Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: User Home Page Book: The Family of HARRY JAY KNOWLES of Austin, Texas: Register Report of BENJAMIN LEWIS KNOWLES founder of Knowles, New Mexico

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Page 77 of 188

Descendants of BENJAMIN LEWIS KNOWLES

Generation No. 1

1. BENJAMIN LEWIS⁹ KNOWLES (BENJAMIN G⁸, BENJAMIN S⁷, EDWARD⁶, HENRY⁵, HENRY⁴, WILLIAM³, HENRY², THOMAS¹) was born October 20, 1833 in MONROE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, USA, and died November 09, 1925 in WIER, WILLIAMSON CO., TEXAS, USA. He married MARY HULDA KELLOG December 23, 1852 in PONTOTOC COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, USA. She was born 1837, and died January 16, 1907 in KNOWLES, NEW MEXICO TERR..

Notes for BENJAMIN LEWIS KNOWLES:
TRUE TO HIS SCOTCH-IRISH HERITAGE BEN CONTINUED TO PUSH TO THE FRONTIER AS THE INDIANS WERE DRIVEN BACK.

THE SCOTCH-IRISH WERE ONCE SCOTS BORDERERS IN THE BRITISH ISLES, THE MIXED RACE OF DANE, GAEL, AND SAXON OF THE TEUTONIC SCOTTISH SOUTH. THEY FOUGHT THE ENGLISH FOR DOZENS OF GENERATIONS. THE GREAT BREAK COMING IN THE 1500'S WHEN THEY TOOK UP THE TEACHINGS OF JOHN KNOX. IT WAS MORE THAN A REBELLION AGAINST AUTHORITY, IT WAS A REJECTION OF THE WHOLE MYSTERIOUS PANOPLY OF THE PAGEANTRY OF MEDIEVAL BRITISH LIFE.THE SCOTS REBELS LANDED ON THE DOCKS OF PHILADELPHIA AND CHARLESTON IN THE 16 AND 1700'S WITH FIRMLY FIXED CONVICTIONS. THEY DIFFERED FROM THE PILGRIMS IN THAT THEY WERE FOR SOME CENTURIES A WARRIOR RACE. THEY WERE ENORMOUSLY SELF-DISCIPLINED BY THE GENERATIONS OF WARLIKE BORDERER'S LIFE. THEY BELIEVED THE WORTH OF ANY MAN COULD BE JUDGED ONLY BY WHAT HE DID. THEY WERE THUS DRIVEN TO SUCCEED. THEY COULD ONLY VIEW THE LAND AS A COMMODITY. THEY ACQUIRED IT AND SPENT IT; HUNGERED FOR IT, USED IT, LEFT IT. THIS COMMON THREAD, THIS SHARED SCOTCH-IRISH BLOOD DROVE OUR FAMILY; THE KNOWLES, PARKERS, McCALLS, THORNTONS, AND WARDS; THE CAMPBELLS, McDONALDS, O'BANNONS, O'BRIENS, AND O'CONNORS TO PUSH BACK THE FRONTIERS SO THAT WITHIN A FEW GENERATIONS THEY HAD MOVED ACROSS AMERICA AND THRU TEXAS.

BENJAMIN LEWIS KNOWLES ARRIVED IN TEXAS FROM MISSISSIPPI WITH HIS FAMILY, HIS BROTHERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AFTER THE CIVIL WAR AT THE PORT OF GALVESTON ISLAND IN LATE 1866. THEY PUSHED INLAND STOPPING FOR AWHILE AT BRENNAN.

ON MAY 24, 1867--- HE AND HIS BROTHER RAY WROTE GOVERNOR CLARK OF TEXAS: "WE CITIZENS OF CORYELL COUNTY, TEXAS WOULD RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOUR EXCELLENCY TO AUTHORIZE CAPTAIN HIRAM COOKE TO RAISE A MOUNTED RANGING COMPANY. OUR CITIZENS, OR ENOUGH OF THEM, HAVE HORSES AND ARMS ALREADY. CAPTAIN COOKE WOULD TAKE PLEASURE IN RAISING THE COMPANY. THE INDIANS ARE NOW DOWN ON THE FRONTIER, AND OUR BOYS ARE ANXIOUS TO DRIVE THEM AWAY."

HE FOUNDED KNOWLES, NEW MEXICO IN THE HEART OF THE LLANO ESTACADO, EAST OF THE MESCALERO SANDS, AROUND HIS HOMESTEAD AND GENERAL STORE IN THE 1890'S. HE HAD A BLACKSMITH SHOP AND POST OFFICE. HE WAS ON THE TOWN COUNCIL AND THE BOARD OF THE KNOWLES BANK.
HE OWNED A WAGON YARD AND OPERATED THE FIRST TELEPHONE EXCHANGE.

ON FEBRUARY 18, 1863 IN ELLISTOWN, MISSISSIPPI HE ENLISTED AT THE AGE OF TWENTY-NINE IN COMPANY E OF THE 2nd MISSISSIPPI STATE CAVALRY UNDER E M WELLS.

HE WAS FURLOUGHED AUGUST 16, 1863.

HE WAS LISTED ABSENT DUE TO SICKNESS JANUARY 16, 1864.

ABSENT DUE TO SICKNESS MAY 1, 1864.

RE ENLISTED MAY 5, 1864.

      THE SPRING AT MONUMENT, NEW MEXICO HAD BROUGHT MEN TOGETHER IN THE LLANOS FIRST COMMUNITY. A GENERAL STORE AND POST OFFICE ACCOMPLISHED THE SAME ENDS FURTHER EAST ON THE PLAINS AND LED TO THE GROWTH OF THE PRESENT LEA COUNTY'S SECOND, AND FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, LARGEST CITY, KNOWLES. AT THE PEAK OF IT'S GROWTH IN, 1909 TO 1912, KNOWLES REACHED A POPULATION ESTIMATED AT 500. HOWEVER, THE COMMUNITY WAS DESTINED TO VANISH, LEAVING ONLY AN IMMOVABLE BANK VAULT AS A MARKER OF IT'S BRIEF BURST OF CIVILIZATION.

      THE COMMUNITY WITH ONLY THE NAME OF BEN L KNOWLES' POST OFFICE HAD IT'S PROBLEMS. A STEADY FLOW OF SETTLERS GAVE PROMISE OF A CITY DEVELOPING, YET ALL THE BUSINESSES WERE LOCATED ON NON-PATENTED PUBLIC LANDS WHERE NO ONE COULD ERECT A RESIDENCE TO WHICH HE COULD EVENTUALLY CLAIM OWNERSHIP.

      KNOWLES WAS A FRONTIER CITY BY 1910 AND FREIGHT WAGONS MOVED NIGHT AND DAY ACROSS THE LLANO TRANSPORTING SUPPLIES FROM THE DISTANT RAILROAD AT MIDLAND, TEXAS. THERE WERE THREE LARGE GENERAL STORES, A DRY GOODS STORE, A NEWSPAPER, A DRUG STORE, A LUMBER YARD, THREE BLACKSMITH SHOPS, A HOTEL, A RESTAURANT, A MILLINERY SHOP, TWO FEED YARDS, A UNITED STATES LAND OFFICE, A FURNITURE STORE, A BARBER SHOP, A HARDWARE STORE, A TELEPHONE EXCHANGE, A PHOTOGRAPHIC GALLERY, A TAILOR SHOP, A SALOON, SPLENDID SCHOOL FACILITIES, SEVERAL CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS, AND EXCELLENT MAIL SERVICE.

      HOWEVER, THE PROSPERITY SOON WANED. IN 1912 THE 2nd BANK FAILED. THE SAME YEAR A FIRE BURNED A LARGE PORTION OF TOWN. IN 1917, LEA COUNTY WAS CREATED AND LOVINGTON BECAME THE COUNTY SEAT. SOON ALL THAT WAS LEFT OF KNOWLES WAS THE SALOON AND THE POST OFFICE. WITH THE DISCOVERY OF OIL IN THE HOBBES POOL IN 1928 THE FEW REMAINING BUILDINGS WERE DISMANTLED AND MOVED TO HOBBS. THE POST OFFICE REMAINED OPEN TILL 1944.

More About BENJAMIN LEWIS KNOWLES:
COMPANIES: ON THE BOARD OF THE KNOWLES BANK, OWNED THE KNOWLES MERCANTILE STORE
IN MEMORIAM: BURIED IN AN UNMARKED GRAVE IN WEIR, TEXAS
MILITARY SERV: FOUGHT IN THE WAR FOR SOUTHERN INDEPENDENCE
Occupation: BUSINESSMAN, RANCHER

Notes for MARY HULDA KELLOG:
ORAL FAMILY HISTORY RELATES THE FOLLOWING STORY OF MARY'S BIRTH: IT APPEARS THAT A BRITISH SEA CAPTAIN MARRIED A YOUNG FRENCH GIRLAND TOOK HER TO SEA. HE BROUGHT HER TO AMERICA AND RETURNED TO THE SEA, FOR WE KNOW THE SEA IS A JEALOUS MISTRESS. THE GIRL WAS NEVER TO SEE HER CAPTAIN AGAIN. SHE GAVE BIRTH TO A DAUGHTER WHO SHE NAMED MARY MATILDA, THE SAME GIRL WHO WOULD GROWUP TO MARRY BEN KNOWLES.

More About MARY HULDA KELLOG:
Occupation: HOMEMAKER

Children of BENJAMIN KNOWLES and MARY KELLOG are:

SAMUEL B.¹⁰ KNOWLES, b. 1855, MISSISSIPPI; d. MISSISSIPPI.

More About SAMUEL B. KNOWLES:
Medical Information: DIED DURING CIVIL WAR

ii.

ELISA KNOWLES, b. 1859, MISSISSIPPI; d. MISSISSIPPI.

More About ELISA KNOWLES:
Medical Information: DIED DURING THE CIVIL WAR

2.	iii.		RUBEN BENJAMIN KNOWLES, b. October 10, 1864, MONROE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, USA; d. October 13, 1965, AUSTIN, TRAVIS CO., TEXAS, USA.
3.	iv.		SYLVIA KNOWLES, b. December 01, 1873, LEE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, USA; d. January 21, 1935, CARLSBAD, NEW MEXICO, USA.

Generation No. 2

2. RUBEN BENJAMIN¹⁰ KNOWLES (BENJAMIN LEWIS⁹, BENJAMIN G⁸, BENJAMIN S⁷, EDWARD⁶, HENRY⁵, HENRY⁴, WILLIAM³, HENRY², THOMAS¹) was born October 10, 1864 in MONROE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, USA, and died October 13, 1965 in AUSTIN, TRAVIS CO., TEXAS, USA. He married MARY ELIZABETH SCRIVNER January 31, 1889 in Mills County, TEXAS, USA, daughter of ISAIAH SCRIVNER and MARY BOASE. She was born January 10, 1867 in TEXAS, USA, and died August 07, 1921 in CARLSBAD, EDDY CO., NEW MEXICO, USA.

Notes for RUBEN BENJAMIN KNOWLES:
HE HAD A MERCANTILE STORE IN MONUMENT, NEW MEXICO. ON HIS RANCH, NEAR ARTESIA, NEW MEXICO, HE RAISED AND SOLD CARLOAD LOTS OF HORSES AND MULES, THE ARMY BEING HIS MAJOR CUSTOMER.

HE BUILT THE TELEPHONE LINE FROM LOVINGTON, N.M. TO CARLSBAD, N.M.

IN 1914 HE BOUGHT THE S CROSS RANCH NEAR LAKEWOOD, N.M.

MADELINE TROWBRIDGE TOLD OF AN OCCASION IN THE EARLY 1900'S WHEN THE " OLD MAN " CAME RIDING INTO THE STREETS OF KNOWLES "HELLBENT FOR LEATHER" LOW OVER HIS HORSE WITH THE BOTTOM PART OF HIS EARLOBE SHOT AWAY.

GEORGIA KNOWLES RELATED THAT HER DAD DEVELOPED SKILLS AS A POTTER AND LEATHER CRAFTSMAN WHILE SERVING A PRISON TERM FOR RUSTLING IN THE EARLY 1900'S. OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS SAY IT WAS FOR GAMBLING.

JAY W. KNOWLES HAS A STORY OF HIS GRAND PAW THAT SMACKS OF OLD WEST LEGEND. IT SEEMS THAT LEWIS WINFORD PACKED HIS FAMILY INTO THE OLD MODEL T AND HEADED OFF ON A CAMPING TRIP TO KNOWLES ,N.M. IN THE LATE 1920'S. SEVERAL DAYS LATER THEY ARRIVE AT RUBE'S RANCH . 30 TO 40 MULES WERE PENNED UP AND RAISING HELL. WINFORD TELLS THE FAMILY THAT SOMETHING MUST HAVE HAPPENED TO THE "OLD MAN" BECAUSE HE WOULD NEVER TREAT HIS ANIMALS BADLY. THEY ENTER THE HOUSE AND FIND OLD RUBE SITTING IN A CHAIR, HIS PANT LEG SPLIT OPEN, AND A SWOLLEN LEG STRETCHED OUT ONTO A TABLE COVERED WITH EMPTY LIQUOR BOTTLES, A SKINNING KNIFE STUCK IN THE TABLE TOP. " DAMNED SNAKES BEEN BITING ME AGAIN !" RUBE GREETS THEM.

RUBE LIVED HIS LAST DAYS AT THE TEXAS CONFEDER ATE HOME FOR MEN IN AUSTIN TEXAS. ACCORDING TO MADELINE HE HAD LOST THE RANCH GAMBLING. HE MAINTAINED THAT IT WAS SWINDLED OUT OF HIM. HE "BROKE OUT" SEVERAL TIMES AND GOT AS FAR AS DEEP WEST TEXAS A COUPLE OF TIMES, ON HIS WAY TO SHOOT THE "CROOKED SOB'S WHO TOOK HIS LAND.

IN OCTOBER OF 1965 TO CELEBRATE HIS 101ST BIRTHDAY HIS SURVIVING CHILDREN, INCLUDING WHIT, WES, JOHN, AND THE THREE GIRLS, ALONG WITH JAY W., AND JARRELL JAY GATHERED AT THE STATE HOSPITAL IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. AN 8mm SILENT FILM WAS SHOT OF THIS EVENT, JARRELL HAS A COPY OF IT ON VIDEO TAPE. OL' RUBE DIED THE VERY NEXT DAY. HE WAS RETURNED HOME TO NEW MEXICO AND BURIED AT ARTESIA.

More About RUBEN BENJAMIN KNOWLES:
IN MEMORIAM: HE DIED IN AUSTIN, TX. THE DAY AFTER HE CELEBRATED HIS 101 BIRTHDAY,
Occupation: RANCHER, BUSINESSMAN

More About MARY ELIZABETH SCRIVNER:
Occupation: HOMEMAKER

Children of RUBEN KNOWLES and MARY SCRIVNER are:

LEWIS WINFORD¹¹ KNOWLES, b. November 30, 1889, GOLDTHWAITE, MILLS CO., TEXAS, USA; d. August 14, 1961, VIDOR, ORANGE CO., TEXAS, USA; m. NAOMI MADELINE TROWBRIDGE, November 04, 1915, KNOWLES, LEA CO., NEW MEXICO, USA; b. July 25, 1896, THURBER, ERATH CO., TEXAS, USA; d. January 09, 1971, NEDERLAND, JEFFERSON CO., TEXAS,USA.

Notes for LEWIS WINFORD KNOWLES:
WINFORD WORKED AS AN ENGINEER FOR THIRTY-SIX YEARS FIRST FOR THE MAGNOLIA AND THEN THE MOBIL OIL COMPANY IN BEAUMONT, TEXAS.
HE RETIRED IN 1955. AT THE START OF WWII THERE WERE FIVE KNOWLES' WORKING AT THE MAGNOLIA; L.W., JAY W., WHIT, JOHN W., AND H.W. THEY CALLED WINFORD AND WHIT ,'a' & "b" ,THEY LOOKED SO MUCH ALIKE.

HE HAD A STORE IN THE EARLY NINETEEN HUNDREDS IN MONUMENT, NEW MEXICO AND THE KNOWLES-MONUMENT-CARLSBAD MAIL RUN WITH HIS BROTHER WHIT. HE WAS ALSO A WORKING COWBOY AND OIL FIELD ROUGHNECK.

WITH HIS OLD FRIEND JIM WHITE HE AND HIS BROTHER WHIT HELP DISCOVER, EXPLORE, AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC CARLSBAD CAVERNS. AS HE TOLD IT HE AND WHITE WITH SOME OTHER COWBOYS WERE RIDING ACROSS THE PRAIRIE AT DUSK WHEN THEY SAW WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS SMOKE FROM A RANGE FIRE. RIDING TO INVESTIGATE THEY FOUND THAT THE "SMOKE" WAS IN REALITY MILLIONS OF BATS LEAVING THE CAVE FOR THE EVENING. FOR A WHILE THEY MADE MONEY BY LOWERING THEMSELVES INTO THE CAVE IN A LARGE BARREL, WHICH THEY WOULD THEN FILL WITH BAT GUANO. RICH IN NITROGEN, THEY SOLD WAGON LOADS OF THIS TO LOCAL FARMERS TO USE AS FERTILIZER.

AFTER MOVING TO BEAUMONT, TEXAS IN THE LATE 19 TEENS L. W. AND MADELINE MOVED TO SEVERAL HOUSES,(# 28 CLAYBORN ST., TREADNEEDLE ST., & 999 OGDEN AVE.) BUT HAVING LIVED MOST OF THEIR LIVES ON THE WIDE OPEN PLAINS OF KNOWLES, NEW MEXICO THEY JUST NEEDED MORE SPACE THAN THE BIG CITY WOULD ALLOW THEM. SO IN THE MID TWENTIES THEY BOUGHT SOME ACREAGE OUTSIDE OF VIDOR, TEXAS, SOME BRICKS, BOARDS AND SHINGLES, AND SET ABOUT BUILDING A WONDERFUL LITTLE FAMILY FARM RESTING IN THE PINES, LIVE OAKS, AND SWEET GUMS OF THE EAST TEXAS BIG THICKET COUNTRY. WINFORD, WITH HELP FROM HIS BROTHER WHIT, AND HIS THREE SONS EVENTUALLY HAD TWO LARGE HOUSES, A BARN, A SHOP, A WASH HOUSE, AND A TWO CAR GARAGE ON THE PROPERTY AT THE CORNER OF KNOWLES AND RAILROAD, JUST OFF THE HIGHWAY TO ORANGE AND THE LOUISANA STATELINE. WILLIE PEARL HOUX WOULD LIVE FOR SEVERAL YEARS IN ONE OF THE HOUSES, AND HERBERT KNOWLES, WHIT'S SON, WOULD IN THE 1950'S BUY THE LAND JUST ACROSS KNOWLES ST. TO RAISE HIS FAMILY ON. IN THE MID 1950'S WINFORD WOULD MOVE THE TWO HOUSES TOGETHER TO MAKE A VERY LARGE PLACE WITH A SEPARATE SEWING ROOM AND A PAINTING STUDIO FOR MADELINE, AS WELL AS A HUGE FAMILY ROOM ENCLOSED IN BEAUTIFUL 10 INCH WIDE KNOTTY PINE PLANKS HUEN FROM TREES THINNED FROM THE BACK PASTURE. JARRELL WOULD SPEND SEVERAL WEEKS EACH YEAR AT THE FARM, PASSING TIME LYING IN THE LARGE PORCH SWINGS HANGING FROM THE CENTURIES OLD GIANT OAKS, STARING UP AT THE HUGE, TWISTED BRANCHES DRAPED IN YARD LONG CASCADES OF BLUE-GREY-GREEN SPANISH MOSS, DREAMING OF PIRATES, SHERWOOD, AND CIVIL WAR BATTLES.

WINFORD WAS AN ACCOMPLISHED ARBORIST AND HE CREATED A SMALL FOREST OF FRUIT AND NUT TREES, MANY OF WHICH BORE MULTI-TYPES OF FRUIT. THUS HE WOULD HAVE PEACHES, PLUMS, AND NECTARINES ALL ON THE SAME TREE. THERE WOULD BE ORANGES AND GRAPEFRUIT GROWING TOGETHER , AND RED AND GREEN APPLES SHARING THE SAME BRANCHES, LEMON AND LIMES GREW FROM THE SAME ROOTS. IT WAS PURE MAGIC TO J. JAY. THE FARM HAD A MILK COW, A HORSE, GOATS, SHEEP, TURKEYS, DUCKS, GEESE, CHICKENS, AND GUINEAS. IT WAS HERE THAT J.J. LEARNED THE MIRACLE OF TURNING MILK TO BUTTER, OR EVEN ICE CREAM FULL OF PEACHES OR WILD BERRIES. HE AND HIS GRANDFATHER WOULD GATHER UP A BUCKET OF CRAWFISH WHILE THEY SACKED WALNUTS AND PECANS FOR HIS GRANNY'S COOKIES AND PIES. THE COLD WAR SEEMED A MILLION MILES AWAY WHENEVER HE STAYED AT THE FARM.

WINFORD WAS A MASTER OF MOST OF THE FRONTIER CRAFTS; LEATHERWORK, METALWORK, MASONRY, AND FOUNDRY SKILLS. HE BUILT A HUGE SMOKE PIT THAT WOULD HOLD 100'S OF POUNDS OF MEAT AT A TIME AND HE AND MADELINE WOULD HOST LARGE GATHERINGS OF FAMILY AND LODGE FRIENDS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY ON THE 4TH OF JULY, CHRISTMAS, AND EASTER, AS WELL AS OTHER TIMES OF THE YEAR. THEIR LONG OUTDOOR TABLES WOULD BE OVERFLOWING WITH THE FARM'S BOUNTY AND THE CONSTANT SHADE FROM THE BRANCHES OF A SCORE OF 100 + FOOT TREES.

WHEN WINFORD FOUND OUT THAT HE WAS DYING OF CANCER IN 1961 HE TOLD THE FAMILY THAT HE DIDN'T WANT TO DIE IN A STRANGE, COLD, UNCARING HOSPITAL. HE CHOSE INSTEAD TO LEAVE LIFE ON THE FAMILY FARM, IN THE HOUSE HE HAD BUILT WITH HIS OWN HANDS OVER 35 YEARS BEFORE. MADELINE STAYED ON AT THE FARM FOR A FEW YEARS AFTER HER HUSBAND'S DEATH, BUT IT PROVED TOO LONELY, SO IN THE MID 1960'S SHE SOLD THE PLACE AND MOVED NEXT DOOR TO HER OLDEST SON, DENVER, IN NEDERLAND ( GERMAN FOR NEVERLAND ), TEXAS. VISITING HIS GRANNY K. WAS STILL FUN, BUT THE REAL MAGIC FOR J. JAY HAD BEEN LOST WITH HIS " PAPA " AND THAT MYSTICAL KINGDOM DEEP IN THE PINEY WOODS.

More About LEWIS WINFORD KNOWLES:
BOY SCOUTS: EAGLE SCOUT, SCOUT MASTER
Cause of Death: CANCER
CLUBS: NOBLE GRAND IOOF#620,CANTON 20, NAT. CHAPLIN OF IOOF, MEM. JASMINE REBEKAH LODGE
COMPANIES: MAGNOLIA OIL REFINERY, MOBIL OIL COMPANY
IN MEMORIAM: PUT TO REST IN THE MAGNOLIA CEMETERY, BEAUMONT, TEXAS
Occupation: O IL COMPANY ENGINEER, COWBOY, SHOPKEEPER
PETS: SILVER WAS HIS FAVORITE HORSE, WIMPY WAS HIS DOG
POLITICAL SER: 30 YEAR MEMBER AFL-CIO OIL WORKERS OF AMERICA
RELIGIOUS: MEMBER NORTHEND METHODIST CHURCH, REV. WALTER McPHERSON

Notes for NAOMI MADELINE TROWBRIDGE:
AN INTERESTING STORY ABOUT MADELINE AND KNOWLES, NEW MEXICO OCCURRED WHEN SHE WAS ABOUT 12 YEARS OLD. IT SEEMS SHE WAS HANGING OUT AT THE KNOWLES STORE WHEN A WAGON ROLLED UP IN FRONT OF THE STORE. PEOPLE STARTED TO GATHER IN FRONT AND THEY CAUGHT THE YOUNG GIRL'S EYE. WITHOUT A THOUGHT TO THE CONTRARY SHE BOLTED OUT THE DOOR TO BE CONFRONTED BY A LARGE POOL OF BLOOD ON THE GROUND AT THE BACK OF THE WAGON . THINKING SOMEONE MUST HAVE KILLED A DEER SHE STEPPED CLOSER TO BE FACED WITH A PAIR OF BLOODY BARE FEET STICKING OUT FROM UNDER A BLOOD SOAKED PIECE OF CANVAS. A TRAVELER HAD BEEN SHOT SEVERAL TIMES AND KILLED. IN ADDITION SOMEONE HAD STOLEN HIS BOOTS. SHE SAID THAT THAT WAS THE LAST TIME SHE EVER WENT RUNNING UP TO A CROWD OF PEOPLE WITH OUT CHECKING ON WHY THEY WERE THERE FIRST.

IN THE 1920'S WHEN THE L. W. KNOWLES FAMILY LIVED ON OGDEN IN BEAUMONT, TEXAS ONE OF THEIR NEIGHBORS WAS THE THREADGILL FAMILY. IN 1970 WHEN MADELINE WAS DYING OF CANCER IN NEDERLAND, TEXAS SHE TOLD JARRELL KNOWLES THAT SHE WAS INDIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR JANIS JOPLIN BECOMING A ROCK STAR. WHEN HE ASKED HER HOW THAT WAS SHE RELATED A STORY OF A YOUNG KENNETH THREADGILL, SICK AND NEAR DEATH IN BEAUMONT. MRS. THREADGILL HAD TO WORK AND COULD NOT AFFORD A NURSE FOR HER SON. MADELINE TOOK THE BOY INTO HER HOME AND OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS BROUGHT HIM BACK TO HEALTH. IN DECEMBER OF 1933 KENNETH THREADGILL RECEIVED TRAVIS COUNTY ,TEXAS BEER LICENSE # 1 AND OPENED HIS LITTLE JOINT AS A GULF GAS STATION - BAR. KENNETH BECAME A "RAILROAD BLUES" SINGER IN THE STYLE OF THE GREAT JIMMIE ROGERS, MIXING YODELING, BLUES AND COUNTRY MUSIC STYLES. HE BEGAN TO HOST HOOTENANNIES IN HIS LITTLE PLACE THAT AUSTIN HAD GROWN OUT TO AND AROUND. IT WAS HERE THAT JANIS WAS TO BECOME A REGULAR, SINGING EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN 1962 AND EARLY 1963. SHE WENT ON TO FAME AND BECAME A ROCK MYTH. IN JULY 1970 JANIS CANCELLED A SOLD OUT CONCERT IN HAWAII AND RETURNED TO AUSTIN TO SING FOR FREE AT HER MENTOR'S BIRTHDAY PARTY. MADELINE, KENNETH, AND JANIS ARE ALL DEAD NOW , BUT HIS LITTLE JOINT IS STILL IN BUSINESS AND THEY STILL HAVE THOSE WEDNESDAY NIGHT HOOTENANNIES AND FREE FOOD FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS. IN RELATING THIS STORY TO KENNETH'S DAUGHTER , BECKY, JARRELL DISCOVERED THAT KENNETH HAD CAUGHT SCARLET FEVER, A GREAT KILLER AT ONE TIME, AS A YOUTH IN BEAUMONT AND HAD ALMOST DIED. OVER THE YEARS, JARRELL, HARRY, AND DANNIE KNOWLES HAVE EATEN" ON THE HOUSE" OVER 100 TIMES AT WHAT IS ONE OF AUSTIN'S MOST POPULAR AND FAMOUS EATERIES. THERE IS NOW THE KENNETH THREADGILL MUSICAL TRUST ESTABLISHED TO FINANCE AND PROMOTE MUSIC LESSONS FOR CHILDREN, SO MADELINE'S GOOD DEED OF OVER 70 YEARS AGO IS STILL TOUCHING CHILDREN TODAY.

MADELINE LOVED FLOWER GARDENING AND HAD ACRES OF IRIS', LILLYS, AND ROSES GROWING IN LARGE, ORGANIZED BEDS. SHE WAS AN OFFICER IN SEVERAL LOCAL, STATEWIDE, AND NATIONAL GARDEN CLUBS. SHE EVEN CREATED A RARE PURPLE-BLUE-BLACK ROSE WHICH BEARS HER NAME, THE MADELINE ROSE. ONE OF HER PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS WAS THE BUILDING OF THE BEAUTIFUL ROSE GARDENS WHICH GRACE THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION GROUNDS IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. SHE WAS ALSO A GUNG HO BEACHCOMBER-PACK RAT WHO AMASSED SEVERAL VERY NICE COLLECTIONS, ESPECIALLY HANDPAINTED CHINA AND COLORED GLASS. THE MANY SUMMERS JARRELL KNOWLES SPENT PLAYING IN HER BARN PILED HIGH WITH MAGAZINES FROM THE 1920'S - 40'S ARE RESPONSIBLE, NO DOUBT, FOR HIS ADULT PASSION FOR COLLECTING PAPER. HE WOULD SPEND HOURS ALONE IN THAT OUT BUILDING IN VIDOR READING OLD CRIME AND DETECTIVE STORIES, DEVOURING OLD WESTERN PULP MAGAZINES, AND LEAFING THROUGH EARLY TARZAN, TOM MIX, GENE AUTRY, AND ROY ROGERS, DICK TRACY, RACKETBUSTER, AND SHADOW COMIC BOOKS. HE WAS AMAZED AT THE PHOTOS IN ALL HER OLD WW II ERA LIFE AND LOOK MAGAZINES. IT WAS DURING THOSE LONG SUMMER VISITS THAT SHE TAUGHT HIM TO PAINT IN OILS.

IT WAS HIS GRANDMOTHER WHO BOUGHT JARRELL HIS 1ST HI-FI WHEN HE WAS 12 AND STOCKED IT WITH HIS 1ST ROCK & ROLL RECORDS; "GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY", "TUTTI FRUITI", "BLUEBERRY HILL", AND OTHER HITS BY LITTLE RICHARD, FATS DOMINO, AND CHUCK BERRY. IT WAS ALSO MADELINE WHO SIGNED UP THE BOY WHO WOULD BECOME TEXAS' 1ST FULL-TIME COMIC BOOK DEALER FOR HIS 1ST COMIC BOOK SUBSCRIPTIONS. SHE BOUGHT JARRELL 3 YEAR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO TARZAN, ACTION, ADVENTURE, DETECTIVE, WORLD'S FINEST, AND BATMAN COMICS IN 1951. SHE RENEWED THEM TWICE.

MADELINE TOOK HER GRANDSON TO THE "FLICKS" IN BEAUMONT WHEN HE WOULD COME FOR THOSE SUMMERTIME VISITS. OVER TIME IT WOULD ADD UP TO A SIZEABLE LIBRARY OF FILMIC MEMORIES. SOME OF THOSE INCLUDED, "THE LEFT-HANDED GUN", "THE DALTON GIRLS", "MARJORIE MORNINGSTAR", "THE DOOLINS OF OKLAHOMA", "WHEN THE DALTONS RODE AGAIN", "HELL IS FOR HEROES", "LONELY ARE THE BRAVE", "THE SEARCHERS", "TOWN WITHOUT PITY", "NAKED SPUR", "MOBY DICK", "SHANE", "JESSE JAMES VS. THE DALTONS", "THE NAKED AND THE DEAD", AND "HIGH NOON". THEY WOULD TALK ABOUT THE MOVIES FOR HOURS AFTER GETTING BACK TO THE FARM. SHE WOULD DRAG OUT OLD WEST MAGAZINES AND SHOW YOUNG J.J. PICTURES OF THE REAL PEOPLE REPRESENTED IN THE "FLICKS" THEY HAD JUST SEEN. IT WOULD BE HER TALES OF RELATIONSHIPS TO SOME OF THE OLD WEST OUTLAWS IN SOME OF THESE FILMS THAT WOULD LATER DRIVE THE BOY TO DIG INTO THE FAMILY ROOTS, RESULTING IN THIS BODY OF WORK.

IN 1969 JAY W. KNOWLES SUFFERED A HORRIBLE MEDICAL SETBACK. HE AWOKE FROM SPINAL SURGERY UNABLE TO MOVE OR FEEL ANYTHING BELOW HIS NECK. THE DOCTORS SAID HE WOULD PROBABLY NEVER WALK AGAIN. MADELINE RUSHED TO HER SON'S SIDE, PRACTICALLY LIVING AT THE HOSPITAL. AFTER A FEW WEEKS HE ONLY HAD LIMITED USE OF ONE ARM. HE BECAME DESPONDENT AND COULDN'T SLEEP BECAUSE OF INTENSE NIGHTMARES. ONE MORNING MADELINE ENTERED HIS ROOM TO FIND JAY W. ATTEMPTING TO PULL HIMSELF OUT THE 7TH STORY WINDOW. SHE STOPPED HIM, AND GAVE THE OLD COACH THE PEP TALK OF HIS LIFE. SHE TURNED HER SON'S HEAD AROUND AND SET IT STRAIGHT. WITHIN A YEAR HE WAS WALKING AND HE'S STILL WALKING 25 YEARS LATER.

EARLY IN THE PRE-DAWN HOURS OF JANUARY 9, 1971 JAY W. KNOWLES WAS AWAKENED FROM HIS SLEEP TO SEE MADELINE, HIS MOTHER, STANDING AT HIS BEDSIDE. ON ATTEMPTING TO GET OUT OF BED THE FIGURE TOLD HIM TO REST EASY AND NOT TO WORRY, EVERYTHING WAS NOW OK. HE WOKE HIS WIFE MILDRED AND THEY WERE DISCUSSING THE VISION WHEN THE TELEPHONE RANG AND HIS BROTHER DENVER INFORMED HIM THAT THEIR MOTHER HAD DIED ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE IN NEDERLAND, TEXAS, 300 MILES FROM JAY W.'S HOUSE IN SAN ANTONIO.

More About NAOMI MADELINE TROWBRIDGE:
Cause of Death: CANCER
CLUBS: PRES. GULFCOAST HEMEROCOLLIS SOC., PRES. NAT. HEMEROCOLLIS SOC.,PRES. WOW#6342,
Education: PRESIDENT, VIDOR TEXAS PTA
IN MEMORIAM: PUT TO REST IN THE MAGNOLIA CEMETERY, BEAUMONT, TEXAS
MILITARY SERV: WW II AIR RAID WARDEN
Occupation: HOMEMAKER
POLITICAL SER: MEMBER AFL-CIO, MUCH GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN SERVICE TO DEMOCRATIC PARTY
RELIGIOUS: 1ST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF NEDERLAND, TEXAS , REV. ARCHIE FLEMING
Social Security Number: 454-32-4362

ii.

JAMES WHIT KNOWLES, b. July 02, 1891, GOLDTHWAITE, MILLS CO., TEXAS, USA; d. January 16, 1993, Vidor,JEFFERSON CO., TEXAS, USA; m. VERA ETHEL (BEADIE) BYRD, MONUMENT, LEA CO., NEW MEXICO, USA; b. August 17, 1896; d. May 15, 1973, BEAUMONT, JEFFERSON CO., TEXAS USA.

Notes for JAMES WHIT KNOWLES:
J. JAY'S FAVORITE GREAT UNCLE, THEY WOULD TAKE TRIPS FAR INTO THE PINEY WOODS TO A FAVORITE SWIMMING HOLE OF WHIT'S, WHEN J.J. WAS A YOUNG LAD AND WHIT'S TALES OF EXPLORATIONS INTO THE BOWELS OF CARLSBAD CAVERNS WITH HIS BROTHER LOUIS FIRED HIS IMAGINATION.

More About JAMES WHIT KNOWLES:
COMPANIES: MAGNOLIA OIL, MOBIL OIL
Occupation: COWBOY, OIL REFINERY WORKER
RELIGIOUS: METHODIST
Social Security Number: 456-01-8482

More About VERA ETHEL (BEADIE) BYRD:
Cause of Death: STROKE
Occupation: HOMEMAKER

	iii.		CARRIE LENA KNOWLES, b. January 21, 1893, CARADAN, MILLS CO., TEXAS, USA; d. July 09, 1893, CARADAN, MILLS CO., TEXAS, USA.
	iv.		WES EVERETT KNOWLES, b. June 19, 1894, CARADAN, MILLS CO., TEXAS, USA; d. March 1982, ELKHART, KANSAS, USA; m. (1) GRACE MCDONALD, LAKEWOOD ,EDDY CO., NEW MEXICO, USA; b. April 08, 1899; d. July 24, 1938, GUYMON, OKLAHOMA, USA; m. (2) AMANDA ISABELLE FORBES, June 05, 1943, THE BOEING FACTORY IN WICHITA, KANSAS/Wichita, Sedgwick Co., KS.

More About WES EVERETT KNOWLES:
Cause of Death: RUN OVER BY A TRUCK
COMPANIES: OWNED 2 MOTELS IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
IN MEMORIAM: BURIED AT GUYMON, OKLAHOMA, USA
MILITARY SERV: WORKED IN BOEING AIRCRAFT PLANT DURING WW II
Occupation: RANCHER, BUSINESSMAN
Social Security Number: 514-16-2249

More About GRACE MCDONALD:
Occupation: HOMEMAKER

RUBY MAYBELLE KNOWLES, b. May 01, 1896, CARADAN, MILLS CO., TEXAS, USA; d. January 1984, ARTESIA, EDDY CO., NEW MEXICO, USA; m. GLENN DANIEL O'BANNON, LAKE ARTHUR, CHAVES CO., NEW MEXICO, USA; b. November 23, 1893, MISSOURI,USA; d. April 29, 1973, COTTONWOOD, NEW MEXICO, USA.

More About RUBY MAYBELLE KNOWLES:
Occupation: HOMEMAKER

More About GLENN DANIEL O'BANNON:
Cause of Death: CAR ACCIDENT

vi.

MARIE ELIZABETH (SUGAR) KNOWLES, b. September 02, 1898, GOLDTHWAITE, MILLS CO., TEXAS, USA; m. ARCHIE MCDONALD, 1917, ARTESIA, EDDY CO., NEW MEXICO, USA.

More About MARIE ELIZABETH (SUGAR) KNOWLES:
Occupation: HOMEMAKER

	vii.		WILLIAM HENRY KNOWLES, b. October 08, 1900, CARADAN, MILLS CO., TEXAS, USA; d. December 06, 1961, WICHITA FALLS, WICHITA CO., TEXAS USA; m. PEARLIE FULLER, ARTESIA, EDDY CO., NEW MEXICO, USA.
	viii.		WALTER BENJAMIN KNOWLES, b. March 07, 1903, MIDLAND, MIDLAND CO., TEXAS, USA; d. February 08, 1949, ARTESIA, EDDY CO., NEW MEXICO, USA; m. MARY B. KIMBROUGH.

More About WALTER BENJAMIN KNOWLES:
Education: ALAMOGORDO, N. M. SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
Medical Information: BORN BLIND
Occupation: PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN, ORCHESTRA LEADER

ix.

JOHN WARREN KNOWLES, b. July 23, 1905, MONUMENT, LEA CO., NEW MEXICO, USA; d. April 21, 1989, WICHITA, KANSAS, USA/Wichita Co., KS; m. HILDA HOCK; b. March 23, 1910; d. January 29, 1976, WICHITA, KANSAS, USA.

More About JOHN WARREN KNOWLES:
Social Security Number: 456-01-8483

More About HILDA HOCK:
Occupation: HOMEMAKER

GEORGIA LEE KNOWLES, b. September 25, 1908, MONUMENT, LEA CO., NEW MEXICO, USA; d. TUCSON, ARIZONA, USA; m. WILLIAM FRANKLIN ZIMMERMAN, November 28, 1928, CARLSBAD, EDDY CO., NEW MEXICO, USA.

More About GEORGIA LEE KNOWLES:
Education: BEAUMONT, TEXAS
Occupation: HOMEMAKER

xi.

WYLIE HOWARD (BUSTER) KNOWLES, b. May 31, 1911, MONUMENT, LEA CO., NEW MEXICO, USA; d. October 23, 1961, LOS ANGELES, ENGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA, USA; m. HELEN WORLEY.

More About WYLIE HOWARD (BUSTER) KNOWLES:
Cause of Death: BRAIN TUMOR
Education: ALAMOGORDO, N. M. SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
IN MEMORIAM: BURIED AT ARTESIA, NEW MEXICO
Medical Information: WENT BLIND AT AGE 3 DUE TO TYPHIOD FEVER
MILITARY SERV: WORKIN A CALIFORNIA AIRPLANE FACTORY DURING WW II
Occupation: PROFESSIONAL M USICSAN
Social Security Number: 525-16-0645

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