The Elusive Elise D.A

Unidentified young lady,
taken by H.Y. Darnell 
Dyersburg & Ripley TN
Maybe Elise Deberry Arnold?

In a previous blog entry dated Nov 10, 2014, title The "Hoops" Letter from Elise to Brud Moran, January 1898, I talked about an elusive letter writer who signed herself as "Elise D.A." I ended that entry with the hope of someday discovering who Elise had been. 

Today, while looking at an article about the wedding of Ida Moran to William Gilmer Timberlake in the Nov. 27 1902 Memphis Commercial Appeal, the name Elise Arnold of Dyersburg popped out at me. Elise was one of Ida's bridesmaids.  My spidey senses started tingling.  Even though it's been 9 years since I had thought about Elise and her letters, I felt this was the day Elise had revealed herself to me.

The Commercial Appeal June 14 1902 detailed the "Grisham-Gentry Wedding" in which Elise appeared as a bridesmaid again. This bride and groom were Benjamin F. Grisham and Martha Blaine Gentry of Newbern, TN.  Martha Gentry was the daughter of Joseph Collins Gentry and Belle Shumate.  Belle Shumate was an aunt of Virginia Shumate who, in 1911, would marry James H Moran III.  After the death of Virginia's parents, she and her sisters moved to Newbern from Kentucky to live with their uncle Quincy Shumate and his wife Louise McLean.

Elise Deberry Arnold was born Aug 21 1880 in Jackson TN to Dr. Willis Johns Arnold and Susan Rebecca Meriwether. Elise married Henry Adam Klyce in 1904. They had five children: Henry Arnold Klyce, Walter Brigham Klyce, Willis Rice Klyce, John Meriweather Klyce and David Jere Klyce.

Here is another chatty letter from Elise to Brud dated Dec 30 1898.

Dear Brud, Don't I get terribly mixed up about my presents from you? You see the trouble is that as I never hear from you in between times I naturally conclude you have forgotten all about me and tis such a pleasant surprise to find that you haven't. 

The stationary is as dainty and sweet and pretty as it can be and I can't wait to tell you how much I appreciate it.  Please accept my sincere thanks.  I am so glad that you instead of Ide (this would be Ida Moran who married Will Timberlake and is Brud's sister), who sent it because I know she thinks of me often and you--well if it were not for your sweet Christmas remembrance, I might doubt that you ever do.

Every Christmas is always my happiest, and this one is no exception to the rule. We had our house full of company and all enjoyed the fine weather and numerous entertainments we have attended.  D.B. (Dyersburg) has certainly been gay and I have been so naughty.  I danced until four o'clock (Wednesday morning and until two last night.  I mean this morning. Tell Ide I met Mr. Roy Martin Tuesday night. Please don't think I'm so perfectly terrible because that is the first ball I ever went to and I suppose will be my last.  There is another entertainment tonight which I suppose will wind up one holiday amusement (?) anyway for my mother has laid down the law that this is the last week I shall go out more than twice and I'm going to settle down and be good ever afterwards.

I was so sorry I couldn't spend the holidays with Ide, but I'm looking forward to a visit to her soon. I'd rather see her than any  body else on earth and I think its awful we can't be together more.  Why don't you all come to D.B. to live? Wouldn't that be lots of fun? Well I must thank you again for your nice present and say Goodbye.With many wishes for a happy New Year.

Sincerely your friend

Elise D.A.

Dec. 30th 98

Letters to Jim from his little sister Louise, 1932-1933

These letters were written by a young (8-9 year old) Louise Moran to her oldest brother, Jim Moran, who was at the Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland.  She focuses on kittens, puppies, schoolwork, friends and illness. Some of you may recognize a few of the folks she's writing about including Billy Mangum, Ila Ruth Moore, the math teacher Mrs. Pritchett, Dan Smith, and Louise Ferguson. Over the years the address of Moran Place went through some number changes.  Back in the 1930's it was 310 Cedar St. I think it's interesting that in 1932 she signed her full name, Marion Louise Moran, but in 1933 she drops the Marion and is now Louise Moran. 

Dresden Tenn

June 1932

310 Cedar St.

Dear James

I miss you a lot and everyone loves (you), even Bobby.

The kittens are growing and their eyes are blue also pretty.  I named the one like Bobby Dinks and the other one Puff.

I recived your letter this morning and I am glad that your like Annapolis.

We are going over to see Mrs. Holdman to-night.

Mother made some delicious nectar yesterday and I wish that you could have some.

Mr. Brock is working in Milan.

Joan is going to Martin this afternoon for a visit.

The puppies are growing a lot and are cute.

Bubby Brock stepped on a bee and hurt his foot bad.

I am nearly over with whooping.

How are you?
All of us well (over)
I hope that you can understand the boy that you that room with you better now.
Love to you from every one.
Your little sister,
Marion Louise Moran
kiss the . please
.........................

Dresden, Tennessee

June 15 1932

Mr. J.H. Moran

U.S. Naval Academy

Washington DC

Dearest Admiral:

Bobby was just had a fit and she scared Mother and I very much.  We were eating supper yesterday and Mother jumped up in a chair and I did too.

Louise Ferguson and her baby came Sunday at noon, and her baby is very pretty.

Mildred brought your book home yesterday.

Mr. Ellis is better now, night before last Uncle Brud stayed out there all night.

How are Daddy and Harrell, p.s. and you?

Did you see the Commercial Appeal picture? and the Banner one? I thought the one in the C.A. was better than the one in the Banner.

How are You?

Love to all and all

Your little sister

Marion Louise Moran

Dresden Tenn

Jun 10 1933

Dear James, 

I am sorry to hear that you are sick, & hope that you will soon recover.

Again I thank you for the ring which I am crazy about.

Yesterday Billy Mangum, Ila Ruth Moore, James Whartion, Dan Smith, and I were chosen to write a talk on Lindbergh.  As I was first to read mind which I did got everything the others had & more too. James got his from a book in the library, I got my story from your book "We".

To-day we are taking test.  This afternoon Mrs. Pritchett gave us Arithmetic test & she did not ell us anything about it she just took up our papers as she always does.  (We are subtracting fractions)  & counted off "five" five left out an * sign or - sign.  When she read out the grades my face became hot & my hands cold, I shivered & shook until she said "Louise Moran, 100".  Dan made 30 & yet he didn't miss a problem.

I getting sleeping so must close,

Love & Kisses,

Louise Moran

William Minor Lile Letter November 1911

William Minor Lile seated

University of Virginia Law Library

University of Virginia

William Minor Lile was the first Dean at the University of Virginia Law School at Charlottesville, Virginia.  He was the Dean when James H Moran III, class of 1899, attended Law School. 

Lile was born in Alabama in 1859, the son of John A Lile and Louisa C Minor.  He married Maud Carson.  He began his tenure at UVA in 1893.  In addition to being the first Dean of the Law School he is considered the Father of the Law Library.  He was the founder of the Virginia Law Register and helped initiate the Virginia Law Review. He retired in 1932.  At his death in 1935 he was interred at the University of Virginia Cemetery and Columbarium.

Jim Moran must have kept in touch off and on with the Dean after his graduation in 1899.  He thought enough of Lile to tell him of his upcoming marriage to Virginia Shumate in November 1911 and to send him notices regarding his participation in local plays.  

Dean Lile thought enough of Jim to reply.

University of Virginia 

Charlottesville

Department of Law

Office of the Dean

Nov. 11, 1911

My dear Mr. Moran:

I have received the official notice of those delightful plays of yours, which you were kind enough to send me, and I cannot refrain from sending you a brief of congratulation. 

I am not a little gratified that you thought of me in the midst of your happiness.  I had lost sight of you, and have been wondering what had become of you. I hope you will bring your bride Virginia word(?) and give us an opportunity of knowing her, and of renewing acquaintance with you.

Sincerely Yours,

Wm. Lile

J.H.Moran, 99'

E.C.Barksdales Obsession, 1909

I believe this letter was written by Ella C. Hurt, wife of Nathaniel P. Barksdale.  The letter is addressed to "Cousin John", that would be J.W. Moran but I don't know yet how the Barksdale family connects to the Morans.  In the letter Ella seems obsessed about a misplaced grip (luggage).  She mentions Nona and Gene.  Nona is her daughter, Nona Cecile Barksdale, who married Eugene (Gene) Creed Freeman.  She is listed in Chattanooga City Directories as Ella C Barksdale, widow of Nathaniel, from 1903-1911.  She died September 23 1911 in Chattanooga.

Huntingdon Tenn

Nov 22 1909

Dear Cousin John,

I received your letter yesterday and so very much appreciate your kindness in having my grip sent.  Gene had the operator here to telegraph for it Thursday, but they claimed here not to have an answer from Dresden and Friday morning, said it was not here, so as it was not mine I felt a little anxious about it.  I certainly did not attribute the failure of its being put on the train to any fault of yours, but censured the conductor or porter for not attending to his business as he should have.  Had it not been for your kindness, I suspect some of us would have been left standing there, and I fully realized your efforts to help the lady and babies off of the train, then help us on and the train leaving so quickly that you did not have time to get the grip on, but was afraid some one had picked it up by mistake and you not seeing it, would think that it was put on.  I am sure now that my delay in getting it is due to the fault of Agent here or the transfer man in not attending to his business as he should.  If it had been mine, I would have had it checked, but thought twould be less abused to take it with me.

Nona joins me in truest love to you and Harold.  I do hope you will both come to see us before very long.

Affectionately your cousin,

E.C. Barksdale

The Drewry Sisters: Nannie and Florence, July 1919

Nannie Drewry

Came across another chatty letter from Nannie Drewry to Charles Harrell Moran and from her sister Florence Drewry Blakemore as well.

Harrell had always been sickly and had been away at a sanitarium in Battle Creek Michigan also known as a health resort. Which accounts for the reason Nannie didn't know he had been away. Nannie speaks about the sale of ETHERIDGE land.  That would be Emerson ETHERIDGE, an attorney in Dresden and neighbor of the Moran's.  He was also a Tennessee state representative.  George Boyd was a Moran relative and he worked at the Dresden Bank, owned by the Moran family.  Several other Dresdenites are mentioned and perhaps someone will recognize one of their family in this letter.

For more information about Nannie Drewry be sure to visit the blog entry titled Nannie Drewry of Dresden Tennessee


Dresden Tenn
July 27, 1919

Dear Harrel (Everyone spells his name wrong!)

page 1

Of course we didn't know of your where abouts until you were ready to return, but when we discovered you were so far away we missed you awfully and won't be satisifed until you return safely.

back of page 1

Martha is back.  Clem met her at McKenzie and her crowd assembled at the station.  I met her yesterday at Mrs. HILLS, Clem and Mrs MAIDEN spent an evening with us.  Clem says M- has broadened in all lines.  She is very well satisfied with the progress she has made.  She certainly has physically, her face has lost its delicate contour, but she just scintillates energy, youth and health.  Mrs. Charley MEADERS is here with her family, but only for a visit.  Bessie went on to Nashville to join her husband who is back from the war.

page 2

Since the Fourth Dresden hasn't had anything except the big sale of the ETHERIDGE land, it is so beautiful over there, with its bridges and white washed trees.  The spirit of romance seemed always in those hills and it seems we have to thank Messrs. POTTER, MOORE, KILLEBREW, MAIDEN & HOLLADAY for the expression of those hidden beauties.  Every body in Court Circles seems to treat Mr HOLLADAY as they please and it was rich the way he "got in" on the deal, it seemed the other three bid $2300.  Mr. H started to raise it and they had to take him in, the whole place sold for eleven thousand and everyone seems sorry that Mr. H was included in the deal, I am glad.

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page 3

Ella has been very sick, but is out of danger now.  I have just been over there, and George BOYD is getting over his spell slowly, which reminds me of Rolandus LEWIS he married several weeks since, his nurse, he is going to bring her home soon.  I hope you are feeling all right.  We miss you very much, just knowing you are gone makes us lonesome.  Dear Harrel I have nothing to make a letter interesting its such an awful hot spell.  I don't know what I've written but I do hope you are all right and will feel permanently benefitted by your trip.

back of page 3

With love,
Nannie DREWRY







Florence Drewry was married to John W. Blakemore. The Blakemore's were related to the Moran'.s

Letter from Florence Drewry Blakemore:
Dresden July 26th, 1919

Florence Blakemore
side 1

My Dear Harold

We are beginning to get lonesome for a sight of you.  Jim told us a few days ago that you were at "Battle Creek", and we do hope that you are "cool & pleasant".  It has been awfully hot here every since you have been gone.  I am so glad you are at "Battle Creek".  I have always had so much confidence in the "Mayo Brothers".  I hope it will be cooler here when you get home.  We saw Virginia late yesterday evening.  There was an Ice Cream Supper for the Methodist Church and it was so warm that they concluded not to go so they drove home and brought their cream home and Virginia & James brought us over some- such a nice treat.

Florence Blakemore
side 2

Wednesday I was interrupted and could not finish and now might just let this be a note - go with what I hope is a letter from  Nannie & that she has told you all the news.  Our sick people, "George & Ella are both better- & each of them had a serious time and Harold I do hope you will come homewill be strong.  It so lonesome not to see you pass- you have not hurt yourself coming over the past year, but if you come home strong & well, I will forgive that.  Look at and tell us all about Battle Creek.  Nannie says I must stop & go & take her letter.

With best wishes and love, I am sincerely Florence BLAKEMORE