Letter from Cyrus I. Scofield to Judge David Howell Scott, December 11, 1884. Discusses Congregationalism and a church conference.

Letter from Mary Jones, wife of the last president of the Republic of Texas.

Letter from Mary Jones, wife of the last president of the Republic of Texas.

Letter from Matilda Field to Robert Crockett. The letter is dated December 28, 1885.

Hood County tax receipt for Milton Parks for the year of 1881 in the amount of nine dollars and ninety-nine cents. The document is dated December 15, 1881.

Telegraph message from R. P. Talley to Paul Osterhout. Talley sent a short message to find out whether or not Paul received a letter Talley sent in March.

Photocopy of a letter from Gertrude Osterhout to John Patterson Osterhout. She wrote to her father to update him of her time at school. Gertrude mentions her grades and the rain they had been getting. The rest of the letter is missing.

Letter from Mary Chamberlin to Paul Osterhout regarding a photograph that was sent to her. She thanked him for it and asked if his sister, Gertrude, would be able to come down for a visit. Included is an envelope addressed to "Paul Osterhout."

Letter from Ora Osterhout to her brother, Paul Osterhout, with news from home. She told him that they were busy making winter clothes and preparing for Christmas. Ora let him know about a wedding that happened recently and their brother, Jeremiah, might be scheduling a wedding soon.

Letter from Mary to her niece, Gertrude Osterhout, regarding family news. She wrote that since her mother had passed, things had been lonely for them. She mentioned some guests that had visited to keep them company and the death of her grandchild. Included is an envelope addressed to "Gertie Osterhout."

Letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his daughter, Gertrude Osterhout, discussing life at home. He wrote of a child that had died and that some of the family had gone to the burial. He then discussed in his letter how Gertrude and her brother, Paul, would be returning home.

Letter from Ora Osterhout to her sister, Gertrude Osterhout, discussing daily life in Belton, Texas. She gave Gertrude news about a recent death in town and about friends that wanted to send their love to Gertrude. She mentioned that their mother, Junia, had started a letter to their brother, Paul, but was unsure when it would be finished.

Letter written by Willie, Alice, and Dinkie McGee to "Aunt Mollie and Uncle Charlie." They all discuss Christmas and the turkey, corn, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, custard and dew berries they had to eat. They all say thank you for the gifts they received. Willie talks about his kite, Alice talks about the candy, raisins, and oranges they got for Christmas, and Dinkie talks about Birdie's adventures with "old Chris." Includes envelope from original letter addressed to Mrs. Mary Moore. Note says it was received on November 4, 1883.

Letter from Dinkie McGee discusses family news. Talks of riding "Old Anna" down to Bettie Franklin's house and how Alice was thrown by her. Discusses scouring and repairing the roof of the "little house." Discusses all the work that Willie and Jim are shucking all the corn and are going to town to sell some chickens and butter. Included is a letter from Willie McGee saying he sold the chickens for 20 cents a piece, he got the fence built and the corn shucked, Birdie's face is healing, and Alice got her prize from Mr. Marshall. The original envelope is included.

Letter from Laura Jernigan to cousin Charles discussing family news, and asking for them to come visit her on Saturday. Discusses her four children, including Jimmie and Austin, who loves to dance when she plays. Includes original envelope.

Letter from Bettie Franklin discussing family news, Mary Love who is dying after childbirth, killing hogs and making lard and sausage. Includes original envelope.

There was a problem between William and his brother George. W.C. would like to settle this and asks that William write back as soon as possible. He hopes that William's family is well. He mentions that John Love's wive is very sick. He asks again to respond immediately. In the P.S. he tells that Mary Love is dead.

She was glad to hear they were doing well and says that her family is also well. She is enjoying good weather. She sent Willie and Jim to the mill and it took all day for them to come back. May Loved died. Mrs. Ellis, Simon McGee and Laura Dorris and her baby are all sick. She wants Abe to kill the hogs before they eat all of the corn. She mentions that Bettie and Bessie are doing well. She hasn't been able to sell eggs. She had sent Jim to get her apples and he never showed up with the apples. She tells her mother that they are doing well and asks her sister to come visit her. She mentions that Willie has been very helpful since his grandfather left. Sissie has also been helpful, but slow. She asks that they write back soon.

She says that they are all doing well and were happy to hear from them. The have had winter weather and so have killed hogs. Laura Dorris died and her baby doesn't look like it will live long either. She tells her mother that Lina did not help her, but Mat did. Jim left to take Christmas and Lina brought apples. Willie is doing well and so is Birdie. Bill Jones left his wife in Ohio. She asks what her sister is doing for Christmas. If she cannot go to town she will send Willie. Her mother's flowers are doing well and she really wants them to visit. She has sewing to do, but her machine will not work. She asks that they write soon.

She says that they are all doing well except for colds. One of the ewes had two lambs, but both were dead. She went to town and bought Willie a coat and herself some fabric. She forgot to take her machine to be fixed. She asks what her sister did on Christmas and mentions that Florence and Bettie's dinner was good. She asks her sister to come home with their mother. She mentions that Mary Dodd can dance and encourages Linnet to come home with her grandmother. She wants to know when her parents are coming back and mentions that Abe hasn't fixed the cow stable yet. She asks that they write soon.

Dinkie received their letter and was glad to hear they were doing well. She mentions the weather and how cold it has been. She went to town for fabric to make Sissie a dress. She asks what they are doing for Christmas. She mentions that Birdie is writing a letter to Linnet. She gave some butter to Pap and he sent some cranberries. She went with her mother to visit Ann Jones and Cassy. She hasn't see Bettie or Florence and Mary Dodd is very smart for a child. She asks about Linnet's schooling. Alice writes that she received a prize for best reader in class. She mentions the cold weather and killing hogs. Her mother finished her dress and her mother sold eggs in town. She mentions that family came to visit and she wishes Linnet was there to play with Birdie.

Letter from Matilda Dodd to Mary and Charles Moore on December 20, 1885. She writes about her family's health and their activities marketing their farm produce. She says that John Wallace said that he had never seen as many poor people as he saw in Texas. She passes on the information that Lily Franklin and Charly Elliot are "going to jump the broomstick" (get married). She also says that there will be little candy and Christmas. William Dodd enclosed a note with the letter

Letter from Matilda Dodd talking of family news. She discusses the butchering of the hogs, the making of dresses, and an entertainment the children are doing at the new school house. She talks of people talking about how there are hard times, but in going into town there were so many people dressed in finery so you couldn't tell. She mentions two stores, Bebe's and Mr. St. John's. She mentions several letters she received. Willie Bratney had been in the grocery business, but sold it out. Tobe Dodd wrote and said that Florence is overseeing the cooking for 100 young Indians that board at the agency and attend school there. Includes a letter from Birdie that appears to have actually been written by Matilda Dodd. Also includes samples for two dresses she is making. Also includes original envelope.

This item is from the Charles B. Moore Collection. It is written by Julia A. Barr, Henry and Charles Moore's cousin. In the letter, Julia updates the Moore family on the happenings in Jerseyville, Illinois and the news includes: a dialogue about meeting cousin George Wilson in Eureka Springs, Arkansas while on a trip there, a discussion about the people that accompanied here on the trip and how long she stayed, details concerning the people she meet in Eureka Springs, a conversation about Seella, her two children, and Polly, a dialogue about their helper who was discharged over a year ago and how they are getting along without him, an update on the bountiful crops and how good rain has made it possible for people to get out of debt, a discussion about "Aunt" Sally Smith and Uncle Abner's family, a dialogue about Sottie Knaff's daughter, details about the Goodrich family, an aside about the town of Jerseyville, a dialogue about Mrs. O. P. Powell's children, a discussion about Wilson Cross and Ida Barr Cross, details about Fannie and her love for entertaining, updates on family, a dialogue about Barr's California trip and the places they stopped at along the …