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

she said she would be in London this week. She must like crossing the water, to come at this season. Capt. Fletcher is still here, + will remain some time. We still have lovely weather, had a few cold days only, + no snow, + very little rain. We never go out, but I like to see the sunshine any way. This time last year, the "Neckar" was frozen over!

I have no news of any kind, as I see no one, my letters are the only comfort, and I take little interest now in anything outside these rooms. We have no hope of Papa getting better if we can only keep as he is! but I am always fearful of another attack

+ they are so painful.

So the elections are over! Of course the Rathborns are disappointed and expect to be recalled. I don't know their plans, but think they will stay over here next year, anyway. Mr. [Loubat?] has been quite ill with erysipelas, and is going to Nice for the winter. The[y] have given up going to America this year. How does Menlo look? As pretty as ever? All join me in love to you and the Governor, + hope you will pass the holidays most pleasantly, again with warmest love, always.

Yours faithfully Jennie C. Flood

Feb. 27. 1889

My dear Mrs Stanford

Thank you and the Governor for your telegram Our darling was taken from us on Thursday morning at 9:30 (Jim's birthday), and he passed away without a struggle, + looked as calm + peaceful as if asleep. Oh that he would awake again for we are lost without him. I need not tell you how we miss him, for you know so well, how much we loved him, and how good, gentle and affectionate he has always been to us. The night before he passed away, the Dr. had him carried to his bed , + was in bed all night, almost unconscious. In the morning at 9 the Dr. came, + said he must soon pass away.

After the Dr. left, I bathed his eyes, + brushed his hair. Mamma sat beside him. I turned to go in the parlor to send a Cablegram to Jim to prepare him for a second one, when Otto called, + I turned back, + reached my darling, just as he breathed for the last time. We were so thankful he died so easily as we so feared an attack. He was taken from us that day at 6 P.M. for embalming, + on Monday the 27th, we went to the Hospital Chapel, with Dr. Fleiner (who has been more than kind in every thing). There we had a blessing, then went from there to the Cemetery Chapel. Only Mamma Dr Fleiner + me. There Papa's servant + nurse, Sister Rosine, + the Priest. We left our dear one in the pretty stone Chapel on the hillside + there we will keep him until we take him to the home he loved so well , made desolate forevermore by his absence. We have had nothing whatever to do, did not see a Consul + you know how much there is to be done in a foreign land at such a time. Dr. Fleiner has attend -ed to everything and we can never forget his kind -ness. We would not have any flowers for Papa, except two pressed ones, a rose bud + few violets which were sent a month ago from Menlo Park, + one flower & fern from a basket Dr. Fleiner sent

on the 40th Anniversary of Mamma wedding day, just one week before. We are going to stay here for some time. The Rathbones + Tiffany want us in Paris at once, but we do not care to go. The Dr. would like us to go South; for the present we shall stay here. When we go home we hope we can take Papa in the car with us from N.Y. to S. F. Dr. F. says, as far as Papa is concerned, it will be perfectly safe, no danger of any accident, as the embalming is so well done.

I am afraid the casket may be too heavy, it is of course, large, + of metal, was made in Berlin. Do you know if there is any choice of cars, + if we can do it, + if the N.Y. cars (I know nothing about them) are any better arranged than our cars. It seems to me we could have Papa in the parlor of the Director's or California car, if not too heavy. We think now, when we start for home, we will go to Bremen (thereby not leave Germany) + take the German Lloyd's Steamer from there. It seems to me the most direct way. We shall not sail before May, most likely in June.

Jim telegraphs we must not think of coming sooner + wants us to go to the Riviera but we are more content to be here, where our darling rests. Did I send you a picture of Papa + me? I do not remember, + if not, I want you to have our