Blog for Ellis County Texas History

Places In The Heart The Real Story

2010-10-04T00:10:00.002-05:00

Even if they didn't see the movie, folks who lived in Ellis County in the 1980's probably remember hearing about a movie being made by a hometown director Robert Benton. The town of Rockett was all a buzz when such actors as Sally Fields ( won the Oscar for her performance), Danny Glover, John Malkovich(nominated for Oscar), and Ed Harris were filming down FM 813 at the old Gibbon place. It all came to being by the inspiration of Waxahachie History involving Robert Benton's great grandparents.

The hometown director Robert Douglas Benton was born September 29, 1932 in Waxahachie, Texas. Mr. Benton's mother, Dorothy (Spalding) Benton, has deep family history in Ellis County. Dorothy's great grandfather William W. Parks was District Clerk of Ellis County and captain of the first company of confederate soldiers to go fight. Captain William Parks died near Little Rock Arkansas December, 1862. It's is Dorothy's grandfather J. H. Spalding for whom Royce Spalding in the movie Place In The Heart is based. Places In The Heart is Mr. Benton's story in writing and directing. It is also is a shadow of his ancestry. The story Mr Benton created takes place in the 30's while his great grandfather's real story took place in the 1880's. The character that is based on J H Spalding shares the last name Spalding. So there was no intention of hiding the connection.

The 1880 Federal Census has John H. Spalding living in Waxahachie, Texas at age 44. He is head of household, and his occupation is City Marshal. John is shown to have been born in Missouri. John's parents are recorded to be both from Kentucky. John's wife is named Laura at age 31 and is listed as a homemaker born in Tennesse as was her parents. Their son Willis is age 10, son Clint is age 9, daughter Kate is age 7 and son Frank is age 2. All children born in Texas. Also, there is a visitor named Barbay Hammond age 60 from Alabama in their home at the time of the census. Little did the family know that two years later their life would be turned upside down on a December evening. In a Ellis County History book a section about Waxahachie written by Judge A. R. Stout and Edna D. Hawkins states that the founding families of Waxahachie were E.W. Rogers, J.D. Templeton, W.H. Getzendaner,B.F. Hawkins, Nicholas Oldham, N. B. Langsford, J. B. Meredith, C. D. Puckett, Levin Dixon, R. A. Davis, N. P. Sims, J. P. Kennedy, Peyton Nowlin, M. T. Patrick, Silas H. Kilough, and J. H. SPALDING

It was a Sunday December 17, 1882 in Waxahachie, Texas when an intoxicated Chas Smith would resist the arrest of a deputy marshall. Chas Smith was a black man from Freedman town east of downtown Waxahchie. He worked for E. A. Dubose at his drug store. But it was Sunday and Chas was not working but somehow acquired alcohol and was apparently a mean drunk. The Deputy tried to arrest Chas when he decided to make a run for it. Chas ran down college street from downtown. The Deputy fired a warning shot as Chas crossed a bridge which would have been near where the present day college street pub sits. The intoxicated Smith believing he was being shot at returned fire from his .45 pistol. I don't think the deputy thought Chas was armed and figured he would have just stopped after firing the warning shot. A gun fight ensued and the deputy and another citizen pinned Chas in the cotton platforms that would have been on the other side of the tracks east of college street where the parking lot for C. A. Wilson is currently . The deputy ran out of bullets and now he was pinned.

Whether or not Marshall Spalding was eating his Sunday dinner when the shoot out started I don't know but it would have been 6:30 pm. John and Laura Spalding's house on the corner of Jefferson and Hawkins street was maybe half a mile from where the shoot out started. This made it very possible that the Spaldings could have heard the shootout start from their house. The eyewitness accounts say that Marshall Spalding came onto the scene on horseback and firing at Chas Smith. Chas Smith went on the run and headed east towards a lumber yard that was near the tracks. It's possible that Marshall Spalding wounded Chas Smith. The Marshall overtook Smith at a bridge north of the tracks. I think that the Marshall believed he had injured Chas Smith and that he would comply to surrender. At the same time the Marshall dismounted his horse he started to grab Chas Smith. In response Chas Smith unexpectedly slung his pistol into the temple of Marshall Spalding and fired the .45 pistol. Marshall Spalding instantly perished. Chas ran into Freedman town heading towards his home. He passed the black folks baptist church which is still on main street today. Not sure if it is the same building but believe it is same location. A large group of citizens hunted Chas down and found him resting under a peach tree. Where he was flushed out and took refuge in an outhouse. Chas refused to come out and an African American involved in the chase busted the door down. It is said that the posse ordered Chas to surrender but he pulled out two pistols and was riddled by bullets and shotgun fire from the posse before he could take aim. I was informed that abuse of Chas body did happen similar to character in the movie.

The town was in shock and papers around Texas and other states reported the story. The Waxahachie paper had an article that claimed who ever sold the alcohol to Chas Smith on Sunday was the one to blame. It was illegal to sale liquor on Sunday in this time period. This also spurred on the temperance movement of the time.

Director Robert Benton's ancestry
John Henry Spalding (April 29,1835)
married Dec 30th 1868
Laura Jane Parks (December 22, 1848)

to

Clinton Thomas Spalding (Feb 8th 1871)
married June 28th 1900
Willie Strong Spalding (April 19th 1875)

to

Dorothy Spalding (July 17, 1901)
married Oct 8th 1921
Ellery Douglas Benton (Jan 3, 1895)

to

Robert Douglas Benton (Sep 29, 1932)

Strickland House

2010-10-03T18:33:00.003-05:00

2010-10-03T18:00:00.002-05:00

Overhead doors for front room in Strickland house

Hidden Door in the Strickland House

2010-10-03T17:49:00.001-05:00

ALL ABOARD AT THE CHAUTAUQUA !!

2010-08-30T11:55:00.005-05:00

ALL ABOARD

2010 Assembly Schedule
All Aboard! Rail Transportation - Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
in Waxahachie & Ellis County
Saturday, September 25, 2009
Click here to purchase tickets BUY TICKETS

1:00 p.m. Opening Ceremony
"John & Sally Strickland," emcees
portrayed by Ryan & Charity Mullican

1:15 p.m.
Robin Cole-Jett, Director of Education
Museum of the American Railroad

2:00 p.m.
The First Interurbans Amazed Cows and People Alike
Robert L. Haynes, Curator
Plano Interurban Museum

2:30 p.m. The Interurban and its Influence on the North Texas Area Johnnie J. Myers, Author
Texas Electric Railway
3:00 p.m.
Rail in Waxahachie: Today & Tomorrow
Clyde Melick
Director of Planning, City of Waxahachie

4:00 p.m.
Melodrama: Dirty Work at the Crossroads
Waxahachie Community Theatre

7:00-9:00 p.m. The Levee Singers in Concert
The Levee Singers
(watch a video sample)

ASSEMBLY DAY ACTIVITIES

1:00-5:00 p.m.
Children's Activities in Getzendaner Park
Bounce Houses and Trackless Train Rides
Built For Fun

1:00-3:00 p.m.
Plein Air Painters
Original Art Show and Sale

1:00-5:00 p.m.
Rail History Memorabilia
Garden Trains
Scale Model Train Exhibit

5:00-7:00 p.m.
Dinner in the Diner
Catered Dinner and Pie Social in Getzendaner Park

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS FOR DINNER

Argyle William Tucker- Midlothian's Genius

2010-01-25T19:05:00.008-06:00

When I walk among grave stones I can't help but wonder, "What were these people like?" Surely, if they were exceptional people I would have heard about them or at least they would have a special marker by their grave. But the truth is many exceptional people are often forgotten. Yet even though the public forgets, sometimes family members pass on their story. Such is the case of Argyle William Tucker. A man of his times and a man before his time.

Thanks to Bob Bigham's articles published in the Weatherford Democrat, his great-great grandfather, Argyle William Tucker, has his place in Texas History. A set of articles written by Mr. Bigham, circa 1992, documents his family ancestry in Texas. Bob was influenced by his childhood memories of his Grandfather sitting around telling stories about their Texas pioneer family. You can imagine the impression made on a 7 year old Bob when his Grandfather, Albert Hall Bigham, placed a Winchester model 1873 45-60cal rifle in his hands. Especially after Bob heard the stories of how the owner of the rifle had fought indians in the pioneer days of Texas. The fact that the original owner of the rifle, A. W. Tucker, was Bob's great-great grandfather just enhanced the mystique.

Argyle William Tucker was born on September 9, 1832 in Davison County, Tennessee. His parents were Labon Epps Tucker and Nancy N. Turney. Labon's father ,Gabriel Tucker, was from a wealthy southern family from Georgia. Labon's grandfather ,Rev. Daniel Tucker, of Elbert County Georgia is believed to be the main character in the folk song "Old Dan Tucker." In the lyrics Old Dan dies from a "toothache in his heel."

"Daniel Tucker was buried in Elbert County in 1818.[51] The Elbert County Chamber of Commerce today promotes his grave as a tourist attraction due to his possible connection with the character from the song"-Wikipedia.
[Argyle Tucker in photo right]

Argyle with his parents and siblings moved from Lincoln County, Tennessee to Texas in 1854. They settled in Ellis County in the town of Waxahachie. Labon purchased a two and a half acre lot near the town square from Emory W. Rogers an original founder of Waxahachie. Here Argyle met and ,a couple years later, married Marinda Jane Stewart on November 14, 1856. In 1857 the whole family moved to 160 acres of land near a fort in Parker County that was eight miles west of Weatherford, Texas . A rough and tumble land with constant attacks by Indians, the Tucker family all being great machinist, began making guns to protect the pioneers. The Tucker's were men of rare ability and it was said they were so gifted that they could build a watch from scrap metal.

Argyle,"his father, and his brother Elihu established a gunsmith shop in Weatherford, L. E. Tucker and Sons.">-Handbook of Texas online

Argyle wanted to do more than build the firearms and joined the Texas Rangers under John Robert Baylor. Argyle became known as an Indian fighter as he fought in many battles. The approaching storm called the Civil War changed the fight from the Indians to the northerners. The Tuckers were proud to be from the South and Argyle and Elihu quickly joined the Texas State Troops. But the Tuckers were in great demand for their gunsmith skills and Labon and his sons main focus was making guns. They made as many firearms as they could for the Southern cause. Argyle also delivered supplies to military camps in the area.

The Military Board of Texas headed up by Governor , Richard Lubbock, was looking for people with gunsmith skills. The Lieutenant Governor of Texas, John Crockett, was give instruction to find folks with these skills. The Tuckers being well known for their talents were contacted. The Tuckers were convinced to form a partnership and come to Lancaster, Texas to set up a gun factory. Their business was called Tucker Sherrod & Co. of Lancaster, Dallas County, Texas. Their contract required them to manufacture 3,000 pistols in the likeness of the Colt.

"Tucker and his father created a gun known today as the Tucker or the Tucker and Sherrard-a .44-caliber pistol with a 7½-inch barrel, a copy of the famous Colt Dragoon, prized by collectors."

- Texas Handbook online

The partners of the company were as follows Labon E. Tucker, J.H. Sherrard, W.L. Killen, Pleasant Taylor, A. W. Tucker and John M. Crockett. The Gun Factory was set up on West Main Street in Lancaster. The Tucker's quit the business because as the war progressed supplies were hard to come by. The Tucker's were convinced to stay on as employees because there was such a need for their talent. Due to lack of materials the factory was unable to fulfill it's contract and was released from it's obligation. Since so few firearms were made the Tucker and Sherrard Colt became very rare and collectible. Argyle and Labon went back to Weatherford and reopened their gun shop. Again the gunshop is called L.E. Tucker & Sons.

The gun shop continued to make firearms as the war was coming to it's end. It was apparent the South was loosing and the Tuckers, who usually only accepted gold for their services anyway, decided to turn away Confederate money. At this time people of the South were very suspicious of anything they perceived as anti-confederate. The Tuckers fell under suspicion. To add to the suspicion, Argyle had served in the Confederate Army for a spell under a fella named Luckey who was under investigation for treason. Somehow the Tuckers and Luckey were arrested and tried in Houston for treason but all charges were dropped. Luckey was arrested again in Bell County ordered by a Judge Hunter in Weatherford. As the men were escorting him back to Weatherford they were headed off by a group of fellas who hung Luckey from a tree. Not very lucky was Luckey.

Argyle continued his service for the Confederacy and reported for duty in Galveston. After that Argyle was sent to Waco to build a cotton mill to make uniforms for the Confederate Army. He got the mill operating but the war soon ended. Elihu was serving in Marshall, Texas where he built a powder mill. He traveled to Waco after the war and all the Tuckers reunited in Waco. The Tuckers eventually moved back to Ellis County and Elihu and his family to Parker County.

Argyle settled in Midlothian and began the first Black Smith shop in Midlothian. He also opened a Grocery store and a Hardware store. Argyle opened the first photography studio and art gallery in Midlothian. Argyle would end up with 11 patents with the US patent office. Many patents involved farming equipment. In photography he designed a way to make electric gold pictures. Other patents involved a suspension bridge , a calculator and a railway switching device. [Blueprint of Tucker calculator in picture left]

Argyle and his brother also owned and worked on a gold mine in North Carolina in the 1880's. Argyle and Elihu in another venture built and ran a boat on the Paluxy River. Their boat was called the "Floating Palace." People would travel miles to Glen Rose and ride the "Floating Palace" enjoying music and dancing.

In 1910 Argyle William Tucker died at his daughter's home in Midlothian. He is buried in the Midlothian Cemetery. His youngest son Hughes H. Tucker carried on the his family's gifts of intelligence and ability. Hughes became a renowned geologist and was the head geologist on the Santa Rita #1 well in Reagan County, Texas. I'm guessing he marked the spot for the well to be drilled. It produced oil from May 28, 1923 until it was plugged 1990 . Santa Rita #1 oil well was on property leased by the University of Texas. This well made the University of Texas one of the richest colleges in the World!

Argyle Tucker's Patent for Gold Pictures

Resources:The Weatherford Democrat circa 1992, Handbook of Texas Online, http://www.westexmusichof.com/history/other_oil.html, Searchers Waxahachie Library

2009-06-18T14:41:00.004-05:00

Located in the Singleton Plaza parking area. Downtown walking tour pamphlet calls the 1885 Waxahachie jail a Calaboose. South Western term for a jail. Though the jail was made with boards the construction was based on log cabin construction. Boards were stacked to make the walls. Made the walls thick and sturdy. Even thwarted an attempt by prisoners to burn their way out.

The pamphlet says this prison was mainly used like our modern day "tanks" on Texas OU weekend to hold drunks. Back when Waxahachie was saloon plenty this little Jail stayed pretty busy I imagine.

The Summer Moonlight Movies :Places In The Heart

2009-06-12T15:04:00.005-05:00

Today Friday June 12, 2009 The Summer Moonlight Movies are showing PLACE IN THE HEART in downtown Waxahachie near the Pocket Park at the corner of College and Franklin Streets. They use the inflatable screen. It will be real interesting and surreal considering the real story took place in 1882 with a shoot out that started on College street.

Gingerbread Trail: The Nay Company(T&BV Depot)

2009-06-08T17:08:00.005-05:00

The Nay Company has beautifully restored The Old Trinity and Brazos Valley Depot. The line connected Waxahachie and Corsicana. The building is of Romanesque Revival. Previous owners are Burlington-Rock Island, Burlington Northern and the Burlington-Northern-Santa Fe (BNSF).

The Nay Company began residence in the depot in 1963. In 1998 they purchased the Depot from BNSF and fixed up for their offices. General Contractor Darrell V. Nay and his family took great care to preserve this Waxahachie treasure.

Original features are all of the doors, windows,doorway arches and handrails.

The Gingerbread Trail: Farrar Home

2009-06-08T16:36:00.005-05:00

Farrar Home

902 West Main Street

Built in 1887

Modified L-plan with Queen Anne and Neoclassical Revival features. Dr. R. P. Sweatt was the original owner. The turret was added to the front in 1890. Original features are stained glass windows, original pine and oak floors, two coal burning fireplaces,beaded-board ceilings, transoms,bulls-eye moldings, and curved staircase from the entrance hall. A Beautiful home and the owner has a deep Ellis County heritage. Mr Farrar's Great Great grandfather was Hans Smith who brought the first cotton seed to Ellis County.

Gingerbread Trail: Shilling Home

2009-06-08T13:19:00.005-05:00

Shilling Home

114 East University Avenue

Built in 1920. Value Builders restored this home starting in 2006. It took 18 months to be restored. The original siding is still in place. The front of the house has the original house numbers made by the original owners. Bricks on the front steps came from the original fire place that had to be replaced.

Gingerbread Trail : Donnelly Home

2009-06-08T12:03:00.003-05:00

Donnelly Home

Colonial Revival style cicra 1940. Structual system is two story wood frame and has a side gable roof.

Gingerbread Trail: Davison Home

2009-06-08T11:37:00.004-05:00

Davison Home

208 Oldham avenue Waxahachie, Texas

Built circa 1890. Originally the property was owned by a Major Penn. Penn Had a large home at College st and Oldham st where the
post office is currently located. The Picketts were the next owners (The Daughter of Major Penn.) Later was owned by a Mr. McClain who was an early postmaster for Waxahachie.
The Satterfields owned it next and is said to have used as a boarding house. The House has 3.5 baths,parlor,living room,dining room,kitchen,breakfastroom,
and family room. Three of the four fireplaces are original to the house. Mrs Davison's Husband is no longer living but she offered visitors to her house a glimpse of some WWII items of his. He was on the deck of the Arizona when the Japanese bombed it at Pearl Harbor and was burned badly. He served until the end of the War and was on the Missouri when the surrender was signed. So he was literally there at the begining and the end!

Ellis County Stamps for sale at Zazzle

2009-06-02T15:45:00.003-05:00

Ellis County Stamps

ELLIS COUNTY COURTHOUSE by drtuddle
Make Zazzle Custom Stamps at Zazzle.com

rockyfallscloseup, ROCKY FALLS OVILLA, TEXAS from Zazzle.com

2009-05-31T17:19:00.002-05:00

rockyfallscloseup, ROCKY FALLS OVILLA, TEXAS from Zazzle.com

Shared via AddThis

Ennis Library site of the Cerf Mansion

2009-05-28T11:02:00.013-05:00

Click on the above picture to enlarge

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txellis/photos/cerfhouse.htm
This site has some info and where the picture came from.

Ennis Library is on the spot of the old Cerf Mansion. The Cerf mansion was based on the Hospitality Pavillion at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, was built in late 1904 by Ennis Texas Cotton Merchant Louis Isadore Cerf. His widow, Mamie Cerf left it to the City of Ennis who had it torn down in 1967. Jacqueline Kennedy was reported to have written a letter in a paper urging the city of Ennis not to bring down the old Mansion. But Ennis city higher ups believed it was a time of progress and it was brought down. Now stands the Ennis Library. The iron fencing on top of the brick wall around courtyard at the library is the original fencing that was at the Cerf mansion. In the courtyard are beautiful flowers and plants and an Historical marker dedicated to Jack Lummus. Ennis' Congressional Medal of Honor soldier of WWII.

The 3 and half pound gold fish caught october 21,1965

2009-04-28T10:32:00.003-05:00

Saw an interesting small story in the Ennis Daily News dated Oct 21, 1965. Jack Walker caught a 3 1/2 pound gold fish at Old Lake in Ennis. It was theorized that the Gold Fish was used as trotline bait and got away.

Ernest Tubb plaque in Crisp, Texas

2009-04-27T17:30:00.008-05:00

Ernest Tubb the Texas Troubadour "Walking the floor over you" was MR. Tubb's biggest hit put out in 1941.

Ellis County Press Article of Ray Cavender's experience with Bonnie and Clyde

2009-03-21T07:59:00.004-05:00

Very interesting article of an Ellis County resident's run in with Bonnie and Clyde. Over the years I have talked to Ovilla residents who spoke of Bonnie and Clyde living in the mesquite tree hilly area of Midlothian, Grand Prairie and Cedar Hill. One Midlothian recollection was about Bonnie and Clyde rolling into to town stopping at a burger joint and tipping something like $20 to the waitress. Here is a recollection of Ray Cavender who use to come into the Tote-a-way where I worked in Ovilla when I was younger. Below is the beginning of the article click on the link to read the rest. (Just put your cursor over article section hold shift and left click mouse to open separate window for article.)

OVILLA – Sit back and read a tale of just one of many regarding the remarkable people who make up the Meals-on-Wheels family of Johnson and Ellis Counties.
At the tender age of 12, Ray Cavender ambled out of the woods and into a clearing grinning from ear-to-ear.
It was the early 1930s in Ovilla, Texas, and the farm boy was proud to emerge from the under bush with a veritable feast for his family – two large swamp rabbits that he landed with his shotgun. But from his peripheral vision on a hill to his right he saw a familiar sight to some of his family members in his small community, though no one talked publicly about it.

Thanks to Smiley for the heads up on the article!!!

---------Texas Interurban Railway-------

2009-02-21T09:14:00.000-06:00

Fred Fitch gave birth to the idea of an interurban electrified railway in North Texas. He wanted to connect Denison and Sherman. In 1899 Fitch asked R H McWilley to survey a route between Denison and Sherman. Fitch and partners purchased College Hills and Park Railway and the City Street Railway Co. of Sherman. Their idea was to compete with the Houston and Texas Central. He would offer more frequent and efficient travel than the HT&C. The population was booming in the Denison-Sherman area and commerce was the catalyst. To insure business and get bodies on Fitch's railway they came up with an attraction between the two cities. Woodlake park was a recreational place for swimming,dancing,boating and family picnics. It was the Six Flags of it's time. Woodlake eventually had a 900 seat theater. The Denison and Sherman Railway remained the same until 1909 when in walks J. F. Strickland who invisioned it's expansion.

J F Strickland at the age of 32 managed the Electric Utility of Waxahachie, Texas. His company later merged with Hilsboro, Cleburne, Dublin,Bonham, and Sherman. He organized the Southwest Electrical Gas Association. In 1905 Strickland,Osce Goodwin,and M B Templeton of Waxahachie wanted to connect the Denison Sherman to Dallas. On September 25,1906 Strickland formed the Texas Traction Company. He conjured up 7 million for the venture. In 1909 J. F. Strickland Company bought controlling stock interest in the Denison Sherman Railway. On April 16th, 1911 the Denison Sherman Railway was sold to the Texas Traction Company. Fred A Jones company of Dallas designed and constructed the line. MIT graduate, Theodore Stebbins was the General Manager of the project. The line used two 1000 kilowatt curtis steam turbine generating units. 300 watt rotary converters supplied 600 dc volts to the trolley wire. The trolley wire was 000 copper wire suspended 19 feet above the rails. Limited service between Sherman and Dallas began October 8,1911. By 1923 the cars were traveling up to a blazing speed of 65 mph. While expanding to the south, the Southern Traction Company was hampered by by light ballasting which limited it's speed to 40 mph.

In 1912 Waxahachie's mule car line, Waxahachie Street Railway Company, was already being converted to electric cars after being purchased by the Southern Traction Company. But the interurbancame to town around the same time so it took most of the people's attention. I believe that a city railway operated separate from the interurban so that you could pretty much go anywhere in town. On the map the city railway branched off the interurban on East Marvin to West University stopping at Sycamore and West Marvin stopping at Ennis st and also traveled down Main street stopping at Grand avenue. Waxahachie's Mayor Prince drove in the last spike in Waxahachie on September 30, 1913 and the "Stock holder Inspection Trip" made the first runs from Hillsboro to Waxahachie and Dallas to Waxahachie. The stockholders left Dallas and Hillsboro at 10:00 am planning to arrive in Waxahachie by 11:30 am. Now, the women of Waxahachie could pack a lunch and spend the day shopping in Dallas and be back in Waxahachie for dinner. In 1913 the automobile still wasn't the norm for travel so you could imagine the efficiency of the traveling on the Interurban.

The merger of Strickland's Texas Traction and Southern Traction created the Texas Electrci Railway. The merger took place on January 31, 1917. J. F. Strickland was elected president. The peak of the interurban patronage was 1920 when they recorded a total of 819,000 passengers. It's decline began in 1930 and the interurban started taking freight to make up for the loss of passenger revenue. But by 1948 the last interurban trip was taken to Waco on the last day of the year. The individualism of the American and his automobile and the development of good roads brought down the interurban. Tale tale signs were noticed by interurban management when they took note of individuals with automobiles stealing their customers at the interurban stations. If the customer was only going a short distance the automobile driver was more efficient but the long trips were better taken on the interurban until the roads got better. When the rods did get better on of the major customers lost by the interurban was the traveling salesmen. They were buying their own cars and hitting the road instead of using the interurban.

NOTE:Now if you noticed Ovilla was left out of the interurban path. Which was another reason for Ovilla's quaintness today besides the fires and the bypass of the railroad. So Ovillians most likely would go to Red Oak or Waxahachie and catch a ride. One incident documented in the Ovilla History Book was that of Bud Cason returning in 1943 from his Pacific service in WWII . As he got off the bus in Dallas he "got on the electric trolley to the little town of Red Oak."

WAXAHACHIE TRESSEL FOR INTERURBAN WAXAHACHIE. OTHER IS REMAINS OF TRESSEL PATH SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN WAXAHACHIE

.......................................................................................................................................................

MAIN ST IN ITALY. CLARK STREET TO THE LEFT IS WHERE THE INTERURBAN TRAVELED ON TO MILFORD

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS APPEARS TO BE WHERE THE TER CAME IN FROM THE EAST TO ITALY. NOTICE THE RAISED EARTH AND THAT IT COMES IN AROUND WHERE SAN JACINTO ST. STARTS.

LEFT IS ITALY 2008 AT GARCIA STREET/MAIN ST AND THE RIGHT IS ITALY 1948 INTERURBAN WHERE SAN JACINTO STREET THEN CAME TO THE INTERURBAN STATION

......................................................................................................................................................................
INTERURBAN COURT IN WAXAHACHIE ON COLLEGE ST. WHERE PATRONS WAITED TO RIDE.

.........................................................................................................
Ennis Interurban Station on Dallas Street and West Baylor where Ennis Black Belt Academy is located

Note: I believe interurban cars could be parked on the back on the West Baylor side

...................................................................................................................................

INTERURBAN FACTS

"The electric interurban industry in Texas totaled nearly 500 miles, the second largest interurban mileage among the states west of the Mississippi River. Most of this mileage was in place by 1913, as the industry grew rapidly during the early 1900s to fill the need for frequent passenger service between urban centers that could not be met by existing steam-railroad service. About 70 percent of the mileage was in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where electric lines connected Fort Worth and Cleburne, Fort Worth and Dallas, and Denison, Dallas, Corsicana, and Waco. Another 20 percent was in the Houston-Galveston and Beaumont-Port Arthur areas. The rest was scattered around the state. The decline in mileage was also swift, however, as the growth of improved highways and widespread private car ownership combined to siphon off most of the interurban ridership. By the end of 1941 only two lines, the Texas Electric and the Houston North Shore, a subsidiary of the Missouri Pacific, remained; they were both discontinued in 1948."

PLANO HISTORY

----------------------- MAPS OF INTERURBAN IN TOWNS--------------

Sources:Ellis County History Overview, Ovilla History Book,Texas Electrci Railway,When cotton Reigned King: Waxahachie

Waxahachie street names

2008-12-04T15:17:00.005-06:00

Trinity & Brazos Valley Railroad Depot to be restored

2008-11-28T06:07:00.002-06:00

The Nay's company will be restoring this old depot that they have owned since 1963 at 423 college st. The restoration will be headed up by "Darell Nay, president of the general contracting company, which specializes in agricultural projects and commercial building."-wdl A lot of research is going into the project to bring the depot back to it's 1905 look. The article is here

WHERE ELLIS COUNTY NAMES CAME FROM

2008-11-27T09:35:00.006-06:00

The following alphabetical list offers explanations for the naming of Ellis County communities and streams:
ALMA -this small town was named for the daughter of an early settler By "the name of Hemming.
AVALON -Avalon was named by Billy Jones, an early settler,
Bardwell -this community was named for J, Y. Bardwell, who was an early settler,
BOYCE -Boyce was named for its first settler, Capt. W, A. Boyce, who came to Texas from Alabama in 1874.
BUENA VISTA -this town was so named because Buena Vista means "beautiful view" in Spanish,
CHAMBERS CREEK.-A surveyor, Chambers, named the town for his uncle, Gen. Thomas Jefferson Chambers, who was a former judge of the Mexican Superior Courts and a figure in the Texas Revolution,
ELLIS -This county was named after Richard Ellis, a jurist, president of the Constitutional Congress which declared the independence of Texas from Mexico, and a member of the New Republic,
ENNIS -Ennis was named after Cornelius Ennis, one of the early directors of the Houston and Texas Central Railway which came to this point,
FERRIS -this town was named for Judge Justus W, Ferris,
FORRESTON -This community was originally called Chambers Creek for its location near the stream. The name was later changed to "Forreston" to honor Capt, Carr Forrest, who donated the land for the town site,
GARRETT -This town was named for the original land owner, William Garrett,
ITALY -this small town was originally known as Houston Creek because Sam Houston was supposed to have camped there. The name was rejected by the Post Office Department and Gabriel J. Pena submitted the name of Italy because the climatic conditions correspond to sunny Italy,
MAYPEARL -This town was first named Cyria, and a post office was granted under that name. The name was changed to honor May and Pearl, daughters of two officials of the International-Great Northern Railroad when if reached the town on June 25, 1903.
MIDLOTHIAN -Midlothian was named Barker for a Charles Barker. The name was changed by a Scottish engineer for the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railroad which reached the site in 1883.
MILFORD -this community was named for a ford on Mill Creek,
NASH -Nash was named for N, J, Nash, an early settler.
OVILLA -the name for this town was devised by placing "o" before the word "villa" meaning house or village in Latin,'
PALMER -Palmer was named for Dr, D. S, Palmer, a physician for the Houston and Texas Central Railroad, which reached the town in 1874.
REAGOR SPRINGS -This community was originally named when the post office was established, but the name was later changed to honor John Reagor, who settled there.
RED OAK -Red Oak was named for the Oak trees in the vicinity*
ROCKETT— Rockett was originally known as "Liberty " but was renamed for the Rockett family who moved to the community in 1890.
STERRETT-the community was named for an early settler Col. Sterrett,
WAXAHACHIE-this town, which is the county seat of Ellis County recieved name from the creeks which passes through a portion of the town and means "Cow Creek" in the Indian Tongue* WAXAHACHIE CREEK -This creek was named "Cow Creek" by the Tonkawa In" Indians because of the cows which they found there.
WAXAHACHIE LAKE -this lake was named for the city of WAXAHACHIE and is located' south east of the town.
copied by Ruth Dates from a 1963 Waxahachie Daily Light Newspaper
Searchers and Researchers Volume 1 issue 1 pg118 winter 1977-1978

Places in the Heart: :The Beauty Shop

2008-11-11T05:24:00.009-06:00

The Church PArking lot where I am told the Beauty shop originally stood

The Church Sign

What the Beauty shop looked like at it's original location on Brown street
Current location
Took me a while to find this. The Beauty shop in the movie Places in the Heart was moved from it's original spot and where it was filmed in the the movie on Brown street. Also a column was added to the front which added to the difficulty in identifying it. But thanks to Shanon, director at the Ellis County museum, I was able to get access to a tour of Waxahachie movie location flier. It's located on Marvin and I believe is now called the Anderson home.

Veterans Day weekend Allies storm Roger's Street Bridges

2008-11-09T09:14:00.026-06:00

Caddo Nation: Fish Dance

2008-10-01T04:07:00.002-05:00

Caddo Nation: Stirrup Dance

2008-09-30T21:05:00.008-05:00

Caddo Nation: Happy Brithday Dance

2008-09-30T20:00:00.003-05:00

Taysha Caddo word for Texas and Caddo Princess name

2008-09-29T07:31:00.003-05:00

Video: Texana exhibit Pioneer Life at Getzendaner Park

2008-09-29T07:01:00.005-05:00

Pictures from TEXANA at Getzendaner Park 09/27/2008

2008-09-28T18:07:00.019-05:00

PS the paper towels and aluminum foil wouldn't normally be in the picture the wagon wasn't totally set up yet :)

Texana at the Chautauqua 9-27-2008

2008-09-28T03:02:00.004-05:00

I recently attended part of the Texana event at the Chautauqua in Waxahahchie, Texas yesterday. I visited pioneer reenactment set ups in the park. They had an original Chuck Wagon. Which for pioneers was usually a smaller farm wagon for hauling stuff on the farm converted into a chuck wagon. This particular wagon was all original except the bottom floor had to be replaced due to rotting. The campfire setup and tents were run by reenactors in period clothes. I did not get to see the official reenactments. I did get to hear Caddo Nation tell their story and perform their dances. They talked about how their people were major deerskin traders with the French. I had heard about this when researching the Halberd head at the Ellis County museum. Jay Blaine had participated in the identification of a caddo site near cedar creek where French coins and trading items were being found, It was a major international trade and I believe took place in the 17th century. Deerskin was bringing good money in Europe at the time.

The next speaker of the evening was a historian who tied in Spain to the development of Texas. How the Spanish had designed their conquista based on what they took from being dominated by the Muslims at one time. How even spanish foods and words came from the Muslims. For example arroz the name for rice is of Arabic origin. How the Alamo and Goliad are examples of Muslim construction. How the use of a cavalry was learned by the Spanish from being defeated by the Muslims.

Very intertaining and learning experience.

Catfish Plantation welcomes Ghost Hunters

2008-09-27T08:03:00.005-05:00

The Catfish Plantation is going to have a raffle Oct 25th for 8 lucky winners to meet long time Catfish Plantation residents Caroline, Elizabeth and Will on Halloween Night. Of course Caroline, Elizabeth and Will are dead but don't let that stop you from socializing with them. The Texas Spirit Seeker group is going to do some electronic surveillance of the plantation at the same time.

"Eight lucky winners will be able to work side by side with Texas Spirit Seekers, which is returning to the restaurant to further expand on some work it did in March that captured several eerie electronic recordings and a ghostly photograph."

"The winners will meet Texas Spirit Seekers at 10 p.m. Oct. 31 at the restaurant, where they will have the chance to help set up, position cameras and help monitor the activity as it happens."

- wdl

Click Here for more details on how to enter raffle and what it benefits.

Click Here for more info on Ellis County Ghosts.

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--------------------------TEXANA---------------------------

2008-09-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

Chautauqua 2008
Texana: A Texas State of Mind

Texas History, Texas Music and Texas Heritage Come Alive!

Celebrate the sights and sounds of the Lone Star State's early days with music, poetry, storytelling, historical reenactments, and a Chuck Wagon Dinner.

Featuring: The Caddo Indian Nation, AKA Vocal Ensemble, The Light Crust Doughboys, Early Texas Life Reenactors, and a
Concert by the Dallas Wind Symphony

Saturday, September 27 12:30 - 9:00 pm
Chautauqua Auditorium - Getzendaner Park

Tickets (available at the door):
All Day (12:30 - 9:00 pm) Adults $10.00 Students $2.00
Evening Concert Only (7pm) Adults $5.00 Students $2.00

For more information:
info@waxahachiechautauqua.org

Reagor Springs Resort?

2008-09-07T07:12:00.007-05:00

Entering the Twentieth Century, electricity was changing the World and Ellis County. The electric railways had already changed travel up in the northern states. The interurban electric railway in North Texas had started in Denison on May 1, 1901. Speculators were planning there lines from Sherman to Dallas then to Waxahachie. Why not patch Waxahachie into Ennis? To make sure people will travel that way J. T. Voss of Ft Worth would build a Resort in Reagor Springs! What? Reagor Springs? Yup the current drag race haven, beer store populated pit stop on 287. Though the Southern Traction wouldn't open for service from Dallas to Waxahachie until October 3, 1912 and then from Waxahachie to Hillsboro a year later on October 20, 1913, people were already securing right-of-ways. Just like the railroads after the civil war people were trying to get the property secured for the lines first. Thought the line was never built between Waxahachie and Ennis, Mr Voss originally had grand plans for the line.

Waxahachie Enterprise
July 4, 1902
Electric Lines in Texas cont'd Another inter-urban line is projected by a company recently chartered under the laws of the state and which has already run two surveys between Ennis and Waxahachie, a distance of about fifteen miles. J. T. Voss of Fort Worth, former president of the Poly-chnic Street Car company of this city, is the right-of-way agent for this company, and is no securing options on the right-of-way between Ennis and Waxahachie. Mr. Voss was here yesterday and said he had secured most of the route on one of the lines, and it was intention of the company to commence construction by the first of next September.
This company too, contemplates a belt line but for the present the route is not made public. At Reagor Spring, midway between Waxahachie and Ennis, there will be a resort on which company expects to spend considerable money in making it one of the most attractive places in central Texas. A similar resort is now being arranged for at Handley by the North Texas Traction company. - Fort Worth Register.

-Waxahachie Enterprise

Resorts were common attractions on the interurbans to encourage human traffic on the rail cars. WoodLake was a popular resort on the Denison-Sherman line. Quite a succes in it's time with swimming hole and a theater.

HANS SMITH: The Silver Tongued Orator

2008-09-01T14:14:00.026-05:00

Hans Smith, born in Pennsylvania Sept. 15, 1799, was already a well established man before he took his chances with the Peter's Colony. He had represented Missouri and Arkansas in both Houses of government. He was General Commander of the Missouri militia for two years. Appointed Bank Examiner by Governor Boggs over the State of Missouri on Sept. 1, 1840. He even gave Missouri's famous "Bullion" Senator, Thomas Benton, a run for his money in one election for the Missouri Senate race. Hans Smith was a very big fan of President James K. Polk and was a 100 percent behind Polk wanting Texas to join the Union. In fact he named one of his sons James K. Polk Smith. The big problem with Texas joining the Union was the abolitionist felt Texas being a slave state would be moving the country in the wrong direction. Hans was a slave owner so I imagine he had no problem with this.

In the fall of 1845 Hans and his family began their move to Texas from Crawford County Arkansas. His wife Nancy and their children Robert aged 19,Sid aged 17, George aged 15, William Penn aged 12, Leila aged 8, and the baby ("little Jimie") James K. Polk started their journey. Also the slave Jerry was with them. They left Arkansas in three covered wagons drawn by oxen. They had all their belongings and necessities in their wagons. On the Smith's way to their future home they crossed the Red River and came into contact with the founder of the Dallas village,John Neely Bryan, at his one room cabin on the Trinity River.

From Bryan's home the Smiths forded the Trinity River and camped in the current location of Lancaster, Texas. Hans was headed toward Waco Country(named after the Indian village near the land) where Waco is today. While following the road south which was probably what became the Preston Road (Preston Road/ military road/ Shawnee trail)they went off a fork to the left taking them southeast(not their intended direction due south.).

They ended up on the north bank of Red Oak Creek in between the present day Rockett and Palmer, Texas. There camp was near Rutherford's crossing at Red Oak Creek. When they camped the kids went fishing and Hans killed some game. Later, Hans went walking on his own taking in the view of the Black Prarie land. South of Red Oak Creek Hans topped a beautiful hill and looked over the prairie valley. (I've always wondered if this hill may be where Hans is currently buried in Smith Cemetery. He is the first buried here and it sits upon a knoll looking over a valley.) Then he knew this was his new home! Hans said to his wife, "Nancy, I think we have traveled far enough. Their is plenty of timber and water here.

"

Hans built his house and claimed his 640 acres from the Peters Colony contract.Hans was elected representative of Navarro County. Two notable contributions to Ellis County by Hans Smith was he brought the first cotton seed to the area and he sat at the table for the organization of Ellis County out of Navarro County. It was thought that Texas lands could not grow cotton but they couldn't be more wrong! The Ellis County area at one time became the world's largest producer of cotton and it all started with Hans Smith. With the success of the cotton in the area Hans built the areas first cotton gin and ginned the areas cotton for 4 years. He also built a dry goods store being that the nearest was either north to Dallas, Texas or south to Corsicana, Texas. In 1852 Has Smith headed to Houston to get supplies for his dry good store. He took a $1000 of his own and $500 from a neighbor and left for Houston for supplies. He would not return. He was robbed a murdered in Houston. Nancy got her kids together and went to Houston putting Hans body in a metallic coffin. They brought him back and buried him on the beautiful knoll on their property now Smith Cemetery. Hans is the first burial in the Smith Cemetery. Emory Rogers said he was the greatest orator he ever heard and called Hans the silver tongued orator. He could have been one of the greatest politicians and business man in Ellis County history but his life was cut short March 20, 1852 at the age of 52. His wife carried on the honor of the family and paid back the neighbors $500 that had been stolen from Hans and kept the family going. She also settled his estate among her and the children.

"Under certificate 257 Volume 1, a survey of 640 acres granted in Ellis County was made in the name of Hans Smith, who emigrated to Texas and entered the colony which was granted to Peters and others prior to July 15, 1848, under patent 362, Volume 10, to the Heirs of Hans Smith deceased."

resources
The story of the pioneers, Hans and Nancy Owen Smith
Ellis Country History-pg 70
Hans Smith pg 117-119

Rattlesnake bite off old cattle trail

2008-08-24T13:40:00.006-05:00

In the early 1840's "there were no roads in western Ellis County, just a cow trail leading from Greathouse Branch northeast to Waxahachie by way of Buena Vista." -Texas National Laboratories Research Commission. Historic American Buildings Survey. "Later this cattle trail was a part of the trail connecting what once was the Shawnee Trail to the Chisholm Trail."

Recently off FM 1446(Buena Vista), the old cattle road in Waxahachie, Vannessa Dial was bitten by a small rattlesnake on August 2nd according to Dr. Paul Wax of Phoenix. Dr. Wax, the nation’s top toxicologists, determined the bite was from a rattlesnake after reviewing Mrs Dial's blood work and toxicology report. Luckily Dr. Wax happened to be at Parkland for a toxicology conference.

This story has grabbed the attention of an A&M professor, Ray C. Telfair II, Ph.D., who is from Ennis. He is requesting that anyone who has encountered a rattlesnake in Ellis County to contact him. Dr. Telfair refers to the rattlesnakes in Ellis county as the canebrake and mainly found in the Maypearl-Italy area. Any info please post here and pass on to Professor Telfair by calling him at 903-839-4602.

Old water pump on Red Oak Creek

2008-08-23T07:34:00.003-05:00

Near Rutherford Crossing I found what appears to be an old water pump. One of the cone shape objects is tipped over and you can see down into a hole. The cone shaped structures are circular stacked bricks with cement over them. The bricks say "Palmer" on them. On the standing cone shaped structure there is an old motor. The area around the structures are wooded but does appear to have been cleared at one time. Maybe a structure was there. My only doubt to a structure is it would be in a flood plain. Their is a tributary east of the structures that pours into Red Oak Creek.
This is the area where Hans Smith came from Arkansas with his family. They had camped on Red Oak Creek as they came to the area to claim their Peters Colony land. After hunting in the area and topping a hill and observing the black prairie land, Hans Smith told his wife they had found their new home.

Outside Bathroom Ellis County Courthouse

2008-08-08T11:44:00.006-05:00

Picture Courtesy of Ellis County Museum.

Looking center left bottom in this picture there is the old outside bathrooms which included showers. This picture I believe is looking North West down main street. Picture probably shot from the top of the Rogers Hotel and was taken circa 1919. It is said these bathrooms were put in for folks that traveled from around the county so the stinky travelers could take a shower and clean up for court. Remember at this time no ac in cars and as you can see on main street they still rode horse drawn wagons into town.

close up of bathroom

Thanks to Shanon Simpson for the info

Racial Inequality Historical Evidence at Ellis County Courthouse

2008-08-06T11:08:00.006-05:00

Places In The Heart: Rogers Hotel/First Farmers Bank

2008-07-21T08:28:00.013-05:00

Roger's Hotel July 2008-The spot of pioneer Emory Roger's Cabin.
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Rogers Hotel was used as the location of the First Farmers Bank in Places In The Heart. It was filmed on the first floor/lobby and the bankers desk was near a front window. One of the camera angles from the point of view of the banker ,Albert Denby, showed the activity outside on the square at Main st and College st. You also could see the lower part of the courthouse in the background. The trees have grown since then. (I believe Brooks and Dunn filmed a segment for their upcoming special right in front of those trees.) From that low camera angle , I doubt they would have used that shot if Places In The Heart was filmed today. The trees would have covered up the courthouse. GPS location is 32 deg 23' 08.70"N 96 deg 50' 23.24"W

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---Places In The Heart:Viaduct/Railroad------

2008-07-21T08:09:00.018-05:00

The Viaduct on highway 77 in Waxahachie was a background scene early in the movie Places In The Heart. The railroad has changed considerable. The one track stops (use to head south towards Italy) and the functioning BNSF does not go through the same pair of pillars as the movie. It goes through the two pillars north of the movies track path. The BNSF curves a little to the east then goes Southeast to Bardwell and then on to Corsicana. Trees have grown up on the southern side of the tracks and you can't really get a clear picture of the track path in the movie. The old telephone poles are gone. I have seen a telephone pole on the east side of the bridge. The other direction

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Looking at this picture you can see two tracks but the one on the right stops and has been pulled up. It ran by the train depot closest to the creek. This track would have paralleled the current walk path. The track on the left is a current functioning Burlington Northern Santa Fe track and curves to the left between the pillars which are to the left (North)of the movie pillars the tracks once went through. The single rail in between the tracks is just lying there don't think it serves a purpose
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You can see the lights to Paul Richard's Field (Jungle Park in the olden days). The trees have grown since then.

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Royce Spalding confronting Wylie in places in the heart filmed circa 1984

Interesting the more I get into the story of Places in the Heart I am finding more clues to the actual family Heritage of director Robert Benton who is related to Spaldings from Waxahachie. Maybe he showcased the Viaduct in the background because it reminded him of his relative W. A. Spalding. W. A. Spalding has turned up in many articles of research. He wrote many historical papers that are found in Library. I assume it is W. A. Spalding Sr who would have been 62 at the time Jr was only 14. It appears Sr. is the resident Engineer who officially opens the Viaduct December 12, 1931 in the below WDL article. (Note that an outsider technically the first person to drive over the viaduct)

Bridge Opening Today
from Waxahachie Daily Light December 12, 1931
The opening and closing of Waxahachie viaduct is scheduled to be turned over to traffic officially at 2:00 P.M. today. It was "off again, on again Flannigan" with the big bridge today. People rode over it a while; then they were shut off from it; then they were to travel over it again.
Division Engineer Rice had authorized resident Engineer W.A. Spalding early today to turn traffic on the bridge officially at 2:00 P.M. At this hour the City and County officials were to be the first to journey over the viaduct; but other folks beat them to it, for a maintenance man from Dallas came here and removed the gates about 11:00 A.M. from each end of the over-pass. And a stranger tourist was the first to travel over the long bridge; then the contractor closed the bridge, for the formal opening. So at 2:00 P.M. the city and county are to have a chance to make the official opening.
The bridge, nearly a quarter of a mile in length, concrete and steel, connects Elm Street with Rogers Street, passing over the Katy and T. & N.O. R.R. and Waxahachie Creek, White Way lights will illuminate the viaduct at night.

Places in the Heart:Spalding Home

2008-07-21T07:05:00.018-05:00

Built in 1900 the Spalding's Home in Places In The Heart is located off FM 813. The actual address is 5035 FM 813 near Rockett, Texas. It can not be easily seen from the road and has a private drive. (I would caution anyone trying to park along 813. The location of the house is on a curve and no shoulders.) It is owned by the Gibbons family. Still looks like it's in similar condition as when used in the movie. I believe that other smaller movies were shot here also. When I zoomed in I could see the unique stained glass windows.

From the road you can see the white picket fence and the screened in porch. It is 2096 sq feet with native pasture around it. The GPS coordinates are 32 deg 27'28.16"N 96 deg 46'54.67"W.
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Image from the 1984 movie.I think the color difference from the current house is because I think the movie was shot in early morning or late evening and gave the house that off white color or grayish look.
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There is a beautiful field on down FM 813 towards Palmer that would have been a great spot to film the cotton picking scenes. I don't know if it was used or not..

Places In The Heart:Five Points Cotton Gin

2008-07-20T19:30:00.012-05:00

Off of Fm 876 near what I believe is called Walker's Triangle , there is what's left of the 5 points Cotton Gin. It was the setting for two great scenes in Places in the Heart. The first is when Edna Spalding goes with Moze to buy cotton seed. The Cotton Gin owner, W. E. Simmons, tries to pull the old switch-a-roo with the seed. But Moze, who "knows about most anything there is to know about farm'n cotton", catches Mr. Simmons' trickery. The second time is when Edna comes to sale the Cotton. She goes into the the office which is still there and currently it appears someone lives there. This time Moze tries to help Edna but the owner pulls down the window shade to the office so Moze can't listen or communicate to Edna. Edna uses her wit and her knowledge of how Mr. Simmons could gain some bragging rights among the masons by having the first bale of cotton in the county. She gets her 3.75 cents per pound which was over the going rate of 3.5 cents a pound at the time.

There is machinery missing since the movie and the grass is grown up. A fella owns the triangle portion of the property where two roads form a V shape.

GPS Location is 32 deg 16' 45.13"N 96 deg 54' 01.19"W

Places In The Heart:Bethel Methodist Church

2008-07-18T23:10:00.011-05:00

This church was used in the beginning and the end of the movie. At the end was an emotional scene about forgiveness. It's a very interesting peaceful setting. Many Sims are buried in the cemetery across the road from the church and the God's acres pavilion was used in the second dance scene. I believe Ellis County Commissioner Heath Sims is a current member of the Church. The Sims were early settlers of Ellis County and founders of the Bethel Church. I believe N. P. Sims is Heath's Great Great Uncle. The church is in the vicinity of the community of Boz.

I sneaked a picture of the inside through a small clear rectangular piece of glass on the door. Wood floors and wood pews are still their like in the movie. GPS approximate location is 32 deg 17' 44.45"N 96 deg 54' 53.45"W

This video is spliced with my video of the current appearance of the Bethel Church. Notice the large bushes are gone beside the entrance. There is also a bar across the circle stained glass dove picture in the movie but not now. Also in the movie the beautiful windows are open as is the front door for air circulation. Now the church has ac.

Places in the Heart: :Tornado Road

2008-07-18T17:20:00.005-05:00

I believe the curve is where Wayne(Ed Harris) drives around to get a glimpse of his extramarital lover, Viola Kelsey (Amy Madigan), the school teacher. In real life Ed Harris and Amy Madigan later married.

Emanuel st (use to be called Hackberry) at the end of East Marvin in Waxahachie is the location of the School tornado scene in Places In The Heart. I believe that their are new houses built since the movie and an older two story that was moved to the spot. Goats are grazing on an open field south of the curve.

The Trip To Bountiful Bus stop at Ennis st and 878

2008-07-17T00:06:00.013-05:00

The Trip To Bountiful filmed in Waxahachie is the movie by Horton Foote that finally gave longtime actress,Geraldine Page , an Academy Award. She played an elderly lady trying to make one more trip back to her girlhood home in Bountiful, Texas. Kind of slow movie to for most guys but a universal story for those heading towards the end of their life and those who imagine what the end days of their life might feel like. In this bus stop a few of the bus passengers must be dropped off to be picked up by another bus. As they sit at the front of the store a fella that works there asks the folks if they now what Corpus Christi means and they don't so he tells them it means the body of Christ. I always thought there is some kind of message there. Now the movie location is a barber shop called Barbers and Beyond and it usually has phat cars parked there with there phat rims. Pretty stark difference between the folks in the movie that were sitting there waiting for their bus. The approximate GPS coordinates are 32 deg 23'34.74" N 96 deg 49'32.55" W

Largest Tree Girth In Ellis County?

2008-07-16T23:34:00.008-05:00

There are some nice sized trees in Ellis County but I personally have never seen any bigger than the big old tree in Getzendaner Memorial Park on the east side near the kids maze. It's so big that one limb is held up by a support. I measured the girth of a few trees in Ellis County that I thought would be close to this tree but the closet one was in the park near the Mathews bridge but it was 9" short in girth. I try to measure 5 ft from the ground to get the girth. This tree has to be hundred plus years. It's girth measurement is 178". Which is 14.83 feet. Now I imagine that if their are larger trees they are going to have to be in creek bottoms or cemeteries or parks. Places where there is a good water source and that the old settlers wouldn't have chopped them down or modern home builders couldn't bulldoze them. There is a huge girthed tree on Main street in Waxahachie that I have not measured where the fountain is but it's not near as pretty has the park tree. If you have knowledge of a huge tree let me know.

approximate gps coordinates 32deg 23' 34.74" N 96 deg 51'51.20"W

Tredway and Friends at the Chautauqua

2008-07-06T09:04:00.006-05:00

GROUP HANDS OFF TO A HAROLD SAXOPHONE SOLO.

The evening of July 5th was the beginning of hopefully something special. Though only a small crowd from 5:30 pm to 10ish pm, it was something that is needed in Waxahachie. Talent and and even wishful talent needs a place to spread it's wings. Randy Tredway has a vision to bring Waxahachie into the music world. I stopped by after work and gave a listen. I left to go searching for the Beauty Shop house used in Places In The Heart. No luck. When I came back with my grape snow cone, I found my long time family friends Alan and PJ Searsy(PJ is the director of the Waxahachie Community Theater.) I heard some Hippy look'n fellas sing about making love under the catfish moon. Absolutely great fun! I noticed a fella named Harold had been sitting in the back playing a saxaphone since I had left 3 hours earlier. Harold added a nice compliment to the songs. I believe he is in his 80's and I thought I heard was Randy's Granpa. My favorite song was the one about "if want to ride with the devil he'll be wanting to drive". Something like that. I really enjoyed the lyrics and the music. I am really looking forward for the songwriter's concerts to catch on. Hopefully we can get some writers to write about the rich History of Ellis County.

Tredway plans on having the Songwriter Concerts once a month from now on beginning with the July 5, 2008 performance.

“The songwriters that we have been talking about performing at Chautauqua are excited about performing there because of the history of the place. People like Will Rogers have performed there,” Tredway said. “We have had nothing but support from the city and we believe that we can make this happen. However, we need the community supporting us by coming out to the event.”-Randy Tredway

http://www.tredwayandfriends.com/

REMAINING SONGWRITER'S CONCERT DATES
AUGUST 16TH
SEPTEMBER 6th
OCTOBER 11th
NOVEMBER 8th
DECEMBER 13th
2009
JANUARY 10th
FEBRUARY 14th
MARCH 14th
APRIL 11TH
MAY 9TH
JUNE 13TH
JULY 11TH
AUGUST 8TH
SEPTEMBER 12TH
OCTOBER 10TH

NOVEMBER 14TH

DECEMBER 12TH

Midlothian July 3rd 2008 Fireworks

2008-07-04T09:53:00.007-05:00

Went to the Brookshire's parking lot last night and watched Midlothian's disappointing display of fireworks. Of course they were using the new football stadium so it did give a wider range of viewing spots. People were in the stadium parking lot,the softball field, the middle school, and Brookshire's parking lot. It would have been an interesting site from the bypass view. You can see straight into the stadium from the 287 bypass. I don't know if it was a weak performance or I just enjoyed it better when I could go to my friend's house on avenue K and sit in his drive way and watch the fireworks. But hey you spend millions of dollars on a new stadium you got to give something different to the non-football/athletic citizens.

Citizen's National Bank 140 Years Old Today!

2008-07-01T01:00:00.004-05:00

Serving generations of area families for over 140 years.
First building in Waxahachie

"On July 1, 1868, as the Civil War closed, Ferris & Getzendaner Attorneys-at-law began to offer banking services "that would add something to the meager compensation that might come from the practice of law." The money to meet this business had to be taken periodically by horse and rider to Houston through bad lands infested by robbers and murderers. Their original bank building was a double-room wooden structure, but from these crude beginnings 128 years ago, the acorn that today has become the Citizens National Bank was planted. Then, as today, the bank had become a good neighbor, and a vital spark to the economic growth of Waxahachie."-taken from a 1996 pictorial book of Ellis County.

The first depositor was R. A. Davis on July 10,1868. Davis was also one of the founding members of the town of Waxahachie in 1851. He deposited $230.75 of hard money(Gold and Silver probably.) First the bank was called Ferris and Getzendaner until June 25, 1884 when it became The Citizens National Bank of Waxahachie. At this time the bank had capital of $100,000 surplus of $50,000 and a profit of $54,000.-History of Ellis County

First President :1868-1887 Captain Getzendaner

Movies Filmed in Waxahachie

2008-06-30T12:25:00.003-05:00

Was talking to a young aspiring film director Aaron Walker about Waxahachie/Ellis County being a great filming location and found these movies filmed in Waxahachie on Waxahachie's Chamber Of Commerce web-site.

Waxahachie Movie List
• Bonnie and Clyde, 1967 – Faye Dunaway, Warren Beatty, Gene Hackman, Estelle Parsons.Oscars for Best Supporting Actress (Parsons) and cinematography (Burnett Guffrey).
• Deadly Blessings, 1980 – Ernest Borgnine, Maren Jensen.
• Tender Mercies, 1981 – Robert Duvall, Tess Harper, Wilford Brimley. Oscars for Best Actor (Duvall) and Best Screenplay (Horton Foote).
• Of Mice and Men (TV), 1981 – Randy Quaid, Robert Blake.
• Cowboy (TV), 1981 – Ted Danson, James Brolin, Patrick Tovatt.
• Glory Road, 1982-83 – Gary Busey, Marjoe Gortner (film went bankrupt; never released).• Ellie, 1983 – Pat Paulsen, Shelley Winters, George Gobel.
• Places in the Heart, 1983 – Sally Field, Danny Glover, John Malkovich, Ed Harris, Amy Madigan, Lindsay Crouse, Bert Remsen. Oscars for Best Actress (Field) and Best Screenplay (Waxahachie Native, Robert Benton).
• 1918, 1984 – Matthew Broderick.
• The Last of the Caddoes (TV)
• The Aurora Encounter, 1984 – Jack Elam.
• Peyton Place: The Next Generation, 1985 – Dorothy Malone, Ed Nelson.
• The Trip to Bountiful, 1985 – Geraldine Page, Rebecca DeMornay, John Heard, Carlin Glynn. Oscar for Best Actress (Page).
• Valentine’s Day, 1985 – Matthew Broderick, William Converse Robert.
• True Stories, 1985 – David Byrne.
• Thompson’s Last Run, 1985 – Robert Mitchum.
• The All-American Cowboy, (TV special) with Charlie Pride.
• Katherine Anne Porter: A Texas Childhood (TV), 1986.
• Square Dance, 1986 – Jason Robards, Jane Alexander, Winona Ryder, Rob Lowe.
• Traveling Man, 1987 – Kay Lenz.
• The Fig Tree, 1987-88 – William Converse Roberts, Theresa Wright, Doris Roberts.
• Norman Rockwells’s Breaking Home Ties, 1987-88 – Jason Robards, Eva Marie Saint, Doug
McKeon, Erin Gray, Claire Trevor.
• It Takes Two (working title: My New Car), 1987-88 – Patrick Dempsey, Leslie Hope Barry Corbin.
• River Bend (originally titled Night of the Eagles, and previously titled Give or Take a Hundred Years), filmed in 1987-88; released in 1989 – Steve James, Margaret Avery.
• Ollie Hopnoodle’s Haven of Bliss, 1987-88 – James B. Sikking, Jean Shepherd.
• Born on the Fourth of July, 1987-88 – Tom Cruise (only one small scene in rural part of county).
• Love Hurts, 1987-88 – Jeff Daniels, Cloris Leachman.
• Bonnie & Clyde: The True Story, 1991.
• Pure Country, 1993 – George Strait.
• Curse of the Starving Class, 1994 – James Woods, Kathy Bates, Lou Gossett Jr., Randy Quaid, Henry Thomas.
• Universal Soldier: The Return, 1999 – Jean-Claude Van Damme.
• Walker, Texas Ranger (TV Series), 1993-2000.
• Slap Her . . . She’s French, 2001 – Piper Perabo, Jane McGregor, Trent Ford.
• Fat Girls, 2005 – Ash Christian.
• Walking Tall 2, 2006 – Kevin Sorbo.
• Walking Tall 3, 2006 – Kevin Sorbo.
• Prison Break (TV Series), Season 2 - 2006.

KBEC 53 YEARS TODAY

2008-06-26T08:11:00.003-05:00

Today in 1955 KBEC went on the air for the first time. The original station as far as I know was in a field at the south bound I-35e on ramp at the 287 exit to I35 E south.

The preceeding counties before Ellis County was formed

2008-06-24T13:32:00.001-05:00

Before Ellis County, Milam county (at one time covered 1/6 of Texas) reached into the Ellis county area then Robertson (named for empresario Sterling Robertson rival of Stephen F Austin)covered the area then Navarro was formed over the area. Then December 20, 1949 Ellis County was formed out of Navarro county with a hundred signatures from local residents.

Midlothian Ballon Fest

2008-06-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

As I came into Midlothian from Waxahachie yesterday and I saw these huge monster's on the Horizon. It was balloon time in Midlothian and they had parked some by the Whataburger East of town on 287. They are having the balloon fest at Midlothian Airport along with some airplanes and a space rock.

"A variety of aircraft, from radio-controlled fliers to kites to helicopters, will also be on display at Dallas-Fort Worth’s Summer Balloon Classic near Midlothian."

I really enjoy watching the Hot-air balloons gracefully and peacefully pass over Midlothian's landscape every year. I missed the balloon glow last night but there is still time to go see the balloons today. They opened at 5:45 this morning but not sure how long they will have the show today. Probably until sunset.

The Waxahachie White Men's Primary

2008-06-02T22:51:00.002-05:00

The White Men's Primary was designed to keep Black folk from voting or making their vote in the general election pretty much useless. This law made primary voting for "whites only." Whites knew the South was made of the one-party states (Democratic then), so they were insured their nominee from the primary would be the victor. It's amazing that it took until 1944 to find the "White Primary" unconstitutional. Some Southern Whites also tried poll taxes and literacy tests to keep minorities from voting.

The below article from the Waxahachie Enterprise shouldn't surprise me because we all know what Ellis County in The Old South thought about Black's voting. At least we know the majority opinion. But the fact in the second article the author explains with excitement how the "White Primary" was successful in disenfranchising the Black man, left me sick to my stomach. Times have definitely changed. The media would be on the exact opposite side of this event today. The media can't ever seem to find the true journalistic position. It mainly goes too far left now a days. Maybe trying to make a mends for it's past atrocities.

Note that candidate J F Strickland became the President of Texas Power and Light and organized The Texas Electric Railway, but he couldn't win Mayor of Waxahachie. Lost by 33 votes. Also note the two articles dated the same day might be different authors because the first story says it was the "quietest election in the history of the city";but, the next story describes the race as "hotly" contested. Unless the author(s) is referring to the fact that the White folk weren't upset because Black folk weren't getting to vote and the race between the White candidates were "hotly" contested?
------------------------WAXAHACHIE ENTERPRISE----------------------

3-24-1899 'The. Primary Election - The Quietest Election in the History of the City Since It Has been an Incorporated Town.
It was mutually agreed by all conservative citizens of this city that the primary last Thursday was the quietest in the history of the town.
At box No. 1, Ed Hawkins was presiding judge but was excused, Jon. F. Wyatt acted as presiding judge, with T. F. Thompson, Jim Morton and George Crow as associate judges; Robt. Beale, Shan Partain, Sara Cawthon and George Crump, clerks.
At Box No. 2, Joe P. Cooper was presiding judge, with P. H. Templeton, L. H. Peters associate judges, and J. L. Deegan, G. W. Coleman, P.T.Crisler, Jon. F. Dunlap and J. J. Metcalfe, clerks.
•At box No. 3, Ed Williams was presiding judge, Sam Fisher, C. J. Harris, W. Schuster and S. T. Barton associate judges, and James 0. Hammett, Sam Hickman, Charles Teutsch, and Jake Mincer,. clerks.

The result by wards is as follows:: . Ward No. 1.
For Mayor - ' J. F. Strickland,67; E.A.DuBose, 25,H. E. Pickett, 82-------
Ward No. 2. For Mayor -. J. F. Strickland,117,.DuBose, 53,-Pickett, 109
' Ward. No. 3-For Mayor., - J. F. Strickland, 69; DuBose, 38; Pickett, 95 •
Mr. Pickett's majority over Mr. Strickland is 33, he having received 286 votes and Mr. Strickland 253. Mr. Pickett, is therefore, the nominee and will be elected on the first Tuesday in April. Mr. S. P. Langsford will succeed Mr. Dowdy as Alderman in Ward No.2. The total vote cast was 66l, only a little more than half the full vote of the city.
3~24~l899 Our Mayoralty Nominee
Waxahachie has just passed through- what is considered the most hotly contested race for mayor that was ever known in the history of the city, and there are circumstances connected with it that make the election one of peculiar interest. Two years ago many of our best citizens began to agitate the question of primary elections for city offices in order to eliminate the negro from city politics. The fruit did not quite ripen then, but this time it did as was evidenced by the fact that a large majority of white voters signed a petition for a white man's primary. The day was set for March 16 and all four candidates, two of whom did not announce until, after the primary call, were before the people. One of these, Mr. Harry E. Pickett, was successful. Every inch of the ground was closely contested and Mr. Pickett came out thirty-three votes ahead of the next highest man. Mr. Pickett is a "native and to the manner born," he was reared in Waxahachie and educated at Marvin College and Vanderbilt University', Nashville, Tennessee. He is not a new man in city or county politics. He has before served the people well as school trustee, alderman and mayor; was postmaster under Cleveland's first administration and last year was candidate for county clerk, receiving a good vote.

.

Resource is a collection of Waxahachie Enterrprise articles on business man J F Strickland in Sims Library, Waxahachie, Texas.

The Irony of Andrew Jackson Lummus Sr & Jr

2008-06-01T09:48:00.010-05:00

Both served their community and country giving their life for them. Now Jack Lummus Jr's Medal Of Honor,posthumously awarded for his bravery on Iwo Jimma, rests in the the Ennis Railroad and Cultural Museum. Ironically, right across the street from the museum Jack Lummus Sr. laid down his life in the service of the Ennis public. He was murdered by intoxicated railroad employee named Oran Mounts. On May 13, 1944,10 months before Jack Jr would die, Jack Lummus Sr., Assistant Chief of Police of Ennis, tried to calm Oran L. Mounts who had been drunk and disorderly in a cafe at 110 NE main street in Ennis, Oran pulled out a revolver and shot Jack Sr. in the stomach right outside the establishment. Jack Sr died in the ambulance. Source www.Jacklummus.com

The Ennis Railroad And Cultural Museum is located at 105 NE Main Street Ennis, Texas. The picture shows the railroad track side of the museum. But in the front of the museum across NE Main and down to the left is the location of the murder of Jack Lummus Sr. No more than 50 yards from where Jack Lummus Jr's Medal Of Honor is stored. No monument is placed for Jack Lummus Sr, but maybe their should be one. I took a picture from the Ennis Business Forms extra parking next to the museum. I'm guessing that the building in the center of the picture may be the old cafe.

JACK LUMMUS 1ST LT USMCR: A True American Hero

2008-05-26T09:19:00.017-05:00

Myrtle Cemetery Ennis, Texas

JACK LUMMUS First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve OCTOBER 22,1915 - MARCH 8, 1945

Andrew Jackson Lummus Jr. "was born at Ennis, Texas, on 22 October 1915, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Lummus His father was a policeman." (Mom's name was Laura Francis Lummus.)

Apparently Jack never graduated from Ennis High School. Some web-sites say because of influenza others say being in the Depression his family didn't see any sense in paying all that money for graduation (caps and gowns ,etc) . He did graduate from a Military school where he received a scholarship to Baylor University. It's said his sports endeavors kept him from graduating Baylor though he was close to graduating with a degree in physical education and his grades were satisfactory. "In the summer of 1941, he signed and played professional baseball with the Wichita Falls (Texas) Team of the Western Texas-New Mexico League. In the preceding fall he signed up with the New York Giants and was still on their roster when he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on 30 January 1942."

On a Jack Lummus web-site it tells of the tragic death on May 13, 1944 of his father, Assistant Chief of Police of Ennis. While trying to calm Oran L. Mounts who had been drunk and disorderly in a cafe at 110 NE main street in Ennis, Oran pulled out a revolver and shot Jack Sr. in the stomach right outside the establishment. 10 months later his son Jack would bravely die on Iwo Jima.

-----------------------------AND SOME GAVE ALL------------------------

CITATION:

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Born: 22 October 1915, Ennis, Tex. Appointed from: Texas. Citation: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Leader of a Rifle Platoon attached to the Second Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 8 March 1945. Resuming his assault tactics with bold decision after fighting without respite for two days and nights, First Lieutenant Lummus slowly advanced his platoon against an enemy deeply entrenched in a network of mutually supporting positions. Suddenly halted by a terrific concentration of hostile fire, he unhesitatingly moved forward of his front lines in an effort to neutralize the Japanese position. Although knocked to the ground when an enemy grenade exploded close by, he immediately recovered himself and, again moving forward despite the intensified barrage, quickly located, attacked and destroyed the occupied emplacement. Instantly taken under fire by the garrison of a supporting pillbox and further assailed by the slashing fury of hostile rifle fire, he fell under the impact of a second enemy grenade but, courageously disregarding painful shoulder wounds, staunchly continued his heroic one-man assault and charged the second pillbox, annihilating all the occupants. Subsequently returning to his platoon position, he fearlessly traversed his lines under fire, encouraging his men to advance and directing the fire of supporting tanks against other stubbornly holding Japanese emplacements. Held up again by a devastating barrage, he again moved into the open, rushed a third heavily fortified installation and killed the defending troops. Determined to crush all resistance, he led his men indomitably, personally attacking foxholes and spider traps with his carbine and systematically reducing the fanatic opposition, until, stepping on a land mine, he sustained fatal wounds. By his outstanding valor, skilled tactics and tenacious perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, First Lieutenant Lummus had inspired his stouthearted Marines to continue the relentless drive northward, thereby contributing materially to the success of his regimental mission. His dauntless leadership and unwavering devotion to duty throughout sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country."

It is reported that Jack Lummus said his last words to the doctor trying to save him and they were "Well, Doc, it looks like the Giants have lost a good end"

On May 5, 1946 Harry S. Truman, President of the United States, signed the Citation awarding posthumously the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant Jack Lummus.

"On Memorial Day, May 30, 1946 at 8:00 p.m. at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Ennis, Texas, a Memorial Service, under the auspices of the American Legion and Auxiliary, was held to honor Ennis area war dead, and host a Medal of Honor Ceremony. Mrs. Laura Francis Lummus would be presented the Medal of Honor awarded posthumously to her son, 1st Lt. Jack Lummus." "Besides his mother, he was survived by two sisters, Mrs. Gilbert Wright and Mrs. Tommy Merritt." Notice how the picture captures the pride and sadness of Jack's mom. The picture, entitled "Medal for a Son", was taken by Dallas Times Herald photographer, Johnny Hayes, and was award winning.

Dynamos and Storms In Waxahachie 1889

2008-05-25T09:20:00.001-05:00

In 1889 as Waxahachie began to assimilate to the technological advances of electricity. They had to deal with myths and superstition that surrounded electricity. Did electricity effect the atmosphere when produced by dynamos? Experts were asked their opinions on the possibility of side effects of the new advancement in Ellis County . They assured the citizens that dynamos did not cause the unusual storms that coincided with the beginning of electrical power.

From the Waxahachie Enterprise:

9-6-1889 ELECTRICTY AND STORMS -
What Experts Think of the Effects of Electric Dynamos upon the Elements. The unusually heavy rains that have fallen during the past few weeks have attracted the attention of many throughout the country, who attribute the meteorological storms in part, to the large amount of electricity generated by the numerous dynamos in operation at present.

A Star reporter interviewed Mr. West of the New American electrical arc
light company relative to the cause of the heavy rains, and in response
to questions about the dynamo-electric effects upon the elements, he
said:
"I cannot see how the electricity generated by the dynamos could effect
the elements sufficiently to induce the falling of such heavy rains as we
have had of late. People out in Nebraska and other Western states argue
that the enormous quantity of steel rails laid over the thousands of
miles of surface in the United States have, in a great measure,
exercised-an influence on the elements, through their power of attracting
heat, and conveying the same over a great extent of territory, the rails
also acting as a perfect chain of lightning rods. It is also claimed by
many of the agriculturists of the west that steam generated by
locomotives and the great velocity of railroad trains in traversing the
country has much to do with changing the electrical current. Of course, I
cannot, from a scientific standpoint, authoritatively speak as to the
absolute truthfulness of such statements
'
Mr. Robert Grimshaw, the well know scientific expert of No. 21 Park row,
upon being asked to express his opinion in regard to dynamo electricity
having an effect upon the natural elements, said:
"The amount of electricity used for commercial purposes in the United
States would, as compared with the amount of energy represented by a
single storm, be but as a drop in the bucket, even supposing that it ran to waste and became apparent in the work of storms. As a matter of fact," said Mr. Grimshaw, "of all the currents generated in any dynamo every fraction of its percent is fully accounted for, either as work done by a motor or light in the lamps supplied by the dynamos, or friction and resistance in the machine and the wires carrying the current. It is not all recovered, of course, but it is accounted for as work or waste of some sort in the system, and therefore does not go wandering about trying to disturb the elements. If it did there is not enough of it to amount to anything.

Mr. Benson Wright of No. 118 Liberty street, a well known Boston expert,
said:; " I do not care to express my opinion upon the subject, but I can
emphatically say that the electricity,generated by dynamos has nothing
whatever to do with the storms that have followed each other so rapidly within the last month."

"And There Was Light" in Waxahachie

2008-05-22T09:20:00.002-05:00

8-29-1890 "And There Was Light,"
. Several months ago the initiatory steps were taken to establish for
Waxahachie an electric light plant. The people were tired of groping
through darkness, splashing through mud holes and colliding with men,
horses and vehicles and at last women of our enterprising citizens got
together and said: "Let there be light." As a consequence preparations
were soon commenced and last Saturday night ushered in the new era in the
city's history, "and there was light." As the shades of evening began to
hover over the city the electrical current was sent out and incandescent
stars "gleamed in the gloaming." As the evening advanced the lights grew
brighter and the people thronged the streets to witness the inauguration
of the light system.
Many people visited the engine room to see the machinery in operation.
Mr. Frank Moffett was complacently presiding at the dynamo, wearing a
look of satisfaction. Mr. D.M. Glower was here, there 'and everywhere,
showing the people the wonderful workings of electricity. Mr. Glower has
made a study of this branch of physics and while conversing with him one
gets an idea of the philosophical minds of Newton and Franklin. It fell
to the lot of the early thinkers to confine the electrical current, but
it was left for Edison to work out the problem of generation and to D. M.
Glower and his co-disciples to apply this wonderful science to lighting
the streets of Waxahachie and other progressive cities.
The people are to be congratulated on this evidence of progressive push.
There have been a few who seemed disposed to underrate this undertaking
but their mutterings will die away in the,distant valleys and as time
goes on other lights will be placed on the streets and soon the
inconvenience of traveling at night will have passed away."

-Waxahachie Enterprise

Using the information given, if the first day that electricity was used to turn on lights in the city of Waxahachie was the last Saturday from 08/29/1890 (the day of the article) then according to scphillips web page the date would be 08/23/1890. So the first day of Waxahachie's electrification was Saturday August 23, 1890.

Pictures of the Murder scene on E Pecan Tree Rd.

2008-05-19T22:10:00.008-05:00

What's left of the 100 year old Pecan Tree on E Pecan Tree rd and Highway 77 in between Waxahachie and Italy. The tree was mistakingly cut down and mulched by a txdot contractor. Post on the tragedy is here.

Here are more pictures of the destruction.

TXDOT MURDERS 100 YEAR OLD PECAN TREE

2008-05-07T22:07:00.004-05:00

I'm not a tree hugger but these idiots who took down and mulched this 100 year old tree must be the stupidest people in the world. Let see it's the only tree on the damn road for a mile? Maybe somebody wanted it there dummies!? The roads name is Pecan Tree Road dummies! I had seen the tree and new just by looking at it that it must have been an old trail marker. I had no idea it was that old. I do know that highway 77 was part of the old Texas Military road from the 1840's . So who knows how that pecan tree go there. I agree with Mr Jeff Browning who said "It was a tree SWAT team, there were so many people working on it. In this day and age of air pollution, when someone cuts down a tree like that, it’s a crime against humanity." TXDOT claims it's contractor was not told to cut down the tree and that TXDOT marks trees to be cut down with orange "X" marks and this tree was not. The contractor claims that they were told to use their best judgment. They say they can plant another tree there. I guess they still miss the point!

Stumped article by Waxahachie Daily Light

JF Strickland and Miss Sallie Martin's Wedding Day

2008-05-02T09:25:00.003-05:00

8-30-1889 Orange Blossoms
Wednesday evening a very large congregation assembled at the Methodist
church to witness the marriage of Mr. J. F. Strickland and Miss Sallie
Martin. The house was brilliantly lighted, and long before the hour
appointed for the ceremony had arrived, the house was filled and many
gentlemen failed to get in. Promptly at 7 o'clock word passed down the
line, "They are coming." Every one was in a flutter to get a glimpse at
the beautiful, bride and noble groom.
The bridal party passed up the aisle in the following order: Mr. L.
Buckner and MISS Mabel Meredith, Mr. J. B. Boone and Miss Mollie Briggs-,
the bride and groom, Mr. JT E. Lancaster and Miss Pat Martin, Mr. B. L.
Davis and Miss May Siddons marched to appropriate music. . The
contracting parties took position at the alter, where Rev. M. K. Little,
in a very solemn and impressive manner performed the sacred rite, thus
uniting in hold bonds two noble and loving hearts and lives.
The Enterprise tenders to its young friends, now just launched on
the conjugal seas, its hearty congratulations and wishes for them a happy
and useful life and that they may always find in each other that sweet
consolation so essential to connubial bliss.
The bride is one of Waxahachie's fairest daughters and by her genial
disposition and affable manners has won a place in the hearts of our
society people, and for a long time has been an acknowledged bell in the
social circles of Waxahachie.
_Mr. Strickland is one of Waxahchie's most enterprising merchants and for
business tact, manly conduct, nobility of soul and honesty of purpose,
stands second to no man.
,The bride was dressed in an elegant costume of white India silk,
entraine, decollette and sleeveless - long silver mits reaching to the
shoulders, finished with tastefully arranged^ garnitures of ribbon and
lace. The front of the skirt fell in graceful folds, and the full court
train seemed familiar with every movement of its wearer. The neck was
filled with Point de Alcon lace, reaching to the waist and caught with a
spray of orange blossoms-the same flowers held'in place the delicate
bridal veil as it fell in sweeping folds to the ends of'thetrain. In her
hand she carried a bunch of Marechalniel roses. So beautiful a costume,
on so charming a creature, could not fail to excite admiration.
The Alter - • 8-30-1889
Strickland "and Miss Sallie Martin.

Note a later report states that the wedding took place on August 28th 1889. The Strickland's never had children.

J F Strickland Wedding Gifts

2008-04-28T13:13:00.006-05:00

Found this article from the Waxahachie Enterprise. There is a file at Sims Libray that someone put together about J F Strickland (President of the Texas Electric Railwayand first President of the Texas Power and Light), articles in the Waxahachie Enterprise. I found the listing of he and his wife's wedding gifts that were listed a couple days after their August 28th 1889 wedding . A few doubles and toiletries seemed to be a big thing. Also notice that future investor/promoter of the electric interurban railway ,Osce Goodwin, was a bearer of gifts. I wonder if J.F. Dunlap was related to the former JOP of the county, O.E. Dunlap. Also Oscar Dunlap became the President of Citizen's Bank .

9-6-1889 Strickland-Martin.
The following is the list of presents received by Mr. J. F. Strickland and Miss Sallie Martin at their marriage, August 28th, which we were unable to obtain in time for publication last week: Groom to bride, watch and chain studded with diamonds; Mother of bride, antique oak bed room suit; U, T. Buckner, china dinner set; Murr Martin, of Sherman, silver tea service and tray;: Miss Pat Martin, decorated toilet case; Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Tatum, of .Sherman, elegant French mirror with brass frame; Mr. A. C. Kirkpatrick, of Dallas, silver water set Mrs. W.C.Eubank, of Sherman, solid silver card case; Dr. S.D.Moore, of Van Alatyney willow rocker; Mr. Jos. Linz, of Sherman, silver syrup pitcher and plate; Dr. S.W. Moore-and lady, of Van Alstyne, candelabra and individual castor;-, Mr. and Mrs. K.B.Kirkpatric of Dallas, toilet set and jewelry case combined;-. Miss Mary Gregg, of Sherman, silver cake basket; Mrs. M. Kirkpatrick, of Dallas, decorated pin cushion;; Mrs. C.R.Carrick, of Dallas peach blow water set;: Master Jack Kirkpatrick, of Dallas, handkerchief holder; Mr. and Mrs. W. G, Williams, decorated wash stand set;- Messrs. W.J.McDuffie, W.A.Gaither and E. Wallace, smyrna rugs; Mr. and Mrs. C.D.Pickett, antique oak table; Mr. and Mrs. T.A. Ferris* cut glass berry bowl set in silver;; Mr. and Mrs. J.C.Woodlief, silver butter dish;: Mr. and Mrs. H.E.Pickett, smyrna rug;. Graves, Beale & Co., walnut table; Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Metcalf, solid silver spoong; Mr. and Mrs. E.L.Barkley, silver card receiver; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. •Gibson, silver and gold bonbon tray; Mrs. Robt Stacy., hand painted toilet set; Mrs. A. M. Lee, silver sugar spoons; Dr. A.A.Thompson and daughter, silver card receiver and bouquet holder}-. Mr.'J.B.Boone and sister, Maggie, percelain ice pitcher set in silver; Misses .Mollie and Kate Briggs, silver berry bowl; Miss Ruth Parker, pin cushion and sachet bag combined}' Mr. J. Fain, silver pickle castor;- F.P.Powell, E.L.Huffman and T.J.Cole, silver syrup pitcher} G.L.AdkLsson, J.F.Dunlap and Osce Goodwin, complete set of toilet articles; Ed Williams, S.W.Spencer, J. L. McCartney and B. M. Howard, solid silver castor and fruit -stand, combined; J. E. Lancaster, B. L Davis, S. P. Skinner and F. M. Maxwell, silver tea service;- Walter and Lee Penn, willow rocker; Mr. H.B.Kirkpatrick, of Dallas, tow handsome oil paintings; Mrs. Calfee, bridal bouquet; Mrs. M. Smith, of Louisville Ky., silver knives with pearl handles; Mr. Lee Gotten of Waco, silver tooth pick holders lined with gold.

Decendants of Ennis namesake visit train museum

2008-04-12T09:16:00.004-05:00

The decendants of Cornelius Ennis came through town to vistit the Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum at 105 NE Main street. As far as anyone could remember, it is the first time a relative to anyone featured in the museum has came to visit . Interesting facts were given about Cornelius in the article. Apparenly according to journals he was a blockade runner during Civil War much like the character Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind. Also the article gives emphasis to how important City Lake was to keeping the railroad head quarters in Ennis.

Medicine Crow

2008-03-30T09:39:00.012-05:00

Medicine Crow

Little known music group from Ellis County circa 1989-90. Members Andy,Barry,Bryan, Brian, and Charlie all from Ellis County. Main reason is they only put together one Album Stomp'n in the Churchyard. The band tried an experimental folk rock formula. Using banjos, mandolins, casio keyboards,hardwood floors, drum machines,harmonica and the cello along with the standard acoustic guitars(6&12strings,electric guitars (bass 6string). Technology of the time only allowed lo-fi 4 track tape recording. Medicine Crow didn't have the luxury of digital recording.

After Medicine Crow

Andy(guitarist/vocalist/songwriter) also performed at DBU with his friend Russel in a group called Swahili Monkey Brothers. Later graduated from DBU and married having one son they moved to New Mexico. Still involved in church functions and playing his guitar and singing in the fashion of Dylan. The Lord took Andy beyond the stars in the Mid 90's. His wife has continued their dream of being missionaries and with their son teaches in China.

Barry (Guitars,mandolin,vocals,keyboard)went to East Texas State in Commerce with Bryan and Brian. Do to lack of funds dropped out and returned to Ellis County and played with a band called Hung by Vigilantes. Currently Barry manages a business in Ellis County.

Bryan (Drummer,vocals,keyboard)graduated from East Texas State and joined the Airforce. From the University to the Air Force Bryan learned the trade of radio/tv and became a video editor for Nasa. Bryan was responsible for any video released by Nasa on the Hubble Telescope. In Circa 2006 Bryan resigned from Nasa and joined Michelle Malkin at the conservative political hotspot blog Hotair.com. He resigned from Hotair.com in March 2008 and was hired to produce the Laura Ingraham show a nationally broadcasted conservative radio show in over 300 radio stations where he is currently employed.

Brian (Vocals,Banjo,harmonica) went from East Texas State to Denton where he obtained his degree in art from North Texas State University. He later worked security for an art museum in Ft. Worth for a stint. He also was involved in the set up of exhibits while at the museum. During this time he was highly involved in his video art. Presenting his art in exhibits all over Texas. Eventually all over the United States and to Europe. Later he got a job moving high end residences that usually involved moving art. Currently employed by a wealthy individual in Dallas to work on a metal project (not his art).

Charlie (Bass,background vocals,tech,mixer) is highly involved in his Waxhachie Bible Church. Always running their website, working on their computers, running their sound board or playing the bass. Over a year now Charlie has fulfilled his life's calling to be a missionary to Equatorial Guinea, Africa. He and his wife Bridget along with their children Briana and Micah(who was in the womb during the album's recording. we feel he may have suffered some damage to the exposure of the music :)) live in the Coastal jungle. His wife a student of Southwest Assemblies of God college has taken her English teaching skills and are working on translating the new testament into the native language, Fang(pronounced like Fawng). Suffering from malaria and separation from the Western comforts they keep moving forward with the good work.

Ellis County Sheriffs and 08 Run-Off

2008-03-08T14:26:00.005-06:00

April 8th we will have a Run-Off for Ellis County Sheriff. It will be between James Ledbetter and Johnny Brown. The primary results were Johnny Brown 4,652 James A. Ledbetter 3,812 Steve Mckinney 3,481. It's my understanding that since Johnny Brown did not recieve more than 50% of the vote he must have a run-off with the candidate with the second most votes. The Blog For Ellis County Texas History endorses candidate Johnny Brown. He is a younger candidate with creative ideas and has always voted Republican. Here's his Myspace. Though from what I understand we will be in good hands no matter what candidate wins. Ledbetter according to his Myspace page has ran two prior unsuccessful campaigns for Ellis County Sheriff. One against Sheriff Gage and one against current Sheriff Stewart. If you are a Brown supporter get out and vote April 8th because it appears Mckinney supporters lean towards Ledbetter. That's 3,481 potential votes for Ledbetter. The irony is even though Mckinney lost his voters will decide the winner.

Blog discussions of the April 8th run-off

Newspaper discussions of 08 run-off

Here are Ellis County's past Sheriff's

Ellis County Sheriffs

WILLIAM H. H. BRADFORD: elected August 5, 1850; resigned January 14, 1851.

HARVEY W. YOUNG; appointed February 7, 1851; elected August 2, 1851, and served until December 1852.

JONATHAN E. PRINCE: appointed December 31, 1852; elected August 7, 1854; served until August 4, 1856.

JAMES W. CARTNEY; elected August 4, 1856; resigned February 7, 1858.

JOHN G. WILLIAMS: appointed February 27, 1858; elected August 2, 1854; served until August 6, 1860

ALBERT A. FOSTER: elected August 6, 1860; resigned April 1861.

JOHN KING: appointed April 6, 1861 served until August 4, 1862.

M. B. LANKSFORD: elected August 4, 1862; re-elected August 1, 1864; served until August 31, 1865.

MATTNEW SKEIN: appointed August 31, 1865; served until June 25, 1866.

GEORGE B. SWEATT: elected June 25, 1866; resigned December 1866.

CHARLES FOSTER: appointed December 24, 1866; served until July 1867 when moved out of the county.

PETER W. WILLIAMS: appointed July 3, 1867; served until Sept. 16, 1869 when removed by order of Gen. J. J. Reynolds.

JAMES YARBOROUGH: appointed September 16, 1869 by Gen. Reynolds Special Order; did not qualify.

JOHN T. KING: elected December 3, 1869; served until February 17, 1870; may have been removed by military order.

C. K. GOODWYN: appointed February 17, 1870 by special order Gen. J. J. Reynolds; served until December 2, 1873.

JOHN T. KING: elected December 2, 1873; served until February 15, 1876; moved away for a time but returned and died near Britton.

W. D. "Wash" RYBURN: one of most colorful men elected; served February 15, 1876; re-elected November 5, 1878; November 2, 1880 and served until November 7, 1882; native of Kentucky and a veteran of the Civil War; ran for office again after turn of century, but lost.

JOHN BRALY: elected November 7, 1882; served until November 4, 1884; native of Arkansas and Civil War veteran.

W. P. WATT: elected November 6, 1888; re-elected November 4, 1890; served until November 8. 1892; native of Alabama.

JAMES M. MEREDITH: elected November 8, 1882; served until November 6, 1894; first native of county to hold office; died in Austin.

W. J. McCUE: elected November 6, 1894; re-elected November 3, 1896 and served until November 8, 1898; twice married; no known descendants; died near Henrietta, Texas.

GEORGE C. SWEATT: elected November 8, 1898; re-elected November 6, 1900; served until November 8, 1902.

JOE P. MINNICK: elected November 4, 1902; re-elected November 8, 1904 and served until November 6, 1906; was constable at Palmer prior to term as sheriff.

W. H. FORBES: elected November 6, 1906; re-elected November 3, 1908 and served until November 8, 1910; ran again in 1926 but was defeated by Joe Loe by only five votes.

A. W. WILSON: elected November 8, 1910; re-elected November 5, 1912; served until November 3, 1914.

HENRY DEARBORN: elected November 3, 1914; re-elected November 7, 1916; served until November 5, 1918 native of Missouri; twice married; was superintendent of Odd Fellows Old Folks Home at Ennis at one time.

GEORGE C. SWEATT: again elected November 5, 1918; re-elected November 2, 1920 and served until death February 4, 1921. Sweatt held many offices during his life, as well as his terms as sheriff.

W. H. FORBES: appointed February 26, 1921; elected a second time November 2, 1922 and served until January 1, 1925.

JOE LOE: elected November 4, 1924; re-elected November 2, 1926 and served until January 1, 1929.

JOHN DAVENPORT: elected November 6, 1928; re-elected November 4, 1930 and served' until January 1, 1933; native of Tennessee.

DAVE FEARIS: elected November 8, 1933; re-elected November 6, 1934 and served until January 1, 1937.

J. E. ROY: elected November 3, 1936; re-elected November 8, 1938 and served until January 1, 1941.

JESS L. CARIKER: elected November 5, 1940; re-elected November 3, 1942, November 7, 1944; November 5, 1946 and served until January 1, 1949. Served as president of the Texas Sheriff's Association in 1944.

EDWARD BURL WHITE: elected November 2, 1948; re-elected November 7, 1950; November 4, 1952, November 2, 1954 and served until January 1, 1956.

WAYNE McCOLLUM: elected November 6, 1956; re-elected November 8, 1960, November 3, 1964, November 5, 1968, November 7, 1972 and served until January 1, 1977. His twenty years of service is the longest in County history.

BARNEY BOYD: elected November 2, 1976; re-elected November 4, 1980; and November 6, 1984 and served until January 1, 1989.

JOHN GAGE: elected November 8, 1988; served until ? [was lawman for thirty-three years.]

NOTE: RAY STEWART is the present sheriff of Ellis County (2004).

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LLEWELLYN'S GRAVE

2008-03-03T12:21:00.007-06:00

I found the grave of Joseph Llewellyn by surfing on the Internet. He died at 5 years old on May 9, 1875. Local Historian Wilma Caddel gave me exact directions to the grave. I had actually passed this spot the week before going off an Internet direction. If you come off Buena Vista(1446) from Waxahachie you take a left on Hoyt. It has a sign at Hoyt and 1446 that points to the Fri-Tex Dairy Farm and Hoyt runs beside the abandoned SSC buildings. The road goes straight to the entry to the Dairy Farm but you take the curve to the left and travel about a half mile. Inside a barbed wire fence on the left not to far from the road is the grave with an iron fence around it and a tree next to it. It is on private property and it looks like they keep it up. It appeared nobody was there so I didn't bother to ask to get inside fence. The location is approximately here.

The story on the internet goes as follows.

LLEWELLYN GRAVE

Located 6 miles West of I35 on Buena Vista Rd., Right at SSC Lab to Fri-TEX Dairy; .5 miles West of Dairy. Grave is on the left. (There is a story that this grave is that of a child who was riding with his family on a wagon train, and was killed by Indians. The grave is that of Joseph Llewellyn who died May 9, 1875; he was age 5 years 5 months.)

(ECGS Volume 11)

Now, I'm thinking the Joseph's body was carried to this spot maybe at the end of their journey. There were not many skirmishes with Indians in Ellis County, especially by 1875. This fact makes me think the skirmish happened somewhere else on their journey.

Another link is here

Bessie Coleman 01/26/1892-04/30/1926

2008-02-25T21:47:00.012-06:00

Born in Atlanta, Texas, on January 26, 1892 Bessie Coleman took an arduous path to becoming the world's first licensed African-American pilot. Her journey started when she moved early in her life with her family to Waxahachie, Texas. She lived within her Father's boundaries of a sharecropper's life. Growing up in Waxahachie she helped around the house and walked 4 miles to school. It was an everyday life in the Jim Crow South. Suddenly in 1901 her Father, George Coleman, left the family and moved to Oklahoma. He did try to convince his family to come with him but they would not. Soon after, her brothers also went there own ways and left their Mother, Susan, to raise 4 daughters on her own. "Susan found work as a cook/housekeeper for Mr. And Mrs. Elwin Jones." Bessie soon started taking care of the Coleman household near Mustang Creek. At the age of twelve she was accepted to the Missionary Baptist Church. Though all activities were interrupted during cotton pick'n season she eventually saved her money working as a laundress and attended Colored Agricultural and Normal University in Langston, Oklahoma. After one year she ran out of money. Eventually she moved to Chicago with her brother Walter at the age of 23. Her brothers John and Walter had served in WWI. John use to tell Bessie about the French women pilots. This got her inspiration going. She eventually applied went to France and obtained a flying license. On June 15, 1921 became the first African-American licensed pilot. She returned to America soon after but returned to France for advanced training. She returned again to the US an expert pilot.

"Her first appearance was in an air show on September 3, 1922 at Curtiss Field near New York City." "On June 19, 1925, Bessie made her flying debut in Texas at a Houston auto racetrack renamed Houston Aerial Transport Field in honor of the occasion."

She performed shows in San Antonio, Richmond, Waxahachie, Wharton,and Dallas. She always requested that the audience be integrated. On the occasion she performed in Waxahachie she had disappointingly found that Jim Crow still ruled in Waxahachie which it would until the late 60's. She had requested that the everyone was to enter the same gates. To her disappointment when she flew over in her Curtis JN-4D she saw a chain separating the blacks and whites after the gates. At that moment she probably understood a little better why her Father had left Waxahachie.

"At the end of April in 1926, Bessie's Jenny arrived in Jacksonville. On the evening of April 30th, she and her mechanic took the plane up for a test flight. Once aloft, the plane malfunctioned and the mechanic, who was piloting the plane from the front seat, lost control of the plane. Bessie fell from the open cockpit several hundred feet to her death."

10,000 people filed passed her coffin. She's had streets,a day, Bessie Coleman Aero Club(An African American flying school) and a US Stamp named in her honor and Legend.

LaRue Kilgore-Miller

2008-02-19T11:08:00.007-06:00

LaRue Kilgore-Miller will have the new Midlothian Elementary named after her. Mrs Miller has taught three generations of students at Midlothian ISD. This wonderfull career may have never happened if not for the cottonseed oil mill in Midlothian back in 1906. The oil mill was where cottonseeds were pressed and the oil is collected. Cottonseed oil is mainly used as salad oil, cooking oil, and found in many baked goods.

Before the Cottonseed oil mill, Blacks were not allowed to live in Midlothian and were definitely not allowed after dark. But the oil mill needing more workers changed things and Buck Kilgore became one of the first Blacks to live in Midlothian. 9th street became the street that the Black folk lived. Little LaRue Kilgore grew up with her Dad Buck and Mother Amanda at 511 n 9th street. The great perk of living there was that the Black school Booker T Washington was right next door with it's playground.

LaRue enjoyed her school but it was only for 1st to 8th grade. After 8th grade was High School and the only black High School was in neighboring Waxahachie. I believe she went to Oak Lawn School on Wyatt street. Originally the school was located on aiken st next to the future location the Joshua Chapel A.M.E. Church. So LaRue and her classmates would catch the bus at 6:30 am and ride to Waxahachie and get bused back around 3:00 pm. Unfortunately they could not stay for after school activities.

LaRue Miller graduated High School and went to Paul Quinn college in Dallas. Where she met Arthur Miller. She graduated in 1949 and then Married Arthur in 1950. Arthur Miller's brother has claim to fame. Doris (Dorie) Miller received the Navy Cross for his bravery at Pearl Harbor. He fired a 50 caliber Browning anti-aircraft machine gun at the Japs until it ran out of ammo. He was not trained to fire the gun. He also carried injured men to safety.

Mrs LaRue Miller began to teach at her old school Booker T Washington. Though at first the principle was afraid that since the students knew her so well she would not be able to discipline the children. Everyone knew her as Baby Ruth. But it all worked out. She taught there until 1967 when the school's became integrated.

At the time of integration Mrs LaRue said that she couldn't remember a problem. She began at J R Irving where the teachers were very nice and helpful. She didn't even remember a student fight. Mrs. Miller being use to hand me downs from the white schools began using more up-to-date materials to teach. She taught in Midlothian ISD until she retired in 1994. She still substitutes and is involved the Midlothian Education Foundation. LaRue Miller Elementery sounds like a school doesn't it? Well deserved!

Note: majority of this post was obtained from the cover article in the Feb 2008 Midlothian NOW magazine written by Betty Tryon.

Stairway to nowhere?

2008-02-02T13:07:00.001-06:00

Through a Ellis County Sheriff friend, I was given a tip on a location that may have historical value. He told me in the southeastern region of Ellis County there is a stairway that goes up a hill . It is made of lumber and goes up a wooded hill near a creek by railroad tracks. I went to the location on Sandswitch Road and being summertime was not able to locate it. Returning this winter, sure enough, there it was. The Sheriff said he had metal detected the area and found coins mainly from the 1930's. There is an abandoned house and barn just east of the stairway where unfortunately people dump stuff. The stairs are in two sections. A long one goes close to the top until the angle changes then another stairway goes the rest of the way to the top. Where they seperate you can see an old waterline(I'm guessing for water) and it runs under the top section of stairs. Maybe it was a way for people who lived on the hill to catch the train?

William Sydney Pittman's Joshua Chapel

2008-01-06T20:24:00.000-06:00

American Architect William Sidney Pittman designed the Gothic styled Joshua Chapel A.M.E. Church on 119 N Aiken in Waxahachie. "Sidney Pittman died a pauper and was buried in an unmarked grave in South Dallas. But a legacy of the strange life and brilliant mind of Dallas' first black architect still stands on Elm Street." The Pythian Temple on 2551 Elm Street was symbol of pride for the Black community in Dallas. His father-in-law was Booker T Washington and Pittman moved to Dallas to make a name for himself and get out from under his famous Father-in-law. Pittman had the artist personality. "He was highly individualistic and an eccentric" said his biographer Ruth Ann Stewart. Pittman was the extreme Bill Cosby of his time and he fought against reverse descrimination in the Black Community. Pittman had a volatile temper and eventually because of this his wife left him. "In 1931, Pittman turned to publishing to provide a forum for his campaign against the hypocrisy of some black leaders. He published the "Brotherhood Eyes" every Saturday, gathering gossip sent in by correspondents called "the Eyes" across the South, and goading the black establishment with his criticisms." He eventually served two years of a five year sentence at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in Kansas for sending obscene material, presumably his newspaper, through the mail." President Franklin D Roosevelt helped Pittman get released. He came back to Dallas and died 1958.

Joshua Chapel A.M.E Church Rev. Dr L R Emanuel, Pastor
119 N Aiken Waxahachie TX 76165 USA 972-923-9490

Mason Temple Waxahachie, Texas

2007-12-23T23:57:00.000-06:00

My Grandfather J. O. Bailey was a Mason. My father says he was a 32nd degree. I don't know enough about Masons to know if that is possible or what it means. I have heard that my Grandfather had told someone he thought it was silly. Maybe that is why he never got to 33 degree? :) I remember he had their symbol on his gravestone and they did something at his service. I do know that degrees have something to do about ranking. I know that many of our our forefathers were really involved in the Masons and it seems to have been influential in politics and business. Legend has it that Santa Anna was spared his life when he flashed a secret Mason hand sign to Sam Houston. Both Masons.

I've never been in a secret society except in fourth grade when I started a Women Haters Club. Our only rules was not to fraternize with the enemy. When my friend Bubba dissented by falling in love with Anita, it all fell apart. Some kids also at this time started a game where if you caught a girl you got to kiss her. I was a staunch member of my club and didn't participate. Man I was a dummy! But the Principle intervened and the game soon ended.

Anyway, Part of the Boze Mitchell McKibbin Funeral Home at 511 W Main St, Waxahachie next to the Library is a Mason Temple. Before that the Mason's met in the top floor where the Ellis County Museum is now. Built 1889.

According to the recollection of Shannon Simpson, director of Ellis County Museum, before that it was next to the Library but was a small building. So they probably already owned the land that the Temple was built on. They built the Temple at 511 w main st in 1925. "The Masonic Lodge building on Main Street was constructed around 1925. The Masons moved from the site of the Ellis County Museum to this structure around that time. When the Depression hit in 1929, the Lodge had to sell the bottom floor of the structure to make ends meet. The bottom portion has been a funeral home
since that time." According to the KBEC radio spot the Boze Mitchell McKibbin Funeral Home has been around since 1867 (if I remember right.) So it must have moved around. It seems to be common that a Mason Lodge will build a multiple story building and rent the lower floors to fund their Lodge. The Historical Marker at the Ellis County Museum tells about the different business' that were in the Lodge building.

Here are some pics of the Mason Temple at the funeral Home. Notice the peep hole. There was a closet upstairs where the doors had no handles on the inside. There is apparently some ancient breakers in the breaker box and the window for a projector for whatever movie they were watching. One can only imagine. There is a closet space under the stairs like where Harry Potter stayed for a while. There is suppose to be a trap door somewhere that is used for a test. They drop a guy down into this trap door and leave him there for a certain amount of time that symbolizes the 40 days in the cave.

Hauntings, Ghosts and Monsters of Ellis County

2007-10-26T09:52:00.001-05:00

Catfish Plantation is probably number one. I have talked to a lady and a gentlemen that have worked for years there and they say it is all true. The lady told me that when the Ghost get mad they like to break wine glasses and cause trouble. She told me that the ghost have written words on the windows when they fog up. The three Ghost that reside here are "Elizabeth, Caroline and Will. Both Caroline and Will died of natural causes while Elizabeth was murdered on her wedding day."-WDL Elizabeth was murdered in the bathroom which is said to be the most haunted place. When I was growing up I always heard that the Elizabeth lady would walk down the street in her wedding gown looking for her lover or her murder which I don't know.

CATFISH PLANTATION THE MOST ACCEPTED VERSION

"The sign at the entrance to this quaint restaurant reads: "If you have a ghostly experience, please tell us!" The quaint Victorian house was built in 1895 by a farmer named Anderson. His daughter Elizabeth was strangled to death on her wedding day in the 1920s. She died where the ladies' room is now located and became one of the ghosts of Catfish Plantation. There are two others. One is a farmer named Will, who died in the house in the 1930s. The other is an elderly lady named Caroline Mooney, who died in the house in 1970. The three ghosts are responsible for the bone-numbing cold spots that move silently through the house, as well as flying objects and slamming doors. Elizabeth's kindly presence is felt mostly in the dining room, where she likes to reach out and touch people. Will's apparition is often seen on the front porch, and Caroline's angry spirit is detected in the kitchen. Ever since Melissa and Tom Baker remodeled the house into a Cajun eatery in 1984, dozens of employees, customers, and news people have witnessed paranormal manifestations here.
ANOTHER TAKE ON THE GHOSTS
The Catfish Plantation Restaurant is located at 814 Water Street. Version one: it is haunted by benevolent Elizabeth Anderson who was murdered on her wedding day, a farmer named Will, and grumpy Caroline Mooney. Version two: it seems the spirits are those of Eliza Herrod Richards, who died 14 October, 1925, and her son, Jesse Thomas Richards, who died in the house on 9 October, 1937. Although Eliza was 77 years old at her death, she appears as a young woman of about twenty, close to the age she was at her first wedding in 1867. She apparently had an unhappy second marriage to a man in Kentucky whom she left. She moved to Texas with her eldest son, and returned to using her first married name, Richards. In all my researches, I've not found an Elizabeth Anderson who died in Waxahachie, or who ever lived at the house on 814 Water Street. The third spirit resident is known to be Carrie Jenkins Mooney, who lived in the house from the 1950s until her death in 1970. Version two supplied by historical researcher, Nancy Poole.
Slamming doors, knocking walls, pianos playing, clocks chiming, blue glowing lights, flying coffee cups, and cold spots are just a few of the strange happenings at The Catfish Plantation in the historic town of Waxahachie.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANOTHER EXPLANATION
The restaurant is supposed to be haunted by three ghosts. Waitresses and customers are always reporting strange things that happen—rude patrons having plates dumped on them, cold spots in the bathroom, etc. Pictures have been taken that show a slender young woman in outline form. One is a farmer, one is an old woman who lived there, and one is a young girl who was murdered on her wedding day in the house. Supposedly a burglar attempted to burglarize the safe one night and seemed to leave in a hurry."

From the ->Texas ghost hunter site.

ROGERS HOTEL
"Another famously haunted business in Waxahachie is the Rogers Hotel.
First built by Emory Rogers as a log cabin at a small town crossroads, this building has turned into a grand establishment" "This hotel is said to have had more than 300 ghosts in the building. The most known spirits are a cowboy, a little girl who drowned in the hotel pool and Emory Roger’s son. These ghosts roam the hotel appearing in several different spots. The little girl walks the lobby, while Roger’s son haunts the elevator and the cowboy makes appearances in room 409, which is said to be the room with the most ghostly activity."-WDL Emory Rogers was the founder of Waxhachie and a Civil War Veteran. He donated land for the Courthouse. He originally settled near Milford. Cleared the land on Richland creek and later came in 1847 where the Rogers Hotel is now and lived in a tent while he built his cabin.

CONFEDERATE GHOST
"One story says that the ghost of a confederate soldier walks down Becky Lane in Waxahachie at night. Private John Hemerich's is suppose to be the soldier ghost. Becky Lane is supposedly the site of the last Union hanging after the Civil War."-WDL I have never found any Historical evidence of this hanging but interesting when you have to realize that the Reconstruction was brought right into the heart of our County! Just a mile or so from Rockett Springs where the first Confederate soldiers from Ellis County gathered to enlist in Parson's Brigade in 1861!
GOAT MAN- ITALY VERSION
They say there is a Goat Man Trail in Italy. A boy who accidentally let some animals out of a pen. While trying to go home he and some of the animals got hit by a train. I have heard of th Goatman in Cedar Hill near Mt Lebanon along with the devil worshippers in Dallas County. Also in Italy there was a tale of a dinosaur that lived in a creek. It turned out to be a lost pet Iguana.

MEXICAN WORKERS AND THE RAILROAD
In Trumbull (near Ferris) at the Train tracks there where three Mexicans killed. I believe late 19th early 20th century. It is said they were buried near the spot and and some rails were placed on top of their grave. When the engineer would pass the place where the Mexicans were killed he would hang out a red lantern.

THE MONSTER
The town of Ensign had "The Monster". Of course only thing with the name Ensign now is just the road. But back before 1872 Ensign and Oak Grove were the place to be in those days. The Creek through Ensign, which was either Onion or Waxahachie I guess, was "home of this big hairy creature that issued a blood-curdling scream." Parents would run their children indoors and bar the doors. The blood-curdling screams I have heard myself down Red Oak Creek not to far from Rocket, Texas. In this video I filmed with little Kellyn Dickinson(step-daughter) on a Dinosaur adventure(we didn't find any). But on our way back to the bridge we heard what sounded like a someone moaning in pain. I believe it is a mountain lion or panther of some sort. You can hear it pretty good but maybe headphones or a good speaker system would be better. It startled Kellyn and I. Anyway "The Monster" is kind of a Bigfoot thing. I think and I have heard in all cultures that this maybe the bogeyman syndrome. Keep the kids in line or maybe just a joke to scare them. Probably a combination of man made fear and something skiddish like a mountain lion that can make a terrifying noise. If anyone can identify the noise please let me know what you think it is.

A "THE MONSTER" STORY
A missing-link(if I may) to "The Monster" may be found in the story of "The Monster" near Reagor Springs along Waxahachie Creek. According to the Boren Cemetery web-site, it all started when Uncle Frank Boren turned up missing after playing hide and go seek with the kids and everyone claimed a monster had gotten him. They found the Uncle Frank later where he had fallen asleep where they milk the cows. But "The Monster" Legend spread through the county.

WOO WOO MAN
When I was a kid we had the "Woo Woo" man legend. The "Woo Woo" man haunted Shiloh cemetery. It's located on Shiloh Road about quarter mile west of FM 664. We were told that at Dusk or night time you stand at the entrance to the cemetery and yell "Woo Woo, Woo Woo, Woo Woo"! I'm guessing like a train. Then supposedly at the back of the cemetery a lantern will appear and walk along the back fence line. Supposedly an old train engineer is the specter. I did do this a few times and did see a light behind the cemetery. I also noticed that when cars drove by sometimes there was a reflection of light on the graves. Another legend is there is a particular grave at Shiloh cemetery that has a large granite sphere. It is said that it is cold in the summer and hot in the winter but I never found that to be true.

La Belle Ship Wreck presentation by Dr. James Bruseth

2007-10-10T22:36:00.000-05:00

La Belle

Ellis County Historical Commission and the Ellis County Museum

at 7:00 PM, Thursday, October 11th

201 South College Street (Ellis County Museum)

to celebrate Archeology Awareness Month.

Dr. James Bruseth, Texas Historical Commission Archeology Division Director, will give a presentation

on the excavation and preservation of the Belle, one of La Salle’s ships

that sank in Matagorda Bay more than 300 years ago.

The talk will describe the efforts that took place inside a large, steel cofferdam built around the shipwreck in the Gulf of Mexico.

I believe it will only be for Ellis County Museum members but I will try to attend. The greatest ship wreck find in North America!

"Oh Susanna" with Peters Colony on your knee

2007-10-02T14:22:00.001-05:00

Stephen Collins Foster (July 4, 1826 – January 13, 1864),
What does the song "Oh Susanna" have to do with Ellis County? 20 petitioners were originally involved in the Peters Colony that was a major force in bringing settlers into the Ellis County area. Of the American petitioners, 4 were from the Peters family and seemed to be the prime mover's in the organization of the colony. Hence the name Peters Colony. In the 1840's one of the major players in the Peters Colony was William C Peters a music teacher turned publisher. One of his students, Stephen Foster, as a gift, gave him the copyright to "Oh Susanna". W C Peters with his company Peters, Field and Company from Cincinnati did pay Stephen Foster a $100. People claim that W C Peters did not treat Stephen Foster fairly. But there was not really a song writers industry at the time and Foster never proclaimed to have been treated wrong by W C Peters. In fact he had written someone on the "delight" he experienced when he received two $50 bills for "Oh Susanna." "Oh Susanna" became a big hit and made W C Peters wealthy. W C Peters sold the song for $10,000. Using an inflation calculator the song would have sold today for about $200,000. Seeing that Foster died impoverished at the age of 37 with 38 cents on him, you can see where people feel he was taken advantage. The song was influenced by minstrel music Foster was exposed to at the age of 16 and by the full lyrics is very offensive and definitely politically incorrect. Though it is said that Stephen Foster was not a racist and instructed his performers to sing his songs with compassion towards the slave. Only God knew his heart I guess. Stephen Foster never visited Ellis County but his successful hit "oh Susanna" did help make W C Peters wealthy and maybe helped keep his investment in the Peters Colony alive a while longer.

reference "The Peters Colony" by Seymour V. Conor, Wikipedia

A Few First for Ellis County

2007-09-10T14:23:00.000-05:00

First major road in Ellis County was a military road that cut through the middle of Ellis County near downtown Waxahachie in 1850. It ran from the Red River to San Antonio. Another road later crossed Eastern Ellis County and went from Dallas to Houston. The commissions court of Ellis County declared these two roads the first official roads in Ellis County in 1860.

Hans Smith reportedly built the first cotton gin in Ellis County in Palmer near Red Oak Creek.

William R Howe was believed to be the first white settler in Ellis County back in 1843.

Edward H Tarrant is believed to have built the first mill in Ellis County. Tarrant County was named in his honor.

Willie Love was the first black man to serve as city commissioner in Ellis County on June 19, 1969.

Cotton Gin Scales Ovilla, Texas

2007-09-05T10:23:00.000-05:00

The way I've been told is that the wagon loaded with cotton would ride upon the wooden platform and be weighed. I believe the measuring device were in the building next to the scales. Then after the cotton was unloaded they would weigh the wagon again. The difference was how much cotton the farmer would get paid for. I guess the wood scales floated. It would be kind of like when you got to the dump and they weigh your vehicle when you come in and weigh you after you dump your stuff. Then you pay by the weight difference. Pretty amazing that scales have lasted all this time even after al the fires of 1918 and 1966.

Ellis County Museum may have Halbard Head from Desoto's Expedition

2007-08-30T23:54:00.000-05:00

Around 15 years ago at the Ellis County Museum, I saw this intriguing artifact on display. I recently emailed the Museum director to make sure I remembered it correctly. The Director, Mr. Shannon Simpson responded,

"The artifact you are referring to is thought to be a Spanish conquistador lance-head and the information provided at the time of the donation stated it was found in the vicinity of Reagor Springs. I wish I could elaborate more on the piece but that is all I know."

It has basically been sitting in storage for quite a while. Mr Simpson gave me the privilege to take pictures of it. I thought to myself that if it was a Conquistador artifact it would be a big find. They are very rare and Ellis county isn't known for any metal artifacts from the Spanish expedition times.

So I took my pictures and started Googling. Nada! There is nothing really out there on the net to use as a reference to this artifact. I even tried to look for paintings that depict the Conquistador armies or Spanish explorers. Then I came across a fella who had a web-site about the Spanish explorers. Don Sheppard was the fella from Florida History and he referred me to an expert from England. Ian Eaves is an expert in European armour and weapons. He has worked on European armour and weapon's books and has worked for museums to help Catalogue their armour and weapons. He has been President of The Arms and Armour Society since 1995. He graciously answered my email and to my disappointment sent this reply to my pictures.

"I am sorry to say that the so-called "lance-head" in the Ellis County
Museum is actually a crudely made forgery of an axe-head in the vaguely
"medival style". In truth, it does not really match any authentic type of
axe very closely. I am reasonably confident, even from photographs, that it
was made after the middle of the 19th century and very likely in the 20th
century.

I hope that this answer is of some help to you even if it is not the one
that you ideally wanted to hear.

Yours sincerely,

Ian Eaves"

Well I informed Shannon of the bad news and we both were like "oh well" you can't win them all. In my mind it was still stirring, Where did this thing come from? Why does it exist? Is it something where somebody was just playing around and made it? Was it made for decoration? Why would it be in a creek(reportedly found in or near a creek)? Maybe it was made after the explorers got here? With crude resources to shape iron it would look,well, crude. I imagine Mr. Eaves was use to museum quality probably more ornamental type of weapons. I imagine the crudely made ones he has seen were established to be forgeries. But I doubt he has seen many weapons actually made in North America. I'm sure very few have ever been found. But I'm not going to challenge an expert. I thought there might be a more local expert I could contact. So just for the heck of it I looked up an SMU archaeologist. I'm sorry I can't remember the SMU professor's name but he was a nice fella and gave me another professor to contact named Grant Hall from Texas Tech. Dr. Grant was also nice and then informed me "one of the leading experts on Spanish metal artifacts" lived not to far from me. A Mr. Jay Blaine who is a self-made expert Archaeologist. Specializing in metal artifacts. Something that he started as a hobby became something that he is very, very good at and the Professors look to him for answers. He is the recipient of the Crabtree Award. He is known for his work on The Gilbert Site. Fascinating archeology site near Lake Fork.

In the Post-Oak Savanna about 50 miles east of Dallas is an unusual archaeological site, a place that played a little-known part in Texas history. Here, some 250 years ago, a Caddo-connected Native American group established a deer-hunting and hide-processing camp that produced thousands of deer hides for an international market.

I had never even heard of the Gilbert Site but how awesome is that discovery! Mr Blaine also helped with the identification of Coronado's army campsite in the Texas Panhandle.

Mr Blaine graciously wrote this letter to Shannon and I.
(Just a note: a few times Mr Blaine refers to the Ellis County Museum as the Ennis Museum. Probably because I told him I work in Ennis)

"Dear Mr. Bailey,
I truly appreciate your calling attention to this particular artifact in the Ellis County Museum. The artifact photos were excellent and, although not reliable as personal examination, can provide a basis for the following speculations.
The artifact photos strongly suggest this artifact, a Halbard head, is of hand-forged wrought iron. Halbards saw service from the 13th through the 18th centuries. By the 18th century, this general form, a pole axe, had been relegated to serving as a symbol of authority instead of primary service as weapons, and commonly were lighter in form and decorated by fret work and engraving. As is common, only specimens of unusually high (parade) quality have been preserved in the museums and Royal collections and see publication. Those of ordinary quality were used, recycled, seldom preserved to afford direct comparisons.
The convex main blade edge of the Ennis Museum specimen appears to be much less common than the concave to straight blade edge profile typical for those of "parade" quality. The Ennis Museum Halbard also employs a socket whereas long iron straps were commonly used to secure such heads on the shaft and protect it from being cut. However I've seen a notation that early forms were simple and heavy, a description that seems appropriate for the Ennis one.
While I'd personally not favor the term "conquistador" in labeling the possible source of this Halbard head, an early exploring expedition (entrada) such as the Moscoso extension of De Soto's party possibly could have resulted in the artifact being lost in the "Reagor Springs creek".
The 1992 Bulletin of the Texas Archeological Society examined the very scarce Texas artifacts evidence for early European explorations. I much regret no Halbard was brought to our attention. Since that time I've worked with the metal artifacts from the 154] Coronado camp site recently found in west Texas. Again, no Halbard evidence has turned up.
I've no present reason to doubt some Halbards probably were being carried in these 1540's expeditions. These would be valued (even if only for a reworked metal source) and normally only lost by accident, in battle, or some other serious nature of mischance.
Pending other more sophisticated conservation treatment,
I'd strongly recommend this potentially very important metal artifact now be stored in an air-tight container, together with colored silica gel monitored for periodic dehydration. I'd also strongly recommend that you and Mr. Simpson team up to see if any other possibly involved Reagor Springs creek data can be retrieved.

Jay C . Blaine
cc: Shannon Simpson
Ellis County Museum
Dr. James H. Bruseth Director Archeology Division Texas Historical Commission"

I found this on the internet about Luis de Moscoso

In July, 1543 the Tangipahoa probably were watching as seven makeshift boats, carried the battered remnants of De Soto's army of conquistadors past them to the Gulf of Mexico. For four years, the Spanish had crisscrossed the southeast United States running roughshod over its native peoples, but by 1543 they were beaten men. De Soto had died the previous year, and after failing to reach Mexico overland across Texas, his successor, Luis de Moscoso, returned to the "Great River" (Mississippi) for a last desperate effort to escape the interior by following it to the Gulf.

Apparently after everything went to pot they tried to go threw Texas to Mexico. Maybe they did pass through Ellis County? And tromping around for 4 years maybe they attempted to make weapons during this time?

In conclusion, Mr Blaine is not claiming this artifact is the real deal. He is leaving the possibility of it being the real deal open. He admits it is crude and not European. But his observation of the artifacts picture leaves him to speculate how it might have gotten into Ellis County. Mr Eaves observation of the pictures left him to think the artifact was a forgery. In his mind it was crude and did not match his extensive knowledge European of weapons. Mr Eaves could only imagine that it was a forgery. He has probably came across European forgeries in his European research. But one must look at how this was found. Apparently some one walking a creek or maybe working a field came across it. Then they donated it to the museum. Nobody knows who it was that found it. Museum has never claimed it was the real deal. Mr Eaves probably doesn't realize that the Ellis County Museum is in the 1889 Mason Lodge and needs local donations and volunteers to keep it up and running. What I am saying is that whomever donated the Halbard Head wasn't intending to mislead. Now the original creator of the artifact's intentions, that we may never know. The artifact was intriguing enough for Mr Blaine to recommend it's preservation be taken seriously.

It is an interesting coincidence that Mr Blaine sent a carbon copy of his letter to me to Dr. James H. Bruseth. Shannon Simpson has informed me that Dr. James H. Bruseth will be coming to Ellis County during Archeology month in October. I will post when it is to happen. DEVELOPING........

Maybe the location of where the artifact was found. Not much is known about who found it or exactly where. Just Reagor Springs and maybe in a creek. I have a lead that I am going to try to contact who seems to be a history buff on Reagor Springs.

Rural Free Delivery in Ellis County

2007-08-23T18:30:00.000-05:00

INFO FROM PUBLIC ROADS WEBSITE

About ten years ago near the community of Rankin, I found some artifacts metal detecting. First I came across a cylinder to what appears to be part of a toy gun. I was thinking people may have dumped trash here. Then near a tree I came across a padlock then part of a belt buckle. The lock looked old and didn't have the connecting loop just the pad part. On the pad it says "RFD". Which I was thinking might mean Rankin Fire Department. But on the other side it says "MAIL". A little later by coincidence, a lovely postal employee brought to my attention that a new stamp was coming in commemoration of the 100 years of Rural Free Delivery by the US Post Office. So I'm guessing that possibly the pad lock was meant for a mail bag that had a belt around it. Or maybe the it locked a door to a cabinet. Also I was told by an old timer that once there was an old road that crossed the area where I found the pad lock. The road supposedly went across an area that is now a corp lake. Maybe something happened on the delivery or a hand off. It's possible that maybe somebody just used the lock for personal use and it ended up out here. If the mind wonders enough you could imagine some thief who stole a bag or something that was locked up and took it out here and cut off the lock.

Rural Free Delivery

The rural free delivery system also contributed to the development of a parcel post system and played an important part in the good roads movement. True to some of the dire predictions of its early opponents, however, RFD cut into the profits of main street retailers; brought an exotic and sometimes threatening urban culture into rural living rooms; and added to the growing sense that residents of small towns lived at the margins of a consumer economy dominated by America's biggest cities.

All those roads that go deep into the woods or the country pretty much were a result of people wanting to get there mail. You know how picky the mail can be if you have ever lived out in the country. If a road was too muddy or difficult the mail wouldn't deliver. The person out in the country would have to ride or walk into town and get their mail. I have read where some citizens took it upon their selves to finance some good roads to their place so they could get their mail delivered. They weren't going to wait on the government.

THIS VIDEO IS FROM 1903 AND SHOWS A RURAL FREE DELIVERY HAND OFF. I DON'T KNOW THE LOCATION. BUT YOU CAN DEFINITELY TELL IT IS RURAL.
Here is a mail drop off Aug 22, 1903. Cute little kids walking buy witrh their dog in the lead.
Commemorative stamp
Old picture of a RFD wagon
another old RFD pic

PICTURES OF THE PAD LOCK

LINKS TO PICTURE OF THE TOY GUN CYLINDER
CYLINDER
CYLINDER1
CYLINDER2
CYLINDER PART

Why Ovilla is dry -Double-Barreled Shotguns

2007-08-14T07:13:00.000-05:00

It's a mentality that stays in Ovilla today. Especially now since Ovilla is not the commercial hub it use to be in the 1850's. Now it's a place you want to retire or raise your kids and keep out the outside world the most you can. Leave all the violent crime and sinful pleasure business' in other communities. Ovillians can just drive to them if they need them. Of course having 5 or 6 churches in such a small community helps keep the those evil spirits out of town.

Ovilla in it's early days of the 1850's was a fairly big community for it's time but it was made of Church going people. Diehard Christians. Shiloh Church was the backbone and the community formed it's morals around it. They liked it that way. Keep the carnal in other towns. Well when some Dallas boys showed up to set up a mobile saloon near the Shiloh meetings, the citizens became the mighty hand of God. Shiloh was a big attraction and these Dallas boys were sent by a business man to capitalize on the Churches traffic. But didn't account for the Christians of action in the congregation.

The following is an account from the early days of Ovilla. Just for reference, according to an inflation calculator, what cost $300.00 in 1850 would cost $7014.96 in 2006. The recollection was written in 1890's about an even earlier time in Ovilla History.

"HISTORY OF ELLIS COUNTY.

Be it said to the honor of the early settlers, not only of Ellis county, but all over the State, that it was considered beneath the dignity of a man to misbehave at church; and so general was this the case, that if any one violated the rules of decorum, he was spotted as not a Texan, and this was not only true among church people, but even among those of desperate character. This state of decorum continued for quite a number of years, until people began to flock into Texas in large numbers, and then and not until then people began to misbehave at church. Es-
pecially was this true at Shiloh, at which time a man of Dallas sent some boys with "material" to Shiloh during one of these protracted occasions to run a saloon. When they opened up they were waited upon by the authorities to leave, but did not leave. Then the owner of the land waited upon them and notified them to desist, but still of no avail. Then a legal notice was issued and read to them, whereupon the boys began to pack up and dilly-dallied about it until services began at the stand; then started, and, as they passed the stand, fired off their pistols, putting their team to the top of their speed. Whereupon the male part of the congregation with one impulse arose and gave chase, overtaking them in about a half-mile, brought them back, tried them, bound them over to court, and placed them in the church house under guard. Their friends said there were not men enough on the camp-ground to keep them until morning, but by sundown we had twelve double-barreled shot-guns well charged, while the rabble on the outside numbered between fifty and a hundred; but we kept them all the tame till morning. Then their friends said we could not take them to Waxahachie; but we did, and lodged them in jail, and it cost the man who sent them to run the saloon about $300. Right here permit me to remark, though it is not a part of the history of Shiloh church, that doubtless through the influence of Shiloh no saloon has ever existed in the neighborhood, though it was tried a few years ago; but died in a short time for want of patronage." from the memories and biographies of ellis county

-------Katie Litty Daffan----------

2007-08-07T13:34:00.003-05:00

Katie Daffan

The prolific Miss Katie Daffan was born on July 29, 1874, in Brenham, Texas, daughter of Laurence A. and Mollie (Day) Daffan. Her father was an official of the Houston & Texas Central railroad. Miss Daffan was raised in Ennis. She died in Ennis on May 22, 1951 after being hit by a car the intersection of Dallas St and W Baylor in Ennis, Texas.

HERE IS A LIST OF HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS PROBABLY NOT ALL OF THEM. (SHE COULD HAVE USED A BLACKBERRY.)
She was a graduate of the Corsicana class of 1890 ,also graduated from Hollins Institute in Virginia, was a special history student at the universities of Texas and Chicago, She taught elementary school in Ennis and San Augustine and high school history in Houston, served as principal of a girls' school in Dallas, and taught summer sessions in the normal schools of East Texas, first Vice President of the State of Texas Teachers Association,on the Texas State Text-Book Board, state secretary to the General Federation of Women's Clubs, the first president of the Houston Story Tellers Club, first vice president of the Texas Historical Society, superintendent of the Confederate Woman's Home in Austin in 1911 making her the first woman in Texas appointed to head a state institution, she wrote or edited around 7 books(some articles say 8), her book Texas Heroes was adopted as a Texas school text book, She served five terms as president of the Texas Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy,state historian of the Daughters of the American Revolution (1909-10),state secretary to the General Federation of Women's Clubs (1909), first vice president of the Texas State Historical Association (1912, 1913, 1914)she was a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas,a charter member of Houston Pen Women, a board member of the Houston Public Library (1904-29),charter member of the Houston Board of Recreation (1922-29), first president of the Houston Storyteller's Club (1922-29). twice appointed sponsor for Texas to the General Confederate reunions and in May 1913 was appointed sponsor for the South to the General Confederate Reunion held in Chattanooga,Tennessee-the highest social honor conferred upon a woman of the South, hostess for Texas at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, ,She was also secretary for life of Hood's Texas Brigade, in which her father had served,Daffan was literary editor of the Houston Chronicle(7 year term),president of the Texas Women’s Press Association,delivered the welcome address that formally introduced Pres. William Howard Taft on his official visit to Houston in 1909, ran three times for public office, came close to winning a seat in the Texas House of Representatives in 1922, campaigned for Governor of Texas in 1930,and feature columnist for the Ennis Daily News from 1936 to 1950.

HER BOOKS:wrote or edited New Orleans (1906), Woman in History (1908), My Father as I Remember Him (1908), The Woman on Pine Springs Road (1910), As Thinketh a Woman (poems, 1911), Texas Hero Stories (1912), History of the United States (1924), and Texas Heros (1924)

Yeah,it almost seems impossible someone could be that prolific. She was the definition of prolific and a trailblazer for the modern woman.

She did marry in 1897 but it was short lived. In fact she came back from her Honeymoon alone. It never was known the true reason for the marriage's failure. Her Husband Mann Trice, assistant attorney general of Texas, went all out for the wedding which took place at the Daffan House on Dallas street in Ennis. He had a red carpet placed at the train station before they went off on their honeymoon. It seemed it was off to a great start. Latter people have speculated this marriage failure to her questionable sexual orientation. But this could be dismissed by those who knew her that said she never got over Mr Trice. Seems more probable that her social activities and independence were not what Mr. Trice expected of his wife and realized it would never work.

Here is a recollection of Mr. George Graves, Jr. who is a long time resident of Ennis and has a deep heritage in Ennis. You can see that in her later years Miss Daffan became a more eccentric character through his personal encounters as recalled in the Ennis Daily New's Story.

"Graves remembers many local personalities from Ennis’past. A boarder with the redoubtable “Miss Katie” Daffan in 1948, he once put out a fire caused by a water heater in the well-known author’s house on Dallas St. and won her heart. But he said that the eccentric Daffan soon forgot his heroism and in order to redecorate the upper floors of her home, practically threw him out of his room."

Mr Graves' son, Kevin Graves, recalled his fathers' stories of Miss Daffan in more detail on his Kevboy Flikr web-site.

"Another aside to this woman. My Dad was rooming in this house when his sister and children moved back home, he moved out to give them room. Dad said the old boiler in the house was red hot and the wallpaper was scorching. He turned it off. She exclaimed "Oh, Mr. Graves! You have saved my beautiful home!....I shall forever be grateful to you!" Three weeks later, she told he and another border they had to move because she was having the house papered. She made the paperers paper around all the photos and paintings on the wall, because her mother had hung the pictures and they had never been off the walls. Dad said the paperers waited till Miss Katy left the house and went right ahead and took the photos down and papered under them, knowing SHE would never take them down to check. Three weeks later, Miss Katie saw my Dad in town, and chirped "you room is ready for you, Mr. Graves. Mr. Graves had found other accommodations. Miss Katie was quite the character. She would walk into the Post Office and buy whatever she wanted and say "put those on my account". The bewildered clerk would say "but Miss Katie, no one has an account at the post office! Overhearing, the Postmaster, Mr. Barney would yell, "CLERK, put those on Miss Katie's account as she told you". Of course HE was paying for it. She got a lot of mileage out of being eccentric."

Kevin elaborates on her death and the Daffan house destruction.

"Tragically, Miss Katie was run down by a car in front of" her "house on her late night coffee run." "Her nightly haunt."

N 32 19.661 W 096 37.659
HISTORICAL MARKER TO RECOGNIZE MRS KATIE'S LIFE AND DEATH.

What Katie's Historical Marker says:

"Katie Daffan
July 29, 1874 - May 22, 1951
Location: Pierce Park, Northwest Main Street, Ennis
Born in Brenham, Katie Lilly Daffan was a well-known author, educator, journalist, and club woman. She began her career as a teacher and was an officer of the Texas State Historical Association. She wrote several books, including a Texas history textbook. Active in the United Daughters of the Confederacy, she served from 1911 to 1918 as superintendent of the Confederate Woman's Home in Austin. She was Literary Editor of the Houston Chronicle from 1921 to 1928. Miss Daffan taught school in Ennis and was feature columnist for the Ennis Daily News 1936-1950. She died here in 1951. [Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986] "

"The house was sold and in 1962." "It was sadly razed in 1960 when Safeway went in." "Nothing was taken out of the house. I remember seeing the wrecking ball tear it down."

Kevin was only 5 but remembered thinking "why?" did they take down the house.

THE ABANDONED SAFEWAY 302 N DALLAS STREET

Kevin has a great picture on his "Flikr" account that his Dad, Mr George Graves Jr., had taken in 1938. Mr Graves and his cousin had climbed the old grain elevator in Ennis. It is across from the Sonic and behind the Diamond Shamrock today. If you run your mouse across the picture the picture will highlight the Daffan house on N Dallas street. The picture can be found here.

HISTORICAL MARKER VIEWED FROM WHERE THE APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF WHERE HER HOUSE WOULD HAVE BEEN. MAYBE A HUNDRED TO A HUNDRED FIFTY YARDS AWAY

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ennis Daily News Special History Edition Feb 29th 2008

Get a copy of the Ennis Daily News paper from 02/29/2008(leap day) it has great detail into Katie Daffan's life. Managing Editor, Randy Bryan Bigham, is writing a book about Katie Daffan and if not by know will be the authority on her life. Randy also informed me that the Ennis Library has a wealth of Katie's material that includes literature and pictures. Randy is even getting to know her little quirks like how she always used two cups to drink her coffee. She would pour her coffee back and forth from one cup to another until it cooled down. In the Feb 29th article it gives a good detail into Katie's Death. It goes on to tell how Katie had left Miss Pearl's cafe at 3 am May 17, 1951 to return home. (Picture is of old Interurban Station at the corner of W Baylor and Dallas St. Probably looks similar to what it did in 1951. Interurban had been shutdown for 10 years when Katie was killed)While crossing W Baylor on Dallas St she was ran over by Vesta McClain. Miss Katie died of her wounds 5 days later at the local hospital on May 22, 1951. Vesta was charged with manslaughter but charges were dropped. I've heard that Katie's family believed that Katie would not have wanted Vesta McClain charged with her murder.

I have always told people that a play should be made about Miss Katie and thought to mention this to my Mother's close friend PJ Searsy who runs the Waxahachie Community Theater. Well apparently a Mrs Sandra Wakefield of Ennis is planning to take on the eccentric Katie in a one woman play. The play should open within a year. It is to raise money for the historic archives of the Ennis Public Library. Read more of the Ennis Daily News article at the above Sandra Wakefield link.

Miss Katie's burial site is located in the Myrtle cemetery in Ennis, Texas. Within in a mile from the location of her house and the site of her death.

This emblem is on Katie's tombstone.

Daffan Family grave pictures

Daffan Family grave site picture

Another Daffan Family grave site picture

Katie Daffan grave stone flat

Katie Daffan tombstone vertical

The Night They Drove The Settlers Down To Waxahachie And How Soap Creek Got It's Name

2007-08-06T22:45:00.000-05:00

--------------SOAP CREEK------------------

Ok, the title is stretched to try to match the classic song by The Band. But one day in early Ellis County History half the settlement near Alvarado fled to Waxahachie. The new settlement was made up of Ovillians who decided to start there own community. Rev White was a resident of Ovilla at the time of the evacuation but was asked to come teach in the new community for the Summer. My guess is that the event happened in the 1850's. Seeing that the Rev started living in Ovilla around 1850. This event also gave Soap Creek it's name. Which it still holds today. The above picture is where 67 goes over Soap Creek. Which might have been where they crossed Soap Creek during their evacuation. They could have crossed further south because the story says the end up on a high point south of Waxahachie. Soap Creek follows VV jones road for awhile and ends just south of Midlothian. I thought it interesting how the Rev White shrugs off the danger but still evacuates because he wants to visit a young lady in Waxahachie. I wonder if the young lady he wanted to visit was his first wife? Anyway read his recount to find out the reason for the evacuation and then what was the true story behind the bru-ha-ha. The incident is referred to as Mitchell's War.

Here is the recollection Of Rev. R. M. White:

"a report was circulated that the Indians were coming in overwhelming numbers, killing people along their route and devastating the country. They had taken the forts, so it was said, and were marching along in triumph. A courier was sent from Waxahachie notifying us of our danger and requesting us to be at that town before nightfall, for safety and defense A council of war was called to meet at the school-house, and after discussing the matter it was very much doubted whether the Indians were on the war-path; yet, as a matter of courtesy to the "Waxahatchets, combined with a faint probability that the report might be partly true, a rendezvous was appointed at the corner of Captain Bache's field. About one hour by sun the entire settlement had arrived in their wagons, with wives and little ones and such household goods as they could bring under the circumstances. The order being given to march, Aunt Susie Billingsly mounted a rock and called the assemblage to order. She then referred to their bravery and heroic conduct in Tennessee, Arkansas, and other sections where they had settled new countries; where they had fought and driven out the Indians, and now when they were more numerous and with no Indians within a hundred miles, they would flee from their homes and all they held dear! " Where, O, where," said the staunch old lady, " is your heroism of former days?" She then avowed that she could and would whip all the Indians that came; that they could do as they pleased, but that she, like Joshua of old, was going back home and would sleep soundly under her own roof. Thereupon, about one-half of the party returned to their homes, the others taking up the line of march for Waxahachie, I among the number, not that I believed the report, but I wished to come home any way to see friends, and especially a certain young lady. This I could consistently do, as I would have but little school where half or more of the children were gone. So, on we traveled, the wagons squeaking, as they were the wooden-axle sort, and no grease upon them. I and the young ladies put in the time singing and laughing to drown the noise of the wheels and the discordant jingle of bells, which were numerous. One good old sister called us to order, saying she thought prayers would be more appropriate to the occasion, as we did not know what moment we would be killed. I replied that if we had not prayed before, it was too late now, and that scared prayers would not avail much, if anything. On we went until finally reaching a creek, the largest one in the valley between Alva-rado and the Ovilla settlement. Going down the bank of this stream, which was steep, the goods of Mr. John Balch burst the front end gate of the wagon bed and the contents of the wagon, among which was a half barrel of soft soap, were spilled into the creek. I exclaimed, " Soap creek," which name it bears to this day. The damages being repaired as well as we could under the circumstances and the goods placed in the wagon, we moved on, reaching the top of the eminence south of the city of Waxahachie before daylight; then on to the houses of friends, and especially to the domicile of my dulciana. The Waxahatchets had gathered into the town and put out guards, some of whom were still at the ford or bridge of the creek south of the town. Seeing something in the distance they imagined that they saw a vast body.of Indians approaching the town. They gave the alarm and scouts were sent out to reconnoiter, when they discovered the visitors to be a herd of cattle that had stationed themselves on the eminence, as is their custom, to rest and ruminate. Day arrived and it was learned that the foundation for the alarming rumor was that a man had gone out to trade with the Indians and had taken too much of the devil's ale with him, which the redskins drank freely. The trader thought that when he had gotten them under the influence of the liquor he could cheat them more easily, but they caught him at his tricks and were about to get in their work on him, when he fled, and spread the report as stated above. Peace being restored, the settlers returned to their homes, doubtless wiser from their experience."

--Newton Family Cemetery--

2007-08-05T04:15:00.004-05:00

The Newton Cemetery is located at the end of Walter Stephenson Rd in Midlothian, Texas. You have to go beyond a gate. It is at the bottom of the hill. In a 1998 folder of Ellis County cemeteries I found at the Waxahachie Library ,it described the cemetery as kept up. But it is not now. The grass is waist high and a tree has fallen at the back right corner of the cemetery. I couldn't find Larkin Newton who is suppose to be buried here. I'm thinking he may be under the tree or maybe the grass. Mary Larkin's grave stone is there and Larkin Newton's wife was named Mary. If anyone knows his grave's location within the cemetery let me know. He was a veteran of the War 0f 1812. His log cabin, which I believe may have sat on the hill above the graveyard, is on display in downtown Midlothian. I posted on the Larkin Cabin here. The spot in the early post where I used my GPS to find exactly 3 miles soutwest from the Historical Marker is just West of the graveyard. There is Newton Creek and tree grove in between the graveyard and Waterworks road. So it makes since that the Log Cabin had to be next to the Graveyard most likely on the elevated spot. This would be where he staked his claim to the Peterson Colony's contract in 1848.

In 1848 Larkin Newton, his wife Mary, and eight children settled in what is now known as Ellis County. In this community, the Larkins raised three more children and helped the colony become a county. Over the years, Larkin later operated a gristmill, served as postmaster, and surveyed land.

Larkin Newton moved to the colony as a family man prior to July i, 1848. He was issued a land certificate by Ward in 1850 and patented 640 acres in Ellis County (Robertson Third Class No. 1492). He is listed on the census of 1850 (Ellis County, page 264) as a 56-year-old farmer, born in South Carolina, with nine children. Apparently the family migrated to Texas from Missouri.

-Peters Colony

NEWTON, LARKIN
BORN: Age 58 on 18 May 1852
SERVICE: Sergeant in Captain George Barnes's Company of Tennessee Militia.
BOUNTY LAND: 44,202-80-50; 38,759-80-55
COMMENTS: National Archives service records: 1852, Ellis County, Texas, veteran appeared before Henry Trimble, J.P., certified by Benjamin F. Hawkins, County Clerk. John T.~. Berry of Waxa-hachie forwarded his application to Washington, D.C. 1855, Ellis County, Newton before Amzi Bradshaw, N.P. E. C. Newton was identifying character witness and had known Larkin Newton 34 years and stated he had heard Jesse Nskes served with Larkin at the Battle of New Orleans. J. P. Loughlin had known Larkin 25 years.

-War of 1812 Veterans in Texas

Newton Cemetery
Marcellus Hawkins probably is the son of Marcellus T Hawkins who is listed on pg 275 of the book The Peters Colony It says

"Marcellus T. Hawkins migrated to the colony as a single man prior to July 1, 1848. He was issued Robertson Third Class Certificate No. 1479 for 320 acres, which he patented in Ellis County. He is listed on the 1850 census (Ellis County, page 267) as a 26-year-old farmer, born in Indiana."

PICTURES OF GRAVES:

Thomas L Newton
Rhoda A Newton
Mary Newton
George Stiles
Zilpha Stiles
James and Venus Newton
Harrison Newton
John
Lorenda
Lynie Neely
Frank and Ettie Cook
John Madison Cook
Hazel Newton
Ida B Neely
Marcellus Hawkins
Mary Bedfore
Charles Newton

UPDATE:Thanks to a Larkin Newton descendant,Marla Vincent, I have recieved these pictures below of Larkin's tombstone. It does appear that the tree in the right rear of the cemetery has fallen on the tombstone since 2005. She has give some resources to research Larkin Newton's life. A pamphlet by Randell Tarin, "The Story of Larkin Newton, An Early Settler to Ellis County" published by Tarin Graphics in 1992. Also, Larkin has several entries in "Flashback", a publication of the Washington County Historical Society (Arkansas).

The Waxahachie Civil War Powder Mill and It's Mysterious Destruction

2007-07-31T07:52:00.001-05:00

According to the book Ellis County: A Photo History, "Waxahachie was the site of a Confederate Gun Powder mill." The site is located near 306 N Rogers Street in Waxahachie. There is a Historical Marker,placed in 1936, 210 feet from the Powder Mill's location. Director of the Ellis County Museum stated "The mill was located on modern day N. Rogers St. (Lafayette St. if it had been named by Civil War times) not very far north past the railroad crossing."

According to the Handbook of Texas Online, "..a report read in the Confederate Congress on August 18, 1863, Texas had four gun factories making 800 arms a month, two powder mills, and a percussion cap factory.." "Powder mills were established at Marshall and Waxahachie." Texas Governor Clark desperately searched for firearms from foreign countries. Firearms being such a scarcity, Texas began too encourage firearm and firearm munitions factories by subsidizing them. Waxahachie became one of the two sites in Texas to make gun powder.

The Historical Marker states "Erected in 1862 by William Rowen. On April 29, 1863 it was destroyed by an explosion and its owner killed. Also killed was Joshua G. Phillips." The Ellis County: A Photo History account says "Waxahachie was the site of a confederate gun powder mill. The mill exploded in 1863. Killing one man and injuring another. The cause of the explosion was never determined with certainty, but a stranger in town who had been though to be a Northerner disappeared immediately after the explosion and sabotage was suspected." The article goes on to speculate that maybe the fella left after the explosion because it was a good idea. Maybe he knew people would be thinking of him for a suspect.

A more detailed explanation of the Powder Mill and it's destruction can be found in the book Where Cotton Reigned Kingby Kelly McMichael Stott. It explains that the only direct contact the Civil War had on Waxahachie was when the gun powder mill exploded. Stott explains that the mill was "established in the town in cooperation with the Confederate State Government.." William Rowen was the owner of the mill.

Stott goes into the best detail I have found yet about the Powder mill and the explosion.

"The Confederacy's contract with the mill owner enabled him to make gunpowder on the halves with the southern government, but required him to supply all the sulphur and saltpeter. The owner, William Rowen, who had immigrated to Texas from Ohio, built the mill in 1862 on Rogers street (not far from where the first Baptist Church now stands) near a small branch of the Waxahachie Creek and next to the stagecoach stand. Using supplies requisitioned from an old horse mill and a blacksmith shop, the mill was powered by ten mules that worked on a treadmill, crushing and grinding the sulphur and saltpeter into hard cakes of powder.

In April 1863, less than a year after it began operating the mill exploded suddenly and without warning. The townspeople, hearing the loud explosion, came running and found debris scattered for hundreds of yards. William Rowden had been killed instantly. A worker J. G. Phillips, had been standing in the mill's doorway, and he died shortly afterward. Looking around for the third employee, the people found Dave Nance at the bottom of a nearby well. Nance, standing some distance from the mill, had been swept up in the fireball, but had kept presence of mind to jump into the well in an attempt to extinguish the fire ravaging his body. Although severely burned, Nance survived the incident.

Attempting to discover the cause of the explosion, local authorities came to believe the mill had been deliberately sabotaged. Nance reported seeing a man in the area just before the explosion occurred. The mystery man quickly became the sheriff's chief suspect. Townspeople claimed he was a northerner who had been staying with his wife at the Rogers Hotel. The man had disappeared directly after the explosion and was never seen again. At the time, rumors circulated that he was a spy sent to destroy the powder mill."

Stott's account seems to explain the seemingly different chronicles of the historical marker's and the photo history book's. The marker says two people were killed the photo book says one was killed and one was injured. Well they are technically both right. Stott says one died immediately while the other died later from his injuries. But bothe the marker and the photo book fail to report that Mr Nance cleverly survived. Nobody ever gives a name for the mystery person. You'd think if he was checked in at the Rogers Hotel they would have at least his mark. The mystery will live on!

Update:The County Farm History Found

2007-07-30T13:28:00.000-05:00

Well I found some more detailed information on the County Farm. It appears in the previous post about the county farm, Blog for Ellis County Texas History: The County Farm ,that Guru Bob and I were both right. It was both a pauper's farm and they did send nonviolent offenders to work of their debt at the County Farm. The prisoners were sent there towards the end of the use of the property. Somwhere in 1960 they stopped using it. Thanks to the research of Ruth Stone in the History of Ellis County book. I have attached her article below.

Ellis County Farm
by Ruth Stone
At the February term of the Ellis County Court, in 1882, a committee consisting of W. D. Ryburn, John Farrar, and M. B. Templeton was appointed to investigate the possibility of purchasing a farm to be used as the Ellis County Poor Farm, and to gain all information they could as to the practical workings of such a project.1
Investigations of various farms were made, which finally resulted in the purchase of one just east of Waxahachie. This farm contained 370 acres, 200 of which were under cultivation. The farm was established as a County Farm in October 1883, and became self-sustaining. The number of paupers usually averaged about 7 or 8, with more whites than negroes.
The first keeper was John Evans, who ran it for one year. Then Wm. Ralston took charge and kept it 4 years. E. J. Garrett held the position of manager for 1 year. Wm. Ralston again took charge of the Farm and was still holding the position in 1892.2
The Farm has been operated under much the same set-up through the intervening years. In 1959, the farm consisted of 470 acres. The manager for 17 years was Mr. Gene Rothrock, who operated it upon a paying basis. In 1961 he retired and A. J. Robertson succeeded him.
It is no longer considered a Poor Farm exclusively. It is rather, an extension of the County Jail system. The work on the farm is done by prisoners who are unable to pay fines for misdemeanors. There are usually anywhere from one to 20 prisoners, mostly Negroes and Mexicans. These prisoners are either sentenced by the County Judge because of being public nuisances, or to work out fines that have been imposed upon them. They are allowed $3.00 per day to apply on their fines. The prisoners work on the farm or on the roads, with an overseer for every 7 or 8 men.
The farm is county property, and expenses are paid out of the County general fund.3
Notes
*No longer used as county farm. Circa 1960. Ellis County Records, Vol A. Page 164, 356, 359-60. Memorial and Biographical History of Ellis Co. 1892, page 132. "Interview with County Commissioner, E. J. Kendall

Ellis County, where the Buffalo Roam?

2007-07-29T18:09:00.000-05:00

VIEW FROM MOUNTAIN PEAK ON 875 LOOKING DOWN ON A HERD OF BUFFALO
No, it is not the wild buffalo of old. They are domesticated fenced in animals. But maybe it gives you an idea what it might have looked like in the early days of Ellis county when herds of Buffalo would cover the valleys. Of course you have to imagine 5 to 3 thousand in a herd. As an old timer said "Buffalo covered the prarie as far as the eye could see"

From the book History of Ellis County pg 90 Here is a couple recollections from Rev. R. M. White

"In addition to the grand scene presented to the view, were the vast herds of animals that roamed at will over the prairies, ruminating upon the luxuriant and succulent grasses, both wild and domesticated. Buffalo, cattle, deer and antelope were all fat and sleek as though kept in the stalls of some breeder of fine stock, and when they roam, either in play or from fright, it looked as if the whole surface of the earth was moving, the very ground seeming to tremble with their tread, the sound of their feet being as the sound of " many horses running to battle, " while the snort of horses and the grunt of cattle and buffalo formed a combination of sounds that were not altogether in harmony, nor calculated to inspire courage either in man or beast, for but few horses would stand in their pathway, especially of the buffaloes; and it was well for the bison of the plains never turned their course for anything, animate or inanimate, over or through which they could pass, neither branch nor creek."

"In illustration of their habits I will give an instance. A herd of buffalo was discovered in a valley near a creek and a number of men determined to have a chase and kill some of them; so they went out, some taking positions at the upper end of the valley, while others ranged themselves on each side; still others went below to bring on the engagement, which they did. The buffalo fled up the valley and the men in the rear following. When they came to the men stationed at the upper end of the valley in the path the buffalo they supposed would take, but which they did not, they found one of the watchers sitting on the ground at the root of a tree, with arms and legs around the tree, who asked as they came up whether the buffalo had gone, and if they had, that he would come down. Pretty badly scared, when he could not tell whether he was up the tree or not! The laugh was on the man for many year? afterward, and he was frequently asked to go buffalo hunting!"

"On another occasion a party of men went out on a buffalo hunt, and coming upon a large herd were making preparations for the slaughter, but the animals, scenting their enemy, stampeded. One man happened to be in their pathway and as his horse would not stand before them he ran off. There was a medium-sized branch in front of the fleeing horseman, and for this he made, hoping to cross and run up stream before the buffalo reached it; but in going down the bank the horse fell and the rider tumbled off. Before he could recover, the frightened herd came dashing toward where he lay and he expected every moment to be trampled to death by a thousand hoofs; but the buffalo, as is their custom, jump all small streams. This they did, and the man lay secure as the entire herd passed over him in the air. One failure of the beasts to make the leap would have been instant death. He tried to pray but could not think of anything to say, he was so badly scared."

When settlers first got here around 1844 there were Buffalo everywhere and their favorite "haunt" was on the lower Mustang Creek country. They watered on the land owned by W.H. Getzedaner and the Boren branch. By 1847 Ellis County had seen it's last Wild Buffalo. Their near extinction helped drive out the Indian's from the settler areas. Lots of money was made off their hides. Hides could fetch $3 and a heavy winter hide up to $50.

To find the location of the Maypearl Buffalo click this link Maypearl Buffalo

All these pictures were taken in Maypearl, Texas July 29th 2007
Here are links to more pictures Buffalo Head
Buffalo side
Buffalo ready to charge

~ ~ ~ ~ROCKY FALLS ~ ~ ~

2007-07-23T21:58:00.001-05:00

Walking to the creek. Through the trees in the distance, Rocky Falls
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~From the South bank ~~~~

~~~From the the middle of the creek~~

~~~~Looking up Rocky Falls~~~~~

Rocky Falls is a place that is dear to all who grew up in Ovilla. If you spent any of your youth in Ovilla you probably ventured down Red Oak Creek and had an eye opening experience when you came upon this wonderful place.

When taking these pictures and video, I only walked to a certain point. Reason being there is a high wire with a sign "Posted No Trespassing" that crosses the creek. Didn't know anyone could keep someone from walking down a creek. (Especially a major tributary of the Trinity.) I also recall back in the 80's on the other side of the falls down the creek there was a sign driven in the actual white rock stating "No Trespassing."

I wanted to get to the spot to the right (looking upstream) of the falls. That is where you'd see a lot of the old timers take their picture with the falls and the high white rock wall on the other side of the creek in the background.

There are many out crops of white rock on Red Oak creek. And they usually have a deep spot or hole just upstream and then a shallow stream where the white rock starts and many times they will empty into a hole after the white rock. They make a slide-like falls. This is by far the largest and most scenic outcrop of white rock on Red Oak Creek. (That I know) It widens to a pool that is still white rock bottom but not very deep. This was a perfect day because the wind was blowing off the creek into my face. Very refreshing!

You can see a house on the North side of Red Oak Creek. I believe their land ,which goes all the way to Water street behind Mr Pickard's store, was or is a Pecan Grove.

I can't reference the source, but I remember reading that the Indians felt this place was of significance to their religious beliefs. The Anglos also felt the religious ambiance of Rocky Falls for it was the site of many a baptism. Memories of Mrs Ressie White (Waddle) from the 1920's in the Ovilla History book included Rocky Falls being a place where the "Church of Christ and Baptist Churches" baptised folks.

Before air condition , Rocky Falls was a way to cool down. Even on the banks the breeze can cool you. A common result of playing at Rocky Falls was wearing out your pants or shorts from sliding down the rocks. It happened to me, Mrs Ressie,Charlotte Collier (who stayed with her grandparents in Ovilla one year in the 30's), and many other inhabitants of Ovilla who took on the white rock playground.

Another one of my memories of Rocky Falls were my two rafting expeditions. I was probably 11 or 12 the first time with my friend Brad Norman. We took a raft from his Dad's sailboat. The little kid next door saw us get it out. Brad told him to keep his mouth shut. I can't remember our casting off point. But we went down Rocky Falls like Will and Holly from Land of the Lost. Except for the water was kind of low and it got stuck a few times and ripped a hole in the raft. We nearly sank the raft in the swim'n hole below. At the time there were kids playing in the swimming hole below the falls. I believe one of the kids was a red headed boy named Ross. When we got home Brad's mom was waiting to confront Brad and Brad new right away that the little kid had told on him. I think Brad went after him but his mom stopped him. That happened a lot.

My other trip was with Joel Miller. His Dad ,the Chemistry teacher, dropped us off at the Water street bridge. He told us to obey "Murphy's Law." There is deep water on the upstream side of the bridge but it turns into shallows with a slippery white rock bottom downstream. So we had to drag our raft until we found deep waters. Which the deepest were probably max 8 feet. We flipped the raft over a few times and slipped on the rocks we traversed. I remember thinking that parts of the deep creek reminded me of the Sixflags canoeing ride. They had mechanical Indians and fake canons that fired across at the Indians. I was waiting to see a mechanical Indian pull his bow back at us. I remember seeing a hose going into the water and trying to move it. Might have been a sump pump. Also before Rocky Falls on the North side of creek, Mr. Harder kept his bees near the creek in those white cabinets. Seems like Joel and I slid down the Falls in the raft with more success than my first time. Rocky Falls isn't really deep enough for a raft it was better to just lay in the water and let the water cool you off. But you know kids that want an adventure they'll try anything.

You can get to Rocky Falls by going behind Heritage Park, site of the old Cotton gin, and at the back behind the park was the pump hole in the creek where many Ovillians learned to swim. Rocky falls is about 300 feet or so upstream from the pump hole. But I can't recommend you trespass. When I was down there 07/23/07 I saw quite a few small bass swimming and a channel cat came up from the bottom. Probably the biggest game fish maybe 2lbs. Also plenty of large carp swimming around. Reminds me of a true story about a friend of mine named Chris. In the early 90's, we went bow fishing in this same spot but we were on the other side of the creek . Save that story for another time.

Coordinates for Rocky Falls at the no trespassing high wire n 32 degrees 31.533' W 096 degrees 53.316'

Coordinates for the pump hole (I believe) n 32 degrees 31.522' W 096 degrees 53.207'

I filmed this video with my digital camera so forgive the shakiness. No, at the end of the video it is not Bigfoot and his dog or Elvis and his hound, but a fella named Jarvis. He and his German Sheperd, Crocket, enjoy walking the creek. Mr Jarvis also just happens to be on the planning and zoning commission for Ovilla. He said he would look into the "Posted No Trespassing" signs. Listen to the cicada. My Grandma called them locust. Pretty cool all you can really hear is the Rocky Falls water, the cicada, and the wind blowing.

-----The Ovilla Observatory----

2007-07-21T11:05:00.000-05:00

n 32 degrees 32.226' w 096 degrees 52.451' elevation 712 feet

Back in the early 1950's the Texas Astronomical Society decided to build an observatory. Without the interference from the city lights, Ovilla was a prime spot to view the starry night sky. . So they chose a nice field in Ovilla to build it. It's believed the land was donated for the Astronomical Society's use by the land owner who at the time was Clarence Hosford. The Dallas Times Herald referred to the land as "Hosford Hill." The area chosen in Ovilla also has an elevation equivalent to Cedar Hill(The highest point in Dallas County.) My etrex GPS says it's around 712 feet above sea level.

President of the Texas Astronomical Society, Ernest M. Brewer, designed the building. In March of 1956 Mr Langford and Mr Brewer broke ground. The members built the observatory under the Mr Brewer's guidance. The lower body is made of what looks like cinder blocks laid in a "circular pattern." The blocks were supported by a concrete floor. Roof was a conical shape and rested on a metal rail that allowed the roof to rotate. This was needed to view different parts of the sky. It had a door for the the telescope that they could close for protection against the elements. It also had some complicated counter balances and gears to allow the roof too move according to the earth's rotation so the heavenly bodies would stay in view of telescope.

This was a watershed time for Astronomy in US History and World History. Sputnik would be launched October 4, 1957. In the movie October Sky you could see the inspiration and wonder of the people who saw Sputnik cross their sky. Some feared this Soviet triumph. My mother remembers fearing a Soviet attack from outer space. So this observatory was built in an inspirational time for astronomers, professional and amateur alike. This was the begining of the Space Race.

Now the property is owned by Wade and Marilyn Reed. It is called the Bright Star Ranch. They have preserved the building but it has a shingle roof now and there are no inner workings. I imagined it to be a little bigger.

It is being used to store feed. It is private property, but can be viewed from the road in front of a rod iron gate with a longhorn image on it. There is enough room for two cars to park in front of the gate. Carolyn Miracle, President of the Ovilla History, allowed Mr Reed to scan the Ovilla History Book's story on the observatory where all my information was obtained. I encourage you to read it. Just click on the Bright Star Ranch link above. Very interesting part about a Dallas Times Herald article that reported "15,000" people came to Hosford Hill to view Mars through multiple telescopes set up in the field. I also encourage you to buy the Ovilla History Book. There is a link on this blog on the sidebar on how to get the book.

Note: I would like to thank Jeff Johnson for taking the pictures for this post. He also brought to my attention that the top picture has the moon at the top. Looks like a star. Good Job Jeff!

The incident in Ovilla that gave Squaw Creek it's name

2007-07-17T22:36:00.000-05:00

1843 Ovilla, Texas. Mr Mitchell was watching over his heard of cattle. (His land was one mile north of the Billingsley settlement(also called Shilo then.) All the sudden there was a disturbance in the herd. INDIANS! The band of Indians brought down his cattle with their bows and arrows. They slaughtered Mr. Mitchell's cattle and began to eat the beef raw! (When I read that part, I flashed back to "Dances with Wolves" when Dunbar ate the raw Buffalo liver .) Mr Mitchell sent a runner to the Billingsley settlement. The Billingsley's hid their family in the creek bottom and told their family "to make no noise and answer no calls until Sammy came for them." (I assume Referring to Samuel Billingsley who would have been 50 years old at the time according to the book "The Peters Colony of Texas" pg192.

After boarding up their homes, 10 riflemen one by one in the night came to Mr Mitchell's aid. In the morning they confronted the Indians demanding payment for the slaughtered cattle . Indians hightailed it and took their stolen beef. They headed to the Brazos. The settlers had also sent a runner to Ft Worth to get the Texas Dragoons. The Dragoons ,also known as Texas Rangers, showed up too late for the confrontation but soon picked up the Indians' trail. They ambushed them on the Brazos river bank. The remaining Indians took flight to a cave on a small creek 5miles from the ambush. The Indians were found and all killed except for one Squaw who had ran down the creek only to be caught. The Dragoons named the creek, Squaw Creek after the Indian Squaw. Squaw Creek flows into the Paluxy River near the the Paluxy's intersection with the Brazos just East of Glen Rose, Texas. A canoe web-site shows a good map . It also is dammed for the Comanche Peak Nuclear plant. The Comanche Indians referred to the Peak as "Que-Tah-To-Yah" or "Rocky Butte".

Reference for this is "The Ovilla History Book" pg 14-15. "A Letter from Aaron Billingsley outlining the settlement of Ovilla"

Reading "The Peters Colony of Texas" by Seymour V. Conor I have found a David Mitchell who was involved in the Peters colony. He had a land certificate in Johnson County and in Ellis County. It also says he migrated to the colony a family man before July 1 st 1848. Maybe this is the same Mr Mitchell in our story who lost his cattle?

The County Farm

2007-07-12T23:34:00.000-05:00

Participating in a hand held GPS club, Geocaching, I ran across a very interesting hide Southwest of the community of IKE on Farm Rd 878.
According to geocacher Gurubob

"This site was once an African-American prison farm. Many men lived and died here paying their debt to society. They worked this (some 300+ acres) and several other County farms. I surveyed the property a couple of years ago. During the survey an old man that had grown up on an adjoining property told me he had seen several men buried on this farm. Only a few of the graves have been established but, many are still unlocated."

Well the fact that Gurubob thought it was an African-American prison farm, may be a case of mistaken identification. According to a cemetery historical marker(N 32degrees 23.335 W096degrees 47.552) on 879 directly Southeast of the County Farm building ,

"ELLIS COUNTY FARM CEMETERY, "This fenced area marks the boundaries of what has sometimes been called the pauper cemetery, one of possibly three burial grounds on old county farm land that served as the final resting place for some Ellis County's poor farm residents. County officials purchase 450 acres between 1893 and 1895 to create the farm for the support and employment of the needy. The earliest death recorded at the facility was that of Albert Estes in 1890; the last was Dave Madison in 1946. Iron pipes driven into the ground once identified the graves of some of the other 73 individuals whose names are recorded in county records."

So I'm thinking that maybe there were poor blacks that work the fields but not any prisoners. Or maybe it is possible that some of the not so dangerous criminals were given the option to work on the farm. Whatever the case the site of the hallowed ground is in a tall grass field with a white rod iron fence boundary about 50 yards by 30 yards.

The building is made of brick and had electricity at one time. It has a main entry room and around ten small rooms. The small rooms are small. Like 10 feet by 6 feet but about 10 feet high. The bricks say "standard" on them. It appears the roof had a brick wall around it but is crumbling. It has a hallway that cuts the building in half longways. That does make it appear like a jail walkway. Above the doors is a wood rectangular frame. probably window you could open. The first time I had visited the place it seems like I remember seeing iron bars over one end window opening. If I ever find the picture I will post. It may be a faulty memory.

I ran into a nice guy (even though he is an Aggie fan) on a 4 wheeler while I was touring the building. He said his family has lived on the surrounding land for years and that his brother and him had camped in the dilapidated county building as kids. He always believed it was a prison farm. Apparently there were more buildings to the farm. It is still owned by the County because I read a "letter to the editor" of the Waxahachie Daily Light by Jimmy Simmons. Mr Simmons suggests that an alternative to the Ellis County's 53.875 million dollar facilities bond could be partial solved by building an "adequate facility" "on the county farm, for instance, for a relatively small amount." I found Simmons Letter to the Waxahachie Daily Light on Joey Dauben's Ellis County Observer.
UPDATE LINK: Blog for Ellis County Texas History: Update:The County Farm History Found