William W. Cranston writes to his niece & all about the death of Charles Edward Cranston.

It’s interesting that this letter is dated August 4, 1905 – same as the date of Charles’s death on his tombstone.  In Edna Barnes’ book, she lists the date of Charles’s death as August 5, 1905.

My Dear Niece & all.

Your telegram announcing the death of brother Charles was very sad news to us all. And you have our heartfelt sympathy. There is nothing we could say to comfort or console you at this time, for we must, all of us, sooner or later submit to these inevitable trials. Jennie and I are troubled with sore eyes — and under treatment — supposed to be contagious. Arthur was the first victim but is now about well, consequently I cannot be with you at the funeral. You all have our loving thots —

Sincerely your Uncle W. W. Cranston