On May 12, 1899, Paul Laurence Dunbar was recovering from pneumonia in New York City. Paul's wife Alice was serving as his nurse, while his mother Matilda remained at their home in Washington, D. C. Matilda was frantically worried about Paul's condition and wanted to come to New York to help take care of him. Alice wrote her a long letter, insisting that Matilda stay home because she lacked the skills to be helpful.
Paul is resting easily today and sleeping quite nicely. Yes, he has pneumonia, and while he has been very ill, he has at no time been at the point of death or I would have sent for you at once. I would not be guilty, bad as I am, of doing such a mean trick as to keep you in Washington if I thought anything would happen to your son.
I know you think that you should have helped nurse him, and my first impulse was to ask you to come and help. But you see there are so many things I can do, having studied medicine and done a little trained nursing, that the doctor says a person unacquainted with medicine could not do. About his temperature, for instance. It takes good, strong, young eyes to read the doctor's thermometer, which I have. Then the hypodermic needle and solutions of morphine which I have to use, it takes cold nerve to put it in, and a good knowledge of anatomy to use it, in order not to pierce any veins or arteries.
Suppose, as in the other day, he was taking seven different medicines at intervals of two hours each. Well, they must no two come nearer than fifteen minutes together, so the first thing in the morning I make up the schedule by dividing the hours into fractional parts, starting with Medicine No. 1 and casting the others with arithmetical accuracy. Well it takes some little mathematics to get this straight.
When other folks offer to help, the doctor always says no sternly. If I break down, he will have none but a trained nurse, so there's the situation. Now, dear mother mine, I have written you frankly and I hope you will be at ease. Our dear boy is on the road to convalescence and will, after a rest, and care and caution be the same fussy old man. You must keep good heart, trust and pray for us both and depend upon me to notify you if he takes a turn for the worse.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Matilda Dunbar, May 12, 1899. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).
Not long after Alice wrote this letter, Matilda traveled to New York anyway, carrying a handwritten note to help her find the address where Paul was recuperating.
Officer: Will you show this lady to 6 Avenue Surface Cars. She wants to go to 131 W. 30th St.
Undated note, Item 817 [1899]. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).
At the end of May, Matilda returned to Washington, where she continued to worry about Paul and nag Alice for more news.
The operation yesterday was a very successful one. About a quart and a half of fluid was drained off. Paul rested easily and was in good spirits afterward. I hope you had a safe trip home and found everything in good shape.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Matilda Dunbar, May 30, 1899. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).
I am glad to know that you arrived home safe. Paul is still improving, so much so that he may not have to go to the hospital after all. He has made remarkable strides forward in the last three or four days.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Matilda Dunbar, June 1, 1899. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).
I hope you won't worry unnecessarily or send any more telegrams. Paul is going on well enough. There is no need for anxiety. Please be calm, and take care of yourself.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Matilda Dunbar, June 2, 1899. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).
Paul is getting along famously. He is now able to lie on the couch for a while every day, and he is expected to be out in a week or ten days. I thought I had been writing you pretty regularly. You know you did not ask me to write at all when you left and as you seemed to depend so upon Paul, I presumed you were willing to wait until he could write you.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Matilda Dunbar, June 4, 1899. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).