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They mention going to Luverne, which is a community in nearby Crenshaw County, where some of their land was situated.  They attended an “old soldier’s reunion” — they speak of the Civil war soldiers, probably from his unit.

On page 3, she speaks of “Mr Bradwell”.  He was her brother in law, married to sister Henrietta.  I have seen references to him as Professor Bradwell, and this letter suggests that there is a school that is trying to recruit him.  Apparently, he was a school teacher.

She mentions the crops, the lack of rain and the watermelons that had been stolen.  She finishes her letter on the top of the 4th page, upside down, a common way to write in these letters.

Transcription:

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

Page 1:

Honoraville. Ala
July 22nd 1894

Dear Sister and family

It has been some time Since I wrote to you so I will endeavor to pen you a few lines tonight and tell you how we are Mama and I are as well as usual and Papa is a good deal better than he has been though he suffers a good deal yet We all went to Luverne the fourth to an old Soldiers Reunion and Papa enjoyed it immensely in fact we all did

Page 2:

we saw Dr James Kendrick down there and he examined Papa and wrote out a prescription for him and told him never to take another dose of calomel that the medicine he gave him would take its place but it failed to do it he got so bad last Monday teusday and Wednesday it seemed like he couldnt live and I couldnt persuade him to take calomel so I sent for Dr Shepherd and the first thing was a dose of calomel and he took it for him and got better right away.  Dr passed quite a compliment on your baby he said it was the sweetest and most perfect picture of a baby he ever saw. he just raved over it.

Page 3:

And we are sorter like him we think it perfection.  Mr Bradwell was at home last Wednesday night they have a fine school at Brantley they think now they will move down there this fall the patrons of the school are offering him every inducement to move the town is on a Boom several new houses going up and a constant demand for dwellings Mr B doesnt know yet that he can get a house there one man has offered to try to get his partners to give him a lot and if they do that he will build on it.  if they move down there they will be about twelve miles nearer th (sic - to?) us

Page 4:

than they are now.  I guess they have written you from home and told you all the news there Mama was home last week and reports every thing in very prosperous condition.  We had a ten weeks drouth here just when rain was needed worse. but the rains have set in now and the crops have come out wonderfully but we have no vegetables thats the worst of all. had a lot of fine watermelons but the thieves got most of them they are about all gone.  write to us soon and Ill promise to answer.  Love to all from Sis (one word illegible:  D---)

The remainder is written upside down in the top margin:

I have not told you half I wanted to but I have already written three letters and have one more yet to write and its now nine oclock but (last line cut off by copier - looks like: . . . next time)