Ruth Ann (Decker) Burrow letters - 1879

Letters from Shelton, Nebraska, to her husband Alexander Denniston Burrow, visiting his family in Three Rivers, Michigan.  The children are Vevie (age 8), Anna (age 3) and Charley (age 1).

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Sabbath Evening Feb 9th 1879

Dearest Husband,

Rec'd your postals. Am glad to hear Father Burrow is better.  Have looked for a letter.  Had Henry go to the office on purpose yesterday, thought sure would get one.  Henry went to his claim today.  We all calculated to go but we had one of those cold south winds today so thought best not to go.  It has been growing warmer all day.  Thawed more than it has before since the snow came and it is several degrees warmer tonight.  It froze in the house every night last week.

Have just got the children asleep, it is after nine.  Guess Anne had one of her wakeful spells, said she wanted to set-up tonight.  Says she wants to see Papa and Grandpa.  Says the Dr. ought to give him something to make him well.  Vevie has got quite reconciled to your being gone.  My heart ached for her, she seemed to feel so bad after you had gone for two or three days, says she is afraid she will never see Grandpa.  I thought I would be willing to sacrifice anything we had to gratify the child.  She is real good and helps take care of the children.  She got Charley to sleep every day.  Charley was real sick Friday night - had several spells of vomiting, was better the next day and is real well now.  I had not felt very well since, guess I took cold.  My head neck & shoulders tremble me similar to the way they were last fall.  Neuralgia I quess.  I thought what Vevie said when Charley was sick that night, she wanted free to go and see his father but she wanted him at home too.

I have not been out of the yard since you went away.  It has been an awful long week.  No word from McCreary yet.  I have been on the point of taking that money and starting for Michigan several times, for it seems as if I could not stand it another day.  Hoping to hear that you are well & enjoying yourself.  With love to all I remain yours affectionately,

                                    Ruth A. Burrow

Monday morning,

If it is pleasant shall go to the Depot Saturday night after you.  The north wind blowing cold again this morning & Henry took Vevie to school again.  She wanted to go.  Charley worried a good deal last night, consequently have got the headache this morning.  Wish you would ask Mother if she knows what is best to do for Charley's ear, it discharges yet a good deal.  Guess Vevie and self will wait until you get back before we start.

                                        Ruth

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Home  Feb 19th 1879

Dear Husband,

Thinking perhaps you may not be able to come home this week.  Will write for I know you will be anxious to hear how we are all at home.  I was not surprised when I read your first letter to hear you was sick, but did not answer because I thought would receive another by Saturday night or you might possibly come.  It was stormy that night so we did not go up after you but left word for McC. to go to the Depot for you.  Galter brought your letter Saturday.  I was taken with a hard chill before I got it read through and the first thing I thought of was to go back to Michigan, to getting the children's things ready, & Charley was taken sick and I did not get him out of my arms until after 1 O'clock that night.  Sunday was hardly able to sit up all day.  Annie was sick Monday night.  But we were all better and feel pretty well today.  I got Ruth's letter last night.  Henry is the worst off now, he has an awful cold. He has been real good to help me.  Set-up nights when the children was sick to keep fire and wait on them.

I shall not cease to worry about you until I see you.  I hope for our children & my sake you will take care of your self.  It has been a long long two weeks.There is a letter from McCreary.  He is coming back the first of March.  Don't want Joe to have that money until he comes and maybe not.  I hope they will not come here to stop for I cannot wait on them.  There has been a good deal of snow fall since you went away but is seems to be gradually disappearing.

Charley has waked up so will have to close with love to all.  From your

                           Affectionate wife,

                                             Ruth A. Burrow

(I shall be glad when you get home)

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Home  March 3rd 1879

Dear Husband,

Rec'd Mother's letter last Friday.  Am so glad to hear you are better.  Calculated to answer yesterday, put it off until evening & then could not for Charley did not get to sleep until 8 and by the time I got Anna in bed and had just directed the envelope.  Charley had waked up again & he will not sleep after he wakes up unless I hold or go to bed with him.  We all are well.

McCrearys, Ed. Banks & wife & Mrs. Barnheart all got back last Wednesday night.  McC. went to Gibbon and are stopping with Mr. Berry.  He called here the next day and I told him about the money and you being in Mich. sick.  I gave him the $100 but he wanted me to keep it.  Said I could if I wanted it or thought of going back.  I took $50, but told him I should not use it if I heard you was better, for you would come home as soon as you was able to.  He said he would get to living on his place and if there was anything he could do for you he was willing to do it.

Uncle Thomas [Peck] & Aunt Nancy came up a little while one evening last week.  Mrs. Smith spent the day with me last Friday, the day I got Mother'sletter.  Mary Cooper called here the day I went over to school.  (They are going to housekeeping this week)  I went to Shelton last Monday.  Got Ruth's letter.  It was the only pleasant day we had last week.  We have had awful weather ever since you went away.  You could not have anything if you had been well and been at home.

It has looked like a storm all the morning but now at eleven o'clock it is all clearing up and getting warmer.  Galter & Becker went to Grand Island this morning.  Galters have got a cow consequently I don't see much of them.  Hendersons have a young son nearly two weeks old.  She was very sick.  Had 3 physicians.  Johnny Stevens was very sick while be was back east.  He looks awful bad.  He went past here one day last week.

Well Alex, I cannot write any more, the children bother so.  Henry is holding Charley and Anna is here at my elbow talking every minute.  Says her Pa has got the tism.  The children want to see you but Vevie says tell Pa not to start to soon for fear he will get sick again.  Had a letter from Alice the other day.  Helen is very sick.  She has two of her children with her.  Tell mother I was so glad and thankful for her letter.  It done me a great deal of good.  We all send lots of kisses to Pa-Pa with much love to all. I remain your affectionate wife,

                           Ruth A. Burrow

Your W.T. pamphlets have come and a copy of a paper printed at Olympia.

Charley has gone to sleep.

The horses and cattle are all doing first rate so far.

Henry is going to Shelton this afternoon.  Hope to hear from you again.  Sent yesterday to the office but rec'd none.

                               Ruth