels for company – but we do very nicely.

I had a big surprise Mon. I got a wedding announcement from Lucille Belle. She married Thomas Edward Lemen of Arkansas City. They married in Newkirk, Okla. April 27 – He works for Santa Fe bridge & building dept. & they’re living in Arkansas City. In cleaning out my desk drawer, I ran across the enclosed note I got from her Xmas. Seems she was planning to marry someone else then – but you know Lucille Belle. the address on the announcement is same as on this those – so I guess they are living with the Crawfords. Probably a good thing as she couldn’t fry an egg.

I bought a new Singer portable machine – weight 11 # 4 oz. & it is so cute! It really sews, too. I’ve been trying to wear it out with some new dresses – I made 7 in last few months. I got a portable so I could take it when I follow the Army.

Pete will be sent to Carlisle, Penna for 30 days advanced military medical work this fall. Will drive up – so we can enjoy the trip. I’m looking forward to it – anything to break the monotony of living alone.

I attended a cooking school 4 days last week given by the gas co. here & I enjoyed it so much. I got some new receipts which seem good – I’ll try them out on a certain army man I know. I had an offer as a dietician in Army hosp. in Little Rock but declined for 2 reasons – first: too far away from Pete & home and 2^nd I’m tired & wanted a rest. I’ve been having symptoms of gastric ulcer added to a spastic colon – so I’m taking it easy.

Grace & Granny want me to come live with them – so do Auntie & Daddy but such is alway unsatisfactory & out of the question. Daddy has a new stone home in Okla. City & I’m anxious to visit for a few days but feel every minute I’m away from home should be spent with Pete.

I content myself with keeping house, and the yard. Really, we’ve a lovely yard. Wish you could see it. It is nicest in Feb. & March when our azaleas and camellias are in bloom.

Pete got his Naval appointment but the Army wouldn’t release him – after all that effort we spent trying to get it. The army gave hime some assurance when he inquired but conditions being more tense now probably was the cause – I was quite disappointed.

The John Durrett in Atlanta isn’t my cousin. However, I’m sure he is a distant relation as they all sprang from the Durretts in Ill. My cousin is working in Okla. City as architect for F.H.A. waiting for draft to get him. Auntie is nearly besise herself (in Ardmore) over the situation. I’m down rite disgusted with her. She is living alone and not working & there’s no reason why she can’t live with me ‘cept it’s too far away from John. She could save all her living expenses – but she’s beyond arguing with – so I let it go –

Ask your Episcopal rector friend if he has met R.L. Sturgis of Decatur, Ala. at any conferences, etc. He is one of our dearest friends and is probably directly responsible for us being Episcopalians. He is rector at St. John’s in Decatur.

You seem to lead quite a busy life and I’m glad you are. You are well suited for such. Wouldn’t it be lovely if we lived in the same town? We’d have such fun together. I’m thinking my back yard with its barbeque pit would be a center of interest.

I’m enjoying your letters so much. How I’d love to see you! Maybe there will come a day –

My best love –

Marguerite

2-1-1941 Virginia to Mrs Orville J Pace

2-1-1941 Virginia to Mrs Orville J Pace

Envelope:

Mrs. Orville J. Pace

409 Herbert St.

Cedartown, Ga.

Back:

Alpine Drive

Knoxville, Tenn.

Postmark: 2-1-1941 Knoxville, TENN.

Alpine Drive

Knoxville, Tenn

Jan 31, 1941

Dear Evelyn,

Got your lovely Christmas card and was shocked to death with your news. I’m so sorry, and believe me, I can certainly sympathize with you. We have another baby boy now, making Robert Julian 18 mo, & David 2 mo. But they’re sho one handful.

I’ve been intending to write & started to once and found I had lost your address. Are you working, or just keeping house. Cracks like that used to burn me up, as if to say keeping house was just loafing.

Bug is still up in Bridgeport, and I guess you know Mom is married and living in Michigan. She was down when David was born, the first one of my relations to see either baby. She stayed about two weeks, we certainly did enjoy seeing her.

I can’t remember just how long it’s been since we’ve seen you. I guess you know Bernie’s married & still living in N.Y.

Alice send pictures the other day of her children, you never recognize them, I didn’t, they’re so grown up. Charlie 7, & Morgan 5, both are in school now.

Do you ever come to Knoxville? If you should be sure and come to see us. We’d love to see you – Did I meet your husband, it seems to be I remember meeting some awfully nice fellow from Cedartown, but I don’t know whether he’s the lucky guy or not.

Evelyn, I hope you’ll excuse my letter writing, by nite I’m usually so tired I can’t write coherently, and that’s they only time I can write, so what to do about it.

My family isn’t a newsy family – I haven’t heard from Bug in ages. Not even a Christmas thank you note and the same with Alice, I enjoy getting letters so much that even tho I’m awfully busy I’ll squeeze in an evening now & then just for letter writing.

I hope you’ll write and let us know how you are.

Love

Virginia

1-23-1941 Myldred to Mrs Orville Pace

1-23-1941 Myldred to Mrs Orville Pace

Envelope:

Mrs. Orville Pace

Cedartown, Georgia.

Back:

Postmark: 1-23-1941 Pikeville, TENN.

Dear Evelyn -

After so long a time I got your letter. I’m so sorry about the trouble you had. I know it must be terrible to go through all of that and have nothing to show for it. I’ve thought about you lots of times and wondered how you were and all about you.

Doc is still in the CCC Camp with headquarters at Crossville and I’m still teaching. I’m expecting him to leave for a year of active duty most anytime. I hope they won’t send him so far away. He has been here since before Christmas and that has been very nice.

Jack has already been drafted and has had his examination. He has a bad eye so he doesn’t know whether he will go soon or not. Mamma is worrying herself sick over it. I can’t remember whether I told you about Jack having such a terrible wreck or not. He has a terrible scar on his face but he is lucky to be alive.

I had a little note from Flo Christmas and she said she was going to U.T. this quarter – said she thought she could graduate in Jule. That is the first time I have heard from her in a long time.

Do you ever come to Chattanooga? I guess you go to Atlanta though instead of there. I’d like to see you some time. It has been such a long time. A lot has happened in that time too.

I’d like to meet your husband some time. You know I’ve never seen him. I know you enjoy keeping house. I’m just hoping that it won’t be long until I can have me a home. But if Doc leaves soon I don’t see any chance for it right now. I’m still staying at home. Doc stays at CCC Camps most of the time.

Do you ever hear anything from the Morgan family? What became of Bernard? I believe you told me Mrs. Morgan married. And Bernice too.

We have a new skating rink here and everybody is skating. Annie B. Pope has just come for me to go skate awhile.

Hope you are feeling all right now. Write me again sometime and I’ll try not to wait so long to answer next time. Thanks a lot for the Christmas card.

With love

Myldred

Wednesday afternoon

Jan. 22, 1941

9-10-1940 Evelyn to Mr. Orville J. Pace

9-10-1940 Evelyn to Mr. Orville J. Pace

Envelope:

Mr. Orville J. Pace

409 Herbert St.

Cedartown, Ga.

Back:

Mrs. Orville J. Pace

McLemoresville, Tenn.

Postmark: 9-10-1940 McLemoresville, TENN.

Monday aft.

Dear Orville,

How am I doing? I have sold 8 glare chasers and one floor lamp to 2 people. So you see I really haven’t tried yet – and don’t intend to really work but think I can sell a few more just as easily. I wonder how you would prefer to manage about getting them here. You can decide & let me know. None of them are in any hurry for them so we could wait until we get ready to make another trip. I notice the campaign is over Oct. 28 so we could bring them sometime about Nov. 1^st or Thanksgiving or even Xmas. Or if you prefer you can come for me and bring them – or maybe you would prefer to ship them – As I said in the beginning you decide – By the way I sold all these at list price so you can depend on the commission.

Don & Mary Joe came and spent the aft with me yesterday (they are the ones who wanted the floor lamp & 4 glarechasers) They had a large Sat night so Don slept nearly all aft. no one was here except us as Mama & Papa had gone to Uncle Alvin’s. Late in aft (about 6:30) we drove to Club Royale (only because they serve good barbeque) and got a sandwich – it was very quiet up there – They are closing Chic Club for 3 mo. for possession of whiskey – we came right straight home after eating – Mama & Papa were home by that time.

Uncle Alvin is much worse than when you were here but better than he had been for several days. Ruth went home the day after we were there and only stayed 5 days & came back and stayed until this last Friday.

I promised Mary Joe I would come over to McKenzie one day this week. The weather is very hot and dry again more than it has been since I cam.

I went to Huntingdon this morning to see Dr. Douglas. I am feeling alright except I am menstruating just as I did last month also I am still not able to sleep at night. He gave me some medicine for resting. He complimented McGehee on the way he handled my care. Of course that made me feel good to know that he would have done exactly the same thing. However he told me some things that were not so encouraging – and some that sounded mighty good.

Tuesday a.m.

I was sorry I couldn’t hear you any better than I did last night. But glad you called – I called you Saturday night but of course as you know I ddin’t get you.

It is real cool here. We had a cloud last night but no rain.

There is is a little excitement across the street this morning – Harold’s mother came and tried to steal him from school.

Don’t do anything about sending the glarechasers until I come home then I will know exactly how many. I also think it better for me to come on the train. Then maybe we will come between now and Christmas. Anyway I want us to go to Macon as you promised.

I am looking forward to seeing you – in fact can hardly wait until Sunday but thought it would be better to wait until I am well again before I start. If I change my plans I will let you know otherwise meet me in Cartersville Sunday a.m.

There are so many things I have to tell you – But one thing which I will tell you over and over is –

I love you

Evelyn

9-7-1940 Evelyn to Mr. Orville J. Pace

9-7-1940 Evelyn to Mr. Orville J. Pace

Envelope:

Mr. Orville J. Pace

409 Herbert St.

Cedartown, Ga.

Back:

Mrs. Orville J. Pace

McLemoresville, Tenn.

Postmark: 9-7-1940 McLemoresville, TENN.

Saturday morning

My dear Orville -

I will do as you suggested about coming home. I don’t know yet just how I will arrange it but will let you know in plenty of time. I would like for you you to come for me but for two reasons I don’t think it best. First because I don’t think we should push the car’s good record. Second, it would be too hard a trip on both of us and I prefer you taking your time off to go to Macon – I am going to take you up on that trip.

Find out what Ralph & Jessie Mae want to do about the stove. If they want to take it back be sure to buy the new grate. If they prefer to sell it rather than move it then offer them whatever you think reasonable for it – we will have to buy something to heat that room and a stove was satisfactory last year so guess we had better not risk gas. We might ruin what little furniture we already have – I have my doubts about the health angle too for all time use. If they do take it & Mrs. Pace uses hers like it then we will buy one – maybe from Sears.

Uncle Alvin is worse, Mama & Papa are going tomorrow. Mr. & Mrs. Adams are going as far as Lexington to a wedding. Uncle Ewin will go also. I didn’t want to go anyway. It is much hotter now is the reason I didn’t want to go & thought the confusion might worry me – It is fairly cool here at home.

I appreciate all the nice things you said about me in your letter and shall try to live up to them. I think we have lots of good times to look forward to. Perhaps this year has been hard for both of us but even so I love you even more than at this same time last year. I am trying very hard to get well and have come a long way but realize more and more that I’ve a long way to go to get back my old self again. But I promise to do my best to keep all of it to myself –

Give my regards to the family

I love you

Evelyn.

9-6-1940 Evelyn to Mr. Orville J. Pace

9-6-1940 Evelyn to Mr. Orville J. Pace

Postcard:

Mr. Orville J. Pace

409 Herbert St.

Cedartown, Ga.

Postmark: 9-6-1940 McLemoresville, TENN.

Friday a.m.

Dear Orville,

There hasn’t been much to write from here either – The north wind is about to change the prospect for good cotton. I have not felt good for the past two days but am feeling better this morning. The work at the gin is finished.

Carolyn and I ate dinner with the Holmes yesterday. Janice Kay really performed and is about the cutest child I’ve seen for quite a while.

Love Evelyn.

9-3-1940 Evelyn to Mr. Orville J. Pace

9-3-1940 Evelyn to Mr. Orville J. Pace

Envelope:

Mr. Orville J. Pace

409 Herbert St.

Cedartown, Ga.

Back:

Mrs. Orville J. Pace

McLemoresville, Tenn.

Postmark: 9-3-1940 McLemoresville, TENN.

Monday Night.

My dear Orville

After I talked with you last night I wrote Lester and Emily. I do hate to write so bad that I think I’ll go home then I won’t have to write anyone except Mama. I told her the only reason I write her is because I want to hear from her. I suppose the reason I hate to write is because I express myself so poorly.

Today has been just another day to us. Papa didn’t go to Huntingdon but worked at the gin all day. Uncle Ewin is painting the woodwork over there. The revival has started so Mama and Carolyn went this a.m. and are there tonight. I fried the chicken and finished the dinner for them. I usually walk to town in the morning and afternoon for the exercise and to get the mail.

This afternoon we had company – Lillian (has returned) and Mrs. Hickman – Imogene stopped on way back to Nashville. They still don’t like it. Late in the afternoon I walked up to the cemetery and am very glad I don’t live up there – as I came so near doing – almost exactly two months ago.

I was kidding you about coming after me last night. I will be glad for you to come if you will have enough time to pay you for coming and think the car will make it. Do you think you can? You had just as well take balance of your vacation now for if you don’t it will be forgotten and you never will get it. It will be just as cheap for I will certainly have to take a pullman going back.

I have finished the quilt for one of the beds. I don’t know yet whether I will start on the other one right away or not.

Of course I am glad you did the bathroom (if you didn’t mess it up) except for the expense. I really am going on this economy program with a “do or die” attitude. We have too much we want to do to be pulled back by debts all the time and I know we can get rid of them if we continue as we have started out to do. I am sending the list to pay.

I miss you an awful lot and shall be glad to get back and start life over – which I believe I will be physically able to do. We will soon have an anniversary – a year ago tonight I returned from here, met you in Rome & you went on to Marietta with me – remember?

Remember I love you & be good.

Love

Evelyn.

Enclosed list:

Pay the following items in cash to avoid writing too many checks

Bank $25.00 (note – borrowed one month ago)

Rent 15.00

Water 1.50

Ga Power ?

yourself - ? amt you think you will need for meals etc. not to exceed $1 per day

Write check to Mark Cornelius for $15.00 & keep & send to me credit slip. Did you write him a check when you got home? if not then write check for 25.00 for I allowed $10.00 for that last pay day

Then deposit balance (& send me amount so I will know in case I have to check on it and will not have an overdraft. There will have to be enough for me to come home on or you to make the trip here on if you plan for me to come before next pay day – Also after I get Sinclair & Standard bills something should be left to pay Standard at least & a payment to Sinclair – you can send these bills & I will take care of them when I get the deposit slip –

In spite of financial matters – I love you –

8-31-1940 Evelyn to Mr. Orville J. Pace

8-31-1940 Evelyn to Mr. Orville J. Pace

Envelope:

Mr. Orville J. Pace

409 Herbert St.

Cedartown, Ga.

Back:

Mrs. Orville J. Pace

McLemoresville, Tenn.

Postmark: 8-31-1940 McLemoresville, TENN.

Friday Night.

My dear Orville

I expected a letter from you today but was disappointed. But since Monday is Labor Day and you won’t get a delivery I decided to send you a “Special,” though I know nothing special.

By the way several people have said you were quite nice – good looking – and apparently younger than I. Marshall Darnall told me about your conversation at the cafe. I went up there yesterday aft. but only went to the beauty parlor – and didn’t stay to get my hair fixed because there were too many already there. For that reason I am going with Papa tomorrow morning.

We had a letter from Imogene and they are coming tomorrow night & stay over Labor Day – Also Mr. Lenz is coming – I don’t know how Mama will hardly manage.

I have been working on my quilt and almost have the pieces together but have to put it together yet.

You would be surprised to see how much I have improved in my walking – I do hope it won’t be long until I will be well & be completely well again – I have already taken a new lease on life mentally. If I ever do get myself together again you possibly won’t know me since it has been so long since I was that way in fact before Christmas last year. I have been having lots of company which I enjoyed very much. There is lots of difference in being surrounded by old friends and relatives when one is sick in contrast to being around people who possibly think it has become a habit to complain.

I had a letter from Mrs. Thrasher thanking us for the gift. She mailed it on the way home. I think she is taking a mighty big risk traveling with such a small baby. There is lots of difference in me coming up here as is – than her going – with 3 children.

Papa has gone to the Utility Meeting tonight. The Supt & his helper (Mr. Myrick from McKenzie) came the day you left & fixed the switch. The Supt like to have never understood what I was talking about but his helper did & explained to him. I think he reminded me of Mr. Edge – not in looks tho for he one eyed – and doesn’t have any fingers on one hand.

It has been real lonesome without you – I hope that you are missing me as much as I do you; for then I would know that you really love me. Please don’t forget me.

Also please do like you promised about company and money. I will send you the list to pay the first of the week –

I enjoy the family but no one can take your place

Be good and remember

I love you.

Evelyn

8-29-1940 Evelyn to Mr. Orville J. Pace

8-29-1940 Evelyn to Mr. Orville J. Pace

Envelope:

Mr. Orville J. Pace

409 Herbert St.

Cedartown, Ga.

Back:

Mrs. Orville J. Pace

McLemoresville, Tenn.

Postmark: 8-29-1940 McLemoresville, TENN.

Thursday Morning

My dear Orville,

Your letter and package made the day much more pleasant yesterday your first letter was missent to McMimiville Tenn – but rec’d it the next day. I must say you are doing nicely about writing – and your letters are always so much more clever than mine that it makes me ashamed to write. But I do want to take every opportunity to let you know I am missing you dreadfully and that I love you ever so much.

Mama is going over to Trezevant for an all day P.T.A. meeting today. I am going to cook dinner Papa & Carolyn will both be here.

I hadn’t been in the car since you left until last night – we all went to Milan to see “All This And Heaven Too” – it was exceptionally good. Mary & Elsie went with us.

I too hope you win – now that you are entered in the tournament – (but just like Papa’s political attempts) I wish you had “not chosen” to enter (run) I thought you told the man before we left you would not. Now I suppose you will pull yourself back down from your build up here.

Thanks so much for the crystal – In addition to talking you for it when I get home I will try to prepare something good to serve in them.

Now that Emily’s baby is here I can say (with exactly the same confidence that Mrs. Pace knew that I was going to have twins) that I knew all the time it would be a girl. I am so glad that she made it fine and am sure they are fully satisfied with a girl. I do hope she won’t name her Mignon. I remember how Emily thought it was terrible when I told her Nancy’s girl weighed 9 lbs. Emily was just as large as Nancy except she was taller. I had thought I would have written her by now but have just neglected it. I am glad you sent flowers.

I think I gave you a list in one of my letters for the bills you were to pay but if you haven’t it is O.K. as long as you leave the money in the bank for I can write them on the first – except you had better pay your Exchange dues – Next pay day I intend for you to pay most every thing in cash to avoid the check situation – but will send you the list.

Have you seen Rhoda – you had better have her come and wash for you Saturday or Mon – if she hasn’t already done so.

I have every good intention of writing Lester Holt also – but don’t know just when I’ll get around to it – not that I have anything special to do but sleep late & then there isn’t much time to write before mail time. In the afternoon I sew on the quilt I am piecing and hate to quit to write – in other words I just like to sew better than

Rebecca has just come & Mama is trying to get off so guess I had better close –

I Love You.

Evelyn

8-27-1940 Evelyn to Mr. Orville J. Pace

8-27-1940 Evelyn to Mr. Orville J. Pace

Envelope:

Mr. Orville J. Pace

409 Herbert St.

Cedartown, Ga.

Back:

Mrs. Orville J. Pace

McLemoresville, Tenn.

Postmark: 8-27-1940 McLemoresville, TENN.

McLemoresville, Tenn.

Aug. 27, 1940.

My dear Orville -

This was to have been our red letter day. I haven’t the courage to even allow myself to think how deeply I feel about our loss. Last night I walked down to Uncle Ewin’s (for exercise) and Mary and Elsie insisted that they wanted to come walk part of the way home with me. Each of them put their arm around me and I did likewise – walking in the middle. When we got to the bridge they turned back. I watched them back up the hill and thought “what might have been” – But just like my girls they soon disappeared over the hill and I was left alone. But I have you and you are doing a wonderful job of making me happy and trying to fill the emptiness – but still there will always be that vacancy regardless of how many other children we might have. My illness has been an ordeal for us both I know; but without you I could never have had the desire to fight for a speedy recovery. As you know I can’t say “pretty speeches” but I so appreciate everything you do for me – I would like to find a way to tell you just how I feel but the more deeply I feel about a subject the more tongue tied I am.

Loudelia is coming this afternoon. I had a letter from her yesterday saying she was sorry to miss you but that she would probably have done that even before you left since you were spending most of your time fishing. Rebecca came yesterday aft.

I haven’t been to ride since you left – in fact I haven’t been away from the house except for a short walk in the morning and night.

Be good! and remember I love you better than anyone –

Love

Evelyn

Two amazing connections regarding the letters...

First, I received a phone call from the nephew of Evelyn and Orville today. He had gotten interested in WWII history and on a whim googled "Orville J. Pace." What popped up in his search but my Evelyn in letters project? After a brief round of phone tag, we reconnected! I hope to be able to harness some of his memories in telling the story of Evelyn and Orville as it unfolds. Just the brief conversation we had tonight opened my eyes to the respect and love that Orville commanded from his family and friends.

Second, the next letter I post will be on the original due date of the twins that Evelyn and Orville lost in 1940. Their birthday was to have been August 27, 1940. I was born on August 27, 1969. I wonder if my grandparents ever made that connection, or if they pushed that date in 1940 far from their minds to avoid the painful memory.

-mpw

8-26-1940 Evelyn to Mr. Orville J. Pace

8-26-1940 Evelyn to Mr. Orville J. Pace

Envelope:

Mr. Orville J. Pace

409 Herbert St.

Cedartown, Ga.

Back:

Mrs. Orville J. Pace

McLemoresville, Tenn.

Postmark: 8-26-1940 McLemoresville, TENN.

Monday Morning

My dear Orville,

I really didn’t know I would miss you as much as I have – you have become so much a part of my everyday life that it is hard to adjust without you. But I will try not to be too lonesome.

I started on my quilt Saturday. Mama & Carolyn went visiting so Mary & Elsie came & stayed with me. They were lots of company. Saturday night Mary Jo & Don came by on the way to take Sue back to Milan for me to go with them but I didn’t go.

Of course Mama & Carolyn went to Sunday School & church. Papa & I stayed here. He slept most of the time. Hall, Thelma & Sue came in the afternoon. they have adopted Sue – so of course her name is Galloway. I believe I think Janice May is lots cuter. Sue will have lots of advantages that Janice won’t however.

Lillian (Joe’s mother) went to Latonia Key (?) to visit her husband for a few days. If I stay a month you may have to come see me in the meantime.

I rec’d the deposit slip from Mr. Thrasher just after you left. It was for $70.23 – I had checked 39.00 that would leave you 30.00 to check on – one for Mark 10.00 Exchange 3.00 Stubbs & H 3.00 Cobbs 3.00 and 10.00 for your expenses (they should run less with the money you left with) Try to have some of it left for with the gasoline bills our bills will be rather high the 6^th. Let me know what checks you wrote – or rather send me a check book & leave the stub showing them –

Well darling in spite of dollars and cents – and there being no balance – there is an overflow of love in my heart for you. To prove this I had better tell you again to be careful of your diet & don’t work too hard & get too hot.

I love you

Evelyn.

I wrote Agnes yesterday-

Take care of my mail that you don’t forward.

3-4-1940 Mother Pace to Mr. and Mrs. O.J. Pace

3-4-1940 Mother Pace to Mr. and Mrs. O.J. Pace

Envelope:

Mr. and Mrs. O. J. Pace

409 Herbert St.,

Cedartown, Ga

Postmark: 3-4-1940 Miami, FLA.

March 4,1940

Dear Orville and Evelyn,

How are you all this beautiful sunshiney day. I had a real good trip down here and I sure am having a nice time the children down here are just to [sic] nice to me they all try to see just who can do the most and they are all doing so well. I will tell you all the news when I get home. Well Evelyn I hope you are feeling better be sure and take care of your self and I hope Orville is not working so hard as he was when I left. Tell Ruby Fred and Margaret I will write soon and see them Saturday or Sunday and tell Ruby to send that pass just as soon as she can lots and lots of love

Mother Pace

2-4-1940 Evelyn to Mr Orville J Pace

2-4-1940 Evelyn to Mr Orville J Pace

Envelope:

Mr. Orville J. Pace

Cedartown, Ga

Postmark: 2-4-1940 West Palm Beach, FLA.

Sunday a.m.

Dear Orville-

I had expected a letter from you not later than yesterday. I am still planning to leave here about Wednesday & not later than Thursday. One minute I have the family in the notion to stay until about the last of the month then they declare they will leave when I do. Still my problem children! It is really Papa. Mama is willing for she thinks “the meeting” is to my interest – but Papa always wants things his way and has suggested several times that I just wire & say I can’t make it. Of course as circumstances are he hasn’t a chance for I can’t run the rist – and anyway darling I want to see you & am ready to come home. I have enjoyed it heaps and think it has done me a world of good. I feel fine except very tired from the trip to Miami yesterday. I have made it so well as yet that there is no cause for suspicion.

Mama, Carolyn, Tamie (the cousin’s wife that I mentioned being pregnant) and I went to Miami after Mary Sue (my cousin – Cousin Mamie’s daughter) and her two children – we drove all over the beach & saw many interesting things. One of the greatest coincidences I’ve ever known was seeing your Aunt Emma and I didn’t get to speak to her – it just wasn’t possible. I had the entire crowd in the car & was driving and very thick traffic when I saw her – alone – with an armful of groceries on NW 7^th St about 22^nd or 23^rd St. It was totally unexpected as your mother had never mentioned even what part of town she lived in – I wasn’t so sure it was her until I was even with her then I was so shocked and as I said it was a main thoroughfare and I couldn’t have stopped at all. But that it was her I am sure. It was at about 3:30 p.m. I would have sure given her a surprise if I had stopped and I would have liked to have done just that.

I hope the family are well and that you have been making it fine – I will be so glad to see you – And unless your letter contains news that I don’t expect I will see you about Thursday – if not then I will be there in plenty of time Friday.

We haven’t seen Aunt Florence yet – that is anyone except Papa he spent the day there yesterday while we were in Miami – he is going deep sea fishing Tuesday –

Love & kisses

Evelyn

2-1-1940 Evelyn to Mr Orville J Pace

2-1-1940 Evelyn to Mr Orville J Pace

Envelope:

Mr. Orville J. Pace

Cedartown, Ga.

Postmark: 2-1-1940 West Palm Beach, FLA.

Box 145

Pahokee Fla.

Dear Orville,

We arrived here about 3 p.m. yesterday. The weather may be described as just “chilly.” My cousin does not have a chimney and the only available heat is a small kerosene heater. The sunshine is beautiful and is warmer on the outside than in the house.

Much of the vegetation has been killed. Papa has been enjoying seeing them replant the crops. Of course it is hard to understand that they can have a new crop in 6 wks.

I am feeling just like I did at home absolutely no pep nor energy. Of course it is nice not to have any responsibility – about cooking or anything sometimes I feel as if the odor is going to ruin me. But so far I am sure they do suspect anything. On the way down I would get so sleepy that I would have to ask Papa to drive. I think the trip has helped me rather than hurt me. However I’ll tell you now it isn’t any fun to do things without you anymore. It takes you to make things complete for me now. Already I am looking forward to getting home.

Cousin Maxine has a son just one year younger than I have here. They have a little girl 4 yrs. old and she is pregnant now – about the same length of time as me. They are always telling her not to do this and that – she is sick also and also sluggish – just as I am. I am glad all the sympathy goes to her – for I certainly don’t want a crowd calling attention to my condition all the time. I am sure I feel just as bad as she does. They took me to the show last night Papa insisted that I go said I had sat around all day with no pep – Mama defended me and said that there wasn’t anything to do to get any pep – Papa said he was still tired.

Cousine Maxine does not suspect either for she has been telling me she thinks I should go ahead soon & have a baby etc. She has three grand-children & is just as proud of them as your mother is hers. I can tell from the way Mama looks when this conversation goes on that just as we thought she isn’t going to be pleased at first.

We are going to West Palm Beach today. Papa said all the way down he couldn’t have managed without me and that they would come back when I ddi – so guess we will leave here about next Tuesday. I will try to get them to stay with us some when we get back. If they do you will have to entertain them on Friday since I have pretended I have to go to this meeting in Rome. You can take them around over the countryside or else I will leave them in Atlanta with Ruth to come on to C’town on Fri aft.

I don’t know how many more times I will get to write – other than cards – for we are going to Miami and Key West and then returning on West Coast via Silver Spring –

I do hope you are well and you are making it fine. Remember I love you so much and am thinking of you so often and wishing you were with me –

Love

Evelyn

Thursday a.m.

1-30-1940 Evelyn to Mr Orville J Pace

1-30-1940 Evelyn to Mr Orville J Pace

Postcard:

Mr. Orville J. Pace

Cedartown, Ga.

Postmark: 1-3-1940 New Smyrna Beach, FLA.

Wed a.m.

We stayed at Ocean Park Hotel in Daytona last night. We will get to Pahokee this afternoon. It is still cool about 40 degrees. We are all well and making it fine –

Evelyn.

1-29-1940 Evelyn to Mr Orville J Pace

1-29-1940 Evelyn to Mr Orville J Pace

Envelope:

Hotel Dempsey

Herbert M. Block, Mgr.

Macon, Georgia

Mr. Orville J. Pace

Cedartown, Ga.

Postmark: 1-29-1940 Macon, GA.

Letterhead:

N.M. Block President

H.M. Block V. Prest. Managing Director

E.H. Block Vice-President

Hotel Dempsey

The South’s Deluxe Hotel

Central Location

325 Rooms 325 Baths

Ownership Managment

Macon, Georgia

Sunday night

Dear Orville,

We decided to come by Macon – as you see. We thougth we would be sure of a good hotel and that the road had been scraped a little way out of Atlanta – The road to Atlanta was almost as bad as it was Thursday it took us until 3:30 to get there. And I drove all the way here (6:30). If you thought I nagged you Thursday you should have heard Papa on me and I drove as carefully as I did the other night.

We have two nice rooms with adjoining baths and twin bed. (10.00 and ate in hotel. I am afraid we’ll have to sell a cow or two at this rate). I have just finished talking with Jessie Mae & Myrtle. They have been having a time in the cold too.

If you have had any fears about my making the trip without McGehee’s advice you can rest easy. Myrtle said ti was the best thing in the world for me. I sure wish you could be with us – that is all it would take to make it complete.

Hope it will soon be warm there and that you will be well.

Lots of love

Evelyn

Reflections on 1939 2-14-2010

Reflections on 1939

Evelyn and Orville married in October of 1939. In fact, in Evelyn’s 1939 datebook, a single entry for Sunday, October 1 reads “marry Orville Pace.” I always thought this was testament to Evelyn’s organizational skills. After having read and typed many of hers and Orville’s letter, I now know that that entry was in his handwriting. And, according to my mother, is the wrong date anyway. Apparently they were married on October 15^th. Despite the fears of her family, and the war that her father warned her about, Evelyn and Orville remained married until his death in March of 1974. I was four years old when he died. I was taken to the funeral after expressing a lot of confusion. When my mother told me that his body would be buried, but his soul would be in heaven, I asked what where his head was going. In an effort to keep me from going through life with the vision of of headless grandfather in the ground, my parents took me to the funeral. I have a vague memory of seeing him in his open casket, and of my grandmother being presented with a beautifully-folded American flag.

Enough about that! I just put the 1940 letters in chronological order. They are all from Evelyn to Orville, with the exception of a couple of letters to the both of them. I’m not sure if Orville just quit writing after they married, or what. But we don’t have any letters from him in 1940.

9-28-1939 Adrian to Miss Evelyn Carter

9-28-1939 Adrian to Miss Evelyn Carter

Envelope:

Miss Evelyn Carter,

Box #326,

Marietta, Georgia.

Postmark: 9-28-1939 Huntington, TENN.

Letterhead:

Ruth H. Sloan, Secretary to County Judge and Highway Commission

J. Wesley Williams, Clerk

M.J. McLemore, Sheriff

J. ADRIAN BRAMLEY

COUNTY JUDGE: CARROLL COUNTY

Huntingdon, Tenn.

9-28-39.

Dear Evelyn:

Enclosed find check for $50.00. I appreciate your calling me on my birthday, I was feeling real bad last nite, but am back on job this morn. geeling some better this morn. I am very sorry that you could not see your way clear to put your wedding off until after the first of year so mother & I could attend it. Evelyn here is something I have been thinking about your marriage. Suppose this country gets into a war and all the yound men have to go. Think what it may mean to you. I am not saying this to make you feel bad, but to give you something to think about. It seems to me that it would have been so much better for you to have postponed the marriage But maybe you have you to for [sic]. Evelyn: your mother & dad think more of you than you realize. Moma is worrying so much.

With as much love as any father could have for a child,

Dady

8-30-1939 Orville to Miss Evelyn Bramley

8-30-1939 Orville to Miss Evelyn Bramley

Envelope:

Miss Evelyn Bramley

McLemoresville, Tenn.

Postmark: 8-31-1939 Cedartown, GA

Letterhead:

Inter-office Communication

Cedartown, Ga.

Aug. 30, 1939

My Dearest Evelyn,

I’m hoping that by this time you are safe at home and not too tired from the long drive. I know I’m not supposed to write you tonight and as far as having something to write about I should not, but it will let you know that I’m thinking of you and am just a little worried about you. I’m afraid if Ruth had not gone with you I would be frantic about your safety.

I’m glad to report that the trip from Marietta last night in Willie was successful and for once uneventful. It was definately my last trip in that mechanical jitterbug. Today I had tried to print some big “for sale” signs on his graceful stream-lined body and I’ll see if Barnum was right when he said there’s a sucker born every minute. Maybe someone will have a lapse of consciousness and buy the little fellow. We already have several good prospects and I believe that by the first of next week we will be at a parting of the ways. It grieves me beyond words to think of sucha seperation.

Back to more serious lines I do hope so much that when you come back you will be happier and in a little better frame of mind about the attitude your dad and mother have about our getting married. I hope that we won’t have to be so vague about the time, the place, and the kind of wedding when folks ask us about it. We have already sacrificied about three months for them and by now they should feel like we are sure of ourselves and that we really love each other and can make a success of marriage. You have and must know that I have been fair with them and everyone else concerned and if we have to marry against their wishes I’ll never worry one minute about it.

We start our classes tomorrow night, Paul being the instructor. They should be very interesting and beneficial to all of us. We will continue to have them all winter so I’m asking now for a short while here at the office about two nights a week. I’ll do my studying at home while you are ironing or reading a book. It’s like starting to school all over again, hope they have a football team and maybe I’ll pass my work.

There is no local news of any particular interest; Sam is really looking for a house, he promises to be out by the 15^th of Sept.; a whiskey store was robbed of several cases last night, someone probably envious of the Fire Dep’t on Monday night.

It’s going to be lonesome for me and will probably worry a little after all but this is your vacation and have a good time. When my vacation time comes around I do mean to enjoy it.

Give my regards to your dad & mother and tell them that whether they like it or not I still want to be their son-in-law. They have a more lovely daughter than anyone else in the world and I do love her so very much.

Always

Orville