Alvarado, Texas
Sep 12 1909

Mrs. Lena Ashford

Dear Sister and I guess you think I have forgotten you all but it is a mistake but we are so lonesom and I don't know what that it seams like I can't write we are not all well ma has been nearly down with her back for a week or more but is better now and Lena is not well and Mr. Herring's health is not good this summer and our dear old father had to die and he told me so many times to not grieve after him but that is impossible for I think he is a grate loss to us while he has been wanting to die a long time but we did not and did every thing we could hear of to keep him alive but failed he had been a sleep for three weeks most of the time some times he would wake in the morning but monday before he died he taken a high fever and we never did know the caus and it seems like he just slept himself to death I never saw anyone in such a deep sleep and he just went a way and never moved but oh it was hard for us but he askt Bro Selvage to preach his funeral three years ago and he came from Ardmore the night before he died and went with us to Bardwell and preached his in the Babtist church and the masons buried him for he had told us of three things he wanted us to do bury him at Bardwell and have the masons to bury him and have Bro Selvage to preach his funeral and I am so glad that we had every thing just like he wanted he said so many times that he didn't want us to go to so much trouble for him but we had him put away nice his coffin cost 40 dollars and his shroud cost 15 dollars and a hearse to carry him to and from the railroad and every thing was as he wanted and he is right where he has wanted to be so long he is lying by Gracie's side if I could see I could tell you many things you would like to hear ma talks of going to see you but I don't know whehter or not she will go write to us so we can hear from you all hope Willie is still improving

Your sister MJ Herring