Bell, Blanche Marie (Hahn)

Funeral Services were held in St. Phillip Catholic Church in El Campo Friday morning for Mrs. Fred G[sic]. Bell, 59, who died in an El Campo hospital last Wednesday.  Rev. Marcus A. Valenta officiated in the requiem high mass.  Born in Columbus Mar. 13, 188(9)2, Mrs. Bell was the former Blanch Hahn, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Christian Hahn.  She was a cousin of the late Albert and Henry Hahn of Columbus.  Interment was in Odd Fellows Rest here.  Mrs. Bell is survived by her husband: 2 daughters Mrs. Laura Wilbeck, Wharton, and Mrs. Doris Wetzel, Victoria; a son Fred Jr. of San Benito, 5 grandchildren; a brother Guy Hahn of El Campo and a sister Mrs. Dee McKay, Houston.

Colorado County Citizen May 3, 1951
Submitted by David Hahn

Bell, Ella

Ella Bell (Colored) Found Dead On Porch

Ella Bell, an old-time colored servant of Weimar, was found dead on a porch at her residence here, according to information reaching this office. Neighbors reported finding the old woman sitting in a chair, about noon Wednesday. It is thought she must have died some time Tuesday night. Her exact age is not known at this time, but she was quite old. [Place of interment unknown]

Weimar Mercury, November 23, 1945, page 1

Bell, Emily P.

Columbus Citizen: With deep regret the Citizen records the death of Mrs. Emily P. Bell, an old resident of this city and a lady universally esteemed. She died at 9 o’clock Tuesday night at her residence in Columbus of hemorrhage, aged about fifty years. Though long a resident she had few very intimate acquaintances, she preferring a quiet, retired life, devoted to home duties, the care of her children and instructing in music the young girls of her friends. She possessed many noble qualities of head and heart, and in her quiet way made many friends who deplore her demise. Two sons and a daughter survive her--Mr. Sid Peareson of Weimar, Miss Jessie and Mr. George Bell of this city. Her remains were conveyed on yesterday morning’s train to Weimar for interment [Odd Fellows]. The Citizen extends to the bereaved ones sincere sympathy and condolence in their irreparable loss.

Weimar Mercury, May 4, 1895

Bell, Fred S.

El Campo Man Buried Here

Fred Bell of El Campo was buried in Odd Fellows Rest here Monday, with Rev. Marcus A. Valenta of St. Phillips Catholic church of El Campo officiating. Rev. Valenta was assisted by Rev. Joe Wagner, also of El Campo. Mr. Bell's wife was buried in Odd Fellows Rest several years ago. She was a daughter of the late Christian and Laura Hahn, who once lived in Columbus. They are also buried in the local cemetery.

Colorado County Citizen, August 6, 1953
Contributed by David Hahn

Bell, Hector

Columbus—Serious Accident to a Railroad Man.

[Special Telegram to the News.]
COLUMBUS, May 18.—A sad and probably fatal accident happened this morning several miles east of this place. Mr. Hector Bell, foreman of bridges for the San Antonio railroad, left this place with his men on a band car for the point at which they intended to work, and to gain time they attached the car to the rear end of the freight train, leaving Columbus at 7:15 a.m. When near Alleyton the train gave a sudden jerk, throwing Mr. Bell in the middle of the track, when the bandcar passed over him, mangling and crushing the right leg in a fearful manner. He was brought to Columbus, where every attention will be given him. Drs. Moore and Weller of Columbus, Dr. McLeary of Weimar, and Dr. Herff of San Antonio, are in attendance. This unfortunate affair has cast a gloom over the entire line of the railroad, as well as in this city, where he has resided for the past two years, and has made himself a favorite among all classes. [Interred at Columbus Odd Fellows Cemetery.]

The Galveston Daily News, May 19 1878, page 1

Bell, J. R.

Eagle Lake, Nov. 30.--J. R. Bell, aged 40 years, editor of the Eagle Lake Advertiser, was run down and killed by cars on the Cane Belt road here at 9 o'clock tonight. Mr. Bell and a party of friends were standing at the Southern Pacific and San Antonio and Aransas Pass crossing talking. An engine was working on the Southern Pacific tracks, and when a string of Cane Belt cars were pushed down to where the gentlemen were standing it did not attract their attention. Mr. Bell was struck and knocked down, and the wheels passed over him.

Tracy Beakes was also struck, but he was knocked off the track and not injured.

Mr. Bell leaves a wife. No at arrangements for the funeral have yet been announced. [Place of interment unknown]

Weimar Mercury, December 7, 1907, page 1

Bell, James Robert Jr.

Bell

James Robert Bell Jr., 75, of Columbus, passed away Wednesday, June 15.

He was born in Weimar, Aug. 29, 1929 to James Robert and Dorothy Delores Bell and graduated from Columbus High School in 1946. He then attended Tyler Texas University and later joined the U.S. Air Force. He married Ruby L. Collins June 14, 1951. He also attended the University of San Francisco in California and was employed by the Navy Ship Yard as a property disposal officer. Through-out his career, he was a member of AME Methodist Church where he served as steward and usher. Later, he joined New Greater Smith Chapel Church in Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and aunt and uncle, Ronda and Jack Huffman.

He is survived by his wife; cousins, Fred Douglas and Sharon Henry, of Texas City and Elnora Bell Jones, of Philadelphia, Penn.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Travis Collins, of Houston, Ivory Collins, of Columbus, John David Collins, of Columbus, Shirley Collins Cook and husband, Dale, of Conroe and Eunice Faye Collins, of Columbus; nieces and nephews, Robert James Collins and wife, Mary, of Houston, Emily Vinson, Ruby Henderson Spears, Sandra Collins, Ernest Biard and Janet Austin, all of California, Larry Collins, of San Antonio, Robert L. Collins Jr., of Humble, Alvin Collins, of Houston, Eddie Johnson, of Boston, Mass., Joe W. Collins and David Collins, of Columbus, Linda K. Collins, of Houston; and many other friends and relatives.

Funeral services were conducted June 22, at the New Greater Smith Baptist Church in Columbus. Interment followed at the City Cemetery in Columbus.

Pallbearers were Fred Douglas Jr., Jerry Perrino, Leo Hargrove, Percy Coleman, Raymond Moore and Albert Denley. Honorary pallbearers were John Axel and Thomas James Axel.

Colorado County Citizen, June 29, 2005
Courtesy of The Citizen

Bell, John

John Bell, a well known colored citizen of this place, died Thursday of last week, after a brief illness, of pneumonia. He leaves a widow and a number of children. He was buried in the colored people’s burying ground Friday evening.

Weimar Mercury, January 16, 1920, page 1

Bell, Madie (Morgan)

META MORGAN BELL KILLED

Report has reached here that Meta Morgan Bell (colored) was shot and killed at her home in Houston. The husband, Harmon Bell, is being held for questioning, it is reported. The Bells are former Weimar people. [Interment in Paradise Gardens]

Weimar Mercury, June 15, 1945, page 1

Bell, Ruby Lee (Collins)

Bell

Ruby Lee (Collins) Bell, 74, of Columbus passed away Sept. 1.

She was born in Columbus Jan. 22, 1932, to the Robert and Eva Collins.

She grew up in Columbus and graduated from Columbus High School in 1950. She attended Greater Smith Chapel Baptist Church at an early age with her parents and siblings. After graduating high school she married Robert Bell Jr., on June 14, 1951. The couple later relocated to San Francisco, Calif. She was employed by the University of California Medical Center and received her license and certification from the State of California in biological and medical uses of radioactive isotopes. In February of 1974 she earned a certificate for home health aide from the Metropolitan Adult Education Program of San Jose, Calif.

She and her husband returned to Columbus in the late seventies and became active in the Greater Smith Chapel Baptist Church and in the Sheriff's Association of Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Ashberry (Jack), Joe Willis (Sonny) and Robert L. (Buddy); and sister, Bettye Reed (Bette).

She is survived by sisters and brothers, Shirley Cook (Dale) of Conroe, Travis Collins of Houston, Wilbert Collins, Eunice Faye Collins and John David Collins all of Columbus; and nieces and nephews, Robert James Collins of Houston, Emily Y. Vinson of Palo Alto, Calif., Rubye (Henderson) Spears of Sacramento, Calif., Eddie (Edward) Johnson of Boston, Mass., Sandra Collins of Palo Alto, Calif., Joe W. Collins Jr. and Ben David Collins of Columbus, Linda K. Collins of Katy, Robert L. Collins Jr. and Alvin Collins of Houston, Larry Collins of Corpus Christi and Janet Austin and Earnest Baird of San Francisco, Calif.

Funeral services were conducted Sept. 9 at New Greater Smith Chapel Baptist Church with the Rev. Joseph Hargrove officiating. Interment followed at the City Cemetery in Columbus.

Pallbearers were John Axel, Thomas J. Axel, Percy Coleman, Gregory Denley, Leo Hargrove and Albert Denley.

Honorary pallbearers were Ben David Collins, Joe W. Collins Jr., John David Collins, Robert James Collins, Henry Wicks, Travis Collins, Wilbert Collins, Edward L. Johnson, Henderson Spears, Jerry Perrino and the NGSC Brotherhood.

Colorado County Citizen, September 13, 2006
Courtesy The Citizen