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 May 7th 1904 My Roderick Your very kind letter of Feby 7th received. Also the New Zealand paper, for which I return thanks. Also paper’s giving account of the storm. I am sorry to learn of the severe accident that happened to you. You must have had a very narrow escape. I hope by this time your eye will be all right . It is a terrible thing to loose a eye. The other day in our Shop a man got struck in the eye with a rivet head and knocked it clean out. I am glad to hear that all of you are well when you wrote and hope that you may all continue so. We are doing very well just now all but Georgiana. She is far from well but improving. We have very wet weather just now, too much, it all comes at once. It will ruin crops if it does not hold up soon. There was a heavy hail storm also, in some parts of Texas. Last four coaches & sleeppers on the Southern Pacific went by here with every window knocked out, like if (Jeeps??) fired into them. The Government is working in earnest trying to kill the Boll Weevel. The Weevil destroys the Cotton plant just before it opens and kills the flower. You will see an account of it in the papers I send. In last paper I sent was the flower of the Mexican Tree of which I sent some seeds in the paper before. Did you get them? I have had no letter from Alick in a long time. I get papers very regular. I was thinking as to who Georgiana McLeod was. Was Georgiana Page 2 the oldest. If so, I recollect her well for I and her went to gather potatoes in the feild. In regard to my name all that I know and recollect is Henry was given me from the son of a minister in Inverness. I do not know his name though I heard of it. (or maybe for the Minister) I see you had a great time at the unveilling of the statue of Bobby Burns. We had quite a treat down South in “Dixie” in Texas when the Gordon Highlanders came to see us. That day it rained nearly all day. It poured down untill the street cars could not run, but towards night it slacked up, and the cars were able to run. The House was crowded and the only vacant seats were paid for, [for] owing to the weather, those who bought the tickets could not come. They were a fine lot men dressed in full Highland Custom. It was something new to the girls and women of Houston to talk about, as they never seen so many at one time in their life. It was sure fine when the “Standard on the Braes of Mar” was sung. It was cheered so you could not hear anything. A great many people that I knew give a smiled look at me when the verse “Macdonald men etc”. The whole performance was sure fine. I am glad to hear of my nephews, how they are Marching up the Hill of Progress. I sincerely hope they will continue so and be a blessing to themselves and others. Louis is working in the same Shop and getting allong all right. Now Roderick I will close for this time as it is getting late. With love from all to all. I remain your Affectionate Brother Henry Be sure and write soon - I like the New Zealand papers