Jones Co., TX - Obituaries - William Emmett Roberts *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Dorman Holub Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************** William Emmett Roberts William Emmett Roberts, 85, who was the first permanent settler in the area between old Fort Griffin in Shackelford county and the colonies of New Mexico, was dead today. No white man had preceded him when in 1873 he pitched his tent on the banks of the Clear Fork of the Brazos, near what is now the Nugent community. Here he spent the remaining years of his life. Sunday the aged man walked the half-mile to the home of his daughter, Mrs. P.R. Wright. He played the last card with his son-in-law at the last deal, bowed his head and died quietly. "The Memoirs of William Emmett Roberts," written in 1927 by Dr. Rupert N. Richardson of Hardin-Simmons University, told the story of the white man's coming into this section: "Mr. Roberts was, without doubt, one of the last frontiersman," said Dr. Richardson. Survivors: his widow, 2 sons - Gus and Hugh Roberts of Nugent, 4 daughters - Mrs. Lonnie Wright of Kokchito, OK; Mrs. G. Briggs of Pampa; Mrs. J.R. Mullins of Jones county; Mrs. P.R. Wright of Nugent. Abilene Reporter News May 21, 1936