October 1, 1902

Dear Brother and Sister,

I received your welcome and sympathizing letter. I know how sorry you would be and that you would grieve with us over our great loss, and it is a consolation to hear you say it, if it is only on paper. John would have liked to have seen you before he left us. We did not think he was going so soon, for he was up everyday but two before he died. He was not well when Mr. Withers's was here last fall. His trouble was Bright's Disease and the Grippe. He has been up and down all the time. He would lie on the lounge two or three days at a time and then would seem better and go out and work a little. Two weeks before he died he rode out in the country 12 miles to see a place where he had always wanted to go. He had known the man that had the farm and mill for years. So he had a rest on the lounge and then a nice dinner and a good time. He did not seem any worse for the trip. That was the last visit he ever made.

A few days after this he rode out to Lake Harriet where we have 4 lots. We have a nice garden there. In the spring he set out some apple trees and current bushes and he liked to watch them grow. Sunday, Sept 7th, he did not seem so well, went to bed early. In the evening Leon and his wife came over to see him. Leon asked him if he would not like some fresh oysters, he said he thought he could eat a few. Leon said there were no fresh ones here, so he got on the car and went downtown and got some nice fresh ones and Carol made him some broth. Next morning he had some more and after that nothing but a few mouthfuls of toast. Tuesday went out a little while and seemed a little better. Wednesday did not feel like getting up. He had awful spells of coughing ever since he had the Grippe. He had a bad time Wednesday and could not raise anything. About noon he began to be worse, had pains all over him. He sent for the doctor, he lives in the next block. He was soon here and gave him some powders. For a little while we thought they would quiet him, they did for a few minutes and then he was worse than ever. We sent for the doctor again. He gave him something else and said he was far from dieing. The pains lasted til night, then he was easy, never complained of them anymore. He wanted to be bolstered up in bed. He lay in that position all night and all next day, he did not want to be moved. About 10 o'clock he tried to cough but could not raise anything. He moved his head a little, laid his hand down by his side and was gone. We think his throat filled up so he could not breath. He knew us till the last. We were all here except Luther. He did not get home in time to see his father alive, but was here for the funeral.

We had a private funeral. We wanted the service conducted here where we had lived so long. Then there were so many of us, with friends and neighbors we invited, we knew the house would be full, so it was.

His coffin was covered with beautiful roses brought by friends that he had known and loved him. We had flowers all over the house. The minister talked so kind and good. He had just lost his mother and he knew just what to say, for he was grieving with us. The minister has a fine voice and sang that beautiful song "I know That My Redeemer Lives", and Molly Woodward played on the piano. Molly brought a bunch of roses tied with white ribbons that nearly covered the coffin, and this with and other large bouquets was buried with him.

Now all his troubles are over and I will try to live so when my turn comes to go I will be found worthy of a place in that happy land where I hope he has gone. What a consolation to think he will be there to meet us, for we must sooner or later all go.

John had everything done for him that we could think of. Walter and Charley have been home all the time with him. No boys could be any kinder to their father than they have been. It almost broke their hearts to lose him. They are just as good to me and I don't know what I would do without them.

Ella and Kathleen have been with us all winter and summer, but are now going to keep house. Claudia is coming home from Chicago, Virgie has been with Leon. Leon has sold out his business on account of his health. He is going to Oregon. If he likes it he will take his family. He will go first and see how he likes it out there. Luther and Fred are up in Herman.

I recieved a lovely letter from Alice. Tell her I will write to her after a while. This will let her know all about her uncle that always thought she was one of the best girls in the world.

I am glad you are going to have such a nice home and I hope you will live a good many years to enjoy it. I think Jackson is such a pretty place. If you see brother Will Palmer, I wish you would tell him about the sickness and death of our dear one, and tell him to write to me and I will answer.

Now dear brother and sister, hoping to see you some time. I will say good-bye.

Your sister,
Esther P. Clark
226 W. 28th St.
Don't forget to write.

Now Playing "I know That My Redeemer Lives"
Which was the song played at John Clark's funeral