Saturday May 24, 1913

Dear Sister Josie :—

It is with a sad heart I write you the sad news of the death of our Darling little Freddie. He died yesterday morning about eleven o'clock, and was buried this morning. We buried him in the grave yard close to the Holiness Church where Nettie was buried. I didn't get to go to see him buried for Buck and Parkie have the measles and couldn't go so I stayed with them.

Goldie, Ray, Thelma, June and Ruby all stayed also as the wind was damp and cool, and they was afraid for them to be out in it.

We had his funeral preached here at home. Bro. Boles preached it. Oh Josie, little Freddie was such a sweet corps. He looked so natural. He looked just like he was ready to smile. Oh it seems so lonesome here without our sweet darling Freddie! Poor Little thang. He suffered one week from the day he was taken bad. Mama sat right by him day and night all the time he was sick. She had hopes for him all the time untill the morning he died, but I never had any hopes for him from the first.

We had plenty of company all the time he was sick, every body was so good to come. Bessie West come nearly every day and set up two night all night — and she is such a good hand with the sick too. She just sat right by him all the time she was here. I always will love Bessie for the way she has done while darling little Freddie was sick.

Mrs. Coffey was awful good to come too. And Mrs. Presdrige, in fact, every body around. Dondalsons come quite a bit. May Dondalson come several times. Papa isn't mad at them now.

Freddie's coffin was awful sweet. It was white and had on the lid "Our Darling." Mrs. Coffey and Bessie made his little dress. It was so sweet. They had four reathes of flowers on his coffin and a bunch of roses in his little sweet hand. Oh josie I would give any thang if you could have been here and seen him. We would have sent for you but didn't know wheather you could have come or not, and then if you was here now you would take the measels.

Josie I know our darling is better off in heaven then in this old world of sin and suffering. But Josie dear it seems like I can't hardly stand it. For you know how sweet he was. I can't hardly stand to write to you about it. For I know how bad it will hurt you because you didn't get to see im.

You know Lucy & Leonard hasn't had the measels so she didn't get to come down. How and Avril and Beatrice come. Uncle Gus and aunt Lody come but you know their children hasn't had the measels eather so they left them with Lucy but they come down to see him buried this morning. Avril stayed with me while they went to bury him. She is going to stay all night to- night.

Well Josie dear I just feel so bad I can't write any more this time. Write as soon as you get this.

With much love I am as ever

your loving Sister

Dora