Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 1 (1844 - 1868)

Lt 7, 1866

White, J. E.

Battle Creek, Michigan

December 13, 1866

Portions of this letter are published in 5MR 387-388.

Dear Edson:

Our old white cow is dead. Brother Sawyer drove her down. It killed her calf. She lived one week. One hundred dollars clean gone. 1LtMs, Lt 7, 1866, par. 1

Edson, I hope you will not eat much sweet. Your skin is in a bad condition. You must tell Anna to get fruit instead of molasses. I know she is a great lover of sweet, but I don’t want she should encourage you in eating it. Don’t stint yourself on fruit. Apples at one dollar a bushel are not high, and are more beneficial to health. You must manage to bathe as often as twice a week. Don’t neglect this. 1LtMs, Lt 7, 1866, par. 2

I have purchased me a carpet for nine shillings per yard. Have now a good carpet on my kitchen. We want the lantern and the cover to our steamer. When you come again bring these. Did you take away some pieces of rag carpeting? We looked for them to put around the stove but could not find them. Our expenses are tremendous. Have had to get stovepipe and put the stove out in the room farther. It cost us seventeen dollars for little fixings and pipe. It is money, money to be expended in everything. But this is the least of my troubles. 1LtMs, Lt 7, 1866, par. 3

Your father is improving. Write to me when you receive this. In much love to you all three. 1LtMs, Lt 7, 1866, par. 4