Scope and Contents

Robert Sowers’ brother, Francisco K. Sowers was living in Cuba at the time. There are letters from friends and business associates discuss news of the period, particularly about slavery and secession. One letter describes the destruction of a tornado that passed through Mason Plantation in Chicot County, Arkansas.

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One letter written by Sallie Sowers discusses the difficulties of day-to-day work without slaves during Reconstruction, including her learning to milk cows (8/5/1866). Other letters discuss sickness, lack of medical care, and money problems.

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Letters discuss post-Civil War problems, especially the lack of money. One letter from Virginia is about the late planting of crops due to a late freeze, and the buying of Southern farms by speculators from New York and Pennsylvania (1867).

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One letter is about the need for a barrel of flour to be sent to Sowers in Texas, well-wishes for a good crop and a long-standing loan that needs more time for repayment (6/21/1871). Emma A. Sowers writes to Robert Sowers and her aunt, Ellen Sowers, about her school lessons and how she is doing at school (1872).

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Letters discuss their children, the problems with selling cotton, problems with caterpillars and boll weevils in the cotton crops. A brother, William Sowers, wrote Robert, asking for money in order to keep his home which was in foreclosure.

Scope and Contents From the Collection: Included in the papers are bills and orders to Sowers and Wells at the Steam Mill in Alto, Texas; receipts, business letters, recipes, and other business papers relating chiefly to Robert Sowers of Cherokee Co. Texas (1808-1890); personal correspondence addressed chiefly to the Robert Sowers' family (1860-1887) of Alto, Texas; and to Emma A. Campbell (1875-1883) of Alto, Texas, from relatives and friends. The letters to Emma A. Campbell, step-daughter of Robert Sowers, detail the life of a...

Scope and Contents

The letters from Lilla and Mattie Hatchet pertain to religion.

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Lilla is very concerned about her husband because he does not attend church, cusses, and generally, does not act in a Christian manner and asks that Emma pray for him every day.

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Of special interest is a request from Emma to a Dr. W. C. Shivers, asking for his “cannabis sativa” (marijuana) remedy for people in ill health, especially with lung problems. The folder contains several printed pieces about the remedy and includes the recipe for making the syrup, to be taken four times a day. Other items includes testimonials and other cures for female problems.

Scope and Contents From the Collection: Included in the papers are bills and orders to Sowers and Wells at the Steam Mill in Alto, Texas; receipts, business letters, recipes, and other business papers relating chiefly to Robert Sowers of Cherokee Co. Texas (1808-1890); personal correspondence addressed chiefly to the Robert Sowers' family (1860-1887) of Alto, Texas; and to Emma A. Campbell (1875-1883) of Alto, Texas, from relatives and friends. The letters to Emma A. Campbell, step-daughter of Robert Sowers, detail the life of a...

Scope and Contents

Letters discuss family matters. Emma died of pneumonia while attending Waco University in 1883.

Scope and Contents From the Collection: Included in the papers are bills and orders to Sowers and Wells at the Steam Mill in Alto, Texas; receipts, business letters, recipes, and other business papers relating chiefly to Robert Sowers of Cherokee Co. Texas (1808-1890); personal correspondence addressed chiefly to the Robert Sowers' family (1860-1887) of Alto, Texas; and to Emma A. Campbell (1875-1883) of Alto, Texas, from relatives and friends. The letters to Emma A. Campbell, step-daughter of Robert Sowers, detail the life of a...