WEST TEXAS MINISTER HANDWRITTEN DIARIES - Drought - Tornadoes - Sand Storms - Death - 1927
Item History & Price
ORIGINAL HANDWRITTEN DIARIES KEPT BY REV. G.W. PARKS, OF NOLAN COUNTY TEXAS. DATES ARE 1927 AND 1938. Rev. G. W. Parks was born in Whitley, Ky, June 14, 1866, and he was 61 years old when he wrote the first 3 of these diaries in 1927. Each one is full; each one is separate; they have handwritten entries for April; May; June, of 1927. The second diary is a full size year long diary that he kept for the year 1938. During his career he had been pastor of churches at Scranton, Ovalo, Clyde..., Baird, Gorman, Eastland, Carbon, Spade, Paynes Chapel, and was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Roscoe for 11 years. The Rev. J. C. Parks of Rotan, Texas, was his brother. G. W. Parks was a kindly man who worried about his family, his parish and parishioners, the drought and his cotton crop, the farm. Being on the school board and several other organizations he was an active, well informed, and concerned citizen of Roscoe Texas and surrounding area.
1927. Park's handwritten entries for April, May and June of 1927 address: "April 1, Went out to Needles and back on the train (he is always traveling and giving talks/sermons/lectures); April 2, Visited Sister Hunter and she died at 5 P.M.; April 5, The Workers Conference was well attended. We had a fine meeting and a good dinner. The Assoc. seems to have a good spirit; April 13, The Rocksprings Storm Occurred. (Tornado)" From the Web...(April 12, 1927, a low-pressure system was moving across the Edwards Plateau of Texas. A blustery, gritty wind had been blowing all day and the townspeople were expecting rain. Three miles northwest of town, a monster tornado descended from the clouds. It took direct aim at Rocksprings, population 800. The first warning the townspeople had was the thunderous hail, breaking windows and crashing through rooftops. Moments later, at 7:50 p.m., the F5 tornado, now a mile wide, unleashed its fury with winds of over 260 miles per hour, destroying nearly everything in its path. In less than ten minutes, it was all over. The town was in ruins, lit only by a fierce lightning storm and the buildings that were burning. Almost 80 people were dead, dying or missing. Some were never found. Over 150 were injured. The torrential rain rendered many roads almost impassable. Yet rescuers came from all over to help. Over the next several days, the severely injured and dying were transported to San Antonio, 140 miles away, by cars, trucks, ambulances, and trains. The F5 tornado still ranks as the third deadliest in Texas since 1900.) "Memorandum; This month visits 40, sermons and addresses 22."
"May, 2 1927, I went to the Convention in Fort Worth and stayed at the Wellsworth Hotel. May 3, Crossed Eastern Arkansas. Saw much evidence of the great over flow. Then through Memphis and on to Louisville at 8 P.M. Crossed a new part of Kentucky and finally registered at the Wellsworth Hotel. May 9, Rode horseback for ten miles then walked six. Sore. May 16, Went out to the farm. Dry and unpromising, yet there is always hope. May 22, Went out to the farm and all looks gloomy. May 28, Hauti Zarmer was badly scalded. May 31, Started plowing down Hills. Herman And I worked in the afternoon. We now have all the land except the lake. Memorandum: This month Sermons and Addresses, 21. Visited mostly sick, 13."
"June 1, Starts in very dry - no rain in May. June 5, This is the worst sand storm of the year. June 7, Went to Dunn to the Workers Convention. Good Meeting Heavy rain at Dunn and Loraine. Sprinkle at Roscoe. June 9, Plowed till six P.M. and then attended picnic S.S. at Seals Creek. The young people had a fine time. June 13, It rained in a good part of West Texas and showered some in Roscoe, but not enough to do much good." He ends this diary on June 14, 1927.
1938, G.W. Parks & family are now living at 506 Cypress Street, Roscoe, TX. and Rev. Parks is now 72 years old, and is still traveling, giving sermons, teaching, trying to keep the farm going, &c. "Jan. 10, Visited Brother Butters at night and heard that Bro. Glastine is very sick. Hope we do not loose him. He is evidently one of our best men and his loss would be hard on the church and community of Hermleigh. Jan. 13, Heard that Bro. Glastine died at 7 A.M. Sad news. Jan. 14, At 7 P.M. we had an important school board meeting. The Coach resigned. Ordered out of building. Jan. 15, We celebrate the 50th anniversary of our marriage. It hardly seems so long and we have had many experiences. Our burdens have been the ordinary I suppose. We have tried to be worthwhile to the world, and hope we have some service yet to give. Jan. 17, Went to town and heard of ball trouble. In the eve went to Sweetwater to hear district committee. Cowal Zoane was proven ineligible for playing football, and for the victories of the last year. The school was suspended from the football conference for one year. The last decision I felt was not just - and I will not willingly submit to it."
"Jan. 26, The main event of the day was the "breaking dirt" on the school ground for the new building. Feb. 1, Herman is in Aruba. I went to Abilene with Wilkins and Luckie to get a passport to Aruba. Feb. 9, Left at 4:30 A.M. for Austin, accompanied by J. R. Hutchingson, R. L. Adams and Alain Nemir. An interesting trip from Brownwood on - nice scenery. No luck with the Athletic Committee. Felt we were not treated right. At night Driscoll spoke before the Committee. Feb. 10, Looked over the State House and saw Mary Louise. We left Austin at 10 A.M. and came through Temple, Texas & was on up to Eastland and home at 9:30. Rather tired and disgusted with school athletic management."
"Feb. 23, Preached funeral of Hodges baby at Methodist Church. Hospital is full. Feb. 25, I went over to Sweetwater and signed for cotton subsidy. March 8, Lydie and the children left for New York. It was hard to see she and the children start for so long a trip. I can but hope that it is for the best and that they may get there safely, and that they do well. It took courage to undertake it. April 2, A little frost here. To Rotan for dinner and to look over the oil fields and crib farm. Spoke - good crowd. May 10, Heard of carriage wrecked and that Norma Gee was hurt. May 11, Norma is still unconscious. May 18, Sloan and Shipley died in the Sanatorium. May 21, Hot - had sand storm. No rain. Some to the north and the east - none here. June 5, Roscoe called Brother Elrod as pastor. I hardly believe he will accept the conditions.
June 11, We heard of the Clyde tornado and I feel terribly sorry for all, but especially shocked to hear of the Easterlings. I had no better friends and I am so sorry. (5 were killed and 30 injured by twister tornado in Clyde, as it demolished 25 homes in its path.) June 14, Went to Workers Conference at Westbrook. A very good meeting with better speeches than usual. Laftin preached a good sermon but too long and varied. I am 72 years old today. I can feel the years some. Hope to keep well the rest of the time. Sometime it is a task."
"Aug. 29, Put in day with the Equalization Board. Heard Elrod at night. Subject was Things To Block The Way To Hell. Sept. 20, Went out to the farm. Cotton badly hurt by worms and drought. Sept. 28 There seems to be some hope for people in Europe. Hope the news will prove to be well grounded. Nov. 8, Left at 5 A.M. for Dallas with Asa and Oma and Bro Christian. We went the grape vine route and stopped at Irving. Nov. 18, Spent practically all day reading the Manuscript of a book on tithing by Br. Weathers of Plainview. It seems to me to prove that tithing is not a new, and that it is duty or law. Dec. 13, Attended Workers Convention at Colorado, Texas. A very good meeting. I spoke on "What is Prayer?" There are some theories of prayer that are purely sentimental, and people are very zealous about their sentimental religious ideas. There is where the most trouble comes." Dec. 25, A drizzly day. Taught - combined the Sunday School - preached. Ora and O.C. ate dinner with us. Joyce read a good lesson in the evening. All in all it was just another Christmas."
"Obituary from the Abilene Reporter – News April 7, 1951 Roscoe, Texas. On April 6 – The Rev. G. W. Parks, an 84 year old Baptist minister who held pastorates throughout a wide west Texas area, died at 9:30 P.M. Friday at his home here.He had been ill for some time and confined to his bed for the last four months.Survivors are the widow, three sons, John Parks of Abilene, Herman of Dallas and George Parks of Roscoe; four daughters, Mrs. A. L. Skiles of Georgetown, KY; Mrs. Ora Parker of Kingsville; Mrs. L. B. Dawson of Corpus Christi; and Mrs. H. G. Griffith of Atlanta, GA."
"He was an Outstanding Citizen. It was just last February that the Rev. Parks was honored by the Lion's Club as Roscoe's "outstanding citizen, " and the Texas Baptist Convention once named as the outstanding rural minister of Texas.The late president of Hardin-Simmons University, Dr. J. D. Sandefer, several times offered him the Bible chair at HSU and is quoted as saying: "If I were to choose the one minister I could listen to and enjoy every Sunday it would be the Rev. G. W. Parks." The HSU post was declined because Parks wanted to stay "a small town minister." Born in Whitley, Ky, June 14, 1866, he married the former Annie Victoria Cain Jan. 15, 1899 and they celebrated their 63rd anniversary in January. He retired at the age of 80 while he was pastor of the Hermleigh Church. The Rev George W Parks was the son of Gabriel (1836 KY - 1902 AR) and Agnes Nancy Patrick (1845 KY – 1912 Scranton TX.)"
Description. All four diaries are in really good condition, internally fresh and tight and are a very worthy acquisition indeed. We presumed that we had listed all the diaries we had on Rev. G.W. Parks, but in doing our June/July summer inventory we have discovered these; these last 4. We have no more on Parks. The small monthly diaries measure approx. 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches; April and May are full; June is half full. The 1938 diary is full size at approx. 3 1/2 x 6 1/2, and has handwritten entries on every page, with monthly finances entered at the back of book as is done in many diaries from that day and age.
Payment and Shipping: Please see our feedback and bid with confidence. Never a reserve and very low opening bid as always bidders with no established feedback must contact us before bidding. Payment must be received within 3 days after close of auction. Thank you.
1927. Park's handwritten entries for April, May and June of 1927 address: "April 1, Went out to Needles and back on the train (he is always traveling and giving talks/sermons/lectures); April 2, Visited Sister Hunter and she died at 5 P.M.; April 5, The Workers Conference was well attended. We had a fine meeting and a good dinner. The Assoc. seems to have a good spirit; April 13, The Rocksprings Storm Occurred. (Tornado)" From the Web...(April 12, 1927, a low-pressure system was moving across the Edwards Plateau of Texas. A blustery, gritty wind had been blowing all day and the townspeople were expecting rain. Three miles northwest of town, a monster tornado descended from the clouds. It took direct aim at Rocksprings, population 800. The first warning the townspeople had was the thunderous hail, breaking windows and crashing through rooftops. Moments later, at 7:50 p.m., the F5 tornado, now a mile wide, unleashed its fury with winds of over 260 miles per hour, destroying nearly everything in its path. In less than ten minutes, it was all over. The town was in ruins, lit only by a fierce lightning storm and the buildings that were burning. Almost 80 people were dead, dying or missing. Some were never found. Over 150 were injured. The torrential rain rendered many roads almost impassable. Yet rescuers came from all over to help. Over the next several days, the severely injured and dying were transported to San Antonio, 140 miles away, by cars, trucks, ambulances, and trains. The F5 tornado still ranks as the third deadliest in Texas since 1900.) "Memorandum; This month visits 40, sermons and addresses 22."
"May, 2 1927, I went to the Convention in Fort Worth and stayed at the Wellsworth Hotel. May 3, Crossed Eastern Arkansas. Saw much evidence of the great over flow. Then through Memphis and on to Louisville at 8 P.M. Crossed a new part of Kentucky and finally registered at the Wellsworth Hotel. May 9, Rode horseback for ten miles then walked six. Sore. May 16, Went out to the farm. Dry and unpromising, yet there is always hope. May 22, Went out to the farm and all looks gloomy. May 28, Hauti Zarmer was badly scalded. May 31, Started plowing down Hills. Herman And I worked in the afternoon. We now have all the land except the lake. Memorandum: This month Sermons and Addresses, 21. Visited mostly sick, 13."
"June 1, Starts in very dry - no rain in May. June 5, This is the worst sand storm of the year. June 7, Went to Dunn to the Workers Convention. Good Meeting Heavy rain at Dunn and Loraine. Sprinkle at Roscoe. June 9, Plowed till six P.M. and then attended picnic S.S. at Seals Creek. The young people had a fine time. June 13, It rained in a good part of West Texas and showered some in Roscoe, but not enough to do much good." He ends this diary on June 14, 1927.
1938, G.W. Parks & family are now living at 506 Cypress Street, Roscoe, TX. and Rev. Parks is now 72 years old, and is still traveling, giving sermons, teaching, trying to keep the farm going, &c. "Jan. 10, Visited Brother Butters at night and heard that Bro. Glastine is very sick. Hope we do not loose him. He is evidently one of our best men and his loss would be hard on the church and community of Hermleigh. Jan. 13, Heard that Bro. Glastine died at 7 A.M. Sad news. Jan. 14, At 7 P.M. we had an important school board meeting. The Coach resigned. Ordered out of building. Jan. 15, We celebrate the 50th anniversary of our marriage. It hardly seems so long and we have had many experiences. Our burdens have been the ordinary I suppose. We have tried to be worthwhile to the world, and hope we have some service yet to give. Jan. 17, Went to town and heard of ball trouble. In the eve went to Sweetwater to hear district committee. Cowal Zoane was proven ineligible for playing football, and for the victories of the last year. The school was suspended from the football conference for one year. The last decision I felt was not just - and I will not willingly submit to it."
"Jan. 26, The main event of the day was the "breaking dirt" on the school ground for the new building. Feb. 1, Herman is in Aruba. I went to Abilene with Wilkins and Luckie to get a passport to Aruba. Feb. 9, Left at 4:30 A.M. for Austin, accompanied by J. R. Hutchingson, R. L. Adams and Alain Nemir. An interesting trip from Brownwood on - nice scenery. No luck with the Athletic Committee. Felt we were not treated right. At night Driscoll spoke before the Committee. Feb. 10, Looked over the State House and saw Mary Louise. We left Austin at 10 A.M. and came through Temple, Texas & was on up to Eastland and home at 9:30. Rather tired and disgusted with school athletic management."
"Feb. 23, Preached funeral of Hodges baby at Methodist Church. Hospital is full. Feb. 25, I went over to Sweetwater and signed for cotton subsidy. March 8, Lydie and the children left for New York. It was hard to see she and the children start for so long a trip. I can but hope that it is for the best and that they may get there safely, and that they do well. It took courage to undertake it. April 2, A little frost here. To Rotan for dinner and to look over the oil fields and crib farm. Spoke - good crowd. May 10, Heard of carriage wrecked and that Norma Gee was hurt. May 11, Norma is still unconscious. May 18, Sloan and Shipley died in the Sanatorium. May 21, Hot - had sand storm. No rain. Some to the north and the east - none here. June 5, Roscoe called Brother Elrod as pastor. I hardly believe he will accept the conditions.
June 11, We heard of the Clyde tornado and I feel terribly sorry for all, but especially shocked to hear of the Easterlings. I had no better friends and I am so sorry. (5 were killed and 30 injured by twister tornado in Clyde, as it demolished 25 homes in its path.) June 14, Went to Workers Conference at Westbrook. A very good meeting with better speeches than usual. Laftin preached a good sermon but too long and varied. I am 72 years old today. I can feel the years some. Hope to keep well the rest of the time. Sometime it is a task."
"Aug. 29, Put in day with the Equalization Board. Heard Elrod at night. Subject was Things To Block The Way To Hell. Sept. 20, Went out to the farm. Cotton badly hurt by worms and drought. Sept. 28 There seems to be some hope for people in Europe. Hope the news will prove to be well grounded. Nov. 8, Left at 5 A.M. for Dallas with Asa and Oma and Bro Christian. We went the grape vine route and stopped at Irving. Nov. 18, Spent practically all day reading the Manuscript of a book on tithing by Br. Weathers of Plainview. It seems to me to prove that tithing is not a new, and that it is duty or law. Dec. 13, Attended Workers Convention at Colorado, Texas. A very good meeting. I spoke on "What is Prayer?" There are some theories of prayer that are purely sentimental, and people are very zealous about their sentimental religious ideas. There is where the most trouble comes." Dec. 25, A drizzly day. Taught - combined the Sunday School - preached. Ora and O.C. ate dinner with us. Joyce read a good lesson in the evening. All in all it was just another Christmas."
"Obituary from the Abilene Reporter – News April 7, 1951 Roscoe, Texas. On April 6 – The Rev. G. W. Parks, an 84 year old Baptist minister who held pastorates throughout a wide west Texas area, died at 9:30 P.M. Friday at his home here.He had been ill for some time and confined to his bed for the last four months.Survivors are the widow, three sons, John Parks of Abilene, Herman of Dallas and George Parks of Roscoe; four daughters, Mrs. A. L. Skiles of Georgetown, KY; Mrs. Ora Parker of Kingsville; Mrs. L. B. Dawson of Corpus Christi; and Mrs. H. G. Griffith of Atlanta, GA."
"He was an Outstanding Citizen. It was just last February that the Rev. Parks was honored by the Lion's Club as Roscoe's "outstanding citizen, " and the Texas Baptist Convention once named as the outstanding rural minister of Texas.The late president of Hardin-Simmons University, Dr. J. D. Sandefer, several times offered him the Bible chair at HSU and is quoted as saying: "If I were to choose the one minister I could listen to and enjoy every Sunday it would be the Rev. G. W. Parks." The HSU post was declined because Parks wanted to stay "a small town minister." Born in Whitley, Ky, June 14, 1866, he married the former Annie Victoria Cain Jan. 15, 1899 and they celebrated their 63rd anniversary in January. He retired at the age of 80 while he was pastor of the Hermleigh Church. The Rev George W Parks was the son of Gabriel (1836 KY - 1902 AR) and Agnes Nancy Patrick (1845 KY – 1912 Scranton TX.)"
Description. All four diaries are in really good condition, internally fresh and tight and are a very worthy acquisition indeed. We presumed that we had listed all the diaries we had on Rev. G.W. Parks, but in doing our June/July summer inventory we have discovered these; these last 4. We have no more on Parks. The small monthly diaries measure approx. 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches; April and May are full; June is half full. The 1938 diary is full size at approx. 3 1/2 x 6 1/2, and has handwritten entries on every page, with monthly finances entered at the back of book as is done in many diaries from that day and age.
Payment and Shipping: Please see our feedback and bid with confidence. Never a reserve and very low opening bid as always bidders with no established feedback must contact us before bidding. Payment must be received within 3 days after close of auction. Thank you.
