C. M. Russell to John Anderson Snipes May 26, 1860 Eighteen months later, John died. ****************************************************************** File transcribed and contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Will Snipes USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. USGenWeb NOTICE: Libraries and individual researchers may download this file for personal, non-commercial use only. Any other use requires written permission from the transcriber. ****************************************************************** Page 1 Princeton, Ark. May the 26, 1860 ___ ___ My Dear Cousin, It is with pleasure that I seat myself this evening to answer your kind letter that came to hand last mail. I was glad to hear from you and to hear that you was well and yet a going to school at the town of Leasburg. I have no news of importance to write to you but it seems to me that you ought to have news a plenty to write me every week. This (letter) leaves myself and Uncles family well and I hope when you receive this it may find you and all well. John, you ought to be here to see corn, cotton and grass grow. We have commenced laying our corn. By (now) we have about 25 acres of land in corn that(s) large enough to lay by ones too enough too. We have the rise of fifty acres in corn in the bottom and as (land lanes) as you ever. I am (a) still flying arouns those Ark. girls. They are so pretty that I can’t help it. I can’t tell when I shall see Miss May Burton again. You Page 2 must speak fine words for me and marry one yourself. You may tell her and all the rest of (the) ladies I shall be back as soon as I can get there cousin. I went to a foot (marching). Last Sunday was a week ago. We had (a) fine crowd out and some as pretty girls as I ever saw. Oh they look so sweat I could bite their lips off. I wish I had something (to) write to you that would interest you some but I haven’t it. Therefore you must excuse my short and uninteresting epistle and write soon and give me all the news. Give my love to your relations and friends and share a large portion yourself. Uncles family all join me in love to you and all. John, write in your next letter whether cousin R. Hester is going to school at Leasburg. If he is, tell him if he don’t write me I will break his head with a stick the next time I see him. N.B. Study hard and learn fast. I close remaining your affectionate cousin until death. C. M. Russell Conduct yourself well and keep good company and you will have friends. C. M. Russell to John Anderson Snipes May 26, 1860 Eighteen months later, John died.