Johnson Co., TN - Letters From The Past

Logo designed for Johnson County by Pamela R. Cresswell

Where the Sun First Rises in Tennessee & Tennessee History Begins

Letters From The Past

The following is a letter to my grandmother Callie L. Shoun (daughter of Samuel E. Shoun) in Johnson County, TN. She later married William D. Eggers. The spelling is like it is in the letter. Proper names are in capitals for recognition. Added text is in brackets [ ]. Callie's granddaughter - Mary Lee Eggers Trentham has the original letter. Typed by Linda Viel.

Butler. Tenn
January 9th 1893

Miss CALLIE SHOUN [b. 1876 daughter of Samuel E. Shoun]

Kind friend and Da--

It is through the tender mercies of god that I attempt to try to answer your kind and welcome little letter I was real glad to hear from you. I thought I would have answered you sooner but I have had company every since I received your letter I havent had the chance to write but hope you will excuse me I have nothing to write that will Interest you any well Callie cousin ELLEN and MR. KEATON was married Christmas MAKON [Macon L. Shoun b. 1869, Callie’s brother] was their I suppose he has told you all a bout it I hope you had a nice time Xmas I would like to been with you xmas but it was not so I could Dear Callie when the weather gets a little better I am co--

page 2
up to spend a day or two with you if nothing happens I want to go to mountain City and spend a few days Callie I would like to see you so well I went to holly springs last saturday to preaching I saw your brother preacher Sherwood is the next pastor down their I went to Elk last Sunday to see my granmother I enjoyed my self splendid well Callie I cant tell you much about MR. BRIDGES the last I heard from him he was hearding cows and he said he had nothing softer than his saddle for a pillow and the mountain for his bed I heard some one say the other day that he was coming home as soon as he got his pay and didnt exspect to get more than half of his pay I suppose that he wrote ANDREW ALLEN that MR. McVAUGHT had started East but if he has come home yet I never have heard any tell of him>p> Page 3 MR. HICKS is not boarding with us this week I havent seen him since friday I dont remember anthing thing he said about you that night you can rest contened that he never said anything slightly of you I never heard him say anything about anybody of any harm in regard to his learning fast in school I cant answer that but I suppose he is he is the pastor at Pinny Grove now I hope you and your cousin AMELIA and your fellows had a nice time xmas Callie you must ha-- me a nice fellow against I come up when you take a notion to marrie you must let me know I would like to be their when that not is tied you must be shure and let me know will you dear I want to come up their so bad I dont know what to do Callie I had a good time friday night before Christmas at the youngmes debate I wish you had been their I dont believe I seen your fellow MR. SHULL that night

Page 4 you and him seemed to enjoy your selves so well that night you and him was to gather well Callie I have sowing all day and I am tired and must soon close you must excuse this short letter I allways like to read your letters you allways rite such long letters and good ones Dear Callie I have got 5 letters to write this week and I have so much to do it seems like I cant get time to write only of a night those 5 letters that I spoke of writing is to my folks in the west I have so many their to write to well Callie I would like to write more but seems I cant to night my aunt MARTHA JOHNSON from mountain City is here tonight and she now talking about her son JOE that died a little over a year ago and telling how happie he died it seems like she will grieve her self to death about him he was the only child she had but if knew I would die as happie as she said he died I wouldent dread death I must close for this time and if we never meet on this earth I hope we will meet in heaven may god bless you is my prayer dear Callie rember me in your prayers.

[There are words written across the top of pages 2 and 3. They can not be read on my copy.]

Submitted by and used with permission of Linda Viel

Return to Johnson County Homepage