Letter from "Rabbit John" Brooks to

his brother William in Arkansas

N. C. Stanley County

March the first 1874

Dear brother Wm Brooks

It is with pleasure that I seat myself to wright you a few Lines that Leavs us all enjoying reasonable health hoping these Lines may reach you and find you all en Joying the same I will say to you that I received your Letter with your and your wife's fotograph in it and I was very glad to hear from you that you was all well you sad it had bin a long time Since you ha rate to me or Since you had received any Letter from me you sad the Last you hear from me was by old Mr. Petry Since I have rote you one Letter and I think ? Since Mr. Petry was I think there is something rong with the male Some how I saw Mr. Petry when he was here He told me all about you all an about that Country which gave me a great ?eal of Satisfaction If you receive this give my respects to the old man Petry an family ??? ?? told us in your Letter you had bin thinking of coming to Se us Soon I hope you will continue in that notion and come. Mother and famly is well. Se wants you to come to See her Se wants to See you all very much I received a letter from N. D. Shin (BCBNOTE: Nathaniel Duncan Shinn who married Hester Leah Brooks, dau. of James and Temperance Tucker Brooks) a few weeks ago and his and hester's likeness in it gave my respects to them.

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I have bin thinking of comeing ta See you all and ta See that Country for Several year but there always bin Something in the way that I could not conveniently come most Lay the feble health of my wife yet the Lord being my help I expect to come I ante Satisfied here and I ante Satisfied to move there till I come and So (?)

I Shal Start A Differin letter by the Same male I Start this hoping one or the other will go Safe

when you receive this Letter wright to me soon for I Love to hear from you often and tell me all about Melinda you know and what She is doing There has bin Several of the citizens of this country out there this winter but I hante seen any of them since they came back

Times here is tolerable good we can make plenty here to Live well on if we will use the proper industry

and one great blesing we as a general thing en Joy good health which is the greatest blesing that anyon cud enjoy

if you come in I wouldn't be Surprised if you Don't find this country improved beyond your expectation So I will close Inspiring to hear from you Soon

your brother as ever

John Brooks to Wm Brooks