[letter from W.E. Crews to Joseph Hill Murphy]
[Maury Co. TN to Hubbard, TX]
[transcribed by Mark A. Murphy, Stephenville, TX, 8/3/2000]

Dec. 30th, 1876
Hurricane Switch, Tenn
Mr. J.H. Murphy

Dear Sir.

I have concluded to wright you a few lines tonight in answer to you
 note of December 16th whitch I reseaved a few days back and was
glad to hear you was all well.  I am at Scribners tonight havent mooved
home yet expect to moove in a few days McKinney [McKinley?] has not 
mooved out yet.  I have seen Frank Murphey and had a talk with him in
 regard to your money maters and I think your chances is bad to ever git 
any money out of Frank from what I can find out he is six hundred dollars
 worse off than nothing.  So I want you to see Putman and find out how
 mutch money he can let me have and let me know right away so I can git
 that amount hear from Scribner of your money that will have the exspences 
of sending it each way Scribner will not send you any money untill I hear
 from this letter So I want you to say to Putman that Tom James has filed a 
bill against him to take the bursnep [burden?] out of his hand so he cant
 pay me any money untill the suit is desided and there is no telling when that 
will be.  Tell Al [Joseph Albert Murphy] to see Putman and git his note for
 all he owe me with ten percent intrust. Tell Putman I want him to let me 
have as mutch money as he posably can.  Well you beleave I like Tenn 
very well.  If it was not quite so cold every thing hear has bin frozen for 
nearly one month and the snow is now about a foot deeap.  Your Ma 
slipped out at the doore the other day and sprained her ankle and she
 caint hardly walk.  Since I am afraid she will be along time gitting over it.  
The balance of us all are well and slick fat wea are just living off the fat of
 the land wright me all the news and wright soon.  So good buy.
Your Pa
W. E. Crews