(Leaving Holly, Houston Co., TX to move to Nevel's Prairie, Houston Co., TX -
February 1890)

I expect to move to Nevel's prairie and make it my future home. I am leaving the
place my father settled about the year 1855. My father and mother died during
the war and here I raised my father's family, six boys and one girl. I have
about the same in family and the oldest is married, so you can have some idea of
my feelings on the eve of moving.

If I leave the community with an enemy behind it I am not aware of it, and a
better community, in some respects, I never expect to live in.

Our little town is composed of three dry good and grocery houses, one saw mill
and gin, blacksmith, and wood shop. We also have daily mails here. They also
have as good water and health as can be found in the county.

I can't call to mind but one of the first settlers of this neighborhood, that is
old Uncle Cader Brent. My father settled in this county when there were but few
here, and not much of anything else but pine range and game. It will hardly
appear credible, but my father-in-law has told me often that he counted 3,000
deer at one sight. Some may inquire why I move from such a community. First, I
think I will better my condition in the mill business. Second, I will have
prairie land to till, and in fact, I think a change will give me new life
financially and spiritually. May the blessings of heaven rest upon you.

B. J. Speer