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Username: Kathryn Gallien Comments: I read your account of the 309th experience in Simmerath. I've been looking for anything about my uncle, Lawrence Glenn Henderson, Co A, 309th, 78th Division. He was wounded at Simmerath on Dec. 13 and died six days later. If you know of anyone from that company whom I might contact for any memories of Larry, I would be grateful to know of him. All best regards to you and thank you for your service.
Username: Mary Hamm Comments: I will deeply miss reading his accounts of the rough and tumble early days of Southeast Texas. I know my Mom especially enjoyed hearing about the family as only her cousin could.
Username: Victoria Griffin Comments: 1/4/08 Dear Mr. Block, Thank you for your web site. I saw a black panther on Fri., Dec. 28, 2007, @ my father’s home in Montgomery, Texas. He lives on 80 secluded acres and the cat was sitting in the middle of the road on his land @ approx. 9:10 AM. I took 2 photographs, but unfortunately I was too far away for the photo and it was too shady for it to turn out to see it. It was incredibly beautiful and when it moved it reminded me of a leopard. I feel very fortunate to have seen it as I never expected to see one. My father has seen a large bobcat (aprox. 80 lbs.) also on the property. This was no bobcat as it was black and had a long tail. Sincerely, Victoria Griffin
Username: Craig Wilson Comments: I am very sorry to hear of Mr. Block's passing. My condolences to all of his family. As a native of Port Arthur and now living overseas, I have greatly enjoyed Mr. Block's writings about the region's history as it is of interest to me. I still read the website articles from time to time and Mr. Block has been courteous to provide additional info to me via email on occasion. I hope his work will be preserved and promoted for all to experience. Thanks Craig Wilson
Username: David Solmitz Comments: My great grandfather, Fred Sanders, arrived in Galveston, TX? or Mexico? at age 17 with two brothers from Dessau, Germany on February 6, 1856. He married Fannie Rieser originally from Oberdorf, Germany and Louisville, KY in Roma, Texas. He met her at a bar in Sna Antonio where she was a dancer. His first child, Louis, was born in Monterrey, Mexico or Roma, TX on Dec. 8, 1864. My grandmother, Sophie, was born Nov. 9, 1866 in Roma. One of Fred's brothers was murdered in Monterrey, the other went to Peru. Fred died in 1909 in Little Rock, AK. I need to know: How Fred came to the U.S.? Where did he land? Coming from a large, desperately poor family, how did he pay his fare here? Was he an indentured servant? Why did he go to Monterrey, Mexico? If anybody has information or suggestions as how I can gather this information, please let me know. thank you very much, David Solmitz, 20 Johnson Heights, Waterville, ME 04901 tel. (207) 872-2279
Username: Tom Drez Comments: My name is Tom Drez. I hunt in Bogalusa, LA in Washington parish. One of our members had a picture on his game camera at the end of December with two black panthers in it. It is at night and a little hard to see, but there are definitely two in the picture.
Username: Kevin Tucker Comments: Mr. Block will be sorely missed by those of us who enjoy learning about our local history. I particularly appreciated his personal responses to queries I've posed over the years.
Username: Phil Oakley Comments: I enjoyed Mr. Block's memories and I'm sorry that I missed the opportunity to communicate with him. He mentioned that he knew very little about my grandfather, M.W. Oakley, who was in fact a judge (Justice of the Peace). If anyone intends to take over this site or update it, I would be happy to provide the information I have about my family, most of whom had left or would soon leave Nederland after 1935.
Username: Jeremy Choate Comments: Mr. Block, I was wondering if you had any information pertaining to the old "Hardin Estate" case which took place during the 1930's. I believe the court case dealt with claims to Hardin family lands in old Liberty county. I also believe that old Liberty attorney Chap Cain had dealings with the case. The story is, by itself, almost legendary around Liberty, Texas, with innuendos and mysteries abounding. I believe the "Hardin Estate" has long been settled to the satisfaction of the courts and very much to the satisfaction of the heirs; however, I am just looking for more detailed information about the case, or stories surrounding the local happenings. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you,
Username: Jim Ratcliff Comments: W.T. was a true Texas Treasure and and great historian. I will miss reading his e-mails and conversing with him about his stories! My hope is that his site will continue and new stories appear from his readers and the forums will buzz with discussions. God Bless W.T., rest easy.
Username: Carol Holst-Knisley Comments: I am so sorry to hear that he passed away. He was such a sweet man. He helped
me so many times with my family information. He will be greatly missed.
Username: Mary Watts Comments: I have just spent the day reading your web site and it is so interesting.
There is so much information here and I know that quite a lot of time has gone
into the research.
Username: Pamela Vizuete Comments: I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Block's passing. The contributions he made to
historical research are of inestimable value. As a teacher
of fine arts and student of history, may I state that he will be missed
beyond measure.
Username: Ronald Van Zomeren Comments: To all the relatives and friends of William T. Block Jr. My condolences to your family. It was great working with your father on the Elings article. I could read his excitement in his email when he responded to me about knowing the A. J. Elings family. Without his previous articles about Nederland, TX, a part of my wife's family history would have been lost. For this we are grateful to William T. Block. Shirley and Ron Van Zomeren
Username: Susan Savaglio Comments: Upon reading the Jewish history of the Golden Triangle in Texas, it was noted
that Regina Rogers, daughter of Ben and Julie Rogers, name was misspelled.
Username: Pamela Gandy Comments: I am sorry that I did not know Mr. Block. I don't know how, but He was kin to my Granpa, Doyle G. Block from Bridge City. There is so much we could have had in common. I loved to sit and listen to my Grandmaw tell her stories of day's long ago. It would be great if my 13 yr. old son would sit long enough to hear some of these stories that my Mother can tell. Kids now just don't have time, it interferes with their game time. What a shame/waste.
Username: Kieran Devane Comments: I was in a group that spotted a black mountain lion near Hebbronville Texas in the summer of 2004. In 2006 I related this incident to a recent recipient of a Masters degree in Zoology, her specialty being large cats. She explained that here in the US we have a number of non-native species that are abandoned or escape into the wild. These critters will occasionally breed with native breeds. She suggested that what we saw could be the offspring of a native mountain lion with a black leopard that had found its way into Texas with some human help in transportation. There are many examples of these "feral" species like hogs which were deliberately introduced about 200 years ago in the US by wild pig hunters that wanted a tastier carcass. To achieve their goal they set domestic pigs free in areas with wild pig populations. She explained that mountain lions lack the chemicals in their hides required for black, but that mating with other species could easily result in a black mountain lion hybrid. Her most memorable factoid was that there are an estimated 400 tigers wandering around the US wilderness. These are the result of escapes combined with little tiger cubs illegally snuck into the US. At times they are set free by owners when they get bigger and the owners start looking like happy meals to the tigers.
Username: P. R. Kabella Comments: I have enjoyed reading the stories on Mr. Block's website for several years now, and it is with great sadness that I note his passing in late 2007. It is my hope that his heirs will continue the website, because it serves as an invaluable, not to mention highly interesting collection of stories reflecting the history of Southeast Texas.
Username: Sylvia Dickey Smith Comments: Just had to thank you for keeping Bill's work alive on line. He was such a neat gentleman who gave me such encouragement and inspiration! Our world is a better place for having had him in it for so many wonderful years. If I can help you in any way, please ask. I owe it to Cannonball!
Username: Robert Wayne Comments: I truly enjoyed reading the article on the Jayhawkers who infested southwest Louisiana during the War for Southern Independence. I remember my grandfather talking of some of the atrocities committed by the Jayhawkers, who were mostly runaway negroes, Yankee deserters and traitors to the Confederacy. They were put in the same low class as the Yankee carpetbaggers who came here to steal whatever was left after the war was lost.
Username: Mark Comments: I moved here in Texas about 10 years ago and I am an avid hunter. I love the outdoors and wildlife. I could hunt and never see what I am hunting for and still have a great experience. I tell everyone to me its never a wasted day. You see things no one else will see. I grew up in northwest MS and I was hunting. I saw a large woodpecker and would have swore it was a Ivory Bill. I told my biology teacher and he said " Ok Mark are you on drugs"? A couple of years later I received a phone call from that teacher telling me a couple of college students across the river (Mississippi) about 50 miles away from my spotting recorded seeing a pair of them. You never know unless you get out into God's backyard, what is there. Now this is what I am contacting you for. There are PANTHERS here in east Texas. I've seen two, one on a deer lease and one on a oil field road. I got a better look at the one from the road. I came around a curve and there it was. Black as night and a tail as long as its body, with one leap it cleared the road and then some, I'd say a good 16 foot. You may think I'm crazy but I saw it and it was beautiful. I called a game warden and he told me that I was not the only one to see it.
Username: William Domingue Comments: As a great, great, great grandson of the first Stark to enter the lumber business with Mr. Moore the essay by Mr. Block was very informative and accurate. I have done extensive research and find his to be like a girls skirt. Long enough to cover everything but short enough to keep it interesting. I thank him for his hard work in research. Not a quality that is found often in many modern writers.
Username: mary Comments: I was in East Texas this past Wednesday in the town of Lovelady. I walked out the back door Wednesday morning to see a black panther walking across the backyard. His coat was very shiny jet black. He paused for a moment and looked at me before creeping back into the woods that was adjacent to the property. He was INCREDIBLE!!
Username: Roy F. Comments: Black mountain lions are alive and well in West Virginia. Mountain lion numbers are increasing, but native black ones are in decline. I've lived in the mountains of WV 32 years. I personally have had encounters with them. The last black one I saw was about 15 yrs back. I've seen several brown ones since. It seems like we quit seeing the black ones when we started seeing the brown ones.
Username: Jason C. Lockhart, Sr. Comments: I enjoyed reading about Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Arthur. I was a student there at the school during my education for grades 5, 6, and 7. It is good to know that a site such as this exists to preserve some of our history as a great many of the native born of The Golden Triangle were forced to flee in the late 70s and early 80s in order to find employment. I was also extremely surprised to see credit for the story on the First Baptist Church in Nederland be given to my step-mother! Since my father's passing, I have only spoken to her once or twice. If by chance you should come into contact with her, she may have any contact information about me that you wish to share. We are still on good terms, I just do not travel "back home" anymore since both of my biological parents are dead. Thanks again for this site. Please keep it online for as long as you are able. I would love to share what knowledge I have with you if there is ever a need. But, in all honesty, what I happen to know is not unique and therefore is probably of little or no value to you. You are still welcome to ask of me if you want. Sincerely,
Username: Jason C. Lockhart, Sr. Comments: I would like to have an answer to something that I read in your Nederland
section that does not quite jibe as I remember it: In light of this part of history that I witnessed and lived, I find it hard to buy into the last sentence quoted from your pages above that stated the dairy disintegrated quickly unless you are speaking of some other building on the property and not the company itself. I assure you that the business was alive and well through the 1960s and into the 1970s when it finally closed. The business continued to raise milk cows on the land near LaBelle until at least 1978 or 1979 because I would frequently drive past there alone and I did not have a drivers license until 1976.
Username: SK Shields Comments: My great-grandfather, DANIEL WAGNER, was a Union soldier, in the 21st Iowa Volunteers, Co E from Dubuque, Iowa who married JOHANNA STIERN (Stern,Sterne,Sturn)in Indianola, Texas. They were married by a Union Chaplain in 1865.Daniel may have been one of the 2,000 soldiers that returned to Galveston after the war on June 18th. Johanna's family came from Germany to Texas in 1846. She was 2 years old. It was reported by family that her father Henry was in the shipping business from New Orleans and had a plantation near Galveston. Johanna's wedding dress was paid for with over $1,000 in Confederate dollars. She was well educated but spoke only German in her home where my mother grew up.
Username: Maga Uwa Comments: OMO I DEY HERE I LOVE YOU LIKE MY OWN BROTHER SO DO NOT DO ME BAD WE ARE ONE FAMILY OK I read your account of the 309th experience in Simmerath. I've been looking for anything about my uncle, Lawrence Glenn Henderson, Co A, 309th, 78th Division. He was wounded at Simmerath on Dec. 13 and died six days later. If you know of anyone from that company whom I might contact for any memories of Larry, I would be grateful to know of him.
Username: Don Evans Comments: I would like to contact you regarding your permission to publish "The Story of our Texas German Pilgrims: Or Death March to Comal County" in the Journal of the Genealogical Society of Kendall County, TX. Here in Boerne, we have a large number of German families and many new arrivals. I think it is important to let them read this outstanding article of the ancestors who came to Texas for a better life. Don Evans, 117 Hummingbird Hill Dr, Boerne, TX 78006. (830 ) 537-5004. Thank you.
Username: Tammy Carr Comments: I am so sorry your father has passed away. He surely will be missed!! I was coming to the site to e-mail him with questions and was hit with the sadness of his passing. I am the Historian at Langham Elementary PTA; and I am in the process of up dating the history book for Langham. I would like to use some of the information your dad has in his article about the early education on Nederland, especially the parts about Langham. Also Langham has some old documents dealing with PTA such as the first minutes from a meeting (1948) if you should ever need them. Yet, I could not find any history about the school.
Username: Frank Rudd Comments: I was on ebay and something caught my eye (I'm not the one selling it) that I thought you might be interested in. There is a Bible that belonged to a confederate soldier named George Hughes in O'Brien's La. Irish Militia. It wouldn't mean much but as a collector's item to anybody not already having a connection. Good luck. As of right now it's only got about 2 and a half hours left to bid, and is around $10.
Username: John A. Lutz Comments: We were greatly surprised to learn of "Cannonball's" death on this Sunday
Morning of April 13th.
Username: J L McCall Comments: I am trying to write a proper obituary for my father, who died 7 Sept 2007. I didn't know Mr. Block, except through search results. I am grateful to him for the genealogical information he compiled. I am a descendant of Harriet Ann Sweeney and William Harrison McCall. Thank you for posting this info online.
Username: Dennis Mathisen Comments: I am very interested in your reports of big cats in the 'Big Thicket' area of East Texas. My wife and I now have her parents property near the Alabama-Coushatta reservation between Livingston and Woodville. There have been reports of a large cat everyone is calling a black panther in the area. I now read were this may be impossible. However, I walked out of the house two weeks ago and saw what I thought was a very large 'dark'cat with a long tail. After returning to Houston tonight, a neighbor there called to report that they were cutting across my property and spotted a large cat. We believe these cats are living in adjacent underbrush with thick trees. Is this possible?
Username: Ronnie Humphries Comments: Well, hate I missed Mr. Block. He evidently was a very interesting guy. Read the article about the Black panthers. There is no species of black panther in Texas. I would suspect that it is a Jaguarundi, although the melanistic form of the Jaguar is a possibility, although it is endangered. Of course the Ocelot has melanistic forms, but it is very rare. Hard to solve mysteries like this without any evidence. Eyewitness accounts are just not very reliable.
Username: Margaret Evans Comments: I am a descendant of William Manor Sanders. I am looking for his siblings children. The names of siblings were Fred, Robert, Richard, Byrd Ellis, Betsy and Sarah. They were from Waller County-Hempstead, Texas
Username: Donna Bass Comments: I am a descendent of Natchitoches and Vernon Parishes. I am employed by the US Forest Service and oversee the Old Fullerton Mill Pond, at Cravens, Louisiana right outside Leesville. We are trying to get together information for an annual reunion set at Fullerton for June 1. Any information or photos would be appreciated. Thanks for the site - it is so interesting and the links to others also. I am planning to take my Aunt for the reunion. She is the only living member of my Mother's family that was raised at Fullerton and Little Cypress CCC camp area.
Username: Kristin Comments: My family owns 10 acres in central Florida, near Ocala, but closer to the Gulf coast and there is a black panther on their property, I have seen it in daylight along with many other people. The panther travels between their property and the neighboring 10 acres along with the 180 acre tree farm.
Username: Genoyce Hewett Comments: I am the graqnd daughter of Lucie Flava Block and am trying to research the Block side and am having a hard time. Any help would be appreciated.
Username: David Swafford Comments: Dear Block Family or Administrator, I'm just another fan of the late W.T.'s writings. My condolences to all of
you on his passing. In 2004, I bought a copy of "Cotton Bales, Keelboats, and
Sternwheelers." Is there a way I can order a copy (even photocopied)
of "Frontier Tales of The Texas-Louisiana Borderlands"??? Sincerely,
Username: K.J Schroeder Comments: While research hardwood flooring, I came across an article by W.T. Block on a sawmill. I am an archaeologist working on the historic Women's Club in Peoria, Arizona. We have several pieces of tounge in groove 'Royal Oak' flooring, 2 1/8" wide x 5/8" thick, that I am trying to source and I was hoping you might be of assistance. The Women's Club was built in 1918. The alphanumeric backstamp data include "ROYAL OAK"; "LONG B ..."; "...RADLEY BRAND"; "... OEMA - USA - 11- A -11"; "... OEMA - USA - 11- B -11";"A - 11 - SHREVEPORT LA"; "... G BELL KANSAS..."; and "FORKED LEAF". If any of these backstamps have meaning or significance to you, please let me know at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your assistance! KJ Schroeder, Principal Investigator
Username: Teri Clark Comments: While going through family memories we have come across a personal account of
the Galveston flood written by L.P. Featherstone's son, L.L. Featherstone. It is
interesting to see the memories correspond with your account. I am L.L.
Featherstone's great-grand daughter and am working on organizing family
memorabilia with my aunt, L.L. Featherstone's grand-daughter.
Username: cathy gould Comments: I came across your article concerning chinaberry trees. I just wanted to let you know that I have close to a hundred seedlings that I have been selling here in Lake Charles. They seem to be popular with the older generations that remember them as children.
Username: randy Credeur Comments: i am the grt grt grt grandson of col nathaniel clifton grt grt nephew of nathan clifton nathaniels son and grt grt grandson of bennet ellender nayhaniels son n law. he was captured battle of widerness. i have family pics and medals from same i wish i had met mr block-randall j. credeur
Username: Randy Credeur Comments: col nathaniel clifton was not parolled by farragut. in fact he died in st louis hospital number 10 in new orleans. la from wounds received during capture. he was 48. i have his death certificate signed by a.m. barbe of france. he is burried under canal st in new orleans. randall credeur
Username: Ada Oakley McElhenney Comments: I am the granddaughter of MW Oakley. I lived with my grandparents at the Oakley Hotel 1933-1937. Since Mr. Oakley was a notable person in the civic life of Nederland while he lived there, you might like a biographical sketch of his history that would be an addition to your bios. I could send you what I know, which is pretty complete. I am now 75 years old but my memories of Nederland are vivid and might be interesting to historians of the area.
Username: Kerry Comments: I am so sad to see the passing of Mr. Block. He will be sorely missed.
Username: vickey bordeaux Comments: A great writer will be missed. I enjoy all Mr. Blocks writing, especially
those about early Port Neches as my mother Bessie Roy was from
there. Mr. Block actually knew Mr. Andrew Roy (my
mothers dad) and other siblings.
Username: Kristine Codling Comments: While doing genealogy on the Owings family, I came across your article about
Thomas Deye Owings. I have been creating memorials for my family on find a
grave.com and I would like your permission to use some of Mr. Block's article
and picture's on Thomas Deye Owings.
Username: John Becton Comments: I am extremely saddened to hear of Mr. Block's passing. I am an amateur historian myself and I thoroughly enjoy his articles. His wit and accuracy will be missed. Please keep the site running as long as possible, I still read the articles and documents from time to time.
Username: Melody Langston Comments: September 24, 2008 a black panther was saw on hwy 107, Mansura, LA alive and well standing beside my uncles mailbox next door to me. We have recently went through two hurricanes, in Avoyelles Parish, Gustav and Ivan therefore I am wondering if they have flushed him out so near to houses to look for food. It definitely was a black panther, and it was very beautiful. I watched it directly straight on for over 10 minutes perching and staring at me. I drove next door and ran into my house and called my Uncle to tell him the cat was out there because of the cattle he owns and has had come up missing.
Username: Patrick Medola Comments: I'm writing in response to an Internet article you had written on black cats. I live in the Kendall, Comal County area not to far from the Guadalupe River. Back in 1987 while clearing landscape, my daughter and I who was only 4yrs. old at the time saw what we thought was a black goat with a little white on the underneath side of his neck, so we headed toward it so my daughter could see and maybe pet the goat (across the road no fences). As we headed toward it (about 75 yards) this animal jump about 6 or 7 feet and took a couple of swipes at a mockingbird that was perched on a cedar tree, but missed. Upon landing, it turned and saw us and ran in the opposite direction. To me it looked like a Black Panther and it was definitely deep black in color. Nobody could tell me what it was, but lots of theories !!! A few years ago on the news somebody video taped a small black cat playing in their backyard (within Boerne city limits), to large to be a domestic cat, but not near the size of the one we had seen. Now a couple of weeks ago at FM3351 at the Guadalupe River bridge I was talking to a man there. I was telling him about some people I had just seen there wearing white paper looking overalls and he told me they were cave explorers and that they better be careful because there was panthers that live in those caves. He was also telling me that when these cats scream it sounds just like a woman screaming. The area that he spotted them was between FM 3351 and Guadalupe State Park on the Guadalupe River (several miles of river between these to points) not far from where I live 5 miles or so. If you know or have any information please reply. Thanks,
Username: John Johnson Comments: I am truly happy to see this site still available. I refer to it from time to time when researching or when I just want to read the real deal about some of the old places I remember...or the ones my family told stories about.
Username: JJ Hughes Comments: I wanted to say I have seen a black panther near Hooks, Texas, where I grew up. It stood about three ft tall, and had a very long tail. the cat was extremely skinny, ribs showing. I have a friend who saw it too. We saw it at night, stalking a deer. I did not think much about it, my hounds ran many panthers in the bottoms. I wish I would have tracked it and somehow tried to trap it.
Username: Gavin Comments: There is a town in Louisiana called Morgan City located on an island.
Username: Betty Bishop Comments: I have a few oil stock's left to me by my Grandfather. The one I am interested in is a lease. It is from P. R. Harris Offset Lease Interest Contract. It is for 100 acres in Nacogdoches County, Texas. If anyone can tell me anything about this document or where I might look to find if it has any value that would be so appreciated. Thank You. B. Bishop
Username: Judy Rutherford Comments: I would like a copy of the publication with all the pictures in it. How do I
purchase one?
Username: Debra Miller Harrington Comments: I have read the article on Nederland, Texas and
wished to thank Mr. block for such a wonderful stroll down memory lane.
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