Dorothy Chambers 1900 - 1986

More photos of Dorothy Chambers.

Last Letter and More Information

The previous post, letter number 175 from April 15, 1928, was the final letter in this series. Dorothy (my grandmother) and her then husband B.M. divorced a few years after returning to Texas. B.M. (Bruno Maxwell) died in 1964 at age 75 and Dorothy died in 1986 at age 86.

I must say I was surprised at how long it took me to get all the way through this. While I started by re-typing the letters from a photocopy of the already transcribed and printed letters, I quickly realized the magnitude of the job and had a copy shop scan and apply OCR. Most of the work then consisted of cleaning up errors, adding links, reading (of course!), and creating the actual entries and scheduling for publication.

I hope some of you out there following this blog enjoyed some of these letters. I will be posting a few photos of relevant people mentioned in the letters. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about the congoletters blog.

Best,

Mark Evans
Ann Arbor, MI
February 21, 2010

Congo (175) Antwerp, Belgium 4/15/1928 [DCS] [BMS]

Queen's Hotel
Antwerp, Belgium
April 15, 1928
My dear homefolks:
Got here on the 13th, Fri., about suppertime. My! but it was grand to get to civilization again and off the boat. It seems to me ocean travel gets worse every time we make it. Not that we had a rough voyage, especially, but neither of us are fond of the sea and are sick a lot of the time. We have chosen the Aquitania again and reach N.Y. about the 3rd of May. The Millers leave a few days ahead of us, but on the larger boat. We don't get there far behind them, as few days on the ocean as possible for me. We expect to see something of Holland in the few days we stay over and also go to Brussels to see the Buses and some other friends.
As there are other boats leaving, we hope you will get this before we get to you. We got your letter when we reached here and were very pleasantly surprised. I was afraid you would not write us here. Also Uncle Kent had written us here. It was in answer to my letter saying we didn't want to miss him along the way if he was anywhere near our route. I shall enclose his letter. If we hear that Aunt Lutie is at Lexington and that it suits her for us to make her a visit for a day or two, we may go by there. I am also writing Uncle Kent when we expect to be there. We had such a hurried visit with him the last time in N. Y. He came just the day or two before we left and our room was full of our trunks and packages for missionaries. I was afraid he got disgusted with us, for he stayed only a few hours. Surely he just realized how hurried we were.
The trees are budding here, and they say it has been quite warm, but it's snowing today; however, the snow melts as soon as it reaches the ground. We are very comfortable here. We have stearn heat and can have a coal fire also, if necessary. Max hasn't even had a cold so far. We have taken on an English woman to care for our crowd of 6 children so we can go anywhere and do anything we wish without having to take them out into the cold. We shopped all day yesterday and went to the show last night. Guess we won't go to the show again soon as B.M. 's eyes won't stand it.
Hope to hear from you in N. Y. again. If the roads are good, I hope to come by Livingston. I will hear, though, about that.
Lots of love to all.
I got tapestry and ebony elephants in Tenerife.
We will see you before long.
Lovingly,
Dorothy
Dear Folks;
Dorothy has written you about all the news we have. We are enjoying our contact with Europe. As Dorothy wrote, we're planning to sail on the AQUITANIA, which is scheduled to leave Southampton, England, on April 28th, to arrive in New York about May 3rd or 4th. This will give us a few extra days here to see a bit. I had hoped to make a trip to Cologne, Germany, for a day there, but understand there is some trouble and expense about passports, so may not go, but we hope to spend a day or two in Holland.
Well, we will be hearing from you in New York, and hope to see you now in a few weeks.
With love to all.
B.M.

Congo (174) Luebo, Congo 2/19/1928 [DCS]

Luebo, Feb. 19, 1928. Sunday
Dearest homefolks:
One week from tomorrow, we are expecting to start on our long trip home. From the State, we hear that Yellow Fever is finished at Matadi. The Millers are also going with their three children, so we will have company. They are very nice people. We stop keeping house about Thursday and eat with Rowena in order to get everything packed and sold. Everything is practically finished now. I still have to finish Max's suits, but there isn't much left.
Miss Wilson of the Baptist mission of whom perhaps you remember us speaking of being at the U.M.H. and a Dr. Parmer of the Swedish mission came up on the Lapsley on a visit and they are going back with us, so we will have quite a jolly party. Miss Wilson is a lovely lady, even though she is English, and they generally throw up their hands in perfect horror at some things Americans do. She is a sport, though.
I haven't gotten your last letters as the plane did not bring foreign mail last time. It comes up on boats again as it used to unless the letters have special stamps on them. We have certainly been fortunate, for air mail is practically finished now. I don't imagine you will have any more letters coming out here. Be sure and have me a letter at the Latham. I have written Nettie that we are going to try to get to Shreveport so as to go straight to Livingston. We want to leave most of our baggage there to save transport. I had so much rather come that way, too, so I can see Hickman, Nettie, and James and my friends in Livingston. Do hope the roads will be good so you can meet me. We are planning now to go by Lexington for a day or so. If the committee has any special occulist for B.M. to see, we may have to go too far out of the way. We can't afford to go much out of the way. I am going to save every cent I can so we can get started housekeeping when B.M. finds a job or decides what we will do. As Easter is when Uncle Kent is generally around Lexington, I hoped to see him, too.
Mrs. Cleveland sent the combs to me yesterday that you folks had in my Xmas package. B.M. never got his things and I am ashamed to ask any more. I didn't know until your last letter that there was anything for B.M. Thanks for the combs. I will enjoy them on the way home.
This is the last letter I will write until I see you unless we don't catch the 12th of March boat. If we don't, it's because we are trying to be careful at Matadi. We won't run any risks, so don't worry.
Goodbye and love to all,
Until we meet again.
Dorothy
P. S. Max is very excited about going to see Grandmother and Grand daddy.

Congo (173) Luebo, Congo 2/5/1928 [BMS] [DCS]

Luebo, Congo Beige, Africa
Feb. 5, 1928
Dear Will:
This is just a short letter to let you know about our plans. We will probably leave here about the first of March for the States, reaching New York along the first or middle part of April. We are due to stay four years this term, but as I have been having trouble with my eyes for about a year now, I am coming home to have them examined and new glasses fitted. The trouble seems to be that my eyes have changed from the glasses I have been wearing.
All of us are quite well otherwise. Max is doing as well as we could wish for, and growing fast.
Hope you folks had good crops this last year. I believe you were going to move this year to a new place, but as I haven't your address am writing you at your old one.
If you get this letter in time, we would appreciate having a letter from you when we reach New York. If you write the first part of April, it will no doubt reach us. Address us at LATHAM HOTEL, New York City. Or you can just write us at Dorothy's home, where we will first go; address us at PINCKNEY, TEXAS.
Trust this finds all of you well and that we will hear from you. With love to all.
Your brother and family,
Bruno and Dorothy

Congo (172) Luebo, Congo 1/18/1928 [BMS]

Luebo, Jan. 18, 1928

Dear Folks:

Just a few lines before we close this mail. Dorothy has written you about our plans. We expected to be at Lubondai long ago, but it seems that everything has turned out for the best. Just when we had planned to leave here, the glasses ordered for me arrived, and Dr. King (who was to try them on me) came a few days later. There are about four combinations that he has to try in case the first do not fit; we have tried two sets, but these two give me no relief at all, and as he chose the most likely at first, it is hardly possible there will be anything in the lot to help me. So we are planning to go down on the next trip of the Lapsley; it left here this past Monday for Kinshasa, and will be back here, if all goes well, about the 21 st of Feb., and leave about the first part of March. This would put us in Belgium (leaving Matadi on the steamer for Antwerp about March 19th) about the 6th of April, and in New York about April 20th to 30th. We will have another mail in which to write you 18 days from today, and we may be able to give you more definite dates at that time. I suppose we will have two more mails to leave here before we do.

In regard to the yellow fever. We have just had a wireless telegram from Matadi giving information about the fever. It seems they have it well under control; there have been no cases reported yet at Kinshasa, or Thysville (this is halfway between Matadi and Kinshasa). As they had an epidemic of it there (Matadi) about 4 or 5 years ago, they evidently understand how to handle it.

The Stixruds are due to sail from New York on Feb. 25. All of us are quite well, and trust you are all the same.

Love to all,

B.M.

The Dr. Cousars, who are at home, announce the arrival of a daughter in Nov. We shall no doubt report something similar from the Longeneckers here in next mail.

Congo (171) Luebo, Congo 1/1/1928 [DCS]

Luebo Jan. 1, 1928

Dearest homefolks:

A note before the mail closes. I have had the Flu for the last three days so don't feel strong enough to write much. I have not been very sick, just a little fever, but it has left me very weak, even though I have not been in bed all the time. There is a lot of it in the village and among the missionaries, too. One thing that has been hard on me has been trying to pack and the uncertainty of our going to Lubondai. We have about decided to wait until the glasses come after all. I wonder if you can realize how hard it is not knowing what is going to happen next. I had almost torn up housekeeping, but we did not get off to Lubondai when we expected to B.M.'s eyes hurt him badly when he uses them, and the occulist told him not to use them, but they put Miss Black as station treasurer and she can't get on to the job and expects B.M. to help her all the time. He feels sorry for her and it's hard for him to refuse. That's why we need to get away.

There is a committee in here to look over the Lapsley. There have been some changes made and some felt they made the boat unsafe--Mr. Pettis, Bibanga, Bell Anderson, Lubondai, and Mr. Daumery, Mutoto.

Max had a perfectly wonderful Xmas. Rowena helped me fix his tree. She had all the decorations, including candle holders. I had some crepe paper and bells and the room just looked beautiful. I have not tried to count the presents he got. Every person on the station gave him something besides I had quite a lot to give him. He got two guns and Mr. McMurry gave him a garage with five cars, the kind Aunt Nennie sent us last Xmas. He is wild about the set and plays with them all the time. I have put some of the things away, for he just got too much for his good and breaks them up so badly. It hurts me, for I can't ever remember breaking my things just for the fun of it. I wish you could have seen him, though,when we brought him in to see the tree. He was just too precious for words. It's at times like this that I do wish you could be with us. It was the first Xmas we have celebrated in our home since we married. Of course, the reason is Max is old enough to really enjoy it. We ate our dinner Xmas day with Mary, then the station had a big dinner at Rowenda's Monday night. The Lapsley got in just in time for Xmas with the Savels, Miss Headen, & two new ladies. Georgia and Mr. Watts hadn't been up for over 6 months, so we had great rejoicing. Georgia is expecting a new arrival in April, and perhaps I wrote you Dorothy Anderson expects one in Feb.

The Lubondai people seemed very anxious for us to come there and we may go yet if the glasses fit. If the glasses fit, we may resign at April Ad Interim Meeting, or I may come home alone. I do wish we could talk it over with you.

I can't help but wonder why Nettie does not write me. I wrote thanking her for getting the Xmas things and asking the price and about the patterns and she never wrote me. Everything came except the patterns. I suppose I wrote you that LeNoir got my package by accident and wore all three pair of stockings before she found out they were not hers. I got them just before we left for the lake. I just can't remember if I told you or not. I thank you ever so much for the stockings. They are beautiful and I will certainly write Mrs. Drew soon. I haven't memory an inch long these days.

Love to all,

Dot

Congo (170) Luebo, Congo 11/22/1927 [BMS]

Luebo, Nov. 22, 1927

Dear Folks:

It has been a few weeks since I have written you, as Dorothy generally gives you all the eventful news, at least I often take that as an excuse. I don't always add a few lines.

Dorothy is no doubt writing to you about our plans for going to Lake Nkamba. I will not dwell at length on that. The main reason for our going at this time is that I am going with Dr. King over to Wembo Nyama to see the eye specialist who is there, and the Shives want to go on a vacation, had so planned, and it will be quite convenient for Dorothy to go along. We will probably not be away more than ten days, or two weeks. You will remember that we were out at Nkarnba (Mu Nkamba, the natives call the Lake) just a year ago. We will know for certain after this trip, as to whether we will be coming home in the near future or not. My own opinion is that it would hardly be advisable for me to stay much longer than we have been planning, that is, some time in February. However, we hope to be able to write you more definitely in a couple of weeks, which is by the next air mail after this one.

I have been passing through a little difficulty with one of my teeth which decided to grow an abscess at the root. Mr. Wilds treated it, that is, opened it through the nerve root, on Sunday afternoon, and yesterday, it pained me considerably all day. He drained it again last night, so today it is considerably better, and I feel it scarcely at all, except that my face is a bit swollen. So the worst is no doubt ever. I have had such good health out here, both this term, and the previous ones, that I certainly can't complain along that line; of course, excepting my eyes. In fact, all three of us have been in good health.

The Mission Meeting has now been a thing of the past so long that it hardly seems important enough to write you about. The most important actions taken were those in regard to Self-government and Self-support of the Native Church. This is with the aim of placing in the hands of the native leaders, and of the Native Church, as much responsibility as they are capable of assuming. This will not be done by one step, but will be undertaken gradually. First, a group of native congregations that will assume the responsibility of expenses, will be enabled to call their native pastor, and elect their elders, deacons, etc. (It is seldom that anyone native Village has the Christian population or the means to support a pastor, so it will be done by a grup (or a section, we call it). Of course, all this is under the superintendence of the Mission. Then when two or more of these groups have taken this step, they will be able to form their Presbytery. Of course, this sounds very small to you folks who are used to all these things, but it means a big advance to us. Then other things in connection with this are along the following lines; No native pastor is to be ordained in the future, except as he is called by a group of native churches; the same with native elders. Heretofore we have ordained these officers on the various stations as they were found to be capable of holding the position. You will note the matter of self-support included in the condition when a church calls its pastor. This, as you can readily see, will mean a great step forward, and we believe will be the means of increasing our native gifts many-fold.

The missionaries' furloughs are nine months from the time they land in New York till they are to sail from that place.

Another matter was the placing of the "Central School" for missionary children at Lubondai. A teacher from the States is on the way out, at Kinshasa now, we presume. Miss Mclaren, the nurse at Lubondai, is to be temporary matron. Lubondai is supposed to be the most central point This is quite a serious question out here, as there are a number of the children of school age, and more coming to that stage before long.

I can't think of anything else of importance that would interest you, but will be able to give more details when the minutes are printed.

Dr. King has just returned from Bulape, where they rejoiced over the arrival of the latest Member of the Mission, young James Allen Wharton; all doing well. This is their seventh child, two having died out here. Mr. Wharton had a right serious spell just as Dr. King was leaving, some intestinal trouble, but he is quite well again. I don't remember whether I wrote you about it, but in April, 1925, at the Ad Interim Meeting at Mutato, he had a similar spell.

I have been reading the "Life of David Livingston," by Blaikie, and it has made quite an impression on me. A remarkable story of a remarkable life. Also the life of William Carey, first English missionary to India. it is unfortunate that more of us don't read these biographies, as they are inspiring. We just don't have time these days to do "anything" as the saying is (that, or like, we should).

With love to all.

As ever,

B.M.

Congo (169) Luebo, Congo 11/3/1927 [DCS]

Luebo

Nov. 3, 1927

Dearest homefolks:

The mission left it up to the doctors about B.M.'s eyes and whether we go home in Feb., so you see it is uncertain. It looks to me as if they are trying to keep us from going. B.M. is sure his eyes can't stand it, but he has such a strong conviction about resigning, I don't know what we will do. B.M. has had trouble with his eyes for over 1 1/2 years now, and I was anxious for us to go home several months ago. The mission says if the doctors think 2 or 3 months rest would do any good, to take it, preferably away from Luebo. I can't imagine any place out here I would enjoy staying 2 or 3 months and I will not be happy if I have to stay over. Of course, the doctors have not had any meeting yet. Dr. King is at Bulape and wants B.M. to go back with them to Mutoto and from there to the M.E.C.M. to a lady occulist. We don't know a thing about her, only she had not brought her outfit saying she wanted to look conditions over first. It is certainly a suspense to me. I have everything I need for going home and most of Max's clothes made. Even a few months would make a difference in my outfit. However I am still planning on Feb. until I hear otherwise.

I bought a white wool chambray dress trimmed in red buttons from a woman across the river who is outgrowing her clothes. It's a beauty, almost new, for about $5, and I bought a cape from Mrs. Dax this A.M. for $5.50. It's also pretty, a light gray trimmed in orange braid, the very thing I need for a spring wrap and on the boat. I notice from my McCall's Oct. issue that capes are in again.

I just can't write any more. I am all upset as I always am when I have to buy clothes.

I love you,

Dot

Congo (168) Luebo, Congo 10/18/1927 [DCS]

Luebo

Oct. 18, 1927

Dearest homefolks:

Your two long letters were a joy after not having any from you last mail. I understand why, since your letters last night. I am so glad you took that trip and had such a good time. Hope we can make a trip of some kind in a car next summer, for I have never made one any distance. Wish we could plan one with Hickman, Nettie & James. But that's too far ahead yet. You don't tell me about them any more. I would like to know if Hickman is still working at Snelling's. Nettie hasn't written me for a long time, either. Hasn't written a word about the toys' price or anything. I am glad you have hopes of better roads. If we don't have to go after the mail anymore, I guess we will go to Livingston a lot.

B.M. will take care of his eyes, I think. I wanted to go before the winter months; now it's too late. We don't think Feb. too early to leave here. That puts us in Belgium about the last of March. I have been thinking along the lines of B.M.'s teaching French for some time. He does not think he could spend two years in study at this time in his life. Of course we will have to see later.

Lucille wrote me she was going to Terrell to be treated. I do not believe from what Lucille wrote me in her last letter that they are in bad circumstances. Of course Mr. R. could have lost in some way. But Lucille wrote that Mr. R. had built her a nice house in a nice section near a good school. That was several months ago, though. Some way, I got it into my mind that Mr. White was dead. Isn't that awful, and when you wrote of Mr. & Mrs. White, I certainly had a funny feeling. I thought Mrs. White was in Fla. with Aunt Lottie. I suppose you wrote if Mr. W. died she would go there, and I took it for granted! !

Mother, Aunt Lutie wrote how sorry she was that she had not been able to see us when we were home last time and asked us to come. You see, I know how Uncle Kent does when he goes to see her. We would only be there a day or two and we would go to a hotel. You need not worry about that. I am just as welcome at Lex. even if she has no home to entertain us in as at Aunt Hons. She knows I understand that. If we were to be there a week or more, it would be different. As to K.C., I agree with you heartily. We will manage not to spend a night, but hurriedly pass through. We will go up to Uncle Jim's office and for a few minutes call at the house, if convenient. B.M. is much interested in pigeons, and that is one of the biggest centers in the south. We must spend some of our time seeing them, I am sure.

[Evidently the rest of this letter is missing.]