Letter from Mary M[errill] Graydon to John Muir, 1901 Apr 26.

1425 Central Ave.,Indianapolis,April 26th, 1901.My dear Mr. Muir:I took your last letter over to Mrs. Victor Hendricks, for them to enjoy too. The last week of Miss Eliza\u27s life she was delirious and although they had a nurse Mrs. Hendricks was worn out - has been ill since. Mr. H. has taken her away. Before leaving she sent me a note, from which I quote, When you write to dear Mr. Muir please remember Mr. Hendricks and me to him most affectionately. His visit to our home was delightful to us. You say truly the Hendricks family show the best in human nature. The pure peculiar sweetness of that home, makes it a light in this community. The Mother\u27s room was the center of that home, and though the children were growing old how gladly they accepted her criticism and advice. I envy no one, but her relations might be envied. Mrs. Victor H.\u27s power lies in her consistency.So many have died this year. Gen. Harrison was a statesman, since Gov. Wallace the greatest honor the state has had. But never again will we see a Mr. Jackson. He was great in his honesty. For years he handled $ l,000,000 to $1,500,000 a year without bond. In the civil war Gov. Morton depended on him. Yet his power did not lie in his charity, which ran like a net through all the town, nor in his sympathy, which was as genuine as Christ\u27s. With me it lay in that I could believe what he said. Have charity, but do not call a wrong right. Oh, he was firm. I thank you earnestly for your beautiful words about him. They are precious.You must come East soon, or the rest of us will be dead. Then I long to be refreshed by listening to you. We heard by telegraph Kate had reached Cal. She returns home by the South, stopping in the wilds of Louisiana to see her father. We are all well. Hot weather touched us to-day. Oh, do come in and see us. You are linked at different points along my life, and your talk is always an inspiration.Your friend,Mary M[errill] GraydonDon\u27t I waste a lot of ink?94