 |
1879. William Kurtz, New York. Saunders #67. Courtesy Alderman
Library, University of Virginia. Written on the back
of the Library of Congress copy of this photo: "Walt Whitman with
'Kitty'
(Katharine Devereux) and 'Harry' (Harold Hugh) Johnston,
children of John H. and Amelia F. Johnston." Johnston was a
New York jeweler who befriended Whitman and housed him for long
stays in New York in the late 1870s. During his first stay in
1877, Whitman experienced the death of Amelia Johnston as she gave
birth to Harry. In 1878, Whitman wrote that "The little 15 months
old baby, little Harry . . . is a fine, good bright child, not
very rugged, but gets along very well--I take him in my arms
always after breakfast & go out in front for a short walk--he
is very contented & good with me--little Kitty goes too." Whitman
worried about Harry's health--"I hardly think its tenure of
life secure." Whitman reported that the children called him "Uncle
Walt," and he found them "model children lively & free &
children" who "form a great part of my comfort here."
Nearly a
decade later, just before Christmas 1888, Kitty wrote to
"My
dear Uncle Walt," asking him to come join them "to make
the
family complete," to come be "a Grandpa" to them: "I
want you
very, very soon!"
|