DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Adelia M. Hoyt memoir and photographs

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Page 109

UNFOLDING YEARS, 109

with her from the time Lillian left at 4 P.M. until the night nurse came at 9 o'clock. Usually I could leave her and she would call or ring a bell if she wanted anything. But that day I dared not leave her for a moment for she was determined to get out of bed and go downstairs. Once she looked up at me and asked: "Who are you?" That nearly broke my heart. 
I slept little that night and knew that I should have a nurse with me for the day. I had been trying for some time to secure one but nurses were hard to get. Early next morning. June 2nd, I called one who had been recommended to me and she was able to come but only for three hours. I do not think Emma knew me nor the doctor that morning; she was in a sort of coma. A nurse friend, Peggy Arrance, who was just off a case, arrived at noon and was with me when the end came at 2:30 P.M. I sat beside my sister with my hand on her arm until she breathed her last. After that it seemed as if I felt nothing. I do not think I shed a tear but I went about mechanically doing the many things which had to be done. Peggy was wonderful and stayed right by me. She sent telegrams and met the many friends who came and went all that afternoon and evening. 
After the doctor had been and all the inevitable questions asked and answered, the undertaker was summoned; and the dear body, the tangible part of my beloved sister, was carried out of the home she had so loved and which she largely earned and maintained so long. It seemed a cruel thing -- but my friends advised it. As in everything since they did not urge it, yet I knew it was the best way. We could not reach the night nurse so I let her come and stay with me that night. After she arrived and everyone else had gone I took a sleeping tablet and tried to get some rest. 
Of all my relatives I knew that no one could come to me except my niece's son, Hoyt Hammer, from Cincinatti Ohio. I had wired asking that he and his wife, Naoma, would come if possible and I had an immediate reply that they would be here. They arrived the next day, Saturday, and proved a real help and comfort to me, Mrs. Maxwell, Lucy Cardwell

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UNFOLDING YEARS, 109 with her from the time Lillian left at 4 P.M. until the night nurse came at 9 o'clock. Usually I could leave her and she would call or ring a bell if she wanted anything. But that day I dared not leave her for a moment for she was determined to get out of bed and go downstairs. Once she looked up at me and asked: "Who are you?" That nearly broke my heart. I slept little that night and knew that I should have a nurse with me for the day. I had been trying for some time to secure one but nurses were hard to get. Early next morning. June 2nd, I called one who had been recommended to me and she was able to come but only for three hours. I do not think Emma knew me nor the doctor that morning; she was in a sort of coma. A nurse friend, Peggy Arrance, who was just off a case, arrived at noon and was with me when the end came at 2:30 P.M. I sat beside my sister with my hand on her arm until she breathed her last. After that it seemed as if I felt nothing. I do not think I shed a tear but I went about mechanically doing the many things which had to be done. Peggy was wonderful and stayed right by me. She sent telegrams and met the many friends who came and went all that afternoon and evening. After the doctor had been and all the inevitable questions asked and answered, the undertaker was summoned; and the dear body, the tangible part of my beloved sister, was carried out of the home she had so loved and which she largely earned and maintained so long. It seemed a cruel thing -- but my friends advised it. As in everything since they did not urge it, yet I knew it was the best way. We could not reach the night nurse so I let her come and stay with me that night. After she arrived and everyone else had gone I took a sleeping tablet and tried to get some rest. Of all my relatives I knew that no one could come to me except my niece's son, Hoyt Hammer, from Cincinatti Ohio. I had wired asking that he and his wife, Naoma, would come if possible and I had an immediate reply that they would be here. They arrived the next day, Saturday, and proved a real help and comfort to me, Mrs. Maxwell, Lucy Cardwell