Ghosts of Lampasas County
Historical commission sets stage for Tuesday event

PHOTOS BY JANE McMILLIN Robert Oliver and Janie Perkins pause after a dress rehearsal of "Ghosts of Lampasas County," directed by Janie Potts and sponsored by the county historical commission. The program is Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the courthouse.

When the courthouse clock strikes 7 on Tuesday night, ghosts from Lampasas County's past will begin to appear in the district courtroom. One by one they will tell their tales of bygone days when the county was on the edge of the Texas frontier.

The eerie accounts actually will be told by actors directed by Janie Potts in the upcoming "Ghosts of Lampasas County," an event sponsored by the local historical commission in observance of Texas Archaeology Month. The public is invited and admission is free.

Lampasas County Judge Wayne Boultinghouse, dressed as a 19thcentury undertaker, will serve as master of ceremonies. Other local favorites in period costume will portray early settlers of 11 towns and communities throughout the county.

For his performance next Tuesday night, veteran country musician Roland Schaub will trade his singing and guitar playing for a speaking part as the ghost of John Burleson, who for his service in the Army of the Republic of Texas received a land grant and chose the spot where the city of Lampasas would one day be situated.

Lampasas County Judge Wayne Boultinghouse gives his top hat a trial run as he prepares for his role as master of ceremonies -- and 19th-century undertaker -- for the Tuesday night program.

For her role as the corncob pipe-smoking Julia McCrea McAnelly, Janie Perkins will read from an actual McCrea letter that contains an eyewitness account of an Indian raid near McCreaville in the late 1800s.

Phyllis Poehlmann will portray Georgia Millican, wife of cowboy evangelist Leander Millican, who founded School Creek Baptist Church and went on to establish numerous churches in West Texas. He also helped organize the annual Paisano Baptist Encampment for the ranchers and cowboys of the Davis Mountains.

Robert Oliver will reprise his role as Reuben Senterfitt from last year's Potts-directed hit, "Music from Little Mountain," Lometa's salute to the 150th anniversary of Lampasas County's founding. Old Rube will tell the story about the downfall of the once-thriving community that bore his name.

Gladys and Jack Dickison practice their roles as Hannah and Moses Hughes, Lampasas' first permanent settlers. The Dickisons are among the cast of Tuesday night's production.

Vanita Craft will appear as the ghost of Margaret Taylor, second wife of Judge Daniel Webster Taylor, who served as chief justice (county judge) of Lampasas County during the Civil War. Taylor Mountain (also known as Cheyenne Mountain), which dominates the area in and around Kempner and Taylor Creek, are named for the pioneer judge. Some of his descendants live in the area.

Gladys Dickison, who has appeared in movies and nationally televised productions, and husband Jack, will portray the ghosts of Hannah and Moses Hughes, Lampasas' first permanent settlers. Initially attracted by the area's mineral springs, the Hugheses eventually settled on a ranch near Nix.

Other performers will include local attorney Pat Millican as the ghost of John Gibson, the ghost of Bend, and John Davis as Harvey Maxwell, the ghost of Lometa (and Mrs. Potts' great-great-grandfather). Shad and Shawna Hill will portray the ghosts of James Milan Chadwick and his dancing partner at a long ago soiree at Chadwick's Mill.

"Can you hear me now?" asks Roland Schaub, mimicking a popular cell phone commercial during a recent rehearsal as the ghost of John Burleson in the upcoming "Ghosts of Lampasas County" to be at the county courthouse.

Stories also will be told by Charles Fields portraying his greatgrandfather, Henry Childs Fields of Adamsville, and Betty Poe as Leone Patterson Walton of Moline.

To add to the fun, Mrs. Potts created the character of "Tempus Fugit," the ghost of fleeting time, who will impose a five-minute limit on each story. Ms. Fugit will be played by Lila Goodson.

Music will be provided by "The Many HaHas," violinist Phyllis Poehlmann and pianist Vicki Saulter, who will play popular songs of the 1800s and help set the mood. They also will enforce the five-minute limit on each story by striking up the tune for the next ghost.

"The Many HaHas" get down to some serious tuning during practice for Tuesday's historical presentation. Phyllis Poehlmann on violin and Vicki Saulter on piano comprise the duo.

"This program should be a lot of fun and help us know more about our past," said Jeff Jackson, chairman of the Lampasas County Historical Commission.