The Andrew Wylie Family Letters - Indiana University Bloomington

was going to have a son. I suppose Sam would not for all the world mention such an event. What
is he named!
So Sister Mary McCalla is going to do something for her country again Does she intend
this one shall be red headed! Is Miss Dennis in Bloomington yet! And how does she like the
place now! I understood Mr. Hughes (the parson) visited our City and did not think much of the
hospitality of her citizens, next time he comes tell him to hunt me up. The Cholera and the weather
here are both awful. seventeen funerals went by here yester day. it makes me feel real gloomy
to see a hearse almost everytime you look out of the window. I was really in hopes we would
escape Cholera this year. Have you had any of it in your town yet! I was up nearly all last night
with Mother. she had dysen tery, by daylight we got a Dr here and she seems easier now as soon
as she is able to ride that far we will take her to our old home on the hill and let her make a visit
of a week. she likes the hill much better than this place.
Will Ammen has been here nearly a month. he always spends his vacations with us. they are
the happiest part of his life it is probable his Father will give him into my care this winter. Will
hears from his mother every month or so, she expresses great interest in his welfare. Caroline is
living with his [?] Mrs Pierce has only three children. Caroline, Mrs. Barney, Mrs. Hull. Mrs. B
has broken up housekeeping and is living with her mother. her husband has been in the Lunatic
Asylum since last January. Mrs. Hull is yet at Mr Corneaus I have not heard whether she has
applied for a divorce. if she gets one she will not go to her mother for the three sisters never
could live in the same house together. Mrs. Corneau has been gone from home seven weeks. I
understood she was heartily sick and tired of Mrs. H.
Remember me in the kindest manner to your Aunt Abbe I hope I shall have the pleasure
of seeing her when she passes through here. I would like much to have her make me a visit. You
will certainly miss her much when she goes away. How did you get along houskeeping while
your mother was gone!
We are looking every day for Brother Jacob. I do not know whether he intends staying in
Georgeton much longer he talks something of coming to Cin to live. I am looking for Sam over
here to day (Sunday) he told me he would start tomorrow for Bloomington I wish I was going
with him. as I had such a good opportunity to send a letter concluded I would write now. So that
must be my apology for writing so soon
I made a pair of shoes gaiters for myself the wimmen in this part of the country all make
their own shoes. I have a last and all the tools. you can make pair in a day easy enough if you
will come on and spend the winter with me I will give you lessons. I expect Lizzy Cox to spend
part of the winter with me if she does not go to England this fall. Give my love to all the family.
Kind regards to inquiring friends. Do write soon please excuse all mistakes for I have been
interrupted many times since I commenced writing.
Give my love to Irene and the rest of the Wheeling people when you write tell I[rene] when she
goes to B to stop and see me.
John H. Wylie to Andrew Wylie, Bloomington, Indiana
Richmond Aug. 20 th 1850
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Dear Father
It no doubt seems strange to you, as indeed it does to myself, that I should again date my
letters from Richmond. Sam I suppose is at home and has explained to you why it was that I
came here -- The same cause has detained me longer than I had expected; and in fact I have been
induced by the force of circum stances--in which category are included many items some of which
I shall leave you to guess at--to hang out my shingle again in this place, and try my hand once
more. I was not satisfied with Wheeling, Cincinnati, or Terre Haute nor do I think that I should
have been content with any other place simply for the reason that the source of dissatisfaction
was within myself. To speak more plainly a residence in any other place than this, seemed to
be inconsistant with a cherished purpose of my heart i.e. marriage and an early retirement – The
reasons in favor of which are these; 1st inclination 2 freeing the mind from anxiety and sus pense
-- for I could not, nor would I get rid of it in that other way suggested & strongly urged by some
of the family a breaking of the engagement this would not be right it would not be honorable -- it
would not consist with my inclinations or the happiness of myself or the other party concerned. 3
An unmarried physician is not regarded as a fixed and settled member of socie ty. And hence in
the fourth place his business cannot be as good as it otherwise might be -- These and many other
minor considera tions have induced the step that I have now taken. But you ask why did not these
considerations have their effect before I commenced my eccentric wanderings? -- why was it that
I left Richmond in the first place? -- Because I did not like the place, the people did not suit me
-- I found it difficult to accommodate my self to this--that was the difficulty--and is --. With this
last unfortunate circumstance on the one side--and the forgoing considerations on the other, my
mind was bro’t into a state of doubt, perplexity and anxiety to which I had before been a stranger-
-and which has caused me more suffering that I can tell of. It has driven me away in the hope
that I might find an opportunity of getting immediately into business in some other place when
I would be more content to live Disappointed in this I am driven back to the place from whence
I started--content yet discontented--happy yet miserable -- Can such a state of things exist -- it
can & I suffer it. These & a thousand other things have given an indecision & eccentricity to
my action that really looks, even to myself, like madness or imbecility -- I am ashamed of it -- I
despise myself for it yet I have not been able to act differently. But enough of this -- I received
your last letter a day or two before I left Terre Haute, directing me to collect some money from
Farley -- I called at his house & at his place of business two or three times but did not see him and
of course did not get the money. When I was about leaving I found myself short of funds, and Mr
Buntin was so kind as to let me off without paying my bill at that time -- the amount is $16.00--in
which is included my washing bill. You will oblige me much, if it is not inconvenient--if you will
send the money to him by an early opportunity -- better send it by mail as I think there will be but
little risk -- I am somewhat anxious about the matter should it be delayed long I fear my credit
will suffer. I have already received so many kindnesses, so many favors from you, dear fa ther,
that I am quite ashamed to ask anything further--but pover ty & necessity ------ In order to carry
out my plans & in order to commence business under circumstances that will be likely to bring
success, I need several things--a horse and buggy – and money--say $100.00 -- I cannot ask you
to give me this, but if in the course of two or three months you could lend it I should be glad to
pay the interest--and the principle as soon as possible -- I know you will say nonsense! cant lend
money to you – but -- I ask that condition only as a favor. I should not feel satisfied in any other
way -- But your circumstances may not admit of it in that case of course I don’t expect it -- Sam
will be returning to Cin. in a few days -- could he not come by R[ichmond] & bring Fann with
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