Christmas Morning.....

Ronnie and I were on our way back from feeding horses when we passed the Old Iowa Park Cemetary located on HWY 25 in Electra.  He happened to look over and this is what we saw.  WOW!  Now this is not something you see every day, even in a little country town... but there they were.

West Texas had a huge snow storm late Wednesday night early Thursday and into the latter part of Thursday.  Since we got so much snow, the ground is covered in most parts and the animals are searching for food. 

So these guys decided to get out somehow and go searching for Christmas Dinner.

So next time you happen to be driving around, dont be suprised if you see some visitors at your local cemetary.  I would have never believed it if I had not seen it for my own eyes and I live here.

Merry Christmas Ya'll

 Graveyard Rabbit of Wichita County, Texas

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

W. C. and Viola Baker

Summer Break....

Hey All my Rabbit Friends....

Sorry I have not been here in a few months. This summer has been really busy and HOT. Here in Wichita the temperature at 10pm at night is till 100+ most nights. By the time I get off work, it is the hottest part of the day and it is just horrible. On top of that, I started classes this summer and they have been divided into two sessions that are 4 1/2 week sessions. Hello, that is just ridiculous. They have required research papers of ridiculous lengthes during that short time also. Currently working on one that is suppose to be 20-25 pages on a topic I dont know anything about. HELP! Anyway, I will be back in AUGUST full force. See ya then....

Sarah .......

Inscription on this marker is hard to make out. When we went, I was not properly prepared for this sort of finding. I will be going back with some cleaning tools to see if I can save the information on this headstone. This particular stone moved me and made me realize just what we do and the reason why. The elements are destroying this marker and those persons after us who may want to locate Sarah wont find her if something is not done. I know nothing about Sarah at this time, but hope to locate a family memember that is unaware of this issue and maybe we can do something...

Circuit Riders of Beaver Creek, Wichita County, TX

Front side of Memorial Monument

(Dedicated by: Vera F. Backus)

Vernon Marble and Granite Works

Inscription Reads:

In the memory of the early Circuit Riders and early settlers, who established the homes-the camp meeting grounds-the church-the school and the cemetary of Beaver Creek Community. This monument is affectionately and gratefully dedicated

Their Courage was reflected in the glow of their campfires, their faith and industy tamed an untamed land. Their love and devotion to almighty GOD pointed us Heavenward on that upward path, that leads to the Great Divide.

Backside of the Monument list the Riders:

J.W. Campbell S. O. Gafford F.N. Crutchfield

D. J. Powell A.B. Trimble G.C. Davis

J.T. Hosmer L.G. Rogers F.L McGeehee

A.P Smith T.J. Minnis E.H Cannon

Casey C.G. Williams G.R. Slagle

The following information was provided to me by Edward Powell in conjunction with the History of D.J. Powell.

Circuit Riding preachers Important to Pioneers, by Lita Huggins Watson


"In the days when travel was difficult in this sparsely settled area, some of the religious ministry was conducted by circuit-rider preachers. Since congregations were very small, they could not afford a resident pastor and shared a travelling minister with many other fledgling churches.
As the preacher travelled, he would preach on Sundays and perform marriages and baptize converts. Traveling by horseback, he stayed in the homes of members of the congregation. Usually he received a small stipend from settlements along his circuit, or regular path.

In 1960 a monument was dedicated to the circuit-riding ministers who served the Beaver Creek area in the southwest part of Wichita County.

Source, Iowa Park Leader, Vol. 20, Thursday, October 20, 1988- Happy Birthday Iowa Park 1888-1988 pub
1995 by Genealogy and Historical Society page 175 and 222.

Graveyard Hunting

Going out hunting for stories and information today in the rain. I decided that since it wont stop, I would just join in. They say, "life is not about learning to weather the storm, but rather learning to dance in the rain." So I'm gonna go dance.

William Earl "Billy" Hall 1950-1972

Death Certificate states that he died from a gunshot to the head.

Memorial Cemetary in Electra, TX