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Red Hearted Devil in Purgatory LbNA #68150 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Baby Bear
Plant date:Mar 1, 2015
Location: Hugo Cemetery
City:Wimberley
County:Hays
State:Texas
Boxes:1
Found by: tuck too
Last found:Jul 21, 2016
Status:FFFFFFar
Last edited:Nov 23, 2015
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 50 yards

Red Hearted Devil in Purgatory

In 1851 Joseph Williamson came to San Marcos from Tennessee, and then permanently settled in Purgatory Springs in 1855. He owned a 640 acre tract of land, and raised his family there. Joseph had two sons, Abel and Ira. They were very different boys. Abel was always at this father’s side, helping with the crops or the livestock. He grew strong and handsome, and was loved by everyone in the community, especially Sally Bebes.
Ira was a loner. He spent his time hiding in caves and causing trouble throughout the county. Due to some of his escapades, his right arm was withered, and he had a permanent limp. He hated his family, in particular his brother Abel. The only person he admired was the same Sally Bebes.
One day when Abel and Sally were walking on a hill on the Williamson property, Ira became so jealous that he could not control his emotions. He grabbed a rock and let it fly toward his brother, hoping to chase him off so he could be alone with Sally. The rock hit Abel in the temple, knocking him to the ground and unconscious. Sally was in shock, and passed out. Ira looked at his brother, motionless on the ground with blood rushing from his face. He assumed he had killed him, and panicked. He scooped up Sally and headed for one of the caves he had discovered on back part of the property. Ira roused Sally, and tried to explain it was an accident. He also proclaimed his love for her, and now they could be together since Abel would be out of the way.
Meanwhile, Joseph came upon his bleeding son Abel, and brought him to the house. He awoke long enough to tell them Abel had attacked him, and asked where Sally was. Joseph became worried for Sally’s safety, knowing his son Ira was not stable. He sent for Sally’s father, Oso Bebes.
When Oso arrived, he brought with him a posse of farmers, armed with tar and feathers, along with pitch forks and axes. They search for hours for the girl, and finally heard her scream from the carve Ira had taken her to. They surrounded the cave and stormed in, rescuing Sally and taking Ira captive. They marched Ira back to where he had stuck Abel, and striped him down to this under garments. All were in shock that he had colored red hearts onto his shorts. After a beating, Ira was tarred and feathered, then banished from the Williamson farm forever……or so they thought.
Thirty years went by. Purgatory Springs became Hugo. Abel recovered from his wound, and married Sally Bebes. Joseph Williamson had died, and Abel created a cemetery on the hill where he had been attacked before, and buried his father there, along with other family members as their time came. Ira had left the area after his beating. He changed his name, not wanting to have any further connection with his family, and became Ira Boxer. He moved around the Texas country side, still causing trouble wherever he went. Finally, while trying to hold up a band of naturalist in a park near Houston, Ira was killed. No one was charged with the offense. Many thought it was justified no matter who did it. His body was left to rot, since no one wanted to claim it for burial.
Soon after, a new menace showed up. Many claimed it was the ghost of Ira. He even showed up in pictures taken out public outings, now looking more like a ghost but still with those red hearted boxers on. On April 1, 1897, The Ghost of Ira returned to Hugo. His love for Sally had not died with him, and he wanted to make her his wife forever. Ira waited in the cemetery for Sally to come place flowers on the family graves. About noon, she wondered into the cemetery, but felt a cold chill about her. Before IRA could reveal himself, Sally ran home. Abel was in Wimberley selling some crops. Sally made her way to her father’s farm down the valley. Oso immediately headed to the Williamson farm, and the old Purgatory Cemetery. As he snuck up the hill, he saw Ira Boxer pacing back and forth. Oso Bebes grabbed him from behind and tied him up. He dug a deep grave and tossed the ghostly Ira into it, then covered him up. To make sure The Ghost of Ira Boxer did not escape, or cause any more trouble for the Williamson family, he placed a guardian bear on the tomb. The lovable Bear kept Ira underground, while spreading peace and joy throughout Comal County.
To see a picture Oso Bebes took of the scene as he left, go to the Hugo (Purgatory Springs) Cemetery.

From Hwy 12 between San Marcos and Wimberley, go west on Hwy 32. In about 2.4 miles, turn left on Purgatory Road. Go about .4 miles. Cemetery is on the right side of Purgatory Road on a slight rise. Pull off before "School" yellow sign and park by road. Now walk up the incline to the gate and go in. Walk across cemetery to far side and find pyramid shaped stone for "Joseph Henry Owen". Go left and behind it to a 2foot by 1 foot stone laying flat on ground. Behind that are 2 large trees. Go to back side of tree on the left, box at base under sticks.