2/18/31 Mildred Davis' letter to Mr. [
2504]:
My dear Mr. [
2504]:
Just how are you getting along by this time? I surely wish
I could see you and talk with you. We have missed you so
very much since you left here - the place has not been the
same. And now that little [
758] is gone and nobody left
except the staff and help, it does seem like a changed place
indeed. The [
417]'s took [
758] up to Atlantic City last
Thursday, where Mrs. [
1192] is going to keep him for a while
before taking him on to New York. Mrs. Gay went as nurse.
There have been rumors that the Hospital will close on March
1st. There is to be a meeting in New York on the 26th of
this month, and I guess everything will be decided then.
The doctor [Gena Crews, D.O.] has rented a cottage in which
to continue to practice and the others are also looking for
a place to stay. You see, Mr. and Mrs. Hesson have returned,
and I think Miss Annie and they will stay together. Elsie
[Elsie Swindall, RN] is planning on going back to Birmingham,
from whence she came.
As I have no intention of going back to 'whence I came',
I must be looking around for something to do. I was
wondering, Mr. [
2504], if you could give me a letter
of recommendation to Mr. Menalcus Lankford - that perhaps
he could find something for me to do in Washington, or even
Norfolk - I wouldn't be particular, only, I have thought I
would like to work in Washington for a long time. What I
told you about going there in my last letter was half in
jest, and the other party referred to was Elsie, who also
wants to see it. The person whom you thought (not Texas)
has no bearing whatsoever on the case.
Have been blue as indigo for the past week - feeling very
unnecessary in the scheme of things, and not knowing which
way to turn. Mr. Cayce has enough troubles of his without
bothering with mine, though I am sure he will also recommend
me, as well as Dr. Taylor and Dr. Brown. But I thought, as
you knew Mr. Lankford, and he was such a fine gentleman and
all, that perhaps I could learn of something through him.
If you give me permission to use your name, I'll write to
him myself and refer him to you.
Have missed my little mother so much, and still, I couldn't
be reconciled to going back to O.C. Also, she needs my help,
and I can't afford to be without a position on her account.
You may be sure I'll leave your address with the P.O. as to
your mail. Hope you will hear from the Ingram people soon.
With love to you and Mrs. [...], I am
Sincerely yours,
2/18/31 Mr. [
2504]'s ltr. to EC:
Mr. Edgar Cayce,
115-35th Street,
Virginia Beach,
Va.
My dear Mr. Cayce:
Your good letter received. Also had a nice letter from
Miss Annie. Have not been able to write any for some time
on account of Mrs. [...] and Miss Reid having pretty bad
cases of grippe. They are both still confined to the house
though the doctor seems to think they are out of danger.
I have been very careful trying to avoid it. Have a slight
sore throat which I am gurgling with salt and cream tartar.
I have been hoping to get your reading and fear that you may
be indisposed. Hope by this time Mr. Blumenthal has been
able to soak out some decision which will be definite and
in justice to you regarding the hospital. I have been
thinking of a plan which I think would be workable provided
he would be willing to turn the proposition over as it is.
It is something like this. Have a party of twenty men assume
the obligation of the two pieces of property and underwrite
fifty dollars a month for two years. Pay in the first fifty
and have an account rendered each month as to the needs if
any over and above receipts. This should be cooperative
by having at least five connected with the work being
contributing members. This is simply a rough suggestion
but I really believe something along these lines could be
easily worked out.
I would not mind tackling the Blumenthals showing them why
they should turn loose the proposition though I would not
like to do it if there should be any serious objection.
Please tell Miss Annie I will write to her very shortly.
With very best regards.
Sincerely yours,
2/20/31 Mr. [
2504]'s ltr. to Mildred Davis:
Dear Mildred:
Your letter just received. It is certainly distressing to
learn of the chaotic condition at the hospital. I do trust
that the meeting of the twenty-sixth will result in
arrangements favorable to Mr. Cayce. I wish it were in my
power in some way to aid in the matter. I shall be very
glad indeed to assist you in any way that I can. You
certainly have the privilege of using my name for reference
with Mr. Lankford or any one else that you wish. I inclose
herewith a letter of introduction for Mr. Lankford and one
to Major Clinton L. Wright, postmaster at Norfolk. I am
giving you the letter to Major Wright in order that you may
interview him regarding the procedure to be followed in
taking civil service examination as I really think it would
be almost useless to try to get a position in Washington
unless you had passed the civil service examination. Once
installed under civil service you are permanently fixed.
I think it would be well for you to go to the Y.W.C.A.
on Freemason Street and register for the position you wish.
Should you secure a position in Norfolk the Y.W.C.A. would
be an excellent place to live. In regard to the step tread
covers, Dr. Lydic and myself purchased them. The reason
for the delay in the bill was on account of rubber hall
runners we were negotiating to purchase; the purchase of
which was never consummated.
Please remember me to your mother when you write and to Miss
Swindell. Please let me know how you get along in securing
a position. Mrs. [...] joins in very best regards.
Sincerely yours,
2/20/31 M. [
2504]'s ltr. to M. Lankford:
Honorable Menalcus Lankford
My dear Mr. Lankford:
This will introduce to you Miss Mildred Davis, one of your
ardent supporters. Miss Davis is a very efficient
stenographer, in which capacity she has served the Cayce
Hospital ever since it opened. As the hospital is closing
Miss Davis is very anxious to secure a position and has
requested this letter to you which I take great pleasure in
writing and heartily recommend Miss Davis as being
thoroughly efficient and conscientious.
Very sincerely,
2/20/31 EC's ltr. to Mr. [
2504]:
Mr. [
2504]
..., Virginia
My dear Mr. [
2504]
Yours of recent date has been received. We have been trying
to get in your check readings, but we have had so many each
time that we haven't been able to get to it. However, we
will send it to you as soon as possible.
I have been a little bit "under the weather" myself - work,
worry, and a few other W's on to it, or whatever entitlements
you would like to put to such things - which has broken in
on our regular appointments.
The meeting is called now for the 26th. You no doubt
noticed in the paper the intimation from the lawyer that
the hospital would close on the first. I have a letter
from Mr. Blumenthal, or rather from his office - not signed,
however - but dictated by him, in answer to my insistence
on knowing just why we couldn't take patients in the
hospital, which reads in part "We have held off taking
patients into the hospital until after the meeting". The
lawyer I think outlined to the doctor just the plan you
suggested in your letter. Whether they mean to hold on
to it, to be in control of it or to resign entirely from
the Association, I don't know. I can't even begin to guess
what their proposition is to be, but it would be rather an
expensive thing to have the place closed. It would go wrack
and ruin very soon. I would like to see it go on, but I do
not feel that I can sacrifice a principle, even to see it
kept open - do you?
The university is quite a bit in a turmoil again. Somehow,
there seems to be a wave of censure going backward and
forward. Some days it's Dr. Brown. Other days it's
Mr. Blumenthal. I'm afraid the same thing will come about
the hospital. I hope not.
I trust you are continuing to feel on the improve, and will
be able to ward off the flu. I hope Mrs. [...] and the rest
are much improved.
Of course you are aware that [
758] has left the hospital -
disagreements with the doctor in charge - unpleasantness
from several quarters. Just had a card from Mr. [
417] -
said [
758] stood the trip well, and I do hope he gets along
fine. They are at Atlantic City now.
Assuring you I'll let you hear from me again real soon, I am
Ever the same, [EC:GD]
2/26/31 Mr. [
2504]'s ltr. to EC:
My dear Mr. Cayce:
Your good favor of the twentieth received in due time. I
was uneasy on account of not hearing from you and decided
that you were either ill or so disturbed that you could
not carry on your work. I assume that Blumenthal will
announce today such portions of his long conceived plan for
the hospital that he may deem best for his advantage. I
don't see how he could hope to retain the confidence of
anyone who has served with him in his projects. His methods
of dealing are more cruel than any Roman oppressor. Of
course he would not sign his name in answer to your question
which shows a deep seated ignorant fear which has been
produced by unfair dealing. I implore you to have no further
dealings with him in any way unless it be on a rental
proposition, and that be in the shape of a signed document.
Any further connection with him would only tend to further
destroy your work. Of course he would gladly allow you to
organize a plan along the lines of my suggestion, set the
hospital to going good and jettison you. I feel very sorry
for Dr. Brown for I believe he is conscientious and has tried
to do the right thing. Anything that Blumenthal is connected
with in the future will not have a chance to succeed at
Virginia Beach. If he should continue to hold the hospital
property I would erase my name from the walls and let it be
well known that you are in no way connected with it. I
firmly believe that after you have shaken the dust of
Blumentalism from your feet the Lord will direct you in the
way that you should go. Please advise me as to what happened
on the 26th as near as you can.
My general condition is a little better than last week. I
am sure I had a slight attack of flu which saps nearly every
bit of the strength away that I had. But for the fact that
Mrs. [...] and the others here are so very careful of me I
would have been very much worse off. I still get from the
bed to the chair with considerable assistance. My appetite
is fairly good. Sleep only fairly well. Illuminations are
remarkably good under the circumstances. Am still taking
your tonic and milk of magnesia. Last week for three days
I took three drops twice a day of Lugol's solution of iodine.
This is because I am missing the seafood and did not get ice
to take the battery. I am still taking the kerosene rubs,
oil packs and galvanic battery. When it is thoroughly
convenient I shall much appreciate a check reading. Please
remember me to the friends.
Very sincerely yours,
3/09/31 EC's ltr. to Mr. [
2504]:
My dear Mr. [
2504]
I haven't answered your good letter of sometime ago, neither
have we sent you any information from the reading. It has
been first one thing, then another. Please don't get the
idea that we are neglecting you, or forgetting you. A couple
of times we have tried to get the reading, but it was cut off
before we got to yours. We hope to include it with two or
three that we have this afternoon, and will mail it on to
you at once.
No doubt you have seen from the papers that at the meeting
Mr. Blumenthal decided to withdraw his support from the work.
I really believe the truth of the position is that they just
went so fast last fall that they got themselves into the
place where they didn't know how to get out. They either had
to resign from the Association board or return the property
back to the Association, and they couldn't see the thing run
on without their controlling same. You see, the law would
forbid them renting from themselves, and of course they don't
want to see anyone else do it - unless they are controlling
it. They have put some caretakers in charge. I hope it
will be taken care of, and whatever use or purpose they see
fit to use it, I hope it will not be to their own detriment -
though I feel much and fear often on that score.
Now, just what course for myself to pursue, I hardly know.
I think that very soon we will have another organization.
Would you care to be one of those that would apply for a
charter for the conducting of the work?
How are you feeling yourself? How are you getting along?
My father was taken suddenly ill the other day. We were
quite uneasy about him for several hours. I believe it was
a hemorrhage from the bladder or kidneys. He had a very
severe chill. Now he is up again and feeling pretty good.
All the rest of the family are fairly well.
Nothing particularly new in the way of developments. We
haven't set a time for a call meeting, but I hope to have it
in the next two weeks. So let me hear whether we are to
include you on that list or not, when application for charter
is made.
Saw Mr. [
417] when I was in New York. [
758] is getting along
nicely. Miss [
543] is figuring on coming back to th beach as
soon as Sister and Mrs. [
340] get located in some place.
Several others also want to come back. Dr. Crews has gotten
an office here, and will possibly be here for the season
anyway. Just what will be the program, of course cannot be
developed until we have the meeting.
With kindest personal regards and love to you and Mrs. [...],
I am
Ever the same,
3/09/31 See
2504-21.
Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation