Palo Alto College

San Antonio, Texas

Helena, Texas Interview

    Source:  Mrs. Coate (volunteer and curator of Karnes County Museum)

    Date of Interview:  October 12, 2001

    Current Residence:  Kenedy, Texas (seven miles away)

    Amount of Time Lived In The Helena Area:  35 Years

     

1. How long have you (or did you) live in Helena?
   • Mrs Coate has lived in the area for 35 years. She had visited Helena several times for years long before she ever moved here. Her daughter, who has a master's degree in History, was the curator of the Karnes County Museum up until a few months ago. Mrs. Coate took over a few months ago as curator so her daughter could pursue other things.

        

2. What do the townspeople do for income in Helena? What types of jobs?
   • Some work at the Conley Prison, which isn't far from here. Most depend on local businesses in Kenedy and Falls City (grocery stores and restaurants) A few are schoolteachers.

        

3. Did they have to commute to another town or city to get to their place of employment?
   • All have to commute to somewhere. Several commute to and from Beeville and San Antonio to work.

        

4. What crops were grown in Helena 35 years ago? What crops are grown now?
   • Corn and Hay was grown then and now. Also livestock was and is still a source of income for some here.

        

5. What was the approximate population when you lived in Helena (or when you first moved to Helena)?
   • Very similar to what it is today. However in Helena's prime there were over 300 homes here. Now there are approximately 30.

        

6. What is the current population?
   • Approximately 30 homes or families.

        

7. Do you feel that Helena has grown as a town, died, or stayed the same today compared to when you first moved to Helena?
   • There were probably less then. Recently a few families have moved into the area (school teachers).

        

8. What businesses were open when you first moved to Helena?
   • A gas station, which is closed now. Another gas station, which is now a bar. The only business open in Helena today is a bar.

        

9. Would you say that the town is segregated today ( if so, in which way: race, financial, other)?
   • The only segregation present today would be the separate cemeteries for Mexicans and Whites. Everyone gets along with each other and all of us think of each other as family.

        

10. Do you know if the town has ever been segregated and in which ways?
    • Very segregated and racial in the past. There were slave quarters in Helena back then and may people owned slaves.

         

11. While researching the history of your town some articles I ran across told of a "Mexican school" where others did not. Is this a true facility or not.
    • Definitely separate schools. There was the Mexican School and The White School

         

12. Do the townspeople of today think the courthouse was stolen from Helena during the middle of the night? If no, was that ever the thought and why?
    • Oh yes. All believe that the county records were stolen from Helena. Helena's citizens paid an armed guard to protect the records from being stolen by Karnes City (it had been elected the new county seat). The armed guard was seen sitting on top of the records with his gun as the records were driven off to Karnes City. Everyone here definitely believes "The courthouse was stolen from Helena by Karnes County". Nobody holds a grudge nor are we rivalries against each town. That was 100 years ago.

         

13. Many articles report that Helena is a "ghost town" or that the town is dead. Do you agree or disagree and why?
    • "I'm alive- the people next door are alive. Yes, we are aware that Helena is thought of as a ghost town."

         

14. What caused the death of the town?
    • The railroad bypassing Helena.

         

15. During my research I ran across three different stories as to the death of the town? What is your belief as to why the town died?
    • Emmett Butler was believed to have stolen a horse and cattle. He came to town and went to a bar and started drinking. The Sheriff came to confront Emmett and Emmett started shooting at the Sheriff, hitting him several times. The Sheriff shot Emmett once in the leg. As Emmett mounted his horse to escape most of the townspeople opened fire on Emmett. Over 40 shots were fired. The Sheriff and Emmett both died. Emmett's father William rode into town demanding to know who the killer was. The town honestly did not know since so many townspeople were firing off so many shots at Emmett. Since the killer was not produced William Butler vowed to "Kill the Town that killed my Son". Helena had been raising the $35,000 the railroad needed along with the land when all of this happened. William Butler gave the railroad $35,000 and donated some of his land for the railroad to bypass Helena. Helena had raised $32,000.

         

16. Is this the popular belief of most of the other townspeople?
    • Absolutely, this is the true version.

         

17. Do you or others ever talk of the "what might have been" where Helena is concerned? What actions should have been taken to keep Helena alive and prosperous?
    • The only thing that would have kept Helena alive is the railroad. Daily Mrs. Coate hears talks of what could have been by the local townspeople.

         

18. What would it take to revive Helena or is it possible?
    • Not possible. The only thing of worry now is the hope that we could get state or county help with the museum. The museum is pretty much an open-air museum. Without climate control the books, fabric and such are going to deteriate and nothing will be left. The Ruckman home has one side painted however no more money is available to paint anything else. We are fighting vandalism right now. On two different occasions someone has vandalized the Ruckman home. One of the times a shutter and a window was broken. Since the home is a historical site, any repairs have to be done out of the same type of materials that was first used. The house is built out of Florida cypress and it will cost $2000 to fix the shutter. Two of the doors have been kicked in before and someone used one of the upstairs beds for who knows what. Items were moved from one room to another.

         

19. What if any are the most popular legends or stories about Helena?
    • The Helena Duel, "The Toughest Town on Earth", ghosts at the Ruckman home mainly, the gunfight with Emmett Butler, and the circus elephant, Black Diamond, was killed around here after it had killed two people

         

20. Does the museum get many visitors? If so, what sort of people comes and what are their interests?
    • Between 500 and 800 people come. Some are senior citizens and some school trips come as well. Mrs. Coate can see new deterioration daily, and donations are greatly needed as they receive no county or state funding.

         

21. What keeps you here?
    • The love of country life and the love of place. Some stay because they are property owners.

         

22. What would you like me to definitely include in my project about Helena for the entire world to see?
    • "Come See Us Y'All"