(4^{th I guess [ Summer 1898-99])}

if you don't take the paper you haven't heard about F Forester killing. Phil Brogon he run they caught him the Nevada. he probably will hang, poor fellow. If he had stand by Jesus he would have been safe. I guess Anna wishes she had helped him. I spoke to her about doing that last spring, she didn't think much about it. She can think now she has ??? all summer. It is so strange that people wont let god help them. Think of his poor mother, he was always good to her. She (Anna) can and problay will marry again but that little boy will have to think of his Father is a murderer. Keep close to Jesus dear and your family will follow you. He will cleanse your heart from inbred sin will take out the want to. Oh tis so precious to trust in him. Do as much good as you can take your little children by the hand and lead to thing. SS put nothing but good back before them to read get in good things before Satin get bad written on their hearts he is not idle be as faithful as he is. I fear I shall never see you all again. I pray for it that I may see all before I go. I am not doing any god now. You wont let the children forget me especially Clarence. I can see him down town on the porch get Beulah crying to go with her. Uncle Judd, he will not marry while I'm here. He loves little ones so well he ought to marry but, I'm in the way of course. I'm glad to stay with him, but it's hard for him. Father is living with Ezra he would not stay with here he was home sick and wanted to live by a fire place but had sold all his hay couldn't go back he came over twice to stay Judd has spent a good deal of time running after him. I said I hoped his money would not do him any good when he would not let Clara have any after promising her and it's pretty nearly all gone. I'm afraid he will have paralysis before the winter is out. He is nearly blind in one eye cant see much with the other after sundown. Clara is having trouble with Cora poor girl. A ?? with are boarding well. I'll quit and let Juddie have the rest to write.

Good by from mother.

Sophia Palmer

if you can make sense of this you will do well write oftener if cant write so as you'd like to I wish you could find something (be) near one another. Father might have gone up to see you this summer if he would kiss all the babies for me.