DIY History | Transcribe | Iowa Women’s Lives: Letters and Diaries | Iowa Byington Reed diary, January 1, 1897-December 31, 1898

Transcribe
Translate

Iowa Byington Reed diary, January 1, 1897-December 31, 1898

Page 128

Fanny got up too but I get her to go back to bed.
John & Rob were asleep from utter exaustion on one
bed and Hattie laid beside Edith who breathed deeply.
I alone kept watch from that time till half past
six. At five I noticed the death dew on her hands.
Friday December 9th 1898
When the Dr came at eight oclock he told us the
end was not far away. We kept the death watch
during the forenoon. Father, Ott and Lee were down
stairs. Aunt Emma and Allie were with us up stairs
and Will got there in time to see her breathe her
last at eleven oclock. Oh how can we live without
our sweet Edith. God help all of us.
Will and I came home in the afternoon.
Saturday December 10th 1898
I did the morning work and fixed a lunch
for Will and I at half past ten and we took such
things as we needed and went up home. The boys
finished husking corn about the middle of the forenoon
and I sent Pink home last night and left Charlie
to take came of himself while we were away. We found
Bird Harris up home. Belle Murry came with
Edith's dress and by two oclock she was dressed so
sweetly and laid on a couch in the parlor bedroom.
There were some callers in the afternoon.
Will Bremmer came today and we all sat up till
after the one oclock train to see Dorothy when she
came. It all seems like a dream.

Saving...

Fanny got up too but I get her to go back to bed. John & Rob were asleep from utter exaustion on one bed and Hattie laid beside Edith who breathed deeply. I alone kept watch from that time till half past six. At five I noticed the death dew on her hands. Friday December 9th 1898 When the Dr came at eight oclock he told us the end was not far away. We kept the death watch during the forenoon. Father, Ott and Lee were down stairs. Aunt Emma and Allie were with us up stairs and Will got there in time to see her breathe her last at eleven oclock. Oh how can we live without our sweet Edith. God help all of us. Will and I came home in the afternoon. Saturday December 10th 1898 I did the morning work and fixed a lunch for Will and I at half past ten and we took such things as we needed and went up home. The boys finished husking corn about the middle of the forenoon and I sent Pink home last night and left Charlie to take came of himself while we were away. We found Bird Harris up home. Belle Murry came with Edith's dress and by two oclock she was dressed so sweetly and laid on a couch in the parlor bedroom. There were some callers in the afternoon. Will Bremmer came today and we all sat up till after the one oclock train to see Dorothy when she came. It all seems like a dream.