Do you know the story
of
Granger Texas'
Hatfield & McCoys?
of
Granger Texas'
Hatfield & McCoys?
As the Easter season is approaching I thought it appropriate to share the story of Granger's own Hatfields & McCoys -- that's right, two rival families in Granger,
in this case named Beard and Curtis -- whose 30-year feud came to a tragic end after midnight at a Granger dance party.
Please remember that in the 1800s it was still unusual to find "Amerikany" folk attending the same function with the "Bohemians."
That is what they called one another back then in Granger Texas, a town where each group lived on opposite sides of the railroad that split the town.
You should also know that the majority of the folk in Granger of Czech ethnic background were not even from the Czech province of Bohemia, but rather Moravia. But the Americans were too ignorant to understand all that. Such is the case with most racist name-calling.
It should be noted that the Czech "Bohemians" in Granger were hosting this dance at a Czech family's farm place east of town and it was these two "Amerikany" families that crashed it and wound up dead.
Rather than tell the story myself, I'm going to let two newspaper articles about the incident tell the story for me:
"The Dallas Morning News," 5 April 1893, Dallas, Texas.
AN OLD FEUD WIPED OUT
AT AN EASTER CELEBRATION
IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY
Granger citizens Curtis and Beard
Killed and a Bohemian Girl
Dangerously Shot
-- Here are the Particulars of the Tragedy.
Granger, Williamson Co., Tex, April 4--
Monday night the Bohemians celebrated Easter with a dance at their platform four miles southeast of Granger. Many Americans as well were present dancing, drinking and making merry. Everyone seemed friendly and in a good humor.
About 2 o'clock this morning Jim Beard and Jim Curtis, who had been drinking together and were apparently friendly during the night were standing near the platform, watching the dancing. Curtis called Beard to one side, stating that he wished to see Jim for a few minutes. Both men walked off together, and Curtis was overheard remarking to Beard:
"Jim, you know that you did it, and I am going to kill you for it."
"Jim, you know that you did it, and I am going to kill you for it."
With this Curtis pulled his pistol and fired five times, four shots taking effect in Beard's body and face -- and one of them striking Dora Mikersa, a 15-year-old Bohemian girl, who was dancing.
After Beard was shot he fell to the ground, and drawing his own pistol fired two shots at Curtis, both taking effect, one in the mouth and the other in the side near the heart. Curtis fell across Beard's legs, and in a few minutes both men were dead.
This puts an end to an old feud that has existed more than thirty years, and on account of which seven lives have been taken. Both parties were well connected and have many friends in this county and community.
The stray ball, which took effect in the girl's shoulder, will prove a severe though not likely a fatal wound.
_______
And here is the account from
Taylor Press, Williamson Co., Tex., April 4, 1893
_______
And here is the account from
Taylor Press, Williamson Co., Tex., April 4, 1893
Bohemian Ball Brings End
to Long Family Feud
At a Bohemian ball near Granger about 1 o'clock this morning a difficulty occurred between James Curtis and James Beard in which both lost their lives, thus wiping out from existence the only two remaining individuals of two factions between whom a deadly feud had long existed in this section.
The particulars though meagre, are as follows: At the hour stated the two stepped out into the yard to take a glass of beer together and ameliorate old differences when angry words ensued.
Curtis drew his pistol and shot Beard through the head. In falling, Beard drew his pistol and fired, perhaps mortally wounding a Bohemian girl standing near. After wounding Beard, who was then lying on the ground, Curtis approached him when Beard fired a second shot killing Curtis instantly. Curtis fell across the body of Beard who also expired the next instant.
_________
And that's the story of Granger's very own "Hatfields & McCoys!"
Terry’s “Good Living” Guide:
Body:
Avoid the 3 PsBsSs
Processed Foods, Phthalates, Plastics;
Beef, Butter, Breads;
Avoid the 3 PsBsSs
Processed Foods, Phthalates, Plastics;
Beef, Butter, Breads;
Sedentary activities, Sugars, Salt.
Trust me,
you’ll be feeling better in no time!
you’ll be feeling better in no time!
Mind & Spirit:
Avoid the 3 F’s
Avoid the 3 F’s
Manufactured in these mediums are
misinformation, fear, anger and hate!
misinformation, fear, anger and hate!
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