McFarland-Russell Family Papers

the fruit crop is heavy all that has ripened is good. Peaches will be late but I think good, You had better come up and preserve you a good lot.

Well I cant think of any thing more of interest and Missouri wants to write some so will close, hoping to hear from you soon. I was sorry to hear of Ceciles hair being cut I dont like the fashion. Cecile is very pretty as is all your girls. have you seen our county news paper (the Newton Co Record) if not I will send you a sample.

Your affectionate Bro

R.E. McFarland

June 21

Mrs C.C. Russell

Dear Sister

I must try to write a little Two Ed has wrote all the news so I havent much to write, we are all well I was verry sick last friday I was afraid I was going to have the cholera [..............] I taken [............] [.....] [ ] and the children you need not think that we have forgotten you becasue we dont write [....][......] of you we may say I have so much time that I cant write often I got a Letter from Margaret saying She

San Augustine Texas 6/19/91

Mr R E Russel Orange Tex Dear Sir

Your letter reached me last eve and as you insisted on an early reply will answer to day. Mrs Cranch got a letter from Charley last Friday eve he had turned up at Sulpher Springs with his [ ?] Bud Thomas. his mother was so troubled and uneasy about him that she went up there to see about him. She left here last Monday we haven't heard from her since. Guess she will capture him. The way he has done has nearly troubled my wife (Maud) to death. I received a letter from Jake

The other day we said he could arrange the matter for $9.80 which I will send him in a few days. Charly has cash his Ma & Myself about $60.00 since he left home besides the trouble he has give us. I am not sorry he was put off an you hope you do not blame us as I wrote you before his ma was anxious for him to go where some one would take an interest in him. I do hope and trust this may be the last trouble he will give us Mrs [Granche ?] oldest son Bud has been a very bad drunkard for four or five years, but has no other very bad habits. She has one son in Mississippi who is a bright fellow - his name is D or ID - he is about two years older than C and about two years younger than Bud - her youngest boy Johnie is

also, a remarkable smart little fellow but he cant talk plain Maud was a baby when you was here in 1868 I was four years old. I am 27 years old have been married nearly three years. You spoke of having arrived here the same day that Mr Henry Horn married how many children [ ? ? ?] He have twelve living and one dead. Dr Tucker has six, all boys and nice ones. I am not very much attached to this place I would move away if I was not so well fixed I have as pretty a place as there is in town and I know to sell out would have to sacrifice what I have and I dont like to do that. This is the oldest driest dullest dilapidated deadest dirtiest rundown place in Texas about two firms does nearly all the business that is done here and all of that is on a credit. You must not think that Mrs Cranch thought hard of you writing me

what you did. If such as that was going on she wanted to know it and I think it was best for her to know it. And maybe she can control him. About the watch we have no express office here you can send it by reg mail. Mr Russel if you ever hapen up in our country come and see us I know Mrs C would be real glad to see you we have had good rains lately crops are finer than I nearly ever saw them healthy of the country splendid. we have a new Court House just about finished which helps the appearance of our town some Well I'll wind up for this time if you do not think it too much trouble I would be glad to hear from you any time will always answer your letters promptly and give you the news I think we are a little far off [kin ?] any way what do you think about it - regards to all Yours Truly, E. E. [Smith ?]

and he says that [Bamoroft ?] is going to keep on with that suit against us, he says that John Hart says that he does not think that they will be able to make anything out of it but you know how things generaly goes before Ford and it will be imposable for me to come down this court and I want everything out of our hands in case of an accident. I will write John Hart to continue the case if he can, as I cannot be there. how is Granville getting along and does Ma worry over the children as much as ever I think that it would be better for her to come up here and stay this winter with us so that she could get a rest. we have not had any rain here for almost 6 weeks and till last Wednesday

and we have all had to drink well water or the water from the Bayou and I think that is the reason that my folks were sick. Julia is improving but Beaulah has had the fever for several days Today was her [piano ?] day but she has missed it it is nothing more than biliousness so I do not think that she will have it again the rest of us are all well. we have not made the trade that I wrote you about yet but think that we will soon. send short R.R. train and all get it loaded as cheap as you can for the loading comes out of me as we sell it on cars and take light [men ?] for it if you get it loaded before we send the check you can draw on The Cam River Lumber Co for the

amt of the loading. I suppose Mr [Gorvila ?] gave you shiping directions as he wrote you to ship it. I enclose a few lines that Beaulah wrote to Cecile. Now Bob have Julia sign the deeds and get this matter off of our hands Well I will close for this time; as I have several letters to write this evening and it is getting late all send love Your Brother HHRussell

dreamed the other night that you were home and we were enjoying ourselves finely when I woke up.

Hay says tell Cecile that he is a man now for he has pants coat & hat just like any man, and new shoes He says when he goes again it will be to see Mary & Cecile, he has seen Eddie & Katie & Tommie, [ never ?] he has to go to see Aunt Kate.

I could write more if I had anything to write. Oh yes, Joe married Ines Hanks they say he is not any account, but I do not know of course, what he is. Orinda Scott is to marry Mr Adams, of Log Camps, I hear soon, she has bought her a silk wedding dress, and is to be married in style. Write soon and often, all join me in love to you all Your Affectionate Sister Maggie Smith

Tell Cecile I am so glad she favors me or that she thinks so for none of the connections look like me. Tho I am not [ ? ttie] by any means, but if Cecile thinks so I am very glad, for Cecile is the prettiest little lady in the land.

I have made arrangements to get a [ ?] machine [ ?]