Letter signed Flora Byrne, Byrnham Wood, to My dear Frank [Frank B. Mayer, Franklin Street, Baltimore, Maryland]. Please forgive me for neglecting you. You ask me for the western song. It is just impossible to write that down as to translate a good French pun and preserve its aroma. Tells story of the song. The cholera is decreasing at Alexandria but we do not go near the place. You have heard of the great fire at St. Louis. Luckily our reaping machine did not arrive there until the next day, so it is safe. Individuals mentioned include Aunt Flora, Frank, Sam Donaldson, and Alderman Peters. Places mentioned include New York, Alexandria, and St. Louis. (3 pages), [1849] May 28

Item — Box: 1, Folder: 3

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The Mayer Family Papers consist of the correspondence of Flora Byrne to Mrs. Charles F. Mayer. Describes her life and family at Byrnham Wood in Clark County near Winchester, Missouri. Includes correspondence from various members of the family in Baltimore, Maryland. The letters contain many sidelights on the state of development in that day, mention well-known characters, and show the facilities for transportation between the Atlantic seaboard and St. Louis. The latest letters, dated in 1861, document Civil War movements in St. Louis and Baltimore. The collection also includes miscellaneous correspondence regarding the donation and the drawings of Francis [Frank] Blackwell Mayer.