From Walter R. McCall
Author: McCall, Walter R. (Fort Valley State College)
Date: October 21, 1954
Location: Fort Valley, Ga.
Genre: Letter
Topic: Martin Luther King, Jr. - Career in Ministry
Details
McCall accepts King’s invitation to speak at Dexter and asks King to be best man at his wedding.
Reverend M. L. King, Jr.
309 Jackson Street
Montgomery, Alabama
Dear Mike,
Thanks for the letter today. To know that you and family are well, and that you are getting on excellently in your work was good news indeed. I had been just [insertion illegible] wondering just waht had happened to you folk as I had written you before you left Boston, but upon second thought I discovered that work keeps one from writing leisure letters at times.
As for me, things are going well, but I have been a bit under the weather. As a matter of fact, I went to the Johns Hopkins hospital this post summer school year. Stayed for one week. Everything was perfect as the doctors said. I had taken the worst beating of life the year I was away from Fort Valley. Stress, strain, hustle and bustle coupled with other things put me in a bad state. I am alright now, as it is over.
About the wedding: It is progressing beautifully. My fiancee came down once to visit me as I have little time off. She is to be here on tomorrow. The wedding date is June, 1955. We will make definite plans at Christmas time. By the way, could you be my best man? If not, I will have Gunter if possible.
Yes, I will be glad to be guest Youth Day Speaker. So, I shall put that date on my calendar. About the fifth Sunday, I cannot say with any degree of certainty. If possible I shall gladly attend. Reverend Smith and I planned to do something like that as of last Spring.
Please give my best regards to Coretta. Be not deceived Mike, you are with a fine group of people. Therefore to know that they are cooperating is not surprising. Keep up your best, and you will find the best coming back. With all good wishes for a good year ahead, I am
A pal,
[signed]
Mack
{P.S. Enclosed is a snapshot of Annabelle in her summer attire here, send it back. Hello to Bob & Parker, Please.}1
1. McCall refers to fellow Morehouse classmates, Robert Williams and J. C. Parker, Sr. Williams was professor of music at Alabama State College for Negroes, and Parker was pastor of Hall Street Baptist Church in Montgomery.
Source: MLKP, MBU, Martin Luther King, Jr., Papers, 1954-1968, Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, Boston University, Boston, Mass.