H.R. No. 70
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Current and former residents of Ables Springs, in
Kaufman County, celebrated the Ables Springs Cemetery centennial
homecoming on July 16, 2017; and
WHEREAS, The community of Ables Springs is situated on land
that was granted in 1838 to Ezekiel Ables; Mr. Ables's son and
daughter-in-law, James and Eliza Ables, settled on the property in
1853, and in 1878 they donated approximately nine acres to the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South; in addition to using that land
for campground meetings, area residents built a tabernacle, church
building, and school there and also established a cemetery; the
first known burial took place in 1880, and a number of Civil War
veterans were subsequently interred in the graveyard, which was
designated a Historic Texas Cemetery by the Texas Historical
Commission in 2002; the cemetery has continued to expand over the
years, and today it remains a place where residents can lay their
loved ones to rest; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with ties to this close-knit community
have been coming together for an annual homecoming celebration
since 1917; this year's gathering, organized by the Ables Springs
Cemetery Association, featured a lunch, a memorial service, and a
cookbook sale that helped raise funds for cemetery maintenance; and
WHEREAS, The Ables Springs Cemetery has played an important
role in the community for nearly 140 years, and this special
occasion presents a welcome opportunity to recognize this historic
site; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commemorate the 100th
anniversary of the Ables Springs Cemetery homecoming and extend to
all the members of the Ables Springs Cemetery Association sincere
best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the association as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Gooden
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 70 was adopted by the House on August
15, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House