Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-10-15
SUDDEN BLAST BURNS
MISS ALICE WRIGHT.
Writes Parents From Alaska That
She Is Slowly Recovering.
Home BY Christmas.

Miss Alice Wright on mission work
in Alaska for five years, writes her
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. j. S. Wright of
Lancaster, as follows: :
st. Marks Mission, Nenana, Alaska,
Sept. II, 1919.
Dear Mother and Dad:
Two weeks ago / wrote you that as
soon as Miss Rose and her sister ar
rived would start for home. But
now | shall not be starting for mercy
knows how long for very good or
bad reason, as you look at it. Just
after I wrote you, / was standing by
a stove one cool morning, that had
just had fire started in it. A flame
shot out of the open draught sudden
ly and caught my dress and apron
and before | could put the blaze out
my legs were badly burned from the
knees almost to my waist And / am
fiat on my back in bed with the pros
pect Of staying there another month
at least. 1t is lucky for me that Miss
Rose is nurse and a good one other
wise would have to go to the hos
pital down town because Miss Black
nall has too much to do to take care
of me- | could never afford the hos
pital because like all things in Alas
ka, the charges are exorbitant The
doctors are very kim and come when
ever we need them and charge very
little or nothing at all.
1t has been very painful but the
worst of that is over and all | have
to do is to heal, and there is nothing
that takes so long as bad burn. /
am grieved over your disappointment
but we will have to be patient and
bear it. I will be home by Christ
mas at least 1 can go out over the
trail in winter quite as easily so do
not worry that / will have to wait
until spring.
1t is too bad that / sent my trunk
SO soon, but since ! am saying in bed
really do not need many clothes.
Mr.. Drane sent my snow shoes by
mail the other day. They are quite
interesting as souvenirs and I thought
the children could have some fun in
the winter if there happened to be
any snow.
Our new workers are the very MIC
est kind of girls, the school is full and
it looks like a very happy winter for
them. I am trying to help little by
writing some of the letters that are.
always waiting and take so much
time, Mr.. Drane made a table that
fits over my knees and that use for
all sorts of things So although
make a good many mistakes + manage
pretty well and it keeps me busy
which is good thing when one wants
so much to be somewhere else. / will
let you know from week to week how
l am getting along. Please do not
worry about me, / am writing things
exactly as they are. | am having bet
ter care than I would get if / were
paying nurse Miss Rose is fresh
from the hospital and knows her
work She had lot Of experience
with burnt cases and even if the doc
tor did not come I'D should know
that all was being done that can be.
And If I hear that Martha cries
when she gets this 4 will never speak
to her again. Accidents will happen
and there is no special reason why
/ should be excused from what hap
pens to other people. We really have
q great deal to be thankful for. I
might have been horribly disfgured
or might have lost my life. AS it is
the doctor says I viii be as good as
new when I am well with one or two
small scars perhaps. And they are
well out Of sight. And please do not
talk about it any more than you can
help You know / hate to have my
doings discussed and especially when
the story grows so much in the tel
ling.
Give my love to everybody and tell
them that / shall be home soon with
flying .colors. When you get this /
shall be feeling more comfortable
then than | do today, and truly am
feeling three times as well as l felt
last week at this time And with
burnt legs and all am still your low
ing daughter,
Alice Wright
1,~~-,v~,v-