DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker on the John L. Sheppard Home tells it, and I'll do my best to honor every word. Now settle in, because this old house has more going on inside it than most folks ever suspect.
We're talking Camp County, Texas, and a home that was built in 1884. The Sheppard family moved in that same year and called it home until 1891. Seven years under one roof — but what years they were.
John L. Sheppard, born in 1852, was the kind of man who kept moving up. During the family's time in that house, he served as district attorney, and then as judge for the Fifth Judicial District.
That's a man climbing, rung by rung, in plain sight of his children. Now, one of those children was a boy named Morris, born in 1875. You wonder sometimes what a child takes in, watching his father work like that.
Fast forward to 1899 — John L. Sheppard was elected to the United States Congress. And then, before his work there was done, he died in office.
That's the kind of sentence that stops a room cold. But here's where the story doesn't end — it pivots. His son Morris succeeded him in Congress.
Stepped right into that role. And if you thought that was something, Morris Sheppard then went on to serve in the United States Senate from 1913 to 1951. Distinction, the marker says, and that word isn't handed out lightly.
Now. About that house. Eight fireplaces.
Eight. On a cold Camp County night, I imagine every one of them earned its keep. But the detail that'll follow you back to your car?
There is a secret passageway between the floors. The marker doesn't say who built it, or why, or where exactly it runs. And maybe that's the point.
Some things a house keeps to itself.
What the marker says
Home of the Sheppard family from 1884, when the house was built, until 1891. During that time John L. Sheppard (1852-1902) served as district attorney and then judge for Fifth Judicial District. In 1899 he was elected to U. s. Congress and died in office. His son, Morris Sheppard (1875-1941), succeeded him in congress, then served with distinction in U. S. Senate from 1913-1951. House has eight fireplaces and secret passageway between floors. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1974