Week Ending 02/14/2003

MURDER AT THE WEDDING----It was one of the biggest parties that Shelby County had ever seen, that wedding supper of April 27, 1847. A beautiful East Hamilton girl, Sanders, the belle of the Sabine River country, was giving her hand in marriage to a handsome farmer. Guests came for miles around for the wedding supper, as was the custom in those days. It was a bountiful feast---wild turkey, venison, pies, cakes and other goodies from a dozen farm kitchens. Before the guests had half finished this sumptuous meal, however, something began happening. They felt sick and very sick they were! Several dropped their food and fell to the floor, groveling in agony. Within an hour, several were dead and others went home and died later that night. It is told that one man saved his life by "crawling to the slop bucket and drinking the greasy water, " thus counteracting the poison. By morning between 17 and 40 (the stories vary as to the exact number) were dead. These new graves were made at the East Hamilton Cemetery. Most of the victims' tombstones have been obliterated by age. Several grave stones, SANDERS, can be seen and marked as the members of the wedding. Some say the feud arose from a disputed land possession. Some say a jilted suited, hired a slave to poison the food. After 156 years, the true story of what happened at the most tragic wedding party in Texas History is still unknown.

This page is open for anyone to submit information or queries.
Just email rayjac@direcway.com

It has come to my attention that descendants of these 2 brothers of my grandfather ... Francis Marion Hooper [Jr.] ... may be living in the Shelby County area. I would appreciate being contacted by them. I am compiling a family history about Pawpaw and his descendants ... and want to include some information on the siblings of him and my grandmother, Mary Hicks Hooper. Mary was born in Mansfield, LA. but lived in Shelby County for a while. One census record shows another brother, John Jefferson Hooper at 4 years old ... but the next census does not show him ... but added a Peter and Alonzo ... that I was not aware existed. Another brother, James ... was someone I
knew, and I know some of his descendants in Shreveport. Thanks in advance [merci, in Cajun] Macile Hooper LeJeune. Email Macile9436@aol.com 2

Trying to find where John Duncan Rains is buried. He died in 1892 - was married to Magdalena Muller.Betty Campbell bcamp47@msn.com 2

HUNTINGTON SMITH BIGGAR
Huntington Smith Biggar, 81, of Center died February 6, 2003 in Center. Burial was in Biggar Cemetery. Born October 29, 1921 in Center Ridge Community, he was the son of Richard Aaron and Myrtie Caroline Boozer Biggar. Mr. Biggar was preceded in death by his first wife Mary Leith Biggar. He is survived by wife Pastell Biggar of Center; Daughter, Jean Biggar McCurtrey of Houston; Sister, Frances Banegas of of Pinehurst. Watson & Sons Funeral Home.

GLENDA LOU RUCKER
Glenda Lou Rucker, 60, of Garrison died February 9, 2003 in her residence. Burial was in Hancock Cemetery, Shelby County. Born October 1, 1942, in Garrison, she was the daughter of W.J. and Joy Weatherly Barton. Ms. Rucker is survived by her husband Jimmy Don Rucker of Garrison; Sons, Tracy Rucker and Cory Rucker, both of Nacogdoches; Daughter, Terri Rucker of San Marcos; Mother, Joy Barton of Garrison; Brothers, Ed Barton of Vidor, Don Barton of Appleby, Benny Barton of Nacogdoches, Johnny Barton and Ronnie Barton, both of Woodville, and Roger Barton and Gary Barton, both of Hudson; Sister, Bobbie Cranford of Garrison. Garrison Funeral Home.

DOROTHY E. WILBURN
Dorothy E. Wilburn, 78, of Center died February 7, 2003, in Shelby Regional. Burial was in Oaklawn Memorial Park. Born January 15, 1925, in Shelby County, she was the daughter of Tom Martin and Gracy Lourenia Fielder. Ms. Wilburn was married to Clyde Wilburn and he preceded her in Death. Survivors include Daughter, Carolyn Bittick of Center; Sister, Exa Mae Tyler of Houston. Mangum Funeral Home.

LONZO LEE MOORE, SR.
Lonzo Lee Moore, Sr., 75, of Center died February 6, 2003 in Shelby Regional. Burial was in Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Born May 22, 1927, in Center, he was the son of Jams an Sue Willie Dixon Moore. Mr. Moore was preceded in death by children, Lucy Patton, Alice Hamilton, James L. Moore and Dora Sue Moore. He is survived by children, C.L. Casey, Merlene Allen Alonza Moore, Jr., Zelma Moore, Michael Moore Freddie Moore; brothers, L.B. Brown of Nacogdoches, Rev. Ray Dixon of Mansfield, Louisiana, Rev. Robert Dixon of Houston and William of Sudan, Willie glen Moore and James. Hicks Mortuary.

KARLA FERNADA CORDOVA
Karla Fernada Cordova, infant, died February 12, 2003 in Nacogdoches. Burial was in Restland Cemetery. Born February 12, 2003, she was the daughter of Jorge A. and Leticia Luna Cordova. In addition to her parents, survivors include Grandparents, Otila Cordova of Loredo and Antonio and Rosa Luna of Center. Watson & Sons Funeral Home.

BOBBY BUSHIEY
Bobby Bushiey, 59, of Center died February 3, 2003. Burial was in Oaklawn Memorial Park. Survivors include son Joey Bushiey; Brothers, Charlie Bushiey and Louie Bushiey; Sister, Beth Bushiey. Watson & Sons Funeral Home.

SURNAME	SUBMITTED BY	SURNAME	SUBMITTED BY	SURNAME	SUBMITTED BY
HAMMERS	Elois Bilyeu	CHISM	Harold Gosnell	-	-