Burns, Hazel and Tollye Shuman

Lea County Families and History, "Then and Now" Vol I

Transcribed by J Rice 2008

 Burns, Hazel

By: Tollye Burns Munson

          Hazel Burns filed on his claim in Lea County in 1907. He was born in Stonewall County, Texas and his family moved to Lubbock County, Texas in 1900.  Hazel went on to New Mexico. He got his mail at Midway, New Mexico a small community on the Texas state line.  He also got mail at Bronco, Texas and Knowles, New Mexico. His place was near the Praireview community and his first home was a dugout, later a two room house. He cowboyed around, and in 1916 was foreman on the T-2 ranch in Yoakum County, Texas where he was married to Tollye Shurman. They then moved to Lubbock.

          Hazel's parents were also considered old timers in Lea County, settling in what is now the Heidel place. They are Mr. and Mrs. J. C .J. Burns.  Hazel passed away in 1947 and was buried in Antioch Cemetery. He is survived by two sons, Kenneth Burns of Lovington, and L. .D. Burns of Dumas, Texas; five grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.