Welland Hall, February 1887

West Fifth Street, Oswego, New York. Photo from album of Aida Austin.
Snow in Oswego in Aida Austin Collection.
Welland Hall where Aida stayed when she went to college at Oswego, New York. Welland was a girl’s dormitory from 1867 to 1918. Aida Austin Collection.

Edward Austin Sheldon, A.M., Ph.D, Oswego Normal School, Principal from 1861 to 1897. Dr. Sheldon was possibly a distant Austin cousin of Aida.
Aida Austin, Oswego, N.Y., to Lon Austin, Brooklyn, N.Y.
February 12, 1887
Dear Brother,
I was to church this morning, but I am going to stay in my own room tonight and write letters, for it is not likely that I will have much spare time during the week.

I arrived here safe and sound yesterday morning; came right to the Welland and then went to the school building with Lucy for my books and classification; but there were such a number of students that I was not able to procure either my classification or books until afternoon.

Mr. Poucher was here yesterday afternoon collecting, and I paid him $38 instead of $40 as I intended, because I did not have quite enough change left to get my notebooks.

Mr. Poucher booked me for 29, my old room. I’m real glad for I like it better than any other room in the house. I thought Mr. Poucher must have forgotten to keep me a room when I was registering yesterday afternoon.

“Why Aida, Do you think I would forget you?” Then he told me I could have 29. Now isn’t that just splendid? It is on the fourth floor and my board will be $73 this term instead of $76.

Everything looks natural and there are a number of the old girls here yet, so I have not been very lonesome or homesick. The teachers all seem to remember me and are very pleasant and kind.

Don’t forget to write soon. Your loving sister, Aida

Aida Austin, Oswego, N.Y., to Lon Austin, Brooklyn, N.Y.
February 17, 1887
Dear Brother,
Can you send me $5? It seems too bad to have to have money so soon, but I don’t see how I can help it. We have got to have a couple of books in two of our classes, which are not in the library, and so we will of course, have to buy them ourselves.

It will not take all of $5, but I have only a few pennies left, and I hate to be without a little money. Still if it is going to put you out too much, don’t you send over $4.

Now Lon I want you to mind what I tell you, because it is not necessary that I have anymore than enough for the books, and if anything happened, so that I should positively have to have some, why you know I could
draw a little back from what I paid Mr. Poucher.

The work which I am doing in methods is very much harder and far more tedious than any work which I have yet had in the school.

I shall be very glad when the term is over if I am only safely through with all my subjects.

With much love, I am your ever loving and grateful sister, Aida

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