McFarland-Russell Family Papers

his senior. that has got to be a common incident of late, Please do tender my thanks to Capt & Mrs. [Moor?] for their remembrance of me when they were being so happy at their union. They expect me to be a neighbor to them, [sure?]. I did not understand . are they thinking of coming up to New -ton? if not I fear they will be disapoinnted [sic] for not one down there has ever asked me to share their heart and house.

as I could not see the look how could I say what kind of a Judge you were. now if I were to guess how would I know when I was right,

The ring you spoke of sending for by Capt Lancaster as it is a gift from you keep it - Mr. Russell until you come up as you say you will come up in Oct., I hope you may have a pleas anter time than you had in the summer. Sunday is I do believe the loneliest day in the week and this one has more than it's share. I think I shall go over the river soon. as I have not been to see Thomas for six or seven months it is time I was going that -is if Ma don't

get any worse. I think Ma is some better. she sat up more and has more strength though she is very week[sic] yet. It isnt so far to go for a Dr now Dr Alston has come back to Newton to practice he [crossed out "is"] boards at Judge Wingates.

I would like very much ^to get^ and be thankful to you for a cutting of the Geranium

I had almost forgotten ^to^ ask about & your friends Miss Fannie and Bee, all Fannie can do is to "bear up [bear?] [on?]". Mrs S. will relent after while as there is nothing I want - in Orange I will thank you for your assistance. I think I have written quite enought of my nonsense for I intend to leave a place for my name if I have to leave a sentence unfinished. if I did not feel as lonesome I would write a long letter this little note will lengthen before you finish it, though. Write me a good long letter if you want to please your true friend

K.C. McFarland

[stamp] ORANGE TEX SEP 18

Miss. Kate, McFarland Bleakwood Newton County Texas

Orange, Orange, [illegible] Miss Kittie Mc Farland

Dearest Friend

your most kind and welcome letter of the 12th in our time and I can assure you that I was happy to hear that all were well pleased. I tell you I felt some what uneasy for fear that old folks might not like it. you said you would rather I would come up before hand so we could arrange matters. I guess we can arrange them by letter as I cannot come up right away. I would like very much to come but my business is such that I cannotleave it at present so you will have to excuse me.you said you would rather I would write to your Father in case I could not come. you will find inclosed in this letter a note for him. which I hope will be all satisfactory. you can also tell him that I will there by the tenth of October: I will leaveit to you to set the day. Though I would rather it would be a [illegible] the middle of the month. you can settle on some day and let me know by mail so I can let Ma know what time to come up. it is as I said she cannot leave home after the middle of October, I will come up on horse back a few days before they do. Kate you must come home with me by all means if your Mas health is not too bad. That will be the way to get her a way from home we can have her come and tay with us she never will get well if she stays there, Pa will bring a double seated Buggy so we can all come to gether. if I were in your place I would not fret myself to any trouble a bout giving a wedding though you may do as youlike about that. you wont leave any objections to my inviting Mr & Mis Grove and Henry will you. Henry was down yesterday and he kind a looking out for something of the [illegible; price?] and he says he is going with me the next time I come up whether I say so or not. we will just have a family affair of it. Kate do not hesitate to send for any thing you need Ma will bring it when she comes. Well I guess that is just enough of that for the present.

you may believe we had a fine time at the Barbeene we had a fine dinner one that was worth talking a bout our Democratic Candidate boasted of it he said that it was the finest one that he had. had prepared for him in his district you may believe Mr. Rad. met with a very cool reception and they say that that has been the case all the way round. I think that his sort have pretty near played their hand our [illegible] say very where he has been the people are going to vote the democratic ticket. Herndon told the young Ladies how to bring Sweet hearts over to the Democratic Party he told them when ever they found out that they were in favor of Radicalism to turn the cold shoulder to them and pout around and not have much to say to turn and what is worst of all not to give them any more good strong democratic coffee and then they would be sure to come over. what do you think of that you ought to have [illegible] here all of Orange was in a perfect glee that day, we had a little social dance in the evening after the Barbecue and I must say I never saw the young folks enjoy them selves as well as they did at that little dance you ought to have saw me handing the young ladies around right and left some of the Girls wanted to know what was the matter with me. Capt. Thos. McClannahan + Miss Dora were married last Thursday night Clark Stuart + Miss Mollie Hawks ere the waiters I dont have any talk of [illegible] Woods + Miss Sues marrying nowadays I think they will surprise us some time this fall. well [illegible] I believe I have told you all the news that I can think of at present So I will close as I want to write to you, Pa, you must be certain and come home with me as it will be greatly to my interest to be athome this fall and winter. give my love to all and tell them I hope to see them soon write soon to your true Friend P.S please hand the note to your Pa and tell him not to let any one see it R.E.R R. E. Russell

Bleakwood Texas May 24th 71

R.E. Russell Dear Sir Enclosed you will please find ($7.00) seven dollars which was handed by my son Thomas McFarland. for benefit or acct of Alex Frazar to pay for his subscription for a something which you will understand - the other dollar is sent by the mail rider in silver for want of paper change. I think it was instructed to send the publications to this office - Yours Truly T. S. Mcfarland

Sid. Williams, Evangelist ADDRESS: MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI

Sealy Tex May 17th 1891 Mr Bob Russell, Dear Sir. Thinking perhaps you would love to hear from me I never said myself writing to our whom I think of nearly every day. I often think of you words that if I [illegible] to him right it would turn you clean away from God. Mr Russel I do believe that God has changed your heart and I believe you Pray now I want you to help me to Pray that I may get Stronger each day, that I live for I had rather die then to be the means of dead: you away from [illegible] And I have [illegible] and passion like unto other men.

[Imprint - "R"]

Orange. Orange. Co. Texas. March 12 1871

Miss Kate McFarland Esteemed Friend

I received your most kind and welcome letter yesterday and I assure you it was a great pleasure to me to read a letter from you. I looked for an answer some time ago. I see from the Post. mark that it is not your fault. you said that you were very much pleased with the Books I sent you as I am such a good hand to select reading matter for the Ladies I think that I will have to try it again and see if I cant please you better. Sue takes the Western World and there is some very interesting stories in it there is one in particular the title is [Benial?] Clyde his two lives and two wives. when she gets throug[sic] reading them I will

send them to you. I will try and find some other good books to send up by the next mail. tell your Ma & Pa to come down on the Steamer this trip. the [Eva?] left here this morning on her way up the river. I heard that your Ma was sick. tell her that Ma says for her to come down and spend a while with us. The change may improve her health I think she might try it any way. you must try and persuade her to come and Ma will go home with her. you said that you and Miss Maggie thought yourselves highly honored to think that I thought of you while at the Dance the other night we are going to have a little Dance tomorrow night and you may rest assured that I will think of you every time I swing the Prettiest Girls in the house , and I will Dance a few sets for you if you say so. I guess Sam has quit going a [driving?] as he has caught the Deer that he was in pursuit of. I think him a good

driver because he catches the Deer alive. Miss Kate you must excuse this Badly written letter and I will try and do better next time I am not in a writing mood this evening [?] cause or other. have you heard from Gus lately and how is he getting along. When I was up there you were looking for him I never heard whether he came or not I would like very much to see him myself. is Miss Ann. teaching School at Belgrade yet. I heard she was down there some time ago, and I have never heard whether She[sic] going stay down all the year or only to teach one Session. Orange is beginning to look up again we have three Saw Mills and two Shingle Machines running regular and Mr Watts of Jasper is going to moove[sic] down and go into the mill business. if we can just get a rail road now we will be all right. Will[sic] Miss Kate I believe that I have told you all the news that I can think of at Present. you must try and get your Ma.