Collier Family Letter
2 Feb 1858

Austin 2nd Feby 1858

My Dear Elizabeth,
Your very kind and affectionate letter of the 8th inst. came to hand on Saturday last which is the first received since leaving home. I was exceedingly sorry to hear that the children were unwell, and that you have so much trouble with them in your feeble and delicate health. I hope however, that the health. I hope however, that the health of the children as well, and that your strength and flesh may be regained.

My health has been very bad ever since my return, and I have lost what little flesh I had gained, and am still suffering with sore throat and cold & cough.

Mr. Hicks has got leave of absence for the balance of the session, to attend business at home and will leave today or tomorrow, and I thought perhaps you might get a letter by him before I could get home, as we shall not adjourn till the 16th inst.

I do not know how I shall get home when we adjourn, the roads are too bad.

My Poney is in the woods and I do not know whether dead or alive or run away as I have not seen her since she was turned out. I understand that you have had a great deal of rain and I should not be surprised to hear that the mill is broken again.

I may go by the way of Galveston if the waters keep up, or I may have to go that way to get money as I have not yet disposed of the order that Brother Thos. gave me on Wood & Power of Galveston.

Do not be impatient for my return, as I may be detained after our adjournment, in getting my Poney, or by high water, or in going by Galveston. You certainly can not be more anxious for my return than I am, but I can not leave till we adjourn.

I regret to hear of the death of Old Man Hare and cousin William. You did not say whether cousin William had got home or not, but I suppose he had.

Your affectionate Husband
James G. Collier

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(above letter in possession of Barbara Yancey Dore, Nederland, Tx)