ho were “The Three Brown Hams” and what became of them? Dad W5HFS - Ernest
Reuben Brown ex5AWQ spark gap days. Rube was born in 1875 in far away Mankato
Minnesota. Arriving in Electra Tex in 1914 making his permanent home. He was associated with
his Brother-in-law in the management of Sheldon’s oil and real estate interests and the Electra News,
which Sheldon was a co-founder. Ernest Reuben married Ruth Sheldon at Electra in 1917. They
had three children together; Ernie of Minden, La; Bert of San Antonio TX and Jeanie of Vista Calif.
Mr. Brown assumed duties as editor-publisher of the paper, continuing in that capacity until his
health failed. The paper was sold in 1953 and was merged with the Electra Star to become theElectra Star-News.

WW5HFS was active in civic work. He served as president of the Chamber of Commerce twice. He
participated in civic beautification programs. During which more than 3 thousand rose plants wereobtained through the chamber and were planted by Electra citizens about 20 years ago. Many of theseplants and cuttings propagated from them still beautify homes in Electra. His training in law wasfrequently called into service in composing bylaws, constitutions and other legal documents for clubs
and civic groups to which he gave freely of his time and effort.
Rube and his brother Ross Brown were the first amateur radio operators in Electra and were among
the first in the state. His call (5AWQ) was one of the oldest on record. He taught his wife Ruth thecode and technique and she earned her ticket in 1924 using the joint call sign 5AWQ. Their son anddaughter-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Ernest D. Brown are prominently identified with the ham radiooperators of America.
Rube’s work in behalf of the Boy Scouts was outstanding and for a period of time the Electra News
provided space and clerical service for a Scout Library through which pamphlets used in the program
were available to members. Mr. Brown was a charter member and past president of the Electra
Rotary Club and a member of the Knights of Pythian Lodge.
He was one of the founders of the Electra Savings and Loan Association and served as vicepresident. He was a member of the board of directors of the Pease River Dam project and other area
movements which contributed to the benefit and progress of agricultural and industrial developments
in Northwest Texas. Continued on page two.

Rube was of ill health for his last four years and expired in 1955 Electra at age 76. He rests at theOld Electra Cemetery. - Mom - W5IZL Ruth Sheldon Brown Gieske *1897-1990* Ruth wasborn in Mason City, Iowa - Her first husband was Ernest R. Brown, married 1917 in Electra Texas.
They had two boys and a girl. Her husband was editor of the Electra News until his death in 1955
at which time she managed the paper until sold. Ruth at her post, the well equipped station which
includes a quality HRO.
I have been a ham for over 56 years, (Ruth said ina letter) it is a wonderful hobby.....my son Ernie is
W5FYZ and his wife, Bonnie are also a hams - soyou see we are a Hammy family! We’ve kept
schedules on the air for over forty years.
Ruth said; “It all began in 1924 she shared second
operator of 5AWQ. Rube and his brother were
keeping the rest of the family awake in the wee
small hours building gear.” Her interest lagged fora time but when her son Ernie earned W5FYZ,
Ruth got the bug again before WW2, earned
W5IZL at Electra Tex.
Obtained from CQ YL by W5RZJ; Ruth divides
her time between 10 Phone and 20/40 meter band
CW. Holder of a 35WPM code proficiency award and RCC; A1 Club; WAS; OOTC; WAC and a
Public Service certificate earned during the Florida Gulf Hurricane of 1947.
Ruth W5IZL expired 1990 at age 92 at the Electra Nursing Center. Living in Electra all her life andactive in ham radio over 60 years. Interment at Old Electra Cemetery. Survivors include two sons,daughter Jeanette Zerkie of Palm Desert, Ca. Five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Ruth
married Alfred Gieske W5WS 1900-1974 in 1960. Al was a retired farmer and a ham for 64 years.
Membership with QCWA. He was from Maryland. The threesome “Brown hams” Son Ernie D. Brown W5FYZ *1918-2006* Ernie was a grad ofElectra H.S. and Texas Tech Univ., earning a degree in geology. He was a loyal Red Raider to thevery end. Ernie a long time engineer on a seismograph crew which
eventually led to his crew discovering the first off-shore oil
production in the Gulf of Mex. Later on with La. State Dept. Ofrevenue. Married Bonnie Allard - April 1942 who is W5TEB ofMinden, LA. - Started MARA - OOTC, QCWA ARCOS ofShreveport.
Ernie’s close friends W5MUG Floyd and Winnie Teetson weresenselessly murdered February 1996 by an 18 year old yard worker.
Brown asked the Teetson pastor to check the home because Teetson
did not make a schedule on two meters. The pastor found the brutal
murder scene. Ernie had several health issues and expired at Minden,
La - 8 January 2006. - John Wallace K5APB called Ernie a Ham’s
ham and fine friend. “He never met a man he didn’t like.”
QSL from the W8JYZ Collection. CQ YL data W5RZJ - appreciation to K5APB. W8SU 2009