Letter from Cyrus Walker to his father on his impending divorce from his first wife, Lucy Walker, and her apparent infidelity

Title

Letter from Cyrus Walker to his father on his impending divorce from his first wife, Lucy Walker, and her apparent infidelity

Description

Cyrus Walker was the oldest son of the early Oregon Territory missionaries Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker. He grew up at Tshimakain in the 1830s-40s, where he learned the native Spokane language. After joining the U.S. army during the Civil War and then attempting to make a living as a farmer, he became a teacher at the Warm Springs Indian Agency. These letters, documents and clippings shed light on his experiences as a missionary, a soldier, a pioneer and a teacher at Warm Springs. This collection was donated to Pacific University by Betty Thorne, a descendant of the Walkers.

Creator

Walker, Cyrus Hamlin

Is Part Of

Cyrus Walker Binder 1

Identifier

PUA_MS102_1873_7.pdf

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/

Provenance

Donated by Betty Thorn, Walker Family descendant.

Type

Text

Other Media

Dear Father,

Your welcome letter came to hand last Thursday. I am glad you took pains to write about what you knew would interest me the most. I was some in hopes you would have a talk with Mr. & Mrs. Tanner. Though I don't know as it would have done any good. Matters are evidently approaching a crisis. Maria has sent up a request for a letter from our Church to the one in Salem. I have talked with several about it and all seem to think some thing must be done towards staightening matters up before any action can be taken on her request.

Levi was at Hillsboro last Sunday week ago, and saw George & Maria. Were out to Good Templars Saturday night and twice out to meeting Sunday. After George got back to Amity he wrote me a letter claiming to have just received mine of several weeks before. He says he will make no comments on what I said regarding his conduct but is terribly indignant because I told him some one at Dayton had told a friend of mine that he had made his boasts that he would separate us. I told him I did not believe it, yet he waxes very wroth and demands the persons name. I wrote him an answer plainly accusing him of improper intercourse with Maria and he might as well own up his guilt. That I had no positive evidence but thought I had sufficient taking everything into consideration to warrant one in making the charge. I believe them guilty and think they will yet make a confession.

I have been up to Gaston the two last Sundays. Had no preaching so I read a chap[t]er and made remarks upon it and then had Sunday School. Mr. Lyman preached here yesterday. Did not get home till Saturday, having stopped several days at White Salmon. Had no meeting last evening. I had to take the lead at our last two prayer meetings, Dr. Marsh not being present. Prof. Collier was last meeting but insisted on my going ahead as I was about and to do so when he came in.

The weather has been so unsettled that I have not dared to cut any hay and for that reason and because the ground has been so damp I have not done any harrowing. Hoping I might have hay to feed the horses while working. I was going to cutting this morning but it is again cloudy and misting and I hardly know what is best to do. However I find enough of something all the time to keep me busy. We shall look for you back by Saturday in time for Church meeting.

Affectionately yours
C.H. Walker

[A note from Mary Richardson Walker is appended at the end]

Dear Husband,
We were glad [to] receive a letter from you tho we heard from you by others. I have been trying my best to get more writing done, but have had a grate many callers. Have also made several calls myself. We feel [illegible], but Levi or some one or [another?] are here most of the time nights. Hope you will get back before Sabbath.
Your loving wife,
Mary R. Walker