ROSELAND
(northeast of Celina)
ON THE WING
Weekly Democrat Gazette, April 11, 1901
Roseland, April 8
Editors Democrat:
Here I am in the
extreme northwest overlooking the flats that fringe the entire length of our
western border. Large farms and big pastures are in striking contrast to the
small enclosures on the east side; the land is fertile and in a high state of
cultivation, inhabited by a thrifty and intelligent people.
Since my last
communication I visited the following schools and the teachers in every instance
received me cordially, and when the object of my call was made known manifested
a desire to furnish me with all the data at hand, appreciating the efforts of a
county newspaper like The Democrat in making the public schools of our county a
feature of my itineracy:
Prof. W. D. Darnell
holds the reins at McWhirter, having to look after 45 while 57 could answer to
roll call. When asked if the rod was applied in emergencies some of the little
boys looked at each other with a suspicious wink, while their teacher at this
juncture was very busy looking after details.
Proceeding north for
a couple of miles I arrived at Honey Creek and found Miss Eliza Robinson
instructing 33 bright-faced boys and girls out of a total of 55. Although a
suspension for two weeks in February was necessary on account of smallpox, the
pupils have done remarkably well and the patrons are very anxious for her to
remain for at least one more term. Miss Robinson is one of our own girls, raised
hear where she is teaching, attended the public schools of Roseland and Weston
until qualified to join the great army of Texas educators which speaks more
eloquently than words of mine the efficiency and high standard of our schools.
Bilderback was the
next to fall a prey to my "depredations" and I plied Miss Dota Austin with a few
questions relating to school affairs of course, and she readily consented. Some
years ago (very few to be sure) she was a wee sma' girl and learned her letters
attending the school over which she now presides. The schools of Roseland and
Weston with the exception of a special course at Oak Cliff, were the only
institutions of learning in which her mind pondered over difficult lessons, and
it is gratifying to say that she is teaching the third term at her home school.
In the presence of her pupils Miss Austin stated to me that during the entire
session she hadn't had occasion to use the rod nor in any manner to inflict
punishment. This is a rather remarkable statement, but love is king and she is
idolized by her pupils and those who know her.
On last Friday
evening I took advantage of an invitation extended two weeks ago by its
principal, to make a run on the Roseland school. The building is large, well
finished, has two large rooms but inadequate to hold all, so I found the
principal with the advanced class in another house on the campus connected by a
walk to the main building. The house and ground are gifts of Dr. Moses Hubbard
who, to perpetuate the memory of an only child now deceased, had them dedicated
to her and forever set apart for school purposes. it was here that little Alla
was born, reared and finally married.
Part of the south
front has been reserved for trees and shrubbery and here long when young lovers
stroll through its avenues plucking flowers, inhaling sweet perfume with old Sol
pouring volumes of wrath down upon their heads, they can take refuge under some
hanging boughs while summer breezes play with golden tresses and young manhood
worships at the shrine of feminine loveliness. My! let me get back to the house.
Out of 118 there are 95 in regular attendance, and three teachers are employed
to train the young idea how to shoot. Prof. T. W. Lanham of Austin College is
principal; Miss Judith English, graduate of Franklin College, Pilot Point,
assistant; Mrs. A. L. Lanham, graduate of Mary Nash, Sherman, looks after the primary department.
The advanced studies include Latin, rhetoric, geometry and higher algebra.
The date for opening
Alla school is first Monday in October each year, and out of his own private
funds Dr. Hubbard pays the tuition of all children in the district that attend
the school, those seven years of age, and when they get about the scholastic age
he continues to pay until they attain 21 years. it is needless to say that he
never has to pay a girl's tuition because they never go beyond sweet sixteen.
Few indeed are the
men of means that use their money for educating the masses as Dr. Hubbard. With
no children nor grand children to reap the benefits of his generosity, his
liberality is doubtless prompted by the noblest impulses and for his attachment
to humanity. It was a fitting tribute to his philanthropy when the teachers of
the school out of their own purses ordered his portrait and assigned it a place
of honor on the walls of the chapel room by the side of his life companion and
only child, Alla.
The prospects for
the Frisco extension grow brighter every day and when the iron horse comes along
our western border champing his bits and panting for hear life, we'll forget
Aphis bugs, high winds and turn our attention to keeping pace with enhancing
values of our big farms.
Look out, Miss
Patsy, I'll "wing" around and give you a call some day.
Yes, by the way,
Cottage Hill, I'll need some one to look after chicks, too.
D. W. Leigh
ON
THE WING
Weekly Democrat Gazette, May 30,
1912
Personal Mention of People You Know by Our Field Man.
Arriving at Roseland
last Monday noon, we proceeded to get busy and the first to fall a victim to our
gory weapon was T. D. Brown, who came from Hamlin county, Tennessee, to Texas
eighteen years ago, and after five years purchased a black land farm of one
hundred acres. His block of wheat is all that could be desired at present, and
other crops look mighty good to a man who farms. Two children, boy and girl, are
the idols of indulgent parents.
W. T. (Bud) Helm is
a good roads enthusiast and a booster for Commissioner Sportsman because the
latter had the county road gang to build a brand new road between J. W. Harvin
and Celina, a much needed highway. Bud owns one hundred and sixty acres of
splendid black land which enables him to feed and clothe eight bright children.
His mother, Mrs. James helms and granddaughter, Miss Bessie Helms, will leave
within a few days for a three months' sojourn at Colorado Springs, Colo. he
hesitated to part wit his dollar but a little display of the tomahawk had the
desired effect, and he got in a hurry to deliver the goods, in order that he
might not miss an opportunity to get on the big subscription list of the
Democrat-Gazette.
Mrs. Elizabeth Lee
has been in Texas nearly twenty years; was in the great storm of Galveston of
1900 and immediately thereafter returned to Collin county (from where she and
her husband had moved three years before). The appalling disaster had not left
them entirely destitute as it did some others, but they had to begin life anew,
as it were, for their loss was considerable as most everything had been swept
away by the fury of the storm. The Democrat-Gazette will visit their home
regularly from now on.
W. H. Thorn, born
and raised in North Arkansas but came to Collin county two years ago, and has
farmed since that time on the Emerson ranch. A blind uncle, J. H. Thorn, for
many years a citizen of East Collin and no doubt remembered by many old settlers
around Fayburg and Snow Hill where he once lived, makes his home with his
nephew. The Democrat-Gazette from now on will be a regular visitor in the family
home.
L. F. Odell left his
native state, Tennessee, in 1883 and for thirty years has rented the same farm
and raised a large family. Only rented the farm once since he moved on it. The
Daily Courier-Gazette will keep him posted on the campaign situation from day to
day.
S. E. Roberts is a
Missourian and came to Texas twenty-three years ago, and for eleven years lived
on the coast of Southwest Texas, but since then acquired a good farm in Collin
county and his wheat and oat crops this season look very promising. Only three
children, two boys and a girl, the two former married and live in Dallas, the
daughter, Miss Helen, is still at home with her parents. Mrs. McRoberts is an
intelligent lady and assured your field man that she couldn't get along without
the Democrat-Gazette and gave us an order for renewal. Thanks.
C. E. Francis, son
of the late W. c. Francis, and who for many years was a reader of the
Democrat-Gazette. In 1893 he married Miss Lizzie Tidwell of Celina and six
children, four boys and two sweet little girls, Hattie 12 and Nettie 10. Their
report cards from the teachers of the Alla school show the splendid aptitude and
excellent deportment of these two bright girls. The tomahawk and scalping knife
both had to be brought into play before Emmett would part company with his cash
for a good paper, but we got what we're out for, and he'll grow in knowledge by
reading the Weekly Democrat-Gazette.
E. R. Hill, manager
of the Doc Hill ranch of several hundred acres was busy ploughing when we called
but said the Democrat-Gazette was the best paper that came into his home. Mrs.
Hill was too busy hanging paper to lose time with your field man but promised
that if we would call some time this fall that she would serve a cup of strong
hot coffee and all the fried chicken we could get away with. And that will be
some coffee and chicken as many of our readers know.
B. W. Wilson is a
native Texan. Mrs. Wilson is a Virginian but came to Texas when quite young and
at the age of twenty-seven years (just think of that, girls!) got married.
Raised a family of seven children all girls but one, and all married. The Wilson
own a good farm one mile west of Celina and with wheat and oats promising a
bumper yield, he was Anxious to renew for the Democrat-Gazette. They jointly
executed a will that if one should die and the survivor should marry another,
the property immediately passes into the hands of the heirs.
G. N. Malone owns a
number one farm two miles west of Celina. His block of ten acres of wheat is
certainly pretty and promises a big crop. Born near Cottage Hill, this county,
and nineteen years ago married Miss Leona Bozarth and three children, all girls,
make home attractive and happy. The Democrat-Gazette will keep them posted on
affairs of Collin county for another year. His daughter, Miss Hixie, will attend
the summer normal in McKinney and promised to make the Democrat-Gazette office a
friendly call.
J. C. Milligan, a
native of Collin county and until last January lived in the community which
bears the name of his deceased father five miles east of McKinney. Although a
young man he owns an magnificent farm of over one hundred acres and the western
boundary borders the Denton county line. In February 1905, he married to Miss
Lucy Dutton and three bright children, two girls and one boy, hustle Jim and his
farm to keep them going. Of course he will learn the happenings of Collin county
and of the old neighborhood in particular, by reading the Democrat-Gazette.
Mrs. G. S. O'Brien
enjoys reading the Daily Courier-Gazette because it contains so much original
reading matter, and the letters from our corps of correspondents is especially
interesting because she has a large acquaintance over the county.
P. B. Taylor, native
of Georgia but a citizen of Texas and Collin county since 1902, stopped on a
farm in the Valdasta and new Life communities where he successfully farmed for
many years. he now lives on the John Stallcup farm one mile north of Celina
where he has a crop of one hundred and fifty-six acres. Eight children, and
equally divided as to sex, with the father and mother, constitute the happy and
contented home. Opposed to any literature except the best he readily saw the
merits of the Daily Courier-Gazette and from now on will read it daily.
J. W. Malone, on the
big Finley farm one mile south of Roseland, has a crop of forty acres of wheat,
and sixty of corn and cotton. He and Walter B. Wilson, editor of the
Democrat-Gazette, were comrades in arms during our troubles with Spain and what
they did to the Dons, whom they never met, was good and plenty. He gave us a
dollar not to mention it; and we are talking confidentially now, but maybe he
won't see this copy of Democrat-Gazette. Twelve years ago he was married to Miss
Effie Everett, and two enterprising boys add sunshine, happiness and noise to
the home.
A. F. Bilderback,
principally raised in Collin county and within a few miles of where he now lives
loosened his purse strings and poured oil on the troubled sea of finance to have
us sent him the Democrat-Gazette for his family of two boys and four girls to
read. His four girls, Misses Nannie, Laura, Annie, and Leah, were anxious for
their papa to subscribe for the Democrat-Gazette.
P. F. Gearhart,
native of Tennessee but came to Texas in 1869 and thirty-three years ago
purchased eighty acres which formed the nucleus from which his large realty
holdings sprang. One hundred and eighty acres of wheat and an even hundred in
oats, waving and nodding to the summer's breeze, is an inspiring sight, and one
that makes the day mouth of a newspaperman run water. About one hundred head of
sheep and goats are the scavengers of the farm for they destroy all obnoxious
vegetation and by their aid the farm is keep clean and from the droppings of
these animals, enriched. In addition to the small grain crop, he has forty acres
in alfalfa, one hundred and fifty in cotton and thirty in corn. He and three
sons, perry, Ben and Babe were shearing sheep when we arrived, and the clipping
fro six averaged eight and three quarters of a pound while the general average
for the whole flock (twenty, the lambs being exempt) was six and one half
pounds. He's a hog man too. His pasture contains two hundred and fifty head of
porkers and their board bill isn't much. $21.00 per day for corn and the deserts
such as alfalfa, green oats and bran come extra. Strange a hog man never knows
when he has enough, wants more hogs, and will buy all that's offered by his
neighbors. The squeal of a pig, bleat of a lamb or kid, neigh of a colt is music
to his ears. Married in 1879 to Miss Alice O'Brien, daughter of Dick O'Brien of
the Corinth school district, to whom seven children were born and all living and
also four grandchildren. The three youngest at home, but their parents are
really anxious to se them mated to young ladies equal in every respect to their
own social standing, not above, because the girls would have to make a
descension, nor below because in that case his sons would necessarily descent in
order to get married. He stands for social equality in marriages.
We enjoyed the
hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart last Saturday, for which we thank them, and
also for cash on subscription to the Courier-Gazette.
Returning by way of
Rhea's Mill, E. S. Melton stopped us for some political information which we
readily gave but charged him a dollar for our time. He'll know why our time is
so valuable by reading the Democrat-Gazette. His crop consists of forty acres of
wheat, twenty of oats, sixty-five of cotton and twenty of corn.
Mrs. Ida Brinlee a
widow lady with six children living at Rhea's Mill, renews for the
Democrat-Gazette and says she can not do without her favorite paper. Our lady
readers form quite an army and there are none whom we appreciate more than Mrs.
Brinlee.
J. M. Furr was
absent but Miss Lottie informed us that her father was still boosting good
roads.
F. M .Harmon a
recent "convert" is an appreciated reader of our paper and likes it better as he
becomes acquainted.
Mrs. W. E. Stepp was
by the road side as we passed through Franklin, and told your field man that she
read the Democrat-Gazette regularly and would not be without it.
J. L Laney who
cultivates nearly three hundred acres on the Doc Hill ranch was raised to
manhood at Climax this county, and 'twas there too, that he married Miss Annie
Hayes. mrs. Laney owns a good farm in the Climax community, but prefers to farm
where he can operate on a larger scale. scale. Next year he will move to the big
farm of the late James Robinson adjoining the land he is now cultivating. He and
Mrs. Hayes were former pupils of the writer, and e were only too glad to meet
them and together rehearse the incidents of long years ago. Of course he got on
the band wagon of the Democrat-Gazette paying the usual fare of one dollar in
advance.
On last Friday we
accepted an invitation to dine with L. A. and Mrs. Foster, one mile south of
Roseland. They are Tennesseeans and know how to extend old fashioned
hospitality. Mr. Foster recently subscribed for the Democrat-Gazette and likes
it splendidly.
The letters from
over the county to the Democrat-Gazette each week contain items of general
interest to the people at large and we hope that each will see to it that his or
her community is represented regularly and keep our beloved paper in the front
rank as a county newspaper.
Before closing this
communication we wish to add that on our way in home Saturday evening we met,
just on the outside of the city, Elder and Mrs. R. C. Horn and the former
charged this scribe particularly not to mention his name in the paper. Readers
of the Democrat-Gazette mustn't tell brother Horn that they saw his name in
print for he may be opposed to publicity.
With malice toward
none but charity for all, we are still "on the wing."
D. W. Leigh
Communities Index
- Recommended
citation:
-
"Roseland
- 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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