True History of Ancestors' Early Years in Boerne: Stories from My Grandmother Olga Wendler Schrader
by Hazelene Ebensberger
My great-grandfathers Christian Schrader and Henry Wendler came from Germany and landed in Indianola in the 1800's. They came by wagons to Boerne, where they settled. Prince Solms gave his sword to Grandfather Schrader for his help on the trip.
Henry Wendler built his home at 264 Main Street in the 1800's, and it is now like it was then. He had a general store next to his house, and he sold everything you needed from groceries to clothes to fine jewelry. 
Olga Wendler SchraderHis daughter Olga married Lawrence Schrader (Christian's son) who worked in the Wendler store. His home on James Street is as it always was and remained in the family since it was built. It is now owned by the fourth generation of Henry Wendler.
Lawrence SchraderLawrence Schrader opened up a livery stable on Main Street where Green Bull Jewelry is today. There were no automobiles then. People would rent horses and buggies from him to go where they needed to go. His horse and buggy would meet the trains at the old depot at the end of Depot Street (renamed Rosewood Street) and bring people to town. Salesmen came on the train and took goods to hotels where merchants could buy them for their stores. When automobiles came into Boerne, there was no need for the horse-and-buggy business, so he opened up a grocery store. He had the third automobile in the Boerne area.
There were no paved roads anywhere. Roads from Boerne to Comfort were made of dirt. If you took the train to San Antonio, it took almost a day to get there. If you had a car, you were speeding if you went 25 miles per hour.
In the early 1900's, few homes had electricity or indoor plumbing, and there were no refrigerators and washing machines (clothes were washed by hand). An "ice man" delivered ice, a milkman delivered milk, and meat was delivered by truck. You chose what you needed from him. If parents didn't have a car, you walked to school, church and everywhere. Schools then were very strict and had few problems if any. Teachers demanded and got respect, and you learned! In the early years, there were only silent movies; then came black and white picture shows. It cost only 25 cents to get into the theater.
Before electricity, Christmas was always special with real trees and tiny candles on the tree. A man dressed like Santa always appeared at family Christmas gatherings, and they were always wonderful.
