Ella McCarthy

Ella McCarthy ( July 13, 1890 )

Ella McCarthy

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Letter: two sheets front and back

Paper: Lined paper 10” wide by 8” high

The envelope did not have a stamp nor did it have a postmark

It was addressed to:

Miss Lizzie Golden

Wixx Mary Nixon

Coopersville, Mich

The envelope is 5-3/8” wide and 3” high

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Tuesday Eve. July 13, 1890

Lizzie:

My Dear Girl: I received your book and thank you very much for the same and on turning over its leaves, searching for some message from you I came across your letter and you may be assured that I opened it with much joy. for I had really begun to think that you did not think enough of me to answer any of my letters. I believe I have written several since I have received any from you.

Please excuse pencil and scribbling for it is late and I can write faster with this.

Well! I was exceedingly surprised to hear the news. For I did not expect any such thing near as soon. I did not think she was as far along as that when I saw her that Sunday. Coming home, we were talking about it and Sue did not believe she had done any thing out of the way that is before she was married, She said she could not believe it of Nora, I could not have believed it either if I had not seen it with my own eyes, but it looked to true to be denied. But I have never mentioned it to anyone not ever to Mary Nixon. It seemed to dreadful to utter. I wonder what she will think. Oh, the poor girl! I really do pity her although she was so foolish. She no doubt sees her folly now when it is too late. She has cast a stain upon her name that can never be blotted out. I thought so much of her. And thought she was as pure a girl as there was to be found it is too bad. Yes Mary must feel terrible she thinks the world of Nora and it casts a shade on them all. Oh, how I wish I could see you to-night I don’t believe we w’d go to sleep till morning.

I think this will tire you out.

I have so much to say and I know you have.

Why do you not come down to see me some time. You can find time there are lots there to do the work how I do wish you would come and stay all night we would have one of our old time chats that we have not had in so long. For I hardly had a chance to speak to you the fourth. If you had two or three more fellows I perhaps w’d not ever dare to look at you.

I will let you know when I can go down to school and to Mary’s school and to Littie’s and to G. Rapids. I probably will not get any place for I have to pitch right in to work here and keep at it about every minute. I haven’t seen a chance to go any place only to town and then when it’s absolutely necessary.

I thought I c’d go to school Friday as well as not. Nothing to hinder thought there w’d be no extra work on hand. But when the day came I found enough of it. I had to help the men unload hay with the hay fork and then they broke a rod on the mowing machine and I had to go to town to get it fixed and when I got back I picked berries to about dark so school was all out of the question.

I am glad you have an idea of going to the xxx also. Will you go to the Haven? I think I shall will talk to you more about it when I see you. If you can read this scratching you deserve a diploma

I must go to bed so good night with an abundance of love I am as ever your true Friend

Ella

Please write soon without fail.

P.S. I dreamed about our old house last night. It all seemed so natural. Oh. You ought to know what is living there. have you heard! I’m afraid its reputation is ruined now sure.

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“Nora”: There is a letter from Mary Nixon dated 08 03 1884 that talks about Nora. In that letter it appears that Nora is Mary Nixon’s sister.

“G. Rapids”: Grand Rapids

“Will you go to the Haven?”: Grand Haven

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Ella McCarthy shows up in the 1880 United States Federal Census, Michigan, Ottawa County.

Click here for PDF version of the above.

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