FROM TEXAS
Letter from Mr. N. M. Crockett, formerly of Bartow County.

Woodbury, Texas, Nov. 4, 1876

Mr. Arthur Davis:

Dear Sir—Having promised to let many of my friends in your county know how I like Texas, and thinking two years a reasonable time to decide, and furthermore having been bereaved of our two dear little (and only) sons, I have considered it would be a proper time to communicate the same.  The subject of our children being uppermost in my mind I will treat upon that first.

On the 3rd day of March last our oldest son Robert went to a tread-wheel mill and while there was induced by some other boys to get on the wheel and ride, and from some unknown cause fell and was carried (head foremost) under a log that lies over, and near, the wheel and had his head terribly crushed, from which he died soon afterwards.  He was 11 years, 3 months and 10 days old.  Then to add to our trouble our dear little Johnnie was taken from us the 26th day of last month (October) after an illness of 3 or 4 days duration with croup.  He was 8 years and near two months old.

The dispensation has been to us a very severe one and has caused an aching void within the world can never fill.  But we don’t mourn as those who have no hope; yet while we mourn their loss it is a great consolation to us to know our loss is their gain, and while we are deprived of their presence it is a glorious thought to know they are enjoying the presence of our blessed Savior, one who cares for the little ones, for he has expressly said, “Suffer little children to come unto Me.”  Our early chain has been severed but it only adds two links more to chain up yonder and serves to bind us stronger to Heaven where we hope to be re-united at the last day.

In relation to the country, I am very well pleased with it. It has many advantages that are not to be found in other countries.  Our crops of grain average better than any other country with which I am acquainted.  It is a good cotton country; vegetables do well when we have seasons.  We can make more and larger crops with less rain than any country east of the Mississippi.

Peaches do well; most other fruits we are but partially successful in raising.

Society in this section of country is better than common.  There is more general information than can be found in many older counties.  As to schools and religious privileges, for the country, I consider them superior.

Very Truly Yours,
N. M. Crockett.