(Image of letter)This letter was from Ruby Priscilla Cox to her parents George and Rett Cox and to her younger brother Robert Cox. Ruby and her husband Emmert Oral Bryan were my grandparents. George Jackson Cox and Clarissa Loretta (Rett) Nichols were my great grandparents.
The letter was written in June of 1925. At that time, Ruby was married with two children, and her brother Robert was 15 years old.
I assume the reference to "papa" was a reference to Ruby's father George Cox, although she refers to him as "Father" in the salutation of the letter.
The reference to Ruby's head hurting concerns a mastoid infection which killed her on August 9th of the same year. The letter does not make reference to it, but she was pregnant at the time the letter was written and she gave birth on July 23.
She was writing from Morristown. Her parents were living in Jefferson County, about ten miles away.
Turner was Joseph Turner Harrison, Ruby's nephew. He was the son of Dan Harrison and Ruby's sister Ethel Cox. Turner was 12 years old in 1925. Edna was Edna Omage Bryan who was Ruby's sister-in-law. Edna was 17 years old in 1925.
Jack and Lena Maude were Ruby's children. Jack was 3 years old at the time, and Lena Maude was about 1 and 1/2. As of the time this letter was written, Ruby appears still to have been taking care of her children. But in another letter a few weeks later, Ruby was so sick that her parents were taking care of the children.
Minnie was Ruby's older sister Minnie Cox who married Port Slaton (Uncle Port). Ethel was Ruby's older sister Mary Emily Ethel (Ethel) Cox who married Dan Harrison (Uncle Dan). As previously mentioned, Emmert was Ruby's husband.
Morristown, Tennessee June 1925 Dear Mother, Father & Bro: Will answer your letter this hot afternoon. It sure will roast you if you get in the sun. Sorry to hear papa isn't doing any good. I was in hopes he would get better. Maybe he will gain afterwhile I reckon a body gets impatient. Hope the rest are well tho I guess you are about run down. I'm so glad Turner stayed to help you. He can help you lots. We are getting along pretty good. I've been feeling better for a day or two yet I don't feel good nor won't I don't guess. My head still bothers me but I guess it will for the rest of my life. It don't run like it ought to. The Dr. said if it wouldn't run out my ear it would mean an operation behind my ear. Don't guess I will ever have that. The rest are pretty gaily. Edna is at home and is getting along fine. She is sore of course but she looks just fine. Jack had a good time down there. Lena Maud missed him She's a bad egg. She has nearly all her teeth thru. Her
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will help him. If he can stand the trip. Tell Minnie Mrs. Williams wanted them pattern I sent her and to cut her off some and take them your house. She can get them from there. I ????? for a few days but they are better and she seems all right. Ethel's trip didn't seem to hurt her of course she was tired but she seemed to be feeling pretty well Friday night. I forgot to tell you Emmert split his thumb open the other day. It is cut to the bone. Is doing o.k. Jack's sores are getting about well. Well, I can't think of any news so I'd better close. Let us hear from you soon. Love to all From your children Tell papa to come up and stay.