Louisa Wylie Boisen to Rebecca Dennis Wylie, September 1870

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Louisa Wylie, Muncie, Indiana to Rebecca Wylie, Bloomington, Indiana 

Muncie

Sept 1870

Monday morn [probably the 12^th] 

My dear Ma

            As usual I write in great haste to let you know about Mag for I know you are anxious. She was worse yesterday, but is a good deal better today, has no fever and rested well last night. I don’t think there will be any need for you to come. I hope not. I want to get her well enough to go by Friday any how if not before. Si goes then I believe and as she is so weak, I can hardly manage her and the children and the baskets by myself, so I want her to be ready to go either with Si or Pa if we know when he is going through. It is just from over work I think. It has brought on a fever and great prostration but I know that she will get well when we get her home and that is one reason I want to go as soon as possible. I would be the homesickest girl you ever saw if I had time. As it is I have not time. The reasons for her being worse yesterday are various. First she and Calvin too would insist, in spite of all I could say, in keeping Wylie during the night. He was not well and tossed about, kicked off covers etc and she did not sleep a bit. Then Arthur gave her a great dose of oil and that made her sick and weakened her. Of course she was worse in the morning. But Mrs. McCulloch came over and we got her up and changed her sheet and fixed the bed so she could lie comfortably and washed her face and hands and bathed her feet. After Mrs. McC was gone I fixed her hair and Arthur got her some ice water and she said now she could sleep and rest and I thought she would be much better by evening. I went out of the house for a while and when I went back here was “Aunt Betsey.” Mag had been afraid she would come and said she would be no help but only make work and now she was worried nearly to death. Her fever rose and she never rested a bit all day. It just put her back a day. Of course she came out of kindness but it was mistaken kindness for Mag. “Why won’t people learn sense.” She does not expect to leave till tomorrow. I get along very well so far. I keep very well and if I can only continue well till I get home, I shall be thankful. The poor child will never get well here and I believe Arthur is convinced of that. She is anyhow.

            Burn these letters and don’t let any one see them. I would not like her to see them lying around. I hope to get home Friday at the farthest. Fix the front room for her I guess and I will take the children in my room.

            You don’t know how well I succeed in housekeeping. But goodbye. I wrote to Mrs. McC Sat and told her to tell you Mag was better.

            Lou

I may not have time to write tomorrow but if I don’t you will know that all is going well. Love to all.

Tues.

My dearest Ma,

            I was so busy yesterday that I forgot to send my letter by Arthur and I could not leave Mag to take it myself. She seems weaker today, did not sleep well last night. I went for Dr. McCulloch this morning and he gave her some medicine, but she vomited it up. If she could only get home—so she said this morning and I know she never will get well till she does. But she is too weak to go now and I don’t know whether we can go this week. Dr. McC says he thinks it is Remittent fever, but as he has only seen her once he can’t exactly tell. I thought this morning I should surely have to send for you. Mrs. Powers was so little help and the children so bad and Mag so sick but about noon Mrs. Mellette came and I think we can get along. If I should telegraph for you, don’t be frightened. I think perhaps you had better not bring Mag, as there is no place to put her and I’ll stay and go home with you. If you come bring a bottle of your currant wine. Oh Mother dear, I never want to leave you.

            I know there is more I want to say but haven’t time. Where is Pa? Write to me but nothing you wouldn’t want to be seen.

            In great haste

            Lou

Theophilus Adam Wylie Family Correspondence, 1806 - 1930, (bulk 1850 - 1930), Collection 2005.003.2849, Wylie House Museum, Indiana University, Bloomington.