29 January 1873 Letter from Elizabeth Smith (Mollie) to James M. Smith, Sr. Submitted by: Dr. Robert S. Hendrick Date of Submission: 11/2008 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ================================================================================== ================================================================================== 29 January 1873 Letter from Elizabeth A. Manning Smith to James M. Smith, Sr. Materials from the Personal Collection of Dr. Robert S. Hendrick, Jr. Transcribed and submitted by Robert S. Hendrick, Jr. Smith was at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge at the time he received this letter. He became the Union Parish Clerk of Court in 1879 and served until 1900, when he resigned to serve as a Louisiana State Senator. ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Jan. 29, 1873 Farmerville, Union Parish, LA Dear Brother, As I am not going to school today I will try to write you a few lines. Buddie it has snowed every day since Saturday except today, but the snow is deeper today than it has been this winter. Stella has quit school and she is going home as soon as it gets more pleasant. I wrote to Nora several weeks ago but I have not received an answer yet. Mrs. Darby gave Ella a party last Friday night. Maggie Underwood came here that evening and went with us. We did not have any one to go with us except Bud. We stayed until about half after eleven. We enjoyed ourselves very well, for they let us play as much as we wanted to. After we had played some time, she gave us as much cake as we could eat. We played again and enjoyed ourselves very well. Mag and Lib both came home with us and stayed all night and we played a while before we went to bed. As it snowed that morning, they could not get to go home. We went in the big yard and played in that old buggy house on the cotton bales. Lib and I were the women, and Belle [Isabelle E. Manning- 1st cousin of James & future wife of Louisiana Gov. W. W. Heard] & Mag were the men. Belle & Mag came into the yard and found that little wagon that you made, and put the buggy cushions in it, and took Lib and I to take a ride. We played a long time, until just before dinner, and then they went to Mrs. Darby’s. Buddie I have been trying to learn the notes on the piano to Belle, & she is hurrying me now to give her a lesson. Buddie Ma said she would send you a birthday cake which will be on 6 Feb. if she knew that you would not have to go home, but for fear that you would not get it she will wait until she hears from you. Ma wrote a long letter to you a few days ago but we have not received one from you in some time. Buddie stay if you can We want to see you, but want you to get a good education. I have got something to tell you, Belle has got a new sweetheart Mr. Bennie Shuster, she has got on Nettie’s ring now. Please don’t show this to anyone. Here is a paper Della Cook gave me. I carried it in my pocket so long that it got dirty. Mollie Smith ================================================================================== ================================================================================== The following four “notes” were in the same envelope. The authors are noted: ================================================================================== ================================================================================== ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Della Cook ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Farmerville, LA Jan. 10th 1873 Mr. James M. Smith I will write you a few lines to let you know that I have not forgotten you. I would have written long ago but I was afraid you would not answer my letter. I do not suppose you have thought of me since you left the town of Farmerville. Della Cook ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Isabelle “Belle” Manning ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Budd, Mollies has told you a little story on me. She need not say a word. Her and Mr. Mayo come home the other night, she with his arm, just as loving as ever. Don’t believe a word Mollie says for it is not so. Buddie excuse me for not writing a longer letter. I did not have the time so I will close. Your Cousin, Belle Manning ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Mollie Smith ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Buddie, Belle told you about Willie and I, being so loving, I have not been with him but once, and she goes with Ben (Shuster) nearly every where she goes. Mollie ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Willie Smith ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Buddie, I have got a big boy since you left for school. I went home with Ella Hargis the night of the party. I have throwed Corene away because she is too little. Willie Smith [James’ younger brother] #######################################################################################