Letter written by Henry Ebenezer MacDonald - Harris County Texas

John Hendry <john@thehendrys.freeserve.co.uk> 13 May 2001
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Transcript of a letter from Henry E. MacDonald of Houston, Texas, to his 
brother Roderick in Melbourne, Australia.

Houston Texas
Jan 30th 1905
My Dear Roderick
		Your kind letter of Nov 27th received & I assure you that 
I was glad to hear all the good news, especially the good news of good health.  
We at this writing are so far doing very well.  Georgianna is getting along 
all right.  You must have had a good time when Robert arrived home.  It is 
allways the same when one of the family is away for a long time, and especially 
in a foreing land.  I hope he will do well in New Zealand and may enjoy many 
Happy and Prosperous Years, both to himself and young wife.  I received a 
letter 3 days ago from Alick, the first in nearly a year.  He also sent me 
views of Inverness, also the guide to “Islay”.  I assure you that I was glad 
to get them.  They put me in mind of olden times.
Alick’s letter is dated Jany 9th.  He gives bad account of the hard times in 
Glasgow.  He says on the Clyde hardly nothing is doing for the last 3 years.  
Trade has been very bad since the war stopped in Africa.  He says people are 
starving on the streets.  The people’s effects are sold out for rent & taxes.  
He says there is a little better prospects since the year came in but will 
take a long time before they all get a start.  He says he received a letter 
from you.
I hope the Mexican Plant will grow just to see what it is.  We have had a 
very cold spell - (Line missing from bottom of page)

Page 2

(Line missing from top of page?) - occupation was and I forget whether I ever 
told you so or not.  Well my occupation is a Machinist.  I worked myself up 
to that when I came to Houston in 1872 with the Houston and Texas Centrall.  
Of course I had freinds to help me along.  My work on locomotives is what 
they call Steam Pipe work, that part of the work that gives steam to move the 
Engine.  It is very particular work as there must be no leak in any of the 
many joints that are made.  It is also very heavy work.  I have a helper, 
MacNeill from Motherwell, Glasgow, who is only from there 1 year.  We get 
along all right.
There is plenty of work in the Shops but the bussiness of the Road is falling 
off.  Other Roads are laying off hands in Shops and other departments and we 
look for a cut down tomorrow night the last of the month.
I received a New Year card from Rod Findlay but no letter.  Well it is my own 
fault.  I did not answer his last letter but will write this week or next.  
It is a hard thing for me to start writting but when I do I do not mind it.  
Now Roderick, I beleive I give you all the news for this time.  More next time.  
Wishing you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year
				I remain Your Affectionate
				Brother		Henry
Be sure and write soon  send some New Zealand papers.  Like to read them as well as Melbourne
		Good by for this time