Shearrer-Williams married 11 Dec 1924

This was my grandparent's marriage announcement that was placed in The Banner newspaper.

Mr. Edgar Shearrer and Miss Ima Williams, two popular young people of this city were united in holy wedlock on Thursday night of this week, Rev. J.W. Yow performing the ceremony at his home in the presence of only members of the family of the contracting parties.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Williams, living near Poteet and is a young lady of most charming graces and beloved by all who know her. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. D.E. Shearrer of this city and is a most worthy young man and highly esteemed.

After the ceremony the happy young couple left for Austin where they spent a few days, and will shortly be at home to their friends in the Munson Cottage on Prospect Hill, which Mr. Shearrer recently purchased.

The Banner joins with their many friends in extending congratulations and best wishes for a long and happy journey on the matrimonial sea.

Pratt Reunion

Pratt Family Reunion & Potluck Lunch

June 13, 2009, 11:00 a.m.

Rossville Community Center.
(Picture is Joseph Pratt and wife, Matilda Sutton.)

Jourdanton City Cemetery Marker is Dedicated

April 18, 2009 was a day of celebration. The Jourdanton City Cemetery, which was layed out with the town in 1909, unveiled a new Official Texas Historical Marker. The ceremony, originally planed to be held within the cemetery, had to move to the community center and library because of a much needed rain. The turnout was large. J.W.Holmes, president of the cemetery association was MC, speakers were County Judge Dianah Bautista, Norman Porter, Sr., Chairman of the county historical commission, Mayor Larry Pryor and the marker inscription was read by Barbara Westbrook, chair of the historical marker committee. The colors were presented by V.F.W. Post #4853, and taps was played by Pat Dornak. An opening prayer was read by Rev. Lyn Means from the First Baptist Church of Jourdanton, and a benediction was given by Rev.James Schendel from the United Methodist Church of Jourdanton.

A Civil War re-enactment was planned for the cemetery, but, also had to be moved inside. Rick Brockman and his wife, each in costume, presented an interesting array of flags, and other Civil War era items.

The highlight of the event was when the Jourdanton Jr. High advanced 7th and 8th grade, Science/History club students portrayed 17 people who are buried in the cemetery. The kids worked for months researching, creating costumes, and writing their scripts. They each got into their characters and it was a huge hit. They plan to present their acts at future events.

ACHC Wins Award

For the second year in a row, the Atascosa County Historical Commission was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Texas Historical Commission. The distinction was given to 82 of Texas's 254 counties. The awards are presented to acknowledge the dedication of county historical commissions that have cultivated a strong relationship with their county commissioners court and the THC. The Atascosa CHC is involved in many community projects, and reported over 5,000 volunteer hours in 2008. The award was presented at a special reception during the annual preservation conference in Lakeway, near Austin.

Centennial Marker Finds New Home

In 1936 the state created a way for each county to mark the 100th year of Texas Independence by designing a monument made of granite. The state medallion was put on front and they were placed in strategic places in each county. Later the county histories , written in bronze, were added to the top. In Atascosa County the marker was placed in the roadside park on SH 97, between Jourdanton and Pleasanton. It is marker number 223 on the state list.

As the years passed, the interstate highways were built and the distance between the two cities became shorter, the picnic areas were becoming obsolete and abused by people who chose to dump their trash in them. This roadside park, along with two others in the county, had to go. The few folks who still used the roadside parks for the purpose in which they were intended have had to find another place to stop.

The pink granite marker, which is owned by the Texas Historical Commission, needed a new spot. TxDOT considered moving it closer to the highway, creating a short road up to it, but that seemed unsafe and expensive. Between County Judge Dianah Bautista and the Atascosa County Historical Commission the idea of moving the centennial marker to the grounds of the County Court House was born.

Clint Rodriquez, TxDOT's local supervisor made the generous offer to move the marker, which was later estimated to weigh 6,500 pounds. He cleared this with his district office, his supervisor came down to examine the granite and concrete slab which held it. Judge Bautista took the issue to Commissioner's Court, the move was cleared with THC, and a location was chosen.

On tuesday, February 24, Clint Rodriquez and his men carefully put marker number 223 into place next to the brick kiosk, on the south side of the court house. The location was chosen because it is wheel chair accessible, and close to the parking lot. The county wasted no time in removing rocks and soil, leveling the area then landscaping it with decorative stone. It looks like it's always been there. All of this took place in the span of less than two weeks. It was a real team effort.

The text on the marker reads as follows:

As early as 1722 El Camino Real (The King's Highway) from the Rio Grande to San Antonio was well established in this area. The Spanish word "Atascosa," denoting boggy ground that hindered travel, gave region its name. The county was created in 1856 from land formerly in Bexar County. Jose Antonio Navarro, whose 1831 claim was the first grant recorded in area, gave land in 1857 for first county seat, Navatasco. County seat moved to Pleasanton in 1858, to Jourdanton in 1911. Livestock, oil, gas and strawberries are well-known products of the county.

The Benton City Masonic Lodge #379

Click on image to enlarge

The original two story rock building of the Benton City Institute was originally built by Mr. J.R. Sweeten (circa 1875 ). The upper story of this building was the first home of the Benton city Masonic Lodge #379. The lower floor was built to be used as a school and was always referred to The Benton City Institute. This picture displays several of the founding members of the original lodge. Noted on the back is, "this photo was taken in 1881".

The photo was acquired by the Benton City Historical Society in recent years and through a concentrated research effort, the names of most of these men are identified now and can be found on the list included with the picture. Any information or additions or corrections may be posted on this blog as a comment or contact James Collins at 830 709-3939 or email prestine1548@sbcglobal.net.

This is Mary Elizabeth Newman
born in 1883 and died in 1961.

She married Robert D. Mangum in 1904
and was the mother of Robert D. Mangum, Jr.
& Elmo Oliver Mangum, who was born in 1905
in Poteet and died in 1978.