Collections : [University of Michigan William L. Clements Library]

Attempts to explain his actions over the past 4 years. Travails of marriage, life, shortage of money, separations, Gertrude’s illness and family. Places blame on Gertrude's emotional and physical distance.

A child's account of a father's physical, verbal, and emotional abuse. Notes their mother's illness and the child's efforts to get medical attention, despite his father's opposition. Dr. Mary Dunning provided services and a prescription (despite unpaid medical bills), which the child paid for with personal money. Describes the father's abuse of the mother, withholding food, and trying to get the children's money. The mother accidently ingested "the poison medicine We used for the Babys eye that had an ulser in, caused by a filthy disease that Pa brought to the Baby." Father threatens to kill the child. [NB: A previous cataloger attributed this manuscript to Darwin W. Esmond.]

Visited with sister, Grace.

Worried about Thomas. Olive has recently visited and is doing very well.

Snow and cold weather. Inquires after their Thanksgiving. Hopes Annie had a nice Christmas.

Comments on Mabel’s bathing suit, which she worries was improper for her swimming lessons. “You did not tell me whether the inner lower garment consisted of a divided skirt down to the ankles, a pair of baggy bloomers reaching to the knee or a pair of skin tights extending a little below the waist line.” Discusses what would make the bathing suit indecent, mainly whether it drew the “poisoned imagination” of men. Mentions social visits and bird watching. Trying to arrange a time for him to visit Mabel and to do so within social restrictions and avoid gossip.

Glad that Rose enjoys her tenement, believing it to be better than others that are for rent. Comments on Albert's work around the house, including lawn work. Notes Mrs. Wakefield needing to install town water on account of her well failing. Mentions weather and crops from the garden. Accompanied by a reproduction photograph portrait of Clara Barton, originally framed and displayed with the letter.

Invitation to participate in a procession on March 3, 1913 - the day before Woodrow Wilson's inauguration. The procession will be held under the auspices of the National American Woman Suffrage Societies of the District of Columbia. Hill is organizer of the "College Division" and hopes to make the group "significant both in numbers and appearance." Attendees should bring their own cap and gown, if possible. "The banner of each college must be provided by alumnae of the same." Information respecting boarding and traffic.

Notes on housework, Solon’s plowing fields. Wants to see Solon. Mentions a disagreement with Tilly. “I think from the way she talked she wanted to box my jaws. but there was a good reason she couldn’t for there was several miles between us.” Reminds Solon not to overwork. This letter arrived at the William L. Clements Library with the Louisa A. Reed Papers—apparently unrelated. Also arrived with seven envelopes addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Edgar LeFaivre and to [Vena?] Harris of Napton, Missouri [filed with this letter]. The envelopes' relationship (or lack of relationship) to Virginia's letter to Solon Edwards is unknown. See also Virginia ALS to Solon [Edwards], July 4, 1916.

Mentions the wheat harvest, eating ice cream, housework, and her disappointment on Solon’s failure to visit. Requests that he bring “a box of powder when you do come for it was so hot Sun. eve I had to fan and powder all evening waiting for you to come.” Notes Mae Pearl’s marriage and moving to California. This letter arrived at the William L. Clements Library with the Louisa A. Reed Papers—apparently unrelated. See also Virginia ALS to [Solon Edwards], June 19, 1916.