Family History

Someday, that crazy old aunt (or grandmother, or uncle, or whoever) will be gone. And you'll wonder. Exactly what was the story behind that vase? Exactly who was the person that served in WWI? You'll wonder. You know you will. Maybe not now, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life--you'll wonder. (Apologies to fans of Casablanca, everywhere)

In our family, it was Grandmother. That sweet old lady, who could be mean as a snake--if the need arose--born before the turn of the 20th century, lived in the Indian Territory (Oklahoma to you folks born after 1903), married, raised a family, and died in Texas. She knew it all. And to this day she catches grief (in a loving way) for her 'books' that were written on the back of pictures.

For example, a picture of a rose bush--it goes something like "Pink rose bush that was at the end of my house on 208 Bird Street, San Angelo, Tx. A slip taken from the bush that was on the farm at Robert Lee, by Judge (my father) who was born on Feb 3, 1919, when his father was overseas. And brought to our new home when we left Robert Lee in 19** and there it is from that day until this....."

Grandmother was a case. She knew every ancestor and every story about said ancestors that could ever be told. She wrote to every county clerk in every city that was ever mentioned in the family lore. Subscribed to newspapers, because there might be a lead in one of them. Spent days at a time, in court house archives, and libraries--trying to find that one record that she didn't have--the information that would make any researcher go--Ah Ha! That's It! In a day that was before word processors and the internet--when all research was painstaking and done in person--that was quite a feat.

Grandmother was quite a character. As one of the younger grandchildren, who didn't live nearby, and the only one named after her, I could be just a tad bit biased. (OK, maybe a lot biased) She left a journal telling about her feelings when, as a new bride who was expecting her first child, her husband went overseas to fight in the trenches in World War I.

" June 3 1918--Told Raymond goodbye. He's in Co B, 315th Engineers, 90th Division. He's leaving San Antonio, Texas for overseas. I'm at Aunt Claudia's (Mrs. Sam Johnston) at 430 E Guenther St. Will go to Leming and Mother Teller's tomorrow via train. I'm very sad and lonesome. Aunt Claudia did go with me to Leming and stayed a few days.
June 14, 1918--Very homesick for Mama, Papa, and the little kids, borrowed $10 from Dad Teller, bought me a ticket to Raymondville. Mr. AC Burton got on the train at Kingsville (where he had delivered a new car) sat by me and talked. When the train arrived in R-Ville, he said, "Mae, wait right here (on the platform at the depot) "I'll go across the street and get my car and take you home." (My folks weren't looking for me)
He did, papa lived about 5 miles west of Raymondville. Mr. Burton let me out at the big gate near the farm outse. I opened the gate and walked up on the gallery, mama came to the door and on out on the gallery when I got to the steps, she said "Oh, if it isn't Mae" What a reunion we had. I was happy to be home after being gone to Leming and San Antonio for 8 months--seemed to me like 8 years. How good to be at home with papa and mama and the little kids, (my younger sisters, Jane, Katherine, Grace, and Carolyn. Frank, my younger brother was at home also, part time he was away at college. Bryan and Lorraine (my older brother and sister were in LA at that time)'*

Like I said, she was quite detailed in her descriptions of things. She never just told you a story about an antique spoon--for example--she told you what town she bought the spoon in, what time of year it was, who was with her, and her feelings behind the whole purchase. Grandmother was quite the historian. I have always had a love of history--part of this love I think came from Grandmother. At least, I like to attribute it to her.

*excerpts from journal of Mae Wilson Teller dated June 3, 1972 with inscription 54 years ago, Raymond was off to France--today he is in Vet. Hosp. Big Spring Tex--MT