Letter from Joseph Dean to David Stafford

1903 Jun 10
Letter from Joseph Dean to his nephew, David Stafford, describing Janet Stafford's (David's sister) health.
Janet passed away in August 1903 in Salt Lake City.  She was buried in England.

Transcript

Spring Valley 6/10 [19]03

Mr. David Stafford
102 Hyde Gee Cross

Dear Sir,

My Dear Nephew.  In answering your very kind and welcome letter recieved a little while ago, I will say that I was somewhat surprised at the tone of your letter, and I wish to say right here that it as never been looked upon by any of us as a burden, and we are only too sorry that things have taken the corse they have.  We know that your Father & Mother were doing what they thought was best for Janet, and not only what they thought best, but what they beleived to be their duty, and we have done all that money or Doctors could do, and in spite of all it seems the will of our Heavenly Father that your dear sister is not long for this earth unless something great & marvelious happens, for the Dear Girl is getting weaker & lower every day.

We called in another Dr. yesterday and he like the other three said there was no hopes for her.  Now my Dear Nephew, I do not want to make you feel bad in the least but do not be surprised if you should at any time get a letter telling you of her passing this mortality to immortality, and give thanks to our Heavenly Father for he doeth all things well.  We will have to look to him for strength to bear the trial, for I can truly say it is as great a trial for us to bear as though she was our own sweet Girl.

Now My Dear Boy it is not without prayers and tears that I am telling you these things, because myself and others of my family have tried to tell you but our harts have failed us.  The last letter that I wrote your Dear Father & Mother, I tried to tell them of the worst but I know I did not make it plain and do not blame us for not writing because the last month or six weeks we could not do it.  Now David I want you to tell your Father & Mother but for the love you bear them break the news gently.

Now in regard to some one coming out here I will leave that with you folks, because it is a long long ways, costs lots of money and as lots of dangers by sea & land, and this much I will promise you, that all shall be done for her that loveing hand can do.

Now I can’t tell you any more but we will all hope and pray for the best.

From your Uncle, Aunt, and the rest of the family,

Jos Dean

Oh, I may just state that the Doctors advise us to take her to the Hospital.  It may be best and if it is thought so we will take her but whichever way rest assured she will have good care.

Joseph Dean


[Typed from the original.  Spelling has been preserved, but some punctuation and paragraphing has been added to aid readability.  Original held in 2011 by RayDean Hill.]