Edgar M. Lyda Collection

Folder 1
Personal Papers, 1917-1927

"My dear Mr. Lyda,
     My father J. E. Osborne of Mills River, NC suggested that I write to you in regard to the Burgin family history. 
     As you probably know his mother was a daughter . . .

[lyda0001a]

"[cont.] . . . of Jesse Burgin, son of Major Ben Burgin.  I believe my father said he was also your ancestor. 
     Can you refer me to anyone who has information concerning the Burgins or Brandons?
     I will appreciate very much any suggestion you may have.
          Sincerely yours,
               Lucy Osborne Stelling
               Mrs. C. H. Stelling."

[lyda0001b]

[lyda0002]

[lyda0003a]

[lyda0003b]

[lyda0004]

Clifford, Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Treasury Department, commends the work of Geary, the Superintendent of Construction, in the building of the U.S. Veterans' Hospital in Oteen, NC.

[lyda0005]

Grove confirms remarks of his that were made at the opening of the Battery Park Hotel to the effect that Geary saved $58,510.52 cents on the costs of the building. Grove recommends him as a competent builder.

[lyda0006]

Terry commends Geary for his past work and promises to serve as a future reference.

[lyda0007]

Letter of reference written on behalf of John M. Geary by B. F. Hunt, representing the firm of R. H. Hunt Co., Architects, of Chattanooga, TN.  The letter commends Geary's work as the general contractor in charge of constructing the Central M. E. Church in Asheville, NC.

[lyda0008]

Letter concerns a husband who has disappeared.

[lyda0009a]

[lyda0009b]

[lyda0009c]

[lyda0009d]

[lyda0009e]

[lyda0009f]

Howell is looking for work in Asheville.

[lyda0010a]

[lyda0010b]

[lyda0010c]

"Dear Sir,
     We are holding for collateral to a note  to J. B. Murray, and Mary Murray, your note for $1,250.00 payable to them and due Jan. 5, 1927, together with one year's interest at 6%.
     We presume that this note will be paid promptly at maturity, as the Murray's think it will, . . .

[lyda0011]

"Inez" to Edgar M. Lyda, 1/10/1927 [telegram]

"Listening to Weeping Willow Blues over radio. Snowed. Need coats."

[lyda0012]

Edgar M. Lyda to E. L. Kelly, 1/15/1927

Written to Kelly, a cashier in the Big Horn County Bank of Hardin, MT regarding a note for $1,250.00 made payable to J. D. and Mrs. Mary Murray.  Lyda indicated to have the note drawn against accounts held in the Central Bank and Trust Company of Asheville, NC.

[lyda0013]

Lyda apologizes for the delay in arranging for payment of the note.

[lyda0014]

Postcard to E. M. Lyda, County Commissioner [unsigned], 2/3/1927 [front]

[lyda0015a]

"Dear Sir, I thought I would rite [sic] you a few lines, This leaves us all well and hope it will find you all the same.  I thought I would rite [sic] and ask you if you needed any body [sic] to look after your pasture this year.  I am up here and will look after for you and I want you to send me a ritten [sic] permit so I can fox hunt a little . . . "

[lyda0015b]

Metcalf, who is hospitalized in the French Broad Hospital, Asheville, NC,  has a broken hip and asks for financial help.

[lyda0016a]

[lyda0016b]

Bramlett, Purchasing Agent for the Board of County Commissioners, notifies Metcalf that Lyda is out of town.  Metcalf's response is written in red ink.

[lyda0017a]

[lyda0017b]

[lyda0018]

Bill for $63.50 made out to Edgar M. Lyda, from the Majestic Hotel & Bath House, Hot Springs National Park, AR, 2/6/1927

[lyda0019]

"Mr. Geo. A. Digges, Jr. has sent me this Good Luck Letter and I am sending it to you so as not to break the chain of good luck.  Among others I am sending it to you and ask you, as I have been asked not to break the chain . . . "

[lyda0020a]

[lyda0020b]

[lyda0020c]

[lyda0022]

Proyle, Assistant Editor, The Mayflower Publishing Co., Inc., Lenox Building, Washington, D.C., solicits Lyda for biographical information for entry into Who's Who in the South, 1927.

[lyda0023]

Expresses the regret felt by Lyda upon learning of the death of John Evans' relative, Sol Evans.

[lyda0024]

Acknowledges receipt of a complimentary pass to the theatre for Mrs. Lyda and self.

[lyda0025]

Concerns the return of biographical sketch of E. M. Lyda to publishing company referred to in Proyle's letter of 17 February.

[lyda0026a]

A copy of the biographical information submitted by Lyda for entry into Who's Who in the South.  It includes facts regarding origins, family, personal and professional activities, as well as religious and political affiliations.

[lyda0026b]

Lyda requests a receipt for an enclosed check written to cover auto repairs.

[lyda0027]

Typewritten cover sheet attached by Morriss to a letter of invitation [see below]

[lyda0028a]

Handwritten invitation requesting the attendance of Lyda at the commencement exercises for the Asheville Community Schools to be held on the evening of 28 April.

[lyda0028b]

Lyda explains his failure to settle a bill and encloses a check.

"Gentlemen:
     You failed to send notice this month, hence I overlooked the usual check. You will, however find the check in the amount of $94.41 enclosed herewith."

[lyda0029]

"Dear Mr. Greene:
     Attached is receipted bill from the Detroit Body & Fender Works for $6.00.  If this is to be paid by you personally you may destroy the bill, but if you have insurance you may enclose a check to me for the amount."

[lyda0030]

"Gentlemen:
     We are taking this opportunity to thank you for the efficient service you rendered in the construction of our building.  It is most satisfying that you have returned to us the savings of $8,231.00 under the estimated cost of this building. We are confident that we have received exactly what we anticipated in the construction and less money than we expected to pay for same and feel that we have an unusually good building upon which we have received many compliments.
     You may feel free to refer any persons interested in this, or work of any other nature, to us as we feel they would be fortunate in having you undertake their construction problems."

[lyda0031]

Smith writes to Lyda, claiming kinship, in the hope that Lyda will be able to direct him to work in the construction business.

[lyda0032]

Invoice for steel beams.  Handwritten note at bottom from D. S. Hildebrand, President.

[lyda0033]

"We have to advise that we have this day completed examination of that certain lot, being lot 17 of Ward 2, Sheet 6, and more particularly described in deed from James H. Greenwood to W. A. Murray and wife, Mary Murray, recorded in book 190 on page 143, and find the title of record vested in W. A. Murray and wife, Mary Murray, subject to the following encumbrances, to-wit: . . .

[lyda0034a]

[lyda0034b]

". . . I am quite busy in my work at this time since we are planning the erection of a Court House, a Viaduct at Biltmore, and a Tunnel through Beaucatcher Mountain , so you may guess that my time is pretty well occupied . . ."

[lyda0035]

"Dear Mr. Durham:
     If you remember, some weeks ago when I was in your office you asked me to try to locate a book on the life of Abraham Lincoln by a man named Cathey, who, you thought, one time represented some of these western counties.
     I have been successful in getting a book entitled "The Genesis of Lincoln", by James H. Cathey, of Sylva, N.C., which I am mailing to you under separate cover.
     Trusting you will enjoy the contents of this little book, to which no charges are attached . . ."

[lyda0036]

"My dear Lyda:
     I am certainly much obliged to you for your letter of May 11th and also the book about Abraham Lincoln.
     This is the book that I had in mind and I have reread it again with the greatest pleasure.  Cathey is a brilliant writer and expresses himself well . . ."

[lyda0037]

Lyda writes in reply to Smith's letter of 20 April, to the effect that he knows of no openings in the construction business.

[lyda0038]

Lyda writes to correct the Department of Revenue's error in sending him a vehicle license application renewal blank for a car that he has not owned since 1924.  Lyda requests that the correct renewal blank be mailed to him.

[lyda0039a]

Doughton replies to Lyda's request of 30 May, enclosing the correct vehicle license application.

[lyda0039b]

The incorrect renewal blank referred to by Lyda in his letter to R. A. Doughton, 5/30/1927.

[lyda0039c]

The incorrect renewal blank referred to by Lyda in his letter to R. A. Doughton, 5/30/1927.

[lyda0039d]

Greene, Chairman of the Asheville Municipal Golf Course, presents Lyda with a complimentary season pass.  Greene also encloses an additional pass to the Recreation Park.

[lyda0040a]

An early, handwritten draft of Lyda's reply.

[lyda0040b]

[lyda0040c]

The final draft of Lyda's reply to Greene's letter of 3 June.

[lyda0041]

[lyda0042]