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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1901 Henry Walbridge Taft Dunning Letter to Parents (Transcription)A literal transcription of a letter to his family from Henry Walbridge Taft Dunning, a student at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. The letter details the funeral of A.& M. C. President Foster. College Station, Texas Dec. 6, 1901 Dear Papa, Mama and Mamie I received your letter yesterday and was very glad to hear from you. How are you all getting a long. I am well and hope you all are the same. We had a holiday on the twenty eighth and a very good dinner. We had oyster soup crackers cranberry sauce cakes and pies apples and oranges. Did you all have a turkey. We had our hop on the night of the twenty ningthth I had a very nice time. There were several from Houston they stayed over untill meaday they stayed in the mess hall. They danced from ten untill half past two oclock. I went to bed about three and got up at six. I was on guard mount this morning I will half to walk sentinel to night. I am on first relief post number one Post number one is in Austin hall. . . . (p.2) Have you all drivin Addie any lately? How is Dick getting along. What kind of a gasoline Engine have they got at Eddy is it live that one Mr. Miller was talking about that one that ran with out any attention. All the A and M College is in moarning now. President Foster died on second day of December 4-30 A.M. at Dallas. He was brought home on the four oclock train in the evening. A hurs (hearse) came out from Bryan. We went down to the train to meet him. They took him to his home and there he remained untill two oclock on the evening of the third They then took him to Chapel where services were held. The band plaid the march. They had guards called Foster guards which guarded him during the services they had one at the head and one at the foot. They changed them every fifteen or twenty minutse. They had the Chapel nicely decorated. Professor Bittle our Chaplain preached the funeral. Governor Sayers attended. They buried him on the college grounds They say it was his request. They burried him all alone. They had his grave lined. (p.3) They poot a mat of Arbor Vitae over the grave and then reathes of flowers of different kind. They got a hunered and fifty yards of crape just for Ross hall. Please send me about ten dollars if you haven't that mutch to spare eight will do. I hate to ask for so much money but I wil try and pay you back. School will be out for the Christmas holidays on the twentyeth of December. I don't know wheath I will know the place or not when I get home. Have you all sold any hay yet? Had I better bring boath of my trunks home. I don't know wheather I can get all my bed clothes in my trunk or not. This is about all I have to say so I will close with love to all. Write soon, Henry.