She described herself in The Evening Sun* article (Thursday, April 25, 1918) as enjoying "very much venturing and doing my utmost to build up some new business. It is like playing a fascinating game, but when it is in smooth running order and no longer needs pushing I lose my zeal and want to start something else. Money alone doesn't interest me. There is not enough to it. ... all work is tiresome unless we keep very clear before us the great ideal back of all of our undertaking and strive continually to realize it ..."

Baltimore, The Evening Sun, Thursday, April 25, 1918. [1910-1969]

Laura Joy Hawley leaves $10,000 a year job to cook for boys overseas.

Documents

"The Red Cross would like a 'recommendation' from my present employer. My present employer has fired me, so I wonder if you can give me a "to whom it may concern.' There is a young woman in Washington who wants to be a possible for the shop. I have been corresponding with her for several weeks. If you are unable to make this arrangement I might run up there and interview her. I'll be very glad to do that or anything else I can do to simplify things for you."

" In reference to your request, beg to say that I am glad to state to whom it may concern that you have been here at the Inn several years conducting your shop, that you have been in Asheville most of the time for six years, that your standing is of the best and your character beyond question. If there is any specific statement you desire me to make, I would be very glad to have you let me know what it is."

"I am ready anytime this afternoon to go over our stock with you and Miss Lucy and make you a definite proposition or receive one from you. I would however suggest and [?] that we do this tonight instead, where we will not be liable to interruption by customers. If I were not absolutely sure of going to France, I certainly would not sell out a lucrative business which I have built up expecting to be here for many years. I am ready to sell out at once, for there is no doubt whatever of my going very soon." [Card written on both sides. Back pasted to 8" x 10" page.]

In 2003 dollars this income would equal approximately 
1916 :  $47,500                  
1917:   $32,250

My dear Mr. Seely; -

I have given your proposition the most careful consideration.

 It is only very recently that I have realized that you were buying the shop as an accommodation to me, that you feel that I had taken advantage of you in my estimate of the selling qualities of the merchandise now on hand. 

Rather than have you, now, or at any time in the future, feel that I have in any way misrepresented to you the value of stock and fixtures, the value of the training I would give my successors, and the value of the 1918 Spring business, I think it best to carry out my original plan of sailing in May.  I am therefore canceling my reservation on the French Line.

I realize what a great relief this is going to be to you at a time when your hands are very full, and I shall be able to carry out my plans without being under obligation to any one. With the additional financial backing I shall have by that time, my work in France can be much broader and more effective. In case the war is over by Spring there will be vast reconstruction work to do and probably fewer willing to do it. 

It was largely because of my impression that you would like the shop now, rather than May first, that I had decided to sail in November. 

I appreciate fully the spirit in which you have made your proposition and the consideration you have shown me. 

Most sincerely yours, 

 $190.65. For Dress [Gertrude], Dress, blue ; alt [alterations] ; Hat ; Dress ; alt. ; Skirt ; alt. ; Alt. [Louise] ; Material ; alt. ; Coat . Paid in full 10/17/17.

"The lintel low enough 
To keep out pomp & pride. 
The threshold high enough 
To turn deceit aside. 
The doorband strong enough 
From evil to defend. 
This door will open at a touch 
To welcome every friend." 

Hawley's note, "Mr. Seely wanted to know the author of this sentiment. This is all we can ascertain.
  L.J.H."

"Dear Madam, We have your letter and unfortunately do not know who wrote the sentiment on our card 25-998. We were told by a lady that she thought it was one of Henry Van Dykes, but we do not know and regret that we cannot give you any further information. ....E.D. Chase"

"At your earliest convenience I would be glad to talk with you about someone who is interested in leasing the shop next spring. "  Attached to note is a list of references for Miss Girardi: Rev. & Mrs. J.C. Barr, Magazine & Philip Sts., New Orleans, La. ; Dr. Chas. Gelbke, Maison Blanche Bldg, Canal Street, [N.O.]; Mrs. T.J. Flibleman, 1406 General Taylor St., [N.O.] ; Dr. & Mrs. E. Colley, Godchaux Bldg, Canal St., [N.O.]. Note card attached reads: "Miss Girardi, sister of the one now with Miss Hawley, wants to lease the shop. She says she can take care of the finances and Miss Hawley is ready to sell out to her, provided she can lease the shop after the first of May. She and her sister, who is now in the shop, feel sure they can make a success of it. Miss Girardi wants to know this week if possible if you would care to go into the matter with her, as she wants to arrange to go with Miss Hawley to New York early in January. LS [Miss Lucy [Scott?] later Mrs. H.D. Root?, secretary to Seely]

The Hawleys
Make a War Announcement

"We have the pleasure of making public the fact that the entire profits from our shop are devoted to the work of the French organization, Le Bien-Etre du Blesse (well-being of the wounded) which is affiliated with the American Red Cross.

This society pays no salaries, every penny raised going to feed the wounded in the war zone hospitals. Its object is to supply nourishment to men who are so desperately wounded that the ordinary hospital food does not tempt them. The number of men persuaded to eat and thus restored by the delicacies provided by Bien-Etre competes with the number saved by great feats of surgery. Unfortunately at present Bien-Etre can finance these special kitchens in only a limited number of the hospitals. 

If we were giving only a part of our profits to this relief work, it might be thought that we were exploiting the fact in order to stimulate our business, but under the circumstances no one can misunderstand our motives. 

As this has been the most successful year of our business, (last week our sales being almost double those of a year ago) we feel that we are justified in expecting that the profits from this one little shop will save the lives of many French and American soldiers. 

Grove Park Inn Shop

[page 1]

"My Dear Mr. Seely,

Across thousands of miles of land and sea comes today your friendly greeting. It find me very, very dirty and warm, wrestling with a field range which has seen better days. It's rusty chimney wanders in dilatory fashion out the broken window pane and its burned out grate craves wood, wood, wood, regardless of the price of fuel in France. More than that it finds me SLEEPY beyond words.

I knew in America that I might have to work twelve hours on my feet over here in an emergency -- and I wondered if I could do it -- but I have come to consider twelve hours a short day. I am on duty at 6:30 or so and off by eight or nine usually. Ten or fifteen minutes for meals three times a day.

I do not believe my life will be the toll for this work -- but even if it were, it would be no more [page 2] than [our] boys are giving daily. There is a great deal of illness from one cause or another. Fortunately I am too busy to find and enjoy ill health. Of course my work is much more strenuous than the nurses, but it is the one thing I am doing. You see, I am not dividing my interests; every ounce of energy goes into the same thing. 

The work is very worth while and satisfying. As there is no other dietitian over here not permanently attached to a base hospital. There is a great deal for me to do other places just as soon as I can leave here.

The Paris office wants me to go to the front and I am crazy to go, but the work here simply cannot be left at this stage. I believe they have cabled for someone to relieve me, but that is slow & doubtful. A knowledge of French -- a practical, working knowledge is essential, for I have six French women in my 10 X 12 kitchen (and seven soldiers on the porch.)

The RC [Red Cross] seems to want me to do organizing for them in as many hospitals as possible.

[page 3]

I am ridiculously inadequate in every way -- but I am here -- and no one else is. And believe me, Mr. Seely, I am very glad I came, very happy and very well --- only dreadfully tired.

When I first came over I nearly cabled Miss Lucy for some G.P.I. soup recipes, but wrote instead. A month or so ago she wrote she would send them but they have never come. Of course they would have to be altered, but they would be very valuable. Naturally we serve many, many times as many people as G.P.I. so the quantities would not matter.

My work is so interesting I wish I could give you some of the details. St. Nazaire [location of Base Hospital 101] is in my estimation the most interesting place in France, excepting the front. 

I can hardly believe there is such a peaceful spot as G.P.I. --- great green lawns, clipped ivy ---vast cool rooms --- and quietness. Here there is filth and flies --- yellow water and more flies --- flies that crawl and bite and swarm like bees --- but we have wonderful sun sets! 

Very sincerely, 
Joy Hawley
August 14th, 1918

Kaufman & Kaufman 
Ladies Suits
136 W. 22st St., New York City

"Sir, I have to report the end of tremendous adventure! After fifteen months in the A.E. F. I am returning to America an older woman and a younger girl .

I have seen the two extremes -- the tense days of the war, and the carefree ones that followed the armistice; I have held the hands of the dying -- hundreds of them; I have danced with doughboys in khaki -- thousands of them. 

I was very ill in December with pneumonia -- but bobbed up [securely ?] in due season.

And now the work is over, and I am homesick for America, and coming home. I was asked to do Reconstruction work near Reims this summer, but have decided to go home to 504 North Court Street, Rockford, Illinois!!

Give my love to all. Sir, the report is finished. 

Sincerely, 
Laura Joy Hawley 
July second

"I was very much surprised to hear from you by your letter of July 2nd, and I am quite sure you did your part wherever the opportunity presented itself. It must have been a wonderful experience for you. We are all rocking along about as usual, having weathered the war much better than I really had dared to hope we would. I presume America will be rather tame and quiet to you after all the excitement you have gone thru, but it could be worse. Why is your letter so silent on the topic of 'Man'? ....

May 27, 1921. Letter from Laura Joy Hawley, Stevens & Company Manufacturers of Quality Optical Goods, Providence R.I.  to Fred Seely

"Dear Mr. Seely: 

I never was much good as a ship that passed in the night. I always want to know later what has become of the other ship. So I am wondering whether Grove Park Inn is still providing Sanctuary to world-weary folk, whether the Storm still rages of a Sunday night and whether nice girls ride horseback in breeches. 

I have found advertising an interesting and lucrative field. Salesmanship is my forte and advertising is salesmanship on paper. 

We do very peculiar advertising here --- which makes it rather fun. I am enclosing a couple of my booklets. You will see what I mean. 

Kindly remember me to Mrs. Seely and the children. I hear indirectly about them through Elizabeth Moore. 

Sincerely, 
L.J. Hawley
Advertising Manager"

There doesn't seem to be any further doubt about mental telepathy and I am convinced that through the medium of thought you must have had word of my having written you only one day before you wrote your letter, I believe it was. 

Not knowing where you were I sent it to your old home and the enclosed is a copy of it. 

I have looked over the booklets, and if you wrote them and worked them up I must say they are very complimentary to you. 

I repeat the good wishes expressed in my letter of a few days ago, and beg to remain, 

Very sincerely yours, 

"Miss Laura Joy Hawley, Rockford, Ill. 

Dear Miss Hawley: 

We were compelled to ask Miss Girardi to give up the Shop because she had allowed it to deteriorate to such an extent that it was not in keeping with the advancement wer were making at Grove Park Inn. 

Then, tee, we had a request from Madam Moghabghab to let her have it for the busy season, which we did. She had a most successful sale here, although the larger part of her stock was shipped out from Miami. Her sales the first day were over $1,000.00, and there were three in attendance on the shop. 

It is needless to tell you that the Shop, under your proprietorship, was most satisfactory in every way, and I hope was sufficiently profitable to you. Of course, I don't know anything about what you are doing at the present time, or whether you would be inclined to revert to that sort of business again, but in as much as the husband market is rather unsatisfactory at present, in view of the inflated ideas mankind seems to have because of the war, I thought possibly you may be a candidate for a safe retreat until the storm is over and that you would like to know that the Shop is available at $300.00 per month. 

If all of this is presumption on my part I don't know anyone whose judgment I had rather trust to suggest a candidate than yours. 

I am sending this letter to your old home, as I am sure it will reach you by re-mailing. 

Things are rocking along about the same with us. I am sure the place is more beautiful than you can imagine, for nature has done so much with our shrubbery, and all our surroundings. The Homespun Industries has developed into a big thing, and our sales go all over the world. We have made sales this year in Japan, Uruaguay, China, Hawaiian Islands, Cuba, Mexico, Chile, Argenine, Norway, and to some fifteen thousand customers in the United States. 

In fact, the Homespun Industries is far more profitable to me than the hotel. We have sold the sixth suit length to Mrs. George Gould, and we have no end of customers who continue to buy and love Biltmore Homespuns. 

I am sending you herewith a few pieces of some of our most colorful achievements, which would not be so remarkable were they not absolutely fast to sunlight and everything indefinitely. 

I sincerely trust that you have gotten on nicely and that your mother is well and happy.

Miss Lucy and all the old family joins in good wishes, and I beg to remain, 

Very sincerely yours, 

I am sorry to learn that the shop is empty. Advertising is so much broader and more lucrative a field than you specialty shop that I should not be interested in going back. 

Also, I know no one whom I feel that I could advise to take over the handling of the proposition.

I am interested in what you say regarding the homespuns. I have heard about them indirectly from time to time and always in flattering terms. 

Yours very truly, 

L.J. Hawley

"Somehow I find it difficult to express my Christmas Greeting to you. So here are all the letters of the alphabet: .......

and here is some good punctuation: ...

Won't you please use them to wish yourself your Heart's Desire -- and that's my Christmas wish for you."

Laura Joy Hawley 
3149 Newark Street, 
Washington, D.C.

My dear Mr. Seeley [sic],

Miss Hazard [Beaumont Hazzard] has just called me on the phone and I have arranged with her for an interview in Battle Creek, where my address will be 

The International Health Resort

I shall be glad to give Miss Hazard [Beaumont Hazzard] any advice I can. She seemed to feel that there were a number of questions she would like to ask. Naturally she feels more or less helpless and the assistance I can give her will seem to her far greater than it actually is. 

The nature of my work makes my time more or less my own, so I am paying some long overdue visits,  -- among them, Asheville. 

Sincerely, 
Laura Joy Hawley

We have received your letter of the 14th., intended for Mr. Seely's personal attention, and regret to say that he left for Florida Sunday.

We will appreciate anything you can do for Miss Hazzard. We will look forward with much pleasure to seeing you soon. 

Yours truly,

"Dear Miss Hawley, 

Your very good letter of January fourteenth came while I was away.

I returned yesterday, and want to thank you for it as well as to express my appreciation for your kindness to Miss Hazzard. 

You are entirely too modest as to what you were able to do for us and I only hope you will not be long getting to Asheville so we can thank you personally.

Very sincerely yours, 

"Dear Mr. Seely:

I certaqinly am disappointed to learn that you have just left town, for I had looked forward to seeing you. 

I have been in Atlanta since last Spring and am on my way to Washington now to put on a campaign for the American Federation of Art. 

When I was here before I intended to show you the portfolio I had used in connection with an advertising campaign I had just finished, for I believed it would interest you -- from whom I absorbed many of my advertising principles. 

When you have looked it over, won't you please send it to 

Mrs. Wm. Johnston, 
2 Edwin Place

I had expected during the summer to write a note to Miss Hazzard and tell her not to let the summer crowd discourage her -- but I have been frightfully busy. 

Please, if there is ever anything I can do in the way of advice or anything else regarding the Shop -- do not hesitate to get in touch with me. 

Sincerely, 
Laura Joy Hawley

Address: % Robert W. de Forest
#0 Broad Street, New York. 

Dear Miss Hawley: 

I just returned home this afternoon, after an absence of two and one-half weeks and was pleased to find a letter for you, but regret exceedingly that I did not have the pleasure of seeing you. 

I had rather a shock when I started to look thru the portfolio for I had expected it to be about apples, but one of the first photographs in the book made me think it was about Peaches. Any-way, whether it is about Apples or Peaches or Joy it is a fine idea and I must say about as unique as anything I have ever seen. 

It looks to me as if it is original in advertising ideas and I don't wonder you have been so successful in selling the property. 

Ever so many thanks for your kindness in retaining you interest in what we are doing, and I hope you will always come by whenever you can, and make yourself at home. 

Things are running along about as usual, and I believe there is a better day coming. 

We all send love and best wishes, and I beg to remain 

Very sincerely yours, 

I have been intending to write and tell you that I have become a Correspondence Counselor. (notice the big "C"s.)

There is no one I know who needs such service less than you do, but I thought you'd be interested in knowing I was doing it for others,

I do two things for people. I go in in an advisory capacity once a month and train their staff to write good business letters. I also write special sales letters at fifty and one hundred per.

My clients are in Philadelphia and Baltimore largely and they are all new because for two years I have been doing this work for Robert W. de Forest almost exclusively. He is very much prejudiced in my favor and so writes me a corking "reference". 

Today along come Proctor & Schwartz -- a prospective Philadelphia client who is writing R.W. de Forest, but wants several others who have been associated with me at one time or another. 

If anyone knows of my business ability, you do. I don't know whether you know much about my letters. 

But I have taken the liberty of including your name.

Who, by the way, is Walter Hoff Seely, who I see is publisher of Success, who have just written me about writing some letters for them?

I am afraid this letter may trail you to Florida.

Sincerely, 
Joy Hawley

"We would very much like to have an expression of your opinion concerning Miss Laura Joy Hawley, 1757 K. Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 

We are considering the advisability of employing Miss Hawley and she has given us your name as reference. 

Any detailed information you may give us will be very much appreciated. 

Yours very truly, 

"Dear Miss Hawley: 

We have your letter of the 5th, intended for Mr. Seely's personal attention and we regret to advise that he is in Florida with Mrs. Seely and little Fred on a vacation. 

We, of course, will hand him your letter as soon as he returns and we know he will be glad to hear from you. Mr. Walter Hoff Seely is Mr. Seely's brother. 

With best wishes, we are
Yours very truly, 
Grove Park Inn

[Hand-written note at bottom]:

"Gentleman: 

We have your letter of the 6th intended for Mr. Seely's personal attention and we regret to advise that he is out of the City and will not return for several weeks. However, we will be glad to hand him your letter as soon as he returns.

Yours very truly,

"Gentleman:

Regarding Miss Hawley -- would say  you will find her thoroughly alright and quite as able as she may represent herself to [you ?].

Miss Hawley is very capable and I know of nothing that could be said against her. 

Very truly yours,