Ink, Devotion, and Memory: A Love That Still Speaks from 1888
Lida Terrell Brame from FindAGrave
When was the last time you received a true love letter? Not a printed card or a quick text, but a handwritten expression of affection—carefully composed, deeply felt, and meant only for you. In today’s world, such gestures are rare, yet in the 19th century, they were often the most meaningful connection between two people.
In 1888, Lida Terrell of Crystal Springs received such a letter—one that reveals not only the devotion of her fiancé, Alexander “Lex” Brame 1888, Lida Terrell of Crystal Springs received such a letter—one that reveals not only the devotion of her fiancé, Alexander “Lex” Brame, but also the charm and presence she must have carried.me, but also the charm and presence she must have carried.
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Lida was no ordinary young woman. The daughter of Vernon LaGrange Terrell and Lida Fuqua Terrell, she was part of a prominent family and deeply engaged in the social life of Crystal Springs. She led the Crystal Springs Videttes, a drill squad known for its performances, and moved confidently within a lively circle that included notable figures such as Lily Wilkinson, later a supporter of women’s suffrage. Lida attended balls and social gatherings, and by all accounts, she was admired and well regarded—a young woman of both grace and distinction. It is easy to see why she inspired such affection.
In his letter, Brame expresses both longing and admiration, opening with a gentle reproach: “Don’t you think you have neglected me a little?” His words reveal how eagerly he awaited her correspondence and how deeply he felt her absence. He writes of his love with sincerity, saying he feels compelled to express it daily, and looks forward to seeing her again, cherishing even the thought of receiving her picture. He closes with a tender question—whether her love grows as his does—and signs himself as her devoted love.
While the letter captures his feelings, it also reflects Lida’s importance—she was the one worth waiting for, writing to, and loving so openly.
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Their story did not end with words on paper. On January 30, 1889, Lida married Brame, and together they built a life that began in Jackson on North State Street and later continued in Memphis. Though Brame had experienced loss before, Lida became his lasting companion.
After his death in 1918, Lida lived for many more years, passing away in 1943. Both are buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Jackson, among other notable figures of Mississippi’s history. Interestingly, their family plot contains no markers—no engraved tribute to their lives or love.
And yet, in many ways, Lida’s story endures more vividly through that single handwritten letter—a reminder of the life she lived, the admiration she inspired, and the enduring power of being truly loved.
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