The Graham Leader, Young Co. Tex. News About Ellis County Folks   July 24, 1884. A letter from W. R. Moore of Diana, Giles Co. Tenn. has been received making inquiry for one William Newton Wilson who came to Texas from that county several years ago - lived for awhile in Ellis County and for a short time in vicinity of Hubbard [Hill Co. Tex] Reports have reached Mr. Moore that Wilson died somewhere in this State last spring. He was familiarly known as "Newt" Wilson. Any information regarding him, dead or alive, will be thankfully received by Mr. Moore, Wilson's brother-in-law. August 13, 1885 Ennis. Mr. N. B. Rankin, in feeble health, asked his daughters, ages 19 and 17, to go upstairs before supper and get a small amount of spirits from a barrel. They did so, using a candle for light, which caused an explosion setting the house on fire, instantly killing one daughter. The other died this morning. Mr. Rankin's house was large and costly and the entire contents were lost. He and Mrs. Rankin are barely alive. November 26, 1885 Ennis.  John S. Chambers, long time resident, died on the 18th inst. He was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church and respected by all. The public schools were dismissed for the funeral services which were conducted by Rev. T. W. Erwin. Jan. 26, 1888 Ennis. Seven persons drowned in Sand Lake ten miles east of Ennis. Two young ladies, daughters of William Williams, and a young man named Bobbitt, were skating when the ice gave way putting them in over six feet of water. Miss Bobbitt and two daughters of Williams, aged 9 and 13, drowned in trying to rescue them. One Williams child fell through the ice but was saved by one of the drowning young ladies who threw him out on the ice. Mr. Williams' brother was about a quarter of a mile away and ran to the rescue, but he was also drowned. His mother was pulled down but her two daughters, ages 7 and 11, threw her a rope and pulled her to safety. January 7, 1886 Waxahachie. Dr. W. T. Flower, postmaster, resigned the first of the year. Mr. J. D. Campbell of Ferris was robbed of $720.00 in the suburbs of that town. January 6, 1887 Ferris. Albert L. Cook, aged 14, large for his age, left home October 26, 1886, and his whereabouts are unknown. He was last seen in Corsicana on November 5th. His father, J. N. Cook of Ferris, will appreciate any information. June 8, 1887 Waxahachie Prof. E. L. Barham of the Hope Institute at Italy was making a prohibition speech at Hamlett's School House when an empty whiskey bottle aimed at him hit a lady in the audience, inflicting a slight wound. The parties responsible were fined the next day. January 12, 1888 Waxahachie. The general merchandise store of Ledwell and Ludley at Boyce, six miles east of here, burned Monday with all contents destroyed. Origin of fire is not known. December 20, 1888 Ennis. Henry Wade, who was returning to his home in Bell County, was taken severely ill here last week. Early Thursday morning, with a high fever he tried to climb out of his hotel window, fell, and and died several hours later from injuries received.   Copyright © 1999-2016, Ellis County TXGenWeb. All Rights Reserved. This page was last modified: Thursday, 01-Jul-2021 13:19:51 MDT