EDDY, TEXAS


BRUCEVILLE-EDDY, TEXAS. Bruceville-Eddy is on Interstate Highway 35 eighteen miles southwest of Waco in southern McLennan County. It began as two separate communities, Bruceville and Eddy, both of which became stations on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad in 1882. Bruceville was named for Lucien N. Bruce, who donated land for the railroad station. Much of the town's early population came from Mastersville, a community two miles north that the railroad had bypassed. By 1900 Bruceville's population had grown to 289. Among the businesses that developed in the community were a lumber and hardware store, two general stores, and a grocery; Bruceville also had a hotel, two churches, and a school. The Bruceville Independent School District was established in 1904. A state bank opened in 1907, but it overextended its resources during World War I. A severe local drought in 1925 prevented many area farmers from meeting loan obligations, and although the bank borrowed money to increase its available funds, its directors decided to close the bank in 1927. Bruceville reported 500 residents during the 1930s and early 1940s, but estimates fell steadily in the years after World War II,qv as many residents moved to take advantage of job opportunities in larger towns. The number of residents reported was 250 in 1949, 175 in 1964, and twenty-five in 1970.

Bruceville formed a joint city government with nearby Eddy in the mid-1970s. Eddy, on Interstate Highway 35 two miles southwest of Bruceville on the McLennan-Falls county line, was known as Marvin until the Katy Railroad was built through the area in 1882. The post office, which was established that year, was named in honor of Everett B. Eddy, a division superintendent of the railroad. In the mid-1880s the community had a gristmill, three general stores, two churches, a district school, and 150 residents. By the early 1890s Eddy also had two hotels and a weekly newspaper, the News and Messenger. Population estimates for that period ran as high as 700. A private bank opened in Eddy in 1901 and was incorporated as the Eddy State Bank in 1906. The bank received a national charter in 1915 and began operating as the First National Bank of Eddy. In 1928 the schools at Bruceville and Eddy were joined to form the county's first consolidated rural high school district. Eddy's population in the late 1920s was estimated at 450. The bank at Eddy survived the Great Depression but closed in 1942. As some area residents moved away and those who remained began to do more of their trading in larger towns, business activity in Eddy declined. By the mid-1940s the population had fallen to 350. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, however, Interstate Highway 35 was built along the U.S. Highway 81 route, bringing more business to the area and making it easy for residents to commute. Population estimates rose to 600 in the 1960s. After Bruceville-Eddy incorporated in the mid-1970s the number of residents increased rapidly, to 1,038 by the early 1980s and to 1,075 by 1990.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Charles Leroy Hinkle, A History and Analysis of Rural Banking in McLennan County (M.S. thesis, Baylor University, 1959). Dayton Kelley, ed., The Handbook of Waco and McLennan County, Texas (Waco: Texian, 1972). William Robert Poage, McLennan County Before 1980 (Waco: Texian, 1981).

Info from The Handbook of Texas Online.




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DESCRIPTION

CONTRIBUTED BY

Eddy Article

In a 1992 edition of the Bruceville-Eddy News, editor Cheryl Cargill wrote about the history of Eddy, Texas. Her article was based on extensive research and numerous interviews with local citizens.

This article documents the large number of businesses that were operating in Eddy in the early 1900's thru the 1930's.

Article written by Cheryl Cargill

Submitted by
Robert L. Haddock

Early Eddy Businessmen


Early businessmen of Eddy, Texas.

N. H. Cauthran-Bank Cashier (1)
D. R. Wicks-Gents Clothing (2)
W. T. Tunstall-Groceryman (3)
Jack Johnson-Lumberman (4)
Businessmen-Pic 1

W. T. Tunstall-Groceryman (1)
Jack Johnson-Lumberman (2)
O. L. Wicks-Gents Furnishings (3)
Dr. Cauthran-Dentist (4)
N. H. Cauthran-Bank Cashier (5)
Businessmen-Pic 2

Photos provided courtesy of Lena West

Submitted by
Robert L. Haddock

Eddy Artesian Well Co.
Eddy, Texas
ca1900


Officers and stockholders of the Eddy Artesian Well Co.
ca1900

Photo ids:

(Center left, foreground)

J. M. Bedichek, administrator of Bedichek Academy

(Center right, background)
(Wearing gray suit and bow tie, leaning against post)

Dr. Cauthran, Eddy dentist

If you can identify any other individuals in this photo,


Photocopy provided courtesy of Patsy Duty

Submitted by
Robert L. Haddock

Bedichek & Cauthran ids provided by
Robert L. Haddock

Bedichek Family


James Madison Bedichek taught at the Bedichek Academy in Eddy, Texas, along with his wife, Lucretia Craven Bedichek.
They had four children: Ena, Ina, Roy and Una.

James Madison Bedichek

Lucretia Bedichek


"In 1890, Mr. Bedichek purchased the Eddy Literary and Scientific Institute, where Mrs. Bedichek is engaged as Principal, and their daughter is also a teacher in this school. He was appointed County Superintendent of Schools of Falls County on September 1, 1890."

(Excerpt from "A Memorial and Biographical History of McLennan, Falls, Bell, and Coryell Counties")

"Students were grouped by ability, not by age. Corporal punishment was never used. The aim of education, he emphasized, was not acquiring facts but learning how to think. "Your only enemies are hate, jealously, envy and malice," he told the pupils. "They harm you only when you admit them into consciousness." He designed blocks for teaching geometry. Greek myths and theatricals were incorporated in the closing exercises. J. M. was so proud of the school that he sent a description of its methods to the educational authorities in his father's Switzerland."

(Excerpt from the book, "The Roy Bedichek Family Letters", written by Jane Gracy Bedichek.)

Robert L. Haddock

Nabors Family


The Warren D. & Sarah Nabors family were early residents of Eddy, Texas. They had five children: Emma Evelyn, Edgar D., Lena, Jimmie Ann, and Carolyn.

Emma Nabors, taught in Eddy schools for many years.
Edgar D. "Ed" Nabors ran a Meat Market in downtown Eddy for several years.

Warren D. Nabors

Sarah C. Nabors

Children of W. D. & Sarah Nabors

Emma Nabors


Robert L. Haddock

Robert Lee &
Tula Shotwell


The Robert Lee & Tula (Scott) Shotwell family were early residents of Eddy, Texas. They had eight children: Averil, Una, Ina, Bernice, Cullen, Robert Lee, Garvin and Pete.

Robert Lee Shotwell was the son of Willis Marion & Theresia (Mathis) Shotwell. Vistula Shotwell was the daughter of Emory Wesley and Sarah "Sally" Lucy Pace Scott.



Robert Lee Shotwell-Wedding Photo

Tula Shotwell-Wedding Photo

Robert Lee & Tula Shotwell-Later Years

Tula Shotwell with her children
(L to R)
Averil Shotwell, Una Shotwell, Ima Shotwell, Bernice Shotwell,
Ms. Tula Shotwell, Cullen Shotwell, Robert Lee Shotwell,
Garvin Shotwell, Pete Shotwell
Tula Shotwell with her Children

Shotwell Brothers
(L to R)
Cullen Shotwell, Robert Lee Shotwell, Garvin Shotwell,
Pete Shotwell
Shotwell Brothers


Photos provided by
Lou (Shotwell) Johnston

Submitted by
Robert L. Haddock

Averil Shotwell


Averil Shotwell was the daughter of Robert Lee and Tula (Scott) Shotwell. Her siblings were: Ura Shotwell, Ima Shotwell, Robert Lee "Tilly" Shotwell, P. L. "Pete" Shotwell, Cullen Wesley Shotwell, Garvin Marian Shotwell and Bernice Shotwell.

Averil Shotwell married Dr. J. E. Martin of Cego in 1915. Later she and Dr. Martin moved to Eddy where he had his medical practice. Dr. Martin died in 1942. Their children were: Hollis Martin, Kenneth Martin and Jack Everett Martin.

In 1948, Averil Shotwell Martin married James A. "Red" Cook. She died on March 4th, 1982 at age 86 years.

Picture submitted by Mayme Hause

Identification by
Lena Stone Criswell with assistance from Robert L. Haddock

Ima Shotwell


Ima Shotwell was the daughter of Robert Lee and Tula (Scott) Shotwell.

Ima Shotwell married George Bradley in 1922. They had three children: Geneva Ruth, Thomas Lee, and Mary Elizabeth "Beth".

"I'm not sure when the photo was taken but I can only guess that it was mostly likely when she was perhaps about 25 to 30 years old which would make the date around 1925-1930."
(Comments provided by Mlee Martineau)

Picture provided by
Mlee Martineau

Submitted by
Robert L. Haddock

Dunning Ranch House
Eddy, TX


This ranch house was built by Charles D. & Charlotte (Strong) Dunning, on land inherited from his mother, Lucy A. (Sage) Dunning. The land was part of a land bounty given to his grandfather, Charles Sage, who fought in the Texas War of Independence. It would later be to their son, Henry W. T. Dunning, his wife Katherine, and their children: Edwin, Margaret, Katherine, and Clayborn.

(Note: Russell Sage, uncle of Charles Dunning, built a church on the Dunning property which would later be donated, by Charles Dunning, to the town of Eddy to serve as a church for both the Baptist and Methodist denominations. When it was no longer needed as a church, it became the first public school of Eddy, serving in this capacity from 1882 until 1885, when the building burned down. A photo of this building can be seen on the Eddy School picture page.)

Robert L. Haddock

First Baptist Church
Eddy, Texas
(Church members photo)


Photo taken of church members standing in front of the First Baptist Church of Eddy, McLennan County, Texas.

(Note: This photo was taken sometime in 1963.-rlh)

Photocopy provided courtesy of Patsy Duty

Submitted by Robert L. Haddock

Downtown Eddy


Downtown Eddy

Eddy "WOW"

Gates Family

Cotton Gin Dock


Cotton Gin Dock during Cotton Season

Ken Gates

Eddy M. E. Church


Eddy M. E. Church South
This is now Bruceville Eddy Methodist Church

The present Bruceville-Eddy Methodist Church was built in 1912 and is good example of an Akron plan church.   The merger of the two churches was in 1983. Renovation of the Sanctuary in 1993 included placement oof the Bruceville Church Bell in the Belfry.  

Its Historical Marker was dedicated May 22, 1994.

Ken Gates

Downtown Eddy
1910


Eddy - Downtown in 1910 - Customer Appreciation Day

Merchants would buy oysters and dump in trough to show appreciation for patronage.

Ken Gates

The S. K. Smith
Tailoring Shop
1910


The S. K. Smith Tailoring, Cleaning and Pressing Shop
1910

Note: Notice the two color pole also appears in the above photo, Downtown Eddy, 1910.

Ken Gates

Eddy Train Depot
Abt. 1940


Eddy Train Depot with Steam Engine
Abt. 1940

Ken Gates

Curtis Elliott

Curtis Elliott with his horse and buggy.

This picture was taken abt. 1910.

Ken Gates

Otha L. & Alice (Clark) Bowers


Otha & Alice Bowers were members of the United Methodist Church of Eddy. The couple made their in Eddy for many years and raised their children there. Their children were: Eunice Mae Bowers, Melba Clark Bowers, Alice Maxine Bowers, O. L. Bowers, Jr., and Elizabeth Bowers.

Otha Lee Bowers, son of William Fletch & Tennie May Bowers, married Sarah Alice Clark Bowers, daughter of Charles Fitch & Sarah Pauline Clark, on August 28, 1905.

Photo and additional family names provided by
Lena Stone Criswell


Submitted by
Robert L. Haddock

Alice (Clark) Bowers and Children


Alice (Clark) Bowers & Children - Melba, Eunice & Mary

Ken Gates

Mary Bowers, Eunice Bowers, Alice Bowers, Melba Bowers


Left to Right:
Mary Bowers, Eunice Bowers, Alice Bowers, Melba Bowers

Ken Gates

Corban Lewis
Newspaper Article


Corban J. Lewis was a longtime postmaster for the Eddy, Texas area and was one of the men who helped build the Eddy High School brick building in 1913.

(This newspaper article appeared in the Waco Tribune-Herald in 1978.-rlh)

Mr. & Mrs. Corban J. Lewis. Taken at 70th wedding anniversary

Daughters of Mr. & Mrs. Lewis

Photocopy provided courtesy of Patsy Duty

Submitted by
Robert L. Haddock

Tillman Knight
Family


This prominent family were early pioneers of the Moody area. Their son, J. R. Knight, was a well-respected medical doctor, who served the citizens of the Falls & McLennan county areas for many years. Their daughter, Mattie Knight, was a schoolteacher, teaching in the local area schools for many years.

Robert L. Haddock

MKT Railroad Crew
Temple, Texas


Photo of railroad crew working for the MKT railroad, at a site in or near Temple, Bell County, Texas.

Robert L. Haddock

Railroad Crew
Temple, Texas


Picture taken in the mid 1950's of railroad crew working for MKT railroad, based out of Temple, Bell County, Texas.

(Note: Crew members listed in attached list. This photocopy, with attached names, is from the estate of Ralph Phillips, who was a member of this crew.-rlh)

Listing of crew members

Robert L. Haddock

"College Hobo"
Play


Flyer for a college play, "College Hobo", to be presented in the auditorium of the Bruceville-Eddy High School on April 19, 1938, by the Mamie Harris Mobley touring company, based in Columbus, Georgia.

(Note: This flyer was discovered in an old suitcase of photos that belonged to my maternal grandmother.-rlh)

Robert L. Haddock

Wash Wilson


Wash Wilson was an ex-slave who lived in Eddy, Falls County, Texas.

Wash Wilson at the age of 94 in Eddy, Falls County, Texas.

Owned by Library of Congress

Submitted by Theresa Carhart

Ethel (Blassingame) Sawyer


Ethel (Blassingame) Sawyer is in the tree

Abt. 1910 - 1916

Grace Ashley

Blassingame Family
Probably 1925 - 1928


L to R:
Martha Lucindy (Calvery) Blassingame, Claude, Victor, and Lon Blassingame. First woman, not sure if it is Nettie or Maude Blassingame, Ethel Blassingame Sawyer, and Robert Franklin Blassingame.

Picture probably taken 1925 - 1928.

Grace Ashley

Ethel (Blassingame) Sawyer


This is a 'maybe' on Ethel (Blassingame) Sawyer. Just another shot of a bathing beauty, way back when. Mother laughed a lot about this one she mentioned mud on her legs, I can't be sure that it is.

Grace Ashley

Claude Blassingame & Friends


Back of card reads Claude Blassingame and friends.
Claude is on back row, first one on left.

Grace Ashley

Harvest Time
Victor Blassingame


The one on the right front is Victor Blassingame. By his appearance I would guess this to be in the early to mid teens, 1900 - 1915. They look to be having lunch out in the fields around the chuck wagon.

Grace Ashley

Port Huron Steamer Machine


This is a picture of what is believed to be a Port Huron Steamer Machine that is used to make the belts turn on a threshing machine. -kc

Grace Ashley

Doughboy and Wife


Elmer Miracle is dressed in his WW I Uniform. They called enlisted men Doughboys.

Elmer Miracle and Ollie (Blassingame) Miracle of Eddy.

Married 6 November, 1912
in Eddy, Falls Co., Texas
Witnesses on Marriage License
S.B. Knowles, Pastor
Leonard Mixon
Etta Mansker
M. E. Church

(not their wedding picture)

Grace Ashley

Ethel (Blassingame) Sawyer


L – R:
From back, Row 3
Ethel Blassingame is # 6, has on a white dress, head turned slightly to the left.

From back, Row 2
Older woman, third from left, wearing dark coat:
Mrs. J. M. Bedichek-teacher
White haired man with beard, far right:
Professor J. M. Bedichek-School administrator

Picture taken abt. 1910 - 1916.


Grace Ashley

Bedichek ids provided by
Robert L. Haddock

"Happy Threesome"


This was taken around the Eddy area. Probably around 1915 - 1917.


Grace Ashley

Two Children


A very pretty little girl and a baby. Looks like it may have been taken at some church. There is a church pew in the background. This was taken around the Eddy area. Probably around 1919 - 1924. The names on the back of the picture are, Vivian Lucile, and Eunice Kathryn. The Mother's name was Heilda.


Grace Ashley

A Young Lady Sitting on Concrete Tank


A young lady sitting on a concrete tank. This picture may have been taken around the Eddy area around 1915 - 1918.


Grace Ashley

A Young Man All Dressed Up


A young man all dressed up and nowhere to go. This picture may have been taken around the Eddy area in the late teens or early twenties.


Grace Ashley

Sitting Pretty


Two young ladies dressed in matching Sailor Dresses sitting in their flower garden. They look as though they might be twins.

Picture taken in the Eddy area around 1914 - 1917.

Grace Ashley

Unknown Lady Standing By House


Unknown lady standing by a house all dressed up.

This picture may have been taken around the Eddy area about 1915 - 1918.


Grace Ashley

Harvest Time
Three Young Men


Harvest Time with 3 young men. They look to be maybe standing by a Chuck Wagon and 'horsing around'. Notice the 'side arm' on one and the other has a large knife.

This picture may have been taken around the Eddy area about 1900 - 1915.

Grace Ashley

Harvest Time Two Young Men On Wagons


Harvest Time with 2 young men on wagons.

This picture may have been taken around the Eddy area about 1900 - 1915.

Grace Ashley

Eddy Area Harvest


This picture may have been taken around the Eddy area about 1900 - 1915.

Grace Ashley

Lady Dressed In White Blouse and Black Skirt


Lady dressed in white blouse and black skirt. Notice how they were "sunning" the mattress on the roof of the building. No innerspring here.

This picture may have been taken around the Eddy area.

Grace Ashley

Harvest Time
Wagon Mess Tent
1


Harvest Time Wagon Mess Tent.

This picture may have been taken around the Eddy area about 1900 - 1915.

Grace Ashley

Harvest Time
Wagon Mess Tent
2


Harvest Time Wagon Mess Tent.

This picture may have been taken around the Eddy area about 1900 - 1915.

Grace Ashley

Harvest Time
Wagon Mess Tent
3


Harvest Time Wagon Mess Tent.

This picture may have been taken around the Eddy area about 1900 - 1915.

Grace Ashley

Elmer Miracle, Ethel Blassingame Sawyer, and Ollie Blassingame Miracle

Elmer Miracle, Ethel Blassingame Sawyer, and Ollie Blassingame Miracle.

Grace Ashley

Two Men, a Horse and a Building


Two Men, a Horse and it looks to be a couple of homes.

This picture may have been taken around the Eddy or Blevins area.

Grace Ashley

Elmer Miracle


Worked all week heading crooked neck maize. Getting ready for some fun time.

Standing against wall all dressed up, third from left, Elmer Miracle. 1910 - 1911.

Grace Ashley

Bunyan Blassingame


Bunyan Blassingame, born in the Eddy area in 1889, died around 20 yeas of age in Eddy, buried in Eddy cemetery.

Grace Ashley

Entire Scene of Threshing Crew


The entire scene. Looks like a chain gang, doesn't it? I see the straw boss on top.

Grace Ashley

Machine For Belts On Threshing Machine

This is the machine the belts are connected to.

Grace Ashley

Port Huron Steamer


The Port Huron Steamer goes with the one for the Belts on a Threshing Machine.

It is the other half of the picture above.

Grace Ashley

Fritz Frosh House


This photograph was made 1981 by Glenn R. Criswell of the old Fritz Frosh house. It has since been demolished

It was located between Blevins and Eddy on the old Blevins road.

Closeup picture of a window in the Fritz Frosh House.The well-built house with the interesting and elaborate window treatment no longer exists. This picture was made in 1981.

Lena Stone Criswell

The Roundup


The Roundup
Epworth League
Eddy Methodist Church
Eddy, McLennan Co., TX

Lena Stone Criswell

Mr. & Mrs. B. R. Parham
Celebrate 50th Wedding Anniversary


Newspaper Article
October 1958

Mr. & Mrs. B. R. Parham
Celebrate 50th Wedding Anniversary

Ken Gates

Chum & Ella
Parham


Chum and Ella Parham taken in 1959

Ken Gates

Monument Marks Scene Of 1882 Railroad Accident


Monument Marks Scene Of
1882 Railroad Accident


This stone marks the spot where a collision of construction train Feb. 1882, killed Major D. W. Washburn, Chief Engineer, M. W. Stoll, E. V. Stoll and George Stoll.

Ken Gates

J. W. Christian
Eddy, Texas


This photograph was made c 1910. Left to right are: The Bateman children, John, Christian (Christian died young) and Bodie. Beside them is their mother, Alice Belle (Christian) Bateman, (daughter of J. W. and Mary Elizabeth Christian and wife of Daniel Frank Bateman; (standing)Grandma Christian - Mary Elizabeth Christian and (seated) Grandpa Christian - J. W. Christian and tiny white dog, then Josephine Fuller and Wash Christian (servant). Dan and Alice Bateman and J. W. and Mary Elizabeth Christian are buried in Calvary cemetery at Marlin, Texas.

Josephine Fuller married William Earl Gibson. They had the following children: Ruth, Bebe Earl, Francis, Jo and William. Ruth, Bebe Earl, Francis and Jo were born in this house. After Jo was born Grandma Christian gave the old Bedichek to Josephine (Fuller) Gibson. In the early 1940s Bodie (Bateman) Jones lived in this house. Bodie Jones was a teacher at Bruceville-Eddy High School.

Picture owned by Edgar Romney and Josephine (Gibson) Stone

Submitted by
Lena (Stone) Criswell

Albert Denney
Photo Collection
Page 1


This webpage contain photos of individuals who were living in Eddy, Texas from the early 1900's thru the 1950's.

Robert L. Haddock

Albert Denney
Photo Collection
Page 2


This webpage contain photos of the early businesses of Eddy, Texas, dating back to the early 1900's.

Robert L. Haddock