Prineville 2/27/1897

Dear Son,

            I wish I could see you & the dear ones tonight- why haven’t you written us, because you have no material, is that it. I wrote you last. We are usually well, I have been quite poorly, But took my old remedy Pills, and am better. I can take pills when I can’t eat bread, See. We went to Dr Witham. He says my heart is enlarged to double it’s natural size & when I bloat it don’t give it room. One’s heart is the size of their hand closed. Be careful of your lunges Willie, it’s no easy thing to cure them. Mine are worse than ever. When you get a little cold & ache & so tired, make a big fire, lay before it & sweat. Get into bed & cover up warm & in the morning the ache will be gone. Ollie how are you? I’m afraid that wouldn’t take the ache out of you poor child. Mrs. Ed Helms looks quite partly & is so glad too. Will Andre just came in Jessie went to meeting. There is a Woman & Man here come from California. She preaches, says God sent her. People are going after her. She is coarse in manner, advocates strange doctrine, contradicts herself. She tries to tear Christians to pieces, “saying she is some great one”. Because the M E church closed it’s doors against her & they would have done so with the other if it could have been done. Claypool and your father are infatuated with her. It has caused bitterness & hard feelings. She will probably fetch up & take in Baker City most any place she can raise money by her deceit and smooth tales. She has stirred up discussion & strife where she came from. The Stories got here before did. But she denies them in word, but not in actions. There are several screws loose in her make up. They go by the name of Boland. We think she’s talking far what money there is in it. Father gave her five dollars. I said when he came home, Pa how could you do it when your own flesh & blood are so needy, how could you do it. He flew off the Handle and said Clara was no more to him than a stranger & jumped up & almost ran out home. Pray that he repent of such un kindness before he dies. We got a letter from Clara this week., she is still hoping against hope, earning what she can. Roy is getting 60 cts a day. I gave her two dollars & Judd two more. I got a letter from Mrs. Taylor saying A C Rockwell is dead, was kicked by a horse over his heart. Caused his death. Mrs. Kettle’s younger girls all went to the bad, she surrendered her money after his death and had to move back in the old house. Did you get the roll of papers I sent & does the journal reach you. I have some more gathered up to send you. How is your little meetings come on. Does Jesus seem very near to you, Keep under the shadow of his wings, He’ll deliver you from temptations more than you can bear if he comes in two yeas to live with us won’t