Letter from D. W. Herring to Nora Herring Roberson
(C. Avis Catalog entry #73)
Jackson, Tenn. July, 19th, 1903
Mrs. Mart Roberson, Texico, N. M.
My Dear sister Nora:-
Your very much appreciated letter came duly to hand. I was afraid I had lost you forever. I did not know where to find you. My efforts to locate you from Henrietta failed. My last letter addressed to you there was returned unopened, several years ago. I have thought it strange you did not write me to let me know, at least, where you live. I notice with pleasure that you write to your mama "once or twice a week". That is as a good daughter should do and I trust you will so continue. I also note, but of course with sorrow, that you health is not as good as it should be, and that your mama says you work too hard. If you do, it is very wrong, and no one should thank you for it, as it may lay up much trouble in the future for you, your husband and your family. I am glad you have a nice home where there is a good school at Wichita. I have been there and remember its beautiful, surrounding country. I dont expect to ever be there again, and the probability <is> we will never meet again in this world but I hope some of our children may run across each other, even though it be after we are both dead and gone.
Poor Telemack died at Savannah about three years ago. And in his death, you lost not only a devoted brother, but a great friend and admirer. He loved to talk about what a sweet girl you were. He left his widow and two little daughters and about $5,000,00 in cash for them. His widow moved to her father - Sam Kendall - at Wyne-wood, from which place I have just received a letter from her older daughter, which I herewith inclose you, that you may see how nicely his little daughter writes and she would doubtless be glad to get a letter from you or any of your folks. Her mother married a widower there named Smith, with a large family and I am afraid did not do well.
I also herewith inclose you a letter from Hal, that will tell you of his whereabouts and something of him. He is living with his second wife, his first having died, leaving him only one child, named Henry, now nearly grown. Hal seems now to be doing very well, though he did come near dying with the gall-stones - an obstruction of the liver ducts - and had a very dangerous surgical operation for it performed at Boston, Mass. I also suffered many years with the same complaint, and many thought I would die, but think I am now well of it and in better health than I have been, I think, since I was grown. I weigh 215 pounds. I rather think my father and Telemack both died with this complaint, though their doctor - Dr. Hardin - of Savannah, did not seem to think so. I am thus particular about this because I think it is of importance that you should look out for it as a family weakness, and that drinking lime water helps to bring the disease. There is no doubt our family has suffered most from stomach troubles.
I have four children (none dead) Harry 23, Julia 19, Ethel 17, Dan 12 years of age. Harry is to be an officer of the U. S. Army, is now a cadet for graduation at the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, N. Y. Julia has graduated here in the public schools, and will graduate next year at the Memphis Conference Female Institute, located here. Ethel and Dan are yet in Public School, and all except Dan are now over at Sav. enjoying their vacation. I dont see anything extra or to brag about in any of my children. We are all, just common ordinary folks. And of what is of more importance we are all well, and their mama, Dan and myself are now enjoying ourselves quietly at home.
Affectionately, your brother Dick.
<signed> D. W. Herring
