3-29- Groveton, Texas

My father was born in Groveton, Texas. This is the county seat of Trinity County Texas, and the square is dominated by a large courthouse. This was once a rough and ready Texas town where we were told even schoolboys carried six shooters. From reconstruction days to prohibition and bootlegging days, Groveton was known for lawlessness. The Texas Rangers were called in to establish order, and pretty much gave up. Most people took the law into their own hands.

The Trinity County Courthouse

The Jail

Our camper on Main Street

One story revolved around my father's uncle, R.O. Kenley, who was a local lawyer. Uncle Oscar shot the Trinity County sheriff from the window of his law office and killed the man who was with him, right on Main Street! We read numerous news articles about this from the time. The trial was moved to Houston, and Uncle Oscar was acquitted.

Uncle Oscar

Another uncle, Uncle Edgar, was murdered in Trinity County in 1933 when he came across a man stealing his livestock. That man was hung, but not before the case went to the supreme court.

Uncle Edgar

My grandmother and Edgar's wife at his grave

We visited Uncle Edgar's grave, and met a gentleman at the cemetery who had known Edgar's wife, Mattie, and had worked for his son, James Womack, on the family ranch in Apple Springs. He also knew who had bought the ranch after James died. We were then able to go to the probate office and assessors office to find out more about the ranch. We got the name of the owner but more importantly the assessor knew the ranch manager- so we called him to set up a visit to the family ranch!

We have spent a few days in this town and the surrounding countryside where his family had their ranches.



There is a nice little historical museum in the town and there we met Suzanne, who was the head of the local historical society. She shared her archives with us and we had lots of time to discuss local families and stories.

The County Seat Cafe was our go-to place in town; the only restaurant and the only wi-fi!