LETTER SUMMER 2005 more settlers than did Stephen travels attracted thousands of F. Austin. As a leader, he was Americans and Europeans to the equal of Austin; as a Texas in the period following statesman, comparable to Sam the revolution. Houston who presented Texas to America.” De Cordova was born in Kinston, Jamaica on June 6, Jacob Raphael De Cordova 1808 to Joshua Raphael De literally put Texas on a map. Cordova and his second wife He not only published the first Judith. She was English and Jacob De Cordova official map of Texas, but also died at the birth of Jacob. Bosque County’s the first Texas encyclopedia and Joshua refused to recognize Jacob De Cordova two of the first newspapers in Jacob because he felt the baby Bosque County land owners the Lone Star State. Sam was responsible for his mothers’ who take time to examine their Houston delivered a speech on death. During his early abstracts of title are likely to the floor of the U. S. Senate childhood, he was raised by an find the name of Jacob De praising the map and obtained a aunt in England who had no Cordova at the beginning. government purchase of five sons. She was who fostered his hundred copies. During the education. Bosque County is not the only speech, Houston stated, “on county that owes a debt to Jacob account of the character of the When he was old enough to De Cordova but the state as a individual who has been realize his mother died giving whole. Harold Preese in an engaged in preparing it,” it was him birth, he would not article written for the Congress the “most correct and authentic celebrate his birthdays in the Weekly back on August 20, map of Texas.” Jacob, who usual way. Instead, he would 1956 wrote that “Jacob De called himself “the wanderer”, always fast and keep the day Cordova deserves greater spent years traveling all over sacred. His fasting was known recognition in the history of the Texas, working on his map, and only to his immediate family Southwest that is presently on it all future Texas and close relatives. accorded him, certainly more cartography is based. than some of the synthetic While Jacob was still a boy, the coonskin heroes resurrected for Through maps, newspapers, family moved from Kinston to popular adoration. For one pamphlets and books, Jacob Philadelphia. Young Jacob thing, he explored more played a prime role in “Selling” liked the small town and lived territory of Texas than its first Texas to the world in the ear there for the next fourteen European discoverer, Cabeza de following the battles for Texas years. During these formative Vaca. He also brought to Texas independence. His writings and years he obtained an education 1 far superior to most in those Jamaica both for his health and commissioners was Stephen F. days. He could read and write to escape the cholera epidemic Austin, with whom Jacob English, Spanish, French, in Philadelphia in 1932. became a close friend and later German and Hebrew. Jacob De had dealings with in Texas had Cordova became very much in Never one to remain idle, he commissioners was Stephen F. demand at all the social learned the printing business Austin, with whom Jacob functions in Philadelphia in that from a student who he had became a close friend and later time shortly after the American helped through school. At that had dealings with in Texas had Revolution. His manner and time the Jamaican newspapers had dealings with in Texas graces were said to be refused to print a Monday Austin’s untimely death in impeccable. edition. Jacob took advantage December. While in New of the situation, and on Orleans, Jacob was debating It was probably at one of these September 13, 1834, he started where he would like to settle social events that he met a daily newspaper, naming it permanently. He read a Rebecca Sterling, the daughter The Gleaner. He established document which not only of a very prominent the newspaper on a firm changed the course of his life, Philadelphia English merchant. foundation for it is still in but also gave the American They were married on the business today. It is published pioneer direction. This September 24, 1829. The under the same name he gave it, document was the Texas marriage was performed on by relatives who remained in Declaration of Independence. Vine Street by Rev. Grant, a Jamaica. Presbyterian minister, even Jacob followed the Texas though Jacob was Jewish and Jacob De Cordova could not freedom campaign with keen Rebecca a Baptist. Jacob once stay away from America long. interest from the tragic said that no man had ever been He and his wife Rebecca massacre at the Alamo to the able to describe Rebecca and do returned to Philadelphia where decisive battle of San Jacinto. her justice because she had she gave birth to a son who they While waiting for the conflict in more charm than mere physical named after his father Joshua Texas to end he became a beauty; she possessed a Raphael. This baby would merchant. He was one of the beautiful soul and a marvelous become the great grandfather of first merchants to begin personality. Ronita De Cordova Miller. shipping merchandise to the Texas colonists during the war. Shortly after their marriage, When Rebecca and the child All types of cargo were shipped Jacob was confined to his home were able to travel, the family to Galveston for the citizens of because of an illness which the moved to New Orleans. They the new Republic. He was so doctors diagnosed as “lung arrived in New Orleans amid impressed with the amount of fever”, the nineteenth century much enthusiasm for the Texas business that he decided to term for tuberculosis. Later cause. One can be sure that move to Galveston himself. He Jacob was told by his Jacob was present when the and his family arrived in physicians that he should leave three commissioners from Galveston in June of 1937. He the cold climate. He and his Texas spoke at the Bishop Hotel (See De Cordova Continued Pg. 6) family returned to sunny in 1936. One of those

In Memory of Walter L. May Walter L. May, 85, of Clifton passed away at his home on May 21, 2005. He was born on October 30, 1919 in Clifton, Texas to Adam & Mary Alice (Pollard) May. He was the youngest of eight children. Walter was a member of Clifton Methodist Church, Scottish Rite, Karem Shrine, Eastern Star, Bosque Valley Golf Club, Texas Woodcarvers Guild, Nolan River Chippers of Cleburne, Squaw Valley Woodcarvers of Glen Rose and Masonic Lodge where he held many offices. In addition, he served on the Clifton City Council and was even Mayor Pro Tem from 1993 to 2001. He was well loved and will be greatly missed.

2 Spring Creek, then to Iredell company for 30 years, sold it to and finally to Meridian. The his son, Charles “Cole” Word. second County Judge was Cole and his wife Sonja are now Burrell Franklin Word who owners and operators of served from 1926 to 1936 and Meridian Abstract and Title 1945 to 1946. He married Company. Stella Rundell of Walnut Four Word’s Springs and they had one son Following in his father’s “Chock” C. K. Word, Jr., Burrell Burrell Nelson Word, the glider footsteps, C. Cole Word was Nelson “Tex” Word, C. “Cole” Word pilot. elected Bosque County Judge in and James Powell “J. P.” Word standing in front of the Word Building 2003, becoming the firth on the Square in Meridian James Powell Word, County Bosque County judge from the Words of Bosque County Judge from 1959 to 1963, also Word family. The Bosque County Historical served in the Texas State Senate Commission was pleased with from 1963 to 1973. J. P. credits This family has made history in the attendance of 118 who his mother, a school teacher the county and we wanted to registered for the open house on with his becoming a politician. honor them with the exhibit. June 10, 2005 at the Bosque He practiced law in Meridian The exhibit is housed in a large County Collection for the new and still handles real estate law display case and includes many exhibit “Word’s of Bosque a few days a week at Meridian photos, family records and County”. This exhibit was Abstract Company. He and his memorabilia. It will continue to conceived by Jo Ann Word, wife Bobbye reside in Austin. be on display at the Bosque wife of Chock Word, after the County Collection for a year. sudden death of the late Burrell The fourth, Charles K. “Chock” We invite those of you who Nelson ”Tex” Word. Burrell Word, Jr. was appointed to fill could not make it to the participated in all four invasions an unexpired term as County opening, to come by and view of Europe during World War II Judge and was re-elected twice, the exhibit. with a glider unit. We wanted serving until 1982. He also to chronicle the history of an served one term as a Texas extraordinary family that House of Representative from produced five Bosque County 1983 to 1984. Chock began his Judges. Pictures and career in the abstract business in information was furnished by Jo 1965, with his brother J. P. in Ann, and helped Jo Meyer and the family business, Meridian Corinne Brandt put the exhibit Abstract and Title Company. together. It was truly a team This was a business that their effort. father C. K. Word, Sr. had acquired in 1929. J. P. and his The exhibit honoring the family brother Chock, also operated Iredell’s First United line starting with two Word the company in conjunction Methodist Church with their law practice. Chock brothers, James Powell Word Marker Dedication and Burrell Jackson Word. acquired the abstract company from J. P. after their father’s On May 22, 2005, at First Burrell Jackson was County United Methodist Church, a Attorney at one time and as retirement. Chock’s wife Jo Ann, a school teacher worked large group met for a Texas County Judge from 1900 to Historical marker Dedication 1905. He moved from Alabama part time in the business until her retirement, then joined the for the congregation of the in 1870 to Bosque County with church serving for 135 years. his wife Ella and seven company full time. The application for the marker children, spending a year near was made by Eleanor Helm Valley Mills, then moving to In July 1995, Chock Word, after operating the abstract and title Chaffin, the Church Historian. 3 Carol Robinson presided at the home. His is Chairman of the Collection’s accomplishments piano with Jo Meyer, Chairman Finance Committee and his love are due to their dedication of of the Bosque County Historical for history makes him very time and energy. Thank you Commission served as Master knowledgeable about the Volunteers! of Ceremonies. The Rev. Linda history of Iredell ad the First Wimberley gave the invocation. United Methodist Church. He Jo Meyer stated the significance gave a very informative speech of the Historical Marker for on the history of the church. Iredell, Bosque County and the state of Texas. The Texas Everyone went outside for the Historical Commission depends unveiling of the Historical on the County Historical Marker by the church historian, Commissions to help survey Eleanor Chaffin ad LaDawn and educate the communities of Garland, Marker Chairman. the importance of local history. After the unveiling, the group Eleanor Chaffin serves as was invited to the church Graves-Payne House secretary of the Bosque County fellowship hall for Marker Dedication Historical Commission and did refreshments. The inscription On April 23, 2005, a very large a great job on the application for the marker is as follows; In crowd gathered to witness the for the marker. Other 1869, Methodists in the Iredell dedication of a Texas Historical Commission members are Vice area began worshiping at Commission Marker. This Chairman, Raymond and Hester Schoolhouse, a building Marker recognizes the Graves- Valeria Whitney, LaDawn used by both Baptists and Payne House as a significant Garland, Chairman of the Methodists for services. The structure in Texas history by Marker Committee, Allen and Rev. Peter W. Gravis served as naming it a Recorded Texas Betty Johannes and Gerald pastor. Two years later, the Historical Landmark. The Meyer. Methodist congregation moved designation identification is the to Wills Chapel, a half-mile east highest honor the state bestows Charlotte Porter Myers grew up of present Iredell, on land to a historic structure for in the church and gives donated by Dr. J. S. Wills for a architectural integrity and generously of her time and church and campground. In the historical value. talents. Currently, she is late 1870’s, members moved the Sunday School Superintendent, wills chapel to a site in town. About thirty Payne decedents Choir Director, and Chairman The growing Methodist church were present for the program. of the Pastor Parish Relations increased in membership and in While enjoying the beautiful Committee. She introduced facilities throughout the next restoration of the house, they noted guests. Bosque County 100 years. Members also shared stories about the many Judge, Cole Word, related the established programs and out buildings that are still importance of the churches in groups to support the standing. The house is located each community. He also stated congregation and the local at 1318 County Road #1140 out his family was located in Iredell community. of Kopperl. in the late 1890’s. For special music, a Sextet sang “The Kudos for our Volunteers The house was restored by Don Cornerstone”, a perfect choice Current Volunteers are Allen & and Ruth Buchholz of Dallas for the occasion. Betty Johannes, Danielle who own the ranch where the Rigsby, all of Meridian, Doris house is located. Ruth Gene Blakley grew up in the Jennings and Beth King of Buchholz did an outstanding job church, spent his professional Lakeside Village, Maxine on her documentation. The life away, and came back to Bakke, of Clifton and Jo Meyer written narrative is the most make Iredell his retirement of Valley Mills. The important part of the application

4 for the marker. It is the Ruth Buchholz gave the history A carved limestone brick in the responsibility of the applicant to of the house. The old house fireplace indicates the house establish historic significance was made of limestone and was built in 1876. From 1940 through a documented narrative constructed in a typical style of to 1973, it was home to the history. Age alone does not the 1800’s. During the family of Shelton Payne, a determine the historic value. restoration a brick was found in Georgia native who farmed the the fireplace in the east room land. The vernacular stone Many friends of the Buchholz with “1876” carved on it. The structure, typical of pioneer from Dallas and Bosque County house is two stores high with homes of the ear, features attended the dedication. Don two rooms down stairs and a gabled dormers, a hipped roof, and Ruth were gracious hosts large room up stairs. The walls a double-pen floor plan, low for the occasion. The program are 24 inches thick with wide windows with segmented arches took place in front of the windows and door sills. Ruth above and a chimney. The restored Graves-Payne house. interviewed a former neighbor, farmstead includes a windmill, Allen Johannes, member of the Darrell Higginbotham who a cistern, storeroom, and well. Bosque County Historical remembers his family history Commission gave the well. He says the Chisholm Visitors From invocation. Vice Chairman Trail went right through their Far and Near Raymond Whitney led the property. This ranch contains During the past year we have group in the pledges to the some of the Higginbotham had a number of notable United States and Texas flags. farm, so this means the visitors. There were two ladies Jo Meyer Chairman explained Chisholm Trail came right from Norway who were the significance of a Recorded across the Buchholz property. searching for their American Texas Historical Landmark for It may have gone very near the ancestors. A lady from Paris the house. The Texas Historical old house. She gave a long and France came by to research her Marker shows pride in the interesting history of the Bosque County roots. In community, the county and the families that occupied the house addition, we have had visitors state. The County and some of the changes to the from all over the United States Commissions is the link house. from California to New York. between the small communities Visitors include those from and the Texas Historical The unveiling of the marker Arizona, Washington D. C., and Commission. was done by LaDawn Garland, many other states. Of course, the Marker Chairman and Don we have had visitors from all The Commission members and Ruth Buchholz. After the over Bosque County, the present were introduced by Jo program, the Bosque County surrounding counties and all Meyer. Raymond and Valeria Collection and the Buchholz over the great state of Texas. Whitney, Allen and Betty invited everyone to have Johannes, LaDawn Garland, refreshments and visit. Don had For Sale Gerald Meyer, and Ron Carlisle fixed up an old wooden wagon We still have home-made jellies were present. to serve refreshments from, and jams available. The cost is with wild flowers as the only $3.00 for an 8 oz. jar. We Bosque County Judge, Cole centerpiece. have Bosque County Tote Bags Word, emphasized in his speech for $5.00 each, hand painted the importance of the early The inscription for the marker jars for $5.00 each. We have settlers to the history of each reads as follows; This home numerous books, flags, community and to the county. dates to the ownership of the commemorative calendars, The settlers’ religious influence Aaron S. Graves Family, who pictures and maps. We have T- helped shape the history of the lived in Kentucky and Missouri shirts for only $1.00 each. Stop community for the many people before settling here in the by to see the latest items who came after them. Union Hill Community of available. Bosque County by the 1870’s. 5 De Cordova charts every swamp that might families were crossing the (Continued from Pg. 2) be drained, every thicket that Sabine River into Texas. The immediately applied for might be filled for homesteads settlements composed citizenship. and villages. Now he began predominantly of single men making careful charts of this quickly disintegrated as In 1937, Houston was the most western area. For five years he bachelors exchanged big grants promising city in the southern rode across the steep hills and of land for saddle horses to part of the republic. De flat high mesas, breaking his carry them back home. Cordova moved there after a absence from home by semi- few months residence in annual visits to his family in From the official title records, Galveston. He often referred to Houston. It was on one of these Jacob De Cordova obtained the Houston in later years as the journeys that he made his way names and address of easterners “Atlanta of the Southwest”. into the area now know as who had bought large plots of While residing in Houston, he Bosque County. He noted in Texas land for speculation or opened a trading firm which his journal that he was in the had gotten grants for serving in was located “under the most spectacular country that he the army. He went to New Exchange Hotel”. All items had seen in all of his travels York, Philadelphia and were sold at a small advance in through Texas. He added that Baltimore to persuade these the New Orleans price for cash he hoped someday to be able to absentee proprietors to divide or country produce. retire to this land of excellent their holding into family size grasses, plentiful waterways and farms which he could sell at low He quickly became a leading magnificent low lying hills. At prices to new settlers. About merchant in the village of the end of that decade he had this time he owned or had Houston. His health continued regained his health and obtained script to over one failing in this low, damp, sub- accumulated a comfortable million acres of Texas land in at tropical region so fortune. More important for his least forty-eight Texas uncomfortably like Jamaica. A adopted land, he had learned Counties. physician warned him that his more about Texas on either side only chance for life was a long of the Brazos than any other Then he embarked on a stay in the high, dry, almost man of his day. program to advertise Texas and uninhabited areas west of the induce families to head their Brazos. The need for settlers had wagons toward the new state. become acute and by 1845, De Cordova’s half brother, He left his store in the capable Jacob De Cordova opened De Phineas joined him as a partner hands of his wife and set out Cordova’s Land and General in the agency. The two began toward the wilderness. It was a Agency business. This was the the publication The Texas lonely and uninhabited area of business to which he devoted Herald, which they distributed sage and cat claws, of roaming most of his time for the last free in crossroad stores and herds of antelope and buffalo. twenty-three years of his life. county post offices throughout As he rode endless miles and Within a few months, the the south and Midwest. “Come his health improved, there agency became the largest land to Texas”, every issue of the emerged for De Cordova the agency that has ever operated in paper urged. “Come where shape of his future career; he the entire American Southwest. your children can get a start on would bring families to Texas. A year before, 1846, Texas had rich land that can be bought at a surrendered its independence to poor man’s price.” Many Jacob had learned intimately the become the twenty-eighth state families that read the paper eastern half of the republic from of the American Union. Texas, came. They rolled across the his travels during numerous twice the size of Germany, had Sabine River in long caravans business trips. Before his far less population than the tiny of ox wagons with plows, hoes illness he had marked on rough state of Rhode Island. Few and sacks of seed strapped to

6 the side of the creaking 1200 acres of land for their him payments of land purchases vehicles. Some groups drifted Wanderers Retreat on the could not ship their cotton to in by wooden rafts down a route Brazos. Europe since all the southern of interlocking rivers. Young ports were blockaded by couples rode in on horseback Largely because of De Federal gunfire. The men and with pack mules carrying pots Cordova’s untiring efforts, the boys were all off to war, so and pans and washtubs. East of population and reputation of other crops and livestock could the Brazos, a number of Texas kept soaring. He wrote not be tended. De Cordova sent families settled to strengthen the first book about Texas and all three of his sons, Joshua, old communities or to start new its’ opportunities. Eastern Henry, and Frances, to war, all ones. West of the Brazos, mayors began inviting him to serving in the Confederacy. colonists pushed in to build visit their cities and talk about Jacob, being too old and sickly, courthouses and schools in new Texas. His oratory influenced could not serve, so instead he communities that surveyors bankers to buy stock in Texas, served as Bosque County Clerk were kept busy marking off. many merchants and enterprises and surveyor without pay. opened businesses here. One of These years were hard to De Everywhere in Texas thriving these men was Richard Cordova. He could have settlements rose on once Kimball, who became a good reposed farms and ranches desolate sites just as Jacob De friend of the De Cordova’s. He through foreclosure, and was Cordova has predicted. invested in the land and De urged to do so by less sensitive Squarely on the Brazos River, Cordova called it Kimball. traders. No doubt that he could dividing the two sections, De Jacob then set sail for Europe to have made significantly larger Cordova founded the bustling make more speeches and find profits from the resale of these city of Waco. March 1, 1849, fresh markets among British now improved homesteads. three men gathered at what is manufacturers for the cotton his Instead, he felt responsible for now the Convention Center to land customers were growing. these war stricken families. His mark off Lot 1, Block 1 of eloquence of speech and keen Waco. These men were De Cordova invested his money judgment had guided these Shapley P. Ross, George Erath bringing Texas its’ first families to Texas and they were and Jacob De Cordova. Little railroads after prophesying partners in his vision. He said, did these men know that correctly that the ox-drawn “I lived well when my friends someday the population of the freight wagons would vanish could pay me. If I shared good new town would be over entirely, “when the snort of the times with them, I have to share 100,000. iron horse shall awaken the the hard times too.” solitude of the prairies”. He Several times during the time organized the earliest Odd Jacob De Cordova witnessed that Jacob De Cordova was in Fellow’s lodges west of the first had the shortage of town helping to get his new Mississippi. He was one of the clothing the south suffered town organized he would ride to first members of a Masonic during the war and dreamed of the upper reaches of the Brazos lodge in Texas, the Harmony ginning the cotton and weaving to see the land he hoped Masonic Lodge in Houston it into cloth in Central Texas. someday to permanently make along with Anson Jones. Later He explored for a proper site for his home. In fact, a friend of he transferred his membership a cotton textile mill along the the family, Frazier, did move to the Kimball Masonic Lodge. Brazos River. He developed a his family to area known as detailed plan for harnessing the Kimball. In 1856, Jacob Until the between the states, he waters’ flow and rallied eastern instructed his wife to select land was the state’s leading land businessmen to invest in his for their new home near their developer. But with the start of plan as he invested too. friend and to plan to have the the Civil War, he saw migration house face the river. On April slump and commerce come to a In 1868, he made his last trip to 25, 1956, Rebecca bought over standstill. Settlers still owing New York to obtain the 7 necessary funds and bought the Bend property which he had equipment for the gin. He had placed in the name of his friend, planned to cut a canal across the Richard Kimball, to save it neck of the Brazos River at a should the south lose the ware point where the river makes a and the Yankees take all our hairpin turn, just above Bee lands. Jacob died without a will Mountain. Before he could and it took Mr. Davis from arrive back home, he was Iredell over 17 years to caught in a blue northern and straighten out the estate. caught pneumonia and died shortly after reaching his Items Needed at the beloved Wanderers Retreat in Collection Bosque County. The equipment The Bosque County Collection he had purchased arrived at is in need of a number of items. Freeport where it rusted away. These include an additional Gift in Memory of M. Jeanne Owen filing cabinet, a heavy duty The last trip that Jacob and his stapler, additional shelving and Gifts to the Collection wife, Rebecca were to take in a podium. If you are interested The following was given to the Texas was in 1935 when their in purchasing any of these Collection in her mother’s bodies were removed from the items, please contact Jo Meyer memory by Elizabeth “Beth” Bosque County Cemetery in or Corinne Brandt at the (Owen) King; Census records Kimball, near his home, to the Collection at 254-435-6182. from most of the states Texas State Cemetery in Austin. Your gift will be a great including Alabama, Arkansas, His remains lie among the addition to the Collection. Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, greats of Texas. Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, Volunteers Needed Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Do you have extra time? Are Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, you computer literate? Can you South Carolina, Vermont, type? We need your help! Virginia, Tennessee and the Even those of you who don’t entire state of Texas. Included have office skills can in these many rolls of contribute. The Bosque County Microfilm are Slave Schedules, Collection is in need of Marriage, Birth & Death volunteers to help organize and Records, Vital Records, catalog our holdings. We Biographies, Tax Lists, Court especially need those of you Records, Deed Books and who have been around the Revolutionary War Records. In county for many years to help addition to the numerous rolls identify photographs. These old of Microfilm, Beth gave us a photos may be of people, places Microfiche Reader and or things that only you may countless pages of microfiche Jacob De Cordova Headstone in know about. If you are able to which includes 33 years of The Austin, Texas donate your time, please call Genealogy Helper, 80 years of At the time of his death, Jacob 254-435-6182 and talk to still owned large amounts of the South Carolina Historical Corinne Brandt to tell her when Magazine. Many of you, who land in 48 counties. His wife you would like to come up and Rebecca later had to sell off the remember Jeanne, are aware of work. We will greatly the work she did for the lands to clear up Jacobs debts appreciate your help. with the exception of Kimball Historical Commission and the Collection such as the Cemetery

8 Books. To Jeanne and her Your contributions help make Applications are available at the daughter Beth, the Bosque the Collection one of the finest Collection. Call 254-435-6182 County Historical Commission local history collections in the for more information. and the Collection are deeply state of Texas. indebted.

Other Gifts Received We have also received many other items of historical significance such as the manuscript files of Mary Lou Ford, records from the Pleasant

Grove Baptist Church and Courtyard Pavers Lighted Ceramic Bosque County Valley Mills School Annuals Courtyard Paver Bricks Courthouse from Ronita De Cordova Miller. Bosque County Other books donated are; Some Still Available The Bosque County Collection Courthouse Very Fine Folks, by R. L. Pictured above is a beautiful Hopson, Bosque County Armed still has room for more Courtyard Paver Bricks. Many lighted replica of the Bosque Forces Veterans, by Gloria M. County Courthouse. Our Hewlett, Bosque County individuals and groups have purchased these bricks to Courthouse is currently being Probate Records, by Allen restored. In order for the Johannes and Obituaries in the commemorate a loved one or ancestor. Stop by to see our expenses of this vast restoration Valley Mills and Surrounding to be covered, we are selling the Area in Bosque County, by beautiful courtyard. We are about to place an order for the hand painted replicas. The cost Gerald and Jo Meyer. We have in only $100.00 and it comes also been given the Bosque next set of bricks, so order yours today. Please make your with a tiny figure of a man who County Census records on CD stands on the courthouse steps. Rom from Bruce Wiland. check payable to: Friends of Bosque County Collection and Proceeds from the sales go to Furthermore, Doris Jennings of the Courthouse Restoration and Lakeside Village gave us a gift place your loved ones name in our courtyard. Preservation Association. of two wrought iron tables and Come by the Collection to pick chairs for the courtyard in Family Land Heritage yours up today. Restoration memory of her late husband, construction will begin on July Kenneth “Ken” Jennings. Doris Program & Marker 13th, 2005. is also a volunteer at the Applications Collection. Below is a picture The Bosque County Collection Brand Books Available of the courtyard with the new has all current applications After months of volunteer and tables and chairs. available. If you still have land staff time, we have finally that has been in your family for completed the copies of the 100 years or more, please stop Marks and Brands books. The by or call the Collection for an original six volumes date from application to be included in the December 4, 1854 through Texas Family Land Heritage March 3, 1949. These old Program. Guidelines will be county records have faded and given to you when you receive are very brittle due to their age. your application. Also, if you Due to the condition of the Courtyard Tables & Chairs live in or own any type of books, we could not allow To all of you who have given so historic structure, please people to view them or handle much in the way of gifts, time preserve it by applying for your them. After carefully making and energy, THANK YOU!!! Texas Historical Marker. copies, we were able to recreate 9 these books with an alphabetical years. Her articles are interested in helping us out, index. These indexes took a informative and inspiring. She please contact the Collection at great deal of time to complete states each week in her column; 254-435-6182. since the handwritten books “I would really like to were done in the old fashioned encourage everyone to talk with Other Upcoming Events style script making translation the older members of your In addition, the 60th anniversary very difficult. Below, we have families and community. of the end of World War II is listed a few of the names that Record their memories, coming up. There will be a appear in these wonderful old anything they know of their celebration to commemorate books. family and their past. this occasion on Friday, Remember, these will one day September 2nd, 2005 at the Arneson, Bible, Cutbirth, Dahl, become the treasures of future Bosque County Collection from Dansby, Edwards, Flanary, generations. It is so important 2:00 to 4:00 PM. This Galloway, Hensley, Killebrew, to keep our history alive today, celebration is being held in Olson, Looney, Nygard, Parr, before it is lost to us forever.” conjunction with Texas Russell, Sellers, Tipton, Wood, How very true! If you have a Historical Commission’s (THC) Zuelke. family story or information celebration. We have received about your family or are word from THC the Hoblitzelle These are only a few of the looking for information about Foundation of Dallas has names listed in these your ancestors, write to approved funding for the remarkable old books. It is LaDawn at Bosque County historical marker portion amazing that so many women News, P. O. Box 343, Meridian, (Vignettes of Wartime Texas) and even some children had TX. 76665 or e-mail her at of the Texas in World War II their own brand back in the [email protected]. Of initiative. The grant will fund 1800’s. ….and we thought course, you can always stop in the research, writing and women’s liberation was at the Collection to see what we placement of fifteen new something new?! Stop by to see have. Official Texas Historical if your ancestor had a registered Markers across the state for brand and what that brand was. Upcoming Events World War II topics that have Each year the National not yet been adequately Out of the Past Championship Bar-B-Que Cook interpreted. The list of markers Many of you may be keeping up Off is held in Bosque Bottoms already approved by the staff with LaDawn Garland’s weekly on the fourth weekend of and commissioners reflects the article Out of the Past. LaDawn August. The Collection will be regional and cultural diversity is the Marker Chairman for the setting up a booth to sell items of the state and brings in such Bosque County Historical from our gift shop. In addition, important elements of the Commission and the author of the September Fest is coming overall story as the home front the weekly publication up on the second Saturday in and role of business. Keep mentioned above from the September in Cranfills Gap. checking your local newspapers Bosque County News. She has The Collection will have a for updates on this historic been with the Historical booth there as well. We need event. As for further Commission for two years and volunteers to volunteers to man information on THC’s with the newspaper for eleven these booths. If you are celebration, go to their web site at thc.state.tx.us. Bosque Letter, Spring 2005 The Bosque Letter is published by the Bosque County Collection, Jo Meyer and Corinne Brandt, Newsletter editors and publishers. The Bosque County Collection is located at 101 North Main St., Meridian. We are open from 8:00- 5:00, Monday thru Friday, closed for lunch from 12:00-1:00. Our mailing address is P. O. Box 534, Meridian, TX. 76665. Telephone Number: 254-435-6182; Fax: 254-435-2272 ,

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