Life & Letters

Correspondence

About this Item

Title: Charles L. Heyde to Walt Whitman, 29 December, 1890

Date: December 29, 1890

Whitman Archive ID: duk.00456

Source: Trent Collection of Whitmaniana, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Duke University . Transcribed from digital images or a microfilm reproduction of the original item. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.

Contributors to digital file: Brandon James O'Neil, Ryan Furlong, Ian Faith, and Stephanie Blalock



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21 Pearl St.
Dec 29. 90.

Dear, kind friend and Bro Walt.

Clearest sky I ever saw—norwest quite purple—Snow white on roofs and posts—Lake steaming, seething, cold-compressed—freezing—unusual, not Known in years past—never—at so early a day—Christmass.

God bless you Walt, You are badly stricken—never to recover—to be as you once were—erect, vigorous—none of us can be, and yet you are blessed with and by a large heart, full of humanity—sympathies for all and everyone—for Han1 particularly—She is much stricken, Walt—gray—thin, her hair blanched—whitened—her hands shrunken—the bones protruding as it were—yet she has staunchly kneaded bread and made a sweet loaf for herself, she has been craving after, several days—The public have treated us well—1 ton of coal now in use, sent by Isham J. Bliss, Episcopal clergyman, an old friend—50 lbs choice flour—3 fowls and a turkey, by other friends unknown—bread, sugars—teas, coffee—Lou2 sent 1 Ham—delicious—cake—jellies—coffee tea—delicious—and clothing for Han—also 2 dollars—nothing for me—I am unworthy, although I entreated but for 5 dollars, to help pay my interest of 15 at the Bank. Your donation of 5 came very timely—I had sold a small painting for 10—I send you the bank rect—very stupid and very mean I consider George3 and Lou to be—We might have been attacked—and compelled to raise the amt—so small—after so many years.

One more claim for flagging side walk, $86. I have paid up nearly all. I think that I can settle balance for 10$—Have some expectations of selling a painting cheap—I am bad off for clothes—I bot a pair of stockings for self for 30 cents, all I have had this winter— any shoes are worn out—bot last winter—hurting feet now—God! What a country! People! World—Yet I can eat and sleep—I rekindle at 5 O'clock and have a warm house—first in the kitchen—Han is not well, yet does for herself—I get mad sometimes—sorry—don't meant to. Bless you Walt for the 5 dollars—Han has about 10 dollars a-head for herself.—

Good bye Walt, our Friend in Deed.
Charlie


Correspondent:
Charles Louis Heyde (ca. 1820–1892), a French-born landscape painter, married Hannah Louisa Whitman (1823–1908), Walt Whitman's sister, and they lived in Burlington, Vermont. Charles Heyde was infamous among the Whitmans for his offensive letters and poor treatment of Hannah. For more information about Heyde, see Steven Schroeder, "Heyde, Charles Louis (1822–1892)," Walt Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York: Garland Publishing, 1998).

Notes:

1. Hannah Louisa (Whitman) Heyde (1823–1908), youngest sister of Walt Whitman, married Charles Louis Heyde (ca. 1820–1892), a Pennsylvania-born landscape painter. Charles Heyde was infamous among the Whitmans for his offensive letters and poor treatment of Hannah. Hannah and Charles Heyde lived in Burlington, Vermont. For more, see Paula K. Garrett, "Whitman (Heyde), Hannah Louisa (d. 1908)," Walt Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York: Garland Publishing, 1998). [back]

2. Louisa Orr Haslam Whitman (1842–1892), called "Loo" or "Lou," married Whitman's brother George Whitman on April 14, 1871. Their son, Walter Orr Whitman, was born in 1875 but died the following year. A second son was stillborn. Whitman lived in Camden, New Jersey, with George and Louisa from 1873 until 1884, when George and Louisa moved to a farm outside of Camden and Whitman decided to stay in the city. Louisa and Whitman had a warm relationship during the poet's final decades. For more, see Karen Wolfe, "Whitman, Louisa Orr Haslam (Mrs. George) (1842–1892)," Walt Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York: Garland Publishing, 1998). [back]

3. George Washington Whitman (1829–1901) was the sixth child of Louisa Van Velsor Whitman and ten years Walt Whitman's junior. George enlisted in 1861 and remained on active duty until the end of the Civil War. He was wounded in the First Battle of Fredericksburg (December 1862) and was taken prisoner during the Battle of Poplar Grove (September 1864). As a Civil War correspondent, Walt wrote warmly about George's service, such as in "Our Brooklyn Boys in the War" (January 5, 1863); "A Brooklyn Soldier, and a Noble One" (January 19, 1865); "Return of a Brooklyn Veteran" (March 12, 1865); and "Our Veterans Mustering Out" (August 5, 1865). After the war, George returned to Brooklyn and began building houses on speculation, with partner Mr. Smith and later a mason named French. George also took a position as inspector of pipes in Brooklyn and Camden. Walt and George lived together for over a decade in Camden, but when Walt decided not to move with George and his wife Louisa in 1884, a rift occurred that was ultimately not mended before Walt's 1892 death. For more information on George Washington Whitman, see Martin G. Murray, "Whitman, George Washington," Walt Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York: Garland Publishing, 1998). [back]


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