Beck's Chapel History, 1941 Henderson Co. TX

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Athens Weekly Review
Historical & Homecoming Edition
May 1941
Beck's Chapel's Old Timers Went to Science Hill

Beck's Chapel
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The oldtimers of Beck's Chapel went to school at Science Hill, a school about
three miles from where Beck's Chapel now stands. Mrs. S. H. Riddlesperger
was among them, as well as the old Doctor Robert Hodge. Mrs. W. L. Reynolds
was among the last teachers at Science Hill. She taught in about 1892, and
Miss Willie Cotton was one of her pupils. Miss Willie Cotton was later a teacher
at Cross Roads.

There was once a Presbyterian college at Science Hill and it was from this college
that Science Hill got its name. There was also a Masonic lodge.

There was a negro man hanged at Science Hill for plotting to poison the white people.
The people being Southerners, disliked negroes at that time anyway.

Science Hill was moved to Beck's Chapel about fifty years ago because that was more
to the center of the community.

There was also a school by the name of Blossom Ridge. This was a one room
structure made of logs and having hued-log seats. There was only one teacher of this
place and her name was Miss Reilly Mitchell. This school was also moved to Beck's
Chapel.

Beck's Chapel got its name from the well-known Beck family of this community.

Mr. Stonewall Riddlesperger, now a resident of Malakoff, deeded land to the county
judge and his successors for a school and church as long as it was used for this
purpose.

There was a Methodist church organized when the school was. There was once a
camp meeting that lasted for days.

It seems unusual now but there was about forty years ago, a postoffice. The name of it
was "Bute," and a family by the name of Bravles took care of it. There was also a
telephone party line and two gins.

Uncle Henry Ward's wife was the first one to be buried at Beck's Chapel. She was
buried in 1900, and from that day to this there has been a graveyard.

W. C.. Smith, grandfather of our former principal, owned all of Doodle Bug for many
years. He moved in several families and they organized a school, which was named
Antioch. This school lased for several years. Mr. Adrian Ford came in charge of
Doodle Bug a few years ago and in a little time the children started to school at Beck's
Chapel.

Beck's Chapel was consolidated with Cross Roads in 1934. This brought about
30 more student to the Cross Roads school.

There was also a Baptist and a Holiness church organize in Doodle Bug.

Transcribed 2003

Old Newspaper Articles of Henderson County

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