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"The Howard-Smith Collection"

Transcription copyright: 1998, by Mrs. F. A. Augsbury; all rights reserved.
The originals are at the McClung Library in Knoxville.

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To: C. J. McKinney
From: Fannie McKinney
----------------------------

                                                      At Home Feb 15th /66

My dear Father
    I intended writing you several days since but thought it best to wait a
few days-until those articles arrived-which you sent.  I went down to the
river on Tuesday and the basket had just arrived  Accept many many thanks
for them.  I was delighted with everything and could not have been better
suited.  I think my cloak is beautiful and in perfect taste  I knew my dear
Papa had better taste than anybody long ago.

    We all want to see you so much so write us when you are coming home.
The time seems so long-and we do not see anything in regard to adjournment
in the newspapers-Mother got dreadfully distressed about you last
night-and-was certain you were sick, because you had not said in the last
two letters we had received-whether you were well or not.  I want you if 
you please hereafter to state whether you are well or not in every letter.

    Charles was right unwell a few days since-and we sent for Uncle Joe-as
he was broken out considerably we were a little uneasy.  He thought it a
mild case of Varioloid*, But Charley is about well now.  He was not
confined to the room at any time scarcely.  If I would have it in as mild
form as Charlie did, I wouldn't care much for it.  He was perfectly
delighted with his boots, and I think they are quite pretty.  They are
plenty large.  He sends thanks to Mr Santer for them.  While Charlie was
sick he used to beg us every night to send for Uncle Joe, and send for
"my Papa for Joe got got the small pox"-It was right funny to hear him.

    Mother and I slept with him all the time he was sick.  Everybody seems
afraid of us- No one comes here at all, except Uncle Joe.

    We have not seen Uncle John since you left home-nor heard from him.
Kind aint he?

    You must come home at the earliest possible moment-we all want to see
you worse than we ever did-and you are needed here too.  It is totally
impossible for us to get anything done about the yard etc.  There has
been nothing accomplished since you left-and Davis though good hearted
is as near nothing as people get to be.  I regret that the children are
loseing school- (for we thought it best to keep them at home a few days)
for they were learning right fast.

    There seems no disposition among any of us to take small pox-and
you need not be uneasy-for we will let you know if there is a case of it.

    Bear has not come.  I suppose he has heard we have small pox here (as
it is reported in the country) and is afraid to come.

    Kegley(?) keeps us plenty of wood and feeds the stock and that is
about all.

    Sam Cloud is here sick-has been since Sunday.

    It is very cold today- as cold as any day this winter I think.  There
is a real biting wind, too.

    Charley said a while ago-"I rit to Mr Santer and thanked him for my
boots, and to my Papa and told him how you treat me."  Mother says tell
you that your son has not improved any in his behavior lately.  He
frequently attacks Sam & the children with forks and the shovel-calls
every one that comes in fools and liars-and orders them home."

    You made a mistake about the edging and sent all inserting.  You
might wrap it in a newspaper.  The piano cover is very handsome, and
quite a substantial one.  I had forgotten to tell you that I want the
edging narrow.  Also 8 yds of very narrow valenciennes edging for
ruffles.  This you sent me is beautiful, but I need some narrower.
You have sent me so much, that I am really ashamed to ask you for
anything more.
    
The children were pleased with their gloves and send many thanks.
Mother sends you all her love-except just a wee bit for the children-and
I send all mine.

    Mother says you must write to us immediately and tell us when you
are coming home.

                                         Your aff. Child
                                           Fannie McKinney

    After Coly got ready he wouldn't go and wants to work with Bass-&
wants the horse back.  Mother wont do anything about until she hears
from you.  She thinks we will need it ourselves.

    Mother needs a nice dress and I wish you could bring her one when
you come.  Something like a lustre would suit her- something grave-
like silver gray- She does'nt know and I dont want her to know that
I have any idea of telling you this.


[*varioloid-a modified mild form of smallpox.]