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The Family Garden
Notes
Thomas W KARNES
1850 Census, Middle District, Dickson County, Tennessee, Enumeration Date: 22 Sep 1850, Household #457
Karnes, Thos., age 39, Occupation: Blacksmith, Read Estate Value: $150, b. Tennessee
Martha A. W., age 20, female, b. Tennessee
John T., age 9, male, b. Tennessee
Mary A., age 7, female, b. Tennessee
Joseph R., age 5, male, b. Tennessee
Jacob, age 3, male, b. Tennessee
Wiseman, Jacob, age 24, male, Occupation: Farmer, b. Illinois
Carnes, Elly, age 1/12, female, b. Tennessee
The relationship between Jacob Wiseman and Thomas Karnes is not known. Included in my Mom's records is a copy of a book of Saline County, Illinois marriage records for a Daniel B. Karnes and Amanda C. Wiseman on October 22, 1866. Daniel could have been a brother to Thomas, or a son of one of Thomas siblings? Jacob Wiseman would have been born about 1824-1826 from his age of 24 on this census. Was he related to Amanda? And who was Elly Carnes? Then, this Daniel Karnes could not have been related at all - just a name and place coincidence.
The 1860 census shows Thomas at Post Office Danielsville, Dickson County, Tennessee. Three more children are show:
son, George W. age 6
daughter, Francis age 8
daughter, Ann age 1
His personal estate was estimated at $360.00
Thomas appears again in the 1870 Tennessee census, but not in the 1880 census.
Documents for Thomas Karnes:
20 Jan 1840
TN Early Marriages, Page 241
Karnes, Thomas to Martha Hall - issued 20 Jan 1840, Dickson Co, TN
1850 Census TN
copy of census record as described above
1860 Census TN
copy of census record as described above
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Martha AW HALL
1880 Census of Montgomery Co. TN:
F. A. Karnes 28 Male
B.A.J. Karnes 24 Female
Martha Karnes 59
G.W.C. Karnes 25 Male
C. Karnes 17 female
Household 442
Notes: If Martha was born in 1821, she would have been 59 in 1880, suspect this is her on the 1880 census, which indicates that Thomas may have died earlier then 1880. Other matches include: F.A. would have been her son Francis A, BAJ may have been his wife, GWC would have been her son George Washington, not sure who C. Karnes is, possible spouse of GWC?
Research Notes:
Possible relatives?
1850 Census, Middle District, Dickson County, TN
James H. Hall, age 29, farmer born in VA
Louisiana Hall, age 24, wife, b. TN
Elijah E., age 10, son, b. TN
M. P. Hall, age 26, b. Virginia, farmer, value of real estate: $200
Sarah C., wife, age 20, b. TN
Elizabeth R., age 2, b. TN
B. F., age 10/12 (male), b. TN
John Thomas KARNES
Notes found in my mother's notebooks: Possible children of John Thomas Karnes:
George Edward, b. 28 Jul 1872, d. 11 Nov 1936
Lou Ida, b. 15 Jan 1875
Irene (married a Mr. Sullivan), b. 31 Aug. 1901, d. 16 Jan 1973
Joseph R KARNES
Documents in my possession: 1870 Census, White Bluff, Dickson Co, TN
Name AGE Occupation
Karnes, Joseph 25 Occupation Tipping Whiskey
Louisa 30 Keeping House
Susan 5
Thomas 2
Martha 1 1880 Census, Montgomery Co, TN
J.R. Karnes 35 male
Louisa 40
Sue 13
August? 12
Etta 10
J.E. 8
Rosa 6
Sina L. 4
Household 458
Francis A KARNES
1880 Census, Montgomery Co, TN Dwelling 3:
Karnes, F. A., male age 34, occupation farmer
Karnes, B.A.J., female age 34
Karnes, Martha, female age 59, mother
Karnes, G.M.H., male, age 25, brother
Karnes, C, female, age 17, sister
Note, all born in TN, all parents born in TN.
George Washington KARNES
He was married 3-5-1881 in Montgomery Co. TN to Adeline Hodo. She was born 1863 in Montgomery Co. TN.
*Source: genforum
Jacob Lee KARNES
See Notes for Martha Elizabeth Alice Foster (his wife) for more documentation.
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JACOB LEE KARNES PROPOSAL LETTER TO MARTHA ALICE ELIZABETH (BETTIE) FOSTER (copy in my files)
Sunday Morning, July 16, 1876
Montgomery Co, Tenn
Miss Bettie Foster,
Dearest object of my love : I hope you will excuse me for writing to you; and especially on the subject that I am about to write. I had much rather see you and tell you in words what I am so feebly trying to sketch here - but it seems that when I am in your company that my courage is not equal to my inclinations. And the seemingly indifference with which you seem to ward off every attempt in that direction stops my utterances and consequently I have concluded to write to you and try to impress in your mind what is the source of my innermost thoughts
For indeed, Dear girl, you cannot imagine how much anxiety I am undergoing on your account and the sad contemplating of a dark and stormy future. There are many things I could say if I thought it would accomplish my desire, but not knowing in what light you may consider this, I will defer the greater part of it until I see you. At which time I hope you will let me no precisely what I might depend on, and as my future happiness depends a great deal on your answer. I hope you will consider my most imperfect letter kindly and give me a favorable answer.
To speak of love, would only be to say so, for I have not the power of speech to explain one degree of what I have for you though. I will try to impress on your mind some idea of what I feel and how dear you are to me. For, Dear girl, you are more than all this world and if I had all the wealth of this world at my command and you were mine, I would not change you and if you were mine, I would not change you for it, although I am poor. But would make any sacrifice possible for more if I thought it would accomplish my object and that is to make you mine in the happy bonds of Matrimony and say Dear girl that it be so. Will you consent to give your hand accompanied by your heart and crown my most sincere desire with the sweetest avocations of a never dying love won by you from the fist time I ever saw you.
Or, shall I after all my fond hopes and most sanguine expectations hear your say no. Oh! What sorrowful thoughts. Oh, those cruel phantoms of the brain. Could I but cast them from me with the assurance that my love was returned, what a happy change it would make in my feelings
But man cannot direct the course of future events. I cannot - xxxxx will have to submit to the decrees of fate.
Which if contrary to my desire I fear will vendor me miserable for the remainder of my life which I hope if I am rejected by you, will not last longer than I can make peace with my god & fly from this world of sin & sorrow to the regions of the Blist, where he has said come unto me all ye - to that are heavy laiden and ye shall find rest unto your souls for I am meek and heavy is my burden is Light. Yes when I see that all I hold dear on this earth is taken from me, I will pray God to forsake my sins and hail death as a welcome visitor. For I am satisfied in my condition and if you are not willing to risk yourself to my keeping, there is no other remedy though if you will consent to be mine, I promise you before high…..(copy is blank here)….I will submit….(copy is blank here)…..if it crushes one at once, it is then that I fancy myself one of the most miserable beings living and a distant wonder in some other country the remainder of my life for it I fail to get you, it is my intention to leave this country as soon as I can arrange my business. And I think that if you will consider this rightly that your cannot hesitate to accept me though if you think otherwise, I cannot help it, but would ask you in all the cencerity of one that loves better even than himself to pause and think….(copy is blank here)…..all others & that Darling one is you. You are the only one that I ever loved. I have seen people that I have formed attachments for but I never knew what true love was until I saw you. For fear I weary you too much, I will wind to a close as soon as possible and now will you after carefully considering my letter be so cruel-hearted as to cause xxxxx in bitter anguish that never looked on you only to love you…..(copy is blank here)…..but do not think it proper at present. But one is that my business is or will be such soon that I will require xxxxxx partners and as my truest & warmest affections have consumed can you. I thus truly and candidly ask you will you be mine. Shall I hear you say no, I will never thought of you in that respect and just merely regard you as a friend. This Dear girl would be fatal to my existence though I will wait your …..(copy is blank here) ……you one possessing property & that you would prefer in my place. ..if so I cannot blame you, but you can never find anymore loving heart or one that is more willing to spend a life of toil & labor for your exclusive happiness.
I could write as much more if I though it would accomplish my design though I think if you will consider this seriously that I have written enough & perhaps too much. So, I will leave the rest untill I see you which I hope will be Sunday if it is agreeable with you. I will be there Sunday Evening about 2 (too) aclock p.m. and I want you to read this and make up your mind. For I must no my fate whatever it is...for it seems to me that I can not rest until I do no. You can answer this by writing, if you choose or tell me in plain words when I see you.
After reading this & considering this if you think it worth attention you will please show it to your parents for as I am a plain and honest man I do not care to go too far with a step that might meet their disapprobation. I leave that entirely with you whether to communicate it to them or not. If I am not too busy and it is agreeable with your feelings, I will be at your house Saturday evening, though if you have any objections to seeing me, please inform me by note as soon as you get this. I will close by saying hat I hope you will ever remember that I am your real love.
Jacob Karnes
(Please excuse bad writing)
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Record of Funeral (copy in files)
Date: 27 Dec 1909
Name of Deceased: Jacob Karnes
Charge to : W. F. Karnes
Date of funeral: 28 Dec 1909
Funeral Services at: Home
Time: 10:00 am
Interment at Oakwood Cemetery
Block 3, Lot 4, West D Street.
Price of Casket: $25.00
OUtlay for Lot: $15.00
Opening Grave: $5.00
Total: $45.00
Payment by cash Dec 25: $2.50
Payment: $20.00
April 9: $2.00
Mar 20: $2.00
June 4: $2.25
Total paid: $28.75
Written on the side: $45.00 - $28.75 = $16.25
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My mother, Laurie Jeanne Karnes, wrote the following based on stories her father, William Foster Karnes, son of Jacob, told her (and I imagine a bit of fanciful embellishment) :
JACOB AND THE CIVIL WAR
1861, Tennessee
Jacob was 12 years old and the Confederate States of America had been formed. A war was breaking out. Jacob wanted with all his heart to fight in the war. He walked the six miles into town to the nearest post office and told the man in uniform he wanted to join up. The soldier asked him how old he was and when he said he was 12, the soldier told him to go back home and when he grew up he could enlist. With his eyes on the ground and a sad heart, Jacob walked back home to watch his two older brothers go off to fight the war. Jacob did not want to spend the war years on the farm, although he was proud of his brothers for what they were doing. He never told his Ma and Pa what he had done for fear they would laugh at him. They thought he had gone fishing after he had finished his chores. So, Jacob, the only boy left at home, helped his Pa work the farm and his sisters helped work in the garden and do the house chores with their Ma.
Every chance Jacob got, he went to the post office where he could listen to people talk about what was happening in the war. Letters were few and far between and the post office was the gathering place for news. When letters were received, they were read out loud and shared with everyone. Not many people got newspapers and radios had not been invented yet, so news of the war was hard to come by. For a while, the Yankee's were in Tennessee not far from where young Jacob lived. They were fighting the Confederates right down the river from where he lived. His Ma and Pa kept a close eye on his whereabouts for fear he would run away and search for his brothers. One night, Jacob had gone to bed, tired, but unable to sleep, wondering about his brothers and if they were sleeping. From the distance he heard soft singing voices. His curiosity got the best of him. He crept out of bed and out of the house so as not to awaken his Ma and Pa. He had to walk about a mile to a bend in the river and what Jacob saw was the most amazing thing in the world. The Confederate soldiers were on one side of the river and the Yankee soldiers were on the other side. It was too dark to fight. No one knows who stated singing, but when Jacob got close enough, the men on both sides were singing, “There's no place like home”. Jacob set down on a log and reflected on the scene he was watching and listening to. He knew that, although a war was going on, these men fighting each other on different sides were still just boys away from home. They all had Ma's and Pa's and friends back home. When it came night time and the fighting stopped for a few hours, they found their thoughts going back to loved ones, wondering how things were and how their families war faring with all the turmoil and uncertainty of the country that belonged to them all. Jacob's folks didn't know he had slipped out of the house. He crept back into bed and did some more reflecting on what he had seen wondering if his brothers were sleeping or sitting on a river bank somewhere feeling homesick. The next morning at breakfast, Jacob told his Ma and Pa what he had done and how it made him feel. He told them, even if he wasn't big enough to fight in the war, he was helping his brothers because he was the only man left at home to help their Pa. Jacob's Ma and Pa listened and looked at each other smiling. They had to tell Jacob they too had crept out of the house because they had heard the singing. They had not seen Jacob. Pa had gone up to one of the Confederate soldiers though and asked him if he knew of his sons. He told him, yes, but they were in another regiment in Georgia. They were well and not to worry. Soon after, the war was over and all the soldiers from Tennessee came home. Families celebrated the return of sons and husbands. Jacob could not help wondering if the families of the Yankee soldiers were as happy as they were. With the war over, there was a lot of work to be done. The war had taken its toll on the state they lived in. Everyone, families and neighbors worked together to put things in order. They all looked towards the future and where the South was heading.
The End
Martha Elizabeth Alice FOSTER
Notes on Jacob Lee Karnes and Martha Elizabeth (Bettie) Foster
by Laurie Jeanne Karnes (grandaughter)
On July 16, 1876, Jacob Karnes wrote a letter to Martha Elizabeth (Bettie) Foster proposing marriage to her (See notes for Jacob Lee Karnes which contain the text of the letter). It seems he was too bashful to propose to her in person. He was so fearful of her saying no to him and did not want her to see the rejection on his face. She accepted though and they were married in Montgomery County, TN in 1876. So family history goes, they lived with Jacob's brother, John, in Clarksville, TN for awhile at least.
In 1877, their first daughter, Beulah Benton was born. In 1879, Blanche May, in 1881, Thomas Jefferson, and in 1882 William Foster. In 1884, when Foster was two years old, they packed their belongings and came to Texas by train. Bettie's parents had moved to Texas a year before them. They lived in Ellis county, just down the road from Jeff and Annie Foster - Bettie's parents. They lived on a rented farm as did the Fosters.
The Karnes family moved outside of Corsicana in 1890 at the same time the Foster family moved to Corsicana, TX. While they were still in Ellis County, they had another girl, Nellie Allen in 1887. After moving to Corsicana, two more daughter's were born. Annie Laurie in 1891 and Winne Lee in 1899. The Karnes and Fosters both moved into town and lived in what was called Thorpe Addition. Jacob did carpenter work to support his family.
Bettie was known for years by family and friends as Dr. Karnes. If anyone was sick, they called Dr. Karnes to come care for them. At one time, she had several people staying at her house with the flu - she had them brought there because there were so many to care for. Then she was called to come take care of one of her daughter's who had come down with the flu. She couldn't leave because she already had so many sick people in her house, so she sent some neighbors off with a feather bed to carry her daughter home. He died in 1909, leaving Bettie with a ten year old daughter to finish raising He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Corsicana. Bettie suffered for many years from Brights Disease. She took ill in 1938 and went to a daughter's house in Dallas, where she died.
Notes:
These stories were told to me by Ruby Lee Rogers Heifner :
She kept a big wooden barrel at the back of her kitchen filled with cookies. Neighbors and family stopped by all day and evening to get a cookie and a chat with Bettie. Her doors were never locked and visitors were always welcome. She organized what she called "heavy" cleaning days - the women would meet at her house for breakfast and they would go down the block and clean each house as a group. Bettie was present for every birth in her neighborhood and the women would all pitch in and do the housework and cooking for the new mothers until they were back on their feet. The Fosters and the Karnes all loved music and on Saturday nights, they would have a big street dance. Everyone who could played a musical instrument, and they sang and danced. She was loved and highly respected by all her family and neighbors.
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Marriage bond of $1250.00 posted by Jacob Carnes & F. A. Carnes on 9 Sep 1876. Marriage license granted to Jacob Carnes and Elizabeth Foster on 9 Sep 1876. Marriage license certified that the marriage was performed on 10 Sep 1876. (copy in files)
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1880 Census, Civil District #18, Montgomery County, Tennessee, Enumeration District 143, Page 7, Household #49, Enumeration Date: 11th & 12th day of June 1880. Karnes, Jacob, male, age 32, occupation farmer
Karnes, M.A, female, wife, age 19, occupation keeping house
Karnes, B.B., female age 3, daughter
Karnes, B.M., female age 1, daughter
NOTE: M. A. is Martha Alice, B.B. is daughter Beulah Benton, and B.M. is daughter Blanche May.
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She is found living with her son-in-law and daughter, Earl V. Wilson and wife Winne, in the 1920 census:
1920 Census, Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas. Enumeration District: 145, Sheet # 9A, Enumeration Day: 7 Jan 1920, household # 190.
Wilson, Earl V., head, age 26, b. Texas, both parents b. Texas, Occupation: Barfronter??, Industry: Oil Company, Wage worker.
Winnie L., wife, age 20, b. Texas, father b. Texas, both parents b. Tennesee
Karnes, Elizabeth M.E., mother, age 60, b. Tennessee, both parents b. Tennessee
Foster, Annie E., grandmother, age 79, b. Tennessee, both parents b. North Carolina
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Family lore says that Bettie divided her time up between staying with her different children in her last years. She evidently caught the census taker twice in 1930 - she is found living with two different daughters:
1. Daughter Winne Karnes Wilson
1930 Census, Ward 2 (Pct), Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas. Enumeration District: 175, Sheet # 13B, Enumeration Date: 14 Apr 1930
Wilson, Earl V. , head, owns home values at $2800, age 37, married first at age 25, b. Texas, parents both born in Texas, Occupation: Moulder, Industry: Iron Factory. Veteran: Yes, War of Expedition: WW. (Note, he was a veteran of WWI, it doesn't say WWI because this is in 1930 and WWII hadn't happened yet!)
Winnie L., wife, age 31, age at first marriage 19, born in Texas, both parents b. Tennessee.
Earl V. Jr, son, age 10, attending school
Carson A., son, age 8, attending school
Harold V., son, age 3
Karnes, Martha E., mother-in-law, age 72, widowed, age at first marriage 17, b. Tennessee, both parents b. Tennessee
2. Daughter Nellie Allen Karnes Evans
1930 Census, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas. Enumeration District: 57-34, Sheet Number 26B, Enumeration Date: 11 Apr 1930, Block 867. (Address may be 1217 Washington Street).
Evans, Nellie, head, home rented for $25, owns a radio set, female, age 42, divorced, able to read and write, b. Texas, father b. Tennessee, mother b. Tennessee, Occupation: Marker, Industry: Laundry, wage earner, employed.
Ozella, daughter, age 18
Leland, son, age 12
William, son, age 9
Karnes, Martha, mother, age 70, widowed, b. Tennessee, both parents b. Tennessee
Dawson, Margaret, roomer, age 45, widow, b. Texas, parents both born in Texas.
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Documents in my possession for Jacob Karnes and Bettie Foster Karnes:
20 Sep 1876
Marriage License for Jacob Karnes and Elizabeth Foster, note Karnes is spelled Carnes on the marriage license.
10 Mar 1906
Purchased Lot Number 6 (house and land) of the Thorpe addition of Corsicana, Navarro Co, TX for the sum of $850 to be paid in installments of $10 monthly with a 10% per annum interest rate. He paid $80 as a down payment. House was purchased from G.J. and Maggie Irvin. This transaction was filed in McClennan Co, TX. There are many dates on this document:
10 Mar 1906 Document witnessed at Waco, TX
16 Mar 1906 Document witnessed by G. J. Irwin
04 Jan 1910 Filed for the record
28 Feb 1910 Recorded in McClennan Co, TX
1908 Corsicana City Directory
Karnes, Jacob (Elizabeth), carp, r Thorpe addn
18 July 1919
$450.00 paid by Mrs. Beulah Hamilton (nee Karnes) for Elizabeth Karnes(a feme sole) to discharge the lien executed by Jacob Karnes for Lot No. 6 in Block No. 587, conveyed by G. J. Irvin and wife by deed recorded in Vol. 128, at page 600 of the deed records of Navarro Co,TX.
"It being the object and purpose of this deed to convey the above described property to my daughter Mrs. Beulah Hamilton because of the advancement of the money above stated for the purpose of paying off and discharging debts against the above described property and which I am wholly unable to pay and in order that said property could be saved from sale in order to pay off said debts."
1922 Corsicana City Directory
Karnes, Martha E (wid Jacob), r Thorpe addn
28 Jul 1925
Agreement between Elizabeth Karnes, a widow, and Beulah Hamilton, a widow, and Corsicana Lumber Company, to furnish all the labor and materials to construct a 4 room one story shingled roof frame dwelling at Lot No 6 of the Thorpe Addition, loans $900 for labor and materials, $700 to be used for materials and $200 to be used for labor.
11 Oct 1926
Discharge of lien on Lot No. 6 of the Thorpe addtion, Corsicana,Navarro Co, TX for $500.00 borrowed from Corsicana Lumber Co by Elizabeth Karnes and Beulah Hamilton on 28 Jul 1928 (because the lienwas paid off).
29 Aug 1928 (Record Filed)
Beulah Hamilton, in consideration of the sum of $10 and love and affection for my Mother: Ten dollars to me in hand paid by Mrs. Bettie Karnes and to be paid as follows. Mrs. Bettie Karnes agrees to assume and to pay off one certain loan for the original sum of $1,000, said loan being dated 1 Oct 1926 from United Savings Bank of Detroit Michigan, and the balance now due ...$830.00, have...sold unto the said Bettie Karnes, lot no. 6 in block number 587 in Thorpe Addition,Corsicana, Navarro Co, TX.
12 Jul 1928 - Quit Claim Deed
William Foster Karnes (son of Bettie Karnes) releases all claim forever to right, title and interest in the property described as Lot No 6, Block 587, Corsicana, Navarro Co. TX
1928 Corsicana City Directory
Karnes Eliz A (wid Jacob) h1901 W 13th av
1931 Corsicana City Directory
Karnes Eiz A (wid Jacob) r922 S 28th
1936 Corsicana City Directory
Karnes Betty (wid Jacob) r935 W 9th av
28 Feb 1938 - Death Certificate
Martha Elizabeth Karnes 2817 San Jacinto, Dallas, TX Date of Birth:2 Sep 1859 Place of Birth: TN
Father's Name: Jefferson Foster born in TN
Mother's Name: Ann Wooten born in TN
Cause of Death: Brights Disease
28 Feb 1938 - Funeral Record for Martha Elizabeth Karnes
Terms: Paid in Cash by Clyde Heifner
Place of Death: Dallas, TX
Date of Birth: 2 Sep 1859
Date of Death: 28 Feb, 1938
Age: 78 years, 5 months, 26 days
William Jefferson FOSTER
William Jefferson Foster b. 1838 in Knox, TN d. 23 Aug 1913 in Corsicana, TX
Notes from Laurie Jeanne Karnes Graves (gg-grandaughter)
Known as Jeff Foster, he married Annie Elizabeth Wooten in Lawrence County, TN, the 5th of Sep 1858. She was born 31 December, 1840 in Maury County, TN, daughter of Shadrick O. and Elizabeth Wooten. Shadrick and Elizabeth were both born in North Carolina. Jeff Foster served in the Civil War from Feb. 28, 1862 until Feb 28, 1864. He served with the 48th TN Infantry, Company H. Clairborne Division. He was transferred to the 54th when the two consolidated. He enlisted near Henryville, Lawrence County, Tenn. He held the rank of private his whole enlistment. A lifelong friend of Jeff's knew him in 1855 while they were both in Lawrence County, Tenn. He served honorably during the war until he was discharged. Jeff held the rank of private for the three and a half years.
It is know known when, but at some point in time the Foster family moved to Montgomery County, Tenn, probably around or between Nashville and Clarksville. In 1883 they moved to Ellis County, TX and lived there until 1890 when they moved to Corsicana. While the Foster family lived in Ellis County, Jeff Foster farmed. After they moved to Corsican, if my information is correct, he did carpenter work. He died at his home in Thorpe Addition the 23rd of August 1913. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Corsicana. After Jeff died, his wife, Annie, lived with one of her sons for a while, but mostly with her married daughter, Bettie Karnes. In 1921, she applied for her husband's Civil War pension and drew that until her death the 9th of November 1930. She is buried beside her husband in Oakwood Cemetery in Corsicana.
One little anecdote abut Jeff Foster - his wife, Annie, had made a peach cobbler for dinner. Back then that was the noon meal - the main meal of the day. As was the custom then, the men were fed first, then the women and next the children. After the men had eaten, Jeff took the peach cobbler and hid it. He told his wife that was for his supper and the kids couldn't eat it up at dinner. Annie said, "Jake, you are not going to hide that cobbler from the kids, they can certainly have some of it too."
Jeff and Annie Foster's children:
Martha Alice Elizabeth "Bettie" Foster, married Jacob Lee Karnes the 10th of Sept 1876 in Montgomery County, Tenn.
Arris Eldridge Foster married Emma M. Penny the 28th of Sept 1899 in Corsicana, Texas.
Sam Houston married Meitha Zewer.
Sidney Foster married Ida B. Layton in Corsicana, Texas.
Celia Foster died at a young age.
Nelle Foster married Willis M. Layton in Corsicana, Texas.
Hautie Foster married Rufus Wigley in Corsicana, Texas.
Albert S. Foster married but divorced The name of the lady is not known.
Jeff and Annie Foster moved from Clarksville, Tenn to Texas in 1883. They first settled in Ellis County in a small community called Creechfield. It was about four miles outside of Ennis. There is nothing there now showing there was ever a community except for the cotton gin still standing. Down farm road 1181, the first cross roads you come to pass the cotton gin - that is where the old Creechville school stood. The Foster family lived in Creechfield until 1890 when they moved to Navarro County. They lived on a rented farm for several years outside of Corsicana. Sometime between 1890 and 1900, they moved into the city limits of Corsicana and lived in what was called the Thorpe addition. Jeff did carpentry work the rest of his life, as did his sons.
In 1913, the Foster family had moved to a section of Corsicana called String town. There, Jeff became ill and died the 23rd of August, 1913. Annie moved back to Thorpe addition and lived with her married daughter Nelle for awhile, and also lived with her daughter Bettie Karnes. She was living with Bettie when she died the 9th of November, 1930.
Jeff and Annie are both buried beside each other in Oakwood Cemetery, in Corsicana, Texas.
SOURCE: Compiled by Laurie Jeanne Karnes Graves from personal knowledge and family interviews, 1987
Copies of documents in my possession:
Marriage license for William Jefferson Foster and Annie Elizabeth Wooten
Civil War Company Muster Rolls for William Jefferson Foster
Foster, William J., Pvt C Co, 54th Infantry
Source: Tennesseans in the Civil War, Part II, 1965
During the war, Jeff Foster was detailed to a firing squad to execute a man who had been tried and convicted of deserting the Confederate Army and joining ranks with the Union Army. The unfortunate man, William Carroll Rowland, was charged on specifications of "Deserted the Confederate service and was captured in the ranks of the enemy in the uniform of the Federal army." He was captured during the battle of Shiloh. He was also charged with being a spy. He was found guilty and sentenced to be shot on April 12 at 4 o'clock, the firing squad to be made from his former comrades. Jeff Foster was the last man detailed and he told his friends that he would "shoot to miss," and that he would aim between the legs. 12 guns would be passed out, 6 loaded and 6 unloaded. Jeff Foster's gun kicked heavy so he knew his gun was one of those that were loaded. Jeff then lived 3 miles northwest of L. B.
*Source: History of Maury County, Tennessee, Frank H. Smith, 1969, p. 19 and 246
The above article was sent to me by descendents of Sam Houston Foster, Bill & Eva Foster.
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Marriage License - State of Tennessee, Lawrence County
William J. Foster & Ann E. Wooten, 5 Sep 1858
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William J. Foster - Company Muster Roll (Civil War)
Nov 30 1861 - March 1, 1862
Enlisted Nov 30, 1861
Pvt, Co. C, 54 Reg't Tennessee Infantry
Another card says see also: 48 Tenn Inf.
W. J. Foster, 48, Tenn
Appears on a report dated Baldwin, Miss, June 5, 1862, absent May 29, 1862
W. J. Foster, Pvt., 48 Reg't Tennessee Inf. appears on Company Muster Roll for Feb 28 to July 1, 1862
Enlisted Nov. 30, 1861 in Lawrenceburg, Period 1 year, Last paid 1 March 1862, remarks: Deserted May 9, 1862
W. J. Foster, Pvt, Co. H, 48 Reg't Tennessee Infantry appears on Company Muster Roll for July & Aug, 1862, last paid 1 Jul 186 (no year given), remarks: Deserted May the 29th 1862
W. J. Foster, Pvt, Co. H, 48 Reg't Tennessee Inf. appears on Company Muster Roll for March & Apr 1863 dated Apr 30, 1863 at Henryville, period 24 months, present, remarks: Deserted since the muster.
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Foster, William J., Pvt. C Co., 54th
Foster, W. J., Pvt, H. Co. 48th (Nixon's) Inf. 54th Tennessee Infantry Regiment
Captain John D. Ives - Men from Lawrence County. Enrolled November 30, 1861 at Lawrenceburg. Mustered in at Nashville, Feb 5, 1862. Became Co. "I" 48th (Nixon's). The regiment was in the process of being mustered in at Nashville, on Feb 5, 1862, when several companies were ordered away before the muster was completed. The whereabouts of the regiment from this time until April 1862 in unknown.....Unofficial information is that the regiment moved first toKentucky, from there to Fort Donelson, where it escaped, but was almost disbanded. In April 1862, it was at Camp Hill, near Corinth, Mississippi, where it was consolidated with that portion of the 48th (Voorhies') and other regiments that were not captured at Fort Donelson. The furthr records of the men who comprised the 54th Regiment are filed with the records of the 48th (Nixon's) Tennessee Infantry Regiment. (p. 295)
48th (Nixon's) Tennessee Infantry Regiment
Organized April 1862, consolidated with 48th (Voohries) July, 1864. 48th (Voorhies') Tennessee Infantry Regiment
...some members of the 48th were paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina May 1, 1865. NOTE: This *may* be when our Jeff got out.
*Source: Tennesseans in the Civil War, A Military History of Confederate and Union Units with Available Rosters of Personnel, in Two Parts, Part II, Published by the Civil War Centennial Commission, Nashville, Tennessee, 1965, p. 279
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Record of Deaths
Clerks Number: 613
W. J. Foster, male, white, Married, b. 1/22/1838, father G. W. Foster, d. 8/23/13, senility, Place of burial: Oakwood
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Also see notes for his wife, Annie Wooten, where she drew a Confederate Widow Pension in 1921 until her death.
Annie Elizabeth WOOTEN
She is found living with her granddaughter, Winnie Karnes Wilson, in the 1920 census:
1920 Census, Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas. Enumeration District: 145, Sheet # 9A, Enumeration Day: 7 Jan 1920, household # 190.
Wilson, Earl V., head, age 26, b. Texas, both parents b. Texas, Occupation: Barfronter??, Industry: Oil Company, Wage worker.
Winnie L., wife, age 20, b. Texas, father b. Texas, both parents b. Tennesee
Karnes, Elizabeth M.E., mother, age 60, b. Tennessee, both parents b. Tennessee
Foster, Annie E., grandmother, age 79, b. Tennessee, both parents b. North Carolina
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NOTE: Elizabeth Karnes (aka "Bettie") is the mother of Winnie Karnes, and Annie Foster is the mother of Elizabeth Karnes.
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Widows Application for a Pension
Mrs. Annie Foster, Navarro County (TX)
Filed 7 Oct 1921
Approved 8 Nov 1921
Excerpts:
States that she is the widow of Jeff Foster
Gives Jeff's death date as 23 Aug 1913 in Navarro County, Texas Marriage date: 5 Sep 1858 in Lawrence County, Tenn.
She is 80 years old.
She was born in Murray County, Tenn.
Lived in Texas since 1883
Has lived in Navarro County for 31 years
Her husband did not draw a pension during his lifetime
His full name: William Jefferson Foster
Husbands company organized in Tennessee
Served about 3 years and six months
Served in Co. "H", 48th Tenn, Calirborne Divisons. Was transferred to the 54th, Tenn, the two being consolidated.
He was in the infantry, he was never commissioned, he was a private.
Witnessed by: Mrs. J. Karnes & W. F. Karnes
(Note, Mrs. J. Karnes was her daughter, Martha Elizabeth Alice Foster Karnes, "Bettie" and W. F. Karnes {my grandfather} was her grandson)
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Ex Parte - Interview With G. B. Curry of Ellis County, Texas in reference to the civil war service of Jeff Foster on 4 Sep 1912:
{note, appears to be answering questions}
To the first interrogatory the said G. B. Curry, Witness answers:
G. B. Curry, 88 years of age, Miles?, Runnells Co, Texas
Yes, I know Jeff Foster.
I have known him for 50 years or more. About 1855, Lawrence County, Tenn.
Co. H. I think he first enlisted in the 42nd Tenn. Reg, Col. Dearing was Col. of Reg. This Reg. was afterward reorganized and became the 48th Tenn Reg. and Geo. nixon was made Col. of the 48th Reg. Newt Carrall? was Captain of Co. H. Enlisted in the Spring of 1862 near Henryville, Lawrence Co, Tenn. Served until close of war.
He wasn't a commissioned officer.
Not detailed for any special service.
I served in Co. H with him and saw him enlist, and saw him do service as a soldier in the Army. I did not know any other man by the name of Jeff Foster serving in said Co. H and Reg. 42 & 48, except applicant herein.
He served honorably throughout the war & until he was discharged.
No, he never deserted or voluntarily abandoned his post of duty.
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Application for Mortuary Warrant
signed by W. M. Layton, sons-in-law, states that Mrs. Annie Foster died 8 Nov 1930 in her home. Dated 13 Nov 1930
Certificate of Undertaker
states that Mrs. Annie Foster died in Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas on 8 Nov 1930.
Certificate of Undertaker
States that she died from prostration & final exhaustion from age (she had no disease that I could diagnose).
Albert Sidney FOSTER
He was married 6 times and had no known children. Corsicana City Directory 1908
Foster, A Sidney (Clara), carp, r Oak Grove Addn. Also listed:
Foster, Sidney (Clara E.), carp, r. 812 S. 15th
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Death Certificate
Albert S. Foster
P. & S. Hospital, Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas
Date of Birth: August 14, 1872
Death of Death: November 27, 1945
Age: 73 years, 3 months, 13 days
Divorced
Trade: Carpenter
Birth Place: Tennessee
Father's Name: Thomas Jefferson Foster
Mother's Maiden Name: Ann Wooten
Place of burial: Oakwood Cemetery
Primary Cause of Death: Coronary Occlusion
Blanche May KARNES
Documents in my possession for Blanche May Karnes Rogers:
8 Dec 1898 - Marriage License
Blanche Karnes and J. N. Shaver, Corsicana, Navarro Co, TX
24 Sep 1942 Letter From Blanche to brother William Foster Karnes:
Dear Foster, Edna and all the children,
How are you all. Do hope your are all well and doing well. This leaves us all very well are all up and able to work yet. Got a letter from Lillian today. They are doing fine in the their new home. Rube Lee, Clyde and Allyn are all well. Allyn is going to school now. Celve would have come after Billie and Bruce , but just couldend get to come, had to work all the week and on Sundays too. He is working for Charlie Hagens in the Plaining mill and they had some tables to make for defense for the government, and you know that had to be done in a hurry. Do you know how Nellie and Thelma and all are getting along? Hope they are alright. Cleve said that he had forgotten what you told him about mixing that paint you put on Olen Wilson's house and said would you write and tell how to mix it and he would be very much obliged to youif you would, and Cleve said tell Billie if he can come some Friday and stay till Sunday. That he would pay his way both ways, he could come on the train or buss. Will close my letter for this time. Write soon and come to see us when you can.
Lots of love, Your true sis
Blanche and Cleve Rogers
9 June 1957 - Funeral Memorial Record from Corley Funeral Home,Corsicana, TX Passed Away: 9 June 1957
Services: West Side Church of Christ, Corsicana, TX
Date of Funeral: 11 Jun 1957 3:00 PM
Officiating: Mr. Earl L. Craig, Mr. Cato Sherrer
Interment: Oakwood Cemetery
Pall Bearers: Jack King, Arlee King, Van Wilson, Carson Wilson, Earl Wilson Jr. Nedom Muns Jr.
9 June 1957 - Funeral Record
Blanche May Karnes Rogers
Occupation: Retired Housewife
Place of Birth: Clarksville, TN
Date of Birth: 1 May 1879
Benjamin Lester SHAVER
He never married and had no children.
Grover Cleveland ROGERS
BIOGRAPHY: Grover worked for the Corsicana Plainning Mill as a millman. His father's name was William Alexander Rogers, and his mother was Martha Ann Huff.
Blanche May KARNES
Documents in my possession for Blanche May Karnes Rogers:
8 Dec 1898 - Marriage License
Blanche Karnes and J. N. Shaver, Corsicana, Navarro Co, TX
24 Sep 1942 Letter From Blanche to brother William Foster Karnes:
Dear Foster, Edna and all the children,
How are you all. Do hope your are all well and doing well. This leaves us all very well are all up and able to work yet. Got a letter from Lillian today. They are doing fine in the their new home. Rube Lee, Clyde and Allyn are all well. Allyn is going to school now. Celve would have come after Billie and Bruce , but just couldend get to come, had to work all the week and on Sundays too. He is working for Charlie Hagens in the Plaining mill and they had some tables to make for defense for the government, and you know that had to be done in a hurry. Do you know how Nellie and Thelma and all are getting along? Hope they are alright. Cleve said that he had forgotten what you told him about mixing that paint you put on Olen Wilson's house and said would you write and tell how to mix it and he would be very much obliged to youif you would, and Cleve said tell Billie if he can come some Friday and stay till Sunday. That he would pay his way both ways, he could come on the train or buss. Will close my letter for this time. Write soon and come to see us when you can.
Lots of love, Your true sis
Blanche and Cleve Rogers
9 June 1957 - Funeral Memorial Record from Corley Funeral Home,Corsicana, TX Passed Away: 9 June 1957
Services: West Side Church of Christ, Corsicana, TX
Date of Funeral: 11 Jun 1957 3:00 PM
Officiating: Mr. Earl L. Craig, Mr. Cato Sherrer
Interment: Oakwood Cemetery
Pall Bearers: Jack King, Arlee King, Van Wilson, Carson Wilson, Earl Wilson Jr. Nedom Muns Jr.
9 June 1957 - Funeral Record
Blanche May Karnes Rogers
Occupation: Retired Housewife
Place of Birth: Clarksville, TN
Date of Birth: 1 May 1879
Benjamin Franklin HANSON
Benjamin was 33 years old and had been married three times when he married Charlotte Josephine Rogers, 16 years old. All three of his wives had died. The Rogers family, the Huff families, the Hanson families and the Radford families all lived in the same area of PerryCounty, Alabama.
Four of the children of B.F. and Charlotte Josephine Rogers Hanson died with diphtheria:
William Thomas on 20 Oct 1897
Nora Helen on 17 Jan 1899
Bennie on 18 Jan 1899
Stella on 4 Oct 1899
All of these children are buried in the Black Hills Cemetery, northwest of Corsicana. Benjamin is also buried in the Black Hills Cemetery beside his children, Willim Thomas, Nora Helen, Bennie and Stella.
*Source: Personal knowledge of his grandaughter, Edna Lorena Hanson Karnes.
Data from Louise Birchfield, 1996. He died of dysentery.
Documents in my possession for Benjamin Franklin Hanson:
30 Jan 1878 - Abstract of Marriage Record
B. F. Hanson, age 25, and Mary A. McDearman, age 19, White Co, AR
Charlotte Josephine ROGERS
Family history says she loved to dance. She was a brown-eyed girl with long auburn hair. It has been said that she would dance all night and still work in the he field the next day. She would not have been allowed the privilege of dancing if it interfered with her working in the field. It's been reported that Josie said, "When I married, he (B. F. Hanson) put his fiddle down and wouldn't let me go dancing.
Because Josie was underage and had to have permission to marry, her father wrote the following note which is on record in the White County, Arkansas County Clerk's Office in Searcy, Arkansas in Book G, Bond for Marriage License:
March 15, 1886
Mr. L. G. Canfield
Sir: You are authorized to issued License to Mr. B. F. Hanson to marry my daughter, Josie.
W. A. Rogers
The couple lived in Bald Knob, Arkansas for several years and then moved to Navarro County, Texas living in the communities of Drane, Pinkston, Thorpe and Corsicana.
Charlotte Josephine Rogers was 49 years old when B. F. Hanson died and she still had children at home. She had chickens, guineas, and a garden to help feed her family. She also took care of her mother in her mother's later years. She had a lot of flowers in her yard. Memories of her house are the flowers, the chickens in the yard, and that she swept her yard with a broom as was the custom in the olden days. She did not have grass.
She was given a birthday party on December 7, 1941 and many of her grandchildren were there. Many of her grandsons left shortly after that Pearl Harbor Day to fight in World War II.
She died from a heart attack in October 1947 and is buried in her brother's (John Rogers) lot in Oakwood Cemetery in Corsicana. The only explanation known for her not being buried in the Black Hills Cemetery with her husband and children is that the cemetery was not being taken care of at that time and she asked her family not to bury her there.
*Source: Notes written by Laurie Jeanne Graves from interviews with descendents.
Documents in my possession for Josie:
Corsicana City Directory 1928
Hanson Josie (wid Benj F) h2010 W 14th av
Nora Helen HANSON
She died of Diphtheria.
Benjamin (Bennie) HANSON
He died of Diphtheria. *Source: Internet
Mattie A HUFF
Documents in my possession for Mattie:
18 Nov 1930
Funeral Services for Mrs. M. A. Rogers, 14th Ave, Thorpe Addition
Place of Birth: Selma, AL
Place of Death: Home of Daughter on 17 Jul 1930
Place of Service: Mrs. Hanson's
Time: 3:00 PM by Rev R. Crosley
Name of Father: J. M. Huff
Father's Birthplace: Alabama
William Foster KARNES SR
My Grandfather - William Foster Karnes - "Foster"
There is a picture of him sitting on the floor feeding me mashed bananas. I have often heard the story about him coming home from work and sitting on the floor to feed me. I was probably under 2 when the picture was taken, so don't really remember it except as a warm memory evoked when I see the picture. I do remember him being sick. He was bedridden and he used to tell me stories. I don't remember the stories (sure wish I did!), but I remember spending long afternoons sitting beside him in bed and talking with him. I can still see him in his bed. I remember when he died. I was 6 and I was very sad. For whatever reason, my parents decided I was too young to go to the funeral. I remember being very hurt that from my view, everyone was going to say goodbye to my grandfather and I wasn't going get to tell him bye. My parents left my 2 sisters and me at a friend's house (Betty and Leslie Clark - Leslie was a high school friend of my folks). Betty gave us candy corn to eat. I felt grief stricken at being given candy while everyone was saying goodbye to my Grandfather. I just couldn't eat candy on a day like this. I took my candy outside and went off by myself. I dug a hole in the ground and put the candy in the hole and covered it up. I cried while I was doing it and told my Grandfather goodbye. It was my way of burying him. Funny, I remember this as if it just happened yesterday.
I know more about him from my mother, father and grandmother. They all had such fond memories of him and frequently talked about him all their lives. He was married four times. His first wife was Martha Elizabeth Rogers. They had a daughter named Vivian Lee in 1909 and another daughter named Flossie Mae in March of 1912. Within 2 months of Flossie's birth, Martha contracted spinal mennigitis. They lived out in the country, some 20 miles from town. My grandfather decided to go to town on horseback and get the doctor. By the time he got home, Martha was dead. He had no way of watching after the two little girls and working, so two of his sisters took in his daughters and raised them. The second marriage was to a Mrs. Mae Nichols. It was said that the main reason he married her was to have a mother for his little girls and he brought them back home to live with him. The story is that they only were married for about 6 or 8 weeks when he found out that she had been a prostitute and was out selling herself. He didn't want any part of that, so they divorced and the little girls went back to live with their Aunts. One story about Mae, is that years later my Uncle (William Foster Karnes, named after his father) was installing cable and gave Mae a business card. She looked at the name and asked him who his father was. He told her, and she said, Goodness - I was married to your father once!
The third marriage was to Hazel Shaver. In 1989 my mother (Laurie Jeanne Karnes - daughter of William Foster Karnes) tracked Hazel Shaver down, visited with her and wrote the following based on her visit:
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"His third wife was Hazel Shaver. She was a friend of the family. Foster was 41 years old and Hazel was 17 years old. He was driving by the high school one afternoon and it was raining. He saw Hazel coming out of the school, so he offered her a ride home so she wouldn't have to walk in the rain. After that, he would pick her up pretty often and drive her home.
Someone in the family saw them together several times and told Hazel she could not see Foster Karnes anymore, he was too old for her. Hazel said she was not seeing him, they were just friends and nothing was going on with them, but that he was taking her home from school. Hazel told them to mind their own business, she would see who she wanted too. The next time she saw Foster, she told him what was being said to her. Foster asked her if she thought she was too young for him and she said no. So, he said, "Do you want to get married?" and she said Yes. So, they went straight down to the courthouse and got married that afternoon.
They lived together for two years and Hazel met a man close to her own age and fell in love. She divorced Foster in 1925 and married Ed Wilson. Hazel and Ed had several children and lived together for over forty years when Ed died.
When Foster and Hazel met, Foster was selling Victrolas for The City Bookstore in Corsicana. He would take his record players and a stack of records to people's houses and do demonstrations. He also would demonstrate them at Saturday night dances on Beacon Street. Hazel has told me while she was married to Foster, they never missed a dance. That Foster could dance up and storm and did not sit out any dance.
She told me they had a good relationship while they were married, but that Foster was just too old for her and she probably would not have married him had she not been harassed into it. When I met Hazel, I found her to be a lovely person and easy to talk to. I visited her in her home in Corsicana in 1989. She was 84 years old then."
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My grandmother, Edna Lorena Hanson, lived in Searcy, AR and went to Corsicana to visit some relatives. She was supposed to stay for 2 weeks, but she decided to stay on and got a job at the Navarro Hotel (torn down many years ago) as a waitress. My grandfather came in one day and she waited on him. On that first visit, he told her he was going to marry her. Of course she laughed - she had just met the man. She went back to Arkansas after a few weeks and stayed home for a little while, but then ended up going back to Corsicana and -marrying that man. My grandmother was 25 when they got married. He was 46 and had been married 3 times before. Her family wasn't too happy about it at the time, but soon met Foster and they got on well. They had 3 children and lived together until he passed away in 1956. Although my Grandmother lived many years after my grandfather, she would never date other men. She said Foster had put on her a pedestal and treated her like a queen. A person was lucky to get that once in their life and no one could ever replace him. She said to me many times when I was growing up: "You can be a young man's slave or an old man's sweetheart, I was lucky enough to be a sweetheart".
There is evidence of affection between them from the only surviving letter from my Grandmother to my Grandfather around 1933-34. She used to have a box, securely taped and wrapped with twine of letters between them, but she destroyed it because those were "private" letters. This is the only one that I know of that survived. It was found in her things after she passed on. Grandmother was visiting her parents in Searcy. (Spacing and spelling as in the letter).
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Wednesday nite.
Dearest Honey,
Sure do wish I was with you now. It sure is hot here. Went to Doniphan lake this afternoon. Just as we started home it started hailing and raining. We stopped at a lady's house until it stopped. I never saw such rain and wind. Blew several trees down. But it never rained a drop here. Billy and Laurie Jeanne wanted to go see Gini this afternoon.
Sure wish I was coming home tomorrow but I hated to tell Popa I would not wait until Sunday when he wanted to come down.
We spent the day with Mrs. Wilson yesterday. Mary is pregnant. She sure has fallen off a lot since she married and had to do some work.
Sure is a long time 'till Sunday but guess I can manage someway.
We love you lots.
Edna, Billy & Laurie Jeanne
When anyone asks L.J. where her Daddy is, she says - Work - Little Rock. They haven't objected to any of the groceries I have bought.
I love you Honey
Your Sweet
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My father (Sam Houston Graves) met my mother's brother (William Foster Karnes Jr. - Billy) when he was about 14. They became fast buddies and Sam fell in love with Billy's family, including his little sister! Sam did not have a very good childhood. His father was an alcoholic and had left home when he was very young and his mother having been through some tragic events and wasn't very stable. She shifted Sam around a lot between relatives. The Karnes family was a refuge for him. In every aspect of the word, he adopted Foster and Edna as his parents - they gave him a sense of stability, warmth and love that he had not found in his own home. Foster was not a wealthy man, but my father said that Foster gave him the most precious and priceless gift - his love and devotion to his family. Foster also passed down his belief in how a woman should be treated. However, Foster did get aggravated with Sam from time to time and coined a name he used for him on those occasions "Wham Sam Damuel". The first time he visited my parents after they were married, my mother started to take the trash out, and Foster said "Wham Sam Damuel - I don't ever want to see you let my daughter take the trash out!". That wasn't "woman's" work. After that my mother was never allowed to do any "dirty work". My father did all the dirty work, which included:
Cleaning the oven
Cleaning the refrigerator
Taking up wax off the floors (in those days, the floors were moped, then waxed - the wax would build up and start to turn yellow. About twice a year, it had to be taken up. This involved pouring a liquid wax solvent on the floor, letting it sit for a bit, then using metal spatula's to scrape it up - it was a miserable all day task)
Yard work - if she wanted flowers, she'd have to tell him where to plant them.
Putting gas in the cars
Cleaning the cars and so on.
If she started to do something my Dad felt was "dirty work", he'd say Honey, let me do that - Foster would come down here and get me if I let you do it. Little bits and notes from my mother and grandmother:
Foster was a house painter most of the time they were married and didn't make much money, so my Grandmother always had to work. Foster felt bad about that and tried to make up for it. There was no air conditioning in those days, so most days when they got home from work, my grandfather would have my grandmother take off her work clothes and lay on the bed in her slip and turn the fans on her so she could rest and cool off while he made dinner. My mother said he made the best-fried chicken in the world. The night before he was going to cook chicken, he'd soak it in salt water. He said it drew the fat off, made it tender and taste good. Foster was not a drinker. My Grandmother said that Foster told her he'd had a taste of whiskey when he was young and it was the best thing he ever tasted. He said anyone who liked the taste that much could get in real trouble. So, he never again tasted whiskey or any hard liquor. My father said they went a very few times over to the other side of town to get a glass of beer - but only 1 glass. It had to be far from home because he didn't want his wife to see him out drinking and he had to have a lot of mints afterwards cause he didn't want to go home smelling of spirits. My mother said he played the guitar and sang to them. They would have a big roaring fire and he would sing songs to them. She sang the same songs to us. Mom searched and found the music to many of them a few years before she passed on. Among those songs were: Mademoiselle from Armetieres; The Roving Gambler; Yankee Doodle; Little Brown Jug; Casey Jones; Rye Whiskey; Old Dan Tucker; The Dying Cowboy; Soldier, Soldier; The Blue-Tailed Fly; and Stay In Your Own Backyard. Two of her (and later mine) favorites were:
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BREAK THE NEWS TO MOTHER - A sentimental ballad of earlier years, made popular by the Spanish-American War:
While the shot and shell were screaming upon the battlefield;
The boys in blue were fighting their noble flag to shield;
Came a cry from their brave captain, "Look boys! Our flag is down;
Who'll volunteer to save it from disgrace?"
"I will," a young voice shouted, I'll bring it back or die;"
Then sprang into the thickest of the fray;
Saved the flag but gave his young life; all for his country's sake.
They brought him back and softly heard him say;
Refrain:
"Just break the news to Mother; She knows how dear I love her,
And tell her not to wait for me, For I'm not coming home.
Just say there is no other, Can take the place of Mother;
Then kiss her dear, sweet lips for me, And break the news to her."
From afar a noted gen 'ral had witnessed his brave deed.
"Who saved our flag? Speak up, lads; 'twas noble, brave indeed.
"There he lies, sir," said the captain, he's sinking very fast,"
Then slowly turned away to hide a tear.
The gene 'ral, in a moment, knelt down beside the boy,
Then gave a cry that touch'd all hearts that day,
"It's my son, my brave young hero; I thought you safe at home.
"Forgive me, Father, for I ran away.
Refrain:
"Just break the news to Mother; She knows how dear I love her,
And tell her not to wait for me, For I'm not coming home.
Just say there is no other, Can take the place of Mother;
Then kiss her dear, sweet lips for me, And break the news to her."
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The second song was found in a book of Texas Folk Songs with the following notation: This song is no doubt of fairly recent composition; the theme and language seem to place it in the latter half of the nineteenth century.
JACK AND JOE
Three years ago Jack and Joe set sail across the foam,
Each vowed a fortune he would make
Before returning home.
Jack was the first to earn his wealth,
Set sail for home one day,
As the pals shook hands to say good-bye,
Joe could only say:
Chorus:
Give my love to Nellie Jack,
Kiss her once for me;
The sweetest girl in all the world,
I know you'll say tis she.
Treat her kindly Jack, old pal,
And tell her I am well.
His parting words were "Don't forget
To give my love to Nell".
Three years had passed when Joe at last
Had earned his wealth for life;
Set sail for home across the foam
To make sweet Nell his wife.
There he learned that Jack and Nell
One year ago had wed;
It was then he spoke the first regret
That he had ever said:
Chorus again.
They chanced to meet upon the street;
Joe said, "You selfish elf,
The next time I learn to love a girl
I'll kiss her for myself;
But all is fair in love and war
And you and Nell have wed -
I won't be angry, Jack, old pal,"
And thus again he said:
Chorus again.
My dear mother had the worst singing voice in the world (which I inherited), but when I was a child I loved hearing her sing these songs, and when my children were very little, I sang them to them. My grandmother's parents were farmers in Searcy, Arkansas, and among other things raised peanuts. They would send big sacks of peanuts to them. My mother often said that one of her most favorite memories of growing up was sitting around the fireplace roasting peanuts and listening to her Daddy play the guitar and sing. I don't know if I ever actually heard my Grandfather singing or playing the guitar….there are some pictures of me when I was little with a guitar on a bed, but I don't know who it belonged to…or just felt the emotion from my mother recollecting her father sing, but hearing these songs always made me feel close to him. Now, with both my Mother and Grandfather gone, these old songs are somehow comforting.
He loved to play dominos and was according to my grandmother and mother the best domino player there ever was. They said he took risks no one could believe and always won. Later when my Grandmother would play dominos at a family get-to-gather and get a good hand, she'd say, oh, I wish Foster were here cause he would really enjoy this one. I don't remember her ever playing dominos that she didn't bring up Foster.
When my mother cooked something that really came out well, she'd say, if my Daddy was here, he's say: "Kiddo, you stubbed your toe on that one".
My Grandmother said that in his youth, a friend of my Grandfather's approached him about investing in a business venture. My grandfather scoffed and told him it was a crazy idea. His name was Kodak. I've never researched when and where Kodak was when he started his business, so have no idea if this is true.
In 1906, his parents purchased a house in the Thorpe Addition of Corsicana, Navarro County, TX. The house cost $850, they paid an $80 down-payment, with installments to be made in the amount of $10 a month at 10% interest. After his father died, his mother couldn't afford to make the payments anymore. In 1919, his sister, Beulah, paid off the $450.00 mortgage for her mother. In 1925, Beulah gave her mother another $900.00 to have a new house built on the same lot. $700 was to be used for materials and $200.00 for labor. Foster tore down the old house and built the new one. After his father's death, he did all the repair work and maintenance at his mother's house to include repainting the outside when needed, plumbing and whatever. In 1928, his sister Beulah, for whatever reasons, had Foster sign a quitclaim deed forever relinquishing any rights to his mother's house. In the same year, Beulah sold the house to her mother for $10.00 provided that her mother pay off the loans against the house in the amount of $830.00. I've always wondered about the circumstances around these transactions. How did Betty develop an income that would allow her to assume this note? Why did Beulah want Foster to sign off any inheritable right to the house? I don't know what happened as far as ownership of the house after Betty passed on, but it was still standing and occupied the last time I was there with my mother about 1990. He never got a driver's license. Story is he was stopped by a policeman once and asked to show his driver's license. He told the officer he had been driving longer than he'd been alive - they didn't require a driver's license then and he wasn't about to get one now. The officer told him to slow down a bit and go on about his business.
He didn't like telephones. He would call someone, tell them what he wanted and hang-up. No hello, goodbye - just a short statement of what he had to say. Mom said he would call, ask if they were coming to dinner on Friday, she'd say yes and he'd hang up. His children learned that when they called him, they better get their message out quick cause if he thought they were done, he'd hang up. My mother and aunt told a story about a phone call he made one day. They were in the bedroom and heard his conversation. He apparently dialed a disconnected number and got a recording. He thought it was a real person, and politely told her it was not a disconnected number and could she please connect him. Of course, the recording kept repeating, and he kept asking her to quit repeating the same thing and listen to what he was saying. My mother and aunt said they were crying from laughing so hard at his repeated efforts to be polite to this woman who wouldn't quit saying the same thing. They said he spent a good fifteen minutes trying to get this lady to listen to him. He farmed part of his life, was a salesman, worked in construction and was a house painter. He was in the Texas Guard. He was stationed in San Antonio, TX and at the Gravity Rifle Camp in Virginia. I don't know what years. I have pictures of him in those 2 places with notations on the back of the photos.
My Grandmother bought a little 2 bedroom house in Dallas after he passed on. In the "back bedroom" was a closet that had a box in it with things that belonged to Foster. As long as I can remember, when I was in that room, I felt like he was in the closet. We moved around a lot when I was growing up, but on almost every trip back there seemed to be a time when my Grandmother and I were alone and we would do two things. She had a hope chest where she kept old things that belonged to her and other members of her family that had passed on, and my grandfather's box. We would go through those things and talk about the people who owned these things. I have some of the things - others I don't know what happened to, but I remember them well…
A broken plastic monkey. (in my possession) His nickname was Monkey. I never knew why.
A little jewelry box with his last pack of cigarettes containing 2 camel non-filter cigarettes.
His cigarette lighter. It was a rectangular shape with rounded smooth ends. It was brass and had carvings on it.
His hair brush (in my possession).
His button hook. (in my possession). A metal hook with an ivory handle. In his time men wore high boots with many buttons. The hook was used to pull the button loops over the buttons.
His hair clippers. (in my possession). These are heavy manual metal clippers.
A plastic box with two yellowed carved dice. (in my son Kenny's possession). I don't know how or when he used these, but my son asked me for them one day. He has them on display in his home.
A small suit. When his son Billy was born, he took an old suit of his and handmade a suit for his little son.
Several carved wooden stars. I don't remember why he made these. My mother painted one of them several years ago with scenes from Texas and gave it to her mother. I have all of them.
There were also many of his clothes, but they were gone when I got the box. In my Grandmother's kitchen, the water heater stood exposed in the corner. On top of it she kept a piece of wood. My grandfather had picked it up out of their yard and brought it in because it looked like a snake. When I got married, my Grandmother gave me one of my Grandfather's work shirts. It is a white long-sleeved shirt, long yellowed, with spots of paint on it. She said it was a reminder that my Grandfather loved me very much and that he was always with me. It has hung in my closet, amongst my clothing since I was 18. I liked the sentiment. When my parents passed on, I took one article of each of their clothing and hung them in my closet too.
I have warm and affectionate remembrances of my Grandfather. Although I was only 6 when he passed on, he was a major impact to my childhood by his strong influence on my parents and the frequently recalled memories by my parents and Grandmother. Linda Carol Graves Walker 2002
Documents in my possession for William Foster Karnes:
Note - Also see documents for Jacob Lee Karnes
1908 Corsicana City Directory
Karnes, W Foster, carp
6 Jan 1908 Marriage License
W F Karnes and Bettie Rogers
1922 Corsicana City Directory
Karnes, Wm F, salesman City Book Store
1924 Corsicana City Directory
Karnes, Wm F. salsn West-Marks Co (Inc), rms 1441 W 1st av
1928 Corsicana City Directory
Karnes W Foster r1901 W 13th
1 Sep 1929 Marriage License
Granted to W. F. Karnes, age 47, of Navarro Co, TX and Edna LorenaHanson, age 25, of White Co, AR
1936 Corsicana City Directory
Karnes, Wm F (Edna) pntr h1603 W 9th Av
WWII Era
War Ration Book, No. 3 for William F. Karnes
17 Feb 1956
Death Certificate with following facts:
Birth: 15 Oct 1882 in TN
Occupation: Painter
Fathers name: Jacob Karnes born in TN
Mothers name: Betty Foster born in TN
Cause of Death: Cerebral Hemorrhage
Antecedent Causes: Generalized Arteriosclerosis of 10 years duration
Martha Elizabeth ROGERS
Documents in my possession for Bettie Rogers Karnes:
6 Jan 1908 Marriage License
W F Karnes and Bettie Rogers
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