1701 HOUSTON CLUB BUILDING
Despite my earlier misgivings about going to college, I had come to my senses by the end of the war, and like millions of other discharged veterans, I headed to college on the G.I. Bill. Next stop for Barbara and me was New Haven, Connecticut, and Yale University. We were all anxious to get on with our lives, so most of us went through school on a fast track, receiving some credit for military service. It took me just two and a half years to get a bachelor’s degree in economics. In addition to a heavy class load, I was fairly active on campus, including playing first base for the baseball team and serving as team captain my senior year. And last but certainly not least, our first child, George W. Bush, was born July 6, 1946. No wonder there’s no record of any letters I wrote in 1946 or 1947.
This chapter begins with one written in June 1948, right before graduation, to my good friend FitzGerald (Gerry) Bemiss, who lived then (and now) in Richmond, Va. Gerry and I had become great friends in Kennebunkport, where both our families spent their summers. This letter was written on “Hotel Robert E. Lee” stationery, from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where I had traveled with the Yale baseball team.
Fri P.M.
Dear Gerry,
We have a while this afternoon before train time so I shall respond to your interesting letter. I can’t imagine where you ever heard that I was going into the ministry. I have never even thought about the cloth—only a tablecloth or a loincloth. Seriously I would be curious to know where you heard about it.
Right now I am bewildered to say the least. My mind is in a turmoil. I want to do something of value and yet I have to and want to make money—after Georgie goes through 3 squares every day, one’s wallet becomes thin and worn. I have thought of teaching, but right now it seems to me that it would be confining and not challenging enough. Besides teaching would require further study almost immediately, and I am not prepared to study textbooks right now—perhaps later but not now.
So where does that leave me—no cloth, no books, perhaps a briefcase. I could work for Herby Walker2 in St. Louis—GH Walker & Co. investments etc. Some are fascinated, and genuinely so, by such a business. Perhaps I would be. Right now I do not know. It’s not a basic business and yet it is important as long as we are living under a relatively free economic system. I am uncertain—I want to know and understand people, but the people I’d be doing business with in the investment business, I know to some degree now. I am not sure I want to capitalize completely on the benefits I received at birth—that is on the benefits of my social position. Such qualities as industriousness, integrity, etc. which I have or at least hope I have had inculcated into me by my parents, at least to some degree, (I hope) I do want to use, but doing well merely because I have had the opportunity to attend the same debut parties as some of my customers, does not appeal to me.
This may sound frightfully confused. Don’t get me wrong. I am not preaching redistribution of wealth etc.; rather I am saying that I would hate to get caught in what could be a social and somewhat unproductive eddy. Perhaps I shall go with Walkers. If I go I shall work hard and long. Financially it would be fine—good starting pay, and fairly nice sledding ahead; but once again I just don’t know.
Lastly I have this chance to go with Neil Mallon’s3 Dresser Industries—perhaps to Texas. They make equipment for the oil and gas industries. They are basic. Texas would be new and exciting for a while—hard on Bar perhaps—and heavens knows many girls would bitch like blazes about such a proposed move—Bar’s different though, Gerry. She lives quite frankly for Georgie and myself. She is wholly unselfish, beautifully tolerant of my weaknesses and idiosyncrasies, and ready to faithfully follow any course I chose. . . . I haven’t had a chance to make many shrewd moves in my young life, but when I married Bar I hit the proverbial jackpot. Her devotion overcomes me and I must often stop in my mad whirl around college etc. to see if I am considering her at all. . . .
Anyway—the Dresser job at the moment has great appeal. I would be seeing new people, learning something of basic importance. What stands in the way of my flying headlong into it, is first—(I have to see Neil this month in Cleveland about pay and other not so minor details) and secondly the old question of is business what I want?
Well from all the above you can see that I don’t know what I am going to do. Graduation is on Monday—then we go to Kalamazoo Michigan for the college world series in baseball. Down here at W. Salem we have just won the Eastern Championship . . . We were thrilled to win—It was all night baseball quite a change from day, but we played our best ball of the year and came through. . . .
your clerical maybe
but not clergical
friend—
Pop
I accepted the job from Neil Mallon and drove our 1947 Studebaker (a graduation gift from my parents) to Odessa, Texas, to start my career at one of Dresser Industries’ subsidiaries, IDECO (short for the International Derrick and Equipment Company). I started at the very bottom of the corporate ladder, as an equipment clerk. Barbara and George W. joined me as soon as I found us a place to live—a tiny two-room duplex. There was only one bathroom, which we shared with our neighbors: a woman and her daughter, both of whom seemed to make their living by questionable means. Let’s just say they had a lot of male visitors at all hours of the day and mostly night. Many a night they locked us out of the bathroom. Anyway, I wrote Gerry Bemiss:
August 28th
Dear Gerry,
As I sit here writing this letter in our store the wind is whistling around outside and I am seeing my first real powerful West Texas sand storm.
. . . Speaking of Golf—they have a course here. The other day Bar and I were driving by and we saw four players seated on a small jeep-like vehicle with an umbrella raised over it. They were driving between shots, and when they arrived beside one’s ball the player claiming the pellet would climb down, take a shot, and then remount the vehicle. It was so damned hot that they really couldn’t have made it around without this car. We laughed over the looks of the damn thing but had to secretly admire the ingenuity of the gents. The course is beautifully adapted to such a machine, since the only hills on it are those made by cows or ants.
My job is progressing O.K. I am doing nothing which requires any brainwork, but I am learning a bit about the oil business, so far principally the supply end of it. I understand that in a while I shall be going into the fields more to see our equipment in action. I am eagerly awaiting this phase of my training. I have been to the fields on several occasions but not as much as I should like. The store gives one a sound basis though and I certainly have a lot to learn here. In my spare minutes I find plenty of oil journals etc. to look at. It is surprising how much you can learn merely by reading the ads in these papers. You begin to recognize equipment that you have seen lying around the store, and gradually the whole thing takes on some central theme. . . .
You should see Georgie now, nothing like bragging about one’s own kid. He is really cute, I feel. Whenever I come home he greets me and talks a blue streak, sentences disjointed of course but enthusiasm and spirit boundless. He is a real blond and pot-bellied. He tries to say everything and the results are often hilarious. How he would love to be there at K’port. The great thing is that he seems to be very happy wherever he is and he is very good about amusing himself in the small yard we have here. . . .
We miss you Beam—
as ever,
Pop
October 20—Wed.
Dear Mum,
As I wrote you last weekend poor little Googen felt punk, had a fever etc. Well right now he is still sick and not feeling much better. Yesterday we got tired of the old doctor. He told us nothing, took no interest in what we at least thought was a real problem, and generally disturbed me. . . . Mrs. Miller across the street recommended this new doctor and we threw medical etiquette or ethics out the window and called Dr. Thornton. . . . he diagnosed Georgie’s case as inflamed tonsils and a chest congestion. The fever was nothing to worry about and it was quite normal for it to jump around. He gave us a prescription for penicillin pills and also for cod liver oil. We had stopped giving Georgie cod liver oil, foolishly, and he now is in need of it badly—slight case of rickets said frank Dr. Thornton. . . . We gave it to Georgie and he went off to sleep. Three hours or less later he awoke and vomited absolutely everything. He had done same a couple of times during the day. Then all during the nite he vomited. Today his fever was still 104. The doctor came again this time armed with a long needle destined to be shot into Georgie. The doctor felt he should have penicillin and since the pills didn’t work the needle would do it. Well today Georgie stayed in all day long. He hardly moved, just lying in my bed, falling asleep off and on and then listening to his records, played faithfully by Bar. . . .
He has been such a good little fellow in his sickness. When he vomited he looked up pathetically one time and said “Sorry, Mum, sorry”. His little face is bright red and he is so hot to the touch. He just lies in bed next to us and sort of dozes off. Tonight I was playing his records for him, (the girl next door is wonderfully generous with her vic,) He sort of had his eyes half closed and then he looked up at me and said “No man hurt Georgie, No Man!” Referring of course to the needle. . . . He is so wonderful, Mum, so cute and bright. Oh he has his mischievous and naughty spells, but I just can’t picture what we would do without him.
Bar is still not quite up to par. She gets little rest now with Georgie sick, but she is feeling better, and I think the worst of her troubles are over. I think that physically the last few days have been rough on her, and I know that her disappointment over this miscarriage was large. As I told you before we both are sort of hoping that we will have another child before too long. Bar thinks about it a lot, and foolishly worries too much. I don’t like to have her upset. She is something, Mum, the way she never ever complains or even suggests that she would prefer to be elsewhere. She is happy, I know, but anyone would like to be around her own friends, be able to take at least a passing interest in clothes, parties etc. She gets absolutely none of this. It is different for me, I have my job all day long with new things happening, but she is here in this small apt. with people whose interests cannot be at all similar to Bar’s because they have never had any similar experiences. I continue to be amazed at her unselfishness, her ability to get along with absolutely anyone, and her wonderful way with Georgie. She never becomes cross or irritable at him, and never complains in any way about anything that we don’t have, don’t get to enjoy right now. It is one thing for her to be far from her home and friends, but it is still another and greater thing to be able to live happily with people from such different backgrounds. I am so very lucky, Mum; I am grateful and I must always work to make Bar happy. She has made my life full and complete; she has given so much and never asked a [sic] return. How lucky I am! . . .
Monday night I went out for the whole night again. This time I went with Horn and Pewitt our two servicemen up to Jal, New Mexico. They were changing clutches and brakes on the Sabine Drilling Co.’s Clark rig. I worked on the clutch for two hours till midnight and then watched for three hours. I slept in the front seat of the car till 4:45. Then watched, then slept another hour, then headed for home at 6:30, arriving at about 9. . . . These all night trips give me some idea of some of the problems faced on a rig floor. I have seen many techniques etc., but only by staying with a rig for hours on a row can one grasp the overall picture of certain phases of drilling. These night trips poop me out, though, and I shan’t do it too much. . . .
Mum, about Xmas. I don’t get Saturdays off as it is anyway. I work every Saturday except one in three I get the afternoon off. Therefore, saving Saturdays will do no good . . . I just couldn’t ask to get off. None of the other people in the store get anytime off at all Xmas, and I wouldn’t feel right asking. If directed to go, then it would be different. Perhaps between Odessa and our next move they will give us a week. Can we save our Xmas present for such a chance? This we’d love.
We three send our love, and allow as how we’d love to be cruising up the Grove Lane4 drive in our Study, eagerly craning for a glimpse of the boysies, and awaiting the old who-hoo call. We do miss you both so much, and though we don’t know when it’ll be we always plan and talk about our next trip home.
Much Love
Pop
This next series of letters to Gerry Bemiss documents a lot of changes in our life—moves, babies, and unfortunately, a death.
Jan. 11, 1949
Dear Gerry,
Thanks so much for your kind letter. . . . We did have a nice Xmas—very quiet and too far from any family or friends, but nevertheless a happy one. Our “take” was far too large for three people who have so much, but we didn’t let it bother us to the extent of turning anything back. My prize was an electric blanket—a marvelous invention which I love. . . . Georgie was the center of attraction for us of course. This was his first year of understanding and he really was excited. Modesty does not prevent my enclosing a Xmas day snap of Georgie and yours truly taken in front of our tree.
The big excitement now is that Mum and Dad are coming down here in a week or so. Dad is on a Dresser inspection trip and Mum is hitching a ride with him in the company plane. We are counting the days till they get here. We know very few people here and there won’t be any great activity but it will be fun having them here. Dad will only stay a day or two whereas Mum will be with us for 5 or 6 days we are hoping.
. . . The job continues in an interesting fashion, although I am selling or supposed to be, and am frankly very sad at it. I drive around to rigs and small company offices, and so far have sold nothing. In this business to sell you have to be able to supply pipe to your customers. Up till now we haven’t been able to get enough pipe at all. Many of our competitors have their own pipe mills etc., so they get a lot. . . .
This West Texas is a fabulous place, Gerry. Fortunes can be made in the land end of the oil business, and of course can be lost. Commissions paid to land brokers are tremendous, prices asked for proven land are equally as high. If a man could go in and get just a few acres of land which later turned out to be good he would be fixed for life. I might say that the supply business while a bit more stable is not the field to be in if you expect to make some money. . . .
How are you getting along Bemo. How about starting a third party and running for office next election. I have in the back of my mind a desire to be in politics, or at least the desire to do something of service to this country. Think it over and let me know what to run for. . . . In the meantime I shall continue peddling pig iron here in the oil fields and trying to absorb not only facts pertinent to the oil industry, but helpful hints on human nature and life in general. . . .
Yours truly,
Pop
April 3, 1949
Dear Bemo,
. . . Bemiss, I leave here Wednesday for California. We are going to work for Security Engineering Co. out there, another Dresser subsidiary, manufacturers of rock bits, packers, etc. They are a smaller outfit than IDECO, but a good company. I will be in the plant for about five months in Whittier Calif. outside L.A.,5 then home for two weeks I hope, and then back to West Texas somewhere for more field experience. They are moving me a lot, but each is worthwhile, of that I am sure, and the field experience is invaluable. One trip to our Dallas office convinced me of that. At times I wish I had a little responsibility of a little thinking to do, but maybe that will come later. In any case we are excited over the move. We plan to drive our Studebaker out there, and store our furniture here, seeking a furnished place on the coast. . . .
Love to all the family.
Poppy
Oct. 21, ’49
Just a line to let you know we’re still alive. I was sorry to have missed you at K’port, but did have a great time with the Senator and wife.6 What a refreshing feeling to catch that all too fleeting glimpse of them—marvelous really marvelous.
We’re living at the above address, working for Pacific Pumps, a Dresser company, at Huntington Park, Cal. I am a laborer, assemblyman to be exact and a dues paying CIO steelworker. The work is long and at times tedious but the experience is marvelous. Last week we worked 7 days—same this week. This part I don’t like. The union meetings are most interesting. The problems of labor, the basic problems of insecurity lay-offs etc. Economics teach one thing but the welfare of a man and his peace of mind often cannot exist at the right level if the rudiments of economics are strictly adhered to. In other words I feel sorry as hell for men getting laid off, not knowing from one week to the next whether they’ll be at work and yet business cannot survive if labor is considered more than a “cost”. Working in the plant gives one much food for thought.
Bar and GWB are well and the big excitement, new baby, arrives in a couple of months.
Did you know Bar’s mother was killed in an auto accident 3 weeks ago while driving Mr. Pierce to the station?
Our life here is socially non-existent but we are happy, very much so.
Best to you and drop me a line—
Pop
Nov. 9, 1949
Dear Mr. O’Connor,7
Since our conversation last August I have been a member of the Testing, Assembly, and Hydrostatic Testing departments in the Pacific Pumps East Plant. At present I am working in the Production Control department learning some of the “flow” procedure. I believe that I was moved into this department temporarily because there has been a slack period in the shop. Mr. Prust, the plant superintendent, is sort of letting me map out my own program but he has suggested a short stay in the cost department, in order to follow through the paper work originated in the plant. I realize that this is not actual plant work, but it might prove of value. I definitely want to return to my status of laborer, and especially I want to get some machine experience which has been okayed by Prust, but since work is slack right now this other move has immediate attraction. I would appreciate your advising me if you do not want me to spend time in the cost department.
My work in the plant has proved very interesting in many ways, not the least of which has been my membership in the CIO steelworkers. I elected to join the union even though we have an open shop and I have not been disappointed in this decision. Now that I am in production control, even though I work in the plant, I cannot remain in the union, but upon my return to actual floor work I will be readmitted.
Very Sincerely,
George H. W. Bush
In April 1950, I was transferred back to IDECO, this time to Midland, Texas, which was just down the road from Odessa. Three of us moved to California; four of us moved back to Texas: Pauline Robinson Bush had been born December 20, 1949. We called her Robin. A few months after moving back to Texas, I received a job offer from Brown Brothers Harriman, my father’s Wall Street firm. The letter came from Mr. Tom McCance, who assured me in his letter, “This suggestion did not originate with your father and, in fact, he has nothing to do with it. . . . Others of us here [feel] this would be an excellent move for us and are most hopeful that you will react favorably to the suggestion.” My reply:
June 25, 1950
Dear Mr. McCance,
I hope that you will excuse this long period of silence. I assure you that it has not been caused by any lack of interest in your offer—on the contrary, ever since receiving your letter of May 4th my wife and I have thought about nothing else. My trip back East satisfied me that your business is a fascinating one. In addition to that, many personal factors tended to make us lean towards moving back. The decision has been a most difficult one to make for the choice was between two wonderful jobs.
We have decided to remain with Dresser Industries. I have a great feeling of loyalty to Dresser and to Mr. Mallon; and I am convinced that there is a real opportunity here. It will mean living out here in West Texas for perhaps a year more, and then moving in to Dallas.
I should like to thank you and the others there at Brown Bros. Harriman for making me this offer. It came as a surprise and indeed a thrill and I shall always have a deep feeling of appreciation.
Gratefully Yours,
George Bush
January 1, 1951
Joyous New Years, oh Bemiss!
. . . Midland is a fine town—there are more congenial young people in this place than in any town of near its size that I have ever seen. We really love it. I am selling oilfield equipment and supplies, a task which is great as far as gaining experience goes, but which I do not particularly relish. I am a poor salesman, that has been rather conclusively demonstrated. I don’t know exactly what the Dresser plans are for me, but they do involve moving to Dallas eventually—maybe in a few months, maybe in a year or so.
Have you had any greetings from the Navy dept. as yet. I would, of course, hate to go back in the Navy again, hate to leave the family and all yet I suppose that if this becomes an all out thing my whole attitude will change.8
We have had a fine year—we like Texas, the kids have been well. Robin is now walking around and Georgie has grown to be a near-man, talks dirty once in a while and occasionally swears, aged 41/2. He lives in his cowboy clothes.
The only thing I feel real badly about is that I did nothing, absolutely nothing, towards helping Dad in his campaign. We felt terribly about the outcome after the way Dad worked at it. I do feel that he made a lot of friends though and I think he will be hard to beat if he runs again in 1952.9 . . .
Love to all the family,
devotedly,
Pop
By the spring of 1951, I became too restless in my job with IDECO/Dresser and decided to strike out on my own. I joined up with our good friend and neighbor John Overbey, and together we founded Bush-Overbey Oil Development Co. Leaving my job was a tough decision, not only because it meant lost security, but especially because of my great respect for Neil Mallon. However, he was supportive and even encouraged me to try to start my own business.
April 12, 1951
Dresser Industries
Dallas, Texas
Dear Neil,
This will let you know that we are in business. . . . we do have a little office here which will suffice until we can make permanent connections. . . .
Overbey is good—he knows the business well and has demonstrated an excellent knowledge of prices, values, etc. I am happy about our arrangement with him, and I hope it will turn out to be a good thing for John.
. . . Midland is full of dust at this season—such sandstorms. I keep telling Bar she never had it so good—three square meals and a sack every nite, but I occasionally detect a lack of conviction as she nods agreement.
. . . Neil I want to thank you once again for your advice and interest in this little project. I shall always be grateful to you, not only for the wonderful training which I had with Dresser, but also for everything which you personally have done for me and for the family. I hated to leave the company, sincerely—maybe someday I will really regret my move, but this too is a challenge and something which I really felt I had to tackle.
My love to all the family, to Dale, and my best wishes and many many thanks to you—
[copy unsigned]
I’m afraid in many of my letters during this time, I bored friends and family with details of the oil business. But it was an exciting time in West Texas, and I’d like to share with you some of those letters so you can get the flavor of what it was like.
June 30, 1951
Dear Gerry:
It has been ages since I have last written to you and much has transpired in that long period. The main thing in our small lives is the new business venture in which I find myself. . . .
So far we have been concentrating in the royalty business10—at this stage our corporation can stand short-term income (any income for that matter) and we feel that the most conservative way and yet a lucrative way if fortunate, is to play royalty. You eliminate many risks by playing royalty. After we start building up a large income, if we do, then we will start drilling wells or taking interest deals in wells. We still can promote wells now, but we don’t want to put much of our capital into this type of venture for the present.
The business is fascinating—always exciting. We have bought a good deal of royalty, a lease or two and some minerals. I have taken trips into North Dakota and Wyoming—Nebraska—Colorado on certain plays.
Most of our stockholders are from New York. My belief is that if we can show them some earnings they will all want to participate as individuals on what I would consider a large scale. Tax-wise the oil business is hard to beat, and I think we are in a position to give them very fair deals, without loading it on like so many people here do in dealing with the Easterners. Many Easterners are trying to get in the oil business but they refrain from it for fear of being “promoted but good”. Our objective now is to get our own situation going and then take on larger deals with ourselves participating but others working in as partners. In this way our stockholders can get the individual benefits such as intangible drilling cost deductions, depletion allowance, etc. whereas in our set-up the corporate entity gets it but not the individuals. . . .
Give my warmest regards to your family.
Write!
Best Wishes,
Pop
August 22, 1951
Mr. G.H. Walker Jr.
Kennebunkport, Maine
Dear Herby:
I can’t thank you enough for the wonderful two days at K’port. It was great fun from the cunner fishing to the links to the boat to the tremendous chow and to seeing the family.
Bar and the kids and I got back here Monday night after a tiring but uneventful flight. The kids behaved fairly well on the plane—only occasional screams and gripes. It is nice to be back in a way and the desk is stacked high with things to do. This business is so darned exciting that when away for a little while only many new developments have taken place. . . .
I enjoyed our talks up there Herby. There are many ways for us to expand when we think the time is ripe. The Delaware Basin thing has tremendous appeal to me; and I am convinced we could make some money for any investor we might find as well as for our company. When the time becomes riper to get after this thing, I’ll write to you for some advice. The Liedtkes,11 our good friends here, might be interested in some kind of joint deal whereby they provide half the capital and we provide the other half, both sharing in the expenses of some qualified employee—this might be a good approach with the new company being a partly owned subsidiary . . .
Another avenue which we have not entered, of course, is the drilling business. We have stayed away from this because we cannot afford the tax write-off; but here again we could possibly get additional money from people who have spoken to me about getting into drillings deals . . .
In any case there are plenty of places to go from here—the only trouble is that the ‘here’ is keeping us busy as it is right at the present.
Much Love to Mary and many many thanks again to the whole family for a wonderful visit and for the many kindness’ bestowed.
[copy unsigned]
Dear Sir:
On Nov. 18, 1951 I was apprehended by a Weatherford [Texas] officer for speeding—his charge that I was doing 50 in a 30 mile zone. I should like to settle this matter with your court. I do not feel I was doing 50, nor does my companion, but I do admit I was exceeding 30. For this I am very sorry. There was little traffic, but nevertheless I do realize I was wrong.
I hope that you will consider my feeling of not doing 50, and I assure you I will be more considerate of Weatherford’s laws in the future.
Will you please advise as to what I am to do.
Yours Truly,
George H Bush
[I lost my appeal and paid my $10 fine.]
January 21, 1952
Mr. Dave Hershey12
Cornell College
Ithaca, N.Y.
Dear Moose:
I can’t thank you enough for the chair, which appeared here last week. It is really a beauty and is far too big a gift for you to have sent us. You can well imagine the pleasure that it is giving us right now. We have it situated in our little den in our new house and it is just perfect.
In a way the chair has brought us very good luck, for the day it arrived Barbara was out in the yard working on some shrubbery. It was the delivery of the chair which brought her into the house where she smelled smoke. She rushed into Robin’s room where she found the little darling feeding plastic toys into the heater and cackling with joy at the flames. We lost an antique rug, $3.95 at Penny’s, and almost lost Robin. Only the heroic efforts of the delivery man who threw the rug and heater out the window saved the day. Now you can see we feel particularly attached to the chair.
Seriously, Moose, it was most thoughtful of you to send this wonderful present and we really appreciate it. Let me know your plans for the summer and if I can be of help to you. Many thanks from the four of us to all of you.
Yours truly,
[copy unsigned]
Dear Herby:
. . . I am working locally on the Ike thing, being head of the publicity committee for newspaper work and on the finance comm. Our main job is to get the word spread about Ike making no reference to the word REPUBLICAN—it is surprising how strong the prejudice against the Republicans is, and yet I am more and more impressed by the number of people who express their preference for IKE for this year. It is hard to grasp the full meaning of all the hot air put out, but if you can believe half of what you read here I believe IKE can carry Texas.
Your efforts on Dad’s behalf are terrific. I’ll bet Neil will be able to help a lot in this connection. I am attaching a small donation—its size in no way reflects my interest, for I find myself thinking all the time about things up there in Conn.—Dad just has to win this time.
Love to all the clan:
[copy unsigned]
October 8, 1952
Mr. H. N. Mallon
Dresser Industries
Dallas, Texas
Dear Neil:
Barbara and I will not be able to come into Dallas for the Oklahoma game like we were planning. I hope that letting you know at this late date will not foul up your weekend plans. As you may have heard, Barbara is expecting again and just does not feel up to making the long drive. The baby is not due until February, but she feels pretty punk if she has to travel for long distances.
. . . Bar is urging me to take her to Dallas sometime this fall for a Christmas shopping trip. My check book keeps insisting that we not make this trip, but somehow I have a feeling that Barbara may win out. If this is the case, we will have the gall to hit you up for a couple of free sacks.
Love to all the family.
[copy unsigned]
[You must find it curious that Barbara did not feel up to driving to Dallas for a football game but did want to go there to shop. The truth is, she was suffering from morning sickness, which we knew would go away later in the pregnancy.]
Obviously I preferred to do my Christmas shopping the easy way . . .
October 9, 1952
Parker Brothers Inc.
Salem, Massachusetts
Dear Sirs:
Would you please send me a Winnie the Pooh game at the above address. I would appreciate your including a statement of your charges at that time.
Yours very truly,
George H. W. Bush
October 14, 1952
Q-T Novelty Co., Inc.
Murray Hill Station
New York 16, N. Y.
Dear Sirs:
Attached herewith is a check in the amount of $1.00 for one set of your wooden “Seven Little Indians”.
Would you please send this set to me at the above address.
Yours very truly,
George H. W. Bush
The beginning of 1953 was eventful, highlighted by the birth of our third child, John Ellis Bush, called Jeb. Dad did win his election, so was sworn in as a U.S. senator from Connecticut. I entered into yet another business venture: Bush-Overbey officially joined forces with the Liedtke brothers, calling our new company Zapata. We took the name from the Midland movie marquee; Marlon Brando’s Viva Zapata! was playing at the time. But then, among all the excitement, came the most dreaded news: we learned that spring that Robin, age three, was suffering from advanced leukemia. Our doctor in Midland advised us to take her home to die, but refusing to give up, Barbara and I took her to Memorial Hospital at Sloan-Kettering in New York City. For the next few months, Barbara stayed in New York with Robin while I went back and forth between New York and Texas, trying to look after business and the boys. I wrote this letter to Thomas “Lud” Ashley, a classmate from Yale and one of my best friends. He served for years as a Democratic congressman from Ohio, but at this time, he was a bachelor living in New York.
May 26, 1953
Dear Lud:
. . . I cannot begin to tell you here just how much we appreciate all that you did for Bar and myself. I know how busy you were, but you let that make no difference and you devoted your time to us when we needed you. It is funny what friendships can mean in times of stress. When thinking about Robin’s illness, I cannot help but get philosophical—I have stopped asking “why”. One thing I do know is that when one is worried or suffering or troubled that there are only two things which help, friendships (love) and faith. I will say no more, but you have helped us both in a time of need. A few tougher days will probably lie ahead, Lud, but I don’t believe many will be rougher than those first couple of weeks. We will have many wonderful memories of people who helped us and tried to help us, but none will exceed in my mind your many gestures of true friendship. . . .
August 19, 1953
Mr. Fitzgerald Bemiss
Richmond, Virginia
Dear Gerry:
. . . I hope that your honeymoon was all that you expected and that we will have the opportunity of seeing you before long. I am hoping that Barbara and Robin will come back to Texas in the next couple of days. Robin apparently is making headway, or at least has not lost ground. While you were in Europe she went through a crisis during which she was flown to New York and given radically different treatments that saved her life, and once again she is back to normal, at least to what we have come to accept as normal. She is still full of fun and we hope that she will have many more months of active life. I have been back here with our youngest boy for several weeks and am eagerly awaiting Barbara’s return. . . .
Best regards,
Pop
[Robin’s suffering ended on Columbus Day, 1953, with Barbara and me at her bedside.]
October 22, 1953
Senator Prescott S. Bush
Grove Lane
Greenwich, Conn.
Dear Dad:
Just a note to let you know that I saw Senator Lyndon Johnson yesterday at the hotel here in Midland.
He was making a speech yesterday evening to the Lions Club, and he walked in as I was walking out. I introduced myself to him as your son and received a very warm greeting. He announced that you were the best thing that had happened to the 83rd Congress. I countered with the statement that I was glad to hear that coming from a staunch Democrat, to which he replied, “Your father and I don’t like to be thought of as Republican or Democrat, rather as good Americans!” All I could do was nod enthusiastically and hum a few verses of the Star Spangled Banner. . . .
All is well here, and we are settling back into our normal life. At times I think we are just beginning to miss Robin, but I also know that in time we will only have pleasant memories to look back on.
Devotedly,
[copy unsigned]
December 27, 1954
Mr. Marvin Pierce
The McCall Corporation
New York, New York
Dear Mr. Pierce:
I am sending you a copy of our recent press release on our off-shore drilling project and a glossy print of the proposed barge. Zapata has taken this deal and we have hired the personnel and set up the organization. We will end up with partners undoubtedly, in fact we are now talking about a public financing since it is too big for us to handle alone.
The main part of our business has done fairly well this year. We now have a one-third interest in seventy wells and it looks like we have about one hundred more to drill next year. As a result of this development program our company’s income is going up pretty well. I will send you a statement when we get it out in a couple of months. . . .
Your Christmas presents were the hit of the day. My suit case is just perfect, Jebby never took his eyes off the record player and George was most enthusiastic over his German cars.
Please give my love to Willa13 and many thanks for such a wonderful Christmas.
Best regards,
[copy unsigned]
January 24, 1955
Honorable Thomas Ludlow Ashley
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
Just a line to let you know that Henry Mallon Bush, weighing 9 lbs. 9 oz., was born Saturday night. Bar is fine and we are very happy with our third giant boy. I was afraid she might be a little disappointed at not having a girl, but I know now that she couldn’t be more happy.
I am glad to have your observation on Congressman Alger and if we can ever pay off some of the money we owe in our business here, I might actually try to join him in that telephone booth.14
Best regards,
[copy unsigned]
[A few days later we changed the name of our third son from Henry to Neil. We wanted to name him for Neil Mallon, whose name was really Henry, but everyone called him Neil.]
April 7, 1955
Mr. Marvin Pierce
The McCall Corporation
New York, New York
Dear Mr. Pierce:
So that you can see where what little bread your daughter gets comes from, I am attaching annual reports on Walker-Bush Corp. and Zapata as well as a prospectus which pretty well sums up the off-shore picture. . . .
The weather has started warming up, and now if the sand would stop blowing we would get in some golf. The kids are fine. Georgie aggravates the hell out of me at times (I am sure I do the same to him), but then at times I am so proud of him I could die. He is out for Little league—so eager. He tries so very hard. It makes me think back to all the times I tried out, etc. He has good fast hands and even seems to be able to hit a little. I get as much kick out of watching him trying out as I do out of all our varied business efforts.
Jeb, the clown, is fine and Neil brings us nothing but happiness. We still miss our Robin. At times Bar and I each find ourselves vividly recalling the beauty and charm of our little girl. Time has not dulled these happy memories at all. I guess if we had Robin now we would just have too darn much happiness. . . .
Give my love to Willa,
Ever devotedly,
[copy not signed]
Mr. Fitzgerald Bemiss
Richmond, Virginia
Dear Gerry:
Impressed am I by the Commonwealth of Virginia stationery.31 It looks like you have enough committee assignments to keep any delegate busy for the rest of his life. It was wonderful to hear from you.
Since your letter, the Zapata Petroleum Corporation stock quoted at 14 moved up to 17 and is now, as I understand it, gone back to around 15. There is no one that I had rather have as a stockholder than you, Bemiss, and yet I am reluctant to advise you to purchase the stock. I, of course, have great confidence in it, but I hate to be put in the role of touting something that is so near and dear to my heart. I do think that the stock will go higher and if you could buy some at around 14, prepared to hold it for several years, I would certainly hope you would make some money. We are working on a lot of deals and if we could make a good-sized one the stock should go up.
Bar and I have just returned from Galveston where we attended the launching of our new drilling barge, the Scorpion. This, you may recall, is our $3 million piece of off-shore equipment. The attached invitation is not sent along to point out to you that you weren’t invited, but is enclosed to give you some idea of what this monstrous piece of equipment looks like.15 Needless to say, I do not expect an R.S.V.P . . .
Best regards and love to all,
Pop
July 11, 1957
Mr. Donald K. Walker
Yale University 703-A Yale Station
New Haven, Connecticut
Dear Don:
There is a boy in Midland named Bob Connery who has just completed his Junior year in high school. This boy is very interested in attending Yale, and I am most hopeful that he can go there.
Briefly, here is the story. This boy is a straight “A” student in high school. In fact, he has never had anything but one “B” since he has been in school. Everything else has been a ‘A’.
. . . He is interested in swimming and all sports although he is not big enough to letter at the school in these things. He is a good all-around boy and one of the few kids of this age I have met who seems to be intellectually curious. His main interest seems to be in math and chemistry.
This boy has had a most unhappy family life. His father, who is a doctor in Midland, married the family baby-sitter two weeks after divorcing Bob’s mother. The kid has had to face all kinds of problems which few adults are called upon to solve. It is my belief he will need a full scholarship to Yale, although he may be able to come up with some expense money. There is some question as to whether he will be able to stay in Midland next year because of his broken home, but he is determined to remain even if he has to live alone. He is 16 years old. I have taught this boy in Sunday School and I feel that my confidence in him is not misplaced.
I would consider it a personal favor if you would advise me as to what steps should be taken to give this kid every chance for admission to Yale. . . .
Yours very truly,
George H. W. Bush
[Bob was accepted and attended Yale.]
This letter was found among my mother’s things after she died in 1992. It was not dated, but based on the ages of the boys, it was probably written during the summer of 1958.
Dear Mum,
I have jotted down some words about a subject dear to your heart and mine. It is fun to fool around and try in one form or another to express thoughts that suddenly come up from way down deep in one’s heart. Last night I went out on the town and on my way home—late—I said to myself, “You could well have gone to Greenwich”16. . . this thought struck me out of the blue, but I felt no real sense of negligence. The part I like is to think of Robin as though she were a part, a living part, of our vital and energetic and wonderful family of men and Bar. Bar and I wonder how long this will go on. We hope we will feel this genuine closeness when we are 83 and 82. Wouldn’t it be exciting at that age to have a beautiful 3 1/2 year-old daughter . . . she doesn’t grow up. Now she’s Neil’s age. Soon she’ll be Marvin’s17—and beyond that she’ll be all alone, but with us, a vital living pleasurable part of our day-to-day life. I sometimes wonder whether it is fair to our boys and to our friends to “fly-high” that portrait of Robin which I love so much; but here selfishness takes over because every time I sit at our table with just our candlelight, I somehow can’t help but glance at this picture you gave us and enjoy a renewed physical sensation of closeness to a loved one.
This letter . . . is kind of like a confessional . . . between you and me, a mother and her little boy—now not so little but still just as close, only when we are older, we hesitate to talk from our hearts quite as much.
There is about our house a need. The running, pulsating restlessness of the four boys as they struggle to learn and grow; the world embraces them . . . all this wonder needs a counter-part. We need some starched crisp frocks to go with all our torn-kneed blue jeans and helmets. We need some soft blond hair to offset those crew cuts. We need a doll house to stand firm against our forts and rackets and thousand baseball cards. We need a cut-out star to play alone while the others battle to see who’s “family champ.” We even need someone . . . who could sing the descant to “Alouette,” while outside they scramble to catch the elusive ball aimed ever roofward, but usually thudding against the screens.
We need a legitimate Christmas angel—one who doesn’t have cuffs beneath the dress.
We need someone who’s afraid of frogs.
We need someone to cry when I get mad—not argue.
We need a little one who can kiss without leaving egg or jam or gum.
We need a girl.
We had one once—she’d fight and cry and play and make her way just like the rest. But there was about her a certain softness.
She was patient—her hugs were just a little less wiggly.
Like them, she’d climb in to sleep with me, but somehow she’d fit.
She didn’t boot and flip and wake me up with pug nose and mischievous eyes a challenging quarter-inch from my sleeping face.
No—she’d stand beside our bed till I felt her there. Silently and comfortable, she’d put those precious, fragrant locks against my chest and fall asleep.
Her peace made me feel strong, and so very important.
“My Daddy” had a caress, a certain ownership which touched a slightly different spot than the ‘Hi Dad” I love so much.
But she is still with us. We need her and yet we have her. We can’t touch her, and yet we can feel her.
We hope she’ll stay in our house for a long, long time.
Love
Pop
In 1959 the Liedtkes and I decided to split Zapata into two companies: I was more interested in the offshore business, so we spun off Zapata Off-Shore of which I was president. (Under Hugh Liedtke’s creative leadership, the original Zapata eventually merged into South Penn Oil Co., later changing its name to Pennzoil.) We loved our life in Midland but there was a problem: Midland is nowhere near the Gulf of Mexico, where all our drilling rigs were operating. So a very pregnant Barbara, myself, and four boys packed up and moved to Houston.
August 20, 1959
Mr. J. Hugh Liedtke
Zapata Petroleum Corp.
Midland, Texas
Dear Hugh:
We are tremendously thrilled over our new girl, Dorothy Walker. We can hardly believe it is true and just to top matters off we will be moving into our new house this week-end. Now if we could stumble into 150 ft. of gas sand we would feel grand.
Best regards and good luck on your new move.
Very truly yours,
George H. W. Bush
Mr. & Mrs. Geza Kapus
Zapata Petroleum Corp.
Midland, Texas
Dear Geza and Giesella:
How very thoughtful of you to remember Barbara in the hospital and then today Eva’s lovely present came in the mail. You can imagine how thrilled we are to have a baby girl in the family. Barbara came home yesterday and the boys all gathered around and looked over the new baby with great concern. She looks just like all the others.
Best regards,
George H. W. Bush
June 15, 1960
Mr. Cornelius Ryan
New York, N.Y.
Dear Connie:
It has been a long time since our paths have crossed. Yesterday morning at the airport I picked up your terrific book18 and yesterday evening I was almost through it. I never thought I would be writing a fan letter to a reprobate such as you but I must say that I don’t believe I ever enjoyed reading a book more. I think in this day and age many of us are inclined to view all of our international problems without due consideration to the human aspects of a total war. We have short memories in this connection. Your forthright and sensitive treatment of D-Day is going to be crammed down the throats of each of my four boys as soon as they are old enough to digest the importance of this fine book.
The offshore business is rocking along. Actually things have improved somewhat and today our business is better than it has been in anytime during the last three or four years. Our stock is acting rather doggy but I like to think that part of this at least is due to the generally sad oil market. I note with some satisfaction that you are still a stockholder. . . .
Very truly yours,
George H. W. Bush
Senator Prescott S. Bush
Senate Office Building
Washington, D. C.
Dear Dad,
Christmas fever has struck out at our house and the little lads’19 excitement cannot be told. A large box of presents arrived from Mom the other day and please tell her that we got a beautiful guitar for Georgie at the price she mentioned. We have kept it hidden but the only thing Georgie has mentioned that he wants (and he mentions it all the time) is a guitar, so this will make his Christmas for him. . . .
Devotedly,
[copy unsigned]
The next few years were consumed with family and the new business, but by 1963 I was beginning to get a political itch. I decided to start small—very small—by running for chairman of the Harris County Republican Party. Obviously my name recognition was not very high.
February 12, 1963
Mr. Alfred Mansell
THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Houston, Texas
Dear Mr. Mansell:
I am taking the liberty of sending you a personal photograph. The other day the CHRONICLE published a story on Republican politics. My name was mentioned but some other character’s face showed up. I would appreciate your passing this along to the proper department.
It was nice talking to you on the phone the other day and should I become Chairman of the Republican Party I would like very much to sit down and have lunch with you. Win, lose or draw I would like to do this but I would hate to waste your time so let’s see how it goes and I will give you a ring when the issue has been decided.
Very truly yours,
George H. W. Bush
Dear Lud,
Long before now I should have answered your Christmas card letter. All is well with the Bush clan. Georgie is an upper-middler (class of 64) at Andover. He’s doing OK there. The three other boys fight and go all the time—they’re really active—Dorothy is enchanting. She is a wild dark version of Robin. They look so much alike that Mum & Dad both called Dorothy “Robin” all last week when Bar went to visit at Hobe Sound.20
I am running—yes for Chairman of the Republican Party of Harris County . . . Promise not to endorse me, OK? . . . I think I’ll win—though I now have misgivings. Actually it is a challenging job and one which, if done right, could show results. . . .
Pop
March 18, 1963
The Honorable T. Ludlow Ashley
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
Dear Lud:
. . . My opponent withdrew before the election so I recorded an overwhelming victory at the polls. I am rather immodestly enclosing a clipping from the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. This is an exciting job and tremendously interesting. We have a paid staff, 270 odd precincts in the county and Houston was the largest city in the country to carry for Nixon.21 My job is primarily an organizational job since the Republican Party has quite a few unorganized precincts. So far I like it a lot and although it takes a tremendous amount of time I think it is worthwhile. . . .
Best regards,
Poppy
One of my goals as county GOP chairman was to reach out to minority voters. The term big tent had not yet been invented, but I believed strongly the Republican Party should make room for every American. Some of my constituents did not agree.
Mr. William N. Michels
Houston 3, Texas
Dear Mr. Michels,
. . . I was certainly pleased to hear from you that you had been instrumental in fighting the Republican battle back in the 20’s.
In working to obtain some of the Negro vote we are not trying to out promise the Democrats, nor are we trying to say one thing on one side of town and another on the other side. We have contacted certain responsible leaders, Negroes who have been Republicans for a long time and who own their own businesses. These men believe strongly in economic conservatism, freedom of the individual and in general in all the things that you and I believe in.
I do not think that we can leave 30,000—50,000 votes unsolicited in this county. I think we should make an honorable appeal to the Negro vote, realizing that we are working against very difficult odds. As long as we maintain our principles and do not try to out promise anybody I think the effort is worthwhile.
Thank you for your letter and rest assured we are trying to do a constructive job for you and other Republicans in this county.
Very truly yours,
George H. W. Bush
September 6, 1963
Dear [sister] Nance,
After talking at length with John Tower22 and other State leaders this week, I have decided to go ahead and make my announcement around the middle of next week for the United States Senate. Please keep your fingers crossed forme.
Best regards,
[copy unsigned]
This letter is to a newspaper reporter working on a profile and wanting to visit one of my offshore rigs.
Mr. Ed Johnson
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Fort Worth, Texas
Dear Ed,
. . . The only time before the Republican National Convention that I could do the offshore trip would be during the week of June 21st—June 26th . . .
Barbara and I leave on the 26th for a vacation at the World’s Fair and if you don’t tell General Walker’s boys about it, we may be going up to that rib-rocked Yankee strong-hold Maine. Following this leisurely visit with my Cape Cod heiress (the visit will get her tantalizing close to Cape Cod but I just don’t dare let her put foot there)23 we will then go to the National Convention where I hope to be in prominence on national TV handing the gavel to somebody.
Following the national convention we return to Texas at which point I would be delighted to make one of the first orders of business a trip to the Maverick. . . .
Let me know what your desires are. I will be at the Statler Hotel in Dallas occupying, I’m sure, a smoke filled suite.
Yours truly,
George Bush
June 22, 1964
Congressman T.W.L. Ashley
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
Dear Lud,
Thanks so much for your letter. It was great hearing from you. I was pleased to win the Primary. As you may or may not have heard, I took on General Walker, The National Indignation Council and the rest of those people—it got most unpleasant as you can imagine.
Frankly, Lud, I like Goldwater. I find him far more reasonable than one would believe from reading the newspapers about him. I think he will be a greater threat to Johnson than many people feel right now, particularly in the South and West. This goes for Texas, too.
Ralph Yarborough24 is unpopular in the State, and even though the President comes from Texas, I think there will be many people who will want to see Yarborough bumped off.
In any event, I am going to work as hard as possible and do my very best. . . . campaigning in Texas on a Statewide basis is more exhausting than anything I have ever done. . . .
Pop
Earlier that summer Congress had passed the controversial Civil Rights Bill of 1964—the Senate had debated a record-breaking eighty-three days before voting. It was a difficult issue for me. I opposed discrimination of any kind and abhorred racism. Changes obviously needed to be made, but I agreed with Barry Goldwater and others who supported the concept of civil rights but felt strongly this bill was unconstitutional and threatened more rights than it protected. I decided I could not support the bill and said so in my campaign. Yarborough had voted for it, which would not help him in Texas. But I was not comfortable using that in the campaign because my reasons for not supporting the bill were very different from those who hated the bill for racist reasons. I wrote this letter to my friend and supporter Marjorie Arsht, who was a leader in Houston’s Jewish community.
7-28
Dear Marjorie—
. . . My heart is heavy—I have traveled the state for 2 weeks. The civil rights issue can bring Yarborough to sure defeat. I know this now for certain—but I am not sure that a fair and moderated debate on civil rights can do it. Goldwater’s position is correct (and parenthetically so is mine)—for Texas and for the USA. We must develop this position reasonably, prudently, sensitively—we must be sure we don’t inflame the passions of unthinking men to garner a vote; yet it is essential that the position I believe in be explained. I believe I am right—I know we must have restraint, yet I don’t want this restraint to prevent right from prevailing—My heart aches for Tom D25 . . .
What shall I do? How will I do it? I want to win but not at the expense of justice, not at the expense of the dignity of any man—not at the expense of hurting a friend nor teaching my children a prejudice which I do not feel. . . .
I want and need the advice of one who can perhaps understand what troubles me!
George
Sunday, 8-16
Dear Ike,26
. . . Things are shaping up. The schedule is now full blast Sundays included. We are broadened out past the ladies coffee set—have now reached the Bar B Que and Rotary stage—somehow I miss the intimacy of the former.
. . . R.Y. is getting mean . . . hope to generate an idea for sticking a telling blow on Ralph—preferably above the belt, but as your note suggested, maybe I can find a way to gently nudge him in the groin—oh not really!!!
Many thanks,
G Bush
I resoundingly lost that election. The entire Republican Party took a drubbing because of Lyndon Johnson’s landslide win over Barry Goldwater. The cause was especially hopeless in Texas, where the popular Texas President’s coattails were long. So I decided to give up politics—at least momentarily—and go back to being an oilman. First, however, I had to thank some of the people who had supported me, both those inside and outside Texas.
November 10, 1964
Mr. Richard M. Nixon
Nixon, Mudge, Rose, Guthrie & Alexander
New York 5, N.Y.
Dear Dick,
November 3rd has come and gone and we got whipped, and whipped soundly, but out of the gloom on November 3rd there are some bright spots. It is too early to analyze the election here in the state but I think objectivity dictates that we were caught in the landslide. Johnson beat Goldwater by some 700,000 votes and Yarborough beat me by 300,000 votes. Actually we received more votes than any other Republican has ever gotten in Texas, polling over 1,100,000 but with the Johnson landslide it was not in the cards to be enough vote splitting. The minority groups, principally the Negroes went to the polls and voted 98.5% to 1.5% against me. It was not my position on civil rights because they also gave the same margin they gave Johnson to people like Joe Pool, Bob Casey and to all congressmen who voted against the Civil Rights Bill. Nineteen of Texas’ congressmen voted against the Bill and all the Democrats in the delegation got this type of percentage from the Negroes. The Negro went to the poll and “voted her straight”.
We had a good campaign with the best people in Texas involved; a wonderfully dedicated spirit; a sense of humor, something I’m afraid the Goldwater campaign did not have; and a lot of dedication. I think we have a base for a future race should the opportunity present itself.
I am anxious to stay active in the Party and this I intend to do. I talked to Pete O’Donnell, our State Chairman, the other day and told him that I felt that the immediate job would be to get rid of some of the people in the Party who [permit] no difference, who through their overly dedicated conservatism are going to always keep the Party small. I have great respect for Barry Goldwater. In fact, most of his positions are totally acceptable to me. The only criticism is that his campaign, in many areas, in our State anyway, got taken over by a bunch of “nuts” whose very presence at a rally would shake up a plain fellow coming in to make up his mind. When they discovered a “doubtful” voter, instead of giving him some pro Goldwater literature they would hand him a bunch of hate stuff on Johnson. This, of course, is not the reason Goldwater lost, by a long shot, but there is too much of it and responsible people are now going to have to stand up and do something about it.
Now after giving you this background let me tell you the purpose of this letter. It is first to thank you again for your wonderful visit here in Houston. It helped immeasurably. You really got under Ralph’s skin and he kept going around after this visit saying “I really am effective” and “my colleagues really do like me”. In fact he ran in a few left-wing colleagues to prove his point. Your visit was great and all of us here appreciate it. It was a terrific help in fund raising.
Secondly, I have followed your comments about Nelson Rockefeller and others in the paper and I am in whole-hearted accord. Under no circumstances will Texas take Nelson Rockefeller. He would get beaten here far worse than Barry Goldwater. Goldwater’s philosophy was not rejected. It was the false image that people had about Goldwater and the Johnson presence on the ticket. More particularly the latter I believe. Rockefeller’s brand of liberalism just won’t hunt here. You said some things that had to be said in pointing out that he sat on the sidelines and didn’t hit a constructive lick. It’s so true. If there is ever any way in which I can be helpful to you here in Texas let me know. I am anxious to see the Party grow and I believe the ideas that you spelled out in the papers last week make a hell of a lot of sense.
I am now back at work in the offshore drilling business where things from a business standpoint are very exciting. I must say its still hard to concentrate after the intensity of the Senate campaign. I get to New York once in a while and would like to drop by and say hello to you because I will always be indebted for the help you gave me.
Yours truly,
George Bush
November 13, 1964
Mrs. Brad Streeter
Wichita Falls, Texas
Dear Virginia,
The tears have dried, the dogs have stopped barking at me, the kids have let me back in the house and the people here at Zapata are beginning to recognize that they are going to have to put up with me once again. A certain normalcy is returning to things. One which, frankly on November 4th, I doubted would ever come back.
Now I can tell you just how much I appreciate the job which you and Brad did for me over the past year. You worked with a dedication and a selflessness that is rare and in addition you made every visit to Wichita Falls extremely pleasant. I just doubt the campaign, though arduous, could have been more fun. We had such terrific people around the State putting in so much work.
To you both my heartfelt thanks and deepest affection. You are terrific and someday, some way I hope I can tell you in person how deeply I feel.
Yours truly,
George Bush
After the thrashing the Republican Party took in 1964, I was concerned (as were most Republicans) about what the party could and should do to get back on track. I wrote this letter to Peter O’Donnell, a good friend and chairman of the Texas State Republican Party, and Texas senator John Tower.
Dec. 16, 1964
Mr. Peter O’Donnell
Dallas, Texas
Senator John G. Tower
#142, Old Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Peter and John,
I am writing this letter to urge on you two courses of action which I feel will be beneficial to the Party and to winning elections.
First . . . I think it is essential that the State Executive Committee go on record in favor of responsibility and as opposed to Birchism (whether by name or not is debatable). This is no move towards liberalism—it simply takes some long overdue action in favor of right and against these mean, negative, super-patriots who give Texas Republicans the unfortunate image of total irresponsibility.
. . . The second point is with reference to Dean Burch.27 All of us have admitted that the last campaign was a disaster. Burch didn’t run it, but presumably he had a lot to do with it. He’s a good guy but unfortunately in the eyes of the people, he is the symbol of defeat.
I realize that both of you are on record as favoring the retention of Burch; however, I think it is important that a difference of opinion be permitted to exist on this point without pressure. I feel Burch should step aside . . . I think he should be replaced by a man of predominantly conservative persuasion . . . I am not for changing the Party’s philosophy as outlined in the platform. I am for broadening the base of the Party, permitting differences to exist, etc.
. . . How I hope we can learn a lesson from the past so as to win in the future!
Yours very truly,
George Bush
I tried to keep focused on business in 1965—and I had doubts whether I wanted to run again for public office anyway—but it wasn’t long before friends started talking to me about another race, this one for Congress. I wrote this note to my extraordinarily able friend Charles Untermeyer, who would work for me in various capacities for years to come.
July 20, 1965
Mr. Charles Untermeyer
Houston, Texas 77024
Dear Charles,
. . . Regarding the congressional race in the 7th District, it is way too early to make up one’s mind on something like this although there is a possibility that I will run. I am going to think about it, but so many factors enter into a decision of this nature, such as business, family life, etc., that I just can’t decide this far in advance.
Should I run, I would most certainly welcome your support next summer. Thanks again for your thoughtful letter and please excuse my delay in answering it.
Yours very truly,
George Bush
En route K’port to Houston
Dear Gerry & Margaret,
That was a real nice clam bake—In fact that was a nice summer. We’re now somewhere between Newark (god it was hot during that long stay on the ground there) and Atlanta—last stop before Houston. The kids are reaching that kind of restless stage—you know the pinch that’s just a little harder and the whine—just a touch more penetrating—but I don’t care. My thoughts are back near the beach busy with some wily ones on the hook, or in the cold water, or on the links or courts, or in the sack on a cold Maine night, and no fight or tease can divert me now.
What fun we had, and how much you have contributed to it. After you left it wasn’t as great. We had a good big storm come through so we got some great rock pounding surf and some real cold days. We had a couple of hot tennis and golfs and some rebelling28—no mackerel at all—they left. John [Bush] brought Dina, his girl down . . . We had a cocktail party on the point, John & Bucky did—planning as to food was poor—John at 10 came to our house for some scraps of ham and some frozen English muffins—He cooked this all together—result: English muffins black on the outside—ice cold in; ham, pretty scraggly—No one cared . . .
Today was a perfect Maine day—crisp, clear—we crowded all the action in we could and then took off in a Grapes of Wrath like scene—
I am sad to be going home in a way—yet also glad. That great and wonderful feeling that K’port gives. We are happy you were there—it made our summer perfect—and as we now again start in to compete in business, as we now start to try to figure out where we are and where we go . . . we do it all refreshed and with much happiness for having seen you all . . .
Adios and love,
Poppy
Storms were always one of the biggest enemies of the offshore oil industry, and I had become accustomed to dealing with battered and washed-up oil rigs. However, the worst happened in 1965, probably best explained in this “chairman’s letter” in the 1965 annual report:
In the history of our company the year 1965 will be remembered both as a year of progress and a year of disappointment. I believe you will find the progress clearly spelled out in the following report on our activities and in the financial statements. The disappointment came in the loss of our large and highly successful drilling barge MAVERICK which disappeared in Hurricane Betsy.
On September 9th, the day Hurricane Betsy struck, MAVERICK was located 20 miles off the Louisiana Coast in 220 feet of water. The following day an inspection showed Zapata’s three other rigs were undamaged, but the MAVERICK had vanished.29 This was the largest single loss that the domestic offshore drilling industry sustained in this or any other hurricane. Another rig, identical to the MAVERICK, drilling less than 40 miles from it, came through the storm with no damage. The unpredictability of hurricanes was borne out by the freak occurrence.
. . . The MAVERICK loss was a substantial one for Zapata. This was our newest rig and one of our very best contracts; but in spite of this loss we posted record earnings. Fortunately, we have two other rigs under construction and the earning power generated by this new equipment should assure Zapata’s future growth. . . .
Respectfully submitted,
George H. W. Bush
Chairman
The political bug bit me once again and I decided to run for Congress. I realized I could not pursue both a career in politics and do justice to our public shareholders of Zapata. I made the agonizing decision to sell my shares in Zapata, being sure any shareholders wanting to sell were offered the same price I received. Anyone who has started and run a company can appreciate what a tough move this was, but I felt it was best for all involved. I wrote family friend Tom Devine, who had been an investor and supporter:
Feb. 6th
Dear T:
. . . There are so many trying days that I remember well—bent legs, no work, storms, financial crises, personnel problems—you name it—and through them all you were there to give me so darn much help and so much good advice.
I feel like I am selling a baby. I am sure that it is right, but I have a strong feeling for the individuals at Zapata. I will miss them, I will miss their problems. . . . (you remember the one with the sex problem after her husband was killed in a plane crash) through the rest of the office types, to Hoyt, and Buster30 and the others who have made Zapata click on a day to day basis.
I think, Tom, that you more than any other Zapata director understood the business and knew the enormity of our problems, or when they were not so big you were the first to size this up too. . . .
I am lucky to have your friendship, your wonderful loyal friendship; and the happy thing about all this is that I know it.
Cheers,
G. Bush
In the end, I guess selling Zapata was worth it. I became the first Republican elected from Texas’s Seventh Congressional District, beating conservative Democrat Frank Briscoe.
Nov. 13th
Dear Bemi,
Thanks for your wire and your great letter. Needless to say we were thrilled. The margin turned out to be almost 58% so this may bode well for the future. I was running against their supposed best vote getter. The hard-hitting crusading D.A. type. He proved to be less formidable on national issues than we had thought and he pitched his campaign way over in right field—near the Birchers—strongly anti Lyndon and a subtle appeal to the back-lash. . . . In any event he has been done in (saying after the election that Bush’s money and LBJ cost him the election—not too gracious in defeat) . . .
So where now. Bar and I are going to D.C. Wednesday for two days to apartment hunt. We have decided to leave the lads here in school until June and Bar will be here a lot. I’ll commute—unsatisfactory but no other plan seems as good . . . Thursday night we go to Hobe for four days with Mum and Dad—the unwinding department. John Bush came down for the election and was, as you can imagine, something else again.
Love to all . . .
Pop
So after eighteen years in Texas (minus a year in California), Barbara and I headed for Washington. Though Texas remained our home—our base—we had no idea then that it would be twenty-six years before we would come back to stay put for good. Just as my World War II experience taught me a lot about life, so did my years in the Texas oil fields. I learned the honor system of doing business—just a simple handshake sealed many of our deals. I learned what it meant to take risks, and how to start over when you failed. I learned the true meaning of grief when Robin died. Sometimes when a child dies, the parents drift apart; but miraculously, her passing strengthened our faith and our love for each other.
We made some of our best friends in Midland, and later in Houston. We really grew up together and raised our children together. Our Texas friends have stuck with us all these years, through losing and winning. It’s only appropriate that in 1999 we’re all together again, living just down the street or across town from each other—just as we did in the fifties and sixties. They are the reason why, after the 1992 election, we never thought twice about what to do next: go home to Texas, of course.