McFarland-Russell Letter, January 7, 1880

Newton Co Texas Jan 7th 188[1?]

Mrs Kate C. Russell

Dear Sister

I recieved your most welcome letter some time since, and I had no paper until lately. Mr Smith has returned safely, he had such a terrible time all along. They started in a horse wagon, but when they got as far as Waco, Martin & Wm Smith turned back with the wagon, and Mr Smith & Joe [fon] purchased horses and went on, I recieved a nice present a Christmas present. Mr. Smith bought me such a nice coat in Waco. Henry & Jonny was so glad to see there Pa They [?] to go every where with him now. Henry says tell Cecile & Mary that Pa was Santa Clause, he sent him candy, [?] and a dog knife, Mr Smith and the children have very severe colds. Hery come very near hav ing the [?], as good a thing for the [?] is Alumn pulverized given in [?] on water [?]

Oh yes Mr Smith staid all night with Brother Wm, he made a very good crop last year, but his eyes are very bad, he wants to go farther west, he is hiring now in Robertson & he says his is [bonding or tiring?] with a widow woman in a mile of the Penitentiary and gets to see Frogger once a week, Brother said sis would work hard and make nice quilts trying to have something and Frogger would trade them off in a horse trade. He went off wrote Sis a note bidding her farewell, was gone several months when he wrote to her again telling of his being in Jail, and she followed, There is a man at Brothers that says he is a second Cousin of ours, Thompson is his name he is dieing with consumption, Poor man, but there is where the consumption comes in our family, from the Thompsons, I am going to write to Brother to day, You speak of not hearing from Ed, I do not hear from either of the boys, I wrote to you about going down I have not seen nor heard from them since only what you wrote about Sam

I did think they would come to see one while Mr Smith was gone knowing how [?] I would be but wishing to that they did not come I use to think they would never give me up so but I never see nor hear from them now no more Than if I think a thousand miles away, I will be a long way off if I live another year I expect, Mr Smith intends going to Hamilton as soon as he can, there is a railroad in the County so you see I can come back to see you and the boys in some time, There is nothing of importance that has transpired in the neighborhood lately,

Henry says tell Cecile that if she will come up to see him he will give her one of his fine Pigs he says he has eight pigs and he has given a pig to half the people in the neighborhood Tommy is learning to talk.

I do not hear from [?], have not heard from [Jeffs?] children in ever so long has Sam got any thing for his horse yet he let [?] have, I was surprised to see the months

in your favor, but never the less you are sorry I know, if you are like I was I feel for you from my heart, I was sick for about two months did not have one minute to feel well day and night.

I have not planted any garden yet will soon as we get seed do they get fresh seed down there in the stores,

Well I must quit for this time, write soon give my best to Bob and the children,

Ever your Sister Affectionately

Maggie Smith