Letter from Louie [Strentzel Muir] to [John Muir], 1897 Aug 17.

• Main Author: Louie Strentzel Muir
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Scholarly Commons 1897
• Subjects: John Muir; correspondence; letters; author; writing; naturalist; California; correspondent; mail; message; post; exchange of letters; missive; notes; epistle; Davidson; Diablo; glacier; Alaska
• Online Access: https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/jmcl/1167; https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/context/jmcl/article/26100/type/native/viewcontent

Martinez, California, August 17, 1897. My dear husband: We have just received your telegram from Victoria and have also read in the Examiner that you are to sail on the Queen next Sunday, so we are all writing hurried letters to you hoping they will go on the steamer Walla Walla in the morning. I inclose Mr. Johnson's letter, so you may see how much work you have before you. The ladies of the Century Club, San Francisco, are again very anxious to have you lecture for them September 8. I answered that you would probably be up North at that time. The Unitarian Ladies also invite you to lecture, the Camera Club also were eager to hear you, but in lieu of you listened to George Davidson. Mr. Kip sent a pretty picture of the "Baby Spruce tree." Mary Hand is hard at work on the Shasta picture. I think it will look very well, and she seems determined to copy the Muir Glacier full size, as she got the large canvas, and speaks of staying here some weeks. She is greatly disappointed over missing the Alaska journey. Fred Magee sent his father's article about "Forest Destruction" for your criticism. It is good and strong but will need a lot of "fixing over" for publication. He thought of sending it to Harper's Weekly. Perhaps you will meet Thomas Magee up in Alaska, as he expected to remain there about 3 weeks. Our Gazette copied Juliet Tompkins sketch of you, so I will get several of the papers. Mother has been very sick since you left, and had another of those dreadful fainting spells, but she is now slowly improving and is tolerably comfortable. We had to bring Mrs. Dake again to help lift, as I hurt my knee in trying to lift mother when she fell over and I have been very lame ever since and not able to go to San Francisco for my new eyeglasses, and so this pencil writing which is not pleasant. Wanda went down with Mary Hand and Dr. Barkan says Wanda has one near sighted eye which was the cause of the severe pains in her eyes and head. He says she must wear glasses all the time. Helen has had a very light attack of whooping cough, but is nearly well now. She sleeps quietly at night and looks very well once more. Margaret looks better since the weather has been cool. The sky has looked like rain all day and this morning there was lightning and thunder over Mount Diablo. Grapes are ripening slowly. I suppose you have had plenty of delicious berries to eat up on the Rockies. We have not had any letter from you since you left, but hope you will send one from Victoria. Be sure to telegraph when you return from Alaska. We will pray for fair weather and good fortune of glorious views for you all the way. Heaven bless you and keep you safe from all harm and danger. Your faithful wife, Louie [Muir] 02332 https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/jmcl/26100/thumbnail.jpg