Newspaper Articles

Pedro Gonzales, ?-1888
Fort Worth Daily Gazette, 29 Feb 1888
Found Dead on the Prairies
The Fate of a Sheep Herder in Callahan County.
  Feb. 28. - The body of Pedro Gonzales was found on the prairie nine miles northeast of Baird with a pistol by his side. He was a sheep herder in the employ of Young & Wilson. He was seen alive this morning by another Mexican. It is not known how he came to his death but it is generally supposed he accidentally shot himself. Officers have gone to hold an inquest.
James W. Carter, ?-1888
Fort Worth Daily Gazette, 27 March 1888
Baird, Tex, March 26
  James W. Carter died of consumption on the train today between Abilene and Baird. He had been to Oregon and was returning to his home at Winchester, Mass. He had $70 and a number of letters on his person.
  His remains are being embalmed here preparatory for shipment home. His brother has been wired about his death.
Ben C. Price, ?-1888
Fort Worth Daily Gazette, 1 Oct 1888
Callahan County Citizen Dead
  Sept. 20. - Ben C. Price, one of the most successful farmers of Callahan county, died suddenly at his residence to-day.
  The supposed cause is heart disease.
P. L. Davis, ?-1889
Gainsville Daily Hesperian, 2 May 1889
Baird, Tex, April 30
  Late this evening P. L. Davis was shot and killed four miles west of Baird by Henry Blair, a boy of nineteen years, and a brother-in-law of Davis.
  Blair gave himself up and is now in jail, and officers are engaged in hearing the inquest at the place of the killing.
  The trouble seems to have been caused by family troubles. Both parties are considered honorable men and the affair is greatly regretted.
Carl L. Coppins, age 11
The Austin Weekly Statesman, 17 August 1893
Aug. 9. -- Carl L. Coppins was accidentally shot and instantly killed late yesterday evening. He was 11 years old.
Wm. F. Bars, 1896
The Austin Weekly Statesman, 9 January 1896
Switchman Killed
  Baird, Tex., Jan. 7. At 8:30 o'clock last evening Mr. Wm. F. Bars, switchman in the yards at this place, was thrown from a box car that had jumped the track and was horribly crushed beneath the wheels of the derailed car.
  Both thighs were crushed, his shoulder mangled and his head severely gashed. He died at 6:30 this morning.
"Wills Point Chronicle" Thur., 21 Jan. 1897: a fire destroyed part of Buckner Orphans' Home, killing several children, mostly boys. A list, among them Eugene Black age 8, Callahan Co. This data was in STIRPES, June 2006, Vol 46, #2.
Charles A. Shelton, ?-1899
The Abilene Reporter, 17 March 1899
Resolutions of Respect
To the E. C., officers, and Sir Knights of Abilene commandery No 27 Knights Templar:
  We your committee appointed to draft suitable resolutions on the death of our worthy Frater Sir Knight Charles A. Shelton, a member of this commandery, who died at Baird, Tex., March 11, 1899, beg leave to submit the following.
  Whereas, the supreme Ruler of the Universe has, in His inscrutable wisdom, seen fit to call our worthy Frater, Charles A. Shelton, from labor on earth to rest in that Asylum above; therefore be it,
    Resolved: That in the death of Sir Knight Charles A. Shelton society has lost a useful, high-toned, honorable citizen, his wife a kind and affectionate husband, and Christian Knighthood one of its most zealous and exemplary members.
    Resolved: That we tender our heartfelt sympathy to the widow of our deceased Frater, and in this, the saddest hour of her life, beg to assure her in so far as lies within our power, that she will have our constant care and protection to shield and defend her from the storms and vicissitudes of life.
    Resolved: That our Asylum be suitably draped in mourning in honor of the memory of our departed Frater, that a page in our record book be set apart for and that these resolutions be recorded thereon, and that a copy of same be furnished the widow of our deceased Frater by the recorder under seal of the commandery.
    Resolved: that a copy of these resolutions be furnished the Abilene Reporter and the Baird Star with a request that they publish the same.
Fraternally submitted,
W. E. Hunter, T. E. Powell, W. E. Gilliland, Comm
Death Notices, 29 June 1900
John Chapman found these Baird, Texas, Death Notices in the Abilene Reporter News
  Miss Willie Howell, aged 13 years and 10 months, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Howell, died very suddenly at the home of her parents, south of town, Monday morning. Miss Howell has been sick for a long time, but was thought to be some better, but got worse and died suddenly.
  Rev. H. J. Scruggs, of Baird, after several weeks illness died Tuesday evening. The remains were interred at Admiral Wednesday. Rev. Scruggs was seventy odd years of age and had been in feeble health for some time.
  Mrs. E. Huskin, an aged lady, died in the west part of town, Thursday June 14th, and was buried in the Baird cemetery Friday.
  Gladys, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Enslinger, living near Eagle Grove, died Monday, June 18th.- Baird Star.
Bryan Morning Eagle, 24 October 1906
Baird, Tex., Oct 22
  At Seigel's hotel, Miss Emma Blakeley, a waitress, while entering the dining room with a tray of food, was stabbed in the heart, dying almost instantly, by Alberto Bargos, an educated young Mexican. Jealousy is believed the motive.
  Miss Blakeley was to have been married on the 28th to a young Texas and Pacific Railway brakeman. Bargos stabbed himself three times. He was taken to Abilene, a mob threatening violence.
[stepdaughter of C H Willeford and born 1876]