Letter from Ida P. Halsey* | 1904

Dear Brother Jess,

When Harry and I were talking about the little gifts, he asked what I thought of them and I said that yours seemed rather small. You will remember that Harry left me the balance remaining after paying the little sums mentioned, and I told him that you ought to have it. He said, “Do you think so, I’m glad to hear you say that,” and he smiled so contentedly.

I have reserved $400 for expenses, the stone will probably cost from $225 to $250—the expenses, you know, were $184.60. The amount in bank including interest on September 30^th was $751.22. The legacies amount to $275, including your own $50, so that leaves you $126.22.

For your Christmas gift, I have wanted to give you Harry’s desk and desk chairs. I can hardly bring myself to part with them—so I give you the use of them until sometime when I might wish them—it is more than likely that they will always be yours.

With our best wishes for today and every day,

Lovingly,

Ida P.H.

*Ida Pettet Halsey was the widow of Jesse Halsey's older brother Harry. She later married Eli H. Fordham.