Assault on a Female–We regret to state that, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, about dark, while Mr. Wm. C. Mullens and his wife, of this city, were walking from the Railroad Depot to their residence, a private named C.C. Sterling, in the company of Continentals, Capt. McKenzie, of Blount County, made a remark that Mr. and Mrs. M. understood to be addressed to Mrs. M. and intended to insult her. Mr. M. offered to resent the real or supposed insult, when Sterling threw a large stone at him, which missed him and struck Mrs. M. on one arm and side in the region of the liver, producing a severe contusion of the area, and so injuring the liver that she still continues in a very critical condition. Sterling was taken before Justice Wilson for examination yesterday, but was remanded in jail to await the results of Mrs. M's injuries.  

A Patriotic Village–The village of Summit in Blount County, Ala., has probably given as strong evidence of patriotism as any other in the Confederacy, if, indeed, it does not surpass all others. At the beginning of the war, it had 18 resident males of 14 years and upwards–Of these, 14 were voters, 10 of whom and 4 boys under 21 (the youngest only 14 or 15) volunteered. Of the 4 left at home, 3 were over 50 years of age. Of the 14 volunteers, two were elected captains, one, a lieutenant, and one, orderly sergeant. It had a boys academy with 80 students, residents and boarders. The teacher and 22, out of 23 boys over 16 years of age, volunteered. The village contains 9 dwelling houses, 4 dry goods' stores, a doctors shop and a grocery. The stores, shop and grocery were all closed, and the keys of the stores left with one of the old gentlemen, who stayed at home, to sell goods to neighbors when specially needed. One of the resident boys, who volunteered, sealed his devotion to his country and her cause by dying a hero's death on the Plains of Manassas. His older brother displayed his valor on the same field of glory and has since raised a company and gone to the field as the captain; while a younger brother, of 14 or 15, is a private in his company. These three brave and patriotic boys are named Arnold. We understand that their noble father, Maj. A.W. Arnold, equipped the whole of his son's company with uniforms. What village or neighborhood in the Southern confederacy can boast so great evidence of pluck and patriotism, in proportion to population?

Brooksville, Ala

Nov 4th 1880

Mr. C.C. Sterling my old friend. I hasten to do as you requested [and?] Mr. Elrod said you wanted to know the names of all the officers of Blount Co. They are as follows: J.W. Moore, Probate; Jessie W. Ellis, Circuit Clerk; T.G. Wikle, Sheff.; S.C. Allgood, County Superintendent of Education; Leroy F. Box, Circuit Judge. He lives in St. Clair county; A.O. Dickson, collector [Taxes?] assesor & C.C. Well, Crocket, think you could of wrote to me before this time. Crocket, I hav been sick ever since we ___ as an that scout. I am just able to go a bout a little. I have been confine to my bed and room near 4 years could not attend to any business & sufered so mutch & do yet, but not so bad as some time back. Well Crocket, our old county is making thousands of cotton our old ___ fields pay for rations & goods our good land make corn & wheat we use a great deal of guanno on poore land it pays well. There is a steam gin running in this place & one at the 4 mile place between this & Blountsville; also a big steam gin near Sam Lowerys on the mountain. Crocket I am living at my old house own all my lands yet would like to sell same. My health so bad can't look after the rents. Crocket, can you tell me anything of Tiele Crus[?], is he living yet? If so, how is he geting along. Give me the news. I have some 20 to 30 bales cotton made on my place every year. Brooksville looks as natural as ever, though some improvements. These lines leaves us all well except my self. Hoping when came to hand may find all well. I remain yours as ever the same old friend,

G.D. Shelton

Colbert County, Alabama
October 19^th, 1881
C.C. Sterling, Esq.

Dear Friend, Your favor of late date has been received, contents noted. Was glad to hear of your welfare of your prosperity, and being well satisfied with your adopted state.

Crops in this County is almost an entire failure–you wasted more in one year than Gass will make on the Shine's place this–though Mr. Gass succeeded in digging up several hundred dollars of old man Shine's gold, that he had buried in the garden, near the vault. Cooper gave him the poodle dog's share, and kept the lion's part to himself. Well, Crockett, I have not much general news to impart. Court is over–a bill was found in the forepart of the week against Geo. Smoot for whipping his wife. He was immediately arrested and tried, found guilty, and sentenced to 100 days hard labor in the coal mines. A few Negroes were sent to the same place.

You ask if I intend to come over to your state–if nothing prevents I expect to leave here next April for Texas. I shall certainly call upon you if I should come to your part of the state, which in all probability I will. As for Dave, I have not heard of him since he migrated; but I presume he landed safely in Lamar Co.–I have not seen Ed Staples since last Spring, he is living with his father-in-law on the Houston place–they have made a good crop I understand–Tuscumbia is the same as when you left, only more so. Same old money changers–same old merchants–same saloons–with same old set of loafers therin; waiting for a Sterling or a Beeson to drop in and treat–

Crocket, give my best respects to Sallie. I often think of her uniform kindness toward me whilst here–give my love to Martha, tell [her] to go to school [and] make a lady of herself, and when she becomes of that age to choose a partner in life, to marry a man in every respect, not a thing. And I assure you Crocket, I am your well wisher and friend.

Respectfully,
Vestal E. Beeson

Write soon, I send you papers as per request.  

Letter to Mr. C. C. Sterling
Basin Springs
Grayson County, Texas
Postmarked 21 Jul 1885

July 19, 1885

Van Alstyne
Grayson County, Texas

Dear Cousin,

I set myself to write you a few lines this morning as I learn you are in this county. I received a letter from my brother James M. Sterling yesterday and he said you lived at Basin Springs in this county, if so let me hear from you at once. I moved to this place last January. Got here too late to get choice of places. We don't like this black mud. I want to know how you like where you live. I suppose it is only about 25 miles from here to where you live. I would like for you to come down and see me as soon you get this. I live 16 miles South of Sherman near Van Alstyne. You will find me two miles West of Van. I would be glad to see you and your family.

Crocket, it has been a long time since we met, although I have not forgot you. Want to see you mighty bad. Come and bring your family. I want to talk with you about all of the connection. I left old Blount in 1867 and came to Mississippi and stayed there till January last. Come to this place–land is too high here for me; too high at home. I want to go somewhere and get me a place. If you are settled where you are, let me know and I will come and see you. I have a heap of friends in Texas; some in Grayson, some in Ellis; some in Parker; some in others. These are said to be good counties. This is a good county here, but land is too high–from 10 to 30 dollars per acre.

Well Crocket, I will say to you James and George's family, Tom Trammel's family is all well. I have one sister in this country. She is well. She married a man by the name of Lewellen[?]. Mother and Tobe[?] is in Mississippi yet. They was well the last time I heard from them. Sinday [Lucinda] is dead. Sallie [Sarah] is in Arkansas. Nan [Nancy] and myself is here.

Well Crocket, I have 20 acres in cotton and in corn. My crop is very good except some cotton. The web worm eat it and made it late. Well, I will close this time. Hoping to hear from you soon. If you can come down in a few days, write to me and let me know. If you come on the train, I will meet at the train any day. If you have got a good horse you can ride here in a day. I suppose it is only 25 miles. Write and tell me if you live at a railroad town and what railroad. I may come to see you this summer.

So, no more this time. You give my love to all the family,

H.. Sterlin [Hilluriah Sterling; the "g" in Sterling was left off in the signature]

You know my name by
Boss

Brooksville, Blount County, Ala. April 17, 1887
C.C. Sterling
Bayson [Basin] Springs
Grayson County, Texas

Dear Cousin: It has been a good while since we heard from you. This letter leaves us all well and we are doing tolerably well. There is a good deal of excitement about Brooksville over the new railroad which they expect to build through here from Huntsville to Birmingham. Except this railroad excitement this country is not doing much. I am driving ahead and manage to make a living but if I can do any better in Texas I would like to bid old Blount goodbye and try it. I have my wife and eleven children, five of the children big enough to work. My oldest boy is eighteen and the next boy about fifteen and then a girl thirteen and then a girl about 12 and then a boy eleven. These five are my dependence for work hands. My other children are small.

The cash prices we pay for produce here are for corn seventy-five cents, flour five dollars a barrel, meat 12 1/2. Other things in proportion. Write me your Texas cash prices. Is the country you live in healthy? Did the dry streak affect your crop last year? Can land be bought on good terms? What sort of time do they give a man in Texas on land payments? Tell me about the public lands, the railroad lands and the school lands. Are these all taken up and what sort of terms do they give a man on each? What are the chances to rent in Texas the first year and how are the terms to renters? Give me full information about my moving to Texas, will it be a good thing for me? Write me something about Bryant Roberts and Medilly, how are they making it and how do they like the country? Hoping to hear from you soon, I am your cousin,

Hill Hale