Caledonia West1

b. 22 September 1869, d. 21 February 1940
FatherJames West
MotherEliza Jane Sorrey2 b. abt 1832
Birth22 Sep 1869 Caledonia West was born on 22 Sep 1869 in Rusk County, Texas.3 
Name Other She was known as "Callie." 
Marriage1 Mar 1888 She married Walter Clark Gardner, son of Jeremiah Caleb Gardner and Margaret Montgomery Edmiston, on 1 Mar 1888 in Somervell County, Texas.3 
  She was 18 and he was 41. Callie's sister Florence was married to Walter's nephew Samuel Gardner McCamant.1 
Cens-19008 Jun 1900 Callie and Walter lived in Granbury, Hood County at the time of the 1900 census. Walter worked as a stock grower; Callie reported that she was the mother of 4 children, all of whom were living.4 [this count does not reflect the birth of her eldest son Willie who died before 1900] 
Residence1907  Around 1907 Callie left Walter in a home she owned in Granbury, and with their youngest son moved to Walnut Springs in Bosque County [2 counties to the south of Hood Co.]. Walter had lost an arm in the war and struggled to support the family on his own. 
Cens-191022 Apr 1910  There she was enumerated in 1910, working as a seamstress and providing a home for her 11 year old son Toby and her mother, Eliza. Callie's entry states that she was widowed and the mother of 6 children, 4 of whom were living.5 
  In reality Walter was not deceased but was living back in Hood County with their older sons Walter and Edwin. Walter's entry lists him as divorced.6 
Cens-19203 Jan 1920  The situation was much the same in 1920 with Callie still living in Walnut Springs. This year she was listed as divorced. Toby now worked as a locomotive fireman. Eliza's mother was still present as were 5 lodgers.2 
  Walter was enumerated twice in 1920, once with his widowed sister Marguerite [Virginia] Johnson and once as the head of his own household (both in Granbury, Hood Co.). In both instances his son Walter was present. In the second situation, Walter and Callie's daughter Eliza (Gardner) Ker and her family were also present. In 1910 Eliza and her husband had been living in Walnut Springs not far from Callie.7,8 
Widowed17 Aug 1924  Walter died in August 1924. 
Cens-19308 Apr 1930  Six years later, in April 1930 Callie was enumerated again. She was 60 years old and owned her own home which was valued at $2,500. She was still employed as a dressmaker. But now, instead of her younger son Toby living with her, Walter, who had previously been with his father, had moved to Walnut Springs and was working as a machinist helper in the railroad shops.9 
Military1 May 1930 The following month Callie applied for and later received a pension from the state of Texas as the widow of a Confederate soldier.10 
  But 3 years later things started to get complicated. The Confederate Pension Bureau began to receive annonymous typed letters stating that Callie was not entitled to a pension because she and Walter had not lived together for years. They also stated that Callie did not speak to Walter, did not attend his furneral, never spoke kindly of him, etc., etc. 
10 Apr 1933 In response, on 10 Apr 1933 Mr. George H. Sheppard, the Comptroller of Public Accounts for the state of Texas directed the State Treasurer to stop payments on Callie's pension.11 
10 Apr 1933  On the same date Mr. Sheppard wrote Callie in Walnut Springs advising her of the stop payment and asking if she had been separated from W.G. Gardner at the time of his death.12 
12 Apr 1933  Apparently aware of what was brewing, Callie had written the comptroller on April 10th, stating he would receive a letter from a Mr. Doyle explaining her relationship with her husband [Doyle was commander of the "Granbury Camp" a part of the U.C.V., a Confederate Veterans organization].13 
11 Apr 1933  What Callie didn't expect was for Mr. Doyle to tell the comptroller that "she ran old Walt off while they lived here, and never lived together as man and wife after."14 
  Then began a series of letters to the comptroller on Callie's behalf. The letters generally stated that Callie had gone to Walnut Springs with the full consent of Walter because the family was struggling financially and it was felt she could make a good living as a seamstress in Walnut Springs (sent money home for Walter, helped to educate children, very fine lady, etc.). Several letters wrote about how she returned to Granbury as often as possible to look after Walter who was disabled due to his Civil War injury. The correspondence included letters from her attorney as well as a Bosque County judge.15,16,17 
9 Oct 1935  Finally, in late 1935 the comptroller sent a letter to W.P. Bryan, a tax supervisor, asking him to investigate whether Callie's pension should be reinstated.18 
23 Oct 1935  Mr. Bryan visited Walnut Springs and was prompt in returning the results of his investigation. His letter to Mr. Sheppard, dated Oct. 23, 1935, outlined his opinion that:
- the attempt to remove Mrs. Gardner from the pension roll was the result of jealousy and small town spite
- Walter C. and Callie were never 'separated" nor did they "live apart" in so far as the man and wife relationship was concerned.

Although the "best people" of the town would not provide the details of the spiteful feelings against Callie, she herself had an opinion as to their source. She stated that she was providing an education for a granddaughter in Walnut Springs and paying for her music lessons. The girl's talent surpassed that of a child of another family and Callie's granddaughter won a music contest at the expense of the other child.

Mr. Bryan recommented that Callie's pension be restored.19 
23 Oct 1935  However the comptroller was not convinced. He wrote back to Mr. Bryan asking him to go to Granbury and investigate Mr. Doyle's letter.20 
16 Nov 1935  This he did and in November 1935 Mr. Bryan wrote the comptroller that he had learned that J.H. Doyle was a drunkard who had a fuss with Mr. Gardner over a grocery bill that Gardner could not pay. Mr. Doyle wanted Mrs. Gardner to pay the bill from her pension. Mr. Bryan did not think Mr. Doyle was honorable.21 
19 Nov 1935  Three days later the comptroller wrote Callie stating that they were unable to fully determine her right as a pensioner but had decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. Her pension was reinstated as of December, 1935.22 
  In hindsight, it is perhaps interesting to note that on the two census records created while Callie and Walter lived apart, neither of them indicated they were married. Each record indicates they were either widowed or divorced, although neither assesment was accurate. 
Death21 Feb 1940 Caledonia died of stomach cancer on 21 Feb 1940 in Walnut Springs, Bosque County, Texas, at age 70.23 
Burial She was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Walnut Springs.24 

Research Comment:

Walter's sister Susan (Gardner) McCamant and her husband William built a stone house in the 1870s outside of the community of Glen Rose [Sommervell Co.]. This is where Walter was living at the time of the 1880 census enumeration. The house was sold to a Booker family following Susan's death in 1896 and is still standing. Written local tradition states that 3 young Gardner children were buried near the house, their resting place not recorded until the Booker family placed wood stakes after they purchased the home. If that is accurate, just who were the parents of these children? There seem to be 3 possible scenarios:

1. Walter and Callie: in 1900 Callie's census enumeration stated she was the mother of 4 children, all of whom were living. That does not appear to be an accurate statement. In a letter written by Walter and Callie's son Toby in 1972 to Mr. Robert Gardner of Santa Clara, California, Toby stated that his parent's firstborn child was named Willie. Willie died young and is reflected in Callie's 1910 census entry which states that she was the mother of 6 children with 4 living (an unnamed son was born and died in 1903). It is possible Willie was one of the children buried on the McCamant/Booker property.

2. Walter's brother Caleb and his wife Ollie: the 1900 census states that Ollie was the mother of 9 children, 6 of whom were living. Two of those who were deceased were buried in the cemetery at Acton. Walter and Ollie lived in Granbury, Hood County so it is somewhat unlikely one of their children would be buried away from the others in Somervell County

3. Susan (Gardner) and William McCamant: although the tradition refers to "Gardner children" perhaps they were actually children of Susan Gardner and William McCamant and over the years the story simply became associated with their mother and not their father's surname. Susan died before the 1900 census so we do not know how many children she gave birth to, but we do know the 1870 census lists a daughter Susan who is not listed in 1880. On the other hand, it is also known that the McCamants kept a family cemetery across the street from the house (these children's graves were believed to be next to the house). Unfortunately any record of who was buried in either location is long since gone.

Related Links and Images:

Walter and Caledonia married in Somervell County which can also be located on the Texas map. Later they lived in Hood County where Walter died in 1924. During the latter years of their marriage, and following Walter's death, Caledonia lived in Bosque County.

Family

Walter Clark Gardner b. 30 Oct 1846, d. 17 Aug 1924
Children
Last Edited8 Dec 2013

Citations

  1. [S1644] Mary Taylor, "Susan Wells Gardner" in History and Families of Somvervell Co., Texas, 1875-2001, p. 310-11.
  2. [S1648] Callie Gardner household, 1920 U.S. cens., Bosque Co., Texas, pop. sched., Walnut Springs, ED 40, sheet 3B, dwelling 59, family 62, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2007, image 6 of 28. Enumeration includes: Callie Gardner, 49, Div, b. TX, dressmaker, T.C., son, 20, sgl, b. TX, locomotive fireman; Eliza J. West, mother, 88, Wid, b. Mississippi; also 5 lodgers; resid on 4th Street.
  3. [S1646] Application dated 1 May 1930 at Bosque Co., Texas, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
  4. [S1556] Walter Gardner household, 1900 U.S. cens., Hood Co., Ohio, pop. sched., Granbury, ED 92, sheet 10A (p. 249 stamped), dwelling 179, family 179, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2006, image 19 of 29. Enumeration includes: Walter Gardner, 51, b. Oct. 1848, marr 12 yrs, b. VA, parents b. VA, stock grower; Callie, wife, 30, b. Sept. 1869, marr 12 yrs, mother 4 children, all living, b. TX, father b. Georgia, mother b. Mississippi; Eliza M., dau, 10, b. Oct. 1889; Walter D., son, b. 8, May 1892; Edwin J., son, 5, b. Feb. 1895; Toby, son, 1, b. Jan. 1899; all children b. TX, all their father's b. VA, mothers: TX.
  5. [S1558] Callie Gardner household, 1910 U.S. cens., Bosque Co., Texas, pop. sched., Walnut Springs, ED 6, sheet 6A (p. 65 stamped), dwelling 110, family 115, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2006, image 11 of 28. Enumeration includes: Callie Gardner, 40, b. TX, wid, mother of 6 children, 4 living, seamstress; Toby, son, 11, b. TX; Eliza J. West, mother, 79, wid, b. Mississippi, mother of 9 children, 5 living.
  6. [S1557] Walter C. Gardner household, 1910 U.S. cens., Hood Co., Texas, pop. sched., Granbury, ED 34, sheet 7A (p. 176 stamped), dwelling 134, family 140, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2006, image 13 of 28. Enumeration includes: Walter C. Gardner, 63, divorced, b. VA, cattle buyer, father b. England, mother b. VA, owns home, not a farm; Walter B., son 17, laborer, odd jobs; Edwin, son, 15; both b. TX, father b. VA, mother b. TX.
  7. [S1647] Walter C. Gardner household, 1920 U.S. cens., Hood Co., Texas, pop. sched., Granbury, ED 24, sheet 10B, dwelling 224, family 238, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2006, image 20 of 28. Enumeration includes: Walter C. Gardner, 73, Wd, b. VA, laborer on stock farm; Walter D., son, 27, sgl, b. TX, farmer; Maggie Ker, dau, 29, b. TX; Sidney Ker, son-in-law, 37, b. TX, laborer, oil __; resid. is a farm; enumeration continues on top of page 203 (stamped) which was overwritten as 11A and filmed PRIOR to 10B (match dwelling and family numbers): Jack Ker, grandson, 9; Marcus, grandson, 8; Lucille, granddaughter, 5; Edna Earl, granddaughter, 3 2/12; Lorraine, granddaughter, 11/12; all children b. TX.
  8. [S1647] Margurete Johnson household, 1920 U.S. cens., Hood Co., Texas, pop. sched., Justice Precint 6, ED 30, sheet 3B, dwelling 64, family 65, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2006, image 6 of 12. Enumeration includes: Margurete Johnson, 78, Wid, b. VA, owns home, is mortgaged; Walter C. Gardner, employee, 74, Div, b. VA, Ranchman; Walter, employee, 25, sgl, b. TX, laborer on ranch; resid is farm.
  9. [S1649] Callie Gardner household, 1930 U.S. cens., Bosque Co., Texas, pop. sched., Walnut Springs, ED 15, sheet 5A, dwelling 134, family 128, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2007, image 9 of 17. Enumeration includes: Callie Gardner, 60, wid, owns home val $2,500, b. TX, dressmaker; cont. next page: Walter Gardner, 36, sgl, b. TX, machinist helper in RR shops; resid on 4th St.
  10. [S1646] Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
  11. [S1646] Letter, dated Apr. 10, 1933 to Hon. Charles Lockhart from the TX State Comptroller, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
  12. [S1646] Letter, dated Apr. 10, 1933 to Mrs. Callie Gardner, Walnut Springs, TX, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
  13. [S1646] Letter from Comptroller to Mrs. Callie Gardner, Walnut Spring, TX, dated Apr. 12, 1933, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
  14. [S1646] Letter from J.H. Doyle, commander of the Granbury Camp, U.C.V. #67 at Granbury, TX to Mr. Geo. Sheppard at Austin, dated Apr. 11, 1933, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
  15. [S1646] Letter from B.F. Word, County Judge of Bosque Co., TX, to mr. Geo. Sheppard, Comptroller at Austin, rec'd Apr. 22, 1933, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
  16. [S1646] Sworn and notarized statement of Earl Cogdell, Mrs. Earl Cogdell, D. C. Cogdell and W. Juliff, made at Hood Co., TX, and dated 20 Sept. 1933, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
  17. [S1646] Sworn affidavit of May Ramfield of Somervell Co., TX dated 1 Jan. 1934 at Somervell County, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
  18. [S1646] Letter from TX State Comptroller to Mr. W. Bryan, Tax Supervisor, dated Oct. 9, 1935, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
  19. [S1646] Letter from Mr. W. Bryan, Tax Supervisor, to Mr. Geo Sheppard, Comptroller, received Oct. 23, 1935, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
  20. [S1646] Letter from Comptroller to Mr. W. Bryan, dated Oct. 23, 1935, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
  21. [S1646] Letter from Mr. Bryan, Tax Supervisor to Mr. Geo Sheppard, Comptroller, dated Nov. 16, 1935, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
  22. [S1646] Letter from Comptroller to Mrs. Callie Gardner at Walnut Springs, TX, dated Nov. 19, 1935, Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.
  23. [S1646] "Application for mortuary warrant", Callie Gardner - Texas Confederate Widow's pension application no. 46481, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas. Includes statement of son, Tobe C. Gardner, also undertaker and physician.
  24. [S1777] Find A Grave Website (http://www.findagrave.com/index.html : accessed May 2012). Callie Gardner memorial #40491272, Oak Grove Cemetery, Walnut Springs, Bosque Co., TX (headstone photo reads: Callie Gardner 1869-1940).
  25. [S2945] Robert Gardner research, 2881 Pruneridge Ave., Santa Clara, California, 95051, email to: e-mail address ; Mr. Gardner cites a letter from Toby Gardner dated 6 Jan. 1972 from Cleburne, Texas in which Mr. Gardner stated that his father had 5 sons and a daughter. The letter states that Willie was the first born.
  26. [S2250] "Texas State Death Certificates", database with digital images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : downloaded May 2012). Mrs. Maggie Elizabeth Ker certificate #83100; family information provided by Mrs. Joseph J. Johnson.
  27. [S2250] "Texas State Death Certificates", database with digital images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : downloaded May 2012). Walter Dennis Gardner certificate #10507; family information provided by Mrs. W.D. Gardner.
  28. [S1663] "Hood County [TX] Register of Births, 1903-1928", database, Hood County [Texas] (http://www.granburydepot.org/home/HCGShomepage.htm : viewed Jan. 2007), child's name not provided; parents listed as Walter Gardner and Callie (West) Gardner (cert # 150).