Friday’s Photo: Kitty Hawk, North Carolina and Early Flights Found in the Baylor County Banner

First flight, December 17, 1903. Orville Wright at the controls and Wilbur Wright
running alongside to balance the machine just after releasing his hold on the wing.

“Some airplanes went over on Tuesday and another one yesterday. They did not stop or give any account of themselves. Perhaps after awhile airplanes will be so common that no mention will be necessary about them. In fact, even now some of the oil men at Ranger have purchased planes to be used in going to and from Fort Worth.”

— Baylor County Banner, 22 May 1919

Years ago, while searching the Baylor County Banner on microfilm, I came across the newspaper item transcribed above. It has remained one of my favorites because it says so much about how quickly things change. In 1919, airplanes were still unusual enough to be worth mentioning in the local paper, but before long, they became an ordinary part of life.

I remembered the little article last Friday when we took a day trip to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, where we visited the Wright Brothers National Memorial and the museum there. It did a wonderful job of telling the story of the Wright brothers, not just the first flight, but everything that led up to it and all that followed. The first successful powered flight took place in 1903, and yet by World War I, airplanes were already being used in the war, even while horses were still important on the ground.

 

Baylor County Banner, 22 May 1919
as found on microfilm

Later, when I tried to find the Baylor County article at the Portal to Texas History, I discovered that it was not there. But while looking, I found several other Baylor County Banner articles about early flight. Since I have written very little about Baylor County and the Banner lately, I decided this was a good excuse to share some of them.

 

“Cheapest Aeroplane $7,500. New York, May 12.—The minimum price of a Wright aeroplane has been established at $7,500. But if a high speed machine, suitable for war purposes and carrying two passengers, be ordered, the aviator may raise the price to $25,000. This schedule of prices was announced last night by Orville Wright, who with his brother, Wilbur, started for Dayton, Ohio, today, after being tendered a reception here. ‘Of the sixty odd aeroplanes which we now have under construction at our Dayton plant,’ said Orville, ‘the cheapest will be $7,500. We have received orders for a number of these from individuals, and they will be delivered as rapidly as possible.”

— Baylor County Banner, 28 May 1909

“Jas. A. Russell left Monday for the Fair and said he was going up in the aeroplane with Art Smith. Hope we see our old friend alive again.”

— Baylor County Banner, 28 October 1915

“K. C. Plants and W. B. Craddick were in Haskell Tuesday to see the flying machine at the picnic there.”

— Baylor County Banner, 6 July 1916

“The prettiest sight we have seen in a great while was the airplane that passed over Monday afternoon; it was just low enough that the boys could be seen from a distance and answered our waving.”

— Baylor County Banner, 16 June 1921

“Mr. M. W. Coy came in Monday to report on his experience in going up in the airplane. He and Mrs. Coy each took a ride Sunday afternoon with Daredevil Lirette and enjoyed the experience immensely. In fact, Mr. Coy says he would not take $500 for his ride and his wife would not take $1,000 for her air ride. Mr. Coy has been living here for 30 years or more and has seen all of this country from the ground, but it was the first time he had ever seen the country from the air. He was up 2,000 feet, and the Brazos River looked like a little branch. Big farms looked like garden plots, and the court house seemed like a mere toy. Neither one of them had the least bit of fear about going up.”

— Baylor County Banner, 22 September 1921

“An airplane passed over here Saturday and Sunday, which reminds us of ‘Lady Mary’s’ remarks, that she did not understand why the airplane had not become common for passenger use in America. This will be coming before a great while. Not long ago Edward Stinson of Mineola, N. Y., who at one time did some stunt flying at Dallas, remained in the air for 26 hours, 19 minutes and 35 seconds. He and his companion would have been able to beat that if their oil pump had not broken. France evidently believes the airplane will figure largely in the next war, so she is working on the biggest plane the world has yet seen.”

— Baylor County Banner, 2 February 1922

 

The 1903 machine rests on the launching track at Big Kill Devil Hill before the December 14 trial. Four men from the Kill Devil Hills Life-Saving Station helped move it from the shed to the hill, accompanied by two small boys and a dog. This hill, where the monument now stands, was one of four massive sand dunes. The brothers climbed these dunes thousands of times while carrying out experiments in the years before their first flight.

If you would like to learn more about the families I research, follow my Facebook page, where I share each post along with other genealogical finds.

Diana

© 2026

Baylor County Banner (Seymour, Texas), 28 May 1909, newspaper; digital image, The Portal to Texas History ( https://texashistory.unt.edu/ : accessed 16 April 2026); crediting Baylor County Free Library.

Baylor County Banner (Seymour, Texas), vol. 16, no. 4, ed. 1, 28 October 1910, newspaper; digital image, The Portal to Texas History ( https://texashistory.unt.edu/ : accessed 16 April 2026); crediting Baylor County Free Library.

Baylor County Banner (Seymour, Texas), vol. 16, no. 6, ed. 1, 11 November 1910, newspaper; digital image, The Portal to Texas History ( https://texashistory.unt.edu/ : accessed 16 April 2026); crediting Baylor County Free Library.

Baylor County Banner (Seymour, Texas), vol. 21, no. 6, ed. 1, 28 October 1915, newspaper; digital image, The Portal to Texas History ( https://texashistory.unt.edu/ : accessed 16 April 2026); crediting Baylor County Free Library.

Baylor County Banner (Seymour, Texas), vol. 21, no. 42, ed. 1, 6 July 1916, newspaper; digital image, The Portal to Texas History ( https://texashistory.unt.edu/ : accessed 16 April 2026); crediting Baylor County Free Library. 

Baylor County Banner (Seymour, Texas), 22 May 1919, page 4, column 4, untitled item beginning “Some airplanes went over on Tuesday,” microfilm in author’s possession.

Baylor County Banner (Seymour, Texas), vol. 24, no. 38, ed. 1, 16 June 1921, newspaper; digital image, The Portal to Texas History ( https://texashistory.unt.edu/ : accessed 16 April 2026); crediting Baylor County Free Library.

Baylor County Banner (Seymour, Texas), vol. 24, no. 52, ed. 1, 22 September 1921, newspaper; digital image, The Portal to Texas History ( https://texashistory.unt.edu/ : accessed 16 April 2026); crediting Baylor County Free Library.

Baylor County Banner (Seymour, Texas), vol. 17, no. 19, ed. 1, 2 February 1922, newspaper; digital image, The Portal to Texas History ( https://texashistory.unt.edu/ : accessed 16 April 2026); crediting Baylor County Free Library.

Diana Quinn, five color photographs of exhibits and views at Wright Brothers National Memorial and museum, Kill Devil Hills, Dare County, North Carolina, taken April 2026; privately held by Diana Quinn, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 2026.

Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, “[1903 machine on the launching track at Big Kill Devil Hill, prior to the December 14th trial …],” photograph, 14 December 1903; digital image, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Online Catalog (https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2001696493/

 : accessed 16 April 2026), reproduction no. LC-DIG-ppprs-00612, call no. LC-W86-21 [P&P]; from Wright Brothers Negatives; “No known restrictions.”

Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, “[First flight, 120 feet in 12 seconds, 10:35 a.m.; Kitty Hawk, North Carolina],” photograph, 17 December 1903; digital image, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Online Catalog (https://loc.gov/pictures/item/00652085/ : accessed 16 April 2026), reproduction no. LC-DIG-ppprs-00626, call no. LC-W86-35 (Cabinet A) [P&P]; from Wright Brothers Negatives; “No known restrictions on publication.”

Mexia Weekly Herald (Mexia, Texas), vol. 11, ed. 1, 8 December 1910, newspaper, Dode Fisk Shows advertisement; digital image, The Portal to Texas History (https://texashistory.unt.edu/  : accessed 16 April 2026).

Family Notes From The Baylor County Banner, Baylor County, Texas - June 5, 1919 (With a little help from AI)

The only mention of a family member in this issue was Joseph Oscar Noah. Joe, from Erath County, was a teacher at the Levelview School in Baylor County during the 1917-1918 school year. In addition, he did some teaching at the Plainview school. In newspaper articles, he is referred to as Professor J. O. Noah. These photos are some of the Baylor County photos from his album. He is pictured on the right. 

For Family: Joe was the son of Oscar Edward Noah, the son of Permelia Hairston and Joseph Sydney Noah. Permelia was the sister to my great-grandfather Phillip A. Hairston. Phillip and his wife, as well as their daughter, Myrtie, and her husband, Redic Bryan, were living in Baylor County when Joe arrived in August 1917. Phillip must have been pretty sick as both his sister, Permelia, and his sister, Mattie Thompson (both living in Erath County), visited in the next few months. Phillip died on 9 November 1917. Joe had photos in his album that I believe were taken on the day of Phillip Hairston's funeral. 

When I first posted this on my website 20 years ago, I had only a few articles from the Banner recorded for most of 1919—my family was rarely mentioned that year. However, with the war over and soldiers returning home, I knew articles about them would be of interest. While revisiting the June 5th issue, two lengthy articles caught my attention, so I experimented with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transcribe them.

AI proved to be a somewhat useful tool. I uploaded photos of the microfilmed articles, and within minutes, they were transcribed. Only about half of the text was accurate—I noticed that both the quality of the original microfilm and my photos affected the results. I had to carefully compare the AI-generated transcriptions with the originals because the applications I used—ChatGPT and Claude—didn't simply indicate when they couldn't read the text. Instead, they filled in gaps with content that seemed to match the articles, even if it wasn't accurate. 

The articles below come from the June 5, 1919, issue of the Baylor County Banner. Some are briefly summarized, while others are presented in full.

Mr. Simon Bush who has been attending Simmons College is spending a few days with his friend, Mr. Riley Henson.

An article - Canning Beans and Beets by Bess Edwards, Home Demonstration 
Agent

Contents of the pack Joe Noah carried to Europe. 

Mr. and Mrs. B. K. Rhea of the Levelview community are very happy over the arrival of a fine girl at their home on Monday night. They already have a boy and now they have a pair. 

A fine boy was born to Mrs. Tom Riebeson June the third. Mother and baby getting along fine. 

The stork visited the home of M. and Mrs. Elmer Roe on the 23rd of May and left in their care a big boy. Mother and baby are doing fine (found in Ogden community news). 

The young people are overjoyed to see their former school teacher, Professor J. O. Noah, among them again. (found in Levelview community news).

Church Reception for Soldiers

The Christian church will entertain all of her soldier boys Friday evening at nine o'clock at the Christian church. Let's all show our love and appreciation of the boys by having every member of the church present. 

WITH THE SOLDIERS.

Mr. Clarence E. Copeland, who returned recently from France, left this week with his family to visit his people in Louisiana. He will doubtless be received with a great deal of honor, all of which will be well deserved.

Mr. Copeland landed in France in February, '18. He was in the draft age and refused to claim exemption on account of his family, as he figured they would be able to get along without him. Indeed, his wife was a party to the deal, saying she and the children could make a living while the husband and father fought the battle for liberty.

However, the soldier came near losing his life before the foreign shores were reached. He was on the ill-fated Tuscania, which was blown up near the English coast by a German torpedo, causing the death of more than 400 American lads.  As it happened, this was the only American transport to be torpedoed among all those that carried 2,000,000 men to the shores of France.  Mr. Copeland got away on a raft and was picked up by a destroyer. 

Being placed in the reserve corps, Mr. Copeland was not in the fighting until April, and not until May 24 did he go over the top for the first time. After that he was quite a veteran, spending a total of 66 days on the front line trench. He was in some very tight places and received several slight wounds. He was on the Alsace-Lorraine front, at Chateau-Thierry, Verdun, the Argonne and the Meuse. He was in the 125th regiment, 32nd division. He has had enough experiences to last him the rest of his life and says they need not get up any more wars for his special benefit. 

Rowe Shawver in the Fight.

Mr. Rowe Shawver was here long enough to shake hands with everybody and has gone to Wichita, probably to get in the oil game.

Rowe was in the 141st Reg. of the 36th Division. He went over in the first days of August and landed in the front line trench on Oct 8 being in the Champagne battle. He was in that fight until Oct 26th when he was sent to the hospital on account of illness. Two days later his division was relieved and was in the fighting no more.  However, when the armistice was signed they were on their way to the Argonne north of which a knockout blow was being planned by Marshal Foch. Rowe was in the hospital in Paris. 

A rumor had it here at one time that Mr. Shawver was badly wounded.  This might easily have happened, but all are glad the searching bullets failed of the mark. As Mr. Shawver lay in his shell hole, eight bullets passed through various parts of his equipment. Only one of them did him any harm. That was only a slight wound on the forearm which healed quickly and the sear of which is now nearly gone. This happened on the first time up and must have been slightly disconcerting to a raw recruit.

Mr. Shawver can tell plenty of experiences to prove that war is no cheerful game. And he doesn't especially care to partake of any more of it. On the night of October 10 the Germans sent over a lot of gas. Our troops were in a low place and Rowe says they had to wear their gas masks all night. It meant no sleep for most of the bunch. Shelling got to be such a usual thing that not much was thought of it, but when one hit within 10 feet of you and scattered dirt all over you - well a fellow naturally doesn't care to have his clothes gotten dirty in that manner. 

"Eph" Goss Back.

Mr. E. T. Goss will not soon finish shaking hands with all his friends since getting back from the land of France.  He has been gone a good long time, and Old Texas looks mighty fine to him. Mr. Goss landed in France March 26th, 1918, and played an important part in the licking of Heine. He did not carry a gun, but helped General Pershing a lot. He was located at Chamount (Haute-Marne), which was general headquarters and he frequently saw the great American commander. 

This camp was located about 125 miles southeast of Paris and Mr. Goss was up to the big city a time or two. He says the French reverence the place very much and they are very well satisfied to live most any old way if only [tear in paper] go to the Capitol city once or twice a year. 

But the prettiest place visited by our friend was Venice. The famed city of Italy, with its canal streets. It is as pretty as it is famous. He also was in Rome and Florence. He has a lot to tell about those people. He says it is of small purpose to compare the fighting qualities of the allies. They all fought with superhuman courage and skill and all should share alike in the glory.  

We are happy to state that Mr. Goss thinks he will continue this as his home, engaging probably in his former line, the abstract business. 

Ward Back Arrives.

Mr. A. W. Beck came in the other day from France. However, he had some people living up at Vera and cleared out for home before the Banner had an opportunity to talk with him much. He got through in good shape and, from his splendid looks he seems little the worse for his experience in France. We will get hold of him sometime and find out some of his experiences. 

Mr. Hershell High has accepted his old position at the Goostree barber shop. He has made it on around after a long and more or less exciting trip. 

Mr. Carter Howard was here this week from Wichita. He is now in the oil game, but says he intends going back to school this fall and keeping up his cartoon work. 

Mr. Frank Coufal came in Saturday from France, being accompanied from Wichita Falls by his sister, Mis Valasta. He was behind on farm work and has not been seen in the town since he came in. The Banner will get hold of him some of these days. 

BOMARTON NEWS

Mr. Frazier Parks came in on a furlough and brought his new bride. His visit and also his bride was a surprise for all, for we were not looking for him at this time.  But, we must say the surprise was agreeable to his many friends here. His wife was a Miss Dodd whom he married on his way home at Ryan, Oklahoma. She once lived at Cache Creek at which place Frazier formally knew her. 

FROM GERMANY

Raubach, Germany 

Dear Mr. Harrison:

I am dropping you a few lines to let you know that the Banner is read from top to bottom, over here on the Rhine, by a lad who doesn't live so very far from Seymour. Just received a copy today. It was sorter like sitting down and having a long chat with a Buddie from my home town. Even if it is a little stale sometimes before I get it, it's good news to me just the same. I didn’t realize how strong I was for it and the people who read it until I got over here. And a person does not know how much he loves the good old U. S. A. until he gets over here. My outfit is made up of boys from all over the Union and of course every man is of the opinion that his state is the best. I stick for the Lone Star, and especially for that little spot where the best of good people live. It's good enough for me.

Well, Mr. Harrison, I will tell you a little about “Over the line and across the Rhine.” After the armistice was signed all were curious to know what divisions would be in the army of occupation. On Nov. 14 we were informed that only the best trained divisions would represent the United States on the Rhine. We started out with sore feet to begin with, on account of chasing the Hun across the Meuse and out of the Argonne. The Belgians greeted us with great acclaim when we crossed that country. You could just see the joy in their eyes. In some of this country the people had suffered the dominion of the Boche for more than four years. In the marching the children carried the allied flag.

Next we passed through Luxemburg. There the Huns were only a short distance ahead and we had to rest up a week and allow them to get out of our way. This they were trying mighty hard to do, for there was no town large enough for those birds and the U. S. army.

On Dec. 1 we crossed the German line, with Old Glory waving in the breeze. We were all tired from the long march, but as the band played and the flags waved in the land that did not think the Yanks could fight, it was an inspiration to arouse patriotism to the highest pitch.

As we passed down the Moselle Valley, the roads were awful, and it was still raining everyday. We crossed the Rhine on the 3rd of December and came up the river to Bendorf where the old Ninth stayed until a short time ago. We are now occupying the place of the 32nd Division up in the mountains they having left for home. And from the news that is flying around here, I will soon be back shaking hands with you people once more. 

We were about a month on our hike and made a total of 245 miles. This is to say nothing of the mountains we climbed which made it seem twice that far. 

Well, good luck or something, it must have been mother's prayers led me through those fronts without getting a single scratch, excepting a little gas, which did not cause me to go to the hospital. I did not win the war, understand, but am proud to say I was with a bunch that did their bit. If there was ever anyone who has seen hell on earth it was the men of the old 2nd Division. They captured more prisoners and more guns than any other division in the A. E. F. That's saying a lot but it's true. We didn't have big writers with us like some of the outfits had, but our history is in Washington, D.C. 

Well, Mr. Editor, I will close before this becomes tiresome, if it has not already done so. Just continue to send the home town news and leave the rest to us. 

"A Buck" Private Robert Worth Buck, O. M. 9th Inf.

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page, where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2025 

Baylor County Photos and WWI Pack, photographs, about 1918; scanned image, from the privately held photo collection of Carla Noah Stutsman, TX, 2014.

Baylor County Banner Graphic, The Baylor County Banner (Seymour, Texas), 27 September 1923, Vol. 28, No. 1, print; Texas State Library and Archives, Austin, Texas, 2025. 

The Baylor County Banner issues from 1919, microfilm images, The Baylor County Banner (Seymour, Texas), 1916. Microfilm titled "Baylor County Banner Jan 2, 1919, thru Dec 30, 1920," accessed from the privately held collection of D.B. Quinn.

Family Notes From The Baylor County Banner, Baylor County, Texas - May 1919

 

Joseph Oscar Noah was my father's second cousin. His grandmother, Permelia Hairston Noah, was the sister of my great-grandfather, Phillip A. Hairston. In the May 29th issue below, he appears as J. O. Noah. Before World War I, Joe Noah worked as a schoolteacher in Baylor County.

The extracted data in this post was taken from Baylor County Banner issues on a microfilm reel labeled "Baylor County Banner Jan 2, 1919 thru Dec 30, 1920." 

Nearly two decades ago, I published this information on my web pages, which, while still online, can no longer be changed. To protect the content in case it disappears, I’m adding it to this blog.

Today, I corrected some errors and revisited several weekly issues to uncover more details. I typically share information on births, deaths, and marriages in Baylor County, along with insights into my father's Bryan/Hairston connections and other notable topics. In this post, I included transcribed articles about returning soldiers and the editor’s notes on new and renewing subscribers.

The 1919 issues of the Banner can be found on Newspaper Archives by Storied, a subscription site. However, many groups provide free access to their members. I access this resource through my memberships with the Southern California Genealogical Society and the National Genealogical Society.

May 1, 1919

 

Will Shelly Dies

Last week, in making mention of the return of Mr. Tom Cox of Levelview, we had his initials L. E. when it should have been T. E.

Death of Judge J. T. McLamore (in Westview news section)

Mr. W. C. Campbell and Miss Connie (possibly Corine) Martin wed.

Mr. J. C. Arden dies (husband of Willie Clough) - this is a long and detailed obituary.

Soldier Letters 

Chester Welch wrote his mother and family from Nenivied, Germany

Frank Ship wrote to the Banner editor from Nantes-Loire Inferieur, France

 

WITH THE SUBSCRIBERS

The editor often lists new and returning subscribers in a long column, sharing brief details about his communication with them. Subscribers named in this issue included:

• S. F. Talley
• Walter Jackson
• G. W. Lee
• G. A. Beerman of Emsworth, PA who has stock in the Van Ness oil well in Baylor County 
• W. B. Holder of Wichita
• W. R. Chilton
• H. D. Hardy of View in Taylor County
• G. B. Morris subscribed for his brother,  A. A. Morris of Bentonville, AR
• S. H. Russell
• Mrs. J. H. Minnick of Foard City subscribed for herself and also her father-in-law, J. W. Minniek of Stanley, NM
• V. J. Sykora

May 8, 1919

Millard Ray Latta participated in the BYFU program.

The photo was labeled "Millard, Deray, Joe" and can also be seen in the post Friday's Photo: Taken on a Bridge Near Seymour, Texas.
Millard Ray Latta (left), found twice in these excerpts, was my father's first cousin on his father's Bryan side, while Joe Noah (left) was my father's second cousin on his mother's Hairston side. DeRay Bryan, my father's sister (in the middle) and a student at Seymour High School, was mentioned once in these excerpts. Joe and Millard Ray were teachers in Baylor County. This was probably the 1917-1918 school year, as Joe was found teaching in Erath County in the spring of 1917, and he entered the army in June 1918. 

 

WITH THE SOLDIERS

Dr. Hosey Returns

Dr. A. B. Hosey came in yesterday from France and is here for a few days in the home of his father-in-law, Mr. Chas. Randal. The Doctor has just returned to the United States with the Baylor Medical Unit, which has been doing hospital service with the A. E. F. Dr. Hosey was located at Allerey, about 40 miles from the Swiss border. He was in an American hospital and it was the largest military hospital in the world, having 22,000 beds. Uncle Sam was fixing up to take care of his lads who may have been injured in the war. Dr. Hosey was in the laboratory department, and had charge of the Dakin Solution, which was used so extensively as an antiseptic.

Dr. Hosey was ten months in France. He is mighty glad to see his wife again, to say nothing of the baby girl whom he had not seen before. He says that we can tell the folks he is a 100 percent Y. M. C. A. man. He says the charge that soldiers were made to pay extortionate prices are for the most part untrue. The canteens as a usual thing sold goods for less than they could be purchased for in the United States. And their entertainment was about all the entertainment the boys had.

The Salvation Army did good work, but there were only a very small number of these workers compared to what had to be done. The Knights of Columbus also performed a good service, which was extended alike to every man who wore the uniform of the U. S. soldier.

Those who have relatives and friends in the 36th Division are looking forward with eagerness to the early arrival home of the Division. It has been scheduled for departure from France, but it has not left yet. Mr. John R. Henson has received word from his son, John Henson Jr., that they have been ordered to get ready to ship out. John is with the 111th Engineers.

About Other Arrivals

The family of Mr. Porter Brown has been overjoyed at receiving a telegram from him saying that he was in New York. It does not take long to get home when they get that far, and we may reasonably expect to see Porter in the not far distant future.

Not much has previously been said concerning the life in France of a group of boys who were in the 111th Ammunition Train.

In this organization were Mr. Guy McFarlin, Mr. Carter Howard, Mr. Fred Walkup, Mr. Horace Gillespie, and Mr. Will Ayres. They came home not long ago and were glad enough to be on U. S. soil once more.

This bunch sailed for France on Aug. 1. They were located for a while at Brest, and worked in a territory extending some 100 miles east of this place. They hauled ammunition out in trucks to the boys on our rifle range and never did get into battle. After the armistice was signed there was no ammunition to carry, so they hauled anything that had to be hauled. They started home March 1, landing the 18th at Newport News. From there they went to Camp Bowie and on home.

The boys have lots to tell of their army life, and it will be an experience they will look back to with pleasure and pride. Mr. Howard was of the opinion that the fun did not pay for the trouble, but the trouble will soon be forgotten. The boys express admiration for the French people, and say they were well treated, but declare that country hundreds of years behind the times. People are crowded, the houses are old, and no such thing is known as the progress which is characteristic of the American people.

Mr. Andy Bowie is busy at the Seymour Mercantile Co., putting up binders. Andy did not get to see service on foreign shores, but is shedding no tears over what he missed. He was in the 131st Artillery at Camp McArthur. He was getting ready with the rest of them to take his turn at the Huns, if the war had lasted long enough. But it did last long sufficiently.

Mr. J. W. Sanderson, referred to in a former issue, is with the 143rd Infantry of the 36th Division.

May 15, 1919

Mr. A. J. Blanks sells his dray business to Mr. Press Henderson.  Mr. Blanks has been a long time in the dray business.  His health had gotten so that the work was too much for him.

Obituary for William T. Shelly

Mr. and Mrs. George L. Musiek are the proud parents of an eight-pound baby boy.

Nannie Harvey and Edmond Durham were married and will make their home at the McLain Hotel where they are employed. 

WITH THE SOLDIERS.

Dr. A. B. Hosey left this week for Dallas, the wife and baby remaining here until his plans are more definite. We would be glad to have the Doctor and his family with us as permanent residents.

Some how in the rush the Banner has failed to make mention of the arrival home of Mr. Lloyd B. Henson. He was with the Marine corps at Quantra. This was the same kind of boys who started all that business at Chateau-Thierry. Lloyd would not have been averse to seeing a little of what took place across the waters, but he is glad enough to be back home. Before the war the Marine Corps numbered 17,000. This number was to have been increased to 75,000, if the ending of the war had not made such forces as this more than adequate. The marines go across with every vessel carrying troops. They guard harbors, take care of Uncle Sam’s interest in South America and in other turbulent regions, and are generally useful.

Another American soldier who has recently arrived from overseas is Mr. Edwin Fojtik of Cache Creek. The Banner has not had the chance to interview him yet. Mr. Fojtik had not been married long when he left for the training camp. Naturally his wife was not overjoyed at losing him so soon, and we venture without knowing for certain that she was some glad to see him come marching home.

Mr. Carter Howard of Wichita Falls was here this week. Mr. Howard makes friends wherever he goes, but here he numbers them by the population of the place.

Mr. W. S. Unsell writes from Klondike that his brother, Mr. Floyd Unsell, who formerly lived here, has landed in this country and they are looking forward with great eagerness to his arrival at home. He was on the fighting front for 22 days, but was lucky and came out without a scratch.

Mr. T. A. Sanderson left Saturday for Camp Bowie to see his son in the hospital there. He is naturally not doing the best in the world.

 

May 22, 1919

Some airplanes went over on Tuesday and another one yesterday.  They did not stop or give any account of themselves. Perhaps after awhile airplanes will be so common that no mention will be necessary about them.  Infact, even now some of the oil men at Kanger have purchased planes to be used in going to and from Fort Worth.

 

Tom Richardson dies (Bomarton)

WITH THE SUBSCRIBERS

The editor often lists new and returning subscribers in a long column, sharing brief details about his communication with them. Subscribers named in this issue included:

• Turner Forrest of Boise City, OK
• Jake L. Hall of Route 3 and his cousin, Miss Ellen Tinsley of Fort Worth
• M. H. Barwise of the Wichita Valley
• C. T. Morris
• E.P. Croft subscribed for friend, C. S. Wood of Fort Worth
• Mrs. J. A. Baccus to her son Sam Shultz Baccus in Wichita
• S. H. Dornan
• Anton Rainosek of La Grange
• Mr. G. Gatzkie requested an address change from Hoisington, KS, to Carr Crossing, CO. 
• W. R. Hart
• J. W. Beavers
• Mrs. Julius Levy of Brady who was Mrs. Butcher when she lived in Baylor County
• L. B. Jeter
• J. A. Dunlap
• S. L. Shipman
• S. T. Brown
• A. C. McLarty changed his address from Lexington, OK to Iowa Park, TX. 
• Samuel W. Noble of Fannettsburg, PA who owns property in Baylor County
• A. C. Mendenhall
• Ladonia Bowman, daughter of Mr. W. M. Bowman
• W. W. Barbee had the paper sent to Mr. R. C. Prim of Sweetwater
• John Hawkins
• S. A. Larue

This postcard, along with the photos above, was preserved by Joe Noah and is now in the possession of his granddaughter. While I didn’t take notes when scanning it, I can assume it depicts WWI soldiers either traveling to Europe or returning home to the United States.

May 29, 1919

B.Y.P.U. Program for June 1st

DeRay Bryan’s part in the service was the illustration and the presentation of “The Method of Boaz, the Helpful Helper.”

Obituary for Tom Richardson

HOME FROM FRANCE

The Banner would have to be a big paper if we told all the soldier's news this week.  In fact, so much might be said that we are puzzled whether to undertake to tell anything at all or to devote the entire issue to what the boys have to say.

During the past week the following Baylor county boys have arrived home from across the pond: Clarence Copeland, Porter Brown, Arthur Crownover, Jack Henderson, Hugh Shipley, Hershell High, and J.O. Noah. The latter has been at his home in Erath County for some two weeks, but is on a visit here to the family of Mr. R. E. Bryan. He was in the radio service, which had to do with the operation of wireless telegraphy. He had finished his training and was ready to go to the front lines when the armistice was signed.

Mr. Noah's work was in the interception of messages which the Germans were sending.  They were sent in cipher, but some of them could be worked out.  Mr. Noah says we can put him down as for the Y.M.C.A.  He said the organization undertook more than it could handle, especially the canteen service, but that on the whole, it did a fine work. Mr. Noah was all through France, at the last being on the Toul Sector and had a good opportunity of seeing the country.

Mr. Porter Brown arrived Monday. He had been overseas for a year and a half and is sure glad to get back home. When he came in he was met by about 40 relatives and a lot of friends and he never will get through what he will have to tell about his trip. 

Porter was with the aviation department and was not attached to any certain divisions. He started as a mechanic, but ended up in charge of a plane and if the armistice had not come on Nov 11 he would have been doing hair-raising air stunts. As it was, he was in the photograph service a good while, and perhaps that was about as dangerous as fighting. These plans carry no guns, and Porter has had the experience of being chased in and being shot at all the while. 

Mr. Brown says the devastation on some of those battlefields is almost beyond comprehension. In fact, he considers it doubtful if some of that farm land will ever again be suitable for agriculture. Every particle of it has been disfigured by shell holes. 

Mr. Jack Henderson was in the 42nd Division, infantry depart. He had been in training since he arrived in France and had just been designated for the front when the game was called. Too many Americans, on top of what the Boche already had to contend with. The Rainbow Division on account of being one of the best trained in the American army, was chosen as a part of the army of occupation and Mr. Henderson spent four months on the Rhine, which he says is a pretty country. 

Mr. Hugh Shipley was assigned to the 77th Division which was composed largely of New York men. This division started in at Chatcan-Thierry and ended up at St. Piermont. Mr. Shipley too was just ready to go into the fighting but has no regrets about missing it. He and Mr. Henderson heard the big guns barking and saw plenty of dead Dutchmen. 

Mr. Shipley says the sun shone about 15 days out of the six months he was in France. At one time his division was quartered in 136 different villages, so it was not easy to keep up with everybody in the division. 

Mr. Hershel High came in Sunday from Germany, where he had been with the army of occupation. Before that he was a machine gunner in the Argonne and can tell some rare experiences about the taking of this apparently impregnable position. He was not wounded but two pieces of shell passed through his pack which was quite close enough. Thinking the place could not be taken, the Germans had fixed up their quarters in good shape.  Their dugouts were lined with concrete and the clearing of them made an interesting piece of work for the doughboys.  Mr. High has a silver wrist watch which he took from a German officer.  

Mr. High describes vividly the march to the Rhine. The boys had to carry their packs, and it was 300 miles. 

Other men who have returned during the past week are Messrs. Clarence Copeland and Arthur Crownover. The Banner has not had an opportunity to interview them but will have something further to report about them. 

Mr. Ward Beck is in Texas but is visiting relatives at Terrell before coming home.  

 If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page, where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2025

"Local Board Inducts Men for Voluntary Service' Two more are wanted," The Dublin Progress and Telephone (Dublin, Texas), 21 June 1918, Vol. 31, No. 9, Ed. 1; database and images, The Portal to Texas History (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth559811/m1/1/zoom/? : accessed 27 Jan 2020).

"Millard, DeRay, and Joe," photograph, about 1918; scanned image, from the privately held photo collection of Carla Noah Stutsman, TX, 2014.

Shady Grove School News, The Dublin Progress and Telephone (Dublin, Texas), 18 May 1917, Vol. 30, No. 4, Ed. 1; database and images, The Portal to Texas History (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth559258/m1/5/? : accessed 27 Jan 2020).

The Baylor County Banner issues from 1919, microfilm images, The Baylor County Banner (Seymour, Texas), 1916. Microfilm titled "Baylor County Banner Jan 2, 1919, thru Dec 30, 1920," accessed from the privately held collection of D.B. Quinn.

WWI Postcards, postcards, about 1919; scanned images, from the privately held photo collection of Carla Noah Stutsman, TX, 2014.

Family Notes From The Baylor County Banner, Baylor County, Texas - February, March, and April 1919

My father's brother, Buster Bryan, was selling Poland China Sows in the March 20th issue. That reminded me of this unlabeled photo. The house and fence have been seen in other Baylor County family photos. My grandparents, Myrtie Hairston and Redic E. Bryan, might be the couple, but I may never know. Is that pig a Poland China Sow? 

The extracted data in this post was taken from Baylor County Banner issues on a microfilm reel labeled "Baylor County Banner Jan 2, 1919 thru Dec 30, 1920." 

Nearly two decades ago, I published this information on my web pages, which, while still online, can no longer be changed. To protect the content in case it disappears, I’m adding it to this blog.

Today, I fixed some errors and revisited several weekly issues to uncover additional details. Usually, I share information related to births, deaths, and marriages in Baylor County, along with details about my father's Bryan/Hairston connections and other interesting information. 

You can locate the 1919 issues of the Banner on Newspaper Archives by Storied, a subscription site, though many groups offer it free to their members. I take advantage of this resource through my memberships with the Southern California Genealogical Society and the National Genealogical Society.

February 6, 1919

Levelview - Mrs. T. A. Cox and daughter, Mrs. Floyd Thompson visited Mrs. J. B. Langly of  Red Springs last Friday. Mrs. Joe Cox and her mother, Mrs. Roberts of Douglas, Arizona, visited Mr. T. A. Cox’s Sunday. 

Wedding of Mr. H. Olin Studer and Miss Bertha Alice White. 

February  13, 1919 

Mrs. W. T. Moody

Mrs. Cora Alice Moody, nee Dudley was born in Illinois on March 1, 1868. She came to Denton county, Texas, in 1872, moving to Thorp Springs, Hood county in 1875, where she was educated at Add-Ran College. During her school live she united with the Christian church in 1882, living a devoted member of the same until the time of her death.  She came to Baylor county in 1885, and was married to Mr. W. T. Moody in 1884.  To this union six children were born, five of whom survive the mother, viz:  Mrs. Florence Miller, Mrs. Ollie White, and Arthur Moody of Seymour, James Moody of Texline, and Tilman Moody of the Expeditionary Forces in France. Mrs. Moody was a woman of noble character. To the suffering she was always a friend, giving council and comfort.  To her family she was a devoted wife and mother.  To the community she was a cheerful and willing servant.  In her religious life she was unostentatious, humble and devout.  Mrs. Moody died Februray 13, leaving sacred memories and the fruits of a life spent in service as a legacy to her friends and loved ones. Sorrowing friends and bereaved relatives followed her remains to the Christian church, where the funeral service was conducted by Rev. Callin W. Yates, assisted by Rev. O. P. Clark, after which the body was laid to rest in the Seymour cemetery to await the final resurrection, when those of the earth will arise, to know as they are known.

Obituary for Mrs. C. B. Daniel (Beth Word) and also for her sister, Mrs. H. C. Harrison (Ovie Word). Both died from the Spanish Influenza.

 

 

February 20, 1919 

Obituary for Mrs. W. T. Moody 

Obituary for Margaret Louise Smith, four-month-old daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J. R. Smith 

Obituary for Brother I. N. Adams (much information in this obituary) 

Constable J. S. Kirby dies of burns.  

Dr. H. B. White weds Theresa Lindly.

 

February 27, 1919 

Levelview - The singing given by Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Cox was enjoyed by a large crowd.

Mrs. Ura Mae Busby is spending time with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Cox.

 

March 6, 1919 

Oscar Poteet’s summary of his trip overseas during the war.  

Mrs. D. A. Chapman and family of Plainview visited her mother and her brother, Mr. Lewis Cox, Sunday.  

Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Cox visited their daughter, Mrs. Vera Mae Busby, Thursday at Holiday.  Bill remaining there for a few days.

Mr. Bill Cox went to Holiday to stay with his sister, Mrs. Roy Cox.

Strayed:  From my residence in Seymour, One black pig weight about 100 pounds, bob-tailed.   W. D. Henson

 

March 20, 1919

Ruth Guthrie and P. S. Connell were married

For Sale:  3 fine Poland China Sows    26-7        Buster Bryan

Willie May Bryan attended a birthday party along with many other girls in an article titled A Happy Occasion.

 

March 27, 1919 

The burial of Reed Morris in France 

Doyle Frazier, 13 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Frazier, died.  

Mr. Wiley Yeager who was reported killed in the service in France returned home last Sunday.  His picture came out in  the Star Telegram as one who had given his life for his county.  His many friends are glad indeed to know that he is still alive. 

Levelview - The parties given by Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Thompson Monday night and by  Mr. and Mrs. John Brooks Friday night were enjoyed by a large crowd and all had a nice time.  

Charlie Emsoff dies

 

April 3, 1919

Mr. R. E. Bryan is down at the oil fields with his teams.   In fact, a number of our people have been there lately.  Messes L. H. and C. M. Casselberry of Plainview have been among the number.  There is good money in the work, but the kind of weather we have been getting lately is not favorable for work.

The death of Mr. Ben Ford Turner 

Richland - Mr. Riley Henson has been dragging the roads this week.

Mr. C. C. McDonald is dead (father of Mrs. J. Roach).

 

April 10, 1919

DeRay Bryan, my father's sister,
about 1919

Mr. Andy Bowie returned last week from France where he had been for a long
time.  We are glad to have him back in the old USA again.

The party given by Mr. and Mrs. Tom Cox Saturday night was enjoyed by a large crowd.  All had a nice time.

DeRay Bryan was elected secretary of the B. Y. P. U.

Obituary for Vira Ethel Tarver wife of C.O. Thornton in CA on Jan. 27, 1919.

Another one to come in last week was Andy Bowie.  He was with the 131 Artillery and received his discharge from Camp Travis.

 

April 17, 1919

The wedding of Mr. John James and Miss Vera Studer (also see April 24)

Buster Williamson dies in NM

The death of little Frankie Jones

Mrs. Cassie Lee is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cox. 

DeRay Bryan participated in the BYPU program.

Mr. I. E. Craddock and Miss Marie Knoerr were married in OK.

A letter from Russell Morris to his parents from France.  He describes visiting Reed’s grave in France

 

April 24, 1919

 Obituary of Robbie Lou Colwell, the third member of his family to die in the past six months

Mr. K. A. Yost and Miss Louise Hons were married in Bomarton

Picture of Mrs. R. R. Kellum

Items in the January 1919 issue can be found by clicking on this link - Family Notes From The Baylor County Banner, Baylor County, Texas - January 1919.

 

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page, where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2025 

The Baylor County Banner issues from 1919, microfilm images, The Baylor County Banner (Seymour, Texas), 1916. Microfilm titled "Baylor County Banner Jan 2, 1919, thru Dec 30, 1920," accessed from the privately held collection of D.B. Quinn.