10 August 1878 Letter of Union Parish Recorder William Callaway Smith to daughter Mollie 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 ************************************************ Materials from the Personal Collection of Dr. Robert S. Hendrick, Jr. Transcribed and submitted by Robert S. Hendrick, Jr. ================================================================================= 10 August 1878 Letter of Union Parish Recorder William Callaway Smith to daughter Mollie Smith Residents of Farmerville, Union Parish Louisiana ================================================================================== ================================================================================== ================================================================================== NOTE: William C. Smith wrote this letter home while on a trip to Atlanta, where he sought treatment for osteomyelitis (bone infection) in his hip. This condition eventually led to his death. ================================================================================== August 10, 1878 Atlanta, GA Miss Mollie Smith Farmerville, LA Darling Daughter, I received your very interesting letter of the second just last Tuesday morning and will now answer although I’ve nothing in the shape of news to write you. Some little excitement in the streets this morning especially among the colored population. Several companies of Cadets and fire companys, all colored, out in parade. I think there is a prize to be presented to the companys from other cities and towns, each [indecipherable word] company has their [Esquire ?] showing by hand. I received a letter from your Uncle Crawford [Franklin Crawford Manning] yesterday morning, which was highly appreciated stating that all was well at home. You stated in your letter that several of the F’ville girls yourself included had organized a Literary Society. I think it a good move for the young ladies, the question is now will you keep it up. I am enjoying better health for the last week than usual, improving a little in strength. Can walk across the room on crutches without the brace on to hold me up. My improvement depends on the condition of the abscess. If it would get well I would then improve in strength. Will not close this letter until tomorrow morning. I look for a letter then. Sunday morning August 11 Well I will proceed to finish up my letter. The weather is quite warm and dry. I have just received dear Alice’s letter mailed on the 8th. She neglected to date it. In your letter before the last you failed to date it. I am glad to hear that all are still well. Very sorry to hear that sister Mary [Mary Ann Manning Callaway] had been sick. Alice & you neglected to say whether or not you had been receiving my letters. Alice spoke of my three last letters. You didn’t say if you had received my last letter to you. I wrote a letter for each mail last week. In my last letter to you Ma said something about Money. It did not mention the amount provided it had not been forwarded when you received this. Tell Ma [Smith's wife, Elizabeth Amy Manning Smith] please send me say $35 or $40 Dollars. I have 30 cents in my pocket. I must tell you how smart I have been this morning. I put on my back brace & and got up on my crutches and made a short circuit around the room. I was above [?] my room, the first time I have attempted walking without assistance. It is very hard work. Appears to strain every nerve in my body & limbs. Give my love to your Grand Ma [Elizabeth Bailey Hall Manning] & Grand Pa [James Clark Manning]. Kiss dear little “Dolly” [Florence Eleanor Smith] & “Willie” [William Allen Smith] for me with much love to all. Write often. I remain as always your devoted father. W. C. Smith ###########################################################