The story of the Price family, which is detailed in a new book titled The Ties That Bind: A Georgetown Texas Memoir 1904-1909 is not just confined to a history book. The Price family’s association with Southwestern University – which started in the late 1800s – continues to this day.

There were six children in the family of Mattie Mann and Richard Henry Price, all of whom attended Southwestern at some point. Many of their children attended Southwestern, as did some of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The Southwestern years of Early Price, the youngest daughter in the Price family, are featured in The Ties That Bind, which was written by her granddaughter, Louise Walsh.

A current Southwestern student, Morgan Allen Smith, is the great-grandson of Lily Price (Young), who was Early’s older sister. His great-great grandfather, Ryland Young Sr., was one of the original five professors at Southwestern.

Smith said he didn’t pick Southwestern because of his family history, but he has come to appreciate it since he has been here.

“It’s mind-boggling at times to think how much history there is,” he said.

Smith, who is a member of Southwestern’s cross-country team, said he frequently runs by the cemetery behind Southwestern where many members of the Price family are buried.

“It gives me even more of a personal connection to the school,” he said. “I think my great-grandmother would have been happy I went to Southwestern.”

Jessie Price (Gilmour) is the daughter of Charles Price, who was Early’s younger brother. She went to Southwestern and graduated in 1936. Gilmour is still alive and living in Midland, Texas. Her son, Bruce Gilmour, attended Southwestern and graduated in 1974. Gilmour’s son, Jess Gilmour, attended Southwestern and graduated in 2005. He also lives in Midland and works in the oil and gas industry.

Jess Gilmour said that like most students, he went to Southwestern because he was interested in attending a smaller university with a strong academic program. But the fact that his father and grandmother were both graduates was another determining factor in his decision to attend the university.

“My entire family has pursued and continues to pursue higher degrees of learning and much of this can be attributed to Southwestern’s unique ability to instill an abounding passion for learning,” he said.

Joyce Price, a daughter of Early’s oldest brother, Louis, attended Southwestern and was named Miss Southwestern in 1937.