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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: Mary Elizabeth (Gaines) McKinney
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                                                Tate Springs Sunday evening
My Dear old man
    Here I am among a crowd feeling just as easy as can be, but when I think
of you all at home I get home sick.  Think it is dreadful to leave you and be
here enjoying myself for realy I enjoy it when not thinking of home, and you
miss so much I know, but neve mind I will come back well I hope, for I do
think the water is doing me good, and if I do get well I will always thank
you for it.  it was good in you to let me come  I wish I could say Sue had
improved, but the poor dear Child looks badly does not eat anything I am
realy very weary about her, I think I will get Dr McConcle to give her
something he seems so much interested in her.  Mrs McClung is very anxious
she shoud of try Homeapathy thinks would certainly cure her, she is cheerful
and dances some.  There is a very pleasant company here, to day Thornburg a
wife came to day.  Yesterday their hack leach(?) came.  Mrs Boynton and
Lillie arrived  Sue wrote giving you the particulars of our arrival.  Sue
is the young lady of the place.  Will S. has been up to see me and the
McClungs have taken a great fancy to him last night Mrs F. McClung and
I were sitting to gather in the ball room, when Mr. Frank and Sue came up
before us and asked us to let them Waltz  it plagued us both and Mrs Mc.
said she supposed they might as both Mothers was there to watch them.
There is a lady here from Oxford  she's a relative of the Bowins a very
pleasant lady indeed has a nice looking son, an only child, I had a long
talk with her yesterday cousin Susan was a very intimate friend of hers.
Felt sis & I would like to exchange places with her or Lida either  I am
sorry Sperry did not get a place.  Mrs. McClung came in this morning and
told me Miss Lida bean did not get a place and she was very sorry indeed,
she had hoped he would settle at K. and it would almost kill his sister to
have him go  I am anxious to hear how my dear boy got home I was so uneasy
about him there was such a storm that evening but Alice told me he reached
Moorburg safe and I suppose reach home all right he must write to me.
Thank Sis for her kind letter I was getting restless I think Lida might
spare time from S. to write a few lines, many persons inquire for Fannie.
Mr and Mrs Tomlison(?) are just as kind as they can be do all they can for
our comfort.  Indeed all are kind.  I like Hector, wife very _____(?),
plain as an old shoe.  I dont think he is much friendly he makes a good
deal of Sue the last day or two, he is not well they have a real sweet
babie, the pet of this place.  Tell Fannie I would like a box of flowers
but it will not be necessary to send   I invited Mrs. Br_____(?) and
McClung to see some of _____(?) but they will witt, take good care of
my _____(?) and my children and I will take good care of Sue and myself.
I do hope all are well, tell _____(?) to watch the fire, D___(?) the
garden May will be up soon, the mail will leave soon so I must close
_____(?) much love from Sue an myself to my dear old man and my darling
children.
                                                       Lovingly Mother

Write often and may God bless you all
    I received your letter and package Frank
        many thanks