Monday Meanderings - 10.31.2016

And a scary, candy-laden Halloween to you.

Okay, I'll go ahead and admit it. Barb and I are going to bunker in this evening, hiding in the dark, not answering any trick-or-treaters that might mistake our dark and shuttered house as a source of treats. It's not our kind of holiday.

I'll share my favorite trick-or-treat story before I go draw the drapes and turn off the lights.

Years ago, a young woman who worked in my department told about receiving a trick-or-treater one year. She lived in the very back of a very large apartment complex - so far back that no ghoulish visitors had ever ventured that far back, so she quit stocking treats that went unclaimed. So it was surprising when the door-bell rang about 9 one Halloween evening.

Checking the door, she found a teen-age boy with a goody sack, waiting for a treat. She opened the door to him and said, "Aren't you a little old for this? Besides, you don't even have a costume."

The boy answered that he was "Rudolph, the red nosed reindeer."

"No, you're not. You don't have on a costume of any kind."

Whereupon the young man took out a small pen-light, turned it on and thrust it into his nostril, where it shone through brightly.

"Wait right here. I'll go find something for you."

Ancestors, Indians, Daniel Boone and more Indians - Stories for my grandchildren

I was recently searching through my genealogy records, looking for references of Native American bloodlines in my father's ancestors. I knew there was an undocumented note that my great grandmother, Laura Jane Coleman "...was said to be part Cherokee."  But was there any proof?

Laura Jane was born in Bedford County Tennessee in late 1851, some 25 years after the Cherokee had been forced out of the state onto the "trail of tears." Her father has a pretty distinct line straight back to Essex England; however, I can't find any record of her maternal ancestors (though Laura's mamma was named Elizabeth Ann Bivens, which doesn't sound very Native American to me). I do admit, however that Laura Jane certainly looks as if she could have been part Indian. What do you think? Should I send a sample of my DNA to Ancestry.com?

 Laura Jane "Jenny" Coleman Anderson

We do know that my father's mother, who was a Starnes, lived among Indians for a good part of her life, both in Washington State and Oklahoma, and her brother Lester marred a woman who was identified on the census as 7/8 Cherokee, though her name was Mary Payne, but this would have no bearing on my having Native American ancestors.

And my search for Indian ancestry turned up this item that I posted back in early 2013. No friendly relations with the Indians here.

 Frederick and Mary Goldman Starnes

Virtually the entire Starnes line in this country can be traced back to the patriarch Frederick Starnes and his wife Mary Goldman, pictured above. Frederick and Mary were immigrants from the German Palatinate, among a group that had fled to England, and being found unwelcome there, moved on to the New World about 1710, settling first in the Hudson River Valley of New York, then along the Mohawk River in Herkimer County New York.

In 1741 Frederick lead a small group of two or three families from the Mohawk Valley of New York to settle on the Juniata River in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, they chose land that the Delaware Indians claimed was their best hunting ground and that was too close to their tribal capitol of Shamokin.

A delegation of Indians from the Six Nations in 1742 came down to Philadelphia and lodged a complaint with Governor Thomas that these settlers were violating their treaty with the Proprietor William Penn, and demanded the trespassers be immediately removed. Richard Peters, Secretary of the Province of Pennsylvania, concerned about serving the order to vacate their cabins, fearing that the settlers might refuse and probably were armed, arrived with a detail of Militia in June of 1743. From the lack of records otherwise, it is assumed the families moved out peaceably.

Eventually, the family ended up on the Middle Fork of the Holston River, near the present town of Chilhowie, Virginia. They were not done with Indian troubles, however. Frederick was attacked July 3, 1755 by several Shawnee Indians, who fired upon him and wounded him. Frederick was able to return fire and escape the attack.

In 1779, two of Frederick's sons, my 4th great granduncles Frederick Jr. and Joseph, along with Joseph's son, Joseph Jr. and son-in-law Michael Moyer departed their homes in Washington County,Virginia and ventured into the Kentucky wilderness in search of new lands to settle and farm. Frederick Jr's son, Jacob Starnes, was already in Kentucky, assisting Daniel Boone with the construction of Fort Boonesborough.

They followed the "Wilderness Trail" that Daniel Boone and 31 axe men, (most likely including Jacob) constructed back in March 1775, a route that made a long loop from Virginia southward to Tennessee and then northward to Kentucky,a distance of over 200 miles. This route was known to be very dangerous, and knowing the dangers, Frederick Starnes made his last will and testament before leaving his home.

"In the name of God Amen, I Frederick Starns of Washington County in the Commonwealth of Virginia being of perfect health, praised by God for his mercies, make constitute this to be my last will and testament as followith~~I give and bequeath to Mary my well beloved wife one black mare which I had from my son Jacob Starns and her saddle likewise her thirds of all my estate~I likewise give and bequeath to my son David, thirty pounds Virginia and ever child younger than him twenty five pounds like money-and the remaining parts of the estate to be equally divided amongst all my children (first paying all my just debts)."

As it turns out, this was a prudent move. On April 7, 1779, Frederick Jr., his brother Joseph, Joseph Jr. and son-in-law Michael Moyer, along with 8 other men from the fort, set out to scout some land south of Fort Boonesborough. About 25 miles south of the fort, the party reached a watercourse known as the "Lower Blue Licks Creek." This would take them back onto the Wilderness Trail. Eventually, they entered the narrow Blue Licks Creek valley just below the headwater springs. Here, on the banks of the creek, in a heavily wooded area close to the Blue Licks Springs, a large group of Indians attacked the Starnes-led group. Joseph Starnes, Jr. was the only survivor. He wrote later:

"I was once in a company of four in the year 1779, April 7 over a watercourse in Virginia back of the settlements towards Boonesboro, where we were fired on by about 25 or 30 Indians, and my father (Joseph Starnes), my uncle (Frederick Starnes) and brother-in-law Michael Moyer were shot and I made my escape although they saw me for upwards of a mile and kept firing on me, but I made my escape in the cane and other undergrowth."

And you thought you had a hard day.

Monday Meanderings - 10.24.2016

Now that's more like it! The blanket is back on the bed. Of course, this is Texas, so it's likely that it may come and go a couple of times.

Went for a MRI the other day, and there is this long, long list of things that you have to check off because they present a problem for the process, since anything metal in your body will not react well when surrounded by huge, powerful magnets. Among the items on the check list is "Tattoos." Interestingly, the technician who prepped me for the procedure had a full-sleeve, brightly-colored tattoo, so I commented, "No MRI for you, huh?" Might have been a touchy subject for her - all she said was, "Nope."

At breakfast the other morning, it took me a while to figure out that this young lady wasn't horribly obese - or deformed.

My current book at the Learning Ally studio covers a little-known aspect of WWII - German submarines operating in the Gulf of Mexico. The highly successful U-boat campaigns in the North Atlantic were widely reported, but the US kept a tight lid on the fact that a couple of subs in the Gulf sank more than 2 dozen tankers and freighters over the course of several months. According to the War Diaries of the 2 commanders, they even ventured into the mouth of the Mississippi.

The book recounts the true story of a family that was aboard a Standard Fruit cargo vessel when torpedoed about 25 miles off the coast of Louisiana as the family was returning from Cost Rico (the father was a Standard Fruit employee). The family of 4 survived and were rescued.

Later, the 10-year old boy in the family received a failing grade on a report he wrote in class about his experiences. The teacher had assigned the subject of "how the war had affected them personally" and refused to believe that Sonny and his family had survived a U-boat attack in the Gulf of Mexico!

More news - from 1904

I have shared with you some of the news items that appeared in early issues of the Arlington Journal. Here's a sampling of what was making news back in January, 1904

Thursday January 21, 1904                 ALL OVER TEXAS.
R. Ramsey, a farmer in the southeast corner of Fannin county, took a load of cotton to Dial Saturday to be ginned. While unloading it he fell over in the wagon and expired.Thursday January 14, 1904

Gins, wagons, warehouses, store rooms, and every available empty room has been filled for a week with cotton bolls, waiting to be threshed and ginned. It is proving a big job.

The grand jury at Fort Worth in its final report makes the usual declaration that gambling and debauchery exists to a frightful extent in the city, but that they are unable to reach the matter. It is always that way.

Thursday January 28, 1904               The Bank Cashier Gone.
Our City has been in the throes of a genuine sensation since yesterday (Wednesday) morning. W. R. Eaves, bookkeeper and cashier of the Citizins (sic) National Bank is gone, and the bank is out $8,000. Mr. Eaves left last Saturday night ostensibly for Palo Pinto where his wife and son were visiting. He reported here that he had a telegram announcing the illness of his wife at Palo Pinto, and that he was going to see her.

Monday morning the time clock on the safe failed to respond. Money was secured elsewhere and the business of the bank proceeded as usual. Tuesday morning at eight o‘clock the combination yielded, and then the shortage came to light. The matter was kept a secret Tuesday in an effort to have the fugitive apprehended, also to make ready for a possible run on the bank. Arrangements were made with Dallas and Fort Worth to supply money to meet all emergencies. Wednesday morning the announcement was given to the public, and no town was more completely shocked.

During the day, Wednesday, about $15,000 in deposits were called for. Many others came forward and deposited more liberally than ever. Those who knew the bank best stood by it firmest while smaller depositors and those who have done little banking business were naturally most nervous.

Thursday January 28, 1904                  Uncle Sam‘s Auto.
Laredo: One of the largest automobiles now manufactured has arrived here. It belongs to the United States government and it is to be used between Hebronville, on the Texas-Mexican Road and Fort Ringgold, near Rio Grande City, a distance of ninety-five miles, for facilitating communication with that isolated post. The machine was a curiosity and a revelation to Laredo people, few of whom ever saw an automobile.

Thursday January 28, 1904           EVENTS OF EVERYWHERE.
A series of experiments with radium, startling in their scope, has been undertaken at the University of California. An attempt will probably be made to turn the skin of the negro white.

Ice in the White River at Indianapolis carried off the house boat occupied by John Schowe and wife which has been anchored on the overflowed lands. The boat was battered to pieces and Mrs. Schowe drowned.

Mrs. Louise A. Ellen was found mortally injured by a pistol shot at her home in New York Wednesday, dying soon after. Her two young children were found dead, both having been shot in the abdomen. It is believed the woman first shot her children and then herself.

Robert F. Hall of Portland, Ore., has suddenly found himself heir to an estate of $3,750,000. The property was amassed by Charles Belden Hall, a New York broker, who died in 1871, leaving his son and daughter in ignorance of the wealth he left behind.

E. A. Erlock, a banker, who claimed that Mystic influences were at work on him through the agency of his stomach bidding him kill the President, was committed to Bellevue Hospital for examination as to his sanity.

Thursday January 28, 1904                Indians Getting Restless Again.
Muskogee, I. T.: The Snake Indians and part of the Creek tribe are again in revolt and this time it seems that there will be bloodshed. They have been in constant communication with the Keoowahs of the Cherokee Nation holding councils of war, and as a result the Keoowahs have left their homes, stock, grain and everything and gone up in the Green Leaf Mountains, where they will hold their war dance and they say on their return they will kill every white man in sight. This was learned through three couriers who came in from Texana, I. T., the seat of the Keoowahs tribe. The Snakes have gone to Flat Rock, where their medicine is made, and the residents of that section await the result with anxiety.

Thursday January 28, 1904
Frank A. Biggs, aged sixty-seven years, died at San Antonio Friday. He was injured December 23 by an emery wheel breaking while he was sharpening a chisel, a piece of the emery striking him on the forehead and fracturing his skull.

Mrs. Nannie Hawpe, wife of J. R. Hawpe of Cleburne, died very suddenly in a coughing fit Tuesday afternoon.

While crossing a track from his work, August Schoenberg, a cotton screwman at Galveston, was run over, necessitating the amputation of his right leg just below the hip. The chances of his recovery are doubtful.

Monday Meanderings - 10.17.2016

So much for Fall. Back in the 90's at present. Sort of confusing. Just a few short mornings ago, I needed the snuggly to be comfortable. Now the A/C is running by the time I get out of bed.

The little Vietnamese lady is back, combing the yard for pecans. Slim pickings this year, so she is welcome to gather what she can find. Her English has not improved much, but she has mastered "Thank You." That goes a long way in today's society.

I had a brief hospital stay a couple of weeks ago and ended up in a room that can only be described as a suite. In addition to the normal hospital-type room, there was an adjoining room with a sleeper sofa, table, TV and chairs. Here, I'll show you.

When I inquired about the room, a nurse told me this was "The Lady Bird Johnson Suite." Turns out she didn't mean that specific room, but several years ago Lady Bird was hospitalized there and they literally had to make a door between two rooms to accommodate the Secret Service, family and visiting dignitaries, so the hospital built a suite to handle such situations in the future. That was certainly needed for my visit.

My current book at the Learning Ally studio is a historical narrative concerning Lizzie Borden and the axe murders of her father and step-mother, and the subsequent investigation and her trial back in the late 1890's. I knew little about this event beyond the children's rhyme, "Lizzie Bordon took an axe and gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done, she gave her father forty-one."

Lizzie was indicted and tried for those murders, but found "Not Guilty" because the prosecution could not provide one iota of evidence that linked her to the crime. According to this book, at least, scholars who have studied the case feel that in all likelihood Lizzie did it, and the lack of evidence could be ascribed to mistakes and faulty investigation by the authorities rather than "the perfect crime" on Lizzie's part. And, by the way, it took far fewer than 81 whacks.

I get to read such interesting books.

Stories from the Tree - A small, curious item

This little item was among some recently-acquired family keepsakes. It's a name tag. Polished brass holder, measuring about 1" x 2" in size. On the back side there is a pin to attach the badge to your clothing. We are familiar with the concept; usually we see them as adhesive "HELLO" stickers, or plastic-encased credentials with our name and affiliation printed for the occasion.

The name that is typed on the paper insert (though woefully misspelled) is that of my grandfather, Lee Bramblett. And Lee Bramblett was a ginner. During his working life he owned several cotton gins and worked at others.  Here's a photo of Lee (2nd from left) and his crew at a gin he owned in Stubblefield, Texas, about 1910.

 The three boys on the right are sons Homer, Tommy and Carl. The dog was named Fritz. One look at the photo and you know that Lee didn't wear a name tag at work, nor did any of his crew. No photo-id on the end of a lanyard here.

So what called for the wearing of a name tag as a representative of the Taylor Gin Company? I'm guessing that most folks knew everybody else in town (except for whoever typed Lee's name) and I don't think there was a big annual convention and trade show of Cotton Ginners in Johnson County. And I doubt that Lee was driving around the county, repping Taylor Gin Company and admonishing cotton growers to "come gin with us."

I searched diligently for some record of the Taylor Gin Company in Cleburne, Texas, and while there were several prominent Taylor families in the region at that time, they all tended to be merchants and store keepers. Based on my grandfather's history, gins came and went with some degree of regularity, so this small, curious item will just remain a mystery.

Monday Meanderings - 10.10.2016

Happy Columbus Day. Sort of a low-profile holiday - no shelves of Columbus-related merchandise to buy. No decorations or traditions to uphold. Not even any greeting cards to purchase. Some marketer somewhere is missing the boat. Hehehe.

Well, StuckhouseATX finally made it's way to its new home in Lockhart. It didn't get there until Friday night, and I understand that another house from the same lot in Austin is scheduled to make the trip to Lockhart. Hopefully, the movers can benefit from their experience - but this is Austin.

A couple of new additions to the ATX "Best Of" awards:

Austin has been named the the most caffeinated city in Texas on a list compiled by WalletHub identifying the “Best Cities for Coffee Lovers.” However, the same list ranks Texas as a whole as a coffee lover’s nightmare. Only 3 Texas cities made the list - Austin was ranked as No. 28, Plano, was No. 27. and Laredo (?) squeaked in at the No. 100 spot, the last on the list. No surprise to hear that Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington nabbed the first and second spots on the list.

And, Austin has ranked second on a list of best cities for “urban hermits,” behind top-ranked Chicago. The calculation was based on Internet availability, stay-at-home workers, and the total number of restaurants offering food delivery and the total number of alcohol delivery companies operating in the city. Do you suppose any coffee shops deliver?

I am a fan of the phone support desks that offer to place you on the waiting list and call you when a representative is available. So much nicer than staying in a state of suspended animation while listening to insipid music. But this approach may have reached a new high (low?) the other day. My Dr. ordered an MRI and said the radiology place would call to set it up. They did. They called and an automated service asked if I wanted to be placed on a call-back list. Uhh, okay. But why not just wait until a representative was ready and call?

Any way, I opted for the call-back and a few minutes later the phone rang, the automated voice said, "Please hold" (!) and after about a 3 minute delay, connected the representative. who asked why I was calling!! Maybe they need to work on that technology a bit.

The Little House on the Street - You gotta live this town

I have blogged before about moving houses. You know, where you jack the entire structure up on rails and use big trucks to haul it down the road. Sometimes it becomes eventful, like when the structure snags telephone lines and one's father gets up in the middle of the night to deal with the situation. Or the building being moved is a story in and of itself. Those stories are here.

The latest house-moving adventure hereabouts started last Friday night when a company attempting to move an old house from Austin to Lockhart neatly lodged the building between a tree and a utility pole, sticking it well and true.

At that point, one of three things had to give: the tree, the utility pole, or the house. But this is Austin, and one does not simply cut down trees (though the mover tried, before the homeowner called the cops). The utility pole presented other jurisdictional issues, so that left the house.

But, did I mention this was Austin? It seems you need a permit to work on a house parked in the middle of the street. And a permit to block a street. You can't make this stuff up, folks. So the mover set out to get properly permitted, but, as I may have mentioned, this is Austin. Children have been born, raised, married and become parents themselves while the permit process grinds on.

So, here it is, late Tuesday, and the house is still stuck in the middle of the street.

And now, of course, the house has its own Twitter account: @StuckHouseATX.

 

On the bright side, if the house is still there on Halloween, they can claim it's haunted and charge admission to help pay the fees and fines.

Monday Meanderings - 10.3.2016

Fall finally showed up at our house, and it is certainly welcome. Love the cooler temperatures and the respite from a closed-up, blinds drawn, A/C churning house. However Fall is the time for pecan trees to drop pecans on the roof - and limbs on the driveway. As I write this I am hearing my neighbor dealing with a large, large fallen pecan limb in his front yard (and keeping my fingers crossed in regard to our own tree).

I have handled sound for weddings, funerals, church services, concerts and a lot of other events, but last week was a first - sound for a Symphony Orchestra. There is an organization in Austin named Central Texas Medical Orchestra, made up primarily of - you guessed it - people in the medical profession. They do four or so benefit concerts a season and they like our church building as a venue. 

To be honest, it is not hard to handle house sound for an orchestra. Apart from the remarks from the Director and Conductor, all that was in this case was a hand-held mic for the soloist. When they come back in April and feature guests Lloyd Maines (father of Dixie Chicks Natalie Maines) and Terri Hendrix (co-wrote Dixie Chicks "Lil' Jack Slade," among others) with their multitude of instruments, it may be a different story.

My father was known for saying, in his latter years, that he "no longer bought green bananas." Since we know that bananas ripen in hours, if not days, we were amused. But I have a different perspective after buying some really green bananas back on September 16th. This is what they looked like on September 30 - some 14 days later. Still hard as a rock.

I'm thinking these bananas are going straight to petrified - forever green. They're now part of the Estate. Look for them to be noted in the will.