[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading. This letter was written while Mrs. Mateer, who lived at this time at Mechanicsburg, Pa., was visiting her son, William D. Mateer, ("Willie"), and his family, in Onarga, Illinois.]Onarga Oct 16th 1886
My Dear Daughter
I will now try to write Anna is gone went last week we miss her of course but we get on nicely have a woman to do the work. Lloyd does about as he please[s] goes to school during the week.
Willie has not been very well but is better. Jennie is not well this week was to come up today but the [...] was rainy the buggy has not been out since Anna left Willie rides in the gig John L. is the strongest one amongst them. My head troubles me very verry verry [sic] much my hand and arm are better of the rheumatism but not well.
Willie and I were invited to a dinner party at Mr Peter Rissers one day this week. Yesterday I went to the lady's miss[ionary] meeting Mrs. Pierson led the meeting she is a host of herself can just go over the whole ground herself but she is breaking down what a pity. There is an invalid lady here whose society I enjoy very much. She can walk this far, and comes often. The ladies show Jennie much attention and she appears to enjoy but her health is so poor I do pity her I go to see her just as often as I can.
Monday morn. I just have a long letter from M. Ralston [a friend from back home at Mechanicsburg, Pa] she does not feel any better on the church subject. They have just been electing 4 new elders. Mr Ployer Loyd Hertzler and [blank left to insert a name] she was suited with the election her Infant class gets on nicely. Mrs. Brandt called and asked her to purchase a new organ for them she is getting tired of the old one so strange that they cannot learn to know Mrs Ralston.
They have just had a great centennial meeting of the old Carlisle Presbytery such a time as they do have fussing over that Pres., and blowing their own horn each for the other. Mr Reigart holds steadily on his every notwithstanding Mrs Ralston and Mrs Saxton he does not visit them atall any more.
Ellen Mateer and Mr Sherborn are of one mind in church matters which tries Maggie somewhat. The church is needing repairs badly but they all feel so poor that they cannot do it except through the Miss [?] society. Annas [sic] is in Washington and expects to be in Wooster early in Nov she wants you to go with her out to James. Willie may meet her in Wooster. Lloy[d] had a letter from her on Saturday saying that Aunt Susan was sick hard an attack of heart disease. Anna said nothing about herself she will not rest anywhere.
I have a letter from Robbie [her son, Robert Mateer, a missionary in China]. He was at home and teaching some in the boys school Mr Chalfont was with [him] but was to leave the next week Mr Laughlin was to be home with his new wife they expected to live in their own house Robbie is discouraged about their Mission the Board does not send them any help. Dr. Matthewson was about starting home then they will not even have an excuse of a Dr dear [?] help Mrs Laughlin when her turn comes the Mission is at a dead stand Rob says they cannot build the Chapel this fall.
Have you seen Mr Corbett yet. Julia would like to keep Jeanie which I think will be the best thing to do with her for awhile Lillie reports progress wants me to go down and stay a while with her we are lonely without Anna I did not go out to church yesterday it was temperance day. Have you a girl yet I do not see how you get on without one Anna had a letter from Net she was away in the upper regions. I am longing to hear from Horrie am homesick to see him & all of you how will you be fixed up now is the old lady pleased with her new home and how does the Dr get on without her. And Samie does he go to school, do not overwork yourself. My old lady methodist neighbor is gone away suppose Mary is in clover we are having such lovely weather these days. Jennie was up and write soon to your loving
Daughter [did she mean to write Mother?]