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CSHR 9/35

Cincinnati,
April 3rd, 1859 Sunday afternoon
[1859/04/03]

My beloved husband;
[WTS]

You will perceive by the date of my letter that we are spending this day in Cincinnati as we anticipated when we left you. I had made far different calculations on my way however. The Emma landed at the wharf at St. Louis about nine o'clock on Thursday evening -- making a trip of only two days and two nights. I could scarcely believe that we could make it in so short a time. The Captain, his brother, Mr. Fitzgerald and Hamp all helped us to our carriage and we got two good rooms on the first floor at the Virginia Hotel. Captain Yore and the other officers invited me to remain on the boat and take the cars from there next morning but Hamp thought if I remained until two o'clock train he would be ready to accompany me so I concluded to go to the Hotel where we were treated with great attention. I went out shopping after breakfast and on my return to the Hotel I called at the Bank to see Ben Nishet. His brother came to the carriage and informed me that Ben was now probably on his way home from New Orleans. Bessie was feeble all winter so they left the baby with Ben's Mother and he took her south. She will remain in Mobile with Mrs. Judge when Ben comes up to attend to some business. I did not enquire when Bessie would return. The little girl 'Lucy' is thriving Mr. Nishet told me. ------Before I entered the Hotel I called in the Bank and had a moments chat with Mr. Rokohl. We all dined and got ready for the cars when Major Turner's card was sent to me. Mr. Yore had told him that I was there. He said he was on the point of writing to you. He expressed great regret that you had not consented to go into business in St. Louis according to Mr. Lucas's proposition. He invited me to remain at their home until Monday -- or longer. He spoke of your letter on the Pacific Railroad and I spoke of his speech etc. ----Hamp was unable to leave St. Louis that afternoon but I met in the omnibus and Hamp introduced me to Mr. Brook, the Leavenworth agent. He helped us all the way through to Cincinnati -- indeed until we landed at the Burnet House steps where the Porter who once had the misfortune to lose my hat box was ready to receive us with a broad grin of satisfaction on his Hibernian countenance. He must have chuckled triumphantly as he carried up the hat box this time secure. We have a room on the first floor and are exceedingly well cared for here. Mary and the boys go to the children's table and Lizzie takes her meals with me. I felt too unwell to go to Church today although it is bright and beautiful. After Church Mary took the children out to walk and they are now all running in the hall. Ewing said yesterday when he found he was landed at a Hotel---"dog on it -- I want to go to my Grand Ma's". After riding all night we arrived here just half an hour too late for the train going to Lancaster. A second train was advertised to leave at 4:15 P.M. but on enquiring I found that at Morrow it became a freight train with one passenger car attached and that it was from four in the afternoon until four, five or six in the morning reaching Lancaster. I telegraphed Father to know if I should go in it or stay here until Monday but the operator came to my room in about half an hour and said he could not wake them at L. I then altered my dispatch and telegraphed Father that we were all well and would be home on Monday. I was not sorry for the rest for I felt worn out and scarcely able to stand. Mary took care of all three of the children on the cars and I took a seat elsewhere and slept until daylight. I did not go out to a meal; it was raining and supper was at nine o'clock and only ten minutes were allowed for breakfast. We breakfasted here at ten o'clock or half past. Did you know that when the Emma left the wharf Hamp was not aboard? I stepped out on the guards to see if you were in sight and after we got pretty well out finding that Hamp did not make his appearance I was not slow to conclude that he had been left behind. I was in a greater quandary about his trunk of papers than anything else for I received very kind attention from the officers of the boat and the children (especially Ewing) were noticed sufficiently to gratify the vainest Mother -- which I am not. In the evening whilst the boat was lying at Kansas City, I was surprised by the appearance of McClean. He sat by me sometime -- regretted Hamp's failure to get aboard -- offered twice to escort me himself to St. Louis. I hurriedly and promptly declined his offer and he bid me good bye and said he would return from there. The next evening Hamp came aboard at s some landing where the "Messenger" had just deposited him. I was very glad to see him----Mr. Brooks is a most enthusiastic agent; he carried his papers in the cars and at every pause, where there was a man in sight he threw Pikes Peak gold -- news ----out calling to attract attention and always securing it. He got acquainted with two young ladies and a gentleman from Ken. who took the branch cars for Louisville. They sang and joked---the girls pelted a bald headed man with clumps of paper until they made him relieve his wife of the burden of his sleepy head they tried to teach Mr. Brooks eucre but said they thought he never would learn and he said "he didn't believe he should" as he could only play muggins" -- they kept our end of the cars awake until they left when Mr. B. seemed somewhat disconsolate and slept till morning.

Give my love to Tom and Ellen and Mary D.---regards to Wash and Mr. McCook. I think of you all the time. May God keep you.

Ever your affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
April 7, 1859
[1859/04/07]

[WTS]

I wrote you from Cincinnati on Sunday last, my beloved husband, and I intended to write again to you yesterday but I could not steal the time to do so. I have felt very wnwell ever since I left Leavenworth, at which time you may remember I was suffering from severe cold. I know you think it folly and it may be, but I have very little hope of ever regaining my strength. The journey fatigued me greatly and the two days I spent in Cincinnati were passed in my room and the most of the time in the bed. I think of you dear Cump all the time and I have troubled myself about your cold which was so bad when I left you. I fear you increased it on your way to the Ranch.

Mary Denman wrote me that you left on Wednesday, very early in the morning and that you had bid them all good bye the night before, seeming well pleased to get off. I said to Lizzie the first evening after we left you -- "think of poor Papa now, all alone upstairs -- are you not sorry you left him" -- She seemed to feel very badly about you but she suddenly brightened up and said- "Maybe Cousin Mary will go and sleep with Papa" Dear innocent child! she often seems to grieve about you and so does Willy. Yesterday someone gave Willy a basket full of hickory nuts. He got his bag and filled it with the nuts and then brought them to me and asked me if I would not keep them for you adding with a melancholy little smile -- "You know Papa likes hickory nuts". He and Tommy Ewing went up into the garret here yesterday and found Willy's fine brass mounted drum that Uncle Boyle gave him last summer. Mr. Russel made him drum sticks for it today and he is perambulating the town beating as well as he can, and enjoying it prodigiously. Ewing is in great glee but he sticks pretty close to Effie. Lizzie and Minnie are perfectly devoted to each other. Minnie grows as rapidly as ever and she seems to me as large as a girl of ten or eleven years of age. She has the same sweet face and to all eyes that do not change towards her she is as pretty as ever she was. Lizzie lost two teeth -- her upper front teeth, on the way home and her hands are covered with a rash which Dr. Bigelow says is peculiar to the season, so the poor child looks her very worst and to great disadvantage. Philemon's children are blooming and beautiful as roses in June. Tom is crazy to go to you and Father says if he had gone out he would have taken him in spite of Father and Mother. Boyle and Henrietta left at one o'clock today for Leavenworth but I think they will not travel very rapidly -- they expect to go to the Opera tonight in Cincinnati and they will spend a day in St. Louis. Henrietta is a jewel -- I love her more each time I see her. Boyle must not keep her there one day after the first of June.

Father's thoughts are constantly reverting to the ranch at Indian creed creek station---he is writing to you about it every few days I presume. Father was suffering from severe cold when I arrived but he seems better now.

We had as passengers on the Emma a Mr. Murphy, wife and family who were very agreeable. Mr. Murphy is a brother-in-law of Captain Yore's. He lives near Weston and invited me to visit them. He seems to be wealthy but he is going to Pike's Peak. Mrs. Murphy says she would like to go with him. You perhaps noticed them as the Captain conducted them on board that day, whilst we were at dinner.

My fare on the Emma was twenty dollars and on the cars from St. Louis to Cincinnati they did not charge me for baggage nor for the children. Nor did they from Cin. home. On the Ohio and Miss. railroad I did not meet the obnoxious conductor. I failed to get tickets however before starting and therefore had to pay for Mary and myself.---I sent Ellen today by Henrietta a present of half a dozen table spoons, handsomely marked for which I paid twenty three dollars. I sent half a dozen fine white handkerchiefs to you which I had hemmed and which Mother very kindly marked. Make Eliza do up your clothes nicely and for my sake do take some care of your health. Let me know as soon as you make up your mind to build. Do not do so until you are satisfied that you will like Leavenworth. If you will take my ten thousand dollars and establish yourself in business in St. Louis or Cincinnati or Baltimore or in any place north of the yellow fever line I shall cheerfully and gladly give it all to you. Pray consider the matter well for I am not partial to Leavenworth. I feel that I shall not live long anywhere and I lack the spirit required in a new place.

All send love to you. I hope to hear from you soon. Give my love to Henry and Jack if you get this at the Ranch -- if at home give my love to Tom, Ellen and Mary. Tell Luke that all the children send love to him and want to know how he likes the farm.

Believe me ever, your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
April 13, 1859
[1859/04/13]

My dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I intended writing to you yesterday but I waited in hopes I would hear from you in the afternoon as I did. Your letter of the 2nd which was misdated the 3rd and mailed on the 4th came very promptly although post marked at some little office in the country. We were all very much interested in your account of the farm and your management there. I was sorry to hear that the weather had been so unfavourable. I fear you suffered more discomfort than you were willing to admit. I think that it is perhaps better that John Blain should have returned as the necessary expenses of the farm have been so heavy. Father seems so very much interested in everything out there that he talks about going out to see for himself how it is.

In my letters from Cincinnati and from home I gave you a full account of my journey. I could have made the entire trip most comfortably without Hamp and I therefore did not feel distressed on my own account when I found we had left him. When he came aboard the boat at New Brunswick, I believe, he said he had been afraid that I would be angry and I presume he thought you would be too when you found he had been left.

I was so unwell the two days that I spent in Cincin. that I spent the greater part of the time on the bed, as I did indeed on the boat. On the Emma both Lizzie and Willy slept with me so my day naps were more refreshing than my night ones, for the steam pipe running through my state room made it too hot for sleeping three in a berth. The clerk kindly offered to give me another room but I found the trip was going to be so short that it would not be worth while to move.

I do not think you ought to consider your hold upon the children a slight one because they were glad to come away. Children are never distressed by the prospect of a journey but always love to start -- no matter whom they leave behind unless they become effected by evident grief in others. And you know that you always make it a point to conceal your feelings and as far as possible to appear to have none.

The principal motive that induced me to come was simply this -- that I felt afraid to risk my confinement there in my present diseased condition the more so as you think there is little or nothing ails me and that I am never in any danger or requiring the care that I think absolutely necessary. My symptoms seem to me more unfavourable since the Doctor discontinued treatment. Dr. Boeistler is such a blab that I cannot consult him so I am going soon to Cincinnati to see some Physician there.

Mrs. Jesse Hart has cancer of the womb and cannot survive many months. Her husband is expected soon and she is crazy to see him.

Lizzie has had Ŝcarlatina but it has not confined her to bed -- it has however increased her deafness which is really pitable. I am distressed about it.

Boyle sent me from Cincinnati a keg of porter and Henrietta sent me a beautiful photograph of herself and Boyle handsomely framed. It is very good.

I shall write to them this afternoon. Give my love to them and to Tom and Ellen and Mary D. Please tell Mr. McCook that I was very sorry I could not see him on the boat. My regards to Wash if he has not gone. No word from Hamp. Father is going to Cin. to attend court next week. He was sick when I got home but he is very well now. Willy talks a great deal about you and can scarcely command his countenance while doing so sometimes. Every one remarks his growing resemblance to you. Ewing is perfectly at home and seems anxious to rule the house when his Grand Pa is not present. They were all interested in your letter and beg me to send their love.

As ever, your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
April 16, 1859
[1859/04/16]

[WTS]

I yesterday received your very interesting letter of the 7th, my dearest Cump, the most of which I read to Father. By this time, you must have got letters from both Father and myself, as I have written you from Cincinnati and twice from here and Father has written to you frequently. I am sorry to hear that the weather continues so unfavourable as I fear you could not be comfortable.

Luke I hope will try and be contended until Fall when we can take him again for the winter. If you think it better to rent than to build for the winter I shall be satisfied. I think we ought not to build until we feel certain about remaining three -- and that we cannot until you have had a longer experience and feel better satisfied than you do now. I fear I shall never have the health and consequently I shall lack the energy requisite for a residence in a new and distance. But time will I hope soon determine this. Before this reaches Leavenworth you will doubtless be back there. Write me what room you have and how you are getting along. You will have to find storage, somewhere, for my large box that I left pecked in the wood house, as Ellen is to use that for a kitchen and it cannot go into the cellar as the dampness would injure etc. My large truck and the white chest, if in the way where they are, must have dry storage somewhere. I think when the weather gets warm you had better take another of my store boxes and pack my father bed, if you find it uncomfortable under your mattrass. I hope you will get through the summer comfortably and without sickness of any sort.

Boyle and Henrietta are doubtless in Leavenworth by this time. Please thank them, in my name, for their very acceptable presents from Cincinnati. Boyle sent me a barrel full of pint bottles of porter which is of superior quality. The photograph is true to life and treasure indeed, which some sixteen or twenty years hence their children will be coaxing us to give them -- Sis and I each received one.

Give my love to all and tell Willy Cox that his treacherous little cousin persists in telling tales on him. He tells his Grand Pa that Willy Cox "gouged his eyes" and committed various other assaults upon him. He always calls the girl "Willy Cox's Kitty". Willy's Grand Ma got him a pr. of boots with red tops the day after we arrived and he has spent nearly every succeeding day at the farm. I think Lizzie is probably improving a little---they all talk incessantly of you.

As ever,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
April 18, 1859
[1859/04/18]

[WTS]

I enclose to you, my dearest Cump, the deed which Boyle and Henrietta, Tom and Ellen made to Father Lange. Will you be kind enough to have it recorded and return it to me?

I hope you will feel none the worse of your work in the country. We are all as usual here---the children are well and happy. I am going to Cincinnati next week to se a Physician. I will remain but one, or at most two days.

Love to all---as ever, yours,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.
April 20, 1859
[1859/04/20]

My dearest Cump;
[WTS]

Both Father and I received long letters from you on Monday. Yesterday Father left for Cincinnati where he will remain a week or ten days.

Charley is at the farm today planting several thousand honey locusts seeds, which are intending for the Indian creek ranch when sprouted. Charley is interested deeply in farming---has fruits, stock, grain, garden, cows, and a dairy maid there. Willy spends nearly everyday there and Ewing has to be dressed in a suit of Willy's old clothes to go down the first mild day -- Willy found him his drum, in the garret, Mr. Russel made drum sticks for him and when he does stay at he drills all the children as Shield's guards. He says "the reason Papa likes the Regular beast is because he was Regular as himself". Ewing came to me yesterday to know " when we would go back to Leavenworth to see Papa" -- he says he "wants to see Papa". Father says you will have to come on this summer, if he does not go out -- so you must prepare yourself. We are all rejoicing at it but poor little Lizzie is afraid you won't come. She is devoted to Minnie and very happy but still very deaf. Mother has had some dresses made for her long sleeves and high neck and the same in pattern and color as Minnie's. Minnie is twice the size of Lizzie so the latter feels very important dressed just live her.

I am rejoiced that you are so pleased with framing and that it agrees with you so well. We are all amused at your account of Luke. I am so glad you write often. Give my love to Tom, Ellen and Mary. I wrote to Henrietta this morning.

As ever truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.
April 24, 1859
[1859/04/24]

My beloved husband;
[WTS]

Your very welcome and interesting letter of the 15th inst. helped to put me in good spirits yesterday. I have read to the children the parts in it relating to them and they have all resolved to rise very early in the mornings. But Lizzie thinks she cannot go to school. I think, however, I can persuade her to do so. Minnie is anxious to go to Miss Develing. I feel distressed that you have had such cold weather for I fear you have suffered in health from it, although you say you are feeling quite well. I will be glad to hear from you again at Leavenworth -- even if you do not remain there long. Father said, when he spoke to me about the Walker's going out, that they must have one or two cows and some chickens---so Luke may be gratified sooner than he now imagines. Father has been in Cincinnati since Tuesday. I had intended going down tomorrow, with Sis and Mrs. Daugherty, but I have just heard that there are several other ladies going down. If they also stop at the Burnet House, I will postpone my visit as I am going only for the purpose of seeing a Physician and I do not care about having every one know what ails me. Mrs. Daugherty is the only person out of my own family who knows it. Dr. Beerstler would do as well as a Cincinnati Physician but I will not consult him merely because he is an intolerable blab and I do not wish to have my private griefs and troubles magnified and discussed wherever he meets a gossip. I am anxious to have some advice for some symptoms have shown themselves since I left Leavenworth which have made me uneasy. The fear lies heavy at my heart that I will not see my children even beyond their early childhood. But God is good and I rely upon His mercy. I hope you will allow nothing to prevent your coming home when Father writes for you. I feel glad to hear that you have determined not to build this year in Leavenworth. With my money at interest and bringing me a thousand a year and with the note which I hold of Byrne's and what you will probably make off the corn I think we can make an arrangement when you come here which will be better for me and more satisfactory to you than a residence for the present in Leavenworth.

The weather has been so inclement here that I have been out but little. Charley promises from this time on to give me a ride every day. Father has had strawberries taken from Mr. Hunter's out to the farm this spring and enough planted to make good picking for the children when they go out there. The cows were brought up from Hocking about ten days ago and the girl has commenced sending in her butter. Ten pounds was the first installment which was very well as the calves are still living and the cows have not recovered from their drive up and their hard winter. I think you ought to make Luke stick to the farm until fall or until you come home. Was it Wash Young that was near losing his money by having chloroform given him? Boyle and Henrietta will make a short stay in Leavenworth and it will be impossible for them to prolong it as Henrietta ought to be at home by the first of June whereas that is the time appointed for starting home. Lizzie was very much pleased with Capt. Welch's letter a part of which I read to her. He is rather severe upon Nisbet -- but he has some grudge at him. Your friends out there are as complimentary as ever.

Willy and Lizzie are as hearty as Minnie and she is fat and rosy besides being very tall. Ewing has had another severe cold which he is now recovering from. He talks about you almost incessantly during the past week and says he will go out to Kansas to see his pretty Papa". He insists upon it that Willy Cox is a bad boy that Aunt Ellen is a good girl and that the baby is his sweetheart. Lizzie and Willy often seem to regret you seriously but they keep pretty busy playing---Willy has the bag of nuts put away for you and will not touch them.

As ever --

Ellen
[EES]

Cincinati Ohio;
April 28, 1859
[1859/04/28]

My dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I came down here on Monday with Mr. Hunter and Helen, Mrs. Daugherty and Sis. Father had rooms prepared for us and he was on the steps waiting to receive us. He went home yesterday morning and this morning Mrs. D., Sis and Fanny Van Trump (who was in Cin. when we came down) left for the Convent at Brown Co. where Fanny makes her farewell visit to the nuns. Helen and I leave in the morning for home. Gen. Goddard spent an hour or two with us this early evening and he is to be our escort tomorrow as he goes home our way.

I met Mr. Moss here in the Ordinary and he sent up his card today whilst I was out. ---Mr. Theodore Moss I mean. He is in business here. I was ashamed to enquire even kindly after his brother, although he seemed so very cordial. Father saw Mr. and Mrs. Bowman and Miss Emma Overton here last week. Mr. Moss tells me that Mr. Bowman intends remaining in Philadelphia. What changes! I hope to find a letter from you when I get home. I have seen Dr. Mussey. I cannot write more tonight. Love to all.

As ever, your truly aff. ---

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
April 29, 1859
[1859/04/29]

My dearest Cump;
[WTS]

On my return today at noon from Cincinnati I found your letter of the 21st awaiting me and this afternoon I received your second letter from Leavenworth. I am most happy to hear from you so often and I feel relieved to hear that you feel benefited by your country service. I feared it might make you really sick.

I hope you will not think of building this year for, as you say, I think it too great a venture yet. I am glad that the trees and shrubs are growing. What a pity should the promise of gold prove fallacious. I do not give it up yet, however.

I found poor Lizzie pale and weak from fever and a cold which she had taken before I left home but which I had not supposed to be so serious. She is still deaf and I must own that I feel uneasy about her. She is so very fond of you and me that her life would not be happy without us. It may be that a good and kind Providence is preparing to remove her in advance of us. I would rather see her die than die and leave her. She is not confined to bed but she is weak and looks very pale and has a bad cough. I saw Dr. Mussey in Cincinnati. He has, he tells me, practiced in the hospitals in Paris and he considers himself familiar with such diseases. He says I had better have no local applications beyond such as I can use myself for the summer and fall, at least. He says I require tonics and constitutional treatment and he prescribed for me. It is the son of the Dr. Mussey that formerly treated me to whom I applied this time. He said everything encouraging to me that he could and I feel rejoiced that I am relieved of the necessity of submitting to local treatment.

April 30. Saturday

This morning is bright, beautiful and spring like, dearest Cump, the grass is rich and green, the trees are profusely covered with blossoms and the birds are already thick among them. Poor little Lizzie is weak and languid still. She went down with me to breakfast but she is now on the bed feeling too unwell to be out with the other children who are luxuriating in the yard. I feel better yesterday and today and with every little return of strength comes to me renewed hope.

Father wants you to come home and talk over Indian Creek etc. and I am in hopes you will come soon. I wrote to you from Cincinnati late the night before I left there and having no envelopes in my room, I left my letter with Mr. Hunter next morning to direct and dispatch. The cars leave Cin. at six in the morning -- (the only train to Lancaster) and we left the Burnet House by half past five. Gen. Goddard came up with us and was very agreeable on the way.

I told you of meeting Mr. Moss and also of the Bowmans having been in Cincinnati. They talked a great deal about Willy Father said. Mrs. Bowman was brilliant with diamonds, Father said. Gen. Anderson spoke of the party to me also -- Father had introduced them to him. I wonder if Mr. Bowman found it difficult to get along in California. I cannot imagine why he would leave otherwise.

Do you pay taxes on Lizzie's lot in San Francisco? Aunt Denman, Manny Susan and Manny's little child with a girl -- Susan McGuire left yesterday for Leavenworth. Hamp arrived in Cincinnati the night before and telegraphed for them. He did not stop at the Burnet House and I did not see him.

Love to all and believe me ever yours,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
May 8th, 1859
[1859/05/08]

dearest Cump,
[WTS]

I fully intended writing you by yesterday's mail, dearest Cump, but I found my girl complaining so much of cold, when I got up that the cares of the room and the children drove everything else from my mind until it was too late to write. The girl is better now and everything is going on smoothly again. On Friday I received your letter of the 30th of April with Father Lange's deed. I sent it over to him and he is much obliged to you. I have not felt able to get over to pay my respects to Father Lange since I came home but I have seen him once here. I yesterday received Henrietta's letter of the first day of May. She expresses herself highly pleased with Leavenworth this time. The weather is more cheerful and everything looks brighter to her now. She says she enjoys your visits to them very much -- she pays you high compliments. Poor Wash has gone and I do not wonder that she feels unhappy about him.

I am sorry to hear that the corn speculation is not likely to turn out as well as it promised at first. I hope you will come on as early as possible. I am so anxious to see you before you commence building or make any contract for building in Leavenworth. Poor Willy has had some return of his Panama fever but I think I have succeeded in breaking the chills -- he is out now -- it being the cool of the evening -- but any exposure to the sun has been positively forbidden by Dr. Bigelow and he has consequently been kept pretty close for several days past. He was wishing yesterday that you were here and he asked me very earnestly "if Grand Pa had written for you yet -- because, Mama, he will come when Grand Pa writes". He does seem to hope as much when I write. Lizzie is reviving, her strength is returning but she is still very thin. Minnie will commence school tomorrow. She gets up early but the rest are not quite well enough yet to be disturbed before they waken of themselves. I give Lizzie a salt bath every morning.

I spent last evening and took tea, by invitation, at Elizabeth's where I met several married ladies and gentlemen, my friends. We had cards in the evening but I am too unwell to enjoy them now. I am better than when I got home and for the first time since last fall, I feel some hope of recovering -- or rather of living to raise the children.

Fanny Van Trump's approaching marriage is the great topic with the girls now and great preparations are making for parties which are to follow. Is the Judge still in Leavenworth? By this time you are at the Ranch again. Do come to see us as soon as you get back. Tell me how Aunt Denman got along. How does poor Manny like it? Give my love to them all.

As ever, your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.
May 16th
[1800/05/16]

My dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I thought you would have written to me again before going to the farm but you probably failed to receive a letter from me which must have been the cause of your not writing. The weather is charming here and I sincerely hope it is the same with you and that you are enjoying nature -- the only God you seem to worship. We are counting the weeks until you will likely be here -- the poor children talk about you every day and wish to know when you are coming. They think each day ought to bring them a week nearer the happy time. Willy feels sure you are coming now that Grand Pa has written for you. We are waiting to hear what you say about the time of your visit to know whether or not Sis will accompany Fanny Van Trump's bridal party to Leavenworth. I do not want you to defer your visit too late into the summer as I shall then be helpless and almost unable to walk. You know I expect my confinement early in September. I begin to feel quite oppressed but I think my health is improving somewhat. I am not so very weak as I was when I arrived here. I ride nearly every day and I think that kind of exercise is what I require -- I feel worse after walking every time I attempt it. They are driving Clay and George and Kate and George in the carriage now. Charley has a horse for his wagon and is independent. Charley gets up at five in the mornings and is off to the farm hours before I am up. He takes great and constant interest in it and he has it looking beautifully. He is having a great deal of corn planted. On Saturday he took Willy, Lizzie and Minnie down in the wagon and they spent the entire day running about the hills there and watching the calves, chickens and ducks and seeing Kitty milk the cows. Lizzie announced to me when she came home that she intended to spend every Saturday there. Lizzie is getting plump again and the color is returning to her cheek. Willy and Ewing are well and hearty. Effie has adopted Ewing and he sleeps with her altogether. Minnie goes to school. She seems fond of it and is always there at eight in the morning, Lizzie says she will not go and as she is so delicate I cannot compel her to go. Willy's bag of nuts is still in the closet for you. Father Lange desired me to thank you for your trouble in having his deed recorded. He has got the plans for the new church. I have not seen it as I have not been at his house yet but it is said to be very handsome. It will cost twenty thousand dollars. He is an ambitious little man is he not?

Father has a letter from Mr. Walker giving a glowing description of the country surrounding "Ewing Farm". Do not commit yourself in Leavenworth until you have been here. I do not wish to build now. Will your corn and tomatoes be a profitable investment? I feel anxious to know how the corn turns out.

All send love. I hope to hear from you this afternoon.

Ever your affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
May 19, 1859 Thursday
[1859/05/19]

My dearest Papa;
[WTS]

We have all had so much fun lately that I want to write to you about it. Yesterday morning Grand Pa took Mama, Willy, Tommy and me to the farm and left us there until evening. We all went a fishing with Uncle Charley. Tommy could not fish because he had no rod and line but Willy caught five fish and I caught four. Kitty took them to the house in a bucket of water and Grand Pa had them put into the tub the fountain flows into. Minnie could not go out with us because she had to go to school but Uncle Charley has promised that we shall go fishing next Saturday when we are all going down again. We were down last Saturday -- Minnie, Willy and I. Aunt Mary will not let Tommy Ewing go with us for fear he will get hurt. Grand Pa feels sorry for Tommy. Yesterday we also took a walk in the woods on the hills where we gathered wild flowers. Kitty, the dairy maid, takes care of us when we are there. We go with her to milk and we help her call up the cows. She makes all the butter we use at Grand Ma's. The hens lay eggs too, but Mrs. Kane gives them to the work hands now that potatoes are scarce. Uncle Charley has four ploughs at work and they are planting corn. The farm looks beautiful. I wish you would come dear Papa and take us there with you. We would love to go with you. We all went out and hunted eggs yesterday and Mrs. Kane cooked them for our dinner.

Mama says that you are very uneasy about me, dear Papa. I am sorry you have suffered any anxiety and happy to tell you that I am now well and Grand Pa says I look much better and rosier that when we came here. We all had bad colds when we left Leavenworth but we are all well again now. Tommy sleeps with Effie and Willy sleeps in his own bed in Uncle Charley's room. Minnie and I sleep in the trundle bed. Minnie and Willy get up at about a quarter after six -- get breakfast and Minnie is at school before our breakfast at half past eight. Mama lets me sleep until nearly eight when Mary gives me a sponge bath of salt water. I wear long sleeved high necked dresses when it is cool. My good Grand Ma had dresses and aprons for me like Minnie's when I got here. Dr. Bigelow says that Mama did not dress me warm enough last winter about the neck and arms and Mama say she will dress me warmer after this. Whenever Tommy gets angry he says he will go back to Kansas. Willy wants you to come here so bad. He spends his time either at Mr. Russel's or at the stable playing with Bunty's three little pups. I forgot to tell you that they have five pretty calves at the farm and the white one is mine.

I hope our dear little cousin, Willy Cox, is now getting better. Kiss him and the sweet baby for me. Give my love to dear Uncle Tom and dear Aunt Ellen and tell Aunt Ellen that Minnie is writing to her today. Give my love to Cousin Mary Denman. Minnie, Willy, Tommy and Mama send dear love to you. Believe me my good Papa your ever affectionate little daughter,

Lizzie
[]

Lancaster O.
May 24, 1859
[1859/05/24]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

Yesterday I received your letter from Fort Riley which was rather short for you and somewhat unsatisfactory, inasmuch as you failed to say that you were well. I have been feeling much stronger and better until today -- I did not sleep well last night and I feel great debility this morning in consequence. Breakfast is over. Minnie is at school. Willy is at the stable with the pups and "Bunty". Lizzie is cutting roses for a bouquet and Ewing is lording it over the girls down stairs. I asked Mary what he got to eat at his Aunt Reese's yesterday and she said -- "nothing" - she did not keep him there long because his Aunt was busy". He then remarked to me that "she was going to make cake"---quite an observing young man is he not? He calls Mr. Reese Father Reese -- because he hears him called Father I suppose. Lizzie has not only recovered her strength but her hearing also. Minnie likes her school. Lizzie will expect a reply to her letter to you.

Father and Mother went to Columbus yesterday in the carriage to be gone a few days. It is nearly time for Judge Moore to be starting -- this day two weeks is set for the wedding. Sis is going out with them and coming back with you.

The weather is very beautiful. Write me long letters and write often.

Ever your affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
May 28, 1859
[1859/05/28]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

It is a pity that I wrote to you in so desponding a tone about poor little Lizzie. Had I known that it could have caused you so much anxiety in consequence of my letter, subsequent to that one not reaching you, I would not have expressed the fears I felt. But when I found the little creature after only three days slight (apparently) illness reduced in flesh and strength as she was with appetite and energy all gone I was seriously alarmed and really feared that she was in a rapid decline. I commenced the salt water sponge bath -- giving it to her myself with the assistance of the nurse every day before breakfast. I kept her from fatigue or any nervous irritaion and took her out riding as often and as long as she enjoyed it. When I took her to ride she would lay her poor little head languidly against me and looking out at every familiar place she would say "Papa took us riding past this place" -- "here's where Papa took us swimming" "there's where he took us to see Alamode etc.". She has now got much better, looks rosy, is getting over her deafness, talks and laughs as loud as any child and is indefatigable at all her plays and amusements. She will not go to school and I cannot force her. I still give her the daily morning bath and plenty of out door exercise. Indeed she and the little boys live in the yard and often spend the day at the farm. The other evening I had Ewing in the carriage and while waiting before the door he said to me, "Where is my Papa?" "In Kansas", I replied. "Well I wish he would come back", he said -- and then resumed his reverie.

We are all feasting on strawberries -- Lizzie, Ewing and I are insatiable. Minnie and Willy are more moderate. Effie is making Willy a uniform with red stripes for a birthday present and he is to be kept in profound ignorance of it until the day arrives, now very near -- the 8th of June. He is crazy for a feather like the Shield's guards, but I made an unsuccessful search for one when I was in Cincinnati. We have the loveliest weather I ever have seen since the spring we were married. I received last night your letter of the 21st. What comfort it is to me that you keep well you cannot imagine. I am glad Tom has sold his house. Let Luke stay at the farm until we want him again in the fall.

Do, dear Cump, come on some time during the summer. We have particular reasons for urging it, before you make any more definite arrangements for living in Leavenworth. Sis is going out expecting you to bring her back and she has her beart so set on the visit that it will not do to disappoint her. She does not care about making a long visit.

I am very anxious to see you -- and I will believe that you are coming. All the family send love to you. Philemon went to St. Louis on Wednesday and thought he would be absent for a few days. Father has been in Columbus since Monday. Mother went up with him but she returned the next day. Ewing says "tell Papa that I am a very good little boy".

As ever your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
June 3, 1859
[1859/06/03]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

As I was going to Elizabeth Reese's last evening by invitation to take a game of whist I received your interesting letter of the 27th of May. I do not care much about the present sale of Leavenworth lots but I hope they will rise in value. I am glad to hear you have got so nicely established in the Bodine House. You must be much more comfortable than you were in that little low ceilinged close room at the other house. I am glad you have got everything of mine stored away. You ought not to have gone to my trunks for table cloths for Mrs. Walker. When you go to the farm again I would like you to get them from her as I am unwilling to part with them. The only old ones I had were of the finest most expensive damask and I expected to keep them ten or twelve years yet. If it was the comparatively new ones you took I even prefer keeping them as I would have the trouble of hemming others in their place. Any of the dishes or whatever is lying about loose you might use according to your own discretion but my sheeting, towelling, table linens etc. I am not willing to have them disturbed. What do you propose to do with me next winter and when are we to meet again if you are making nothing now? Can't you come on and rent Father's farm for a year or two? Here we could live on what we would spend for firewood in Leavenworth. Being in Tom's office is only a worry. It was instead of a source of profit one of expense last winter and I cannot hope that it will be any better. Tom will never practice law or stay a year at a time in Leavenworth -- that you are convinced of yourself -- why then submit to the provocations which are inseperable for your position there. I hope the republican party will be defeated as I have no sympathy with any thing akin to Abolitionism.

Next Tuesday is Fanny Van Trump's wedding day and on Thursday Mother gives a party. Minnie and Lizzie by their own choice are going to the farm the day before the party to remain until the day after it. They spent last Saturday afternoon there and staid all night. When William took the carriage out for them Sunday morning Lizzie cried to stay. The dairy maid Kitty takes good care of them there and they rejoice to get out. Charley said when he came in from the farm Saturday evening both Minnie and Lizzie were sitting under one of the cows milking.

Some of the fine early cherries are ripe and Father amuses himself at the contest that is going on over them between the children and the birds. All the effort of the children to frighten the birds away prove ineffectual. They are as bold as the robbers who stole "some of Ewing's bag of nuts". We have plenty of fine strawberries. Mrs. Latta, Mrs. Jno. Brasse and many others supply the market. I met Mr. and Mrs. Stanbery at tea at Mrs. Hunter's a few evenings since. They enquired particularly of you, your health etc. Give my love to Tom and Ellen and all the rest of the friends. I will write to Ellen soon. My respects to Bishop and Priests. Philemon has returned from St. Louis -- he saw none of our friends there except Nishet. All send love to you. Ever your affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.
June 6, 1859
[1859/06/06]

My dearest Cump;
[WTS]

It is Monday morning not yet nine o'clock and improbable as it may seem to you breakfast is over and the family all dispersed. The mail closes at eleven o'clock and I generally write to you in the mornings in time for it.

On Saturday Clark Hutchinson brought Minnie Workman up in a covered buggy and yesterday morning when he returned I let Minnie and Lizzie go with him to make a visit at Abby's. This is the week of Fanny Van Trump's wedding and on Thursday Mother's party comes off so I thought as the children had the opportunity of making a pleasant visit they had better go and be out of the way of the sweetmeats and the temptation to late hours etc. The two boys I can manage at any time but little girls run wild at such times. They were almost beside themselves with joy when they got permission yesterday to go to Abby's -- they flew up stairs and got their trunk packed in a short time. They did not forget anything they needed. Father thinks he will be going down next week when he will bring them home. If Father does not go down we will send for them the first of next week. Lizzie is getting quite fat and hearty. She was very much pleased to hear that you had received her letter and called it a pretty one. She had felt a little jealous of Minnie writing to you before that. Willy's birth day is the 8th of June -- day after tomorrow and I have a uniform made as a surprise for him. It is a nankeen suit with red stripes down the pants and around the open jacket -- and a white bona fide shirt to wear under the jacket. He has been coaxing me for so long a time to make him a shirt that I am sure he will be delighted with this outfit. Ewing says he is Grand Pa's boy and Uncle Charley's buster. He says he does wish his Papa would come. Some one asked him at Mrs. Daugherty's one day if his Mama was at home -- he said, "No she's at Grand Pa's home". They then said where is Mama' home -- he said at Papa's house. Willy is given to large stories and brags that his "Papa generally carries a hundred dollars in his purse". He says we are going to have a house in Leavenworth a "great deal larger than Grand Pa's". Yesterday Father Lange commenced the subscriptions for the new church which is to cost eighteen or twenty thousand dollars. Father subscribed twelve hundred -- Mother five hundred, Charley two hundred and Sis one hundred. Father told me not to subscribe anything and I told him I had nothing to give except the will. Philemon and Mr. Daugherty each subscribed a thousand dollars. We had a frost Saturday night which killed potatoes and tomatoes and nipped the corn. Many grapes are killed and nearly all the dahlias. Invitations are out to the wedding tomorrow evening. I have no intention of attending either it or the parties that are to follow. I have promised to give up my two rooms and have the beds etc. removed for the tables the night of our party here. Mr. Carpenter came up with the Judge from Cin. on Saturday. Mr. Munro and wife of Chicago are here to attend the wedding. I do not expect to see them. We do not know whether to expect Boyle and Henrietta today or not. Father received a letter from you on Saturday one page of which you had forgotten to enclose. I hope Tom will get the money for his house. I hope you will come on this summer and perhaps you will make arrangements to remain near here for a year or two. Give my love to all and believe me ever your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
June 8, 1859
[1859/06/08]

[WTS]

Last night, dearest Cump, I received your letter of the first of June. You say that I wrote to you complaining of your letters being short. I think I must have said something about my own letters being short and having written carlessly you misunderstood my meaning. I have no recollection of having even thought that your letters were short and I am sorry that you should have supposed me complaining of letters when you have always been so very kind and prompt in writing. If you have the note of mine that you referred to please send it to me that I may see what I could have said. Certainly no one could have less cause of complaint or more reason to be gratified by a husband's attentions in the way of letter writing than I -- and I am sorry you could have understood me to be complaining. I am unhappy to find you so depressed -- you must not think it best that you should see but little of the children. They may be left to your sole care sooner than you apprehend. A Father cannot take a Mother's place with children of any age. Should God in his infinite wisdom remove me, dear Cump, I hope you will not only be with the children and keep them together but I trust you may give them a good Catholic Mother to assist you in rearing them for heaven. I find there is so much depravity among children now a days (that I never dreamed of even as woman) that I tremble at the responsibility of rearing children and shrink with horror from the dread of leaving them Motherless. Why will you remain in Leavenworth where living is so expensive and your business only a provocation? Here we could live on little. Father needs some one with him, Charley is always at the farm and Father works at the office until he himself has to acknowledge that he has made himself sick. You absolutely must come on to see me before my confinement. I dread it so much and fear the result. We can then make some arrangements that I know will please you. I had a few lines from Abby last evening which I enclosed to you. You need not fear that the children are confined -- they live out doors. This is dear Willy's birthday -- he is five years old. He thinks he is a year older today than he was yesterday. He was perfectly charmed with his uniform which was by his bedside when he waked this morning. He is to appear in it at dinner time. It was raining too hard this morning for him to wear it. I hope the frost did not extend to Kansas -- the corn is all cut down here but the wheat is not injured. Charley has had the corn clipped with shears and the old farmers say it will still do well. Boyle and Henrietta arrived day before yesterday and will leave today for Washington. I rode out last evening at half past seven and witnessed Fanny's marriage ceremony at eight o'clock. At nine Boyle, Henrietta and I slipped off and came home. The Bonds etc. were here and Mr. and Mrs. Monroe of Chicago. Sis will go out with Fanny to Leavenworth in about two weeks. Philemon Stanbery was one of the groomsmen. Mary Reese is in town and she and Mr. Granger were at the wedding. Rose Reese is expected soon. Mr. Reese has been to Columbus attending an Episcopal Convention. He was at the wedding last night. Father was over worked and sick and could not go. Do you hear anything of the Bowmans?

Minnie and Lizzie will not be home until next week. Ewing is so fat his clothes will hardly meet on him and his eyes are nearly extinct. Willy grows nore like you every day. Willy sleeps in his Uncle Charley's room and Ewing sleeps with Effie and I get good undisturbed rest and rise at seven every morning. Love to all and believe me ever your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
June 13, 1859
[1859/06/13]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I was disappointed at not receiving a letter from you Saturday evening but the reason was, I suppose, that your last letter came in shorter time than usual and thus leaves a longer interval between it and the next. I dreamed last night I got a letter so I suppose I will have one today -- not because I dreamed but because it is time to hear. I feel very anxious to see you and I do hope it will not be long before you can come on. You say you cannot come at all -- but how can you stay there when you do not make even enough for your own board. I spend but little here. I have dismissed my grown nurse and got a half grown girl at seventy five cents a week. Mother gives Effie time to do all my sewing and I have only the washing to put out. Father says I must let the boys run bare headed and bare footed and that I must not mind it if I am called "Stingy Peter". I have not obeyed him yet however. Willy went to a Circus on Saturday with Mr. Russel and he was greatly pleased. Minnie and Lizzie are still at Abby's. Mother is going down this week to make a visit and she will bring then home.

Father and Sis leave tomorrow for Cincinnati and Father thinks he will go from there to Leavenworth. He is not yet quite certain but he expects to go and if he does Sis will accompany him. Hint to Ellen the propriety of having a room down stairs for Father. Sis will tell you all the news. Master Ewing is sitting by me and requests me to tell his Papa that he is a "very good little boy" notwithstanding he just hit my pen with his stick and blotted my paper.

The farmers are rather gloomy about their wheat which is more injured than was at first supposed. The corn, after having been clipped, is growing finely again. The weather is fine and everything looks beautiful. All the family send love to you and all expect to see you soon. We have not heard from Boyle since he left. Love to all. Ever your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
June 18, 1859 Saturday morn.
[1859/06/18]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I was disappointed last evening when the boy came from the office without a letter for me. I have not heard from you since Monday and I had flattered myself I would certainly hear again yesterday. I got your paper containing the Pike's Peak news which we had been very glad to hear some time before by telegraph. A letter from you to Father came day before yesterday and Charley forwarded it to Cincinnati where Father and Sis are stopping en route for Leavenworth. Mother is at Abby's having gone down on Thursday for the girls. I heard that evening that they were both homesick, Minnie worse than Lizzie. I am interrupted and must close. All send love ever your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.
June 20, 1859
[1859/06/20]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

On Saturday evening I received your letter containing the deed which I will acknowledge today and send to you by tomorrow's mail. I would attend to it this morning but it is drizzling rain and I do not care about going out, as I think it will be clear this afternoon. Philemon told me to ask you if it would not be sufficient to acknowledge the signature before a Notary. It costs more money and trouble to go to the clerk. Let me know, when you send another deed. I pay fifty cents each time to the clerk. Father gave me the twenty five dols. on the credit of your last letter. I endeavour to be as economical as possible and except for a Photograph of my own I have spent very little. I have to pay considerable for the medicines which Dr. Mussey prescribed and which I have to send for to Cincinnati. Kauffman says they are french prescriptions and he has not got the ingredients. Father and Sis will tell you about my Photograph. Sis wrote me on Friday evening from Cincinnati saying that she and Father would leave on Sunday evening or this morning for St. Louis en route for Leavenworth. Father was not very well. I do hope you will come home with him if possible for Sis would be a timid counciller should he be taken sick on the way. Philemon was to have gone with him for company but he could not leave just at the time Father did.

The Judge and Fanny now expect to leave tomorrow but I would not be surprised if they were to wait until Wednesday or Thursday. Fanny is suffering from cold and sore throat. I have not been out since the wedding as I am very lame and helpless and feel much worse after any exertion of walking or standing. Philemon gives a small party this evening for them which I presume I must attend. I did not attend Mrs. Daugherty's party and I staid only a half hour at the wedding. Colgates gave a dancing party and had a band of music; of course I declined that party. Sis is keen for Leavenworth and I hope she will have a pleasant visit. If you determine that I am to spend the winter and perhaps a longer period in this vicinity I will want my trunk and chest but I will let you know in time. That trunk cannot be transported without being first secured by strong withes or hoops of some sort. As it is certain that your earnings will be inadequate to our wants in Leavenworth (where expenses must always be high) why not consent to live where our moderate income will support us? We could live here on what we would spend for fuel in Kansas. I could not be happy to have you come here to live were there any reason why you should hate the place but as it is a mere preference you have for any other place over this, and as my choice did not make you averse to living else where or make you unhappy you ought to be able to understand why I should be glad to have you live where we have both grown up, where we are known and respected (no matter how poor we may be) and where my Father and Mother are to spend the remnant of their lives. You expected me to live cheerfully in Cal. and you think it unkind that I should wish you to live in Lancaster or near it. Of one thing I feel certain that should you come here to live you would be happier than you now imagine. You need feel no encouragement as to business out there on account of Tom -- any attention he gives it is merely spasmotic and to soothe disappointment in politics. His promises, our necessities, his own advantage and Father's most imperative advice failed to induce him to spend a winter there or to have any thing to do with law until he was disappointed in politics. He will never do differently. You might as well hope for a confirmed drunkard to quit drinking as expect Tom to give up politics entirely. Depend upon it he will return to them. And that very soon. You will never pay your own individual board out of the office proceeds. I am opposed to Leavenworth on that account and if I go out there again I hope I shall find you disconnected entirely with Tom, in business. But I hope for better things than a return to Leavenworth. One Saturday evening Mother got home with the children from Abby's. Lizzie has fattened and improved astonishingly. She did not care about coming home but Minnie had been quite homesick. Minnie started to school in good time this morning. They run in their bare feet, went fishing and went swimming down there. They are very much puzzled by the number of incidents that occured since they left home. Grand Pa's and Aunt Sissy's departure for Leavenworth -- Cousin Fanny's wedding -- Uncle Boyle and Aunt Henrietta's return and departure -- Willy' birthday and his uniform etc. Aunty Daugherty laid away some bon bons and has promised them a party, in a small way, tomorrow or next day to make up for what they have missed. Rose Reese and Mary Reese are spending the summer at home. Their husbands came with them but left in a day or two. Elizabeth spent Saturday evening here playing whist and she said they would spend about two months in town. I have seen Mary but not Rose, as she arrived last. Mary looks miserable but I do not know whether she is out of health or not. I hear that John and Cecelia had got into Italy. Have you heard from them? I have not enquired lately what the news are from Mansfield but I would have heard had there been any news. Taylor's eldest daughter Mary is in bad health. Her Mother too is suffering very much again I hear. Taylor is in Chicago I believe doing business there. Notwithstanding a drizzling rain is falling Master Ewing will not come in the house but is following Bulger around as he works in the yard. Willy is at the office with his fast friend Mr. Russel. Lizzie is helping Cely Noon clean the rooms after which she intends making a mantilla for her doll out of some pretty pieces she has got. Give my love to dear Father and Sis and tell Sis I wrote her on Saturday to the Burnet House. I will write her tomorrow.

We are very sorry indeed to hear of dear little Willy's continued trouble -- they should give him daily salt water sponge bath and give him Cod Liver oil and Burdock. Love to all my relatives and friends. The children talk of you constantly and Willy and Lizzie are sometimes sick to see you as I am also.

Ever your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
June 24, 1859 Friday morning
[1859/06/24]

[WTS]

Last evening, dearest Cump, I received your letter of the 18th and I will own that I felt relieved to find that you were not going to be drawn on again by any false appearances as to business. The law can never be profitable to you there and Tom's attention to it will never be more than a temporary thing. You will always be worried and harassed by disappointments occasioned by his political proclivities if you remain and I therefore hope you will abandon it at once. I do not want to live dependent on Tom's attention to business when the first year has brought such disregard. Will not this be as good a place as any to watch your opportunity for other employment? You can find enough to keep you busy attending to the farm and we can live here upon what is coming to me. I cannot cheerfully anticipate housekeeping here unless you will be with us a part of the time at least. I would rather go anywhere else where our means will support us but that is not in Leavenworth where fire wood costs as much as every thing put together would cost us elsewhere. If you take the farm as a temporary thing here we could rent a house in town and you could go out every morning early and stay all day. But you and Father will talk it over and I trust that you will come home with Father, for I am very anxious to see you and the children seem crazy to have you come to them. They are very happy and very well. Since they came home Minnie has gone regularly to school and within a day or two Lizzie goes with her and seems quite charmed. I will send her as long as she is willing to go. They get their bath in the mornings and as much air and exercise during the day as you could desire. Willy is not as fleshy as he was and he is growing very much like you. He gets more rides to the farm than any of the rest because he is always at the stable when the wagon starts and he always gets a seat when he can. He spent the morning down there yesterday. By this time I think Father and Sis must be in Leavenworth and from Sis you will get details of family matters.

Fanny and the Judge called yesterday to bid us good bye before leaving -- the family seemed to feel badly at losing Fanny. I hope you will visit her often. She seemed to regret very much that I was not living there. I have been quite unwell but I am better today. The weather continues delightful and we all ride very often.

Do insist upon their bathing Willy Cox every morning on rising, in salt water. A sponge bath of water, cook but not really cold, is best. I am sorry the dear little fellow has to suffer in that way. Give my love to all and believe, as ever your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.
July 1, 1859
[1859/07/01]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

Last evening I received, with great pleasure, your letter of the 25th. I am glad you got back so soon after Father's arrival. I hope he has not been out in the country, this week as the weather has, no doubt, as excessively warm there as here. Now it is cooler and more pleasant. From the fact of your not positively refusing to come to Lancaster I flatter myself that you will be persuaded to do so before Father leaves. You cannot imagine how happy I feel at the prospect for I look with shuddering and abhorence upon any farther seperations between you and me and it is evident we cannot live any where else for some time. Do dearest Cump, consent to come for a time and if anything that you consider better should offer we can start again together. I told you in my last letter of a house that I can get at a hundred dollars a year -- so if you come we can go immediately to housekeeping. In sending my things do not forget my music, which for the first time in my life I left behind me. Ask Ellen to give it to you.

Tell Ellen Cox and Mary Denman that they must not accuse me of want of affection because I do not write. What I write to you fatigues me. If I had Willy Cox in my hands, I would give him not only the salt water cool bath when he first gets up in the morning but I would give him Cod liver oil, iodine, and burdock. I took burdock in this manner -- had it gathered it two or three times a week, expressed the juice out of the leaves and stems in a mortar and then took a tea spoonful of it three times a day. There must be no water put to it when expressing the juice. Several children have had it administered with the happiest effects on my recommendation. It can do him no harm. Father says his Mother gave it to him every spring. It is time for the mail to close. Love to all.

As ever your affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.
Sept. 28th (1859) Wednesday noon
[1859/09/28]

[WTS]

I cannot attempt to tell you my beloved husband how sadly I miss you nor how dreary the long long year seems when I look forward to it being passed away from you. I hope you are progressing pleasantly on your journey and that you enjoyed your stay in Mansfield. I felt afraid you would have asthma. You must have felt the night air when you left the weather was so damp.--- Boyle leaves day after tomorrow for Leavenworth to be gone but two weeks. Father feels confident now of securing the lease and Boyle and Henrietta are already talking about furnishing the home down there. Philemon says he is sure Martin will put a pump in the cistern, a fence round the steps and a lower step of stone. He thinks he will also plaster or fix in some other way that out side kitchen.

I have eaten nothing but soups and plain food since you left and I will eschew fruit for some time. I feel much stronger today and intend asking the Doctor to let me go down in Mother's room tomorrow. All the children including little Ellen are so well as when you left. Minnie and Lizzie attend a picnic of the school this evening at which the teacher presides. Give my best love to all. As ever your truly devoted

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.
Oct. 5th, 1859
[1859/10/05]

[WTS]

I have not yet supplied myself with letter paper dearest Cump and I am compelled to send to Mother or use this half sheet. As I have not much to say, or rather as I cannot write long this will do. As yet I have had but one letter from you -- the one from Mansfield. I hope I shall hear tonight. Yesterday was my birthday and it was a lovely day. I am growing stronger every day and the weather being so fine now I could walk about were it not for my leg which seems more dead than alive. I am a real cripple yet but the severe pain has passed off and I hope the lameness will too. I am using nothing but dry friction. Eliza rubs the skin off every morning or rubs it until it is red as raw beef but I do not feel it. I am bent over and limp like any old witch. The baby thrives and gets better every day. Everybody says did you ever see a child look so much like a grown person as she looks like her Father. The moment Sis saw her she exclaimed, "O! mercy look at Cump" Charley came in after wards and he exclaimed at the likeness. I tell Charley that he lost a namesake by the baby's being a girl and he tells her whenever she cries that "her brother Charley would not have done so". Poor Tommy has had the slipper applied until he has about given up crying. He and Willy go to the farm twice a day often. I ride every day four or five miles and it is that that strengthens me. The contract is closed for the salt wells and Boyle and H. go to housekeeping there this fall. Mr. Reese is confined to his bed. The Doctor says he has quick consumption and cannot live longer than spring if that long.

In packing my things do not forget my bread baskets that Ellen uses on the table and the flower vase Mary Ewing gave me. Ask Ellen to try and think of anything else of mine. Tell Tom I want to know what that was he intended to write to me about. Give my love to them all. Write to me often and believe me as ever,

Your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.
Oct. 9, 1859
[1859/10/09]

[WTS]

You have been gone now two weeks, dearest Cump, and I have heard from you but once. If I do not hear tomorrow I shall feel quite uneasy but I hope I shall certainly have a letter from Leavenworth by tomorrow. My nurse was called away to nurse Mrs. Connel who was confined on Thursday night. As I have recovered so slowly I felt unequal to the task of washing and dressing the baby but Henrietta's nurse does that for me, and I have Mary Noon who knows so well how to take care of me as well as the baby. Gertrude has been cleaning the new home as the children call it. I have ridden every day since Wednesday week, until today. Father and Boyle are at Chauncey with the horses and all the buggies from the livery stables were out, it being Sunday. Charley will take me again tomorrow. I am not yet able to walk well although my leg is almost cured of its lameness. I suffer with great aching and pain in the small of my back and in front which makes me fear that the womb is not right -- but I hope by care to get strong during the winter. I am getting more milk and I think that when I am able to walk I will have plenty for the baby. She still continues the image of you. Tommy is a much better boy than when you left. He fondles me a great deal and I have had no occasion to whip him since you left but once or twice, a week or so ago. Willy lugs around the books Father gave him begging somebody to read them -- being dry reading he meets with great disappointment. He asked Minnie last night when she "wrote to Papa to tell him about the brass toe'd boots Grand Ma got him" Minnie and Lizzie are faithful to school and when at home they romp and play hard enough to suit you. Mr. Reese is better and Dr. Boestler will have to prophesy again. Thank Ellen for the present she sent the baby. Do not forget my tea spoons and table spoons I lent to Ellen. Give my love to Aunt Denman and the family. Love to Tom. I miss you badly. You were so kind As ever

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
Oct. 16, 1859 Sunday afternoon
[1859/10/16]

My beloved husband;
[WTS]

By the eighteenth of the month you expected to be in St. Louis so this letter will I hope be there to greet you on your arrival. I thought I would hear from you again last night by the Columbus mail but I was disappointed. My last letter was the 6th. Father has received two from you since. He gave me a check for seven dollars and he also gave me the paper from Tom concerning the exchange of lots. I am sorry that your potatoe crop turned out so poorly. My boxes will I suppose be here during this week but I can get along without them should they not come quite so soon. Did you send me a bill of lading for them or any evidence to hold that they were shipped?

My house will be ready for me tomorrow and as Effie has got two carpets down I shall move over on Tuesday. Mrs. Daugherty cut out my carpets and kindly assisted in the making. She is going down with me tomorrow to get a stove etc. I went to the store yesterday and priced a fine cooking stove which is only eighteen dollars with the fixtures. I got cheap carpets for my room and the room adjoining it and for the dining room I have a nice rag carpet. Philemon has been exceedingly kind in attending to everything for me at the house and about my coal etc. The kitchen is very nice and the railing around the out side steps makes them look much better. I will have to have a little coal stove in the dining room for there is a tremendous fire place in it. I am charmed with my room because it is so cheerful with an eastern, western and southern window. No sunshine can escape it. I have bought a second hand lounge which is large and comfortable and have it placed in my room for the nurse. Mary Noon is nurse at present and Gertrude is at work at the new house the most of the time. All the cleaning is done now and tomorrow we begin the moving. I look forward to a winter of great comfort although it will also be a lonely one. I will have no cold halls to pass through and no steps to run up and down. I will have the children always in hearing and can reach them any time without fatigue or exposure. Then I will enjoy a peace which I never can feel again in this house while it is filled to excess, and Mother's health and strength are so feeble. Father is going to Cincinnati tomorrow and I expect to be in my own home when he returns. I do not care however if he is here for I believe I am right in this matter and my only regret is that I did not move before my confinement. It is difficult for me to make preparations now but still with Mrs. Daugherty's assistance I have done well so far. I walked down street yesterday but my knees shook under me and when I started to walk up I thought they would fail me entirely. I go down stairs but once a day and that is when I go out to ride or walk. Climbing the stairs is still a great effort and fatigues me too much. At my own home I can walk out on the porch and about the yard without climbing steps. I shall feel like a widow indeed, when I get over there alone with the little children. I trust we may be able to be together hereafter and that no alarm of yellow fever may render it necessary for me to come north. It is time that we should begin to build up a house and a home of our own and devote ourselves to the improvement and advancement of our children. I entirely agree with you that they never should be seperated again and I hope I will never again consent to leave one of them behind me. Minnie is keen to go to the new house. She thinks she is to do the house cleaning there and Lizzie really believes that she is to nurse and I have pretended to dismiss Mary Noon from that time out. Gertrude is to cook, wash and iron. Boyle and Henrietta expect to board at Edward's in Chauncey during the winter as the house needs repairs and improvements. They will not go down to remain for some time yet -- I do not know when. I understand that Judge Moore expects to go to Sioux City soon to remain two months -- He has never called on Mother or Father since his return. Queer conduct considering he was three months a guest at Tom's house. Fanny has been suffering with the usual but severe symptoms of early pregnancy.

The Judge -- and indeed the whole family have been making the greatest ado and talked of her having convulsions etc. The county fair is just over. School was suspended and Minnie and Lizzie were out two days. Willy was out the first day but Friday and yesterday he was confined to bed with stiff neck. Today he is well again and playing about as usual. Tommy has improved since you left. He seldom cries now, which is a great relief to me. Mrs. Henry Reese has been very sick since you left. She has some disease of the bladder. The leaves are falling fast and the melancholy autumn wind is blowing. Were it not for the children this would seem a mournful world to me now. I hope I shall hear from you soon., Believe me ever your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.
Oct. 20, 1859 Wednesday night
[1859/10/20]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I have been busy directing the girls about the moving today and it being now quite late, I feel weary. I wrote you a long letter on Sunday which I directed to St. Louis. You did not give me any particular address so I presume you will call yourself at the post office and get your letters. I have got nearly through my preparation for moving and expect to sleep in the house tomorrow night. The children are crazy to go in and worry me all the time to let them carry over something. You would not recognize the house it looks so comfortable. I am delighted with it. My groceries came up from Cin. today and my boxes from Leavenworth are at the Depot. Within the last four days I have improved wonderfully in strength and in health too. I am weak in my limbs yet -- my knees shake and nearly fail me when I walk but in other respects I feel better now than I have for two years. Tommy gets fatter and hardier every day. The baby grows and continues to remind us constantly of you. She is exactly like you. The rest are all well. I will try and get Minnie's mind off the "new" home long enough to write to you tomorrow.

Give my love to all friends in St. Louis.

Believe me dear Cump ever your affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.
Oct. 21, 1859
[1859/10/21]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I came over to the house with all the children last evening and we took our tea here -- the first meal. The children were greatly excited, particularly the girls but towards bed time Willy got homesick for Grand Pa's house. He was the first to ask to go over this morning and he started the moment he was done his breakfast. When he got there they had not come down to breakfast. When I went out to breakfast this morning Willy had his high chair at the foot of the table and insisted upon sitting there. Of course I indulged him. I am very tired tonight and will give you only few lines.

I wrote you that the boxes had come. They had not then been delivered. I forgot whether you told me there were two or three boxes. But two came and as your cloak, the silver baskets and the pictures of St. Joseph are not here I fear that one box has been lost. You had better enquire in St. Louis if you know the person to whom they were consigned there.

You cannot imagine how nicely we are fixed now, how comfortable we are. Father still looks upon it as folly but I have my own opinion of the propriety of the move. Mother is broken down and talks of going to Philadelphia this winter. Sis is anxious to go to Washington. Boyle has not gone to Chauncey yet. Philemon attends to all my wants and is exceedingly kind. Poor Charley is kept busy at the farm.

I have not heard from you for several days. All well and send love to dear Papa -- As ever,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
Oct. 25th, 1859 Tuesday morning
[1859/10/25]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

My letters to you have all been short and hurried ones. I have been so distracted and my attention has been so constantly occupied with the moving and settling in our new house that I have scarcely had time to say my prayers. Minnie was delighted with your letter which she received on Saturday. She took it to school yesterday to let Miss Develing read it and then she brought it to me and requested me to put it away carefully for her. Tommy announced to Mr. Workman, Boyle, Henrietta and Sis at tea the other evening that we were "going to have a party when Papa came and that we would all go in the wagon to the farm". I presume he was promising them a picnic.

We are now almost entirely settled but I find it a little inconvenient to have no one to do my errands. Minnie is too constantly at school and she cannot do them where there is anything heavy to carry. My room is very snug and comfortable and withal very cheerful and I find it most pleasant to be able to go to the dining room without going through cold halls or having stairs to climb on returning to my room. My sitting room is pleasant and the more so to me as it communicates with my room and I can have the baby in hearing. Minnie and Lizzie sleep in a bed together in the front room upstairs and Effie and Tommy sleep in the other bed in the same room. Willy sleeps in the other room with Gertrude. He was loathe to sleep with a girl at first but she persuaded him that she was afraid and since he finds that he sleeps warmer he says nothing about changing. We take breakfast between half past seven and eight. The children have abundance of time to make the baby a visit and get ready at their leisure for school. Lizzie is in the first reader. We have dinner at half past twelve and supper at six. The girls have orders to give the children their meals promptly whether I am at home or not. Effie has moved over with me but she is to sew at Mother's whenever Mother has sewing for her. She is going to the convent in the spring.

Whenever Tom gets put out with me she starts off and says, "I will go straight home and not stay and eat with you any more." Some one asked him whose house this was -- he said "Papa's" and Papa is coming home in two weeks -- he went to Zanesville and Louisiana". Willy was homesick for Grand Pa's home at first. Minnie seems to stand it well and Lizzie is delighted. You would be satisfied if you could hear them scream and cut up when they all get together. The baby is still very troublesome and has to be fed yet. Poor Mrs. Risser died in child bed on Sunday. The Doctor left her after being safely delivered and thought she was comfortable and well. She gradually sunk away and in two hours after the child was born she was dead. All are well at home and all desire love to you. Believe me dearest your ever affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster O.
Oct 27, 1859 Thursday morning
[1859/10/27]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

Last evening Philemon brought me your letter of the 23rd from St. Louis. I have not yet received the letter you wrote from the "Sky Lark" but I hope it will come to hand yet as I do not like to lose any of your letters even if they are old. With you, I wish that we were living in St. Louis but I hope we will find our new home in the South a pleasant one. I have no fears of your ability to conduct the school well as they could desire. My only fear is for our health in seasons of epidemic.

Poor Mrs. Turner -- she will certainly have twenty children before she stops. I shall write to her soon as you desire. My reason for neglecting to answer her letter and for not writing to Ellen Cox is that I have been too weak to write without an effort. I have a pain in my shoulder and my breast hurts me when I write more than ten minutes at a time. I will sign that paper resigning all right to that house and send it back immediately. I don't care a cent about it since I find that Mr. Lucas behaved so handsomely throughout.

We are living very nicely in our new home. I have spent for carpets, furniture, store and fixtures, kitchen furniture, dishes and coal just four hundred dollars. That will leave me the balance of the note to settle with my washer woman and bear current expenses until you can send me more. I have paid for my groceries which I got in Cin. and my money is all gone from the Bank. Judge Randebaugh sent up my groceries. They are very fine and are much cheaper than the groceries I got in St. Louis last fall. Mrs. Daugherty has sent me as a present two dozen large cans of tomatoes which she put up herself. I have received various other little presents. Sis made me jelly and I have bought plenty of apple butter for the children. I get excellent beef -- better than they get at home. Steck has a meatshop and I go there and select. Lizzie seems somewhat drooping and fearing that the confined atmosphere of the school room is poisoning her I have kept her at home yesterday and today. She is learning well and so is Minnie. Willy does an errand well. I tried him this morning. Father has been suffering from severe cold but he is better.

Minnie is writing to you but, as yet, the letter is on her slate.

Believe me dearest Cump your ever affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
Oct. 28, 1859
[1859/10/28]

[WTS]

I wrote to you yesterday, dearest Cump, but as I wish to address this letter to you at Baton Rouge I shall dispatch it in the morning. Your letter written on the Sky Lark and also the letter of the 25th inst. were received last evening. I went over to Father's today and on telling Father that you had written for the book he was quite amused, as Charley had found it, only yesterday and was exulting over it as his property as you had left it.

The money due on the Byrne note came yesterday and was placed to my credit in the Bank -- $690. 48 cts. I am glad it has come for I was completely out of money and my bills are all to pay. I will attend to them next week and have them all receipted and file them away. The missing box has not come. I will write to that firm about it. I am very sorry it contained any of my letters. My picture of St. Joseph is in it and that I regarded as a kind of relic as you selected it for me.

I will certainly write to Mrs. Turner very soon. Until today, for two weeks past I have had more real good health than I had had before for two years. But today I am quite weak and sick from over exertion for the past few days. The baby is not well. She worries and frets all day long but I hope she will soon be better. I shall carry out your wishes in regard to the children as fully as I can. They will have their meals regularly and early -- that you may rely upon. We breakfast before eight - (as near half past seven as possible) take dinner at twelve and supper at six. When I am not ready for a meal or not here they sit down, without me, and the girls wait on them. Tommy is too fat and even Lizzie is growing quite firm in flesh. I have given her a salt bath for several mornings and she is bright as ever and is going to school as usual having lost but two days. You need not be afraid of their suffering for want of companions. The second morning that they went to school from here there was a little girl waiting for her in the dining room and when she went out there were two more in the yard. Just before I got your letter last evening they had been playing "poison" in yard with the Butcher's daughter and Minnie has informed me that Willy yesterday had a fight with the Blacksmith's boy and threw him down and kicked him -- not much exclusive aristocracy in that. It is not that kind of association however that I am afraid of -- I have objected more to the children's exchanging visits with the little girls in town, who ape the woman, and go calling with cards and parasols, and who know more evil, at the age of ten, than I ever dreamed of at twenty five. Such visiting can do them no good but may injure them both soul and body. A good hearty romp or an irish fight I like to see any time and shall encourage always. Willy often goes to school with the girls and stays until they come home. Tommy sometimes volunteers his company when they manage to steal off from him.

Father has recovered from his cold. He intends getting a goat for little Ellen if one can be procured in the country. He is perfectly reconciled to my housekeeping. When he came over, the first evening I moved, he was surprised to find the house so comfortable. I go over every day and the boys go every morning. The girls do not have much time to stay there as school takes up nearly the whole day. Charley goes next week to Cincinnati and Boyle will remain at home in his place. Jones is here at work on Father's bust. He prefers remaining at the Hotel. Father goes down to him. Philemon is very kind in attending to things for me. He comes to see me every day or in the evening. I have been out but one evening and then I staid only until nine o'clock at Father's. Did you notice before you went away that the gas light in the street lights the porch here so nicely? I have not thought of being afraid. Mary sleeps in a lounge in my room. I have Mother's old gilt bed stead -- it looks very pretty. My room is most cosy and comfortable. I only want you here to be satisfied and happy but that is a sad want -- it is a poor home with the Father gone. The children are constantly expecting you back. Tommy talks a great deal about your coming and Willy thinks you will certainly be here by Christmas. As ever,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
Oct. 29th
[1800/10/29]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I begin to feel anxious to hear of your safe arrival at Alexandria. It is scarcely time perhaps but yet I feel somewhat uneasy. I hope you will give me an encouraging account of your health when you do write. We are all quite well now, Tommy having recovered from his indisposition. Father has just called, having come up from Chauncey yesterday. I did not get over to see him last evening, it was so late when he got home and it was raining. He is going back again tomorrow or the next day. Philemon and Boyle will be home today from Cincinnati where Father left them some days ago for Chauncey. Boyle will return to Washington for Henrietta by the time she is able to come out with the baby. Boyle does not care about going to housekeeping this winter as he thinks he can get a better home by waiting until spring. He looks very well indeed and seems to be very proud of the baby. He says he thinks more of it than he did of Edith at the same age. Cecilia sent me John's picture and I am going down this morning to get a nice frame for it. I hope your quarters are comfortable and that you are able to get something wholesome to eat. I have not yet written to Mrs. Turner. Have you heard from the Major any explanation of the telegraphic message which I received. The buggy which you ordered for Father came out last week. Both Mother and Father like it exceedingly but they have not tried it yet. The children are anxious that I should tell you they have not yet been tardy at school. They still take a great interest in the school -- Willy as much as the rest. I have not yet weaned Elly because I cannot get her into the habit of feeding well.

The Theatre is still here and I am a frequent attendant. I told you you were getting me into bad habits. Tell me all about your school. The professors and everything down there. Tell Joe that Gertrude just left here. She is improving in health and the rest of his friends are well. All send love to you, dear Cump,

Believe me as ever yours,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio
Nov. 3rd, 1859
[1859/11/03]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I dispatched Minnie's letter to you yesterday, directing, for the first time to Alexandria. I addressed several letters to you at Baton Rouge all of which I hope you received. You must be there today. Major Turner wrote to me the day you left St. Louis and enclosed a description of the San Francisco lot. Philemon made out a quit claim deed. I signed it and the clerk signed it and affixed the seal and had it witnessed. It went into the mail today to Columbus where our mail connects with the eastern mail. I hope it will get off by the Steamer of the 5th as Father must need the money. He has hard work to raise the money for the fifteen hundred that you advanced Tom for him.

I do not feel the least hesitation in accepting the proceeds of the California home. I look upon it as your due whilst at the same time I respect and like Mr. Lucas so much more since I find he has been generous instead of penurious. Fifteen thousand dollars at interest will be a very fine sum to accumulate for the education of the children. And in case anything should again throw you out of salary this will enable us to get along comfortably at least. How I wish my dear husband that you could be with us now or at least look in upon us and see how comfortably we are fixed and how happy the children are all the time. I have had the yard all leveled and cleared out -- every brick and stick taken back by the stable so they can have a fine field for their romps and plays. The pump is in the Cistern and I have had the garden house moved up quite near the coal house and in the same side of the lot and boards laid all the way out for wet weather and for my accommodation. The front yard looks neat and pretty with the side fences white washed, the grass trimmed and everything neat around. The gas lamp lights my porch at night when the moon is not shining on it. The grates throw out heat well, the chimneys draw well and my cooking stove bakes well. We have excellent home made bread all the time and the children have good appetites for it. I enjoy plain bread and meat now. The baby has been very unwell but she is beginning to thrive again.

Charley is gone to Cin. and we all miss him sadly. I have had numerous calls and some one to tea very often which has prevented my writing longer letters. All send love and hope to see you sooner than they will I fear. As ever,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
Nov. 10, 1859 Thursday morning
[1859/11/10]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I have not written to you for nearly a week except the letter I indited for Lizzie and Willy. I gave you their own words and their own items. The story of the three constables and the soldier taking the man out of church you will of course receive with a grain of allowance. Willy's imagination made constables and soldiers of them. Willy desires me to say to you that he expects to be in the first reader by Christmas, which expectation proves him a most sanguine individual as he does not yet know his letters and goes to school but one morning in a week and then says no lessons. He only goes for the sake of joining the boys in their plays at recess. Both he and Lizzie are getting quite free and unrestrained. Lizzie is losing her timidity before strangers and is becoming as talkative and fond of attention as Minnie.

The Captain of Charley's company really did go up in a baloon. His company escorted him to the fair grounds where Professor Somebody was waiting with his baloon and where a great crowd was assembled. Father and Mother with all their family and all mine save me and the baby. Philemon was out with his. Altogether they were a happy set of youngsters. They adjourned in the afternoon late, to Mother's where they had a taffy pulling. A day or two since I had Lizzie and Tommy in a shoe store when Capt. Cloud entered. Lizzie immediately called out to me, "Mama that's Captain Cloud" and she and Tommy then went on singing his praises in such a loud voice that he was quite put to the blush.

Father is so far reconciled to my move that he said to Mr. Daugherty at Logan where they met at dinner, "I was very much opposed to Ellen's housekeeping, at first, but she was right about it. "She is comfortably established and is getting along nicely." He seems to look upon it now with great satisfaction. The weather has been exceedingly pleasant and I have spent nearly every evening at Father's, coming home early. Our supper is always over by half past six and I see the children all put to bed before I go out. They are very happy and very good all but Tommy and he, I fear will continue to be hard to manage for a long time to come.

Father asked me the other evening to let Minnie go over, after this and sleep with her Aunt Sissy. I replied that if she slept there she would have to stay there altogether. He then admitted that he thought the same and I found that he and Mother and Sis were anxious to get her back again. Of course I could not consent to it. I told Father that I could not seperate Minnie and Lizzie. I wrote to Mrs. Turner several days ago. Elizabeth Reese is in Zanesville with Mary, who has a son.

The money I have from my note has had to pay all my house furnishing expenses and it will not last me all winter. You can send me a little at a time after you draw your salary. Is there any interest due me very soon from any body, or am I not to use a cent of that?

I feel anxious to hear whether you are not improved by the southern climate. I sincerely hope and pray you may have no more asthma there as I know nothing more distressing. I have recovered as much strength as I will ever have. When I make any extra exertion I feel broken down and sick. I hope you will continue to write to me often as your letters are my greatest comfort. I have not been at all afraid in the house. My girls are faithful and capable and we get along peacefully and well. All talk of you a great deal at home and the children here talk incessantly of "Papa".

Ever your affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
Nov. 25, 1859
[1859/11/25]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I have just received your two letters of the 11th and 12th. It had been some time since I received your Baton Rouge letters and I was beginning to feel anxious to hear again. I am disappointed to find that the cough still troubled you as I had flattered myself that it would leave you as soon as you would get into warm weather. But the weather, you say is cold and your rooms uncomfortable. You ought to take more care of yourself and attend to the mending of the windows and the means of making good fires before anything else. I am sorry you will not stay with Mr. Graham as you would be so much more comfortable at a private house. I truly regret to hear that Mr. Graham is an Episcopalian. I was in hopes he was a Catholic at least in feeling and in faith. Do they promise to provide houses for the married Professors as soon as they at first supposed they would?

Father has just returned from Cincinnati where he saw Rolofson. Did Boyle send you the letter he received from Beverly Tucker? They all regret exceedingly that you did not accept their proposition to go to London. Rolofson says he is going down with a renewal of the proposition to you. If he makes it in person, as he now intends and secures you three thousand dollars I would not be surprised if you would accept. Father told him that if they would secure you two years salary independent of any risk and give you besides an interest in the home that you would perhaps accept. Rolofson is coming up here and afterwards going to see you. Jones has been here nearly two months at work on Father's bust. We were all down to see it sometime since and were greatly pleased with it. He will be here a month longer at work upon it. He is a bachelor of about forty and a very agreeable gentleman.

Mary Ewing has another son now two weeks old. It is the finest child I ever saw. They call it Frank. Sis is going to Washington about the first of January to visit Mary Young. Helen Hunter thinks of going with her.

I told you, in my last letter that I was then and had been for some days confined to bed with a tremendous carbuncle. It is so much better now that I was able to walk out yesterday and today without hoops. In sitting down they pressed upon the sore and gave me great pain. I had about twenty small boils on my body before I left Father's but this exceeded anything I ever saw. I kept out of bed until I was reduced to taking my meals standing on one foot with the other foot on a stool. Finally I had to give up and stay in bed in order to apply remedies which hastened its progress and its cure.

Mrs. Henry Reese's sister came out last week and on Monday returned to P. with little Willy, for the winter. They think at home that I am stubborn to keep Minnie here. What do you think? I think she ought not to return to her Grand Pa's again. We are all getting on nicely. The children are well and happy and seem to consider this as a mere play home. My missing box is here. I hope you got Lizzie's and Willy's letter. Hoping to hear soon that your cough is better I remain as ever dearest Cump, your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
Dec. 1st, 1859
[1859/12/01]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I have received the two newspapers you sent and the prospectus with your short note thereon. You have got to work in earnest and I hope the occupation of mind and body will prove both agreeable and beneficial to you. You say you are pretty well from which I draw the unpleasant inference that you are not entirely relieved of your asthma or your cough. Do you think you will find the place and its duties congenial? Does it not seem strange to you to be living where the mail is carried by stage and only tri-weekly and where the sound of cars is never heard? To one so partial to the go ahead city customs of the day it must seem rather distasteful. You have not told me whether you are really pleased. I think I shall be pleased if we find the climate as healthful as it has been represented to me as being. In your note you said that the letter you had left at the Seminary would come next day but as your mails are only tri-weekly I will not expect it tonight for fear of a disappointment. I have a prevading fear that you are uncomfortable unwell and not much pleased. If I am wrong satisfy me, as it will be a great relief to have the apprehension quieted. Tell me how you like your neighbours and friends and how you progress with your work; what number of applicants you have for admission and how you like the general plan agreed upon. It seems to be less of a military school than I had at first supposed. Was the change at your suggestion? or was there any real change? When will you be able to take us down and how do you think we will get along there? I see there is a Catholic church in the town and that the Sisters of some order have a school there. Willy I suppose will be unhappy unless he can drill with the Cadets. Poor Willy continues the same good child with a little more vivacity and disposition to risk a little in climbing &c. &c. It is amusing to hear him study his lessons. Minnie has taught him his letters and spelling in one syllable. He gives it the real school boy twang and screams out each letter with a pause between exactly as the little boys used to do when I was first going to school. This morning when he was looking over his lesson alone Lizzie took the book out of his hand. He was quite distressed and said "now she had lost his place and he must begin again" -- so he commenced A. X. ax&c. -- loud enough to be heard up stairs. Tommy continues to whip them all. I gave Willy permission to whip him until the youngster should be conquered, but poor Willy had not the heart to carry the struggle to the extreme that Tom would, and so they always ended in Willy's giving up the fight and resigning himself to grieve over Tom's hard heartedness. I have taken him in hand again myself, since I got about and he is improving a little. Lizzie dreamed last night that you were here, that you had returned in the cars and she asks me now to tell you that she hopes you will come back soon "she wants to see you so bad". I have been obliged to keep them both home from school this week on account of scarlet fever which has assumed a malignant form. Two children died of it in one day. I will however send them to school again on Monday should the fever be no worse. Minnie feels quite at home with us now and she grows very womanly in her ways when there is any care required towards the younger children. I wrote you that I had been obliged to get a wet nurse for Elley. She refused persistently to take milk prepared in any way. She cried constantly to be with me and lying at the breast and when in the coveted place she worried and fretted because she could not get enough. I got a girl about twenty years of age. She is healthy handsome and good humour'd and has a pretty baby four months old which we have here. So the house is a real nursery. It is a constant source of joy to me to witness the change in my poor little baby. From fretting and hunger she had become thinner and smaller than when she was born -- now she is fattening fast and is always cheerful and happy. I wrote you that Tom Ewing came here quite unexpectedly. He made a visit of ten days and and then returned taking Mrs. Culbertson with him. Carpenter came with him and for himself and brothers made Father an offer of seven thousand (I think that is the sum) for his farm beyond Leavenworth. He also promises to buy the stock at cost prices. Carpenter will give Father notes of five years secured in New York. Father suggested to me that he would perhaps want my note of 24 hundred and something which is due in Feb. and that he would give me Carpenter's five years notes with New York security in exchange. Philemon tells me, since, that he had already made arrangements dependent on that money for which he was to give me (I believe) a mortgage or something on the Chauncey property or something else of his own. What shall I do? I think the Carpenters are slippery and New York seems too far off and insecure. It would be better for me to get all St. Louis notes for my money and then my business will be managed with less trouble and my money will be more secure. Father would probably give me security on the farm itself which he sells to Carpenter but you told me not to take land so far west. Write to me about it. Father and Mother went to Cincinnati on Monday -- the same day Tom started -- and yesterday Philemon joined them. Mother had to go down to sign some deeds -- I did not hear what. Father is looking very well indeed. Sis gave a little card party since they left which the Sculptor Jones attended. He and Mrs. Stambaugh are carrying on quite a flirtation. Poor old man Connell--- John Connell's father died on Saturday and was buried on Monday. I played a game of whist last evening at Elizabeth's and she told me that Amelia's health is very bad -- her lungs are seriously affected. Mr. Reese played with me: he seems well again. My own health is much better than it was last winter. As yet we have had no severe weather. It is raining today and the children are trying to see which can make the most noise. They have full liberty here and all seem very happy. They have early and regular meals and are in fine health. We have plenty of incidents to excite and interest us -- such as having our turkeys and chickens stolen, being invited to Grand Ma's to a taffy pulling -- having some one here to tea or getting a ride in the carriage. I go out every day and nearly every evening I go over to Mother's. Mike brings my letters to me promptly. All the children send dear love to you -- ever your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
Dec. 5th, 1859
[1859/12/05]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

Father and Mother returned from Cincinnati on Saturday. They tell me that Rolofson is really going down to see you about that London matter. It seems to me that you will not think of accepting their offer now that you are fully installed into your new office. Yet I cannot tell but that he may make it seem desirable to you and Father thinks that by declining all recompense for the labours you have already expended there that you can leave with honor to yourself. He told Rolofson that if he offered and secured to you three years salary, whether the house prospered or not and in addition to that gave you an interest in the house he thought you might go. As at first I leave the matter entirely to you and will not attempt to persuade you either in favour of the project or against it. I cannot bear to think of being separated from you any longer than this year, which seems unavoidable. You know I dread the Ocean and would forego a fortune rather than again lose sight of land. And I know that I would be miserably unhappy were we again so widely separated. Indeed if my fears for your health continue I cannot promise to continue to remain here the appointed time. Much as I have loved home Cump and often as I have left you to come here I feel that I could not live were you to die. May God grant that that dark hour of desolation be long deferred to either of us and may our poor children be spared the trial of losing either Parent this many a long year. I shudder at the thought of our both being taken from them. But I will turn from such gloomy thoughts with the hope that you will soon be relieved of your cough and have your strength entirely restored. Lizzie got your letter and I read to all the children. Minnie and Lizzie started to school again this morning and Willy went with them. He is very anxious to learn to write to you without having any one hold his hand. Tommy asks me to tell you that he wants you to bring him a "sword and a scabbard" and "a gun and a big ramrod". Elly flourishes since I got the wet nurse. I pay the nurse a dollar and a half a week but she has her child with her and fills the house with babies. Six children under nine years of age and no Father near. I wish you could have heard them awhile ago playing "pussy wants a corner" in the dining room. You would have been satisfied with the exercise they gave their lungs.

You mistake, dear Cump, in saying that I do not appreciate the necessity for economy. I had a great many expenses to meet when my money came. My nurse, my washer woman, the Doctor, the school mistress and all the merchants, cabinet makers, and grocers from whom I had bought anything for housekeeping were paid off. We live comfortably but not extravagantly and I am really as anxious as you could desire to save all my money and all the interest thereon. I can get along very well if you will send me some money when you receive any. If you prefer it, I can take some from my California money and add to it when you can send me with less inconvenience to yourself.

I begin to look forward with great pleasure to our quiet happy home at the Seminary. When are they to build for us? When is Dr. Vallas' wife coming? How do you like all the Professors? Do you think I will like them?

I wish you would tell me in your reply to this whether Father paid you the ninety dollars that Sis owes you. Be sure to tell me. Sis goes to Washington between Christmas and New Years. John and Helen Hunter are going on also to visit the Youngs.

I wish I could tell where you are tonight and how you are.

As ever your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
Dec. 11th, 1859 Sunday evening
[1859/12/11]

[WTS]

On Friday evening, dearest Cump, I received your letter of the 25th. I am sorry to find that you feel lonely in your new home. You had not received letters from us but I think the reason was that I had been confined to the lounge and the bed for some time before that and could not well write. After this I will see that the children write often. I always write often enough myself except when I am sick. This small house of mine is a noisy place with my five children and my nurse's one noisy boy. Elley continues to thrive and never requires paragoric or any of the drops or teas I had been in the habit of giving her before. Lizzie is deaf again as I presume she will be every winter. Willy and Tommy are growing very fast. Willy goes to Grand Pa' and to Uncle Philemon's every day. He has resumed his visits to Mr. Russel. Both he and Tommy wear boots. Willy knows his letters and can spell in one syllable very well; he can also form letters on the slate as well as Minnie and all from her instruction. I did not notice them until I found to my surprise one day that he had got along so far.

I dined at Father's today. On walking down to sit to the Sculptor, on Thursday, Father fell on the slippery path just above the Court House. He was very lame for a day and we feared he would suffer long from it but he is now much better and although his hip and leg are black and blue he can walk tolerably well. He and Boyle are going tomorrow to Columbus and from there they are going to Cincinnati. Mother has been quite sick but she is now much better. Sis leaves for Washington the Tuesday after Christmas with John and Helen Hunter. I think they will make a long visit. Do you think that Sis and Mr. McCook took a fancy to one another last winter? I thought when I was there that he was engaged to someone else but since I hear that he is coming to Lancaster I somewhat suspect that he and Sis are courting. If it is so, I think it would be a first rate match for each of them. What do you think? Do not forget to tell me what I shall do about my money when my note is due in February. Give it to Father for New York notes secured by the western farm or loan it to Philemon for St. Louis notes which he says he intended to give me for it. I am very anxious to know what the Louisiana Legislature will do for the Seminary and the Professors. I hope there will be no delay about our house as you feel so lonely you ought not to be deprived of the company of your family any longer. I think you do not fancy the Vallas' -- I do not expect to like them much either. I hope you will find a congenial companion among the professors and feel less lonely after the session begins. In the mean time write to me often and always tell me how you are. I am relieved to hear that your cough is better but sorry that you have the asthma. All the children ask with interest when I am writing to you. All send love and kisses. As ever dearest Cump your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
Dec. 16, 1859 Friday evening
[1859/12/16]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

The children are all about going to bed, and I have declined spending the evening with Mother to stay alone here and write to you. During the day, I have not one moment free from interruptions but I would not let noise or attention to anything else prevent my writing to you did I not know that I could take a quiet evening to myself now and then. Father and Boyle have not returned from Cincinnati and Philemon is still in Columbus but they are all expected home tomorrow. The ground has been covered with snow for a week past and the boys are almost crazy with their sleds -- "coasting" as they call it. They start at Henry Reese's corner, just opposite, and never stop until they nearly reach the tan yard where the old man hung himself years ago. Willy has a sled which is at the Blacksmith's getting iron bottoms; he will have it home tomorrow, when he will feel very important -- especially as he already has a boot jack for his own express use. You ought to have seen him practice with it, the first day he got it. It was made to order and he brought it home from Galelen's and into my room where Sis and Mrs. Daugherty and I were sitting and throwing it on the floor he pulled off his boots and then putting them on he pulled them off again and again with a great flourish. Tommy is suffering with severe cold in his lungs, but he will be on his feet all day. He has very little appetite and I am obliged to keep him in doors while the walking is so bad. He is not so much of an outlaw as he was and I find that a desire to be called good and a little praise has more effect with him than anything else. Willy goes to school a great deal with Minnie and Minnie is always on time and is never kept in. Lizzie has been so deaf that I have not compelled her to go much to school lately. Her hearing is a little better now than it was a week ago but she is still quite deaf. Elly continues to thrive on the breast milk. I nurse her as much as I ever did but I still have not half enough to satisfy her. The girls have got up a story that this house is haunted and two of them have actually seen the ghost but as I have not yet seen it I do not suffer it to distress me much. I think one of the girls must walk in her sleep and I intend to watch and find out.

Mrs. Capt. Bontwell has written to me from Washington requesting me to write to John Sherman and ask him to give some claim of Capt. Bontwell's his attention when it comes before the house. She says that John will either be Speaker or at the head of the Committee on Naval Affairs. The letter had been sent to Leavenworth and was forwarded to me here. Tom has been elected Judge -- John is not yet elected but I presume he will be.

I spent a very pleasant evening at Mr. Borland's last evening in company with many of my particular acquaintances. Many kind enquiries are made for you. All send best love from the little home here. Minnie will write to you soon. She got yr. N. Orleans letter but I have not heard from there. Willy says, "Papa writes to all but me.

As ever dear Cump, yours,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
Dec. 20, 1859
[1859/12/20]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

Last night I received your letter written on the eve of your departure from New Orleans. You seem to anticipate trouble rising from your connection with John and from the fact of you being a Northern man.

Father has just returned from Cincinnati and Boyle who went down with him remained to come home tomorrow. Father says that Rolofson will not go South until after the tenth of January. Rolofson wants Boyle to go with him to see you and I have no doubt Boyle would like to go but I think he could not well. Father has seen letters from parties in England which convince him that the projected house will be successful. He says that they will secure you fifteen thousand dollars for two years services at any rate and he thinks you had better go. Father thinks you will go and I would not be at all surprised if you would. I know you would like to see Europe and the house down there seems rather cheerless to you and insecure also I will not object to your trying this London project. I think there is little doubt but sooner or later your post at the College will be rendered uncomfortable to you by reason of the excitement on Slavery which excitement will never be subdued as long as slavery and fanaticism exist -- and that will be as long as we live. But I leave all to your own judgement. Father intends to write to you on the subject -- he seems full of it.

Elizabeth Reese and Helen Reese started today for the east. Helen was in tears at leaving her children, when I bid her good bye. I promised to take care of them if they should be sick. She is going on to see her Father and her little Willy who is with his Grand Father this winter. Elizabeth is going on to be with Rose during her expected confinement. They both go to Mansfield to spend Christmas and Cecelia goes on with them from there to Philadelphia where John will perhaps meet her. I wrote yesterday to John asking him to give Capt. Bontwell's claim his attention when it is brought before Congress. Mrs. Bontwell wrote to me and asked me to write to John.

I hear that Amelia McComb is in consumption and they fear she will not live long. I intend to write to Jude and ask her to let me know just how her Mother is.

I spent last evening at Jno. D. Martin's where we had three tables at cards, music and a supper. We had some time ago a fall of snow, then a partial thaw, then a freeze and lastly a good heavy fall of snow which makes fine sleighing. The boys are crazy with their sleds. They were riding -- between fifty and a hundred of them -- until ten, eleven, and twelve o'clock last night. All day today they have been at it again, right down the middle of the street. Willy has a first rate sled, and Mike rides with him. Willy has been spelling for me tonight and he wants me to tell you how well he can spell. Poor Tommy has a miserable cold in his lungs and coughs terribly. Elly is well and a perfect idol with Minnie, Lizzie, Willy and Tommy. Minnie will write you tomorrow. All send love.

Believe me as ever your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
Dec. 26, 1859
[1859/12/26]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

I did not intent to let Christmas pass without writing to you, but the day was so taken up with Church and children that I had not a minute's leisure. I dined at Father's with Philemon and Mary. Charley and Lewey Wolfley came up to spend the holidays. They are coming to tea with me this evening and after tea we are going to Philemon's where Sis and Helen Hunter are preparing for tableaux tonight. They have invited quite a large company to witness them. Sis and Helen dined with me today; they leave tomorrow for Washington. We hear that Hamp Denman is in New York and Mary D. is with Ellen.

I wrote to you twice last week and in one of my letters I mentioned that Elizabeth and Helen Reese had gone on to Philadelphia and New York. I have been once to see Henry's children and I intend to go again tomorrow. Henry says he relies upon me in case of sickness with the children.

I wrote to you about the London affair and Father has written to you since on the subject. I really hope you will go as your present position will be insecure and unpleasant. It would take you a long time to make fourteen thousand dollars there and I understand that the company will secure you that sum for two years services in London. If you leave down there without receiving any remuneration for your services you cannot feel that they can justly blame you. I hope you will accept the proposition in which case I shall have the happiness of seeing you before the winter is over.

My last letter from you was from New Orleans. What do you think of Mr. McCook and Sis? Do you think either of them fancies the other?

It is tea time and I am looking for Charley and Lewey and must close this scrawl. Lizzie begs me to tell you what fine times they had with the Belschnickles, and how many pretty books and other presents they received. Tommy wants me to tell you that he is a good boy and Willy thinks you must hear what a fine muster hat with a cockade he got as a present from uncle Charley.

Hoping to see you soon I am as ever, your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

Lancaster Ohio;
Dec. 30, 1859
[1859/12/30]

Dearest Cump;
[WTS]

Two letters from you one of the 16th and one the 18th inst. reached me tonight the first that I have received since last Monday week -- this is Friday. I intended writing to you yesterday evening but I was prevented by an accident which happened to dear little Tommy. About four in the afternoon I was sitting in my room sewing and Minnie Lizzie and Tommy were with the girls in the dining room. Minnie was ironing and had an ironing board between two tables. Tommy was sitting in a high chair by the board and pushed it towards Minnie -- she pushed it back and pushed him over chair and all. I heard the fall and the cry and ran out when I found the poor little fellow sitting on Emily's lap. I asked him where his head was hurt and he said it did not hurt his head. I then brought him in my room and kept him on my lap when I found he continued to fret. I took off his apron and intended to undress him expecting to find a bruise somewhere. Imagine my distress when I found the dear little fellow's arm broken. I sent one messenger in haste for the Doctor and another for Mrs. Daugherty and in an hour's time it was bound up and he was asleep. When the Doctor pulled it in place it snapped loud and the poor little fellow cried piteously. He did not sleep well last night but today he has been running about playing all day. This evening the Doctor found the bandage too tight and readjusted it. The walking was so slippery yesterday that all the men as well as the boys went down the hill on sleds. The Doctor went down on a sled this morning; but later in the day the pavements dried off a little and Father and Mother came over. This afternoon they sent William for Tommy and he and Effie are now at Mother's in Sis's room. We thought there was danger here of his getting his arm hurt again in close quarters and among so many children. All the rest are well. I have just been over to see Tommy and as my rest was very much disturbed last night I must close my letter and get ready for bed. I kept Tommy in my room last night. There is no school this week. Minnie has been so engrossed with various affairs that she has not yet written to you. I hope to see you soon. I am sorry indeed that you are lonely -- if wishing would take us there, we would all be with you. All the children talk of you every day and Lizzie dreams that she sees you at night. As ever,

dearest Cump, your truly affectionate,

Ellen
[EES]