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Walt Whitman to Ellen M. O'Connor, [16 January 1874]

Dear Nelly,

Your letter came with the sad news of good Mr. Dille's2 death—I had seen it in the paper—I have thought much of it, through the interesting account you gave—Indeed death has been much in my quiet thoughts & musings now for many months.

Nelly, there is nothing very new to write you—I have not been so well the past week—but feel better this evening. I still have spells of great distress in the head—though they pass over—Walking no better—but general strength seems to steadily though very slowly improve—

I am writing some war memoranda in the Weekly N. Y. Graphic first number just out—ask Charley to get it for you—In my next—anent of Bull Run—I mention Mrs. Johnson3 & her sister, (though not by name)—will be out next Thursday—

Nelly, I am scratching this off at the Mercantile Library in 10th st. Philadelphia (though I date home in Camden) & will have to close to get it in the box in time for the carrier.

Love to you, dear, dear Nelly— Walt.

Notes

  • 1. The envelope and the contents confirm the date. [back]
  • 2. Whitman refers here to Israel Dille, a clerk in the Internal Revenue Bureau. [back]
  • 3. Whitman probably refers here to Nancy M. Johnson, a widow; see Whitman's February 24, 1876 letter to Ellen O'Connor. [back]
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