Two simple homemade concrete tombstones with hard-to read white lettering are located in a family plot in the Sterling City Texas Cemetery. The larger tombstone reads simply "Fan Ledbetter Guimarin," no birth or death dates are inscribed.
Research at the Find-a-grave website (
visit link) lists this person as Frances Ledbetter Guimarin, born 28 Apr 1892 in Hallettsville TX, died 6 Apr 1936 in Big Lake TX, spouse S.D. Guimarin and father A. A. Ledbetter.
We cannot find any information on whether the baby buried next to Fan is her child.
According to Find a Grave (
visit link) her husband Spencer Daniel Guimarin died on 28 Dec 1955 in Terrell TX. The informant on his death certificate was the Terrell State Hospital, the main state psychiatric hospital for many decades.
From the Terrell State Hospital website: (
visit link)
"History of Terrell State Hospital
. . . It all began, officially, on February 16, 1883, when the 18th Texas Legislature enacted a statute introduced by Judge John Austin. The word "asylum"--by the original definition--was a place of refuge and safety and that, at best, was the primary service offered by mental facilities in the United States at that time.
Governor John Ireland commissioned the purchase of 672.65 acres of land located east of Terrell and offered by Jim Harris. This would be site for the branch asylum and the new institution was to be known as North Texas Lunatic Asylum. Its stated purpose was to provide treatment and care for the "chronic incurable insane" of the state's northern counties.
. . .
Construction was completed and the new hospital was opened on July 14, 1885, with the admission of the first patient. . . .
During the first year 330 patients were admitted from 46 counties. The next year the number increased to 387 and continued to increase correspondingly through the years.
By 1920, the institution had undergone a virtual rebuilding and had grown to a population of 2,300 making it the largest hospital of its kind west of the Mississippi River.
None of the original buildings still stand, but the fountain in the circular park--recently repaired and restored to use--remains from the original construction. The plan of the grounds, though much expanded, is similar to the original layout; and the park-like beauty of the grounds has been preserved and enhanced. Constructed in 1927, the present administration building is similar in its multi-storied design to the building it replaced, an indication that hospital architecture changed little during that span of years.
Since 1885, the institution has had three names that reflect changes both in attitudes toward mental illness and approaches in treatment. The name North Texas Hospital for the Insane was adopted in 1888 and used until 1925 when Dr. George Powell, Superintendent, requested that the name be changed to Terrell State Hospital.
. . .
There have been major improvements planned and completed at Terrell State Hospital in recent years at a cost of many millions of dollars. The changes, over a period of years, have transformed this pioneer hospital into a modern psychiatric facility that serves 21 counties in the north and northeastern part of the state." [end]