Barbershop’s in Bertram

When we first moved to Bertram in 1993, Sam the Barber was cutting hair. I never went there, but Madeline took our boys there for haircuts.

Through other discussions we’ve had on Facebook, I know of 2 others.

Paul Lynn, as we talked a few days ago had a shop here after he had the Buckhorn in Marble Falls. Curious about the years he was here.

Then at some point Charlie Culpepper was another old school barber that set up shop in Bertram. He had a shop in Jollyville prior to coming out here. His wife Della was one of my teachers at Pond Spring School in Jollyville.
I understand he met his demise while cross Texas 29 on foot. His death was in 1971. He possibly was severely inebriated. Which all seems believable, given his reputation while cutting hair in Jollyville.
He had been raised down in Bastrop County, around the community of High Grove, Bateman or Red Rock. He had attempted to date my Grandmother, Leona when she was a young gal. Evidently from hearing her talk, she was very put off by all that. He was 6 years older than her. Which for that day in time, wasn’t that unusual of an age gap.
Strangely, he gifted her a little wood box that he supposedly made, as a way of wooing her. She kept that box on her dresser for as long as I can remember. Now thirty year later, that same little box is something I keep in my top dresser draw, as a way to remember Nonie. The LP on the lid is for Leona Purcell.
I know why I keep it. But if she detested Charlie Culpepper’s advances, wouldn’t the box hold bad memories for her. Oh, well I guess just leave that along.
All that said, he appears to have been one heck of a craftsman.