Though I can claim no relationship, owing to the similarity of our names, I write to you hoping to gain a few lines from you in reply. loc_vm.02463.jpg I am a native Texan, but my father belonged to the Georgia branch of the Whitman family. His name is Mertice J. Whitman1 and for several years he has been practicing law at Rusk, Texas.
Last May, I was appointed a Naval Cadet and since that time I have been in the U. S. Naval Academy.
loc_vm.02464.jpgHoping you will not think me too presumptuous in daring to write to you.
I am, Yours respectfully, Walter B. WhitmanCorrespondent:
Walter B. Whitman
(1872–1953) entered the United States Naval Academy as a cadet in 1889.
His work in newspapers picked up in 1894 when he became editor and part owner of
Rusk's Cherokee Blade, and he spent the rest of his life
moving around Texas, and eventually New York, editing and publishing for several
newspapers ("1915–16 Walter B. Whitman Holland's Magazine," Past Presidents of the Texas Press Association, Online
publication of the Texas Press Association).