Friends at St. Helena
Burrough Valley, California
April 4, 1888
Portions of this letter are published in 3Bio 379.
Dear Friends at St. Helena:
We will probably leave Fresno Monday morning and shall be in St. Helena on the evening train, but if I shall think best to go directly to Oakland to do some special business, I shall not be there until the noon train next day. You had better have a carriage for me at the night train or every train till I come, after Monday night. 5LtMs, Lt 55a, 1888, par. 1
I was so unfortunate as to take a severe cold somewhere, which has taken a firm hold on me. I have been working earnestly to break it up. Took sitz bath Tuesday night, brandy sweat last night, and shall repeat it tonight. 5LtMs, Lt 55a, 1888, par. 2
Why I shall go to Oakland is, Brother Joe Hutchins is in danger of losing his place by mortgage [foreclosure], and if he can raise five thousand five hundred dollars, he will tide over and be able to settle this matter in one year. Parties are coming in here to buy property—our own people—but they cannot sell till this mortgage is cleared, and the fifteenth of April the place goes if the money is not on hand. So I may go to Oakland and see if the money can be raised; if not, then I will make an effort to get it from Healdsburg and give my note for it. 5LtMs, Lt 55a, 1888, par. 3
This is a beautiful valley and as healthful a place as I have been in California, St. Helena not excepted. The atmosphere is mild and no strong winds—none. The people here want Mary and her children to come here and make a visit in the heat of summer. 5LtMs, Lt 55a, 1888, par. 4
The first of June a party goes to the Yosemite, and I am to be a passenger. If it was possible for Mary to come here and go to the Yosemite, I would be glad. We could make it very comfortable for her. If not, she can remain here a couple of months and have a change. It will be an advantage to her. I wish she could do this. I am really improved in health; if it was not for this cold, I should be first-rate. 5LtMs, Lt 55a, 1888, par. 5
I am exploring all the places in the valley, taking in its advantages and its disadvantages. The latter are not to be compared with the advantages. 5LtMs, Lt 55a, 1888, par. 6
We leave here Friday for Fresno. I have had much labor with Brother Church and in regard to Fresno Sanitarium, and I think that he will not carry through his purposes. We intend to remain a few days at our place, then go to Healdsburg. 5LtMs, Lt 55a, 1888, par. 7
Love to all. 5LtMs, Lt 55a, 1888, par. 8
Mother.