There are many fascinating things to discover at Magnolia Cemetery. The architecture, the stained glass of the mausoleums, the memorials, the unique headstones, and the statues are all attractions for many photographers. The tours, of course, focus on all the stories and legends of Beaumont’s past. But there are some wonders that few people notice as they walk on the hillside of the original cemetery.
One example is the grave of Jorge Mireles, which is located behind William Patterson’s resting place. Some of you may know that William Patterson was the first Beaumont police officer killed in the line of duty. His murderer was a 17-year-old Patillo Higgins, but I digress! Jorge—or George, as most people called him—was the son of the owners of Tampico Café on Crockett street. Unfortunately, his life was cut short by tuberculosis. His gravestone mentions that he was originally from San Antonio.
At first glance, the headstone is similar to those of the 1920s, but if you look at the degraded stone’s border, you will see something special. The border is made of cement, but the material is designed to look like petrified wood. At the time, an artist called Dionisio Rodriguez made a living by sculpting faux bois, or fake wood (to us non-French speakers). Dionisio was Mexican-born but his home was in San Antonio. He traveled throughout the US but did a lot of work in Texas; he also spent some time in this area. His local works include the Eddingston Court shell fence (1929) in Port Arthur and the benches at St. Elizabeth Hospital/the Phelan Mansion property in Beaumont.
Although it is apparent that Dionisio was here during the mid to late twenties, I can’t tie him to Jorge’s grave since Jorge died in 1923, but they both had San Antonio roots. It is also possible that someone, seeing Dionisio’s creations, thought that it would be a nice touch for the family. I’m sure this will always remain a mystery, but you never know what you may uncover in the future.
The Galveston Historic Homes Tour is next week, and I’m excited about yet another round of shiplap. Truthfully, I am! The restorers spend a lot of money to make these properties glorious again, especially today. I remember once touring a beautiful house where one of the volunteers knew the person living across the street. They acknowledged that from the outside, the property looked like it had been abandoned for many years; however, the inside was totally redone. Some may wonder why the exterior remodeling had been skimpy. Taxes.
Another memory I have is of volunteering at a house across the street from the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The neighbor’s cat seemed to crave the attention of everyone lining up to take the tour. This was not a problem until said cat decided to have lunch in the yard in full view of our tourers. I assume doves are a delicacy. We actually talked to the neighbor about his cat, and he replied
Yes, he does what he does. He usually hangs out at the church on Sundays, then likes to lie around at this house.
I also volunteered at a house on the same block the following year, and, yes, he was there. Bon appétit!
The Galveston Historic Homes Tour begins next week, and I am ready! I hope you are too and look forward to seeing you there. Here I want to offer a few tips on tour etiquette that will make your visit much more pleasant.
Each ticket is valid for one visit to every house on both weekends. If you can go both weekends, taking the tour with family and friends is a great experience. However, if you only have one weekend or even only one day, then it is better to take the tour with no more than three people. Long lines can be an obstacle. One year I took the opening day tour solo, and there was a point when I passed in front of 14 people because they only had enough room for one more person in the group.
Some of the houses are in the same neighborhood, so have a plan to park centrally. You will be able to walk to multiple places without wasting time looking for a parking spot to the various destinations.
NO HEELS! I should have put this up top. This is the one thing I’ve never understood. Why would someone wear heels on a home tour that involves walking upstairs and on lovely restored floors? If you do wear heels, you’ll end up walking through some stranger’s house shoeless. There was an instance when a homeowner had their beautiful restored floor damaged by someone who chose not to wear comfortable shoes. The money raised by the tour paid for the floor to be restored once more.
Booties! Speaking of shoes, it is always inevitable to have one house on the tour that doesn’t want West End Wanda prancing around in heels or people walking on their newly restored floors. I get it, restoration is expensive! But then why have your home on the tour? Anyway, I digress. This will undoubtedly slow down the number of people taking the tour. So, there may be some waiting time.
In popular homes, such as the cover house, it may be better to visit at the opening, during lunchtime, or near the last tour (6 p.m.). I’ve found that these times have fewer lines.
Volunteers. Most of the people checking your ticket, selling you the excellent wares that the Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) has to offer, and who are stationed throughout the property are all volunteers. This means they are not getting paid. The white shirt-black pants army is there to keep the tour rolling and help you visit these beautiful homes. I say this because when you find yourself in a line, know that most of these people are doing the best they can to give you a great experience. Concerning the historical knowledge of these places, I am looking forward to seeing what the GHF will offer its volunteers. One year, I volunteered to be a docent on the front porch and all I got was a 3 x 5 index card of information. I’ll get into this next week.
Visit the City Cemetery! The wildflowers are lovely and a great photo opportunity for photographers.
Make sure to look for the cemetery tours hosted by Kathleen Maca. They sell out fast! The reason is that she is a great storyteller and has written several books on Broadway’s prominent cemetery.
City Cemetery
Until next week, I bid you adieu! And remember, no heels!
It’s been ten years since I began my research journey into learning about some of SETX’s history, and boy, have I been down many rabbit holes! I’ve met many interesting people and seen many interesting things. I’ve cherished the opportunity to visit so many houses and museums and to witness people open up about their own reflections on the past. Joining the Jefferson County Historical Commission (JCHC) and visiting the other county historical commissions has also provided me with a wealth of knowledge. In fact, if you enjoyed the past cemetery tours at Magnolia, you can thank the Liberty County Historical Commission for being the inspiration for them. The two cemetery tours they performed were nothing short of brilliant. I really hope that they’ll one day bring back Whispers from the Past. I’ve always enjoyed volunteering. Taking photographs for the Beaumont Heritage Society was invariably interesting, especially when they started running the Heritage Happy Hour event. There were a lot of lovely places, but I always preferred the Chambers House Museum events. Why? Because it was like visiting your grandma’s house. (Well, unless your grandma had millions of dollars—then maybe it wouldn’t be up to standards. But Papa Homer was thrifty and taught his girls well.) Truth be told, my grandmother lived in a single-story, two-bedroom house in Port Arthur with a husband, five sons, and one daughter, and I believe she wouldn’t have been happy living at the Chambers House simply because it wasn’t within one mile of her church. I can’t comment on the rest of the occupants would have felt. Speaking of the Chambers House Museum, I’d like to give a special mention to Virginia Bowman who worked at museum. It was Ginny who set me off on my journey to research Florence Stratton, and after ten years of studying Florence’s life, I’m indebted to her. Much of my time has been spent on researching Florence, as it should be. I don’t know if I’ll be the one to write her autobiography, but at least the facts of her life and shenanigans have been discovered and are available in my archives (and I have a lot of them!). Getting back to the topic of volunteering, it’s no secret that I love the Historic Homes Tour in Galveston. I’ve taken the tour for years, and it’s an annual part of this blog. I love taking the tour on the first Saturday, but I also love volunteering with Bev Davis, a member of the Liberty County Historical Commission. She’s the reason I check you through the gate into the cover house on Sunday. Other subjects I’ve researched have taken up much of my time. One of them is the Interurban. As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, this was the pinnacle of the conversations I had with Jerry Burnett. Something about an electric train running from Port Arthur to Beaumont from 1913 to 1932 seemed unique to me. Another topic was Catherina Stengele. After hearing the story of a lowly seamstress who saved her money solely to buy a mausoleum, I knew it was something I had to look into. As usual, the facts were much more fascinating than the story. Much like my research on Florence researching Catherina is still ongoing. What was probably one of my most incredible rabbit hole moments happened in Greenlawn Cemetery, where I saw a porcelain photo of a young girl attached to a flat headstone with this poem beneath: If I must die then die I must and when the coffin round me rusts my bones will go whence they came and all that’s left is my name. To shield that name I’ll do my best; that’s all that’s left when I’m at rest. I’ll do no harm and bring no shame upon my dad and mother’s name.
For weeks, I researched the origins of Virginia Lee “Gene” Rowley’s poem and her short life. What I found went beyond her life and told the story of a family filled with both tragedy and impressive accomplishments. After my original research hit a dead end, I was still unaware of what had happened to Gene’s siblings Jerry and Vera. But a family member saw my original blogs and introduced me to the Rowley Trio. I spent many late nights going through newspaper archives and even YouTube videos of their musical journeys. The Rowley Trio was KFDM radio’s backup band and was also a part of the Louisiana Hayride circuit. They even got a mention in George Jones’ autobiography. Apparently, George didn’t like waking up early to perform at 5:30 in the morning. In my office, I have a photo of the Rowley Trio—Jerry, Vera (Dido), and Evelyn (Jerry’s wife)—with Johnny Horton. It’s an excellent conversation starter and a reminder that there are more stories like this. Another story I’d like to know more about is that of Hugo J. DeBretagne. Hugo was killed on the 3rd day of the Battle of Tarawa and buried at sea. A memorial stone was placed in Greenlawn Cemetery with the following inscription: In memory of Hugo J. DeBretagne, CO D 1st Bat. 2nd Marines Killed at Tarawa Buried at sea. Oct. 13, 1923 – Nov. 23, 1943
World War II—and especially the Pacific War—has been my greatest research project. You could say that the movie Tora Tora Tora has a lot to do with that. Still, there’re no words to describe the feeling of being a kid and seeing a formation of T-6 Texans modified to look like Japanese Zeros flying over Nederland, Texas, headed for Jefferson County Airport to participate in the Confederate Airshow.
Until next week, keep looking back. Sayonara さようなら
Last week, I came across an interesting story via our JCHC
calendar. On April 14, 1923, Deputy Sheriff Artie Pollack found a moonshine
plant built in the treetops at the rear of a farm in the Baldridge section
between Magnolia Avenue and Collier’s Ferry Road. Only accessible by boat, it was
cleverly hidden about 12 feet above the water. The journalist Gus A. Flasdick provided
many details of the surroundings and how if it wasn’t for deputy Pollack’s
knowledge of the area, the still would never have been found. The article is
worth reading, so I’ve added it to the end of this blog for all to soberly (or
somberly) enjoy.
This article reminded me of a Susie Spindletop quote from the later
prohibition years. East Texas had been deluged with rainfall one year, and
there was a story of most moonshine stills being destroyed in the floods: “My
boyfriend cried for weeks.”
Fellow JCHC member Don Smart found the article and many others
during his research. For those of you who have taken the Magnolia Cemetery
tour, it was Don who found the original story of Wong Shu. You would have also
seen him on last year’s tour, bringing Beaumont firefighter and baseball player
Speedy Eldridge’s history to light. Don is also why I have a few issues of
Port
Arthur’s high school’s yearbook, The Seagull,from the 1920s. He is
a great researcher and has a wealth of knowledge of Beaumont baseball.
I said last week that I would provide a little more information
on what’s brewing here “Under the Oaks” on Block’s farm. I will be taking the Galveston
Historic Homes Tour on Saturday, May 7. As usual, I will be giving updates that
day on wait times and such via the Facebook page. I will also be checking you
in at the gate of the cover house on Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 15. I hope to
see you there.
Every year, I look forward to the Historic Homes Tour, but my
tour would not be complete without starting at the Old City Cemetery. The
wildflowers are a must-see and a great photo op for photographers.
Other future events are in the works; I’ll have more
information later. However, in the meantime, the main event will be the Historic
Magnolia Cemetery Tour 2022. We are currently planning the tour, which will be
held in October. Also, Magnolia Cemetery has restored the old office, and it is
now applying for its Historic Texas Cemetery Designation.
At the beginning of this blog, I mentioned that the JCHC has a
calendar. We also have a newsletter that you can sign up for and a Facebook
page to follow and see what happened “on this day in history,” among other
things. Until next week, I bid you adieu, but I leave you with Deputy Pollack doing
his job well and Beaumonteers thirsty.
Sources: Don Smart Collection, Beaumont Enterprise, Jefferson
County Historical Commission.
Deputy Sheriff Artie Pollock Finds Moonshine Plant Built in
Tree Tops
Place Reached By Using Boat
Moss Concealed Barrells of Mash and Two Crude Liquor Stills
By Gus A.
Flasdick
An “aerial distillery” has been brought down near Beaumont.
The plant was found by Deputy Sheriff Artie Pollock, about a mile in the rear
of a farm in the Baldridge section between Magnolia avenue and Collier’s Ferry
road, mounted on a platform about 12 feet above the water and carefully
concealed and camouflaged with moss and shrubbery to match the surrounding
scenery.
The find was the result of nearly three months investigation
and is considered the prize “haul” of the season. Unlike most other stills captured
in this section of the state in recent months, this plant was almost safe from
detection and only one thoroughly acquainted with the surroundings could have
located it.
On the platform, which was reached by climbing a crude
ladder, affixed to the side of a thick cypress tree, there was not only a
complete whiskey manufactory, but all other paraphernalia connected with the
industry. There were five barrels of corn mash, apparently in a finished state
of fermentation and ready to go through the “worm,” a crude charcoal furnace
built out of a galvanized iron washtub, several empty bottles, jugs and
demijohns, several funnels, two lanterns, a quantity of cotton straining cloth,
a bag of corks, a bucket, two wagon axles and an alcohol proof gage.
Air-cooled Worm
The still, or stills, for there were two of them, were of
the crudest construction. One was about 25 gallons capacity, apparently
originally built of copper and made to accommodate about 15 gallons, but it had
been enlarged with galvanized tin and it was estimated that approxi by this
operation. Other was made from a standard 10 gallon milk container, the worm
from which led to a copper condenser can which also served the larger still.
But one coil, a half inch copper tube, about 25 feet in length, served both “cookers,”
and unlike other “worms” was air cooled instead of water cooled.
The still was approachable only by boat, being erected
almost a mile from land over stagnant waters of the Baldridge section. To reach
the exact location one must have a thorough knowledge of the surroundings, for
a single wrong turn of the bow of the rowboat, would mean a new beginning.
After nearly an hour of careful maneuvering among
water-covered tree trunks, shrubbery, and driftwood, we finally reached the so-called
“aerial distillery.” It was utterly impossible to even imagine a whisky still
in that part of the woods and even as the deputy sheriff pointed out the place
to me I was unable to observe anything resembling a still until we were well
within ten feet of it.
Four Trees joined.
A crude ladder, nailed to the side of a large cypress tree,
was the only means of reaching the plant, and after we securely tied our rowboat to
another tree, we ascended to the platform about twelve foot above the water.
The builder was careful to select four trees, forming a square, in which to
built his plant. Four pieces of planking, about two inches thick and about a
foot wide, nailed to each of the four trees, served as the foundation. Over
these were laid twelve pieces of planking of the same dimensions and they
formed the platform.
The eyes was first caught by the number of barrels. There
were five of them, about 60 gallons capacity each, and all were fully charged
with bubbling mash, apparently ready for distillation. A heavy canvas cloth
laid over the open tops protected them from falling leaves and dead bark.
In the center of the platform was the stove, a galvanized
tub, the bottom of which was filled with bricks and cement and through the
sides of which were cut a number of air holes. The furnace was laden with
charcoal and apparently ready to light.
Beside it lay a full sack of charcoal.
Across the top of the tub-furnace there were two heavy iron
bars, formerly wagon axles, upon which sat the cookers, one a cooper-iron box,
the other a milk can. There were slots for loading the mash and from each ran a
small copper pipe, connecting with a single condenser.
Moss
hid Barrels
American guns and munition dumps in France were well camouflaged
against detection by the Germans and it
was a bit of this very same art that probably protected this moonshiner from an earlier raid. Moss and
shrubbery were his main assets, though he also used wire in his art.
The wire was fastened to the four trees at a level about
four feet above the platform, or about three inches above the tops of the
barrels. From the wire line heavy strands of moss were hung and the general
appearance from a distance blended with the natural background of the thick
woods. Unless one was aware of its existence and exact location the plant could
never have been found. It was the most thoroughly disguised still ever captured
and though virtually every officer in
east Texas was aware of its existence, none had ever succeeded in locating it
though many had tried.
Exactly three months were spent by Deputy Sheriff Pollack in
his systematic investigation and whenhe set out to destroy the plant he knew
exactly how to reach it.
The two stills were taken to the sheriff’s office and
samples of the mash were taken as evidence. The remainder of the plant was
destroyed and for many miles about the spot the sour essence of corn could be
detected in the atmosphere after the five big barrels of mash were dumped over
into the water. The platform was torn down.
Stills at almost every description are on display at the
sheriff’s office, and at the federal courthouse. All could tell a sad little
story, but none like the two captured in Baldridge
When delving into historical research, whether as a hobby or
as an attempt to keep specific memories alive, you meet many people from
different cultures and backgrounds, as well as those similar to yourself who
have their own history niche. The first Jefferson County Historical Commission
(JCHC) meeting I attended was in 2012, one year to the day Bill Quick died. I
didn’t know Bill, but his way of researching and those who knew him changed my method
of gathering historical information. He believed that your ongoing research
must be correct to pass on to the next generation, and he was a stickler for
detail. This should be a no-brainer for everyone, but humans will be humans,
and we can get lazy. Researching a subject can take years, and even then you
may never find your answer. It took me five years of my ongoing research on
Florence Stratton to determine that her birthday was March 21, 1881. Five
years, but I did find it. And to Bill’s credit, I had six verifications,
although Bill would have wanted at least three. I would have loved to talk with
him about many topics, such as this.
Over the years, I’ve talked to many people about SETX and its history, and I cherish them. One of the great things about being on the JCHC is seeing new members pursuing their research and interests. There is much work going on, and I hope they will keep these projects alive by writing them down and placing them in public for all to discover their work. Speaking of the JCHC, I would like to give a big shout-out to their new coordinator, Jen Trenbeath. Having known Jen for the past couple of years, I am confident that she will do a great job!
There are also people who are not on the JCHC that I’ve
cherished for years as a link to local history, who I relied upon their
expertise, and who, sadly, we have lost. Jerry Burnett was my insurance agent—largely
by default; my father sought him out in the 90s. When my father died in 1998, I
relied on Jerry for insurance. In later years, I got to know Jerry, and we
always discussed Port Arthur’s history. We spent many hours discussing our city
and its past. The interurban was front and center in our discussions, and any
train or railroad question fell into his expertise.
I love talking about local history, but it was always unique
to discuss it with Jerry. Not only did he know Port Arthur’s history but he
also collected information and sometimes objects from a forgotten era that most
would throw away. Thanks to him, I have my Port Arthur telephone book (1947).
A few weeks ago, I received a letter from Jerry’s office that
he had passed in February. It was a shock to find out. The last time we spoke
was in October, and as usual, our insurance discussion quickly turned into yet
another recollection of our city’s past. I will undoubtedly miss our
conversations and his input on some of my projects. Rest in peace, Jerry.
A sibling of mine visited this weekend—it has been decades
since she left the area. We went on a driving tour of mid- and south-Jefferson County
and visited old haunts, such as the old neighborhood, Griffing Park, Eddinston
Court, the seawall, and the old crabbing site on Pleasure Island. Everyone knew
to line up at the schoolhouse to your crabbing site to catch your limit, right?
Fun times! Conversations about past restaurants such as Leo and Willie’s, Farm
Royal, the Fish Net, Monceaux’s, El Charro, and Guadalajara’s delightfully made
our final leg of the tour finish at the Schooner restaurant.
Martha “Toodlum” Ferguson
I also had the chance to browse through a few Port Arthur High
School yearbooks this morning. I have four issues of the Seagull from the
1920s, and it’s always interesting to look back at a few interesting characters
from our history. Some may have known this little lady as Martha, but most knew
her as Toodlum. “Hello, Port Arthur. I love you and everyone here,”
she would one day write.
I will be involved in a few projects this year, starting in
May. I hope to get into some details next week, but until then, I bid you
farewell.
Many things have changed in the five years since our last tour. In 2017, we were planning our fourth trek into Beaumont’s past when Hurricane Harvey devastated our area, and other events have occurred, such as tropical storm Imelda (2019), hurricanes Laura and Delta (2020), and a global pandemic to boot. We are still dealing with pandemic concerns, but things are slowly getting back to normal. As I write, our area’s business is in full swing, and many events are taking place to the satisfaction of those who have been couped up, hunkered down, and “Zoomed out.” They want to get out and regain some normalcy in their lives. We all do.
Earlier this summer, Magnolia Cemetery contacted me about possibly bringing back the tour. I also felt it was time to get back in the saddle, so to speak, and continue what we started back in 2014—but with a twist. Our newest incarnation of the tour will be christened The First Annual Historic Magnolia Cemetery Tour. Why the first, you ask? Here’s why: ever since I attended the Liberty County Historical Commission’s (LCHC’s) Whispers from the Past tour in 2013 and 2014, I have felt that this part of SETX needed something like this to bring its rich history to life—if not a reenactment-type tour, such as the LCHC beautifully performed, then a walking history tour of our hallowed grounds, which could be an excellent way of showing our history and teaching everyone how life was back then.
Our first cemetery tour, in 2014, was for the docents of the McFaddin-Ward House. In 2015 and 2016, we presented a tour sponsored by the Beaumont Heritage Society, which was a phenomenal success. In 2021, we want to bring to light a few things about one of the older cemeteries in Beaumont. Magnolia Cemetery is a not-for-profit cemetery, meaning it does not reap money from the people and families interred there. The aim of the tour is to promote the area’s history, show the beauty of the cemetery’s monuments, statues, and artwork, and tell the stories of those who are not so famous but contributed to Beaumont’s future.
This will be an annual fall event, but we hope to offer more educational tours throughout the year if there is a demand.
The tour is free to the public, and we hope to see you there.
I’ve written a few blurbs about SETX during World War II, and I plan on writing a few more in the future. This era of our country and the generation to which we owe much inspires me greatly. Since childhood, I have absorbed the history told in theaters, books, and legends, but a walk through a cemetery certainly adds a human factor to the endless tales of sacrifice. Especially when the headstone in front of you is not a headstone at all, but a memorial to a fallen son or daughter who has been lost forever. As time passes and there is no one left to speak or remember their name, the life that was lived is forgotten. There are a few of these stories here in SETX, and I hope to honor these individuals in future blogs by sharing their stories. But before I delve into some of our SETX locals, I would like to bring attention to a few lost heroes who deserve to be remembered in SETX history.
It was fall 1944, and the war was still raging on both fronts. Like most periodicals across our nation, local SETX newspapers centered on the liberation of Belgium and the European theatre. The heavy fighting on Peleliu and throughout the Pacific were occasionally mentioned, but these events seemed to take a back seat to the success in Europe. It would be at this theatre that Marine Aircraft Group 93 (MAG-93) would train its pilots for battle. MAG-93 began in April 1944 at Cherry Point, North Carolina. Its first squadron was commissioned on April 15th under the command of Major John L. Dexter and was known as Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 931. Other squadrons, such as VMSB-932, would also be commissioned into MAG-93 and would spend countless hours (round the clock, for a brief time) in training centered at Jefferson County Airport. However, the Marine Scout Bombing Squadron (VMSB-931) will be our main focus in this article.
In May, VMSB-931 was transferred to Eagle Mountain Lake, Texas (near Ft. Worth) to begin their operational training. It also became attached to Marine Aircraft Group 33 (MAG-33). The squadron consisted of 18 SBD-5 (Dauntless)-type aircraft with 37 commissioned officers and 160 enlisted men. Records show that only one operational accident occurred during this period, which resulted in the damage and loss of an SBD-5. Fortunately, there was no loss of life, and the squadron continued their training through July, attaining a 43.1% readiness for combat rating by their superior.
Dauntless
By August, it was time for the squadron to begin the second phase of their training; thus, the VMSB-931 were temporarily detached to the U.S. Naval Section Base in Sabine Pass, Texas “for duty in connection with the basing of tactical squadrons of Marine Aircraft Group 33 at Jefferson County Airport, Beaumont, Texas. This duty includes gunnery, dive-bombing, and overwater navigation training,” wrote Commander John L. Dexter in the squadron’s war diary on the first of August. The next week would consist of setting up operations at their new location and finally beginning their overwater flight training on August 8th.
As most of us know, the Gulf can be very unpredictable in September, and 1944 was no exception. On September 9th, a tropical storm formed about 170 miles southeast of Matamoros, Mexico, and began to move north. All planes were evacuated out of the area to where I would assume was back to Eagle Mountain Lake. Their absence would not last long, however, because Tropical Storm Six would move northeast and make landfall at the Mississippi River Delta on the 10th with top winds of 65 mph. Needless to say, all planes were back on September 11th. Training resumed the next day, and here is where our story takes a deadly turn.
During overwater flight training off the coast of the Sabine Pass, 2nd Lieutenant Marion M. Puliz attempted to rendezvous from below the lead plane flown by 2nd Lieutenant Richard L. Savoie, resulting in a mid-air collision. Both planes crashed into the Gulf and sank in 35 feet of water. Both pilots and the two gunners, Corporal Richard R. Stoddard and Private First Class William C. Bathurst, were killed. 2nd Lieutenant Puliz’s body was the only one recovered out of the four.
More tragedy hit 931 eight days later when 2nd Lieutenant William G. Duvall “attempted a slow roll at low altitude. He lost control and went into a progressive stall, hitting the water on the left wing. Plane was observed to explode and sink immediately upon striking the water,” wrote Commander Dexter. Both the pilot and the gunner, Private First Class Albert W. Bitner, perished in the crash, and neither body was recovered.
Amazingly, there are a few newspaper accounts of these tragedies; however, with few of them offer details of the actual crashes. For instance, the Port Arthur News reports consisted of the identities of the victims and, oddly enough, a few mentions of sightings of a body a few weeks later off the coast of High Island. A search for the bodies after each accident occurred was conducted by the Coast Guard, but no remains were found.
An article dated September 27 reported that a swimmer informed the Coast Guard that he had brushed against a body while swimming just off the coast of High Island. A search ensued that lasted until 2 a.m. but was deemed “fruitless” by Coast Guard officials who, in their statement, said that the swimmer “had been mistaken.”
The following day, the Port Arthur News reported, “Louis Welch of Sabine Pass, county commissioner of Precinct 3, also reported seeing the body to Coast Guard officials. According to Welch, he sighted the body floating in the Gulf water about one mile east of the Chambers and Jefferson Counties boundary line.” Welch tried to “tow it ashore,” but a wave swept the body away. The search for the body was resumed, but it was never recovered.
Jefferson County Airport 1945
Operational training ended September 21st for the VMSB-931, and the squadron returned to Eagle Mountain Lake a few days later. But this was not the end of the Marine Aircraft Group’s training facilities here in Jefferson County, as the 932 (VMSB-932) would arrive at Jefferson County Airport on September 26th to begin their operational training as well. I am unsure where these brave young men ended up after their training, but I can only guess that a few would have participated in ending this long, drawn-out war. I researched further, but there are thousands upon thousands of war diary documents to sift through and many more rabbit holes that I find myself not capable of going down in a relatively short amount of time. One day, if time permits, I would like to continue on the trail of the 931, but plenty more tales are coming soon.
This past weekend marked a beautiful start to the 43rd Annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour. The weather was gorgeous, and the powers that be expect the same for this coming weekend. Given such good weather, I anticipated that the tour would have a huge turnout, and boy was that confirmed as the day progressed. Lines were long at some houses, but they moved swiftly. Most homes on the tour have shade for visitors, with the exception of the c1880 Alley House, so you might want to see this one first, before the sun gets too hot.
After a stop at the Old City Cemetery on Broadway to photograph the wildflowers, we began at the tour’s Cover House, the 1868 Charles and Susan Hurley House. I immediately understood why this was the premier house on the tour. Its posh landscape along with its lovely exterior can entice all who visit, but a look inside is also a must: this is truly the jewel of the tour. My fondness for this gem only grew during the additional day I spent volunteering there as the gatekeeper on Sunday.
Our next stop was the c1880 Alley House: a very tiny abode, but a well-done restoration. The current owner has done a fabulous job. While you are visiting, please make a note to stay on the runners; although the owner has not requested that all who enter wear booties, he still would not like his floors tarnished from the gravel outside. So wipe your feet!
Our next venture was touring the 1904 Thomas and Maggie Bollinger House. Note that this is the only house in which the owners requested all visitors to wear booties. It’s a beautiful house, with varying decor. My favorite was the original 1910 Ouija board!
Moving on, we visited the 1905 James and Emma Davis House, where I noticed the amazing wood floors. I decided they surely could not be original, and I was correct in my assumption – but as usual, I was totally wrong on the period! Originally from a bank, they were installed in the house in 1915.
Next on the list were two abodes side by side: the 1925 Joseph and Helen Swiff House and the 1926 Harry and Harriet Wetmore House. The Wetmore house had long lines, but as with the other properties, they moved quickly. Inside, both dwellings had appeal. The blueprint reproductions of the house, including the fireplace, was a nice touch in the Swiff house, and the elevator inside the Wetmore House was priceless.
Lunch was our usual. I don’t think we can go to Galveston and not eat at Shrimp and Stuff.
Our second leg of the tour began at the largest house, the 1916 Hans and Marguerite Guldmann House. By size, this castle dwarfed most of the other houses on the tour, and understandably, there was a wait. If you want to see this house, please be prepared for the wait, both in line beforehand and throughout the tour. There is a lot to see.
The final stop for the restored houses was the 1899 William and Ella Dugey House. It’s a beautiful house, both inside and out, and should be a definite stop on your tour. And yes, 15 people did live in the house. I know this because I was reminded by each docent as we walked through.
We also visited the 1915 H.W. Hildebrand Tenant House, a restoration in progress. I hope to see it on future tours, along with the 1920 City National Bank Building, which is also being restored.
Overall, the tour included beautiful houses with some modern flair, as expected. The lines for entry were long in a few cases but were generally fast moving, with the exception of the 1916 Hans and Marguerite Guldmann House. The scripts were shortened this year by the Galveston Historical Foundation to help the tour flow more smoothly. After all, most visitors (including me) are there to see the wonderful restorations that the current owners have made inside the houses. So hopefully this will make your visit even grander.
The Galveston Historic Homes Tour will resume this weekend. Hours for both Saturday and Sunday are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. I will be at the 1926 Harry and Harriet Wetmore House on Sunday from 12:30 to 3:30, so stop by and take a look at this beautiful house. I’ll try not to stand in the way!
In December 2015, I wrote an article about Virginia Rowley, a young girl whose tragic death is shrouded in mystery, not least because of the poem on her gravestone. Although we never really learned the reason for the poem, we did find out about the many triumphs and tragedies of the Rowley family. I tried to present just the facts without adding speculation to the mix. I figured Virginia, or “Gene” as she was sometimes called, was owed some respect.
About a week before Christmas I received a message from a family member doing genealogical research on the Rowleys. They had found my article, and fortunately my research had helped them in their own quest to find out more about the family. I only mention this because in our correspondence, I also gained some information on the younger siblings. While doing my research, I was not able to find out what became of the younger Rowleys. Since then, I’ve dug a little deeper and found out a bit more about Gene’s younger siblings, Vera and Jerry. I thought it might be poignant to look back at their accomplishments as well.
A search through newspapers such as the Port Arthur News, the now-defunct Port Neches Chronicle, and the Nederland Midcounty Review revealed a few early accounts of the siblings performing at recitals and such, but it wasn’t until 1947 that the Rowley duo—Jerry, who sang and played the fiddle, and Vera (nicknamed Dido), who also sang and played bass and sometimes guitar—became a trio following the marriage of Jerry to Evelyn Jo Deloney that November. Nevertheless, it was only in the early 50s that their talents began to be noticed.
In reading through a few articles and George Jones’s book I Lived to Tell It All, I learned that the Rowley Trio got their start as a backup band at KFDM radio in Beaumont. Jones writes
Shortly before I worked with Dalton I played with the Reily Trio, made up of a brother, his wife, and his sister. That was at KFDM in Beaumont, where we did a live show at 5:30 a.m. That job didn’t last very long because I couldn’t stand getting up that early and because the Reilys left Beaumont to play in the band of Lefty Frizzell, You will get to know more detailed research about setting up the country music legend had big hits on Starday Records.
Although Jones uses a different spelling of the name, I am certain that that the “Reily Trio” and the Rowley Trio were one and the same.
After playing for Lefty Frizzell, the writer of such hits as I Love You a Thousand Ways, and If You Got the Money (I’ve Got the Time), the Rowley Trio backed up another well-known up-and-coming star named Johnny Horton in September 1952. The band performed on the country radio show Louisiana Hayride, which was broadcast from Shreveport, Louisiana. The show ran from 1948 to 1960 and would launch many careers during that time, including the likes of Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Kitty Wells, Jim Reeves, and many more. Although the Rowley Trio did not rise to national stardom during their short stint at the show, they did earn the respect of many of their peers.
In late 1953, the Rowleys parted ways with Johnny Horton, but this was not the end of the trio. Johnny Horton’s manager Fabor Robinson, who had left just before the Rowleys, invited them to his recording studio in Malibu, California. Unfortunately, I could not find any recordings from this era but learned from Dido’s bio that she released a single in 1954 called “The Hands of Time.”
I noticed Dido’s name on a few country show billings around the state in the latter part of the 50s, but nothing of the Rowley Trio. It does appear though that Jerry performed locally given that there are multiple mentions of this in various newspapers. What is clear is that all the members of the trio were living back in the Nederland area by 1957, although Dido would later move to Houston and release a few singles, one of which was written by Don Mahoney. Some of you who grew up in the 60s might remember his name if you had watched KPRC on Saturdays. Don Mahoney had a local television show called Don Mahoney and Jeanna Clare and Their Kiddie Troupers. It was a talent show for kids, but the two hosts emulated Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. If you remember this, then you might also remember Dido. Yes, Jeanna Clare was the stage name Dido/Vera Rowley took while on the show.
I’m sure there is a lot more to these stories, and in time, I may look into them further. Again, you never know where your research journey will take you. There are just so many rabbit holes to explore…
In 1920, the Beaumont Enterprise, which was owned by longtime friend, W.P. Hobby, bought out its rival newspaper, the Beaumont Journal. Florence then would move onto the Enterprise’s pages as a reporter and society editor. She would find even more opportunities there as a writer and a journalist.
Florence’s first foray into book writing and publication did not involve her own work. It was, in fact, a compilation of articles written by the popular short story writer William Sydney Porter, who used the pen name O. Henry. O. Henry’s writings was from his time at the Houston Post, from October 1895 to June of 1896. She compiled his work, wrote the foreword, and published “Postscripts by O. Henry.” O. Henry’s popularity still appeared to be intact among Americans even 13 years after his death. This 1923 publication was a monetary success for Florence. Another book would be released the same year called, “Favorite Recipes of Famous Women.” Again, the content was compiled by Florence, but this time with the help of her best friend Willie Cooper. The book of recipes was actually compiled during Willie’s time as first lady in the governor’s mansion.
Florence’s first literary work would be published in 1925. “The Story of Beaumont” was, as its name implied, an early history of Beaumont. The book was a popular success among the locals. Below is the foreword written by M.E. Moore, Beaumont’s superintendent of schools.
In “The Story of Beaumont,” Beaumont has an achievement which few cities and their schools can enjoy. Its possession certainly places our schools in a restricted class so far as local historical material is concerned.
Far sighted and thoughtful school authorities everywhere recommend that a course in local history and civics be given in the upper grades and in the high school, so that children will not grow up un appreciative and ignorant of their home city and its possibilities. David Compayre, a noted French authority on education, has said “Growth comes from realizing possibilities.” Certainly no city can fully realize its possibilities for the future unless it studies its achievements in the past. But it is usually very difficult to obtain local history in a form such that it can be used in the school. This book offers such material.
There is nothing finer or better to promote citizenship, a love of country and a high resolve to serve the community, the state and the nation than to teach such histories in our schools. Beaumont and the schools owe a debt of gratitude to the author of this volume, not only for the facts in the book but for the charm and interest with which each chapter is written and illustrated.
In stating that this book will prove of great worth to the children in the schools, let me add that I would not create the impression that it will not prove of high value and gripping interest to the grown-up as well. He will find the book written in readable, whimsical language, bristling with human interest on every page and filled with information that every person in Beaumont will keenly appreciate.
M.E. Moore,
Superintendent of schools.
In 1926, Beaumonters would get the opportunity to take a closer look at their own lives through the Sunday morning pages of the Beaumont Enterprise. A new feature, Susie Spindletop’s Weekly Letter, began in February 1926 and would run until 1938. The articles would always begin with “Dear Della,” with Della, of course, representing the intrigued Beaumont residents who would sift through the pages of the newspaper looking for local gossip. The “Weekly Letter” wouldn’t turn into a weekly column until the latter part of 1926 and into 1927, and over the years, it grew in popularity.
Throughout her life in Beaumont, Florence seemed to maintain a close relationship with family. From the old directories and census records, it appears that she had always lived with her sister Emily and her brother-in-law. However, in 1929, Florence decided to build a house of her own. The house was constructed using some of the bricks of the old 1893 Jefferson County Courthouse, which was demolished around the same time to pave way for the current 13-story structure that was finished in 1931. The house still stands today across the street from the McFaddin-Ward House.
Another publication released in 1931 was called “The White Plume.” The short story was co-written with Vincent Burke, a sports editor for the Beaumont Enterprise. It was billed a true love story from O. Henry’s past and featured a twist reminiscent of one of his short stories.
Florence’s final publication would be released in 1936. It was titled “When the Storm God Rides; Tejas and Other Indian Legends” and comprised stories that were collected by Bessie M. Reid and retold by Florence Stratton, with illustrations by Berniece Burrough. It went on to be used as a textbook in local schools.
Sadly, Florence’s life would come to an end on January 28, 1938. She had suffered a stroke a few weeks earlier and was to go to New Orleans to try a novel type of surgery (for those times), but she would expire prematurely at the Touro Infirmary from arteriosclerotic heart disease. Her funeral was held at her house at 1929 McFaddin. Over 200 mourners and well-wishers attended the service, with a mile-long funeral procession to Magnolia Cemetery. Her typewriter at the Beaumont Enterprise was covered in flowers in honor of her passing.
Getting back to the topic of volunteering, it’s no secret that I love the 
For weeks, I researched the origins of
In memory of Hugo J. DeBretagne, CO D 1st Bat. 2nd Marines Killed at Tarawa Buried at sea. Oct. 13, 1923 – Nov. 23, 1943 
World War II—and especially the Pacific War—has been my greatest research project. You could say that the movie Tora Tora Tora has a lot to do with that. Still, there’re no words to describe the feeling of being a kid and seeing a formation of T-6 Texans modified to look like Japanese Zeros flying over Nederland, Texas, headed for Jefferson County Airport to participate in the Confederate Airshow. 
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