Correspondence (incoming): Flood, Jennie C., 1888-1889

[left hand side] came in & sat with us for an hour. Papa retired & [insert: in] a few minutes said, "I must sit up. I am so oppressed cannot breathe". We got him in the chair & sent at once for Prof Erb, who fortunately lives next door & was home. He came at once, saw that Papa was in great danger; he was in a profuse perspiration, & so cold, & could hardly breathe. Gave him brandy, he could not swallow; put on mustard plaster. Prof Erb sent for his assistant Dr Fleiner who came, bringing some remedies. They worked for two hours, before he became easier. The Dr stayed all night & has stayed every night & they both come [right hand side] Heidelberg

Sunday Oct. 7, 1888

My dear Mrs Stanford

I have sad sad tidings to send you on the eve of your departure, for my darling Papa is very ill & we fear he will never leave his bed again. I have not written a line to any body, as I have no heart to do so, but you & the Gov. are so much interested, and my darling is so fond of you, I want you to know. On Thursday the 4th, Papa was up, & though weak, feeling about as usual. Prof Erb came in about 6.30 P.M. & all seemed well. We had tea, then Mrs Whittier (of Boston), who is staying here,

four times a day. Papa can eat nothing only [t ? ] beef tea, brandy (very little) & wine, & to day his feet are much swollen. The Drs cannot yet promise that he will rally from this attack, & if he does, it will only be to have another one, soon, he is so weak and his one moan is "I am so tired". Prof [Kussmaul?] has come & will be here with Prof Erb tomorrow morning, but, alas, nothing can be done. I can never be glad enough that we came to Heidelberg, so grateful enough to you for advising it, for I know if we had gone south, my darling would not now be with us, & might not have had the attention he has here. We could not be more comfortable, & nowhere could we have had better Drs. They seem so interested in Papa, & Dr Fleiner says so often, "I am so very sorry I cannot do more for Mr Flood, but it is impossible, there is no more to do." It is all from the heart brought on from the state of the kidneys. His mind is as clear as possible, & I am so glad. Why must he be taken from us? How can we live without him? Mamma is heart-broken. If any thing should change before you sail, I will let you know by telegram. With dearest love to you & the Governor

I am always faithfully yrs

Jennie C. Flood

Miss Flood 1010. California Street

With love, and hope that you will sometimes wear the cape

Grand Hotel Heidelberg Dec 2nd

Dear Mrs Stanford

These few lines will reach you about Christmas! I wonder if you will pass it in California or in Washington?

I will send this to Washington: it is only a line to tell you how we are getting on.

Our dear one is still with us, but in about the same state he is. I think weaker: some days his heart becomes so weak, that it does not seem possible that he can live through the day. He does not suffer much pain, but is always so very tired. He does not lie in bed much as he is not comfortable there so passes most of the time day and night in the large chair which the Dr. procured for him. He can see no one; the Dr.s are as attentive as possible and we like them so much & can never be thankful enough that we are here.

Mamma has had a very bad cold, but is now better. I have a letter from Mrs Searles from N.Y. the other day in which