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Early History qf BosqueCounty

Class F^^a^Book ,'B7C ^

SKETCH

OF THE

Early History qf Bosqti

County

BY

H. J. and C. M. CURETON.

Read by H. J. Cureton at the Old Settlers Reunion o/iS Semi-

centennial Celebration g/ the Organization of

Bosque County, at Meridian,

Texas, July 4. 1904.

Thk Tufbunb Printing Company,Printers,

Meridian, Texas

!< r^ /*!

1..-,'^'

.,')

NOTE.

The writers in the preparation of the following sketch

"beg- to make public acknowledgement for assistance ren-

dered and information furnished us by Jasper N. Mabray,

J. K. Helton. F. M. Kell, John Thomas. A. J. George,

Dave Neely. James M. Robertson. W. H. Russell, T. C.

Alexander, Jack Odle. Jeff Barnes, Y. Grimland, Mrs.

Jesse Russell Jones, Miss Nellie Anderson and Miss Lula

Kell. and many others ?iave generously given us their

assistance in this matter.

Oifl

Publisher

30.0, 'd8

Early History qf Bosque County.

The returning- soldiers of the

war between the United Statesand Mexico spread the news, in

northern and eastern Texas, of

a beautiful land on the west of

the Brazos River, and northwestfrom Waco; where rich valleys,

rank in verdue, lay betweenhills of Alpine beauty, threadedby clear streams of the purestwater, over which ran all the

game which the heart of thehunter could long for, such as

buffalo, bear, antelope, wildturkey, deer and elk; and someof the fiercer type, as the pan-

ther and kindred tribes, to addspice to the profits of the chase.

This Eden, neAvly found by thereturning soldiers, was the landupon which we now live andwhich now comprises BosqueCounty.So far as our investigation

has gone, the first permanentwhite settlers came to this

county in the year 1850, while

this county was comjDrised with-

in the territory of McLennanCounty. They were EwellEverett and family, who settled

on the Bosque river, and AlbertBarton and family, who settled

near the mouth of Steele's

Creek, and established a ferryon the Brazos river, near old

Fort Graham. And in thesummer of the same year. Bar-

ton was drowned by the captizing

of his ferry boat; and his widow.

a few years thereafter, marriedSam Barnes, a noted and influ-

ential citizen in the early govern-ment of the county. Soon there-

after came the families of L. H.Scrutchfield. J. K. Helton, Wm.Gary, S. S. Locker. Wm. Mc-Curry, Allen Anderson, F. M.Gandy, A. C. Peace, the Mabrays,the Kells, the Hornbeaks, theThomas' and several others, in-

cluding the first Norwegiansettlers, Ole Pierson, CanuteCanuteson, and son Ole Caute-son, Jens Jens on, A. Brattonand perhaps others whose nameswe have been unable to ascertain.

Prior, however, to the arrival

of any of the above settlers, sur-

veying had been done in thecounty for the purpose of locat-

ing land certificates by the cele-

brated Texas hero, Geo. B.Erath and other surviving par-ties; and indeed, several of theearly settlers of the county,first came here, as members of

Erath's surveying corps, andbeing struck with the naturalbeaut}' of the land they had en-

countered returned east andbrought their families for per-

manent settlement. BosqueCounty was not without someX)opulation prior to 1850, how-ever; for the valleys and prairies

of the Bosque River. MeridianCreek and Neills Creek were thefavorite hunting grounds andhabitat of the Tonkawa Indians,

EAllLY IIISTOKV OF HOSQUl-: COUNTY

a tribe of some 300 in number,and who remained friendly to

the Avhites, save an occasionaltheft. These Indians remainedin the county for some yearsafter its organization; but gavethe white settlers very little

trouble, owing to the controllinginfluence exercised over them byJudge Lowei^y H. Scrutchlield,who was regarded by them withunbounded confidence, and theyfrequently assisted the whitesin their battles with their morewarliliC brothers, theComanchesand Kiowas.

Organization of the County.

In the winter of 1803, a pe-tition was circulated and signedby the settlers, then livingwithin the territory now com-prised by Bosque County', askingthe Legislature of Texas to createa new county out of that terri-

tory to be called Bosque Count3\In response to this i)etition, theLegislature by an act approvedFebruary 4th, 1854, created theterritory previously mentionedinto a new count}^ and called it

Bosque County. That act alsoappointed Wm. Gary. T. E.Everett, Wm. McCurry, S. S.Locker, L. H. Scrutchtield andJasper N. Mabray, Commission-ers to locate the county Site ofsaid county; and empoweredthem to purchase or receive bydonation, not more than 320acres of land for the use of saidcounty, and to proceed to layoff one half of said land intosuitable lots, and to sell thesame or any part thereof at suchtime and (m such terms ns thev

may think best for the interestof the county, and appl}^ theproceeds of such sales to theerection of suitable countybuildings for use of said county.The act providing further, thatthe said Commissioners or a ma-jority of them, shall locate thecounty seat as near the centerof said county as j)racticable; if

the land can be obtained, so asto secure the permanency of

the same, and to continue to per-form the duties of county com-missioners until the next regularelection, wheii their dutiesshould cease.

Pursuant to this act of theLegislature, the Conjmissionersabove named with the exceptionof T. E. Everett, met June i7th,

1854, where now is located thetown of Meridian, and ordered,first, that the Commissioners re-

ceive 100 acres of land donatedby Dr. J. M. Steiner and 20acres of land donated by J. T.

Eubank, for the use and benefit

of Bosque County. This landbeing located a little north andwest of the true geographicalcenter of the county; second,ordered that the county seat belocated on said donation andcalled "MERIDIAN:" third, or-

dered that one half of the land

donated be run off into suitable

lots and sold on the 4th day of

July, 1854, just fifty years ago,

today: it was also ordered that

rive lots be donated to actual

settlers who Avill settle up the

same, and in) prove the said lots

against the 4th day of July; thecommissioners being of theopinion that the five lots being

EARLY HISTORY OF BOSQUE COUNTY

improved will set the balance of

the town ofl', and therefore saiddonations will be beneficial to

the county.Between this date and Jul}"

4th, the town lots were run otf,

preparatory to the lot sale onthat date; Major Geo. B. Erath,being' the surveyor. By July4th, some four or five log- hutshad been built upon the donatedlots, one being- uj^jon the lot

where now stands the DuncanHotel.

July 4th, i8s4.

Fifty years ago, toda.y, washeld the first barbecue, the first

of those great social gatheringswhich have become so character-istic of the generous people of

Bosque County. It was held in

a beautiful post oak grove upona little ridge, gently rising upfrom the first valley of the Bos-que River; the stately trees in

front of the Emerson Hotel nowmark the exact spot, where theexercises of that memorable day.were held. The day was ideal.

The announcement of the eventhad been carried far and near,

and several hundred people hadcome in ox wagons and on horseback from the surroundingcountry, and from Waco, Gates-ville and other points, and pitch-

ed camp for the occasion. Andthough it may seem strange now,the fact, remains, that many of

those who were present uponthat occasion, thought they werestanding as godfathers to a greatcity, for this was the birthdayof a new county, located almostill the center of the state, and it

was thought by many leading-

men of that time, that the placethen being founded, wouldeventually be the capital of

Texas, which accounts for thefancy prices paid for lots soldon that day. And while thosepresent upon that Fourth ofJuly were not so numerous aswe who are here today, yet,

owing to auspiciusness of theoccasion and the notable men whoparticipated, it is a day long to

be treasured in the memoryof all living within the bordersof this county. It is perhapsworthy of mention here, thatwhen the venerable Geo. B.Erath was marking out the last

town lot in what was then thoughtmight be the future capital of

the great empire of Texas, Mrs.Swenson, now living at Cliftonand who is present here, today,and her sister, Mrs. Pederson,now deceased, daughters of OlePierson, held the surveyor'schain with their own hands.

Notable Men Present.

Geo. B. Erath was one of

the most noted of Texas heroes.He was an Austrian noblemanby birth, and born on the banksof the Historic Danube. Hewas a man of highest education,culture and and attainment; andwhy he quitted the allurementsof wealth and station open tohim in his native land, to casthis fortunes amidst the strangeadventures, privations and man-ifold dangers that followed hislife in this, the land of hisadoption, is one of thoseromances to which he seldom

6 EARLY HISTORY OF BOSQUE COUNTY

reverted and remains hidden in

the same depth of mistery as

that Avhicli drove General SamHouston from his bride and the

governorship of Tennesse to this

same wild country. MajorEruth landed in Texas on the

coast near Velasco in 1832. andfrom date his life was insepar-

ably linked with the heroicsti'ugg-les of Texas, and herbattles with the Mexicans and the

savage red man. He was in the

battle of San Jacinto, and manyother noted battles, and the

story of his personal adventureswould till a volume. MajorErath stated that upon one oc-

casion, he acquired an un-

waranted reputation for courage,by reason of the fact, in charg-ing a superior bodj^ of Indiansintended merely as a feint to

cover the retreat of his ownmen, his bridle bits broke in two,

and his cavalry horse being amule, carried him headlong into

the Indians. The terrorized In-

dians ignorant of the accidentcausing the charge, fled panicstricken, and saved the daj^ for

Erath and his band. It is also oneof the traditions of this celebra-tion, that Major Erath preparedfor himself with his own handsan old time beef head roast ashis part of the barbecue.

Dr. J. M. Steiner.

Another notable characterpresent at said celebration wasDr. J. M. Steiner. who donatedthe one liundi-ed acres uponwhich the town of Meridian nowstands, to Bosque Count3\ Dr..Steiner is uotod in Texas history

and the history of the south, byreason of his unique and thrilling-

rescue by his friend. JudgeJames H. Dyer and part}' of thecivil authorities of Hill Countyfrom the hands of the militar}"

iiuthorities. and allowing him atrial by the civil courts, insteadof a summary trial hy a drumhead court martial; the troublegrowing out of Steiner's havingkilled the commanding ofiicer of

the United States army post at

old Fort Graham in self defense.Steiner was at that time chiefsurgeon (jf the post. Dr. Steinerwas for many years afterwardsone of the foremost citizens of

the state, and possessed thosequalities of manhood and couragethat endeared him to the pioneersof the country.

Capt. Sam Barnes.

And there was Capt. SamBarnes, who had been a soldier

under Houston in the battles of

the Republic, and who foughtwith James Bowie in the greatIndian battle of San Saba, whereless than a dozen men were at-

tacked and besieged by one hun-dred and forty Indians for sev-

eral days. He was also a meu)-ber of the celebrated Meir ex-

pedition into Old Mexico, wherehe there cast lots with death in

the d]"awing of the beans, to

which piece of rehned crueltythat courageous band of Texasheroes were subjected. Failingto draw a black bean he escapedback to Texas and after a check-ed career in battling against theadverse forces that surroundedthe early pioneer, was tinnlly

EARLY HISTOIiY OF BOSQUE COUNT

V

killed in the pitched battle withthe Indians at Dove Creek.Capt. Barnes shares with EwellEverett and Albert Barton thedistinction of being- the tirst

white settlers in Bosque county.And there was also present LeeDavis, the cousin of Sam Barnes,whose career was equally ascheckered, and who was also amember of the ill fated Mierexpedition.

Judge N. W. Battle, now liv-

ing- at Seattle, Washington, wasthen a candidate for DistrictAttorne}' of the District and theorator of the occasion. JudgeBattle then resided at Waco, androde from that place, 50 miles,horseback to make the speech.He was the District Attorney atthe organization of the DistrictCourt of Bosque County, andafterwards served as DistrictJudge over the same court.

Aside fi'oin these men, justmentioned, thei-e were present,Judge Lower V H. Scrutchtield,Jasper N. Mabray, F. M. Kell,

Judge J. K. Helton, the latter

two are here today, and manyothers, whose distinguished ser-

vices are a matter of commonknowledge to the people of thiscounty.

It might be worthy of men-tion, and no reflection upon thosesturdy pioneers, to state thatlocal option was not in effect in

Bosque county on that date, anda little barrel of pure old Ken-tucky Bourbon was freelj' dis-

pensed to rhose who would par-take.

Origin of the Name.

The word -bosque" is aSpanish word, and its Englishequivalent is ••woods" or"woody." And on the oldestSpanish majjs is given as a namefor the Bosque River and its

several forks and tributaries in

this county. This statement wehave no less authority than Geo.B. Erath. As to who appliedthis name to the river is notknown, and was not known in

the days of Major Erath, whoseonly information was from theold Spanish maps made by thefirst Spanish explorers, andwhich are inexcessable to us at

this day and time. As to whosuggested that the name of thecounty follows the name of its

chief river, neither have webeen able to learn, suffice it to

say that other fancy theories asto the origin of this name forthe county are not supported b\'

authentic tradition, nor theetemology and jDlain meaning of

the name itself.

The name ''Meridian" forthe county seat was suggestedby Jasper N. Mabray, one of thelocating- Commissioners. Me-ridian Creek and MeridianMountain had borne this namefor many years prior to

the organization of tlie county;and they were perhaps so namedby Geo. B. Erath or some of theearly sun'eyors, from the factthat the 98th meridian of longi-

tude passes over or near a highmountain suitable for observa-tion purposes near the head of

Meridian Creek.

EAKLY HISTORY OF ]iOSQL'E COUNTY

Early Government of the County.

So far as the records show,the first election in BosqueCounty was held Oct. 7th, 1854,

there being tViree voting- places

provided for. One on the

Brazos River with R. S. Barnes,presiding- officer, one at Meri-dian, with Israel B. Standifor.

presiding- officer, and the third

under a truly historic live oaktree, still standing-, near the

residence of Tom Pool about .j

miles below Clifton, with J. K.Helton as presiding officer.

There being no qualiiied voters

at the first election at the Meri-

dian box, there is no record of

any returns having been madefrom that box. The total vote

cast at the other two boxes was17 votes. Five votes at Barnes'box and 12 votes under the old

live oak tree. None of the Nor-wegians were qualified voters at

that time. Among the first

officers of the county were: P.

Bryant, Sheriff; A. C. Pearce.District Clerk; Jasper N. Ma-bray, County Clerk; L. H.Scrutchfield, Chief Justice; andJ. K. Helton. Justice of the

Peace. The first marriage li-

cense was issued to Leroy Parksand Miss Wheeler.The County Court of Bosque

County on August 28th, 1854,

ordered that William McCurr^^be employed to erect a suitable

building to be used as a courthouse and 'for the office of Bos-que County.' This building-

was a single room, one storylog building, and rested on thespot where now stands the FirstNational Bank. On N«n'en]ber

25th 1854, the court paid Wm.McCurry for the erecting- of Bos-que county's first court house,the sum of $125. This buildingwas used until 1860, when a

frame building about 30 by 40

feet was erected near where the

[)resent court house now stands.

Tliis building had three rooms;one for the court room and twoto accommodate the clerks. It

was burned in 1871, and a partof the records were entirely de-

stroyed with it. From 1871 until

1875, the county was without a

court house; a tent being used apart of the time to accommodatethe court. In 1875 a two storystone court house was completedby A. J. George and DaveNeely,and cost the county approx-imately §10,000. This building

was torn down in l88tj for theerection of the present courthouse.

First District Court.

The first district court of

Bosque county was opened onthe 9th day of June 1855, withthat distinguished pioneer jurist,

Judge R. E. B. Baylor, as Judge,and N. W. Battle, District At-torney; I. Witty. Sheriff andA. C. Pearce. District Clerk. It

might be worth}- of mention to

here state that Judge Baylorwas one of nature's Noblemen,whose whole soul was bound upin the welfare of Texas and hercivic development; and it alwaysfilled him with deep emotion,

when b}'^ his assistance the law-

ful administration of justice andcivil government was extendedover a new county as was being

EARLY HISTORY OF BOSQUE COUNTY 9

done on this occasion. On theday above mentioned when hetook the bench, he requestedthe sheriff to open court to

which request he repUed: 'JudgeI never saw a court opened, I donot know how.' WliereuponJudge Baylor said: 'Well I'll

tell you. Go to the door and sayin a loud voice, 'oh yez, oh yez;

oh yez. the Honorable DistrictCourt of Bosque County is nowiji session!' And as the sheriff

turned away, the old Judgefilled with emotion reverentlysaid to himself: 'God blessTexas.' The sheriit" mistakingthe last remark of the jutlge as apart also of the ceremony- to beproclaimed, went to the doorand after proclaiming the regu-lar oj^ening W(jrds, exclaimedalso in stentorion tones: 'GodBless Texas.' x\nd thus in atruly earnest manner, the ad-ministration of the law began in

Bosque County. The first civil

case upon the docket of the dis-

trict court was styled: "TliomasB. Clements vs. W. M. McNeilland B. P. Scott,' number one onthe doclvet; and while the recorddoes not disclose the fact, wehave been informed that SenatorRichard Coke was one of thecounsel in that case. The first

criminal case on the docketcharged the defendant b}^ in-

dictment with the offense of

grand larcenrv, filed December11th, 185(1

Government During the War.

On February 23rd. 18G1, the

people of Bosque County votedupon the question of secession,

resulting in 15G votes being castfor secession and 16 votes againstit. During the continuance ofthe Civil War the commissioners'court of Bosque county repeated-ly appropriated funds for thearming and equiting soldiersgoing to war and providing fortheir famihes left at home. Thelarger portion of the citizenshipof the county having gone towar, the administration of thecourts were largely suspended;and on March 17th, 1862, thecitizens of the county met atMeridian and organized a com-mittee of safety, and in the sol-

emn language of the originalminutes of the meeting whichwe have in our possession, 'thegreatest enthusiasm prevailedand every patriotic sentimentwas eagerly applauded; theHonorable W. R. Sedberry wascalled to the chair, and W. T.Kem]) was appointed Secretary.The Rev. John Abuey stated theobject of the Tueeting, and JohnAbney, Sam Barnes. J. K. Hel-ton. Jerry Odle, Jack Smith andJames Lane were appointed acommittee on resolutions, whichcommittee submitted their re-port in the following language:Whereas the Southern Confed-eracy is having an unnaturalcurse and sanguinary war wagedagainst it by Abraham Lincolnand his abolition hordes, where-by our lives, liberties and for-tunes are being impoverished,and our soil is being desecratedby the vandal tread of ourYankee enemies, making it im-perative that a large share ofour best citizens go to the seat

10 EARLY HISTORY OF BOSQUE COUNTY

of war to meet and drive backthe invading foe and by their

valor achieve our independance;and whereas there are vre thatbeUeve in our uiidst pei'sons

liostile to our institutions, con-

s(>quently enemies to our coun-try and its cause; besides characters who have no love of

country, and who know not themeaning of patriotism, but whowill take advantage of the ab-

sence of our good citizens to

depredate upon their property,thereby showing themselvesclearly as great enemies to ourcountry and its cause as anabolitionist.' And so the reso-

lutions continue, and linally re-

solves that "should any man nowliving in our midst, who hasbeen or who may hereafter beguilty of using language derog-atory of the Southern Confeder-acy or its cause, or by any actgiving evidence that he is un-friendly to the ConfederateGovernment, that the committeetest him b}' his being requiredto show his fidelity to our gov-ernment and cause, by enlistingin the arm^' of the SouthernConfederacy; and if he refuses.give him a free j^ass to leave forthe Lincoln Government; and if

he refuses to do either, he shall

be regarded and treated as analien enemy and as a spy for

which he shall be executed bythe committee.' This committeealso laid down rules and regula-tions for the branding of stock.and took charge of all estrays.and forfeited them to a fund fortlie support of the soldiers fam-ilies, and ;it tlie rt^tiuest of the

county court co-operated with it

in the administration of justice

in the county.

Indian Depredations in the County.

The principal tribes of In-

dians that from time to timemade raids into the territory of

Bosque county were the Com-anches, the Kiowas and theCaddos. The object of these in-

cursions on the ])art of the redmen was principally for the theft

of horses from the white settlers

but the massacre of men andwomen or the murder or captureof children w^ere not infrequentoccurrences while on theseraids. And the white people of

this county, up until the early'seventies, were kept constantlyon the alert for the safety of

their stock and their own lives.

For the purpose of 'affording

greater protection against theIndians, the settlers of thecounty were organized and keptscouting parties constantlyalong the north and west bordersof the settlements. One of theprincipal points from whichwatch was kept b^' these scoutswas a high point called LookoutMountain near Martin's Gap onthe line of Bosque and Hamiltoncounties, where the village of

Fairy now stands. The scouting))arty, usually consisting of 8 oriO men, would keep their campnear Lookout Mountain, withtwo men in turn detailed as sen-

tinels to keep constant vigil fromthe top of the mountain, wherethey could see through the level

country and the clear sky manj'-

miles bevond; and thus discover

EARLY HISTOKY OF BOSQrE COUNTY 11

any bands of Indians going into

or out Oi the settlement. TheIndians usually made their raids

upon moonlight nights, andthese watches were kept up onthose nights as well as duringthe day.On the 4th day of March,

1857, the day of the Inaugurationof President Buclianan, F.M.Kellwho is here today, was one of

the sentinels on Lookout Moun-tain; and looking out to the southand west he saw a band of live

Indians hurriedly leaving thesettlement witli a buncli of

stolen horses. Crawling backover the point of the mountain,he gave the alarm to the otherscouts below, who mountingtheir horses in company withKell and the other sentinel,

charged the Indians. But six

of the scouts had horses fleet

enough to get into the fight.

They were F. M. Kell andbrother Abe Kell, Bob Renfro,Jim Babb, Allen Anderson andRoss Crantili. The father andbrother of young Renfro hadbeen killed, but a short whilebefore by the Indians. It was arunning fight, with the Indiansheaded toward the Leon bottoms.The settlers were armed withold fashioned slow loading tire

arms, and the Indians with bowsand arrows, with the exceptionof one who was armed with a

large bore Yaugor gun. Thechief of the band had also a

bright shield and a Spanish steel

lance, in the use of which hewas very proficient. One byone the Indians were killed in ahand to hand figlit: the fourth

one after being shot from his

horse, leaned against a tree andfought with his bow and arrows,and although severally wounded,came near killing several of thescouts; while Mr. Kell, who wasreloading his gun, ordered theboy, Bob Renfro, to kill him.Young Renfro killed him b}'

shooting him in the head, and asthe Indian fell to the groundupon his face he had his bowand arrow dr.awn ready for

shooting again. A dramatic in-

cident of the fight was a personalencounter between the chief,

armed with his spear and shield

and Mr. Kell, with the fleetest

horse as they sped their way to-

ward the Leon bottoms. Theskill with which the Indianchief warded off the aim andbullets of his assailant with his

bright and blinding shield, andthe dexterity with which heused his Spanish lance, prevent-ed his unhorsement, and enabledliim alone of his band to escapeand rejoin his tribe. This In-

dian is now one of the agedchiefs of the Kiowas and residesin the Indian Territory, andstates that he received amongother wounds in this battle abullet through his body.In 185!S the Comanche Indians

made a raid through Erath, Com-anche and Bosque Counties, kill-

ing a nunjber of people and steal-

ing !nany head of horses. InBosque County, near what wasever afterwards known as John-son's Peak, they encountered a

man by the name of Johnson andhis little boy with a wagon loadof flour and meal. They killed

12 EARLY HISTOUY OF EJOSQUE COUNTY

the man, scalped him and mutil-

ated his body, and took the little

boy captive. They carried himwith them for several daj's, butlinally stripped him naked andturned him loose in a wild, un-

inhabited and unknown country.After roaming around for a dayor two in terror of wolves andwild beasts, and without food, hecame across some cows fromwhich he obtained milk for food,

and with which he remained to

protect him from the wolves. Healso hoped that the cows mightlead him to some ranch. Afterspending several days in this

manner, he was finiilly found andrescued by that gallant old

Knight of the Frontiers, Col.

Buck Barry, and his scoutingparty.There were enough thrilling

encounters with the Indians in

the territory of Bosque County,by its pioneers to lill a volume.The story of the capture andliberation by ransom of the Nor-wegian boy. Ole Nystel, who is

here today, is itself a romance,unsurpassed in the annals of

adventure or fiction. The raid up-on and rifling of Ole Canuteson'shouse in tiie early Norwegiansettlement, and the curiousmingling of the comic so commonin moments of the greatest dan-ger to be found in the incident of

the rescue by Dr. W. H. Russellof his freighting mules on Steel'sCreek from an Indian attack,and many other occurances. areincidents worthy of mentionhere, but the limits of this paperdo not permit a further enlarge-ment of our sketch. The bal tie

of Dove Creek, fought by a partof Col. Buck Barry's regiment,was perhaps one of the greatestpitched battles ever fought withthe Indians in Texas, and it wasfought principally by BosqueCounty citizens commanded byCape. Henry Fossett, an otherold and reverred pioneer of this

county. Capt. Jack Cureton. thegrandfather of the authors of

this sketch, and many who arestill living and present heretoday participated in this greatfight. It was fought in 18t)5 in

the dead of winter, on DoveCreek one of the tributaries of

the Concho River, between athousand Indians warriors armedwith rillles and several hundredwhites similiarly armed.

Manners and Customsi.

Mr. Hornbeak, now living at

Corsicana, and who is presenthere today was born in 1851

about two miles above the pres-

ent location of the town of ValleyMills, and was the first whitechild born in Bosque County.F. M. Gandy and McCurrj^were the first people marriedupon the soil of Bosque County.Mrs. Gandy is present here to-

day. The first mail facilities in

the county were by private

carriers frotn Waco as early as

1854. The first church waserected near Valley Mills. Thereis some conflict in the memoriesof the surviving old settlers as

to who preached the first ser-

mon, but there were sermonspreached at private residences

as early as 1853 and 1854. In the

early days oT the county the

EAKLY HISTORY OF BOSQUK COUx\TY 13

people carried their tire-arms to

church Avith them as legendtells us they did in the old Puri-

tan days, and services were heldunder jnany and various adversecircumstances. The venerableDr. \Y. H. Russell in an article

giving- his experience as an earlysettler of this county, writtenfor the information of the writersof this sketch, relates an incidentof one of the first camp ujeetings

ever held in the county, whichthrows some light upon the cus-

toms and conditions of thosedays. He states that at a camp-meeting vvhich had been in

progress for some time, AlonzoBearcroft decided to go home,and yoking up his oxen stai'ted

off towards his destination. It

was about 2 o'clock in the after-

noon, and the oxen vvere thirsty

and before going more than amile from the camp, the oxenspied a pond of water a shortdistance from the road, andwheeling with that sudden vimand energ}'. familiar only to theold time ox driver, the oxenprouiptly headed for the same,totally oblivious of the burdeti

they v/ere drawing. The wagonwas overturned and the ladies

entrapped beneath the bed. Mr.Bearcroft much enraged, onlytook time to prop up a corner of

the wagon bed to prevent thesuffocation of his family, andhurried back to the meeting for

assistance. He ran without hat,

coat or shoes and fell exhaustedat the feet of Dr. Russell,

without being able to explain his

trouble. The men of the con-

gregation thinking it was an

Indian attack, rushed to therescue, while Dr. Russell heroic-

ally poured all the Sacrementalwine down Bearcrof. Bearcroftrecovered and his family wererescued without injury, but this

incident broke the camp meetingup.Supples for the early settlers

had to be freighted over long andtedious routes by wagons fromWaco, Houston, Shreveport andother distant points, and in

these trips the freighters weresubjected to many privations,hardships and dangers of attackfrom the hostile Indians. Fromthe pages of an old ledger pre-served by one of the old settlers

we can see that flour then cost§8.50 per hundred, salt '^8 asack, J{>1 for four pounds of sugarfour pounds of green coffee forthe same money, and calico 35

cents a yard, and so on down theline of the staple necessaries of

life.

Pioneer Women.

We cannot close this sketchwithout making mention of theheroic Avomen, Avho with their

husbands blazed the Avay for this

splendid civilization we are en-joying in Bosque County today.We have here attempted in somemeasure to depict the courageof the pioneer ]nen. but wordsare inadequate to describe thecourage and fortitude of thepioneer women:

"The mothers of our foremost land,Stout hrtarted dames were they;

AVho dared to wield tho battle brand—And join the border 'fray."

And perhaps we cannot bettersum up the character of the old

14 EARLY HISTORY OF BOSQUE COUNTY

settler, than in the language of ready at any moment to defendone of their number, Dr. W. H. his home and family against theRussell: 'The early settler was red tiend. The feint of heart andfirst, last and all the time a those with lack of courage hadsoldier: always picket duty, and no ])lace here."

)i)j 9S 1908n,<