She grew gradually worse, and at last, on the 22d of November, 1863, she died.

Thus passed away a loving and affectionate mother and a noble, brave, good and loyal woman.

That I loved her above all other persons, no one who has read these reminiscences can for a moment doubt.
Previous to this said event my sister Julia had been married to a gentleman named J.A.Goodman, and they now came to reside at our house and take charge of the children, as my mother had desired that they should not be separated.

Mr.Goodman became the guardian of the minor children.
I soon left the home now rendered gloomy by the absence of her whom I had so tenderly loved, and going to Leavenworth I entered upon a dissolute and reckless life--to my shame be it said--and associated with gamblers, drunkards, and bad characters generally.

I continued my dissipation about two months, and was becoming a very "hard case." About this time the Seventh Kansas regiment, known as "Jennison's Jay-hawkers," returned from the war, and re-enlisted and re-organized as veterans.