CURTIS & MARGARET STEPHENS

Across the Fence

The Hamilton Herald-News

November 19, 1981

By Arvord Abernethy

Another former Hamilton County pair is exercising their wings as they make plans to fly back to their old roosting grounds north of Evant. Curtis and Margaret Stephens are building themselves a lovely home this side of Evant.

The Stephens left their farm in 1957 and moved to Mansfield where Curtis has worked for some time with the McLean Trucking Company and Margaret has worked for Texas Instruments. Now they are having a Home, with a capital H, built where they can settle down and enjoy the fruits of their labors.

They have selected an entirely new site for their home. It is back in cove of the mountain north of Evant, and part way up on the side. They level off a spot and built retaining walls next to the hill and at the front or the terraced yard. This location gives excellent protection from the cold north winds, yet all the benefits of southerly breezes. And the view from the front porch is magnificent. As you look out across the pastures and fields, you can almost see forever.

The Stephens selected for the walls of their home, the tan and blue-gray rock very similar to that in the Riley Funeral Home. It was found east of Hamilton. Mr. Yeager of Goldthwaite did the rock work. It’s too bad that a black and white picture can’t reveal the real beauty of the walls.

Downstairs is a large living-dining area and from it; stairs lead to the two upstairs bedrooms and bath. At one end of the big room is a large steel-jacketed fireplace which Curtis said was largely for the pleasure of seeing an open fire. At the other end of the room is one of those modern wood heaters which will be the main source of heat for the downstairs as well as the upstairs. They also have a wood heater in the kitchen area. Both of these heaters are on rock hearths and have low rock walls near them for safety and also to hold heat far into the night.

Off the living room is the master bedroom with its large bath. Curtis has his own bath near the utility area where he can clean up when he comes in from work without having to go into the main house.

Curtis was born in Ireland, Texas, when his father, Robert Stephens, was teaching school there. Mr. Stephens also taught at Aleman one time. Margaret was also born in Coryell County, so both will be near their birthplaces when they get settled back.

Curtis and Margaret both attended school in Evant, but it took a special school program at Ireland, which they both attended, for them to really meet and get that spark of romance glowing in them. That proves the old saying, “The grass always looks greener in the other school’s yard”.

The Stephens have two sons and both are employed and living in the Fort Worth-Dallas area. Right now they only have one grandchild to brag about and spoil when he comes out to enjoy the grandparents’ new home.

I saw an odd structure in the yard, so asked about it, it was a round rock wall about two feet high and two feet across; not large enough nor high enough for a cistern or dug well top. Curtis said that it was where he was going to place his flag pole, which he had already bought, and he showed it to me as we walked back down the hill to the pickup. He describes himself as a flag man; he likes to fly Old Glory during the week in respect for the country he admires, and the Christian flag on Sunday in appreciation of the cause for which they are thankful.

The Stephens are Baptists.

ACROSS THE FENCE 

Shared by Roy Ables