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Meditating on his relationship with Peter Doyle, Whitman laments "this diseased, feverish disproportionate

Walt Whitman had received a letter from Towner, who reported on a conversation with Peter Doyle, some

time before Whitman's September 12, 1873, letter to Doyle.

were nursing Walt after his paralytic stroke: "give my love to mrs oconor and remember me to peter doyl

family (again, though May 1873) far exceed in number those to any family member: forty-five to Peter Doyle

html That Walt began his revision earlier is also suggested in his October 9, 1868 letter to Peter Doyle

October 9, 1868 letter to Peter Doyle.

On October 31, 1873, Whitman wrote Peter Doyle that "I got a letter from Mr.

Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 17 March [1874]

This post card is addressed: Pete Doyle | M st South—bet 4½ & 6th | Washington D C.

Whitman wrote of the sale in his July 10, 1874 letter to Peter Doyle.

O'Connor's tenure was brief; as of Walt Whitman's March 12–13, 1874 letter to Peter Doyle, O'Connor had

Dear Pete, whatever happens, in such ups & downs, you must try to meet it with a stout heart.

for changes to this file, as noted: Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle

Riker, president of the Washington & Georgetown Railroad, for which Doyle worked.

Pete, one month of my leave exactly is up to-day.

Pete, your letter of 23d came yesterday, & the one written partly that night & partly 24th came this

Well, Pete, I guess this will do for to-day.

riding here in Brooklyn—we have large open cars—in good weather it is real lively—I quite enjoy it— Pete

for changes to this file, as noted: Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle

Walt Whitman was disturbed by Doyle's mood swings; he raised similar concerns in his August 21, 1869

letter to Doyle.

Milburn, a druggist mentioned in Whitman's August 7–10, 1870 letter to Doyle.

Dear boy Pete, It is a beautiful quiet Sunday forenoon.

Pete, I have just taken out your last letter, & read it over again—I went out on a kind of little excursion

myself last night—all alone—It was very pleasant, cool enough, & the moon shining—I think of you too, Pete

That accident on the bridge was indeed terrible —that bridge is a disgrace to Washington, any how—Pete

Pete, you are doing first-rate.

The Queen's Cup Race, mentioned in Walt Whitman's August 3–5, 1870 letter to Doyle, was held off Staten

Michael Nash, Washington friends to whom Walt Whitman referred frequently in his letters to Doyle.

Nash was an old resident of the city; Walt Whitman's December 5, 1873 letter to Doyle made mention of

Henry Hurt, like Peter Doyle, worked for the Washington and Georgetown Railroad Company.

Dear Pete, Well here I am home again with my mother, writing to you from Brooklyn once more.

Pete, there was something in that hour from 10 to 11 oclock (parting though it was) that has left me

It is now Saturday between 4 & 5 in the afternoon—I will write more on the other side—but, Pete, I must

Pete, dear boy, I will write you a line to-day before I go.

Well, Pete, you will have quite a diary at this rate.

This piece of correspondence is addressed, "Peter Doyle, | conductor, | Office | Wash. & Georgetown City

that feminine pronouns were substituted for masculine. "164" was undoubtedly intended to conceal Doyle's

Dear Pete, Dear son, I received your second letter to–day, also the Star.

I believe that is all for to–night, as it is getting late—Good night, Pete—Good night, my darling son—here

tomorrow, I will imagine you with your arm around my neck saying Good night, Walt—& me—Good night, Pete

for changes to this file, as noted: Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle

The envelope is addressed "Peter Doyle, | conductor, | Office | Wash. & Georgetown City RR.

Henry Shedd, the driver of the streetcar (#14) on which Doyle was the conductor.

Dear Pete, I have not heard from you now for nine days.

Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 22 August 1870

Dear Pete—dear son, I have received your letter of the 8th to-day—all your letters have come safe—four

Pete, you say my sickness must be worse than I described in my letters—& ask me to write precisely how

Pete, the fourth week of my vacation is most ended. I shall return the middle of next week.

Pete, I have seen Tom Haslett —he is well—he is working extra on Broadway & 42d st. RR.

Price Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 10 September 1869

It probably contained the money order mentioned in Whitman's August 21, 1869 letter to Doyle.

intended to write "Hassett," the Washington conductor mentioned in his September 25, 1869 letter to Doyle

Brooklyn , September 3, 1869 Dear Pete, I thought I would write you a letter to-day, as you would be

I have read it several times since—Dear Pete, I hope every thing is going on favorably with you.

the sea-shore as I intended—In fact my jaunt this time has been a failure—Better luck next time— Now Pete

God bless you, dear Pete, dear loving comrade, & Farewell till next time, my darling boy.

Price Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 3 September 1869

The skin eruption mentioned in Walt Whitman's August 21, 1869 letter to Doyle.

Saturday evening—Aug. 21 Dear Pete— I have been very sick the last three days—I dont know what to call

And now, dear Pete, for yourself.

Dear Pete, you must forgive me for being so cold the last day & evening.

Dear Pete, dear son, my darling boy, my young & loving brother, don't let the devil put such thoughts

Price Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 21 August [1869]

Richard Maurice Bucke, Doyle was suffering a skin eruption popularly known as "barber's itch" and was

Doyle's suicidal response to the skin irritation was undoubtedly associated with deep-seated feelings

In this uncharacteristic injunction, Walt Whitman was no doubt exploiting Doyle's Catholicism.

have felt the cold more than for the last three winters—But I reckon I have said enough on this point—Pete

the highest old weather exhibition I ever witnessed—snow fell two inches thick in 15 minutes Dear Pete

Dear Pete, I don't think I shall stay here as long as I originally intended—I shall be back by or before

Sun Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 4[–5] March [1872]

Whitman pasted this newspaper clipping onto the third page of his letter to Doyle.

Dear Pete, Your letters of 10th and 12th have come safe, & are welcome—dear son, I see you are hard at

first (I don't know but the very first) of the railroad men there I got acquainted with, & rode with—Pete

Well, Pete, dear loving boy, I must now close for to-day. Walt. late Friday afternoon Sept. 16.

for changes to this file, as noted: Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle

This piece of correspondence is addressed, "Peter Doyle | Conductor, | Office | Wash. & Georgetown City

In his September 6, 1870 letter to Doyle, Whitman expressed support for the Prussian cause, labeling

Dear Pete, I hope you are having good times, & are in good spirits.

for changes to this file, as noted: Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle

This piece of correspondence is addressed, "Peter Doyle, | Conductor, | Office | Wash & Georgetown City

Dear Pete, I received your welcome letter of Aug. 27th—and also 31st, enclosing Ned Stewarts Stewart's

Pete, there is nothing particular to write about this time—pretty much the same story—every day out on

Well, Pete, I am on the second month of my furlough—to think it is almost six weeks since we parted there

Nothing new in office—Well, Pete, about half our separation is over—the next six weeks will soon pass

for changes to this file, as noted: Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle

This piece of correspondence is addressed, "Peter Doyle | Conductor | Office | Wash. & Georgetown City

Pete, I was just reading over your last letter again.

for changes to this file, as noted: Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle

This piece of correspondence is addressed, "Peter Doyle | conductor, | Office | Wash. & Georgetown City

Henry Shedd, the driver of the streetcar (#14) on which Doyle was the conductor.

Whitman's changing attitude toward the Franco-Prussian war, see his September 15–16, 1870 letter to Doyle

Since Doyle's letters to Walt Whitman in 1870 are lost, it is impossible to explain this paragraph.

Dear Pete, Your letter of last Sunday & Monday came safe—was glad to see you so cheerful & feeling well

Nash —also Father Boyle —(By the bye, Pete, I have taken a great fearful drink of whiskey, in honor of

letter—shall probably go to some amusement with a friend this evening—most likely Buckleys Serenaders — Pete

for changes to this file, as noted: Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle

Henry Hurt, like Doyle, worked for the Washington and Georgetown Railroad Company.

Henry Shedd, the driver of the streetcar (#14) on which Doyle was the conductor.

Milburn, a druggist mentioned in Whitman's August 7–10, 1870 letter to Doyle.

Michael Nash, Washington friends to whom Walt Whitman referred frequently in his letters to Doyle.

Nash was an old resident of the city; Walt Whitman's December 5, 1873 letter to Doyle made mention of

Brooklyn June 21, 1871 Dear Pete, I arrived home last night between 11 and 12, all safe & sound—found

car—thought while I was sitting up here now in my room wait'g for dinner I would write a line to boy Pete

papers—come up punctually to my meals—sleep a great deal—& take every thing very quietly— Friday —Pete

Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 21–23 June 1871

Dear Pete, I will write you a few lines as I sit here, on a clump of sand by the sea shore—having some

Pete, I wish you were with me the few hours past—I have just had a splendid swim & souse in the surf—the

how long I could sit here, to that soothing, rumbling murmuring of the waves—& then the salt breeze— Pete

this envelope, & ask him to go to p. o. & send a p. o. order to me—it will save you the trouble—But Pete

for changes to this file, as noted: Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle

Whitman confirmed receipt of the $50 in his July 24, 1871 letter to Doyle.

Brooklyn , July 7, 1871 Dear Pete, Well here I am still, pretty much the same thing, doing nothing &

Hart, formerly of the Chronicle—he is about the same in appearance as formerly—Pete, I will not write

forenoon—We had a fine shower last night, and there is some breeze—but it is pretty warm and oppressive— Pete

for changes to this file, as noted: Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle

whom Walt Whitman sent publicity puffs for insertion in the Washington Daily Morning Chronicle; see Doyle's

Pete, I rec'd your last letter, the 26th—it was a good long, lively letter, & welcome—you write about

would be perhaps the making of him, if he would give it up, & find his pleasure in some other way—Pete

for changes to this file, as noted: Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle

Perhaps George Allen, mentioned in Whitman's August 22, 1873 letter to Doyle.

Alfred Thornett, like Doyle, was a conductor; see Thomas Biggs Harned Collection of Walt Whitman, The

1865 71 Brooklyn, Friday, July 14. 1867 or '8 Dear Pete, It is pretty much the same with me, as when

them—something new, to me, it quite set me up to see such chaps, all dusty & worn, looked like veterans— Pete

alone, none of my sisters being home at present—she is much better this morning, under my doctoring— —Pete

Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 14 July 1871

This letter is addressed: Peter Doyle | Conductor, | Office Wash. & Geo. City RR.

and returned to Washington on July 31; see Whitman's July 16–21, 1871 and July 28, 1871, letters to Doyle

Dear boy Pete, It is splendid here to-day, & I am feeling first-rate.

Price Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 29 September [1868]

Doyle's chatty letter of September 27, 1868 was filled with references to his comrades: "Walt you cant

Doyle wrote on September 27, 1868: "Jim Sorrill Sends his love & best respects & says he is alive & kicking

Pete, if you see Pittsburgh either tell him the following, or let him have this letter, & then return

Dear Pete, with all my kind friends here & invitations, &c., though I love them all, & gratefully reciprocate

Dear Pete, I will now bid you good bye for the present.

Price Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 2 October [1868]

On September 27, 1868, Doyle informed Walt Whitman that Harry wanted information about the New York Fire

Oct 9 Dear Pete, It is splendid here this forenoon—bright and cool.

rode the trip I describe with a friend, on a 5th Avenue stage, No. 26—a sort [of] namesake of yours, Pete

Yours for life, dear Pete, (& death the same).

Price Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 9 October [1868]

Doyle's letter of October 5, 1868 contained gossip about Washington.

Calhoun was involved in a street car altercation reported in Whitman's June 21–23, 1871 letter to Doyle

In his October 2, 1868 letter to Doyle, Whitman responded to Henry Hurt's request for information about

would just drop you a line for yourself—but no doubt you keep fully posted about me by my letters to Pete

Henry Hurt, like Doyle, worked for the Washington and Georgetown Railroad Company.

Years of London Life: Memoirs of a Man of the World (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1885), 402, and Doyle's

Wraymond (or Raymond), also called "Pittsburgh," worked for one of the Washington railroads; see Doyle's

O'Connor and his July 28, 1871, letter to Peter Doyle.

dearest comrade, & with more calmness than when I was there—I find it first rate to think of you, Pete

Pete, I hope this will find you entirely well of your cold.

Price Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 25 September 1868

Since Walt Whitman's first two letters to Peter Doyle are not extant, this is the beginning of an extensive

Doyle, however, had written on the day Walt Whitman had sent his first letter.

Doyle's letter of September 18, 1868 is characteristic.

The name is spelled Hassett in Whitman's October 9, 1868 letter to Doyle.

handsomely in green cloth—my books are beginning to do pretty well—I send you the publisher's slip— Well Pete

Walt Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 15 March [1872]

This letter is addressed: Peter Doyle, | Conductor, | Office | Wash. & Georgetown City RR. | Washington

1872 March 29 Brooklyn, Friday afternoon March 29 1872 Dear boy Pete, I have rec'd your letter, & the

Huntington's death —it seems a sudden & sorrowful thing—Pete I shall continue here another week—I see

this up in my room home—am going out, & over to New York this evening—nothing special to write about— Pete

occasion—here is a good buss to you dear son from your loving Father always— Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle

This letter is addressed: Peter Doyle, | Conductor, | Office Wash & Georgetown RR | Washington | D.

March 7–1872 Dear son, Well I am still here Pete, kept in pretty close quarters by the weather—but it

Milburne I wish him success in the "graduate of Pharmacy" line, & every thing else— give him my love — Pete

that is all this time, dear baby, Walt— with a kiss from your loving father— Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle

This letter is addressed: Peter Doyle | Conductor | Office | Wash. & Georgetown City RR. | Washington

, I shall return on Monday next, in the 12:30 train from Jersey city—(the train I usually come in) Pete

Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 28 July [1871]

enjoy the way he shakes them up, (very much like a first-class terrier in a pit, with a lot of rats) Pete

Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 23 February 1872

Doyle was temporarily out of work.

Dear Pete, Dear, dear son, We are having a very cold spell here, the severest of the winter—freezes up

Walt Pete, I am making out a poor scraggy letter to you this time—I feel pretty well, but don't seem

writing—Good bye for to-day, my loving boy— Your true Father & Comrade always Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle

This letter is addressed: Peter Doyle | conductor, | [Of]fice Wash. & Georgetown City RR. | Washington

Dear Pete, I rec'd the $50 to-day all right, and a real help to me—I have money, but cannot have the

tremendous—Shall stay here a week or so longer—shall be back first part of next week if nothing happens— Well, Pete

for changes to this file, as noted: Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle

Whitman had requested $50 in his July 16–21, 1871 letter to Doyle.

Dear Pete, I rec'd your letter yesterday.

Pete you must be quite steady at work, & no time to spare.

said)—Should be glad to see Parker Milburn—hope he will call to-day—I send you a paper by mail —Well Pete

Your loving old Walt Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 22 March [1872]

Dear Son Pete, Here I sit again by the heater in the parlor, writing my weekly letter—I have just had

Walt Pete I will probably send the shirts early next week by express Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 28

Dear son Pete, By accident your usual letter was not sent to P.O. so that you could get it Saturday—which

hour or two does me real good—he has a wife, daughter & son, all good—I go Sunday evenings to tea—Pete

around Washington so much—Well, good bye for this time, dear loving boy— Walt Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle

Doyle came from Virginia.

Dear Pete, dear son, I am sitting here in my room again writing to you—there is no particular change

Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 14 November [1873]

Dear Son Pete, Nothing very new with me—I continue about the same—my general strength the best it has

presents of good wine—& I drink it occasionally, half water—but this time I have taken a little extra)— —Pete

fire, & you with me as often as possible, I should be comparatively happy Walt— Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle

The nature of the barroom brawl (see the letter from Whitman to Doyle of November 28, 1873) is not ascertainable

Dear Pete, Well here I am back again in New York—Have had a pleasant trip down east—went down the bay

I shall probably not make out much [of] a letter to you this time, Pete, as I feel rather stupid yet

Dear Pete, we will soon be together again.

Price Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, [23 (?) October 1868]

Whitman announced this intention in his October 14, 1868 letter to Doyle.

I am to go to Vermont, for a couple of days, & then back to Brooklyn—Pete I received your letter, that

Pete did my poem appear in the Washington papers—I suppose Thurs-day or Friday— Chronicle or Patriot

Your loving Walt Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle, 27 June [1872]

This letter is addressed: Peter Doyle, | conductor | Office | Wash. & Georgetown City RR.

Pete, I am sitting in my room home, finishing this—have just had a bath, & dressed myself to go over

for changes to this file, as noted: Elizabeth Lorang Zachary King Eric Conrad Walt Whitman to Peter Doyle

This piece of correspondence is addressed, "Peter Doyle, | Conductor, | Office Wash. & Georgetown | City