Picnic in Pleasanton

Left to right are W.D."Pete" Morris, my dad, Maude Thomason Morris, my grandmother, Uncle John Morris and I'm not sure who the others are.

Benton City Historical Society Seeks Members

The Benton City Institute was built in 1875. The two-story rock schoolhouse was originally built by J.R.Sweeten and then sold to Col. John D. Morrison, who was a teacher and educator. The building was later sold to Professor B.C. (Bernard Calvin) Hendrick and his wife, Mary (Coleman), both of whom were early-day teachers. They taught in Pleasanton, Jourdanton and Old Frio Town (Pearsall), as well as Benton City.

The upper-floor of this building was the original birthplace of the Benton City Masonic Lodge #379 and Eastern Star #335. In 1909, when the "Masonic Lodge" moved to Lytle, the upper-floor's ownership was transferred to the Benton City School District #9. Both the lower and upper-floors were then used as a schoolhouse until 1934. Mrs. Mozelle (Hughes) Hindes taught the last class there.

Through our research, we have discovered early-day receipts showing students were from as far away as Oklahoma and had paid a tuition fee of $2.00 for a one-month educational session at this school.

At one time, there was an official Historical Marker there, but it has since been stolen.

The old school house is in pretty bad shape, but plans are to completely restore this building to it's original 1875 condition.

The Benton City Historical Society is now offering memberships to anyone that may wish to join us in this worthwhile restoration project: Membership applications may be picked up at the Pleasanton Public Libary by contacting Diana Gutherie at 830 569-3622, or the Jourdanton Community Library via Dorothy Manning 830 769-3087 or by contacting James Collins in Lytle at 830 709-3939.

We are offering several different levels of memberships that range from $5.00 annually for students and seniors to a $25.00 membership for businesses.

If anyone has any information or pictures of the old Benton City schoolhouse, please contact James Collins at 830 709-3939. Once the building is completely restored our plans are to place a memorial tribute and plaque honoring all the names of the boys and girls that once attended school there.

We also need help in gathering names of any of the early-day teachers who may have taught school at the Benton City Institute.

Written by James Collins, President, Benton City Historical Society.

Edward Morris

Ed Morris was born in 1851 in Guadalupe County. Orphaned before 1860, he was raised by Ranger Captain John F. Tom and his wife Mary Ann Moffet Tom who migrated to Atascosa County in about 1862. Edward married Mahalia Elizabeth Duck Morris. He worked as a sheriff's deputy, and was a member of the Pleasanton Masonic Lodge. Ed died in 1919 and is buried in the Pleasanton City Cemetery.

The girl in the picture was his granddaughter, Maurine Morris Shone.

Atascosa County Historical Commission Recognized

The Atascosa County Historical Commission was honored in Commissioner's Court on April 26 during their regular meeting. County Judge Diana Bautista presented the Distinguished Service Award to Chairman Norman Porter, Sr. The award was created by the Texas Historical Commission to recognize County Historical Commissions for outstanding achievement in historical preservation and is given yearly. Eighty-three of the 254 Texas counties received the award this year.

The ACHC dedicated six new historical markers in 2009 as well as holding a ceremony to rededicate the newly restored Russell Cemetery. The new markers are for the city of Jourdanton, Ralph Roy "Railroad" Smith, Jourdanton United Methodist Church, Jourdanton City Cemetery, St.John Evangelical Lutheran Church and Martin Abstract, Company. The dedication for Jourdanton's City Cemetery included Middle School Students from the Science and History Club, in period clothing, portraying pioneer's buried there. The students wrote their dialogs based on the history of the citizen they represented. They were brilliant. The activities were in celebration of Jourdanton's Centennial Anniversary.

Another event recognized by the THC was a Photo and Oral History clinic held in January. This was a cooperative effort between the Jourdanton and Pleasanton Public Libraries, the ACHC and the Institute of Texan Cultures. Citizens from all over the county brought old photos of people, buildings and scenes to be scanned by the Institute of Texan Cultures to use in displays. Five hundred forty vintage photos were scanned and negatives were made. In addition, eleven oral histories were recorded.

Another important event for the ACHC was it's hosting of a great symposium on the Battle of Medina, put on by the Alamo Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. Speakers were Al McGraw, Archaeologist for TxDot, Historian Richard Santos, Author Robert Thonhoff and others, who presented the latest research on the bloodiest battle in Texas history and the first Republic of Texas.

This was the third year in a row the ACHC has received the honor.