“T Hay Hell” has become our little family fun logo……..based on a story about my g-g-g-grandfather, Thomas Turl Loader, from a Bosque County biography by Ed Nichols * ………….
In the late 1860’s, schools were scarce in Bosque Co, and Ed Nichols would ride his horse, to the nearest school, in order to get an education. When he was nine years old, he went to school in Iredell, and lived with Thomas and Mary Ann Loader………this was most likely, on the corner of Mill & McLain streets, where their store, “Loader, Downing & Co”, stood…….this included a Post Office, also, during the 17 years that Thomas was Postmaster…….
Ed enjoyed his time with the Loader’s, and spent some happy hours, hunting and enjoying the beautiful Bosque countryside with their youngest son, George Texas (so named, because he was born in Texas…………the Loader’s migrated from England, in 1850).
Because of their accent, Thomas and Mary Ann called Ed, “Heddie”. It seems that they added an ‘H’ sound before various letters of the alphabet………..Thomas would greet Ed, with, “Top o’ the morning to you, Heddie!”
And, so we come to the title of this story………once, when Thomas asked Ed to look for some of his cattle, he told, Ed……… “Well, Heddie, if you see any cattle branded T Hay Hell, with a T on top of the Hay, and the Hell out to one side……bring them to me”……….
Ed found out that the brand was actually, an “A” with a “T” on top, and the right hand prong of the “A” extended to make an “L”……..
From what I have heard, this little story has entertained quite a few listeners, and I am, certainly, one of them……..I am so happy that Thomas and Mary Ann shared their home with Ed, and that he shared his memories of Bosque Co, for all of us………
T Hay Hell !
Suzy Martinez
9-15-2000
A big ‘thank you’ to Gene Blakley for introducing me to this story, and other interesting info re my LOADER ancestors, and others, in Bosque County…….
* “Ed Nichols Rode A Horse”, As told to Ruby Nichols Cutbirth, Texas Folklore Society, 1943