Edgewood May 3^rd. 1880

My own dear one,

It is with an aching heart that I announce to you the death of our beloved Edwina Fowler, Which occurred on the 13^th of last month after a brief illness of about 38 hours. I mourn her as a daughter for she loved me. After her death a letter was found that she had written me a few days before. I think you like myself would like to know all the particulars, so I will copy Mr. Fowler’s letter as I want to keep the original. She wrote me to come and stay with her – said if I would perhaps she might get through, if not she would die. Please tell all her relations about this – She always said she loved all her mother’s relations.

Lovingly,

D. M. Nelms

Elkhart, April 17^th 1880

Mrs. D. M. Nelms

Anderson, Texas

Dear Grand Ma,

It is with a heavy heart that I write you these lines to confer the sad intelligence of the death of my precious Angel wife, which occurred a 4 ½ clock last Tuesday Morning after a brief illness of about 38 hours. Oh how can I realize the terrible truth, that I shall never behold her loving fact again and hear the joyous sound of her voice to welcome me home. Home - there is no home for me now, - The dark pall of death has driven from its sacred precincts all joy, and brightness and happiness and taken from therein its brightest treasure, leaving me and my and my poor little children so lonely, - so lonely. But thanks be to God there is a glorious promise vouchsafed to those who obey him that we shall meet again in the mansions Eternal in the skies. Edwina was taken last Sunday about 12 pm, when the Dr. was summoned, also Mrs. Micheaux and Mrs. Henning. She was feeling quite well all day up to that time and conversed with unusual cheerfulness – about 2 o’clock she was attacked with colic, the result of eating a hickorynut in the morning – which was very speedily retrieved when preparatory pains began about 5o’clock and progress in the usual way, when real Labor set in at about 7 o’clock they continued and progressed without any abnormal symptoms until the child was born which occurred at 10 O’clock. Everything passed off in a natural manner without a single appearance of danger. The Dr. remained until 12 O’clock, when he took his leave, he pronounced her in fine condition, congratulating us on the success of the case, - At that time Edwina was in high spirits talking all the while of her baby and rejoicing that it was so soon over with. At 1 O’clock she manifested some uneasiness when I gave her 20 drops of Laudanum by directions of the Dr. It seemed to quiet her & she sank into a quiet sleep about 2 O’clock she complained of sick stomach and began to vomit – which was attributed to the effects of the Laudanum. At intervals she would complain of headaches, now and then resting and sleeping. About 4 O’clock she called me to her and told me that her head was aching very badly – and requested me to rub it. A little later Michaux told me she did not like Edwina’s symptoms and thought best to send for the Dr. which was immediately done. Just as the Dr. arrived Edwina was seized with convulsions. The Dr. gave her 30 grains of Bromide Potash at once. I sent for John E. Reagan, her Brother. At this time two other physicians were called, making three in attendance. Dr. Douglass, Dr. Lick, and Dr. Colley. They administered copious doses of opiate all the while, but convulsions would return every 30 minutes. Bleeding was then resorted to but without any effect. She continued in this state unconscious all the while until about 5 ½ O’clock in the evening (Monday) when Convulsions ceased, she having had some 28 during this time. I still had great hopes of her at this time, thinking that she would return to consciousness and grow better. But alas for human hopes – I saw my idol sinking slowly – but surely – into the sleep of death. I felt the death damp gathering upon her brow and saw its pale flag upon her cheeks. Hour by hour the silver chord was loosed. When at 3 O’clock Tuesday Morning all hopes died within my heart. The overwhelming conviction came rushing upon me that this grim monster had marked my darling for his own. – Oh my Darling, could she have seen the torrent of bitter tears and heard the prayerful appeal to God for her deliverance it would have at least palliated the pangs of death. Feebler and feebler grew her breathing, nearer and nearer her approach to death. When at 4 ½ O’clock, like the sighing of a spring tome Zephyr she breather her last. Never have I witnessed such a scene of mourning friends at her bedside, with streaming eyes and prayerfull hearts and upon bended knew they implored Jesus for her preservation, but “He doeth all things well,” He called my darling to him when flight of Angels attended her to her resting place. I fain would die. The bright dream of love is over, - The pall of death has darkened my life overshadowing it with dark gloom forever. Our once bright and happy home is a desolate and deserted place. Where memory lingers over the ashes of despair, Silent and undisturbed are its precincts now where once her merry voice was heard all day. – Oh how can I believe that death could settle in that glorious eye and still that great loving heart forever. Her infant a beautiful little girl survives and is now being cared for by my mother. We have obtained a wet nurse with a child a few weeks old and will do all in our power to raise it. It is doing well and I think will continue to do so. For several months past Edwina had given up to a firm conviction that she would never recover from the birth of her child. She told all of her friends that she must die. She had made every preparation for it. Everyday she would engage in fervent prayer and was prepared. Thank God for this glorious consolation. It is about the great sustaining power in this sore trial. She gave me directions in detail about her funeral. She desired to be buried by the Episcopal Ceremony and the song, “Jesus Lover of my Soul.” Sung when she was brought into the Church – She desired all my old letters and an old diary to be buried with her, and that Mrs. Bush to write her obituary. The last request she made was that should she become unconscious that the Episcopal Clergyman be called and administer the rites of Baptism. This was done as the first convulsion seized her. Rees and the little baby were also Baptised the baby being Christened “Edwina Reagan.”

I will take Rees to my sister Doras who has a pleasant home near Tyler. She expresses a wish to give him a home as long as I see proper, as for myself – I don’t know where to turn, there is no peace nor joy for me any where. I shall try and visit you some time this summer if possible.

I send you a letter found shortly after remaining unposted in the writing desk. Keep it as it is the last one my Darling ever wrote – let me hear from my dear Grand Ma.

You and Aunt Mary both.

Affectionately,

N. S. Fowler

Your last letter with Aunt Kate’s was received the day after she was buried.