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Randy Bigham

Local author celebrates book anniversary

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Last week marked the 10th anniversary of the publication of an influential book by a local writer and correspondent for this paper, Randy Bryan Bigham. The book, Lucile – Her Life by Design, was originally released in January 2012. Some 310 pages, it is a biography of the British couturier Lucile whose designs set the pace of Edwardian era fashion, revolutionizing the dressmaking industry through her innovative publicity and marketing ventures. The book contains over 300 illustrations, many in color.

History Hodge Podge - The John Rowe Building

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The John Rowe Building, 101 S. Dallas, now home to a number of shops and a restaurant, was built by Hix Mc-Canless, who had been commissioned by Rowe, an early commercial leader, to construct his dry goods store, one of several Ennis firms he owned. Completed in 1905, the familiar red-brick structure with its turreted façade, has served the Bluebonnet City as a place of business for over 115 years, barely surviving damage from a tornado in 2013. 

History Hodge Podge - The Post Man

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One of the Ennis Post Office’s earliest known mail carriers was Ambrose (“A.B.”) Ross. Born in Tennessee in 1864 he moved to Ennis in 1891. According to the Ennis Weekly Local, Ross served as a teacher in Alma and Palmer before accepting employment by the U.S. Mail Service at Ennis in 1906 as one of the facility’s very first carriers.

Ross remained with the Ennis Post Office for 27 years, retiring in 1933. He died in 1941 at age 77, survived by his wife of 46 years, the former Pattie Bomer of Kaufman, and their nine children.

History Hodge Podge - The Flying Eagles

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Sports weren’t integrated in 1931 but that didn’t stop a local team, the Ennis Colored Eagles, from establishing a stellar reputation. The team’s games were often featured in the Ennis Daily News as well as in Dallas papers. Coached by C.C. Stevenson, a Christmas Day battle with the Terrell Colored Tigers gave the so-called “Negro Eleven” a pounding 54-7 win. The Eagles’ star at the time was a player with the last name of Steed, a 230- lb fullback who made a 90-yard run, three 50-yard runs and a 40-yard jaunt during the game.

Wrap party held for book featuring local’s work

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A wrap party in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, 60 miles west of Toronto, was held to celebrate the completion of a dozen original illustrations by artist Laurie McGaw that are to be included in historian Hugh Brewster’s children’s book, Unsinkable Lucile.

History hodge-podge - Miss Katies Ribbons

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Culled from the archives of the Ennis Daily News and from the online database Newspapers.com, here’s a smattering of items covering a variety of people and events that figured in the history of the Bluebonnet City.

Miss Katie’s hair ribbons

Searching out the King Hotel

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From time to time it has been my pleasure to share with readers of this column the research of Bobbie Dlabaj whose interest in genealogy and local history has led her to discover fascinating information on the people and places of the city’s past.

People of Ennis - Eagles Fly

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A chapter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles was formed in Ennis by Deputy Grand President J. A. Bowen of Fort Worth with 64 members. A banquet followed. The following Ennis men were elected and installed as officers: Joe A. Hillyer, president; Dr. J. D. Wingate, also president; J. R. Straughan, vice president. W. H. Nichola, chaplain; S. H. Brown, secretary; L. L. Latimer, treasurer; J. N. Roper, inside guard; Ruby Rooker, outside guard; Dr. L. E. Clark, aerie physician; Archer Dunkerley, W. S. Robinson and W. H. Brown, trustees.

Farming it out

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It was reported that a Farmers’ Institute would be established in Ennis and that it would function under the direction of the Hon. Ed R. Kone, state commissioner of agriculture, and Joe E. Edmondson.

People and Places from Ennis

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In the perception of many in the old days, as you may have heard, a telegram often brought bad news. That was the case when J. H. Dodson, a merchant with stores in Ennis and Alsdorf, received a telegram stating that his brother, W. C. Dodson, also once an Ennis resident, fell from a wagon in Amarillo and was killed.