Submitted by Sandra

William Caves and wife, Elizabeth Wright Caves moved from Louisiana to Texas in 1869. They bought land and settled in what was then known as Davis Co. (afterward changed to Cass Co.). They lived on that place until 1879, then sold out. They bought more land in the woods and settled another home, where Mr. Jess Ayers now lives. He was then getting old and couldn't work his farm, so bargained to sell it to a Mrs. Mercer, but reserved ten acres of land (on which the Caves Springs Church now stands) intending to build him a home on it.)

Said he wanted to be buried on it, but he took sick and died the 24th of October 1881 at nearly seventy years old. His wife attended the funeral, walked back home and went to bed. Said she had nothing more to live for, so eight days later (on Nov.2nd) her precious body was laid to rest by the side of his, where she said she wanted to be buried. Their bodies occupy the first two graves made in the Caves Springs cemetery. So as the dear old father had planned, the place sold as he had bargained and divided it up among the heirs. This plot of ground was given to the Baptist of the community for the purpose of building a church, and preparing a burial ground in memory of William Cave. It took quite a struggle to build the church, but the good people of the community all put their shoulders to the wheel and finally did complete a small house of which we are all so proud. This was in 1886. But in October of 1893 this building burned down, so we struggled along again and built another church in 1894. Then in 1920 this building was razed and a nice new building was erected. The struggle was long ad the hardships many, but with God's care, our efforts have been a great blessing to many souls and the glory of it has reached the throne of heaven and extends into eternity.

Rev. J.M. Caves, son of William and Elizabeth Caves, came from Canadian, Oklahoma, to preach the dedication sermon for the new building in April, 1921. If I've made any mistakes I hope to be forgiven for the years have been long and the road rough and hard, but the memory of those past blessings is still fresh on my memory. I love to go over them. Old Caves Springs is the dearest spot on this earth to me. I think I am the only charter member of it now living. All the others have gone home to God, for that final beautiful home the Savior has gone to prepare for us for when it is finished, He will come for us. We are looking forward to a reunion of relatives and friends at Caves Springs soon. But know all will not be there, but there will be a reunion some day where all who love God and have kept his commandments wil be there and there will be no farewells.
Eva Earp

The above was written by Isabell Evalyn (Eva) Caves Earp, the daughter of William Caves and Elizabeth Wright Caves, for a 1938 family reunion held at the Caves Springs Baptist Church. Eva had first married John Gilbert, when he passed away, she married the widower of her sister (Arzelia Edna Caves), Alonzo Earp.

The Caves Springs Baptist Church and Cemetery are located 4 miles S.W. of Linden, S. of Highway 155.