Notes
From an undated newspaper obituary clipping from 'The Paris Scrapbook' donated by Skipper Steely; The Paris Morning News: 'Capt. W. E. Moore, one of the oldest residents and most prominent citizens of Lamar county, died at 8 o'clock yesterday morning at his home at Blossom. He had a stroke of paralysis about four months ago and had never recovered from it. He was born in Florida and was in his eighty-second year at the time of his death. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was living in Louisiana and enlisted in one of the most famous regiments of that state. He was Captain of a company and his regiment was with the Army of Virginia in the hardest fighting. After the seven days fighting around Richmond only ten or twelve of his men were left. He made a gallant record as a soldier and served from the beginning to the end of the war. The deceased was regarded as a bright man intellectually, far above the average, and he took a deep interest in political affairs for a number of years. He moved to Lamar county directly after the close of the war and located on Blossom prairie, about four miles from the present site of the town of Blossom. He was elected to the state senate [Dec 1873] when Coke was elected governor and helped to oust E. J. Davis from the gubernatorial office. He served only one term in the senate, declining to make the race again, preferring to engage in farming and in mercantile pursuits. On July 5, 1865, shortly after coming to Lamar county, Capt. Moore married Miss Lizzie [Sarah Elizabeth] Neal, who was a member of one of the oldest and most prominent families of that section of the county at the time. Capt. J. W. Hardison of Paris was the best man at the wedding and he and one other are the only ones present at the wedding who are still living. The deceased is survived by his wife and four sons and four daughters, all of whom reside in Lamar county. One of the sons, Hon. W. F. Moore, is a prominent attorney of Paris, and as a mark of respect for him a committee of ... [remainder of obit was missing] From the records of Lamar #258 United Daughters of the Confederacy: He served as Capt., Co. E, 1st Battalion, Louisiana Infantry. Inscription on the Texas Historical Marker Madalion at his home: 'Old Southern Style Homestead, 1871 - 1 1/2 stories. Built by soldier, statesman, citizen, Capt. Wm. E. Moore and his wife, Sarah Elizabeth Neal. During Civil War, Capt. Moore commanded 'Shreveport Grays.' In 1872, won race for state senator, after campaign when he shared buggy with rival. Held office in administration of Governor Richard Coke, which marked end of reconstruction in Texas. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965.' From list of archaeological and historically significant sites as compiled from state historical commission inventories, dated 13 Jun 1979: '1871 - A one and a half story frame Victorian cottage. Attractive front gable with barbe board and gallery across the front. Wide double doors and sidelight show the remaining Greek revival influences. Private. Blossom. William E. Moore, captain in the Shreveport Greys of Confederate army fame, merchant, cotton buyer and member of the Texas Senate, was born January 9, 1836, near Montecello, Florida. He was the son of Hardy and Edith Folsom Moore. The Hardy Moore family came from Florida in 1855, to buy land in Lamar County, Texas, but lived in Paris. As a youth William E. Moore left Florida to make his home in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, with an uncle, William Folsom, who owned a plantation there and owned and operated Red River steamboats and river warehouses. On July 6, 1865, Captain Moore and Sarah Elizabeth Neal were married by the Rev. R. C. Buckner, of Paris, who later founded Buckner's Orphans' Home in Dallas. Sarah E. Neal was the daughter of Matthias G. and Malina Caruthers Neal, who came from Tennessee to Lamar County in 1846. This house is on a Republic of Texas Land Grant, and stands on a tract of 304 acres which the Neals gave their daughter on November 7, 1867, and was itself a portion of a 640 acre survey bought on July 20, 1847, from Sherrod Roland, who owned the land grant. One-half mile south of this house ran the Stagecoach Road from Paris to Clarksville. The way station was at Pattonville. The Moore home, built in 1871, is in the design of the River Plantation houses of Louisiana. Constructed of heart of pine timber, all doors and mill-work were made on the place. Originally there were six chimneys, with fire-places in every room. All brick was handmade on the place. The house is held together with square nails and pegs. Captain and Mrs. Moore donated land for the Old Cemetery east of their property, and one of the three tracts which Texas & Pacific Railway plotted for the town of Blossom. Captain Moore died on May 22, 1916, and Mrs. Moore on June 3, 1928. Of their nine children the youngest and last surviving member of the immediate family Percy Caruthers Moore, and his wife, Nina Van Dyke Moore, occupy the family home today.' -- written by Mrs. Margie Lou Hubbard.
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