howeenterprise.com
Monday, August 1, 2016
Page #9
Learn about antiques and collectibles with Dr. Georgia Caraway
Horton Ceramics, located in Eastland, Texas, was started in 1946 and operated until 1964 when the pottery was sold. Horace Horton made vases, console sets, candy boxes, and planters, many designed by his wife, Geraldine.
$1 and as much as $25 with most pieces in the $6 to $10 range. Another pottery located in Eastland is the House of Webster Ceramics. House of Webster is still producing pottery for The House of Webster, food distributors from Rogers, Mrs. Horton’s head vases were Arkansas. Roy and Evelyn perhaps the most unique and Webster started their business in beautiful of all her designs. A large 1934 selling tame and rare wild lady head vase was offered in 8” fruit products from the Great and 10” heights, with blond hair White River Country of Arkansas and brightly colored makeup. At packed in old Mason fruit jars. market shows, Mrs. Horton would Pottery in the shape of a shock of place a doily inside the head and wheat, ceramic cream can, brown finish it off with artificial flowers jug, bushel basket, stoneware to form an arrangement. Baby head churn, red raspberry, red apple, vases with either a pink or blue burlap sack, coffee mill, black pot bonnet tied under the chin were bellied stove, fire hydrant, thimble, produced in three sizes, 4” , 6”, and wishing well, schoolhouse, wheel 7”. A 10” tall head vase called hub, telephone and a log cabin Aztec Woman had a brilliant were all made to hold a variety of mango color glaze that contrasted jams, jelly, honey, apple butter and with brown, black, and turquioise syrup. The House of Webster matte finishes. Another head vase, Ceramic plant makes about the Madonna, was produced in a 200,000 pieces per year for the blue hood and red dress or plain exclusive use of HofW Foods. The white high gloss glaze. logo or mark on the bottom of the pieces is a log cabin with a banner Pieces are marked “Horton that reads “House of Webster” and Ceramics” and with a number and under that the words “Ceramics, letter. This is one of the Eastland, Texas.” Some of the contemporary Texas potteries that food products are still packed in sell at garage sales, flea markets “new” Mason jars. and some antique malls. The asking price seems to depend on Perhaps the most popular ceramic size, design, color, and where it is piece produced by the company sold. I have seen it for as little as was the replica of the famous
horny toad, “Old Rip.” This is where the two Eastland potteries’ stories come together. I called the House of Webster plant and talked with Jimmy, the plant manager. He told me that Geri Horton made the first Rip and for more than 20 years Rip was given away as a souvenir to visitors and school children that toured the plant. But alas, the real Rip and the ceramic Rip are no more. According to a flyer written by the company, the story goes that when the Eastland Courthouse was built in 1897, Earnest Wood, a justice of the peace, placed a West Texas horned toad in the cornerstone. Old Rip, along with a Bible and several other objects of interest, remained in the cornerstone until 1928. On February 28th of that year, a wrecking crew began to demolish the 31-year-old courthouse to make way for a new one. Three thousand people were on hand to witness the opening of the cornerstone. After Judge Ed S. Pritchard removed the Bible and the other objects, Eugene Day, a local oilman thrust his hand into the cavity of the cornerstone and lifted out the dust-covered toad,
“Old Rip.” As Day held up the little toad by his hind leg to show to the crowd, Rip’s other leg twitched. Old Rip was alive . . . the crowd cheered and Old Rip awoke from a 31-year slumber. Old Rip was exhibited in various parts of the country including a visit to President Coolidge in Washington. Old Rip died of pneumonia in January 19, 1929. His body was embalmed and can be seen today in his plush-lined casket in the lobby of the Eastland County Courthouse. Old Rip finally earned his name. Little buddy Rest in Peace. Dr. Georgia Caraway, former director of the Denton County Museums for 14 years, and her friends opened the Howe Mercantile at 107 East Haning. Store hours are Thursday through Saturday noon until 8 p.m. She has written five Denton history books. Her latest, North Texas State Fair and Rodeo, will be available at Howe Mercantile in August. She hopes her next book will be the history of Howe. SHOP LOCAL. We can show you Howe!
