Earl Luke Lincecum (1897-1946)

Earl was born 21 November 1897 in Texas to Luke A(nderson?) Lincecum and Ida A. Bynum (d. 1952).  He was one of at least eight children resulting from that union.

Earl married Grace Ophelia Kingrey about 1918, when his bride was just 17 years old.  This couple had at least five children.  Four of them were as follows:  Earl L. Jr. (d. 1958), Rose Eva (d. 1997), Eula Jeanne “Judy” (d. 1994), and Barbara Lucille (d. 1997).

Image at right is Earl Luke Lincecum’s World War I draft registration card, dated 12 September 1918 at Canadian, Hemphill County, Texas.  (Though it should be noted his “permanent home address” was written to be Clovis, Curry County, New Mexico.)

Earl Sr.’s younger years were spent as a farm laborer and brakeman for the Panhandle & Sante Fe Railroad.  The family made its way to California from Texas by way of Oklahoma and New Mexico.  There, Earl Sr. settled on a career in police work.  He toiled at the Sacramento Police Department for at least thirteen years.

And that police department was where Earl met his second wife-to-be, Hazel Riley.  According to the 15 January 1940 edition of the Sacramento Bee (California):

A romance that blossomed in the police department is scheduled to be climaxed within a few days by the marriage of Police Officer Earl L. Lincecum, 42, and Hazel Riley, 31, a clerk in the police record bureau.

The couple filed a notice of intention to wed in the county clerk’s office Saturday, the same day upon which the divorce of Lincecum’s former wife, Grace, became final…

Earl Sr. and Hazel had at least one son, James Elton Lincecum, who died at the age of nine months.

The elder Earl Luke Lincecum suffered a heart attack “in line of duty” 17 September 1946.  His remains were interred at the Masonic Lawn cemetery in Sacramento.

Visit Earl Luke Lincecum’s page in the Lincecum Lineage database.

California Highway Patrol

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Biographical Outline of Elizabeth O’Banion Lincecum (1829-1899)

A smile hath passed which filled our home with light. A soul whose beauty made that smile so bright.

— epitaph on Elizabeth’s tombstone

Elizabeth Obanon (O’Banion?) / Cleveland was born 20 November 1829, possibly in Georgia, to Mary (maiden name unknown) Obanon Cleveland.  The 1850 Washington County, Texas Federal census suggests Elizabeth was born an Obanon / Obanion.  Mother Mary married J. M. Cleveland about 1844.

Using this record, as well as the 1860 Washington County, Texas Federal census, Elizabeth had brothers named Benjamin and John, and a sister named Martha.  Her half-brothers were William, Joseph, and Leander.  In fact, brother Benjamin (with surname Obanion) was just “two doors down” from Elizabeth Lincecum in 1860.  Separately, the rest of the siblings – at home with Mary – were all listed with the surname Cleveland.

Elizabeth (indexed as a Cleveland) married Lachaon Joseph Lincecum February 1852 in Washington County, Texas.  They went on to have 9 or 10 children:  Lycurgus, George Durham, Mary E., Val Dies, Sallie, Lachaon Joseph Jr., Edna Katherine, Leolia Gideon, Lucullus Garland, and (possibly) Anna.

Elizabeth died 10 July 1899 in Gonzales, Texas.  She was laid to rest at Gonzales Masonic Cemetery, under the tombstone pictured at top.  Photo credit to Cindy S. Munson (2011) via FindAGrave – permission for use granted in her bio.

Individual Facts:

• Census:  3 October 1850 / Washington County, Texas
• Census:  12 June 1860 / Long Point, Washington County, Texas
• Occupation:  September 1870 / Keeping House in Washington County, Texas
• Census:  28 September 1870 / Burton, Washington County, Texas
• Occupation:  June 1880 / Keeping House in Williamson County, Texas
• Census:  3 June 1880 / Williamson County, Texas

Death notice from The Daily Express (San Antonio, Texas) dated 12 July 1899:

MRS. L. J. LINCECUM

Gonzales, Tex., July 11 — Died at her home in Gonzales, Tex., on Monday, July 10, 1899, at 9 p. m., Mrs. L. J. Lincecum, aged 69 years, 7 months and 12 days.  The interment will be held at the Masonic cemetery at 4 o’clock this evening.

Visit Elizabeth O’Banion Lincecum’s page at the Lincecum Lineage database.

Guns and Roses: The Untold Story of Dean O’Banion,
Chicago’s Big Shot Before Al Capone

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Biographical Outline of Percy Aubrey Cardwell (1892-1957)

[Originally posted on previous platform September 2016.]

Percy Aubrey Cardwell was born 15 November 1892 in Gonzales County, Texas to William Alexander Cardwell and Edna Katherine “Kate” Lincecum. He married Emma Kate Lankford 5 May 1923 in Bexar County, Texas. Percy died at 1:30 p.m. on 25 November 1957 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, just ten days after his 65th birthday. He was laid to rest at San Jose Burial Park in San Antonio.

Individual Facts:

• Census:  8 June 1900 / Gonzales, Gonzales County, Texas
• Occupation:  April 1910 / Retail Grocery Store Clerk at Bexar County, Texas (probably worked for his father)
• Census:  19 April 1910 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
• Occupation:  June 1917 / Government Clerk at Bexar County, Texas
• Address:  June 1917 / 345 Bill Green St, San Antonio, Texas
• Occupation:  January 1920 / Public Bookkeeper at Bexar County, Texas
• Census:  5 January 1920 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
• Address:  April 1930 / 228 Sycamore St., San Antonio, Texas
• Occupation:  April 1930 / Real Estate Broker at Bexar County, Texas
• Census:  2 April 1930 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
• Address:  1942 / 1109 W. Craig Place, San Antonio, Texas
• Occupation:  1942 / City Tax Department at San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
• Address:  abt March 1945 / 1109 W. Craig Place, San Antonio, Texas
• Address:  abt August 1946 / 1109 West Craig Place, San Antonio, Texas
• Occupation:  abt 1957 / Clerk for City of San Antonio, Texas
• Address:  abt 1957 / 1109 W. Craig Place, San Antonio, Texas

Notes:

– Percy’s description from his WWI draft registration card (dated 5 June 1917): tall, slender, grey eyes, brown hair.

– From U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925: P. A. Cardwell, age 27 (dated 20 March 1920)
destination:  Tampico, Mexico
objective:  Commercial; “to accept position with Tampico Banking Co.”
using port of Laredo, Texas
physical description:  6′ 2″ tall, long chin, brown hair, gray eyes, fair complexion, prominent nose, long face, (including a distinguishing mark of) “Long scar right temple near eye”

Also included with Percy’s passport application was a notarized letter from his father confirming Percy’s paternal parentage, birth date and place.

– From Border Crossings: From Mexico to U.S., 1895-1964: P. A. Cardwell, age 28 (dated 30 December 1920)
occupation:  Material Agent
from Tampico, Mexico to San Antonio, Texas (admitted at Laredo, Texas)

– Percy’s description from his WWII draft registration card (dated 1942): 6′ 2″ tall, 185 lbs, gray eyes, gray hair, ruddy complexion.

– Per his death certificate, Percy died at 1:30 p.m. on 25 November 1957. Emma Kate Cardwell was the informant. Cause of death: Apoplexy, acute, severe, terminal (30 min). Hypertensive cardio-vascular disease (15 yrs). Arteriosclerosis, generalized, and severe of both legs with avascularity (6 mos).

Visit Percy Aubrey Cardwell’s page in the Lincecum Lineage database.

From South Texas to the Nation: The Exploitation of Mexican Labor in the Twentieth Century
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Biographical Outline of Edna Katherine Lincecum Cardwell (1866-1945)

[Originally posted on previous platform September 2016.]

Edna Katherine Lincecum was born 30 September 1866 in Washington County, Texas to Lachaon Joseph and Elizabeth (O’Banion?) Lincecum. She most often went by “Kate.” I’ve seen her referenced as “Katie” once – in a marriage index which states Katie Lincecum married Willie A. Cardwell 20 January 1892 in Caldwell County, Texas.

The marriage date carries with it a bit of contention, though, since census records suggest Katie and Willie had at least two children prior to that date. I suppose the children could belong to another union. I don’t know at this point. The four children I have ascribed to Kate and William are as follows: Lottie Kate, William E., Percy A., and Thomas A. (also known as “Tom”).

Edna Katherine Cardwell died 1 March 1945 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. She was laid to rest at Mission Burial Park. I have requested a photo of a grave marker via FindAGrave.

Individual Facts:

• Census:  28 September 1870 / Burton, Washington County, Texas
• Census:  3 June 1880 / Williamson County, Texas
• Census:  8 June 1900 / Gonzales, Gonzales County, Texas
• Census:  19 April 1910 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
• Residence:  1920-1945 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
• Census:  5 January 1920 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
• Census:  14 April 1930 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
• Residence:  April 1935 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
• Census:  12 April 1940 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
• Address:  abt 1945 / 419 Harding Pl., San Antonio, Texas
• Occupation:  abt 1945 / Housewife at Bexar County, Texas

Note:

– Edna’s son Percy A. Cardwell was the informant listed on her death certificate. Cause of death: Generalized Arteriosclerosis with marked secondary anemia.

Visit Edna Katherine Lincecum’s page in the Lincecum Lineage database.

The Blood of Heroes: The 13-Day Struggle for the Alamo — and the Sacrifice That Forged a Nation
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Ida Lincecum and the Lauderdale Family Cemetery

[Originally posted on previous platform August 2016.]

On private property in Brenham, Washington County, Texas is an unmarked cemetery.  At one time, “most of the people who have lived in the area for many years” indicated the only identifiable grave in the cemetery was that of Col. Samuel D. Lauderdale.  Col. Lauderdale and his wife Sarah Hawkins were the parents of Edna Caroline Lauderdale.

Edna married Lucullus Garland Lincecum about 1853 in Washington County, Texas.  The couple had at least five children, including a girl named Ida.  She was born about 1861, but was gone by the 1870 census.

Research conducted by members of the Washington County Genealogical Society of Brenham, Texas, suggests Ida could have been laid to rest in the Lauderdale Family Cemetery.  But little girl Ida hopefully would not have lain there alone.  It’s possible her mother and grandfather rest nearby.

For a more thorough report of the Samuel Lauderdale family and a listing of other possible burials in the cemetery, visit the Washington County Genealogical Society at bluebonnetgenealogy.org.

Visit Ida Lincecum’s page in the Lincecum Lineage database.

History of the Lauderdales in America: 1714-1850
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Biographical Outline of John C. Roberts, Husband of Fernandella Lincecum

They who knew him best will bless his name
and keep his memory dear while life shall last.
(Inscription on John’s tombstone)

[First posted on previous platform August 2016.]

John C. Roberts was born on Christmas Day of 1837 in Winston County, Mississippi to Alexander Roberts and Sabra Vise.  Alexander Roberts [first] came to Texas in 1836, and helped the Texans fight the battles of the Republic for nearly four years, being in many engagements with the enemy, the most noted of which was the Plum Creek fight. This was written in a book by Dan W. Roberts, son of Alexander and brother of John C., titled Rangers and Sovereignty (first published 1914).

Sabra, on the other hand, thought the Texas frontier unsafe for her family.  She, more than once, returned with her children to Mississippi. The family, all together, finally settled at what soon came to be Caldwell County about 1843.

John C. was one of three Roberts boys to marry three Lincecum girls. His choice was Fernandella Brazoria “Della” Lincecum (1840-1933), daughter of Garland R. Lincecum and Emmaline Jones. They were married 9 August 1857 at Caldwell County. The couple went on to have six sons and one daughter: Jacob Garland, Alexander Chalmus, Daniel Brazos, Louada, James Travis, John B. J., and Sullivan Ross.

John C. Roberts was a farmer, and during the Civil War, a cattle driver. He died 25 March 1919 at his home “8 mi east of Lockhart” in Caldwell County, Texas. John C. was buried in Lincecum – Roberts Cemetery, sacred land originally owned by his father-in-law.

Individual Facts:

• Residence:  1839 / Texas
• Census:  11 November 1850 / Caldwell County, Texas
• Occupation:  June 1860 / Stock Raiser at Caldwell County
• Census:  20 June 1860 / Lockhart, Caldwell County
• Occupation:  August 1870 / Farmer at Caldwell County
• Census:  27 August 1870 / Lockhart, Caldwell County
• Occupation:  June 1880 / Farmer at Caldwell County
• Census:  12 June 1880 / Caldwell County
• Occupation:  June 1900 / Farmer at Caldwell County
• Census:  8 June 1900 / Caldwell County
• Occupation:  May 1910 / Farmer of a General Farm at Caldwell County
• Address:  May 1910 /  Union Grove Road, Caldwell County
• Census:  10 May 1910 / Caldwell County
• Occupation:  October 1914 / Farmer at Caldwell County, but not able to work
• Address:  October 1914 / RFD #1, Dale, Caldwell County

Notes:

• According to the 1870 Caldwell County, Texas Federal census, J. C. could not read or write.


• From October 1914 Indigent Pension Application (No. 28601) of John C. Roberts: When asked of what state was his command, he replied with Texas. John went on the say: “Enlisted at Austin July 1863. Served until May 1865…Was immediately detailed to serve in Subsistence Department and was put to work gathering cattle for Luckett’s Regiment. My entire time was put in driving Beeves for the command. I did not serve in any company as a soldier.”
  
  A Mortuary Warrant submitted by D. B. Roberts, John’s son, states John died of heart disease at home.


• John’s wife also submitted paperwork regarding his death as part of her Confederate Widow’s Pension Application. Image above, detailing burial expenses, was included.

Visit John Calhoun Roberts’s page in the Lincecum Lineage database.

The Ranger & His Wife:
Two Accounts of the Early Days of the Texas Rangers by a Married Couple
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Timeline Report for Fernandella Lincecum Roberts (1840-1933)

[Originally posted at previous platform July 2016.]

Fernandella “Della” Lincecum Roberts lived to the age of 93 years, and surely saw a lot in those 9+ decades on earth.  Della’s father, Garland Lincecum, was one of those who signed a petition to create Caldwell County, Texas.  Della lost her father at age 13, was married and had her first child by 18.  She would have her last child at age 45.  Della spent most of her life in the same Caldwell county, and was buried in a cemetery on land originally owned by her father.  (Courthouse image at right.)

Slavery was normal until she was 22.  She couldn’t vote until she was 79.

Pattern:  Year / Age – Event – Date / Place

1840 – Fernandella Brazoria Lincecum was born – 3 July at Lowndes County, Mississippi

1846 / Age 5 – Garland moved his family and settled at what would later be Caldwell County, Texas

1846 / Age 5 – Mexican-American War – 1846-1848 / USA, Mexico

1848 – California Gold Rush – 1848-1855

1850 / Age 10 – Della was enumerated for the 7th United States Federal census – 9 November at Caldwell County

1852 – First Lone State State Fair – May / Corpus Christi, Texas

1853 / Age 12 – Crimean War – 1853-1856

1853 / Age 13 – Della’s father, Garland R. Lincecum, died – 9 September at Lockhart, Caldwell County

1857 / Age 17 – Della married John C. Roberts – 9 August at Caldwell County

1858 / Age 17 – Della gave birth to son Jacob – 26 June at Caldwell County

1860 / Age 19 – Della was enumerated for the 8th United States Federal census – 20 June at Caldwell County

abt 1861 / Age 20 – Della gave birth to son Alexander

1861 / Age 20 – American Civil War – 1861-1865 / USA

1862 / Age 22 – Emancipation Proclamation – 22 September / USA

1863 / Age 22 – US Transcontinental Railroad – 1863-1869 / USA

1864 / Age 23 – Della gave birth to son Daniel Brazos – 7 April 1864 at Dale, Caldwell County, Texas

1865 / Age 24 – Assassination of US President Abraham Lincoln – 14 April 1865 / Washington, DC

1866 – Beginning of the era of Texas trail drives of cattle

abt 1867 / Age 26 – Della gave birth to daughter Louada

1869 / Age 26 – Suez Canal – Egypt

1872 / Age 31 – Della gave birth to son James T. – 11 February at Dale, Caldwell County, Texas

1873 – Buffalo Soldiers first posted in Texas

1876 / Age 36 – Della gave birth to son John B. J. – 13 October / Texas

1878 / Age 38 – Della watched her first son get married – 24 October at Caldwell County

1880 / Age 39 – Della was enumerated for the 10th United States Federal census – 12 June at Caldwell County

1886 / Age 45 – Della gave birth to her son Sullivan Ross – 13 January / Texas

1889 / Age 49 – Della’s mother, Emmaline R. Jones Lincecum, died – 7 July at Caldwell County

abt 1893 / Age 52 – Della watched her son Daniel get married

abt 1894 / Age 53 – Della watched her son James T. get married

1897 / Age 57 – Della watched her son Alexander get married – 27 October at Caldwell County

1898 / Age 57 – Spanish-American War – April thru August / USA, Cuba

1900 / Age 59 – Della was enumerated for the 12th United States Federal census – 8 June at Caldwell County

1900 – “Great Hurricane” kills 6,000 – 8 September / Galveston, Texas

1901 – Large discovery of oil in Texas – 10 January / Beaumont, Texas

1901 / Age 61 – Assassination of US President William McKinley – 6 September at Buffalo, New York

1903 / Age 63 – Wright Brothers First Flight – 17 September at Kitty Hawk, Dare County, North Carolina

1908 / Age 68 – Ford Model T Manufactured – 1908-1927 / Detroit, Michigan

1910 / Age 69 – Della was enumerated for the 13th United States Federal census – 10 May 1910 at Caldwell County, Texas

1912 / Age 71 – Titanic Disaster – April / Atlantic Ocean

1914 / Age 73 – World War I – 1914-1918 / Europe

1919 – Prohibition begins in Texas

1919 / Age 78 – Della’s husband of 61 years, John Roberts, died – 25 March at Caldwell County, Texas

1920 / Age 79 – Women in the United States receive the right to vote

1920 / Age 79 – Della was enumerated for the 14th United States Federal census – 2 January at Wilson County, Texas

1924 – First woman governor elected in Texas

1925 / Age 84 – Della’s son John B. J. died – 23 January

1929 / Age 88 – The Great Depression – 1929 until her death / USA and Europe

1930 / Age 89 – The Holocaust – 1930 until her death / Eastern Europe

1930 / Age 89 – Della was enumerated for the 15th United States Federal census – 9 April at San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

1931 / Age 90 – The Dust Bowl – 1931 until her death / Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas

1933 / Age 93 – Fernandella Lincecum Roberts died – 9 September at San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.  She was laid to rest in Lincecum-Roberts Cemetery at Lockhart, Caldwell County.

Visit Fernandella Lincecum Roberts’s page in the Lincecum Lineage database.

Texas Historical Markers: Caldwell County: Lockhart, Luling, Martindale
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Taxi Driver Shot, Found on Steps: the 1932 Death of Robert H. Tamplin

Robert H. Tamplin was born 13 October 1895 in Georgetown, Williamson County, Texas to R. H. Tamplin and Daisy Lincecum.  Young Robert spent his pre-adult years working as a stock clerk for the Joske Bros. department store.  He also completed a relatively short stint in the U.S. Army.  By the time he was 27, Robert was working as a chauffer / taxi driver in the San Antonio area of Bexar County, Texas.

Robert married at least once, but was divorced at the time of his death.  His untimely demise occurred less than two months after his 37th birthday, and just two weeks before Christmas. The crime and possible subsequent solving of it played out in the newspapers:

San Antonio Express (Texas)
12 December 1932 – pg. 1 [via GenealogyBank]

TAXI DRIVER SHOT, FOUND ON STEPS

Cab Found More Than Mile From Scene, No Witnesses Discovered

With a bullet wound in the back, the body of Robert H. Tamplin, 30, 306 North Street, was found upon the steps of the residence of Louis Granato, 410 Stonewall Street, Sunday morning, shortly after residents reported hearing a dispute and an automobile hastening away.  Granato telephoned the sheriff’s office there was a drunk man lying on the steps.

Mystery still clouded the shooting Sunday night as deputy sheriffs said they had been unable to find a clue and the fact that Tamplin’s watch, a ring and 80 cents in change was found on the body.  Residents of the house where the body was found could give no information as to how many men were in the party heard quarreling at the doorway and none had heard anything which was said.

Tamplin was a driver for the Yellow Line Company and was said to have left the office at 11:55 in answer to a call for a cab.  The call came from a pay station and person calling did not ask for any driver by name, it was declared, and simply requested that a cab be sent to the Riverview Apartments, 106 West Pecan Street.  Tamplin was not seen again alive by any one as far as the officers had found.

The cab which Tamplin drove was found early Sunday morning on South Flores more than a mile from the scene of the shooting, leaving officers to believe the man’s slayers had driven away in his own car and abandoned it later.  The car was not damaged.

Tamplin is survived by his mother, Mrs. Daisy Tamplin, of San Antonio, and two brothers, Lloyd Tamplin of Anderson, S.C., and R. D. Tamplin of Inglewood, Calif.  Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon with Rev. W. A. Pearson of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church officiating.

Robert’s death certificate via FamilySearch.org lists cause of death as Gun shot wound in right side of Back.  It was noted as Homicide.

Robert was laid to rest at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.  A nice image of his government issued tombstone may be viewed on FindAGrave.  The inscription follows:

Robert H. Tamplin
Texas
Cook
Motor Trans. Corps
December 11, 1932

More About the Crime & Attempts to Solve It

San Antonio Light (Texas)
Tuesday, 13 December 1932 – pg. 11 [via GenealogyBank]

TAXI MURDER ROUNDUP FAILS.

Working upon the slender supposition that the slayer might have been a drug addict who sought money to buy narcotics, Sheriff Albert Hausser and his deputies Tuesday reported the rounding up of between 40 and 50 suspects overnight in an unsuccessful attempt to clear up the mysterious shooting early Sunday of Robert H. Tamplin, 37…

Tamplin, a taxi driver, was shot in the back as he sat at the whele. [sic]

RELEASE MANY.
The suspects were rounded up at several rooming houses and small hotels, but most of them had been released Tuesday morning.

…Finger prints on the taxicab were not those of Tamplin, it was ascertained Monday, but thus far no one taken prisoner in the round-up has had finger prints that match those found on the car.

SHOT IN BACK.
Tamplin was shot in the back, and the bullet which caused his death, a 38-caliber pistol bullet, was taken from his body, and is being held for evidence by Hausser, in the event his man-hunt unearths someone who owns a .38-caliber pistol, and is unable to give an account of himself for last Saturday night…

San Antonio Light (Texas)
Thursday, 15 December 1932 – pg. 9 [via GenealogyBank]

GANG REPRISAL, TAXI MURDER THEORY

That Robert H. Tamplin, 37-year-old taxi-cab driver, of 306 North street, who was mysteriously slain last Saturday night, may have been “taken for a ride” by bootleggers, was a new angle of the case being investigated Thursday by Sheriff Albert Hausser.

Hausser disclosed late Wednesday that he had information Tamplin recently aided federal prohibition agents in making a big haul of liquor, by tirning in two bootleggers. He said that he had a tip that the bootleggers had arranged for the killing of Tamplin, or had killed him themselves.

WITNESS FOUND.
He also disclosed that a witness had been found who said he had heard some loud talking in a parked car, and then heard a voice say:

“Take that,” and a pistol shot quickly followed…

— Houston Chronicle (Texas) – 19 December 1932 – pg. 2

Houston Chronicle (Texas)
Monday, 19 December 1932 – pg. 1 [via GenealogyBank]

DEPUTIES ARE EXONERATED IN GILL SLAYING

Woman Arrested After Bank Bandit Suspect Was Killed Is Taken Back to San Antonio.

Deputy Sheriffs George Andrew, E. T. Dinkins and Phil Traweek were exonerated by the Harris County grand jury Monday for their part in the shooting on the sixth floor of the Ben Milam Hotel, Saturday night, in which Handsome Frank (Fred) Gill, 20, was wounded four times and instantly killed when he “shot it out” with the officers.

…The officers went to the hotel to arrest Gill on receipt of information from San Antonio that Gill was wanted there on a bank robbery charge and was registered at the Ben Milam.

…E. A. (Jack) Bragg, 24, purported to be Gill’s “pal,” who was arrested in Dallas Saturday night shortly before Gill was killed in Houston, was being returned to San Antonio from Dallas Monday.

In the meantime, Associated Press dispatches from San Antonio indicated that an investigation was under way to link Bragg and Gill with a two-man crime wave there of more than a month’s duration, including the slaying of a taxicab driver.

…Comparison of an empty cartridge found in Miss Knippa’s [woman with Gill at time of his killing] room in San Antonio by deputy sheriffs with the bullet found in the body of Robert H. Tamplin, taxi driver, who was shot to death the morning of December 11, leads the sheriff to believe that the two men knew something of this crime…

San Antonio Light reports on same day the following: “With the slaying by officers at Houston of Frank Gill…, and the capture at Dallas of E. A. (‘Jack’) Bragg…, officers believe they have cleared up mystery of the holdup Thursday of the First State bank at South San Antonio, and the murder December 10 of R. H. Tamplin, taxi driver, as well as several other crimes. Both were charged with recent Plaza hotel holdup, and were at liberty under bond.”

— San Antonio Light (Texas) – 19 December 1932 – pg. 2

Visit Robert H. Tamplin’s page in the Lincecum Lineage database.

Cowboy Mafia

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Does the Life of Robert Tamplin (d. 1897) Typify the Wild West of the 19th Century?

[Originally posted on previous platform July 2016.]

A little research into the life of Robert H. Tamplin produced some very interesting newspaper articles.  (All found at The Portal to Texas History.) When I first started reading, I wondered to myself if the family was known as the Tamplin Gang or something such as that.  It seems father R. F. and his two eldest sons, Robert and Rufus, were always involved in something.  And that something seemed to often be pushing up against the law.  Maybe even crossing it.

I will say there were some instances where Robert was accused of things and later acquitted, or found not guilty.  And I did come across a short article noting the Tamplin family to be well respected throughout Washington County, Texas.

Who knows? Maybe Robert’s life does typify the era of the 1800s wild, wild west.  Remember, anything happening after 1888 (at minimum) had a direct effect on his wife, Daisy Lincecum, who was just 23 when she married Robert.

Notes:

– The Daily Banner (Brenham, Texas) Thursday, 27 February 1879

PRETTY CLOSE. — On Wednesday, after Mr. R. F. Tamplin [Robert’s father] had been fined in the mayor’s court for unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon, he came up town and abused the officers who arrested him, and being warned by them several times not to create a disturbance, he displayed his pistol — which had been returned to him under the decision of the appellate court that no weapon should be confiscated — officer Buster informed Mr. Tamplin that he was doing wrong and to put the weapon in his pocket, or give it to his son.  He replied using abusive language, and the officers then arrested him, he showing fight.  His son Robert, about 17 years old, then drew and cocked on the officers a single-barrelled derringer pistol.  The city marshal grabbed him to prevent his shooting.  A scuffle ensued during which the derringer “went off” the ball entering a side-pocket in the marshal’s coat and severely wounding a pocket full of papers.  It was a very narrow escape.  Both parties were arrested and placed under bonds of $50 each for their appearance on Saturday next.

– Brenham Daily Banner (Texas) Saturday, 20 September 1884

GIN BURNED. — On Friday morning Robert Tamplin’s gin in the Gay Hill neighborhood was discovered to be on fire.  In a short time it was in ashes.  The gin and machinery were new having lately been completed.  It cost about $3000 and was insured for $1800 in the Southern and Hibernian companies of New Orleans.

[Robert’s father was shot and killed May 1883.  This may have been a “family” gin, originally belonging to the elder Robert.]

– Brenham Daily Banner (Texas) Thursday, 22 October 1885

District Court. Wednesday. — State vs. R. H. Tamplin, theft of cattle, continued by agreement.

– The Galveston Daily News (Texas) 5 December 1886

Dismissed by the Grand Jury. DALLAS, Tex., December 4. — Mr. Robert Tamplin, of Brenham, who was arrested and brought here last Wednesday, charged with stealing some clothes in this city last August, has been dismissed by the grand jury, after a thorough investigation of the charge.  Mr. Tamplin belongs to a most respectable family in Washington, and is considered one of Brenham’s best citizens.

– Galveston Daily News (Texas) 16 November 1891

Two Severe Cuts. BRENHAM, Tex., Nov. 15. — A rather serious affair took place at the Santa Fe saloon at 2 o’clock this morning, in which several persons were seriously hurt.

R. S. Farmer and Dr. Rufus B. Tamplin [brother of Robert] had had a difficulty up town early in the night, in which, it is said.  Dr. Tamplin drew a knife, but did not attempt to use it.  Farmer did not see the knife, but some one told him of it, and he procured a pistol and followed the docdor [sic] down to the saloon.

Eye witnesses say that immediately on entering the saloon door Farmer drew his pistol and told Tamplin to “hand over that knife.” Robert Tamplin, a brother of the doctor, was standing at the bar drinking a glass of water.  When Farmer presented the pistol at his brother’s head he threw the glass and hit Farmer on the side of the head.

The pistol was discharged at the same instant, the bullet going through the side of the house.  Robert Tamplin, after throwing the glass, followed it up by clinching with Farmer and pushing him out of the door.

Leslie Greyton, a bystander, jerked Farmers’ [sic] pistol out of his hand, and Dr. Tamplin rushed out to help his brother.  He drew a knife and stabbed Farmer twice, once in the left arm, making a gash from the point of the elbow to the wrist.  Another slash fell on the back of the neck, extending from the edge of the hair on the right side in a slanting direction clear to the middle of the left side of the throat, missing the jugular vein only narrowly.

The latter  cut went to the bone and is rather serious.

Harry Swain, another bystander, struck Robert Tamplin over the head with a heavy cane, knocking him loose from Farmer and the row ended.

After the difficulty it was found that Farmer had two bad cuts.  Robert Tamplin had a gash on the head from the cane blow.  P. A. Henderson’s head had stopped the glass as it glanced from Farmer’s head, and a good-sized lump was the result.  Two or three others were slightly cut on the face and hands from bits of broken glass.

– Brenham Daily Banner (Texas) 26 March 1892

LOCAL NEWS.

The Tamplin Case. The case of the State vs. R. H. Tamplin, charged with swindling, growing out of a mortgage made to Schmid Bros., on stock that Tamplin claimed died before the foreclosure and judgement against him, was called in the District court Friday morning, but Mr. Tamplin having gone out in the country about 16 miles was not able to get in on time and a forfeiture of his bond was entered, but upon his arrival at 10:15 the forfeiture of his bond was set aside, and the case went to trial.

District Attorney King opened the argument for the State, Judge Kirk appearing in an able argument for the defense, County Attorney Rogers closing.

Court adjourned until this morning, when the Judge will charge the jury in the case.

[Article in next day’s paper says jury returned a verdict of not guilty.]

– Denton County News (Denton, Texas) 30 March 1893

A Fatal Fight. GEORGETOWN, Tex March 24. — Hightower, a boy 17 years of age was killed yesterday.  Hightower and Bob Tamplin, living near New Liberty Hill, quarreled in the morning about Hightower’s sheep eating Tamplin’s corn.  About noon Tamplin took his gun and left home, saying he was going to shoot squirrels.  Soon after this shots were heard.  Hightower was found dead and Tamplin wounded in the shoulder.  Hightower’s clothing and one ear were badly burned.  He was a shepherd on a ranch owned by Dock Davis of Round Rock.  Tamplin has a wife and one child.  He has been arrested.

Robert died in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas 4 December 1897, aged about 34 years. His death left wife Daisy a single mother of three boys at age 32.

Vist Robert H. “Bob” Tamplin’s page in the Lincecum Lineage database.

Famous Gunfighters of the Western Frontier: Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Luke Short and Others

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Biographical Outline of Daisy Lincecum Tamplin (1865-1958)

[Originally posted on previous platform July 2016.]

Daisy Lincecum was born 25 August 1865 in Long Point, Washington County, Texas to Lysander Rezin Lincecum and Margaret “Maggie” Wood.

Daisy married Robert Tamplin 27 November 1888 in Washington County, and they had at least four children.  Three sons were Lloyd Tamplin, Robert H. Tamplin, and Roy Davis Tamplin.  Daisy was widowed by 1900, but did not marry again.

Daisy died 2 April 1958 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina.  Her body was cremated by Bowman-Gray School of Medicine (NC).

Individual Facts:

• Census:  25 June 1880 at Washington County, Texas
• Occupation:  June 1900 / House Keeper in Gonzales, Texas
• Census:  27 June 1900 at Gonzales, Texas
• Address:  1903 / 303 E. 7th, Austin, Texas
• Occupation:  1903 / Machine Hand at Bosche’s Troy Laundry, Travis County, Texas
• Address:  1910 / 204 Av. D, San Antonio, Texas
• Census:  23 April 1910 at San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
• Address:  1919 / 122 Rusk, San Antonio, Texas
• Census:  2 January 1920 at San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
• Address:  1921-1922 / 122 Rusk, San Antonio, Texas
• Address:  1924 / 122 Rusk, San Antonio, Texas
• Address:  1926 / 122 Rusk, San Antonio, Texas
• Census:  5 April 1930 at San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
• Address:  April 1930 / 306 North Street, San Antonio, Texas
• Residence:  December 1932 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
• Address:  abt December 1932 / 306 North Street, San Antonio, Texas
• Residence:  April 1935 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
• Address:  1940 / 869 West Fifth Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
• Census:  1940 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina
• Residence:  abt 1958 / Lewisville, Forsyth County, North Carolina

It looks as though Daisy spent at least 25 – 30 years living in San Antonio.  Using Google Maps, and the addresses of 204 Av. D and 306 North Street, I figure Daisy was in the present-day place of Converse, Texas.  This is like a suburb of San Antonio.  Here is an image of what the area of 306 North Street looked like April 2011.

Notes:

• According to the 1900 Gonzales County, Texas Federal census, Daisy (already widowed) was staying with her uncle, L. J. Lincecum.
• According to the 1910 Bexar County, Texas Federal census, Daisy had four children.  Three were living.
• Daisy was the informant on her son Robert’s death certificate.  She was living with Robert at the time of his death.
• According to the 1940 Forsyth County, North Carolina Federal census, Daisy had 7 years of education.
• Per her death certificate, Daisy passed away at Maplegrove Rest Home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Visit Daisy Lincecum Tamplin’s page in the Lincecum Lineage database.