HISTORY OF OUR OFFICE BUILDING

The Purifoy building (formerly known as The Fisher House) is one of the oldest homes in Temple.

In 1974 Al Purifoy began researching the history of the house. He received the following letter from Curtis Fisher who grew up in the house:

7-18-74

Gentlemen:

Thanks for your nice letter and the stamps. At first stamps were really hard to come by, but since one can order by mail it makes it handy for invalids who can't get about. I've been in bed some 6 years - heart condition.

First - Robinson and Cloud. The business came from Campbell Ins. Co. - Chas. Campbell, I believe. Maynard Robinson was with the Federal REserve Bank in Dallas. He and his brother in law, T. J. Cloud bought the Company, situated on 2nd floor old City National Bank Building, next the elevator. I was employed in the Engineering Dept. of the Santa Fe when the "Depression" struck. Of the 24 men all but 4 were released on December 15, 1931. After Christmas I was employed by Robinson and Cloud. The company later took over the W. F. Wayland Ins. when they became bankrupt. It was on a "work-out" basis. I remember we got Home Ins Co in the deal. After a year or two I went back to the engineering with The Texas Hwy. Dept. I went back and worked on Saturday for Mr. Robinson when he wanted to go to Dallas, tho he had a new girl.

The house was built by John W. Hill as a home for his wife and 2 daughters, Marie and Edith. My house was built at the same time 1881-2, but my house was not so well built as it was a Boarding House. The Railroad men had to have a place to live. My house was originally a Spanish type. 2 rooms upstairs and down with a long ell in the back - 4 rooms with veranda as upstairs and down. It was painted red like a Section House.

My father's name was J. N. Fisher. He rented the house tho my mother tried to get him to buy it. I do not know who bought the house as Mrs. Hill owned it when we live there and lived with us a number of years. The name Curtis Fisher (engraved on the front window) is mine. My 2 brothers were grown when I was born and both loved me very much. One of them gave me a lovely diamond ring on my 10th birthday. Someone told me if it was a real diamond it would write on glass - it did. My mother was very put out with me, but left it. That was 70 years ago.

I can't remember who lived there after us but it was later bought by Dan Greer. During one of the early Armistice Day celebrations, with the streets full a fire broke out. The southside firetruck came up Main Street and at the same time some fool woman in a surrey full of kids pulled out into traffic. In order to miss them the truck veered into an unpaved area in front of the Maples Fish Market, struck Mr. & Mrs. Greer. She was killed instantly and he was taken to Scott & White Hospital. Both legs were eventually amputated, but since he had gas bacillus gangrene, he died. The house was marie's, just a kid and she went to Lampasas to relatives.

Then Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius bought the place. Mrs. Cornelius died and it went to the son Aubrey and the second wife, from whose Estate I imagine you bought the place.

My house was operated as a boarding house by a Mrs. Griffin. She was Mrs. Frank Thompson's (Edna) grandmother. You probably know Edna. Frank was business manager for years at Scott and White. Edna was a Miss Fleming - her father a Santa Fe Engineer built a lovely home at the corner of 7th & Central - since torn down.

I grew up in the neighborhood, but at 81 am just as alert as I was at 40 or less.

You may be sure I'll come down if I ever get back home, even tho with my "walker". My sincere thanks for your interest in an old house I hold a deep affection for.

Sincerely,

Curtis Fisher Watters