Volume 1050

The Danton Burroughs  Family Album and John Coleman Burroughs Archive

Copyright ERB, Inc. ~ Not for download

LETTERS TO HOME FROM THE  BURROUGHS BROTHERS: HARRY BURROUGHS Hartland 1884 ~ Yale 1887/1888 ~ Chicago 1920 and 1926 Letters shared with ERBzine by Danton Burroughs Handwritten letters deciphered and transcribed by Bill Hillman

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LETTERS SENT HOME TO CHICAGO FROM CAMP IN THE HARTLAND AREA:
Located 20 miles west of Milwaukee, in the heart of
southeastern Wisconsin's beautiful Lake Country

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I am sending Harry's letters as they will give you a better idea of conditions than anything I could write.
Mother

Today Evie and I had her out 3 1/2 hours, one hour and forty minutes of which she slept. We returned at 4 P.M. when she ate with apparent relish some meat and vegetable soup and a fair sized saucer of apricot pulp, finishing up (in her Cariole) with almost all her bottle of milk.
    At 6.45 she went to sleep and is sleeping soundly now, 9 o'clock, so I am quite confident she will see marked improvement in t he morning.
    I was glad to be at Louie when Dr. Baxter came yesterday afternoon. Was most favorably impressed.

    Our opinion was confirmed yesterday morning in a conversation I had with Mr. Johnson. When I told him of Baby's illness he immediately asked what physician we had. When I told him he said, "You have the best on the North Side."
    Dr. Baxter tells us there is no cause for worry; but we worry nevertheless. I presume, if we had had as much experience with babies as he has we wouldn't even think of worrying.

    Her loss of weight (eighteen ounces last week), her listlessness, and apathy; approaching at times a semi comatose condition, have given us much concern. You will realize the change in her when I tell you she has not smiled in over a week; her interest cannot be aroused by her toys or by any of the stunts I used to do to amuse her. She simply turns her head away.
    She is no longer interested in my arrival at night and refuses to let me carry her.She wants Nellie (wife Ella) to hold her and no one else; and lies with her eyes closed most of the time.

    There is one encouraging factor -- she has had no fever to amount to anything. The highest has been 99 3/5. Following Dr. Baxter's instructions I bought a clinical thermometer as he wishes her temperature taken 3 times daily and a record kept. I presume this, as much as anything, guides him in his assertion that Baby's condition is not serious.
    Right here I want to apologize for the fact that we have not written more frequently since you left. The Baby's birthday celebration followed by this illness used up all the time between sleep and sleep. As Baby wouldn't let me carry her, I have tried to be helpful in other ways, and usually it would be eleven o'clock, and no letters written, before the household was ready to settle down. Will try and do better from now on.
    It is always easier to find time when there is something cheerful to write anyway.
    Nellie is a marvel! She thrives without sleep, without rest and would, I verily believe, gain in weight and be cheerful and happy if, in addition, she went without food.

    Your dandy letter about Studley was most welcome. In the same mail we received one from him equally cheerful and together they served to brighten a rather melancholy household.
    Nellie learned today from Joe Neaba, that Mrs. Mikleman, Louise and Edith's mother, died suddenly of heart failure last night.
    Evelyn and Jack Tosh have gone out somewhere this evening -- nothing serious

you understand, as the man said who shot himself in the mouth and couldn't find the bullet.
    Have been trying to think of something cheerful to wind up with, but as the sad news about Mrs. Mikleman is the only result of my efforts. I might as well say good night.
    I don't believe there is anything cheerful in the world anyway, or if there is I don't expect to find it until little Mary is her sunshiny self again.
    Good night, Mother dear, with a world of love to you and to all the other dear ones at Tarzana,
                    Affectionately,
                            Harry.
P.S. Nellie's (wife Ella) mental condition, due to loss of sleep, is clearly indicated by the fact that she just asked me how to spell John.

March 23 1920
My Dear Mother:
    Baby developed alarming symptoms Monday, yesterday morning, going into convulsions. Dr. Baxter immediately made two tests and the others for spinal meningitis.
    If his clinical diagnosis of tubercular spinal meningitis is correct, there is no hope for our little baby, as there is no known cure for this malady.
    The tubercular test, unfortunately has proved positive and we are breathlessly awaiting the result of the other.

This morning he drew a test tube of fluid from her spinal column, which I immediately took over to the Univ. of Ill. Medical School and left to be tested. We may know the result this evening. Whatever it is I am going to ask to have Dr. Abt call in consultation. We will then have the two leading Child Specialists of Chicago, doing their utmost. Dr. Abt is the one who has attended Carl Meyers children and pulled Rosa Mayers little girl through when hope had been practically given up.
    Am going to send Studley a night letter tonight to prepare him for the awful eventuality which seems so imminent.

    We are hoping and praying that the clouds may lift and our little darling be spared to brighten all our lives.
    She has not recognized any of us since Sunday. By dint of patience Nellie has managed to get her to take nourishment, although invariably she pushes the bottle or spoon away first, and much coaxing is required.
    Last night we took turns sitting up with her as we cannot leave her alone a minute on account of the irregular recurrence of the convulsions. These are not, to my mind, severe ones. There is a constriction of the muscles of the throat, an unnaturally wide opening of the eyes, and markings appear on the face and neck and the little hands tremble and turn purple. They do not last long and then there is no tendency to bend the head backward or the legs, as I have always understood was customary in spinal meningitis.
    She sleeps a great deal and her temperature , while over 101 yesterday, is now 100 degrees.
    Nellie tells me she just took several ounces of milk from her bottle, naturally although yesterday it was necessary to feed her with a spoon.
    We are hanging on every tiny favorable symptom for it doesn't seem possible that this awful nightmare can be reality.
    Rest assured, Mother dear, everything possible has been and will be done. I know I have the very best medical talent, and you know what painstaking care will be given her day and night, between the doctors' visits.

Dr. Baxter assured Nellie this morning that, whether the laboratory test proved positive or not, they would not relax their efforts in fighting to save her.
    There is nothing to add now. I may be able to insert the result of the meningitis test before mailing this.
    Our hearts are like lead and we seem to be moving in a dream.
    Your good letter came to-day and its note of flowers and sunshine was like music from another world, totally outside our own dark one.
        With love and hope
            Devotedly,
                Harry
 

Dear George:

    Check received and order placed for the two (important) articles needed to start Evie off right on her silver moon.
        1/2 doz boullion spoons
        1/2 doz oyster forks
            and engraving
    I know she will be delighted with them.
    It was very gracious of you and Edna to add to her happiness in this way.
    She has had, or is to have, a total of eleven showers, luncheons and entertainments, but as her mother sees that she sleeps late mornings (hushing me up if I talk too loudly) she is as bright as a cricket and having the time of her life.
    Was very much interested in the Monitor article about Deacon Edmund Rice.
    It fits in nicely with the genealogy Ed sent us - of which I presume you have a copy. If not let me know and I will supply the deficiency. Do you want the Monitor article returned? If you wish to preserve it let me know. Am holding it to show Studley.
    You would not know Chicago if you were to drop in. It is too bad you can't all come to the wedding and see the changes that have taken place since you were last here.
    The old Palmer House is no more. The new structure facing on Wabash and Monroe is in full swing, and now that the old building has been razed, the other half of the proposed ensemble will soon rise on its ruins.
    Then will be three entrances, State, Wabash and Monroe, all opening into a large central lobby, when the new hotel is finally completed.

The new Stevens Hotel - same Stevens' as the silk merchant owners of Hotel La Salle and holders of stock in the Monraine Mining Company -- is under construction on t he corner of Michigan and 7th St.s -- just across 7th St. from the Blackstone. Another huge hotel (25 stories) is planned for the corner of 7th and Wabash. On the former site of the old Battle of Gettysburg panorama (That is surely getting back into ancient history).
    Dexel Boul has been widened clear through to 22nd Street and then sweeps in a graceful curve over a concrete viaduct spanning the Illinois Central tracks, to the outer drive, which follows past the Field Museum to Monroe St. (at present). Ultimately it will extend due north from that point, crossing the river at its mouth and join the North Shore outer drive. Mackie Drive (old South Water St.) is nearing completion. It is double decked and swings in to Mich Boul. at the Link Bridge.
    The Strauss Building, on the site of the old Stratford hotel, the Tribune Towers, The New 1st Methodist Church building on Clark and Washington, the 47 story addition to the Morrison Hotel are only a few of the many new structures.
    I am acquiring quite a reputation as a liar around here by the amazingly simple expedient of telling the truth.
    It seems that the New Palmer House received, just before its formal opening, 30 tons of silver for its various dining rooms, lunch rooms and banquet halls. I had this direct from the manager of the main lunch room, who helped superintend the unpacking and placing of the various articles. Later it was corroborated by another employer, who looks honest.

No one believes this story when I tell it and now obligation attaches to you ot give it credence. In fact I no longer expect anyone to believe it.
    Carlton, my future son in law, doubts my story of the drive well on our ranch on Raft River and takes no pains to conceal his doubts. Says he absolutely requires corroboration from some one who saw the point on the pipe come up out of the ground
    If you or Lew remember it you can save my reputation by backing me up. I will even withdraw all claim I may (and certainly do) have on the bear/bean? shooter story, if you will back me up in this.
    You may have all credit for falling off the kitchen tale with the historic bear/bean blower in your mouth, (provided Ed and Coleman will relinquish their claims) if you will rally to my assistance in the story of the parabolic drive well pie, whose joint started toward the center of the Earth (Pellucidar) and ended by pointing at the stars.
    An affidavit, properly signed and acknowledged would probably be required to convince the young man, though a simple statement would help some. Are Lew and Claire still living in or near Burley, and if so, what is Lew doing? Bob Leay is nowpresident of the National Life Ins. Co., Mr. Johnson having taken the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors on account of his health.
    Our Company will probably be merged with two others and our identity lost in a new name -- also I will lose my title of Secretary which doesn't mean much anyway; as Mr. Johnson is also returning as president of our company to serve as chairman of its board, which is merely a polite way of holding the reins while some one else does the work.
    This rambling epistle is intended for both of you as I just noticed that letter enclosing check is signed "Edna".
    I read it so hurriedly at the office I didn't notice the signature although I recall thinking "George's handwriting is changing and he has swiped some of my stationery."
    Most abject and humble apology, Edna.
    Nellie will probably (yes, certainly) write you all about "our" wedding when she has time ot come up for air. She is attending all the showers, &c, as the girls insist that she is one of them.
    Love to all, not overlooking our handsome nephew,
            Affectionately
                        Harry