Butler County, Alabama

Jan 1890 Letter from Queenie Shine to L I Shine,
wife of her brother, Dr. Uriah Hix Shine, in Polk County Texas.

Submitted by Susan Shine Kilcrease
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Queenie Shine letter 1890 pg 1 Queenie Shine letter 1890 pg 2
Queenie Shine letter 1890 pg 3 Queenie Shine letter 1890 pg 4
Notes:  This letter illustrates the isolation the families felt from each other during these times.  Communication took days and the worry was a common thread through their lives.  You feel the hurt and disappointment in her words, as well as the fear they felt when they did not arrive.  An important piece of information is on page three when she mentions that “Brother John has moved back here from Florida.”  She speaks of John Taylor Shine who drowned 10 years later while crossing a river in 1900.  Apparently, he had moved to Florida, where the family had lived prior to moving to Butler County and where some relatives still lived.

Queenie mentions that she and Mama and Papa (Martha Hammond Shine and William Porter Shine) spent Christmas with their sister Missouri at Honoraville, a nearby community.

She mentions the church—that is Oaky Streak Methodist Church.

Transcription:

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

Page 1:

Oaky Streak Ala
Jan 5th 1890.

Dear Sister

We just looked and look (sic) for you all and were terribly terribly disappointed when you did not come.  We thought you were in Greenville.  we heard that you were and it was advertised that you were there and we fixed and looked for you New Years day.  when you did not come then we were sure you would come Friday as we had made arrangements for all the children to come home Friday

Page 2:

and have a reunion here Saturday we meant to have every one of the Grandchildren together once more.  I just worked myself almost to death getting ready for you so that I wouldn't have anything to do when you got here.  I just fixed and fixed everything I could and then in the evening I dressed up and sat by the window and looked until dark and Mama wouldn't give it up then she sat up until about ten Oclock that night and looked for you Augustus and I went off to a party at Cousin Tommie(?) Brooks Essie was invited all seemed disappointed when we went in and she was not with us.  it was the first party we have had

Page 3:

this Season and all seemed to enjoy it hugely.  Mama has promised that we might may have one next week.  Xmas has been rather dull at Oaky Streak.  I think it came too soon for us we hardly knew it was time for Xmas it has been so very warm and dry we have had only one cold spell and that only lasted two or three days, and we have had very little rain, scarcely any.  Bro John and family have moved back here from Florida they live in that little house up the road.  Mama Papa & myself spent Xmas with Sis Minnie at Honoraville.  We had a very

(Note in top margin:  Kiss all the children)

Page 4:

nice time.  I went to a party while up there and saw all my old fellows and friends.  was invited to two more but came back to get ready for you and family.  Mama says she doesn't think she was ever more disappointed in her life.  I am sorry Bessie was sick.  have (sic) she is well ere this.  I went to Consolation Church today for the first time in over two years Guess you saw in the paper that Oaky Streak Circuit was left to be Supplied and our Supply is one Mr Owen I have not Seen him.  I will close for tonight.  if I do not mail this tomorrow, perhaps will write more tomorrow.

Your devoted Sister
Queenie Shine

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Page updated 3 Aug 2007.