Clara Barton General Correspondence Brown, Judson S. Nov. 1878 - Jan. 1883129 East 10 - St New York March 7 1878. My Dear Sister Clara Memory recalls with great pleasure, the brief interview, recently enjoyed with you in Washington. but the mind & heart fail to be satisfied with the few tangled threads of lifes history we were able to unravel then + there. + so I am constrained to renew our old time method of communication, although it be far too limited in its capacity. + wholly unsatisfactory as to immediate results. - Scores. + I may add, hundreds of questions that I intended to ask you - have reappeared to the mind in all of their original freshness + interest. + yet I find them stamped, Unanswered.I am however thrice glad to learn from a letter received yesterday from my good wife, that you contemplate comeing to New York soon, + will probably remain here, at least, a few days, [here] - among your numerous friends - Should you desire a stoping place - for headQuarters, I am inclined to think that my neice with whom I am boarding - would be able to afford you comfortable acommodations. - We are centrally situated - being near Stewarts uptown store + Union Square - + cars runing in all directions - It would be very pleasant to me to have you within easy reach once more, even for a few days, only I fear you would need to establish bounds of limitations, to protect health + strength. - I am glad to learn that you are in comfortable health. for I feared that the renewal of so many friendships as you had in Washington, would be quite too much for you - but it seems that Our Heavenly Father has again fulfiled His promise to you - "that as your day so shall your strength be". - You know the purpose of my being here - + in regard to it I can only say, that while the outlook is somewhat cloudy, (owing to the times) yet the prospect is hopeful - O Clara, how much I should enjoy having a nice home of my own, + have you come + spend several months with us - My Dear Wife + Daughters think almost as much of you as I do - I think we thoroughly understand one another + the few years in which our paths in life run side by side, awakened in Each, mutual sympathy, tender solicitude. + undying friendship, which time will ever fondly cherish, & the fragrance of which, will find a fuller development on the other side of the River - The principal elements in domestic happiness, are mutual confidence + sincere love. of these, I have always had a large share. & hence my home has always been both pleasant & happy. The Winter here has been very mild & pleasant. & thus far even March. has dealt very kindly with us - Now my dear Sister, with the hope of ere long, meeting you face to face, + rehearsing much more of lifes history than can be done on paper, I remain now as of old Your Sincere friend + Brother Judson S. Brown P.S. I shall be very happy to hear from you, at your earliest convenience. 129 E - 10 St New York March 15/78 My Dear Sister Your very welcome letter was received this morning. + in reply to its business portion I have to state, that the shortest + quickest route from Washington to Rochester is by the way of Baltimore + Harisburg - but it will be about 18 hours or more of continuous ride - if you come this way - you will have an opportunity to rest. + the time by Erie line is about 14 hours - + by N.Y. Central via Hudson River R.R. + Abany - 12 hours - no change of cars on either route - so say the R R offices here - "now you pays your money + takes your choice[s]I should be very glad to have you come this way - + much disappointed should you go the other way - but still I am not so selfish as to wish you to sacrifice health or comfort to gratify me - But I am inclined to think that you will conclude to come this way, at least that seems to be a kind of intuitive impression, either selfish, or inspired - I wont say which. It did me good to see that old familiar autograph once more, + while the letter was wholly unsatisfactory - in length + matter + yet I will credit you for it ona/c - hopeing, and expecting a Second Edition either written or oral - In haste this from yours truly J.S. Brown 129 East 10 - St New York Apr 4/78 [*Judson Brown*] My Dear Sister Upon my return from Hartford a few days since, where I had been to visit a brother, I found your very welcome letter in waiting - I had arranged to be notified by Telegraph - should you come during my absence - + hence I was not a little disappointed on my return - to be officially notified that you were to remain in W. at least for the present - Well, you have long since ceased to be the property merely of your friends. + have given a kind of life mortgage to humanity at large. + so I suppose the lesser must yield to the greater. however unpleasant it may be. I had a very pleasant visit at H - had not seen my brother for eleven years - He has the largest Dry Goods [*Please call on the union + [fatherless?] ones whenever you are at 1416 - [7?]*] [*Please consider me on your special list of correspondents -*]Store there - + his sales amount to about one milion per annum - He has both City + Country residences, the one in the Country about three miles out - is one of the finest in the State - Cost $100,000 - + he bought it last year all furnished for $122,500 It contains 10 acres - with beautiful watter scenery from a large Cove bordering the Connecticut River coming up all along the [?ear] of his extensive grounds. Surely furnishing excellent fishing. bathening + Boating on his own premises - His wife is a very cultivated lady from New Hampshire - + I told her all about you - + gave her your Autograph which I had attached to one of your letters. + which she received with many thanks + much pleasure + I saw it pasted in a nice volume kept for that purpose She furthermore authorized me to extend to you a cordial + hearty invitation to make her a visit if you should ever come to H - She knew of you by reputation +c - So should you go through H - please call on Mrs Frank S. Brown - firm of Brown Thompson + Co - My Brother went to H - about 12 years ago - with a Capitol of $20,000 loaned him by My brother George in Boston. + he is now worth $125,000 - made since that time - He is Pres of the Young Mens Christian Ass - Director in one of the Banks - + Alderman of the City - Both he + my Brother George received their principal business education through my instrumentality - both attending the Academy at Shelburn Falls + boarding with me - Frank became a Christian while a member of my family + united with the Church - but subsequently a cloud came over his Christian life & like many other young men he wandered far from the fold. The Good Shepherd however followed him in his wanderings - & after he went to H - he rededicated himself to the Service of the Master - & has been an active Christian worker ever since - You can judge them of the joy I felt in meeting him under the circumstances I have described - But you will please pardon this family reminiscence, if out of place - but it cant be so. to the ear of a long cherished Sister - & so I will withdraw the apology - I was called to H - most unexpectedly to consult with a mere acquaintance - who had become very much [embarrased?] - but who held a large amount of property - He most mysteriously chose me out of all of his acquaintances to disclose his affairs to - & seek advice for the future - Now my dear Sister as my sheet is full, I must say good by & with lots of the commodity called love & affection, respect & regards etc etc to yourself & all [su?gn?en?ing] friends I leave yours truly Judson S. BrownY, APRIL 3, 1878. --TRIPLE SHEET. THE WOMEN'S HOTEL Opening Reception at the New Building Last Evening. READY FOR OCCUPANCY. Description of Its Accommodations and Advantages. After twelve years of planning and working on the part of the late A.T. Stewart, his widow and his successor, Judge Hilton, the Women's Hotel has been completed and will to-day be occupied by guests. About a thousand applications for board have thus far been received, but only forty of the number have been accepted, and it is likely that many of these will not move in at once, so that the building will not be filled for some time to come. Judge Hilton expresses himself as in no particular hurry to procure guests, and the character of every applicant is subjected to a rigid scrutiny. Each application must be accompanied by the names of two responsible gentlemen as references. OPENING RECEPTION. Mrs. Stewart during the past week sent out 15,000 invitations to leading citizens and prominent gentlemen in all parts of the country to a reception at the hotel last night. It was accordingly lighted from cellar to roof, and every facility afforded for a thorough inspection. In a small, handsomely furnished parlor on the first floor Mrs. Stewart, accompanied by Judge Hilton and several lady friends, received as many of her guests as made their way thither. It is estimated that no fewer than 10,000 people presented cards of admission at the doors. Although the building was thrown open at six o'clock instead of at eight as had been at first intended, the crowding was dreadful. As early as seven o'clock carriages began to arrive, bringing the elete of Murray Hill in full evening dress; every street car that went by deposited its quota of ladies and gentlemen, and numbers living in the vicinity came on foot. Every window of the building, in the seven stories above the sidewalk, was ablaze with light, showing the massive proportions of the structure to great advantage. A constant stream of visitors poured in through the main entrance on Fourth avenue, until these who had first entered began to make their way out. Then the two surging masses met upon the stairways and crowded by each other so slowly that there was a blockade at the doors, and in a short time there was an assemblage of a thousand people upon the sidewalk waiting an opportunity to enter. It was, however, made up of intelligent and refined persons, and there was not the slightest rudeness or trouble. A few later arrivals surveyed the immense mass of people extending along the sidewalks in both directions and almost blockading the street itself, and departed without attempting to get in; but the greater number waited patiently in line and succeeded in gaining admission. INSIDE THE BUILDING. Once inside the building and above the first floor there was room enough for all. The ladies went into ecstasies over the tastefully furnished main parlor and sought rest in the numerous elegant easy chairs with which it is supplied. Along the corridors poured a living tide, flowing into the rooms on either side as they were found more than usually attractive. Exclamations of delight and admiration were heard on every hand. Every one of the 500 sleeping rooms was pronounced a gem. The library, with its elegant bookcases, tasteful tables and beautiful cabinet writing desks attracted an immense number of the visitors, who ensconsed themselves at its dozen windows and drawing aside its heavy silk curtains gazed out into the courtyard. This enclosure -- a tiled space 150 feet square -- was brightly lighted by the glare from [?00] windows in the walls of the building around it as well as by four mighty bronze lamps twenty feet high placed at each corner. The scene was suggestive of a Florentine picture -- the towering walls of a bright red color relieved by white trimmings about the windows, throwing down a rosy reflection upon the tiles and upon a handsome fountain in full play and surrounded by flowers in massive carved bronze vases. Several tasteful beds flowers at a little distance lent a pretty touch of color, and ladies seated in groups upon the stone rim of the basin and mingling their laughter with the flashing of the spray felt nothing to be desired to complete the picture. One of the most attractive points in the house to the ladies throughout the evening was the immense kitchens upon the ground floor, and many encomiums were passed upon the arrangements. These are on such a scale that food could be prepared, if necessary, for 3,000 persons. It was almost eleven o'clock when the last visitor departed, and the building was declared ready for its future occupants. DESCRIPTION OF THE HOTEL. The Women's Hotel, as it is called, and not the Stewart Home or the Working Women's Hotel, faces on Fourth avenue and runs from Thirty-second to Thirty-third street, and covers 40,000 square feet. The walls and staircases are of iron and the structure is fireproof throughout. It is eight stories high, including the towers and not counting the ground floor, which is devoted to the culinary and laundry departments. It is built in the form of a hollow square, opening upon a beautifully laid out courtyard, so that there is not a dark room in the place. The visitor enters from Fourth avenue, and at once finds himself in an imposing hallway, with marble tiles, and a broad iron stairway. The style of the interior of the hotel is the Roman Renaissance, the use of the column being conspicuous in every story. On either side of the stairway are the offices of the manager, Mr. Clere, of the Grand Union Hotel, Saratoga Springs, and his assistants. The letter boxes and the electric bells and speaking tubes which communicate with each story are situated here. Under the stairway are the doors leading to the basement floor. The front of the hotel is of iron and glass and the inside of brick and glass. The wide hallway that runs nearly the entire length of the second story is tiled with marble. Facing Fourth avenue is a row of reception rooms where the guests may entertain their friends, either ladies or gentlemen. They are furnished in a luxurious style that but few fashionable hotels can boast of. The carpets are Derventer, made for this purpose, and the furniture is all upholstered in raw silks in medieval patterns. Heavy lambrequins hang at the windows. In the centre of the rooms stand marble top tables of elaborate and substantial workmanship. Further up the hall is a reception room of larger size, covered with an Oriental rug of rich pattern. In this room stands a square piano. Every room on this floor is lighted by brass chandeliers of elegant and expensive design, containing some half a dozen burners. There are a number of sleeping rooms, both single and double, on this floor opening on Thirty-third street. [cut off] crimson curtains hang by heavy rings from black walnut rods. Great easy chairs, elegantly upholstered in raw silk, and sofas, in whose depths one is almost lost from sight, stand about the room at convenient distances. Chinese vases, of cunning workmanship, lend color to the room. Over the grand saloon is the library -- a room of the same dimensions. To many this room will prove the most attractive place in the house. It is furnished in deep red, with olive green and red curtains on rods at the windows. Down the middle of the room run long tables at which comfortable chairs are placed, and here the guests may read to their heart's content. By each window are placed small desks, with drawers well filled with stationery, which is furnished free to the guests. Against the opposite wall stand black walnut bookcases that contain a well selected library of 2,780 books, embracing history, biography, travel, science and novels. All of the best modern authors are represented, with many of the popular classics and encyclopedias. A lady librarian is to have charge of this room. IN THE BASEMENT. In the basement of the building is the kitchen, presided over by the chef from the Grand Union Hotel at Saratoga, a room for groceries, another for vegetables, a refrigerator room and a bakery, all of which were ready for immediate use. The white capped cooks and stewards stood about awaiting the order to begin. The refrigerators were stocked with game and poultry, meats and delicacies. Down here, also, are the laundry, with every modern improvement, the gas room, the engine room and the store room where the occupants are to put their trunks unless they particularly desire to keep them in their rooms. The servants' rooms are also on this floor front. Doors here open out into the courtyard. This courtyard is to be provided with benches and chairs in the summer for the benefit of the guests and their friends. Judge Hilton called the attention of the Herald reporter to the substantial manner in which every piece of furniture in the hotel was built, even to such a little thing as rubber tips for the legs and backs of the chairs that stand in the marble halls. "Every article of this furniture," said he, "was made especially for this purpose from designs furnished by me." FINE ARTSdirections and almost blockading the street itself, and departed without attempting to get in; but the greater number waited patiently in line and succeeded in gaining admission. INSIDE THE BUILDING. Once inside the building and above the first floor there was room enough for all. The ladies went into ecstasies over the tastefully furnished main parlor and sought rest in the numerous elegant easy chairs with which it is supplied. Along the corridors poured a living tide, flowing into the rooms on either side as they were found more than usually attractive. Exclamations of delight and admiration were heard on every hand. Every one of the 500 sleeping rooms was pronounced a gem. The library, with its elegant bookcases, tasteful tables and beautiful cabinet writing desks attracted an immense number of the visitors, who ensconsed themselves at its dozen windows and drawing aside its heavy silk curtains gazed out into the courtyard. This enclosure - a tiled space 150 feet square - was brightly lighted by the glare from 800 windows in the walls of the building around it as well as by four mighty bronze lamps twenty feet high placed at each corner. The scene was suggestive of a Florentine picture - the towering walls of a bright red color relieved by white trimmings about the windows, throwing down a rosy reflection upon the tiles and upon a handsome fountain in full play and surrounded by flowers in massive carved bronze vases. Several tasteful beds of flowers at a little distance lent a pretty touch of color, and ladies seated in groups upon the stone rim of the basin and mingling their laughter with the flashing of the spray left nothing to be desired to complete the picture. One of the most attractive points in the house to the ladies throughout the evening was the immense kitchens upon the ground floor, and many encomiums were passed upon the arrangements. These are on such a scale that food could be prepared, if necessary, for 3,000 persons. It was almost eleven o'clock when the last visitor departed, and the building was declared ready for its future occupants. DESCRIPTION OF THE HOTEL. The Women's Hotel, as it is called, and not the Stewart Home or the Working Women's Hotel, faces on Fourth avenue and runs from Thirty-second to Thirty-third street, and covers 40,000 square feet. The walls and staircases are of iron and the structure is fireproof throughout. It is eight stories high, including the towers and not counting the ground floor, which is devoted to the culinary and laundry departments. It is built in the form of a hollow square, opening upon a beautifully laid out courtyard, so that there is not a dark room in the place. The visitor enters from Fourth avenue, and at once finds himself in an imposing hallway, with marble tiles, and a broad iron stairway. The style of the interior of the hotel is the Roman Renaissance, the use of the column being conspicuous in every story. On either side of the stairway are the offices of the manager, Mr. Clere, of the Grand Union Hotel, Saratoga Springs, and his assistants. The letter boxes and the electric bells and speaking tubes which communicate with each story are situated here. Under the stairway are the doors leading to the basement floor. The front of the hotel is of iron and glass and the inside of brick and glass. The wide hallway that runs nearly the entire length of the second story is tiled with marble. Facing Fourth avenue is a row of reception rooms where the guests may entertain their friends, either ladies or gentlemen. They are finished in a luxurious style that but few fashionable hotels can boast of. The carpets are Derventer, made for this purpose, and the furniture is all upholstered in raw silks in mediaeval patterns. Heavy lambrequins hang at the windows. In the centre of the rooms stand marble top tables of elaborate and substantial workmanship. Further up the hall is a reception room of larger size, covered with an Oriental rug of rich pattern. In this room stands a square piano. Every room on this floor is lighted by brass chandeliers of elegant and expensive design, containing some half a dozen burners. There are a number of sleeping rooms, both single and double, on this floor opening on Thirty-third street. The bathrooms open on the courtyard. Of the five hundred or more bedrooms in this establishment no two are furnished alike. The carpet of each room is unique, and the guests have wide scope for the gratification of their tastes, some of the designs being in gorgeous light colors, while others are of subdued shades and modest styles. All the carpets in the bedrooms are Wilton and of what is known as medallion patterns. Each room has from one to three windows, and is furnished with a black walnut bedstead, with tempting double spring hair mattresses and snowy linen; a bureau, with large glass; a table, chairs, closet for hanging clothes and a washstand of generous proportions, with hot and cold water in abundance. At the back of many of the bedsteads is an arrangement for hanging clothes, and in some of the rooms are several lockers for keeping any odds and ends the occupants wish to have out of sight. Judge Hilton, upon being asked if the rule prohibiting any extra furniture applied to bookracks, replied that any small bookrack that could stand upon the closets would not be objected to. On the question of pets the Judge was inexorable. "Imagine for a moment," said he, "a thousand canary birds singing and a thousand cats mewing at once!" THE ACCOMMODATIONS The bedrooms are of two sizes - the single rooms, which are $6 a week each for two persons and $7 for one, are about twelve by twenty feet in size and are furnished just the same in point of comfort and elegance as the parlor rooms. The parlor or double bedrooms are about twenty by twenty-four feet square and have from two to three windows. They cost $12 for one person per week and $10 each for two persons. An elevator runs to every floor, so that the prices of all the rooms all the same. For many reasons the top floors are the most desirable; they command a magnificent view of Long Island and the river and are just where they catch the passing breeze. In the southwest corner of the second story is a parlor fitted up for Mrs. Stewart and furnished with the old fashioned furniture, newly upholstered, that she and the late Mr. Stewart began housekeeping with forty years ago. Judge Hilton has hung several oil paintings taken from his own house in this room. Passing down the corridor southward from this parlor the visitor comes to the grand dining hall, which opens upon the courtyard. A number of long tables run across this room, while smaller ones are placed by each window. The table furniture is enough to give one an appetite. The linen is of the finest and whitest and the silverware of rich and simple design. The glassware was purchased by the late Mr. Stewart in Paris, and is of crystalline brilliancy. Colored men preside at every table. The guests are furnished with a bill of fare at each meal, which is made up with great care, and includes not only the necessaries of life, but all the delicacies of the season. Every meal will be served in courses, the same as at any hotel. The floor of this room is of marble. About 600 persons can be seated at the tables. An extra dining room is fitted up in the basement. THE GRAND SALOON AND LIBRARY. Directly over the dining room is the grand saloon, a room ninety-two feet long by thirty-three feet wide. The floor of this saloon is covered with a gorgeous velvet carpet, designed, as all the carpets in the building are said to have been, by Judge Hilton. On the tinted walls hang a number of large paintings from Mrs. Stewart's gallery, and statuettes and busts stand about on pedestals, and a piano occupies one corner. At the windows olive green and1416 - 9th St N.W. Washington D.C June 25/78 Dear Sister Clara, You will hardly be prepared to receive the sad news of Mrs Browns death & burial- indeed So sudden & unexpected was it to us all. That we can hardly realize the sad fact yet - She was taken Sunday June 2 - with a severe pain in the side & this continued with more or less severity until the following Wednesday when the disease changed into a Typhoid Pneumonia, which at once awakened the most serious apprehensions on the part of her friends & Physician. I was in New York and was telegraphed to come home by first train Friday morning the 7th. I arrived at 5-P.M. & found her very sick - in fact at 3 o clock she thought she could not tarry until I came - & so she bid the girls farewell & left sweet words of comfort & affection for me. but hoped + prayed that she might be spared until I arrived - I had telegraphed the hour I would be home - + so she would resist the dissease + push back the grim messenger. While she enquired the hour evry few minutes - The Dear Lord heard her prayer and when I came into the room she look up with one of her sueet heavenly Smiles + with open arms + a loveing kiss welcomed me home - the rallying effort for this greeting together with some medicine given - seeemed to loosen the cough so that she raised great quanties of Phlegm which greatly releived her. + her whole symptoms changed for the better. - This was Friday the 7th + she remained quite comfortable + in a hopeful state until Wednesday Evening June 12 - when her mind became wandering + it was evident that the dissease was fast gaining the mastery. + as further evidence of this fact, she became unconscious - + remained so until 6. o.clock p.m. Thursday when she quietly fell assleep. to awake no more until the mortal. Shall put on immortality. - She suffered but little during her whole sickness, and her death was so calm + peaceful that we could scarce beleive the vital spark had fled, for some minutes after death had done its work - A beautiful pleasant smile lingered on her countenance. Just such as she was accustomed to show while living - you have seen it. _ that made her corpse look so pleasant + natural. that it was a great comfort to us all - The funerel was held at the house on Saturday the 14 - at 4. o.clock PM - Kind friends literally covered her casket with beautiful mottoes. exquisitely wrought in the choicest of flowers, white a large number gathered with us to pay the last sad [officers?] of affection to one they respected + loved - We were gratified; + yet surprised at the number of her friends. + the deep hold she had upon their love + respect - Her influence + virtues distilled like the dew. touching Mary a drooping heart. + refreshing Mary a desolate home - none scarcely conscious of their power, but those who felt them - While we deeply mourn our loss - yet we would not call her back if we could - her toilsome weary journey is ended - her sickness + death were peaceful + happy - + with a bright + cheering hope in the redemptive work of her all atoning Saviour - we beleive she has already entered upon her Heavenly rest - We at first thought of taking her to Mass for burial where we have a lot + where our only son is buried - Page 5 But upon further reflection we concluded that the journey would be very tiresome + exhausting especially to the girls - + so we laid her away under the shade of a beautiful Rock Maple, on Cyprus Avenue - in Glenwood Cemetary. where we trust her poor disseased body will rest in peace - until Gabriels trump shall call it forth rebeautified with the robes of immortality. + glorified with the radience of the Masters Smiles + presence - You will ask how have the girls stood it - well, wonderfully Fan took the entire charge of her mother until I came home day + night - Dora was in school, but of course I releived them + got their anxiety + excessive labors quite exhausted their physical strength - + this, with the reaction now that the strugle is over, I fear, mayinduce dissease - but still I hope otherwise - We have had an abundence of sympathy + aid from freinds here + elsewhere - + such comforting letters as come to us from evry quarter, in some measure mitigates our sorrow - + arms us with fortitude + Christian resignation - - The girls dislike to break up + we have not yet concluded just what we shall do - There [Clara?] you have here the outgushing sorrow of your own adopted Brother, the blow is heavy. but the hand that gives it is kind + good - + I will trust Him now + evermore - I should have written you before but did not know your address + called at Mrs Holmes yesterday for it - The girls send lots of love Mrs B - thought a great deal of you partly through her own acquintence but largely from my own freindly associations with you in former years - She was never jealous of others - + as a crowning encomium upon her now. - I may add she always confided in me - Hopeing that this may find you in good health + spirits. + prompt you to an early reply - + with lots of love this from your afflicted + absent Brother Judson S. Brown - [*Brown*] Washington D.C. Aug 8. 1878 Dear Sister Have been waiting six long weeks for an answer to my last letter announcing the death of my wife +c - My fears are that you are so sick as to be unable to write - if so please releive my suspense by allowing some friend to state the fact by postal - Dora is in Mass - spending her vacation - Fan is here quite worn down with grief + care connected. with the Death + sickness of her dear Mother - I + the girls hope to hear from you very soon - Yours truly J.S.B. 1416 - 9 - St N. W[*Ansd 16 Aug 78*] US POSTAL CARD WRITE THE ADDRESS ON THIS SIDE - THE MESSAGE ON THE OTHER [POSTMARK] WASHINGTON AUG [ILLEGIBLE] D.C. [END OF POSTMARK] Miss Clara Barton Dansville N.Y. (Livingston County) Home 936-P. St N.W. Washington D.C. Jan 16, 1881 My Dear Sister Clara, A thousand thanks for your kind remembrance of us & not least, for that new and much improved Photograph of your own dear self, which will be placed among our choice personal friends, on our parlor mantel as a reminder of one whom we all not only respect, but in the highest sense of the word, Love. I was thinking the other day whether you had forgotten us, & erased our names from your personal diary - How ungenerous such a thought, as applied to one whose marked friendship has been so constant & enduring. I attribute the suggestion to his Satanic Majesty rather than to any better or more worthy source, & hence a new proof that good men are still subject to his deceptive wiles.We moved from 9th St nearly two years ago, in order to accommodate Miss Doras Private School which she established Sept. 1879. She had long desired to leave the Public Schools & start out on her own account - She has had a very commendable degree of success in her new venture & Enjoys it much better than teaching in the Public Schools & her health was never as good as now - Fannie is still employed in the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, & has just been promoted & put in charge of two Rooms of female Employees as Supt. Her health the past year has not been very good, but two months, Oct. & Nov. Spent in Mass greatly improved it. & she returned with 15 lbs. more flesh than she took away - Her present position although attended with much more responsibility & care will on the whole be much easier than her former one. — As for myself, I have been in the Census Bureau since Sept. last, & expect to remain there for the present. - My health is excellent & weight 200 lbs - I suppose you hear from other friends here, quite frequently & consequently get posted in regard to all matters of interest. I met Mr Shaw the other day. He is growing old, his hair is quite gray & face considerably wrinkled. He still manages to keep a place under "Uncle Sam" although his Republican principles are quite questionable. I also meet Mr Ferguson occasionally he looks about the same as in the days of yore. What have you done with the House you purchased? Have you sold it & if so did you loose on it? Real Estate is again on the rise here & the outlook quite foromble for property owners--.I read your address aloud to the girls last evening & think they are No 1 - I fully agree with with you that Gen Garfield is pre Eminently fitted for the high position to which his fellow country men have called him & I anticipate an administration of the highest order through him for the next four years. Never has there been anything like the preparations now making for his forthcoming inauguration, the display (Military & Civic) will eclipse anything witnessed since the return of our triumphant armies at the close of the war - Can you not come & mingle in the gay & festive scene - How is your health.? have your old troubles been frightened away by the healing watters of your famous springs? - Write & let me know all about you & the dear old friends of former days - the fragrance of whose names & virtues are fondly cherished. The girls send lots of love, they think as much of you as though a sister - and often speak of you at our quiet fireside & table - Now good by again with a bundle of love from your old time friend & Bro Judson S. Brown [*Answered Jany. 20, 1881*] [*Judson S. Brown*] WASHINGTON JAN 16 7PM 1881 Miss Clara Barton Dansville {Livingston Co} N.Y.Dansville [Ja?n 18?] 1 PM N.Y. Refer in reply to this initial: Department of the Interior. General Land Office. Washington, D.C. June 1, 1882 [*Judson S Brown*] Dear Sister Clara I suppose this will find you at your quiet home settled down for rest - well, you need it + I only hope you will enjoy it without serious interruptions - Decoration day passed off here very quietly + pleasantly evrybody seemed to have a good time no accident occurred + the interest at Arlington the other cemetaries was full up to its former standard - I went down the River for my health. but like a good boy came home before dark - Our Arbitration meetings closed last Evening. They have been very interesting + quite well attended from abroad -Shall I hear from you? I hope so soon A new + we think very important impetus has been given to the Cause by this National Convention and measures were adopted to hold another within a the coming year - Dr McMurday - your old Episcopal minister friend - was there + made a very good speech - + alluded to what one woman naming you had accomplished in another direction - hence our encouragement to work on until cruel war shall only be known as a thing of the past - Dr M - has been to Europe + gave us some quite interesting reminisences of his tour + personal intercourse with the great ones on the other Side of the big Watters - We are all well as usual + the girls join me in sending lots of love - In great haste this from your affec Brother J S Brown J S. Brown - Ansd Nov 11 - [1887?]Washington DC Nov 7/82 Dear Sister Clara A brief reminder of you came to hand by mail yesterday. Not brief as to quantity or quality but brief so far as mere personal matters were concerned - I was thinking about you that day + wondered when we should have the pleasure of greeting you again in Washington - Probably the great Garfield monumental fair will bring you which comes off the last of the present month + is to be held in the capitol - great preparations are making for it. + Madam [Eumes?] says that it will be the grandest thing Washington has ever seen - Some one told me that the Andersonville record man (I never can recall his name) with his wife were spending some time with you Attwatter, there it came to me when I did not want it. Well if this is true give him my regards. + good wishes for the future - I am still in the Pension Bureau but expect soon to be sent out as Special Agent to look after spurious claims. to be located at - Portland Me -Shall be gone several months if I go - + have made arrangements with a lady friend of ours to stay with the girls - the salary being $24.00 is the only inducement to such a long separation from our dear little home which we prize so much - Fannie is away on leave in Mass visiting friends her health was very poor when she left but is better now + hope she will come back full of new strength + life - Dora is not very well although she is running her school - but her nervious condition is claiming my sympathy + serious anxiety - We have had a lovely autumn - up to Monday night last, no frost + evrything looks green + fresh as summer except the trees - How are the Red Cross matters geting along I suppose you are as busy as ever answering letters + attending to its thousand + one details - Cant you find time to write me a little we bit of a letter in answer to this I shall probably leave for Portland about the first of Dec - as I want to spend Thanksgiving with my famiily - The girls - I mean both send lots of love. as does your own time honored friend J.S. Brown Special Examination Division. Department of the Interior. Pension Office. Washington, D.C. Jan 5, 1883 My Dear Sister Clara Doubtless you have been expecting a reply to your recent letter, before this, but I thought I would wait until I was about ready to start for my new field of labor. before I wrote. I now expect to leave the city Monday morning next for Bangor Maine - which will be my head Quarters for some months to come - although my first cases are at Elsworth - the home of Senator Hale, Shall probably be these same 6 weeks but all mail matter addressed to Bangor will reach me in due time - you cannot imagine how hard it is for me to leave the dear girls. alone. they have clung to me so much since the death of their mother, that I dont know sometimes as it is duty for me to go - but they have favored it as they think the change will be for the best in the end - I only hope their fond wishes may be realized - The location will be decidedly cold and uncomfortable during the winter. but most delightfull about 7 months in the year + the girls anticipate great pleasure in visiting me next summer. - Doras health has been quite poor for some months She needs a good long rest, and if she can get through this year she will spend next year with me if I remain North. Fannie came Special Examination Division. Department of the Interior. Pension Office. Washington D.C. , 188 home from the trip north quite invigorated. but both of the girls are troubled with sensitive lungs and a recent examination shows that they are somewhat tender and require immediate attention which they are receiving from a skilfull M. D. with his assurance that he can fully restore them Of course I shall feel deeply anxious about them while absent - they are my comfort, sollace and joy. and the bonds that unite us are tender and sacred - I had hoped to have met you here before I left. but suppose home duties detail you for the present Dont fail to call Early on the girlsif you come to W. this winter 1504 13th St. N.W. is our address -- I shall stop in Boston a day or two and call on Gov Butler. + some other State officials whom I know - I have not shed a tear over the Genl Election and the outcome of it I am inclined to think will be [s?olutary] on all parties. The outlook for the next President looks quite Democratic at present but it is quite to early to judge what the future will reveal - I hope you are well + happy. and that the Red Cross is working to your satisfaction The girls send lots of love as does your own dear Brother J S. Brown I shall be awful lonesome in my new home, do plan to squeeze out a few minutes occasionally for my benefit, for I shall prize the favor I can assure you Shall be in Bangor about Jan 20 -