Letter 18901208

Monday 5__30 P. M. Dec. 8th 1890
Miss Martha Maitlan
Dunkirk, Ind.

Dear niece, Yours of Nov. 28th was received in due time, we were as we always are glad to hear from you. Especialy so when we learn that all was well with you. Yours found us all as far as I know in our usual health. My health is unusualy good for a man of my age. I would that I could say the same about your aunt, but I can not. She continues to suffer more or less all the time. Some time much more than at other times. She can’t stand but little cold so I have to keep up fire day and night. This is fifth winter of her prostration. It is necessary that some one should stay near her all the time as she has to be helped up very often. Some times as much as every half hour from that to about three hours. I feel thankful to a kind Providence for keeping me able to wait upon her.
You don’t know glad one old man would be to get notice to meet Martha at the depot. If able the old man would be there and have ready the nicest kiss that would have in the shop ready for Martha.
Our youngest daughter, Mary, yet lives in Trenton. Late accounts say that her and family were well. We have not heard from our daughter in Kansas for so long that we fear that something is wrong.
Now Martha, about them apples, if you will tell us when you will be here, we will have some of the nicest laid away for Martha’s special use, that is if she comes before they rot.
As you suppose this is a fair county for fruit except for peaches. since my apple trees have been big enough to bear in the last 25 years we have had plenty for our own use & some to spare. This season I only had 100 bu. To spare. The great scarcity of apples in all the states east and west of this they are worth here owing to quality 50 to 75.
All the fall and winter thus far tell the last 10 days has been very nice. The last 10 days rather cold.
Please don’t stare at the above crooked lines as I can’t see the lines. 71 year old eyes don’t see well
Tuesday, 7__20 A. M., Dec. 9th, 1890
All as usual this morning. Not quite as cold as it was. Our girl Katie is on a weeks vacation this week. Florence, one of your cousin Nell’s girls is staying with us this week.
Northceet a Christian minister is and has been holding a meeting in Unionville for some time past. At last accounts 116 members were added to the church. He has taken in nearly all the business men of the town & quite a per cent of the new members are from the country. Northceet is one of the ablest ministers. A protracted meeting of the same order will commence at the church near this place next Saturday. A man by the of Rice as principal speaker.
Give our kindest regards to all enquiring friends and don’t forget Martha as you alone.
Yours By By
G. W. Dickson