The Mural - a short history lesson; Remembering Jack

The mural depicts some of the original buildings in what we now know as Keller. In 1881, a druggist in Tarrant County designated some land north of Fort Worth for a town, known as Athol. In a deal with Texas and Pacific Railroad, the town name was changed to Keller in honor of the first foreman, John Keller. Streets within the original 40 acres still bear the name given in 1881. Mrs. Flemster's hotel (although not the original owner) was the first hotel with meals and a room for 25 cents each. The only remaining building depicted is the bank. Although there was some physical evidence but no written records, it is rumored there was a Pony Express stop on Old Denton Road. (Source: Wild Rose: A Folk History of a Cross Timbers Settlement, Keller Texas by Joyce Gibson Roach - for sale at the shop).

I feel compelled to write of a tragedy experienced by my favorite cousin this week. Her husband left in his plane to embark on a weekend of his favorite past-time of fishing. After a stop to refuel, he was killed in a plane crash far away from home. The cause is not yet known but witnesses state the pilot purposely steered the plane away from houses and into a wooded area so as to avoid any human injury. One man was so moved that he found a way to locate my cousin - he told her he was forever thankful; her husband was a hero and no doubt had saved many other lives. The community has made a memorial at the site. It gives me continued hope to know that there are still people that can reach out to strangers to give them comfort and peace in their hours of despair. This compassion has given my cousin untold comfort now and surely in the days to follow. Go with God, Jack.