Myrtle Sedgwick was born in Jack County in 1902, came to Dickens County in 1916 with her parents Mathue and Minnie Sedgwick. We came in a covered wagon with 16 horses. We came from Haskell Co., went to Mexico, came back to Kress, Texas and then to Dickens. There were 7 of us children: Claude, Jim, Arthur, Ollie, Myrtle, Edna, and Oby. Edna and I are the only ones living now.
We bought our place from the Matadors for only $25 an acre. We built the first house right in Duncan Flat, to the east were the Jacksons, Raglands and Hughes. We children went to Chandler school for a while then the community built a one-room school we used for school and church. We really loved our church. Brother Burnham pestered it for several years and it was a good community - all gone now.
Claude and Jim were drafted into the army in 1918 and took Arthur three months right in crop time. Daddy was sick a lot and I put the little mules to a slide with go-devil blades on it and cut the maize and corn tops; then tied them by hand, loaded them in the wagon and hauled them to the barn. We headed maze and pulled our cotton and if I say anything about work my children say I didn´t work hard like they do. They just don´t know.
I can remember when I was small we lived on Uncle Robert Sedgwick´s place up by Silverton. He was older than Father and had a grocery and dry goods store. I remember a big orchard with apples and peaches. Aunt Allie would come and make vinegar. They were good to Mother and said we could stay, but we would go down to Caprock, stay a year or two then go back.
When 1 was 8 years old we lived north of Lockney. One time while moving to the plains we camped at White Flat in a big snow storm.
Slim (William B.) and I married in December 1925. We stayed and farmed around Duncan Flat, then in 1941 we bought a farm and moved to East Afton. We had six children: Agnes, Alvin, Betty, Billy Jo, Leroy, and Linda. Alvin married Janey Brown. They live near us now and have 2 children, Becky and Scott. Becky married Gene Shiner and they have two daughters, Tina and Tonga, and live in Lubbock. Agnes marred J.D. Williams, who died when he was 27, and they have one son, Travis Williams. He married Trudy Davenport and they have two girls. Shannon and Christy, and live in Dickens. Bill never left home and he is here with Agnes and me. Leroy married Barbara Odom and they have three boys, Roy, Clint and Rogers and live by Ropesville on a farm. We are thankful we still have him since he was in an oil explosion at Sundown two years ago and still not doing good, but with God´s help he can get around and drive his car. Linda married Dewey Dement and they have two girls. They live in Lubbock, both have good jobs and Patricia is still at home. Diana works in Arlington.
We lost Slim in July 1980, then in December 1980 we lost Betty. It was a sad time but with God´s help and the other children we had a good life - lots of good times, but lots of sorrow. Even in my old days I still enjoy life.
.... by Myrtle CarothersSource: Dickens County History...its Land and People 1986 by Dickens Historical Commission
Services for Myrtle Carothers, 95, of Afton, were Sunday, January 18, 1998, at the Afton Baptist Church. Rev. C.L. Atkinson officiated. Burial was in the Afton Cemetery under the direction of Campbell Funeral Home, Spur.
Mrs. Carothers died Friday, January 16.
She was born September 29, 1902 in Jack County, Texas. She married William B. Carothers on December 17, 1925 in Glenn, Texas. She lived in Dickens County most of her life. She was a homemaker and a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Carothers preceded her in death as did two sons, Billy Joe and Leroy, and one daughter, Betty Jean Kimsey.
Survivors include one son, Alvin Carothers, Afton; two daughters, Agnes Williams, Lubbock; Linda Dement, Lubbock; eight grandchildren; six great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.
Pallbearers were Gene Shuler, Eric Maul, Jose Chapa, Butch Cagle, Mike Smith and Lewis Woffter.
©Texas Spur, Thursday, January 22, 1998, Page 10
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