Transcription
St. Louis June 29/62
Friend Stevens,
I hope you will excuse my
long delay to answer yours of the 17th as it has
been partly occasioned by illness & partly by ab-
sense from the city — without further apology
I will proceed to answer your questions —
I did not so fully understand your first ques
tion as I do from you last – It was different with
me though at time, particularly the last part
of the time it required great exertion on my part
to gain the deserved results – I think I told
you of a female complaint that she was afflicted
with very much – I can say without hesitation that
she used to enjoy this act as well as I did,
I attribute the change to the "turn of life"
which I suppose she hoped at the time she sup-
posed she was "eccentric," which if I remember
right, I told you of — I know I wrote very
hastily I ought to have been more explicit in such matters, but I felt that I could answer any questions afterward if necessary —
The complaint was that I indulged in her absence
so far as the understanding between us was concerned
the privlige extended to myself & that lady alone &
it is but just her to Susan to say that I obtained
permission only after much persuasion using the
fact that Physicians had recommended marriage
to the girl, as an argument which prevailed
I do not contend for the justice of the thing
I only say she could not expect anything else of me
in her absence, no matter on what ground she con-
sented — I am only stating the facts for you –
gratification as a friend & I trust you with them
Susan never asked any such privlige & I do not
believe it was in her heart to desire it. —
In regard to the matter I said I would accomplish
it was only to separate from here at all hazards,
& marry the woman I did — about saving the
property. I had a verbal understanding with Susan
as to the division of the property, but her friends put
her up to the exact more which resulted in leaving
me what I sold for $500.00 cash —
I meant to be understood if I had it to do over, I
would put my property out of my hands instead
of leaving everything at the mercy of this mind.
as I did — I never made an answer
to the petition at all, consequently had none to with-
-draw – I foolishly gave $50.00 to Stawder &
Brown to manage my case in order to save some-
thing for myself, after I found it was going to be
stripped of everything — The case never went
into open court at all – the evidence was given before
the Judge in private room & the result read in
the proceedings of the court, just as though
it was an open trial, Luther Day was judge
John L. Ramsey her lawyer – nigger [?] Jones,
enos P. Brainard & John McCling were the
only witnesses that I know certain of being pres-
-ent – I was not there – I left the whole [?]
-ter with them — I presume my law-
-yers were not even there – there were [?]
was all arranged that there should be evidence e-
-nough given to procure the Divorce & the remainder
adjusted by the justice —-------------------------
She might be called spiritualist at one
time during the excitement on that subject although
she could not endorse the views of many on the right
subject – She never advocated "True Love"
neither did I – as I understand Free Love —
She was a [?] of Religion, but not
a member of any church in Ohio – Her
preference was the Methodist Church but
she was so sympathetic that she could go to
any church – She was a believer in the
Second Advent or "Millerism" —
I had never heard of the injury she
received from being thrown from a carriage
My Son is in Grand Rapids Mich. learn-
-ing the gun smithing business & is doing well –
Mary is here with me – she has been
going to school – it is tradition now –
she has been [?] [?] for a dozen
pictures to send to Ohio & Michigan friends
If she gets them I presume she would send
one to Susan though she does not seem to
care much about her —
I shall be glad to hear from you any time you please to write
as ever
Yours [?] Respect –
J [?]