O'Neal Letters, Part I, Feb 24, 1878 "we have come thru mud that lookt lacked would sink the mule up"

My great grand-mother Lucinda Crawford O'Neal grew up in the area of Wichita Falls Texas. It was a very hard life. I have several letters written either by her, her father Thomas, or her brother Billy during 1878-1890. I am posting them separately, typed as they wrote them phonetically. However, I am adding periods to separate sentences for clarity in reading them. Lucinda was 18 years old in 1878. She was writing to her brother Billy; he was about 24 years old and was back in Arkansas; brother Johnny mentioned in the letter was about 6 years old. Their mother, also named Lucinda, died in Arkansas during childbirth in 1875.

February the 24 - 1878 Chickey Saw nation
Billy, I will try this evening to write you a few lines to let you no how we are getting along. We are all well and hope that this will find you well. Pa wrote you a letter at the first of the week but we have come a long ways sense that time considern the way the roads have bin but they are getting better fast but I never have seen such places as we have come over and hope so I live I never will again. I tell you the truth we have come thru mud that looked lacked (like it?) would sink the mule up. Well we have got to the railroad and we have see the cars several times pass and Johney said to tell you he had seen them without agoing to ruselville to see them but he still says he is coming back. Well we have got with the (indecipherable) at last. We have been with them to or three days and pa says he is going to stay with them and go with them to the place they are going. They are going somers about waco. Well I must quit for this time (indecipherable) such writing for I am very tired. I have to drive most all the time. We are now at new bogy. Lou O'Neal