Couple Lived in Palo Duro Community
Jesse Edward "Ed" Wells was born December 16, 1884. His father died when he was four. His mother died two years later. He was shuttled among relatives, but finally came to live with an uncle and aunt, Dorie and Carrie McElroy in Vernon, Texas.
One of Ed's memories was a story told of his parent's life when they lived in Indian Territory. According to a story in Moore Sunrises... Sunsets, "In an attack by a hostile Indian tribe, two of their children were captured and taken hostage. The men tracked the Indians to their camp site and negotiated for the return of two small children. Two of the family's best horses became the ransom price for the children. After a week of enforced life among the Indians, they were returned to their parents. Because the little girl cried for her mother, the Indians had spilt her lips, otherwise they were unharmed. The older child told of horse meat being their only food during the days as hostages."
One of Ed's memories was a story told of his parent's life when they lived in Indian Territory. According to a story in Moore Sunrises... Sunsets, "In an attack by a hostile Indian tribe, two of their children were captured and taken hostage. The men tracked the Indians to their camp site and negotiated for the return of two small children. Two of the family's best horses became the ransom price for the children. After a week of enforced life among the Indians, they were returned to their parents. Because the little girl cried for her mother, the Indians had spilt her lips, otherwise they were unharmed. The older child told of horse meat being their only food during the days as hostages."
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James Walker and W. J. Morton moved from Oklahoma in 1902, coming in covered wagons, bringing their families, their belongings and their cattle to land on the eastern edge of Moore County.
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"The Palo Duro School was the community center. We went horseback riding, to parties, and singings and every so often, a preacher would come by and hold services at the school." |
Young Bessie Walker was one of the five Walker children. She was born October 28, 1889, in Oklahoma. She was thirteen years old when the family made the month-long trip from Oklahoma to the Palo Duro Community in eastern Moore County. She remembered the horse-drawn surrey in which they family rode. The caravan consisted of covered wagons loaded with household goods, followed by farm animals. The men and boys drove a herd of about five hundred cattle.
Bessie and the other children attended the Palo Duro School. In the history book, 100 Moore Years, the beginning of the school is told, "John D. Bennett, a community religious leader and school trustee promoted the first Palo Duro school in 1901. For a schoolhouse, an old drugstore building was moved from what was later known as the J. A. Donaldson place about a mile north. Miss Rebecca Ansley was the first teacher. She began each day with a prayer and Bible readings. School was held at this location until 1907."
Bessie and the other children attended the Palo Duro School. In the history book, 100 Moore Years, the beginning of the school is told, "John D. Bennett, a community religious leader and school trustee promoted the first Palo Duro school in 1901. For a schoolhouse, an old drugstore building was moved from what was later known as the J. A. Donaldson place about a mile north. Miss Rebecca Ansley was the first teacher. She began each day with a prayer and Bible readings. School was held at this location until 1907."
Palo Duro School, 1900's
Ed and Bessie were married January 12, 1908, and made their home in the Palo Duro Community. Ed worked as a cowboy, eventually acquiring land of his own to start a ranch. The couple had to travel 22 miles to Dumas to get supplies. The nearest railroad for shipping cattle was at Texhoma.
The Wells were parents of five children, Bertie, Iris, Gaston, Leota, and Lillian.
In an interview in the June 11, 1981, edition of The Moore County News-Press, Bessie remembered "the Palo Duro School was the community center. We went horseback riding to parties and singings and every so often, a preacher would come by and hold services at the school."
The Wells were parents of five children, Bertie, Iris, Gaston, Leota, and Lillian.
In an interview in the June 11, 1981, edition of The Moore County News-Press, Bessie remembered "the Palo Duro School was the community center. We went horseback riding to parties and singings and every so often, a preacher would come by and hold services at the school."
A community Christmas tree was always put up at the school. According to Bessie, "It was usually a salt cedar that was cut on the creek, would be up in the schoolhouse and children would decorate it."
Palo Duro was a close neighborly community, she remembered. "We slaughtered a beef and everyone would share it because we couldn't keep it too long."
Ed died in August of 1941 and Bessie moved to Dumas, living in an apartment for a time, then with her daughter Leota.
She was named Noons Lions Club Dogie Days Old Timer of the Year in 1981. She was a charter member of First Christian Church and was a member of the Palo Duro Home Demonstration Club.
At the time of her death in December of 1981 at the age of 92, she had lived in the county 79 years.
Palo Duro was a close neighborly community, she remembered. "We slaughtered a beef and everyone would share it because we couldn't keep it too long."
Ed died in August of 1941 and Bessie moved to Dumas, living in an apartment for a time, then with her daughter Leota.
She was named Noons Lions Club Dogie Days Old Timer of the Year in 1981. She was a charter member of First Christian Church and was a member of the Palo Duro Home Demonstration Club.
At the time of her death in December of 1981 at the age of 92, she had lived in the county 79 years.