September 28, 1903

[envelope]
 Miss Nursey Whaley
 Medart
Wakulla Co. Fla.

[postmark]
ASHMORE
SEP 28 1903
FLA.

[body of letter, page 1]
                             Ashmore, Fla.
                             Sunday evening

Dear Nursie:
                             Another disap-
pointment added to the long
list against me, After get-
ting your letter Friday I
thought sure I wanted to be with
you to-day, but sweet heart I
have been sick all day, and
feel wretched now, but must
write to you for if I cant
see you - I must hear from
you. Your letter Friday made
me feel so much better
for before then I was afraid
you were "trying" me to see
what you could make me do,
but now I believe you darling
and as I told you, I shall
never doubt you again unless

[page 2]
                     2
you give me cause to. I will not
believe any of the tales that are told
me about you, and Nursie please dont
listen to what is told you about me,
for Heavens knows I love you better
than any thing on earth, and I
would give any thing to be with you
now. I know a certain fellow who
would like to have me not go
with you, and he does everything
to prevent it he can. I suppose
you know him love, but should he
tell you any thing about me, dont
pay any attention to it, for it will
not be so. I wish that I was
close to you so I could see you every
Sunday, but I know you would soon
get tired of having me around, wouldnt
you sweetheart? I am so lonesome
I can hardly stay here. Mama is
gone this afternoon and I am
left entirely alone. How I wish that
I was with you, Nursie, love, you can
have no idea how much I love you
I have through of you all the time
lately and every day that passes I
love you more. It would almost kill
me to lose you now. If you were
to tell me that you did not love me
I would leave here and go where no one knew

[page 3]
                     3
me, and I should never have
any confidence in another girl.
But darling I do believe you
love me, for I know you would
not try to fool me up so, when
I love you better than my own
life. you are too good for that.
     Nursie I would like to come
out there the Second Sunday,
two weeks from to-day, if you
will be at home and have
noobjection. Next Sunday I
will not be at home as our
base ball team will be in
Hilliardville. I have got to
go to Tallahassee on Thursday, to
Smith Creek for Major on Friday
and Hilliardville on Saturday,
besides having a weeks wok
to do. I saw one of your

[page 4]
                     4
schoolmates - Miss Butler - at
my brothers yesterday, but
I barely spoke to her. I came
in out of the woods at
12 oclock and went back right
after dinner so I have no
time to talk even if I had wanted
to - which I didnt. I
have got so I compare all
girls with you and they lose
by the comparison. None can
touch my peerless Nursie.
     I will have to stop now
as I have a letter to write
to Major before night. I
know you are tired of this
any way. Please write soon

[vertical]
When are you
going to have an-
other dance? Dont
fail to let me
know.     Jno.

[page 5]
and a long letter
                             Yours 'til death
                             Jno. H. Ashmore

     Nursie dont say that I didnt try
to come to-day for I did intend go-
ing all the time - after getting
your letter, until this morning.
     Ask Joe if I wasn't sick, he
spent lat night and this morn-
ing with me. I was so glad
too for I am so lonesome. Please
write soon for I enjoy your
letters so much. I have read
the last one I got from you
ever so many times and I love
you more and more every time
I read it. Oh! my beautiful
little darling, I wish I could 
tell you how much I do love you,
better than any thing on this
earth, better than life itself.
                             Good bye.
                                 John


NEXT LETTER

September 7, 1903

This is the third letter John writes to Nursie. At the end the abbreviation S.W.A.K. means "sealed with a kiss". John writes on the family store's letterhead (Ashmore Brothers General Merchandise) and apologizes for not using stationery. [Sorry the last scan clips the bottom of the page a bit. JNyF]

[envelope]
              Miss Nursie Whaley
              Medart
Wakulla,                                Fla.


[postmark partial]
SEP 8 1903 FLA.

[body of letter, page 1]
R. W. Ashmore, Jr.         Office of             J. H. Ashmore
                                ASHMORE BROS.,
                         GENERAL MERCHANDISE.
                                                Ashmore, Fla. Sep. 7, 1903.

My Dear Nursie:
              It is useless for me
to tell you  that I was dis-appointed yesterday,
for you know I was when I had wanted the days
until Sunday should come so that I might be
with you my darling, and then not get to see you at
all. It was one of the bitterest dis-appointments I
ever had, but I have heard all about it and of
course I dont blame you sweetheart for it no
fault of yours I am sure. Of course Nursie you
did not want to be with me so bad - not like I
did you for that is not possible - may be you
didnt care no-way, but Heavens knows I wanted to
be with you. Nursie sometimes I wish that I
did not love you so, for I cant help but feel that
you dont love me, but I cant keep from loving you.
I love you better to-day than ever and will always
love you. I would ask nothing better than to be
with you. | I went to Hilliardville Saturday and played
ball, but my side got beat. I played a good game
and I wish you could have heard the girls cheering my
playing. I played first base and a crowd of girls -

[page 2]
R. W. Ashmore, Jr.         Office of             J. H. Ashmore
                               ASHMORE BROS.,
               GENERAL MERCHANDISE.
                                 Ashmore, Fla. ____________, 190 .
                                       2
sat in a shade near me and the certainly
did "yell" faithfully for us. I wish you had
been there, then I would have enjoyed the game.
              I had a very nice time until I got home and found
you were not here, then my good times vanished.
I would have come right back but Mr. Lloyd, the
man that wants me to work for him, wouldnt
let me come back. He is certainly anxious for
me to go to Lloyd and work for him, and I may
go as he made me a good offer. He wants
me to start the first of October and I have got to
let him know this week whether I go or not. I would
go in a minute Nursie if it wasnt  for leaving you
and Mama. You need not think that I shall ever
forget my little girl it matters not where I go, but
if I leave I wont get to see you any, and I want
to see you now so bad.  I would be glad
to come out there next Sunday - the second - if I could
be with you sweetheart, but I have so much to do until
I am not sure whether I can off or not, but Nursie
dont have a date for Sunday afternoon please for I [smudge]
want to come there even if I cant come to church, but if 





































[page 3]
R. W. Ashmore, Jr.         Office of             J. H. Ashmore
                               ASHMORE BROS.,
                      GENERAL MERCHANDISE.
                                  Ashmore, Fla. ____________, 190 .
                                          3
you have a date it wont be any use for me to
come. It would only  make me mad to see you
with some other boy. Perhaps you thought strange
of me the other day at the school house for not coming
around, but Nursie I'll tell you the reason. Joe
told me that you[underlined] would not be there, and I was
not expecting you and I was so dirty until I
was ashamed. I had been working tram [?] road
that day. I did not see you when you came up or
I should certainly have spoken. Believe me, I didnt
know you  had come until Joe told me. I was playing
ball then and thought I would come back by the
house when I left, but Arthur hurt my thumb so
bad I like to have cried. I had gotten it knocked
out of joint nearly before and he hurt it worse.
              I could hardly wait before until I was of sight be-
fore I read you sweet letter. Well sweetheart I
am trying to write in the store and the people bother
me so I cant write. Please excuse paper and writing.
              I shall look for a long letter soon nfrom my little girl.
                             As ever yours, Jno.H.A.

[bracketed at bottom]
If I were to leave I must see you before I go, and think
I will be out Sunday. I may come to school house one
day this week as I have work near by. If I dont shall cer-
tainly talk a little with you. S.W.A.K. Please dont show this.  J

[margin, in pencil]
Excuse paper my
other is at house
Hope to see you.
I will get your
letter this week.
Dont show this
but tear it up.
J.H.A.


NEXT LETTER

September 2, 1903

In this second letter to Nursie, John reveals he has been offered a job in Lloyd, just east of Tallahassee. It is not postmarked but delivered by hand by Joe Gray.

[envelope]
Miss Nursie Whaley
Medart
c/o J. H. Gray, Fla.

[no postmark]

[body of letter, page 1]
                           Ashmore, Fla.
                           Sept 2, '03

Dear Nursie,
                      Your very
nice letter received Monday
and I cannot tell you how glad
I was to hear from you, for I
was not sure that you would 
write at all. I knew your
letter time I opened the mail
and pocketed it at once. I
could hardly wait until I gave
the people their mail before I
read it. I am sorry Nursie
that you doubted what I told
you, for I really and truly meant
every word I told you. I assure
you sweetheart that I would
not try to deceive you for I
think too much of you to do that,
and I hope you will be so frank

[page 2]
                       2
with me. You know so many
girls will tell a boy that they
love them better than any body,
and the very next one that
comes along tell them the
very same thing. I dont believe
you would do that Nursie and
tha is the reason I love you.
     You seem to me as different
from other girls. Maybe it
is because I love you so that
makes you seem difference. Any-
way you are all the one I
know that I care a straw for.
      Nursie darling, you have no idea
how I do love you. I can find no
words to express what I feel. I
think of you every day, and it is
with a thrill of pleasure when I
think that you love me, but when
I think that perhaps you are just
fooling me to see what I will say,

[page 3]
                    3
it makes me feel savage. If a
girl were to ever deceive me one
time, I would never have any
more use for her; that is  I
never would go with her or have
any thing to do with her, not even
if I loved her ever so well.
     I did not get to finish this letter
this morning so will tonight as
I have a chance to send it by Joe
to-morrow. Nursie Joe tells me that
you are going to Lanark again Sunday
and if you do, I want to be with
you. Will you go with me sweetheart?
     If you dont I will not go, for I 
dont want to go with any one else.
     I am  going to Hilliardville Sat-
urday to play a game of ball with
the Hilliardville boys and can not
come back until Sunday, but I
will sure be on the trainSunday morn-
ing; that is if you are going to be
there. I will go down to Lanark anyway

[page 4]

                            4
but if you are not on the train I am
coming back on first train, for it would
be no pleasure for me to be there
without you. If you have an oppor-
tunity please let me know before Sun-
day whether you will go with me
or whether you have other engage-
ments. Now Nursie I dont want
you to think that I am trying to force
you to go with me – You know that
I want to be with you – but if you
want to go with some one else, do
so, but please be honest and tell
me. I did not go to Jacksonville last
week. Walter – my brother – wanted me
to go, but I told him that I didnt
want to go. I have been offered a
position as manager of a store
at Lloyd. It is a good place
and it might pay me nice to take it, but
dont know as I will for then I would
be away from home – and you my
sweet little girl. I couldn't leave you.

[page 5]
                       5
'Tis late and I had better stop.
All are asleep but Joe and me.
     I have some work to do out
near the school house this week
and will very likely come by the
school house Thursday eve, but
I expect it will be after school
is out, so if you will leave
a note with Joe telling me
whether I may be with you
at Lanark Sunday, I will get
it. I am anxious to be with
you again, I have lots to tell you
     Be sure and go to Lanark
Sunday - for my sake sweetheart.
     Excuse mistakes. I have hurried
so. Let me know Thursday if possible
                   Adios. Ever yours, Jno.H.A.


NEXT LETTER

August 26, 1903

The first letter from John Henry Ashmore (1878-1946) to Nursie Whaley (1888-1962) shows John at age 25 and Nursie at 15. John lives in Ashmore, Florida (just north of Sopchoppy), where he works in the family goods store. Nursie Whaley resides in Medart, Florida (south of Tallahassee and Crawfordville).

A map near that time showing Ashmore, Medart, Smith Creek, Arran, Hilliardville, Lanark, and other places of Wakulla County that are mentioned in the letters can be found in this map from 1909: http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/maps/pages/1400/f1402/f1402.htm.

This letter mentions John's younger brother Major. And at the end of all the letters John signs his letters Jno H. A. or Jno. H. A.  An old abbreviation for John, Jno is presumably from German Johanno or Latin Johannus/Johannes. In general I do not correct John's misspellings or add that annoying interruption [sic]. He does not usually use apostrophes in don't, won't, and the like, and I have attempted to leave the apostrophe out where he does, but my mind sometimes forces me insert them when I am typing or my computer has autocorrected.

[postmark] ASHMORE, FLA. Aug 26, 1903

[postmarks on back] CRAWFORDVILLE & MEDART

[envelope]

Miss Nursie Whaley

Medart

Wakulla Co.,                                                                    Fla.

[body of letter, page 1]

Ashmore, Fla.

Aug. 26, '03

Miss Nursie Whaley,

Medart, Fla.

My Dear Nursie:

                               I did
not ask you about writing
and I fear you will think
I am taking too much liberty
in doing so, but Nursie,
I couldn't get to talk to you
Sunday because some one
else was always in the way.
I could have "walloped" Mr.
Cobb when he sat down right
behind us. What I want
to know is this: were you
laughing at me Sunday
night or not? Please don't
trifle with me Nursie.
You know that I love you

[page 2]
better than any thing on
earth, "Great Heavens sweet-
heart how I do love you." But
if you dont love me[underlined] darling,
I had rather not see you
again, for my feelings are too
deep to be played with, and
the more I see you, the
more I will love you – if
such is possible – and it
will make it all the harder
for me to bear when you
"throw one over" for some other
boy, but if you do love me
Nursie I would be the hap-
piest boy alive, and would
do anything in the world I
could for you. Please do
not think me presumptuous
in writing you this, for really
I could not wait until I see
you again because I don't

[page 3]
know when I will see you.
I heard some nice com-
pliments for you Sunday – said
you were the prettiest girl
at Lanark and of course
I said, Yah! I did not
have an opportunity Sunday
to tell you this, that is why
I tell you now. I think
you are the sweetest little
girl I ever saw. I would have
given anything for a kiss
from those sweet lips of yours
Sunday, and I was tempted
to ask you for one but had no
chance. Wont you give me
one some time sweetheart? If
you dont I will steal it.
Tell Susie that Major left
me 3 oclock Sunday night
and he was not mad with
her at all, but was with

[page 4]
some body else. I am glad
Susie loves Major so well
for he is a good biy. If
you only loved me as she does
Major, but I know you dont.
Please tell me the truth
Nursie, do you love me, dont
be afraid to say so. I had rather
know the truth no matter how
it hurts. I dont believe you
would try to deceive me no-
way – would you love? I think
you are difference form other
girls, that is why I love you.
Nursie I would like to write
to you, a letter from you would
be appreciated above all others.
Would it be agreeable to you,
and would your Mama or
Papa care? If they do, I
would ask them. I think

[page 5]
of you so much, and as
I cant be with you often, I
would like to write to you.
I would like to be with
you but that is impossible now
Please answer this letter
anyway and tell me what
I have asked you. My brother
from Hilliardville was here yes-
terday, and want me to
go to Jacksonville Friday on
some business. It might
take me too long to get through
it and I dont think I shall
go – not until I hear from
you no way, – then I may
not care what becomes of
me or where I go. Excuse
such writing. I am inter-
rupted so much by people
coming in the store, I can hardly
write. Please write soon.
                  Ever Yours, Jno. H. Ashmore


NEXT LETTER