Alfred John Binks
Born October 14, 1870
at 6 Wilson Place, St. Pancras.
Alfred emigrated to the U.S.A. in November 1888, shortly after
his 18th birthday. A passenger list exists for the
SS Marseille,
which includes an
18 year old Alfred Binks - occupation: Clerk.
The steamship departed
from the
Alfred settled in Tarrant, Texas. Handwriting on the back of a photograph suggests that he was in Texas by 1889. Although most immigration to the USA was via New York Harbour, entry via the port of New Orleans was an easier route to Texas. Departing from Antwerp, Belgium may have been the most economical or only option for him.
Alfred bought land and one source states: 'Alfred raised horses and irrigated the land but a flash flood followed by rising of salt water to the surface of the land ruined it for him.'
Alfred worked variously for the 'Woodmen Of The World' (an Insurance company), and the Edison Company, opening offices in Central America, including Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Travelling with his young family to/from tropical climates may have contributed to the early deaths of two of his children, and his first wife.
Alfred often used his land as collateral for sizeable financial loans. These were probably necessitated by another occupation - as discovered in the 1900 US Census - Money Loaner.
Alfred lived an adventurous but ultimately a tragic life which ended violently in Australia on May 13, 1913.
The following is a chronological order of events relating to Alfred and includes notes by Evelyn Mankin and Alfred's grand-daughter, Darline Atkin.
1891, December 19, -
Alfred's sister, Easter Clara Josephina Binks arrives in Pecos, Texas.
1893, May 10, -
Easter Clara Josephine Binks, purchases 80 acres of land on Pecos River in Ward
County, Texas from either a C.H. or T.F. Hardeman for $210.00. (Vol 2, pg. 251
of Deed Records, Ward County).
(note. Evelyn Mankin's original notes add: 'In March
13, 1913, 40 acres was transferred.')
1895, Feb. 19, - Alfred receives Patent 574, 80 acres Ward County from Texas Gov. J.S. Hogg. (Vol 1, pg 45_ of Deed Records, Ward County.)
1896, March 19 - Alfred uses A.J.
Binks homestead as collateral for loan from Charles E. Nichols, (Vol 1, pg 38_).
1896, July 3, - Alfred purchases 80 acres for $500.00 from his sister Easter
Clara Josephine (Binks) Cranfill, (Vol 1, pg. 470, of Deed Records.)
1896 - Alfred elected Ward County
Commissioner of Precinct 4.
1897, April 7, - "Alfred, Englishman, living and raising horses in Ward County, marries Anna Belle Boswell, daughter of Wm. Edward Boswell I, a rancher in Ft. Worth, Texas."
Anna Belle Boswell was born January 17, 1875 at 'Rice Place', W.E. Boswell Ranch, Tarrant, Texas) in Fort Worth on April 7, 1897.
1898, Jan. 1, - Son, Homer Alfred Binks born in Fort Worth
1898, Feb. 14, - Alfred resigns from Ward County Commissioners Court (Court Minutes, Vol 1, pg. 247.
1899, Oct. 15, - Daughter, Anna Evelyn Binks born in Fort Worth
1900 US CENSUS - Alfred, Anna Belle, Homer and Anna Evelyn renting 119 New Orleans Street, Precinct No.1, Fort Worth City, Tarrant, Texas. Also at this address were Alfred's married (but probably separated) sister, Easter Clara Josephina Cranfill and her two children. Alfred's occupation: MONEY LOANER.
| Alfred in England? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Two passenger lists have been discovered
which include an Alfred J. Binks
The discrepancies in the two voyages (highlighted) above, indicate that there could have been two Alfred J. Binks' and neither of these may have been (our) Alfred John Binks. There is no evidence that Alfred John Binks was ever a Mechanic or a Journalist by profession. He was most definitely married to Anna Belle who at the time would have been pregnant with their daughter, Grace Gertrude. Nevertheless, Alfred had good reason to visit England. He'd left home at 18 years of age and had not seen his Father and siblings for nearly 12 years. He surely would have wanted to see his loved ones again, if it were possible. Evidence from the Passenger records themselves make Alfred's return to England likely. Binks is not a common name. 'Alfred Binks' is less common. 'Alfred J. Binks' is less common still. 'Our' Alfred John Binks was about 3 weeks short of 30 years old when the SS. St. Paul left for Southampton. He was closer to 30 than 29 years old, and may well have given his age as 30. He was certainly 30 years old by the time of the return voyage to New York. The marital status and occupation differences may simply have been errors. Accuracy may have been of less importance than speed to the official who completed the form. The probability of there being two individuals named 'Alfred J. Binks' seems highly unlikely, particularly as no other passenger list has been found that shows a return journey for the unmarried Alfred J. Binks (Mechanic), shown above. If it really is Alfred John Binks' name on both of these passenger lists, the two months stay in England would seem to be an appropriate period of time for a Son visiting his father and believing it to be his final good-bye. But questions remain unanswered. The marital status and occupation inconsistencies. If not mistakes, would Alfred lie about these? Why would he feel the need to? Would he really leave his pregnant wife and young children for 3 months? Why did he not travel with his sister, Easter Clara Josephina Cranfill? She too had not seen her family for many years. We will never know for sure if Alfred returned to England. All we can say from the evidence is that it is a possibility. |
1901, March 13, - Daughter, Grace Gertrude Binks born in Monterrey, Mexico.
1902 - Daughter, Myra Belle Binks born in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
1902 - Alfred and Anna Belle's Son, Homer, and Daughter, Myra Belle, both die in Monterrey, Mexico and are subsequently buried there.
1904, Oct. 30, - Daughter, Opal Eloise Binks born in Del Rio, Texas.
1905, July 26, - Alfred's wife, Anna Belle dies of Diphtheria and Membranous Croup. She is buried at the Perry Addition of West Lawn Cemetery, Block 3, Lot 15, Del Rio, Texas.
Alfred's Marriage to Blanche May Carver
| Sometime after the death of Anna
Belle, Alfred employed Blanche May Carver (born
bet. 1877 - 1878) as a housekeeper
and governess for his three daughters. Alfred's daughter Anna Evelyn later wrote, "He married her, as he felt it would be more proper when travelling about."* *(The marriage record has not yet been found) Blanche had initially presented herself as 'a divorcee from Chicago', but as Alfred later discovered, she was a bigamist.
|
1906, Sept. 21, Alfred uses A.J. Binks homestead as
collateral for loan from R.E. Tieman in Galveston, TX.
(vol. 3, pg 63 Deed of Trust)
1907, August 20, - Alfred uses 40 acres of Hardeman Survey land #8170 on River as collateral for $1100.00 Loan from Arthur H. Mead, while in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Vol 7, pg 352 of Deeds (this was a Warranty Deed)
1907, August 23, - Mrs Blanch Binks and Alfred's three daughters travel aboard the SS.Anselm from Belize, British Honduras to the Port of New Orleans arriving on August 26, 1907.
1908, Jan. 25, - Blanche May Carver Binks (Alfred’s 2nd. Wife) is in New Orleans, LA. , reclaiming the above 40 acres from A. H. Mead, because he had not lent the final $350.00 of the $1100.00 as agreed upon within 5 days after she notified him of her intent. (Vol 8, pg. 303 Deed (?) Records).
1909, March 19, - Alfred uses 40 acres of Hardeman to borrow money from Charles E. Nichols in Monterrey, Mexico, (Vol 1, pg 381).
1909, April 17, Alfred uses 40 acres of A. J. Binks homestead as collateral to
borrow about $2000.00 from Wesley Darwin Hall, (Vol 10, pg 323 Deed Records) in
Monterrey, Mexico.
1909, May 28, Alfred sells 40 acres of C.H. Or T.F Hardeman Survey Land to W.H.
Nations, (Vol 10 pg. 461 Deed Records).
abt. 1909 - Alfred and his family emigrate to Western Australia settling in Yuna, the home of his brother William A. I. Binks. Alfred buys land and opens a Candy Store.
Events leading to the deaths of Alfred & Blanche on May 13, 1913
Alfred and Blanche had been separated for some time after a court hearing in which it was claimed that Blanche and a customs agent had stolen jewels, papers and money from Alfred. It was during this investigation that Blanche's true marital status was uncovered. She had also apparently abused Alfred's daughters. Alfred's daughter, Anna Evelyn, carried scars on her legs for the rest of her life as a result of Blanche throwing boiling water over her as a punishment. She also had marks where she had been beaten with the buckle end of a belt.
A reconciliation between Alfred and Blanche was arranged after an evening in an 'entertainment house', and soon after retiring to Blanche's room in Murray Street, Perth, an argument developed. Alfred shot her dead with an automatic revolver. Alfred then turned the gun on himself and committed suicide.
Alfred had left a note at the scene of the tragedy which read:
"Dear Henderson, - I can't bear my life any longer. She has this evening in curses, repudiated her promises to be honest and upright to us, and has refused to return to me either my keys or my papers, and vilely lied to a young lady here about me and my children. Take care of them for me, as you hope for justice from God. I am done to my death. A. J. Binks."
Alfred's Will, made
in Yuna Station nr. East Freemantle on March 20, 1913, states that his doctor had
told him he had a 'bad heart, and to get his affairs in order'.
Knowing his time was short, and having discovered that Blanche abused his
daughters, the thought of them ending up in her care would have given him
great concern.
Alfred and Blanche are both buried at Karrakatta Cemetery in Australia.
Alfred's grand-daughters were later told that Alfred had died of a heart attack. It was not until the 1990s that they discovered the full story.
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Photo Album (Click on the thumbnails to view the pictures) |
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Alfred's Land Patent |
Alfred's 1st wife, Anna-Belle with daughter, (probably) Anna Evelyn and Son, Homer |
Anna-Belle and (probably) Anna Evelyn. (Homer standing bottom left) |
The following handwritten text by Anna Evelyn (Binks) appears on the reverse of the photo: "Taken 1895 about. Dad in middle (of twins) Jim Miller, whom our Dad nursed back to health from typhoid fever (1889?), and Ed Miller who is living in Barstow, Texas and today (May 28, 1952) is 92 years old and lively and humorous as a cricket. He (Ed) gave me this picture to keep. Jim and Ed Miller were twins and very fond of one another. Both of them very fond of our dad Alf J. Binks. We used to call dad "Poppa" when we were little, later we called him 'dad'. It sounded better as we got older. Dad's two friends in this picture used to call him 'The Dude'." |
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Early history of this organization of which Alfred was a member. (text courtesy of James J. Davenport - acquired from Rootsweb.Com) |
Alfred's daughters, Anna Evelyn and Grace Gertrude |
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Anna Belle's grave in West Lawn Cemetery, Del Rio, Texas. The inscription reads: Sacred To The Memory Of Anna Belle |
Superimposed picture of Alfred's family made after the deaths Anna-Belle and Alfred's children, Homer and Myra-Belle. Clockwise: Alfred, Anna-Belle, Grace, Opal, and Anna Evelyn. |
News cutting from the 'West Australian' |
Alfred & Blanche's grave in Karrakatta Cemetery, Australia |
