The Rambo Family DocumentsThe Rambo Family DocumentsAll information on this page was furnished by the Wood County Genealogical Society. We thank them for their consideration.
[The following information consists of a handwritten, un lined yellow paper, undated document.]
The State of Texas } To the Hon'l James
County of Wood } S. Hogg Presiding
} Justice of Wood County
Your petitioner of informant William Willingham would respectfully represent unto your Honor that he believes J. H. Rambo a resident-Citizen of Wood County is now Non Compas Mentis and that the welfare of his family requires that he be placed under restraint.
W. L. Willingham
J. R. Price
State of Texas vs. J. H. Rambo. July 29, 1874. Charge - Insanity.
Mr. J. R. Price being introduced and sworn as witness for the state says:
My name is John R. Price - my father's name is G. H. Price and my mother's name is Phoebe Price - I know John H. Rambo - He is my brother in law (John H. Rambo) the party before the court. I am the oldest living son of G. H. & Phoebe Price.
I have known J. H. Rambo for twenty odd years, was first acquainted with him in Floyd Co., Ga. He married my sister Mary P. Price in Floyd Co. Ga. In what year I can not remember exactly. I now live in wood county about a mile and a quarter from John H. Rambo. When J. H. Rambo married my sister I took him for a sane person. I have lived near him for four years this fall. I visited him often during this time and had frequent conversations with him and his family. Up to the time he moved to Texas he treated his family well and becoming, except some bitter family quarrels. I was with them frequently during this time. I noticed a change in his conduct towards his family and others some six months since. Sometimes during this last winter I was at his house and they (Mr. Rambo & Wife) were quarreling when I entered the house. [Page 2 begins here] I heard him call her a liar several times although I did not know what they were quarreling about. At that time I got up. I left and got on the gallery. Something else was said but I don't recollect what. I have been there frequently in the past six months and there seemed to be no good feeling in him towards her. He used different languages in his was of rough speaking and closed his fist over. I had a conversation with him (Rambo) last Monday morning about splitting up my father's estate and asked him to sign certain papers. He said he would not have anything to do with his wife's business. He said she was not his wife at that time never would be and wanted it distinctly understood that they were two persons, that he was John Rambo and she was Mary, and as division of her property he would have nothing to do with it nor would he have anything to do with it. As well as I can recollect John H. Rambo and Mary P. Price have (Page 3 begins here] been married about twenty seven years, they have seven children the oldest one is twenty one years old, and Monday morning last he told me that he would have nothing to do with his wife's business and would have revenge with spirits of hell. This conversation took place here at my house. I was at his house last Sunday and reached there before he did. He came up after I got there and asked his son Kinchin Rambo where he was going. Kinchin replied he was going to town with his Uncle John. J. H. Rambo says to him you can not go put your mule up. He asked the witness what he was going for. I told him I was going after medicine for my children. Rambo asked, are you going after officers? I replied to him again that I was going after medicine for my children. He then replied. I asked you emphatically if you were going after the officers for Mary? I told I was not going after the officers, but if necessary I could go after them. He said if you are going after the officers [Page 4 begins here] the man that brought them and the officers themselves were dead, damned and in hell when they came to the gate. I said John hold on. I am not after any fuss or difficulty. I don't want any nor don't seek a difficulty with any body. Rambo said I don't want a difficulty either, for I have been ran over and trampled upon as long as I intend to stand it. He said he intended to protect his property and stuff as long as he lived. I dont blame you for protecting your stuff, I told him. I then asked if I had harmed him in any way, he said not that he knew of. I asked if I was welcome to come to his house, he said yes as long as you behave yourself. He said you or any body else may come with buoy knives and pistols or anything else, I don't fear any body, but intend to defend myself. I then turned my horse away and he went off jawing and mumbling something, I don't know what.
About the time he said the person and officers who came to arrent him were dead, damned and in hell, I told him that he was not the judge nor God that he did not know these things. He said he did know that he was right. [Page 5 begins here] He said when he knew a thing he knew it as well as any body, he was right and the world could not turn him. I don't say that he and his family lived in peace and harmony up to the last six months, nor that they have lived in peace and harmony during the last six months.Mr. G. D. PRICE being introduced and sworn as a witness for the State says:
I am a brother-in-law to J. H. Rambo - he married my sister. He and my sister his wife moved to Texas, Fannin Co. in the later part of 1853. They moved to Wood Co. in 1855 and had at that time 3 children. I live in Wood Co. I have been here (Wood Co.) since 1855 except during the war. The treatment of Rambo to his wife up to the time he moved to Wood Co. was very good so fas as I know and I was near them all the while. I don't know how he has treated his family for the last short while. [Page 6 begins here.] during last winter I was with him and waited on him. He said there were men there hunting him to kill him. I know of no personal difficulties pending between him and others. He told me about a difficulty he anticipated with a negro he had hired. This was last winter. When I was present at his house he had but little to say.
S/ G. D. Price
Sworn and subscribed before me this the 28th July 1874
James S. Hogg
PJWC
C. B. WILLINGHAM being introduced and sworn for the State says:
I am acquainted with J. H. Rambo, have known him since about 1854-55. I have known him and been with him off and on up to this time. I know all his family - am not related to him, as I know of. I live in about a half-mile of him at present and have lived near him since 1869 except about 8 months, but during that 8 months was backwards and forwards and saw him frequently. I am acquainted with his wife and children, the [Page 7 begins here.] lady whom he called his wife and their children that ever have been called his so far as I know, six in numbers, four daughters and two sons, two of the daughters and one son belong to the same church I do (Myrtle Spring Baptist Church) Mr. Rambo belongs to the same church since the organization of said church. He has always been a thorough-going energetic man both as a church member and as a business man until near the close of the past year. Since that time there has been a marked difference which commenced with his afflictions during the past winter. During the time of his afflictions, I was with him nearly all the while for about eight (8) weeks. dduring this time he seemed as religiously devoted as I ever knew him except at intervals. Had always seemed orderly and exemplary in his family. His wife and children seemed ever to be the delight of his love - their welfare I mean. At intervals he seemed to lose all respect both for himself and for them. When admonished about anything, which to his friends seemed amiss the Admonition was always apparently kindly received and he seemed to lament his waywardness, asserting [Page 8 begins here.] that there was a cause for his condition. Then which he asserted was caused by drugs given by his wife and others. That in addition thereto he asserted that there was concerted plot on the part of his wife and his daughter Phoebe and R. P. Mayo. That in the conspirace and in endeavoring to put that conspiracy into execution, his daughter with a pistol in her hand came to the bed where his wife and infant daughter and he were lying, when he exclaimed my god what do you mean. He said he saw no pistol. R. P. Mayo jumped up, and sayed (trying to quiet him) Rambo what do you mean. He then replied it was but another effort to take his life. All of which I gather from him personally, asserting at the same time in connection that his wife and others determined upon his destruction and murder rested upon their hands, that they would stand charged before courts of heaven with the charge of murder and would never enter the courts of heaven unless she confessed to him that she had previlusly had intimacy or carnal intercourse with various different men, that he held the keys [Page 9 begins here.] of heaven and she would never enter there, and he intended to see to it. These and similar expressions I have heard him make at various different times. During the time I spent with him last winter he seemed to suffer the most intense fear of being murdered by parties outside of the house and would not permit the windows or doors to be open either day of night. The greater part of the time would not leave his room on any occasion without some person with him. Neither would he permit all the persons who were staying with him to leave the room at the same time explaining as a reason that his life in the most eminent danger, that he believed those who were there were his friends. That they would stand to and abide by him to the last. He seemed to have the utmost confidence in the efficacy in the prayers of his wife and that if she continued to pray incessantly and fervently that she could save his life. I heard these and similar expressions used by him at various different times during his sickness or affliction. At times he seemed to lose all confidence in himself and every body else nearly and seemed astonished as to the cause of his condition at that time, [Page 10 begins here.] attributing it to the effect of drugs given to him, charging his wife with being accessory thereto. He exhibited something, which he said he believed was poison in two different papers. I do not remember at this time how he said he came into possession of them, for some considerable time, the major part, he would neither take food, stimulants, medicine nor frequently water unless the person who carried it to him would first take part of the same, offering as a reason that there was a deep malicious hidden plan on foot to take his life. Neither would he permit any personto enter the room where he was unless those within communicated to him (Rambo) who the persons were that wished admittance and frequently would have persons who sought to be admitted to into another and different room; Sometimes refusing absolutely their admission at all, but those who stayed there most seemed to have his entire confidence the greater portion of the time, except in the giving of medicine, food as above alluded to when it seemed that his fears were so aroused that he was unwilling to receive at their hands unless they first tasted and partook of the same. He (Rambo) [Page 11 begins here.] would frequently during the time above alluded to, walk out with me into the field and about the horse lot and yard. His sole theme of conversation was in relation to religious matters, the salvation of his sole, etc. except when he would introduce the subject of his fears, of persons taking undue advantage of him, whom he supposed to be lurking around outside of the house, sometimes calling those within the house to look and see if there was not armed persons around the house. Lately Mr. Rambo has been visiting my house almost daily coming as any other neighbor would inquiring the health of the family.
CROSS EXAMINATIONI quit waiting on and attending upon Mr. Rambo sometime after Christmas. During the time I waited on him he slept less than any man I have ever waited upon. When I discontinued waiting upon him he was better.
S/ C. B. Willingham
Sworn and subscribed before me this the 29th July 1874
S/ James S. Hogg
PJWO
[Page 12 begins here.] R. P. MAYO a witness for the State being sworn says:
I am acquainted with J. H. Rambo. I have known him since sometimes between the years 1840 and 1850. I am not related to Mr. Rambo. I live in about 3/4 of a mile from him. We came to Wood County together in 1855. I have been with him a great deal of the time since I became acquainted with him and have had opportunities of observing his conduct during the time. I noticed his conduct from sometime in November 1873 until shortly after Christmas following. Previous to last winter Mr. Rambo's conduct was good both as a citizen and towards his family and neighbors. Up to that time I never saw him mistreat his family or his neighbors: He never made any complaint against his wife. Sometime in November last Kinchin Rambo the son of J. H. Rambo came over to my house and requested me to go over and see his father, that he was very bad off. When I arrived Mr. Rambo was sitting on the portico with his feet on the doorstep. He was apparently in great agony, he said that he was suffering very much with his head, that his business and his church matters were all tangled up. After talking with him sometime he went into tha house at my request. Kinchin Rambo, Mrs. Rambo family and myself got Mr. Rambo composed: I remained with him that night. I saw no mistreatment by Mr. Rambo to his family.
[Page 13 begins here.] On Friday night following, I was sent for again to go over and see him. When I arrived Mr. Rambo his wife and Lizzie Harry were out in the yard between the house and gate. Mr. Rambo at times would talk very loud and at other times very low. Just as I got to the fence he remarked that there are those men coming now to kill me. I spoke to him and called him by name. He then ordered me to go in the house tht I had no business there that God was there and that it was his house. He ordered me to go in it and stay there: After I got in the gate I started towards him to try to compose him and he said God was doing this work and the thing must be settled right then. I passed on by them and when to the gallery. I found Mr. Willingham there. Mr. Rambo still continued talking in the manner above stated. At times Mr. Willingham and I would speak to him to try to compose him but he on some occasions when we spoke would say: There you have confused everything: I heard him asking his wife and Lizzie Harry to make acknowledgment of something but they would not do it. He said God said the thing must be settled there and he spoke it in a boisterous manner. Frequently when any person came out of the house or there was any noise about the house [Page 14 begins here] He would make the same remark about everything being confused. During the time that Mr. Rambo his wife and Lizzy Harry were in the yard Mr. Willingham and I sent after help, and William Willingham came. We went directly up to him. We got him in the house and got him composed by promising him that we would go back with him into the yard. I spent more or less time with him for two months. Mr. Rambo would walk the floor and turn around suddenly and slap his hands and say there is a God. I cannot tell all that was said during the two months. On Saturday morning following the Friday night above mentioned, after breakfast he and I walked out to the gate and we held a long conversation and he told me he believed that his wife had drugged him and caused him to be in the condition in which he was. I endeavored to reason with him and convince him that he was not drugged but he still held to the idea that he was. He remarked as to her virute no man could bring anything against her. He never seemed so boisterous after that Friday night but would frequently afterwards remark that there were plans laid to kill him. He appeared wild and frightful and would say that he was afraid to stay by himself for fear that someone would kill him. At other times he would appear to be more composed and converse with his neighbors when they came by.C. B. Willingham and William [Page 15 begins here.] Willingham and I were the principal parties who were with him during the two months. Other parties were there sometime. We were there day and night during the two months. The conduct of Mr. Rambo was not abrupt towards his family. At some time in December he would pick up books and place them promiscuously about the house, sometimes in my lap and then in Willinghams and so on. Sometimes he was whistling. He would walk up to the glass and look at himself and throw both hands up to the sides of his head. He came to me and had me pull off one of my shoes and put on his, he took mine off in the room and after a while came and got the other. About this time Dr. Hunt came in but just before he got to the door Mr. Rambo lay down on the bed. Directly, he arose from the bed and began the same maneuvering and as Dr. Hunt went to leave he told him he could take that peice of bridle, saddle blanket and saddle also if he wanted it. I have not seen him making any effort to support his family since that time. Previous to that time I never saw a man more energetic and work harder than he did to support them. Sometime in April or May Mr. Rambo called at my gate in company with his wife. He remarded to me that I had said something at the church house for which he held me personally responsible for before the Civil Authorities, [Page 16 begins here.] That I had said that he was a man of unsound mind and that he intended to make me prove it. I told him that was all right that I thought it would be very easily done for his conduct now proves it. He and I never had any jar between us previous to that time, our relation was perfectly friendly. Since that time I have not been about his house, but have been in his company frequently.CROSS EXAMINATION
During the summer and fall of last year Mr. Rambo appeared to be in bad health. I have seen him frequently since last spring and he would converse as any other man.
S/ R. P. Mayo
Sworn and subscribed before me on this July 29th 1874
James S. Hogg
PJWC
W. L. Willingham a witness for the State being sworn says:
I am acquainted with Mr. Rambo. I was with him last winter off and on for three weeks during the time he was sick. He accused his wife with being too intimate with R. P. Mayo, C. B. Willingham and Dave [Page 17 begins here.] Price (her brother). He also accused his wife and R. P. Mayo of having given him poison. I do not know personally of any act of violence committed by Mr. Rambo upon his family.CROSS EXAMINED
It was during the time I waited on Rambo in his sickness that I heard him speak about his wife being too intimate with the persons above mentioned.
S/ W. L. Willingham
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 29th July 1874
S/ J. S. Hogg
PJWC
William R. Blalock witness for the State being sworn says:
I am acquainted with J. H. Rambo. I have known him for 12 or 15 years. Sometime last winter I went over to Mr. Rambos to sit up with him. I sat up with him nearly all night. Mr. Rambo slept about two hours, he was continually moving about from one place to another and doing many foolish things. He moved little vials and spools of thread and other little things from the fire board to a bureau, backward and forward for a number of times. He put his shoes out in front of him between him and the fire and every few minutes he would set them about four feet a part and then place them together again. He did this as many as a dozen times. He swept a clean place near the fire and laid a sock in it. He poured water on it and called John Brittan and made him take it out of the house. He made John Brittan stay in the kitchen that night until he (Brittan) went to bed. I never heard Mr. Rambo speak any hard things about any persons until recently. I heard him speak about his wife about a week ago. He said that his (Rambos) wife and Mayo were guilty fo adultery by having intercourse with each other. He said this act of adultery was committed by his wife and Mayo last winder during his illness and that he could have seen it but he turned his back to keep from seeing it. He said his wife was guilty of adultery with Dr. Jones (a dentist). About a month ago Mr. Rambo sent for me and I went over to see him: Shortly after I got there he and his wife were quarreling, he was charging her with adultery with Dr. Jones. About a month ago I was at Myrtle Springs Church and Mr. Rambo was there. He talked more than he usually did at church and was called to order several times.
(CROSS EXAMINED)
He and his wife were quarreling after I got there. He was having outs when I arrived. It was [Page 19 begins here.] about Christmas tht I stayed all night at Mr. Rambos, the times mentioned above.
S/ W. R. Blalock
Sworn and subscribed before me this the 29th July 1874
S/ J. S. Hogg
PJWC
Dr. W. L. Bailey witness for the State being duly sworn says:
I am a practicing Physician. I have been practicing medicine for twenty odd years. I have to some extent been an observer of unusual persons. I have known John H. Rambo seven or eight years. He did not look natural out of his eyes (That was weeks ago) but talk with good sense. I think if the facts stated by the witnesses are true that Rambo was laboring under mental aberration at that time last winter. From my experience, the theme of conversation most generally among persons suffering mental aberration is religion. Their animosities are mostly toward their own families. Two or three weeks ago I saw Mr. Rambo at Mr. Hendricks he looked unnatural out of his eyes but talked sensibly. He seemed to be exited from the difficulty he had with the Prices. A very small percent of those who suffer mental aberrations ever recover.- - - - End of trial transcript - - - -
(Mr. Rambo was found Not Guilty of Insanity.)Miscellaneous papers:
Citation
A. Willingham vs. Heirs of Price
The State of Texas,
To the Sheriff or any Constable of Wood County--GREETING:
You are Hereby Commanded to Summon
Martha Rambo and Jennie Rambo
to be and appear before the Honorable District Court of Wood County, Texas, at the regular term thereof, to be holden at the Court House, in the Town of Quitman, on the 12th Monday after the Last Monday in February A.D. 1880, then and there to answer the Plaintiff's Petition, filed in a suit in said Court on the 5th day of December A.D. 1879, wherein Avey Willingham is Plaintiff and John R. Price, K. R. Price, J. B. Price, E. J. Grice, W. S. Grice, A. J. Russell, Solon Russell, Winnie A. Mapes, Joe Mapes, Martha Rambo, Jennie Rambo, G. D. Price, and David Rambo are Defendants. File number of said Suit being No. 103.
The nature of the Plaintiff's demand is as follows, to wit; to substitute an order and decree of the District Court Wood County Texas made at the March Term 1874 directing a division of 640 acres of land part of the Hazard Anderson Survey of 12 1/2 labors of land situated in Wood County Texas fully described in a deed made by Reuben Herndon to G. H. Price and dated the 13th day of December 1856 attested by A. Fitzgerald and Solon Duncan, among the heirs of G. H. and Pheby Price. Also the Report of the Commissioners to divide said land; And the order of the Court to sell said land and divide the proceeds thereof among said heirs, and the Report of Sale by G. D. and J. R. Price adm's and the deed from said Administration to C. B. Willingham to Blocks No. 13 and 14 of said land. All of which were destroyed by fire in 1878.
Rome, Ga. February 6th 1882.
Dear Son & family
It has been a long time since we have heard any news from you. Frankey has been looking for a letter for a long time and so have I. Yesterday was my birthday. I was full 80 years old and had intended to write you then, but company prevented. We are all able to be up and about, but I am failing very fast, and suffering under heavy afflictions. Your Ma is in her 75th year, but keeps up much better than I do. And it is a blessed fine thing that she does. And little Frankey helps us a great deal too. Sometime ago he got a fall and nearly or quite broke one bone in his right arm just above the wrist, and O how we did miss his help. His Pa is now living on my place, but Frankey still lives with us. William Rambo moved here the 20th of December. They had five rude boys, and they staid in the house with us one week till their bedding came. And we had a noisey time of it, - too much so for me. Poor Will is still badly afflicted with fitts and his mind is considerably impaired. He rents 15 acres of land from me this year. But he has no hog, no horse, no cow, no funds and no supplies, So you see he will be a heavy burden upon me. I lacked $200.00 of paying out old scores, and now I am afraid my indebtedness will be increased rather than diminished. On the 31st of Jany Will's wife brot him another boy, and counting Frankey that makes 19 Rambos on this place. Ansel's family are all well except perhaps the mumps. But poor Henry has had a distressing time for several months. He lost one grown Daughter, Florence, on the 19th of Nov. and his Son Tommy has been lying at the point of death for a long time. At last accounts he was thought to be some better, but not able to turn himself in his bedd. Nearly all the family had the same fever. A good many persons have died with it in this County. The Doctors could do nothing with it. We have had very strange winter so far. Rain nearly every day this year. Two small Freshets, but no damage done, like I read of in other places. Your old Uncle Tommy Foster and his family are in a helpless condition and greatly to be pitied. And Thomas A. Foster (Greeds Brother) committed suicide last September - he took heavily of Laudanum and then Shot himself twice. Hammonds' folks were all tolerably well when I heard from them last. John was rather complaining as they say he generally is in winter time. They sent us a sack of very nice dried peaches lately and some green apples. - a very acceptable present. For our peaches last year nearly all rotted on the trees just before they got ripe enought to dry. We have a new Post Office now at Cunningham's Station called "Agate, Floyd County, Georgia." And we hope to get a letter from you soon, directed there.
And we remain as ever.
Your affectionate Parents
Kinchin Rambo
Mary Ann Rambo
I have just got a letter from Henry -- his married Daughter Mat. had a fine Son, but Tommy is still very low -- has night Sweats and palpitation of the heart. - not able to sit up - been confined to his bedd 71 days - his case almost hopeless.