Note: Robert Gwyn Mitchell, of our line, was a son of the Rev. James Bourne Mitchell, born June 27 1821 in Abingdon, Virginia, died March 12 1901 at Kirksville, Missouri. Robert mentions in the letter his brother Orlando “Lando” McDavid Mitchell and his wife Clara Wilson and their two children Horace Wilson and Martha. Thank you to Jim Mitchell for this letter. The stationary is that of the Sabbath School Assembly of the Synod of Missouri, Cumberland Presbyterian church. “Next Annual Encampment August 16-25, 1898, at Pertle Springs, near Warrensburg, Johnson County. Mo.” The letterhead shows the Executive Officers, the Presbyeterial Vice Presidents (of which R. G. Mitchell was the one for Macon) and the Executive Committee.
Kansas City, Missouri, June 28, 1898
Rev. J. B. Mitchell D.D.
Kirksville, Mo.
My Dear Father: –
Last week, I thought several times of the 27th being your birthday, and full expected to mention it in my letter Sunday, so you would get it on birth day. And just while I was writing, it occurred to me several times that there was something I wished to mention, lo this slipped me, and I did not think of the matter till yesterday. So I will have to beg your pardon for being forgetful – but and your indulgence on account of my previous intentions. Hope you had a pleasant and happy day. The come seeming by oftener as we grow older, and no doubt the (illegible) on these days are free of angst to you since your life has been a busy one, and has been largely for the good of others. Your work too has been appreciated by your friends and contemporaries. (Illegible) yes very many of your deceased friends have gone on (illegible) but your disposition and habits in life have been and are still such that you are actively interested in things that pertain to the citizen, the christian, the friend, companion and parish. I congratulate you on your arrival to the 77th mile stone, and (illegible) that the rest of your journey will be happy and (illegible) and I feel (illegible) that so long as you and (illegible) you will be the more endeared to your children, companions, relations and large circle of friends.
Jno. R. Mitchell
P.S. I was out to Lando’s yesterday evening. All well. Clara is getting along nicely and little Martha seems to be growing. Clara says she is a much better baby than Horace was. He is very fond of her and insists on having the privilege of holding her often. Clara says that Lando is much easier to wake up of a night to go do something for the little sister than he was for Horace.
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