Correspondence of Rutherford Hayes Platt, 1871-1886
[Rutherford to Wm. A. Platt]
New Haven Conn.
May 6th 1871
Dear Father
I reached here yesterday noon several hours late but
otherwise all right.
The train reached New York nearly on time, about 9 oclock
Thursday eve. and I took the 11 oclock boat for New Haven which was due here at
4 oclock in the morning but on account of a storm on the sound it had to anchor
after going a short distance from N. Y. and wait for morning and the wind and
tide being against us then. We did not reach here until 12 oclock.
I saw my tutor right after dinner and began my duties with
the afternoon recitation. My excuse for absence was of course sufficient.
The rain was unceasing all the way here and poured down in
torrents just as the boat reached here. It was such a cold rain that I missed my
overcoat a little but still am not sorry that I left it at home. Rao has been
here twice since the beginning of the term as I find from notes he has left in
my room.
I want to get this into the morning mail it possible and so
must close.
I trust you are getting along as well as when I left home.
With love to all at home
From your aff. son
Ruddy
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[Rutherford to Wm. A. Platt]
Washington D. C.
28th April 1878
My dear Father,
Instead of returning direct to New York, I have come this
far-about way to spend a quiet Sunday here at the White House and will go up to
the city tonight. The trip has been a very enjoyable one throughout, but I am
going to skip over that now to say something concerning another matter which I
trust you will not be sorry to hear about.
You know that when Minnie & I were in Paris, we had
friends there Mrs. & Miss Luthill with whom our relations were particularly
pleasant and of whom we thought a great deal, and to come to the point by the
shortest cut I have kept up a correspondence with Miss Luthill since our return
home, am now engaged to marry her, & want to tell you and Laura and Fannie
and Minnie about it; but we both think it should not become an open secret just
yet. Of course next year I must continue at the Law School but after that I hope
we may fix some time for our marriage with your full approval and when that can
be done it shall no longer be a secret. I wish I could write so fully & well
that you might know Miss Anna Luthill from my letter as she really is. But after
all a letter can give only a vague, general outline and the finer details of
character one’s own acquaintance & observation alone can fill in. She is
bright and accomplished and one year younger than myself. I am sure you will
learn to love her when you know her, and there’s but one thing in which she is
not equal to any daughter in law which you may picture as the desirable one
& that is she’s rather delicate - never an invalid, but still not robust.
Mr. Luthill, Anna’s father, was editor at one time of the
N. Y. Times, afterward he removed to San Francisco. In the latter part of his
life he went abroad with his wife & daughter in search of a climate that
might restore him to health, but shortly after their return to this country and
before they had reestablished themselves in a home he died and then Mrs. Luthill
and Anna returned to Europe and have lived there almost ever since, only coming
back to see their friends here at intervals for a few months at a time. It seems
as though our family had suddenly taken the matrimonial fever - with Minnie’s
engagement and Frank’s and now mine, but as you have h___ed Minnie’s, so I
hope you will mine. It is rather hard to have to write about it, when it would
be so much more satisfactory to both you & me to be able to talk it over -
but it is better so than to wait, I think.
One more thing I must tell you, it had almost escaped me for
I never think of it as a matter of importance myself. She is lame. One of her
limbs was paralyzed when she was a small child.
Now, father, please read this all over again & then think
it over, and then write me.
Affly-
Your Son
Rutherford
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[Wm. A. Platt from Rutherford]
22 East 20th St.
N. Y. City March 3rd/ 79
My dear Father,
Your favor of Feb. 28th with draft for $100 - came
to had today. I thank you very much for so promptly remembering my wants and so
fully forestalling them.
Am sorry that you find it necessary to remain at home just
now when the trying weather is coming on. I hope for better news of little
Laura.
Am very well & getting on satisfactorily.
Your loving son
Rutherford
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[Rud to Emily]
Dear Emily -
I was not minded that Christmas was so near as well as your
natal (?) day until seeing this morning certain preparations for a parcel to you
----- I will not try to send anything more than a Christmas greeting though I
should like to drop something into Santa Claus’ sack for the darling children
- I find that Henry Taylor is quite in the notion of going to Bermuda in the
spring - I think we shall arrange it, & come down upon you then.
With love to the Genl. the children & yourself &
wishing you all a Merry Christmas & good appetite for your plum pudding
& turkey.
Yours
Rud
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[Rud to Emily]
Dear Emily - Thank you very much for the pretty holiday remembrance, the
wheat sheaf- The coffee pot you wish should have gone by the last steamer but
supposing your N.Y. agents could find it there & save expressing it from
here, I wrote them the name & description with direction to procure &
ship to you. they were unable to find it however so now I have bought one here
& it is on its way to N.Y. - not so large as Laura’s but the largest to be
found.
We have been enjoying a spell of real winter - the
thermometer below zero by a large majority - with good sleighing. Evening
entertainments numerous as usual at this time of year. I have been accepting
invitations for almost every evening.
The local matter of widest interest at present is the
election of a U.S. Senator by our legislature assembled today - a democrat but
all feel interested in knowing who he is to be. - I made calls on New Years day
- going with Henry Taylor, Capt. Smith & U.S. Henderson. There were few out
& not so many receiving as usual - It looked like the very last of a good
old custom -
With love to Russell & the dear children & yourself.
Yours
Rud
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[R(ud) to Emily]
Columbus, O. Monday, March 31/84
Dear Emily - For once you see I commence my letter before it is time for the
last mail to your steamer to close - and as this may indicate I have a plan of
importance to suggest for Russell & yourself to consider. I do not
understand that you have bought the Burlington lot, or made any special
arrangements for spending next summer there or any place else, and my suggestion
is that you come home & take the old house for as many months as you will -
Mother’s house is about finished - only mantles & gas fixtures to put in
yet. She talks some of moving into it in May thought it seems to me better that
she should wait until near the time of Susie’s return & I think it more
likely that she will not move until early in July.
The carpets & probably much of the furniture of the old
house will be left, & I will see to it that all, furniture & house, are
thoroughly cleaned, & necessary additions supplied. - I have two horses
& an excellent man and a cook as well as nurse girl, if wanted, can be found
for you without doubt.
You could entertain & have visitors then as much as you
liked - quite different from the little Albany house - and it seems to me that
on many accounts the plan must strike you favorably. We shall be impatient for
our next mail and until then will entertain strong hopes that you will decide to
come directly to Columbus when you come up from Bermuda and to stay here until
after thanksgiving day.
You know the old house with its thick walls is cool even
though we should have a hot summer.
The children were of course disappointed at giving up their
Bermuda trip - but yet took it very cheerfully. Jeanie & John have gone up
to Fremont with Aunt L. for their week’s vacation.
Our spring has opened - the usual garden work well under way
- buds swelling - and our lawns all perfect.
Ralph Smith & Katie Comstock are to be married in Trinity
Church the evening of April 17th - I am to be one of their ushers
since I gave up the Bermuda trip.
If you are still without a cook & not expecting to get
one, why not break up housekeeping in B. earlier than Aug. 1st &
come home with the children leaving Russell to follow as soon as he gets his
bulbs disposed of.
I will send you about $1100 by next steamer. Bermuda onions
are in our market & we have had them several times for dinner -
Yours with love
R.
[on envelope]
Aggie aint a very cook I must say.
The envelope is very nice and I hope you will be able to come
with us and not go to your homes all the time.
I have plenty of books and no horses.
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[Rud to Emily]
Columbus, O. Tuesday, April 1, 1884
Dear Emily - Your telegram reached me yesterday afternoon, after I had mailed
my letter to you - I should pack my bag & come right along if it were
possible to arrange matters now - but it is not. If I had had it in view for the
past two weeks I should have found some difficulty in shaping matters for an
absence at this time - The steamer must have been late this week so no letter
has come from you yet.
I hope that when the ‘Orinoco’ comes back next time she
will bring us the good news that you & Russell will be here next summer in
the old home.
You will read in your papers of the troubles in Cinti - We
have been very much steamed up about it; One young man serving in a military
company from here has been killed and several others from here more or less
severely wounded.
Affly. Your Brother
R.
[on envelope]
Uncle Ruddy came here and I will show you my birthday cake
and Aggie put some candles in it. We went down town and we went home to get some
apples and I bumped my head right here
And we we [sic] came home Mama was "feeding" the
chickens and I am glad they was ______ And I’ve got a
stomach ache and a headache and so goodbye. Come without any fear and do not cry
but wipe your tears of course I send you my cotograph. I wash the dishes and
help Mama all that I can with pealing one potato I cut my hand.
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[Rud to Emily]
Tuesday Apr. 29th
1884
Columbus,
O.
Dear Emily - Your’s of 18th is at hand with receipt. Did you
receive from me in Feb. last a draft for $371.06 - Am not sure that I ever heard
from it.
We are all much delighted that you & Russell fell in with
our plan for having you here in the old house next summer & fall - and I
have been telling the good news among your friends.
Mother plans to move early in June. Perhaps I will secure a
cook & keep bachelor’s hall until you come.
Maggie Taylor has come home from the South. She does not seem
to have altogether liked Florida, because it was not enough like Bermuda. The
Failings are moved into their new house and have made a very tasteful and
attractive home of it. - Ralph Smith & Katie Comstock had a big wedding at
Trinity Church and are now returned form their wedding journey, & keep house
on Park (?) St. just beyond the railroads. I had a glimpse of Bermuda lilies at
the house reception but did not think of your having sent them - they were a
little drooping.
We have not had much use from our Spring clothes yet - but
there is now a fair prospect of their being called for.
With love to Russell & the children & yourself.
Your’s
Rud.
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[Rud to Emily]
Dear Emily - Your letter of 7th is at hand - the fixing of the
date of your arrival here gives a very delightful sense of the certainty of your
coming - though I had hoped it would be two weeks earlier.
You will want your house linen, or else buy or borrow here -
also your spoons, forks, & knives .. I will make sure of a good cook, never
fear.
We will have a good lawn for tennis at the back of the house,
among the fruit trees - the croquet lawn is not long enough & is too
exposed.
Laura & John Sr. went down to Cinti. last evening to be
gone a couple of
days, leaving the children to keep house. - Your’s with love to all -
Rud
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[Rud to Emily]
Dear Emily - We are all wishing for a letter from you - I have not written
much myself of late & can not complain but I have in mind daily the thought
of your being here next summer with the babes & all in the old homestead.
Mother moves into her new house next week - the cleaning & furnishing there
are now in progress - Laura is on the look out for a cook - I will engage one
the first opportunity & keep house by myself till you come. Mrs. Dennison
expressed a wish to rent our house for a year from next Dec., she has sold hers,
but on looking it over thought it too large. It is possible she may want it yet
-
Of course the house is not generally for rent - but I think
it would be well to have some one living in it. & would be glad to let the
Dennisons have it.
We are having fine June weather - picnics are in order. There
is every reason to expect a delightful summer.
With love to all
Your’s
Rud
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[Rud to Emily]
Dear Emily -
Here’s good news just come, viz. that you will sail two
weeks earlier. You could not write anything better than that. Mother moved into
her house last week - She is not yet fully settled, and there are still
pictures, books, & c. to move from the old house. The old house will be
rather bare, but a thorough cleaning shall begin as soon as the moving is quite
finished, and I think we will succeed in making it comfortable & attractive.
Mrs. Dennison did not want the house in the fall - The first of Dec. would have
suited her as well as any time - but she finally decided not to take a house for
the next year. Their plans take them away from here, I think. I am sure of
getting a good cook. Mrs. Daugherty has two or three of the very best on the
string for me. We will have a good place for the tennis net behind the house. We
are having some real summer weather now but rain frequently, and the old house
is cool as always.
Your’s with love
R.
P.S. Laura has brought down your letter to her.- I am laying in some household goods - so you need not bring so very much in that way. I shall have the necessary linen & c. for four beds - with two servants that will give me one spare bed - also table linen sufficient probably - but perhaps you had better bring a few napkins – and I have two doz. towels. You have better bring some more towels and some of your silver. I will get a doz. spoons, forks & c. plated ware.
Your’s
Rud
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[R. to Emily]
Dear Emily -
I am fairly started at housekeeping - just keeping the pot
boiling until you come. My cook, I think, will do her part.
I have invested to some extent in household goods, & the
housecleaning will go bravely on under Laura’s supervision. She is really
presiding genius over the two households, so that the burden of house-keeping
does not weigh very heavily upon me. I have at present
no plans for going away this summer, but if an opportunity presented itself to
spend a week-ten days at the sea shore with good company at the end of this
month just before you come up, I should do it. Fanny packed off to Gambier
yesterday, for the month.
We never had a pleasanter summer than this, so far. The
climate of Central Ohio seems to hold its own.
Your’s with love to all.
R.
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[R. to Emily]
Monday Columbus, O. July 21, 1884
Dear Emily,
One last word of encouragement & admonition to you before
you sail - of encouragement, viz. that a cohort of scrubbers, that it would have
done your housewifely breast good to see, have done the work for carpets,
floors, walls &c. and the old house is clean for your reception. Of
admonition, that you change not your plans between thus & two weeks hence,
and go not aside to Burlington or elsewhere, nor defer the time of your coming -
My cook Bridget does her cooking just to a taste and I have three good meals
every day. She is not over-spry & and it is well that you bring both Aggie
and your house girl. Our weather is perfect - yesterday
thermometer 81,E today about the same. - A little
rain just now would not come amiss, that is the only concession to be made.
Susan came home yesterday with John - looking well & and
every way improved by her school life.
I expect to have a telegram from you from N. Y. announcing
that you will be home Monday afternoon, two weeks from today. Train gets in at
3:30 - I will order dinner for five o’clock.
Your’s with love to all
R.
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[Rud to Emily]
Columbus, O.
June 21st 1885
Dear Emily -
I have missed you & the General and the dear children some, but
nevertheless am getting on very well, not being in the old house much except to
sleep.
Gov. Hoadly did not come out to look at the house, but decided to take the
Ben Smith house, which was offered to him, in case he brought his family here.
I take a one o’clock dinner at Fanny’s and then a six o’clock dinner at
Laura’s - and very good dinners they are. There is daily talk of the Fullerton
migration to Bermuda and it seems to be one of the things sure to happen.
You have your way as usual, and a very good thing it will be for Fanny, I am
sure. It is well you have fifty acres and a large piazza for the youngsters.
They are active & can cover a good deal of space.
Last Sunday I took dinner with the Taylors & we talked considerably about
Bermuda & the Hastings. Their garden has produced a crop of 17 year locusts
- the little holes in the ground through which they come up are all about - they
swarm about in the trees, and keep up a tremendous racket.
Dr. Greenleaf whom I saw a day or two ago wished to be remembered to you and
the Genl -
We have had frequent rains since you left, and a real down-pour today -
washing the face of all out doors as clean as the surface of your bay &
soaking down to the roots of all green things.
Don’t forget the beauties of the old home, and the advantages of a Central
Ohio climate.
With love to Russell & yourself & kisses to the darling children.
Your’s
Rud.
22nd your letter of 17th at hand R.
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[R. to Emily]
Dear Emily - I have about $4500 belonging to the estate - not income but
capital - & think the best & safest application of it I can make is to
pay it on the note held by you and this is what I therefore wish to do with it.
You would probably rather let the note stand as an investment - but some equally
good investment can no doubt be found for it. - Let me hear from you by next
steamer in regard to this, & if you would like to have me do so I will make
inquiry for some good loan here & report what I find to you. Perhaps next
Spring we might build further on our Case property - 4th st - and
your money could go into that - and if you put in more than your share there
could be an arrangement to secure it & allow you interest - that would
probably be as safe & advantageous a disposition as you could make of it -
& perhaps until then it could be loaned to the D. S. & L. Co. at 5 or 6%
with one or more of the directors as surety. You might stipulate to loan at 5%
if all the directors would sign the note.
I may write again before the steamer goes but send this off while it is on my
mind.
Yours,
R.
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[R. to Emily]
Columbus O.
Oct. 27, 1885
Dear Emily - It is about time you had a line from me - not pretending to give
news or entertainment but just to assure you that I am thinking of you all,
& especially now when we look for the news from Bermuda with more than the
usual interest, & hoping each time that it will tell more decidedly of
Russell’s increasing strength & your relief and happiness. There are many
inquiries for the last word about the General from his friends here.
Do you remember the beautiful autumn days of last October when we had such
drives into the country - It is just so now, but I don’t have so many drives.
There are the horses - old Prince & Charley just the same - but they don’t
get enough exercise - Every bright morning as I walk down town I think I will go
out for a drive after lunch but it does not often happen so. I am growing quite
accustomed to living alone in the old house. Am not there very much in the
evening, but when I am, the bright library fire & lamp with my books &
papers about in undisturbed disorder are very genial.
The Jewetts seem to have given up coming to Columbus this year.
There are the usual gayeties – wedding cards come for you every now &
then but from people of last winter’s acquaintance & not especially
interesting to you so I do not forward them. e.g. Mary Joyce and another is
Harry S. Abbott - I send you a photo if I can get it done up in time for the
mail.
Your’s with love & for the dear children kisses.
R.
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily - I did not send check to Am. Ex. Nat. Bank promptly on receipt of
your request to do so — waiting to make up your account, which I might have
done almost any day, but put off when other matters were on hand, thinking the
money would only lie at the N.Y. Bank, & that the matter was not pressing. I
did send check Dec. 9th for full balance $829.33 as shown by enclosed
copy of account.
Yesterday was a beautiful New Year’s day — but not much like mid-winter
of the north – thermometer above 50E - there was
very little calling - none in the old style of going the grand rounds - that
custom is gone, & I think a few visits to one’s more intimate friends will
become the regular thing, & much more satisfactory. I have constant
inquiries for the General & yourself. Dr. Greenleaf sends kind remembrances.
I hope you can soon give us better news of the General’s condition to report
to his friends here than has come of late.
Your’s with love and the heartiest of "Happy New Years" to all
Rutherford
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[R. to Emily]
Dear Emily - It has been one while since you have had a letter from me -
perhaps longer. There are sometimes other things than bazaars to occupy my time
but I believe the habit of not writing merely social or brotherly letters, (if
that can be called a habit), which a man falls into, has more to do with my
lapse --- I am intending to build on the back part of our property s.w.. cor.
State & 4th strs - a building to cost $16000 to $18000 - Am
satisfied that we can rent rooms there on terms that will make the investment a
good one. Have the plans for such a building & hope to get contracts mad and
cellar begun early in April. - As I want money for your share I will let you
know or if you or any other prefer, I will furnish the funds & deduct from
your share of the rents enough to pay 8% on any such advances -
Am not likely to get away from home this spring - Thanks for you offer to
send me flowers to N. Y. if I should be there - Don’t you think you may all
come home for a while this summer - or some time soon. The old house is ready
for you. The signs of Spring are all about, & and in another month you could
come with the assurance of pleasant warm weather. Think of how happy it would
make us all.
We brag a great deal about your children & it is only just that you
should bring them back to the old place from time to time.
Mr. Gibson, who married Nannie Campbell & lived near Greenlawn,
accidentally & fatally shot himself a week ago while cleaning a revolver. He
was quite a sportsman, & expert with all fire arms.
I hope that you get loads of news in your other letters and take it for
granted that you do.
Probably I am writing as wide (?) as possible from a steamer day, but no
matter it goes into the post office and if it don’t reach you by the next
steamer, whenever that is, just let me know & I’ll have a row about it
with this democratic administration.
With love & kisses to the dear children & all of you ----
Your’s
R.
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[Rud to Emily]
Dear Emily — Your Bazaar (?) arrived in due time - The distribution was so
well managed that I secured for myself the bag of pine needles which pleases me
very much. Probably Fanny will explain to you how particularly useful to her the
cravat case, which fell to her lot, will be — at all events I made a square
trade with her.
Your letter to Laura yesterday seems to dash all hopes of your coming home
this summer — and it is a disappointment to all of us. Another year is such a
long time to wait.
I have the new building on 4th st. commenced. You need not at
present arrange for more than $4000 for your share. - I hope to have it competed
early in the fall and ready for tenants.
I can furnish money from the estate for your share if you wish — the
interest to be paid out of your share of rents but the rate of interest should
be 8%.
Fanny does not seem to regain strength as fast as we could wish. The weather
is beautiful & she is out probably every day –
With love to the general & yourself and kisses to the dear children -
Your’s
Rud.
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[Rud to Emily]
Dear Emily - You deserve a prompt answer to your hearty call for Jean &
me to come down to see you – I would answer by taking the next steamer &
bringing Jeanie with me - but there are matters & things - there is our new
building just progressing on Fourth st. for one thing.
The time will come, though, when I shall be on the Bermuda steamer again - D.
V. - for a delightful lazy time with you & Russell & the dear
youngsters.
You should have come home this summer – that would have been the best for
all of us.
I am dead tired from being out late at a dance last night, so please with a
forgiving spirit accept this as all for the present - not unmindful than even
people living all summer in Bermuda sometimes write hurried
notes. With love to
Russell & yourself & kisses to the delightful children.
Your’s
Rud
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[Rud to Emily]
THE OCEANIC
STAR ISLAND, N.H.
Dearest Emily - I have been & went & gone & done it - to wit:
found the sweetest girl in the world & persuaded her to tolerate me. The
next time I come to Bermuda you will have to open your arms to a new sister -
God willing. - She will be very welcome & will become very dear to you for
her own loveliness.
You dear child, away off in your paradise, knowing nothing of the world and
the talk of the gossips - are you at all curious at this point.
Do you skim over this page for a name. It is a dear sweet name.
You wonder whether it is one heard before, or strange, calling up no familiar
face & with which the thread of associations just now begins.
If I could stand it, I would stop right here & let you enjoy yourself
guessing for the next two weeks -- but I can’t. It has been hard enough to
wait for your steamer day to make you a share in my happiness – So you are not
to guess once but are to know that my Love is Maryette Smith - and now you are
to write me a good letter and put your heart into it.
We are to be here at the Oceanic until the 20th or later. - Your
letter addressed here will follow me up if it does not find us still here.
I think I shall be away from home till near the end of the month.
With love to Russell & yourself & kisses to the dear children -
Your brother
Rud
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[R. to Emily]
Wentworth Hall
White Mts. N. H.
Wednesday, Aug. 25th 1886
Dear Emily -
We came in here from the Isles of Shoals last week & your letter reached
us yesterday.
Your plan is a charming one but I will have to wait a little longer –
perhaps some months later we can come down and realize all the attractions you
hold out — The Shepards from Fanwood, (?) N.J. are all here and inquired
particularly after you & the Genl.
We have done enough mountaineering to recall to me many times our days in
Switzerland & the Tyrol. - Went up Mt. Washington on Monday by the carriage
road from this side getting out & walking ahead at times as you & I used
to do in the passes.
It is just five weeks since I left home, a long stay for me but there has
been every reason to prolong it. We have been a very happy party. On Monday next
we start homeward. Capt. & Mrs. Smith & Maryette will stop a week or so
in New York while I go directly to Columbus.
We are off for a mountain climb this morning.
Yours with love
R.
P.S. Maryette wishes to thanks you for your note to her & sends her love. R.
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[Rud to Emily]
Dear Emily - I have not sent you any money since last April and have now a
balance of something over $900 to your credit. - On the other hand your share of
cost of our new building on 4th St. down to this time is something
more than $3000. When your balance is $1000 I will transfer it to this new
building account, unless you otherwise direct, & when we get through with
the new building will take your note to the estate for the amount still due from
you secured by your interest in the Case property. Will send you statement of
your account when I thus balance it by carrying to the new building account.
I have divided the furniture and effects left in the old home - except for
the Bierstadt picture — into four parts, as equally as possible - &
propose to assign these parts by lot - then when each one has his or her share
thus determined by lot, perhaps we may effect trades or purchases with one
another - There will doubtless be things falling to your share which you will
not want & some of which I will perhaps want & be willing to buy of you.
I propose to take the old house for a time of five years if all interested
concur in such arrangement & desire it ---- agreeing to put the house in
order & keep up repairs during the term and to pay the taxes which amount to
about $700 per year.
Let me know how you feel about such arrangement -
I think that Maryette & I will be married in Dec. or early in January
& you may expect to see us soon after - With love to the General &
kisses to the dear children & yourself –
Your’s
Rud
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[Rutherford to Emily]
Dear Emily - I have your’s of the 24th - Will see Fanny about
exchanging the portraits & will have the things you mentioned packed and
sent by the steamer two weeks hence - except two articles which do not fall to
your lot. The little stand with drawers went to Laura & she prizes it
especially, so that I shall say nothing to her about parting with it - and of
the swinging mirrors, Mother asked for one some weeks ago & and I sent her
the one that used to stand in her room before she moved, the other two as you
see by the lists fell to Laura’s & Fanny’s lots. I can probably make
some use of the rest of your things and am willing either to give you credit for
$60 for them or to have some dealer in such things come in and put a value upon
them. Write me in regard to this.
The weeks pass rapidly & we will soon be with you if all goes well.
We have changed from a morning to an evening wedding so as to give the
Fremont relatives time to come down. They have a wedding there the evening of
the 4th - Miss Addie Cook’s. I have had painters in the house
cleaning the walls for more than two weeks past. The effect is good. Am only
cleaning the down stair’s part.
Your’s with love.
R.
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[Rud to Emily]
Columbus, O.
Sunday, Dec. 26th, 1886
Dear Emily - I missed writing you by the last steamer - and none of us had a
word from you. This time I will not put off to the busy week days the last
message to go to you - the next will be our ship with ourselves on board I trust
–and how eagerly we will be looking out for the f irst glimpse of Soucy and
those who are there.
I know that we will be glad to stay longer and feel sure too that you will be
glad to have us - So please add another week which we know count on staying, and
engage our return passage for Feb. 10th - Leaving N. Y. Jan. 10th
I suppose we should arrive on the 16th and that will give us a good
long visit - You must think of us the evening of the 5th at the Smith
home – Dr. Babcock performing the ceremony, the house comfortably filled with
the kinfolk on both sides and some few other friends - such as Henry and Maggie
Taylor. Henry is to be my best man.
The old house will be very charming when we get our things about us here. The
painters have been at work for six weeks - mainly washing the walls &
ceilings all of those down stairs - most of which came out as clean and bright
as when first painted.
New carpets in your two bed rooms down stairs and in the library. The
upstairs we will have no use for until you & Russell come with your family
and then the old home will be gay indeed.
The clock, portrait, bedstead & bureau were sent in time for the last
steamer & I hope to hear this week of their arrival in good condition. - No
more at present but love and a Happy New Year to you & Russell & the
dear children.
Rud.
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