The Embree Diaries

Update: Russell’s Murder

admin — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:31:07 +0000

After the book-signing in Belton, Rick Miller began investigating Russell Embree’s murder in the court records. I have just received the information and will post the documents from the court as soon as they are scanned.

Miller included a brief article from the Galveston Daily News, dated Monday March 13, 1893 (page 2):

KILLED IN BELTON

Russell Embree Shot to Death by Deputy Marshal Joe Mayes

BELTON, TX, March 12–

Between 12 and 1 o’clock this morning, Deputy City Marshal Joe Mayes shot and killed Russell Embree on the sidewalk of the Buckhorn saloon. Russell Embree and John E. Hammersmith had a short time before been quarreling with Joe Mayes in the Buckhorn saloon. Strong and insulting language has passed and some threats were made. Mayes shot twice, on ball entering near the middle of the breast and the other near the right nipple. Embree staggered, fell, and died without speaking. An examination of Embree’s clothing after death showed that he was unarmed. His body was taken to the residence of his father, Dr. J. W. Embree. He was buried this afternoon. The largest procession ever seen in Belton followed the body to the grave.

After the shooting Mayes went to the jail and surrendered to Deputy Sheriff W. P. Donman and was locked up, where he now is. The examining trial will be held Tuesday. The killing has caused considerable [illegible word] about town to-day. Both parties have a large number of friends.

I am currently working on posting the PDF’s of the Habeas Corpus evidence hearing.

Thank you, Bell County Museum

admin — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:53:54 +0000

Today’s talk and book signing was a wonderful experience and now Henrietta and Tennie’s diaries are “home” and safe in the collection at the Bell County Museum where they can be viewed by any interested parties. I also want to thank everyone who attended the talk, particularly the Embree and Keys family members who made their way to the museum for the day. To see such a fabulous collection of family history come together is exactly what I hoped might happen with these diaries but also something I never really imagined. Gillian Embree worked long and hard to maintain and preserve her family story and I hope she would be proud to see these diaries and family papers return to Belton and the family homestead.

I also want to thank all the family members for coming and sharing their archives. If you have more questions, please feel free to contact me through this website. Just leave a comment on this post and I’ll reply!!

Embree Family

admin — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:34:22 +0000

Top Row, Left to Right: Beulah Embree Sanford, Harvey Embree, Russell Embree

2nd Row, seated, Left to Right:

John Brown Sanford (child) John A. Sanford, Tennessee Embree, Gillian Embree, John W. Embree, John Embree, Jr (standing)

Erma Sanford seated on the floor

2010 Book Signing

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:05:58 +0000

I will be giving a brief talk and signing books at the Bell County Museum in Belton, Texas this spring. This event is currently scheduled for Saturday March 20th, 2010, 2-4pm.

Tandem Lives

admin — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:30:47 +0000

This image from the cover of Tandem Lives, forthcoming in April 2009. The book is now advertised in the Spring/Summer Catalogue from the University of Tennessee Press– on page 17/18!

Tennessee Embree

admin — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 22:48:50 +0000

Tennie Embree

Tennessee Keys Embree, the second wife of Dr. John W. Embree, born Carroll County, Arkansas, 1840

A copy of this original photograph is in the Embree collection at the Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin. The original surfaced in the collected of Betty Sanford Lockhart.

Tennie and Beulah

admin — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 02:16:00 +0000

1914 Belton, Texas

1914, Belton, Texas.

Beulah Embree

admin — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 22:33:32 +0000

Beulah, 1877

Beulah Embree, aged 12, 1877

Henrietta Embree

admin — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:12:07 +0000

Henrietta Baker Embree, first wife of Dr. John W. Embree, born Cumberland County, Kentucky.

Tombstone, South Belton Cemetery

Henrietta Embree