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August
2006
Roznov,
Texas 8-30-06
I
saw your page on Roznov, Texas and decided to contribute what I know about that
place. My wife's great grandfather was John Halamicek. He named the village in
Fayette County, Texas after his birthplace, Roznov pod Radhostem in the Moravian
part of what is now the Czech Republic.
He bought a store at Roznov, TX
shortly after he married Miss Anna Baron in 1885. He added on to his property
there and at one time there was a school, a post office, a molasses mill, and
homes for his tenants. Mr. and Mrs. Halamicek raised their 12 children at Roznov,
and continued to live there until they died. They are buried in the Halamicek
Cemetery which is near Roznov at the junction of FM 1291 and C.M. Allen Road,
about 5 miles east of Fayetteville .
Attached are some pictures of Roznov
and the Halamicek homestead that used to stand at Roznov. - Greg Stone &
Louisa Halamicek Stone, August 29, 2006
Subject:
Hamlin's Bluebird of Happiness
1942 8-30-06
Dear Texas Escapes,
I am seeking information about two young (young in
1942-43) Black men. They were known as Joe B. and Slim.
Slim had two sisters
Willy May and Lily May ? One was married to a man named James. They pulled cotton
for my parents in 1942 or 1943 in Hamlin,
Texas.
Most of [their] family moved on, but Joe B. and Slim did not
yet wish to leave --- so they lived in our front living room for two more months
before they returned to Hillsboro.
My family at that time consisted of my parents (Herbert and Dolores Nauert) and
me (Clinton aged 4).
After Joe B. and Slim went to town one Saturday on
their return they gave me a tiny metal bluebird --- they had gotten from a box
of Crackerjacks --- This was one of the only gifts I had ever been given --- other
than at Christmas. I am now 68 years of age and I have never forgotten those fellows'
kindness. Nor have I ever forgotten eating breakfast with them for those two months
in 1942 or 1943. If I could contact them or one of their children I would just
like them to know how a little kindness can mean so much to a child. My parents
and I have very fond memories of those two really nice young men. Thank you, -
Clinton Nauert, Greenwood, Arkansas, August 29, 2006
Verbena,
Texas 8-30-06
I
just wanted to update you on some Verbena Area Information. We just recently purchased
the south 800 acres of the Fumagalli Ranch. We have also leased the two sections
on which the "old church" stands. The Fumagallis still own that property and are
near the point of tearing down the church after repeated attempts to get assistance
to restore it have not been successful. - Coy Howell, 5 Star Ranch, Verbena,
Texas, August 29, 2006
Los
Angeles, Texas 8-30-06
Back in 1998 my husband
and I purchased the Santa Maria Ranch which is in Los Angeles, Texas. I have been
researching the history of the ranch and Los Angeles. When doing a search I found
your information posted about the town. What I particularly found interesting
was the article written by Ruth Bailey recalling her mother's days in Los Angeles.
She talked about a train station and artisian wells. We have an old train station
(albeit only the slab and well) on our property not to mention an old windmill
that could have once been a flowing artisian wells. We have heard many stories
about the ranch from being a dairy farm run by a bunch of nuns to an irrigated
peanut farm. We know it was a dairy farm we're just not sure about the nuns. I
would really like to speak to Mrs. Bailey or her mother to ask them further questions
about the area. - Thanks, Debbie Walton, Austin, August 21, 2006
Black
Ankle, Texas 8-21-06
Dear TE, I sure wish you
had more information on this town. I was looking through my Grandma's things today
and found in her handwriting that she (Ellen Hazel Davis) and my Grandpa (Robert
Oval Corbello) were married in Black Ankle on September 24, 1932. It would be
interesting to have more information on this "town." Thank you. - Sandra Corbello,
McClelland, Texas, August 20, 2006.
Subject:
Capitan Theater-Pasadena,
Texas 8-21-06
It was so nice to happen upon your site. I too have memories of the Capitan
Theater (although I seem to recall it being the El Capitan Theater). It was a
wonderful theater in the late 1950's and early 1960's when my younger brother
and I used to spend most Saturdays during the school year there. We would get
out about dark and sometimes would be a little sad that we had spend most of out
Saturday there but next Saturday, we'd be back again. I actually worked behind
the concession stand at the theater in my Senior year at Pasadena High School
in 1965. If I remember right we worked 10 hours on Saturday and 11 hours on Sunday
for about a dollar an hour. My family moved from Pasadena to North Louisiana right
after I graduated from high school and I've only been back a very few times since
then. Thanks for the opportunity to share my memories. - Ron Mason, August
19, 2006
O'Donnell,
Texas 8-17-06
or
"Let us know if there's a change in Mr. Looney's condition."
I
was sitting in a remote beach bar in "Old Mexico" (We called it "Old Mexico" due
to our proximity to "New Mexico" lest anyone become confused). Over a margarita,
I struck up a conversation with an ex-O'Donneller...O'Donnellite...whatever. He
asked me if I knew O'Donnell, and of course, anyone worth their salt from West
Texas knows O'Donnell equals Dan Blocker, not to mention the old silo visible
from the hi-way.
My experience with O'Donnell began with a chance meeting
with one of Texas finest, who stopped me just to say hello...and give me a ticket
for going 85 mph. That chance meeting provided me with the phone number of the
Justice of the Peace there in town. About a week later, I dutifully called the
Judge from Lamesa during a gasoline stop to find out how to get to his office.
He gave the standard West Texas directions that involved THE silo, the gin, a
fork in the road and the local bank. I could have just mailed in my fine, but
I have learned to never pass up an opportunity to meet West Texans on their home
turf. Therefore, I decided to contest my ticket, even though I was guilty as sin.
I explained my situation to the Judge, and he pointed out that I would, of course,
need to take my case to the highest court in the county "up at Tahoka". We talked
for the better part of an hour and a half and and bonded as only West Texans can
do in such a short period of time. As I was leaving, he called out to me with
what has become a well-worn family quote about people we don't know.
He
asked "Don't you live up at Lubbock?"
"Yes, sir. I do" I said.
"Do you know a feller up there by the name of Charlie Looney?"
"No, sir."
I responded. "I don't think I do. What does Mr. Looney do up at Lubbock?"
After a thoughtful pause he responded "Well...right now...he's dead."
I suspected that perhaps Charlie might someday get a better deal, but just not...right
now. - H. Legg, Somewhere in West Texas, August 16, 2006
Timpson,
Texas 8-17-06
Subject:
The History of Timpson
I was wondering if [anyone] can help me. I understand
there is a book, The History of Timpson. Does anyone know who published it or
how I could go about getting a copy? There are pictures of my relatives in it
and I own a very old handmade quilt sewn by Mrs. Cozart who is also featured in
the book. My mother was Helen Elizabeth Jennings who taught in the Timpson School
system. It was a time when the school was so short of funds they were unable to
pay their employees. I still have the chalk box she kept on her desk. Any help
would be appreciated. Thank you very much.-
Carolyn Carney, ccarney1@earthlink.net , Winnsboro, Texas, August 15, 2006.
Jud, Texas 8-16-06
Dear
TE, Just a note to say that I grew up a few miles north of Jud, almost due west
and ten miles from O'Brien and east of Kiowa Peak on the Salt Fork of the Brazos.
My father worked for an oil company and I attended Knox City schools. I write
fiction and have had published many stories, using Jud as a partially fictional
town, peopled with colorful characters. These stories are published in small,
mostly university literary magazines but I hope one day to put together in a collection.
Thank you two for the work that you are doing. I think it's wonderful
and you should be applauded. I was both surprised and happy to find Jud and other
local communities (many which were much larger and more 'alive' in the late 50s
when I graduated from HS and moved on). Thank you and best wishes - Jim Finley,
Friendswood, Texas, August 15, 2006
Double
Mountain, Texas 8-16-06
Dear TE, My family lived
in the old house, close to the mountains, that was shown in your article.
My
Dad was Walter Franklin Collom, one of 14 children in the Collom clan close to
Aspermont. He was killed in 1943, and my Mother, Flossie, sister Faye, and little
brother Tracy, moved to the little farm my Dad had purchased a few miles out of
Denton, in Aubrey, Texas. The copperheads were as bad in Aubrey, as the rattlesnakes
had been in Peacock and Aspermont. I will be in Aspermont over the Labor Day weekend
for the Collom reunion. It is very sad that only one son of the family of 14 will
be there.
My double cousin, Jean Collom, sent the picture, and the other
information in your article. Thanks, Grady F. Collom, August 15, 2006
Rice,
Texas 8-16-06
I ran across your website that had some information on Rice TX and I read the
article from Robert Erisman IV about a man who got his arm cut off in the cotton
gin. Yes that did happen, it was my grandfather, his name was Jack Leach, he ran
the cotton gin for brothers J.B & James Fortson for over 40 years. He lived in
the house on the same property. When I was a child we would play in the cotton
seed barn until we would get in trouble, then back again as soon as we could.
It was so much fun growing up there. You could ride your bikes or horses anytime
or anywhere and didn’t have to worry about anything.
The stories about
Bonnie & Clyde I am not sure about robbing the bank but I do know they stayed
at the hotel that used to be downtown, there was pictures at one time in the Pioneer
Village in Corsicana of them there.
My mother is 72 and lived in Rice
her entire life and I still have family there. I was in the last class to graduate
from the old school 8th grade before they tore it down back in the 70’s. It had
a fire slide that would go up to the 3rd floor we used to climb out on the ledge
walk around it & slide down it was a blast, yes we would get in trouble from teachers
& parents but it was worth it. Thanks. - Sharon K. Vaclavik, August 14, 2006
Star,
Texas 8-13-06
I
graduated in 2004 from Star High School, there was 8 of us that graduated. Star
school still plays Basketball, Six man football, Tennis and Track. We are a very
small community, but our school is still running, this year (2006) Star is a favorite
to make the playoffs in football for the first time in 21 years. So anybody that
attended this great school we invite u to come and support your alma mater and
cheer them on a great season. - Gerardo Martinez, August 11, 2006
Notrees,
Texas 8-13-06
Mr.
Bill Cannon asked what the town's name was before it was Notrees. It did not have
a name and that's how Notrees came to be. To have a post office a community first
needed a name and there wasn't one. Attached is a picture of the Notrees
Historical Marker which pretty much explains it. Charlie Brown (our neighbor
across the highway) filled out an application to establish a post office and he
wrote "no trees" in the post office request form for a name suitable for local.
Prior to that oilfield hands just called it TXL after the gasoline plant. Incidently,
the Historical Marker is right in front or where our house was in the Shell Oil
Company camp. Thanks. - George Hollis, August 02, 2006
Hale
Center, Texas 8-13-06
Dear TE, My name is Marylou
Madrid. I was born in Hale Center, Texas but moved to Phoenix, Arizonia at the
age of six. I am now forty-nine and don't know much about my hometown. I would
love to see my hometown before my end of time. I was told that we lived next to
some railroad tracks and I kind of remember looking out of a big picture window
when it was snowing and hanging out with a little boy by the name of Willie picking
up all kinds of frogs and putting them in empty coffee cans. To this day I still
collect nic nacks of frogs. My parents are deceased now and I don't have not one
picture of my home town. When people ask me where I was born and I tell them Hale
Center, Texas - they look at me like I'm nuts and say "I never heard of Hale Center
- where in the heck is that?" Even if I don't know much about my hometown, all
I can say is that I'm proud to be a Texan. Thank you and God bless Hale Center,
Texas....forever. - Marylou Madrid, August 11, 2006
Tehuacana,
Texas 8-12-06
Subject: Westminster College
Photo
Dear TE, I ran across this photo in our collections the other
day and found your website. I believe it is the building you have on your website.
- Bill Stafford, Research Library Supervisor, Louisiana Secretary of State, Archives
Division, August 11, 2006
New
London, Texas
8-11-06
I have looked at your coverage of the explosion
at the New London school and you have done a good job covering it. I hope you
can expand your coverage as possible. My interest is because my mother, Betty
Joe Beasley, was one of the younger kids who was waiting for an older sibling
to meet them at the bus. She was waiting on her sister, my Aunt, Nadine Beasley.
Nadine was the young lady that was found on the remains of the second floor of
the building and had to be coaxed to jump into a mans arms to safety. They both
are alive and well living in Longview and Kilgore.- Randall L. West, Milwaukie,
Oregon, August 09, 2006
Subject:
A Notrees
story 8-7-06
Attached
is an excerpt from a memoir I wrote. It is about an impressionable experience
while growing up in Notrees
Texas.
My family and I lived there from 1949 to mid 1955. My entire
elementary school experience was spent there. It was a busy crossroads of an oilfield
town that had eight or nine oil field camps and an active social life in those
camps. The environment for a young boy growing was a sort of heaven of freedom
with the vast countryside offering many opportunities for camping, arrowhead hunting,
archeological wonders, and a friendly population. In my opinion, life was good
in those years. I don't regret one moment of growing up in that part of Texas.
The family photo of the two couples depicts my parents and their two friends.
I am not sure who took. I doubt anyone living knows. Beginning on the left is
my mother, Lillian Moore and to her left is her husband ( my father) A. J. (Blackie)
Moore. They were residents of Notrees from the September of 1949 through the summer
of 1955. Next to them is Willard Van Brunt and his wife Helen Van Brunt. They
were residents of Notrees from 1949 through 1950 (circa). Willard, a Shell Oil
Company employee, was called into the Korean War conflict as a flight instructor
in T-33 Thunderbird jets. He was the one who buzzed Notrees with a student in
the story I wrote. He died in 1957 in a fiery car accident in Venezuela. As of
2006, his wife and children are still my friends. My mother Lillian died of pancreatitis
in 1960. My father died in 1976.
The six years in Notrees that we spent
as a family probably represented the zenith of the Notrees years as it related
to population and commerce. The year 1960 represented the beginning of a dramatic
decline in that area due to the oil company's decision to move their oil operations
to North Africa, and primarily to Saudi Arabia. That move is what killed the Permian
Basin economy as we knew it and it moved to just a well servicing economy.
My early years in that area are greatly appreciated. Now, Notrees
is a ghost town in my opinion, but at one time it was the equivalent of a boom
town. I enjoyed it. - Mike Moore, August 03, 2006
I spend the majority of my time on the Internet researching places, towns, buildings,
etc and your magazine is a great help. Your writers are excellent. Your magazine
is very informative and I would like to thank you for the work you do. - Sylvia
Mills, August 06, 2006
Cisco,
Texas - Crosses
N of I - 20 8-7-06
I pass through [Cisco], and have done so for sixty plus years. I love the friendly
people there. Everything concerning Cisco / Eastland is of interest to me. I do
have one question:
What is the story on the beautiful white crosses on the
hill, north of I -20? Is there a public road leading to them? My preacher asked
me, but I did not have an answer. They are beautiful though. If anyone can tell
me, please contact me - ibbilly@bluebonnet.net. - Billy Floyd, Mt.Pleasant,
Texas, August 06, 2006
Girvin,
Texas 8-4-06
I have just discovered your [magazine]. I began to read and soon realized two
hours had passed. What a great collection! I read your [page on] Girvin, Texas.
I spent one of the most memorable eveninngs of my life in Girvin in about 1992.
National Geographic magazine had done an article on the Pecos river that included
"New" Girvin and the Girvin Social Club. The minute I saw the picture, I knew
I had to go. A couple of years went by, and I finally decided to make the trip.
The story of that evening is a long one, and I will spare you that, but suffice
it to say that I, along with a new aquaintance named Ernest (a sheep rancher)
and about a half dozen other nearby residents had quite a time at the Social Club
that evening.
What prompted me to write you was another story written
by one of your readers about Girvin that included a reference to the Helmers Store.
Several years after my evenings initiation to "The Club", I returned once again
with a woman I was dating at the time. She loved the place as much as I had. We
met a young man named Thomas Helmers. He must have been about eight years old
or so at the time in about 1996 or 1997. The name didn't mean anything to me at
the time, but this young man has remained a part of my memories since then. We
talked with him for quite some time, and he was quite taken with my girlfriend,
Lisa. At one point, he stood and disappeared into the back room of the Social
Club. He returned with a basketball...obviously new and quite precious to him.
He signed his name in an eight year olds scrawl requiring much brow knitting and
tongue movement and presented his treasure to Lisa. She beamed with gratitude
and was quite touched by this show of selflessness.
Long story short,
Lisa's life was cut short by breast cancer at age 31...only three years after
we met Thomas. As I write you, I am holding his basketball in my lap admiring
his carefully wrought signature. I have held onto it as a reminder of yet another
very special moment in Girvin, Texas. Thank you, Thomas. Your generosity brightened
her life and she always spoke of you. It has given me something wonderful to hold
onto. I hope we meet again one day, so that I can thank you in person. Best regards,
Houston Legg, July 31, 2006
Notrees,
Texas 8-1-06
It's good to see Notrees still lives in many of our memories. 1949 to 1952 were
the best years of my life. I did 4th, 5th, & 6th grades at Notrees Elementary
then we moved into Odessa where I started the 7th at Bowie JH and finished at
OHS in ' 58. The worst move of my life. Cried for days - seriously. Notrees was
the perfect place for a 9 to 12 year old boy. I had a dog (Buddy) and a .22 rifle
and walked the whole cap rock hunting rabbits. Actually got sprayed right in the
face by a skunk one morning when I was running my trap line with my buddy Jim
Tom. Heck, we would take our 22 rifles with us on the school bus so we could hunt
rabbits while we walked home after school. Can you imagine that in today's world?
My Dad worked for Shell and we lived in the camp directly across from
Brown's drug store/post office. In fact, Lanita Brown was my first girlfriend
in the 4th grade. Sadly she died of cancer in 1998 just months before our 40th
Odessa High School reunion. Her daddy named Notrees and her mother was post mistress
until she retired. Ms. Brown died in Ruidosa NM a couple of years ago where she
was living with her daughters Diane and Judy. We kept in touch through Christmas
cards.
I've used Notrees Elementary as an example of efficiency in education
often. Total of four staff members for 1st through 6th grades. Mr. Miller taught
5th and 6th, was the principal, the sports coach, and ran it all. Ms. Clark was
3rd & 4th, while Ms. Miller was 1st and 2nd - and they all did their own administrative
support. Mr. Adams drove the bus, was building custodian, plumber, electrician,
heating plant engineer (no a/c in those days), grounds keeper, and jack of all
trades - not to mention school nurse. I still have a scar on my wrist where Mr.
Adams dug a mesquite thorn out with his pocket knife! Would you believe that they
actually held kids back that didn't pass, and even bumped kids ahead a grade when
they learned two grades at once.
I spent 20 years in the Air Force and
settled down here in San Antonio in 1982. Although I lived in Odessa 1952 - 1960,
everyone knows me as the guy from Notrees, Texas. I guess I've told too many stories
about the good days out there.
Long live Notrees Texas and the Cap Rock
Cafe (best cheeseburgers in the world!!!) !!! - George Hollis, San Antonio,
July 30, 2006
Pyote,
Texas 8-1-06
Dear
TE, I really enjoy your write-ups [for towns in] Texas Escapes. I was reading
the article about Peyote and would like to offer some corrections. Yes, the Enola
Gay was there and in 1953 during Armed Forces Day it was on display and the public
(including me) was allowed to crawl all over it - even sit in the pilot's seat.
I'm sure I appreciate it now much more than I did then when I was 12. However,
the comment about the Swoose being General MacArthur's plane is inaccurate. His
plane was "Baatan." Please go to these websites for information: http://www.463rd.com/swoose.htm
http://home.st.net.au/~dunn/usaaf/bataan.htm
Thanks, George Hollis,
San Antonio, July 30, 2006
Fink,
Texas 8-1-06
Dear
TE, In your information about the town of Fink, Texas. When you are speaking about
Fredrick (Fred) Finke there is an "e" on the end of his name. The Finke's that
settled here in Fink, Texas were dairy farmers. The "e" was taken off by the Governor
to make the name shorter. Just a little note of history. Charlotte Finke, Great-Great
Granddaughter of Fredrick Finke, Fink, Texas, July 31, 2006
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