Harrison Co. TX - Jesse Grimes Letters #### Letter # 93 Tuesday Morning May 19, 1857 Jesse, This will be handed you by one who has lately rose from the dead, you have been informed by letter that death was watching him closely. You have seen the widow and orphans which was a further proof of the demise of the bearer of this paper. Yet when you see him you will see that the process of death and resurrection has made but little change. He will inform you the nature of his mission here on earth and then you can judge for yourself which of the great rullins of mans destiny in the future state has sent him there to disturb the peace and happiness of woman. The last of April I wrote you a long letter giving you all the news informing you that we had no crops here, during the three first days of this month there fell enough of rain to do plentifully three years. The damage done to our lands was very great and there had been a crop on it that too would have been ruined. Since then the weather has been warm and favorable and crops may now take a start. My largest corn is about half leg high. I have had roasting ears in much less time than since I planted my first. My best cotton has 7 or 8 leaves and dont look healthy. My prospect is equal to that of my neighbors, so I will not complain. Corn is scarce and readily commands a dollar per bushel. The corn crop being to plant over several times and held back by the late cold Spring will operate severely on many families that are without bread, money and credit. I have already heard complaints of corn stealing. I expect to hear of a good deal before corn can be used from the field. I returned this day week from James Grimes, found all well his health is better than for some two years past yet he is troubled with a dry cough that he has had many years and grows worse by age. There is no cure for such coughs, he is very well satisfied at Jesses visit to you and Texas and would be willing for him to remain there if he wishes to do so. I saw many farms while I was up the country and the same causes have operated there against crops & land that has here. I have been hearing several times since my return that old John Koin was about to peg out. If he goes there will be as many glad hearts as sorrowful. At the time I wrote last there was some cases of chills & fever around me. I hope the few warm days we have had has routed them to parts unknown and that there visits may be less frequent than of late years. The doctors of this country is making double as much money as the lawyears and yet they thrive but slowly, this may be from an over stock of that trade. Williams Smith & wife are gone to Mobile to get doctor Knott to perform a surgical operation. The old mans rectum is too long by about a feet. The doctor is to take off the surplus and Polly may wish it engrafted on another part to preserve it. They have been gone ten days not heard from them. He has long been troubled with this elongations of the annus, if the doctor trims it close & preserves a free and easy passage, I hope to hear no more complaint from that source. The candidates for Texas seem more afflicted than any body else. George Dunbar is as dry as jerked beef, he scarcly makes a shadow he is so thin, his wifes head is nearly eat up by cancer. If either gets to Texas, they must improve a good deal in appearance. Jim Worsham has sent his wife to a new doctor to see if he can preserve the sparks of life that yet remains in her body. I imagine she favors Adam when he was a lifeless lump of clay with a fair prospect of soon becoming as cold. This year (August) is the time for electing a Governor for this State , a member to Congress and County Representative, Sheriff & Sun dry other officers. Not much said about the election & but few candidates up yet nevertheless I think we will have a lively time about the winding up of the campaign. Since I commenced writing Albert informed me that he does not expect to pass through your county. In that event Uncle Sam will send this to you. And you will not see the expected bearer. Wm. Grimes Added to bottom of Letter: Cousin Jesse, Papa has left a space for me to say a few works to you in, but as he has said everything that I could say you can just read his if Uncle Jesse is willing. I recd. a letter from you a few days agoand as I expect another soon I will not write any more until then. W. S. Grimes This has an attachment that appears to be an address: Recd. 25 May Jesse Grimes, Esq. Grimes County Texas ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Betty Grimes ___________________________________________________________________