J. B. Moss Letter to W.M. Wyeth Regarding the Break of his Engagement to Maud Wyeth, 1881

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St. Joseph Museums

The image features a handwritten letter on stationery from Dougherty, Ray & Co., a wholesale and retail dealer in lumber and other building materials located in St. Joseph, Missouri, dated July 11, 1881. The letter expresses disbelief that the recipient could commit an unjust act to separate two individuals (presumably the writer and someone named Maud) without good cause. The writer is upset about being left in the dark and urges the recipient to communicate clearly if there are any issues. The letter suggests that the action taken has left both parties unhappy, emphasizing the writer’s love for Maud and questioning the recipient's feelings for her.

The image features a handwritten letter on stationery from Dougherty, Ray & Co., a wholesale and retail dealer in lumber and other building materials located in St. Joseph, Missouri, dated July 11, 1881. The letter expresses disbelief that the recipient could commit an unjust act to separate two individuals (presumably the writer and someone named Maud) without good cause. The writer is upset about being left in the dark and urges the recipient to communicate clearly if there are any issues. The letter suggests that the action taken has left both parties unhappy, emphasizing the writer’s love for Maud and questioning the recipient's feelings for her.

Name/Title

J. B. Moss Letter to W.M. Wyeth Regarding the Break of his Engagement to Maud Wyeth, 1881

Entry/Object ID

AM2015.3.44

Scope and Content

J. B. Moss Letter to W.M. Wyeth Regarding the Break of his Engagement to Maud Wyeth, 1881. Two page letter from J. B. Moss to W.M. Wyeth asking for an explanation as to why Wyeth has required Maud to break her engagement to Moss. They had been engaged for some time. Wyeth has evidently refused to talk about his reasons in person and Moss is imploring him to explain so he may clear the matter up. He thinks someone has told the Wyeth's a lie about him. "Dear Sir and Madame, I can not believe that you are capable of doing so unjust an act as to separate Maud and I without good cause after allowing us to be engaged as long as we have. If you think you have good cause or reason for your action, it is but an act of simple justice to tell me plainly what it is and allow me to clear it up, if possible. You say it would be unpleasant to speak of objections. It certainly could not be more so than to have me so utterly in the dark. By your act you will render us both unhappy for life, for I am sure we love each other very much indeed. I do not think you have treated me right in the matter at all, I know can you have nothing against me unless it is a lie someone has told you. You say you have always been opposed to the match, twice you did give us your word that we should be married, and we believed you. If we had doubted your word, you might have cause for anger at us. If you have made a mistake, do not make us suffer the brutality - do us justice, this is all we ask. - J.B. Moss to Mr. and Mrs. William Maxwell Wyeth, July 11th, 1881" (Moss, who made his money in the lumber business, remained a bachelor until 1891 when he married Mary Word Leach, daughter of Lewis Leach, who had been associated at various times with others in the dry goods trade, including Tootle, Nave, and McCord. He had built a grand house, designed by E.J. Eckel, at the se corner of 9th & Sylvanie in 1890. Maud marries Dudley Smith, perhaps in 1883. In 1882 she is in Paris ordering dresses, and Francis T. Wyeth's letters in 1884 ask after "Sue's baby. Dudley becomes a partner in Wyeth & Co by buying R.H. Jordan's shares when he retires.) Handwritten

Collection

Wyeth Collection

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Correspondence

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Other Documents

Nomenclature Class

Documentary Objects

Nomenclature Category

Category 08: Communication Objects

Search Terms

Wyeth, William, Wyeth Family

Condition

Overall Condition

Fair

Maintenance

Maintenance History

Date

Jul 22, 2015

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Wyeth, William M.