|
|
Jennie McQuivey to Theodore Drake
Iowa Falls, Iowa to Waukegan, Ill,
dated: July 28, 1870
Dear Jennie,
I presume you would not object to a letter from Dora this morning & so while waiting for
breakfast I will write you one. I wrote about three weeks ago, have been looking for an
answer from you. we expect to finish harvesting this week. I would of written you sunday but
was so tired I thought I would wait. it has been very warm out here. the thermometer running
as high as 101 in the shade. 97 is the highest we have seen it here to Mosley’s. 96 is the
average for the last two weeks. it still remains dry here. have had 2 or 3 light showers. the
crops are light but wheat is good quality. how are you getting along with your school and how
soon will it be out. do you enjoy yourself this summer. how does your father get along in the
dairy business. there is a cheese factory near Mosleys lake. their milk pay two cents per
pound for manufacturing. I don’t know how long I will remain here. 6 or 8 weeks I presume.
Jennie I would like to see you very much. I would like to hear from you oftener. I have not
received but three or 4 letters from you since I was down there. two of them I recd. here..
this is the fifth letter I have written you since I left home. I recd. a letter from Lina last week.
she wants to go down to your place when I come home. Maybe we will come. Mary
Northrup has gone to [Ran---] her intended sent for her. he is very sick. who is working for
you this summer. do you ever hear from herman. is he married yet. how are H. Crandalls
folks. Does Hank talk of selling in Clyman & buying down there. I had an idea he would sell
& move down there. how does he like it. Well Jennie I don’t know what to write that will
interest you as they are all strangers here. Nora’s school is out in two weeks. Mr. Northrups
barn burnt down & burnt up two horses. I wouldn’t live where they do for all they have got &
they are all sick of it. well Jennie I will close for this time & will try to do better next time as I
am all run out of news. Carrie Northrup told the folks here all she knows about us. write soon
& believe me to be your lover
Theodore Drake
Jennie McQuivey to Theodore Drake
Warren, Ill to
dated: August 23, 1870
My Dearest Love,
With Pleasure I hasten to answer your welcome letter of the 7th, and also of July 29. I
did not mean you should write two letters for one, but very much wished an answer to
mine & so waited for it.
We are all well at present - I have just written to Tammie, wrote to Lina some time
ago, but have not received an answer. My school closed the 13th, kept 3 months, they all
want me this winter again. I am glad school is out. I shall have time to do things needed
to be done at home. I went to a picnic saturday last, had a pleasant time. There was over
20 persons in the load I went in, it was after 8 O’clock when I got home. I am glad you
enjoy yourself but perhaps you wouldn’t like Iowa as well in the winter season. Dora, I
never doubted your ability to support me. but from the letter you wrote July 3rd, I
garnered the idea you did not intend to go west & so formed plans that would suit one if
they met your approval. but if you wish to go west I am with you heart & hand. now is
the time to go if ever. we are young and have health & love to assist us. I am sure we
shall not fail, we shall have to depend on ourselves for society & our love will be
strengthened. (or lost entirely). In some snug little home nest & without the worlds
ambition to get rich as fast as possible & take our comfort & happiness at some future
time. we may be as happy as any this side of heaven. If a cloud sometimes obscures the
bright sky, we will look for its silver lining. If the sun shines we will enjoy it remembering
to be grateful to him who sent it. As to the advice of our parents - I know Pa thinks its
better to go to a new country, but would not say so, I have heard him say he would go if
he was younger & hadn’t so large a family. he thinks you intend to settle there.
sometimes he grieves me about it. but as I know nothing about it, of course he finds out
nothing. Pa has the blues sometimes and -------- too. I would be glad to let him have
what I have only I need it & more too. he thinks he will have to sell some of his stock as
he cannot afford to buy hay. if he sells he cannot get much for them. My Dear, if you
intend to live west, why do you buy land today. Buy whwere you intend to live & perhaps
you can make use of it. have more of a chance to sell at the right time. I don’t think there
is any need of seeing me first. that would incur needless expense. I have been reading a
large book “From the Great River to the Great -----” that is ---- ----. I am going to buy
the book for you to read. it was written by Albert D. Richardson, (who was shot by
McFarland) about his travels in the west in company with N Greeley & with U Colfax. It
is very interesting in some of the places he describes, I should like to live, some are dreary.
now Dora you can tell a beautiful landscape frome one the reverse. Please don’t go where
it is very very cold. I read that in Kansas they have six months of winter. I can’t
comcieve why, it is quite a deal further south than here. I think a place with some timber
& a stream of living water would be splendid. Then if somebody would go with us, some
young couple or middleaged, it wouldn’t seem so lonesome. we could get along with
quite a small house. I am in favor of going west (with you). To be sure it would be
pleasant nearer home but I am willing to forsake all and go along with you. If you could
get a place & would ----- I could get ready sooner, or would wait til spring. Please write
as soon as convenient. I send you my love & remain
Your Jennie
Theodore Drake to Jennie McQuivey
Iowa Falls, Iowa to Warren Ill.
dated Sept. 4, 1870
Dearest One Jennie,
I received your welcome letter of August 23rd and was so glad to hear from you as I
was anxious to know what you thought of my last letter. I recd. one from Martha the
same day I received yours. would not have written so soon had it not been for some news
I learned from home. It appears that Mrs. Driscoll has been at our folks for some time to
have them write to me & tell me to come home & rent her farm. She wants to rent, has
two other chances but says no one but Dora Drake can have her farm, he will keep things
in order (has a good opinion of me don’t she). She thought I could live at home but
Mother told her she could not do the work of two farms, she will give up the house she
says to me & move to Watertown. Lina told her she would keep house for me, of course
she need not know our -----. will give me a good chance. can use all of her farming
implements, will have five cows on the place, but I think that will be more than on woman
(you) can do. to do the house work & take care of the milk, what do you think. can have
it for 3 years. will have the parlor & bed room furnished(but don’t believe she will
though). I have written home to find out the particulars & would like to know your mind
about it. would you be willing to go there. now Jennie please tell me just what you think
because I wish to arrange business to meet your approval if I can. Perhaps you would not
like to go back to Clyman to live for a year or two. I thought with your consent I would
come west, but if I can do well for a year or 2 I would wait until my purse grew some. I
will give them no decided answer until I hear from you. Jennie I hope you will tell me just
as you feel about it. I think we could live nice there, good house --. when I get their
times I will write you again. I would have a boy to help me that’s all the family we would
have unless you need someone, I will remain here until I hear from you & home. may
start for home then & may go to Kansas but ans. this the very day, please, you receive it as
it is time we was on the road some where. in letter of July 3 I said I had no idea of taking
you to Kansas & have none yet as I know of because I thought you was not willing to go
but would like to go if you would, some where out here, but if I should take D farm I
shant buy here as I need all my money there, we can come some other time. Jennie this
may be strange news to you, so it was to me, but maybe it would be for the best. my folks
think I could do no better than I have in my choice of a woman. I was quite encouraged
when I received the letter because I want them to think as much of you ---------------.
much love to you. Remember me Always as
Your best friend,
Dora Drake