(pre-1925)
To: Mr. Thomas M. Dennis; Granite City, Ill.
From: Mrs. T. M. Dennis; Model Route; Dover, Tenn.
Date: Thursday morning; Dec. 12, 1918
Dear kid,
I will this morning try to write you a few lines. We are all well and every thing is getting along ok. Well kid, I received a telegram from Tolar (Texas) yesterday stating that Bob (Fitzhugh) was very low with pneumonia. I am expecting to get one any time stating that he is dead. Now you take care of yourself and try to keep out of the flue. How is Mr. and Mrs. Murphy getting along? I had a letter from your mother yesterday and they were not well. It is very cold here this morning and looking like snow. Well I guess this is all for this time.
Write often.
With love,
Minnie
(The below letters were from Tom and Minnie's daughters and enclosed with the letter from Minnie.)
Dover, Tenn.
Dec. 11, 1918
Dear Papa,
I will write you a few lines tonight. I hope you got there o.k. How is granny (Minnie Dunlap Murphey) getting along? We are getting along all o.k. It was so cold this morning we didn't go to school. Hurry up and come home. If you see Santa Clause tell him to bring me a big doll Christmas. I am going to be good and help Mama.
With love from Hazel
Dover, Tenn.
Dec. 11, 1918
Dear Papa,
How are you getting along tonight? We are all ok. Uncle Bud (Parker) come up here today to see us. We are getting lonesome since you left. I hope you will soon come home. How is granny getting along? If you see Santa Claus tell him to bring me a big doll Xmas. How do you like Granite City?
With much love,
Helen Dennis
To: Mr. Thomas M. Dennis; Granite City, Ill.
From: Mrs. T. M. Dennis; Model Route; Dover, Tenn.
Date: Friday morning; Dec. 13, 1918
Dear Kid
How are you this morning? I feel uneasy about you as I did not get any letter from you yesterday. We are all well as common. I have got the head ache awful bad. The kids and Charlie have not got up yet. It begin raining yesterday about 12:30 and rained most all night and it is awful bad this morning. I think I will send and get some more salt and put on the meat for I am afraid we will lose it.
Well kid I saw Mr. Bill Whitford yesterday and he said that he would make those boards for you. He said he would begin Monday. He told me to write and ask you how many you wanted made and how long to make them. Well how do you like Granite? Have you found the honey pond and flitter tree yet? Write soon as you get this.
With lots of love,
Minnie
To: Mr. Thomas M. Dennis; Granite City, Ill.
From: Mrs. T. M. Dennis; Model Route; Dover, Tenn.
Date: Monday morning; Dec. 18, 1918
Well Kidd
I will write you a few lines this morning. I recd your letter Monday. Was glad to hear that you was well.
I doe hope that you won't get down sick out there for it seems like I have enough to run anyone crazy. We are all very well and everything ok. I had a card from Sister yesterday. Bob is still very low but Lonely was some better. I don't think that Charlie (Fitzhugh) is going to see Bob. I don't think that he has the price to make the trip. It is awful to be poor and away from loved ones in the time of need. But we can only trust in the Lord, who doeth all things well. It is very cool here now. Jumbo, Baley, and Mr. Byrd all killed hogs this week. There are some people up there on Bear Creek losing their meat. Just hauling it off and throwing it away. Well kid, you bring my shoes when you come home for I am barefooted. One of my old sandals have played out and my feet are swollen so I can't wear those old shoes of mine. You get a 6. Well as I have lots to do will close for this time. Write often.
With love and kisses to you,
Minnie
Letter contributed by Hargis descendent, Duane Hargis
Transcript of
Letter from Lionel Desmond Hargis Attorney & Counsellor; Reno, Nevada
February 1, 1912
| Mr. Desmond Hargis |
| Saline Creek |
| Stewart County, Tennessee |
Dear Kinsman:
I am writing you with the hope that I will get in communication with some member of the family, with the ultimate end of paying a visit to your part of the country and getting acquainted.
Before I was born, which was July12th, 1875, my father Lionel Desmond Hargis Sr., who died in Ukiah the 25th of April 1906, was in communication with your father, L. D. Hargis, and who received a letter from your father, dated, Stewart County Tennessee, December 5th 1874, and in which letter your father gave quite an account of different members of the family, and there in stated you were the youngest son, named Desmond, and that you would inherit his present homestead on Satine Creek, Stewart County. He gave your age at eighteen years, which would make you fifty five years of age at the present time providing you were still living. My father came to California with two brothers, Frank and Marion, crossing the Isthmus of Panama in 1854, and lived in California continuously up to the time of his death. Marion is still living in Ukiah, California, and Uncle Frank is also living in Southern California, the latter being a veteran of the Mexican War, one to the few survivors.
Herod Hargis, the father of my father was the son of John Hargis, your father's uncle. I have two brothers and four sisters living; two of my sisters are married and are living in Manila, Philippine Islands, the younger one being married the 16th of last month. One brother is married, living in South Dakota, and the other and younger brother is living at home in Ukiah, California. My mother is still living at home. The baby of the family, now twenty three is visiting in Southern California at the present time.
I went to the Phillipines in 1899 and have been practicing law there ever since, but having been in the Orient for so long I needed a change so returned to the United States in August of last year, and located here in October 1911.
Trusting to have the pleasure of hearing from you and ultimately, meeting you, I am,
Yours very sincerely,
(Signed) Lionel Desmond Hargis
Thanks to Joan for the graphics:
http://www.ozemail.com.au/joanod/clip.htm