From Proud Heritage, Volume I by DCPA, currently out of print.
Ferdinard Riek (1865-1924) was the son of Constance and Helena Riek of Hermann, Missouri. He came to Dallas in 1875 with his parents and sisters. The family were all musicians and Ferdinand was already playing the violin. Once settled in Dallas, he was put into Professor Tulley’s School. He appeared on a program with Eugenia Long (1871-1958) the daughter of Mrs. Benjamin Long and the late former Mayor Long. Ferdinand did a violin solo and Eugenia sang. At this young age the two students did not know their lives would join in years to come.
The children grew and along with them the City of Dallas was growing. In 1890 the Riek family and the Long family were guests at the farm of mutual friends, the Reverchons. Here the young couple met again and in October 1894 were married at the Sacred Heart Church Rectory on Ross Avenue.
Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Riek’s first child, a son, was born May 2, 1896 and named Ferdinand Benjamin Riek after his father and maternal grandfather. Two years later their son Dewey Stovall joined the family. Eugenia did not recover completely after the birth of her second son, and her doctor suggested she get away and take a vacation.
Ferdinand had been reading about the land rush in Oklahoma which held some interest. He planned the vacation with that destination in mind. He packed food and all other travel necessities of the day in a horse drawn covered wagon and with his family and a hired man, Mr. Hebron, started out for Oklahoma.
The trip was extremely hard on the young family who had only known city life. Ferdinand, a musician, was not equipped for the rough journey. The crossing at the Red River almost ended their trip. When their wagon stuck in the quick sand, their dreams seemed to end. Mr. Hebron worked around the wagon for sometime and then told Ferdinand to take hold of the horses’ reins to see if he could make them move. Ferdinard yelled while pulling on the reins, and the noise scared the horses; they jumped, and the wagon escaped the suction of the sand. The family was once again on their way and went directly to an Indian Reservation to register as required by the government for those interested in land.
The young wife became more ill instead of getting better as the doctor had hoped. This time her husband realized the current sickness was from fright. The memory of the story of her father, Ben Long, being kidnapped as a young boy by the Indians and seeing the many Indians on the reservation was too overwhelming for her. Eugenia would not leave the wagon and would not allow her two young sons to leave the wagon. The only thing to do was return to Dallas. Ferdinand put his wife and his two small sons on the train to spare them the hard trip back. He and Mr. Hebron returned in the wagon. However, Eugenia never forgot the lovely Oklahoma sunsets. This wonderful memory remained with her the rest of her life and she often told her children about them.
Once back in Dallas the Rieks made their home on Second Avenue, where their two daughters were born, Ursula in 1903 and Lucia in 1904. Ferdinand returned to his music and became well known and in demand for entertaining. He had both a band and an orchestra. He played concerts for summer evenings at Old City Park. He entertained in the Beer Gardens of the Fair Grounds and was appointed Superintendent of Music for the State Fair. He played for dances, including Idlewild Balls. His group of musicians were popular and played for parades and many city functions. In 1910 the Dallas Chamber of Commerce presented Ferdinand a Medal of Appreciation for contributing so generously of his talent and providing music for city functions. On another occasion he was presented with an umbrella with a gold handle.
In 1913 Riek and his 20 piece band went on the Chamber of Commerce 1,989 mile tour of 87 Texas towns to promote business for Dallas. The band lead the procession of 80 Dallas business men into each town to tell the local merchants why they should trade in Dallas.
The Riek family first moved to San Jacinto Street across from the San Jacinto School; then in 1914 they moved to a larger two story house at 4934 Crutcher Street. This was a new section of homes near Munger Place. Tremont Street was cut through some years later, and its name replaced Crutcher.
The new house had gas for heating and cooking, but for about one year there was trouble with the gas pressure. When Eugenia was unable to cook the Christmas turkey because the gas pressure was too low, Ferdinand purchased a large cook stove which could use either wood or coal. He also put a wood stove in the family room and one upstairs so the family would be comfortable regardless what happened to the gas pressure.
Ferdinand died unexpectedly of a heart attack in January, 1924. His two sons were married and had their own homes. His wife, Eugenia, continued to live in the big house with their daughters Ursula and Lucia. The family tradition continued as Ferdinand Jr. and Dewey returned to the big house most Sundays bringing their wives and children for dinner. It was a happy house; and the sons and grandchildren loved the visits. Daughter Ursula married in 1927. Lucia became an anesthetist at St. Paul Hospital. Eugenia lived to be 83 and died in 1953, leaving nine grandchildren. Ferdinand and Eugenia Riek have a total of 15 great-grandchildren. The Riek’s legacy and dreams are being passed down to still another generation of great great grandchildren.
The City of Dallas attempted to change the name of Riek Road in 1985. Descendants, neighbors and nearby land owners protested the action by council hearing. The City Council determined that the name Riek Road should be retained.
By Mae E. Riek, Dallas
