July 12 87

Dear Ad,

Yours of the 9th rec'd, I feel very grateful for your sympathy. I know that Alice was very dear to you and seemed more like a sister than a niece. No better wife or mother ever lived. I never understood how happy I have been until happiness ceased. I am thankful for my children and if they grow (into) good men and women, I shall derive a great deal of happiness from them. They are all as good as they can be. I never saw a family of babies (that) are little pictures and are as healthy and good as they can be.

When Alice died we had a young lady boarding at our horse, teaching school. She quit her school and is taking care of the babies. I got a telegram from Ed Stowe this morning saying that Mrs. Russell and Ben would start for my place within three weeks. That has taken a great load off my mind. If she or you had not have come to me, I do not know what I would have done. I can hire the work done, but I could not hire anyone to love the children and I cannot bear the thought of them kicked around by hired help.

Alice was in seeming perfect health. We spent the Fourth riding about the country with friends. I never saw her more cheerful and happy. When she went to bed about 10 o'clock she made the remark that she had not felt so tired for years, and asked if I had my whisky. There happened to be a bottle with about two spoonfulls in it. She took the bottle and went to her room. In about two hours and a half, Allie came and woke me up saying that the baby was crying and that she could not wake Mamma. I rushed into her room and found her dead. She lay as though she was asleep. She went to sleep and never woke. The doctor says she died of heart disease, the supposition is that the accumulation of fat on her heart prevented the valves from working.

Don't neglect to write me often. I do not know of anything you can do at present but then there is no telling how soon I may want a great deal from you.

Remember me to George and believe me ever your friend.

D.E. Newcomb

Letter courtesy of Peggy Newcomb Barr
This page was produced by Bob Newcomb in Brea, CA