Augusta County: John D. Imboden to Annie Lockett,
October 9, 1870
Summary:
Imboden writes from to New York to a young woman in Virginia describing his
efforts to secure economic relief for Virginia.
Oct. 9, 1870
New York [City]
My dear, dear Miss Annie.
Won't you be amazed when you open this, and see from its date that I am still
here in this abominable city? When I wrote you last I was on the point of
departure for & then in New York to attend to
some important business for my brother Frank. On my return I found him here, and
he is still with me. He is a large shipper of railroad
ties to this city, and is in danger of losing several thousand dollars by the
suspension of his Commission Merchant here, and I am remaining to give him such
assistance as I can
[page 2]
to secure himself - and we have been so far
successful that I don't think his losses will exceed $950. And we may even save
that this week. This unexpected detention in New York
has been very annoying to me, and is calling down the wrath of Col. Flournoy
upon my devoted head - he wishing me at home & at work on the
N.&Y.W.Railroad line.
I wonder if it provokes any wrath with somebody else of more consequence to me
than Colonel Flournoy? I wish I could know whether you
feel any disappointment at my non-appearance at the
promised time. If I could only hear that you were mad, and unhappy because I
had not
[page 3]
returned, it would make me as happy as a lord - for then I
should feel sure that I had fond a little place at least in your heart. But if
you don't care when I come, or whether I even come, it would worry me more
than all these annoying perplexing delays possibly can do. I have had no reply
to my last letter sent up to me from Richmond, though my letters are forwarded
every day. I can only account for this from the interruptions of our mail, that
the dreadful freshet has caused. I shall hope from day to day for a letter till
I get away. In addition to my brother Frank's claims upon me you will see from
an enclosed advertisement that
[page 4]
my company business is also engaging
much of my time. We have not yet raised all the
capital we want, and I am working diligently to get it. How I wish I was a rich
man and free from all business cares that isolate me from those I love. I have
not even seen my children with the exception of one single night since the 1st of last May. My daughters are out of all patience with
me at this long separation - and I don't wonder at it. They are still in the
Valley waiting my return to Richmond. I have not yet confided to them fully my
hopes and purposes in Mecklenburg. I cannot do so on paper as I wish. I must
have them by my side & my arms around them when I tell them what
happiness I believe is store for us
all if my hopes can be realized.
[page 5]
If you see the Richmond Whig you will see there a letter of mine
copied from the New York Herald last week in regard to
aid for our suffering people along the James & Shenandoah. In the
engrossing cares of personal & public business here, my heart is in our
dear old state, and the great distress of so many I feel calls upon me to do
what I can to assist them. Already my letter has been the means of sending a
some thousands of dollars to Governor Walker to buy
provisions. Dreadful as the calamity has been it is a great relief to know that
it has not reached your part of the state.
[page 6]
My own immediate family are considerable losers. My brothers are
damaged not less than $2000. And my old father, near 80 has had all his corn
crop destroyed, besides other losses. And many of my nearest friends have been
nearly ruined. This will spread and general distress has for over a week
occupied so much of my thought that I have felt it was almost wicked to think
only of my own individual happiness as I had been doing ever since I parted from
you. And I have therefore spent several evenings in writing letters to others
instead of to you, to give them such comfort as I could.
[page 7]
What a
relief and what a happiness it would be if I could tonight transport myself to
your guest house and there spend a week with you that might decide the whole
future of my life. But I cannot do it, nor can I for a day or two decide when I will "depart hence."
Of one thing be assured that nothing but the most dire necessity, and uncontrollable circumstances could have kept me away from you so long. Although only about 6 weeks since we parted, it seems to me a year. And when I now look forward to our meeting the uncertain number of days intervening, seem like so many months.
[page 8]
My detention here has been so long - and so much beyond what I
expected that I have been ashamed to write to "Sister Lou" till I could say "I
am off tonight for Virginia." Bless her dear, good heart, when I do write it
shall be a letter that will compensate for this apparent neglect. Please when
you write give her my love & tell her why I have not written her. Now my
little darling, puzzling sweetheart, goodbye once more. Making love to you on
paper is "loves labor lost." You are unmovable & imperturbable. Well
I'll try another way soon. With kindest messages to all
I am as ever devotedly yours
J.D. Imboden
Reply to Richmond, as I am sure I will be there soon.
