Friday, June 27, 2008
Wilfred Spencer
The Minear family lost another member this week. Jackie's husband of many years died in his sleep last Saturday night. WD(Emily always called him WD-40) was a good man and took really good care of Jackie when she was so ill. Mike has a lot of funny stories about the thrifty," tight indian." Funeral is today the 27th in Woodland, Ca.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
It's About Time
I don't believe anyone is reading this but maybe some day some one will. Just to let you know Emily has a friend. A serious friend. It appears at this point that Dec. 20 in Athens, Tx she will become Mrs. Andrew Smith. Andrew is a civilian in Iraq at least until November and a very good man. We met him in March when he was home for r&r. Our requirements, or my requirements, for her a husband have always been the same.1)must sing bass,Jim and I are both tenors 2)must cook, Emily can't at all, 3)capable of providing, at first we wanted a big money maker, Emily is high maintenance. Well according to Andrew he starts on bass ends up somewhere, he cooks cheap cuts of meat for fear of messing up the good ones, and is not wealthy but doesn't care either. Emily will be 31 in Sept. Andrew sounds perfect to me.
Let us hear news about your bunch.
God Bless, Dale
Let us hear news about your bunch.
God Bless, Dale
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Pat's Surgery
Don't know if anyone is even looking at this site or not, but Pat had her surgery this morning. It is the same one she had several years ago to stop her shakes. It worked great for her back then, but I guess the bionic womans computer got outdated. Needed an upgrade and got it. Reports this morning are that all went well. God Bless
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
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Sunday, March 23, 2008
Boulter History#6
Fredericksburg
Rtc.l, Box 225
Nov.8,1964
Mr. J.D.Boulter
Box 831 Borger, Texas.
Dear J.D,
We appreciated your letter of Oct. 30th very much, and enjoyed hearing from you. I appreciate your calling my attention to the error.
No, my records were and are correct according to the relationship of your father. He is due the $37.50 payment . It was Just a bone-head error on my part in not getting it correct. I had just taken the information from the wrong line on my copy in making out the checks. as you realize, there were some 68 checks to make out; and I tried to get them all completed in one session as I like to keep things up as nearly as possible - and just made the error. Thanks again for calling my attention to it. I just hope that was the only one I
I am sending an additional check in the amount of $25.00 to your father, and sincerely hope that I have not caused him any undue concern over my miscue.
Thanks a lot for the information concerning the family of Mrs. Lena Alien. I had not heard from any of them in a long time, but did have a letter once upon a time from Mr. Jack Alien, at Belt on, I shall write him and see if he went help me out in securing the P/A from the children of Mrs. Lena Alien. I had no knowledge of her death until I received fcronr letter
I'm having lawyers at the present time draw up-a case to enter in Court to attempt to clear title to additional mineral interests. I've done this before, and the lawyers find something else to do more urgent and just have never done it. If I can get it into Court, I think it will be worth a bit more the next time I'm able to 'send out checks, Sure hope so, anyhow. An even greater problem is getting the other heirs to join in the suit. Many have promised; but that, is all I've gotten. I have lots of them tho and plan to go ahead if the attorneys will draw up the suit. My hope Is to have it filed right after the first of the new year as I think there is a term of Court then.
Relative to the graph of the "family tree" of the Boulters: I do have it up to the nearest generation, but it is so extensive it is difficult to put in on a sheet of paper! If I can ever get the time, I still plan mimeograph a copy for those who have been helping me on the project thus far. It is interesting to hear from various ones - whom I've never met - and find they have relatives they do not know living nearby. In fact, I have a first cousin, named Vail, living in Borger. I had a brief acquaintence with a little girl who enrolled in our school from Borger and whose father is supposed to be an employee of the Phillips refinery there. Her name is Susan Adams, and I believe the fathers name is Ray C. Adams, but'I've never met him. I did meet her mother.
Since I want to write to your father, and include the additional check for the amount due him, I will sign off for now.
Best wishes to you and yours,
Sincerely,
W.C.Westerfetdt
Rtc.l, Box 225
Nov.8,1964
Mr. J.D.Boulter
Box 831 Borger, Texas.
Dear J.D,
We appreciated your letter of Oct. 30th very much, and enjoyed hearing from you. I appreciate your calling my attention to the error.
No, my records were and are correct according to the relationship of your father. He is due the $37.50 payment . It was Just a bone-head error on my part in not getting it correct. I had just taken the information from the wrong line on my copy in making out the checks. as you realize, there were some 68 checks to make out; and I tried to get them all completed in one session as I like to keep things up as nearly as possible - and just made the error. Thanks again for calling my attention to it. I just hope that was the only one I
I am sending an additional check in the amount of $25.00 to your father, and sincerely hope that I have not caused him any undue concern over my miscue.
Thanks a lot for the information concerning the family of Mrs. Lena Alien. I had not heard from any of them in a long time, but did have a letter once upon a time from Mr. Jack Alien, at Belt on, I shall write him and see if he went help me out in securing the P/A from the children of Mrs. Lena Alien. I had no knowledge of her death until I received fcronr letter
I'm having lawyers at the present time draw up-a case to enter in Court to attempt to clear title to additional mineral interests. I've done this before, and the lawyers find something else to do more urgent and just have never done it. If I can get it into Court, I think it will be worth a bit more the next time I'm able to 'send out checks, Sure hope so, anyhow. An even greater problem is getting the other heirs to join in the suit. Many have promised; but that, is all I've gotten. I have lots of them tho and plan to go ahead if the attorneys will draw up the suit. My hope Is to have it filed right after the first of the new year as I think there is a term of Court then.
Relative to the graph of the "family tree" of the Boulters: I do have it up to the nearest generation, but it is so extensive it is difficult to put in on a sheet of paper! If I can ever get the time, I still plan mimeograph a copy for those who have been helping me on the project thus far. It is interesting to hear from various ones - whom I've never met - and find they have relatives they do not know living nearby. In fact, I have a first cousin, named Vail, living in Borger. I had a brief acquaintence with a little girl who enrolled in our school from Borger and whose father is supposed to be an employee of the Phillips refinery there. Her name is Susan Adams, and I believe the fathers name is Ray C. Adams, but'I've never met him. I did meet her mother.
Since I want to write to your father, and include the additional check for the amount due him, I will sign off for now.
Best wishes to you and yours,
Sincerely,
W.C.Westerfetdt
Boulter History #5
Rt.1,Box 255
Fredericksburg, Texas Nov. 24, 1958
Mr. J. Dee Boulter
P.O. Box 831Borger, Texas
Dear J. Dee:
I was surely glad to receive your letter of Nov. 19th. You had written me quite a long time ago, and I had never answered the letter as somehow your letters and subsequent address got misplaced. It had only been about three days whin I remarked to my wife that I whish you'd write and send your address again and now I have it.
Yes, I did put in quite a bit of time looking up the records of Boulter holdings in East Texas. I started in Polk County, and where much of the land once owned had been located: then I went to Cherokee County and checked all the records, both land and lease; and then to Nacogdoches County and did the same there. In all, I spent some three weeks in those Counties, and not at one time. For the greater part, my time and expense was in vain in so far as the possibility of ever getting back what I've speculated on or even a part of it. But I new it was a long shot gamble at the most.
The thing that always puzzled me - and many of the heirs - was the question of how did it (the estate) ever get so complicated? I found the answers. I found where several different powers of attorney had been given. The first, to a close friend of James Boulter - a fellow by the name of Roark. He was granted a big hunk of land and some fees for handling the estate for his widow and some eight or nine children. After his death, his widow sold 1/2 interest in everything she owned with the exception being the lands in Polk Count. The homestead in Cherokee was retained. The widow likewise loaned money as had James Boulter, with land as security. Several recordings were found of the loans being made, the land held as well as notes payable in installments - but no records of the notes ever being paid nor of the lands released. The Civil War and "carpetbaggers" further mudded the things by not keeping accurate records. (It was interesting to note the illiterate entries listed during the era of Republican misrule thru appointments of lowlifers to the County Govt. offices. and how the Sheriff, Clerk, etc. handled and sold peoples' property during this particular era in the "conquered South.) In 1872, another fellow was granted the power of attorney and part ownership to the properties remaining at the time, by Mrs. Elizabeth W. Boulter. During this arrangement, contracts, or agreements, were made to search for iron, salt, gas, or oil, etc. which further muddled things - as some of the entries appeared to be titles to the properties with the implications being only the findings to go to Mrs. Boulter.
In 1892, T.J. Stovall was granted the power of attorney to recover what he could. He did recover quite a bit of the land, but disposed of all that had been recovered. In 1901, he entered into an agreement for the sale of all the Polk County land but retained a portion of the mineral rights (1/3) in 2,700 acres. The wordings of the document is so vague it is hard to determine what it meant: It surely left room for much argument. I think, however, I can have the Court eliminate all other claims to the minerals on these approximately 2700 acres - but that too is quite a gamble.
I talked to the son of T.J. Stovall (whose wife is an heir, now deceased) and he said they would go along with us on anything we wanted to do. I sent him the papers to sign, wrote, and wrote again - and then went back to see him - but to date he has not even answered. When I go there, he says they will sign them and send them - but it has never been done! I also went to Tyler and talked to Spurgeon Boulter's son - who is looking after the matter for Spurgeon as Spurgeon has been ill for quite a long time. He said his family was willing to sign up, too, if I would strike out the power to "sell" clause. I'd gladly do that and wrote him so. I don't believe in "selling" the mineral rights. Leasing is the best shot there. I wrote hi;m last about two weeks ago and haven't had a reply todate. (I just hope he is working on contacts with other memabers of his family now). Only three of the Mayfield family sent theirs back - or even answered. Bush wrote me they didn't want to spend the money for a notary - didn't think it was worth it! If I can get the A.B. Boulter family to sign up (only one has done so to dade), I think I'll ask the Court to grant me the authority to go ahead. Such a big majority of the heirs has already given me power of attorney that I believe the Court would permit me to do something about the mineral righta- and hold in escrow that portion belonging to non-signers (they to get theirs after paying the Court costs and administration fee). I am just surmising there.
If this is dropped I don't think anything could ever be done later. Why some are so procrastinating I can't fathom. Nothing attempted, nothing gained. Certainly, nothing is forthcoming as it has been the past 25 years. The mineral rights don't expire; but the heirs do, and the further removed the more there are and the more difficult it becomes- nearing the impossible.
From the way things are now, there is no rush on the leasing. It is just the matter of getting things in shape where it could be done when feasible. The minerals wouldn't bring much on that particular araea now (less than $2.00 per acre with no drilling agreement). Companies don't want to drill the way oil is just now. But we have hopes for an upturn someday.
As thins now stand, I'm in the hole quite a bit with no view to retrieving a dime. I made copies of practically every listing of property, beginning in 1821, and all transactions recorded for 125 years. Quite a book it-self. Informative, yes; profitalble, no.
Say, I found a record of a "W.M. Boulter" making a lease of 90a. to a J.M. Guffey & Co. May 10, 1901- a then year lease. I cannont find a "W.M. Boulter" on the "family tree". I have a "William" listed as being a deceased heir, with "no issue". Do you have any information about him? I'd like to find out just when he died, if at all possible. He should have been an uncle of your father's. That may not mean anything; but the lease expired in 1911. I couldn't find what happened to the property; but would like to check into the lease payments if William M. died before the lease expired. That is the important factor. Probably a wild goose chase; but others I've contacted didn't know when he died. He should have been one of the younger of the children of James and Elizabeth Boulter. Mrs. Elizabeth Boulter parceled out lands to varuous of her children and gave them deeds to certain tracts from 1868-1877 to only the following: (who had proabably attained their majority by that time): Young Lacy, A.L., W.M. must have been a minor at that time and definitely was still living in 1901.
Elizabeth sold 1/2 interest in all lands for $5000 to W.L. Kirksey, April 18, 1871, except: 360 a. homestead in the Sara Ann kDuncan League (Cherokee Co) 4434 a. of the I.A. Pate League, Polk County. 4434 a. of the J. Boulter League, Polk County.
Kirksey, in turn sold the pooperties in ;the Levi Dikes League (Polk County) in 1871, immediately after this arrangement. Later, Anderson B. Boulter sold the 4434 acres of the J. Boulter League. (Elizabeth - the widow, had sold all her interests to Anderson ( her son) in the J. Boulter League for $1000 in Jan. 17, 1867; yet she sold a portion to Wm. Carlisle & Co on Aug. 19, 1901: This latter was when the 1/3 minerals were retained.
I mentioned the above to show how muddled a thing can be, and is. The wording of this sale by T.J. Stovall is terrific - it may take a Philadelphia lawyer to figure it out. Incidentally, if the property values is ever increasd "by virtue of the discovery of salt, iron, oil, or gas, the increase in taxes is to be borne by the Boulter heirs! Ever hear of a thing like that? Yet only 1/3 was retained by the heirs!
Well, this could go on for hours - and pages and pages. I know it doesn't make much sense; but I'm next going to check with various oil companies and see if there is any possibility of leasing that portion for those heirs who have given me the authority to act for them - without the entire lease 100%. If it doesn't look profitable, we'll just not lease it, even though I'd like to get something back of what I've spent the past few yaears on the matter. There was only one well drillin in Polk Counter when I was there. None of the areas in question had ever been leased other than the 90a aforementioned. I regret to not have something worthwhile to write, but imagine you are tired of reading all this.
I certainly appreciate your interest and help in trying to dig up some needed facts. One of these days we'll get them.
Best wishes to yo and yours.
Sincerely
W.C. Westerfeldt
Fredericksburg, Texas Nov. 24, 1958
Mr. J. Dee Boulter
P.O. Box 831Borger, Texas
Dear J. Dee:
I was surely glad to receive your letter of Nov. 19th. You had written me quite a long time ago, and I had never answered the letter as somehow your letters and subsequent address got misplaced. It had only been about three days whin I remarked to my wife that I whish you'd write and send your address again and now I have it.
Yes, I did put in quite a bit of time looking up the records of Boulter holdings in East Texas. I started in Polk County, and where much of the land once owned had been located: then I went to Cherokee County and checked all the records, both land and lease; and then to Nacogdoches County and did the same there. In all, I spent some three weeks in those Counties, and not at one time. For the greater part, my time and expense was in vain in so far as the possibility of ever getting back what I've speculated on or even a part of it. But I new it was a long shot gamble at the most.
The thing that always puzzled me - and many of the heirs - was the question of how did it (the estate) ever get so complicated? I found the answers. I found where several different powers of attorney had been given. The first, to a close friend of James Boulter - a fellow by the name of Roark. He was granted a big hunk of land and some fees for handling the estate for his widow and some eight or nine children. After his death, his widow sold 1/2 interest in everything she owned with the exception being the lands in Polk Count. The homestead in Cherokee was retained. The widow likewise loaned money as had James Boulter, with land as security. Several recordings were found of the loans being made, the land held as well as notes payable in installments - but no records of the notes ever being paid nor of the lands released. The Civil War and "carpetbaggers" further mudded the things by not keeping accurate records. (It was interesting to note the illiterate entries listed during the era of Republican misrule thru appointments of lowlifers to the County Govt. offices. and how the Sheriff, Clerk, etc. handled and sold peoples' property during this particular era in the "conquered South.) In 1872, another fellow was granted the power of attorney and part ownership to the properties remaining at the time, by Mrs. Elizabeth W. Boulter. During this arrangement, contracts, or agreements, were made to search for iron, salt, gas, or oil, etc. which further muddled things - as some of the entries appeared to be titles to the properties with the implications being only the findings to go to Mrs. Boulter.
In 1892, T.J. Stovall was granted the power of attorney to recover what he could. He did recover quite a bit of the land, but disposed of all that had been recovered. In 1901, he entered into an agreement for the sale of all the Polk County land but retained a portion of the mineral rights (1/3) in 2,700 acres. The wordings of the document is so vague it is hard to determine what it meant: It surely left room for much argument. I think, however, I can have the Court eliminate all other claims to the minerals on these approximately 2700 acres - but that too is quite a gamble.
I talked to the son of T.J. Stovall (whose wife is an heir, now deceased) and he said they would go along with us on anything we wanted to do. I sent him the papers to sign, wrote, and wrote again - and then went back to see him - but to date he has not even answered. When I go there, he says they will sign them and send them - but it has never been done! I also went to Tyler and talked to Spurgeon Boulter's son - who is looking after the matter for Spurgeon as Spurgeon has been ill for quite a long time. He said his family was willing to sign up, too, if I would strike out the power to "sell" clause. I'd gladly do that and wrote him so. I don't believe in "selling" the mineral rights. Leasing is the best shot there. I wrote hi;m last about two weeks ago and haven't had a reply todate. (I just hope he is working on contacts with other memabers of his family now). Only three of the Mayfield family sent theirs back - or even answered. Bush wrote me they didn't want to spend the money for a notary - didn't think it was worth it! If I can get the A.B. Boulter family to sign up (only one has done so to dade), I think I'll ask the Court to grant me the authority to go ahead. Such a big majority of the heirs has already given me power of attorney that I believe the Court would permit me to do something about the mineral righta- and hold in escrow that portion belonging to non-signers (they to get theirs after paying the Court costs and administration fee). I am just surmising there.
If this is dropped I don't think anything could ever be done later. Why some are so procrastinating I can't fathom. Nothing attempted, nothing gained. Certainly, nothing is forthcoming as it has been the past 25 years. The mineral rights don't expire; but the heirs do, and the further removed the more there are and the more difficult it becomes- nearing the impossible.
From the way things are now, there is no rush on the leasing. It is just the matter of getting things in shape where it could be done when feasible. The minerals wouldn't bring much on that particular araea now (less than $2.00 per acre with no drilling agreement). Companies don't want to drill the way oil is just now. But we have hopes for an upturn someday.
As thins now stand, I'm in the hole quite a bit with no view to retrieving a dime. I made copies of practically every listing of property, beginning in 1821, and all transactions recorded for 125 years. Quite a book it-self. Informative, yes; profitalble, no.
Say, I found a record of a "W.M. Boulter" making a lease of 90a. to a J.M. Guffey & Co. May 10, 1901- a then year lease. I cannont find a "W.M. Boulter" on the "family tree". I have a "William" listed as being a deceased heir, with "no issue". Do you have any information about him? I'd like to find out just when he died, if at all possible. He should have been an uncle of your father's. That may not mean anything; but the lease expired in 1911. I couldn't find what happened to the property; but would like to check into the lease payments if William M. died before the lease expired. That is the important factor. Probably a wild goose chase; but others I've contacted didn't know when he died. He should have been one of the younger of the children of James and Elizabeth Boulter. Mrs. Elizabeth Boulter parceled out lands to varuous of her children and gave them deeds to certain tracts from 1868-1877 to only the following: (who had proabably attained their majority by that time): Young Lacy, A.L., W.M. must have been a minor at that time and definitely was still living in 1901.
Elizabeth sold 1/2 interest in all lands for $5000 to W.L. Kirksey, April 18, 1871, except: 360 a. homestead in the Sara Ann kDuncan League (Cherokee Co) 4434 a. of the I.A. Pate League, Polk County. 4434 a. of the J. Boulter League, Polk County.
Kirksey, in turn sold the pooperties in ;the Levi Dikes League (Polk County) in 1871, immediately after this arrangement. Later, Anderson B. Boulter sold the 4434 acres of the J. Boulter League. (Elizabeth - the widow, had sold all her interests to Anderson ( her son) in the J. Boulter League for $1000 in Jan. 17, 1867; yet she sold a portion to Wm. Carlisle & Co on Aug. 19, 1901: This latter was when the 1/3 minerals were retained.
I mentioned the above to show how muddled a thing can be, and is. The wording of this sale by T.J. Stovall is terrific - it may take a Philadelphia lawyer to figure it out. Incidentally, if the property values is ever increasd "by virtue of the discovery of salt, iron, oil, or gas, the increase in taxes is to be borne by the Boulter heirs! Ever hear of a thing like that? Yet only 1/3 was retained by the heirs!
Well, this could go on for hours - and pages and pages. I know it doesn't make much sense; but I'm next going to check with various oil companies and see if there is any possibility of leasing that portion for those heirs who have given me the authority to act for them - without the entire lease 100%. If it doesn't look profitable, we'll just not lease it, even though I'd like to get something back of what I've spent the past few yaears on the matter. There was only one well drillin in Polk Counter when I was there. None of the areas in question had ever been leased other than the 90a aforementioned. I regret to not have something worthwhile to write, but imagine you are tired of reading all this.
I certainly appreciate your interest and help in trying to dig up some needed facts. One of these days we'll get them.
Best wishes to yo and yours.
Sincerely
W.C. Westerfeldt
Boulter History #4
J. D. Boulter
P. 0. Box 831 Borger, Texas November 19, 1958
Mr. W. C. Westerfaldt
Rt. 1, Box 225
Fredericksburg, Texas
Dear Mr. Westerfeldti .
When my brother and I were down to see you in January, you said If it were possible for you to do so, you were going over to Bast Texas for the summer to do more research concerning the property of the Boulter heirs. I would like very much to know whether you wera able to do this research work and whether anything new has developed •ince we talked with you. I am still very much interested in this thing; although, as. you say, it is indeed a gamble.
I believe 1 told you in my last letter that my father was going to Idalou to visit Jessie Hancock; ha did so, but it was a fruitless trip. She is so old she just doesn't remember. She did not have the family bible.
I also went to Panhandle to talk with my Aunt Mae (Roberts). She thinks that little black trunk of my grandmothers was lost in shipment when they left New Mexico. It contained my grandfathers' (Young Laeey) papers but probably nothing that would help in your research.
I have been unable to find any trace of the 320 acres supposedly here in Butchinson County. The records just don't go back that far. :
I would appreciate very much a letter from you when you have the time as to any progress you might have made since last; January
Sincerely yours,
J. Dee Boulter
P. 0. Box 831 Borger, Texas November 19, 1958
Mr. W. C. Westerfaldt
Rt. 1, Box 225
Fredericksburg, Texas
Dear Mr. Westerfeldti .
When my brother and I were down to see you in January, you said If it were possible for you to do so, you were going over to Bast Texas for the summer to do more research concerning the property of the Boulter heirs. I would like very much to know whether you wera able to do this research work and whether anything new has developed •ince we talked with you. I am still very much interested in this thing; although, as. you say, it is indeed a gamble.
I believe 1 told you in my last letter that my father was going to Idalou to visit Jessie Hancock; ha did so, but it was a fruitless trip. She is so old she just doesn't remember. She did not have the family bible.
I also went to Panhandle to talk with my Aunt Mae (Roberts). She thinks that little black trunk of my grandmothers was lost in shipment when they left New Mexico. It contained my grandfathers' (Young Laeey) papers but probably nothing that would help in your research.
I have been unable to find any trace of the 320 acres supposedly here in Butchinson County. The records just don't go back that far. :
I would appreciate very much a letter from you when you have the time as to any progress you might have made since last; January
Sincerely yours,
J. Dee Boulter
Boulter History #3
Rt. 1, Box 225 Fredericksburg, Texas January 13, 1958
Mr. J. Dee Boulter
P. 0. Box 831
Borger, Texas
Dear Mr. Boulter: . . .
It was really a pleasant surprise to hear from you on January 9th. We looked forward to seeing you on the past Saturday; but I'm sure some unforseen matters arose that prevented your coming this way. It would have been a pleasure to have talked with you, and I understood, too, that your father would be along. I had heard of him through my grandfather, the late B. N. Weatherby, who was extremely interested in the Boulter Estate and worked some fifteen years trying to clear some titles to property in dispute in Polk County, Texas
My Grandfather had me check some things for him during his lifetime pertaining to the matter; but due to the skepticism of some members of the family, it was impossible for him to secure the full authority to act for the heirs. He had acquired the consent of less than one-half of the heirs at the time of his death in 1948. Since I had assisted him while I was residing in East Texas and was somewhat familiar with some of the matters, he asked me to carry on the work after he was gone, which I would like to do.
It took me some years to learn of the whereabouts of the heirs. I think I now have a fairly complete family "tree" worked out, and have secured affidavits empowering me to do something from about two-thirds of the heirs. Lawyers have advised me not to spend too much on the matter unless the heirs would grant me the authority to act for them. I have a lawyer in Livingston - who is well recommended and competent - who will handle the legal matters for a share if I can secure 100% assent from the heirs. I spent some five years endeavoring to secure a lawyer who would take the case up on a contingent basis; but none would do it unless all heirs would consent. I have spent the past few years trying to get that consent. Happily, I now have a goodly portion of them to grant me the authority to act for them.
As to legality of any claims existant for the heirs, I'm in no position
to definitely state. Titles are muddled in several instances, and it
will take law-suits to clear them up. This is all a gamble; but from
what Granddad told me, I think it worth a try. It may cost me more
than it is worth, or vice versa. I have been to Livingston on several
occasions to check, and it is most difficult to do so as apparently
quite a number of persons would hate to see the matter opened. T.J. Stovall,
of Rusk, handled the estate from 1892 until he was dispossessed in 1933
by Granddad and other heirs; and no one seems to know the status of any
properties which might be a part of the Estate.
JDB - 2
I do know there are some 800 acres on the tax rolls of Polk County in the name of the "Boulter Heirs". I saw that during my own personal research. At one time, the estate consisted of over 45,000 acres in various East Texas Counties. What disposition was ever made of it no one knows (since T.J. Stovall died in 1939). He had entered a suit against certain of the heirs for dispossessing him of his pox\?er of attorney; but the suit never came to trial, and was dismissed from the Court in January, 1946. There is no power-of-attorney recorded for the Estate to any living person, other than the approximately 2/3's which I hold, I plan to make a valiant effort to secure the additional 1/3 by this June, when school is out (I am Principal of the local High School) and I plan to live in East Texas doing research on the case this summer. All this, of course, providing I can secure the additional authority needed. The ones I do not now have have promised, verbally, they would go along with me in the effort. I trust they will, and am making my plans accordingly.
Incidentally, I was not in Borger several months ago. However, Granddad had told me there were 320 acres of the estate in Hutchinson County. Hence, I wrote the County Clerk, as well as to the Lawyer's Abstract Co. there requesting they check the records for any such property. Perhaps it was they, or some of them, who called you. If you can possibly check for the purported 320 acres, I wish you would try to verify it. I have no additional information. Where Granddad got his information, I do not know. A couple from McCamey, Texas - The Parkers, who would be cousins of yours I presume - came to see me and likewise mentioned the possibility of Boulter lands being in Hutchinson County. The County wasn't formed for 20 years after James Boulter died, or longer.
I do have records indicating definitely where the lands in East Texas, the surveys, etc. were located. They may have been sold by T.J. Stovall; but if they were, none of the heirs ever seemed to realize anything from such sale. It is that sort of thing I would like to do research this summer.
My reasoning is that if there is any property belonging to the heirs (including my mother), it is best to get it than let it lapse to the State or filed on by someone else, which I have learned has already actually happened in the case of the original "Boulter Survey" in Polk County. Some 800 city lots in the County Seat town of Livingston were so obtained, and sold, some years ago and is lost to the heirs for lack of any action of management.
During the Thanksgiving Holidays, I went to Rusk to have a talk with the son of T.J. Stovall and secure what information I could. I found him in the hospital suffering from a recent heart attack, with a "No Visitors Allowed" sign on his door. His doctor permitted me to talk with him briefly; but of course not long enough to secure the data I went for. However, he promised me he would cooperate in every way possible to clear up matters that needed attention if and when I received the sufficient authority from the heirs. Then I went to talk to the widow of the attorney who handled legal matters for Mr. Stovall during
JDB - 3
his lifetime, and found her to be out of town. I am going to try to secure the deceased lawyers' file on the Boulter Estate in so far as they might exist.
A false entry was made on the registration of some of the Boulter land, and there is supposed to be a sworn statement somewhere that would clear it up and return it to the heirs - if I can just locate it!
From the above rambling information, you can gather that the whole thing is a gamble, remote, but a "chance" does exist that recovery of something is possible - what I do not know. It is going to take a lot of time, and may take more money that I have to see it through; but I want to go as far as I can with it. I've heard it discussed for some 40-years, and I think it is time for action. I regret that I can't tell you something definite and concise. I wish it were that simple. But such isn't the case.
Incidentally, I have the signed affidavits from every member heir in your grandfather's family. I'm now waiting on Aunt Lucy Mayfield's heirs - and they seem to be inert at the time; but I have hopes they will wake up. Bush wrote me he would work on them. I hope so, at least by June 1.
Come by just anytime you are able to do so. Would be very happy to discuss it with you; and perhaps you father could shed additional light on the matter.
Sincerely yours,
W. C. Westerfeldt
Mr. J. Dee Boulter
P. 0. Box 831
Borger, Texas
Dear Mr. Boulter: . . .
It was really a pleasant surprise to hear from you on January 9th. We looked forward to seeing you on the past Saturday; but I'm sure some unforseen matters arose that prevented your coming this way. It would have been a pleasure to have talked with you, and I understood, too, that your father would be along. I had heard of him through my grandfather, the late B. N. Weatherby, who was extremely interested in the Boulter Estate and worked some fifteen years trying to clear some titles to property in dispute in Polk County, Texas
My Grandfather had me check some things for him during his lifetime pertaining to the matter; but due to the skepticism of some members of the family, it was impossible for him to secure the full authority to act for the heirs. He had acquired the consent of less than one-half of the heirs at the time of his death in 1948. Since I had assisted him while I was residing in East Texas and was somewhat familiar with some of the matters, he asked me to carry on the work after he was gone, which I would like to do.
It took me some years to learn of the whereabouts of the heirs. I think I now have a fairly complete family "tree" worked out, and have secured affidavits empowering me to do something from about two-thirds of the heirs. Lawyers have advised me not to spend too much on the matter unless the heirs would grant me the authority to act for them. I have a lawyer in Livingston - who is well recommended and competent - who will handle the legal matters for a share if I can secure 100% assent from the heirs. I spent some five years endeavoring to secure a lawyer who would take the case up on a contingent basis; but none would do it unless all heirs would consent. I have spent the past few years trying to get that consent. Happily, I now have a goodly portion of them to grant me the authority to act for them.
As to legality of any claims existant for the heirs, I'm in no position
to definitely state. Titles are muddled in several instances, and it
will take law-suits to clear them up. This is all a gamble; but from
what Granddad told me, I think it worth a try. It may cost me more
than it is worth, or vice versa. I have been to Livingston on several
occasions to check, and it is most difficult to do so as apparently
quite a number of persons would hate to see the matter opened. T.J. Stovall,
of Rusk, handled the estate from 1892 until he was dispossessed in 1933
by Granddad and other heirs; and no one seems to know the status of any
properties which might be a part of the Estate.
JDB - 2
I do know there are some 800 acres on the tax rolls of Polk County in the name of the "Boulter Heirs". I saw that during my own personal research. At one time, the estate consisted of over 45,000 acres in various East Texas Counties. What disposition was ever made of it no one knows (since T.J. Stovall died in 1939). He had entered a suit against certain of the heirs for dispossessing him of his pox\?er of attorney; but the suit never came to trial, and was dismissed from the Court in January, 1946. There is no power-of-attorney recorded for the Estate to any living person, other than the approximately 2/3's which I hold, I plan to make a valiant effort to secure the additional 1/3 by this June, when school is out (I am Principal of the local High School) and I plan to live in East Texas doing research on the case this summer. All this, of course, providing I can secure the additional authority needed. The ones I do not now have have promised, verbally, they would go along with me in the effort. I trust they will, and am making my plans accordingly.
Incidentally, I was not in Borger several months ago. However, Granddad had told me there were 320 acres of the estate in Hutchinson County. Hence, I wrote the County Clerk, as well as to the Lawyer's Abstract Co. there requesting they check the records for any such property. Perhaps it was they, or some of them, who called you. If you can possibly check for the purported 320 acres, I wish you would try to verify it. I have no additional information. Where Granddad got his information, I do not know. A couple from McCamey, Texas - The Parkers, who would be cousins of yours I presume - came to see me and likewise mentioned the possibility of Boulter lands being in Hutchinson County. The County wasn't formed for 20 years after James Boulter died, or longer.
I do have records indicating definitely where the lands in East Texas, the surveys, etc. were located. They may have been sold by T.J. Stovall; but if they were, none of the heirs ever seemed to realize anything from such sale. It is that sort of thing I would like to do research this summer.
My reasoning is that if there is any property belonging to the heirs (including my mother), it is best to get it than let it lapse to the State or filed on by someone else, which I have learned has already actually happened in the case of the original "Boulter Survey" in Polk County. Some 800 city lots in the County Seat town of Livingston were so obtained, and sold, some years ago and is lost to the heirs for lack of any action of management.
During the Thanksgiving Holidays, I went to Rusk to have a talk with the son of T.J. Stovall and secure what information I could. I found him in the hospital suffering from a recent heart attack, with a "No Visitors Allowed" sign on his door. His doctor permitted me to talk with him briefly; but of course not long enough to secure the data I went for. However, he promised me he would cooperate in every way possible to clear up matters that needed attention if and when I received the sufficient authority from the heirs. Then I went to talk to the widow of the attorney who handled legal matters for Mr. Stovall during
JDB - 3
his lifetime, and found her to be out of town. I am going to try to secure the deceased lawyers' file on the Boulter Estate in so far as they might exist.
A false entry was made on the registration of some of the Boulter land, and there is supposed to be a sworn statement somewhere that would clear it up and return it to the heirs - if I can just locate it!
From the above rambling information, you can gather that the whole thing is a gamble, remote, but a "chance" does exist that recovery of something is possible - what I do not know. It is going to take a lot of time, and may take more money that I have to see it through; but I want to go as far as I can with it. I've heard it discussed for some 40-years, and I think it is time for action. I regret that I can't tell you something definite and concise. I wish it were that simple. But such isn't the case.
Incidentally, I have the signed affidavits from every member heir in your grandfather's family. I'm now waiting on Aunt Lucy Mayfield's heirs - and they seem to be inert at the time; but I have hopes they will wake up. Bush wrote me he would work on them. I hope so, at least by June 1.
Come by just anytime you are able to do so. Would be very happy to discuss it with you; and perhaps you father could shed additional light on the matter.
Sincerely yours,
W. C. Westerfeldt
Boulter History #2
P. 0. BOX 831Borger, Texas
January 21, 19£8
Mr. W, C. Westerfeldt
Rt. 1, Box 225
Fredericksburg, Texas
Dear W. C.s
My brother and I certainly enjoyed our visit with you concerning the job you arc doing for the Boulter heirs. We made it back to Denver City about 10:30 Saturday night.Sunday, while we were rehashing all of it with my father, a few more facts came to light. My Uncle John, whom you have down as having no children, had a daughter and a son by his first wife whom he married when he was seventeen. The boy died as a child. He separated from this wife, (Her name was Ida Hopkins and her father was a Baptist preacher In Mills County.) After the separation, she took the daughter and went to Missouri*"" where, my folks do not know. The daughter's name is Birdie, and she was born about 1888 or '89, My Aunt Lena Alien, who lives in Temple, might be able to give you more Information concerning her,My father knows Jessie Hancock; he'has visited her in Idalou. He is going to see her again and talk with her about the old days. He also will find out whether she has the family Bible and any other pertinent papers*My father does remember an Uncle G\is Boulter, but he doesn't know anything about him other than they called him Uncle Gus. Also, for the family tree, there was a daughter of young Lacey Boulter named Etta, who died of diphtheria as a child,I Intend to go to Panhandle to talk with my Aunt Mae about the little black trunk that belongs to ray grandmother and to Stinnett to see whether I can find that missing 320 acres. It will have to warm up first. It was 15° here last night. If I find out anything, J will let you know.
,
Sincerely,
J.Dee Boulter
January 21, 19£8
Mr. W, C. Westerfeldt
Rt. 1, Box 225
Fredericksburg, Texas
Dear W. C.s
My brother and I certainly enjoyed our visit with you concerning the job you arc doing for the Boulter heirs. We made it back to Denver City about 10:30 Saturday night.Sunday, while we were rehashing all of it with my father, a few more facts came to light. My Uncle John, whom you have down as having no children, had a daughter and a son by his first wife whom he married when he was seventeen. The boy died as a child. He separated from this wife, (Her name was Ida Hopkins and her father was a Baptist preacher In Mills County.) After the separation, she took the daughter and went to Missouri*"" where, my folks do not know. The daughter's name is Birdie, and she was born about 1888 or '89, My Aunt Lena Alien, who lives in Temple, might be able to give you more Information concerning her,My father knows Jessie Hancock; he'has visited her in Idalou. He is going to see her again and talk with her about the old days. He also will find out whether she has the family Bible and any other pertinent papers*My father does remember an Uncle G\is Boulter, but he doesn't know anything about him other than they called him Uncle Gus. Also, for the family tree, there was a daughter of young Lacey Boulter named Etta, who died of diphtheria as a child,I Intend to go to Panhandle to talk with my Aunt Mae about the little black trunk that belongs to ray grandmother and to Stinnett to see whether I can find that missing 320 acres. It will have to warm up first. It was 15° here last night. If I find out anything, J will let you know.
,
Sincerely,
J.Dee Boulter
Boulter History Letter #1
Fredericksburg, Texas May 1, 1957.
To The Addressed James Boulter Heir(s): \Some twenty-two years ago, my grandfather - the late B.N. Weatherby -contacted many of the James Boulter heirs and secured permissions toact for them thru a Power-of-Attorney to recover that portion of theEstate which might be recoverable. Prior to his death, he requestedthat I continue the efforts at recovery, since I was living in thevicinity of Polk County at the time. With his death, the authorizations /he secured lapsed; the legal firm he engaged never functioned, even •before his death. In accordance with his wishes, and on behalf of mygrandmother, Mrs. Ora (Bush) Weatherby, now of Ft. Worth, Texas, I amendeavoring to again secure similar authorizations to bring aboutrecovery of such properties as rightfully belong to the heirs.I have made several trips to Livingston, Texas to investigate thepossibilities, and they are most encouraging. I consulted with alawyer who will handle the legal matters to be involved. A lawyer will ,take the matter only if all the heirs grant one person the power to act. IFailure to have such authorizations would cause further delay in casesof litigation. It seems that recovery of some properties is mostencouraging if in the hands of one person to act for the heirs. Ihave the authorizations from about fifteen of the heirs now, and sincethere are so many heirs I am taking a "mass production" method ofendeavoring to contact as many as I possibly can. Your help andadvice as to the whereabouts of others xvill be greatly appreciated,and will most certainly expedite matters.Due to the large number of heirs, you will readily understand it will be impractical to enter into personal correspondence with each and every heir regularly; but I assure you of a report from time to time once I have secured all of the authorizations. This is an extensive undertaking, and will be successful only if each and every one cooperates and returns the authorizations promptly. It is my promise to act as promptly as I secure the authority to do so and to be as fair and as equitable as is humanly possible toward all the heirs. As matters have been for over a quarter of a century, there is nothing to lose; but a good opportunity to gain what rightfully belongs to the heirs. The Statute of Limitations may have already limited recoverable possibilities in some instances; but others are apparently recoverable. Every delay in the future poses the same possibility of limited recovery.\With your prompt assent and cooperation, we will assure you of doing our very best to secure for you what is rightfully yours. I will appreciate any information as to deceased heirs, or names of heirs who are yet minors.
Sincerely yours,W. C. Westerfeldt
To The Addressed James Boulter Heir(s): \Some twenty-two years ago, my grandfather - the late B.N. Weatherby -contacted many of the James Boulter heirs and secured permissions toact for them thru a Power-of-Attorney to recover that portion of theEstate which might be recoverable. Prior to his death, he requestedthat I continue the efforts at recovery, since I was living in thevicinity of Polk County at the time. With his death, the authorizations /he secured lapsed; the legal firm he engaged never functioned, even •before his death. In accordance with his wishes, and on behalf of mygrandmother, Mrs. Ora (Bush) Weatherby, now of Ft. Worth, Texas, I amendeavoring to again secure similar authorizations to bring aboutrecovery of such properties as rightfully belong to the heirs.I have made several trips to Livingston, Texas to investigate thepossibilities, and they are most encouraging. I consulted with alawyer who will handle the legal matters to be involved. A lawyer will ,take the matter only if all the heirs grant one person the power to act. IFailure to have such authorizations would cause further delay in casesof litigation. It seems that recovery of some properties is mostencouraging if in the hands of one person to act for the heirs. Ihave the authorizations from about fifteen of the heirs now, and sincethere are so many heirs I am taking a "mass production" method ofendeavoring to contact as many as I possibly can. Your help andadvice as to the whereabouts of others xvill be greatly appreciated,and will most certainly expedite matters.Due to the large number of heirs, you will readily understand it will be impractical to enter into personal correspondence with each and every heir regularly; but I assure you of a report from time to time once I have secured all of the authorizations. This is an extensive undertaking, and will be successful only if each and every one cooperates and returns the authorizations promptly. It is my promise to act as promptly as I secure the authority to do so and to be as fair and as equitable as is humanly possible toward all the heirs. As matters have been for over a quarter of a century, there is nothing to lose; but a good opportunity to gain what rightfully belongs to the heirs. The Statute of Limitations may have already limited recoverable possibilities in some instances; but others are apparently recoverable. Every delay in the future poses the same possibility of limited recovery.\With your prompt assent and cooperation, we will assure you of doing our very best to secure for you what is rightfully yours. I will appreciate any information as to deceased heirs, or names of heirs who are yet minors.
Sincerely yours,W. C. Westerfeldt
Saturday, March 22, 2008
History of James Young Boulter Family
This is the history of the James Young Boulter portion of the Boulter family. James Young Boulter was the youngest child of Young Lacey and Julia Alvina Bowles Boulter. .Young Lacey was a son of James Boulter, the patriarch of the Boulter family in America. James Young was born July 2, 1889, and died September 5, 1965, at the age of 76.
These are the remembrances of Gussie Mae Boulter, wife of James Young. She is now 88 years old and lives in Denver City, Texas. She is the only remaining member of the Young Lacey Boulter children and their spouses.
My family moved to Causey, New Mexico in the winter of 1906 to file on a 160 acre homestead being offered by the government. We lived in a half dugout about three miles from Causey, which is some 30 miles from Portales, New Mexico. The dugout was about 30 feet by 20 feet and was made by digging some four feet down, then a wood frame was added and a tin roof; it had a dirt floor. When it rained or hailed, the noise was intolerable. My mother, father, five sisters,and I lived there.
The Young Lacey Boulter family moved to Causey about two years after we did. They moved from Goldthwaite, Texas and had come for the same purpose we had, to file for homesteads. The Boulters built one of the better houses in the area, dug a well, and put up a windmill. Not long after the Boulters arrived in Causey, Mr. Boulter became ill and died. It was the custom for all in the area to go to the funerals. I attended Mr. Boulter's funeral, and this was my first contact with the family. My husband-to-be was not in Causey when his father died, he was back in Goldthwaite visiting his sister.
James Young returned to Causey a few months later, and I met him at one of the parties that were occasionally held at someone's house. I think I fell for him instantly because I told a girl friend, "That one is mine,or I'm going to know why."I was 13 years old, and he was 19.. When we started dating, he would come in his»buggy and take me to the parties, and we would meet at the school programs.We held hands, but did no necking as young people do now. About a year after we started going together, he asked me to marry him, and I accepted. We were married on Sunday evening by Tom Chrisite, the Justice of the Peace, at his house. I lacked one week being 15 years old. We were married April 24, 1910.
There was no work around Causey, the land was poor and very dry, and crops would just dry up. In July of that year, we left Causey in a covered wagon with my husband's mother, sister and her son to i*eturn to Goldthwaite. My husband went to work on the Colorado River bridge. While he was working, I made a home in the covered wagon and cooked on a campfire. This job lasted about three months. When it was finished, we picked cotton and lived in a tent. After that, he worked on the railroad, and in the fall,we picked cotton again.
My family had left Causey and moved to Tallequah, Oklahoma. After about three years, we joined them there,and my husband and father farmed. Our first baby was born and died at birth. My mother was also pregnant., She died in childbirth, but her baby lived, so I took her baby (my sister) when she was three days old, and we raised her as our own child.
My husband did something to the cultivator, and there was a disagreement between him and my father, so we left and went to Waco where my husband worked for Camaron Sash and Door for $1.50 per day. We barely subsisted on this wage. In addition, the Brazos River backed up in the creek we were living by and flooded our house with seven feet of water. Following the flood, my husband went to work for the City helping to clean up the mess. Afterwards, he had severe chills every 17 days for almost a year.
After living in Waco about a year and a half, we moved to San Saba County, where we lived in a tent again, picked cotton, and my husband cut cedar posts for $1.00 per day. Our second child, Emogene, was born during this time. The land owner loaned my husband his horses and equipment and enough land to plant and raise a couple bales of cotton. He was one of the best friends we ever had. His name was Tom Matsler.
During this year our third child, Elta, was born. She died a year later of the whooping cough. The oil field in Electra opened up about this time, and we moved there and.Jim, my husband, went to work for Gulf Oil Company. He made $90 a month. We stayed in Electra about a 'year. After the death of our daughter Elta, we left and went to see my father at Waggoner, Oklahoma. After this visit, we went to Healton, Oklahoma where my husband went to work for another oil company. Our fourth child and first son was born here. From fiere, we moved to Ranger, Texas where the oil boom had hit. Jim worked for the T.P. Oil Company. We lived in Ranger about four years. Our fifth child and second son was born in Ranger.
My husband again got the wanderlust, and we headed for California in a Model T Ford. The oil field workers were on strike when we got there, and there was no work, so we turned around and cone back to Ranger. In later years when someone would ask Jim why he went to California, he would say, "To see the sun go down on the Pacific Ocean." We left Ranger again and moved to Strawn, Texas where our sixth child, another daughter, was born. My husband and his brother-in-law heard about the oil field in the Panhandle of Texas, so in 1926 the two of them pitched a tent just west of what is now Borger. They went to work for Phillips Petroleum Company. The kids and I followed in March of 1926 and lived in a tent just east of where the Phillips Refinery is today. When it would rain, I would put the kids, the sugar, and the flour upon the bed and just let the water run through. Eventually, we got the first company house built on the Smith-Caper Lease. Our last child, a son, was born here.
We lived in Borger approximately 11 years where we saw all but the last two of our children grow into adults. In 1937, we moved to the Denver City area where our last two children graduated from high school. Our roots are deep in the sand ofthis area. We love the people here. My husband is buried here, and I am sure I willlie beside him.
These are the remembrances of Gussie Mae Boulter, wife of James Young. She is now 88 years old and lives in Denver City, Texas. She is the only remaining member of the Young Lacey Boulter children and their spouses.
My family moved to Causey, New Mexico in the winter of 1906 to file on a 160 acre homestead being offered by the government. We lived in a half dugout about three miles from Causey, which is some 30 miles from Portales, New Mexico. The dugout was about 30 feet by 20 feet and was made by digging some four feet down, then a wood frame was added and a tin roof; it had a dirt floor. When it rained or hailed, the noise was intolerable. My mother, father, five sisters,and I lived there.
The Young Lacey Boulter family moved to Causey about two years after we did. They moved from Goldthwaite, Texas and had come for the same purpose we had, to file for homesteads. The Boulters built one of the better houses in the area, dug a well, and put up a windmill. Not long after the Boulters arrived in Causey, Mr. Boulter became ill and died. It was the custom for all in the area to go to the funerals. I attended Mr. Boulter's funeral, and this was my first contact with the family. My husband-to-be was not in Causey when his father died, he was back in Goldthwaite visiting his sister.
James Young returned to Causey a few months later, and I met him at one of the parties that were occasionally held at someone's house. I think I fell for him instantly because I told a girl friend, "That one is mine,or I'm going to know why."I was 13 years old, and he was 19.. When we started dating, he would come in his»buggy and take me to the parties, and we would meet at the school programs.We held hands, but did no necking as young people do now. About a year after we started going together, he asked me to marry him, and I accepted. We were married on Sunday evening by Tom Chrisite, the Justice of the Peace, at his house. I lacked one week being 15 years old. We were married April 24, 1910.
There was no work around Causey, the land was poor and very dry, and crops would just dry up. In July of that year, we left Causey in a covered wagon with my husband's mother, sister and her son to i*eturn to Goldthwaite. My husband went to work on the Colorado River bridge. While he was working, I made a home in the covered wagon and cooked on a campfire. This job lasted about three months. When it was finished, we picked cotton and lived in a tent. After that, he worked on the railroad, and in the fall,we picked cotton again.
My family had left Causey and moved to Tallequah, Oklahoma. After about three years, we joined them there,and my husband and father farmed. Our first baby was born and died at birth. My mother was also pregnant., She died in childbirth, but her baby lived, so I took her baby (my sister) when she was three days old, and we raised her as our own child.
My husband did something to the cultivator, and there was a disagreement between him and my father, so we left and went to Waco where my husband worked for Camaron Sash and Door for $1.50 per day. We barely subsisted on this wage. In addition, the Brazos River backed up in the creek we were living by and flooded our house with seven feet of water. Following the flood, my husband went to work for the City helping to clean up the mess. Afterwards, he had severe chills every 17 days for almost a year.
After living in Waco about a year and a half, we moved to San Saba County, where we lived in a tent again, picked cotton, and my husband cut cedar posts for $1.00 per day. Our second child, Emogene, was born during this time. The land owner loaned my husband his horses and equipment and enough land to plant and raise a couple bales of cotton. He was one of the best friends we ever had. His name was Tom Matsler.
During this year our third child, Elta, was born. She died a year later of the whooping cough. The oil field in Electra opened up about this time, and we moved there and.Jim, my husband, went to work for Gulf Oil Company. He made $90 a month. We stayed in Electra about a 'year. After the death of our daughter Elta, we left and went to see my father at Waggoner, Oklahoma. After this visit, we went to Healton, Oklahoma where my husband went to work for another oil company. Our fourth child and first son was born here. From fiere, we moved to Ranger, Texas where the oil boom had hit. Jim worked for the T.P. Oil Company. We lived in Ranger about four years. Our fifth child and second son was born in Ranger.
My husband again got the wanderlust, and we headed for California in a Model T Ford. The oil field workers were on strike when we got there, and there was no work, so we turned around and cone back to Ranger. In later years when someone would ask Jim why he went to California, he would say, "To see the sun go down on the Pacific Ocean." We left Ranger again and moved to Strawn, Texas where our sixth child, another daughter, was born. My husband and his brother-in-law heard about the oil field in the Panhandle of Texas, so in 1926 the two of them pitched a tent just west of what is now Borger. They went to work for Phillips Petroleum Company. The kids and I followed in March of 1926 and lived in a tent just east of where the Phillips Refinery is today. When it would rain, I would put the kids, the sugar, and the flour upon the bed and just let the water run through. Eventually, we got the first company house built on the Smith-Caper Lease. Our last child, a son, was born here.
We lived in Borger approximately 11 years where we saw all but the last two of our children grow into adults. In 1937, we moved to the Denver City area where our last two children graduated from high school. Our roots are deep in the sand ofthis area. We love the people here. My husband is buried here, and I am sure I willlie beside him.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
By popular demand...
This is a start of something that has been discussed the past couple of months. Certainly a lot has happened since we talked about starting a family blog. I guess to start it really doesn't matter if your name is or was Shaw, Minear, Risner, or Boulter. We are family! There was a time when we were a pretty close bunch. Now I cannot name your kids or probably you mine. We have lost touch. Well hopefully this will solve some of that problem.
Back in Jan. we had a small gathering onboard a Carnival ship. It was a great relaxing time and for those who did not get to go "what goes on on Carnival, stays on Carnival." It was so good we are planning another something, whether it is another cruise or several days at some sort of resort. It will be for several days, inexpensive, and some place where we can enjoy each other and get away from each other at the same time. We will talk about that later.
We get back saying we need to hurry and get the 3 sibs together. Well as you know, we didn't have time. Dee couldn't wait on us. We certainly will miss him. I told Bob that he is now my favorite uncle. That's ok since he was Nanny's favorite.
Well, now the news on Bob is not the greatest, but all is ok. Pat has surgery in April. And Gene looks and acts great.
We have had 2 reunions in the last 6 weeks. Both were happy occassions.
If you have any comments, suggestions, stories to tell, or want to update us on your family, we would love to hear from you.
Cuz, Dale
Back in Jan. we had a small gathering onboard a Carnival ship. It was a great relaxing time and for those who did not get to go "what goes on on Carnival, stays on Carnival." It was so good we are planning another something, whether it is another cruise or several days at some sort of resort. It will be for several days, inexpensive, and some place where we can enjoy each other and get away from each other at the same time. We will talk about that later.
We get back saying we need to hurry and get the 3 sibs together. Well as you know, we didn't have time. Dee couldn't wait on us. We certainly will miss him. I told Bob that he is now my favorite uncle. That's ok since he was Nanny's favorite.
Well, now the news on Bob is not the greatest, but all is ok. Pat has surgery in April. And Gene looks and acts great.
We have had 2 reunions in the last 6 weeks. Both were happy occassions.
If you have any comments, suggestions, stories to tell, or want to update us on your family, we would love to hear from you.
Cuz, Dale
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