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 Heights July 2d 1906 My Dear Roderick It is with sorrow that I received the news first through you of the death of our dear brother Alic. A. J. Macdonald wrote the same as you, that Alic was very sick. As soon as I received his letter I wrote Alic & at the same time you & A. J. McD. I had no idea that he was so very low. I was going to write in answer to your letter, but was waiting for some news from Rebecca which never came, nor any answer from “A. J. McD.” (he gave me his address). At last I received last week the news of Rebecca’s death from Mrs MacLeod There is something strange about that that she should die so soon after, as I never heard of her been very sick. Well Roderick, such is life. We never know when our turn comes next, as you say. Let us be prepared. Mrs MacLeod delayed in writing as she thought that “A. J. McD.” wrote, as she said he would. I received Mrs MacLeod’s letter last week but gives no cause of her, Rebecca’s, death. She was much upset & especially that Mrs Gillies would find my letter. Aleck seems to be better off than I thought. Mrs MacLeod says he had when he died £147 in Savings Bank and more in Commercial Bank or in House but they say “£147 is all”. Alic made a will to Rebecca, no witnesses to it and no ammount stated. Page 2 The lawer Mr Watson of St Vincent Street has the bank book & is to pay all expenses. She say’s she does not see how they can get the remainder without our sanction. Rebecca was not buried in Craigton with Alic but in Mrs Gillies lot. She got a lot of Fathers books pictures and the old clock. She had not much time to look over them, but everything of value they took care to keep out. Now Roderick it certainly did not cost for funeral expenses £147, and I do not think it is right to let strangers have the balance of the money. What say you. I hope to hear from you soon in regard to this. I received the “Messenger” all OK. I read in the Messenger what a good time you had. I am glad to hear of good times over there. We have very good times in Texas but we need rain. We had but two showers this year and it is very hot. I am glad to hear that you are all enjoying good health. That is the main thing to have good health. I am much better than I have been. The vomiting of blood has stopped, but my knees hurts. Annie is middling this hot weather. No reports of Yellow Fever this year so far. Georgianna & Louis are fairly well. I will now conclude with kindest regards to all from you Brother Henry Ps. Write soon & let me know what can be done with what money Aleck left if any. I am writing to Mrs MacLeod today.