Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Hurt, Evelyn, fl. 1949 Dear Mrs. Williams

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09587.311 Author/Creator: Hurt, Evelyn, fl. 1949 Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 September 1949 Pagination: 3 p. : Height: 22.9 cm, Width: 15.2 cm Order a Copy

Evelyn Hurt begins the letter by stating it is the most difficult one she has ever written, and she is deeply shaken by Eugene Williams' death. She congratulates Cordelia for being the mother of such a great son, saying that Eugene called Cordelia his "sweetheart" and spoke of her often. She says they called Eugene "Flaps" and that everyone loved to be around him. She asks Cordelia to let her know when the services will be, because her and Wesley will come to Roanoke. She finishes by saying that Wesley will be writing as soon as he is emotionally able because the two were "just like brothers," and to take care. She signs off "Sorrowfully yours."

Williams, Cordelia Shelton, 1884-1978
Williams, Eugene W., 1925-1949

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources