Ira Neal Collins
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth Date: 22 Oct 1875 - Elm Springs, Washington Co., Ar
Christening:
Death: 6 Jan 1928 - Claude, Texas
Burial: in Claude, Texas
Cause of Death:
Parents
Father: Thomas Columbus Collins (1850-1878) 2
Mother: Mary Jane McCurdy (1855-1942) 3
Spouses and Children
1. *Elizabeth B. Walton (14 Jul 1882 - 30 Sep 1956) 1 4 5
Marriage: 21 Mar 1899 - Armstrong Co., Texas 6
Children:
1. Fred Collins (1899-1914)
2. Tom R. Collins (1905-1975)
3. Mary Delma Collins (1907-1967)
4. Allie Rae Collins (1912-1999)
5. Elizabeth Collins (1919-2013)
Notes
General:
CENSUS:
<pre>1900 Armstrong Co., Texas, Precinct No. 7, ED 3; June 4; sheet 1
12/12
Neal I. Collins 24 Oct 1875 M1 Ar Ar Ar Farmer
Elizabeth " wife 17 Jul 1882 M1/1/1 Tx Mo Tx
Frederick C. " son 6/12 Nov 1899 S Tx Ar Tx </pre>
He owns a mortgaged farm. Harry D. McCurdy lives at 14/14, and his mother and step-father John G. Weaver live at 11/11.
<pre>1910 Armstrong Co., Texas, Claude City, ED 6; Apr 19; sheet 3A
33/33 Andress Street
Ira B. Collins 34 M1/11 Ar Ar Ar Retail Merchant
Elizabeth N. " wife 27 M1/11/3/3 Tx Mo Tx None
Fredric C. " son 10 S Tx Ar Tx None
Thomas R. " son 4 S Tx Ar Tx None
Mary D. " dau 2 S Tx Ar Tx None </pre>
He is a Retail Merchant/Drygood Store and an Employer. He owns an unmortgaged house. His father-in-law Fredric P. Walton lives at 26/26.
<pre>1920 Armstrong Co., Tx, Justice Precinct 2, Claude, ED 2; Jan 9; sheet 6B
114/123 Andress St.
Ira N. Collins 44 Ar Ar Ar Owner/Grocery Store
Elizabeth B. " wife 37 Tx Mo Tx
Tom " son 14 Tx Ar Tx Delivery Boy/Grocery S.
Delma " dau 12 Tx Ar Tx
Allie R. " dau 7 Tx Ar Tx
Elizabeth " dau 9/12 Tx Ar Tx
Pearl McCurdy boarder 22 Tx Ar Tx Clerk/Grocery Store </pre>
He owns his own mortgaged home. Pearl McCurdy is a first cousin of Ira N. Collins.
<pre>1930 Armstrong Co., Tx, Claude City, ED 6-2; Apr 3; sheet 3B
75/76 High St.
Lizzie Collins 47 Wd 17 Tx Mo Tx HousKeeper/Home
Allierar " dau 17 S Tx Ar Tx none
Elizabeth " dau 10 S Tx Ar Tx none </pre>
She owns her own home worth $3300, but does not have a radio set. She does not live on a farm.
SUMMARY:
Neal Collins came to the Panhandle in about 1888 with his mother and stepfather. Her brother Martin McCurdy was working on the railroad as a section foreman at Goodnight in Armstrong Co., and he persuaded her husband John G. Weaver to come to Goodnight and work under him as a section hand. They stayed there a few months and then moved to Farwell, Texas where John Weaver was a foreman. During the next decade the family moved frequently. From Farwell they moved to Claude, where for a while she ran a rooming house that her husband had rented from his mother. They lived on two different farms near Claude before John Weaver decided to go back to work for the railroad. In 1897 when her last child was born, they were living in Bowie, Texas.
Neal Collins' obituary suggests that when his stepfather went back to work for the railroad he stayed in Armstrong Co. and worked as a ranch hand/cowboy. When he was 22 years old, he began to farm a 480 tract about 3 miles east of Claude, part of which was subsequently patented to him. According to the records of the General Land Office, it was sold to him May 28, 1898, and he occupied it for at least 3 years from that date. He married Lizzie B. Walton, the daughter of a merchant in Claude, March 21, 1899, and 8 months later their first child was born. In July 1903 they purchased a 386 acre tract in an adjoining section, and in 1907 and in 1908 they sold the original 480 acre tract. Sometime before the birth of their second child Tom in 1905, they moved into a small house near where Lizzie's parents lived east of the courthouse at the corner of Andrus Street and Third Street. It was probably at this time that Neal became involved in the grocery and dry goods business of his father-in-law, F. P. Walton. By the time their next child Mary Delma was born in September 1907, the family had moved into a large, two-story house at the corner of Andrus and First Streets, one block north of where Lizzie's parents lived. That house had already been built when they bought the property (2 lots) in August, 1907. In 1915 they bought the remainder of the west half-block, and in 1920 they bought 2 lots on the east half of the same block. The 1910 census indicates that Neal Collins is a retail merchant with a dry goods store.
In February 1917 Neal Collins bought an additional quarter section adjoining the 386 acres that he already owned. In February 1920 he bought a 160 acre farm near Ashtola in Donley Co. The deed records indicate that he paid a considerable amount of money for that farm, but his youngest daughter Elizabeth says that he only got it because someone owed him money, and in her opinion it was not a very good farm.
Many people went to California in the 1920's, and Neal Collins was one of them. In 1920 he sold the store and went to California where he bought a house in Pomona. He returned to Claude, and then he and his son Tom left Claude in December to drive to Pomona. His wife and daughters followed on the train, making a detour by Deming, New Mexico, to visit Neal's mother and stepfather and arriving in Pomona December 28, 1920. My mother thought their new house was really swell. They only stayed about 18 months in California, returning to Claude in June 1922.
Before leaving for California they had sold their home on Andrus Street east of the courthouse and the business, so upon return they lived on the farm. While they were living on the farm, the 2-story house that they had lived in on Andrus Street burned. My aunt [Elizabeth Collins] says that one day they saw the smoke from the farm and later learned that it was their former house. She says that the buyer wasn't making the payments, but according to the deed records he did fully pay for the property and received a release.
In August 1924 Neal Collins repurchased the store and a house at the corner of Third and High in the Railway Addition to Claude, and the family moved back into town. They lived there until his death in January 1928, and his widow lived there until her death in 1956.
When the family moved to California in 1920, Neal Collins sold the business but not the building. F. P. Walton had had it constructed on lot 8 after he bought lots 7 and 8 in June, 1903, and after his death and that of his wife, the property was jointly owned by their 4 children. Lot 9 is a bit of a mystery. It appears to have been inherited along with lots 7 and 8, but I did not find in the deed records any record of its purchase by F. P. Walton. The 4 heirs sold the property (lots 7-9) in 1926 before Neal Collins became ill and while he was operating the store, although he and his wife Lizzie retained a 1/2 interest in lot 9 and the right to build a building there and attach it to the building on lot 8. No such building was ever built, and the lot is today part of a small parking lot which belongs to the bank on the SW corner of the block. At some point a 1-story building was built on lot 7.
After her husband died in January 1928, Mrs. Lizzie Collins continued to run the store until September 1929 when she either sold it or went out of business. It seems likely that when Neal Collins moved to town (1905 or before) he became associated with his father-in-law in the latter's mercantile business. It is unclear how much of the business (as opposed to the property) he owned at the time of his father-in-law's death in 1914.
Beginning in 1907 Neal Collins purchased lots in various parts of Claude. Some were kept for only a short time, and others were kept for a long period. He may have thought that they would increase in value as Claude grew into a large town.
In 1913 I. N. Collins and his wife borrowed $3000 against their farm (386 acres). By this time they were living in town, and it was not their homestead. In 1918 they renewed this loan. It appears that they had not been able to reduce the principal of the 1913 loan and that they had been paying interest only. In 1923 they borrowed $5000 and the $3240 that they still owed on the 1918 loan suggests that they not only had not reduced the principal but that they had missed one interest payment ($240 is 8% of $3000 for 1 year). The loans mentioned so far were against their 386 acre farm. In 1924 they borrowed about $4140 against the quarter section that they had purchased in 1917. The 1924 loan was due October 1934, and the 1923 loan from the Federal Land Bank of Houston was very long term. In 1934 Mrs. Lizzie Collins borrowed $1700 from the Federal Land Bank as an extension of the 1924 loan, so it appears that she had been able to sustantially reduce the principal (from $4140 to $1700) although she was not able to completely pay off the loan.
In 1939 in order to free herself from this indebtedness, Mrs. Lizzie Collins gave the 386 acre farm to her son Tom Collins and the 160 acre farm to her daughter Delma and her husband Alfred Reck. Both men were local farmers/ranchers. According to my aunt [Elizabeth Collins] land at that time was worth about $25/acre and the indebtedness against the 2 farms was about $18/acre. The deeds of trust that I have found do not support such a high level of debt, but I may have missed something.
DETAILS OF REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS:
With the exception of item D), which is in Donley County, Texas, all of the farmland referenced below is in Armstrong County, Texas about 2 miles east of Claude, the county seat. It is more specifically designated as being in Block B-4, H. & G. N. Ry. Co. by virtue of Certificate No. 15/3478 issued to the Houston and Great Northern Railway Company. Section 198 is east of section 197, section 164 is north of 197, and 166 is 2 sections west of 164. Claude is in 166. The town lots are all in Claude.
Unless otherwise indicated the people referenced in the following deeds are from Armstrong County. The notation (14/496) means page 196 of Volume 14 of the Deed Records. (D/T 14/159) is in Volume 14 of the Deed of Trust Records.
Farmland:
A) W 1/2 and NE 1/4 of section 198:
January 17, 1907 -- John J. Terrell, Commissioner of the General Land Office, certifies that I. N. Collins on June 17, 1901 filed proof of 3 consecutive years of residence and occupancy on the W 1/2 and the NE 1/4 of Section 198, which was corroborated by affadavits from J. R. Arnold, E. B. Watson, and T. C. Collins. This land was originally sold to I. N. Collins on May 28, 1898. (14/496)
Reference is made in this document to additional lands in Section 182, Block B-3, H & G N Ry Co. The records of the General Land Office indicate that I. N. Collins was the original grantee of 642.20 acres in Section 182 but that it was patented to Thomas B. Miller September 5, 1941. It is not clear how long I. N. Collins may have been in possession of this tract, if ever.
The records of the General Land Office indicate that I. N. Collins was the orginal grantee and patentee of the W 1/2 of block 198 (320 acres, abstract # 1462, file # 050183, patent # 3, patent volume 7A) and that the patent was granted April 15, 1920. They state that he was the original grantee of the N 1/2 and the SW 1/4 of block 198 (480 acres, abstract # 1164, file # 038281) but there is no indication that a patent was granted. Note that N 1/2 + SW 1/4 and W 1/2 + NE 1/4 describe the same 480 tract.
January 26, 1907 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie B. Collins to J. C. Reese the NE 1/4 of section 198 (160 acres) for $2000 in cash + 2 notes for $540 each, due 1 and 2 years from date, at 8%. Buyer also assumes the payment of $.97 1/2 per acre to the State of Texas, being the balance of the unpaid purchase money. (14/523)
July 23, 1907 -- I. N. Collins and Lizzie B. Collins, his wife, to G. A. Bentley of Leon Co., Texas the W 1/2 of section 198, except 14.94 acres off the SW corner, for $2000 in cash + 2 notes for $1821.25 each, due January 1, 1908 and January 1, 1909 at 8%. (3/311)
August 14, 1908 -- I. N. Collins and Lizzie Collins, husband and wife, to J. H. Weaver for $90 14.92 acres in section 198 south of the right of way of the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway. (15/159) On July 7, 1925 they give him a quit claim deed to the same property. (33/303)
Note that I. N. Collins sold all 480 acres in section 198 in 1907 and in 1908 although he was only granted a patent on the W 1/2 in 1920 and according to the GLO he was never granted a patent on the NE 1/4.
B) 386 acres in section 197 lying north of the right of way of the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway:
July 1, 1903 -- William Brooks Close & Edward Ford North, through their attorney in fact Francis C. Elliott of Cook Co., Illinois, to Neal Collins for $1930.10 ($642.10 in cash + 4 notes for $322.00 each payable 1, 2, 3, and 4 years from date at 8%) (11/111)
September, 1918 -- I. N. Collins and his wife Lizzie B. Collins give a Deed of Trust to secure a $1000 loan from Mrs. Alice Walton due September 1919. They get a release on September 8, 1919. (29/171)
April 22, 1919 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie B. Collins gave M. L. Smith a Deed of Trust to secure a note for $1500 due January 1, 1920 at 10%. On March 11, 1920 the holder of the note M. L. Smith gives I. N. Collins a release. (29/270)
May 14,1926 -- a second lien on the 386 acres in section 197, subject to a recorded lien of $5000 is part of the security for a $2000 note at 10% dated April 30, 1926 payable to N. W. Walton and due 12 months after date. (D/T 14/159)
September 2, 1939 -- Mrs. Lizzie Collins, a widow, surviving wife of I. N. Collins, dec'd, for herself and as sole devisee and Independent Executrix under the will of I. N. Collins, dec'd, to Tom R. Collins for $10 and other consideration 386.02 acres in section 197 north of the railroad.
C) SW 1/4 of section 164 containing 162.4 acres, more or less:
February 1, 1917 -- C. O. Kight and Bettie Kight to I. N. Collins for $6495.45 ($1995.45 in cash + $500 due at 1 year intervals from date at 7%). Buyer pays 1917 taxes and the amount due to the State of Texas to secure patent, being $167.05 to this date. (24/70)
December 26, 1923 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie B. Collins declare their homestead to be 40 acres of the west end of the north part of section 197 and the SW 1/4 of section 164. (D/T 12/579)
September 2, 1939 -- Mrs. Lizzie Collins, a widow, surviving wife of I. N. Collins, dec'd, for herself and as sole devisee and Independent Executrix under the will of I. N. Collins, dec'd, to Alfred Reck and his wife Delma for $10 and other consideration the SW 1/4 of section 164 (162.4 acres).
March 2, 1955 -- Alfred Reck and wife Delma Reck to Ivan Chauveaux. (58/184)
D) NW 1/4 of section 18, Block C-6, G. C. & S. R. Ry. Co., Donley Co.:
February 16, 1920 -- J. L. Tims and wife Cora to I. N. Collins for $8400 ($5400 in cash and the assumption of various notes). (42/330) The deed was signed in Goodnight.
In March 1836 various documents which had been recorded in Armstrong Co. shortly after the death of Neal Collins in January 1928 were filed for record in Donley Co. I assume that this was in preparation for selling the farm in Donley Co., but I was not able to find the corresponding deed.
Town lots:
The original town of Claude has 30 blocks, each 300 feet by 300 feet. The streets are 80 feet wide and are either parallel or perpendicular to the railroad, which runs generally NW-SE (30° N of W) and is the northern boundary of the town. The next street to the south (First Street) is the highway. All lots are 140 feet deep and there is a 20 foot alleyway in the middle of each block. Blocks intended for residential purposes have 6 50-foot lots in each half-block. Close to the square, occupied by the courthouse, the lots have 25 feet of frontage. Plat in 1/626 (Volume 1 of the Deed Records, page 626).
The Railway Addition is west of the original townsite and the streets run NS and EW. Most people who live in Claude today live there. The Parham Addition is east of the original townsite, and North Claude is north of the railroad.
E) block 8, original town of Claude (1 block east of courthouse):
February 20, 1903 -- Emile Reck purchased lots 1-6 for $125 (11/11) and lots 11-12 for $25 (11/18-19).
August, 15, 1907 -- lots 5, 6 -- Emile Reck and M. D. Reck, husband and wife, to I. N. Collins for $1800 ($1200 in cash + $600 note payable 1 year from date at 8%). Buyer agrees to keep house insured to the extent of $600 in favor of Emile Reck until the note is fully paid. (16/85)
July 21, 1908 -- lot 4 -- Emile Reck and M. D. Reck, his wife, of Tarrant Co., Texas to I. N. Collins for $125. (17/73)
July 24, 1913 -- Ira Neal Collins and Lizzie B. Collins, husband and wife, declare their homestead to be lots 4, 5, 6 of block 8.
November 2, 1915 -- lots 1-3 -- Emile Reck and wife M. D. Reck of Parker Co., Texas to I. N. Collins for $275. (3/466)
June 26, 1918 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie B. Collins swear that they now reside upon and claim as their legal homestead lots 4, 5 and 6 of block 8. (25/638)
May 15, 1920 -- lots 9, 10 -- Mrs. Mae K. Wilson as community administratrix of the estate of W. A. Wilson, dec'd, and for herself to I. N. Collins for $75. (26/214)
November 4, 1920 -- lots 1-6, 9, 10 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie B. Collins to W. W. Hood for $4500 ($1500 in cash + 5 notes for $600 each dated November 4, 1920 and payable in 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years at 8%). (24/442). On September 12, 1927 I. N. Collins gives W. W. Hood a release. (21/291)
January 22, 1926 -- W. W. Hood and wife Claudine Hood give a deed of trust to I. N. Collins, trustee, to secure a note payable to C. G. Grumke for the 8 lots in block 8 and the E 1/2 of survey 229. (13/592). On August 22, 1927, I. N. Collins gives W. W. Hood a release. (35/86)
F) block 2, original town of Claude (immediately NW of courthouse):
June 29, 1903 -- lots 7, 8 -- L. P. Greer of Tarrant Co., Texas to F. P. Walton of Armstrong Co., Texas for $200. (11/115) A quitclaim deed of September 2, 1926 from L. P. Greer and others to the heirs of F. P. Walton mentions only lots 7 and 8. (34/247) These lots are 25' wide.
According to tax records seen in Claude in May 2009, in 1908 F. P. Walton owned lots 7-9, whose value was $500. In 1909 the value was $1000, in 1910 $5000, and in 1911 $4000. This suggests that the building was built about 1909. There were no records for 1904-1907. In 1900-1903 F. P. Walton was taxed on lot 9 only ($25 in 1900, $500 in 1903).
April 30, 1926 -- undivided 1/4 interest in lots 7-9 -- N. W. Walton and Rae Walton, husband and wife, to I. N. Collins four properties including an undivided 1/4 interest in lots 7-9 of block 2 for a $2000 note. (34/59, D/T 14/159) Release is granted September 16, 1926. (34/269)
September 13, 1926 -- undivided 1/2 interest in lots 7, 8 -- Lizzie Walton Collins and I. N. Collins, her husband, being one of the 4 heirs of F. P. Walton and his wife Alice Walton, both dec'd, and assignee of N. W. Walton, another one of the 4 heirs to O. F. Smalley for $4500 cash. (34/267) "It is expressly stipulated that I. N. Collins and his wife Lizzie Collins retain the right to attach to the south wall of the building now standing on lot No. 8 a building to be constructed of brick or hollow tiles and of fire resisting walls with a roof of tar and gravel or better construction said building to be built on lot No. 9, but it is agreed that said building shall not extend above the window sills of the second story of the building now standing on lot No. 8. No part of the walls of the building on lot No. 8 is retained, except the right to join the same and the right to plaster on what is now the outside of said wall on the south side thereof."
September 13, 1926 -- undivided 1/4 interest in lots 7-9 -- Florence Walton Heath and her husband F. L. Heath to O. F. Smalley for $2000. (34/266)
September 13, 1926 -- all of lots 7-9 -- Claudia Walton Grimes and her husband J. H. Grimes to O. F. Smalley for $2000. (34/266)
It seems very strange that I. N. Collins and his wife would plan to build on a lot of which they owned only a 1/2 interest when they could presumably have purchased the interest of her sisters. In fact no building was ever built there and now (2007) it has been for a long time part of a small parking lot for the bank located on lots 11 and 12 at the corner of First and Trice Streets. It seems clear that lot 9 was inherited from F. P. Walton, but it is not clear when he purchased it or how he came to own it.
October 26, 1926 -- I. N. Collins and Lizzie Collins, his wife, plaintiffs, prevail in a lawsuit against R. M. McFarlin and unknown heirs of R. M. McFarlin, dec'd, and gain title to and possession of lot 9, block 2. (34/391) R. M. McFarlin had purchased lot 9 on March 5, 1890. (3/167) It is not clear why there was a dispute over ownership.
October 16, 1961 -- lot 9 -- Tom R. Collins and Olinda Collins, his wife, Delma Reck and Alfred Reck, her husband, Allie Rae Parker and Robert M. Parker, her husband, and Elizabeth N. Baker and C. B. Baker, her husband, sell to B. C. Wooldridge, Sr for $100 their interest in lot 9. (67/425)
May 2008 -- Elizabeth Collins, daughter of I. N. and Lizzie Collins, says that for many years her mother and Burt Wooldridge, owner of the bank, each had a 1/2 interest in the lot and that after her mother's death, her 1/2 interest was sold to the bank.
G) block 15, original town of Claude:
May 28, 1907 -- lots 14-18 and 34 feet off the west end of lots 23, 24 -- A. T. Collins and wife A. J. Collins to I. N. Collins for $800 ($200 in cash + 2 notes for $600 at 8%). (16/45
October 9, 1908 -- 106 feet off east end of lots 23, 24 -- A. L. Welch and Polly D. Welch, husband and wife, of Otsego Co., New York to I. N. Collins for $300 ($50 cash + 3 notes for $50, $100 and $100 at 10% due August 1, 1909, 1910 and 1911). (3/394)
November 5, 1908 -- lots 14-18, 23, 24 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie B. Collins to J. D. Woodburn and M. D. Bailey for $1750 cash + 2 notes of $1750 each at 10%. The buyers also assume payment of 3 notes of $50, $100 and $100 payable to H. L. Welch. (17/119)
The increase in value suggests that I. N. Collins constructed some improvement.
January 12, 1917 -- lot 9 -- M. M. Kerr, a bachelor, to I. N. Collins for $64 (19/602)
August 10, 1918 -- lots 7, 8 -- J. M. Pyeatt and Gillie Pyeatt, husband and wife, to I. N. Collins for $1 and other consideration. (22/90) Since a release (34/307) given on September 30, 1926 to J. M. Pyeatt by I. N. Collins mentions a note dated June 6, 1913, payable to I. N. Collins at 10% and due October 1, 1913 and since there is a deed of trust executed June 6, 1913 by J. M. Pyeatt and wife Gillie Pyeatt to J. P. Pafford, trustee, for lot 7, it may be that Pyeatt borrowed money against one of the lots in 1913 and sold them in 1918 when he couldn't pay back the loan.
March 15, 1928 -- lots 7-9 -- Lizzie B. Collins, individually and as executrix of her husband's estate, to Farmers Grain and Implement Co. for $300 in cash + note for $600 due July 15, 1928 at 8%. (35/496) The release is at 35/513.
Note that the minutes of the probate court indicate that at the time of the death of I. N. Collins, there was some doubt about the title to lots 7-9.
H) block 21, original town of Claude:
August 12, 1907 -- lot 1 -- J. B. Pafford and Clara Pafford, husband and wife, to I. N. Collins for $90. (13/285)
August 13, 1907 -- lot 2 -- H. M. Kight and C. O. Kight to I. N. Collins for $85. (13/284)
October 14, 1907 -- lots 1, 2 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie B. Collins to E. Averitt for $180. (13/272)
I) block 24, original town of Claude:
February 23, 1914 -- lot 10 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie B. Collins to G. R. Lauderdale for $150. (19/417) Also included in the sale are lots 23-38 in block 6 of the Parham Addition.
March 27, 1920 -- lot 10 -- G. R. Lauderdale and wife Lottie Lauderdale to I. N. Collins for $40. (26/233)
September 30, 1926 -- lot 10 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie Collins to F. L. Heath for $100. (26/384)
The tax records indicate that I. N. Collins paid the taxes on lot 10 from 1900 to 1914 and G. R. Lauderdale paid the taxes from 1915-18. According to the tax records I. N. Collins paid the taxes on lot 9 from 1893 to 1900.
J) block 28, Railway Addition to the town of Claude:
August 20, 1924 -- SE 1/4 of block 28 -- G. S. Vinyard and wife M. C. Vinyard of Potter Co. to I. N. Collins for $2500 ($250 in cash + $250 note due in 60 days + 3 notes of $666.66 due 1, 2 and 3 years from date at 8%)
September 20, 1924 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie B. Collins declare the SE 1/4 of block 28 to be their homestead. (D/T 14/99)
November 15, 1926 -- S 1/2 of lot 4, all of lot 5 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie Collins to E. T. Bagwell for $275. (40/509)
July 20, 1960 -- lots 6 and 7 -- Tom R. Collins and Olinda Collins, his wife, Delma Reck and Alfred Reck, her husband, and Allie Rae Parker and Robert M. Parker, her husband, to Robert J. Waugh and his wife Madge Waugh of Potter Co. for $3000. (66/531)
K) block 14, Railway Addition to the town of Claude:
September 29, 1908 -- lots 7-12 -- H. J. Pennington and wife D. M. Pennington to N. W. Walton for $300. (13/408)
April 30, 1926 -- lots 7-12 -- N. W. Walton and Rae Walton, husband and wife, to I. N. Collins four properties including lots 7-12 for a $2000 note. (34/59, D/T 14/159) Release is granted September 16, 1926. (34/269)
December 14, 1926 -- lots 7-12 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie Collins to Leonard Wiegaman for $500. (26/392)
L) block 31, Railway Addition to the town of Claude:
April 30, 1926 -- undivided 1/2 interest -- N. W. Walton and Rae Walton, husband and wife, to I. N. Collins four properties including an undivided 1/2 interest in block 31 for a $2000 note. (34/59, D/T 14/159) Release is granted September 16, 1926. (34/269) N. W. Walton had purchased this undivided 1/2 interest March 23, 1909. (13/507)
November 13, 1926 -- lots 1-3, 7-9 -- A. L. Dowdall and Nancy E. Dowdall, husband and wife, of Greene Co., Illinois to I. N. Collins for $1 and other consideration. (34/417)
March 27, 1950 -- lots 1-3, 7-9 -- Lizzie Collins, individually and as executrix of the estate of I. N. Collins, dec'd, to Dr. L. V. Dowdall of Missouri for $100. (52/397)
M) block 18, Railway Addition to the town of Claude:
January 18, 1927 -- lots 11, 12 -- Thurman Havins, bachelor, to Mrs. Lizzie Collins for $1 and other consideration paid from her separate estate. (34/494)
May 5, 1930 -- lots 9, 10 -- John M. Wise and wife Lillian Wise of Stephens Co., Oklahoma to Mrs. Lizzie Collins, a widow, for $100. (36/565)
November 23, 1949 -- lot 9, 10 -- Mrs. Lizzie Collins, a widow, to E. B. Watson, a widower, for $150. (52/268)
October 13, 1959 -- affidavit of Delma Reck in which she says that her mother Elizabeth Collins was the owner of lots 9-12. (65/375)
August 2010: My aunt Elizabeth Baker says that she bought lots 11 and 12 from her mother's estate, rented the house for several years, and then sold it.
N) block 6 of Parham Addition to the town of Claude:
April 2, 1913 -- lots 23-28 -- J. T. McWhirter and wife Francis McWhirter to I. N. Collins for $150. (19/347) Plat in 13/525.
February 23, 1914 -- lots 23-28 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie B. Collina to G. R. Lauderdale for $150. (19/417) Also included in the sale is lot 10, block 24 in the original town of Claude.
December 17, 1923 -- lots 23-28 -- I. N. Collins and Lizzie Collins, husband and wife, to Mrs. Maggie Payne for $75. (26/304)
O) block 2 of Parham Addition to the town of Claude:
October 21, 1921 -- lots 7-12 -- G. T. Sullinger of Potter Co., Texas to I. N. Collins of Los Angeles Co., California for $220.80. (26/268) Since a release (34/308) given on September 30, 1926 to G. T. Sullinger by I. N. Collins mentions a $190 note payable to I. N. Collins and a deed of trust executed February 18, 1920 by G. T. Sullinger to J. P. Pafford, trustee, for lots 7-12, it may be that Sullinger borrowed money against the lots in 1920 and sold them in 1921 when he couldn't pay back the loan.
May 18, 1936 -- lots 7-12 -- Mrs. Lizzie Collins to Henry E. Herndon for $55 + 2 notes for $30 and $35. (40/371)
P) block 46 in North Claude:
April 30, 1926 -- undivided 1/4 interest in lots 21-24 -- N. W. Walton and Rae Walton, husband and wife, to I. N. Collins four properties including an undivided 1/4 interest in lots 21-24 of block 46 for a $2000 note. (34/59, D/T 14/159) Release is granted September 16, 1926. (34/269) F. P. Walton purchased the lots January 24, 1908. (13/327)
Q) block 56 in North Claude and 84 acres in SE 1/4 of section 166:
February 1, 1926 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie Collins to Dan Cavanaugh for $10 in cash + delivery and cancellation of 5 notes payable to Dan Cavanaugh by J. F. Harris. (33/510). Dan Cavanaugh had sold both properties to J. F. Harris October 31, 1924 (33/86), and it may be that I. N. Collins bought them from Harris by assuming and agreeing to pay the notes. In the tax records Cavanaugh is the owner in 1924 and in 1926, and Harris is the owner in 1925.
INDEBTEDNESS:
July 4, 1913 -- 386.02 acres in section 197 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie B. Collins to Frank R. Robinson, trustee, of Boston, Massachusetts. (D/T 4/507) This deed of trust secures a promissory note of $3000 payable to John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co. due January 1, 1919, payments due annually with interest at 8% "payable in gold coin of the United States of America of the present standard of weight and fineness".
June 11, 1918 -- 386.02 acres in section 197 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie B. Collins to T. W. Vardell, trustee. (8/454) This deed of trust secures a loan of $3000 due January 1, 1924 payable to Southwestern Life Insurance Co. in annual payments of principal and interest due each January 1. It is a renewal and extension of a Deed of Trust lien for $3000 described in D/T 4/507, which note has been transferred to Southwestern Life Insurance Co. The rate of interest is specified in the note.
December 26, 1923 -- 386.02 acres in section 197 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie B. Collins to trustee on behalf of the Federal Land Bank of Houston to secure a $5000 loan at 5 1/2 %, payable semiannually (69 semi-annual payments). (D/T 12/579) This loan is a renewal and extension of a balance of $3240.00 owing on a note for the principal sum of $3000 dated June 11, 1918 and due January 1, 1924.
September 20, 1924 -- SW 1/4 of section 164 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie B. Collins to E. R. Biggs of Amarillo, trustee, on behalf of Biggs Investment Co. (D/T 13/375, 14/99) These deeds of trust secure 2 promissory notes: 1) $601.33 due October 1, 1925 and $60 due October 1, 1926-1934 at 10% and 2) $3000 due October 1, 1934 and payable annually on October 1 "in gold coin of the United States, all of said note and coupons bearing interst at 10%". This lien is released March 9, 1934. (39/206)
May 14, 1926 -- I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie B. Collins to J. D. Woodburn, trustee to secure a promissory note for $2000 at 10% dated April 30, 1926 payable to N. W. Walton and due 12 months after date. (D/T 14/159) This deed of trust involves 1) lots 7-12, block 14, Railway Addition, 2) undivided 1/2 interest in block 31, Railway Addition, 3) undivided 1/2 interest in lot 7-9 in block 2, original town of Claude, 4) undivided 1/2 interest in lots 21-24 in block 46, North Claude and 5) 386 acres in section 197, subject to a recorded lien of $5000. The lien is released September 16, 1926. (34/269)
January 22, 1934 -- 386.02 acres in section 197 and the SW 1/4 of section 164 -- Mrs. Lizzie Collins, a widow, individually and as Independent Executrix of the last will and testament of I. N. Collins, dec'd to Federal Land Bank of Houston. (D/T 18/45, 18/47) This deed of trust relates to a loan of $1700 which is a renewal and extension of $1615.00 principal and interest owing on a promissory note for $3000 dated September 20, 1924 executed by I. N. Collins and wife Lizzie B. Collins to E. R. Biggs (14/99) and $85.00 for money advanced by the Federal Land Bank of Houston for stock incidental to this loan.
WILL and PROBATE:
On January 11, 1928 Lizzie B. Collins and J. S. Stallings, her attorney of record, file a motion on the probate docket of the County Court to have her appointed as temporary administrator of the estate of her husband I. N. Collins. (3/386) They state that he died January 6, 1928 leaving an estate of real and personal property of about $20,000. They say that letters testimentary should be granted at the March Term of the court, but give 5 reasons why the estate needs a temporary administrator. Three relate to their store. It is important to keep it open and operating, which requires the maintainance of inventory. Accounts have to be collected from customers and paid to wholesalers. A fourth reason is that taxes have to be paid on time to avoid penalties, and a fifth reason is that I. N. Collins made a verbal agreement before his death to sell certain town lots but that there is a cloud on the title. Measures need to be taken to clear the title. On January 11, J. L. Bagwell, Judge of the County Court, appoints Lizzie Collins as temporary administrator and authorizes her to clear the title to certain town lots, especially 7-9 of block 15 of the original town of Claude.
On March 7, 1928 Mrs. Lizzie B. Collins is appointed independent executrix of the estate of I. N. Collins, dec'd. (3/403)
The will recorded in 3/404 is dated July 16, 1927. His 4 children (Tom R. Collins, Delma Ann Collins, Allie Rae Collins, Elizabeth Collins) are named as beneficiaries, share and share alike, subject to the rights of his wife Lizzie B. Collins. All the property is community property and it is his desire that the estate be held together and not divided until the youngest child has become 21 years of age, after which time the estate may be divided upon the request of his wife or any of the children, provided that if his wife should remarry, then the estate will immediately be divided and partitioned. Lizzie B. Collins is appointed executrix. If she remarries, then the administration will be closed and she will no longer be permitted to act as executrix.
The court appoints Chas. E. Cobb, H. L. Mobley, and Tom H. Davis appraisers to appraise the estate. (3/406)
On March 12, 1928 Mrs. Lizzie B. Collins returns the following inventory to the estate of I. N. Collins, dec'd, and produces same to the appraisers. (3/407) There is no separate property.
Community Property:
<pre>
1) 386 acres Survey No. 197, Block B4, H & GN Ry Co $5000
2) 162 acres SW 1/4 Survey No. 164, Block B4, H & GN Ry Co 2500
3) 160 acres NW 1/4 Survey No. 18, Block C6, GC & SF Ry Co, 1600
Donley County
4) lots 7-9, block 15, original town of Claude 300
5) lots 7-12, block 2, Parham Addition to Claude 25
6) lots 6,7, block 28, Railway Addition to Claude 1250
7) lots 1-3, 7-9, block 31, Railway Addition to Claude 75
8) lot 9, block 2, original town of Claude 200
9) 1 combine harvester thresher (half interest only) 250
10) 1 tandem disk plow 50
11) other implements 100
12) 1 farm tractor 100
13) 9 head of horses and mules 200
14) stock of merchandise, groceries 2600
15) store and office furniture and fixtures 1040
______
$15290
Accounts owing by various parties, not barred $1000
by statue of limitations
Accounts owing by various parties, barred 100
by statute of limitations
Notes and acceptances owing by various parties, not barred
by statute of limitations 250
Notes and acceptances owing by various parties, barred
by statute of limitations 100
Cash in bank60
______
$1510
</pre>
On March 14, 1928 the court accepts as correct the inventory presented by Lizzie B. Collins, executrix, and by H. L. Mobley, Charles E. Cobb, and Tom H. Davis, appraisers.
OBITUARY:
clipping from the "Claude News":
Ira Neal Collins Passes Away
October 22, 1875 ----- January 6, 1928
Again the Death Angel has entered our community and called to his Eternal Home one of our best useful and one of our most loved citizens.
For forty years Neal Collins had been a citizen of Armstrong county. He had grown from boyhood with the county and with the Panhandle. And looking back over these forty years, those who knew him best can easily trace the influences of those pioneer days on his character. One of the best things to be said of Neal Collins is that he was like the country in which his life was molded. Big hearted, kind hearted and true. Honest to the last penny in every business deal he ever made. Patient with every patron that ever entered the door of his business home. Liberal to a fault. No one every appealed to Neal Collins for help in any just cause that was turned away. If "doing kind acts unto the least of these my people here on earth" is doing the Master's will, then Neal Collins was one of the Master's most faithful servants. He made little profession of his Christian beliefs. He quietly and simply lived his Christianity every day of his life and his actions spoke louder in the lives of the people than some people's prayers.
On October 22, 1875 in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Columbus Collins, Elm Springs, Washington county, Arkansas a son was born. That son was Ira Neal Collins. He was to be one of Arkasas contributions to the Panhandle of Texas, and his life has been a credit to both the state of his birth and the country which he called home for so many years.
When Neal Collins was only a litle boy, four years of age, his parents moved to Lebanon, Collin county, Texas while Collin county was still in the frontier, in 1879. After nine years in Collin county the family moved to the Texas Panhandle when Neal was a boy of twelve years. They came to Goodnight, Armstrong county, Texas in 1888 and from that time until the day of his death, January 6, 1928 Neal Collins had lived in Armstrong county. When the Collins family came to Goodnight, there was only the Goodnight home and the section house at that place. The years of his youth Neal Collins spent as a cow-boy on the Panhandle Plains. He grew up with the country. On March 21, 1899 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Walton, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. P. [sic] Walton, who was one of the frst [sic] merchants in Claude. By this time farming had become a new industry in the county and Mr. and Mrs. Collins settled on their farm three miles east of Claude where they lived for several years.
About twenty years ago Mr. Collins bought an interest in the mercantile business operated by his father-in-law, Mr. Walton. The new Walton building was erected in 1909 and since that time Mr. Collins had been in the mercantile business in Claude with the exception of a few years spent in Southern California.
Into their home were born five children. Fred, Tom, Delma, Allie Rae, and Elizabeth. The first great sorrow to enter this home was when their oldest son, Fred, met death by drowning in a lake near Claude, June 7, 1914, at the age of 14. The blow was almost more than the parents could bear and it cast a shadow in their hearts that never quite cleared away.
The other four children are left with their mother to take up his life work and carry on his business and the principles for which his life stood. Beside his own family, Mr. Collins is survived by his mother and stepfather, Mr. and Mrs. John Weaver, his brothers Tom Collins and George Collins, and Mrs. Wayne Dooling, a sister.
Less than a year ago the discovery was made that a cancer had developed in the left side of Mr. Collins face. Immediately he sought the very best medical aid in the United States. Three trips were made to the Mayo Sanitarium. Weeks and months were spent under the care of cancer experts. Operations were made. Mr. Collins bore untold pain in his struggle against his life's foe. He fought his battle against death with the same courageous spirit he had fought his battle of life.
His last effort to conquer death was made at Savanna, Missouri where he and Mrs. Collins spent seven weeks, but with out hope he returned home four weeks ago to patiently await the coming of the Angel of Mercy which was his only hope of relief from his suffering. But with it all, to the last day he was cheerful and patient. Example of courage and faith for every man and woman in his great circle of friends.
Finally at 7 o'clock last Friday morning January sixth, the struggle ended when he slipt peacefully away onto the Great Etermity and another one of our Panhandle Pioneers, a true husband, a loving father, and a patriotic citizen had passed on.
Mr. and Mrs. Collins were members of the First Christian Church of Claude, having joined the church in 1899 and were baptised at the same time.
The funeral services were held from the First Baptist church of Claude, Sunday January 8 at 2:30 p.m. conducted by Elder McKinney, pastor of the Christian Church who was assisted by Rev. Thomas and Rev. W. A. Hitchcock pastors of the Baptist and Methodist churches. The music was rendered by a choir and a quartet of friends. Burial took place in the family lot beside his son Fred in the Claude cemetery. And the coverlet of flowers under which he sleeps today tells the story of the place he held in the hearts of his neighbors.
