YANCEY COUNTY, NC - LETTERS - Mitchele T. Byrd, Letter describing the death 
			of Charles Avery Byrd
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                           Wilhite, N. C.
                           Feb. 15, 1891

Dear Sister:
    I write to inform you that we are all well now,
but have sad news in telling you that Father is dead. 
He died, Wednesday, Feb. 11, '91.  He had lain on the
bed of affliction ever since Tuesday evening Jan. 6. 
He was feeding his cattle some hay when one cow pushed
another against him, causing him to fall.  The ground
was hard frozen.  Falling so shocked the large nerve
in his right thigh joint that it gave intense pain
which the doctor pronounced incurable.  We procured
the best medical skill we could, the doctor staying
with him several days.  During all his sickness he
lived without a single operation of his bowels.  He
ate hardly a half a single meal scarcely a bite. 
Occasionly he drank a small amount of coffee or water.
    He was delirious all the time exept at a few short
intervals.  At these periods his mind was clear and
bright.  He expressed a great anxiety to see all his
children talking very much about them.  While in his
right mind he lay apprized of his coming death.
    He requested us all to live right and meet him in
a better world that he was ready to go himself and to
write to all his children & grand-children and tell
them the same.  He was buried at home on Friday after
his death at 20 minutes after 12 o'clock Wednesday.
    Mother is tolerably feeble now and lonesome.  We
gave Father a decent and respectable burial.  The
circuit preacher visited him while he was sick and
conducted the burial ceremonies at the house.  All the
children here stayed with him while sick and waited on
him carefilly.  When mother first went to him where he
fell he was lying with his head down the hill, and
said he was killed and wanted to see all his children.
 He lay where he fell till mother sent and got help to
carry him in the house.  We carried him on a sheet.
    Father was born July 12, 1802, died Feb. 11, 1891,
therefore he lived 88 years, 6 months and 29 days. 
Before he was hurt he told mother that he had not long
to live.  It seems that he was fore warned of his
death.
    Mother has been sick here to fore, having lost the
use of her right arm by erysipelas.  Before Father was
hurt he could go about the farm and do a small abount
of work.  He kept up the most of his fire wood the
most of his time.
    Father and Mother were keeping house by themselves
and had plenty to live upon having a hired women
living with them.  Mother says "I am lonesome" also
that "the children were very kind and helpful doing
all they could for her and Father."  At 4 o'clock
Tuesday morning before father died his left foot began
cramping and swelling and continued till death turning
purple.  He was speechless about 9 hours before death.
 He suffered extremely while dying; though he
struggled none.  Come to see us if you can.  If you
cannot write some.

                          Your Brother
                          Mitchele T. Byrd

(Letter describing the death of Charles Avery Byrd)

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