Our world has experienced many epidemics. To begin, let us situate ourselves in the past in Bulbancha a.k.a. The Crescent City a.k.a. The City that Care Forgot a.k.a. New Orleans.
Photograph by Wilson S. Howell, 1890
Louisiana Division/City Archives, New Orleans Public Library
You can rifle through the file cabinet, discovering the particulars of this cast from the past. Here's some music to go along with your perusal.
Adeline Stringer, the boarding house manager
September 15th, 1878
My dearest love Joe,
Take a night’s time to get yourself together and well enough to let the jack run its course. Use what I taught you. Cold compresses every hour, no moving about for at least three days, and imbibe what Carlota gave you for the pain. Afterwhich, you must return to me at once. Every corner will be tucked, every linen smoothed, and every pillow fluffed when you arrive. Dream of us as we have always been to each other.
Your forever friend,
Adeline
And her longtime partner, Joe.
September 25th, 1878
My cherished angel,
How long has it been since our eyes locked on one another? They’re saying that almost ten days have passed since I left the city in such a state, and I have not received any letters from you yet. The fever absolutely ripped through me, from top to bottom, and I spent at least two days in a cold shiver, then a hot sweat, then barely sleeping or eating, and wandering the house like a madman, so they tell me, babbling nonsense. But it all cleared up yesterday, with the expert help of Josephine and Caolifhoinn running this way and that. Tell Carlota that her tinctures did relieve the pain, at least in short bursts, and write me back promptly, love.
With absolute affection, Joe
And his tenant, Eleanor, the milliner.
Dearest Joe,
I take my pen in hand to write to you concerning the millinery emporium rental payment. As you know, with the quarantine ordinances I have been unable to match the success of the past half year. If you could find your way to give me this month, I know I will be able to make a more successful payment by November 1. I hope the country air is suiting you. I have a new offering that I thought you could add to your rich repertoire. How are young ladies like arrows? Because they all quiver in the presence of a beau.
Please do tell me if any of the Haydel ladies desire silks. My man Moss is now carrying the finest and rarest varietals all the way from India.
Always at your service Your devoted Milliner,Eleanor
And her supplier, Moss, the salesman.
September, 1878,
H.J. Hammond, esq.Port of Baltimore
My good Sir! You’ll be glad to know that your shipment of silks are completely licked clean. You would have thought I was giving them away. I am intrigued by this mercury you speak of. If it is indeed a possible remedy, then people will be desperate and willing to pay for it. Send in haste.
Your obliged and humble friend, Moss
And his fellow worker, Caoilfhoinn, the domestic.
Dear Margaret,
Please do let me know if you hear of any job openings in the city. My situation here has become more unbearable and I think the country air disagrees with my system.
Even if the others say I am too unwell to travel, I would hop on that steamer tomorrow for the chance of being back home. I’m not sure I was so lonely for Ireland as I am for New Orleans and your face this past month. I have feverish dreams of walking through the city, running my hands along the buildings, the street lamps -- touching the cloaks and skirts of the passersby. This homesickness is a plague.
Hope you are keeping yourself well.
Your devoted friend, Caoilfhoinn
And finally, my ancestor Carlota Ruíz de González, la cubana.
Querida familia,
1,000 times have I dreamt myself free.
Moving through air and water like steam from a boat
Pressing the insides of my body Calling out to others.
To those before and after me
Listening to the soil settle with our footprints and hands
I dare to speak
I dare to be heard
I dare to love
I dare to heal
