American Folklife Center, Library of Congress Alan Lomax Collection (AFC 2004/004) folder 12.02.63 field work Georgia, Florida and Bahamas, 1935 correspondence 30 Gansevoort St New York City, 15 May 1935. Dear Lomaxi, It is a great pity that we three together didn't see Zora Hurston. I finally found her and is she delightful! I have asked her to come on this trip this summer, if that suits you also — thus putting off Kentucky until Xmas. It seemed such a good opportunity for us to have a negress — trained anthropologically, artistic by nature and as hoppity- skippity-crazy-mad as we are about folk song and folk dance. She suggests that we spend some time in the islands off Savannah (She says this place is crammed with negro song and lore — [The Golden Coast of Suale that I was looking for last summer] and then that we go down to Lake Okeechobee in Florida — which place, says she, is likewise very rich, much West Indian material there as well as American negro. In case this plan seems good to you (plural), then it might be best for Alan to meet us, say at Brunswick, Ga. I, of course, must be back in N.Y. at the beg. of August, but Alan + Z.H. might wish to continue gathering material during that month. In that case, I could return to N.Y. from Fla. via Austin in order that I might have the pleasure of seeing Mr. J.A. (if he has returned from the Chisholm Trail by that time) and Mrs. Terrell Lomax and Miss Bess Brown. Miss Hurston thinks we need two cars. If Margaret's old A model can stand the journey, I cd bring that along too. Her idea is that she could be scouting around in one of the cars while we are recording, carrying on meetings, assisting at crabbigs, etc. Could I bring the recording machine in my car or do you want it sent? If we are going to use it and I am not going to Texas until the end of July, would it not be simpler for me to bring it (and have it fitted properly into the rumble seat of my car before I start)? I called up J. Thompson & he says the machine is ready for shipment, but I asked him to hold back a day or two on the shipment until I heard from Mr. J. A. (could he sent me a reply by air-mail or telegraph?) Walt told me that he thought the college wd give me a little money — that I will let you Alan have as soon as I get it. We ought to have a moving picture camera. L. Thompson is going to give me some advice on that head. If I cd get a good one reasonably, I will bring it along. What do you, Alan, say about a m. p. c? I finish teaching this week; exams next week; then we cd start from here the last week in May (provided I can get hold of some of my June salary). If this plan seems good to you, cd Alan comes across on the Old Spanish Trail? I suppose that this particular trip would be too tough on Bess Brown. Could she not come to Kentucky with me at Xmas time — the people there are very gentle and we cd ride horse back over the hills? I hope you think well of these proposals. If you do, will you tell me what to brig? How many records, how much film? Will we need cooking apparatus, mosquito netting, water supply for our trip into Okeechobee? My father died on Friday, 3 May. I saw him for the last time on Monday, four days before his death. He was the gallantest, gayest gentleman that ever lived. I now know what it feels like to be absolutely alone inside. Lying in his coffin, he looked like Ariel — a beautiful creature of light and air and sunshine. Please give my love to Mrs. Terrell Lomax and to Miss Bess Brown — I will be writing to both of them soon — Mrs. Lomax has written me such gracious letters and I ungraciously have not even replied. I hope you explain charitably to her this letter-writing weakness of mine. Much love to you both. I have missed you terribly — the flashing gaiety of Mr. J. A. and the tender understanding of Mr. A. J. Affectionately, [M?]ary Elizabeth B. M. E. Barnicle 30 Gansevoort St. NYC NEW YORK, N. Y. May 15 430 PM 1935 Mr. J. A. and Mr. A. J. Lomax 400 East 34th St Austin, Texas St. Simon isl. Ga July 15 1935 Mr Alan Dear Sir I am sending you these few lines hopeing that it will find you well am doing fine also your friends now I am writing you to let you no that I will be ready to Go With you when Ever you Say So also Sophie the Earleyer you get us the better it will be just natice us because we are willing to cane an more if you wont them So I hope you Darent change your Mind because ours is made up to come when you call. from John Davis Answer back to Sophie Lomon St. Simon isl, Ga. Transcribed and reviewed by volunteers participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.