Transcript: W. E. BURGHARDT Du BOIS THIRTY-ONE GRACE COURT BROOKLYN 2, N. Y. June 26, 1957 Dear Shirley: I have been meaning for years to set down some wishes about my funeral exercizes. But it’s a bit grewsome task and I’m always feeling well enough tothink that putting the matter off a bit wont […]
To Mary Burghardt Du Bois, July 21, 1883
I hope my mother will be there, In that beautiful world on high (Sundquist, 521) Transcript: New Bedford July 21, 1883. Dear Mam, I arrived here safely friday after noon. It was just noon when I got to Hartford. After eating my lunch + buying my ticket I went up to the capitol […]
To Du Bois Williams, January 17, 1946
Children, you’ll be called on To march in the field of bat-tle, When this war-fare’ll be end-ed, Hal-le-lu. (Sundquist, 504) Transcript: *********** 20 West 40th Street 17 January 1946 Dear Du Bois: I was very much pleased to get your letter this morning. You must remember that grandfathers are human and have their […]
To Yolande Du Bois, October 29, 1914
Oh, mother, don’t you love your darling child, Oh, rock me in the cra-dle all the day. (Sundquist, 508-09) Transcript: October 29, 1914. Dear Little Daughter: I have waited for you to get well settled before writing. By this time I hope some of the strangeness has worn off and that my little […]
To Himself, February 23, 1894
*THIS LETTER INCLUDES THE “N-WORD.” If you are white, you should not say this word out loud. My Lord, what a mourning, My Lord, what a mourning, My Lord, what a mourning, When the stars begin to fall. (Sundquist, 498) Transcript: Berlin, Germany, Oranienburgerstr 66 III l. 23 February, 1894. My Dear Du […]
To Nina Du Bois, February 8, 1946
Oh nobody knows de trouble I’ve seen (Sundquist, 494) Transcript: 8 February 1946 Dear Nina: I know that it is hard for you to stay in the hospital. It is not a pleasant atmosphere, but Dr. Wright and all the physicians agree that your only chance for getting better is the kind of […]