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Jennie McQuivey to Theodore Drake
Waukegan, Illinois to Clyman, Wisconsin
dated: December 25, 1870
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Dora Dr
I suppose you are expecting a letter so I hasten to write and inform you of the news. we
have sold out and bought again. sold to Mr. Brown the cheese man. his family will be here the
first of next month, don’t know yet when we shall move. I think your decision will prove for
the best, Harriet is here. is not in favor of waiting but thinks it would be rather inconvenient
not too. Under the circumstances, it will be impossible to comply with your mother’s
invitation, though nothing would please me better than to do so.
The society meets here Thursday evening and I have been appointed secretary. There was
several ----- at our meeting Saturday night following. one on the President (C.W.) V. Pres.-
Ella Putman, G Schroeder treasurer, sec. myself. they was all ---- but mine. I can’t give the
---- but it called me a duck and hoped I would find my Drake. I was angry, did not like the
sentiment. the only thing said about you was by a young lady the next Thursday night “who
was that with you so ----” I did not tell her. but that is all I have heard on the subject. I have a
part in the exhibition new years eve. Your ---- looks natural, Harriet likes it, but I think you
have changed since she saw you last. the minister interpreted a dream, said I would be married
before next April, quite mistaken in his guess wasn’t he. Well Dora, I can’t think of anything
more to write ------
Jennie
P.S. Wish them all a happy new year for me. I will write to the girls as soon as I get time,
have been very busy.
Theodore Drake to Jennie McQuivey
Clyman, Wisconsin to Waukegan, Illinois
dated: December 30,1870
Jennie Dear,
Your letter of Christmas I received Thursday. was surprised to hear that you had sold out.
but you did not tell me where you had bought. I don’t know it is any of my business though.
But I would like to know thats all. Jennie, it is evident to me that something is wrong with
you. that you are dissatisfied about something. if I may judge from actions & your letter. else
why are you so reserved. if there is anything wrong why don’t you tell me. as you should I
think & place confidence in me which will never be betrayed. on the other hand I think you
treat me rather cool but dear it is wrong for you to give me any reason to distrust you. neither
should I give you any reason & hope I have not. if I have said or done anything to displease
you I remain ignorant of it. perhaps you have heard something. I assure you that I would be
very sorry to hurt your feelings in any way whatever. what I have done & said about our
marriage I thought for the best. but it my prove the saddest thing that ever happened to me. I
look for your interest as well as my own. it may make it rather inconvenient for us both to
postpone it so late in the spring. but more so on your account. on acct. of your clothing. I
wrote you the first of May, but I meant April & did not discover the mistake until I had mailed
the letter. so Hattie is not in favor of waiting. our girls are not in favor of it either. I should
rather you would set the day or time but we wont postpone it again. I think two years is long
enough to wait. it will only be a short time longer. I dont know as you are to blame for
remaining silent on that question. my dear an explanation will be all I ask. I dont anticipate
any trouble whatever, but enough of that. I intended to leave on Monday have made
arrangements to that effect. will go to Oconle. I hope to hear from you soon again. direct
here as before & I will have it forwarded wherever I be. will write & let you know my P.O.
address when I get there. the girls are expecting a letter from you. Maggie Duffy is in
Milwaukee in the nunnery. Mary Northrop had to work out by the week to pay the money she
borrowed to go to Kansas to see her fellow. he is in New York yet. so Carrie writes to
Martha, she never will marry him. the girls & Char. attend singing school at the Grove. I
should if I remained here. tell your Pa that Smiths mill of Watertown was totally destroyed by
fire Wednesday night including 200 barrels of flour & 400 bush. wheat. loss on mill 14,000.
besides flour & wheat, was insured for 21,000. Nathan Blanchard killed himself in the attempt
to save his mill. he went on the roof to pour on water when he slipped off falling a distance of
50 feet on the ice below. his arms & legs were all broken. the bones were driven through the
flesh in many places. he lived but a short time.
Jany. 1st, 1871
I wish you a happy New Year. I did not finish your letter Friday so will try it again. We was
all up to Spauldings last night. Het was married last night instead of today. they start for
Mich. in the morning. Hanks I believe were invited but I don’t know whether they went or
not. Mrs. H. said she would not go. Frank & --- were to stand up with her but Frank is sick a
bed & I don’t know how they done. I have just learned that Hank’s didn’t go. now Jennie a
word more & I will close. I don’t want you to think hard of me for some things I have (I may
be mistaken) it is through pure love for you that I write as I do & our future expectations.
absence (they say) makes the heart grow fonder & I believe it. I still place confidence in
Jennie, believing her true. I hope you will write soon dearest, write often. I dream awful
dreams since I was there. I intended to start away tomorrow but may not go until next day.
will be gone about three months. then I will be ready to fulfill my promise. I would give a pile
to see you for just half an hour. Can’t you come up some time this winter. I will pay your
expenses. hoping to hear from you soon, I close lovingly
Yours, Dora