The following letters are between William Fount Keeton and Annie Elizabeth Mitchell.
My apologies. These were poorly transcribed almost 20 years ago. I will slowly try to put them on line. They need checking.
Ivanhoe, Texas
March 16, 1896
Dear Friend:
I wanted so much to mail a letter to you last night so it would go off this morning, but did not have an opportunity to write until late yesterday evening; and the time was so short then, I couldn’t do any good writing. I commenced a letter, and got nearly four pages written; but didn’t have time to finish; and it didn’t suit me either; so I concluded to write another. I was so sorry I had to tell you what I did in the way I did, yesterday morning. Also pained that you were placed in what must have been a very embarrassing position. I feel that I am largely to blame for it; but I thought, when I wrote you last, all would be well. I know I seemed cool yesterday morning; but, believe me, it was not intentional. I was so frightened that I hardly knew what I was doing. The minute you were gone I realized how cold I must have appeared; and the following prayer: “Oh God, have mercy—Help.” fell almost unconsciously from my lips. Could you have heard it you would have been startled at the anguish with which it was uttered. Though it is terrible to realize what I told you yesterday morning was only too true. I thought from the conversation I had with papa, Sunday afternoon, the 8th, that he would not oppose our marriage– and the future did indeed seem bright. I guess though, he was only touched by what I said; and after thinking it over changed his mind. At that time he told me that if I truly loved you the best thing I could do would be to marry you.
Night before last Saturday, I was sitting by the fire when he came in from the supper table and said: (Minnie had accidentally said something about seeing your horse and hearing you talk at Ivanhoe that afternoon) “Annie I have fully made up my mind about that matter, once and for all. You are 21 yrs. of age and can do as you please: but Mr. Keeton shall never, under any circumstances, enter my house or premises; and as long as you stay under my roof you are to have no communication whatever with him. He also said that was all he would ever have to say about it; and that I need not think it would blow over, for it would never. When he talks that way you may know he means it; and it would be easier to remove a mountain than to change him.
Now, what is my duty? What shall I do!!! I love you devotedly, yes madly. There is just one of two things I’ll have to do, give you up or give up all else for you. It almost drives me wild to think of the former; but that command went; “Honor thy father and thy mother–etc.” stares me in the face. Then marriages like ours would have to be, if we’re to marry, hardly ever prove happy ones. The latter I would be perfectly willing to do, if I knew it was God’s will and for the better. I guess the best thing for us to do is to let our love and engagement be a thing of the past. Don’t you think so? No, not the love either; for that would be impossible with one. Time, and separation from the object of my love, only (perhaps not that) can ever make that true.
If God intended us for each other, he will devise a means to bring about our union. So all we can do is to put ourselves in his hands, and wait patiently for results.
If we were to marry, and our marriage should not prove a happy one, what would become of me? You would soon get over it. I would be alone in the world and that would be worse that death. If you think as I do, that it is better to drop matters where they are, you can of course make it appear to the world that I have been jilted; but I hope you will be as considerate of my feelings as you possible can; for my pain will be great enough at best. Can you afford to do aught that will cause her whom you love, and who loves you better than any other being on earth, pain? Had I known papa would never have given his consent, I would have hesitated before renewing our engagement. I thought when he saw I really loved you, and wanted to marry you, he would give his consent. I pray forgiveness for again deceiving (I know that is what you will call it) you; but as God is my witness, it was not intentional. The only excuse I have to make is that I loved you so well, I could not help promising again to marry you.
If I had the means I would stay in Texas no longer than it would take me to prepare to get away. You are now at liberty to love and win another–if you wish–(how hard it is to say) and I hope you will be happy with whoever you may choose as a companion and forget her who has caused you as much pain, perhaps as pleasure–No, I can’t say truthfully, yet that I want you to forget me; but I guess it would be best.
Although forbidden to have any communication with you I write this because I feel it my duty to let you know just how matters are. This of course will have to be my last, I guess; and our meeting in the future, if at all, will have to be by chance. If we are to be forever separated, it will be better for each never to see the other again. I guess it will be safe for you to reply to this–though it’s doubtful.
Now I have a request to make. Please say as little as you can about any member or our family; and be careful to whom you say that little. You know, it is seldom any thing is ever told straight. Perhaps it looks a little out of place for me to express so much feeling on paper; but my true feelings have been locked up so long that I feel that I must at last give vent to them.
Miss Maggie sent me word, yesterday morning, that I missed a great deal by not being at S.S. as she had a great deal to tell me. Last night I saw her; and she told me a good deal you had to say about me. Miss Lela said, yesterday afternoon that she saw Miss Edna W. one day last week; and she told her that she was not eavesdropping on you and I that night at La Maison???? (you remember, she and her escort stand right behind us) but she heard you say that you had something to tell me as we went home– I replied: “So, tell me now; Tell me now!” You told me and she heard it. Have you any idea what it was? I haven’t. She wouldn’t tell Miss Lela what it was.
I guess you will tire before you finish reading this. It seems that I couldn’t say what I have in any fewer words.
Wishing you much happiness and success, I will say Goodbye.
Annie
Oh what will the ending be!!! Will enclose the note I wrote you yesterday morning as you may have a curiosity to know what was in it. Someone has intimated that you were perhaps pressing your suit with me more through spite at papa than love for me. Tell me truthfully, it isn’t true is it?
P.S. no. 2 Mr. P has just called unexpectedly to me –only stayed a few minutes. His call was purely business– about school matters. I tell you because I know you would hear of it and would think unless I told you that I was untrue. Believe me, I am not. Time to send letter to office. -A.
