Frelsburg

Frelsburg, Texas, May 17, 1881
Yesterday the members of the Gesang Verein held a meeting for the purpose of electing officers for the year beginning with May 1, and for fixing a day on which to hold their annual feast. Dr. F. Becker was elected President; Wm. Frels, Vice-President; Robert Duerr, Treasurer; A. Fahr, Secretary. The society also selected a committee to arrange the programme for the Volksfest, which is to be held on the 11th day of June.

Colorado Citizen, May 19, 1881, page 3

News Specials; Frelsburg, Colorado Co., Tex., Dec. 26.--On Christmas night F. Liska lost his barn, all his corn, cotton seed from nine bales of cotton, wagon, cultivators, plows and two horses by fire. Two mules, though badly scorched, and one bale of cotton were saved. He had just bought the farm and finished moving on it.

Weimar Mercury, January 5, 1895

Frelsburg, Texas, April 28.—The heaviest rain that has fallen here this season fell yesterday. The Pieper’s creek was about two feet highter than last June and only six inches lower than the the rise of 1869. However, water rushed throught the main street of town. E.H. Moeckel, who is doing a saloon and grocery business in the lowest portion of town, had his sugar barrels and destructible articles on the upper shelving and counters, though water did him no harm.

Weimar Mercury, May 5, 1900, page 1.

Galveston News Special: Frelsburg, Nov. 20.—While out hunting W. E. Pophanken accidentally shot Mr. August Frenzel in the face with bird shot. One shot took effect in the left eye and one in the chin. Mr. Frenzel is reported as resting easy and his eyesight will be restored.

Weimar Mercury, November 27, 1908, page 1

In spite of it drizzling rain which ceased but was followed by it unsettled weather, the opening of the Centennial Celebration and Dedication of the Marker at Frelsburg, this county, last Sunday was witnessed by an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 1500 people.

The celebration was held as an honor to German pioneers who founded Frelsburg and settled that section of Colorado county in the 1830’s, and it was in memory of the early German settlers that the monument was erected by the Texas Centennial CommIssion.

The celebration was officially opened with a parade at 11 o'clock, which was judged the finest ever to be staged by a town the size of Frelsburg. It was led by two local horsemen carrying large sized Texas and United States flags, and these were followed by the American Legion of Columbus. Float were entered by three local schools, the Herman, at Frelsburg, the Zimmerscheidt and the, St. Joseph's school. Each of the floats was decorated in red, white and blue, carrying out the Centennial color theme.

A beautiful Spanish float, carrying five pretty maidens, was entered by Pisek. Among other attractions in the parade were an ancient ox cart, a covered wagon, an old-fashioned buggy, and a girl attired In the riding habit of the gay nineties and riding a side-saddle.

The parade formed at the Herman Seminary school grounds and entries stopped at the Marker, where Baca's New Deal brass band of Fayetteville played "Star Spangled Banner."

One of the biggest entertainment features of the afternoon was public speaking in three languages, which began at 2 p. m. with Mayor O. A. Zumwalt of Columbus, as chairman. A German address was delivered by Anton Buxkemper Sr., one of the oldest citizens of Frelsburg. This was followed by a very interesting talk in English by the Hon. Henry Richter of Houston, a relative of the late General Jacob F. Wolters. It was, mainly, through efforts of the late General Wolters that provisions were made for erection of Centennial markers throughout the State, honoring German pioneers.

The third speaker was Judge C. W. Schmidt of New Uim. who spoke in the German language. Judge Schmidt delivered an interesting historical talk concerning Frelsburg, its early and its present settlers. Judge Schmidt will always be remembered as the donor of sign, "Centennial Marker." upon which is hand-painted a medieval plow on one aide and a modern tractor on the other. His address was followed by " America," rendered by the Baca New Deal band, The final speaker was Willie Walla of Frelsburg, who spoke in Czech, thus. making it possible for everyone Interested to fully understand the speeches concerning the history of Frelsburg.

The well attended dance at Heinsohn's Hall at night, when Baca's New Deal Orchestra furnished the music and 224 tickets were sold, marked the closing of the celebration--the most successful one ever staged in a town the size of' Frelsburg.
The people of Frelsburg are thankful to all who attended and to all who in any way assisted In making the celebration its big success.

Eagle Lake Headlight, October 30, 1936, page 1

By Mrs. Walter Moeckel

One of Frelsburg's oldest and the last old landmark will be torn down and removed beginning this week. It is the old Dr. Bernhardt Fehrenkamp clay brick home and medical office which has been of much interest to young and old folks alike.

Much of history of this old landmark was told by the late Fred Fehrenkamp, Dr. Fehrenkamp's son but he said his notes could not be accepted as authentic but from hearsay. He said Stephen Austin becan[sic] colonizing this territory in about 1821 and the earlier settlers in Frelsburg began arriving in about 1830. Among the early settlers were the names Jordt, Leyendecker, Juergens, Zimmler and Georg. In 1834, Capt. Wm. Frels arrived and with him was my own great - grandfather, Lt. Ludwig Von Roeder and his large family, who decided to remain at Cat Spring which is another interesting story.

Capt. Wm. Frels, however, did not remain here but joined the army for Texas Independence and participated in the storming of the Alamo. In 1837 he was back in Frelsburg and decided to lay out the town. With him was Peter Peiper and both had much to do with making this a town, It was first called Krae Winkel (Crow's Nest) and they decided on a new name. In a vote between Frelsburg and Peipersville. Frels, a Lutheran, won by one- vote. Peter Peiper was a Catholic. Today it would be another story as the Catholics outnumber the Lutherans about 10 to 1. Peter Peiper donated land for the Catholic Church and Frels donated the land for the Lutheran Church, Cemetery and the Herman Seminary School. Capt. Frels was the father of the late Elo Becker's mother and he is buried in Frelsburg Lutheran Church Cemetery,

The old Dr. Bernhardt Fehrenkamp building was built in 1860, but this, too, is hearsay, but it was built over a hundred years ago by a man named Malsch. Clay for the handmade bricks came from 3 or 4 miles southeast of Frelsburg. In building the home, bricks were placed in two different ways for strength. A veranda facing southward was trimmed with fancy millwork banisters. Inside, a winding stairway led to the second story which held old handmade wooden beds and wardrobes.

In 1888 Mr. Malsch was murdered and his widow sold the home to Dr. Bernhardt Fehrenkamp and his family. Old Dr. Fehrenkamp graduated in 1876 from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and came to Industry to practice, later moving to Frelsburg. His first office was in the old L. H. Brune store building which no longer stands. Dr. Fehrenkamp married Miss Helene Hillje and after his wife's father died, he assisted in managing the Hillje estate which included a cotton gin. The Fehrenkamps had 6 children, 3 sons died early and when we knew about them, only Fred Fehrenkamp lived alone in the Duncan, Oklahoma, and Mrs. Nora Heinsohn of Carmine, all of them deceased as far as I know.

My son and I visited Fred Fehrenkamp often in the old home, he was a graduate of Tulane University, a graduate of Engineering in 1912. He was always surrounded by books and magazines . He gave us the history of Frelsburg as he knew it and once showed us with pride the sheepskin awarded him when he graduated from Tulane University.

Fred Fehrenkamp related that Frelsburg had a post office until 1907 or 1908. The first post office was in a log office preceding the brick office, it was later moved to Heinsohn's Store. Henry Frets was the first mail carrier who carried the mall in a gig to New Ulm and Pisek about twice a week for the rate of $15.00 a year.

In showing us his home, Fred Fehrenkamp proudly showed us his father's medical office. He said his father was excellent in treating typhoid cases. The old office held rows of bottles still in the shelves, tin apothecary scale, medical books, and a big jar almost completely filled with teeth he had pulled. My husband recalls the Doctor had pulled all his mother's teeth and I know some of my brothers also had him pull teeth. Dr. Fehrenkamp was short - tempered and very outspoken, but loved by everyone who knew him. He delivered babies and was a fine doctor. My father-in-law, Emil Moeckel, owned a saloon and dance hall nearby, the dances sometimes lasted from dusk to daybreak. All men had to remove their guns and bolsters, but when things got out of hand, knives were used and good Dr. Fehrenkamp was there to patch up the victims/ Willie Walla, who recently observed his 100th birthday was an alert youngster at that time and he still recalls many ot the early happening.

The old Fehrenkamp building held much fine antique furniture which I recall, such as a marble topped table, a parlor setee, a walnut whatnot and many fine old wardrobes, sewing machine, etc. which was long since removed. Fred Fehrenkamp was a distinguished-looking man with a goatee beard who preferred to stay at home and read until late at night by his kerosene lamp. Every evening he came to Heinsohn's Store and indulged in a few beers. When his mother Mrs. Helene Fehrenkamp died in 1949, my husband was honored to be one of the pallbearers. Dr. Bernhardt Fehrenkamp died in 1928. I'm sorry to say I never knew him, but we will miss the old landmark.

The place was bought by Harry Chavanne from Houston and he will probably build a home there now. Mr. Chavanne said he would like to know who removed the jar full of teeth, it would be an interesting keepsake.

In writing this, I forgot to mention there was also a deep cellar, probably a storm cellar. I didn't care to explore It as it was full of spiders.

New Ulm Enterprise, March 11, 1982, pages 1 and 2