(Letter sent to Dr. H.C. Fountain, Evergreen, Al. from Mr. Alva Bell, Walnut, Ms. Expressing sadness over the death of his long time hunting partner, Mr. T. M. Jamieson)

Walnut, Mississippi

July 5, 1961

Dear friend,

I am returning your page from the HH in regard to Trooper. I saw Trooper at Griffin, Ga. and heard Dr. Stucky tell about him. Bully is not his type; he won’t leave the country barking, he is a very restless dog, and he just yelps a little when turned out with other dogs. However, if you turn him out by himself, he doesn’t make a sound.

I very deeply regret to tell you that Mr. Jamieson was buried yesterday. He had a stroke one week ago while hunting with me, he only lived a week. I don’t know whether or not I will continue to hunt, since his passing. We hunted together 37 years and never had an argument. I think that is practically extraordinary. He was a true sportsman, always looking for something better. I will write his obituary later.

He had sold two of the Depriest dogs, (Streaker x Reddy), he still had the one,(Streaker x Freeman’s Beauty). He is what I call average. He might get better with more hunting. He has not been hunted much and we have some that outrun him now.

He had one by Bully, out of a bitch by Senator, he is one and half years old and has a nice cream color. I think he is going to be a good one. I have been watching him closely to see if he barks wrong, so far I have not seen him do anything except what he is supposed to do. I really like his style after a fox. The next pups from Bully might babble, but this one does not.

The bitch I bred to Blaze had eleven pups, she has ten left. They are a little small, but that is nearly always the case when you have that many in one litter. Seven of them look very much like Blaze. The other ones are gray.

Since Mr. Jamieson’s death I guess I will probably cut down my pack. I won’t have anyone much left in my section of the country.

Write me.

Your friend

Alva Bell