Big Bend Genealogical Society

Fort Davis, June 26-In the death Sunday, June 23, of Henry Mayfield, at Valentine, this county lost the oldest man living within its borders so far as known. He was ninety-two years of age, a native of Texas, Confederate veteran, and son of a man who died in the Alamo, Southerland Mayfield.

Henry Mayfield was born in 1843, at Waxahachie, and was the first white child born in Ellis County. He was not old enought to be legally enlised in the Civil War, but officers told him that if he would furnish his own horse, he could go anyhow, and this he did.

Soon after the close of the War in 1867, he was married to Miss Zillah Boyd. They came to Jeff Davis County 1885. For a while they lived at the now famous Gillett Barrel Springs Ranch. It is said that he disposed of the ranch for thirteen cows and two hundred dollars. For many he was a West Texas cattleman.

Leaves Many Relatives-

He is survived by his widow, two years older than he, who lives at Valentine; and by three children, Walter Mayfield, and Mrs. P. T. Spruill, at Valentine; and Mrs. J. W. Coles at Canutillo; by fifteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Six grandsons, all sons of Walter Mayfield, were pall bearers at the funeral held last Sunday afternoon at Valentine. Besides the three living children...Mr. and Mrs. Mayfield were the parents of five now dead.

The funeral was conducted by Rev. D. H. Joiner, Baptist preacher of Ft Davis, Mr. Mayfield having joined the Baptist church sixteen years ago at the Bloys Camp meeting. Many people attended from the surrounding country, several going from Fort Davis.

Mr. Mayfield was a frontiersman, apioneer of West Texas, of wide fame. Many interesting accounts are told of his activities. He had been known for half a century as "Mas" Mayfield-a shortening of the title Master, with a a, believed to have been given in the long ago by some old darkey of slave days.

Fort Davis, Jan. 9-With the passing of Mrs. Henry Mayfield at Valentine January 3, Jeff Davis County lost another of it's pioneer citizens. Born March, 1842 in Missouri, Mrs. Mayfield, then Zillah Boyd, came to Texas with her family when she was eight years old. The family settled in Ellis County, where Miss Boyd lived until her marrige in 1867 to Henry Mayfield, who died in Valentine about two years ago at an advanced age.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mayfield cmae to Jeff Davis County in 1885. Mrs. Mayfield was one of the organizers of church and Sunday school work in Valentine, many years ago, and she was a charter member of the Bloys Camp Meeting Association. She was a practical believer in tithing, and saved from her egg and butter money for the church. Christian duties were always at the forefront in her life.

Since the death of her husband "Grandma" Mayfield had made her home with her daughter Mrs. Pat Spruill. Besides Mrs. Spruill she is survived by another daughter, Mrs. Lola M. Coles of Canutillo, N.M., and by a son, Walter Mayfield of Van Horn, and by fifteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

The funeral, held Sunday, was conducted by Rev. R. L. Irving, D. D., Presbyterian, of which church Mrs. Mayfield had been a lifelong member. Dr. Irving was assisted by Rev. J. R. Wright, pastor of the Christian church at Marfa. Burial was in the Valentine Cemetery, with a large concourse of friends present.

W. J. McIntyre (1861-1933) was anoted rancher of Brewster County, arriving in the 1892-93 time frame. He married Virginia Griffith, The children born to this couple were George W., William V. and Gesna. Orphaned at the age of 12, W. J. lived with relatives until he reached manhood and struck out on his own.

W. Q. McKinney was a pioneer rancher of the Green Valley area in Brewster County. This family migrated from Uvlade. Children of W. Q. were Arthur, Earl, Leslie Minnie, Bill and Pearl. Some time after 1900, the family moved to New Mexico.

Tom McMullan was the business partner and close personal friends of James Cotter. He and cotter purchased land as early as 1883 in Brewster County and continued to amass thousands of acres in Brewster and Presidio Counties. In 1890 he married Blanche Wiegers. Tom died in 1925, having seen to the dissolution of the vast Cotter-McMullan properties.

James Newton Martin was born in 1843 in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas and died March 16, 1935 in Uvalde, Texas. He married Elizabeth Florence Keith in 1868 in Erath County, Texas. He came to Brewster County in 1903 and resided in the Marathon area. He served in the CSA forces during the Civil War and drew a Texas Confederate Pension for that service. He was a Private in Company G 30 TexasCavalry.

This couple moved to Uvalde in 1927. James and Elizabeth were parents of 16 children; 13 of them lived to adulthood. Children who moved to Brewster County with the family were: John B; Beulah, William, Robert, Calvin, Ruben, Abe, Eula, Roscoe, Roxie, Rollie, Lola

Napoleon Bonaparte Means died December 8, 1908 in Brewster County, Texas. He is buried in Elm Grove Cemetery in Alpine. He married Ellen Lewis Means June 20, 1861 in San Patricio County, Texas. Ellen Means filed for a Texas Confederate Veteran pension. Although it was rejected, the documents included with the application provide much information. Napoleon B. served in Company F, First Texas Infantry Musician Company for six months in 1863. He enlisted again for three months serving as a Private in the 29th Brigade.

In the death of Mrs. Ellen Lewis Means which occurred at her home in this place Tuesday evening, Alpine looses one of her oldest and most respected citizens. Mrs. Means has been an invalid for a number of years but during this trying time her sufferings were tempered by the beautiful faith she had in her Heavenly Father.

Mrs. Means, nee Miss Ellen M. Lewis, was born in Matagorda County, Texas March 30, 1844. In 1861 she was united in marrige to the late N. B. Means of San Patricio County. To this union ten children were born six of whom are now living as follows: Mrs. L. L. Keese; W. L. and W. A. Means of Alpine. Mrs. H. C. Keese of Los Cruses, N. M.; Mrs. E. B. Pierce of Juncation City, Texas, Ed Means of Yuma, Arizona. The funeral services were conducted from the residence Wednesday morning by Rev. H. M. Bandy of the Christian Church of which Mrs. Means had been a consistent member for many years.

Mrs. John Z. Means, pioneer resident of West Texas, and well known throughout the entire southwest, died early yesterday at the Masonic hospital. Mrs. Means was 63 years of age, and in addition to her husband, she is survived by four sons: Sam Means of El Paso, H. M. Means of Silver City, M. O. Means and C. A. Means of Valentine. Three daughers survive her: Mrs. E. J. Jones of Van Horn, Mrs. W. H. Browning, Jr. Houston and Mrs. Clyde Veltman, Bracketville, Texas. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren.

In 1884 Mrs. Means with her husband moved from Lampasas county to Jeff Davis County north of Valentine, where she has resided until recently when she came to El Paso on account of ill health.

Mrs. Means was active in church work having been instrumental in starting the Bloys camp meetings 36 years ago and which are still being held each year. , being attended by a large number of people from all parts of the state. Mrs. Means was born in San Saba County, Texas. The body will be sent to Valentine by Peak-Hagedon, today---El Paso Times

Tuesday the remain of the deceased were broght to Valentine and the funeral services were held there in the little church where for many years she held her membership. The services were conducted by Rev. L. R. Millican, her pastor, assisted by Dr. R. L. Irving of Fort Davis, in the presence of a large gathering of relatives and friends and acquaintances, a number coming from many of the surrounding towns.

Born in Gonzales County, Texas in 1872, came to Alpine about 1900 and bought land on the south edge of town. Later part of this land became the Means Addition to the City of Alpine.

In 1908 Mr. Means married Minnie Ola Rector, a widow with four children. After the land near the south edge of town was sold, Mr. Means established a dairy near the present-day golf course. Mr. Means died in 1915 of gunshot wounds as the result of an altercation. Mrs. Means died in 1958.

George C.Miller was a native of Bexar County. He arrived in Brewster County an an early date where he established a ranching operation in the Marathon area. He died in 1929 in Marathon.

On July 16th at 11 o'clock p.m., S. R. Miller, who for nearly two years has been confined to his bed, passed to the final rest. He was born in Winchester, England, on June 24, 1842. In young manhood he came to the United States and about forty years ago settled in Presidio County. For years he was an officer, having been sheriff for one term and for a number of terms was assessor of this county. He was a member of the Masonic lodge, and also a member of the Christian Church.

Sam Miller was a good man, peaceful and law abiding. While in office he was noted as a most just officer, intelligent and very active in the discharge of his duties.

The last of the old timers has now passed over the Great Divide.

Thursday evening at 9 o"clock, W. F. Mitchell died. When this sad news was learned by the people of Marfa it causded universal expressions of sorrow from every class-from the old and young, from the rich and poor, for everyone loved and respected this grand old man.

Thursday morning he was riding around in his auto and appeared in his usual health and strength. About five o'clock he was suddenly stricken with heart failure. For several hours the skill of physicians and the ministration of tender loving hands sought to stay the cold touch of the grim reaper, but all in vain, and at 9 o'clock his noble spirit was at rest.

William Frank Mitchell was born in Tennessee on the 16th day of March 1842, and came to Texas with his parents when quite a youth. In November 1884, he moved from San Marcos to Presidio County, settling at the Antelope Springs. Since that time, he sometimes lived at San Marcos, and at times on on his ranch here, but most of the time for the last 20 years at his home in Marfa.

About five years ago he celebrated his golden wedding anniversary. The loving companion of his young manhood and the comforter of his older years passed on before him several years ago. He is survived by six children, all of whom reside in Marfa with their families except the youngest daughter Mrs. Hoffering of San Marcos; Thos. C. Mitchell, F. A. Mitchell, W. B. Mitchell, Mrs. Jose Rosson and Mrs. Robt. Evans.

Services were held Friday evening at the Methodist Church from the Church the body was taken to the train. His children, many of the grandchildren and a few friends accompanying the remains to San Marcos, Texas where he will be laid to rest beside his wife.

Capt. Frank Mitchell was a Confederate Veteran, a member of Hood's Brigade, a pioneer Stockman of West Texas. He was a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist Church, a loyal friend, and a sterling patriotic citizen. he was a loving and kind father.

"He was a man, take him for all in all, we shall not look upon his face again".

Mrs. W. F. Mitchell of Marfa, an aunt of F. E. Gillett of this place, died May 17th. Mrs. Mitchell was familiarly known as "Mother Mitchell."

Mary Jane Kerr was born at Rootersville, Texas, February 16, 1844. Fifty-two years ago last May 16, 1865. She was married to W. Frank Mitchell. They reared a large family of children most of whom have settled in the Marfa country. They are among the most prominent citizens in all of West Texas.

The remains were laid to rest in the family lot in San Marcos, Texas

The body of W. O. Moore, aged Alpine man who died early Monday morning at the home of his daughter at Miles, Texas arrived Monday night over the Orient and was buried in the local cemetery Tuesday afternoon. Rev. Buren Sparks, Pastor of the First Baptist Church officiating.

Mr. Moore was 82 years of age and had suffered for mnay years from wounds received during the Civil War in which he fought under the command of the famous N. B. Forrest, of the Forrest Cavalry Brigade.

He was born in Kentucky on June 15, 1845, and lived there until 1869 when he moved to Texas. He was married to Miss Julia Holmes in Anderson County, Texas in 1871. To this union two children were born both of whom are living: Mrs. E. B. Huddleston, the daughter, now residing at Miles where Mr. Moore died; and Henry Moore, son, who is manager of the Kennedy ranch in Pecos County. Mrs. Huddleston was unable to attend the funeral on account of serious illness in her family.

Mr. Moore was preceded in death by his wife serverl years. Mrs. Moore having died here in 1912 and was buried in the Alpine Cemetery. The Moore family were old residents of this section having lived in Alpine and this immediate section for the past 19 years. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Confederate Veteran-The deceased was in some of the most famous engagements of the Civil War and and was seriously wounded at Fort Donaldson from which wounds he suffered until his death. Mr. Moore spent most of his life in Wise County, Texas near Decatur.

The funeral services were held at the old Moore home in west Alpine now occupied by Mrs. Jesse Burnam and family, Tuesday afternoon at 4:15; followed by interment in the Alpine Cemetery.

Born in Mississippi in 1851, came to Texas about 1867 where he became a surveyor, then a Texas Ranger, and later a rancher in Crockett County. Mr. Moss helped organize Crockett County and surveyed the town site of Ozona> IN 1892, he married Gertrude Kimball.

The Moss family moved to Brewster County in the early 1890's to ranch in the Chisos Mountains. In 1906, they moved to Alpine and bought a section of land adjoining the town. Mr. Moss became Brewster County Surveyor. During the early days of the Terlingua Mercury District, he surveyed many mining claims. Mr. Moss died in 1920, and his widow ran a small dairy near Alpine until the end of the World War II. Mrs Moss died in 1957.

Born in Walker County, Texas in 1871 came to Alpine in 1905 with her husband W. A. Cline. After Mr. Cline died she married in 1916. Mr. N. S. "Pat" Murphy who was a foreman for the Gage ranches. After Mr. Murphy's death in 1926 she devoted her time to sivic, social, and religious programs.

Mrs. Murphy taught a Sunday School class in the First Baptist Church and too, charge of the Baptist Mexican Mission Church in south Alpine. After the establishment of Sul Ross College she constructed a number of low-cost housing units to be rented to college students. Mrs. Murphy died in 1959.

Born in San Antonio in 1853, was a son of Daniel O. Murphy. The family moved from San Antonio to Ft Davis in 1855 where Daniel Murphy opened a large mercantile store in the new town. Thomas Murphy ranched near Ft Davis and also was a deputy surveyor of Presidio County.

In 1882 with the approach of the G.H. & S. A. railroad(present day Southern Pacific) to Alpine, he filed on the section of land that became Alpine. He platted a town, deeded streets to the county, donated lots for construction of churches, and sold righ-of-way with the provision that the railroad would change the name of the new station from Osborne to Murphyville. An election in the new county of Brewster in 1888 changed the name to Alpine. Mr. Murphy moved to San Antonio about 1894 to practice law and he also served two terms in the Texas Legislature.

Daniel Musgraves was born in 1840 and died in 1910 in Brewster County, Texas. He is buried in the Marathon Cemetery. During the War Between the States, he served in the Texas Mounted Volunteers (CSA). He and his family came to Brewster County in 1895 from San Antonio.

Daniel married Josephine Walker December 7, 1865. In 1918, Josephine moved to El Paso to live with her daughter Mrs. G. W. Brown.

She died October 31, 1936 in El Paso and was buried in the Marathon Cemetery beside her husband.

The death of D. L. Musgrave, which occurred at Marathon last week, removes another one of the old citizens of this section of Texas. Mr. Musgrave was highly esteemed by all. He had reached his 70th year.

The following Masons from Alpine attended the funeral, as the deceased was buried with Masonic honors: R. B. Slight, H. W. Townsend, Allen Walton, Arthur Ragin, Jeff Wade, W. W. Caldwell, Geo. Baines, Jr., W. B. and F.A. Mitchell, Rev Maurer and O. L. Niccolls of Marfa were also present.

The long and colorful life of Mrs. Josephine Musgraves came to a close in El Paso Sunday in the home of her daughter, Mrs. G. W. Brown, where she resided at the time of her death.

She had lived to be 89 years and nine months old, born in Ft Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. She was married to Mr. D. L. Musgraves, December 7, 1865 during the reconstruction period following the Civil War. They had ten children, eight daughters and two sons.

They came to Brewster County from San Antonio in 1895, settling in Marathon. Mr. Musgraves was buried in Marathon in 1910 and she then made her home with her children. She moved to El Paso in 1918 and lived there with her daughters. Her faith was with the Baptist Church.

She leaves to mourn her passing, two daugthters, Mrs. G. W. Brown and Mrs. M. E. Williams of El Paso; two sons D. L. Musgraves, Christoval, Texas, and T. G. Musgraves of Los Angeles, California; 25 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Funeral services were held at 3:30 p.m. last Saturday in the home of Mrs. John Grove, Marathon, with Rev. S. D. Lambert officiating. Interment was made in Marathon Cemetery.

Funeral services for Pat Clayton McKinney were held yesterday in the First Methodist Church, Marathon. He died Monday of a heart attack at his home on the Willoughby Rosillas ranch where he had lived for the past 8 years.

He was born in Marathon November 14, 1912, and lived in the area all of his life. He attended the Marathon public schools. He was married to Miss Vera Gullihur Sept 7, 1929. He served as a river rider on the Rio Grande during the quaratine days, being stationed at Lajitas and other river places. For the past 8 years he has been employed as a government trapper, trapping in the lower end of Brewster wherever he was needed.