Amanda Burks
Queen of Old Trail
Amanda Burks, 92, Dies at Her Ranch In Buggy She Followed Herd to Abilene, Kan., in '71.
SAN ANTONIO. Texas. Sept 15 (AP).- Mrs. Amanda Burks. 92. ranch woman and known as "the queen of the old trail drivers." died at 5 p. m. Tuesday at La Mott Ranch twenty- five miles east of Cotulla. where she had lived since 1876. This word was received late Tues- day by George W. Saunders, president of the Old Trail Drivers' Association, of which Mrs. Burks was a member, having gone with a herd of cattle to Abilene. Kan., in 1871, riding all the way in a buggy. Mrs. Burks moved to La Mott Ranch, which now consists of 43.000 acres, from Nueces County with her husband, W. F. Burks. His death occurred a year later, and since that time Mrs. Burks has shouldered the entire management of the property. Moved to Ranch In 1S76. The funeral services will be held at 4 p. m. Wednesday at the ranch home and burial will be in the old cemetery on the ranch. Mr. Saunders and Mrs. Saunders and many old-time cattlemen from San Antonio will attend the funeral. After Mr. and Mrs. Burks moved to the ranch in 1876, they hauled all ranch supplies from Corpus Christi until the railroad was built into Cotulla in 1882. During this time they were troubled with Indians and rustlers and lost many cattle and horses. Their first residence was built of cypress lumber, which had previously been, used in a storehouse at Banquette Nueces County. This building still is standing on the ranch and is in use by tenants.
Has Enlarged Her Holdings.
Since her husbands death. Mrs. Burks has bought more land and added to the original ranch, which at that time consisted of only four sections. The property is all well fenced, and cross fenced and is stocked with cattle, goats and horses. In 1890 Mrs. Burks bough; the first courthouse of La Salle County, which stood near old Fort Ewell. The building was on the old Stuart ranch, which was called Guajaco. used for many years as a stage stand. It is now used as a tenant house. In 1889 Mrs. Burks bought 60.000 feet of lumber from the Perkins mill, in Lake Charles. La., had it shipped to Cotulla and hauled from there to her ranch. The operation consumed seven months. The large modem home now ranch headquarters was built in 1900. It faces a large lake bordered with live oaks.
Rode Trail From Banquette.
In 1925 Mrs. Burks rode in the trail drivers' parade here and was in the receiving line at the Gunter Hotel when the pony express riders arrived. She was but a young woman when she accompanied her husband on his trail drive to the Kansas markets with 4,000 beeves. The start was made from Banquette. The Burks had moved to the latter place from Angelina County, where they settled following the close of the Civil War. The journey to Kansas consumed three months. She was accompanied by a negro servant, who rode horse back. When she tired of the buggy she would exchange places with him.
Has Been Boss of Ranch.
On this trip she swam her horse across swollen streams, experienced a prairie fire and witnessed numerous storms and accompanying stampedes of cattle. When her husband died her nearest neighbor lived eight miles away. However, undeterred, she took over the management of the large property. and for fifty-three years has been recognized "boss." although of late years she has been assisted by her nephew. Jack Baylor, grandson of Gen. John R. Baylor, who was born on the ranch and has lived there since. Mrs. Jim Bell a niece of Mrs. Burks, also lives on the ranch, as does the latter's daughter, Virginia. September 16, 1931 Dallas Morning News
Queen of Old Trail
Amanda Burks, 92, Dies at Her Ranch In Buggy She Followed Herd to Abilene, Kan., in '71.
SAN ANTONIO. Texas. Sept 15 (AP).- Mrs. Amanda Burks. 92. ranch woman and known as "the queen of the old trail drivers." died at 5 p. m. Tuesday at La Mott Ranch twenty- five miles east of Cotulla. where she had lived since 1876. This word was received late Tues- day by George W. Saunders, president of the Old Trail Drivers' Association, of which Mrs. Burks was a member, having gone with a herd of cattle to Abilene. Kan., in 1871, riding all the way in a buggy. Mrs. Burks moved to La Mott Ranch, which now consists of 43.000 acres, from Nueces County with her husband, W. F. Burks. His death occurred a year later, and since that time Mrs. Burks has shouldered the entire management of the property. Moved to Ranch In 1S76. The funeral services will be held at 4 p. m. Wednesday at the ranch home and burial will be in the old cemetery on the ranch. Mr. Saunders and Mrs. Saunders and many old-time cattlemen from San Antonio will attend the funeral. After Mr. and Mrs. Burks moved to the ranch in 1876, they hauled all ranch supplies from Corpus Christi until the railroad was built into Cotulla in 1882. During this time they were troubled with Indians and rustlers and lost many cattle and horses. Their first residence was built of cypress lumber, which had previously been, used in a storehouse at Banquette Nueces County. This building still is standing on the ranch and is in use by tenants.
Has Enlarged Her Holdings.
Since her husbands death. Mrs. Burks has bought more land and added to the original ranch, which at that time consisted of only four sections. The property is all well fenced, and cross fenced and is stocked with cattle, goats and horses. In 1890 Mrs. Burks bough; the first courthouse of La Salle County, which stood near old Fort Ewell. The building was on the old Stuart ranch, which was called Guajaco. used for many years as a stage stand. It is now used as a tenant house. In 1889 Mrs. Burks bought 60.000 feet of lumber from the Perkins mill, in Lake Charles. La., had it shipped to Cotulla and hauled from there to her ranch. The operation consumed seven months. The large modem home now ranch headquarters was built in 1900. It faces a large lake bordered with live oaks.
Rode Trail From Banquette.
In 1925 Mrs. Burks rode in the trail drivers' parade here and was in the receiving line at the Gunter Hotel when the pony express riders arrived. She was but a young woman when she accompanied her husband on his trail drive to the Kansas markets with 4,000 beeves. The start was made from Banquette. The Burks had moved to the latter place from Angelina County, where they settled following the close of the Civil War. The journey to Kansas consumed three months. She was accompanied by a negro servant, who rode horse back. When she tired of the buggy she would exchange places with him.
Has Been Boss of Ranch.
On this trip she swam her horse across swollen streams, experienced a prairie fire and witnessed numerous storms and accompanying stampedes of cattle. When her husband died her nearest neighbor lived eight miles away. However, undeterred, she took over the management of the large property. and for fifty-three years has been recognized "boss." although of late years she has been assisted by her nephew. Jack Baylor, grandson of Gen. John R. Baylor, who was born on the ranch and has lived there since. Mrs. Jim Bell a niece of Mrs. Burks, also lives on the ranch, as does the latter's daughter, Virginia. September 16, 1931 Dallas Morning News
Amanda Burks
Queen of Old Trail
Amanda Burks, 92, Dies at Her Ranch In Buggy She Followed Herd to Abilene, Kan., in '71.
SAN ANTONIO. Texas. Sept 15 (AP).- Mrs. Amanda Burks. 92. ranch woman and known as "the queen of the old trail drivers." died at 5 p. m. Tuesday at La Mott Ranch twenty- five miles east of Cotulla. where she had lived since 1876. This word was received late Tues- day by George W. Saunders, president of the Old Trail Drivers' Association, of which Mrs. Burks was a member, having gone with a herd of cattle to Abilene. Kan., in 1871, riding all the way in a buggy. Mrs. Burks moved to La Mott Ranch, which now consists of 43.000 acres, from Nueces County with her husband, W. F. Burks. His death occurred a year later, and since that time Mrs. Burks has shouldered the entire management of the property. Moved to Ranch In 1S76. The funeral services will be held at 4 p. m. Wednesday at the ranch home and burial will be in the old cemetery on the ranch. Mr. Saunders and Mrs. Saunders and many old-time cattlemen from San Antonio will attend the funeral. After Mr. and Mrs. Burks moved to the ranch in 1876, they hauled all ranch supplies from Corpus Christi until the railroad was built into Cotulla in 1882. During this time they were troubled with Indians and rustlers and lost many cattle and horses. Their first residence was built of cypress lumber, which had previously been, used in a storehouse at Banquette Nueces County. This building still is standing on the ranch and is in use by tenants.
Has Enlarged Her Holdings.
Since her husbands death. Mrs. Burks has bought more land and added to the original ranch, which at that time consisted of only four sections. The property is all well fenced, and cross fenced and is stocked with cattle, goats and horses. In 1890 Mrs. Burks bough; the first courthouse of La Salle County, which stood near old Fort Ewell. The building was on the old Stuart ranch, which was called Guajaco. used for many years as a stage stand. It is now used as a tenant house. In 1889 Mrs. Burks bought 60.000 feet of lumber from the Perkins mill, in Lake Charles. La., had it shipped to Cotulla and hauled from there to her ranch. The operation consumed seven months. The large modem home now ranch headquarters was built in 1900. It faces a large lake bordered with live oaks.
Rode Trail From Banquette.
In 1925 Mrs. Burks rode in the trail drivers' parade here and was in the receiving line at the Gunter Hotel when the pony express riders arrived. She was but a young woman when she accompanied her husband on his trail drive to the Kansas markets with 4,000 beeves. The start was made from Banquette. The Burks had moved to the latter place from Angelina County, where they settled following the close of the Civil War. The journey to Kansas consumed three months. She was accompanied by a negro servant, who rode horse back. When she tired of the buggy she would exchange places with him.
Has Been Boss of Ranch.
On this trip she swam her horse across swollen streams, experienced a prairie fire and witnessed numerous storms and accompanying stampedes of cattle. When her husband died her nearest neighbor lived eight miles away. However, undeterred, she took over the management of the large property. and for fifty-three years has been recognized "boss." although of late years she has been assisted by her nephew. Jack Baylor, grandson of Gen. John R. Baylor, who was born on the ranch and has lived there since. Mrs. Jim Bell a niece of Mrs. Burks, also lives on the ranch, as does the latter's daughter, Virginia. September 16, 1931 Dallas Morning News
Queen of Old Trail
Amanda Burks, 92, Dies at Her Ranch In Buggy She Followed Herd to Abilene, Kan., in '71.
SAN ANTONIO. Texas. Sept 15 (AP).- Mrs. Amanda Burks. 92. ranch woman and known as "the queen of the old trail drivers." died at 5 p. m. Tuesday at La Mott Ranch twenty- five miles east of Cotulla. where she had lived since 1876. This word was received late Tues- day by George W. Saunders, president of the Old Trail Drivers' Association, of which Mrs. Burks was a member, having gone with a herd of cattle to Abilene. Kan., in 1871, riding all the way in a buggy. Mrs. Burks moved to La Mott Ranch, which now consists of 43.000 acres, from Nueces County with her husband, W. F. Burks. His death occurred a year later, and since that time Mrs. Burks has shouldered the entire management of the property. Moved to Ranch In 1S76. The funeral services will be held at 4 p. m. Wednesday at the ranch home and burial will be in the old cemetery on the ranch. Mr. Saunders and Mrs. Saunders and many old-time cattlemen from San Antonio will attend the funeral. After Mr. and Mrs. Burks moved to the ranch in 1876, they hauled all ranch supplies from Corpus Christi until the railroad was built into Cotulla in 1882. During this time they were troubled with Indians and rustlers and lost many cattle and horses. Their first residence was built of cypress lumber, which had previously been, used in a storehouse at Banquette Nueces County. This building still is standing on the ranch and is in use by tenants.
Has Enlarged Her Holdings.
Since her husbands death. Mrs. Burks has bought more land and added to the original ranch, which at that time consisted of only four sections. The property is all well fenced, and cross fenced and is stocked with cattle, goats and horses. In 1890 Mrs. Burks bough; the first courthouse of La Salle County, which stood near old Fort Ewell. The building was on the old Stuart ranch, which was called Guajaco. used for many years as a stage stand. It is now used as a tenant house. In 1889 Mrs. Burks bought 60.000 feet of lumber from the Perkins mill, in Lake Charles. La., had it shipped to Cotulla and hauled from there to her ranch. The operation consumed seven months. The large modem home now ranch headquarters was built in 1900. It faces a large lake bordered with live oaks.
Rode Trail From Banquette.
In 1925 Mrs. Burks rode in the trail drivers' parade here and was in the receiving line at the Gunter Hotel when the pony express riders arrived. She was but a young woman when she accompanied her husband on his trail drive to the Kansas markets with 4,000 beeves. The start was made from Banquette. The Burks had moved to the latter place from Angelina County, where they settled following the close of the Civil War. The journey to Kansas consumed three months. She was accompanied by a negro servant, who rode horse back. When she tired of the buggy she would exchange places with him.
Has Been Boss of Ranch.
On this trip she swam her horse across swollen streams, experienced a prairie fire and witnessed numerous storms and accompanying stampedes of cattle. When her husband died her nearest neighbor lived eight miles away. However, undeterred, she took over the management of the large property. and for fifty-three years has been recognized "boss." although of late years she has been assisted by her nephew. Jack Baylor, grandson of Gen. John R. Baylor, who was born on the ranch and has lived there since. Mrs. Jim Bell a niece of Mrs. Burks, also lives on the ranch, as does the latter's daughter, Virginia. September 16, 1931 Dallas Morning News
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