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William
Walter Bouldin
Bouldin was born in Austin County, Texas, March 25, 1866. His father, Green Bouldin, was born in Huntsville, Alabama, and during the war between the states he served in Company K, Terry's Texas Rangers of the Confederate Army. During the battle of Perryville he was wounded in action, but recovered sufficiently to return to his company, and he was discharged in June, 1865. Returning to civilian life, he bravely took up the struggles of the reconstruction period, and was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred on his ranch in Austin County, Texas, January 1, 1874. His wife was born July 2, 1841, a daughter of Thomas D. M. Compton and his wife Eliza Doxey, of Nashville, Tennessee. Seven children were born to Green Bouldin and his wife.
Matagorda County Genealogical Society Publication, Oak Leaves, Vol. 8 #3, May 1989
Photo courtesy of Amy
the Spirit Seeker |
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W. W. Bouldin began his career working in the employment of Captain
J. W. White who owned Bay City’s first drugstore. Dr. Bouldin later
became the owner and was one of the prominent physicians in early
Bay City.
Bouldin died on March 14, 1929, at the age of sixty-two, as a result
of a gunshot wound inflicted on February 19 by a hired hand while at
Bouldin’s farm on Caney Creek. At the time, Bouldin was one of
the wealthiest men in Matagorda County. He was buried at Chappel
Hill, Texas. His sister, Florence, survived him and lived until
September 11, 1945. She was active in many civic
organizations—especially the Bay City Public Library. |
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Dr. W. W. Bouldin of this country planted 70 acres of potatoes
last February, and he marketed $6800.00 worth this spring. He
raised a fine crop of cow-peas on this land during the summer
months; planted another crop of potatoes there this fall on the
same 70 acres, which he is now harvesting, and is securing a
crop as good and as profitable as the spring crop. Farmers make
money here the year around.
Red Oak Express, Red Oak, Iowa, December 15, 1911 |
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Dr. W. W. Bouldin, 60, physician and drug store owner at Bay City, was in a critical condition in St. Joseph's infirmary Tuesday night, his face shattered by a charge of buckshot which ripped out both eyes. He was wounded late Monday afternoon on his plantation about 12 miles from Bay City, after engaging in an argument with Dace Layton, his tenant, about pasturing a horse, according to information obtained by officers. Layton was arrested by Deputy Sheriff Harris Milner of Matagorda county and charged with assault to murder before Justice of the Peace D. E. Capes. At a preliminary hearing Tuesday morning, Layton was bound over to await action by the Matagorda county grand jury under $3,000 bound. Layton late Monday still was in jail, unable to furnish bail. At a preliminary hearing Tuesday morning, Layton was bound over to await action by the Matagorda county grand jury under $3000 ond. Layton late Monday still was in jail, unable to furnish bail. Although two witnesses testified at Layton's preliminary hearing, the shooting was surrounded by mystery. Luther Coppock, who lives on the Bouldin plantation, main witness for the state at the hearing, said he heard Dr. Bouldin and Layton engaged in an argument a short time before the physician was shot down at close range with a 12 gauge shotgun. He said Layton's wife brought the weapon part to the site? where the men were wrangling. Layton, the witness declared, walked to his wife, took the gun and returned to where Dr. Bouldin was standing when the gun fired, he declared. The charge struck the gray-haired physician full in the face, tearing out his eyes and disfiguring his face horribly. Persons in the vicinity rushed to his assistance and summoned an ambulance. A race to reach Houston began and the victim was brought to St. Joseph's Infirmary there early Tuesday morning. Late Tuesday night physicians said Dr. Bouldin had but a slender chance for his life. The only other witness at the preliminary hearing was John Walker, Negro. His testimony corroborated that of Mr. Coppock in main details. Dr. Bouldin has been a resident of Bay City for nearly two score years. He operated a drugstore and conducted a general practice as a physician. He is widely known and has varied and professional interests.
Dace Layton was arguing with Bouldin while Layton's wife
stood off to the side holding a shotgun. At one point, Layton
walked over to his wife, took the shotgun then turned and shot
Bouldin in the face. Palacios Beacon, February 21,
1929 |
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BOULDIN--Brenham,
Tex., March 16.--(Spl.)--The body of Dr. W. W. Bouldin of Bay
City, who died at a hospital in Houston Thursday, was taken to
his old home in Chappell Hill and funeral services were held
there Friday, with Rev. George N. Cook, pastor of the First
Baptist Church of Brenham, officiating. Dr. Bouldin was a cousin
of W. H. Bouldin of Brenham, and had other relatives here and in
Chappell Hill. He died of wounds received in an altercation at
his home near Bay City about two weeks ago, when he was shot in
the face and head. Galveston Daily News, March 17, 1929 |
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Mrs. Minerva Alwilda Bouldin, the mother of Dr. W. W. Bouldin
and Miss Florence Bouldin and grandmother of Mr. Milton Routt,
of this city died at her son’s home yesterday afternoon
following an illness of about a week. Mrs. Bouldin was born in Nashville, Tenn., the child of T. D. M. Compton and his wife Eliza Doxey, with whom she moved to Texas in 1857. She married Green Bouldin in Waco and to them were born seven children of whom two, Dr. and Miss Florence, survive. Milton Routt, the son of her eldest daughter, is the only grandson left.
Decedent led a consistent and consecrated Christian life for 35 years, she was a member of the Providence Baptist church at Chapel Hill and for nearly thirty years taught the boys Sunday school class. In her old home she had strong friends where ever she was known and was surrounded by a host of loving and devoted associates whom she had known for a life time. In Bay City she was also known and loved by a legion, all of whom were grieved to learn that the "Death Angel" had hovered nigh and transported from this life to a more glorious abode the loving spirit of a good Christian woman.
In peace rest the
ashes of the good. Matagorda County Tribune, August 14, 1911 |
William Walter Bouldin,
M. D., of Bay City was not only one of the highly skilled physicians
and surgeons of Matagorda County, but he also owned and operated a
drug store, and owned considerable farm land which he inherited and
which he developed after taking charge of the land. He was proud of
being descended from honorable ancestors, tracing an unbroken line
back to Thomas Bouldin of Shelborne, England, born in 1523, whose
grandson, Thomas III, came to Virginia in 1610, being captain of the
good ship Swan which brought the first settlers to Jamestown.
They were numbered among the eminent families of Virginia, and have
furnished judges, congressmen and educators to the public service of
the state. His immediate one traces back in this country to Col.
Thomas Bouldin and his wife Nancy Clarke. Their eldest son, Thomas,
born in the early part of the eighteenth century, married Martha
Moseley, and their son, Green, born in 1831, married in 1858,
Alwilda Compton, and they were the parents of Doctor Bouldin. On his
mother's side, Doctor Bouldin was descended from the Comptons of
Nashville, Tennessee. This pride of birth was natural and admirable.
Money cannot purchase gentle blood, not give honorable achievements
to those already dead. Both the Bouldins and the Comptons were
people of integrity, upright in their dealings connected with much
of historic value in their several communities, and responsible for
advancement along professional and cultural lines.
