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This digital exhibition is a recreation of a physical exhibition displayed in 2023 to 2024 and has been preserved in this form to continue to share Grace's words and her story to those who wish to visit, or revisit after the physical display has closed.
Grace [last name redacted] was institutionalized in multiple provincial psychiatric hospitals throughout her life, from Hamilton to St. Thomas, to the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital. She spent the last years of her life at Lakeshore and died in institutional care in 1954.
After the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital closed, most of the institutional patient records were destroyed by the Ministry of Health before reaching an archive. Without the records, details of the lives of the people buried in the cemetery are unknown, except for minimal traces of those who spent time in other institutions.
Grace: One Story of Thousands amplifies Grace’s voice within the archival records and tells the unique life story of a person buried in the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital Cemetery.
Grace
Grace was born in Dundas, Ontario in 1875 and grew up with her parents and seven siblings in Galt, Ontario. As Grace grew older, her family had difficulty managing her behaviour.
In 1894, a doctor was called to assess Grace and labelled her “insane.” Based on this assessment, she was confined to the Hamilton Asylum for the Insane, the closest hospital to her home. She was 19 years old.
Grace protested her new life in the Hamilton Asylum in a letter sent on November 1, 1894. Grace tried to convince her mother, Elizabeth, she had been released even though she did not have the hospital’s permission to return home. The letter is the only direct instance of Grace's voice in the archival records.
This initial attempt to go home was unsuccessful, and Grace remained in the psychiatric institutional system for the next 33 years of her life.
Finding Grace's Voice
We invite you to explore letters from Grace’s case file that reveal instances of Grace’s experience.
Correspondences were sent between Grace's family and Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital officials. The highlighted texts reference Grace's desire to leave the institution, her familial bonds, the activities she enjoyed, and the family situation that prevented Grace from returning home.
Remember to set up Nagivation Instructions for the Letters
Reading the Letters
On the tables are transcriptions of the letters displayed in the gallery. Please follow along as you make your way through the exhibition.
Last names, addresses and dates of birth are redacted to maintain privacy.
Transcriptions follow the spelling and grammar of the original letters. Some blank spaces are left where words are indiscernible.
The highlighted texts reveal pieces of Grace’s experiences preserved in the archival records. More instances of Grace’s voice can be found on a deeper reading of the letters.
Letter 1, from Grace to Elizabeth, Novemeber 1894
1b
How is Mary and Henry getting along and little Willie my pet getting along
And Whe dident Mrs King and Mr King ask for me tell Mr Shephered that I am come home on M. morning and will he come to the depot to meet me and if he can’t come to him to tell his sister to come and I will be gald to see her. I have no place change my clothes when I’m sick and I would rather be at home anyday and when I do get home I will only get do go out and Sunday School and prayer meeting Tuesday Wednesday and go up to Shephered before I go to pray meeting so I hope you to come to pray meeting every Wednesday night I love you very much and if you come I will keep my word and to what I said I will do what you tell me everyday
Mrs. Armstrong said I had no
1d
Speak one cross word to me any more so I will do obey you tell me now tell Mr Shephered I would much like to see him a week from Sabbath at school and will be their so he will be surprise to see him and tell Mr King and Mrs King and James and John and Maggie and annie and ada and every one of my friends that I will be glad to see them and least as many at the depot and monday morning and Dear mother will you come on the half past seven o’clock and monday and you will get the loriey I hear why monday morning so this is all I have to say till I come home I will tell you more when I get home so goodby to later.
Letter 2, Elizabeth to Dr. James Russel, November 1894
Letter 3, Elizabeth to Dr. James Russel, June 1906
3
Galt 24th June 1906
Dr. Russell
Dear Sir I was in at my Daughters yesterday + she was telling me that she had a letter from Grace + that you had told her that her sister was coming for her on the first of July her sister has not wrote her for months so I do not see how she can think she is going to take her home. I have her father here just nearly as bad as Grace we have to give him all his own way of course he is not violent but he has not been able to work for 6 years now and I can assure you my hands are full that I don’t see that it is possible to take her home. My youngest daughter wrote her telling her she would come + see her on Sat. since holiday if nothing comes in the way but if she grumbles about coming home I won’t try to come Hoping to hear from you I remain
yours truly, E.
I enclose a stamp for reply.
When Grace is where she is I know she is safe from harm.
Letter 4, Dr. James Russel to Elizabeth, June 1906.
Letter 1, from Grace to Elizabeth, Novemeber 1894
1a
Galt Nov 1894
Dear Mother
I would like to come home on Monday mother. Will you come for me Monday morning and leave the washing and I will help you when I come tell William when he comes home I would like to see him and am dying to see my dear father and grandmamma and Tommy and Robert and daisy and Oliver Mr Duncan Shephered Miss Shephered and Mr King and Mrs King and James King and John King and Maggie and Annie and ada King and Mrs Gibb and Maggie and edith Janet little Nellie Elice Bessie Will you Please come for me on monday morning and the Doctors said that as soon as you come I can go home with I am all right know the Doctor Russell said
1c
Mother and no father and I was an orphent and she said I was married to her son and she is going to kill me so you better come home and so you for me as soon after you get the to boys of to work and if you do you can help me to pack of my cloth and I will be gald Will you tell Mary to come to depot to meet me and bring little Willie for I love to see her and I would like to see her him Dear mother I am geeting lonesome to see you but I hope this will be the last letter I have to wright home You don’t need to answer it may for I will be home and monday morning I am I love to come and you won’t have to
Letter 2, Elizabeth to Dr. James Russel, November 1894
2
Galt Nov. 8th, 1894
Dr. Russell,
Dear Sir will you please to let me know how Grace my daughter is and what you think about her. I had a letter from her to-day stating that you said when I come for her she could go home with me it was hardly worth my while to put her under medical treatment for such a short time. I inform Dr. Wardlaw to tell you all about her I wont answer her letter till I here from you hoping to here from you soon.
Yours respectfully,
E.
PS
Any thing she needs if you kindly tell me I know I will try + get them I enclose a stamp.
3. Elizabeth to Dr. James Russel, June 1906
4. Dr. James Russel to Elizabeth, June 1906.
4
June 26th, 1906.
re Grace
Dear Madam: -
On May 23rd I received a letter from your daughter D. Margaret , asking me if Grace was fit to go home, and at the same time stating that she thought it a shame to have her here and that she should never have been sent here. In reply I stated that I thought she was mistaken in thinking that she should not have been here for I was sure that at one time she could not be managed at home. She is of course better and more manageable now, and I stated that if the rest of the family were all agreeable I should have no objections to her going home on trial.
Yours truly,
Med. Supt.
Mrs. E.
Galt,
Ont.
Letter 5, Daisy to Dr. William English, October 28th 1916.
5
Oct 28th, 1916.
Dr English;-
Dear Sir;-
Will you kindly let me know in what condition my sister Grace is? I have had so many letters from her since mother died, wanting to come home.
As my wages are the only means of support of the family, I really can’t do more than I am doing.
However If you think Grace is able to work if Home kindly let me know and oblige.
Daisy M.
Galt Ontario.
Letter 6, Dr. William English to Daisy, October 30th 1916.
Letter 7, Daisy to Dr. William English, March 24, 1920.
7
March 24, 1920
Dr. English,
Dear Sir:-
Do you think it would be wise to have Grace (my sister) home for a months visit, she is always wanting home, I thought a change would be nice for her, providing we would have no trouble with her, as I am not strong enough for worry of any kind. I would like to do all I could for Grace, However you will be better able to advise me.
Yours Sincerely
Daisy M
C/O Galt PO
Galt
Letter 8, Dr. William English to Daisy, March 24, 1920.
Letter 5, Daisy to Dr. William English, October 28th 1916.
Letter 6, Dr. William English to Daisy, October 30th 1916.
6
October 30th, 1916.
Re - Grace
Dear Madam:
In reply to yours of the 28th. inst., I beg to say that physically your sister is very well indeed but mentally unstable and frequently irritable, although under careful supervision she is able to do a fair amount of work. If left to her own resources I fear she would be irritable and “bossy” to get on well with her own family, unless she was given practically full control would never succeed in holding a position for domestic work with an outsider. She frequently does cleaning work at my house, remaining only half a day at a time with very good satisfaction.
Yours truly.
Supt.
Miss Daisy M.
Galt, Ont.
Letter 7, Daisy to Dr. William English, March 24, 1920.
Letter 8, Dr. William English to Daisy, March 24, 1920.
8
Re- Grace March 24. 1920
Dear Madam:-
In answer to your letter of March 24th., I would say that any time you wish you can come for Grace and we will allow her to go home with you on probation.
Yours truly,
Supt.
Daisy M.
Galt, P.O.,
Ontario.
Letter 9, Daisy to Dr. William English, October 28, 1920
9
Dr. English:
Dear Sir:
Re. Grace my sister. Do you think you could let her have the privileges she had before her little trouble with nurse. I feel sure she won’t give you any more trouble, she likes to go out walking any time like she did before. I am not well enough to have Grace home or I would do so, and it would relieve me to know she has her old pleasures back again.
Hoping you will do so.
Yours Sincerely
Daisy M.
Mrs. J.
October 28, 1920
Letter 9, Daisy to Dr. William English, October 28, 1920
Letter 10, Dr. William English to Daisy, November 2nd, 1920
Letter 11, Daisy to Dr. Graham, December 3rd, 1920
11
December 3/ 1920
Dr. Graham:
Dear Sir,
Re. My sister Grace
I kind of half promised to take her at Xmas for a week. I’m afraid I won’t be able to, for several reasons, in the first place I’ll be busy at Office and away from home all day the week before Xmas, and I don’t feel I could leave her there alone, and I am feeling very poorly have not been able to sleep since I was down to see Grace. I feet so sorry for all the patients, and I hardly know what to do for the best, I realize Grace is awful at times, poor soul she means to be alright.
Kindly advise me what to do, and will you please tell Grace quietly it will be impossible for Xmas but if I feel better + my doctor here will let me I’ll have her after New Years.
She thinks a lot of you and Mrs. English says you are kind to her, and I think it pays with patients of Grace’s kind, kind but firm.
Trusting this will not cause any trouble with Grace.
Yours Sincerely,
Daisy M.
(Mrs.) Jack
Stamp Dept
Galt, PO
Ont.
Letter 12, Dr. Graham to Daisy, December 4th, 1920
Letter 10, Dr. William English to Daisy, November 2nd, 1920
10
November 2nd, 1920
RE: Grace
Dear Madam:
In reply to yours of the 28th ultime. I beg to say that we have relaxed considerably in regard to Grace’s restrictions.
We permitted her to go out for a walk Sunday, and will occasionally allow her this privilege but will not make it a regular event.
I am,
Yours truly,
Supt.
Mrs. J.
Galt. Ont.
WME/EC
Letter 11, Daisy to Dr. Graham, December 3rd, 1920
Letter 12, Dr. Graham to Daisy, December 4th, 1920
12
Re. Grace Dec, 4th, 1920.
Dear Madam -
In reply to yours of the 3rd. inst., I am glad to say that Grace took the information in quite good part. I told her that you would come for her after the New Year for a short time but just at the present time owing to ill health and pressure of work, it was just quite out of the question for you to come just now, although you would like to very much, and she seemed quite satisfied.
Trusting you will soon be feeling better yourself, I am
Yours very truly,
CRG/IB,
Mrs. Jack ,
Stamp Dept.,
Galt, P.O.,
Ont.
Letter 13, Daisy to Dr. McKay, Early December, 1923
13
Freeport Sanitorium
Kitchener
Ontario
Dr. McKayDear Doctor; --
You will no doubt be surprised to hear from me, I often think of you all, and the kindness I received when there a patient.
It is nearly two years since I took sick, I have been here five months yesterday.
The sun cure seemed to help me I gained 8 pounds, I went up to 85 pounds, and feel much better, till five weeks ago, I took a bad cardiac spell, and was not expected to recover my husband was sent for. However I feel a little better again. {fooled them all} They didn’t write Grace as they felt it was wise not to.
I want your opinion please regarding Grace.Do you think if we had a house where I could just rest, that she would be able and dependable to do the work?
I feel she would be alright but don’t wish to say anything to her till I know what you think and if the Doctor here will allow me to go.
I will close with kind regards to Miss McMillan Mrs Carr + nurses + yourself + wishing you all a Merry Xmas + Happy New Year.
Very Sincerely
Daisy M
Freeport Sanitorium
Kitchener
ONT
Letter 13, Daisy to Dr. McKay, Early December, 1923
Letter 14, Dr. McKay to Daisy, December 12th, 1923
Letter 14, Dr. McKay to Daisy, December 12th, 1923
14
Dec. 12) 23..
Re- Grace
Dear Mrs. :
I was glad to hear from you to know you are doing so well, though was sorry you had a set-back but you are now on the mend again.
I do not think it would be wise for you to take Grace out. While she is quite well a great deal of the time, she does have spells when she is excited and very abusive. At such times her language is very bad, and if at home she might break things, or hurt some person, and I think that when she is in such a state it would be a great detriment to your health.
I trust that you will have a very Merry Xmas and be much improved during the coming year.
Yours very truly,
Supt.
M/IB.
Mrs. Daisy M. ,
Freeport Sanatorium,
KITCHENER, Ont.
Letter 15, Dr. J.J Williams to the Superintendent, Kitchener Old Peoples' Home, August 3rd, 1927.
14
August 3, 1927
Re. Grace
John
Albert
Dear Sir:-
Under the direction of the Provincial Secretary, we are to-day transferring to you, the marginally noted three people. They have been quiet and agreeable about the hospital, have been privileged for years and should not give any trouble.
Yours Sincerely,
Medical Superintendent
Superintendent,
Old Peoples’ Home.
Kitchener, Ont.
HAM/LB
Grace's discharge from the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital, October 1, 1927.
Letter 15, Dr. J.J Williams to the Superintendent, Kitchener Old Peoples' Home, August 3rd, 1927.
This digital exhibition is a recreation of a physical exhibition displayed in 2023 to 2024 and has been preserved in this form to continue to share Grace's words and her story to those who wish to visit, or revisit after the physical display has closed.
Grace [last name redacted] was institutionalized in multiple provincial psychiatric hospitals throughout her life, from Hamilton to St. Thomas, to the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital. She spent the last years of her life at Lakeshore and died in institutional care in 1954.
After the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital closed, most of the institutional patient records were destroyed by the Ministry of Health before reaching an archive. Without the records, details of the lives of the people buried in the cemetery are unknown, except for minimal traces of those who spent time in other institutions.
Grace: One Story of Thousands amplifies Grace’s voice within the archival records and tells the unique life story of a person buried in the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital Cemetery.
Grace
Grace was born in Dundas, Ontario in 1875 and grew up with her parents and seven siblings in Galt, Ontario. As Grace grew older, her family had difficulty managing her behaviour.
In 1894, a doctor was called to assess Grace and labelled her “insane.” Based on this assessment, she was confined to the Hamilton Asylum for the Insane, the closest hospital to her home. She was 19 years old.
Grace protested her new life in the Hamilton Asylum in a letter sent on November 1, 1894. Grace tried to convince her mother, Elizabeth, she had been released even though she did not have the hospital’s permission to return home. The letter is the only direct instance of Grace's voice in the archival records.
This initial attempt to go home was unsuccessful, and Grace remained in the psychiatric institutional system for the next 33 years of her life.
Finding Grace's Voice
We invite you to explore letters from Grace’s case file that reveal instances of Grace’s experience.
Correspondences were sent between Grace's family and Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital officials. The highlighted texts reference Grace's desire to leave the institution, her familial bonds, the activities she enjoyed, and the family situation that prevented Grace from returning home.
Remember to set up Nagivation Instructions for the Letters
Reading the Letters
On the tables are transcriptions of the letters displayed in the gallery. Please follow along as you make your way through the exhibition.
Last names, addresses and dates of birth are redacted to maintain privacy.
Transcriptions follow the spelling and grammar of the original letters. Some blank spaces are left where words are indiscernible.
The highlighted texts reveal pieces of Grace’s experiences preserved in the archival records. More instances of Grace’s voice can be found on a deeper reading of the letters.
Letter 1, from Grace to Elizabeth, Novemeber 1894
1b
How is Mary and Henry getting along and little Willie my pet getting along
And Whe dident Mrs King and Mr King ask for me tell Mr Shephered that I am come home on M. morning and will he come to the depot to meet me and if he can’t come to him to tell his sister to come and I will be gald to see her. I have no place change my clothes when I’m sick and I would rather be at home anyday and when I do get home I will only get do go out and Sunday School and prayer meeting Tuesday Wednesday and go up to Shephered before I go to pray meeting so I hope you to come to pray meeting every Wednesday night I love you very much and if you come I will keep my word and to what I said I will do what you tell me everyday
Mrs. Armstrong said I had no
1d
Speak one cross word to me any more so I will do obey you tell me now tell Mr Shephered I would much like to see him a week from Sabbath at school and will be their so he will be surprise to see him and tell Mr King and Mrs King and James and John and Maggie and annie and ada and every one of my friends that I will be glad to see them and least as many at the depot and monday morning and Dear mother will you come on the half past seven o’clock and monday and you will get the loriey I hear why monday morning so this is all I have to say till I come home I will tell you more when I get home so goodby to later.
Letter 2, Elizabeth to Dr. James Russel, November 1894
Letter 3, Elizabeth to Dr. James Russel, June 1906
3
Galt 24th June 1906
Dr. Russell
Dear Sir I was in at my Daughters yesterday + she was telling me that she had a letter from Grace + that you had told her that her sister was coming for her on the first of July her sister has not wrote her for months so I do not see how she can think she is going to take her home. I have her father here just nearly as bad as Grace we have to give him all his own way of course he is not violent but he has not been able to work for 6 years now and I can assure you my hands are full that I don’t see that it is possible to take her home. My youngest daughter wrote her telling her she would come + see her on Sat. since holiday if nothing comes in the way but if she grumbles about coming home I won’t try to come Hoping to hear from you I remain
yours truly, E.
I enclose a stamp for reply.
When Grace is where she is I know she is safe from harm.
Letter 4, Dr. James Russel to Elizabeth, June 1906.
Letter 1, from Grace to Elizabeth, Novemeber 1894
1a
Galt Nov 1894
Dear Mother
I would like to come home on Monday mother. Will you come for me Monday morning and leave the washing and I will help you when I come tell William when he comes home I would like to see him and am dying to see my dear father and grandmamma and Tommy and Robert and daisy and Oliver Mr Duncan Shephered Miss Shephered and Mr King and Mrs King and James King and John King and Maggie and Annie and ada King and Mrs Gibb and Maggie and edith Janet little Nellie Elice Bessie Will you Please come for me on monday morning and the Doctors said that as soon as you come I can go home with I am all right know the Doctor Russell said
1c
Mother and no father and I was an orphent and she said I was married to her son and she is going to kill me so you better come home and so you for me as soon after you get the to boys of to work and if you do you can help me to pack of my cloth and I will be gald Will you tell Mary to come to depot to meet me and bring little Willie for I love to see her and I would like to see her him Dear mother I am geeting lonesome to see you but I hope this will be the last letter I have to wright home You don’t need to answer it may for I will be home and monday morning I am I love to come and you won’t have to
Letter 2, Elizabeth to Dr. James Russel, November 1894
2
Galt Nov. 8th, 1894
Dr. Russell,
Dear Sir will you please to let me know how Grace my daughter is and what you think about her. I had a letter from her to-day stating that you said when I come for her she could go home with me it was hardly worth my while to put her under medical treatment for such a short time. I inform Dr. Wardlaw to tell you all about her I wont answer her letter till I here from you hoping to here from you soon.
Yours respectfully,
E.
PS
Any thing she needs if you kindly tell me I know I will try + get them I enclose a stamp.
3. Elizabeth to Dr. James Russel, June 1906
4. Dr. James Russel to Elizabeth, June 1906.
4
June 26th, 1906.
re Grace
Dear Madam: -
On May 23rd I received a letter from your daughter D. Margaret , asking me if Grace was fit to go home, and at the same time stating that she thought it a shame to have her here and that she should never have been sent here. In reply I stated that I thought she was mistaken in thinking that she should not have been here for I was sure that at one time she could not be managed at home. She is of course better and more manageable now, and I stated that if the rest of the family were all agreeable I should have no objections to her going home on trial.
Yours truly,
Med. Supt.
Mrs. E.
Galt,
Ont.
Letter 5, Daisy to Dr. William English, October 28th 1916.
5
Oct 28th, 1916.
Dr English;-
Dear Sir;-
Will you kindly let me know in what condition my sister Grace is? I have had so many letters from her since mother died, wanting to come home.
As my wages are the only means of support of the family, I really can’t do more than I am doing.
However If you think Grace is able to work if Home kindly let me know and oblige.
Daisy M.
Galt Ontario.
Letter 6, Dr. William English to Daisy, October 30th 1916.
Letter 7, Daisy to Dr. William English, March 24, 1920.
7
March 24, 1920
Dr. English,
Dear Sir:-
Do you think it would be wise to have Grace (my sister) home for a months visit, she is always wanting home, I thought a change would be nice for her, providing we would have no trouble with her, as I am not strong enough for worry of any kind. I would like to do all I could for Grace, However you will be better able to advise me.
Yours Sincerely
Daisy M
C/O Galt PO
Galt
Letter 8, Dr. William English to Daisy, March 24, 1920.
Letter 5, Daisy to Dr. William English, October 28th 1916.
Letter 6, Dr. William English to Daisy, October 30th 1916.
6
October 30th, 1916.
Re - Grace
Dear Madam:
In reply to yours of the 28th. inst., I beg to say that physically your sister is very well indeed but mentally unstable and frequently irritable, although under careful supervision she is able to do a fair amount of work. If left to her own resources I fear she would be irritable and “bossy” to get on well with her own family, unless she was given practically full control would never succeed in holding a position for domestic work with an outsider. She frequently does cleaning work at my house, remaining only half a day at a time with very good satisfaction.
Yours truly.
Supt.
Miss Daisy M.
Galt, Ont.
Letter 7, Daisy to Dr. William English, March 24, 1920.
Letter 8, Dr. William English to Daisy, March 24, 1920.
8
Re- Grace March 24. 1920
Dear Madam:-
In answer to your letter of March 24th., I would say that any time you wish you can come for Grace and we will allow her to go home with you on probation.
Yours truly,
Supt.
Daisy M.
Galt, P.O.,
Ontario.
Letter 9, Daisy to Dr. William English, October 28, 1920
9
Dr. English:
Dear Sir:
Re. Grace my sister. Do you think you could let her have the privileges she had before her little trouble with nurse. I feel sure she won’t give you any more trouble, she likes to go out walking any time like she did before. I am not well enough to have Grace home or I would do so, and it would relieve me to know she has her old pleasures back again.
Hoping you will do so.
Yours Sincerely
Daisy M.
Mrs. J.
October 28, 1920
Letter 9, Daisy to Dr. William English, October 28, 1920
Letter 10, Dr. William English to Daisy, November 2nd, 1920
Letter 11, Daisy to Dr. Graham, December 3rd, 1920
11
December 3/ 1920
Dr. Graham:
Dear Sir,
Re. My sister Grace
I kind of half promised to take her at Xmas for a week. I’m afraid I won’t be able to, for several reasons, in the first place I’ll be busy at Office and away from home all day the week before Xmas, and I don’t feel I could leave her there alone, and I am feeling very poorly have not been able to sleep since I was down to see Grace. I feet so sorry for all the patients, and I hardly know what to do for the best, I realize Grace is awful at times, poor soul she means to be alright.
Kindly advise me what to do, and will you please tell Grace quietly it will be impossible for Xmas but if I feel better + my doctor here will let me I’ll have her after New Years.
She thinks a lot of you and Mrs. English says you are kind to her, and I think it pays with patients of Grace’s kind, kind but firm.
Trusting this will not cause any trouble with Grace.
Yours Sincerely,
Daisy M.
(Mrs.) Jack
Stamp Dept
Galt, PO
Ont.
Letter 12, Dr. Graham to Daisy, December 4th, 1920
Letter 10, Dr. William English to Daisy, November 2nd, 1920
10
November 2nd, 1920
RE: Grace
Dear Madam:
In reply to yours of the 28th ultime. I beg to say that we have relaxed considerably in regard to Grace’s restrictions.
We permitted her to go out for a walk Sunday, and will occasionally allow her this privilege but will not make it a regular event.
I am,
Yours truly,
Supt.
Mrs. J.
Galt. Ont.
WME/EC
Letter 11, Daisy to Dr. Graham, December 3rd, 1920
Letter 12, Dr. Graham to Daisy, December 4th, 1920
12
Re. Grace Dec, 4th, 1920.
Dear Madam -
In reply to yours of the 3rd. inst., I am glad to say that Grace took the information in quite good part. I told her that you would come for her after the New Year for a short time but just at the present time owing to ill health and pressure of work, it was just quite out of the question for you to come just now, although you would like to very much, and she seemed quite satisfied.
Trusting you will soon be feeling better yourself, I am
Yours very truly,
CRG/IB,
Mrs. Jack ,
Stamp Dept.,
Galt, P.O.,
Ont.
Letter 13, Daisy to Dr. McKay, Early December, 1923
13
Freeport Sanitorium
Kitchener
Ontario
Dr. McKayDear Doctor; --
You will no doubt be surprised to hear from me, I often think of you all, and the kindness I received when there a patient.
It is nearly two years since I took sick, I have been here five months yesterday.
The sun cure seemed to help me I gained 8 pounds, I went up to 85 pounds, and feel much better, till five weeks ago, I took a bad cardiac spell, and was not expected to recover my husband was sent for. However I feel a little better again. {fooled them all} They didn’t write Grace as they felt it was wise not to.
I want your opinion please regarding Grace.Do you think if we had a house where I could just rest, that she would be able and dependable to do the work?
I feel she would be alright but don’t wish to say anything to her till I know what you think and if the Doctor here will allow me to go.
I will close with kind regards to Miss McMillan Mrs Carr + nurses + yourself + wishing you all a Merry Xmas + Happy New Year.
Very Sincerely
Daisy M
Freeport Sanitorium
Kitchener
ONT
Letter 13, Daisy to Dr. McKay, Early December, 1923
Letter 14, Dr. McKay to Daisy, December 12th, 1923
Letter 14, Dr. McKay to Daisy, December 12th, 1923
14
Dec. 12) 23..
Re- Grace
Dear Mrs. :
I was glad to hear from you to know you are doing so well, though was sorry you had a set-back but you are now on the mend again.
I do not think it would be wise for you to take Grace out. While she is quite well a great deal of the time, she does have spells when she is excited and very abusive. At such times her language is very bad, and if at home she might break things, or hurt some person, and I think that when she is in such a state it would be a great detriment to your health.
I trust that you will have a very Merry Xmas and be much improved during the coming year.
Yours very truly,
Supt.
M/IB.
Mrs. Daisy M. ,
Freeport Sanatorium,
KITCHENER, Ont.
Letter 15, Dr. J.J Williams to the Superintendent, Kitchener Old Peoples' Home, August 3rd, 1927.
14
August 3, 1927
Re. Grace
John
Albert
Dear Sir:-
Under the direction of the Provincial Secretary, we are to-day transferring to you, the marginally noted three people. They have been quiet and agreeable about the hospital, have been privileged for years and should not give any trouble.
Yours Sincerely,
Medical Superintendent
Superintendent,
Old Peoples’ Home.
Kitchener, Ont.
HAM/LB