I love this photo of Bess's father, Robert Henry Palmer. The Clay County Historical Society sent it to me after I sent them photos of Henrietta, the town where he raised his family. He was born in Wales, but his family emigrated to the US shortly after he was born.
Reminisces of Robert Bruce Palmer, date unknown
Dad came to Texas because a neighbor of his family in Barry had moved to Henrietta & wrote glowing accounts of the future of that area. When he arrived he heard a teacher was needed in the community of Cambridge, but he’d have to take an exam over all the subjects to get a teacher’s certificate. Though he was an honor graduate in Barry High School in 1887, he hadn’t had Texas history so he stayed up all night to read the history of Texas and made 98 the next day. He was a popular teacher & later taught in Henrietta–Miss Willie Boddy & her crowd.
Grandpa wouldn’t let Mother marry until he had the house paid for, so it wasn’t until 1892 he had the 3 room house paid for–took about 4 years. (Will the young listen to such these days?)
He worked in the abstract office & was district clerk for several terms before he went in W.B. Worsham Bank, was later cashier there.
He usually read the Dallas News aloud to Mother of an evening as she crocheted. My early recollection of this was about the Russo-Japanese War. Paper came via train from Dallas. Dad always read all of page 1, then turned to the back page of Sec. A, read that & then went back to p. 2 & straight through that section. I used to think how wonderful it would be to be able to read like that. And now I read Sec. A. in that same order.
I am always running across men who pay great tribute to Dad as their Boy Scout Master. At a tea in Dec. three of his former scouts paid tribute to him.
Dad never spanked me but once. Mother had told me I couldn’t go see a friend one Sunday afternoon, so I asked him as he was reading the Sunday News. He asked me what Mother said & when I told him she said NO, he said “That’s it.” I kept saying I was going & he didn’t say anything more, so I went. I stayed longer than I intended but dreaded to go home. Dad was waiting with a small switch, didn’t say a word but used the switch. I got the lesson!
The picture above must have been taken while he worked for the Clay County Clerk in 1891. I inherited a little brown notebook written in his hand:
Diary of Robert Henry Palmer
Barry, Ill. June 7/91 (7 June 1891)
Sunday evening I have resolved to try and keep a diary commencing this day. It has been rainy all day but Ora & I went to Sunday School. Did not stay for church as we were invited to Wikes for dinner.
Played "High 5" & euchre and we won.
Mirt and Lena were here awhile this evening. Will probably start for Texas in the A.M. Have had headache nearly all day. This is our last evening together for some time.
Monday June 8
Started for Texas. Bessie came as far as Madison where she was met by her uncle.
Of course I hated to leave. Had a splendid visit and a good time. Saw J. F. Casterline Jr at Moberly
Tuesday June 9
Still on my way to Texas. Took a berth in the sleeper last night but had very little rest. Near South McAllister I. T. saw a terrible wreck caused by a head end collision of two freights. Saw Will Orton at Dennison. Red River had been on a tear but track was passable for our train. Got home 8 15 p.M.
Wednesday June 10
Commenced work again at my old desk.
Everybody seems glad to see me again and say I'm much improved. Wrote Ora a short letter. Attended R.A.C. and was elected Secretary. Selected my mark this eve.
Thursday June 11
It has been quite warm all day. Been most all day with the commissioners court and feel quite tired. Have plenty of work to do. Will retire early this evening and get up early in the morning.
Friday June 12
Worked hard all day. Directed envelopes or postals rather all afternoon. Attended Chapter Dr E.A. Johnston took M.M. degree.
Saturday June 13
Worked hard all day on Comrs Court work. Comrs Court adjourned. County Court adjourned 8:40 P.M. Weather quite warm all day. It rained quite heavily this night. Began a letter to Ora while in the office. Will finish and post tomorrow. Read a splendid letter from Ora this morning.
Sunday June 14th 1891
Went to S.S. this morning at Presbyterian S.S. Posted Ora's letter and then went out to Johnsons. Was sick all night.
Monday June 15
Wrote the folks a letter and posted it. In the afternoon received a letter from Jinkie. Felt bad all day. Ate 1 biscuit today.
Tuesday June 16
Was quite sick all night. Never slept till daylight. Quit work for awhile this morning. Got N.L. Brightvills picture today. Ed Bohus bake house burned last night. Rained early all last night.
Wednesday June 17
Had plenty to do all day. Felt much better. Posted Ora a letter to-day.
Thursday June 18
Received a good letter from Ora this morning. Very warm today.
Friday June 19
Worked hard all day. Warmest day so far. Emancipation Day celebrated by the colored people with a picnic. Got a good letter from Ora and one from Rob Carder.
Sat. June 20
Lon and his mother started for Hot Springs Ark. Mr. Ford went as far as Fort Worth with them and I was left alone in the office. Tonight was elected Secretary Henrietta Lodge No. 454 A.F. & A.M. Worked till 12 o'clock issuing an attachment.
Recd Col. Gwams picture
Sunday June 21
Went to Sunday School this morning. Class was unusually large. Staid for church. G. W. Ford got back. Was going to Christian Endeavor meeting but rain prevented. Wrote & posted Ora a long letter this evening. Also went to church in the evening.
Monday June 22
Nothing particular during the day. Went to K.R. Lodge but was called out and kept out till 1 A.M. by Swan to attach the Palace Royal.
Tuesday June 23
Commenced work on Ikard vs W.U. T. Co. today. Mr. Waggoner began work in the office. Comrs Court met as a Board of Equalization. Attended drill this evening.
Wednesday June 24
Received a good letter from Ora this morning and posted one to her same evening. Went to lodge and was installed secy of Blue Lodge
Thursday June 25
Warm today. Issued attachment Helburn & Williams Commenced. Russell & Morgan Transcript. Strange to say I had the blues today. Can't say why. I heard the Baptist bell ringing and I feel lonesome. Will stay at home tonight and read the book mother gave me for birthday present.
Friday June 26
Quite warm. Issued marriage license today. Attend drill this evening. Division did first rate forming Greek & Latin crosses and square.
Saturday June 27
Commissioners Court adjourned this morning. Got a splendid letter from Ora. Went to the office to do office work at 9 P.M. but fellow failed to come. Got telegram from Mr. F who I found to my surprise was in Ft. Worth Was scared but felt relieved when I found out from whom it was.
Sunday June 28
Attended S.S. and church today. Partook of communion and was invited to choir practice next Saturday evening. My head is filled with plans and I study till can't sleep. Went to church tonight. Wrote Ora a long letter.
Monday June 29
A norther blew most all morning filling the air with sand. Afterward a cool S.E. Breeze came. Went to K.P. Lodge this evening. Wrote Carder a letter today.
Tuesday June 30
Quite cool after the norther. Last day of the month. Attended drill the P.M. had a good time
Wedesday July 1
Paid out $57.50 today on accounts but collections slow. Attended chapter and was installed secretary. Wrote Ora a letter today. Got a good letter from Ora.
Thursday July 2
Recd another good letter this A.M. from Ora.
Friday July 3
Attended drill this PM
Saturday July 4
The nation's birthday but I didn't have any holiday. worked on typewriter all day nearly. Didn't have time to hear the American Eagle scream.
Sunday July 5
Went to Sunday School and Church as usual. Finished and posted Ora a letter. Wrote Lon a short letter and went to church at night.
Monday July 6
New file case car today. Recd a letter from my folks. Deposited $200 in bank to my credit. Weather warm and dry. Rain is badly needed.
Tuesday july 7
Went to F. W. & D.C. Depot to see about Jinkies books. Mr. F. went to Bellevue. Drilled this P.M.
Wednesday July 8
The coolest kind of a day. Last night was awful cool. Norther car up . Recd a good letter from Ora this morning. Posted one to her this evening.
Wrote up chapter minutes this evening.
Thursday July 9
Not a great deal to do in the office today. Still pegging away at Lacy Transcripts when nothing more important to do. Mr. F. came hime at 1:40 P.M. but didn't come down to the office till 5 P.M. Had to go down to the office after supper but had no work to do and didn't stay long.
Friday July 10
Been at home in Texas just 1 month today but it seems more like 12 mos. It seems a long time since Ora and I were together. Recd a good long letter from Ora today.
Saturday July 11
Real estate flying high today on account of the breeze. This went with Goodenough out into West part of town to look at some lots which he wants to sell me. After supper I went after my Adage but it never came.
Sunday July 12
Went to S.S. this morning but as there was no church at the Presbyterian church I came home and wrote Ora a letter. After dinner I posted it. About 4 o'clock started for Johnsons. Lulu and her friend May Smith brought me to town.
Monday July 13
Wrote and sent a letter to J.H. Bunnell & Co. of NY enclosing $6.00 P.O. order. Went to K. P. lodge and saw the amplified 3rd worked
Tuesday July 14
Warm all day needing rain very badly.
Wednesday July 15
Commenced and sent Ora a letter today and also received one from her. Rain all around but none here.
Thursday July 16
Had some rain which settled dust.
Friday July 17
Failed to attend drill this eve on account of a shower which came up about mustering time. Got up at 5 o'clock this A.M. so Mr. F's father could take the early train for Beebe Ark. Expect Lon home in a day or two.
Saturday July 18
Nothing much of importance transpired today. Mr. Ford recd a telegram that his mother had died at 4PM at Beebe Ark. Recd a letter from Ora
Sunday July 19
Staid at home all day on account of headache. Missed Sunday School & church. Wrote Ora quite a letter.
Monday July 20
Rather warm with a little rain. Read a letter from D.D.G.M. today. This is K.P. Lodge night but I don't think I'll attend.
Tuesday July 21
Last night we had a splendid rain with worst thunder and lightning ever experienced, so some people say. Lightning struck 3 houses in town. Mr. F. was going away this morning but on account of the rain put off his trip but went this afternoon. Recd a letter from my folks today.
Wednesday July 22
Got a splendid letter from Ora this morning. Also recd a letter from RW Carder at noon. Wrote Ora a letter this evening and posted it. This evening Lon came home on the Katy and after supper he and I went down to the Denver and met Mr. Ford. Mr. Wagner quit work this P.M.
Thursday July 20
Am busily engaged in making out transcript on typewriter. This evening Mr. F. and I went for a walk to the Katy years and took a ride on the switch engine. Heard of a wreck on the F.W. & D.C. close to town. Saw wounded fireman and engineer brought in. Lon went to Bellevue (Fairvew) at noon.
Friday June 25
(blank)
In pencil: Saturday July 25
G.W. Ford shot & killed.
And here the diary ends. Naturally I had to know who G.W. Ford was and why he mattered to my great-grandfather. Fortunately it didn't take much work to find out. G. W. Ford was Robert Henry Palmer's boss.
Galveston Daily News 27 July 1891 page 4 (NewspaperArchives.com)
Sad Accident.
The Accidental Discharge of a Gun Kills One Man and Wounds Another.
Henrietta, Tex., July 20–G. W. Ford, the county and district clerk of this county, was accidentally shot and killed late last evening by R.D. Welhorne, who himself received at the same time an ugly flesh would. The particulars of the shooting, as nearly as can be gathered, are about as follows:
Late yesterday evening G.W. Ford and R. D. Welborne, tougher in one buggy, and A.K. Swan and young Walter Swan in another buggy, wen tout some two miles from this city birding. By some accident R.D. Wilborne's gun went off, inflicting an ugly flesh wound in his left arm, which will not prove fatal, and emptying its whole contents in the right side of the face and head of G.W. Ford, blowing off a part of his head. He lived just long enough to be brought to his home. He never spoke after he was shot.
Fort Worth Daily Gazette, Fort Worth, Texas Wednesday 29 July 1891 page 8 (newspapers.com)
Particulars of the Henrietta Affair
Correspondence of the Gazette.
Henrietta, Tex., July 26–A terrible accident happened last evening to two of our most prominent citizens, causing death to one of them in a short time after the accident occurred. last evening just before sundown R.D. Wellborn, a prominent attorney of our city, and G.W. Ford, county and district clerk of Clay county, went on the outskirts of our city for the purpose of having a little sport in shooting plover and other game, and while riding along Mr. Ford accidentally let his gun slip, and the same hitting the wheel, was discharged, hitting Mr. Wellborn in the arm, and the shot also striking Mr. Ford in the face and one side of the head. Mr. Ford falling out of the bugg, Mr. Wellborn, being wounded, came into town as soon as possible and gave the sad news to the public. Parties went out and found Mr. Ford still alive. He was brought into town and medical aid was called in and all was done that could be done, but he expired in an hour after bringing him home. Mr. Wellborn’s wound will not prove serious, he being shot in the arm near the elbow.
Universal sorrow and grief prevails in our city on account of this terrible accident, as Mr. Ford was universally loved and respected in our county and city. he was filling the office of county and district clerk of Clay county, his fourth term. he leaves a young wife and three small children to mourn his loss. He was buried to-day at 4 p.m by the Masonic fraternity, he being a prominent Royal Arch Mason. One of the largest funerals ever held in our city was held on this occassion. No man in North Texas will be missed more than G.W. Ford.
One treasure was made by Bess Palmer Watson. I love it because it's one of the few Christmas ornaments I remember from my childhood. I love it because my grandmother Watson had very little money but managed to make something I think is beautiful from trash. Gold cording is tied around them, then tied together to make a garland.
