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April
2006
Pumpville,
Texas 4-30-06
After
reading some of the stories on your Texas Escapes website, I had to relate my
family’s story on life in Pumpville, Texas. We lived in Pumpville for a year in
1979-1980. It had to be one of the most interesting and defining times of my life.
I was not in school at the time…about 5 or 6yrs old. My family is from Del Rio,
Texas. My father was doing everything he had to keep our family happy. He had
been out of the Army for a few years and had a hard time finding a good job, but
the job market in Del Rio at the time was not good. He had driven trucks long
haul for the past couple of years, and was in the process of applying to colleges.
The opportunity came up for work close to home and my father took it! It required
moving, but offered housing…. Later we would get good laughs at this!
Pumpville. We moved into our house at the end of town…..almost a block
long! Of course we first had to remove the rabbit pens, as it was being used for
a barn and storage, but was a nice little house. It was right across the service
road from the rail road tracks…about 30 feet. This would make for an entertaining
life! The house would shudder when trains came through! We could not play records
because they would get scratched. The radio dial would change! We had to stop
and hold up my mothers china cabinet! All good fun! On those late night trains,
my sister and I would ‘ride’ our twin beds across the room as the train vibrated
the house! On one occasion my sister had fallen out of bed, only to find herself
trapped under a run away bed! No harm, just good memories!
My father’s
job was to drive the bus from Pumpville to Comstock, the nearest school at that
time. Then he was a custodian during the day, and drove the bus home again. This
was an adventure at times as well. Early mornings and late nights on Highway 90
saw many wild animals. On one occasion, my father nearly missed driving off the
Pecos high Bridge when he swerved to miss a run away Mule! On one drive, out of
nowhere, they hit a DUCK! It was slightly injured, but lived.
Pumpville
was a ghost town then. We added a little life to it, but not enough to be a town.
There were a few dilapidated homes, the boarded up church, the closed general
store and post office, and a double wide trailer where a local rancher lived with
his family. I remember picking through those old houses and looking at people
forgotten things. I learned to look at nature. I watched the trains go by... and
sometimes stop at inopportune times… like when we were on the other side of the
tracks! Riding bikes and hiking in the desert was a pass time.
My mother
and I would walk out towards highway 90 to meet my dad and sister on the bus.
I guess not having TV, being so far from town, and being there with family has
stuck with me until now. I appreciate those things so much more. Those were simple
times. Fun times. Well, that is not the whole story, but enough. We left Pumpville
when my father was accepted into college in Uvalde. I have only been back 2 or
3 times, but not since 1990 or so. - Michael Hall, April 28, 2006
Del
Rio Hotels >
Book Your Hotel Here & Save
Salt Gap, Texas
4-28-06
My dad John L. Slaughter Jr.owned this store
in Salt Gap in the late 1950 into 1952. We lived in the house to the left of it.
The Post Office was in the rear of the store and my mom Ona Evalon Slaughter ran
the Post Office. There was a gas pump in front of the store. My dad also drove
the school bus for the Melvin school district. I was attending Melvin High School
at the time. At one time there was a filling station across the road south west
of the store during the 1940's. A Mr Peel was the owner. These were lean years
for the Farmers and they would charge their groceries. A lot of them could not
pay their bills, so we got out of the grocery business and moved back to Melvin.
If you look at the Pear
Valley page, there is a picture of me and my dad standing by his fuel truck.
In Salt Gap there was a garage behind the grocery store where dad worked on tractors
and vehicles. He also welded on farm equipment. He was a very busy man. There
were no eight hour days back then. - Johnye Slaughter, April 27, 2006
Glazier,
Texas 4-27-06
The tornado that destroyed Glazier actually occurred on April 9th,
1947. It moved on to destroy much of Higgins, then to Woodward, Ok., before moving
into Kansas, thus making it the Tri-State Tornado of 1947. The only building left
standing in Glazier was the jail cell pictured.
Frequently missed fact...the
tornado was one of the most destructive and deadly in US history, but was eclipsed
one week later by the colossal Texas City Explosion of the Grandcamp and High
Flier.....Kenny, Wimberley, Texas, April 25, 2006
Lometa,
Texas 4-27-06
Subject: Lometa Texas John Stokes
I am E. L. "Poncho" Melvin Santa Fe Southern Division Santa Fe June 1945 through
October 1990. Was telegraph operator. Found letter from John Stokes very interesting.
I am sure we broke him in at Milano where Santa Fe crosses the IGN (Missouri Pacific).
I worked at Lometa in 1946 . The second trick man was L. G. Muncy and the day
man Fred Martin, the mixed train conducter was "Cedar Leg" Kegley. I never worked
at Blair but I did work at View. - Poncho, April 27, 2006
Commerce,
Texas 4-27-06
Subject: Commerce
High School Class of 1927
My husband's father Winfred R. Hall grew
up in Commerce. His father R. M. Hall had a grocery store first at the college
when it was East Texas Normal. Later he moved the store to 1114 Main Street. They
lived at 1714 Church Street. All of the 4 Hall children (Opal, Winfred, Marlin,
and Dorothy) attended High School in Commerce.
While looking through some
old photos, we found this picture of the class of 1927 with their names listed
on the back. W. R. is located third from the left on the back row. - Cary and
Jean Hall, San Antonio, Texas. - April 19, 2006
Dell
City, Texas
4-22-06
Our family lived in Dell City Texas until
about 1975 or so when we moved away to the Texas Panhandle. My father farmed 5
miles out of Dell City (Bailey Farm-yellow house) grew alfalfa, corn and raised
Angus cattle for Mr. Bailey out of El Paso Texas. I remember the Dell City Mercantile
Store owned by the McCoys.
As I read up on Dell City it took me back and
I remember a Gene Lutrick as a young child living in the outskirts of town on
the way to the catholic church (don't know if it's the same person) and the Lynchs
who lived in a big and beautiful house with peacocks running around on a hill
in Dell City. What I do remember is Mr. Lusk the school principal (got one spanking
from Mr. Lusk) and Betty Snodgrass the school secretary. I used to clean house
for the Snodgrasses.
I have been curious all these years as to how Dell
City is doing? Are there people living there and if so how many? I don't know
if anyone will read this or not but I sure would appreciate an update on good
old Dell City. - Belia Padilla, April 19, 2006
Dime
Box, Texas 4-21-06
Just a few tidbits on the Dime Box photos: In the 1950's and 1960's
the saloon was actual the Wolff place. It was a place where the folks that had
grown-up around Dime Box came and played dominos twice a week. There is the Brethan
Church which is one of the oldest in Lee County and where I was married.
On
the east side off the main highway going to Caldwell, there is a paved country
road just before the Yeague Creek. It circles back to Dime Box and on your left
there is the Hranice Cemetery in which has the graves of earlier settlers to this
region, Including my great-great grandparents Joseph F. Kortis and Pauline Urban.
If you keep on this road and go over the railroad tracks, a right turn
takes you into Dime Box and you will see the old railroad bridge. Back in the
1980's it was the only way into town. I inched across that bridge many a time.
If you ever have time to spare just take one of the many back roads around Dime
Box and there is no telling which old cemetery or old homestead you might stumble
on. Dime Box has a rich history of Czechs who came over from the old Country who
were farmers (sharecroppers), and moonshiners with strong family ties and traditions.
- Paula Foster, Beaumont, Texas, April 20, 2006
Dime
Box - Old Railroad Bridge
4-21-06
Through a cousin of mine, I just stumbled upon
your web site and specifically the "Dime Box" page and found it interesting, especially
since I was born and raised right next to the original location of the big black
railroad bridge that you have pictured. Our family's estate, the Moses place,
was a Stephen F. Austin land grant homestead (260 acres) that was the one split
in half by the SP railroad. My Grandfather, Asa P. Moses insisted that SP build
the bridge to accommodate the movement of cattle, horses, tractors, etc. from
one section of property to the other, as needed.
I happen to have a vintage
(1986) photograph of that old bridge that my wife was blessed to win during the
Dedication of the bridge when it was dismantled and moved to downtown Dime Box.
The photograph was taken prior to its being dismantled and I thought you might
like to use it on your site. God Bless, Allan Moses
Dido,
Texas 4-20-06
Subject:
Dido Days
My
name is Barbie Williams and I'm on the Dido Cemetery Board of Directors. We still
have "Dido Days" every year on the last Sunday in April. This year it will be
on April 30th at 12:30 PM. We still have a picnic, and a business meeting there
at the cemetery. Weird as it may seem, a picnic at the cemetery is really pretty
neat. At least it is at Dido. I believe it is one of the most beautiful and well
kept cemeteries there is. One gentleman has been coming to Dido Days for nearly
90 years. He said he remembers coming for the "yearly cemetery clean-up" in a
covered wagon with his parents. Nowadays Dido is maintained year round so we mainly
just meet to conduct business and have food and fellowship.
I just learned
that famous Texas song writer, Townes Van Zandt, is buried there (well, some of
his ashes). He was Isaac L.Van Zandt's great grandson. Townes wrote the song "Pancho
and Lefty" sung by Willie Nelson. Lots of neat history in Dido. - Barbie Williams,
April 19, 2006
Image
from High Island Texas
4-19-06
I live in Webster TX. I am a Wildlife/Nature
photographer . I took these Twin Snowy Egret's (approx. 5 weeks old) at Smith
Oaks Rookery, High Island TX. It's a Wonderful place to share Nature/Wildlife.
- Rodger Whatley, April
18, 2006
Benavides,
Texas 4-18-06
I
happen to grow up in San Diego Texas and came across your website today. The information
was interesting except for a photo of the church. The church you placed under
San Diego , TX is the wrong Church. The church you have pictured is actually the
church of a near by town, Benavides, TX. Their church's name is Santa Rosa de
Lima Catholic Church. The church in San Diego is Saint Francis de Paula Catholic
Church. You can find it on Victoria St. in San Diego. It is a really beautiful
church with lots of history itself. Thank you, Elaine Montemayor-Gonzalez,
April 17, 2006
Shive
Texas 4-18-06
I have a grandfather that was a doctor and died at a patients bedside, while attending
the patient, in Shive Texas. It was around 1905. His name was Thomas Boyer. My
father was a doctor and he went to school in Shive Texas back around 1907. If
you have any information, I would like to have it. Thanks, Dennis Boyer, Arlington,
Tx, ispy999@hotmail.com, April 16, 2006
Grapeland,
Texas 4-16-06
I had the pleasure of visiting
Grapeland in April of 2001. I stayed with the Beazley family as I visited their
beloved son Napoleon [who was] on death row and is no longer with us (God rest
his soul). I would just like to say that my son Dale and I had a fantastic time
in Grapeland and the people were so friendly and helpful. We are hoping to come
back in 2006. I just want to say that I think Grapeland is a lovely place and
the people are great. I hope it won't be too long before my son and I can come
visit Grapeland again. Thank you for your time. - Lisa Baguley, Nottingham,
England, April 15, 2006
Crane,
Texas 4-16-06
Forwarding
scan of a matchbook cover in my collection of Texas memorabilia. Does anyone remember
Pat's Place, know when this business opened and closed, or have a photo? - Tom
KC, April 14, 2006
Rowena,
Texas 4-16-06
I grew up in and around Rowena.
My Dad and his family moved there from Mexico I am assuming in the 40’s or 50’s.
My dad is still living there, not much is left there as in businesses, or really
anything (lol). From what I remember about the school, I am thinking it was more
in the 70’s that is closed, because I remember my cousins going to school there.
The parish hall/gym is still used for events. Just a little information I remember.
- Becky Fierro Fuentes, April 14, 2006
Cedar
Station, Terrell County
4-13-06
These images are from Terrell County taken on
August 18th, 2005 and are of the remains of the town of Cedar Station. At least
I think it's a town. I haven't been able to find anything on it, but it was showing
on my map as a town east of Dryden on Hwy 90... more
- Erik Whetstone
Telegraph,
Texas 4-13-06
I
really was amazed at how peaceful and quiet Telegraph was, the only thing you
could really hear was the sound of the wind in the trees. It's so isolated, I
wouldn't mind living there. - Erik Whetstone
Segovia,
Texas 4-13-06
Segovia
now appears to be mainly a truck stop and a few houses. The Post office building
was the only older building I saw. - Erik Whetstone
Gorman,
Texas 4-13-06
I
was born and raised in Gorman, Texas. I was born in the Blackwell Hospital that
has since been torn down. I went to school in Gorman 11 1/2 years. My parents
bought Pullig's Cleaners and changed the name to Munn Cleaners. I would walk from
the school which was only three blocks away to the shop and then would go to the
corner drug store to get a fountain drink and play "Spades" till my mom picked
me up a little after 5:00. I attended First Baptist Church, baptized in Aug. 1964.
Was married in June 20, 1970 in the new First Baptist Church by Pastor Polnac.
I can remember when Gorman had 3 drug stores, 2 variety stores, 3 grocery stores,
and a department store (Frossard's). My mother still lives in Gorman and she is
89 years old. I have pictures, but I will have to look for them. - Jean (Munn)
Miller, Gilmer, Texas, April 12, 2006
Subject:
Grave of Samuel Everitt Rogers in Carlton, Texas
4-12-06
Would you be interested in hearing the story about Samuel Everitt
Rogers, born 1809, who was killed and scalped one hundred and forty-three years
ago by Comanche Indians? He met his fate on May 03, 1863, in Carlton, Texas. Samuel
Everitt Rogers' grandson and namesake found the grave once again in 1941... more
Hotel
Herring, Amarillo, Texas
4-10-06
Subject:
Sahula Dycke Painting
I own one of the four Western Paintings that hung
in one of the cattlemen clubs or a ballroom in the old Herring Hotel. There were
four original paintings and when I was doing an internshipat BSA Baptist Hosptal
in the early 80's, workers were loading them on the loading dock to be hauled
away. I inquired about them and asked the workers to please stop as I had seen
them as a child with my grandfather at the Herring. The person in charge of decoration
at the hospital said, "We are getting rid of them because we are tired of that
old cowboy look, if you want them you can have them". When I got down to the loading
dock, one was removed and two had been hauled away. I have enjoyed it in my office
all these years now and it is a treasure.
The Herring must have been quite
the place for everyone from travellers, and cattlemen and people in the horse
business as some of the early day meetings of the American Quarter Horse Association
met there for some of their annual meetings. The Herring must have had quite a
prestige about it, my family members said it was the place to be and it held a
popular significance for the area. - David McMurry, April 9, 2006
Notrees,
Texas 4-8-06
Subject:
Notrees, thanks for everything.
My
name is Kyle Davian and I have a special place in my heart for Notrees, and especially
the former postmaster, Millsie King. Back in the mid-nineties I was sent overseas
to Japan, where I would remain for many years. I got homesick for Ector County
where I was raised. But I had always had fond memories of Notrees. Even as a child,
I appreciated the sereness of the area and every so often I would pester my dad
to drive through there. We would always see a jackrabbit, roadrunner or horned
toad and I swore (like kids do) that one day I would grow up to live in Notrees
- and be the mayor.
Anyway, [from Japan] I sent a letter trying to locate
someone in Notrees to talk to. My letter ended up in the hands on the Odessa postmaster,
a nice man (I forget his name) who routed the letter to Millsie. Soon thereafter
(and during many a frequent northern Japan blizzard) I checked my mailbox. Many
people don't realize just how important mail is to us overseas. Imagine my surprise
when I saw a priority packet stamped "Notrees, Texas". Inside was a nice letter
from Millsie, along with several items from several residents, little keepsakes
like "I Love Notrees" button, etc. It was my Notrees care package. Through the
years I embraced the town and looked forward to every letter. Others heard about
our relationship and sent items such as a cassette with the song "Christmas in
Notrees." That one came postmarked Lubbock. To this date, I still do not know
who sent it, but I still have it and it means a whole lot to me. I later found
out that the Notrees post office had my original letter on display there.
I became a Notrees "cheerleader," and once had our overseas television station
announce the weather in Notrees one day. Yes, I said, there is such a place, and
you have to actually go there to understand why. These memories molded me into
an adult that no matter how far I travel across the world and see all the terrible
things I see, I always know I can go "home" and get a smile, a cup of coffee or
a pat on the back from people there, even if I don't personally know them. Notrees,
thanks for everything. - Kyle Davian Sweetwater, Texas, April 07, 2006
Dido,
Texas 4-5-06
I can't believe you have a website. I used to come with my grandparents, Ruby
Caldwell Hill and George Earnest Hill to the "reunion" at Dido in April in the
60's. They used to meet in the spring to clean the cemetery, but when we went,
it was mainly a get- together with lots of good food. Amanda "Mandy" Thurmond,
the first person buried there was my granddaddy's (G.E. Hill) aunt, the twin sister
to his mother, Mary Thurmond. Mary and Amanda's parents, Jim and Rebecca Thurmond
lived in Dido. Mary Thurmond married Allen Hill.
According to my mother,
Mary Sue Hill Ingram, her grandfather, "Daddy" Allen was a boisterous, "good will"
man, a town organizer. He had a chair on his front porch and would "holler" greetings
to the townsfolk as they passed by. She said he was pall bearer at everyone's
funeral, probably due to his size. Anytime he met someone who was hungry, he would
invite them to his house to eat. His wife, Mary, was a small woman, evidently
a very good cook. She also visited the neighbors every day and was quite a talker.
My grandaddy said she visited the neighbors because Daddy Allen never let her
get a word in at home. The best story Mother told me was of Daddy Allen selling
watermelons to raise money for the Dido cemetery. She said he had the watermelons
iced down in big barrels and was slicing and selling them with a flourish. What
a picture! I don't know how many descendents I have in Dido from the Thurmond
and Hill families, but my grandparents and my Daddy, Frank Douglas Ingram, are
buried there. It's a beautiful place with lots of trees and a view of Eagle Mt.
Lake. I have very fond memories of my time with my grandparents there.
If anyone has info on when Dido Day is this year, please email me at cityama@mac.com
- Diana Lane, April 04, 2006
Subject:
Ezra Alpheus Chipman Family Photo
4-5-06
Dear
editor, I was looking for information of my ancestor Ezra Alpheus Chipman and
was suprised to see a missing photo submitted by Lois Williams of Canada. My mother
had lent the photo out and it was never returned to her by another family member.
Ezra was a polygamist with 3 wives in his time before he came to Texas
to live with only one wife. The information I have is that 2 of his wives were
sisters. One of the sisters that Ezra married, Jenette or Janette, is my great,
great, great, grandmother. Ezra was 96 years old when he died in June 3, 1913.
I am sharing this picture for proof and in hopes that you might be able to help
me contact Lois Williams in Canada so as to share more photos or stories. Thank
you, Elijio M. Martinez, Ozona, Texas, April 03, 2006
Riverview
Power Plant Texas
4-3-06
By chance
found your site and was very interested in the pictures of camp. I was born in
Borger and lived in Riverview. My dad
worked at the Power Plant. I have looked at the images of the area on google earth
and am able to place where we lived and even though the houses are long gone,
the trees tell where they were. Thie image of camp you have on the site, does
not seem to fit any of these configurations so was very puzzled unless it was
not taken facing West. I do have images (will have to look for them) and when
I find them, will email them to you. Do you have any other images I could see?
It was quite a memory jogger and was delighted to realize how much was still
there! Thanks for posting it. - Margot Carter Blair, April 02, 2006
Ruidosa, Texas
4-2-06
Subject:
Photo of the Old Church
Last year about this time I visited Ruidosa, Texas
and noted with interest the Old Church in ruins there. Today while revisiting
the area via the Internet I find the stories about Ruidosa and separate location
Candelaria
showing photographs of that same church. Mistake?
Thanks for making
these stories of these interesting places available. I'm fascinated by that country
down there. - Jim Horn, April 02, 2006
Lone
Grove, Texas
4-2-06
My Grandma was born in Lone Grove on June
1, 1899. Her name was Ethel Bernice Speck. Where would I look to find information
on birth and marriage records for this area? How long ago did Lone Grove cease
to exist? Thanks a bunch. - Mary Sugar Stewart, April 02, 2006
Mystery
Town 4-1-06
Was Seagraves, TX the coastal
town where people met to pray every day for their servicemen in WWII and every
single one of them returned? I read this story years ago, and it was so inspirational
to me that I recently passed it on to the mother of a young man who is fighting
in Iraq. It would be helpful to her and to me if we could find out the name of
that town. It seems to me that the word "sea" was in the town's name. I will appreciate
your help. - Jean Short, Amarillo, Texas, March 31, 2006
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