Alice + Freda Forever: A Murder in Memphis (23 page)

Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 20, 1890

Jim—If I have done or said anything to hurt your feelings please let me know. If not, please return my hair which I sent you, and oblige.

Freda Ward

L
ILLIE
J
OHNSON WRITING AS
“J
ESSIE
J
AMES
”
TO A
M
R
. R
OBINS
(
UNKNOWN RECIPIENT
)

Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 30, 1890

Mr. Robins:

UNKNOWN FRIENDS—As I have heard Freda [Alice Mitchell’s alter ego] speak of you so much, I thought I would write to you. Freda told me you were going to a candy pulling, and I hope you will enjoy yourself. I wish I was there to go with you. I know you will have a fine time. When you are pulling the candy just think of me.

I suppose you would like to have a description of myself as you have never heard of or seen me. I have light hair and blue eyes. I live in St. Louis, near Freda, on West Eighth Street near Charles Avenue. So you said you would exchange photos with Freda. I would like to do the same. Excuse this short letter as this is the first. I will write you a long one next time. Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain,

Yours truly,

JESSIE R. JAMES

P.S.—Please address Miss Jessie James, care general delivery, Memphis, Tenn. Write soon.

F
ROM
A
LICE
M
ITCHELL
(
AS
F
REDA
W
ARD
)
TO
“V
IRG
”
in
C
ARBON
, T
EXAS

Memphis, Tenn., Jan. 11, 1892

Dearest Virg—Your highly appreciated letter was enjoyed and read with much pleasure. I thought you had forgotten me. I waited until December 30 and you didn’t come, so I then went to St. Louis with Jess [Lillie Johnson]. Had just an elegant time. Returned home night before last. Made a complete mash there. He just begged me to elope with him, but I loved some one better. A young man came to see Jess and me last evening and fell in love with my singing. I was real glad to be home with my friends again. Saw a great many pretty boys, but then their charms and sweet smiles are to me as naught when I think of one sweet boy in Texas. I would love to see you just splendid. I am quite fascinated with your letters, and also what is more previous your darling self. I am very sorry to hear of your illness and sincerely hope you will be able to come and see your Freda real soon. Certainly I will forgive you for not writing, as you were so ill. Give your brother my congratulations for me. I hope he has a sweet pretty girl. I hope you won’t get married, dear, until you see me. I love you. I didn’t realize what real love was until you stopped writing, and I looked for you all in vain. Dearest, I love you devotedly. I have one question to ask you, and you must be sure and answer. Would you associate with an actress? I won’t worry you with a long letter, as you are not well. Please write a long letter real soon.

Yours, forever, FREDA

ARCHIVES

Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library. Memphis, Tennessee

Shelby County Archives. Memphis, Tennessee

Tennessee State Library and Archives. Nashville, Tennessee

CITY DIRECTORIES AND GOVERNMENT RECORDS

Memphis Board of Commissioners.
Report of Chief of Police
. Tennessee, 1892.

Dow’s Memphis Directory
. Tennessee, 1892.

R. L. Polk and Co.’s Memphis Directory
. Tennessee, 1892.

Tennessee State Board of Charities.
Report to the General Assembly
. Tennessee, 1896.

Tennessee Western State Hospital for the Insane.
Biennial Reports
. Bolivar, Tennessee, 1890-92, 1892-94, 1896-98.

ILLUSTRATIONS

Pages 8
,
9
,
30
: Memphis and Shelby County Room, Memphis Public Library. Memphis, Tennessee.

Pages 84
,
87
: Shelby Country Archives. Memphis, Tennessee.

PERIODICALS

Atchison Champion
. Kansas, 1892.

Bolivar Bulletin
. Tennessee, 1892-98.

Memphis Appeal Avalanche
. Tennessee, 1892.

Memphis Commercial
. Tennessee, 1892.

Memphis Commercial Appeal.
Tennessee, 1898, 1930.

Memphis Evening Scimitar.
Tennessee, 1892.

Memphis Medical Monthly.
Tennessee, 1892.

Memphis Public Ledger
. Tennessee, 1892.

Memphis Weekly Commercial
. Tennessee, 1892.

Milwaukee Sentinel
. Wisconsin, 1892.

New York Times.
New York, 1892.

New York World
. New York, 1892.

San Francisco Chronicle
. California, 1892.

San Francisco Examiner.
California, 1892.

San Francisco Morning Call.
California, 1892.

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