1926-1968 Ella Mower to Olive Schnack

'Ella' is the author of this note to 'Olive'.  It could have been mailed anytime between 1926 and 1968 but my guess is closer to the latter.  The names and relationships to Ella, in the order of appearance, are:

• 'Walt' was Jochim Walter Schnack, Ella's brother
• 'Olive' Letha Rose Schnack was Walt's wife and Ella's sister-in-law
• 'Charles' H. Mower was Ella's husband
• 'Ella' was Anna Catharina Ella Schnack Mower, Charles' wife and Olive's sister-in-law

Say hello to Walt.

Dear Olive,

Just a line to say Hello and hope that you are feeling good and able to go back to teach.  I thought maybe that we might see you again before school started.

Charles went to the Dr. yesterday .  The Dr. bawled him out for not taking his medicine.  His blood pressure was 210° and told him that he should be in the hospital.  He's supposed to go to the Dr. again next week.  I hope the carpenter will soon be out of here so I can have the trim painted and papered.

Love,
Ella

1941 6 9 Beatrice Camp to Olive Schnack

See the Names page to know how the people mentioned are related.

M.I.B. Hospital
Cooperstown, N.Y.
June 9, 1941

Dear Olive,

Daisy and Ella stopped in to see me yesterday.  I was surprised.  Today is my ninth day and I hope in a few days to feel almost human.  I just started to dry up my breasts.  I've been trying to get milk for the baby but didn't have half enough and anyway, Dr. Peckham thinks it will be a long time before baby would be strong enough to nurse.  The baby seems to be gaining.  Dr. Peckham says she has a very unladylike appetite.  For the first time, I held her in my hands yesterday.  My, she is so tiny but of course I think she is cute.  I think she looks like Len.  The nurses and doctors seem to think she is a vigorous preemie and that she stands a chance.  She is in the incubator all the time except when they feed her and I think now they have discontinued the oxygen but she was getting it

continuously.

The night nurse just brought me a dose of salts so I know I'm going to have a grand time today.  Hope I can get the pan when I need it.

I'm writing this before breakfast, am I not smart?  Last night makes the 3rd night I've slept good for the first in 8 months.  It seems good.

I hope you will be coming home soon!  It seems years since I've seen you.  Just as soon as I can, I'll come see you.  I think they are going to make me leave the baby here for a while.

Poor little Jr.  How is he?  I haven't dared think about you and him.  It makes me sick and I have felt so useless.

I'm so glad Vivian and Eddie have Aunt Hattie to take care of them.  I know they have good care.

Emilee has been coming to see me every day.  I don't know what I'd have done without her.

I have an awful sore rear end!  It is covered with great big pustules.  It is painful to sit on.  I'm going to get out of bed tomorrow for a half hour in the a.m. and a half hour in the p.m.

Do you get good care?  I'm very satisfied.  I feed a preemie that is over 4 weeks old for the nurses so that gives the nurses more time to feed mine.  Harriet gets fed every 3 hours; the others every 4 hours.

They tell me you are quite prophetic; that you knew I had a girl before anyone else.

Well, I'll be coming home Saturday.  I hate to leave my baby.  If she doesn't have to be in the incubator, I don't see why I can't take her.  I could hire Hattie for what it would cost for her here and I'd have lots of time to fuss with her.

I'm afraid you'll be all tired out trying to read this.

I have to lie on my side to keep off my sore rear.

I had the sweetest card from Vivian and Eddie.

I have written Miltie a letter.  I'm lonesome for him.  Now I have to write to Aunt Hattie.  I don't suppose you are able to write.  Try to eat a lot and get your strength back.

Hope to see you soon.

Love,
B.