|
The Murder of Uncle Jay,
by Benjamin Augustus White
[Jay - son of Thomas Monroe White
- son of Ben White - son of Elias White - son of Robt. White Sr.]
Ben was the Nephew
of John C (Jay) & Eldora White, known to them as Uncle Jay & Aunt
Eldora. The year Uncle Jay was killed, was 1931, these were the
depression years, and families were split up and moved long and far to
find work. Ben's family had moved from Charlie Clay Co TX, where
they lived from about 1920 to 1930, then moved to Brownfield Terry Co TX,
by 1831,
where their Uncle Jay lived and owned and operated a grocery store.
Uncle Jay was a
generous person, and allowed folks much credit, at his store, one
particular person, only remembered as Mr. Bond, had run up a very large amount of
credit, and Uncle Jay, finally had to deny Mr. Bond further credit, and
I am sure reluctantly.
Mr. Bonds left the store,
returning on a Sunday morning, and finding Uncle Jay, at a local
cafe having breakfast and drinking coffee, entering and shooting John to
death. Uncle Jay never
had a chance to fend off his killer.
Ben recalls the
trial dragged on for a long time, the White's wanted Mr. Bonds put to
death, but the jury disagreed and gave this man a certain amount of years, Ben doesn't recall exactly how long,
but we know from the Juror's Verdict below,
it was 50 years in the Penitentiary.
Jay's brother,
Newt White, carried his fiddle about everywhere he went, according to
Ben's recollection, at the court
house, the Sheriff walked Mr. Bonds right by Papa (Newt), and he wheeled
and smashed the fiddle right up against Mr. Bonds head, shattering it
to pieces. Ben recalls, the fiddle was a total loss,
unfortunately!
Ben recalls Aunt
Eldora took her loss very hard, as did the other relatives. John
Calvin White, was one of the babies, second youngest, to Newt. At
this time, Jay's mother, Martha White, was still living in Bowie Co, his
father Thomas White had already passed away.
Uncle Jay had a
son that Ben, recalls as T. W., (Thomas William White).
The story of this
crime was published in the Brownfield News Paper,
see below.
A Great personal
loss for our family. Uncle Jay is buried at the Brownfield Cemetery
in Brownfield Terry Co TX, his wife Eldora, and I believe, their baby Alma
Joe White, who
died at birth, in 1925.
TOP
The Man who shot Uncle Jay:
Because Brownfield Terry Co TX only keeps
the case files for 20 years,
copies of the trial etc cannot be found. However, the Court minutes
and
proceedings still exist. Though they do not describe what happened
they
provide the name of the accused and his sentence.
The man who killed Uncle Jay, was J. A.
Bond.
=================================
|
The Verdict
THE STATE OF TEXAS
No. 242 Vs.
J. A. Bond
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF TERRY COUNTY,
TEXAS
Charge Murder
Date Sept. 12th Term August 1931.
The 7th day of September 1931
On this cause was called for tial and the State appeared by
her District Attorney, and the Defendant J. A. Bond appeared
in person in open Court, his counsel also being present ( and
the said Defendant J. A. Bond having made application in due
form for suspension of the sentence should he be convicted
herein ) and same being by the Jury refused and having been
duly arraigned in open Court, and having pleaded "Not Guilty"
to the the charge contained in the indictment herein, both parties,
announced ready for trial; thereupon a jury of good and lawful
men, to-wit:
C. W. Avary and Eleven others was duly selected, impaneled and
sworn, who, having heard the indictment read, and the defend-
ant's plea of not guilty thereof, and having heard the evidence
submitted, and having been duly charged by the Court, retired
in charge of the proper officer to consider of their verdict, and
afterward on the 12th day of September 1931 was brought into
open court by the proper officer, the defendant and his counsel
being present, and is due form of law returned into open Court
the following verdict, which was received by the Court, and is
there now entered upon the minutes of the Court, to-wit:
"We, the Jury find the defendant Guilty of Murder, with Malice
aforethought, as charged is the Indictment, and assess his
punishment at Fifty Years in Penitentiary."
C. W. Avary Forman.
It is, therefore, considered and
adjudged by the Court that the
Defendant J. A. Bond is guilty of the offense of Murder, with
Malice Aforethought, as found by the Jury, and that he be
punished by confinement in the State Penitentiary for a term of
Fifty (50) Years, and that the State of Texas do have and
recover of the said defendant J. A. Bond all costs in this pro-
secution expended, for which let execution ...?
Gordon P. McGuire
Judge Presiding
|
Note:
Civilized men do not kill one another over debts, or disputes or any
reason's, for that matter, regardless of
the circumstances. Mr. Bond left six orphaned children, for a mother to raise them during the depression. Mr. Bond altered the White family history forever, & that of his own. It
was not known
to this writer, how much of this sentence Mr. Bond had to serve, but considering he could have been put to death, fifty years was not to harsh a penalty to pay, for the lives he adversely affected,
and the young children he left fatherless, and a distraught wife, and loving family to mourn his loss. Eldora rose above her loss
and carried Uncle Jay's legacy forward, in her life, as well as her
children, we can take solace, that John's legacy has survived...
"Gone but not forgotten"
|
|
We learn from Jeanette White
That J A Bonds, tried by his piers
and sentenced to a long jail term did
not serve a hardened sentence, in fact it
appears he had favor with the Governors
and judges, we can only speculate as to why
from day one he was granted many furlough's
& eventually granted a full pardon for cold blood
murder of our John Calvin White, by the Governor
J A Bonds Furlough /
Pardon Record
Provided by: Jeanette White
|
TOP
| On
April 5th 1931 folks in Brownfield awoke to the sounds of gun
shots and News that J. C. White had been killed, thus, changing
the course of our family history forever. |
|
Brownfield
News
Terry County Herold
(week of
April 6, 1931) |
|
Prominent
Merchant
Killed Sunday Morning
J.
A. White shot down in Cafe here Sunday without chance of
life. Self acknowledged killer carried to jail in another
City. Charged with murder. |
One of the most harrowing affairs
that has ever come up during the
history of Bownfield and Terry
County was transacted here early
Sunday Morning when it is alledgd
J. A. Bonds walked into the Busy Bee
Cafe where J. A. White, local
Grocery merchant was drinkng
coffee and begin shooting after say
ing a few words to his victic, ac-
cording to the cook of the cafe. The
town was immediately thrown into
excitment and grief, and a great
crowd was soon on the streets, Bonds
got a local to carry him to the Sheriff
immedately, who left town with him
to avoid any possible violence, al-
though there were never any mani-
vested, Bonds told Jim Miller, who
carried him to the Sheriff that he had
killed Jay White, as well as the same
thing to the Sheriff Mon Telford when
he handed the Sheriff his gun. He
was formerly charged with White's
murder by Justice of Peace, J. E.
Shelton, Monday, but has not to this
time been given a preliminary hear-
ing. In fact, no one except the
Sheriff seems to know where he is jailed.
An inquest, in which a verdict of
murder was returned, was held Sun-
day by Coroner J. E. Shelton.
The cook in the restaurant was the
only witness to the shooting. He
testified at the inquest Sunday morn-
ing that while White was drinking
coffee. Bonds entered through the
front door, and called White by
name, and when the latter turned
around to see who had spoken to
him, Bonds drew a revolver and after
saying: "You have double crossed
me," fired one shot.
White jumped from his chair, the
witness continued and started to
run around the corner of the counter
when Bonds fired three more
shots. White crumped to the floor.
Bonds then walked behind the coun-
ter, the cook said, and shot the grocer
in the head.
The cook testified that
Bonds
walked out of the restaurant with-
out saying a word.
The
inquest was attended by
County Attorney W. W. Price, who
assisted in interrogating the witnesses.
An
examination of White's body
showed one bullet pieced his abdo-
men; another near the heart and two
his left arm. The fifth bullet pene-
trated White's brain.
A .38
caliber, gun was used.
Both
White and Bonds were mar-
ried and had several children. |
Funeral service were
conducted
at he Methodist Church with his
pastor, Rev. Geo. E. Turrentine in
charge. He was assisted by Rev. J.
M. Hale of the Baptist Church, as
well as Revs. Curry and Hoover. The
largest crowd by far assembled at
f u n e r a l here, assembled at
the church which quickly filled the
several hundred seats except those
reserved for the family, the pall
bearers and the Masons and Odd
Fellows. Perhaps as many again
people who could not get in swarmed
the grounds of the church outside
with bowed heads. After the ser-
vices, the Masons took charge and
buried him with the honors of that
fraternity. No words of ours need
be said to the esteem in which the
victim was held. The huge crowd of
sorrowing friends and relatives pro-
fuse floral display, spoke louder
than any puny words of ours. The
sympathy of the entire community
goes out to the widow and children
and other relatives.
We want
to give just a few
thoughts that came out during the
funeral servies. He was born Dec.
27, 1891 at Maude, Texas.
His
Parents were Mr. and Mrs. W.
O.
White, and his
mother survives him.
He was converted at the age of 15,
and was a member until death. He
was married to
Miss Wilkie B.
Fisher, and to this union
was born
four children, all still at home,
Clifford, Leola, Loraine and
T. W.
He was made a Mason in the early manhood, and an Odd Fellow here
the past year. He moved to Charlie,
Texas, where his first wife died.
Mr.
White married Miss Eldora
Lewis a short time after
coming to
Brownfield in 1924,
who has been
a loving companion and a faithful
mother to his orphan children. To this
union 2 children have been
born of
which Ted is still living.
After
coming to Brownfield he
went into the grocery business with
Mr. J. D. Bailey. He later formed a
partership as White & Murphy with
the Murphy Brothers, and recently
entered business by himself on the
north side of the square. He has been
a tireless worker to keep his family
at home and in comfort.
His
relatives attending the funeral
were W. J. and M. E.
of this city
M. A., C. T., R. R. and L.
A. all of
Maude, Texas, brothers, and Mrs.
Lula McDaniel, Maude, Texas
and
Mrs. S. B. Lawrence, Charlie
Texas,
sisters.
|
Notes
from Mike:
The Newspaper made a few
errors;
1. The big mistake is, they name
John C. White as J. A. White, I believe
they confused the killers initials with the
victim, (killer-J.A. Bonds),
vs. Victim, J. A. White... Anyway, should be J.
C. White and his
death certificate from Terry Co TX, verifies
this truth.
2. Notice Jay's parents
were
listed as "Mr. and Mrs. W. O. White,
should have been Thomas
& Martha White, since Thomas was deceased
already, I believe they
meant, Mrs. M. O. White his mother, for Martha
O. White, instead
of W. O....
3. Jay's first wife was
referenced as Wilkie B. Fisher, which is
Willie B. Fischer.
4. The surviving children of Jay
and Willie were name as
"Clifford, Leola, Loraine and T. W.",
the two deceased children
of this marriage; Imogene and Thomas Richard
White.
5. Note there were 2 children of
Jay & Eldora's mentioned, Ted White
we know about, I believe the other is Alma Joe
White, also, buried in
the Brownfield Cemetery, in fact, they are the
only 3 White's in this
cemetery. Her Dates: Born 3 Mar 1925, Died 3
Mar 1925.
6. Family in attendence at
the Funeral:
W. J.
- This is Most likely Newt Johnson [Brother]
M. E.
-
This is Milton Elonzo
White [Brother]
M.
A. - Marion August White [Brother]
C. T. - Charles Thomas
White [Brother]
R. R. - Richard Rex
White [Brother]
L. A. - Leo Leafridge
White [Brother]
Mrs. Lula McDaniel -
Lola Balma White [Sister]
Mrs. S. B. Lawrence - Della
Neal White [Sister]
Notes from Mike:
I knew that Newton White was living in Brownfield Terry Co
in 1931 by an interview with my dad, Ben, son of Newt. They
were there when the shooting incident took place. The
surprise is Milton E White, in the article is said to be of
Brownfield... he may have moved from Clay Co TX after 1831
with Newton to Terry Co., at some point M. E. returned to
Charlie Clay Co TX, where a son his wife and himself are laid
to rest at the Charlie Cemetery, his first wife Susan died in
1947,
so they may have moved back between 1831 and 1847. Marion,
(MA), Charles (CT), and Richard (RR), L. A. should be
L. L. for Leo L White, another mistake. All were living in Maud
TX, at the time of John's death. Lola
(Lula), was also living in Maud TX, though eventully moved
to Williamson and Cherokee Co TX where she is buried. Mrs.
S. B. or Della, was living in Clay Co TX, where she was
buried, at the Riverside Cemetery. All
of Uncle Jay's siblings were present at his funeral, except
for his deceased sister, Inez, who died in 1908. |
TOP
|
Brownfield
News
Terry County Herold
(January 23, 1958) |
|
Mrs. Eldora White
District Clerk 26 Years...
She was Mrs. Eldora White
Death
Ends Distinguished
Career of Public Servant |
The death
here Monday of
Mrs. Eldora White brought to
an end her distinguished and
unbroken career as clerk for
26 years of the 106th Judicial
District.
Mrs. White died
early Mon-
day morning in her home of
415 East Hill. She was 68, and
had been ill for several months.
Funeral services
were held
Tuesday afternoon in First
Baptist Church, with Dr, Jones
W. Weathers, pastor, officiat-
ing, assisted by the Rev. James
E. Tidwell, pastor of First
Methodist Church.
Burial was in
Brownfield
Cemetery by Brownfield Fun-
eral Home.
Among her survivors
are one
son, Ted White of Odessa; four
stepchildren; Clifford White of
Tolison Ariz., T. W. White of
Bostonia Calif., Mrs. Leola
Ward of Whittier Calif., and
Mrs. Johnny Haynes of 231
South B, and
Three brothers, Clyde Lewis,
Clarence Lewis and Dalton
Lewis, all of Brownfield, three
sisters, Mrs. J. B. Huckabee of
601 North First, Mrs. George
Warren of Levelland, and Mrs.
U. D. Sawyer of Crossroads, N. M.
and 18 grandchildren and
2 great grandchildren.
Came here in 1910
Pallbearers Tuesday were
See No. 5 Page 2 |
Ike Bailey, H. M. Pyeat?,
Her-
bert Chesahir?, Erwin Rambo?,
Carl Stephenson and Bob Barnett.
Immediate relatives named
her many friends as honorary
pallbearers.
In 1823, Mrs. White
was mar-
to Jay White. She had
come to Terry County in 1910
with her family from Comanche
County, her birth place.
The family farmed
North-
West of Brownfield after arri-
ving here in a covered wagon
from Symter. Mrs. White work-
ed as a young women in
Brownfield Merchant Company,
Brownfield State Bank, the Old
pony?, and in her brothers de-
partment store.
 .
.
|
TOP
The History of Maud United
Methodist Church
Entire Family, Children and Spouses were all named in a book,
"The History of Maud United
Methodist Church 1874-1974, Written
by Joe V Clouse, Pastor and P. E. Cooley.
John Calvin White, 1891-1931 married
Willie B. Fischer.
They were the Parents of Five Children:
Charley Clifford White
Leola (White) Ward
Imogene White (died young)
Thomas William White
Lorene (White) Haynes
After death of Willie B, John married Eldora Lewis they had 1 child:
Ted L. White
TOP
1920 Bowie Co Census Precinct 5 - Sheet no. 12b
227 235
WHITE, J. C. HEAD M W 28 M
TX SC WEST VA
FARMER
WILLIE? WIFE
F W 26 M TX GA
GA
CLIFFORD SON M W
05 S TX TX
TX
LEOLA DAU
F W 03 S TX TX
TX (3yrs 11/12mo)
J. W.
SON M W 11/12mo TX TX
TX (this must be T W)
***Living a few doors from brother Milton White***
1930
Brownfield Town Terry Co Census
ED Dist: 223 - 1 (6451), Sheet No. 2b
ED date: April 3, 1930 by Mrs. May M. Cook
39 - 41
White, Jay C head $2000 no M W 39 M 17 no yes TX TN? TN? yes proprietor Grocery Store
Eldora wife
F W 40 M 34 no yes TX MO MO yes
Clifford son
M W 15 S yes yes TX TX TX
Shine? shop shop
T. W. son
M W 11 S yes yes TX TX TX
Lorene dau
F W 09 S yes __ TX TX TX
Ted
son
M W 03 S no __ TX TX TX
1940 Brownfield Town Terry Co Census
ED Dist: 223 - 1a , Sheet No. 3b Page 3
ED date: April 8, 1940 by C L Hamilton
Not-Listed
White, Eldora head F W 50 wd no H1 TX District Clerk
Ted
son M W 13 S yes 7 TX
Warren, G W brolaw M W 57 M no 7 MS
Warren, Della wife F W 55 M no 8
AR
4 other Lodgers are also living at Eldora's residence.
TOP
Bowie Co TX
Marriage License - John & Willie
| John
& Willie's Marriage Lic. |
John
& Eldora's Marriage Lic. |
|
THE STATE OF
TEXAS
Marriage
License
County
of Bowie
To
any Person Authorized by the Laws of the State
of Texas to Celebrate the Rites of matrimony in the
State of Texas
Greeting:
You
are hereby Authorized to Solemnize the
Rites of Matrimony
Between
Mr. J.
C. White
_______ and Miss. Willie
B. Fisher
and make the return to the
Clerk of the County Clerk of said County within thirty days
thereafter, certifying your actions under this License.
Witness my
official signature and seal of office in
Boston
,Texas
this the 29th
day of June
A. D. 1914.
Joe
White
Clerk County Court
Bowie
County, Texas
By
- - - - - Deputy
I
hereby certify that on the
29th day of
June A. D. 1914,
I united in Marriage the parties above named.
Witness my hand this 29th
day of June
A. D. 1914
County of
Marriage:
Rev. M. C. Nelson
M. G.
_____________________County,
Texas
Returned and filed
for record the 4th
day of July A.
D. 1914
and recorded the 23rd
day of July
A. D. 1914
By W. J.
Simmons Deputy Joe
White County Clerk
Copy of Marriage Certificate provided
by: Jeanette White
Note from Mike:
The County Clerk is Joe White, this is Joseph Franklin White
the son of William Pinkney & Winifred White, he lived in
New Boston, where the Court House is located. Joe would be
the First Cousin to John Calvin White, as William P White
was the brother of John's father, Thomas White. |
TOP
Terry Co TX Marriage
License: (John & Eldora)
|
THE STATE OF
TEXAS, } No. 302
County of Terry
To any Regularly Licensed
or Ordained
Minister of the Gospel,
Jewish Rabbi, Judge of the District or County Court, or any
Justice of the Peace, in and for The
State of Texas ---GREETING:
You are Hereby Authorized to
SOLEMNIZE THE RITES OF
MATRIMONY Between
Mr. J.
C. White and Miss.
Eldora Lewis
and make due return to the Clerk of the
County Court of said County
within sixty days thereafter, certifying your action under this License.
Witness my official signature and seal
of office, at office in Brownfield
the 31st
day of May
1924
SEAL
H. R. Winston Clerk
of County Court
Terry County.
By _____________Deputy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I, C. E.
Ball , hereby certify that on the 31st
day of May
1924
I, united in Marriage
Mr. J. C. White
and Miss. Eldora Lewis
the parties above named.
Witness my hand
this 2nd day of
June 1924
C. E. Ball
Minister of the Gospel
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Returned and filed for record the 3rd
day of June 192__, and
recorded
the 6th day
of June 1924
H.
R. Winston County Clerk.
By Lillian
Weble Deputy.
Copy Provided by: Jeanette White |
TOP
Death Certificates
for John & Eldora:
On file at the County Court House: Office
of the County Clerk
Ann Willis (Court House)
500 West Main - Room 105
Brownfield, Texas 79316
|
John Calvin White's
Death Certificate: |
|
Copy Provided by: Jeanette White
John Calvin White's
Death Certificate: Name: Jno. Calvin White
Occupation: Grocery man
Industry: His Place of
Business
Cause death: Gun Shot wounds through
Chest and Head. Instantaneous death.
Father: T. W.
White [should be T. M. Cem. records are correct]
Mother: Unknown
Signer:
Mrs. J. C. White Brownfield TX
Burial Place: Brownfield TX
Date Burial: April 6, 1831
Undertaker: Roy B. Collier Brownfield TX
Filed:
April 7, 1831 J. E. Shelton J.P.
Recorded: May 6, 1831 |
|
Eldora
A. White's Death
Certificate: |
|
Copy Provided by: Jeanette White Eldora
A. White's Death
Certificate: Name:
Eldora A. White
Place of Death: Brownfield Terry Co TX
Address:
415 East Hill St.
Date of Death: Jan. 20 1958
Married Status: Widowed
Date Birth: Aug 14, 1899
Father:
Robert R. Lewis
Mother: Mary Elizabeth Covington
Age at death: 68
Occupation: District Clerk
Birth Place: Comanche Co. TX
Informants Sig. Ted White, Son, Odessa, Texas
Cause death: Lenkemia unclassified
Signed:
A. H. Daniell M. D. Brownfield TX
Burial:
Jan. 21, 1958 Brownfield Cemetery
Funeral Dir: Brownfield Funeral Home
|
TOP
Estate of J. C.
White John died Intestate
without a Will, Eldora was appointed
the Administrator of the Estate. The Estate of was considerable,
for the times.
ESTATE
OF J. C. WHITE
DECEASED. IN
THE COUNTY COURT OF
TERRY COUNTY, TEXAS
IN VACATION. The Honorable Jay
Barret, Judge of same Court: - 1st.
Now comes your petitioner, Eldora A. White, who
resides in Terry County, Texas, the wife of J. C. White, deceased,
and respectfully represented and shows to the court that her
husband, J. C. White, died on the 5th day of April, A. D. 1931,
at Brownfield in Terry County, Texas. 2nd.
That the said J. C. White left surviving him the
following children, to wit: Clifford, a son, 16 years old; Leola,
a daughter, 15 years old; T. W., a son, 12 years old; Lorene, a
daughter; 11 years old; Ted, a son 4 years old. 3rd.
That there is a community estate between the said
J. C. White, deceased husband, and myself. 4th.
That said deceased died intestate and was, at the
time of his death, a resident of the county of Terry, State of
Texas, and that practically all of said community estate is
located in Terry County, Texas.
Wherefore your petitioner asks the court to
appoint three appraisers to appraise said estate as in other
administrations.
Eldora A. White, Petitioner
By: J. J. McGowan,
Attorney Note:
Eldora was appointed Administrator, due payments were
retrieved and Debts paid. A Clyde and Clarence Lewis
are signers on the Estate, they are Eldora's brothers.
|
TOP
Will of Eldora A.
White
Clyde Lewis, the brother of Eldora,
presented the
Will of Eldora White to the court, on 20 Jan 1958.
Eldora's Will was executed on 20 Day of July A. D. 1939. All
of her Step Children and her Natural child are mentioned
in her will, all receive a portion of the Estate, favoring Ted White.
======================================================
THE
STATE OF TEXAS County of
Terry... KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS.
That I, Eldora A. White, of the County of Terry
State of Texas, being in good health, and sound and disposing mind
and memory, and being desirous of settling my worldly affairs, while
I have strength so to do, with which God in his infinite wisdom, has
seen fit to bless me with , now and in the remaining days of my life
do make and publish this as my last will and testament, revoking any
will, or wills by me heretofore made. 1.
I direct that all of my just debts be paid, and the legacies here
in after set forth shall be after the payments of my debts. 2.
I desire that my body be given a Christian Burial, commensurate to
my station in life, it is not my wish that any special display of
wealth, or costly apparel be arraigned for me, but that same be simple
yet neat, commensurate to my station in life. 3.
It is my will, that my step children, to wit. Clifford White, T. W. White
Leola Ward, Lorene Haynes, children of my husband by a former marriage
shall share, share and share alike to the extent of the first $1000.00
value, or sale of my present homestead, located on Lots Numbers 7 & 8
in Block Number 82 of the original town of Brownfield, Terry County
Texas that said four named children, share, with my son, Ted White
in
equal shares of $200.00 each, of the 1st $1000.00 value or sale of
said
property, or in an equal proportion of said property should sell for
less. Or be valued in a settlement at less. That all above $1000.00
shall be the property of my son Ted White. 4.
It is my will, that Lots Numbers 7-8-9-10 in Block Number 14 of the
Daniel Addition to the town of Tatum, of the State of New Mexico, shall
pass in fee simple to the children of my husband by a former marriage
to wit, Clifford White, T. W. White, Leola Ward, Lorene Haynes, and my son
Ted White each and all of said children being the children of my de-
ceased Husband J. C. White. That said property pass, share and share
alike.
That there is 6 1/2 acres of royalty located in Lea County, of the
State of New Mexico, that exact description as to lot and block or survey
at this time not being known, that the title, to same shall pays, share
and share alike as hereinabove set forth, as to the lots in
Tatum.
5. It is my will, that all of my property, both real and personal
that
come into my possession, after the making of this will, shall be and
shall become at my death the property of my son, Ted White. That all
of my personal affects, at my death that I have and do not before my
death make disposition of, I give and bequeath to my son, Ted White.
6. I here name as Independent Executor of my estate, Clyde Lewis,
and
if he be dead, Clarence C Lewis. That without bond, said named executor
be privileged to prove this my will, returning an inventory and
appraisement
of my estate. AND I here give
and grant my said executor, for the purposes herein
above set forth, to make sale of my property, or properties for the
payment of my debts, and legacies hereinabove set forth, or to
turn over said properties as he may see wise and proper, to said
named beneficiary. It
is my will that no action be had in the County Court, other than
to prove this will, and a return of an inventory and appraisement.
In Witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my
name, this 20,
day of July, A. D. 1939 in the presence of H. M. Pyeatt.
and Lee Fulton.
who attest the same at my request.
Eldora A. White The
above instrument, was now here subscribed by Eldora A. White,
the Testator, in presence, and we, at her request, and in her presence
sign our names hereto as attesting witnesses.
H. M. Pyeatt
Lee Fulton
Filed January 22, 1958
Wade Yandell, County Clerk |
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Cemetery Record for John & Eldora: Brownfield
Cemetery
Terry County Texas Cemetery Listings:
White Eldora Alberta Aug. 14, 1889 Jan. 20 1958
White J. C.
Dec. 27, 1891 Apr. 5, 1931
Footnote (41) American Legion Marker
Note:
There is a ALMA JOE WHITE b. 3 Mar 1925 d. 3 Mar 1925
Could belong to John & Eldora, no other White's listed at this cem.
In a Newspaper Article of John's death, a 2nd child of John and Eldora
is mentioned, with Ted White surviving... I believe Alma is there child. 
Brownfield Cemetery is West of Brownfield on Texas Highway #137, .5
miles off Highway 82. Brownfield Cemetery had 375 unmarked graves.
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Terry County Texas School Tax:
BROWNFIELD SCHOOL TAX RECORDS 1924 THRU 1930
Years paid
WHITE, J.C.
1924 1925 1926
WHITE, W. B.
1925
WHITE, WILLIAM B. 1926
Note:
If the above JC White is ours, then this places him in Terry
County TX in 1924.
These Lewis's may be related to Eldora:
LEWIS BROTHERS & CO. 1924 1925 1926
LEWIS, CLARENCE
1924 1925 1926
LEWIS, CLYDE
1925 1926
LEWIS, D. P .
1924 1926
LEWIS, J. C.
1924 1925 1926
LEWIS, J. N.
1924 1926
LEWIS, MRS. M. A.
1924
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TERRY
COUNTY
Terry County is located on
the southern High Plains of West Texas forty miles southwest of Lubbock.
It has an area of 899 square miles and has an elevation of 3,100 to 3,600
feet. It is bounded by Hockley County, TX. on the north - Gaines and
Dawson Counties, TX. on the south - Lynn County, TX. on the east - and
Yoakum County, TX on the west .
The county was named for
Col. Benjamin Franklin Terry, who commanded the Eighth Texas Cavalry
(Terry's Texas Rangers) in the Civil War. The County was actually formed
in 1875 from land in the Bexar and Young territories, but it wasn't
organized until 1904, with Brownfield as its seat of government.
The land in Terry County
includes lands granted by Mexico to Stephen J. Wilson in 1826 and John
Charles Beales in 1832. Settlement was prevented on the grant lands of
West Texas by the Texas Revolution.
The land was originally
hunting grounds for Comanches and other Indians who hunted the great herds
of buffalo in the area. However the buffalo hunters depleted the buffalo
herds and the Indians had been removed by the army during 1870s.
Birth, marriage, death,
land and probate records were first recorded in 1904. Court records were
first recorded in 1905. The courthouse for Terry County is located in
Brownfield, Texas.
The mailing address is:
Terry County Courthouse
Brownfield, Texas 79316
PHYSICAL FEATURES
West Texas County on South Plains broken up by draws and playas with sandy
to sandy loam and loam soils
AGRICULTURE
Terry County has155,000 acres under irrigation. Cotton is the major crop
and Terry County is one of the state leaders in cotton production. The
county had twenty-one gins in 1971 to process 103,514 running bales
produced during that season. Sorghum, peanuts, and chili peppers are also
raised. Cattle and hogs are
VITAL STATISTICS
The population in 1990 was 13,532 with 77.2% White, 3.4% Black, 39.3%
Hispanic, American Indian 0.3%, Asian 0.2% and Other 18.9%.
In 1995 there were 189
births, 119 deaths, 123 marriages and 67 divorces.
THINGS OF INTEREST
The Terry County Museum, a Harvest Festival in October and a Bean and
Brisket cook-off in April.
CITIES AND
TOWNS
Brownfield - The county seat (pop. 9,357), Meadow (pop. 623), Wellman
(pop. 259),
For more information
on Terry County TX:
http://www.geocities.com/KATONEAL1941/terryco.htm |
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