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518 & ••••••••• 256 • From the Diary of SBA [14 October–8 November 1904] Friday 14 October, 1904. Left Leavenworth Kansas at 5.30 p.m. on the Rock Island—had good night— Left dear brother D. R. very weak & feeble— he seems destined to go—but I hope against hope that he may recover— [omitted entries 15–25, 29 October; no entries 26, 28, 30 October.] Monday 31 October, 1904. Nephew D. R. Jr. telegraphed that Father was more comfortable— It is dreadful to hold one’s breath every time the door bell rings—expecting it is a telegram telling of death of brother D. R. and then we must be off for Leavenworth— Tuesday 1 November 1904. Anna Dann Mason at Homeopathic Hospital —born a girl baby—at 3 Oclock—doing nicely— 1 Dr Sherman Ricker Telephoned us— I am glad she is through the ordeal safely— A letter from sister Annie written Sunday— Brother D. R. very bad— Saturday—so they thot he was gone for a time—was put to sleep on Napha & Strychnine 2 —slept 8 hours—woke exhausted— [no entries 2–6 November] 1. The Masons named their daughter Leanora Charlotte Turner Mason. She died at age seventeen. (Federal Census, 1910; Mt. Albion Cemetery, Town of Albion , N.Y., on-line transcriptions of gravestones and cemetery records, by Sharon A. Kerridge, 1997.) 2. The use of naphtha and strychnine suggests treatment for consumption or other lung disease. Monday 7 November 1904. Letter from Sister Annie saying brother D. R. was [more?] quiet—knew her & Dannie for a moment— Helen Stanton—Theodores second daughter—coming on 9.5 train to night met her at Station—saw Theodore for a moment— it is two years since he was here at his mothers funeral— Nellie looks very much like Maggie Stanton— Tuesday November 8, 1904. Helen Stanton is a nice girl of 15— took her driving in a.m. to Eastmans—she bought a Kodack—then to the falls & 14 october–8 november 1904 ^ 519 home— 1 She left on the 4 train for Geneva—Mrs Smith Millers 2 [no entries 9–11 November] 1. Rochester was sited on the Genessee River to take advantage of waterfalls that powered the city’s industrial development. The Upper or High Falls, dropping ninety-six feet, could be best viewed from the Platt Street Bridge opened in 1891 across the river gorge. Eastman’s Camera Works on State Street was nearby. The company’s Brownie Camera had been introduced in 1900. 2. SBA pasted to the page the notice that Catharine A.F.Stebbins died this day at her brother’s house in Rochester. Y Excelsior Diary 1904, n.p., SBA Papers, DLC. ••••••••• 257 • SBA to the Wisconsin Woman Suffrage Association [Rochester, before 12 November 1904] 1 My Dear Friends in Convention Assembled—Your secretary 2 asked me for a letter for your convention, to be held in Janesville, November 15 and 16, and I gladly send it to you. With all the sins of omission and commission, we have never had so great a one as that proposed by the first session of this congress, which is to be acted upon at the coming session. Women have always tacitly and inferentially been classed with the illiterates, insane people, idiots and criminals , but it remained for the Republicans, at this opening of the year 1904, to propose to write us down in the same category with the defective and delinquent male citizens. It is an insult beyond words to describe. I trust that you will see that a resolution passes your convention that shall speak your indignation in terms fitting the “Badger State.” 3 The Democrats are greatly troubled about the Filipino not voting or having the right to vote, and the Republicans talk about the negroes in the Southern states, but neither party has a word to say about depriving the women of the country of their entire right to the franchise. You will have your president, Rev. Olympia Brown, with you, and she will pronounce the verdict upon this outrage on the women of the United States as no other person can. You will of course pass a strong resolution. I should be glad indeed to be with you, but three score and ten and 14 october–8 november 1904 ...

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