Warlick, L. G. and Mary

Lea County Families and Hoistories, Then and Now, Vol II, 1984

Warlick, L. G. and Mary

Submitted by: Pearl W. King

     L. G. Warlick's earliest known ancestors were Peter Heyl who arrived from Germany in Philadelphia September 11, 1738, and Claiborne Rothwell whose property bordered on that of Thomas Jefferson in Albermarle County, Virginia. L. G.'s parents were Lewis Calvin Warlick and Isabel Schooley. We ws marries to Minnie Pearl Rothwell which union produced two children, Lewis Martin and Minnie Pearl. Minnie Pearl died of blood poisoning when Pearl was nine days old and the children were raised by Grandmother Rothwell until Pearl was seven years old. In 1908, L. G.  married Marry Garrison, his first wife's cousin who was visiting from Tennessee.

     In 1913 L. G. visited Bob Garrison in Knowles and was so impressed with the land in the area that he returned to Childress to sell out and move. Pearl stayed with her uncle O. T. Warlick to finish school term and the rest of the family started with two covered wagons on January 1, 1914. L. G. filed on 329 acres some four miles northeast of Eunice. Jim Owens loaned $20.00 to build a 16 x 20 foot half dugout. Mr. Turner and Hester drilled a well with a team rotary rig and struck good water at 113 feet. L. G. sold two cows and calves to B. A. Christmas for $100.00 and went to Midland for the windmill. Pearl remembers these as years of great enjoyment as she helped with the farm chores and established many friendships that would last a lifetime.

     Early neighbors were the Randall's, Winfred Mays and Bob Marshall's. Even though it was a mile and a quarter away the Warlic's could often hear the strong tenor singing voice of Uncle Bob Marshall. Singing and playing at musicals were one of the main social activities of the day and Pearl remembers a great number of people wth ability o pay instruments or sing well. Along with Mary Warlick, the Marshall's, Carson's, Dinkard's, Turner's, Grizell's and Martin's were particularly musical.

     Neighbors helped each other by sharing surplus when crops were gathered or when a beef was killed. A good garden kept everyone busy preparing for winter. They also helped in time of need and even had to construct and line coffins when needed.

     Pearl remembers Mary Warkick as a woman who could kill, clean and fry the best chicken in record time. Mary passed these cooking skills on to Pearl along with the lifetime hobby of crochet.

     Around 1920 L. G. and Mr. Turner operated a grist meal and stocked a few groceries. In 1924 L. G. bought out Edgar Carson's grocery and became postmaster in the deal. He was a Justice of the Piece, an early member of the school board and a member of the Woodmen of the World. L. G. and Mary were members of and Sunday School teachers in the Methodist Church.

     In the early 1940's L. G. and Mary moved to Pep, Texas where L.G. was engaged in farming. As their heath failed they moved to Morton, Texas for their remaining years.. L. G. died in 1958 and Mary died in 1959.

     Pearl remembers that her early teachers were Mr. Woods, Miss Edith Davis and Lula Marshall. Pearl returned to Childress to finish high school, went to Canyon to summer school and seured a First Grade Elementary certificate. In 1922 she taught in a two teacher school in Trueheart, Texas and in 1923 she taught in one teacher school near Shafter Lake. In September 1924 Pearl married Hugh King. They lived first at the King place south of Eunice and later at the old Christmas ranch seven miles south of Eunice. They had two children, Mary Lou Harrisin who lives with her family in McCamey, Texas and W. C. who lives with his family in Anthony, New Mexico. During the ranch years Pearl remembers many happy times visiting with her friends, working at quilting Bees, playing "42" and going to country dances.

     Because of Hugh's health the family moved to Hot Springs, New Mexico in 1939. They ran a tourist court and a laundry for a number of years. Hugh passed away in 1968 and Pearl lives near her son. She continues to be a good cook, homemaker, mother and active member of the Methodist Church.

     Lewis M. Warlick married Iva Martin and had two children. Ruby Lee Llamas and Lewis M. Jr, Lewis worked at various jobs in the Hobbs area and died in 1976. Iva and the children remain in Hobbs.