A Glimpse into Family Life in Florida

 June 2, 2021 0 Likes 174 Views

 

Note:  Below is an excerpt from a personal letter from John Alexander to his wife, Effie, describing life with his sons, Jack (John Alexander, Jr.) and Cecil, during their business trip to Miami.

 

Oct. 18, 1931
Miami  Fla
Sunday AM

 

1870 N. W. 36th St

 

This has been a lively week here. An election will be held here Tuesday, October 20 deciding whether Dade county can have a horse and dog racing or not. Tremendous mass meetings being held every night. We have attended three nights. Wonderful programs consisting of good speaking, music by fine bands and Vaudeville acts in between. (all free).

Jack does most of the cooking. And he is OK. Had splendid cakes for breakfast today….Cabbage and beans soup with meat yesterday. So we are not living on fried foods. I am living mostly on grapefruit, bean soup and oysters. Cecil usually does the dish washing.

Cecil has just gone to Sunday school with some new made friends. Suit freshly cleaned and pressed, hair cut and shoe shine- I am afraid Jack will have to wash dishes.

Finally rented two splendid store buildings (new) at above address Thursday. We have had electric fixtures and plumbing fixtures put in or owner did for us. Just finished here last night. Will have water and electricity Monday . Meantime buying lumber for shelves counters…
C is a real carpenter. He is building us four 2 foot tables.
Both of our stores are 75 feet long. For the present we will use one for manufacturing the other for office and living quarters.
If the race track bill goes through this will be a busy place for at least a year. Building two new tracks at the cost of $5,000,000 Five million. I am very much encouraged at present outlook.
Note:  Also he writes he will be returning home to Jacksonville to check on another business he has there.