76 Westland Ave. Suite 9.
Boston, Mass. April 11/21.Miss Edith S. Palmer
Mt. Holyoke Coll.,My dear Miss Palmer,
Your favor of the 5th inst. was duly received and I will comply with your quest as far as is possible at present. I have been spending the winter in Boston and many of the things you desire I have at my home in Center Harbor, but can not obtain them until I go home, which will probably be within two weeks. I have a picture of every member of the class of '71, and a more recent one of myself, but have no group pictures taken in college.
For several years after graduation, I was engaged in teaching, in Center Harbor and Sandwich, N.H., in New Jersey and Wisconsin. For two years I taught in a boarding and day school, Readvilla Sem Baton Rouge, La. and for seven years was assistant in the high school at Millbury, Mass. In 1896 I was married to Wm. C. Jackson of Center Harbor, N.H. who died in 1916.
One of the most exciting incidents connected with college life was the burning of a barn adjacent to the college grounds. The college girls formed two lines between the college and the burning building. Each girl took the pail with which her room was provided and went to the basement, filled the pail with water and these were passed from hand to hand along one line to the fire, where they were emptied and returned along the other line to be filled again. The fire was extinguished without spreading any further and this heroic deed was commemorated in verse by one of the students under the title, "Charge of the Fire Brigade." (I can furnish this poem if desired.)
Four of us roomed together in the south wing of the college and one being somewhat ill was ordered to remain quiet in bed. She finally persuaded one of her roommates to bring her pen, ink and paper, and she began to write a letter. She had been writing for a few minutes when there came a knock at the door, the writing materials were hurriedly thrust into the bed, pen wiped on the tongue and then the customary call, "Come." The door opened and in came the physician, Dr. Southmayd, who walked up to the bed and questioned the patient. The response to her request, "let me see your tongue," was a hearty laugh from all present. Suffice it to say the condition of the patient was not diagnosed from her tongue.
Do you wish any information relative to Helen Angell Goodwin? She lived five miles from me and I probably saw her more frequently than any other member of '71. You will hear from me again after I reach Center Harbor.
Wishing you success in this undertaking.
Sincerely yours,
Elizabeth B. Jackson.