[July 1889]

Dear Bro. sister & family

I will try & drop you a few lines tonight although it seems like it is a hard task for me to have my mind on my writing & such a hard task to have to finish this last letter of Dear Netties. Just one week ago tonight she lay in this room in the cold embrace of Death & O it seems like it has been ages. O Helen it seems like it is more than I can ever bear. All the comfort to me is my dear little children and that I can put my trust in god & meet poor Nettie in Heaven. Helen, the flowers come out of the wreath on her coffin & a piece of lace like she had around her neck & the others is a piece of lining of her coffin. I would send you more of the hair but they saved such a small bunch & I have to divide it with all the children. I will send the apron she had on when she was killed before many days. O Helen you must excuse this short letter for this is more than I can bear to write about. She had a real nice coffin. with a nice metal plate on the lid with the words "Our Mother" on it. and Dear sister what a Mother she was to all of us none but us can tell. Dear Helen bear it the best you can & put your trust in god & perhaps all will be for the best. Pray for me and my little Children. Write soon.

your loving Bro

Dick

Circled trees mark the site of the Sellers home where lightning struck Nettie