Letter written by Henry Ebenezer MacDonald - Harris County Texas John Hendry 13 May 2001 ************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ************************************************************************** Transcript of a letter from Henry E. MacDonald of Houston, Texas, to his brother Roderick in Melbourne, Australia. Houston Texas Feby 2nd 1903 My Dear Roderick Your letter of Dec 1st received, also Postal Card - Macdonald “With Hands Across the Sea”. I thank you kindly for it. I sent it to Dr Blair to be presented at the Caledonian Gathering last Thursday night as I was not able to be present on account of sickness at home. Georgiana has been very sick and Annie is not well herself owing to her being waiting on Georgiana night and day. Georgia is a little better today but very weak. I received a letter from Rod Findlay Dec 20th. They were all well. I received a Christmas greeting from Bro. Alick and several papers but no letters. I think he must have wrote and that the letter was burned up in a car load of mail from New York to San Francisco which passes through Houston. It was burned in the Middle States. I am sorry to hear of the drought and the suffering thereby but I hope that it will not continue very long. These things last but a little time. Probably may not see it again in your life time. Down in Texas we had no cold weather so far, comparitively speaking. We had a very light frost but no ice. It would be better if it was ice for then we would not have so much sickness. Page 2 I see by your letter that you yourself had a great deal of sickness. I am sorry to hear it, as I have had plenty of it since I am in Texas, though for myself I cannot ????? - I can feel for you all, and glad to hear that when you wrote were getting along nicely. I am sorry to hear the bad news from Australia. I hope it may not be of long duration. We are still working overtime in the Shops here, though I have not worked any last month but this month my time will come. I do not want it 10 Hours is plenty for me. Roderick inclosed I send you the address of -- Henry Stott Fitzroy Street Fitzroy Melbourne Cabanite Manufacturer from A. Stott #1914 Decantar Street, Houston, Texas A. Stott is from Manchester Ingland and I have known him in H and T. C. RRd since 1873. He lost the run of him. If you can find anything about him let me know, A. Stott is a machinist though not rich is able to live. Now Roderick will close with love to you all from Your Affectionate Brother Henry E. Macdonald Be sure & send me papers with pictures of Australia and do not forget to write soon, never mind me in not writing you all the time. (I do not forget you)