Thomas died on August 15, 1908 and Ella was to follow him in death eleven months and twenty-two days later on August 8, 1909 (court records give the date of death as August 30) . Verbal history as told by Burl Blake, the oldest son to his daughter Lyle L. Hampton nee Jackson, indicates Thomas died from a ruptured appendix, and Ella probably died from the Flu or pneumonia after repairing fences partially submerged in water. It can only be speculated that the strain and stress of her husbands death and the pressures being exerted on her by the tax collector contributed to her demise.The next few months saw the total breakup of the family unit, with the children being scattered like dandelion seeds before a wind to various locations to grow into adults. The oldest son Burl, after vain attempts to hold the family together on the ranch, went off on his own on the horse and saddle given to him by his father to find employment as a ranch hand. In one of the several emotional confrontations with people assisting in the breakup of the family unit, Cris Wilson, sister Camilla's husband tried to physically remove Burl from his horse (claiming it belonged to the estate). He desisted when Burl threatened to shoot him with a rifle, which was also given to him by his father.
There were many shameful acts by adult members of the extended family and others that were contrary to the best interest of the children. The second oldest son, Necious, in fact, joined Burl for a short while in his wanderings because of unhappy living conditions.
By October of 1909 O. D. Keese, a neighbor of Thomas and Ella, had filed a plea with the court to be appointed as the administrator of the estate, and the court had appointed him as a temporary administrator and had also appointed D. B. Seals and W. S. Hinds as appraisers of the estate. On October 5, 1909 the following court action was recorded.
Estate of T. C. Jackson | In Vacation
Ella Jackson Both Deceased | This 5th day of October 1909
It having been shown to me that T. C. Jackson and his wife Mrs. Ella Jackson both citizens and residents of the county of Bandera died in said county on the 15th day of Aug. 1908 and the 30th day of Aug. 1909 respectively leaving community estate
ofconsisting of real and personal property of the probable value of one thousand (1000) dollars and that the interest of said estate require the immediate appointment of an administrator it is therefore ordered that O. D. Keese be and is hereby appointed temporary administrator of the estate of T. C. Jackson deceased and Ella Jackson deceased, with authority to take possession of all the property of said estate and to sell at private sale any part of all said property that may in the judgement of the said O. D. Keese administrator be necessary to sell for the preservation and best interest of said estate and for the support maintenance and welfare of the minor heirs of said estate said sale or sales so be made for cash or on a credit as provided by law as the said O. D. Keese, administrator deems to be the best interests of said estate. And the said O. D. Keese administrator is hereby further authorized to collect all debts due the estate and to pay all just claims against the estate when same have been established in accordance with law, and to bear all necessary expenses for the support and maintenance of the minor heirs of the said T. C. and Ella Jackson deceased and to do and perform all such other and further acts as may be necessary for the preservation and best interest of said estate.
It is further ordered that the said O. D. Keese give bond in the sum of one Thousand (1000) Dollars and take the oath as required by law; that this order shall be recorded in the probate minutes of the County Court of said county and this appointment shall cease to be of force on the day designated for taking up probate business at the first term of the county court held next after the date of this order.J. W. Currie Co. Judge
Bandera Co, Texas
The following was recorded during the October Term 1909:The State of Texas | In County Court of Said County
County of Banders | During Vacation
In the matter of the Estate of T. C. and Ella Jackson deceased
The following is a full and true Inventory and Appraisement of all the Estate, both real and personal of T. C. and Ella Jackson deceased, which has come to the possession or knowledge of the undersigned O. D. Keese Temporary Administrator of the said Estate
Common Property
Survey No. 168.7 J. P. Hill Grantee 80 Acres 500.00Survey No. 168.6 R. W. Hill Grantee 80 Acres 250.00
Common Property 750.0024 Head Stock cattle @ 9.00 216.
1 Horse 25.
1 Filly 20.
1 Wagon 5.
1 Stove Utensils 3.
2 Smoothing Irons .50
1 Turning Plow 4.
1 Double Shovel 2.
1 Georgia Shock & Sweep 1.
2 Bed Stead & Springs 4.
1 Tent 4.
_______
284.50
Mrs. Jackson mother of T. C. Jackson deceased at the time of her death was the owner of a certain House and Lot in Medina Texas of the appropriate(sic) value of One Hundred and fifty no/100 dollars, which said T. C. Jackson deceased had a child's interest at the time of his death but the value of said interest is unknown to the appraisers
Personal Estates - Moneys Notes And Credits Money on hand at time of Decease-------------$ None
Notes and accounts Due Deceased and Description of The
Same----------------------------------------- None
Total Separate Property---------------------- None
" Common " $ 1034.50
Grand Total $ 1034.50
Dated at Medina Texas this Sixteenth day of October 1901Temporary Administrator of T. C. and Ella Jackson Deceased
We The Undersigned Appraisers, do hereby certify that pursuant to a warrant under an order of your court to us directed, we have appraised all the property described and mentioned in the above inventory, which has been to us exhibited setting down opposite to each item in said inventory, in figures the value there of in money as by us determined.
Dated this Sixteenth day October 1909
Subscribed and sworn to this 16th | B. B. Seale >Appraisers
day of October A. D. 1909 | W. S. Hinds Sr.
C. W. Harris Notary Public
Bandera Co., Texas
The State of Texas |
County of Bandera | O. D. Keese AdministratorBeing duly sworn, on oath says, that he is the temporary Administrator of the estate of T. C. and Ella Jackson late of said County, deceased, and that the foregoing is a full and complete inventory and list of all the property and claims belonging to the estate of the said T. C. and Ella Jackson deceased, which have come to his possession or acknowledged, and that upon diligent inquiry has not been able to discover any other property belonging to the estate of said deceased.
Subscribed and sworn on this | O. D. Keese
16th day of October 1909 |Temporary Administrator
C. W. Harris Notary Public |
Bandera Co. Tex. |
Filed 26 Oct. 1909
W. R. Fletcher
C.C.C.B.C.Approved by me this 26th day of October 1909
J. W. Currie County Judge
On April 28, 1910 the following plea to the court was made by O. D. Keese.
Estate of T. C. Jackson and Ella Jackson Deceased
| In the County Court of Bandera County April Term A.D. 1910
This the 28th day of April 1910To the Hon. J. W. Currie Judge of said County
Your petitioner O. D. Keese Administrator of the estate of
T. C. Jackson and Ella Jackson deceased respectfully represents and shows to the court that it is necessary to sell the following described Real Estate belonging to said estate.Survey No. 1686 R. W. Hill Grantee 80 acres
Survey No. 1687 J. P. Hill Grantee 80 acresBecause there is now no funds belonging to said estate to be expended for the support of the minor children of T. C. and Ella Jackson deceased and further said above Real Estate has not now more than twelve acres of land in cultivation which will not support said minors and there is little or no more land on said tracts that can be put into state of cultivation, and your petitioner prays further that said Real Estate cannot be rented or leased out for anything near enough to School or Clothe said minors and your petitioner further states there are valid claims now against said Estate unpaid.
Wherefore your petitioner prays that he have orders to sell above described Real Estate at private Sale for cash, for the purposes and reasons above stated.
O. D. Keese
Administrator of Estate of T. C. & Ella Jackson Deceased.By W. S. Ethredge
Atty. for O. D. Keese
Filed Apr. 29th 1910
W. R. Fletcher C.C.C.B.C.
Many other legal actions are on record in the courthouse at Bandera, Texas that describe how the real and personal property was disposed of. Initially all 160 acres were sold to W. F. Slaughter. However, there was some dispute of the title to the 80 acres identified as survey 168.6, and subsequently it was sold as described below.
Estate of T. C. & Ella Jackson Deceased
In the County Court of Bandera County Texas. April Term A.D. 1910
This 24th day of July A.D. 1911
To the Hon. J.W. Currie Judge of said CourtO. D. Keese administrator of said estate, here now reports to the Court, that in obedience to an order made by the Court on the 29th day of April 1910 and afterwards by order made and entered extended the time of sale of the hereinafter described Land I did on the 15th day of July A.D. 1911, at my residence in Bandera County State of Texas at private sale, sell to W. G. Keese of Bandera County State of Texas the following, described property belonging to said estate of T. C. Jackson and Ella Jackson deceased to-wit. Survey No. 168.6 R. W. Hill Grantee 80 acres for the sum of three hundred Dollars all cash, said property so sold is the same land described in said order of sale and afterwards time of sale was extended by the Court and the time of sale are the same as therein set forth.
O. D. Keese
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 24th day of July A.D. 1911.
Seal J. W. Currie Co. Judge
Bandera Co. Texas
Filed Aug. 5 1911
W. R. Fletcher C.C.C.B.C.
This 80 acres was purchased by T. C. Jackson for the sum of 240.00, $ 127.00 of which was paid in cash with the remainder being paid by a promissory note. The property was on waters of Moffets Creek, a tributary of the Medina river about nineteen miles from Bandera. Further description of the property is contained in county records of the sale at Bandera, Texas.The 80 acres identified as Survey 168.7 was sold for the price of $ 500 Dollars to Mr. Slaughter.
GUARDIANSHIP Initially David S. Palmer, Ella's younger brother was appointed guardian of the children. However, because of his mistreatment of the children and possible other factors, it appeared that the next few years after the deaths of Thomas and Ella were unhappy and sometime chaotic years for the children.
It all started with the appointment of Dave Palmer as the guardian of the children by Judge J.W. Currie of the County of Bandera, Texas. Excerpts of the application of Dave Palmer and the subsequent appointment as they appeared in the court records are transcribed below.
THE PETITION
The State of Texas, | In County Court of Bandera
County of Bandera | County Setting for Probate Purposes
In Vacation May 16 1910The petition of Dave Palmer as resident of Bexar County respectfully represents that Burl Jackson Netious(sic) Jackson, Lane Jackson and Shelby Jackson as minors and male persons, and Edna(sic) Jackson is a female person and also a minor, and whose ages are as follows Burl Jackson is about 16 years of age and Netious(sic) Jackson is about 13 years of age Shelby Jackson about 7 years of age and Edna(sic) Jackson about 4 years of age and Land Jackson about 11 years of age all of whom reside in Bandera County Texas except Burl Jackson who is now over 14 years old and who is temporarily absent from said County.
Your petitioner further shows that the parents of said minors lately died in said Bandera County at their residence. Your petitioner further represents that said minors have no relatives known to petitioner entitled by preference to the Guardianship of said minors, and that your petitioner is not disqualified from performing the duties thereof.
Wherefore your petitioner prays that he be appointed Temporary Guardian of the person of said minors and that citation issue as the law directs and at the next regular term of the court that said appointment be made permanent.
Dave Palmer
By W. S. Ethridge Atty for Applicant
Filed June 20th A.D. 1910
W. R. Fletcher C.C.C.B.C.
The name "Edna" is used throughout the court records. However the correct name as used by the family is Edness.
THE APPOINTMENT Guardianship of the persons of ) In Vacation
Burl Jackson et al Minors ( This May 16, 1910This day came on to be heard the application of Dave Palmer for letters of temporary guardianship on the persons of Burl Jackson, Netious(sic) Jackson, Lane Jackson and Shelby Jackson, male minors and Edna(sic) Jackson a female minor aged about 16,13,7 and 4 years respectively and it appearing to the court that Burl Jackson one of said minors, being over 14 years of age has waived citation by personal service & made choice of Dave Palmer as guardian of his person and it further appearing to the Court that the father & mother of said minors are both dead that said minors have no guardian of their persons and that the interests of said minors require the immediate appointment of a guardian. It is therefore ordered that Dave Palmer be and he is here now appointed temporary guardian of the persons of the said Burl Jackson, Necious Jackson, Lane Jackson & Edna(sic) Jackson minors and that letters issue to him on his giving bond in the sum of $ 500 (five hundred dollars) and taking the oath required by law, and unless this appointment is contested at the next regular term of this Court after service of citation the same shall be made permanent.
It is therefore ordered that the clerk issue citation in accordance with sec. 5, Chapter 15 General Laws 29th Legislature.
J. W. Currie
Co. Judge Bandera Co. Texas
SUMMARY OF COURT RECORDS OBTAINED BY LYLE L. NEE JACKSON HAMPTON DATE ACTIVITY
1897 T. C. Jackson purchases 80 acre tract identified as survey 168.6 for $ 240.00October 5, 1909 Judge J. W. Currie of Bandera County issues a court order appointing O.D.
Keese as a Temporary Administrator of the estate.
October 9, 1909 O. D. Keese takes an oath to perform the duties of the Administrator of the
estate.
October 15, 1909 Judge J. W. Currie appoints D. B. Seale and W. S. Hinds Sr. as appraisers of the
estate.
October 15, 1909 O. D. Keese makes bond for $ 1,000 with W. S.Hinds Sr. and L. B. Keese as co-
signers
October 16, 1909 Appraisal submitted to court by D. B. Seale and W. S. Hinds Sr.
October 18, 1909 Judge J. W. Currie orders the temporary administration be continued until the
next term of the court.
October 26, 1909 Sworn statement by O. D. Keese that the appraisal is true.
October 26, 1909 Appraisal approved by Judge J. W. Currie.
January 17, 1910 The appointment of O. D. Keese as Administrator extended to the next regular
term of the court.
February 1, 1910 O. D. Keese makes formal application to be appointed as administrator of the
estate.
February 25, 1910 Judge J. W. Currie orders Sheriff to post notice of the appointment of O. D.
Keese in three locations in Bandera County, one of which to be on the door of
the county courthouse.
February 26, 1910 Sworn statement that posting were made
(1) Courthouse door at Bandera
(2) Medina
(3) Tarpley
This sworn statement was not filed until April 18, 1910
April 18, 1910 Sworn oath by O. D. Keese to perform the duties of the Administrator of the
estate.
April 18, 1910 O. D. Keese ordered to provide a new bond.
April 18, 1910 Sworn statement of the current condition of the estate including the sale of 64
head of cattle,a wagon and a table.
April 28, 1910 O. D. Keese enters a plea to sell the property to meet the needs of the estate.
April 28, 1910 Court order for O. D. Keese make the sales and to provide a report within
30 days from the date of the sale.
April 30, 1910 O. D. Keese reports the sale of two eighty acres pieces of real estate; Survey 168.6 for $ 300 and Survey 168.7 for $ 500 to W. T. Slaughter.
May 13, 1910 O. D. Keese ordered to provide a new bond.
May 16, 1910 David S. Palmer petitions the court to become the guardian of the estate and minor children.
May 16, 1910 Court issues a citation of the petition.
May 16, 1910 Court appoints D. S. Palmer as the temporary Guardian.
May 18, 1910 David Palmer makes bond for $ 500 with O. D. Keese and G. G. Hinds.
May 18, 1910 O. D. Keese files a new bond with P. G. Love, W. R. Keese and J. M. Adams signing surety.
June 4, 1910 Dave Palmer takes oath to discharge duties as guardian.
November 3, 1910 Court approves of sale of property to W. F. Slaughter.
July 24, 1911 Report of sale of 80 acres Survey 168.6 to W.G. Keese for $ 300.
July 27, 1911 Extension on sale of survey 168.6 granted by by the court because of a defect in the title.
August 5, 1911 Report of O. D. Keese on $ 190.00 on hand from sale of property and asking the
court for an order to turn the money over to D. S. Palmer.
August 5, 1911 Court order for O. D. Keese to pay D. S. Palmer the sum of $190.00.
August 5, 1911 Court approves sale of survey 168.6
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