Texas Bob Travels

Life in the Glass Mountains of Texas

<< Previous - Table of Contents - Next >>

Retreating from our Retreat

Because of the lack of schools and neighbors Father and Mother- began to talk of leaving our haven and moving back to the old world. It was not long before a trade was transacted where-by Harmon and Jackson became the owners of our ranch.

This going was not easy. It was hard to decide what should be left and what taken. We sold some of the stock but part was shipped to another ranch near Lampasas, Texas. Sulvestia, our faithful Mexican and his family wanted to go but his health prevented. He had asthma and had come to the higher climate. Our stock and furniture were shipped from Hovey, Texas [10], which was twelve miles from our ranch. When Max, my three year old brother, realized that we were selling our ranch, he refused to go. He said that he hadn't sold his section of land to Harmon and Jackson. But all good things had to come to an end, and late in the year of 1916 we climbed. aboard the train in Hovey, Texas, and left our fairy world … for other wanderers to espy.

Many years have slipped between the time of our dwelling there and this frail attempt to retell our story. It was my great pleasure to visit our old home a few years ago and find that very few had trespassed upon the land or disturbed our dreams since our departure. But why should we want to keep it as something sacred, like faded flowers pressed between the pages of a book?

My heart beats a little faster when I see the developments that are being made in the State Park in the Chisos Mountains. Roads are being paved from Marathon to the park and many cottages are already built. Now the sweet nectar--which we sipped--will be shared with others, if only for short visits. On the other side of Alpine one may travel a good road to the Davis Mountains and view the largest observatory in the South.

Many of the ranches in that section are being greatly improved. Joe Parker piped water from Hovey, Texas, to his ranch some twenty miles away, with the aid of booster mills and at a cost of $20,000. Modern homes are being built. Roads are being improved so that cars can go to almost any ranch. Private electric plants serve many ranches. Thus our fairy world is being extended to other seekers of life, beauty, and joy. May none heedlessly lay waste the land that God has so richly endowed.


I love those hills that fold me in

And bid me come to stay,

That welcome me on my return

When I have been away.

Those somber hills, those sun kissed hills--

With secrets of the past,

Where Indians fought and white men died--

Know peace and quiet at last.

I love those hills, those stable hills,

The same throughout the years,

Could I but pattern after them

My life would void all fears.

Footnotes:

[10] Glenn Justice, "HOVEY, TX," Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hvhad), accessed August 18, 2012. Published by the Texas State Historical Association


Don't mess with living Texans

It is not the intention of this site to release personal information regarding those still living. If you see someone on this site that is still living, please contact me and I will remove the information. Texas Bob