THE ESTELLE BARLOW STORY As Told To William Bailey Peyton, III 10 April 1956 IN PRESENCE OF: Virginia Barlow Rogers, My Daughter Virginia Lee Rogers, My Granddaughter PLACE: Our Residence: 255 Robinson Place, City of Shreveport, Parish of Caddo, State of Louisiana My mother was one of eleven children (8 females 3 males) of Nanoy Cannon and William Henry Hall, residents of Shelby County, Texas. Since I was a little girl when some of them passed away, I cannot remember the middle names of each, nor can I remember the sequence in which they were born, except that I do know that Aunt Rebecca was the oldest girl and Aunt Eva the youngest girl. Their names are as follows: Rebecca Hall (the oldest girl) Kate Hall Melissia Hall Henry Gerard Hall Frances Cornelia Hall (my mother) Oscar Hall (my mother's twin brother) Amanda Hall Virgil Hall Mollie Hall Eliza Hall Eva Ballard Hall (the youngest girl) I believe my grandfather, William Henry Hall together with his wife and the children which were then born, came to Texas from the vicinity of Charleston, South Carolina. Aunt Rebecca was one of the children and rode with them in their surrey, and they also had two wagons filled with slaves which they brought with them. My mother, Frances Cornelia Hall, married George Washington McCracken and of this union the following were born: Estelle McCracken, born Feb. 10, 1869 Arthur McCracken Irene McCracken Hallie Hall McCracken An infant son who became deceased several days after birth. I was born in Aunt Rebecca's house. Later I moved with my family to Greens Bayou, near Houston, Harris County, Texas. My father died circa 1880, in Greens Bayou. A very few weeks after he died, an infant son was born to my mother but only lived two or three days, and then died. He was buried next to my father. My mother suffered an illness contracted during childbirth of the son who died. She never recovered and within a short period of time, she, too, became deceased. My mother, father, and infant brother are buried somewhere in the vicinity of Houston, Texas, but I do not know where. At that time I was approximately 9 years of age and do not remember the cemetary. I do recall that my mother's sister, my aunt, Eva Ballard Hall who had married William Bailey Peyton, and resided in Keatchie, De Soto Parish, Louisiana, sent transportation with instructions for my baby sister and I to go to Keatchie to make our home with them. My sister, Hallie Hall McCracken was approximately two and one-half years of age. At that time, Circa 1880, during the month of November, we left Houston via train and had to go a round about journey to Shreveport, Louisiana, as no railroad was built direct between Houston and Shreveport. I do recall that we arrived in Shreveport on the Texas & Pacific Railway. Someone, I do not recall whom, met us at the train in Shreveport and had instructions to take us to the City Hotel, later known as the Caddo Hotel, where we remained one whole day until someone Dr. Cook's house came for us and took us to Dr. Cook's residence. Dr. Cook and Eugenia Cook were sister and brother. Eugenia Cook had married Uncle Henry Gerard Hall who was then deceased. Aunt Eva had written Dr. Cook to take care of us and to put us on the stage-coach at its next scheduled trip to Keatchie. We remained at Dr. Cook's residence two nights and a day, then boarded the stage-coach to Keatchie, which was approximately a six to eight hour trip. I remember the day we arrived in Keatchie. It was bitter cold. When Uncle Billy and Aunt Eva met us at the stage-coach, they embraced us lovingly, and then welcomed us to our new home. I remember well the big house in which we lived. There were nine rooms in all, each very large, plus a hall which was fourteen feet wide by forty feet long. There was no bathroom in those days and the outdoor Privy seemed to me a mile away from the house. One of the rooms was a large parlor which had wall to wall carpet on the floor, beautiful deep carpet with huge red roses in design. Later when people were describing it I heard them say; "You dip your toes in roses upon entering). I remember some of the furniture in particular. There were two little spool couches, made of walnut, a small piano, an autoharp, an old-fashioned what-knot upright made of spools, different chairs, three round-top tables, a black horse-hair sofa. A little later I started to school at the Public School in Keatchie. Aunt Eva could play the piano, the autoharp and sang, all just beautiful. And Aunt Eva gave me my first piano lesson, personally. I believe Colonel Peyton, my first cousin, was approximately five years of age when I first went to live with Aunt Eva and Uncle Billy. William B. Peyton, Junior, was just a baby. Time has not dimmed my memory and I recall one time when my little sister, Hallie, did something which was wrong, Aunt Eva would not punish her, but turned to me and said; "Estelle, someday perhaps, you may have to take care of your sister, Hallie, therefore it is imperative that she be brought up to respect you and so it must now be you who must whip Hallie for the wrong she has done." I might add that all the years I lived with Aunt Eva and Uncle Billy, neither ever whipped Hallie or I, though this is not to be construed as though we did not deserve a whipping. During one of my many conversations with Aunt Eva, she told me that in olden days she was taught to weave material. And that first she used a spinning wheel to make the thread, and then weaved the material and made pants for members of her family. She said that she and Aunt Liza used to weave together. One of their first servants, I recall was named Jane who did the cooking and milking. Aunt Eva and Uncle Billy had a big house and in the rear of the yard, in which Jane lived. I began to teach Jane and she was a good and studious pupil and I taught her until she had finished the fourth grade. She was certainly a talented young colored girl. When Aunt Eva would play the piano, Jane would listen tentatively and would then ask permission of Aunt Eva to let her play on the piano, and I never hears Aunt Eva refuse. After hearing Aunt Eva play, Jane could sit right down to the piano and play exactly as Aunt Eva had played, and only by ear, and her music was beautiful. The servants at the house, of course, never did the family laundry. It was done by a family who lived about a mile from town, who picked up the laundry each Monday morning. So, on Fridays of each week, it was my assigned job to gather up all the laundry and make a list of the things to be sent. Uncle Billy Peyton weighed 275 pounds, and especially during the hot summer months, he would leave his store, come home for lunch and one of the house-boys always was assigned the job of drawing the bath and having it ready when Uncle Billy arrived. Uncle Billy always wore white shirts and white ties and would change shirts at least three times each day. One Friday when I made out the list of laundry I remember as though is was only yesterday, because I listed 214 pieces of clothes. I recall one period of time when they had only three servants, all negro men. One was a young negro boy of approximately 13 years of age, who had been given to Uncle Billy by his father who claimed that he could not feed him and asked Uncle Billy if he would take him. This boy was named Will and some of his assigned tasks were to keep all the fires burning, all the pitchers filled with water, and during meal-time, he had to stand near the dining table pulling a large cord which was hung from the ceiling and connected to a large fan -- so that no flies would light on the table while we dined, also, to make it more comfortable to eat during the hot months. The cook, at that time, was named George. And I remember one time when Will got terribly mad at George about something. Just before breakfast that morning, he went outside, broke up a glass into tiny pieces, and just after George had put the rice on the table in individual bowls by each plate, Will slipped inside and dropped the crushed glass into one of the small bowls of rice. After everyone was seated for breakfast and we began to eat, my cousin, "Top", William B. Peyton, Jr., helped himself to a large slice of ham, some hot biscuits, poured gravy over his bowl of rice and as he started to eat, he suddenly remarked, "This rice has got glass in it!" Aunt Eva told him that he was mistaken that he just imagined that, but he vowed it did have glass in it so she told him to pass his plate to her. She remarked that he was right and passed the plate on to Uncle Billy. Uncle Billy examined the plate carefully, then summoned Will, who was fanning the table. "Go get George", he ordered to Will. Then George came in Uncle Billy looked him straight in the eye and asked him how the glass got into the rice. By the expression on George's face Uncle Billy sensed that George knew nothing about the glass and when George denied any knowledge of it, he dismissed him and turned on Will. "Will," he said, "Now come clean -- just exactly how did the glass get into the rice?" Will hesitated then slowly replied, "I put it there, Mister Billy -- I was mad at George and wanted him to get the blame." Uncle Billy asked him if he thought he had done right and Will admitted that he had not. Then, quietly, Uncle Billy walked with Will into the back yard, cut a switch from a peach tree, and switched him. Then he told him to pack his clothes, that he was no longer to be trusted with his family, and he would have to send him back to his father's to live. So Will Jackson had lost a good home. I recall other servants names -- Uyless Grant. And one time when Edgar Peyton was a little boy, George was assigned the job of watching over him while Edgar played with his toys. It was George's job to gather up the toys as Edgar would scatter them around the room. One time while Edgar was playing, perhaps he felt a little more frisky than usual, and scattered his blocks a little farther. When Aunt Eva walked through the room, George said to Aunt Eva: "Miss Eva -- we needs a nurse." And Aunt Eva answered by saying; "Why George -- you are supposed to be the nurse." Aunt Eva occupied her time by her Sunday school work, playing the piano, sewing, and she loved to bake cakes. Of course, she never did the cooking, but she enjoyed baking cakes and I don't ever recall during all those years I lived there, that there wasn't a cake in the house. She also liked to read a great deal. And she liked to make preserves. Uncle Billy Peyton had a mercantile store -- groceries, etc, with all kinds of general merchandise. Later on he decided to stock whiskey. I heard it whispered that he would go to the front door with a white starched shirt and tie like a gentleman selling groceries, etc. and then would go to the back door selling the whiskey. I also remember that he always kept two beautiful decanteurs filled on the mantel. One of sweet cataba wine and the other Sherry. I've seen Uncle Billy take a drink of wine, perhaps one, two and three times per week but he most certainly did not approve of anyone getting drunk. Aunt Eva has said to me, "Estelle, whenever you feel as if you want a little taste of wine, help yourself to it -- as you know, it is always on the mantel." And she told her sons; "Boys, please realize that we have it on the mantel, always, so there is utterly no need for you to go out and drink elsewhere." Aunt Eva and Uncle Billy had a horse, a surrey, and a little trap (small buggy). They belonged to the Methodist Church and so did I. One time a Baptist Minister moved into the vicinity out in the country near Keatchie. He was Rev. Alford, and the house he moved his family into was in a poor condition. A few days after they arrived Aunt Eva told Mrs. Gatlin and other ladies, "Let's go see the new minister and welcome him to our town." It was an extremely cold day, but they all went and upon introducing themselves, discovered the house was in a terrible condition having large cracks and the air was cold inside. Aunt Eva did not stay long after seeing this and went straight to her husband and told him about it. Uncle Billy immediately sent for a carpenter and ordered him to leave immediately for the new Baptist Minister's house and to repair it as quickly as possible -- that he, Uncle Billy, would pay for whatever it cost to put the house in a comfortable, livable condition. Uncle Billy was truly a kind man and very considerate. Uncle Billy's only downfall that I know of, what the doctor said. One time Dr. Horn told him that he was eating himself to death and Uncle Billy laughed and said; "Most people eat to live -- whereas I live to eat." In all my life I have never heard Uncle Billy utter an ugly word or an oath. He may have, but in all the years I lived with them, I honestly never heard him say anything but something nice and kind. I just never did ask Aunt Eva how she and Uncle Billy met. But we had long talks together, and she told me most of the things I know about her own sisters and brothers, which is as follows: Nancy Cannon and Mary Cannon were sisters. Nancy Cannon married William Henry Hall. I believe she told me they were originally from the State of South Carolina. At that time they lived in Shelbyville, Shelby County, Texas. To this Union the following children were born: Frances Cornelia Hall (My Mother) who married George Washington McCracken and their children: (1) Estelle McCracken, born February 10, 1869, married February 8, 1893 Thomas Lee Barlow who was born July 17, 1866 and died August 31,1943. (My wedding ceremony was performed in the home of my beloved Aunt and Uncle Mr. and Mrs. William B. Peyton, in Keatchie, Louisiana). I, Estelle McCracken Barlow, was born at Wise Station, near Sulphur Springs, County of Hopkins, State of Texas. Our children - - (1) Thomas Drury Barlow, born May 28, 1895, he married Marion Hoagland from New Brunswick, New Jersey. They have one son - (1) Thomas Lee Barlow, born September 7, . He married Norma Garnett, who was born and they married on at Her father is a Chiropractic Doctor in Houston, Texas. They have one child - (1) Christensen Barlow, born at . (2) Eva Virginia Barlow, born May 5, 1905, married Robert Lee Rogers March 27, 1920, he was born in Gibsland, Louisiana. They have one daughter - - (1) Virginia Lee Rogers, born September 7, 1921 (3) Hallie Hall Barlow who married Perry Olcott on Dec. 26, 1921 at Shreveport, La. Hallie hall Barlow was born on October 14, 1901 at Perry Olcott was born on at . They have one daughter - - (1) June Olcott, born Oct. 19, 1922 at Maraciabo, Venezuela and married on Feb.10, 1943 R. Burton McAshan, who was born on at . Their children are: (1) Robert Burton McAshan, b. April 19, 1946 at Houston, Texas (2) Perry Elizabeth McAshan, b. July 28, 1948 at Houston, Texas (3) John Ireland McAshan, b. March 7, 1950 at Houston,Texas (2) Irene McCracken. Married first Jim Ryan (m. 11-27-1889) who died. They had two children - - (1) Jim (James Joseph) Ryan, Junior, (b. 10-19-1890) (2) Willie (Marshall) Ryan, (b. 5-20-1894), conductor on train Houston to Lafayette, La. Irene McCracken married second to Louis Campa, who died. Their children (1) Marguerite (Marcel) Campa (4-28-1904) (2) "Dutch" Irene Campa, Junior (3-30-1906) (3) Louis Campa, Junior (5-21-1920 d. 2-1979) Irene McCracken married third time to Mr. Burdick. He was a Captain in the Spanish-American War. She has his war record papers, sword, etc., and receives a pension on account of his service. Irene McCracken, now Mrs. Irene Burdick, lives at the present time at her residence on North Main Street, Houston, Harris County, Texas. (3) Hallie Hall McCracken married William White Campbell of Abington, Virginia. He was born October 18, 1869. Mr. Campbell personally was acquainted with Edith Bolling who first married Mr. Galt and after Mr. Galt died she married President Woodrow Wilson. Mr. Campbell knew her as a girl and had the pleasure of dancing with her at parties. To the Union of Hallie Hall McCracken and William White Campbell one daughter was born - - (1) Mary Ellen Campbell born June 26, 1904, who married James Gaiennie, born December 30,1896, at La Counte, Louisiana. To this Union one daughter was born - - (1) Ellen Gaiennie, born February 4, 1929, married Cecil Bruce of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His father is Assistant Postmaster General for the United States Government in Washington, D. C. To this Union the following were born: (1) Robert Bruce born November 21, 1950. (2) Dorothy Bruce born August 7, 1952. (4) Dr. Arthur McCracken (5) An infant son who died several days after birth. Eliza Hall Eliza may have been nick-name for Elizabeth. She married Elijah Price. To this Union the following children were born: (1) Ernest -deceased (2) Tula - deceased (3) Bettie, who now lives in Logansport, Louisiana (4) Oscar - deceased (5) Chesley - died today (April 10, 1956 in Shreveport) (6) Bryan - deceased very early (7) Will - Lives in Logansport Louisiana Mollie Hall Married Mr. Sturgess, very much against the family's wishes. Henry Gerard Hall (born Jan. 7, 1833; died circa Oct. 10, 1873; married Jan. 26, 1859) Who graduated from Princeton University, New Jersey, subsequently became a lawyer in Shreveport, Louisiana, and married Eugenia Cook from Tennessee. To this Union the following children were born: (1) Hallie Hall (married Bailey Long) buried in Marshall, Texas. Their children: (1) Fred Hall Long (2) Jessie Long (3) Grace Long now Mrs. E. Wayles Brown (4) Bailey Long, Jr. (died at age of 5 years) (2) Henry Girard Hall, Jr. nicknamed "Buddie" born Jan. 1, 1871, died Nov. 13, 1896, buried in Oakland Cemetary, Shreveport, beside his mother and father in same plot with Mary L. Cooke, Dr. A. L. Cooke and Robert Emmet Comegys. There is a marker for all the above except Colonel Henry Gerard Hall and his wife do not have a marker, but they are in the same plot. (3) Ruby Ragland Hall, born Shreveport, married W. E. Faust. Ruby Ragland Hall born Feb. 18, 1873, died Jan. 2, 1945, burried Scottsville Cemetery, Scottsville, Harrison County, near Marshall, Texas. Ruby Ragland Hall married William Edwin Faust Jan. 10, 1900 at Marshall, Texas. He was born in Scottsville, Texas half way between Jonesville and Marshall, Texas. He died March 13, 1951 and is also buried in Scottsville Cemetary. To this Union were born the following children: (1) Carolyn Eugenia Faust born October 23, 1900 at Marshall, Texas, married Edward Carroll Laster on July 6, 1925, at Marshall, Texas. Edward Carroll Laster was born March 24, 1894, West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. To the Union of Carolyn Eugenia Faust and Edward Carroll Laster were born the following children - - (1) Carolyn Faust Laster born October 2, 1926, married Samuel E. Lyons July 3, 1946. Their children - - (1) Samuel E. Lyons, Junior, born April 15, 1947 in Shreveport, Louisiana. (2) Stephan Carroll Lyons, born December 12, 1949. (2) Edward Carroll Laster, Junior, born November 27, 1931 in Henderson, Texas, married October 4, 1952 Dorothy Jean Yauger, who was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. To this Union were born - - (1) Eugenia Carroll Laster, Junior, born March 6, 1955. (2) William Edwin Faust, Junior, born December 16, 1901, married circa 1929 Minnie Elliott from Mineola, Texas. They have one daughter - (1) Ann Faust, born November 2, 1930, married . They reside in Longview, Texas. They have one daughter - - (1) (3) Henry Hall Faust, born October 24, 1904, a bachelor, lives in Turner Town, Texas. (4) Ruby (no middle initial) Faust who married in 1933 John Wiley Joiner. Ruby Faust was born September 30, 1910. They have one son - - (1) John Wiley Joiner, Junior, born August 10, 1946. Amanda Hall Married Mathew Campbell Moore. Amanda Hall Moore is buried in the oldest Cemetery in Logansport, Louisiana. She died October 12, 1903. Mathew Campbell Moore died February 27, 1881 and he is buried in a cemetery in Austin, Texas. Issue: (1) William Henry Moore, Born February 21, 1853, died August 2, 1859 (2) Annie Moore born January 28, 1859. She reached the age of maturity but died. Never married. (3) Mathew Clifford Moore born May 20, 1861, Died August 1, 1865. (4) Gideon Norwood Moore born September 17, 1863. Died April 17, 1948. He married Addie Brook of Logansport, Louisiana. Their children: (A) Vestle Moore born circa 1885. He married Gertrude Hamilton. They had no children. (B) Velma Moore born December 24, 1887, she married Allen Starwalt they had one child: a. Dorothy Starwalt (C) Rucie A. Moore born circa 1887. He married Fannie Brown of Orange, Texas. They have one daughter: a. Babette Moore who married Mr. Williams. They have one son: (a) Rucie Earl Williams (5) Reubin Nathaniel Moore, born August 4, 1865, Died May 20, 1902. He married Pennie Wallace. Thay had an infant baby but it died. His first marriage was to Amanda Beck (m. 5-26-1893), but she died soon after they were married. His second wife, Pennie Wallace also died early. (6) Mary Edward Moore, born September 16, 1867, Died May 19, 1888. She married Mr. Milton Ellington of Shelbyville, Texas. They have two sons: (A) Percy F. Ellington. He married Marie of Tulsa, Okla. Percy is now deceased. They have two sons: a. Percy Ellington, Junior b. Paul Ellington (B) Herman Easterbrook Ellington. He married twice. First wife was Lilly Huddleston. They had no children. Second marriage to Mable Bailey a widow. They had six children as follows: a. Herman Easterbrook Ellington, Jr. married Frances - they had no children. b. Mary Ellington - she married and has four (4) children. c. Gloria Ellington. She married and has one (1) child. d. Geraldine Ellingron. She married and has one (1) child. e. Thomas Milton Ellington. He is not married. f. Lloyd Ellington. He is not married. (7) Vernon Moore born July 21, 1869, Died July 14, 1901 She married first H. G. Young. They had one child, Celeste Young who married Roland T. Huson. Celeste Young was born September 4, 1889 at Keatchie, Louisiana. Celeste Young and Roland T. Huson were married on November 6, 1909. Their children: (A) Roland T. Huson, Junior. Born December 23, 1910. He married Malva Haynes. Their children: a. Melva Juanita Huson, born October 30, 1941 b. Roland T. Huson, IIIrd, born January 20, 1944. (B) Gaines Maxwell Huson, born October 3, 1913. He married first to Leola Birge. They have one (1) son. a. Gaines Ted Huson, born June 1, 1939 Gaines Maxwell Huson second marriage to Leona Call, married in September, 1945. They have two (2) children: a. Jerry Huson, born November 12, 1946. b. Barbara Celeste, born August 24, 1949. (C) Vernon Moore Huson born September 4, 1920. She married Vernon Bruce Lawhon, a major in the U. S. Air Force. They married August 18, 1945. Their children: a. David Bruce Lawhon, born July 20, 1946. b. Vernon Paul Lawhon, born October 19, 1954. Vernon Moore second marriage James E. Smith of Port Arthur, Texas. They have one (1) child: (A) James Conrad Smith. He married Lucille Williams. They have one daughter a. Doris Smith who married William Ratliff. They have two (2) children: (1) Michael Ratliff (2) Dana (8) Mattie Moore, born January 11, 1872 in Shelby County, Texas. Now resides at 1541 Irving Place, Shreveport, Louisiana. Mattie Moore married Alexander J. Napier circa 1892, October 9th. Alexander Napier was born in Alabama circa 1880. Their children: (A) Mooria Napier died age 7 months. (B) Lloyd Alexander Napier, born May 12, 1895. He married Rota Fagley of Logansport, Louisiana. They have now celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. They have no children. (9) Ettie Celeste Moore, married late. Has no children. Oscar Hall (Twin brother of Frances Cornelia Hall, my mother). When he was 17 years of age, he wanted to join the Confederate States Army during the War between the States. However, he was too young and his parents would not give their permission therefore the local recruiting authorities would not enlist him. Depressed and bitterly disappointed, he ran away from home, thinking perhaps if he could travel to the State of Alabama, the Confederate Army Commander there would enlist him.... Day after day he made the long journey on foot from Texas, all through the State of Louisiana, crossing Red River, then the mighty Mississippi River, on through the State of Mississippi. All along the great distance he survived by eating berries, herbs, and drinking water from rivers, streams and ditches... During the long nights, he did not have sufficient clothing to keep him warm, consequently he became chilled and by the time he reached the Confederate Army Headquarters in the State of Alabama, he had developed a high fever. At the Confederate Camp, the Army doctors worked desperately trying to make him well, but young Oscar Hall died as a result of exposure, within a week after he reached the Confederate Army's camp in Alabama... Kate (Nancy Catherine) Hall Married Mr. Field (August 13, 1856 Robert W. Field). He was quite a number of years older than she. And he had been married previously because he had one son when Kate Hall married him. They lived in Shelbyville, Texas and I presume they are buried there. Melissia Hall Married Mr. Dougherty. Lived in Shelby County, Texas. They had one (1) son whose name I believe was Stanley and they had one (1) daughter, Betty. Eva Ballard Hall She married in 1872 to Mr. William B. Peyton of Keatchie, Louisiana. She was the youngest child in the family, whereas Rebecca Hall was the oldest. Their children were: (1) Colonel Hall Peyton who married Mattie Bell they have one son: (1) Hall Peyton who married first Carl Corbin. They had two (2) children: (1) Marjorie Peyton who married Claude T. McCrocklin. They had three sons and 1 daughter (1) Claude T. McCrocklin (2) Wallace McCrocklin (deceased) (3) Mike McCrocklin (4) Martha McCrocklin Hall Peyton second marriage to Elsie Youngblood. They have one (1) son: (1) Hall Peyton, Junior (2) William B. Peyton, Junior who married Nina Bess Swearington. They have six (6) children: Dr. Virgil Hall He married twice. His second wife was named Fannie and he married her in Murphysboro (Murfreesboro) Tennessee. He practiced medicine in Commerce, Texas. Had a big farm, and on that farm grew the largest pecan tree I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. To this Union were born - - (1) Lucian William Hall. Nicknamed Will Hall. When Will Hall was approximately twelve (12) years of age, he went with his father on a trip through Houston, Texas to a ranch in Wharton County, Texas, owned at that time by Governor Hog. Dr. Virgil Hall, Will's father, made the trip with the specific purpose of buying Governor Hog's ranch, and took along $10,000.00 in cash. However, the deal fell through, but before they returned to Commerce, Texas, which was their home, young Will told his father, "When I get old enough I am coming back here to live." And so he did. Years later, Will Hall was elected State Senator in Austin, Texas and served in that capacity twelve (12) years. He was elected from Wharton, Texas. While in the Senate, Will Hall wrote the original bill and through his strenuous efforts got it passed, authorizing the construction of the Sea- Way Ship Channel from Galveston to Houston. He further wrote the original bill and through his untiring efforts got enacted, for the construction of the Galveston Sea Wall, which now protects the City of Galveston, Texas, from the tidal waves of the Gulf of Mexico. There is a large painting of Lucian William Hall hanging in the Senate Chamber, State Capitol, Austin, Texas. At present, his wife resides in Houston, Texas. (2) Viola Hall (3) A son whose name I cannot remember. Rebecca Hall Married Mr. English in 1849. He joined a caravan to hunt gold in California and has never been heard of since. It was believed that he and his comrades were scalped by the Indians while en route. Now, then, back to my story . . . . It was a happy time, all those years I spent with Aunt Eva and Uncle Billy in Keatchie . . . . I recall the time when Aunt Eva had fifty geese, and some of the college boys practiced shooting at them, eventually killing all fifty of Aunt Eva's beautiful geese. One day Uncle Billy got a surprise by reading his mail. A letter came from a Judge J. L. M. Pirtle, County Judge of Nacogdoches, Texas, saying that he was a close cousin of Uncle Billy's and invited Uncle Billy to bring his family to visit him in Nacogdoches. Uncle Billy laughed and said he was glad he had a Judge for a Cousin -- but I don't ever recall of a visit among them. (Reference: PROBATE RECORDS, VOLUME "K", PAGE 156, NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS, Apparently, Judge J. L. M. Pirtle began his term of office on December 1, 1888, as first entry in above book signed by him was dated December 11, 1888). I attended school at the Keatchie Male and Female College. On October 12, 1857 The Baptist Union Male & Female College at Keatchie was incorporated but the title to the property was in the name of Keatchie Female College. In 1885 Rev. T. N. Coleman was President but failed to be re-elected. During his Presidency he purchased land adjoining the college and erected buildings there on which he gave to name Keatchie Business College. In September 1885 he changed this to Keatchie College, and discovering that the original charter had never been recorded, he placed all documents on record and became the owner of the college name and faculty. Mr. Coleman was President when I attended. He had such a horrible handwriting, I heard that many of his letters were returned with a notation requesting him to have someone else re-write the letters so that they could be deciphered. Later on, the old trustees compromised, leasing Mr. Coleman the college for one year. The institution ceased to be a baptist one, In November the Keatchie Advocate was established to advertise claims. After a period of troubles the college was re-established on its old principles and Rev. C. W. Tompkies called to preside. There were 155 pupils enrolled in 1890. John T. Mosley was on the Board of Directors. Grandpa Peyton (William Carroll Peyton), lived in the Old Peyton Place near Longstreet, approximately six miles south of Keatchie. He had two daughters and I recall: Eliza Peyton, the oldest, married Mr. William Monroe Chapman, and I believe they went to Dallas, Texas to live. Lillie Peyton, the youngest girl, married Mr. George W. Moore. I knew Grandpa Peyton well, but, of course, he was old by the time I came along. He owned thousands of acres of land in DeSoto Parish, and he was fond of riding his favorite horse around his enormous plantation. One day, just before sunset, he failed to return to his home after setting out early on his horse. People became alarmed and some were dispatched to search for him. Eventually he was found lying on the ground, and his faithful horse was standing over him. Grandpa was breathing, but he could not speak one word, nor could he move his body, only his eyes. I believe his case nowadays would by called a "stroke". Uncle Billy ordered him brought to his home, so that a doctor would be nearby, and he and Aunt Eva could also give him the best of attention. Many times Aunt Eva, standing by Grandpa Peyton's bedside, I heard her talking to him, trying desperately to get him to answer. It seemed to me that he understood and loved every word Aunt Eva spoke, but the only word he ever managed to utter was "George" and Aunt Eva said he, apparently, was trying to connect it with something out of the bible. I heard Aunt Eva tell Grandpa Peyton, "I'm going to ask Mrs. Fullilove to come up here and talk with you. Apparently, Mrs. Fullilove could understand what he was trying to say. Uncle Billy was a big man, as I had said, and he was very good looking. He had cold black hair, very straight, and big dark brown eyes, and sometimes I heard him laugh and say that one of his uncles had married an Indian Squaw, and he seemed real proud of that. Finally came the time when I finished school and was awarded a certificate to teach. Eventually, I began to teach in my first school at Longstreet, Louisiana, in a little tiny church which was used for the school room. I, alone, was Principal, Elementary Teacher, and just the whole staff. I did not consider living in Longstreet permanently. I would return home to Aunt Eva and Uncle Billy every Friday when I finished my classes and Colonel Peyton and Top (William B., Jr.) would be waiting at the little church-school room for me in Longstreet, in a surrey, to drive me back home. On Monday mornings they would drive me to the depot where I could board the train for Longstreet. I knew the conductor, Mr. Keiver (Keefer) well, he was a close personal friend of Tops (William B. Junior). One Monday morning while on the train headed back for my school-room, I happened to just look out and notice that we had gone through Longstreet and the train failed to stop. I jumped up and pulled the signal cord and the train came to an abrupt stop. Mr. Keefer came running back and threw his hands up, exclaiming he had forgotten me -- so he ordered the engineer to back the train up five miles to the Longstreet Station where I disembarked and proceeded to my school room. The second school in which I taught was at Logansport, Louisiana. While there I boarded and stayed with Aunt Liza Hall Price. And this brings back to my mind -- "Blue Thursday". I don't remember the exact date -- but it was a Thursday, in 1887, during the month of November. My cousin Oscar Price, and a neighbor child, J. B. Garrett (now living in St. Francisville, Louisiana) were with me... I'll never forget that day "Blue Thursday". As usual we went on to school, which was held in the Masonic Hall. In the room, we had what they used to call a pot-belly heater, and before the children left the room each day, the fire was all prepared for the following morning. I mean, the splinters were placed into position, then logs, etc. ready for a match. Immediately upon arriving that Thursday morning I began to light the fire -- but each time a big puff of wind blew is out, and the children were almost freezing, so ordered them all to return to their homes as quickly as possible. The temperature kept dropping all through the day and though I don't know actually how cold it got, beyond a shadow of a doubt, it was by far much colder than this section had ever known, or since experienced. Aunt Liza had an old hen with 14 frying size chickens, and the old hen roosted on a wheelbarrow and when the chickens got big enough to get on the wheelbarrow, they, too, began to roost there. And during the night of "Blue Thursday", every one of the 14 frying size chickens froze solid as well as their mother hen. Not knowing anything about frozen foods in those days, Aunt Liza just threw them all away. It was still too cold for school the following morning, so we went to McKays Lake, right nearby, and it was a thrill for me to walk on the solid slab of frozen ice, and to see the fish swimming underneath. The boys made a huge fire out of logs and we would walk on the ice a while then rush to the fire to warm. My next school-teaching assignment was at Crosby, Texas. And when I went to teach school there, I was required to take a very thorough examination, and one of the subjects was spelling. Somehow, everything was so new and strange to ne there and it seemed as if Mr. H. B. Kline (Cline) gave the words so fast, I let four of them slip by and then tried to remember them. My mind did not seem to click and I became frantic. When Mr. Cline (Kline) took my paper I remarked to him I was afraid I did not pass and after grading my paper, he handed it back to me, smiling, and it was marked 100, of which I was very proud. During the time I was now away in Texas, many, many times I would recall the good times we had while at Aunt Eva's and only quite naturally, at times I became homesick. I recalled the lovely parties Aunt Eva would give. Some of them were called Shoo-Lye-Loo parties, during which Aunt Eva would play the piano and the chairs would be arranged back to back, but there was always one less chair than those attending. Aunt Eva would play and them stop suddenly -- and it was then that everyone had to rush for a chair -- and for one unlucky person -- there would be no chair. Yes; all the young folks loved to go to Aunt Eva's. And invariably, they all gathered at her house every Friday night, because they all knew they were welcome -- and she always served plenty of delicious cake and gallons of iced cold lemonade. But now, I'm getting a little ahead of myself... Before I finished school in Keatchie, I remember it crystal clear, as though it happened this very moment. I was at school this day in class, when all of a sudden, the door opened, and as always the case, all the students looked to see who entered. I was sitting in the Sixth Reader Class next to my friend Berta Horn, and when a man entered, I punched Berta and said; "Berta, I am going to marry that man." But, of course, I did not meet him then. It was sometime later. In those days and times, there were no telephones -- so when the men wanted to get messages to anyone, they would walk into the store, get a piece of paper and write a note. Then have a negro boy deliver it to whomever it was addressed. I might state very definitely, whenever I received such notes, I would always take them to Aunt Eve and have her read them, and solicit her advice as to how I should answer. I can truthfully say I never wrote a note without first getting advice from Aunt Eva as to what I should say or whether or hat a should answer it. On one occasion I got a note from one of the town boys and Aunt Eva got somewhat perplexed and sent for Uncle Billy. Uncle Billy read the note, shook his head and said; "Oh, no, Estelle cannot go with this boy." At the time I did not know why but later learned it was reputed that the boy had been living with a negro woman out in the country. Then came my day. A young man I knew, Mr. Carroll, wrote a note saying that he would be pleased to bring a friend of his to meet me, and that he would bring him in the presence of Aunt Eva and Uncle Billy, so I showed Aunt Eva the note and she consented for me to answer and instructed me on how to word it. So when Mr. Carroll came, he arrived with Robert Lee Barlow -- which was our first actual meeting. During the time I was off teaching school, Robert Lee Barlow flooded the mails with letters, some news, mostly proposals. Just before the school term was finished at Crosby, Texas, a committee of three men from the school board in Goose Creek, Texas, came to the place where I was boarding and asked me not to take another school anywhere else as they wanted so much for me to teach in their school in Goose Creek. After much persuasion I said; "Gentlemen -- I will be there to teach for you in September". I signed no contract, but upheld my promise. Once again the same thing happened when the season was almost over at the School in Goose Creek, Texas. Another Committee came to see me from Cedar Bayou, Texas and solicited my services for the following term, and to this I agreed. While in Goose Creek, Texas I roomed and boarded with Mr. and Mrs. Bill bush, and when in Cedar Bayou I stayed with Mrs. McGee. All during my teaching years, Thomas Lee Barlow waited patiently and while at Cedar Creek, Texas, I wrote that I would accept his proposal and wedding date was set. But again I am getting a little ahead of my story. Before I accepted, however, during one of his proposals, I reminded him that he had not asked Uncle Billy and Aunt Eva's permission to marry me. So, while I was teaching in Texas, one Sunday, Thomas Lee Barlow went down to Keatchie from Shreveport, and asked Uncle Billy if he would give his permission for me to marry him. Uncle Billy first consulted Aunt Eva, then approved. When I returned home to Aunt Eva, during the summer on Sundays we usually played crocket. But on this particular Sunday I went to the store, bought all kinds of material and out of this material I made seven quilt tops, and Aunt Eva helped me quilt three of them. And I made my own wedding treseau. I had two petticoats which I made, and had three yards of crochet nine inches wide around the bottoms of the petticoats. I also made a gown and had two different suits which I myself made. My wedding dress was made in Shreveport and was pale grey. Aunt Eva and I went to Shreveport and I bought grey suede shoes and lysle stockings, and we bought the grey material for the wedding dress which Mrs. Lang made for me. Finally, our wedding was performed right in the home of my beloved Aunt Eva Hall Peyton and Uncle William Bailey Peyton's home, in the heart of Keatchie. And after Thomas Lee Barlow married me he had said before that he had fallen in love with me the moment he first laid eyes upon me and believed it was because of my long golden curls. I told him that I felt the same and what I had told my friend about marrying him. But after he had married me, then, and only then, he told me perhaps it was due to "your shapely pretty legs". But he said that we loved each other so much God must have meant us for each other. As always the case in every family, we had our ups and downs. Happiness, misunderstandings, arguments, but I honestly believe no one could have had a happier life. Later, Uncle Billy was appointed from Washington, D. C. to be supervisor for the State of Louisiana Census. Aunt Eva wrote to me that if I would like, Uncle Billy would send an application whereby I could work and I filled it out and worked two weeks taking census. Fortunately, good luck was with me because I was in the precinct in which the Charity Hospital and Shumpert Hospital was located and I got five cents per head for all those patients, so my earnings for the two weeks totaled $72.00, which was a considerable amount of money, those years. It was during one of those census times word reached me that Uncle Billy had died, suddenly. And each day while taking census I was required to send a post card to headquarters in Washington, D. C. specifying a summary of what had been accomplished the preceding day. On that particular day I wrote on the government card; "I AM LEAVING TODAY TO GO TO KEATCHIE, LOUISIANA TO ATTEND MY UNCLE WILLIAM B. PEYTON'S FUNERAL." Then the next day after the funeral was over I wrote on the card that I had returned from the funeral of my Uncle, Mr. William Bailey Peyton. Following Uncle Billy's death, Aunt Eva carried on, and I tried to see her as often as possible. Later she acquired three little negro cabins in Shreveport and they were rented out. I believe she bought the the houses from Old Judge Perry. When I lived in Shreveport I collected the rent off these houses and sent the money to Aunt Eva who continued to live at her home in Keatchie. And finally, I suppose it had to come someday... I received a wire from Edgar Peyton saying; "Estelle, Mother is sick -- Come Down." Immediately I got my things ready and left Hallie and Drury with my sister, Hallie. I had to take Virginia with me as she could not be trusted to stay with anyone as she would not mind anyone else. And that night, before going to Keatchie, I dreamed all night, and in that dream I could see the little railroad trestle just before the line reaches Keatchie, burning, burning, burning... And sure enough, when the train carrying Virginia and I reached Keatchie, the little trestle had burned and we had to get off and walk the rest of the way. I went straight to Aunt Eva and she said; "Estelle, I am sick enough to die." I tried desperately to cheer her. Many, many years before, I had heard Aunt Eva say, that whenever she died she hoped her sister Liza would we by her side... Edgar had also wired Aunt Liza and she came. The doctor said Aunt Liza had pneumonia and I did not realize her condition was so serious. In the meantime, I received a wire from Shreveport that my little daughter, Hallie, had swallowed a prune seed, and had a high fever, and Mr. Barlow requested my immediate return... So, I got Joe Fisher to drive me to Gloster where I boarded the train back to Shreveport, and took care of little Hallie. A little later I received a second write from Edgar saying, "Mother is sinking." so then I went straight back to Keatchie, and this time, I left Virginia in Shreveport, along with the other children. As she had wished, her sister, Aunt Liza, was by her side, so was Colonel and Mattie and dear old Lenna, the negro cook, was also there. It was late when I arrived that night and among the sobbing I learned that my dear beloved Aunt Eva had passed away exactly fifteen minutes earlier.... I do not think Aunt Eva left an official will. However, I do know that she left some kind of a handwritten note in which she stipulated she wanted me to have a beautiful cannister set. She had two sets; one of which was Sterling Silver -- and I do not know what became of that one, but I got the one she wanted me to have and I just loved it. She also wanted me to have a gorgeous dress which was one of her prized possessions, and without a doubt, one of the prettiest dresses I've ever seen. I kept that dress for years and years and would often taken it out and admire it for hours on end. Years later, my regular maid was ill, and I was expecting company. I hired a negro woman to work for me one day and several days afterward, I missed my lovely dress. I combed the neighborhood looking for that woman, asked everyone in the vicinity where she was supposed to have lived about her, but no one would tell me anything -- so that was the sad ending of my precious dress. When Uncle Billy Peyton, years before he passed away, was a traveling salesman, he was awarded a prize of a gold watch for selling more than the other salesmen, and when Aunt Eva made her will, she specified also that she wanted me to have that watch, and I got it. There is an interesting story about the most gorgeous piano I've ever seen or heard. I cannot recall who was in New York and happened to find it. But anyway, it was immediately recognized as a masterpiece, and it was shipped on a boat from New York City to New Orleans, Louisiana, where it was transferred to a River steamer and then traveled up the Mississippi to the mouth of Red River, then on Red River to Shreveport where it was transferred to a large wagon and the wagon carried it out into the country to Keatchie, Louisiana. I do not recall the details, but eventually, Uncle Billy and Aunt Eva got the piano. This was in addition to the small one they had when I first arrived there. This large piano was made out of rosewood and the most gorgeous hand carving I've ever seen, and the tune was such that I have never, in all my eighty-eight years of life, heard any other instrument to equal it. I believe it was originally hand-made in Vienna, Austria. Anyway, I often think of that lovely piano, but I am at a loss as to know what eventually happened to it. I imagine Uncle Billy would have lived years and years longer than he did if he had not eaten so much. As I mentioned previously, the doctor warned him against eating so much. But he would refuse to sit down to the table unless there were two or three kinds of meat for each meal, no to mention anywhere from six to a dozen vegetables. Every Sunday Uncle Billy insisted having a large turkey on the dinner table, and there were very, very few Sundays when he couldn't get one. Whenever one could not be furnished the wholesale house in Shreveport where he did business with, would wire him and he would invariably wire them back to exert every effort to get the turkey -- but if it was an impossibility, to send him the nicest, freshest and largest fish they could obtain. I believe the two saddest times I've ever seen Aunt Eva was first when her son Lamar Peyton died. He was attending college in Natchitoches, Louisiana, when he became ill and subsequently died. I'll never forget that funeral. Steel vaults had just been put on the market, and Aunt Eva told Uncle Billy that she wanted Lamar put away the very best possible way. That's exactly what I intend to do, my dear," he replied. And that was the first steel vault ever lowered into the ground in the Keatchie Cemetery. Soon after Lamar was interred, Aunt Eva began to look sadder and sadder, and worry seemed to overcome her. Everyone became alarmed at her condition and tried to get her mind off of her son's passing, but nothing seemed to help. I believe she dreamed that her beloved son had been buried alive, as in those days embalming was unheard of. She told Uncle Billy that she was firmly convinced Lamar had been buried alive and he told her it was absurd to think such a thing, but still she could not be convinced. She begged Uncle Billy to have his body exhumed, but he refused. Not long afterwards, while Uncle Billy was attending to his store, Aunt Eva set out for the cemetery with a crew of negroes, and had them dig down to the steel vault, ordered it opened, then she, herself, slowly opened the bronze casket. In the meantime, someone had ridden past the cemetery on a horse and was what was happening, and galloped on to spread the news to Uncle Billy. He immediately closed the store, and rushed to the scene, reaching there just in time to see Aunt Eva open the casket. Tears began to trickle down her cheeks, then she turned to order the casket closed, and to be buried once again. Uncle Billy gently put his arms around her and kissed her tenderly on her cheek, and Aunt Eva said, "I'm glad it happened this way -- he looked so innocent and sweet, it was obvious that he had not moved, and now I am convinced that he died as the doctors said." Of course, she remained sad for a long time but she did not appear as worried as she had been, and she began to take interest in other things. And the next sad period was four years later, when Uncle Billy and Aunt Eva were returning to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on the train. It was a hot June day and Uncle Billy remarked that he felt just terrible, so Aunt Eva suggested that they get off at the next station and rest for the night in a hotel. Uncle Billy was a member of the House of Representatives and had been since 1892, as he had been elected from DeSoto Parish. (To this day, Rev. Hall Peyton has his book of the Legislature and on the outside cover is engraved in gold "Honorable William B. Peyton".) When the train reached Robeline, Louisiana, they disembarked and proceeded to a hotel. Soon after they got to the room, Uncle Billy said he felt horrible, so Aunt Eva went to the sink to wet a towel to put on his head, and as she turned around to apply the towel, she became aware that tragedy had struck -- her beloved husband had fallen to the bed and was dead, and I do not believe Aunt Eva ever got over that eventful June 14, 1900. After Aunt Eva died, Edgar Peyton, her youngest son, was approximately 17 years of age. He stayed around Keatchie for a while. Later he came to my house in Shreveport, and said, "Estelle, I just honestly don't know what to do." He brought with him an enormous chest which was full of Aunt Eva's and Uncle Billy's solid silver, engraved with the initials "W. B. P." He asked me to keep it for him as he was afraid something might happen to it. I told him I would never use it and it would be at my house for him and that he should leave it with me until he got married. I told Edgar that he was now reaching the age whereby he would have to manage for himself. That he was perfectly welcome to make his home with me, but that the best thing for him to do would be to begin to stand on his own feet. Only a few days passed when he told me he needed a new suit and finally he got around to asking me to go to town with him to pick out the suit. I told Edgar that I would like to do it but that I just had to refuse. He said he had no idea how to buy a suit - that he had never, in all his life, had to buy anything for himself - not even candy. So I told him where to go and to ask for a conservative business suit. He tried to back out of going the following morning, but I insisted that he go and he did. It was quite an experience for him and I must admit when he returned home he had a very nice suit. Quite some time elapsed and then one morning Edgar came to me and said, "Estelle, where did you put the silver, I want it." I couldn't imagine why he should want it and I told him that he should leave it alone that it was perfectly safe with me. He seemed to be beating around the bush and remarked slyly, that one piece he believed was missing and that he wanted to get it replaced. I told him that would be fine - that I would get a piece of the silver and that would be all he needed to have the missing piece replaced. But he would not accept the one piece and demanded the entire service which would at least accommodate 12 complete place settings. Reluctantly, I got the silver and tried to persuade him to change his mind and let me keep it until he married. But it was useless, he was determined to take it that morning. Later, I was terribly hurt because I learned that he had taken the silver and pawned it for practically nothing, and if only he had told me his true purpose, I would have gotten the money he apparently needed. But his parents left him well-fixed, it never dawned upon me that he needed money. And I also heard that after he pawned the silver, he gave the pawn-ticket to his sister-in-law, Miss Mattie Peyton, and that she redeemed the entire silver. The last I ever heard of the silver, a granddaughter of Mrs. C. H. Peyton, Mrs. Marjorie McCrocklin of Texas City, Texas, was using at least part of it, exactly 50 years later in the year of our Lord 1954. As best I can remember, my Mother's mother, (my Grandmother) maiden name was Nancy Cannon and she was the wife of William Henry Hall, my Grandfather. I remember that Nancy Cannon Hall smoked a pretty tiny pipe. I believe both she and Grandpa Hall are buried in the Private Cemetery on the old Hall Farm approximately four miles from Shelbyville, Texas. The old house they lived in has burned down. The cemetery was located on a hill at one time, but I believe the hill has gradually washed away and it seems to me that the cemetery is now in a low place. I think there are two markers in the cemetery, but I don't believe either one if for Grandmother or Grandfather Hall. The last time I was in that vicinity, the Green family lived on a farm which was near where Grandfather's place and I believe some of their descendants still live there. THE END -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE SHREVEPORT JOURNAL Shreveport, Louisiana January 24, 1904 Sunday PERSONALS Mrs. Tom Barlow was called to Keatchie by the serious illness of her Aunt, Mrs. W. B. Peyton, who was said to be dying. Mrs. Peyton's friends here are very much grieved over the sad news. January 26, 1904 Tuesday *PANSY NOTES Mrs. Estelle Barlow has gone to Keatchie to assist in nursing her Aunt, Mrs. W. B. Peyton. January 28, 1904 Thursday PANSY NOTES Mrs. Tom Barlow has retrned from Keatchie, La. where she attended the funeral of her Aunt, Mrs. Eva B. Peyton, wife of the late W. B. Peyton. January 31, 1904 Sunday PERSONALS Friends offer sympathy to Mrs. Tom Barlow and Mrs. Will Campbell in the loss of their Aunt, Mrs. Eva Peyton, who died at her home in Keatchie last week. ********** ********** ********** * By Pansy, per name under SOCIETY. I certify the foregoing is a true, verbatim, proof-read copy, of articles appearing in THE SHREVEPORT JOURNAL on dates shown, and copied from micro-film in the Shreveport Public Library, Shreveport, Louisiana, on August 17, 1956. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AFFIDAVIT PARISH OF CADDO STATE OF LOUISIANA NOW COMES Mrs. Thomas Lee Barlow (maiden name: Estelle McCracken) of Shreveport, Louisiana, who by me being first duly sworn, does now depose, affirm, and say: (1) That she was born in Wise Station, near Sulpher Springs, County of Hopkins, State of Texas, February 10, 1869, and has since resided in West Columbia, Brazoria County, Texas; Keatchie (also known as Keachie) De Soto Parish, Louisiana; Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana. (2) That her father was George Washington McCracken, and married Frances Cornelia Hall, Affiant's Mother. George Washington McCracken, Affiant's Father, became deceased near Houston, Horris County, Texas, circa 1880. A few weeks after the said George Washington McCracken became deceased, a son was born to Affiant's Mother, and said son died a few days after birth, and Affiant's Mother became sick following birth of said son and never recovered, and also became deceased a few weeks afterwards. To the Union of the said George Washington McCracken and his wife, Frances Cornelia Hall McCracken in addition to the said son who died in infancy, the following were born: (1) Estelle McCracken (Affiant), (2) Arthur McCracken, (3) Irene McCracken, (4) Hallie Hall McCracken. (3) That even though affiant was a child at the time, she well remembers that following the deaths of her father and mother, circa 1880, her mother's sister, Eva Hall who married William Bailey Peyton of Keatchie, De Soto Parish, Louisiana, sent transportation for affiant and affiant's sister, Hallie Hall McCracken, for these two orphans to be taken to the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Bailey Peyton, with whom they made their home until they went through school and subsequently became married. Affiant further states that she attended public school in Keatchie, De Soto Parish, Louisiana, and one of affiant's teachers was named Miss Lizzie Paxton. Following public school affiant went to Keatchie Male and Female College, Keatchie, Louisiana, where she graduated thereby receiving a certificate of Second Grade, valid for 12 months and Licensed to teach in the Public Schools of De Soto Parish, signed by Mr. Cyrus Harrington, Chairman of Committee for Parish of De Soto Board of School Directors. (4) Affiant further states that her mother, Frances Cornelia Hall's father was William Henry Hall of South Carolina, who married Nancy Cannon, Affiant's Grandmother. To this Union were born the following (1) Frances Cornelia Hall (Affiant's Mother); (2) Rebecca Hall who married Mr. English. The said Mr. English in the year A. D. 1849, joined a caravan to hunt gold in California and no one ever heard of him since. It was believed that he was the victim of the Indians; (3) Kate Hall, who married Mr. Field; (4) Amanda Hall who married Mr. Moor; (5) Eva Ballard Hall who married Mr. William Bailey Peyton; (6) Eliza Hall who married Mr. Elijah Price; (7) Mollie Hall, who married Mr. Sturgess; (8) Melissia Hall who married Mr. Dougherty; (9) Virgil Hall who married twice, the said Virgil Hall was a Medical Doctor and practiced medicine in Commerce, Texas; (10) Oscar Hall who was the twin brother of Affiant's mother, Frances Cornelia Hall. The said Oscar Hall then ran away from home and traveling on foot went to the State of Alabama to enlist in a Confedderate Regiment in that State. However, due to the lond journey by foot, eating berries, herbs, and drinking water from ditches, he became ill and when he reached the Confederate Camp in Alabama, had a high fever, and subsequently became deceased within a week following his arrival in camp. (11) Henry Gerard Hall who married Miss Eugenia Cook from Tennessee. The said Henry Gerard Hall was a commissioned officer, with the rank of Colonel in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. (5) Affiant further states and re-confirms that in Affiant's mother's immediate family there were eight females and three males, named as listed below, to-wit: (1) Frances Cornelia Hall (Affiant's Mother) (2) Rebecca Hall (3) Kate Hall (4) Amanda Hall (5) Eva Ballard Hall (6) Eliza Hall (7) Mollie Hall (8) Melissia Hall (9) Virgil Hall (10) Oscar Hall (11) Henry Gerard Hall All of the above-named were the sons and daughters of William Henry Hall and his wife, Nancy Cannon Hall. (6) That Affiant also well knew and was personally acquainted with her Mother's sister, Affiant's Aunt, Eva Ballard Hall and her husband, William Bailey Peyton, because Affiant made her home with the said Mr. and Mrs. William Bailey Peyton, at their home in Keatchie, De Soto Parish, Louisiana, immediately following the time Affiant's Father and Mother became deceased, and continued to make her home with the said Mr. and Mrs. William Bailey Peyton until the time the Affiant finished school and subsequently became married. Affiant further states that she married Thomas Lee Barlow, circa February 8, 1893, said wedding ceremony was performed in the home of the said Mr. and Mrs. William Bailey Peyton. (9) That Affiant also well knew and was personally acquainted with the sons of Eva Ballard Hall and her husband, William Bailey Peyton. Their sons and Affiant's first cousins, were (1) William Bailey Peyton, Jr.; (2) Colonel H. Peyton; (3) Edgar E. Peyton; (4) Lamar Peyton. (10) Affiant again re-confirms her maiden name, Estelle McCracken, married Thomas Lee Barlow, and of this Union were born: (1) Thomas Drury Barlow, born May 28, circa circa 1898; (2) Virginia Barlow, born May 5, 1905; (3) Hallie Hall Barlow, born October 7, 1903. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Below is a copy of a letter from my Brother, W. V. Hall, Denton, Texas, Feb. 12, 1912, in answer to one from his Niece, Mrs. Estelle Barlow Shreveport, La. (signed) Eliza Price I will try to give you all the information I can in regard to our family. All I know about my Grand Parents is that Grandfather Hall was an Irish man and I think born in the U.S., perhaps in South Carolina, where he lived and reared a family of 9 boys and 4 girls. Grandmother Hall's maiden name was Oneal. Grandfather died before I was born and Grandma lived with Father till her death in 1847. Father moved from South Carolina to Shelby County Texas in 1842. His brothers and sisters also. Father was born in Jan. 1800 and died some time in Jan. 1854. Mother's maiden name was Nancy Cannon. They were married in Dec. 1830. I am the fifth child of eleven. Here are their names: Rebacca, Henry, Amanda, Kate, Virgil, Melissa; all the above born in South Carolina. Mollie, (then the twins) Oscar & Cornelia, Eliza, and Eva, born in Shelby County, Tex. I do not know the exact date of the births of any, except my own, which was April 18th 1839. My oldest brother Henry G. Hall, went into the C. S. Army in 1863, was made Colonel of the 28th Texas regiment, was promoted to Lieutenant Col. of Gen. Randalls Brigade and served till the close of the war. Oscar Hall, my younger brother enlisted in the army in Jan. 1864, died in Camp of measles in August the same year. I enlisted early in the Fall 1861 in Rosses Brigade and served through the war. Our first service was in Mo. and Arkansas, till after the battles Oakhill, Mo. and Elkhorn, Arkansas. We were then sent East of the Mississippi river to reinforce General Baeuregare, at Corinth, Miss. and lost at least 1/3 of the army there, from measles, Typhoid fever and mismanagement generally. We were fighting while there every day or two, but our loss from fighting was nothing compared to loss from sickness. General Beauregard was superseded by Gen. Bragg, who commanded the army till the Spring of 1864, when General Joseph E. Johnson took command till a short time before the fall of Atlanta. Gen. Hood, (very much Johnson's inferior) was placed in command, and soon Atlanta fell. Gen. Hood then carried us to Nashville and Franklin, Tenn., where we lost a large part of the few we had left, and we retreated (fighting all the way back) through Tennessee and Alabama, to Mississippi where we finally surrendered in 1865. I was wounded Sept. 19th 1862 in the battle of Iuca, Miss., left on the field and was captured the next day as our army had to retreat. After being in prison for several weeks, was paroled and permitted to go home & stay 3 weeks, went back to the army before I was exchanged, and was in all the battles from that till the end. Ross's Brigade consisted of 4 Texas regiments. We crossed the Mississippi river 4700 strong and the last few months of the war we could muster only 6 to 800 men. This is only a brief outline of my record etc. Your cousin Eva Gee is living in Anna, Collin Co. Texas, is still a widow. She has a millinery shop and is doing the finest job you ever saw. She would very much appreciate a letter from you. This is a very unsatisfactory letter, and I hope you will not view it with a critics eye, as I have been interrupted several times while trying to write. Write to me when you feel like it. Love from all to all. Your Uncle, W. V. Hall