Warlick, Lewis and Iva Pearl

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

Warlick, Lewis and Iva Pearl Martin

Submitted by: Iva Pearl Warlick

I was born Iva Pearl Martin, September 9, 1900 in Iredell, Texas. My parents were Sherwood and Melissa Pearl (Thomason) Martin. I attended school in Coahoma, Texas. My father was a farmer. In September 1918 he moved from Coahoma with his wife and children (Iva, Ola, Rachel, Charley and Alice) and homesteaded five miles east of Eunice.

     Lewis Warlick came to Eunice in January 1914, (he was born in Childress, Texas August 9, 1901) with his father L. G. and stepmother, Mary (Garrison) Warlick. They moved from Childress by wagon and homesteaded four miles northwest of Eunice. They lived temporarily in a half dugout dwelling. They soon built a house and improved the land by farming and ranching. Lewis' sister, Pearl, joined the family a short tome later. She and Lewis attended school in Eunice.

     I met my husband, Lewis Marshall Warlick, in 1919. We met at a school program in Eunice. We were married June 19, 1920. Lewis filed for his homestead soon after we were  married. We moved a house on the land. Lewis' main occupation was freighting. Lewis and L. G. first started with a wagon and a mule team. Most of the freight came from Midland, Texas.  It took six days hard trave. This freight played a vital part in the community. Lewis was one of the suppliers for Carson's Grocery Store: grocery stock, commodities and kerosene fuel. The trip to Midland allowed special orders ad gifts for family and friends.

Our main social events were regular church activities and special all day church with "dinner on the ground." On occasions we would gather at various homes throughout the area. These were some jolly, fun times with games, music, dancing and good food. The fiddle, mandolin and guitar made some lively music; usually when the band played "Home Sweet Home" it was to to go home.

     L. G. eventually bought the grocery store from the Carson's and was postmaster for 11-1/2 years. They continued to do the freighting, buying a truck and supplying their own store.

     When the oil boom came to Lea County, Lewis worked his horse and mule teams at drilling sites. We had a diary also. The population began to grow and their was a great need to transport children to and from school.  Lewis was the first bus driver in Eunice. He went to Detroit, Michigan and purchased a bus. Lewis eventually sold the school buses. Before retiring to Hobbs. Lewis was in the oilfield trucking business and we owned rental properties.

Lewis and I lived in Eunice from 1920 to 1950. We raised two children, Ruby Lee and Lewis Martin, in the community. After many happy years, Lewis died March 11, 1976.

Ruby Lee Warlick married Dale Fitzhugh. He died in 1980. They had two children, five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Ruby Lee resides in Hobbs.

     Lewis Martin Warlick married Josephine Pearosn and they have four children and nine grandchildren. Lewis is presently a welder in Hobbs.