Written by Anna Trammell
Scrapbooks, dance cards, and letters in the Student Life and Culture Archives often reveal tales of love that blossomed on campus. The love story of Louis Wright and Ruth Fisher materializes out of a combination of these items and comes to light through discoveries made by their daughter Nancy Wright Meyer, also a graduate of the University.
When Nancy and her sister Lois began organizing the attic of their parents’ home in Des Plaines, Illinois, they came across extensive correspondence between Louis and Ruth during their courtship. “There was no way we could throw them away… not after being saved for more than sixty-five years. They chronicled a developing friendship, romance, campus life in Champaign-Urbana, life on the farm, life in Des Plaines, teaching at Maine Township High School, job search, and life in general during the mid-1930s,” Nancy wrote in the preface to The Courtship of Louis and Ruth. [1] Nancy transcribed each letter and published this volume as a way to share them with family and friends.
Louis Anton Wright graduated from the University of Illinois in June of 1934. The correspondence begins shortly after as Ruth and Louis spent the summer living in their separate home towns. That fall, Louis and Ruth both returned to campus. Louis pursued his Master’s in Education while Ruth completed her degree in Communications. She graduated in 1935 and began teaching high school while Louis stayed in Champaign-Urbana. Their correspondence illustrates their growing romance during these transitions.
“Glad you haven’t been to any dances since our last one,” Ruth writes in December of 1935 “Maybe I’m selfish but wish you’d save all your dances for me. Hate to think of having anyone else in your arms all evening!” In April of 1936, Louis counts down the days until he will be reunited with Ruth writing, “Monday with her full moon that we both saw is gone. Tuesday with her bright moon is going, and now only three or four more days left to go before you are back in my arms where you belong.”
The letters give us a taste of farm life when, in the summer of 1934, Louis complains “I have six cows to milk, a bunch of hogs to feed, and a myriad (miriad) (neither looks right; I can’t find a dictionary but it means countless number of) (the first probably being correct) of things that are always waiting to be done.” They also illustrate popular cultural trends with Ruth mentioning in August of 1934, “A while ago I saw ‘Tarzan and His Mate’ in the movies. It surely is a great picture as far as production is concerned.” In 1935, she writes “Saw ‘Go Into Your Dance’ with Al Jolsen and Ruby Keller Monday. Ruby is a bigger hit than Jolsen.”
Louis describes his studies at the University by writing, “Still in the old tramping grounds waiting to enroll in the fifth largest university in America as a graduate student tomorrow morning at 8:00 am!” He later mentions, “Went over to Armory from 4-5 this PM to do pistol shooting” and “Went over to the library before the Council got over Friday night and read down in a cubicle of stacks. Came home after the closing hour.”
Numerous dance cards are included in the Louis and Ruth Wright Papers. Ruth writes in the card from the Military Ball of 1935, “Our first military ball is over, but memories of the grand affair will last forever. K. Kyser’s music was grand… gym nicely decorated for the 1250 couples… but being with my handsome 2nd lt. made the eve complete for me!” In the Homecoming 1935 program Louis writes to Ruth, “Music at the rink, music on the radio, music at the dance, music in my heart when I’m with you!” [2]
In Louis’ final letter in the series of correspondence he writes, “There is much for the two of us to do and to live for, and to live for together. May that time not be too long, and may it be fruitful until we are together, loving as we should be.” Ruth and Louis would be married later that year. They lived to the ages of 88 and 89, respectively, and had two daughters, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren at the time of their death. [3] The Louis and Ruth Wright Papers (RS 41/20/185) also include several home films showing scenes of campus life 1934-1935.
[1] Meyer, Nancy Wright. The Courtship of Louis and Ruth: Letters exchanged June 1934 thru August 1936.
[2] Dance programs, Louis and Ruth Wright Papers (RS 41/20/185)
[3] Meyer, Nancy Wright. The Courtship of Louis and Ruth: Letters exchanged June 1934 thru August 1936.
