12 Nov 1872 Letter by William C. Smith & Elizabeth A. Manning Smith to son James Monroe Smith Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Robert S. Hendrick, 1/2005 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Letters from the Personal Collection of Dr. Robert S. Hendrick, Jr. Transcribed and submitted by Robert S. Hendrick, Jr. ================================================================================= 12 Nov 1872 Letter by William C. Smith & Elizabeth A. Manning Smith to son James Monroe Smith Residents of Farmerville, Union Parish Louisiana ================================================================================== November 12, 1872 Union Parish Farmerville, LA Mr. James M. Smith, Jimmie my dear son I thought I would write you a few lines to night as it has bin some time since I wrote you a letter and I now you are all ways glad to get a letter from home. I am so glad to get a letter from you. I think you are the same way Jimmie. My Dear child you do not no how glad it makes your Dear Parents feel(?) when they think of you how well you are getting along in your studies and conduct. Jimmie my dear son you know I all ways have every confidence in you and I feel if nothing happens we will see you a smart well behaved young gentleman, one that is loved and respected by all who know you. Strive to please your teachers. It is for your good not theirs. I was so glad to hear you had no demerits. Try to see if you can go the session without getting any. I think you will come as near doing it as any of them. Jimmie Mr. Gerrin is here tonight. He sais he wint to that school four year and now you see he is a graduate. That is incouragement to all the rest of you. Show these boys up here what you all have bin doing. It dos us good to here you are so well pleased and doing so well in all your duties. Jimmie my dear son if any one should try to influence you to do what is against the rules or to get into any difficulty treat it with contempt. Tell them it is not the way you have bin taught. Jimmie do not think hard of me for advising you. It is my duty to advise you. You are young. You now we love you. We were glad to here you were well. This leaves all well. Your Aunt Anna (Manning) is still here. She is improving. She thinks you ought to write to her as she was one of the first that rote to you. The little children is both asleep. They often speak of bud Jimmie and want to no how long before the school will be out. Jimmie let me no how many rooms with you and who they are and how you all get along together. When any of you write always speak of the rest. By so doing we can here from you all oftener. Tell the other boys to do so too when they write. Be sure and send me your photograph when you have it taken. Willie says he will send you some candy the next one that comes. You must write often. It is a great pleasure to here from you. Nothing more. Give my respects to Kilgore and Bensons. I Remain Your True Mother E A Smith Elizabeth A. Manning Smith P. S. Jimmie, as your Ma and sister have written to you I will only add a few words. Mollie stated to you was elected. My majority over Mr. Henry is 1305 votes. Mr. Lee majority 600. Dr. J. J. Brooks was elected Representative. E. M. Graham Senator. J. E. Trimble District Judge. Mr. Vaughn of Homer District Attorney. He beat Esq. Mayo. Present my best regards to all of the boys. Your Father W C Smith W. C. Smith ###########################################################