In 1899, little Louisa Flunder's (at right) mother Minnie B. Carter died, and her father, Edward Flunder, a Canadian who was then living in Syracuse, NY, took Louisa back to Ontario while he re-established his business there. He sent her younger sister Lily Mae, who was just a baby, to stay temporarily with her Uncle Floyd & Aunt Ada (Diepolder) Carter, who were then living at Thousand Island Park on Wellesley Island, across the river from where Ada's father, Michael, was working as keeper of Rock Island lighthouse.

        In the early morning hours of July 16, 1901, Michael suffered a heart attack while swimming in the St. Lawrence River and died. When she heard the news, Louisa wrote the touching letter, below, sending condolences to "Aunt Ada," kisses to baby, and the latest news—with near-breathless excitement—about her own swimming exploits and upcoming trips, as only a child could.