Sherri, How are you related to the Sechrists? I have Sechrists that were married to the Shipmans and Jones. Michaellann

I would like a copy of downtown Chalk Mountain. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charles A. Wyly" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 2:34 PM Subject: Re: [ERATH] Books about Erath County > In addition to books already referred to you and most found in Tarleton > College and/or Stephenville City library. > The University of North Texas in Denton has one of the largest > collections of Texas German records - books and newspapers in the German > Language. Many have English translations. > > I have H. Grady Perry's GRAND OLE ERATH- THE STORY OF A CROSS TIMBERS > COUNTY and a copy of Homer Stephen book of Frontier postmasters and > notes on early Texas short reports. I got it from Homer when he was > living- many oif his weekly philosophy and ad columns are in old > Stephenville papers. Homer's Uncle was the Ox Cart Freight line operator > from Bellmead, Texas RR station to Fort Belknap and Fort Graham and > Homer's twin cousins were born in the Panther cave at Chalk Mountain, > where Mr. Steven could stop going and coming on his Fort Graham ( Lake > Whitney area) and Fort Belknap area and towns along the way. Back then, > paddle wheel boats came up the Brazos from. the Gulf to Towash near > Whitney when a rise allowed them to come up over the Marlin Falls. > Downstream was easier. These trips gave Waco cheaper seacoast rates for > Rail traffic than Stephenville had. > > Also, the old Historic Calendars published in 1970-80's by Town and > Country Bank and Dan Young had a complete bibliography of the daily > historic events and photos. A photo of downtown streets of Chalk > Mountain, Clairette, Alexander, and others are on some calendars. The > Century Club now publishes a similar burt smaller calendar. > > Charles A. Wyly > > > ==== TXERATH Mailing List ==== > --- Author Retains Copyright --- > -- Copyright 2003 Author -- All Rights Reserved > Post to List: [email protected] http://www.selfroots.com > Unsubscribe request To: [email protected] > ARCHIVES: http://searches2.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl >

In addition to books already referred to you and most found in Tarleton College and/or Stephenville City library. The University of North Texas in Denton has one of the largest collections of Texas German records - books and newspapers in the German Language. Many have English translations. I have H. Grady Perry's GRAND OLE ERATH- THE STORY OF A CROSS TIMBERS COUNTY and a copy of Homer Stephen book of Frontier postmasters and notes on early Texas short reports. I got it from Homer when he was living- many oif his weekly philosophy and ad columns are in old Stephenville papers. Homer's Uncle was the Ox Cart Freight line operator from Bellmead, Texas RR station to Fort Belknap and Fort Graham and Homer's twin cousins were born in the Panther cave at Chalk Mountain, where Mr. Steven could stop going and coming on his Fort Graham ( Lake Whitney area) and Fort Belknap area and towns along the way. Back then, paddle wheel boats came up the Brazos from. the Gulf to Towash near Whitney when a rise allowed them to come up over the Marlin Falls. Downstream was easier. These trips gave Waco cheaper seacoast rates for Rail traffic than Stephenville had. Also, the old Historic Calendars published in 1970-80's by Town and Country Bank and Dan Young had a complete bibliography of the daily historic events and photos. A photo of downtown streets of Chalk Mountain, Clairette, Alexander, and others are on some calendars. The Century Club now publishes a similar burt smaller calendar. Charles A. Wyly

Hi, I forgot to ask, Mrs. Copeland if she knows a Blair in Eastland County who was County Ag Agent in Eastland and quit to be a Supervisor of a Stephenville factory. he married my wife's niece from Dublin- Johannah Riley Blair. Johannah's brother Joe Mack Riley married Donna Mitchell of Dublin. Just curious. Joe Mack and Johannah's dad was Jim Riley and his wife, Dot Jackson Riley was a cousin of Stephenville Lewallens. Dot's mom was a strong backer of Lubbock Christian College. Most of these Riley children were born in Levelland, Texas or Pettit, Texas. Take care, Charles Wyly

Hi, the name is familiar, but there were so many Jacksons in Erath and Bosque County I do not know their connections. I assume uou mean Milk Disease of Undulant Fever, caused by eating or drinking dairy products from a cow with Brucelosis or Bangs Disease- a Cattle Veneral Disease- a human mother who has the faver can give it to her baby in nursing. Mom had it in 1940's and Drs. Terrell treated her, She slept a lot sometimes. We tested our cows and found what we suspected- a cow dad had boought at Stephenville auction had missed a calf crop and she tested positive. We brandad her jaw with the State Required B and sold her as a canner and cutter class- they are made into potted meat, Weiners, Bologna- and processed meat which is steam pressure Cooked then it is safe to eat. No one else in the family had o or it did not noticerably slow us down. Take care, Charles A. Wyly

Hi, is he buried in Lipan or Hightower Cemetery between Morgan Mill and Lipan? My Double First Cousin Grace Wyly Tarpley and Melvin Tarpley (She from Selden and he from Pony Creek) livebetween Hightower and Lipan and I went to Lipan for their 50 th wedding anniversary this summer. They were plasnning a trip to Los Angeles Naval Base , their first home after Selden Marriage and they and a Military Chaplain founded a Baptist Church there and Grace played the Piano there. She was from Selden, but played for Pony Creek Kids groups or Booster Band when they were dating and either Howard Keith or Bro. Pruitt was pastor and Bro. Emil Becker of Stephenville First Baptist preached several summer Revivals under the Oak trees there. Bro. Becker led the group who ordained Howard Keith as a minister. He drove a Cooper Grocery Truck out of Cleburne, based in Stephenville and his tithe was sometimes more than the total collection during bad weather. Hightower Cemetery was first posted on Palo Pinto Cemetery readings, as the ones who read it did not know it was in Erath County- barely. I saw your Copeland name- my great Grandparents Sarah Copeland and Charles Madison Hipp were married in Clinton, South Carolina Huricane Baptist Church . Sarah's first kin in the area was John Copeland , Presbyterian Scotch- Irish Elder in Duncan Creek Presbyterian Church before 1760 with his wife, Margaret Blakely. One Blakely lives in Iredell. If I am not mistaken Blakelys of the Stephenville store had Walnut Springs roots. . I have a 1937 Copeland Family History for a Reunion in either Clinton or Greer. Her Cousin Jim Nabors has ancestors buried in Clinton area and he was born in Newbury, S.C., not Maybery as the TV show he was in. my name, some of Grace's family Imogene Hatchett Garner, and sister Dorothy Irene Hatchett and Ken Carey were listed on the Copeland Family Tree and Reunion program in 1937. Now someone did a lot of searching and mailing to do that much research in 1937 for a Reunion coverring 150 years . . Grandmother Nancy Elizabeth Hipp Carey of Selden married Charles Madison Hipp and mom- Emma Carey Wyly was born in Hope, Arkansas. Copeland and Stone Cousins of Huckaby and Lingleville area were Grandmother's Cousins and so was a Hipp in Cranfils Gap and 7 Hipp Brothers in San Antonio area. 6 of the Hipp Bros. are School teachers. They are desc. from 3 Hipp brothers from Switzerland or Germany , where boundary shifted in the Palitanate Vineyards on the Rhine River. Hipp was a short for one who handled Pruning knives ( Cutting the Buds or Hipps- like Rose Hipps??- In Minnesota there are many Hippleths - no connection known. The first American home of Hipps included the " Dutch Fork Hipps" of North Carolina. a few centuries earlier some Scotch- irish went to that area- as a colony- some returned home. another Hipp ran a neighborhood Grocery Store in Temple for many years. His granddaughter and friend posted Hipp Family Tree of their line in Rootsweb or Ancestory lists. A large book was publihed last year or So of Hipp Family history including Copeland Connections. it is NORTH CAROLINA HIPPS AND THEIR DESCENDANTS- several Dillard, Vaughn- Vaughan- Nabors- Neighbors, White and other kin. Author is Dr. Sandra Hipp Lee Westbrooks of Hipp KS Farms in Dallas, Georgia. Second volume is in the works- I have her E mail if you need it. Bro. Hollis Epton was a Carey - Hipp descendant and held Grandmother's funeral in Huckaby when she birend to death in a Selden prairie fire, 1940 ish. He was also the pastor when the old European style Waxahachie First Baptist Church was built. Tqake care, Charles A. Wyly

do you have a joe jackson in your family,,,he lived in stephenville and before that out near cedar point. His first wife and children died from milk disease. [email protected] ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 9:32 PM Subject: [ERATH] Re: TXERATH-D Digest V03 #167 > Hello Mr. Wyly, > I enjoy your stories. I wonder if you might have any information on > the Leroy Jackson (Uncle Bob) Blair family. He was my great grandfather. He > was born in Johnson County but lived in Erath County for a while as did some of > his brothers and sons. We have been told that he was a Justice of The Peace > or Constable. I know they family farmed. My grandparents, Bezzie Lee Blair and > Effie Emberlin were married at Patillo, according to the marriage > application. It was never returned for filing so all I have is the application. Leroy > Jackson moved to Lipan and that is where he is buried. It was a large family > and I do not have much information on them. Anything you can add or even a > suggestion of where to look is appreciated. > Thank you, > Laverne Blair Copeland > > > ==== TXERATH Mailing List ==== > --- Author Retains Copyright --- > -- Copyright 2003 Author -- All Rights Reserved > Post to List: [email protected] http://www.selfroots.com > Unsubscribe request To: [email protected] > ARCHIVES: http://searches2.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl >

I would also like to have a list of books about Erath County. Thanks; Shirley

Hello Mr. Wyly, I enjoy your stories. I wonder if you might have any information on the Leroy Jackson (Uncle Bob) Blair family. He was my great grandfather. He was born in Johnson County but lived in Erath County for a while as did some of his brothers and sons. We have been told that he was a Justice of The Peace or Constable. I know they family farmed. My grandparents, Bezzie Lee Blair and Effie Emberlin were married at Patillo, according to the marriage application. It was never returned for filing so all I have is the application. Leroy Jackson moved to Lipan and that is where he is buried. It was a large family and I do not have much information on them. Anything you can add or even a suggestion of where to look is appreciated. Thank you, Laverne Blair Copeland

Hi, not the old paved crooked road going down into Somerville County which was north of the present straight road- but a dirt road south of the Roadside park which does not come out to U.S. 67. It intersects the Crossroads Community road to Walnut Springs , past Shucks McCarty and others. It was a dead end road except for the cattleguard going int private property. I think the road was before the Nancy Smith Cemetery, where Deaf Smith's wife was buried- and Davey Crockett's Tennessee wife is buried at Acton in Hood County- not far across from Chalk Mounbtain to Comanche Peak as the crow flies- but cars follow more indirect routes. Wonder if Mrs. Crockett had anything to do with John Crockett, one of Quantrill's men who settled in Pony Creek before leaving for Quannah? Charles

Yes,,I have a story of my grandpa selling moonshine. The sheriff showed up,,,but before he got to the house, grandpa sent daddy back into the woods carrying jugs of moonshine,,,,but he forgot one. When the sheriff came inside the house,,,,,,,grandma saw it and stood in front of it. The sheriff looked at grandma,,,,,,,,,,he knew her and just turned around and left....Not sure why he even bothered to stop. Maybe he wanted grandpa,,,,,,,,,,lol. My daddy is a bit intimidated by folks and he promised he would never get himself in that situation. Which he never did. Drinking that moonshine, to me was dangerous. One time my uncle decided to make homemade beer. That fall he was watching TV when he heard what sounded like gun firing but not quite. After he heard about 5 pops, he went to the garage and all his beer was exploding,,,,,,,,,it was funny. I guess it was a good thing,,,,,,,at least he didnt get caught for making it. lol ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charles A. Wyly" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 11:52 AM Subject: Re: [ERATH] bluff where the cave is > No, > the gravel road from Flat Top Ranch road on the slope towards Glen Rose > to the road leading from Glass or Crossroads Communities has always been > private property with gates and/or cattleguards- . It is a mile or so > south of present Hwy 67. near Odom Chapel Methodist Church and Cemetery > but across from the Cave. At one time, in prohibition days, some of these > roads were guarded by gate guards with rifles on both sides of the > Brazos- and in Johnson County. . Bars in Dallas were supplied from that > general area and from Whiskey Hollow betwen West and Leroy near Tours > Church and Hall. This has been documented by West High School Junior > Historians. The Giant Red Barn west of Odom Chapel was the Stage depot > for Chalk Mountain. > > M.D. Pruitt, when pastoring at Pony Creek, said when he was a boy one > could stand in the Churchyard and look out over Pony Creek, Mitchell > Creek, and the Paluxy north of Lone Mountain , and see smoke from 4 or 5 > stills at one time and tell you about > who ran them. Times have changed- Propane heat leaves no smoke- but is > easy to spot from the air by State and Federal Liquor Control officers. > Heard of one place in Erath County where several Marijuana plants were > found, well cultivated under trees. We found one in Indian Creek inside > a Rock fenced grave which I think was Marijuana about 6 feet tall. It > was gone last funeral I attended there. One man used his fireplace and a > barrell outside for his cooker and condensor. I sat by that fire > sometimes, but only recently learned the rest of the Story. A home > across from Old Anderson Feed Mill in Stephenville was torn down- and a > well was found under the porch with a Still in the well. And we always > thought that smell was fermented feed dust on the ground. > > I never drank the stuff- as Metal Poison and "Jakeleg" Paralysis hit > some who drank it cooled in salvaged Zinc or iron car > Radiators.Antifreeze residue probably did not help much, Life was > exciting enough for me when I was cold sober . One 500 gallon Copper > factory made still was found in Bosque County since 1950. Deer loved the > creek water downstream and sometimes raced the school bus. Federal > officers collected fines but local juries rarely convicted anyone kin > who had kids they might have to feed while their dad was serving time. > > Nuf Sed, > > Charles A. Wyly > > > ==== TXERATH Mailing List ==== > --- Author Retains Copyright --- > -- Copyright 2003 Author -- All Rights Reserved > Post to List: [email protected] http://www.selfroots.com > Unsubscribe request To: [email protected] > ARCHIVES: http://searches2.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl >

No, the gravel road from Flat Top Ranch road on the slope towards Glen Rose to the road leading from Glass or Crossroads Communities has always been private property with gates and/or cattleguards- . It is a mile or so south of present Hwy 67. near Odom Chapel Methodist Church and Cemetery but across from the Cave. At one time, in prohibition days, some of these roads were guarded by gate guards with rifles on both sides of the Brazos- and in Johnson County. . Bars in Dallas were supplied from that general area and from Whiskey Hollow betwen West and Leroy near Tours Church and Hall. This has been documented by West High School Junior Historians. The Giant Red Barn west of Odom Chapel was the Stage depot for Chalk Mountain. M.D. Pruitt, when pastoring at Pony Creek, said when he was a boy one could stand in the Churchyard and look out over Pony Creek, Mitchell Creek, and the Paluxy north of Lone Mountain , and see smoke from 4 or 5 stills at one time and tell you about who ran them. Times have changed- Propane heat leaves no smoke- but is easy to spot from the air by State and Federal Liquor Control officers. Heard of one place in Erath County where several Marijuana plants were found, well cultivated under trees. We found one in Indian Creek inside a Rock fenced grave which I think was Marijuana about 6 feet tall. It was gone last funeral I attended there. One man used his fireplace and a barrell outside for his cooker and condensor. I sat by that fire sometimes, but only recently learned the rest of the Story. A home across from Old Anderson Feed Mill in Stephenville was torn down- and a well was found under the porch with a Still in the well. And we always thought that smell was fermented feed dust on the ground. I never drank the stuff- as Metal Poison and "Jakeleg" Paralysis hit some who drank it cooled in salvaged Zinc or iron car Radiators.Antifreeze residue probably did not help much, Life was exciting enough for me when I was cold sober . One 500 gallon Copper factory made still was found in Bosque County since 1950. Deer loved the creek water downstream and sometimes raced the school bus. Federal officers collected fines but local juries rarely convicted anyone kin who had kids they might have to feed while their dad was serving time. Nuf Sed, Charles A. Wyly

All the stories I have read are very interesting since many of my ancestors were born and lived there for many years. I have gone to Gordon family reunions some years ago in Gordon. What do you know about the Gordon,Fulkerson, Sechrist, Harding families? Hopefully something good. The picture of the men on the Erath County Court House steps mentioned sometime back included my great-grandfather Tom Fulkerson. I too have that picture but was glad to see one that is not well worn like mine is.I believe my mother's cousin Grady Harding is a permamant fixture on " New York Hill" as he calls it and is an old cowboy. Never wore anything but cowboy shirts, hats and boots. He said he even wore boots in the Navy. He is in his mid 80's now but could tell me stories in great detail when I was there. My grandmother who died just a year ago at 96 was Leona Fulkerson Shoup. She was Tom's daughter. She had many Gordon pictures and did not know who many of them were just that they were Gordon's. Most at the reunion were too young to know either. Such a loss to them. Would like to hear from anyone on these people. Sherry Ohern

Charles are u talking about where 67 use to go around chalk mountain,,,sorta,,,,and that part is closed now to the public??????? I know grandma told grandpa she would not ride in the car going around chalk mountain and made the kids get out,,,,,grandpa then drove the car on around,,,,,,it was muddy and raining at the time. and that would be on the side where the road side park is. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charles A. Wyly" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 6:30 AM Subject: Re: [ERATH] Chalk Mountain-Laney, McGee > Hi, > Remember, the cave is very dangerous. > > 1. Rattlesnakes- I have seen them crawling back to their chalk knob nests > in the first week of December, eating eggs and vermin oin the way. Funny > what one can see from a Bus driver's seat. > > 2. IF you got past the cattleguards, and went when the sun was not out- > it would be easy for someone playing or talking to walk off the flat > cleared area and fall several feet into a rock canyon with running water > and not see it if they were looking up and ahead. . All I could see of > the graves was the dug areas. Bull Adams screened all loose dirt through > a hail screen and found all sorts of Indian artifacts. On e could ride > within 50 feet of the cave on some sides and never see it, but the > opverhangs would shelter several sheep or Indians who sometimes seemed > to disapear. > > 3. We took the school bus towards Crossroads and turned back towards > Chalk Mountain and climbed a ridge road which may be closed now. It was > as narrow and steep and rough as some of Arkansas. The bus barely made it > up the hill with 12 kids. This was a dead end road for the public. We > returned by the Flat Top road- THIS IS NOT THE FLAG BRANCH OR EAST BOSQUE > ROAD back towards Iredell. It is a short distance across to the Flat > Top Ranch Road. Do not try to walk to the cave from the Roadside Park > at the top of hill on U.S. 67- PRIVATE PROPERTY- too far, rocky , brushy, > and Snaky. The park , before my time, was a site for family picnics and > had primitive horse powerred Merry Go Rounds, swings, slides, and > picnic tables- similar to the old Stephenville Roberts park near Gentry > Bridge or was it near the Valley Grove Bridge?the present sewer plant- > way before my time. > > By the way, you climb more feet in altitude from Glen Rose to > Stephenville than you do from Post to Lubbock or possibly Weatherford to > Ranger. Wqatch out for the trucks on the Glen Rose- Chalk Mtn Hill- and > for Deer. > > Take care, and be sure you know someone who will guide you there with > permission. > > Charles Wyly > > > ==== TXERATH Mailing List ==== > --- Author Retains Copyright --- > -- Copyright 2003 Author -- All Rights Reserved > Post to List: [email protected] http://www.selfroots.com > Unsubscribe request To: [email protected] > ARCHIVES: http://searches2.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl >

Reba, There is considerable information regarding the early days in Erath county on the Government Documents Dept., University of North Texas website http://texinfo.library.unt.edu/annexation/contents.html . At the webpage click on the following PDF file. Middleton, John W. History of the Regulators and Moderators and the Shelby County War in 1841 and 1842, in the Republic of Texas, with Facts and Incidents in the Early History of the Republic and State, from 1837 to the Annexation, Together with Incidents of Frontier Life and Indian Troubles, and the War on the Reserve in Young County in 1857. Fort Worth: Loving Publishing Company, 1883. View: PDF <http://texinfo.library.unt.edu/annexation/files/atpm0255.pdf> John Middleton was one of my g-g-g-grandfathers who relocated from Shelby county in 1856 to the Kickapoo creek area in Erath county (north of Bluffdale). From chapter 12 to the end of his book he relates his many encounters with the Indians of the area. Numerous early days residents of the entire area are covered. It is an excellent early day account of life in Erath and surrounding counties and makes for very enjoyable reading. John and his wife, Mary Ann (Chalk) Middleton are buried in the Acton State Park cemetery. Clyde Edmonds [email protected] wrote: >Is there a list of books that have been published about Erath County. I >would love to purchase as many as there are. My Dad was born there and a little >bit of his heart is still there. I did purchase a book by a Mr. Favor. I >believe he was an attorney. If anyone has a list of them and how they can be >purchased, I would like to have it. > >Thanks, >Reba Bostick Criner > > >==== TXERATH Mailing List ==== >--- Author Retains Copyright --- >-- Copyright 2003 Author -- All Rights Reserved >Post to List: [email protected] http://www.selfroots.com >Unsubscribe request To: [email protected] >ARCHIVES: http://searches2.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl > > > >

Hi, Remember, the cave is very dangerous. 1. Rattlesnakes- I have seen them crawling back to their chalk knob nests in the first week of December, eating eggs and vermin oin the way. Funny what one can see from a Bus driver's seat. 2. IF you got past the cattleguards, and went when the sun was not out- it would be easy for someone playing or talking to walk off the flat cleared area and fall several feet into a rock canyon with running water and not see it if they were looking up and ahead. . All I could see of the graves was the dug areas. Bull Adams screened all loose dirt through a hail screen and found all sorts of Indian artifacts. On e could ride within 50 feet of the cave on some sides and never see it, but the opverhangs would shelter several sheep or Indians who sometimes seemed to disapear. 3. We took the school bus towards Crossroads and turned back towards Chalk Mountain and climbed a ridge road which may be closed now. It was as narrow and steep and rough as some of Arkansas. The bus barely made it up the hill with 12 kids. This was a dead end road for the public. We returned by the Flat Top road- THIS IS NOT THE FLAG BRANCH OR EAST BOSQUE ROAD back towards Iredell. It is a short distance across to the Flat Top Ranch Road. Do not try to walk to the cave from the Roadside Park at the top of hill on U.S. 67- PRIVATE PROPERTY- too far, rocky , brushy, and Snaky. The park , before my time, was a site for family picnics and had primitive horse powerred Merry Go Rounds, swings, slides, and picnic tables- similar to the old Stephenville Roberts park near Gentry Bridge or was it near the Valley Grove Bridge?the present sewer plant- way before my time. By the way, you climb more feet in altitude from Glen Rose to Stephenville than you do from Post to Lubbock or possibly Weatherford to Ranger. Wqatch out for the trucks on the Glen Rose- Chalk Mtn Hill- and for Deer. Take care, and be sure you know someone who will guide you there with permission. Charles Wyly

Is there a list of books that have been published about Erath County. I would love to purchase as many as there are. My Dad was born there and a little bit of his heart is still there. I did purchase a book by a Mr. Favor. I believe he was an attorney. If anyone has a list of them and how they can be purchased, I would like to have it. Thanks, Reba Bostick Criner

Hi Rooters, I would like that information also. Thanks Patty Amos [email protected] wrote: >Is there a list of books that have been published about Erath County. I >would love to purchase as many as there are. My Dad was born there and a little >bit of his heart is still there. I did purchase a book by a Mr. Favor. I >believe he was an attorney. If anyone has a list of them and how they can be >purchased, I would like to have it. > >Thanks, >Reba Bostick Criner > > >==== TXERATH Mailing List ==== >--- Author Retains Copyright --- >-- Copyright 2003 Author -- All Rights Reserved >Post to List: [email protected] http://www.selfroots.com >Unsubscribe request To: [email protected] >ARCHIVES: http://searches2.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl > > > >

David where do u live now. ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Gilliam" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2003 7:55 PM Subject: Re: [ERATH] Chalk Mountain > Hello Again Mr. Wyly, > > I enjoy your stories about Erath Co., being as I was born there, although my > birth certificate states Mingus, Erath Co. I know that Mingus is in Palo > Pinto Co., Several years when my parents were living they took me by where I > was born and it was off Highway 108 about 16 miles north of Stephenville > going toward Thurber and Mingus. > > I have made a "Charles Wyly Information" folder and saved many of your > stories about the Indians, Texas Rangers, and other Texas history stories. > > I was wondering if you ever heard about or knew a Baptist Minister by the > name of Dr. Calvin Guy Carter from Granbury, TX that died in 1982. > > Did you know of a Spillers family living in the Stephenville area back in > the late 1930's? > > I enjoy your e-mails. > > Sincerely, > Jean > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Charles A. Wyly <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2003 2:21 PM > Subject: Re: [ERATH] Chalk Mountain > > > > Hi, > > as I understand it from H. Grady Perry's book GRAND OLE ERATH- the > > Story of a Cross Timbers County, the main street of old Chalk Mountain > > was the old dirt Hwy 67, which I was born on in Johnsville, Grandad Henry > > Wyly bought some land from Reed Cox family in 1920's and Grandad Henry > > Carey's brother George Carey bought the adjoining land between us and > > the Duffau Creek branch near the Selden Hatchett Cemetery. Some of the > > Bordner- Hatchett- Hammic connections are buried in Selden Cemetery, not > > Chalk Mountain. One Anderson is also there. > > \ > > Bordners were Bortner in Germany and, like Riggs men, came from Illinois > > and points east to the area. > > > > Old Dirt Hwy 67 was very crooked- I and Truett Carey and Williams and > > Carver and Wright kids and some Coxes and Pitman and McGee and Scotts > > and Mills and Little kids and Dr. Morris Johnson walked the old Hwy > > past the Johnsville Church and post office and turned off to right to > > old location of Johnsville School, before it became the main building of > > 3 way school on new Hwy 67. The present paved U.S. 67 was being built > > when I was born. Dad went for a Doctor through the construction rather > > than follow the crooked old dirt U.S. 67 to old Valley Grove area, then > > into Stephenville. One bridge was out near Cedar Point road- graded but > > not finished, and it was cold and muddy, so dad jumpped the ditch in his > > Model T pickup.I beat the Doctor there, and was kept warm on the south > > side of the wood stove in a quilt and orange crate. > > > > The open road from Chalk Mountain to Walnut Springs was the last open > > road before dropping off the steep hill into Somerville County. It past > > the park and picnic area of 1900 at Panther Cave, and Odom Chapel was > > on the other side of the road. Roy Fallin may have paved Erath portion of > > the road. Emerson Rhodeslived on the road near the cave where one of the > > Stephen brothers lived and wife had twins in the cave while he freighted > > by Ox Cart from Bellmead to Fort Graham and Foprt Griffin. Stephenville > > was named for a Stephen brother. The twins were Cliff and Cave. Emerson > > said- and was in papers- that Cliff Stephen led some of his family to > > the site in 1960's and, before leaving, he stared across the Tress Rios- > > 3 rivers Glen Rose area, towards Cleburne prairie and towards Comanche > > Peak in silence. His mom had killed a Panther after her bulldog had > > stopped him at the cowhide wall to their living quarters- one shot with > > a shotgun. Parhams, Ice, Fretwell, McCarty, and others lived at the foot > > of the hill. Jim Ice and dad traded livestock often. > > > > Cecil Fretwell's dad Scott was given Cecil's Congressional Medal of honor > > Posthumously by a marker on Glen Rose Courthouse square after Cecil was > > found dead in Korea. Way I read it at the time, some U.S. officers were > > dead in a dugout shelter room, several North Koreans were dead outside > > with bayonet wounds and Cecil was between the two groups with the only > > bloody bayonet in the bunch. Cecil visited some Johnsville friends to > > swap Motorcycle parts before we all went swimming in the Duffau, late > > 1940's. > > > > I rode the bus with Jiggs Laney's wife- an Edwards. His dad and mom, Ben > > and Ruth Laney, often exchanged visits with mom and Dad after they > > retired in Selden and also exchanged fruit and vegetables.Funny how old > > age turns lifetime acquaintances into good friends checking on each > > other. They had common memories. > > > > Oscar Parham, in his School bus , said there was once a cavern off the > > Panther Cave rock overhangs and the spring from solid rock- but so many > > dogs were lost in dropoffs while chasing animals, that the cavern part > > was bulldozed full- One used to see a place where dirt was moved and > > setled away from the ceiling, just enough for small animals and > > Rattlesnakes to enter and make a tremendous den. This is the first spring > > & waterfall on Hill Creek which turne back towards the Ralls Ranch and > > the Brazos near Eulogy. . The Parham Store in Stephenville was moved from > > the Crossroads area below this hill. > > > > THIS CAVE IS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY NEAR NEWER HOUSES- BUT IS DANGEROUS- > > KEEP OUT. I visited it as a local teacher with a Biology class with > > permission and gatherred specimens where "Bull " Adams, Rhodes Scholar, > > had found 4 Indian Graves under an overhang and sent his find to some > > museum. > > > > Sorry if I bored any of you, but hope your delete button still works- > > many books could be written on this area of many former Tennessee and > > other Frontiersmen > > > > Take care, > > Charles A. Wyly > > > > > > ==== TXERATH Mailing List ==== > > --- Author Retains Copyright --- > > -- Copyright 2003 Author -- All Rights Reserved > > Post to List: [email protected] http://www.selfroots.com > > Unsubscribe request To: [email protected] > > ARCHIVES: http://searches2.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl > > > > > ==== TXERATH Mailing List ==== > --- Author Retains Copyright --- > -- Copyright 2003 Author -- All Rights Reserved > Post to List: [email protected] http://www.selfroots.com > Unsubscribe request To: [email protected] > ARCHIVES: http://searches2.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl >

Hello Again Mr. Wyly, I enjoy your stories about Erath Co., being as I was born there, although my birth certificate states Mingus, Erath Co. I know that Mingus is in Palo Pinto Co., Several years when my parents were living they took me by where I was born and it was off Highway 108 about 16 miles north of Stephenville going toward Thurber and Mingus. I have made a "Charles Wyly Information" folder and saved many of your stories about the Indians, Texas Rangers, and other Texas history stories. I was wondering if you ever heard about or knew a Baptist Minister by the name of Dr. Calvin Guy Carter from Granbury, TX that died in 1982. Did you know of a Spillers family living in the Stephenville area back in the late 1930's? I enjoy your e-mails. Sincerely, Jean ----- Original Message ----- From: Charles A. Wyly <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2003 2:21 PM Subject: Re: [ERATH] Chalk Mountain > Hi, > as I understand it from H. Grady Perry's book GRAND OLE ERATH- the > Story of a Cross Timbers County, the main street of old Chalk Mountain > was the old dirt Hwy 67, which I was born on in Johnsville, Grandad Henry > Wyly bought some land from Reed Cox family in 1920's and Grandad Henry > Carey's brother George Carey bought the adjoining land between us and > the Duffau Creek branch near the Selden Hatchett Cemetery. Some of the > Bordner- Hatchett- Hammic connections are buried in Selden Cemetery, not > Chalk Mountain. One Anderson is also there. > \ > Bordners were Bortner in Germany and, like Riggs men, came from Illinois > and points east to the area. > > Old Dirt Hwy 67 was very crooked- I and Truett Carey and Williams and > Carver and Wright kids and some Coxes and Pitman and McGee and Scotts > and Mills and Little kids and Dr. Morris Johnson walked the old Hwy > past the Johnsville Church and post office and turned off to right to > old location of Johnsville School, before it became the main building of > 3 way school on new Hwy 67. The present paved U.S. 67 was being built > when I was born. Dad went for a Doctor through the construction rather > than follow the crooked old dirt U.S. 67 to old Valley Grove area, then > into Stephenville. One bridge was out near Cedar Point road- graded but > not finished, and it was cold and muddy, so dad jumpped the ditch in his > Model T pickup.I beat the Doctor there, and was kept warm on the south > side of the wood stove in a quilt and orange crate. > > The open road from Chalk Mountain to Walnut Springs was the last open > road before dropping off the steep hill into Somerville County. It past > the park and picnic area of 1900 at Panther Cave, and Odom Chapel was > on the other side of the road. Roy Fallin may have paved Erath portion of > the road. Emerson Rhodeslived on the road near the cave where one of the > Stephen brothers lived and wife had twins in the cave while he freighted > by Ox Cart from Bellmead to Fort Graham and Foprt Griffin. Stephenville > was named for a Stephen brother. The twins were Cliff and Cave. Emerson > said- and was in papers- that Cliff Stephen led some of his family to > the site in 1960's and, before leaving, he stared across the Tress Rios- > 3 rivers Glen Rose area, towards Cleburne prairie and towards Comanche > Peak in silence. His mom had killed a Panther after her bulldog had > stopped him at the cowhide wall to their living quarters- one shot with > a shotgun. Parhams, Ice, Fretwell, McCarty, and others lived at the foot > of the hill. Jim Ice and dad traded livestock often. > > Cecil Fretwell's dad Scott was given Cecil's Congressional Medal of honor > Posthumously by a marker on Glen Rose Courthouse square after Cecil was > found dead in Korea. Way I read it at the time, some U.S. officers were > dead in a dugout shelter room, several North Koreans were dead outside > with bayonet wounds and Cecil was between the two groups with the only > bloody bayonet in the bunch. Cecil visited some Johnsville friends to > swap Motorcycle parts before we all went swimming in the Duffau, late > 1940's. > > I rode the bus with Jiggs Laney's wife- an Edwards. His dad and mom, Ben > and Ruth Laney, often exchanged visits with mom and Dad after they > retired in Selden and also exchanged fruit and vegetables.Funny how old > age turns lifetime acquaintances into good friends checking on each > other. They had common memories. > > Oscar Parham, in his School bus , said there was once a cavern off the > Panther Cave rock overhangs and the spring from solid rock- but so many > dogs were lost in dropoffs while chasing animals, that the cavern part > was bulldozed full- One used to see a place where dirt was moved and > setled away from the ceiling, just enough for small animals and > Rattlesnakes to enter and make a tremendous den. This is the first spring > & waterfall on Hill Creek which turne back towards the Ralls Ranch and > the Brazos near Eulogy. . The Parham Store in Stephenville was moved from > the Crossroads area below this hill. > > THIS CAVE IS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY NEAR NEWER HOUSES- BUT IS DANGEROUS- > KEEP OUT. I visited it as a local teacher with a Biology class with > permission and gatherred specimens where "Bull " Adams, Rhodes Scholar, > had found 4 Indian Graves under an overhang and sent his find to some > museum. > > Sorry if I bored any of you, but hope your delete button still works- > many books could be written on this area of many former Tennessee and > other Frontiersmen > > Take care, > Charles A. Wyly > > > ==== TXERATH Mailing List ==== > --- Author Retains Copyright --- > -- Copyright 2003 Author -- All Rights Reserved > Post to List: [email protected] http://www.selfroots.com > Unsubscribe request To: [email protected] > ARCHIVES: http://searches2.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl >