Since Poor Farms are a current thread of discussion in Erath Co., if anyone's doing research on Poor Farms and Poor Houses, you might want to check out: http://www.poorhousestory.com/ The site's purpose is to: To provide a clearinghouse for information about 19th century American Poorhouses for ... history buffs, genealogists, teachers/students, and others with a similar interest. And their goal is to: to make records of all 19th century American Poorhouses accessible for genealogical or historical research to remove the secrecy which shrouds the poorhouse to make the history of the poorhouse more well known to dispel the negative image attached to poorhouse residence Mine poorhouse operator/ancestor was in Decatur Co., TN so I don't know what, if anything, is there on Erath Co. but there's lots of good information here. And if you have any information, you might want to provide it to that site to make it more accessible to other researchers. I've found the operator of the site to be very helpful. Good luck in your researching! Maureen Pierce

In the Dick Smith Library, in the old Commissioner of Court minutes is a section about the poor farm in the 1880s. My great-grandfather, Terrell Bryan, was superintendent of the poor farm for a while. I did see a list of some of the residents of the poor farm in the book. Diana Bryan Quinn Virginia Beach, Virginia My Genealogy Pages http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~bryanquinn/index.htm

Charles - Take a good look at the early years of the list ... I wondered if some of those guys were Civil War vets. I have never looked at any of the commitment papers -- though I recall having the Arendall file in my hands some time ago -- so I can't answer any questions about physicians or other institutional placings. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charles A. Wyly" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2003 8:37 AM Subject: Re: [ERATH] Asylum records > Hi, Cindy, > > Thanks for the list- I saw some on the list which I had not heard of- and > 3 or 4 which should have been there , weren't . Did this include Mexia > and Abilene State Schools ? > > Would Erath County citizens who used Hico or De Leon or Glen Rose Doctors > be listed if they enterred a State home from a private hospital out of > the county? . > > We should remember that high fever sometimes caused damage. Also, the > Depression of 1929 caused some to go over the edge. Some never recoverred > back then. Also, our generation did not invent child or spousal abuse. > Some WW1 Vets had flashbacks and did not live to be treated by the > Doctor after they snapped, due to accidents or suicide. > > Today, with Ritalyn, , thyroid medications and treatment, and Bi Polar or > Manic- Depressive drugs, some of those listed might have been able to > function at home. > > I have sent Students to the nurse for their Ritalyn - some it helpped, > some it didn't and some were brilliant. I have seen ex students of > Mexia State School leave the school,marry, and have normal children, > then, later, they recommitted themselves. One was given a private Room > and did ironing for workers for spending money and seemed normal. This > visiting was done in a Graduate Psychology Class at NTSU for a Research > paper, 1960's. > > Some Senior Students in Co- op Education would tell me that they made a > hundred on a test. When I graded it, they failed- they said it was not > their paper. The Ritalyn caused them to write so small that it was so > hard to read. Without it their handwriting was normal. They did fine at > work, and one is now an International Business Consultant and importer- > exporter- He got motivated in ICT and on the job, not from teachers > telling him to read Chapter 10 and answer the Questions. Why does the > student learn more that way than copying the answer from another student > instead of the Book? I knew one student who made a hundred on every test > in College if she took her Thyroid pill. Without it, she might drop to a > 94, and very rarely below 90. > > Dr. Wagner, Tarleton, used to say, tongue in Cheek, - use his psychology > book and if it didn't work on some kids, close the book and hit them with > it in the proper place. > > Take Care, > 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 > >

I don't know much, if anything, about the county farm. We should get Diana Quinn to chime in -- one of her family members ran the farm at some point (I think.) I also don't know if the county farm (where folks were sent to pay off their misdemeanor fines) was the same facility where the homeless ( i.e., the poor farm) were sent. I could rescan the SHERIFF's DOCKET (it covers 1878 through 1910 only) for a list of people sent to the farm if it would be of use to anyone. This wouldn't take too long and I could probably get it done in the next few days. I would also assume that the farm would be run by the county commissioners and there might be records in their minute book. I don't have time to do the commissioners' research now, but it might make a good project for someone with time. Most of commissioners' records seem to be downstairs in the genealogy room at the Dick Smith Library. OH! There were also a few references to very young men (14-17) convicted of criminal offenses sentenced to time in the penitentiary. A couple of entries said "sent to reformatory" and others just give pause ... those boys do not have a corresponding prison number issued through the state penal system. I don't have time to research those either ... drat. My summer project is to compile the list of Erath County prison sentences (from the Sheriff's Docket 1878-1910) and take it to Austin. Then locate the prison intake and conduct record for each one. At some point after that try to locate the court records and newspaper items ... perhaps someday a book. BUT I'll post the data from the Sheriff's Docket when I get that list ready in the next few days. Around here we all know about the LAST execution in Erath County - that of Tom Wright (for killing John Adams in Dublin.) But I also found an entry for Bob Johnson, an African-American, convicted of murder who was executed in Erath County on July 20, 1906. Does anyone know anything about that case?

Hi, Cindy, Thanks for the list- I saw some on the list which I had not heard of- and 3 or 4 which should have been there , weren't . Did this include Mexia and Abilene State Schools ? Would Erath County citizens who used Hico or De Leon or Glen Rose Doctors be listed if they enterred a State home from a private hospital out of the county? . We should remember that high fever sometimes caused damage. Also, the Depression of 1929 caused some to go over the edge. Some never recoverred back then. Also, our generation did not invent child or spousal abuse. Some WW1 Vets had flashbacks and did not live to be treated by the Doctor after they snapped, due to accidents or suicide. Today, with Ritalyn, , thyroid medications and treatment, and Bi Polar or Manic- Depressive drugs, some of those listed might have been able to function at home. I have sent Students to the nurse for their Ritalyn - some it helpped, some it didn't and some were brilliant. I have seen ex students of Mexia State School leave the school,marry, and have normal children, then, later, they recommitted themselves. One was given a private Room and did ironing for workers for spending money and seemed normal. This visiting was done in a Graduate Psychology Class at NTSU for a Research paper, 1960's. Some Senior Students in Co- op Education would tell me that they made a hundred on a test. When I graded it, they failed- they said it was not their paper. The Ritalyn caused them to write so small that it was so hard to read. Without it their handwriting was normal. They did fine at work, and one is now an International Business Consultant and importer- exporter- He got motivated in ICT and on the job, not from teachers telling him to read Chapter 10 and answer the Questions. Why does the student learn more that way than copying the answer from another student instead of the Book? I knew one student who made a hundred on every test in College if she took her Thyroid pill. Without it, she might drop to a 94, and very rarely below 90. Dr. Wagner, Tarleton, used to say, tongue in Cheek, - use his psychology book and if it didn't work on some kids, close the book and hit them with it in the proper place. Take Care, Charles Wyly

Cindy, I always appreciate the things you add to this list! Along this line, I'm wondering if the poor farms have this type of listing? I've been told that a 1/2 sister of my grandfather, her children were considered orphans when she died in TN. These children showed up later in Hill Co, TX. I find writings about the poor farms but never a listing like you are showing. I thought you might be familar with that. Thanks, Dortha McElroy Greenlee ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cindy Shipman" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, June 27, 2003 10:02 AM Subject: [ERATH] Asylum records > I finally had an opportunity to post the list of Lunacy commitments recorded > in the Erath County Sheriff's Docket held in the overflow records at the > Dick Smith Library (Tarleton State University.) You can view these entries > at http://users.htcomp.net/cshipman/Lunacy%20List.htm . > > The sheriff's docket includes records beginning about 1878 and ending in > 1910. I assume that these lunacy cases probably had a hearing in the county > court. I have not looked for the corresponding court materials and probably > will not have an opportunity to compile that information. In addition to the > court dockets, indices, and case files there may be additional information > about these cases in the county probate/guardianship records. > > I was interested in the location of the various asylums. Some entries are > just marked "asylum" but others specify the particular institution. It was > my contention during the thread that I recalled that most lunacy cases were > referred to Terrell ... > > I hope this information helps some of you guys. I don't think it would be > safe to assume that these cases represent all the commitments to state > hospitals from Erath County -- I know of several that are not on the list. > Cindy > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Coleen" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, March 14, 2003 4:15 PM > Subject: Re: [ERATH] Asylum records > > > > Cindy, > > It would be very helpful if you could transcribe a list of whatever > you > > can of what's available in the Tarleton library. > > Thanks. > > Susan > > > > > Most of the county materials housed at Tarleton are county > > > commissioner, county court, county school district, and odds and > > > ends. Drop Glenda Stone an email at [email protected] for > > > information about specific items in the collection. We should see if > > > she'd provide us a complete list that we could have Annette and > > > Janice post at the GenWeb Erath County page or add it to the GenWeb > > > archives so that we don't all make Glenda crazy with our questions. > > > And in addition to these original ledgers and indexes (indices?) > > > Tarleton also houses a large collection of filmed county records for > > > both Erath and Brown Counties. A list of those materials at GenWeb > > > would be useful too. I might could find time to compile that list and > > > post it over spring break. Would it be useful to anyone? > > > Cindy > > > > > > > > > > > > ==== 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 finally had an opportunity to post the list of Lunacy commitments recorded in the Erath County Sheriff's Docket held in the overflow records at the Dick Smith Library (Tarleton State University.) You can view these entries at http://users.htcomp.net/cshipman/Lunacy%20List.htm . The sheriff's docket includes records beginning about 1878 and ending in 1910. I assume that these lunacy cases probably had a hearing in the county court. I have not looked for the corresponding court materials and probably will not have an opportunity to compile that information. In addition to the court dockets, indices, and case files there may be additional information about these cases in the county probate/guardianship records. I was interested in the location of the various asylums. Some entries are just marked "asylum" but others specify the particular institution. It was my contention during the thread that I recalled that most lunacy cases were referred to Terrell ... I hope this information helps some of you guys. I don't think it would be safe to assume that these cases represent all the commitments to state hospitals from Erath County -- I know of several that are not on the list. Cindy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Coleen" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, March 14, 2003 4:15 PM Subject: Re: [ERATH] Asylum records > Cindy, > It would be very helpful if you could transcribe a list of whatever you > can of what's available in the Tarleton library. > Thanks. > Susan > > > Most of the county materials housed at Tarleton are county > > commissioner, county court, county school district, and odds and > > ends. Drop Glenda Stone an email at [email protected] for > > information about specific items in the collection. We should see if > > she'd provide us a complete list that we could have Annette and > > Janice post at the GenWeb Erath County page or add it to the GenWeb > > archives so that we don't all make Glenda crazy with our questions. > > And in addition to these original ledgers and indexes (indices?) > > Tarleton also houses a large collection of filmed county records for > > both Erath and Brown Counties. A list of those materials at GenWeb > > would be useful too. I might could find time to compile that list and > > post it over spring break. Would it be useful to anyone? > > Cindy > > >

Wyly, would like more info on the old Crockett school -- always looking for info on Crocketts in Erath county. Thanks

Hi group, Just a note to let you know I have added many new pages to Early Texas Newspaper Clippings. These are abstracts from various early Texas newspapers which contain events such as death notices, marriages, crimes, and lots of other genealogically relevant trivia. Most of these are late 1800s through early 1900s. Warning, they can be fun and addicting to read! http://www.censusdiggins.com/tx_news.html Happy Searchin' Brenda CensusDiggins.com http://www.censusdiggins.com Home of FREE databases and GenStuff GiveAway.

Does anyone have access to a list of people buried in the Lingleville cmetery? I am looking for info ona Cordelia Hogg Shipman.. Her husband, William Mason Shipman is buried there and hoping she is too. Thank you Michaellann

Hello Linda, Will you please supply the website address for the Hightower Cemetery. I searched the Palo Pinto GenWeb site but did not fine a Hightower Cemetery listing. Thanks, Clyde Linda Huff wrote: > I found a Hightower Cemetery listing under Palo Pinto Co. on TexGenWeb site. > Why under Palo Pinto I don't know, but it was there. > > Linda > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Charles A. Wyly" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 11:57 AM > Subject: Re: [ERATH] 1910 Erath Census - Robert H Wheeler > > > Hi, > > the Hightower Cemetery between Morgan Mill and Lipan has several > > Hightowers buried there. Someone on this list has a Reading of the > > Cemetery. I stopped there Sunday but did not have time to get to a 50 th > > anniversary in Lipan for Grace Wyly Tarpley and Melvin Tarpley. > > > > Somewhere in the back of my mind it seems that Politician John > > Hightower had some loose Erath County connections , just as do Rick > > Perry and Tom Laney. > > > > 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

Here's the link in case you'd like to check it out. http://www.rootsweb.com/~txpalopi/oddsnends/hightower.htm When the submitter sent it to me to be transcribed it was originally thought to be in Palo Pinto Co., but as it turned out it was in Erath Co. Since it had already been transcribed it was left there and a link to it was sent to the Erath Co., TXGenWeb. They should have that link soon. donna brand Palo Pinto Co., TXGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~txpalopi/ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Linda Huff" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 11:38 AM Subject: Re: [ERATH] 1910 Erath Census - Robert H Wheeler I found a Hightower Cemetery listing under Palo Pinto Co. on TexGenWeb site. Why under Palo Pinto I don't know, but it was there. Linda ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charles A. Wyly" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 11:57 AM Subject: Re: [ERATH] 1910 Erath Census - Robert H Wheeler > Hi, > the Hightower Cemetery between Morgan Mill and Lipan has several > Hightowers buried there. Someone on this list has a Reading of the > Cemetery. I stopped there Sunday but did not have time to get to a 50 th > anniversary in Lipan for Grace Wyly Tarpley and Melvin Tarpley. > > Somewhere in the back of my mind it seems that Politician John > Hightower had some loose Erath County connections , just as do Rick > Perry and Tom Laney. > > 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

I found a Hightower Cemetery listing under Palo Pinto Co. on TexGenWeb site. Why under Palo Pinto I don't know, but it was there. Linda ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charles A. Wyly" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 11:57 AM Subject: Re: [ERATH] 1910 Erath Census - Robert H Wheeler > Hi, > the Hightower Cemetery between Morgan Mill and Lipan has several > Hightowers buried there. Someone on this list has a Reading of the > Cemetery. I stopped there Sunday but did not have time to get to a 50 th > anniversary in Lipan for Grace Wyly Tarpley and Melvin Tarpley. > > Somewhere in the back of my mind it seems that Politician John > Hightower had some loose Erath County connections , just as do Rick > Perry and Tom Laney. > > 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 > >

Hi, the Hightower Cemetery between Morgan Mill and Lipan has several Hightowers buried there. Someone on this list has a Reading of the Cemetery. I stopped there Sunday but did not have time to get to a 50 th anniversary in Lipan for Grace Wyly Tarpley and Melvin Tarpley. Somewhere in the back of my mind it seems that Politician John Hightower had some loose Erath County connections , just as do Rick Perry and Tom Laney. Take care, Charles A. Wyly

Charles, I am unable to correct or confirm your post. The Allison connection I have to this Wheeler line migrated to TX from GA. I have the direct line documented and there is no Allison as you mention below. This Robert Wheeler and his mother, Julie Ann Allison Wheeler jump from the 1880 Montague County census to the Erath 1910 census. So I am fishing for kin of the Wheelers to see if they know where they were. With the age of this Julie, I also would suspect that she might have died in Erath County but again that is a guess I need to confirm or disprove. Thanks for the respons .... Gil ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charles A. Wyly" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, June 09, 2003 2:47 PM Subject: Re: [ERATH] 1910 Erath Census - Robert H Wheeler > Hi, > please correct me if I am wrong, but mom attended Selden Church with an > Ammabelle Allison and I think she lived in Selden on road from kay and > Wyly farms towards Evergreen. Wasn't she the mother of Tarleton State > University Coach Johnny Dunn? I attended SHS and Tarleton at the same > time he was there, shining in Football. This Allison was in Selden > Community in 1920's > Before that, the Crockett School was across Hwy 67 and Evergreen School > was down the old Dirt Hwy 67, which joined Hwy 281 in the Valley Grove > area. > > Guess you know about the very old Ben Wheeler community and church > between Tyler and Canton, near Van, Texas. > > Take care, > Charles Wyly

In a message dated 6/9/2003 2:48:44 PM Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: > Ammabelle Allison I would like to find out more about Ammabelle Allison. In my family Frances Hightower married a J.W. Allison in 1882 in Erath County, Texas. Thank you; Shirley

Hello, Some of my Erath County born Moring kin sent 4 photos of RATTLESNAKES over 6 feet long caught alive near Kingsville Natural Gas Plant. I once found one in the first Pony Creek Cemeterybetter known as the abandoned Evans Cemetery, on hill in front of the church. A grave wascaved in and some large animal had dug a hole into the grave big enough for a Fox- There was appx. 4 ft. Rattler , big enough to have eaten a Rabbit or 2. Later, in 1940's I had just forded the Paluxy on my Harley and killed a Rattler over 6 feet long, but smaller at the waist than the one in the grave. Today's Waco Tribune Herald ( Wacotrib.com) had an article about West Texas Prairie Dogs being sold in northern states as pets and they were carriers of the MONKEY POX, similar to Cow pox or Small Pox. Some have died from the disease, carriedby either Prairie dog or his parasites. Some at Johnsille Reunion Saturday thought AFRICAN FIRE ANTS were killing small snakes, just as they are our Horned Frogs They can also kill newly born unattended infants and calves and baby armadillos. I saw Bees swarming near Selden Saturday.some there are Killer Bees and many countuies in Texas are Quarantined for moving Hives, but the African - Mexicanized Bees don't recognize county lines. My grandson was stung in Selden a few years ago- 54 stings showed up in 24 hours- in hiseyes,nostrils, ears, mouth, lips, back, and anywhere they saw a bare spot. I got him some shots at Stephenville Hosp[ital and he stayed in bed with pain and swelling medicines most of 1 week. This type bee is highly agitated by two Cylinder Riding Mowere and sometimes by weedeaters- as their sound is highly obnoxious or threatening to the Killer Bees. Remove their Quen and the next generationwill be more domesticated and hard workers. And we used to worry about chiggers- At last we can spray for them, or put Downy pads in our Socks. Have Fun but Take care, the world is more dangerous from changes in our environment and our fellow man. Is there a Connection here? happy Hunting Charles A. Wyly

Charles....I hope this Wylie is related to you......just a small thank for all of the information that you provide us with........Tami James Jackson Wylie Biography http://www.genealogymagazine.com/jamesjwylie.html

Hi, please correct me if I am wrong, but mom attended Selden Church with an Ammabelle Allison and I think she lived in Selden on road from kay and Wyly farms towards Evergreen. Wasn't she the mother of Tarleton State University Coach Johnny Dunn? I attended SHS and Tarleton at the same time he was there, shining in Football. This Allison was in Selden Community in 1920's Before that, the Crockett School was across Hwy 67 and Evergreen School was down the old Dirt Hwy 67, which joined Hwy 281 in the Valley Grove area. Guess you know about the very old Ben Wheeler community and church between Tyler and Canton, near Van, Texas. Take care, Charles Wyly

anyone recognize this family who is on the 1910 Erath County census: Robert H Wheeler, age 53, born TN Hester, daughter, age 13, born TX Sarah, sister, age 56 Julie, mother, age 75, born TN I believe Robert is the son of William D Wheeler and Julie Ann Allison (in 1880 Montague County TX) Robert would have had brothers and sisters: Sarah (above) Goodson (1920 in Caddo County OK) Josephine E John William D. L. (1910 in Hood County TX) James H (1910 in Ottawa County OK) George Luther (1910 in Pawmee County OK) Susan Oscar (1910 in Lampasas County TX) Gil