Navarro County Texas Archives History - Letters .....Hall, Ellen Grimes To Grimes, F.M. 1882 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/txfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Virginia Crilley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00003.html#0000642 November 27, 2007, 3:36 pm Dec 20, 1882 Corsicana Texas Frot, Barry & Lee, Lawyers Received of : Rolley Hightower $228 - payment on 152 acres of land conveyed to him by B.T. Barry, agent of A. Hall and wife. Part of Fred Grimes survey in Navarro Co. [Aralza Hall, wife of Nancy Ellen Grimes, daughter of Fred & Elmira S. Grimes. She had been given this 152 acres] [Rolley Hightower was father of Lydia, F.M. Grimes' wife] Postmark Mar 1888 5pm Corsicana (Postal Card addressed to Fred Grimes, Blooming Grove, Navarro Co TX) Dear Fred, Your kind card to hand toady. Glad to hear from you. No doubt you have heard that we have a new Girl. She was born the 2.16.88 Its' weight was 9 1/2 lbs. It is a very hearty. Ellen has had quite a serious time but she is improving slowly. The Doctor says she must not attempt to get out of bed for 2-3 weeks yet. [Ruth Helena Hall] I needn't mentin its been raining & is extremely dull. I hear the butcher complaining that good beeves are scarce. Myself and Elmira [daughter born Sept 7, 1872] are well. My regards to all. A. Hall 3-8-88 [Note: Their son Aralza Wyatt Hall born June 18, 1875 died Jan 8, 1880 and is buried in Old First Cemetery, Waco, Tx] ============= McGregor Sept 15, 1896 Mr. Fred Grimes Dear Uncle, I thought I would write a few lines and see how you and the sheriff's office were getting along.[F.M. Grimes ran for Sheriff but was not elected] We have been trying it out here in McGregor but would much rather run the ranch for you provided there is no one ahead of us. And of course, we mean if you get elected. Times are dull everywhere, I think. Bill has just been at work out here with the expectation of getting to run the ranch next year for you if you want him. We are all very well and all the kinsfolk that I know of. Let us hear from you right soon and let us know what the prospects are for getting the ranch. How are Aunt Lydia and the children getting along and do they like the idea of moving to town. Well, I will close with love to all, Your niece, Nellie Ricker McGregor ============================= Corsicana Tex Oct 23, 1905 Mr. Carle Grimes Blooming Grove Texas Dear Cousin: As I have not heard from you, I thought I would write you a few lines. Why didn't you all come to the show? We had the best time. Say are there any doves and ducks out there now? Write me a long letter right away for if you have nothing to do, I thought I would come out there next Friday eveing, Oct 27th on the 4:52 train and I will come even if the train is late. Now be sure and tell me if you have anything to do for I want to come especially to hung. Now don't fail to answer my letter so that I may know whether you all or sick or not and so that I may know whether I can come or not. We are all well at present. Grandpa (Uncle Ralza) has come home but is going back very soon. Well I will close for this time. So Good-Bye, Your Cousin, Rupert Ricker [Son of Nellie and William A. Ricker born Dec 19, 1889] P.S. You will have to answer very soon in order for me to get the letter. Be sure to meet me at the train. [prior to Jan 7 1907] My dear Aunt, Carl is a might(y) sick boy. The gowns you sent will not do. They want something soft. I have sent 6 soft night shirts, 7 sheets, 6 pillowcases. The nurse wants more of all. If you make shirts make them out of 5 cent domestic bleached and wash them and lots of old rags. I sent 7 quits and they have had to get more things. They are having to buy eggs so if you could send a few eggs (it takes about 4 a day for him) and a few frying chickens it would be a good thing for they have to pay more for them than you could get. We have all been vaccinated. I am afraid we are going to be sick. We laid in the barn all yesterday eve until 6pm while they were fumigating the house. The fumes are not entirely out yet. We had to sleep with all doors & windows open to get our breath, but thank the good Lord we are getting along as well as we are. I am sitting down everything I have bought so when I see you all I can tell you how it is. I have plenty of money for a while. They have agreed to do their own cooking so I bought $5.05 worth of groceries this morning and told them if they wanted more just to start a bill there at Kur & Sewell. Aunt Lydia you can't have any idea what this is going to cost you. If you get out on $50.00 a day you will be doing very well. It is something awful, but can't be helped. I am very much afraid that Carl willnever pull through. I am going to Mamas to stay a few days. They want the phone put in over at the nurses because they may need it just any time in the night or day. I do wish you could come and spend a day. I would like to talk to you but if you can't of course it is all right. I told the nurse I would pay for all little things so as not to have so many bill scattered around. I have plenty of money yet. Hope that all of your vaccinations will take. Loving Nellie I will drop you a card every few days. The Dr has just left (4pm) and says he is doing very well. Thinks he will pull through. [Carl died of smallpox Jan 7, 1907. He had been exhibiting his Red Island Reds at the Corsicana fair] ==== Jan 20th 1907 Corsicana, Tx Dear Fred, This leaves us all well as common. the last we heard of Bill & Nell [daughter Nell married to William A. Ricker] they had passed San Angelo expected to get to Bud's last Friday [Bud was Ellis A. Bean, husband of Sallie Grimes Bean - sister to Nell's mother, Ellen Grimes Hall] The smallpox has broke out in 3 different houses on the block & adjoining block of Nellie's old place. There is one case in two blocks of us and one more 4 blocks away. Fred that old Negroa has been here twice wanting to know about her pay and Dr. Miller hailed me. Said the Negro had been worrying his family hunting him in regards to her pay. Says you certainly forgot it he says it was 6 days you owe her for at the rate of 15 per week would make it $12.80. I wil lnot bee? her Fred so I could not tend to it & I do not remember the old Negros name. She lives in Nolenville on south east corner of the block west of Mrs. Blomrose Store. Ellen wrote to Nellie in regards to Carl's knife they have said nothing about it. So far they have only been writing few lines on postals. Fred I found you hich rein in buggy nd mailed it to you. Hope you got it ok. Hope this will find all well. Truly yours, A. Hall Mond 21st Mr. Berry was here yest he says Mrs. Boyett paid the Negro for wahing for her the day the negro came back So it would leave only 5 days. Mrs. Berry was up one day & saw Ellen he says he hopes you will kindly call on him & stall all night with him sometime He is work at ice factory. Bill & Nelly got to their land [Big Spring] last Thursday OK. All well. ============================= Corsicana Texas October 12th 1913 Mrs. Fred Grimes and family. Blooming Grove, Texas Yours of recent date to hand the day before the Show. I thought sure some of your family would come to Show day but none showed up. I haven't gotten a letter any of the folks west for 10 or 12 months of the connection on wife side, I received letter from Bro U.N. Hall 12 or 15 days ago from Portala, N M. stating his oldest daughter Iver? Brown was had been operated on for appendicitis and had been doing well after operation but had taken pneumonia and later he wrote me she was dead. Leaves two children. One only 2 months old. Yes, we are still working with the greater Eastern but are liable to quit feed is so high. It takes about all our profits to feed old blind coley but I see nothing better in sight as my mind, hearing and general bad health is so I cannot do anything else. I got out 5 weeks ago today, Sunday morning and sowed turnips and by being the earliest I have sold about 4 dollars worth but the price has dropped out as well as there is no demand now for nearly everybody has a good turnip patch. We have a pig but my neighbors either has chickens or hogs or both or their slop was engaged before I got my pig so he is costing me 12 cents per day and not taken on more than one pound per day, so I am loosen on him about 3 cents per day. I have been wanting to come out and get me a mess of ducks and quail but most afraid to try it. I went our Friday Evn and brought Mable [Ricker, granddaughter] in and she cashed her check $40 and I taken her back yesterday. You tell Imogene [Grimes graduated 1914 Frost High School] to get up and go on to school. She will win if she will go and try. And if she don't in later years she will wish she had. Her teacher told Mable Imogene could graduate this session if she would come and try. I am ashamed we have not yet answered Earl's wifes letter. I certainly think she is a fine girl and worthy of Earl and I know he will treat her right and has has ambition and will win. Come to see us. From Sister and Bro A and N.E. Hall ======================== Corsicana, TX April 19, 1914 Mrs. Liddie Grimes and family, Yours of recent date promptly to hand and I cannot find it. I may not answer your questions fully. We certainly glad to get your letter and to know your own family were all well. Sorry your papa [Raleigh "Rolly" Hightower] was not doing as well as usual. Hope he has recovered by this time. Hope you will have good luck with your chickens. I am most tempted to run out for dinner. I know you would find one that would do to fry. Glad your spectacles were O.K. I have been more than amply paid for them. Chester [Barnes]had fever 2 or 3 days, but is up O.K. You spoke of Nellie's writing. She simply sends a check for Ten dollars and about all she write is, "I hope you are both well, your loving daughter." Rupert was up from Austin,[U of Texas] Tuesday. Come up to in the buggy. Stayed about one minute, went back to Austin that same night. He said his object was to get a certificate of graduation from the High School here they they would not give him a certificate there if he did not get one from the High School here. He said he would get it here all right. Yes, Liddy, I have a very nice garden. Have had plenty of radishes and lettuce for 10 or 15 days. However Ellen and Ruth and family will not eat them because I mixed a little Paris green with brand sweetened it and scattered it in garden to kill cutworms and it sure got a many a one the first night, but the next night it rained hard all night and washed it all away. That was about a month or more ago. I have been giving 5 or 6 families lettuce telling them of the poison. It has not killed any of them. I eat them all the time myself. I had a big mess lettuce friend today. Ruth told Ellen if they didn't hurt me today she was going to go to using them. It is all foolishnes to think they are poison but that don't convince Ellen. We have had some terrible heavy beating rains since I sowed the Paris green. Now if you will use them I will send you a big mess of radishes and lettuce by parcel. Drop me a card and let me know at once. I am willing to stand prosecution if they hurt anyone of your whole family. Hope this will find yourself, Fred and children all well. Highest regards to your Pa and family, A & N.E. Hall ============= Sunday Corsicana, Texas 5th 2nd 1914 Sister Liddie, I got Mr. Linsey to phone you this morning to see how Bro Fred was. I was glad to learn he was some better. Hope he will soon be up. When you want to phone us call Mr. Linsey. I expected the lettuce would wilt some. If you could get it from the post office when it first comes of a morning, it would be so much better. Let me know of a morning when you would like for lettuce to go out that evening. I shipped John about 125 tomato plants . Next time after shipping your lettuce, tell Minsey to let me know if they got there in any condition to set out. If not I will try to take more pains in packing and ship him some more. It do look like some of the girls could run down of a morning. They could go back that evening if necessary. I have been suffering more with my head and ears for the last 2 or 3 days, but think I will be O.K. in a day or two. Liddie, I know you must be about give out but I hope you will be able to keep up but you must force yourself to rest and to sleep. I am afraid some of your tank dams have broken. I told Ellis when I was there they had better take mules and plow and widen wasteway as that would be easy done. Ruth [Hall Barnes] is quite unwell tho not confined to bed. Well, I will have to hold this to get an envelope tomorrow. Keep us posted and should it be necessary we will come. Tell Fred I am glad he is doing well and hope he will soon be up all right. Regard and love to all, Aralza Hall ------------ 5th [May] 4th 1914 4:30pm Trust Fred is doing well. Ellen has been trying to get you by phone but could get no farther than Frost. All Well, A. Hall ================================ December 29, 1925 My Dear Sister, Will try to answer your letter. It is the first I have got since I came home from Big Spring.[Daughter moved to Big Spring] Daphane* and Omar Pitman were married Christmas Day. She lives in Big Springs. It is so lonesome for me since Daphane married. As soon as the weather gets warm I will come to you. Nellie + is not in Big Springs now. She has gone off for her health. The Doctor told her she could not live in that high climate. Mable is in Neld Gash (?) I had a letter from Sister Betty [Grimes Acree] . She did not say anything about the other sisters. I hope you will answer this as soon as you get it. Maybe I may get your letter. I can't see why your letters can't come. I hope you will get this one. Lots of love from your Sister, N.E. Hall (Nancy Ellen Hall) *Daphane was the daughter of Ellen's daughter, Ruth who married Chester Barnes + Nellie her first daughter, the mother of Rupert Ricker ^ Mable is Nellie's daughter, Rupert's sister Mother used to tell the story that when Aunt Ellen caught the train she would get up an be dressed with her hat on at the crack of dawn for fear she would miss the train! ========== August 1933 Dear Imogene, We were so surprised to get the card announcing the arrival of your little son. We are glad for you and Claud and hop ehe makes a fine man and we know he will be a great pleasure and blessing to you both. [Joe David Ruffin born Aug 23, 1933] Rupert & his new wife, have a new boy, "Prince" born Aug 30 - McKinny, Texas and my girlie Daphne has a 9 pound boy, "Omar Jr" who arrived Aug 26 so we had quite an eventful week in our family. Merritt has been quite sick for the past two weeks, but is a lot better now. Mama is fine and live with me at the Rix Funeral Home where I am the assistant. Once again we congratulate you both and the best of luck to little Joe David. Love Ruth Barnes Box 172 Big Spring, Texas We think often of the lovely day with you & Claude ======= Date and 1st page missing Letter to Lydia Grimes probably around 1938 ....and take care of hger. You know what a life the poor old thing has led. Will you please go to the Cemetery and find out the date Grandpa and Grandma [F.M. & Elmira S. Grimes] died. I know he died in December [12/19/1889] and she died in August. [8/19/1881]. A man from Houston has written me. He is getting up a book of all the old Mexican War veterans and wants to know. This will be nice for our children and grandchildren. It probably ill be in form of a history. We promised Mother when she came out here when she passed away we would take her back and put her beside Father. She may out live me, but I am afraid she will not be with us another year. [died Dec 28, 1941] unless I could have her and take care of her. Write her when you can. I saw in the papers that Frank Simpson died. This was some time ago. Did you know Kingmans was dead and buried in New Mexico. I heard Johny B. Jones was dead. If ever I get out that way I'll see you and maybe some of my old schoolmates. Where is Mary now, Fred, Ellis of course I see Earl & Vivian once in a while. Mr. Ricker has been dead four years. [Dec 10, 1932] Time sure flies. Where do you stay when you are in Marlin. [Lydia "took the waters" in Marlin -- known for their mineral baths] I am thinking about going down about Feb 1. You better get Mary or someone to answer this letter it is so full of questions. Your niece, Mrs. W. A. Ricker Box 306 [Nellie Hall Ricker] File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/tx/navarro/history/letters/hallelle44gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/txfiles/ File size: 13.4 Kb