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Our oldest son, William Jesse, had wandered out to
New Mexico Territory and had worked for several little cattle companies, and had been on
trail drives through much of the southwest. He was quite impressed with that area
and it's potential for ranching. So Molly and me
packed up for another move. This time we had a herd of cattle and horses to drive
with us as we had done very well in ranching while in Texas. When we reached the
Pecos River we found it to be in flood stage and the grass was very poor, so I sold my
cattle for $1.00 a head.
We then made a forced drive across west Texas, stopping in the
Rio Grande valley near Mesilla, New Mexico to recoup the horse herd and take a much needed
rest. While there Mexican Banditos stole a sizable portion of the horses and took
them across the river into Mexico. Because of this problem our rest only lasted about
three weeks, and then we were off on the final leg of our trip.
We stopped in Frisco, New Mexico, where I bought out the
interest of a store/bar/post office and rights to ranch over as much area as one was tough
enough to defend. Me and my boys raised cattle and horses. We had a big spread
there that we called "Jones and Sons Cattle Company".
From time to time some of the family from Franklin County would
come out to visit with us. My niece, Jessie Jones and her husband Jehue Hester came
out to see us and stayed for a spell. We started a little church while they were
there and Jehue was the Sunday School teacher. They didn't like New Mexico too well,
so they left and moved on to Texas. It was mighty good to have our folks from
Alabama to come visit with us from time to time, but I sure missed my home and family in
Franklin County.
My health was beginning to fail me, but I wanted to try and make
a business trip to Kansas City. My family was against me going but they knew how bad
I wanted to go and take care of this business for our cattle company, so they decided to
let me go on the trip. However, they sent a man along to watch over me.
One day while there in Kansas City I felt so homesick to see the
old homeplace in Franklin County just one more time. I made up my mind right then
and there that I would go for a visit and I caught a train to Franklin County, Alabama.
When I arrived I went to the home of Molly's sister and brother-
in -law, Mourn Christiny and Wiley Robertson Hester. They lived in the old Stage
Stop Inn House over by Old Stand Church and Cemetery.
I am afraid my family is worried about me as they don't know
where I am and may think something bad has happened to me. I don't want to worry Molly and
my kids but I just had to see the old homeplace one more time. |
Mary Ann "Molly" Thompson and "Wash"
Born: February 9, 1839
I can feel I am getting weaker and weaker and I believe the end
may be very near. I don't believe I will be able to make it back to Molly and the
family in New Mexico. I think I have come home for the last time, and it looks like
it is here in Franklin County where I will be laid to rest with Ma and Pa and so many of
my kin.
My sister Kate has come to spend lots of time with me, and it is
so peaceful to have her hold my hand as we recall Ma and Pa, and the many happy times we
had together. Oh I just hope Molly and my kids will find it in their hearts to
forgive me for the worry I have put them through. Lord, please help them to understand
that I love them, but 1 just had to come back home one more time.
©Written by Betty (Bolton) Starnes, based on
stories told by Wade Richardson, a great nephew to Wash, and information from Quentin
Ford, a great grandson of Wash and Mary Ann "Molly" (Thompson) Jones.
Wash Jones was born December 28, 1835 and died
March 11, 1900 in Franklin County, Alabama. He was buried in the Jones (later
called) Ezzell Cemetery. His grave was removed in 1979 to the Greenhill Cemetery.
This cemetery is now known as the Greenhill-Ezzell Cemetery. |
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