The Diary of Lieutenant Francis Henry French at Fort Clark, Texas 1883 (continued, #27)

In this 27th installment, Lieut French leaves Marie in Cincinnati and continues on to his home in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It has been four years since he graduated from West Point and two years since he last visited his family..

Spent the morning listening to music and talking. Mrs. Evans, Marie's sister came in from Delhi a suburb of Cin. She has many of Marie's ways and was very entertaining. She sings splendidly and entertained us a great deal. Nellie spent last night & today with Marie & played for us also. After lunch Hattie & I went down town. Bought some things to take home, went to the depot & was told our trunks had not been heard from & bought some flowers and candy to take out to Mrs. Doughty's. Bought "Shadow Bells" a piece of music, for Marie. Hattie treated me to ice cream. After dinner, in which Nellie W & her brother participated met Charles Doughty. His is married & lives with his family at his mother's, but has been sick & unable to come down before. His wife is also sick; so I did not meet her. We had a short talk & then I was compelled to say good-bye. Hattie, Marie, Nellie & her brother accompanied me to the station. The ladies went to the C.H.&D.(1) station, while Williamson & I went to the O.& M. & were told that the trunks were on a train which would come in during the night. So he promised to get them & send them. Joined ladies & sat in car until the bell rang. Then said good-bye and was very sorry to do so, especially to Marie. We have promised to correspond regularly and I am to visit them in August.

This morning at 2-30 the train came into Fort Wayne. Mother(2) & Mattie were with Will Tigar(3) at the station. Found Father(4), Lula and Sue(5) sitting up when we got home. They do not appear to have changed much since my last visit except Mattie is more developed. Did not go to bed but sat up talking to Father until breakfast. Got a buggy to take Mother out to Grandmother's(6). Before starting Grandmother, Aunt Mary Freeman and Uncle Freeman drove up, and sat for a while. Grandmother is thinner and feeblerthan she was two years ago. Drove out to Grandmother's and said "How" to all out there. In the morning was measured for some clothes, two suits to cost $115. Before going to Grandmother's went to Uncle French's. In the evening Howard McCullough & Mattie Withers called. Wrote to Marie today. It is much cooler than in Texas although people here complain of the heat. Called on Lizzie T. Hoagland(7) at Mr. Hoagland's this evening.

Today was ushered in by the usual noise, but I like to hear it. Spent the day quietly at home. Messrs. Chapman & Potter dined with us. Knew the former before, but met the latter today. He and Sue seem to think a good deal of each other. Mother & all the rest think highly of him. Walked down town in the evening with Chapman to look after my trunk but it did not come. Received a telegram from Marie in answer to one I sent last evening enquiring about her trunks. Chapman and Potter came back in the evening and spent it here. Am well pleased with Potter.

Received a registered letter enclosing trunk check from Williamson, he having sent the trunk as baggage instead of express matter; also a letter from Ogle(8) and an O.B. from the Q.M.G. Went up to the station with Mattie & got my trunk. After unpacking went down town and to the factory. Sent my trunk down for repairs. Annie Miller Morris called today. She has been married since I was home before. Wrotesome letters at the factory today. Some callers came in the evening. Called on Annie Davis Bixby this evening. She is on her bridal tour.

Was invited to a reception to Mr. & Mrs. Bixby. Went down town to try on my clothes. Went up to see Mr. Edgerton with Father, but he was not at home. Saw a number of people on the streets today. In the evening went with Lula & Sue to Steve & Annie Morris' to a little company(9) for Mr. & Mrs. Bixby. The company was only a little one but we had a very pleasant time. Lula returned home about 9-30 and the rest of us went over to Mr. McCraken's to a company there, or reception for Mr. & Mrs. Bixby who are visiting there. Saw few people with whom I am acquainted and did not enjoy the evening much. The set I used to go with is all broken up. Came home about midnight with Sue.

Went down & sat for a photograph this morning, but the instrument broke & I had to return in the afternoon. After this morning's sitting took a ride with Lizzie Hoagland and Emma & had a real pleasant time. Got my new suit in the evening. Some callers came in the evening.

Attended services this morning. Since our church was burnt(10) we have been holding services at different places and are now located in the Jewish Synagogue. The Jews offered the building and seem pleased that we have accepted. After dinner wrote to Marie and then went out to Grandmother's. Mr. Potter was here in the evening. Came home too late to go to church.




1 The Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railway (CH&D) was a railroad based in Ohio that existed between its incorporation on March 2, 1846, until its acquisition by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in December 1917.