Monday's News: Football

This clipping about the Seymour High School Panther's Football team was found in my family's old Bible. I assume that this game took place prior to 1923. Two of my aunts were graduates of Seymour High School; DeRay Bryan in 1920 and Marie Bryan in 1921. My uncle Hairston "Buster" Albritton Bryan graduated from SHS in 1923 and he played football. I saw a picture of Buster in his school yearbook - in the football team picture, he was called "Bus."

Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Monday's News: National Aviation Day

Louise Giddens, wife of Charles Allen Giddens (my grandmother's brother), a cardboard version of  Charles A. Lindbergh and my grandmother, Edith Giddens.      

Yesterday was National Aviation Day - it comes every August 19th. And, yesterday, my mother sent me this picture of my grandmother and her sister-in-law with a cardboard cut-out of Charles Lindbergh.  Lindbergh became famous for making the first transatlantic airplane flight in 1927. 

This was probably taken in New Jersey before 1930. I assume that it was taken soon after the flight. 

Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Monday's News: Whit Bryan 1941

From the Borger Herald - Whit Criswell Bryan, my father. Although the exact date of the clipping is unknown, it is probably in the fall of 1941. Dad was transferred to the Mobile Naval Hospital at Pearl Harbor on December 1, 1941. 

Diana

© 2012

Monday's News: Bethel

My grandmother, Myrtie Hairston, moved to Erath County at the age of three in 1883. Her family settled in the community of Bethel, nine miles north of Stephenville, Texas, where her father purchased 160 acres from Robert W. Thompson.   The school at Bethel was on her family farm and she attended Baptist church services in that community. 

Bethel is no longer in existence. It appears to be farmland. A winding dirt road goes up a large hill to the Bethel Cemetery.  On the way to the cemetery is the former home of Mattie Hairston Chisum Thompson; overgrown with vines and weeds, it’s now home to birds and other wildlife.  The cemetery contains graves of some extended family.

The following article, about the Bethel Community in 1898, was found in the Stephenville Tribune.

Bethel Locals

Eds. Tribune. – A peoples party club was organized at this place last Saturday night with eleven members. P. G. Stephens was elected president and John Olive secretary. We meet again next Saturday night.

Old Bethel is coming out of the kinks. We have a fine school under the management of Prof. Dean Bruington, a fine literary society meets every Friday night, a pop club, a good Sunday school, singing and prayer meeting every Sunday night.

We have preaching by Rev. G. W. Childress first Sunday, Rev. Hudson second Sunday, Rev. J. J. Davis third Sunday, and Rev. Will Green fourth Sunday.

P. A. Hairston is on the sick list this week.

Charley Judon made a business trip to Thurber Friday, returning Sunday.

W. D. Mourey, who for some time past has been in Eastland county, returned Friday.

John Thompson has had an attack of rheumatism for some time.

M. W. Birdwell, our candidate for assessor, is still in the ring. We would like to see Bud nominated and elected.   X.Z.

                                                       From the Stephenville Tribune  - April 1, 1898

Note: P.A. Hairston was my great-grandfather. John Thompson was the husband of his sister, Mattie Hairston Chisum Thompson. Robert W. Thompson, who sold land to P.A. Hairston, was the brother of John Thompson. 

Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Monday's News: Dynamite

On July 2, 1909, Charles Giddens and Ellsworth Davis, both 16 years of age, loaded a cannon with dynamite and when ramming the charge with an iron bar, it exploded, injuring both boys. I don't know if the boys realized it, but it made national news and a few of the many articles* that I found are included in this blog.

The boys were injured, but not as seriously as sensationalized in the newspapers. Charles, my great-uncle, was lucky, he only lost part of a finger. He went on to serve in the Army during WWI and in the Navy during WWII.  Look carefully at the picture on the left. Part of Charles' right pointer finger is missing.

Research at Ancestry.com and Find-a-Grave, indicated that Ellsworth Wood Davis lived until 1941.  He married, had one child, and worked as a draftsman for at least two companies in or near Warren County, New Jersey.  Ellsworth's draft registration card indicated that he had a mangled hand and an enlarged ankle.

*I used my subscription for GenealogyBank.com to obtain these and other articles about this event.

Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Monday's News: Mom is 80!!!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

On Saturday, June 25, 1932, the New York Yankees won against the Philadelphia Athletics at Yankee Stadium with a score of 7 to 4, the movie Red-Headed Woman, starring Jean Harlow, was released and you were born!

Thank you, Mom for always being there for me, for teaching me to be tolerant, patient, and productive, and for always listening and understanding. 

You are a wonderful mother and grandmother!

Love, 

Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Monday's News: Redic Bryan in the Baylor County Banner

I was lucky enough to find this mini-biography about my grandfather, Redic E. Bryan. He served as Tax Assessor of Baylor County, Texas for two terms. 

For Assessor

By referring to the announcement column it will be seen that the name of Redic E. Bryan appears there as a candidate for the office of Tax Assessor.  As he is not thoroughly known to our people it might be well to give something of his biography.  Mr. Bryan was born in Louisiana, but moved to Texas and to Erath County with his parents when he was only eight years of age.  He attended a good school at Stephenville and upon completion of his school days he acquired a first grade certificate and taught for five years in that county.

This card was found in the Bryan family Bible.  

Written on the back is "J. B. Cauble, Big 

Springs, Texas."

Five years ago he moved with his family to Baylor county and settled on a farm in Levelview community, northwest of town of town.  He has been living there ever since, except a period of eighteen months when he was at Big Springs for his wife’s health.  His life in our midst has been and exemplary one and he has earned the high regard of the people with whom he has been associated.

Mr. Bryan is forty years of age and is in the prime of his usefulness.  He is a robust, vigorous man, fully capable physically to cope with the cares of office.  He has also had the training that would fit him for the position he seeks.  That he is perfectly honest and trustworthy is not to be doubted for an instant.  He will refer you to anybody that knew him where he came from or who has known him here as to his character.

Being thus qualified, Mr. Bryan believes he can serve the people in the capacity of assessor to their entire satisfaction.  And no effort will be spared on his part in case he is elected, to make of himself a good officer.  He is determined that his race will be a perfectly clean one.  He has not a word to say against his opponent, whom he believes to be a good and capable man.  But he believes in rotation of office and believes that all public favors should not be given one man, no matter how good that man may be.

Mr. Bryan is at some disadvantage in not knowing everybody, but he intends to make a thorough canvas and will try if possible to meet you before the July primary.  He asks for a careful consideration of his candidacy on the part of the voter.  Mr. Bryan is a good man and qualified for the office he seeks.  If the voters of our county should feel constrained to give him their ballot it is save to say they would have no great cause to regret their action.

                                             Baylor County Banner - March 18, 1910

Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Monday's News: Changing Times

I will be on a plane today - returning from the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree and thought that this news item, found in the Baylor County Banner was appropriate:

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.

                                      Baylor County Banner - May 22, 1919

Click here to see more news items from the Baylor County Banner. 

Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Monday's News: Seymour, Texas

I like reading old newspapers. As I have said before, you can learn so much in even the shortest news items. As I search for new information about my family, I sometimes find items about my home town in Virginia or places that my relatives have lived. This items have become somewhat of a large collection on my computer so I have decided that as I have time, I will post them on this blog. And, as they are not my family, I will delete them from my computer! 

Enjoy! 

Mexia Evening Ledger - September 20, 1899

W. O. Peery returned today from a visit to his parents in Seymour.

Oregonian - June 14 1880

Judge Murdered in his Court Room

Graham, Texas, June 12 – R. Morris, county judge of Baylor County, was shot and instantly killed in the court house at Seymour yesterday by W. A. Taylor, a saloon keeper. Taylor escaped.

Knox County News - June 19, 1908

Mr. Hardy Davis of Seymour is in the City and will make this place his home for some time. He is employed at the elevator.

 

The Evening News - June 11, 1900 (Mexia, Texas)

Mrs. Ed McCoy of Armour left on the afternoon train, for Seymour where she will visit her daughter, Mrs. Williams.

Stephenville Tribune - November 19, 1909

On Oct. 30 Mrs. Clyde Martin died at Seymour, Texas of typhoid fever, contracted while nursing some motherless children which had been neglected and deserted and left uncared for.   In missions of mercy Mrs. Martin was always found ready to do more than her part. She was a wife of John Martin, daughter of J. B. Kelly and sister of Mrs. Lillian Fields and left three small children.  She was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and one who believed in assisting those in distress and need, and in this she exemplified a high type of Christian character.  Inasmuch as she lost her life in an unselfish devotion to distressed and suffering helpless children it is believed that the guardian angels will watch over and care for the three helpless children of her own flesh and blood whom she left motherless. 

Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Monday's News: WWI and Family Letters

This poster and the two at the bottom of this post are recruiting posters found at the North Carolina Digital Collections and provided courtesy of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources.

A few months ago, I researched the Baylor County Banner, a newspaper in Baylor County Texas, for news of WWI casualties for their local museum. I learned much about The Great War, known today as World War I. 

The United States entered the war on April 6, 1917; joining the Allies (Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and Japan) who were at war with the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey).   United States troops in the war were only in actual combat for just over seven months and there were over 50,000 causalities. Half of the U.S. soldiers who died in Europe, died as a result of the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919. 

The information that I found about the WWI casualties is being posted for Memorial Day on the Facebook Group, Baylor County Museum. You may need to join the group to see it. 

Oscar Edward Noah and Mamie Lou Allen Noah Family
Joseph "Joe" Noah is standing on the far left. 

Below are two family letters that were written in Europe during WWI and found in the Baylor County Banner. The letters were sent to Millard Ray Latta from Joseph O. Noah. Both Millard Ray and Joseph were born in Erath County and just prior to the war, they were living in Baylor County where both were teachers.  Millard Ray was my grandfather's niece; the daughter of Hollen Bryan and Alzono "Lon" Latta.  Joseph "Joe" Noah was the son of Oscar Edward Noah, first cousin to my grandmother, Myrtie Hairston Bryan. 

Dear Millard Ray,

          Though I have had no word from you as yet I will write again.  We are now in France and I must say the place is worth seeing.  All is different from the United States. In parts of the country it is very rough and hilly.  Here we see little stone houses surrounded by patches of garden sticking in all positions about the hills.  All the patches are set off by stone walls and are so well kept that the country resembles a big lawn or garden as one might see in a park or home. 

          In other parts of the country was level and great vineyards and orchards are found – though here the patches are small, but close together.

          At present we are billeted in a barn loft above a flock of sheep.  We can look down the stairs and see the sheep gazing up at us.  Our quarters are reached by means of a ladder leading to a window.  Just across a narrow street is a big stone church, and all about us are the homes and shops of the people living in the villages.  All the buildings look alike – shops and residences are under the same roof.  All are of stone or tile and all are covered with some hundred years growth of moss.  In fact moss seems to be part of the French house just as much as paint is in Texas.  One can easily see that the houses are built to last for many generations and become permanent features of the land scape just like the hills.

          French forests are very beautiful the trees being very straight and tall and of types new to me.  Many large bodies of trees are planted in rows as regular as an orchard and the trees are hundred of years old.  Everywhere we see narrow, but finely built gravel roads running through the trees.

          Yesterday was Sunday and I visited an old French Chateau which was built in the 13th century.  There were pictures of nearly all the kings of Europe all hand painted.  There was a wood carving of the beheading of John the Baptist so old that it was worm eaten.  There was an old chapel built in the 13th century but torn down now. 

Inclosed {sic}some leaves from trees in the park about the chateau.  The place is now the home of a French nobleman. 

          We hear now that the war is over about and I hope it is.  I now hope to get back by spring, but can’t be sure.

          I am feeling fine and in good spirits and am getting all I need to eat, but I would be glad to come home at anytime.

          I must close for this time.

                   As ever yours,

                      Joe Noah

P. S. I am at last assigned to a company so you ought to try to get a letter to me. 

                                             Baylor County Banner - November 21, 1918

Millard Ray Latta

                                         

My Dear Friend

          I have not been in the same place long enough to get a letter from anyone since I left the States but I will keep up my end of the line anyway.

          You will note where we are by the character of the paper, etc, about though we are not allowed to state the city where we are stationed.  We traveled all night last night in the smallest R.R. carriage I ever expect to ride in.  We are now in a rest camp, but may move anytime and we will be at our destination, France next.

          Our last month has surely seen some movement. We were at College Station a month ago.  It hardly seems possible that we are so far from home.

          I was very glad to leave the boat.  There is too much of  that ocean to suit me.  The hard soil is a fine substance to walk on and it is where I belong.  I can afford to scratch some of it out of my eyes, as in Baylor, so long as it don’t roll around like the ocean waves.  Also I am now acquainted with  a new scent, a “boaty scent,” I can’t describe it for you, but it is somewhat like spoiled tar.  It makes one happy by it’s absence.

          In spite of a bit of seasickness the last day in the water, I feel fine now, and have no complaint to offer.  We are as well treated as anyone could ask.  However, I find nothing to compare with the U. S.  One food is good and substantial and I like it, but when I get back to old Texas, I will soon forget it, you can bet. 

          War talk here is almost too favorable to take at face value, but I am sure it won’t be long until the thing will clear up.  Maybe I will see you again before you are 23 years old and maybe a lot sooner.  I think it will be no longer at least, - if I am fortunate to get back at all, and I feel sure I will be.

          The country here is very pretty though we can’t see much of it. The houses are all red brick peaks and are all square corners and peaks.   Stores and houses of the best class are right over the sidewalk.  Curious carts, one horse wagons, and bycicles {sic} roll by.  Nothing looks like America. Even the trees seem to be heavy with age and a different kind to ours. 

          We have some time off and I must stir around and wash a lot, also see what I can find. 

          Let me hear from you at earliest possible time, with all news. 

                             As ever yours,

                          Pr’vt. Joseph O. Noah

                             63 Radio Causals

          American Expeditionary Forces

P. S. Find inclosed {sic} sample of English Candy. I paid for two small pieces with two copper coins that were bigger than the candy.  You will understand when you taste as to why I gave it nearly all to an English sailor.  The cigarette wrapper will perhaps help the flavor.       

                                               Baylor County Banner -November 28, 1918 

           Courtesy of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources

               Courtesy of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources

Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Monday’s News: Redic E. Bryan in the Erath Appeal

Redic Eli Bryan, my grandfather, died 26 years before my birth. Dad remembered some facts, but most of what he knew had been relayed to him by his older sisters. Almost all that I know about my grandfather came from local newspapers.  

Redic E. Bryan was born in Louisiana, but moved to Erath County, Texas with his family at the age of eight.  He attended school in Stephenville and upon completion, acquired a first grade certificate and taught for five years in that county. 

Redic moved to Baylor County in 1905. He left Baylor County in 1907 for Big Spring, but returned in 1909.  Redic served as tax assessor in Baylor County for two terms. He attended the Baptist Church and was a member of both the I.O.O.F. and the W.O.W.  He didn’t appear to like farming and sold produce after selling his farm equipment.  In 1914, Redic purchased his first automobile. He was a frequent buyer and seller of real estate and he and his family seemed to move often.

All of the above information and much more came from reading old newspapers. Last summer, during my visit to the Briscoe Center for American History in Austin, Texas, I learned a few additional facts about my grandfather. The following items, from The Erath Appeal, tell more of Redic Bryan's story. 

July 14, 1898

Redic Bryan had the misfortune Monday night to have a wagon run over his leg below the knee, fracturing the larger bone.

July 28, 1898

Reddick Bryan is still detained at his fathers on account of his injured leg.

August 25, 1898

Reddick Bryan is at his old post behind Lon Latta’s bar again after five weeks absence, caused by the fracture of his leg, his many friends are happy to meet him. His is popular, genial, and affable, and the right man in the right place.

December 1, 1898

Temp Creswell is now dispensing drinks over Lon Latta’s bar, and knows how to treat customers of this popular house. He is the right man in the right place.

Redic Bryan, who has been at work for Lon Latta for some time is now out recuperating. His many friends will miss his smiling face behind the bar.

February 9, 1899

Redic Bryan, the popular caterer of Dublin, was in the city Monday shaking hands with his many friends. Redic is now feeding the boys and will be pleased to have his friends call on him when in Dublin.

March 23, 1899

R. E. Bryan was over from Dublin Friday and visited his father, Esq. Terrell Bryan, who has been quite ill. Mr. Bryan is improving.

June 15, 1899

R. E. Bryan was over from Dublin Tuesday.

February 8, 1900

Redic and Myrtie

Following is a list of marriage icenses since last issue:  D. B. Traweek and Miss Lucy W. Macumber, C. P. Scott and Miss M. C. Stone, D. L. Howard and Miss Amanda Walls, Ulmer Golightly and Miss Mary Lowry, Giuseppe Piacentino and Miss Crislina Viete, C. A. Jennings and Miss Mabel Ragland, R. E. Bryan and Miss Myrtie Hairston, J. H. Cox, Jr., and Miss Olivia Brassell.

R. E. Bryan and Miss Myrtie Hairston were united in the holy bonds of wedlock one day this week at the home of the bride’s parents. Miss Hairston is the only daughter of Mr. Phil Hairston of near Huckabay who is one of Erath’s best citizens and most prosperous and well to do farmers. Miss Hairston is bright, beautiful and attractive and commands the love and respect of all who know her. Mr. Bryan is the son of Esq. Terrell Bryan, is educated, robust and handsome and numbers his friends as legion. He has grown up in our mist and those who know him love him the most. The Appeal joins their host of friends in wishing them a long, happy and prosperous life.  

August 16, 1900

Redic Bryan was among his Stephenville friends Saturday, making merry and pleasant the hours spent with him. 

Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Monday's News: Tom Wylie in the Erath Appeal

Thomas Sumter Wylie was born in Mississippi and was married to Dorothy "Dollie" Elizabeth Harriet Bryan, daughter of Terrell Bryan and sister to my grandfather, Redic. According to his son, Milton Wylie, and, the following news items, the Wylie's left Erath County for Coke County in 1899. 

The clippings below were found last summer while reading old newspapers at the Center for American History in Austin Texas. 

I don't have a picture of Tom Wylie, but do have a web page devoted to old news items about Tom and his family.  Click here to see the page containing additional news items. 

July 28, 1898

After a very pleasant week's visit at the hospitable ranch of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Wylie, Mrs. A. C. L. Hindsman and two daughters, returned home Monday, much improved in health.

King & Vincent are offering the Tom Wylie stock farm on Barton's Creek at a bargain.

August 25, 1898

Capt. Tom Wylie, the father of Wylieville, came down after the big rain Wednesday.  He is still rejoicing over the good work Commissioner Hamilton has done on the Gordon road.

October 6, 1898

A Stock Farm at a Bargain - We have for sale, cheap and on reasonable terms, in a body of in tracts of 60 to 160 acres, the Tom Wylie 1624 acre stock farm on Barton's Creek, 16 miles northwest from Stephenville and 10 miles from Thurber.  It is divided and fenced into six farms and pastures - rich valley and upland, fine grass, and plenty of timber and water. It can be divided into ten farms. We will sell in a body or to 6 to 10 farmers on the most reasonable terms, but must sell all at the same time. The village of Wylieville, with school, store, and post office, is on it, and it will become a railway town when the Stephenville and Thurber railroad is built. There is simply no better landed property in central Texas. Titles perfect, and no incumbrance. The only reason for selling is that the owner is too feeble to manage it. If you want a bargain, here is your chance. Call on or address King & Vincent, Stephenville, Texas.

January 12, 1899

Mrs. Tom Wylie is lying very ill at her home at Xray and her case is reported critical.

August 3, 1899

Col. Tom Wylie was in from his ranch at Wylieville this week and paid the Appeal a visit.

June 15, 1899

Bud Wylie, of X-Ray and nephew of Col. Tom Wylie, was in the city on business on Monday and paid for the Appeal with the remark: "It is the best local paper in Erath and I want the news." Mr. Wylie is one of those big-hearted, goodnatured, hardworking, sturdy farmers and stockmen in whom the whole of Texas delight, and shows his good judgement by taking the Appeal instead of paying $1 or $1.50 for some other paper containing less local news.  Try the Appeal at 50 cents per year.

July 20, 1899

Tom Wyly, of X Ray, was in town Tuesday. (note the spelling of Wylie)

March 30, 1899

Col. Tom Wylie, of X-Ray, was in the city yesterday and handed the Appeal some coin. The Col. is one of Erath's best and most substantial citizens and believes in progress and the upbuilding of Erath County.  He says the Appeal is the warm number and gives all the local news and he would not do without it.

August 24, 1899

That good Texan, Tom Wylie tells the Appeal that he expects soon to go to Coke County and engage in the cattle business. 

Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Monday News: Fire!

While looking for a clipping for today’s post, I came upon one that I found recently in the Baylor County Banner.  It was about a fire that burned down the barn at the home where my grandparents were renting.  As I read this, I thought of how fires were so prevalent during earlier years in American history and the many fires that affected the lives of our ancestors and possibly changed our family history. Below are only a few of the known fires in my family history. 

This is my father’s family in Seymour, Baylor County, Texas

Midnight Fire

The town was waked up good and plenty shortly after midnight Tuesday night by the fire alarm.  The trouble was found to be the barn of Mrs. S. B. Lowry’s place, in the southwest part.  The place was not in reach of the fire plug and besides was too far gone when discovered to make possible putting it out. Had the wind been from the south, the house would have gone also.

The place is occupied by R. E. Bryan and family.  Mr. Bryan had been burning trash that day, but thought he had put all the fire out. Not the least unfortunate part of the affair was that Mr. Bryans cow was burned to death.

                         April 5, 1917 The Baylor County Banner

My Great-Grandfather, Charles A. Giddens, owned a dry goods and shoe store that was destroyed in this fire. He was just starting out, having been  a milkman in NYC prior to coming to Crewe.  I wonder if he participated in the “general street fight.”

At Crewe, VA.

Crewe, Va., Oct. 11, A fire which came near destroying this town occurred yesterday.  Several stores with their contents were consumed and the loss is estimated at $65,000; insurance $10,000.  It was four hours before the flames could be got under control owing to a lack of water. The fire was followed by a general street fight.

          October 12, 1892 Boston Journal

This fire at the Quinn home was deliberately set. Read my November 2011 posts to read more about this fire.

Galway Man’s Plight

Stripped and Clothes Burned

A number of disguised men on Friday night, a Gort report says, visited the house of Mrs. B. Quinn, Cahiraroneen, Kinvara, where 9 young men were card-playing. These were taken outside, put against a wall, and ordered to take off their clothes. Two made their escape, and as they did so shots were fired. The clothes of the remainder were put in a heap and burned, and they, meantime, were compelled to lie on the road face downward.

The dwelling house, some corn, and a barn containing oats, potatoes, machinery, etc., were also set on fire. The young men were after told to clear off, and as they did so, more shots were fired. Mrs. Quinn says the raiders stated they were looking for murderers of police, but no murder of Crown forces had taken place in that district. Mr. P. Glynn of the same district, it is also alleged, was taken from his bed on Friday night and ill treated.

                      Irish Independent  Monday February 21, 1921 

I couldn’t find my great-great grandfather, John L. Hairston, in the 1870 census. Maybe this is the reason.

We learn from the Falls County Pioneer that the residence of J. L. Hairston, of that county, was consumed by fire on Saturday night, the 2d inst.

                 April 17, 1870 Galveston Tri Weekly News

Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn