9th day of Confinement

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My dear Reader,  It is from Minnie’s letters where I began to understand the term “Confinement.”  Not only did a mother  remain in bed for two weeks upon delivery, but, the birth of the child was nothing but a whisper to the outside world.  In Minnie’s case, the family was more concern about her pre-existing health, Tuberculosis, than wanting to publish the birth of their first son after having six litttle girls.  Also, since no postal cards from the little girls have arrived inquiring about their new  baby brother, I suspect Ed was not  allowing the girls to write of their excitement and feelings in the beginning.

Denise Conaghan Snakard / Winnetka, Illinois

ddfabrics@mac.com

POSTAL CARD

Charleston, JUN 16, 2-PM

Dear Mamma,

How are you?  Kathryn and me stayed up to Grandma Mc Carthy’s all night and still here.  Grandma got 16 boxes of strawberries and we ate a whole lot of them.  We had some for supper last night and breakfast.  Good bye dear Mamma,

Helen.

East Las Vegas, JUN 16, 6-30P

Dear Little Helen,

Received your card this morn and thought it so pretty.  Guess you are having a nice time now that school is out.  I am glad you are coming to see us soon.  We would love to have you.  We are all well and like this place better all the time.  If you were here and Papa and the rest it would be a nicer place yet.  Love to Papa, girls and Helen from Mamma.

Charleston, JUN 17, 11 – AM

Dear Mamma and Aunt Hanna,

How are you?  The dishes are done.  The mailman came and brought a card from you.  You said you had company.  Who?  Papa has got little panties on Agnes Lucile.  Good bye with love from Helen to Mamma.

Dear Sister,

Rec’d your card.  So glad to hear you are feeling so well, also Ronaldo.  I can spell it but don’t know whether I can pronounce it.

Agnes

LETTER

East Las Vegas, JUN 17, 4 -30P

Friday P.M.

My dear Ed,  Will write you a short letter today.  Hanna wrote home so you can read their letter as I don’t feel like writing much.  This is the 9th day and I was fine all till today.  I feel weak, but will be all O.K. soon.

Am going to send each of the girls a pretty card tomorrow.  We got some lovely ones.  Received yours and Mary’s letter yesterday.  The letters are regular God-sends to us.  They and Mrs. Welsh and her family are keeping us well and happy, of course, the boy.  He is so quite that we forget he is here.  He is the sweetest little thing, but I’m afraid he has my nose.  That isn’t bad on a boy though and they say it is lucky for a boy to resemble the mother.  Our children should be pretty lucky then, as everyone always said the girls looked like you, only the “big woman” looks like me.

Tell Mary we had the boy named, or we would have given him her name, but the one he got equals it.

There was an old hag came in here yesterday and she gave me a fright.  So last night I began to flow a little bad.  Think that is what weakened me.  Hanna told them about her in her letter.

Well I won’t write anymore today, but will write long letter Sunday as I will be up with God’s help.  I know you would be expecting a letter when this arrives so didn’t want you disappointed.  Love to you, the girls and all the folks.

Your loving wife,

Minnie