The transcription and images are below.

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Aug. 14, 1962.

My dear Claiborne,

I was so glad to get your letter a few days ago. It always thrills me when I get a letter from Claiborne McDonald. How I long to have you in the flesh. If we could spend a night together I am sure that we could recall things. I have been thinking of a McDonald boy that I met who lived about six miles south of Hattiesburg. I do not remember his name -- may be Dan -- he was around my age, may be a year or so younger. He tried to claim kin but did not know how.

I have wondered if your father had any younger brothers. Uncle Hugh's wife was a McCullum and that was not far from Hugh McCullum's home. Hugh was an old bachelor, with many and influence. He was a politician and held good offices in the county. Very good personal friend. If we could just meet and talk, let me make a suggestion. The McDonald family reunion is on the first Sunday in Sept. where you went when you heard of me. It is 3 miles from Collins. I am to preach there at 11 AM -- a long table under the shade trees with lunch with good food. A big crowd of friends and kin. Get some body to bring you up there. Learn you and you can have unit you that afternoon. We can go to see Mary. You can get a bus to Hattiesburg and from Hattiesburg to Columbia. Just don't be in too big of a rush. Expect home.

My children are back home from their vacation, which is at Breen Bends, Va -- for the summer, having a good and helpful summer for him. They spent from Sat to Monday with him, then four days in Washington D.C. when Eisenhower was in Washington for Congress. For four days I preached at Camden, 30 miles away, from Sunday to Tuesday in Central Pine church at night. I was ordained to preach in this church 61 yrs. ago. My wife was a member here when we married. My children attended the services there. John D. is an Asst. Eld., Annie Louise a gospel teacher, leader of Y.P.

Jack Hall, my nephew, son of Congressman Bob, I told, a brother of Judge Stanton Hall of H. Burg. Came by last night and left me some pies and into paper. Just explaining things I am using this paper. He is doing pretty well in his business. Stanton is the only one of Congressman Bob Hall's children living in H. Burg. My oldest sister May Harper has two daughters and grand children there. My sister Lucy (Mrs. B.J. Dunham) lives in Hattiesburg. Her son has the big insurance Co. Russell Loyd Dunham. I went to visit his two sisters Vera and Juanita Grubbs.

Their husbands were brothers, Angus and Walter Cooper, both are dead. So is Bruce Dunham of Hattiesburg. 

I am always glad to read about how Picayune is growing. In 1895 I bought a bicycle, the first one in that section. I rode up the R.R. track to Picayune a small town. I talked to Mr. Tate a few days ago and have just met him once. He is feeling better.

I just wanted to talk to you.

Love,

Gus

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