| Book 4 page 13 AUSTIN Family in Business in City Since '54-Grnadsons of Founder Conduct the Business; 75 Years of Service-(By Miss S. Ada LASATER)-April, 1928, a date less than four months distant, will mark the anniversary of the establishing of the F. K. AUSTIN grocery store, now known as F. K. AUSTIN Cash and Carry store, in this city, while it is almost three quarters of a century since the AUSTIN family first entered the mercantile business in Belton. Norman and Harry AUSTIN, who are the head of the F. K. AUSTIN Cash and Carry store, are the third in line of the AUSTIN family to engage in the mercantile business in this city, being the grandsons of Norman AUSTIN, Sr., who, as noted in The Belton Journal of December 9, entered the general mercantile business in this city in 1854, less than four years after Bell County was organized, three years after Tennessee Valley was settled by a colony of eighty-one people who came from Tennessee overland in a wagon caravan, and in the second year after Belton was incorporated, with the late Judge X. B. SAUNDERS as first mayor. Among the Tennessee pioneers were the BIGHAMS, SCOTTS, ALLENS and DANLEYS, and from one of the BIGHAM brothers the pioneer of the AUSTIN family purchased the property at the north-west corner of the courthouse square, where the building occupied by the HARGETT Drug Co. now stands, and in this building opened his first general mercantile business, continuing in business for eleven years. As also noted in the earlier issues of The Journal, we again, in 1873, find the AUSTIN family in Belton, after several years spent at Santa Barbara, California, and having built by John McKNIGHT the store on the west side of the square, now occupied by Frank PATRONELLI. Here Mr. AUSTIN continued in business for eight or ten years before retiring from active business life. During these years the seven sons of Mr. and Mrs. AUSTIN were studying in the schools that Belton afforded, and other schools, and three of the seven brothers, when grown to manhood, entered the mercantile business here, F. K. AUSTIN entering the grocery business in 1878, George AUSTIN becoming a member of the hardware firm of WILSON & AUSTIN, and Henry AUSTIN engaging in the jewelry and drug business in this city. Luther and Charles AUSTIN engaged in the sheep raising business, Luther later going to Old Mexico for a number of years, and Charles to Central America, where he engaged in the rubber business, later returning to Belton, and for several years conducting a hardware business at Salado. Will AUSTIN engaged in the grocery business in Dallas, while Hugh became a photographer at Alvarado and later engaged in the fruit business in Central America. When F. K. (Frank) AUSTIN entered the grocery business in 1878 after several years work in the John HENRY store, his business occupied the store on the east side of the square, just north of the building now occupied by E. E. SINCLAIR'S grocery store. Soon after entering the grocery business F. K. AUSTIN purchased the lot and had erected and moved into the building now occupied by the Cash and Carry store. This building has a fifty-foot front on East street and is seventy-five feet in length. The front has recently been remodeled for the cash and carry system and the rear of the building furnishes adequate storage room, making possible the large wholesale purchases that are leading points for Belton's big cash and carry store. Mrs. AUTSIN, nee Miss Mary SCHROCK, survives her husband. Her father, Dr. T. M. SCHROCK, was one of Belton's most prominent and popular physicians, coming to this city with his family in 1865. Belton Journal Second Oldest Institution Here-Was Established Back Soon After Close of Civil War; Now in its 62nd Year-By Miss Ada LASATER-(Note-This is the second of a series of articles on the oldest business institutions of Belton. The third will tell about the HAMMERSMITH shoe store, and will be published at an early date-Ed.)-In 1866 J. T. LONGINO went to Waco, purchased a small newspaper plant, had it freighted to Belton by wagon, and installed it in the John HENRY building, located at the southwest corner of the public square, where the First Christian Church now stands. From this plant the first issues of the Belton Journal were sent out covering a large field in its circulation. Mr. LONGINO was both editor and business manager. After publishing The Journal for a short time, Mr. LONGINO associated with him his step-father, Major J. H. DAVENPORT, who later purchased full interest. For a short time a Judge FISHERMAN was editor of the paper, beginning in 1868; though later Major DAVENPORT returned to the editorship. Mr. LONGINO was at the head of the mechanical department. During these years the home of The Journal continued in the Henry Building, and later upstairs in the rock building now occupied by J. B. NIXON, grocer. For more than sixty-one years The Belton Journal has held its place in the affairs of Belton admits adjacent territory. With a policy of news that is clean and non-sensational, written in a style that is dignified and cultured, The Journal has fostered the business, educational and social enterprises undertaken in the city, county state and nation; ever striving to represent the heart throbs of the people whether they are thrilled by business or political ardor; filled with joy at some great pleasure or success; or sorrowing in some personal grief or in some great disaster. The long line of friendships which has made possible a continuous publication of more than three score years, for more three generations of people, is a record of which any paper might justly be proud and for which there might indeed be a deep since of gratitude.__________place in the hearts of all is shown by the pleasant boyhood memories of the early 70's given by some of our citizens. Dr. Taylor HUDSON tells of the thrills he felt when a small boy while watching the papers run from the press, and printed on only one side of the paper. The boyhood visits of Dr. HUDSON were paid while he was enroute between San Saba, then the family home and Bosqueville, located three miles from Waco, where the older boys in the HUDSON family were attending the Bosqueville College, then considered the best in the state. Dr. HUDSON also states that he doesn't remember a time when The Belton Journal, the Galveston or Dallas News and the Austin American were not on the reading table of his father, the late Dr. J. W. HUDSON. T. H. BIRDWELL also tells of visiting the office when a boy of seven, and so interested did he become that he never ceased watching the paper, and can give the history of The Journal, its editors and its home buildings, as accurately as those who have been connected with the publication of the paper. Mr. G. B. CARDEN states that in his childhood days, at his father's home in Gatesville, he learned his letters from the head lines of the first page of The Belton Journal. A short time age a daughter o f Judge FISHERMAN, while on an auto trip through the state, visited Belton to see the old home place which was the residence on the corner just above the Presbyterian church, now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Claude VANDYKE as home and for the Belton Beauty Parlor. And from the early days back in the 60's and 70's The Belton Journal has gone on, striving to be the friend of every member of the family and to stand with the best that is to be found in the newspaper world, ever fostering and giving to its readers the best thoughts of the world and the state. January 1, 1874, after having been elected to a place in the State Senate, Major DAVENPORT sold The Belton Journal to the late Capt. J. G. BATTE, that he might better attend to the affairs of his new office and the interest of the people who had elected him. This, it is said, he did faithfully and well, looking carefully to the best welfare of the whole state, and throwing the same hearty, earnest endeavor into his broader field of work that he had put into his work for the people of this section while editor of The Belton Journal. After the purchasing of The Belton Journal by Capt. BATTE, J. T. LONGINO remained for a few weeks at the head of the mechanical department. Tom BATTE, son of the editor, and now known as Dr. L. T. BATTE, of this city; Jim HALL, who resides near this city; and the late Otto WILSON, who was form many years editor of one of the leading papers of Taylor, were other members of the force. In February Mr. LONGINO resigned his work with the Belton Journal and was later admitted to the Bell County bar. In 1876 he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie HUDSON, sister of Dr. Taylor HUDSON. They went to West Texas to make their home, where Mr. LONGINO was elected county judge of Dimmitt County. Will LONGINO, only son of Judge and Mrs. LONGINO, has for the past twenty years been one of the most prominent members of the faculty of Sam Houston State Teachers college at Huntsville. This we see that the Belton Journal is not only striving to uphold the best interests of Belton and her people and all adjoining territory, but is sending out members of its force, yea, their descendants, to fill prominent and responsible places in state and county affairs; in editorship and other business and professional undertakings. Or, before the close of its first decade, The Journal had to its credit a state senator and county judge; with a doctor, an editor, and a good farmer in embryo, for Jim HALL returned to farm life, Tom BATTE became a doctor in 1879, and Otto WILSON as editor by that time or earlier. So it has been on down through the years that have followed. February 28, 1874, W. S. HUNTER of the present drug, book and jewelry firm of W. S. HUNTER & Co., came from Gatesville to become head or the mechanical department. Mr. HUNTER states with considerable humor and a little pride that his salary was fifteen dollars a month higher than that of the Denny bank cashier, which had been up to that time the highest salary paid in the city. Under Capt. J. G. BATTE the publication of the Belton Journal was continued on the same clean, non-sensational basis which had always been its policy; and with the coming of Mr. HUNTER began the gradual modernizing of its mechanical department and equipment. In 1876 the office of The Belton Journal was moved from the southwest corner of the square, where its office had been located during the first ten years of publication, to the northeast corner of the square to the second floor of what is now known as the NIGRO building, then known as the KINGSBURY building. April 1, 1883, W. S. HUNTER and George C. ROBINSON purchased The Journal from Capt. BATTE and continued its publication under the firm name of HUNTER & ROBINSON. Under this editorship state, national and world news was given special attention as well as local. Copies of the paper still in existence show that the English outmatched that of most of the magazines of today in its purity simplicity, and dignity. Later Mr. HUNTER sold his interest to Mr. ROBINSON, who in 1886 moved the office to a part of the building now occupied by the BROWN Sales Company. Here The Journal began and completed the third decade of its work and its history, remaining in this building until it was burned in 1898, with the complete loss of the equipment of The Journal office. We leave The Journal, now with its material possession in ashes, to review the history of another Belton paper, and its editor. In 1878 Col. F. L. DENISON began the publication of the Belton Courier, with its office on the north side of the public square. In the fire which swept the north side of the square in September 1879, the office of the Courier was completely destroyed. Again in the middle 80's Col. DENISON entered the newspaper field and began the publication of The Belton Reporter and continued as its editor until his death in 1889, when his wife, Mrs. Hannah GIBSON DENISON assumed the duties of editing the paper, assisted by her son, Frank L. DENISON, now of Temple, and daughter, Miss Susie DENSON now Mrs. J. E. ELLIOTT of this city. This paper represented equally faithfully with The Belton Journal the general interests of Belton and her people, but represented the opposite side, in many political issues, from that represented by The Journal. Back to The Belton Journal, left a few minutes ago in ashes. The Journal sprung immediately from the ashes of its East Street office, and Editor ROBINSON purchased the plant of The Belton Reporter and continued the editorship of the combined papers under the name of The Journal-Reporter. Soon after the purchase of The Belton Reporter the office was moved from the east side of the square to the Messer building on the south corner of the west side of the square. In the years which intervened between 1886 and 1898 there had come to Belton, C. H. WEDEMEYER, a former prominent lecturer in Baylor at Independence and in Baylor University at Waco, and established the Belton Male Academy, to which girls were later admitted, and from which Judge M. B. BLAIR, Judge Raymond F. BUCK and others prominent in state and local affairs were graduated. Mr. WEDEMEYER decided that the newspaper world had a splendid field for influence, and associated with J. F. CROUCH now of Temple, bought the Journal-Reporter. Mr. WEDEMEYER later purchased the interest of Mr. CROUCH and continued the editorship of the paper until 1911, moving the office from the MESSER building to the north half of Meyer, now occupied by the armory of the National Guard, Company I, 143rd Infantry. After selling the Journal-Reporter, George C. ROBINSON went to Waco, where he took up a broader field of work as editor of the Waco Times Herald. Associated with this was the late Chauncey J. GLVOER, who had been with the force of the Journal-Reporter. In 1911 O. P. PYLE came to Belton with a number of years experience as an editor in the field of weekly papers and of several state organization publications, especially farm and agricultural publications. Editor PYLE, purchased the Journal-Reporter and also the Bell County Democrat, successor to the Sunday Morning Call, which was established in the late 80's by Albert CRAWFORD with its office on the second floor of the building which is now the Masonic Temple, then known as the old Avenue Hotel. For three years the Bell County Democrat had been owned by a private corporation of citizens, with W. M. WOODALL, now of Austin, and D. K. DOYLE, now of Comanche, as editors. A problem faced Editor PYLE and his son, Chas. W. PYLE, as to the name of their paper, which had inherited three names by the triple combination Of former papers. Again we find the spirit of The Belton Journal coming to the front, for this time-honored name was chosen as the name which should continue; and again The Journal has absorbed the rival publication. In the purchasing of the Belton-Reporter and the Bell County Democrat, The Journal absorbed its strongest and its only two open opponents in the newspaper field in this city. Editor PYLE began the publication of The Belton Journal, under his editorship, in the office formerly used by the Bell County Democrat, and located in the old MILLER building on West Central Avenue, adjoining the building now occupied by GUFFY'S garage. In July 1914, the office of The Belton Journal was again laid in ashes and with this fire was destroyed the last complete file of the Belton Journal and of the papers which it had purchased. After the fire of 1898, Jo Sack MILLER, Jr., gave to Editor ROBINSON a file which he had preserved to that date, but even this file was lost in the fire of 1914. But again the spirit of The Journal arises from its ashes and right peppily, too. Equipment of The Journal-Reporter office, which had been stored, was gotten out and completed by purchases made at Waco, and soon the paper was being published in the GUFFY building on North Main Street, where it is now located. Following the death of Editor O. P. PYLE in 1919, his son, Chas. W. PYLE who had been at home only a short time from overseas World War service, became editor and business manager. Later a brother, Harold G. PYLE, became editor, and a sister La Vera PYLE, secretary-treasurer. May, 1925, The Belton Journal was purchased by C. C. WATSON, who had been editor of the Midland Reporter for the preceding twenty years. Associated with him was his son, Chas. WATSON, Jr. After two years' editorship, Mr. WATSON sold The Belton Journal to return to Midland, where he is now owner and editor of the Midland Daily Telegram. Other of The Journal editors who are now busy and successful in other cities, are C. H. WEDEMEYER, who is one of the most highly esteemed members of the faculty of Burleson College, Greenville, and in whose honor the students of Belton Academy hold an annual banquet; J. F. CROUCH, who is in business in Temple; Harold G. PYLE, who is associated with the papers at Houston, and Chas. W. PYLE, who is a traveling salesman out of Houston. F. B. RUSSELL, who on June 1, 1927, became owner of The Belton Journal, comes to his work in this city with eighteen years experience as editor; and he must be a born editor, for four years of school editorship preceded his newspaper work. For three years he was editor of the Dublin High School paper, and for a year editor of the paper of the old university at Fort Worth. Other papers edited are The Carlton Courier, Carlton; The Houston Times, Houston; Trinity county News, Groveton; and The Teague News, Teague. Already Mr. RUSSELL has won the confidence of the business men of this city. He has purchased a home on North Main Street and says he is here to succeed and stay. So far as can be ascertained, it is probable that three papers preceded in publication the establishing of the present Belton Journal in 1866. Prof. Carl KERNANN is known to have established a paper during the Civil War as a sympathizer with the North. Another paper was established in opposition to this paper. The editing of Mr. KERNANN'S paper was short lived and he had also to surrender his place as a teacher, returning to northern territory. John Henry BROWN, author of the well-known Texas history, was at one time editor of a paper in this city. One of the early papers published here was known as "The Independent." This is thought to have been one of the Civil War publications. The Texas Farmer was a state paper run off the press of the Belton papers in the late 70's and early 80's and was edited by Capt. J. F. FULLER and Mayor W. P. HANCOCK of Salado. The type for this paper was owned by the publishers and was set by Miss Lura COULTER of this city, step-daughter of Capt. FULLER, and by Miss Sallie BARTON of Salado. Miss COULTER is now Mrs. Cam BLACK of San Antonio, and Miss BARTON is now Mrs. J. H. BINDLEY, also of San Antonio. The Farmer was later moved to Dallas for publication and continued for several years under different editorships. Note: To the many citizens who have so kindly furnished the information which has made it possible to compile this history of The Belton Journal, the writer is deeply grateful.
Book 1 page 15 Austin Family in Belton Since 1854-Pioneer Family Prominent in Business Activities of City-The remodeling of the Charles AUSTIN building on Central Avenue links with the activities of today the history of a family that dates back to 1835 in Texas, and to 1854 in Belton. Norman AUSTIN, Sr., came to Texas in 1835, entering the mercantile business in Goliad, and later going to San Antonio, where he was at the opening of the war between Texas and Mexico. In 1854, after having resided in Mississippi for several years, Mr. AUSTIN returned to Texas with his family, including wife and young sons, and made Belton his home. Mr. AUSTIN settled at the mouth of the Nolan on the Leon river and opened up the land later known as the John TRAPP farm, making this the family home. He also purchased the store at the northwest corner of the courthouse square, where the HARGETT Drug Store is now located, and entered the mercantile business in this store. In 1865 the AUSTIN family went to Old Mexico, and later to California. Mr. Chas. AUSTIN, the subject of our sketch for this week, states that the family crossed the border at San Louis Potosi with the soldiers of Capt. Joe SHELBY of Missouri, Captain SHELBY and his men having refused to surrender at the close of the Civil War. Mr. AUSTIN states that another member of their party was John Henry BROWN, who had been editor of a paper in this city before and during the war, and later wrote the Texas history which bore his name. Mr. AUTSIN states that he thinks Mr. BROWN was a teacher as well as editor in those early days. In 1873, we find the history of the AUSTIN family again connected with that of Belton; and Norman AUSTIN , Sr., having the building now occupied by Frank PATRONELLI, built with John MCKNIGHT as builder. The family home of the AUSTINS was in this building for several years and during this time Mrs. AUSTIN planted one of the oldest lavender trees now growing in the city. This tree now stands on the store property which faces on East Central avenue, and has grown above the second story windows of the building, with the limbs spreading more than twenty-five feet. IN speaking of his boyhood days, Chas. AUSTIN has most pleasant memories of Judge Erastus WALKER and Mrs. ISBELL, as teachers. Judge WALKER taught in the old school building which stood on the present site of the First Methodist Church, and Mrs. ISBEL in a building which stood at the present site of the Mrs. J. E. ELLIOTT home. Both of these buildings were frame structures. Mr. AUSTIN state that he thinks the ISBELL school building was used in remodeling of the George W. HEFLEY home, later moved to the southwest corner of the block and now occupied by J. P. KING and family. Mr. AUSTIN has a reprint of a school exhibition program given in October 1858, in which his older brothers, Henry, George and Frank had parts. The program has several very peculiar questions for discussions. O f seven brothers, Charles AUSTIN is the only one now surviving. Henry AUSTIN, oldest brother, was for a number of years engaged in business in this city, his last interests being a drug store which occupied the building now being remodeled. George AUSTIN was among Belton's early hardware dealers, being for a number of years partner of the late Joe L. WILSON, brother of Mrs. HARDIN ANDREWS. Frank AUSTIN was the founder of the F. K. AUSTIN grocery company of this city. Other brothers were Luther AUSTIN, the first of the brothers to pass away; Hugh AUSTIN, whose death occurred in South Texas, where he had been engaged in the mercantile business for a number of years, and Will AUSTIN, who was a merchant at Dallas. Chas. AUSTIN was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth TULLOCH, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry TULLOCH, and now of Belton's oldest and most highly esteemed families. An only daughter, Miss Eliza AUSTIN, is primary teacher in Tyler ward school. The building now being remodeled on Central Avenue, passes this week to the ownership of Sam F. BASHARA of Houston, under deed from Miss Eliza Anne AUSTIN. Names of District Officers Recalled-Record Shows R. E. B. BAYLOR and Richard COKE Sat on District Bench Here. First County Grand Jury Interesting Data Dug Up From Records in Courthouse, Including List of All District Officials in History of the County-First Indictment for Assault and Battery-Jurors Names. Bell County An interesting historical collection of names has been gathered by J. W. DICE, district clerk, at the request of DeWitt BOWMER and other Bell County attorneys, the collection being a list of names of all of the district judges, district attorneys, district clerks, and sheriffs in the history of Bell County. It will be a surprise to many of the present day residents of the county to know that R. E. B. BAYLOR was once district judge in Bell County as was Dick COKE. Mr. DICE found a minute book prior to book A showing the first term of the district court in Bell County, to be the spring term of 1851, which convened, April 7, 1851, with R.E. B. BAYLOR as judge of the third judicial district, J. F. CROSBY, district attorney, William REED as sheriff and W. D. EASTLAND, clerk The first grand jury was composed of the following persons: David HAVENS, Matthew WILKINS, Milton W. DAMRON, John BOWLES, John M. CATHEY, Warren PRUITT, John ANDERSON, James T. SHERROD, Allen BRYAN, Wm. CALDWELL, Jas. M. GLENN, Walter BURCH, Benjamin S. STUART, Thos. T. HAVENS, Horatic SHELTON. (Just who served the record is silent. David HAVENS was the foreman). The first bill of indictment was returned on April 9, 1951, and the offense was assault and battery. The court remained in session only three days. The first jury panel selected by Jno. W. COLEMAN, Justice of the Peace, W. D. EASTLAND, District Clerk and Jno. C. REID, County Clerk, on Feb 18, 1851, was as follows: Jno. DUNLAP, Jas, RICAHRDS, T. W. WALDEN, F. BOWLES, Jno. REID, R. POTTER, W. CALDWELL, Jas DENNIS, Alex GLENN, D. HAVENS, M. MORRISON, W. BURCH, Lewis MARSHALL, John CATHEY, H. HARRIS, ___LAXTON, G. CHISOLM, _____SHIPP, Jr., _____SINGLETARY, A. BRYAN, P. CHILDERS, Jno. PENNINGTON, L. VANCIEVE, _____FINSAR, Thos. DEATON, __ __ HOOVER, B. L. STEWART, Wm. MILES, Jno. HAVENS, Thos. MCKENZIE, ____OGLE, Jno SHELTON, Wm. KARNES, Jas. SHERROD, John HENRY and P. PETTY. The list of officials on the document is one that many will want to save for their scrap books as its collection entailed a great deal of research work. It follows: DISTRICT JUDGE DISTRICT ATTORNEY DISTRICT CLERK SHERIFF Book 4 page 16 J. W. RUFF one of the Early Contractors of City-Worked on Many of the Substantial Buildings of Belton-By Miss Ada LASATER-Fifty-five years in active work as carpenter, contractor, builder and miller, with two additional years in which the services as carpenter has been kept up for friends is the record of Mr. J. W. RUFF, who was for a number of years a member of the firm of WEAR, LEE and Company, Belton's strongest firm of contractors and builders, throughout the 70's and into the 80's. Mr. RUFF came to Belton in 1870 from Red River Parish, Louisiana, Conshata being the parasite or county seat. In November 1871, Mr. RUFF was untied in marriage with Miss Amelia PENDAVIS, and in 1872 a home was built on the lot at the corner of Sixth avenue and Wall street, where the Tom SUTHERLAND family now live. Mr. RUFF tells of paying $50 for this lot and less than two years later having to pay $150 for the lot northwest across the street intersection from his home, and where the Arthur POTTS home now stands. Soon after coming to Belton Mr. RUFF entered into the partnership with the late H. A. WEAR and Ben D. LEE, and as already stated, during the several years that followed, this firm handled the biggest contracts of the city and also over considerable adjoining territory. In September of 1878 WEAR, Lee and Co. (J. W. RUFF) began the erection of the flour mill which stood where the Farm Bureau gin now stands, and which was operated for a number of years; and until completely destroyed by fire. IN 1882 a home was purchased at the corner of Fifth avenue and Wall Street, where the Elbert POTTS home now stands, and was occupied for a number of years by the RUFF family. This home was bought from Dr. J. W. EMBREE, and in speaking of its purchase Mr. RUFF declared that Dr. EMBREE was a good a man as ever lived. He then named a number of young men, most of them now unusually prosperous, whom Dr. EMBREE started in their business careers. May of them began work in the general merchandise business conducted by Dr. EMBREE in the building now occupied by The Peoples National bank; and to them Dr. EMBREE later advanced the money to enter business on their own responsibility. In this connection Mr. RUFF told also of money lent to him when he entered the milling business and which was paid back in smaller sums as the mill profits made it possible. Near the center of the EMBREE building there was, in those early days one of the best wells of water in the city and any who came from near or far were welcome to its cool, delicious water. This well remained in use until after the installing of Belton's water system completed in 1884. Following the dissolution of the WEAR, LEE and Co. firm, Ben D. LEE became an independent contractor, handling the contract for the erection of the First Methodist church building now used by the Church, and also the contract for the erection of the present Bell County courthouse, which was built in 1883-1884. Mr. RUFF assisted in the work on these buildings and in 1885 and 1886 worked for fourteen months on the first building occupied by Baylor College in this city, the south, central and west sections of Luther HALL, at that time built to only three stories and housing class rooms, fine arts and dormitory with parlors, dining hall and administration offices. Ben D. LEE was supervisor of building. Many homes of this city owe their neatness, attractiveness and accuracy of the interior woodwork to the skill of J. W. RUFF. Some of this work has been done in the last two years, in which Mr. RUFF says he has been retired. The home which Mr. RUFF last erected for himself and family was a little more than a mile north of the city on the highway to Miller Spring's bridge where it extends from North Main street. This home is now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Clearman and John BASSEL and family. An only daughter, Mrs. Irene RUFF BEAN, lives in Karnes City, where her husband, Jesse BEAN, nephew of the late A. D. BEAN, is successful as bookkeeper. The eighty-first anniversary of the birth of Mr. RUFF was celebrated September 22, of the present year. He is still active and happy and talks brightly and cheerfully of the years that are passed. Mr. RUFF can now be found at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jim HOOVER on North Beall street, where he still has his carpenter's work bench, his tools and his garage; and at meal time at the home of his niece by marriage, Mrs. T. H. BIRDWELL. He can also at times be found helping at the John LITTLE filling station, on the Belton-Temple pike and North Beall street. What Mr. RUFF said of Dr. EMBREE, "A better man never lived," is the tribute paid to the life of Mr. RUFF by those who know him and his kind words and deeds. Note: The next two men on the list of business men of the city are Thos. BIRDWELL, who came here in 1871 and is succeeded by his son, T. Hamp BIRDWELL; and Joe B. FERGUSN, who began his work as a carpenter in 1872 at the age of 17 and under the instruction of WEAR, LEE and Co. A part of T. H. BIRDWELL'S Joe B. FERGUSON One of the Early Belton Builders-Worked on many of the Fine Old Buildings of this City Back in 70's-By S. Ada LASATER-the theory that an outdoor life is a healthy one is proven true as we come to the third carpenter and builder in our early history stories of Belton. Joe B. FERGUSON entered upon his career as a carpenter early in the year 1872, working for WEAR, LEE & Company. He was born January 21, 1855, on what is now the John A DICE place at Three Forks, then owned by Wes FERGUSON, father of Mrs. DICE, and grandfather of the subjet of our sketch. On the death of the father of Mrs. FERGUSON, the family moved to the Rock Church community in November, 1855. Mr. FERGUSON states that he attended the old Rock Church school before he was five years old, because of his love for his sister, who was later to become Mrs. Ben D. LEE. He went to school first to be with this sister. Carl KEENAM was at that time in charge of the school, and later John SUPPLES, uncle of Mrs. Kate WRAY, of this city. Before young FERGUSON was nine years of age he had made a corn crop on the farm of his grandmother, Mrs. Margaret GRAVES, at Midway plowing with a yoke of oxen. Mr. FERGUSON states that he learned three things at a time; one was drive the oxen, another was to plough and at the same time to talk to the oxen in emphatic language. (Mrs E. E. GRAVES, the grandmother of Mr. FERGUSON, was the sister of Dr John W. EMBREE and Elisha EMBREE pioneers of this county. Elisha EMBREE was the father of A. J. and Elisha EMBEREE of this city and also Mrs. A. M. MONTEITH of Belton, and Mrs. W. E. HALL of Temple, together with the late Mrs. George C. PENDLETON and Miss Pearl EMBREE, who met death in a tragic automobile accident at Navasota a few years ago). Mr. FERGUSN also says that he was made an honorary member of the Bell County Camp U. C. V. on account of his services to widows during the Confederate days when as a boy of ten to fourteen years of age he assisted seven widows to shell their corn, and carried it on his horse to mill for them, returning to them the meal after it was ground. While living in the Live Oak community young FERGUSON attended the school there, which was then taught by Miss Alice THACKER, later Mrs. W. T. DAVIDSON. He says that so far as he knows there are only two of his schoolmates now living here-Mrs. MONROE (Mother STOCKTON) and Mrs. Will STEELE (nee DULANEY.) This school was attended in 1870 or 71 and in 1872. Mr. FERGUSON began his career as an apprentice carpenter, working for WEAR, Lee & Co. (J. W. RUFF) for thirteen years. In those days Mr. FERGUSON states that all door and window frames were made by hand. When the store now occupied by D. B. PORTER as feed and produce store was remodeled to provide a driveway, doors were removed from the back of the building that were made by Mr. FERGUSON more than fifty years ago. Mr. FERGUSON had a part in the woodwork of both the Methodist and Baptist Churches and the court house, working with the late J. A. CLARK. On the Belton National Bank Building Mr. FERGUSON worked with HENDRICKSON & KARNES in the stonework, and with J. H. HAROLD in the woodwork. Mr. FERGUSON says that though 72 years of age, he can read as well as he ever did, and has never worn glasses; but that at ten feet distance he can not recognize even his best friends unless they speak to him. He is able to walk practically every day from his home, about a mile south of the city, for his mail and return home. He takes an active interest in all that is going on in the city and over the world. Our next three articles are expected to be regarding Jesse W. PIERCE, who has been in the insurance business for fifty-five years; Tom KARNES, who succeeds his father and grandfather as mason and contractor, and Mrs. Kate WRAY, one of Belton's best known and best loved women. The store of M. F. HIATT & Son also dates back to 1873, and something will be said of it later. Book 4 page 17
A. D. POTTS Also Handles Hardware as He Did Back in Stirring Days of 1872-Bleton, Oct. 8.-More than half a century ago a young Kentuckian migrated across the continent to Texas and settled in the county seat of Bell County, where he became a merchant. Today at the age of 80, A. D. POTTS, Belton, operates the same business in the same building and under the same name that he did in 1872. This enviable record cannot be equaled by any merchant in Bell County, and probably not by any in all Texas. Mr. POTTS was born in Creelsboro, Russell County, Kentucky, June 15, 1847. In 1870, he left Kentucky in a two horse spring wagon with his brother and their families. At Memphis, Tenn., the spring wagons driven onto a boat and the little Kentucky party sailed across the Mississippi river and up the Arkansas river to Pine Bluff, where they docked and again took up the road for Texas. Six weeks after departing from Creelsboro, the POTTS families arrived in Belton where they settled and went into business. Unlike so may pioneers who started to Texas with no definite destination, Mr. POTTS was headed for Belton when he left Kentucky, because he had friends there. He opened his business in a building on the corner of East street, now occupied by the Sinclair grocery, but a year later in 1872, he moved his business into the building it now occupies. The firm of A. D. POTTS carried a full equipment of harness, saddles, and a line of hardware. At that time, buggies were not in style, and according to Mr. POTTS only one man in the county had a carriage. Later, when buggies and carriages were more in demand, he added buggies and carriages to the business. The firm increased and there was a three front store occupied by the A. D. POTTS firm. Although the letters are faint and almost obscured, there is still the same lettering over the doors. Over the first, one may read "A.D. POTTS, Buggies;" on the next door, "A. D. POTTS, Carriage Repository," while over the third is, A. D. POTTS, Hardware." "But they went out a few years ago, the buggies and saddles. You see, they are not in style any more," said Mr. POTTS, now a fine white-haired old gentleman, in speaking of his pioneer days as a saddle and buggy merchant in Belton. "We do not sell any more buggies and saddles, for the folks just don't buy them any more. But we now carry a full line of automobile parts for the cars which toke the place of the buggies. Why, we had rows and rows of saddles and all kinds of chaps, hat-bands, cattle whips, fancy spurs, holsters, and saddles of all makes and description that the cowboys liked and bought. "The cowboys got good pay and they did not mind spending it for a good saddle and all the other fancy trappings. I have sold as many as a dozen buggies in one day, and they were priced from $l00 to $l50 Buggies have not varied much in price since then. A hundred dollar buggy would cost about the same today, If buggies were in demand "Now, when the saddles and buggies were not profitable, I took on a heavier line of hardware including stoves, barbed wire, and such commodities as were becoming popular then." Belton is one of the driest towns in the part of the country, but Mr. POTTS remembers the time when it boasted almost a dozen saloons. According to him during the days of the saloon's popularity, there were five of them on Main street, which runs west of the courthouse. Just across the courthouse square is East Street, then dubbed "Rat Row" because of the reputation, where four saloons flourished. Mr. POTTS went on to say that the courthouse was not the fine building it now is. Then it was a small stone building, which was torn down and rebuilt in the early eighties. There were no trains in this part of the country when, he first came to Belton and mail was received only once a week and it came by stage from Austin. "Belton was on the main highway of the old cattle trails going from south Texas to Kansas City and other points north." Mr. POTTS said. "The traders and herders often stopped their herds near here at night. There were as many as 300,000 head of cattle driven through here in one year, and just one herd numbered as many as 6000. That was back between 1872-78. Now, we got lots of trade from those cowboys and herders who passed through. "But lots of people who traded in Belton came from towns as far as Brownwood. It is about ninety mile to Brownwood, and it generally took about a week to come up here in their ox wagons. They got here and just camped out until they got ready to go back home. You see, they just drove up in their covered wagons and did their trading. "One of the largest business houses in Belton then, was the MILLER-CHAMPBERLAIN company which was situated about where the Blue Bird tearoom is now. They did a big business the. More, I guess, than all of Belton does now. The folks just drove up to the store in their wagons and loaded up and then went back home. Old Colonel MILLER stayed in New York most of the time and bought and shipped out the goods for the store." Mr. POTTS has lived in the same lot on Wall street since he has been in Belton with the exception of the time he was having his home rebuilt after it burned a few years ago. He has also lived and voted in the same ward since 1870. Besides being in the hardware business, Mr. POTTS is the vice president of the Belton National Bank. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, being a Shriner and a Knights Templar, and belongs to the Rotary Club. When Baylor College was moved to Belton in 1886 and the cornerstone of Luther Hall was being laid, Mr. POTTS was one of those present who represented the citizens of Belton. He laid a small sheaf of wheat and a flask of old wine, both of which were imported, into the cornerstone. "It was just a little bit of wheat and wine. I got it as a prize when I bought a book from a man who said the book was all about the Holy Land. So when the book came, the wheat and wine were in the package and I put them into the cornerstone up at Baylor" Mr. POTTS said. He is not only a father and a grandfather, but on March7 of this year he became a great grandfather when his grandson, Roy POTTS, Belton, became the father of twin sons. Thus making a genealogy of four generations of POTTS in Belton. "Yes, I am a great grandfather now, and would you believe it, the twins were born on first Monday and we are all just as proud of them for that. We call them "First Monday twins," he smilingly said, as he talked of the infants, and he drew a folded newspaper from a drawer and pointed to a picture which portrayed the four generations of POTTS, with him holding one of the babies. "That's me there, and that is Arthur, who is my son and their grandfather, holding the other ones. That last man is Roy, the twins' father, who is my grandson. "Some folks, especially the younger ones, do not know what "first Monday" means. Years ago, it was called "stray day,' for it was on the first Monday of the month that the people all came to town and brought all the stray cattle that had taken up with them. These stray horses were sold at auction. Also, the men swapped horses and it was just a big day in town on the first Monday. But it doesn't mean much any more. They still do a little trading and swapping over on the trading square, but we do not have near the crowds that used to come to town on 'stray day.'" Mr. POTTS was first married to Miss Emma STRANGE of Kentucky, by which union three children were born. The two sons, Albert and Arthur POTTS, are in business with their father. The daughter, Zora, married T. J. MOSELEY and lives with her husband in Dallas. Mrs. POTTS died in 1889 and several years later, Mr. POTTS married Miss Clara HEFLEY of Belton, who is a graduate of Baylor College. Of this union, one daughter was born, Elizabeth, who is married to Dr. Paul BASSELL, son of J. D. BASSEL, Sr., of Belton. Dr. BASSEL is now on the staff of the Mayo Brothers in Rochester, Minn.
Belton in 1853, just three years after the granting of the charter of Bell County. G. W. HEFLEY, whose store bears the sign "Family Groceries," was the father of Clara HEFLEY, who married A. D. POTTS, whose business has been in the same building since 1872. Ox teams and cow ponies were the means of travel in 1853.
Book 4 page 18
It is a long step from the make-shift tallow candle to the perfect incandescent lamp. And it is an interesting history of the development of Belton that is to be found between the eras of candle electric illumination. Some of this history which has in some way or another affected every resident and merchant in Belton was recalled here recently by Tom HUGHES, veteran druggist, who has seen the town grow from the incubator state. Mr. HUGHES was born within ten miles of Belton, knows every crook and cranny of the surrounding countryside and probably knows by sight and first name every "old timer" who comes to trade at his drug store on the square. "It took us a long time to get everything to make Belton a first rate town, but now, with gas coming in I am sure we have about everything," he said. "years ago we never had any of the comforts we have today. We had to chop our wood, get our water from wells, cook our meals over blazing hot wood stoves winter and summer and for our illumination we had nothing but candles. Later on, of course, we went to oil lamps and what a progressive step we thought we had made! "And now, with electric switches on every wall in our homes and stores to furnish bright and steady illumination, we cannot realize that once we were almost primitive. Electricity now lights Belton, cooks for it, runs its industries an d puts Belton on an equal footing with the largest cities. "we are fortunate today to have the Texas Power & Light Company furnishing electricity to Belton. This is an organization with the interests of Texas at heart because it is a Texas industry, and it is equipped to give us the best of service. "It will not take much for some of the older of us folks to recall the days of candles and oil lamps and the first days of electric service here. As I recall it, the first plant was built here in 1887 with the Rev. M. V. SMITH at the head of it. That was a long time ago and early in the days of electricity, but Mr. SMITH put his sincerest efforts into making the plant a success. "But as most small enterprises, the lack of equipment handicapped Mr. SMITH from making as many extensions of his lines as he would have liked. And again, the service could not always be depended upon to perform every minute of the day and night. We had a few street lights and were mighty proud of them in the old days. "Now the entire town is lighted up. Almost every house and every business establishment, I understand, is equipped for electric service and virtually every street corner has a bright light shining over it all night. It has only been since the Texas Power & Light Company took over the local plant that his extension of service has been made." Mr. HUGHES recalled that the Texas Power & Light Company purchased the Belton electric plant about 1914 and supported the change of ownership at that time, because, he said he always has been in favor of giving Belton the best service obtainable. "I think most folks here will agree with me that since this Texas company ahs handled the Belton service we have had about the best in service and equipment and management that could be found anywhere," he said.
Belton, June 22-Rev. C. E. SMITH, newly elected minister of the First Christian Church of this city, will deliver his first sermon as pastor Sunday morning; and a cordial invitation is extended to the public to be present and enjoy the discourse. Mr. SMITH and his family are now domiciled in the Christian parsonage, having arrived during the week from their former residence at Kinsley, Kansas, where the elder son is in business. The daughter and the younger son accompanied their parents to this city, and will be in Baylor College and the public schools, respectively, this fall. Christian Endeavores Honor Miss ROBINSON-The members of the Christian Endeavor society of the First Christian Church met at the E. W. FOREMAN home for a social Tuesday night. Misses Imogene and Madge FOREMAN, hostesses, gave the party in honor of Miss Lorrain ROBINSON of Evansville, Indiana, who is visiting Mrs. C. E. SMITH of this city. There were about thirty young people present for the occasion. A number of games were played. At the close of the evening, refreshments of punch and cake were served. Sprouts From Charter Oak of Bell County to be Set Out on Court House Lawn-(Note by submitter: This article was hand dated 1927 by Nannie)-Belton Bureau-Temple Telegram-Belton, Oct 28,-Mrs. John A WALLACE has been made chairman of the committee of the Ben Milam chapter D. A. R. on the planting of the offspring of the "Bell County Charter Oak" on the the courthouse lawn, the date to be announced later. Mrs. WALLACE gathered a number of acorns from under the Charter Oak on the Leon river, planted them and now has several young trees. The largest of these, though only seven inches tall, is to be planted on the courthouse lawn this year by permission of the commissioners court. Mrs. WALLACE was chosen to finish the work, which she has so splendidly begun. During meeting of the Ben MILAM chapter held yesterday afternoon at the home of Mrs. C. E. METCALF in this city, Mrs. C. C. MINNIS of Temple, presiding. Mrs. May HARRIS WALKER was made chairman of a committee to collect old legal documents connected with Bell County history or to secure copies of these documents. Miss Ada LASATER was instructed to continue publicity work in connection with the relics of reunions of veterans of the Texas Independence battles to be secured for the state museum. Contributions were made toward the seven and a half dollars to be sent by the chapter to the museums. Mrs. MINNIS reported having a gun and a teaspoon among the relics she will contribute to the museum. The gun did its work during the battles for Texas freedom and the spoon was carried in her mother's pocket in one of the retreats before the oncoming Mexican army. It was planned to have an exhibit of relics in possession of the members at some early date. Mrs. J. D. FIELD of Temple reported having copies for nineteen flags used by different Texas regiments. Miss Alice PARTENS of the department of Journalism of Baylor College had with her a deed to property written in the early days of the Republic of Texas. The movement for sidewalk improvement being fathered by this Belton Business and Professional Women's Club received unanimous endorsement. Tribute was paid to the life and works of Hon. George W. TYLER and Mrs. C. E. METCALF of this city and Mesdames J. C. RUDD and C. C. MINNIS of Temple were selected as committee to draft resolutions for the chapter. The pretty reception and dining rooms of the METCALF home were decorated in exquisite roses and cut flowers. Mrs. Hugh HARRIS of Temple sent a beautiful box of plants as a tribute to Judge TYLER, to be sent at the close of the meeting to the TYLER home. A dainty salad plate was served with ice teas. Mrs. METCALF was assisted in serving by her sister Miss Genevieve METCALF, and little daughter, Eleanor Elizabeth METCALF. The next meeting will be held on the day of the planting of the Oak Tree on the courthouse lawn, with Temple members of the chapter as hostesses. Members present yesterday afternoon from Temple were Mrs. MINNIS, Mrs. R. D. FIELD, and Mrs. C. W. PEYTON. Dr. DIENST Tells Kiwanis Club County History from Beginning to Present Day-In talk that held his audience intensely interested from beginning to end as original documents and souvenirs were display, Dr. Alex DIENST addressed the Kiwanis Club briefly on the history of Bell County and Temple at a luncheon at the Kyle Hotel Tuesday at noon. Charlie CALLAWAY was toastmaster, assisted by J. P. CHARLTON and J. C. BAKER. Bell County about 50 miles square, was originally under the ocean, Dr. DIENST said. The elevation of 701 to 760 feet above sea level here gives an idea of how much water there we over this country. Prehistoric animals were here before the flood but as far as its known there was no human life. Some of the prehistoric animas were 50 feet long with tusks the diameter of a man's body from 16 to 20 feet long. ON the chalk fluffs of this county there are many fossils from the ocean period, more than 200 varieties having been found, fossils of marine animals from the fish and oyster to monsters and snakes 80 feet long. "After the flood Indian civilization came. They were not the Indians we know about. They may have been as different from the Indians of historic times as the Aztecs and Toltecs were from the Comanches. "The stone age man had only stone tools, knowing nothing of metals. I have found that this county was densely populated by these early Indians, having found at least 10 cities, 100 villages and 400 camps. The cities were at least 1,000 population and were there for a thousand years. Salado is on the site of an Indian city, the ashes of their fires going down about five feet. Near Sam CARTER'S farm on Bird's creek is another of these cities, the ashes going down an unknown depth. "The arrows, knives, plows, cultivators and everything they had were made of stone and they had a substitute for every implement of the modern household. No living person today can make the implements they made. "I am an orthodox believer in the Bible and take it whole, from cover to cover, I wouldn't believe part without believing all. And I am no evolutionist. The earliest man here was certainly no monkey for no monkey could have made these implements. "No modern Indian ever made any of these implements. The arrows that the Indians we knew about were picked up by those Indians from the old Indian camps just like we pick them up today. "Bell County was probably first trod by the feet of a white man by Phillip NOLAN, a cultured gentleman, scholar and adventurer. Nolan creek was named for him though it was spelled wrong He was killed between Waco and Cleburne. "Stephen F. AUSTIN first owned this country but the original colonizer was Sterling C. ROBERTSON, of the family that founded the city of Nashville, Tenn., a wonderful American family. He was impresario, bringing 300 American families to Texas and settling at Nashville on the Brazos near Cameron. His grandson is Huling P. ROBERTSON of Temple. E. Sterling C. ROBERTSON, his son, founded Salado and the ROBERTSON mansion at Salado is a fine example of the architecture of this 1850-60 period. "Among the early settler in the County were the DAVISONS, TYLERS, REEDS, CHILDERS and MCKAYS. All settled near the rivers for water, thinking these prairies waste land. The early business was cattle raising." Here the speaker showed early titles, papers, cattle brands, records and much data about the history of the county. He also had original documents, pictures, relics, papers and pamphlets showing the history of Temple and the county. "The wonderful growth of Temple in the past few years is due more to the dinner clubs than any other thing," said Dr. DIENST. "It has brought about unification caused competitors to meet together and be more friendly and all work together. I notice the difference in the greetings on the street, even. There is a change in the general spirit of things." -
JESS VAN - (Note by submitter: This picture was pasted in the scrapbook on page 19. Above the picture is the name JESS VAN. There is no article related to this person. Just the picutre.) Book 4 page 20
Bell Co. Treasurer Has Served People For Forty-One Years-For Nearly half a Century Voters Have Kept W. W. UPSHAW in Offices of Trust-Belton, Oct. 15-residing in one county for 51 years and spending 41 of those years as a servant of the people as a county official is the unusual distinction held by W. W. UPSHAW, treasurer of Bell County. Mr. UPSHAW came to Texas in 1872 and settled in a small village called Mountain Home, but which is known today as Holland. Four years later he came to Belton to take the office of District Clerk. He was the first District Clerk. Following his two years as District Clerk he served 18 years as County Clerk. From 1896 to 1906 he was out of the courthouse because of ill health, but in 1906 he again entered public office when he was elected County Treasurer, which position he holds now. W. W. UPSHAW is just as ardent a prohibitionist as his congressman cousin, W. D. UPSHAW, of Atlanta Ga., who frequently visits him in Belton. He is also a member of the Baptist Church and attends services regularly. He is as charitable in heart and spirit as in material things and has a reputation for modesty, kindliness and unassuming manner. Mr. UPSHAW is not a native Texas, although he has lived here more than half a century. He was born in Macon, Miss., but his parents left that state in 1847 and settled in Louisiana and it was with a Louisiana regiment that he served during the Civil War. He spent four years in Company H. Ninth Louisiana regiment, under General HAYES. It was during the battle of the Wilderness that he lost his leg from a severe wound inflicted by a Yankee minnie balls. He was sent back to a hospital in Lynchburg, Va. He was just 21 when he was discharged from the army. For the past 20 years, Mr. UPSHAW has been commander of the Bell County Camp Confederate Veterans. Mr. UPSHAW, despite his 83 years is still a loyal and patriotic advocate of the "men in gray." Two large framed pictures, one of General Robert E. LEE and the other of President Jefferson DAVIS, hang near each other on the walls of the office in the courthouse. They are connecting links to the gray-haired veteran, for they, too, fought beneath the stars and bars but have long since been buried in their uniforms known as the rebel gray. "do you know who they are? Lee and that is DAVIS-President DAVIS, he said, as he proudly pointed toward the pictures on the wall and stressed the title. "President DAVIS was from Mississippi where I was born." "When I die, I wish to be buried in the confederate gray for the old uniform is dearest to me. My old one is almost worn out and I want to buy a new one." He said. "most of the young people do not understand the reverence we old fellows have for the old uniform nor the love we veterans have for one another. But they do not understand the nature of the war or the cause for which we fought. It is just as Judge George TYLER said the other day. "The Civil War was fought with men, the World War with machinery.' That is true. Why, the battle in Virginia where I lost my leg and where so many men were killed, four brigadier generals were killed. In that war, the generals led their troops, while in the World War, they transmitted their orders by telephone and none of the big generals was killed, while some of them did not get within hearing distance of a bullet. The Civil War was a conflict of men and not machines and that was one of the reasons for the strong bond of fellowship. Another connecting link that joins those days of past glory to present is another old veteran who frequently comes to see Mr. UPSHAW. He is J. H. KILLINGSWORTH of Prairie Dell and he and Mr. UPSHAW have been friends for the past 40 years. They were both born in Mississippi in the same year, both fought in the war under the same flag, and both migrated to Texas about the same time. They both live in Bell County now and Mr. KILLINGSWORTH never comes to Belton without going in to see his old friend. He says that the treasurer's office is his headquarters when in town. "I have been voting for him for-for-how long has it been, Brother UPSHAW?" asked Mr. KILLINGSOWORTH, turning to his veteran friend. "Why as long as you have known me, I guess," the other replied smiling as he looked across his desk. "Yes, I guess I have been voting for you right here in the courthouse for nigh on to forty years, and I am going to vote for him as long as I live," declared his old friend stoutly. At that the two gray-haired men looked at each other understandingly and laughed good naturally. Mr. UPSHAW married Miss Rebecca TAYLOR of Holland and they together with two daughters, live in the old family residence in Belton. He has five children, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Book 4 page 21 ENJOY FAMILY REUNION IN BELTON-1929
Belton, Aug. 21-Mr. and Mrs. E. W. FOREMAN of this city had as recent guests their seven children and their families. Also, J. T. POWERS, brother of Mrs. FOREMAN and Mrs. M. A. FOREMAN, mother of Mr. FOREMAN. The time was spent in a most enjoyable way, motor trips to Austin, Waco, Killeen, Salado and other places. Bathing parties, camping trips and other features of entertainment were also enjoyed. It was the first family reunion of the FOREMANS in 10 years. Four generations were present. They are show in the picture above. Standing, left to right: F. J. GREEN, Burlington; Miss Imogene FOREMAN, Belton; Mr. and Mrs. A. J. LLOYD, Mr. and Mrs. G. V. HOGWOOD, Houston; J. H. FOREMAN, Los Angeles, Calif.; Miss Madge FOREMAN, Belton; Mr. and Mrs. E. R. FOREMAN, Llano. Seated: Mr. and Mrs. H. H. FOREMAN and children, Howell Jr., and Gale, Los Angeles; Mrs. M. A. FOREMAN, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. FOREMAN, Mrs. Kate POWERS, Belton; J. T. POWERS, Los Angeles; Gene and George HOGWOOD, Mary Catherine FOREMAN and Joy, Ann and Maurine LLOYD. (Note by submitter: Mr. and Mrs. E. W. FOREMAN is Nannie and her husband. Nannie was Mary Pearl POWERS who married Eugene Willard FOREMAN. Mrs. M. A. FOREMAN was Eugene's mother, Martha Ann (ARCHER) FOREMAN. Mrs. Kate POWERS was Mary Pearl's mother, Valeria Katherine (CHALK) POWERS. J. T. POWERS was Mary Pearl's brother, James Thomas POWERS.) Book 4 page 22 Anniversary of Indian Fight Here Recalls Naming Bird's and Stampede Creek in 1839-Sunday and today mark the anniversary of the famous battle of Bird's Creek in the early days of Texas history, the only important battle in historical times to occur in the vicinity of Temple. In this battle a brave band of 31 Texas rangers defeated 300 savage Indians, killing more than 100 of them, five or six white men, including Captain BIRD, dying. The location of Captain BIRD'S grave is a question that Bell County historians are very much interested in and the Telegram would also like to have a picture of Captain BIRD for publication, if there be anyone here now who has such a photograph. The battle recalls the first settlement in Bell County nearly 100 years ago, around Three Forks five or six miles south of here. There was a stockade similar to those described in American histories built by the pilgrims and other colonists for protection against the Indians. It was known as "Griffin's fort," old-timers say, and covered an enclosure of about seven acres. Runners would spread the alarm that the Indians were coming and all of the settlers would drive their stock into this place and there make a stand to protect themselves when the savages came. The story of the battle on Bird's Creek, out about a mile north of the Hospital Dairy farm, is a familiar one, often printed, but for those who wish to read it again or to save a clipping detailing it, the following story from the United Service Magazine of many, many years ago, is reprinted: "On Sunday morning, May 27, 1839, the intrepid Captain John BIRD, with a company of 31 rangers, well mounted and equipped left Fort Milam, at the falls of the Brazos on a scouting expedition against the depredating bands of Indians around Fort Griffin on the Little River, which was at that time on the extreme frontier of Texas in that direction-the BRYANTS, MARLINS and a few others on the Brazos being their nearest neighbors. Captain BIRD arrived at Fort Griffin at 1 o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, and at once learned that Indians had been seen near the fort but a few hours before his arrival. Without dismounting, he preceded to the point where the Indians had been seen. After a hurried march of some five miles upon the freshly made trail, they suddenly came upon 27 Comanche Indians. When is discovered the Comanche gentlemen were busy skinning buffaloes, and did not notice the approaching ranges until they were close upon them. The rangers charged the redskins, who fled in different directions thinking to prevent pursuit. Following the direction which the main body had gone for some three miles over the prairie, the rangers found themselves confronted by the same party of Indians, who had come together at this point, and were arrayed in battle order and ready for a fight. The Texans again charged upon them, and after a short skirmish the Indians again fled, the rangers pursuing them several miles further but without overtaking them. Their horses being considerably jaded, the savages easily out rode them. The rangers now gave up the chase but after retracing their steps for half a mile, and just as they were emerging from a skirt of timber on the south side of a small stream, since called Bird's Creek, and at a point about seven miles northeast of what was later Belton, they were suddenly surrounded by 40 Indians, who shot their arrow at them from every direction. The rangers made for a ravine some 600 yards in front, where there was a spring which they succeeded in reaching, despite the desperate attempts made to prevent them by the savages, who now retired to the top of a hill about 300 yards distant. A council of war was now held, when the Indians sent up three signal smokes, which were in a like manner answered in as many different directions. In about an hour the rangers saw a large body of mounted warriors heading in the direction of their confederates. In a few minutes the hill top seemed to be literally alive with painted demons. Increased to about 300 in number, and led by the famous Chief BUFFALOR HUMP, the Indians now arrayed themselves in battle order, ready and eager for the fray. Advancing a few paces, the entire company halted, and they remained silent and motionless for several moments, perhaps to give the little band of Texans in the ravine an opportunity of counting the enemy; but as one of the ranges remarked after the fight, "thar warn't no time for counin' Ingins." The little company of men well knew that this formidable army of red devils would soon sweep down upon them, and they were busy preparing to defend themselves against such fearful odds. Raising the Comanche war-whoop all along the entire line, the Indians charged down upon the men in the ravine, uttering the most unearthly yells that ever greeted the ears of mortals, and at the same time pouring a regular deluge of arrows. The Texans were brave and cool and gave them a most deadly reception, causing them to retire to the hilltop, without carrying off their dead and wounded. Again the enemy charged in overwhelming number, this time advancing to within 50 yards of the ravine, but under the galling fire of the rangers they were once more compelled to retreat, leaving a number of their dead and wounded upon the field. Having failed in each attempt to dislodge the rangers form their stronghold, and seeing that several of their number had bitten the dust at each successive charge, the whole company retired some distance beyond the hill and out of sight. "They now divided into two companies, and immediately began making a third and more fierce attack upon the rangers, this time closing in upon the rangers, them from either side, determined to rout the little garrison at all hazards. The strike became more deadly. The gallant band of rangers in the ravine fought for life, and taxed their energies to the utmost. The field was almost an open prairie, with little or nothing to shield the contending foes against the showers of arrows and leaden hail which were incessantly being sent. Victory trembled in the balance. The Indians repeatedly charged almost to the brink of the ravine but were often forced back. The brave Captain BIRD was killed early in the fight and six other rangers were killed or wounded. The remainder, reduced to only 25 in number, and exhausted by the long and protracted contest, seemed doomed to almost certain destruction, when James ROBINETT, a young German, and upon whom the command now devolved, swore to his comrades that he would kill the chief in the next charge, at the risk of his own life, Young ROBINETT had not long to wait before the Indians again charged down by them, led by their Chief, who was arrayed in full uniform, with an immense head-dress of buffalo horns, and mounted on a splendid American horse, presenting a most ludicrous and formidable appearance. Taking deliberate aim, ROBINETT fired at the chief, and true to his vow, succeeded in killing him. His lifeless body was at once surrounded by 10 or 12 braves who immediately carried it out of sight, leaving their comrades to avenge his death. "After one more unsuccessful attempt to dislodge the rangers, and night coming on, the savages retreated to the hill with a heavy loss of men and horses. Fearing another attack from the savages the rangers remained in the ravine until the next morning; and seeing no Indians insight, they mounted their horses (which had been secluded near by in the ravine and made their way back to Fort Griffin. Their story was told and a large force collected and immediately repaired to the battle ground. A huge coffin had been prepared and into this uncouth receptacle all that was mortal of Captain BIRD and his unfortunate comrades was placed and sent back to the settlement for burial. The remains of the five men now repose on the banks of Little River near the site of old Fort Griffin. Some of the men went in pursuit of the Indians, and proceeded as far as Stampede creek, where they camped for the night. "From some unaccountable cause, all of their horses stampeded about midnight and left the men afoot, which circumstance gave the creek its present name. "The bullet holes may still be seen in many of the trees on Bird's Creek, where the engagement commenced. The little spring in the ravine that slaked the thirst of the beseiged rangers and cooled the fevered brows of their dying comrades, still bubbles forth its sparkling waters as on that memorable day, murmuring an eternal requiem to the memory of the heroes who so proudly perished to protect their homes and loved ones. The battle ground is now enclosed in a farm, and all that marks the scene of this desperate conflict is a clump of alamo blanco trees, living monuments to the sacred memory of the fallen heroes." Book 4 page 23 Indian Tribes Who Lived in Bell County in the Stone Age Subject of Historical Sketch-Dr. DIENST Tells About a Number of Indian Towns in This Section-Has the Proof-An interesting story of the early Indian civilization in Bell County, possibly a race that was the prototype of the Maya and Aztec races but more probably a race that died out centuries before the dawn of history, was told by Dr. Alex DIENST at the annual meeting of the Daughters of the Texas Republic, Friday afternoon in the Belton park. There were about 60 present and the special guests included Dr. J. M. FRAZIER, county Judge Owen P. CARPENTER, Mr. RAY of Salado, and others. A chicken supper followed the program the meeting saluting the Texas republic flag and passing resolutions of sympathy and respect for Judge George W. TYLER. "Earliest Civilization in Bell County,: was the subject of Dr. DIENST'S talk. The speaker first spoke in terms of high praise for the pioneer ancestors represented by the Daughters of Texas, and emphasized in the fact of the remarkable culture and high degree of education represented by the pioneer civilization of Texas, and then mentioned the debt of gratitude the people of Texas owed to the Jesuit missionaries who first came to the wilds of Texas, renouncing civilization and all of the comforts of European life to give their lives as a sacrifice for the advancement of the Indian races of Texas. "They built their chain of mission buildings from the Gulf coast through San Antonio (Bexar) by was of El Paso to the Pacific coast in California, and not only endured privations and toll of pioneer life, but many of them became martyrs to the Indian savagery. "Before them, from the year 600 to 1500, the Aztec and Toltec races, a civilization accredited by modern explorers with all of the accomplishments and knowledge of the Egyptians, lived in the southwest. Numerous pyramids erected by that civilization and buried cites underneath forests centuries old in Yucatan and Mexico show great affinity through hieroglyphics, pyramids, carving, statuaries and methods of building their cities to the old Egyptian civilization. "Before them in civilization as deciphered by archeologists and investigators from the great universities of the north, as living here from 500 B. C. to 800 A. D. , was the Maya civilization. This was the most remarkable race of all. Hieroglyphics, tables and obelisks and decorations uncovered now show that they were far more advanced in civilization than the European races of that date. The great Almanac stone, weighing many tons (now in Mexico City) is generally ascribed as the Aztec calendar stone, but it is really of Maya origination. They had no telescope to study astrology with, but used a basic line 500 feet long from which they made their calculations so accurately that they foretold hundreds of years the movements of the planets and recorded in hieroglyphics to the very day and hour. Their calendar stone shows 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week, 30 days in a month, 12 months in a year and 365 days in a year, the same as we now have, and they recorded this 1,000 years before Columbus discovered America. They knew how to temper copper to such fineness that it was equal to our best steel today. (Here the speaker showed his audience a copper spike taken from an old mine in Mexico-so hard that no knife could cut it.) "Lord Kingsbury, a wealthy Englishman, 100 years ago, proved to his own satisfaction in 10 volumes, that the ancient race was the lost tribe of Israel. He is probably correct in his belief. The Aztec race in Mexico and the southwest when the Spaniards came, was a race led by priests who were the aristocracy and had all of the knowledge and preserved it in hieroglyphic books. When the conquering Cortez invaded Mexico in the early sixteenth century he made it a point to absolutely annihilate all culture of the Aztec nation by putting to death every priest and destroying every record. This was the termination of Aztec civilization, leaving only the uneducated masses, the rabble. What knowledge is known today has been found in the recent discoveries of buried cities now being unearthed by exploring parties upon which northern universities are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars." Dr. DIENST said that he did not know where the Bell County Indians came from, but that they were here long before the rise of the Maya and Aztec races further south. They might have been the prototype of the Maya and Aztec nation. Some skulls unearthed in Bell County have the characteristics of the Aztec, but one skull proves nothing. Much research work must be done. The American Indians are not like the Aztec race, and they are not like the Eskimo, who came from China, and shows the characteristic. Where the Indian came from is unknown. The western Indians from California came here on buffalo hunts and went back. Later the shifting Cherokee tribes and other tribes from Alabama and Georgia were driven here. Of the 500 Indian camps in Bell County, only about 150 have arrows and stone work showing that they were permanent residents of the old type. The small camps were later day Indians with guns, thieving rovers. There was a great Indian race in Bell County that lived here long before the dawn of history and before the later Indians came in. Whiskey and smallpox killed out the last Indian race, but the great early race disappeared for some reason, many hundreds of years ago. "As far back as civilization went," Dr. DIEST said, "Bell County had a cultured civilization thousands of years even before the Maya race. Bell County's civilization was known as the stone age Indians, or scientifically as the Paleolithic or Neolithic age, the chip flint and polished flint age. "These Indians dwelt mostly in the western portion of Bell County on account of the desirability of living near plenty of water and wood and in the shelter of the bluffs. Every town site in western Bell County was inhabited by a larger tribe of Indians thousands of years ago than those cities have population today, with the exception of Temple, which had no water site, and therefore no Indians. "However, on Bird's Creek, opposite Sam CATER'S place, high on a bluff, was a city of tents covering 45 acres of land and populated by thousands of Indians for thousands of years, as is proved by the depth of the ashes, chip flint, clam shells and burnt rock, known as kitchen mittens or camp refuse." The speaker here passed among his audience several hundred very finely chipped flint arrow points, spear points, tomahawks, hatchets, axes, plow points 14 inches long and finely made, showing that the valleys of Bell County streams had been plowed and planted in corn thousands of years ago, and corn bowls and rubbing stones to grind the corn, which are found in plenty in every Indian camp. "These Indian camps are on every stream in western Bell County, about every half mile on the banks, showing that there was an enormous Indian population; possibly more dense than the white population of today. "some of the Indian camps on high bluffs where rain storms have washed a clear profile show a depth of 15 feet of pure ashes, burnt rock, clam shells and Indian artifacts (implements) showing that the land had actually been raised 15 feet in the duration of that civilization. "The flint work of those aborigines in Bell County is superior to any flint work in the world as regards artistic design, beauty of flint and skillful lapidary work, and the government reports (Smithsonian) are authority for the statement that the large, beautifully chipped flint objects cannot be duplicated by any white person living and it is a lost art among all Indian tribes; great artists in all lines of culture state that the beauty of design and skill of workmanship in forming these objects rank easily with the skill of any living white artist today in regard to artistic effort." HAMMERSMITH'S Store Third Oldest in This City-Founder is still Hale and Hearty and Young in His ways; Here Every Week-By Miss Ada LASATER-"I came to Belton to make boots," is the statement of Col. Peter HAMMERSMITH, who came to Belton in 1866, and began the making of some of the very best boots that men o this section have ever had. And they were "boots," too, of those were the days when boot tops were high and had many unique designs in their decoration. Mr. HAMMERSMITH, sitting in his window making boots, was a wonder to the youth of that day, and is still held as a pleasant childhood memory by those who are living today. Not alone did Mr. HAMMERSMITH make boots, but in 1884 he began to sell boots and shoes made by others, and with his sons, has established exclusive shoe stores in Galveston and Houston, as well as in this city. Now the HAMMERSMITH scroll is well known all over the state for the high grade and reliable shoes which go out under that name. Peter HAMMERSMITH was born in Maraheim, Germany, November 15, 1843, and in April 1859 came with his grandfather and grandmother HAMMERSMITH to visit their daughter, Mrs. C. AMANN, who was then living in Ripley, Miss. When time to return to Germany came, young HAMMERSMTIH decided that he liked this country better than he did the old country, and wanted to stay. Though only sixteen years of age, he had fair training in boot and shoe making, the business which has carried him through a successful career of sixty-four years. Again in 1861, when the war cloud was hanging over this country, young HAMMERSMITH had decided opinions as to what he wanted to do, and though at first the Confederate leaders refused his enlistment, because he was under eighteen years of age, he pleaded so earnestly-pledging to beat the drum, carry water, or do anything that was to be done-until his enlistment was accepted. And he made a faithful soldier, fighting in the battles of Manassas, Seven Pines, seven days before Richmond, Sharpsburg and Gettysburg, where he was taken prisoner, and remained in prison from July 1, 1863 to June 12, 1865. He was twice wounded, in the battles of Manassas and of Richmond. After his release from prison Peter HAMMERSMITH turned his eyes toward Texas, landing in Galveston before the close of 1865. From Galveston he went in a very short time to Houston. Not finding affairs at Houston looking very prosperous, he at that time came to Belton, where he secured board with Mr. and Mrs. Julius TABLER having formerly know Mr. TABLER. With two dollars and half in his pocket, Mr. HAMMERSMITH saw on the street a woman who had four children crying for something to eat and gave her one dollar, the remaining one dollar and a half he paid in advance on his board. But there was also the list of faithful shoemaker's tools and faithful work with these carried Peter HAMMERSMITH to one of the highest tax payers of the city. While Peter HAMMERSMITH was working steadily on making boots, there came for his services one John Crockett BURRIS, whose dashy team of young horses was driven by his granddaughter, Miss Minerva BURRIS, with the result that on March 6, in 1868, the marriage of Miss BURRIS and Peter HAMMERSMITH was solemnized on the BURRIS farm on the Lampasas river, near where the HAMMERSMITH bridge now stands. The early home of Mr. HAMMERSMITH'S shoe business was near the "Old Mill," where the new Farm Bureau Gin now stands. In 1884 the sales stock was put in, and near this same time the business was moved to one of the HARRIS and SAUNDERS buildings, on Main street, and there was associated with Mr. HAMEMRSMITH for a short time a Mr. RAMEY under the firm name of HAMMERSMITH & RAMEY. During the following years there were associated with Mr. HAMMERSMITH in the business his sons, John, Will and Roy HAMERSMITH, who are now partners in the HAMMERSMITH'S shoe businesses at Houston and Galveston, and Chas. HAMMERSMITH whose death occurred in 1905. After the death of Chas. HAMMERSMTIH, C. E. METCALF, son-in-law of Peter HAMMERSMITH, purchased the interest of Charles. There was then associated with Mr. METCALF, Roy HAMMERSMITH, who later went to Waco and to California, before going to Houston. The youngest son, Byron HAMMERSMITH is now associated with C. E. METCALF in the store in this city. Not alone is Mr. HAMMERSMITH housing his own business in the store where it has been located for a number of years, on the north side of the square, but is also owner of the large building occupied by the HARGETT Drug Company, with four smaller buildings to the north and facing on Main street. Offices of Doctors J. M. FRAZIER, E. A. BALLARD and W. M. GAMBRELL occupy the second floors of the corner building. While Col. and Mrs. HAMEMRSMITH are now occupying their handsome home in Temple. They are constant visitors here-socially and on business-and are members of the Bell County Camp U. C. V. and Bell County chapter U. D. C., to which they have always been loyal. The records of Belton business enterprises seems now to skip to the 70's. Celebrate Silver Wedding-Mr. and Mrs. E. M. SHEPPERD celebrated their twenty-fifth or silver wedding anniversary, in their music studio, 106 1-2 South Main Street, Wednesday evening, from 8 to 10 o'clock. In the receiving line with Mr. and Mrs. SHEPPERD, were their daughters, Misses Gladys and Mildred, and Mrs. Frank HIERONYMUS; Mrs. HIERONYMUS having been a guest at the wedding twenty-five years ago. The guest book in which all were asked to register, was in charge of Mrs. E. W. FOREMAN of Belton. The following beautiful program was given: Vocal solo, "I Love You Truly," by Miss Lillian Mae MOSS; reading, "Dainty Dollie Dimples," by Miss Annie Louise WILLIAMS; dance toe tap solo, Miss Gloria TODARO; dance tap duett, by Misses Kirby Mae NIX and Bernice CENTER; a break away dance, by Misses TODARO, Nix and CENTER, who also gave a tap comedy; and a violin solo by Mrs. Frank HIERONYMUS. The program was in charge of Miss Gladys SHEPPERD, and was greatly appreciated and enjoyed. Each guest was given a slip of paper and a pencil, and requested to write a good wish for the future happiness of Mr. and Mrs. SHEPPERD, and these were collected and read and placed later in their memory book. Fruit punch and cake were then served to fifty guests. The bride's cake was a beautiful one in two tiers, embossed with pink and white blossoms and topped with a miniature bride and groom. In the cake were ten dimes, and each one cutting a dime was called into another room for "consultation" which resulted in a mock wedding being held for the entertainment of the bride and groom and guests. The personnel of the "wedding" party was as follows: Bride-Mrs. Frank HIERONYMUS; groom-Walter BENSON; preacher-E.W. FOREMAN; pillow bearer-Hugh HANNON; carrying the bride's veil-Mrs. W. D. MEERS; bridesmaids-Mrs. J. D. SANDERS and Miss PRUDIE HOOVER. The gifts included a number of exquisite pieces of silver. Mr. SHEPPERD'S gift to his "bride" on this occasion, was a lovely wrist watch. In behalf of Mrs. SHEPPERD and himself, Mr. SHEPPERD expressed their happiness in having their friends with them, and for their many tokens of love and friendship expressed in the beautiful gifts and felicitations. Those present were: "Mother" SHEPPERD, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. FAITH and sons, J. D. Jr. and George; Mr. and Mrs. W. W. SHEPPERD and children, Claude and Lavonia; Mrs. Frank HIERONYMUS, Walter BENSON, Mrs. Carrie MILLER and daughter, Miss Clara Mae; Mrs. J. D. SANDERS, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. MEERS, Mr. and Mrs. French MOSS and children, Lillian Mae and Robert; Mrs. N. R WILLIAMS and daughter Annie Louise; Junior PAPPAS, Mr. and Mrs. E. M. SHEPPERD and daughters, Misses Gladys and Mildred. Out of town guests, were: Mr. and Mrs. H. V. SMTIH and baby; Mr. and Mrs. E. W. FOREMAN, Mr. and Mrs. Ed MUEHLHOUSE, Mr. and Ms. E. E. HOGWOOD and son, Mrs. D.W. HOGWOOD, Mr. and Mrs. Tom COLE, Mr. and Mrs. Ray SAVAGE, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin SHERROD, and son, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh HANNON and daughter, Mrs. Curtis DURHAM and sons, Billy and Harry WILSON.
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