Salm, Robert

March 1855 – 14 March 1898

     Robert Salm worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad at the local shops for several years before he died of pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of forty-two. His worn iron cross stands in St. Joseph’s Society Catholic Cemetery.  

     Like so many of Mr. Salm’s compatriots his place of birth is confusing. His death certificate states he was German. When he registered to vote in 1895 he gave his birth place as France. On the 1900 federal census, after his death, his wife said France. Finally, checking Robert Salm’s naturalization record of 15 October 1892 in the Bexar County Probate Minutes the question is solved. Phil[ippe]. R. Salm, born in Rouffach, France, arrived in New York on 25 January 1891. Rouffach is a historic town in the Alsace region fought over and claimed by both France and Germany for decades.

     By 1895 Robert first appears in the San Antonio city directory, as well as the City’s voter registration list. The 1900 census lists Marie, Robert’s wife, a laundry woman, and their daughter, also Marie, both having been born in France. In 1903 the city directory shows daughter Mary Salm as a clerk at the San Antonio Paste Works, and in 1905 as a stenographer at the City National Bank.

Our knowledge of Robert’s life is limited. However, we know he was involved in local politics as the San Antonio Light reported on 17 February 1896 that he was chosen as a delegate to the Bexar County Republican convention.

      Mr. Salm and his wife resided at 117 Crosby. Mary remains there after Robert’s death and is (mistakenly) listed as Mary Salm in 1903 when the city directory gives her address as 214 Dakota.

Mistaken because Marie (Mary) Salm married Robert Doering on 2 February 1901 (Bexar County, number 18418).The house on Dakota was that of Robert Doering and his family. He had been married to Emelie, nee Dielmann (Thielemann).

      Marie Salm Doering passed on 15 January 1929 and, like Robert Salm, buried in Saint Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.

Firemen's Rest in City Cemetery # 4

Firemen’s Rest for Members Who “Go On Before”

Is Their Tribute

Situated to the left of the entrance of City cemetery No. 4 there is a little plot of ground that has undergone a remarkable change during the last few weeks. This particular spot, measuring 30x30 feet, is what is known as the “Firemen’s Rest.”

            In this lonely, but none the less beautiful spot, the members of the present San Antonio fire department expect to be laid to rest when the grim reaper summons them to respond to their last alarm. The little plot already contains the remains of four comrades, who have hearkened to the last call of their Highest Chief.

Three months ago the members of the fire department decided that it would be appropriate to prepare a last resting place for those members who may be taken from this life and each unhesitatingly donated their might toward its accomplishment.

            A committee composed of Captain S. G. Merrit, First Assistant Chief W. P. Bishop, Captain W. J. Robbins and Fireman T. J. Dornstein and Daniel Coleman were selected to carry out the active work, looking towards the improvement of the little plot.

            Weeks of toil on the part of this committee followed and as a culmination of their efforts, there has risen one of the most beautiful spots to be found within the quiet precincts of the city of the tombs. Surrounding the little tract of land is a rock wall surmounted by a neat iron fence.

            The lot was donated to the fireman by the City five years ago. In building the rock fence about it the firemen were compelled to haul the rock from the rock quarry, a distance of almost three miles. This they did themselves whenever the opportunity was there. With the funds subscribed by the members, the committee purchased the cement and themselves formed the concrete which went into the rock wall. The iron fence was donated.

            While the work of erecting the fence itself was completed, the committee is still at work beautifying the plot, and it is the purpose to level the land and after sodding it and covering the grass, to station additional evergreen trees at points and to erect a simple slab over the remains of their departed comrades.

            Lying in this enclosure are the remains of John Grover, who met death by the falling of a ladder while fighting the flames; Fred Strauss, whose tragic end came while driving an engine along River avenue, when the engine fell and toppled over a steep embankment, just north of Grand avenue; William Lemmons, driver of company No. 6 whose demise resulted after a protracted illness and those of Nat Scruggs, former lieutenant of company No. 8, whose death occurred recently during a runaway accident.

            Captain S. G. Merrit has been chosen custodian of the plot with Assistant Fire Chief Bishop, Captain Robbins and Firemen Dorstein and Coleman as supervisors.

This article appeared in the San Antonio Light on Sunday, 13 September 1908.

Death of Robert Cayle

     The day before yesterday, Robert Cayle, a Mexican War veteran, and an old citizen of San Antonio, was upon our streets. He had been drinking to excess and at last accounts was observed in a very intoxicated condition. During the evening he fell upon the sidewalk, sustaining injuries which soon resulted in his death. His funeral will occur at 3 o’clock this evening from his residence in the fourth ward.

     Robert Cayle was an Englishman by birth, and the son of a Presbyterian minister of Darlington, England. When a mere boy, he ran away from home, stowed himself away in the hold of a vessel, and eventually landed in America. Finding his way to Texas when a republic, he linked his labors with those who struggled for the independence of this country, and won the honors of a brave soldier. After the war had ended, he married a Spanish lady and settled in San Antonio. A few days ago he was informed that a letter from his old English home was in the hands of one of our citizens, to be opened and [r…….] conditions. Upon receiving this news, Cayle concluded that he had inherited a fortune, either from his father, or an uncle, both of whom were very wealthy. In an elated state of mind however, and before he had an opportunity to realize his anticipations, he took to drink and [l..] his end is reached.

San Antonio Daily Express, 12 January 1879

The death notice above refers to a marriage between Robert Cayle (Caile) and “a Spanish lady.”  That lady was Dolores San Miguel based on the 1880 census and baptismal records of their children. Baptismal records have been found in the records of San Fernando Church for five children. These include Robert William born 25 May 1859 (baptized 6 August 1859), William James born 20 July 1861 (baptized 21 October 1861), Carolina born 30 December 1865 (baptized 4 May 1866), Dolores Adela born 14 December 1869 (baptized 30 November 1870), and Ana Elena born 17 January 1872 (baptized 30 April 1872). According to City of San Antonio death records William died of spinal meningitis on 6 February 1882, and Lola (Dolores Adela) died of pneumonia on 23 March 1891.

As noted above Robert passed in 1879. Afterward, in 1894, Lola sold their house on East Nueva Street to Jacob Hotz. The family appears to have moved to Galveston where she ran a boarding house. This is based on the 1900 census where Lola Caile, a widow, and twenty-five year old daughter, Mary J [?], whose father was born in England, are living.

During the Civil War Robert served as a private in Company B of the Texas Reserve Corps until he was paroled on 1 September 1865.

The Caile House, 526 East Nueva, was probably built shortly after Robert purchased the property, lots 7 and 8, in 1857 for a total of $360. The house was expanded later. For a very good history of the property see An Archaeological Assessment of the Alderete House Property published by the Center for Archaeological Research (UTSA) in 1978. Annual tax records (1837 to 1910) are available in the Texana/Genealogy department of the San Antonio Public Library. Deeds are available online from the Bexar County Clerk’s website.

An interesting sidelight comes from Beadle’s Dime Library, volume 1, number 3. The issue by Major S. S. Hall (Buckskin Sam) is entitled Kit Carson, Jr., The Crack Shot of the West: A Romance of the Lone Star State and includes several references to Caile. (The one above is from page 5.) Part of the story’s action takes place in San Antonio. Among the references are the following. On page six “…but I met Bob Caile, Shipley, and Bill Rodgers agoin’ to the lake,…” Also, on page nine “… Clown had been huntin’ with Bob Caile, Shipley, and Bill Rodgers.”

According to the burial record, 61 year old, Robert Caile was buried in City Cemetery Number 1 in grave number 71. Unfortunately, he apparently had no gravestone, and we do not know where early burials by number, instead of section and lot numbers, may have been located.

"Uncle John" Lewis

“Uncle John” Lewis is dead. He was one of the landmarks of this city. Coming here long before a railroad was build or was thought of being built in this section, he drove a stage coach years, and long after the railroad came into San Antonio he drove one of the large buses for the Carter-Mullaly Transfer company (1).

            “If I was an artist and wanted to paint a picture of Uncle Sam I would have John Lewis pose for me, and I’d bet that a better likeness of Uncle Sam, as he is generally pictured, could not be found,” said the late Joe Cooley (2) as he saw “Uncle John” drive up on the bus on a return trip from the depot when Cooper Register (3) was one of the principal gathering places in San Antonio. Those who knew John Lewis will say that Joe Cooley’s description was accurate. There is not a wagon road in west Texas that John Lewis was not acquainted with and he drove over them in his old stage coach long enough to know every tree and rock along them.

            It was while he was driving a stage coach that John Lewis had many thrilling  experiences. He almost regarded it as a pastime to be held up on a trip by robbers or attacked by Indians. He could recite experiences which would have put a war correspondent on Easy street for the rest of his days.

            John Lewis was 76 years of age at the time of his death. He died yesterday in the city hospital (4). During his illness he was affectionately regarded by the employes [sic] of the Carter-Mullaly company and they contributed to his maintenance. They frequently visited him and saw that he wanted for nothing. He appreciated it, and he always warmly thanked the boys when they called on him.

            Arrangements for the funeral are being made today. The remains are at the chapel of the San Antonio Undertaking company (5), where many who have known him in life are today viewing them.

(from the San Antonio Light, 9 July 1908, page 9)

(1)               Carter-Mullaly Transfer Company was started in June of 1881 by Henry Carter and Thomas Mullaly. It consisted of three departments: transfer line for passengers and baggage; livery and stable service, and hacks; and undertaking services. By 1885 it claimed to be the largest provider of all such services in the State of Texas.

(2)               Joe Cooley, born in New Hampshire in 1865, ran a saloon. His wife Kattie (born 1869 as Catherine Mahoney) was also from New Hampshire. They were married on 2 January 1888 in Dover, New Hampshire. On 10 April 1896 he and Herman A. Goebel applied for a patent for a “refrigerating apparatus” which was approved on 19 Jan. 1897 as patent number 575,594. According to New Hampshire death records (FamilySearch.org) Joe died in San Antonio on 24 April 1901.

(3)               Unidentified at this time.

(4)               The City Hospital was located at 515 Morales at this time.

(5)               Dan Delaney was president of this company which was at 401 E. Houston (San Antonio city directory, 1907-08).

 

Two notes should be mentioned here. First, the tern "uncle' was often used in the past to designated an elder in the community, and not a blood relationship. Second, as noted below Uncle John Lewis was buried in the Lutheran cemetery. It is believed this is the Old German Lutheran Cemetery.A friend and member of St. John's Lutheran Church checked the records for all three Lutheran churches at the time and found that he is listed in Record Book 2, page 155, entry 33.  It reads

"John Lewis, Age 76, hack driver, died July 9, 1908.  Buried in Row __, Lutheran Cemetery, July 10."   Uncle John Lewis does not have a gravestone, so we don't know where he's buried.

John Lewis Funeral

Following the remains of the veteran stage and bus driver of this city, John Lewis, to the grave, was the team and bus that he drove to and from the railway depots so often. The funeral of John Lewis took place yesterday afternoon from the chapel of the San Antonio Undertaking company, and was attended by employes [sic] of the Carter-Mullaly Transfer company, headed by President H. E. Hildebrand (1).

            Services were conducted by Rev. O. Hartmann (2), of St. John’s German Lutheran church, and the interment was in the Lutheran cemetery. The pall bearers were A. G. Bennett (3), W. A. Lowther (4), John Evans (5), R. M. McDonald (6), John Smith (6) and Alex Masson (7).

From the San Antonio Light, 11 July 1908, page 3 [3], col. 5 (bottom)

(1) Hildebrand resided at 119 E. Craig Place and the 1907-08 San Antonio city directory lists him as vice-president of Carter-Mullaly.

(2) The Reverend Ossian Wilhelm Hartmann was born in Kleinwasach, Baveria on 27 September 1852. After coming to the United States he received both theological and medical degrees and first served the Lutheran Church in Iowa. He came to San Antonio in 1903, remaining at St. John’s Lutheran Church until shortly before his death on 18 October 1915. (obituary in San Antonio Light, 18 October 1915)

(3) Anson G. Bennett lived at 1231 So. Alamo at the time and was a clerk for Carter-Mullalay. (1907-08 San Antonio city directory)

(4) William A. Lowther and his wife Verna H. lived at 208 Bowie according to the1907-08 San Antonio city directory where he is listed at superintendent of Carter-Mullaly. Both were born in New York. He is listed as 46 years old and she as 36 (1910 census for Bexar County).

(5) The 1907-08 San Antonio city directory lists him as assistant superintendent at Carter-Mullaly. He and his wife Elizabeth lived at 320 Bowie.

(6) McDonald and Smith are not identified at present.

(7) Alexander Masson immigrated from Scotland in 1879 or 1880 where he was born in May, 1849. Callie, his wife was born in Mississippi in March, 1851. The 1900 federal census notes that their son Harvey was born in August of 1893, the only surviving child of the two Callie bore during her eighteen years of marriage up to that time. In both the 1907-08 San Antonio city directory and 1900 and 1910 censuses Alex is listed as being in the grain business.

Elsie M. Wilson Samuels

Elsie M. Wilson Samuels presents to the researcher some challenges and an example of when primary sources don’t always agree on details. The gravestone gives her birth date as 21 May 1893. Her death certificate reads 11 November 1892, and the 1900 census says her birth should have been in November of 1889. We will probably never know the truth.

            Whatever the case, Elsie first appears on the 1900 census with her family in Marlin, Falls County, Texas. Her parents were John and Rogena (death certificate reads Georgena) Gibson. Other family included John H. (born Dec. 1891), Ginley L. (Aug. 1894), Early M. (March 1897), and Willie A. (Jan. 1876 – a niece). John and his parents were born in Alabama; Georgena was born in Texas, while her parents were both from Alabama. John supported his family while working as a janitor at a nearby school, and his wife took in laundry.

             By the 1910 census, still in Marlin, Georgena had passed, and John had married Mary. On 15 December 1908 Elcie [sic] married Tom Wilson in Falls County, and they were living with her parents in 1910. The couple has not been found in the 1920 census. At some point between 1910 and 1930 Tom Wilson died and Elsie married Aaron Samuels. The 1930 census shows Elsie as a widow again, but then in San Antonio as a lodger at 511 Iowa. She was a servant for a private family.

             San Antonio city directories place Elsie at 515 Iowa (1931-1932) and 713 Indiana (1934-1935). These are the only two directories in which she appears.

            Her 1935 death certificate says she was living at 712 Indiana, probably as a lodger with Bonita Campbell, the informant on the death certificate. Elsie was working as a domestic cook when she died of stomach cancer and anemia at the age of 42. The Washington Funeral Home at 401 North Centre handled the burial on 18 July 1935 in City Cemetery No. 3, section D, lot N1/2-9, grave 3.

Apparently without relatives or friends able to afford a proper gravestone, this simple cement marker with her name and dates were scratched into it.

A Community of the Past

In 2014 my wife and I wrote a book for Acadia Press entitled Images of America: San Antonio Cemeteries Historic District. On the east side of San Antonio are thirty-one cemeteries comprising approximately 103 acres. The area was first surveyed in 1853 and lots sold to the Alamo Masonic Lodge.Thousands of individuals have been buried there since that time, and although most burials are pre-1949, most of the cemeteries remain active today.

The book mentioned above was limited in scope because of editorial considerations. The present site is designed to (1) include additional information on people mentioned in the book, (2) inform the reader about some of those not included in the book, and (3) at times discuss individuals in cemeteries other than those in the Eastside Complex.

A view of San Antonio National Cemetery showing the graves of Major Hardie Voilland, his wife Aurora, and their son Raoul in the center. The couple's only child, Raoul was only twelve when he passed.

Karl Beck

Professor Karl Beck was born in Ilmenau, Thuringia, on 23 April 1850. After studying music, he enlisted in the 34^th Prussian regiment as a musician (oboist) at the age of sixteen. During the Franco-Prussian War he was taken prisoner. After the war he studied music at the conservatory in Leipzig. In 1875 he arrived at the Philadelphia Exposition as the leader of a military band and traveled throughout the country before returning to Germany. Mr. Beck worked with orchestras in Germany and France. In 1880 he became assistant leader of the Eden Theatre in Paris. That same year he moved near Bordeaux, until April 1884, when he returned to this country and was chosen to lead a musical festival in San Antonio. Afterward, he was elected leader of the Beethoven Maenerchor (a German men’s singing society) and soon formed Carl Beck’s Military Band which played at least weekly at locations such as Scholz’s and Muth’s gardens. Near the end of the nineteenth century he spent fifteen years in El Paso before returning to San Antonio shortly before his death on 2 October 1920.

Professor Beck was buried in San Antonio's City Cemetery # 4. Note the beautiful symbol of the Beethoven Maenerchor gracing the gravestone.