Edward W. Axson to Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre

Title

Edward W. Axson to Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre

Creator

Axson, Edward W.

Identifier

WWP17299

Date

1903 June 6

Description

Edward Axson writes to Jessie Wilson Sayre about his son Edward Axson Jr.

Source

Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library, Princeton University

Language

English

Text

My dear Jessie

This is a note from Florence's room at the Infirmary. Edward Jr has had his breakfast and is now going to sleep in his improvised crib—a morris chair with cushions to sleep on. Florence had a good nights rest and is as bright and well as can be. Tell Mama she is doing splendidly—has never had a bit of fever and the doctors say everything is entirely satisfactory. The young gentleman also is doing finely—He had a touch of colic (at least that is what they said it was) yesterday morning and yelled bloody murder for about two hours. They got him fixed up though and he has not given much trouble since. Miss Mason, Florence's nurse, sleeps on a cot in the room and every time he whimpers she jumps up to see if he is all right. She says she is going to begin “training” him soon. She is devoted to him & wont let anyone say a word in criticism of her charge. He is a fine big boy—Cousin Hattie and others maintain that he is a “beautiful baby”. Florence and I were of a decidedly opposite opinion at first, but she is completely convinced now that it is true—and even I have to admit that he is improving. F. is perfectly devoted to him—sometimes she tries to persuade the nurse to wake him up before he has finished his nap, so that she can have him.
How I wish you all could see him—I know you would be glad to hold him—provided Miss Mason would let you. She wont let me hold him very much—afraid I will let his head drop off I suppose.Cousin Hattie had a message from Lily White calling her to Bryn Mawr on account of Uncle Tom's serious condition. He has had another sinking spell and they seem to be alarmed about him. She left this morning taking the little girls and Esmond. The two little girls and Esmond came out yesterday afternoon for a little while to see F and the baby before leaving. They all quite went into rhapsodies over him. I am sorry Cousin Hattie has to leave just now—both because of the errand that takes her and also because Florence enjoyed her little visits so much. She has been so good to F. ever since she came up to Nashville.
You must have been greatly surprised to hear that we had decided to leave Mannie—It is too bad in one way for we were counting on having a little visit from you girls this summer in our little dry goods box home—we could have stowed you away two or three deep on cots. But you know Gainesville is still nearer Asheville, and while we cant say yet at all how we will be fixed, still it can probably be arranged somehow for you all to run down for a little visit—we must try to bring it about anyhow—You and Margaret and Madge would be coming back to your old home—wouldnt you—and we we would manage to make Nell feel at home too.
Well my note has grown into quite a letter—but I must close now. Mama's and Margaretssweet letters arrived this morning and were so much appreciated by us. I have had several nice letters from you recently and have greatly enjoyed them. I suppose there will be another one soon (if you are not too busy with exams), presenting your compliments to His Royal Highness.
I expect to stay here longer then I at first intended—for now that Cousin H. is gone Floris would be very lonely. I shall probably go down to Mannie some day next week, if things continue to go well here, and attend to the packing of our furniture. Then I shall come back here & perhaps spend a few days more with F. before going on to Gainesville with Cousin Robert. My address will continue to be c/o R. Ewing #421 N. Vine St.—Florence's is c/o Dr Brigg's Infirmary #421 S. College St.Florence and Edward Jr send their very best love to all the dear ones—as also do I.]]>Ever lovinglyEd

Original Format

Letter

To

Sayre, Jessie Woodrow Wilson, 1887-1933

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/EAtoJWS19030606.pdf

Tags

Citation

Axson, Edward W., “Edward W. Axson to Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre,” 1903 June 6, WWP17299, Jessie Wilson Sayre Correspondence, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.