McFarland-Russell Letter, May 4, 1887

Bleakwood Texas May 4th 1887

Mr R. E. Russell

Dear Bob

Yours from of March 4th come to hand a long time ago. I have been thinking of writing all this time with regard to the note you can burn it or tear our names off it I wrote to J. D. Polk, and a few days ago he wrote me to learn something from the papers in the Wm McF estate but they were all burned in the court house at Jasper long since. Polk says he is making good many inquirys Mr Davis writes he don't wish to keep any thing Secret longer than heirShip is proving and Power Attorney is given him. he says the land is hours and we ought to have it. And can get it easy with proper steps. he writes there is no question but the land is ours he says it

is not great but valuable. in regard to the Lexington [ ? ] property, I wrote there and recd an answer. Several years ago and I will enclose you the letter in answer to mine. I also wrote a letter to a Co clerk in Texas to examin the record in the name of Wm McF. he wrote there was and send money and he would issue abstracts of same and I sent him money and he never would give me any satisfaction about it. he pretended not to know what I wanted. that was in Robertson Co. I dont think the heirs will ever be benefited any from that estate we would heir from T.S.M. --and F.S.M. from Wm Th. and T S M being in debt the heirs couldnt make good title if it could be worked through at all the heirs could only make quick claim deed. the claim against the T S M Estate might be bought in cheap for almost nothing for they will get nothing more unless from some lost lands. Jas West W. J Wingate and your self are the

claim holders principally there are a few others, but they are bard on till all others are paid: Mrs O. ?. Price will come in for one third. & Carrie Stewart & Eddie to Mr Windham's their Grand Pa's yesterday. they started to school to day. to Miss Lela [ ? ] . She has been teaching for us but her school was out last week and she took up over on Caney for four months. then we are to get her again. as I am going to be in Camp. Lost the time I thought I would move Missouri over on Caney and let the Boys go to school. We will board them a few days untill I move to Camp and Missouri moves over to Caney the School opened with 31 and they think it will run to 40 at least. Eddie & Stewart have learned very fast since they started down here. they went two months Eddie went through his Geography and nearly through his 4th Reader

We havent put Stewart in Georges yet. he commenced his third Reader today. they are writing a little. very sorry. we had a fine rain yesterday which was greatly needed. the creeks are up to day in order to float timber. I was present yesterday when the Bridge a cross Caney Creek broke and one wagon 5 oxen and one man fell in the Creek with the falling timbers. All present worked hard to save the lives. the man nor the oxen seemed to be hurt the wagon was loaded with cotton. we got every thing out. All that was broken was the tongue of the wagon and we had to cut some of the ox Yoke Bows. And the man lost his h hat. the Bridge was long and high. I dont see how every thing was not Killed. and the wagon broken. My crop is good. I hope you all are in good health. I will write again in few days to Kate Yours &c

R E McFarland