February 15,1963

Dear Estie: You will be terribly disappointed in the photostat of the enclosed will. It seems the best that he could do. The writing is fine and spidery and the ink has faded. It is not the same ink used in the very early writings which holds up better than today’s ink.

I think I have deciphered fairly well and accurately what it says and I am enclosing the typed copy to check against the photostat.

We have been quite busy receiving bids for the sewer and water improvements. It has been cold, unusually so for Kentucky, 15^o today.

Our son, Charles, and family stayed over over two nights on their way to San Carlos last week, and we hope they have arrived safely. Penny wrote from Arizona where they had seen the Petrified Forest, and Painted Desert.

Harriet Anne is still trying to see as much as possible and to understand the Russian mind. That is an impossibility, I think.

I have done very little genealogical research as it has been too cold in the courthouse vaults, or the roads have been icy to go anywhere.

Hope your husband is feeling more comfortable and that you keep well.

Oakland 1, California.

Dear Frances: Feb. 20, 1963.

I’m beginning to wonder what the genealogist will do in the future. I have a letter here from Tommy Hughes of Memphis, and his judgment of some of these court records wouldn't look good in print. Just like you, he writes that some of the manuscripts he receives just can’t be deciphered. If he complains to the courts that he can’t read what they sent, they take their time to reply and those replies are anything but cordial. I followed your advice this morning, but I had to use a magnifying glass to do it. I took your typed copy of Will of Dr. John Stith in hand, then taking the original and placing it under a powerful light, I followed both copies. After a paragraph or two I quit — your typed copy was perfect as far as I went, so why should I get a headache going any further Thank you a thousand times for your kindly effort.

I was somewhat shocked to note that Susan (Hightower) Stith was not satisfied with the terms of Dr. John Stith’s will, and would not accept the provisions made for her by such will or any part thereof and hereby renounce all benefit which I might claim by said will.

Susan must have had quite a temper. I read the will over twice and seems to me dear old John seemed very considerate of her. But Frances, look at the lapse of’ time! John Stith made his will 10th. day of May, 1831. Susan's disgruntled attitude was produced 15th, day of January, 1842, and presented in court May 16th. 1842. That was eleven years after John made his will. Something must have happened in those eleven years to make Susan balk. But we’ll never know WHAT.

I don’t envy Harriet Anne. To tell the truth Khruschev doesn’t know his own mind. A man isn’t a man when all he dreams of is the destruction of those who do not believe what he does and dictates. He's a monster mad with power. All he dreams of is to bend humanity to his will, and if not destroy them.

A week ago Saturday we had a very delightful afternoon when a Haynes’ relative called with her husband. Mr. & Mrs. Eric Roberts proved very pleasant people and fine looking. Elizabeth is a descendant of’ Starke Dupuy Haynes brother to my William Washington Haynes. She buried her mother in 1942 but she worried about the birth date she had on the monument. She came here to find out she had the correct date. She looked over the correspondence I had with her first cousin Gertrude Haynes (Cavin)(Wheelon) another husband whose name I can recall just now, and finally (Todd). She buried Bill Todd about seven years ago, and from what Elizabeth told me Gertrude has another steady beau. She is a marvelous cook and probably very easy to catch a man if she invites him to her home for dinner. Men will surely rail for that. Another first cousin of Elizabeth and Gertrude, is Ruth Haynes Davis who has a mansion close to Dan Fernando Valley not far from Hollywood. Elizabeth went to see her last week because she (Elizabeth) is quite sure Gertrude had some of the family’s dates wrong, but Elizabeth called me by phone day before yesterday and said Ruth didn't seem to know too much about the family history. Elizabeth said it is a shame the way Ruth remains in her gorgeous home and refuses to go out any more since she buried her husband about two years ago. He was a mental case, but he left her another fortune. Her father Starke Haynes, Jr., owned almost the entire town of Durant, Oklahoma, during his lifetime, according to Elizabeth, and

Frances Fast #2 Feb. 20, 1963.

when he died Ruth came into a fortune of over $250,000. She was the only child. According to Elizabeth, Ruth’s house holds valuable antiques and the beautiful tapestries are imported. But she has no inclination to mix with people, according to both Elizabeth and Gertrude. I sometimes wonder if people like that get much out of life, however, Elizabeth did say that when you go into Ruth's spacious home, you feel welcome and Ruth appears to like to laugh at any joke people will make. So, it is quite evident she is not a grouch.

No, Frances, my husband is far from well. I don’t dare let him know I am deeply worried over his condition. One day his right leg and foot seem perfectly normal, but the next day his right foot is so swollen it looks as though the skin would break. Last evening the left foot was swollen for the first time. He is now subject to gastric attacks and when that happens his heart flutters. I have to be very careful preparing his meals, which is extremely difficult because I must avoid sugar. Two doctors say he has diabetes two others call it arthritic—gout. Several years ago he was robust and health now he is down to 121 pounds. If he had been a quiet man growing up, this wouldn’t strike so hard, but he was always so active. He climbed Mount Shasta twice to the summit; played football and baseball in his youth, and as for fishing both of us have tramped hundreds of miles. Not alone that but for a time my husband was president of Mohawk Golf Club in Plumas County. He keeps his clubs and cart in the garage, but looking from my viewpoint now, they will never be used by him again. But I wouldn’t dare tell him that. Even In the sight of adversity, I must keep calm and try to keep cheerful. If I became hysterical when he suffers one of his attacks, he would go to pieces too, so I must keep myself under control. I am lucky to have this genealogy to work on I must have some outlet for my feelings, and I keep busy.

Thanks again for your recent favor... and thanks a thousand times for deciphering it for me.

Yours