Franklin County: Kate Scott to Edward McPherson,
October 2, 1860
Summary:
Edward McPherson's sister, Kate Scott, provides him with updates on travel plans,
health, and other news of friends and family.
Oct 2nd/60.
Hagerstown
My Dear Brother.
I received your letter a few days ago, and was very
glad to hear from you, it seemed very long indeed since I had heard anything of you. I did not know where to address a
letter [deleted: to] you were moving about all the time. I will be
glad when the election is over, we may then hope to hear from you oftener and
see you too. you must be sure and come over before you go to Washington. I had a letter from sister last week, they
are very pleasantly fixed in Baltimore and insist
upon my making them a visit which I have some idea of doing, they are so very
pressing and John and Margaretta Stevenson sent me a very kind invitation
through her to [deleted: make them] visit them. I have never been to
Baltimore and have not been from home for some
time, I think I would
[page 2]
but the principal drawback is the expense, [deleted: ] have been at so much this summer I had thought I would be very
economical this winter, [illeg.] building is nearly completed and a
tedious [unclear: time] we have had of it. I am sick of it and feel as
though I never wanted to see another workman [illeg.] me, they are so
dilatory and disappoint so [unclear: much] I get out of all patience. I
think they are [unclear: worse] here than any place I know. I suppose it
is no use to ask you at this time to meet me in Baltimore, it would be so
pleasant all to be together. I may go next week and perhaps not until the week
following -- and it might all [illeg.] in talk. We have no special news.
The Williams [illeg.] spent Friday with us. Jinnie and Jane have
[unclear: been] there some weeks, the former expected to leave
[unclear: today], she has a sweet little daughter, Agnes McDonell is
her name, Annie and [unclear: Mattie]
[illeg.]
[illeg.] grown to be very interesting girls, Annie particularly. She is
so lovely in disposition. Other [illeg.] is [illeg.] medicine in
Philadelphia.
[unclear: Lizzie] must have had a dull and sad visit to Gettysburg
[unclear: Not] one of the family to meet her. I often think [deleted: ] the many changes that have taken place
there.
[page 3]
I thought I would like to go over this fall for a few days but
have given it up. Baltimore is as much as I can get
through with. The children are well and grown very much. I am sure you would not
know Norman, he is such a big fellow. Lillie is learning very fast- and I think
is the smartest of the number, she is uncommonly fond of books, and never idle.
Mrs. Dunlap is going South to spend the winter, her son is with his Uncle in
Misissippi and is very anxious she should come to see him we will all miss her
very much. [illeg.] go to Baltimore in
company with her, she is going with a gentleman from there. write soon again.
[illeg.] wish you were done with politics, I think you will wear
yourself out we have never yet heard who your opponent is. I suppose you think
we take very little interest in Pennsylvania politics, you are all on the wrong
side for us. Republicans don't go down in Maryland. Dr
is well and very busy riding all day, did not get home until five O'clock this
eve, he has only [unclear: dined] once with us in the last ten days. I
often wonder how he stands it it is so fatiguing, all send their love. Love to Aunt and all other friends. How is Mrs.
[unclear: Gilliland]. I heard she was very ill some time ago
[page 4]
Mr. Taylor told me, he had just been there, he is here quite often
and is interested in Western Maryland Rail Road. I met him at Mr. Lehley's I was
very sorry to hear of Miss Maria's death. How much she must be missed in the
family, I imagine Gettysburg looks quite grand lighted with gas, it is certainly
a great improvement-- I must close with the hope of hearing from you soon
yours affectionately
Kate -
