"It was in the News"

Lewis. Wm. F.

Another “Terry Ranger” has gone. Wm. M. Lewis, of Co. F., died of Dropsy at Slack’s Wells. near Waelder, last Sunday evening was a week. Mr. Lewis was a man of nobel impluses, generous to a fault, and a braver soldier never shouldered a gun in his country’s cause. Requiescet in pace.

Colorado Citizen, August 6, 1885

To Receive Pro Rata of Confederate Pension Fund

The following persons in Colorado county will receive their pro rata of the Confederate pension fund, their applications having been acted upon favorably:

August Sonel, Frelsburg; J. C Folts, J. C. Slaton, Columbus; Gerhard Frels, Frelsburg J. S. West, Columbus; Mrs. Sarah E. Kuykendall, Mrs. Emma C. Putney, Eagle Lake; Peter Binkley, Columbus, John A. Stulting, Weimar; Max Kech, Frelsburg; Mrs. Sarah Duke, Eagle Lake; Henry Brown, Oakland; W. W. Minter, Altair; Stephen Tilley, Helmuth Kulow, Mrs. Sophia Eneke, Columbus, Larkin D. Secrest, Altair, Gotlieb Boehme, Frelsburg; Mrs. S. S Newsome, Weimar; Mrs. Annie Howatt, Jacob Hahn, Columbus; Mrs. M. A. Grace, Weimar.

Weimar Mercury, September 20, 1899

Cone. J. T.

Confederate Home,. Austin, Texas,

Weimar, Mercury:---As an old citizen of Weimar I will drop you a few lines in reference to this Home, of which I am now an inmate. I came here about the first of April, 1910, and I find it the greatest institution in Texas, or out of it. We have everything as free as the air we breathe. Our clothing, board, lodging, laundry, baths, shaving and in fact everything is free. I have a good comfortable room, with a good heating stove and plenty of coal to keep it warm, and I also have electric lights, and a good comfortable bed. I received yesterday a nice suit of clothes and also a pair of shoes, and all the underwear that I may need, so I can say that this Confederate Home is a great blessing to the old "Confeds." There are now in the home about 380 or more old men of every-description. We have had since the first of this year 44 deaths and they are buried in a nice coffin with a proper Christian funeral service. Preaching every Sunday by some minister of the different denominations. Salvation Army people and Apostolic faith people, all in the same building, called a chapel. We have as good christians here as there are any where, and also some scallawags. But I will repeat that the home is a good place, for good people.
J. T. Cone.

Weimar Mercury, November 11, 1910, page 2

Bowen, J. T.

We understand that our friend, Mr. J. T. Bowen, had both eyes operated upon by Dr. Bell, the San Antonio eye specialist, and that the operations were successful, but he will have to remain there several days yet. We are also told that Dr. Bell, upon ascertaining Mr. Bowen’s circumstances, made him a present of his bill, which gift to a poor old brokendown Confederate soldier is deeply and sincerely appreciated. Dr. Bell is a fine physician, and more a noblehearted gentleman.

Weimar Mercury, November 5, 1904, page 4

Miekow, Wm and Camp Nelson

The article below was published about the Camp Nelson Cemetery in the Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock) on April 29, 1962 which contained the following information:

In the fall and winter of 1862 some fifteen hundred Confederate troops had been camped near Old Austin.  In 1900 a movement was started by the James Adams Camp 1036, United Confederate Veterans, to assemble all of the graves into one spot.  The Arkansas legislature appropriated one thousand dollars for the work in 1905.  The encampment and cemetery were named for Brigadier General Allison Nelson who came to Arkansas in June 1862 in command of a Texas regiment.  He died on October 7, 1862 and is buried at Mount Holly.  Nelson was a native of Georgia and served as mayor of Atlanta.  He had served in the Georgia legislature and was a captain in the Mexican War.  He settled in Texas in 1855 and served in the Texas legislature.  He was a delegate to the Secession Convention.

On page 41 of J P Blessington's "The Campaigns of Walker's Texas Division" published in Austin in 1968 we find:

On the morning of the fourteenth, the balance of the troops were ordered to Austin, distanced about thirteen miles.  On our arrival near the village we camped near some springs.  We were given to understand that this camp was to be our winter quarters, and to be known by the name of Camp Nelson, in memory of General Nelson, who died a few days previous to our arrival at this place.

Camp Nelson was located about two miles east of Austin in a belt of woods shirting the valleys running east & west, shut in by high acclivities.  The country here is a succession of high, rocky hills and deep, dark, narrow deiles, surrounded on all sides by these frowning hills.  The camp was protected from the cold, piercing, wintry winds; yet it also seemed like imprisoning the men to winter them here, far distant from any communication with friends at home.  Occasionally the mail carrier from Little Rock would arrive in camp, bringing glad tidings from the loved ones at home.  He was welcome to all alike. Occasionally, curses were showered upon him for not bringing letters to all. He would console them by telling them he would bring them a letter the next time.  While we were encamped here there was a great deal of sickness among the troops.  Dysentery and fevers of various kinds made many victims. The hospital was filled with sick.  The sickness was owing a great deal to the impure water we had to use.  Fully fifteen hundred men died at Camp Nelson.  It was a sad and silent affair to follow a comrade in arms to his final resting place: gloomy thoughts arose in many a manly bosom.  How mournful thus to die, among rough but sympathizing comrades, with no soft hand to wipe the death damp from the clammy brow; no loved one's voice to whisper the the words of hope and consolation to the departing spirit!  Yet such was "the beginning of the end" for many a sorrowful scene through which the soldier is destined to pass. 

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock) on April 29, 1962

Green, F. A.

F. A. Green, a member of Company F., of the 8th Texas “Terry Rangers,” died at his home near Vienna, Lavaca county, the 20th of this month of pneumonia. Mr. Green was one among the bravest and best of soldiers, true to his friends. The members of this old regiment will be sorry to hear of his demise. He leaves a wife and two dear little children and an aged father to mourn the loss of a husband, father and son. but a few weeks ago we saw him; he was then a perfect picture of health, a nobel specimen of manhood. May God in his infinite mercy and goodness temper the sorrow of the bereaved.

Colorado Citizen, January 28, 1886

Hill, Thomas Anderson

All the way from Texas, a full One Thousand miles and more, just for the privilege of seeing faces of the comrades of the sixties, just for the sake of another hearty handclasp with brothers tried and true, just to be with “the boys” once more, Captain Thomas A. Hill, commander of company I, of the Forty-second Georgia, during the civil war, has traveled. That he;ll be on band when the "Fighting Forty-second” reunites at the courthouse this morning, goes without saying. That he'll get a welcome that;ll make the recent Roosevelt demonstration look slow is also a good bet.

In spite of the fact that the genial captain was nineteen years old when the war broke out, and served throughout the four years of that period, which tried men's souls, time has dealt leniently with him, and today he appears but little over fifty. He says that a man's never older than he feels, which puts him in the "yearling" class.

That he hasn’t changed in appearance within the last ten years was proven Thursday morning when he walked in the office of Tax Receiver T. M. Armistead, also a member or the Forty-second. To test his friend's ability to recognize him, the captain pretended that he wished to pay his taxes. He broached the subject, but had barely. finished the first sentence before his friend of other days butted in with “Ah!, you needn't try to come that game on me, ye old rascal, I'd know you in China or Honolulu."

“Say, do you remember:--and off the two went into reminiscences of the days almost half a century ago, when they shared each other's blankets, food, joys and disappointments.

"I was just 19 when the war broke out," said Captain Hill later. Just young enough to be foolish. I went right straight, which was as it should have been, but I was afraid the fun would be over before I could get there. After a few months, I realized that there wasn't much fun in it. Yes, I was wounded once, captured twice, and the last time I stayed in prison until the war was over.

"Just got back from Chickamauga, eh?”

"Well, that's like young fellows. The most of 'em like the military. I had a son that was young and foolish, when the Spanish-American war broke out and he was wild until after he had enlisted and knew he was going to the front. He went and came back safe and sound. Then he must go to the Philippines, where there was more fighting. He joined the regulars and left us again. He stayed about three years and came back none the worse for the trip. But army life had gotten a hold on him and he couldn't hear to getting out of the services.

"He was with his company out close to Denver two years ago and some fool officer sent the men out on a target range when the thermometer was 15 below zero and the snow lay 18 inches thick. The cold did for him what the fever, the Spanish, and the Philippines didn't do, put him out. He took pneumonia and died."

The usual cheery voice of the captain trembled over the last few words and a bright tear rolled down his cheek as he thought of his only son a martyr to that something in the Anglo-Saxon which makes him the greatest fighting machine the world has ever known.

While a native of Texas, Captain Hill was a student at the Georgia Military institute at Marietta when the war broke out. He enlisted and was commissioned as first lieutenant, and made adjutant of the Third Georgia. In 1862, he was promoted to a captaincy and made commander of Company I, of the Forty-Second. It was while with the Forty-Second that he was twice captured. He surrendered with the others at the fall of Vicksburg, was exchanged, and was again captured shortly after the battle of Atlanta. He was not discharged the second time until several months after the war closed.

The world has dealt kindly with the captain, who is a wealthy banker in his home town. He says Atlanta is the greatest city of her size in the world, and he expects to come back again to other reunions of his old regiment. --Atlanta(Ga)Constitution.

Weimar Mercury, August 5, 1910, page 1

Weimar, Tex., Aug. 20, 1902
Dr. T. C. Cook of Weimar, Texas, was the surgeon in charge of the Catholic convent hospital at the battle for the recapture of the city of Galveston Jan. 1st 1863, and his conduct of said hospital, assisted by the Lady Superior and Sisters of Charity, gave perfect satisfaction to the officers and soldiers of the contending forces on both sides--the Confederates and the Federals.

Weimar Mercury, August 23, 1902, page 5

We were gratified to receive a pleasant call last Friday from Mrs. Sidney Lee Cole, the surviving widow of the old Texas veteran, Mr. David Cole, who died in our county some years ago. Mrs. C. is exceedingly lively and pleasant for one of her age. She landed in this State at Anahuac in 1829, and can relate many interesting reminiscences of the early days in Texas. In 1838, at Beaumont, Jefferson county, she was married to Mr. Cole. Mrs. Cole showed us a porcelain cup taken from the tent of Gen. Santa Anna at San Jacinto, of Mexican manufacture, having representative pictures of some old missions and other buildings and some of the trees of that country. She also showed us a small wooden reel upon which to wind silk, cut out by Gen. Sam Houston, which Mrs. C. greatly admires. The General was a noted hand to whittle, and this little piece of pine wood fashioned into shape by him is esteemed by its owner as an interesting relic. Her husband, Mr. David Cole was present at the capture of Santa Anna, and the last article ever prepared by him for the press was an account of that affair, printed in the CITIZEN in 1872, and still faithfully preserved at this time by Mrs. Cole.

Colorado Citizen, March 24, 1881, page 3

Maigne, C. C.

From the Galveston News of the 23d we see an account of he death of C. C. Maigne at the hospital in he city of Houston on the 20th inst. Charley was an old citizen of this county, and was a member of the Terry Rangers in the late war. We drop the tear of sympathy with the bereaved family of the deceased. Mr. Maigne, a few years ago was a man of fine business qualifications. Peace to his ashes.

Colorado Citizen, November 27, 1884

It will be of satisfaction to the family and friends of C. C. Maigne, who died on the 23rd of November at the Hospital in the city of Houston, to know that the Masonic fraternity, of which he was a Royal Arch member, took charge of the remains and gave them a fraternal burial in Glenwood Cemetery, of that city. The family of the deceased are very thankful to the brotherhood for this act of kindness, and are under lasting obligations to Major L. C. Stafford for his many kindly acts toward them and the deceased.
Colorado Citizen, December 4, 1884

Dick, J. J.

La Grange Journal:
An old document,time-worn and stained, pointing back to the days of the civil war, has been handed the Journal for inspection. It is the descriptive list and account of pay and clothing of J.J. Dick, private of company A, 5th Regt. Texas Mounted Infantry. Mr. D. was born in Louisiana, and at the time of his enlistment was thirty years old. He enlisted at San Antonio August 29th, 1861, for “during the war.” Mr. Dick is a resident of Columbus.

Weimar Mercury, February 10, 1900, page 8

Adjutant John Shropshie

Geo. Little and other old Confederate veterans have, this week been pleased to welcome Adjutant John Shropshire, colored, who was with the Fifth Texas Cavalry, Torn Green’s brigade, during their rounds. John's face shows where a federal shell gave mm more than a passing love-tap, and also marks of the small-pox. John Shropshire was true to the cause and to the gallant Major J. S. Shropshire, and wears today that world-renowned garb of chivalry, the glorious Confederate gray,--Columbus Citizen

Weimar Mercury, June 13, 1903, page 6

Adams, Thomas J.

Columbus Citizen: "Uncle Tom" Adams of Weimar spent several days in town this week and paid the Citizen office a pleasant visit. "Uncle Tom" says it was 46 years Monday since he waded the Potomac and 46 years today since he was wounded at Sharpsburg, having been shot through the forehead and body. For weeks he lay close unto death, but by tender ministration of kind ladies he finally recovered, but did not regain his rugged health till several years later. Mr. Adams was born in west Tennessee, came to Colorado county when a grown boy, enlisted here and after the war returned to old Colorado county, where he has been a powerful factor in the upbuilding of the community.

Weimar Mercury, September 25, 1908, page 1

Waddell, Joe F.

Mr. J. F. Waddell, better known through this section as “Uncle Joe” Waddell, died at the Confederate Home in Austin on the first of January.

“Uncle Joe” had been at the Confederate Home for a good many years, and has been an invalid for the past several years and blind.

Many years ago Uncle Joe Waddell lived in Eagle Lake, and at other points in Colorado County, having moved to this section from Marfa.

The funeral took place in Austin. The many friends of old “Uncle Joe” will regret to learn of his death.

Eagle Lake Headlight, January 11, 1919, page 3

The Lowrey brothers hold a record that is quite likely not equaled in the State of Texas and probably not in the United States. There are five brothers and all of them with the exception of A. S., the youngest of the five, served in the civil war. Strangest of all is the fact that every one of them are well and hearty. Mr. A. S. Lowrey was too young to see service in the war but ten years later became a Texas Ranger and served his state and country for some time in that capacity. Is there any family that can equal this record?

Colorado Citizen, April 5, 1918, page 7

J. E. Matthews

J. E. Mathews, an ex-confederate soldier and a member of Weimar lodge, No. 201, I. O. O. F., who has been an invalid for several years, has procured his proper papers and was accepted into the Confederate Home at Austin last Tuesday. The Odd Fellows of Weimar Lodge are under many obligations to Judge J. W. Holt of this place for his personal attention and assistance in getting the old and invalid brother into a home where he can be comfortable the rest of his days.

Colorado Citizen, July 2, 1891, page 3

In a letter received by us from Superintendent C. D. Barnett of Austin he says that Mr. J. E. Matthews arrived all O. K. and is well satisfied with the home; that it exceeded his expectations for comfort and that he now has a home for the balance of his life; also is extremely thankful to the citizens of Weimar for favors rendered. [Mr. Matthews who was born in 1830 and died Jan 31, 1892. was buried in the Texas State Cemetery.]

Colorado Citizen, July 16, 1891, page 3