Luther’s mother was Nancy L. "Nan" (Killough) Clements. John Hamilton Killough and Allison W. "Al" Killough were her brothers. They owned a general store, a gin and a grist mill in what was then Aurora, Tex. Later, when the decision was made to have the railroad run through a nearby village called Newark instead of Aurora, most of the businesses moved over to Newark, including the general store. There was a street in Newark named Killough. Aurora is no longer a town but still is a community just north of Ft. Worth. Numerous homes for commuters working in Ft. Worth have been built there. The only thing left as a reminder of the old town is the Aurora Cemetery.
In the first letter, Luther is writing to his maternal grandmother, Mary Doak (McKeen) Killough, also living in Aurora. He is 16 years old at this time.
Cider’s (?) Grove
Johnson Co. Texas Feb 3 1884
Dear Grandma
I will write you a few lines tonight as Ma is writing. I got a letter from Uncle John the other day He wants me to come over their and stay in the store he said if I would come over their he would come home with me I am going as soon as we get done sowing oats. I want to go over their and stay in the store the worst sort I may go I don’t know yet until Uncle A. (Al) comes over. Ma and me went to see Grandma Clements last Monday she has been right sick but was better. She look right feeble she can set up only a few minutes at a time. Uncle John Chitwood has got five hundred head of sheep he says he will have about 300 lambs if he has no bad luck. Grandma I want to see you so bad. I know its mighty lonesome to you all without Uncle Al. Well grandma I haven’t any news to write tell them all I want to see them tell them to write give my love to all L. B. Clements**************
In the second letter, he was 18 years old, staying with his widowed grandmother, Mary Killough, and working for his uncles, John and Al Killough. His father had died when he was 9 years old and brother John was 7. John Henry Clements, now 16, apparently was still living with his mother and her second husband, John Hunter. Luther calls him Dad.
Aurora, Tex.
October 8th 1886
Mr. John ClementsDear Brother, I will answer your letter to night which I received this morning as I don’t feel like I could go to sleep yet if I went to bed. Uncle John & Al have gone home. I have got a bad cold, and I dont feel much like writing but I will do the best I can. All the folks are well Grandma has been sick but she is up now. Trade is not very good now. Cotton though is making more than was expected at first, Uncle John & Al have gone but I will do the best I can. All the folks are well. Grandma has been sick but she is up now. Trade is not very good now. Cotton though is making more than was expected at first, Uncle John and Al have got another horse they had a bill of sale on him and had to take him he belonged to Tom Brown. He is tolerable thin but he is a good saddle pony. The big meeting closed Sunday night. They had a baptizing Sunday evening baptized 18. There was a big crowd there. When are you coming up here if you cant sow the wheat now you and Ma get in the buggy and come up and bring my suit as I am beginning to need it especially the pants. There wont be any danger of sending it by express if you can come pretty soon I have got me a good white hat it just cost me three dollars an ten cent just what they cost whole sale. I guess I had better quit and go to bed as I am getting sleepy. Has Armstrongs found them a place yet, write soon as you get this and tell all the news I know you can write and you write so plain its almost like print. Grandma when she read your letter she said you could beat them all writing. Excuse this poorly written letter for I havent felt much like writing to night. Give my love to Ma and Dad
Your Affectionate Brother
L. B. Clements**************
In Luther’s third letter, he is 22 years old. The John he speaks of is John Nash Killough, a master brick maker and brick layer living in Aurora at that time. This John was a cousin of Luther’s grandmother Mary. The records show that Luther died February 21, 1890, just 5 ½ weeks later. We do not have a record of the cause of his death but, according to an historical marker in the Aurora Cemetery, a meningitis epidemic killing 70 persons swept through that area at that time.
Aurora, Tex. Jan 11 1890
Mr. John Clements
Dear Brother
I will write you a few lines to day. I am anxious to hear from you in regard to me going in with John to make brick. Uncle Al says it will be a paying business. I had never said anything to them about it until to day. I never said anything then I had been talking to John this morning about it they sent me down to Dido to see a man that was owing them and he told them I had said something to him about it. Uncle Al said they would let me off if I wanted to make a trade with John if you want to you can go in equal with me and divide the spoils. I wish you would come up next week so we could talk the matter over If I was to go in with John I would get a good hand in my place I asked Walter Cosby how he would like to go down there and work for us he said he would like to go splendid he is an awful good steady boy and aint afraid of work he has been working for K and Bro for a year he is a good hand Grandma thinks there never was such a fellow as Walter You and Ma drive up first or middle of next week. John wants me to let him know right away he wants to get up some wood and build a tank all the folks are well. Hoping to see or hear from you at once I remain as ever Your Bud
Lute**************
