LONE STAR
(northeast of Weston)
ON THE WING
Weekly Democrat-Gazette, May 18,
1912
contd
Lone Star.
G. M. Sweeney
was the first to sacrifice his scalp for the Democrat-Gazette in this district,
and a dollar did the business.
J. W. Morris, whom we made to dance to the tune of one dollar in 1901 for the
Democrat-Gazette and some years before its consolidation with the Gazette, is
still on the Democrat-Gazette list but made the fatal mistake of inviting this
scribe to eat dinner with him. We ate, he hitched his team to the wagon that
afternoon and drove into town for another supply of provisions.
O. F. Sweeney is
another good man and an old reader of the Democrat-Gazette. We spent last
Thursday night with he and his family. Mrs. Sweeny was a Portman and raised near
Anna and Chambliss where many of her relatives still reside. She can't do
without her favorite weekly newspaper, the Democrat-Gazette.
W. A. Cassaday
likes our paper and couldn't manage his two big farms without consulting each
week the Democrat-Gazette. His oat field of one hundred and seventy-five acres
looks promising and he won't be a pauper for many years to come.
W. O. Ball was a
stranger to your field man but extended the glad hand and a most cordial
invitation to dine en family last Friday. Mrs. Ball has a splendid garden, one
of the best we have seen so far this season and we certainly did enjoy a real
old fashioned vegetable dinner. Mr. Ball lives on his own splendidly improved
farm of ninety-five acres, and has been a reader of the Democrat-Gazette for
several years and his good wife says it's indispensable to the family home.
Mrs. E. C.
Miller, "Aunt Katie" as she is familiarly known, although eleven years since she
had seen this scribe remembered very distinctly when she subscribed for our
paper then. While neglecting to renew the paper had stopped but glad once more
to get on the Democrat-Gazette list. Aunt Kate was born in Kentucky nearly
seventy-two years ago, but enjoys good health for one of her age. Came to Collin
county when only thirteen years old and at the age of twenty married and left a
widow two years afterward. Married twice since then, the last time to J. M.
Miller in 1887 who, ten years later, also died leaving her a widow for the third
time. Through her we learned for the first time of the death of our old friend,
James Covington, near Lebanon, in the southwest part of Collin county. Aunt Kate
appreciates the Democrat-Gazette very much and says its the best weekly county
paper published.
M. A. Miller,
born and raised in this school district and lives on one of his father's farms.
Was educated principally in his home school and at the age of nineteen was
married to Miss Cora Wilson and three children, two boys and one girl, have come
to bless their home. Roy, a boy of seventeen; Elmer, eleven, and Edith a sweet
little girl of only five summers, constitute the family For only one dollar,
which he quickly produced his name was added to the big list of the Weekly
Democrat-Gazette.
H. D. Miller is
not ashamed of his native state although people usually laugh when Arkansas is
mentioned. he says there are more fat 'possums, sweet 'taters, bigger red apples
and prettier girls there in one minute than Texas ever dreamed of. Such claims
are rather expansive for Texas does things in that line herself sometimes, be we
sawed wood until we had collected a dollar justly due us for being humiliated in
such a manner, and our grief will be conveyed to him through the columns of the
Democrat-Gazette. Has been in Collin county sixty-one years and is the father of
only thirteen children. Having a good home with plenty and to spare, his wife,
three daughters, Misses Lylian, Vallie and Fay, together with the weekly visits
of the Democrat-Gazette will enable him to spend the declining years of life in
comfort, peace, love and happiness.
W. I. Stephens,
a son of Prof. S. C. Stephens for many years a prominent educator of Collin
county, rolled into a receptacle kept for that purpose a round silver dollar for
one year's good reading matter, and we knew of nothing better at that time than
to send him the Democrat-Gazette. Only a few months ago he pictured to Miss
Mattie George the ease, comforts and joys of a wedded life and finally the young
lady forsook the parental roof and took up her abode with him. Having read the
Democrat-Gazette in his father's home since childhood it was quite natural that
he should have it sent to his own wigwam.
W. A. McNew is a
native of the Old dominion but a citizen of Texas for over thirty years. He told
us the latchstring hangs on the outside of his home and we'll pull it later. Of
course a dollar (and that's what we went after) entitles him to the Democrat
Gazette for one year and seventy-five cents more the Dallas News, or both papers
one year for $1.75.
Tom Robinson is
another splendid young man and farmer whom we are pleased to enroll. His farm is
well improved and in a high state of cultivation. The family consists of
himself, wife and two interesting children. We feel sure the Democrat-Gazette
will be a welcome visitor from now on.
G. W. Curtis for
many years a resident of Collin county, formerly a business man of Weston and
postmaster for a long time, is now a citizen of Tioga, Grayson county, but for
the present is on the farm of his father-in-law, J. W. Baker to learn his boys
how to work. After the crop is made Mr. Curtis will return to his home in Tioga
and buy cotton again his fall. He and this writer have been warm personal
friends for many years, and George knew that something was going to happen
unless a dollar was put into circulation mighty quick and he got so anxious to
close the deal that we had to send him the Democrat-Gazette by rush order.
Returning by way
of Roland Saturday morning, we stopped at the farm of C. H. Farnsworth and found
him busy mowing fifteen acres of alfalfa. The hay is well matured and the yield
estimates at one ton per acre. At $15.00 per ton a school boy after a little
figuring can tell what that means to the farmer who raises it. His sixty-acre
block of wheat could not possibly look more promising and unless some misfortune
should overtake it, a yield of thirty bushels to the acre will not be
surprising. Mr. Farnsworth is energetic and a large well improved farm fully
equipped with stock and implements to successfully operate it, is the fruit of
his labor. He will keep posted on affairs pertaining to state, county and home
by subscribing for the Daily Courier-Gazette.
C. N. Webb was
ploughing corn as we passed, but seemed to be buoyant and full of hope. His
peach trees are bending under the weight of young fruit and ere long while Mr.
and Mrs. Webb are absent the small boy do the rest.
J. F. (Fatty)
Carter was smoking a pipe while his competitor, J. W. Cox, across the street was
arranging the display of goods.
Calling at the
home of T. G. Brown we found Mrs. Brown ill, but Dr. C. T. Lewis has charge of
the case and her recovery is only a matter of a few days at least.
We appreciate
the kind words of Mrs. John Hale, Mansfield, Oregon. Her letter reminded us of
years ago when, under the pen name of "Hazel Eyes," we used to watch the advent
of the old Democrat with the eagerness of a child expecting Santa Claus at
Christmas, for the items from Calamity City. Sorry that we can't accept an
invitation to visit the coast for we're sure the climate is salubrious, and the
opportunity to bathe in the placid waters of the beautiful and boundless
Pacific, comes seldom to most of us during a lifetime. Write again, Mrs. Hale,
your friends are legion and a few lines from you at any time will be
interesting.
D. W. Leigh
ON THE
WING
Weekly
Democrat Gazette, May 23, 1912
Personal mention
of People You Know by Our Field Man.
Entering the
field last Monday morning we met J. A. L. Andrews, who owns one hundred and
fifty acres of the old McDonald farm two and one half miles northwest from the
city, who said he was tired of living one by himself and few in a hill. Mr.
Andrews is not too old to love, and some marriageable widow or young lady whose
age is a little antiquated might find it to their advantage to open
"negotiations."
Miss Lucy Porter
was at the mail box as we passed through Lone Elm school district, and she
informed your field man that her father S. W. Porter, had been quite ill and
under the care of a physician for several days, but we hope at this writing he's
able to superintend the big farm he's cultivating.
Cloyd Farley of
the Helm community is an industrious young man whom we have known for many years
and his forty acre crop gives great promise.
Lone Star.
Mrs. Sue
Smallwood lived for 28 years on the same farm. Her husband J. W. Smallwood, died
July 1903, leaving her a widow with eleven children. Five years later Ethel, a
girl six years of age joined her father in the spirit land. Of the remaining
ten, two girls and one son are married. Her crop of oats, corn and cotton
consisting of one hundred acres, looks very promising. She subscribed for the
Democrat-Gazette through this writer many years ago and assured your field man
that she would not be without it.
S. P. Parker is
a native of Webster Parish, Louisiana, and came to Collin county, Texas, in the
autumn of 1889 and purchased the splendid farm he now owns and upon which he
still lies. Raised a family of nine children six of them still living. Three
sons and one daughter married. With over one hundred acres in cultivation he
won't go into bankruptcy for some time yet. Some years ago he built a modern
country residence but on the 22nd day of last June it feel a victim to the fire
fiend and some members of the family narrowly escaped with their lives. A
beautiful bungalow now occupies the site of the old house, and so complete has
been the removal of the debris and other traces of the fire that one can
scarcely realize the destruction of only a few months ago. He is a progressive
farmer and protects the soil of his farm by terracing, an example many of our
east side farmers could follow with profit, saving their soil and at the same
time enhance the value of their farms. The writer "scalped" him for the
Democrat-Gazette way back in 1902 and he is a lively booster still.
B. C. Parker,
brother of the above also claims to be a son of the Pelican state, but in a
conversation with us we noticed an unusual familiarity with scenes and incidents
of a certain state whose capital is Little Rock. He left some state beyond Red
River in 1893 and stopped for a few years in Grayson county, where he farmed for
three years on shares but the fourth year purchased one hundred and ten acres of
land one mile south of the line which makes him a citizen of Collin county.
Father of ten children, all living, five married, one single son representing
the Singer Sewing Machine Co., Muskogee, Ok., one daughter, Miss Grayson Texas
Parker, so named because first child born after reaching Texas) is attending
State Normal school, Denton. A democrat of the old school, farmer for an honored
living, and above all, a good roads booster and new reader of the
Democrat-Gazette.
L. B. Garner, a
prosperous farmer and land owner, is a Tennesseean, but came to Texas twenty-one
years ago. In addition to his own farm he cultivates another large farm
adjoining, and his oat crop is as promising as any the writer has seen. One
dollar puts him on the Democrat-Gazette list and we appreciate his patronage.
L. A. Anderson,
from the "show me" state, came to Texas fifty-nine years ago, and nephew of Rev.
Larkin Adamson, a Methodist minister who built the first house in Weston and
gave the town its name in honor of Weston, Missouri, the town from which he
came. for many years his uncle was the only merchant of the village, opening his
store there for business over sixty years ago and who, about twenty-five years
ago, joined his fathers. Mr. Adamson had the misfortune nine years ago to lose
his companion by death; has a son afflicted with rheumatism; one son is
attending college at Sherman. Miss Lura, a fourteen-year-old daughter, is
keeping house for her father, and four brothers. As might be expected he joined
the Democrat-Gazette forces, and from now on will read the biggest and newsiest
country newspaper published in the Southwest.
A. T. Raper is a
Mississippian; but crossed the father of waters and arrived in Texas and Collin
county in 1893, stopping on the farm of F. M. Morrill near Cottage Hill, with a
wife, one baby and ten dollars in money. After several years of industry,
economy and frugal living, he saved enough to pay for a farm of one hundred and
fifty acres will improved and in a high state of cultivation. While he was busy
accumulating money the stork was not idle for he kept up his visits until eight
little Rapers were dropped into his home, four boys and an equal number of
girls. The oldest daughter with her husband, Prof. F. W. Parker, have just
closed a successful term of school at Thompson, twelve or fourteen miles
southeast of McKinney. Another daughter, Miss Tommie, is at home and upon whose
shoulders has fallen the burden of domestic duties while her mother is afflicted
with rheumatism. Mr. Raper proposes to keep up with the campaign by subscribing
for the Daily Courier-Gazette.
G. T. Payne is
an Alabamian and found the new Eldorado in Collin county back in 1902. After
renting land for a few years purchased a home of his own but sold out recently
with a view of locating further east, but we hope he'll decide to remain in
grand old Collin. Only three children living, one dead; one son married Miss Mae
Rivers, daughter of Mrs. Eliza Rivers of the Lone Elm school district; another
son is at Rockport, Southeast Texas, and their only daughter, Miss Eleanor, is
still at home with her parents. Mr. Payne subscribed for the Weekly
Democrat-Gazette and also sent it to his son, G. A. Payne, in Lone Elm district.
D. I. Douglass
of Alla school district, son of David Douglass, now of Van Alstyne, and who,
with his brother, Eben, owns the old Best farm of one hundred and seventy acres,
married Miss Minnie Wester, daughter of W. S. wester and two children, girl and
boy have come to gladden the hearts of their parents. With one hundred and forty
acres in cultivation, coupled with industry and economy, he will son be on easy
street and this he will accomplish by reading the Democrat-Gazette another year,
for we thank him for one dollar on renewal.
W.C. Smallwood
is another young married man who starts right by reading the right paper, the
Democrat-Gazette. Son of Mrs. Sue Smallwood; he was raised to look to that
excellent country newspaper for all reliable news of the county and home.
cont
LONE STAR
JOTTINGS
Daily
Courier Gazette, August 23, 1938
by Mrs. O. S.
Scott
In company with our good
friend, Mrs. J. S. Dodson of Chambersville, this representative visited the Lone
Star community in the northern part of the county, recently, and enjoyed several
pleasant visits with friends living there as well as making several new
acquaintances. Lone Star, a thriving, thrifty little community, is located near
the Collin-Grayson County line, four miles north of Weston. It is a splendid
agricultural territory.
Our first visit in this
community was with Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Peebles, who resides on a well improved
farm, which they bought from the Government and on which a modern home
consisting of six rooms, hall, bath, screened-in porch, built-in closets,
cabinets and sink, as well as garage, smokehouse, washhouse, chicken houses and
new barn are located. The barn is surrounded by a neat board fence, while the
splendid family garden, large in size, is fenced in against chickens and
rabbits. A large pool furnishes water for livestock. Summed up, this is an ideal
home located on a good road. It is served by Route One, out of Celina.
W. B. Peebles, a son of Mr.
and Mrs. Joe Peebles, was born in Shelbyville, Tennessee, coming to Texas when
he was nine months old with his parents, who located near Weston. His father has
since passed on, but his aged mother still survives. Mrs. Peebles was before her
marriage Miss Etta Davis of Barnett County, in South Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Peebles
are the parents of four lovely girls - Misses Theo, Opal, Barbara, and Joyce.
Miss Theo was a member of the Spring graduating class of Celina High School
while Misses Opal, Barbara and Joyce are all at home., the latter two attending
Weston School. We were pleased to enroll Mr. and Mrs. Peebles on the Weekly
Democrat-Gazette subscription list. They are also receiving the Semi-Weekly Farm
News, these two papers, when taken together costing the subscriber only $1.50
per year.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Robinson
of this community have all the conveniences of a city dweller in their nice home
on the well improved farm which they own. On a visit to their home, we noted
built-in fixtures, water and other fine modern features. They have lived on
their farm for thirty years, their new house being located south of the old
site, an ideal location where one can obtain a fine view of the surrounding
country from any direction. They have a splendid orchard and raise good
livestock and poultry of all kinds. They also have splendidly improved barns and
outbuildings. Mr. Robinson owns and operates a combine to save his and his
neighbor’s grain. The tractor is used in the cultivation of all crops grown on
this farm. Mrs. Robinson’s hobby is flowers and she knows just how to raise
them. Her yard was a mass of lovely blooms. She very generously divided plants
with this reporter — for our own garden. Thomas Robinson is a son of the late
Thos. Robinson, Sr., and wife, pioneer settlers at Weston where he was born and
reared. He has one brother, Joe Robinson, Davidson, Oklahoma, and one sister,
Mrs. E. J. Gaddy of Kerrville, Texas. Mrs. Robinson was the former Miss Ora
Taylor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Taylor. They came to Texas when she was
six years old and settled eight miles west of Van Alstyne. Mr. and Mrs. James
Taylor were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Thos. Robinson, Route 3,
Van Alstyne; Mrs. Jack Roberts, Celina, Texas. Mrs. Irene Stephens, Pampa,
Texas. Mrs. Lance Barron, Gunter, Texas. Tuck Taylor and Bill Taylor, both of
Gunter, and Miss Amanda Taylor, who still resides in the old home. Mr. and Mrs.
Thos. Robinson are the fond parents of six children as follows: Nadine, now Mrs.
Emilo Vanzandt, Pharr, Texas; George Robinson, teacher of English in the High
School at Graham, Texas. Mrs. Tom Caskey of Maple, Texas. Joseph Robinson of
Alla Hubbard. Glen and Harold Robinson, both at home.
Harold attends school at Lone
Star. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson took advantage of our splendid Weekly
Democrat-Gazette clubbing rate with the Semi-Weekly Farm News and subscribed for
both papers for another year.
Mr. and Mrs. U. S. Johnson
have one of the prettiest farm houses in this community. It contains seven rooms
and with the fireproof when work now going on is finished. The exterior is of
stucco with sheetrock finished on the interior and exterior roofing to be added.
While each bedroom does not have a built-in closet, Mrs. Johnson had bought
modern moth-proof closets. These are most attractive and are proving very
satisfactory for storing clothes, shoes and other wearing apparel. These
portable closets can be transferred from one room to another, which is a decided
advantage in their favor.
U. S. Johnson is a son of the
late Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Johnson, who came from South Carolina to Texas and
located near Anna when he was only fourteen years old. Mrs. Johnson was Aurelia
Miller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matt Miller of Melissa. She has one sister and
two brothers living. They are: Mrs. Jessica Lewis, 2217 Clinton Avenue, Fort
Worth, Texas; Lawrence Miller, Route One, Melissa; and Alvin Miller, who lives
on a Rural Route, out of Sherman.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the
parents of a fine family of children. They are: Luther Miller, who married Miss
Leta Rigsby, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. B. Rigsby of Chambersville: they live
at Celina. Melvin Johnson, Celina, Texas. Mervin, twin brother of Melvin,
married Miss Evelyn Cox, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Cox of Chambersville; he
lives with his parents and helps operate their farm. Mrs. Jim Perry Cave of
Weston, Texas. Mrs. Lawrence Phillips, Marilee, Texas. Glen Johnson, Sherman,
Texas. Kenneth Windell, Maxine and James Lindell at home.
As Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have
lived for twenty-four years just across the road from the Lone Star school
building, their children have gone home to lunch each day. Now, Maxine and James
Lindell want to move so they can ride the bus and carry their lunches like other
children. They think they are unfortunate (?) (Sic) to live so near school. Mrs.
Johnson raises Plymouth Rock and Rhode Island Red chickens, having some 200
chicks at the time of our visit.
Mrs. Johnson had the
misfortune of losing eight-five hens last winter. Someone, evidently a chicken
expert, selected her largest hens and got away with them.
On this visit to the Johnson
home we also noted a new brick cellar, which has been completed, a double
garage, an orchard of sixty peach trees and a plot of ground being prepared for
twenty pear trees to be set out this fall and added to the splendid orchard.
This family lives at home. They canned three beeves last winter, beside all
kinds of vegetables and fruits. They have all kinds of livestock have several
milch cows and sell cream and eggs as well as other farm produce. Mrs. Johnson
finds time for flowers and her home is surrounded by beautiful flowers and
shrubbery.
Lone Star has a modern school
building and is a two-teacher school. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Press live on the
campus in the Home Demonstration clubhouse. This is his first term as teacher.
Miss Mary Muriel Taylor of Gunter boards with Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. This is her
second year to teach here. The School Board is composed of U. S. Johnson, E. E.
Adamson and J. A. Norris.
Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Harper are
new settlers in this community, having bought a farm under the Government
Resettlement plan. They moved to it the first of this year from south of
McKinney and are well pleased with their farm and its location. They have a
five-room house with bath, a large elevated tank and windmill supplies the water
for the home, where built-in cabinets and closets make for convenience. With the
coming of Rural Electrification lines, lights will be added. We noticed a
ventilated pantry which is ideal for the keeping of all canned products, even in
the coldest weather. This is a model home with excellent surroundings, including
new barns, garage, smokehouse, chicken houses, wash houses and water pipes
wherever necessary.
They raise all kinds of
vegetables and can them. They also have an orchard started, while the place is
well supplied with shade trees and flowers. Mr. Harper raises sheep, cows, hogs
and horses. Tilman L. Harper is a son of Mr. and Mrs. L. P. Harper of Lovejoy
community, south of McKinney and is a native Texan. Mrs. Harper was before her
marriage Miss Dora Reader, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. F. Reader of the Higgins
community, southeast of McKinney. Her mother, Mrs. L. F. Reader passed away in
1921. Mr. and Mrs. Harper have two bright children, Doris Marie and Leonard Ray.
The former attended school of Lone Star. Mrs. Harper subscribed for the Weekly
Democrat-Gazette and Semi-Weekly Farm News at our clubbing rates.
Antioch Church of Christ is
located just across the road east of the Lone Star school building. This is one
of the oldest churches in the county. The Elders at the present time are: W. I.
Stephens, E. Compton; L. R. Miller and M. A. Miller. They have preaching each
second Sunday, by Eld. Ray Hamilton of Gunter.
On a visit to the hospitable
home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Miller, east of Lone Star, we found Mrs. Miller
painting a beautiful landscape picture. She is a natural artist and painting has
been her hobby for forty-five years. She has a picture of a Spanish warship
among her collection of paintings that is now forty-five years old. Mrs. Miller
was the former Ella Nichols, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Nichols. She was
reared near Van Alstyne. Her parents came from Ohio when she was only thirteen
years old. Frank Miller was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie Miller of the Lone
Star community. Frank Miller and Ella Nichols were married in 1904. They are the
parents of five children as follows: One baby boy that died in infancy; a
daughter, who died at the age of nine; Mrs. Stella Miller Wilson, who passed
away in 1928, leaving three boys and a girl and O. Miller. Their father, Joe
Wilson, died in 1924. The children are Amelia, Carlyle, Alton, and Mary Ida.
Alton and Mary Ida were reared by their grandparents and the latter is our
correspondent from Lone Star. Mrs. Amy Wilson lives at Dorchester in Grayson
County, while a son of Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Cecil Miller, is City Engineer of
Van Alstyne. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have lived on their farm for the past
forty-four years. They are now enjoying the fruits of their labors and are happy
in the evening of life.
Communities Index
- Recommended
citation:
"Lone Star - Collin County
Communities," Collin County, Texas History and Genealogy Webpage by
Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries, Inc., <http://www.geocities/genfriendsghl>
[Accessed Fri February 13 13:37:28 US/Central 2004 ].
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