T2020.102.328

Shepards Sanitarium Columbus, O. July 17, 1898

My dear daughter: Your letter of the first received this morning on my trip. I was glad to receive the stamps, as well as the letter, and especially glad to learn of your wilingness to help pay my bill here. I will read that portion of your letter to Dr. Shepard the first opportunity. I will enclose Katie's last. I let the dr. read a portion of it. He sighed and said he could not afford to keep me here for nothing and, if he let me go before I was able, my system would not stand it and a relapse would soon follow. I told him I would stay until he thought me able to go, and if he would wait, my daughters would see that

my bill was paid. I am so much improved that I am a wonder to myself. The, {vision ?], is all most, { ?], disappear and my skin is becomeing, [sic], smooth and plump. The, { ?ness ], is fast leaving my entire body. My head does not pain me anymore. I was sent downstairs for a few, [months, minutes ?], until yesterday. I met Miss Nelson and Mrs. Arnold arriving of the flowers and they were so glad to see me. They gave me a bouquet in the evening. I met Miss Decrow. She is in Pine College and was delighted to see me. She has been sick since Jan with spinal trouble. She is fleshier than she ever was and so pleasant. I slept like a baby last night. Again, the doctor does not want me to walk anymore than I can help and must not tire myself in no way. The weather is very warm and sultry. I have the best of food and even to ice cream. I take all my meals in my room. Oh, how I wish, [more ?], { ? ?], could come here and rest, and not take, [ ? natural plan is best].

I don't know whether I told you just how I came here, [ten ?], weeks ago today. I was to have come on Sat. She sent, [ ?], for me, but Katie made me wait until Sunday. Excursion, the ticket cost $1.50 and we learned at the last minute they would not check baggage on that, [ ?], so I had to care for mine as it had to go with me. There was fifteen hundred persons and 16 coaches so all could not get seats. A gentleman became interested in me and helped me off and I soon learned that there was no train run to Shepards on Sunday and no street cars nearer than one and a half miles, [ ? ?], or any kind of conveyance would cost from 150 to 230. So this, [gent ?], met with me and finally found a person. Dr. Sherman's son who lived not far from here would

bring me here for one dollar and I accepted the offer. Dr. S. was sorry I had not telephoned but I did not think of it. Dr. S. did not seem to be any older than when I was here last and is just as capable of conducting his business. He has never been sick a day in his life. There are many changes. [ ?], new [cellars ?], for the insane and opium patients on the opposite side. [ ? ? Dr. S. has helped Mrs., [ ?], and Frank, [ ?], to new homes. They have a school house and talk of a church. I visited Nancy, [Taggert ?], a few days before I came here. She is quite well and was very much pleased to see me, her bro. Robbert in Washington. Will visit here next month. Katie came to the depot with me this morning & left. The train be flat 7 1/2 arrived, [ ?], at 1 o'clock. I got here at five

THE McINTOSH-HUNTINGTON CO HARDWARE TINNERS STOCK BICYCLES CUTLERY AND McINTOSH TOOLS AND MIXED PAINTS 116 & 118 SUPERIOR ST. 20-26 LONG ST. AND 51 & 53 CHAMPLAIN ST. CLEVELAND, O. 7/13/98

My dear Mother:

I received your letter of the 11th, yesterday, and am more than grieved that such ill luck seems to have overtaken you for two reasons, but glad that you are improving. I am afraid, perhaps, that the letter you gave Dr. S. might mislead him, although, I do not remember just how it read. I could not, by any means, pay for a two months' stay there. I though, [t], you would surely be able to do quite as you liked by this week and would be able to leave, and would willingly pay for the one week since you had been sick and required so much help. You, perhaps, remember Dr. Hutchinson of the Woodland Ave. Presbyterian Church. He tendered his resignation last Sunday. Archie only paid me $3.00 on the rent. It is paid, however, also the insurance. I do not know what I shall do about the sewing machine. I will write Edie as soon as I have time. Tell Jennie that I have a good many acquaintances in Chattanooga, but not all friends and I would not want her to have some of them call on her at all.