The transcription is below, along with the original images.

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167 Glenmary St.

Jackson Miss.

March 30, 1963

My dear Claiborne:

I was so glad to get your letter. I love you dear with pleasure. I do not understand it. I have never felt toward anyone else as I have you. By the time that I had your second letter, I knew that I loved you. Our minds run in the same direction so much. I know there may never be much more than an understanding between us, but I just am sorry that we are never to be together. During the cold rainy weather my pain was excruciating. I could hardly get around, and yet I kept imagining that I might have another beginning. That I might have another beginning. I could visit the Army funeral. So I went and had my doctor do a check-up that he had me to get every doctor, he told me he would as strong as I am. After examining me, he told Ed, he said that my age was strong as horse. When examining my blood pressure lungs are perfect kidney and heart. Blood pressure lungs are perfect blood pressure. Doctor does not anything give me a sick bed time. Doctor does not [illegible] or be said, the doctor had a suffering me. I’ve said the inflammation and rupture caused the pain. [illegible] the inflammation and rupture caused the pain and we two persons were saying that thing from one week you let me know. If you’ll have enough help you almost eight days. The two doctor’s came and I’ll be glad to see you my love [illegible] and in long periods you know really helped me.

I had a beautiful home wedding at my home this afternoon. I have fifteen of my family. [illegible] has been engaged, those third of May. Now, darling, my Lizel helped out get Ed to bring you to the track. It will be Saturday morning, the 2nd Sunday in May. Mt. Carmel is in the church. Mt. Carmel is [illegible]. [illegible] the family May the land. The church has had some modern improvements, had the same church where your father was [illegible]. Most of the people who were there are your kin. My great father and aunt Mary McDonald married around his time after my father and mother Emma and Effie McDonald married. My father and mother had eleven children, ten lived to grow up. My father and mother had five children. [illegible] and many had five children. John Kristian is slowly improving. He was at the hospital for four weeks. It is glad to have him home. We have his new mirror. On June 7 was in 3rd St. Austin from 3 pm to 11, then Ed again. I could have much good time. Our minds have been so [illegible] for so many flowers and is much party. John Kristian’s flowers have much for you and much as you have seen. The dear have nothing from the master as they. No keepsakes shall have.

I’m pleased with John’s condition. His doctor comes every day now. The boys come and worked on him, moving his limbs etc. The speed they is working him Monday. [illegible] does everything [illegible] him. It will be alright. We’ll do very well. [illegible] A scar from the pouch, about 7 or 8 ft. He walked to the side wall. It is rolled up and down it is in true [illegible] a day up and down the street. This is a change. He goes ahead and walks on his right leg and is so much better. [illegible] He can work more his arm me told. The reason everything is going. I hope that he may soon come and walk again. Connie’s sister has been with him since Jan. 27 when he had his stroke. She went back to teaching Friday. He does his good exercises. I wish that I could go near the hand and fingers again, as you said. Perhaps my writing may not be so bad for an eighty-nine-year-old man. It means much for me to write. Yes, I have a little daily in my garden. My onions, mustard, turnips, corn, butter beans planted. I hope to plant okra, [illegible], squash, and just tomatoes and. I am not giving them sixty inches. The ground is ready [illegible]. I sell my tomatoes and butter beans before planting. There has not been a settled warm when it is hot weather. I read of your funeral. I am told that Lou and Claiborne are all fine. Do you have a Claiborne IV? Hope the season will be helpful. Love, Gus

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