Earl Bonine was the youngest child of J.W. Bonine and Sinthia Anderson was only a lad when they moved to Emma. He married Mis Lena Martin, who lived in Ralls, in 1909. They had one son, Earl, who lived in Crosby County all his life.Mrs. Lena Bonine clerked for several business institutions in Ralls, including the Ralls Banner. She was a member of the Methodist Church and always took part in school, church and civic enterprises. She numbered her friends by the ones she knew. She was a valuable asset to the newspaper for which she worked, as she knew the pioneer history as well as most of the inhabitants of Crosby County.
Source: "Through the Years, A History of Crosby County, Texas" by Nellie Witt Spikes and Temple Ann Ellis ©1951; The Naylor Company, San Antonio, Texas
E. M. Bonine Goes Down in Lake at 10 a.m. Tuesday
Body Recovered
All Crosby county was thrown in mourning Tuesday morning when the news was flashed over the wires that Earl Bonine, one of Crosby County's most prominent young farmers and stockman had drowned in a large lake on the south side of the old town of Emma. Mr. Bonine and others were in the lake for a swim and Mr. Witt and he were swimming side by side when several hundred yards form shore Mr. Bonine asked for help making the statement that he was drownining. Mr. Witt went to his rescue and was caught by the dying man and carried under several times but at last made his release from him and he swam to shore and gave the alarm.
Mr. Bonine has been raised near the town of Emma and has swam in this lake on many occasions before, was a good swimmer and it is believed that he took cramps that drew his muscles out of working order that caused him to drown.
Mr. Bonine leaves a wife and one child as well as a great number of relatives and friends who are deeply grieved over his untimely end. He was buried at 2:00 p.m. yesterday in the Emma Cemetery. Rev. Moore of Lorenzo conducting the funeral ceremony. The remains were laid to rest by the Masonic order, which order he had belonged to for years and was an officer in the lodge at Ralls. The Review extends condolence to the bereaved family in their sad loss.
The Crosbyton Review July 3, 1913
MEETS TRAGIC DEATH. E. M. BONINE DROWNS
While Bathing in Big Lake Near Emma Wednesday Morning July 1.
One of the most pathetic deaths that has occurred in this section for sometime was the drowning of Earl M. Bonine, while bathing in the big lake just south of Emma Tuesday morning, July 1.The particulars, as near as can be ascertained, are about as follows:
The heavy rains had just filled the big lake, and Earl Bonine, Homer Witt and Oliver and Witt Taylor went down to go in bathing. The water was still very cold, as it was early in the morning, but Mr. Bonine and Homer Witt plunged in and swam out about fifty yards from the shore, when Mr. Bonine was sudenly attacked with cramps, and called for help. Mr. Witt made several attempts to help him, and in doing so was nearly drowned himself. He swam to where Mr. Bonine was drowning, and, in endeavoring to assist him, Mr. Bonine got hold of his wrist and pulled him under the water. It was with the greatest difficulty that he released himself, and after he did so, was compelled to call for aid before getting to the shore.
Shortly after Mr. Bonine sank for the last time a large crowd of people gathered around the lake for the purpose of recovering the body, which was in the water about eight feet deep. Boats were brought from Ralls and Crosbyton, and after working several hours the body was located, and after diving three times Byron Garrison was able to bring the dead man to the surface of the water, where he was placed in a boat, and in a short time was conveyed to his home.
Funeral services were held Wednesday morning, the remains being interred in the Emma cemetery.
Mrs. Bonine, wife of the unfortunate young man, is prostrated by the shock, and her life was in danger Wednesday morning.
J.W. Bonine, father of the young man, is broken down with grief, as Earl was his youngest son, and he has always lived with him.
Mr. Bonine leaves a wife, one chld, many relatives and a host of friends to mourn his untimely death.
The bereaved family and relatives have the sincere sympathy of our people.
The Crosbyton Review, Thursday, July 10, 1913
Funeral services for Mrs. Lena Bonine, 78, were held Monday at 2 p.m. in the First Methodist Church with the Rev. H.B. Coggin, pastor officiating. Burial was in Old Emma Cemetery under the direction of Carter Funeral Home.
Mrs. Bonine, a longtime area resident, died Friday in Lubbock's Colonial Manor Nursing Home.
Mrs. Bonine was a graduate of the Emma School and later moved to Ralls with her family when Ralls first came into being. While a resident of Ralls, she was very active in the Methodist Church and took great interest in the PTA, serving as the local organization's very first president.
Mrs. Bonine, whose father owned a mercantile store at Emma before moving to Ralls, worked for many years at Hargraves Store before it was sold to Mr. Watson, with whom she was also employed for several years. She also worked at The Banner office as a reporter for a number of years.
Having been blind for about five years, Mrs. Bonine was a resident of the Colonial Manor Convalescent Home in Lubbock.
She is survived by her son, Earl, of San Gabriel, California.
Pallbearers were nephews.
The Ralls Banner October 1967
Record provided by Ralls Historical Museum
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