Pat,

I thought you might like to post this letter to the website. It talks about the death of Ella Stuart. This letter is from Katie (Tremper) Uhl to her daughter Grace, who has gone to Paris to improve her artistic skills. Al Carter is one of my grandfathers - he married one of the daughters of Katie Uhl so Katie is also one of my grandmothers. Jonathan and Katie (Tremper) Uhl lived in Shenandoah for a good number of years. Eventually they moved to Los Angeles, CA where they died.

I have hundreds of letters that I am typing up.

Margaret Gagliardi
Annandale, VA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

107 E. Clarinda Ave.

Shenandoah, Iowa

U. S. A.

Student Hostel

93 Bard. S. Michel E. V.

Paris, France

Wednesday, Dec 8th, 1909

My Dear Grace:

No one has written you any thing for several days and I have no doubt you are wishing for news from Ella Stuart. Yesterday morning she seemed quite a little better; was so much stronger she took a drink from a tumbler, instead of spoonful; she could make them understand her answers to their questions; felt her sufferings much more keenly; in fact showed so much more life and strength than for several days; and it seems so much more hopefull. But about noon she began to lose again; the doctor was called; and did all he could; but it was not enough. About 3 o'clock she passed away. Papa and Joe went over in the evening for a little while. They saw all the family; and all were bearing up very well. They had had their shock, and the first wave of sorrow when the paralysis struck her; and had not dared hope very much; especially since the specialist they called told them there was no chance at all. Of course they will feel her absence more when they return to the usual routine of life. I feel very sorry for them and for myself – and my family. We will all miss her very much. If you can find time (and wish to), write them a letter. It need not be long; but they all think a good deal of you; and I think a note from you would do them good.

Mrs. Fishbaugh is much better of her cold; and I guess will not get down in bed, as I feared a few days ago. She asks about you so often.

We Kappa Deltians had a very nice time Monday evening. Joe has given a very good description of it in the "World" so I will only add that the waiters were Joe, Emma Welty, Carrie Lake, Ward Sutton, Ella Murphy and a friend of hers; (I did not learn her name), Henry Read and Harold Perkins had been invited to assist in serving; but they did not respond. Joe, and Carrie, and Emma, were the judges in the contests.

I forgot to tell you that Ella Stuart is to be buried tomorrow afternoon. I don't know the particulars; so I will lay this aside till Joe comes home. Joe says the funeral will be hold at two o'clock at the house.

Thursday morning. I think I will not try to attend the funeral, as the weather is very cold; colder than I have every seen it here in December. The mercury fell to 9 degrees below; and at 8 o'clock this morning it was not much better. But now (at 10:30) it seems to growing warmer.

I almost forgot to tell you about Al's visit. He came down Saturday night. We were not looking for him. His train was so delayed by the bad weather in one way or another, that it was midnight when he got here. The first we knew of him Joe opened the door of our room and said "There is someone at the front door". Then she called down "Who is it?" "Al Carter" "What do you want?" "I want to get in." By that time we were all laughing; and all put on slippers and gowns and had a little visit before going back to bed. Al was going home on Sunday evening, but the train was so late we feared the street cars would all be in the barns before he got there; so he staid till morning. He has never spent so little of his time away from us, when in Shenandoah; and we enjoyed his visit. He says Glenn is having a good holiday trade. We all send you love, and the wish that you may keep well; and have a happy holiday time.

Lovingly Mama