Jim Harris

I'm Denise Smith, Great great great granddaughter of James Buchanan Harris.  

When I was a little girl my grandfather, Malcolm Harris Osborn told me magnificent stories.  He told me about the fairies who lived in our back yard with their elaborate dresses and hair styles and parties - and he told me about his great grandfather - who, Papa explained, is my grandfather too.  

His name was Jim Harris and he panned for gold in the California gold rush and owned land as far as the eye could see in every direction in a town called Terrell Texas and if you ever wonder if its a true story you can go there today and go to the old part of the historic cemetery and right there you can see for yourself the big monument of a headstone.  The great Jim Harris!  Our grandfather!

That was 60 years ago and Papa's been dead for 40 years - but when I was in my 20’s and moved to Dallas after college I remembered Papa’s stories.  

I came to this cemetery and I found this monument to this man - Jim Harris - who’s true story ranked right up there with made up fairy stories to his great grandson, Malcolm Harris Osborne - who told them to me.

When I had children I brought them here and told them - This is who we are made from and in my loneliest and weakest days I’ve come here alone to pray to the same God that Jim Harris prayed to.

I’m reminded with this family monument honoring my grandfather Jim Harris of who I am and what I come from.  I’ve left inspired and encouraged.

I even called the cemetery and left a message wondering if there was any way my mom and I could maybe be laid to rest someplace close by Jim Harris and that’s how I met Patty who called me back and asked me to come tell Jim Harris’s story today at this event

So here we stand and its my great privilege t0 tell you the story of Jim Harris - who rode a red bay horse  with JH branded on the left front shoulder and JIM branded on the left hip - and never a white horse.