17 December 1896 Letter Written to Florence Smith Thomas, daughter of Union Parish Recorder William Callaway Smith Submitted by: Dr. Robert S. Hendrick Date of Submission: 4/2005 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ================================================================================== ================================================================================== 17 December 1896 Letter Written to Florence Smith Thomas, daughter of Union Parish Recorder William Callaway Smith Materials from the Personal Collection of Dr. Robert S. Hendrick, Jr. Transcribed and submitted by Robert S. Hendrick, Jr. The following two letters concern the birth of a child by a close friend of Florence Smith Thomas. Supposedly, the events described in the second letter inspired her never to have children. ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Simmesport, LA December 3, 1896 Mrs. F. S. Thomas Shreveport, LA Dear Miss Florence, It is with much pleasure that I take advantage of this opportunity of telling you the good news. After a very trying ordeal of 21 hours duration, little Helen Florence was born at 1:30 A. M. on Dec. 2. We call her Florence for you. She is a very fine girl, weighs 9 lbs. and “pretty as a princess”. Ketha and little Miss Florence are both doing nicely up to this date, 2 P. M. Dec 3. Yours Truly, E. M. Burleigh ================================================================================== ================================================================================== December 17, 1896 Simmesport, LA Dearest Florence, Imagine a regular invalid, too weak to walk, all bundled in a huge double wrapper, comfort(er), belts and bandages, big hollow eyes, etc. sitting in a big rocker before a big fire and you will excuse the poor attempt of a letter, and remember 'tis only love of you that makes me write at all. I'm very blue and despondent, only my beautiful baby inspires me with any desire to exist anymore. I had such a horrible ordeal, have suffered so much pain and am so weak. The Doctor had to deliver the baby with instruments, and in so doing lacerated me completely, and some way the suffering or my collapse, convulsions or something caused the doctor to fail to note the laceration and he did not know of it till a week later, and took the stitches at that late date now has only half union taken place and leaves me in a bad fix indeed. I knew nothing for two hours before she was born. My suffering almost drove me wild. But when he took the stitches I thought it would kill me. I took nothing to ease the pain and almost had convulsions. My God, I pray you may never have a child if you have to suffer as I have. But enough of the bad, let me tell you of your little namesake. She (we think) has blue eyes, brown hair, and the plumpest little darling. They all say she favors me. I feel complimented for she is a little beauty for two weeks. She is almost white, never was very red and has never cried or had colic. She sleeps all bundled up my me and grunts, and kicks, and sneezes, roots me almost out of bed and seems to enjoy herself muchly. I'm so proud of her and feel myself the extremely foolish young mother. Mr. Norwood says I do my real well. Sunday a pretty little baby ring came to me from Shreveport, but no card on it. Do not know who to thank, but feel sure you or Sister sent it. If yourself, accept thanks, tis sweet and kind of you. She sends you a sweet kiss from the daintiest mouth in the world. We call her Florence and I hope you two will be great friends. She will call you "Aunt Florence" if you like. I'm glad she is a girl. A big X-mas tree in this big house Christmas night in back parlor. Many handsome presents, etc. I hear I'm to get a few too. May you have a merry time darling. Too weak to write more. Don't count letters with me. With Much Love, S. K. Burleigh ##############################################################################