Hemans, Daniel W. (fl. 1872-1881) to Frances B. Shiras
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02429.22 Author/Creator: Hemans, Daniel W. (fl. 1872-1881) Place Written: South Dakota Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 May 1872 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 20.5 x 25.4 cm. Order a Copy
Reports that his health has improved. Discusses his growing baby, and naming him after Alexander Shiras. Comments on other Indian clergy that are ill. Discusses the child of Andrew Jones, one of the Indian teachers, who was expected to die and received an emergency baptism from Daniel. The child survived. Indicates he did not receive money sent, which he explains went to the Commissioners.
Quotes
"My health is little better, & I am strong enough to do anything this Spring. I have much exercises out side all the afternoons. I have work at the garden, & cut woods, & sometimes went out & see the sick persons, then in the night I making a story Book"
"our baby was very small at first, but now he is growing up fast…we named him Joseph too, because Joseph is easily to say. I am sorry that we did not called him Francis. Francis is a nice named, but I did not think of it at all, when the baby was baptized."
"Paul was here in two weeks ago, his health is very poor, he is so thin & poor. He told me he did not expect to live any long. Also Christian Taope is very poor, he has the same disease the Paul has. Luke is very well, he only have good health, & strong, then all the Indian clergymen."
"In last week Andrew Jones' baby, was very sick, (one of the Indian Teacher.) And Dr went out & see that baby, when he come back, he said that child will be died before the morning, she cannot to take the medicine…So Mr Cook sent me to baptize the baby, & I went to the child in the night with Miss West, & I baptized the baby, & I went up to see the body in the morning. I found her she is well & bright. Do you think is that wonderful thing? I saw that child yesterday afternoon, she is growing up & very fat."
"I did not receive the money from Mr Morrison's children, & also from Rev. Hoffman from Phila [Philadelphia]. Mr Cook told me those money go to the Commissioners, because he gave four hundred ($400) Dollars an year."
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