From Proud Heritage, Volume II by DCPA. This hardcover book is available online.
Helen Gertrude Smith, born 28 December 1907, Bourgere, Louisiana, the fifteenth and last child born to Ada Elizabeth (Tuggle) Smith (born 18 August 1872, died 25 October 1952) and Robert Thomas Smith (born 14 January 1865, died 20 May 1920). Helen’s grandmother, Mary Ellen (Cole) Tuggle, was one of the first white females born to live and die in Dallas County.
Helen’s father worked for the railroad and the family moved so often that she could not stay in one school long enough to be promoted to the next grade. When her father died in 1920, Helen and her mother moved back to the old home place belonging to her grandparents, Mary Ellen and Thomas Tuggle. In 1921, she enrolled in the fifth grade of the West Dallas High School and, at age 18, graduated valedictorian of the class, 1926.
Robert Leon Brau, born 19 December 1902, Dallas, Texas, the second son of Robert George Martin Brau (born 27 May 1875, died 10 October 1955) and Nellie Alice (Handley) Brau (born 30 March 1875, died 8 March 1956).
Robert Leon was born in a house rented by his parents. This old frame house was located on the corner of the streets now called West Commerce and Sylvan. The pecan tree that shaded the house still grows there. Soon after his birth, the family moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Work was not as expected and the family moved back to Dallas. A family home was built close to where Fort Worth Avenue and West Commerce split.
In 1909, Robert Leon entered first grade at the one-room West Dallas Public School. A frame build ing located near Fort Worth Avenue and Winnetka Street. He was a very short, mischievous little boy with skinny legs. It wasn’t long before the other boys called him “Skinny Brau.” Upon completion of the West Dallas High School on the corner of Castle and North Mont Clair in 1914, Robert entered fourth grade in the new brick building. He completed the tenth grade in 1920. At this time, his father made arrangements for him to attend The American Auto motive School, sponsored by Texas A&M.
The next two years proved his mechanical abilities, upon completion of his automotive course, Robert and his father opened “The Tourist Garage,” at 537 West Commerce. The original building was a two-story frame. Out front stood two new Fry Visible gasoline pumps that filled the Model “T” autos with nothing but the finest Good Gulf gasoline.
Robert and Helen met at a party playing a game called Winkum. Robert winked at Helen. That must have been some wink! Because they dated each other until Helen graduated. They married 12 May 1927. Robert and his bride moved into a new five room brick home, 1343 Stafford, that he built before they were married. It was one of the first homes to be built with eight-foot ceilings and a modern septic tank. This dream was interrupted in 1929 by the Depression. Beans and cornbread became the com mon meal. The kitchen was the only room in the house that was heated. During the winter Helen, and the women folk would gather there to talk, read and quilt.
One day’s advance knowledge gave Robert and his father the opportunity to draw most of their money from the bank before it closed. They took the money, carefully spread it out on the living room floor of the old homeplace on West Commerce, covered it with newspaper, put the carpet back in place and tacked it to the floor.
The garage was always busy, but the depressed economy did not permit a profit. However, with cash under the rug and people begging for any kind of work, the old garage was torn down and a new brick building called “Brau’s Garage” took its place in 1934.
On 3 December 1935, this happy couple was presented with their only child, a girl, Ada Nell Brau. She was born in Methodist Hospital, Dallas, Texas.
World conditions seemed to be improving but then came World War II. Due to his age, Robert was not drafted. Food, gas, and clothing were rationed. Helen and her mother, who now lived with them, planted a garden and a peach orchard. They raised chickens for meat and eggs then traded with the neighbors for milk, butter, and pork. Besides being a thrifty home maker, a wonderful wife and mother, Helen also took care of the office work for Brau’s Garage. It was amazing that she found time to pursue her insatiable desire to learn.
In 1935, the literature published by the Watchtower Society caught her attention. She began a thorough study of the scriptures. In her younger years, she had attended the Central Christian Church with her mother. Robert was christened a Lutheran, the religion of his parents, but attended the neighborhood Methodist Church because it was closer. In 1950, both Helen and Robert attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Helen died 24 November 1989 and is buried in Laurel Land Cemetery next to her mother, Ada Elizabeth. Robert, now 89 in 1992, lives in the home he built for his bride. His friends still call him Skinny Brau.
By Ada Nell Brau McComas
