Letter: Lucien Stilwell to Mary Elva Stilwell 23 August 1870

On 23 August 1870, Lucien White Stilwell (1844-1932), who was living in Cairo, Illinois, wrote a letter to his nine-year-old sister, Mary Elva Stilwell (1861-1955), called "Minnie" by the family.

Lucien White Stilwell

Mary Elva Stilwell, age 16, ca 1877

The envelope is addressed to: Miss Minnie Stilwell, Metomen, Fond du Lac Co., Wisconsin.  The postmark is not readable.  Printed in pencil in corner in another hand: “Mary Elva Stilwell = Minnie   Age 9 in 1870”

Cairo, Ill  Aug 23  1870
My Dear Sister Minnie,

    I was very glad to read your letter so well written by a little girl.  I hope you will continue to improve until you become a good writer & composer.  Good writing, good spelling & nicely composed letters &c show well in a young lady.  I have seen spelling in writing by some ladies that consider themselves very much accomplished as the present notions have it, that to see them

(the spelling especially) very much lowers their accomplishments in my estimation.  I believe that one half of the “brilliant” spoken and fashionable ladies are very much show their ignorance when they write, & I have seen considerable of it.  We get written orders for groceries from them sometimes & comp grammar & spelling greet us such I did not look for from such sources.  Think, Minnie, that true accomplishments consist in a good head & heart, & not in dress, pianos, fashionable leisure, afternoon calls & empty conversation (brainless).  Don’t think I mean you will ever have these notions, but you don’t know where you will be 

placed by the time you grow up if you live, & how easily young misses are inclined to such notions  when thrown into society of such Character.  Hannah is now where she sees much of such in F.D. Lac, & is of just the right age to be influenced by them.  A young miss of 15 here, visiting, thinks she is a young lady of the right size to rush along among the fashionables, have plenty of beaux & put on airs, looking down of on common people, as big as any woman.  Such traits are detestable.  She better act like a modest little girl & go to school to learn.  I kn  And so anxious is she to get along fast that she is not overly choice in 

her selection of company – though that is respectable, but such ones do not stop to think of real worth in companions – especially, of youths of the male kind.  I know another of the same age nearly, who wears shorter dresses, thinks she is nothing but a young girl, is modest & keeps her place, & has real merit; the two are cousins.  The former is naturally smarter & the last naturally better & consequently would be most loved.  Girls now a days get old heads too soon.  Live & learn – in education & true merits while a girl, Minnie, for you will be a woman soon enough, if you live.  Our Sunday school was first rate Sunday, & larger.  You ought to see how eager the little girls are for the new Library book.  Well my sheet is almost full.  I hope you will write me again a longer letter.  Much love to you & Edie, Grandma & Warren.  The big ones don’t need any news than I sent by Hannah.
            Your affct. Brother Lucien