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She mentions that Augustus “came home”.  This is the youngest child, 21 year old son of William Porter and Martha Hammond Shine — Augustus G. Shine, born February of 1870.  It is curious that he is in school at this age.

Apparently Queenie (the second youngest) is still unmarried (at age 23) and also living at home at this time.  (She was to marry later, and die in childbirth at age 28 leaving no descendents.)  She speaks of Papa working on the house.  This is important for several reasons.  This is the only written reference I know of that speaks of this house, and no photos exist.  Apparently, when she says they are “doing away with the old kitchen”, it shows that the old house was an old-fashioned dogtrot house, with a separate kitchen.  Apparently the house was substantial enough to have a separate dining room.  There are references to the wedding of Missouri Shine in the parlor of the bride’s parents.  Apparently, there was a parlor, a sign that the house was a substantial farm house for the time that it was built (probably in the late 1840’s).  The other important reference is that Papa is doing the carpentry work himself.  Apparently William Porter Shine is in good enough health to do physical work at the age of 67.

She speaks of “Buddie” coming to town.  A letter in the same month from Missouri also speaks of Buddie.  Buddie is their brother Edward.  She mentions Floy, who is the son of Missouri, Queenie’s nephew and Martha and Porter’s grandson.  She mentions the death of Aunt Clarissa.  Clarrissa Shine Smith was the older sister of William Porter Shine.  She married James D. Smith in 1836, and died in October of 1891 and is buried at Oaky Streak Methodist Church.  Her husband died in Florida in 1854 and she was granted 160 acres in Butler County as a result of his service in the Creek Indian War.

Susan Brook is the daughter of James Williams Shine Jr. (brother of William Porter Shine) and Elizabeth J. (Stallings) Shine.  She is the wife of James Brook.  James and Susan had a 5-yr-old daughter Evey on the 1880 census.  Susan would have been a first cousin to Queenie and Missouri.  Ikey Shine is unknown to me, but the letter refers to Susan Brook as his aunt.

Transcription:

(Little punctuation used.  Periods seem to be used for commas sometimes.)

Page 1:

Oaky Streak. Ala
Dec 7th 1891

Dr U H Shine,
Bowers,
Texas.

Dear Bro

Mama & Papa requests me to write to you in answer to yours of the 24 of Nov.  It was a little surpprise to me to hear of another boy in your family.  You ask for a name for him, Papa suggests Henry Grady after the great southern orator, and editor of the Atlanta Constitution.  And Mama suggests, Henry Bradwell. after Sis Minnie's husband

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and my suggestion is Victor Roderick and call him Victor or Roddie either.  Mama says tell you that she will look for you Xmas and feels just like she will not be disappointed.  We are all very anxious for you to come.  Augustus came home the 2nd day of October and has been in school ever since the 12th I think he is learning very fast Prof Thigpen is still teaching here, he has a fine school about Seventy Students.  Miss Katie Bell of Georgiana is assisting him this session.  We had a letter from Sis Minnie last week they have a fine school this year the best they have had in several years.  Papa is covering our house now and is going to make some

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changes, we will do away with the old kitchen entirely and add a pantry to our dining room and put a petition (sic) across the dining room and make a stove room.  Buddie & family are in Greenville this week Buddie is a Juror.  Floy stayed with us last week he is a great deal better than he has been for a long time, doesnt have any attacks at all now, hasn't had one in two months or more.  I believe I have written to you since Aunt Clarisa died the 27th of Sept.  I hear of a good many coming out from Texas to spend Xmas Ikey Shine is to be home the 23rd and his Aunt Susan Brook and Evie are coming with him Drew Fort & family have already

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come. but I think they have moved back.  Augustus got hurt at school last Thursday, was running very hard and made a quick turn and tore some ligaments aloose.  he could not walk for a day or two but has gone back to school today. though he hops right bad yet.  Well you must come Xmas though we wont promise you anything to eat except hoghead & fatty bread fried chicken & milk and butter but a plenty of that.  write to us occasionally and let us know how you are getting along.  All send their love to you all.

Devotedly.
Queenie.

N B  Mama say (sic) please come and spend Xmas with her.