Twenty five miles southwest of Corinth, Ms.,Alcorn Co., in a one room log house with a shed-room on the East side for a cook room, stick & dirt chimneys, puncheon floors & screeching doors, there was born a baby boy on July 20,1868. In place of giving him a hat, they gave him a name, and that name was
"William Henry Osborn".

So, after 2 years, we moved into a fine house -- a double log with passage between, a stick and dirt chimney at each end and good sweet gum floors. This was on "Little Hatchie". Before long we sold this fine home and moved up in the hill country near a good school called "Possum Kingdom"

This school building also was a one room log house, stick & dirt chimney & the fireplace was 6 feet wide, and we boys cut and brought in the wood. Of course, the teacher was kind enough to bring his part, and that part was a black gum switch about the length of a raw hide buggie whip, well, that wasn't the end of it -- many times a boy was at the end of it and the teacher at the other end. Yes, those were happy school days of long ago.

We had nice desks & seats in this building, split logs with pegs driven in from the bottom side, of course, and the split side up. We also used slates & pencils, and was so much scratching & fuss making that we never heard a drove of wild geese fly over. Yes, 2 months in the summer & 2 in the winter for 10 years, and if ever there was a graduate, it was kept a secret. So ended our school days, that is, in old Mississippi

At age 15 some of us BIG BOYS went out to work on a railroad grading in Alabama. We made big money -- got a dollar a day & board, and we'll never forget the boards, because we slept on some of them. From there we went back home, walked part of the way and road some.

Next we worked for one "T.D. Eaton" -- 6 months for $50.00. One day of that 6 months was too cold to work, so we went to Boonsville on foot & walked back the same day -- 22 miles in this round trip. Yes, we stopped on our way back to see a young lady friend, so it wasn't day but was in the night when we arrived home.

We must back up a little as there was a leap-year in here some were and that year we lived on a farm know as the "Grasshopper Place". This was about 5 miles southwest of "Hightown" where "Gentry's Hill" was located. While on this farm, as a boy we made our 1st money by working at an old horsepower gin for "Dr. Jack Gibson" at $.25 per day. That was lots of fun and good pay. With part of this money we bought a spinning wheel for mother so she could card, spin and weave cloth and make our breeches -- pants.

While here on this farm we went 2 semesters to school to what was known as the "Spillman School House". This was only 4 miles we had to walk, or run as we liked . We"ll Uncle "John Rencher" lived just a mile away, and it was lots of fun to visit and see him draw honey out of a 50 gallon barrel while "Aunt Kath" was cooking those good hot biskets, and too, there was a boy there to play with. From here we went back into the hill country again and stayed until we started to Texas.(But not all at one place.)

Now we are in the home of old "Father Eaton". There we had all things in common & uncommon. The uncommon was that this boy had the pleasure of running one of those old horsepower gins one season, feeding the one-gin stand by hand, and by starting early and working late we could gin 2 bales in one day. Now ginning season is over, we get up the oxens & mules and get them ready for a hard trip to market with our cotton.

The day before we would grease our linchpin wagons, load each one with 2 bales of cotton, and withenough corn and fodder to last for 3 days. Some would have boiled ham, others would carry pillow slips full of bisquits & ginger cakes, and we'd stay at a camp house in the wagon yard. Next day we'd sell our cotton, buy a years supplies, drive out 4 miles to Tuscumbia and camp again. The third day we would drive in home, everybody happy and looking forward to another 12 months when we get to market -- to Corinth, 25 miles, but something happened and we didn't get to go.

Now we find ourselves at "Mr.John Gray"s" near Hightown again. We lived about one mile from home, that is, his steam gin and mill was about a mile from his residence. There something new happened. About 9 P.M. we were all sitting around the family fireplace and "Mr.Gray" reached and picked up his bible, read a chapter and said "Let's pray," and among other things, he prayed for the young boy that had come to in their home. For the first time thought: We'd rather have Jesus, live in a little shack by the road, than to own all earths treasures with no title to a future abode. From here we went to the home that was very nice indeed, "Mr. Lewis Sadler's". But that old saying came true, while there we traded our bed off for a lantern-- supper at 9, bed at 10, up at 4. But it was just the making of a boy if he could stand it and stay awake? From there we spent a month with "Flunk Eaton". He had some brothers -- "Plunk, Hood, Chub, and others".They were a jolly set of boys.

On or about Jan. 1, 1884 we found our way into another good home. This was another double log house with a hall between, a shed room on the north made the kitchen, dining room and our bedroom. Yes, there was a stick & dirt chimney at each end of this building (and a stump-tailed dog in the yard). Uncle"Frank Nix" was the owner of this home, and he knew a great deal about boys, so he said you can't make the best hand unless you stay home and rest at night, so we learned something there that was good for a 16 year old boy, and we still remember it to this good day. He raised our salary to $11.00 per month, that was tops.

About days out of each month we'd go to the bottom hunting -- 3 trips, 15 each equals 45 squirrels. But we had one sad trip, we shot and killed 6 tame turkeys thinking they were wild. We'll they just cost us $3.00 in all and would have been cheep for half the money. We thought so well of this home that we were there 2 years. So in July 1886 we started to Texas. (But we cried all the way to Memphis, which was 90 miles from Corinth.)

We packed 1 little trunk that was about the size of a nice ladies handbag of these days, then we got in a two-horse wagon and rode out to "Old Rienzi" 10 miles. There we got a train up to Corinth where we bought our ticket to "Wolfe City Texas". Some how in making change we had about $20.00 silver. Well, thatwas too heavy for our pocket, so what should we do? This is what we did. We untied that little trunk, put the silver in our plow shoes, stuffed our yard socks in to keep it for rattling and checked the trunk for Wolfe City.

We were on the road the road 3 days, and when they would stop 20 mins. for dinner, we'd go to the baggage car to see if our trunk was there. Finally, we both landed in Wolfe City. The town was about 800 yards from the depot, so we put our little trunk on our shoulder and walked up town. The first man we met was a "Wolfe", he asked where are you going? I said out to one "W.M. Nix's" so he found a wagon for us to ride in -- 7 miles , trunk and all, for $.50.

We had the pleasure of staying in this "W.M. Nix home 4 years, down near Greenville the last year, then he moved to Alvord, Wise Co.,Texas, so it fell to our lot to drive a team of mules that 125 miles, 5 days on the road, lots of fun, with a dog on the spring seat by our side. On the way this dog saw one he thought he might whip? So off he went and we were delayed 10 mins. until he could get loose from what he'd caught. Finally we got there and stayed 2 weeks to help "Mr. Nix" get up his winter wood and haul in some corn for that team of mules. The last we saw of that dog, he was trying to catch the train that we left on.

So now we are in the homof one "Mr. R. Carter" at old "Hickory Creek, Hunt Co.,Texas" This was another good place for an untrained boy. There reformation set in again in our life, certainly our lot was cast among a goodly people and our path was one of roses while at old Hickory Creek. Our friends there were too many to mention, and they all had a job trying to tame a wild boy -- all worked at it. While at old Hickory our hobby was singing, and we worked to pay expenses, and we attended every singing school that was within 5 miles of us, about 60 days in all. Our choir there had 62 young people and a few lame ducks in it, and believe you me, when we all sang you could hear a rustling in the mulberry trees. We were there 10 years, and in the summer of '99 we came to Eddy,Texas through the country in a wagon with our brother "Tom Osborne" & one cousin "J.T. Miracle" -- 5 days on the road again and now you can drive in a car 5 hours. So you see, we are getting along way ahead of time. ( But Germany has more intelligence to th Square Head than any other country on the globe.)

So now we are down on "Deer Creek" in the home of "Uncle C.T. Miracle". Every thing went well there and the stove flew in every direction. While there we did all the inside work of a new ground and some field work, such as chopping and picking cotton, and we found a jolly set of boys here as well as all others in the home, ( This was "99 & 1900.)

But now we must pick up the downrow, fill up the loopholes and cross a few more bridges. Yes, while at Hickory Creek we rode 1200 miles on horseback to and from "Bailey" to see a young lady, for 5 years, 2 Sundays out of each month. We missed 3 Sundays, went back on the 4th and that young lady had set up housekeeping with another man. Then and there we decided that a bachelor's life surley was the best, be drunk or be sober, lie down at your rest, no wife to grumble, no children to squall, and happy is the man that keeps Bachelors' Hall. So we went on what was known then to us as a home vacation. That was much easier on both the horse and rider and less vexation of the spirit.

So right along now we visited our good friend "Mr. Nix" at Alvord, went out on the train, and while there bought a $40.00 pony &a $40.00 saddle for the price of one and rode back over that lonesome trail that we drove that team of mules over. So now we are entering the evangelistic song service. Our first revival was at "Jonah, Williamson Co., Texas, on the banks of the "San Gabriel" in 1903. Here in this revival at Jonah, our Dear Beloved "Rev. D.C. Hardin" was instrumental in digging us up out of the pit and out of the miry clay, he placed our feet on a rock and established our way. He put a new song on our lips, our God to glory be, but now he is living in that home on high. So from Jonah we went to the "Bosqueville Church", we stopped in Eddy for the 11 o'clock service and the church was kind enough to vote us into its membership. 40 years and they haven't turned us out yet( good folks.) Some of the Churches that we visited were "Regan, Durango, Marlin(in a tent), Clifton, Dawson, Hickory Creek, Old Oakville, Mathis, and Hot Springs, Arkansas, and many others. For 15 seasons we sang for this great preacher of the Gospel. In all, we have helped and been helped (mostly), in 40 years was in 80 revivals in "Eddy, Texas" 40 years among the roses, and still going strong, not tired yet, but sometimes weary. But we hope to press along for a few more years to come.

So from "Deer Creek" farm we came up to "Eddy", went to work for a short while in a dry goods store, with room & board at the "Eddy Hotel". Along here some where we went to school a few months, then back on the farm another year. In the fall of 1902 we worked at a gin in Eddy. Here we traded our bed off for a lantern again -- had breakfast, dinner and supper at the gin for 2 months. When this was over, we went into the paint and wallpaper business, sorry to say, but we have been at it ever since. Now and then we'd stop long enough to sing for a revival at "Hosheim, The Valley " or elsewhere.

About now we visited friends at "Moran, Texas" and there we bought a 160 acre tract of land. The same developed into an oil field later, but as usual we sold too soon and lost a 9 & 1/2 million dollar oil well. That wasn't too bad, we still kept our friends and they are better and outlast any oilwell.

In the summer of 1908 a revival was in progress at the Tabernacle, conducted by "Bro. E.M. Lewis, and there we met a very nice young lady (a teacher from Alamogordo, New Mexico.) It was there at first sight that the Bachalors Hall began to fade out, and we could see brighter days ahead and not too far away. But there were 2 more years of agony, extreme pain & anguish. But finally the old account was settlrd, and settled long ago. So, on May 6th,1910, the 1st Decoration Day for Eddy Cemetery, at 8 p.m., this beautiful young lady, whose name was "Miss Ethel Gordon" of "Chulahoma, Mississippi, and this 42 year old boy were united in Holy Bonds of matrimoney at the home of her uncle,"T.B. Morton", by "Rev. D.C. Hardin", our pastor at this time was "Rev. R.J. Fletcher" and he was also present, and they said a few others, we ourselves don't remember very much about what was going on, but we do remember that the 2 of us were present.

So now it's in order to establish a home, not a house, but a home; anywhere is Home Sweet Home if Christ is only there. But before we establish this home we stayed at the Eddy Hotel for 3 months. During this time we went out to Moran and sang in a "Brush-Arber Revival". On Saturday the pastor said "I go fishing" 40 of us said "We go with thee." We'll this is just another fish story, but we caught 75 pounds at 3 drags, cooked them in a wash pot. This was on "Hubbard Creek" near "Sedwick Switch" Yes and we dug a tank on that 160 acre tract while out there. So now we are back in Eddy, riding on the Texas Central (better known as the Tin Can). That train was always on time, its schedule was 18 miles per hour, so it was never late. That was a joyful trip. I guess we might call it our honeymoon, if there is such a moon? We had several friends and some new ones out there.

So now we are selecting our housekeeping outfit, which was very expensive, all told $42.50 -- that bought everything that was needed and some over. So now we are in the paint and paper business right , our shirtsleeves cut off to our elbows, a white cap on and working 10 hours every day and singing home sweet home every night. We were out of the music business for about a year, then we went to singing at home in a rocking chair and kept it up for 6 years. We sang every song from Bonaparts's Retreat to the Little Brown Church in the Wildwood and occasionally Old Joe Clark. We moved to "Moody" for 1 school term, that was 1915, then 1916 back to Eddy. On October 12th of that year we went into the music business again, just of an evening after supper, in that same old rocking chair. This time we had to sing The Old Lonesome Cowboy, or something on that order, but it was lots of good fun & joy beyond exoression.

So we are in Eddy for 2 years more, but on Jan.1,1918 we moved on a farm & ranch 9 miles west of Moody. This was a twice double log house with 4 fireplaces, a large hall, an ell, 3 porches, and all out in the yard, in the back yard was a hollow stump for the hens to lay in. We had a 100 hens, but they didn't all lay in that stump. There were 1 guinea in the bunch, but it wasn't a lay number. So we lived there for 2 years, then moved over to "Old Eagle Springs" for 1 year, and there we made so much cotton that we went broke, then what? In 1921 found us back in Eddy with a sign on our door ---"I Shall Never Move Again" So nothing new is happening now, just doing whatsoever our hands find to do. O, Yes, in 1925 we bought a Model T Ford and in 1926 with our family and one other boy we drove over to "Holly Springs" to visit our people. That was a joyful trip. The family came back in August and we stayed and did some paint and paper work. About this time the Depression hit and kept knocking for long time.

But right now we must go back to "Fannin & Hunt Co.,Texas" and pick up a few drop stitches; Long about 1889 40 passengers(counting the conductor) from "Corinth" got off the train at "Wolfe City". Our parents,( Frances Marion & Mary Miracle Osborne) 1 brother ( Lee A. Osborne) & sister (Martha E. Osborne) were in that goodly number. Since 1896 our parents have been sleeping in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery near Wolfe City. So far as we know there are only 3 out of that number living today. ( brother Thomas F. Osborne , was killed by a wagon in 1911 in Eddy Texas) After we had been in Texas about 3 years we made a visit back to our old home on one of these Christmas excursions -- 7 days & nights on the road, going & coming.

When we came to Texas in'86 we crossed "The Big River" on a boat. On the visit we crossed on the new bridge (it was new then.Our last visit to Old Hickory Creek was May 24,1942. But they were scattered abroad, most of them had gone the Old Glory Way. About 6 living there of our old friends. Others in Greenville, Paris, Leonard, Wolfe City, and Dallas. How long must we wait until we enter that beautiful gate?

Yes, there is never a day so sunny but a little cloud appears, and there is never a life so haooy but what has some falling tears. So on Nov.13,1937 this dear companion that had walked so faithfully by our side for 27 years, was promoted from Earth to Glory.

Yes, just a few more years to be filled with tears, then our weeping will be over. Then we''l sing his praise throughout endless days in that land beyond the River. When the loved ones of our home have been called from earth to go, we can only hope to meet on that bright and happy shore.

Yes, she died in beauty like a rose blown from its parent stem. She died in beauty like a pearl dropped from some diadem. She's gone, gone to rest from every care and pain. What a happy time 'twill be when we all shall meet again. I am weary, let me rest, Jesus, on thy loving breast.

My darling Lizzie
What dreadful thought you must be intertaining concerning me, dear and goodness knows! I deserve them everyone.

I fear I can not offer a valid excuse for my negligence and only plead that, that old thief procrastination caused it:

Dear I was so glald to get the picture and will say thank you for it . Tho I knew you must think it "rather late in the day"

for thanks. Mama cannot see that Uncle Dee's picture is one bit like him. But she thinks Aunt Minta's picture is very much like her. None of us could pick out any the children, except you.

Aunt Rachel has not seen the group yet: She is very sick has been for the last two week. I stayed up there and waited on her all last week and a part of the week before, she is better now than she was then. But she is very sick yet. Mama is up there this week, I got

( page 3 &4 are lost )

But I do-(underlined) want to see you so-(underlined)bad, and had thought so strongly that I would be sure to see you either this spring or summer one ? position are very much like June and May in the poem " The Kiss Deferred " Perhaps we, like they, will get to meet when gray headed if not before. You may rest assured that if we ever do meet I will have more than one kiss preserved for you.

Just listen at the wind ! this is truly March. Oh it makes me feel doubly

lonesome, as it shrieks between the houses, and and down the chimbleys. Mande is at school and Harold and Stella are asleep so you see I might just as well be by myself for all the company they are to me. I am lonesome as can be and this is my birthday too ! Isn't it dreadful to be lonesome on ones birthday, to be left alone with ones thoughts, and they not pleasant ones at least not more pleasant than sad. I am nineteen today

Nineteen ! Almost a scrore. And three score and ten is the No. of years generally allotted to man. One third of my life most gone, and nothing worth mentioning accomplished. So far my life is almost if not entirely a complete failure.

That sounds dreadful doesn't it ? Yet tis true so far. I have only made failures in most of my undertakings. And have only met with bitter disapointments. I may have learned some few lessons in life. But

Who was it said Count that day lost, whose setting sun. Can view no act of love you've done or something like that. I wounder how many of my nearly 6940 days would be lost, is counted that way. I fear the number would be appalling if summed up and put before me.

Harold has woke up and is trying to get Stella up. I wish you could see him he is just the sweetest thing one ever saw. He was

two years old the 12 inst. I bought hem a lovely little dress for his brithday. Lucile will be two years old the 8 of Oct. She is just as cute as can be, but I love Harold some the best, because I have been with him so much more than I have with her.

Lee came about a 3 weeks ago he is working in Ladonia now. They will move the first of next month can't get a house earlier than that. Stella is going to spend next week with Pauline. I would like to go but don't

expect I can. If mama comes home I may unless I have to go back to town to nurse Aunt Erery? one is scared about the Small Pox now. There were three cases in Honey Grove las week and one in Fairlie. Honey Grove is twelive miles from L___ and Fairlie five from here. A case was reported in Ladon, But I think it must be a mistake. It is all over Texas. Nearly every one is being vaccinated. But I don't think I will ever be. I had almost as soon have the

small pox as the variloed. Saw Laura Sunday, We had preaching at Hope and she and P*of. Lewous ( Lernous) came we set together and sung the same songs we sang last summer and George led like he did then. I could have almost persuaded myself that the past six months were all a dream. It reminded me so forcibly of the " sweet long ago "

Dear I know you are tired so I will close . Write soon, even if I don't deserve it and tell me how

you and Hugh are getting along. And all about your self, if you have found any one you like better than Lizzie Sharp ( a boy I mean) if so Who. I Want to know every thing about your dear little self every solitary thing.

P.S.
Don't you wish we could attend the Paris exposition in 1900 I would give any thing I have to go.

This letter was written by my grgrandfather to his fiancee in Tishomingo County. It was mailed from Booneville, 1872 and describes a shooting incident in Corinth. I will highlight the part about the shooting. This copy was given to me by my Tynes cousin Cathye Nunley Graham, and she has given me permission to share it with you.

I received your letter telling that little Lee was dead, but I was aware of it before receiving it, as I wrote you last week concerning it. Have not heard from you this week,: but if you have written I may receive your letter yet, as they sometimes get delayed.

We have no news, several protracted meetings going on at this place and vicinity, great many conventions.

I have been sick several days, something like diptheria accompanied with slight fever, though I am about well. Wish I could see you, in order to state some things that have occured since I saw you, however it is nothing much anyway, but wrong construction might be placed upon it.

I will send you a paper which contains a full detail of the matter. The occurance happened at Corinth. I went up there to arrest (or assist? btc.) a man that had shot at .....(line in fold, not clear btc.).. and it was at night and the Police of the city not knowing my business waylaid me on the streets, fired three shots then they ran around the corner and shot again five times.

I requested them not to shoot any more but they were cowards and would not listen to any thing that I would say, and I saw plainly that if I did not defend myself that I would be killed and commenced shooting at them; two of them were slightly wounded and I received a slight wound. Next day I demanded a trial, from the fact I did not want people to think that I was a rioter: the Court lasted nearly all day, and in the evening at three ock the decision of the Court was that I was not to blame, consequently it did not cost me any thing.

And every man in the city said that I acted exactly right, all the lawyers volunteered their services to defend me, but it was not necessary. I found out afterwards the reason why they shot at me was that some fellows had been cutting up that evening at a considerable rate and they had caught two of them and one had got away and they thought I was the one that got away.

I hated the affair very much, but I could not help it, it was forced upon me. Probably you may think strange of it, though after finding out the realities of the matter you will not. I will close for this time, until soon. One that loves you dearly and devotedly. As ever thine, Henry Tynes