Acknowledgements
TO WRITE THIS HISTORY
This work was an accident. I merely intended making a scrapbook for the Heights Library and had promised Miss Jimmie May Hicks, the Librarian, to correct (as far as I was able) newspaper clippings in the scrapbook. Then the correction notes began going deeper and my own notes began getting thicker. At that time Miss Hicks and I decided to keep my own notes intact and separate from the scrapbook. To Miss Hicks then, to her assistant, Mrs. Elizabeth Hinckley, and to the other members of the staff of the Heights Library goes first acknowledgment of help received.
Next, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur W. Cooley and Mr. and Mrs. P. V. Myers made available their pictures and clippings and gave liberally of their fund of information on the early days.
We advertised in the newspaper for help and Miss Nellie Kennedy and C. V. Kroning came forward with concrete facts. Mrs. Lottie Peacock's assistance, too, was invaluable.
Judge W. G. Love, first mayor of the Heights, has no living descendant; but Miss Helen Milroy, daughter of the second mayor, cooperated most generously. Mayor D. Barker is still living, and he and his daughter, Mrs. J. F. Gale, aided the work. The widow of Mayor R. F. Isbell, Mrs. Ruby Isbell, gave freely from her papers and from her accurate memory for details. Mayor Marmion's son, J. B. Marmion, Jr., furnished enough clippings and pictures to make a separate scrapbook of his father's term of office. He also assisted in getting other material from old residents.
Mrs. Charles Lucas gave us a view-book of the Heights. These old books were put out by 0. M. Carter's office and once were to be found in every home in the Heights, but few people saved them. Today they are rare and valuable. Mrs. Anna Marie Durham, widow of Fire Chief J. L. Durham, sent notes on the early fire department; and Horace Olive, grandson of Dr. William Olive, gave us other material on the volunteer fire department. Many other residents also sent pictures or clippings, maps, and copies of papers.
But in this outline of history, quite apart from the collection for the scrapbooks and for the files at the library, each of the following persons aided in a definite way with either specific information or help in obtaining data.
Mrs. Harriet Dickson Reynolds, Librarian for the City of Houston, procured for us the file of the Suburbanite. At the Main Library, the staff in the Texas Room on the third floor and the reference department of the second floor extended every aid and courtesy.
Andrew Forest Muir, historian, and Miss Ruby Bernard, in the Office of the County Clerk, Harris County (both residents of the Heights) helped with information on deed records. Edwin A. Bonewitz (also a resident of the Heights) gave generously of his accumulation of notes and material and aided in obtaining help beyond his own files.
Tony Triolo, of the Houston Press, assisted with photography work. R. J. Watts extended courtesies asked of the Houston Chronicle. George Fuermann of the Houston Post read the first pages and gave encouragement.
Mrs. 0. F. Carroll and Mrs. Bess Whitehead Scott read the manuscript and made valuable suggestions. Arthur Lefevre, Jr. rendered editorial assistance. Mrs. Thomas Taylor of the Rein Company answered every call for help. Mrs. J. F. Boyle and Miss Mary Catherine Boyle ran down all sources of information and stood ready to help with any errand.
To the Sisters of my religious community, who were generous and understanding in helping me in a dozen different ways, and to my old pupils, who drove me about while collecting material, I am grateful.
For the errors that may have crept into the account I alone am responsible.