LAKE PARK HOTEL LAKE MINNETONKA C.W.McIntyre, Manager Excelsior P. O.
MINNESOTA
July 9th 1885. Thursday Morning
[1885/07/09]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Yesterday I felt very tired & Cumpy wrote you enclosing the pass over the Wabash road. They say that a train leaves St. Louis a few minutes earlier than we left & gets here four hours earlier. We arrived at 11. p.m. & we would have been obliged to go to the Hotel Lafayette had we not telegraphed Col. Tourtelotte to meet us with a tug which he very kindly did & fortunately it was not raining. It was very cold on the Lake but the young folks enjoyed the trip. Mrs. Poe Minnie Betty & Orlando came last evening at 6. o'clock. The Colonel has a row boat for Cumpy - he entertains us in princely style & we are charmed. Nature is very attractive - the wind sighing in the leaves - the lake, the birds & the squirrells all are charming. Lizzie is a little under the weather today. She sends best love & wants you to bring up the Life of Col. Upton which she had intended to bring to Col. T. to read, but which she forgot. We all felt badly to leave you alone but hope the house at the place & the chickens &c. will keep you busy when you are not at your book. We shall be anxious for your arrival next week. All send love.
Your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
LAKE PARK HOTEL LAKE MINNETONKA C.W.McIntyre, Manager Excelsior P. O.
MINNESOTA
July 10, 1885.
[1885/07/10]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I left home the very day that Agnes' month was up & I entirely forgot to pay her. I will enclose my check for her month's wages (having a small balance in the Bank) & will ask you to give her the money explaining to her that I forgot it before leaving. In my letter of yesterday I asked you in Lizzie's name to bring up the life of Genl Upton if you have room for it. She is very anxious to have it. She is feeling better today & the rest are very well & all take to the water "like young ducks". The Colonel is very attentive & kind & the Hotel is certainly an excellent one in every respect. I received the bill you enclosed (Vandervoort's bill receipted) & was disappointed that you had not written a line.
All send love -
As ever,
Ellen
[EES]
[Lake Minnetonka]
August 2nd 1885
[1885/08/02]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Rachel and I have had letters from you & you seem to be passing your time pleasantly in New York. Minnie and Elly are anxiously expecting your visits to them.
I am writing at 6. p.m. & Cumpy has just started to the vicinity of Milwaukee to spend a few days with Tom.
For three weeks Rachel has been anxious to attend the Saturday evening hop at the Lafayette and the Sunday evening concert there. Winnie Poe could not be persuaded to go over, so I let Rachel to over yesterday to remain there until tomorrow. She is with the Gordons. Hammond & his wife & six children have all been to see me at different times. He looks very well and he is doing well & his children are all very fine specimens. I hope nothing will prevent your coming here. The Colonel is much gratified that you wish to come again. All
All unite in very affectionate regards to you. As ever,
Ellen -
[EES]
Lancaster, Ohio.
Sep. 13, 1885 Sunday afternoon
[1885/09/13]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I received your telegram & was glad to learn that both you & Cumpy had reached home safely. Yesterday I enclosed to Lizzie a letter I had just received from Willy Fitch. I have written him that I am expecting to hear from you whether my pass takes me over a route which passes Pittsburg & whether I can get to their house without too many changes for me to undertake when travelling without an escort. In case I can get there without too many or too trying changes and on my pass I shall stop when returning home. I can learn all about it at the R.R. office in Washington.
I did expect to leave here on Wednesday but I now expect to remain until Saturday, so please have my mail directed here until Thursday evening. I need not hasten on, as Elly will not be in her house before the 25th and I do not wish to remain long in Washington or in Philadelphia. I expect to be home about the 10th of Oct. My time is passing very pleasantly here but the rain has prevented my getting about as much as I had expected. I hope to go around the balance of the time I stay. Sis has a nice little carriage and a good horse & good driver. Cumpy enjoyed his visit here as he did also in Mansfield. With love to all
Your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Lancaster,
Sept. 16, 1885. Wednesday
[1885/09/16]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I am rejoiced to learn, as I do from your letter, that the new house is rented. I trust the tenant will prove satisfactory in every respect.
I shall not get away from Columbus before Monday night and shall defer the trip via Edgewood until my return, as I am anxious to have the most of my journey over. It will be as late as the 10th of October when I get home. There is great comfort in knowing that no one needs me there. I have written Lizzie that she had better take all your good chickens & fatten them in our coop & I will pay you for them. You must enjoy your rides now very much. We find it delightful driving about here now that the weather is so fine.
With love to all as ever
Your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Columbus O.
Sep. 20, 1885 Saturday Noon.
[1885/09/20]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I have been here at Mr. Martin's (Cely Workman) an hour or so & before lunch & my nap I must answer your letter received last evening. The list of property &c. I will keep. You need not feel worried about the family should you be taken from them. Should I survive you I promise you I will not appeal to Government or seek anything from outside. I should then live very quietly and in a different way from the present. I do not think Minnie's troubles will continue long for if he finds he cannot get a successful start on his own account he will certainly take employment somewhere. I do not know of course but I imagine that he is looking to the time when he can take the benefit of the bankrupt act and then recommence business. Perhaps he will be able to do that before long.
I fear that you think I am not satisfied to remain in St. Louis whereas I am entirely so if you are so. I came here now & planned to go East simply to see the seven fatherless children of my dear Brother. They have no Father or Grand Father to look after them or manifest a loving care of them and I intend to shew them all the loving attention in my power during the balance of my life. As I shall be so near Elly of course I shall give myself the treat of a visit to her and another sight of her dear children. I intend to take Eleanor Ewing with me to Phila to give her a little visit & an opportunity to see her cousins, dear Elly & her family. From your memorandum I find it too difficult to get to Edgewood & away from there to undertake it when traveling alone so I shall not attempt it. I am by no means anxious to stay away from home a day longer than I find necessary and you may expect me back early in Oct. Being now in good health with nothing weighing on my Spirits I intend to see as many of my friends as I can wherever I stop. I am going this afternoon in Cecelia's carriage to see Mrs. Bartley (who is here) Mrs. Will McComb, Mrs. Miller & Mrs. Daugherty & some others. I am sorry your cough continues - my cold hangs on also.
As ever your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
220. I. St. Washington, D.C.
Sep. 22nd 1885
[1885/09/22]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I arrived here a few hours ago & hasten to write a few lines in time for the afternoon mail. I will write to the girls tomorrow. I was pleased to have some good letters when the post man came around one from Cumpy & one from Lizzie. I do hope Rachel will soon get rid of the miserable chills.
Now that your Cote Brilliante place is rented you will feel lost for a place to drive to. If you have got so much money in the Bank why can you not give me my regular payment this fall? When I go to Phila I have to do some shopping for myself besides getting a little more table linen. I left all well in Lancaster & find all well here after enjoying two very pleasant days in Columbus. It is raining now but I do not wish to go out today & tomorrow it will no doubt be fair.
As ever your affectionate,
Ellen
[EES]
Washington, 220. I. St.
Oct. 1, 1885
[1885/10/01]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Col. Tourtellotte called on me a day or two since & was here again last evening. He is looking remarkably well & seems to be in good spirits. He said he would write to you today & I presume he has done so.
Genl & Mrs. Sheridan have called on me & I have been there. I took lunch with Charley Hoyt & his wife & found them very pleasantly situated but somewhat disposed to go to housekeeping on account of the boy Sherman who is very far off when on the Street as his Mother is on the fourth floor.
Tomorrow I go to see Elly & after spending several days with her I shall return here. From here then I shall go by the B. & O. road via Pittsburgh stopping there one day & two nights - if I go in day time. I may go at night in which case I will stop over only one night & day. I am beginning to feel anxious to get home. My pass over the B. & O. road takes me to Columbus & from there I will take the Vandalia road home. With best love to all, as ever
Your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
This is the night of your card party which I hope will be pleasant.
Marietta, Pa. "Hill Side"
July 20, 1886
[1886/07/20]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I have good letters from Lizzie but none from you. After you leave San Francisco I shall not know where to address you & Lizzie, as you failed to leave me the list of stopping places on your route. You also failed to tell me from whom I am to receive my money, but I think you intend to send me a check. I would be better to send a draft as a check will cost me several dollars to get it cashed. Rachel has had work done at a Dentist's in Phila & Cumpy was at the Dentist's in St. Louis up to the last day of our stay. These bills I will have to pay besides a bill at Wannemaker's in Phila for Rachel. Elly has a room for me here but I am not willing to stay without contributing my share towards the expenses of the table &c. Rachel & Cumpy wrote after their arrival at Burlington & thought they would like it very much. Cumpy had hired a boat for the season at $18. - Elly is expecting another child about the 10th of August, and at that time or immediately after, I shall go to some place in the mountains, very near here, for ten days or a fortnight, taking Lizzie Thackara with me.
I see that Maxwell has been sentenced to be hung on the 2nd of Oct. but he still hopes to secure a new trial.
I have had no letters from St. Louis & indeed I have not written to any one there. I have been threatened with malarial fever and went to Mr. Thackara's in Phila. & consulted a Physician whose remedies I am still taking & begin to feel much improved. Give Lizzie the enclosed please with my love. Elly sends much love. She & the children are very well. I hope you will avoid more cold.
As ever,
Ellen
[EES]
Address "Marietta, Pa."
Marietta, Pa.
July 23rd 1886.
[1886/07/23]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
After writing you the other day I was glad to receive a letter from you giving me the points to which I can address my letters. I am glad Lizzie is reconciled to the Steamer as it is so much more comfortable & better for the health of both of you. Shall I telegraph you on the birth of Elly's child? Tell me, as otherwise I shall rely on a letter. I will go to Columbia for a week at that time. It is lovely there & being much more elevated than this the air is finer although it is only three miles off yet it is all up hill. My object in going is to leave the house more quiet for dear Elly. I will take Lizzie, & Eleanor Ewing (who is here) and Mary my maid who is useful to me now I have been so sick.
You say, dear Cump that you will send me $600. the first of August. I shall need it also the 1st of September. I will see Mr. Darling about our accommodations there & shall write you probably at Rock Island. You will not be able to send Minnie $200. a month to put in Fitch's new venture. You will find that you need it for those having a more direct claim on you than the family of a man in the prime of life. I am not willing to give it out of my share & if necessary I must tell Minnie. If you give $200 a month to her some of us must do with that much less - & none of us can spare it. Rachel & Cumpy are enjoying Burlington, rowing & swimming - All are well here & at Minnie's. I hope you will avoid colds.
Your affectionate
Ellen
[EES]
Marietta, Pa.
July 31, 1886
[1886/07/31]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
Your letter of the 24th, with check for $600. enclosed came last night. Also a letter to Cumpy which I have addressed to Burlington & shall send immediately to the Post Office. Elly was much pleased to receive a letter from you also as well as one from Lizzie. I am glad you are so comfortably entertained at your hotel & I hope we may find what may be to our taste at the hotel in N.Y. Rachel & I will be there when you return & Cumpy of course will be at Yale. Elly expects to remain here until late in October as the house costs the same for six months as for three. It is relly delightful here & an excellent thing for the children who are out doors all the time. Sherman is a splendid boy & altho' not two years old he is like a boy of three he is so strong & independent. Lizzie has grown very much & is much improved & Lex is as interesting as ever. I do not get lonely here, Elly & I read & sew together & we have no dearth of books as Mont brings out whatever we ask for. He spends Sundays here & they dine about a good deal. Prince is splendid & the carriage is very nice. Tomorrow we are all to dine at Mr. Duffy's of whose family we see a great deal. Tell Lizzie I am writing to her today.
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
Marietta, Pa.
Aug: 7th 1886
[1886/08/07]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I shall send this letter to Portland but I fear it may not reach you there. I will address a letter of today to Lizzie to Tacoma so as to be sure to reach you at one place. I have no news to communicate as I get few letters except from Cumpy Rachel & Minnie & I find it difficult to get the newspapers here. All are well and enjoying the liberty & serenity of the country. I will keep your dates at hand and will have letters for you on your route. I have told you that I have given Rachel permission to accept an urgent invitation from Mrs. Blaine to visit her at Bar Harbour after the 20th of Aug: Cumpy will come here then & he & I may go to some sea shore place near Phil. for a week or two.
For two days I could not get a newspaper & when finally I received one & found that Tilden had been dead two days I felt that I was indeed secluded. We have plenty of reading matter & Elly is busy with the children & her household duties.
Give best love to dear Lizzie from us all & tell her I am so happy to have her good letters.
If this reaches you at Portland give my best regards to Mr. & Mrs. Levi Anderson -
As ever yours,
Ellen
[EES]
Marietta, Pa.
Aug. 18, 1886
[1886/08/18]
Dearest Cump,
[WTS]
I have yours of the 8th and since then your dispatch from Portland. I hope Lizzie did not suffer during her short trip at Sea - I shall hope for a letter from her in a day or two & I have written to her several times to Tacoma. It will not be long now until we shall have the pleasure to welcome you both back again. We will be at the 5th Ave: Hotel waiting for you. Elly will be sitting up tomorrow and the baby continues to flourish.
Rachel is to leave on Friday for Bar Harbor from Burlington & Cumpy will leave there on Monday for this place. Minnie writes often and all are well with her.
I see that Genl McCook has lost his little son & yesterday's paper stated that Genl Augur had been shot three times - one ball entering his side. Some rowdies were noisy near his residence on Georgetown heights one night & on his going to the door to remonstrate he was shot. I hope he will recover.
Elly sends her best love to you & Lizzie, & hopes to see you here. Tell dear Lizzie that I will write her tomorrow. I read so much to Elly that my time for writing is short.
As ever, your affectionate,
Ellen
[EES]