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Note: Elbert's Time in Sonora,Texas
The earliest date known at this time to put Elbert in Sonora (or Sutton
County) is about Sept of 1890. At that time a Court order was issued by
Callahan County, to the Sheriff of Sutton county, to "take the body of
E.R.Hill" to appear before the court as a witness in the shooting death
of his brother, John R.Hill, which occurred in Dec. of 1889. The trial
took place in November of 1890.
At the same time of the trial, Elbert was in the midst of setting up a
new business with a partner by the name of T.C.Barfield. It was to be
called "Barfield & Hill's" wagon yard, or something to that effect. This
appeared in the November 8th, 1890 edition of the "Devil's River News".
It stated that they were almost ready for business. The following month,
in the December 20th edition of the same paper, it states that Elbert
(E.R.Hill) had purchased T.C.Barfield's interest in the business, and in
fact advertized it as "E.R.Hill Feed, Wagon & Livery Yard, In connection
with the Traweek Hotel. Teams properly cared for. Satisfaction Given." So
it was apparently in operation that month.
Now also living at nearby Ft McKavett, was Elberts second oldest brother,
George W. Hill. In fact, there was an announcement of his first childs
birth in the Dec.20th 1890 edition of the "Devil's River News". It stated
"Born at Mckavett on Friday the 19th hence, to Mr.& Mrs.Geo. Hill, a fine
boy". Ft McKavett was about 40 miles away, Sonora was probably the only
town of any size in the vicinity.
December 26th of '90, my father, E.Roy Hill was born. An announcement was
printed in the January 3rd edition of the "Devil's River News" of his
birth. It's the closest thing to a birth certificate for him that can be
found to date.
In the April 11th '90 edition of the Devil's River News there was an
announcement that a P.Hurst & M.Parker had bought the wagon yard from
E.R.Hill. I guess he either didn't like that particular line of business,
sold it for profit, or simply needed cash.
Just two weeks later, in the same paper, there was a reference to
"E.R.Hill the ex-livery man returned last week from his trip east". Just
what his trip east was for I don't know. It could have been for any
number of reasons. It didn't really give a single clue. That was all that
it said.
During this time, he and his wife Emma Hill, acquired a few pieces of
property. I could not find actual dates that they were purchased, only
copies of transfer deeds that were filed when they were sold. One piece
was located in the commercial district, down town on the N.E.corner of
Crockett & Main st. The other piece was probably where they lived, it was
located on First st. 2nd lot south of Menard Ave.on east side of street.
Rowena Hill, was born to Elbert and Emma, on May 2nd, 1893. On her birth
certificate (which incidentally was not issued until December of 1942)
she listed her fathers occupation as a "liquor merchant".
On the 5th of June 1894, E.R.& Emma sold their house or property on First
st. for three hundred dollars. On the same day they sold their property
on Main st.downtown as well for three hundred dollars. It should be noted
that this warranty deed was notarized in Menard county, which is N.E. of
Sutton county. I suspect that they may have moved to Ft. McKavett for
some time before moving on to Oklahoma Territory later that year.
It is also believed that Pharoah Hill (E.R.'s father) and the rest of his
family lived there for some time prior to their move to Oklahoma. They
are believed to have moved there from Baird/Admiral area in Callahan
county, to get the youngest boy, Pharoah (AKA Farrel)later to be known as
Fad, out of the area. He was pretty hot headed, and although just a young
boy, about 13 or 14, he was ready to take the law into his own hands. He
reportedly had to be physically restrained from getting on his horse and
going after Buster Harris, the fellow who shot his uncle John Hill in the
back.
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