On November 8, 1902, Matilda Dunbar in Chicago wrote to Alice Moore Dunbar in Wilmington, Delaware. Matilda was the mother of Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Alice was Paul's wife, although the couple had separated permanently ten months earlier.
I received your kind letter some days ago and I was very glad to hear you say you were getting along so nicely and in good health and was glad to hear from your dear mother and sister and children. Alice, I am awful sorry that I never had the pleasure of meeting your mother and sister but I guess it is all over now.
Matilda Dunbar to Alice Moore Dunbar, November 8, 1902. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Matilda was living with relatives in Chicago, and Alice had recently moved to Delaware to take a teaching job. After her separation from Paul, Alice kept in contact with Matilda and shipped her belongings to Chicago, though she ignored her appeals for reconciliation.
Have you heard anything from Paul? I wish this thing had not happened. Now Alice, you have always been kind to me, and never refused me any favor I have asked you. Now I do ask you to meet and try to become reconciled with Paul. This is a terrible blow to me. Try to adjust matters, for things must not go on this way. Think over what I asked you.
Matilda Dunbar to Alice Moore Dunbar, February 13, 1902. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Oh Alice, we are so so sad here. [It is] very hard for me to write you know but I want to say that we have a lovely flat and I [wish] that you [were] here. Alice, I miss you so I must ask you again won't you [come] and see how nice it is here. I do not know just what to say, but please come and reason together. Remember me [to] your sister, Mother and kiss the children for me and keep still a little in your heart for Mother.
Matilda Dunbar to Alice Moore Dunbar, August 12, 1902. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Eventually their correspondence stopped, and Alice ignored letters from both Matilda and Paul.
The Western Union Telegraph Company
To Alice Dunbar
Mother nearly crazy. Why don't you write?Paul
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Moore Dunbar, January 20, 1903. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).