Bar Harbour Mt. Desert Maine
July 6th 1883.
[1883/07/06]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
One cannot be said to have seen the most interesting & picturesque spot in our country who has not been to Mount Desert - so at least we think, who from one window in my room look out upon the ocean & two small high islands in sight & from another window look upon the green mountains bleak & bare, with lovely residence below it and numberless beautiful and elegant cottages dotted about. The young people are boating the greater part of the time. Yesterday we took a drive in one of the famous & very comfortable buckboards which have good springs & seat six besides the driver. The horses here are splendid in strength & speed which makes driving a luxury indeed. We arrived here on Wednesday. I do not know how long we will remain. If the mornings are not too cool I shall probably stay some time, as Rachel and Cumpy are anxious to stay. Mrs. Pinchot has a cottage and we have met her & intend to call at her cottage tomorrow. It is about a mile from our hotel. The sea voyage from Portland was tolerably rought a part of the time but none of us were sick. Cumpy thought it fine fun. I have a line from Col. Tourtellotte telling me of a dispatch received from you just before entering the Park. I suppose you are enjoying your trip very much. Our furniture has gone out and so far as I know all our family in St. Louis are well. We have heard from Minnie within a week.
As ever yours,
Ellen -
[EES]
St. Louis Mo. The Bristol, 14th & W-n: Ave:
Sep. 20, 1883
[1883/09/20]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Your letter from Sante Fe is just received. Lizzie and I arrived last night after a long, hot & dusty ride from Cin: Cumpy has been here (Windsor Flats formerly) for three weeks & getting on well. We have very good quarters but I think it possible we can get into the house by the time you come. Lizzie has gone up now with General Beckwith to see the house. I have been sick a good deal during the summer & having a severe cold now I cannot get out today. I am expecting Minnie in with the children. She & Mr. Fitch were here last evening & also dear Tom Sherman, who is stationed now at the College. I am truly rejoiced that you are so positive in rejecting all advances of Politicians to secure you for the Presidency. It would be an injury to you and to your family. I have no doubt but you could beat John Sherman or Jim Blaine even at their best but now I think their day is over. I would do nothing for either of them nor for you because I would have no consideration in return. Were you to be a candidate I should consider it the ruin of your family, so I am thankful that you do not contemplate it. I am very sorry to disappoint you financially but so far from being able to give you my $400. note I must ask you to pay me the $150. which I paid for the packing and two or three hundred more which I owe. My expenses have been very heavy & the payments up to date in W. nearly ruined me. I had to get money of Col. Tourtelotte. We shall not need carpets this winter - or not much in that way. I presume the Quarter Master will furnish your Office rooms & we will try & make the rest answer until we can get new by degrees. We all feel deeply interested in the home & I beleive there will be perfect content on the part of all - more than content. I dont feel any doubt but that you will get the $5000. in Cincinnati. We will all be as economical as possible for the first year.
Cumpy will no doubt turn to some pursuit by which he will earn a living, as soon as he has had his education. His deafness would disqualify him for the Priesthood as well as for the Army so you need have no fears on that score. His deafness too in incurable. When the good God gives you faith you will feel differently about Tom. Do not imagine that we shall need much when you are gone. Should I survive you I shall need very little in my obscurity. Lizzie is very moderate & Rachel if not married can also become moderate or by telegraphy or dressmaking if necessary support herself. None of us will ever ask an office of that you may be assured. I look on people after office as if bitten by a snake - they are poisoned. To cultivate fruit & put it up, to be where nature supplies us would be our great object.
At anytime that you should be taken away Cumpy would get to work at something. Our home could be small & plain; our clothing plain and our fare simple. We do not really need much when we can live in obscurity. It would be wrong for you to worry over the future.
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
St. Louis,
Sept. 1883 Saturday Morning
[1883/09/00]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Lizzie & Rachel have gone down town & Cump being at school I am quite alone. We now have the Stable & carriage house pretty well cleaned out & will be glad to have the horses. Is it true that Hancock is to be in Chicago & Pope in New York? That is pretty hard on Schofield. All well here, except Rachel who has had sore throat but is better. I will attend to Emily's pension as soon as I can, but I cannot get out without a carriage & I hire only when compelled to go out. Genl Beckwith gave me his elegant turn out one day. I will try & get Minnie's on Monday for this business.
Give my love to all the Staff.
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
P.S. Yours of the 11th is just received & although it is to Rachel I have opened & read it. I am surprised that you had not heard from us - Lizzie & I wrote on Monday. We were so busy & so tired Saturday & Sunday that we neglected to write. The white man you bring out can have a room in the house & I will have it ready for him. He can also board here & I promise you I will not interfere with him but treat him very kindly. Tell me if you have the man engaged and his name. It will not interfere with Alfred's coming. Do not worry about the Coupe for me. I can wait a year for you can easily let me have the carriage the little I shall need it - mostly to go to Church early of mornings. They have very nice Coupes here at very moderate prices - Let the old carriages come & we will get along - The girls prefer the cars. Some of us will write you each day. Cump spent his holiday looking up a house which had been recommended but which he did not altogether like.
E -
[912 Garrison Ave., St. Louis]
Oct. 12th 1883. Friday
[1883/10/12]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I have yours enclosing papers for Emily's pension. I will attend to it as soon as possible but I cannot get the certificate of W. Walsh as he is now in Europe. I can get an attested copy of the Church record. I will write you again about it.
When you send the horses will you be obliged to send a man with them? If so, I suppose of course Horace will come but you need not engage him to stay unless you prefer to have him, for Alfred is coming to me, the latter part of this month. Alfred's wife & children are in the City & living near us and he is anxious to get the place to be near them as now he is six miles in the country: this is, six miles from the court house. I hope your carpets &c. will be here in time for us to have them down before you come. We are nearly settled now & find the house most comfortable & delightful. The Stable will not at all interfere with our comfort. The furniture is all in, the paintings & mirrors are hung and now we are waiting for a man to put up the curtains. The bill of Shusters you sent is a surprise, as I thought I had paid all my bills but I must have forgotten that. I must look over my receipts before I pay it. I hope English will not fail to pay your $5000- Let him borrow the money & pay you if he has not got it. All are well but Rachel who has sore throat. Cump has not got a horse yet. What a sudden death of Surgeon General Crane! Dr. Norris must feel badly. Poor Maj. Grimes is gone too. General Beckwith gives us a call nearly every day & his man has been hanging pictures. We will all be glad when the time comes for your return to us. I hope you will keep well.
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
I send you the cards to Henry Turner's wedding - Rachel is going.
[912 Garrison Ave., St. Louis] Home.
Oct. 27th, 1883. Saturday
[1883/10/27]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
We have another rainy day which is quite a draw back when we have no carriage & the streets are so muddy. The season has been unusually rainy. We had a few days of very cold weather & during that time we fully realised what Mr. Cameron & General Beckwith said - that the furnace is not large enough to send any heat into the dining room & the back halls and bath rooms. The danger of pipes bursting at a cost of much money & unmeasured inconvenience, caused me with the advice of Mr. Cameron, to order a small portable furnace, for that side, such as Mrs. Isaac Cook & several others have had put up under similar circumstances - their furnace for one side failing to send out heat enough for both sides or extention. I hope you will not feel worried about this for it will warm the bath rooms and the halls leading to the tank room & will save us the constant apprehension & final dismay of busted piped & ruined walls & ceilings. It will also save fuel, for less fires will be kept in the rooms. I will pay for it and not call on you for anything extra for it. It is really indespensable with the water pipes we have & the furnace too far off to warm the air on that side of the house.
I suppose Rachel has written you about Sir C. & Lady Wolseley & her meeting them at dinner at Hugh Campbells & having them here to 5. o'clock tea. All are well here & at Minnie's except Minnie herself. Rachel staid there last night & reports Minnie is very unwell this morning.
As ever,
Ellen.
[EES]
[St. Louis 912 Garrison Avenue] Home
Oct. 18th 1883.
[1883/10/18]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Cumpy went to St. Bridget's & got the enclosed this morning. As the rules call for the affidavits of two witnesses of the ceremony, & as you and Henry witnessed the ceremony I thought it unnecessary to have Cump hunt up a Notary to make the certificate enclosed doubly sure.
If that be necessary however you can return it.
We see from the papers that you had a pleasant time at Cleaveland. Lizzie was too tired and feels that there is still too much for her to do to admit of her going to C.
Write me if you would prefer to have the room over the Stable for the man. We can give him the hall room on 3rd floor.
Alfred will do the work in the house - washing steps carrying coals going errands and a thousand other things daily & will be under my orders, whilst the white man will be under yours, and will have exclusive care of the horses, which will keep him busy with the proper care of the carriages and the driving. Alfred will sleep at his wife's which is within a block of us -
All well. Rachel attended Henry Turner's wedding & made an all day affair of it - at Notchcliffe above Alton on the river -
In haste, as ever,
Ellen
[EES]
[St. Louis] Home.
Nov. 4th 1883
[1883/11/04]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
After breakfast this morning Cumpy went to the to see if Cols: Tourtelotte & Bacon had arrived but reported that they had not, therefore we were much surprised to see them about noon Genl Beckwith with them. Their train was late, and as soon as they break-fasted they came out. We were delighted to see them. The horses &c. &c. came about dark last evening, & the last of the boxes which came by Express arrived also yesterday. Your carpets are down & the furniture all in; the boxes being stored in the little study back of the parlors.
The two Colonels are coming to dine with us tomorrow & by Tuesday we will have the horses out. The man thinks they want a day to rest even after today, although they are in good condition. The girls have gone in the cars to Minnie's this afternoon. I hope you are well.
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
Columbus, Ohio 84. Washington Ave.
May 21st 1884.
[1884/05/21]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
We got in on time last night and to my releif Mr. Martin met me as I stepped from the car. He had a servant to take my parcels and a carriage in waiting at the depot. Celia was up waiting for me at the house and I had a most comfortable nights rest. After a good breakfast this morning Mr. Martin took us to drive and the roads being good & the Streets very shady we passed a pleasant hour or two in that way. He has a pair of little blacks almost exactly like ours & as gentle & nice.
I go at half past three to the depot for Lancaster. Tell deal Lizzie that I enjoyed my lunch very much & the car being a hotel car, I had a good cup of tea last night which enabled me to stay up until we got here. I feel as if I have been an age away from home & I cannot help feeling that Rachel & Cumpy are still infants. Give my best love to them all & tell them to write to me. As ever yours,
Ellen -
[EES]
[Lancaster Ohio]
May 29th 1884. Thursday Morning
[1884/05/29]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I was glad to hear from you again yesterday but I am distressed that you were obliged to have that wart cut from your face. I fear you will go out too soon and take cold in it. If I were at home I suppose I would bother you all the time about it. Poor Rachel seems to have been suffering too. I hope your face will be all right by tomorrow which is I beleive decoration day. I am enjoying myself very much & would like to stay a week longer but I am anxious to be home next Sunday, the 8th when the corner stone of the Jesuit's new College & Church is to be laid with great ceremoneis.
The wedding passed off most delightfully - I will write to Lizzie about it today. I am now hurrying this off by the early train. Give best love to all for me & tell them to look for me Tuesday night, unless they hear differently. The Vandalia train is due at St. Louis at 7. p.m. or perhaps it is 730. I hope to find you well of the wart trouble.
Ever your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Tell Rachel I have a letter on hand to her. I received her letters & Cumpy's & also another from Lizzie.
St. Louis
August 5. '84 Tuesday Morning.
[1884/08/05]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
In your letter to Lizzie received this morning you say that I have not answered your invitation to us to join you at Minnetonka. I supposed that my messages in letters to Rachel & Cump would be sufficient. I have carefully put away the ticket but we cannot conveniently leave here now & we are so well off here that there is no reason for leaving. The weather today is cool, but even when it is warm we are very comfortable and we have here what we could not have elsewhere: airy bed rooms, delightful bath; cool porches, and quiet & peace which the noisy children & maid servants about a hotel deprive you of when away from home. We have too, our carriages & horses and I am very dependent on them and I am afraid to get in a row boat & could not be induced to set foot in a sail boat. If Lizzie needs a trip she might visit Mrs. Poe after you return, but she seems very well now and we are both so busy that we manage to forget out loneliness except at night fall. We read and sew & in the mornings we go to Church (Lizzie is as bad as I am now) & in the afternoons we drive & visit. At night we look over the papers read a little say the beads for you all & go to bed early - Yesterday I went down town & en route I examined the Lucas Ave: houses which I am pleased to report are just at this time in rapid progress. On Lizzie's they are making the Mansard & on Rachel's they are trying to overtake the others. I will report again in a day or two.
George has gone to Kansas City to the encampment of the "United States Guards" - as he calls them. He said he had to be there as he is on the General's Staff. He left a very quiet good man, an excellent driver, in his place, with whom he is to settle when he returns on Friday. The forage came yesterday & Minnie is to send for some tomorrow, sending us a barrel of vinegar at the same time. - Young Hunt called on the 1st to collect his bill for butter. He reports Nannie Turner as worse, so Minnie & I are going out - not today but soon. Lizzie called at Julia Turner's but she did not see her as she was not feeling very well.
We are having chimneys swept, carpets taken up & shaken and woodwork washed, so we are torn up & expect to look very nicely when you all get home. We were not able to get to Jefferson Barracks when we expected to go but we will go soon now and I will see Cump's horse & report to him.
Tom looks splendidly & says he had a grand time in Wisconsin. He came back with his heart sore for poor Bob McComb who he thinks will hardly live much longer, he has been kept on such meagre fare trying to keep decent appearances poor soul - Many a splendid meal have we had in his good Mother's house. Tom thinks he is really reformed -
As ever, your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Phila
Nov. 18th 1884. Tuesday Morning
[1884/11/18]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Your letter of Saturday reached me yesterday morning. How much news you & Lizzie have to be sure! and here we have nothing yet to tell.
I do not blame General Harney or the widow for the marriage or the settlement of the property. I beleive she was of good family & character. She probably could not take such care of him as he required without the sanction of matrimony to make the close association respectable & she was right in securing a large compensation for her services. It does not seem to me laughable but a necessary step to the comfort of the old man & the maintanence of the woman.
Poor Mrs. Felt! I enclose her card which her visit has doubtless explained ere this. I am very sorry for her.
John A. Logan must feel the defeat of the party more than never come singly.
As soon as the expected event occurs here - & it may be any day, I want to go over to Yonkers & spend two nights and one day, going in the afternoon & returning here the morning of the second day. I may not go for ten days or so, as I shall want to see Elly safely along & the baby baptised - "William Tecumseh" she says and after having been there I shall stay here a few days & then go to visit Virginia & the dear fatherless little ones. Mary Denman has kindly invited me to stop with her & I think I shall do so as Virginia's house is crowded & I am rather a burden anywhere. I can get from Mary's to Virginia's in the cars & shall spend no money for carriage hire.
Tell dear Lizzie that I will be sure to see Charley Hoyt's family. I will of course go to John Sherman's. I hear that Cecelia is there now. I would go there to stay but that I would prefer to be with my own relations when visiting my dear Brother's desolate family.
Rachel will be in New York by the time I go to Yonkers & she will meet me & go to Yonkers with me. Should Mrs. Pinchot invite me I may stay there a day with Rachel. My pass is to N.Y. & back. By the first of the month I will check my money, sending some to Lizzie to pay bills & wages. Before that time I will send you the bill for Rachel's dress in N.Y. & get you to send a draft for it - No I will not trouble you. Lizzie can get the draft & I will send her a check for it. I must ask you Cump to send me the $250.00 due me on the lots. I have to have more money for Rachel in N. York, & if I cannot get it I shall have to borrow it at enormous interest. It seems to me I will be along time getting over the moving & all I spent about the house when getting into it, but if I get this now, & do not have to borrow at interest I can come out all right by Spring - It is of no use to tell me not to borrow for I am in honor bound for it & what I have will not more than pay bills & keep along.
All send love. I hope Cump is well -
Ever your affectionate
Ellen.
[EES]
Phila
Nov. 19th 1884 Wednesday
[1884/11/19]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I fear that in my letter yesterday I may have given you the impression that all my extra outlay just now is for Rachel. I have had considerable to spend on myself lately & on household bills for two or three months as Lizzie can tell you have been very large. Very few persons spend what we do on the table. But there is much to pay for Rachel besides the one dress in New York of which I already have the bill. Rachel, individually, certainly costs much more than the rest of us but Cump's shoes & suits & flannels & hats and all the et ceteras are beginning to be a large item, he is so large. Poor Mrs. Felt! please tell me if you hear anything more of her son. I am delighted to have your letter of Monday. Minnie & Cump have not written to me yet. I wish you would tell Cump that I shall expect two letters a week from him and good letters - not a few hasty lines. I feel much hurt that he has not written me.
Elly is by, & sends much love. I learn from the papers that the Cattle men represent an immense amount of money. I hope the dinner will pass off pleasantly. Mr. Thackara is late now at the factory they have to work extra hours to fill their orders before Christmas. With love to all
Your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Phila
Nov. 26th 1884 Wednesday.
[1884/11/26]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I see that Jeff Davis is bringing facts about his head - more than he will enjoy I imagine. Elly is unaccountably out in her reckoning & I am still here where we are enjoying our quiet days together. I feel very anxious about Rachel who was sick in bed at Mrs. Hales in Ellsworth the last I heard, through a letter from Margaret Blaine. I am watching now for the Postman hoping to have another letter. She ought to be at Augusta now and in N.Y. on Friday.
You need never fear that we will any of us ask a favor of any sort of the Government. It is as repugnant to me as it could be to you. I was very sorry to hear of poor Astell.
With much love to all
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
Phila
Nov. 30, 1884 Sunday Noon.
[1884/11/30]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Mont has gone to telegraph you the news of the arrival of your name sake & grand son. I went to 7. o'clock Mass leaving all quiet and on my return found the house in commotion. At quarter past ten he was born - a very find child, large broad shouldered & really fat - in every respect a splendid boy. Dear Elly is resting quietly now in a darkened room & the children have gone out for their daily airing - Lizzie saw her little Brother before starting so her little womanly heart is filled with joy.
Rachel writes me that she will be at Mrs. Pinchot's on Tuesday evening. I may go over Tuesday & stay all night with her there & go to Yonkers Wednesday but I may wait until Wednesday morning to go over. I shall be away from here only two days & when I return I shall remain for the baptism & then go to Washington & from there home. I am not uneasy about home because you are all so well & I am very well here & enjoying myself every day but I do not wish to be caught on the journey in very cold weather & it is generally very cold about Christmas.
With love to all as ever
Your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Phila
Dec. 6th 1884.
[1884/12/06]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I returned last evening after a delightful trip & visit to Yonkers. In New York I had a very pleasant hour or two at Mrs. Pinchot's on Wednesday & again on yesterday with lunch each day. Rachel is very well and looks well. Her attack of malaria was shorter this fall than last fall or the year before. Mrs. Pinchot looks thin but she is in good spirits & is evidently getting over her first grief. Mr. Pinchot & the boys are in robust health. Nettie is away.
I fear I shall be too slow for you in my progress home. Are you not to attend the N.E. dinner in New York? I shall not be able to leave here before the 15th and can spend only a few days in W. for I will be home for Christmas. Let me know if you wish to start early & would prefer me to be at home before you start & I will change my arrangments.
Rachel has now incurred all the expense which her visit will be & she may as well have the benefit of it. I have promised her the visit to W. & she has promised Lizzie Cameron & now that the fatigue & the malarial attack and the disappointment of the election are over it would be unreasonable and unkind to make her give up the visit she is so anxious to make in W. Elly & little Tecumseh are getting on splendidly. I hope you are all well. My drafts have not come yet.
As ever your affectionate,
Ellen -
[EES]
Phila
Dec. 8th 1884. Monday afternoon.
[1884/12/08]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I have several letters from you, all coming today by reason of the delivery Saturday evenings being hurried & partial & there being no mail received here on Sundays. I will send a draft to Mr. Smith for the taxes as soon as I get my money. I am anxiously waiting for it. On the 28th ult: I sent Lizzie several large checks of which one was for $100. for her use and one was for $310 for me. One hundred & ten ($110.) was for Rachel's cloth dress of which you enclosed me the bill. I intended to get a draft for it out of the $310 which she would send to me. When I received the check from you I knew there would be a delay in my getting my draft but I am now puzzled and greatly disappointed that Lizzie does not ever speak of sending it to me. In her letter of the 5th she says that you have told her that I have sent the check to Mr. Hutchinson but she does not send me my draft or say a word about it and your letter of the 6th is here & none from her enclosing draft. I must reluctantly conclude that she does not at all understand the situation & I must telegraph you tonight for if I wait for letters I shall be gone before I hear. I wrote to you in good time that I would check against my money by the first of Dec. and you replied and after that you sent it here. I am sorry I did not send the checks to you as Lizzie fails to understand that I am waiting for the money but I thought it would save you trouble if I would send it to Lizzie. I do not like to annoy you by telegraphing but it is necessary.
It is lucky the boys had a good chance at a persimmon tree even if birds were scarce they had their fun. I have a very affectionate letter today from Lizzie Cameron urging me to stop with her when I go to W- My visit there will be very brief. I am staying so long here. Give my love to all & tell Lizzie that Elly & I enjoy her good letters. Cump wrote a splendid letter welcoming William Tecumseh, who continues to thrive wonderfully.
The other two have grown since I came here. Elly desires her best love to you & thanks you for your kind letters messages &c.
As ever your affectionate,
Ellen
[EES]
I shall be at Hamp Denman's in W- 1608. 19th St. going there next Monday the 15th and leaving perhaps on Thursday. Rachel expects to spend Christmas here & be with Lizzie Cameron New Year's day & for a long visit thereafter. Ellen
912 Garrison Avenue, St. Louis, Mo.,
Dec. 24, 1884
[1884/12/24]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I scarcely know where to address you but I hope you will be with dear Elly at Christmas & by the time this would reache there. We had hoped to hear from you by this time but no letter has yet been received. I arrived at ten o'clock Monday night & yesterday I was literally laid up but today a good dose of quinine has put me on my feet again. My journey was comfortable in spite of the sleet & cold. I asked one of the brakesmen which was the most dangerous part of the road & he said it was all dangerous, whereupon I comforted myself with another sleep. When I left Washington Sunday morning I felt very anxious because of not having heard from you. Fearing that you might have taken cold on the way & be at that time very sick in N. York I sent word from the depot, by Kramer to Genl Sheridan to please telegraph you & to telegraph me at Harrisburg by 2 o'clock, which he very kindly did, much to my releif. Had you been ill I would have gone from Harrisburg to N.York. I am glad now to be home although I really enjoyed every hour of my visit east.
General Sherida? certainly behaved most handsomely to me. As soon as he heard I was in the City he came with Mrs. S. to see me. He placed his carriage (not Mrs. S.'s) at my disposal during my entire stay & told Kramer to be excused from the office and wait on me until I left. I saw him & Mrs. S. and the children the evening before I left. Very few persons knew that I was in the City & even those who knew it supposed I would leave Thursday night. I lunched at Mrs. Cecelia's with Eliza S. & Mary Miles. I lunched at Blaines & I called & saw Lizzie & Don Cameron - I had a lovely time in W- and in Philadelphia at at Yonkers.
All are well here & at Minnie's. I hope you will escape cold.
Your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]