Hi, I had a direct request from someone hunting JORDANS in Precinct 3, Erath County. not sure if Hightower Cemetery is in Precinct 3, but it is not far from Bluff Dale, which was. Perhaps the one being sought had kin in the Morgan Mill- Lipan area with kin already buried at Hightower- hope they see this. Searcher, check the Txerath County Rootsweb archives and the direct link to Hightower is given. First, check out Google.com search for Hightower Cemetery. or try http://www.selfroots.com or archives : http://searches2.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch:pi and Thank Donna Brand for posting this. Charles A. Wyl;y

Mr. Wyley, you are just wonderfu, a world of information. I read your notes all time even when they aren't useful to my research. They are so interesting. If you haven't already, you should write a book, you have so much information. I have not been able to locate the grave of Catherine Jordan. I was not able to pull up the website you told me about. I keep getting "this page is not available." Catherine Jordan was born in 1839 in MS, lived with he son William. I found her last in Precinct #3 in Erath County in 1900. I have been unable to find her since so I am guessing she may have died during that time. I appreciate your help, you have given me an area to search on my next visit to Erath County. I remember when I was a child, my dad took his horses and would help work on the roads, also worked on the road between Alexander and Dublin when that highway was being built. Thanks again, Dorothy

Hi, Precincts may have changed since Erath Copunty l0ost territiry to Somervell, Hood, and other counties, but Preinct 3 in 1950's included from Duffau to Johnsville, selden and Chalk Mountain to Pony Creek and Bluff Dale. Roy Fallin held the record for maximum road improvement after he left the Seabees Engineering in South Pacific, best I remember. He brought us from inferior gravel dumped by scrapers - without long distance truck dumping, and inferior road beds to top notch riad beds made with hs=eavier top notch Gravel and clay base and several were paved as he had rebuilt after time for them to pack and settle. He built beyond the County tax base by contracts to build terraces and dams for farmers and ranchers and sub contracting work on Hwy 377 and others and taking the payment from other contractors in Asphalt pavement of County roads..Before that high clearance vehicles like Model A's drove in deep muddy ruts after heavy rains and, if they met someone in the same ruts, someone had to yeild at the risk of slicding in the ditch or becoming stuck a useinf weeds and sacks to move agaimn or calling the nearest farmer to bring his tractor or horses many saved for lighter work like gathering corn or plowing small gardens. Such sub contracting around the State brought about present laws lobied by Private Contractors which forbids the County equipment to compete with private contractors like Brown & Root or Mayfield Brothers Young Brothers or whoever . Also, in Texas today it is illegal to use County equipment within any city limitstoavoid Cities organizing to keep taxes cheap and then asking the County to maintain their dirt roads and streets, as they once did in Robinson, Texas. Take care, Charles A. Wyly.

Appreciate the tip, see www.empiretribune.com on June 27. - - Rex ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cindy Shipman" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, July 04, 2003 5:39 PM Subject: Re: [ERATH] Stephenville Ice house and "Thirsty- Just whistle" for Whistle Vess Soda Pop > Just last week, our local journalist Joyce Whitis, wrote about the joys of > having ice home-delivered in her Stephenville Empire-Tribune column. Her > column might be online at the Empire-Tribune's website.

Catherine Jordan last seen on census 1900, Erath County Precinct 3. Anyone know where Precinct 3 is? Dorothy

Hi,a few Jordans in Hightower Cemetery, Erath County. This cemetery is listed in either Palo Pinto or Hood county cemetery readings-Apparently someone actually thoughtthey were not in Erath County- It is between Morgan Mill and Lipan. The E mail site for the cemetery should be in recent archives of one of the 3 counties- probably not Erath. - or a Search engine like Google.com might go directly to it let me know if you do not find it. Charles Wyly

Does anyone have any Erath County Cemetery books? I am looking for grave of Catherine Jordan, last seen in Erath County 1900 census, precinct. Father was Joseph Jordan and son was William Jordan. Her parents are buried in Honey Creek Cemetery Cemetery in Hamilton County. Don't know where William is buried either. Can anyone tell me what part of the county is Precinct 3? Any help will be appreciated. Dorothy

This list is usually pretty active....how come no one's been talking lately?

Hi,I forgot, the ice house was on the Railroad and had once supplied ice to the Railroad for shipping fresh meat and vegetables and for Pullman cars. Also, Great Aunt Susie Moxley graduated from Tarleton and Mary- Hardin - Baylor- she taught in Box School, near Pony Creek Church, Selden,Indian Creek, Lingleville, Pea Ridge, Huckaby, Bloomington and others- was hired by A&M Consolidated schools but cannot find record that she went through with the contract. Bloomington offerred her a Principal's position and a hefty raise. She refused as she did not believe that women should have positions of authority . her boy friend attended ed Baylor and Southwestern Seminary and became a Principal in Amarillo, and married another. She returned home to Indian Creek to take care of her Civil War veteran dad, who had moved the family from Calloway County, Missouri to the Selden- Indian Creek area on Hico- Stephenville highway. She lived 1890-1976 and never drove a car. She rode the bus to Stephenville some and worked some for the family of Dean J. Thomas Davis of Tarleton. her house never had electricity or running water- they owned the land and payed the taxes and sent a few through Tarleton or SHS her hand pump failed and she carried the water from a nearby pond. The family had a weaving loom for carpet and a spinning wheel to earn extra money by daylight or lamp. FOOD COOLER- She built a frame for a burlap coverred box outside the Kitchen Window and wet it down with pumped or carried water 3 to 5 times a day, and it kept her milk and butter cool. They always had Red cling seed Indian Peach pickles for dinner. She drove her horse and Buggy to Selden Church until her last horse died, then rode with kin and neighbors to church. and dressed like Amish- she said they had Puritain roots from Plymouth Colony, but I have not been able to prove it. After I left home she often ate Sunday dinner with my mom and dad- Always jovial and telling us kids about the healthy Bible foods and other frontier or moral stories. She was related to Darnell, Higdon. Higbee- Arendell-Fleming- Ogan and other Indian Creek folk and Fort Worth Shannons- her niece married attorney Marvin Shannon of Shannon Funeral home- the Blind Golfer who had played with Bob Hope for a Colonial Country Club Charity tournament. Outside the Indian Creek Cemetery from the Moxley and Wyly graves, is a flat rock. There I am told is buried a Missouri Indian who led a wagon train from Missouri to Texas and he lived in the area and kept a lookout for possible Indian Raiders, appx. 1900. Great Great Grand George Milton Moxley had fought in Civil War as one who drew a bounty for taking a rich man's place in Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's fierce fighters. I remember him drawing Civil War Vet checks from the State of Texas, with a Confederate Flag stampped on the State mailed envelopes. Take care, Charles A. Wyly

Just last week, our local journalist Joyce Whitis, wrote about the joys of having ice home-delivered in her Stephenville Empire-Tribune column. Her column might be online at the Empire-Tribune's website. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charles A. Wyly" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, July 04, 2003 4:49 PM Subject: [ERATH] Stephenville Ice house and "Thirsty- Just whistle" for Whistle Vess Soda Pop > Memories of Stephenville Ice House, referred to recently > > Hi, > The Old Stephenville Ice house had a floor made of the tops of the Ice > molds. Each mold was filled with water, then , when frozen, they pulled > metal boxes up as needed and removed the ice, which was placed on an > automatic slide chute through the wall to the loading dock. There was a > manual trip to pull to let the ice slide out. > > when the Ice plants in Central Texas closed, farm mechanics bought the > old Ice boxes or vaults which stood on end , solid across the floor of > the plant. They were split diagonally by cutting torches across the end > and down opposite corners and mounted on old tractors, especially the > steel wheeled ones as dirt fenders , which made the driver a much happier > camper. Old tractors with rounded fenders were factory equipped- the > square fenders made in Clifton and Stephenville were custom fit to the > tractor. > > We used to have a cedar Ice Chest in our Johnsville home, 1930's with a > double hinged top lid. The ice blocks were placed in first and butter and > milk were set on and around the ice. Some had the upright chests with > separate doors for food and block ice. Our homes were not locked, and a > card was left in the front window with the side up indicating the size of > Ice block you wanted. The contract route hauler usually had an old > pickup with a heavy canvas tarp pulled over the ice. One Ice Man was a > Koonsman- Hugh, best I remember. After World War 1 Elmer Johnson took the > route to Johnsville & all points east. No new pickups - or new cars were > available. Elmer took a damaged Plymouth Sedan and cut the top off behind > the front seat and made a flat bed pickup to haul the ice in. Most Ice > haulers were small farmers or cattlemen . > We made our ice cream in a wooden bucket with hand crank. It took 2- > one to crank and the other to sit on the Freezer on a tow sack to hold it > down and keep the ice until we could no longer turn it. > > Before that, Farmers in Erath County used Galvanized and screened milk > coolers with a water pan on top and bottom. A sheet was wrapped around > the screen sides and pans were filled,.and evaporation cooled the food > and kept butter firm. Before that, milk and butter were placed in a > bucket and dripped down a well on a rope, stopping just above the water. > My Elementary Teacher Clara Stigler Atkins once quipped that her sisters > had to pull the cool food up before meals, as she was so ugly she would > sour the milk. She was beautiful to us. In 1950-,my Pontiac wasn't air > conditooned, so, on the way back to Fort Polk I would stop at Whitney ice > plant and put a 25 pound block of ice in a dishpan in the floor board and > open the old Foot vents by the windshield, and rode in air conditioned > Comfort. > > In the Hill Country of Erath County , there were cool springs in unlikely > places, almost on level ground, between small rock ledges. Some in Texas > used underground natural caverns or dirt floor log top cellars to keep > food cool in sulmmer and above freezing in the summer. These became a > cooling place for whatever. Grandad Henry Wyly of Selden,Texas- or one of > his ancestors- had dug a hole near his windmill to a Rock layer about 5 > feet down, then built a stone tank platform to 8 feet above the ground . > He had a Cypress floor on the rocks and tank overflow from the windmill > would fill the sunken cool water pool and milk cans were kept there until > the Route man came for them, or some was needed in the house. This still > stands on the Hoelscher Dairy, north of the Dr. Hatchett home that Bud > Cook restored. This resembled the old Spring Houses our ancestors dug in > Tennessee, only up there they cut the ice from ponds and stacked it in > the spring house a few feet deep. If you visit Gatlainburg- Sevlerville, > Tennessee go to Marble Springs home of Great Grandad X 8, First > Tennessee Governor , Col. John Sevier. It is open to the public. > > Vess Cola- and Whistle Vess flavors was made in or near the old > Stephenville Ice Plant- it is still made elsewhere , but those old > Stephenville bottles are collector's items. > Take care, > Charles A. Wyly > > P.S. Remember our warnings that anything sent like this is automatically > copyrighted. > > > > > ==== 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 > >

Memories of Stephenville Ice House, referred to recently Hi, The Old Stephenville Ice house had a floor made of the tops of the Ice molds. Each mold was filled with water, then , when frozen, they pulled metal boxes up as needed and removed the ice, which was placed on an automatic slide chute through the wall to the loading dock. There was a manual trip to pull to let the ice slide out. when the Ice plants in Central Texas closed, farm mechanics bought the old Ice boxes or vaults which stood on end , solid across the floor of the plant. They were split diagonally by cutting torches across the end and down opposite corners and mounted on old tractors, especially the steel wheeled ones as dirt fenders , which made the driver a much happier camper. Old tractors with rounded fenders were factory equipped- the square fenders made in Clifton and Stephenville were custom fit to the tractor. We used to have a cedar Ice Chest in our Johnsville home, 1930's with a double hinged top lid. The ice blocks were placed in first and butter and milk were set on and around the ice. Some had the upright chests with separate doors for food and block ice. Our homes were not locked, and a card was left in the front window with the side up indicating the size of Ice block you wanted. The contract route hauler usually had an old pickup with a heavy canvas tarp pulled over the ice. One Ice Man was a Koonsman- Hugh, best I remember. After World War 1 Elmer Johnson took the route to Johnsville & all points east. No new pickups - or new cars were available. Elmer took a damaged Plymouth Sedan and cut the top off behind the front seat and made a flat bed pickup to haul the ice in. Most Ice haulers were small farmers or cattlemen . We made our ice cream in a wooden bucket with hand crank. It took 2- one to crank and the other to sit on the Freezer on a tow sack to hold it down and keep the ice until we could no longer turn it. Before that, Farmers in Erath County used Galvanized and screened milk coolers with a water pan on top and bottom. A sheet was wrapped around the screen sides and pans were filled,.and evaporation cooled the food and kept butter firm. Before that, milk and butter were placed in a bucket and dripped down a well on a rope, stopping just above the water. My Elementary Teacher Clara Stigler Atkins once quipped that her sisters had to pull the cool food up before meals, as she was so ugly she would sour the milk. She was beautiful to us. In 1950-,my Pontiac wasn't air conditooned, so, on the way back to Fort Polk I would stop at Whitney ice plant and put a 25 pound block of ice in a dishpan in the floor board and open the old Foot vents by the windshield, and rode in air conditioned Comfort. In the Hill Country of Erath County , there were cool springs in unlikely places, almost on level ground, between small rock ledges. Some in Texas used underground natural caverns or dirt floor log top cellars to keep food cool in sulmmer and above freezing in the summer. These became a cooling place for whatever. Grandad Henry Wyly of Selden,Texas- or one of his ancestors- had dug a hole near his windmill to a Rock layer about 5 feet down, then built a stone tank platform to 8 feet above the ground . He had a Cypress floor on the rocks and tank overflow from the windmill would fill the sunken cool water pool and milk cans were kept there until the Route man came for them, or some was needed in the house. This still stands on the Hoelscher Dairy, north of the Dr. Hatchett home that Bud Cook restored. This resembled the old Spring Houses our ancestors dug in Tennessee, only up there they cut the ice from ponds and stacked it in the spring house a few feet deep. If you visit Gatlainburg- Sevlerville, Tennessee go to Marble Springs home of Great Grandad X 8, First Tennessee Governor , Col. John Sevier. It is open to the public. Vess Cola- and Whistle Vess flavors was made in or near the old Stephenville Ice Plant- it is still made elsewhere , but those old Stephenville bottles are collector's items. Take care, Charles A. Wyly P.S. Remember our warnings that anything sent like this is automatically copyrighted.

To add a little to the ice story, Dad, Fred Carey, ran an ice route out of Stephenville for awhile, probably around 44-47. Still have the ice tongs he used to load and deliver the ice in a GMC pickup. I was about 4-6 years old and used to ride with him on the route south of Stephenville. Remember the ice coming down a shoot with a rumble to the loading dock at the ice plant where it was loaded in about one foot square blocks best I remember, to facilitate handling. Insulation was in the form of old quilts which is what was used in lieu of ice boxes on back porches in some cases. The REA an electricity came to our area of Selden in 1948 and along with it a refrigerator with small freezer at the top with aluminum trays for ice, popsickles, and ice cream. A wondrous development. The ice cream wasn't quite up to par with the White Mountain with the crank, but it was a lot easier. - - - Rex ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gerald Cook" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, July 04, 2003 2:26 AM Subject: Re: [ERATH] Andrew J. Spencer > The ice house in Dublin was on west elm street, one block off the main > street. I went there when I was a very small child to get ice. I do not > know when it went out of business. Part of it was turned into a locker > plant and operated ini that capacity for a long time. Buster McCarty worked > there for years and I'm pretty sure he was the manager. > Elizabeth > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "HaynesO'Neil" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2003 9:03 PM > Subject: Re: [ERATH] Andrew J. Spencer > > > > Lynette, Your questions are challenging my memory, which is pretty pocked > > with holes something akin to Swiss cheese. If I remember correctly, the > ice > > plant was on Belknap street about two blocks or so from the town square. > > (Charles or someone correct me if I'm wrong here). It was either in the > same > > block or one down from the theater. It wasn't large, just a small > business, > > but of course was vital to the people of Stephenville prior to > > refrigeration. Many of the farmers outside of town had to wait many years > to > > get electricity poles put up in their area, so they relied on ice from the > > plant (long after the city people) for their perishables, drinks, etc. > > People would mostly buy blocks of ice for their "ice boxes" but also > crushed > > ice for manual ice cream makers and such. The ice plant kept in business > > until the late 1950's or early 1960's when it went out of business. I > guess > > by then ice was being brought in from Ft. Worth in trucks and sold through > > stores in bags. Also by then, the whole area was electrified and even the > > rural people had refrigerators, so the demand was small. > > > > I loved to go there on my summer errands with my grandfather, Bryan > > Wood/Christopher's brother. We would pull up to the plant at a loading > dock, > > and in the hot summer it was a real treat. It was probably about the only > > place in town that was "air-conditioned". We would walk into the loading > > area and the cold air was wonderful. I believe the floors were cement. I > > remember thinking how lucky the men were who worked there (I don't know > what > > happened to them or what it was like in the winter when the demand for ice > > would have been small, probably not so pleasant being cold all day). They > > moved the blocks around by huge tongs and dollies, and since the ice was > > very heavy, the men had to have some bit of fitness. > > > > My guncle Christopher Wood was a very nice man and he worked there as far > > back as I can remember. I don't remember if he was plant manager or just > an > > employee. Anyway, one day in the 1950's he accidentally tripped over a > super > > sharp cycle or blade that was used to cut the ice and cut off all of his > > toes on one foot. He limped the rest of his life. So the work was somewhat > > dangerous with the wet, slippery floors, heavy weights, and sharp cutting > > instruments. > > > > There weren't that many people who worked there......only a handful, if > my > > memory serves me correctly. It was quiet there, not like what you would > > think, and the activity was slow. The term "ice plant" sounds like a large > > industrial, noisy, busy place, but it wasn't like that at all. > > > > My mother would probably remember more, if you still need additional > > information. Anyway, hope this helps give you a better picture of what it > > was like for your relative. My Best, Randy Haynes > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: <[email protected]> > > To: <[email protected]> > > Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2003 3:02 PM > > Subject: Re: [ERATH] Andrew J. Spencer > > > > > > > In a message dated 6/30/03 9:49:14 PM Pacific Daylight Time, > > > [email protected] writes: > > > Dear Randy, > > > Thanks for the reply, Andrew did have two sisters Mary and Allis/Alice, > > but > > > they both lived in Hunt County, TX. > > > > > > However, your side note interests me very much. Do you have any > > information > > > on the Ice Plant? Was there more than one, where was it located, is it > > still > > > in business, etc.? > > > > > > Is there a professional genealogist who would be willing to search court > > > records for me? A very kind member of this mailing list did look for a > > death > > > record for Andrew, but found nothing. As he owned a house on Black Jack > > Street, > > > > > > Dublin there should be records of the sale. > > > > > > Thanks again for try to help, > > > Lynette in CA > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I have a Spencer about that time in my database. Her name was Martha > > > > Francis > > > > Spencer who married John Hamilton Stephen. Don't know if this is your > > family > > > > or not, but could have been a sister to your Andrew J. > > > > > > > > Also, just as a sidenote, my great-uncle, Christopher Wood worked at > the > > Ice > > > > Plant most of his life. > > > > > > > > My Best, Randy Haynes > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ==== 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 > > > > > > > ==== 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 > > >

The ice house in Dublin was on west elm street, one block off the main street. I went there when I was a very small child to get ice. I do not know when it went out of business. Part of it was turned into a locker plant and operated ini that capacity for a long time. Buster McCarty worked there for years and I'm pretty sure he was the manager. Elizabeth ----- Original Message ----- From: "HaynesO'Neil" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2003 9:03 PM Subject: Re: [ERATH] Andrew J. Spencer > Lynette, Your questions are challenging my memory, which is pretty pocked > with holes something akin to Swiss cheese. If I remember correctly, the ice > plant was on Belknap street about two blocks or so from the town square. > (Charles or someone correct me if I'm wrong here). It was either in the same > block or one down from the theater. It wasn't large, just a small business, > but of course was vital to the people of Stephenville prior to > refrigeration. Many of the farmers outside of town had to wait many years to > get electricity poles put up in their area, so they relied on ice from the > plant (long after the city people) for their perishables, drinks, etc. > People would mostly buy blocks of ice for their "ice boxes" but also crushed > ice for manual ice cream makers and such. The ice plant kept in business > until the late 1950's or early 1960's when it went out of business. I guess > by then ice was being brought in from Ft. Worth in trucks and sold through > stores in bags. Also by then, the whole area was electrified and even the > rural people had refrigerators, so the demand was small. > > I loved to go there on my summer errands with my grandfather, Bryan > Wood/Christopher's brother. We would pull up to the plant at a loading dock, > and in the hot summer it was a real treat. It was probably about the only > place in town that was "air-conditioned". We would walk into the loading > area and the cold air was wonderful. I believe the floors were cement. I > remember thinking how lucky the men were who worked there (I don't know what > happened to them or what it was like in the winter when the demand for ice > would have been small, probably not so pleasant being cold all day). They > moved the blocks around by huge tongs and dollies, and since the ice was > very heavy, the men had to have some bit of fitness. > > My guncle Christopher Wood was a very nice man and he worked there as far > back as I can remember. I don't remember if he was plant manager or just an > employee. Anyway, one day in the 1950's he accidentally tripped over a super > sharp cycle or blade that was used to cut the ice and cut off all of his > toes on one foot. He limped the rest of his life. So the work was somewhat > dangerous with the wet, slippery floors, heavy weights, and sharp cutting > instruments. > > There weren't that many people who worked there......only a handful, if my > memory serves me correctly. It was quiet there, not like what you would > think, and the activity was slow. The term "ice plant" sounds like a large > industrial, noisy, busy place, but it wasn't like that at all. > > My mother would probably remember more, if you still need additional > information. Anyway, hope this helps give you a better picture of what it > was like for your relative. My Best, Randy Haynes > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2003 3:02 PM > Subject: Re: [ERATH] Andrew J. Spencer > > > > In a message dated 6/30/03 9:49:14 PM Pacific Daylight Time, > > [email protected] writes: > > Dear Randy, > > Thanks for the reply, Andrew did have two sisters Mary and Allis/Alice, > but > > they both lived in Hunt County, TX. > > > > However, your side note interests me very much. Do you have any > information > > on the Ice Plant? Was there more than one, where was it located, is it > still > > in business, etc.? > > > > Is there a professional genealogist who would be willing to search court > > records for me? A very kind member of this mailing list did look for a > death > > record for Andrew, but found nothing. As he owned a house on Black Jack > Street, > > > > Dublin there should be records of the sale. > > > > Thanks again for try to help, > > Lynette in CA > > > > > > > > > > > I have a Spencer about that time in my database. Her name was Martha > > > Francis > > > Spencer who married John Hamilton Stephen. Don't know if this is your > family > > > or not, but could have been a sister to your Andrew J. > > > > > > Also, just as a sidenote, my great-uncle, Christopher Wood worked at the > Ice > > > Plant most of his life. > > > > > > My Best, Randy Haynes > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ==== 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 >

Lynette, Your questions are challenging my memory, which is pretty pocked with holes something akin to Swiss cheese. If I remember correctly, the ice plant was on Belknap street about two blocks or so from the town square. (Charles or someone correct me if I'm wrong here). It was either in the same block or one down from the theater. It wasn't large, just a small business, but of course was vital to the people of Stephenville prior to refrigeration. Many of the farmers outside of town had to wait many years to get electricity poles put up in their area, so they relied on ice from the plant (long after the city people) for their perishables, drinks, etc. People would mostly buy blocks of ice for their "ice boxes" but also crushed ice for manual ice cream makers and such. The ice plant kept in business until the late 1950's or early 1960's when it went out of business. I guess by then ice was being brought in from Ft. Worth in trucks and sold through stores in bags. Also by then, the whole area was electrified and even the rural people had refrigerators, so the demand was small. I loved to go there on my summer errands with my grandfather, Bryan Wood/Christopher's brother. We would pull up to the plant at a loading dock, and in the hot summer it was a real treat. It was probably about the only place in town that was "air-conditioned". We would walk into the loading area and the cold air was wonderful. I believe the floors were cement. I remember thinking how lucky the men were who worked there (I don't know what happened to them or what it was like in the winter when the demand for ice would have been small, probably not so pleasant being cold all day). They moved the blocks around by huge tongs and dollies, and since the ice was very heavy, the men had to have some bit of fitness. My guncle Christopher Wood was a very nice man and he worked there as far back as I can remember. I don't remember if he was plant manager or just an employee. Anyway, one day in the 1950's he accidentally tripped over a super sharp cycle or blade that was used to cut the ice and cut off all of his toes on one foot. He limped the rest of his life. So the work was somewhat dangerous with the wet, slippery floors, heavy weights, and sharp cutting instruments. There weren't that many people who worked there......only a handful, if my memory serves me correctly. It was quiet there, not like what you would think, and the activity was slow. The term "ice plant" sounds like a large industrial, noisy, busy place, but it wasn't like that at all. My mother would probably remember more, if you still need additional information. Anyway, hope this helps give you a better picture of what it was like for your relative. My Best, Randy Haynes ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2003 3:02 PM Subject: Re: [ERATH] Andrew J. Spencer > In a message dated 6/30/03 9:49:14 PM Pacific Daylight Time, > [email protected] writes: > Dear Randy, > Thanks for the reply, Andrew did have two sisters Mary and Allis/Alice, but > they both lived in Hunt County, TX. > > However, your side note interests me very much. Do you have any information > on the Ice Plant? Was there more than one, where was it located, is it still > in business, etc.? > > Is there a professional genealogist who would be willing to search court > records for me? A very kind member of this mailing list did look for a death > record for Andrew, but found nothing. As he owned a house on Black Jack Street, > > Dublin there should be records of the sale. > > Thanks again for try to help, > Lynette in CA > > > > > > I have a Spencer about that time in my database. Her name was Martha > > Francis > > Spencer who married John Hamilton Stephen. Don't know if this is your family > > or not, but could have been a sister to your Andrew J. > > > > Also, just as a sidenote, my great-uncle, Christopher Wood worked at the Ice > > Plant most of his life. > > > > My Best, Randy Haynes > > > > > > > > ==== 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 a message dated 6/30/03 9:49:14 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: Dear Randy, Thanks for the reply, Andrew did have two sisters Mary and Allis/Alice, but they both lived in Hunt County, TX. However, your side note interests me very much. Do you have any information on the Ice Plant? Was there more than one, where was it located, is it still in business, etc.? Is there a professional genealogist who would be willing to search court records for me? A very kind member of this mailing list did look for a death record for Andrew, but found nothing. As he owned a house on Black Jack Street, Dublin there should be records of the sale. Thanks again for try to help, Lynette in CA > I have a Spencer about that time in my database. Her name was Martha > Francis > Spencer who married John Hamilton Stephen. Don't know if this is your family > or not, but could have been a sister to your Andrew J. > > Also, just as a sidenote, my great-uncle, Christopher Wood worked at the Ice > Plant most of his life. > > My Best, Randy Haynes >

Hi, Any connections to J.B. Mayfield, road construction Contractor and rodeo arena owner in 1940's , based near Green's Creek inb Erath County- on U.S. 67 between Stephenville and Dublin ? Charles Wyly

I have a Spencer about that time in my database. Her name was Martha Francis Spencer who married John Hamilton Stephen. Don't know if this is your family or not, but could have been a sister to your Andrew J. Also, just as a sidenote, my great-uncle, Christopher Wood worked at the Ice Plant most of his life. My Best, Randy Haynes ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, June 30, 2003 4:23 PM Subject: [ERATH] Andrew J. Spencer > I am searching for information on Andrew J. Spencer (my great uncle). He is > in the 1900 census with wife Stella, son Lem and daughter Edith (Edyth) with > boarder Mark Brown. In the 1910 census he is living on Black Jack Street with > only Stella and Edith, occupation listed as Engineer in what I think may have > been the Ice Plant. I know he died before April of 1919. Any information would > be appreciated or if anyone lives in an area where they could search county > records for a marriage license or land ownership, as he owned his home and it > was > most likely sold before 1919 I would be very interested in corresponding > with you. Sincerely, > Lynette in CA > > > > > > > > ==== 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 am searching for information on Andrew J. Spencer (my great uncle). He is in the 1900 census with wife Stella, son Lem and daughter Edith (Edyth) with boarder Mark Brown. In the 1910 census he is living on Black Jack Street with only Stella and Edith, occupation listed as Engineer in what I think may have been the Ice Plant. I know he died before April of 1919. Any information would be appreciated or if anyone lives in an area where they could search county records for a marriage license or land ownership, as he owned his home and it was most likely sold before 1919 I would be very interested in corresponding with you. Sincerely, Lynette in CA

I wonder if you might have any info. on a Seaborn Mayfield.. born in l8l3.. married a Sally Chenoweth in l838 in Brown county, Illinois.. what my family and I would like to know is where he died and when and where he is buried.. the last we knew of him was in a poorhouse in Brown county about l898... Thanks for your help..

Hi, Maureen, How about the Black books? (Not racial)- Ga. Black Book had a descendant of Col. Ben Cleveland in it as a severe alcoholic who abused his wife and children. He was warned the first time he beat her by neighbors without masks that if it happened again they would see hiom in court. and they did. One of his sons was raised by james Rutherford Wyly and second wife Francis Wallace. His first wife was Sarah hawkins Clark ( Sevier ) Wyly. As you probably know , Sarah's parents were Maj. William Clark and Eli=zabeth Sevier. Elizabeth was 7 when her mom died,and she went back to Knoxville and lived in her grandad Sevier's home when he was first Tennessee Governor and was educated partially in home schooling when G. Grandad X8 Col. Sevier hired Presbyterian and Baptist ministers to educate his children. so, Wylys came to Erath County, Texas reading Latin Vulgate Bibles , esp. Uncle Bill in Selden. Also several other Erath County families in Central Texas from that area- Sevier- Hatchettt- Stone- Carey- Cleveland- kay-Rampley-Hipp-Underwood- Wyly-Clark- King and many others with Tennessee and Ga. kin. You can probably find the one in Ga. Black Book who was cured of Alcoholism or recoverred from Moonshine damage and was released and became a Responsible and respected Citizen of Souith Carolina, between Traveller's Rest Inn, Toccoa and Traveller's Rest Town, S.C. A few years ago some of the S.C. Irish Travellers (Not Gypsies) came through Erath County, Texas and poured burnt motor oil on dad's roof for a sealer, which it was not. When dad realized he was a con artist's victim he went to the Sheriff and wanted to file charges. The Sheriff told him to get in line with other victims. By then they were back in the $200,000.00 homes in South Carolina, as was shown on either 60 Minutes or 20-20 on TV. Take care Charles A. Wyly TODAY 40 % OF ALL RESIDENT TEXANS LIVE WITHIN 15 MILES OF i-35. AVOID THE TRAFFIC BY TAKING 281 FROM CANADA TO STEPHENVILLE TO LAMPASSAS AND SAN ANTONIO- THE OLD NATIONAL TRUNK ROUTE it's more scenic and relaxing and sometimes faster.