Anna Dickinson Family Correspondence [January 24, 1869-May 10, 18691710 Locust St. Philadelphia Jan'y 24,1869 My dear little Sister, I hope thee has got quite well by this time, and that Elmira and Pittsburg have utterly rested and refreshed thee after thy hard ride on Monday. What makes some officials such utter heathens it is really hard to see. I went back that morning to find the good hearted old German [*mother is lying down, and Ed. has gone to visit Wanamaker's Sunday School. I send their love & mamma's message to take all possible care of thyself, and simply commend thee to better care than thee can take of thyself. If I've forgotten anything, I'll write it next time. With dear love, Sister S. The New Haven pictures have come. We think them the best so far made.*]baggage master quite broken down with the double pain of hearing what thee had to tell him, and of having unwittingly given thee such a shock. Hilles had never told him of Samuel's going home, and, like every one else who was with him much he seems to have loved him, and he said he "had not seen him now for nearly two years," and when he recognized thee he could not lose the opportunity of asking. "I wouldn't have done it for anything" he cried "if I could have thought of such a thing— I know what feeling is."— Poor little girl, my heart ached over thee, going away alone with such a shock of sudden pain. I send divers articles from the Press, called forth by thy last lecture; and one from the Detroit Post, in regard to which thee will do well to make some inquiries. The publisher in whose card I had Edwin write the other day is one of one of these "subscription-book" firms. I had a delightful visit from Hattie yesterday. She sends her love, and desires me to tell thee that her father & Charlie had an "encounter" with each other at the convention in Wash'n, in which Charlie, to Hattie's delight, came off second-best,— so she avers. Mr. Cleveland answers none of her notes.— Dr. Thomas tells me the gentleman is wild over some imaginedwonderful invention of his— a valve in a whiskey-still— and neglected his business and every thing else for it. I told the Dr. about my finding it impossible to get a bill from him— he advises the sending what we think about the sum, with a request for a properly made out bill, with any necessary correction. His terms are a dollar a lesson; thee came home late in Sept. and went away Nov. 5th— now can't thee make some estimate of the probable number of lessons thee had from him? I send a statement of the special moneys paid out. I have got the other things Annie asked thee for in the house. Mother wishes $35 for her quilts, (the wool, & quilting,) which she says "is to be entirely distinct from what thee sends to me for the house or anything else." {Mrs. Proctor $200. Walraven 96. {Added to "friends" 50 & put in draft, & sent to Richmond, Ind.} 22. Emma Heineke 10. {Mrs. Barrett 10. 2 bottles port wine for Mr. B. 5. $343.} Paid Meagher-Dec. bill 51. {Annie Giboney 22.50 Ice bill 9.36 Mrs. Buddy 13.02 M'me Crepon 5.10 {Clark & Biddle new sleeve button} 6.50 {Marketman: week thee was at Bridgeton & had washing here to leave} 7.58 64.06} Paid Draft left= 470.95+ in house 00.65 471.60 407.06 64.54 I did not dare to pay Meagher until receiving more. [343.00] [64.06] [78.94] 343.00 64.60 407.06Dear Little Girl I believe there's nothing to say but tho't I would [n't] say it this eve, as mother & I are here alone — (Augustus & Sue & Julie Gould having gone out)— & conclude to send greeting— "tolerable I thank you; how are you?" & how is western travel likely to go this Winter? I hope healthfully. We all, including Daniel, are moving back & forth sluggishly enough to suit any decent christian. Sue doubtless told thee of Uncle T. & Aunt M.'s visit she (Aunt M.) informed me a neighbor was going to bring over a friend to see her sometime when thee was paying her a visit. Shedidn't think it necessary to inform him when that would be likely to be. We visited sister Mary in the evening (the first time she has met Uncle & Aunt)— she has gone into the Store at last; & for the present at least is identified with The Society of Friends. We are having a touch of Winter at last so I suppose the West is having its share. I guess I've said nothings enough for the present so I'll continue to say them by asking to do so & with much love from all remain Affectionately bro. Ed. 2/1/69 Westville Ct Feb. 3th 1869 Little Sister Thy kind note from Pittsburgh came late having been "missent" but it was safer & tho "enclosure" was duly disposed of. Please accept our thanks for all thy Kindness. We are very glad to learn that thy winter so far has been pleasant & profitable & hope it may so continue. With me it is an exceeding busy one though I fail to accomplish half of my desire because of ill-health - a lack of "energy" to get up & do & keep doing; still, there is progress & fruit & encouragement and I trust thankfully. There is quite a religious awakening around us andseveral souls here are being quickened into consciousness of a higher spiritual life and a recognition of the importance of the Eternal as compared with the temporal - My course of 5 Scientific Lectures [bids fair] so far (I have delivered two) is quite a success - the audience judging, they are very interesting I think we will buy & pay for all we proposed to for the church & parsonage & pay expenses & I will have several dollars worth of chemical apparatus to show as my material profit in the matter besides the joy of success, tho knowledge that the house & Sab. School are better furnished and that some desire for Knowledge has been awakened among the hitherto ignorant or thoughtless - I spoke of being busy - Monday nights there is a Teacher's mtg (or something else) Tuesday Lecture, - Wednesday Prayer Mtg. - Thursday "Society", Friday [class] [mtg.] - Saturday -- & so on week after week - with a busy day Sunday - Two sermons & and interesting evening Prayer Mtg. which engrosses & fatigues - Through the day - reading, visiting, seeing company thinking, housekeeping & anticipating Sunday, making notes for sermon, lecture &c. When spring comes I must have some rest for a few weeks - though I do no just yet see how. What are thy plans & prospects for the approaching spring & summer? do they look across the Atlantic [?] or to the shores of Cape Cod & the Snows of Mt. Washington? And now let me mention a matter which is of interest to us & perhaps to thee - I have sometimes thought it would be a profitable thing for thee to invest a few hundred doll. in the rapidly developing region on thePacific Coast. The city of San Jose is about 50 miles from San Francisco on the line of R. R around the Southern shore of the bay in a rich & beautiful agricult region & near rich & famous mines— Santa Clara is three or two miles distance also on the R. R. and the Trustees of the University of the Pacific (our college) some time ago bought 400 Acres on the line of road between the two places thus S. J.—College ground—S. C. and are selling it in small lots—the two places must soon meet they are now connected by steam & horse cars the New College buildings will attract a good sort of people to the vicinity & the land must rise in value — the yearly increase more than paying taxes interest &c I should think — If we had a little to invest I think we would put it there and I just now name it to this as something to think about if thee deems it worth while I intend this day to write to the Agent for fuller & more specific information A few hundred invested there might be a safe & profitable thing for thee & would benefit the college too as the sooner a nucleus is established of an endowment fund from the sale of lands the sooner she can do something handsome in instruction— Ask Ed. what he thinks of it. Thy New Haven friends so far as I know are well — I saw Edwin Marble the other day. — Martha is sick with a bad cold. John & Emma about as usual — I have been counting the words in Revelation XXI:4 and find there are thirty five (35)— I think in thy Maud Miller there are about 60 sixty on a page & I wonder if they could put both the third & fourth verses on a card the size of thy Maud Miller leaf.and I should think it ought to be put on not as thy book is longer side vertical but horizontal but I leave that to thy taste. Martha sends much love and could like much to see thee - wants to know when thee will be in this part of the country and get to see us. Dost Know whether Mr [Daggett?] ever sent me any report of the doings of the Scientific Association at Chicago? With much love and a hope to hear from thee soon and often I remain Thy Affectionate Brother JohnyPhila a 2 mo 24 69 [?] dear loved daughter, that thee seems to ignore writing to poor old mother, and knowing that our dear Sue keeps them posted on general subjects relating to home matter, I thought I would pencil a a few lines, if only to say thy aged mothers love and interest and almost continual solicitude does not abate one jot or letter, as we both grow older. In my waking hours at night which are many, I often think of thee, of the dangers and perils to which thou art many ways subject in the sphere of life chosen by thee, but I try to commend thee to the care and keeping of our merciful father in Heaven and may thee be ev'ry way watchful and carefulof thy dear self, I have so far kept about Pause, tho often under much weakness and sometimes suffering, tho have a great deal to be thankful for, especially for dear kind children especially daughter, if old age should be yours, may you be alike bless'd. Cyrus Simmons wife M Ann was buried a week or two ago, Augustus is frequently here, know not how matters are progressing, Julia and Marion give them about periodical visit, poor [Banar?] is yet living Lydia and Nelly Irish have taken board and intent to spend a few weeks in our city it will be pleasant to have them and pay them friendly attention. Will thee write to mother a good long letter? Edwin is looking finally well and rides sometimes, it is a comfort to have him with us. With dear love thy Mother, M.E. Dickinson L Irish is looking very poorly1710 Locust St. Philadelphia Feb. 23, 1869 My dear little Sister, I shall send thy letters to Chicago to meet thee on Monday, as I am not sure that this scrawl will reach thee at Lansing, and I don't care to risk the package. There are not very many of them, as this is the time of the year there are fewest coming. I wrote Katie Doggett as soon as I got thy note, & this morning rec'd one from her which had crossed mine–I have just answered it to the Brevoort N.Y., and shall look for her on Thursday—it is verynice that she is coming. I am not going to write news on the chance of its missing thee – wait till shee gets to Chicago – in great patience. I'll only say that momma & Edwin are as well as usual for either, and that I'm beginning to get better after two weeks of being in need of doing so, which is why I've been so reticent. With dear love from us all, Sister S.1700 Locust St. Philadelphia Feb. 25, 1869 My dear little sister, So far nobody can tell me anything about the poem, except that Dr. MacKenzie remembers having seen it years ago. As long ago as when I was at Westtown it was trailing about in manuscript, nameless. I shall search further for the author, and if he or she come to light before next Monday eve, will send the name over the wires. Meanwhile, the Chicago "author" has omitted the sixth line of the poem, which reads, I think, "The right to succour wretchedness" or something very like that.I wrote to Katie immediately on receiving thy letter Saturday ev'g, but on Tuesday received a letter from herself saying she should leave Chicago Tuesday, and asking me to write her to the Brevet House N.Y., care of Mr. Waite, --which I did at once, and telegraphed yesterday him in addition, but we have not yet seen nor heard from her. Ellwood kept me waiting until to-day, to my discomfort, but it is all right now. --- We will take the very best care we can of Katie. Good night. This letter to be continued by to-morrow's mail to Chicago. I thought it would have been finished to-night, but--it isn't! To-morrow ought to be time for all to start, but I'm afraid to keep the package till then, with such mails as we sometimes have. My dear, I'm not dissipated, but Jennie has been scolding over 711 Sansom -- I didn't know I'd hurt myself one day there till it was done, & ma didn't know about it, but I'm getting ever so better, & there's no need of worrying her. I shall send thee a long budget presently to make up all deficiencies, and am meanwhile and always thy loving sister Susan E D. 1710 Locust St. Philadelphia March 9, 1869 My dear little Sister, I'm not very sure that I know where to begin writing, as I've been dependent on mamma & Ed. so long for answering they letters, and I don't know just what they've said, and what left unsaid. I told Ed. there were some compensations for being "an invalid" as it induced thee to write oftener, and longer letters than usual. firstly, I had Edwin acknowledge the receipt of Allen's money etc. & attend to paying it, & informing thee that Mrs. Procter had sent to the house her receipts. I wrote that after some delay Edmund had let me have the $550, $250 of which ere paid for rent, and of the remaining $300 I send a brief pencil account, part of which was paid out before I got it, to be returned, as I said, - part since. This is how it stands now. I shall need more as thee will see before the last of the month. Please send me $200 from St. Louis.I don't know where thee's to be between Quincy & St. Louis, except that it's somewhere in Kansas. That this is in time for Quincy I don't doubt, thought I would have written yesterday if I could. I had an attack of the prevalent disease of this season, beginning last Sat. eve, (not so bad as was Dr. Thomas's of which thee heard, – and he had another, like the first, last week, but is much better or was last evening,) and holding over till last eve: and Jennie's remedies made me sea-sick besides. To-day I'm flourishing, went out to attend to two or three business matters, and came home to write to thee. We've had a lovely visit from Katie. She's as charming as ever and so is Mr Doggett. They left us yesterday noon. She came late Monday afternoon of last week. Tuesday we went out to call on divers of her acquaintances came home to a late dinner, & the MacKenzies called. Wednesday a.m. the Acad. of Fine Arts – P.M. the Women's College – Eve'g, Anna Preston, Julia Gould, Dr. & Augs. Thomas. Thursday, rain – & "repage" in-doors, – Mr. & Mrs. White & Miss Watson to tea. Friday Mr. D & Geordie came, shopping; – Hattie Purvis, M. Foster, Mrs. Irish & Nellie, and the Dr. & Mrs. MacKenzie & Miss Constance. Saturday Katie was sick with a bad headache – cause, laudanum taken to sleep after burning a threatened [felm] out with caustic. Sunday they went to the Cathedral, wrote letters in the afternoon, talked with Augs in the ev'g, went up & packed. Monday, paid a little visit to Harrison's picture gallery, came back, had half an hour with Robt Purvis, & went. Thy letter came four hours after. I am to send it to Chicago, as the only sure means of its reaching them. ––– Mamma and I had a very pleasant little visit Friday morning from Mr. & Mrs. Curtis. ––– Did anybody write thee that Charles P. Wood called for half an hour three or four weeks ago, – was over on business. ––– I believe mother told thee of uncle Thos & aunt M's visit: – also of Mary Ann Simmons death ––– the suffering end of a hard life she died of dropsy. ––– Poor Mr. Barrett still lingers on –– and scarce knows how – I want to see him to-day or to-morrow, Ed. & Augs have had most of the visiting there to do of late. –– Emma sends another of those miserable appeals for medicine etc. I don't know what to do, but shall have to take Ed. & go up & see her again. - I have just glanced over two or threeof thy letters. Thee's been a very remarkably good girl about telling things. We appreciate thy good time at Ann Arbor; and thy polite neighbor who perused What Answer? (By the way the Press announces that it is just about to be issued in Paris--Katie & I wondered who had translated it.) Also we approved of the broken windows at Aurora, & disapproved of mice for bedfellows. Also we have Katie the best china, and the silver including the gor-geous additions from Cleveland, and the German wine, - & I had Lizzie here to help. -- Mrs. Wilson is still prisoner - they expect to sail for Europe in June. James graduated at the Jefferson last Sat., & I must go round and congratulate him. Mrs. White is better. Thy certificate of membership in the Soc. ffor Prevention etc is just rec'd, with receipt for $5, Annual Report, & Charter. -- Edwin goes on Dan'l considerably, but not on the very cold days, of which we've had a good many lately; I think they must be nearly over. Ma's occasional carriage rides have done her much good, & are probably the chief causes of her having got through the winter so nicely. Mary keeps pretty well, though I hardly see how, with the housekeeping and the stove both claiming her. Her parents keep well, and Adrian is still improving, but slowly as ever. They send their love, Mary especially. So does Hattie Purvis and after Chicago she desired me to say that "when we went to a [Sorvis?] it wouldn't be a a No. 2." I should have been better pleased if Cady Stanton & Susan Anthony hadn't been there. I haven't read the "Revolution" report. Katie was jubilant over the other people who were present. Mr. Pugh doesn't come near us; he sent me tickets for Dr. Boynton, & I couldn't well go, but Edwin did. I hear that he did well both with him & Dr Cordova. Did thee get the wine and tooth powder sent to Albion? (We have read and kept all the extracts from papers sent home, and appreciated them. Also we sympathized with thy ride on a "mixed" train, which must have been mitigated by the "warning" of the approaching "freight." What more can I say, for I can't answer all thy letters in one after so long delay, but that we admiredthy next door neighbor in Cleveland; and the antique arrangements at Granville, which savor of rural Europe; and that I comprehend that Mrs. Smith of Columbus and her daughter probably did not "do themselves the honor, etc. etc." Did I have two nice visits at Thos Kimber's ? I did. He has a charming home, facing a beautiful bend in the river, and a very pleasant woman, a friend of his sister's, for housekeeper, and an adopted daughter of twenty one or thereabouts, who's nice enough, but don't amount to much. He hopes thee'll come down for a day or two in May--I know thee'd like him, & he won't "lionize" thee; only he wouldn't show us his views of Pompeii brought by himself from the spot, till thee was also there to see them. He has some lovely paintings. Darley lives close by, & is one of his friends, He holds his membership in 12th St. yet--they'd turn him out if he belonged anywhere else--he has built a Methodist church on his own ground, & in great measure supports the minister; & is doing all he can in every way to civilize & Christianize the neighborhood:--Claymont is in Delaware:--so there's need. John writes in a little note dated March 1st that he hopes we will approve his plan for a summer rest. I suppose he has written thee of the visits he proposes - Martha's accounts of his health are very discouraging. Have I finished my letter? No, but I have no more time to write. With dear love from mother, and Ed. & myself,--and also the MacKenzie's love, as always affectionately, Sister S.Mr. Pugh has just called in — goes to Boston the last of this week with Dr. Cordova — leaves Mrs. P in a private family. 18.50 Tyndale 25. A . [Gibney?] 10. Emma 25. Barrott & [wines?] 5. 5. madeira 13.50 Watson 20. 6.50 Mrs. Thomas & Evelyn 15. flour 15. marketmen [??] [???] 6. [???] etc 10. milk bill 20 piano 5 Soc. Prev. Cru. An. 5 Miss Bachmann - German 30 Quigley - for Ed's horse 12.50 Miss Ferris - part old part new -------- 247 37 in hand - out of the 37, 9 1/2 to be paid to Davis & Richards for groceries sent. [Me???'s} Feb. bill $35 + unpaid. Jan'y paid out of money sent before. ------ 284 ------- 300-284=16 remainder for various household usesBegin at Leavenworth [4 1/2?] Leavenworth Kansas 3.18. 1869 Dear Little Mother — Like a respectable daughter, having come here on a voyage of discovery I shall tell my diminutive parent some of my experiences, & I hope she will enjoy them. Last 7th day night, then, I left Civilization & Quincy, & plunged out into space. — for the first time in my many westward journeys, I felt I was really in the West — one needs to be out in this vast space to comprehend this sensation. — when I struck the Missouri River & got beyond it, the East really seemed a long way off. I told Sue of my experiences in St. Jo?. — or the most of it — &didn't tell her, so I will tell thee, of Certain English Snobs whom I met by the way. When I got into the Cars at Quincy, holding the checks for an entire section, in the centre of the sleeping car, I found four young fellows, very long as to limb, very strong as to muscle. very light as to hair, — & more than affected as to boils, berating the porter of the sleeping car because he would not let them have that section. Scolding because it was given to one person, deriding the idea that "that woman had paid for four tickets," & insisting that they should have what they wanted, & continuing their bile & bluster till after I was in my berth & almost asleep. The next morning, — tho it is notorious, there is nothing for elegance & ease like the Pullman Sleeping Cars, they spread themselves mightily upon the superiority, general & minute, of every thing in the shape of a English coach over everything in which the vulgar Americans herded, ridiculing the "natives," & the "dress" of the "natives" & the "manners" of the "natives" — tho' the most of them were thorough Eastern travellers, fine in dress, & quiet & decent in manners, — while these fellows were positive guys to look at, — one of them especially was most eminently worthy of study & observation — cased in a water-proof suit, with all the available spaces corded with scarlet cloth, & the most remarkable of caps on his head. They were so determined to see everything through Cockney eyes, that when I took off my gloves, on the way to the hotel, to get my checks for the coach driver, there was an audible discussion of "native finery," & "paste," & "cheap jewelry." Whereat, I & my diamonds laughed. They were at the same hotel over the sabbath, but as I kept my room I saw nothing of them. the next morning as I came down to the coach they were chaffering with a boy for some cigars. — "but," says one. "ave you no Hinglish ci-gars? I do-nt-like-Hamerican ci-gars, I want a Hinglish ci-gar." "Haven't got none" says the boy doggedly. "Well then, give me an Hamerican one," says the fellow, giving some silver, & getting in exchange somecurrency. — "Bo-oy," gasps he, surveying it. — "Bo-oy, — what am I to do with these wags? — hey? — these wa-ags?" Boy looks at him with contempt, & responds, "the idea of a man asking what he's to do with currency when there's messes to be paid for" — & makes off. — & my Hinglishman mounts the 'bus. They tell me out here that a multitude of these fellows are journeying out to the plains, to see, & doubtless to appreciate America, & that they are about the best hated people who can travel over the land. — An English gentleman, is a gentleman indeed , — but these creatures, - ignorant, obstinate, pig-headed, - cased in trifle armor of arrogance vanity, & stupidity, are the ideal type of John Bull, & being such, it is no wonder the nation is hated as it is by foreigners. From St. Jo. I took ticket to Council Bluffs, & the first thing of note was the price paid, - indeed, that is what an Eastern person is struck by at once, here. My bill at the charming hotel, to which I referred in my last, was $6.25, for a little over a day, - & my fare to Council Bluffs, was at the rate of 7 cts a mile, - then, too, all these roads, having a terminus on the East-side of the river, instead of selling your ticket through, sell to the terminus & make you pay 75 cts. for the transfer, & buy your ticket afresh on the other side, - which certainly seems like a somewhat Picksniffy way of making money. Council Bluffs is a place of 6. or 7000 people. - spread over ground sufficient to support 60 - or 70, thousand. - It seems older than it is, since in the midst of the low, one-story, western houses abounding in it, there are some of the Government Houses, used when this was a station (Indian) & garrison, - to some very substantial wooden domiciles, put up here by the Mormons;the place was originally a Mormon settlement, & for a long while was a resting & recruiting place for the travelling bands before they struck out to Salt Lake. - & indeed there are still a number lingering about, — but as these are the "Jo Smith Mormons" & content themselves with one wife nobody is afflicted by their presence. It is quite ludicrous, to hear these people talk about Omaha, — the movement of everything here is westward. — a town on the west side of a stream is always the one to grow, & in this case, Omaha, not half so old as C.B. - has 20,000 people, & money and energy enough for 200,000, — poor, stupid Bluffs talks about "rivalry," & the "village of Omaha" — & what "we are to be," — in a way quite edifying to a stranger. Their Hall is a very good new one, — tho' I couldn't say "Yes" — when its Western proprietor said with a smirk, — "I suppose you never saw, Mrs. Dickson, anything finer than this in the East." That title, by the way. — is one with which almost every [body] out here, dubs me, then goes red & change it to Miss, — probably because of my age. - I was told of a certain crusty old fellow, who got more than he bargained for, who asked Mrs. Bloomer as she was going out of her hall how old I was. — "26" she told him. "Shaw! said he. — I heard her 17 years ago, & she was every day of 30 then." — Come, my dear, if this be the age of thy youngest daughter, what must that of thy eldest one be, - & for thyself what a patriarch thou art to be sure. Omaha, is a queer place to look at. — both of the places of necessity are built far back from the River, since it is wilder, & rougher, & steeps over its banks, more terribly in the spring than even the Mississippi. — this leaves an immense flat of drab colored mud or dust, as the case maybe between the two places, - then there is here such a rage for speculation, & land is held at so high a figure, that men build on leased land, - & build, of course, only temporarily, - so the whole place is made up of one story frame shanties, - there are not a dozen respectable houses in the place, save the hotels, of which there are about 50, - & a really fine Opera Hotel, in which I spoke, & for which they charged $200. - indeed the price of everything here is amazing, - as an item 10 cts for a newspaper. There is no use in anyone coming here with the idea of getting rich, unless he has in addition to business talent, plenty of money, - then he'll go. - These places are full of young men, who have been tempted out here, by the "big talk", & are content, their money being all gone, to work for their board: - however! they help to fill up. This preponderance of men is very marked. - in Omaha I had an audience of a thousand, - about 700 of whom were men, & in the cars going up, - I was the only lady in the car, tho it was full. The most disagreeable feature of these men, is whiskey: - its awful to contemplate, the amount of liquor drunk in this region, - down town, every other shop is a "Saloon," - & 8/10 of the men you meet, - even so early as 8 or 9 in the morning smell of this atrocious stuff: - & men of good social standing, - who in the East if they drank at all, would drink in moderation, & at home, go reeling through the streets, - drunk before dinner, - & the worst of it is, nobody seems to care for it. It kills them off fast, too, - the stuff they drink, & no wonder - in Omaha, I set to the best Chemist in town for pure brandy & rose water, & the best, even he could give me, was adulterated whiskey - what then must the stuff be that the Saloons sell. - However, - its as well, perhaps, if these men are to kill themselves, that they doso speedily as possible. Wednesday I had to return to St. Jo. - & to that wonderful hotel, - & worse still, to stay there all night, since the trains do not connect. - Straightway was I inundated by people who came to implore me to speak, "to stay over for a few days & let them get me up a lecture. - they were sure it would more than pay expenses' (!!) - evidently they thought I made about one speech a month, & that where I could find it. - In the morning before I was up three separate assaults were made upon my door by "bill stickers." - who "wanted to post Miss Dixon's bills" - which "stickers," I shook off, & sent away in disgust. St. Jo - anyone would know for a southern city, it has 34,000 people, yet no gas, - no decent Hotel, - no Hall, - next to no life & activity on the streets, - a dull, heavy, stupid place, - the women all trapse up & down with long dresses on the street, - draggling & slovenly, - with thin shoes, - & a generally "shiftless" air, - & all, men & women, drawl, & walk as tho' it were an effort to speak & to move. - The same thing was marked in the cars yesterday, - & one of these feminines, - a rampant rebel, holding forth to a companion about the divine right & beauty of slavery, to my great disgust, - was to my great delight incontinently squelched by a rough looking customer who sat opposite. - She had been re-iterating the statement, that "God never meant the lazy niggers to be free, - no he never did, he never intended it, - " when my fellow, a big red-headed lump growls out, - "Well! - he must be a mighty poor sort of God then, for he got outwitted." - whereupon my irate female glowered, & was silent. The ride from St Jo to Leavenworth must be lovely in Summer. - the road is through the woods almost all the way, & the high river bluffs - rise on one side in a very pictu[resque][pictu]resque manner. - these bluffs, seen over the wide plains--give one a dim idea of what the mountains must be--rough, bare, & washed by innumerable storms. Leavenworth,--is, young as it is in years, full of historic interest. --It is a place of 13000 people, with a great many fine residences, & really superb stores, none of which interested me, as I went past them to look at the house where the two Phillips brothers, were shot in the early days, at their own door. & at various spots pointed out, at window, or in the open streets where brave men fought & died, to save the land from slavery, - & going on from the places where they had fallen I climbed up the steep rugged sides of Pilot Knob, to see where they were laid to their final rest. - It is the highest land, I believe between the Rockeys & the Eastern Mountains. - A great 4 ridge looming up, in in these flats,-- the land-mark of many a belated hunter & Emigrant train.--You stand under the open sky & look across hundreds of miles of open, rolling, uninhabited land, & then when the sun shines, & the rains beat, & the winds blow, or howl, or whisper over them, these Kansas martyrs, - these men who held fast the profession of their faith without wavering are buried. It was sunset when I stood by their grave, & the air was full of the solemn feeling that falls inevitably at such a time & upon such a scene. I had gone to it from the Fort:--that is about 3 miles from the city, on the other side.--You drive to it through the great Gov[ernment][gov]ernment farm where are thousands of mules & sheep & which is under wonderful cultivation. Its just an ordinary, modern fort now, with plenty of official houses, & barracks, & big powder houses & the like. - but they pointed out to us the spot where the old Indian fort used to stand, where the savages crowded round, & our men fired out of the windows upon them, & it seemed more real as there were on the green in front of it two young buffaloes grazing, tied fast, they looked very much like shaggy little bulls, with humps on their shoulders. The old fort is now used as a Guard House, or rather the Guard House is built on its foundations & we saw diverse disconsolate fellows, peering through the iron bars, who were in disgrace. The house on the Government farm is one in which Jim. Lane used to live, & at the gates of which he shot himself. Indeed they scarcely point you out a place here that is not memorable for blood, - some scene of desperate violence, or heroic endurance & martyrdom. I stopped for a moment at the great Cathedral. - It is a magnificent place, built as the European churches are, & with little confessional boxes, all round it, queer little places with a cross on top & hung with green baize; next to the power of whiskey in the West is manifestly the power of the Catholic Church. From here I go to Lawrence if I see anything worth the telling I will tell it. I send some papers. - You will be amused to know that theOmaha Herald is rampant Copperhead. How is the little mother, & Dickey & the little man. Well I hope as the big Anna, who is everyway flourishing. - Tell Dickey I got the wine & powder, & that I will write & send what she wants from St-Louis. Give my regards to the Macs, remember me to [Barrot] if the poor fellow still lingers & to Annie & with dear love to all at home, believe me, blessed little mother, always Thy loving daughter AnnaWestville March 19th 1869 Little Sister I have long intended to write to thee -- but time goes and nothing done. & now this must go in this eve to reach thee at St. Louis. I will try to get the letter to thee at Cincinnati (the next place [whe] at which I can address thee -- Glad to know through thy papers that thee is prosper'g. I will hope to talk with thee about that law study when we meet - I think law practice is drudgery and disgusting I wonder if thee can help me to the lecture route next winter I would prefer it (for reasons) in New England. I am tempted to try it. Martha sends much love. Says she wants to see thee & asks when thee will be at Home. Thee doubtless hears from Philaoften. I lectured on California last night got Seymour Ct. paid expenses but no more - they liked my lecture - my scientific lectures were a few simple village talks to my own people in our church basement, no more - most of the money goes to the benefit of our parsonage & Sabbath school - we claimed about 90 $ by the whole affair. My share of which is the maps, some glass ware & chemicals & but for the present I must write myself thy affectionate brother John Philaa 3rd mo 21. 69 My dear wandering daughter I had begun to feel anxious to hear from thee, when thy letter of a day or two ago was handed in, containing the welcome intelligence of thy health and safety. Also of some of thy tribulations, dangers, and I fear they are many, and strange adventures. Is there any other lone woman of the age that encounter so many? I should be glad if thy experience of western travel would disgust each thee so much that thee would in future for writing to to relinquish it. Thanks for the letter to me which I intended noticing before, one in which thee spoke of thy mouse adventure, how did thee extricate the little critter and how thy head recovered from the attackI think it was a favour thy ears did not suffer, and thy book adventure in the car was not a little amusing. I have not been feeling so well of late, especially this day or two, something of my hemerage trouble, have been out but a few times this winter, was to see Barta a few days since he still lingers, but looks better than I expected to find him? Neither are S and E as well as they were some time ago poor Edwin suffers so from piles. he has found a little temporary business, straight'ning or fixing up the business books of someone of his old acquaintance, devotes a while of each day to it; Mary was in to see us last evening, has been quite unwell , was inquiring particularly for thee; I wish thee would send her a few lines there is said to be much sickness in the city. It was too bad, thy having to take that lonely expensive ride, never depend on such folk as Geleitt again, I see the stand and notice it, it say, [she left the town] Miss Dickinson left the town with flying colours seated near the engineer how strang and novel, if the weather was pleasant, I don't think I should have had any objection [have as****] the trip with my dear daughter and had the cost been less. well my dear childe, I trust a kind providence will preser thee to the end and bring thee safely to our arms. Katy was with us a week I believe to our mutual satisfaction, her husband and child from sixth to second day we did all we could to promote their comfort and pleasure, I think the husbandthe superior, the little son wants culture, would not want him for a constant guest, hope they will not miss future comfort in him by undue indulgence. The doctor , brother, father and sister took tea with us last first day eve, the doctor is not well his sister is to make a stay of several weeks in the city, part of the time here, a very nice girl the father a fine healthy looking NY farmer plain and simple in his manners. Thanks for the book thee sent me, in some respects I like it. the writers sentiments in some things vary from my own [???] [???] say, or pays high [????] to Fox and Modern friends, he derogates too much from F and his [???] or the principles of early friends, Well dear love in which Edwin joins I am as ever thy loving mother M E Dickinson1710 Locust St. Philadelphia March 23, 1869 Dear little Sister I see ma has been writing thee divers items of news which I did not send to St. Louis. The letter from John to thee came addressed to Ed., & we suppose thee has the one meant for E.--Mr. Lovett was here yesterday with a letter from Mr. Pugh to him giving distractions to him to remain here instead of coming to Boston, to get up a lecture for thee in Harrisburg, & probably in Pottsville & Baltimore; and to tell me to let Mr Wagner to have German as he (Mr. P) "did not believe in the place,"--& to ask me to telegraph thee for thy vacant dates before & after the 13th. I informed Mr. L thee had no such vacancies - that thee spoke in Oswego the 19th - that Pottsville was already arranged for with some one else who had accepted thy date of the 14th. And I consented to wait a few days before communicating with Gen. Wagner so as to give Mr. P. an opportunity of communicating with thee, by telegram to Mattun, or letter to Crawfordsville as to whether thee would give the 16th to Baltimore instead of Germ.--We could not tell from his letter whether he had written thee to St. Louis according to [Junnise?], or not. We see less of Nellie Irish than we'd like because her mother continues in bed, so weak, & still unable to receive visitors. Dr. Irish was on for a couple of days but could not call. Mother has been unusually well until this week when she has had two or three attacks of hemorrhage, but they seem now to be checked and I hope we have got the upper hand of them, for their return is alarming after last season. Take care of thy health dear little girl. With best love from all Affectionately Susan E. 1710 Locust St. Philadelphia March 25, 1869 Dear little Sister, I sent two packages of letters to St. Louis which I hope came in good time. And since Augustus Thomas was detained over in St Louis longer than he expected I hope he has taken thee news of home & will bring us word before the week is out of having seen thee. that seems to be better than hearing only. Please make out & return this internal revenue tax paper. If a Miss Carpenter call on thee in Cincinnati, she is one of the students of the medical college here, a wealthy young lady of Cincinnati who is studying the profession as a matter of principle and example. She is a very pleasant, cultivated, intelligent girl. I don't know that she will call, but she wanted me to speak of her, and to send various messages of love & admiration etc.If thee goes to Richmond on the 1st, & aunt Anna calls or thee sees any favorable way hadn't thee better settle with Eleanor Foulke, or rather with her daughter Mrs. Longfellow, for the remaining time for which thee engaged to pay uncle John's board, -- as that will be up on the 1st. I paid up to Jan'y 7th, thee knows; -- that which I received through I.M. Saunders, and $22 additional bringing it to that date. If thee can save the sending of a draft without bringing thyself into contact with uncle John it will be well. There will be twelve weeks; I think either at $4.50 or $5 per week. We have apparently had the equinoctial, and yesterday and to-day are quite springlike. Mother has had no further symptoms of her disease since I wrote the other day and I hope now will not have. Poor Barrott still lingers, and wants to be remembered to thee whenever I see him. The Longshores and MacKenzies are well, and both families have sent love on divers occasions when it has not been remembered. Rebecca Hawkins took tea here for a few ev'gs since & Wm came in the ev'g. Harry has been quite sick but is out at the store again. [Hunn?] Jenkins has purchased at 15th & Green, and that family is coming in town again. Eliza Neall has not been here this winter, and Mary Austin told me the other day she had not been there - that she is as well as usual, but has stayed in doors all winter. With dear love from all at home, as always, Affectionately Susan E.Phila 3/31/69 Dear "Big" Girl As I was about leaving the house this "morn." Sue handed me the accompanying letters saying she hadn't time to write, requesting me to ack'ge rec't of thine with check yesterday. Did thee receive telegram telling of thy empty envelope from St. Louis? My letter with draft from there arrived o.k., and I am at last constrained, by the same reason that caused the opposite course in thy conduct at Lawrence, to return thanks with heartiness. Some week ago Sue prevented, as I after-wards learned, a Sale of Dan for his cost price plus all buying and selling commissions,so I will still occasionally mount him, & now that we have a prospect of pleasant weather, doubtless will more frequently. For the past couple of weeks I have devoted 3 or more hours a day to writing up a set of books at 4th & Chestnut Sts, which I will probably have done in a couple of days. I know of nothing special to report from home--the usual mix of grumbling. Sue & Augustus appear to be amicable (or more)--he probably told thee his sister is visiting here. Hoping to see thee soon as thee is on the return trip, I wind up. Thy ever loving bro Ed. 1710 Locust St. Philadelphia May 1. 1869 My dear little SIster, I write mainly to send John G North's letter rec'd this morning as I suppose it contains the "notice", & that it's best to have no delay in its reaching there. It's well we gave up our "Atlantic" trip, for it's turned out a cold, rainy May-day. Marion came in last night, ready to go if we went, and we're quietly abiding in-doors.--Dr. Thomas was in to a late breakfast, had been visiting patients all morning with no chance fora mouthful,--he & I had a fuller chat about the "Sanitarium." He believes if thee'll have Dr. Parrish call, & will give him some insight into Nat's character and antecedents; & let him explain to thee, so thee can tell Frank about his plan of cure, that Nat can be saved & cured. Dr. P has cured so many when others have wholly failed to influence. Mrs. Winfree was here in great distress yesterday. She had heard nothing from Mr. Betts and had been doing plain sewing, she said. Also that she had rec'd some time ago official notice to quit because of back rent, & that all her efforts had availed only to obtain permission to stay in case she paid up to-day, May 1st. That she's earned and saved $6 towards it, a lady for whom she sewed had given her $10, that she still had $8 to make up, -- & her mother and mute sister were both sick. Also, that Mrs. Biddle on Spruce St. had engaged her to keep her house during her absence this summer from June 4th -- at a salary of $4 per week. I didn't know enough of her to be sure it was right best or not, but I supposed thee would have given her the $8, & her story seemed so pitiful, that I did so. Dost approve or disapprove? Emma Thomas is coming over this afternoon to rest and spend the last four days of her stay--she intends on going home next week. Has just come. Sarah Baily paid us a little visit yesterday, & wanted to come to dinner to-day on her way out of town - I'm looking for her every minute--hope she'll come. She's just the "Teacher Sarah" of old.Mrs. Purvis spent most of yesterday here. Hattie has been very sick. She brought her in town to see a Dr. - left her at Mrs. Foster's - her father was to take her out of town this afternoon; but the storm which kept me from her this morning keeps her in town. - (I just had a line from her in answer to mine,) so I shall see her yet. Miss Susie Richardson (Thos. Kimber's adopted daughter) was here yesterday. They are looking for us this month, it seems. Mamma seems pretty well again - we had our furnace fire re-kindled, & are rejoicing in its heat. Edwin is as usual. My back has been dreadfully badly behaved, but begins to amend. With dear love from us all to our wanderer, and our love to Walter & Louise, & Mr. Phillips & J.G.W. (& by all means to Mrs. Bauman if thee writes to her,) Affectionately Susan E. Monday Noon May 10, '69 Anna my darling, you left the card enclosed & I am glad of it, because it gives me the oppty. to tell you what a good time we had together this time. Don't forget this - & then you will try harder to come often. Yes, you aremy own child - daughter of my heart & I shall always claim you & de-light in you clear down through the golden ages of eternity. What times we will have some day! Only it is hard to realize now we can happy when there is no one to be pitied & mocked for. Does not this feeling help us to realize a little how God can be supremely happy & yet the beholder of all this misery. His income of fruition is beyond the outings of compassion therefore His peace is like a river - so will it be with us - some times it almost thus with me now - thanks be unto Him who givethus of His peace. Dont forget Robert - Paymaster U.S. Ship Swatara Navy Yard - Philadelphia. Tell Julia Gould all the things we said about her & that I want to write her at length but am hindered - you know how much. I am glad if you dont speak in N. Y. not that I fear the fellowship now as once - but it seems best not. Ever yrs. lovingly Mamma.