Letter to Carrie Best, Jul 23 1901

This letter was addressed to Caroline Elsie Best (1872-1954) as "Mrs. P. M. Harrington" at 81 First St. in Nyack. I'm filing it with Best documents since it relates to William Best (1844-1901)'s death. The postmark is Chicago.

The sender is "your cousin Etta". I don't know who that is-- Carrie didn't have a first cousin named Etta, at least.

Dear Carrie,

I heartily sympathize with you in the sorrow that has entered your life. We were all shocked when we heard the sad news.

As Mother read the postal which Aunt Helen Clark sent she said "Well if anyone was ready to go, he certaily was". Surely, it is a blessed memory you will always have of him who has only gone before. I feel that I can appreciate ot a great degree your sense of loss and loneliness, for my father was so much to me. There is a sweetness about the sadness caused by the departure of such an [sic] one as your father was, I think, but the loss is also that much the keener.

What a comfort for you to know that he is all right now.

Mother and Ruth join me in this expression of sympathy. When you feel that you can write more fully we shall be glad to hear from you. I will now write to Sue and your mother.

Remember me kindly to Mr. Harrington.

Your cousin Etta
(Mrs. R.C. Elder)
5104 Wabash Av
Chicago
July 23 '01