The text contained in this article is from a Web document that was formerly available at the Sevier County Library's Web site. The document is no longer on-line, but it was located in an Internet Archive. The actual source and transcriber were not identified in the document, nor was there any indication of whether the extraction was complete.

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Mr. C. Austin,

Dear Sir

The Bail of Coten Came to hand Eight or Ten Days ago In Good orde It came Buy Ex ship It is Still her I have Notfide your Dorter that the Bail of Coten was her I sipose that She will Send after It Sonn

Respctfuly

Zirmo W. Elmore

[The following was written on bottom of page upside down:]

"The inclosed invelop will do for you to write to me in. C. A."

[On the reverse side of this letter is written the following (spellings maintained):]

"By this letter from Strawberry Plains you will see that I have been deligent not only to get your cotten there but to know it got there safe. I wrote to Mr. Elmoore & inclosed him a stamp to answe me I hope you have got it home by this time. I do need your _____ very much but it is to fare for you to go there to ship _____ tells when you go after the cotten Polly I believe I did advise you never to moove to this country. I still advise the _____ this is no country to live by farming. If I can sell I think of going to some ______ mountain country and raising sheep What could you buy me and is two hundred pounds of wool for. be sure to enquire and write me I am as ever your Caring father, C. Austin"