Coryell County Texas Archives History - Letters .....Grimes, Fred To Sister, Bettie 1873 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/txfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Virginia Crilley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00003.html#0000642 August 21, 2012, 12:11 pm Letters from Fred Grimes to his sister, Bettie Grimes, before he moved to Navarro County and married Lydia Hightower in 1882. [Fred Acree Collection, Center for American History, Univ of Texas at Austin] At this time, Mary 34; Sam 28; Fred 24; Ellen 21; Sallie 19; Bettie 16, Mina 13, Annie 11 Savanna Miss Oct 18th '73 Dear Sister, I embrace the present opportunity of writing to you this leave me well and enjoying good health trusting that may find you enjoying the same blessing. I will proceed to give you some particulars concerning my trip to this State (Miss) We had a very agreeable trip and no bad luck except that I had one Horse stolen in a passing through Louisiana that of course is entirely lost to me as to my return I cannot say much about it as I we have not sold any of our horses yet but shall soon and at very good prices. I think as Horses are very high here and as soon as our stock get in salable order we will sell out [without] much trouble as our stock are all gentle, but if they were wild I don't know but we would have to go further East. Tell Sam that I thought he would have wrote to me as I requested of him. You must write soon for the present I will close as time is precious. It is now four o'clock and I yet have fifteen miles to ride. Give me all the news the country affords and a few words about my sweetheart. Give my love to the family and accept a portion for yourself so nothing more but I remain, your Brother Fred Grimes ================= Brookhaven January 5th 1874 [Lincoln County, MS] Dear Sister, I have been thinking of writing to you sometime but my business have been so confinding [sic] that I did not have an opportunity of writing, so I will drop you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along. Have sold out on credit and shall have to wait some time for what is due me and tho regret will be that I cannot get home before the first of October and perhaps not then as it will be at that time before my notes becomes due. I suppose that you are aware how pressing times are here as ? wm? McDowell promised to deliver messages for me and you have doubtless seen him before this time. I have been forced to sell out on time mostly but it was the last resort except to sell for ten or fifteen dollars per head and that you know not do. It looked too much like giving them away to sell at such prices. When you get this tell Sam that I am owing Staten at Mofftow ten or twelve dollars and would like for him to collect what Henry Baugh is owing and pay that little debt and what I am owing Ma and keep the rest himself. You must write as soon as you get this and tell each member of the family to do the same each of them sending their photographs. They are all of the [?them] I believe in my trunk be sure to send them yourself if they you will not for I want them very bad and would like to have some just struck if possible but any will do. Be sure to send them by the first mail wrap the carefully that they may not get soiled. I have not any answers to some letters that was mailed at Summit in this state yet but send yours to Brookhaven Lincoln County Mississippi. Give all interesting information known concerning friends, relatives and sweethearts would like to know how Araza [brother-in-law Hall] came out with his Horse drive (broke of course) and how he and Ellen [sister] are getting along and what Sam is going to do this year. [Alraza Hall and Ellen married March 27, 1870 Coryell Co] Tell him to write to me immediately and let me know what [he] thinks of the way that I have treated him but is the very best that I could do. There was one letter came to the office for me but Billy Mc? took out and sent to me but the man that had it got drunk and lost it, so you may write all that has happened since I left. This leaves me in fine health wishing you all the same. I will close goodbye Your brother Fred Grimes Brookhaven Lincoln County Miss ======== Beauregard Miss Feb 14, 1874 Dear Sister, This morning I seat myself at the desk to write you a few lines. This leaves me enjoying fine health and in good spirits being surrounded by a group of nice persons Friends I will say for they are as kind to me as if I were a relative. The Gentleman is Mr. C.W. Ford of Alabama and he has but quite a small? family of his own but has living with him his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Mrs. John (Zohn?). Tori is the young man's name and his widowed sister who is remarkable handsome and is quite intelligent. Likewise is Mr. John equally interesting. He talks of coming home with me if [I] return. If he does you must set your cap for him. He is quite handsome, you will think. This is the greatest place for parties in the world I think and with the prettiest young Ladies that lived on earth. I have not as yet fell in love with any of but fear that it will be case soon as you wrote such bad news to me in your last letter as it not one of your jokes Bettie if I though tit would be of any use I would come to her. I will send her a Valentine anyhow and when you see her she will doubtless show it you. But stop this nonsense and get to something that is interesting. Since my arrival here I have had the pleasure of forming the acquaintance of quite a number of nice young ladies. Some of the remarkably handsome but they are not any above the Texas girls for they are hard to beat in good looks you know especially those that live at Oak grove. How are they both of them either of them married yet or are they going to marry soon that you know of you said in your letter that there had been several weddings among my friends who are they and who did they marry and when and did you and Sallie attend any of their weddings. If so what fortune did you have and write me the name of your sweetheart if good looking and when you will get married and I will come home to your wedding and perhaps bring my intended with me. Of course not until we are married but then I don't know but what I like my Texas Flower the best and may come after her. do you think she would like to come to Miss to live or not as I have come to the conclusion that this is a very good country to live in it may be that it will be my home the remainder of Life yet I do not know yet. I will at least remain here one year yet and then perhaps come back. Why not stay here as well as any other if I am doing well and to be sure I am but then the thought of being a part from all kindred is somewhat trying if time would admit I would write another sheet. Forward all letter of mine that come to me from Sam Baugh or anyone else for the present. Will close my letter, Bettie, goodby. Frederick =========== Beauregard Miss March 20, 1874 Dear Bettie, Your letter of Feb 18th inst has come to hand after an elapse of several weeks indeed it seems like a life time almost that anyone has to await an answer after writing to any of you and it is a painful thought. I have wrote several letter and have not received any answer to them. Is it possible that they have forgotten me. It looks very much like they have all but yourself and that you are growing very tired of corresponding or you would not be so negligent about writing to me. The thought is it might be better all to stop writing or else be more punctual in answering letters they receive for when I receive a letter the first thing is to write an answer and post it in the Office immediately and you have certainly forgotten all that you ever knew about Penmanship as it is almost impossible to read your letters. They are so very badly stained with Ink and then you write such short letters too. you should get some larger paper or else fill three of them and give all the news in general. Now then to your inquiry as to coming home it is least my thoughts for as you sayit would be only a useless trip and a very foolish one for I am certain that I am doing as well if not better here than at Home or anywhere else for in fact this is the most agreeable place to live in the world and the longer I stay here the better pleased with the country and people am perfectly contented stay here for a while if not always but will return this Fall and make satisfaction to those to whom I am indebted to. No one shall lose anything as I will pay what little I owe and because it is just that it should be paid could pay it now if at home but will not wish to send it but of course nobody is uneasy about it but they may need it. Some time ago you wrote something about a Law suit between Pa and Mary what was it about and how did it terminate. You merely said Pa had gone to court to attend to it. But as to marrying soon now that is coming to the ____ing point of the Business and you need not be surprised at any time to hear of it in truth for there is so many charming young Ladies here that anybody could not help trying to marry. Some are worth at least ten thousand and have good qualities besides and are very pretty with all. Could anyone be blamed for marrying if they had an opportunity but now that I am 24 twenty four years old and have not the face to ask one to marry me, it is likely that I will live single all my life as marrying is in my estimation is poor business. Don't you never take the step unless you are satisfied that you are helping your condition in life. Do not think it , know it to be a fact. It is better to be a happy old maid than a miserable wife as many are under the very best circumstances and the unfortunate who are deceived in marriage and are cooped in some small house and with naught but what they labor for daily, they certainly in a worse condition than when single. Take my advice, live single throughout your entire life or better your circumstances if otherwise but your own sense must guide you. You would not believe it if anyone was to tell you of my faults in your sweetheart if you have any which is very doubtful as you never afford me. You cautioned me not to get in the habit of drinking. Do you think it likely that I will assume the name of a drunkard because others do. If so you are badly mistaken in your surmise for above all abominable acts getting drunk is the worst of all. Do not give yourself any uneasiness in that respect as I assure you it has been at least six months since having tasted the above mentioned and will be longer still before I expect to again. You wrote that Henry Baugh had completely thrown off all gentlemanly principles and got drunk and ran away which is doubtless a good ting for he certainly was only a disgrace to the family and it certainly was very grievous for his parents to think of as his father is so very temperate and so bitterly opposed to intemperance. Has Henry left the state for a fact or has he only got an Bend and just gone off for short time. If he has contracted such a habit of drinking as you say he has he ought to leave and never return as he is quite a worthless object and any country or community is better off without than with him is all I will say but would like to get that Sixty dollars he is owing me. Poor H. Joy go with him and Peace be behind him is my Pray. Bettie I wish you would have your photograph taken and send it to me. It would afford great pleasure indeed. Can you not do it. Tell all of them to do the same for my sake if not otherwise. I am sure they will do it if they can. I will send mine to you soon and let you see if there is any change in appearance if not no there will be before you all will see me again when you see me you will not know me that is all of it there is no young Ladies living at home but the family have any amount of female relatives and of course I see them very often and claim the Privilege of sparking their desires and have quite a nice time sometimes but this is nothing for my mind looms in another direction toward Oak grove. Have you seen Her lately, if so how is she. Well to b hoped and the Dearest creature on Earth for a fact woudl give the world to just see her and talk one half an hour. Well time will do many things and it will bring me to Texas in less than a year and you may ___ the Balance. I wish I had more paper to write on but you see how it is. Give my love to all. Goodby Bettie Frederick Grimes ======== Beauregard Miss Nov 15, 1874 Dear Sister, I received yours of Oct 20 late last night and will respond as early as five this morning. This leaves me well and I trust it may find you all equally blessed. As I have nothing of interest to communicate my letter will of course be but a few lines. Times are hard in this State. Money very hard to get hold of and consequently I have not yet collected all that is due me here and have at this time three horses on hand which I chanced to sell to insolvent men and the only chance to get any thing at all was to get the stock and sell them again but there is the trouble to sell anything here for cash is the hardest thing to do imaginable at any price but by waiting anyone can sell at his own figures but this doesn't suit us I would like to visit my native state soon and the Girl I left behind and which I will do before anyone is aware of it. Bettie has you have joined the Church of course you do not take much interest in Parties. But I have not quite lost my taste for dancing yet. On last Tuesday evening I attended a very nice party and enjoyed myself very well, it being the first I since last written but of course when I return I will have a gay time with the Girls generally especially with E. of the Grove. Bettie I most assuredly love her for the first one. You must write all about her in your answer to this. Tell I wrote to you to know if she was still single and you may if you can find out when we will marry (last 3 words underlines). Bettie you know that have all of your pictures but your, Annies and Elmiras you out to send them but you will get soon that has just been taken be sure to do it, Bettie if you not I never will forgive for not doing it. You must write soon to your absent Brother Fred M. Grimes Beauregard Miss ========= [note: Bettie married George Wren Acree Dec 16, 1874 at her parents home in Coryell Co] Beauregard Miss Dec 15, 74 Dear sister, I write you this morning although I am not due you a letter but to let you know that I think that you have somewhat negligent of our correspondence as it has been some time since my last to and as yet no response but it is to be presumed that you to devote your interests to your charming Lover as I am told he is so fine looking I can in no wise upbraid you but you will know how it is that we can not help thinking that you might have spent ten minutes in writing to an absent Brother Bettie. I have been reliable informed that you are soon to be married (underlined twice) as yet I can not learn who to. Give me all events will say you must be very cautions or you ought to be ___ as you remember it is not for a day only but for life absolutely give all that would be said would have but little affect nor would I wish to say any thing against any of my sisters entering in or taking the responsibilities of a wife but would be happy to see all when married (underlined) do well and be supremely happy. But remember that this is greatest topic of life and of missed Eternal misery is sure to follow you had better think seriously before you take the step for once and forever *remember that you are surely doing very well and you ought to be very certain that you are doing for yourself something more than anyone else can do for you * (all underlined). Well that will of course gave my sentiments as full remember I do not oppose it in the least and am coming home soon to with you once more for a few days. By the time this comes to hand I shall have fully arrange my affairs so as to return by the first of January anyhow if not sooner. I saw Genny ? McDowell and she of course could tell all the news from here and seemed to be very happy to get to Miss but for my part will be very happy get away you may depend that I will get home by the time above mentioned if not sooner. Will you all be glad to see me or not . yes of course you will. For the present I will come to a close with this blotted sheet. By Bye I remain your brother F.M. Grimes Beauregard Miss File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/tx/coryell/history/letters/grimesfr71gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/txfiles/ File size: 16.8 Kb