It’s a mystery decades in the making, the likes of which seem reminiscent of the setting for a saccharine made-for-TV movie. It’s a mystery one East Dallas man is hoping Advocate readers can help solve.
Lakewood Realtor Lee Lamont bought a fixer-upper on Cameron Avenue this summer, with plans to flip the property. Shortly after he began construction, Lamont pulled back the carpet, revealing a weathered envelope on the floor. It had never been opened, and carried a postmark from 1927 in Tulsa, Okla.
The home was built in 1947, meaning someone brought the unopened piece of history there two decades after the letter originally was mailed.
In flowing cursive, the letter was addressed to Mrs. Emma Brown Sanders of Ivanhoe, Texas, care of J.P. Windle from John G. Sanders of Gunter, Texas. A bit of online research showed a John G. Sanders, born “about 1890” is named in the 1940 Texas State Census. His wife is listed as Emma Brown Sanders, born 1903, and their son, John Sanwin Sanders, born 1926. In 1940 they lived in Fannin, Texas, on Lamasco Road, and John Sanders lists his occupation as minister. The local newspaper, the Bonham Daily Favorite, published an obituary on Dec. 11, 1969, for John. G. Sanders that read, “His wife, Mrs. Emma Sanders, preceded him in death June 6, 1969. Survivors include a son, John Sanders of Dallas.”
Lamont continued searching the Cameron Avenue home, and discovered a cache of letters, all sent from 1924 to 1929 between John and Emma Brown Sanders and J. P. Windle, who appears to be Brown Sanders’ father. The letters mostly discuss their work with their church, sprinkled with sweet sentiments of how much they love and miss each other.
“Honey, today is the day for you to come, do hope you will, but if you don’t come today, come when you can,” Emma Brown Sanders wrote to her “dear husband” in an April 2, 1925 letter.
Seemingly Lamont was meant to find these letters, one of which even references his name, “Lee,” when mentioning a church parishioner. He’s hoping to reunite the letters with the Sanders heirs.
“I’m not a history buff, but I’m intrigued to return these letters to the rightful owner,” Lamont says.
Share your knowledge
If you have more information on the Sanders family or the letters found on Cameron Avenue, email Lee Lamont at lee@lamontrealestate.com.
Read the letters here.
