The death of our dear mother

There are eight letters presented here that span the year 1872. The first four letters were exchanged between James Griffing and his wife, Augusta, while he attended the Annual Methodist Conference in Emporia, Kansas. The fifth letter was written to James by his good friend and fellow pastor Rev. Baxter C. Dennis from his home in Macomb, Illinois. The sixth letter was written to Augusta by the daughter of Edmund and Mary Hovey, Miss Mary Freeman Hovey (born 1838). The letter was written from her parents home in Crawfordsville, Indiana, upon her return from a stint as a teacher at the Kansas State Agricultural College in Manhattan. The seventh letter was written by Augusta to her two boys, John and Willie, in Manhattan, while she and James, and their daughter Mary, traveled to Topeka. The eighth letter is from James' younger sister Mary Pike, informing him of their mother's death.

In the March letters, we learn that James believed he was suffering from rheumatism in one of his arms. Miss Mary Hovey asked about it in her mid-May letter. The August letter reveals that he had actually somehow dislocated his shoulder and due to inadequate medical attention, it was now permanently disabled.

I arrived safely at 5 o’clock P. M. & have as yet suffered less today [from rheumatism] than any day the past week. I guess excitement & continued change through the day has something to do with it. When I arrived at Topeka, I met Brother Curtis at the [railroad] cars who had come to meet Shelby on the up train & he came. I knew him but he has changed. Brother Curtis took Charley’s letter & handed me $16 & I guess got his pay when he handed the note. Says all are well. When I started on the cars for Emporia, who should come in but Brother Baxter C. Dennis who has come out on a visit & as it happens, have both been assigned to the same place at [former] Lt. Gov. [Charles V.] Eskridge’s [home].[1] It is very convenient to the church. Emporia is a fine town, about one-fourth larger than Manhattan. A great many of the preachers have already come in but there are so many strange faces that it hardly seems like the same Conference. I hope you will write often & that you will keep well & that the children will also & that you will also get along well whilst I am away. Always your dear husband, -- James

I was in hopes to get a letter from you tonight telling of your safe arrival & also hoped to hear you were getting better, but no letter came. I shall look for one certainly tomorrow. One came tonight from Brother Cochran, which I will enclose to you. The Post Office order was in it. That I will keep until you return.

Alonzo & Levi came back tonight. Alonzo received a letter from his father saying he had sent you & he some money to Mr. Gilespie at St. G & that he would give to Alonzo to give you.

We are all about as usual. Had no company. Have called on Mrs. [Julia] Marlatt & [Eliza] Pound. We get along with the cow & calf nicely. The cow is very gentle & milks only too easy for she will lose her milk, I think. And the calf is doing well. I wish I knew just how you were tonight. I do hope you are better.

[Prof. Mudge's daughter,] Sebia [Eusebia] Mudge asked [our son] John if he was going down town today. He said he would go & take her this afternoon. Alonzo came back with them. When by the boardinghouse, Joe Cormack threw up his hand towards the horses with his ball club & started them & they shied out & the neck yoke came off & horses run & broke lose from the wagon. The tongue ran into the ground & the wagon went up into the air & over bottom upwards, throwing the boys out but did not injure them much. John is bruised & sore & came near breaking his arm. Mr. Walker caught the horses & the boys gathered around quickly & brought things home. John came & told me. I don’t know what I should have done if the horses had run home. They both tried to hold the horses but could not. The boys say John was not to blame. He could not have prevented it. I think “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” I did not know the neck yoke was in such a condition. It certainly was not safe for anyone much less a boy to use. The double trees are broken & some little things. Am thankful it’s no worse.

Write & tell me how you get along & when to look for you home. I feel worried about you all the time fearing you may not be as well. John says the bolt came out of the whiffletree first & then [our horse] Fanny jumped & run. I thought when I wrote last night that it was the neck yoke. If they have their pictures taken, you must have yours too. [Affectionately yours, -- Augusta]

I rec’d yours and darling Mary’s letter last evening & was glad to hear from home but sorry to hear of the runaway [horse]. Am glad it was no worse. I had the bolt do the same thing with me once and [our horse] Fanny sprung & would have run if she could, but I stopped her at once. I told Johnny about it & told him to watch out for it. Before he harnesses again, he must put a key of iron in the bolt and always be watchful & careful for any emergency.

My rheumatism keeps about the same – not very troublesome in the daytime but quite painful in the nights so that I don’t rest as I would like to. The people where I am stopping are very kind and the lady has been & is afflicted in the same way herself and sympathizes with me.

The Conference is moving along smoothly & I think will close about Tuesday morning or Monday night. I did not stop in Topeka coming down over any train & will do so (God willing) coming back. I do hope you will all keep well. Always yours, -- James

My darling daughter. Papa was so glad to get your letter. Be a good little girl. Papa hopes to see you again in a few days. He loves to be at home better than any other place. If we are good, we shall get to a house where we shall never part. Your papa.

Your welcome letter reached me Thursday & I was so glad to hear you were no worse. I had worried a great deal about you fearing the exposure might make your [rheumatism] worse. I hope to hear again tonight that you are a great deal better. We are usually well. Am so glad to hear Brother Dennis has come & shall expect a visit from him. Things move along the same as when you left. John & Willie are chopping wood now & Richard Webster is wanting for me to write a few lines to send to you. James Dearborn stayed here last night. Carrie & her mother are not very well. George came up Thursday after his trunk. His father is better.

A ham & shoulder (fresh) were left at Mr. Purcell’s by Mrs. Jemmison, or some such name, for us. I did not weigh them. We are using the ham. No other letters have come. Hope you have received the other I wrote you with the one from Mr. Cochran.

When shall we look for you home? I cannot think of anything particular to write & as Richard is waiting we send this. Don’t forget to give Sister Curtis her sack & to call on Mother Winans, & write down & bring home what you have put on the tombstone [at my brother’s grave] so I can send it to [my sister] Sarah. Ever yours, -- Augusta

I acknowledge my fault this day in not having kept my promise & written sooner & especially to have acknowledged the receipt of your Conference picture which came to hand in due time. But if you knew how busy I have been since my return, you would not blame me so much probably, & I might be able to look over my remissness. But I now try to redress my pledge. And first, I feel grateful to you especially for that picture. I shall prize it highly & look at it frequently. I want to refer to the good time I had at Emporia & all the time I was in Kansas. I can hardly realize that I have been to Kansas, but all the memories of my visit are pleasant & only pleasant except that I did not get to stay longer, & see more of my friends. I don’t know that I could enjoy myself better anywhere, than I would working in Kansas, if I were now there. I have no idea of changing my Conference relations as I am well satisfied here & I am pleasantly & comfortably situated. But if I was in Kansas, I believe I could be fully as well satisfied.

Since I came back home, I have had my hands full in many ways. Looking after my young converts, who are so far doing remarkably well, preparing for my usual sermons, making up my lost time in Pastoral visitations & such work have crowded me much, which besides these, I have had to write my Essay for our District Conference which closed in our place last evening. These have occupied all my spare moments, so you see what I have been at. But enough of this.

Our health is quite good. My wife started this morning for Knoxville, Illinois to stay two or three days, to meet Mother who came to my sister’s there, the first of the week. The Conference that met in this town last Monday was a Union of Monmouth & Macomb Districts & was one of the most interesting meetings of the kind I ever attended. We had just 40 ministers in attendance & the productions averaged as well as I ever heard read. Some were superior. Two were ordered published & you will pardon my egotism for saying my essay was one of the two requested for publication. Our evenings were successes & profitable beyond description. Our church was crowded every night. It was good.

Our meetings in this place are interesting generally. Last Sabbath I baptized three adults & six children, and received three into the Church on Trial. One week ago last night at our young people’s meeting, two were up for prayers and one experienced religion. We feel to thank God & take courage. Pray for us.

We expect Mother to be with us next week. She will remain a week or two. We were anxious to have Father come with her, but he cannot come this time.

After I left you in Topeka, my mind changed very materially in regard to Mr. Hammin’s meetings, especially as to the work in Lawrence. The work there was certainly deep & genuine, but peculiar. I enjoyed them better as I saw more of them. You know I was considerably skeptical.

I have not written to any one in Kansas since my return but intend soon writing to Brothers Denison, Lloyd, & others. Please remember me to them. I heard Brother Marshall’s first sermon in Lawrence [and] was well pleased. I like the appearance of things in that Conference very well. I was glad to find it as I did. You have some able men there & growth I never dreamed of. I sent some of my reflections to the Editor of the Central but I judge they are elected to never see the light.

Tomorrow our 3rd Quarterly Meeting commences. We hope to have a good time. But I must not be too tedious & prosy. I hope you will write soon. My wife joins in love (or so spoke before starting --) to yourself and Sister G[riffing].

The weather with us is now delightful and people are busy in their gardens. I suppose you have young vegetables now. Your Bother [in Christ] – B[axter] C. Dennis

I have written to Mrs. Snow, Eliza Hougham & Mrs. Reid without receiving any reply yet and now I am going to try you. I think some of my friends might give me a reason to think that I am not forgotten in what was my home [Manhattan, Kansas] for nearly three years. I had a note from Prof. [John S.] Hougham shortly after I reached home and that is all I have had from anyone.

My journey was delightful. I spent one day at Topeka and stayed at Leavenworth till the next Tuesday. My friends at both places did everything to make me happy. I came by way of St. Louis and had an entirely prosperous trip, reaching home on a train three hours earlier than the one they expected me to come on. Consequently I took an omnibus at the depot and saw no one till my dear Mother met me at our gate. You may imagine we all felt grateful as we knelt around the family alter that night. My packing proved good as nothing was broken, either in my trunks or in my boxes, which came at last, after three weeks delay.

I believe I told you of Ellen Crane, a young lady who had spent five years in Italy and came home last fall in consumption. I admired her very much when I was at home at Christmas time and anticipated many pleasant hours with her this summer. Immediately on my reaching home, Mother told me that she was failing rapidly. I went to see her the next day (Thursday) but found her much changed and very feeble. She died the next Sabbath. Her mother said that she had repeatedly expressed a wish that I should come home and had even counted the weeks till I should come. Our minister has a strong hope that she was a Christian and as she had an unusually lovely character, she had all the traits that would make her friends love and miss her. Her person was as beautiful as her mind. My other friends I found in their usual health.

Time does not hang heavy on my hands by any means. I am surprised to find how readily I slip back into the old habits and if memory of my Kansas friends was not so strong, I might forget that I had been away from home. House cleaning has occupied my attention some of the time and you will believe that the windows that I washed were made thoroughly clean, won’t you?

It seems to me that I never knew nature so prodigal of green leaves & white blossoms as this spring. Every bush and shrub is full and the birds keep up a continuous concert.

I hope your health is better than when I came away. How is Mr. Griffing’s arm? Remember me to [your children] John, Willie and Mary. Do not let them forget me.

My Father & Mother had so kindly explained to my friends my resignation [from the faculty at Kansas State Agricultural College] that I found it unnecessary to make any disagreeable disclosures about it. They all seem satisfied that I was tired teaching so far from home and that it would not be agreeable for me there as agriculture was becoming so prominent. I have no definite plan yet for next fall, though if no favorable position offers itself elsewhere, my former pupils here would be glad of my instructions.

Now please write soon and tell me all the news. I know of no one who would be apt to know the inside workings of the College, who would feel free to write of them to me. If you hear any more of the movements of the gentlemanly Regents, please inform me.

Do you hear from Miss Dale? I have heard nothing. What of Miss Williams? Please write freely. How I should like to seat myself at your agreeable table and have a dish of talk with a cup of coffee! My Mother sends love. Sincerely, your friend, -- Mary F. Hovey

I suppose you will want to know how and when we reached here but I have been so busy that I could not well write before. We came by way of Waubunse and saw Dr. Weaver. He examined your father’s arm & said it had been partially dislocated & was afraid there was no help for it at this late date & wanted him to see someone here about it. We did not leave Dr. Weaver’s until 4 o’clock and stayed all night above St. Mary’s [Kansas], and reached Topeka about 4 o’clock Tuesday. Found them all well here at Brother Curtis’ excepting little Katie Moore, their niece, who has been badly poisoned & her face is one complete sore. We went over to the [home] place Wednesday & [your sister] Mary & I helped Pa pick peaches. They are small & so plenty that you can hardly give them away. There will be no sale for them – ours being the natural fruit. Those who have budded fruit get a good price. You would be surprised to see how full everyone’s trees hang. We are canning & trying to dry some but they are so small it is tedious work to peel them.

Pa saw Dr. Martin & he told him just as Dr. Weaver did. The [shoulder] socket is filled up with other matter & he can never have much use of his arm – only as he tries to use it & form an artificial socket. They think now that it was not rheumatism at all but that he put his shoulder partially out & that caused all the pain. It might have been put back at the time. I feel badly about it.

I hope to get a letter from you today or tomorrow saying all are well & hope you do not make Mrs. [Eliza] Pound any unnecessary trouble. I wish she had several bushels of peaches that will go to waste here. Mary was sick last night from overeating – vomited a great deal. Don’t forget to water the chickens & pig. How do the cows behave? Give love to Mrs. Pound. Be good boys. From your affectionate mother, -- J. A[ugusta] Griffing

It becomes our painful duty to inform you of the death of our own dear Mother. She died last Friday morning, the 13th at ten o’clock. She did not talk any so that we could understand her for several days before her death but think she had her reason the most of the time through her sickness. She had been entirely helpless for about six months. We had to lift her & feed her as we would a young child. We did not notice that she was any worse until the morning of her death. [Our brother] Sammy & [his wife] Mel[vina] were over to see her [and had been here but a short time when she breather her last. She died without a struggle or a groan. The funeral services were held at the Front Road Schoolhouse. The sermon was preached by Brother Bixby. The text, “For to live in Christ, to die is gain.” Brother Pearne said a few words & sung a very appropriate piece. [Our sister] Permelia was sick so that she or [her husband] Brother Brooks were not present. Sammy & myself were all that was left of a family of twelve [still living nearby] to bury her.

We have not heard from Permelia [Brooks] since [and] are very anxious to hear from her before I send this. My health is not very good. [My husband] Grove thinks his leg is much better than usual. He can travel around quite supple. You will excuse me from writing any more at present as I wish to write to [our sister] Clarissa tonight. Your Sister, -- Mary [Pike]

[1] Charles V. Eskridge, “now editor and proprietor of the Emporia Republican, is and has been for many years one of the prominent men in the affairs of the State. Like others who have advanced to high position, his parents were people in straightened circumstances, depending upon their daily labor for subsistence. Their son, Charles V., was born In Virginia in 1833. The next year his parents emigrated to Ohio, and in 1838 to Lewiston, Fulton Co. Ill. where, in 1851, his mother died of pneumonia. His father still resides there. When about thirteen years of age, Charles, wishing to strike out for himself, and being satisfied that $2 in silver was sufficient capital upon which to venture his fortunes, ran away from home, his objective point being St. Louis. Having passed through a succession of boyish adventures, spending most of his succeeding six months as a cabin boy on a Mississippi steamboat, he returned to the parental roof, both richer and wiser. Shortly afterward he commenced to learn the "Art Preservative," and soon became proficient in the trade. He departed for Kansas in the spring of 1855, and arrived at a time when the country was yet in the throes of the border ruffian invasion of March 30th. Locating at Lawrence, he carried on an active correspondence with several papers in Illinois, working, also on the Herald of Freedom. Mr. Eskridge was furthermore a participant in the military operations in which Lawrence played so heroic a part. After a brief visit to Illinois in the winter of 1856, he located at Emporia, Kan., during the succeeding spring. That place was then a "paper" town. He became the agent of the Town Company, and he also acted as a clerk in a store. In the spring of 1858, when Emporia had thrown off its swaddling clothes, and the country had become more settled, a political organization was affected, with Mr. Eskridge as Clerk and Recorder. In 1859 he was appointed Probate Judge, and elected a member of the first State Legislature; re-elected in 1862, and in 1863 was appointed on the Governor's staff, with the rank of Colonel. In 1864 he was elected State Senator, and Lieutenant-Governor in 1868. As a presiding officer he made a most brilliant record, as is evidenced repeatedly by resolutions entered in the Senate Journal. In 1871 he was again elected a member of the Legislature, and in 1872 was placed before the people as a gubernatorial candidate. Though he did not obtain the nomination, he was the means of making the choice, as his influence undoubtedly formed the balance of power in the convention. Mr. Eskridge was President of the City Council of Emporia, in 1873-4, and in 1874 was again elected to the popular branch of the Legislature, and in 1878 was chosen a delegate to the Republican State Convention. Among other subjects of legislation in which he has taken a leading part are those in relation to the State Normal School, which through his efforts, was located in Emporia. He is the author of the law by which school districts may issue bonds to assist in the construction of schoolhouses. He was also the first to offer a proposition extending the right of franchise to the colored race. An amendment to the State Constitution, proposing to extend the elective franchise to women, was defeated mainly by his efforts. During his residence in Emporia for about ten years, Mr. Eskridge was engaged in the mercantile business, and also dealt extensively in real estate, and accumulated a handsome property. Besides the public measures previously mentioned in which Mr. Eskridge has been prominent, several of the laws encouraging railroad and internal improvements were drawn up and supported by him. Through his efforts the name of the county was changed from Breckinridge to Lyon. He has also been the foster father of measures, which have greatly stimulated the agricultural and horticultural interests of the State. As an editor Mr. Eskridge is known throughout Kansas. He established The Republican and made it one of the best dailies in Kansas, a full account of which appears in the County History. The daily is a thirty-two column paper - receiving the full Associated Press dispatches, and is in every way metropolitan. The weekly is a thirty-six column paper. This establishment gives employment to thirty-five hands. The circulation of The Republican extends principally throughout the southern and southwestern portions of the State. Mr. Eskridge was married at Donaldson, Bond Co., Ill, in December, 1861 to Mary E. Dixon, of that place. They have four children - Mattie, Clara, Edward Walton, and Mary.” Source: William G. Cutler’s History of the State of Kansas, Lyon County, Part 6.