The Ox-Bow Man: A Biography Of Walter Van Tilburg Clark

Chapter Eighteen: The Sweet Promised Land of Nevada

« chapter eighteen » the sweet promised land of nevada I     had an almost constant stomachache , and although suspecting an ulcer, she decided to selfmedicate with antacid tablets. After two weeks she went to see a doctor, who prescribed more pills. In August, at another visit to the doctor, she was told that he suspected a gall-bladder problem rather than an ulcer. There were further exams, X-rays, and lab tests, and the doctor found cancer. In early September she was admitted to the hospital; following an exploratory operation, it was determined that the cancer was terminal—nothing to do. It was very unexpected for everyone. The family, including Barbara of course, had been worried about Walter’s health, and then there was this sudden turnaround—it was a shock. Walter was devastated. He wrote to Caples in late October: A hard note to write and I can’t make it more than a note— but I thought I should tell you before the word is final. Barbara is in St. Mary’s Hospital, enduring the late stages of a terminal › 377 ‹ 18-unv002.c18.4 6/29/04 4:42 PM Page 377 cancer. She has been ill since June—but doctored just medically for gall bladder trouble until the first of Sept. when she went into the hospital. They operated the seventh and found— an apparently rare condition—an advanced cancer of the gall bladder—already too far advanced and ramified to be operable . She was home until two weeks ago, when her meds got beyond me and Mgt. [Margaret] Marks—our local nurse. Fred Anderson, long our doctor and an old friend too, is taking care of her. Her mind is far from clear now—she loses track of time, fades in the middle of a sentence, and at her request I’m her only visitor. She doesn’t have to keep face or pay attention with me. But she is being kept quite comfortable physically.... I’m getting along fine—so don’t worry about me either. I’m still teaching—only half time this semester, fortunately, and I keep busy with house work and looking after our little dog and marketing, etc.... When you can, I’d like a word about how it’s going with you too—but please, Robert, not a phone call. On paper I can get by. The loud voices shake me up too much still—as they do Barbara. (10/29/69) She died on November 12, and the funeral was held a few days later. Walter wrote once again to Robert and his wife, Rosemary: So, it is done. And she did it just as she meant to do it— not a tear all the way—only practical concerns, worries about the kids and me after she was gone. We held the funeral ... altogether according to her specified wishes, a high, hillside lot in the .. cemetery, family only, and oak casket with a covering of pine boughs, cones, and wild grasses and berries ... Made a beginning on the way back last night, with a birthday party of Leah, Bab’s fetching youngest—and tomorrow I return to the teaching. There is a big vacuum, but we’re all doing well. Can’t do much else after Barbara. (11/17/69) the ox-bow man › 378 ‹ 18-unv002.c18.4 6/29/04 4:42 PM Page 378 Barbara and Walter were very compatible and had a successful thirty-six-year marriage, although it must be said that this success was largely due to the fact that Barbara adapted to her husband’s tastes and was happy to take on the traditional role of housewife as dictated by the times. Intelligent and witty, she was a good companion for an intellectual. Like Walter, she enjoyed socializing both at home and in saloons; like him, she was a reader (and she lovedtosolvewordpuzzles);andlikehim,shecametolovetheold mining towns of Nevada. She was also sensible and dependable, a hard worker who supported Walter by doing all the housework, cleaning, cooking, washing, and gardening. Outside, she planted trees, shrubs, and lawn and maintained a vegetable garden. She weeded, dug little trenches to irrigate her garden, clipped and trimmed, and spread topsoil. Inside, in addition to her housekeeping , she kept the household accounts, paid the bills, and dealt with the insurance and taxes. It is clear that Walter not only lost a lovingcompanion...