Collection of 20 letters to a Miss Mabel Grimm 
who resided in Wilber, Saline County, Nebraska
between 1904 to 1912.
Submitted by Doug MacGowan
Redwood City, California, USA
Transcribed by Kathie Harrison

Mt. Vernon, Iowa
April 30, 1908

My Very Dear Wilber Children, I received your very welcome
letter yesterday. So glad to hear from you and to greet the dear, 
sweet face of Hazel. Thank you "a thousand times" as the children say.
You have changed some of course, since last I saw you, but the same
sweet face is there and Gord speaks so often of the plump, pretty neck you
had when he was at your house.

I think, Mabel, the same spirit must have influenced us on the 26th for you
are in my mind all day and fully intended writing to you, but was not able to do so.
There is not a 20th [?] come around, but like yourself, I seem to measure the
time and count the months, weeks and days since our darling Esther entered into
her Etherial home.

Almost a year. Yes, my dear children, I know you miss her on every occasion, in
every nook and corner. How well do I remember the loss of father, mother and 
daughter, and even my husband, who apparently seemed so far estranged.

I thought of by day and dreamed of at night, for he was the father of my
dear children. They are all gone! Dear old Grandma Mulder [Musser?], who
was a loner and caretaker of all fine children, beginning with Joseph and 
ending with Gordon. Dear old soul!

She had lain in one position so long and seemed so tired and distressed and
Ann Oglesboy would not allow anyone to turn her, so Gord and Nettie and I
happened to be there when she gave Gord a look, I shall never forget, and
said, " Gordie, you are strong, you will turn me over won't you?" And Gord
immediately complied.

Such a restful, thankful look, but not a word in less than half an hour, she
passed peacefully, sweetly on "the other side", free from sorrow, care or
trouble. Dear Ann, I am afraid, she will cause to reflect on a good many things
we leave this earth, for she is so peculiar, no one, not even her own children, seem
to want her.

I suppose she means well enough, but all do not see alike. I do suppose you do
feel lost without Jay, who get the dinner now? [some text is undecipherable]
I think it so kind of Libbie Doan to remember you on so many occasions. Remember
me to her, please when next you see her. I know you girls are so busy with your
school work and housekeeping on hand.

Won't you be glad when May gets home! I am glad Aunt Ida paid you so nice a
visit, but sorry to hear the Texas climate did not agree with her. What seems to be
the trouble with the little boy? Is it lung affection? I owe her a letter and thought I 
would wait until she got home. Well, tomorrow is another day. [unreadable script]

There appears to be a good many wild flowers but there are too many to gather in
to make them scarce. Has not Joanna written to you since she moved? She 
intended to but I presume forgot to give you her address, which is 609 So. 36th,
Omaha, Neb. She likes her new home very much.

I thought so much about you Easter Sunday and wondered what you were doing.
Our little folks had colored eggs and candy eggs and baby rabbits; received Easter
cards from California and Omaha. I too, received two very pretty cards [from Omaha]
and two bouquets of flowers from friends here.

Lee Brenniger, Rebecca's youngest and last one, was married on the 15th, and they
sent me a lovely souvenier of their wedding. The handsomest napkin of its kind, ever
seen and a beautiful gilted card. They went to housekeeping on his farm close to town.

Carrie and Lee have both stood by their poor afflicted, crippled mother, helpless, unable
to dress herself. She is with Carrie, and she is so good to her. Rebecca is almost 90 years
old, yet always patient and cheerful. Carrie says, "Why Aunt Mary, she is the best woman
in the world." She is not able to write anymore & how I shall miss her letters!

I received such lovely letters from Mr. and Mrs. Leib from La Mesa Springs, Cal. and also
a bunch of orange blossoms from their backyard.

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