These letters are here for us to use and enjoy because of the foresight of my grandfather, Owen Waters (1894-1978). He saved everything that belonged to the family from tiny receipts to letters, books, and Confederate papers. In particular, these letters were written to his father from former in-laws who lived in Gibson Co., TN. The letters are in the possession of Kay Waters Sakaris (KWS), great-grandaughter of Frank Waters (1857-1909). Spelling is as it appears in the letters. NOTE: Anything shown in [brackets] has been added by KWS for clarity since there was no punctuation used in the originals. ********** NOTE: There was no envelope for this letter. April 11, 1888 "Mr. Frank Waters Dear Friend Your letter is at hand and found leaves us all well and I hope this will find the same[.] You wanted to know what Uncle John was ding [doing?] [.] he is has been hauling logs and the mill is going to move the 20 and he is going to tak a load[.] harvey has moved and he moved just after Christmas[.] I was down there last Sunday and they were all well but my girl B.B. was gone from home[.] Barton/Eaton Station Gibson Co. Tenn is harvey's post office[.] I cant send the post office but I can the name[.] you said for me to stay at home but I guess I guess I guess ill not do it[.] Jin/m is here and he went to trenton Monday he his hopping to your girl who lives up in the new house[.] we went up there the other night and they were 4 girls and we hath a fine time [.] the girls they give John Banks a sock nearly every Sunday as I can not [think] of any thing to write I will close so good by for this time[.] yours truly Lee Thompson" ********** Envelope postmarked: Tuckerman, Ark, Apr. 27, 1899. Addressed to Mr. R.F. Waters, Hickory Plains, Ark. [NOTE: I'm not sure this letter goes with this envelope because of the difference in dates. KWS] "Home, Nov. 13th 1893 Mr. Frank Waters & family; A long time has elapsed sice I received your kind & welcome letter[.] I ought to have replyed sooner, but from a antural disposition to procrastinate have elapsed it till now. I try to get Wm Thompson to write but he will not. Though he is anxious to hear from you & the children. This leavesus all tolerably well, except Mikey he has the earache. Wm Thompson's health & mine is not as good as it was several years ago as far as I know. Wm Thompson says tell you that the crops here as a general thing are very light. Corn is two dollars per bushel wheat is 50 cts per bushel bacon is 15 cts per lbs, very few hogs in the neighborhood[.] thet died out with choleraor some disease we know not what. Sweet potatoes 50 cts per bushel, Irish potatoes are quite low . Good many planted the second crop and I don't think they will make many the ___ & dry weather has injured them. The peanut crop will be very light. Has John & Martha ever written since they went to Texas? T. Sain is in Tennessee now & he said that Bunny Sain would be married at such a time, but I have not heard as yet whither she was or not. Tell Julian & Maud that Mikey is learning very fast he is in his second reader & writes very very well. He seems to love his book & he is very much like his mother. Tell Maud & Julain that Summer & Nelly Mars begins to think they are nearly grown. Tell Julian I saw Lou Thomas Isiah daughter Sunday, she is nearly grown. Her papa died last Spring with the slow fever. John Cooper lives with his mother at the old place. Newt Holliman & Tulus Brown is gone to Texas so report says Tom McCage & Mattie are liveing at your Papa's place where you all used to live. Arvie Teat [?] lives where Wm Dodd libved. Well I believe I have told you everything I can think of. Frank, have you every joined the church? Do you have good preachers out there & good Sabbath schools? We have the best preaching now, it seems to me than we ever did. Most of the members of churches seem to try to do their duty more than they ever did. We have had a good preacher at Hopewell & at Bells Chappel this year. Bro Yaries [?] preacher at Seedtie[?]. Remember me with love to the children. Kind regards for yourself & wife. Wm Thompson says tell the children howdy for him. Weite soon. I remain as ever Your Friend A.V. Thompson" ********** Original letter in possession of Kay Waters Sakaris, Great-grandaughter of Frank Waters. "Gibson Co., Tenn. July 18th, 1898 Mr. Frank Waters Kind Friend Your welcome letter dated June the fifth (5th) was received and should have been answered long before this, but from a natural disposition to procrastinate, have defered it until this time. Wm Thompson's health is tolerably good for one of his age he works his garden, does his own feeding attends the cows when I milk[.] we go to church when we can. Feel strong enough[.] he never writes to his children, gets me to write. he has had several spells that he couldn't talk for a while but would recoverin a day or two. Some think they are dangerous, he hasn't had one for along time he planted him some Irish potatoes to day. Jimmie and Mike helped him. My health is not so good as it has been. feel quite weak. this warm weather though I try to do all of my work can hire my washing sometimes[.] Jimmie and Mikey are tolerably well[.] they have worked hard this year. The crops are looking very well[.] we have had a good garden. Have raised good many chickens[.] Anderson Gordon and his sister Margarett died this last spring[.] Nancy Jane died last xmas twelve months [ago?][.] Jessee Thompson married last fall to Miss Jones from Eaton. I have told you all I know and can think of. All the connection are well, as far as I know. I recieved your letter the seventh of March and answered it as well as I remember. You all must write as soon as you can. Tell Julian and Mandy to write. I am sorry that Katey married so soon. To me that she is too young. I saw Ed and Mary on the 9th of July they were well. Ed health is not very good. We have prayer meeting week once. You must come when you can. You must write as [soon] as you receive this letter and excuse bad writing. As ever your friend A.R. Thompson" ********** Written on the back page of above letter: "Dear Friend Frank I will try to wright you a few lines to let you know I am still liveing yet I prove to you that I am liveing perhaps you remember my hand wright[.] I am very hard of hearing cant hear preaching and very nervous[.] time will health destroy corn and cotton look when well[.] wheat is turning out well 20 to 25 bushels. it would be a great pleasure to see you all from past experiences I may die sudden[.] I will close give my best respects to all enquiring friends too nervous to wright mutch[.] Your dear friend Wm Thompson"