MADRAY, James B., Beeville Picayune, Friday, 20 Sep, 1912, front page:

J. B. MADRAY, Dead
Died at his home seven miles south of Beeville Wednesday evening, September 18, 1912, 
at 9:45 o'clock, James B. MADRAY, aged 80 years, and 19 days, death coming after a short 
illness brought about through injuries received three weeks previously when a team 
hitched to a wagon struck him, knocking him down and the wagon passed over his limbs. 

The deceased was one of the earliest and most highly respected citizens of the county and has 
always resided on the farm in the Olmos neighborhood where he died. He came to Bee County 
in 1857 and with the exception of the Civil War period has resided here continuously since. He 
was the first tax assessor of the county when Bee County was organized out of Refugio and 
Goliad Counties and served several terms.

Mr. Madray was a charter member of the local branch of the Masonic Fraternity and his death 
leaves but one charter member to answer the roll call, Mr. T. H. Allsup, of the same neighborhood. 
These two with a brother of Mr. Allsup for years were regular in their attendance upon the 
monthly meetings of the lodge here, but of late years have been unable to make the seven mile 
drive, though Mr. Madray did attend a special meeting a few weeks back. 

Mr. Madray was also a member of the Beeville Baptist Church and Rev. J. S. Sallee; the local pastor 
went to Skidmore to hold the service in the Baptist Church there.  He paid a glowing tribute to the 
character of the deceased, a tribute a long and well-spent life merited. A large crowd of Skidmore 
friends attended the service at the church and also at the cemetery where the Masonic Fraternity 
was in charge, some twenty-odd Masons going down in cars to pay the last tribute to their honored 
and beloved brother.

Mr. Madray was married in Caldwell County just before coming to Bee County to make his home and 
his wife preceded him to the great beyond but a few years. He was the father of seven children; five 
girls and two boys, five of whom survive him, as follows; I. C., and R. L. Madray of Olmos, Mrs. A. V. 
Crow, of Skidmore, Mrs. D. A. Lanford, of Brady, and Mrs. J. T. Jamison, of Dayton. Two daughters 
are dead. All of the living children except Mrs. Lanford were with their father when the end came.