Brown Co., TX - Bios: Butler, Albert Pearce
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Roy Butler <roycbutler@yahoo.com> Nov 13, 2008

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Albert Pearce Butler,
August 27, 1868 - December 20, 1946

Life and Times of Albert Pearce Butler
Author: Roy C. Butler

Thomas Jefferson Butler (T.J.) was born 25 Jan 1846 in Choctaw County,
Mississippi. He died 12 Jan 1892 in Taylor’s Creek, Pickens County, Alabama.
His

father was James C. Butler (Jim) was born about 1805 in Pickens County, South
Caroline. His mother was Rice Bennett was about 1811 in Pickens County, South
Carolina. T.J. married, Mary Ann Palmer was born 22 Dec 1849 in Pickens
County, Alabama. She died 2 Apr 1901 in Carrollton, Pickens County, Alabama.
They had the following children:

1. William A Butler was born about 1862 in Carrollton, Pickens, Alabama.
2. Mary Jane Butler was born in 1864 in Carrollton, Pickens, Alabama.
3. Albert Pearce Butler was born 27 Aug 1868 in Carrollton, Pickens, Alabama.
4. Georgia Ann Butler was born 27 Aug 1870 in Carrollton, Pickens, Alabama.
5. Delmar Delene Butler was born 24 Mar 1875 in Carrollton, Pickens, Alabama.
6. James Robert Butler was born 18 Mar 1878 in Carrollton, Pickens, Alabama.
7. Mary Florence Butler was born 3 Mar 1880 in Carrollton, Pickens, Alabama.
8. Jennie Jessie Lona Butler was born 10 Jun. 1882 in Carrollton, Pickens, AL

I, Albert (Henry) Butler, grow up in Carrollton, Pickens, Alabama. I always
liked the name Henry. So I want to be call by Henry. I lived on a small farm,
and we had some horses and cattle, but the main crop was cotton.

When I was a young man, I got married to Maggie Adams, on 30 Mar 1889 in
Pickens County, Alabama, born about 1872, died in 1893 in Carrollton, Pickens,
Alabama, and we had one son, we name him Sanford Joshua Butler, born 26 Jan
1891. At the age of two (2) years the Adams took Sanford to rise as one of
there own children. I was a young man and did not know what to do as a man and
as I tried to make a living of my family, failed. So did my marriage. There
was a wagon master in towns telling all of the people that want to go to Texas
together at the west in of town.

WAGONS WEST

I, Albert P. Henry Butler, got a job with a wagon master going west. The wagon
master would gather the families that were going west and tell them what they
have to have to move west. “I would now help those that were going to join to
move west buy making sure that they had all the things that the wagon master
had told then.” The wagons were pull by Oxen, Mules, and Horses.” There were
sixteen wagons making the trip. Although some of the family, were just going
to Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas. The next morning after breakfast the train
got started for the long trip.” I made a last check to make sure that all that
were going had what they were to have.” There were flowers blooming everywhere
and all the little creeks and branches were running full with clear, pure
water. There were a lot of games and the men kept us well supplied with fresh
meat.

“The wagon train was on it way and now I was place out in front of the train
as a scout. This was fun at the start but as the train got further away from
home. It was hard to keep the people up for going on to there assign
distention.  The trail was well traveled now and was easy to follow.” Ten days
out we were at the Mississippi boarder and had turned north for a better
trail. Also those that were going to Mississippi were looking for a settlement
in north Mississippi. We turned west and lost six wagons and the trail was a
little easier. Some of the family left the train in Choctaw County,
Mississippi. And we added four more wagons there that were going to Arkansas
and some were going on to Texas.

The next day’s travel was started and after going a few miles, we came to a
big creek, which the crossing looked to be impossible. While talking the
matter over and trying to decide the safest way to get across, two wagons
drove up and stopped. These turned out to be two families that were going to
Arkansas. In those days, it was always a pleasure to have company and soon all
the families were acquainted and it was decided they could travel with our
wagon train.

Tim and Davy mounted their horses and rode into the stream to test the depth
and examine the banks on the opposite side. It was seen that the water would
be so deep as to get into the wagon beds and cause the horses to have to swim.
The far bank was very slick and steep, but it was decided to double team and
place everything in the wagon on boxes and chairs in order to get them out of
the reach of water. This was arranged and the first wagon drove into the
stream, the four big animals took the water quietly until about half way
across, and then suddenly they were seen to almost become submerged and then
rear and lunge. The water came almost to the sideboards of the wagon, water
rolled up against the front end-gate, the animals kept rearing, jumping and
lunging until shallow water was reached. Then up the steep, slick, muddy bank,
the horses pulling with all their might, but finally reaching the top-level
ground. This seemed to give the team much confidence as well as the family,
and the new acquaintances.

Finally all the wagons had made the treacherous trip across. By this time, it
was noon and everyone in each family pitched in and the lunch was served
together. During the conversation, it was learned that one of the families was
going to the western part of the Indian Territory and traveling the same road
with us for many miles. Each night the two families camped near each other.

The older ones would gather around one or the other campfires and the talk was
mostly of the west and just where was the most prosperous location. While the
parents were enjoying themselves in conversation around the fire the children
played hide and seek, ring-around-the-rosy and pussy wants a corner, but the
greatest thrill came when we would see who would venture farthest out into the
dark by themselves. There was always the talk of wild Indians when this game
was in progress and it would wind up by all of us closing in around the fire
and usually someone had the story to relate that we had seen a shadow, at
least something which very much resembled an Indian, but the more frightful
things seemed, the greater the thrill and pleasure.

"At the Mississippi river, (Big Muddy) we came across some families that had
came across the Mississippi river on a raft, because the rail road bridge was
washed out." "Now the families join the wagon train to Texas." "This is here.
I met Laura Della Jones. We were together all the way to Sulfur Spring,
Hopkins, Texas.

After crossing into Indian Territory we saw some Indian coming down onto the
wagon train. I hadn't seen a single Indian and was beginning to be ashamed
that I had acted the way I did. On the evening of that day a band of seven
Indians did ride up to the wagons just as we were camping for the night. All
of our man’s folks held their guns ready but the Indians were friendly and
just wanted to beg for some tobacco. At least that was what they said they
wanted and Paul (wagon master) gave each of them his “homespun” and they left.

After many days travel in Indian Territory, one afternoon camp was made early,
for the day had been strenuous for everyone including the teams. It had rained
the entire day and a level place was selected for the camp near a lake and in
a pine grove. The tent was again set up and soon another bright wood fire was
burning in front and supper being prepared. Anyone who has never really camped
can hardly conceive of the beauty, coziness, and thrill of a camp in such a
sparsely settled land where the beautiful forests, streams, lakes and wildlife
had scarcely been touched by the so-called civilized white man’s ax or gun.
There were no white settlements within many miles, and there was a slight
uneasiness among the woman’s folk, but the night passed and nothing happened
to alarm anyone.

The next morning it was decided that a few days’ rest would be a benefit to
the teams. They had traveled two weeks without rest except when in camp at
night and the two or three days camp in Arkansas and East Indian Territory.
However, the horses, although tired, were well kept and Paul would not allow
them to be mistreated. I can remember many times when I would see someone
mistreating an animal, Paul invariably would remark that the poor animal, no
doubt, had more sense than its master. On the entire trip I do not remember
ever having seen him abuse or strike either team in anger. I never see a man
abusing an animal that I am not reminded of. His remark and my sympathy
invariably are with the animal.

These few days in camp passed with the same routine, different games were
played, the boys and men hunted, brought in a great deal of wild ducks and
quail. There was much talk of the old friends who had been left behind and of
the new ones to be made, the difference in the customs of the old and new
countries.

For the rest of the day we were all jumpy and the women and children were
scared. The men said there wasn't anything to worry about, but they stayed
close to the wagons just the same and we camped early. For the first time on
the trip we made a circle of the wagons, but twelve wagons don't make a big
circle and the horses and a few cows that we had along wouldn't fit inside.
These were hobbled and tied in a little and one man was left there to stand
guard. All night the men took turns standing watch and I guess the women were
watching too, because none of us could sleep. I certainly did wish that I were
back in Alabama.

About an hour before daylight the men who had been left with the horses came
running up and said that he heard Indians off about a quarter of a mile. The
men slipped down to the draw where the stock was tied, but when they got
there, there wasn't a single horse left. The Indians must have slipped up
right close and had some other Indian’s make a noise off somewhere? That was
about the only way they could have cut the hobbles so quickly and got away.
The whole thing didn't take more than five minutes. The men came back and lay
under the wagons with their guns loaded and ready. Everybody was worried and
more than a little scared. Then the sun came up and still nothing happened we
seemed to get a little braver and did manage to cook up some breakfast. It was
a sorry meal with everyone wondering what we would do without any horses.

Around ten o'clock; one Indian came toward the wagons, riding with his hand
held up high in a peace sign. Paul went out to meet him and they talked for a
few minutes and Paul came back. He said that the Indian said he knew who had
stolen our horses and that he would get them back for us for a dollar a head.
Our men talked a while but there wasn't anything else to do so Paul went back
and told the Indian to bring back the horses. It didn't take that thieving
Indian an hour to bring back those horses. He had them staked out in the brush
all the time he was talking to Paul and he probably helped steal them, too.
There wasn't anything we could do except pays a dollar a head for them and we
did, although one of the men wanted to shoot the Indian and get the money
back. The wagons were soon hitched up and we left as quickly as we could, it
seemed good to be leaving that place.

About five in the evening two Indians overtook us from behind and asked to
talk to Paul. One Indian had gotten hurt and they wanted someone to cure him.
I wouldn't trust them, but Paul said that if they needed treatment he had to
go. He didn't get back until midnight, and I thought his wife would be left a
widow with their three babies so far from home I never would get back. When he
did come back there was all the shouting you ever heard, the man grabbed up
guns and waited for an attack, but the Indians were friendly and happy. Paul
(wagon master) had cured the sick Indian (he had just had a bad stomachache
from swallowing tobacco juice) and the whole tribe had brought Paul to the
wagons.

Those Indians gave us back the money we had paid for the horses, gave us deer
hides, antelope hides and more presents than you ever saw. They stayed around
the wagons all the rest of the night, singing and dancing and eating. In the
morning they helped us load up and harness and then the Chief of the tribe had
four of the Indians to go with us to help us with the camp and to herd the
horses at night so no other Indians would steal them and sell them back to us.
Those Indians stayed with us until we got to the Red River and we never did
have any more trouble with Indians. Everyone was now becoming anxious to cross
the Red River and get into Texas and the border of what was to be their
adopted state and home.

GOING INTO TEXAS

I have heard stories of Texas and of the red river and wonder about how they
name a river red. Maybe it was because there was a war and men were killed in
the river and the water was red from the blood. Now here I am on the bank of
the red river and looking down at it and the water is red, with the sun on it
and in places it looked apple red, cherry red and crimson. The river bed was
red sand and red clay. Looking up and down the riverbank on the Indian
Territory (Oklahoma) side some of the riverbanks was about 10 feet high but on
the Texas side they were about three or 4-foot high. Now where we were the
bank was about 6 inches on the Indian Territory.

The wagons are now crossing into the red river and the water is about 6inch
deep and as they get to the middle of the river it is getting deeper. The
horses or not having to swim, so I think the water is about three or 3 1/2
foot deep. The middle of the river was about four or 5-foot wide because the
horses were in about 1 foot of when the wagons were bouncing up out of the
water and back down in the shallow water. Coming out of the water on the Texas
side was easy because the riverbank was well traveled.

As we travel on into Texas, the lands look much like it was in the Indian
Territory. But as we get on into the land is changing and now we are looking
at Pine trees and roll hills with buffalo grass, nice and green. There was
small town with drugs stores, saloons and general store. It was about two days
before we reach the settlement of Sulfur Spring, Texas.

There in Sulfur Spring we lost the Jones girls. This is where they were to
meet their brother Griffin Jones. There was also one wagon turn to the west
and onto the Harrison trail. The people of the town said that trail leaded to
the Wichita Territory.

The wagon train headed south to Dallas and it was about three and half days
before we reach Dallas, Texas. Dallas was a small town, but larger than Sulfur
Spring. We lost one more wagon there. Wagon south and about one day we were in
Fort Worth, Texas, which was a large town with cattle pins as far as you could
see looking west.

We stay over night in Fort Worth and the next day I walked around with Paul. I
saw places to eat. A blacksmith shops, a general store, my first mercantile
store, and much more. I meet a man sale half of a butcher cow. His name was
Mr. Swift. He was butchering the cow from the cattle’s pins and sale the half
to the eating places there in Fort Worth. The eating-places were sale steak
dinner for $0.50. We eat at a small place on the south side of town run by a
Mexican woman. She gave us some frijoles, (a refried bean), and some lamp meat
with hot tortilla for $00.5 cents.

The wagon train headed southeast. For eight days we travel though small
community and small town tell we came into Austin, Texas. This was a large
town to me but they call it a city. There was a lot of business and the people
were going here and there. We lost all the wagons but three here in this city
of Austin. I saw the Capitol building, and the state house for all of the
lawmaker of Texas.

Wagons start out early the next morning headed for San Antonio, Texas. It was
about one and half days to get to the out side of this town of old churches
and a river running though the middle of town. It was a Mexican and German
town. San Antonio has mean mementos of the Republic of Texas. I went down town
and went in the Buckthorn Saloon and saw a very young lady swing on a swing in
the middle of the floor. A few blocks’ areas near downtown was call a District
on the south bank of the San Antonio River. They call this area the King
William District. This was the most elegant residential area of the times.
Prominent German merchants originally settled the area. On the other side of
the San Antonio River was the old town and where the Mexican, black, and white
people made the living and had there home. No a bend of the San Antonio River
at the foot of King William is one of the Pioneer Flour Mills. Found of the
flourmill was Carl Hallmeyer Gentler.

Now there was the Alamo. On the east side of Alamo Plaza is the most famous
spot in Texas where 189 defenders fell on March 6, 1836, after repeated
attacks by Mexican General Santa Anna’s army. Mission San Antonio de Valero
(The Alamo) was established in 1718 as the city’s first mission. The chapel
and the Long Barracks are all that remain of the original fort.

The chains of missions established along the San Antonio River in the 18th
century are reminders of one of Spain’s most successful attempts to extend its
New World dominion from Mexico. Representing both church and state, these
missions were charged with converting the local Native Americans, collectively
called Coahuiltecans, into devout Catholics and productive members of Spanish
society. More than just churches on the Spanish Colonial frontier, the
missions also served as vocational and educational centers, economic
enterprises involved in agricultural and ranching endeavors and regional
trade.

They were the greatest concentration of Catholic missions in North America and
formed the foundation for what is today the thriving city of San Antonio. The
mission Concepcion is handsome church where religious festivals were held as
friars strove to replace traditional Native American ritual by the
demonstration of Christian ideals.

Next there was the Mission San José. San José became the largest and best
known of the Texas Missions and was viewed as the model among Texas missions.
After early setbacks, the vast fields and herds of livestock sustained 300
inhabitants. A visitor in 1777 referred to the structure as the "Queen of the
Missions." The carvings on the church are notable features. The famous "Rose
Window" is considered one of the finest pieces of Spanish Colonial
ornamentation in the country. Other features are the convent area and the
stairway to the belfry and choir loft.  Each of the 25 risers was hand-hewn
from a single live-oak log and constructed without nails or pegs. Also
featured is a granary with flying buttresses, a gristmill, restored defensive
walls, and quarters. The Mission San Juan established along the banks of the
San Antonio River in 1731 after relocation from East Texas. With a rich farm
and pasture lands it became a regional supplier of agricultural produce, which
helped support the missions, local settlements and presidio garrisons. The
chapel, with its open bell tower is still in use. A more elaborate church was
never completed. The site includes a self-guided nature trail.

The last Mission Espana, In 1731, after their retreat from East Texas, the
founders of San Francisco de los Teas moved the mission to the San Antonio
River and renamed it San Francisco de la Espana. Espada appears as remote
today as it did in the mid 1700s. It boasts the best-preserved segments of the
historic acequias (the irrigation system designed to provide water for crops)
part of which includes the still working Espada dam and aqueduct.

I have fun on the day laid over here in San Antonio, but back to work as the
wagon train is turning east and headed to Houston, Texas. Now on the trail we
saw good farmland and nice small roll hill. Paul (wagon master) said that
Houston would be the last stop. Also, to be thinking about going back to South
Carolina.

We got to Houston and got paid. They said that we would hear two days trying
to build up a train going back to South Caroline. So I went and told Paul
(wagon master) that I would stay with him till I got back to Sulfur Spring,
Texas. He said that would be ok but he would only pay me $00.25 a day till we
got there. I said it would be ok with me.

STAYING IN TEXAS

The trip back to Sulfur spring was very long and I though the days were long.
No one joined the train here in Houston. So we are off to San Antonio. We
picked up one in San Antonio but we had to wait for it to get to the outskirt
on the north side of town. The next town that we pick up a wagon to the train
was Fort Worth. Now on to Dallas and another stop, there was some thing too
pickup here for the return to South Carolina. Now we are back on the road and
heading for Sulfur Spring. Paul pays me and said good luck. I took off to find
the Jones.

I started to look around Hopkins County. They were a lot of thing going on
around and in Sulfur Spring. Later that evening I found Griffin Jones on his
way home farmwork. I stayed with the Jones for about two weeks till I found a
nice place to live. I found a job with a logging company. It was hard but I
stayed with it of two weeks, but I could not keep up with the loader and the
wagons. So I was looking again. I found a little work help a farmer and the
job was for a short time only. While working for the farmer I learned the
there was good job at the Sugar Mill. I went to work for the Sugar Mill and
like it very much.

On the weekends I was around the Jones and was going with Della Jones as much
as I could. We did all kind of thing and did go to all of the barn dances that
we knew about. I married Laura Della Jones January 1, 1898 in Sulfur Spring,
Hopkins, Texas. I had rented a small farm in Delta County. I am still working
for the Sugar Mill. We have our first child December 1, 1898 in Cooper, Delta,
Texas. We name her Sadie Wells Butler and life was very good for us in thought
days.

The owner of the farm that we were renting sold it and we were on the move
again. We found a nice place in Nelta, Hopkins, Texas; also, it was closer to
the Sugar Mill. Our second child was born here. We name him James Robert
Butler, August 3, 1901. I was getting in need for a little more money coming
in as my family was growing. I found a small farm in Enloe, Delta, Texas, and
the owner would let me live there and plant it so as we would share the monies
after we sold the corp. So the family is on the move again. Now the family is
still growing so the third child is born here Enloe, Delta, Texas. June 16,
1903. James Robert is two years old now and when I am around the house Robert
will try to do every thing that I do. Mr. Turner and I are working hard to get
the cotton in the fields. It is good black land and it looked like it will be
a good year. The rains have come in at the right time so far. We stay there
till January 1905 and they had a cut back at the Sugar Mill. Center of Texas

The bulletin board at the farm feed and seeds store in Sulfur Spring, I found
an advertisement. Brown County and Scurry County wanting men and family for
share farm worker. Brown County had two corps that they were looking for help.
So I decided to go to Brown County. We found a really nice place in Blanket,
Brown, Texas. It was for sale for a $0.05 cent an area so we boughs it. It was
half way between Blanket and May Texas.

THIS IS THE WILLIAMS BOY COMING IN FROM THE FIELDS.

The next morning I meet Mr. Charles Daniel, and he was in need of a good man
to work his place on the halves. He pays for all the seeds and I was to use
his farm equipment. This was the first time for me to plant two difference
crops. Planted 489 areas cotton in black land. Then 511 areas in peanuts in
sandy loam. This also the time we added another child to the family, a baby
Boy Butler born February 4, 1904 and died February 4, 1904, here in May,
Brown, Texas. Sadie started to school in May Texas. Things were very good here
in Brown County. Robert was always under a foot when I was close to the house,
but he was growing up to be a find young man. He wanted to be grown up so as
to help out in the fields.

When I needed help in the fields, I called on my neighbor’s boys, Williams.
They would help me after school also the two boys of Mr. Daniel did help on
some days. The first year was a very good turn out far all our corps. We got
top dollar for the peanuts and got a very good price for the cotton. So we had
a good bet of money that was going to get us though the next year. In addition
we were going to plant the same corps next year. This year in August 18, 1905
we had another child, Albert Joe Cepheus Butler in May, Brown, Texas. He died
November 11, 1906 in May, Brown, Texas.

In 1906 Mr. Williams had 138 areas that he could not work, and ask me if I
could work it in and plant it with corn. We would eat some of it. He would
take the rest of the crop to the market and sale it and share with me. So I
plow up about half of that afternoon and finish it up the next morning. It
about a week later that I got backs to it and plant the corn seeds. I also
planted two role’s green beans and two roles of okra. This is a picture of Mr.
Daniel’s boy, Williams’s boys and the Meeks boys and me on a hill looking over
the peanuts fields.

The year of 1906 started out ok but it turns not so good and things were
getting harder and the boys could not help me as much as they were last year.
But we had a good roof over our head and food to eat. We all had good health,
but Joe, he was weak and did not have much energy. We buried Joe’s in May
cemeteries.

January 1907 was starting our very good and Mr. Daniel was getting me some
help so as to clear up some more land. One of Mr. Williams plowed up the 138
areas and Laura, Sadie, and Robert took care of the garden, because I did not
have the extra time now. The Williams and our Family have a good storeroom of
food from our garden. Laura put in a garden and planted Onions, Garlic,
Potatoes Turnips Greens and Spinach, and planed to put more in later. Mrs.
Williams came and planed Carrots, Pinto Beans, and Black-eyed peas. With the
main crop still Corn, two roles of Okra, and two roles green Bean. We cleared
off 25 more areas so we were going to have more peanuts this year. Things went
very good all year and the rains came at the right time and it was looking
like a very good year for bout crops. This was the year that Robert started to
school in May. We had twins in September 5, 1907. Ira Julis Butler and Ima
Jewel Butler born in May, Brown, Texas.  We lost Ima January 16, 1908. Died in
May, Brown, Texas.

Mr. Daniel didn’t want to plant cotton this year. They were paying more for
Corn than cotton. So we planted corn and peanuts. Peanuts held their price.
Corn was not so good price at the end of the season. Because to mean a farmer
try to grow corn crops. But I did ok as for as the money went. I did not get
as much as before but I things I could make it go though the next year.

1909 started out very good. Also Mr. Daniel went back to cotton and peanuts.
This was the year that Myrtle Jewel started to school in May. This was the
year that I planted 35 areas of my farm with cotton and keep up all that was
to be done at the Daniels place. The family had to harvest the cotton crop and
we did better that I hope for. So now we had a little money that we could save
for a rain day.

1910 was here now with a new born child, January 2, in May, Brown, Texas. We
name him Thomas Jefferson Butler after father TJ. We would call him TJ also.
This was a very good year. We got top price for bout crops, Cotton and
peanuts. So I added a little more to the saving.

1911 Cotton fall a little peanuts was a little down but we made more cotton on
ours land. So we came out ok but did not have any extra money too added to the
saving that year.

January 12, 1912  Willie Henry Butler was born. I always like the name Henry.
Wills, we will call him Bill. Williams sold out and went back to Arkansas. So
we lost our extra money crops. So that was the year that all the family got
into the farming. We planted 35 areas with black-eyes peas, and five areas
with a garden for us to eat out of. We got more money for the black eyes peas
because the rancher was feeding then to their cattle.

1913 we plant 60 areas in black-eyes peas, and our five areas garden. Mr.
Daniel was having his boy’s sign up for the Texas farmer associations. So that
was the last year that I was able to work for Mr. Daniel because he has to put
his landing the land bank.

Ira started to school in May. My new neighbors were the Meeks and they were
having a very hard time of it. So I work out dill with then and help then with
the first year crop. It was cotton and was a very good year as cotton went up
in price. The boys did not know much about farming but they did come around
and things got in a grove. The work was very easy after that, and I did enjoy
working with then. And on the weekend they were going to barn dances all over
the place. So one weekend I ask if we could come all. We had supper on the
ground and had a very good time at the barn dance. That was the first time
that my boys were at a big dance. They like it so well the next time we went
to town to sale the black-eyes peas, they wanted to go and see if they could
find some music instruments. They came up with a Guitar, Fiddle, and Banjo and
they played at then till them got it down. We did ok with the crop and got
more money than I though we would get. So a little went into the saving.

April 4, 1914 Clarence Eddie Butler was born in May, Brown, Texas. I run into
Mr. Bobby Thornhill at the feed and seed store and he was telling the store
keep that his share crops family have moves back too Fort Worth. Did he know
someone or some family that would like to share crops for him? I cut in and
said “I would like to work for him if we could get together on the price.” Mr.
Thornhill and I went over to the City Café and set down. Had a cup of coffee
and came to a price that we bouts could live with. He has some big boys and he
was going to work with me to make the crop. He had two thousand areas in sandy
loam and he like the peanuts because they stay close on the money. So we
planted all of it in peanuts. Also, got top price for the crop. And there was
some money for the saving.

Mr. Thornhill place was north of Blanket, Texas, it was a good ride over
there. I made it with a good horse. The Thornhills was using their mules to do
all of the plowing so I did not have to bring my mules over. He had 8 mules so
that worked out very good for me. The family had to do the garden because I
could not get back in time to help at all.

The kids like school, and doing very well, but they had to work after school.
Helping around the house and in the 65 areas out back of the house. The time
over at the Thornhills was long day and extra hard work. I had to start out
before sun up to get to the Thornhills place. Some of the fields had not been
worked for mean years. The field had wiregrass and Johnson grass and lots of
rocks, so the plowing was very slow. It took us about a month to get all of
the 2000 areas plowed up for planting. The planting went good but it was a
very hot and dry summer. I worked though the year of 1915 with Mr. Thornhill
and we made some good money.

I also still had the 65 areas back home working for us. This now 1916 and we
kept the place there at Blanket, Texas; but we move over to Rising star,
Brown, Texas. Rising Star is in Eastland County, but we lived about 8 miles
south of town. This made the house in Brown County that we would be living in.
I went to work for a Mr. Wilson and lived on his farm. He had 3750 areas of
sandy loam and he planted peanuts and also had two other families working for
him. The best dill that I could make with him was that we lived on his place
and shares the crops four ways. He was to pay for the electric and the gas
that we would be using. There was good water well on the place but we would
have to carry the water into the house. The other family was named the
Alexander’s, the Beck, and the Donham

March 30, 1916 was born Alpha Omega Butler in Rising Star, Brown, Texas. We
will call him Al and also all of the kids went to the school in May. It was
only 6 miles to the May school.

Author: Roy C. Butler

Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/brown/photos/bios/butler10nbs.jpg

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/tx/brown/bios/butler10nbs.txt

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