Erna, I have just returned from vacation and getting around to answering my email. Retha Simmons Wells was a great Aunt-in-law of my husbands. She married William Wells in 1900 in Erath Co. She was born 24 Sep 1882 in Dublin and died in Sherman, Grayson Co, TX. Her home was in Whitesboro. Her parents were David Simmons and Cathryn D'Armon. They both died in 1900 along with an infant. Cause unknown to me. Her brothers and sisters were Gogge(Mrs George Milbornniss); Beechie (Mrs Edwin Smith; Florence ( Mrs tom or Bobby Francis); Abner, Mike, and David. She had an uncle, J D Simmons, who died 10 Oct 1933 in San Angelo. He had lived there 40 years. This uncle raised Mike. This info I got from news articles of Retha. If this is your family I would be glad to send copies to you. I would like to know more about this family. Retha and William Wells had no children. Sally Smith Lake Havasu City, AZ ---------- > From: Erna Florida <craftylady@lawtonok.net> > To: TXERATH-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [ERATH] Looking for information on the Simmons Family > Date: Tuesday, July 13, 1999 8:45 PM > > Hi, I'm hoping that someone can tell me something about my greatgrandmothers family. Their name was Simmons, they were in Erath county sometime after,1861. > I have been told that the father (I don't know his name) was a Texas Ranger. His wife's maiden name was Dempsey. There were six boys, and two girls in this family, they were cattle ranchers, and cowboys, who would go on cattle drives, and all the sons were musicians. > The only one of the children names I know is my grgrandmother Malinda Jane Simmons, and she married Frank McCaughey, there in Erath County. > So I would really appreciate any information, that anyone can give me. > Thank you. > Erna Florida > rna Florida

Mr. Wyly -- Pleeze!!!! Ann ---------- > From: Phillip Maynard <maynard@hti.net> > To: CherokeeGene-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Nancy Ross > Date: Friday, July 16, 1999 4:22 AM > > > My ggg-grandmother was Nancy Ross b. 1799, dtr. of Walter > Ross and Margaret Williams. Do not know if she was related to the great > Cherokee Chief, John Ross, who lead the "Trail of Tears." I'd love to find > out--relatives keep telling me "Oh we are part Cherokee". Are we? Also > have the book "Ride the Wind" about Cynthia Ann Parker and Quanah > Parker--more very distant relatives--I think. Hawley Ann Parker married a > Works my main surname line. Was Hawley Ann related to Cynthia Ann? "Ride > the Wind" is one of the best Native American books > ever published. Ann Works Maynard > > Web site for Chief John Ross descendancy > > > > > > http://www.mindspring.com/~caruso/johnross.htm > > > > > > Web site for Quanah Parker > > > > > > http://www.mindspring.com/~tnash/surnames/fam03627.htm > > > > > > http://www.tngenweb.usit.com/cherokee_by_blood/index.htm >

Hi, found a new ROSS connection in Hico, possibly. iT. seems one of my Great Grandad Robert Wyly's 22 siblings married the grandchild of a Ross in Georgia. There were 36 wagons in a Wagon train 1865-1868 who left Atlanta , Ga. cotton yards and came to Erath County. some may have been Ross. it seems Oliver Cromwell, Jr. , buried Hico, Texas, married a Amelia McConnell, daughter of William Ross and Jane Christene Jameson McConnell of Hiawasse , Georgia. They came to Texas and settlet on the Billy Ed Koonsman place, across from the first large dairy north of Hico on hwy 281, in Salem- Selden- Little Duffau area. These rosses would have been in Georgia before the Civil War and possibly before the Cherokee removal- the Wylys were. Take care, Charles Wyly

Hello, I have only begun my Simmons research I have Elvie Peoples Simmons who Married Andrew George her father was John Simmons she married in Hamilton County Elvie and Andrew had 15 children most of which were born in Erath they are buried at Pilot Knob in erath County Thanks Evelyn Erna Florida wrote: > > Hi, I'm hoping that someone can tell me something about my greatgrandmothers family. Their name was Simmons, they were in Erath county sometime after,1861. > I have been told that the father (I don't know his name) was a Texas Ranger. His wife's maiden name was Dempsey. There were six boys, and two girls in this family, they were cattle ranchers, and cowboys, who would go on cattle drives, and all the sons were musicians. > The only one of the children names I know is my grgrandmother Malinda Jane Simmons, and she married Frank McCaughey, there in Erath County. > So I would really appreciate any information, that anyone can give me. > Thank you. > Erna Florida > rna Florida

Hi, I'm hoping that someone can tell me something about my greatgrandmothers family. Their name was Simmons, they were in Erath county sometime after,1861. I have been told that the father (I don't know his name) was a Texas Ranger. His wife's maiden name was Dempsey. There were six boys, and two girls in this family, they were cattle ranchers, and cowboys, who would go on cattle drives, and all the sons were musicians. The only one of the children names I know is my grgrandmother Malinda Jane Simmons, and she married Frank McCaughey, there in Erath County. So I would really appreciate any information, that anyone can give me. Thank you. Erna Florida rna Florida

- -Henry E m 1 Eleanor Beason 2 B Sublette child John L White b 1860 m Eliza Ann Logan Henry White m Osie Stephens 14 children Emma Bell Tabitha Elizabeth Barney Sinclair John Russell Homer DEWitt Zelma Aura Matie Pearl m DeGrange Louis Earl Minnnie Lee m 1 Louis Corneilus 2 Carl Stath Lillie May m C. G. Gregory nancyr@elpasonet.net

Hi, I am doing record updates today and just noticed. I had just noticed that one of my Ancetors on Sevier line was KATHERINE WILLIAMS BORN rICHMOND cO. vA. & DIED 5/23/1741. hER PARENTS WERE jOHN AND eVE wILLIAMS OF RAPPAHANNOCK cO. vA. sHE DIED 1705. kATHERINE MARRIED aBRAHAM gOAD IN 1692 AND tHEIR SON jOHN gOAD B. 1700 WAS THE GRANDFATHER OF sARAH hAWKINS, B. 1746,,sHENNANDOAH cOUNTY, vA. , THE FIRST WIFE OF Col. & Gov. John Sevier of Virginia Military Institute, Fort Watauga, Tenn., and Knoxville, Tenn. State Militia in Rev. War and 1 st Governor of Tenn. Your World Book says he was a frontier opportunist without formal education and a glib talker . It doesn't mention he was a VMI student who spoke 5 languages fluently, plus some Cherokee, a surveyor,, a U. s. Congressman from Tennessee, and a great great grandson of the parents of the parents of St. Frances Xavier of Navarre, Aragon and Pamplona, (Basque, French & Spanish roots) and a member of the Royal Bourbon Family, which still rules Spain today. Some records say his dad lived 1699 to 1803- in 3 centuries. He was Valentine Sevier (Vol-In- Tin back then). Normal Scottish spelling is Kathryn- English was Catherine. Some records show my Grandmother as Kathryn- her headstone says Catherine. Her niece was called Kathy. and that's a lot more than you wanted to know about this Williams line. Right? Take care, Charles Wyly

Hi, Kathy lives about 2 miles from our Erath County farm we sold. If I go back this week to move something, will try to phone her. Charles Wyly On Mon, 12 Jul 1999 08:52:34 -0500 "Stevens, Gary" <Gary.Stevens@csoconline.com> writes: > > >This message is for Kathy Tate... I tried to reply buy your email came >back >with this message: > > >Your message did not reach some or all of the intended recipients. > > Subject: RE: [ERATH] Introduction > Sent: 7/12/99 8:27 AM > >The following recipient(s) could not be reached: > > ktate@geocities.com on 7/12/99 8:27 AM > The recipient name is not recognized > The MTS-ID of the original message is: c=US;a= ;p=CSOC >Online;l=CSOC-MAIL-BOX-990712132710Z-911 > MSEXCH:IMS:CSOC Online:HQ:CSOC-MAIL-IMC 3550 (000B099C) >550 ><ktate@geocities.com>... we do not relay > > >Do you have a better address? >

This message is for Kathy Tate... I tried to reply buy your email came back with this message: Your message did not reach some or all of the intended recipients. Subject: RE: [ERATH] Introduction Sent: 7/12/99 8:27 AM The following recipient(s) could not be reached: ktate@geocities.com on 7/12/99 8:27 AM The recipient name is not recognized The MTS-ID of the original message is: c=US;a= ;p=CSOC Online;l=CSOC-MAIL-BOX-990712132710Z-911 MSEXCH:IMS:CSOC Online:HQ:CSOC-MAIL-IMC 3550 (000B099C) 550 <ktate@geocities.com>... we do not relay Do you have a better address?

Hi, sounds suspect, doesn't it? Some of the Head inquirers should be able to answer . I am not sure, but the point of origin seems to fit . I remember Ida Head Gristy best. She and mom were sometimes Depression Midwives. We farmed their land during WW2. One of her kin married Mom's Bailey cousin younger than me and they had identical Triplet girls. They had Corpus Christi and Stephenville roots. O.K. you medical students, I know Identical siblings are even numberred, but there were 3 - three of these. You figure it out. Take care, Charles Wyly

Hello, My wife Jeannie Riley graduated from Clyde high School. I see some familiar names. Are you desc. from John Crockett of Erath County who rode with Quantrill or the Youngers during Civil War battles? He died of a hunting accident near Quannah, Texas. Apparently others he had ridden with also settled in Erath County. The Kuykendalls (Pronounced here as Kirkendall) were prominent in the Texas Revolution. Many settled in Bosque County in the Hog Creek- Clifton - Searsville (Valley Mills) area and one there married my Great Grandmother's sister, a daughter of Dr. & Rev. William Pinckney Hatchett who was a doctor, minister in the Missionary Baptist Church, and pharmacist in Valley Mills, Texas. He began preaching and organizing churches in the 1840's at Gonzales, Texas and rode with Kuykendalls and other Rangers scouting for Gen . Taylor's t4oops in Mexico. He retired at Selden, Erath County, after 1900 and built a large 2 story house which still stands in perfect condition. The Kuykendall Land & Cattle Co. of Clifton , Texas moved cattle to Wyoming pasture on foot, then by rail, then by Diesel truck. Their downtown office closed a few years ago. One of Dr. hatchett's brothers had a ranch at Baird and Clyde, Texas.His descendants still live there. Jim Hatchett of Abilene is a leading commercial real estate agent in Abilene. Perhaps the Kuykendalls and Hatchetts went to the Clyde- Baird area together. Rev. Ely and Dr. Hatchett and "Choctaw Bill" Robinson of Comanche were contemporaries . Before Sunday school started, two or more ministers would preach back to back 60 to 90 minute sermons. Will ask my wife about the other names. Take care, Charles Wyly

Hi, yes I remember the Barnes jewelry store sign in Stephenville but did not know the Barnes family very well. If one went to Dublin , I will give you odds that former Texas Lt. Gov Ben Barnes of Dublin- De Leon area is your cousin. He gave up politics to run a construction company. I remember him as having red tinted hair. I think he graduated from De Leon High School, so family records will be in Erath or Eastland County. Their farm could have been in Comanche, Comanche County. Mail routes and school districts do not always folow county lines. There was also a Barnes- McCullough string of lumber yards in Central Texas, including Stephenville. Willard Barnes in 1960's was a retired Alvarado, Johnson County Banker . We rented his house on family farm on Hwy 67 outside Venus, Texas. Willard and wife had a mildly handicapped lady of African ancestery living with them and she and they took care of each other. She travelled with them . She was an Arterbury. I have seen records that one Arterbury , a slave over 100 years before that, had done weaving with a hand held shuttle whittled from wild cherry before 1860 by a Z.L. Spears or Speers. My wife's mom's first cousin , Ned Clayton , was blind and ran a 5 and 10 cent store near the Barnes Alvarado State Bank. Ned Clayton could do touch inventory of bins faster than his assistant could record it. He also made change. We later learned that the bank clerks folded Mr. Clayton's bills differently for each size,,and he would amaze his customers by making correct change for a $10.00 bill, Between Alvarado and Maypearl is a Barnesville community in former cotton farms , not far from the location of movie, "Places of the Heart", wasn't it, about a Waxahachie Cotton farm and the 20's or 30's. . The exit for Barnesville Road is evident between Grandview and Alvarado, Texas. Run Big Yellow Directory and I think you will find one or more Barnes Wrecking- pardon me, - Used Auto Parts Recyclers in central and North Central Texas. . I am sure you are familiar with the Barnes Brothers circus that toured Texas and other states until recently- may still be there. Help any at all? Charles Wyly Charles Wyly

Charles, Thank you, Annette in AZ >To: sevy@netwrx.net >Cc: TXERATH-L@rootsweb.com >Date: Sun, 11 Jul 1999 14:24:39 -0500 >Subject: Re: [ERATH] [HEAD-L] William Head, descendants >X-Juno-Line-Breaks: 5-6,8-10 >X-Juno-Att: 0 >From: "Charles A. Wyly" <wyly1@juno.com> > >Hi, sounds suspect, doesn't it? Some of the Head inquirers should be able >to answer . I am not sure, but the point of origin seems to fit . I >remember Ida Head Gristy best. She and mom were sometimes Depression >Midwives. We farmed their land during WW2. One of her kin married Mom's >Bailey cousin younger than me and they had identical Triplet girls. They >had Corpus Christi and Stephenville roots. > >O.K. you medical students, I know Identical siblings are even >numberred, but there were 3 - three of these. You figure it out. > >Take care, >Charles Wyly > >

I am looking for information on my relatives from Erath County. My gg grandfather, George Burgoyne ELY lived there with his wife Letta Brown EATHERLY. He was variously a Texas Ranger and a Baptist preacher. He was born in 1840 and died in 1940, just a few months short of his 100th birthday. My ggrandfather Robert Henry WILLIAMS married an ELY daughter, Mary Lavinia. His sister, Mary Elizabeth WILLIAMS married his father-in-law's younger brother, Charles D. Ely. Their father, John Horatio WILLIAMS, also moved to Erath County from Pennsylvania and is buried in the Lingleville cemetery there. >From family records I have my ggrandmother's (Mary Lavina ELY)siblings names and dates as follows: Ellen Eugenia, b. 12/9/1863, m. W.K. Kuykendall, 9/30/1886, Clyde, TX Virgil Thomas b. 11/27/1865 m. Effie Cooper (2nd m?) July, 1914, Corpus Christi, TX, d. Jyly 1915 Juanita ...., b. 11/23/1867 m. M. L. Nix 10/30/1886, Clyde, TX John Burgoyne b. 2/10/1870, m. Alline Mercer (2nd m.) 11/20/1911, Smithville Euell Eatherly b. 12/12/1871, m. Fronia(?) Chambers 6/20/1901, Cameron, d. 6/6/1912 Lettie Belle b. 10/2/1873 m. A.E. Braton, 1895, Brownwood Lucinda Jane b. 2/28/1876 m. R. E. Walden, 1895 Beaumont, d. 7/5/1896 Patti b. 9/20/1878 m. John Boxley 8/3/1896, Peyote ... Charles Daugherty, b. 11/9/1881 Elizabeth Katie b. 7/17/1885 d. 4/5/1886 If anyone has information about these relatives or families, I would appreciate your sharing it. Thank you. Carol Crockett

Hi All, My name is Arthur W. Barnes Jr.; my great Grandparents (John B. & Francis F. Barnes) settled in Stephenville around 1887 from Arkansas. They brought their two sons, Charles and Wilfred R. (My Grandfather) with them. GGrandfather was the Watch Repairman/Jeweler in Stephenville for many years. Charles helped equip/set-up the telephone system in the Erath county, and later moved to Austin. Wilfred worked at the White Swan before moving to Dublin then joined the Army and went to the Philippines. He married a Filipina and my father was born/educated in Manila before joining the U.S. Navy when WWII broke; fought at Corregador; survived the Bataan Death march/3 years POW before coming the California and marrying my mother. Any information on my family would be appreciated - I never met GGpa or Gpa nor visited Stephenville. The next time I am in Texas, I'll definately visit. Art Barnes 1304 Tule Lake Rd. Tacoma, WA. 98444

Charles, this came on another list. Are there any connections to the HEADs in Erath Co.? Thank you, Annette in AZ >Resent-Date: Sat, 10 Jul 1999 20:22:29 -0700 (PDT) >From: "Deborah C. Boyd" <atmmom@qnet.com> >Reply-To: "atmmom@qnet.com" <atmmom@qnet.com> >Old-To: "'Head genealogy'" <HEAD-L@rootsweb.com> >Date: Sat, 10 Jul 1999 20:05:06 -0700 >Encoding: 42 TEXT >Subject: [HEAD-L] William Head, descendants >Resent-Message-ID: <qYfNn.A.phG.13Ai3@bl-14.rootsweb.com> >To: HEAD-L@rootsweb.com >Resent-From: HEAD-L@rootsweb.com >X-Mailing-List: <HEAD-L@rootsweb.com> archive/latest/121 >X-Loop: HEAD-L@rootsweb.com >Resent-Sender: HEAD-L-request@rootsweb.com > >This is as far back as I have been able to find on my HEAD side of the >family. I have searched the LDS with no results. Any help on this family >history would be greatly appreciated. > >Descendants of William Head > > >Generation No. 1 > >1. WILLIAM1 HEAD was born in Coweta County, Georgia. > >Child of WILLIAM HEAD is: >2. i. ELIZABETH ANN2 HEAD, b. October 1832, Coweta County, Georgia; d. >October 08, 1906, Brent, Texas, buried in Rose Bud Cem., White County, >Arkansas. > > >Generation No. 2 > >2. ELIZABETH ANN2 HEAD (WILLIAM1) was born October 1832 in Coweta County, >Georgia, and died October 08, 1906 in Brent, Texas, buried in Rose Bud >Cem., White County, Arkansas. She married (1) HOLDEN. She married (2) >THOMAS HARRISON CARLTON, son of THOMAS CARLTON and ELIZA MAJORS. He was >born May 07, 1847 in Senoia, Georgia, Coweta County, and died January 03, >1931 in buried in Haralson Baptist Church Cemetery, Coweta Co., GA. > >Child of ELIZABETH HEAD and THOMAS CARLTON is: > i. WILLIAM HARRISON3 CARLTON, b. June 26, 1866, Atlanta, Georgia1; d. May >15, 1951, Bell Cemetary, Odell, Texas2; m. ALICE ALCORA HERRON, December >07, 1891, Robert Lee, Coke County, Texas3; b. April 05, 1874, Judsonia, >White Co., Arkansas3; d. December 23, 1968, Vernon, Texas, buried in Bell >Cemetery, Odell, Texas3. > > >Endnotes > >1. Mrs. Billie J. Gelhar, Beaverton, OR 97005,06-24-1984, Granddaughter to >Edward and Susan Herron >2. Death certificate, Texas Dept. of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics >3. Mrs. Billie J. Gelhar, Beaverton, OR 970050,6-24-1984, Granddaughter to >Edward and Susan Herron > > > >==== HEAD Mailing List ==== >Visit GENEALOGY RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET - >http://members.aol.com/johnf14246/internet.html > > >

Hey Charles....I know this is spelled differently than your name but, who knows...... You might want to check this out. Pat ----- Original Message ----- From: <maillist@SEE.MESSAGE.FOR.ADDRESS> Sent: Saturday, July 10, 1999 9:53 PM Subject: New Shenandoah County VAGenWeb Queries Post > Shenandoah County VAGenWeb Queries > A new message, "SELLARDS/WILEY," was posted by DOROTHY PHILLIPS on Sat, > 10 Jul 1999 It is a response to "Sellards," posted by James Vannetter > on Fri, 28 May 1999 > > Surname: > > > > This is an automatically-generated notice. If you'd like to be removed > from the mailing list, please visit the Shenandoah County VAGenWeb Queries: > > <http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Va/Shenandoah#Subscribe> > > If you wish to respond to this message, please post your response directly > to the board. > <http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Va/Shenandoah> >

Hi, Jewell and his dad were living in Black Stump Valley in about 1950. They had a 35 acre field on top of the mountain behind their rock house that they pulled wagons and plows up with tractor in reverse and a front end hitch it was so steep. Don't think their combine could get up there unless there was a back road. I didn't know his mom was a Laney. Jewell left for a time and bought land on the Red River. Some Ramages were connected in Arkansas and Oklahoma to mom's Carey- Stone- Copeland- Bateman- Hipp lines of Hope, Nashville, and other Arkansas towns. You mentioned a Hollis. Walter Hollis lived in Hico and when his garage burned and burned the thresher belts, I think was the end of thresher runs for him He is buried at the Johnsville Church of Christ cemetery between my childhood home and the Johnsville school before it was moved to the Three Way site on U.S. 67. We used to walk by there going to school. Walter was a quiet, smiling, and dignified gentleman to the end. he and Melvin and Toad Riggs loved hot coffee, especially from the cookshacks, which were dropped about 1938 or so. They were also involved with the Johnsville Cotton Gin, which we used in the 1930's . When it closed we used the Selden Stone gin by the spring. Dad finally ginned at Hamilton before the conversion to Dairies killed the cotton industry. It was just a part of the rotation to clean grain land up for corn or visa versa. Take care- will check on mom's Ramage records. Charles Wyly

I note , Mr Wyly, that you worked for Jewell Ramage. Could you possibly give any info on his descendents. He was the son of Hawthorne H. Ramage & Mattie Diane Laney, daughter of John Calvin Laney & Mary Jane Hollis Laney. Does Jewell Ramage have any siblings ?Any help graciously appreciated.-----Original Message----- From: Charles A. Wyly <wyly1@juno.com> To: TXERATH-L@rootsweb.com <TXERATH-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Friday, July 09, 1999 8:39 PM Subject: Re: [ERATH] Introduction >Hi again, >Yes, I knew where Bess Mingus Dress shop was- have walked by it many >times. It was not far from the stairs to the pool hall where Billy the >Kid aka Brushy Bill Roberts would sit and watch when not downstairs >drinking coffee.Being a farm boy and mom made many of her own dresses, I >don't remember going in the shop. >Are you related to Rev. B.T. Stevens buried on the Duffau Creek in >Selden- Wyly Dairy? It is not the most common way to spell Stevens. The >Rev. was my great grandmother's grandfather. One of his great grandsons >teaches at Texas State Technical College in Waco- James Conally Air Base >in the past. > >I worked in Black Stump Valley one summer for Jewell Ramage, then later I >have Carey and Stone records of mom's and the info was gatherred by an >Arkansas or Oklahoma Grace Ramage Livingstone. One of her kin runs a >furniture and appliance store in Colorado City, Texas and I think there >is one in Glen Rose, Texas run by another Ramage.. > >I used to work on the thresher crew of Riggs- Hollis Thresher group with >the younger Tommy Laney and did not know he had become a preacher. He was >a hard worker and well liked. So was his dad when he was able. . Riggs >Brothers Aultman Taylor Tractor and Walter Hollis's 45 inch cylinder >Advance- Rumley steel grain thresher.kept a minimum crew of 25, who ate >with the farmer who owned the grain. Camp out workers were gone by >1940's. I remember some of them with a cook shack . Before 1950 the >Aultman Taylor had worn out the old Riggs separator with more wood parts. >With the post war supply of windrow and combine pickup equipment the >last thresher runs in Erath County faded out in 1960/s and the old >Aultman Taylor was sold to a Paluxy ranch to pull cedars. That ended 100 >years of community fellowship . A thresher move was a social occasion of >big dinners, swimming, religion, politics,.and sitting in the shade of >loaded bundle wagons with 3 and 4 genertions playing tricks, telling >stories of older times and other places, and local legends while the >thresher reset. Once dad dropped ice down 6'6"" Elmer Johnson's collar >and Elmer picked him up with one arm and rolled him over his shoulders >and stood him up, as playful at 45 as at 10, growing up together. > > The engine had 2 large John Deere type engines on same drive shaft, >open gears, a roof, , a three foot flywheel with a 1/4 turn crank. and a >chain driven one way oiling system with an adjustable oil dripper for >each bearing, Then on to the gears. In 1919 it had plowed land and built >county roads. It used 60 gallons plus of gas a day running at half >throttle with Orlan Riggs or Prentice Gristy as Engineer. 4 of us, >including Tommy Laney , I think, tried to feed it too fast one day to see >if it was possible to get a short rest, and Orlan just gave it a little >more gas. Only wet muddy botton grain slowed it. > >I suppose your family would have been nearer the Will Fouts thresher in >Black Stump.Valley or possibly the Stone thresher with 8 Model A Ford >truck Bundle wagons and no cabs. The first time the old Black Stump >Valley Anderson "640" ranch steam thresher engine came to dad's to >thresh, I hid under the bed and peeked out the window at the snorting, >clanking, and steam leaks . I thought the world might blow up. Quiet a >change from that to working on M- 47 tanks, B- 36 at Convair Fort Worth, >, F- 102, Regilus ll Missles, and teaching public school. > >I have 2 children and 4 grandchildren. My wife is a secretary and arts >and crafter. My son is a Construction Company president in Keller ( The >Construction Zone Company) and builds restaurant size and larger >buildings, including 1/3 of Grapevine Mills Mall for another company. My >daughter is a Neuclear Technician in Scott & White Hospital. and clinics. >our 3 granddaughters are below 8 th grade in Keller, Texas. Our >grandson is a Senior at Chilton High school next year and listed in Dave >Campbell's 1999 TEXAS FOOTBALL annual as a potential for a college >scholarship.He letterred and started four years at Lorena Junior and >High School, loosing only 4 games in 4 years. > >Take care >Charles Wyly > >

Hi again, Yes, I knew where Bess Mingus Dress shop was- have walked by it many times. It was not far from the stairs to the pool hall where Billy the Kid aka Brushy Bill Roberts would sit and watch when not downstairs drinking coffee.Being a farm boy and mom made many of her own dresses, I don't remember going in the shop. Are you related to Rev. B.T. Stevens buried on the Duffau Creek in Selden- Wyly Dairy? It is not the most common way to spell Stevens. The Rev. was my great grandmother's grandfather. One of his great grandsons teaches at Texas State Technical College in Waco- James Conally Air Base in the past. I worked in Black Stump Valley one summer for Jewell Ramage, then later I have Carey and Stone records of mom's and the info was gatherred by an Arkansas or Oklahoma Grace Ramage Livingstone. One of her kin runs a furniture and appliance store in Colorado City, Texas and I think there is one in Glen Rose, Texas run by another Ramage.. I used to work on the thresher crew of Riggs- Hollis Thresher group with the younger Tommy Laney and did not know he had become a preacher. He was a hard worker and well liked. So was his dad when he was able. . Riggs Brothers Aultman Taylor Tractor and Walter Hollis's 45 inch cylinder Advance- Rumley steel grain thresher.kept a minimum crew of 25, who ate with the farmer who owned the grain. Camp out workers were gone by 1940's. I remember some of them with a cook shack . Before 1950 the Aultman Taylor had worn out the old Riggs separator with more wood parts. With the post war supply of windrow and combine pickup equipment the last thresher runs in Erath County faded out in 1960/s and the old Aultman Taylor was sold to a Paluxy ranch to pull cedars. That ended 100 years of community fellowship . A thresher move was a social occasion of big dinners, swimming, religion, politics,.and sitting in the shade of loaded bundle wagons with 3 and 4 genertions playing tricks, telling stories of older times and other places, and local legends while the thresher reset. Once dad dropped ice down 6'6"" Elmer Johnson's collar and Elmer picked him up with one arm and rolled him over his shoulders and stood him up, as playful at 45 as at 10, growing up together. The engine had 2 large John Deere type engines on same drive shaft, open gears, a roof, , a three foot flywheel with a 1/4 turn crank. and a chain driven one way oiling system with an adjustable oil dripper for each bearing, Then on to the gears. In 1919 it had plowed land and built county roads. It used 60 gallons plus of gas a day running at half throttle with Orlan Riggs or Prentice Gristy as Engineer. 4 of us, including Tommy Laney , I think, tried to feed it too fast one day to see if it was possible to get a short rest, and Orlan just gave it a little more gas. Only wet muddy botton grain slowed it. I suppose your family would have been nearer the Will Fouts thresher in Black Stump.Valley or possibly the Stone thresher with 8 Model A Ford truck Bundle wagons and no cabs. The first time the old Black Stump Valley Anderson "640" ranch steam thresher engine came to dad's to thresh, I hid under the bed and peeked out the window at the snorting, clanking, and steam leaks . I thought the world might blow up. Quiet a change from that to working on M- 47 tanks, B- 36 at Convair Fort Worth, , F- 102, Regilus ll Missles, and teaching public school. I have 2 children and 4 grandchildren. My wife is a secretary and arts and crafter. My son is a Construction Company president in Keller ( The Construction Zone Company) and builds restaurant size and larger buildings, including 1/3 of Grapevine Mills Mall for another company. My daughter is a Neuclear Technician in Scott & White Hospital. and clinics. our 3 granddaughters are below 8 th grade in Keller, Texas. Our grandson is a Senior at Chilton High school next year and listed in Dave Campbell's 1999 TEXAS FOOTBALL annual as a potential for a college scholarship.He letterred and started four years at Lorena Junior and High School, loosing only 4 games in 4 years. Take care Charles Wyly