Hemans, Nancy A. (b. 1843) to Frances B. Shiras
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02429.41 Author/Creator: Hemans, Nancy A. (b. 1843) Place Written: Nebraska Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 January 1878 Pagination: 2 p. ; 24.9 x 19.3 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses her husband's declining health and how she recovered her own health, which became bad after her daughter Mary died, while camping. Notes visiting the sick via horseback. Comments on the local school, Christmas, and a visit by whites to Bazille Creek, where they heard a church service in Dakota.
Quotes
"poor Daniel is not well at all. he is change greatly since his last hemorrhage he coughs all nights you know he never cough in the night. but now coughs day & night. sometimes he cannot attend the second service in Sundays[.] after my dear Mary died, I thought I will be sick & died. I had very poor health…its seems I am not the same person every body that sees me says I am change greatly but we camp out once out of doors thirty miles from home. we eat wild ducks and several things other. taking very fresh & sweet air is made me stronger"
"I go horse back to the sick folks sometimes I wish I had a good saddle so I can go every where I wanted to see the sick people. Daniel can not himself. so I go instead of him."
"we had the womens meeting again. we had school too. I was going to teach School but I make up my mind not to. because it is pretty hard work…so I let John Hemans do it. we want some one that can teach English to the children but have not any body. but we had John now."
"we had such a splendid time in Christmas. Our Church decoration is beautiful. green cedars makes beautiful. young man of the creek. cut it up blue paper into letters. This is the word "Wakan Wakantauk nowitan yuha nunwe.' 'Glory be to God on high." in English, these letters is fasten on the wall above the altar. I wish you would see it."
"Today there came white ladies and gentlemen came to church from the white settlements. some of the very good christian people. I like to see good christian people. they all seemed perfectly glad to come. if I had time or if they are not hurry to go home. I would tell them what is the text for the sermon. I am sure they will glad to hear it."
"…born in Thanksgiving day…"
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