Menard County Texas |
1916 News
Menard Messenger
Vol. IX No. 12
January 13, 1916
(page 7)
"Grandma" Ellis And 117 Descendants Gather At Family Reunion At Menardville Texas
Notable Assemblage Consisted of Mrs. Mary Ann Ellis, 7 Children, 58 Grandchildren and two Great-great Children
(From Menard County Enterprise Friday June 26, 1903)
Last Thursday the 18th, the Ellis family held a reunion at Oak Knoll in front of the beautiful residence of W. B. Ellis. There was a large crowd present who enjoyed the celebration immensely. A grand barbecue was an important feature of the day. The young people enjoyed a most delightful dance at night. By five o'clock in the evening the beautiful grove was alive with young people from all parts of the county, who assembled to enjoy the dance. A large pavilion was built just above the spring in a nice level place.
W. C. Brooks was orator of the day and spoke just before noon. He spoke in substance as follows: "Ladies and gentlemen in accepting the invitation with which you have honored me to address you on this occasion I do not without a consciousness of my own inability to interest this gathering of splendid youth and age. However I am proud to be the spokesman at the reunion of such an illustrious family. When I first came to Menardville I was impressed not only with the number of the Ellis family but of their sterling worth as broad minded citizens devoted to law and order and this fact inspired me to enquire further into their merits and family history.
Asa Ellis and wife came to Texas from Ala in 1852. They came to Menard county in 1866 and lived in the old San Saba Mission. This part of the country was wild and desolate. Mr. Ellis tanned leather and made his own shoes, drove his cattle to St. Louis and Kansas City. He was an honorable upright citizen and a hard worker, consequently accumulated some wealth. Mr. Ellis and good wife endured many hardships during those frontier days. The Indians were here and harassed the early settlers by stealing their cattle and horses and making life among them a misery. On one occasion Mr. Ellis and Peter Robinson were attacked by Indians and had to fight for their lives. Mr. Robinson today wears a scar inflicted by an Indian arrow, as a reminder of frontier lie in Texas. Mrs. Sherman, the nearest and only neighbor of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis was brutally scalped by the Indians.
We know not the hardships of our early settlers. Mr. Asa Ellis was the proud father of nine children, seven of whom are today living. Mrs. Culp?, Mrs. Nixon, W. B., I. W., W. C. and Abe Ellis and Mrs. J. N. Maddox, they have children and great grand children and great-great grandchildren. There are 58 grandchildren 50 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren, Wade Crowell and J. A. Bevans, Jr.
Mrs. Asa Ellis is today living and with us, certainly the great creator of the universe has smiled upon this family. Mrs. Ellis should feel honored that she has been permitted to see great great grandchildren.
This is a wonderful family and here at last assembled together in this lovely grove each for the others welfare, and in the happy gathering I behold a picture of life I see the trembling form of age doubly honored for his hoary head, the husband and wife for whom the shadows are just commencing to fall toward the East, the young man preparing to take up his father's burdens, the happy girl blooming into lovely womanhood, and I reflect how narrow is the span from the prating babe in its mother's arms to the aged parent falling beneath the weight of years and when I think of this and see you gathered here on such an occasion, I know that you have a true conception of how these fleeting years should be spent. Would it were that every family used such efforts to bring enjoyment to those bound to them by the ties of blood that they might from seeing the happy results branch further into a life filled with kindness and extend their interest to all bound to them by the ties of humanity, that were the case we might look for the golden dawning of that grander day when man to man the world over shall brother be for all that. When in the distant future you are severed wide each journeying the path of life selected by desire are forced by the hands of fate whatever joys may light your way, whatever sorrows may bind your form eternally will not efface this 18th day of June when you met in Joyous union. And when the storms of many Winters have feebled your now steady tread you will find when pondering over the past recollections of this glorious day ever green when time Sweep down to Eternity's shore.
Let fate do her worst there are moments of joy
Bright dreams of the past which she cannot destroy
That came in the night-time of sorrow and care,
And bring back the features that joy use to wear.
--------------------------------
(page 8)
Jno. Frazier wants to thank his friends and patrons for their great patience with which they waited for their work during the siege of sickness which Mr. Frazier had at his home. He now has a competent man helping him and is again able to turn out first class work in record breaking time.
--------------------------------
Injured Girl Taken To San Angelo Hospital
Dr Miller and Miss Lucille Mathews and her brother, Jewel, left Saturday for San Angelo, where Miss Lucile will be placed in a hospital. It is feared that the young lady was hurt much more seriously in the auto accident of week before last than was at first supposed. It is feared that her skull is fractured and that an operation will be necessary.
--------------------------------
The Menard Messenger
Vol IX No. 20
Thursday, March 9, 1916
(page 3)
Called Here Account Father's Illness
H. G. Spinks of Menard was hurriedly called to the bedside of his father, L. M. Spinks, at Valley Spring the first of the week. He was accompanied from his home by his wife and three children. They will return to their homes in Menard the last of this week.
Mr. L. M. Spinks was seriously ill but for the last few days he has evidenced much improvement and we are pleased to be able to report him out of immediate danger.----Llano News
--------------------------------
The Menard Messenger
Vol IX No. 22
Thursday, March 23, 1916
(page 1)
Kimble County Man Commits Suicide
Word was received here, Saturday, that Will Heifner an employee of Chas. Schreiner on his ranch in Kimble County committed suicide, Saturday. He told his fellow workmen of his intention but nobody thought much of it thinking that he was joking. He stepped into the bedroom and blew off the top of his head with a shotgun. Mr. Heifner has been acting strangely for the past few weeks and it is thought that he became insane.
--------------------------------
Arrested for Bigamy
A. C. Jernigan, who was married a few days since in Llano was arrested and brought back here this week and has been placed in the county jail. His examining trial will come up on the 25th of this month.
Jernigan was recently married here in Llano to Miss Retta Willford. It is alleged that he has a wife in Junction City from whom he has never secured a divorce. --Llano News
--------------------------------
(page 3)
A New Attorney
F. T. Neel of Ballinger has opened up a law office over the bank of Menard. Mr. Neel is no stranger to Menard people and they all join in extending to him and his wife a cordial welcome.
--------------------------------
The Menard Messenger
Vol IX No. 23
Thursday, March 30, 1916
(page 1)
Ferdinand Jenkins Waylaid and Shot Twice
Ferdinand Jenkins, a well known Mason County Farmer was waylaid twelve miles west of Mason, Sunday evening by Tom Stone a former employee of Mr. Jenkins and shot twice with a 30-30. One bullet entered the back of the neck and passed through the body; the other passed through his side. Mr. Jenkins' life however, is not in great danger and he is resting easy. Stone made an attack upon Jenkins a few months back but did not succeed in hitting Jenkins although he fired a number of shots. Family trouble is said to be the cause of the shooting Stone is now under heavy bond.
--------------------------------
(page 7)
Mrs. John Frazier left Sunday, for Junction where she will spend a few weeks with her sister, Mrs. Goben. Mrs. Frazier is in hopes that the change will benefit her health.
John Loyd in the company of Rev. Nichols left, Sunday for Dallas where Mr. Loyd was taken to the Baptist Sanitarium for examination by physicians. It is thought that the trouble is gangrene and that the removal of the leg will be necessary.
--------------------------------
The Menard Messenger
Vol. IX No 27
Thursday, April 27, 1916
W. W. Lewis returned home Sunday, from Dallas where he was called by the serious illness of his brother, Charles. Mr. Lewis states that there is little hope of his brother’s recovery and that death may come any time. Mr. Chas. Lewis is well known in Menard and his many friends here will learn with sincere regret of his illness.
--------------------------------
(page 7)
NOTE: The following article by Capt. J. J. Callan supposedly began in the Thursday, April 20, 1916 issue. Unfortunately, April 20, 1916 is missing from the binding. The story then continues in the May 4, 1916 issue.
Last Old Landmark
(continued from last week)
by Capt. J. J. Callan
Tivy’s response was “Pack everything up carefully. Be particular about this stationary box. I will not complete my field notes until we reach Austin. You, Terry and Callan, take position on the brow of the hill overlooking the Mission and notice when everything is still in the Indian camp and report. Then we will move cautiously. Yes, I know the Indian character and we all know the strategy used by this same Comanches, a hundred years ago when they surprised and massacred the missionaries in this very valley. Tetunsa has the name of being friendly, but we will let him and his braves pursue their way in peace to their heap of plata. We will try our luck at Austin for a while.”
But, I began my story to relate some of the more recent incidents in the history of the old Live Oak tree, the last landmark on the bank of the San Saba. It was under this tree that Grandpa Callan, in 1870, forty-six years ago, intent on building up a city stretched his tent. He was not worth a dollar then and has bravely held his own ever since, neither increasing nor diminishing his pile, but has splendidly succeeded in an effort to populate the embryo city and the surrounding territory. Under this tree the younger members of the family disported, learning to play mumbly peg and the rudiments of an English education from Webster’s Blue Back speller. The book was a constant companion and neighbors would often remark:
“Old Baldy, you are crowding your boys too much.” The boys may have thought so too, sometimes, but they afterward came to the conclusion that the crowding was all that made them worth a “cofferdam”, and they grew up a respectable element in their country and men and women that never caused the blush of shame to flush their parents cheeks.
If this old tree had the power of speech many incidents of interest in the history of Menard could be related, but the groans extracted from its trunk at the hand of the cruel axman that felled it are hushed forever.
It was under this tree that “Old Business,” the sheriff of Menard, had his cheek slapped because he made no effort to stop a religious disturbance. It was under the same tree the sheriff got even with Grandpa by taking him for a log breaking into the corn crib. A moment before, Grandpa with a pitchfork in hand rushed in and “Old Business” came just then with an armful of rocks and began firing. The first rock took effect on Grandpa’s arm and he dropped his fork but did not forget to yell out. When the sheriff found his mistake and started an explanation, Grandpa stopped “Well, Howard, you are even with me now.”
It was under this tree that Paddy Fields fought in vain for his enamorata, Kitty when her relatives rescued her and conveyed her away. Paddy was gone on Miss Kitty, and she was not indifferent to his attentions, but her relatives were not an agreeable mind, and they conveyed her away to her home on the Colorado river. Paddy was determined not to be robbed of his love in such manner and would follow at any cost.
(To be continued)
--------------------------------
The Menard Messenger
Vol. IX No 28
Thursday, May 4, 1916
(page 1)
The members of the S. A. Allison family held a family reunion here, Saturday, and were royally entertained by John Allison and wife. It is the first time in twenty-five years that the family have been together and the occasion was one of rejoicing and merrymaking. John provided a big barbecue and roast turkey on the banks of the San Saba and everybody had a splendid time. Those present were: Mrs. S. A. Allison of Mason County, Prof. E. L. Allison and G. B. Allison of Concho, Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick of Mason, Mr. and Mrs. S. Wilson of McCullough, Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Puitt of Concho and John Allison and his wife.
The Last Old Landmark
(by Capt. J. J. Callan)
(continued from last week)
He was bound to pursue, and luckily or unluckily for his purpose, Asa Ellis and a party of stockmen, were starting next morning to examine the records of Brown county clerk. In those days responsible shippers of cattle, gathered all cattle in the range for shipment, and the herds of such were inspected and all brands and marks recorded in the clerks office, and the value of all steers of persons not present was deposited with the clerk subject to the claims of absent owners. This was at a time after the war, when Texans were a law unto themselves.
Paddy had no cattle to inquire about, but Kitty was gone, and he believed Brown county was the place to find her, and this was of more importance to him than was all the cows in Texas.
He was gone on Kitty and it was presumed she had given him encouragement. But her friends had a different notion and to break up the attachment carried her off. Paddy about that time was somewhat inclined to drown his troubled spirit, by the indulgence in spirits of another kind, and when the party of cowmen was about to start he proposed taking a few bottles along.
These cowmen were no saints, but on this trip, an expedition of business, and the motto was “business before pleasure” and none proposed to take any stimulants along; but for Paddy’s satisfaction, they agreed that he might take along a bottle of California Vinegar Bitters. He knew nothing of the stuff but the name “Bitters” was sufficient to reconcile him. At the first nights camp, at Saddle Gap, in the Brady mountains, Paddy pulled the stopper from his bottle and offered it around. The boys politely declined to drink, assuring paddy that they agreed that this was to be a purely sober trip. Paddy took a generous swallow, but grinningly remarked: “it may be good, but it has a H___ of a taste.” The boys knew all about it, but said nothing.
About bed time, when they had made their pallets down, Paddy took another swig, and after a time another. That was the last swig of California Bitters he ever took. Next morning Paddy was in no condition to continue with the cowmen. Between frequent stops he got as far as the river and the boys saw no more of him for weeks. He never caught up with Kitty and never was he heard to mention her nor Vinegar Bitters, until one day six months afterward he was in the store at Menard when a traveler stopped and asked if they had anything in the medicine line good for constipation? The clerk replied, “nothing but this,” pointing to a row of Vinegar Bitter bottles. “Do you know anything about it?” the man asked. This was Paddy’s time (and by the way Paddy was a born stutterer.) “Y-e-e-s I know. Its the be-e-st thing yo-u-u ever sa-a-aw, an it will kill you too, dam-d if hit don’t.”
Paddy was giving his experience on the trip to Brown county but had never mentioned before. Poor old Paddy, he had his troubles here; but he overcame them. He removed to San Antonio, reformed his life, accumulated property and died two years ago, respected by his fellow citizens who mourned his loss.------continued next week
(NOTE: I didn’t find a continuation of this story in the May 11, 1916 issue)
--------------------------------
(page 3)
Mrs. W. L. Oliver and daughter, Mrs. Earnest Wilkinson were in San Antonio last week visiting relatives.
--------------------------------
The Menard Messenger
Vol. IX No. 32
Thursday, June 1, 1916
(page 1)
Jake Petmecky of Austin was here Saturday, shaking hands with old friends.
Joab L. Alexander, of Redland New Mexico, is shaking hands with old friends in this county and looking after his business interests here.
--------------------------------
(page 3)
Mrs. Hockensmith, an old Pioneer Texan and resident of Menard County for forty five years but now of Schleicher County is a guest at the Jimmie Bevans ranch.
W. C. Kiehne is moving into his house west of Daniel Benchoff’s which he has recently remodeled. Oscar Vehle has rented the Kiehne home on San Saba Ave.
--------------------------------
(page 8)
Mrs. Johanna Wilhelm and daughter, Miss Clara were in from the ranch, Friday.
--------------------------------
The Menard Messenger
Vol. IX No. 33
Thursday, June 8, 1916
(page 1)
Mrs. M. W. Shelley left, last Thursday for Winters, Texas where she joined her brother, J. Q. McAdams and family on a trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado, going through in an auto. She will be gone about a month.
Buys Cabinet Shop
V. W. Parker closed a deal Monday, whereby he becomes owner of the W. O. Kirchner cabinet shop. Mr. Parker needs no introductory to the people of Menard, for he has had much experience in cabinet shop work and we predict for him a bright future.
--------------------------
(page 3)
Roy Frazier and wife of Paris are visiting at the home of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jno Frazier.
At a special meeting of the Eastern Star lodge, Tuesday night the following officers were elected: Mrs. Mary Hartgraves re-elected, W. M., Mrs. Emma Patton, Associate Matron, Chas. Patton, W. P., Mrs. Ella Schaefer, Conductress; Mrs. Sophy Toepperwein, Associate Conductress; Mrs. Elva Vander Stucken, re-elected Secretary.
-----------------------
(page 6)
Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey last Friday took Mrs. Lindsey’s father, B. H. Gray out to visit with is son, Carrol Gray and family on Calf Creek, for a while. Mr. Gray has been in pour health for some time and it is hoped the change will do him good.
Mrs. J. E. Brown and daughter Nellie came down from Brady Saturday for a visit with Mrs. Brown’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Summersville.
Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Russell and children spent a few days this week in Mason visiting with Mrs. Russell’s mother, Mrs. Grandstaff.
---------------------------------
(page 8)
Tom Sellman and family and two sisters, Misses Maude and Julia Sellman, all of Rochelle, were in Menard last Friday.
Jim Rogers came in from his ranch last week on his way to Llano on business. His daughter, Miss Myrtle came with him and spent Sunday in Menard.
Mrs. Will Callan and son Joe went to Brady, Monday for a few days visit with Mrs. Callan’s mother, Mrs. Tindall who has been sick.
-----------------------
The Menard Messenger
Vol IX No. 34
Thursday, June 15, 1916
(page 2)
Hext News
Irv Ellis and son-in-law, W. L. Puckett were in Hext, Tuesday.
Tom Northcut, son of A. J. Northcut, came home several days ago from Ozona where he had been for some time.
J. G. Hodges and two grand daughters, Miss Gertrude Martin and Miss Lenora McCollum were in Menard, Wednesday and reported a nice time.
Mrs. Lively is visiting her mother, Mrs. J. G. Hodges for several days this week.
-----------------------------
(page 3)
Nauwald Baby Drinks Kerosene
Tuesday afternoon, William Nauwald the baby boy of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Nauwald, while at the Schaefer home drank a cup of kerosene which had been left on the floor of the garage. At the time of going to press the condition of the baby was still serious although there is hope of his recovery.
-------------------------
The Menard Messenger
Vol. IX No. 39
Thursday, July 20, 1916
(page 1)
Old Timer Here
Chas Lewis, who in years gone by was in the mercantile business in Menard with his brother, is here from Dallas visiting his brother, W. W. and family and many friends. Mr. Lewis is slowly recovering from his recent serious illness. He said he knew that if he could ever get back to Menard his health would quickly improve.
--------------------------------
(page 3)
HEXT NEWS
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gage, of Calf Creek are visiting the latters parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sellers.
Bronsen, the little son of Mrs. Calista Deland, was kicked by a horse Sunday night. The wound was severe but he is getting along nicely now.
Fred Slaughter and family of Menard, spent Saturday and Sunday with the latter's parents Mr. and Mrs. B. M. Westbrook.
------------------------------
The Menard Messenger
Vol. IX No. 40
Thursday, July 27, 1916
Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Rhoades of North Menard are entertaining this week in a family reunion their six daughters and their families. All their children are present and all grandchildren but two grandsons and a granddaughter. The daughters are; Mrs. Will Lake of this city, Mrs. McClarey of El Paso, Mrs. Will Smith of Red Rock, Mrs. Winston Moore of Smithville, Mrs. J. D. Sawyer of Port Arthur and Miss Eva Rhoades of this city. The visiting grandchildren, Frank Gould and wife and Oran Smith of Red Rock, Mrs. Leslie Lake of Sherwood, Mrs. Carl Frenzel of Mason and Miss Celeste Moore of Smithville. Six children, ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren are present at this happy reunion.
----------------------------
(page 8)
J. A. Dozier is in receipt of a telegram from Mount Vernon that his grand daughter Mary Gibbons had been killed by lightning. They were unable to attend the funeral.
S. R. Rhoades of Sweetwater, arrived Monday to visit the family of his brother, J. H. Rhoades and be present at the family reunion.
The Menard Messenger
Vol. IX No. 41
Thursday, August 3, 1916
Frank Slaughter gathered the members of his family together from the different parts of the state, Sunday, and treated them all to one good square meal. There were nineteen present and each on had his or her appetite along and came prepared to enjoy the sumptuous dinner prepared by Mrs. Slaughter. Among those from out of town was Cap Bellows and his family from Mason and Clayburn Baker and wife of Port Arthur.
(page 3)
William Menzies and daughter Miss Letha and son, Walter of Kitchens were in Hext, Monday.
Ben Hext and wife, who have been visiting at the Hext home here returned to their home at Eldorado last week. They were accompanied by Mr. Hext's mother and sister, Florence, who will visit in Eldorado for a while.
The Menard Messenger
Vol. IX No. 44
Thursday, August 24, 1916
(page 8)
Mrs. W. W. Simpson who has been spending a few days with Earnest Alexander and family has returned to her home in Carlsbad, New Mexico Saturday.
The Menard Messenger
Vol. IX No. 46
Thursday, September 7, 1916
Mrs. Ferd Wilson and son Douglas of Sanderson and daughter Mrs. Jerry Monroe of Sheffield came in Wednesday of last week in their Ford for a visit at the Roeck home. Little Miss Nellie Roeck who has been visiting in Sanderson returned with them.
The Menard Messenger
Vol IX, No. 47
Thursday, September 14, 1916
Mrs. L. P. Sieker and little granddaughter Nancy Wilson, who have been guests at the Ed and Herbert Mears homes returned to Austin last Wednesday.
The Menard Messenger
Vol IX, No. 48
Thursday, September 21, 1916
(page 8)
Mr. and Mrs. Lem Crawford were called to Fredericksburg Friday by the illness of their daughter Delora, who was visiting there.
The Menard Messenger
Vol IX, No. 49
Thursday, September 28, 1916
H. McCaleb was over from Kimble the first of the week
The Menard Messenger
Vol IX, No. 52
Thursday, October 19, 1916
(page 1)
Old Timer Here
Jim Murray and family came in Thursday from their home at Golbe, Arizona, for a few days visit with relatives and friends, before going on to Burnett. The Murrays are traveling in a Studebaker Six. Mr. Murray is one of the pioneer settlers of this county leaving here twenty-eight years ago. He told us many interesting tales of the early days when the entire population of the county was less than forty families and he said that a jury trial then was a serious matter for a jury was then made up of thirty voters and it took every available man in the county and meant a matter of weeks before they could all be gathered together.
The Menard Messenger
Vol X, No. 2
Thursday, November 2, 1916
(page 1)
Menard Boys Are Manhandled-Show Roustabouts Attack Two Boys--Cutting One and Hitting The Other with Iron Bound Stake. One Man Captured.
Dan Westbrook and Otis Walker, two Menard boys had close calls to being killed last Saturday night at Cole Bros. shows. Dan Westbrook was struck twice on the head with an iron bound stake pin and kicked severely in the stomach while on the grounds and Otis Walker who was with Dan and attempted to help him was cut several times around the throat.
It seems that the boys had just paid their way into one of the sideshows and were going in when the show closed and they met the crowd coming out. The show men stopped them and when they started to explain one of them struck Dan. Otis tried to help and was cut. The man who hit Dan was held by J. E. Keeler, a special Police, but the other escaped. The sheriff and his deputies made every effort to apprehend the man who did the cutting but altho several men were detained not on of them could be positively identified.
Otis was taken to the local drug store where he was examined and his wounds altho bleeding profusely were found to be not dangerous. Dan was taken home and for a time it was feared he could not recover. However, after forty-eight hours of suffering in which he was unconscious at intervals, he finally began to mend and is now pronounced out of danger.
NOTE: While I strive for accuracy in all transcriptions, please be advised that typing errors may be present. I would suggest you always verify my online information with a copy of the actual record.
All contents of this web site are the property of Alicia Brown unless otherwise noted. You are free to copy or print out pieces of information for your personal genealogical research, but nothing on this site may be used in other ways without my permission.
Have a Question or Comment About My Web Site?
Due to the increasing amount of "spam" I'm receiving from email "harvesters", I only publish my email link in jpg form. I am sorry for any inconvenience this might cause you...but I'm really tired of the "advertising trash" that is filling up my email box..
This Page Was Last Updated On:
Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:00 AM
© Alicia Brown 1999-present