letter is to Reverend Bishop, written by Esther (Hoyt) Ward -- the widow of James Ward, Jr. Dated November 11, 1863
"As regards my family, we have had but very little trouble, except for needless fears. We have been hiding our things since you left for fear of being robbed.
The Indians came to our house while living near Maysville. They acted rude and savage, had their faces painted and rode their horses through the hall. After some time we got them to listen to us, and when we told them that the Crow (Brother Mack's Indian name) was living there and my brother, Dr. Hinman Booth Hoyt and my father Dr. Milo Hoyt were with Col. Phillip's regiment (an Indian Union regiment), they left. They took, however, Brother Mack's saddle and best shirt.
The white families on the border of Arkansas fear them very much. The nearest neighbor to Canan (Brother Mack's station) named McLaughlin was cruelly murdered in his own house, after taking the oath of allegiance. The two sons of widow Arthur, living also on Beattie's Prairie, were killed and her house burned. The poor woman is almost broken hearted, having been robbed of what little was left her. Old grandfather May (Reynolds May) was killed in his own house; he being over 80 years old and the founder of Maysville. It became a very common thing to see women dig a grave for sons, husbands, or brothers.
Last summer was a lonely time with us. Brother Mack raised a good garden of vegetables and also some corn. I sepent an hour of each day to teach the children of both families. Having my work and family to attend to it was impossible to do more.
I have also my brother Dr. Hinman Hoyt's little girl, Florence Hoyt, with me. She was left an orphan with none to care for her except myself. I am now here at Fayettesville, all alone with six little children. I feel extremely anxious to get home where I can take better care of my little charges. "
Having expressed the wish to go to West Salem, Illinois to make her home, Mrs. Ward was advanced sufficient funds for herself and the children for the journey from Fayetteville by Lt. Dienst. Having met Brother Mack greatly in need on her way north and having given him money, she found herself penniless when she and her children arrived in St. Louis. Friends came to her rescue and supplied her with funds to Olney, Illinois, where she arrived after many hardships, on Dec 23, 1863. Thence, she took the children to West Salem, finding temporary shelter in the home of Reverend Herman Tietze and his wife. The journal of Reverend Tietze in the Moravian church records, gives the closing of Esther Ward's story.
Dec 28, 1863: Visited Mrs. Ward, wife of missionary Ward, murdered by Indians last year. She had arrived here on the Wednesday previous intending to make this her home, with a family of six small children. Find her sick. Mrs Ward becomes worse.
Jan 11, 1864, Monday: Sister Ward sinking fast.
Jan 12, 1864, Tuesday: Sister Ward breathed her last at 1:45PM. Her oldest son, a lad of nine years, is to live with me for the present.
"As regards my family, we have had but very little trouble, except for needless fears. We have been hiding our things since you left for fear of being robbed.
The Indians came to our house while living near Maysville. They acted rude and savage, had their faces painted and rode their horses through the hall. After some time we got them to listen to us, and when we told them that the Crow (Brother Mack's Indian name) was living there and my brother, Dr. Hinman Booth Hoyt and my father Dr. Milo Hoyt were with Col. Phillip's regiment (an Indian Union regiment), they left. They took, however, Brother Mack's saddle and best shirt.
The white families on the border of Arkansas fear them very much. The nearest neighbor to Canan (Brother Mack's station) named McLaughlin was cruelly murdered in his own house, after taking the oath of allegiance. The two sons of widow Arthur, living also on Beattie's Prairie, were killed and her house burned. The poor woman is almost broken hearted, having been robbed of what little was left her. Old grandfather May (Reynolds May) was killed in his own house; he being over 80 years old and the founder of Maysville. It became a very common thing to see women dig a grave for sons, husbands, or brothers.
Last summer was a lonely time with us. Brother Mack raised a good garden of vegetables and also some corn. I sepent an hour of each day to teach the children of both families. Having my work and family to attend to it was impossible to do more.
I have also my brother Dr. Hinman Hoyt's little girl, Florence Hoyt, with me. She was left an orphan with none to care for her except myself. I am now here at Fayettesville, all alone with six little children. I feel extremely anxious to get home where I can take better care of my little charges. "
Having expressed the wish to go to West Salem, Illinois to make her home, Mrs. Ward was advanced sufficient funds for herself and the children for the journey from Fayetteville by Lt. Dienst. Having met Brother Mack greatly in need on her way north and having given him money, she found herself penniless when she and her children arrived in St. Louis. Friends came to her rescue and supplied her with funds to Olney, Illinois, where she arrived after many hardships, on Dec 23, 1863. Thence, she took the children to West Salem, finding temporary shelter in the home of Reverend Herman Tietze and his wife. The journal of Reverend Tietze in the Moravian church records, gives the closing of Esther Ward's story.
Dec 28, 1863: Visited Mrs. Ward, wife of missionary Ward, murdered by Indians last year. She had arrived here on the Wednesday previous intending to make this her home, with a family of six small children. Find her sick. Mrs Ward becomes worse.
Jan 11, 1864, Monday: Sister Ward sinking fast.
Jan 12, 1864, Tuesday: Sister Ward breathed her last at 1:45PM. Her oldest son, a lad of nine years, is to live with me for the present.
letter is to Reverend Bishop, written by Esther (Hoyt) Ward -- the widow of James Ward, Jr. Dated November 11, 1863
"As regards my family, we have had but very little trouble, except for needless fears. We have been hiding our things since you left for fear of being robbed.
The Indians came to our house while living near Maysville. They acted rude and savage, had their faces painted and rode their horses through the hall. After some time we got them to listen to us, and when we told them that the Crow (Brother Mack's Indian name) was living there and my brother, Dr. Hinman Booth Hoyt and my father Dr. Milo Hoyt were with Col. Phillip's regiment (an Indian Union regiment), they left. They took, however, Brother Mack's saddle and best shirt.
The white families on the border of Arkansas fear them very much. The nearest neighbor to Canan (Brother Mack's station) named McLaughlin was cruelly murdered in his own house, after taking the oath of allegiance. The two sons of widow Arthur, living also on Beattie's Prairie, were killed and her house burned. The poor woman is almost broken hearted, having been robbed of what little was left her. Old grandfather May (Reynolds May) was killed in his own house; he being over 80 years old and the founder of Maysville. It became a very common thing to see women dig a grave for sons, husbands, or brothers.
Last summer was a lonely time with us. Brother Mack raised a good garden of vegetables and also some corn. I sepent an hour of each day to teach the children of both families. Having my work and family to attend to it was impossible to do more.
I have also my brother Dr. Hinman Hoyt's little girl, Florence Hoyt, with me. She was left an orphan with none to care for her except myself. I am now here at Fayettesville, all alone with six little children. I feel extremely anxious to get home where I can take better care of my little charges. "
Having expressed the wish to go to West Salem, Illinois to make her home, Mrs. Ward was advanced sufficient funds for herself and the children for the journey from Fayetteville by Lt. Dienst. Having met Brother Mack greatly in need on her way north and having given him money, she found herself penniless when she and her children arrived in St. Louis. Friends came to her rescue and supplied her with funds to Olney, Illinois, where she arrived after many hardships, on Dec 23, 1863. Thence, she took the children to West Salem, finding temporary shelter in the home of Reverend Herman Tietze and his wife. The journal of Reverend Tietze in the Moravian church records, gives the closing of Esther Ward's story.
Dec 28, 1863: Visited Mrs. Ward, wife of missionary Ward, murdered by Indians last year. She had arrived here on the Wednesday previous intending to make this her home, with a family of six small children. Find her sick. Mrs Ward becomes worse.
Jan 11, 1864, Monday: Sister Ward sinking fast.
Jan 12, 1864, Tuesday: Sister Ward breathed her last at 1:45PM. Her oldest son, a lad of nine years, is to live with me for the present.
"As regards my family, we have had but very little trouble, except for needless fears. We have been hiding our things since you left for fear of being robbed.
The Indians came to our house while living near Maysville. They acted rude and savage, had their faces painted and rode their horses through the hall. After some time we got them to listen to us, and when we told them that the Crow (Brother Mack's Indian name) was living there and my brother, Dr. Hinman Booth Hoyt and my father Dr. Milo Hoyt were with Col. Phillip's regiment (an Indian Union regiment), they left. They took, however, Brother Mack's saddle and best shirt.
The white families on the border of Arkansas fear them very much. The nearest neighbor to Canan (Brother Mack's station) named McLaughlin was cruelly murdered in his own house, after taking the oath of allegiance. The two sons of widow Arthur, living also on Beattie's Prairie, were killed and her house burned. The poor woman is almost broken hearted, having been robbed of what little was left her. Old grandfather May (Reynolds May) was killed in his own house; he being over 80 years old and the founder of Maysville. It became a very common thing to see women dig a grave for sons, husbands, or brothers.
Last summer was a lonely time with us. Brother Mack raised a good garden of vegetables and also some corn. I sepent an hour of each day to teach the children of both families. Having my work and family to attend to it was impossible to do more.
I have also my brother Dr. Hinman Hoyt's little girl, Florence Hoyt, with me. She was left an orphan with none to care for her except myself. I am now here at Fayettesville, all alone with six little children. I feel extremely anxious to get home where I can take better care of my little charges. "
Having expressed the wish to go to West Salem, Illinois to make her home, Mrs. Ward was advanced sufficient funds for herself and the children for the journey from Fayetteville by Lt. Dienst. Having met Brother Mack greatly in need on her way north and having given him money, she found herself penniless when she and her children arrived in St. Louis. Friends came to her rescue and supplied her with funds to Olney, Illinois, where she arrived after many hardships, on Dec 23, 1863. Thence, she took the children to West Salem, finding temporary shelter in the home of Reverend Herman Tietze and his wife. The journal of Reverend Tietze in the Moravian church records, gives the closing of Esther Ward's story.
Dec 28, 1863: Visited Mrs. Ward, wife of missionary Ward, murdered by Indians last year. She had arrived here on the Wednesday previous intending to make this her home, with a family of six small children. Find her sick. Mrs Ward becomes worse.
Jan 11, 1864, Monday: Sister Ward sinking fast.
Jan 12, 1864, Tuesday: Sister Ward breathed her last at 1:45PM. Her oldest son, a lad of nine years, is to live with me for the present.
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