Civil War Veteran Side: Union E. Luce died Saturday morning at his home north of Spur after a very brief illness of heart trouble. Friday evening he suffered an attack of heart paralysis, followed by others during the night. Dr. Grace was with him through the night, but could do nothing to relieve his condition and at nine o´clock in the morning he answered the summon to the Great Beyond.
E. Luce was one of the very first settlers of this country. He came here thirty odd years ago, and by economy, thrift, and judicious management and conservative investments throughout the years he accumulated and amassed a fortune in lands and personal property. He did more than any other one man in helping individuals, ministering to the poor and needy of the community. His life was one of continued activity and usefulness and his benefactions and charities were unostentatious but freely given where needed, and there are many families for whom he has extended a helping hand in this country who will sincerely morn his death.
At the time of his death E. Luce had passed the three stores and ten years allotted to man, being seventy six or seven years of age. In the sixties he was with the Confederate forces battling for the rights of the Southland, and at the time of his death was Captain of the John A. Green Camp of ex-Confederates, and today the few remaining members of this camp are wearing badges of respect and memory to the dead comrade.
Being associated with members of our own family in MS in the early days before coming West, the first to extend his hand and his encouragement to us in establishing and publishing The Texas Spur, we personally feel as if a member of our own family had departed a lie.
An honest man, a good, true, clean, man and a useful citizen has crossed the Great Divide to his reward in the Unknown Beyond and whatever may be in that future we know there is a bright place prepared for such men as E. Luce.
©The Texas Spur, August 27, 1920
from the records of Lillian Grace Nay
Mrs. Georgia V. Luce, widow of E. Luce who died in the year 1920, passed away at her home in Spur, Saturday night, January 21st, 1933. Mrs. Luce, who was affectionately known to most all Spur citizens as "Grandma Luce", was born in the state of Mississippi on February 4, 1848, being 84 year, 10 months and 27 days of age at death. She was married to E. Luce in Mississippi on May 16th, 1866. To this union were born five children, three of whom survive: John Luce of Spur; Mrs. J. E. Glenn of Wichita Falls, and Mrs. A. E. Davies of Lubbock.
The Luce family moved to Texas from MS in 1877, first settling in Tarrant County. A few months later they moved to Palo Pinto County and came to Dickens County in 1885 where they have continuously resided since. For 46 years Mrs. Luce made this county a most excellent citizen. She and her good husband were here when this country was indeed in the "raw" state and they contributed greatly as good, honest, God-fearing citizens to the development of this portion of West Texas commercially, educationally, religiously, morally and culturally. She was imbued with the real pioneering spirit and hundreds and thousands of times rendered assistance when needed to less fortunate citizens of this Western Country. She was a friend to the friendless and always hewed straight to the line of practical Christianity.
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Spur Church of Christ with Minister Wright Randolph officiating. She had been a consistent member of this Church organization since quite a young woman.
Interment was made in the Spur Cemetery under the direction of W. S. Campbell of the Campbell Funeral Parlor.
©The Texas Spur, January 27, 1933
from the records of Lillian Grace Nay
© Dickens County Historical Commission 1997-2022
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