Misc. Letters, Dr. T.M. Butler to Martha Ezell, LaSalle Parish, La. Submitted by: Pat Ezell ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Dr. Thomas Marion Butler Letters to Mrs. Martha E.(Splawn) Ezell -1894-1898 Within approximately one year after the death of her husband, Jefferson Ezell, M.D., in January,1891, Mrs. Martha E. Splawn Ezell, moved her family to Clarksville, Texas, in Red River County. The Ezell family returned to Jena, La. in the early 1900's. The letters below were written by Dr. T. M.Butler to Mrs. M.E. Ezell from 1894 - 1898. In these letters he refers to having gone by the Ezell Homeplace and picking up Dr. Ezell's medical instruments as he had need of them while in the area. The subsequent letters make reference to his making payments to Mrs. Ezell for the medical instruments and possibly other outstanding notes. Dr. Butler's medical instruments are on display at the LaSalle Parish Museum in Goodpine, La. It is possible some of these instruments originally belonged to Dr. Jefferson Ezell. Thomas Marion Butler Born: Sept. 30, 1859, Columbia, La. - died: August 25, 1933, Summerville, LaSalle Parish, LA married: 1885 Joanna Mildred Davis, dgt. of John Allen Davis and Martha Anne Morris Born: July 13, 1864, Summerville, Catahoula Parish, LA Died: Dec. 4, 1954, Jena, LaSalle Parish, LA In the early 1880's, Dr. Butler studied medicine under Dr. William Taylor in Olla while he was also teaching school in Summerville. He completed his medical education in Memphis, Tennessee in 1886 and then returned to Summerville to practice medicine. In 1907, he moved his family to Trout where he became the first physician in that community and for the sawmill. Dr. Butler and his wife, Joanna Mildred Davis, had seven children. The letters transcribed below are among the Ezell Family Papers & Photographs from the Ezell Homeplace in Jena, La. They are currently in possession of Pat Ezell, the transcriber. ___________________________________________________________________ Summerville, La 5/7/92 Mrs. Martha Ezel Clarksville, Tex Dear Madam: I enclose herewith Ten Dollars, in part payment of amt due you. I met Oscar recently and it seems as though the notes I gave you are lost or mislayed. This matters not with me as I intend paying the account as soon as I can. I got some of the instruments at your plance a short while since, having an immediate need of them while in that section. I brought them home with me. I find the instruments are becoming injured by rust. If it is satisfactory with you I will take the entire lot and take care of them for you. I cannot buy them just now not being prepared to pay for them. Trusting all are well with you. Your friend, T.M. Butler ____________________________________________________________________ Summerville, La 2/24/94 Mrs. Martha Ezel Clarksville, Tex Dear Madam: I have delayed writing you trusting I would be able to make you a payment. This I am pained to say I cannot do now, owing to bad collections. You are aware how doctors are (not) paid in this section and trust you will extend me leinency. I paid Oscar $42.20 last spring and hold his receipt for it, making a totla of $90.20 I have paid on the notes. Please send me the note - first due and credit the other one with the balance. All are well with me. Trusting your family are well and extending my kindest regards, I am Very truly yours T.M. Butler ______________________________________________________________________ Summerville, La May 9, 1896 Mrs. M.E. Ezell Clarksville, Texas Dear Madam: Yours of 4th ___ is to hand and contacts duly noted. I enclose S/D for Fifteen Dollars. Mr. Whiddon I think sent you some money last week. I trust the amt sent you will be sufficient for your present needs. If you can place the notes you hold against me, please do so. I have now paid $115.00 which leaves me due yet $10.00. I would have sent total amount, but money matters are very close here at this time. Trusting all are well with you. Your friend T.M. Butler _____________________________________________________________________ T.M. Butler, M.D. Physician and Surgeon Summerville, La., July 23rd 1898 Martha E. Ezel Clarksville, Texas Dear Friend: I herewith hand you Ten Dollars in final payment of amount due you. I should have forwarded this long since, but through negligence failed to do so. As the notes are lost or mislaid you will please to sign accompanying receipt and return to me. Trusting you and family are well. Yours very truly T.M. Butler