Love Letters to a Coal Miner’s Daughter
The Nathan Jones and the Scott Taylor families were close neighbors in the coal camp of Monitor # 3 (Wilkinson) in Logan County West Virginia. Elizabeth Taylor and Johnny Jones were childhood sweethearts. Through these letters you will notice interaction between the two families — especially between Elizabeth and Johnny
The following letter and notes between Johnny George Jones and Elizabeth Taylor were transcribed by the nephew of Elizabeth Taylor, Robert E. McCormack being completed on June 10, 2007. An attempt to be true to spelling and punctuation of writers was attempted. The period covered is from August 4, 1927 to June 6 1929. .
. We have a gap of several years between the last letter of June of 1929 (Elizabeth and Johnny were actually married that month -hence no need to write letters after that –) and Johnny’s death at the age of 26 in 1937
Monitor # 3
|
Box 246
Wilkinson, W.Va.
Miss Elizabeth Taylor 5619 Sangamon St. Chicago, Ill. |
 |
| Joe Hatfield & Virginia Taylor |
Wilkinson W Va
Aug. 4. 1927
Dear Elizabeth.
Will try to ans your letter recd today was glad to rec a letter from you I didn’t think that you would write you said you didn’t know whether you would write or not and I didn’t look for any mail.
Joe is trying to work every night now he said to tell Virginia that it was raining to night and he couldn’t write when it rained.
I sure had a good old time sitting around the house Sunday and all week it sure is lonesome and blue here any more to me don’t know why do you.
You said it was cold out there it sure is cold here to I have planned to go in Bathing every day But it is so cold I cant go in.
You know I went to church Sunday night I enjoyed the church so much any how I went to bed early Sunday night Mother said she was surprised me going to bed so early.
Wish I was out there to go with you all to WhiteCity.
Excuse the mistakes for I cant write to night for some cause it has been so long since I have wrote a letter I forgot how to write to any body I can’t write with out making mistakes.
I hope you don’t have the whooping cough when you com home.
I don’t know much to write so I will close ans real soon.
From
Johnny
|
Box 246
Wilkinson, W.Va.
Miss Elizabeth Taylor 5619 Sangamon St. Chicago, Ill. |
 |
| Eliz. & Va Taylor with mother Alice visiting brother Bijah in Chicago |
Wilkinson W Va
Aug. 14. 1927
Dear Elizabeth
Will try to ans your letter recd to day Sure was glad to here from you I thought you wasn’t goin to write any more as I didn’t get any mail until to day.
Hope you are all having a good time for I sure ant I have only been to the Show twist since you have been gone and every time I plan on goin Bathing it rains so I think I will just stay at home and let it rain.
Wish you would come home today for it is awful lonesome here any more I hope Sunday comes really quick this week for I am wanting to come down to Huntington anyway if Joe will come with me.
I hope you don’t come back with the whoopin cough for I know what it is to have the whooping cough for I have had the experience at it and I know.
I bet your Dad was a good swimmer wasn’t he Would loved to of been out there and go Bathing with you all.
Tell Virginia that you all aught to be here to go to the Drug Store with me I have’t been since you all went away and ant gonin until you all com back as you all love to go to the Drug Store so well.
Say, me and Taylor and John Groos went to the big rock last Sunday and takin some pictures and you aught to see them we looked like clowns in some of them. We had a fine time up there was amin to go to the tower on top of Blair Mountain to day if it hadn’t of rained so hard always when I want to go any where it hast to rain all the time to keep me at home all the time I bet it rains all day next Sunday just to keep me at home all day Just my luck to get to stay at home all the time.
I think I will go to Pike Ville Ky. Wednesday and stay until Friday morning I will have a good time there dont know whether I will get to go or not is might rain all week I hope I get to go for I ant been no place this year only when we went to Charleston the fourth of July.
Tell Virginia that Joe said to write and let him know when you are all comin home Sunday or Sunday week We want to know before Saturday night we will meet you all Sunday if Virginia writes to Joe and tells him when you all are comin home.
And you got sea sick on your way to Lake Michigan Bet you had a bad trip didn’t you I know you didn’t enjoy your trip as good as you would if you hadn’t of got sick did you.
Say I think I will go to church tonight if it don’t rain to hard guess your are all goin to Church for you are like my self you have to go to church
Well it is getin lunch time and I will close write and tell me whether you are comin home Sunday or Sunday week.
Ans real Soon
Yours truly
J. G. Jones
Spark Plug
This is only one of 2 letters and one postcard as well as several notes from Elizabeth to Johnny that have survived:
|
6519 S. Sangamon St
ChicagoIll.
Mr. Johnny Jones Wilkinson West Va. Box 246 |
 |
| Brother Bijah & wife -Chicago |
6519 S. Sangamon St.
Chicago, Ill
August 18, 1927
Dear Johnny.
Just a few lines in answer to your letter was glad to hear from you again.
Virginia was tickled to death with her long letter. Ha! Ha! It took her so long to read it.
Well I guess we will start home Saturday night at eleven something. We will be in Huntington around noon. We will just have to wait about an hour in Cincinnati and believe me I am thankful that we do not have to wait any longer.
I just bet it rains don’t you?
Well if it does you can meet us in Logan any way.
If you all come to Huntington you will have to meet the train from Cincinnati. I don’t know exactly what time it arrives in Huntington. I forgot to ask Bijah this morning.
We were planning on taking our lunch out today on a picnic and of course it is “raining” Isn’t it wonderful (sometimes)”
We are going out to one of Elizabeth’s cousins at the other side of Chicago tomorrow. It is about a two hours ride each way. As I am in a hurry to get this off on the mail I will close. Hoping to see you soon
Elizabeth
At Home
5/11/28
Dearest and Only One
I am writin this on paper to you so if I cant get to tell you you will No. What I was studying about so much and wouldn’t tell you was that I wanted you to marry me and was afraid to ask you afraid you would say no and that was what I dreamed about and wouldn’t tell you. And what I wished so much ws that you would say yes and that we would live happy all the rest of our lifs for I love you with all my heart.
If I never get to see you again come kiss the one that loves you with all my heart and always remember that I loved your more than I did any body else on earth and hope you love me to and when you are with another remember me and remember you wont find no one like me nor will treat you like I have. So god luck and god bless you. I am leavin this world because I didn’t think I could get you.
Good by sweetheart forever.
Yours,
Johnny G. Jones
9-3-28
Dear Bud
The reason that I don’t want you to be in the residle (recital) is because I wanted to see if you loved me and would rather be with me on in the residle. And just didn’t’ want to tell you because I didn’t want you to no.
Yours,
J.G. Jones
To E.M. Taylor
Budi
Va & Eliz Taylor
Notes without Dates from Elizabeth:
Dearest Johnnie
No I didn’t want to go to church. I thought it was too cold for us to go.
Elizabeth
Johnnie I am going to Church. Come down at 6:30 o’clock if you want to go with us.
With love
Elizabeth
P.S. If you aren’t going answer
Dear Johnnie
I am going to Church. Come at six thirty. Would have sent sooner but have been giving Dudding’s lesson.
Haven’t had supper yet.
With love
Elizabeth
In a hurry it is now 6-13 o’clock.
| Wilkinson W Va Box 246 Miss Elizabeth Taylor Hitchens Ky |
Sunday morning
Jan 2 1929
My Dearest And Only One
This lonesome and blue morning will drop you a few lines to let you hear from me for I told you I would and I am.
Budie it sue is lonesome her with you you I would give any thing to be with you this morning but instead of being with you I have to write to you I would rather be with you and talk to you for I would rather be dead as to be away from you but seems like you don’t want to be with me if you did yo would of come back home today any way. You said your Grandpa was beter and still you wont come back home.
Budie you had better come back home by Tuesday for it you don’t I am gonin to Virginia and stay with Sis a while for I cant stay here with out you So I will stay here until Wednesday morning and if you don’t come I am goning away out to Virginia you said you wanted to see me and you wont come home So you can you told me before you left that you would come back if your Grandpa was better I have looked until my eyes hurts for you but I cant see you a coming home adall.
Honey I tot them pictures. I mean Mr. rice got them for me They are not very good I wont let nobody see them until you come home so you can see them first they are all kidding me about bein so blue Said I would be alright if I could get to see you and believe me I sure would to I work hard so I wont be lonesome and blue and I read so I wont be lonesome and do every thing I can think of but still I am lonesome and blue Read work talk but still nothing can keep me from bein blue.
Ellen is playin some of the bluest records she can find and I cant get her to quit. She knows that I am blue and wont me to be worse than ever She is playing Dixie Shadows and it sure makes me bluer than ever I am figerin on getin me another job for they have cut my wages 6 cents on the hour and I cant work for that I may have a new job when you come home if it ant after Tuesday and if it is I guess I will be in Virginia for I cant stay here with out you much longer. if I do I will go crazy I wont have very far to go but will go the rest of the way before next Sunday if you aren’t with me. Budie please come back by Tuesday any how so I can be happy again for I am the unhappiest Person in all the world since you went away. So come back home so I can be happy again.
Well Budie I will close Mr. Rice wnts to go to Logan and I am goning to send this by him so you will get it tomorrow so ans if you are not coming home Tuesday. I have a heart full of love for you when you get here
From yours for ever and ever
J. G. Jones
By By Honey,
Four months since last note. This is only one of 2 letters and one postcard from Elizabeth to Johnny that have survived: Post card from Elizabeth to Johnnie (Picture of Court House Square in Huntington):
Dear Johnnie
Arrived in Huntington on time expect we will get to Hitchens about 3 o’clock well write as soon as you can
Elizabeth
Mr. Johnnie Jones Wilkinson W. Va Box 246
Louis, Brother Bijah, Mother & Grandpa Bolling
HitchensKy.
(Wilkinson, W. Va)
Jan. 23, 1929
Dearest one.
Will write you a few lines to night I am so home sick, gee but I wish I were back home. I hated to leave so badly but I had to. I hope how soon I get to come home. We have been at Aunt Minnies all evening she is about the same. They are going to bring Grandpa down here tomorrow. I think if they don’t we are going up there. He is better some now but they are afraid to move him. I guess you are working tonight be careful and don’t work too hard. Johnnie be real good rember what I told you. I don’t think we will have to stay long.
Thelma and the baby are in the room playing and I can’t think what I am writing.
She calls him Billie he is the sweetest thing. I am taking an awful cold and just sneezing. Gee but I would love to see you tonight better than anything.
Johnnie did you notice where I put Wilkinson. I just now noticed it and changed it. Will you excuse this time.
How many books are you reading a great many I guess. I do want to come home so badly I wish you were here to be with me. Johnnie dear, I hope how soon . I want you to write me a real long letter and tell me all the news.
I am nervous tonight and can’t write a bit well will try to do better next time. So I will just quit and will write again soon. With loads and loads of love.
Yours forever
Elizabeth
| Wilkinson W Va Box 246 Miss Elizabeth Taylor Hitchens Ky |  |
| Johnny Jones & Elizabeth Taylor |
Wilkinson West Va
Jan. 25, 1929
My Dearest Budie
This lonesome and blue eve while cant find nothing better to do will ans our loving letter letter recd today was tickled pink to get that letter for I sure am lonesome and blue Budie it doesnt seem like the old place since you went away Wish you was here so I could talk to you for I can tell you more than I can write
Budie I wold rather be in H (Hitchens) as to be up here and you away down there away from me you had better be back by Tuesday Any way if you ant I am goin some where and get me a job and go to work for I cant stand what they are putin on me now and I cant stay here with out you So Budie if you love me come home by Tuesday night Any way if your Grandpa is better you can come home Sunday for you don’t have to stay away from me If you don’t come back soon I will know you don’t love me if you are lonesome and blue as I am you would come back Sunday any way.
Budie you will have to excuse this writing and pencil for I am to tired to write very good but I will die trying to write to you I have unloaded 19 cars of slate since yesterday morning I didn’t have to work Wednesday night but worked last night and may have to work tonight Roscoe said he might send after me any time tonight may have to work tomorrow night to don’t know yet.
Honey I hope your cold is better by this time for I don’t want you to get sick down there away from me and have to stay a month or two where I cant get to see you adall of course I don’t want you to get sick but if you wast to get sick I want to U to be up her not down there I am taking a cold I worked in the rain last night and got ringing wet.
Budie I got them pictures that we had taken up the road when we went car riding. They wasn’t good but the ones we taken here at the house was very good of you but not of me. Will get the others out tomorrow night if I don’t have to work.
I am only reading one book I just got it. About half way through the one you read sic foot four it sure is good I wont get to read any tonight for I am to slepy to read I am gonin to jump in bed just as soon as I get through writing to you. And I guess I had better quit for you are tired of trying to read this for I can’t write a bit but maby you can make part of it out any way Hope so any way.
Honey I would give the world and all was in it if you was only here to be with me We wont be away from each other very long for I am getting tired of staying away from you.
I have seen Virginia twist since you left. She was at home both times but didn’t speak to me but onc don’t know what is the matter with her I haven’t done anything to her as I know about it.
Budie Mr. Reeves sad that you had better come back for Eva was coming up Sunday and you had better be there ha ha Hope all the sick folds are better.
Will close as I am sleepy so be sure and come back Sunday for I am crazy to see you.
Ans Real Soon.
Johnny Jones & Virginia Taylor
Yours forever
J. G. Jones
I have lots of love for you. Budie a hole heart full good night sweetheart
| Wilkinson W Va Box 246 Miss Elizabeth Taylor Hitchens Ky |
Saturday Eve
Jan. 26 -29
Dearest and only one
This lonesome and blue eve while am so lonesome and blue will ans your letter recd today Sure was tickled to get your loving letter.
Budie you said you was lonesome and blue I sure am would give any thing in the world to see you tonight if you love me and want to see me you will make your Mother come back Monday any way for I am wanting to see you it seems like a year since I have seen you last So come home if you can get here
Budie you said that you hadn’t got neary letter and I said I would write every night I told you after I got a letter from you I would write everyday So I am writing every day I didn’t know where to write to you said you was gonin up to where your Granpa was and I didn’t no whether you did or not So you will have to forgive me this time Budie.
Hope your Grandpa is better now and your Aunt to for you have to come back to me or you will have to come over on Yuma graveyard to see my grave instead of me. Budie I have got a whole lot to tell you when you come home and you had better hurry up and come for they have done me dirdy and I wont put up with it.
Budie will have to close Mr. Rice is rushing me to let him have this letter to take to the office he is gonin to Logan So ans real soon from yours for ever
J. G. J.
Good night Dear
P.S
I haven’t shaved since last Tuesday night my beard is almost a half of a inch long ha ha Will shave when you come back.
J. G. J.
E. M. T.
Will write again tomorrow so look for another one following this.
| Wilkinson W Va Box 246 Miss Elizabeth Taylor Hitchens Ky |
Wilkinson West Va
Jan 28 1929
Dearest Budie
Will drop you a few lines to see why you cant ans my letter you was saying that I wouldn’t write and you wont write to me if you knowd how lonesome and blue I was you would write to me once in a while. Don’t guess you are comin home this week as you would write to me and tell me it sure is lonesome and blue here with out you and if you don’t come on home you will get to stay here a while by your self and see how lonesome it is for I am going to go away for I guess I will have to go now So you had better come home so I can tell you all about it for I don’t guess I will stay here much longer I am having a little trouble with you know who about you So come back real soon if you want to see me. I am reading another book it is real good. Bear Rand is the name of it.
It sure was lonesome and blue yesterday. I read all day long. Well I did go to Logan and got me a book. I went with Mr. Rice wasn’t gone over a half of an hour and I came home and went to reading again.
Dad made me shave yesterday morning after I wrote to you he called me every body he could think of and I got a Shame of my self and shaved.
Will close Ans Real Soon Write a long letter lot and lots of love for you.
Yours Forever
J. G. Jones
Good night Budie
Notes without dates:
| Miss E. M. Taylor By Ellen At Home |
Dearest and Only one
Will drop you a few ine to see if you will let me come down a while I have got something to tell you If you don’t want me to come tonight I will tomorrow in time to go to the store with you.
Yours For Ever
J. G. Jones
Ans this note by Ellen.
Last night I was as happy as Happy could be but to night I am so lonesome and blue that I cant hardly see tomorrow night I will be Happy. Altho I wont be Real Happy until I am married I will be unhappy until I am married and I hope that ant very long off for I love her and I think she loves me to but 2 month before we were engaged I was with her every night but now we are engaged and she wont let me come to see her but every other night Might be her Mother is to blame for that but someday I will have her and can be with her every night and no body will get to be wanting me to go home then when we are married I will be the happist man on earth to no that I have got the one that I love and the one that I do think loves me.
J. G. J. E. M. T.
J
At Home
Dearest One
I will drop you a few lines to see if you wanted to go to town with me If you do ans this by Ellen.
J. G. Jones
To Budie
E. M. J.
| Miss E. M. Taylor From J. G. Jones |
At Home
Dearest Budie
Will you work these Handkerchiefs for me and I will do that much for you. I would if I knowed how But I cant I don’t know what kind of a stich to make.
Yours for ever
J. G. Jones
To E. M. J.
At home
Johnny George Jones
Wilkinson W Va
Dearest and Only one
Will you come up a little while after you get your work done and get time to come I want to see you.
from
J. G. Jones
To Elizbeth Taylor
I take the following note to be a bit of dry humor from Johnny (signing as doctor).
at home
Miss Elizabeth Taylor
Will drop you a few lines to let you know –cant come down tonight and maby not tomorrow Ask Johnny to tell you why.
from
Dr. J. G. Jones
| To Elizabeth Taylor By Ruth at home |
at home
Dearest of friends
Elizabeth the Doctor said for me not to walk much on my foot So cant come down ans if you wont to will you come up her tonight for a while I have something to tell you and if you don’t want to come up tonight I will come down to morrow night if you want me to if you don’t want to come up send a note back.
J. G. Jones
Johnny Jones and Sister (Bearer of Notes)
| To Elizabeth Taylor From J. G. Jones |
My Dearest Bud
Will drop you a note to tell you god By you wouldn’t let me come down last night and that shows that you don’t love me for you knowed that my life is nothing but trouble adall when I am home So remember that I love you and if you wont me to come back after you and you will wait you can tell me when I write to you I don’t guess you will get Hell now for I ant here to bother you all you are the one that didn’t wont me it isn’t your Mother you are tired of me I new you was getin tired of me all the time you knowed that I was gonin away and you could of told your mother so and she wouldnt of cared She didnt care as much as you did no how for you don’t want me and you might as well own up to it to. Maybe you will want to see me when I do come back So if you wont to wait write and tell me so when I write to you if you do I will come after you just as soon as I can and if you dont I am gone for good I would of come down but you said not to come for your Mother told you not to let me come tonight so I didnt think you wanted me to come to see you I might see you before I go away I don’t know dont guess you wont to see me though for you dont love me enough to kiss me good By no how guess you had a good time last night I wasnt with you and that is the only time you have a good time is when I am not with you But if you love me you will change your mind and wont me before I come back. Here is your good By kiss for I know you don’t want to kiss me good By X I couldnt go with out sayin god By some way and I thought this was a sure plan at telling you if you love me I am trustin you to wait for me and not to go with other Boys while I am gone for you know I wont got with other girls for Budie you know I love you with all my heart and you know I wont you.
So pleas wait if you love me I will return someday and take you away Yours for ever it you wish.
From J. G. Jones
To E. M. J.
Alice Taylor (Mother of Elizabeth)
| MeadowviewVa Miss Elizabeth Taylor Wilkinson WestVaBox 173 |  |
| Johnny Jones –Rd trip to Va |
MeadowviewVa
May 27, 1929
My Dearest And Only One
This lonesome and blue eve will try to drop you a few lines to let you know that we got here alright. We got here at 5:30 oclock. We never had any trouble adall. Never had neary puncture or any thing I had to drive nearly all the way it is just one hundred and eighty to miles 182 here and I drove 142 miles of the way. We sure did come over some BigMountains.
Honey I am gonin to go to town tomorrow and see about me a job if I ant feelin to bad. I sure am sick tonight. I have the sick headach.
Budie is sure is lonesome out here if I wast toget a job I don’t kow whether I could stay or not. But will try to a week or so any way and then I am gonin to come after you this is a pretty country out here if I only had you with me Sis kids me to death She said that I was to lonesome said I wanted to see you to bad already you may see me anytime So look for me any old time Well honey I am tired and sick so well close. Ans Real Soon.
From yours for ever
J. G. Jones
P.S. I hve blisters on my hands where I drove that car today. It is 9:30 oclock So good night Sweetheart.
J. G. J
E. M. T
X For you
MeadowviewVa Miss Elizabeth Taylor Wilkinson WestVaBox 173 |
MeadowviewVa
May 28, 1929
My Dearest And Only One
This lonesome and blue eve while cant get my mind off of you will write you a few lines to let you here from me Am feelin fine hope you are the same.
Honey it sure is lonesome and blue out here way from you if you was out here to be with me I would be better satisfied for I cant hardly stay away from you guess I will be in Logan Sunday if I don’t get a job by Friday. Am gonin over to see Uncle Jim tomorrow and see if he can get me a job and if he cant I am comin home you can look for me any old time for I might be there any old time cant tell I tried in Meadowview today they said they would give me the first open but don’t know when that will be.
Sis and I picked 7 gal and 1 qt of strawberrys this morning before I went to Meadowview. We never got half of them Wish you could be here to eat all the strawberrys you wanted she has plenty of them.
Sweetheart are you as lonesome and blue as I am if you are you are in a bad shape but I may better our self by bein here if I get a job I will call you up and let you get ready for I will be after you before Sunday because I ant goning to stay out here with out you and if you want to come back with me you can get ready before I come so I can get ready to go to work sonner.
Sis and all of them is kidin me about bein lonesome and blue but I cant help it and you know the reason to dont you Sweetheart.
Honey this sure is a pretty place out here for us to live We sure could be happier out here then we would in Logan for you can go any where you want to out here on good roads the road isn’t very good up to Sis but after you get to the States high way you sure have good roads it is just 1 mile to the State high way that isn’t much if I get a job we will pick us a house and get our stuff after you come our here I want you to pick it your self.
Will it is bedtime So I will close hoping to here from you soon.
Ans Real Soon
From yours for ever
J. G. Jones
Good Night Sweetheart (XO) Will get one of these By Sunday.
P.S. Send my mail in care of Henry Odom R.F. D 1
| MeadowviewVa Miss Elizabeth Taylor Wilkinson WestVaBox 173 |
MeadowviewVa
May 30 1929
My Dearest Sweetheart
This lonesome and blue morning I will write you a few lines to let you here from me I am feelin very well hop you are well. Honey I didn’t get to go no place yesterday it rained all day I am gonin this morning it rained so hard that we couldn’t get to the mail box so I have got 2 letters to day for you but you will have to forgive me this time but I couldn’t help it.
I am looking for a letter from you today looks like I would get a letter from you to day I wont get to write much today but I will write more to night I am fixing to go to Saltville just as soon as I can get ready I wont to do all I can to get a job before Saturday if I can I may fail but I sure am tryin to get a job if I do you will be with me before long.
Budie all of them said if they had you here with us we would be alright I sure would be alright my self whether they would or not I could have a good time if you was with me but you are not and I am not having a good time now and I don’t wont to think about a good time until you are with me.
Will close as I am
In a hurry so I will write more tonight So ans Real Soon
From yours for ever
Johnny G. Jones
To E. M. T.
Good by sweetheart love to you
| MeadowviewVa Miss Elizabeth Taylor Wilkinson West VaBox 173 |
MeadowviewVa
May 31, 1929
My Dearest and Only one
This lonesome and blue morning while am so lonely will try to write you a few lines to let you here from me I am feelin fine hope you are well to
Budie if I dont do any better today and tomorrow I am coming home Sunday so you can look for me Sunday night or Monday morning for I am coming home I am so lonesome and blue I cant hardly stand it much longer for I want to see you so bad
I went to Saltsville yesterday They told me to come back tomorrow and they would let me know whether they would give me a job or not I am about to get me a job in the Store at Meadowview to if a man don’t come out to day the job is mine I hope he don’t come out it pay $100 a month if I get it I am coming out and get you as soon as I find out whether I get a job or not if you will come back with me which I think you will for I always think you will go any place that I can make a living and this is a pretty place to live you can rent a house for nearly nothing Board only cost 75 c a day Sis said we could stay up here until we got our house fixed up and every thing to go to house keeping She is crazy for you to come out and stay a week or 2 with here Her and Neoma talk about you all the time Neoma calls you Aunt Elizabeth all the time all of the kids does.
Honey I have something sweet to tell you when I see you it is just what I thought about a Sertain party out there you now who don’t you Sis told me every thing Since I came out here.
Well Sugar I must close. I am gonin to Meadowview to see if I can get that job don’t guess it will do any good for you to ans this you can ans in my arms if you wish.
So Good By Sweetheart
Will see you soon.
From yours for ever
J. G. Jones
To E. M. Jones
Love to you
R F D
| MeadowviewVa Miss Elizabeth Taylor Wilkinson West VaBox 173 |
MeadowviewVa
June 4, 1929
My Dearest And Only One
This lonesome and blue morning will try to ans your letter recd just yesterday Sure glad to hear from you I would have ans your letter but was expectin to come home yesterday but the man said to wait until today or tomorrow and he would let me know whether he could give me a job he wants me but hast to see the Big Boss before he can put me to work he is supposts to be in today it is a good job in the A and P Store get my stuff at cost and every thing that is good he cant start me in at only a low price but have got to get raised He said if I would do all I could to make good he would help me to get a Store for my Self and it wouldn’t be long either If I dont get that job it is my last chance I will be home tomorrow night or Thursday morning if I don’t get that job. So Honey if I do get it I am coming after you as soon as I can. Will come Sunday if I can So you can look for me as soon as I can get to
Budie I am building Henry a car shed this morning and he is tickled to death with it.
Sweetheart I would give the world and all that is in it if I could get a job and bring you out here with me for I would rather be dead as to be away from you. I am so so lonesome I cant hardly standit much longer with out you. Well it is mail time so I will close ans real soon if I don’t get there Thursday Would of ans last night but it was 11:30 oclock when Sis and I got from town.
From yours always
Johnny
Love you
| MeadowviewVa Miss Elizabeth Taylor Wilkinson West Va Box 173 |
MeadowviewVa
June 6 1929
Dearest One
This lonesome and blue morning will try to drop you a few lines to let you hear from me am well hope you are the same.
Budie you will have to forgive me for not coming home when I said I would I have nearly got me a job now 1 is the A and P Store and the other one driving a truck $4.25 a day and all I knock down. That is about $14 to $20 a week. Besides my $4.25 and you now that it wold pay me to stay a little longer to see whether I will get them or not I am tryin to get a job so when I come out there I can bring you back with me for I can make a better living out here than I can out there and it is a healthy place out here. I have gained 8 pounds since I came out here and you now that you sure could get fat out here.
Sis said to tell you that if I got that job we would come after you Friday week And if I don’t get neary one of them I will be home Sunday for sure If I don’t strike something else I am tryin my best to get a job.
Budie Nemoa said she liked you better than any Aunt she had She wants you to come out here as bad as Sis does.
Budie if you only knowed how lonesome and blue I am you would write to me I cant get no mail from you nor Mother either Guess you all have forgotten me but I haven’t you all I love you as much as I ever did or ever will with all my heart and this is all I can love you isn’t it.
Well it is mail time so will close with a heart full of love for you.
From yours for ever
Johnny
George
Jones
Ans Real Soon
To E. M. Jones
Love to you By By Sweetheart
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So in Love |
Engaged |
Our First Sunday
With marriage the collection of letters cease. Johnny Jones was injured in a mine accident resulting in cancer. He died at the age of 26. In order to support Johnny Goroge Jones junior, Elizabeth used life insurance money to go to Concord college where she eared a teaching degree. She went on to teach for many years in the LoganCountySchool ssytem. Among the schools where she taught were Whitman Creek and Henlawson. Many knew her as Elizabeth Brooks, later Elizabeth Keathely. Elizabeth is deceased but she has one surviving daughter, Gwendolny Brooks Murray.
Buddie if any thing hapins to me keep my pipe and all my things for I want you to have them and adont forgit My New Blue Suit I want to be put away in it.
J. G. Jones
I love you
Until the end.
P.S hope to meet you in the sweet By and By on that great day that is coming Wish I could be with you for ever and ever but I cant So if you love me come and kiss me,
By By J. G. J.
Robert E. McCormack -nephew of Elizabeth Taylor and creator of this document Lhswildcat1968@gmail.com (760) 320-6272 Palm Springs, California