Hill County TX letter about Hillsboro in 1903 From: Barbara Brinkley Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ------------------------------------------------ I have a typewritten copy of a letter written from my husband's grandfather to his sister that was written in 1903 and talks about Hillsboro at the time.I thought it might be interesting reading for people researching Hill Co TX Copy of handwritten letter from John Franklin Brinkley to his sister-Ollie Brinkley McCann (copied as written-spelling and all) Hillsburro Texas Dec 20 1903 519 North East Franklen Mrs Ollie McCann Dear Sister, A few lines to let you know we are all well and I hope these few lines will find you all well.I am working on the Section at 1.25 a day.We live one mile from the Square in a 4 roome house with a galry.It is sealed overhead and paperd.I pay $5 a month rent for it and 80 cts for water.wood cost 44 a cord and coal $8 a ton.It is cold up here we have icee every night and nearly I have payed $7 for wood and coal all ready.This is a helthy place I think.wood sold last winter for $12 a cord and stove wood for $19 a cord.People burn up a lot of fence and out houses last winter.cotton is selling for 191/2 to 131/2 now. I will tell you a little about Hillsboro.We have 18 thousand inhabatence.3 banks 1 oil mill 1 cloth mill 1 electric light plant 1 ice plant 2 fllour mills 4 gins 3 railroads and 3 steam laundry and they make cloth here and make it into close and sell them in Hillsboro 1 tan yard.Hillsboro is a up to date town 1 compresr.Hillsboro is sort on hogs any sort of a shoat sells for $5 and to $10.I wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.I remain as ever your Brother J F Brinkley He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad in Hillsboro,later transferring to Brownwood,Brown Co TX. I would be interested in knowing if this address of 519 North East Franlen/Franklin is still there Thans Barbara Brinkley