Mr. E.R. Joyce,
Dear nefew I take pen in hand to let you know I am still alive and thinking of you. I did not know you were in prison till few days ago when Johnson came down to Hattie&#39;s and told me and I didn&#39;t know where Sarah and John was till he told me. I was sorry to hear. I want to know how long you have to stay and be there?
Elder I live with Hattie and her man. I have been with them 3 years October. Well Elder some things in this county won&#39;t make much but others never better. We have 17 acres of cotton and wish you were out to help pick it. We are getting corn.
Elder do right and mind guards and come out a winner in the long run.
Write soon, Your Aunt,
Melissa Clayton 
29 Aug 1901