tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54735903364435677022024-03-13T21:47:04.220-05:00Galveston History"Galveston History" is an attempt to provide information, photographs, drawings, and other items of interest about Galveston's history to those BOI or IBC. I am hoping that readers will share their Galveston family history and photos, or their take on Galveston historical events.Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-39739512174333565332018-06-25T15:14:00.000-05:002018-06-25T15:28:17.778-05:00First Baptist Church of Galveston<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The First Baptist Church Galveston is the oldest Southern Baptist Church in Texas, having been organized by James Huckins (1807-1863), with nine charter members on February 3, 1840. Their first permanent house of worship was a log cabin sanctuary erected near the corner of 22nd Street and Sealy Avenue (Avenue I) in 1847. The congregation's second building, was built in 1883, and featured seven steeples. Designed by architect Nathaniel Tobey, Jr., it was a mixture of Gothic and Eastern Orthodox styles. It was destroyed in the 1900 storm, and the original log cabin sanctuary was crushed by the falling church building. A replacement building was dedicated in 1905 and constructed with heavy mortar walls and a dome. It was replaced in 1958 by the fourth (and current) church structure.<br />
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Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-24423872763856935132018-06-21T14:46:00.000-05:002018-06-21T14:46:08.511-05:00Harmony Hall Masonic Temple 1884-1928The Harmony Hall No. 6, the extravagant Scottish Rite Temple was designed by architect Nicholas J. Clayton.<br />
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This Masonic Temple was situated at the southeast corner of 21st and Post Office Streets. Its cornerstone was laid in 1882 and completed in 1884.<br />
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The leading features of the architecture style were its plaster buttresses and Gothic detail engrafted on classic forms of the Italian renaissance, with the distinctive details of each style modified in a harmonious manner to blend the pleasing features of each. A preponderance of Gothic outlines was maintained in the arched construction, the tracery of the openings, and other salient features of this distinctively Northern European style.<br />
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The buildings corner tower was sheared off during the 1900 Storm, and not replaced. Sadly, the building was later destroyed by fire in 1928.<br />
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A front page story in The Galveston Daily News on the following day said: “A demon fire licked his way ravenously through the rich furnishings, gutted the building, cracked its wall with fiery breath, and sent flying debris into the streets where thousands of Galvestonians stood helplessly by.”<br />
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“Back then, many of the Masons worked downtown and even as the building burned, they were able to save many of the library books and some of the furniture,” said Abbie Hughes, a master Mason and member of the Scottish Rite for 56 years.<br />
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“They moved almost everything, even the grandfather clock, from the hall’s first floor to the Kahn & Levy Building directly across the street. Levy, a Mason, stored them until the new building was complete.”<br />
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The elaborate Italian marble staircase also was saved, salvaged from the charred remains.<br />
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“It was removed piece by piece, cleaned and given a place in our new home,” Wood said.<br />
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In fact, the surviving staircase became a centerpiece for the current cathedral, the Art Deco masterpiece designed by Alfred C. Finn.Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-41840155237567168912018-06-21T11:15:00.000-05:002018-06-21T11:15:05.953-05:00Gruetzmacher Print Shop on the Strand<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
The late Frank Heizer sent me the photograph below showing Ritter's Saloon and Cafe (owned by Thomas Ritter, 1848-1903) immediately after the 1900 Galveston Storm. His e-mail got my juices flowing, and I did a little research into the family legend that it was the Gruetzmacher's printing presses that crashed through the ceiling into Ritter's Cafe, killing several customers.</div>
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First off, I checked my records for the location of Paul Gruetzmacher's shop, finding it located at 2109 Strand (on the 2nd floor), circa 1896, which was the last confirmed date I have. After that date, Paul is mentioned in the city directories as a printer, but gives no business address. </div>
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The building at 2109 Strand was built for Clara (nee Gruetzmacher) Lang in 1887-1888. Clara was the sister of the printer Paul Gruetzmacher.<br /></div>
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I was able to confirm with the Rosenberg Library that Ritter's was also located at 2109 Strand, and not on Mechanic street, as had been stated in at least one report. According to the Sanborn Insurance maps for 1899 Galveston, the address of 2109 Strand was assigned to the second building from 21st street, on the south side. In the photo above, this is the 4-story dark-colored building with the large pile of wreckage in front. The top floors were blown away by the 100-120 mph hurricane winds. This building is still standing, and is the (now) two-story building painted green in the modern photo, below.<br /></div>
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To give you an idea of where this building is, it is located across and down the street from The Old Strand Emporium, which has been a fixture on the street for at least the last 35 years.<br /></div>
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So, now we know that it may have indeed been Paul Gruetzmacher's printing presses that fell through the ceiling of Ritter's Cafe the afternoon of the storm, resulting in the first fatalities of the deadly hurricane. One first-hand report had called it "a strongly-built brick building, which was thought to be very safe" As the wind increased in velocity, "a blast of wind tore the roof from the building, collapsing the ceiling onto the ground-floor dining room. Desks, chairs and presses from the printing shop on the second floor crashed onto the diners."<br /></div>
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One of these days, I will pore through the daily Galveston newspapers just prior to the Storm to see if I can find any mention of Paul Gruetzmacher's shop being open. I think there is a good possibility that the presses on the 2nd floor at 2109 Strand were indeed Paul's.</div>
Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-86619761186710799302018-06-21T10:39:00.002-05:002018-06-21T10:41:02.369-05:00Johann Friedrich W. Ahrens, Alderman and CabinetmakerJohann Friedrich W. Ahrens, was born August 7, 1818 in Schleswig-Holstein. Johann married Bettie Burtner and to this union at least 3 children were born; Wilhelmina, Betty and Ann. He and his family lived at 24-26 East Market Street. [Old style address.] (Marston 1868, p. 17.) He was a cabinetmaker by trade, and served as a City Alderman in 1865 and 1866.<br />
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Ahrens immigrated from the Kingdom of Hanover to Galveston in 1845, on board the Hamilton. (Chester William Geue and Ethel Hander Geue, A New Land Beckoned, p. 76).<br />
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He was situated in Galveston before 1849, when The Galveston Weekly News had printed his advertisement, "Cabinet Making and Repairing. The subscribers furniture manufactory to be found on the corner of Post Office and 22nd Street, directly opposite Mr. Lurcher's Grocery. He is prepared to execute at short notice, all orders for making, repairing, or cleaning any kind of furniture that may be wanted. He keeps on hand a supply of Cedar, Black Walnut, Magnolia, Mahogany, etc. ready seasoned and prepared for use. His prices will be found very low, and the style of work may be seen by giving him a call." In the 1856-7 Galveston Directory, his advertisement was virtually the same but a different address given on Market Street. By 1860, Census data reveals JFW Ahrens is the foremost furniture manufacturer in Galveston County with $1,692 of Total Value of Furniture Produced. The shop employed two hands, to produce 24 desks, 18 bookcases, and 48 tables. Galveston records show that his business continued as late as 1870 (Texas Furniture, The Cabinetmakers and Their Work, 1840-1880, by Lonn Taylor and David B. Warren, Forward by Miss Ima Hogg, University of Texas Press, Austin and London, (C) 1975, pages 275, 333, and Texas Furniture, Volume Two: The Cabinetmakers and Their Work, 1840–1880; By Lonn Taylor, David B. Warren. pp. 257.)<br />
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AN ANTIQUE TEXAS CARVED PINE AND CEDAR WARDROBE, BY GALVESTON CABINETMAKER JOHANN FRIEDRICH AHRENS, THIRD QUARTER 19TH CENTURY, the rectangular top above recess paneled hinged doors with the right door interior centering the manufacturers black stenciled label, "From J.F.W. AHRENS Furniture MANUFACTORY GALVESTON, Tex," opening to an interior enclosing adjustable shelves including one drawer and hand carved garment hooks, over a scalloped skirt rail. Height: 73"" Width: 51 1/4"" Depth: 20 3/8<br />
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Johann Ahrens died December 8, 1870, and was buried in the Old City Cemetery, Galveston.<br />
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His wife Bettie (Burtner) Ahrens was born June 27, 1822, in Germany, and died November 27, 1912 (age 92) in Houston, Harris County, Texas. She was buried in the Old City Cemetery, Galveston.<br />
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Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-37326865326087097992018-06-21T09:06:00.001-05:002018-06-21T09:06:58.164-05:00Galveston Fire of 1885<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zoHBx3ldADs/WyuvjEc_d1I/AAAAAAAAAVk/9PJUpu1DPGcbMnspNFjNSzyNJAEAex-MwCLcBGAs/s1600/Galveston%2BFire%2B1885%2Bsheetmusic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="284" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zoHBx3ldADs/WyuvjEc_d1I/AAAAAAAAAVk/9PJUpu1DPGcbMnspNFjNSzyNJAEAex-MwCLcBGAs/s400/Galveston%2BFire%2B1885%2Bsheetmusic.jpg" width="315" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">The Galveston fire of 1885, started on Friday, November 13 near the business district. The sheet music to the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">left celebrating the fire is a song written by Louis Gruetzmacher, with music by Jacob Day.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Cary Cartwright, in his history 'Galveston' writes:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">"The fire began at a foundry near 17th and the Strand, and a stiff north wind swept it from rooftop to rooftop.... Flames raged out of control, cutting a four-block-wide swath across the center of the Island-from the Strand, over Broadway, past Avenue O, nearly to the beach. Homeowners raced ahead to save what they could.... In the street, people stumbled about, dazed and bewildered.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">"Galveston's first professional fire department was barely a month old and no match for the conflagration. The pressure on its newly installed saltwater system proved insufficient, and bits of shell clogged the nozzles of the firehose. By the time it burned itself out, the fire had consumed forty-two blocks, destroying 568 buildings and homes.... Amazingly, no one died."</span>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-82880105429659020612011-03-07T00:40:00.000-06:002016-08-07T05:07:23.625-05:00Kicking Up a Muss in the Irrepressable MelodeonYes, indeed, the Melodeon had a bad reputation. The saloon seems to have only been in business for less than two years, as the only period I find mention of the joint is in 1868 and early 1869. It was located on Postoffice, but I have yet to find the exact address. Does anybody know?<br />
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Reports of various "events" at the Melodeon made the newspaper police beat as early as April 11, 1868. A unnamed soldier on detachment in Galveston "was arrested and locked up in the jail last night, for kicking up a fuss at the front of the Melodeon. He was intoxicated."<br />
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A month later, on May 29th, the newspaper reported a fight at the bar: "John Rich alias Rickaby and Scottie [?] late a hotel runner, had a lively scrimmage in a box at the Melodeon last night. Rickaby was imprisoned."<br />
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On September 30th, When Alonzo Chinn and John Davis "were fined respectively $10 and $15 for kicking up a disturbance at the Melodeon last night" the editor of the paper, Willard Richardson, couldn't help but admonish them with, "Expensive fun, gentlemen."<br />
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Later that year, on November 5th, the Daily News reported on the 'Fatherly Advice' offered a unnamed miscreant, but I suspect that the young man in question was a local boy of some respectable family. The police chiefs efforts of "moral suasion" suggests to me that a sound beating was inflicted upon the pistol-packing bacchanalian.<br />
<br />
"It was yesterday reported to Capt. McCormick, Chief of Police, that a certain young man drew a loaded revolver in the Melodeon on Tuesday night last. It was not seen by any of the police, and he consequently escaped arrest. Chief Mack, however, accosted the young hopeful on the street yesterday, and took it upon himself to give him some fatherly advice. Mack evidently has a high appreciation of the beneficial effects of moral suasion, and so he gave the gay and festive habitue of the Melodeon a moral lecture that we trust will sink into the soil, take root and bring forth the fruits of repentence and reformation.<br />
<br />
"From what we can learn about the matter the lecture of Chief Mack was very complete in itself, and it is necessary for us to add to it a peroration of our own; but we improve the occasion to inform the young man referred to that he stands on dangerous ground, and that if he is found in a public place with arms on his person after what has already transpired his pockets will be made to bleed and his tarnished reputation will be further soiled and blasted by his name being published and held up to public censure and scorn."<br />
<br />
A week later, on November the 12th, editor Richardson really tore into the Melodeon, probably after having his fill of the constant reports of pie-eyed and pugilisticly inclined patrons. Sadly, though, his post-Civil War racial bias really is rather disquieting.<br />
<br />
"The Melodeon.—This 'free-and-easy,' on Postoffice street, is nightly the rendezvous for all the filthy, foul-tongued and hell bound negro harlots in the city, and hardly a day passes that some of these disgusting excrescences upon the body politic are now arraigned before the [court] Recorder to answer the various charges that are preferred against them.<br />
<br />
"We presume that the Melodeon is a licensed institution, and that its proprietors have a perfect right under the law to 'run their machine' in any manner they see proper so the laws are not transgressed. But this mingling together of the white and black races on the same floor, as is nightly seen there, is too near social equality for our sanction or justification. We maintain that it should not be tolerated. Similar free shows are run and supported in other cities, but we have never before heard of negro women forming a part of the audience. We regard this portion of the arrangement as a nuisance; are we not right?"<br />
<br />
In the next days issue, Richardson again reports the doings at the saloon in his usual succinct manner, that one H. Schulzenger was "charged with being drunk and disorderly at the Melodeon last night. The evidence was insufficient to a conviction, and the case was dismissed without cost." But, he couldn't let the dive-bar off without a darkly humorous poke; "The Melodeon rarely fails to furnish us with an item."<br />
<br />
Richardson continues to add his feelings to the November 18th report that "John Lynn was taken to the station and required to give bond for his appearance this morning to answer the charge of kicking up a muss in the irrepressable Melodeon." The next day, Mr. Lynn was fined $5.00 and court costs.<br />
<br />
The last report I've found on the Melodeon comes from January 19, 1869 when William McMullen was fined five dollars and court costs for being drunk and disorderly at the Melodeon. Because of the lack of further reports on this dive, I can only guess that the joint was either out-of-business, or simply plying its trade under a new name. Its location on Postoffice Street foretells the infamous brothels and barrooms that lined the street early in the next century. But its exact location is a mystery to me at this time. Perhaps a thorough search of the city directories of those years may provide the locale.Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-73875314489833256432011-03-06T03:09:00.000-06:002011-03-06T03:09:51.592-06:00A beer-jerker at the famous MelodeonPart of the fun in doing these write-ups is the odd bits-and-pieces of history that I stumble across while looking for something else altogether.<br />
<br />
A case in point:<br />
<br />
<strong>H. Barttele, accused of using insulting and abusive language to Mrs. Hyre, a beer-jerker at the famous Melodeon, (a friend at our elbow suggests "infamous," but we are opposed to calling hard names) was discharged, and the case dismissed without costs.</strong> [<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Galveston Daily News, November 15, 1868]</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Some things never change, do they? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I did a little further research into the Melodeon, but I honestly didn't expect to find much about the saloon. To my surprise, I found that maybe the bar deserved its disreputable reputation. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">It seems that earlier that year, on January 21, 1868, young Mr. James Day had committed suicide by taking morphine. Day, aged 18, was a native of Canada, and a clown and female impersonator [!!] with the Haight & Chambers' Circus. At the time of his death he was employed by the Melodeon Concert Hall in Galveston.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">In March of that year it was reported that the circus stock of Haight & Chambers’ Palace Show and Menagerie was sold off by order of the Houston court. All the saddles, harness, tents, assorted livestock, and even the trick horse "Stonewall" (which brought $250) were auctioned off. All told the stock brought just over $2,400. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I have read that Galveston was used as winter quarters for travelling circuses. It could be that this circus was wintering in Houston, and ran out of funds. If anyone knows about this subject, drop me a line.</span>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-76444408967184358602011-03-04T13:47:00.002-06:002011-03-04T14:13:33.178-06:00Old Red on a 1905 Victorian Postcard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3RcJeYxO77M/TXE4CKSybyI/AAAAAAAAASE/vtfzb0VNfTY/s1600/Medical+College+1905_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" l6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3RcJeYxO77M/TXE4CKSybyI/AAAAAAAAASE/vtfzb0VNfTY/s400/Medical+College+1905_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Here's a nice early postcard of Old Red, also known as the University of Texas Medical College Building, with construction begun in 1890 under supervision of architect Nicholas J. Clayton. This view actually dates from before the 1900 Storm, showing the central cupola and a conical roof-cap on the visible wing, both of which were damaged in the hurricane, and removed. (See below for post-storm postcard view.)<br />
<br />
This so-called 'Undivided Back Postcard' from 1901-1907, was postmarked June 24, 1905 in Galveston, routed through New York City, and arriving at its destination in Bergen, Norway on July 6. The card was published for Ferdinand Ohlendorf, a bookseller in Galveston, by the Tom Jones Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. Ohlendorf's bookstore, which also sold stationery, fountain pens, pencils, students note books, magazines, newspapers and of course, postcards, was located at 2015 Market Street.<br />
<br />
Ohlendorf was born in Hanover, Germany on October 11, 1862, and died in Galveston on August 31, 1953, almost 91 years old. He married Fredirike Kobrock in Galveston on January 22, 1888. She was born in 1863, probably in Germany, and died in Galveston on November 16, 1946.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JCtekLjjLIc/TXFGQGl2drI/AAAAAAAAASI/5mlp9Xl851Q/s1600/Medical+College_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" l6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JCtekLjjLIc/TXFGQGl2drI/AAAAAAAAASI/5mlp9Xl851Q/s400/Medical+College_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This postcard shows the Medical College after the 1900 Storm with the reconstructed roof. The damage to the roof of Old Red allowed for the addition of sky lights, which had always been wanted for the dissection room.Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-57934208795762399952011-02-13T15:33:00.000-06:002011-02-13T15:33:44.352-06:00Gresham Mansion's Stolen Winged Lion Returned<div class="text9pt">After more than two and a half years of absence, the winged lion that was stolen from its perch at the entrance to the 1893 Bishop’s Palace at 14th Street and Broadway will soon return home. Galveston Historical Foundation announced today that the 3-foot tall, 80- pound cast zinc statue, stolen in May of 2008, has been recovered. It will be restored and remounted on its granite and sandstone pillar opposite its twin, according to Dwayne Jones, GHF Executive Director. </div><div class="text9pt"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OfDPfx62zMw/TVhNxU2jqSI/AAAAAAAAAPc/Pt9n-ob30VI/s1600/Gresham+Mansion+Winged+Lion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OfDPfx62zMw/TVhNxU2jqSI/AAAAAAAAAPc/Pt9n-ob30VI/s400/Gresham+Mansion+Winged+Lion.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="text9pt">“We were heartbroken when the statue was discovered missing,” said Jones, “but we found a lot of support from the community and around the state in trying to locate it. Still, after a year, and then two years, without success, I frankly had lost hope of ever seeing it again.”</div><div class="text9pt">The statue was found and purchased by an anonymous donor who notified GHF and made it available to foundation staff, according to Jones. GHF operates the Bishop’s Palace, which is owned by the Galveston/Houston Archdiocese. “It is the most popular historic attraction in Galveston,” said Jones. “People all over really have a lot of affection for it—and for the lions that seem to guard the entrance.”</div><div class="text9pt">“We are delighted to have the lion back,” said Jones, “but it will take some repairs to the column and the casting itself before we can put it back where it belongs. It will be a lot more securely fastened this time. We don’t want to lose it again.”</div><div class="text9pt">Plans for a celebration of the statue’s return are underway, and will be announced soon, said Jones.</div><div class="text9pt"><br />
</div><div class="text9pt">More on this story at <a href="http://www.galvestonhistory.org/Winged-Lion_Casting_Returned.asp">http://www.galvestonhistory.org/Winged-Lion_Casting_Returned.asp</a></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-20987088736350359112011-02-04T22:37:00.002-06:002011-02-04T22:55:58.111-06:00Wilbur Alexander Cherry 1820-1873<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>Wilbur Alexander Cherry, early Galveston newspaper owner and editor, was born in New Haven, Oswego Co., New York on January 4, 1820 to Samuel Cherry and Abigail Delano. (Abigail Delano and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt are 3rd cousins 2 times removed.) He died on June 12, 1873 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas, and was buried there in the Old City Cemetery. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TUzUSgfAuBI/AAAAAAAAAOs/CjqjlC9Vxzk/s1600/Cherry%252C+Wilbur+%2528signature%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="116" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TUzUSgfAuBI/AAAAAAAAAOs/CjqjlC9Vxzk/s320/Cherry%252C+Wilbur+%2528signature%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">His Life and Newspaper Career</span><br />
<br />
Wilbur Cherry, at the age of fifteen ran away from home, and came to Texas in 1835, settling in Liberty County. There he joined Captain Andrew Briscoe's Company of Liberty Volunteers on November 21, 1835. He participated in the Texas war of independence, and was under the command of Ben Milam at the seige of Bexar in December of 1835, along with his later partner Michael Cronican.<br />
<br />
After the Texas Revolution Cherry joined the Army of the Republic of Texas. On December 24, 1839 he received a bounty payment of thirty dollars for enlisting as a private in Second Lt. R. W. Lee's Company F of Col. Edward Burleson's First Regiment, Infantry. He served briefly in Capt. Benjamin Y. Gillen's Company I and on May 19, 1840, transferred into Capt. Adam Clendenin's Company A at Galveston. [Thomas W. Cutrer, "CHERRY, WILBUR H.," Handbook of Texas Online] <br />
<br />
After his military service he spent a short time in Austin working as a printer. Austin had become the capital city for the Republic in 1839, and a number of papers had been started which would have provided ample work for an itinerant pressman. With the failure of the Santa Fe Expedition in 1842, President Sam Houston, fearing a Mexican response, moved the capital back to the city of Houston. This move drove a spike through the fortunes of most all the Austin presses, forcing them to either closure or removal. Cherry most probably left Austin during this period, and relocated to Galveston by 1842 or 1843.<br />
<br />
Back in Galveston, he met up with his old friend from the army, Michael Cronican, and together they decided to try their hand at newspaper publishing. According to Ben Stuart, the type and press for publishing the paper were rented from Samuel Bangs, who had the distinction of publishing Galveston's first newspaper, for four dollars a month. <br />
<br />
"One historical source describes them in the terminology of the printing trade at the time, Cronican as "an expert press man" and Cherry as "an expert roller of ink on the Washington hand press.... When they took over the paper from Bangs they leased from him the press and type used to print 'The Daily Galvestonian' and 'The Daily News', and their paper came off the press as a semi-weekly. A note on the masthead declared that the paper was to be printed "as soon as possible after the arrival of the boat from New Orleans." [Galveston Daily News, February 23, 1969]<br />
<br />
In an article from the November 28, 1961 'Galveston Daily News', the writer states that "Opinions differ as to the location of 'The News' in its early infancy. Some say that Michael Cronican and Wilbur Cherry when they took over The News were located at 68-70 Tremont between Mechanic and Strand or what would be the site of the Washington Hotel today. The other was 100-104 Tremont or the southeast corner of Tremont and Mechanic.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TUzTpbVKqgI/AAAAAAAAAOo/6OaePSIg4OA/s1600/Daily+News+Building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="272" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TUzTpbVKqgI/AAAAAAAAAOo/6OaePSIg4OA/s320/Daily+News+Building.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This drawing by Emil Bunjes gives his conception of the frame building — little more than a shack — which housed 'The News' in its infancy. It is believed George H. French published his paper, 'The Daily News,' there on April 11, 1842. It is known 'The News' was housed there a short time later when Wilbur Cherry and Michael Cronican took it over. The building stood at 68-70 Tremont or 23rd, on the east side of the street, and was rented from J. P. Davie. [Galveston Daily News, February 23, 1969]<br />
<br />
In June 24, 1843 issue of the 'Civilian' newspaper, Hamilton Stuart reported that Michael Cronican and Wilbur Cherry "had commenced , in this city, the publication of a small semi-weekly entitled 'The News.'" This paper was the parent of the 'Galveston News,' which became the only paper from this period in Texas history to continue on into the twentieth century.<br />
<br />
After Michael Cronican's departure from 'The News,' he "tried his hand at running a hotel between San Felipe and Houston. Then, in Nov. 1845, with John S. (Rip) Ford, a noted Texas frontier character, he purchased 'The Texas National Register,' a paper printed in Austin. Later Cronican became owner and publisher of a newspaper in San Antonio, 'The Western Texian,' which began publication in 1848. Cronican died in San Antonio during the cholera epidemic of 1849." [Galveston Daily News, February 23, 1969]<br />
<br />
After Cherry bought out Cronican, "it was Cherry, so one historical source declares, who inserted the word "Galveston" into the name of 'The News.' [Galveston Daily News, February 23, 1969] Cherry continued in partnership with Richard Drake Sebring as his editor, and the semi-weekly became a tri-weekly. Their partnership lasted only a short while, until July of 1844, when Sebring died, probably of tuberculosis. <br />
<br />
Cherry then brought in Benjamin F. Neal, who had been printer of a paper called the 'San Luis Advocate,' to help run the paper. Cherry gave Neal a half-interest in 'The Weekly News' in exchange for the Advocate's printing equipment. "The schooner transporting this equipment from San Luis to Galveston capsized in West Bay, and the press was dumped into the water. The press was later salvaged, cleaned up, oiled, and put to work." [Galveston Daily News, February 23, 1969]<br />
<br />
Although 'The News' claimed to be politically independent, it was in fact staunchly anti-Houston in its editorial stand, largely in response to the Houston administration's antipathy toward the Texas Navy, whose home port was Galveston. <br />
<br />
While Cherry was one of the leading businessmen of Galveston during the 1840's, he was "less than adept" as an editor. Impressed with Willard Richardson's editorial competence and aggressive style at the 'Texas Telegraph and Register,' Cherry and Neal offered him the post as editor at 'The News'. Richardson bought out Cherry the following year and soon developed the 'Galveston News' into Texas' leading newspaper.<br />
<br />
I find no mention of Cherry after 1845 to early 1850. I suspect he was working for various papers as a printer, but there is an elusive note that says he dabbled in the real estate market at one point in his business career. A letter dated July of 1851 in which he discusses his land dealings in Liberty seems to verify this. <br />
<br />
In February of 1850 Cherry joined with J. M. Gibson to publish the 'Galveston Journal' which became "the leading Whig paper in the state in 1852." [Lone Stars and State Gazettes, Marilyn McAdams Sibley] In July, 1851 Gibson sold off his share to Cherry, who kept the paper alive despite threats of foreclosure. Although he appealed to his customers to pay their bills, Cherry removed himself as publisher in June of 1853 and sold the paper to S. Carter and H. H. Smith.<br />
<br />
Cherry later started the 'Herald' in 1857 in partnership with J. C. Hepperla, George Copeland, J. J. Dunn and A. M. Dunn. The Marshall 'Texas Republican' of May 16, 1857, reported that "printers at Galveston recently struck for New Orleans prices, and, many being unemployed, five went into business for themselves to establish the Daily and Weekly 'Herald.'" It ceased to be issued in October of the same year, "not from choice," noted the 'San Antonio Herald' of October 20, 1857, "but from necessity." Of the five printers who started the paper, only two remained. (For many years, Galveston had the reputation as being a graveyard for newspapers.)<br />
<br />
After the failure of the 'Herald' Cherry never again started a newspaper. I can only imagine that the expenses of financing a new operation, supporting a growing family, and the onset of the Civil War gave him pause. But printers ink ran through his blood, so Wilbur never strayed far from the presses. In the 1859-1860 city directory, Wilbur is enumerated as a printer working on 23rd Street, between Avenues B and C.<br />
<br />
In the 1866-1867 Galveston city directory he is reported as being the foreman at the "News job office." In the 1868-1869 and 1870 directories he is simply listed as "printer" at 118 Market. In 1872, the year before he died, he was working for Robert C. Clarke as a printer.<br />
<br />
Ben C. Stuart wrote in his "History of Newspapers in Texas" that Cherry was "one of the old-time printers" who knew the trade "from the ground up" and who turned out proof so clean that it hardly required marking for errors. Appropriately, before he died he had returned to the news as a printer.<br />
<br />
Cherry died on June 12, 1873 in Galveston. The Galveston Typographical Union met beforehand at McKenna's job office and attended the funeral. In the Galveston Daily News of Friday, June 13, 1873, Willard Richardson wrote his heartfelt (and decidedly flowery Victorian) memorial to Cherry:<br />
<br />
<dir><dir><dir><dir>Right often are we called upon to record the doings of death in the circles of our friends and of our distinguished fellow citizens. Few indeed have been his visits of the household of the News. Seldom—and thankful are we for it—has he laid his icy hand on any one of our number. But he has now come for one, and taken from among us Wilbur Cherry. As one of the News family he was the oldest—not in years, but in his connection with this journal.<br />
<br />
In 1844 the present senior proprietor of the News became associated with Mr. Cherry as editor of the paper, and in the year following bought out his interest. Although he then ceased to be a proprietor, his connection ended not until last night, when he died. Occasionally he would accept employment and take work in other places, but he ever returned to what he considered his business home.<br />
<br />
Wilber Cherry came to Texas as early as the year '39 [more likely 1835], and worked in Austin as a printer at the time it became the capital city. He afterward resided near Liberty, and came to Galveston in the year '43 or '44 associated himself with Mr. Michael Cronican, who was then publishing the News, and a little subsequently Mr. Willard Richardson became its writing editor.<br />
<br />
In 1847 Mr. Cherry married Mrs. French, a widow who survives him, and is for the second time bereft. He leaves one daughter and three sons, neither of whom is married, and also a step-daughter who is married.<br />
<br />
The toilsome life of a practical printer has in it but few events to arrest public attention. It is a daily conflict with the stern duties of life in all its relations of husband, father and citizen, employer and employee. How well Mr. Cherry discharged these varied relations, no men knew better than those whose sad duty it is to put in form the words and the types that compose this the last record of his earthly virtues. They part from their friend with that sorrow to which long companionship gives birth, and in a steadfast faith that with his errors all corrected, and his proof clean, he will rise to that life immortal which awaits all who steadily strive to do well while on earth.<br />
<br />
To his widow and his children they render their sympathy and words of condolence — a sympathy which is heart-felt, and words which express their own deep emotions. May the sweetest mercies of Heaven rest on the wiow and the orphans of their officemate; may he hedge them round with his protecting arm, and may they always find, in every printer, a friend and a brother.</dir><dir></dir></dir></dir></dir><span style="font-size: large;">Family Life</span><br />
<br />
Wilbur Cherry married Catherine Rebecca Crosby in Galveston on August 7, 1847. Catherine Crosby had previously married George H. French in Galveston on January 20, 1842. French died shortly therafter, most probably in 1843 or 1844, during a yellow fever epidemic. Catherine and George had a daughter, Josephine, born around January of 1843.<br />
<br />
<br />
George French, along with his brother Henry, were well known in printing circles along the Texas coast. They printed, edited, or published several newspapers, usually in cooperation with the pioneer printer Samuel Bangs. Bangs had also married their sister Caroline French, who also contributed to this newspaper family by writing articles under the pen name "Cora", which was also the name of Wilbur and Catherine Cherry's first child. <br />
<br />
Catherine was born in Sligo, Ireland sometime around 1826, and arrived in the United States the same year, according to the note in the 1900 Census. In an article in the March 15, 1888 Galveston News she was visiting her daughter Cora Currie in Abilene, Texas. It was reported that the trip was the first time since her arrival in Galveston in 1830 that she had been more than 50 miles "from the sound of the breakers on its shore." The later emigration date makes more sense. <br />
<br />
Ben C. Stuart, writing in an article dated September 1, 1907, related that "the old Cherry homestead [was] built in the early '40s and occupied from 1842 to the present day by the venerable Mrs. Wilbur Cherry.... There is probably no other instance in Galveston where the same person has occupied the same home for a period of more than sixty-five years." <br />
<br />
Catherine continued to reside at 1602 Church St. past the turn of the century. Catherine died at her daughter Cora's house at 1828 Avenue M in Galveston on February 15, 1908, at the age of 82. She was buried alongside her husband in the Old City Cemetery in Galveston. <br />
<br />
Catherine and Wilbur had five children together: <br />
<br />
1. Cora, was born July 25, 1848, and died September 6, 1912. <br />
2. Charles Chester, was born January 12, 1851, and died April 30, 1912. <br />
3. Edwin Dugat, was born December 6, 1853, and died November 27, 1932. <br />
4. Wilbur Alexander, was born October 14, 1854, and died February 6, 1889.<br />
5. William H. Sandusky Cherry, was born December 25, 1856, and died August 2, 1858.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Children of Wilbur and Catherine Cherry</span><br />
<br />
<strong>Josephine French Cherry</strong>, was the daughter of Catherine and her first husband George French. She was born sometime around January of 1843 in Galveston. I haven't found out if she was legally adopted by Cherry, and in the 1860 Galveston census she was listed as J. French, so I don't know is she used French or Cherry as her maiden name throughout her life. <br />
<br />
She married Paul Logre (or Loguery) on May 25, 1891 in Galveston. Paul Logre was born in Texas on January 1, 1836, the son of <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Frank Brashear Logre of France, </span>and died February 16, 1921 in Galveston. Paul had previously married Catherine (Kitty) Conlon in Galveston on November 6, 1874. Paul and Kitty had at least two children from this marriage.<br />
<br />
I haven't been able to find Josephine's death date, but she must have died prior to the 1910 census.<br />
<br />
In the 1873 Galveston city directory, Paul Logre was a baggage agent at the Galveston Depot, and lived at the corner of 33rd and Market. He was listed in the 1875-76 directory as baggage master with the Galveston Houston & Henderson railroad, and resided at the corner of Avenue K and 26th. He lived at the same address in 1876-67.<br />
<br />
In 1900 they were living at Josephine's mothers house at 1602 Church St. They had at least two children, whose names wern't listed, so perhaps they were away at school. <br />
<br />
The Galveston census of 1910 and 1920 lists Paul Logre living at 1024 Avenue G with his daughter Lillie and her husband Maurice H. Van Liew, their daughter Hortense, and Paul's son Edward F. Logre.<br />
<br />
<strong>Cora Cherry</strong>, was born July 25, 1848 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas, and died September 6, 1912 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas.<br />
<br />
Cora married John Grant Currie on December 15, 1874 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas. John was born on 16 Nov 1845 in Scotland. He died on November 4, 1924 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas. <br />
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1873 Galveston City Directory: J. G. Currie, with McAlpine & Baldridge at 425 Postoffice, residence at the corner of 32nd[?] and Postoffice.<br />
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1875-76 & 1876-77 Galveston City Directory: J. G. Currie, bookkeeper & cashier with McAlpine & Baldridge, residence at the corner of Avenue F (Church) and 16th Street.<br />
<br />
On the 1910 Galveston census, the family was living at 1828 Avenue M.<br />
<br />
Cora died September 6, 1912 at the family residence at 2963[??] Avenue O1/2 "after a lingering illness," reported the Galveston News, and had "surrounded herself with a large circle of friends." Her funeral was held, on September 7, at her home.<br />
<br />
They had the following children:<br />
<br />
1. John Wilbur Currie was born on July 3, 1880 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas. He died on January 21, 1937 in McAllen, Hidalgo Co., Texas. He was buried in Dallas, Dallas Co., Texas. John Currie was an auditor living in Dallas, Texas.<br />
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John married Louie Salmonds. <br />
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2. Cora Cherry Currie was born on April 19, 1886 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas. She died on February 13, 1967 in Houston, Harris Co., Texas. She was buried on February 16, 1967 in Old City Cemetery, Galveston, Texas. <br />
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Cora married [unnamed] Clark. <br />
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<strong>Charles Chester Cherry</strong>, was born January 12, 1851 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas, and died April 30, 1912 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas. <br />
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Charles married Mary Elizabeth Lanier on November 29, 1885 in Erath Co., Texas. Mary was born about June of 1870 in Erath Co., Texas. She died after 1934 in Nocona, Montague Co., Texas. <br />
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In the 1870 Galveston city directory, C. C. Cherry is listed as a clerk for a cotton press at the corner of Mechanic and 30th. Chester is listed, in 1872, simply as a clerk., living at his parents house on Church. He next appears in the 1875-76 directory working for the Galveston City railroad and living at 21st and Avenue I. In the 1876-77 directory he is listed as a clerk living back at his mothers house on Church.<br />
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They had the following children:<br />
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1. [unknown] Cherry was born about 1887 in of Erath Co., Texas. NN died before 1900. <br />
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2. Chester Wilbur Cherry was born on July 17, 1889 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas. He died on July 20, 1967 in Odessa, Extor Co., Texas. He was buried on July 22, 1967 in Sunset Memorial Garden, Odessa, Texas. <br />
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Chester married (1) Elizabeth Strong on March 12, 1911 in Austin, Travis Co., Texas. Elizabeth was born on September 24, 1887 in Ellis, Texas. She died on June 20, 1975 in Albuquerque, Bernalillo, New Mexico. She was buried on June 23, 1975 in Sunset Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico.<br />
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Chester married (2) Kanie Virginia Carter about 1931. Kanie was born about 1902 in Comanche, Comanche Co., Texas. She died in Nocona, Texas. She was buried in Nocona, Texas. <br />
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3. John J. Cherry was born on July 17, 1891 in of Erath Co., Texas. He died on February 2, 1905 in Stephenville, Erath Co., Texas. He was buried in Lowell Cemetery, Erath Co., Texas. <br />
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4. Leslie Cherry was born before 1895 in of Erath Co., Texas. He died on February 24, 1896 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas. He was buried in Old City Cemetery, Galveston, Texas. <br />
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<strong>Edwin Dugat Cherry</strong>, was born December 6, 1853 in Galveston, and died November 27, 1932 in Galveston. He was buried on February 27, 1932 in the Galveston City Cemetery. Edwin never married, and had lived at 911 Ave. E, with his brother Wilbur and his family.<br />
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Ed Cherry is listed in the 1872 Galveston city directory as a ticket clerk for the City railroad, 239 Centre (21st) at the corner of Church. He lives at his parents home on Church. <br />
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Ed was working for Brown and Lang (Henry M. Lang married Clara Gruetzmacher) in the 1873 directory. In the 1875-76 snd the 1876-77 directories he's back with the City railroad, and lives at the family home on Church.<br />
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<strong>Wilbur Alexander Cherry</strong>, was born October 14, 1854 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas, and died February 6, 1889 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas.<br />
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In the 1875-76 Galveston city directory, W. Cherry was clerking for Brown and Lang, and lives at his parents home on Church St. He is still working for the same firm, now called J. S. Brown & Co., in the 1876-77 directory.<br />
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Wilbur married Ida Mae Van Ness, daughter of William Van Ness and Kate Wiley on December 20, 1881 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas. Ida was born on February 20, 1858 in Aurora, Indiana. She died on August 30, 1928 at 911 Ave. E, in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas. In her obituary in the September 1, 1928 Galveston News, it was reported that she was the adopted daughter of Judge Sanford Mason. Funeral services were held at the family residence at 911 Postoffice Street and she was buried at Galveston Memorial Park.<br />
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Wilbur and Ida had the following children:<br />
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1. Ida Mae Cherry was born on January 10, 1883 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas. She died on October 12, 1976 at 911 Ave. E, in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas. She was a bank clerk. She never married.<br />
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2. Alice Jeanette Cherry was born in June of 1885 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas. She died on November 9, 1971 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas. She never married.<br />
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3. Sanford Mason Cherry was born in of June 1885 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas. He died on December 4, 1946 in Beaumont, Jefferson Co., Texas. <br />
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4. Wilbur Alexander Cherry was born on November 18, 1887 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas. He died on September 15, 1976 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas. <br />
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5. Mildred Edith Cherry was born on November 18, 1887 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas. She died on September 15, 1976 at 911 Ave. E, in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas. She was a retired lab technician. <br />
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<strong>William H. Sandusky Cherry</strong>, was born December 25, 1856 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas, and died August 2, 1858 in Galveston, Galveston Co., Texas. <br />
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He was named for a noted cartographer who had died almost ten years previously. He published his "Plan of the City of Galveston Texas" in 1845. I haven't found a relationship between these families, as yet.<br />
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William H. Sandusky, draftsman and surveyor, was born on January 29, 1813, in Columbus, Ohio, the son of John and Elizabeth (Clarno) Sandusky. At an early age he moved to Pekin, Illinois. In 1838 he established himself in Austin, Texas, as an artist and draftsman. He assisted in surveying the town and making a map of it. He served the state as a surveyor and later as registrar of the General Land Office. In 1840 he was appointed secretary to President Mirabeau B. Lamar; a year later he resigned for health reasons. On May 11, 1841, he was appointed draftsman for the coastal survey of Texas under Edwin Ward Moore. Sandusky married Jane McKnight, and the couple lived in Galveston, where he advertised as a maker of maps, charts, landscapes, and plans of cities and towns. He worked in Galveston until his death on January 18, 1847. Though reflecting limited skill, his sketches of the city of Austin add important material to the early historical record of the city. --Pauline A. Pinckney, "SANDUSKY, WILLIAM H.," Handbook of Texas Online.Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-48212690026712871732011-02-04T20:58:00.002-06:002011-02-04T22:58:07.920-06:00The Wilbur Cherry House, 1602 Church Street<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-large;">The Wilbur Cherry House, 1602 Church Street</span></strong></div><br />
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</div>Sometime between 1852-54, Wilbur Cherry built his Greek Revival house at 1602 Church Street and lived in it for an unknown length of time, probably until his death in 1873. No architect has been assigned this house, and one speculation is that Cherry himself designed the residence. In an interview in the August 10, 1967 Galveston News, Miss Alice Cherry stated that she remembered her grandmother Catherine Cherry "saying the lumber was bought from Mobile, Ala. It had low ceilings. The Yankees didn't build high ceilings," she chuckled.<br />
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On November 13, 1885 a disasterous fire erupted at the Vulcan Foundry on Ave. A between 16th and 17th streets, and swept through the area of the city in which the house is located, consuming some forty blocks. This house was one of the few that were not burned.<br />
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Miss Alice Cherry related that "grandma" Catherine "didn't have a speck of insurance. She kept saying that if the house only survived that fire, she would get fire insurance the next day. Well, the house was spared and she had to get insurance. But, you know, she never needed it afterwards.<br />
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This house represents the typical less-pretentious Greek Revival residence of the early days of Galveston. The simple lines of the house exhibit no applied or meaningless decorations. Anne Brindley noted in her book "Historic Galveston Homes" that the house was "built for comfort and not for show." <br />
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It is a two story frame building with the typical central hall flanked on each side by one room. A double gallery extends across the front and is supported by square wood pillars. The roof is gabled and exterior chimneys, removed sometime after 1967, were located at each end gable.<br />
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Several additions have been added to the rear. The largest is a one room, two-story addition at the northeast corner of the house. All additions appear to be much later than the house.<br />
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In 1967, the Cherry House was one of 25 Galveston structures singled out for study for the Historic American Buildings Survey by John C. Garner, Jr. The following description comes from his inventory. My comments are in brackets.<br />
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The overall dimensions of the house measures, before the later additions, 20' x 36', including the 5' deep gallery. Erected on brick pier foundations, the building is a heavy braced-framed structure with weatherboard siding, which was covered by aluminum siding [before 1967, and since removed].<br />
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A three bay double gallery extends across the front facade. It is supported by square pillars having simple antae moldings for capitals. A wood railing encloses the porch. Access to the porch is by a set of wooden steps in the central bay.<br />
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The entrance doorway is typical of this style, having glass transom and side-lights. All the windows are six-over-six light double-hung wood sash. The roof is a simple gable with a characteristic classical molded cornice makes a return at each end.<br />
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The original house consisted of a central stair-hall flanked by a parlor at each side. In later years other additions have been added at the rear. Located on the west wall of the hall, the stairway is a quarter-turn stair with winders and has a heavy but simple newel post and railing. [This staircase is still in its original location.]<br />
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All floors are wood and appear to be modern. [Since Hurricane Ike of 2008, the floors were covered in oak laminate flooring.] Ceilings have modern fiber tiles. [Since replaced by sheetrock.]<br />
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Typical molded four panel wood doors. [Interior doors have all been replaced, at least on the first floor. The front door may be original, though with the large pane of glass replaced with plastic.]<br />
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Some original pintel [sic] hinges and rim locks of the period are extant. [I have seen no pintle hinges, and while the front door is certainly old and may be original, it's locks are much later.] <br />
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Typical wood molded trim around doors and windows. [All replaced since Ike, at least on the first floor.] Fireplaces covered. [Removed since 1967.]<br />
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The house was sold off after the death of Catherine Cherry in 1908. The first owner of the house after the Cherry's was Ernest F. Schmidt, who remodeled it into apartments. The house had to have been virtually gutted adding bathrooms and kitchens for four apartments. The owner of the house in 1967 was Mrs. Beatrice C. Gutierrez. She said she bought it through a realtor "about 10 years ago."<br />
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Sometime after the 1967 inventory the fireplaces were removed. Repairs made after Hurricane Ike also caused a further loss of original interior features, especially on the first floor. In August of 1979, the house was listed for sale for $38,750.00. In June of 1985, it was again offered for sale, but there was no posted price this time.<br />
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At the rear of the property, along the alley, is a large wood house that was originally located on the St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica property at 20th and Church streets. After completion of the new rectory in 1907 Catherine Cherry paid $100 for the building and spent $250 to move it to her property. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TUy8cHAoTcI/AAAAAAAAAOk/uzDvQmvJrNM/s1600/Cherry+House_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="322" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TUy8cHAoTcI/AAAAAAAAAOk/uzDvQmvJrNM/s400/Cherry+House_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-58581380136014532612010-11-23T23:51:00.000-06:002010-11-23T23:51:11.114-06:00Thanksgiving Day - Galveston - 1894<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">THANKSGIVING DAY.</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><strong>How It Will Be Observed in Galveston--The Church Services.</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-size: large;">EVERYBODY WILL EAT PIE</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="background-color: white;">Orphan Children Made Happy—Needs of the Old Woman's Home—Hospital Patients Will Feast.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Poor gobble-gobble! No longer will he strut in the barnyard singing his monotonous chant. Stripped of his feathers, he lies stuffed in the hot oven of nearly every kitchen in the land, a savory sacrifice to a thanksgiving nation. And the rest of the feast. What boy grown to manhood's estate does not remember the turkey, the chicken, the gravy and cranberry sauce, the celery and olives, the wealth of vegetables, ending with plum pudding, mince and pumpkin pie, fruit, nuts and raisins? And then the dreams that came in the silent watches of the night!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">There are those who have not the advantages of the home feast, and it was among the different benevolent institutions that a News reporter strolled yesterday afternoon and evening. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-size: large;">HOME FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="background-color: white;">All afternoon wagons and carriages had driven up to the entrance of the home for homeless children on Twenty-ninth and Winnie, leaving good things more than enough for to-day's feast. At the particular moment the visitor from The News approached a clatter of children's voices rent the air. Mrs. Dart had just driven up in a carriage filled with as many little presents as ever Santa Claus loaded in his sleigh on the eve before Christmas. There were dollies, big and little, hoops, jumping jacks, picture books and toys of all kinds, which she passed out to the bright-eyed, excited children who clambered around her carriage. A few feet away the second wagon load of presents from the children of the Third district school at Thirty-first street and avenue L was being unloaded. The two big boys who brought the load had no need for assistants to carry the goods into the house. Everyone, from little tots 3 years old up, wanted to carry something in. The scene reminded this visitor of a lot of Palmer Cox's Brownies attacking a grocery wagon. They were in and under and all around the wagon, and it was fortunate that the horse was a gentle animal, or some of the little Brownies would have been trampled upon.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The two wagon loads contributed by the scholars of this school consisted of two or three hundred cans of vegetables, fruit and sardines, and four sacks of flour, potatoes, coffee, apples, sugar, oranges, grapes. The canned fruit came in like pickle casters at a wedding. The school at Thirty-fifth street and avenue P 1/2 added to the canned assortment. The Bath avenue school sent vegetables and fruit. Miss Warner's kindergarten sent donations of eatables. Some big-hearted unknown sent up a a dozen turkeys. The Farris club sent in $20 in cash. There were other gifts, so many that all can not be enumerated.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The dinner, which will be served to the twenty-five little folks about 2 o'clock today, will be prepared by the ladies of the society. The matron, Mrs. Anna Hughes, will have the virtues of her medicine chest tested to-morrow, from all appearances.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-size: large;">PROTESTANT OHPHANS' HOME.</span></div><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">All was expectancy about the Protestant orphans' home when a News reporter peeped into that model of neatness yesterday. The different churches of the city take turs in preparing the Thanksgiving dinner, and this year the ladies of the synagogue will perform that duly. All that the matron, Mrs. Christie, will have to do will be to make the oyster soup. This is the one day in the year on which the children get oyster soup. The dinner will consist of turkey and cranberry sauce, ham, vegetables, cake, etc. The ladies will wait upon the children themselves. There are thirty-six children in the home at present, ranging from 2 to 16 years of age. Mrs. Chrlstie only has one assistant, each child doing some work. Even 4-year-olds are taught to make their own beds.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-size: large;">OLD WOMAN'S HOME.</span></div><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">When the reporter visited Miss Gray, matron of the old woman's home, yesterday at noon, the prospects were not so bright for a big feast as at the two homes for children. There are eight old women at the home, one of whom is 87 and two 78 years of age. The building is small and ten people would crowd the place. Ten or twelve applicants are unable to obtain admission. The late Henry Rosenberg left $30,000 for this home, but it is only available for building, and the association, of which Mrs. Geo. P. Finlay is president, is suffering for cash. Of the eight occupants one, widow of a soldier in the Mexican war, is able to pay $5 of her pension each month. Another is paid for by the Presbyterian church society. The other six are entirely dependent upon charity. A little while ago the cook had to be dispensed with for want of funds and an old lady on crutches does the cooking. A citizen writes to The News about the home as follows:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>"I fear that the citizens are not aware of the needs of the old woman's association. Their finances are running very low, and without assistance they will have to give up, which would be a shame. The old women have to do the work, and are all sorely afflicted. Three use canes; one can't walk at all, one is on crutches and others are crippled or suffering with chronic diseases. I was there the other day and actually saw the one on crutches cooking. She was thankful that she was able to do something to show her gratitude. Now if some one would donate so much a year so that the ladies could hire a woman to do all the work it would be a deed of charity. I understand that the population of this city is 45,000. In such a city is it possible that the moneyed men are not going to help the ladies? I care not what business they follow or what denomination of the Christian religion they belong to. I beseech them to deal out their charity lavishly on Thanksgiving day to the old woman's home at 3027 avenue L, corner of Thirty-first and avenue L. Let this be a thanksgiving long to be remembered, even long after every present member has passed to the great beyond. Don't forget that we all are growing old and that the wheel of fortune turns, and some day, when forsaken by sons and daughters, your mothers may be knocking at the old woman's home for admittance. God forbid it is my prayer."</em></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-size: large;">ST. MARY'S INFIRMARY.</span></div><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">An extra dinner will be served to the patients in St. Mary's Infirmary this noon by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, consisting of turkey and dressing, light pudding, nice soups and the like. There are 105 patients in the hospital, in every stage of illness from nearly every complaint except contagious diseases. Ninety of these are pay patients and fifteen charity patients. The patients for whom the sisters receive a remuneration are marine, county and Santa Fe railroad patients and some twenty-five who are paying individually for the most excellent service they receive. Five or six of the patients are there from old age and expect to remain there until death carries them away.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The News reporter was shown over the hospital by a sister. Everything was spotlessly clean and the different wards showed much attention upon the part of the thirty-five sisters at present in the mother house.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-size: large;">THE SEALY HOSPITAL.</span></div><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Dr. Gammon, superintendent of the Sealy hospital, was engaged in the rather peculiar occupation of slicing a cat's tail when the reporter called upon him in the laboratory of the medical college yesterday. The cat was dead and the slicing was done in the interest of science, not for a Thanksgiving dinner for the hospital patients. The doctor said that there were ninety-eight patients in the Sealy hospital just at present and they certainly would have a little turkey and cranberry sauce. There are three kinds of diet in the Sealy. Those who have a good, hard working stomach and digestive organs were on house diet and could eat anything from beef broth to a keg of nails. Another class were on soft diet and had to be looked after. The third class were on milk diet, and even pictures of turkeys had to be turned to the wall in their apartments.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-size: large;">CHURCH SERVICES.</span></div><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Union Thanksgiving services will be held in the First Presbyterian church this morning, beginning at 11 o'clock. Rev. J. W. Lowber will preach the sermon. Other resident clergymen will participate in the services.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Thanksgiving service will be held at Grace church at 11 a. m. According to custom the thank offerings will be distributed between the homes for old women, orphans and homeless children. The pastor requests all his people and all who would like to contribute to send their offerings to the church before 10 o'clock.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Thanksgiving services todasy at the Mount Olive Baptist church on Thirty-sixth and avenue I [Sealy Avenue]. Thanksgiving sermon at 3.30 p. m. by the pastor, Rev. E. M. Wright. At 8 p. m. sermon by Rev R. M. Floyd, D. D., of San Antonio, superintendent of missions for the Baptist general convention, colored, of Texas, assisted by Rev. M. E. Terrell of this city.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-size: large;">WILL CLOSE TO-DAY.</span></div><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">The following petition was circulated and signed by those whose names are attached:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Galveston, Tex., Nov. 28.—Thursday, November 29. Thanksgiving day, being a legal holiday, we, the undersigned, agree to close our respective places of business at 12 o'clock m. on that day.<br />
Marx & Blum.<br />
Leon & H. Blum.<br />
J. Rosentfield & Co.<br />
The Galveston dry goods company.<br />
Mayer, Kahn & Freiberg.<br />
Ulhmann, Lewis & Co.<br />
P. J. Willis & Bro.<br />
R. B. Hawley & Co.<br />
Gus Lewy & Co.<br />
J. S. Brown hardware company<br />
Mensing Bros. & Co.<br />
Focke, Wilkens & Lange<br />
Penland & Breath.<br />
Jake Davis & Co.<br />
Gust Heye & Co.<br />
Sass & Cohen.<br />
J. F. Smith & Bro.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">All the bnnks in the city will close to-day.<br />
There will be no school to-day. School to-morrow as usual.<br />
The criminal district and the recorder's courts will not sit to-day.<br />
All the local insurance agents will close their offices to-day.<br />
Yesterday Mayor Fly gave orders to Chief of Police Lordan to liberate the eight city prisoners in the county Jail, that they might properly give thanks.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="background-color: white;">--Article from the Galveston Daily News, Thursday, November 29, 1894</span></strong></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-28109362831693500132010-10-17T12:21:00.001-05:002010-10-17T12:23:41.251-05:00View of Galveston Harbor, 1874, by William Aiken Walker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TLsvz8Pv24I/AAAAAAAAANs/BW7D5SH5xMQ/s1600/William+Aiken+Walker+View+of+Galveston+Harbor+1874+29x63inches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="190" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TLsvz8Pv24I/AAAAAAAAANs/BW7D5SH5xMQ/s400/William+Aiken+Walker+View+of+Galveston+Harbor+1874+29x63inches.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">View of Galveston Harbor, 1874, by William Aiken Walker</span></strong></div><br />
William Aiken Walker (1839–1921) is an American artist who was born to an Irish Protestant father and a mother of South Carolina background in Charleston, South Carolina in 1839. In 1842, when his father died, Walker's mother moved the family to Baltimore, Maryland, where they remained until returning to Charleston in 1848.<br />
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In 1861 Walker enlisted in the Confederate army and was wounded at the Battle of Seven Pines (1862). After recuperating, he was transferred back to Charleston. After the Civil War, Walker moved to Baltimore, where he produced small paintings of the “Old South” to sell as tourist souvenirs.<br />
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He is best known for his paintings depicting the lives of poor black emancipated slaves, especially sharecroppers in the post-Reconstruction American South. He travelled up and down the southern seaboard, selling his paintings locally in towns and cities he visited. He showed his work in galleries, shops and salons along the way, or he would set up his easel on busy street corners and sell his harbor views, portraits and genre scenes to tourists and townies. Walker continued painting until his death on January 3, 1921 in Charleston.<br />
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Walker lived and painted in Texas for several years during the 1870s. He arrived in Galveston in 1874 and spent most of his time there. He painted the harbor from the water, resulting in the expansive "View of Galveston Harbor" (29 X 63 inches). He advertised this large painting in the Galveston Daily News on October 28, 1874. <br />
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In 1907, R. D. Bowen of Paris, Texas, gave the painting to the Rosenberg Library after displaying it for years in the office of his Galveston business associate, E. J. Hart.Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-49264123941622116432010-10-13T15:00:00.000-05:002010-10-13T15:00:11.976-05:00T. Ratto & Co., Wholesale Confectioners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TLYISqpHZoI/AAAAAAAAANk/oHxr-gSMJkM/s1600/T.+Ratto+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TLYISqpHZoI/AAAAAAAAANk/oHxr-gSMJkM/s640/T.+Ratto+card.jpg" width="529" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A very early and scarce example of a postcard used for business use. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">T. Ratto & Co., Wholesale Confectioners</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">159, 161 & 163 Strand.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thomas Ratto was born in 1843 in Italy. He emigrated to America at an unknown date, but certainly before 1872. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thomas married Mary Repetto on August 8 or 15, 1872 in Louisville, Jefferson Co., Kentucky. Mary was born in 1851 in Kentucky. She was the daughter of John and Mary Repetto of Louisville. John, a saloon keeper, was born circa 1822 in Italy, and his wife Mary Repetto was born about 1822 in Italy. They were living in Louisville, Kentucky at the time of the 1860, 1870 and 1880 census.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thomas Ratto and his first wife Mary had a daughter named Mary Anna Louisa Ratto, who was born May 28, 1873 in Galveston. She died December 10, 1923 in Galveston, and was buried there at Calvary Cemetery. This daughter Mary married, November 6, 1893 in Galveston, Victor Louis Baulard, who was born about 1871 in Galveston, and died January 18, 1941 in Galveston, Texas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the Galveston census of 1880 Thomas was listed as a Wholesale Candy Dealer, age 37, and widowed. It is unknown when his wife Mary died. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">About one month after the census, Thomas went back to Louisville, Kentucky and married the younger sister of his first wife, Louisa Repetto on July 25, 1880. Louisa was born in 1857 in Kentucky. I would suspect that they went down to Galveston almost immediately after the marriage, so he could resume his business.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thomas' business was located at 159, 161 and 163 Strand (old style numbering) by 1881, when the postal card was dated and mailed. The Sanborn Insurance map of 1885 shows the location, below, at 161 Strand.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TLYNE8W40oI/AAAAAAAAANo/87KIcujCD3A/s1600/T.+Ratto+Confectioners+161+Strand+1885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TLYNE8W40oI/AAAAAAAAANo/87KIcujCD3A/s400/T.+Ratto+Confectioners+161+Strand+1885.jpg" width="367" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thomas Ratto and his second wife Louisa had a child, Joseph Ratto, who was born November 19, 1883 in Galveston, and baptized January 20, 1884 in St. Mary's Cathedral, also in Galveston.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the January 17, 1895 issue of the Cameron Herald (Milam Co., Texas) newspaper, it was reported that "T. Ratto, wholesale dealer of candy and fruits in Galveston failed last week." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While there was subsequent mention of his daughter Anna after this date, I have not been able to trace Thomas and his second wife, nor his child, Joseph, by that marriage. Whether they pulled up stakes and moved elsewhere is unknow, as I haven't been able to find them listed in any 1900 (or later) census returns. Their names did not show up on the 1900 Hurricane list of known dead. A close look at the Galveston City Directories may provide further details of this family.</div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-31506637370753654882010-10-08T22:26:00.000-05:002010-10-08T22:26:07.489-05:00An Aerial HotelThe latest thing in hotels is suggested by the ingenious correspondent of the 'Galveston News'. It is to be called the Aerial Sanitarium. It is to be a huge balloon, firmly secured by strong attachments at a proper height. "Galveston," he says, "is within one mile of the most delightful climate in the world, and this climate is directly overhead." To the enormous balloon there is to be attached a frame-work of sufficiently strong wire, fitted up to accomodate one hundred guests. This airy saloon will be reached by a smaller balloon acting as an elevator. When the barometer indicates disturbing weather, the gas can be let off and the whole establishment brought down to solid earth. We can imagine a caravansary of this kind perfectly delightful. Owing to the purity of the air the chambermaids would bloom in perpetual youth; and in such vicinity to the immortal gods every man-waiter would develop into a Gannymede and every table-girl into a Hebe. As for the gentlemanly clerk, what limit would there be to his celestial gifts and graces? And here would the landlord grow solid, impressive, and jovial as Jove himself! So near the moon and stars what more charming place could there be for flirting? And when we call to mind how easily the bores could be thrown over, we feel we need say no more. [The Star (Christchurch, New Zealand), Issue 1776, November 5, 1873, page 3]Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-23087221658758030002010-10-08T19:01:00.000-05:002010-10-08T19:01:57.344-05:00The Washington Hotel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TK-o-56wqyI/AAAAAAAAANA/7-pjnvhZZ5E/s1600/Washington_Hotel_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TK-o-56wqyI/AAAAAAAAANA/7-pjnvhZZ5E/s400/Washington_Hotel_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The history of Galveston's Washington Hotel (in its various incarnations) now spans well over 150 years. Never was it able to compete with the prestige of the Tremont Hotel, yet it was considerd by most to be in the top tier of island hostelries during the nineteenth century.<br />
<br />
The first Washington Hotel seems to have started out as the Caravansary Hotel at the corner of Mechanic (Avenue C) and 21st Street, where the Cotton Exchange building now stands. Howard Barnstone says that it was built "in the building boom of 1838-1839 and lasted with additions and modifications on the same site until it was destroyed in 1877. It possessed something of the charm of an old New England inn...." [Howard Barnstone; The Galveston That Was, 1966, page 47.] <br />
<br />
I have not found any further descriptions of the building, and the only drawing I've seen is a 1871 birdseye view of the roof from the backside angle, which doesn't provide much information. I am also unaware of any photographs available of the building.<br />
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In November of 1841, the explorer and adventurer Josiah Gregg visited Galveston and noted in his diary that "I was assured the water was 1/2 feet deep upon the site of the hotel at which I stopped (the Caravansary Hotel). Notwithstanding these disadvantages, he found the town to be "handsome though too monotonous in appearance" and seemed destined to be the New York of Texas, "as it is conveniently located...."[Maurice Garland Fulton, editor; Diary & Letters of Josiah Gregg 1840-1847, 1941] <br />
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By 1843, the inn was known as Shaw's Hotel, owned by Joshua Clark Shaw, originally from Bath, Maine. When the Galveston Guard met for organization around 1839, the company elected Joshua C. Shaw First Lieutenant. He "was a prominent citizen, a member of the City Council and the proprietor of Shaw's Hotel, afterwards the Old Washington Hotel, which was torn down and removed to make way for the <br />
Cotton Exchange building." [Charles W. Hayes; Galveston: History of the Island and the City, 1974 (1879), Volume 1, page 392-393.] <br />
<br />
Joshua Shaw was born circa 1815 and had married Lucy Parker Weston (ca1815-ca1851) of Bangor, Maine, before moving to Galveston around 1837. They had 3 children. Joshua married, soon after the death of his first wife, to Elnina S. Williams in July of 1852 at Galveston. Hayes also states that Shaw was Alderman for the First Ward in 1840. [ibid, page 364.] For the City Council election of March, 1843, <br />
Shaw's Hotel was the polling place for the Second Ward. Shaw was elected Alderman for the Second Ward in that contest, and again in March of 1844. [ibid, page 432-434]<br />
<br />
By the middle of 1850, when the Federal Census was taken, Shaw was listed as the proprietor of the Tremont House. "Shaw was for a long time 'mine host' at the old Tremont Hotel, 'the' hotel of Galveston until destroyed by fire, in 1867." [ibid, page 393.] <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TK-sQUb07AI/AAAAAAAAANI/J292hoqdbQE/s1600/Washington_Hotel_Sanborn_Map_1877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TK-sQUb07AI/AAAAAAAAANI/J292hoqdbQE/s400/Washington_Hotel_Sanborn_Map_1877.jpg" width="371" /></a></div><br />
In a newspaper ad of 1844 Shaw's Hotel touts that "This establishment is now ready to receive Boarders at reduced prices, and the Proprietor flatters himself that the accommodatons and fare are as good as can be had at any house in the city. He pledges himself that no pains shall be spared to make his House pleasant and agreeable to all who may favor him with their company." Board and lodging ran $1.25 per day, $7.00 per week, and $30.00 per month. These prices included a room and three meals. The Tremont House rates were similar, except for the daily rate, which was only $1.00 a day. [Telegraph and Texas Register, Houston, Texas, May 15, 1844.]<br />
<br />
Charles Louis Beissner emigrated to Galveston in 1842, leasing the old Planter's House hotel where "it became, under his careful supervision, one of the most popular hostelries in the city." In August of 1845 he "secured a lease on the old Caravansary... changing its name to the Washington Hotel." He remodeled and improved the inn, and it "soon became a favorite hotel and maintained its popularity during the twenty-three years that Mr. Beissner presided over its well-spread board. In 1849 he purchased the property of Colonel John S. Sydnor, and shortly after added the three-story frame edition [sic] that stood on the alley." [Charles W. Hayes; Galveston: History of the Island and the City, 1974 (1879), Volume 1, page 911.]<br />
<br />
Beissner had married Helen Heydenreich of Bremen, Germany in 1837, and brought her over in 1844, along with their child. In the 1850 Galveston Census, Charles Beissner (b.1810) was enumerated as Inn Keeper, with his second wife Magdaline (b.1820) and their five children. He was elected as a City Alderman in 1849, and served for three years. He was again elected in 1854 and served until around 1858. "In 1867 Mr. Beissner sold the Washington Hotel to Moses F. Thompson of Houston, and retired from business on an ample fortune, and is now spending the evening of his days in the city of Bremen..." [ibid, page 911-912.]<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TK-s5qL41sI/AAAAAAAAANM/tNY5K9ga8f0/s1600/Washington_Hotel_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TK-s5qL41sI/AAAAAAAAANM/tNY5K9ga8f0/s400/Washington_Hotel_5.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br />
The first Washington Hotel building was destroyed by fire in 1877, according to Barnstone. [Howard Barnstone; The Galveston That Was, 1966, page 47.] It is unclear to me, until I can access the City Directories for these years, whether the hotel was still in business at the time of the June of 1877 fire.<br />
<br />
The second incarnation of the Washington Hotel begins, according to Barnstone, in 1871. Originally known as the Cosmopolitan Hotel, by 1877 it had been renamed the Washington Hotel. Barnstone writes that "perhaps John P. Davie, who built the present building, felt that some of the success of the hostelry would rub off on the new structure if the name were the same." [ibid, page 47.] There is mention of the Cosmopolitan Hotel in May of 1874. [Earle B. Young; Galveston and the Great West, 1997, page 42]<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TK-tbMaHzbI/AAAAAAAAANQ/VVpAFtNeu6g/s1600/Washington_Hotel_Sanborn_Map_1885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TK-tbMaHzbI/AAAAAAAAANQ/VVpAFtNeu6g/s400/Washington_Hotel_Sanborn_Map_1885.jpg" width="355" /></a></div><br />
"On the surface an example of very late Galveston Greek Revival, the Washington Hotel is in fact a combination of styles. One first thinks of the eighteenth century, a moment later of Federal and then of the mid-nineteenth century.... Where is the usual Victorian exerberance? There is no suggestion here of the Romantric Revival.<br />
<br />
"How did it happen that a building of this size and importance was built in a style of almost fifty years old? Was it the archconservative nature of the architect or owner? Was it the innocence of the designer who thought style stood still? Or, perhaps most likely of all, was it the fulfilled ambition of the owner, who in his poverty-ridden childhood had dreamed of one day living in an establishment as gracious as the mansions of his youth? Whatever the answer, the Washington Hotel cements and reflects the love affair with the Greek Revival seen everywhere in the Galveston vernacular architecture of the time - the houses built by carpenters in what was known as the 'Galveston style.'<br />
<br />
"The influence of the Hendley Building is seen in the general composure of the elevations, although the ground floor with its succession of French doors and fanlight windows is a great deal more delicate. Its elegance indeed suggests an egress to a terrace and an elaborate eighteenth-century garden rather than to a cluttered sidewalk.<br />
<br />
"The structure of the four-story building is brick, traditionally stuccoed to look like stone, with floor joists supported on the exterior walls and on interior cast-iron columns. The sidewalk canopy, like that of the Hendley Building, seems an afterthought though it was built with the building. Galveston designers seemed to feel that a canopy was an unimportant or even an invisible detail and they never came to grips with the element, though it plays such a strong role in the appearance of the structure.<br />
<br />
"The Washington Hotel never 'made it' as a large important downtown hotel. It had the mighty competiton of the Tremont, the social center and prestige address. <br />
<br />
"Mr. Davie died twenty-one years after the building was completed and willed his property to the Galveston Orphans Home. His heirs seemed to take considerable exception to this civic and philanthropic act and it was not until 1955 that the last of the lawsuits were even filed - this time by a granddaughter who died in the same year. In 1958, sixty-six years after the death of Mr. Davie, the case was finally settled and the building sold." [Howard Barnstone; The Galveston That Was, 1966, page 47, with the address wrongly assigned to <br />
Twenty-second Street and Avenue C.; also, Galveston Tribune, Nov 22, 1958; also, Files of the Stewart Title Company.] <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TK-uIRtt36I/AAAAAAAAANU/-WaJIF9q8ts/s1600/Washington_Hotel_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TK-uIRtt36I/AAAAAAAAANU/-WaJIF9q8ts/s400/Washington_Hotel_6.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><br />
John W. Fisher (b1858) moved to Galveston in 1895, and quickly bought the Washington Hotel. After only one year of management, he sold out and moved on to El Paso.<br />
<br />
During the Great Galveston Storm of 1900 there were several stories related to the Washington Hotel. One unidentified survivor said. "At 2 o'clock my wife and I waded into the Washington Hotel. From that time on the wind grew stronger. At 5 o'clock the water was six feet deep in the lower floor of the Washington Hotel. Why, it covered the telephone box in the office." Another story tells of the Blum family arriving "at daylight Sunday morning with nothing on them but shreds. They had lost everything." <br />
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"I. Thompson, a young man who was very active in saving life during the night of the storm, became insane because of the awful scenes he witnessed. One evening he retired to his room on the third floor of the Washington Hotel, seemingly sane. Soon afterwards he began to moan, and soon became violent, rushing from one side of his room to the other, and declaring his determination to commit suicide. Employees of the hotel did all they could to pacify the man, and during the night he became more rational and lay down. In the morning it was found that Thompson had wrenched the shutters off his window and leaped out upon an awning and thence to the street. It is believed he ran to the bay and threw himself in, because he was not seen again.' [Paul Lester; The Great Galveston Disaster, 1900, page 204-5.]<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TK-u1csqJWI/AAAAAAAAANY/dwRKbCn2D_8/s1600/Washington_Hotel_Sanborn_Map_1899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TK-u1csqJWI/AAAAAAAAANY/dwRKbCn2D_8/s400/Washington_Hotel_Sanborn_Map_1899.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><br />
Over the course of the twentieth-century, the hotel slid into disrepair, most probably because of the extended lawsuits which clouded the buildings future. In the mid-1960s, Howard Barnstone's important survey of Galveston's architectural heritage shone a light on the Washington Hotel. It was then a fairly seedy boarding house, situated in a depressed downtown area. Yhe hotel was at that time owned by James Brady, a Galveston attorney, who then sold it to Don Welch of Texas City. [Douglas R. Zwiener and Elizabeth Darst; A Guide to Historic Galveston, 1966, page 8.] <br />
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In 1980 the Historic American Buildings Survey reports that "Although simple in appearance, the building has double French doors with fanlights on the first floor. The painted letters, 'Washington Hotel' occupies south (front) and west walls between second and third floor windows." No architect was named. [Historic American Buildings Survey, 1980, citing Howard Barnstone's The Galveston That Was, 1966 as their source for information.]<br />
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The Washington Hotel Building, 2228 Ship’s Mechanic Row was acquired by Cynthia and George Mitchell in 1982. The four-story hotel, after having withstood the high winds of Hurricane Alicia, was heavily damaged on August 25, 1983 by a fire that swept through the historic downtown area. Witnesses claimed that flames leapt 50 feet into the air as one of the hotel's walls collapsed. The building, which was called a "total loss," was restored by the Mitchell's at a cost of $4 million in 1987. The building is presently managed by Mitchell Historic Properties which are owned by Cynthia and George Mitchell and the Mitchell family.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TK-vdWoIIYI/AAAAAAAAANc/IfKm3cJBIH0/s1600/Washington_Hotel_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="271" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TK-vdWoIIYI/AAAAAAAAANc/IfKm3cJBIH0/s400/Washington_Hotel_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The Negro waiters in black coats and white aprons on the far left side of the original stereoview above. There is a restaurant noted in the Sanborn map of 1877 that are in the later editions shown as offices. This helps in putting a date on the photograph. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TK-wdG9Tb9I/AAAAAAAAANg/BIIk-hsveiI/s1600/Washington_Hotel_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TK-wdG9Tb9I/AAAAAAAAANg/BIIk-hsveiI/s400/Washington_Hotel_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The barber shop is located on the corner with what are to me rather unusual 3 to 4 foot long striped poles mounted at about a 10 degree angle out of 30 inch tall stands announcing a 15 cent shave.Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-82533725853988573202010-10-02T16:52:00.002-05:002010-10-03T17:41:07.475-05:00The USS Comal at the Galveston Wharf, September 1900<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TKeop-SPXRI/AAAAAAAAAM8/Z_76A9_oTtA/s1600/Wharf+from+SS+Comal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TKeop-SPXRI/AAAAAAAAAM8/Z_76A9_oTtA/s400/Wharf+from+SS+Comal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The 'SS Comal', of the Mallory Steamship Line, was built in 1885 and scrapped in 1935. The ship was 340 feet long with 3 decks, and could carry 3,000 bales of cotton, rooms for 100 first class passengers, and more in steerage class. The Mallory Line (New York & Texas Steamship Co.) was one of the old family-owned passenger lines in the coastwise trade. Utilizing eight ships on this route, the line connected New York with Galveston, Texas with twice-a-week arrivals and departures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The New York Times of September 12, 1900 reported the safe arrival at Galveston of the steamship 'Comal' on Monday morning [September 10]. "Grave fears as to the vessel's safety have existed since the receipt of the news of the West Indian hurricane." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"On the Mallory wharves is a conglomerated pile of boxcars and boats and cotton wreckage of every description. The Mallory liner 'Comal' arrived there just after the storm, and, thank goodness, the crew had sense enough to stay on board the boat. Dead bodies are in all the wreckage under the wharf just like dead rats." [The Great Galveston Disaster, by Paul Lester, 1900, page 206.]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It seems that the 'Comal' had actually weathered its own hurricane a few days earlier along the northeastern coast of Florida, with some reports saying it was the Galveston Storm, while most experts attributing it as another storm or hurricane altogether.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The building on the left side is unidentified. The 'Comal' may or may not be docked at the Mallory Wharf at the foot of 25th Street, looking west. </div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-66118781534381918282010-09-30T00:58:00.003-05:002018-06-29T10:05:14.632-05:00Looking West from Ball High School, Galveston, Texas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TKQmsY8fxJI/AAAAAAAAAM4/rtWxUidSShw/s1600/Looking+West+from+Ball+High.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" px="true" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TKQmsY8fxJI/AAAAAAAAAM4/rtWxUidSShw/s400/Looking+West+from+Ball+High.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
If you're like me, you have an interest in views of Galveston. I have collected postcards of Galveston for the last ten years or so, especially those postcard views that highlight its turn-of-the-century architecture, be it houses, commercial buildings, or government offices. <br />
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Tonight on eBay a new to me "birdseye view", circa 1909, sold for $32.00. Sadly, not to me! Obviously, it appears to be a particularly scarce postcard for it to sell for so much. I copied the view from the website so I could share until I can find a copy I can afford.<br />
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The postcard is entitles "Looking West from Ball High School, Galveston, Texas." I have identified this residence as the Herman Marwitz House, also known as the "Marwitz Castle" or the "Old Castle". Located at 801 22nd Street, it was built between 1890 and 1894. Designed in the Queen Anne style by Marwitz's nephew, the architect Alfred Muller, the three-story mansion was built with bricks over a stone foundation.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TNMbG-GE1DI/AAAAAAAAANw/_6xy6RAtVjk/s1600/Herman+Marwitz+House_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TNMbG-GE1DI/AAAAAAAAANw/_6xy6RAtVjk/s400/Herman+Marwitz+House_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Allen Stross, photographer, 1967</div>
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This wonderfully designed Victorian mansion sports a distinctive facade and a set of sweeping double-entry stairs. "The exterior elements include an elliptical arcaded porch with a circular corner pavilion and a monumental curving stair ascending to the entrance level. The second story bay is delineated by stone balusters with rich Victorian detail throughout. The structure is capped by gabled and mansard roofs." [Historic American Buildings Survey Habs-TX 2105]<br />
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Construction of the house nearly wiped out Marwitz's checkbook, despite his position as president of the Street Railway Company and the Galveston Savings Bank. After completion, he decided that rather then live there, he would lease it out to the Goldbeck College of Music. Marwitz died in 1899, and by the time of the 1900 Storm, the residence served as a women's boardinghouse.<br />
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Upon review of the Sanborn Insurance map of 1912, the building is listed as a boarding house, at the southwest corner of Ball and 22nd, directly across the street from Eaton Chapel. That is one fine boarding house. Its use eventually devolved to that of a whorehouse before being bought by the First Baptist Church in 1931. It was demolished in 1969.Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-68308952334087817032010-09-17T02:41:00.005-05:002010-12-26T20:03:14.058-06:00Site of F. W. Medlenka Bakery and St. Mary's InfirmaryA few years ago I was able to acquire a large (12 x 17 cm.) photograph entitled "Site of the F. W. Medlenka Bakery" taken soon after the Galveston Storm of 1900. The photographer, who stamped his name on the embossed mount, was [Victor J.] Biron of Galveston. The photograph certainly shows its age, with fading and surface scratches, but is still an interesting view, historically.<br />
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Ferdinand Medlenka was born in Galveston around October of 1861 to Antone Medlenka, a tailor from Bohemia. He married in Galveston on November 15, 1882 Emma Nelson, born May 27, 1860 in Galveston, and died in Houston May 7, 1919. She was the daughter of Pete Nelson, of Denmark, and Willa Meda, of Germany.<br />
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Ferdinand and Emma had five children, as listed in the June, 1900 Federal Census. Of their two daughters, Irene and Oralee, I know nothing further. Their three sons were Ferdinand Jr., Joseph, and Flore. Fred Medlenka was born December 31, 1883 and died in June of 1963. Joseph was born July 29, 1887 and died in February of 1967 in Houston. Flore W. was born April 13, 1888 in Galveston, and died January 14, 1967 in Houston. None of the family are found in the lists of the known dead from the 1900 Storm, but they could have been among the unidentified and unlisted.<br />
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Victor John Biron was born May 22, 1862 in New Orleans, Louisiana and died January 17, 1937 in Galveston. He married in Galveston on January 7, 1886 Pauline E. Boussion, born about 1860 in Louisiana.<br />
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The Medlenka Bakery was located at 609 Church (or Avenue F) near 6th Street. According to the Sanborn Insurance map of 1899, the bakery was a one story building that fronted the property, and was attached to the two story house slightly set back from the unpaved street. At the front of the bakery was a large awning or shed, typical of Galveston storefronts, that reached to the street. The bake house and oven were in separate buildings out back along the alley, nearby the stables which possibly held a delivery wagon, along with the horses.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TJMNRDo4JHI/AAAAAAAAAMY/riDsB70balA/s1600/sanborn-galveston-1899-50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" qx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TJMNRDo4JHI/AAAAAAAAAMY/riDsB70balA/s400/sanborn-galveston-1899-50.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The Medlenka Bakery is in the map,with the star just above it. The photograph by Biron was taken roughly from the southeast corner (see arrow) towards the northwest. In the photo you can see the ruins of the house and bakery, as well as in the distance, the rear of St. Mary's Infirmary. The dormitory of the Sisters of Mercy was located along 7th Street, attached to the octagonal Chapel, both seen in the 1899 Sanborn map.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TJMQaAF797I/AAAAAAAAAMg/okibEksdEwc/s1600/St.+Mary%27s+Infirmary+(rear).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" qx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TJMQaAF797I/AAAAAAAAAMg/okibEksdEwc/s400/St.+Mary%27s+Infirmary+(rear).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
An extreme close-up of St. Mary's shows how the dormitory, along with the building facing Post Office Street housing the laundry and the Colored Ward, are completely destroyed. All that remains is the octagonal Chapel, with the connecting wall, on the right, completely missing. Among the debris being inspected by the two men in the foreground (and their trusty mule), appears to be railroad tracks, though I could be mistaken. If they are indeed rails, then they may have come from the nearby Galveston and Western Railroad along 9th Street.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TJMUvKQT4SI/AAAAAAAAAMo/SLsOY7aH0Ec/s1600/St.+Mary%27s+Infirmary+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TJMUvKQT4SI/AAAAAAAAAMo/SLsOY7aH0Ec/s400/St.+Mary%27s+Infirmary+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This undated drawing of St. Mary's showa the buldings from the corner of Avenue D (Market) and 7th Street. The Sister's Residence and childrens Dormitory is the building on the left with the cupola.<br />
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This handcolored postcard dates from around 1900-1910 and was published by Charles Daferner, the Galveston bookdealer and stationer. This view was taken from the corner of Avenue D (Market) and 8th Street. Note the horse and buggy and the early model automobile on 8th Street, and the streetcar or trolley tracks along Market.Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-42313548517543103662010-09-16T01:59:00.000-05:002013-05-21T15:08:26.211-05:00Fred Brown is dead. Well, maybe not.Here's another interesting article from the Weimar Mercury. <br />
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Fred Brown, the ex-livery stable man of our city, who was reported as having been killed in the Galveston storm of Sept. 8, was in our city last Friday, looking quite lively for a dead man. Fred was caught in that storm all right enough. He was struck on the back of the neck—a large scar is visible where the timber struck him—rendered unconscious, and while in that condition was found, identified, pronounced dead and thrown with a lot of dead bodies to be carried out and dumped in the gulf. Very fortunately, he regained consciousness ere they dumped him into the waters of the gulf, and he lost no time in separating himself from his grewsome [sic] company. Fred says he has enough of Galveston to last him for a lifetime.<br />
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Weimar Mercury, October 13, 1900, page 5.<br />
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Well, I can certainly understand Fred's reticence about visiting Galveston again after his near-untimely demise. He was not alone in deciding to quit Galveston for good. One reason for the wide range in estimated deaths due to the 1900 Storm was the unknown number of citizens who left Galveston after the storm and never returned. The (human) bean-counters could only estimate the death-toll because of so many unidentified folks who left the island for good after the hurricane. Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-14461746210612685162010-09-16T01:45:00.000-05:002010-09-16T01:45:14.262-05:00A Handsome Residence Comes and Goes<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Recently I found this series of articles on the Weimar Mercury website. I thought it was worth posting here as it pertains to a Galveston resident, T. H. James, and the architect, Nicholas J. Clayton. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: red;">A HANDSOME RESIDENCE</span></strong><br />
<span style="color: red;">Is the One Now Being Erected for Col. T. H. James.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
A MERCURY reporter last Monday morning wended his way to the Western portion of the city, where the commodious residence of Col. T. H. James is in course of construction. Arriving there, we were kindly received by Mr. Jake Wirtz, one of the contractors, who showed us the plans and specifications of the buildings. This handsome residence was designed by N. J. Clayton & Co., the Galveston architects, and they certainly had an eye to beauty and comfort while engaged in the work. Messrs. Wirtz Bros. of Columbus are the contractors, and as they and their work are already so well known in this county, we will only add that a glance at their work will convince any one that they are masters of their profession. Both are Colorado county boys.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
The building will be two stories in height. The first floor has a 70 foot gallery on the east. This leads into a reception hall. On the west is a 15x21 foot parlor. Two bed-rooms 15x18, on the south, next come into view. Then on the north is an octagon-shaped dinning-room. In the rear of the first floor are the trunk room, kitchen and gallery, with a neat porch surmounted by a hood on the extreme west.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The second floor has a 70 foot gallery in front, with five bed-rooms, a bath-room, a sewing-room, and a gallery on the south. Small closets are conveniently situated throughout the building. In length the building will be 70 feet from east to west, and 42 from north to south. The roof will be a marvel of mechanical beauty and finish.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Bay windows are to be placed upstairs and downstairs, on both the east and north sides.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The contractors inform us that, with fair weather, the building will be finished about the 15th of December. There are at present only five men at work, but the force will be doubled next week.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Weimar Mercury, October 31, 1891</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>FINE RESIDENCE BURNED.</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The fine residence of Col. T. H. James--so much admired by all--was entirely destroyed by fire Tuesday night. The building was erected several months ago by Wirtz Bros. of Columbus at a cost of about $7,000, and was a very beautiful and substantial two-story structure. The fire originated in the second story from a defective flue, and was under good headway when discovered about 83:0 [8:30] o’clock. At the first alarm the fire boys responded, and did all in their power, but the flames had gained too much headway, and as no water could be procured in the neighborhood, the steamer was rendered powerless. Every effort was then made to save the furniture and good on the first floor, with the results that almost everything was removed to a place of safety ere the walls fell in. In about thirty minutes the handsome residence was a glowing bed of embers. The residence of Mr. John H. Fisher would have been destroyed but for the heroic efforts of the firement and citizens, The James’ residence was occupied by Mrs. Falwell and Miss Blanche Rogers, Mr. and Mrs. James being absent on a visit to relatives in Virginia. The loss is estimated at $9,000; Insurance $5,000. The fluthes were observed at Ammansville, Pecan, Schulenburg and other points. Mr. James and family have the sympathy of the community in their misfortune.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Weimar Mercury, July 15, 1893</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mr. Jake Wirtz of Columbus, who was one of the firm of contractors that built the James residence, claims tht the fire was not the result of a defective flue, as the kitchen flue was one of the most substantial ever put up, and he says he stands ready to prove the assertion. If some one removed the cap to the flue, then the fire may have originated from the flue, otherwise not.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Weimar Mercury August 5, 1893</div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-51993386993721753252010-09-14T18:26:00.003-05:002010-09-14T23:46:15.327-05:00City Hall and Farmers Market, circa 1900 to 1908<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TI_4F_5dpSI/AAAAAAAAAL4/f8ikk2hkWPU/s1600/City+Hall+c1900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TI_4F_5dpSI/AAAAAAAAAL4/f8ikk2hkWPU/s1600/City+Hall+c1900.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Speaking of City Hall, here are two postcard views of the City Hall and Farmers Market, shown from the south. Both views offer the same building from the same perspective, but there are slight variances, other than the artistic freedoms taken in the drawn and colored version.<br />
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The first postcard (above, click to enlarge) was based on a real photograph and printed in the rotograph method. This postcard is from my personal collection, and is undated, but circa 1900. Note on the third level that the offices extend back only a short ways, well under half the length of the building.<br />
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The second postcard (below, click to enlarge) is a hand-drafted drawing and printed in color. The card is also from my collection, and is postmarked 1908. A close look at the third floor show the offices now extend almost all the way to the end of the building. <br />
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Howard Barnstone, in "The Galveston That Was", states, "It was once a fine example of the French Renaissance.... [T]he ground floor base is a highly rusticated firm foundation on which sits a myriad of columns, statues and architectural paraphernalia ranging from fourteenth-century English windows to sixteenth-century Italian balustrades and eighteenth-century American pilasters and garlands. Springing from the east and west corners of the south elevation were minaretlike round bays (oriels) rather precariously hung and crowned with mansard tile roofs and open fleches. The central tower had an open Palladian-motif pass-through below the clock."<br />
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"The building was three stories high," Barnstone continues, "with the farmers' market occupying the ground floor; the other two floors were city offices. The north portico, with its eight Ionic columns and decorated frieze, made an imposing sight. The grand stairways on the east and west sides made the building look even larger."<br />
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</div>"In the hurricane of 1900 the building , though severely damaged, was used as a refuge for the victims." Barnstone closes with a description of the building as it existed, circa 1965. "Architecturally, the building has been completely ruined since. The third story and tower have been removed and, where there had been statuary and other architectural motifs, signs designating the north section as the police department, and the south section as the central fire station have been installed."<br />
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If someone has a picture they can share of the City Hall building in its final indignity, I would gladly add it to this article. Thank you.Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5473590336443567702.post-82319611287883027152010-09-14T00:03:00.003-05:002010-09-17T02:50:02.149-05:00Galveston Island Birdseye View Pre-1890<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TI7-t-qIPzI/AAAAAAAAALQ/senjNY_tiUI/s1600/Birdseye+View1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s3nQZvrG-eE/TI7-t-qIPzI/AAAAAAAAALQ/senjNY_tiUI/s400/Birdseye+View1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This pre-1890 birdseye view of Galveston was taken from the roof of the second Tremont Hotel (1872-1928) at the corner of Tremont (23rd) and Avenue F (Church Street). The photographer was probably Paul H. Naschke and his camera was aimed to the northeast, with Grain Elevator 'A' at the foot of 14th Street and Wharf in the background. The Texas History Center of the Rosenberg Library has a similar photo credited to Naschke from the same viewpoint and dated circa 1890s. But there are enough differences between the two photos to date this version as an earlier view.<br />
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Shown here in this close-up is the side view of the old City Hall that was situated in the middle of 20th Street between Mechanic and Market streets. Visible is the distinctive clock tower which was lost in the 1900 Storm, along with the 3rd story offices with 6 windows on the western side. At an unknown later date the 3rd floor seems to have been expanded to at least double the length seen here. The Rosenberg's Naschke photo, mentioned above, had at least 12 windows on the 3rd floor.<br />
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The 1888 building was designed by the architect Alfred Muller, who declared the building his "masterpiece". The general contractor was Frank Jones, calling it one of the most elaborate and intricate he had ever constructed. The building was three stories high, with a farmers market on the ground floor and city offices on the 2nd and 3rd levels. The clock tower rose 108 feet from the base to the clock. Above the clock was a pinnacle 30 feet high.<br />
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Seen in this close-up is the Island City Savings Bank Building. Sadly, I have not been able to find anything about this building; its architect, its date of construction, or even its location. If anyone knows anything about the building, please let me know. At one point, Morris Lasker was President of the bank. He hired Nicholas J. Clayton to build the Romanesque Lasker House in 1889, so perhaps Lasker commissioned Clayton to design the bank building also.Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451957416357148579noreply@blogger.com1