Mineral Wells, Texas

December 4, 1950

301 North 3^rd Street

Mr. Charles Mitchell,

Dear relative,

Recently I was going through an old truck that had been stored for a long time, and among some pictures, I found this one of your father, and thinking you might not have one of the same age, am sending it to you. I think it looks much like one of your boys. And the picture brought back memories of long ago, and people, most of whom have passed to another life.

I remember when your father and mother were married. He had just been elected County Court Clerk and your uncle, Fayette Mitchell, lived at what was then known as the old Armstrong place, and they gave a reception dinner. It was the first social affair I ever attended. It was a big affair for Livingston. They sent invitations (written) around by a Negro on a horse. He brought them to our place and, not being able to read, handed the stack to my sister, Nola. She took hers and handed them back to him, and when he stopped at Keeton’s neighbors, Millard and Sherrod, were living, they found the one to me and sent Jim Miller up to our place with it. I was so surprised and pleased I lay down on the floor and laughed and hollered and put on quite a show. I think I was thirteen. Aunt Sue said when they were getting out the invitations your uncle suggested that the girls that age be included. He said we would soon be grown, and this would be a good time to initiate us into some social activities. So Nanny and Florence Windle and Leila Harris and I, all near the same age, were there, and it was a wonderful occasion to us. Tom Carlock went with my sister, (horseback) and I rode behind her. The bridal party was after dark arriving ... they had driven in buggies the long distance from near Cookeville, and had forded the treacherous Spring Creek. They were cold when they arrived, but the house was warn with roaring wood fires in all the rooms. Mr. L.H. Carlock was the escort of Margie Goodpasture. I remember thinking how handsome he was and how I envied Miss Margie her handsome beau. The dining table was extended the length of the dining room and the bridal party was seated at first table, and we kinds (not kids then, just children) were served at the second table. But the food was plentiful and the best the country afforded. I ate opposite Add Terry. It was the first time I had seen him and, as his custom was, he entertained the table with humorous comments. I must comment on your mother. I thought she was the prettiest girl I had ever seen. She was tall and slender, and beautifully dressed in a blue satin trimmed in blue and gold striped material. The dress was made in Nashville, and I wonder if it is still in the family. It was for a long time. And from that time on, I always felt very close to your parents, and now after all these years, I imagine there are very few living who were present on that occasion, and how odd it seems to me, that I am an oldster and have been here long enough to be writing about old time, yet it must be true, for when I think back I know there are few here now who were actors in the dramas of those days.

I just got to thinking on these things, and knowing you were not there then, thought you might be interested in this recital.

I had a wonderful visit when I was back a few weeks ago, but it was so short I missed many I would enjoy seeing. One was Grace, but I hope for another visit in the future.

Sincerely your cousin,

Delia Carlock

"This letter was written by Mrs. Delia Chapin Carlock and with the letter was a picture of my father, Richard L. (Dick) Mitchell taken when he was about 18 years of age.

I shall give a brief explanation of persons and places mentioned.

The picture was taken when my father was in school with L. H. (Fayte) Carlock mentioned in the letter at Alpine under Professor Davis before the Bowden-Roberts school. L.H. Carlock was the son of Laken Carlock from whom my father got the Laken in his name, and Laken Carlock was the grandfather of Governor A.H. Roberts.

L.H. Carlock married Miss Delia Chapin, the writer of the letter, and daughter of Lloyd W. Chapin and Mattie Coward Chapin. Margie Goodpasture was a girlhood chum of my mother, and now lives in Cookeville, as Mrs. Margie Jared. Add Terry was my mother’s brother ... was a great mimic and could always make people happy. Cousin Delia’s sister, Nola, was the mother of Grace and Rose Gore, who were left orphans very young and were raised by their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Chapin. Tom Carlock was the father of our own Charles Carlock. Millard and Sherrod Keeton were uncles of Alfred Keeton. I have been told they were fine musicians, and no party was a success without them. The name Keeton always reminds us of Keeton’s pond where all the older boys of Livingston learned to swim. Jim Miller was the son of Press Miller ... he became a doctor and banker. Miller was an orphan at an early age and was raised by his uncle, Jim Keeton. Nannie and Florence Windle became Mrs. W.R. Officer and Mrs. John Morgan. Leila Harris became Mrs. J.B. Dale and was the first organist of our Methodist church. The Negro boy, Bill Bates, belonged to the Negro family that was owned by my great-grandfather, Fletcher Bates, who settled Bates Cove where my brother Albert lives. The reception was in the home of my uncle and aunt Robert Lafayette and Sue Armstrong Mitchell. Their daughter, Mrs. W.P. (Daisy) Seat lives in Nashville. It was known as the Armstrong place and later the home of Governor A.H. Roberts. It is where the grammar school stands. My father owned the property for a while ... he bought it from Uncle Robert. About the only thing that looks natural is the sturdy oak. It seems that God put a strong limb on it just for children’s swings.

I cannot associate in my mind this letter other than with our Methodist church when I was a boy more than fifty years ago. Mr. Lloyd Chapin, Uncle Robert Mitchell, my father, R.L. Mitchell, Jr., Judge Winburn Goodpasture and Dr. Melvin B. Capps and perhaps others were the first trustees."

Charles D. Mitchell