"Beer and Ice Seminary"

In April of 1882 my second great grandfather, Benedict Joseph Riney "B.J.", moved to Abilene, TX and engaged in the restaurant and grocery business before owning a beer and ice house warehouse at South First and Sycamore. I always heard through family folklore that he leased this warehouse for the first Abilene High School. Several years ago I was eating at the Beehive Restaurant in downtown Abilene and noticed the menu cover was an old Abilene Reporter News. Things like this always catch my attention, and I immediately noticed B.J. Riney's name on the front. It was an article about Abilene's public school beginnings. Right there was confirmation that he leased his beer and ice warehouse for the first classes held in 1887. The article says, "Since beer and ice had been stored there, school girls nicknamed the high school the "Beer and Ice Seminary"." I decided to put the menu in my purse as a souvenir. Picture attached.

The money from the beer and ice warehouse was enough that B.J. bought a ranch in western Taylor County in 1887, as well. The area was called Nubia, TX, south of Merkel, TX and west of Buffalo Gap. According to oral history he bought the land, called the Riney Ranch, because it had good water, grass, and wood. In that order. He also wanted it passed down through family for years to come. My great grandmother, Mae Riney, was the eighth of 10 children. She was born in 1890, at the ranch. In 1906 B.J. sold out to his sons and moved back to Abilene. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1907, less than a year after he moved. This was also seven months before his daughter, Mae Riney's wedding. The sons had to sell the ranch eventually but my grandparents bought the back end of the original Riney Ranch in the 1940s. My dad and aunt still live out on that land. There is something encouraging to know this man's purpose is being preserved 132 years later; and it is reasonable to believe it is all because of beer, ice, and Abilene High.

Beehive Menu

Benedict Joseph Riney

Riney Ranch in 1908