McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1919-08-01
New York Letter.


for | am leaving New York City and
the United States Government SER
vice after twenty-eight years in that
service. Back to the farm for me;
down where the taters grow and the
melon spreads her fruited vines; out
where the birds sing and the rooster
crows and the mare whinnies and the
pig squalls; where Gods glorious sun
rise. lights up the dewy grass and
pulls me out Of bed and makes me
work like the dickens. Away from
frivolous, frantic Broadway, from the
streaming multitudes that are moth
ing to me but shadows, and | the
same to them; from the shades of
mountainous buildings, the hum of a
worlds trade, and the hunt for bad
men; out into the shady roadways,
among the neighbors who know me,
and the fruit trees. oaks, poplars and
beeches and walnuts, and the garden
stuff that | love to work with and to
eat. | have been asked by the lead
ing farm magazine to tell the full
story of my ups and downs on going
back to the farm, and may do SO in a
book some day, for the benefit of
others-or to scare them from going
and doing likewise. My readers know
that | will have little or no time for
writing long letters to the Indepen-
dent, and will excuse my silence
henceforth till ! get back to Selmer
and to dear old McNairY, home of my
ancestors, and take up the offer made
to me by good friends there to supply
me with all the land needed to make
a big farm. First must get a little
more money and more knowledge.
AT fifty-six am starting on a new
track, and am going to be a farmer
or the biggest failure yet recorded.
| have 6l acres within sightof Wash
ington, and few dollars. and lots Of
ambition and fair health. When
knock at the door of Chem Lea and
other friends at Selmer will be ready
to talk big business with them
Speaking about McNairy people,
want to cay few words about one
of them | met to-day. Now, I've
been Dragging on McNairy men, such
as Jim Wilmeth, Director of the Bur-
eau of Engraving and printing at
Washington, General Marcus j.
Wright, and other great men Of that
county, but want to say that there
is a lady to add to the list, Of whom
McNairy may well be proud. Born
into wealthy family, surrounded
with luxury all her life, and witt
means to enjoy herself the rest Of
her days in ease, this McNairy won.
an has chosen the arduous life of {
trained nurse and the company o1
wounded soldiers rather than thu
loafers Of society. She is Mrs Rub,
Kendrick, widow Of prominent rea
estate and insurance man Of this City
and daughter Of Alexander G. bud
Williams, who used to have q grocery
store in old Purdy. When said sh,
might have had the companionship d
society people instead Of sick ant
wounded doughboys, | meant ais,
that she has the looks and the cul
lture to fit her for the best of socia
surroundings.
SLENDER as willow by the stream
| Fair as flowers pictured in dream,
Ruby Kendrick would pass anywher,
for worthy daughter Of the South
but her smiles for the bedridden he
roes of the war, and her time ant
care are bestowed upon the helpless
and the pain-stricken in the hospitals
and she has her reward only in know
ling that she has done good.
! At the suggestion of the editor o
the Independent, looked Mrs. Ken
drick up at one of the leading hotel
of the City. and was indeed glad t
meet such worthy daughter of Nc
Marry in this great wilderness of hu
manity. She was my guest at lur
/ cheon at a Chinese restaurant, where
among other things, they serve
birds-nest soup. Now. you wouldn
think anything fit to eat could
made from such dry thing as
birds nest, but it has havors so d,
licious, such peculiarly savory arom
: about it, that she enjoyed it vel
much. Now she is to have real Sol
thern corn bread and and fried chicl
en- served up for her luncheC
tomorrow at the great Bresliu Hote
and vou haf I'M he tboro nm f;nal