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

Miniature Photo's from the Naval Academy, Annapolis MD ca 1931

After Jim Moran IV graduated from Dresden High School he went on to the Naval Academy at Annapolis. He did well and would have been successful except he had no ear for French and apparently if you can't pass French you can't stay at the Naval Academy.  Though he flunked French he did go on to become an engineer and had a successful career at Eastman in Kingsport TN.

  

These pictures are part of a souvenir miniature collection that he purchased and sent back home so everyone could see where Jimmie was hanging out.  The photographs are from the Pickering Studio in Annapolis.

Bancroft Hall from Lovers Lane

Seaward Entrance, Bancroft Hall

Armory

Chapel & Colors

Chapel

Dress Parade

Entire Regiment, Dress Parade, June Week

Entrance Bancroft Hall

Glimpse of U.S. Naval Academy

Graduation Exercises, Class 1931

Interior of Bancroft Hall

Interior of Chapel 

Japanese Bell

Liberty Tree St Johns College

Mexican Monument

U.S. Naval Academy from Air

Original Tecumseh Figurehead of U.S.S. Delaware

Polar Expedition Memorial

Resignation of Washington in State House at Annapolis

The purpose of this collection of genuine photographs is purely educational.  In compiling these views, we have endeavored to cover only those points that are of most interest to the visitor.

We hope that in your travels to other cities and historical points, you will continue to purchase these sets; thus, as time goes on, you will have as memoirs a complete collection of photographs of your travels.

If you desire additional sets of this series, or of other cities and points of interest, communicate with the dealer from whom this set was purchased or write--The Process Photo Studios, Troy at 21st Street, Chicago Illinois.  Suggestion: Paste these photographic snap shots and historical facts in your photo album.

The United States Naval Academy Annapolis

Glorious in conception, resplendent in tradition, moulding the character of the future offices of our vigilant fleet, the United States Naval Academy stands as an every pulsating symbol of patriotic splendor.

Situated on historic ground formerly occupied by Fort Severn, on the mile wide Severn river, 25 miles southeast of Baltimore, the Academy is adjacent to Annapolis, the State Capital of Maryland.

The Naval Academy is a complete city in itself, covering 184 acres with 140 buildings, a hospital on a 22 acre ground ant the 855 acre Rifle Range and Dairy Farm at Gambrills, representing a total investment of $28,000,000.  It was founded in 1845 by Secretary of the Navy, George Bancroft, and has a present enrollment of 2000 midshipman.

A complete naval history of our country, with relics of the past as well as equipment for the future, can be visualized on these grounds.  There is the chapel with the crypt of John Paul Jones, "Father of the American Navy."  The several blocks long Bancroft Hall contains Memorial Hall, dedicated to the Navy's heroic dead.  Here Perry's famous battle flag with the words: "Don't give up the ship," is seen overhead.  A well equipped gymnasium and the athletic trophy room are located in Macdonough Hall.

Outside the Santee Basin lies the "Reina Mercedes," captured at Santiago in the Spanish War and on the waters opposite Luce Hall rests the yacht "America," winner of the international America's Cup.

The library and all flags captured by the navy during the last 150 years are housed in Mahan Hall, and in the basement of Maury Hall is a small Naval Museum with Collections pertaining to days of wood and sail.  An interesting exhibit of models of steam engines, airplanes and their motors is placed in Isherwood Hall.

Infantry drills of the midshipmen take place on Worden Field, and on the Heights across Dorsey creek stands the Naval Hospital.  The Tripolis monument, honoring Decatur and Somer, who liberated American vessels from Mediterranean pirate exactions, is worthy of notice, as is Dahlgren Hall where 10,000 visitors assemble for the graduation exercises, and where the famous Farewell Ball of June Week takes place.

At the Naval Academy, ca 1930's

This dashing young man is James Henderson Moran IV.  He was attending the Naval Academy in Annapolis during the 1930's.  He did well except he just couldn't catch on to the French language and in the end he had to resign from the Academy.  Merde.  However, this did not stop him from becoming a successful Engineer at the Eastman Kodak Company in East Tennessee.