An Application for a Harris County Historical Marker for REST LAWN CEMETERY by Debra Blacklock-Sloan, with assistance from Bernice N. Mistrot and presented to the Harris County Historical Commission January 24, 2016 (Revised October 27, 2017) I. CONTEXT Rest Lawn Cemetery is located at 8400 Wheatley Street in the historically African- American community of Acre(s)1 Homes, roughly twelve miles northwest of downtown . The area was very rural when the cemetery was organized in the early 1930s. The two known oldest black burial grounds in the area are Paradise Cemetery2 on West Montgomery Road established in 1918 by Dr. Charles P. Brokaw and Cemetery Beautiful3 founded by the Fuchs family in 1931 and located directly across the street from Rest Lawn. Harris County, census records (1900- 1910) reflect very few black families living in the area. The residents were predominately German, Mexican, and Italian immigrants as well as native-born whites who migrated from different parts of the . The area was sparsely populated with farms and dairies. Beginning in 1910, businessman Alfred A. Wright purchased 631 and 83/100 acres4 and developed the property as Acre Homes5 and Highland Acre Homes6 subdivisions." Residents added an "s" to the word "Acre" resulting in the mispronunciation of the community's name even today. Wright had two companies and sold property to blacks and whites. Blacks could purchase an acre of land for $120.00 with a $5.00 down payment and monthly mortgage at six percent interest.7 In addition to the cheap land, black families were attracted to the low taxes, easy, slow- paced life, lack of building restrictions (homes varied in sizes, shapes and colors), and wide-open spaces. “You could leave your doors unlocked windows open and nobody would bother you.”8 Most residents lived an agrarian lifestyle – raising chickens, cattle, hogs, and horses, and running truck farms. Others were laborers, factory workers, “waterfront” workers and domestics who commuted to work in other parts of town. Very few families owned cars.9 Acres Homes had two main roads – Yale Street paved at the start of World War I (and renamed West Montgomery Road), and Mail Route Road blacktopped in the 1940s which was renamed West Little York.10 In addition to the main roads only dirt roads and trails existed in the community as reflected by Google Earth maps. Some 1930 census records list no addresses for residents because they were

Rest Lawn Cemetery -1- Harris County Historical Commission Debra Blacklock-Sloan September 10, 2016 (Rev. October 27, 2017) too far from Houston to be listed in city directories. Route numbers were issued to these residents.11 Two prominent families, Ben Harrison (June 2, 1897- January 2, 1985)12 and Mae Beechie King Harrison (October 29, 1903-December 22, 1994)13 and B.C. (Bennie Carl) Elmore (August 29, 1909- March 29, 1973) and Inez King Elmore (September 8, 1911-January 17, 2004)14 owned and operated the first dry goods store, post office and drug store, established in 1945. Migration to the community increased steadily and by the late 1950s the business district contained service stations, Masonic Halls, numerous churches, grocery stores, hardware stores, taverns and cafes, volunteer fire department, GI school, furniture stores, beauty and barber shops, and other small businesses. There was also one physician and dentist office. During this time Acres Homes was considered the “largest unincorporated Negro community in the southern United States.”15 After years of residents’ failed attempts to incorporate and appeals to county authorities for better utilities and services,16 the City of Houston gradually annexed sections of the community from 1967 to 1974.17 Residents saw the construction of additional schools, a multi-purpose center, library and fire station.18 As a result Acres Homes became a thriving, self-contained exurbia and residents no longer had to travel outside the community for most services.19 Though the Acres Homes community has a more diverse population as of this writing some sections still remain pretty rural.

II. OVERVIEW Rest Lawn Cemetery in Houston, Harris County, Texas is one of the oldest cemeteries in the historically African-American community of Acres Homes. On February 26, 1932, Mrs. R. E. (Robert Ezekiel) Doty purchased 9.88 acres from John W. Harris and Florence H. Myers to establish the cemetery which lies in the Phillip Thompson Survey, Abstract 768.20 Mrs. Doty, a native of Milam County, Texas born Eddie Corrine Varner, was a teacher at Montrose Elementary School at this time (and later became its principal). 21 Her husband Robert Ezekiel Doty, was an Ohioian22 and real estate salesman.23 They moved to Houston from Milam County in the early 1920s.24

It is interesting that Mrs. Doty purchased the property with the knowledge that Cemetery Beautiful had been established a year earlier directly across the street. This strategic business move suggests she gave serious consideration to attracting black clients and decided to take a gamble. Rest Lawn Cemetery -2- Harris County Historical Commission Debra Blacklock-Sloan September 10, 2016 (Rev. October 27, 2017) Doty25 filed a dedication and map for the cemetery on March 13, 1932.26 When Doty sold the cemetery to realtor Luther M. Inkley and his business partner Attorney Elmer Hay in 194227 at least eleven burial plots were referenced in the deed. However, a map recording of the cemetery dated May 21, 1946,28 (Exhibit B) bears no resemblance to Mrs. Doty’s 1932 dedication map. The map reflects Rest Lawn’s boundaries as Reserve “A” to the north, Prairie View Street to the east, Rev. B.J. Lewis Drive to the south and Wheatley Street to the west.

In the mid-1950s Inkley began selling lots in the cemetery’s southeast and southwest section as residential property.29 These lots are situated off Double Avenue which dead ends into the cemetery and Wheatley Street which is the front section of the cemetery. It is unknown whether the decision to sell residential lots in Rest Lawn was due to slow sales/ competition from Cemetery Beautiful. Elmer Hay died in 1949 30 and Luther M. Inkley in 1963.31 Local resident Jimmie L. Masters, Jr. and his partner Frederick E. McGlockton purchased Rest Lawn from Inkley's widow Sylvia, and Hay's widow Merle, in 1970.32 Masters worked at Cemetery Beautiful for several years33 before organizing his "MJM Cemeteries” company in 1971.34 He later purchased several lots on Prairie View Street which abut Rest Lawn and converted them into burial spaces to expand the cemetery.35 In the mid-1990s several clients accused Masters of burying their loved ones in mass graves.36 An investigation ensued and several graves were disinterred. Original cemetery maps and other records in Master’s possession were subpoenaed by prosecutors but never returned. Masters was charged with theft of services and indicted but the charges were eventually dropped in 1995.37 Sadly headstones from disinterred graves were never returned to their original plots and now lay next to a chain link fence that borders the north end of the cemetery. At this writing only 1.5000 acres is all that remains of Rest Lawn's original 9.88 acres. Oak, juniper, crepe myrtle, mimosa, pecan, magnolia and cedar trees are interspersed throughout the cemetery’s middle and back sections. A dirt road entrance extends along the cemetery’s north and south end and another runs through it from Double Avenue. Perimeter wooden and chain link fencing in the cemetery is from nearby homes that border it on the southwest and southeast sections. The rest of the cemetery’s landscape is simple and customary in nature with graves oriented in an east-west direction. There are an estimated 570 burials in the cemetery38 and the oldest graves which front Wheatley Street have concrete headstones. The rest are of marble,

Rest Lawn Cemetery -3- Harris County Historical Commission Debra Blacklock-Sloan September 10, 2016 (Rev. October 27, 2017) limestone and granite with the exception of a large 3- foot high wooden cross in the cemetery’s east section on Prairie View Street. It is unknown when the first burial occurred but the earliest recorded is that of eight year-old Brenda Anderson in 1943, who resided in the Third Ward.39 Also interred here are Masons40 and veterans of U.S. military conflicts dating from World II41 and Korea.42 One famous burial is that of Bellville, Texas native Weldon H. Philip Bonner, (March 22, 1932 – June 29, 1978),43 better known as "Juke Boy Bonner" an American singer, harmonica player, and guitarist. Bonner was influenced by Lightnin' Hopkins, , and . He accompanied himself on guitar, harmonica, and drums in songs such as "Going Back to the Country," "Life is a Nightmare," and "Struggle Here in Houston."44 It is difficult to pinpoint the last burial because in Rest Lawn because of mass grave burial charges brought against Jimmie L. Masters, Jr. A physical inventory reveals the oldest burial year listed on a headstone is that of Janice L. Richardson who died in 1992. Rest Lawn experienced vandalism and neglect after Masters’ indictment and is no longer active. Members of Abundance Living an ex-offender re-entry program began maintaining the cemetery in 2009. Some of the volunteers felt committed to help because they were searching for family members buried there.45 Johnnie C. Tatum’s Second Chance Outreach, Inc., a 501 (3) (c) organization took over maintenance of Rest Lawn in 2012.46 His non-profit offers education, rehabilitation and outreach to assist individuals in need of a second chance. Tatum’s Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Iota, Iota Iota Chapter fraternity brothers also assist with cleanup and maintenance. Both volunteer groups meet every second Saturday of the month. Masters sold Rest Lawn to Tatum in 2016.47 Tatum and his organizations are also currently inventorying the cemetery and creating a database of all internments. Both groups are committed to preserving and maintaining the unique heritage and culture of Rest Lawn Cemetery for future generations.

III. SIGNIFICANCE Rest Lawn Cemetery is significant because it is one the oldest graveyards established in the historically African-American community of Acres Homes located about twelve miles northwest of downtown Houston. The Acre Homes community was developed by businessman Alfred A. Wright, beginning in 1910. By the 1950s the area was considered the “largest unincorporated Negro community in the southern United States,” before becoming annexed to the city beginning in 1967. Mrs. R.E. Doty purchased 9.88 acres from John W. Harris and Florence H. Myers on February 27, 1932 for what would become Rest Lawn Cemetery. Located in the Philip Thompson Rest Lawn Cemetery -4- Harris County Historical Commission Debra Blacklock-Sloan September 10, 2016 (Rev. October 27, 2017) Survey, 768 Abstract, the cemetery’s original boundaries were Reserve “A” to the north, Prairie View Street to the east, Rev. B.J. Lewis Drive to the south and Wheatley Street to the west. Mrs. R.E. Doty sold Rest Lawn on June 18, 1942. During the 1950s some sections of the cemetery were sold as residential lots and only 1.5000 acres remain of the original parcel. In 1970 Rest Lawn was sold to MJM Cemeteries, Inc. which later purchased several lots abutting the cemetery on Prairie View Street and converted them into burial plots. Rest Lawn’s earliest known burial was in 1943. Of note is that of Austin County, Texas native Weldon H. Philip Bonner, (March 22, 1932 – June 29, 1978), aka "Juke Boy Bonner” an African-American blues singer and musician. Non-profits Second Chance Outreach, Inc., and Omega Psi Phi’s Iota Iota Iota Chapter began maintaining the cemetery in 2012 and continue to preserve and commemorate the cultural heritage and history of the cemetery.

IV. DOCUMENTATION

1 The community was platted as Highland Acre Homes and the Highland Heights Addition. Over the years, the community was referred to as Acres Homes because land was sold by the acre, thus the (s) was added erroneously. 2 Harris County Archives. Deed Records, Volume 930, Page 471-473. 3 Harris County Archives. Deed Records, Volume 988, Page 533. 4 Harris County Archives. Deed Records, Volume 259, Page 36. 5 Harris County Archives. Map Records, Volume 3, Page 45. 6 Harris County Archives. Map Records, Volume 4, Page 66. 7 Ward, Roger T. “Acres Shakers: The Solution to Public Transportation Needs in a Black Community” (M.A. Thesis, University of Houston, 1994), page 14. 8 Shepard, Beulah A. Interview by author, 28 September 2005. Tape and notes destroyed during Hurricane Ike in 2008. (June 14, 1921-September 11, 2010), Beulah Ann Shepard, community activist and long-time resident, was sometimes referred to as the “Unofficial Mayor of Acres Homes” because of her tireless efforts to acquire better services for the community. On September 12, 2012, the City of Houston renamed the community library in her honor. http://www.aframnews.com/the-legacy-lives-on-beulah-ann-shepard-the-mayor-of-the-acres-home-community/. Site accessed February 12, 2016. 9 Reed, Reverend James and Reed, M. Ruby. Personal interview by author, 8 April 2003. Tape and notes destroyed during Hurricane Ike in 2008. Reverend Reed (July 11, 1909- March 17, 2005) was a local minister and Mrs. Reed (April 5, 1907- April 30, 2007), worked as an elementary school teacher (Aldine I.S.D.) in the community. She was also the first black principal in the district. In October 1994, an elementary school was named in her honor . http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=ruby-maxie-reed&pid=87835780&fhid=3545. 10 Ward. Pg.15. 11 Hunter, L. Oveta, Personal interview with author, 17 May 2003. Tape and notes destroyed during Hurricane Ike in 2008. Mrs. Hunter and her family moved to Acres Homes in the 1930s and is still a resident of the community. 12 Social Security Death Index & Texas Death Index. Ancestry.com website. http://www.ancestry.com.

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13 Social Security Death Index & Texas Death Index. Ancestry.com website. http://www.ancestry.com. 14 Houston Chronicle, Thursday 01/22/2004, INEZ KING ELMORE JOHNSON was the fourth born to Arthur and Willie A. King of Crockett, Texas. She died peacefully, January 17, 2004 at Vitas Hospice at the Hampton. She and her first husband, Bennie Carl (B.C.) Elmore, who preceded her in death, pioneered business ventures in the Acres Homes Community. They were part owners of the first public transportation company in the northwest area and were part owners of the Harrison and Elmore General Merchandise and Drug Store, which included the first post office in the area. Inez was a dedicated and admired educator in the Aldine, Houston and North Forest School Districts, and the City of Houston and Texas Southern University Library Services for many years. She was a lively conversationalist, historian, avid reader and author. Her inspirational and educational publications were widely read. She enjoyed her retirement with her second husband, Lee Otis Johnson, who also preceded her in death. 15 “Will Acres Homes be Accra After Sat. Vote?” The Informer, October 19, 1957. Section 1, pg.3. 16 “Facts on Incorporation Question in Acres Homes” The Informer. August 31, 1957. Section 1, pp. 1 and 8. 17 Houston Planning Department. Data Book 3. 18 “Acres Homes.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acres_Homes,_Houston. Site accessed April 12, 2015. 19 Alan Johnson, “Acres Homes: 1910-1960 The First Fifty Years,” May 13, 1997. 20 Harris County Archives. Deed Records, Volume 896, Page 452. 21 Ancestry.com, Year: 1900; Census Place: Justice Precinct 3, Milam, Texas; Roll: 1657; Page: 15B; Enumeration District: 0070; FHL microfilm: 1241657. Eddie Varner with parents Allen Varner and Dudley Corrine Cox Varner. Hearne Democrat, Thursday, Nov. 7, 1974, pg. 11, col. 4, accessed Aug. 27, 2017 at Newspapers.com "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVVG-T8T3 : 11 July 2016), Eddie Corine Varner Doty, 1974; Burial, Gause, Milam, Texas, United States of America, Gause Cemetery; citing record ID 23145145, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV1H-7SHY : accessed 28 August 2017), Robert E Doty and Eddie C Varner, 01 Sep 1917, Marriage; citing Milam, Texas, United States, 22 "Ohio Births and Christenings, 1821-1962," database, Familysearch (https://familysearch.org/ark/61903/1:1: XDYY-YYW : 8 December 2014), Robert Ezekiel Doty, 05 Jan 1886; citing York, Belmont, Ohio, reference v 3 p 54; FHL microfilm 902,141.. 23 Year: 1930; Census Place: West University Place, Harris, Texas; Roll: 2352; Page: 1A; Enumeration District:0138; Image: 11.0; FHL microfilm: 2342086. 24 1923-24 Houston City Directory, pg. 621. Morrison & Fourmy. 25 Mrs. Doty’s legal name was Eddie Corrine (nee Varner) Doty. She is erroneously referred to as “Mrs. C.E. Doty” in the dedication and map document. 1922 Houston City Directory, pg. 569. Doty, Robt. (Eddie) bkpr. R. 703 Webster Avenue. R.L. Polk & Co., Compilers and Publishers. Copyright July 1922, by Morrison & Fourmy Directory Co. Inc. 26 Harris County Archives. Rest Lawn Cemetery Dedication & Map, Volume 11, Page 68-69. 27 Harris County Archives. Deed Records, Volume 1250, Page 389. 28 Map courtesy of Harris County Archives. 29 Harris County Archives. Deed Records, Volume 1311, Page 572: Volume 2917, Page 286; Volume 2917, Page 158; Volume 3098, Page 503; Volume 3130, Page 587. 30 "Texas Death Index, 1903-2000," database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZNB-6DN : 24 May 2014), Elmer Hay, 31 Jul 1949; from "Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2006); citing certificate number 41147, Harris, Texas, Texas Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit, Austin. 31 "Texas Death Index, 1903-2000," database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZXM-49V : 5 January 2015), Luther Murden Inkley, 01 Nov 1963; from "Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2006); citing certificate number 70106, Harris, Texas, Texas Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit, Austin. 32 Harris County Archives. Deed Records, Volume 8183, pg. 344. Rest Lawn Cemetery -6- Harris County Historical Commission Debra Blacklock-Sloan September 10, 2016 (Rev. October 27, 2017)

33 Masters, Jr. L. Jimmie. Personal interview with author, 21 May, 2015. 34 Texas Secretary of State Records. 35 Harris County Appraisal District Records. 36 Norma, Martin. “This Is a Nightmare: Families Clear Cemetery to Find Out Where Kin Are Buried.” Houston Chronicle, September 18, 1994. Section A, pg. 20; Stephen Johnson. “Cemetery Owner Must Rebury Dead.” Houston Chronicle, April 25, 1925. Section A, pg. 13. 37 Stinebaker, Joe. “Victim’s Kin Protest Dropped Charges.” Houston Chronicle, July 19, 1995. Section A, pg. 22. 38 Because Jimmie L. Masters was accused of mass burials in the 1990s and no longer had cemetery records it was hard to determine the accurate number of graves. At this writing the Second Chance Consulting, Inc. volunteer group maintaining the cemetery is currently surveying the property. The Find A Grave Website, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GScid=6341) list the totals as 570. 39 "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KS1R- KJ8 : 5 December 2014), Brenda Anderson, 06 Apr 1943; citing certificate number 17849, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,137,304. 40 Headstone of George Nash, (February 7, 1882- October 14, 1978). 41 Headstone of Samuel Lorenzo Shanks, (July 1886- March 7, 1955). 42 Headstones of Roosevelt Battle, (May 14, 1932- November 13, 1984). 43 “Texas Birth Certificates,” 1903-1935,” database with images, Familysearch (https://familysearch.org 44 Handbook of Texas Online, James Head, "Bonner, Weldon Philip H. [Juke Boy]," accessed October 29, 2016, http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fboak. “Juke Boy Bonner.” https://www.discogs.com/artist/945485-Juke-Boy-Bonner. Site accessed August 29, 2015. 45 Cisneros, Cynthia. “Acres Homes Cemetery Gets A Cleanup.” KTRK TV, Channel 13. http://abc13.com/archive/6849022/, June 4, 2009. Accessed May 23, 2015. 46 Tatum, Johnnie. Personal interview with author, 10 April 2015. 47 File number 20150438486, RP number 095990879.

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EXHIBIT A- REST LAWN DEDICATION MAP, VOLUME 11, PAGE 68

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EXHIBIT B- REST LAWN CEMETERY

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EXHIBIT C- REST LAWN CEMETERY

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EXHIBIT D- REST LAWN CEMETERY

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EXHIBIT E- GOOGLE EARTH MAP OF REST LAWN CEMETERY

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EXHIBIT F- HCAD MAP OF REST LAWN CEMETERY

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