NAWSA GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE Welker, MARY P. In Bed MRS. SCOTT E. WELKER Dec - 14 - 1938 4220 NEBRASKA AVENUE WASHINGTON D.C. Dear Cousin Alice & all the family If possible I will write a short note. Probably Cousin Helen told you of their call here bringing the most precious bit of humanity that ever came into our house (in a basket) - how proud we can be to have such a darling in his family - as hope she will always be a blessing and comfort to her parents, [An] I have used practically all our cards I send this to you which can be shared by the others. I was so glad to read & hear that you can get about some, possibly time may help the afflicted eyes, Papa had his second sight after he was 70 and lived to be 78. Scotts sister is in the seventies and suffers greatly with her eyes. There is so much I would like to tell you but I must reserve my strength for the holiday week when we have not seen when since here return from Europe sister comes. She fully intended visiting [???] but when in a family one has to consider others. I really was improving when I forced myself to attend the wedding of a dear little girl whom we have known since a baby - three generations of this family. The girls Uncle and groom's father performed the ceremony My husband was not strong enough to go and feared to have me make the effort - well it was worth it and gives me something nice to think about at night when I am restless. We trust all your household and relations will have a good old fashioned Xmas with many blessings Much love to you dear Cousin Alice from Scott & Mary Welker SCOTT E. WELKER 4220 NEBRASKA AVENUE WASHINGTON, D. C. April 1, 1939 My dear Cousin Alice This morning's post brought your Easter Card with its "note of Cheer &c" I believe it would be disappointing if it did not come. Also a card with good wishes from Joseph Preli a fine Italian who had occasionally acted as chauffeur for us but in years gone by drove for the King of Italy. His service and manners were perfect - he lost his wife here and the fact that I showed him some sympathy seems top have established quite a friendship - if only we would remember to offer a kind word or thought every day. There is so much I wish to tell you but my long and serious illness has limited October 4, 1939 This picture was taken at my Great grandfather's Blackwells home in Hopewell, N. J. It was our 57 wedding day. The dress my mothers traveling dress. Mary P. Welker 77 Scott E. Welker 80 "Under Oak" winter 1938-1939 - D. of C. Where S. E. & Mary P. Welker live all my actions. There are thousands of people coming here - great bus loads to see the Cherry blossoms. This afternoon rain I fear will spoil them. I am not gifted with descriptive power - I so wish I could give you a picture of "Under Oak" (the picture is large - in fact we are land poor) - there are 19 large forsythia bushes in most brilliant bloom, they are beautiful bobbing their heads above the garden wall - then the winding drive to house is lined with prunis piassondi? a delicate pink that most people take for cherry bloom excepting it shows a bit of foliage which is redish purple - every conceivable place with yellow daffies & bulbs in bloom. Last Sunday was like summer and many people walked about admiring the beauties of the grounds. The house is low and squatty - our awning over the terrace must be replaced and as I have a riot of color Scott told me to have what I wished. I selected a bright red with a very narrow stripe of white - the flower bed along the wall on some side are to be in brilliant Oriental Poppy - would you like it Cousin Alice? Please understand I speak to you of these things, I so love my home - strangers might think me boasting. We have had a great sorrow Mrs. Schmick 92 years of age Scotts sister that we loved so dearly died Feb. 12th. The weather was dreadful so they could not take her to the village where the other members of family are but placed in vault in Cleveland. Of course we could not go. She was a marvelous woman - I miss her unusual letters - she was so original. There are just three of us left - I am ons [?] "inlaw" but one of these. Are you alarmed over the condition of the world? Have we lost our balance? I can't but blame the extravagance of this administration for ruining us. Old people like us who have worked hard and saved for our old age to be left without an income it affects those dependent on people for many of our friends have let their help go others must cut wages. Have you hear about the "Duchess of Windsors "spring bonnet? Three Beaus and no Crown. We so hope you will soon be as well as usual. How brave you are - is it too much to hope your sight may be restored in time. We send love to all the family - it makes me very happy to in[? ]your circle - a good big hug for your dear Self. As Ever Cousin Mary P. Welber Friends who were attached at Am. Legation at Prague are home. We are as anxious to see them. Mr. Edward Burnett Lawson has held positions in Africa London, Paris, & his wife our friend a poor girl, has studied and fitted herself for each place most beautifully. Dec. 14-1939 In Bed Scott E. Welker 4220 Nebraska Avenue Washington, D. C. Greetings and all good wishes to the family. We so hope it will be a pleasant season for all. The sad condition of the world is so depressing. We keep hoping our' beloved England will continue to control as of old. Does your sight improve at all and is your general health pretty good? The las of Sept. I fulfilled a long anticipated trip. We secured a good man to drive my car and look after us and away we went to "Princeton Inn" near where I was born. (I did not have my maid Mary Brown or my wheel chair) Sister was there to receive us, expects to be with us a short time during the holidays At the "Inn" it was soon learned that we were there celebrating my husbands 80th birthday and our 57" wedding day. Everyone was so very kind and attentive, flowers, everything to spoil me. It seemed I could not do enough. I went to the Hopewell Church where for years my Grandmother, a n.y. girl led the singing, no musical instrument, but a tuning fork to get the "key" Visited their old farm, no owned by some rich N.Y. man I understand. Everything was going to pieces but the beautiful sugar maples he planted years ago also the barn. I wanted so to get in for I had so many happy childhood recolections of it. At one side were wooden rollers where the horses walked & walked to run the thrashing machine & we children would jump out the back door into the straw. The hillside was covered with little saplings in very autumnal color from these trees. I trust I am not tiring you with all this. I realize I was overdoing but kept going. We had been home but a day or two when I was taken desperately ill, two doctors and a nurse, continuous vomiting which made my heart so much worse, well I was unconscious of everything for weeks Old St. Pete does not seem to want me yet for I am very slowly gaining a little. Among my flowers from D. C [?] were orchids which I wore on my wedding night with a black velvet dress. I gave them to an expectant mother tho [?] [?] generation in Blackwell family (cousin David B. great granddaughter. Scott E. Welker 4220 Nebraska Avenue Washington, D. C. My dear Cousin:- Your letter gave me a joyous surprise-To think your sight has returned so marveously- I never had heard of Agness Blackwell. I cannot recall wheather I wrote of you of our trip to Princeton and my very serious illness that followed-As I was born there near Princeton, I had a great desire to go back and also felt that it would be my last trip-and knew I was overdoing all the time. We were there We are back -so feeble and so thin. Of course we are doing nothing for Xmas Just as I was beginning to improve Arthritis in left arm came and it was so painful, my arm in a splint as if broken, This is a long and very personal letter I have been so busy trying to get better do not know what the Billy goat in the White House has been doing. Much love and all good wishes [?Scott?] 77 [?and 80] For many reasons , we expect to remain here all winter, more comfortable than anywhere else. -2- to celebrate our 57th Wedding Day. Among other people we visited was Cousin Fannie Hill and husband; the daughter of David Blackwell who lived to be 104- I trust I have not written you this as it is so deadly to repeat. The Hills have gone to St. Petersburg, Fla. for years. They, too, have been married over 50 years. They delayed their trip until after the birth of their great-grandson who was named after his great-grandfather, John Hill Peterson, his father, a Norwegian. I sent him a silver spoon that I had -3- bought at Tronso [?] Norway, which seemed to please them very much. The inclosed picture was taken at great-grandfather Blackwell's home in Hopewell, N. J. The dress I am wearing was my mother's doing-away wedding dress. While the winter has been severe, we are glad that we did not attempt to go away, as we have every comfort and our faithful Mary. After our return nearly every thing is a blank to me. We had two doctors and a nurse. Scott's 83 year old sister and niece were her and I think a great comfort to him. We are again bedfast most -4- of the time, with one of the same doctors caring for us, Our doctors are in Florida, and a nurse, Miss Britten, who is writing this. How I would love to see you and all the connections- I so hope Cousin Howard and his family are all well - Should any of the relatives come to Washington, we will see them if it is possible. I mange to get a good deal out of life through radio, friends such as Tom Terris, Cheria, and etc. There's scarcely an old friend left, their children and grand-children stand by us. Mrs. Parker, a Scotchwoman, calls me her American mother. She is brilliant, writes poetry and etc and is on the radio once a week. Scott E. Wilker 4220 Nebraska Avenue Washington, D. C. If you do not write, I thourghly understand. Have you the same companion? I'm not very much in love with the present administration, but trust they will keep us out of war. What good is all this fighting, anyway, which will end with arbitration. I am quite sure my husband joins in love and good wishes to all. Faithfully yours, Mary P. Welker (per M. Britton.) Weeker Mary P. Miami Beach, Fla. 2939 Indian Creek Drive Feb. 10-1938 Bright Sunshine a perfect day My dear Cousin Alice Under separate cover I am returning one of the books Lucy Stone - as I have one which came some time ago. It is a very intimate sweet story. Scott has read it --I am such a busy housewife find it about all I can do with reading the news -am looking fwd. to reading it sometime. Inclosed please find one dollar ($1.00) for some. How I wish you could bask in this glorious sunshine - we have the most convenient shower - usually at night, which brightens the foliage & flowers and gives us pleasant days. Recently we had a delightful boat ride passing many fine residences which were pointed out to us, among others the home of Fred Smith Jr. - father of the boy with Iron lung - we slowed down and gave this brave 27 year old boy a hearty wave of hands. There are mi[?}.. so [?] he can see what 1935 Mrs. Scott E. Welker 4220 Nebraska Avenue Washington, D. C. My dear Cousin Alice Yours of Nov. 7th received. I am very sorry the check was mislaid. One thought in sending it to you direct was to give you a letter ready cash at once. Up to the present times it has not been presented at our bank and we have stoped payment on that check with an order to honor the inclosed. I insist you keep reasonably comfortable. Tomorrow my husband is starting for Winter Park Florida to see if he can find a small cottage where we can be in the sunshine during the severe winter months. It is a big undertaking to get me there even with my nurse and our faithful Mary to prepare our [??] takes place - it as said to cheer him to receive these attentions. His sister was married Tuesday to his college friend and companion since his affliction. Is Cousin Howard and family still in D. of C. - I do hope so. I want to see them as often as possible - are your eyes yielding to treatment? Do not feel you must answer this note - we realize how difficult it must be for you or your attendant. So many of our fine business men are passing on when they are greatly needed. Mr Firestone has been a strong factor in making the wheels go round - has done so much for this city. I have a picture of him with his five sons all fine looking men.- It looks as if our country was about ruined if we do not soon get rid of this Royal Dictator [???] in our Capitol. Oh for another Abraham Lincoln or someone with a stiff back bone - every one seems afraid of F.R.IO. [?] and he knows it. "I am not asking I am telling them." - do not think me a terrible woman - this critter nearly wrecks my disposition. Please remember me to all connections and your jolly companion - much love for your dear self. My this day and all days bring you strength and contentment Ever fondly, Mary P. Welker [?] simply meals. I think of you very often and so hope conditions will soon improve. If we are here and Mrs. Belden is here for this winter we hope to have the pleasure of seeing her. Most sincerely Mary P. Welker November 9 1935 1932 Dear Cousin Alice Your cards of Christmas greetings have been received. As the years come and go I find it more of a task to keep up with the procession but I still cling to the Xmas festivities and always wish I could be a real "Lady bountiful." We feel the depression greatly and have had to curtail in every way as we are of the "land poor." However this fall I put aside all prudence and had a wonderful party in celebration of our golden wedding. I had looked forward to it all the year even when the family thought my health would not permit my carrying out my plans. We did not issue any cards, just put a notice in the paper that we would be home to receive our friends from 4 to 6 - Mr Welkers people motored from Ohio and arrived the day before, my Sister came by air plane. As this day was rainy we could not use the garden as we had planned and it taxed our little cottage to care for the hundred or more guests. We waited untill quite a few guests had arrived before taking our places before the fire place in the living room which was bordered with flowers. They gave us a right royal reception. My husband was in white from head to foot and looked very dear to me, I was gowned in a dress fashioned after one of my Mothers trousseau and still in my possession, with it I wore a quaint head dress of cream velvet flowers. About five oclock we went to the dining room for me to cut the brides cake. I made quite a ceremony of this, giving the first piece to my husband and thanking him for many years of happiness he had given me, then to each of the relatives and old friends, from out of town with - a little message to each, then wishing all the others happiness I asked them to join in singing "Auld Lang Syne" with the orchestra leading. A friend said "you had us all in tears" another "you two look as if you had dropped down from Heaven" & etc. There were quite a few distinguished guests - Mr. Justice and Mrs. Van Devanter of the U.S. Supreme court, Mr. & Mrs. Allen Pomereme, several clergymen and wives, and a few who had attended our wedding in 1882 - my dearest friends. I tell you these little personal things knowing you will receive it in the right spirit, we were so happy to have had all these years together - of course there were memories and an undercurrent of sadness that was hard to keep down. I trust I have not worried you with such a long personal account. Do you see Mrs. Moyhan? often and is she thinking Scott E. & Mary P. Welker On their golden wedding day. October 4, 1932 of coming to Washington for the winter? I trust you keep well and no doubt are very busy. Life in the Capitol has been none to pleasant of late with the so called "Hunger "Marches." Many are the scum of the county and remain over, commiting all sorts of crime. There is scarcely a day we do not have from one to two beggars. Of course I am very sorry for them and never turn them away hungry. One man, after giving him a good hot meal said to the gardner, 'I want money and intend getting it one way or another." The Community chest people ask us not to give to these people who come to the door, its a serious problem and we wonder how Mr Roosevelt is going to handle the situation We were greatly disappointed that Mr Hoover was not reelected Mr Welker joins me in extending his season's greetings With Love Mary P. Welker December 1932 Mary Welker Under Oak 4220 Nebraska Avenue Dear Cousin Alice Thank you so much for autographing your new book "Lucy Stone" for me. I do prize it so highly. We are just in the first chapter but know we are going to enjoy it very much. What a pretty, sprightly and interesting woman she must have been. We are passing the holiday season in our usual quite way with my sister as our only guest who gave us quite a thrill by arriving from Newark N.J. by airplane and expect to return the same way. My husband is so miserable these cold blustery days that we are wondering if we will have to seek a warmer climate, possibly Arizona or California. We are so cozy in our own little home we much prefer staying here but may be forced to go. Trusting you keep well and again thanking you I am most sincerely Mary P. Welker December 30 1930 Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.