Franklin County: Kate Scott to Edward McPherson,
February 20, 1860
Summary:
Kate Scott writes to her brother, Edward McPherson, concerning local news of
friends and family, including weddings, death, insanity, and travel.
February 20th/60.
Hagerstown
My Dear Brother,
I am afraid you have been looking for a letter from me and have been disappointed
for some time. My intentions are the best -- in the world but I have a way of
putting off letter writing and it is wrong I know for I often neglect my friends
longer than I am aware of. We are all well and getting along in the usual way. I
spent a week with Mary Emma lately, she was so lonely
she came in for me and could take no denial, so I got ready in a hurry and took
Norman and Lillie with me. I spent the time very pleasantly though at this
season the country is
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lonely. Mr. Bailey from Pittsburg made them a
very unexpected visit while I was there. his son [unclear: McDonell] is
to be married about the first of June to Miss [unclear: Dalyele] and he
is anxious for them all to go over to the wedding. I think they will if nothing
serious in the meantime. Cousin Nancy is still with Jinnie who has a daughter
two weeks old, name Annie McDonell. You heard I suppose of the death of Mary
[unclear: Shunk], her case was a most distressing one. She died a
[unclear: maniac], leaving a daughter three weeks old, the only
child her friends are all in the deepest affliction, she was brought home and
interred beside her mother. Nannie is with Mr. L. now and has charge of the
babe. Have you heard anything from sister lately? I
feel anxious to know whether she has gone to Old Point yet. Mr.
[unclear: M] said in his last letter two or three weeks ago, they hoped
to
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get off very soon, he sent me a check for a hundred dollars which
with the eighty he sent me last winter would [added: be] what was due up to first of May, but he has either made a mistake or
forgotten he has the money, at [unclear: 1] percent-- I will mention it
to him when I write, I would have written before this but did not know whether
they had left the city or not. Do you know anything
of the Gettysburg Rail Road now? We hear rather doubtful talk here about it, Dr
was advised by a friend if he possibly could to sell the land but I imagine that
would be impossible if they are not doing any business. I hope it is not the
case for I would hate very much to lose the money -- let me know when you write
what you think. It is right hard to know what to do with money, everything is rather uncertain. I suppose you were
greatly pleased at the election of a Speaker
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we were all mighty glad
to see your statement in the Sun. We could not understand how you could do as
you were represented to have done. Mary Louisa [unclear: Schmebley] is
in town. She has been spending the winter in Montgomery County and was in Washington. Was at the House and saw you but you did not
see her. I hope you are not too much engaged to write me soon--. I have written
this very hurriedly after being at Prayer meeting and it now late. I received a paper from you tonight, but have not had time to read it yet-- will do so in the morning.
Dr is well and very busy. We have had two snow storms within the last week and
he has been going in the sleigh for a few days; do write soon. Dr. joins with me
in love.
Yours truly
Kate [Scott]
