Letter from Jennie Reed to Samuel B. Reed, September 6, 1863

In this letter from September 6, 1863, Jennie Reed writes to her husband, Samuel Reed, describing a recent trip she made to Chicago. She notes that she hopes his letter to Chicago, requesting employment closer to home, will be successful and reminds him that he is missing his youngest daughter's "babyhood." She also asks if he can get a pass on the Burlington and Missouri Railroad for his sister, Marion K. McMurphy, telling him "you can scarcely afford to pay out so much money, if it can be avoided."

Joliet
Sept 6th, 1863.

My Dear Samuel,

Your letter came to hand so early in the week that it seems like two weeks since I had heard from you. Charly seems anxious to have Marion come up, if she came, so as to go down to [?] Willards with them. Can you get her a pass over the Burlington Road. You can scarcely afford to pay out so much money, if it can be avoided. I went to Chicago the other to get winter clothes for the children and altho [sic] they are less than in Joliet yet it is with the strictest economy that I could afford to get [me] half we needed so much money does it require to buy anything. Charly & Ann and cousin went up. We had a nice time, went to one of those fine restaurants oppisit [sic] the Court House [sic] and dined. Why if you had could have met me there for a few hours I should have enjoyed it better. Have you seen an act of the Great Festival, Ladies Festival for the soldiers (sanitary purposes) to be held in Chicago the last week of Sept. and the first week of Oct. It bills [fair] to be a fine thing. If you are at home we must attend a day if possible. Little Mary is not well yet. Perhaps her teeth give her the continued diarhea [sic] . Mrs. Wilcox near the Catholic Church is not expected to live with the dysentery. A great many are complaining, if you have any symptons do not disregard them, but attend to them at once. There are a great many deaths. Miss Hurd spent the day here yesterday. She is very agreeable. Anne was down at Mrs. Strong's and in the evening I wished to go for her, and Charly came along with the runaway horses attached to a light waggon [sic] . He had trained them all the afternoon. I went down with him after her. They went quite nicely but gay. They attempted to run away with Charly in the afternoon but his whips with training subbue subdued them in a short time. Sunday 6 o'clock. Charles is here now with the same team. All well. Andrew has to take the horses to the canal for water. All has given out but this [well] and this is settling forth. We attended church and the holy communion to day [sic] . Would that you could have joined in the hold privileges to your soul's comfort. I am obliged to pass from one subject to another with such haste that it seems trivial I fear, to send you such a letter.

I met Mr. Kellogg in Chicago. He is on the Board of Trade and in the commission business, doing pretty well, looks well.

I hope your letter to Chicago will meet with a favorable reception. Yet I shall expect more if you should call upon Mr. Tracy as they or he knows something of your worth. I did not use the ticket yet but may sometime this fall. If you get your pass you will not require it. Anne & Mary send kisses, kisses to Papa. Little Mary is so coming and sweet you are losing her sweet babyhood. For it will not alas! return. All join in love.

Your dearest wife
Jennie E. Reed

How are your eyes?