USA > Texas > Washington County > Brenham > The history of Brenham and Washington County > Part 4
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James A. Wilkins is well preserved for a man of eighty- four ; and, even though he is old, he still has the clear head. the strong arm, and true heart that helped him conquer adversity and win for himself honors among his fellowmen.
THOMAS DWYER.
Few merchants in the early days of Texas achieved a greater degree of success than did Thomas Dwyer. This pioneer was a member of a prominent Irish family. Upon the death of his parents he decided to leave his beloved Ire- land. Though scarcely sixteen years of age, the indomit- able will power and self-reliance that characterized his whole life was fully developed, and unafraid he went forth to find a home and a fortune in America. He landed at Boston, and later found work in a logging camp in Maine. The extreme cold necessitated a change of climate, and he same South to Texas, and opened a small store in Brazoria in 1849. Trade increased, prosperity came, and another store was established at Quintana, and still another in Columbia. This work required many trips to remote points, over rarely traveled roads, in the delivery of goods, and
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sometimes the pay was cash, sometimes in cotton or corn, and one time a drove of Spanish ponies was taken in ex- change for a big bill of jewelry, which the purchaser traded to the Indians. Mr. Dwyer cleared $3,000.00 on his horses in this single deal.
In 1858 he disposed of his holdings in the lower country and came immediately to Brenham, and opened a general merchandise store. He invested heavily in real estate, and in 1874 built the big brick building on Main street, which he occupied for many years.
Mr. Dwyer was twice married ; his first wife was Theresa Healy, to whom he was married in Brazoria in 1855, and the children by this union were Mrs. Mary Dwyer Ross, William E., Charles G., Thomas H., Mrs. Emma Kiber and Mrs. Felix H. Robertson. Mrs. Dwyer died in 1872; and in 1874 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Sarah Diller.
He was very influential in the Republican councils of the State, and his views on political questions were often fol- lowed. At one time he was complimented by the party with the nomination as candidate for the high office of Gov- ernor of Texas. The Democratic majority, however, that has prevailed in Texas for many decades made his election impossible.
Thomas Dwyer died January 19, 1876. He was a very prominent and influential citizen, and his death was deeply deplored. His fine business ability had enabled him to amass a fortune, which was equally divided among his six children. Mrs. Mary Dwyer Ross is the only representative of this family living in Brenham. She has inherited the ex- cellent business qualifications of her father, and has more than doubled her share of the estate. She manages her property personally, and is one of the wealthiest, and most capable and efficient women in the city.
BOLLING ELDRIDGE.
This estimable man has been in the merchandise busi- ness in Brenham since May, 1867. He came with his par- ents, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Eidridge, to Washington County in 1849 from Virginia, where he was born in Halifax Coun- ty. He was educated at Independence, and there received his first experience in commercialism. At the Southland's call to arms he, like the rest of the patriots, abandoned his business and fought for four years in the Confederate Army.
His enlistment was with the Fifth Texas Infantry, Com- pany E, which was a part of Hood's Texas Brigade, and in all of its awful battles he was a gallant and courageous
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soldier. Among the engagements in which he participated were West Point, Seven Pines, Gaines' Mill, Second Manas- sas, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Knoxville, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Courthouse, Cold Harbor, Fort Harrison, Darbytown and many others of lesser note-twenty-eight in all. At Chickamauga he was wounded, and at the Wil- derness was shot in the left shoulder. Captain Eldridge surrendered his company at Appomattox Courthouse.
Two years after the expiration of hostilities Bolling Eld- ridge located in Brenham, and for nearly half of a cen- tury has conducted a mercantile business, most of the time in the big brick store house which he now occupies. Ile has seen Brenham grow from a small place of 700 or 800 people to a city of over 5,000 inhabitants, and he has as- sisted in its growth, giving freely at all times of his time, talents, and money in its development. As a business man he is honest to the core; and, as a loyal citizen he is ever on the side of right, following always the laws of God and his country. This typical Southern gentleman, and genial ex- Confederate soldier has a host of true friends.
M. A. HEALY.
M. A. Healy, the veteran hardware man, was born in Ire- land, and came to America in his youth. For some years he had employment in Brazoria, coming in 1866 to Bren- ham. He immediately opened a store, and for 49 consec- utive years he has been one of the most prominent mer- chants.
His war record measures up to the standard of an intre- pid Confederate soldier-honorable to a fault, and abso- lutely fearless. His enlistment was with George Giddings' Regiment, in Captain I. M. Onins' Company, with services extending throughout the four years' strife ; and, even after the war was ended, for Giddings' Regiment fought the last battle May 13, 1865, down on the Rio Grande River, sev- eral weeks after Lee's surrender at Appomattox; and he was a brave soldier in this final engagement.
Mr. Healy married Louise Fordtran, daughter of Charles Fordtran, one of the first German settlers in Texas. Dur- ing their long residence in Brenham, he and his wife have helped to work out many problems whose solution meant the advancement of Brenham morally, intellectually and financially.
WILLIAM ZEISS.
This staunch German was born in Hesse Cassell, Sep- tember 19, 1833, and came to Houston when nineteen years of age, arriving after three years in Brenham. He opened
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a grocery store and bakery, and for fifty years was in bus- iness continuously, retiring in 1903.
William Zeiss is strong and vigorous; time has dealt gently with him, and even if he has reached the extreme age of 82, the period of life when man's health and activi- ties are supposed to be on the wane, he still preserves his interest in life, and his faculties are unimpaired. Close at- tention to business has brought the reward of wealth, and he has, too, that which is above great riches, the high re- gard of the citizens of Brenham.
NEWSPAPERS.
William H. Ewing owned, edited and published the first Brenham newspaper. It appeared in 1845, and was called the "Lone Star." The Texas Christian Advocate was first published in this city in 1846, and R. B. Wells was the editor.
D. H. Rankin established the Brenham Enquirer March 3, 1853. Publication was suspended in 1863, owing to the war and inability to secure paper, the last few issues being print- ed on wall paper. In January, 1866, Daniel McGary and Jno. G. Rankin founded the Southern Watch Tower, which was soon after named the Brenham Banner. A Daily Brenham Banner was established January 1, 1875, and discontinued January 1, 1904. In 1912, J. G. Rankin sold the weekly paper to the Brenham Banner Publishing Company, of which H. F. Hohlt is the president. On October 1, 1913, the company acquired the Brenham Daily Press, and the two papers were consolidated. The publication is now styled the Bren- ham Banner-Press, with George Neu in charge.
J. L. Watson, who made a fortune in the Mergenthaler Linotype machines, and whose heirs own a controlling in- terest in the Houston Post, established the Independent during the '80s. This paper was afterwards owned by W. P. Ewing, J. C. Day and T. R. Rivers.
George Tucker bought the Independent in 1895 and changed its name to the Brenham Daily Press. He was editor and proprietor until he disposed of his holdings.
The Texas Volksbote was founded in 1873 by Henry Mueller, and for forty years it has been published weekly, in the German language.
LIBRARY.
The Public Library was established in 1899 by the Fort- nightly Club, with a nucleus of about 100 books, contrib- uted by the members and the citizens. At present there
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are over 5,000 volumes on the shelves in the library rooms in the City Hall. Miss Annette Ray, the librarian, is on duty every day, and there are many calls for books.
CITY ADMINISTRATION.
The plan of incorporation became very popular in 1858, and on May 29th of that year an election was held to deter- mine the question of incorporating the town of Brenham, the same being one square mile, the lines running due north and south, east and west, with the court house for center. Fifty-one votes were cast for the incorporation and fifteen against. Claudius Buster, Chief Justice of Washington County, opened the returns, and ordered an election Sat- urday, June 19th, 1858, for a mayor, constable and five aldermen. A count of the votes disclosed the fact that W. H. Cammack and H. C. McIntyre had tied for the office of mayor, with 15 votes each. Adrian Testard was elected constable, and the successful aldermen were William Davis, A. H. Rippetoe, J. P. Pressley, Jeff Bassett and Hugh Mc- Phail. The next city officials were elected August 2nd, 1858, and were W. H. Cammack mayor, James F. Estes constable, and William F. Jarrell, John P. Key, G. M. Buck- hanan, James L. Dallas and Sam Lusk aldermen. On the 21st day of August, 1859, Sam Lusk received 80 votes and was elected mayor, R. E. Hardin constable, A. G. Gilder, H. Levinson, J. A. Wilkins, O. P. Carrington and E. F. Ewing constituted the board of aldermen. E. D. Tarver, chief justice, approved this election
During the war between the States the city government was abandoned, and was not resumed until 1866, when H. C. McIntyre became the mayor. He served from that year until 1869, when Peter Diller, the military appointee, qualified in accordance with an order issued by General J. J. Reynolds. Diller resigned in 1870, and Captain James S. Biddle assumed control. Upon the resignation of Biddle, May 21, 1870, S. S. Hosea served as mayor until December 20 of that year, when he, too, resigned. His successor was N. W. Bush, who resigned March 4, 1871. F. A. Wil- mans. appointed by E. J. Davis, served from 1871 to 1873. Russell Shipley served from1873 until his death, June 17, 1876. M. P. Kerr served from July 1, 1876, until October 19 of that year, when he resigned. J. McFarland served a short while; J. T. J. O'Riordan took charge October 31, 1876, and his tenure of office lasted until April 5, 1878, his successor being M. P. Kerr. Kerr's administration continued until April, 1883, when James A. Wilkins was elected.
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For twenty-two years James A. Wilkins guided the des- tiny of Brenham. When he was first called to serve as mayor city scrip was worth only forty cents on the dollar ; it soon advanced to par, where it has ever since remained. The system of water works was purchased November 19, 1894, for a consideration of $40,000.00 cash, and bonds
CITY HALL
were issued for this purpose. To replace the old city hall, which was burned, a new one was erected, during the close of Mr. Wilkins' administration.
In April, 1905, William Lusk was elected mayor, and for eight years the city made great progress. Among the im-
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portant improvements may be cited the building of many miles of concrete sidewalks, the removal of all wooden bridges, which were replaced with concrete arches; the establishment of a sewerage system, and the purchase of better equipment for the fire department, including the fire automobile engine. The water works bonds were bear- ing 6 per cent interest, and Mayor William Lusk arranged with the State School Fund to take over these securities at 4 per cent, thus saving Brenham by this one transaction $16,500.00. The High School building was erected in 1907, the Alamo was built in 1913, and the East End colored school house was remodeled in 1913. The water works property was improved by the installation of better ma- chinery, and the building of a new brick house for the plant.
Alex Griffin became mayor in 1913, and served two years. He continued the good work on the public thoroughfares. The city authorized the issuance of $30,000.00 worth of bonds for the purpose of improving the water works and sewerage system. Plans for these improvements were for- mulated during Mayor Griffin's term of office.
William Lusk was re-elected mayor in 1915, and he is the present incumbent. Under his direction the contem- plated improvements of the water works and sewerage sys- tems have become accomplished facts. He is devoting his energies to the advancement of Brenham along all lines.
The City Ordinances were compiled in 1895, by R. E. Pen- nington, of the law firm of Campbell & Pennington.
BRENHAM VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Serious trouble with the Federal soldiers, stationed at Camptown, and the burning of a part of Brenham, April 25th, 1867, resulted in the organization of the Brenham Volunteer Fire Department, which was in reality a military organization, whose duties were to protect the lives and property of the citizens during the reconstruction days. The Hook and Ladder Company, numbering 22 men, came into existence May 28, 1867; Col. D. C. Giddings was fore- man, J. R. Thomson and R. D. Harris were assistant fore- men, W. H. Terrill treasurer, and John A. Shepard secre- tary. Brenham Protection Fire Company presented its organization at the same time, with the following officers: I. M. Onins, president; C. R. Breedlove, vice president ; W. H. Chadwick, secretary; Ed Rundell, foreman, and J. Ward, J. Tom and J. Smith, assistants. These two com- panies constituted the original fire department. Public cisterns were built on the square to conserve the water
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supply for use during fires. On March 9, 1868, the mem- bers of the Brenham Fire Protection failed in their organ- ization, and the city took charge of their fire engine.
For almost half of a century the Fire Department has been one of Brenham's most valuable assets. Beginning as soldiers, and continuing as protectors of life and prop- erty, the record of active service of its members is a noble and enduring one. The department has not only discharged every duty faithfully and well, but it has provided more pleasure for a greater number of people than any other organization in the city. The annual Mai Fests are spring festivals of great moment, and have a statewide import- ance. These celebrations had their commencement in 1874, when the German citizens of Washington County, under the auspices of Harugari Lodge, held the first Volksfest in Brenham. Volksfests were held in 1875, 1876 and 1877, and the first queen, Betty Engelke, was crowned in 1877. Augusta Minkwitz was queen in 1878; Selma Engelke in 1879, and Louise Hoffmann in 1880. At this time some financial difficulties caused the Harugari Lodge to turn its holdings over to the Brenham Fire Department, and the first real Mai Fest was held at the old Fair Grounds May 13-14, 1881, with Frankie A. Foote as May Queen. A tabulated list of the succeeding May Queens is as follows : 1882, Annie Spencer ; 1883, no record of any Mai Fest being held; 1884, Emily Harris, who was the first Queen whose coronation took place at the Fireman's Park; 1885, Ida Bassett; 1886, Lizzie Lindemann; 1887, Nettie Pampell ; 1888, Nannie Clemmons and Eula Gee; 1889, Nettie Estes ; 1890, Ethel Muse; 1891, Flowers, represented by Lillian Lindemann, Ella Werner and Jessie Shepard; 1892, Lillian Engelke; 1893, Hettie Harrison; 1894, Hester Abbott; 1895 marks the date of the building of the Summer Theatre, and the production of the operetta written by W. P. Ewing and H. H. R. Hertzberg, and set to music by W. A. Jakel. The leading character was Mrs. L. J. Lockett; 1896, "Toy Shop," written by W. P. Ewing, and set to music by W. A. Jakel, was presented, with Mrs. Louis M. Simon as the most prominent character ; 1897, Julia Epstein; 1898, Bertha Becker ; 1899, Mary Stone; 1900, Julia Epstein; 1901, Lillian Lindemann ; 1902, Alita Gardner; 1903, Susan Shepard; 1904, Elise Lockett; 1905, Mackadee Barnett; 1906, Julia Salley ; 1907, Therese Dee Ross; 1908, Florence Seward; Bertha Schuer- enberg, Louise Giddings, Ethel Tucker, Olga Van Hutton, Annie Marek, Corinne Huettig and Minnie Seelhorst were queens of the nations; 1909, Minnie Lee Gehrmann; 1910, Lila Shepard; 1911, Louise Stone ; 1912, Florence Simmons ; 1913, Susie Lipscomb; 1914, Edna Buck; 1915, Gladys Baumgart.
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Fireman's Park was purchased by the department in 1884, and each year succeeding some improvements have been made. Many notable events have taken place within its confines.
EDUCATION.
Inattention to the importance of educational interests cannot be charged to Brenhamites; for even before Bren- ham became the county seat, "Hickory Grove School" was known far and wide as an excellent school for boys and girls, and there were pupils from many surrounding places. The school house was situated in a hickory grove-from which it derived its name-about 100 yards south of the J. B. Wilkin residence in North Brenham. It was built, in 1840, of cedar logs prepared with a whip-saw and had a puncheon floor, puncheon benches, but no desks. The first teacher was James Mitchell, who had an enviable reputation as an edu- cator. Many years ago he moved to Fort Worth, where he died. Rev. L. P. Rucker was the second, and General John Sayles was the third teacher. After the Masons took charge of "Hickory Grove School," they changed the name to the "Masonic Academy," and in 1848 or 1849 they built a new and larger house of cedar. "Hickory Grove School" was used as a church during the early history of Brenham, and ministers of every denomination preached within its walls. When free schools were opened in Brenham the at- tendance at the Masonic Academy declined, and it was closed in 1875, when Graham Lodge No. 20 presented the property to the city of Brenham.
Mrs. W. H. Ewing, who afterwards became Mrs. Horton, taught a private school during the late '40s. Mrs. Fannie Cooke was also one of the early teachers. When the Con- stitution of 1869 directed that there should be maintained free schools throughout Texas, D. D. Crumpler and Mrs. Asa M. Lewis opened the first free schools, which they suc- cessfully conducted until the advent of the Brenham Public Schools.
BRENHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The 14th Legislature passed a bill, March 25, 1875, which authorized the amendment of the charters of towns and cities, so as to give the city councils the power to collect a special school tax for the maintenance of the public schools within their corporate limits, and giving them exclusive con- trol thereof. Acting under this new law the council of the city of Brenham on April 26, 1875, passed resolutions ac- cepting the benefits of this new law, and levied an annual ad valorem tax of one-fourth of one per cent on each dollar's
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worth of taxable property. School began September 6, 1875, and lasted 40 weeks. The first superintendent was W. C. Rote of Pennsylvania, and the teachers were A. C. Jessen, who taught German; Mrs. W. A. Lockett, Miss Mary Rial and Miss Kate Saunders, their certificates having been is- sued by Russell Shipley, the mayor. The free school for negroes was opened on the same date, with J. H. Morriss in charge. School was conducted in the old Key home, on the site of the Sacred Heart convent, then owned by E. P. Davis, and a monthly rental of $50.00 was paid until the city purchased the land from Davis, October 22, 1877, for a consideration of $2,500.00. The new two-story brick build- ing, costing $10,000.00, was constructed during 1878, by popular subscription, and with the addition of $1,000.00 derived from the sale of the old Masonic Academy lot, do- nated by Graham Lodge. Rote made his last report to the council May 20, 1878, giving a total registration of 605 pupils, 340 white and 265 colored. The superintendents after W. C. Rote were C. P. Estill, J. T. Hand, Jay E. Mc- Guire, R. Stanbery, W. H. Flynne, E. W Tarrant, Peyton Irving, Jr. The present incumbent is W. D. Notley.
To accommodate the ever-increasing attendance the pres- ent handsome, mission style, High School building was erected in 1907, at an approximate cost of $50,000.00, and the Alamo building was constructed in 1912, with an expen- diture of about $11,000.00. These two structures are equip- ped with all modern conveniences. The attendance for the opening in September, 1915, was, white pupils, 600.
Brenham has one of the finest systems of public schools in Texas, and they are really the first to be established in the State. Superintendents of great ability and teachers of culture and refinement have labored intelligently and earnestly for their advancement. Among the men of supe- rior education who have guided the destiny of these schools, W. D. Notley must be ranked with the best-in some re- spects he is the peer of his predecessors-for his methods are more modern, and he has a beautiful way of reaching the hearts, and touching the ambition of the boys and girls and arousing their interest in the school work.
The list of graduates with the dates of graduation is as follows (Those marked * are deceased) :
1877-Kate Allen, Offa Eddins and Robert Tarver.
1878-Eliza (Baker) Wessendorf of Fort Worth, Mary (Dashiell) McIntyre,* Mattie (Dashiell) Bryan of Abi- lene, Mary Tarver,* Tannie (Hynes) Ammons, Louis F. Ammons, Thomas Harris,* William Thompson of Dallas and James A. Wilkins.
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1879-Charles Grattan Dwyer, U. S. A., New York City ; Rosa (Simon) Rubenstein of New Orleans, and Annie (Spencer) Cochran .*
1880-Julia A. Dashiell,* Eula (Williams) Krug, and Josie (Wood) Ray of Waco.
1881-Leanora McCluskey,* May (Williams) Pennington.
1882-Nettie (Pampell) Lochridge of Austin, and Kate (Robertson) Watson of Stone.
1883-No graduates reported.
1884-Emma Harris,* Nettie Testard.
1885-No graduates reported.
1886-Lucile Beaumont, Lizzie (Dwyer) Robertson of Crawford, Hannah (Simon) Folz of Kalamazoo, Michigan ; Eugenia Gray, Lula Curry, Lula (Dunlap) Williams, R. J. Swearingen,* Allen Swearingen,* Travers Dashiell of Jew- ett, Charles Spann .*
1887-Callie (Hutchinson) Scott of San Antonio, Hettie (Harrison) Curry, Genevieve Muse, Dora Cleaves, Emma (Beauchamp) Nauwerck,* Fannie (Kennedy) Schenk of Oklahoma, Mallie (Hutchinson) Minor, Mamie Allison, Sudie Curry, Mamie Crosson, Ben Bassett, John Watson of Lockport, New York, and Henry Gleiss.
1888-Sadie McClung of Los Angeles, California; Lou Charske, Loula Cross, Olivia Bowers, Nettie (Estes) Fischer, Cora (Harrison) Levy of Oklahoma City, Ethel (Morriss) Franklin, Janie (Hughes) Sallis, Hester (Ab- bot) Smith, Rosa Williams, Fred W. Martin and John Asa Wilkins of Houston.
1889-Emma Ahrenbeck, Jessie Cleaves, Kate (Estes) McAdam, Edna Kennedy of Mineral Wells, Annie Johnson, Mary Elizabeth Rouse of Houston, Annie (Vinson) Betti- son, David Allen, Arthur E. Knolle, J. L. Neu and Hugh Lusk (certificate).
1890-Sophie Ahrenbeck, Sophie Bickler, Katie Caroth- ers, Ophelia (Hutchinson) Schulz, Johnnie (Hughes) Burns of Caldwell, Elma Morriss, Virginia Thomas of El Paso, Fred L. Amsler, Cal G. Botts, W. J. Bassett, K. P. Giesecke and Edwin J. Healy.
1891-Susie (Battaile) Schemwell, Fannie (Budd) Meyer of Cleburne, Annie Hill, Daisy Eldridge, Lillian Hoffmann, Grace Slater, Ellie (Pennington) McNeal, Ada Wallney,* Hettie (Wilkins) Garrett, Beulah (Burke) Cunningham of Ardmore, Oklahoma; Highland (Gee) Vardell of Dallas, Courtney (Williams) Styles of Wharton, E. C. Abbott, H. L. Garrett of Galveston, R. A. Harrison of Bryan, Henry Ray (certificate) .
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1892-Julia Harrison of New York City, Margaret (Bas- sett) Lamkin, Willie Burch, Estelle (Connell) Koye of Dal- las, Jessie Cather, Zephyr (Crozier) Roos of Victoria, Stella Curry, Rosa (Haubelt) Lindemann of Houston, Sophie Heine, Nannie (Matchett) Crozier, Lillie (Wiebusch) Trae- ger,* Stella (Young) Knolle of Seguin, T. A. Low and Wil- liam Thomas.
1893-Katie Griffin,* Ruby (Gardner) Robertson, Nan- nie (Botts) Dever of Waco, Daisy (Connell) Humphreys of Lyons, Rosamond Bowers, Tillie Zeiss, Delphine Byrnes of La Grange, Pauline (Dawson) Baumgart, Carrie Endel, Bershie (Hickey) Clonts, Lelia Hughes, Daisy (Johnson) Brauner of Beaumont, W. T. Tarrant, U. S. N.
1894-Helen (Miller) Bolton, Annie (Hughes) Kean of Cisco, Nellie Brennan, Bessie (Buster) Young of Jacksboro, Irene (Crozier) Youngkin of Galveston, Mabel Giddings of Austin, Fannie Hill, Beatrice (Hutchinson) Mead of Fort Worth, Beulah Kennedy, Corrie (Low) Morriss, Mary Mun- day, Hattie (Wilkins) Williams, Low Chappell, Lennie Campbell, Bruns Holland of Del Rio, Sam Rouse of Houston, Irving Townsend and Henry L. Williams of Beaumont.
1895-Bertha (Becker) Wilkins, Annette Ray, Lula (Thornhill) Harrison, Elsie (Tristram) Engelhardt, Addie Wiebusch, Bershie (Wilkins) Low, Lena (Pampell) Day, Clara Wilson of Dallas, Charles H. Carlisle, Jr., Bolling Eldridge, Ernest Young of Jacksboro, John P. Key of Cali- fornia, Rupert Eldridge.
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