The Post-Diary Letters in the Ralph Leland Goodrich Collection
Editors Note: The letter numbering as presented on this page coincides with the numbering scheme assigned to the letters housed in the Archives of the Arkansas History Commission. Only selected letters appear here which explains why some numbers are skipped. Some letters were only partially dated but I have been able to date them based upon the contents. As a result, some of the numbering is out of sequence but I felt it was important to present the letters in chronological order.
Letter Number 85
Ralph Goodrich writes his German-born friend Ernest Wiedemann asking for
assistance. Wiedemann vacated Little Rock in 1863 prior to the Union occupation
and relocated to Washington AR.
January 11, 1867
Prof.
E. Wiedemann
Dear
Sir,
I
take this opportunity, through Morgan, to write to you. I am sorry that I did
not see you when you were up here. In the first place, as far as I am concerned
in this town, I am played out. Having been in a saloon has
irretrievably disgraced me, it seems, & people say that I will never be able
to do anything here again as a school teacher. Since I resumed teaching I have
been very abstemious in my habits, but it is no go; while Sauter, who shut up
his school & went on a three month’s [drinking] spree is not thought the
worse of.
I
have five pupils only – not enough to pay the rent of the school room. And
being flat broke, & not knowing whence my subsistence is coming, I have come
to the conclusion to let the over pious people of Little Rock go and be damned,
& leave, if I can get anything to do anywhere else. If it be in your power
to render me any assistance, I shall be doubly thankful, such as finding me
something to do in
With
my respects to Mrs. Wiedemann. I am ever,
Yours respectfully, -- R. L. Goodrich
Letter
Number 86
Ralph Goodrich writes to his former acquaintance William A. Austin with
whom he studied law in the Owego office of Nathaniel Davis and Willoughby
Babcock during 1858-59. Austin passed the bar in 1860 and was practicing law in
Trumansburgh NY at the time of this letter. Johnson, mentioned in
Goodrich's letter, also studied law with Austin & Goodrich in Owego NY. This
letter is a good summary of Goodrich's travels and experiences between 1860 and
1867.
Little Rock,
Arkansas
January 15, 1867
Friend
Austin,
I
am pleased to think that notwithstanding the almost chaotic confusion that has
existed for the past few years, the memory of each other has not been entirely
obliterated. I did not know for certain whether you were in Trumansburg or not,
or else I had written to you before.
[My
cousin] Lucy Fiddis has ceased to correspond with me for some reason of which I
am not aware. When she wrote formerly to me if you had been to Owego, she would
mention it. Otherwise I hear nothing of you except when mother writes that you
have been at my Aunt Lucy’s.
You
ask me to give you a summary of my adventures in the land once of waffles,
hoe-cake and hominy, but now snarlingly belligerent as a whipped cur.
I was out in the Rebel army because I could not help myself. Served as a
private for seven months [and] was in the retreat from
Bowling Green, Kentucky, to Nashville
and
I
returned to this place and resumed my business of teaching. From that time I
managed to keep almost clear of the army, but one time when conscription was
getting too general and rigid, I was compelled to take shelter under a
Lieutenant’s commission in the Engineer’s Corps which had been previously
conferred upon me though I still kept on with my school. I was here when the
town was taken by the Union Army [in September 1863] and have been here ever
since except a month’s visit to Washington
in this state.
I
received a letter from [Willoughby] Babcock when he was at New Orleans and with
it was an “order” or something else for me to report there for examination
for the position of a line officer in the Engineer Corps d’ Afrique. He wrote
that considering my education, & what he could do, it was the same as my
commission for a first Lieutenancy in that Corps. I was unwell and could not
accept.
School
teaching got dull and I went into the mercantile business, made money,
speculated as all did, and lost it, as all did not. [I] bought cotton and did
not get for it what it cost and many other such idiotic speculations. Last
summer I was a clerk in the Freedman’s Bureau and I threw up my situation in
September to commence teaching again, flat broke and in debt. I have learned to
my sorrow and chagrin that I am no business man. Not the least of its
qualifications are my inheritance. Sometimes I regret that I did not accept the
offer of Babcock’s but I was so broken down by chills & rheumatism, the
legacies of confederate service, that I could not have stood camp life.
The
same mail that brought your letter, brought one from Johnson, he had just got
his ticket to practice law from the Albany
Law
School. He wanted to know if Arkansas
would be a good theatre for a rising & young genius to display his
abilities in. He says he has learned something in the last six years. I hope he
has profited by it. As for myself, I have met with more success in teaching than
I possibly could hope for in the practice of law, and I have begun to think that
I am not fitted for that honorable calling, but much better for something else.
And what that something else is, for the life of me, I am unable to surmise. The
professions are now crowded by a set of ignorant interlopers who by a sort of
uncertain success are neither an ornament or a base disgrace to them. In this
country, a man’s learning and ability are measured by his success & if by
quacking & pettiforgery he can gain credit, it matters little whether he has
sound learning to back him. It is the knaves in every profession that has put
their learning down to the capacity of every fool. It is said that Tamerlane,
when disappointed and defeated, he retired to a secluded ruin. While there he
saw an ant endeavoring to carry its load up a wall, but before it could reach
the summit, the load dropped from its hold. Tamerlane counted 70 of these
efforts but at the last time the ant succeeded. The sight infused Tamerlane with
courage and resolution. Johnson, by digging away at law for the past six years
– rejected here, repulsed & laughed at there – has shown resolution to
get within the honorable precincts of the bar, if nothing further; enough
resolution for a greater man than he. But has he ability enough to carry him
through? It is well enough to talk of iron will. By beating a mule you can make
him pull more, but it does not do the mule any good. Quod erat demonstrandum
quoad Johnson. He may do tolerably well in the backwoods, but an illiterate
woodchopper may have solid sense enough to see the bottom of his well & how
little there is in it.
I
have been a tolerably diligent student since I left home, but nary page of law
have I dipped into lately. I have read a great deal in languages. I have posted
myself a little. I could get along quite well in a settlement where nothing but
German was spoken, or French, or in Mexico
without an interpreter. Several subjugated Rebs who got recommendations from
Senor Romero at Washington [AR] for employment in the Mexican service have solicited my service to translate
their letters for them. They [hope to] get a situation in a foreign country,
then learn the language afterwards. In Hebrew I have just got so far as to be
able to decipher its goose-track alphabet. Latin & Greek I am beating into
young skulls everyday. But I see my short letter is extending beyond proper
bounds & hoping that you will not be offended with this egotistic letter
& that I will hear from you soon.
I remain as ever, your sincere friend, -- R. L. Goodrich
Letter
Number 88
Goodrich writes again to his friend William A. Austin of Trumansburgh NY.
This letter provides a good summary of Goodrich's pecuniary progress out of
poverty during the preceding six months.
Little Rock
[Arkansas]
June 16, 1867
Dear
Austin,
I
received your letter some time ago, but have put off answering it until I had
more time, for that now is pretty well occupied. You may indeed accuse me of
fickleness, but I am – I believe – in the right this time. The school that I
have had here for nearly a year has scarcely supported me, scarcely furnished in
a decent manner my grub, and I began to be somewhat discouraged. I have been
looking out for several places in the State and corresponded with persons I knew
to see if I could get up a school this fall. I can get in two or three places a
permanent and a paying school. In order to keep me up, I have been copying for
lawyers and other persons – sometimes paid well, and sometimes otherwise. Some
nights I have made five & six dollars, but more often nothing. I got up the
city tax book for the Recorder. The total value of property being over three
million dollars in city, school, & railroad tax had [been] assessed &
carried out separately. It took me over a month to do it after school hours,
working all day Saturday & Sundays, & I received only ten dollars for
the job, which does well enough when we consider the giver was but a Dutchman.
Well it takes me a long time to come to my story.
The
Clerk of the U.S. District & Circuit Courts for the Eastern District of
Arkansas is a New Yorker and Chas. P. Redmond by name. He needed a clerk and
took me. I have boys to recite to me in Latin in the morning before going to the
office and a young lady with more good lucks than brains to teach of any
evening, a middle-aged Italian to teach bookkeeping, and a bald-headed Irishman,
a stage struck youth, a would-be modern Rascins – the rival of the gnat of the
English & the American stage – to teach elocution; in other words, to have
him read Shakespeare with some degree of propriety. And out of the whole I shall
make enough to live and something besides I hope. So you see that I am pretty
busy and when Sunday comes, I feel like resting all day. Mr. Redmond said he
wanted me all the time and he thought he could be able to give me a better
salary after awhile. You know U.S. Clerks are permanent situations, and this of
mine may be. I have every opportunity to become acquainted with the practice in
these courts; treason, confiscation, admiralty, &c.
Redmond
has an office printing press and we do all our printing ourselves. In time, I
think I will make a good type setter or compositor. I am glad I got into this
clerk’s office. H. C. Caldwell is the District Judge. He was a Colonel in the
Union Army [3rd Iowa Cavalry] and formerly from Iowa. There has been a great deal of business in these courts since re-established,
and there will be more when this bankrupt law gets agoing.
Johnson
was digging away from last accounts in
My loving eyes have not as yet lit upon any of those delectable prizes of the softer humanity in uncontrolled admiration. I did see a woman once I liked probably well enough to marry, providin’ Burke’s was willin’, but I discovered she was already married. Dipping is carried on extensively. Thin carpets cut up into strips would make good plugs of chewing tobacco and could be sold as such. I never yet got so far as to picture that earthly paradise you speak of. In contemplation I never got beyond the terrible first question which was to be answered either yes or no, and consequently never peeped in upon the transcendent joys of the voluptuous or otherwise honeymoon. We are getting old to be shure as the Irishman says, and it is high time to be thinking of our own flesh and blood who are to come after us. It is true that man in his middle age, when his strength, intellectual, and physical is in its prime, can rear hardier and better children than in his youth or in his older age. And this reflection satisfies me. If I live, I intended to make a visit home next summer and I will see if I can persuade some one of the fair [sex] to link her fate with mine. I would not have any of them here. Those I could get, I would not have. And probably those I might want, I couldn’t get.
Write
soon and believe me as ever your sincere friend. – Ralph L. Goodrich
What has become of that young man from Geneva [Lewis Halsey] that enclosed a letter to me with yours? I wrote to him & requested him to send me a catalogue, but catalogue nor answer have I got.
Letter
Number 89
Theta Delta Chi Fraternity brother Lewis Halsey wrote to Goodrich of the
chapter in New York.
Trumansburgh, New York
July 27, 1867
R.
L. Goodrich, Theta Delta Chi
Dear
Brother,
Your short but welcome letter was received a few months ago and I forwarded you a catalogue as per request. I will now endeavor to give you a little news concerning Theta Delta Chi. You enquired about Mr. [Henry] Handerson. I understand that he is now in New York City studying medicine. He with Robert Williams, T. I . Randolph, McKnew, Anisten, Hunter, and quite a number of men of [Theta Delta Chi] was in the Confederate army. Chester Roy died several years ago. Fred Tremaine was killed at [the Battle of Hatcher's Run] at the head of his regiment [-- the 10th New York Cavalry].
At commencement two weeks ago, although only two or three of
the graduates honored us with their presence, we had a pleasant reunion.
President
[Abner] Jackson has resigned the presidency [of Hobart College] and accepted an
election to the same office at Trinity
College, Hartford, Connecticut. Dr. Wilson will act as president until a new one is chosen. Our officers are:
President Lewis Halsey, Trumansburgh; Vice President, C. D, Eastman,
Yours in [the brotherhood] – Lewis Halsey
Letter
Number 90
Mary Ann Goodrich writes her son Ralph L. Goodrich from Owego NY giving
all the hometown news. At the time of this letter, Ralph Goodrich resided in
Little Rock AR and was employed as a clerk in a law office.
Owego
[New York]
December 8, 1867
My dear Ralph,
I was very glad to hear from you and that you were well and I hope doing well. Do you make more than your support? I think your clothes that we sent will be needed by you now if it is as cold with you as with us. But you are so much farther south that it cannot be such a winter day as it is here. It is Sunday. [Your sister] Sarah and I are keeping near the stove to keep warm. [Your brother] Stephen has gone on foot to Church. The ground is nearly covered with snow and it is blowing hard. And once in awhile, a snow squall, and then the sun shines. I believe I wrote you about the rain last Spring when we had so much rain. Since June, we have had but very little rain, and now we are suffering for the want of water. Our well is nearly dry. We can get about two quarts at a time, and that is muddy, and our cistern is dry. We have to draw water from the brick yard to use. And people think that winter has really set in, and if so, there will be a great deal of suffering here and all over the country for it is dry everywhere, we hear. The creeks are very low, but I believe the mills can grind yet here. But we hear that the mills have had to stop grinding in some places for [lack of] water.
My foot has not got well yet but I go on it a good deal. We are going to butcher our hogs and a beef this week that will lake work for us. I shall be glad when it is done as I always am. Do you keep hours and do the black women work for you? Black Lucy is very sick. Sarah went down to see her one day last week. She has the asthma consumption and they think she will not live long. Do they do any mending for you? How is your overcoat? Do you wear your woolen stockins?
I am glad that times are better there. Did that Mr. [Charles H.] Cole know anything about your uncle [Beach] in Cincinnati? Sister Mary writes that they do not like it there. Charles and Willie Johnson are sons of that Mr. Johnson that lived across from your Uncle Rutts and that used to get hickery nutts of us. Now the family have gone to Maryland to spend the winter. We hear that Willie is to be married there soon. Rupert says that John Goodrich and Jane Goodrich are to be married soon. Jane is Esquire Noah Goodrich's daughter. John can have Esquire [Judge] Noah marry them and he will not have to pay the minister. Jack and John are getting richer and tighter every year. Uncle Aner is failing, tiring his senses, and nearly helpless. Leland [Goodrich] and his wife work hard and are making something. They keep 12 or 14 cows and make butter. They have no children. They had one but she died.
That farm of Mr. D. Taylors is sold again. Mr. George Truman has bought it for his second son William. Mr. William Stratton and wife have been down visiting. He called here but his wife did not. They staid the most of the time at Mr. Lyman Truman's in the village. It is nearly Christmas again and who will make you a Christmas present?
Do you remember Fred Fox? He is dead. He was a telegraph operator in Ohio. He was brought home. I believe Mr. John Park is Mayor. He is in some city office and has a great salary. I do not know where James Fiddis is. [Your sister] Mary, [her daughter] Fanny, and [husband] Gurd [Horton] was up here yesterday. All send love. Goodbye. Write soon.
Every your affectionate Mother
[P. S.] Tom Page who used to be in G. B. Goodrich's store is sick with consumption.
Letter
Number 91
Augusta Griffing writes her brother Ralph L. Goodrich from her temporary
home in Circleville, KS. From this location, her husband Rev. James
Griffing rode his Methodist circuit. At the time of this letter, Ralph Goodrich
resided in Little Rock AR and worked as a clerk for a law office.
Circleville,
Jackson County, [Kansas]
December 15, 1867
My dear brother Ralph,
It has been some time since I received your last letter and I have been waiting for more time to answer it, but it does no good. I keep just as busy as ever -- increasing cares take all my time. My family of six and company keep me very busy. But I want to hear from you and wish you would not wait so long for me.
Ma wrote in her last that she had just heard from you. I was glad to hear you were well & hope you will have better health than formerly and better success in business. That will make you feel better I know. Ma had also heard from [our brother] James Goodrich. He was at Ellsworth a ways west of here on the railroad, cooking for a train and getting good wages. He was in Topeka the first of November and James was there awhile after he left so did not see him.
Ma writes that Aunt Sarah Goodrich died at Stella's in November. She has been feeble for some time. Steve & Mary went to the funeral; none of the rest could go. Frank Platt is able to ride out but cannot walk. She is very feeble. She rides out often and calls on Ma. You know, I suppose, that Ma sprained her ankle some time ago & could not bear any weight on it for a long time. She is able to be about now. John Goodrich is waiting on Jane Goodrich, Noah's daughter. Ella Griffing is married to a Mr. Blackman.
Mr. Crater died very suddenly. Mrs. Crater is also dead & Lonica too, and Sam is frail. William Taylor has a strange disease some of the time. He is a raving maniac. I do not know what they call it. He was conductor on the railroad. I see that Rev. Washington Gladden is a correspondent of the New York Independent. Who did he marry? Was it that Miss Cohoon?
We all went to our place near Topeka in September during peach time. There were some fifteen or twenty bushels, I think. Can you find Topeka on your map? It is about twenty-five miles west of Lawrence on the south side of the Kansas River. Well we now live in Circleville, Jackson County -- about forty miles nearly north of Topeka and in the county adjoining Shawnee in which Topeka is. Lincoln [where we lived in 1864-6] & Seneca are about twenty-five north of here in Nemaha County, which county is one of the northern two bordering on Nebraska. There are but few maps that I have seen that anyone can find out anything about the towns. But they have sprung up so fast that maps cannot keep up with them. Topeka is growing very fast and they are improving it very much.
It is bed time and [our son] John is teasing to go to bed & does not like very well to go alone. [My husband] James is gone & will be for a few days on his circuit. Write as often as you can. With much love.
Ever your affectionate sister, -- J. A. Griffing
[P. S.] James went into Missouri in November & brought some nice apples so it seems like old times. We have had a very pleasant fall & winter thus far.
Letter
Number 98
Sixty-four year-old Mary Ann Goodrich writes her son Ralph Goodrich from
Owego NY giving all the hometown news.
Owego
[New York]
May 31, 1868
My
dear Ralph,
We were glad to hear that you was well and doing something. We are usually well. Stephen and Sarah have gone to church. We have a new minister; his name is Wheeler. We think he is a good minister & I think all like him. The Methodists are going to build a new church [in] another year. They have bought a lot up near where Lawyer Tracy built his house and have given $3,500 for it. Tracy, Esq. could not live in Owego after he got moonstruck by moonlight in the army and he has sold out and gone to Brooklyn. And one of Taylor Ellis’s sons who married a railroad conductor’s daughter has bought it and lives there.
You
would not hardly know Owego now. They put up a great many buildings last summer
and have commenced a good many this spring. [Your brother] Stephen furnishes
nearly all the sand. He has 4 horses and two wagons with sand boxes, and he drew
and had drawn last week over one hundred loads. Our teams draw 4 and 5 loads a
day apiece and he hired 3 other teams part of the time. He has several big jobs
of drawing and he gas to get it when they want it. And if his two teams cannot
get [it] fast enough, he has to hire teams. He has to keep 2 or 3 men in the
bank to screen sand and one team to scrape a good deal. We have had 3 men in our
family the last week besides Steve. Some of his men board themselves. Houk and
Keeler are masons and they have a good many of the big jobs. They get sand of
Stephen. Keeler has bought that lot where Levi Barns used to live and they made
brick there last summer and are making [it] now. They have commenced burning a
kiln. They have two machines on the lot. One is a two horse machine – they
grind with 2 horses. And one is a one horse machine. They employ a good many
men. They get there sand of Stephen.
[Your
sister] Mary and [her husband] Gurd [Horton] was up yesterday. How do you like
[their daughter] Fanny’s photograph? [Your sister] Augusta and her family have
been sick since they went to
I was reading in a paper that at Memphis the peach trees were in blossom some [time] ago and that they had radishes, lettuce, and peas in market. Our apple trees are just in bloom. We have had a backward spring. Write soon.
From your ever affectionate mother, -- Mary A. Goodrich
I met Editor [William] Smyth in town one day last week. He enquired about my runaway son. He said he would like to see you and wondered why you did not come home.
Letter
Number 99
Ralph Goodrich writes a brief note to his friend Mike Egan, informing him
that he has shipped his trunk.
July 1, 1868
Friend
Mike [Egan]
The
cars came down yesterday and left. I shipped your trunk Sunday. The Captain said
it was not necessary to give a receipt for it and that it would go safely to
you. I succeeded in getting all your things in the trunk except a paper box. I
have tried again to get your books together, but it has been impossible. I
can’t find out anything from Lee or his wife – both are drunk & fighting
most of the time. I hope your books will go safely. I should have liked to read
some of your books but I have been so busy that I have had no time to open a
book. I don’t know what to think of your case in bankruptcy. I can’t, from
my position, attend to it as you desire. If I did meddle in that way, I would
get a cussing from the judge. No news about town.
Hoping to hear soon. I am as ever your sincere friend, -- R. L. Goodrich
Letter Number 100
Goodrich writes to his employer, Charles P. Redmond who, in partnership with
Pullen (I believe) were attorneys in Little Rock and specialized in bankruptcy
cases. Redmond would eventually become a judge in the District Circuit Court and
Goodrich would be its clerk.
Little Rock
[Arkansas]
July 12, 1868
Charles
P. Redmond, Esq.
My
dear friend:
I
received your letter Thursday night which had long been expected. I was glad to
hear that you were getting along so well in respect to your health. I have been
depositing all the money that has been coming in, and when your letter was
received my bank was completely drained, though I have partly paid
Pullan & myself, probably shall be able to do so this week. Bishop started
yesterday for New York & Yale to be gone several weeks. An involuntary case
in bankruptcy came in from Helena. I sent the lawyer to the Springs to see the judge for the order. He wanted the
order to show cause “warrant to Marshal” and “Injunction” issued at the
same time. I did so & took them to Judge Rose. He said they were right &
Chief Justice Chase couldn’t do better.” We have been hammering away at
bankruptcy – almost enough of it to keep Pullan busy all the time. I have the
judgment dockets nearly completed. I haven’t had to print anything. I cut up
the manila paper except ten sheets & had them printed, divided amongst the
different blanks. We were only 390. I think you had better get some more. Send
me some ribbon. The last monthly account of Bliss was $93.02. I have deposited
in bank to your credit $315.67. Do you get the Little Rock
papers I sent you?
…Cole
and Mills went to the [Hot] Springs last week [but] haven’t returned yet. I am
going to put up a palacio-shanty on my suburban farm which a fellow says he will
do and take my time to pay him in 2, 3 or five years. Pullan was ailing all last
week & I wasn’t in the best physical condition either. You saw the notice
of Sauter’s death – cut down in his youth overwhelmed by the weight of
family troubles & the spirited gravity of 2 quarts whiskey.
Yours sincerely, -- R. L. G.
Letter
Number 111
Mary Ann Goodrich writes her son Ralph Goodrich from Owego NY giving all
the hometown news. Seven months prior to this letter, Ralph's brother James J.
Goodrich was killed in Kansas -- trampled by run-away mules. The first paragraph
mentions that James Griffing, Ralph's brother-in-law, sold James Goodrich's land
near Topeka. The second paragraph also mentions "Jenny" who would
become Ralph's first wife later in the year.
Owego
[New York]
July 18, 1869
My
dear Ralph,
I
received yours yesterday. I also received one from [your sister] Augusta
yesterday and one from [her husband] James Griffing last week. He has sold your
brother’s land [in Kansas] for $1,000. I have to send him power of attorney to sell it. He thinks that a
good price for it. It is not the best land there. The man that he sold it to
pays $100 down and all in 2 years.
Ralph,
you know I do not want you to go to New Orleans
or Texas
and have always said so to you. I do not want you to go any farther south. You
know it was so long before you got into any paying business after you left
teaching that I thought that when you had got into good business you would keep
your place as long as you could. We all want to see you and Jenny but is it
worth while to come on here and go back and spend so much money? If you was sure
of getting into good business, I would want you to come by all means. I do not
want you to stay where you are not well. I want to do all I can fer your good,
and I want you to do so too. I do not want you to be offended at what I write. I
am not worth minding. I do not intend to write anything to offend you.
Owego
is getting to be a very bad place. We have a set of bad men or boys around us.
Every week we have thieves and house burners around. Last week someone tried to
burn Mr. Bristol’s new Foundry up. The fire was seen and put out before it did
much damage. They have watchmen all over the village but almost every night we
hear of someone’s house being broke into or trying to be. Last Friday night,
Ike Willsey, a constable, and Tim Robertson, a police, were near Mr. [George]
Fritcher’s [grocery] store. Ike caught a man trying to get into the store. Ike
was heard to say, “I have caught you and I know you...give up,” but he did
not, but shot Willsey and Willsey shot Bowers. They both shot twice & both
died. Bowers is 18 years old. They took him to his father’s but they would not
have him brought in and they took him to the Court House, and the town buried
him yesterday afternoon. Willsey’s funeral is today at the Baptist
Church
at 3. They have taken up between 14 & 20 boys concerned in this business
and they think this Bowers is the one that set fire to the Bridge Shop. And if
he was the one and they had caught him, he would have been strung up in quick
time. I believe I have written to you since the bridge shop was burned. It threw
so many men out of employment.
Did
I write you Mr. Charles Platt died? He died the 19th of June. William Platt has
gone to New York
[City] and is clerk in the same store that his father was part owner of.
Francis Platt is able to ride out but does not set up much and does not walk
much. They ride over here quite often. Your Aunt Fanny has been quite unwell
with rheumatism. She went home with
I don’t know as I wrote you anything about Burr Pearsall. He married Sarah Taylor, only daughter of John J. Taylor. Burr’s father built him a nice house [in Hooper’s Valley] and they went down there to live. She had a baby and as soon as she was able to go home, Mr. & Mrs. Taylor went down and had her and ______________ brought home. She only lived a few weeks and her babe lived a week after its mother died. Her death was put in the paper. Sarah Taylor was only daughter, &c., &c.
[Affectionately, -- Your Mother]
The description of the burglaries occurring in Owego NY are corroborated by the following newspaper articles:
1 The Evening Gazette, Port Jervis, NY, Saturday, July 17, 1869
BURGLARY AT OWEGO LAST NIGHT -- ONE OF THE BURGLARS AND A POLICEMAN SHOT AND KILLED
Special
Dispatch to the Evening Gazette.
Owego, NY, July 17, 1869
Last night about midnight, policeman Wilsey discovered a party of burglars, endeavoring to break into Pritchard's [Fritcher's] store, at the rear of the building. Wilsey rushed up to the party, and arrested one of the burglars, exclaiming, as he seized him, "I have got you now." Just then he was shot, receiving two wounds, one in the head and the other in the shoulder. After he was himself shot he drew his revolver and fired at one of the burglars. He then came from behind the store out on Main Street, and met another policeman there, to whom he said, "I am shot." His comrade took him by the arm and led him across the street to his house, where he fell dead on the door-step.
At daylight this morning the dead body of a young man named George Bowers, one of the burglars, was found about forty feet from the place of the encounter. Bowers lived in Owego, and was a well-known desperate character, having served one or two terms in prison at Rochester.
2 The Evening Gazette, Port Jervis, NY, Tuesday, July 20, 1869
THE OWEGO TRAGEDY -- ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS -- ARREST OF A GANG OF DESPERADOES
We have the following additional accounts in our exchanges of the tragedy at Owego on Friday night last.
About one o'clock Saturday morning, as officer Isaac Wilsey, of Owego, was patrolling his beat along North Avenue, Owego, he detected the operations of burglars about Fritche's store. He boldly encountered them and used his revolver freely, in his endeavor to effect arrests. In turn he received two shots, and not knowing the extent of his injuries, he judged it best to go for help. Taking a few steps he met Chief-of-Police Robertson, and giving him the information, requested the Chief to assist him home, as he felt he was badly hurt. The Chief accompanied and supported him towards his residence, but upon reaching the door steps, he fainted and immediately died. From information soon gained, the police were able to make the following arrests -- Kendall, Doty, Hyde, and a fourth man, name not known, and all employees, we believe, in the Bristol Iron Works.
These are now in the Owego jail. The evidence against these is ample to convict. The fifth accomplice, by the name of Bowers, was found partially hidden behind a dry goods box, at the back of A.D. Ellis's garden. He had died from the effects of the shots of Policeman Wilsey.
It is supposed now, that the same gang were engaged in the attempt to burn the Bristol Iron Works during the present week. They had entered the oil cellar, sprinkled shavings over the barrels, opened a faucet from which oil was running and set fire to the shavings. This was timely discovered by the night watchman, who summoned assistance and put it out.
Such a gang of desperadoes has not infested Owego since the fires were set, that nearly consumed the business portion of the village. Of course the greatest feeling of indignation prevails among the people, who are almost ready to lynch the prisoners. The family of the murdered policeman receives the wide spread sympathies of all, in their sad and terrible bereavement.
Later accounts say that a coroner's inquest was in session yesterday, and facts of great importance are being brought to light. Some ten or twelve arrests have been made, and without doubt the gang of incendiaries and burglars which has heretofore escaped detection, will be brought to speedy justice.
3 The Evening Gazette, Port Jervis, NY, Tuesday, July 27, 1869
THE OWEGO TRAGEDY -- ARREST OF BURGLARS AND THIEVES
The judicial investigation into the affair of the murder of policeman Wilsey and the shooting of the burglar Bowers, has resulted in some important developments in regard to the operations of the gang of burglars and thieves who have been depredating in that village and vicinity to an alarming extent for more than a year past. The evidence brought out at the inquest implicate two young men named T. Baker and Wm. H. Kendall, and a woman named Mary Brink -- the latter as a receiver of stolen property. A large amount of valuable goods -- proceeds of the sundry burglaries and robberies in which the prisoners have been engaged -- were found in their trunks. Among those who identified property which had been stolen from them were Hollenbach & Sons, A.B. Bissell, E. Andrews, John McNeil, and M. Hiersteiner.
Letter
Number 112
Forty year-old Augusta Goodrich writes her brother Ralph Goodrich from
her family's temporary home in North Lawrence, Kansas. Her husband, Rev. James
S. Griffing, was stationed there in 1869-70. By this time, she and James have
four children.
North
Lawrence [Kansas]
July 25, 1869
Dear
Brother Ralph,
Your
letter of June 28th reached me in due time. I was glad to hear from you again,
but sorry to hear you were not feeling well – and also that I should not see
you this summer [when I return home to Owego, New York]. I felt in hopes we could have a
good visit together but I do not blame you for holding to the situation as long
as you can have it at that salary if the climate &c. agrees with you. Your
board is not any higher that would be here in the large towns of Kansas. But if you were housekeeping, it would not cost more than $30.00 a month. I do
not think, with economy of course, for provisions for yourself and wife –
which you say you now pay for board & washing – you ought to lay up money.
With six of us in the family & considerable company, our expenditures for
provisions, clothing, & all are not over $700.00 a year. But we are not
extravagant. [We] have had to economize ever since we have been in Kansas
and will have to awhile longer I expect.
Our
farm [half-way between Topeka and Tecumseh] is rented for the next five years
for improvements so that we get no benefit of it – only the improvements are
increasing the value of the place. And if there is fruit, we get one third of
it. The farm is now worth $6,000.00 but we do not wish to sell, although he has
had a number of applications. If you had a few sections of land here &
should get some improvements put on them, you could sell them well and make
money. A great many hundreds have flocked into Kansas
this season. I presume more than any other, and we are having railroads built
& it will soon be a great state, we think.
We
own a few acres of land near
I
think of starting for Owego about the 4th or 5th of August if we keep well. The
children have all had the measles & been quite sick. And some of them are
not very well now. Neither are James & myself well. He looks & feels
bilious & I had a light chill yesterday. I think perhaps the change will do
me good. We have had a great deal of rain & great floods destroying many
lives & much property. And I think there will be a great deal of sickness
before winter. James is not going with us and I fear he will get sick.
In my last letter from home, Ma wrote that all were usually well. They had rain very often making it bad for harvesting & haying. I presume Ma has written you that Charles Platt is dead. Aunt Lucy Berry fell just before the 4th inst. & broke her arm, but it is doing very well. There have been a great many fires & houses broken open in Owego of late & one of the gang was killed last week, but he killed the constable too. Ma says on some streets they dare not all go to bed.
But I must close, hoping to hear from you soon. If I felt quite sure of going, I would say direct [your next letter to me] to Owego, care of Ma to be put in Box 388. I hope you will not get sick. I hope [your wife] Jennie is better pleased with the country. That you will do well & both be happy is my wish for you.
With much love. Ever your affectionate sister, --
Letter Number 114
Charles H. Cole writes his brother-in-law Ralph L. Goodrich from his
Deputy U.S. Marshal office in Little Rock AR informing him that the former Black
slaves of Sarah Adamson whom he took under his care in exchange for domestic
services have created some difficulty. Presumably Goodrich turned them out prior
to his leaving to go to Ohio to be married. Cole also asks Goodrich to
secretly shop for a new residence for Cole, knowing that his wife is not happy
about living in Little Rock.
United
States Marshal's Office
Eastern District of Arkansas
Little Rock, Ark.
August 31, 1869
Dear Ralph,
Yours from Memphis rec'd and I hope you will convince [your wife] Jennie that she will never regret the new state in which she entered. [My wife] Lizzie will write today. Your idiotic prank has caused somewhat of a stir and the Nigger portion of your late family have raised Hell here, followed me all over town with a big negro policeman, and had been to see [my wife] Lib when I got home and she stood in the door at the house with my derringer and gave the "nigs" a minute to leave, which they did. I gave them the things and they have not bothered me since.
I want you if Robert's place is not for sale, to see and get a description of places for sale on the hill, terms and prices, acres and improvements. I do this because Lizzie will leave here in November with me for home and ere I get there I desire to purchase so Jennie and her can live together and be company in their widowhood. Keep this letter quietly to yourself, make all inquiries as for yourself, and be sure and look well for me. See DeMar, John Rawlings, and Elias Muchman of Madison -- Ambrose Flinn and others who know about places. N. S. Armstrong at Pineville may tell you something.
Now keep quiet and all will be well. Yours, -- Charles H. Cole
Letter
Number 115
Harry E. Handerson writes his college chum and fraternity brother Ralph
Goodrich summarizing his wartime experiences in the Confederate army. Following
the war, Handerson studied medicine and began his practice in New York City.
September
4, 1869
My
Dear Ralph,
I
am almost ashamed to answer your letter at this late date but for the past month
I have been so busy that I have written to no one.
Your
history during and since the war is very interesting, especially as showing how
victorious Mars at last yields to the smiles of peaceful Venus. I suppose it is
not too late to congratulate you on your silken chain and to wish you health,
happiness, prosperity and posterity.
My
own history may be summed up in few words. I enlisted in ’61 and served
faithfully through the war, coming up from enlisted man to Captain & Asst. Adjutant
Gen. of one of the Louisiana
brigades (“
As
to domestic life, I have none. I am entirely single, poor, and rapidly growing
old – these conditions which by no means favor domesticity. Fortunately I have
a brother who is continuing the family name, or it would stand a fair chance to
finish from off the face of the earth. But I keep up good courage, and hope when
my hair is gray to have the memories of life. I read the classics occasionally,
medicine semi-occasionally, and practice when an opportunity offers. Such is my
life.
I
don’t know but that you will have sold out and left for the North before this
letter reaches you. If so, I hope to have a call from you ‘ere long. McDonald
is practicing law in the city & is doing well. Harry Baldwin is also in the
city, but I learn has become blasé and a confirmed drunkard. I have never met
him since we graduated [from Hobart
College]. Barclay is practicing medicine in Minnesota, I believe. Cheney is in trouble at
Chicago. Lew Moss is in business in Detroit.
Hobart
College
seems in a rapid decline and expects a new
President every year. The Theta Omega Chi fraternity, however, appears to be
doing as well as to be expected and was quite prominent at the last convention.
Let me hear from you and of your whereabouts and prospects. My kindest regards
to “sister Jennie” of Ohio
(my native state).
Believe me, your sincere friend, -- Harry E. Handerson
Harry E. Handerson, 1861
From his book, "Yankee in Gray"
Letter
Number 116
Mary Ann Goodrich writes her son Ralph Goodrich and his wife Jennie
Connett a couple of weeks after they are married on 25 August 1869.
When this letter was written, Ralph's sister Augusta Griffing was visiting from
Kansas with her four children.
Owego
[New York]
September 8, 1869
My
dear children,
Yours
was received yesterday when I was looking for you to come on the cars. I am
disappointed. I was in hopes that you would come. Our house is pretty full but
we would have made room for you. Well, we hope to see you sometime. And if you
come to Cincinnati
and have a home there and do well, I think you will come here and we shall go
and see you. Mr. Bristol, our nearest neighbor, has a son in Cincinnati. His name is W. H. Bristol, and I suppose you have a cousin by the name of [Orlando] Saltmarsh. I believe he is in a Telegraph Office.
I
am glad that you are enjoying your visit and that you are having a rest, and
have plenty of fruit. I would like some of your peaches. We have a few pears
this summer. Peaches are $3.50 to $4.00 per bushel. We have apples but the
grapes will not ripen. We have had a cold summer and cool nights now, and will
probably have frosts soon.
[Your
brother] Stephen is not doing as much business this summer as he did last
summer. He has one hired man and a boy. He keeps 5 horses with Prince. One we
call Bess has been lame nearly all summer. She is getting better. We have 6 cows
and it is hard to do the work for so many. We have a girl we have taken. She
helps us a good deal. [Your sister] Sarah is not very well this summer.
The reason [your sister] Mary did not write was because she was not here that day. She and [her daughter] Fanny come up quite often. Yesterday [your sister] Augusta and I went down to Leland’s and made a visit. Lee works hard and is not very well and begins to look old. His wife is a smart, profitable woman. I believe I have written so before.
Little
Maty Griffing [Augusta's daughter] has been quite sick with fever but is getting
better.
I
write this to Jenny as well as yourself and hope you will both write before you
leave for Little Rock. Please excuse this. I am not feeling verry well, or do not feel like writing.
I
am your affectionate mother.
Ralph, I am very glad that you are married. You have someone to care for you and if you are sick that will care for you. And I hope you will make her a good husband. Be kind and pleasant if you want a good wife. I hope you will always be happy is the prayer of your mother. Write us again before you go back [to Little Rock] and after you get back.
Letter
Number 118
Lizzie Cole, Ralph's sister-in-law, writes to Ralph and Jennie Goodrich
in Little Rock AR. Captain Charles H. Cole, Lizzie's husband, was a native
of Owego NY and a former acquaintance
of Goodrich's who resided in Little Rock in the later half of the 1860's serving
as a Deputy U.S. Marshall. It was
through Cole that Goodrich was introduced to Jennie Connett. In this letter, Lizzie encourages
Goodrich to relocate from Little Rock AR to Cincinnati OH.
December 22, 1869
Dear
Sister & Brother,
After
waiting more than a week to get everything ready that we want to send you &
this morning finding that it will take a day or two yet I have concluded to
write & let you know that we are still in the land of the living &
enjoying good health, but such awful weather – rain, snow & mud, then rain
again. And Painesville
is the same old place. We have been visiting Lewis. All quite well but Lew, and
he is better. I hear that Nellie’s family are well & we expect them down
Christmas. Jennie, you must not get homesick. Charlie will be in Little Rock
in February & then if you feel like coming home, why not come in March? But
you must let me know before he starts for we want to send you some things by
him. You will find enough new ticking in the box to make new pillows for the
others are awful dirty.
I
hope that our place is sold soon for we are anxious to buy the Norcross Place. Cincinnati
is running over with Christmas fixing. We will send you something. I hardly
know what yet but we will make them. I have a sewing machine & 3 new
dresses. I will send you a piece when I cut them out. Charlie got Sallie Hughes
a 2 ct of yard dress yesterday it is double width will send you a piece &
the children ….
Ralph,
if you were here you could be yourself rich in a little time. Several large
stores are selling out & there is plenty of small farms for sale. When you
sell your place, you will have no trouble finding another up here & all are
anxious for you to settle here. You seem to be quite a favorite. Ralph, Charlie
says there is 7 acres adjoining the Norcross Place opposite Varney’s belonging
to an Armstrong girl that can be bought cheap & if you want it & will
hurry up the men about selling ours, he will buy it & keep it for you &
the Norcross house is large so that if you wish to send Jennie home next summer,
it will be for all & then we can be near neighbors. Lew’s family all think
it would suit you better than H. Finches & in 2 or 3 years with Father help
you could have it as nice as any of them. Now I will quit for this time &
write again soon & I wish to hear from you often. Give my kind regards to
all my friends. Carrie sends love to both of you & also a kiss. Charlie &
I send love & remain as ever your loving & well wishing brother &
sister.
--
Charlie & Lizzie Cole
[P.S.] Jennie, I think I lost my silver breastpin in room 4 [at the] Anthony House [in Little Rock]. Please describe it to Ralph & get him to enquire of Mr. Henry if such has been found & you will greatly oblige, -- Lizzie Cole
Letter
Number 129
Mary Ann Goodrich writes her son Ralph Goodrich and his wife Jenny from
Owego NY giving all the hometown news.
Owego,
[New York]
March 13, 1870
My dear children,
Yours was received in due time and as I have just written my weekly letter to [your sister] Augusta, I will commence writing to you, and may finish it if I am not too tired. We are having snow – snow nearly all the time. We have had rather a stormy winter. In the fall and first of winter, we had rain – rain nearly every day – and everyone was wishing for snow. Now it has commenced to snow, it snows. And when it commences to thaw, if we should have a hard rain, we shall have a flood. I dread the spring freshets.
The
men that are at work on the new railroad are still getting gravel from [your
brother] Stephen’s sank bank. They have uncovered considerable sand for him,
but there is not much market for sand now. There is not much building going on
as yet except the new Methodist
It is the 13th [of March] today. 15 years ago today, [your brother] James first left home for Kansas. Your Aunt Mary is no better and may not ever be. They take her up and set her in a chair and then she can put her food to her mouth. They have to be up with her considerable nights. She cannot move in bed much and it is a good deal to take care of her.
Mr. Burt, your old teacher, is dead. He died of consumption. He was in the grocery business. He took colds – one after another – and it seated on his lungs. He had quick consumption. Stephen says the last time he saw him, he enquired about you.
Your Aunt Lucy [Fiddis] has rented her house and is getting ready to go to Galesburg as soon as she can. Have I written to you that [her son-in-law] John [Griffith] has had a call to San Francisco to preach, that John has and wants to go. [He will] start by the 28 of this month, but he wants your Aunt to get there [to Galesburg] before he goes. They have offered him 4000 dollars in gold a year and more if he thinks that is not enough and to bear his expenses going and coming, and they can all go the way of the railroad. [Your cousin] Lucy is going to board at Mrs. Studman’s. It will be farther for her to walk to [her] school, but if she feels well, it will not be far.
What county is Little Rock in? We do not know much about your [old] friends. Stephen says he thinks Johnson is in Chicago. They are married and gone from here, the most of them. I have had 2 or 3 letters from Glastonbury [Connecticut] lately. My Uncle Noah Tryon, my mother’s brother, is dead. He was 83 years old and a grandchild of his died a week before he did. Carry’s father and mother was here last winter on a visit. Carry died the same day of the month they started to come here, just one year before.
[Your
mother, -- Mary Ann Goodrich]
Letter
Number 130
Mary Ann Goodrich writes her son Ralph Goodrich and his wife Jenny from
Owego NY giving all the hometown news.
Owego
[New York]
[Sunday] April 10, 1870
My Dear Children,
I owe each of you a letter and will answer both in one. We are very glad to hear from you and hope you will write often to us. The last 2 or 3 weeks have been rather exciting ones. First, we had such a deep snow – 3 feet deep – and when it began to melt the water was so deep in the roads, and it came round cold and we had another foot of snow. It has nearly all left us now. We can see a few snow drifts and we have not had a high freshet. We moved everything out of our cellar that we could, but it was only a foot deep. It has been very bad traveling.
Your Aunt Lucy [Fiddis] has broke up housekeeping and has been here part of the time and in the Village. [Your cousin] Lucy is going to board with Mrs. Steadman and your Aunt is there some of the time. Lucy has been teaching the last week. The week before she bought a ticket for her mother to Quincy [IL] and can sell it at Galesburg for a few dollars and got it cheaper there than she could have bought it here. I do not know the reason that [your cousin] Lucy does not write to you, but think perhaps she does not have time. She likes to hear from us about you.
Your Aunt Lucy Berry is very low, if living. She had a stroke of palsy last week and has had no use of her left side since. And yesterday her right side was getting numb. She is 82 years old. Her second daughter Eliza, who married a Mr. Vandenburg, is a widow and is living with her.
We have heard that Esq. [Nathaniel] Davis is not doing much business. He has been quite unwell all winter and thinks he is not going to live long. Did I write you Esq. Sweet died very sudden a year ago? That may have some effect on Davis. [Your cousins] George & Edwin Stratton have a store with Dr. Stansborough in the hardware business.
I thought I had written you about this new railroad. I believe it is called the Southern Tier. It is finished from Owego to Auburn. Several trains go out every day on that road. I do not know how far south it is going. It goes through our lot this side of the other road and it takes 2 acres. They pay 200 dollars an acre. They have dug a ditch each side through our lot to raise the track, and have taken a great deal of gravel from [your brother] Stephen’s sand bank to make the road.
We have one of Lew Brinks’ girls living with us. She has been here 2 years and is good help for us. She is nearly 14 years old. I expect to have her stay till she is 18 years old, if I live so long.
[Your brother] Stephen has bought a house and lot on Talcott Street. [He] paid 1000 dollars for it. He bought it to get his pay of a man that was owing him 3 or 400 dollars, and I have let him have the 400 I got of the railroad to help him pay for it.
[Your sister] Mary and her family were here yesterday. She has a very pretty babe. He is 5 months old. She says he carnt be beat. He is so good natured, he hardly ever cries.
Ralph, do you read a good deal and what do you read? What new books have you? Stephen gave [your sister] Sarah Vashti [or "Until Death Us Do Part"] by Miss Augusta Evans [for] Christmas. Have you ever read it? Did you ever read Sydnie Adriance; Or, Trying the World, [by Amanda M. Douglas] -- that Lucy book. It is very good. The last 2 weeks we have had two papers from you – weeklies. I noticed a piece in one on Woman’s Rights. I thought it very good, signed by Jenny. I will send last week’s [Owego] Gazette to you with this.
In our big snowstorm, [your cousin] George Stratton started out for a ride on the cars on the new road. It snowed when he started but he did not think it would snow much. He was gone 2 days & 2 nights and did not go very far either. He wrote a piece for the Times. I have cut it out of Lee’s paper and will send it in this. Sarah has sent Jenny a tidy in a large envelope. Have you received it? Do you remember [your cousin] Jamie Goodrich? He made us a short visit a week or two ago. He is what they call a drummer. He is employed by the firm of Day, Bliss & Dean, Manufacturers of Jewelry, chains & bracelets. He travels 3 weeks in 4. Has all this state except Utica. He is married to Mary [Palmer] Sherman of Norwich.
This new railroad is called the New York Southern Central. It comes from Sodus Bay on Lake Ontario and goes to Waverly & connects with the Towanda road and the coal region. Your Aunt Lucy came over from church with Stephen and staid till evening when Stephen took her and her trunk over. She will start Tuesday morning.
I have written you that Rev. John Griffith, [your cousin] Anna’s husband, has received a call to San Francisco and has gone to see how he likes it. He left Galesburg 2 weeks ago today and arrived there Saturday. On the way he wrote 2 letters to [your Aunt] Lucy and wrote every day to Anna. He had a pleasant trip. They offered him 4000 dollars in gold and to have his expenses going and coming. He has been there 2 Sundays. He expects to be 5 or 6 weeks and if they go, your aunt will too.
Your Aunt [Lucy] Berry was alive yesterday. With love to the both of you.
I am, your affectionate Mother.
Letter
Number 132
Mary Ann Goodrich writes her son Ralph Goodrich and his wife Jenny from
Owego NY giving all the hometown news.
Owego
[New York]
May 7, 1870
My dear children,
I have been expecting a letter from you a long time, but as none has come I will write today. [Your sister] Sarah received one from Jenny and has been saying she must answer it, and she will as soon as she thinks she can, but it takes her a long time sometimes to get ready to write. And in the spring of the year, there is so much to do, and we are having considerable company. They commenced cleaning one of the back chambers Friday and before noon we had company – a cousin came and staid till this morning. She has now gone to Leland Goodrich’s & when they commenced cleaning the front chamber they had company before they got finished up. They have 3 or 4 rooms more to clean before they get through. And then there is so much to do outdoors among the flowers and shrubbery.
We have not had but very little warm weather yet [and] are having a backward spring. [Your cousin] Lucy [Fiddis] has not been over here since her mother went away and she has not had but one letter from her or [her sister] Anna. [Anna's husband,] Mr. Griffith was expected a week ago last Saturday. She ought to hear from them. We do not know whether he is going to San Francisco or not, but hope not. He would get more money there but it is called a hard place. If they go, I should not ever expect to see your Aunt Lucy again.
Aunt
Ruth is very sick – Jack’s mother. She was taken a week ago Sunday morning.
She has had some kind of a fit. Mr. & Mrs. Lyman Truman have gone on a
pleasure excursion west. Emily Gere said last week that she expected they were
in
[Your cousin] George Stratton went out to his father’s to spend the Sabbath a week ago yesterday. His sister Nancy that married J. Van Kirk has a son. They have been married nearly or quite 15 years and this is there first baby. His father is very poorly. They did not think he would live the week out last week. He has had one fit and I don’t know but more. [Your cousin] David [Stratton] has moved up to Newfield Village and [his brother] Willber works the farm. David & his wife have been quite unwell all winter. They have had rheumatism and Uncle William [Stratton] has been lame so that he has had to have one crutch and a cane to get round in the house.
Your Aunt Lucy Berry died about 2 weeks ago. She had a bout of paralysis and was confined to her bed 3 or 4 weeks. Their daughter Eliza came on and took care of her and is staying with Frank keeping house for him.
[Your
sister] Mary and her children were here Saturday. We did not get a letter from
[your sister]
If I could get to the [Owego] village, I would get some flower seeds for you, Jenny. We have two teams but one team has to work all the time and the other Prince is lame and Grey has a colt. So we cannot drive either. We receive the Weekly Republican every week. I think it comes from the Office or do you send it? Who is it that writes the pieces signed by Jenny? It is a good paper. I have sent you several [Owego] Gazettes. Do you get them? I sent one with the death of your Aunt Lucy Berry. I will send last weeks. I hope you are both well. All join in love to you.
From your affectionate Mother. Good-bye.
Letter
Number 133
Christiana Finch, sister Jenny Goodrich -- Ralph's wife -- writes to them
from her home near Cincinnati OH. The letter mentions their sister Lizzie who
was married to 34-year-old Charles H. Cole. At the time, Cole lived in Little Rock and was
lobbying to be named Marshall of the new Oklahoma Territory. Christiana was
married to Louis ["Lew"] Finch -- a grape grower northeast of
Cincinnati.
May 23, 1870
Dear sister & brother,
I sit down this P.M. to answer yours of the 15th that we received today….You say you bet I never saw so many darkies as went to the picnic but I’ll bet I did. I was in the city [of Cincinnati] when they had their jubilee over the 15th Amendment. I stood on 4th Street & it took the procession 2 hours to pass where I stood & I never saw a nicer sight – the prettiest large wagons all trimmed of so nice & such good mottoes. The wagons were full of girls & boys & just as pretty Goddesses of Liberty as you ever saw. But enough on the darkie question. Willie was with me.
I
am glad to hear you & Ralph are getting along so well but I do hope you both
will be satisfied with Little Rock
& leave there this fall, never to go back there anymore now. I don’t
understand who it is that likes to stay there, Ralph or Charley [Cole], but I
suppose it is Charley by Lew’s letter. Sometimes I think Lizzie ought to know
how he is doing if she would only believe it. Sometimes she don’t hear from
him for two weeks. He says there is no news to write. And since she said she had
a great mind to give Ralph the power of attorney to sell her place, I am afraid
if he ever gets her money in his hands she will never see it. And then Father
will have to work & support her & it is enough for him to support
himself. But we will wait a little to see what he does. In his last letter to
her, he said if he didn’t get the office of
Well Jennie, I wouldn’t care about being down there if you have such shakings of the earth as you tell about. If I had thought about it, I would have sent you a calico dress in that box but I didn’t go to the city & I couldn’t think of anything else to send. I am very anxious to hear how the things went through. I do hope the butter kept all right but I expect it was like oil when you got it. 1 gallon of that wine that Charley gets is for you & if you want more, Lew will send it to you by express. It is $1.75 cts a gallon. I think you will like it.
Charley Metts is married. He married a girl up where they used to live. Her name is Anna Burgher.
Well I have to quit for want of room to write & this is the last sheet. Julia says she will write the last of the week & tell you the rest of the news as I haven’t room. I hope this may find you well.
-- C. Finch
Letter
Number 135
Mary Ann Goodrich writes her son Ralph Goodrich and his wife Jenny from
Owego NY giving all the hometown news. The letter mentions having heard that
Ralph and Jenny are new parents. Their daughter, Jennie Edith Goodrich, was born
3 June 1870. This letter includes a short note from Ralph's sister Sarah as
well.
Owego
[New York]
June 12, 1870
My dear Ralph & Jenny,
We received yours mailed May 31st Friday and the one mailed June 3rd yesterday. I am very glad that Jenny has got along so well and is comfortable. Now she must be very careful about taking cold. I hope you have a good nurse and she will have good care. I suppose a boy would have suited Ralph better, but you will have to take them as they come, as everybody does, and be satisfied if they are proper children [and] not deformed. Now, after the babe is a few weeks old, you will not have so much time. But you will have something else to look to and amuse yourself with.
I
suppose you have had very dry weather. They are fearful that they in Kansas
are going to have another draught. [Last spring,] James [Griffing] took nearly
a half bushel of Maple seeds to plant out in Kansas.
I think Jenny’s sister is very kind. Did she send the box by express? Your family, I think, will be much more expensive now than before the baby came so I fear you will not lay much by. I think you have a great number of books.
[Your cousin] Lucy sends her love to you. She says she does not get much time to read, and when she does, [she does] not read light reading such as novels &c. She thinks you have a good collection and she would like to read some of them. And you have some very costly, that would be costly here. The paper did not come last week but I suppose there is reason for that. You had other business to attend to of more importance.
Do
you remember that Mr. Daniel ______ that used to be with Mr. Thurston though
lately he has been with with Mr. Moses Kustines [?] in his meat market? He is to
be buried this afternoon. He died Friday morning. Rev. George Worthington’s
mother died last Saturday morning. She was taken to
Jenny, you must be very careful about getting cold, about using any damp cloths about yourself. I hope your babe will be good. If it is quiet, let her be. Keep her as still as you can. [Ralph's sister] Mary’s babe is so quiet and is good. He hardly ever cries. They were not up here last week. [Her husband] Gurd [Horton] is not very well. They do not hardly ever go to church and Mary does not go anywhere but up here. She has a horse that she and [her daughter] Fannie drives. She comes up holding her baby Fred and Fanny holding the lines and Fannie says, “Grandma, I drove all the way up here.”
They are building a Methodist church here and [your brother] Stephen has got the job of getting the [sand]. He has got over two hundred loads now. It is a brick church. He has 2 hired men – Charlie Cortright and Hiram Goodrich now. Charlie hauls sand mostly all the time. The other team has to work on the farm and draw sand too.
[Your
affectionate Mother]
Dear Brother & Sister,
Please accept my congratulations on the addition to your family. Hope you are all doing well. What do you call the “young female?” We would like to see it and you too very much. You must write us.
Yours in haste, but in love, -- Sarah
Letter
Number 136
Forty-one year-old Augusta Goodrich writes her brother Ralph Goodrich
from her home on College Hill, northwest of Manhattan KS.
July 18, 1870
My dear brother & sister,
Perhaps you may think I do not care very much about my little niece that I hear is in your possession as I have not written you since hearing of your good fortune. But I have been uncommonly busy with either hired man, or company, so that I really have not found time – unless in the middle of a hot day when I could not write to anyone. I felt very sorry to hear sister Jennie was not getting along very well but hope ‘ere this she is around in health helping with her dear little daughter. I hope she may be spared to be a great comfort to you both. Who does she look like & what shall you name her? What day of the month was she born? I expect you feel very rich now.
We are a small family now for two days back. Some friends from Junction City made us a visit last week & took [our son] John home with them to stay a few days. And we have no hired man [at present] so we are only four. And yesterday, [my husband] James was gone to his appointments & did not get back until today.
We have had a very dry summer here around Manhattan, a few miles square, but elsewhere they have had timely rains. But last night we had a good, thorough rain – a heavy thunder shower lasting a good part of the night & doing a great deal of good. Everything was parched & dried up, gardens were doing nothing, and farmers were clear discourage. But things look brighter today. At Junction [City] where we used to live & only 22 miles west of here, they have had plenty of rain & it is so elsewhere.
It is vacation now [at the Kansas State Agricultural College] until the first week of September. The examination was quite interesting. The Commencement Exercises of course were not as large a scale as those of older colleges, but were a credit to those who took a part.
It is quite healthy here at present and we keep usually well. [Our daughter] Mary run a thorn (osage) in her heel & that is swollen & troubles her & she is complaining of it tonight. I have poulticed it & hope it will be better in the morning. I suppose Ma keeps you posted with regard to Owego news. The last letter said all were usually well. I suppose she wrote that your Charlie Platt was dead. [He] died just about a year after his father. He was a very promising boy. Mrs. Mary, Marguerite’s only daughter Kate was married a short time after Charlie’s death. I suppose it must have been a grand wedding as both families are very wealthy. Uncle William Stratton does not get any better & is quite a great deal of trouble.
Write as often as you can – both of you. Kiss the baby for Augusta. With much love to you both. Ever your affectionate sister, -- J. Augusta Griffing
Letter
Number 139
Ralph Goodrich writes his sister-in-law Christiana Finch to let her know
of his wife Jenny's deteriorating health following the birth of their daughter.
Jenny would pass away on 7 September 1870. The letter also reveals that he
believes his 34 year-old brother-in-law Charles H. Cole is having an affair and wants Elizabeth
[Libbie], his wife, to leave Little Rock.
Little Rock, Arkansas
July 26, 1870
Dear sister Christiana,
Yours of July 20th I have just taken from the office & I answer before Jennie has read it because the mail goes out tomorrow morning. I have been sick nearly a week.
Have you received my letter telling about the Spring? That woman has been at Cole’s house several times since, remained there one night at least. I saw either [Charlie's 28 year-old brother] Al[bert], or Charlie kiss her. I don’t see him making any preparations to go the 1st of August.
Jennie is sick yet. He breast is rising again & she is troubled a great deal with the cholic & diarhora (that word is not spelled right, but never mind). Jennie has come to the conclusion that she can’t get well here & so have I. We intend to leave as soon as we can. I will be obliged to sacrifice my place.
What does Lib say of Cole after hearing his excuses? Cole writes the way he does, I believe, to get you to coax her away from this place. She makes at least one too many here for his good.
I will have Jennie write the next mail if she is better.
As ever, -- R. L. Goodrich
Letter
Number 140
Mary Ann Goodrich writes her son Ralph L. Goodrich from her home in Owego
NY giving news about his daughter Jenny Edith Goodrich. Goodrich's first
wife, Serena Jennie Connett, died on 7 September 1870 -- two months after the birth
of their infant daughter. Thinking himself incapable of raising the child
on his own, Goodrich took her to his mother in Owego NY where his sister Sarah
and brother Stephen helped raise her.
Owego
[New York]
October 2, 1870
My dear Ralph,
I hope you have safely arrived at your home all well this pleasant Sunday morn. It is a long time to be going on the cars five days and nights. [Your daughter] little Jennie is well and doing well. I think she missed Sally and you too, but [your brother] Stephen will take your place. She is very good days. [Your sister] Sarah has taken the care of her nights till last night [when] Stephen lay on the lounge and took care of her, Sarah getting up once to put on dry diapers. She has cried a good deal nights till last night [when] she slept very well. Stephen says it is because he took care of her. If she will be as good as she was last night, we can get along very well. She has something of a charm but no more than children generally have.
[Your sister] Mary [Horton] and her family were up yesterday. She says Jenny has grown in a week. I hope she will keep well and be good. How long did your lunch last? And did you have to lie over anywhere [on your return home]? And how did Sally get along? How did you find things at your house? We are all about as when you left. Nothing remarkable has happened in our neighborhood that I know of. I suppose you will be busy tomorrow, but I hope you will take time to write us. We did not have a letter from [your sister] Augusta yesterday, but may today if Stephen goes to the [Post] Office. It is quarterly meeting today and he may not get out [of church] in time to go to the Post Office. Please excuse my short scribble. Goodbye.
From your ever affectionate Mother.
Letter
Number 146
Elizabeth ["Libby"] Daniels Carse writes to her husband John H.
Carse from her temporary quarters in Camden AR. It is apparent that John
Carse was working in Little Rock, 100 miles away. The letter was written less
than three months after their marriage on 30 March 1871. It is not clear how
Ralph Goodrich took possession of this letter. Perhaps he stole the letter from
John Carse or maybe it was given to him as evidence of Libby's devotion to her
husband as it appears that Goodrich and Libby had a relationship prior to her
marriage to Carse. Unfortunately, this did not deter Goodrich from pursuing
Libby for many months even after the marriage.
Camden
[Arkansas]
Thursday afternoon, June 15, 1871
My dear,
Although you did not ask me to write to you today, thought I would just for spite. I got your letter Tuesday evening [and] also one from Chicago -- an agency with a paper of needles for sample. Last evening I received that book from Nellie (about the Spring's) but nothing more. It seems we both wrote last Sabbath, perhaps about the same time. But I did not take a nap, you lazy fellow. Indeed, I think you have got along nicely so far. I am so glad you will get your ring. You cannot imagine how much I thought about that. It worries me so. If you had not got it, I would not have told you. Judge Caldwell is a true gentleman, I have no doubt. Oh, it there were only more such men in the world how much better it would be.
I have got along very well this week so don't be uneasy about me -- much better than I expected too. Monday afternoon I went down to see that Jen or ____ woman and staid quite awhile. Also called on Mr. Rogers who treated me very kindly. The the people here at the Hotel are very good to me. [They] teaze me a good deal though. Major Southerland said he received a telegram from you stating that you had married another girl and was on your way North, and every day at dinner he says "got another" -- he is still going on, now if my wife was not here so that I could make love to you. But let me tell you the joke. Mrs. Southerland was taking a nap today and dreamed about you. [She said she] thought she saw you [and] that you had come back to take me away, and that your beard had commenced to grow again -- or rather your whiskers. [She] told Major about it at the table and we had a good laugh.
I wish I knew how you were my dear. Don't work too hard please. I hope you have done well with your Irons. Have you sent for the oil? I don't know about that rocking chair. You must do as you think best. Do you think there are enough persons here that would take it to justify you in bringing it? Mrs. Carse will take one when she goes to housekeeping, just to encourage you. I asked Mr. Jordan if I could borrow some books from him. So in the evening he brought me two new books. Both had his name in [them] but I know he had bought them just for me to read. Very kind of him, was it not? I did not write home this week, but will write to Pa next Sabbath. Guess I will write to your folks this week. Pretty good advise your father gave us. Is it very warm there? But I presume it is about like it is here. It has been pretty war this week until today. It has rained since noon.
I am glad you have got a good place to board. Do you think you will take me to Little Rock? Well almost anywhere to be with you for I find that I think of you instead of home. Now don't say I love you better because you are away. If you do, I won't love you a bit when you come back just to punish you for saying so. Do you think of me as much as you did before we were married when you were away from me -- or in other words, am I what you expected to find me or have you been disappointed? Please answer candidly. I will admit I would rather have you write it than tell me, but I want to know what you consider my greatest faults so that I may try to correct them, both for your sake and my own. Now dear, I am in earnest about this and hope you will think of it when thinking of me. Do you think you can come a week from next Sabbath. I hope you will for I have been thinking about it all the time for you know although the people are very kind, it is not like having you with me. And I can't help getting lonely some times and wishing you were here Oh so much. But then I suppose it is all for the best and I will try to be as submissive as I can for I know you don't want to be away from me any more than I do from you. Nor would not be if you could do otherwise.
I was just thinking today how nice it would be when we go to housekeeping what a prim little wife I will make, and what a dear good husband you would be (don't smile at my adjective) until my thoughts almost carried me away. You said you would write to me this evening. Be sure and write Sabbath too and I will do so. Then we will both get our letters Tuesday evening. It is almost mail time and I will send Henry to the [Post] Office as it is raining. Hope he will bring me several letters. I will not seal this until he comes. Here he is and no letter. Oh dear me. It is too bad. But it is getting late.
I feel very