June 13--(1901) about
Very dear sister:-
I wish you would write and tell me about all of our connection which live out there.  You don't write enough to keep me informed as to your health. We are both well as common at present and I hope you are all well.  All our people here are well as far as I know except Charlie Brumette- poor boy he won't live long.  He has got consumption.

Well sister I will soon be 75 and I can't do much work.  I am getting feeble. I would like to see you very much but don't guess I will ever see you in this life. But it won't be long to wait for we will meet where there will be no parting - where God will wipe away all tears. I want to know how you are getting along since Silas died. It does seem that you could come and see me since you are  all alone.  I think it would do you good to visit the scenes of our childhood and talk over old times once more.  Can't you come?

But then you would not know a single place that was once so familiar.  Things are so changed for the last few years. They are building a glass and iron furnace right near the old wash house on the old Sharp place and then the other places have changed so much.  Big Creek Gap has become a town and changed its name to LaFollette.  You must write a good long letter to your loving sister.
                       

Mahala Touresel Ford

Written to her sister Sarah (Salie) in Page Co. Iowa