C. L. Doss, my great-great grandfather, at the age of fifty-three,
moved from Barren County Kentucky to the community of Antioch in
Johnson County, Texas to teach in a one-room school. He left behind
his wife Elizabeth and two young daughters, Sophia and Alice, until
he could earn the money to send for them. In part, here are his
instructions for the trip.
Ma,
I send you, in a registered letter and addressed to John, $60. This is amply sufficient to bring you to Dallas. The fare from Bowling Green to Dallas, Will says, is $21.40 cts. - for a whole ticket. According to that, from the Junction will cost $22.35 cts. If you start without a full ticket, when you get to Bowling Green inquire for the "Ticket Ofice." Anybody can tell you where it is. By looking in at the door, you can see whether you are right or not and where to apply. You will only have about 15 or 20 minutes to get your tickets in, so you mustn't exercise too much dignity, but get your tickets and get your seats in the cars.
In all cases if you can, get seats near the middle of the coach. I am almost certain that the train that brings you to Bowling Green goes in to Nashville, and another train takes its place on the track. This is always the case when you change cars, I think. Of course, you can inquire "Where is the Memphis train?" or "Which is the Memphis train?" and so of other places (and trains.) Any of the employees of the railroad - those handling the baggage, the Baggage Master, the one who gives you your ticket (if not busy). The Police are also very suitable ones to inquire of. (You will know them by their dress in large places, especially blue-broadcloth).
You will get to Memphis in the morning and have to lie over there till night. During the day you must hunt the Baggage Master up (he is seldom far off) and get your baggage checked to Dallas. He'll take your checks and give you ones having "Dallas" instead of "Memphis" stamped upon them. Every chair has also a number stamped upon it, and the checks [small, square brass plates] you hold correspond in every respect to those fastened to your baggage.
If you lose your checks, anybody finding them could come to the point called for, present checks and take the goods. You can't get your goods without the checks. If you lose your tickets you are out without paying again! Put them in some convenient as well as safe place for every time Conductors are changed, you will have to show your tickets and put them away carefully when he hands them back.
Don't be separated, especially at any place you get off to change cars. (You only change cars at B. Grn., at Memphis, at Little Rock, and Texarkana, I think). Hold Alice by the hand; keep Sophia also right at your side all the time you are anywhere. Keep your little budgets (baskets of provisions &c) also with you unless you should accidentally meet up with some (family or lady) coming like yourselves to Dallas. In such a case you might ask them, if they pleased, to watch your things.
I send you, in a registered letter and addressed to John, $60. This is amply sufficient to bring you to Dallas. The fare from Bowling Green to Dallas, Will says, is $21.40 cts. - for a whole ticket. According to that, from the Junction will cost $22.35 cts. If you start without a full ticket, when you get to Bowling Green inquire for the "Ticket Ofice." Anybody can tell you where it is. By looking in at the door, you can see whether you are right or not and where to apply. You will only have about 15 or 20 minutes to get your tickets in, so you mustn't exercise too much dignity, but get your tickets and get your seats in the cars.
In all cases if you can, get seats near the middle of the coach. I am almost certain that the train that brings you to Bowling Green goes in to Nashville, and another train takes its place on the track. This is always the case when you change cars, I think. Of course, you can inquire "Where is the Memphis train?" or "Which is the Memphis train?" and so of other places (and trains.) Any of the employees of the railroad - those handling the baggage, the Baggage Master, the one who gives you your ticket (if not busy). The Police are also very suitable ones to inquire of. (You will know them by their dress in large places, especially blue-broadcloth).
You will get to Memphis in the morning and have to lie over there till night. During the day you must hunt the Baggage Master up (he is seldom far off) and get your baggage checked to Dallas. He'll take your checks and give you ones having "Dallas" instead of "Memphis" stamped upon them. Every chair has also a number stamped upon it, and the checks [small, square brass plates] you hold correspond in every respect to those fastened to your baggage.
If you lose your checks, anybody finding them could come to the point called for, present checks and take the goods. You can't get your goods without the checks. If you lose your tickets you are out without paying again! Put them in some convenient as well as safe place for every time Conductors are changed, you will have to show your tickets and put them away carefully when he hands them back.
Don't be separated, especially at any place you get off to change cars. (You only change cars at B. Grn., at Memphis, at Little Rock, and Texarkana, I think). Hold Alice by the hand; keep Sophia also right at your side all the time you are anywhere. Keep your little budgets (baskets of provisions &c) also with you unless you should accidentally meet up with some (family or lady) coming like yourselves to Dallas. In such a case you might ask them, if they pleased, to watch your things.
Tell Pap’s little petted girl she shall have a hat if he has to do without cake and meat. We’ll get her one in Dallas. We’ll have to get a couple of bead-steads, some chairs a table etc.; but she must have a hat. Tell Sophie to bring Ina’s geography, it is at Self’s.
I am rather low spirited. Take care of Sophia and Alice. Don’t let them leave your side. Don’t get off or on the train while it is in motion. Keep a sharp look out and come ahead.
Pap
Tomorrow, the rest of the story.
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1 comment:
I am writing a book about the Lee-Doss-Johnston Families, and the experience of Chilton and Bettie and the family is prominent. Thank you for posting these letters. It helps confirm what I felt was true about Children's character, and deepened my sense of his character.
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