Koamalu : a story of pioneers on Kauai, and of what they built in that island garden / by Ethel M. Damon. [Vol. 1, no. 2]

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KOA M A L U

Dear Mary, I wrote you about the 10th of May, giving a
statement of our condition, how we were situated at that time.
We are in good health, but old & clumsy, have the rheumatism
some, not able to do but little work, hardly fit to live by our selves.
Still we will try to take good care of our pleasant home provided
for us by one we all loved.
Oh, this terrible war, when shall we have an honorable peace?
By Richard's request I send you his love together with his photograph taken in the Army. He is now with Sherman at Atlanta,
Georgia. We have heard this morning that Gen. Grant has been
defeated at Petersburg with heavy loss. This will no doubt put
us back another Year. We live here in peace & quietness, although
our state is infested with small squads of meandering thieves,
murderers & robbers. The President has found it necessary to
declare the whole state of Kentucky under martial law. Quite a
number of men in this county have been arrested within two or
three days past & sent off for alleged disloyalty. It is hard to tell
what will be the end of these wonders.
Well, Emily, we have your likeness which we are much
pleased with, have stuck it on a blank leaf of a book by the side
of Isenberg's likeness, though of course Maria's ought to stand
next to his and yours a little back. If you will come & live with us
a while we will introduce you to some nice Kentuckian.
Now, Mary, I must write you a line. I understand that you
are the largest of the Girls, more like your Mother than any of
the rest & getting along very well with your studies. That's right,
prepare yourself for usefulness. Don't forget to write us as soon
as convenient. I believe I must write Willie a letter before long.
Our united love to all.
My eyesight has returned. I can see to read common print
without the aid of Glasses.
Your Grand Father & Mother
J. & S. Rice.
Covington, Kentucky. Feb. 6, 1865.
Our Dear Grand ChildrenPlease receive our Grateful thanks for that present of 40
dollars you sent us in order to make us comfortable during the
hard winter. We have spent money as sparingly as possible, have