Hopkins Co. Tx - Eli Hargrave pays a visit to Uncle Billie Raines From: June E. Tuck ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** From the historical files of June E. Tuck, who does not validate or dispute any historical facts in the article. Paper dated August 1938 ELI HARGRAVE PAYS VISIT TO UNCLE BILLIE RAINES Yesterday morning, August 23rd , we had a business call to a farm beyond Dike. We went out and after we had made the engagement the thought came that we would like to see Uncle Billie Rains, so we motored over to his home, between Ash Grove and Flora, where he is happily domiciled with his much esteemed son, Arthur, who is his faithful and constant companion. They live on Arthur^Òs farm, formerly owned and occupied by the late Jake Black but first settled by Lon Vaden, deceased. We found Uncle Billie in his room lying down, as naturally he is in failing health, this August 24th being his 88 birthday. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky, August 24, 1850, a son of John and Nancy Raines, also natives of Kentucky, his father being born Dec. 29, 1810, and was married Aug. 1, 1833. This family came to Texas in 1854, settling at Clarksville, Red River County. Here they entered the pursuit of farming and stock raising as range was open and free and in connection with this he did service for his community as a blacksmith. Here young Williams grew to manhood, purchased a farm and at the age of 32 was married in Sulphur Springs to Miss Cora Bryson, sister to our fellow townsman, Will Bryson. Three sons were given to this union, Arthur, Lewis, and Charles, who have grown to manhood, very worthy and most esteemed citizens and neighbors of their community. Uncle Billie remained with his family in Red River County till 1898, in November, when he moved to Hopkins County and bought a nice plantation of about 700 acres on Wolf Pen Creek from John Worth Bennett. This was know as the old home place of Uncle Jimmie Burkham. Here he remained about 20 years, his farm adjoining our home with us enjoying his family as neighbors and even having his boys as school pupils where we learned to be more and more found of them. He spent many happy days and hours over his meadow land and oil reservation, farming and raising good cattle and horses in which he took great pride. He is a very worthy citizen, a fine neighbor and a true and faithful friend. He was always ready to help in any time of need and is kind to everybody. We are glad to print these lines while he yet lives and to pin on his lapel a blooming rose that he may enjoy the fragrance there of with his worthy sons and his lovely daughters-in-law, also one noble grand baby. In 1918, he moved with his family to Sulphur Springs where they remained till November of 1934, when they returned to their farm home. In 1935, the mother was taken to her reward and since that time he and Arthur have lived alone. In all our lifetime, while we have met so many worthy young men and young women, we have never seen one we thought was more faithful and true to his parents and friends than our friend, Arthur Raines. While Uncle Billie lived in Sulphur Springs he was a very familiar figure on the streets with his pocket knife and a good pine whittling stick in his hands. He was a noted whittler and seemed to enjoy it as a diversion more than any other sport. He always met you with a smile and a friendly "hello, kid," and then must have a few words with him. In the afternoon he had a regular time to go home to his family, to whom he was always been very true and faithful. Today he is rounding out 88 years of well spent life, 40 of which he has been our neighbor and friend. Uncle Bill will be remembered as brother of Uncle John Raines of the Pecan Grove or Ruff community, father-in-law to the late Edgar Butler. Also brother to Uncle Dick Raines who served as a neighborhood blacksmith for a number of years in the Crisp community, now known as Posey. This visit will long be remembered by the writer and we hope for Uncle Billie many more happy birthdays. Eli Hargrave