Letter 19280312

Portland Or.

March 9th 28

My Dear Niece

Just Rec a letter from you one from Lina Anderson and one from my Dear Step Daughter in California. She lives at 324 N 4st San Jose Cal. Elma Hancock. I maried her mother when she was 8 years Old. Your Father has seen her in Arlington, Or. Well Dear O am just sending you a fiew papers to show you your Old uncle Joe was not an Old Bum. Will answer your letter soon I am awful week it has been Raining & blowing all day. I am no better than I was a week ago but dont hope to be as I cant eat or sleep with out dope and I wont take it. Hope Old Betsy arived safe hope you are all well and to hear from you all soon my love to you all.

your uncle Joe D.

_________________________________________________________________

At home

Mach 12 - 28

My Dearest Niece

I will try to answer your kind and welcome letter I Rec a fiew days ago did write you a fiew lines Firday but could not mail it Saturday on account of an awful Storm the worst I ever seen since I lived here. I am 76 miles inland from the Ocean but could hear the brakers Plain. So you see what storms we have here well Dear as to my Disease one day I feel Prety Good and the Next I cant walk or Breath. like this morning I feel Prety Good but may turn before night and chok to death you cant tell a thing about it.

Mary Dear why do you want me to come to you I cant work at all I know I am all alone here which my Good Dr Says is the worst thing I can do in my case but wat do they know about it yet its awful to be alone all the time. There as been not one here to speak to since last Sunday but tel them stay away if they wan to I will live for tell I drop off it dont scare me to tell me I cant live for the grave is a blesing wher you can Rest forever. well dear I am going to tel you some of my good luck there were 3 houses broken into while I was to the coast a month ago my cousins his sisters and mine all of us. Som they cleaned the other too of chairs beds and heating stove they done better by me they took all my Good close 22 jars of fine Bing cherie and Pruen Jam and Jelly all my uncles close all but what I had with me about 110 or 120 Dollars worth Prety Good hall but kind hard on Poor Folks but mabey they kneeded them wore than we did.

Well Dear I dont know when my trial will come off but I will tell you something I am keeping still so they dont catch on if the Dirty court dont give me justice. I will sure take it for I am having them watched like a hawk so it will never do them any good if it hadent been for my attorney and my good friends they would have bot be Dead 4 months ago. I am watching and praying for my strength to hold out to see the end I hope for the Best.

Hope you are all well and to hear from you soon again.

With love to you all you uncle Joe Delk

P.S. how is my good Girl Betsy