Shine letter list

Next Letter

At the end of the letter, she mentions that “I had thought that he would be with the Family when you went to Louisville.”  At this time, Dr. Shine was in medical school in Louisville.  Apparently James was living there prior to that time, based on that statement.  Other evidence that James was in Louisville when he died is the fact that Missouri requests that Hix give every detail of his dying moments:  proof that he was present at his death.

Another unexpected bit of information was that Laduska and the children were apparently not with him when he was in medical school.  They are not mentioned in the letter.  Perhaps she stayed with her four children, 9 year old Essie, 5 year old Will, 2 year old Blanche and 14 month old Jim on their farm in Alabama.  There were no children born between 1883 and 1886, including the period of time he was in medical school in Kentucky.  This represents the longest period between the 11 children.

The letter also mentions to tell “Aunt” to write.  It is possible that he was staying with relatives, along with James while in medical school.

Written on lined paper bearing printed heading of:  Office of H B Pilley, Register in Chancery, Fifth District, Southern Division, Greenville, Ala. . ..........188-

(Little punctuation used.  Periods seem to be used for commas sometimes.)

Page 1:

Written vertically over the lines:  Monday all well Write soon and often

Oaky Streak Aug 3rd 1884
Mr and Mrs Hix Shine

Dear Brother and Sister

I am now seated to respond to your letter telling us of the death of Our Dear Brother.  Oh God healp us to bear it It is so hard so hard.  Though we had been very uneasy for some time could not hear from you and the chickens would crow and owls holler which you know has always been and (sic) omen of destreas with us. but when Allien died we felt like it was for her but there was not a day but what Ma would say there is something the matter with the children and I felt the same way but would not

Page 2:

let on to her Missouries Children had been here for Two weeks and She for one and last Monday we went to Greenville and found your card to Henry and you dont know how it troubled me I felt like he was ded and did not sleep any Monday night and Teusday (sic) morning I thought I would write to him thinking if he was alive it would cheer him to get a letter but I was writing to a ded Brother and did not know it Oh it don't seem like we can give him up (so hard) but I have one consolation he didnt die among strangers I know you done all that could be done but if we could have been with him in his Sickness and heard his farewell words. but perhaps it is best as it is Pa and Ma sayes they would have gone if they had known it poor Ma how sorry I am for her she has Said all

Page 3:

the time she would never see him again but had no Idea it would come so soon Sayes tell you to tell her every thing just as near as you can remember and how long he was Sick. and how long he lived after he told you good bye did he have the Spassums before or after he bid you farewell Oh what presence of mind in a dying hour did you get a new Suit or did he have some.  Ma wants to know if you put Shoes on him God bless be praised for his knowing you all in a dying hour I feel like I would give almost anything to see you and have you tell me all and above all to go to his grave and see the last

Page 4:

resting place of a loved Brother if I was able I would have a mound buit (built?) over him it is bad to bee poor but you must plant some Flowers around his Grave for me.  did he seem to think of dying long before he passed out or did he intertain hopes of recovery Hix you must try to be reconciled just so much so as possible It is bear as it is (sic) he had no family to leave and then the blessed consolation of his saying he was resigned to death.  I have often thought that it was rong for people to Grieve but can they help it it has been just one day and night since we received your letter and it Seems like so long a time I was very Sick last night but have been up today.  We had anticipated a nice time was going to good hope to distric Singin convention but dont want to go now all well as could be expected hope you are all well let me here from you soon and often Kiss the Children for us

Written in top margin and down side of page 4:

Oh God help us all to bear this sore affliction for sore it is I had thought that he would bee with the Family when you went Back to Louisville You must write to Cox(?) of Louisvill You get letters as Circulars(?) often we have written and told them of your wherabouts but still they keep sending got a pamphlet through last mail

Tell Aunt and Family to write to us