Big Bend Genealogical Society

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Barnes Wade was born in Bosque County, Texas, March 8, 1860 and died at Alpine, Texas on Dec. 2, 1919, after an illness of about three weeks. She attained the age of 59 years 8 months and 24 days.

She was married to J. L. Wade on Jan. 10, 1879; they enjoyed almost 41 years of married life. To this union threre were born eight children: two sons-Robert and Jeff both of Alpine, and six daughters-Mrs. J.A. Biggs, Perico, Texas; Mrs. E.E. Metcalfe, Alpine; Mrs. G. W. Blackburn, Marfa; Mrs. G. H. Marer, El Paso; and Misses Electra and Willie Wade, of Alpine, all of whom survive her, as does her husband. She joined the Church of Christ when 24 years of age, and for 35 years was a faithful member of that church. She was also a faithful member of the Eastern Star and Woodman Circle.

On sept. 5, 1905, she and her husband and children moved to Alpine, where she, by herkindly life and neighborly and philanthropic ways, won a host of friends, who with the family mourn her untimely death. Funeral services were held at the home, Thursday, Dec. 4, at 10a.am., conducted by Rev. H. J. Reemtsma the service at the grave being conducted by the Eastern Star.

In the death of Mrs. America Walker, aged 80 years, which occurred at her home in this place Monday, March 23rd, after a brief illness, Alpine looses one of its most respected and oldest citizens. "Grandma" America Walker, as she was familiarly known to her relatives and friends was one of the early pioneers of Texas and could talk interestingly of the days before the war in Texas. Her life was a remarkable one, not only from the fact of her many Christian and womanly virtues but also from the number of descendants who survive her.

Mrs. Walker was formerly Miss American Robinson and was born in Greenville, Ky, Aug. 28, 1834. In 1854, in company with her parents she moved to Texas and located in Gonzales County, later moving to Bee County. On July 13, 1858, in Goliad County, she was united in marriage to Mr. W. C. Phelps and as a result of this union two children were born: Messrs. J. W. and R. C. Phelps of this county. Her husband was captured by Union soldier and died in a Federal prision after marking a gallant record as a Confederate soldier.

In 1864, deceased was married to Mr. J. D. Walker to which five children were born, of this number four still live as follows: D. C. Walker, Mesdames J. C. Bird and Wh. H. Harrison of Alpine, and Mrs. S. F. Woodward of El Paso. Mrs. Walker also has a surviving brother, Mr. J. W. Robinson of Bee County. There are three step-children: Mrs. G. B. Shieves os Sinton, Texas; Mrs. Jno. D. Walker of Pantano, Arizona; and Mrs. Ellan Stewart of Like Oak County, Texas. In addition t the above, deceased has 20 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 35- step grandchildren.

Many years ago, Mrs. Walker identified herself with the Christian church and for years her religious life has been a shinning example to those she has been associated with.

During her last illness and at the time of her death, Mrs. Walker was surrounded by all of her children who spared no pains or trouble to make happy her declining days.

Mrs. Walker was one of the earliest settlers in Alpine, coming here in 1884, at which time Alpine was then known as Murphyville. The floral designs were very beautiful and appropriate and especially so was the one sent by the Ladies' Aid Society of the Christian Church, which consisted of white carnations and violets.

The funeral services were conducted from the Christian church Tuesday afternoon and the large crows present was decided proof of the love and esteem in which Mrs. Walker was held by the people of Alpine.

Texas pioneer, Texas Ranger, a Confederate soldier, and previous to the Civil War, a member of the Untied States Volunteer company organized to fight Indians, the death of Captain D.A.T. Walton, which occurred Monday morning at the home of his dauther, Mrs. Jim P. Wilson in Alpine, terminated the career of one of those noble men who in the early days of Texas' history braved the dangers of the West to do their part in crating an empire that will live forever as a monument to their courage and enterprise.

Captain Wlaton was of that type of manhood that needs to eulogy to make great, for his deeds were known to those who enjoyed the honor of his acquaintance. Of the oldtime school of gentlement, he was affable and pleasant but at the same time he never conuntenanced shams and frauds and his friends knew this better than anyone else.

His regard for truth and his respect and admiration for the moral things of life was always upmost, and as he often said, "I hate a liar worse than I do a theif." He had the faculty of looking a man in the eye and passing judgment on his character, and seldom was this opinon ever changed, for he was known as an excellent of human nature.

Kind of heart and charitable to his fellowman, his deeds of charity were numerous, though his gifts were made in such a wuiet way that even his closest friends knew little of the extent of this charitable donations. No man or woman in trouble ever appealed to him in vain and in many instances he deprived himself of pleasures to aid those who came to him. His devotion to his wife and children was beautiful and especially deep was his love for his life-long companion and her death which occurred only a few months ago was a blwo from which he never recovered.

Captain D.A.T. Walton was born in Alabama August 18, 1837 and had he lived until month after next he woulld have celebrated his seventy-eighth birthday. His father dying while he was quite a youth, he wih his mother, moved to Sequin, Texas in 1845. Living here until manhood, he joined Callahan's Company of Texas Rangers and served in this command from 1851 to 1855, participating in numerous fights with Indians, outlaws, and Mexicans.

His company was the one that raided into Mexico, crossing the river at Eagle Pass and fighting and whipping a force of Mexicans outnumbering them ten to one. While this fight caused quite a stir at Washington and the City of Mexico, the matter was finally dropped, but it served as a lesson to the Mexicans that they could not depredate on Texas soil and escape to the other side without being punished.

After leaving the Ranger service, Captain Walton moved to Atascosa County, where he engaged in the stock raising business and it was there that he met his wife. Mrs. Amanda McAda Lee. Their marriage occurred February 12, 1860. They moved shortly after their marriage to Bee County. When the clouds of Civil War spread over the country, Captain Walton was among the first to offer his service.

He enlised in Captain McKinney's troop, Wood's regiment of cavalry, and was elected first lieutenant. He was late breveted captain on the field of battle. Serving the entire time of the war, he was mustered out at the end with but little left tsave a good name and the honor of having been a courageous and brave soldier.

Returning to Bee County, he picked up the thread of civil life and began the work of reconstructing his lost fortune. He was appointed Sheriff of Bee County succeeding Dr. Clark and served continuously for nineteen years, resigning of his own accord.

In 1900 he moved to Alpine and later was appointed Sheriff of Brewster County, serving until 1908, when he was compelled to resign on account of failing health. Being advised by their family physician that their health would be benefited by a change to a lower altitude, Captain and Mrs. Walton moved to Sabinal and resided there until her death last fall. Some weeks ago he underwent an operation at San Antonio and relizing that his life work was over, he asked to be moved to Alpine where he could pass his last days with his family and finally be laid to rest beside his wife and son.

Captain Walton was a life-long Democrat of the strictest order, but he never hesitated when he deemed it necessary to censure radicalism or misdoing in his own part as well as that in others. He was a Christian gentlemen and believed firmly in the efficicacy of prayer. His end came after a brief illness.

The children surviving Captain Walton are: Paloma, wife of I. S. Malone, El Paso; J. David Jr., Wyoming; Ella, wife of J. P. Wilson, Alpine; Nannie, widow of A. R. Dugat, California; Lula wife of Lee Kilgore, San Antonio; Norine, wife of John King, Folsom, N. M. and Allen J. of Alpine-now Sheriff of of Brewster County. In addition to the above, he is survived by five great grandchildren, and twenty grandchildren.

Fort Davis, Jan. 30-(SP) In the passing of V.M. Ward here the night of January 24, 1929, Jeff Davis county lost another of its old-time citizens and early settlers. Mr. Ward was an honored citizen of the community-He had lived here since 1885. He was a Confederate veteran. Victor Moreau Ward was born in Jackson County, Texas, April 21, 1843. Though too young at the opening of the Civil War to be called for service, he was able to enlist in a company of which an uncle was lieutenant and thereby he was enabled to serve throughout the War. He enlisted in Jackson County.

On January 20, 1878, he was united in marriage at Leakey, Texas to Cora Rebecca Miller, who passed away in Fort Davis November 12, 1906. No children were born to this union, but Mr. Ward reared a nephew and niece, F. M. Miller and Mrs. Kenneth Stewart. For a good many years, Mr. Ward made his home with Mrs. Stewart, and in recent months with Mr. Miller and his family, at whose home occurred his death.

Following his Civil War service, and throughout his long life. Mr. Ward was a man of the grontiers, being a fine example of the rugged, honest old-settler type. He was a cowman for a time in Colorado, when that region was wild. He engaged in both that state and in Texas in expeditions against the Indians. Coming to Jeff Davis County in 1885, he settled as a cowman in Frazer Canyon and lived in Jeff Davis County ever since. Two or three pages are devoted to him in Mrs. O. L. Shipman's "Taming of the Big Bend."

Surviving him besides Mr. Miller and Mrs Stewart are a brother and sister, B. S. Ward at Bakersfield, California and Mrs. Burnett at Carrizo Springs, Texas and numerous nephews and nieces, including Shannon Miller of Alpine.

The funeral services were conducted at the home by Rev. Thorold Eller, of the Episcopal Church. Burial was in the Fort Davis cemetery. The pall bearers were all old-timers of this section: J. P. Weatherby, J. W. Merrill, Beau McCutcheon, BB. McCutcheon, W. W. McCutcheon, Bill Kingston, C. H. Bird, and Bill Jones.

In the death of Mr. S. E. Watters, which occurred at the home of his dauthers, Mrs. J. R. Middlebrook of Alpine last week, another Confederate veteran has answered the last roll call and his soul has passed into the realm of of the God who gave it. While Mr. Watters had reached and passed the Biblical three score and then and his life work had been completed so to speak, his death caused many a pang of sorrow to enter the hearts of those not of his. He was a good man-good by reason of the fact that he was a manly man and a man who never turned a deaf ear to the appeal of the afflicated or hungry.

Mr. Watters was born in Alabama in 1842. In 1857, he moved to Panola County Texas. In 1861 he served on the elected board when Texas seceeded from the Union.

He entered the Confederate service shortly after this and was in numerous battles, finally being captured by Federals and was not parolled until 1865.

In 1871, he was married to Miss Jennie Matthews.

Mr. Watters is survived by his wife; E. A. and Jeff Watters; Miss Ethel Watters, and Mrs. J. R. Middlebrook. The remains were interred in Alpine Cemetery.

The following ex-Confederate soldiers of Alpine acted as pallbearers: S. R. Guthrie, F.M. Taylor, J. M. Hamilton, W. H. Harrison, E. T. Fuller, I.A. Dewees, H. L. Lackey, J. W. Cobb, H. E. Graves, Judson Hunter, J. W. Weaver and R. D. Zumwalt.

A "Buffalo Soldier" was born in North Carolina in the 1850's and came to Texas in the 1870s as a stage driver on the route from San Antonio to El Paso. Later he joined the army and was stationed at Ft Davis. In 1879 he served in the Army at Camp Pena Colorado which was located near Marathon. After his enlistment expired, he moved to Alpine in 1888 and bought lots on the south side of the railroad where he built a home and established a small store, selling general merchandise and groceries.

This store was named "The Mexican Store." As time passed, it became one of the most important business estblishments in the town. He married Maria Fierro, a native of Chihuahua, Mexico and they reared seven children. Mr. Watts died in 1923.

A very sudden and unexpected death was that of Mrs. Mollie Weaver, wife of Mr. J. T. Weaver, which ccurred at her home in this city Wednesday night, November 10th. Mr. Weaver was with her until midnight as she had been suffering with asthma but retired about one o'clock as his wife was feeling much better. When he went to her bed Thursday morning he was terribly shocked to find her dead, her death having occurred during the night.

Mrs. Weaver was a consistent member of the Methodist church and has spent the grater part of her 61 years of life, fighting under the banner of the Prince of Peace. The funeral services were conducted from the Methodist church by Rev. S. E. Allison and the remains were interred in the Alpine Cemetery.

J. T. Weaver was born August 9, 1842 in Georgia and died January 10, 1925 in Alpine, Texas. He is buried in Elm Grove Cemetery in Alpine. His grave is marked with a CSA Medallion placed by the Cemetery Association to honor his Confederate Service.

In the obits of two other Confederate Veterans-Lewis Milton Griffith and S. W. Watters, he is listed as a CSA veteran.

Frederick Herman Weyerts, born in Germany in 1860 came to Texas in 1883 to join family members in Hondo. That same year, he moved to Murphyville and bought a blacksmith shop owned by G. W. Brown. He was joined in this enterprise by his brother, John, in 1896. In 1889 F. H. Weyerts married Miss Ricka Boehle of Hondo, Texas.

A fire destroyed the blacksmith shop in the late 1890's. After rebuilding the shop Mr. Weyerts established an adobe brick factory near town and entered the construction business. He died in 1902. In 1906 Mrs. Weyerts married Paul Vogt and she died in 1917.

Born in Hanover, Germany in 1865 came to Texas with his sister in 1880 and they first settled at Hondo. In 1886, he joined his brother, Frederick, in the blacksmith shop in Alpine. In that same year, he married Miss Emma Christine Foehler of Hondo. Mr. Weyerts became co-owner of the Dewees Lumber Company in Alpine and engaged in building contracting and windmill work in the area.

Mr. Weyerts was a lay minister in the Lutheran Church and services were conducted in the family home. Mr. Weyert died in 1943 and his wife in 1961.

Following an illness of several weeks, "Uncle Jack" Williams, aged 87 years was called by death last Friday, shortly after the noon hour. Mr. Williams was known to practically every one in Alpine, he having lived here for the last 24 years. He lived considerably beyond the alloted three score and ten probably because he was a lover of the outdoors and God's handiwork. It is said that even after he was up in his seventies, he could out-tramp and out-last many of the younger men on a big game hunt in the mountains.

Andrew Jackson Williams was born atWebersville, near Bastrop, Texas, February 15, 1842, moving with his parents early in life to the San Angelo country, where he spent most of his life. Mr. Williams worked on the first house that was constructed at San Angelo before the town really came into being. He had a sheep ranch on the Pecos River out from San Angelo when there was not another in 90 miles. He fought in the Civil War in the Confederate cause, serving in Sibley's Brigade.

He was married in 1877 at Brady, Texas, to Cerra Catherine Murphy, to which union there were born nine children, five of whom were called by death before Mr. Williams passed away. His wife and the four children surivive him: Erie Williams of Alpine; W. F. Williams of San Jose, Calif.; Mrs. M. A. Cain of Pandale, Texas; and Mrs. P. M. Slover and one sister-Mrs. Mary Ann Moss. For a number of years following his coming to Alpine, he was engaged in the furniture business, but for the last several years had been retired.

The business houses of Alpine closed their doors Saturday morning during the funeral service which was held out at the Alpine Cemetery. The large and beautiful floral offerings, and the crowd that was present at the service were attestations of the love and affection in which Uncle Jack was held by his fellow townsmen.

The Avalanche joins the many friends of the family in extending condolences upon their great loss in Uncle Jack's passing.

Grief over the loss of her mate who passed away on August 16, was given by members of the family as the cause of the death of Mrs. Sarah Catherine Williams, wife of the late Andrew Jackson (Uncle Jack) Williams, who died at her home here last Monday. Mrs. Williams had nearly reached the three-score and ten mark and had been in failing health for the past two years, according to her so, Erie, proprietor of the Clarence Saunders Store.

The Williams family had lived in Alpine for the past twenty-four years and were among the most respected families of the town. Deceased was born at Murphysville, Alabama

July 26, 1860. She was married to A.J.Williams at Brady, Texas to which union there were born nine children, four of whom survive: Erie Williams of Alpine; W. F. Williams of California, Mrs. J. A. Cain of Pandale, Texas, and Mrs. M. P. Slover of Austin. She was a member of the Christian Church having joined that organization at Sherwood, Texas, 30 years ago. The Funeral was held at the Alpine Cemetery Monday afternoon at 3 o"clock in the presence of a large group of friends. Rev. L. W. Bridges, pastor of the Alpine Christian Church officiating.

Born in Bee County, Texas in 1862, came to the Murphyville area in 1884 and became a prominent Brewster County rancher. In addition to ranching, he was a co-owner of the Alpine Mercantile Company and the Wilson Hardware Company. In 1886, he married Miss Ella Walton of Beeville.

Mr. Wilson was active in politics and in 1887 helped in the creation of four additional counties (Jeff Davis, Brewster, Foley, and Buchel) from what had once been the original Presidio County. For many years he was active in the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Wilson died in 1940 and his wife in 1946.

W. P. Williams, 81, who was one of the most noted trappers in the Big Bend Country, died with pneumonia here Wednesday morning at 3:00 o'clock at his residence in the south part of town.

He had lived in this section for the last 35 years, and we known as the greatest trapper of "outlaw" woves west of the Pecos. So successful was he, his friends said, that at one time he exterminated every Lobo wolf in this section of the state.

Mr. Williams was born of an aristocratic family in Kentucky, Feb. 17, 1854. He is survived by a brother T. Williams, President of the Maybelline Company, Chicago, Illinois and a niece, Mrs. J. M. Prothoe of Midland.