Hemans, Nancy A. (b. 1843) to Frances B. Shiras
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02429.20 Author/Creator: Hemans, Nancy A. (b. 1843) Place Written: South Dakota Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 March 1872 Pagination: 4 p. ; 19.8 x 25.2 cm. Order a Copy
Mentions the birth of her son, Joseph. Thanks Mrs. Clement for clothes, some of which she gave away. Comments on the success of the missionary work, claiming that the Indians on the reservation could now hold services without ministers. Notes their success in school and religious conversion. Tells of the recent breaking of the ice and the tragic deaths of several children over the winter. Notes that their new son's middle name comes from Shiras's husband, Alexander.
Quotes
"We get the boy some weeks ago, and I was very glad."
"tell Madam Clement I thanking her thousand time."
"Mr Cook & Dan went down to Chotaw Creek this afternoon Some one going to be baptize."
"Now I think this people improved, very well. They can have the services without ministers. just do for themselfs. I think they do very well. There is a young man called Frank Vassar and two or three others, they can have the services instead of Mr Cook & Dan, when they away
When I looked around see the people go to school and study their lessons or go to service and praying it seems to me they are not same people. When I first came here in this country, they have every kind of dances and other things.
Oh! how I am very thankful God have mercy upon them, and show all His good works and See His blessed promises.
They believe our Saviour once came down to the world to save us, and He will come again to judge all the people."
"The ice is broken up last Monday. I heard there is a boy was drawn at Santee Agency…This winter two children burnt to death, one of them fell into an boiling water. I think its dreadful."
"I expect you heard that our baby is called Joseph Alexander. Alexander is first name of Mr Shiras. I will send you some of the baby hair."
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.