Texas History and Genealogy - presented by Genealogy Trails

The Survivor of Goliad Loses His Life in a Burning Hotel at Denton.

DENTON, Tex., Aug. 25, -- A very disastrous fire occurred here at 2 o'clock this morning in which Col. A. J. Hitchcock, and old and well-known Texas veteran, lost his life. The fire originated in the kitchen of the James hotel on Oak street, recently kept by S. W. Keeton, but for the last few days by a young man by the name of Robert Fain. It was discovered by A. W. Roberson, Esq., boarder of the place, who at once raised the alarm but being a cripple was unable to make any effort to subdue the flames. the hotel occupied the second story of two brick business houses, and had two stairways, one leading up on the outside, and another, not used, leading down into one of the business houses. The proprietor, Mr. Fain, examined the condition of the fire and pronounced it beyond control, and notified the guests of the fact Mr. Robinson, who occupied the same room as Col. Hitchcock, says that he aroused him up and told him where the fire was, and that the way was clear to the outside stairway, and that while he was throwing a trunk out of the window that Hitchcock started out and the he followed soon after him, but did not see him any more. Reaching the street and not seeing him any more, and knowing that he was old and infirm, he sent a man to search the rooms to see if he had lost his way or had been overcome with the smoke. search was made in every room except where the flames were already ragin and he was not found, and it was supposed that he had come down the stairs and disappeared in the crowd. In a few minutes the building was wrapped in flames and in a short time converted into a heap of ruins. It was not until after daylight that the fate of one of Texas' true and tried sons was known. Search was made for the body, and at 2 o'clock p.m. this evening it was found, and it was then discovered that he had gone down the stairway which lead into one of the business houses below, and the door at the foot of the stairs being locked was then caught and perished in the flames. Colonel Hitchcock was one of the survivors of the Fannin massacree at Goliad, in March, 1837. He, there, with two or three of his comrades, eluded the red hand of Mexican vengeance, but last night he was met and surrounded by a more terrible enemy than he had encountered at Goliad-in but a few feet of friends-who knew nothing of his trouble and was forced to succumb. The sad affair is very much deplored here. [Source: The Dallas Weekly Herald, September 3, 1887]

More Goliad Victims

Special to The Register.
San Antonia, Tex., May 31--Two more Goliad storm victims succumbed to their injuries today. Mrs. W. H. Maddox, the last of the Maddox family and Miss Rubins Mathis, the fourth in the Mathis family, died this morning from lockjaw caused by their injuries. Of the Mathis family, the only member left is Mrs. Mathis. Several negroes are suffering with lockjaw and will die. [Source: The Fort Worth Register, June 1, 1902]

Goliad Banker Dies Here.

Louis Alexander Meatze Passes Away in This City.

Louis Alexander Meatze, a banker of Goliad, who came to Dallas three weeks ago, died at 42 Marsalis avenue, Oak Cliff, Friday night, aged 68 years. The remains were shipped to Goliad by Undertakers Ed C. Smith & Bro. last night. Mrs. Meatze, who accompanied her husband to Dallas went home with the remains. The deceased was born in Germany, but came to Texas many years ago. He was one of the wealthy German citizens of South Texas. [Source: The Dallas Morning News, September 8, 1907]

Goliad Sheriff Dies.

VICTORIA, Texas. Feb. 6 (AP) - Sheriff B. H. Haynes of Goliad County died at his home in Goliad Thursday night after a heart attack. [Source: The Dallas Morning News, February 7, 1931]

Goliad Declaration Signer's Descendant To Be Buried Monday

Special to the News.
Houston, Texas, Feb. 22.--William Smith, 56, great grandson of Peter Hynes, one of the signers of the Goliad Declaration of Independence of Texas, died Saturday. His great grandfather, besides being one of the signers of the Goliad Declaration of Independence, served as an officer in the Confederate Army as County Judge of Aransas County. Under the Republic of Texass, Peter Hynes served as Chief Justice of Bee County. The Goliad Declaration of Independence was signed at the town bearing its name in December, 1835. Mr. Smith is survived by his wife; three daughters, Misses Jane, Sylvia and Georgie Smith; a son, Cecil Smith, all of Houston; three brothers, Sam H. Smith of Beeville and John H. and James H. Smith of Fort Bayard, N. M. and a sister, Miss Grace Smith of Rockport. Funeral services will be held Monday at Rockport, his former home. [Source: The Dallas Morning News, February 23, 1936]

Mrs. Phillips Dies in Goliad County

Mrs. Ernestine Philips, 64, a district manager in Dallas of Luzier Cosmetics Company for 28 years, died Thursday in Goliad, Goliad County. She has been living recently with a niece, Mrs. N. A. Boamer of Goliad. The widow of R. E. Phillips, she is survived by a step son, Jack, a sister, Mrs. Lucy Wilson, Berclair, Goliad County; two brothers, Ed Traweek, Rockport, Aransas County, and Charles Traweek, who lies somewhere in Texas. She will be buried in Goliad. [Source: Dallas Morning News, June 17, 1955]