Monday, March 13, 2017

1878 Letter from Deadwood, Dakota Territory

The following is another letter from Clarence ("Chad") Bent in Deadwood, Dakota Territory to his 17-year-old sister-in-law, Minnie Stilwell.

Clarence had married Hannah Stilwell (Minnie's sister) on 8 May 1878, so when this letter was written on 5 October 1878, the couple had been married 5 months.

Mentioned in the letter:

Mother = Minnie & Hannah's mother, Mary K. (White) Stilwell
Matie = I don't know who Matie is.
Lucien = Lucien W. Stilwell, Minnie & Hannah's brother
"Ede" = Edith Stilwell (or Edie), Minnie & Hannah's sister
May = May Stilwell, Lucien's daughter, who was about 4 years old
"L J & M" = Lucien, Julia, and May Stilwell; Julia was Lucien's wife
Bent & Deetken = the druggists/partnership of Clarence with Julius Deetken
Blanchie = Celia Blanche (Stilwell) Munn, Hannah & Minnie's sister
Charlie = Charles H. Osborn, husband of Annette (Stilwell) Osborn; brother -in-law
Emmett = I don't know who Emmett is, perhaps a beau of Minnies?
Mr. Deetken = Julius Deetken, Clarence's partner in the drug store

Here is an outline of the Stilwell family.
Here is a list of  links to the Mary Elva (Stilwell) Jones papers I've posted.

*****


Letter addressed to:  Miss Minnie Stilwell, Ripon, Wisc., Box 263
Postmark: Deadwood Dak. Feb 6
Return address: From Bent & Deetken, Druggists

Deadwood, Saturday Evening

Oct. 5th ’78



Dear Sister Minnie!

            Mother says you are getting “spunky” and I have come to enquire [sic] into this matter, how is it?  Presume ere this you have received Hannahs letter forwarded by Matie.  Han’s idea in sending to Matie first, was that you might retain it when rec’d.  I have just come down from the house where I left the “birds” – Lucien’s & Mothers letter came this p.m. about 5 o’clock.  I hurried home as quickly as possible & we enjoyed so the first together.  We have been intending to write you & “Ede” all the week, but Min, you know our family cares are so numerous and pressing that we scarcely have any leisure time.  It is our aim to write home once a week, but if we fall short of our calculations you must not censure as you know we have many to write too.  Our friends in the east are patiently waiting to hear from us.  I presume Han letter will interest you most, as she I believe is to give a descriptive detailed acct of our handsome little home.  Nearly every thing is arranged now, except the parlor stove.  It arrived about a week ago, but got broken in transit compelling us to wait for repairs from Chicago which are coming by express.  Wish you could, all of you, just peep in upon us.  Every thing just as neat as can be & so nice & new adds greatly to its appearance.  New wife (& a loving one too) a new man (& a cross one too) new home, new furniture, & new ties of love which bind us closer to each other every single day.  It is indeed, needless to tell you how happy & contented we are.  You already know.  We have breakfast between 7 & 7 ½ O’Cl.  Dinner between 1 ½ to 2 O’Cl & lunch at tea time if needed.  Han fills position of cook in first class style, ECB figures as second cook rather poorly, - Han’s wants are numerous & when it isn’t butter, eggs, thread, zephyr, ginger, “oil cloth for that door sill” kerosene, & salt, its meat, pepper, syrup, lemon, sugar, “black my stove for me” take the mouse out of the trap, vinegar, sugar alum, “chop up the cabbage”, flour, potatoes, “onions all gone,” a box for this & that, “bring in some wood for me,” bring in a fresh pail water, put up clothes line, hang your coat in the closet, a new lamp wick, a little shelf for the corner, &c&c&c&c.  Oh! Min I can’t tell you how much I have to do.  Even make fire these cold mornings.  Put over the tea kettle, find coffee, put the spider on, sweep down the “beautiful” flies & “shoo them”!  As “Nid” would say.  Perhaps you can imagine how much pleasure this brings to a naughty brother away out in the terrible Black Hills, (not alone, as it used to be)  Han has displayed a marked taste in arranging everything.  I have assisted, after her planning.  We have the neatest kitchen in Deadwood.  I venture this assertion although I have not seen them all.  We are often reminded of the dear Wis. Home & the happy hearts that beat with love for us.  We feel we have been blessed and offer thanksgiving daily to the giver heavenly gifts as well as earthly.  Han keeps well & I believe the climate change will not effect her to any extent.  It is quite autumn like now & indeed it is time.  The evenings are cold & a fire is needed.  I have got our winters wood, potatoes & flour.  Have sent to Chicago for 3 bbls apples & please tell Mother I would like about 50 lbs no 1 bulb & some fresh egg’s.  Egg’s come to this

country in the patent cases Lucien speaks of & also packed in oats.  Would like as many as a bble of “Heggs” & what we don’t want can sell, also dispose of the oats at good price.  They can be shipped from Ripon addressed this, Bent & Deetken, Deadwood, Dak., via Bismarck, c/o N.W.S.E. & T. Co.  Would like to have them shipped as soon as possible.  Send bill to me & I will remit at once.  Hope this will not put mother or father to too much trouble.  Potatoes are cheap this autumn as are all vegetables.  Tell Lucien and Mother we will write them soon.  May has become a fine little lady & Uncle Chad would like to give her a sweet kiss.  Pleasant to have L.J. & M. with you.  Wish we might have seen them.  Hope little Blanchie had a nice time at the falls.  Her picture perfect.  Han will have some more photos soon & we will remember you, & I have half a mind to send you one of mine to pay you for your naughtiness.  Your letter & mates were good, I didn’t read it out tho, Han read it out loud.  Of course, I didn’t listen.  Shall be anxious to hear Charlies decision in regard to Iowa.  Min how is your Emmett?  None of my business?  All right!  Don’t you often imagine his loving strong arms around you, pulling for dear life the idol of his heart out of the green waters of the lake?  But its all right Min, if you can’t touch the tender heart strings of this affectionate youth in any other way, you may fall into the lake, yes you may!

            Mother says you will not attend school this winter.  May be you will teach the corner school?

            Well Minnie I must go now.  Hope you will write us a good long letter full of news very soon.  Mr. Deetken has been out & has returned & now I can go home to little Hannah,

            Goodnight,

            Love and kisses to all

                        Bro Clarence

Tell mother that it is not necessary to ship a barrel of eggs, but I could dispose of this amt if they were fresh.  Only send what is convenient to get & not to trouble any about them.










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