Thomas Beardsworth wrote to Ada's father, T. Marion Bantz requesting his permission to marry Ada.

Correspondence includes W. D. Sydnor.

There are condolence letters to Ada regarding her mother's death.

A letter dated January 3, 1932 from Ada's friend Etta, who mentioned how she was "crazy about my telephone."

Lavinia Beardsworth Pryor wrote about the hard times in 1912 but praised President Wilson. "We are certainly in troublesome times as I wrote Mother we are very fortunate in having such a safe man as Wilson in as President."

Includes letters from Will Wood.

Letters are mostly from Tom's mother to Tom and Ada Beardsworth.

Correspondence includes R. A. Evans, Southern Manufacturers Club; [Carl Fischer Co.]; J. Madison Spurr, Secretary, Union Cornet Band; J. M. Steffey, Cliffwood Concert Band; P. Duval, Virginia Female Institute; L. S. Evans, Stonewall Brigade; Fred R. Klicker to play clarinet for his band; Rohlfing Sons Music Company; W. H. Joyce; Ellen Carpenter, Clifton Forge School of Music & Expression.

Correspondence from Shenandoah Collegiate Institute & School of Music; letters from boys and parents; Muskogee Real Estate Corporation; Invitation to commencement at Lafayette College; Claude A. Gette; F. B. Spiker, The Bingham School Department of Music; Danguard Player Action School.

Correspondence includes Mrs. C. R. Dunn who mentioned that Tom had resigned from the Virginia School of the Deaf and Blind; Red Triangle Association; Camp Lee; Harry Von Tilzer; Standard Pneumatic Action Company; Letters from parents about boy's tuition.

Includes notes from class on Technical Work in Ear Training for the Piano; and correspondence from H. Richardson, Stuart Hall; Frank R. Caputo, Director of Music, Shenandoah Valley Academy; R. T. Hall, Superintendent Staunton Military Academy; Gibson Morrisey, Contest Chairman, The West Virginia Federation of Music Clubs.

Included is a piece of Tom's hair and correspondence from Ada Bantz to Tom Beardswoth about her Aunt Lou dying. Tom mentioned a position he was considering at the Virginia Military Institute.

Tom was teaching music for the summer at Rockbridge Alum Springs. He wrote to Ada that there was no one like her. He also wrote about playing golf and bicycling "wheeling."

Ada wrote about Lavinia breaking up her engagement and she mentioned that Lavinia's fiancé went off to fight in Cuba [July 22, 1898 in the Spanish-American War].

Ada mentioned Dr. Hunter Holmes McGuire and treatment for her eyes as well as her trip to Atlantic City. She wrote about their friend, Paul Hall, who was infatuated with her and criticized him for wanting to fly off to Cuba. She also mentioned a flood in Winchester.

Correspondence is about daily events and friends, including William Powell. She mentioned that scarlet fever had broken out at Capon Springs.

Correspondence about Tom planning to take instruction for violin under Professor Van Hulsteyn at the Peabody Institute. Poetry enclosed.

Ada traveled to Mercersburg for Nan and Harry Kreb's wedding. Tom wished that they could be married and wrote that the waiting was very hard. Ada wrote that life was not worth living without Tom.

Ada wrote that she was miserable and lost without Tom. She also wrote about William Powell, Frank Joliffe, Warren Rice and Mame Shriner. Ada also met with J. Madison Spurr to persuade him to return to the band, but he had to remain home to take care of his wife. Tom hired a sixteen year old cornet player named Nelson Kratz to replace Mr. Spurr. Ada wanted to know if he was good looking!

Tom wrote that he missed Ada so much he might break the steels on her corset if she were with him. Ada wrote that she wished he could find her a governess position so she could make some money.

Ada wrote that her eyes hurt and that he was the "dearest, truest, best and noblest man on earth."

Ada mentioned working at [her father's] store and that in years to come their letters would stand as a diary and tell about old times. She also professed her love to Tom.

Ada wrote from her trip to New York and about William Powell. Tom went to Alum Springs, Buena Vista and Winchester. Ada mentioned that Mr. Charles Broadway Rouss was coming for a visit with her father. She ordered Tom to make up a "yarn" to get out of playing in J. Madison Spurr's band because she didn't think it good enough for him.

Tom was in a parade with the F. Fire Company and [Union boys] and Ada and her mother felt that he looked too "pure" for the Company. Ada spent Christmas in Baltimore shopping and visited her friends. Tom wrote that he thought that his prospects in Staunton were very good.

Tom wrote that the band had a meeting and an election of officers and appointed Tom as the Assistant Director of the Stonewall Brigade Band and Mr. Joseph M. Brereton as Director. He met with the Principal of the Mary Baldwin Seminary. Tom wrote that he would be directing the band when Brereton was away.

Ada discusses why they could not get married yet. Tom wrote that the people in Staunton were much better educated in music than in Winchester. Tom planned to meet with the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind He praised Brereton as being better than Mr. Spurr. Boer War mentioned.

There are news clippings about The Commonwealth Club of Richmond presenting The Stonewall Brigade Band with a banner and an announcement that Professor Beardsworth would assist in the music for the Ladies Auxillary at the Y.M.C. A. Tom described his busy schedule. He also sent her a program for one of their performances. He told her that he thought that his chances at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind were good. He met with three music teachers at the Mary Baldwin Seminary, Professors Aymn, Eisenburg and Ide. Ada wrote more about the Boer War. She also wrote about her father's bad moods burdening her mother.

Ada wrote to wish Tom luck on his minstrel concert and he responded that it was "the best one that he ever had." She mentioned that the Charles Broadway Rouss Fund Club were having a meeting at her house. Tom wrote that after the minstrel show there was a parade and party at the Elks Lodge of Charlottesville until two o'clock in the morning. Ada also wrote about their friend, Paul Hall, and his love life and career.

Tom wrote that the band was going to Atlantic City in July with the Elks; Louisville, Kentucky in May; and Washington D. C. with the Knights Templar; the University of Virginia for Easter; and Lynchburg. He also wrote that Professor Ide helped him with the music for the story of the reformation. Ada encouraged Tom to be the leader for the Stonewall Orchestra. Tom mentioned that a friend was getting an "absolute" divorce where one does not have to pay alimony.

Tom sent in his application to the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind. Ada wrote him that she had almost made up her mind to marry him as soon as he made a "little headway" financially. Tom wrote that he was ecstatic and that they were both twenty-five with their best years being spent in loneliness. He said that he would give up his music for her so that he could get a better job, but she wrote him that she would not mind at all having to work.

Tom wrote to Ada explaining that the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind did not pay as much as she seemed to think. With classes and the band Tom made thirty dollars per month including board and washing. Ada wanted to find someone to sell her art work for her. She also mentioned that Dick Byrd [Richard Evelyn Byrd] joined the Virginia Club.

Tom wrote that he lost over a hundred dollars in stock and was very upset about it. He did not get the position at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind because they reelected the person that resigned. Tom also mentioned that Mr. King was the secretary at the Mary Baldwin Seminary, and Mr. Webb was the principle music teacher at Miss Duvals. Ada wrote she would be interested in earning money as a personal companion.

Ada asked Tom's advice on what to tell Paul Hall about their engagement and their desire to keep it secret. Tom wrote that he didn't understand why they couldn't get married and that he would come to get her as soon as she consented. He told her how much he missed her, even making sexual reference to his physical desire for her. He also wrote about his concern about the "B & Loan." [Baltimore Building and Loan Associates] He enclosed a program for his concert at the Mary Baldwin Seminary. Ada wrote about how the house was a little more peaceful since her Uncle Julius was away in Baltimore.

Tom directed a concert at the University of Virginia and attended a University of Virginia baseball game against Yale. Tom tried to obtain advice from Doug Fuller regarding the stock of the Baltimore Building and Loan Associates. There is a printed letter to the shareholders explaining what had happened with the company. He also made explicit references regarding some of Ada's physical attributes and requested that Ada burn that part of his letter.

Ada wrote to Tom reassuring him that his concert would be a success and that it would be good for him to stop by Buena Vista and see his mother who had not been well. She also advised Tom that he should tell his brother John to be sure and stretch as that would make him taller. Tom wrote that he attended the Virginia Female Institute recital and also the Mary Baldwin Seminary performance. There are programs for each of these events.

Tom travelled to Lexington, Clifton Forge, Lynchburg, Buena Vista and Richmond, Virginia giving concerts and visiting his family. He wrote that he was busy writing music for marches such as "Old Kentucky Home, ""Bonnie Blue Flag, " and "Maryland. "

Ada wrote about the Mason's parade and enclosed the program. She mentioned news about various friends and acquaintances including information about how someone was wearing a new style of underwear that absorbed all moisture. She told Tom that it cost eight dollars for "a set of these drawers." In addition to his music, Tom also sold pictures as a photographer.

Ada received a letter from Paul Hall inviting her to Washington D. C. Tom wrote about his trip to Louisville Kentucky and after his concert, the town people gave him a key to the city. He also told her that he was performing with a [Charlottesville] Band on the Lawn of the University of Virginia the following week. Ada wrote about her intense desire to be independent and earn her own living.

Ada feared that the summer would be the hardest yet for them to be apart. She complained that no one in the house cared for her and that she was more lonesome every day. Tom met Ada in Winchester for a dance which they both enjoyed. Ada promised that she would marry Tom that year. Tom met Mr. Paul Bowles from the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind and was given encouragement that they would have a place for him next year. Ada wrote that she saw Will Glass but did not really care one way or the other if he was cordial or not.

Tom gave a concert in Clifton Forge, Virginia and had a great time bicycle riding, playing cards (whist) and picnicking with beer, whiskey, cigars, lemon ice, and cake. His band played songs like "Home Sweet Home " and "Sunrise. " Tom also gave several concerts in Atlantic City. Ada severely reprimanded Tom for playing whist on Sunday in Clifton Forge and for drinking in Atlantic City.

Tom's mother visited Ada and her mother and the three of them became very good friends. Ada apologized for accusing him of drinking too much. Tom wrote about his photographs and his plans for setting up a dark room to develop his own pictures. Ada worried that Tom's father might move to Staunton and harm Tom's reputation. Ada wrote that William [Powell] visited her with his class pin and cap.

Ada wrote that Thomas Jefferson Manning had been sick all summer. Tom wrote about buying a camera and supplies for developing his own pictures. Ada wanted Tom to come to Winchester for the summer and tried to entice him with descriptions of her in full "undress."

Tom wrote that he was waiting to hear more details about the position at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind from Mr. Paul Bowles.

Ada wrote to Tom at the White Sulphur Springs at the Greenbrier about how hateful her father was to her mother. She also mentioned that Mame Shriner was going to visit her mother. Tom wrote that he missed her and made explicit references about his desires for her. They also mentioned some photographs that Tom took of Ada which he burned because they were afraid someone might see them.

Tom wrote that he received a position with the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind. Ada mentioned that her father was hateful and drunk. Ada asked Tom who he would vote for and he responded that he would support Bryan [William Jennings Bryan, Democratic candidate for the presidential election].

Ada wrote about Richard Beardsworth giving her father two weeks notice if he was going to leave the store and take another job. She also wrote that Paul Hall was sick with malaria. Tom wrote about furnishing his room and about teaching the blind students using point music.

Tom wrote that keeping eight pianos in shape was very time consuming and he was very grateful for the work. He also mentioned that he was getting along very well with the blind boys and girls. He praised them saying that they were as good as any other mandolin and guitar clubs that he had.

Ada and Tom wrote about the election of President William McKinley. Tom also wrote that the best claret could be found at the Monticello Claret for thirty five cents a quart. Tom wrote explicitly about his desire for Ada. He also wrote about how they both longed to have a little boy after they married and how eating too many sweets while pregnant could cause the baby to be a girl. There are also some braille music cards enclosed.

Tom wrote to Ada that it would be nice to be married for awhile before having children but that they could not consider birth control unless it was safe. Ada wrote that Thomas Manning was very ill with typhoid fever. She also wrote that he would not recognize Winchester with all of its new storefronts and a new City Hall. Tom went to a school dance where girls were doing the "jig" and the "cakewalk." Tom wrote that he was still learning the point system and there is a braille music card included with his correspondence.

Tom wrote that he didn't understand why Ada would not marry him yet, and she responded that they would marry when everything was right. The Board of the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind gave Tom a raise of fifty-four dollars per month. Ada was making dolls and selling them at the drugstore. Tom gave a performance at the Asylum for the Insane and at the Opera House. Tom wrote about wanting to see her when she was "washing" and inquired about her wanting him.

Ada wrote to Tom encouraging him to help his brother John save his money to get a better education. Ada was concerned that Tom's mother was doing all of Lavinia's sewing and that it was affecting her health. Tom mentioned that a factory in Staunton burned causing many people to be out of work. Ada's mother fell during Christmas and sprained her ankle.

Ada wrote that she was taking care of both of her parents, her mother for her ankle and her father's complaints. Tom's brother, Richard, stopped working for the Bantz's store and moved out of their house so that he could learn a new job. Ada wanted to obtain a good position in Washington D. C.

Ada took care of her mother's ankle and her father had the grippe. Her cat named Mark Hanna [after the wealthy industrialist Mark Hanna] died. Tom taught classes for Professor Ide at the Mary Baldwin Seminary because the professor became ill. Tom lent his brother William "Willie" one hundred and fifty dollars so that he could go into business for himself.

Tom mentioned Professor Minor at the Mary Baldwin Seminary. He also wrote that Professor Ide died of cancer. She encouraged Tom to ask Mr. Bowles about Professor Ide's position.

Ada told Tom to deposit his money in the bank and not give it to his brother, Willie. Tom reassured her that his family was not imposing on him. He was giving ninety lessons per week and attending band practice twice a week. He sent Ada a program for his students' recital with their names underlined by him.

Ada travelled to Washington D. C. for her birthday, to see the presidential inauguration of William McKinley and to visit with the Halls and Mr. Rouss. Ada wrote that she went out to dinner with a famous photographer of the time, Barnett Mcfee Clinedinst. She was also still trying to find a job at the Post Office. Tom wrote about his strong physical desires for her.

Tom mentioned playing benefit concerts for the Y.M.C.A. He also described his friend, Mr. Minor as a young lawyer, a member of his Bible class and the son of a teacher at the Virginia Female Institute. Ada wrote about her typewriting class and an exam for the Post Office.

Ada explained to him that she wanted to be able to earn money for herself so that she could buy things and that her father was delighted that she was trying to get a position. Ada wrote that she would still love Tom if he did not get his position for next winter. Included in the correspondence are programs for Carpenter's "Quo Vadis " at the Staunton Opera House and Mr. Carr's recital of Popular Classical Songs.

Ada wrote to Tom about how strongly she wanted to obtain a position but did not want to write her reasons on paper She received a letter from General Thomas L. Rosser who was helping her to obtain a position with the Post Office in Washington D. C. for seventy five dollars per month. She mentioned wanting to see the performances of Joseph Jefferson and the Maurice [Glian] Opera Company in New York and not having enough money to attend. She also enclosed a lock of her hair from when she was five years old. On a personal note she wrote to Tom, "Your pretties are all the same and waiting for you to love them a lot. Heaven knows they want it bad enough." Tom wrote that he voted for the [1902 Constitutional Convention of Virginia] represented by [Julian Minor] Quarles and [Allen Caperton] Braxton which imposed barriers for African Americans to vote. There is also a music program for the West Augusta Guards.

Ada went to visit the Hall family in Brooklyn, New York and was so busy going to plays and seeing friends that she did not write Tom very much. Tom pled with Ada to write more and threatened to go to New York to make sure everything was alright. Ada decided to stay in New York and take shorthand classes. Tom wrote that he had an Alumni meeting at Mary Baldwin Seminary.

Tom received a promotion at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind and went to New York to visit Ada. He also had lunch with Walter Damrosch. Tom felt that he was taking second place to Ada since she stayed in New York.

Tom went to Buffalo, New York with the Stonewall Brigade Band for the [Pan American Exposition in August where President William McKinley was later assassinated on September 6 but the letters do not mention this incident]. Ada returned to Winchester and wrote about Blanche and Richard Ross visiting her. Tom wrote about the [Entre Nous] Club which was composed of the nicest young people in town. He also wished that he and Ada could be together "for always."

Ada wrote that she did not care for Paul Hall and that she wanted to marry Tom but could not yet come to Staunton to be with him because his position as a teacher would not allow his reputation to be questioned. Ada went back to New York to take classes. Ada wrote that he must not make himself ill for not having her.

Ada wrote that she would give Tom an answer before the end of the next summer. She also mentioned that the windows of Macy's store were a moving panorama.

Ada wrote to Tom about his father's death. She also wrote about her visits with her friend, George Schoenfelt but did not tell Tom that George was in love with her. George collected money for an insurance company and took her with him on his drives to collect the money. Ada wrote that she would marry Tom later in the year. Tom wrote that he was sorry that she would have to work after they were married but she responded that she wanted to work. He was delighted that he could tell his mother about their plans to marry.

Tom mentioned the St. Louis Exposition.

Tom mentioned the St. Louis Exposition.

Tom bought a house for him and Ada in Staunton for twenty five hundred dollars. Tom wanted to write to Ada's father about marrying her. Ada wrote that her family didn't have any money to give him when they would marry. She did not want Tom to write to her father until she went to Baltimore because she expected that he "will raise the roof." She also wrote that he was taking a burden by getting married and that he did not realize all of the expenses that it would incur.

Ada wrote that Water Street and Main Street in Winchester were still flooded. She also mentioned a public hanging. Tom wrote that the mandolin club played at the Asylum for the Insane. Tom also wrote that the Institute for the Deaf and Blind would vote on the teachers for the next two years.

Tom wrote that he heard the Honorable H. St. George Tucker address the Dunsmore Business College while his band played for them. The Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind offered Tom his same position with an increase of one hundred dollars per month. Ada wrote about her neuralgia and her eyes and mentioned that she would have Dr. Hunter McGuire look at them. She also wrote that Charles Broadway Rouss died.

Ada wrote that her favorite aunt, Helen died of an angina pectoris. She also wrote that Tom's sister Lavinia was going to Buena Vista to see Tom's mother and would cause Tom's mother too much work with all of her sewing. Ada wrote that the streets in Winchester were still flooded. Tom enclosed a program from the Virginia School of the Deaf and Blind recital.

Ada wrote that they must wait to marry until August because she did not have any money and it was not wise to marry until he had more headway financially. She also instructed him to not take anything from his mother, as Ada did not want to be dependent on anyone. Tom wrote about playing "Down in Dixie " for the West Augusta Guards at the opera house. He also wrote that she should find a "coloured girl about 14 or near" that she could train to be her servant and maid.

Ada mentioned spending time with her friend George Shoenfelt, painting her room, and looking forward to living with Tom in Staunton.

Ada wrote about their wedding plans and cautioned Tom not to work too hard.

Tom went to Capon Springs to teach music for the summer. Tom wrote about his neighbor Mrs. Jaffe who was helping him to find a cook and set up housekeeping.

Ada wrote about her wedding dress of crepe de chine, wedding rings and a trunk from her father. Tom wrote about wedding invitations to give to Mr. Bantz.

Ada was worried about leaving her mother alone and wanted Tom to let her visit her mother often. Ada would stay with her mother for long periods of time and Tom was lonesome.

Tom wrote to Ada when she was visiting her parents in Winchester.

Ada visited her mother often because Mrs. Bantz was not well. Ada wrote to Tom that it was a "sin" that he had to work so much. She also mentioned their housekeeper, Mary Jackson.

Ada and Tom wrote about housekeeping while Ada was in Winchester.

Tom wrote her that he was so glad that she had been happy in their first year of marriage and he appreciated her telling him so. Ada wrote that her mother was having heart problems.

Tom was lonesome and wondered if something were to happen to him, would anyone find him. He also enclosed a music program for his twenty-fourth Organ Recital at the Trinity Church in Staunton. Ada wrote that she was sorry she could not be home with him.

Tom wrote that he was teaching at the Virginia Female Institute [Stuart Hall] and if his work remained steady at the Mary Baldwin Seminary he might have to give up working at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind.

Ada wrote that if Tom was not feeling better, she would be coming home.

Tom missed Ada so much when she went to Winchester.

Ada wrote about Holmes Byrd who died from substance abuse and she thought if he had left alcohol and drugs alone he would have been one of the smartest lawyers in Virginia. Tom wrote to Ada about missing her, desiring her physically, and about wanting a child.

Ada wrote about a monument for her mother.

Ada wrote to Tom from Winchester that another Sunday at her father's house would send her to Western State. She felt that she was not needed and wanted to go home to Staunton. Tom was working for the Y.M.C.A.; was the Musical Director of the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind; Director of the Stonewall Brigade Band; and Director of the Staunton Philharmonic Orchestra. Tom wrote about buying a new Ford for seven hundred dollars. On their fifth wedding anniversary Tom wrote about his physical desire for her. There is also mention of a friend who was under the care of Dr. DeJarnette, who directed Western State and was the leading proponent of eugenics.

Ada wrote about her dancing classes and about how Tom's niece Tillie Topping could almost walk. They also wrote about their trips to Atlantic City for vacation.

Tom wrote about hearing the Marine Band play its first concert at the White House. Ada wrote about reports of Negro troops and the question of whether they were in camps or not. Tom was teaching in Capon Springs for the summer. Ada stayed with her father in Winchester during the day. She also wrote that [Allen Caperton] Braxton was telling the people of Winchester how to run a city.

Ada's father died in February 1911. Ada visited the Hall and the Rouss family in New York.

Tom went on vacation in Atlantic City and New York sunbathing, attending shows, and clubs.

Tom was away at summer camp with the Y.M.C.A . from July through August. In December he wrote to Ada while he was in New York on music business.

Tom attended the Danguard Player Action School in New York and taught summer camp at Terra Alta in West Virginia. He received a wire that his mother had passed away.

Tom taught in Camp Terra Alta in West Virginia during the summers; Ada traveled out west to Los Angeles, California, and Colorado.

Tom taught in Camp Terra Alta in West Virginia for the summer.

Tom taught in Camp Terra Alta in West Virginia for the summer.

[Aunt] of William Baker Powell.

There is correspondence from Ada's attorney about real estate.

Roommate of William Glass.

Frank Gillis was a successful and well known playwright who wanted to leave his wife for Ada. She was only interested in his friendship and his contacts.

William Glass dated Ada in high school and wrote to her while he attended the University of Virginia. His letters were about life at the University including drinking, gambling, the Glee Club, a small pox scare, and vaccinations. He also included programs for the University of Virginia Glee Club.

In a letter dated October 30, 1895 William Glass wrote to Ada about the fire at the University of Virginia, how great the faculty was, and how they were able to keep classes going.

There is correspondence about stamping from engravers who were also friends of Ada and her mother.

An 1898 letter refers to "Hurrah for Dewey" and says New Yorkers are supportive but not showing excitement. She imagined there would be more excitement in Washington, D. C.

Frank Joliffe, a friend of Ada's family, who answered her advertisement for a pen pal. He was divorced and was in love with Ada.

Ada's pen pal from Wooster, Massachussetts, Thomas Jefferson Manning wrote about the inauguration of President William McKinley.

General and Mrs. Miles were friends of Mr. and Mrs. Beardsworth and wrote correspondence about their health and their travels.

Includes a letter from John F. Cornish to Miss Alice Young about helping the Suel family; and a letter from attorney John S. Wise to Mrs. John M. Kinney about finding her a position and another letter about her husband's death.

His letters thank Mr. and Mrs. Beardsworth for their kindness and he wrote about being a student at the University of Virginia.

Pen Pal, Thomas Nolan (Editor of the Weekly Sentinel , Racine & Milwaukee, Ws.) wrote to Ada "Every woman here is half a man, and would like to be the other half."

Thomas Nolan wrote to Ada about the differences in social life between the people of the North and the South. The people of the South make "more display in wedding than we do in the North." He also wrote that bicycling for women was "unbecoming" and "immodest."

General Patch was an Assistant Professor of Military Science at the Staunton Military Academy and was a friend of Mr. and Mrs. Beardsworth. He was promoted to a four star general after his death in 1945.

Miss Laura Ranson responds to an advertisement in the newspaper for a pen pal and promised to divulge her real name if the correspondence went well.

Ada wrote to political allies and influential friends asking them to help her obtain a postal position. Correspondents include State Senator John Scott, Senator John W. Daniel, Richard Evelyn Byrd, H. L. Barbour, Charles H. Bellows, General Thomas L. Rosser, S. M. Chiles, George B. Thornfelt, and James Hay. Her friends wrote letters on her behalf but she did not score well on her postal examination.

Correspondents include General Curtis Guild, A. R. Pendleton, Louis E. McComas and George B. Shoenfelt.

Powell wrote to Ada and her mother and thanked them for presents and told them about his toys, dolls, and playing golf. There are also letters from Billy's father about his son's schedule and mentions that he hopes they are not spoiling him.

Powell wrote about dancing the "Boston dip," riding his bicycle, calling himself Ada's partner in wheeling.

Powell mentioned the death of Charles Broadway Rouss (letter dated March 9, 1902) death of Ada's Aunt Helen (March 23, 1902). He also wrote about a new game called ping pong (April 19, 1902) and the Wizard of Oz as an opera (December 29, 1902).

Powell wrote of his concern for Ada's mother, Annie Bantz, "Toodle-Doo" who died in May 1905.

Powell wrote about going to a masquerade party as a French maid, and about his interests in books, movies, tennis, golf, horseback riding, rollerskating, banjo, dances, and plays. He also mentioned going to Amherst College in Massachusetts and a trip to the Jamestown Exposition, his initiation to Psi Upsilon House, and attractive girls at Smith College.

Powell wrote about college life, visits home to Cleveland, trips to Wheeling, West Virginia, and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He also wrote about his best friend from childhood, Leonard Hanna.

Powell wrote about his commencement exercises at Amherst and his advertising job with Sherwin-Williams Paint Company. He mentioned that Ada opened an art shop and the passing of Ada's father, T. Marion Bantz. He published articles for The Spectrum . He also mentioned that the articles in the newspapers were all about World War I. He told Ada that he was thinking of going on the road for the Detroit White Lead Works, a minor company owned by Sherwin-Williams, but he was concerned about the amount of travel and leaving his father alone.

Powell wrote in admiration of Ada's art work and inquired about her sales. He told her that he was writing for home decorating magazines. He had an article accepted by "Surburban Life" for twenty five dollars. He had a pen name or nome de plume called "Jeannette Cort." He tried to visit Ada but was sick in Winchester. He wrote, "Your letter has just come and finds me a sick woman" and wanted Ada to come see him. There is also information about plays that Billy wrote for a sales campaign waged by Sherwin-Williams. It was called "Those Happy Campaign Days" and was performed by the Sherwin-Williams staff.

Billy's father, Dr. Hunter Powell died of heart failure. Billy was promoted to Assistant Advertising Manager and gave motivation talks to the sales staff of Sherwin-Williams. There is a news clipping of Powell speaking at the Dayton Advertising Club. He also wrote articles on home decorating. He mentioned his invention of a new game called, "Going To Market, " similar to "Authors. " [ "Going To Market " exists today but is rare and the invention is loosely and inaccurately attributed to the CEO of Knox Gelatin.] Billy met with Knox Gelatin, Beech-Nut, Eastman's Kodak, Walk-Over Shoe, Libbie Food Company, Proctor and Gamble, and Welch Grape Juice to obtain their cooperation with the game. He wrote many letters describing the progress of his game and offering to sell it to her. Also in one of his letters he wrote about spending the summer with President Garfield's grandson. He wrote more articles for "House and Garden " and "Countryside. " There are also unidentified photographs of cartoon figures of himself and his friends on postcards.

Billy wrote to Ada about his friend, Leonard Hanna, Jr., his trip to Niagara Falls, Ada's trip to Brazil, and attendance at the Yale-Harvard game. He wrote about his work for the Y.M.C.A organizing entertainment committees in various towns while he waited to hear from the Red Cross. He wrote to Ada about war, Camp Lee, red tape with the Draft Board and his eventual sailing to France for his work with the Y.M.C.A. in Paris. Mentions that Ada had taken in boarders.

There is a letter from Billy's Aunt Sophye Baker to Ada telling her that he was in Glasgow and a letter from Elizabeth about him being in London. In 1919 he obtained a position with Sherwin-Williams in their London office, Fuller and Smith. There is a letter from Ada to Billy about how she wished she could obtain a secretary position there. Powell wrote about sailing on board "The Adriatic." He wrote about becoming friends with Lady Duff Gordon who had a cabin next door. He also mentioned Lord and Lady Londonderry, Nora Phipps and Pauline Astor. Also in 1919 he returned to the United States and worked for Vanity Fair Silk Mills in Reading, Pennsylvania where he wrote advertising for them. He said, "love the work and think it is going to grow into a big business someday."

Powell mentioned his friend Sherwin Cottingham who was the son of the owner of Sherwin-Williams. Powell talked about Cottingham's engagement and marriage to English prima donna Maggie Teyte, an English soprano, and a well known opera singer. Billy also told Ada he was sorry to hear about Uncle Julius's death and asked if he left a will. Ada was trying to obtain a secretarial job.

Powell was admitted into St. Luke's hospital in New York for pleurisy and went to Lake Placid to recover. Later he went on a trip to Cairo, Egypt and saw the crowning of King Faroud. His sentiments toward British rule were very positive as he wrote, "I hate to think what would happen here without English guidance."

Ada accompanied her husband to Camp Terra Alta in the summers where he taught music. Powell left Sherwin-Williams for the Tracy-Parry Advertising Company.

Powell gave Ada advice on taking a cruise to Europe. He also recommended that she should experience air travel at least once. Powell began a close friendship with prize fighter, Gene Tunney. He also mentioned his cousin from Virginia, John Powell, the famous pianist, composer, and staunch supporter of eugenics.

There is a news clipping from The New Yorker about how it was first erroneously reported that a boy scout had saved Gene Tunney when he fell on the ice but actually it was 5' 4" Powell who was wearing his camping clothes. Powell mentioned that he was writing for The New Yorker . He also took a cruise with Leonard Hanna, Jr., Gene Tunney, and Sherwin Coltingham to Europe on the "R M S Mauretania." Powell also mentioned the Barcelona Exposition and wanting to accompany Leonard to work in Hollywood. He attended dinners with Claudette Colbert and Ira Claire. He also got commissions for ads or articles for The Graphic and The Bystander . Often Powell would rely on Ada to gather research for him for his articles. Powell also mentioned that families were being hurt and losing so much from the unemployment and depression. He made a reference to prohibition as well.

Powell obtained a job rewriting the radio news each day and reporting it to the passengers on board the "S. S. Rex" of the Italian line. He also had an advertising account with the Grace Line. Powell wrote to Ada about the death of Cornelia Shriner. In 1937 Billy wrote that, "he has never been poorer and needs jobs in the worst way." Powell mentioned the war in his letter dated Sept 28, 1938. He was also writing a couple of articles for the Polish Embassy in connection with the World's Fair in New York. He also mentioned Cole's musical (Cole Porter's "Leave It To Me ").

Powell wrote to Ada asking for information on the best hotels and restaurants in Charlottesville, Virginia for an article that he was writing. He was also asked by the Olympic Games Press Committee to write for them in Helsinki in 1940. He mentioned the "terrible news" on the radio about war starting out in Europe. In February 1941 Ada's husband, Professor Thomas Beardsworth died. Powell travelled to Ireland, England, and the Riviera. He mentioned VE day and the Médaile Militarie given to Winston Churchill. He wrote to Ada that Europe "is not normal yet" and that there was a railroad strike in France.

Powell wrote that he was commissioned by House Beautiful to do a series of articles on what to buy in Copenhagen, Brussels and Paris. He mentioned attending Cole's new show, "Kiss Me, Kate. " He travelled to London and mentioned that London was very gay for Queen Elizabeth's coronation. There is also a napkin that was made by a Russian noble woman in one of his letters.

Warren Rice, a school friend of Ada's wrote to her from Winchester while she was in Frederick, Maryland. He mentioned Will Glass getting into trouble at school and that he did not like their teacher [Lillian].

Romero was a friend of Will Glass and attended the University of Virginia. He was a member of Zeta Psi.

Blanche was worried she was "in trouble" [pregnant?] and didn't want to have another child. She mentioned using carbolic acid for an abortion.

Blanche mentioned the inauguration of President Warren G. Harding. She also wrote about being nostalgic for the "good old days of slavery."

Blanche wrote about the nightmare of the stock market crash and how badly it hurt them. They lost everything and she had to get a job as a nurse. She also mentioned how "dreadful about the Lindbergh baby."

John Scott, a friend or acquaintance of Ada's, wrote to her giving permission to use his name as a reference for Thomas Beardsworth and offering to write a letter to his friend Paul Bowles in support of Professor Beardsworth.

Ella Shields was a close friend of Ada's from Winchester who moved to Baltimore, Maryland and who wrote many letters to Ada and her mother.

George Shoenfelt was madly in love with Ada and tried to convince her to marry him instead of Thomas Beardsworth. Ada corresponded with him frequently and encouraged his affections. She was trying to engage his help to obtain a position for her in the post office.

Mame Shriner wrote to Ada and her mother Muddie about skating, and about boys in her school. There are also letters from her friends Will [Glass] and Emma [sister of William "Billy" Powell].

Mame mentioned the World Fair in Chicago and described her feelings of rebellion against her strict father and related that Ada was in the same situation with her father.

In December of 1900 Mame took the Postal Civil Service Exam and in 1901 Mame explained to Ada the Civil Service procedures for accepting applicants and mentioned her personal interviews with Senator Louis E. McComas from Baltimore Maryland.

Mame wrote about working as a stenographer for Senator Levi Ankeny from Washington State. She also invited Ada and Muddy to the presidential inauguration of Theodore Roosevelt.

1907 Mame was trying to help Ada find work possibly embroidering shirtwaists for the Senator's wife, Mrs. Levi Ankeny. In 1913 Mame married Arthur Johnston who did not have steady work, and borrowed money from Mame. In 1931 Mame described the serious financial troubles of her sister Blanche and the depression. She mentioned the closing of the Central Trust Company's Bank, G. Bryan Pitts of F. H. Smith Company and Emory Coblentz and their indictments of fraud.

There are letters from the Secretary of the University of Virginia R. M. Price to Thomas Beardsworth, leader of the Stonewall Band Brigade (1906) requesting music for the opening of classes.

There are cards and notes from a friend and insurance broker Armistead Webb.

Dr. Williams wrote to Ada as a close friend of her family and as the family doctor.

Correspondents include Madison Wilson, Gilmer Schley, Mrs. George Frances Wilson, Sidney A. Moss, Hattie Wilson, A. Conan Doyle, William [Gibbs] McAdoo (1863-1941), Gerneral Fitz-John Porter. There are also news clippings of Mrs. Wilson's funeral and a program with John Fitzgerald Kennedy's signature. Also included is Robert E. Byrd, Jr's signature.

Programs.

Hand drawn design of a dress and papers doll cut outs.

Includes Deland cabinet maker brochures.

Handwritten letters of recommendation for Ada Bantz Beardsworth from friends.