Transcript of Louisa Seger Letter to
Her Son, John Homer Seger
April 25, 1886
My great-great grandmother wrote the following letter a few months after the death of her husband Andrew. At the time, she lived in Walnut, Bureau County, Illinois. Her son, the recipient of the letter, was establishing a settlement of Arapaho Indians in what became Colony, Oklahoma.
In this letter, she did not capitalize the first word of sentences (excepting words typically capitalized), nor separate sentences with any marks of punctuation. Additionally, she changed topics without starting new paragraphs, a practice that permitted more text to be written on a piece of paper.
Below, I have tried to render her letter as accurately as possible. However, to improve readability I have separated her sentences with a dash and have added to the number of paragraphs. Any divisions in error are my fault.
Lonnie Yearwood
Edmond, Oklahoma
February 3, 2001
- Cast of Characters
- Louisa Seger
- The writer of this letter. Probably 66 years-old. Maiden name Knox, widow of Andrew Seger (d. December 31, 1885)
- Homer
- The recepient of this letter. Louisa's son, John Homer Seger, 40 years-old, Colony, Oklahoma
- W Henry
- Louisa's oldest son, 51 years of age. (His sole daughter was named Alice.)
- Mary
- John Homer's wife, 36 years-old, Caldwell, Kansas
- Jessie
- John and Mary's seven year-old son, Jessa Miles Seger, probably Caldwell, Kansas
- Br Nickles ("Br" for Brother)
- Unknown (possible variant spelling of "Nicholas," Mary's maiden name)
- Br Mckune
- Most likely a relative (McKune is maiden name of Mary's mother)
- Knight
- Unknown
- Elmer shirk
- Unknown
- Milton
- Probably husband of Dianthia Seger, Louisa's sister-in-law
- Elvira
- Louisa's youngest daughter, 38 years of age
- Andrew
- Louisa's youngest son, 35 years of age
Notes
[1] Andrew Mott Seger, b. June
8, 1882, d. April 3, 1884
[2] Discussion in regard to the estate of Louisa's husband.
The Letter
Dear son Homer
I have just ben writing to W Henry telling the sad news of his only Daughter 8 years old was drownded Apr the 20 at seven oclock - she fell from a small boat in to the river - some little children saw her fall - they searcht till midnight - tore away the dock - thought she mite suckt under - searcht untill twelve the next day - they had not found her when he wrote - they dragd the river - done every thing they could - the watter was high - they ware feeling very bad - you know they must
last sabath I wrote to Mary - you said Jessie was sick - oh Homer this world is full of sorow but there is a comforter - there is a balm for evry wound - it is found in Jesus - I sympathise with you in the loss of your little boy [1] - when God removes one of our loved ones we must submit - the good shepard had a good place for him the little lamb - he can care for him better than you could or any earthly parent - oh may it be the means of drawing you nearer to God - he can not come to you again - you have our little treysure laid up in heaven - live for God every day - by and by you will receive your reward - it seems hard not to be able to be with your family in times of trouble but God doeth all things well - he knoweth all about it
perhaps you would like to know what they have done [2] - the aprizers met Br Nickles & Br Mckune - they prized the things in the house 55 dolars - the law alowed me 6 hundred - I have to pay for the Monument one hundred - the half lot 5 five dollars - had to take out that too hundred Knight note out of mine - I have Br Mckune note one hundred & 50 - your note - Elmer shirk one hundred 65 - cash orders 93 & 57 - I shall send & pay for the Monument - that is all I believe - I do not let any of these things trouble me
you asked me if I could go and see Mary - I hardly think I can - I have chickins & garden to tend - I am getting along real well - do not wory about me - you have enough to care for - I feel Jesus is with me - I feel if my children would all live for God as they might and be prepared to live or die and could hope to meet them all in heaven
it is raining and is quite dark to write - Milton’s eyes are a little better - he walks around - his head paines him some but not so bad - he thinks they are gaining some - he has traded his little farm for land in Kansas one hundred and 60 Acres - she talks of going to see it and get a house built for a renter,
we get the Indian paper - I feel more interested since you have a peace about the Colony in it - I look for that the first thing
Elvira sayes Andrew haves real bad luck - he lost his Choise hogs & his Colt died - he is real discouraged - they have five children lost two - they are well - they keep a hired girl
I would like ever so well to come and see Mary & the Children - I think of you often and pray for you - Escbept a mothers love & may God bless you in your work
Louisa Seger
At the top of the letter:
I have made a mistake in this letter - should have said I got a letter last Wedensday - have answered it today
At the top of the letter, below the preceding, and written across the page at a right angle to the rest of the text:
please write us often as you can get time - I know you are very busy - it seems you will never get this letter - Farewell my dear Homer
