Transcription of a Letter from Charles Triplett O’Ferrall to Helen O’Ferrall
by Albert H. Spinks
May 2000
****************
 
Richmond Va, Jany 19th 1903
 
My dear Sister:
 
Yours of the 9th inst was received a few days since.  How good you were to write 
me after my long unbroken silence.  I have always loved you dearly and regarded 
you as one of the truest and noblest of women, and your letter makes me love you 
more if possible.  I am most heartily ashamed of myself.  I have treated you 
badly, and treated Charlie, dear boy, worse.  I have one excuse to offer, but it 
will be so poor, that I could not hope it would be received by one less generous 
than yourself.  Ever since my political life ended I have been a very busy 
lawyer and a much occupied business man.  My practice keeps me from home perhaps 
one third of my time.  Just as I was leaving on one occasion I received 
Charlie’s letter.  I laid it aside; on my return I became absorbed in office 
work and overlooked it, and then from 
 
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time to time, as I would think of it, something would demand my attention and 
prevent me from writing and so it has gone on and on until many months have 
passed without my doing what my heart prompted.  I say I know is a weak excuse, 
yet it is one that a man thoroughly  engrossed with business affairs can 
appreciate.  It was surely not the result of indifference, or because I did not 
feel an interest in Charlie, for I have always thought of him most tenderly.  I 
do not remember receiving an invitation to his wedding; it seems to me that must 
have miscarried.  His photograph was taken possession of by Helen, and has had a 
place in our parlor ever since.  I feel more keenly the way I treated him in 
never answering his letter and sending some token of my affections, now that he 
is in the depths of his unfathomable sorrow.  My heart goes out to him in all 
its fullness.  I trust he will bear up under the heavy weight with fortitude, 
and find comfort in the sweet and beautiful memory his young wife has left him, 
rendered more precious by the little daughter that blessed the union.  Remember 
me in all love to him and beg him to forgive me.
 
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Now as I leave the subject of my inexcusable but not willful silence, and begin 
to reflect upon what has transpired since I wrote you, I am reminded that both 
Jennie and Kate have died.  All deaths are sad, at least to me, but theirs were 
peculiarly sad.  After endeavoring for years and spending much money to break 
Jennie from the terrible morphine habit, into which she had been led by the bad 
practice of a physician, I was compelled to put her in a hospital.  There she 
was controlled and for a time she improved in health and became a great 
favorite, but  the long use of the miserable drug had so affected her heart and 
undermined her system, that in May 1898 she suddenly gave way, and I reached her 
just a few hours before she died.  She was buried in my cemetery lot at 
Harrisonburg alongside of our mother and nearby where Annie sleeps.
 
Kate died in North Carolina among strangers, but who did all in their power for 
her in her illness.  Her marriage was unfortunate, and her life was a round of 
sorrows.  Her husband was a shiftless, worthless, ? crank, “a rolling stone”, 
and she was boxed about from post to pillar, never more than a year in any one 
place, “living from hand to mouth.”  Her proud spirit was broken, and her health 
failed, and after some months of suffering she died.
 
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It was sometime after her death, which occurred more than two years ago, before 
I heard of it; in fact I had not heard that she was dangerously sick, and the 
news of her death came to me from her physician.  Her miserable husband not 
having written me a word.  Perhaps a month after the doctor wrote, Hodge wrote 
me, but I did not reply.  Then he wrote me two other letters, filled with 
expressions of devotion to Kate’s memory, but I did not notice them.  He did not 
have the first element of a good husband, and I had such a contempt for the 
fellow, that I could not have written him anything but a scathing letter, and as 
that would have been friendless, I determined to ignore his very existence.  I 
have heard he has since married a woman who was a favorite in Kate’s lifetime, 
but I do not know whether my information was correct or not.
 
Laulie is still living in Bedford County on a farm.  She is the mother of many 
children, all daughters, I think, but one.  She is a fine woman, a devout 
Presbyterian and constantly engaged in good works.  Her husband is a man of high 
character and very fair business qualifications.  They are getting along pretty 
well, but Laulie is very much troubled over the want 
 
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of social opportunities for her daughters, and they are thinking of selling 
their farm and moving to a more desirable locality.
 
Plunkett was in San Francisco when I last heard from him.  His young life so 
full of promise and was blighted years ago, and I fear his present job is hard.
 
I come now to my own family.  Jennie’s health is pretty good. Two years ago last 
summer she had a serious and prolonged attack of typhoid [or typhus] - malarial 
fever, and for weeks I was exceedingly anxious about her.  As soon as she 
recovered sufficiently to leave home, I took her to the cold Sulfur Springs 
where she was, I thought, thoroughly restored, but every now and then some 
lingerings of her troubles appear.  I have always wanted you both to meet for I 
have felt that you would be congenial spirits.  Most truly has she been my 
helpmate.  Just now she has a debutante daughter on her hands, for your Helen is 
nineteen and this is her first season in society.  She is a tall, handsome 
blonde, and is regarded as “bright and witty”-that’s what they say; she is 
dignified, but not prudish.  But with me her growing qualities are good sound 
sense, force of character and respect for her parents.  She is well educated and 
is considered one of the best performers on the piano, for her age, in 
 
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Richmond.  Last month she had her “turning out party”, which was attended by two 
hundred young people.  The boys are calling pretty rapidly, which is a new 
experience upon my part, for all my former girls who have turned out, have been 
boys, you know.  But I am standing it all as best I can, and hope I will be able 
to get along without taking lessons on the subject, “How a father should behave 
with a debutante daughter on his hands.”  Helen is delighted to know that you 
are taking so much interest in her, and says she will send you a photograph as 
soon as she has some taken.  Recently one appeared in The New York Herald, but 
she didn’t like it, and would not send you a copy of the paper.
 
Frank, after leaving a Business College got a position with a large mercantile 
house here, and is doing well.  He will be twenty one next month, is a manly 
fellow, perfectly steady and I have every reason to think he will succeed in 
life.
 
Willie, who is eighteen, but rather small for his age, is well advanced in his 
studies and is a cadet at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute with six hundred 
other boys, where I entered him for a four year course, in October last.  It is 
the finest school in
 
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the South.  I want to make an electrical and civil engineer out of him, and then 
let him take law if he should desire.  His knowledge of electrical and civil 
engineering will be of great advantage to him in the practice of law; but if he 
should not care to study law, he will be equipped with two professions-the 
former being the better, for electricity opens up a broad field for him.  In 
addition to these things, he will come away vested in Military Sciences, for 
that is also taught at the institute.
 
Mabel is a sweet, bright child of twelve, attractive but will not be near as 
tall as Helen.  She has remarkable musical talent and received the silver medal 
in a large musical school, and was only beaten a fraction in the contest for the 
gold medal and then by a girl of eighteen, last year.
 
John Danforth, my stepson lives with us.  He is twenty five years old and is a 
splendid young man, a graduate with the highest honors, of the V. P. I. in 
electrical and mechanical engineering, and is employed at a fine salary, by The 
Richmond Passenger Railway and Light Company.
 
Robert is a clerk in the American National Bank, and has been for more than 
three years.  He is as steady as clock work, and is in every way
 
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trust-worthy.  He boards near the Bank, as we live a considerable distance from 
it.  Every Sunday he takes dinner at home.
 
Charlie has been engaged for the last year in the coal mining business in West 
Virginia-Superintendent of Mines in which I have on interest-ten of us in the 
enterprise.  Recently, however, he endeavored to get up a company of his own, 
and he tells me he has just succeeded.  He has indomitable energy and much 
ability, but he has lacked a balance wheel, and has allowed his enthusiasm 
heretofore to carry him away.  I think he is become  steadies in that respect, 
and I hope his venture will prove successful.  He is most fortunately married.  
His wife is a most lovable woman and her influence over him has been most 
salutary.  She has certainly been his “best gift.”  This concludes my household 
narrative.
 
Now my darling sister, as mean as I have been in not writing, I know you want to 
hear something about your brother who loves you as well.  Well, when my term as 
Governor expired, I retired, I think, from active politics forever.  I had had 
political honors enough to satisfy the reasonable ambition of any man.  My
 
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public service had embraced six years as clerk, two years as a member of the 
legislature, six years as judge, twelve years as congressman and four years as 
governor.  Elected to positions covering thirty years of my life-I only served, 
however, three years as county court, (elected when I was seventeen) as I then 
gave up the office and entered the Confederate Army.  I had some ambition to go 
to the United States Senate, and I hope you will not think I am vain when I 
assure you, that but for my refusal to support and endorse free silver and Bryan 
in 1896, my ambition would have been gratified.  My friends who were silverites 
begged me not to throw away my chances.  I told them that in my opinion free 
silver was a fallacy, that it would bring ruin upon the business interest of the 
country, that I had in my entire career been true to my convictions and I could 
not and would not stifle them, to be an U. S. Senator or for any office in the 
gift of the people.
 
I stood by my convictions, refused to support Bryan (did not vote for either 
candidate) and the result was my relegation to the rear.  I did not vote in 
1900, and I never will vote again, until the Democratic Party eschews the 
hearsay and returns to genuine democratic principles.  I feel somewhat 
disappointed at not reaching the pinnacle of my
 
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ambition, but I did not pine or fret over it, but directly my gubernatorial term 
ended.  I resumed the practice of law-this was June 1898.  My success has 
exceeded my expectations far.  I have been a busy man from the day I returned to 
the Bar.  I am now General Counsel for a number of corporations, including two 
railway companies, an electric light and gas company, a Stock Yards Company, and 
a National Bank, and have a good general practice.  Besides, I am President of 
an important Life Insurance Company, President of a Railway Supply Company, a 
director in a coal mining company and in several other minor corporations.  ? my 
retirement from politics has been a fortunate thing for me.  Many efforts have 
been made during the last year, by silver men and gold men to induce me to enter 
again the political arena, and I have been assured the Richmond District would 
send me to congress if I would allow it, but I have declined absolutely to stand 
for the glittering prize.  It may be, though it is not probable, I would be 
inclined to enter the ring again, if the next Democratic Convention adapts a 
platform secured in principle, but certainly until then I shall
 
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stay in my law office, give attention to my profession, and not be lured into 
the channels of politics.
 
For two years past we have been living in the city.  In 1895 I purchased 
“Dundee” the most beautiful and complete suburban home around Richmond.  I 
occupied it in the summer while I was governor, and then I moved to it expecting 
to make it my permanent home, but while Jennie and the girls loved it, and it 
was only 2 1/2 miles from the capital, with a good driving road and street cars 
passing the lawn every few minutes, they wanted to live in the city, so I 
yielded to their wishes, bought nice property on Park Avenue, moved into it and 
rented “Dundee.”  It was much for me to do--much for me to give up for I reveled 
in the pleasures of suburban life, enjoyed to the fullest the green fields, 
woods and meadows, the warbling of the birds, the tinkling of the cow bells and 
the nightly baying of the watch dogs.  I enjoyed too garden making, working 
among my flowers, which were in great profusion and breathing the pure air on my 
returns in the evening.  It was recreation and relaxation after a hard day’s 
work.  I must sell “Dundee” as soon as I can get a fair price; it pays me too 
little on the investment.  Still I am contented 
 
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with my present surroundings for my city residence is large, unique and well 
provided with all modern improvements, and I am richly blessed with a wife, and 
children who make my home happy and my fireside cheerful.  I spend my nights 
when at home almost entirely in my library with my family, go to the club very 
seldom, ignore as far as I can all public functions, for I have tired of them, 
decline all invitations to make addresses or respond to toasts, which are 
numerous, whenever I have any reasonable recourse.  My professional engagements 
give me sufficient mental work, and I prefer to let my mind rest as much as 
possible.  In fact if I yielded to importunities to speak, I would be under a 
mental strain constantly.  Of course I appreciate these evidences of esteem, but 
I have done my full share of speaking, my reputation, whatsoever it may be has 
been made, and I am more than willing to give opportunities to other and younger 
men who have aspirations.
 
Now my dear sister, this letter has already been made too lengthy.  I fear you 
will think, if you do not say, “Well, Charlie is surely repaying me in fullest 
measure for this long silence; I shall have to take several breathing spells, 
before reaching the end.”  But I am not quite done.  I must speak my sincere 
pleasure at the glowing account you give me of your
 
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boys.  What a comfort they must be to you.  Napoleon said, “The future destiny 
of the child is always the work of the mother.”  I believe it.  Take them into 
yourself what belongs to you.
 
I am equally gratified to hear how Mamie lights up the old home and drives the 
shadows away, and how heroically she keeps in her hand her departed father’s 
business.  All speaks volumes for her and weaves for her a chapter of nobility.
 
I have, as yet, asked nothing about sister Laurie.  Sometime since I received a 
letter from her telling me that she had been a cripple for years.  I was deeply 
pained to hear it.  I replied to her letter, but have heard nothing more.  She 
wrote very briefly, and I gathered little as to her children.  I would be glad 
to learn all you can tell me in reference to them.
 
You speak of age creeping upon you.  Surely your letter gives me indication of 
it.  Your handwriting is unchanged.  I would recognize it anywhere.  your pen 
glides and your thoughts seem to flow with the same freedom of your young 
womanhood.   You and I are near the same miles along on the journey of life, and 
I think we should be thankful, indeed, for our health and vigor.
 
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Concluding this hastily written letter, let one indulge the fond hope that 
Heaven will bless you most bountifully, and that a way will be opened and that 
speedily for our meeting again, when I can take you to my bosom and impress upon 
your cheek a brother’s kiss.
 
With heartiest love from Jennie and our boys and girls to you and all who call 
you mother,
 
                                                I remain as ever,
                                                                                
Devotedly your brother,
                                                                                
Chas. T. O’Ferrall
 
Mrs. Helen O’Ferrall,
                Enterprise,
                                                Miss.
 
P. S.  In reading over this letter I find both sides of the first five sheets 
have been used and only one side of the last four.  I also find various 
underlinenations and erasures.  The former was caused by the interruption of a 
client who called to see me and the latter resulted from haste-haste because I 
may have to leave home, any day, and I was determined that nothing should be 
allowed to prevent me from writing before leaving.  I do not like to send the 
letter as it is but I must under the circumstances, do so trusting to the 
sufficiency of my explanations.
 
                                                                                
C. T. O’F