Ellen Argo Letter
In this letter to Mrs. Wooldridge, Ellen Argo describes the death of an unidentified soldier. She reports that he "praid from the time they brought him to the house until he died" and that although she and her family could do little to help him, her mother took the same care of him as she would her own child. After his death, they arranged for his burial in the McMinnville graveyard. Argo reassures Mrs. Wooldridge that he was with true friends and that if "prairs or tears would save his life he would have been with you now." Argo also includes a message to the deceased's sister, Mrs. Glen, informing her that her brother had spoken of her often during his final hours.
Dates
- 1865 April 5
Conditions Governing Access
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Conditions Governing Use
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Extent
0.1 Linear Feet
Abstract
In this letter to Mrs. Wooldridge, Ellen Argo describes the death of an unidentified soldier. She reports that he "praid from the time they brought him to the house until he died" and that although she and her family could do little to help him, her mother took the same care of him as she would her own child. After his death, they arranged for his burial in the McMinnville graveyard. Argo reassures Mrs. Wooldridge that he was with true friends and that if "prairs or tears would save his life he would have been with you now." Argo also includes a message to the deceased's sister, Mrs. Glen, informing her that her brother had spoken of her often during his final hours.
Biographical/Historical Note
Ellen Argo was born to O. H. and Susan Argo in Tennessee on August 19, 1849. She married Samuel Houston Stiles (1844-1928) in Warren County on May 2, 1869 and the couple had at least eight children. Ellen Stiles died on June 7, 1929 in McMinnville and was buried in the Riverside Cemetery.
The identity of the soldier whose death Ellen Argo describes in this letter is unknown. It is certain, however, that he had a sister whose married surname was Glen. He most likely served in a Union regiment and may have been the son of the Mrs. Wooldridge to whom the letter is addressed.
Arrangement
This collection consists of a single folder.
Acquisition Note
The University of Tennessee's Special Collections Library purchased this collection in March of 2009.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository