Oakland, [California]
April 8, 1882
My Dear Sister Griffing,
Mrs. Esty told [my husband] Paul this week that Mr.
Griffing had been taken suddenly insane and had to be taken to the asylum. I can
never tell you my feelings when Paul told me. I felt that I could not have it so
that I must fly to you in this very deep affliction. Oh now do tell us the cause
of such a dear good man being taken so suddenly. It must be some brain disease.
He was such a quiet man and so well. Your trouble is mine. I feel that we are
sisters. Now is the time I wish I lived near you or on the old home, but all
Paul & I can do is to pray for you and him. I do hope he will soon be
restored to health and be home. The name of asylum has a dread to me. I do hope
I may be spared that deep trouble of seeing my friends carried there. Any way,
in this State, for they treat them so here and so many go crazy in this State,
not a week passes but someone is taken here. Some think it is the climate, but I
think it is drink that takes most. Here it is that class that go.
I am well as usual [though] not strong as I could like.
Paul is well as is [our son] Willis. Both have been afflicted with carbuncles of
late. I just had a letter from [my oldest son] Vintie. He has left the mines and
gone to work as a rancher. He is not well. I do hope he will never go into the
mines again. I long to see him but he does not tell me when he will come home.
My sister is not here yet. I don’t look for her till she comes.
Mrs. Fleming starts the 18th of this month for Kansas to
spend the summer. She had hoped that Mrs. Evans would come here. That is the day
of the month I left Kansas for this State 6 years ago and most of that time I
have not seen Vintie. I left you all so well that day and how many changes in
that time to us all. But death has not entered our family and most of the time,
we have been well so I have nothing to complain of. There is no use of living in
the past life. Only live in the present. I find that is the best way but still,
so often, I find myself going back to dear old bygone days. I much rather visit
Kansas than New York State for I have so many dear good tried friends there. We
have ruffened alike. It makes us love each other more, I think.
The weather is rainy just now but the rest of the week has
been pleasant. I have been somewhere every day this week. I sent to see W.W.
Elliott’s folks. His parents are well now and are enjoying this State so well.
I work every day some in my flower yard. I have some nice jasmine, also pinks.
Did you get the paper I sent there? Oh my dear good sister,
I so long to see you in this deep trial. Do please write or get [your daughter]
Mary to pen just a few lines and tell me all how [your husband] came to be taken
so sick. The winds are enough to make anyone go wild there. I hear of another
terrible cyclone in that State. I hope you will see Annie when she is there. I
hate to see her go. I love her. She was so great to me when I was so sick.
Love to all,
Mary [Mate] Parker Chamberlin
P.S.
Mrs Evans and Esty are well. Annie is not well. I hope the trip will help her.
Oakland [California]
April 19, 1882
My dear afflicted Sister Griffing,
We learned today of the deep loss you have been called to
pass through. I must tell you it was such a shock to us. Oh I feel like almost
to murmur at such a providence. Still I know it is a wise God that doeth all
these things. But why [your husband] should have to die such a terrible and
[away] from loved ones is all such a deep mystery to us. [He was] such a dear
good pure noble man to go so. I will know that the Heavenly gates were wide open
to him as he breathed his last breath.
It is so hard to write on such a subject. I only long to
fly to your dear arms and weep with you and tell you how Mr. Chamberlin and
Willis & I all feel. It seems that we have had a funeral at our house. We do
wish we could do something to show you the deep feelings we have to you but I
will know dear sister the only comfort you can receive is at the feet of that
blessed Savior. He can heal the deep wound and pour consolation into the heart.
He can take the dear children in his arms and be a father to them. Oh how lonely
that house must be to you all.
Dear Mrs. Hill wrote me a postal of the death [of your
husband]. You have such dear friends there to weep with you and help if need be.
I hear that you have a dear little grandson. What a comfort that will be to you
all. I had thought of late so much of your family and thought what happiness
that babe would bring to you. Little did I dream of the deep sorrow in store for
you, but we all have to pay that debt sooner or later. Oh I do feel that I must
live a better life and do more good.
Now dear sister, when you are able to write, do let us know
all your plans. And tell us the cause of such a sickness as dear Mr. Griffing
had. I well know that there is a cause. I fear he had to work too hard and so
much to draw on his constitution. Perhaps was too much for him. I well remember
the last time he took my hand in his and said goodbye. He said if we never meet
here, let us live to meet in that better land. Well I will try to meet you all
in that better land and I fear we shall never meet here on this land. This life
is a conflict all the time.
Mr. Griffing was so quiet always that he thought perhaps
mere death was good for him. This deep loss can never be filled on earth. No
child is like a companion. The children leave us but the husband always clings
to us till death. I feel that this is a poor letter to send but with my deep
feelings, it is the best I can do. I can’t put my words on paper as I could in
your ear. I will tell you that you truly have our deep sympathies and pray that
God will sustain you and raise you up. Such friends to help you in this time of
trouble. Well I must say goodbye to all. We all send love. I hope you will see
Mrs. Fleming while [she goes] East. She will soon be there. I do hate to have
her go so bad.
Your
true friend,
Mate
Chamberlin
