Letter written by Henry Ebenezer MacDonald - Harris County Texas John Hendry 13 May 2001 ************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ************************************************************************** Transcript of a letter from Henry E. MacDonald of Houston, Texas, to his brother Roderick in Melbourne, Australia. Houston, Texas Nov 12th 1893 My Dear Roderick, It was with much pleasure that I received your kind and welcome letter dated Sept 29th, received on Oct 31st on Halloween. Though the letter came to Houston on the 31st I did not get it untill Nov 7th. For seven days it as been going the rounds in Texas. It was sent from Houston to a town 50 miles called Hampstead on the H & T C RR by mistake to the Bridge Supt Duncan Macdonald. He was at the World Fair and it staid there untill he came back. He has a brother there named Hugh. Then he sent it to the Car Inspector. I was told that there was a letter down at that place for me and after work I went down but he give it to the postman. The postman left it at the Car Workshops. When I got there the office was shut so I did not get it untill the morning of 7th. This is to show you how letters go astray. You bet I was glad when I got it. If you sent any papers I guess some body has got them. I send you Page 2. the Galveston News. Did you get the paper I sent you along with the letter. I am glad to see by your letter that you were all well when you wrote. I am glad to say we are all well at present. I received a letter from Alick dated Glasgow Oct 17th. He states that he & Maggy were well only hard times. He is out of work. He had a few days work, that was all for some time. I will try & help them all I can if it is only little. Alick says Tom FIndly son Roderick Findly left Montreal with his wife and child for Chicago to be a cashier in Asonia Elictric Co .. Times are dull in Glasgow, although there is plenty of work on hand, yet they are not doing it. It is the same way in the United States the Railroads and all other bussiness are redirecting expenses to the very lowest. The Southern Pacific Shops here they only left men enough to do running repairs. The same in every Shop, but times look better. Page 3 If not I do not know what men are going to do for work as the Cotton season is nearly over and it is the bussy season here. There are hundreds of men coming here from California & other Western States. They come in Squads of from 80 to 100. They take the freight trains by storm & compell the crews to carry them. There was a lot here the other day & 3000 are on the way. They went to the police station here and were fed by the City. Next day most of them went on to New Orleans. They are men of all Classes & Trades. Now returning to your letter, there has sure enough being changes during the years gone by, but we cannot help it. We all have to go the same road sooner or latter. As for new arrivals they come and sure you have your share to provide for & hope they will grow up to be a blessing to you. In regard to myself I picked up the trade of Locomotive Machinist & stuck Page 4 to it through thick & thin. That is where your letter went astray. If you put Machine Shops on it I would have got it. That was a very good name you give the Terrier, “Texy”. I wish I could send you the “Yellow Rose of Texas”, though the name is given to a yellow girl here. There is two flowers that I would like to send you they are the Cape Jasmine & the Magnolia their sweet scented flowers. Houston is called “Magnolia City”. I send you a few verses well put together by a poet ranch man of Texas. The Brazos River is close to Houston. I received your portraits and I answered your letter but I received no answer. I did not know what became of you. I will have mine taken after a while and will send them to you. We have had no rain here for nearly 6 months. Page 5 Cattle are dying for want of water. In Galveston drinking water is very scarce. They cannot get water by boring. They went down about 3000 ft. but the water is no good. In Houston well water is plenty. I got one 60ft deep. Annie wishes to be kindly remembered to you & wife and hope to hear from you soon. We also join in wishing you all a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year I will now bid you all good by with kindest regards & love to you all. I remain your Affectonate Brother H. E. Macdonald Adress H. E, Macdonald care Machine Shop H and T RRd Houston Texas U.S.A.