____________________________________________________________________________ Caddo Cove Post Office Montgomery Co., Arkansas Mr. W.N. Trout Georgia Gordon Co. June the 16, 1854. Dear brother W.N. Trout. I state to you that I re(ceive)d your kind and affectionate letter which found us all in good health. Dear brother, it came to me unexpected, for I had come to the conclusion that you had got so rich in Texas that you had forgot all of your kindred in good old Ga. But I will just state to you that we are still poor in Ga. yet and haven't forgot none of you, hoping to our heavenly Father that these few lines may arrive to you and find you enjoying the richest of heavenly happiness, health and prosperity and that good old faith that once was delivered to the saints - for this is the rock of salvation - and if we never should ever meet again on earth, this is the faith that will bring us to meet in glory where the parting of poor pilgrims shall be no more, where we shall meet our friends that ... (have) gone before us ... (that) died with faith. To call back 10 years Nesbit and to see our friends that was here then that is gone and left us, and to see how the balance is scattered in this (poorest) world fetches serious reflections upon me. Here is a weeping mother. Here is ... weeping sisters. Here is John Morris - here yet in the land of Ga. How (foolish) like. He wants (to) stay his heavenly Master's time here on Earth and then to take a cold grave by the side of one of those friends that is gone before me. No more on this subject. God bless you all dear Brother. According to your request, I will try to answer you. First there is health in our land and times are good. The country (is) improving. First land is about like it was in prices. Some few deaths occasionally. Produce is high. Corn is worth 65 cents, bacon 10 cents, other things in proportion. None of the old citizens is gone from here. They are settled. They say there has been several (have) been to look at Texas and Arkansas and don't like (it) at all. I got a letter from J.H. Trout yesterday. He has moved (to) Sevier Co., Arkansas, Mineral Hill post office. He stated he was well at present but in a bad fix. His steers died and he had to stop. Anyhow he said he was afraid of sickness there, but could not get away for the lack of means to travel on. Mr. G.W. Walker is a working close by me (with)in two hundred yards on a house, and when he gets done there, he is going to do some work for me. He said (they) are all well and wants to see you back in Ga. in the white settlements. Frank is a living close by me (with)in a quarter. He and family are all well. J. Davis is well and family and doing well. (?) strange in Ga. John Morris You must look over my hand writ(ing). I cut my thum(b) with a sight blade and I can't hold my pen good. Some lines from Didama. Dear brother. I am well at present hoping you (are) all the same and your little children. I want to see you and them again while here on earth. Give my respects to all of my cousins and uncle (and) all the connections. Dear brother I think you would do well to come back and live in Ga. with your little babes. Mother wants you to come back. She is well and Susannah, she is generally well. No more at present but remain your sister till death. Farewell. E.D. Morris to W.N. Trout. Brother W. Nesbit. Dear Brother. I want you to write to me oftener than you have and if I live I will to you. I never will forget you as long as I live. I have thought of you a many a time since you left me. Notice and I will send you a paper that will give you the daily news of Ga. So I want to be remembered by all of you to them cousins by letter and by (love). So dear friend I must come to a close. My letter is like us all. It has got a beginning and ending. So don't forget me. So no more at present but remain your Brother till death separates us on earth. True to the end. John Morris ____________________________________________________________________________ Letter of John and Diadama Morris to Wilson Nesbit Trout provided by Jessie Mae Ashford, Arlington, Virginia. ____________________________________________________________________________ HTML file and design by David Kelley, 1997. All rights reserved.