McFarland-Russell Letter, May 15, 1870

OK Land Colorado Texas May the 15th 1870

Col T S McFarland

My Dearest Pa

Many Weeks have passed Since I last wrote to you or in fact have writen a lin to any one. I well know you all are uneasy about us but I know if I wrote and told the truth you would be more uneasy for ever since I had pneumonia. I have had very bad cough. I Sometimes almost despaired of ever getting rid of it, but I believe it is getting Some better now. I hope it will not get any worse again for we wish and expect to go to Bleakwood, as soon as they get the crop laid by, but if any cough continues it will be bad camping out.. Lilla has had chills off and on for a year but She has missed them now about three weeks. I trust She will not have them again. We gave her quinine untill it would do her no good, then Grandpa mixed Some medicine for her but it done her no good. and we Said we would not give

her any more. So we got a bottle of Smiths tonic Syrup and it has done her more good than anything else we have given her.

dear Pa I know you will not be interested in this letter for I have no news to write I believe Guss has a fine prospect for a crop he plants a large cotton crop and that is why we want to go out there in the Summer for we would have to get back in time to gather the crop

May 22) Dear Pa I did not get my letter finished last Sunday and I have been Sick with cold and cough nearly all the week, but I am up again today and I believe my cough is better than it has been in four or five months I think I will be all right again Soon now. you all must not be uneasy about it for it is nothing dangerous I do not think.

We have not received a letter from any of you in Some time. We did hope you would come on over here when you went to Galveston. but I reckon you did not go or Ma

would have Said Somthing about it I hope there is nothing Serious the Cause of us not geting any letters from you I can not think of any news that would be likely to interest you old man Hughes is doing very well I believe making money fast though he is disagreeable at home and abroad So Says report, I know very little about him. I was at his house once at a dinner and he was drunk So I can not, if I wished, go there again unless I know he would have more respect for his guests. the last time I talked any with him, he was drunk and nearly all his conversation was about you and Ma, and about me not going to See him. he Said it would grieve you and Ma to know I did never visit him. I told him I thought it would hurt you worse to know he had so completly thrown himself away. he told me to write to you and tell you how he was doing and that he loved you better than any one else on earth. he has a good nice wife, one much too

high toned for him.

I have writen all I can think of and I reckon you are tired of nonsense so I will stop. give my Love to all my Brothers and Sisters and inquiring friend if any. and believe me

Your affectionate daughter

Isabella Weatherred