The Forrest City times., 1902-05-16
A Pleasant Soiourn.
MIssss LASpvelGr & VADABIN,

Forrest City, Arkansas.
 uentlemen and Old Friends: :-Througl your newsy paper, allow me space for gratitude for favors shown me during my few days stay in and around Forrest City on my return from Dallas, Texas. Nj, trip and stay at Dallas was all that heart could wish or ask; l went 10 have good lime and l had it. My ticket gave fle stop over at Wynne, and run down to my old home-Forrest City, To Say that had good time there would be Q very tame expression of the real truth. l was met with arms wide open; horses and bugges were at my disposal, more than could use, and as long as l could or would stay. My old hunting and fish ing team was glad to see me, their wives and daughters no less so; nay, some more so. 1 never enjoyed d few days better n the long history of mispent life, but have nothing particular to grieye after, for have had a good time-never wrong ed any one Intentionally. Tue latch string has always hung on the out side al my camp. and am glad that it does yet l met and made many new acquaintances from all parts of the south, north, east and west-so much for these grand reuu- ions. Nothing affords true confederate soldier so much pleasure as to look into tue others face and see that he was in tht tsiesest for what We believed and still eeiieYe was right. The empty sleeve, the artificial or peg leg with many othei battle badges tells the tale as 10 what we thought and felt; but my space does not permit of more on that subject.
 My ,rip to Martin was very pleasant, found many friends at tie depot anxious. y awaiting my return to get lhe news My llttle boys were on hand as usual and glad 10 see papa. found everything in good shape at home, with nice rains and wheat oats, grapes and other crops look ing well.
 am sorry to say at this writing that my youngest son is quite sick, had tAe doctor to see hun this morning. he was taken sick on his way to May field, Ky l hope he will soon recover.
 l am z ad to tell you that the spring crops all look wei, and ever, body .eems to feel good over the prospects
 Oar town is doing valuable work. two new depots, tne hotel, another college. Nooad hogSe, tuIn ta6!e and Martin 4 terminus, and many other valuable i'm. proyements.
 But let ms tell you that no country heais or eXcels that. It Is wonderful to see the changes in eighteen years, rich men poor and poor boys rich, the little tots now dgnihed ladies and gentlemen. am grieyed that failed to see our Mir Taylor and family, and hope ere this that Be h better. My regrets, 1 offer for the 9alluIe 10 see great many that used to feel so much attached to. but with no intention to slight any, will ask I'm lafEs to remember me kindly 10 al With maay. many thanks for kindness re ceNcd, Capt naskns. Dan Wylds and Jack FtpIjn and fam..,rs all made them selves very much interested in my behalf while my nephew and sam..y, c ". krby, did all in tbeir power to prolong my stay. But they were busy and could not afford to claim so much Of then Valuable time.
 Hope you will yet make mention of our call on you at Your Ctiice and the at,en- tion We received at Mg NadakiE' $ hands. had hoped that you would speak of the cali in way to have won at least two more subsct be:a Mss Eala Crook, my pretty &2ice., l. IAe daughter of my broth er, who likes to read; his daughter also NJ. nephew, Young Dowel, also, is fond Of reading and hope you may yet be able to get them as subscribers. 1 never like to enjny good thing by myself Nith best wishes am your friend ald well wisher.
 ". J. CRoek, M artin, Tenn, May 10. 1902.