Edward C. Smith to Henrietta Fletcher, 1885 November 15
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Your letter of July 6th was duly received and should have been answered at once
but like many other duties of life was postponed and yours of the Oct 18th was
forwarded to me at San Diego and as I have just returned home will answer In
regard to what little poor mother left I regret to know that the same could not
be disposed of on the most friendly terms for the whole business is not worth
mentioning much less a family quarrel Immediately after mothers death Bent wrote
me that you at once went to packing up what few things she left which you no
doubt had a right to do taking some trifling articles
which mother
told him she desired me to have two of those articles were her Brosha Shawl and
a set of silver spoons. Bent says he is very anxious I should have some of
Mother's articles and you likewise say the same thing now if you are both so
anxious why dont you both comply with mothers desire and send something along In
writing to Bent shortly after mothers death I was anxious to know whether she
was well taken care of and supplied with all the comforts she needed and his
reply was that Lucy did all that an own daughter could do in fact wore her self
out in her close attention and affectionate care (all of which I take for what
it is worth) but I will discard my doubts and accept the same as true for I
never could think kindly of any one who ill treated mother I regret that I ever
consented to her going back for here she
would ever had a good home
and childrens good treatment Now that you and Bent have all that is left I do not ask for any thing because I am in any need
or that I have any inherent right only that I would like just some little trifle
that came from Mother and the old home If Bent is entitled to mothers one fourth
interest in the homestead through some technicality then he will hold it but he
has my consent and then I can tell him that with all this I can buy him out
twice over I do not say this boastingly merely mention it as a fact About one
month ago a friend of mine and myself rented the largest and best dairy rancy in
this valley consisting of 500 acers of choice land together with all dairy
utensils we have 50 cows of our own and will at once purchase 50 more and a few
hundred head of hogs and we can raise poultry by the thousand I will not
devote
but little my attention for I can hire a man at 25. Dolls
per month in my place and my partner will over see the business and I will
continue to travel at 275. Dolls per month. unless I should change my mind by
the first of the year Now about that little of land willed to
you and I which contains according to Bents figures 18 acres you had better sell
it to the highest bidder and divide the proceeds you ask what I will give or
take I cant answer this for I have no idea as to its value and you should be the
one to make an offer the matter should be disposed of at once Our rainy season
has begun and the weather is balmy and spring like and the fields are green and
beautifull We are all in the best of health my self tiping the scale at 200.
Bell Rust from Burke
is doing house work and Pam folks live near by. I
saw L.N. Stevens last week in the extreem southern end of the state he is
merchandising and I sell him goods a Proctor by from your place is in the same
town have seen him Pardon my long neglect in writing and reply to this soon
Marilla sends love so the chldren remember me Kiss them for Uncle Ed and Lucy or
no Lucy I am ever
Your Aff BroEd