Mary Golden

Mary Golden ( January 13, 1899 )

Mary Golden

Page 1

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Letter: Five pages, both side

Paper: Lined paper, 5” wide by 7-7/8” high

Envelope: 5-1/4” wide by 3” high and stamped with a 2-cent stamp

The envelope is addressed to Mrs. Lizzie Fitzpatrick, Dennison Mich. Box 54

The front is postmarked Grand Rapid, Mich. Jan 19, 1899, 3 P.M.

The back is postmarked Dennison, Mich. Jan 19, 1899

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Grand Rapids, Jan 13, 1899

Dear Sister, Brother and Baby,

Well Lizzie I suppose you think we have forgotten to answer your letter of last year but such is not the case. I think of you every day and wonder if we will ever be together again and have the times we had when down on the farm or the old house. That I never will forget. There was such a sudden change all around it. Don’t seem possible that you are keeping house. I always think of you as teaching school but such is life.

Will change the subject now for I am getting home sick. I always hate to write to you. I don’t know the reason it makes me sick for I always supposed we would be living near each other (That is what you always said). But that is not for us to decide now. We have to go where the Old Lads want to go. We will Fool them some day in our mind.

Suppose you saw Mary Malone by this time. I heard she don’t look very well but I suppose she will look better after she sees your smiling countenance once more. It will bring back sweet memories of a short time ago when they danced the kick. I can see them now as plain as if I was looking at them. Your with his smile and you know the rest. I could have a good laugh now about it if you was only hear to help me. Don’t think we will eve have such a good times again. Them are the days that will never return.

This is the last time I will try to finish this letter. Don’t know how many times I tried but did not succeed. I am all alone this morning. Frank has gone to work and Nora to school. Irene did not get up yet so I thought I would finish it.

Suppose you heard all about that Mary Donaline Carnbell that got burned while lighting the fire with kerosene. So be careful. She was a terrible sight. For those that saw her, said they never could forget it. The flesh dropped off the bone. Mike Hughes carried her in the house. He said he could not tell whether it was a person or not. Every stitch was burned off her but her shoes. They had to cut them off. Oh, it was awful to hear them tell about it. Her eyes was burned the first thing and she could not see but she had her senses to the very minute she died. Guess her man did not think any too much of her the way he acted when Mike Hughes got there. He was using the hose trying to put out the fire in the kitchen and they say he put her out on the ground for that is where she was found instead of turning the hose on her. He left her there burning.

Aunt Jane was up to the funeral and she said she heard so much about Irene she could not go home without coming to see her. She said she wouldn’t mind if she had a little girl like her herself. Leo came here last Friday to bid us good by. He went to New York City. Got a position bookkeeping and short hand. Leo changed wonderful. He is a promising young man, the nicest of all the boys. He inquired about all the babies and young Goldens. He said Irene was the first one of them he seen. He would like to go to Dennison but did not have time.

Did Anna get home yet? I haven’t seen any of them since Friday morning when they left here. She said she was not going to stay with you but a few weeks after she went back. Can’t you come up while she is there. This is such nice weather I am sure Will wont object for Anna will keep house for him. Come if you can’t stay but one day, for if you wait till she goes you surely wont come.

Kittie Hoben is quite sick. They are discouraged about her. She is growing weaker all the time. She has a very bad cough. She said she would give anything to see your baby & Kate’s wish you and Kate could come up to see her.

We are anxiously waiting for Sada to come up. I almost forgot to tell you that Frank was back on the train with Lester Mills that night when he came back. He had a great talk. He wanted to know if the baby looked like you. Frank said no, it was better looking. Looked like his Father. Frank said he changed so much that he filled out in great shape. He said that there was a very nice young lady to meet him at the Depot. Frank unbuttoned his coat to show him your picture on the button but it was gone. He was awful sorry. Frank was scared. He thought sure he lost it. The first thing he asked me when I got home if he had it when he left.

Well how is everything down there I hope you will make up your mind to come up. I would like to see the baby now suppose he can sit alone by this time. I will have to close for Nora will write some.

How did Will get home. I was called to the phone that afternoon and Frank went down and he called up Coopersville but could not get any satisfaction. They said that there was somebody there that wanted to talk to me but it was all right now. Frank wasn’t mad. Oh no.

Well I guess I will close with love to all and hoping to hear or see you soon.

As ever, your affectionate sister,

Mary

Irene sends Harold Artimus a kiss

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“Mary Malone”: Mary Malone was Lizzie’s first cousin. Mary Malone was the daughter of Catherine Golden. Catherine Golden was Patrick Golden’s sister. Patrick Golden was Lizzie’s Father.

“Frank”: Frank Culligan was Mary Golden’s husband.

“Nora”: Nora Golden was Mary Golden’s sister.

“Irene”: Irene was Mary and Frank’s daughter.

“Anna”: Anna Culligan was Frank Culligan’s sister.

“Will”: William Fitzpatrick was married to Lizzie Golden

“Kate”: Kate Golden was Lizzie’s sister.

“Sada”: Sada Golden was Lizzie’s sister

“Lester Mills”: Lester Mills was Lizzie’s old boyfriend

“Mary”: Mary Golden was Lizzie’s sister

“Harold”: Lizzie’s oldest son was Harold.

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