Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Jennie Reed, January 19, 1863

In this letter from January 19, 1863, Samuel Reed writes to his wife telling her of the death of a brakeman due to a fall from one of the railroad cars. He also describes his encounter with several female relatives who hope to visit the family in Joliet, Illinois.

Burlington
19th January 1863.

Dearest Companion

Jan 19 1863

I was very glad to recieve [sic] your letter of 11th inst and hope to hear from you again very soon. When I wrote to you my eyes were troubling me somewhat but they are better now but not well. Friday night last I was at the west end of the road and one of the breakmen [sic] a day or two had fallen from the cars and Friday night died from his injuries he was the son of a poor but very good man and I voulintered [sic] to do all I could to help them in their trouble for which all seemed very grateful. Loosing [sic] sleep was hard on my eyes but did not result in making them worse than before. Mr. Ainsworth and myself have been to church twice (morning and evening) Mr. Burrows is a very interesting man I wish you could hear some of his sermons. He is I should judge 55 or 60 years old and has a clear ringing voice that is heard distinctly in all parts of the church his reading is as good as I have ever heard. Janry 21st For various reasons I did not finish and dispatch this letter yesterday morning. Last evening when I went to tea I found Martha Catherine and Louisa in the reception room waiting to see me. Catherine seemed as pleased to see me as though I had been a near relative returned after a long absence. She has grown very much since she lived with us. Is taller than Martha and full as heavy. Martha says she has been homesick ever since she has been in Burlington I think she wants to go to Joliet in the spring. I asked her if I should bring down her cloths [sic] on my return next trip. She said not yet. If Martha concludes to stay here Catherine is very anxious to go in her place.

I am not surprised that Adda should think more favorably of Mr. Naves proposal than she once appeared to. From the little I have seen of him I think she might wait longer and do worse. But I would not advise her to accept him or any other man as a life partner unless she can give him her undivided love and affection. Money is desirable for the comforts it strews along life's pathway and when rightly used for the good that can be done to suffering humanity and the advancement of good and and upbuilding of the [have am] nice. But that is naught where there is [nout] love and affection and respect for loved ons [sic] at home towards whose with whence we have promised before God to love and cherish while life lasts.