Orlando, Fla. February 18, 1954
1419 A W. Smith Ave., Orlando
Dear Marian
Arrived here safely but not my suit case. I waited five days. It was a big joke to live in my same clothes. Marion wears size 12. Yesterday I had a letter from Arthur telling us Jeanette is in the Wilhemmem Hospital. I have also had to go but hoped she would wait until I got back. So I have something to think about. Hope everything will be O.K. Marian & Harry fair.
Love, K. D. T.
Miss Marian Clarke
1343 Rockland St.
Phila. 41
Pa.
The house at 1419 W. Smith Ave is still standing, and according to Orange County Property records, was sold in 1985 by a Kelda D. Thatcher. Ms. Thatcher is most likely the "KDT" writing the postcard, but the trail goes cold, even with her unusual first name. The same can be said about Marian Clarke, whose common name is plentiful in Philadelphia.
Florida Sanitarium is better known today as Florida Hospital. Opened in 1908 with $9,000 and four patients, the Florida Sanitarium treated tuberculosis patients by providing them with sunshine and fresh air based on the sanitarium model utilized in Battle Creek, Michigan in the late 19th century. By 1970, the small 20 bed farmhouse had grown into a campus with state-of-the-art medical equipment and was renamed Florida Hospital Orlando.
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