| Zacahary T Justus
Washington Hemstead Co Ark March 3, 1868 Dear Friend I now write you a few lines in order to let you know that I am well at this time and I hope when these lines come to hand they will find you enjoying the same blessing. Zack I was verry sorry that you went off for we use to have a great deal of fun together but now I have no fun now for Pa is dead and now I have a great deal of hard work to do Zack Miss Lizzie Walden is married and that cuts me out and you out to Mr. Justus he is married to Marthy Borian and that I reckon that beats you I am going to school down there Rufe and me are both going. We have a fine time and if you was here we would be alright I would like very much to see you Zack, I think your pa wants you to come home verry bad and I would too but I am afraid for you to because you might be hurt. If I was in your place I would go away from them Indians for they might kill you for I saw Rufes letter and it said that the Indians were bad. I don't blame you for going off for I would done the same trick for I hate them worse than you do. Too of them has died last year Lucinda and Ann both Rufe says that they both died to easy. I went to Little Rock last year and it rained on me like a world without end. I had three bales of cotton I taken it there and brought you Pa's chimney back and before I got back Pa died four days before when I am at home. I do all the management but now as I am from home Bill does it And some freed men has rented some of our land. Last year we rented our land to some negros for part of the crop and we had hardly enough corn to do us. Zack if you have got the money have your likeness taken and send it to me for I would like to see it and mabe I will have mine taken and send it to you. I will come to a close by saying write soon. I will remain you friend until death. John R Powell {Provided by Mary Burchfield (sent to her by Jay C. Bennett, a decendant of Charles Marion Powell.)} |