Annie Eliza (Gertrude) Riffe-Jones |
| Annie Gertrude Riffe-Jones, age 16 She had just married Dr. Jones. Isn't she beautiful? I love the fire place beside her. A grand lady most certainly. Annie Eliza Riffe was born on January 28, 1869 in Hustonville, Kentucky to Dr. JC and Eliza Riffe. She moved to Ft. Worth, Texas at the age of 8. After living in Ft. Worth, her family moved to Tharp Springs and then Alvord, Texas. She married Dr. EA Jones on September 6, 1885. When she married, she changed her name to Annie Gertrude Jones. My Grandmother (Mimi) always said that Papa Jones was not too fond of the name Eliza so she changed her middle name to something he liked better. After she and Papa Jones were married awhile, she moved to Amarillo (to join Papa Jones) with their oldest son, Shelley. The Jones' family had 7 children- Shelley, Trixie, Stanley, Byron, Lucile, Edgar and Juanita.Besides being a devoted mother, she helped Papa Jones as a nurse when needed. According to my Grandmother, she was always kind and loving. She was a proper lady and dressed to the nines all of the time. My Grandmother always told me she had the most comforting hands. If she (my Grandmother, Mimi) were sick, Mama Jones would touch my Grandmother's head and her hands were always cool and so comforting. After their family was grown, Papa Jones loved to hunt and she would accompany him on trips. They owned a cabin in New Mexico and would go hunting together. Just like my Grandmother, she had coal-black hair and never had to dye it. I think my Grandmother, Mimi, took after her in many ways. In her older years, she lived in Avant, Oklahoma. My Great-Grandmother, Trixie, who lived in Avant took loving care of her. Mama Jones lived until she was 93 years-old and enjoyed good health (except cataracts) all of her days. Even on the day she passed, she simply took a nap and peacefully passed in her sleep. Mama Jones did not have it easy. Even though she had a happy life, she faced a lot of tragedy. She tragically lost her youngest daughter, Juanita who passed much too soon as a young mother of two babies. She and her younger brother, (John Christopher) out of 7 children were the only ones of the JC and Eliza Riffe family to survive to later adulthood. Older sister Bettie died at age 7 months. Mama Jones never knew her as this happened before she was born. She had another sister and brother whom died at birth in 1857 and 1862. Her brother George, died in 1878 in Hustonville. Her younger brother, James "Jimmie" Hunn Riffe succumbed to the small pox epidemic in 1879. Sister, Mollie passed in 1883. Even though John Christopher lived until adulthood, he passed away under tragic circumstances much too soon. Mama Jones was a strong woman. Yes, a very strong woman.  Riffe family home in Hustonville, Kentucky. Mama Jones was born here. The house was built in 1787 of native stone. It was still in use in 1964 when Aunt Lucile Jones- Sherrill visited the home. I am curious if it is still standing today.
The Jones family (minus Stanley).
From back: Trixie, Papa Jones, Mama Jones, Byron, Ed Middle: Lucile, Anna (Shelley's first wife), Shelley, Juanita Front: Georgia Lucile and Geraldine (Trixie's two eldest daughters).  Papa and Mama Jones' house in Avant, Oklahoma. She lived here until she passed.
Mama Jones and her son, Ed. Wasn't she a pretty lady.
Her handwriting. This was a crochet pattern she had copied. I love her handwriting.
 
Front and back of a photo of MJ when she was in her 80's written by Aunt Lucile.
Mama Jones in her later years. Even though she was older, she was still so striking and always fashionable.
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Thursday, January 23, 2014
Annie Gertrude Riffe-Jones- Week 4 A Pioneer Doctor's Wife- 52 Ancestors
Friday, January 17, 2014
Dr. E.A. Jones (Papa Jones)- Week 3- The First Doctor in Amarillo, Texas - 52 ancestors
Dr. Edgar Augustus Jones (1860-1943)
My Maternal Grandmother's Grandfather (My Great-Great Grandfather)
Dr. Jones was born August 1, 1860 on a farm in Nacogdoches County, Texas. He moved with his family to Audobon, Texas at the age of 12. As a child, he attended Audobon Seminary. After a childhood dream of becoming a doctor; he attended and graduated from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee in 1885.
My Mimi (Grandmother) always told me he had a great sense of humor and dressed to impress at all times. The write up below from the Amarillo Globe in 1936 does a wonderful job of chronicling his life- much better than I could do.
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| E.A. Jones (Papa Jones) as a boy. Dapper as every photo shows! |
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| Dr. E.A. Jones- 1885- photo taken when he graduated Vanderbilt. |
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| I love the back of this photo. Notice it says the famed "Church Street" |
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| The Jones family (before Juanita was born) From Back: Stanley, Trixie, Shelley, Edgar, Dr. EA (Papa Jones), Byron, Annie (Mama Jones), Lucile |
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| Better than even a history book (in my opinion). The above is an article about Papa Jones. Well worth the read! |
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| Emergency Hospital owned by Dr. EA Jones Stinnett, Texas (an oil-boom town) |
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| One of Dr. Jones' Medical Licenses from the state of Texas. Sorry for the glare. It is over 105 years old and in the original frame so we didn't want to remove it. |
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| Dr. Jones' Medical Bag. If that bag could tell some stories....... |
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| The inside the bag. I love the material. |
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| Dr. Jones' Medical Book |
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| My amazing and much loved Mimi's (my Grandmother) handwriting. (I will profile her soon.) She always told me that Papa and Mama Jones had a profound impact throughout her life. |
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| The doctor's cart which held surgical equipment, etc. |
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| Dr. Jones' WWI Army pins |
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| Jones family (around 1912) From back: Papa, Mama, Lucile, Stanley, Ed, Trixie Shelley, Juanita, Byron and Georgia Lucille (Trixie's daughter) Isn't that a beautiful family? |
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| Even in 1941, he was still practicing medicine. This is a patient file we found. |
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| Papa Jones, Grandchild (Lela Virginia Jones), and horse "Gonnie" |
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| Mama and Papa Jones in their golden years. I have always thought photos of Mama Jones were always "striking" even as she aged. What a grand couple. |
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Mollie Riffe (1859-1883)- 52 Ancestors- Week 2
Mollie Riffe (1859-1883) Mollie Riffe Notice she has the same long fingers as Mama Jones had. She was a beautiful girl.  |
| Drawing by Mollie Riffe, 1883. I have it hanging in my house. Another one of my favorite things. It hung above my Jack's crib when he was an infant. |
She joined the Christian Church at age 13. Since her Father was a doctor, Mollie helped as a nurse until she married. During a small pox outbreak, she nursed back to health many people in her community. Many people died during the outbreak, including her and Mama Jones' younger brother, James or "Jimmie".
She married Charley Kinsey on November 27, 1882. They made their home in Vernon, Texas. Tragically, she died on December 23, 1883 during the delivery of a baby girl (who did not survive as well). The baby was buried with her in Decatur, Texas. Dr. JC Riffe and family were living in Audubon, Texas at the time when Mollie passed. Mollie was a much-loved and wonderful lady. One (of several we found) obit from the Fort Worth paper described her as "having no one superior in moral and intellectual qualities which form the perfect woman."
Over one-hundred and thirty years later, there is another Mollie in the branches of the Riffe/Jones family tree. That branch is my little girl whom I named Mollie. When I named my Mollie, I didn't know the tragedy surrounding the passing of Mollie Riffe-Kinsey. I had always been curious about her and loved her drawings. My Mom, Mimi and I had wondered for years and talked about Mollie Riffe. We never knew what happened to her. When my Mollie was about three- months- old, I discovered "the rest of her story". After many years of wondering, asking and searching; it seemed as if it just fell in my lap. One day as my Mollie napped, I searched her name online. I had tried that many times before with no success. An obituary popped up on my search and it was hers. Funny, how things happen........
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| Another Mollie Riffe drawing- sorry for the glare. I didn't want to take it out of the frame for fear of damaging it. we have often wondered if this is a drawing of Mama Jones as a child. It could be Bettie Riffe who was a sister to Mama Jones and Mollie and passed as a child. As I explain this, I can't help but think "poor Mama Jones". She had so much tragedy in her life but kept on going. She was an extraordinary woman. She lost all her siblings except a brother (Uncle John Riffe) and he had a sad story as well. I will profile him soon. |
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| Mollie and baby headstone. My Mom , (my Mollie) and I went to Texas last spring to see it. |
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| Mollie and baby Kinsey grave, Charley Kinsey grave. Behind those are Mollie and Mama Jones parents graves- Dr. JC and Eliza Jane Riffe |
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| Bottom of Mollie's headstone. Reads: "Not gone from memory, not gone from love But gone to the Father's home above" |
Friday, January 10, 2014
Trixie Jones- The University of Oklahoma Years- 1905-1907
University of Oklahoma- Norman, OK
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| The Bottom of the photo says "1618 Santa Fe. Norman, Okla." |
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| Back of the photo- This was the train that Papa Jones and Trixie rode to Norman. Written by Trixie Elizabeth Jones-Gideon |
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| Trixie Elizabeth Jones, age 15- Norman, OK |
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| Trixie's room. I love the Oklahoma Pennant on the wall. |
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| Cover of 1905-1906 Freshman Student's Handbook |
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| Notice on the very last "Custom". Take a day off when athletic teams "whip" Texas!!! |
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| Cute letter from Trixie's brother, Byron. Notice he says that their horse Topsy is really sick and about to die. I guess Topsy recovered based upon the 1907 and 1908 journals. |
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| Oklahoma Yells from 1905 |
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| Trixie's brother Shelley sent this to her in 1905. Notice at under 5. the reference to Eddie Gallagher. Always a Sooner and Cowboy rivalry! |
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| Trixie's class schedule |
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| Building on Campus. I think this is now the Carnegie Building. |
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| Outside the Carnegie Building |
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| Trix and friends "Kodaking" behind the OU Football Bleachers |
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| Picnic in Norman |
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| More Kodaking |
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| Norman, OK- 1905 |
1905
Saturday, October 28
Dollie and I went to town. Got her a hat. I had my beauty stretch. I got a letter from Mamma. Bought Coal for .50 on October 25. T.E.J
Sunday October 29
Dollie, Earnest, Trixie, Jake and Ella- went persimmon hunting (3 1/2 miles)
Remember Halloween Night, Oct. 31, 1905
Trixie, Elizabeth and Dollie. Elle and Sarah
November 5
Shelley, Grace, Bertie and Trixie went to Wheeler Park- 2 o'clock- Oklahoma City, OT
More info on Wheeler Park in OKC
November 15
Remember- O, Are you ready for some fudge??
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| Part of cute letter that her brother Byron sent |
November 17
Dollie, Robert, Trixie, Charles- Glee Club
Sunday, November 19
Went to Christian Church. Remember those chocolates
November 24, 1905
Remember Friday night when Trixie, Dollie and Elizabeth went pecan hunting. Norman
November 25 '05
The old woman was chasing her son around the room, she was chasing her son around the room and while she was chasing her son around the room, she was chasing her son around the room.- Elizabeth
I want a man
I want a man
I want a mansion in the skies! - Nov, 25 1905
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Saturday 25, 1905
Mr. Alexander
Dollie Fox
Trixie Jones
Elizabeth Hart
Ella White
Etta Alexander
Emma Alexander
Grace Williams
Sara Road
Mildred Tarman
Pearl Patton
Went pecan hunting 8 miles east of Norman
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| Etta Alexander |
Sunday 26, 1905
Crescents
Sigma-Sigma.
Wishbone.
Quiet few.
Jolly Bunch.
Clavi-Clavi.
Sonosis.
Sorority.
Friday night, December 8
While studying Latin. Dollie and Trixie read the story of Hercules. Norman, OK
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| Dollie Fox |
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| OU Football Field- 1905 |
then diary skips to April 24, 1907
Slept all evening. Lou and Leah likewise- also Maybelle and Cotten. Lou and Trix were a little speck silly when they awoke. Leah, Ed and Maybelle played cards here and some of the remarks we heard- "Young Gobler"- Leah, "My Proud Bird"- M. "you didn't hear Jack did you"
Saturday, Feb. 16, 1907
We moved upstairs- Norman.
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| Letter to Trixie from her Dad, Papa Jones |
Feb. 19, 1907
Maybelle, Leah, Ethel, Trix broke the bed jumping around.
Feb. 21, 1907
Hallie McCluturff, Ethel, Lou and Leah tied the doors. The joke was on Maybelle, Trixie and Mr. Grayson.
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| Letter from Trixie's sister, Lucile and her Mother, Mama Jones. |
Monday, March 11, 1907
Leah, Trixie, studied for quiz in classics.
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| Trix and friend studying |
Friday, April 19
Maybelle and Mr. Perkins, Leah and Claud, McGregor and myself went to Davis'
Monday, Night April 22, 1907
Trixie- 5 feet 8 1/2 inches
Maybelle- 5 feet 7 inches
Leah- 5 feet 2 and 1/2 inches
Only 7 weeks and 3 days
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| Front and Back to a letter from her dad, Papa Jones. He signed the front of the letter, "Your ever loving dad" but my scanner cut it out for some reason. He and Trix were always very close. |
April 20
Norman- Martin and Lou. Leah and Nablett were downstairs. Maybelle and I got so tickled up here sitting on her bed.
April 23, 1907
Norman- We went to Halls. McInturff, Leah, Grace Ingram, Bess Gilliam, Cotten, Maybelle
Mrs. Settles and I went to carnival- amusements. 1st- crazy house. 2nd-giggle alley 3rd- Davis', 4th- High jump. Norman
Saturday night-
Played cards. 5-3 in favor of Trixie and MC
Why do we call Maybelle "bubbles"
Horrors upon Korrers
May 10
Remember "Dickies" lecture "boy" Trixie and Leah
"I am ashamed of you" (part of his lecture I got Fri Morn) Where is that chair- Dick. Why Mrs. Peamock- I think its on our porch. Maybelle and Trix
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| Mary Powers and Trixie Jones |
On July 4th- I am going to send Lou a card and tell her I am still sleeping in my evening dress- "the blue one"
Cotten, Maybelle, Lou and I are going to send each other postals on July 4.
"Company P" lou and Trix- May 11
Weller's graduation-
Remember the morning in Chapel we got so tickled when Dr. Debarr was giving a lecture and said "do- do". Maybelle and Trix
I will always remember MONDAY NIGHT, May 20, 1907. Just before Weller and Leah went away.
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| Campus- Norman, OK 1905 |
"Stop that" remember the night I poured water on Weller and he was stomping on the steps and MR. Pennock got after him.
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| Weller Liebler He played Tennis for OU during the 1907-1908 year |
May 21, 1907
I am trying so hard to "forget you"- T.E.J.
May 23
Maybelle's song- "on Your Way Babe"
Remember how Lou and I entertain (our duet)
May 23
It rained. Maybelle put her head out the window. Lou and Maybelle were on a tare. "On your way babe, on your way"
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| I guess the "freshman 15" happened even back then! ha. I have been told, Trix always had a really good figure. My mom said that Grandma Trixie always said she weighed her most in college. |
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| This is a napkin from the Methodist Reception- Sunday night Sept. 23, 1905- Norman, Okla Dollie, Etta, Elizabeth and Trixie |
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| Mary Pennock- Norman 1907 |
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| Notice at the bottom, Trixie's name is misspelled. It says "Frixie Jones". That must run in the family. ha. |
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| Post Card from Shelley Jones while he was at OSU and Trixie was at OU. Notice the date- '07. |
More info on Jamestown Exposition
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| Letters from Booker Lee. Maude Andrews cousin and Trixie's beau at one time. He was attending medical school when he wrote these letters. |
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| Letter from Trixie's dear friend Maude (Booker's Cousin). She was going to William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. She had a crush on Shelley (Trixie's brother) |
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| Letter from Besse |
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