Scope and Contents

Nettie, living in the family home in Medford, Minnesota, wrote Earl on a regular basis. She noted family and community events and reported on their parents and numerous friends. During the summer of 1886 Nettie was in St. Paul, Minnesota, attending Hamline College. It appears that in 1887 and 1888 she remained in Medford. Two postcards from Douglass to Nettie dated 19 May 1886 and 15 August 1886 are included.

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Letters from Nettie, living at home and helping her parents with the farm in Medford, related everyday events in some detail.

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Nettie wrote of a trip she took to the neighboring town of Owatonna, Minnesota, a major event for her.

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Nettie chided Earl for not writing and wrote she was sending him some books. His mother was ill in September of 1894 and Nettie traveled with her to Rochester, Minnesota, to the Mayo Clinic. Mrs. Douglass improved steadily through 1894-1895.

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Nettie remained in Medford. Her parents were in poor health by 1896, and Nettie was caring for them. Nettie wished Earl would write more often as she admitted her life was not very exciting.

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Letters from Nettie containing news of family and neighbors. In June 1899 Nettie traveled to Minneapolis for a "Camp meeting."

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There are fewer letters to Earl from Nettie during this period although her health seemed fine and she was happy in Medford.

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After October 1905, when Earl Douglass married Pearl Goetschius, Nettie addressed her letters to "Bro & Sister." She commented on 12 October 1904 from Medford that "yes, I think it is too bad that you and Pearl can't be together if you ever intended to, just think you will soon be 42. I hate to think that we are getting so old." The letters stopped in 1907 when Nettie moved to Vernal, Utah, to live with her brother and his family.

Scope and Contents

These letters reflect the sentiments of parents toward their son. They reported much family news and events around their home in Medford, Minnesota. Abigail and Fernando were concerned about the weather and the change of seasons. They endured many health problems, but remained cheerful. The letters stopped in 1905.

Scope and Contents A letter (10 April 1904) from Earl to Pearl's mother asking permission to marry Pearl is included with his letter to Pearl. The letters between Pearl and Earl in 1904 and 1905 are primarily love letters. They reflect sincere love and concern for one another. They were separated much of the time during these years--Pearl remained in her mother's home in Alder, Montana. The 1905 letters place Earl in Pittsburgh working at the Carnegie Museum, visiting his family, and on field trips throughout...