One of the nicest people we've ever met was Charlie Schreiner III. He died a few years ago, but while we lived in Austin, we were fairly close to the Y.O. Ranch, which has been in Charlie's family since the 1800's. The Y.O. Ranch is huge! Founded by Captain Charles Schreiner in 1852, the ranch has remained in his family for five generations, I'm not even sure how many 1000's of acres it has...
When you went to see Charlie, the distance between the front gate and his house was 9 miles! Our 2 boys had their first experience driving a car at ages 10 and 12, with some of the ranch hands. It was fairly safe, miles of open Texas ranch land...
The ranch raises exotic animals from all over the world. We've lost touch with them now, but his sons are still running it. They hold camps there for kids, and a longhorn cattle drive.My husband published books for some years, and we did the book on the 100th anniversary of the ranch. We really had fun doing it! Charlie had a 100th year party that was out of a story book! They had kiosks of food prepared and served to the guests from every country represented by the various
animals they raised. Probably the highlight was when Charlie rode into the banquet room on a longhorn steer!
Charlie collected everything that pertains to the Early West... as does my hubby. They had many trading and buying and selling sessions through the years. The main room in his house was built around an old bank vault that held his antique guns. Everywhere you looked, antiques were used to decorate the home. Some of them came from us. Take a look at some of these pictures from a magazine feature about the ranch in 1979. This copy he personalized to me, so it's a treasure.Charlie was a character! He was married 9 times! His personal physician received the invitation to the 9th wedding and called the ranch to say... "I can't make it to the wedding, tell Charlie I'll catch him next time!"...
I think of Charlie III often, both Joe and I miss him... Charlie was generous, kind, had a heart of gold, he was a real Texas gentleman! We were blessed to call him our friend. The Y.O. Ranch is a piece of Texas history that has added a lot of fun and flavor to the life of this city girl!
12 comments:
You know I love this...did you see my post on the lady that saved Austin as the capital? It was the "Still Politics" post...Oh, I am yelling at my husband to come here and read. He worked for Hart Graphics for years and they published so many books...Dalhart Winderg for one.
How excited was all of that for your guys and you!!
Just love this....this Texas girl says Thank you...sounds like my tales of knowing the grandson of Charlie Goodnight!!!!
So did you ever go over to James Avery's place in Kerrville? My Dad worked with him once...doing engineering for his place and Hart use to print his catalogs.
Enjoyed!!
This is so interesting and the photos are marvelous!
Wow, what a place to be. You've met a lot of interesting people, for which you are very fortunate. Since I'm a born Texan, I can appreciate this! Lovely pictures.
Charlie sounds like a hoot! I love people who love life and Charlie sounds like he did plenty.
Hope all is well with you and your's:)
Hugs and love,
Gwen
The photos tell a lot Sonja along with the wonderful story. Charlie I too would of loved to have met. Thank you for sharing dear one.
What a neat story! It amazes me how some people live such big lives. I live such a small one :) Sounds like a great friend.
Thanks for sharing with us about Charlie. Sounds like he was a character to know for sure (smile)! Beautiful photos and sounds and looks like a great place.
I didn't know you and your husband published books for a time... I learn more about you with every visit!
Love you!
Just love interesting people, places and things. Sounds like Charlie was certainly an interesting person. Nine times? Wow! :)
Wow! That looks like my dream house! You are acquainted with the most interesting people!
We stayed at a B&B in northern CA that looked like this. I'm positively drooling...
As I read through this fascinating post, I was reminded of the unexpected gifts God brings into our lives. Meeting this gentleman and having the privilege of being in his home was one of those. Who knows the real whys behind your friendship. I like how this ranch is decorated, and I am thankful that you shared this post with us. Quite a colorful and generous man.
Came by to give you some ((((Sonja))). You are always an encouragement to me and others dear one. I appreciate you very much, thank you.
I've not been online as much lately so I missed this post of yours. But I'm glad I was able to read it. You meet the most interesting people Sonja.
Charlie sounds like quite the character and I'm sure he made you smile. I love the pictures from the book. I didn't know your husband was in publishing at one time.
Much love,
Debbie
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