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Below are transcripts of 3 letters written by James Helen Roark (1847-1914) to his second wife, Clara, and their daughter Helen L. Roark (b. 1880). James H. Roark was son of Andrew Jackson Roark (see Handbook of Texas) and Helen M. McNeill, daughter of Judge Archibald McNeill and Cynthia Jemima Edwards McNeill. He was orphaned and raised by the McNeills, and served under his uncle, Capt. John James Dix in the Frontier Rangers, and later under Hiram Mitchell, Santos Benavides and John S. Ford in the Civil War. Serving with him were his uncles, Marvel E. McNeill, Thomas "Pate" McNeill, Robert B. McNeill (Toliver "Tol" McNeill was not yet old enough). The McNeills were also early settlers of Live Oak County. James was apparently staying with his aunt (though raised more as an older sister) Florence M. McNeill Reid and her husband Oliver Phillip Reid Jr., while in Laredo. The Rameys were his in-laws. Pate McNeill had married a Mary Pearce, likely sister of Shug Pearce. Pinky is Pinky Taylor, wife of Clarence W. McNeill McNeil (publisher of Lagarto Echo and 1st cousin of James Roark). Mittie is Mettilyne McNeill Pinder, a daughter of Marvel E. McNeill, and the wife of Lt. Joseph W. Pinder. I'd be interested in any additional information on those mentioned in these letters. Many are unknown to me... J. K. Purcell P.S. James did indeed see better days. He made and lost a fortune as a Stockman in the panic of 1893. He was elected Justice of the Peace in both Live Oak Co. and later in Alice, Texas. He retired to San Antonio and died there six years before his wife, who lived off of his Confederate Pension. They had 6 children together, he having had one daughter, Florence Agnes Roark (raised by the Reids), by his first wife, Eliza Byrn who died of Cholera in 1868. She was daughter of San Antonio City Marshall, Citizen Byrn, and Agnes W. Clark. 1881, Oct. 8: The following are letters written by James Roark to his wife, Clara Ramey Roark who remained in Live Oak County, Texas: Stationary reads: O.P. Reid. C.M. MacDonell. O.P. REID & CO., Dealers In All Kinds And Qualities Of FURNITURE, Carpets, Mattings, Toilet Sets, &c. Laredo, Texas, Oct. 8th 1881 My Darling little Wife and Baby I arrived here Safe and Sound and am well and I hope this will find you Both well. I have not done anything as yet since I got here. this is the worst Overated, place I ever Saw or heard tell of. everything is over done, there will be another Gambling House opened in a few days and I have been promised a Showing to deal Monte when it opens. Ed Williams left for home yesterday and Shug Pearce the day before. I believe the folks are all well here, I have not Seen Pinky Since I came, Bennie has gone in to Mexico on Some business for the Railroad. I Saw Mittie once only So enough about the Laredo Folks. Mama how is papa's Sweet Baby tell her papa will Bring her little Rocking Chair when he Comes, and Something else pritty, there is a great many going on in to Mexico following up the Road, I will write again Soon and I hope I will have Something more Encouraging to write, take good care of my Baby and Kiss her lots of times for Papa, write as Soon as you get this, with much love and heap of Kisses I remain your Husband & papa. James Roark (The Bennie mentioned above is Bennie Dix) {Same Stationary and business heading as letter above} Laredo, Texas, Oct. 26th 1881 My Darling Wife & Baby You cant Imagine how disappointed I was when I went to the Post office yesterday and found there was no letter there for me from my dear little Wife, but Such is fate and I guess I will have to stand it for I think I will get one this Evening. this leaves all well Since I wrote you last I have made a little money playing on the out Side, and I will Send you ten dollars Enclosed in this, it is not much but will do you Some good. prospects looks a little brighter for me now than when I wrote you last Mr. Jace Wilson has got me to help him Deal and he will pay me So much acording to what he wins. its a poor Show but better than nothing I believe Bill Woodward is working the Same way, I think I will Stay until the 15th of next month wich will be pay Day again, then I think I will come home, for I am awful home Sick, and want to See my Baby Kiss her mama for Papa and tell her papa has got Such a pritty little lock Chair for her, and little Toy Piano well Clara, Rabb Williams left New Laredo this morning for Lampassas in Mexico a Prisoner he had nine Soldiers and two or three other officers garding him through. he killed a mexican on the other Side a few days ago betwen here and Lampassas. you bet he is a goner this time I never Seen him while he was in Jail though Bill Woodsen and Sevral of the Boys went to See him but could do nothing for him. I dont think he will ever See Texas again. I feel very Sory for Rabb but I could do nothing for him poor Boy, Jimmy Walls is also here walking around looks like he was about half crazy. he told me he was going to Mexico and was going to work his way back to Old England and talked as though he never expected to go back to Lagarto anymore, So you will have another Widow in Town. but he is Such an awful liar you Know you cant believe him, honey I will have to close for this time, allways answer on recept of my letters and dont have me runing to the Postoffice So often for nothing. give my love to all Enquiring Friends and Kiss Baby many times for Papa and dont let her forget Papa write soon and believe me as ever your loving Husband XXX PS. I will Send you a coppy of Jas. Roark the paper containg a very Incorect account of Rabb William, XXX San antonio Texas Jan. 21st 1884 My Dear little Wife I Know you think me mean for not writing oftner. but I have been thinking for the last week that I would come home. but Lamb told me yesterday that he would pay me a little Something to help him deal monte for a few days. and he says after a few days he might give me a better Show. So I thought I would stay awhile longer. though I want to See you and the babys awful bad. honey I did nothing in Austin Ben paid my expenses while there and give me ten dollars when I left. Billy Ramey is here and him and me lost about $60 last night I lost twenty five and he lost the Balance So you may know I feel a little blue this morning honey if I Suckcede in getting Stedy work here I will send for you and the Babys after awhile times are getting Dull here. your Pa is getting along very well, though I dont think he is making more than a living the children are all well. honey I havent Received any letter from you yet I told the P M. at austin if any letter come for me to return it to San Antonio I have been to the Office every day Since I come back and no letter you may know that I felt awfully Disappointed though I am doomed to Disappointment am getting used to it honey I know you are Spending a lonely time down there but try and Keep up the best you can they may be a brighter day for us yet. enclosed I Send you ten Dollars it all I have I also Send you Some of your Pa's advertisments Kiss the Babys many many times for Papa, and write Soon to your Darling Husband James Roark PS, has Billy Woodward got home yet, write me all the news. |
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