Edward and Betsy Walker Visit England in 1897

   

William Sharpe - 1927

Here I am in sight of the shores of old England and I will mail this in Liverpool after I land. We had a very disagreeable voyage and the most of us are heartily sick of the sea, continuous winds, rain and fog. South easterly winds nearly the entire distance accompanied by torrents of rain and a temperature of about 40 degrees every day. Nearly frozen out, I have wished for 100 in the shade several times. I have had all I want of the Atlantic Ocean, it is not what it is cracked up to 
be, not in a storm at least.
We got into fog and ice in the Strait of Belle Isle and had to wait fourteen hours; just stopped the engines and drifted around. When the fog cleared away we were just surrounded by immense bergs – it was a great sight. They were all shapes and sizes from the size of a town lot to a 40-acre field, but they were grand. 

William Sharpe aboard the State of California, the Allan Line in July 1897

      After 26 years of marriage, Edward took Betsy home to England to meet his family. Making the trip with them was Betsy's brother, William, who lived in Clay Center. Their plans included visiting the Walkers near Chester and touring the eastern side of England where William and Betsy had lived until moving to the United States in 1870.

     Before leaving Topeka for Montreal where they boarded the California, Edward and Betsy made arrangements for their seven children and Edward's drugstore. Lily, their oldest and 24 years old,  would be in charge of the home front and Fred at the age of 23 would tend the shop. Two of the girls, Eula, 13 and Grace, who would turn 12, while her parents were away, went to Clay Center to stay with their aunt, Jesse, William's wife. The others Percy, 17, Edna, 9 and Ada, 4 would remain in Topeka.

     William, like his brother-in-law Edward, had been a druggist, a president of a bank in Clay Center and now owned a shoe store there.
   

Walker Family c. 1896
Lily, Percy, Edward, Eula, Betsy, Fred and Grace
Ada and Edna

     A bit more from William about their trip that also included others from Topeka, Charles Adams, publisher; Frank Shellabarger, funeral director; and the Rev. A. S. Embree:

           Tatten Hall Eng.

It is only two days since I landed yet Dr. Embree, [the minister at First Methodist in Topeka] Mr. Walker and I have been around a great deal. We were met by Mr. Walker’s brother and taken to their fine old home, “Russia Hall,” built about 200 years ago. Thursday we went to Eaton Hall, the seat of the duke of Westminster, richest man in England. This place is one of marvelous beauty. From thence we went on into Wales, to Hawardan Castle the home of the grand old man, Gladstone. I must say I never enjoyed myself so much in my life. England is so inexpressibly beautiful and I am delighted with my native land, in fact I am wild over it. The weather is delightful. The natives were complaining of the heat so I looked at the thermometer and it was 82 in the sun. After sundown it gets so cold that I am compelled to stay in the house. Gossip from Wm. Sharpe

      The Walkers and William may have been enjoying their time in England, but back in Topeka, things were not well. Eventually Lily had to cable her parents with the news that Percy was dreadfully ill with typhoid fever.

Mary Cooke Walker

The suddenness of their departure from England comes through in this letter from Edward's mother, Mary, to Lily,
   

My dear Lilly.

Your telegram letter to me, has been read many times over and the finish that Percy was getting better was best of all. A trained nurse knows how to do in special cases. I know you feel the responsibility very keenly as father and mother were away.

I greatly regret I did not begin to put things together I wanted them to have when first they came but then it seemed plenty of time but it was a mistake.

Your mother endeared herself to us all by her kindly manners and I do not feel now as if I had loved her half enough. I am not very demonstrative with my love but my son [would know] how I feel. When . . . how suddenly your father and mother left us. Your uncle cheered me up with saying Percie would get better but I could take no comfort until I got your letter. [Fathers . . the New York telegram in .  .Sarah has been to her brother’s wedding the 25^th August and the bride wore white cashmere Irish lace. Sarah got a train to use with lace and to wear and brought me a piece of wedding cake. This morn I read a note of invitation to Denhull Hall from Mr. & Mrs. Goodwin to their daughter’s marriage on Sept 29 time enough for me to get a new dress but I shall.

Your loving grandma, Mary Walker

Your loving grandma, Mary Walker.

        There are parts I haven't quite deciphered, but I'm still working on it. I also haven't figured out the Sarah with a brother that married in 1897. There are other letters from that trip and time period that I will try to post soon.