This is January,
1904, and we moved to Kansas about fourteen years ago.
We traded the hotel for property in Medicine Lodge. Charlien, Lola
and their husbands moved to themselves and mother Gloyd would consent
to stay away from me only until we could get settled in Kansas. She
had her trunk prepared for the journey. She was now eighty-six years
old, but had remarkable vitality. I said:
"Mother you had better stay here the rest of your life, for Kansas is
much colder than this climate."
But she replied: "I came from Vermont and it is very cold there."
She followed me to the train, and when I went to leave her she placed
her arms around me and her head on my breast. Her last words were:
"I have lived with you and I want to die with you." Oh, how I disliked
to leave her! This was the last time I saw her dear, sweet face. We
had lived together as constant companions for twenty-three years.
Before I left Richmond, I requested of two of my dear friends, Mrs.
Connor and Mrs. Todd, that if mother ever got sick, they would stay by
her until the last. In a year from this time she died, being sick only three
days. These dear friends stayed by her side until the last. A telegram
was sent to me when she was first taken sick, and I wanted to go, but I
had no money of my own, and Mr. Nation would not consent. I have
never ceased to be sorry for it.
I was very much pleased when I first went to Kansas, for it was a
great relief from burdens.
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