These Letters where donated by Sara M. Bettencourt,
Thank you Sara!!
I have left the original wording and spelling intact,
occasionally inserting "sic" to indicate to the reader
that, that was, indeed, the original spelling.


THE FAYETTE BANNER
(Fayette, Fayette Co., AL)
30 May 1901, p. 1

[An interesting snapshot of Itasca and Hill Co., TX]

TEXAS LETTER

Itaska, Texas May 21

All well, health good; crops good, except small grain.
We are having plenty of rain; in fact, too much. Cotton
chopping is now in order with us; corn large enough to
"lay by," and putting out potatoe slips is at hand.

We have had 300 cases of small pox in this county - only
4 deaths out of that number, and but four new cases have
been reported for the past few days. I am County Committeeman
of precinct No. 4, and am in position to know something
of the trouble and cost of trying to control this disease.
This county has already paid out for doctor bills, $2,000;
guard hire, about $700.00; grocer bills, $1,000; nurse
hire, $300.00. We have learned much; for instance, one
man and his wife had the disease, -- we hired a nurse,
furnished them supplies and paid their bills until they
were well again; then their children were stricken down,
and the father and mother nursed them back to health and
presented their bill (for nursing their own children) to
County Commissioners to be paid. They had already received
about $100.00 of the county funds, and seemed to be going
upon the principle that "it's an ill wind that blows nobody
good.
"They are transient people, and not citizens of our county".

Much is being said and written these days about good roads.
In this county we are working the roads with county convicts;
that is, where it will do the general public the most good.
We use road graders - plow on each side of the road and
then grade to the center, and work 8 miles to the grader.
County bridges are built with convict labor also, and it
is a much better [sic] than sending the convicts to the
coal mines, as is done in Ala.; better for the convicts
and better for the county.

A movement is on foot to enact a law in this State
granting all counties the right to use short time
State convicts in building good roads, and without
any cost to the counties using them.

Well, I must tell you about our family reunion. Mother
is here on a visit, and I sent to Earth county [probably
Erath Co.] for aunt Pattie Freeman, widow of Rev. John
Freeman; and to Narvon county [Navarro Co.?] for aunt
Caroline Davis, wife of Buck Davis, who resided near
Fayette, Ala., until last fall. These are two of my
aunts who had not seen each other for 38 [? digits are
indistinct] years, and I tell you it was a happy meeting.
Aunt Tina Richards, my father's sister, and Mrs. Baker,
mother of Rich and Frank Baker, were here; these were
all girls together. Eight were seated at my table at
one time, the youngest being 63 years old, the oldest
76, and the others past 70 years of age. Aunt Sis,
mother's youngest sister, could not be with us; a letter
from her husband brings the sad news that she is dangerously
ill, with little hope of recovery. Uncle John Thomas, her
husband, is Treasurer of Knox county. I have just learned
that aunt Amelia Kirkland is in Coke county, Tex., and I
wrote her today to come at once and we will have another
reunion. Aunt Amelia and aunt Pattie have not seen each
other since about 1845. Aunt Amelia is the widow of Hon.
Hugh Kirkland, who at one time represented Fayette county
in the General Assembly of Ala. I look for her in about a week.

Mother will return to Alabama about the first of July,
and Roof Stanley will go with her. Roof is an old
bachelor, who claims to be nearly old enough to work
the road. Mother and Roof will take a 4th of July
dinner at Windham Springs, Ala. I would like to be
there, too.
Yours truly, Miles F. Stanley

THE FAYETTE BANNER
(Fayette, Fayette Co., AL)
23 Jan 1902
MR. A. N. EDMONDS, TO HIS FRIENDS

Itasca, Tex. Jan. 12, 1902

Dear Editor of The Banner:

Please allow me to inform my Fayette friends, through
the columns of your paper, of my safe arrival at home
from Alabama, with my wife a corpse, on Wednesday the
8th. We were met at the depot by a great number of
people, who marched to the grave to pay the last tribute
of respect to my bosom companion who departed this
life at 8 o'clock p.m. on Sunday the 5th inst. To my
friends, one and all, I tender my heartfelt thanks
for the kindnesses shown myself and family while in
Fayette, and especially do I thank those who so tenderly
nursed my wife during her last illness. There is Dr.
Graham, Dr. Peters, W. B. Melton, J. P. Dickinson and
many others who will ever be kindly remembered by me
for acts of kindness shown me while visiting my people
in Alabama. I wish to specially thank Propst Bros. and
J. P. Dickinson for their noble deeds of kindness to me.
I, perhaps, would have had to bury my wife at Cordova,
had it not been for brother Dickinson. At that point
we were transferred from the Southern to the K. C. R. R.,
a certificate had to be signed, and I thank God that
brother Dickinson volunteered to sign it and let me
through with my little children and corpse of my wife.
My home is a lonely home now; a vacant chair at the
fireside, at the table, at church and at Sunday school,
and everywhere I go I miss Amanda. But there is one
consoling thought and that is, she is at rest from the
cares of this troublesome world and that I was permitted
to bury her where she so much desired to be. I enclose
a clipping from my home paper which, if not intruding on
your space, please publish.

Very respectfully, A. N. Edmonds



THE FAYETTE BANNER
(Fayette, Fayette Co., AL)
23 Jan 1902

[This obituary appeared in a Hill County paper, name of
paper and date not known, but was republished in The
Fayette Banner directly beneath Edmonds' letter of
Jan. 12, 1902.]
MRS A. N. EDMONDS DEAD

The people of Itasca and community were pained this week
to learn of the death of Mrs. A. N. Edmonds, which sad
event occurred at Fayette, Ala., Sunday night at 8 o'clock,
at the home of Mr. Edmonds' father, whither Mr. Edmonds and
his wife and two children had gone to spend the holidays.
Mrs. Edmonds was in the best of health, when in company
with her husband, she left her home her home [sic] near
Itasca on December 21. She was taken suddenly ill with
congestion of the bowels and lived only 30 hours. Deceased
was 38 years of age, and was a sister of Mr. R. H. Davis
of the Bois d'Arc community; also was a sister of Mrs.
Chas. Edmonds, living 5 miles southeast of Itasca. She
was a consistent Christian woman, of exalted character
and kindly deeds, and was a member of the Baptist church.

The remains were brought to Grandview Wednesday, where
the interment took place, Rev. J. P. Dickinson
conducting the obsequies.

To the grief-stricken husband and other relatives we
extend sincerest condolence, in which sentiment we are
joined by everyone in Itasca who know A. F. [sic]
Edmonds and his estimable family.

[Mrs. Charles Edmonds was Josephine Manerva Davis.]



THE FAYETTE BANNER
(Fayette, Fayette Co., AL)
23 Jan 1902, p. 1

[This was written by Elvira Christian "Ella" Edmonds,
sister of A. N. Edmonds, and a life-long resident
of Fayette Co., AL]

IN MEMORY OF OUR DEAR SISTER,
MRS. AMANDA EDMONDS

With a sad, grieved heart and tear-dimmed eyes we
write a brief sketch of our beloved sister Amanda,
wife of a very dear brother. On December 23rd, we
looked out from our humble home and saw the hackman
drive up to the gate; and oh, how our hearts were
made to leap with joy, when we saw that the passengers
were our dear brother, wife and two little children.
For the time our worn-out feelings - caused from the
long nursing of our old and afflicted father - were
forgotten. Oh, how pleasant it was to have our humble
home brightened up with their cheerful words and bright
faces - all the very picture of health. But alas! In
a few days all the family were sick, caused by the
sudden change of climate. And how sad it is to say
that death claimed for his victim the Wife, the Mother,
our sweet sister. Truly can we say, there was nothing
in her character upon which it is not pleasant to reflect.
She made sunshine and happiness wherever she went; and
oh, how our heart pangs when we think of those busy hands
that were ever ready to administer to the needs of the
needy - that kind heart that was so full and free - that
well guided tongue that had a kind word for every one
with whom she chanced to meet - now still and motionless
in death, our grief is greater than we can express. But
when we reflect and know that she bore every fruit of the
Spirit, and by it, she being dead, yet speaketh, and that
just a little way in the future we hope to meet her with
all the blood-washed throng, where there is no more sad
farewells, our grief is somewhat subdued. And may God
in His mercy comfort our dear brother and bereaved husband,
and give him grace to bare [sic] his sore trials with that
degree of humbleness and patience that is becoming to a meek
child of God - help him to look far beyond the cold grave
(for conscious are we that there is no comfort in its cold
prison walls) to that bright realms where, at some future
day, will be gathered together all the redeemed in Christ
Jesus. Weep not, dear ones, she has only passed from the
living unto life, and her beautified spirit now rests with
the God who gave it.
To say that the husband and children have our profoundest
sympathy would be but a weak expression from a loving sister.
Ella Edmonds



THE FAYETTE BANNER
(Fayette, Fayette Co., AL)
13 Feb 1902, p. 5

WM. A. EDMONDS

On Saturday night, the 8th inst., William A. Edmonds
passed away at his home, five miles north from this
place. He was about 88 years old, and at the age of
8 years he happened to a misfortune which rendered
him a cripple, and a great sufferer, during the remainder
of his life. He had been a resident of this county for
many years, and served several terms as tax collector of
the county, gaining the distinction of being one of the
most faithful and efficient collectors in the State. Mr.
Edmonds was a member of the Baptist church from early
manhood. He was a good man. His walk was orderly, and
his deportment gentle. He now sleeps awaiting the
resurrection morning. We extend sympathy to
the bereaved family.



THE FAYETTE BANNER
(Fayette, Fayette Co., AL)
08 May 1902, p. 1

OBITUARY

William A. Edmonds was born in Oglethorpe county, Ga.,
Oct. 13, 1814, and died February 8, 1902 - in his 89th
year. Brother Edmonds was one of the most devout
Christians with whom the writer of this sketch to his
memory ever associated. He was unusually conscientious
in his Christian faith and practice, and had the courage
of his convictions, and often contended for what he
considered to be sound doctrine, against the wisdom of
his church, and rarely failed to gain his point, which
was generally correct. He was a man of wisdom, and a
prince in Isreal [sic]; he was a preacher's friend and
nurse. His house was the preacher's home, and his
hospitality was unbounded. W. A. Edmonds was also a
man of affairs. Fayette county delighted to honor him,
and he loved his countrymen, who regarded him as a father.
The manner in which he reared and trained his children,
who are all model Christians - one a preacher - and
citizens of the highest type, is a monument to his memory
more durable than any Italian or other marble shaft that
could be placed at his grave. His dear children in Alabama
and Texas will miss his counsel and his affection, for he
idolized - so to speak - his loved ones. They were his
sunshine in his declining years, and they were devoted
to him. But, brother Edmonds is gone! His voice is hushed!
Fayette county citizens are sad, for one of their truest
and most estimable men has fallen! The writer of this
poor tribute of respect is bereaved. He will miss "Uncle
Billy's" counsel and instruction, but the loved ones in
the city of God are happier in his company, as they, with
him, bathe in the ocean of God's love. We'll meet him
over the River. The Lord comfort the bereaved children,
relatives and friends.

J. E. Cox
Fayette, Ala.



THE FAYETTE BANNER
(Fayette, Fayette Co., AL)
08 May 1902, p. 4

MY TEXAS TRIP

[A general description of Texas and Hill County.]

Editor Banner: Thinking perhaps it might interest
some of your readers to know what an Alabamian thinks
of Texas, I write you this brief sketch of my trip.
I reached Dallas on the 21st of April. I saw more
people in Dallas than I ever saw at one time before.
The old Confederate Veterans, and others, had gathered
there in such numbers that travel along the sidewalks
was almost impossible. Dallas, with her large stone
and brick buildings, tells to the world that she is a
great business center, and a city of much wealth. But
that wind! It was so disagreeable to one not accustomed
to Texas winds. It blew so hard and raised such a sand
storm that the sun refused to shine on my trip from
Dallas to Fort Worth, there was so much sand and dust
in the air. But Texas is a great country after all.
With her fertile lands, Christian-hearted people, the
liberality of her churches, and her fine school system,
she is the formest [foremost?] State in the Union.
When I reached Hill county Texas, where my sister
resides, it seemed to me that I had come to the garden
pot of the world. Everybody seemed prosperous - in
fact, to have plenty of this world's goods - contented
and happy. There is an exceedingly fine prospect for
a good crop this year. Here I found good health, good
land and good water, though, in some portions, the
water is not so good. The small grain crops were
beginning to suffer for rain. All I have to regret
now is that I do not own some of the black land of
Texas. Now, somebody will say that I have the Texas fever.

W. B. Melton



THE FAYETTE BANNER
(Fayette, Fayette Co., AL)
08 May 1902, p. 4

A TEXAS LETTER

Itasca, Tex. Apr. 28

Dear Editor:

I haven't seen anything in The Banner from Hill
county in a long while, so I will write some of
the happenings in this community.

Health is good except Mr. C. C. McDuff, a man who
is well known to many readers of The Banner, and
who is a very prominent citizen of this community.
He has been quite sick for ten weeks, but I am glad
to say that, at this writing, he is tho't to be
improving Crop prospects are flattering except the
small grain crop, which, owing to the long dry
spell is not very promising.

We have been made to rejoice on account of so many
of our Alabama friends coming to see us during the
reuion [reunion] at Dallas. Most every State in the
Union is represented by prospectors. Many were never
on Texas soil before, and it is funny to a Texan to
hear them talk. Land is advancing in price continually
in Hill county, and people continue to come here from
every State in the Union. We have the best of society,
and if the people want good land and good society,
this is the place for them.

The Banner is a welcome visitor at my home every Monday
morning - haven't missed but one copy (Apr. 2nd) since
my visit to old Fayette last Christmas. I hope all of
your correspondents, especially those living in my
native county of Fayette, will continue their letters
to The Banner. I get news in that way that I could
not get otherwise.

A. N. Edmonds

[C. C. McDuff is Christopher Columbus "Bud" McDuff -
A. N. Edmonds' brother-in-law. C. C. McDuff was the
brother of Edmonds' first wife, Elizabeth A.
(McDuff) Edmonds who died in 1891. C.C. survived
whatever malady he contracted in 1902; he died in 1923.]



THE FAYETTE BANNER
(Fayette, Fayette Co., AL)
29 May 1902, p. 1

ITASKA, TEXAS

Itaska, Tex. May 23

[This letter and the next nicely describe Hill
County as it was at the turn of the last century.]
Editor Fayette Banner:

If you will allow me space I will try to give a
few items from this portion (Hill county) of Texas.

This is a nice rolling prairie country, of the
black waxy kind and as fertile as heart can wish.
Our crops are simply fine. Corn is now about five
feet high and a dark green color. Many farmers have
corn tassels and we will soon be feasting on roasting
ears. Garden vegetables are plentiful and we are
trying to live at home.

We have had nice rains of late and the people are all
smiles and full of good cheer for all mankind.

Farmers are busy now chopping cotton, the late rains
having put them somewhat behind with their work. The
click of the binder can be heard on all sides harvesting
the wheat and oats, which crops are considered very good,
for the dry season.

I can look from my farm and see sixty teams plowing,
and each team will cultivate fifty acres. We do not
have the kind of grass here that you have in old Fayette
county, but we have many kinds of weeds and
sunflowers in abundance.

This is the easiest country to farm in that I have ever
seen. I have made five crops here and have gathered one
hundred and two bales of cotton, and some corn to spare
each year and raised meat enough for home consumption.

Land is high here, ranging from ten to seventy-five
dollars per acre, and it is the home of the fine fat
hog. We have good schools and churches, and all round
good society but it could be improved some.

We were glad to have your esteemed townsman W. B.
Melton with us a short time since. Well, I'm off
now for a fight with General Green.

R. H. Davis
[R. H. Davis is A. N. Edmonds' brother-in-law,
with Davis being the brother of Edmonds' recently
deceased second wife, Amanda (Davis) Edmonds.]


THE FAYETTE BANNER
(Fayette, Fayette Co., AL)
05 June 1902, p. 4

ITASCA, TEXAS May 26

Dear Mr. Editor and readers of The Banner:

Itasca is situated in the northern part of Hill
county, 45 miles south of Ft. Worth, in the most
fertile pariarie [sic] country in this or any other
State. Itasca has the second largest cotton mill in
the State, and preparations are being made to put in
several hundred more looms. The city has a population
of 4,000 and is said to be one of the wealthiest
small towns in the State.

Farmers are moving along nicely with their crops.
Corn is silking and tasseling; cotton has from one
to five squares to the stalk, and will soon be
blooming. The continued rains have given the
"burrah" grass the advantage of some of the
farmers and they will have to hustle, or lose
some of their cotton.

This has been the hardest year Texas has experienced
and stock of all kinds look bad. Mules are dying
every day from wind colic. "Sticktites" and
gallinippers are the center of attraction just now.

Farmers are rushing to get the small grain saved
during the pretty weather now with us. Farm work
is a good price -- $1 per day and more.

We have the water, the best of health, good society
and the people are prosperous; many of them seem to
be striving hard to get rich.

The wind and mud are the only objections Alabamians
can find to Texas. Hoping that some of my Alabama
friends will make up their minds to come over to
God's country and visit me, I will close.

Thomas Dunn

[Wind colic afflicts domesticated animals and is
marked by digestive disturbance, gas, and abdominal
bloating. "Burrah" grass is likely burro-grass,
a type of invasive grass. Sticktites or sticktights
are small prickly burrs. Some people call them
"stickle burrs."A gallinipper is any type of pesky,
biting insect - biting flies, mosquitoes, etc.]



THE FAYETTE BANNER
(Fayette, Fayette Co., AL)
24 July 1902, p. 4

TEXAS LETTER

Itasca, Hill County, Texas July 16, 1902

Editor Fayette Banner:

As it has been some time since I wrote for your
paper, thought an item or two from this section
might be of interest to some of your many readers.

Health good: good rains, but too late for the corn
crop. I have lived here since the year 1886, and
this is the shortest corn crop I have ever seen in
Texas. Farmers have planted thousands of acres to
June corn, millet, and sorghum, and it is looking
fine. Cotton is fine, but what the yield will be
we cannot tell yet.

Glad to read in The Banner a letter from my old
friend, "Bob" Miles, of Kathleen, Fla. Letters
published in The Banner from old-time friends,
who are scatterd all over this broad land, brings
us many interesting items that we could not get
in any other way.

I read much that is said about stock law in old
Fayette. You know the old adage says, "Experience
is a dear school," etc. My experience is that the
country that has stock law, good roads, and good,
law-abiding citizens, is a most delightful country
in which to live. And allow me to say to the people
of Fayette county my old mother county - that if
they would spend half the time they do in fishing
and hunting in improving the farms, public roads,
and raising improved stock, in a few years you would
see real estate in Fayette county double its present
value, and her people prospering as they never
prospered before. Then, when you met a vehicle
you would not have to hunt a wide place in the road to pass.

You remember that on my last visit to Fayette, a
few months ago, I returned home with wife a corps:
to-day my daughter is airing her clothing, and the
scenes there are all brought fresh to my memory again.
O, so sad!

Glad to see the pictures of brother J. E. Cox and
others in The Banner, and would be glad if all the
correspondents would sign their real names.

Hoping to see F. M. Caine the representative from
Fayette co., and wishing The Banner and all of its
readers much success, I am Yours truly, A. N. Edmonds

[This letter, written on July 16, 1902, describes
A. N.'s continuing sadness over Amanda's death 6
months earlier. But only 14 days after he wrote
this letter, he married again. It seems a little
unusual that when he writes to his friends back
home on this date, he tells of his grief for Amanda,
but does not mention that he will be happily married
again in two weeks.]

[This is the photo of J. E. Cox that Edmonds saw in
the paper dated 29 May 1902. The Rev. James E. Cox,
Southern Baptist minister, wrote the obituary of A.
N. Edmonds' father, William A. Edmonds, which
appeared in The Fayette Banner on 08 May 1902.]



THE FAYETTE BANNER
(Fayette, Fayette Co., AL)
07 Aug 1902, p. 5
A HAPPY MARRIAGE

On July 3oth, at the home of the bride's brother,
Mr. W. B. Naugle, the rites of matrimony were
solemnized between A. N. Edmonds and Miss Lee
Naugle, Elder P. J. Deason officiating. Owing
to the muddy condition of the roads only a few
friends of the contracting parties were present to
witness the ceremony. The bride is a member of one
of the best families of Hill county, who came here
from Mississippi some 30 years ago. She is a noble
hearted lady and a consistent member of the church.
Brother Edmonds is a genial gentleman, possessing
many sterling qualities of head and heart, admired
and loved by all who know him.

We extend hearty congratulations to them and wish
for them a happy voyage through life.

R. H. Davis
Itasca, Tex. Aug 2, 1802
[sic - should read 1902]

[R.H. Davis was the brother of A. N. Edmonds'
second wife, Amanda (Davis) Edmonds.]



Newspaper Tidbits

From The Fayette Banner, 27 Dec 1900:

"Messrs. Chas. Edmonds, H. B. and Sol. Dickinson,
of Hill county, Texas arrived Saturday to take
Xmas with folks at 'the old home.' May their Xmas
be the most pleasant that they have ever enjoyed."
[Charles Edmonds is A. N. Edmonds' brother. It is
not known if A. N. went with his brother to Fayette
County for Christmas in 1900 - although we know that
A. N., his wife, and two children spent the next
Christmas (1901) in Fayette at his father's home.
Christmas 1901 was the last one A. N. spent with
his father and his second wife, Amanda. Amanda
died on this trip in early January 1902 and his
father, William A. Edmonds, died one month
later in February 1902.]

County residents routinely submitted news summaries
from their neighborhoods for publication in The
Fayette Banner. Often these "reporters" would use
pen names, although everyone knew their identities.
Here are several excerpts mentioning the Edmonds family.

The Fayette Banner, 03 July 1902, p. 1 under
"Martin Creek Jottings" submitted by "Erastus."
"I received a letter from A. N. Edmonds, of Itasca
Texas, in which he writes that crops are good.
Brother Edmonds is a model Christian gentleman."

The Fayette Banner, 24 July 1902, p. 1 under "Hugent
Locals." "Mr. J. C. Smith, the ladies man, is erecting
a neat little cottage for Miss Ella Edmonds."
[Interesting. On first reading, it sounds as if
J. C. Smith and Ella Edmonds are engaged and soon
to be married. But Ella never married. It is
possible their engagement was broken off. However,
it could simply mean exactly what it says - that Ella
employed Smith to build her a cottage. Ella was the
primary caretaker for her father, who had just recently
died. Perhaps Ella could now build a little house for
herself. The author of this note was likely just
teasing Smith a bit by referring to him as "the ladies man."]

The Fayette Banner, 16 Oct 1902, p. 1 under "Hugent
Happenings" submitted by "Blanch."

"Great honor is due A. N., C. W. and J. H. Edmonds of
Itaska and Anson, Texas, for erecting over their parents'
sleeping dust nice monuments, furnished by M. J. Baker,
agent for the Rosebrough Monument Co. - an honorable
company, that gives satisfaction. These monuments speak
greater words of honor for those noble sons than this
writer is able to pen."

The Fayette Banner, 04 Dec 1902, p. 1 under "Hugent
Notes" submitted by "Friend."
"Dear Editor: It is pleasant indeed to have our county
paper (The Banner) come to us every week with the news
furnished by correspondents from every part of the
county, and to read the interesting letters that appear
in its columns from our friends and kindred who have
journeyed to the far West. If our old friends, A. N.
Edmonds of Itasca, and many others in Texas, Oklahoma
and the Territory, knew the satisfaction it gives their
old Fayette county friends to hear from them thro' The
Banner, I am sure they would write quite often."



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