BRIEF HISTORY OF CONFEDERATE WOMEN’S HOME.
FANNIE FERGUSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.
The Thirty-fourth Legislature made appropriation of $20,000 to erect a hospital for the Confederate Woman's Home. With this amount an attractive, substantial, fireproof building of stone and cement was erected. The building is two full stories with ample basement, equipped with all modern appliances and conveniences, including two large wards, office, pharmacy, waiting room, ample halls, sleeping porch, operating and sterilizing rooms, ten private bedrooms, two dining rooms, adequate kitchen and pantry, linen rooms, two large storerooms, four well furnished bathrooms, and morgue.
The amount appropriated being insufficient to furnish and equip this building, Governor Ferguson granted deficiency appropriations to the amount of $4000 for the purpose of furnishing and equipping the hospital, which amounts have been expended for that purpose.
This beautiful and long needed hospital is called the Fannie Ferguson Memorial Hospital in honor of Mrs. Fannie Phillips Ferguson, mother of Governor James E. Ferguson, who was born at Wetumpky, Alabama, November 9, 1839. Mrs. Ferguson, who died September 28, 1915, during the first year of her son's administration as Governor of Texas, was the wife of Rev. James E. Ferguson, a minister of the Methodist church, and a soldier of the Confederacy, he having organized the First Victoria Cavalry Company, serving as its captain throughout the war between the States. Mrs. Ferguson herself, by nursing the soldiers and extending care and kindness to those in hospital, prison and on the march, gave service to the Confederacy. As a tribute of appreciation to Governor Ferguson for his continued interest and genuine assistance and kindness extended to this institution, the management of the Home named the hospital in honor of his mother, and appropriate entablature and memorials have been placed in the hospital.
Source: Fifth Annual Report of Board of Managers and Superintendent of the Confederate Women’s Home, Austin, Texas, From September 1, 1915 to August 31, 1916; published 1916; Pg. 7
GOV. FERGUSON’S MOTHER DIED.
Temple, Tex., Sept. 28.-Within a stone’s throw of the home to which fifty years ago she came to Bell county with her husband, Rev. James E. Ferguson, an itinerate Methodist preacher, soldier and flour miller, all that was mortal of Mrs. Fannie Fitzpatrick Ferguson, mother of the Governor of Texas, was buried this afternoon in historic Salado Cemetery, near the town which by one vote missed the distinction of being chosen as the Capital of the State.
Loving friends in large numbers came from the countryside around and from more remote points, to pay the last tribute of love and affection to the memory of a saintly woman. From Austin in a dozen automobiles came members of the State’s official family, while Temple, Belton, Holland, Bartlett, Rogers and Waco furnished large quotas of mourners. The body was laid to rest beside that of the husband who died nearly forty years ago, the casket being smothered in a wilderness of fairest flowers.
The services at the cemetery were marked with simplicity, being conducted by the Rev. E.R. Patterson, the Methodist minister at Salado, while the church choir sang two hymns that were the favorite of Mrs. Ferguson in her lifetime. Surrounding the bier were all the surviving children, Governor James E., Alvah F., with whom she had made her home lately; Prof. A.M., of Sherman, Joe Lee of Hale Center, the four sturdy sons, and the only daughter, Mrs. Pope Morgan of Haskell.
Captain J.T. Fitzpatrick of Waco, the only brother of the deceased and the last direct descendant of the family, was also present.
Fannie Fitzpatrick Ferguson was born in November 1839, and had she lived would have celebrated her seventh-six birthday next November. At the age of 16 years she was married to the Rev. James E. Ferguson, after whom her son, the Governor, was named. After residing about ten years in Victoria county the family moved to Bell county, then unorganized and a part of the district of Milam, where the home has been continuously for the last 50 years.
Mrs. Ferguson died at the old home which was founded by herself and husband nearly a half century ago. Death resulted from a general breakdown and collapse which was first noticed about ten days previous.
Source: The Bartlett Tribune and News, Bartlett, Texas, Friday, October 1, 1915; Pg. 6
NOTE: Frances Phillips “Fannie” Fitzpatrick, d/o Alvah Fitzpatrick and Mrs. Catherine (McGowen) Vickers; md. James E. Ferguson, 16 Dec. 1855, Victoria Co. TX.
