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December
2006Fairy,
Texas 12-24-06
Dear
TE, I stumbled upon your site quite by accident and found it fascinating. My grandparents,
Johnny and Valeria Jackson, lived on a farm just outside of Fairy and along with
a few others founded the Church of Christ (shown in the picture as the now Community
Center). I spent many summers on the farm in Fairy and have beautiful memories
of that church house and rocky hill. The vast majority of my relatives are buried
in the cemetery there and I expect that I will be too. My mother, Louise Jackson
Vance, and her sisters, Mary and Gwen, and brother Vernon (all still living) still
visit Fairy as often as they are able. Now 44 years old myself I think about Fairy
Texas often. Thank you for keeping history and memories alive. - Jon Vance,
Dallas, Tx, December 24, 2006
Mentz,
Texas 12-24-06
Dear TE, I happened upon your
website one day and can’t get enough! I’ve come to be quite a history buff to
Texas history and love reading about the rich stories in Texas Escapes.
My wife’s family is from the Mentz area with a Cat Spring address. My wife’s Father
had a band and played the Mentz Picnic for many years. As his children got old
enough to play an instrument they were brought into the band. In the early 1960’s
they were known as The Sunset Playboys and as his daughters and sons learned their
instruments the name morphed into The Sunset Playboys and Girls.
As time
changes things my wife’s brother took over the band and called themselves The
Country Pickers with some none family members, but as fate would have it eventually
it became an all family band again and that’s when they became known as the The
Family Tradition Band. All the while playing for different events and yes, the
Mentz Picnic.
Through the years the band had opportunities to open for
Legends of country music like Willie Nelson in 1995. James Bonamy in 1996, and
David Allan Coe in 1997. The band finally retired in February 2005 with the last
show being for the Danevang Volunteer Fire Department in El Campo. Best Regards
and Happy Trails, Barney Lee Douglas, December 24, 2006
Indian
Creek, Texas
12-24-06
Subject:
Citrus Mystery (Perhaps) Solved
Dear TE, Thanks for the historical info on Indian Creek. I once attended that
school while living on a ranch between there and Brookesmith. I was in the 3rd
or 4th grade, I believe. The mention of citrus trees brings to mind that we had
several pomegranate bushes, as did just everybody on the ranches / farms thereabout....so,
it could be truly said that there were citrus trees in that area.
I remember
quite well walking about 2 miles to catch the school bus as it was awful in the
winter and dangerous in the summer because of the rattlesnakes.....they gathered
near the cow trails to catch mice, etc.
I'm now 73 years young, but still
remember those years vividly.- Lloyd Henderson, No Town Given, December 18,
2006
Lagarto,
Texas 12-24-06
I would suggest you visit Lagarto,
Texas before telling the world that it is a ghost town. I live within two miles
of the Lagarto highway marker, and I'm not a ghost and neither are the estimated
700 residents of the area. In a way, I'm glad you call it a ghost town. That way,
no one will bother us here. Certainly, and gladly, it is no longer an incorporated
town and no longer has its own post office, thank goodness! Thank goodness folks
like you have no idea what's here!! - Penny Peavy, Lagarto, Texas, December
08, 2006
Zephyr,
Texas 12-22-06
Subject: Zephyr Tornado
Dear
TE, I thought you might enjoy this story.
My grandmother who is now deceased,
passed through Zephyr the afternoon of the tornado. The family consisted of her,
her mother and father, and her three siblings. They were all in a covered wagon
traveling to Lampasas. She was 13 years old. They had stopped at an old abandoned
rock building to stay the night in Zephyr, but her mother (who was 1/2 Cherokee
Indian) felt uneasy staying there with clouds building up, so they went on toward
Lampasas, and camped out about 5 miles further down the road. The old building
was leveled that night of the storm. If they would have stayed there that night,
they would probably have all been killed. - Sincerely, Tommy Eaton, MarbleFalls,
December 20, 2006
Whitesboro,
Texas 12-22-06
Subject:
Remembering Whitesboro
I love living in small towns, and though I've moved
to a medium sized City, I still live out in the country since it's where I feel
most comfortable. I had found your site while googling Texas small towns, since
I've lived in a few and have enjoyed reading about the towns I used to live in.
(Small list: DeSoto, Ferris, Whitesboro, and Kerens) There was a small gap between
'94 and '95 when I moved up to Massachusetts to stay with my grandmother for a
year. Here's some small memories about Whitesboro from me:
I loved their
Peanut Festival! They have some pictures on their website of it. I remember being
in KAD (Kids Against Drugs) and marching in the festival one year. I was also
in the band, and remember when the Middle School was a part of the High School,
and the 6th grade band joined the High School band for one football game during
half time. I also remember in the 3rd grade, when Good Morning America filmed
their opening from our school. We all wore our pep-rally shirts, stood out on
the bleachers of the football field, and sang "Oh What A Beautiful Morning" back
when it was Paula Zahn and Harry. If I remember correctly, I belive one year the
band placed 1st in the district.
I do hope more people send in information
on their home towns; I know there's nothing more insightful than personal experiences
and knowledge. - Sherryl Trowbridge (now Sherryl LaPrad), December 16, 2006
Littlefield, Texas
12-21-06
Subject: Palace Theatre
Dear TE, Your Website is
great! Here's a pic of the Palace Theatre in Littlefield, recently demolished.
I am a vintage Projectionist who started in Littlefield when I was in school and
worked at the Palace Theatre and XIT Drive-In. I also worked in theatres in Lubbock,
which I also have pictures of. I loved it and loved presenting movies and appreciated
the fact that I worked alone (or with someone I wanted) most of the time. In 1971
I moved to Los Angeles, joined the Projectionist Union here and have been working
every since. I have worked in some famous Theatres such as Grauman's Chinese Theater,
and Grauman's Egyptian Theater (built in 1922). I now work as Eddie Murphy's private
projectionist at his private home theatre in Beverly Hills. We play first run
35mm films there in his theatre which is beautiful deco with electric curtains
on the stage, state of the art sound & picture. So you might say I have done the
whole trip, and loved it. I have MANY stories of working Premiers and big shows.
Could go on forever.
I recently had a book of Show Calendars from Palace,
Littlefield bound and plan to make them available for sale. The calendars are
from the mid-1950's to mid 60's. Contains movies such as "PEYTON PLACE" with Lana
Turner, "THE TEN COMMANDMENTS" with C. Heston, Lots of Horror films, like "CREATURE
FROM THE BLACK LAGOON."
Recently I was in an article in Littlefield's
Paper, telling of my days then and now. I included this article in my vintage
calendar book. Oh well, enough rambling.... - Regards, Ned Fairbairn, Hollywood,
California,, December 19, 2006
Newgulf,
Texas 12-21-06
Subject:
Remembering Newgulf
- Bonnie Oneal Bucek, College Station, December 20, 2006
Velehrad,
Texas 12-21-06
Subject:
The death of Filip Bucek of Velehrad
Being married to a Bucek, I have to say the Philip Bucek you talk about was spelled
Filip and he was married to Johanna Bucek. Filip passed away in 1877 when a tree
fell on him as it was struck by lightning. He was buried in Praha
and later reinterred in Velehrad community cemetery. Mr. Filip Buchek came from
Moravia and gave the land for the cemetery. There will be a historical marker
erected this spring in his honor. - Bonnie Oneal Bucek, College Station, December
20, 2006
Shafter,
Texas 12-10-06
Subject:
Shafter's Silver Mine
Dear TE, It was very interesting to see some information
concerning Shafter, Texas. My mother, Eliza Duke was born there in 1914. She had
two older brothers (David Duke III and Alfred Duke) that worked in the silver
mines. My grandfather was David Duke Jr. who married Fausta Hernandez. My great
grandfather, David Duke Sr. married Estanislada Hernandez. I will probably visit
that area some time next year and will try to get additional information to include.-
Ernest M. Perez, Town not given, December 09, 2006
Swearingen,
Texas 12-8-06
The farmhouse shown on your website belonged to my grandparents – John Tannahill
and Nora Stockton Tannahill. And my sister and I grew up going to that house as
a weekend getaway from our home in Wichita Falls, TX. It never did have running
water – but did get electricity. We also had butane. Our mother, Laura Tannahill
Doing, often talked about how the school teacher would live in one of the downstairs
rooms of the house. John Tannahill was a ranch manager and also had the grocery
store in Swearingen. Nora Stockton Tannahill taught piano – there’s mention in
the book about the QA&P railroad coming to Swearingen about my grandmother bringing
her piano with her as a young bride. It’s an old upright Adam Schaff that sits
in my living room in Atlanta, GA today. My great aunt – Thena Stockton Evans –
was also the postmistress in Swearingen in later years. My mother had one brother,
John Tannahill, a wonderfully gifted artist who was a pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress
and was killed in January, 1944. Mother graduated from Paducah High School (as
did her brother), and also worked at times for the Paducah Post. During the years
she was in college at TWU (Texas State College for Women), my grandmother went
back to teaching school as it was during the Depression. I was glad to find your
information. Mother passed away November 16, and I’m trying to get information
to the Paducah Post. Do you have any contact information for them? Thanks,
Larrie Doing Kontz, Atlanta, GA, December 07, 2006
Cleburne,
Texas 12-7-06
Subject: The
Esquire Theater of Cleburne
MY NAME IS MIKE RAY HARTMAN. I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN FORT WORTH. SINCE 1986,
I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF JOSHUA. WHEN OUR CHILDREN (BOTH GROWN NOW) WERE YOUNGER,
WE USED TO GO TO THE ESQUIRE AND SEE MOVIES FOR A $1.00, OR A $1.50...FROM MAYBE
THE LATE 80'S THROUGH THE EARLY 90'S. ONE OF MY LIFELONG DREAMS WAS TO BE A SINGER.
SOME-TIME, IN THE EARLY 90'S, THE ESQUIRE BECAME AN "OPRY". I WENT THERE, ONE
NIGHT, TO AUDITION. I REMEMBER SEEING A MAN NAMED NORMAN ABBOTT, SOMEONE I HAD
GONE TO THE SAME HIGH SCHOOL WITH (TRIMBLE TECH, FORT WORTH). HE WAS THEIR STEEL
GUITAR PLAYER. NOT TOO LONG AFTER THE AUDITION, I HEARD FROM A FRIEND AT WORK
THAT THE ESQUIRE HAD CLOSED. FORTUNATELY FOR ME, THE MANAGER OF A SMALLER OPRY,
IN OCEOLA, WAS PRESENT DURING MY AUDITION, AND CALLED ME TO SING AT HIS PLACE.
I DO, HOWEVER, WISH I COULD'VE SANG AT THE ESQUIRE. THOSE OLD THEATRES HAVE SO
MUCH ATMOSPHERE, AND GREAT ACOUSTICS, TOO. AS YOU KNOW, THE ESQUIRE LATER BECAME
A CHURCH. I HOPE THAT CHURCH WAS ABLE TO RELOCATE TO ANOTHER BUILDING, AFTER LEAVING
THE ESQUIRE. IT SADDENED ME TO SEE THE THEATRE DEMOLISHED. ON A PERSONAL NOTE...I
AM FULFILLING MY LIFELONG DREAM. I RETIRED FROM GENERAL MOTORS, IN JUNE 2006,
AFTER 36 YEARS SERVICE. A LITTLE OVER A YEAR BEFORE THAT, I PURCHASED A PORTABLE
SOUND SYSTEM, A CD PLAYER, AND BACKGROUND TRACKS. MY SPECIALTY BECAME MY FAVORITE
MUSIC, 50'S AND EARLY 60'S ROCK AND ROLL...WITH A LITTLE COUNTRY. SINCE JULY,
OF 2005, I HAVE BEEN THE THURSDAY NIGHT REGULAR ON THE GRANBURY RIVERBOAT. I HAVE
PERFORMED AT NEARLY ALL THE "OPRYS", HERE IN THE DALLAS/FT.WORTH, AND SURROUNDING
COUNTIES AREA. I ALSO SING AT FESTIVALS, RESTAURANTS, PRIVATE PARTIES, NURSING
HOMES, RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, ETC. MY WIFE OF 31 YEARS(AND STILL GOING) MANAGES
ME AND ALSO RUNS THE SOUND. I APOLOGIZE FOR GETTING A LITTLE "LONG WINDED", ON
THIS E-MAIL. IT WAS A JOY FOR ME TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU. I HOPE I DIDN'T BORE
YOU. LONG LIVE OUR TEXAS THEATRES...AND
I WISH THEY WOULD QUIT TEARING THE DARN THINGS DOWN !! THANK YOU. - MIKE
RAY HARTMAN, Joshua, Texas, December 05, 2006
La Lomita, Texas
12-7-06
Subject:
Haunted Chapel of La Lomita
Dear
TE, I was reading in your magazine about the ghostly encounters [at the La Lomita
Chapel] that people have reported. Well about 2 years ago, I was in a similar
situation but in broad daylight. I was recording through the fence because the
park had already closed when I had arrived. Later at home when I viewed the tape,
there appeared to be a woman standing in the doorway of the chapel. At first,
I thought it was the fence, but the more I watched it, the more it looks like
a nun. And when I played it in slow motion, I was convinced that it was a nun
but without a face. She seemed to be facing to the left corner. A week later,
I went back to see if there was something in the corner [of the doorway] and found
that that is where a crucifix is located. Currently we are looking for the video
so that I can submit it to get other opinions. I am a strong believer of the supernatural
and after reading [about the other encounters] I am convinced that what I saw
was a ghost. - Amanda Munoz, Mercedes, Texas, December 04, 2006
Subject:
Sipe Springs oil well photo
12-7-06
- Chris Jefferies, December 04, 2006
Rosebud,
Texas 12-7-06
Subject: WWI Vets from Falls County
I was born and raised in Rosebud, Texas. I graduated from Rosebud High School's
class of ’59, and I still come and visit Rosebud where my brother, Tony Veracruz
lives. My dad and uncles served in WWI. My dad passed away while I was still in
high school and I never got to ask him about been a Vet. I am a Vietman-era Veteran
and a member of both the American Legion Post No. 490 and the South Houston Lodge
No. 1295. If anybody knows where I can track down information about the soldiers
from Falls County that served in WWI, please contact me at jveracruz@msn.com .
I would really appreciate it. God Bless. - John Veracruz, Houston, Texas, December
04, 2006
Old picture of Eulogy,Texas
12-5-06
My grandmother Ina place...- Paula Athey,
December 03, 2006
Boling/
Iago and Newgulf 12-5-06
Dear TE, I lived in Boling,
Texas from 1952 - 1954 when I was about 10. There was no elementary school in
Boling so we were either bussed to Iago or New Gulf. I went to Iago. At lunch
time we were bussed to the high school in Boling. That was a fun time in my life.
I have often wondered what changes have taken place in the last 50 years. My mother
was a telephone operator in Boling and we actually (she and I) lived in the back
of the telephone office. - Alma (Hudson) Waggoner, No Town Given, November
30, 2006
About Longview 12-4-06
When
I was five years old, my family moved to Longview from Houston. My dad took a
job as an engineer with R.G. LeTourneau, designing offshore drilling platforms.
We moved into a pink house on Idylwood Drive and lived there until I was ten.
The things that still come to mind about that time in Longview was in the summer,
the streets, which were an oil/tar base were plowed up with huge tractor like
vehicles. The smell of the tar was pervasive for weeks after they did that. As
a young boy, I went barefoot in the summer and walking on the streets in Longview
caused the bottoms of my feet to become black, like the tarred streets.... more
- Mike Campbell, Hong Kong, December 01, 2006
Walnut
Springs 12-2-06
Subject: Union
Veteran & the Confederate Widow
I find your [magazine] unique and very interesting. I was especially interested
in Walnut Springs since my Great Grandfather Franklin Estein is buried in the
cemetery. He was a German immigrant who fought in the civil war as a Union soldier
having joined in New Orleans where he landed from Germany. He was a stone mason
and many of the stone structures in Walnut Springs were built by him. He married
a widow of a Confederate soldier and for most of his life he never told her he
had been in the Union army, only when he applied for his pension did she find
out. I intend to visit Walnut Springs next year and do more research. - Dean
Thompson, President, 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial, November 30, 2006
Sterling
City, Texas
12-2-06
Dear
TE, I just read the letter of January 2006 from Debra Wimberly. She was commenting
on the building diagonally across from the Sterling County Courthouse. When my
family moved to Sterling City in 1945, that building housed the Deal Pharmacy.
It was always a very busy place and was a hangout for us kids while we were in
town. In the same building, round the corner East toward the school, Dr. Swann
had his offices. Upstairs was the telephone system and where the central operator
worked.
Sometimes a photographer from San Angelo would come to Sterling
and set up for kids’ portraits, and he used rooms upstairs in this building.
When we moved to Sterling City we actually lived in Coke County, managing the
7 ˝ section Mendenhall Ranch. The only road from the ranch to pavement went to
Sterling City. We were supposed to attend school in Robert Lee, but arrangements
were made for my brother George and me to attend Sterling City schools.
We lived in Sterling City until 1955 and some of my fondest memories are from
this period in my life. - Johnny Thompson, Midland, Texas, December 01, 2006
Levelland,
Texas
Subject:
What Levelland is best known for
12-2-06
Dear
TE, Believe it or not, Levelland is probably best known internationally for the
Levelland Sightings of 1957. I have traveled far and wide from the area where
I was raised (graduated from Pettit H.S, 1953). At the time of the sightings,
I had just returned from a three-year tour in Europe and was staying with my parents
awaiting my discharge from Reese AFB near Lubbock. They lived on an isolated farm
on Oklahoma Flat Road in northern Hockley County. I saw some things that made
my hair stand on end, some things I never mentioned to my parents.
In
my author's biography at the end of my most recent novel, The Ghost of Mount Chinati
I mention my presence during the "sightings." It is relevant to the theme of the
novel. - Walter LeCroy, No Town Provided, December 01, 2006
Mexia,
Texas
Subject: Thank You to Mexia
12-2-06
Dear TE, Many Many years ago, I lived in Mexia,
and have very fond memories of how good and community-minded the people were.
I now live in a big town in New Jersey, and it is much different here. I am not
a native, but my daughter is a Mexia native. When I became ill one year, all the
churches First United Methodist, and the Presbyterian Church, and First Baptist
Church all got together and made suppers for me till I got better. These things
never go forgotten. One day I will take my daughter back to Mexia and show her
the house she spent her first three years. Thank you. - Judi Blau, New Jersey,
November 29, 2006
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