Wilson County News, August 27, 2019
Story and Photos by Linda Sue Niestemski
"Come in and find your roots!" This is the theme the women running the Stockdale Museum share as they continue to organize and add to the museum on Main Street in Stockdale.
Clara Reyes Ortiz had trouble obtaining her birth certificate and went to the museum to see if she could find something there among the past that would prove her birth. This is how the "Lerma Ladies" were able to see their efforts come to fruition.
Susie Lerma, Pat (Lerma) Andruss, and Olga Lerma — who wouldn't give permission to use her name unless it was made known that she gives all credit to the Lord — have undertaken the challenge of bringing life back to the old building and its contents.
Shirley Dudley, curator of the Stockdale Museum, and Polly Stryker, a contributor and museum advocate, knew they should pass the torch to someone with more time and energy to give the historic building and its contents the attention they need. They asked Olga, who in turn convinced Susie and Pat to share responsibility for the task.
This led to the fateful day that Mrs. Clara told her husband, Roman, they were going to "go find her roots" as they walked into the museum for the very first time, looking for proof of her birth. The Stockdale native, born near Denhawken, did indeed find the proof she sought.
"We have a book of Dr. Ware's that has a bunch of the names of the babies she delivered and Mrs. Clara found herself in it," Olga said, with pride.
The museum — in the building that once housed Dr. Ella Ware's office — has more to offer than just the list of babies the "country doc" delivered. There is an entire display dedicated to Ware, the first female to graduate in 1899 from the University of Texas Medical Branch under the newly expanded four-year program, according to the Texas State Historical Association.
When you walk in the front door of the museum, it's like opening a time capsule. There are many artifacts donated by older generations of Stockdalians, including pictures and newspaper clippings found in drawers of relatives long gone, along with an old Navy uniform and a set of dog tags.
Visitors will find pieces, literally, of history from surrounding towns, such as Floresville and Sutherland Springs, and even as far as San Marcos. A single brick is labeled "1926 Floresville High School." A book, Summer Session of the Southwest Texas State Normal School —now Texas State University — dated June 1 to July 28, 1904, is tucked away in a desk drawer until there is time to research and display it.
Some displays honor former businesses, such as Smith's Drug Store of Stockdale and Linne's Meat Market of Sutherland Springs. An enclosed exhibit displays medicines from Smith's and old ledgers and receipts from Linne's.
But what visitors connect with the most are the photographs spread all over the building.
"There have been several people who point to an unknown photograph and say, 'Hey, that's me,' or 'Hey, that's so and so,' and then we start filling in blanks and can label some, like Bill Rosamond, from the parade," Susie said, referring to the boy who led the first Stockdale Watermelon Jubilee Parade in 1937. Now in his 80s, Bill recently visited the museum from his home in San Antonio.
This is why the "Lerma Ladies" keep working as often as they can on the museum. They want people to be able to visit and see where they came from, explained Susie.
"It's great to see the surprised looks and smiles on visitors' faces when they come in," Olga said. "But we need more people to start visiting, because we can only do so much without donations."
Much help has come from local businesses, with donations of supplies and display items, as well as donations of time. Polly helps as much as she can while operating her antique shop across the street. Mrs. Clara contributes, as well. Maham Corp. donated material and labor; and Carmen Kuhlmann has also been impactful with her support, the ladies said.
In fact, the trio coordinating the care and display of the museum can't give enough thanks to all who have helped and continue to help. They are currently working on a fundraiser, planned for this fall, that will help with things needed for the museum.
This triumvirate museum crew want people to visit Stockdale to enjoy the event. Also, they hope to see someone else discover a piece of their heritage in the Stockdale Museum.
Dr. Ella Ware
Dr. Ella Ware (1870-1958) was commonly referred to as the "country doc." It was her heart's desire to be the doctor for the community she was raised in, despite having the opportunity, as a well-renowned medical professional, to serve a larger population. She made house calls in a horse and buggy.
Due to the rural area of the Ware's practice, payment in cash was often replaced with livestock or a home-cooked meal. According to Stockdale Museum curator Shirley Dudley, Dr. Ware delivered more than 5,000 babies — some sources report 6,000.
She made a life taking care of families in Stockdale and the surrounding area. For that, she was highly revered. The community held its first "Dr. Ella Ware Day" in 1954, three years after her retirement.
In an editorial written after the famous doctor's death in 1958, Ware's dedication was summed up perfectly: "She died not a wealthy woman, but she was richer than any millionaire.