Creator
Margaret [Muir]
Recipient
John Muir
Transcription
Dear brother John:
I was glad to receive a letter from you. The music book came the day after I got your letter, and John [Reid] happened to know the time. So I almost learned it the night after we got the book, but couldn't find the other one. Mr.Graham gave up the Sunday School Sunday before last, so we went to Midland last Sunday. But, John ,it is not the Sunday School it was when we left it. I said it was cauldrif. Mr. Maitland said he hoped it would get better through this winter. He seemed anxious and engaged himself, but I thought the others seemed rather carless and the little ones for want of teachers that could come steady have been rather neglected. But I hope things will get better. We have a pretty good turn-out at the evening meetings there, and Father and Batesell and John Reid takes the lead turn about. Mr. Jones came back again, but he couldn't think to bring his wife to a log house and there was no other empty ones round, so they are building him a frame one, and he has gone away again till it be ready. He wants them to build a meeting house too, and he (unlike the other Presbyterian ministers) wants to have a prayer meeting through the week, and wants all his congregation work along with him and says if they do not he will leave them. Some of them think he is too hard on them, but although weak (for when he came first he had to rest two or three times in his sermon and once in his prayer) I think he will be the means of doing more good then many stronger in body. I heard that he has a good many members, and that Mr. Maitland was made an elder, and that Violet and Catherine Cairns [later Mrs. David Muir] were going to join there. Mr. Fay was buried more than two weeks since. They say he died when asleep. Mother told me to ask you where your shorthand book is, and if you have any other lent out, so that we may if we get a chance get them to you. I am gland, John, that you are so well and comfortable, but Pa heard all the fun about the ladies. I couldn't help it, for he is always asking if they have got any letters, and when he knew I had got one he came forward anxious to hear it read. I think I am getting some better now. I was over beside Sarah for about two weeks, and it did me much good. For a while before that I was worse a good deal than when you left. John [Reid] thinks it is about
11-18-60
time you was writing him a letter. he says he would like to have you here on a certain day butt I suppose we must be contented without you. There is some talk of Wiliam coming to work here this winter and I suppose Joanna is going to stay too. Joanna is wearying very much for her letter I think I am about through now John, remember me in your prayers and may God bless and prosper you my brother Margt
________________________________________________________
Hickory Dale, Nov. 18th, 1860
Well Brother Jonathan ,
I suppose you know that the folks up in the woods has to practice economy so according to that principle, I will write my letter here, and thus save three cents. I was helping Mr. Cripps to thresh yesterday and the threshers were asking about you I should think you was quite a gentleman! If I saw anybody hunting cows in a carriage here I would think he was crazy on good grounds too. I would like very well to hear that piano and Miss E. P. playing on it. do tell me how it sounds, and if I had better get one. I feel as though I would like to come down and spend the winter with you for I have the prospect of a pretty tough one here We have got through with our folks work, and have commenced chopping I guess we are going to break another 'dad' next year, which will be pretty apt to keep Bill Reid, Jim Sanderson, and Dan & Dave pretty busy and I devoutly hope out of mischief. We are all quite well and are very glad to hear that you are so well We never miss you at home now any more than we do Sarah. When do you expect to come home. ever I must now finish up so good Bye If we should never meet again here, may we at last meet at the right hand of God So prays your affectionate brother David the folks think it funny that you never date your letters nor write your name at the end
00245
Location
Hickory Dale, [Wisc]
Date Original
1860 Nov 18
Source
Original letter dimensions: 31.5 x 20.0 cm
Recommended Citation
Muir, Margaret, "Letter from Margaret Muir to John Muir, 1860 Nov 18" (1860). John Muir Correspondence (PDFs). 1049.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/muir-correspondence/1049
Resource Identifier
muir01_0099-let.tif
File Identifier
Reel 01, Image 0099
Collection Identifier
Online finding aid for the microform version of the John Muir Correspondence http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt0w1031nc
Copyright Status
Copyright status unknown
Copyright Statement
Some letters written to John Muir may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Owning Institution
Holt-Atherton Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library. Please contact this institution directly to obtain copies of the images or permission to publish or use them beyond educational purposes.
Pages
3 pages
Keywords
Environmentalist, naturalist, travel, conservation, national parks, John Muir, Yosemite, California, history, correspondence, letters
