Seth over at The Altered Page recently put out a call to bloggers for a collaborative project "Buried Treasue" in which you were to re-post a blog post from the past that readers may have missed. You can visit Seth's blog for a list of participates and find more Buried Treasures.
While going through my older posts I came across two of my favorites to share with you. My Beau and Southern Girls. Hope you enjoy my blast from the past.
Originally posted September 2007 "My Beau"
Back in May some of you may remember my sharing some treasures I received from a new friend, Karen I met through our daughters. Among the treasures was a stack of letters.
Dr. John Campbell of South Carolina was practicing medicine in Jacksonville Florida and was corresponding with Miss Eula Long of Georgia. They married October 20th, 1915 in Jacksonville and lived in Georgia. They opened a drug store/soda fountain in Nahunta Georgia. The house they lived in is being lived in by one of Karen’s relatives. Dr. and Mrs. Campbell had two daughters, Dorothy and Christine, both deceased now. Dorothy has a son named Rocky who is about 55 and Christine never had children but was famous for very large cats that lived in the drug store. Christine’s husband, Gordon Wright was a retired teacher and gave this wonderful collection of letters, receipts, photographs and even the Campbell’s Marriage Certificate to Karen’s mother. After Karen came by one day and saw what I did she gathered the things and sent them to me. There are 18 or so letters all dated between June and October 1915.
Using a page from one of the letters and the envelope I created this collage around it. The letter was dated July 22, 1915 and tells how disappointed he was that the arrangements they had made to meet did not work out. Dr. Campbell went on to tell Miss Eula how much he cared for her and hoped they could arrange a meeting again soon as he could not stand the thought of not seeing her for any longer.
My Beau.....
Here are a few excerpts from some of the letters. Oh how I wish I also had the letters Dr. Campbell received from Miss Eula. He would share his day with her and tell her about a case he was working on. He told her how much he cared and wanted to spend all his time with her. He talked about her writings and the things she had said, but he never really mentioned what she had said. This makes it even more romantic…..you can read between the lines. Reading through the letters their meetings and plans were a secret as you will see below and he refers to her Great Escape several times. Notice how he addresses her and how he signs some of them.
June 22 My Dear Dear Eula, Striving for our future harbors thoughts of you as a companion brings to mind the thoughts of responsibility and the necessary essentials for your welfare and happiness. Tell Louise that I have not forgotten her and will be over sometime to see you both. Guess she still keeps what she knows of our secrets. Your Friend, John Campbell, MD
July 12 Dear Eula, If it was possible that I had never loved you it would be impossible now after receiving such a considerate letter. I feel nearer to you than ever before and hope that we will be soon be living as one. I am sure that I really love you and that you would make the future happy. If you think you can get off we will meet and stay over the weekend. Forever, John Campbell
July 15 Eula, I give you my word as a man and a friend that I will always remember your kind heartfelt statements. Forever, Campbell
August 2 My Dear Eula I appreciate your affection and desires of being with me and it is almost unexplainable how your letters have appealed to your loved one. My intentions are now for us to become as one sometime in October. Am very sorry that I want be able to meet you this week. I certainly want to see you sometime in the real near future. It is very hard to think of but apparently there is always something to prevent our meeting, but dearest don’t let this worry you for I am the same old kid and love you just as well. Love, Campbell
August 16 Dear Dear Eula, I feel now that it is almost impossible for me to live satisfied away from you and don’t expect to do so much longer. Forever Yours, John Campbell
August 23 Dearest One, Am glad that you have decided to meet me on Saturday. I will leave for Savannah on Friday night and meet you in the morning. I am very anxious to see you. Yours, Campbell, MD
September 1 Dearest one, Received your appreciated letter and am sorry that you are not feeling well, though expected you would be somewhat fatigued from the trip. My friends arrived yesterday and we spent a very pleasant day discussing some of our past also talked of the present and future intentions of our lives. I told them of our plans and was immediately congratulated. They both intend being with us on the day of that occasion providing I state to them the expected date. Want to keep our intentions as a secret if possible in order to prevent any interference with your Escape. Forever Yours, JA Campbell
September 10 Dear Eula Am still feeling holding you close as I did when we were last together and expect nothing to come between us and for us to be married on the twentieth of October. I do not know whether or not we will remain in this town as I am corresponding with two friends in Texas and should they offer a guarantee that will hold good may take us there. Love Always, John Campbell
September 28 My Dear Eula Intended writing you today and mail but was called out of town this morning at three thirty and have just arrived, therefore was unable to comply. Am eagerly looking forward to the near approaching day when your positive presence will be our future and perfect happiness. Am making every possible effort to be in readiness for our matrimonial service. Excuse short letter as I am tried and sleepy. Yours Forever, JA Campbell, MD
October 7 Dear Eula, I have loved you since shortly after our acquaintance and intend keeping my promise. Will expect you on the twentieth unless death or a similar cause prevents. Now dearest I know that I am capable of supporting and protecting you. Don’t fail to make good your Escape. Yours Forever, Campbell
October 13 My Dear Eula, Will meet on the morning of the 20th. Am working hard but feeling fine, and trust that you have been gaining in health and strength since last heard from. I want you to look to these people as you did to me on first appearance. Should you not hear from me anymore before the 20th govern yourself by this letter write to me and give details of your plan. Yours Forever, JA Campbell
Here's their Marriage Certificate dated October 20, 1915........
I now present to you Dr. and Mrs. J A Campbell.......
I hope you have enjoyed the story of Dr. Campbell and Miss Eula as much as I have. I ask these questions to myself.....Why the Secret? Why an Escape? What was the Plan? There are more works of art coming soon revolved around these treasured letters.
Until next time.....keep all those old love letters and cards as some day they too may be treasures by someone just like me.
Debbie
Originally posted June 2005 "Southern Girls"
Our accent gives us away every time and men can't resist the slow drawl that is filled with charm. It has been said that a Southern girl's accent reminds us of the simple pleasures in life.
Southern girls always respond with "Yes, ma'am," "Yes, sir," "Please," "Thank You" and "Bless Your Heart." Etiquette is one of the first words we are taught, Bless Our Hearts. A Southern girl knows the most important thing to remember is that actions speak louder than words.
Sugah, before I leave you I want to share one of our favorite Southern Recipes, Chocolate Gravy. If you were lucky enough to have a Mama that served Chocolate Gravy and Hot Buttered Biscuits when you were a child, Bless Your Heart.
I found your blog from Seth's. I am very impressed with your blog, not just this repost. You make some really amazing art and I can assure you I'll be back often to see what you have created.
Posted by: Bleubeard and Elizabeth | July 2009 at 06:21 AM
I grew up loving stamps and collecting them and the letters atop is perfect...my best.
We have lost the abiltiy to write artfully in script.
Posted by: john | July 2009 at 11:13 AM
Have you ever read the Griffin and Sabine Trilogy by Nick Bantock? This is even more 'delicious' because it is real.
Glad I found your Blog! I'll be back, that's for sure.
Posted by: Dave Dubé | July 2009 at 05:54 PM
What a joy to read these beautiful letters from Dr. Campbell. This has been one of the most intriguing and pleasing posts I have yet read on my journey through Seth's collaborative list. Thank you for sharing this with us - it is totally inspiring and reminds me of the beautiful letters my husband wrote to me when we were courting. I have added you to my list of "Blogs I Love".
Posted by: Debrina or Debs | July 2009 at 04:28 AM
~Such beautifull letters, you recieved,---
have been taking a tour on your blog, and likes very much what you are doing,
will be back, to follow.
xo Dorthe
Posted by: Dorthe Hansen | July 2009 at 05:37 PM
What a great story of Dr. Campbell and Ms. Eula! So intriguing, so mysterious...but with a happy ending. Great post and great collage. Thanks for the repost and for playing!
Posted by: Seth | July 2009 at 09:42 PM
Love your blog and the altered books are amazing! Have you seen the magazine "Found"....it's full of found letters and such...really cool! Thank you for stopping by and I will be back.
Posted by: Lee Anne "Nikki" | July 2009 at 04:51 PM
Ohh , you just keeping it. that is really great that you have atleast 95 years old letters and pics.
Posted by: Custom Logo Design | January 2010 at 03:42 AM