Letter by an Octogenarian, James Moore

Submitted by Donnie Pickard

Democrat, June 18, 1915, Page 1
Letters From the People
An Interesting Letter by an Octogenarian
Fairbanks, Ark., June 15th, 1915

Dear Sir: Since you have invited contributions from old settlers and feeling sure many of my old friends read your paper every week with your permission I would like to offer my little story, to-wit:

I was born in Rome County, Tenn., May 8th, 1833, and moved to this county in 1858, where I since resided. I have passed the four-score mile post; was 82 years old last month. I professed hope in Christ in 1870 and for these 45 years have been trying to serve my God. Have devoted a good deal of my time visiting the sick, but now I am so "tottery" that I can't ride, so I can't go and visit them as I would like. But I do visit them in prayer.

I lived with my father until I was 24 years old when I decided to see a part of the world. I first came to Arkansas, then in turn visited Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi and thence back to Tennessee, where I annexed one Julia E. Mitchel to be my companion through life. That was in 1857. One year later we moved to the best state I found in my rambles, Arkansas, to make our home. I am very glad to say, Mr. Editor, she is still with me and will be 88 years old in October.

During my journey through life I have had many and varied experienced, but will not take up your space to mention them all. There is one in particular I wish to mention. In 1856 I moved to a town in Tennessee where the people were afflicted with disease they called the cholera. They died very fast, sometimes 30 and 40 a day. I remained there six weeks helping to wait upon the sick and bury the dead. I never contracted the disease. Then it was I felt it impressed upon me as a duty to always visit the sick and have tried to do so up to this time.

In all my rounds I never paid a penny's fine. I served about 18 months during the latter part of the war in the rebel army. Will not take nay of your space, but will enclose 50 cents for your paper to January 1st. My wife and I love to read of Van Buren County and her many citizens.

Yours very truly,
James Moore