Rebecca Isabella "Bell" McLemore

Notes:

Rosa's papers have Bell's husband as John Sheppard, a prosperous farmer in Bastrop County, both died in Houston, both buried in Smithville. Parents of 3 children.

The following letter was written to Rebecca Isabella (McLemore) Shepard shortly after the Christmas Eve & Christmas Day 1883 murders of her brothers, Thad and Wright McLemore, along with Felix McLemore's brothers-in-laws Az & Jack Batey, it is thought that Addie (Nancy Adaline) McLemore wrote this letter; it is also possible it was written by Amanda (McLemore) Ebner.

Austin Feb. 15 1884

Dear Isabelle,

I am a long time in writing but there has been nothing to write, and I want to see you so bad that writing seems like a farce. I wanted to see you so all before I left but knew it would do me no good. I don't like to say good-bye and I felt in leaving then I was leaving the best friends I had on earth.

Thought my mind would be in a better condition to contend with and have come to the conclusion that the shadow will never be lifted from my life. Well Isabell we are all here together yet. Mollie was intending to go on to Maggie's but Felix was in town when we got here and he said it would never do for her to keep on them, as she would be watched. Henry Green and Ty Jones came up on same train as we did, and next day Jhon (sic) Allen came up. There is no telling what Allen wanted . He acted in a suspicious manner. We saw Felix a day or two ago. He was intending to go down home, but was advised not to. I know that something is on the list regarding him, and know his life would not be worth much if he was down there. He is staying out with Marion Oliver now. He spoke about visiting to have you come up here to see him, and I wish you would. It would be better than for him to go down there.
We have had a fearful time ever since we been up here. It has been raining and misting all the while. The town is dull and gloomy and nothing doing. We have had no work yet but everybody says after a while times will be better. I guess they will, if not I will back away from this region. I will go slap crazy if I don't get something to do pretty soon.
I wish I could see you and the children. Don't let them forget me. I know baby will but the others may not. God knows when we will meet again or how we will all come out. If I had known what I know now, I would of never have left there or would of never stopped here . I only stopped here to be nearer to you all , thought from the way things were represented I could get plenty of work here and may after a while, but I will have to live on in the mean time. I want you all to write to me soon. This letter is to Grandmother and all. Give my love to Blanche and tell her to write.

My best love to you all,

Your aff' sister
A??? McLemore

Transcribed from photo copy from files of Jimmy R. Mclemore of Denver, Colorado by Melba Gene McLemore on 13 January 2003

(Research):
Census Information:

1880 Census
John E. SHAKURD Self M M W 30 Mo Farmer In Miss
Rebecca SHAKHURD Wife M F W 29 Tx Keeping House KY MS
Vanettis E. SHAKHURD Dau S F W 3 Tx Ms Tx
Nettie Lila SHAKHURD Dau S F W 1 month -- -- --
Guadalupe Valley, Guadalupe, Texas
FHL Film # 1255308 NA Film # T9-1308
Page Number 289D

1900 Census
Texas, Bastrop, JP 2
Roll T623 1609 Page 36B
John H Shepard Hd 50 Aug 1849 Miss W Farmer
Rebecca J Shepard Wf 3/3 49 Mar 1850 La
Samuel O Shepard Son 15 Sept 1885 Tx

Rebecca married John E. Shepard on 25 Feb 1872 in Bastrop County, Texas. John was born in Aug 1849; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):Census Information

1900 Census
Texas, Bastrop County, JP 2, ED 4
Enumerated 9 June 1900
SD 40, ED 4, Sheet 12B
236-245
Thomas, M. Hd W M Feb 1873 27 M 5 Tx Miss Tx Fireman Stationary Engineer
Thomas, Eugenia Wf W F Nov 1876 23 M 5 2/2 Tx Miss La
Thomas, Winnie Dtr W F May 1895 5 S Tx Tx Tx
Thomas, Leona Son W M Nov 1897 s S Tx Tx Tx
Duty, Woodie Stepbrother W M APr 1879 21 S Tx Tx Tx Fireman Stationary Engineer

1910 Census
Texas, Bastrop County, Smithville, ED 3
Enumerated 19 Apr 1910
SD 10, ED 3, Sheet 4A
81-81
Thomas, Melvin V Hd W W 36 M117 Tx Miss Tx Engineer Steam Engine
Thomas, Eugenia V Wf F W 32 M 17 5/3 Tx Miss La
Thomas, Winnie Davis Dtr F W 14 S Tx Tx Tx
Thomas, Leora Dtr F W 12 S Tx Tx Tx
Thomas, Dillie Dtr F W 9 S Tx Tx Tx

1920 Census
Texas, Harris, Houston, Ward 7 (part of)
Enumerated 3 Jan 1920 By Fannie Mae Miller
SD 5, ED 103, Sheet 3B
Ashland Street, 1231
#64-71
Garwood, Charles W Hd M W 24 M Tx England Tx Huskster Veg Wagon Owner
Garwood, Tillie Wf F W 19 M Tx Tx Tx
Garwood, Charles Son M W 9/12 S Tx Tx Tx
Thomas, Eugenia Mother-in-law F W 45 Wd Tx Miss La
Bryan, Charles M Nephew W 4 1/12 S Tx Tx Tx

Eugenia married Melvin V. Thomas about 1895. Melvin was born in Feb 1873 in Texas; died before 1920. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Melba Gene McLemore shows that he married first a woman named Minnie, and second Sallie Marie CASAREZ. The following census listings are assumed to be for him.

(Research):
Census Information:

1910 Census
Texas, Harris County, Houston Heights Ward 1, ED 43
Enumerated 22 April 1910 by J. Bauer
SD 8 ED 43 Ward #1 Sheet 12 A
#821-219-232
Shepard S.K. Hd M W 24 M1 Tx US US Carpenter Home
Shepard, M. Wife F W 21 M2 1/1 La Tx Tx
Shepard, L. Son M W 4 S La Tx TX

1920 Census
Texas, Harris County, Houston Ward 1

(THE FAMILY BELOW WAS INDEXED AS FOLLOWED, BUT I WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE ACTUAL IMAGE, ON THE ANCESTRY.COM MICROFILM)

Sam K Shepard 34 TX Hd
Minnie A. Shepard 28 TX Wife
John W. Shepard 13 La Son
G. Elliott Shepard 9 Tx Son
Wilma Shepard 7 Tx Dtr
Jack Shepard 3 4/12 Tx Son
De Victor Shepard 6/12 Tx Son

Notes:

Melba Gene McLemore shows her as marrying Leonard SAUNDERS.

Tillie married Charles W Garwood before 1919. Charles was born about 1896 in Texas; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]