A word of thanks. This blog passed the 10,000 pageview mark this week. That seems so amazing for a blog with such a narrow focus--the built environment of the Texas Hill Country (and mostly Kerr County). Posting has slowed down due to a few projects with deadlines I'm involved in, but more will be coming.
In the meantime, I'll ask this again...I like to research and write about buildings in Kerr County that are more that 50 years old. There are plenty! If you own such a building, or know of one that I haven't blogged about yet, please email me at dgaudier at gmail.com.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Monday, November 4, 2013
The Boy from Reservation
I don't really know where to put this young man, so he gets a page to himself!
Edwin John Kaiser was born July 23, 1897, in Fredericksburg to William and Martha Kaiser. He died at Camp Travis, Texas, on November 23, 1918. He lived and worked in Harper, but registered for the draft in Kerr County. I have learned from the newspapers that he lived in the Reservation community in Kerr County, a community near the Gillespie county line and not far from Mountain Home. The old Reservation school was consolidated with neighboring Gillespie County schools in 1941.
A service flag and United States flag were blessed at the local Catholic church in Harper during a mass in December 1942. The December 11, 1942, Harper Herald reported it this way: "This particular [U.S.] flag is noteworthy in that it is the flag which draped the casket of Edwin Kaiser, who died while in the service of our country made necessary by the first World War. He was buried here on Nov., 25, 1918. That flag is the gift of the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Will Kaiser, Sr. ... enthroned in the sanctuary of the Church, the place of honor, and will silently honor those to whom they are dedicated, the young men of the Paris who are fighting this war for us."
This is the last in the series about World War I dead of Kerr County.
Edwin John Kaiser was born July 23, 1897, in Fredericksburg to William and Martha Kaiser. He died at Camp Travis, Texas, on November 23, 1918. He lived and worked in Harper, but registered for the draft in Kerr County. I have learned from the newspapers that he lived in the Reservation community in Kerr County, a community near the Gillespie county line and not far from Mountain Home. The old Reservation school was consolidated with neighboring Gillespie County schools in 1941.
A service flag and United States flag were blessed at the local Catholic church in Harper during a mass in December 1942. The December 11, 1942, Harper Herald reported it this way: "This particular [U.S.] flag is noteworthy in that it is the flag which draped the casket of Edwin Kaiser, who died while in the service of our country made necessary by the first World War. He was buried here on Nov., 25, 1918. That flag is the gift of the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Will Kaiser, Sr. ... enthroned in the sanctuary of the Church, the place of honor, and will silently honor those to whom they are dedicated, the young men of the Paris who are fighting this war for us."
This is the last in the series about World War I dead of Kerr County.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
The Boys from Turtle Creek
There were two young men from the Turtle Creek community who lost their lives in World War I.
They are Robert Emerson Spicer and Leonard Miles Denton.
Leonard Miles Denton was born August 25, 1896, in Kerr County to Benjamin Franklin Denton Jr. and Louisiana "Annie" Sarah Norwood Denton. He died of pneumonia April 15, 1918, at Camp Bowie, Tarrant County, and is buried in Turtle Creek Cemetery.
This lengthy obituary appeared in the Kerrville Mountain Sun on April 26, 1918:
Kerr County Soldier dies at Camp Bowie.
Kerr County is sad today. Yesterday was laid to rest one of her soldier sons; a young, red-blooded American who left last September to give his life for his country, has made the sacrifice.
Private Leonard Denton, Co. I, 141st Infantry, died Monday afternoon at 4:40 o'clock in the Base Hospital at Camp Bowie, a victim of pneumonia.
The young man was ill only a few days, ad his father, B. F. Denton, left last week for Fort Worth in response to a message informing him of his son's illness. His condition seemed to gradually grow worse until the end came Monday afternoon.
The remains, accompanied by the father, a brother, Claud Denton, of Midland, and a military escort, arrived on the Wednesday evening train and were met by a large group of relatives and friends.
The remains were laid to rest in the Turtle Creek Cemetery Thursday afternoon. The funeral was one of the largest attended ever held in the county, showing he esteem in which the young soldier was held by his home people, and their appreciation of his noble sacrifice.
Rev. D. B. South, pastor of the Kerrville Baptist Church, in tender words of sympathy and comfort conducted the service at the [unclear].
Young Denton was just reaching manhood and was one of the first to volunteer last summer when Captain Seeber organized the old Company D, First Texas Infantry, which was merged with another company at Camp Bowie some time ago and named Co. I, 141st Infantry. It is peculiarly sad that a young man so patriotic should not be permitted to get into action; but he had nevertheless given his life in his country's cause, and to the mourning ones we would remind that He who doeth all things well, makes no mistakes. The human link snapped asunder on earth is forged anew in Heaven. It is true when beautiful youth is gone and much of life remains; hence the dear one's eyes are closed to all earthy trials. In his springtime of enthusiasm and tenderness, ere the sunshine of hope and joy was extinguished, he passed to the glorious beyond.
No bronze or marble shaft, no splendor of ancient or modern tombs and no play of immortal genius can adorn the memory of such manly young men. Their lives, their deeds, their influences, living or dead, and their pure aspirations are the monuments that will keep their names burning in the home and hearts of kindred and brethren, while the silence of death draps[sic] and chills us at this moment, memories sweet and precious come crowding in.
"How sweet a life was his; how sweet a death;
Living to wing with mirth the merry hours,
Or with his genial tales the heart to cheer.
Dying to leave a memory like the heath
Of summer, full of sunshine and flowers.
A grief and gladness in the atmosphere."
***************
Robert Emerson Spicer was born May 23, 1890, in Kerrville to James and Ruth Nelson Spicer. He was English, she Canadian. He died October 9, 1918, in France and is buried at Oise-Aisne Cemetery.
Pictured here is his mother who participated in the U.S. World War I Mothers' Pilgrimage in 1930. This was a federally funded program to allow mothers to visit the graves of their sons and to see the battlefields where they died. She went to France to visit the grave of her son for the first and only time.
They are Robert Emerson Spicer and Leonard Miles Denton.
Leonard Miles Denton was born August 25, 1896, in Kerr County to Benjamin Franklin Denton Jr. and Louisiana "Annie" Sarah Norwood Denton. He died of pneumonia April 15, 1918, at Camp Bowie, Tarrant County, and is buried in Turtle Creek Cemetery.
This lengthy obituary appeared in the Kerrville Mountain Sun on April 26, 1918:
Kerr County Soldier dies at Camp Bowie.
Kerr County is sad today. Yesterday was laid to rest one of her soldier sons; a young, red-blooded American who left last September to give his life for his country, has made the sacrifice.
Private Leonard Denton, Co. I, 141st Infantry, died Monday afternoon at 4:40 o'clock in the Base Hospital at Camp Bowie, a victim of pneumonia.
The young man was ill only a few days, ad his father, B. F. Denton, left last week for Fort Worth in response to a message informing him of his son's illness. His condition seemed to gradually grow worse until the end came Monday afternoon.
The remains, accompanied by the father, a brother, Claud Denton, of Midland, and a military escort, arrived on the Wednesday evening train and were met by a large group of relatives and friends.
The remains were laid to rest in the Turtle Creek Cemetery Thursday afternoon. The funeral was one of the largest attended ever held in the county, showing he esteem in which the young soldier was held by his home people, and their appreciation of his noble sacrifice.
Rev. D. B. South, pastor of the Kerrville Baptist Church, in tender words of sympathy and comfort conducted the service at the [unclear].
Young Denton was just reaching manhood and was one of the first to volunteer last summer when Captain Seeber organized the old Company D, First Texas Infantry, which was merged with another company at Camp Bowie some time ago and named Co. I, 141st Infantry. It is peculiarly sad that a young man so patriotic should not be permitted to get into action; but he had nevertheless given his life in his country's cause, and to the mourning ones we would remind that He who doeth all things well, makes no mistakes. The human link snapped asunder on earth is forged anew in Heaven. It is true when beautiful youth is gone and much of life remains; hence the dear one's eyes are closed to all earthy trials. In his springtime of enthusiasm and tenderness, ere the sunshine of hope and joy was extinguished, he passed to the glorious beyond.
No bronze or marble shaft, no splendor of ancient or modern tombs and no play of immortal genius can adorn the memory of such manly young men. Their lives, their deeds, their influences, living or dead, and their pure aspirations are the monuments that will keep their names burning in the home and hearts of kindred and brethren, while the silence of death draps[sic] and chills us at this moment, memories sweet and precious come crowding in.
"How sweet a life was his; how sweet a death;
Living to wing with mirth the merry hours,
Or with his genial tales the heart to cheer.
Dying to leave a memory like the heath
Of summer, full of sunshine and flowers.
A grief and gladness in the atmosphere."
***************
Robert Emerson Spicer was born May 23, 1890, in Kerrville to James and Ruth Nelson Spicer. He was English, she Canadian. He died October 9, 1918, in France and is buried at Oise-Aisne Cemetery.
Pictured here is his mother who participated in the U.S. World War I Mothers' Pilgrimage in 1930. This was a federally funded program to allow mothers to visit the graves of their sons and to see the battlefields where they died. She went to France to visit the grave of her son for the first and only time.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
The Boys from Ingram (and Pebble)
Four young men from Ingram died in World War I. They are Monroe Ernest Dowdy, Louie Robert Floyd, Grover Kile Hollomon, and William A. Johannessen.
Monroe Ernest Dowdy was born February 14, 1888, in Kerr County to Richard Balem and Leila McKeen Dowdy and died October 10, 1918, in France. He was buried at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Departement de la Meuse, Lorraine, France.
He lived in Ingram and worked as a laborer for Ed Ragland in Mountain Home.
Dowdy was a Private, Company G, 127th Infantry, U.S. Army.
*********
Robert Louis Floyd (appears in official records as Louie R. Floyd) was born November 9, 1893, to George W. and Mary E. Floyd, and died September 23, 1918, in Texas. He is buried in Nichols Cemetery. On October 18, 1918, the Kerrville Mountain Sun reported that he had died of pneumonia "Over There".
********
Grover Kile Hollomon was born January 15, 1890, in Kerrville, to George R. and Delilah Hollomon and died October 2, 1918, overseas. He farmed with his father before being called up.
The following appeared in the Kerrville Mountain Sun for July 23, 1920.
"Bodies of two more soldiers from Overseas.
"Friday of last week, the bodies of Harvey L. Merritt and Grover Hollomon were brought from overseas to Kerrville and Saturday were buried at Nichol's [sic] Cemetery near Ingram. Corporal Tracht accompanied the bodies from Hoboken, N.J., to Kerrville and the Ward Undertaking Company had charge of the remains.
"These bodies of dead soldiers are shipped here in the cement casket, which was described recently in The Sun. The weight of the casket is over 500 pounds.
Harvey Merrit and Grover Hollomon both died of pneumonia in October, 1918.
"There were a number of relatives to meet the remains at Kerrville and accompany them to the cemetery. "
*********
Jacob Harvey Merritt was born July 12, 1893, in Kerr County, and died October 10, 1918, overseas. He is buried in Nichols Cemetery.
Harvey Merritt was a stock farmer.
When he registered for the draft he gave his address as Pebble. Pebble was west of Hunt along the South Fork of the Guadalupe and it would make more sense to place Merritt on that blog page, but because of the news story above I've added him here. The Pebble post office closed in 1918.
The November 28, 1918, Kerrville Mountain Sun reported his death this way: "Harvey Merritt Killed in Action. Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Merritt of the Upper Guadalupe have received word from Washington advising them that their son, Private Harvey Merritt had been killed in action in the battlefields of France. Harvey was one of the last of the Kerr County boys to answer the call to service and had been in France only a few weeks when he was killed. Thus another of our splendid young men has paid the supreme sacrifice and added another gold star to Kerr County's glorious banner which will be held with honor and esteem and preserved as an heritage to future generations as a part of the victory that followed our immortal flag across the seas."
*********
William A. Johannessen was born March 19, 1895, in Blanco County, died October 28, 1917 at Fort Logan, Colorado, of typhoid fever and is buried in Nichols Cemetery. He was a member of Co. L, 1st Infantry Division, U.S. Army. Fort Logan was a recruit depot at that time.
His father James Peter Johannessen was born in Norway. His mother Elizabeth Loretta Stokes was born in Texas. The family first appears in the 1910 U.S. Census in Kerr County. I have not found any other information about him. One of the challenges of researching this surname is that it is frequently misspelled in the newspaper. Some of the variants include Johannesen, Johannesson and Johanneson.
***
This record was changed on May 8, 2017, to reflect newly located information about William A. Johannessen.
Monroe Ernest Dowdy was born February 14, 1888, in Kerr County to Richard Balem and Leila McKeen Dowdy and died October 10, 1918, in France. He was buried at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Departement de la Meuse, Lorraine, France.
He lived in Ingram and worked as a laborer for Ed Ragland in Mountain Home.
Dowdy was a Private, Company G, 127th Infantry, U.S. Army.
*********
Robert Louis Floyd (appears in official records as Louie R. Floyd) was born November 9, 1893, to George W. and Mary E. Floyd, and died September 23, 1918, in Texas. He is buried in Nichols Cemetery. On October 18, 1918, the Kerrville Mountain Sun reported that he had died of pneumonia "Over There".
********
Grover Kile Hollomon was born January 15, 1890, in Kerrville, to George R. and Delilah Hollomon and died October 2, 1918, overseas. He farmed with his father before being called up.
The following appeared in the Kerrville Mountain Sun for July 23, 1920.
"Bodies of two more soldiers from Overseas.
"Friday of last week, the bodies of Harvey L. Merritt and Grover Hollomon were brought from overseas to Kerrville and Saturday were buried at Nichol's [sic] Cemetery near Ingram. Corporal Tracht accompanied the bodies from Hoboken, N.J., to Kerrville and the Ward Undertaking Company had charge of the remains.
"These bodies of dead soldiers are shipped here in the cement casket, which was described recently in The Sun. The weight of the casket is over 500 pounds.
Harvey Merrit and Grover Hollomon both died of pneumonia in October, 1918.
"There were a number of relatives to meet the remains at Kerrville and accompany them to the cemetery. "
*********
Jacob Harvey Merritt was born July 12, 1893, in Kerr County, and died October 10, 1918, overseas. He is buried in Nichols Cemetery.
Harvey Merritt was a stock farmer.
When he registered for the draft he gave his address as Pebble. Pebble was west of Hunt along the South Fork of the Guadalupe and it would make more sense to place Merritt on that blog page, but because of the news story above I've added him here. The Pebble post office closed in 1918.
The November 28, 1918, Kerrville Mountain Sun reported his death this way: "Harvey Merritt Killed in Action. Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Merritt of the Upper Guadalupe have received word from Washington advising them that their son, Private Harvey Merritt had been killed in action in the battlefields of France. Harvey was one of the last of the Kerr County boys to answer the call to service and had been in France only a few weeks when he was killed. Thus another of our splendid young men has paid the supreme sacrifice and added another gold star to Kerr County's glorious banner which will be held with honor and esteem and preserved as an heritage to future generations as a part of the victory that followed our immortal flag across the seas."
*********
William A. Johannessen was born March 19, 1895, in Blanco County, died October 28, 1917 at Fort Logan, Colorado, of typhoid fever and is buried in Nichols Cemetery. He was a member of Co. L, 1st Infantry Division, U.S. Army. Fort Logan was a recruit depot at that time.
His father James Peter Johannessen was born in Norway. His mother Elizabeth Loretta Stokes was born in Texas. The family first appears in the 1910 U.S. Census in Kerr County. I have not found any other information about him. One of the challenges of researching this surname is that it is frequently misspelled in the newspaper. Some of the variants include Johannesen, Johannesson and Johanneson.
***
This record was changed on May 8, 2017, to reflect newly located information about William A. Johannessen.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
The Boys from Hunt
Two young men from Hunt, William Edmond Caddell and Randolph Davis, were among the Kerr County World War I dead.
William "Edmond" Caddell, the son of Martin Ernest "Mark" Caddell and Wilhelmina "Minnie" Josephine Hagemann, was born January 29, 1895, in Kerr County. He farmed in the Hunt area.
Edmond Caddell died on Oct. 20, 1918, reportedly of emphysema, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
He was a Private, Company K, 122nd Infantry 31st Division, US Army.
Reprinted here is a letter he wrote to his brother Jim. Jim was 17 years older than Edmond. Camp Travis was in San Antonio and is now part of Fort Sam Houston.
"Camp Travis Texas
17.8.18
Dear Brother Sister an family with the greatest of pleasure I will answer your most kind and welcome letter which I rec'd the other day. I got my razor and everything all right well I sure feel tuff at the present I got my last shot of vaccianation this eve. How are you all I am all OK at present with the exceptions of feeling a little tuff Say If you all want to ever see me any more Send me a telegram that Jim is pretty bad of and he wants me to come you will hafto have some Doctor to sign his name to the telegram.
"Thats the only way I can come for they wont let me off any other way.
"Send it to Camp Travis 77 Co 20 T R Bn 165 D B Camp Travis Texas and pay the call there and send me about 10 or 15 dollars in the telegram. for I will hafta have money to come on for am nearly busted. dont wait one minute about sending that telegram for I may be gone if you dont. Tell Mina I dont know where Ben is him and Frank is both in the army now.
"Where is my girl at I wrote to letters one to her and one to the other one and one to Simpson also and havent heard from either one yet. well I will register this so you will be sure and get it.
So I will close
Your Bud
Edmond"
***********
Randolph Davis was born February 21, 1896, in Kimble Co., to James Leonard and Mollie G. Davis, and died October 21, 1918, in Europe. A farmer, he is buried in the Conn Family Cemetery in Hunt.
The following obituary appeared in the Kerrville Mountain Sun for July 16, 1920:
"June 30, 1920, the remains of Private Randolph Davis were assigned a permanent resting place, at the Conn cemetery, the writer officiating.
"Randolph Davis was 25 years old' was born in Kimble county, but had spend most of his life in Kerr. He entered the U. S. service July 15, 1918 and served in the infantry with Company 9 of the 2nd division.
"After leaving training camp and made the voyage overseas he was attacked by a severe case of pneumonia, which proved fatal.
"The deceased is survived by his mother, Mrs. Mollie Davis; by full brothers, Mike, Clarence and Charles; half brothers, Robert, Abner, Ben, John and Jim; sisters, Matilda, Mary and Lizzie, and one step-brother Humphrey McKenney. His father, James Davis, died Jan. 29, 1919, and before passing away requested that the remains of Randolph be brought back to Texas for burial. The family used every means possible to comply with his desire. Private E. Major accompanied the remains from the east to Kerr county and as the casket was being lowered, he lifted from it the U.S. flag and presented it to the family.
"The vacancy made by the departure of Randolph is very keenly felt, but those of us who know that God does all things well must resign our wills to His will and expect Him to make our individual lives what they should be. (Roger C. Walker)"
Roger C. Walker was the pastor at the Ingram Baptist Church.
William "Edmond" Caddell, the son of Martin Ernest "Mark" Caddell and Wilhelmina "Minnie" Josephine Hagemann, was born January 29, 1895, in Kerr County. He farmed in the Hunt area.
Edmond Caddell died on Oct. 20, 1918, reportedly of emphysema, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
He was a Private, Company K, 122nd Infantry 31st Division, US Army.
Reprinted here is a letter he wrote to his brother Jim. Jim was 17 years older than Edmond. Camp Travis was in San Antonio and is now part of Fort Sam Houston.
"Camp Travis Texas
17.8.18
Dear Brother Sister an family with the greatest of pleasure I will answer your most kind and welcome letter which I rec'd the other day. I got my razor and everything all right well I sure feel tuff at the present I got my last shot of vaccianation this eve. How are you all I am all OK at present with the exceptions of feeling a little tuff Say If you all want to ever see me any more Send me a telegram that Jim is pretty bad of and he wants me to come you will hafto have some Doctor to sign his name to the telegram.
"Thats the only way I can come for they wont let me off any other way.
"Send it to Camp Travis 77 Co 20 T R Bn 165 D B Camp Travis Texas and pay the call there and send me about 10 or 15 dollars in the telegram. for I will hafta have money to come on for am nearly busted. dont wait one minute about sending that telegram for I may be gone if you dont. Tell Mina I dont know where Ben is him and Frank is both in the army now.
"Where is my girl at I wrote to letters one to her and one to the other one and one to Simpson also and havent heard from either one yet. well I will register this so you will be sure and get it.
So I will close
Your Bud
Edmond"
***********
Randolph Davis was born February 21, 1896, in Kimble Co., to James Leonard and Mollie G. Davis, and died October 21, 1918, in Europe. A farmer, he is buried in the Conn Family Cemetery in Hunt.
The following obituary appeared in the Kerrville Mountain Sun for July 16, 1920:
"June 30, 1920, the remains of Private Randolph Davis were assigned a permanent resting place, at the Conn cemetery, the writer officiating.
"Randolph Davis was 25 years old' was born in Kimble county, but had spend most of his life in Kerr. He entered the U. S. service July 15, 1918 and served in the infantry with Company 9 of the 2nd division.
"After leaving training camp and made the voyage overseas he was attacked by a severe case of pneumonia, which proved fatal.
"The deceased is survived by his mother, Mrs. Mollie Davis; by full brothers, Mike, Clarence and Charles; half brothers, Robert, Abner, Ben, John and Jim; sisters, Matilda, Mary and Lizzie, and one step-brother Humphrey McKenney. His father, James Davis, died Jan. 29, 1919, and before passing away requested that the remains of Randolph be brought back to Texas for burial. The family used every means possible to comply with his desire. Private E. Major accompanied the remains from the east to Kerr county and as the casket was being lowered, he lifted from it the U.S. flag and presented it to the family.
"The vacancy made by the departure of Randolph is very keenly felt, but those of us who know that God does all things well must resign our wills to His will and expect Him to make our individual lives what they should be. (Roger C. Walker)"
Roger C. Walker was the pastor at the Ingram Baptist Church.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
The Boys from Center Point
Three of the nineteen Kerr County World War I war dead were from Center Point. They were Jay Lynzy Cowden, Albert Feller, and Jefferson Davis Leavell. Their stories are told here.
Jay Cowden was born February 6, 1896, to Washington P. and Mary Jane Green Cowden, possibly in Wilbarger County, and died January 17, 1918, in France. His body was repatriated and buried in the Center Point Cemetery.
His four brothers also served.
Jay Cowden was a Private First Class, Company E, 141 Infantry, 36 Division of the U. S. Army.
This interesting item appeared in the January 22, 1942, Kerrville Mountain Sun, "The cottage owned by Mrs. P. W. Rogers on Jay Cowden Street is being remodeled and decorated. It will be occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Elmo Moss."
I wonder where Jay Cowden Street was.
************
Albert Feller was born February 7, 1896, in Killeen, to Hugo and Laura Feller and died September 29, 1918, in an infirmary in France. Before the war he was a farm hand for Fred Vaughn at Center Point.
He was a member of Co. D, the 163rd Infantry, U.S. Army.
On January 13, 1922, the Kerrville Mountain Sun reported "The remains of Albert Feller arrived Tuesday from France and interment took place Wednesday afternoon at the Holloman[sic] burial ground, two and a half miles south of Kerrville. Services were conducted by Rev. J. Grady Timmons, and several of the American Legion attended from Kerrville as well as a number of others. Albert Feller was born February 7th, 1896, and died in France September 29th, 1918. His death was caused by illness."
*************
Jefferson Davis Leavell was born November 16, 1895, in Center Point to William Tighe and Piety Catherine Page Leavell. He died in France December 1, 1918. He seems to have moved around a bit. In 1910 he was living with his family on Main Street in Kerrville. By the time he registered for the draft he was living in Ozona and working for James Mitchell as a ranch laborer. His name did not appear in the earliest lists of Kerr County war dead.
The September 9, 1920, Kerrville Mountain Sun reported "The remains of Pvt. Jeff Leavell were brought from France for burial in Glen Rest Cemetery. The body arrived last Friday afternoon, accompanied by a military escort and interment was made Saturday at 4 p.m. following a ??? [unclear] at the residence of J. D. Leavell. "
Jay Cowden was born February 6, 1896, to Washington P. and Mary Jane Green Cowden, possibly in Wilbarger County, and died January 17, 1918, in France. His body was repatriated and buried in the Center Point Cemetery.
His four brothers also served.
Jay Cowden was a Private First Class, Company E, 141 Infantry, 36 Division of the U. S. Army.
This interesting item appeared in the January 22, 1942, Kerrville Mountain Sun, "The cottage owned by Mrs. P. W. Rogers on Jay Cowden Street is being remodeled and decorated. It will be occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Elmo Moss."
I wonder where Jay Cowden Street was.
************
Albert Feller was born February 7, 1896, in Killeen, to Hugo and Laura Feller and died September 29, 1918, in an infirmary in France. Before the war he was a farm hand for Fred Vaughn at Center Point.
He was a member of Co. D, the 163rd Infantry, U.S. Army.
On January 13, 1922, the Kerrville Mountain Sun reported "The remains of Albert Feller arrived Tuesday from France and interment took place Wednesday afternoon at the Holloman[sic] burial ground, two and a half miles south of Kerrville. Services were conducted by Rev. J. Grady Timmons, and several of the American Legion attended from Kerrville as well as a number of others. Albert Feller was born February 7th, 1896, and died in France September 29th, 1918. His death was caused by illness."
*************
Jefferson Davis Leavell was born November 16, 1895, in Center Point to William Tighe and Piety Catherine Page Leavell. He died in France December 1, 1918. He seems to have moved around a bit. In 1910 he was living with his family on Main Street in Kerrville. By the time he registered for the draft he was living in Ozona and working for James Mitchell as a ranch laborer. His name did not appear in the earliest lists of Kerr County war dead.
The September 9, 1920, Kerrville Mountain Sun reported "The remains of Pvt. Jeff Leavell were brought from France for burial in Glen Rest Cemetery. The body arrived last Friday afternoon, accompanied by a military escort and interment was made Saturday at 4 p.m. following a ??? [unclear] at the residence of J. D. Leavell. "
Friday, October 25, 2013
The Boys from Camp Verde
The names of two men from the Camp Verde community appear on the World War I memorials in Kerr County. They are William Milton Reeves (aka Milton Alfred Reeves) and William Eddie Burleson.
William Eddie Burleson was born December 16, 1892, in Texas to Zack and Ida Burleson and died September 26, 1918, at Camp Dix in New Jersey. Before the war he was a farmer in Camp Verde and claimed exemption from the draft on the basis of growing crops. Clearly the draft board did not consider that to be an excuse because on October 4, 1918, the following item appeared in the Kerrville Mountain Sun:
"Kerr County Boy Falls Victim to Influenza
Kerr County again has been made to feel sad when on September 26, death claimed another one of her noble sons, William Eddie Burleson, who had left his home and loved ones and had entered the service of his country to fight for freedom for all. Young Burleson was born December 16, 1892 at the old Vasbinder home on Spring Creek. He entered the service, August 12, 1918, being sent to Camp Cody, N.M. for a short while and from there transferred to Camp Dix, N.J. where he became the victim of influenza which caused his death. In a letter from this young soldier to his mother, which was written just a few days before his death, he stated that he would be crossing the ocean by the time the letter should reach her. Besides many other relatives the deceased is survived by father, mother, and two sisters, all of the Camp Verde community. In addition to the ceremonies of the Woodmen of the World, under whose auspices funeral services were conducted, Judge H. C. Jeddie made an address."
The tombstone erroneously gives his date of birth as September 16, 1892.
********
Milton Reeves appears on Kerr County War Memorials as William Milton Reeves. His headstone reads Milton Alfred Reeves. In the 1900 census his name is reported as Milton A. Reeves and in 1910 as Milton Alfred Reeves. However, on his draft registration he gives his name as William Milton Reeves.
He was born February 24, 1896, in Bandera to Robert and Ruth Reeves and died October 11, 1918, in Brest, France. His body is said to have been returned to Camp Verde. There is a marker for him in the Camp Verde Cemetery.
Prior to the war he was a farmer living with and working for his brother Dell Reeves in Camp Verde.
The following report of his death appeared in the Kerrville Mountain Sun, November 28, 1918.
"William Reeves Pays Supreme Sacrifice.
A telegram was received from the Department at Washington recently announcing the sad news that William Milton Reeves had died in France of pneumonia on the 11th day of October.
Milton Reeves was the son of R. P. Reeves and was only 22 years of age, the youngest of the Reeves brothers. He left Kerrville on the 27th of June with a smiling face, to fight for freedom for all, and was "Over There" only a few days when he was called Home.
Milton's many friends are sad to learn of his untimely demise. He was a true Woodman of the World and a noble-hearted younge man. It hurts Kerr County to give up such as he. He is survived by five brothers and one dear sister. His brother Tom is in France."
Sadly his brother Tom, who served with the Army in France, died while stationed in Kansas, en route home. He is also buried in the Camp Verde Cemetery.
William Eddie Burleson was born December 16, 1892, in Texas to Zack and Ida Burleson and died September 26, 1918, at Camp Dix in New Jersey. Before the war he was a farmer in Camp Verde and claimed exemption from the draft on the basis of growing crops. Clearly the draft board did not consider that to be an excuse because on October 4, 1918, the following item appeared in the Kerrville Mountain Sun:
"Kerr County Boy Falls Victim to Influenza
Kerr County again has been made to feel sad when on September 26, death claimed another one of her noble sons, William Eddie Burleson, who had left his home and loved ones and had entered the service of his country to fight for freedom for all. Young Burleson was born December 16, 1892 at the old Vasbinder home on Spring Creek. He entered the service, August 12, 1918, being sent to Camp Cody, N.M. for a short while and from there transferred to Camp Dix, N.J. where he became the victim of influenza which caused his death. In a letter from this young soldier to his mother, which was written just a few days before his death, he stated that he would be crossing the ocean by the time the letter should reach her. Besides many other relatives the deceased is survived by father, mother, and two sisters, all of the Camp Verde community. In addition to the ceremonies of the Woodmen of the World, under whose auspices funeral services were conducted, Judge H. C. Jeddie made an address."
The tombstone erroneously gives his date of birth as September 16, 1892.
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Milton Reeves appears on Kerr County War Memorials as William Milton Reeves. His headstone reads Milton Alfred Reeves. In the 1900 census his name is reported as Milton A. Reeves and in 1910 as Milton Alfred Reeves. However, on his draft registration he gives his name as William Milton Reeves.
He was born February 24, 1896, in Bandera to Robert and Ruth Reeves and died October 11, 1918, in Brest, France. His body is said to have been returned to Camp Verde. There is a marker for him in the Camp Verde Cemetery.
Prior to the war he was a farmer living with and working for his brother Dell Reeves in Camp Verde.
The following report of his death appeared in the Kerrville Mountain Sun, November 28, 1918.
"William Reeves Pays Supreme Sacrifice.
A telegram was received from the Department at Washington recently announcing the sad news that William Milton Reeves had died in France of pneumonia on the 11th day of October.
Milton Reeves was the son of R. P. Reeves and was only 22 years of age, the youngest of the Reeves brothers. He left Kerrville on the 27th of June with a smiling face, to fight for freedom for all, and was "Over There" only a few days when he was called Home.
Milton's many friends are sad to learn of his untimely demise. He was a true Woodman of the World and a noble-hearted younge man. It hurts Kerr County to give up such as he. He is survived by five brothers and one dear sister. His brother Tom is in France."
Sadly his brother Tom, who served with the Army in France, died while stationed in Kansas, en route home. He is also buried in the Camp Verde Cemetery.
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