Alphabet File page 235
He is now attending the School for General Service at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas (will graduate in June) preparatory for promotion.
Geoffrey, my youngest son, is a captain now. He was a lawyer in New Orleans. Enlisted in the National Army -- got a commission in the regular Army as lieutenant, went up to captain, and so confirmed on his return to the United States.
Carl, my second son, practicing here is now in the Mississippi Senate.
Donald, third son, is still teaching in the Boys High
School in New Orleans (home here).
I have five grandchildren living (having lost one). All the "clan" now well.
How are you getting along with your cataracts?
What of your kinswoman, Miss Simmons?
Your friend,
C.M.
Brother Joseph Dutton
Kalawao, Molokai,
Hawaii.
July 20, 1924
Dear Dutton,
Just a line, or two, to let you know I am in good general health, nearly well of my lameness -- cataracts slowly, "ripening" -- soon I shall have the worse eye operated upon -- then, much later, the other -- Have you ever had an examination by a specialist?
Since the adoption of the belief by the scientists that leprosy is conveyed from the sick to the well only by the bite of a bed bug, I should think that the strictness of the segregation has been relaxed, and that a specialist might come to Molokai, or you go to Honolulu, for examination of your eyes -- never allow any one to persuade you to have the operation performed by the "Smith method" -- Smith is an English specialist, at Calcutta, who operates without waiting for the cataracts to get "ripe" -- The "Smith method" is very much more liable to cause loss of the eyesight than is the operation performed only when the cataract reaches a certain degree of development -- Do you use a reading glass to read?
Have you been told that there is a liquid that will enable you to see to write for a few days, when a small quantity is put in the eyes?
Your old friend,
C.M.
December 28th, 1924
My dear Dutton,
Yours 12th came today -- 16 days en route -- very good time!
I received the Honolulu newspapers, which I read with academic interest -- The news dispatches, rec'd radio from the U.S. were full and accurate, and appeared on the same date as in the American papers. I noticed one error (not important, however. A dispatch appeared from Anniston La. It should have been Ala -- the letter "a" was dropped in transmission from Ala, this making the state, La -- There was a "Talk from Dorothy Dix" -- She lives in New Orleans, and is a syndicate writer -- She has made much money with her pen -- She came from Clarksville -- My wife and I know her -- She is Mrs. Elizabeth Gilmer nee Merriwether.
One of the papers had a good editorial explaining why the South remains "solid" for the Democratic party, altho sometimes contrary to its own economic interest. The writer seemed to have the right conception.
I got your verses having reference to my last birthday -
I opened your letter in the bank -- just then Father
Gmelch (sp.?), the priest of the parish, came in and I showed him the letter-- He was interested in my account of our early acquaintance. He seemed, however, to know your history -- How are your cataracts? Is the bed bug theory of the transmission of leprosy accepted by the authorities?
Affectionately,
C.M.
May 8th, 1925
My dear Dutton,
Mrs. Marshall has been very ill since about December 1st
We had here during the fall and inter an epidemic of influenza - very general throughout the town -- not fatal, but those attacked were very sick and the convalescence was terribly slow -- weeks - She improved, but had a relapse in January, and had us all frightened -- the doctor and the trained nurses brought her through all right -- another relapse (but lighter) occurred about
March 1st -- after this attack was fought off she entered upon the long drawn- out convalescing stage -- She is doing nicely now, but is rather far yet from complete recovery.
This was one of the reasons that you have not heard from me lately; another is my bad eye-sight -- nearly all the time I cannot see to read, or write at intervals I am allowed by the oculist Nov. 1 to put homatropin in the eyes which enable me to see well enough to write in a sort of a way and to read, with a good light and the aid of a powerful reading glass -- the effect wears off in a day or two and I am again almost blind -- I can go about, however and have acquired the power of identifying people by the voice--It will not be long now until the worst eye will be operated upon -- How are your eyes now? Do your health people accept the belief held here that leprosy is not communicated by personal contact, but only by the bed bug carrier? If so, you might be allowed to visit Honolulu and see an oculist.
Are cures being effected in your "settlement"? I received the two "batches" of the Honolulu Newpapers -- they interested me.
If you were to return to the U.S. you would not know the country such have been the changes and I do not believe for the better in many instances -- My 4 boys are all doing well -- I have 6 grandchildren.
Your old, and good friend, C.M.
October 17th 25
Dear Dutton,
Your letter of Aug. 4th was received August 12 -- very quick time - the pouch must have been handled over some stretch by an air mail service plane -- attached to your letter, in chief, were several memos written at various times and some clippings. The tout ensemble was exceedingly interesting -- I sent the matter to a scientific friend in New Orleans who returned with a very pleasing letter. Just then I received a letter from Miss
Simmons and, when answered, I sent her the package from you.
I have delayed writing you in expectation of a reply from Miss Simmons, which might contain something to send you -- no reply none has come, and I fear she is very ill, as her letter spoke very pessimistically of her health.
The copies of the Honolulu and Sheboygan newspapers came to hand. I also noted an article regarding you in the "Lou
& Nash RR Employees Magazine" Did you receive a copy? I observe that a man in Memphis, one of the L&N agency force when you were there states you were chief yard clerk -- I thought at the time that you were chief clerk of all the force, being the agent's (Mr. Horace J. Smith) alter ego--
I got it into my head some way that you belonged to the 14th Wis. infantry -- I see now that it was the 13th -- I now know that you were born in Vermont. I thought you were a native of Wisconsin.
Do you remember our parting at the steamboat landing in June (?) 1886, When you embarked to go up the river route to the headquarters of your order (in Indiana I think)a
From what state does Dr. Marshall come?