Mat Wright to C.H. Plant from Forest Home, 1889-01-12

Moved again, now living with mother. Had worked 4 ginning seasons with G.A. Smith. "We have ginned over 800 bales of cotton this season." Smith put in a new wheel "can now gin a bale of cotton in 35 minutes with ease." Wright paid a wage of $1.25 a day. Another gin, Lazenby's, wants him for next season. Lazenby offers to turn over gin and saw mill to him if he'll leave Smith. Wright says he can't because "Willie will be in school." Forest Home is on the boom." 5 new houses, a new hotel "neat" cost $12,000. Workers in great demand. Jimmy Lazenby bought out his father's store. Rufus Shanks bought Jim's house.