Jannie Bell’s 1900 Search for Her Brother Lee Littlejohn — El Paso, Cleburne, and Dallas, Texas

On January 13, 1900, The Dallas Express (Dallas, Texas) published a “Lost Brother” notice placed by Mrs. Jannie Bell of El Paso, Texas, seeking information about her brother, Lee Littlejohn. The notice reads verbatim:

“LOST BROTHER. I want to find my brother, his name is Lee Littlejohn, the last I heard of him he was in Cleburne, Texas. Any information concerning him will be gladly received, address me at box 541, Mrs. Jannie Bell, El Paso, Texas.”

Though brief, this advertisement provides a snapshot of African American family networks and mobility in Texas at the turn of the twentieth century. It identifies Lee Littlejohn’s last known location in Cleburne, Bell’s residence in El Paso, and demonstrates how The Dallas Express served as a vital communication channel for Black Texans separated by distance. Such notices highlight the importance of the Black press in connecting families, sharing information, and supporting community ties during an era when official records often failed to document the lives of African Americans.

Primary source: Information Wanted: Jannie Bell’s Lost Brother Notice

Tags: African American history, Texas history, Black press, family search, 1900s, Dallas Express, Cleburne, El Paso

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