Gambier, Knox Co. Ohio
1/20/07

My dear Bessie,

What I write to you will you kindly communicate Catherine and Maria of what you know will interest them. I received your ever welcome notes t Xmas time. I thank you very much for them particularly as they carry the assurance that I am still remembered by you all! I had a short note from my faithful dear correspondent Frances this week. Just a few lines for I know how much Mrs Hunt's increasing years absorbs her thoughts and time. I wish you could each send me a Pho. I long to see them and how "time" has dealt with you these long years. The pictures of my Uncle Williams house I scarcely remember. Frances located Park St for me. Are there any photographs of the celebrated and points of note and beauties of the Castle Park and Scordon. Does any one sell them in Killough or Downpatrick. If so, send me a few of them and I will be glad to pay for them and feel ever so much obliged to you.

I trust that you are all well. Any disorder of the liver (from what you are suffering) is very depressing to the spirits and painful too.

Late in the Fall I ran down in the railway carriages to Glendale to visit Johnnie and his family. Glendale is a suburb of Cincinnati. I left at noon and reached in time for dinner at six o'clock. Roger, Johnnie's 2nd son met us at the depot and we went by the accommodation to Johns. You will be glad to know they are all in their new house, which is comfortable with every modern convenience for Johnnies comfort and ease. He is very much crippled. He can walk but a little way just to get into the Surry to drive out every day if not to stormy. He has an appliance to keep his feet warm. Ralph, his older son, his wife, two lovely little girls, one called Elizabeth, five years of age and the 2nd Mary Josephine in her third year, live not far from them and they cheer up John's house when the visit. Roger is fond of the children and Bessie is a sweet and lovely sister in law to him. Neither Ralph or Roger is as tall as their dear father nor as handsome!! s he was. So far we have had a trying winter about Cincinnati and the lowlands on the Ohio river have been much damaged by the recent floods, many bridges washed away travel intercepted in many palaces, no trains coming or going. Thousands of families in want.

Do itinerant preachers still continue to be stationed in dear old Killough? I remember it all so well. Mrs Teer and Mrs Surch and "Joe" a host in himself! I must not get writing of "days that are gone" "yet lived a thousand and ne'er could forget". Hope that you have real enjoyment nursing your brush. I hope I have not tired you. Who lived in the house our father occupied at one time in the Square? and his store? Is the parsonage nicely kept.

Everyone tells me I am looking well. I am much stronger and better now than when I got home from the hospital in Columbus. I had a small lump removed from under my left ear. I knew nothing of its coming. It gave no pain or trouble only it seemed to increase and the best physician recommended me to have it removed.

I wish you one and all a happy New Year and many of them. Write me as long a letter and all about yourselves, nothing so interesting to me. your affectionate old friend, my dear Bessie,

Kate Trimble