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The daughter they refer to is Henrietta Shine, born July 27, 1893, one month prior to this letter.

She mentions serious illness of Porter Shine, possibly a stroke. However, he lived two more years.

She mentions that brother Edward (Buddy) wants to come to Texas in this letter, but is afraid to go because of Cholera.

Transcription:

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

Page 1:

Oaky Streak. Ala.
Aug 4th 1893.

Dear Bro & family

We received your welcome little note last Wednesday evening.  We are very glad to know that your fine daughter and her mama are doing so well.  wish I could see them both and in fact all the family.  I wrote to you last week.  guess you have gotten the letter in this tiime.  We are having a fine rain today and it was badly needed, the first in two weeks.  Crops almost ruined by the drouth.  Papa

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is not doing well at all poor old fellow he suffers a great deal.  he is a perfect skeleton.  he went blind for an hour last Teusday (sic) morn he went to sleep and when he awoke he couldn't see any thing Mama was sitting by him and he didn't know her.  Dr Smith is treating him again.  Mama is not well at all, is suffering with her same old trouble cholera morbus.  I gave her Huckleberry Cordial last night and she seem some better today.  rest of us all as well as usual.  Mama is very anxious to go to see you but it is impossible to leave Papa now to go any where.  Buddie came very near going this

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week so near it until he had Sallie to get his clothes ready and then decided it was too dangerous to travel such a long journey and so much disease afloat.  he says now he is coming out there next September.  but I dont beleive it.  Its awful hard times here now, our garden is dried up, and we have nothing at all to boil. and its a general cry every where. and we have no fruit at all.  I have been trying to buy enough to fill my jars for winter use, but cant even get that many.  Well I wrote you all the news I could think of last week and have nothing to write now. so I guess I had

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better close for fear of wearrying (sic) you with my scribbling.  I hope Sister and the baby are doing well.  write us what you have named the little lady.  Much love k(? word illegible) all from all.  Write to us often.

Lovingly your Sister

Queenie.