On August 9, 1900, Paul Laurence Dunbar in the Catskill Mountains of New York State wrote to his mother Matilda, who was staying with relatives in Chicago. In the spring of the previous year, Paul had been critically ill with pneumonia. Following the advice of doctors, he went to the mountains hoping his health would improve.
This letter finds me very well and still increasing in weight. I now weigh 143 1/4, the highest yet. I doubt if father ever weighed more than that.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Matilda Dunbar, August 9, 1900. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).
During Paul's lengthy recuperation, he consumed a lot of meat and alcohol. He and his wife Alice kept Matilda informed about his diet and recovery, and how expensive it was.
The doctor says Paul is behaving nicely, and he has not long had a mutton chop and a glass of ale. If he continues to eat beef and mutton and drink ale and nice little milk punches and toddies such as I make for him, you'll find us sitting up home some day while you're gallivanting around.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Matilda Dunbar, May 9, 1899. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).
I am sparing no money to make Paul comfortable and to ensure his speedy and complete recovery. Whiskey at a dollar a pint, champagne every day, two dollars and more each day for medicines, water bags, rubber sheets, bed pans, expensive meat nourishments, a consultation of doctors, my board, his board and room rent, errand boys, all these things count up, as you know. I guess if we get out of this at an average of fifteen or more dollars per day, we will be doing very well, but I think it will be worse than that. Then it will be some time before Paul will be able to work again. He must go somewhere in the mountains to recuperate.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Matilda Dunbar, May 12, 1899. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).
Paul is doing very nicely this day. His temperature has been normal and he had oatmeal and cream for breakfast and beefsteak and ale at noon. He is in good spirits.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Matilda Dunbar, May 30, 1899. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).
I have picked up until I weigh 125 pounds and my appetite is enormous. So far, my illness has cost me about 500 dollars. That's pretty steep, but health is better than money.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Matilda Dunbar, June 26, 1899. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).