Louis and Rosy - The Lawson Letters

Long Stretch at the Lab - Houma, LA

2009-08-16T16:15:00.000-07:00

Postcard:
Postmark: Pensacola, Florida, October 23, 1949
Sunday AM
Darling -
Off to N.O. today. Spent the night here.
Missed the wedding & reception. Hope Louise got my telegram.
It's actually hot here. Regards to Tubbs -
All my love, Louis

View Larger Map

Hotel Pettigrew, Main and Grinage Sts., Houma, LA, October 24, 1949

Sunday night
Darling -
We arrived here about 6 o'clock this afternoon after a very uneventful trip. Enjoyed the drive very much, especially from Pensacola to New Orleans. We'll have to take a vacation at Biloxi, Mississippi. It's a most interesting beach with grand hotels, drive-ins, nightclubs and the like.
Houma is much larger than I expected. Seems to be about the size of Camden (in the dark) and even has two theaters. We've already discovered the food is not good so we'll probably go up to New Orleans which is an hour and a half (60 miles) from here.
The hotel, although small, is the largest building in town and the rooms quite nice. The three of us (myself, Jack and the fellow from New York) are all in a large room because there is, of all things, a fireman's convention going on here in Houma.
It is very warm here. Should have brought the seersucker (sp?) suit.
To bed - alone, dammit -
All my love,
Louis

Hotel Pettigrew, Postmark: Houma, LA. October 25, 1949

Monday night
Darling -
Just a note--
We had to go to New Orleans this afternoon to get some lab equipment so had dinner at Antoine's and went to see the very disappointing Cat Girl. Sad show and 90 cent beer but without question one of the very best meals I've ever eaten outside 12 Bedons Alley.
Incidentally, should I get a letter from the Marathon Chemical Company, open it, read it, and Air Mail it to me.
We should start work in earnest tomorrow in the lab at the mill which is 16 miles down in swamp country. Already Jack is getting terrifically on my nerves. Hope I can hold my temper and tongue, both of which, as you know, are hard for me to do.
Hope the Pink House is OK. I know you're doing a fine job - hope the business is good.
All my love,
Louis

Postmark: Houma, LA., October 25, 1949

from the New Orleans Times Picayune

Hotel Pettigrew, Postmark: Houma, LA. October 26, 1949

Tuesday night
Darling -
The tests aren't going so well and Jack is pretty irritated and we've been at each others throats all day. I've told him off a couple of times about ordering me around like a laborer and he doesn't like that at all, either. Tell Cappy he'd better send down a box for Jack for I'm afraid I'm going to send him (Jack) home in one. Honestly, he's about the most obnoxious character to work for!!!! We topped the evening off by having an argument about the people in Charleston -- the ones you and I know - and I was actually defending them like mad. Jack, of course, is bitter because he hasn't been, as he puts it, "accepted" - sounds like me with three drinks, doesn't it? But, I've told him off for a few days, I think.
I hope we're going to the LSU game in Baton Rouge on Saturday night. I'd love to drop Jack and look up Ed Baldwin, but I know there's no chance.
Incidentally, if you'll read the last correspondence I had with Leon you'll see that I want to insure the Philip Moore show from Charlotte and return. I asked Leon for a value to put ont he show. If he writes and tells you - go to Mr. Ingle and tell how we are going to transport the show, etc. and insure the show from the time from when we get it until it is returned to Leon.
We start tomorrow on a plan to work from 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM so will be busy from here on-
Regards t Tubbs - All my love to you -
Louis

Hotel Pettigrew, Postmark: Houma, LA. October 27, 1949

Wednesday night
Darling -
Well, still hard at work and, fortunately, getting along with Jack a bit better.
We've hit our stride now and working like mad to get some good results. The work is beginning to look fairly good, too. Only, to prove the things we think lignin is doing is going to be a drawn out process. Not tedious at all but time consuming. We worked from 8 til 6 today with just as few minutes lunch and have been checking calculations, graphs, and charts tonight for three hours. Jack and the other fellow are still at it and I thought this seemed like the only chance I'd get to write for I fear we'll be working late - its 11:30 now. But I'm anxious to get home and so the hours make no difference here.
Incidentally, call Paul Motor Co. (Mr. Dawson) and ask what they want install a new muffler. Then call Youn's Garage on Lee Street (the dead end) and ask them. Get the car fixed at the cheapest place. Hope there's nothing else wrong with it - Also hope you've gotten it washed. can't have you riding in a dirty, broken down car.
It's 12:30 now and I'm up at 6:30 so I'll close.
All my love,
Louis
P. S. I love you.

Hotel Pettigrew, Postmark: Houma, LA. October 27, 1949

Thursday night
Darling -
I could sure use a letter from you - Hope I hear from you tomorrow anyway.
Right now it looks as if we are going to New Orleans Saturday morning to get some equipment we need and will stay in New Orleans Orleans until Saturday noon. We're planning on going to see the Tulane-Miss. State game which won't be much of a game but we'll get to see the Sugar Bowl anyway.
How did the opening go today?
How did the opening go today? I'd like to see all the crafts and can't wait to get back to see them - and you -
My regards to Miss Alice - Kit - and Tubbs.
My love to you,
Louis

Postcard:
Postmark: Houma, LA, October 29, 1949
Sat. Am
Daring -
Off to New Orleans today & the football game. How about some news?
Louis

Postcard inscription: La Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre is one of the most successful and best known (Little Theatres) in the country. It is located at 619 St. Peter St., where this colorful courtyard can be seen.
Postmark: New Orleans, LA, October 30, 1949
Darling -
Sort of looks like the Dock Street, doesn't it?
Found my Dixieland Jazz last night but missed you very much.
Love,
Louis

October 30, 1949 12:03 PM
I LOVE YOU=LOUIS=

Hotel Pettigrew, Postmark: Houma, LA. November 1, 1949

Monday night
Darling -
Things have been much cheerier in Houma since I talked with you and your four letters greeted me this evening when I came in from the mill.
I'm terribly envious of your friends - ours - getting to go to receptions, dinner parties, and the like with you. The Huger's reception sounds like something I would have enjoyed very much. I can't quite imagine anyone leaving two bottles of champagne on any table un-drunk - I probably would have been - but I assure you the champagne would not have been left untouched.
The crafts show sounds grand. I can't wait to see it. From what you said of insuring the Philip Moose show I guess Leon okayed the three week show so the craft show can run until we get the Moose show. I'm most anxious to see the craft show.
Things chemically - lignin, that is - aren't looking too well and we're working 12-14 hours a day trying to get a lot of different experiments run. Jack is as anxious to leave as me, fortunately, but the other fellow is a bachelor about 35 and doesn't seem to be in a hurry about anything. We worked tonight until eight (from 7:30) and plan to work tomorrow even later. Have to get up at 6:15 to get to the mill at 7:30, too. We still hope to leave Saturday morning which will put us in Charleston Sunday afternoon late but I don't know whether we'll be able to do it or not. Some big shot from New York who arranged this trip for us is flying down Wednesday and we'll have to talk all Friday with he and the Vice-President of this Sugar company so I won't really know until then when we can leave. The unfortunate part is that the mill runs 7 days a week only three months a year (when they harvest the sugar cane) so everyone concerned (except me) is anxious to get a lot of work done on this trip. But I'll let you know. Keep your fingers crossed.
And so to bed - alone dammit - and it's cold down here now. Had to buy a windbreaker because we forgot to pack anything for me to work in and the lab is cold.
See you soon. Regards to all ---
All my love, sweetpea-
Louis

Hotel Pettigrew, Postmark: Houma, LA. November 2, 1949

Tuesday night
Darling -
Please excuse the pencil - Jack, the boss, is using my pen. We left his at the lab this evening.
Your letter of Saturday night was most welcome. I am very anxious to see the crafts show. It sounds grand.
Our tests have been going very badly and at this moment I'm afraid we might be here until next week sometime. I hope not, of course, but we've been having some trouble with some time consuming tests that may take until next week to finish. If we do have to stay, I'll let you know by telephone. We've had to learn the hard way a lot of things we thought these people would already know. But, we had to learn for them.
But, Jack is, as I said, as anxious to leave as I so you can count on our being home as soon as Jack can get there. We're getting along much better. I had one or so too many cocktails in New Orleans before dinner Saturday night and I told hm off, but good, so we've been pals since then. Only bad thing is that I know he holds grudges. Oh, well.--
Hope Sonny is better -how's Gert?
To bed - miss you - it's some warmer but terrible with PJ's.
I love you,
Louis

Hotel Pettigrew, Postmark: Houma, LA. November 3, 1949

Thursday morning
Darling -
No news from Houma -
I hope you remembered to reserve tickets for the movie Sunday night at the Footlighter's. I have the tickets with me. Let's be optimistic and get them - maybe I'll be home.
As a matter of fact, Jack has about decided that we'll leave Saturday sometime which means we'll be home Sunday sometime - probably after noon. I'll wire you just in case this doesn't reach you.
Rushing to work - didn't get home last night until 10:30 from the Mill--
All my love,
Louis

Stint in Cinnci

2009-08-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

CINCINNATI, OHIO APRIL 24, 1949 8:53pm

MRS. LOUIS R. LAWSON JR. 39 MEETING STREET, CHARLESTON, SC

MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU VERY MUCH DARLING= LOUIS=

Postcard:
Postmark: Cincinnati, Ohio, April 26, 1949

Darling -
No news- be home Thursday. I'm ever more determined I don't want to travel. Miss you too much.
All my love.
Louis

At the New Weston Again

2009-07-19T16:52:00.000-07:00

Postmark: February 5, 1949 New York, NY
to: Mrs. Louis R. Lawson, Jr.
1916 Dilworth Road, East
Charlotte, 3, North Carolina

Hotel New Weston
Friday night

My Darling,
It is now eleven and I've been typing steadily since I called you and am sort of pooped as a result so I won't be going over to 52nd Street (I don't think) to hear any of the music (bop, that is). On second thought, it is so close that I might run over for a while since I don't have one blessed thing to do all day tomorrow until tomorrow afternoon, when I'm going over to the McCrea's.
Hope that you had a good trip to Charlotte and that you found the family well. I am looking forward to being with you all this coming weekend (I can't make the ribbon on this machine work right...wish I had you here to fix it for me).
All is dull here without you, sweetheart. I started to write the call reports on Saturday and take in a show, but just couldn't bring myself to go to a show without you.
Tell Mother that I don't go out without the hat and that I'm going to buy a pair of rubbers tomorrow for the rain that they are expecting.
The man said that he didn't think that he could use Miss Alice because the method of printing used in the book is not suitable for his purposes and that the paintings were not modern enough to warrant his making new plates for them. He was quite nice and interested in all of us and the Pink House.
Called the man about the possibility of bringing out a new edition of her book and he said that he wasn't contemplating it this year so I don't know. I placed an order for 20 of the books.
Must close and go...Think I'll run up the street for a while. It's not but two blocks and I want to mail this anyhow. Love you, sweetie...my regards and love to you all.

Louis

Postmark: February 6, 1949 New York, NY
to: Mrs. Louis R. Lawson, Jr.
1916 Dilworth Road, East
Charlotte, 3, North Carolina

Saturday night
My darling Buddy -
Just a note to tell you I love you and what I've been up to:-
Didn't go to 52nd Street after all last night.
Went to the Metropolitan Art Museum today from 10 til 5 when it opened and closed! Whew! What a lot of time on my feet! Then, went directly to Jim and Ruth's and took them out to dinner at a cute little place in the Village & went back and talked arts and crafts 'til midnight. Now I'm home (1:00 AM) and am hastening to beddy-bye so I can go to Early Communion at St. Bartholomew's around the corner.
My love to all of you - see you Friday

Goodnight, darling,
Louis

Postmark: February 7, 1949 New York, NY
to: Mrs. Louis R. Lawson, Jr.
1916 Dilworth Road, East
Charlotte, 3, North Carolina

Sunday night

Darling -
Just this second walked in from seeing Adele home and am hastening to bed after a rather full day.
Went to St. Bartholomew's around the corner to communion this morning and then came back and read the newspapers until noon. Had lunch across the street at Howard Johnson's and then walked up and down 57th Street. Those galleries don't look any better than the Pink House.
Joined Adele at 4 and we took in the Museum of Modern Art, supper at the Famous Kitchen where you, Jack Keilen, and I had supper and their we went to see "The Red Shoes" which was simply wonderful!
I've been wishing for you all day -- more than ever when we saw "The Red Shoes." We'll put it on our must list for Charleston in 1952 or so.
Not much else except I love you and miss you desperately, sweetheart. I'm off to Jersey tomorrow morning so I'll be worked plenty this week. Hope the clear (but cold, whew!) weather holds out.
My love to you all, my love
Louis

Postmark: February 8, 1949 New York, NY
to: Mrs. Louis R. Lawson, Jr.
1916 Dilworth Road, East
Charlotte, 3, North Carolina

Monday might -
Dearest Rosy -
Pleasant was my arrival this PM at the New Weston to find your charming letters waiting for me. After a cold dreary day they were especially welcome. I love you, darling, so very much! So very very much.
Today was spent chasing across a most uninteresting New Jersey to such places as Fairlawn, Englewood, Maywood, and Belleville. This section of the world grew up in a most unfortunate architectural period. Frame houses, dreary places, covered with imitation brick and dark and dirty with the soot of industry. Pray let us never be tempted to come north and leave our lovely Southland.
Tomorrow I visit equally uninteresting countryside peddling lignin. Interest is still high - sales are still low.
I haven't been able to get back to the America House. Got in at 6:30 and went to work on call reports at 8:30. It's now midnight and I'm pooped.
Must close and take a bath and then to bed.
My love to you all.
Louis

Postmark: February 8, 1949 New York, NY
to: Mrs. Louis R. Lawson, Jr.
1916 Dilworth Road, East
Charlotte, 3, North Carolina

Postcard inscription: The Bound Brook Inn
227 West Union Ave.
Bound Brook, N.J.

Tuesday noon
See what I mean?
All over New Jersey. Very dreary, but good food here.
Love--
Louis

Postmark: February 8, 1949 New York, NY
to: Mrs. Louis R. Lawson, Jr.
1916 Dilworth Road, East
Charlotte, 3, North Carolina

Tuesday night

Dearest love-of-mine -
New York - everything - is so dreary - so dull - so unexciting without you. Give me a dull evening at the Yacht Club - anything - just as long as you're there. Remind me not to leave you at home again----
Your cheery letters from Charlotte are most brightening in this otherwise dull trip. I'm delighted to hear that she's almost well if she's directing you -- especially around the refrigerator. I'll check your work when I get there Friday.
It's past eleven and another evening spent writing call reports. How dull can a job get?
tomorrow I go to Long Island and adjacent spots - no hope of fun until I see you all Friday.
Best close - I'm sorta pooped -
Best love to you all -
Louis

Postmark: February 10, 1949 New York, NY
to: Mrs. Louis R. Lawson, Jr.
1916 Dilworth Road, East
Charlotte, 3, North Carolina

Wednesday night
My darling Rosamond -
Like that "Rosamond" - it's such a lovely name. Remind me to call you Rosamond all the time, buddy.
Today and tonight were just as dull as the rest of the days without you. We didn't get to make but two calls today so I finished my call reports around 10 and went over to 52nd Street to hear some jazz. Unfortunately, 52nd Street which use to be the jazz center of the country is now girlie shows except for Jimmy Ryan's - "enclosed please find" a tie clip from there made of a swizzle stick. Fair jazz, but much more interesting "characters" around the joint. Nut here I am four beers later, lonely, blue and longing for you.
Talked with Mrs.Eastmead at the America House this afternoon and guess what? She wants some samples of your duck glasses. How about that? I'm thrilled. She said she knew the buyers at Lord & Taylor's and Abercrombie & Fitch & if the A. House can't use them that she's sure they can. Isn't that wonderful? You should have heard me bragging about your glasses. She was particularly impressed by your doing the different species & wants 14 oz and Old Fashioned samples of all you can do. Rosebud, we'll put this Pink House on the map yet. And she was crazy about our hall mark of a Pink House, too.
Must beddy-bye -- This will be my last from NYC. See you Friday night. My love to all ---
Louis

New York Plan for the New Weston

2009-07-18T05:39:00.000-07:00

Postmark: December 7, 1948 New York, NY

Hotel New Weston, Madison Ave at 50th Street
Monday night

My darling -
I've just come in from a visit to the McCrea's so this will be short -- I'm pooped.
Everything is arranged about the room. We have room 1450 for your stay. I'll be looking forward to seeing you Friday.
As yet, I am not sure I'll be able to meet you because my schedule is going to be very full. If you don't see me:

Get a porter for yor bags
Tell him you want a cab
Follow him
Tell the cab to take you to the New Weston Hotel
The hotel doorman will handle your bags
Register for room 1450 - they'll be looking for you
Get settled and do what you want - if you go out leave key and a note telling me where you are

I'll try like the devil to meet you but I'm not sure at this point whether I can. I'll try. I'll get in touch with you in the room between 11:30 and 12:00, if I don't meet you.
The trip up on the Champion isn't at all bad and I slept all the way to Washington.
My regards to your family. I'll see you Friday.
Incidentally, if you dont' have room in your suitcase don't worry about my grey suit. I really don't need it.
You'll love the location of the hotel, I'm sure - a block from the Waldorf and two blocks from the Ritz-Carleton. A very nice hotel, too.
Miss you darling --

All my love-
Louis

Down South for Tests

2009-07-18T05:26:00.000-07:00

Postmark: November 24, 1948 Houma, LA

Hotel Pettigrew, Main and Girage Streets
Wednesday night

Darling -
Well, of course, everything is fouled up as one might expect. First, they sent the wrong kind of Indulin (liguin) down for the tests and Jack had to call Paul Wiley this and get the right liguin shipped down by Air Express. So, we have to go to New Orleans tomorrow (60 miles) and get this Air Express liguin to run our tests. Then, we forgot some of our equipment and had to call New Orleans for some special delivery stuff -- And, Jack is in his hey-day with long distance calls and telegrams and all the rest. But, our tests start Friday which means that we should get home on Friday or Thursday of the weekend in December.
Bad note -- I'm afraid that one of the four of us is going to have to be at the plant 24 hours a day which, of course, means a couple of sleepless nights for each of us. Well, West Virginia is going to find that my time comes high.
Looked for a letter today and was disappointed not to find one but I know you're busy.
Mac and I plan to spend the weekend here in Houma so I'll call you Sunday early evening -- no, I won't, Jack is flying to Charleston Saturday, so I'll get him to call you.
My regards to your family --

All my love,
Louis

Still in Chicago - Fall of '48

2009-07-09T17:38:00.000-07:00

CHICAGO, ILL NOVEMBER 13, 1948 11:17pm

MRS. LOUIS R. LAWSON JR.
39 MEETING STREET, CHARLESTON, SC

SORRY TO MISS YOU LAST NIGHT. CALLED AT 39 AT JINGLES AND 12 ABOUT 9:30 LOVE YOU DESPERATELY SEE YOU SOON=
LOUIS=

Postmark: November 14, 1948 Chicago, ILL

Sunday night
My darling Buddy-
Another Sunday night alone in a hotel room with the radio.
Enjoyed talking with you this morning - sorry I was so foggy. I left a call for nine o"clock and then dozed off so you woke me up. I'm sorry we missed connections last night. I went out (as you know) for a change. Had a fair time - I'll tell you all the details when I get home. And, no, I wasn't potted.
As I said on the phone, I went to the art gallery when it opened at 12 and left when it closed at 5. I didn't even get all the way through the place. Surely did wish for you, too, when I saw all the lovely masterpieces - Stuart's "Washington" and all the rest.
Incidentally, I cashed a check for $75 which West Virginia will pay most of. You'd best look at the bank balance. While I'm almost positive we have it, I'd feel better knowing you were checking on it.
I've mailed a couple of birthday presents which should arrive soon. I'm going to call you that night, so please be at home. I'll probably call about seven thirty your time.
Incidentally, I saw some hand-painted -- well, they're like our colored ducks -- glasses and with a piece of wood for a tray they sell for $22.50 for eight, so I don't think we have to worry about tourists thinking we're high on our prices.
And, at the art museum thy had a display of glassware. They had some fired decorated glasses dated back to about 1600. There was also a display of ceramics. Based on the figurines I saw I think that the girl with the goat that Mrs. Rose gave you dates about 1750-1800. And the glass salt sellars with the bumps are about 1850-1870.
Remember Mary Averill's painting by Monet? Well, it's authentic all right. The museum has a companion painting -- almost exactly the same scene -- by Monet dated 1908. So, she really has something.
Must close now. I have to get the map of Chicago out and chart my trips for tomorrow so I don't chase from one end of town to the other making these calls.
See you Friday, darling -- I miss you terribly and love you very much.
My regards to your folks.
All my love,
Louis

Postmark: November 13, 1948 Chicago, ILL

(Probably as a birthday card)

Postmark: November 14, 1948 Chicago, Ill
Monday night

Dearest Rosy,
Another day of pavement pounding. Pooped!
Started out this morning about 15 miles out of town and have been riding street cars and walking all day out in that section. Actually one place I called on was about the size of Sammy Fleming's shoe shop. Had to walk over a mile over railroad tracks to get there, what's more. Then, I've been to International Harvester, Exide Battery, and several others. Tomorrow I go to see Armour, Swift and some smaller outfits. I'm getting to be a real Chicagoan. You should see me swinging street cars and rapping on doors.
And, I'll tell you, I'm getting tired of this type work. I hope we're finished soon and actually I think we'll finish sooner than Jack Keilen expects because we get the same answers from all the people in the same business. I mean, all the leather people tell me the same things so why call on 50 of them when a couple will do?
My feet are tired.
The stores stay open until 7 o'clock on Monday so I dashed out for the nearest art shop and spent 10 bucks on Christmas cards materials for me and thee -- I've decided to wait 'til I get home to cut the blocks cause I want you to help me with the design. I did get lots of ink for printing and some handy addresses for plate hangers, etc.
Incidentally, are you sending the list of silk screen material?
Must get back to my map of Chicago and plan tomorrow's trips.
Mucho, mucho love, friend, with mucho mucho keeses (I feel like such a Southerner up-out-- here that I'm sure I'm from South America) - takeoff your close, keed, let's dance.
Regards to the Salmons -- & Julia & Clara & Sunny & Rex S. also.

Passionately,
Louis

Postmark: November 15, 1948 Chicago, Ill
Tuesday night

My darling --
Here it is 7 o'clock and I'm holed up with my radio and my Pink House books and wishing I were with you.
This should arrive on your birthday. I wish I could arrive instead of this letter. I hate missing your birthday [would have been 22nd - Ed.] I asked Ed Keilen if I could miss Thanksgiving instead but he felt I should be here now.
Darling, I hope you have a nice birthday. I know you will. I also hope the presents arrived and you like them. Honestly, I was at a loss as to what you wanted and even asked your Mother before I left but together we couldn't figure it out. So, I wandered through the shops. I started to get some frilly things -- but, I must confess, I didn't know your size in blouses. Remind me to check your size first thing when I get home. I'm sorry I'm so poor at picking out presents.
Thanks for your letters and the news of Frances's wedding. And don't bother to get the Waldorf Junior - League rooms. If, and I'm afraid it's a long one, we do figure on your going I hope we can get the company room for free. But, more of that when I get home.
I'm afraid I can't catch that noon plane to Charleston because I have an important appointment that morning and I'll have to rush to catch the 4:30 plane. If I do find I can catch it, I'll let you know.
I'm enthralled at this moment with "Inspector Hearthstone of the Death Squad" in "The Touch of Death" -- all about a woman in sapphire blue. But what a dull show. Only three murders to date.
I can't wait to see the Pink House in all its splendor. I'm sure you and Miss Alice have done a splendid job.
I spent most of the day in the stockyards talking to Armour and Swift about liguin. And, love, let us never complain about the purfume of West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company [when] we can remember the fumes of the stockyard! Whew! I could hardly breathe!
Back to the Pink House books -- Happy Birthday, darling, I hope we can spend the next 60 years together and every birthday. Happy Birthday - my love.

All my love,
Louis

Chicago Sales Trip - Fall '48

2009-07-03T17:08:00.000-07:00

CHICAGO, ILL NOVEMBER 7, 1948 5:22 pm

MRS. LOUIS R. LAWSON JR.

39 MEETING STREET, CHARLESTON, SC

ARRIVED OK FINE TRIP. MISS YOU VERY MUCH ALL MY LOVE=
LOUIS=

Postmark: November 9, 1948 Chicago, ILL

to Mrs. Louis R. Lawson Jr.

My darling Rosy,

Could there - is there - anything duller than sitting in a hotel room on a Sunday night?
The hotel is fine and right in the center of the Loop - the entertainment spots. So far I've fortified myself with a radio and a map of Chicago for the evening ahead.
The trip was fine and very pleasant except the "light refreshments" listed on the flight schedule consisted of a cup of coffee and nothing else. So, I starved until we arrived in Cincinnati about eleven. Then, the "lunch served aloft" consisted of a ham sandwich and by the time we reached Chicago I was famished! But, after a martini (and, oh how I wished for you) and a couple of sandwiches I'm set for the evening.
I hope your day in the country was fun and again, my apologies about last night.

I miss you more than I can tell you, darling -- this isn't going to be any fun away from you for two weeks. But, I'll be back soon. My regards to your family.

All my love,
Louis

Monday night

My darling Rosy-

What a day I've had! I've been on the telephone since 8 this morning calling everyone from battery makers to soap makers. You know what a shy violet I am anyway - well, kid, I've been talking to every kind of person imaginable today. Tomorrow I start the travelling around the city.
I'll start off ten miles north at 8 o'clock then down to Indiana (15 miles south) and back for a conference at 1 o'clock. It looks as if I'll be terribly busy all two weeks. In fact, I don't see how I can finish in that short a time. But, never fear, dear -- I'll be home on the 18th or 19th anyway come ---- or high water.
As I said last night, this isn't going to be any fun without you and could be so grand with you, but that's the way it goes, I guess.
Right now I'm inhaling on this new device to break some indications of sinus trouble and should be looking forward to a martini, but actually I'm not. I'm not because I know that after supper I won't have anything to do. I'm just dead tired so I suppose I'll flop in bed and listen to the radio. I should go to a play, I guess, but that's no fun - going alone.
Best close and try to console myself with that martini.

Best to your family - all my love
Louis

Tuesday night

My darling Rosy -

Your letter was most welcome this afternoon after a hard day's travelling around this city in the cold and rain.
This AM I went to see some printing ink people way north - the our salesman here took me down into Indiana to talk to the Standard Oil people about asphalt. And what a lab!! Cost 10 million bucks. Roughly about 100 times the size of our lab in Charleston. Air conditioned - indirect lighting - movable soundproof walls and a thousand people in the labs. Well, my eyes just popped!! Their cafeteria where we had lunch makes anything in Charleston look small-town. Picture glass windows - moderistic furniture - deep carpets - ceilings about two or three stories high! It is supposed to be the model laboratory in the United States. And, their chemists - the ones we talked to are proud of their company. Quite a contrast to West Virginia P&P Co. in lots of respects.
This afternoon I spent with some people talking about insecticides. Something new to me and I'm still not sure I know what they were talking about.
Tomorrow at 7:30 this salesman and I leave for Milwaukee. I don't know when I'll be back or where I'll stay. I'm not looking forward to this either. I should stay there through Monday, I guess, but on Thursday we have to attend a battery (like in cars) meeting at the Palmer House. Maybe I'll see Tom. I have the head of West Virginia P&P in Chicago (selling paper, not liguin) working on a ticket to this Northwestern-Notre Dame game so maybe I'll get there.
Send Helen's list of silk screening material and I'll try and get it. So far I've been on the go from 7 in the AM 'til 6 in the PM but I'll try.
Think Mil's idea about the sock slippers sounds devine!
Best close now - I'm still working on the Pink House books. I miss you terribly darling -- my regards to your folks ---

All my love to you, kid
Louis

PS How do you like this paper? Designed it myself! Like yours most much.
L.

Postmark: November 10, 1948 Milwaukee, WIS
Wednesday night

My darling Buddy -

Here I am in Wisconsin and one helluva long way from you and Bedon's Alley - 'specially you, that is.
Our salesman, Ken Steel, drove me up from Chicago (100 miles) this morning in his Buick convertible sedan (like Frenchy's husband's). We spent the better part of the day talking with the Allis-Chambers people here and Ken drove back to Chicago. I'll be in Milwaukee tomorrow and go back to Chicago tomorrow night by train. I've gotten a lot of hot information, but I'm getting tired. Honestly, I've been working harder thank I work in Charleston. Up at 6:45 and back to a dreary hotel at 6:00 is no fun. Of course, I'm working extra hard and were I a salesman all the time I wouldn't do it. Ken is a nice fellow but he doesn't work too hard.
I've been having a lot of fun in the past couple of hours. The beer distributors of Wisconsin are having a big convention in this hotel. Naturally, all of the beer companies have parties for them. Most of them have lounge rooms in the hotel with free beer, whiskey, and food for their distributors at the convention. Well, I figured they wouldn't know me so I visited a couple of them. Miller's Hi-Life had a grand buffet supper with all the turkey and ham you can eat. So, I drank a bottle of Miller's and ate their food and sang with their accordian player. But I'm home (and what a home) now. Think maybe I'll take in a burlesque tonight. Maybe.
Milwaukee is nice and not too big like Chicago. It is large, of course, but still not too large to be friendly. Chicago isn't a friendly city. I have a room about the size of our junk room, but it's OK and faces out over the lake.
It's pretty cold and snowed a little this afternoon but it didn't even stick. My regards to your family. To you, my sweet, all my love.
Louis

Postmark: November 12, 1948 Chicago, ILL
Thursday night
My darling Rosebud -
Your letters this afternoon awaiting me when I pulled in from Milwaukee were most welcome, sweetpea. I'm pleased to hear that Charleston and you and you and Charleston are getting along fine. I'm also glad you miss me almost as much as I miss you.
Came back this afternoon on the Streamliner from Milwaukee -- 85 miles in 75 minutes! Quite a train and boy did it run?!!??
I can't wait to see the window (and you) with the new panes (pains) (any morning sickness yet?) The news of Corwin Rife and crafts is most interesting, incidentally. I knew that he was interested in crafts for he, Harry, and I talked about [it] almost two years ago. But, I thought he had dropped the idea. I'll have to see him first thing when I get home.
Incidentally, what have you decided about the weekend of the 20th? For a while I was afraid I was going to have to stay over 'til Monday or Tuesday but things are shaping up OK now.
Tomorrow I go to another convention - battery makers. This one should be quite a bit more on the quiet side than the brewers! Incidentally, the burlesque I took in last night turned out to be only a cheap vaudeville, very poor.
See you tommorrow nite, sweetie, my regards to your family --

All my love,
Louis
spotty signature, eh?

Postmark: November 12, 1948 Chicago, ILL
Friday night

My darling Buddy -
Another hard day.
I spent today at, of all places, The Association of American Battery Manufacturers, Inc., who are in convention at the Palmer House. You can imaging me walking up to 280 strange men and wondering how to get started on liguin! Well, after pacing back and forth about 15 minutes I finally screwed my courage up and stopped some of them and told my story about liguin. I was then introduced to some chemists and since then things have gone fairly well. I've been talking to some big shots who could buy out West Virginia P&P in a minute. But, strangely enough they are all nice fellows. Picked up a lot of hot dope but all discouraging for us. But one of the big companies is very interested in doing some research. So, in a minute I'm off and back to a reception and banquet to try and get some more information. Hope to be in bed by 9 because I've been on my feet being polite all day -- and, that's quite a job. I'm glad I'm not a salesman. I couldn't stand it.
Tomorrow AM I have to meet some more battery chemists from another company and hurry to catch a train to the Notre Dame-Northewestern game in South Bend. Hope you'll be listening cause I'll be thinking of you. The ticket I have is almost priceless around here and I could sell it for $25 to $35 (cost one $3.60), but the head of WV P&P here got it for me so I dare not do that. I had hoped to spend tomorrow in the art shops but this battery business fouled me up.
I haven't touched the linoleum block & haven't finished the books. Hope to get to it Sunday. At least I'll get to the art museum.
Your letter was most welcome and I'm glad to hear that the Thrift Shop is going to be OK. I knew you could handle it. Look how you handle the Pink House -- and me!
I'm not at all sure the game is going to be worth it to me because it has started to rain and I fear it may be cold and rainy tomrrow. But, I've sniffed some penicillin and to date only one sinus headache which I think the penicillin cured.
Must close and get back to the batteries - ugh!
Miss you, pet - and love you desparately[sic].

All my love,
Louis

Caribbean Patrol

2009-07-01T16:35:00.000-07:00

Postmark: April 18, 1948 U.S.S. Harold J. Ellison

to Mrs. Louis R. Lawson Jr.

Saturday night

Darling-
How I wish you could be here to enjoy this wonderful tropical weather and clear blue sea with me. Someday you and I will have to catch one of those banana boats -- the spotless white kind -- and come down together. The days are balmy and the nights are made for you and I together for without you all this falls a little bit flat -- speaking in understatements, that is.
Guantanamo was very unexciting. I had hoped to be able to get out of the base to the hills and Guantanamo City some thirty miles inland. Such a trip required much permission granting so I gave it up. Spent the afternoon browsing through Ship's Service with crafts and the Pink House and you right along with me. After the few trinkets had been purchased, several of us went over to the Officers Club and had a swim in the fresh water pool in a lovely tropical setting. From there we went to the club for several of our favorite martinis and supper. We found ourselves envying these officers based here for one reason -- Canadian Club whiskey is $1.25 a fifth against six or eight dollars in the States and your father's Kentucky Tavern was $2.60 instead of South Carolina's $7.15. Ummmmm!
The evening was spent spinning sea stories at the club and turning in prior to midnight on ship.
Tomorrow we enter San Juan for Sunday and Monday and it seems that I should have brought whites but I hope they will let me go ashore in grey. Sunday I expect to spend sightseeing with a new camera we bought and Monday I plan to check on some places and possibilities of importing mahoganies and perfumes through the Port of Charleston with our government here. How I wish for you! We'll have to get your family to speak to Senator Maybank about reserves taking their wives on cruises.
But it hasn't been all play and, as I hoped, we are getting some excellent refresher training in destroyer tactics. It's only eight now and I've been on watch or drilling (handling the ship, etc., a bit) for 12 hours today. So you see, sweet pea, I'm ready for the sack.
Incidentally, we get back into Norfolk on Friday afternoon and there is a possibility that I may be able to leave that night if I'm not too pooped to drive. If I am, I shall certainly be on the way south again by Saturday morning at light and I'll drive all the way (if the Crosley can stand it).
I miss you very much, darling, and love you with all my heart.

Louis

P.S. Regards to your family (and Sunny, and Rex, and Clara, and Julia)

Postmark: April 20, 1948 U.S.S. Harold J. Ellison

to Mrs. Louis R. Lawson Jr.

Monday night

My darling -
Leaving San Juan at 5:30 tomorrow morning is about the nicest think of for it means I will be with you again on Saturday.
Honestly, Rosy, I did't realize how much I would miss you or I would not have come. It really has been pretty bad -- everytime I see anything I wish for you -- or hear a joke, I wish you could hear it -- or swim, I wish I could reach out and touch you. Golly, sweetpean, I'm in such a mess without you. I guess I didn't know before how much a part of me you are but I do now. You can never know, darling, how much you mean to me -- how much you steady and help me - or how much I adore you - you couldn't know!
Puerto Rico, San Juan, that is, it's interesting but not without you. I guess, really, that I'm a good example of a fellow madly in love with his wife. Seems sort of strange for me because before I married this Salmons girl I couldn't even imagine it but now -- well, I'm just not interested in anything that doesn't concern you or the two of us.
I find that I can't leave the ship before Saturday morning so I'll drive through and be in Charleston, I hope, before midnight.
Must go to bed now -- I love you very much, Rosy - very much. In fact, I adore you!

My love always,

Louis

Later that Same Year

2009-06-30T18:12:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. DECEMBER 8, 1947 8:31 PM

MISS ROSAMOND SALMONS

39 MEETING ST CHARLESTON SOCAR

MISS YOU DESPERATELY HAVING LUXURIOUS TIME I LOVE YOU

LOUIS.

Louis and Rosy married on January 18, 1948 at St,. Michael's Church at the corner of Broad and Meeting Streets in Charleston, SC.

January 19, 1948 from the Charleston News & Courier:

Miss Salmons Weds Mr. Lawson in St. Michael's

The marriage of Miss Rosamond Salmons, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Van Brun Salmons, of 39 Meeting Street, to Mr. Louis Russell Lawson, Jr., also of Charleston, took place at 8 p.m. yesterday in St. Michael's Protestant Episcopal Church. The Rev. J. DeWolf Perry, rector, performed the ceremony.

The church was decorated with white gladioli and snapdragons, candelabra and palms. Mr. W. Donald George, organist, played the wedding music.

The bride was given in marriage by her father. Her gown of ivory satin was made with a bodice of duchess lace with rose point medallions which had been used on her grandmother's wedding dress, long sleeves and a circular train. Her veil of tulle fell from a cap of duchess lace, trimmed with orange blossoms, and she carried a bouquet of gardenias and tuberoses.

Miss Helen Jervey Ingle, the bride's maid of honor, wore aquamarine faille, made on princess lines with a fold of the material over the shoulders, forming sleeves. She carried a bouquet of white carnations and wore a half-circle of the flowers in her hair.

The bridesmaids, Miss Averill Lawson of Charlotte, sister of the bridegroom, Miss Sarah Anne Bissell of Albany, N.Y., and Miss Marion Mitchell, of Charleston, cousins of the bride, and Miss Alice McRitchie, also of Charleston, wore gowns like that of the maid of honor and carried pink carnations with half-circles of the same flowers in their hair.

Mr. Louis R. Lawson, of Charlotte, father of the bridegroom, was his son's best man. Serving as ushers were Messrs. Richard Waring Salmons, brother of the bride, Frank Jervey Ball, William Chisholm Coleman, and Andrew S. Drury, all of Charleston; Mr. Robert S. Hutchinson, of Charlotte, and Dr. James C. Varnell of Pinopolis.

Mrs. Salmons, mother of the bride, was gowned in gray crepe with a corsage of pink carnations.

Mrs. Louis R. Lawson of Charlotte, mother of the bridegroom, wore beige crepe and an orchid corsage.

A reception was held after the ceremony at the South Carolina hall. The hall was decorated with pnk and white flowers. The bride's table was centered with a silver bowl of white flowers, flanked by candelabra.

Following a wedding trip south, Mr. and Mrs. Lawson will reside at 12 Bedon's Alley. Mrs. Lawson wore for traveling a suit of gray with black accessories and a corsage of gardenias.

Postmark: April 15, 1948, Naval Oper. Base, Guantanamo, Cuba

to Mrs. Louis R. Lawson, Jr.

Darling -
We are rounding the bend now to come into Guantanamo, Cuba, for the night and then, on to Puerto Rico.
The trip has been pleasant except for the first 24 hours out -- off Hatteras (Haterras?) in a storm. Me in an upper bunk trying to get salty again overnight and not fall out. I didn't fall out but I also didn't sleep.
I've been doing pretty well as I please since only the Exec (LCDR Joslyn who married Admiral DuBose's daughter) and the skipper (CDR?) have as much or more experience in destroyers than me. The other officers are pleasant enough but USN and pretty green.
Thought about you as we passed Charleston the other night. Missed you terribly!
See you next Sunday - hold the Pink House down. My regards to your folks.

All my love always,
Louis

P.S. Harry sold your glasses! Congratulations. Saw him on the way up.

The Letters Begin

2009-06-29T14:32:00.000-07:00

Rosy Lawson died on April 2, 1990 of congestive heart failure at the age of 63 at Sullivans Island, SC. Louis died in a traffic accident on May 9. 1994, at the age of 72 in Dillon, SC. These letters were among the personal effects of their youngest daughter, my sister Marian Averill Lawson, when she died on March 8, 2009, at the age of 50 in Charleston, SC.

From Louis R. Lawson, Jr. to Miss Rosamond Salmons -
Postmark: Norfolk, VA, June 17, 1947

16 June 1947
Little Creek, Va
Annex 2, BOQ
Bldg 69

Dearest Rosamond,

First of all -- I love you.
Second, I miss you.
Third, I'm going to write you tomorrow night.
Fourth, I'm in a rush to take in a movie.
Fifth, I'm having a lonely but fairly interesting time.
Sixth, my best to your family.
Seventh, congratulate Annie and Willie for me.
Eighth, I'll break your neck if you run off while I'm gone.
And, finally---and always

I love you, Rosy
Louis

Postmark: June 23, 1947, U. S. Navy

Darling --

(still comes hard) - I have two choices. One, I can pen a passionate epistle filled with cliches and sentimental chatter. Second, I can tell you what I've been up to these past few days. Since I'm relatively sure you don't want the first, I'll give you the second alternative.
We enter Bermuda Harbor (Great Harbor) tomorrow morning. All of the information available indicated that our liberty post was, as I told you, to be New York. However, true to Navy form, they changed plans and we are now about a hundred miles off of Bermuda. No telling when this letter will reach you for the civilian mail service is probably snafu, but I'll mail this in Bermuda tomorrow.
Seems like a year since I left you and Charleston and you both seem a million miles away. In fact, I've been so worked that it doesn't really feel like I ever left the Navy. Of course, I miss you like torment but as of right now I'm not so sure about Charleston.
I've been thinking about you all taking in parties for Sallie and Annie but this break in chemistry and in Charleston has been good for me. In case you're interested, good for you, too, for I miss you even more than I thought I would which is going some.
Right away I was put in charge of 30 Reserve Recruits and I've been detailed as more or less a father to them. It's right much fun for they are high school kids and very eager to learn. Spend about half of each day lecturing them on the Navy.
For the first three days (Monday-Wednesday) we were in Little Creek going to classes on amphibious warfare. Saw lots of movies on CB work that would have been routine to your father but were very interesting to us. Then, on Wednesday night we came aboard this wagon and were off for Bermuda.
Haven't run into but one officer who know your "group" (the girls, that is). Have picked up some interesting tid-bits from him, but, for the life of me, can't remember his name. He was out on the Strickland or something, I believe. I'll have to find out his name. He was a particular chum of ex-Anne Kennedy, it seems. Interesting--
Better close now for I'm off to do some navigating tonight. See you next week, Sweetpea -- don't run off to Walterboro on me because
I love you very much,
Louis (even that looks strange)
P.S. My best to your family including Sunny & Rex. Tell everyone "hello" -- I'm sure Charleston has collapsed without us.