| Title: | O'Donnell, Annie to Phelan, James, 1904 |
|---|---|
| ID | 6294 |
| Collection | Your Fondest Annie: Letters from Annie O'Donnel to James P.Phelan [A. O'Donnell] |
| File | fondestan/57 |
| Year | 1904 |
| Sender | O'Donnell, Annie |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | children's maid |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | the Vagabondia boat |
| Destination | Indianapolis, Indiana, USA |
| Recipient | Phelan, James |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | friends |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 531 |
| Genre | travelling, holiday, correspondence |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [5 Feb 1904] [Vagabondia stationery] [Palatka, Florida] Wednesday night My dear Jim, We arrived at Rockledge late on Monday evening, and I would have written you sooner, but we are miles away from any P.O. and now are beginning to move a little nearer one, so you will probably get this letter before Sunday. Your letter hasn't reached me yet but hope by tomorrow evening to get it. I never felt so lonely leaving Pittsburgh as I did this time, and the girls certainly didn't make it much easier as they were in tears as we were leaving. Rose misses us more than anyone, and for a whole week before we left, she would sigh and say, 'I wish you were coming home instead of going.' Well, I never had a harder or more tiresome trip than this one, and I was so glad to get off the train and get to our nice boat which was quite a pleasant change from the horrid old train. We were the poorest crowd you ever saw on Monday evening. [We] looked as though we had been seasick for a week, but a good wash and a little rest fixed us all up and are now enjoying the balmy breezes of this delightful country. The weather is beautiful, so warm and nice. Just too lovely for words. I wish you were here. You would be enraptured over the different scenes that present themselves. We spent the greater part of today on the beach and in the afternoon went fishing, and tonight we are all so sunburned. I like this kind of life that gives you freedom to enjoy nature in all its grandeur, and it always brings back those old days of precious memory when I roamed about the fields and gardens and felt no care, but there is a certain wildness about this place that I can never fancy. We were quite close today to what appeared to be 'a deserted village,' some 10 or 12 houses all in fair shape but not a creature within miles of them. It just looked as though all left at the same time. This is such good fishing ground. Our party have stayed a little longer, but once we move from here, we will lose no time in reaching Miami. Don't forget to address your next letters to the Royal Palm Hotel, Miami, Fla. I'll be glad to get a word from anybody now. It seems like ages since I heard from you last, but once we get to Miami, there will be no trouble in getting our mail. Please, Jim, excuse this scribble tonight. It is merely to let you know I am still in the land of the living, though amidst the wilds of the Indian River, and that I do not forget you. Often when Ellen and I sit on deck, we talk of our friends. There is not one mentioned oftener than Jim. The boat is a little bit rocky, so notice the difference in my writing, Hoping to have your letter by tomorrow. Remember me to all, and with my best love to you, dear Jim. I am your Annie XXXXX |
