Transcription:
Folder marked, in Muir's handwriting, Sister Annie's last letter Portage, Wis., Xmas Night, 1902 Dear Brother John:
All the family here have gone out to some Christmas entertainment, notwithstanding the fact that the mercury stands a little
below zero, accompanied by the fact of a high wind blowing. Grandma Owen, aged 73 yrs., wrapped up and went with the family.
So I am here alone, having been shut in more than a month now. But when the weather grows milder and brighter I expect to
be stronger and to get about once more. What a shock the Oregon family have had I am glad Sarah is with Anna and the little
children at this sad time. Heaven help them all. And they will be helped. Dear Brother, I have decided to send you the old
family Bible containing the Family Record, much of which is written by father and mother themselves. It includes the grandchildren's
names also -- nearly all of them. You are the eldest son, and I think it belongs to you. So I shall send it as soon as I am
able to go down to the express office and attend to it. Inside the cover you will find a clipping just as it left Mother's
hands on Old Dunbar Characters.'' I enclose within the same cover two small books for Maggie's and David's folks. I have
already received and read the December No. of my Christmas magazine Out West and am delighted with it. Hearty thanks for same
and my flock of red and blue postage stamps fairly dazzled me. But they made me feel rich. I felt that I had lots of something.
How lucky that I thought of that (outlawed) promise Thanks. I had a long cheery letter from Sarah, written a day or two before
Hiram's death in which she spoke hopefully of his return in better health. How uncertain is life. I was unable to go out
to the funeral or to attend to any of the arrangements. But Mr. Joe E. Wells and wife managed all right, always coming over
to consult with me. And now goodnight -- Christmas Day is ended for me. I dreamed one night last week that I saw you coming
in the gate and ran to meet you on the steps, and what a glad meeting we had. When will it be? With love to yourself and
family, Annie L. Muir 03115