This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

s>
Samuel Jackson to Rachel Jackson Lawrence
Clifton March 31st 1858
My dearest Sister
I write to communicate very disagreeable news. Col Claiborne had the kindnesss to send me word to day, of the entire
. r-''
destruction of the Dwelling on the Russ place. by fiye last
j
night, The repairs were just compleated. the Carpenters had finished their work, and the painters would have finished to day. The painters bearly	saved them	selves,	they awakened as the roof
was falling in,	and	escaped by	jumping	from the window in their
night clothes. their paint clothing &c burned up. Some persons attribute the fire by accident, but it was no such thing. old Ben and Creasy sayes, a man came there last week, during the night. and uncle Ben got up (barking of a little dog waking him) went out and saw the man slip round the house he called to him to stop. he finaly got up to him and the man sayed somthing in french, and set	his	dog on old	Ben. he had to run to get out of
his way, but he	watched him so	closely	he could do nothing, so
the man left about day light.
Uncle Ben was again disturbed last night by the dogs. and went out but could see no one, he went to bed again. and was the second time aroused by the dog, went out but could see no one. he waited out there till, he supposed eleven oclock, and again retired. the third time the fire awakened them. the whole side of the building urupted in flames, and part of the roof falling, and the flame shooting through the whole building. Col C? awakened and seeing a large light, awakened Mr Berry, a preacher staying with him. they ran down as quick as posssible and