Chapter 19

Finishing Southern Strong

By 1906, Jane was in her 70s but still going strong.  She must have felt age creeping up on her though, because she wrote her will on May 7, 1906.  She had always liked her daughter-in-law, Lena, and her will reflected that affection.  She specified the following:

“To my son Somerville and his wife, Lena, I have given my tract of land in Mills County.”  (** Mills County is close to Goldthwaite.) 

“I leave to my daughter Fannie G. Elliott the note $900 at 8% interest – money loaned Joel Elliott which he is to pay her on demand – also $100.00, making in all $1,000.00.  This $100.00 has been paid.

I leave to my grandson James Somerville Dean the note of $500.00 (five hundred dollars) leased out to him at 8% interest. 

The $200.00 (two hundred dollars) at Yarnell’s Savings Bank is for my funeral expenses, memorial slab and is to be managed by my daughter, Fannie G. Elliott.

Any moneys in National Bank is to be divided between Wallace Elliott and the three children of my son, Somerville Ware.

My personal effects, furniture, books, clothing, silverware I leave to my daughter, Fannie G. Elliott to be disposed of as she deems best.  What she wants, she is to keep herself, and when the grandsons marry and have homes, I would like them to have some memento from the grandmother – Jane Morton Ware  May 7, 1906”

Jane also purchased a funeral plot in the North Belton Cemetery.  This would eventually be the area where many family members would be buried, and clearly was where Eudora had been laid to rest a year earlier.  Jane was a woman who thought ahead, wanted to be prepared, and did not want to be a strain on her family. 

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Burial lot for Jane Morton Ware – bought February 1906
Photos owned by James and Judy Ware

In 1907, Jane welcomed another grandson when Lena gave birth to her third child on January 9, 1907 – William Rogers Ware.  The baby was born in Fort Worth where Lena’s grandparents lived.  He was always called ‘Rogers’ in honor of her maiden name.  Somerville had been forced to spend the previous two summers (1904-1905) working with a maintenance engineering crew on the Santa Fe Railroad at Temple, Texas.  Although there was certainly celebrating over the birth of a new baby, the rest of the country was heading into hard times.  Then the Panic of 1907 hit.

According to writer Abigail Tucker:

 

“The Panic of 1907 was a six-week stretch of runs on banks in New York City and other American cities in October and early November of 1907.  It was triggered by a failed speculation that caused the bankruptcy of two brokerage firms.  But the shock that set in motion the events to create the Panic was the

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earthquake in San Francisco in 1906.  The devastation of that city drew gold out of the world’s major money centers.  This created a liquidity crunch that created a recession starting in June of 1907.”

Up until that time, Somerville and Lena had been living in a home they owned in Killeen.  Somerville had earlier, in 1895, bought some property in Bell County near The Grove, Texas, and from the letter he wrote in late October, he had obviously gone to ‘check out’ that location with Lena’s grandfather.  He wrote from The Grove:   

“October 28, 1907    ““We will try and sell our house in Killeen as soon as possible and reinvest in Ft. Worth as soon as possible.  I found seven acres of Pecan bottom [land] all set with young pecan trees that belong to our tract that our neighbors had fenced for years and which could belong to them in three or four years by statute of limitation – also about ten acres of other bottom [land] and grass land which we can take in by extending our fences.  [We] have enough wire and posts on it to fence it – all we have to do is the labor which we will do this winter or spring.  Grandpa says tell Aunt Lizzie to come here if she wishes to see him as he is fixed here for the balance of his days.”  He went on to add, “Grandpa and I have twenty acres of volunteer oats that Glassell turned over to us to cultivate.”

Jane continued to stay active with the U.D.C. and, in 1907, when Mary Hardin Baylor College published their yearbook (called the Blue Bonnet), she was listed as an “Honorary Member.”

 

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The year 1908 was a particularly busy year for Jane with the U.D.C.  (Notice Jane’s photo in the center of each group shot)

 

Yearbook for 1908-1909

 
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On March 5, 1908, the local newspaper, The Bell County Democrat, ran an article explaining how Jane would be presenting a paper titled, “The Presidential Campaign of 1860.”  Jane’s daughter, Fanny (Mrs. J. F. Elliott), was the hostess for the event and also had a part in the program.   

March 5, 1908 Article in The Bell County Democrat

 
Below is a transcription of the article.  Bold lettering is done by the author for research purposes.

UDC Program for March

Answer role call with news of the Confederate Women’s home.

The paper: “The Presidential Campaign of 1860” presented by Mrs. Jane Morton Ware.

Reading:  “Symphony” by Lenier presented by Miss Belle McDaniel. 

Reading:  “Which Side Began the War Between the States?” from Stephen’s Pictorial History of the U.S. pages 610-612, presented by Mrs. J. F. Elliott.

Anabel Burford – Historian

The above program will be given after the regular business meeting which is with Mrs. Joel Elliott, Saturday, March 7, 1908 at 3:30 P.M.

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About a week later, on March 12^th, the paper ran another story describing the success of the event.

     

Then, in April, the newspaper wrote a very long, detailed article highlighting an annual banquet that the Woman’s Wednesday Club of Baylor College had each year.  In 1908, it was held on March 25th and was quite a fancy affair.  On the following page (in different color ink) are transcriptions of some segments I have taken from the main article that pertain specifically to Jane, along with one of the shorter newspaper articles.  Jane performed one of the piano solos.

The Bell County Democrat (Belton, Tex.), Vol. 12, No. 37, Ed. 1
Thursday, April 2, 1908

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April 2, 1908

Each year the Woman’s Wednesday Club delights to entertain with the reception and honor of their mothers and their mother’s friends.   On Wednesday afternoon, March 25th, from four to six o’clock in the parlors of Baylor College this happy event occurred.  The reception suite was fragrant with the odor of spring blossoms.  The Bluebonnet (the state flower), and other simple flowers of the Texas prairies where conspicuous in the decorations.  The guests, ranging in age from 60 to 91 years, were met by the president, Miss Julia Osterhout, and Mrs. W. A. Wilson.  The entire membership of the club greeting with an answering smile, the faces set in frames of shining silver hair.  The special feature of the evening was a program contributed to by the honorees themselves.  Piano solos were rendered by Mesdames M. V. Smith, W. J. Cooper, and Jane Morton Ware.

Old Ladies Entertained - They Were Guests of the Woman's Wednesday Club at Baylor College - Poem by Mrs. Smith-Temple Lady Reads Appropriated Verses Written for the Occasion

It is the custom and the exquisite pleasure of the Woman's Wednesday club each year to devote one afternoon to an entertainment in honor of their mother’s friends.  This event is lovingly referred to as the "old ladies party" and occurred this week on Wednesday afternoon in the parlors of Baylor College. The decorations, great bowls of white iris, (while simple) were beautiful in their appropriateness.  It was an ideal spring day and the guests gathered in large numbers.  A scene could scarcely be more fair than was this one with its groups of lovely women with their sweet faces set in frames of shinning silver hair.  Mrs. W. A. Wilson in behalf of the Wednesday Club welcomed the guests. A quartette of college girls and Miss Elizabeth Meachum sang the songs of long ago.  "When youth and love, and all they meant, Had still their pristine glow." Mrs. Cooper played a number of instrumental pieces, Mrs. Mortimer Smith of Temple read a charming original poem and Mrs. H. E. Keys of Temple gave (from memory) one of her clever poems, "Our Fore-mothers.”  Refreshments of pimento salad, pickles, bread and butter sandwiches, ice cream and cake were served.  The club was assisted in entertaining by the honorary members of the club and the faculty of Baylor College.  Among those present were Mesdames: T. K. Eliott of Troy, R. M. Bailey of Alvord; J. S. Bigham, J. A. Vanness, Mortimer Smith of Temple, and Jane Morton WARE of Temple.

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Clearly, the U.D.C. meant a great deal to Jane.  She contributed much to the organization and endeared herself to the young women who attended and sought to emulate her.  The group met twice a month, and their motto was “True History and Literature.”  In addition to getting together for social and literary reasons, the women also insisted that the mission of the U.D.C. was to include public service.  They arranged concerts as fund raisers for some of their projects, and their service included activities like tending to the graves that were left uncared for, providing rocking chairs for the veterans at the Old Confederate Home, and helping to host reunions that were held in the area.  It must have been a shock and a true moment of pride for Jane when the Baylor Chapter, in 1908, named her their official ‘Patron Saint’ of the U.D.C. – an honor she carried until the day she died.  They wrote the following poem for her on her birthday, and she appeared in the center of every group photograph of the yearbook.

Baylor College

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The following envelope lets us know that Jane was still in Belton in 1910. 

1910

    
1909-1910

 

1909-1910

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The census for 1910 also verifies that Jane was living with her daughter, Fannie Elliott.  The interesting part of the census is that it shows that Jane’s bachelor brother, Walter Smith, had also taken up residence in the Elliott family home.  Joel was now 59-years old and Fannie was 50.  All three children were living at home as well.  Jane had now reached the age of 78.

Later that year, however, Glassell Elliott would move out when he married Anna May Herring of Waco on July 10, 1910. In 1911, when the U.D.C Convention was held in Houston, the Baylor Chapter made a big push to raise funds for one of their projects – the purchase of a marble bust of Robert E. Lee for their college. Jane, as “Patron Saint,” was listed as one of the donors.

 

  

  1911-1912

 

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(Ref. 373)

 

Meeting to unveil the bust of Robert E. Lee

 

After many years of hard work, the U.D.C. did manage to raise enough money to purchase the bust of Robert E. Lee.  There was a special ceremony for the unveiling, but sadly, Jane was not alive to see it.  She had passed away about five years earlier.

 

It must have been a bittersweet time for Jane when her second grandson got married in 1911.  James Somerville Dean wed Minnie Ruth Cook in Arizona.  Not only was it too difficult for Jane to travel that distance, but it must have brought to mind how much her youngest daughter, Eudora, would have loved to have seen that day her son married.  

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U.D.C. programs (for years 1912-1913 and 1913-1914) mentioning Jane as the “Patron Saint” of the chapter

By this time, Jane must have felt the years slipping by faster and faster as she lost more close members of her family.  In 1915, she would celebrate her 83rd birthday, and two of her brothers and her sister, Milly, had already been dead for over almost fifty years.  Her brother, James, had passed away in 1908, and another sister, Mary Somerville, died in 1911.  She had even had to bear the sorrow of losing one of her youngest grandsons when Somerville and Lena’s little boy, Rogers Ware, died on December 17, 1913.  He was only six years old at the time.  In addition to all of those, she had lost both of her parents, her husband, and her beloved youngest daughter.  It is not surprising that a move might be appealing to her.

The 1910 census for Tarrant County shows that Somerville Ware and his family were living near Fort Worth.  It also shows that Lena’s brother, Odie, was living with them at the time. 

1910 census

Somerville Ware 45

Lena Ware 28

Charles Ware 7

Sarah Ware 5

William Ware 3

Odie R. Rodgers 25

(Ref. 737)

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Fannie’s son and Jane’s grandson, Glassell Elliott, had settled in Waco, Texas, after his marriage and become quite successful.  Jane also had a grandson by Eudora living in Waco – James Somerville Dean.  He would later move to California, but it would appear that Fannie and Joel (along with Jane) may have made a move to Waco after 1912.  The letter below was written and addressed to Jane by her sister, Eudora Lees who was living in Edinburgh at the time.  It provides great insight.  (Bold lettering done by me) 

 

Letter is addressed to

 Mrs. J. Morton Ware

(Mr. J Somerville Dean)

504 Sherman Street

Waco, Texas

United States

 

22 Gilmore Place             Edinburgh   26^th March

My dear Sister,

Your letter of the 9th surprised me – that you have left your home of more than twenty years and Belton where you are so highly esteemed and loved.  What has brought about this change?  I cannot understand it – you write very bravely, but I know you feel it.  I am glad you will be with Dora’s son – I do hope you will be comfortable.  I know too well what it is to be a wanderer – away from country and kindred.  This country is in a very unsettled state.  This coal strike has upset everything.  We don’t know how long we will have a fire to keep us warm – 

Eudora G. Lees   (Ref. 176)

Before Jane moved from Belton to Waco, she was honored with a lovely reception.

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“To honor Mrs. Ware, one of the oldest Daughters of the Confederacy of Bell County, a reception was given in Belton by Mrs. G. A. Gray, late in February.  The Confederate Veterans of the Bell County Chapter and Baylor College, U. D. C., numbering eighty-five guests, were requested to receive with the hostess.  W. W. Upshaw, commander of the Bell County Chapter, greeted Mrs. Ware on behalf of the camp and expressed sorrow that she is to leave Belton to live in Waco.  Miss Lois Thomas read Mrs. Mary Pettus Thomas’ poem dedicated to the guest of honor and presented her with crimson and white carnations tied with Confederate colors.”

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Both photos property of James and Judy Ware

From all accounts, the family did not stay in Waco very long before moving to Fort Worth.  Both of the Dean boys were building their careers in California architecture.  Out of Fannie and Joel’s three sons, Glassell Sr. was sent over to England with his family for his business, and he and Anna would spend several years in Liverpool.  Wallace was still living at home but getting ready to go to college, and Ray had moved to Fort Worth.  He had never married and struggled with his health.  (We now know that he later died of tuberculosis, which could linger for years.)  In addition, Somerville and his family had been living in Fort Worth quite a while because all of Lena’s family was still in that region.

We know that Jane was settled in Fort Worth by 1913.  In the following news article from the El Paso Herald on April 14, 1913, she attended a social function there.

Excerpt - “One of the interesting affairs of Saturday was the reception given at the Elks Club by the Daughters of the Confederacy.”
Jane Morton Ware was listed in attendance.

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On October 28, 1914, the following news was printed in the El Paso Herald.  “At the close of the following morning session, Mrs. A. R. Barlow, Mrs. K. D. Franklin . . . Mrs. H. Cyrus of the Robert E. Lee Chapter and Mrs. Jane Morton Ware of the Belton Chapter were called to the platform and elected honorary members of the Texas division.  The Chautauqua salute was given in honor of the chapter at Baylor College which is the only college chapter in the state.”

According to information found on the Isabella Alden website (in honor of the famous female writer who was born in the 1800s), the ‘Chautauqua salute’ was a way of honoring respected speakers and guests.  In silence, ladies would lift and wave their white handkerchiefs all together.

When President Theodore Roosevelt arrived in Tacoma, Washington, he was greeted by a crowd of 30,000 people waving their handkerchiefs in a Chautauqua salute.  Hazel Harris commented in the book Four Mothers at Chautauqua, “Then you understand what a strange effect is produced by the simultaneous flutter of countless white handkerchiefs. Can you imagine what it would be to see at least five thousand of them held aloft motionless for a single solemn minute, the only sound in the great assembly . . . I never saw a more impressive sight in my life.”

Sadly, as Jane moved to Fort Worth, her only son and his family moved to The Grove, Texas, where Somerville had finally fixed up his farm.  From the letter he wrote to Lena in 1907, he had been working tirelessly with her father to get the farm equipped and ready for their family to move into while she stayed in Fort Worth. 

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We know they had moved by the year 1913 because little Rogers Ware died at The Grove and was buried in the Belton Cemetery.  By late December of 1914, Lena was pregnant with her last baby.  After losing Rogers, it must have come as quite a surprise because it would mean a 13-year gap between her first child (Charles who was born in 1902) and the new baby.  Lena’s baby would be the last grandchild Jane would get to see.  Missing her only son and his family, she kept up a loving correspondence with her grandchildren.  She first wrote to Charles in January and the next two letters were for Sarah, whom Jane lovingly referred to as “Lady.”

      
Original letter owned by James and Judy Ware

 

Bold lettering done by Judy C. Ware

January 9, 1915

My dear Grandson

I owe both you and Lady a letter, but as you are the eldest - will write you first and then to her.  I am always glad to hear from you both and think you both write nice letters, especially you.  Ray liked your letter to him very much but he seldom writes family letters - leaving that to me and his mother.  He has not been so well lately in consequence of the rainy weather we had before Christmas and taking care of his chickens, but we will have fair weather after this and although cold; bracing and cheerful with sunshine.  I hope you will have good weather so that your school days will not be interrupted and that you will be able to reach the 7^th grade for next session.    We are glad you had a pleasant Christmas and many presents and liked what we sent.  We could not do much for we feel the cotton situation on account of Uncle Elliott’s business.  If the farmers don’t make cotton, they cannot buy goods.  We see that wheat has gone up high and hope your Daddy has his to sell if he has not already put it in the ground.  Let us know.  Aunt Fanny wrote to your mother and has been looking for an answer.  We are all anxious to hear and hope she will find time to write soon.  Know how much she has to do.  Tell her we enjoyed the turkey sausages so

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much.  The turkey lasted us four days counting the last day of soup which was almost the best.  Wallace was with us ten days and he is a big eater, but he ate rather too much and was sick for two days.  However he was well enough to go back to his college Monday in time for the opening.  He will graduate in June and then will have to get some situation to enable him to make his own living.  He has been backward on this but has now a good education and good character.  I had a pleasant Christmas and had more presents and cards than I ever received before.  Have been busy writing thanks - am getting somewhat feeble but go about the same - visiting our friends, attending church and society meetings.  Must close.  I was so much pleased with your mother’s beautiful crochet pieces and Lady’s piece.  I forgot to send Daddy’s handkerchief, but will do so.  Aunt Fanny and Ray join in love to you all and hope you will write soon again.

Lovingly, Grandma Jane Morton Ware   (Ref. 99)

By the first part of May, Jane got the news that her older sister, Eudora Glassell Smith Lees, had died.  It must have saddened her greatly because they had stayed in touch with each other even though Eudora had continued to live in Scotland.

 

Grave marker for Eudora Glassell Smith Lees

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On May 20, 1915, Jane wrote to Sarah Ware, her only granddaughter.  From the letter, we learn that Jane and Fanny were still living in Fort Worth with Ray – probably because of his health.  Fanny’s husband, Joel, remained in Belton because the cotton business was still making things tenuous for his store, but he was planning to come up for a long two-month visit soon.  Both Fanny and Jane had been happily working on baby clothes for the now five-month pregnant Lena.

       

My dear Granddaughter Lady,

I was so glad to get your nice long letter enclosed in your mother’s.  I will write to you first and then answer her.  I enjoyed [hearing] about your cats - also did Aunt Fanny - and hope they will amuse you and catch the rats.  I remember your father wanted cats when I was there and how you children used to scare them away by dressing them up and playing with them.

I am glad you have some flowers.  Did you raise any from the seed I sent?  I have a beautiful border just beneath my window – now gorgeous with the blooms of California poppies, pinks, purple candy

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tufts, and the perennial sweet pea will soon be in bloom.  Wallace stretched a piece of wire fencing up to the eaves of the house and it will soon reach the top.  It lasts from year to year without planting the seed again.  I will save some seed for you if they ripen.

I am glad to hear you are helping your mother dishwashing and making trimming.  You will not be so lonesome if you keep busy.  I had so hoped you would have your music to practice and entertain you, but you do not mention it.

Wallace is to graduate the 27^th of May and Aunt Fanny will go up to attend that one day of the exercises.  It is a 40 mile trip and I am afraid to take it so hurriedly as it might make me sick - though they wanted me to.  He [Wallace] wants to wear a dress-suit, [have] black silk gown, cap, new photographs and printed invitations, and flowers called Jasmines.  Am afraid he will not get these as they do not grow nearer than Houston.  We are expecting Mr. Elliott next month for a month or two. 

Tell your mother we have nearly finished the little things we wrote her about and will send them soon.  I embroidered her one dress but I do not work as nice as I used to.  My old fingers are getting stiff.  I will be glad to have you help me after this.  I now hope to come to you next fall if nothing happens to prevent.  Am so anxious

to see you and get some loving kisses.  Tell Daddy not to read so much Dallas news as to forget to write me about the farm and crops.  Ray’s chickens are doing well and he finds it no trouble to sell the eggs at a good price.  Wish you could see the little Buff Orpingtons.  He gave $10.00 for a setting hatched in an incubator.   [I] must close now.  Write soon again. Aunt Fanny joins in love to all.

Lovingly, Grandma Jane Morton Ware

   
Buff Orpingtons Chicken Breed Information Pictures
(Ref. Buff Hooligans, Jan 11, 2012)

Buff Orpingtons are one of the favorite breeds of backyard chicken owners.
They are beautiful with a nice personality and winter hardiness

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Finally, on September 2, 1915, Lena gave birth to a healthy baby boy.  They named him James Nathan Ware – a name that everyone seemed to love.  Somerville even got a note from his Aunt Bessie (his late father’s sister) who was still living in Berryville.

September 23, 1915

My dear Somie,

Your Uncle Charlie forwarded your note announcing the recent addition to your family and that he will be a comfort and source of happiness to you both in years to come. 

25th   Just here I was interrupted and only now am able to resume and express my pleasure at the arrival of your boy and at his name. I like the addition of Nathan (‘Gift of God’) seems to me to savor of strength and nobility of character.  I’ve always been afraid there would be no ‘James’ in this generation’s branch of the family when there would not have been a break after six generations.

James, later called Jimmy, was born at 2:30 p.m. with dark blue eyes and brown hair.  Lena would proudly record in his baby book that he “laughed out loud and can nearly sit alone at three months.”

   

Photograph of big sister, Sarah, holding baby James and sitting
next to older brother, Charles Somerville Ware at the Farm
owned by James and Judy Ware.

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Lena and her new baby, James Nathan Ware
Photo owned by James and Judy Ware

Just shortly after the birth of her little brother, Sarah got another loving letter from her grandmother.

     

September 21, 1915

My Dear Granddaughter,

You are still my only granddaughter and hope you will be a good and smart one.  I know you wanted a little sister but Daddy wanted a boy to take the place of dear Rogers, and I think a boy on a farm is most needed.  I promised to write to you next time in answer to your letter, so will write a few lines and next time to mother.  I hope she and the baby are doing well and that the baby is a good one.  Had

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such a nice letter from your father which we all enjoyed.  Aunt Fanny always likes the crop reports.  Wallace is with us for a few days.  He has been near here - packing and marketing a big pear crop from a big orchard and will go tomorrow to work on the big apple orchards above near the mountains.  It is hard work but he likes it and it makes him strong.  The public schools here are all in full work and the boys and girls pass us with their satchels; glad to begin study again.  I hope you and Charles will have a good session and like your teachers.  You must write me what your grade and studies are, and all about yourselves.  Aunt Fanny keeps busy cooking and helping Ray with his chickens ... has no Fall little ones, but the Buff Orpingtons are beautiful fowls.  There is to be a big poultry show here in December and Ray (as Assistant Secretary of the Association) is helping.  We are enjoying our church meetings and the sewing societies which discontinued during the summer.  So glad you have a church near and a Sunday school.  Now, I must close as dinner is ready.  Tell your mother I want to see baby and herself so much and hope she will be able to write soon.  Mr. Elliott wants to know if she ever got the little tortel set he sent?  It is quite cold today and we are getting out our winter clothes.  All send much love to all.

Hoping someone will write soon.

Your loving,

Grandma Jane Morton Ware

James was, indeed, a beautiful little boy.

Photo owned by James and Judy Ware

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Before 1915 ended, Jane was elected Vice President of the Folklore Society of Texas.  Her address was still on Arizona Street in El Paso and appeared in an early mailing sent out to the members at the beginning of the New Year in 1916.  After a lifetime of service, however, this was to be her last accomplishment.  Around the middle of January, Jane became ill and sadly, it turned into pneumonia.  She died at 10 o’clock on January 26th – just 10 days shy of her 84th birthday.  News was sent to the Elliott home in Belton that her body would be shipped there by railroad and would arrive on the 28th.  The news of her passing hit the newspapers right away. 

 
Notice printed in the El Paso Herald – Fabens was located just outside the major city of El Paso.

 

Map showing the close proximity of Fabens to El Paso

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Death of Mrs. J. M. Ware

Belton January 27 - With deep sorrow there was heard by friends in this city the news of the death of Mrs. Jane Morton Ware which occurred at Fabens, near El Paso, last night at 10 o’clock. 

The dispatch bearing the news was received by her son-in-law, Mr. Joel F. Elliott. 

Mrs. Ware was for many years a resident of this city and her culture, refinement, and unusually brilliant intellect won for her the esteem of all, while many kindly words and deeds drew the hearts of those who knew her best to her with cords of love. 

She was for several years a teacher and imparted much of her gentle refinement and culture to boys and girls who are now the men and women of this city.  She was an earnest, devoted member of the Episcopal Church.  Her work for the U.D.C. has made her name known throughout the state. 

The words of the state song of the Daughters, ‘For Southland Loved’, were written by Mrs. Ware.

She was 83 years of age, but up to the time of being stricken with pneumonia some ten days ago, her interest in work for the U.D.C. and other public measures had not ceased.  

The remains are expected to reach this city tomorrow, Friday afternoon, via the Katy.

The funeral services will be held Saturday morning at the home of S. M. Ray and family and C. W. Peyton. Interment in North Belton Cemetery.

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Mrs. Ware’s Remains Reach City

Belton January 28 - The remains of Mrs. J. M. Ware, whose death occurring at Fabens was reported in this morning’s Telegram, reached this city this afternoon via the Katy and were taken to the home of S. M. Ray and family. 

The funeral services will be held at the Ray home tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 10 o’clock, conducted by Revs. Custis Fletcher and C. W. Peyton of Temple.

The music will be in charge of a choir from the Bell County and Baylor college chapters U.D.C.  

Mrs. Ware was known as the “Patron Saint” of the college chapter, having assisted in its organization and its work for several years after its organization.
Among those here for the funeral are Mrs. John Church of McKinney, niece of deceased, and William H. Russell of Hillsboro, nephew of deceased.  A grandson, Glassell Elliott of Waco, will reach the city tomorrow morning.  Interment will be held in North Belton Cemetery.

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Funeral of Mrs. J. Morton Ware this Morning

The funeral of Mrs. J. Morton Ware took place this morning from the residence of S. M. Ray.  The services were conducted at the residence and at the grave in North Belton Cemetery by Revs. C. W. Peyton and Custis Fletcher.  The funeral was very largely attended.  The floral offerings both profuse and beautiful attesting plainly the high regard and esteem in which the deceased was held.

The singing during the burial was by the local U.D.C. Chapter and the Baylor College Chapter, and included Mrs. Ware’s own composition “For Southland Loved.” 

Among the out of town relatives who were here for the burial were Somerville Ware of Coryell County, Mrs. Church of McKinney, Glassell Elliott of Waco, and Will Russell of Hillsboro.

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U.D.C. cross that rested on top of the memorial for Jane -
it has broken off over the years.

 
  
The photographs show where the cross was originally set.
All photos on these pages property of James and Judy Ware

 

Entrance into the family burial plot

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Family burial site in North Belton Cemetery

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Cemetery showing the placement of the grave markers

With the passing of Jane, the Ware line from Virginia diminished greatly.  James, Eudora, and Rogers had already passed.  In the year 1921, poor Fanny would lose her husband (Joel), her brother (Somerville), and a son (Ray).  What a heartbreaking year for her!   Sarah Ware never married, but her passion for family genealogy helped to keep the family history strong.  The following three chapters will give in-depth details of the three Ware children that descended from James and Jane.  The name lives on, strong as ever, today.  Somerville’s son, James Nathan, had a son named James and that son and his wife had three sons and so there are (at this point) 3 male grandsons and 1 granddaughter to carry the name on.  It is a name to be proud of - - steeped in history and southern pride.  Jane would have been immensely happy to know that her beloved “Southland” is remembered by those who came after her.

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