Three’s a Charm

Editor’s Note: The Heritage Museum highlights a small piece of Howard County history each week. The stories include background on local families, historical buildings and more. To find out more about local history visit the Heritage Museum Tuesday through Saturday.

On September 30, 1936, news quickly spread of the triplets born in Knott, TX. Dr. G.T. True, assisted by his nurse, delivered three healthy baby boys out on the family farm. The first baby was born at 9:30 p.m. and it became apparent that there was going to be twins on the farm. However, to the surprise of everyone, a third little boy entered the world. Each baby weighed in a little over 5 pounds. Without adequate accommodations for the three babies, Dr. True placed them in the tray of an old trunk. This allowed the babies to stay close together as they were in the womb.

Willie Summerfield (Summers) and Angeline Shaw were married 14 years before having the triplets. The family lived in a weather-beaten three-room house in the middle of 160-acre cotton farm that Shaw farmed. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw were not novices when it comes to having children as they already had 8, ages 2-13. Mrs. Shaw said she had always been able to take care of babies. The first day after the birth, over 200 visitors paraded through the Shaw's living room. She was overwhelmed with three new (surprise) babies and the curiosity seekers. Two nurses, Mrs. P.K. Little and Busy, helped with the newborns but the couple were encouraged to allow the babies to be taken care of at a hospital in town “giving the babies a good start.” The couple gave Dr. True the honor of naming the triplets. He