File 72 - Letter from Allie to Eliza, Jacob, Glayds Uffelman

[Page 1]
Connellsville, Pa
Dec 10
Dear Eliza, Jacob + Gladys:
It is with heartfelt sympathy that I am writing you, we were certainly shocked to hear of Sheldon being killed “your baby boy” although we were expecting to receive such news since we heard the boys were at the front, + for the fact they are constantly in danger when in that position. “poor Sheldon,” when we got your letter, it was such a shock to us after all that Rella + P was’nt any good the rest of the day, we cant seem to feel or sympathize with others till it comes
[Page 2]
home to us. Oh this awful war. we often wonder when it will end, if they could only put an end to the Kaiser I think the war would end. I believe God is permitting this war on account of sin the people are too far away from God. forgetting him there are people been brought to their knees + are reading the bible that never thought of doing so before its even united nations. + causing them to be friendly one with the other. For instance that great Halifax disaster was’nt that terrible. I see by the paper
[Page 3]
President Wilson is sending $5,000,000, for the relief of the people of Halifax. Oh, how many sad hearts there are these days, because of sin, how thankful we ought to be that all is so well with us as it is yet we know not how soon so great Calamity will come to us, it seems too bad that Lloyd + Sheldon had to fall on the battle field – I just got a letter from him the week before he was killed it was a short one, I have kept all the letters from the boys
[Page 4]
I have wondered if Willie was near when Sheldon was killed. poor Willie he will will feel his loss keenly + he will feel so lonely. Oh if he was only prepared trust he was, when I would write him I warned him to give himself to the Lord so if death should overtake him he would be ready to meet his Lord. I hope Willie has has made his peace with God so that if he should fall on the battle field he might rise to be in that glorious world above what a consolation that would be dying in defense
[Page 5]
of his country + as a brave soldier of Jesus Christ. We must keep praying for him that God may throw his arm of protection around him. Oh the anxiety for your Boy, only father + mother can tell, the sleepless nights, my heart just aches for you, I just hope Orley + Walter wont have to go to France. when you write me give me Willies address if it has been changed I have not had a letter from him since he has been at the front; then too give me Orleys if he has changed his address
[Page 6]
also Walters is he still in Montreal. how is everything + everybody. we are in our usual except I have a new son full grown + yet only two weeks old; Rella had a very nice wedding they were married in the church a double ring cerimony [sic], she will be writing to Gladys + telling her about it, I might just say she received your check + I want to thank you in her behalf it was a pleasant surprise to her, as she was not looking for any presents infact we never thought of presents when we sent out the wedding cards we told the printer to print a part for announcement
[Page 7]
cards + the other part for invitation cards, so when we got them they were all invitations. they are going to stay here for the winter cant get a house, or rooms + there is plenty of room here + I don’t want Rella to leave but she wants to work so I told her she could work a couple of months then she would have to stay at home + make up some quilts + other things for her house if she is able to get one + the money she received for presents she will put it into furniture so she will always
[Page 8]
have it. I cant realize that she is married or can I think that she is as old as she is she will be 23 yrs in February I just cant think of her leaving me for good, really I don’t know what I will do. We are having very cold weather Gladys wont be able to go back + forth from school these days take good care of yourselves this cold weather will be hard on you Eliza. We are practicing for our Xmas entertainment + perfect? to go out calling on the church people. I want to wash to-morrow + I must write Rosie + wrote to D. W. yes their hearts are sad too it makes me feel so lonely when I think of them two young boys gone. never to see them again. they both said if they lived to get back they were coming to see us (never) I want to say again you have our sympathy, our best to all. Lovingly Allie
[Top of Page 5, text upside down]
P. S. has gone to Washington D.C. for this week to a convention. The church is sending him. I told him to remember one to President Wilson
[Top of Page 7, text upside down]
Oh I wish I could be at your side to speak words of comfort; to you if you hear any particulars of Sheldons death write me too.