Matagorda County Obituaries
B
James Randolph Barnett, born at Troy, Ala., October 14, 1871, was the second son, child of John E. and Carrie E. Barnett. He came to Texas with his parents at the age of four years. They located in Montgomery County, in East Texas, and there he resided until nineteen years of age, when he moved to Cameron, Milam County. Here he was married to Mary Overton in 1893, who died at Palacios in 1914. To this union seven children were born, four of whom survive. In 1895 Mr. Barnett moved to South Texas and has lived in this section of the state ever since. He was married a second time to Ora Schulenberg at Gonzales in 1917, and to this union two children were born, who, with their mother, survive.
During his lifetime until he reached the age of 25 he was actively engaged in farming, and since that time he has worked at his trade, that of brick and cement work. For the past eight years he had resided at Luling.
The deceased was a member of the Palacios First Baptist Church and was well and favorably known here, having resided in this community several years prior to his going to Luling.
He was stricken while at work in Luling about December 15, and was brought to Palacios on Feb. 6, to the home of his brother, J. F. Barnett, where he passed away Feb. 14, 1933, at 9:20 p. m.
Funeral services were held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Barnett on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 10:00 a. m. conducted by Rev. G. F. Gillespie, of the Presbyterian Church, and interment was made in the Palacios cemetery, under the direction of the Palacios Funeral Home.
Palacios Beacon,
February 23, 1933
Jay Wallace Barr, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Barr, was born, Sept. 5, 1895, near Lake City, Iowa, and died at his home in this city Feb. 17, 1936. When he was three years old his parents moved to Maryville, Mo., and it was here he received his education in the High School and Maryville State Normal.
In 1915 he came to Palacios with his parents and has lived here every since.
During the World War he did duty for his country, enlisting in the Marine Corps where he served eleven months.
He was married to Miss Mildred Hagood in January 1922, who with one son, Wallace Gene, survive, an infant son having preceded him in death in 1925. Besides his wife and son he is survived by his parents, two brothers, Harold and Henry, of this city, and three sisters, Miss Alice Barr, of San Antonio, Mrs. Sylvia Davenport, of Dallas, and Miss Minda Barr, of this city.
The deceased had been identified with the business circle of Palacios in different ways, for a number of years, and was serving in the capacity of assistant postmaster, when stricken some months ago with the malady that resulted in his death. He was a conscientious and faithful worker in any position he held and had a host of friends with whom we join in extending sympathy to the bereaved ones. He had been a member of the Presbyterian Church since early manhood and lived an exemplary Christian life.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at 2 p. m. from the Palacios Funeral Home, conducted by Rev. G. F. Gillespie of the Presbyterian Church, assisted by Rev. Gibbons of the Methodist Church, and Rev. George D. McClelland of the First Baptist church. Interment was made in the Palacios Cemetery under the direction of the Palacios Funeral Home.
Palacios Beacon,
February 20, 1936
Mr. and Mrs. Cecil L. Batchelder have the deep sympathy of all in the loss of their infant daughter, Alice Yvonne, born Feb. 22, and died Feb. 23, 1932. Funeral services were held at the home Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock, conducted by Rev. R. Payne and Rev. G. F. Gillespie, after which the remains were carried to the Palacios cemetery and tenderly laid to rest.
Palacios Beacon,
February 25, 1932
Nellie Joyce Batchelder was born in Dresden, Kansas, March 12th, 1905, and went to her eternal home on November 27, 1940. At the age of 5 years she moved with her parents to Texas, settling on a farm near Collegeport. She joined the Methodist Church during her first year at Normal College, San Marcos, and at the time of her death she was a member of the Methodist Church at Pharr. During the past twelve years she has taught in the elementary grades of the Pharr-San Juan schools. While attending summer school in Alpine she was stricken with an illness from which she never recovered. Through all the weeks of her illness she was most thoughtful of those ministering to her—always patient, never complaining of any trial. Before her illness Nell’s life was devoted to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to her work as a teacher in the school and taking a deep interest in the children, and to service in the community. It is thought by her friends that in all this she overtaxed her strength. When the summons came to enter the many-mansioned home she had earned the blessing: “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord.”
The funeral service was held at the Methodist Church on Friday morning at 10 o’clock. It was conducted by Rev. George F. Gillespie, assisted by Rev. J. E. Mack, Pastor of the Methodist Church, and Rev. J. G. M. Ramsey, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church. The preacher took as his text St. John, ch. 17, v. 3, “This is life eternal that they should know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou didst send”—words uttered by Jesus in His great High Priestly prayer before His death. To know God—not only to seek and to follow after Him, but to know Him—is the very glory and perfection of human life; it is to share the triumphant life of God; it is to love goodness because goodness transcends the material order and goodness cannot die. The most significant thing in Christian living is our own individual experience of God and of Jesus Christ—to be left alone with the Father of our spirits, to sit alone with my Bible pondering its truths, to go out for Christ’s sake—all this is to know God and to know Jesus Christ.
Throughout her life Nell Batchelder knew this individual experience of God and of Jesus Christ. She loved her Church and she loved to serve it. She “wore the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price.” The New Testament does not measure time by years or by mere duration. It measures time by intensity, by fervent love, by whole-hearted devotion. Jesus died at the age of 33, Henry Martyn at the age of 31. We may not know why our dear ones should have to suffer so much, but we do know that God suffered in the suffering of His Son, and we understand—in some measure, at least—the meaning of the words: “For as the sufferings of Christ about unto us, even so our comfort also aboundeth through Christ” (2 Cor., ch. 1, v. 5). The cross of Jesus Christ is not only the emblem of suffering, it is the emblem of victory—the victory over death and the grave, and the bringing of life and immortality to light. This is what St. Paul means when he says in the great passage on Resurrection: “Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor., ch. 15, v. 57)
In our own deep suffering or deep grief we comfort ourselves with the fine words of Dora Greenwell: “We are met from the eyes and brows of Him who was indeed acquainted with grief, by a look of solemn recognition such as may pass between friends who have endured between them some strange and sacred sorrow and are through it united in a bond that cannot be broken.” The argument for immortality is just the Gospel.
There was a large attendance of friends from Collegeport and Palacios at the service in the Church, and there were many beautiful flowers from Pharr and Collegeport and from friends here.
The pall-bearers were Ray Bowers, Verner Bowers, Dick Corporon, Sanford Crabill, Percy Corporon, and Ira Corporon. Interment was made by the Palacios Funeral Home.
George F Gillespie, Pastor Collegeport Pres. Church
Palacios Beacon,
December 5, 1940
William Henry Batchelder passed to his eternal rest on August 26th, 1941. He was born in Rockford, Illinois, in the year 1854. In boyhood he moved with his parents to Iowa, and later to Fairfield, Nebraska. In 1880 he settled in Kansas where he resided until coming to Citrus Grove in February, 1910. Here he engaged in farming until he retired and came to live, with his family, in the vicinity of Palacios. He was a life-long member of the Methodist Church and in the prime of his life an active and sincere worker. He helped to provide and helped to build a Methodist Church in the county in which he lived in Kansas. He served as sheriff in this county for two terms. He was a lover of books all his life, and liked to read the best in both prose and poetry. He was able to quote some of his favorite poems in the last days of his life. He was a man of sterling character, honest and upright in all his dealings and all his ways. During the last two years he had been an invalid, and during the last twelve months he had been confined to his room the greater part of the time, where he was waited on lovingly and patiently by his wife and children. He passed to the many-mansioned home in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection from the dead. His prayer would have been the prayer of an Old Testament character: “Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like this.” His friends, when his passing came, thought of the promise; “The path of the just is as a shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”
The funeral service was held at the Palacios Funeral Home and was in charge of Rev. J. E. Mack assisted by Rev. J. G. M. Ramsey and Rev. George F. Gillespie. The address was given by the latter, who took as his text 1 Cor. Ch. 15, vv. 57 and 58. He said that he had known the family intimately for the past 20 years. He paid a tribute to the beautiful Christian life of the home, and to the Christian example set by both parents and children. They have been loyal to Jesus Christ and the Church, and have served the community wherever they have lived. In speaking of the text the preacher said that the believer’s “victory” lies in deliverance through Christ’s propitiatory death from the condemnation of the law, and thereby from the power of sin and the bitterness of death. St. Paul said, “Nay, in all these things we more than conquer thru Him that loved us. (Rv. Ch. 8, v. 37).
The sympathy of the community goes out to Mrs. Batchelder who has been so unwearied and so unceasing in her attendance on the deceased, and also to the children and relatives. He leaves to mourn his loss the wife, Mrs. Winnie Delaplain Batchelder; four daughters, Mrs. Wayne Bainter, of Dresden, Kansas, Mrs. Inez Schmid, of Glenmont, Ohio, Mrs. Elroy Weikle, Lancaster, Texas, and Thelma and Irene Batchelder, of Palacios; three sons, Arthur, of Dresden, Kansas, Cecil of Palacios, and Reuel, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; one brother, E. G. Batchelder, of Geohner, Nebraska, and a number of grand children and great grand children.
Many friends from Citrus Grove and Collegeport were present for the funeral. The remains were laid to rest in Palacios Cemetery—George F. Gillespie.
Palacios Beacon,
August 28, 1941
Final Rites Held Saturday For Mrs.
Winnie Batchelder
Funeral services were held for Mrs. Winnie Delaplain Batchelder Saturday, December 13, at the First Methodist Church. Services were conducted by the Rev. W. P. Carmichael, assisted by the Rev. Earl Price of the First Presbyterian Church. Interment was in the Palacios Cemetery under the direction of the Palacios Funeral Home.
Mrs. Batchelder was born August 8, 1875, in LeRoy, Illinois, and passed away Friday, December 12, 1952, at the family residence in Palacios after several years of declining health.
At an early age she moved with her parents to a pioneer section of Kansas where she grew to young womanhood. She taught five years in the public school previous to her marriage to the late William H. Batchelder on September 19, 1897.
To this union was born six children, five of whom survive, Cecil, Thelma, and Mrs. George Stevenson of Palacios, Don Ruel of Baton Rouge, La., and Mrs. Elroy Weikel of Beaumont, Texas. Nell preceded her mother in death in 1940.
In 1910, Mr. and Mrs. Batchelder moved with her six children to Citrus Grove, Texas, where they resided until 1927 when the family moved to Palacios.
In addition to the many duties of a mother she was always very active in church, school, and civic affairs of the community, serving in many capacities as long as her health permitted. She was often both doctor and nurse in rural homes.
She is survived by five children, 11 grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. John Mayberry of Wyoming, Iowa, and one brother, Lisle Delaplain of Hardin City, Okla. All were present at the funeral. Other relatives present were C. L. Batchelder, D. R. Batchelder, Rev. Elroy Weikel, John M. Mayberry, George Stevenson, and many friends in surrounding communities.
Pall bearers were E. B. Hogg, Joe Huffman, Ray Bowers, Verner Bowers, Dick Corporon, Sanford Crabill and Percy Corporon.
Palacios Beacon,
December 18, 1952
Harry S. Bell was born in Dade County, Missouri on November 13, 1879, died in Harlingen, Texas, on Monday, October 24, 1949, and would have been 70 years of age his next birthday.
He was married to Miss Hattie Dawson in 1906, who preceded him in death in 1919. To this union was born two children, a daughter, Mrs. Ruth Rogers, and a son, Harold S. Bell, both of Palacios.
On October 26, 1923, Mr. Bell was united in marriage to Mrs. Maude Anderson at Kuna, Idaho. He moved with his family to Palacios in 1929 and resided here until 1943 when he moved to Harlingen where he had since made his home.
Mr. Bell was converted in early life and united with the Church of the Nazarene in 1924. He was a member of a family of ten children, three of whom survive, two brothers, Delbert Bell of Kuna, Idaho, and Mike Bell of California, and one sister, Mrs. Hayes of Everton, Mo.
Other survivors are his widow, his two children, Harold Bell and Mrs. Joe Rogers, and a step-daughter, Mrs. Esther Schilling.
Following funeral services held in Harlingen the remains were brought to Palacios where services were held Wednesday at 3:30 p. m. in the Palacios Funeral Home, conducted by Rev. E. M. Walker and burial made in the Palacios cemetery.
Palacios Beacon,
November 3, 1949
Mrs. Maude A. Bell
Mrs. Maude A. Bell was born in Washington County, Arkansas, on November 10, 1879, and died May 15, 1950, at the Dolly Vincent Memorial Hospital in San Benito, Texas.
She was married to William C. Anderson June 6, 1911, who preceded her in death in 1922. To this union was born one daughter, Esther.
On October 27, 1923, she was united in marriage to Harry S. Bell at Kuna, Iowa. The family moved to Palacios in 1929 and resided here until 1943, when they moved to Harlingen where they have since made their home.
Mrs. Bell was converted in early life and united with the Nazarene Church while residing in Idaho. She was a member of a family of 10 children, six of whom survive, three brothers, William Fulgham of Lafayette, Oregon, Fred Fulgham of Grandview, Washington, and Claude Fulgham of Dayton, Oregon and three sisters, Mrs. C. W. Hunter of Emmett, Idaho, Mrs. Francis Ludlow of Kennewick, Washington, and Mrs. Byron Tresham of McMinnville, Oregon.
Other survivors are her daughter, Mrs. Esther Schilling of Harlingen; two step-children, L. Harold Bell, and Mrs. Ruth Rogers, both of Palacios; and three grandchildren.
Following the funeral services held in Harlingen, the remains were brought to Palacios, where services were held at 10:30 a. m. at the graveside, conducted by Rev. E. M. Walker, and burial made in the Palacios Cemetery by the side of her husband, who had preceded her in death on October 24, 1949.
Palacios Beacon,
May 25, 1950
Mary L. Bennett, born in Illinois, May 19, 1856, died in Palacios, Texas, Nov. 16, 1941, aged 85 years, 6 months and 27 days. She had been a resident of Matagorda County the past 40 years, making her home in Bay City much of this time. A few years ago she came to Palacios to be with her sister, Mrs. J. M. Love, and to assist in caring for her during her illness. Following the death of Mrs. Love she continued to reside here and assist in making a home for Mr. Love.
In early life she joined the Methodist church of which faith she was an ardent believer and loyal member.
Of a family of five girls and one boy she was the oldest, and all had preceded her in death. A number of the nieces and nephews, besides a host of friends, mourn her passing. Funeral services were held from the Palacios Funeral Home at 4 p. m. Monday conducted by Rev. J. G. M. Ramsey, who used the much thumbed Bible of the deceased. An edition printed the year before she was born. A number of marked passages were read by Mr. Ramsey who spoke reverently of the life of the deceased and her devotion for her loved ones, friends and neighbors.
Palacios Beacon,
November 20, 1941
Former Palacios Resident Buried
Here Saturday
Fred G. Berger, a former Palacios resident, died at his home in Smith Center, Kansas, Tuesday morning, April 3, after a long illness. After a service in Kansas the body was shipped to Boling by train for services at the Boling Methodist Church, Saturday morning, April 7, at 10 o’clock. Burial was in the family plot in Palacios.
Mr. Berger was born in Smith County, Kansas, February 2, 1882, the son of Gotlieb and Fredrica Berger. He attended college in Lecompton, Kansas, where he met and married Miss Gertrude Evans McClanahan. The marriage was blessed with three children. The family moved to Palacios, where Mr. Berger was telegrapher for the Southern Pacific Railway. Mrs. Berger died in 1937 and in 1941 Mr. Berger went back to his old home in Kansas and married a childhood friend, Francis Calkin Woods.
Mr. Berger made his home in Boling from 1927 until his retirement then the couple moved back to Smith Center to make their home until his death.
During his many years of residence in Boling, Mr. Berger became well known throughout the county and was a highly respected man. Soon after the family move to the community he began a movement that resulted in the formation of the Boling Union Church, where all denominations worshipped. He was the Sunday School superintendent of the church for 18 years and worked tirelessly for the progress of the little church; and was a musician, playing for the services as he was needed.
Mr. Berger is survived by his wife and three children, Mrs. W. E. Ramsey of El Paso, Dr. B. C. Berger of West Columbia, Mrs. D. H. Reeves of Boling; a step-daughter, Mrs. Tom Grubbs of Walton, Kansas; four grandchildren and three step-grandsons.
Palacios Beacon,
April 12, 1956
Mrs. F. G. Berger –
Gertrude Evans McClanahan Berger
Gertrude Evans McClanahan was born November 30, 1880, at Lecompton, Kansas. Attended the public schools and Lane University and grew to womanhood at that place. She was married to Fred G. Berger there on March 2, 1902, and immediately moved to a farm near Kensington, Kans., where they made their home for eight years.
In February 1909 she moved with her husband and family to Blessing, Texas, where they engaged in farming for five years.
In November 1913 they moved to Palacios, Texas, living there for 13 years and in February 1927 moved to Boling, Tex. In May 1928 she was appointed postmaster at Boling, a position she held until a short time before her death, when she resigned on account of ill health.
In her early youth she united with the United Brethren church, and at Blessing joined the Presbyterian church moving her membership to the Palacios Presbyterian Church when the family came here to make their home.
She is survived by her husband of Boling, Texas, one son, Dr. B. C. Berger, of West Columbia, Texas, two daughters, Mrs. W. E. Ramsey, of Tyler, Texas; and Mrs. D. H. Reeves of Boling, Texas, three grandchildren and four brothers.
Mrs. Berger passed to her eternal rest on Sunday, April 11th, 1837 at Boling. The funeral service was held in the Chapel of the Wharton Undertaking Company on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, and was largely attended. Mrs. Berber was greatly loved in her home, in her Church, and by a large circle of friends. During the years the family lived at Palacios, Mrs. Berger was interested in every department of the work of the Presbyterian Church. During most of these years her husband, Mr. Fred Berger, was an Elder in the Church, and attended faithfully to the duties of this office. During almost all the years the family have lived at Boling, Mrs. Berger held the office of postmaster, and so could not devote as much time as she would have liked to religious work. Rev. George F. Gillespie, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Palacios, who preached the funeral sermon, said that Mrs. Berger during her lifetime had ‘worn the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price’ (1 Peter, Ch. 3, 2-4). This is the testimony of her large circle of friends. The memory of her unfailing goodness will be cherished always by hr family and all who knew her. Interment was made in the Palacios Cemetery.
Palacios Beacon,
April 15, 1937
Mrs. S. T. Best – Hattie Kay
Johnson Best
Funeral services were held for Mrs. S. T. Best, who died in Waco, August 9th, in the Palacios Cemetery, Monday morning, conducted by Rev. Crouch, pastor of the First Baptist Church, assisted by Rev. Mack of the Methodist church, with scripture reading from the 14th chapter of St. John. Following the service the body was tenderly laid to rest in the presence of a large number of relatives, friends and neighbors, under the direction of the Clark Funeral Directors of Waco and Palacios Funeral Home, with Messrs. R. J. Sisson, S. J. Hill. Grover Lawson, Joe Feather, J. T. Davis and M. K. Feather as pallbearers.
Mrs. Hattie Johnson Best was born in West Point, Texas, the third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Johnson, who were the parents of five daughters and three sons. She was married to S. T. Best in West Point on December 18, 1900, and to this union three children were born. The deceased became a Christian in early life and joined the Methodist church in which she lived a useful, beautiful Christian life until her death. She was a devoted wife and companion, a true Christian mother, sincere friend and neighbor.
The beautiful floral offerings and kind words of sympathy bespoke the love, admiration and esteem held for Mrs. Best. Mr. and Mrs. Best made their home in Palacios from 1906 to 1927 when they moved to Waco where Mr. Best continued in the lumber business, but they always affectionately called Palacios “Home.”
In Waco Mrs. Best had formed a large circle of friends and funeral services were held there Sunday afternoon at 5 o’clock in the Clark Funeral Home, conducted by the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church and the remains brought overland here Monday morning for interment.
Mrs. Best is survived by her husband, S. T. Best, three daughters Mrs. H. C. Lewis, Palacios, Mrs. Travis Luther, Newgulf, Miss Iva Best, Waco; two brothers, J. W. Johnson, Austwell, Henry Johnson, West Point; four grand children, and a number of nieces and nephews and to these our sympathy is extended.
Out of town relatives and friends here for the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Johnson, Austwell; Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Crawford, Normangee; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Martin and son, James A. Martin, Normangee; Mr. W. C. Best, son W. A. Best and daughter, Mrs. Harry Norman, Houston; Mrs. Myrtle Vinson, daughter and son, Beaumont.
Mr. Morris Kidd and son, San Benito; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Yeamans, Bay City; Mr. Iran Kidd, Beaumont; Mrs. O. J. Howard, Newgulf; Mrs. Henry Tolbert, Tivoli; Mrs. R. C. Wilkerson, son and daughter, Needville; Mr. O. J. Howard, Newgulf; Mr. E. R. Anderson, Houston; Mr. Geo. W. Bowden, Houston.
Palacios Beacon,
August 14, 1941
Funeral services were held here Saturday at 5 p. m. for Mr. Samuel T. Best, who died in the hospital at Newgulf, Friday, June 4, and were conducted by Rev. L. W. Crouch, pastor of the First Baptist Church. Interment was made in the Palacios Cemetery with a Masonic Service. The Palacios Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Best was born in Mansfield, La., Oct. 23, 1872. In early manhood he came to Texas in which state he lived the greater part of his long and faithful life. In 1900 he married Miss Hallie Kay Johnson who went to her eternal reward on August 10, 1941.
In his early life Mr. Best was employed by a railroad company, but in 1906 he came to Palacios to enter business. At that time there were only a few families living in the site of the present city and in many ways he was a leader and builder of the City-By-the-Sea.
He was connected with the Merchants and Planter’s Lumber Company, one of the first establishments here and built one of the first brick business houses in the city, the building now occupied by the Ben Franklin Store. It was built for the Best Brother’s Grocery in 1910.
After leaving Palacios he took a position with the Wier Lumber Company, selling a great volume of lumber for them, having this headquarters at Waco where he made his home until a few years ago when he retired from active duties.
In his boyhood he became a Christian and a member of the Baptist Church, of which faith he was a true and faithful follower. He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. H. C. Lewis, of Palacios, Mrs. Travis Luther, Newgulf, and Miss Iva Best of Waco, also one brother, W. C. Best of Houston, and two sisters, Mrs. A. B. Crawford, Normangee and Mrs. J. R. Pitman, Palacios. These with several grandchildren, other relatives and friends lament his going.
Since the death of his wife, Mr. Best made his home with his children and much of the time was spent here.
Relatives and friends who came for the funeral services included: Mrs. A. R. Crawford, Normanee; Mrs. J. W. Martin and son, James A., of Crockett; Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Best and son, Will, Houston; Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Luther and two daughters, Jean and Joyce, of New Gulf; Miss Iva Best, Waco; Marquis L. Crawford, Houston; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Johnson, Austwell; Mrs. J. Tolbert, West Point.
Palacios Beacon,
June 10, 1943
John Harlan Bonner, born in McMinnville, Tenn., Dec. 13, 1876, died at his home in this city, Feb. 27, 1937. In early life he came to Texas with his parents and lived at Troy until 1906, when he moved to Temple, where he was married in 1907. He had been a resident of Palacios since 1909. He is survived by two children, a son John H. Bonner, of Houston, and a daughter, Mrs. Joe Key, of Palacios, one sister, Mrs. A. C. Moore of Aransas Pass and a brother L. S. Bonner.
Funeral services were held at the Palacios Funeral Home Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock conducted by Rev. G. F. Gillespie, and interment made in the Palacios Cemetery.
Palacios Beacon,
March 4, 1937
Traffic Accidents Are Fatal To 2 Youngsters
Violet Death Strikes Three Times In Palacios Area Within Less
Than Week
James Melvin Boultinghouse
& Larry Edgar Carter
Violent death struck here Sunday afternoon for the third time in five days when 13-year-old James Melvin Boultinghouse was struck by an automobile while he was riding a bicycle on the Highway 35 cut-off.
Last Thursday, little Larry Edgar Carter, one year and 10-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. D. D. Carter, was killed near the elementary school when he ran into the path of a passing automobile driven by Miss Gloria Jensen.
Wednesday a week ago, Percy E. Alexander, 64, electrocuted when he touched a charged fence as he attempted to extinguish a grass fire two and a half miles north of Palacios.
Ironically enough, the two traffic accidents occurred almost immediately after the local Lions Club announced its scholarship of safety patrols for school crossings.
Neither tragedy, however, could possibly have been prevented by the patrol. Larry Edgar Carter was struck after school hours at 5:15 p. m. and James Boultinghouse was hit a considerable distance from any school.
Funeral service for the Carter infant was held from the Palacios Funeral Home Saturday afternoon with the Rev. Rayford Harris officiating. Burial was in Palacios Cemetery.
Survivors include three sisters, Opal Francis Carter, Evelyn Jeannette Carter, Bobbie Ruth Carter, and one brother, David Carter, Jr.
Funeral services for James Boultinghouse were held Tuesday from the Palacios Funeral Home with the Rev. T. W. Goins officiating. Interment was in Palacios Cemetery.
Survivors include three sisters, Mrs. Martha Finch and Mrs. Ola Mae White of Palacios, and Mrs. Myrtle Harrington of Galveston, and two brothers, Floyd and Raymond of Palacios.
Palacios Beacon,
November 9, 1950
William Noah Boyette was born, April 20, 1887, in Nacogdoches County, Texas, and spent his first twenty-five years there. He came to Palacios in 1917 as section foreman for the Southern Pacific Railroad. In September 1917 he was married Miss Irene Winder, of ____, Texas, who passed away Feb. 17, 1918. On February 21, 1920 he married Miss Larrell Schley, of Palacios and to this union two children were born, William Clarence Boyett and Clara Florine Boyett. In January of 1923, Mr. Boyett was transferred as section foreman to Donna, Texas, where he and his family resided until the death of his wife, July 31, 1927. He then moved to Francitas, where they resided a short time after which he and the children moved to Livingston, where they lived until 1929, when they moved back to Palacios and here on March 7, 1932, he son passed away at the age of ten years.
He was a kind and loving father and tried to rear his children in the way their mother desired. He spent a great part of his life administering to those who were sick, always willing and ready at any time to do what he could to help those who were suffering. Mr. Boyett was also an efficient workman and endeavored to do the best he could on any job he undertook.
On December 17, 1946 he suddenly passed away, death coming in the manner in which he had wished his life on this earth might terminate.
He is survived by his daughter, Clara Florine Boyett, of San Antonio, three sisters, Mrs. Fannie Holbrooks, Palacios, Mrs. R. M. Quine, Houston, Mrs. Mina Stephens, Houston, one brother, Novel W Boyett, Jacksonville and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were conducted Thursday morning at eleven o’clock by Rev. George F. Gillespie in the Palacios Funeral home and burial made in the Palacios Cemetery.
Palacios Beacon,
December 26, 1946
Funeral Services Held For Mother of Local Banker –
Josephine Traylor Brooking
Funeral services for Mrs. Josephine Traylor Brooking, member of a pioneer Texas family, and an early settler in Jackson County, were held Wednesday, November 12 at 10:30 a. m. from the Palacios Funeral Home with Rev. George F. Gillespie and Rev. Fred Conner officiating. Mrs. Brooking died after a short illness Tuesday, Armistice Day, in the hospital in El Campo where she had been taken last Friday.
Born January 4, 1866, near Jasper, Texas, as her father, J. C. Traylor, was moving to his new home in Jackson County after selling his former plantation at the close of the War Between the States, Mrs. Brooking was reared in Jackson County and lived there the greater part of her life. She witnessed the development of this country and was active in many phases of the social and civic life of her time, particularly in church work. She was a member of the Church of Christ.
She is survived by two sons, M. T. Brooking, of Palacios, and G. L. Brooking, of Port Lavaca, and two brothers, W. L. Traylor of Port Lavaca, and R. K. Traylor, of San Antonio, M. T. Brooking is the executive vice-president of the City State Bank of Palacios.
Mrs. Booking would have been 76 years of age at next birthday, January 4. Interment took place in the Palacios cemetery.
Palacios Beacon, November 13, 1941
Mrs. J. T. Brumbelow – Margaret
Brumbelow
Mrs. Margaret Brumbelow died at her home Wednesday, May 31, 1950, at the age of 76.
Funeral service will be held this afternoon, Thursday, at 3 o’clock in the First Baptist Church with Rev. Rayford Harris officiating. Burial will be in the Palacios Cemetery.
She is survived by her husband John T. Brumbelow and a step-son, Kirk Brumbelow, of Palacios.
Palacios Beacon,
June 1, 1950
The sudden passing of Mr. B. F. Bryant at his home in this city early Saturday morning came as a shock to his family and friends. He was up town as usual Friday and none of us gave it a thought that his life’s journey was so near at its end.
He was the son of James L. and Louisa Bryant, born at North Ridge, Niagara County, N. Y., Nov. 10, 1867, and died in Palacios, Texas, May 18, 1940, at the age of 72 years, 6 months and 8 days. On January 8, 1895 he was married to Miss Mary Furbeck. To this union three children were born, two sons and one daughter. One son, William Louis, born Feb. 29, 1904, died in infancy. Surviving are his wife, one son, Howard James Bryant, of Baytown, Texas; the daughter, Mrs. Lucy May Schutts, of Silver Spring, Md., two grandchildren, Frank A Bryant, of Goose Creek and Mrs. Lila Irene Hammock, of Pelly, both children of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Bryant, one grandson, Frank Allen Bryant, and a sister, Miss Lucy Bryant, of Lockport, N. Y., who is well known in Palacios having visited in the home of her brother here more than a year.
Mr. and Mrs. Bryant have made their home in Texas for more than twenty years, and have lived in Palacios the past eighteen years. He was employed by the State Agricultural Department as inspector of citrus fruit and we doubt if there were any orchards in the entire gulf coast section he had not visited at some time during his services, not only once but many times, being very conscientious about his work and ready to give advice and aid whenever called upon. As a citizen, neighbor and friend he was loyal and true.
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon from the Palacios Funeral Home, with Rev. J. G. M. Ramsey, of the Presbyterian Church officiating, assisted by Rev. G. F. Gillespie. Interment was made in the Palacios Cemetery.
Palacios Beacon,
May 23, 1940
Mrs. B. F. Bryant – Mary Eliza
Bryant
We are in receipt of a letter from Mrs. James Shutts, informing us of the death of her mother, Mrs. B. F. Bryant and that she was bringing the body here for burial. It is expected to arrive here today, Thursday, when services will be held at the Palacios Funeral Home at 2:30 p. m., conducted by Rev. George F. Gillespie assisted by Rev. Robt. M. McGehee.
Mrs. Mary Eliza Bryant, widow of the late Mr. B. F. Bryant, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. James B. Shutts, Silver Spring, Md., on April 30, 1945.
Mrs. Bryant, who was the daughter of James A. and Mary M. Furbeck was born in Schenectady, New York, February 5, 1867. On January 8, 1895, Mr. and Mrs. Bryant were married at Johnson’s Creek, N. Y., where they resided until moving to Webster, Texas, in 1911. From Webster they moved to Palacios about 24 years ago. Mrs. Bryant was an active member of the Presbyterian Church during her entire residence in Palacios.
In addition to the daughter, Lucy B. Shutts, she is survived by one son, Howard J. Bryant, Baytown, Texas, two grandchildren Frank A. Bryant and Mrs. Lila I. Hammock both of Goose Creek, and three great grandchildren.
Palacios Beacon,
May 3, 1945
Jimmie Lawson, 18 months old son of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Bullington, died at the Loos hospital in Bay City, Friday night. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Palacios Funeral Home, conducted by Rev. G. F. Gillespie, after which the remains were interred in the Palacios cemetery. The bereaved parents have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community.
Palacios Beacon,
July 21, 1932