[From Mrs. Isaac S. Schultz to her nephew Eugene Schultz]
1697 Grand Ave. Seattle Wash
Dec 3rd 1931
My dear Nephew, Eugene,
Your long looked for letter arrived at last, and I must say that I was very much pleased to hear from you.
I arrived here in Seattle the 15th of October and have been sick with Flue—for a month. I am now able to be out of bed, but still very weak, I found my sister out of danger but still in poor health.
My daughter insisted on my coming and stay with her this winter or as long as I was contented here, and has been really kind to me while I was sick in bed. She promised that if I would stay with her that she would keep a housemaid to do the work, and I would not have to even go down stairs to the dining room for my meals—While I was ill she did have her husband or herself bring my meals to my room—and all went fine—But as soon as I was able to walk down stairs—I was invited to do so. She has a maid come to the house 3 days out of the week to do the washing and ironing and sweeping—she comes at 9 o'clock AM. goes away at 3 P.M. and gets the lunch at noon while here—My daughter promised to have a maid in the house all the time. She has not done so—and she leaves home at 10 AM. to go to her office takes her lunch in the city—and does not come home until 8. PM—and sometimes not until 2 oclock in the morning—sometimes taking her supper out—then she Phones for me to eat my supper alone—Her husband was here during Thanksgiving week but has returned to his Logging camp, But is not doing any business only building a cabin on his ranch land—
Since I have been able to go down stairs for my meals—My daughter had decided not to keep a maid in the house and has decided that I can do the cooking, washing dishes—answer the Phone and door bell which requires my going down stairs at least 10-times a day—and I have her bed to make—and my own room to care for—and then lays out sewing—mending and many other tasks to do—The 4 days left of the week—This is a great disapointment to me— and I have only been to see my sister but once since I came at first I was too ill and now have no time.
I had to sell my furniture and take a Note and I only had money enough to pay freight on my Trunk—I had intended if not satisfied here I would go on to Independence M.O. to my Church where they will take care of me. I found I could not sell my Homestead now so thought I might stay here until I did then I could have money to go away—
I have rented my house for ten dollars per month— and in time it will pay my taxes. Now I am in a dilema—My daughter has asked me to deed her the Homestead—without any assurence of any money in return—only a promise to keep me here in her home and feed me and cloth me the rest of my life. And I would have to do as I am doing now be just a servent for her the rest of my life.
I don't propose to do so, and I may try to stand present conditions, until I can raise money to return to my home in Thermopolis—and ask for an old age pension or go on to Independence to my Church and let them take care of me and my property, which they will be glad to do and I can be happy there.
My brothers and sisters would rather I do that than have me working for Helen.
I have only 2 copies of one manuscript—which I can send you one—and if it is of any value—you can use it—or keep it yourself as a souvanier—as soon as I can go to the city and get an envelope large enough to cover it, I will mail it to you. I think it is one of my best—and it is my last. If I should leave here, Helen will be frantic—and it will break our relations for good. The object she had in inducing me to come was to get hold of my property. I would rather deed it to you—and take chances of your doing the right thing by me in future—
I am very much unsettled in what is best to do—Will you please advise me in this matter—
Hoping this finds you and family well
I am as ever your loving Aunt—
Mrs I S Schultz—
P.S. I am glad you like the Picture
[Letter from the collection of Lloyd Geissinger]
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