Mrs. Elizabeth Darst, 1843-1910

Mrs. Elizabeth Darst (1843-1910), the wife of John Garlinger Darst (1833-1913), died at Zanesville...

MRS. ELIZABETH DARST

The remains of Mrs. Elizabeth Darst. wife of John G. Darst, of Zanesville, who died at the home of her son, Clinton Darst, in Zanesville, on Tuesday afternoon at 3:15 o'clock from the effects of a stroke of paralysis, arrived here from Zanesville on the 1:55 Baltimore and Ohio train Thursday afternoon. They were immediately taken to Cedar Hill cemetery, where short services were had and where the interment was made.

Thursday 21 APR 1910 - The Newark Daily Advocate, Newark, Ohio

John Garlinger Darst, 1833-1913

John Garlinger Darst (1833-1913); the son of Martin Darst (1796-1880); the son of Philip Derst (ca1750-ca1800); the son of John Paul Derst (1713-1775) our Pfeddersheim immigrant ...

John G. Darst

John G. Darst, age eighty years half of these being spent in Newark died Friday morning at 3 o'clock at his home, 25 North street. He has been ill since last Sunday, though his health has been poor for several years past. His death was due to heart trouble induced by the infirmities of advanced years.

Mr. Darst was born in Perry county, July 2, 1833. He spent his youth and early manhood in that county, coming to Newark more than 40 years ago. He was a horticulturist by occupation.

Following the death of his wife three years ago, his health began to decline and since that time he has spent most of his time at home.

He leaves a brother, Martin Darst of Madison, Mo., a sister, Mrs. John Stasel of Newark, five daughters, Mrs. Frank Place, Mrs. May Clark and Miss Nellie Darst all of Newark, Mrs. William Harris of Sesser, Ills., Mrs. S. A. Patterson of Chillicothe, O., and one son, D. C. Darst of Zanesville.

Thursday 25 DEC 1913 - The Newark Weekly Advocate, Newark, Ohio

Byron Darst, 1933-1946

Byron Darst (1933-1946); the son of Paul Leonard Darst (1880-1946); the son of James McGrew Darst (1854-1934); the son of David Darst (1821-1909); the son of John Darst (1772-1860); the son of Abraham Darst (1745-1822); the son of Abraham Derst (1725-1772), our Pfeddersheim immigrant ... died in family house fire along with father.

Baraboo Child

Dies Of Burns

Baraboo Wis. ---- (AP) --- Byron Darst, 12, died yesterday of burns suffered Sunday in a fire which killed the boy's father, Paul, 65, and destroyed the Darst farm home near Leland (Sauk Co.) the condition of another son, Lloyd, 15, also burned in the blaze, was reported to be serious.

19 FEB 1946 Sheboygan Press - Sheboygan, Wisconsin

James John Darst, 1941-1954

James John Darst (1941-1954); the son of Harold Desmond Darst (1907-1987); the son of Paul Leonard Darst (1880-1946); the son of James McGrew Darst (1854-1934); the son of David Darst (1821-1909); the son of John Darst (1772-1860); the son of Abraham Darst (1745-1822); the son of Abraham Derst (1725-1772), our Pfeddersheim immigrant drowned ...

Drowns in Swift Water

Robert Carley, 29, of Pleasant Valley (Iowa county), drowned Sunday when he waded into swift water in the Wisconsin River 2 1/2 miles west of Lone Rock.

Henry Hoffman, 22, Milwaukee, fell from a motorboat on a turn and drowned Sunday in Wind Lake.

James Scott, 21, Watersmeet, Mich., was a drowning victim in Lake Nokomis in Oneida county. He was swimming.

A 12-year-old Milwaukee boy, James Darst, drowned in Muskego Lake Saturday while trying to swim to a raft 100 feet offshore.

Donald Gross, 12, of Alma, said to be the best swimmer in his boy scout troop, drowned Saturday while swimmimg with other children in the Mississippi River at Alma.

Monday 14 JUN 1954 - Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, Wisconsin

George R. Darst, 1889-1971

George R. Darst (1889-1971); the son of John W. Darst (1848-ca1931); the son of David Darst (1821-1909); the son of John Darst (1772-1860); the son of Abraham Darst (1745-1822); the son of Abraham Derst (1725-1772), our Pfeddersheim immigrant survived a near tragic accident ...

Two Burned When

Boat Motor Explodes

ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) ---- A Rochester couple suffered burns but escaped drowning Sunday when their inboard motor boat exploded and burned on the Zumbro River north of here.

Mrs. George Darst suffered burns on her legs and arms and her husband, 64, less serious burns.

They were about 100 yards from shore when the motor exploded. Fire broke out immediately.

Mrs. Darst quickly paddled the craft to a point where they could jump out and wade to shore.

Darst cannot swim.

Tuesday 20 JUL 1954 - Fergus Falls Daily Journal, Fergus Falls, Minnesota

Mary Angela (O'Neil) Darst 1849-1928

Mrs. William Darst Dies

At Home In Somerset

Mrs. William H. Darst, well-known and highly respected woman of our community, died following a short illness early last Sunday morning. She was the widow of the late William Darst, a Cival War veteran who died about five years ago. Mrs. Darst was born in 1849, in Zanesville, Ohio and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John F. O'Neil of that city. Mr. Darst and family came to Somerset to make their home in 1912.

Mrs. Darst is survived by one daughter, Mrs. F. D. Scanlon and five grandchildren, also one sister, Mrs. W. M. Townsend of Columbus, three brothers, R. F. O'Neil of Zanesville; H. J. and J. H. O'Neil, both of Portland, Oregon.

Funeral services were held from Holy Trinity Church at 9:30 Wednesday morning and were attended by a large congregation of relatives and friends.

Mrs. Darst was the modest possessor of a beautiful Christian character -- endearing herself to all with whom she came in contact. Equable in temper, sunny in disposition, hopeful in outlook, charitable in thought she radiated kindness; -- an example of that fine old culture now almost lost in our modern life. Her death as beautiful as her life came at an incident in transition -- a sweet memory where once her presence graced the days that are no more.

18 JAN 1928 - Unknown Newspaper Obit

William Henry Darst 1848-1922

William Henry Darst (1848-1922); the son of William Peter Darst (1797-1875); the son of Henry Derst (1747-1802); the son of Johann Paul Derst (1713-1775), our Pfeddersheim immigrant.

WILLIAM H. DARST

William H. Darst passed away on Tuesday, October 24th, at his home on South Columbus street, after an illness extending over two years. He was born in Circleville, 74 years ago, and for the greater part of his life made his home in Zanesville and Somerset. Three years was spent in Columbus, during which time he was in the grocery business.

He came to Somerset when a young man, following the Cival War, was engaged in the hardware business, and was postmaster for a number of years. He was a veteran of the Cival War, one of the youngest in the army, and was an active member Tom Talbot Post at the time of his death.

In 1885 he took up his residence in Zanesville. In 1887 he was married to Miss Callie O'Neil, daughter of Hon. John F. O'Neil of Zanesville, who, with their daughter, Mrs. F. D. Scanlon, survive.

Mr. Darst had traveled for an eastern granite house for twenty-five years, when failing health compelled him to retire. He was widely and effectionately known among his business associates as "The Old Man."

Twelve years ago he and his family returned to the village of his early manhood where the remainder of his life was spent. He was received into the Catholic church shortly before the end came. He was the type of man worthy of so great a grace - honest, reliable and God-fearing, devoted to his family and unswervingly loyal to his host of friends. Two of his sisters became Catholics a number of years ago, and the daughter of one of them is a Dominican nun.

Funeral was held from Holy Trinity church, Thursday morning, October 26th. Rev. G. I. Conlan, O. P., sang the requiem high mass, and three other Dominican Fathers were present in the sanctuary. He was buried with military honors in the cemetery adjoining the church, a firing squad of the late war veterans firing the salute to the dead, followed by taps. May his soul rest in peace.

Miscellaneous Notes - Unknown Newspaper Obit

William Peter Darst, continued

William Peter Darst Family

Mr. William Peter Darst and his wife, Christina Renick Darst, came to Perry County when the Maysville Pike was being built. Mr. Darst was a building contractor and was also in the Real Estate business. He helped build the Somerset Court House in 1829. The Darsts had four children: Mary, Sarah, Thomas and William.

Mary lived in Somerset all her life. Sarah married John Gallin, who operated businesses in Somerset - a general store and a music store. Sarah and John had four daughters: Mary, Isabelle, Florence and Margaret.

Mary married John Francis (J. Frank) Scanlon who operated the Men's Clothing Store in Somerset. Isabelle married Al Chalfant, a prominent Perry County farmer. Florence Gallin married William J. Flautt who owned the Dry Goods Store in Somerset. Margaret joined the Convent of the Dominican Sisters in Columbus at St. Mary of the Spring's Motherhouse.

Thomas Darst died as a young man. William H. Darst married Mary A. O'Neill of Zanesville, Ohio. William and Mary had one daughter, Ann Janet. They lived in Zanesville until 1912 when they retired and lived the rest of their lives in Somerset. Janet Darst married Frank D. Scanlon of Somerset in 1917.

Miscellaneous Notes - Source not yet confirmed

William Peter Darst, continued

William P. Darst, for fourteen years Clerk of Court in Perry county, and the same length of time in Pickaway county, died on the 14th instant, of apoplexy, in his 79th year.

Saturday 20 NOV 1875 - The Portsmouth Times, Portsmouth, Ohio

William Peter Darst 1797-1875

William Peter Darst Memoir

The following is a memoir dictated by William Peter Darst (1797-1875), recalling information about his parents, brothers and sisters, and how the family moved from Pennsylvania to Maryland, and then onto Ohio. It was copied out in 1900 by his great-niece, C. E. McNutt, from an original dictated to McNutt's sister, Mrs. S. K. Ream.

p. 1 W P Darst recollection of the Darst family Oct 1868

My Grandfathers Paul Darst and _____ Schleigh were born in Germany and came to this country in their early manhood, and settled near Reading Penn. My grandfather Darst bought a farm 3 miles south east of Reading Pa on the road to Philadelphia, and was able to give each of his children farms when they married.

My father was a widower with three children when he married my mother - near Reading, Pa, and after the birth of one child (Catherine Clem) he left Pa and

p. 2 moved to Maryland - bought and settled on a farm three miles east of Frederick, Md where all his subsequent children were born. Father died Sept. 2nd 1802. The same year brother Joseph was born. In the fall of 1806 & a few weeks after the marriage of Henry to Catherine Richter, Mother with her children left Md for Ohio intending to settle at Dayton O. but when we got to or as far as Lancaster O. the weather and roads became so unfavorable - the family concluded to winter there, and go on in the Spring following. Soon after we halted Bro Henry bought a farm near the town on which the family spent.

p. 3 the winter. When Spring came we had concluded to go no farther west. Another farm was bought near Royalton for Mother where she and the small children lived. Bro's Henry, Jacob, Osaac & George moved to town (Lancaster) where they opened a store and tavern. Mother in two or three years after buying her farm married John Huber Sr. - who had a large family of sons and one married daughter. Myself, Rebecca and Joseph soon left Mother. We did not like her husbands family. Brother Henry took us and became a father to us - treating us at all times with great kindness. - His wife ("Sister Katy" as we always called her) - also was very kind to us.

p. 4 While we lived in Lancaster Isaac married Frances Brumback a native of Virginia - a quiet, modest, amiable Christian lady beloved by all who knew her - myself included. She lived something less than one year after their marriage, and on her death bed gave evidence of her acceptance by the Savior. She was buried in the cemetery at Lancaster by the side of sister Mary. I frequently visited their graves while I lived in Lancaster from 1858 to 1864. In the spring of 1815 my Brothers sold their farm and town property at Lancaster and bought the Babb farm at Somerset Perry Co Ohio and opened a tavern at the farm.

p. 5 and a store in Somerset. I lived in Circleville and kept a dry goods store - Bradshaw & Turney - Dr Dan Turney - physician. In the spring of 1816 at the request of my brothers I left Circleville and went east with brother Isaac to buy a stock of goods for the Somerset store. In May 1819 I married Elizabeth Beckwith daughter of David Beckwith - then deceased) - who had been associate judge of the common pleas Court, and merchant of Somerset. My wife died June 6th 1820 - leaving an infant, "Maria

p. 6 Catherine" - who died 1824. On the 2nd of Sep 1830 and while living in Somerset I was Clerk of Court Common & Supreme Court. I was married to Christian Renick daught of Thomas Renick - associate Judge of Pickaway County on Darby Creek.

In 1832 I resigned the Clerkship in Perry Co and removed to Circleville and entered into partnership with brother Isaac in a store. My wife Christian Renick died Oct 12th 1858 we having lived together a little over 28 years in peace and happiness, and when she died gave evidence her acceptance by the Savior. I must now give the names of my Fathers family

p. 7 in the order of their ages - viz: Abraham John & Hannah of the of his first marriage. Catharine, Henry, Jacob, Isaac, George, Mary, William Peter, Rebecca, and Joseph by his marriage with my mother, whose maiden name was Ann Maria Schligh.

Abraham never married. John married and lived and died in Maryland leaving no children. Hannah married my mothers brother Jacob Schligh or Schley. Only two of the family now living, John & Hannah both at Amanda Ohio. Brother Henry has a large family seven of whom are now living. Jacob left a family - 5 living. George left

p. 8 one son - now living in Circleville. Mary left one son - John Huber in Opwa. I know nothing about my Grandfather Schley. "not

and here the history stopped with the word "not" -

This is copied word for word from what "Uncle William dictated to my sister - Mrs S K Ream.

"William P Darst born August 4th 1797 In March 1854 he returned to Somerset.

Elmer Elgin Darst 1880-1951

Elmer Elgin Darst (1880-1951); the son of George Nathaniel Darst (1841-1913); the son of Elijah Darst (1817-1876); the son of Benjamin Darst (1793-1842); the son of Abraham Darst (1745-1822); the son of Abraham Derst (1725-1772), our Pfeddersheim immigrant ... resorted to desperate actions during desperate times.

STEALS FLOOD

RELIEF PIECES

Columbus, Feb. 3. --- (AP) --- A family of two women and three men was under arrest today, charged with petit larceny in a theft of $500 worth of clothing donated to flood sufferers.

Detectives Ray Archer and William Gregg filed the charges against Elmer Darst, 56; his wife Mary, 50; their son James, 31; his wife Thelma, 21 and Elmer's brother Oscar Darst, 58.

The detectives said the five engaged in sorting clothing at a relief station, carried away pieces to their home. The family was on relief, Archer and Gregg said, and had volunteered to help sort the clothing.

The five pleaded innocent on police court today. Their cases were continued to Feb. 5.

Wednesday 3 FEB 1937 - The Newark Advocate & American Tribune, Newark, Ohio

Clarence Finley Darst 1890-1899

Clarence Finley Darst (1890-1899); the son of Newton Lincoln Darst (1860-1940); the son of Elijah Darst (1817-1876); the son of Benjamin Darst (1793-1842); the son of Abraham Darst (1745-1822); the son of Abraham Derst (1725-1772), our Pfeddersheim immigrant ... burned to death in a tragic house fire.

Walked Into the Flames.

Gallipolis, O., Dec. 23. ---- The roof of the two story frame house of Luke Darst, Cheshire, was discovered in flames at 1 o'clock Friday morning. Eight children were sleeping in the second story. Their father's shouts awakened the children, who came to the window. Darst shouted to them to jump, and one by one caught them in his arms as they did so. Clarence, aged 10, did not seem fully awake. When his father pleaded with him to jump the dazed boy walked straight into the flames. The roof fell immediately after.

Saturday 23 DEC 1899 - The Lima News, Lima, Ohio

Charles W. Darst 1860-1937

CHARLES W. DARST

DIES IN HOSPITAL

Father of Marion Woman To Be

Buried at Radnor.

Charles W. Darst, 77, of Chicago, Ill, a native and former resident of near Delaware, died yesterday morning at the Grant hospital in Columbus, following a major operation. Two children, Mrs. W. Don Davis of 600 South Grand avenue and Mrs. Currie B. Harriett of Chicago, are among the surviving relatives.

Mr. Darst was born Dec. 18, 1860, near Delaware, the son of Duncan and Mary Galloway Darst, both natives of Ohio. He had resided in Chicago for the last 30 years. Funeral services will be held at the Morrison funeral home in Delaware tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. and burial will be made at the Radnor cemetery.

Thursday 19 AUG 1937 - The Star, Marion, Ohio

Charles W. Darst, continued

Hotel Man Missing.

Prospect, O., Jan. 17. ----- Charles Darst, former proprietor of the Central hotel, has been absent from this town for 10 weeks and nothing has been heard of his whereabouts. He took with him several thousand dollars, the proceeds of the sale of his hotel, and said when he left that he was going to prospect for a new opening. Foul play is feared.

Friday Evening 17 JAN 1902 - The Daily Herald, Delphos, Ohio

Charles W. Darst, continued

ANNA S. DARST WINS

GETS A DECREE OF DIVORCE AND
$500 ALIMONY

The Sensational Prospect Divorce Case
Comes To an End with a Victory for
the Outraged Plaintiff - - Rulings in the
Clark-Green Case - - Court Matters.

The Darst divorce case which was mentioned in Friday's Star as being heard by Judge Smalley in common pleas court came to an end Friday evening, with a decided victory for Mrs. Darst, the plaintiff.

Mrs. Anna S. Darst was granted a divorce from her husband, Charles H. Darst, as prayed for and the costs were adjudged against the defendant. Mrs. Darst was also awarded alimony in the sum of $500, which is made a charge against defendant's real estate. Mrs. Darst was ordered to return the household goods now in her possession.

Saturday 2 JUL 1898 - The Marion Daily Star, Marion, Ohio

Charles W. Darst, continued

DARST DIVORCE CASE

SENSATIONAL HEARING IN COURT
THIS AFTERNOON

Former Landlord of the Watkins House
Who Eloped with a Domestic Defendant
in a Mad Divorce Case - _____ in
the Court Room.

When Judge Smalley convened common pleas court this afternoon the hearing of the Darst divorce case was immediately begun and a................................................................................................................................................................

The case comes up from Prospect, the village which basks on the banks of the Scioto and seldom knows any of the badness of this wicked world. It will be remembered by Star readers that Darst was at one time landlord of the Watkins house, the leading hostelry of Prospect, and that he forssk his pretty little wife and ran off with a hired girl. The particulars of the sensational elopment was printed in this paper at the time. Later Darst returned to Prospect but Mrs. Darst refused to make up with him and entered suit for divorce. She charged him with adultery and desertion.

Considerable evidence of a sensational character is being adduced and the usual crowd of curious citizens is there to hear and see.

Friday 1 JUL 1898 - The Marion Daily Star, Marion, Ohio

Charles W. Darst, continued

WANTS A DIVORCE

Sequel to the Darst Elopement

at Prospect

THEY DID NOT MAKE UP. OH. NO.

Mrs. Darst Asks For a Divorce. Custody

of the Child and Alimony - - Judge Tobias

Approves the Bill of Exceptions in the

Wilkerson Murder Case - - Notes in

Common Pleas.

A paper which contains a sequel to the late sensational Prospect elopement was filed in the court of common pleas today.

Readers of the Star have been made familiar with the elopement of Charles W. Darst, landlord of the Watkins house, the leading hotel of Prospect, with Miss Addie Evan, who was employed as a domestic about the hostelry. This occured last winter. Darst ran away with the girl, going somewhere West, leaving his wife and daughter at Prospect. When the truth of this perfidy dawned upon Mrs. Darst she was prostrated with grief. Later Darst, growing tired of his enamorita, returned to Prospect and it was supposed that Mr. and Mrs. Darst had made up and all was lovely.

It seems that this is not true, for in her petition filed today she asks for absolute divorce from her husband and also seeks alimony. Mrs. Darst relates that she was married to the defendent at Radnor, Delaware county, Ohio, on April 21, 1883, and that one child, Roxy B., who was fourteen years of age on October 10, 1897, survives as a product of the union.

For a first cause of action Mrs. Darst alleges that on the 19th day of February, 1898, and at many times before and after that date, at the Watkins house and at other places, defendant committed adultry with the said Addie Evan.

For a second cause of action Mrs. Darst sets up that her husband has been guilty of gross neglect of duty: that he has abandoned her and refuses to sipport or contribute to her support, though abundantly able to do so.

Mrs. Darst then proceeds to add that the defendant is possessed of the undivided one-half of certain real estate in Radnor township, Delaware county, Ohio, and that he has some personal property, including a horse, buggy and a cow, and is capable of earning a livelihood. She says that he threatens to sell or to encumber this property to prevent her from recovering alimony.

Palintiff therefore prays for divorce, custody of the child and for reasonable alimony, both temporary and permanent. She also asks for an injunction to prevent her husband from selling or encumbering his property. J. F. McNeal & Sons represent Mrs. Darst.

Thursday 5 MAY 1898 - The Marion Daily Star, Marion, Ohio

Charles W. Darst, continued

DARST COMES HOME

THE ELOPING PROSPECT MAN GROWS

TIRED OF THE WAITRESS

Mrs. Darst Had a Seance with a Marion

Spiritualistic Medium, Who Prophasise

the Husband's Return -- The Spiritualist

Makes a Good Guess.

The cat came back.

Home, sweet home, had its allurements for C. W. Darst, the ex-landlord of the Watkins house at Prospect. He returned Saturday evening it will be recalled that Darst astonished the natives of Prospect some three weeks since by wandering away from his own friends. In other words he eloped with a pretty waitress who was employed at the hotel over which he at one time presided as landlord. The affair created a sensation. Darst's wife was left with a broken heart. She had misgivings that her husband would never return. Meanwhile Prospect society talked about the sensation to its heart's content, and the elopement began to be looked upon as a closed incident. But a change came over the spirit of Darst's dreams. The charm of home, a trusting wife and family began to tug at the ex-landlord's heartstrings.

The sorrow that had come to Mrs. Darst made her susceptible of hope, but she feared the worst, and in a moment of doubt and uncertainty she came to Marion last week and consulted a spiritualistic medium, so it is said, and was told that her husband would return to her Saturday. All day the trusting wife waited expectantly for him, and was rewarded in the evening for her faith by the wayward husband and father putting in his appearance.

Miss Adda Evans, the young woman with whom Darst eloped, it is reported, has gone to the home of a brother in Denver, Col.

Monday 14 MAR 1896 - The Marion Daily Star, Marion, Ohio

Charles W. Darst, continued

DARST SKIPS OUT

The Landlord of a Prospect

Hotel Elopes

WITH A VERY PRETTY WAITRESS

Sends His Wife and Daughter Away. Then

Leaves with Miss Adda Evans -- They

Came to Marion and Took a Train For

the East -- Elopement Planned Some

Time Ago.

Prospect citizens are excited over an elopement of more than ordinary sensational character. C. W. Darst, formerly proprietor of the Watkins House, Prospect's leading hotel, and a pretty waitress in his employ are the chief actors. Friday Mr. Darst sent his wife and fourteen-year-old daughter to Radnor to visit relatives and was to go after them Saturday afternoon. Friday evening Darst and Miss Adda Evans met in a remote part of the town and came to this city. Darst had hired a horse and buggy of Mr. Dildine, a liveryman of that place, and the couple drove here, and it is supposed that they took an Erie train for the East Friday night.

The rig was placed in the barn of H. S. Long, where it was cared for until Sunday, when Mayor Gast and the proprietor of the Prospect barn came to this city and took the rig back to Prospect. They investigated matters here and are of the opinion that the eloping couple went East on an Erie train.

C. W. Darst is past forty years of age and it is thought had about $1000 in his possession. Miss Evans is not more than 18 years of age and is very beautiful. She is an orphan and for some time has made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Darst, bearing an excellant reputation.

They planned the elopement some time ago. When Mrs. Darst evinced a wish to visit her parents at Radnor the husband readily complied with the request. When he did not come after her Saturday she telephoned to Prospect to find out why he did not keep his promise and then the story of the elopement, which had been previously rumored, was made certain.

Mrs. Darst, a very catimable lady, and her daughter are both prostrated with grief. Mrs. Darst fainted when she heard the truth. There had been no breath of suspicion against the young lady previous to her sensational escapade of Friday night.

Mr. Long says that the couple arrived at his barn Friday night, put up the horse and buggy and left, saying that they would return for it. Mayor Gast was in the city today, trying to find some clue that will lead to the whereabouts of the missing couple.

Monday 21 FEB 1898 - The Marion Daily Star, Marion, Ohio

Charles W. Darst 1860-1937

Charles W. Darst (1860-1937); the son of Duncan P. Darst (1837-1927); the son of Samuel Darst (1808-1870); the son of Peter Darst (1759-1843); the son of Johann Paul Derst (1713-1775), our Pfeddersheim immigrant ... was for many years a Prospect, Ohio Hotel keeper before he removed to Chicago, Illinois.

He Rode the Goat.

Radnor, O., May 11. --- C. W. Darst, a Prospect hotel keeper, while being taken through the mysteries of Odd Fellowship was injured so as to be rendered unconscious. He was taken to the home of one of the members and worked with until 3 o' clock the next morning before he revived.

Monday 11 MAY 1896 - Newark Daily Advocate, Newark, Ohio

Enos Durst 1843-1930

Enos Durst (1843-1930); the son of Michael Darst (1814-1885); the son of John Darst (1785-1844); the son of Peter Darst (1759-1843); the son of Johann Paul Derst (1713-1775), our Pfeddersheim immigrant ... was reunited with daughter Sophia ... a child from the first of ten wives. Enos, disabled from Cival War injuries spent most of his post war years in and out of soldiers' homes in Indiana and California.

Happily Reunited

Through an item which appeared in this paper about a week ago, a father and a daughter who have been separated for thirty-two years, were again brought to a knowledge of each other's whereabouts. They are Mr. Enos Durst, of North Plymouth, and Mrs. Jos. Abair, of near Lapaz.

The daughter, whom he last saw as a little girl of three years, Mr. Durst now beholds as a mature woman with seven children, the oldest of whom is herself nearly grown. The father whom Mrs. Abair last saw as a young man in his prime, is now old, gray-headed and descending the hill of life. The meeting was one which brought forth tears and words of explanation and endearment from both sides.

Mr. Durst entered the army when a young man and served until the close of the cival war in the 12th Indiana cavalry. Shortly after the war he was married and lived happily with his wife and little girl until the child was three years old. His wife and he then separated, she taking the child.

After about a year Mr. Durst lost all trace of both wife and child, and although he has lived at South Bend ever since, until a year ago, and his daughter had married and lived within a radius of fifty miles of him all this time, no communication ever passed between them. Neither had the slightest suspicion that the other lived or knew of the other's whereabouts.

About a year ago Mr. Durst moved here with his second wife, whom he married at South Bend. Just the week before the Thanksgiving holiday, Mrs. Durst returned to South Bend to visit her sister, who lives there. The fact was mentioned in the local columns of this paper. Mrs. Abair, who now lives on the farm of J. N. Wilson near Lapaz, saw the item and wrote to Mrs. Durst, inquiring if she had a relative by the name of Enos Durst. Mr. Durst himself answered the letter on Wednesday and his daughter arrived Friday to visit him. Both were overjoyed at the happy reunion after so many years' doubt. Mr. Durst said that if he had met his daughter on the street he probably would not have known her, yet her resemblance to her dead mother leaves no doubt in his mind that she is his daughter.

Mr. and Mrs. Abair were married either at North Liberty or Walkerton and they lived on J. N. Wilson's farm near Lake Maxiukuckee until a few years ago, when they took charge of his larger farm near Lapaz, where they now reside.

Mr. Durst and his daughter had good cause to celebrate Thanksgiving with greatful hearts.

Thursday 4 DEC 1902 - Plymouth Democrat, Plymouth, Indiana

Thomas Henry Darst 1874-1955

Thomas Henry Darst (1874-1955), the son of Jacob Darst (1821-1906), of New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, made news...

GOOD DOG

The large black dog that Thomas Darst of the south side owns has already made himself famous by saving the life of a little tot, who fell into the water.

The dog which is a cross between a Newfoundland and St. Bernard, is the largest canine in the city and takes to water as naturally as a duck. The other day while playing along the banks of the canal, a little child fell into the water.

The dog seeing the little one struggling in the icy water plunged in and seizing its clothes in his mouth soon had it safe on the land. He is of a very lovable disposition and Mr. Darst says that he would not want to part with him under any consideration. -- New Phil. Times

25 JAN 1906 - The Cambridge Jeffersonian, Cambridge, Ohio

Simon H. Darst 1845-1928

Simon H. Darst (1845-1928), the son of Jacob Darst (1821-1909), like his father served during the Cival War ... the following was also published in the 1884 Illustrated History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio.

Biographical Sketches:

GOSHEN TOWNSHIP

Simon H. Darst, merchant, Blake's Mills, P.O. New Philadelphia, was born July 3, 1845, in that town, then called Lockport, and is a son of Jacob Darst. He was brought up and received his education in his native town.

He enlisted December 12, 1861, in Company C, Eightieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in the Army of Tennessee. He took part in the battles of Iuka, Corinth and Jackson, all in Mississippi, the siege of Vicksburg, and the battle of Mission Ridge. In the last battle, our subject was taken prisoner, and was confined at Belle Island four months, at Andersonville seven months, and Florence, S.C., four months. Being paroled, he received a furlough home for thirty days, after which he returned to the seat of war, and was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio (his time having expired), April 20, 1865.

After his return, he worked on the canal until 1872, when he entered into partnership with Frederick Graff as merchant in Blake's Mills, where he has remained ever since. He was united in marriage, in 1870, with Mary J. Plotts, of Uhrichsville, Ohio. To this union one child has been born - Harry.

Our subject is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias. In politics, he is a Democrat.

Jacob Darst 1821-1906, continued

The following excerpt is from the 1884 Illustrated History of Tuscarawas County, Ohio ...

Biographical Sketches:

GOSHEN TOWNSHIP

JACOB DARST, proprietor of canal boat, New Philadelphia, was born in 1821 in Lancaster, Ohio. His father, Daniel Darst, died when our subject was but a small boy, and he then lived with his mother until he was eleven years of age, when he came to New Philadelphia and learned the blacksmith trade with his uncle, Simon Beck.

Mr. Darst was married in 1842 to Margaret Humrickhouse, a native of Germany, and by this union were born two children - Simon H. and John. After marriage, our subject settled in Lockport, Ohio, in 1842, carrying on a blacksmith's shop of his own.

In 1850, he bought a canal boat called "D Talmadge", and has since that date been occupied in transportation on the canal. He owned various boats, his present being the "Levi Sargent".

Mrs. Darst died in 1853, and Mr. Darst subsequently married Anna Sedgwick in 1855. This marriage has resulted in a family of seven children, viz.: Ida, Margaret, Bessie, Mary (deceased), Jacob, Thomas, and an infant (deceased).

In 1861, Mr. Darst enlisted in the Eightieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was color bearer, carrying the flag which was presented to the regiment by the ladies of New Philadelphia, and which he has now in his possession. He took part in the engagements at Iuka, Corinth, and Jackson, and at the seige of Vicksburg and the battles of Mission Ridge and Chattanooga. In the last engagement, our subject was wounded in the left arm, which has been thereby disabled. He received an honorable discharge, at Columbus, Ohio, in April, 1865.

Mr. Darst is a member of the Lutheran Church. He resides at Blake's Mills.

Jacob Darst 1821-1906

Jacob Darst (1821-1906), the son of Daniel Darst (ca1790-ca1826); the son of Philip Derst (ca1750-ca1800); the son of John Paul Derst (1713-1775), our Pfeddersheim immigrant.

Democratic Love for the Soldier

Again Demonstrated.

A New Philadelphia special to the Cleveland Leader says: That intense and undying love that the Democracy have for the ex-Union soldier was fully demonstrated by the Board of Public Works at Columbus yesterday. Jacob Darst, of this place, late color guard of the gallant old Eightieth Ohio, and wounded at the battle of Mission Ridge, was an applicant for the position of Canal Superintendent in this sub-division. He had strong papers, being endorsed by the county officers of this and Coshocton counties, also by the leading citizens, members of Democratic county committee, and by the Grand Army Post of this palce and Coshocton. Mr. Darst has been a life long Democrat and was in every way worthy and entitled to the position, being the only soldier applicant for the place. Notwithstanding all this the Democratic Board of Public Works ignored all the claims of Mr. Darst and appointed Adam Miller, of Oxford township, this county, to the position. This, too, after they had given out the most positive assurance that Mr. Darst should have the place. After being thus snubbed, Mr. Darst asked for the return of his papers, and to add insult to injury, this Democratic soldier-loving Board informed him that they had forgotten his documents and left them at their several homes many miles away. At the same time Mr. Darst was positive they were not out of the office. And this is the manner in which the Democracy recognize the soldier, and as brave a one, too, as ever carried a gun. The old comrades in this section will not soon forget the outrage.

Saturday 5 APR 1884 - The Coshocton Age, Coshocton, Ohio

Jacob Alvin Darst 1864-1924

Jacob Alvin Darst (1864-1924), the son of John Darst (1818-1895); the son of Jacob Darst (1785-1852); the son of Samuel Derst (1754-1791); the son of Abraham Derst (1725-1772), our Pfeddersheim immigrant.

COMPELLED TO STOP

"SOMETHING" WARNED ENGINEER

TO PUT ON BRAKES.

One More Substantiated Story of Pre-

monition That Saved Train From

Disaster --- Unable to Make

Any Explanation.

Jake Darst is one of the best known and least emotional of all the engineers on the Oklahoma division of one of the big trunk lines of the southwest, says the St. Louis Globe-Democrat.He can make the time, and he likes to make it, and nothing makes him more peevish than a useless stop that will cause him to "whip his engine" up and down grade in order to make up the lost minutes. He pulls, with the help of engine No. 1032, the fast train that comes up out of Texas on the stroke of midnight, and roars across the state of Oklahoma by the time the sun is a few degrees above the prairie skyline. He insists with the placid insistence of a big man that he arrive at the end of his run on time. His fireman suffered grievously because of this ambition.

They were shoving the telegraph poles behind them at the even rate of 55 miles an hour one summer morning about two years ago. Leaving the junction north of one of their few stops they raced across the outskirts of the Darlington reservation, climbed to the crest of Okarche Hill and settled back on either side of the cab to "watch the drivers roll." There was nothing to keep them from tearing off the mileage between Okarche Hill and the Cimmaron river at the rate of 60 miles an hour or upward. Just why he did it, the engineer could never tell, but his hand suddenly shot out, seized the throttle, shut off the steam, and an instant later set the air brakes. The heavy train jarred to a stop, while the fireman looked wonderingly at him from across the cab. Without saying a word, Darst swung down from the cab and ran forward along the track. A few feet away from the engine pilot he saw the crumpled body of a man lying between the rails.

When the train crew came running forward a few moments later the engineer confided to the little group that "something" had made him stop in spite of the fact that he had not caught sight of the body till he was within a few feet of it. In the meantime a frantic dispatcher was trying to get a message to train No. 12 with the highly important information that the bridge over Dover creek was in bad shape and that speed of all trains would be reduced to 12 miles an hour over that suddenly important culvert. The unusual stop gave him time to receive and forward that message to the now belated train. The train was saved from the consequences of a dilatory track walker's carelessness by the few minutes lost in stopping and picking up the body found on the right of way.

8 MAR 1911 - Sheboygan Press, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Norman Sterling Darst II, continued

Probe Launched

In Angelo Deaths

A full scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two city employes at the city sewer treatment plant this past weekend has been started, according to City Manager H. D. Howard.

The city is awaiting the results of autopsies which were ordered by Peace Justice Ruth Nicholson Sunday. The autopsies will hopefully disclose the exact cause of death of the two men.

The city hopes to determine whether the deaths were attributable to normal sewer gasses or whether possibly some person or company might have discharged a large concentration of a toxic chemical into the system.

Howard has directed various staff persons to begin the investigation and has conferred with Police Chief John DeMent regarding the incident. He said a city ordinance bars the dumping of certain chemicals into sewer lines to avoid injury to city sewer farm employes.

The victims of the weekend tragedy were identified as Norman Sterling Darst III, 29, of 724 Era, and Marvin Hill, 22, of 2205 Glenwood.

Mrs. Hill reported to the sheriff's office Sunday morning that her husband had not returned home from work Saturday. She said she had gone to the farm late Saturday and found Hill's car, but could not locate him or anyone else in the area.

The two were found by county sheriff's deputies in a pit housed by a sewage disposal blockhouse containing a shredder used for breaking up solid waste material.

Dr. James Womack started autopsies Sunday afternoon and the Department of Public Safety in Austin is assisting to determine the exact cause of death. A report should be available later in the week.

Services for Hill will be held at 2 p.m. today in Evangelical Methodist Church in Odessa. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens under direction of Hubbard-Kelley Funeral Home of Odessa.

Services for Darst will be at 3:30 p.m. today in Johnson's Funeral Home with the Rev. Earl Sherman, pastor of College Hills Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery.

He was born Aug. 8, 1944 in San Angelo and had been a lifetime resident here. He was married to Laverne Steward March 12, 1965 in San Angelo.

Survivors include his wife; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Darst of San Angelo; a sister, Mrs. A.M. Farris of Temple; and a brother, Garet Darst of Corpus Christi.

Pallbearers will be Russell Garrett of Kerrville, Norman Andis Farris of Temple, and Jimmy Young, Lonnie Pace, Bob Pryor and Marion Bristow, all of San Angelo.

Tuesday Morning 14 AUG 1973 - San Angelo Standard-Times, San Angelo, Texas

Judge Makes

Death Ruling

SAN ANGELO (Staff) --- Death by respiratory failure due to unknown causes has been ruled in the Aug. 12 deaths of two San Angelo sewage plant employes.

Justice of the Peace Ruth Nicholson returned the rulings in the deaths of Norman Sterling Darst II, 29, and Marvin Leonard Hill, 22, a former Odessa resident.

Their bodies were found floating in sewage plant effluent Aug. 12 after Hill's wife called the Tom Green County Sheriff's office to report her husband missing.

The inquest ruling Monday was made by Mrs. Nicholson after a report from Parkland Hospital in Dallas was delayed.

Judge Nicholson said she didn't know when the pathological report will be completed.

The pathological report was to be made to determine if lethal gas may have been a factor in the deaths of the two men.

City Manager H. D. Howard said results of an investigation he initiated are inconclusive, pending receipt of the pathological report.

Tuesday 28 AUG 1973 - The Odessa American, Odessa, Texas

Norman Sterling Darst II 1944-1973

Norman Sterling Darst II (1944-1973), the son of Norman Sterling Darst (1912-1987); the son of David Darst (1881-1950); the son of John Jacob Darst (1850-1886); the son of David Sterling Hughes Darst (1821-1906); the son of Jacob Calloway Darst (1793-1836); the son of David Darst (1757-1826); the son of Abraham Derst (1725-1772), our Pfeddersheim immigrant ...died tragically.


Two City Employes Found
Dead At Angelo's City Farm


Tom Green County Sheriff's Deputies Sunday morning discovered the lifeless bodies of two San Angelo men floating in an underground disposal tank at the city sewer farm some six miles east of the city off Farm Road 380.

According to Sheriff Deputy Ernest Haynes, the bodies of Norman Sterling Darst III, 29, of 724 Era and Marvin Hill, 22, of 2205 Glenwood were found around 8:30 a.m. Sunday after Hill's wife became concerned of her husband's whereabouts Saturday evening after Hill did not come home from work, Sunday, she contacted sheriff's deputies to search the area for her husband.

Officers said one of the men apparently fell into the tank after being overcome by fumes and the other died trying to save him. The pair were city employes at the farm.

Sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene and searched for the two at the sewer plant and found the pair in a pit housed by a sewage disposal blockhouse. The pit was five feet wide and 6-7 feet deep, Deputy Haynes said, and it took four men to carry the bodies from the underground pit. The blockhouse contained a shreader used for breaking up solid waste matter.

Haynes said that according to Mrs. Hill, her husband reported to work at the sewage farm around 8 a.m. Saturday. The woman later drove to the farm late Saturday afternoon to look for her husband but could not locate him. She said his car was parked nearby but saw no one at the plant. She called law enforcement officials early Sunday morning.

Police at the scene placed time of death for the two between 1:30 and 6 p.m. Saturday. Deputies said Darst had reported to work around 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Justice of the Peace Ruth Nicholson was called to the scene Sunday morning and ordered an autopsy on the two.

Dr. James Womack started autopsies on the two men around 4:45 p.m. Sunday. However, the Department of Public Safety lab at Austin will issue an official report to Mrs. Nicholson this week and the peace justice's ruling will follow.

The San Angelo Emergency Corps was called to the scene to assist recovery of the bodies.

Tom Green County deputies Loil Balentine and Charles Titus discovered the bodies and investigated circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two.

Services for Hill are pending at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home of Odessa.

Hill was a lab technician for the city and is formerly of Odessa.

Funeral Services for Darst will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Johnson's Chapel with the Rev. Earl Sherman of the College Hills Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery.

He was born Aug. 8, 1944 in San Angelo. He had been a lifetime resident of San Angelo and was married to Laverne Stewart March 12, 1965 in San Angelo.

Survivors include his wife; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Darst of San Angelo; a sister, Mrs. A. M. Farris of Temple; and a brother, Garet Darst of Corpus Christi.

A similar incident occured in Abilene Aug. 5, when Jess Hubert Moore and Jesse Lee Swaim, both Abilene Water and Sewer employes were found dead inside a street manhole. City officials guessed that one had died trying to rescue the other when one of them had been overcome by fumes.

Monday Morning 13 AUG 1973 - San Angelo Standard-Times, San Angelo, Texas

David Darst 1881-1950

David Darst (1881-1950), the son of John Jacob Darst (1850-1886); the son of David Sterling Hughes Darst (1821-1906); the son of Jacob Calloway Darst (1793-1836); the son of David Darst (1757-1826); the son of Abraham Derst (1725-1772), our Pfeddersheim immigrant ... ended his own life.

Suicide Suspected

In Local Shooting

A 69-year-old San Angelo shoe repairman died at 5:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon about five or six hours after a bullet from a .38 revolver crashed into his left temple.

David Darst, gun beside him, was discovered about 12:45 o'clock Sunday afternoon in his shoe shop at 1013 N. Chadbourne by his son, Norman Darst.

Police who investigated the shooting called it suicide.

Norman Darst, the son, who resides at 61 E. 16th St. said his father "had been worried about his business."

Darst had not been ill or despondent, his son reported.

For several years the elder Darst operated Darst Shoe Service at 1124 W. Beauregard. He had moved the shop to the North Charbourne address about two months ago because "his lease was too high," the son explained.

Darst and his wife, Selma, resided at 123 S. Archer.

Norman Darst said his father always came to his shop early on Sunday mornings to "read his paper and clean the place up."

"I visited with him a while Sunday morning," the younger Darst said. "He didn't say anything about his business worries then."

Darst continued that he then went to his own place of business and returned about 12:45 to find his father. Norman Darst is superintendent for the Concho Valley Pecan Co., 1615 Live Oak.

The son then called a Cox ambulance and police. Mr. Darst died in a local hospital. Norman Darst said he believed his father had been "shot for some time before I found him."

Mr. Darst was born Jan. 9, 1881 in Gonzales, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Darst, both natives of that city. His great-great grandfather perished in the Alamo.

At the age of five, Darst moved to San Angelo with his parents in 1886. Since that time he had resided in San Angelo, Mertzon, and Barnhart. He was a member of the Oddfellows lodge at Sherwood.

Services are to be conducted at 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon from the Cox Chapel with the Rev. Morris Elliott of the Immanuel Episcopal Church officiating.

Burial is to be in Fairmount.

Survivors include the widow; one daughter, Kalleta Darst and the son of San Angelo; two sisters, Mrs. C. C. Jones and Mrs. Kaleta Herne, both of Big Spring; and three grandchildren.

Monday Morning 14 AUG 1950 - San Angelo Standard-Times, San Angelo, Texas

David Sterling Hughes Darst 1821-1906

David Sterling Hughes Darst (1821-1906), the son of Jacob Calloway Darst (1793-1836); the son of David Darst (1757-1826); the son of Abraham Derst (1725-1772), our Pfeddersheim immigrant. The following appeared in the Gonzales County History, 1986 ...

DARST, DAVID

STERLING HUGHES

David Sterling Hughes Darst was born in Montgomery County, Missouri August 3, 1821, the son of Jacob C. Darst ( December 22, 1793 Tennessee). He arrived in Gonzales with his parents January 8, 1831 from Missouri.

Darst's father Jacob who married Margaret C. Hughes October 3, 1820 was the son of David Darst. Two of David's nine children, Jacob and Abraham, went to Texas with their parents. Abraham married Tabiatha Calloway, granddaughter of Daniel Boone, and settled in Brazoria County. Jacob settled in Gonzales in DeWitt's colony. He was granted in 1831 twenty-four labors of land located on the north side of the Guadalupe River in what was later Guadalupe County and known in 1984 as the Darst Creek oil field.

When the Gonzales cannon was demanded by the Mexicans in September, 1835 Jacob Darst was one of the company of eighteen men who defended it. D.S.H. Darst was fifteen years of age when he accompanied his father to Goliad previous to the surrender of Colonel Fannin. It was that same spring when Jacob answered the call of the Alamo and was killed March 6, 1836. The young Darst along with his mother witnessed the burning of Gonzales by General Sam Houston and with other families joined the Runaway Scrape and stopped at the Trinity River.

Young Darst and his mother returned to Gonzales in 1839 to begin life again. Mrs. Darst died in 1846. In 1840 he participated in the Battle of Plum Creek and was also with the Texas army at San Antonio when that city was captured by the Mexican army in 1842. In 1845 he married Emeline Zumwalt. They had three children: Imogene who married G. W. Betts; John who was killed, in 1888; and James D. Darst. A granddaughter Ornie married George N. Lamkin and lived in the Harwood community. A great-granddaughter Josephine Lamkin Caperton lived in Luling. His only other known descendents were Josephine Caperton's great neice Shirley Ann Hendricks Springs and her two children, Steven Christopher and Jamie Lee Springs, all of Luling.

Darst was a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church, serving for years as ruling elder. In June, 1853 he was one of the co-founders of the Gonzales Inquirer. He served as mayor of Gonzales from 1850-1853, as county treasurer for twelve years and as a trustee of the Gonzales College. His name was listed as a trustee in the first catalogue of the college published for the year 1856-1857. He was the first petitioner to be initiated into the Masonic Lodge after it was organized in Gonzales in 1846. The ceremony was held in the "Little Union Church", the only public meeting place in town. He was also a charter member of the Gonzales Royal Arch Chapter Number 51. In 1847 he joined the Commandery in Austin, later becoming a charter member of the Gonzales Commandery.

Darst was one of the first merchants in Gonzales and in 1860 be built a brick home in the town. The grounds covered eighteen acres and were said to be some of the finest in the area. During the Cival War he was appointed District Confederate States deputy marshal until the end of the war when the office was dissolved. He suffered financial losses as many of his friends did as an aftermath of the Cival War and the Reconstruction period. In 1874 he built a mill and gin on East Avenue. It was later known as the Vrasel Gin and was located where the Boysen Food Market stood in 1984. Darst was one of the men instrumental in bringing the railroad branch line to Gonzales August 9, 1882, contributing $500 toward that venture.

In later years Darst was the person who verified the location where the first shot for Texas Independence was fired on the banks of the Guadalupe River October 2, 1835. The site was marked by a granite monument commemorating the battle and the men who fought there.

He died in Gonzales June 14, 1906 and was buried in the Masonic Cemetery with full Masonic ceremonies.

by Josephine Lamkin Caperton

Margaret Darst, Alamo Widow

Joining the Fight for Texas Independence

GONZALES - Playing the character of Margaret Darst, whose husband, Jacob, was killed at the Alamo, Vicki Frenzel of Gonzales fought back tears while telling of the pain and anger she felt after learning her husband was dead.

"You used the word anger, Mrs. Darst, but yet your husband had paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us in here with his life so that you may be a free Texan, and I may be a free Texan, and all of us may be free Texans. He has given his life for all of us to be free, yet you are angry. How can you possibly be angry?" asked Bob Burchard, the moderator for the play "Gonzales: The Beginning," which tells the story of the founding of Gonzales.

Frenzel's character said her head and heart were telling her different things.

"My head tells me that Jacob did the right thing, but my heart cannot believe that. How could he have gone off and left us?" Frenzel's character asked. "I know that he did it because he wanted us to be able to live free. Jacob convinced me that freedom was worth anything, and I believe in my Jacob. But now he is not here, and I'm angry."

Jacob Darst was one of 32 men - known as the Immortal 32 - from Gonzales and Green DeWitt's Colony who answered Col. William B. Travis's call for help at the Alamo. They joined nine others from Gonzales and Green DeWitt's Colony who were already fighting at the fort in San Antonio.

All 41 were honored Friday during a brief ceremony at Texas Heroes Square in downtown Gonzales in recognition of Texas Independence Day, which was Tuesday.

Burchard, president of the Gonzales County Historical Commission, which sponsored the event along with the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, read the names of each of the men at the ceremony, which he ended with a prayer.

"They were so young. You look at all the names, and some of them are 16 and 17. Isn't that something? It gives me a lump in my throat," Gonzales resident Olivia Harless said from her seat on a stone bench at Texas Heroes Square where she looked at the 41 Texas flags flying in recognition of each man killed.

Emily Bahlmann, 11, stood at Darst's flag, held her right hand over her heart and recited the Texas Pledge of Allegiance to herself. She said she picked Darst's flag because she heard the name during the play that was put on by the Gonzales historical commission before the ceremony. Others participating in the play included Leon Netardus, who played Green DeWitt, the founder of Gonzales; and Lois Willman, who played Martha McCord, a twice widowed woman.

Margaret Darst, Frenzel's character, also talked about fleeing for her life during what has become known as the Runaway Scrape. That's when Mexican Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna sent armies to Texas to run out the settlers after the fall of the Alamo.

"We were terrified. We were panicked. We knew that Santa Anna's army was on its way from the Alamo. but we didn't know if it was 20 miles away, 10 miles away. It could have been on the banks of the Guadalupe." Frenzel's character said.

She fled with blankets and some food for her and her son, David. Others, though, tried to lug furniture and other belongings, "but we were moving so fast, that they couldn't keep up."

They stopped to rest about 10 miles east of Gonzales at a spot, which today is known as the Sam Houston Oak.

"Someone yelled 'look to the west,' and I turned and I looked and the whole sky was red and glowing. I knew that Gonzales was burning," Frenzel's character said, her voice trailing off. "I fell to my knees, and I cried. I cried for myself. I cried for Jacob. I cried for our children. I cried because all of my belongings were gone, but, mostly, I cried because all of our plans and all of our dreams were gone."

Choking back tears, Frenzel bowed her head and paused. She then apologized, said she couldn't talk about it anymore, and turned around and sat down in a chair near a window in the front of the courtroom.

As Burchard continued with the play, one woman in attendance kept taking off her glasses and wiping away tears with her hands. The woman next to her patted her on the back.

"It gives you goose bumps every time you think about the prices people paid previously so we could lead our lives," said state Rep. Edmund Kuempel, whose district includes Gonzales County. He was one of the 100 or so who attended the play Friday morning.

Later in the day a display of the Runaway Scrape was unvelled outside the Gonzales Memorial Museum. Other activities Friday included a breakfast to raise money for the resoration of the Old Jail Museum, a walking tour of the downtown area, a display of photographs by the Gonzales Camera Club, a Knights of Columbus fish fry and a country music show sponsored by the Gonzales Pioneer Village.

Saturday 6 MAR 2004 - The Victoria Advocate, Victoria, Texas