Local historian, John Sellers, served as one of the tour guides for Sunday's Cemetery
Walk, and told some interesting facts about the Sulphur Springs City Cemetery.

 

Genealogical Society Hosts
Annual Cemetery Walk, Sunday Afternoon

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

Seven of the "residents" of the Sulphur Springs City Cemetery "came to life" on Sunday afternoon, as the Hopkins County Genealogical Society hosted their annual Cemetery Walk. "With over 7,000 people buried in the cemetery, it was hard to choose just seven to highlight on this tour," advised local historian, John Sellers, as he welcomed those in attendance. "But, we think we've selected seven very interesting people, for you to enjoy their history!"

Those in attendance met:

 

Rev. Thomas Emory Sherwood - who was elected the third mayor of Dallas
after it was incorporated, and served as and ordained Methodist Minister
for 33 years with the Texas Methodist Conference.

 

 

 

 

Susan June Buford Thomas - the wife of William "Buck"
Thomas, who was an early successful businesswoman,
establishing the Buford and Thomas Mercantile Store in
1857. Her step-father was Captain William Buford, who
organized and outfitted several Civil War Units from Hopkins County.

 

Captain L.D. King - who was married to Mary E.
Hopkins, daughter of early pioneer Eldridge Hopkins.
He was a prominent Sulphur Springs criminal attorney
and the father of Professor Sam J. King, who founded many local schools.

 

 

 

Elizabeth Askew Buford - the daughter of Mr. & Mrs.
John Askew, of the Bethel Community, she married
John Christopher Buford, son of Captain William Buford.
Their son, William Askew Buford, founded the Askew &
Buford Drug Store.

 

John Edward Askew - an Indian fighter, stagecoach driver,
and participant in the Lincoln County, New Mexico, cattle
wars. He died in 1945, following an adventurous life, in the
home of his niece, Lizzie Askew McDonald.

 

 

 

 

Nancy "Nannie" Miltner Dabbs - who was born in Virgina
and became the wife of John W. Dabbs. She was the founder
of the Sulphur Springs City Cemetery Association, in 1887.

Major Claiborne Birthright - was the founder of
the Hopkins County town of Birthright and was a native
of Virginia. He moved his family to Texas in 1865 and
settled on Morgan Creek. The town still bears his name.

 

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