|
|
Jennie McQuivey to Theodore Drake
Warren, Ill. to Iowa Falls, Iowa
dated: Sept. 5, 1870
Dearest friend,
I was getting ready to go away when I received your letter but knowing who it was
from I waited to read it. I spent a pleasant afternoon & have now ---- house will answer
your letter “this very day” or night rather.
We are all well as normal. I must say that I was quite surprised at your letter which
has come very quick being marked the 5th. I wrote to Hattie we were probably going
west, she answers “that is just as I expected, you will have to go away out of the land of
the living to live”.
Sept. 6
Well Dora, I was so tired I did not finish this last night. we were ------- last night by
the great- “George family” which singers from waukegan. they give a concert tonight ,
think I shall go if well enough. I awoke this morning with a terrible cold in my head and
neck. I should think very much swelled and stiff. the night was warm and I don’t
understand how came my affliction, but to return to your letter. I hardly know what to
think. If you can keep on the safe side of Mrs. Driscoll, I am willing. I think I can do the
work. Ma says there is one comfort, I shall be nearer home if I go there. Ma told Pa. I
intended telling him myself but when he said something about it the children were in the
room, and not caring to have everyone know it, I did not then tell him. We saw Mr. -erry
yesterday. he has two sons in some part of Iowa and they are perfectly delighted with the
country. the soil is very rich, land cheap and only 14 miles from the railroad is being
bought up very rapidly. Pa says tell him to go there and look. he told me if he had the
money he would buy me a farm there. thinks we would have an easy time compared to
what he had when he came into this country. I guess Pa thinks your folks would spoil all
my comfort, though I have no fears on that score. when it was rumored that you were
going to take Hurfords farm, Pa said he would not have me living so near your folks for
anything. said that was always the way with a man’s folks, they were always making
fusses between a man and his wife & setting him up against her. there is Ed Drake for
instance. I could mention many similar cases where they have tried but failed. I suppose
Pa thinks they do not like him and will not be kind to his daughter. your mother will be
just as near related to me as my step mother and I am prepared to love her & don’t think
she is any meddler. As you say the house is good, quite a pleasant place too & I should
take as much care as if it were my own. the wing would be enough for us the house
would seem pleasanter if the parlor were furnished. would be very nice in case of a good
deal of company at one tine, otherwise I should never use it. Please write the very day
you decide to rent it or not rent it as it will make some difference with me as you say you
will need to start at once for home. I shall anxiously await a reply to this. Please do not
wait for an answer but write again as soon as you get home.
Lovingly
Your Jennie
Theodore Drake to Jennie McQuivey
Iowa Falls, Iowa to Warren, Ill.
dated: Sept 18, 1870
Dearest Jennie,
Yours of Sept. 5th was duly received & as I have just recd. a letter from home will answer
yours imediately. the news are not as encouraging as I thought they were going to be, but did
not surprise me any. Miz D. only had a mad fit and as soon as she recovered the consequence
was she did not want to give up her house, but was willing to let me have the west 80 or as
much as she could not put in herself. she thought I could board at home & work that. but
Jennie I don’t do that kind of business & beside she don’t know anything about my affairs.
Tim would rather she would rent than not for then he could have a better chance but says
money could not hire back leave the place. She is so fickle ------ that no one can depend upon
her & besides has no judgment & so I shant have anything to do with her place unless she
gives up the place. I thought I would write to you about it before I made any bargain & learn
your mind about the matter is the reason I wrote the last as I did not want to go there unless
you was willing & that’s the way the matter stands. I don’t think we had better go anywhere
before spring, do you. be married on your birthday & stay at home til then. poor time to start
in the winter I think I intend to look further in this state can’t tell when will be home. I think
will go to Spirit Lake on our way home. Jennie the central part of this state is splendid as
nice a country as ever I saw & climate very good. we start home from here Wednesday so
you need not write again until you hear from me. I will write often as possible. I have not
given up starting west yet but don’t make any trouble for yourself. I can’t decide just at
present what is best to do. will go home first & then let you know more. I guess your Pa will
think me as fickle as Mrs. Driscoll. my dear there is no danger of your having any trouble
with our folks as my choice meets their approval. Tammie writes that she recd. a letter from
you not long since, said you did not intend to visit them this fall, but thought that I would
have you there before long. thought I had made a good choice, thinks if she does as well she
will be satisfied. (but I have not got you yet I won’t crow, Jennie maybe you will give me the
slip yet) she says you have never said a word to her about it but she expected we would be
married, but you need not be afraid to as she knows it now. she wrote that Tim & Charley
had made a bet. Tim bet that I would marry Mary Northrop. I wrote to Tim & told him that
promises were made to be broken. insinuated as though yours had been. I hope he thinks so.
I am looking for a letter from him. but my dearest I am waiting patiently for the time when I
can call you my own. it seems long, have waited long am waiting still. but don’t predict that
our love will be lost in the test. but strengthened rather. I am sorry to hear you are so unwell.
Jennie you must be careful of colds, you know how they often terminate. well it is nine
o’clock & I will close hope to hear from you soon. don’t send any more mail here. wait til I
write again.
with much love I remain,
Your Dora
P.S. Sept. 20 Leave here tomorrow morning for Spirit Lake I suppose we can’t really decide.
I want to go to Kansas Lee wants to go to Spirit Lake he will go there but would rather not.
Theodore Drake to Jennie McQuivey
Algona, Iowa to Warren Ill.
dated: Sept. 30, 1870
Dear Jennie,
I wrote to you about two weeks ago from the folks & thought I would write again. Left
Mosleys two weeks ago Tuesday went to [Bertz]. with the intention of starting that same day
or Wednesday morning but Tuesday it commenced to rain & rained until Saturday. so we did
not start till Monday. went from there to Goldfield where the rain stopped us until
Wednesday. (we stopped while there with ----- & J.W. Parmeter) came to this place today.
are having fine weather again. there is some fine land here & a nice town the R.R. has just got
here it is on the east branch of the Des Moines River. we will go from here to Emmetsburg
on the west branch. one of our guns is out of order & will have to stay here until 5 p.m. to
have it repaired. Jennie I just saw H. Hunter, met him there in the street, just came from
Emmetsburg after timber. did not see him but a minute but will go out with him tonite. I
haven’t much to write this time but will write again when I get to Spirit Lake, from there
home. how are all of the folks & how do you do. over your cold I hope. Mrs. ----- &
Parmeter have gone on a visit east. hope to hear from you as soon as I get home.
Affectionately Yours,
Theodore Drake
Excuse this half sheet