Jim Hodges
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Posts posted by Jim Hodges
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I was going to ask that question...you beat me to it..thanks!
Well, I hope you will all join me in wishing my grandfather, "Happy Birthday"!! Today was his birthday...born in 1884, and passed away in 1966. I talked to my Father today also, so here's some more info :
Did you note in the Houston Press article the accent on the gov's trip as a secret mission. Who better than the Tyler of Reagan Lodge to keep a secret ?
Also, same article, " Railroad Officials barred everyone but the doctor and the Justice of the Peace from the train". Note the word, " Barred". I will go to my grave knowing that my Grandfather, "Barred" them from the train, and the old Colt .45 blast was the real attention getter. My Grandfather always said, "By grab! " whenever he was ready to fight. Got that phrase from WW I. He wasn't a man to fool with, and that would not be the first time he pulled that gun in defense of someone else.
My Father stated that he also remembered my Grandfather talking about A.C. Martindale being there - man, he was every where in the city. He drove a big car with several big antennaes, and lots of guns in it. **Sidebar : My Father stated that A.C. Martindale hung out with Houston oil man, "Silver Dollar" Jim West. West used to ride with Martindale with several of his guns on, and while showing off a new pistol, accidentally shot Martindale in the foot !
The old Southern Pacific Hopsital was a good find. My Uncle was in there ( Switchman for S.P.), and we went to visit him several times. reminded me of the old Jeff Davis Hospital, and I didn't like it much for that reason.
My Father stated that LLoyd Barrett was not related to us, however he was, as most all in this story, a member of the Masonic Lodge, namely Reagan Lodge. He lived on 16th Street right across the street from "Pop" Sewell's Grocery Store.
Frank Murray, Mason, Reagan Lodge. His son played in the Reagan High School Band with my sisters ( Hieghts High will shine tonight, Hieghts High will shine...sorry, I got swept away in the fight song! ).
Ray Duvall Funeral Home was right next to J.B. Marmion's Sinclair Service Station, 19th & Yale. If his funeral home wasn't there yet, he was at the scene for some reason, maybe to pay his respects.
My Father corrected me on the spelling of Babe's name, it was actually spelled, "Seres", but pronounced, "Sears". He was the, "Bumper Morgan" of the Hieghts, and he used to give me nickels to play the table juke box at Sammy's Cafe on 19th Street. Carried a beautiful Colt Government .45 auto, with silver hand carved grips. Also a Mason, Reagan Lodge.
My Grandfather would be 125 years old today. I still miss my," Brother I never had", 43 years later, it still seems as yesterday I was rolling Bull Durham for him with one hand to show off. Anything for his very special love, and attention to a young man struggling his best to measure up.
I couldn't make it to the bank today, but I'll try tomorrow, and post the photos of my Grandfather's pistol for those interested.
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I figured the Houston newspapers would have the most thorough coverage since Govenor Jester's death was discoverd here. I went to look at the articles from that day and the next. One of the articles actually mentions L.M. Barrett so I can verify that he was indeed on that train. The funeral home was the Houston Funeral Home. I don't think the Ray Duval Funeral home existed yet in 1949. No mention in any of the articles of C.V "Buster" Kern. There was one photo of "large crowds" of friends of the Governor and reporters in the Southern Pacific Station, but they appeared to be clustered in groups and milling about talking. Here is the most pertinent Chronicle article from July 11, 1949. The day the Governor died.
Hello Isuredid, I suppose you ( Sure )did... do your homework on this story, that is. I can't thank you enough for your effort here to bring some facts to the table. I believe the last time I heard this story was in 1962...whew ! Time does fly. I'm going to the bank, and get the gun from the safety deposit box, and post the photo here for anyone interested to see. I'm also going to call my Father tomorrow, and check the names listed in the article. I'll post his comments as well. Your post sure brought a flood of memories back, with all the names - especially about Mayor Holcombe - what a great man. I'll post the other information in a day or two. Thank you again, for caring about history, and more importantly, trying to get the story right.
Porter Discovers Governor Dead in Pullman Berth
Maes Says He Believes Executive Died About 3 a.m.;
Shriver Gets Word on Farm Near Woodville
Beauford Halbert Jester, who had been governor
of the State of Texas since Janurary, 1947 died of
an apparent heart attack early Monday morning in his
berth aboard a Southern Pacific train en route to
Houston.
An Inquest verdict of death due to natural causes
was returned by Justice Tom Maes, who with Southern
Pacific Hospital doctors conducted the medical
investigation.
Justice Maes placed the time of death at about 3 or 4
a.m. Mondy while the governor slept in his berth.
Governor Jester was lying on his back when his body was
discovered, and death apparaently came peacefully.
His hands were folded across his stomach, police said.
The governor was dressed in pajamas.
He was the first Texas governor to die while in office.
While two state highway patrolmen formed an honor guard over the governor's body in the Houston Funeral Home, funeral
arrangements were being drawn up in Austin.
With the governor's death, Lieutenant Governor Allan Shrivers immediately assumed the state's top executive position.
Shrivers received word of the governor's death while on his farm near Woodville.
The body of the 56-year-old governor was discovered by Charlie Jimmerson of 1202 Ruthven, negro porter in Governor Jester's
Pullman. Jimmerson had gone to awaken him about 7:30 a.m.
First word of the governor's death was received when railroad officials at the station telephoned Homicide Lt. W.P. Brown
of the Houston police department about 7:55 a.m. Monday.
The lieutenant immediately dispatched three homicide detectives, Lloyd Barrett, L.L. Watts, and Frank Murray, to the station to begin
an investigation.
The governor occupied a lower berth on the Pullman "Berkley", part of the Southern Pacific night train from Austin.
The train left there at 11:30 p.m. Sunday and arrived here at 5:15 a.m. Monday.
Travelling alone, the governor was en route to Houston where he was to be met by state highway patrolmen who were to escort him to
Galveston friends said.
He had planned to remain in Galveston for a few days to rest up and fish. The governor decided on the short vacation because of a
"strenuous legistative session" the friends added.
According to the porter, Governor Jester boarded the train about 11:15 p.m Sunday in Austin, and began to retire for the night about five minutes later.
The porter summoned the train conductor, C.D. Pierce of 451 Dubarry Lane, after efforts to awaken the governor at 7:30 a.m. failed.
Jimerson pointed out that the governor had left a call for 7:30 a.m. When the effors of the conductor and the porter failed to awaken Governor Jester,
State Highway Patrolman W.B. Hawkins, who had been waiting at the station since 7:05 a.m. to pick the governor up, was summoned.
The patrolman went into the berth and called to the governor, at the same time shaking the mattress to try and rouse him.Governor, Governor, this is
Hawkins. Don't you know me? the patrolman called.
Hawkins, when the governor did not respond to the call, pushed open Governor Jester's eyelids, then said:
"The governor is dead."
C.M. Blackburn of 2612 Greenleaf, the station master notified the Houston police department of the governor's death.
The Austin Train comes into the station on Track 1 and remains there about 15 minutes before it is shunted to Track 2. There the train stays until the
Pullmans are cleared.
However, when the governor's death was discovered the rest of the train was pulled away and the governor's Pullman remained on Track 2.
Justice Maes, after an examination of the body with Dr. H.L. Evans, a surgeon on the staff of the Southern Pacific Hospital here, expressed belief that
the governor, at about 8:19 a.m. had been dead about "four or five hours"
The doctor, who prounounced the governor dead at 8:18 a.m., refused to talk to reporters about the possible cause is believed to be coronary occlusion.
Robert W. Henderson, who served as the governor's campaign manager in Harris County, contacted Mrs. Jester in Austin to make funeral arrangements.
Mrs. Jester instructed Henderson to tell the funeral home attendants to embalm her husband's body and hold it at the funeral home pending further disposition.
"Don't let anyone see the body" she told Henderson to tell the attendants.
"I don't know why Governor Jester came to Houston" Henderson told reporters. "I knew nothing of his plans or of any illness from which he might be suffering."
Mayor Oscar Holcombe, who was called to the station by E.A. Craft, executive vice-president of the Southern Pacific Lines in Texas and Louisiana. arrived at
the depot after the body had been removed from the Pullman berth.
Mr. Craft had been a passenger in the Pullman but left the train before learning about the Governor Jester's death.
This is from the Houston Post on July 12, 1949. This is just a portion of this article:
The last man to see Governor Jester alive was Pullman Porter Charlie Jimmerson, 66, of 1202 Ruthvan, the porter on
duty in the Pullman which the governor boarded at 11:15 PM Sunday night.
The governor was alone. Jimmerson took the governor's bags while the governor went back to the station and exchanged
his reservation slip.
Jimmerson last saw Governor Jester at 11:25 PM when the governor was sitting on the edge of Lower 5 taking off his shoes.
Governor Jester instructed Jimmerson to call him at 7:30 AM. The train pulled into the Southern Pacific station here
at 5:15 AM.
A state highway patrolman, W.B. Hawkins of 7330 Dixie Drive, who was instructed by Capt. Glenn Rose to meet the governor
at 7:30 AM, came in the car about 7 AM and checked with the conductor. C.D. Pierce of 4515 Dewberry Lane. At 7:30 AM
sharp Porter Jimmerson shook the curtains of Lower 5 several times then called to the governor. Getting no response
Jimmerson called Conductor Pierce and Patrolman Hawkins.
Patrolman Hawkins parted the curtains and called to the governor a number of times. Then he shook him and found that
the governor's body was cold. A Pullman employee. L.M. Barrett, went to call the police and met Homicide Detective
L.L. Watts, who was at the station to meet a friend. Detective Watts went immediately to the governor's berth, verified
the fact that the governor was dead, and telephoned Homicide Lieutenant W.P. Brown, his superior. Lieutenant Brown
assigned Detectives Frank Murray, J.G. Irwin, and Lloyd Barrett to the case.
A physician, Dr. Howard L. Evans of 302 Hermann Professional Building was called. He pronounced Governor Jester dead
at 8:18 AM. Doctor Evans said Governor Jester had been dead at least four hours, which would place his death at about
3:30 AM.
Detectives Murray and Irwin stripped the governor's body, under the supervision of Justice of the Peace Thomans M. Maes,
and examined it thoroughly. There were absolutely no marks of violence, and the unrumpled condition of the berth indicated
the governor died peacefully in his sleep. The body in pajamas was on its back the hands folded over the stomach. The body
was taken to the Houston Funeral Home.
A Houston attorney, Roy I. Arterbury of 1612 North Boulevard occupied the berth directly across from that of Governor
Jester.
Mr. Arterbury was in his berth before Governor Jester got on the train and didn't know the governor was across from him
until morning, when the porter told him.
Mr. Arterbury said he was awake several times during the night and heard nothing from Governor Jester's berth.
"When I left the car Governor Jester's berth was still curtained." Mr. Arterbury said. "and I thought to myself that he
was sleeping rather late."
Mr. Arterbury and Governor Jester were classmates at the University of Texas.
Actually, the governor at the time of his death was on his way to Galveston for an appointment at 10 AM Monday with two
heart specialists, where he had Dr. Edward H. Schwab and Dr. William L. Marr. But from what the doctors said, there had
been no cause for alarm. The checkup was routine for a man of the governor's age after months of strenuous work.
Dr. Schwab and Marr talked to the governor by telephone Sunday night just before Governor Jester left the capital.
"I'm feeling fine" the governor told his doctors.
Dr. Schwab said that previous examinations had shown the governor had no heart ailment
Sunday the governor spent a busy day or rather a strenuous day. He gave an outing for members of his executive staff
and his son Beauford Jr. He swam for an hour in the middle of the afternoon, went for a motorboat ride, and then played
softball for about an hour.
The group ate a picnic supper about 8 PM. After the supper, the governor led a sing-song. By 9:30 PM the governor admitted
he was tired and called it a day.
Governor Jester was a tireless traveller--by whatever means of transportation were at hand. Probably no other Texas governor
has travelled so much during his term of office as Governor Jester.
The passenger miles he had flown in planes must be in the hundreds of thousands. And he traveled without serious mishap, although
within the past year he and Mrs. Jester had some anxious minutes when a private place in which they were flying had to
make an emergency landing with its wheels up at the Austin Airport. Governor and Mrs. Jester were returning at the time from a
barbeque Which Lieutenant Governor Shriver had given at Mission.
Mayor Oscar Holcombe learned of the governor's death shortly after the body was found. The mayor went to the railroad station
shortly after 8 AM, but the body had been removed from the Pullman and taken to the funeral home.
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Mr. Hodges, Ms. Berry ... what an awesome story y'all have added a layer of cool to! Thank you so much for comin' here to tell that.
I'm the first generation of native Houstonian in my family, so I don't have connections as deep as y'all do, so I find stories like this fascinating.
Hello Krisitin, and thank you for your comments. As you will find, the Houston area has some unique, and fascinating history, especially the Hieghts. I grew up there, and rode horses with my other Grandfather ( Father's side) all over the area. It was a city of it's own, and J.B. Marmion's dad was the last mayor of the Hieghts. I'm sure you've seen Marmion Park. J.B. was a really great man, who had an interesting history as well. Unfortunately, as history goes, it DOES become word of mouth, as truthful documentation is poor, and almost non - existent. The Horace Greely's take care of twisting the real event to "Read better". I love to hear, and tell these stories as well - they make my heart warm, and reaffirms to me that the world is O.K.
Very Best Regards,
Jim Hodges
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So this is the Reagan Lodge (a great old building) on Heights Blvd?
I live very close to there and walk by there often.
Suppose there are any members now who'd have known our grandfathers?? (Or at least know who they were?)
Makes me want to poke my head in there sometime.
ab
Yes Alice, that is the Lodge. It is beautiful on the inside with wood paneled walls, and lots of photos in the den area. My Uncle, J.S. Barrett went there until he died just about a year ago at 95 years old. My entire family was involved heavily, but some died, and my parents moved, leaving my Uncle the last of our direct family to actively attend. My Grandfather that I outlined in my story was the Tyler for 26 years, and my Father ran a radio & TV repair business, so we knew everyone. My Grandfather's picture is in the foyer, and also by his tyler station upstairs. In answer to your question, I don't know how many old timers are left, but I would guess that not any of them are still around that remember them, as they would be pretty old. The Hieghts was THE place to be in those days. Some really grand memories, so thanks for allowing me to share them.
Jim
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Jim, you have now confirmed for me that the internet is THE BEST THING EVAR!!
Seriously, everyone, how funny/great is that - that the grandchild of the deceased (and slandered) governor could hear from the grandchild of the Pullman man (and Tyler) who guarded his body!!
It's an honor to hear from you, Jim. I thank you for this amazing story.
(How did you stumble upon this little exchange here?)
alice b
Good Afternoon Alice,
I do swear that the Internet IS remarkable. I'm very pleased that this story added some excitement, and disclosure to the memory of your Grandfather. I'm sure you enjoy the history that your Grandfather entrusted, and relayed to you, as I did with mine. In answer to your question, we had just celebrated my Mother's 92 nd birthday this past weekend. During the accompanied family reunion, I overheard my Father ( 89 y.o.a.) telling this story to my brother - in - law, so I joined in. My Father didn't remember the intricate details so I threw in what I knew. The discussion was precipitated by my older sister, who gave me a recently discovered Pullman Company towel that belonged to my Grandfather. My Grandfather was my room mate until his death, the brother I never had, and a mentor of monumental stature as well. So were all of his Masonic friends, who dominated the Harris / Galveston County area in those days - ALL from mainly one lodge, and that was Reagan Lodge.
After we returned home, I just thought that I would just check in on the story, and see where history ( Or the lack thereof ) had taken it. I was reading through tidbits of information on different websites, all of which had just a casual mention of the event. Then, I stumbled across your post, and comment, noticing your name, and the revelation of this being your Grandfather. What a nice coincidence, and rewarding result! I felt compelled to square this up, even if it wasn't important to others, it is important to me.
Thank you for your response,
Jim Hodges
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(He was actually en route from Austin to Galveston, but died in his sleep before the Houston station.)
Beauford H. Jester was my grandfather, and I can assure you that that this is indeed a false rumor.
But it certainly is a hoot to think that anyone would think of him as a ladies' man!
Where on Earth did you get this story? I love it! My mom and I are dying to know.
Alice Jester Berry
Hello Alice,
I'm not sure that you are still watching these posts, but my Grandfather was L.M. Barrett, who was a Pullman Company Exec, and Tyler of Reagan Lodge ( AF & AM ). He was assigned to ride this train, and stated that the Governor was very ill, and they kept a close watch on him. My Grandfather tried to wake him as they approached Houston, but found him dead in his sleep, and there was no woman, no porter, or anyone else assigned to watch him but my Grandfather. If you are familiar with what the Tyler does at the Masonic Lodge, you'll know why my Grandfather, alone, was chosen to look out for him. When they pulled into Houston, someone had sent out the news, and though the Pullman Company had tried to keep everyone away, reporters had jumped the fence, and were running through the train, as my Grandfather described, " They were like wild Indians, and were pushing, and shoving each other down - even trying to take the window out of one coach to get on the train for photos". My Grandfather always carried a .45 Colt, ( 1901 Army issue from WWI. I still have the pistol ), in the front of his waistband, and finally pulled it to defend the Governor's body. He actually fired a warning round into the roof of the Pullman Car to get them off. According to my Grandfather, "They ran like Hell after that - I wasn't fooling". There was not much real coverage to be had, because my Grandfather quelled every attempt. He guarded the Governor's body until the Houston Police arrived. If I'm not mistaken, he stated that Houston Police Sgt. Babe Sears took control of the scene, and Harris County Sherriff, C. V. " Buster " Kern arrived as well with several deputies, accompanied by A.C. Martindale from the Harris County Morgue, and the hearse that was used was from Ray Duvall Funeral Home. It should be noted that all of these men were Masons from Reagan Lodge, and considered this a most serious, and honorable duty. I heard these men talk about the Governor's detah as a tragedy all my young life growing up. I can tell you that they were emotionally tied to this event as if it had just happenned, and they lost a personal family member.They were good men in those days. There was no conspiracy, or cover - up ... just honorable men, trying to keep the press from scavengering the death of a good man.
If you respond, please contact me on my e - mail @ jim@writeemcowboy.com I would love to hear from you.
Very Best Regards,
Jim Hodges
Death Of Governor Jester
in Historic Houston
Posted
Thank you for your very honorable birthday wish, and the relation of your feelings for others. It speaks highly of a man. All the posts here are authored by such caring people, and what a thrill to hear from Alice! What a great, and honorable man her grandfather was. That's not a political statement, that's a factual statement. If they only made them like that nowadays. As you gaze on the pistol your father left you, the emotions are certainly relative. As stated, I have posted the photo of the old Colt for all to see. My grandfather used it to protect many 'a person in peril, and never asked for anything in return. He was issued this 1901 Colt in WWI, and the Army used to let them take them home when discharged, which he did. There are, "RA" ( Regular Army ) #'s on each piece of the gun, and they all match, which indicates the parts were never changed out. Also, it still has the military lanyard ring on the butt. It is a six shot revolver, and shoots a .45 Long Colt bullet, which throws a 255 grain lead bullet at @ 950 feet per second - like getting hit with a baseball bat! You can see one of the bullets in the photo laying next to the pistol. It is in remarkably good shape, and I take it out occassionaly and shoot it with some hand loaded black powder loads. It roars like a cannon when discharged, and belches black - gray smoke for several feet. My grandfather never practiced with it, and didn't have much interest in guns. When I asked him about that, I got some in - depth advice. He told me that if you need a sight on a pistol, then you'd better get a rifle, and not position yourself to get in trouble at close range, and, " Stay out of the way of men that won't hesitate to spit lead, and get the job done". As he stated many times, " A handgun is just a tool to get you on the respectful side of evil people, other than that, it should be on a man at all times, in the quiet and ready ". My grandfather was, in every sense of the word, an outstanding gentleman, and a peace loving man, who avoided trouble in any way possible. Marmar, I would be interested to know of this pistol is similar to your father's.