COUNTY LIFE

Search for tombstone’s home finally concludes

Published

10 years ago

06/11/2016

(Left) Jeanette Findley and her mother, Jean Miller, the last remaining relative of Ila Mae’s generation, stand with the tombstone. (Photo by Dani Blackburn)

By DANI BLACKBURN

A little girl’s original 97-year-old tombstone is being returned to her grave after a decade’s long search for the owner.

The only little girl in a family full of boys, Ila Mae Miller was born April 21, 1911 as the oldest child of John and Dena Miller.

She passed away just shy of her eighth birthday on Jan. 16, 1919, from the Spanish Influenza. The autopsy showed the little girl had pneumonia in two of her lungs.

Her original tombstone, believed to have been stolen, sat in the evidence room of the old Montague County jailhouse. When the new jail was built in 1980, the tombstone was left behind in what became the Old Jail Museum.

The stone has sat all alone at the bottom of the metal staircase, waiting to be returned where it belonged.

That search was over this week as descendants traveled from Oregon to retrieve the stone for Ila Mae. Read the full feature in the weekend News.

Top photo: Jeanette Findley smiles as she touches her ancestor’s long lost tombstone. (Photo by Dani Blackburn)

COUNTY LIFE

Sept. 22 is the first day of autumn

Published

37 minutes ago

09/22/2026

bowienews

According to the Farmer’s Almanac the autumnal equinox 2026 falls on Tuesday, September 22, at 8:04 P.M. EDT. Most Texans hope it is a signal for cooler temperatures, but that may be a bit longer.
Equinox marks equal day and night as the Sun crosses the celestial equator.
Astronomical fall starts at the equinox; meteorological fall begins on September 1.

When Is the First Day of Fall 2026?

The fall equinox and the first day of autumn arrive on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 8:04 P.M. EDT in the Northern Hemisphere. The equinox occurs at the same moment worldwide. .

Year	Autumnal Equinox (Northern Hemisphere)	Autumnal Equinox (Southern Hemisphere)
2026	Tuesday, September 22 at 8:04 P.M.	Friday, March 20
2027	Thursday, September 23 at 2:00 A.M.	Saturday, March 20
2028	Friday, September 22 at 7:44 A.M.	Sunday, March 19
2029	Saturday, September 22 at 1:37 P.M.	Tuesday, March 20

Note: Dates listed above are based on Eastern Time (UTC-5). Due to time zones, the date of the equinox may differ by +/- one calendar day in your location.

COUNTY LIFE

Tribute to the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks

Published

2 weeks ago

09/10/2026

bowienews

Inside today find a special section Remembering 9/11 on the 25th anniversary of this pivotal day in America’s history.

This section provides an hour by hour account of that day to inform those who may not familiar with the details. We pay tribute to all those who faced the attacks and helped save those in danger from all walks of life. May this tribute remind you of all America lost that day and how the country moved forward.

COUNTY LIFE

Art of the Song adds youth art events

Published

3 weeks ago

09/03/2026

bowienews

Area young people from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to take part in the Art of the Song Young Visual and Performing Arts Exhibition on Oct. 10 during the annual music festival in Nocona.
Entry is free and artists may enter up to three pieces of artwork. One entry must be music-related, while the other two can be any art medium or genre. Drop-off artwork from noon to 6 p.m. on Oct. 7 at 103 Clay Street.
Art will be displayed starting at 10 a.m. on Oct. 10. Those with questions may call R. Marie Molsbee, 940-887-0165 or horse.power.ranch.nocona@gmail.com.
The performing arts portion will be at Bitters & Sweets, 206 Clay Street. If you have a child who loves to sing, dance or play an instrument or perform? Let them share their talents in a performance at the Art of the Song.
Those interested in the performing arts program may contact Carla at 940-765-5619 or carlad@bittersandsweetsbar.com.