Transcribed by Janette
West Grimes
December 20, 1956
La Harpe, Kansas
December
3, 1956
Macon County Times:
Lafayette, Tenn.
Dear Editor:
Enclosed
find my check for $2.50 for the renewal of my subscription. I enjoy the paper
very much, more so now, since I am practically a shut-in. My general health is
better, but I have to be very careful not to overdo myself on account of a bad
heart. I had to spend some time in a hospital in 1955 on account of my heart.
Then in August of this year I again entered the hospital for a serious major
operation. Most of my folks did not expect me to come back, but I had the best
surgeons in the country. And by the help of the prayers of the people of God, I
made a wonderful recovery.
I was 81 on
Nov. 11th. I do all my home work except washing and ironing but do no outdoor
work. We are having beautiful weather. So far there have been only two nights
with heavy ice, but we need rain.
I noticed in
"Cal's Column" information about two of my great-grandfathers, Elder
Daniel Smith my grandfather's father, William Martin Smith, my father having
been Daniel Smith, register of deeds, who died in office in 1892; and my
mother's grandfather, Elder Washington Glover. Mother was Mary Frances
Huddleston Smith. I also noticed the name of Elder Levi A. Smithwick, who
married my mother's cousin, Sydney Huddleston. When I was named, I was given
the name of Burnettie for my mother's cousin, Burnettie Russell. I've lost all
trace of mother's family, the Glovers and the Huddlestons. I would be very glad
to receive any information concerning any of them.
I noticed
the account of the death of Haley Butler. His mother was mother's cousin. When I
taught at Walnut Shade, I resided in the home of Cousin Sally with Byrd and
Perlina.
My permanent
address is 408 South Main Street, LaHarpe, Kansas. I am always glad to get mail
from Tennessee and the latchstring is always out.
Mrs. W. H. Driver, formerly
Miss Nettie Smith.
Editor's note. We are glad to have this informative letter from a former Macon
County teacher. We hope to have some Russell and Huddleston family records in
an early edition of the Times. We invite Mrs. Driver to write again.