Houston, Texas
October 19, 1896:
“Whereas this Council has learned with deep regret that it has pleased the Almighty in his wisdom to take from our midst one whom it has been the pleasure of the people of this city to honor and one who was universally recognized as a true and worthy man, a tender husband, an affectionate father and a loyal friend; therefore be it Resolved by the city council of the city of Houston that in the death of James H. Pruett we have suffered a loss that will fall heavily on the city and on the family and friends of the deceased – one whose sterling manhood, honesty and true goodness of heart had endeared him to all with whom he was brought into contact and whose loss all must deplore."
Before adjourning for the day, the council ordered that the flag on the market tower be placed at half-mast in respect to the memory of Mr. Pruett, and that the council would attend his funeral as a group.
In order to understand why this man was so revered in Houston, and why a city of 17,000 nearly came to a standstill for his funeral, let’s take a look at his life. James H. Pruett was born in 1854 in Bullock County, Alabama. He grew up and married there, but decided in 1881 to bring his young family to Texas, where he got a job with the International and Great Northern Railroad in Palestine. A year later, he signed on with Houston East and West Texas Railway Company and moved to Houston, where he would spend the rest of his 42 years of life.
At this point, you may be wondering what could be so special about an ordinary railroad worker, but the story takes an interesting turn in 1888. A man of great popularity, public spirited and ambitious, Mr. Pruett accepted a nomination for alderman in the Fifth Ward and was elected a member of the City Council. So efficient were his services in city government that he was re-elected, gave up his position with the railroad and became chief deputy under Sheriff George Ellis. Five years later, he was elected city marshal “by an overwhelming majority over able and popular competitors”.
He was a staunch believer in the Baptist faith and for a long time was superintendent of the Second Baptist Sunday School. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias, the I.O.O.F, the Knights of Labor and Woodbine Encampment. His last illness was but a short one, but the “tenderest nursing and most skillful medical treatment were unable to drive away the hand of death”.
Before adjourning for the day, the council ordered that the flag on the market tower be placed at half-mast in respect to the memory of Mr. Pruett, and that the council would attend his funeral as a group.
In order to understand why this man was so revered in Houston, and why a city of 17,000 nearly came to a standstill for his funeral, let’s take a look at his life. James H. Pruett was born in 1854 in Bullock County, Alabama. He grew up and married there, but decided in 1881 to bring his young family to Texas, where he got a job with the International and Great Northern Railroad in Palestine. A year later, he signed on with Houston East and West Texas Railway Company and moved to Houston, where he would spend the rest of his 42 years of life.
At this point, you may be wondering what could be so special about an ordinary railroad worker, but the story takes an interesting turn in 1888. A man of great popularity, public spirited and ambitious, Mr. Pruett accepted a nomination for alderman in the Fifth Ward and was elected a member of the City Council. So efficient were his services in city government that he was re-elected, gave up his position with the railroad and became chief deputy under Sheriff George Ellis. Five years later, he was elected city marshal “by an overwhelming majority over able and popular competitors”.
He was a staunch believer in the Baptist faith and for a long time was superintendent of the Second Baptist Sunday School. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias, the I.O.O.F, the Knights of Labor and Woodbine Encampment. His last illness was but a short one, but the “tenderest nursing and most skillful medical treatment were unable to drive away the hand of death”.
Memorial Headstone in Houston, Texas
Source: Gene Ford
The Funeral
On the morning of October 20, the casket was taken from the family home on Williams Street to the Baptist Church on Hardy Street, where “thousands of tear-dimmed eyes looked upon the quiet restful face for the last time. Flowers and floral emblems of the most expensive design were contributed by friends and the occasion was one long to be remembered for the sincere manifestations of grief.”
The impressive cortege of carriages, walkers and horseback riders stretched several blocks as it wound its way through the city to Glenwood Cemetery. It was led by a horse-drawn funeral carriage laden with flowers. Mrs. Pruett and all seven Pruett children followed, along with eighteen pallbearers, both honorary and active, who represented the police department, the Sunday School, the lodges and the family.
(c) 2013 Marie Brannon
All rights reserved
The impressive cortege of carriages, walkers and horseback riders stretched several blocks as it wound its way through the city to Glenwood Cemetery. It was led by a horse-drawn funeral carriage laden with flowers. Mrs. Pruett and all seven Pruett children followed, along with eighteen pallbearers, both honorary and active, who represented the police department, the Sunday School, the lodges and the family.
(c) 2013 Marie Brannon
All rights reserved
No comments:
Post a Comment