Dear Calvin,

Your father has been failing for the last few weeks, bodily and mentally. A week ago yesterday he was in bed but since then he has been up as usual, but this morning he seems more feeble again, so much so that I feel the necessity of having some one in the house with me to share the responsibility and the care of him.

There may be no immediate danger of his leaving us, but when I see him so feeble and consider his age, feel that we don't know what a day may bring forth.¹

Three months ago I was unfortunate enough in going out on the back verandah to step on a piece of ice which had formed at the door, from the leak in the roof. I fell and broke my right arm above the wrist. I have not yet recovered the use of my hand and may not for a time. Christie also is away at present for a time. Her sister died at Fergus and she is up there taking care of the children and does not know when she may be back.

Isaac is not in a condition to render much assistance. So I do hope you will consider it your Duty and pleasure to come and assist me to make your Father's last Days as comfortable as we can.

Yours sincerely

E.F. [Elizabeth Fuller] McQuesten

¹ Dr. Calvin McQuesten died on October 20, 1885, at the age of eighty-four. For a long time before his death, Isaac Baldwin McQuesten and Dr. Calvin Brooks McQuesten (half-brothers) were experiencing legal problems with their step-mother Elizabeth Fuller McQuesten over the will and division of the estate. Dr. Calvin, in his will, secured the estate for his sons and granted Elizabeth Fuller an annuity, and after his death she left for the United States. See W-MCP5-6.351 for links about the family feud.