McFarland-Russell Letter, August 11, 1889

Hamilton, N.Y. Aug 11, 1889

Dear cousin;-

Your last letter was received as I was preparing for the chore of my school work. I have been home now just one week and during that time have been working very hard getting ready for a trip to Wisconsin and Illinois. It is my intention now to be on my way when you receive this. I may remain only a few weeks and I may spend the winter, possibly longer. I found the people usually well when I come home. Mrs. Wells Russell and her daughter Mrs. [Burns?] of Yonkers are here taking

their summer vacation. I haven't seen Charley R since I came back this time, and I may not as they live some distance from my home and I have not time to go down there.

Hamilton is very dull at this season of the year. The schools all being closed the students are at their respective homes; and the wire factory, (the only manufacturing industry in the place) has closed for about six weeks for repairs.

Today has been very fickle weather this morning we went to church between showers. This afternoon the sun has been shining very brightly but the wind is blowing a perfect gale and I hear Papa building a fire which will not come quickly. For dinner today

we had sweet corn and cucumbers the first of this year to me. al though they are probably an old story somewhat with you so would not relish quite as well.

I received your papers the day I mailed your last letter they were quite interesting indeed, some parts. From the description I judge Orange to be a very pretty city or one that might be made to be. From some of the pieces I could not wonder at your strong aver sion to [illegible crossed out text] Negros if those sketches were true to their general charact eristics. In the North, as a class, they are very quiet, peacable, law abiding citizens; always content to be treated the same as the whites. Generally, they do not hold any offices of trust but where they do they prove as faithful as

the whites and, as efficient. I am very sorry cousin Charley has been dethroned from P. M. possibly the people thought his approaching marriage would so detract his mind as to unfit him for the duties, for the old saying you know "Love, like the measles", etc. Extend to them my congratulations and wishes for a long life of ease, prosperity and blessings. You spoke of his being an old bach; perhaps if he has a good wife he thinks he is paid for waiting. if not he has long enough to live with her. But in regard to ^your new^ P.M. I dont understand the Dems certainly didn't want him and if his friends didn't, how did he get the appointment? Please explain to your [numbskull?] of a cousin. In N.Y. a man has to receive the support of nearly a majority of the people before he would think of trying for the posi tion. consequently, although he may not please all, yet he is usually a person of some esteem in the

community. I hope your P.M. will give you no trouble with your [mail?], but such low characters one does not feel like trusting them.

This week Mamma received a letter from Julia [North?] and as it contained some items I thought would interest you. I will rewrite. She stated that her grandfather Russell, or our great grandfather, was drum major through the whole of the Revolutionary war. Towards the close of his life he married a woman whom she does not speak very highly of, though she says our great grandmother was a very nice lady, as all said. I judged from that that great grandfather was twice married. He was very fine looking, somewhat intemperate, and a trifle too stern. He and his wife are both buried at Cornwall, [Conn.?].

Oh! cousin Robert. I wish to ask your advice, or opinion, whichever you