History of Dallas County, Texas: from 1837 to 1887

John Henry Brown was a journalist, military leader, author, and politician. He is often cited as Dallas' first historian. He authored at least three books on regional and state history in the late 19th century, with many events of which he wrote occurring within living memory. Brown was acquainted with, interviewed, and/or acquired documentation from key figures and eyewitnesses to reinforce his accounts of events, even having been involved in some of those events himself.

Since the late 20th century, Brown has been the subject of criticism as his writings and speeches expressed open racism and discrimination against Native and African Americans as well as abolitionists who were sympathetic to the freedmen. His writings herein often reflect those prejudices. Aside from his racist views, however, Brown's writings, though not without error, are considered to be of general historical merit due to his acquaintances with many key figures who were still alive at the time.

Following is the complete text of Brown's 1887 book, History of Dallas County, Texas: from 1837 to 1887. Of particular interest is the addendum in which Brown asserts that the document known as the Treaty of Bird's Fort was not actually signed at Bird's Fort, but at "what later became known as Johnson's Station", i.e. Marrow Bone Spring.

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Introduction

It is both wise and just that the correct history of the original settlement and reclamation from savagery of every district in the United States should be preserved by the inhabitants of such locality. It is a source of pleasure to the descendants and successors of the first occupants; and, when its accomplishment may have demanded, as in all this section of country, both moral and physical courage, combined with intelligence and steadfastness of purpose, its preservation tends to the elevation of each succeeding generation occupying the same soil. It descends as a higher title to true manhood and womanhood than are the merely inherited titles of rank in the old countries of Europe. It is the base upon which rests a degree of laudable self-respect and inherited patriotism unknown to the old and intensified populations of the old world.

The settlement of Texas was altogether unlike that of any other State or territory in the Union, so far as the Anglo-Saxon race is concerned. All the hazards elsewhere undertaken were ventured under the aegis of the United States. In Texas every adventurous immigrant entering its domain risked the uncertainties, the despotisms, the internecine strifes, the crude ideas of republicanism, and the demoralizations of a nation of mixed blooded people, who had been held, for three hundred years, in abject subjection to a foreign, absolute monarchy, followed by eleven years of cruel, relentless war, from which they had just emerged—in the self-same year in which our race first essayed the attempt to settle Texas—1821. Too feeble to afford protection to the American colonists invited by them to settle and occupy their northern wilderness, comprehended under the designation of the "Province of Texas," and from time immemorial dominated by roving and hostile tribes of Indians, the colonists, from the first, were thrown upon their own resources for existence, and for protection against these ever-moving and ever-watchful American Arabs.

Settlements feebly began in the lower or coast country in January, 1822, in Austin's colony, followed by others in DeWitt's colony in 1825-6, and continued to increase, from the Nueces to the Sabine, along the inner coast belt and as far back, in a few spots, as the ancient Spanish military road from Say Antonio de Bexar to Nacogdoches. So it was when Texas revolutionized in 1835 and won her independence in 1836. Five years passed away and brought the close of 1841, twenty years after the first settlement, and still all of North Texas remained as much a wilderness as it was when Cortez conquered Mexico in 1521. This more immediate section, though occasionally traversed by adventurous hunters and trappers, was simply known by the people elsewhere by the somewhat appropriate designation of the "Three Forks of the Trinity" country, the Elm and Main forks uniting near Dallas and the Boil d'Arc or East fork about thirty miles below.

The first incident connected with the immediate territory of Dallas county, of which we have knowledge, was stated by the author of this sketch, in an address to the Texas Veteran Association, at their reunion in Dallas, on the semi-centennial of San Jacinto Day, April 21, 1886:

"Forty-nine years ago, in the autumn of 1837, when all this country, known as North and Northwest Texas, was an unpeopled wilderness, excepting in its occupancy by roving tribes of hostile savages, a company of about fifty volunteers, under the command of Capt. William M. Eastland, left LaGrange, on the lower Colorado, on an expedition against the savages in the upper country, the commander being a soldier of San Jacinto, and the same Christian prisoner who drew a black bean in the lottery of life and was one of the seventeen martyrs shot unto death as malefactors, by the order of Santa Anna, at the hacienda of Salado, in the interior of Mexico, March 25, 1843. In due time this company reached the highlands, now in Eastland county, dividing the waters of Pecan bayou, the Leon and the Clear fork of the Brazos. There they divided into two parties the larger under Capt. Eastland, returning south on the Colorado slope of the country—the other, consisting of twenty men, under Lieuts. Van Benthuysen and Miles, moved northeastwardly, crossed the Brazos near the mouth of the Clear fork, and struck the main or West fork of the Trinity, in what is now Wise county. There, on the 10th of November, they were suddenly attacked by 150 Indians, but found refuge in a ravine, where they were besieged from forenoon to night, losing Lieut. Miles and eight men, besides several wounded and all their horses.

"Through the shelter of the night they reached the river bottom, and along its serpentine banks they were harassed during the succeeding day, but their unerring rifles finally compelled their pursuers to abandon the conflict with a severe loss. For five days they followed the river down its meanders till they reached the junction of the Main and Elm forks, three miles above this city. On the sixth day they crossed to the east side at the mouth of Turtle creek, and, a mile and a half below, came to the bluff, rising above overflow, where the village of Dallas was founded or first settled four years later. Some suffering with wounds, all well-nigh denuded of clothing and their flesh torn with thorns, they resolved to halt for repose. With mud and oak ooze their wounds were poulticed, buffaloes were killed for meat, their hides converted into moccasins and "leggings," and after three or four days thus spent at the spring near where Jackson street crosses the town branch, they recrossed the river and traveled south along the prairie, but always near the timber for protection, if attacked, and finally reached the border settlements in the lower country."

The Military Road

The next point of known interest, preceding the settlement of Dallas county, was the opening, or rather the marking and partly opening through it by the government of the Republic, of a military road, the initial points being Austin and (as finally fixed) the mouth of Kiamishi, in Red River county. From the forthcoming volume entitled The Indian Wars and Pioneers of Texas," by the author of this history, the following account of that expedition is taken:

"The Congress of 1839-40, in its first session at Austin, made provision for opening a military road from that place to Red river. Col. William G. Cooke, who had succeeded Col. Burleson in command of the regulars, was ordered to take charge of the expedition destined for that service. The entire route lay outside of the settlements, it being approximately a direct line from Austin to Bonham, then known as Fort Inglish and the home of a worthy pioneer named Bailey Inglish.

"Col. Cooke joined the troops on Little river (now in Bell county) on the 9th of September, 1840, where he remained five days waiting for mules promised, but which were not delivered. In the meantime the beeves escaped. Without waiting for others, which were to follow as soon as possible, Col. Cooke moved north, arriving at the Waco village on the 17th, where he had ordered Capt. Holliday to meet him. This village, by the march of civilization, is now the handsome and prosperous city of Waco. He remained here till the quartermaster came up with supplies, including beeves, when he took up the line of march for the Trinity, the objective point being the vicinity of the city of Dallas.

"His march was slow, owing to the difficulty in crossing the creeks with wagons. A drouth prevailed, and in two or three cases he was compelled to camp without water. This, however, for lack of knowledge of the country, as water was abundant in streams near the route. On one of these occasions, in the region of Chambers creek, some of the men, in disobedience of orders, went back unarmed on the trail for water. They were attacked by about fifteen Indians and five of them killed. During the succeeding night a severe "norther" blew up, and the beeves again escaped and were doubtless driven off by Indians, who prowled about every camp from the Brazos to the Trinity. Their daily march averaged about eight miles. After this second loss of beeves, they had no provisions excepting sugar and coffee. They had found buffalo abundant from Little river to the Brazos, and also north of Chambers' creek; but as they approached the Trinity, game became scarce, and before they had reached the main bottom they were obliged to subsist for several days on dogs, mules and horses.

"In this condition of things, Col. Cooke became satisfied that it was impossible to reach the Red river settlements with the wagons or even the sick; and being informed by his pilot that it was only two days on horseback to settlements on the Sulphur fork of Red river, determined to leave a part of the command and march on for supplies, expecting to reach the settlements in five days. Lieut.-Col. Clendenin, at his own request, was left in camp on the west side of the Trinity with the wagons, the sick and forty men as a guard. This camp was not far from Miller's Ferry of later years.

"On the fifth day after leaving the Trinity. Col. Cooke came in contact with a thicket, supposed by him to be the head of the Sabine, through which it took five days to cut. [The present population of the country will readily recognize this as the "Journegan thicket," on the boundaries of Collin and Hunt counties, made locally famous by events connected with the civil war between the States. The writer of this was once an ambassador, bearing a conditional olive branch to six or seven hundred disaffected men, enjoying the seclusion of its retreat and not without favorable results.] On the tenth day after leaving the camp on the Trinity, Col. Cooke struck a trail made by Chihuahua traders which, being followed, led him to the house of Bailey Inglish, on the Bois d'Arc fork of Red river, by whom he and his troops 'were received very hospitably and furnished with supplies, after having been without beef for twenty-two days.' This is the language of Col. Cooke himself.

"Col. Cooke made immediate arrangements for relieving the party of Clendenin. A detachment was sent back with beeves and oxen to draw the wagons. This relief reached the camp on the Trinity on the 5th of November, to find that Clendenin, in despair of relief, had temporarily abandoned the camp for the settlements below, on the 3d, leaving a note stating that he had been "starved out;" that he had eaten most of the mules; that he was obliged to leave for the settlements (doubtless old Franklin), and that he expected to return in eight or ten days. On the next day, the 4th, Capts. Skerret and Houghton, of the regulars, with forty men, having followed Cooke's trail from Austin, arrived at the deserted camp, to find Clendenin's note, and a day later, as stated, the relief arrived.

"Four of the relief party, with this information, returned to Col. Cooke, on the Bois d'Arc, making the trip in four instead of eleven days, evidently avoiding the dreadful thicket. As soon as Capt. Skerret reached the Bois d'Arc, the work of laying out the road began and was prosecuted until completed.

The northern initial point of this road was the mouth of Kiamishi creek, on Red river, in Red River county; thence it ran southwesterly, passing at or near where Paris stands; thence nine or ten miles west of the present town of Greenville; thence to what was afterwards known as "McKenzie's," and later as "Barnes'" ferry, on the East fork of Trinity; thence to the present county road crossing on White Rock, four miles east of Dallas; thence to the Trinity near where the Santa Fe railway crosses, a little below Dallas; and thence by the Waco village and fort, on Little river, to Austin, an entire distance of about three hundred and sixty miles. It was "staked" through the prairies and "blazed" through timber, but not opened through timber and timbered bottoms till 1843, and then only to the Trinity from the north, when, a few settlers having located where Dallas is, it was deflected from White Rock so as to cross the river at that point and fall on the marked line a little beyond. But the changes in the country, by immigration in the next few years, were such as to supersede portions of the road and eclipse its original national intendment, insomuch that many persons now living who came to the country but a little later are unaware of or have forgotten its origin and character.

"On the 14th of November, 1840, from his camp at Inglish's, on the Bois d'Arc, Col. Cooke officially reported all the facts herein recited, up to that date, to Branch T. Archer, Secretary of War. That report now lies before me, and has been carefully followed in this narration. In it he says that he had selected an eligible location for a post, at which to store supplies and station men for the protection of the Red River settlements against the Indians.

"The point finally chosen, and at which barracks were immediately erected, but not occupied or garrisoned, was at or in the immediate vicinity of the present town of Denison, a few miles below Coffee's trading house on Red river. In May, 1841, the Village creek expedition, in which Denton was killed, halted on the outward trip, for two or three days, at these barracks, and on the return trip disbanded at the same place.

Bird's Fort

In the fall and winter of 1840-41 the fort, since known as Bird's Fort, about twenty-two miles westerly from Dallas, on the north side of the Main or West fork of the Trinity, was built by a company of three months Rangers, under Capt. John Bird, all residents of Bowie and Red River counties. They soon returned home and left the post unoccupied. Not far from the same time, but the precise date is unknown, Robert Sloan, in command of a detachment from a company of "minute" men in Red River county, made a hasty scout through this country, and while here one of the men, named David Clubb, formerly of Illinois and a soldier in the Black Hawk war of 1832, was killed by Indians at a small lake on the Elm fork of the Trinity, a short distance above its mouth and below the Keenan crossing. It has been erroneously said that this man's name was Samuel Chubb, and that he was killed on the east side of White Rock creek. Sloan was not the captain of the Red River company, but a leader of one of the squads into which it was divided for alternate scouting purposes.

In the fall of 1841 the families of Hamp Rattan and Capt. Mabel Gilbert, with a few men, reached Bird's Fort, and a little later the family of John Beeman. Late in November, 1841, a wagon was sent back to Red river for provisions. It stayed so long that three men were sent to find and assist it, if necessary. These men were Alex W. Webb (yet living near Mesquite, in Dallas county), Solomon Silkwood and Hamp Rattan. On the east side of Elm fork, about a mile and a half southwest of where Carrollton is, while cutting down a large ash tree to get the honey found to be in it, and on Christmas day, 1841, Rattan was killed by a small party of concealed Indians. Webb and Silkwood killed one Indian and escaped to reach the Fort. The snow was six inches deep. It was intensely cold, and so remained for several days. Silkwood, from the exposure endured, sickened and died. A single man was again started to meet the relief wagon. He succeeded, and on the 30th, five days after the killing, the wagon reached the scene. The body of Rattan was still guarded by his faithful dog. The remains were conveyed to the Fort, and there, in a rude coffin made of an old wagon body, committed to the earth. His brothers, John and Liddleton Rattan, had been in the fight of Village creek, in the previous May or June, when Denton was killed. He was also a brother of Mrs. A. J. Witt, deceased, of Dallas county, and Mrs. J. W. Throckmorton and Mrs. Wm. Fitzhugh, of Collin. He was neighbor in Illinois of our esteemed old fellow-citizen and pioneer of Dallas county, Elder John M. Myers, of Carrolton, (so near the spot where he was killed) who assures me that he was a worthy man.

Birth of Dallas

Late in November, 1841, John Neely Bryan, a Tennessean, who had spent some time in the settlements on Red river, camped alone and erected a tent on the banks of the Trinity, near the site of the court house, and remained alone till the succeeding spring, excepting when visited by persons looking at the country. In the spring of 1842, several other families having in the meantime arrived at Bird's Fort, the families of Capt. Gilbert first and next John Beeman—the former in canoes, the latter in an ox wagon—abandoned the Fort and removed to Dallas, that of Beeman to remain permanently, but, after two or three years, Gilbert returned to Red river. Mr. Beeman, with his brothers and their families, had come' to Bowie county, Texas, from Calhoun county, Illinois, in the year 1840, and thence he had moved out, as stated, to the Fort. Later in 1842, James J. Beeman, half brother of John, and family, came directly from Bowie county to Dallas. A few others came during that year, and a few single men and prospectors visited the place in that time. Mr. Bryan finally secured, as his headright, 640 acres of land fronting on the river, long in its front, but very narrow in its parallel course, being confined to a strip previously left between the square league and labor, surveyed for John Grigsby, of Houston county, and the Trinity river, a large portion of Bryan's tract being low bottom land, subject to overflow, but having a plateau of higher ground, above overflow, abutting on the stream for about four hundred yards and rapidly widening as it receded from the front, so as to form a good site for a village; and, when united with the Grigsby league and labor of 4,605 acres, (both tracts containing 5,245 acres) forming an admirable location for a city, as is now demonstrated, for it extends from Grand avenue on the southeast to Turtle creek on the northwest, and from the river on the southwest to a line beyond the outer boundary of East Dallas on the northeast, containing an area equivalent to about three miles square. The land, however, was not patented to Mr. Bryan till the 16th of February, 1854, while the headrights (640 acres) of John, James J. and John S. Beeman were patented December 3d, 1850, and the league and labor to John Grigsby on the 28th of August, 1842. The prior survey of Grigsby was unknown to Bryan, and hence arose complications which delayed his patent.

Anticipating events in the order of date, it may be said that, in 1874, a very remarkable suit, or rather a suit developing remarkable facts, was instituted by heirs to recover from three or four hundred citizens, resident on the Grigsby league, certain shares in the same. By severance of defendants, two or three cases thus far have been decided by the Supreme Court in favor of the heirs as to lands held by the particular defendants, while other holders have compromised with them. As a matter of peculiar interest, involving, by the growth of Dallas, property now of large value, a brief statement of the facts is here given:

John Grigsby came to Texas with a second wife, by whom he had two children. By his first wife he had four or five children, all of whom came with him. The land was granted to him as the head of a family. By the law of Texas, such land is community property, belonging equally to the husband and wife. Grigsby died. His widow married Edens—by him had a child, and then died. Edens, father of the infant, afterwards married a daughter of Grigsby by his first wife, and became administrator of his estate, which was administered in the proper county and before the proper court. In the distribution of the land, in 1848, it was equally divided between all the children of Grigsby, by both marriages, and nothing set apart to the child of Mrs. Grigsby by her marriage with Edens. In 1874, the children by the second marriage (or the survivor of the two and the Edens child (then a married woman) brought the suit. The plea of the first was that on the death of the parent or parents, one-half the land descended equally to all of the children of Grigsby by both marriages—the other half equally to all the children of Mrs. Grigsby by her respective marriages with Grigsby and Edens. Hence the second Grigsby children had an equal share in the whole league, and the Edens child an equal share with them in the mother's half. This has been held by the Supreme Court to be the law.

The case, however, is complicated with the question of limitation as against the plaintiff heirs and perhaps other points not necessary to state, as the facts stated clearly show the law of the case as an original proposition.

[Of the original 4,605 acres, Grigsby, before his death, had legally disposed of three tracts, respectively containing 1,000, 733 and 200 acres, in all 1933 acres, leaving as the quantity in which the plaintiffs claimed an interest, 2,672 acres. The 1,000-acre tract embraces the heart of Dallas, and is not involved.]

Peters' Colony

The year 1841 was ushered in by an act of the government of Texas to encourage the settlement of this wilderness. On the 4th of February the Texian Congress passed "An Act granting land to immigrants," in which a grant was made "to Joseph Carroll, Henry J. Peters and others, their associates, therein named, for the introduction and settlement of immigrants," and authorizing the President to enter into contract with said parties and designate the territory into which they should introduce settlers, etc. The contract was executed by President Houston and Samuel Browning, attorney for the company—thereafter commonly known as the Peters' Colony Company—on the 30th of August, 1841. It was modified November 20th, 1841, and again, through Horace Burnham, attorney of the company, July 26th, 1842.

This enterprise, first discussed in 1840, the headquarters of the projectors being in Louisville, Kentucky, is what drew attention to this unoccupied wilderness and led to its settlement, beginning, as already stated, with John Neely Bryan in November, 1841. The colony covered a large district lying on the south side of Red river and extending south, so as to include a large portion of Ellis. The east line, beginning at the mouth of Big Mineral creek, on Red river and in Grayson county, ran about ten miles east of Dallas; so that all of Dallas county, excepting a strip about three miles wide, on the east side, was embraced in the colony. Though there were subsequently acrimonious contentions between the contractors, who sought to claim a portion of each settler's land, and the colonists—involving matters of great interest then, but without interest now—the matter was finally adjusted by laws of the State, under which each head of a family received six hundred and forty acres of land and each single man half the quantity.

The company widely advertised the enterprise, describing the country and its many natural advantages, and this drew an excellent population from the Southern and Western States—more especially from Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee—who diffused themselves over the large territory, the limits now embraced in Dallas county receiving its full share.

Prior to this many surveys had been made in this county by surveyors from Nacogdoches, to which county all of Dallas county, east of the Trinity, belonged till 1816—while west of the river, till the same time, belonged to the county of Robertson. Hence, from 1842 to 1846, the settler in Dallas, on the east, had to attend court in Nacogdoches, about 200 miles distant, while his neighbor, a mile distant, over in the then unchristened and undreamed-of suburb of Oak Cliff, had to do jury duty and answer for his errors, if any, at the now extinct, but then important village of Old Franklin, 150 miles on the way to Houston! Say not that men with wives and children, but without intelligence, courage and aspirations for improving their condition, would have assumed the hazards, the hardships and sore trials through which alone success—peace, plenty and happiness—could be attained! The grey haired survivors of those stout-hearted pioneers—the middle-aged children of both the dead and the living, and the grandchildren of all—have just and rational cause to felicitate themselves in manly and womanly pride at the record made and the achievements won.

The actual settlement of Dallas county, therefore, began in the spring of 1842, when the first cabin was erected and the families of John Beeman and Capt. Gilbert being the first to arrive (Mrs. Martha Gilbert being the first American lady) and relieve the loneliness of the adventurous and true-hearted avant courier, John Neely Bryan, who had, for five or six months, been "monarch of all he surveyed"—provided, he neither surveyed red men of the forest nor the raging Trinity on one of its periodic "spreads." He entertained them with the best he had—chiefly "bear meat and honey"—perhaps without recalling the adage about "entertaining angels unawares," yet it was verified in this case, for, ere a great while, the lonely son of Tennessee gave his heart and hand to a comely and pure-hearted daughter of Illinois, in the person of Margaret, a daughter of Mr. John Beeman, the same estimable lady yet surviving her faithful husband and, until recently, daily beholding the mighty contrast—Dallas in its primeval state in 1842, and Dallas in 1887. Very recently she went to reside with her daughter, in Montezuma, Pike county, Illinois.

In 1842, besides James J. Beeman and family, the families of Thomas Keenan, Preston Witt, Alexander W. Webb, John H. Cox and others arrived, as will appear in the alphabetical list of pioneers, elsewhere given.

The family of William M. Cochran came in March, 1843. In May came the family of Dr. John Cole, with his grown sons, Calvin G., John II. and James M., and other children, and in December George W. Glover and family, Elder Amon McCommas and grown sons, John, Elisha, Stephen B., and his brothers, Stephen B. and John C., George L. Leonard and family and others.

In 1844 other members of the Cox family, the Cameron family, Isaac B. Webb and family, the Jenkins family, the Harwood family, the Rawlins family and many others came.

In 1845 came Wm. H. Hord and family, Wm. B. Elam and family, W. Hamp Witt and family, A. J. Witt and family, Pleasant Witt and family, Thomas M. Ellis and family, John H. Daniel, D. W. Reedy, the Haught brothers, Adam C., Peter and Samuel A., with their families, John W. Smith and James M. Patterson (afterwards the well-known first merchants of Dallas), both from Green River, Kentucky, John Thomas, wife, grown sons and daughters from Missouri, James A. Coats, Marion A. and Thomas D. Coats, John C. McCoy and others.

Among those arriving in 1846 were the families of Samuel Beeman, Mrs. Mary Ann Freeman. Obediah W. Knight, William Traughber, I. N. Webb, John R. Fondren, Thomas Collins, James Collins (brothers), Albert G. Collins ("Uncle Albert" arrived January 16th, 1846), Rev. James A. Smith, R. E. Rawlins and other members of the Rawlins family, Wormlay Carter, Asher W. Carter, John Anderson, Marquis De Lafayette Gracey (single) and many others.

Elsewhere is given in alphabetical order, as near as can be ascertained, a list of all who settled in Dallas county from John Neely Bryan's arrival in November, 1841, up to the year 1850. To extend the list to a later period would be impracticable.

It is not designed to give special details of ordinary affairs connected with the settlement of the county. The general reader is familiar with the difficulties of settling a wilderness, far removed from navigation, markets and towns. These are all magnified when on a frontier open to the inroads and assaults of cunning and hostile savages, as were the pioneers of Dallas county. While it so happened, from the efforts the government was making to effect, and in 1843 did partially effect, treaties with the tribes more directly contiguous to this territory, the early settlers of the county were spared those horrors which afterwards and for many years afflicted later settlers farther west, yet they were ever liable to the attacks of those treacherous barbarians, and bidden, by common prudence, to be ever alert and ready for defence.

Their nearest markets were Houston, 275 miles below, and Shreveport, over 200 miles by the road, on Red river, and, in the beginning, without roads to either place. Ox teams for transportation, hand mills for grinding corn, wild game for meat, dressed deer skins for men's clothing, rifles for defense, faithful dogs for sentinels, true women to help and to cheer—a beautiful and fertile country, a mild climate strong wills, brave hearts, intelligent and laudable aspirations, sustained by hope and faith, and God, acknowledged by and ruling over all! these were the conditions attending the settlement of this now most populous and wealthy of the organized counties in the imperial State of Texas! And thus we reach the county's natal year—

1846

The first Legislature of the State, on the 30th of March, 1846, passed "An act creating the county of Dallas," with the following boundaries [which will be Greek to most of the later inhabitants]:

"Beginning on the southern boundary line of Fannin county, three miles east of the eastern boundary of Peters' colony grant; thence south thirty miles; thence west thirty miles; thence north thirty miles to Fannin county line; thence east, with said line, to the beginning." [Acts of '46, p. 26.]

This made a constitutional county of 900 square miles or 576,000 acres; but to this day there is a slight dispute about the exact location of the south boundary line.

A further act, approved April 18th, 1846, provided— "That until otherwise provided by law, the town of Dallas shall be the seat of justice of Dallas county, and all the courts for said county shall be held thereat." [Acts of '46, p. 93.]

A third act, approved May 12, 1846, appointed John Neely Bryan to appoint managers and order an election for organizing Dallas county—the election to be held according to existing law—the returns to be made to Bryan, who should issue certificates to all persons elected, and make returns thereof to the Secretary of State. [Acts of '46, p. 242.]

An act of the second Legislature, approved March 20, 1848, provided for an election for the permanent location of the county seat, requiring a majority of all the votes cast to elect; and, should donations of land be offered and accepted, William Jenkins, James J. Beeman, William H. Hord, Micajah Goodwin and Robert J. West were appointed commissioners to lay out the ground, sell lots, etc. [Acts of '48, p. 181.]

It seems that the act of '48 failed to settle the question, and on the 11th of January, 1850, a somewhat similar act was passed, requiring an election to be held at the general election in August, 1850, "provided that the north boundary of the county shall be established by that time; and, if not, directly after it is established." Rev. James A. Smith, Amon McCommas, Robert J. West, W. J. Walker and Micajah Goodwin were appointed commissioners, as under the former act. [Acts of '50, p. 32.]

At the election August 5th, 1850, under this last act, for county seat, the vote stood:

For Dallas... 191
" Hord's Ridge (now Oak Cliff)... 178
" Cedar Springs... 101
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Total... 470

Necessary to a choice... 236

On the 31st of the same month a second (and last) election was held, confined, under the law, to the two highest places in the previous contest. The result was:

For Dallas... 244
" Hord's Ridge... 216
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Total... 460

Necessary to a choice... 231

So Dallas was chosen and has ever since remained the seat of justice, as well as the usual per cent of injustice attending the administration of the law in this country, wherein minor offenses are generally punished, especially if rising to the dignity of horsetheft; while greater criminals, if backed by full purses, receive an immunity not only disgusting, but discouraging, to the law-abiding citizens of the country. The remedy lies in an increased infusion of common honesty and unyielding firmness.

The first election for county officers was held, by order of Commissioner Bryan, on the 13th of July, 1846, and the newly elected officers of the newly created county were sworn in from the 20th to the 23d day of the same month. The officers were elected for two years. I here give not only the result of this election, but a list of the county officers from 1846 to 1888, covering the present officials of the county. Occasional resignations and the outlying precincts, so often changed, are omitted:

Officers of Dallas County, from July 13, 1846 to November, 1888

July, 1846 to August, 1848

Chief Justice, John Thomas; probate judge, (abolished after this term), Dr. John Cole; district clerk, John O. McCoy (resigned in December, '46, and Dr. Samuel B. Pryor appointed); county clerk, Wm. M. Cochran; sheriff, John Huitt; coroner, Anson MoCrackin; assessor, Benjamin Merrill. The district clerk's term was four years.

Huitt's sureties were Archibald Greathouse, Wm. J. Hicklin and John Thomas; McCrackin's sureties, Wm. W. Conover, Sanders Elliott; Cochran's sureties, Isaac B. Webb, John L. Pulliam; McCoy's sureties, Morris Ferris, Orawford Brown; Merrill's sureties, Hiram Welborn, Eli Merrill, Isaac B. Webb.

James J. Beeman, justice 1st precinct, his sureties being J. F. Redden and Wm. Pruitt.

George W. Glover, constable 1st precinct; sureties, Amon McCommas, Stephen B. McCommas, Sr., and Jacob Hart.

John L. Pulliam, constable of precinct 4; sureties, Wm. M. Cochran, Crawford Brown and David Shahan.

James Sharrock, constable of No. 2; sureties, Aaron B. Wilson, Everard Sharrock and Philip Kimmel.

James M. Bennett, constable of No. 6; sureties, Hiram Bennett and Abraham Conner. The other precinct officers are not shown on the records.

The First Records

The first will—that of J. A. Simmons—was recorded July 23, 1846.

August 9, 1846, was recorded a bill of sale (dated March 17, 1844,) of a negro woman, Jane, by Edward Welborn to John Young.

The first land patent recorded September 1st, 1846, Anson Jones, President of. the Republic, to Samuel Monroe Hyde, to his headright, 640 acres on White Rock creek.

The same day the first power of attorney was recorded, from said Hyde to his father, John H. Hyde, to sell said land.

The first marks and brands recorded, all on the 28th of September, 1846, were those of John Neely Bryan, John Beeman and John Young.

The first deed, dated October 7, 1846, authenticated before Wm. B. Ochiltree, district judge, November 12th, and recorded November 20th, was from John Neely Bryan and his wife Margaret to Henry Harter, to lots 5 and 6, block 3, in the town of Dallas.

The first marriage in the county, after its organization, was Crawford Treese to Annie M. Kimmel, by Justice W. H. Hord, late in July or early in August, the record being lost.

George W. Cox was married to Mary Carver, August 30, 1846, by Joseph Key.

June 19, 1847, was recorded the sheriff's bill of sale to a "runaway" slave named Henry, who, being lawfully advertised and unclaimed, was sold to S. G. Newton and Wm. J. Walker for $350.

The second evidence of divorce was imported from Henderson county, Kentucky, and recorded August 12, 1847. It was a judgment of the Circuit Court of that county, at the Nov. term, 1813, divorcing A. G. Walker from his wife, Pauline. The first was the Charlotte M. Dalton case.

[The marriage records show by whom the couples were united—frequently by civil officers--but the following list shows the First marriage and the date thereof by each of the following named ministers of the gospel down to the last date given, though most of them performed many such services afterwards. No other minister appears in the records in the dates given: Joseph Key, Aug. 30, '46; David Myers, Nov. 7, '47; Amon McCommas, Feb. 6, '48; Eli Merrill, June 11, '48; Arthur Ledbetter, June 28, '48; Wm. Rawling, jr;, Aug. 30, '48; John A. Freeman, Aug. 14, '48; James A. Smith, Sept. 20, 48; Finis E. King, April 3, 49; J. A. Cope, May 10, '49; J. English, June 29, 40; Andrew Cumming, Feb. 27, '50; Gabriel Fitzhugh, May 12, '50; Thacker V. Giffin, June 27, '50; Samuel Clark, Dec. 26, '50; John A. Vance, Oct. 31, '51; John Snead, Dec. 11, 51; R. Crawford, March 27, 52; N. H. O. Polly, June 10, '52; John M. Myers, Aug. 2, 52; Eli Witt, Oct. 18, '52; Milton Glover, May 5, 53; W. H. (Buck) Hughes, Aug. 10, '53; Robert D. King, Nov. 30, '53.]

1848 to 1850

Wm. H. Hord, chief justice; John W. Smith, county clerk; Roland Huitt, sheriff; Dr. Samuel B. Pryor, district clerk; assessor, Benjamin Merrill; coroner, Anson McCrackin.

1850 to 1852

Smith Elkins, chief justice, (resigned and James W. Latimer elected June 30, 1851); district clerk, Edward C. Browder; county clerk, Alexander Harwood; sheriff, Trezevant C. Hawpe; assessor and collector, Wm. M. Lenard; county commissioners, A. C. Haught, Wm. J. Walker, J. V. Mounts and Joseph A. Chapman; coroner, Anson McCrackin; justice for precinct No. 1, John Scurlock; constable, John H. Daniel; county treasurer, Dr. Perry Dakan.

1852 to 1854

James W. Latimer, chief justice; sheriff, T. C. Hawpe; county clerk, Alex. Harwood; district clerk, Ed. C. Browder; assessor and collector, N. I. Stratton; treasurer, Dr. A. D. Rice; coroner, J. B. Robinson; county commissioners, Jeremiah Halford, Wm. M. Chenault, Wm. O'Guinn, James Chapman; justice in precinct 1, Allen Beard; constable, F. G. Eakins, who resigned in August, 1853, and John H. Daniel was elected.

1854 to 1856

James M. Patterson, chief justice; Ed. C. Browder, district clerk; Wm. W. Peak, county clerk; sheriff, Adam C. Haught; assessor and collector, Thos. C. Williams; treasurer, R. J. West; county commissioners, S. A. Fisher, A. M. Horn, F. A. Winn, Creath Renfro; justice of precinct 1, Allen Beard; constable, John H. Daniel. T. C. Hawpe was elected in Beard's place August 23d, and on the 16th of October John H. Cole was elected county surveyor.

On the Ist day of February, 1856, Nathaniel M. Burford, for several years district attorney, was elected judge of the newly created 16th district, and John C. McCoy district attorney.

1856 to 1858

James M. Patterson, chief justice, without opposition, and receiving 811 votes; commissioners, F. A. Winn, S. A. Fisher, A. M. Horn, James Chapman; district clerk, E. C. Browder; county clerk, W. K. Masten; sheriff, Burnett M. Henderson; treasurer, R. J. West; county surveyor, D. C. Smith, resigned and John H. Cole elected Nov. 16, 1857; assessor and collector, Thos. O. Williams; justice of precinct 1, James N. Smith; constable, Wormley Carter.

1858 to 1860

James M. Patterson, chief justice; county clerk, W. K. Masten; district clerk, E. C. Browder; sheriff, Wormley Carter; treasurer, Edw. W. Hunt; surveyor, Wm. H. Thomas; assessor and collector, James P. Goodnight; county commissioners, James Chapman, resigned and A. J. Witt elected October 3, 1859, F. A. Winn, Wm. Sprowls, S. A. Fisher; Justice of precinct 1, James N. Smith; constable, Asher W. Carter.

1860 to 1862

James M. Patterson, chief justice; sheriff, Allen Beard; surveyor, Wm. H. Thomas; treasurer, Ed. W. Hunt; county clerk, George W. Laws; district clerk, Ed. C. Browder; assessor and collector, James P. Goodnight; county commissioners, Wm. Sprowls, Thos. J. Nash, James H. Holloway, J. McCants; justice of precinct 1, J. Lafayette Smith; constable, James Sheppard.

Secession

On the 8th of January, 1861, the election was held for four delegates to the State Secession Convention which met in Austin January 28th. Thomas J. Nash, Pleasant Taylor, E. P. Nicholson and W. S. J. Adams were elected—votes cast, 1,165.

On the 23d of February, on the ratification of the ordinance of secession—in favor, 741; against, 237.

On the 4th of May, 1861, a vote was taken on the question of appropriating $5,000 of the county's money to buy arms for the Confederate cause. The vote stood: In favor, 516; against, Adam C. Haught, H. H. Hall and Wm. Burton, 3.

George W. Baird was elected justice on the 19th of May, 1862, to fill a vacancy.

1862 to 1864

Chief justice, James M. Patterson; sheriff, N. O. McAdams; county commissioners, Wm. Sprowls, Isaac B. Webb, James H. Holloway, Thomas J. Nash; district clerk, Ed. C. Browder; county clerk, Geo. W. Laws; assessor and collector, John H. Cochran; treasurer, James P. Thomas; surveyor, Wm. H. Thomas; justice for precinct 1, John J. Eskins; constable, John E. Lindsey.

At a special election December 5, 1863, John C. McCoy was elected representative in place of George Wilson, resigned, by the same vote he had received when defeated in August—231. At the former election 1,047 votes were cast for five candidates at the latter only 411 for two candidates.

1864 to 1866

James M. Patterson, chief justice; county clerk, George W. Laws; sheriff, N. O. McAdams; assessor and collector, John H. Cochran; treasurer, James P. Thomas; surveyor, Wm. H. Thomas; county commissioners, Isaac B. Webb, Geo. W. Barton, James H. Holloway, Josiah Claypool; justice of precinct 1, Dr. A. D. Rice; constable, Ben. F. Jones, who served till the provisional government of 1865-6.

Under the Constitution of 1866

Z. Ellis Coombes, county judge; James P. Thomas, county clerk; Wm. C. Young, district clerk; sheriff, Jere M. Brown; assessor and collector, James P. Goodnight; treasurer, James Sheppard; surveyor, Wm. H. Thomas; county commissioners, Isaac B. Webb, J. P. Stratton, Geo. W. Barton, J. R. Clements; justices precinct 1, John Neely Bryan and John W. Lane; constable, Matt. J. Moore, resigned, and Geo. V. Cole appointed.

1867-8-70—The Military Despotism

Following the removal of Governor James W. Throckmorton as "an impediment to reconstruction," as declared in the military order removing him, the officers elected by the people of Dallas county were removed in November, 1867, and the following persons appointed by the military:

County judge, A. Bledsoe; county clerk, Samuel S. Jones; district clerk, E. B. Spillman, superseded by Ben Long June 2, 1868; sheriff, N. R. Winniford; treasurer, A. J. Gouffe; Michel Thevenet, in November, 1868, or shortly before, was appointed district clerk. These persons held office till the installation of those elected under the constitution of 1869, which took place about the first of May, 1870. In this time, Isaac B. Webb, John M. Rawlins, Samuel O. Phelps and Lewis B. Long were county commissioners.

March, 1870, Under the Constitution of 1869

John D. Kerfoot, presiding justice; associates, W. J. Halsell, B. F. Ricketts, Meredith Myers, Robert S. Guy; district and county clerk, John M. Laws; sheriff, Jere M. Brown; assessor, James P. Goodnight.

In November, 1872, M. V. Cole was elected county treasurer; N. A. Keen, surveyor. He had held by appointment from June 12, 1871. December 30, 1872, A. H. Hardin was appointed constable.

Election December, 1873

Alex. Harwood, district and county clerk; James E. Barkley, sheriff; M. V. Cole, treasurer; Robert M. Cooke, surveyor; justices (also composing the county court), John D. Kerfoot, presiding, Thomas D. Coats, Charles Barker, Thomas L. Frank, Wm. Sprowls. To fill vacancies, Nat M. Burford was elected presiding justice April 6, 1875; N. O. McAdams, justice; John T. Ault, district attorney, died, and E. G. Bower filled the term.

April, 1876 to November, 1878

(Under the present constitution, which took effect April 18, 1876, the election having been held February 15th, 1876.)

Robert H. West, (native of the county), county judge; county commissioners, Fleming G. Bledsoe, N. O. McAdams, Wade H. Witt, Thomas J. Nash; attorney, George N. Aldridge; county clerk, Alex. Harwood; district clerk, Wm. A. Harwood; sheriff, W. Marion Moon; assessor, James P. Goodnight; collector, Wm. H. Prather, [Charles B. Gillespie became his assistant September 19, 1876, and has been in the office as assistant or chief ever since]; treasurer, J. M. Berry-man; R. M. Cooke, surveyor; justices precinct 1, E. C. McLure and W. W. Peak.

1878 to 1880

County judge, R. E. Burke; county clerk, Alexander Harwood; district clerk, Wm. A. Harwood; county attorney, Robert B. Seay; sheriff, W. Marion Moon; assessor, R. D, Rawlins; collector, Wm. H. Prather; treasurer, J. M. Berryman; surveyor, John T. Witt, (native of Dallas county); county commissioners, Wm. J. Keller, N. O. McAdams, W. L. Knox, R. N. Daniels; justices of precinct 1, Wm. M. Edwards, Wm. W. Peak; constable, A. H. Hardin.

1880 to 1882

County judge, R. E. Burke; county attorney, Robert B. Seay; county clerk, Alexander Harwood; district clerk, Wm. A. Harwood; sheriff, Benj. F. Jones; assessor, R. D. Rawlins; collector, Wm. H. Prather; treasurer, J. M. Berryman; surveyor, Jesse M. Strong; county commissioners, Wm. J. Keller, N. O. McAdams, N. K. Grove, W. L. Knox; justices, Wm. M. Edwards, W. H. Price; constable, A. H. Hardin.

1882 to 1884

County judge, R. E. Burke; county attorney, Chas. F. Clint; county clerk, Wm. M. C. Hill; district clerk, Henry W. Jones; sheriff, Wm. H. W. Smith; assessor, Beverly Scott; collector, Chas. B. Gillespie; treasurer, J. T. Downs; surveyor, Jesse M. Strong; county commissioners, Wm. J. Keller, W. A. Orr, J. D. Cullom, N. O. McAdams; justices of precinct 1, Wm. M. Edwards, T. G. T. Kendall; constable, Geo. Miller.

1884 to 1886

County judge, Edwin G. Bower; county attorney, Chas. F. Clint; county clerk, Wm. M. C. Hill; district clerk, Henry W. Jones; sheriff, Wm. H. W. Smith; assessor, Beverly Scott; collector, Chag. B. Gillespie; treasurer, Henry H. Smith; surveyor, Jesse M. Strong; county commissioners, M. V. Cole, W. A. Orr, Wm. J. Keller, N. O. McAdams; justices precinct 1, T. G. T. Kendall, Henry Schuhl; constable, Geo. Miller.

1886 to 1888

County judge, Edwin G. Bower; county attorney, J. H. Taylor; county clerk, Wm. M. C. Hill; district clerk, Henry W. Jones; sheriff, Henry Lewis; assessor, Beverly Scott; col-lector, Chas. B. Gillespie; treasurer, Henry H. Smith; surveyor, Charles Archer; county commissioners, Enoch Strait, N. O. McAdams, Lafayette Bailey and W. A. Orr; justices precinct 1, T. G. T. Kendall, Wm. N. Braswell; constable, _______ Dean.

District Judges of Dallas, 1846 to 1887

The following district judges, residing elsewhere and having a large district, presided successively in Dallas from the fall of 1846 to the year 1856: William B. Ochiltree held the first court, followed by Amos Clark, Bennett H. Martin and John H. Reagan. Of the new district created in the beginning of 1856, Nathaniel M. Burford was elected judge, and held office till the spring of 1862. John W. Ferris, of Ellis, was then elected, and held till the election under the constitution of 1866, when John J. Good, of Dallas, was chosen, and served till removed by military authority as "an impediment to reconstruction," in November, 1867. D. O. Norton, of Parker, was appointed in his place, and in November, 1868, (having died), A. Banning Norton, of Dallas, was appointed, and it is but simple justice to say that both the people and the bar of that day awarded to him the credit of being a fair and impartial judge. He served till 1870, when Governor Davis appointed a stranger named C. T. Garland, and in May, 1871, Hardin Hart, who resigned in the spring 1873,—succeeded by Hickerson Barksdale, of Dallas.

Nathaniel M. Burford was elected in 1876 and served till about July, 1877, when he resigned, and Gov. Hubbard appointed Zimri Hunt to fill the unexpired term. In 1878 George N. Aldridge was elected. He has been re-elected, and will hold till 1888.

Dallas as Represented in Constitutional Conventions

Delegates

To the Secession Convention, January 28 to March 25, 1861 —Pleasant Taylor, Thomas J. Nash, E. P. Nicholson, W. S. J. Adams. [John Henry Brown, now of Dallas, represented Bell and Lampasas in the same convention, and was the author of the "Declaration of the causes which impel the State of Texas to secede from the Federal Union".]

To the Constitutional Convention of 1866, under President Johnson's proclamation—Alexander Harwood and James K. P. Record.

To the Reconstruction Convention of 1868-9—A. Bledsoe (known as Big "A.").

To the Constitutional Convention of 1875—John Henry Brown, of Dallas; Nicholas H. Darnell, of Tarrant, and John W. Ferris, of Ellis (one district).

[Wm. B. Wright, for some years since of Dallas, represented Lamar county in that convention. William L. Crawford, now of Dallas, represented Marion county.]

Representatives of Dallas County—1847 to 1887

1847-9, Wm. M. Cochran; 1849-51, Jefferson Weatherford; 1851-53, John M. Crockett; 1853 to 1859 (three terms), Andrew Jackson Witt; 1859-61, Nicholas H. Darnell; 1861-63, James P. Thomas (resigned in 1862 and James P. Goodnight elected); 1863-65, George Wilson (resigned and John C. McCoy elected); in 1865, no election; in 1866 (under new constitution), Nathaniel M. Burford and Archelaus M. Cochran; 1869-72 (under reconstruction constitution), John W. Lane; in 1872-3, John Henry Brown (district of Collin, Tarrant and Dallas; in 1873-5, John H. Cochran (in district); 1876 (under new constitution), John H. Cochran, J. T. Downs; 1878, John H. Cochran (speaker of the House), John W. Daniel; 1880, John W. Daniel, Thomas F. Nash; 1882, John H. Cochran, Thos. F. Nash; 1884, R. S. Kimbrough, Z. Ellis Coombes; 1886, Jesse M. Strong, J. O. Rugel.

Senators from 1846 to 1866

In 1846, when Dallas county was created, Joseph L. Hogg, of Nacogdoches, represented in the Senate the east half of the county, and Henry J. Jewett, of Robertson county, the west half.

In 1849, in a new district. Albert G. Walker, of Dallas, was elected over John H. Reagan (present United States Senator), of Anderson, the senatorial term being four years. In 1851 Walker resigned, and Samuel Bogart, of Collin, was elected to fill the unexpired term.

1853 to 1857, Jefferson Weatherford, of Dallas county, was senator.

1857 to 1861, Albert G. Walker, of Tarrant, was senator.

1861 to 1865, Jefferson Weatherford again served.

Owing to the close of the war and provisional government by the appointment of President Johnson, there was no election in 1865. The President appointed A. J. Hamilton provisional governor, who served from July 25, 1865, to August, 1866.

Under the constitution of 1866, and the session in that year, J. K. P. Record, of Dallas, was senator. That constitution and government were overthrown by the reconstruction act of Congress of March 2, 1867, and various supplementary acts, and from July 30, 1867, to April 16, 1870, the State was under military government.

The reconstruction convention of 1868, in its dual sessions, was largely (but by no means entirely) composed of irresponsible adventurers, lately enfranchised slaves and political mendicants, with a sprinkling of men who can be best described as ignoramuses. The following delectable morceau, introduced by a delegate claiming to be a native Kentuckian, is illustrative of the latter species of the genus homo:

"Be it ordained by THE PEOPLE of the State of Texas, in convention assembled, That all officers of Col. Duff's regiment of rebel troops; all officers of Brig.-Gen. William Hudson's Brigade, 21. Texas State troops; all rebel officers or men in the rebellion who, during or since the war, hung, murdered, mobbed, or assaulted with intent to kill, or maimed any union man, federal officer, soldier or other government official; all officers or men, formerly engaged in the rebellion, who have been disfranchised by the reconstruction laws of Congress, or by the boards of registration appointed by Maj.-Gen. Sheridan or Brevet Major.-Gen. Grifin; all persons who have been convicted of, or charged with, murder or assault with intent to kill a union man, white or colored, and have fled from justice or legal process; all persons disfranchised by the laws of other States, and all persons engaged in the rebel service, bushwhacking, or guerrilla warfare, from other States, and have since that time immigrated to this State; all persons who, on the collapse of the rebellion, fled the State and took refuge in Mexico or other foreign governments; [this was heavy on Isham G. Harris, since United States Senator from Tennessee; Geo. B. Clark, since Auditor of Missouri; Gen. Sterling Price, since honored with the largest funeral ever seen in St. Louis; Alex. W. Terrell, for eight years a Texas senator; George Flournoy, who helped make the constitution of 1876, and a number of others, including Gen. H. P. Bee, late commissioner of insurance, etc., the writer, and Alderman Haskell, of East Dallas]; all ministers of the gospel who [like half the ministers of that day] entered the rebel army, or preached rebellion from the pulpit, or persecuted union men for opinion's sake; all persons engaged in the abduction of Brig.-Gen. E. J. Davis and Capt. Wm. Montgomery from Mexican soil, and all persons engaged in the murder of Capt. Wm. Montgomery, be and are hereby declared disfranchised and incapable of holding in this State any office of honor, trust or profit under its authority, of being an officer, councilman, trustee, director, or other manager, of any corporation, public or private, now existing, or hereafter established by its authority." [See journals of the convention, page 117, June 16, 1868.]

The author of this "Bull" ran for Congress in this (Northern) district in 1871. The people allowed to vote, by an overwhelming majority, elected over him a young ex-federal soldier from Indiana, who held that the war was over—that we were all of one blood and one language—and should again be united in a common national brotherhood. It was the spirit manifested in this bloodthirsty resolution of hate, and kindred measures, that converted the great majority of Northern people coming to Texas into friends, sympathizers and co-workers with and of the people. It is only inserted as a sad commentary on the evils springing from internecine war. The author of the "Bull" for perpetual outlawry was said by those who knew him to be a well-intentioned person. His defects, it is supposable, were organic deficiencies, in lack of altitude, longitude and general amplitude in those powers deemed essential to wise statesmanship. His disciples to-day could all be impaled on the infinitesimal point of—nothing!

By this convention a new (commonly called the "reconstruction") constitution was framed by a convention assembled in Austin in June and December, 1868, when many thousands of the people were disfranchised, while the negroes, for the first time, were allowed to vote.

Following a four days' election, commencing on the first Monday in December, 1869, this constitution, by the military commander, was declared ratified by a majority of those permitted to vote. At the same time and by the same authority, a Full set of State, district and county officers were declared elected. But this new constitution and the officers so elected, including that rara avis in American government, the Twelfth Legislature, only assumed legal effect on the 30th of March, 1870. Under this regime, Dallas, Collin and Tarrant constituted a senatorial district, and were entitled to three representatives. Samuel Evans, of Tarrant, was the senator till the election of 1873, when Amzi Bradshaw, of Ellis, was elected, the district (under the census of 1890) having been changed to Dallas, Tarrant and Ellis.

In February, 1876, under the then new (the present) constitution, Robert S. Guy, of Lancaster, a clear-headed lawyer and an ex-captain in the Confederate army, was elected senator from Dallas, Tarrant and Ellis, and served for four years with marked fidelity. He was succeeded in 1880 by Anson Rainey, of Ellis; in 1882 (under a new apportionment) by Barnett Gibbs, of Dallas; and in 1884 by Joseph O. Terrell, of Kaufman, the present incumbent.

In regard to State and other officers, citizens of Dallas have filled the following positions: From 1861 to 1863, during the war, John M. Crockett was lieutenant governor. From 1884 to 1886 Barnett Gibbs was lieutenant governor.

From 1880 to 1887 James Madison Hurt has been a judge of the Court of Appeals, and has some time yet to serve.

Sawnie Robertson was appointed in 1884 to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court, and served till the next election, but refused to serve further.

From 1878 to 1886 Olin Wellborn represented this districk in Congress, his last term expiring March 3, 1887, soon after which he removed to and settled in San Diego, California.

Reuben A. Reeves, for a number of years a judge of the Supreme Court, at one time resided in Dallas, but not at the time of his election. In 1887, the present year, he was appointed by President Cleveland a judge of the Supreme Court of New Mexico, and now resides there. Being absent, it is admissible to say that all Texas endorses the appointment of Judge Reeves as eminently judicious. He is thoroughly qualified, and a more modest and honest gentleman does not exist.

Murder of Clements and Whistler, Christmas Day, 1842—Escape of Their Families and Mrs. Young

A portion of the history of Collin county, in its first settlement, is so closely allied to that of Dallas that I condense a few of the facts. In the same month that John Neely Bryan camped at Dallas (November, 1841,), Dr. William E. Throckmorton, from Fannin county, with his family, settled on Throckmorton creek, near the present town of Melissa. [Dr. Throckmorton was, like the first settler of Dallas, a Tennessean, but had lived in Illinois and Arkansas. He was a man of sterling character, the head of a large family, of whom ex-Governor James W. Throckmorton was one. Throckmorton county was named for the father, and not the son, by John Henry Brown, of Galveston, and Absalom Bishop, of Wise, in the Legislature of 1857-8.] In January, 1842, he was joined by Pleasant Wilson, Edmund Dodd, Wm. R. Garnett, Garrett Fitzgerald and Littleton Rattan. Soon afterwards, Benj. White, his son, Archy, and Wm. Pulliam settled in the neighborhood and John Kincaid on Hurricane creek. A stockade was built at the Throckmorton settlement. Early in the summer, a number of families and single men, who had been a short time at Bird's Fort, abandoned it (as Beeman and Gilbert had done in March, when they removed to Dallas), and moved back to Throckmorton's settlement. They were Henry Helm and family, _______ Walker and family, John and James Wells, _______ Bly, _______ Doddy, B. C. Thompson and Joshua E. Heath. They built cabins in the stockade, but not long afterwards selected and settled on their own lands in the neighborhood, excepting Thompson, who died soon after his arrival. In November, 1842, Joseph H. Wilcox, David Helms and Joseph Harlan began a settlement on Wilson's creek, but were broken up by the Indians and joined Jack McGarrah in making a settlement at "old" Buckner, the first county seat. Just before this, Wesley Clements, Samuel Young and Whistler, all with families, settled on Honey creek, and erected cabins. A few days before Christmas (1842), Young went back to the Inglish settlement, in Fannin, for provisions. On Christmas day, Clements and Whistler were at work in the bottom near their cabins, when, early in the forenoon, they were attacked by Indians, and Whistler killed on the spot. Clements was pursued towards the house. Hearing the guns, and then seeing her fleeing husband, Mrs. Clements, gun in hand, ran to meet him; but she was too late. He was tomahawked and scalped within forty or fifty yards of the house, and she barely escaped into it in time, with the aid of Mrs. Young, to bar the door, present her gun and defy the Indians. This she successfully did and they disappeared. In the meantime, Mrs. Whistler, who was at the branch, near the creek, heard the firing, then the screams at the house, and next the Indians pursuing the hobbled horse of her husband, which had on a bell. The bell was coming directly towards her. The branch was full from back water. She sprang in among driftwood, under the bank, keeping only her nose above water. The horse was caught immediately above her. After everything became still, believing all had been killed, she hurried down the creek, through brambles and briars, to find the road leading back to Inglish's settlement. Her clothing was torn into rags and her person sorely torn with thorns. But her father and mother had been slain by these demons, on the Brazos, some years before, and horror gave her both strength and speed. She finally found and followed the road to East fork, which was too deep to cross. She went down, found a shallow place, crossed, returned to the road, and when she reached the open prairie, she was virtually naked and covered with blood. Seeing two men, with a wagon, approaching, she deflected from the road to pass them. They hailed her, but she hurried on, exclaiming that the Indians had killed all the settlement. They started toward her, but she ran so fast that they concluded she was deranged, and continued on to Honey creek and encamped. Very soon afterwards, Mrs. Clements, Mrs. Young and their children, after a flight of six miles, appeared on the opposite bank. The creek was up. The men felled a tree, crossed them over, and furnished from their scanty stores every available relief. They retreated as fast as possible, with them, to the settlement. I regret not being able to give the names of those two true-hearted pioneers. Mrs. Whistler had arrived in a deplorable condition, but was tenderly cared for by as warm and gentle hands as ever wrought for progress in the wilderness—for of such were the Inglish family and their associates. A party volunteered at once to go out and bury the dead. This tragedy, on Christmas day, 1842, was the first anniversary of the murder of Hamp Rattan, near Carrolton, in Dallas county. It was the third anniversary of Burleson's victory over the Cherokees at the mouth of the San Saba. And at the very hour at which Whistler and Clements were killed, and during many succeeding hours, three hundred Texian volunteers, beleaguered by Ampudia and over two thousand Mexicans, though fated to a cruel captivity, were winning imperishable laurels in the Mexican town of Mier. It was also in the womb of the future that a brother of one of those prisoners (one, too, who drew a black bean, and with sixteen others was murderously slain March 25, 1843,) should be killed by Indians near Presidio del Norte, on Christmas day, 1849—the prisoner being young James Torrey and the other the lamented David Torrey; their brother Thomas, it the meantime, and equally lamented, dying on the treaty grounds at Johnson's Station, on the 28th of September 1843.

Killing of Dr. Calder, of Dallas, February, 1843

In February, 1813, McGarrah, Wilcox, Helms, Harlan Blankenship and Rice were engaged in building at the former's place, afterwards called Buckner, and, for a short time after the creation of Collin county in 1846, the county seat. About sunrise one morning in that month, Dr. Calder, who had settled near Cedar Springs, in Dallas county, arrived there, riding one and leading another horse, en route to Inglish's. Soon after leaving, he was seen on foot, rushing toward the house and pursued by two Indians. The men at the house hastened to his relief, but in a cluster of trees he was slain and scalped; and at the same time the relief party found themselves confronted by about sixty Indians, just risen from the high grass and very near them, and were greeted by a shower of balls and arrows. They retreated into the unfinished house and stood on the defensive, using the crack as portholes. The chiefs angrily urged their clansmen to charge the house, but without success. It then became evident that Dr. Calder had killed one of their number with one barrel of his shotgun, which, having a percussion lock, then a new invention, was of no service to the savages, and was left, with one barrel still loaded, where the doctor fell. The numerous dogs on the place furiously assailed the red men, and all but one were killed. The Indians retired during the day, when the body of the doctor was carried to the house, and, a little after dark, the whole party retreated towards the Throckmorton settlement, and arrived soon after daylight. Eleven men soon returned and conveyed the dead body to that settlement, and it was interred on the Throckmorton place, beside those of Clements and Whistler.

Murder of Jamison, Muncey, Wife, Child, Two Sons and Young Rice in 1844

In 1843, after the murders described, but few settlers ventured into Collin. McGarrah returned to his place, and was joined by his son-in-law, Jones, with George McGarrah, Fala Dunn and George Herndon. In 1844, among others, arrived Jacob Baccus and sons Godfrey and Peter and their families; John Fitzhugh and sons Robert and William (afterwards the gallant frontier captain and Confederate colonel, who married Mary Rattan and was accidentally killed _______, 188_;) Leonard Searcy and his sons, Gallatin, Langdon, Thrashly and Thomas; William Rice; Thomas Rattan (father of John, Littleton, Hugh, Edward, Thomas, and of the subsequent wives of Wm. Fitzhugh, A. J. Witt, Jas. W. Throckmorton, _______ Moore, Robert Dowell, Hogan Witt, John Kincaid, and other children); John Kaufman; the old patriarch, Collin McKinney, with his sons, William and Scott, and widowed daughters, from Red River county, he being a signer of the Declaration of Independence in 1836; William Oreager, the Caldwells, John Hodge and others.

In the fall of 1844 a man named Muncey, with his wife, three sons aged seventeen, fifteen and twelve, a child of three Years and an elderly man named Jamison, settled on Rowlett's creek, near the line of Dallas county. They built and lived in a board camp hut, and were engaged in building a log Louse. The location was in dense timber. Leonard Searcy and William Rice, each with a son, went down into that Vicinity on a camp hut. On the first morning after pitching camp, Mr. Searcy went in search of Muncey's camp and found it, but stood aghast at the scene presented—Muncey and Jamison dead and untouched by mutilation on the floor of the hut, Mrs. Muncey, horribly mutilated, her breasts cut off, her blood and the blood of her assailants besmeared over ever thing and in coagulated pools, showing that after the stealthy murder of the men she had made a desperate and bloody defense with a Bowie knife in the hut; the child three years lying by its parents with its head mashed into shapeless mass. The horrible affair had occurred early the morning of the discovery. At that time the Muncey boy of fifteen had gone to the Throckmorton settlement. The boys of seventeen and twelve were missing—had been carried away by the savage wretches—and were never again heard from; but subsequent discoveries rendered it quite certain that both were killed on the retreat by their captors.

When Mr. Searcy reported these discoveries to Rice, the sons, on horseback, had gone out hunting. The alarmed men went in search of them, and soon came upon the mutilated body of young Rice. They mounted it on a horse and conveyed it ten miles to Wilson's creek, where they found young Searey, who, seeing Rice killed, had escaped by flight and was already getting aid to go in search of the two fathers. Adding to these atrocities the burning of Thomas J. McDonald's house about the same time, it is a pleasurable relief! say that they constituted the last fatal depredations in the grand and noble county of Collin, linked with Dallas in birth, in tribulation and sacrifices for the more western frontier, and bound to her by hooks of steel in the memories—the loss of fathers, husbands, sons and brothers—the glories and the emissaries of the civil war. As Jonathan and David they had stood—confiding, trusting, loving—and God grant that so shall ever be.

The Grand Prairie Fight and Preston Witt's Triumph, November 25, 1846

In the summer of 1846 the few settlers in the upper part of Dallas county met at the house of Preston Witt, on White Rock creek, and organized a minute company for mutual protection against the Indians, small parties of whom occasionally depredated upon the settlers. The organization was designed by its members to be always ready, with horse, ammunition and provisions, to hasten pursuit and chastisement. Jesse Mounts was elected captain of the squad and Josiah Pancoast orderly sergeant.

In the month of November of the same year a raiding party of Indians stole horses from Samuel Chowning and others on Barksdale's creek, near the present line of Dallas And Denton counties. Runners were dispatched to notify the members of the minute company, and twenty-two men promptly responded, and as this is the fortieth anniversary of the fight (this being written on Thanksgiving day, November 25th, 1886), it is gratifying to be able to give all of their names. Here they are: Jesse V. Mounts, captain; Josiah Paricoast, sergeant; Preston and Pleasant Witt (twin brothers), W. Hamp Witt, Wm. Barnes, Allen Bledsoe, James Cates, Chos. Chenoweth, A. J. Clark, Robert Chowning, J. W. Chowning, Charles Dernay (or Demay), Thomas Keenan, Jack Mounts, James Mathis, Joshua McCants, James Mooney, John Mitchell, John Noble, Alex. W. Perry, Robert Wilburn.

The Indian trail was followed by these volunteers across the Elm fork of the Trinity, the upper portion of Grapevine prairie, through the lower Cross Timbers into Grand Prairie and northwesterly through it to a point very near where Decatur stands when, about noon on the second day, several Indians were discovered a little in advance. Capt. Mounts ordered a charge, which was promptly made. The Indians fled with all the speed they could command, and were hotly pursued; but only Preston Witt and William Barnes gained on them. Both selected an Indian supposed to be a chief, and when Witt was about closing the gap between them, the savage furiously sped an arrow which cut his suspenders asunder and slightly lacerated his breast. The warrior had previously cast off his baggage, and now realized that he or his fearless pursuer must die. Escape by flight being impossible, he sprang from his horse, and Witt did the same, each holding his horse as a shield. Only a few feet separated them, or rather, only the Indian's horse. No time was to be lost by the red man ___ Witt's friends would soon arrive. He rushed under his horse's neck with drawn knife, directly confronting his assailant; but Witt seized his right hand with his own left, and with his right, by one superhuman thrust with his Bowie knife, disemboweled the wild man, who gave a dismal groan, walked a few paces, and fell to rise no more. Two Indians were killed and one, if not both, scalped. One or two others were wounded, but escaped by the fleetness of their horses. Witt took from his fallen foe several brass bracelets and other trinkets, which are yet in the possession of his son Edward. Several horses were recovered and returned to their owners. The affair, considered in all its bearings and the condition of those new settlers in the country, was highly creditable to all concerned; exceedingly gratifying to the people, and served as a warning to small parties of those wild freebooters. W. Marion Moon, then a youth, belonged to this company, but was sick at the time. Elder John M. Myers and others of those few early pioneers also belonged to it, but on so short a notice it wad impracticable for more to go; indeed, it was deemed essential for some to remain as protectors of the families.

Dallas County in the Mexican War

Early in 1847, pending the war between the United States and Mexico, and before Dallas county was a year old, a call was made by Col. John C. Hays, of San Antonio, for volunteers to constitute what became subsequently distinguished as Hays' Second Regiment of Texas Rangers in that war. A company was formed at Dallas, composed partly of men from Fannin, Collin and Dallas counties. The various companies of the regiment were mustered in at San Antonio for twelve months, or during the war, in April and May, 1847 (the Dallas and last company late in June), and were discharged in May, 1848, so that each company served twelve months. [The war began at Palo Alto May 9, 1846—the treaty of peace was signed at Guadalupe Hidalgo February 2, 1848, and the American army evacuated Mexico in June, 1848.]

Of this famous regiment of mounted men John C. Hays was colonel, Peter H. Bell (afterwards governor from 1848 to 1853) was lieutenant colonel, and (after October, 1847,) Alfred M. Truitt was major, having been to that time one of the captains, and John S. Ford was the adjutant.

The captains were Samuel Highsmith, James S. Gillett. Middleton T. Johnson, Jacob Roberts, Gabriel M. Armstrong (succeeded in October, 1847, by First Lieut. Alfred Evans,), Isaac Ferguson (died in the City of Mexico, January 1st, 1848, and succeeded by Ephraim M. Daggett,), Stephen Kinsey (resigned in October, 1847, and succeeded by First Lieut. Preston Witt,), Chancer Ashton (successor to Capt. Truitt, died in the City of Mexico, December 14, 1847, and was succeeded by Alexander E. Handley), Henry W. Baylor, Shapley P. Ross and Hammond Warfield, after August, 1847.

The companies of Capts. Johnson, Ross, Highsmith, Gillett and Baylor were stationed at different points on the frontier of Texas, under Lieut. Col. Bell. All the others went with Hays to Mexico. They marched from San Antonio to Laredo, and down the west side of the Rio Grande to its mouth, about three hundred miles, and were transported in steamers to Vera Cruz, where their brilliant career began and where, on the return of peace, they re-embarked for home. The Dallas company was discharged in Vera Cruz about May 6, 1848.

Rev. Samuel ___ Corley, of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, faithfully discharged the double duties of soldier and chaplain, and was beloved by the whole regiment.

Partial Muster Roll of the Company

I can only give an incomplete list of the men, after consulting Messrs. Daniel, Jackson and McCommas, three survivors in Dallas county.

The Roll

Stephen Kinsey, of Fannin, was captain till October, 1847—then Preston Witt, formerly first lieutenant; Josiah Pancoast, second lieutenant and regimental commissary—became first lieutenant October, 1847; John L. Terry, of Collin, and Kinch Hensley, of Fannin, third lieutenants; Wm. E. Crook, orderly sergeant—promoted to lieutenant—drew the maps of Peters' colony, died in Shelby county; John H. Daniel, commissary sergeant; Shelton Robbing, succeeded Crook as orderly.

Privates

Nathan Atterberry, Rufus Anderson (of Collin), Libner Barnard (Fannin), James Barrow, died in Mexico; James S. Barker, lives in Shelby county; Wm. Benton, Stephen Conrad, died in San Angel, Valley of Mexico; Jesse Cox, died in Dallas county; Wm. Chenault, died in Dallas county, 1886; Elijah Carder and Christopher Carder, brothers, died in Mexico; George R. Counts, came home sick and died in Missouri; Thomas Dykes, died in New Orleans en route home; Calvin Green; James Glenn, lives in Denton; John B. Gorbett, substituted on the Rio Grande by George Markham; _______ Hatfield, deserted on the Rio Grande to avoid prosecution for a row; [had too much of the good old Methodists' hell cat in him]; James Hensley, of Fannin, Hart, of Collin; _______ Hunter, killed by his own pistol at Jalapa; Peter Haught and Samuel A. Haught, brothers, living in Dallas county; _______ Hatter, of Fannin; _______ Humphreys, drowned in Kaufman county; Wm. Hicklin, afterwards killed in an impromptu duel; Wm. Herald, of Fannin, died in Puebla; John Herald, brother of William; Andrew Sloan Jackson, living in Dallas county; his brother, Wm. C., came home sick and died September 12, 1848; Wm. Keen, Benj. Keen, Ben. Lindsey, of Fannin; Andrew Lawson, Moss (1), _______ Moss (2); John McCommas, living in Dallas, discharged sick in the City of Mexico January 14, 1848—got home in March; John C. McCommas, same as his nephew John, lives in Young county; Stephen B. McCommas, jr., brother of John, died in the city of Mexico December 24, 1847; Burke McCommas, cousin of John, died near the same time; George Mounts, died about the same time; George Markham, substitute for John B. Gorbett, [his children living in Dallas county]; Ben Noggle or Noagle, of Fannin; John Newton, John L. Pulliam, Benjamin J. Prigmore [still holds the fort near Richardson, Dallas county, and is still not "of AGE" under the new pension law, lacking three or four years of being sixty-two!]; Dudley F. Pearson, Anderson Pruitt [his "society" title in camp life being "Piney Woods"]; George R. Paschal, eighty years old, lives at Terrell, and has a youthful desire to migrate to the land of gold and grow up with the country, because his elder kindred oppose his using tobacco; Christopher C. Porter, William Romine, died in Mexico; William Scrutch, Nathan Scrutch, George W. Smith, William Shahan, died in Castle Perote; _______ Shahan, brother of William; Hiram Shirley, died and was buried at sea en route home, February, 1848; Alex. A. Thomas, died in Dallas county; John, his brother, died in Mexico; James Vance, now dead; James Welborn, went early to California, and died recently; Hogan Witt, lives in Collin; Wm. Wilhite, died in Mexico, as did his brother, McKinsey Wilhite—71 of about 110 in the company.

The Murder of Phelps and Others in 1848

Josiah S. Phelps, who came to Dallas in 1844 or 1845, was a surveyor. In March, 1846, he married Mrs. Melissa T. Jacobs, daughter of Alexander M. Harwood and sister of Alexander Harwood, whose name so often occurs as county clerk. In the beginning of 1848, and probably as early as 1846 and 1847, Mr. Phelps was employed by the Peters Colony Company to survey lands. At the time to which this narrative relates the headquarters of the colony for surveying purposes were at a village called Stewartsville, in Denton county. In the spring Mr. Phelps, with only two men, were surveying in the valley of the Main or so-called West fork of the Trinity. Their camp was in a grove on a mound, since bearing the name of Phelps Mound, on the north side of the stream, four and a half miles northwest of Fort Worth. One of the men was named James Wood, formerly of Indiana; the other is believed to have been named McCombs, or Combs, but there is some doubt about his name.

Jas. W. Chowning, yet living in Denton county, was sent by the agents at Stewartsville with provisions in a two-horse wagon for the surveying party. It is probable he had left the party for this purpose; but of this I am not advised, nor is it material.

On reaching the camp, Mr. Chowning was horrified to find himself alone and in the presence of three dead men, their bodies yet scarcely cold and lying in the tent, where, during the previous night April 9th, 1848—and while asleep, they had been murdered by Indians, a considerable number of whom were raiding that portion of the country—so much so, in connection with swollen streams, as to prevent the Texian Rangers, then at different stations on the frontier, from sending a party in time to bury the unfortunate victims. A few persons assembled and performed the sad office among them Mr. Conley and Mr. Thomas, whose widow, Mrs. Drusilla Thomas, lives in Jacksboro. They were buried half a mile west of the mound, the land being owned by Mr. Conley, who soon afterwards sold it to Mr. Farmer, who disposed of it but a year or two since.

The sadness of the occasion was augmented by the fact that Mrs. Phelps had died only about three months before, leaving an infant but a few weeks old, destined to grow to womanhood without father, mother, brother or sister. Yet, in her warm and noble-hearted uncle, Alexander Harwood, and his estimable wife, married at a later day, she found protection, care and tender affection, to become in 1870 the wife of Mr. Henry O. Miller. They live near Azle P. O., in the northwest portion of Tarrant county. "Dickey" Phelps grew to womanhood in Dallas, and is remembered and held in esteem by the older citizens as a bright and amiable little girl and young lady.

Fitzhugh's Company in 1848

In 1848, Capt. Wm. Fitzhugh, of Collin, commanded a company of eighty twelve-months United States volunteers, composed of men from Collin, Denton and Dallas counties, and doing service on the Indian frontier, with headquarters, part of the time, at Grapevine Spring. The following is a roll of the company, those marked with a star (*) being from Dallas county:

Wm. Fitzhugh, captain; Thos. J. McDonald, first lieutenant; Joshua Dillingham and Alfred Chandler, second lieutenants; Squire T. Lewis, first sergeant; David C. Vinson, James M. Graves and *Joseph Turner, sergeants; Joshua A. Goram, Philip Anderson, James Stone and Malachi Tucker, corporals; Samuel A. Pritchett and *Elisha W. Bennett, buglers.

Privates

*James Avants, Jasper C. Baker, *John H. Barlow, Lewis O. Bennett, Wm. Bolls (or Boils), Alex. Boutwell, Stephen D. Brown, Wm. C. Brown, Thomas Caldwell, Nicolas Canto (a Mexican), Albert Chandler, *Edward W. Clark, Collin M. Collom, *David Cook, *Patrick H. Couch, George Crutchfield, John Crutchfield, *John F. Daniel, John J. Driggers, Gabriel Fitzhugh, Gabriel H. Fitzhugh, Daniel J. Franklin, Enos J. Galloway, Wm. H. Gibson, John Gray, R. F. Hedgecoxe, Zereil J. Harmanson, John Havens, Hiram Hobough, Burrell Hunter, Wm. P. Hunter, *John L. Hunt, *Abner M. Keen, *Wm. H. Keen, Wm. King, Daniel Klepper, James Langston, *Wm. Loving, John Maloney, Silas Martin, Wm. McKinney, George McGarrah, *John Mitchell, *Isaac F. Mitchell, *Wm. Marion Moon, Myram Mudget, *John Myrick, Martin O'Neal, Thomas Phillips, George Phillips, Horace R. Pinnell, Paschal H. Rice, Thrashly Searcy, *David Shahan, Isaiah Sims, Samnel K. Smith, *John W. Smith, *Joshua Lafayette Smith (the two last sons of the Rev. James A. Smith), Edward F. Springer, Absalom Stephens, Harper Strawn, Wm. Teal, Wm. Tippan, Wm. B. Tucker, Marcus L. Webster. Rohert Wheelock, Wm. C. White, George White, Joseph Wilcox, James Wilcox, Leonidas Wilson, *Eli Witt, jr., Joseph Wordly, Beriah Wordly—twenty being from Dallas county.

Joseph C. Reed and Alexander Cockrell, of Dallas, served in other companies in the Mexican war. Calloway I. Patrick, Patrick P. Smith (deceased), Wm. Coombes, of Dallas, were in Chandler's company. Hays' First Regiment, in the battle of Monterey, September, 1846.

Town Government of Dallas, 1856 to 1862

Dallas as a town, half a mile square, was first incorporated by the Legislature February 2, 1856, when Jefferson Weatherford was the senator and Andrew J. Witt the representative. The charter was drawn by Nat. M. Buford while on a visit to Austin.

The first election was held April 5th, 1856, and I give the vote in full:

First Election, April, 1856, to April, 1857

For mayor, Dr. Samuel B. Pryor, 58; Dr. A. A. Rice, 34—total, 92.

For marshal, Andrew M. Moore, 55; John W. Merrifield, 37—total, 92.

For treasurer, Wm. L. Murphy, 56; Z. E. Ranney, 36—total, 92.

For recorder, Samuel S. Jones, 90.

For six aldermen, William Burtle, 45; James W. Latimer (editor of the Herald), 74; Wm. J. Halsell. 71; Burrill Wilkes, 68; Williams, 59; George W. Baird, 57 (these six elected); A. M. Dean, 49; W. A. Gold, 45; James Marquez, 11.

April, 1857 to April, 1858

John M. Crockett was elected mayor and Marlin M. Thompson marshal.

April, 1858 to August, 1858

In April Isaac C. Naylor was elected mayor and Andrew M. Moore marshal. [On the third day of the same month, Moore killed Alexander Cockrell.] On the first day of June the town voted to abandon its special charter and adopt the general act of incorporation passed in the preceding January. Thirty votes were cast for the change and only one against it. Under this law, a new election was held August 2d, and resulted:

August, 1858 to August, 1859

For mayor, Dr. A. D. Rice, 39; scattering, 11; total—50.

For marshal, Wm. Marion Moon, 57, all.

For five aldermen, George W. Laws, 24; Wm. J. Halsell, 22; Isaac C. Naylor, 19; James N. Smith, 18; Wm. W. Peak, 12 [these elected]; A. Simon, 8.

August, 1859 to August, 1860

For mayor, John M. Crockett, 38.

For marshal, George W. Baird, 37.

For five aldermen, Wm. M. Moon, 39; James N. Smith, 39; George W. Guess, 39; Edw. W. Hunt, 38; Dr. Samuel B. Pryor, 37.

August, 1860 to August, 1861

For mayor, John M. Crockett, 51.

For marshal, Marlin M. Thompson, 40.

For five aldermen, Edw. W. Hunt, 48; James N. Smith, 43; Wm. W. Peak, 43; George W. Guess, 40; Dr. Samuel B. Pryor, 39.

August, 1861 to August, 1862

For mayor, Rev. Thomas E. Sherwood, 30.

For marshal, Peter Stevenson, 34.

For five aldermen, Geo. W. Guess, 63; James N. Smith, 62; Edw. W. Hunt, 61; Wm. W. Peak. 58; Dr. Samuel B. Pryor, 56.

August, 1862 to June, 1866

The proper records show no election from August, 1861, till June, 1866, but ex-Mayor John M. Crockett has memoranda showing that he officiated from November 15, 1865, to April 21, 1866, but he has no recollections as to how he came into the office. From his notes I extract the following items:

"December 15. Sion Record plead guilty to shooting, etc. Fined $10."

"McAdams brought in Sutherland for stealing timber. Fined $15."

"December 18. Council met. Present, Aldermen Charles Newton, W. H. Thomas, A. W. Morton, George W. Baird, _______ Johnson and J. S. Ballard."

"February 6, 1866. Fined George W. Baird $5 for assault on M. Guillot. John Edmondson, for riding on pavement, fined $2.50 in greenbacks."

"April 21. Sold negro Bob twenty-two pounds bacon for work on the streets.

This memoranda is the only record extant of the doings of the town government from its institution in 1856 to June, 1866, except that the county records show the elections, they being held, as the law then stood, by authority of the county judge, who kept a record of the result.

June 25, 1866

For mayor, John W. Lane received 66 votes and John M. Crockett 25—total, 91. or one less than was cast at the first election in 1856, and at no election between those years were there as many votes cast—the highest number reached being 92! But for marshal, at this election, Matt. J. Moore received 49 and Henry Hickman 44—total, 93.

For five aldermen, John Neely Bryan, 91; Dr. S. S. Sanders, 88; A. W. Morton, 88; Ed. W. Hunt, 88; M. M. Morrow, 86.

Lane resigned September 4, 1866, to become private secretary to Gov. Throckmorton, and George W. Guess was elected by the council to fill the unexpired term.

In 1867,

No election was held, and a second interregnum intervened from August, 1867, till September 5, 1868, when Gen. J. J. Reynolds, of the United States army, with headquarters in Austin, appointed officers for Dallas as follows, this being one of the incidents of reconstruction:

September, 1868 to November, 1872

Mayor, Ben Lorg; marshal, John F. Barbier; treasurer, A. J. Gouffe; aldermen, J. P. "McKnight" [do not confound this man's name with the "Knight" family of Dallas], O. R. Miller, Henry Boll, Edwin Taylor and John Tenison. Mr. Boll refused to serve and Mr. Tenison soon resigned. Samuel S. Jones and J. C. Seydel were appointed in their stead; then Jones resigned and John Loupot was substituted. Long resigned (to visit Europe) April 1, 1870, when Henry S. Ervay was appointed by the newly installed Gov. Davis, and held the office till the four days' election, November 5, 6, 7 and 8, 1872, under the charter granted in May, 1871. Under Ervay's administration, John M. McCoy was attorney, R. S. Druley, secretary, and G. W. Campbell, marshal. The aldermen at different times (some resigning) were F. L. Willemet, Ira B. Conklin, Samuel Crosley, E. H. Kendall, J. C. Seydel, Z. E. Coombes, Dr. E. W. Tucker and Edwin Taylor.

In 1872 Gov. Davis, who had been "counted in" by Gen. Reynolds, concluded that Mr. Ervay was not sufficiently loyal, issued an order removing him and appointing another in his place; but the civil government being reorganized and Dallas having a new charter granted by it, Mr. Ervay, acting both under legal advice and a sense of duty to the people, refused to yield. District Judge Hardin Hart issued a mandate commanding him to surrender the office; but Mr. Ervay positively refused to do so. Thereupon he was committed to and locked up in jail. It so happened that just at that crisis a decision arrived here, made by Davis' own Supreme Court, in a precisely similar case, ruling that the governor did not possess the power of removal, whereupon Judge Hart hastened to unlock the prison door, and Mr. Ervay stepped out a free man, to resume his duties as mayor and enjoy an increased respect of the people: His conduct throughout the affair deserved and received the warmest approval of the people.

November, 1872 to April, 1874

At this first election allowed the people after the military dictatorship began, held for four days, with State police present, Ben Long, Republican, received 348; Edw. H. Hunt, Democrat, 246. Thomas Flynn was elected marshal; Dr. David King, assessor and collector. The aldermen were Ellen P. Bryan, sr., O. Capy, George M. Swink, Frank Austin, Wm. H. Gaston, Michel Thevenet, John W. Lane and Dr. Archelaus M. Cochran. The Council elected Henry Boll treasurer; James H. Field, attorney, and C. S. Mitchell, secretary. The election was under a new charter granted May 22, 1871.

On the 24th of April, 1873, all of these aldermen, excepting Lane, resigned, and there were elected in their places Messrs. Henry S. Ervay, Hickerson Barksdale, Alex Sanger, John H. Bryan, Wm. H. Scales, John Owens, Wm. G. Sterett and James Greer. Olin Wellborn was elected city attorney October 6, 1873.

Under amendments to the charter, the term of these officers was extended till the first Tuesday in April, 1874, in order to fix that date for all future elections, and it has so remained till the present time, commencing with

April, 1874

Mayor, W. L. Cabell; marshal, June Peak; assessor and collector, T. J. Keaton; attorney, Wm. M. Edwards; treasurer, Robert H. West; engineer, Wm. M. Johnson; secretary, W. H. Prather. The aldermen were Henry S. Ervay, R. E. Burke, Jos. A. Leonard, R. D. Coughanour, J. S. Howell, A. T. Hensley, John Owens, Joseph C. McConnell, Wm. C. Young and H. B. McConnell.

Elected April, 1875

The same mayor, assessor, attorney, engineer, treasurer and marshal as in 1874, and J. B. Hereford secretary. The aldermen were J. W. Crowdus, Henry S. Ervay, F. L. Willemet, A. T. Obenchain, Alfred Davis, Benj. P. Jett, D. E. Grove, W. J. Shone, R. V. Tompkins and E. C. McLure. [In 1887, Jett lives in Washington, Ark., McLure in South Carolina, though a department clerk in Washington City, Shone in Colorado City and Grove in Marshall, Texas. Dr. Willemet has been dead several years.]

This new Council, by a unanimous vote, on the 27th of April, 1875, abandoned all former charters and adopted the general incorporation law of the State, passed on the 15th of the preceding March, a usurpation for which, outside of municipal abuses, there is perhaps no parallel since '76, omitting the exercise of power by the military and semi-military civil authorities forced on the country preceding and pending reconstruction; or, in other words, before the "resurrection" of liberty.

Under this new charter, at the election in April, 1876, all officers, excepting the mayor, were elected for two years, and the aldermen were divided into two classes, one-half to serve one year, the other half two years, so that half should thereafter be elected annually for two years.

April, 1876

Mayor, John D. Kerfoot, for one year; marshal, W. F. Morton; assessor and collector, J. N. Ogden; attorney, Barnett Gibbs; engineer, Wm. M. Johnson (these for two years); secretary, J. B. Hereford. Aldermen, John W. Crowdus, Henry S. Ervay, W. J. Clark, F. E. Guedry, Benj. P. Jett, E. P. Cowen, Jacob L. Williams and Dr. M. M. Newsom. [In 1887 Guedry lives in New Orleans, Cowen in Fort Worth.]

On the 9th of August, 1876, an entirely new charter was granted, continuing the terms, as before, at two years, and making the same apply to the mayoralty. An amendment to it of July 9, 1879, took from the people the right of electing the attorney, engineer and treasurer, and lodged it in the Council, another evidence of the tendency of municipal bodies to grasp at power, and admonishing the people of large towns and cities that "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."

April, 1877

Mayor, W. L. Cabell, two years, the other officers holding over. Aldermen, H. S. Ervay, J. W. Crowdus, W. M. C. Hill, F. E. Guedry, W. J. Shone, Benj. P. Jett, Dr. M. M. Newsom, Jacob L. Williams.

April, 1878

Assessor and collector, Julius C. Bogel; treasurer, John W. Bowen; attorney, Barnett Gibbs; marshal, W. F. Morton; engineer, S. W. S. Duncan; secretary, J. B. Hereford. Aldermen, John F. Caldwell, H. S. Ervay, P. B. Sheldon, M. D. Garlington (vice W. M. C. Hill, resigned), W. C. Holland, W. J. Shone, Dr. M. M. Newsom.

April, 1879

Mayor, J. M. Thurmond, the other officers holding over. Aldermen, John B. Stone, John F. Caldwell, L. F. Bohny, P. B. Sheldon, W. K. Wheelock (vice Holland, resigned), John S. Witwer, Chas. E. Keller, W. R. McIntire.

April, 1880

Marshal, W. F. Morton; assessor and collector, J. O. Bogel; engineer, J. S. Thatcher; attorney, Barnett Gibbs; secretary, J. B. Hereford. Aldermen, H. S. Ervay, John B. Stone, J. S. Ballard, L. F. Bohny, Zimri Hunt, W. K. Wheelock, E. M. Tillman, Chas. E. Keller.

In September, 1880, Mayor Thurmond was voted out of office by the Council (6 to 2), under a clause in the charter providing that a vote of "want of confidence" in an officer should operate as a deposition from office—a Jacobinical feature since expunged, leaving a fair trial as the only means of expelling an officer. John. J. Good was elected to fill the vacancy, receiving 1,100 votes to 682 for Thurmond.

April, 1881

For mayor, John Stone had thirty-seven majority, but was declared ineligible by the Council for want of the required residence in the city. On the 17th of May Dr. J. W. Crowdus was elected, receiving 878 votes to 680 for Zimri Hunt. J. B. Hereford resigned as secretary April 30, and G. M. Swink was elected. Aldermen, D. A. Williams, H. S. Ervay, W. J. Clark, J. S. Ballard, J. D. Carter, Zimri Hunt, Frank G. Moore, E. M. Tillman. Hunt resigned late in May, and Dr. J. V. Childers was elected.

April, 1882

Marshal, James O. Arnold; assessor and collector, J. O. Bogel; treasurer, N. W. Godbold; attorney, Frank Field; secretary, G. M. Swink; engineer, Wm. M. Johnson. Aldermen, Sigmund Loeb, D. A. Williams, James Moroney, W. J. Clark, O. F. Carter, J. D. Carter, E. M. Tillman, Frank G Moore.

April, 1883

Mayor, Wm. L. Cabell. Aldermen, Frank M. Cockrell, Sigmund Loeb, John Spellman, James Moroney, J. D. Carter, C. F. Carter, C. A. Gill, E. M. Tillman. Under an amendment to the charter of March, 1883, the city was divided into six instead of four wards, and in April, 1884, two aldermen were elected from each ward and classified anew as before.

April, 1884

Marshal, James C. Arnold; assessor and collector, J. O. Bogel; attorney, Wm. H. Johnson; treasurer, W. H. Flippen; engineer, Wm. M. Johnson; secretary, W. E. Parry; health officer, Dr. J. L. Carter. Aldermen, D. A. Williams, John Spellman, James Moroney, Robert B. Seay, Jacob Rauch, E. C. Smith, Sigmund Loeb, Robert Gibson, Chas. E. Keller, John Henry Brown, J. D. Carter. Messrs. D. A. Williams, John Spellman, Robert B. Seay, E. C. Smith, Robert Gibson and John Henry Brown drew the two years' term—the others one year.

April, 1885

Mayor, John Henry Brown. Aldermen, John B. Louckx, D. A. Williams, W. F. Dougherty, John Spellman, John Bookhout, Jacob Rauch, Sigmund Loeb, P. W. Linskie (vice E. C. Smith, resigned,), Chas. E. Keller, Robert Gibson, J. D. Carter, Samuel Peterman (vice John Henry Brown, resigned).

April, 1886

Mayor, John Henry Brown (holding over); marshal, James C. Arnold; attorney, W. H. Johnson; assessor and collector, John F. House; engineer, J. S. Thatcher; water superintendent, Dave Tichenor; secretary, W. E. Parry; health officer, Dr. J. L. Carter. Aldermen, John B. Louckx, T. J. A. Brown, W. F. Dougherty, D. P. Mahony, Jacob Rauch, John Bookhout, Sigmund Loeb, F. R. Rowley, C. E. Keller, D. C. Mitchell, J. D. Carter, Samuel Peterman.

April, 1887

Mayor, W. C. Connor; recorder (newly created office), T. J. A. Brown; assessor, J. F. House; assistant, Ben M. Melton; secretary, W. E. Parry; assistant, Wm. McGrain; water superintendent, Dave Tichenor; health officer, Dr. J. L. Carter; attorney, W. II. Johnson; engineer, J. S. Thatcher; water collector, L. M. Fargason. Aldermen, John B. Louckx, Frank Cockrell (vice 'T. J. A. Brown, resigned), D. P. Mahoney, A. M. Cochran, Jacob Rauch, W. L. Hall, F. B. Rowley, Sigmund Loeb, D. O. Mitchell, K. J. Kivlen, Samuel Peterman, Darius Welch.

Police Force of Dallas, July 1, 1887

James C. Arnold, marshal; Geo. Ed. Cornwall, deputy marshal; Samuel H. Beard and Henry C. Waller, mounted officers; John T. Carter, clerk; Dean S. Arnold, station keeper; Thomas O. Halsell, in charge of street force; regular patrolmen—Wm. M. Moon, James A. Beard, John P. Keehan, John W. Kivlen, Patrick Mullins, W. R. Barnes, Clifton Scott, Peter Ahearns, Geo. L. Williams, Erastus F. Yates, Wm. Schroeter, Wood H. Ramsey, M. W. Skelton, Milburn W. Kirby.

The official municipal history of Dallas, in its personnel, has thus been given from the beginning in 1856 to 1887, a period of thirty-one years, and from a voting population of ninety-two to one of three thousand five hundred within the actual incorporated limits, and fully four thousand five hundred in the entire city. A few minor matters and subordinate official positions, more or less temporary, have been omitted. It is a compilation well worth preserving, and in the time to come, in the days of those grand fruitions which, to all human appearance, are in store for John Neely Bryan's section and John Grigsby's league and labor, they will be held as invaluable memorials of the early times and struggles (of those who will then have gone before) to found on this favored spot at least—speaking comparatively in this day of successive marvels in the movement of population—a great inland seat of commerce, manufactures, schools, colleges and all those industries which, in modern times, pertain to such an aggregation of enlightened humanity, in a country blessed by nature, and, by the Ruler of all, despite an interval of disorder and usurpation blessed with free, democratic institutions, under which liberty reigns.

The First Pioneers of Dallas County—Over 500 Names Alphabetically* Arranged; Including Their Children, Over 1,200

*Editor's Note: in the original printing of this book, last names are alphabetized by first letter only, with arbitrary sorting order after that. True to the original text, the same standard is followed here.

It has been impossible to gather the names of all entitled to be enrolled in this list. The State land grants in my possession, while not entirely full, as some Dallas settlers located their lands elsewhere, have enabled me approximately to name those who came prior to July 1, 1848, at which time the grants ceased. In many cases I am enabled to give the year of arrival. As to those arriving between July 1, 1848, and the close of 1849, I have been almost entirely dependent on others for information. In many cases I am also enabled to give a list of the children of the first corners—in others it could not be done without a loss of time and labor which could not now be devoted to that object. I limit the list to the year 1849, because a newspaper was then in existence to record current events; because the county had then ceased to be a frontier; and because the increase of population thereafter was too rapid to justify incorporation in a list of this kind. If those whose names are omitted will, either in person or writing, furnish them to me, the list shall be completed in full. This applies to heads of families and their children who came to Dallas county before the close of 1849. It will be a pleasure to receive the information either in person or by letter.

While the list is alphabetical, the rule is departed from in so far as to assign the post of honor—rightfully and gratefully—to BRYAN, JOHN NEELY, a Tennesseean, last from Red River, the first settler of Dallas county and a single man, who came about the last of November, 1841. While yet Nacogdoches county, he married, February 26, 1843, Margaret, daughter of John Beeman, the first couple ever married on the soil of Dallas county. Of their children, John, the first native of the county, lives in Burnet, born February 9th, 1846; Lizzie, born in December, 1847, married Wm. Dillon and now lives at Montezuma, Pike county, Illinois, and recently her mother has resided with her; Luther A. lives at Decatur, Texas. Mr. Bryan once visited in California; for some years lived in Llano county; then returned to Dallas—partially lost his mind and died in 1879.

ALLEN, Simon Bolivar, merchant in 1848—lives in Bonham.
ATTERBERRY, James, and family.
"   Stephen C., and family.
"   Jesse, and family.
"   Nathan (soldier in Mexico) and Churchill came single.
ANDERSON, John L., and family came from Kentucky 1846.
"   James, and family 1816.
"   single, Thomas R. and James W.
ARMSTRONG, James, and family, came in 1816; his daughter, Frances E., came, the wife of John Bursey, and is now a widow; Martha married Robert Cook, and is a widow; Nancy J. married first Wm. A. Knight, second W. Marion Moon; Mary J. married Alexander A. Thomas; Anderson, the only son, died in 1848.
AYTES, John, and family before 1849.
ARCHER, Thomas M., and family, 1846.
ASHLOCK, Josiah, and family.
ANDREWS, Ben F. and Samuel, came single.
ALEXANDER, J. J., came single.

BURSEY, John, and wife, nee Frances E. Armstrong, came in 1846.
BADGELEY, Daniel A., and family; Job married Lydia Marks.
BAISHMIRE, Henry, married Eliza Goodwin.
BRYAN, James B. (brother of John N.) came in 1846; married (second wife) Mrs. Elizabeth Harter, nee Beeman; children, William, James and Lenore.
BAIRD, Geo. W., 1849; married Mary E. Traughber.
BETHURUM, Robert P., married Electa A. Hawpe.
"   Ben F., married Nancy P. Elam.
BAST, Abraham, 1848, m. _______ Myers; children, Morgan, Jack, David, Abrabam, Julia, Lucinda, Eliza.
BLEDSOE, "A.," and family, from Missouri 1846; children; Willis A. married Jane Boyle; Moses O. to Sadie George; Isaac C. to Miss Steele; Virginia to Capt. R. A. Rawlins; Bettie to Thomas Spruance; Fleming G. to Juliet Samuels.
BLEDSOE, Anthony, married Martha Huitt.
"   Dr. Samuel T., and family, 1845.
BERNARD, Charles H., came from Illinois 1847.
BROWN, Young E., and family, 1844.
"   Crawford, and family, 1844.
BRANDENBURG, A., and family; Samuel came single.
BEARD, Allen, and family.
BEVERLY, Wm., 1846, married Rebecca Conover; died in Collin 1887.
BENNETT, Hiram, came in 1845; children, Madison, Hardy and C. L.
BENNETT, Wm. H., and family, 1845.
BENNETT, William, and family, 1845.
"   James M., and family, 1845.
"   Elisha and Elijah D. came single.
BURRIS, Thomas, and family.
BROWDER, Mrs. Lucy, came in 1845.
"   Isham, son of Lucy, and family, 1845.
"   Edward C., son of Lucy, 1845, m. Elizabeth Coats; his children, Pleasant S., Annie B. m. Edgar Prickett; Emma m. Dr. J. H. McCorkle; Fanny m. G. M. Overleese.
BIRD, James, and family, from Missouri 1844.
"   Samuel P. came single.
BRUTON, Wm., patriarch, from Illinois 1845; children, Rich ard married Elizabeth Cox; James R. married Nancy Edwards.
BRITTON, Joseph, and family, 1848.
BAKER, James M., married Ruth Forester.
"   Artemas, came single.
BARKER, Joshua, married Sarah Hart.
BANDY, Richard T., married Aurelia A. Rawlins.
BORD, Wm. J., married Milburn Bernetta Baggett.
BILLINGSLEY, Wm., married Arena Kirklaud.
BARNES, Wm. D., married Tabitha C. Smith.
BARNES, Wm., came in 1845; in Grand Prairie fight.
BURNHAM, Horace, married Matilda Cole.
BURNETT, Wm. D., came single.
BROTHERTON, Robert K., came single.
"   H. K.
BOWLES, Rev. Wm., a Baptist preacher, who had married Mrs. Rebecca Self, came in 1844. Of the Self children there were Ann, who married Robert Walker; Sarah E., who married Judge James M. Patterson, Harvin H. and Chonac Self. The children of Mr. Bowles, by this marriage, are Harrison H., living in Kaufman, and Hannah F., who married George W. Davis.
BURFORD, Nathaniel M., came from Tennessee in 1848; m. Mary Knight in 1854; their children-Mattie m. Wm. Morris Freeman in 1886; Nathaniel is dead; Robert Lee, Jeff Mallard and May.
BARRETT, Roswell B., an orphan of Texas parentage, came with James Armstrong in 1846; married "Babe" Baldridge.
BARRETT, James W., brother of Roswell, still single.
BLEDSOE, Allen, came in 1845; in Grand Prairie fight.
BUSKIRK, Jonas, and family.
BRADSHAW, David, and family.
BEEMAN, John, and family, from Illinois to Bowie county 1840, to Bird's Fort November, 1841, to Dallas county April, 1842. His wife was Emily Hunnicut, yet living. Their children—Elizabeth m. first Henry Harter in 1844, going eighty miles to Bonham for that purpose, second James B. Bryan, and third Wm. Cumby; Margaret m. John Neely Bryan; Wm. H. m. Martha Dye; Samuel H. m. Mary Ann Weatherford; Isaac H. died in California; James H. m. Mary Hammond; Clarissa m. _______ Walker; Nancy m. Wm. W. Hobbs; Ann m. John Fugate; Caroline m. Isaac Fisher—ten children—nine married.
BEEMAN, James J., in St. Charles county, Missouri, in 1836, married Sarah Crawford; in Dallas, November 29, 1851, he married Elizabeth Baker, from Ohio. By the first marriage he had children, Mary J. (died in 1884) married first Henry Price, second Wyatt Barnett; Emily T. married Wm. T. Baker; Francis M. married Amanda McCormick; Melissa died in youth. By his second wife J. J. had Charles A., who married Martha McCormick, and Sarah E., who married L. A. Sweet.
BEEMAN, Samuel, married in St. Charles county, Missouri, Mary Smelser (both now dead), and came November, 1846, from Calhoun county, Illinois. Of their children, John S. married Isabel Bryan in Illinois—came with his father; Ruth married Adam C. Haught, whose first wife, Margaret, was a sister of her father; Nancy (in Illinois) married Wm. Hunnicut; Isaac married Hannah Bethurum; Temperance married _______ Moore; Mary married Benj. Lanham; Petér married Matilda Riggs; William and Jacob were killed in the Confederate army; Kate married Newton Husted. The three brothers brought twenty-four children to Dallas county, including those born here.

CALDWELL, Solomon, and family, from Illinois 1842.
"   Wm., and family, from Illinois.
"   Timothy, came single, married Nancy Ray.
CORLEY, Adelbert, son of the Rev. Sam. Corley, the Mexican war soldier, came in 1848; for thirty years has been clerk of Red River county.
COLE, John P., and family, moved to Tarrant.
CORCORAN, John T., and family, 1845.
CRABTREE, William, and family.
COCHRAN, William M., and wife, nee Nancy J. Hughes, Tennesseeans, came from Missouri in 1843. He died April 24, 1853—she died October 15, 1877; of their children, John H. married Martha Johnson; Archelaus M. first married Laura, one of the "Knights of '46," second Mrs. Mary Collins, nee Jenkins; Wm. P. married Amanda M. Lawrence; James M. (born in Dallas county June 1, 1846,) married first Maggie B. Lively, second Nannie Clark, third Hattie Bourland; George W. died single in 1872; Martha A. married William Harris.
CRUTCHFIELD, Thomas F., and family, from Kentucky 1845; children, James O. m. Fanny Floyd; Albertus went to California; Th. Ella m. G. S. C. Leonard; Ophelia m. John J. Eakins, who died in 1886; Minerva m. John W. Swindells; Betty m. John W. Lane.
COUSY, Mrs. Nancy, and family.
"   Thomas W., came single.
CASEY, John, and family.
"   Harvey, came single.
"   Harry, came single.
CORNELIUS, Abner P., and family.
CRUMPACKER, Daniel and Joel, came single.
CHESHIRE, Thomas, and family.
COOK, John C., married Elvira Mays.
CARVER, Solomon, and family.
"   Abraham, and family.
"   Daniel, came single.
CHENOWETH, James F., and family.
"   Thomas, married Hannah Keenan.
CLARK, A. J. (old Texian) came in 1845—in Grand Prairie fight, married Sarah Myers; their son, H. O., in Dallas.
CLARK, Henry, and family.
"   Wm., came in 1845-his family came with Judge Patterson in January, 1846.
CATES, James, came in 1844; in Grand Prairie fight; married Elvira Fay.
CAMPBELL, Thomas J., came single.
CHAPMAN, John C., and family. Robert, came single.
CASTOR, Jacob, came single.
CARLOCK, Jacob G., came single.
COATS, Samuel, and family, from Illinois 1845.
"   Thomas D., and family, from Illinois 1845.
"   Marion A., and Wm. B. came single.
COX, John H., and wife, from Illinois 1842.
"   George, from Illinois 1842.
"   James, from Illinois 1844.
"   Davis B., from Illinois 1844.
"   Hartwell B., from Illinois 1844.
"   Joseph, married Narcissa Elam.
"   William, married Mary Dike.
CONOVER, Dr. W. W., came 1845.
CAMPBELL, Thomas A., married Margaret A. Coombes.
DARK, Wm., and family.
"   Henry, came single.
CONNOR, Wm. D., married Mary Fikes.
CARPENTER, Timothy, and family came in 1843.
CROWLEY, Richard, married Almeda Leake.
"   Benj. F., married Edna Leake.
CALDER, Dr. _______ , came in 1842, killed by Indians in Collin February, 1843 (see narrative).
COOMBES, Wm., and family, from Kentucky 1843; children—Leven G. m. Jane H. Heady; Zachariah Ellis m. Rebecca F. Bedford; Isaac N. m. Berrilla K. Myers; Margaret A. m. Thos. A. Campbell and died in Missouri in 1869; Mary M. m. Levi M. Bumpas; Rebecca F. m. Wm. L. Holt and is dead. Children by a second wife, Samuel H., John W. and three daughters.
COMBS, Joseph, and family (Cedar Hill) came before July, 1848; of his children Zur m. Sarah Evans; W m. S. m. Elizabeth J. Evans; Robert.
CHOWNING, Robert, came in 1845.
"   J. W. m. Nancy Myers in Illinois—in Grand Prairie fight in 1846; found the murdered Phelps party in 1848—lives in Denton.
COUCH, Henderson, as foreman of the jury at the first court ever held in Dallas county, December, 1846, he and his eleven colleagues divorced Mrs. Charlotte M. Dalton from her husband, Joseph Dalton; and before the sun of that day glided to the "Heathen Chinee" side of the globe, the said Henderson Couch and Charlotte M. Dalton, legally and constitutionally, were husband and wife. It was the first civil suit—Dalton vs. Dalton—ever tried in Dallas county; yet some people of this day imagine that the "Early Timers" of Dallas were of the backwoods, "Arkansaw Traveller," non-progressive class, such as are found stuck away in certain spots in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and possibly a few in North Carolina and Virginia, but never in the prairies of the Great West or Southwest. Let all such realize the electric dispatch of business in early Dallas days, and be convinced of their former erroneous impressions—then tip their beavers to the memory of Henderson and Charlotte Couch.
CHENAULT, Wesley M., and family came in 1845.
"   William, came single, a soldier in Mexico, married Ruth Ann Jackson, died in 1886.
CAMERON, David R., and family, from Missouri in 1844; among his children were Ohris O., L. Frank and T. H.
COCKRELL, Wesley, and family came in 1846.
COOK, Henry, and family, before 1849.
COLE, Dr. John, wife and mostly grown children came from Arkansas 1843; their children, Calvin G., married in Arkansas Elvira Reeder; James M., m. Sarah Bennett; John H. ?. m. Elizabeth Preston; Martin V., m. Maggie Preston, Joseph, m. Jennie Overton; Malinda, m. (second wife of) James N. Smith; Eliza, m. Jefferson Tilley, and is a widow in Arkansas; Louisa, m. A. G. Walker, and is dead; Wm. A. lives in Medina county, m. Mary Bennett.
COOK, Williford W., brother of Robert M., came in 1845.
COOK, Robert M., surveyor, came in 1845; m. Martha Armstrong.
CONNER, Abraham, and family, came before 1846.
CROCKETT, John M., and wife came from Tennessee October, 1847.
COLLINS, James, and wife Nancy came in 1846.
"   Thomas, brother of James and wife Mary, came in 1846.
COLLINS, Albert G. and wife Pamelia came from Kentucky 1846; their children—Orzelia m. John Shipley, now a widow; James, William, Joel and Henry are dead; Foster in Louisiana; Joseph and Albert G. living; Martha m. Jacob Ervay and lives in Wyoming; Annie m. P. King Taylor and lives in Cisco, Texas. The parents are still living.
CARTER, Wormley, born in Loudon county, Virginia, June 19, 1816; removed from Kentucky to Missouri 1813; to Dallas in May, 1846; married Lucy Anderson; since 1880 has lived near Lewisville, Denton county.
CARTER, Asher W., brother of Wormley, married Elizabeth A. Wood.
COCKRELL, Alexander, came from Missouri in 1845; was & frontier soldier and partly in Mexico; married Sarah H. Horton; was killed in Dallas April 3, 1858. His widow still resides in the old homestead, the abode of hospitality. Their children—Aurelia married Mitchell Gray and is dead; Robert married Gillie Jones and died in 1886; Frank M. is Alderman Cockrell, of the Todd Mills; Alexander married Ettie Fulkerson, and is a "ranchero" on Mountain creek.
CROW, Wm. M., and family came in 1847.
CARDER, Wm. P., and family came in 1845; his sons, Elija and Christopher, were soldiers in Mexico, and died in the city about Christmas, 1847. His wife, nee Brumfield, was a sister of Mrs. Amon McCommas.

DOOLEY, George W., and family, before 1848.
DURRETT, George W., and family, before 1848.
DANIEL, John H., came from Missouri in 1845—a soldier in the Mexican war—married Rebecca Ray in Dallas county. Their children, William R. married Josephine McCommas; Mary Frances married George H. Alexander, now of Hardeman county; "John Henry" died March 5, 1885; Benj. F.; Sterling Price; Edmund W. married first Emma McCommas, second Ettie Wilkinson; Charles A., Martha J., and the last is "Arthur Ellis Coombes Daniel."
DIKES, Thomas, came single in 1845; a soldier in Mexico, and died in New Orleans en route home.
DURGIN, Charles H., merchant, came from Massachusetts 1845; married Elizabeth B. Thomas, and is long deceased. His widow is vice president of the Dallas County Pioneer Association.
DAKAN, Dr. Perry, married Ann R. Walker, who died in California. He returned, and died in Texas.
DYE, Benjamin, sr., and family came from Kentucky in 1847. His children—Enoch, now dead, married a daughter of Rev. Abner Keen; Benj, jr., and Wm. H. died single; Joseph F. went to California in 1853; George lives in Dallas county; Martha E. is the wife of Wm. H. Beeman; Sarah first married _______ Vassella and is now the wife of Dr. _______ Mitchell; Miranda married Madison Bennett; Addie is the wife Wm. A. McDermett.
DYE, William, brother of Benj.; died single.
DAWDY, Alanson, married Rebecca Shelton.
DOWNING, Wm. W., came single.
DUNAWAY, Foster W., came single.
DIXON, Solomon W., and family.
DEMAY (or Dernay) Charles, came in 1845—in Grand Prairie fight.
DAVIS, Hinson C., and family.
"   John W., Benj. F. and Jeremiah came single.

ELLIS, Thomas M., and wife, nee Witt, came from Illinois in 1845. One of their daughters married Middleton Perry, Mary married Jones Green, _______ married W. L. White, Wm. F. married Miss Smith, John T. married Miss Stewart, James H. married Mary E. Rawlins.
ELAM, Wm. B., wife Mary and family from Illinois 1845.
"   Isaac, wife Margaret and family, 1847.
"   W. M., and family.
"   Jesse, and family.
"   Andrew, Benton and several others came single.
ELLIOTT, Sanders, came in 1845.
ELKINS, Smith, elected chief justice in 1850, and quit the country under a domestic cloud.
EDWARDS, Isaac, and family.

FERRIS, Morris, and family came before 1846.
FLOYD, George, and family.
FYKE, Elisha, and family.
"   Archer, came single.
FORTNER, Milford F., and family.
FROST, Benj., and family.
"   Thomas, came single.
FERRIS, Warren A., surveyor, and family came from Nacogdoches in 1846.
FLEMING, Wm., and family came in 1846.
"   Geo. W., came single in 1846; married Louisa Jane Britton.
FRANKLIN, Levi, married Nancy Rogers.
FLETCHER, _______, married Miss Henry.
FORTNER, John, and family came in 1844; now lives at _______ Indian Territory; his children—Amos, Mary J. married George Burgoon; Caroline married George Nash.
FREEMAN, Mrs. Mary Ann, and family came 1846.
"   Wm. S., and wife Susan came in 1846.
FONDREN, John R., came in 1816.

GLOVER, George W., and family came in 1843.
GOODWIN, Micajah, and family came before 1846.
"   Thos. R., came single.
GALLOWAY, D. R. S. C., married Jane Manning.
GRACEY, Marquis D. L., came in 1846; married Amanda E. Harris.
GRACEY, Emory A., married Miss Matlock.
"   Grundy C., Sabine and Wm. T.; Amanda married _______ Goodnight.
GILL, Eldridge, came in 1849; married Mrs. Lucinda McDonald, nee Smith.
GUNNELS, Washington, married Polly Sparks.
GOOD, Noah, and family came in 1846.
GREATHOUSE, Archibald, and family came in 1844.
GARKINS, George, and wife Easter came in 1847.
GILBERT, MABEL, and wife Martha came from Bird's Fort in March, 1842, Mrs. Gilbert being the first white lady to reach Dallas, though followed on the 4th of April by Mrs John Beeman, yet living, and her daughters. Mr. Gilbert had formerly been a steamboat commander.
GRIFFIN, Elder Thacker Vivian, a preacher of the "Christian" church, born 1800—came to Dallas in 1846; organized the first church of his denomination in Dallas county at Hord's Ridge, and died in 1852 or '53. His only son died in the Confederate army. His only daughter, Elizabeth A., is the, [to this writer and his family especially,] esteemed wife of Dr. Albert A. Johnston.
GRAY, Andrew K. and Daniel H., came single.
GREEN, Jones, came in 1845; his wife was Mary Ellis.
GRAHAM, Joseph, and family.
"   Milton H., came single.
GOAR, John, and family; his daughter Matilda married Norvell R. Winniford.
GROUNDS, Robert, and large family, came in 1845.
GREEN, Mrs. Martha P., and family.
GARVIN, Thomas, came single.

HOWELL, John and wife Parthena came in 1845; their children—Virginius, James, Hartwell (lost in the Confederate army), Lizzie (Mrs. John Wright), Salome (Mrs. John M. Hervay), Charles, married Miss Thomas.
HICKLIN, Wm. J., and family came in 1845. He was killed out West.
HORTON, Enoch, sr., and family, from Russell county, Virginia, arrived November 29, 1844. His children (excepting a married daughter, who came ten years later,) were Mary, who married Marlin M. Thompson; John married Margaret Hopkins; James married first Jane Phillips, second Mrs. Molly King, nee Morton; Sarah H. married Alexander Cockrell; Enoch, jr., married first Nancy C. Reed, second Lucy Lanier (now Mrs. Sam P. Cross); Robert died single in California; Martha married her cousin, Wm. Horton, and died soon after reaching Dallas; Bachel died single; Lucy married A. B. Lanier; Emarine married the late Joseph C. Reed. Of all this large family Mrs. Cockrell alone survives, as one of the honored landmarks of early, or rather, ante-Dallas days.
HORD, Wm. H., and wife Mary J. (nee Crockett) came from North Carolina 1845; their children, Thomas A., Ferdinand P., Mattie J. (Mrs. J. A. Crawford).
HUNT, Edward W., came in 1846; first married Jane ?. Thomas, second Olivia H. Winn.
HUNT, John L., brother of E. W., came in 1846, went to California in 1849 or '50, and lives there now.
HENRY, J. Paul, sr., married Miss Fletcher.
HOUX, Nicholas, and family came in 1848.
HAMBRICK, N. M., and wife came in 1847.
HOBBS, Wm. W., came in 1842, married Nancy Beeman.
HUITT, John, and family came in 1843.
"   Roland, brother of John, came in 1843.
HIBBERT, J. B., came in 1845.
HETHERINGTON, John C., came in 1846; married Susan A Drake.
HART, Abe, came in 1847; married Elizabeth Ray.
HILL, Mrs. S. J., came in 1845.
HOUX, James M., and family.
HARTER, Henry, married Elizabeth Beeman.
HARWOOD, Alex. M., and family, Tennesseeans, but last from Missouri, in 1844. The parents died at Harwood Spring as did their son, N. B., and his wife, the parents of Wm. A. Harwood, formerly district clerk, now of Dimmit county. Their daughter, Melissa T., first married _______ Jacobs and in 1846 Josiah S. Phelps, and died about January 1st, 1848, Mr. Phelps being killed by Indians April 9, 1848. Their only child, then a few months old, is Mrs. Dickey (wife of Henry C.) Millet, of Tarrant county. A married daughter yet lives in Missouri. Susan O. married Wm. A. Stewart.
HARWOOD, Alexander, (so long county clerk), who married Sarah Peak. He died July 31, 1885. Their son, Ripley B., married Lucy Keller, and has a son named Alexander. Their daughter, Juliet, is the wife of James J. Collins.
HENDERSON, John, married Malvina Kimbell.
HICKMAN, Henry, married Elizabeth Newton.
HANBY, J., married Susan Smith.
HUTTON, V. J., and wife came in 1845 or '46.
HUSTED, Harrison, and family came in 1845.
"   James G., N. J., S. F. and others came single.
HARGROEDER, Mrs. Mary, and family, before July, 1848.
HOBBS, James, and family, before July, 1848.
"   Wm. W., married Nancy Beeman.
HART, Jacob, and family, before July, 1848. Abraham, married Elizabeth Ray.
HANNA, Amariah and family, before July, 1848.
HARDING, John M., and family, before July, 1848.
HUGHES, William, and family, before July, 1848.
HALFORD, Jeremiah, and family, before 1848.
"   J. W., came single.
HENDERSON, Noah, and family.
HUNNICUT, Wm. C., and family, 1844.
HALL, Jacob C., and family, before 1848.
HALL, John. and family, before 1848.
HOLLOWAY, Joseph H., before 1848.
HALL, Henry H., came single, married _______ Anderson.
HARRIS, John, and family, before 1848.
"   William, came before 1848.
"   Daniel, and family, before 1848.
HAUGHT, Adam C., from Illinois in 1845; married first Margaret Beeman, second Ruth Beeman.
HAUGHT, Peter, came in 1845; a soldier in Mexico; married S. J. Pruitt.
HAUGHT, Samuel A., came in 1815; a soldier in Mexico, and raised a large family.

JENKINS, William, wife and children came from Missouri in 1845—died in 1872; their children, Mary A. married first James Collins, second A. M. Cochran; Lizzie married Eugene Lively; Hannah E. married Gabriel A. (Dood) Knight; America S. married Coany; Miron E. married Celeste Brown; Sarah married Chas. Fladger; Rufus Henry and Willis L.
JACKSON, John, wife and children came from Missouri in 1846; their children were Andrew Sloan Jackson, a soldier in Mexico, married Elizabeth Dye; William was a soldier in Mexico, came home sick and died September 12, 1848; James E. married Diana Davis; Good married Miss Thomas; George married Molly Nash; Ruth Ann married Wm. Chenault.

KUHN, Anton, came in 1845 or 46-the first blacksmith in the town of Dallas, though Allen, slave of John Huitt, and yet living, was the first, it is said, in the whole county. Mr. Kuhn afterwards migrated to Oregon.
KEIFER, Benj., came single.
KELLER, Samuel, and family came before July, 1848.
KIMMELL, Mrs. Catharine, and family came before July, 1848.
KIMMELL, Philip, and family came before July, 1848.
KIRK, John W., came single, before July, 1848.
KENNEDY, Mrs. Mary, and family came before July, 1848.
KEENAN, Thomas, and family came in 1842; of his children there were Marion; Betsey married Hiram Vail; Mary married James Newby; Hannah married Thos. Chenoweth.
KEEN, Rev. Abner, and family came before July, 1848.
KEEN, Wm. H., and family came before July, 1848.
"   W. W., and family came before July, 1848.
"   John S., married Olive S. Merrill.
"   John W., married Nancy Turner.

The Knights

History teems with the brilliant and chivalrous actions of various orders of ancient Knights, and the people of today are confronted with the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Honor, the Knights Templar and the Knights of Labor, (an organization whose benevolent intent is sometimes marred by petty political place hunters, on office bent); but, with a measure of trepidation, I venture to present to the readers of this little work a disentangled, intelligible arrangement and semi-official portrayal of the Dallas

"Knights of '46"

KNIGHT, OBEDIAH W., first married in Tennessee Mary Ann Knight, but not a relative. She died, and he married in the same State Serena O. Hughes, yet living in North Dallas. They came in 1846. By the first marriage there were first, Wm. A., who first married Mary Stillwell, and second Mary Jane Armstrong (now Mrs. W. M. Moon); second, John W., married Sally Stewart (who lives in Decatur), and died in 1870; third, Mary, married Nat. M. Burford in 1854; fourth, Elizabeth B., married Jefferson Mallard, of Jacksonville, in 1857; fifth, Gabriel A. (commonly called Dood), married Hannah T. Jenkins. By the second marriage came, sixth, Henry, who died a youth; seventh, Laura, who married A. M. Cochran and is dead; eighth, Monroe D., killed by a horse in youth; ninth, Sophronia, died young; tenth, Mattie A., married Wm. H. Lemmon and is dead; eleventh, Kate, married John Field; twelfth, William H. (second Wm.) married Bessie Turner, and lives in Hill county; thirteenth, Eppes G., married Fanny L. Patton in 1887; fourteenth, Robert E. Lee, now a law student; fifteenth, Archelaus J., still a youth; and sixteenth, Josie, died a little girl.
KNIGHT, GABRIEL A., sr., brother of Ob. W., came in 1846, and died a bachelor. [There is a worthy family from Missouri, of the same name, but not relatives, scattered in Dallas, Brownwood, Colorado City and Weatherford, but they came since the Confederate war.]
KENISON, Daniel W., came single, married Mary Horn.

LARNER, Wm., married Mary Jennings in Illinois—came in 1842—raised a large family; both dead and children scattered.
LEONARD, George L., and family came from Tennessee in 1843. [A portion of this family spell the name Lenard.] His children were George S. C., married Thomas Ella Crutchfield, and both dead; Wm. M., John R., Jackson L., married Mittie Hearne, and both dead; Samuel F., married Mattie Miller and is dead; Washington C; Elizabeth, married John W. Wright; Mattie; and Joseph A., married Annie Jeffries.
LONG, Henry C., came single, married _______.
LAVENDER, Mrs. M. H., and family, from Illinois 1845.
"   J. J., and wife Lucy A. came in 1816.
LAUGHLIN, J. Y., and wife Abby C. came in 1849.
"   J. P., and wife came in 1849.
LEDBETTER, Oliver V., and wife Margaret came in 1848.
"   W. H., came in 1846.
"   Rev. Arthur, married Elizabeth Pearson.
LANIER, John, and family came before 1846.
"   Archibald, son of John, married Lucy Horton; Lucy married Enoch Horton.
LEE, J. B., and family came before 1848; his children were John, Thomas, Lee and three daughters.
LAWRENCE, John P., married Fanny Coats.
LYNCH, John, married Mahala Warner.
LATIMER, James W., founder of the Dallas Herald in 1849, came from Red River county in that year and died in 1859. He was a good writer—left a widow and several children, all or nearly all of whom are now dead. His parents came from Tennessee to Red River in 1834. His death was deplored as a loss to Dallas.
LOVING, James, and family came before July, 1848.
"   Samuel P., came single.
LEAKE, Anthony M., and family, before July, 1848.
LACEY, Philemon, came single before July, 1848.
LINNEY, Parry, and family, before July, 1848.
LONGLEY, Thomas, and family, before July, 1848.

MARSH, Harrison C., wife Polly and family came in 1843. Their children—Thos. C. married Hannah Husted; Ellen married Henry Daggett; John D. married Rebecca Perry; Mary married _______ McAlister; Lizzie married Ephraim M. Daggett, jr.; Martha Ann married Mark Eliston; Polly (pet name Pete) married Wm. Neill.

The extreordinary fact is stated that, during their forty-four years' residence in Dallas county, there has never been a death in this esteemed family.

The McCommas Family

Elder Amon McCOMMAS, with his wife, nee Mary Brumfield, and children, came from Missouri in 1844. He hailed from Virginia, stopping for repairs, successively, in Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois and Missouri. Of his children, James B. married Miss Shields before coming; John (a soldier in the Mexican war) married in Dallas county Missouri Tucker; Elisha married Rhoda Ann Tucker; William M. married Julia Tucker; Amon, jr., married Nancy Seals; Stephen B. died a soldier in the City of Mexico, December 24, 1847; Ross married Jesse Cox; Armilda married Benj. F. Fleaman; Mary E. married John W. Herndon.
McCOMMAS, Stephen B., sr., brother of Amon, came with his family. His son, Burke, died a soldier in the City of Mexico, about Christmas, 1847. Of his other children, Serena married Rufus Bennett, and of John I have no data.
McCOMMAS, John C., brother of Amon and Stephen, came with them married—was a soldier in Mexico, and now lives in Young county.
MoCOMMAS, Mrs. Lavinia, a sister-in-law of the three brothers, with her family, came with them.
MOORE, Benj. S., came single—married Martha Weatherford.
MYERS, William, and family came in 1843; his son Meredith married Miss Eddy.
McCOY, John C., came single in 1845; married Cora M. McDermett, who died in 1853; he died April 30, 1887.
MOUNTS, Jesse V., and family came in 1844; he commanded in the Grand Prairie skirmish in 1846.
MOUNTS, Thomas A., married Eliza J. Harmison.
"   George, died a soldier in the City of Mexico, December, 1847.
MOUNTS, J. H. _______
MINTER, Rev. Green, came before 1846.
McCANTS, Joshua, and family came before July, 1845—in Grand Prairie fight.
McDERMETT, J. B., came from Arkansas in 1847, his sister Lucy being of his family. Of his children, Mary M. married Joseph Parker; William A. married Addie Dye; Henrietta married John Tenison; Cora M. married John C. McCoy; Dr. David Porter married Talitha Smith and lives in Pilot Grove; Sam died in New Mexico; Josephine A. married Ulysses Matthews; Edward J. was killed in the naval battle of Mobile.
McKAMY, Wm. C., wife Rachel and family; their children, William O., John L., Charles and perhaps others.
MOON, Jesse and wife Mary J. came from Missouri in 1845; of their children, E. G. died at fifteen; Jesse in 1872; Julia married Ellis C. Thomas; Martha married Matt. J. Moore; Nancy E. married Joseph C. McConnell; W. Marion married Mrs. Mary J. Knight, nee Armstrong; Sarah J.
MILLER, Madison M., long a merchant at Pleasant Run, near Lancaster, came in 1846; he married first Mary Rawling, second Emma A. Dewey, (now Mrs. Wm. B. Miller).
MILLER, William B., wife and children came from Kentucky in 1847. By his first wife he had children, Charilaus (Crill), who married Miss Walker; Alonzo; Mattie married S. Frank Leonard; Molly married George W. Guess; Jennie married Chas. D. Kanady; Susan married Frank Robberson (who died in 1867), and is now the wife of Dr. Jacob B. Ewing, of Dallas. By his present wife, Emma A. (for-merly widow of Madison M. Miller, of Lancaster, and nee Emma A. Dewey,), he has Minnie, wife of Philip B. Miller, Charles and Richard.
MILLER, James I., came single, a blacksmith; went to California.
MILLER, Stephen H., came single before July, 1848.
MATHEWS, Ulysses, married Josephine A. MoDernett.
MOORMAN, John H., married Susan Hickman.
MARKHAM, George, a soldier in Mexico, married Hannah Cox.
MONEYHAM, James J., and family came in 1843; moved to Tarrant county, and finally left the State.
MONEYHAM, Joseph William, and family came in 1843; his son married and died at Letot; a daughter married _______ Taylor.
MORRIS, Wm., and family came in 1841—his children, James M., Samuel, L. D. and Preston W. died single—Melissa married Snyder Kennedy.
MOONEY, James, came in 1845—in Grand Prairie fight.
MITCHELL, John, came in 1845—in Grand Prairie fight.
MATHIS, James, came in 1845—in Grand Prairie fight.
McCARNY, Perry, and family came in 1846.
MASTERS, Wm., and family came in 1846.
MORRIS, Richard, young Englishman, came in 1848—died.
McCRACKIN, Anson, and family came in 1845.
MAY, William C., and family.
MERRILL, Adolph G. M., came single.
MERRILL, David, and family came in 1844; among his children were Benjamin, Robert, Samuel and Eli.

Elder David Myers' Family

MYERS, Elder David, a Baptist preacher and patriarch of a large family, came from Illinois in 1845—left a fine record as Christian pioneer. Born in Kentacky, he came from Jersey county, Ill. Elder Myers organized the first and still the well-known "Union" Baptist church in Dallas county, May 10th, 1846, the original members being J. B. Lee and wife P. A., Franklin Bowles, Letitia Myers and John M. Myers, of whom the latter is the only survivor. Thomas Keenan and wife and Mrs. Kesiah Myers were the three first additions to the church.

His Children

Nancy married J. W. Chowning in '34, came in 1845; John M., (the second Elder,) married in 1848 Kessiah Wiley, came in 1845; Emiline married J. H. Whitlock, came in in 1845—died early; Elizabeth married Wm. Barnes, and died soon; Sarah married A. J. Clark, an old Texian [Henry C. Clark, of Dallas, is their son]; B. C. married Penina Fyke; Jemima married Archer Fyke; Mary married D. H. Wise; Geo. W. married Lucy Peak in Illinois; Harriet married A. G. Brant; Elder David has a hundred descendants, mostly in Texas.

Children of Elder John M. Myers

Elizabeth married J. S. Bailey; Mary married William Mosely; Martha married J, J. Stubbs; J. S. married M. V. Cooper; Douglas married Eugenia Hoffman; G. F. married Ella Kennedy; Letty married James McWhorter; Nancy married W. T. McKamy; Lewis remains open to negotiations.

MERRILL, Elder Eli, and wife Mary came in 1844; of their children, Julia married John W. Wright; Cornelius married Margaret Dickinson; John M. married Sue Whitman; Thomas was murdered at Van Horn's Wells, near the Rio Grande; and Geo. C. Merrill.
MERRILL, Charles D., and family.
McCOMBS, Joshua, came single.
McDOWELL, John, came single before July, 1848.
MUNDEN, Joseph, and family, before July, 1848.
METCALF, John J., and family came before July, 1848—a surveyor, and died in Palo Pinto county.
MOORE, James, came before July, 1848.
"   Jesse and John T., came single before July, 1848.
MARKS, Watts, and family, before July, 1848.
MORSE, Frederick, and family, before July, 1848.
MANNING, Mrs. Delilah, and family, before July, 1848.
"   Thomas G., came single before July, 1848.
"   Andrew J., and family, before July, 1848.
MILLS, Edward, and family, before July, 1848.
"   James, came single before July, 1848.
"   John, came single before July, 1848.
McDANIEL, Aaron, came single before July, 1848.

NEWBY, James, came single, married Mary Keenan.
NEELY, Charles, came single before July, 1848.
NYE, John, came in 1846; his children, Margaret married _______ Malone; D. H. to Mary Myers; Francis M. to Caroline Drake; Louisa to Lewis Cook; Sarah to W. J. Anderson; Daniel to Mary Fyke.
NEWTON, Harvey H., and family, before July, 1848.
"   Charles G., and family, before July, 1848.
"   Samuel G., came at the same time—died in San Antonio.
NARBOE, three Norwegian brothers, came in 1845—John P. and wife died; Peter married Jane Robinson. Peter, Paul and John, single, went to California about 1850 or '51.
NOBLE, John, came in 1845; in Grand Prairie fight.
NANNY, Andrew T., came single in 1847, married Susan Ray; his children, Benj., Amos, Levy, Rebecca, and perhaps others.
NORTON, Daniel E., came single, married Margaret E. Strong.
NATIONS, John W., came single, married Darcus Baugh.
NIX, John, and family came before July, 1848.

OVERTON, Aaron, and family came in 1814.
"   Caswell, and family came in 1844.
"   John M., and family came in 1844.
"   Wm. P., and John C. came single in 1844.
O'GUINN, Wm., and family came before July, 1818.
"   Stephen C. and Leonidas, came single.

PATRICK, Callaway H. and wife, came to the county in 1846. He had been in it in 1841 with an Indian scout. He married Rhoda I., daughter of Abraham T. Smith, killed by Indians in Young county, 1841.
PHELPS, Josiah Smith, came in 1845, and was a surveyor; in March, 1846, at Harwood Springs (Kleburg), this still being Nacogdoches county, he married Mrs. Melissa T. Jacobs, daughter of Alex. M. Harwood, sr.; she died about January, 1848, leaving an only infant child, "Dickey," now Mrs. Henry C. Miller, Azle P. O., Tarrant county. Mr. Phelps was killed by Indians April 9, 1848. [See the narrative elsewhere.]
PANCOAST, Josiah, a soldier in the Grand Prairie fight and in Mexico, married Mary Ann Young; moved to San Antonio, reared seven daughters, and died there. He was a brother of the celebrated medical author, Dr. Pancoast, of Philadelphia.
PEARSON, Wm. H., and family came in 1844.
"   Dudley F., a soldier in Mexico.
POPPLEWELL, Simcoe, single.
PULLIAM, Wm. H., and family came in 1845.
"   Marshall S., single, came in 1845.
"   John L., single, came in 1845—soldier in Mexico.
PRUITT, William, and family.
"   Martin, single.
PARKS, Elias C., came in 1845.
PRUITT, Wm. A., married Elizabeth Freeman.
PRIGMORE, Joseph, and family came in 1845.
"   Benjamin J., came single in 1845, soldier in Mexico in his nineteenth year, married Lucy Jackson, and lives near Richardson.
PARKS, Alfred J., married Lydia A. Rawlins.
PARKER, Joseph, came from Shelby county, Texas, 1848, married Mary McDermett and died in 1878. Their children are Theodore; Clementine, wife of Robert P. Toole, and Cora J. (Mittie) is Mrs. _______ Littlefield.
PERRY, Mrs. Sarah, and family came 1844 or '45.
"   Alexander W., and wife, nee Sarah Hottman, came from Illinois in 1844; their chileren, Margaret married J. M. Smith; Harriet married Thomas Warner; J. H. married Susan Poor; W. F. married Amanda Cox; Carrie married Clinton Hoffman; Lillie Dale married W. D. Fyke; Rosey Ann married N. N. Buller.
PERRY, Weston, and family came in 1846; his children, Nancy was married to Page Blackwell, F. S. to Miss McCants, W. M. to Miss Blackwell, Rebecca to David Marsh, Caroline to John Jackson, Sarah to Wm. Rowe, Eliza to James Cox, Ellen to A. F. Fouts, Ann to Wm. Kennedy, Eveline to Preston Buchanan—Theodore, Commodore and John are dead—thirteen children and ten married.
PERRY, Middleton, came in 1845, married in Illinois a daughter of Thomas M. Ellis raised a large family in Dallas county.
PATTERSON, James M., from Warren county, Kentucky, in January, 1846; married Sarsh E. Self; merchant from 1846 to '54; chief justice of the county, 1854 to '66; his children, Florence Belle is the wife of John Spellman; Kitty is the wife of Joseph Shuford; Charles L. is dead; James M. and Edward are single; Rowena is the wife of Thomas H. Patterson; Emma is single.
PRYOR, Dr. Samuel B., and young wife, from Virginia and last from Arkansas, came in 1846. His first child, Ashton R. (late police officer), was born in Dallas October 29, 1847. Dr. P. was district clerk from December, 1846, to August, 1850—was the first mayor of Dallas, in 1856-7, and died in 1867. His widow and other children reside in Southwestern Arkansas.
PORTER, John F., and family came before July, 1848.
"   George R., came single.
PAXTON, Edwin H., came single before 1848.
POUND, Bales O. C., came single before 1848.
PEMBERTON, Gideon, came single before 1848.

ROLAND, Joseph, and family came before July, 1848.
RICKETTS, Zedekiah, and family, before 1848.
"   Daniel D. and David M., single.
REED, Benjamin, and family, before 1848.
RAMSEY, Samuel, and family, before 1848.
RUNYON, Silas R., and family came before 1848.
REEDY, David W., came in 1845; his wife, Mary E. _______ in 1844.

The Rawlins Family, from Illinois

RAWLINS, Elder Roderick, and wife Mary came in 1844. Of their children, Louisa married Lewis Hull; Nancy married Pleasant Taylor (both living in Dallas; Pleasant King married Mrs. Lydis Spruance—he died June 6, 1887; Lucinda married Samuel Keller; Tabitha married Carlos Wise; Mary married M. M. Miller; Roderick A. (Capt. Aleck) married Virginia Bledsoe; Elder William married in Illinois.
RAWLINS, Pleasant K., as above; his stepson, Thomas Spruance, married Bettie Bledsoe; his son, A. H. Rawlins, married first Maggie Swindells, second Georgie Rogers; R. D. (Dod) married Henrietta Jacobs; John S. married Mary Peacock; Lucy A. married Robert Brotherton, who died in 1866 or '67, and she is now the wife of Irvine Lavender; Mary E. married James Henry Ellis; Benj. S. died in 1863.
RAWLINS, Elder William, son of Elder Roderick, and family came in 1846. His children are Hubbard M., George, Allen, Frank, Malinda, Lucinda and Mrs. Richard I. Bandy.
ROGERS, Elijah, married Lourina Crowley.
ROBINSON, John B., came before July, 1848.
ROBERTSON, Mrs. Elizabeth, and family, before July, 1848.
   Hugh, and family, before July, 1848.
   Joseph M., came single before July, 1848.
RHODES, Elisha L., and family, before July, 1848.
   Frederick, and family, before July, 1848.
RAY, Robert, and family came from Illinois in 1845. Of his children, all coming with him, Susan married Andrew T. Nanny and Mary married Benj. F. Andrews, both in Illinois; William married Lucinda Hart; Elizabeth married Abe Hart; Rebecca married John H. Daniel, a soldier in the Mexican war; Nancy married Timothy Caldwell; Jane married Joseph Lockett; of twin boys, Robert married Emiline McCommas and Samuel married Miss White; Martha married James Kinchelow, who died a prisoner in Camp Douglas, Chicago—ten and all married.
RAY, George M., came in 1846 from Tennessee. His wife, Subrina, is now the widow of James Sheppard, residing in Dallas with her stepdaughter, Mrs. E. A. (Dr. A. A.) Johnston.
ROWE, Wm., and family, before July, 1848.
   Wm. B., and family, before July, 1848.
   John M. and Wm. H., single, before July, 1848.
RILEY, James R., and family, before July, 1848.
   Thomas, came single before July, 1848.
RAMSEY, Isaac, and family, before July, 1848.
ROMINE, Wm., came single before July, 1848.
REEDY, E. L., came single before July, 1848.
RENERO, Creath, and family removed to the frontier, where he and his son were killed by Indians in 1859 or '60.
RAY, James, came single before July, 1848.
REAM, Mrs. Sarah, and family, before July, 1848.
   Sylvester, came single before July, 1848.
ROBERTS, Joel, and family, before July, 1848.
RAMSEY, Samuel, and family, before July, 1848.
RATTAN, Thomas, and family came from Illinois 1841—settled in Collin; of his children, Hamp, then of Bird's Fort, was killed by Indians, one and one-half miles southwest of Carrollton, Dallas county, Christmas day, 1841 [see the narrative elsewhere]; Littleton; John died in Collin; Mary married Wm. Fitzhugh; Harriet married Andrew J. Witt, and died in Dallas; Ann married James W. Throckmorton; Hugh married a daughter of David Turner; Jennie married Mr. Moore and died in Collin; Tollie married Robert Dowell and lives in Collin; Edward married Miss Stiff and lives in Collin; Louisa married Hogan Witt (cousin of Preston), of Collin; Temperance married John Kincaid; Thomas lives near Van Alstyne.
ROBINSON, Wm., married Ann Matterson.
   J. M., married Louisa Newton.

SHEPPARD, Mrs. Subrina, daughter of Hugh Brown, of Georgia, came to Dallas the wife of George M. Ray, in 1846; her second husband was Elder Thacker V. Griffin, and she is now the widow of James Sheppard, residing with her stepdaughter, Mrs. E. A. (Dr. A. A.) Johnston.
SMITH, Patrick P., a soldier at Monterey in 1846—son of Abraham T. Smith, who was killed by Indians, on the Brazos, in 1841—now dead.
SHAHAN, David, and family came in 1844 or 45.
   Wm. P., came single in 1844 or 45.
SMITH, Chilton, and family came in 1844 or 45.
SPROWLS, William, and family, from Illinois in 1844 or 45.
SAMSON, Dr. Jonathan L., came in 1845; visited California and died. His widow married the late Mr. Bourgeois.
SHARROCK, James, and family, before 1848.
   Everard, and family, before 1848.
   Everard, jr., came single before 1848.
   George W., come single before 1848.
SIMMONS, James A., and family, died early.
STEWART, Samuel A., and family, before 1848.
SLOAN, Robert (a gallant and early Indian fighter) and family came from Red River county in 1844. He commanded a scouting party through Dallas county in 1840; died in Stephensville in 1886.
SLOAN, Samuel (brother of Robert), came from Red River county in 1844; was a soldier in the Texian army of 1836. He now lives in Stephens county.
STEWART, Wm. A., married Susan O. Harwood.
SLAYBACK, Anderson, married Lucinda Chapman.
STONE, Thomas, married Elizabeth Ross.
SCROGGINS, Wm., married Lucretia Strong.
SMITH, Rev. James A., and family came from Mississippi in 1846. [He, his twin brother, Wesley, now of Eastland county, and his brother William A., superintendent of the State Blind Asylum during the war, were all Methodist preachers, and each one, in the locality of his residence, from his ruddy complexion and bristly hair, was known by the soubriquet of "Cedar Top"—by the way, three excellent and sincere men.] James A. Smith's children were John Wesley, married Miss Wilburn; Joshua Lafayette, married Miss Daniels—a captain in Stone's Sixth Texas cavalry, murdered in Dallas in 1867 by Wilson, an attache of the Freedmen's bureau, who fled the country; Robert, married Sophronia Winn; Fanny Killen married John M. Laws, and is dead.
SWING, Matt L., came in 1848—now in New Jersey.
SNOW, Wm. J., came single before 1848; married Eleanor Otwell.
SNOW, J. M., came from Arkansas in 1848.
STADDEN, Seth, and family from Illinois in 1846.
STORY, John L., before 1848.
SCRUTCH, Nathan, single, before 1848.
STORY, Thomas O., single, before 1848.
STARKEY, Jesse S., before 1848.
SIMPSON, Lionel, before 1848.
SMITH, Absolem, and family, before 1848.
SNIDER, John D., single, before 1848.
SCURLOCK, John, and family, before 1848.
SEWELL, James M. and Thos J., single, before 1848.
SWEET, Levi J., and family, before 1848.
SAGE, Daniel, before 1848.

TAYLOR, Pleasant, in Illinois married Nancy, daughter of Elder Roderick Rawlins; came in 1844; their children were Alfred, Alonzo, Addie Paris, all dead; _______, killed by a pet bear; living—Pleasant King, who married Annie Collins, and Sophronia, wife of R. P. Aunspaugh; Alfred married Lizzie Green, now the wife of Frank M. Ervay.
TUGGLE, Henry, married Minerva A. Biffle.
TREES, Crawford, came in 1845. In 1846, married Annie M. Kimmel, being the first couple married in the new county in July or August, 1846, the record being destroyed. Her name is erroneously printed Henderson on a former page.
THOMAS, John (the first chief justice of Dallas county). wife Hannah and children came from Missouri in 1844. Their children—John, died a soldier in Mexico; Alex. A., also soldier in Mexico, married Mary E. Armstrong; Ellis C. married Julia Moon; Elizabeth B. married Charles H. Durgin; Eliza married Reese Jones; Sarah A. married P. A. Sayre.
TURNER, Wm. A., came single before Jaly, 1848, married Alinda Turner.
TOLIVER, J. M., from Illinois in 1846.
TILLEY, Jefferson, came in 1844—married Eliza Cole.
THOMPSON, Marlin M., came in 1844; married Lucy Horton.
TURNER, Levi, and family, before 1848.
   Wm., and family, before 1848.
   Wm. (?), single, before 1848.
TAYLOR, Calvin, single, before 1848.
TRIMBLE, Wm. C., single, before 1848.
TUCKER John S., and family, before 1848.

VANCE, Thomas, and family, before 1848.
   John C., and family, before 1848.
   Charles K., and family, before 1848.
VALENTINE, Henry K., and family, before 1848.
VERNOY, Thomas, came single in 1845, married Julia A. Bast and died early.
VERNOY, Julia, married first Bast and second Wm. James.
VAIL, Hiram, came single, married Betsey Keenan.

WEATHERFORD, Jefferson, and family, from Kentucky, but from Illinois in 1845.
WEATHERFORD, Money, and family, from Illinois in 1845.
   Hairbird, single, from Illinois in 1845.
WAMPLER, Thos. J., and family, before 1848.
   Valentine, and family, before 1848.
   Martin J. S., Austin 0. and Wm. R. came single.
WALKER, Wm. J., and family, from Tennessee 1846.
   A. G., from Kentucky 1845.
WILSON, Richard, and family, before 1848.
   Aaron B., and family, before 1848.
   George, and family, from Missouri in 1840; from Lamar county in 1848. Among his children are Thomas, Charles, James K. P. and Nancy E., wife of James N. Whittenburg. He yet lives, over eighty, near Cedar Hill—was lieutenant colonel in Young's regiment at the close of the Mexican war.
WILLIAMS, Thomas C., and family, from Tennessee in 1845. Among his children are T. J., J. B., E. A., M. J. and R. H. H. I am not responsible beyond the initials.
WRIGHT, John W., and family, before 1848.
   John W. (2) and family, before 1848.
   John, and family, before 1848.
WAND, HENRY, and family, before 1848.
WILBURN, Robert, and family, came in 1845; in Grand Prairie fight.
WILBURN, Edward, and family came in 1845.
   Hiram, and family came in 1845.
WINN, Francis A., and family came in 1845; among his children were Berry; W. M. married Ann R. West; Emma married John R. West; Viola H. married Edward W. Hunt; Helena married T. J. Winn.
WEST, James, and family, before 1848.
WHITLOCK, John, and family, before 1849.
WEST, Robert J., and family came in 1845; of his children, Ann R. married W. M. Winn; Helena married first T. J. Winn, second Dr. C. C. Gillespie; Alice married Thomas H. Floyd; John R. married Emma Winn; Robert H. lives in violation of Genesis, chapter 2d, verse 24, notwithstanding he was the first native to be county judge.
WARNER, John, came single before 1848.
WEBB, Alex. W., from Illinois to Bowie county in 1840—to Bird's Fort in 1841 escaped when the Indians killed Rattan; settled with his family in Dallas county in 1842.
WEBB, Isaac B., and family, from Tennessee in 1811; of his children, Wm: D. married Olivia Merrill; J. Whit, Sarah; J. N. was born in Dallas county July 1, 1846.
WINNEFORD, Norvell R., married Matilda Goar.
   William, came single.

The Witt Brothers from Illinois

WITT, Preston, came in 1842—died in 1877—his widow lives in Kansas.
WITT, Wade H., and family came in 1845.
   Andrew J., came in 1845; married Harriet Rattan—both dead.
WITT, Pleasant, twin of Preston, came in 1842, and is dead.
   Eli, and family.
   John, came single.
WISE, Carlos, came single before 1848—married Tabitha Rawlins.

YOUNG, John, and family, came before 1848.

ZACHARY, Mrs. Sarah, and two children came from Kentucky in 1845; her daughter married Henry C. Long and died early.

Navigation of the Trinity River

The present population of Dallas, in large part born or settled here in the last twenty years, are just now, from one stand or another, using an immense amount of raw material, in the way of lung power, in denunciation of the Trinity river as a source of water supply! From their manner of speech, an unsophisticated stranger from the pine barrens of Maine or the mosquito swamps of New Jersey would never conceive the true character of our great water course, from its discovery and christening as La Trinidad, by the pious Spanish missionaries two hundred years ago, down at least to the year Anno Domini 1868! To show these people the unwise policy of forming and publicly expressing opinions on grave subjects without investigation, I present to them a document, overwhelming in its statement of facts, duly attested by 157 honorable citizens of the town and county of Dallas, in said last-named year, among whose names of those still living will be found those of an ex-district judge, our present county judge, an ex-district clerk, one of our present county commissioners, one of our present justices, three or four ministers of the gospel and many others who (at least in any but reconstruction times!) would sign no instrument without knowing whereof they spoke!! Let cavilers read and be convinced!! It is a memorial to the reconstruction convention, presented June 4, 1868. It is a model in perspicuity and perspicacity. It is an eloquent vindication of the majestic Trinity! Here it is:

Memorial

To the Honorable President and Members of the Constitutional Convention, now in session at the City of Austin:

Your memorialists, citizens of the county of Dallas, respectfully represent to your honorable body that the recent arrival of the steamboat job-boat No. 1, Capt. J. H. McGarvey, master, at the town of Dallas, establishes the fact that the Trinity river may be successfully navigated from the city of Galveston to the town of Dallas for six months annually, by the expenditure of a small sum of money in removing snags, leaning timber and other obstructions between the town of Dallas and the mouth of East fork. An experienced steamboatman of twenty years' practice has proposed to citizens of Dallas county to remove all the obstructions in the river between the above designated points, so that boats of sufficient capacity to carry five hundred bales of cotton can be run on the river to Dallas for four months of the year, for the sum of five thousand dollars in specie. A project promising advantages so great to every department of industry and enterprise should demand the especial attention, not only of the people of Dallas county, but of the whole State. The benefits flowing to the people of Dallas county from the success of such an enterprise are not to be measured or estimated by the small sum proposed to be expended; in fact, they are beyond enumeration; to the State, of opening up to successful navigation a stream penetrating her interior a distance of seven hundred miles from her seaboard, securing the rapid settlement of millions of acres of rich and fertile lands by thrifty and enterprising emigrants, which are now lying idle and yielding but little revenue to the State, and none to the owner. The saving in the single item of pine lumber in one year will fourfold repay the amount expended, besides the advantage of the great reduction in prices in the items of salt, sugar, iron and other articles of necessary consumption. The immense pineries of the counties of Anderson, Houston and Walker, almost valueless in their present condition, because of the slow and expensive means of transportation to the prairies, where every description of pine lumber is in constant demand. Navigation to Dallas, three months annually, would reduce the price of pine lumber one-half, thereby bringing it within the reach of every farmer to supply himself for the improvement of his farm and home.

To raise the money by private contribution would naturally become onerous upon those who are determined upon the success of the enterprise, while those, for reasons whether selfish or otherwise, refusing to contribute, would reap an equal benefit. Therefore, your memorialists are impressed that a more proper and just course would be to levy a sufficient tax upon the property in Dallas county to raise the sum of five thousand dollars in specie, and as the citizens in the town of Dallas have signified their willingness, let the tax be so levied that one-third of the whole amount shall be paid by those owning property within the corporate limits of said town.

Your memorialists are aware that more properly this petition should be presented to the Legislature when it assembles, but the delay of such a course would compel the loss of the advantages at least one season, and perhaps more, the importance of which needs only to be mentioned to command its reason. Feeling that you will not hesitate to act in a public matter of so much magnitude, and especially when those to be burthened are asking the action, we therefore ask your honorable body to pass an ordinance authorizing the Police Court of Dallas county to levy and collect a tax of five thousand dollars in specie upon all property in Dallas county subject to ad valorem taxation, said tax to be assessed upon the schedule or lists rendered to the assessor for the year 1868, said money to be expended under the direction of the Police Court in removing the obstructions in the Trinity river, between the town of Dallas and the East fork. Provided, that one-third of the amount shall be collected from property situated within the corporate limits of the town of Dallas; and provided further, that the tax levied shall not be more than twenty cents on the hundred dollars, except on property within the corporate limits of the town of Dallas, which may be taxed as high as sixty cents for each hundred dollars.

DALLAS, Texas, June 4, 1868.
Ben Long, M. Thevenet, J. A. Freeman, John Davis, Henry Notzli, Jacob Vogel, Henry Brannon, Wesley Brannon, John Poindexter, J. Pinckney Thomas, Henry Boll, John Boll, John F. Barbier, Wm. A. Hartze, Joshua Addington, John L. Pyles, H. O. Caldwell, D. J. Capps, Thos. J. Brown, W. W. Peak, T. A. Wilson, J. J. Applin, Ed. C. Browder, J. B. Louckx, J. H. Wilson, J. W. Galbreath, M. G. Pitts, T. J. Pitts, Howard Mercer, R. D. Jones, F. F. Green, Thos. S. Moore, R. W. Daniel, B. B. Howell, Daniel Cornwell, Thos. H. Nance, John King, Sam. King, J. Peak, Jas. Galbreath, A. J. Gouffe, L. Von Gronderbeek, Otto Frick, F. L. Behng, L. P. Hauser, Jacob Vogel, Julien Rever-chon, Wm. Jackson, Jacob Tiler, Jas. C. Miller, S. H. Beeman, F. L. Churignon, J. D. Keston, N. T. Johnson, W. A. Harwood, J. M. Braun, E. W. Field, A. L. Carnett, Martin Riggs, Wm. Irwin, Wm. B. Cole, §. Mayer, Wm. A. Riggs, W. H. Saunders, F. Davis, Wm. D. Waters, E. T. Myers, R. L. Sears, Frank M. Cox, Newton Hutchen, W. Von Gronderbeek, Alexius Barbier, F. Priot, G. Poiterin, J. Nusbaumer, M. Livy, J. McCommas, Chas. G. Vingard, Allen Collins, N. B. Owen, R. B. Gannaway, Jas. Winters, E. G. Bower, J. K. P. Record, N. M. Burford, T. G. T. Kendall, W. H. Ragsdale, J. M. Richards, Jonathan Petty, J. W. Bumpass, A. Pemberton, W. L. Hall, J. W. Everett, Jas. O. Thomas, J. D. Kerfoot, W. Mays, John Chenault, John Coit, J. W. Cobb, I. B, Scott, H. L. Hicks, S. S. Jones, Sam Dunaway, Isaac Jones, Enoch Strait, J. M. Martin, Issac B. Webb, W. D. Chapman, Isaac Bates, Joseph Bigler, Raleigh C. Martin, R. D. Coughanour, Jas. H. Field, J. O. Drake, Jr., W. F. Flewellen, D. J. Ellis, J. K. White, Chas. R. Pryor, E. E. Russell, John P. Isbell, S. B. Stone, J. J. Beeman, J. M. Pruitt, J. W. Miller, H. C. Smidt, Amon McCommas, W. J. Pruitt, F. N. Humphreys, J. P. Beeman, L. B. Sanda, F. F. Ball, Tom Johnson, Jas. McCommas, Andrew Pruitt, Q. J. H. Smith, T. J. Jackson, J. Jeffries, Lewis Pyles, G. L. Blewett, J. T. Corcoran, J. R. Fondren, J. B. Lowery, Geo. White, W. T. Gill, G. W. Hatter, Sam. Uhl, A. S. Clark, N. R. Fondren, George Marier, W. Cotton, John Caudle, R. S. Guy, Wm. Waters, John Harvey, Jerry Snow.

It is not the purpose of this work to go into the personal biography or detail of the progress of Dallas county after it ceased to be a frontier, and the people, being freed of the dangers attending that relation, became self-sustaining and comparatively independent; but to put in form for preservation those essential matters and facts that otherwise are largely destined to be submerged in obscurity and the fickle cloud of fiction and tradition. After the year 1849, in which an ably conducted newspaper was established to chronicle events, the history of Dallas is but a repetition of events common to all intelligent and law-abiding communities, similarly situated in a large portion of Texas. Truth justifies the observation, however, that the county was rated as exceptionally enterprising and progressive, perhaps surpassed by none and not equalled by exceeding seven or eight in the State. To recount the more recent events preceding the war, the destructive fire of July, 1860, the evidence of concerted incendiarism, the intense excitement and uprising of the people and the execution of several colored men considered the instruments of foreign fanatical emissaries, would be to open a question, the discussion of which should be left to a later day—farther removed from the acrimonies of the war and of the actors in those scenes.

When the sectional controversy assumed the character of war, there were probably not twenty bona fide citizens of Dallas county who were not truly and sincerely southern in feeling and in principle. Incontestible facts prove this. It will be the pleasure of some future writer to collate from the rolls in Washington the names of the men and officers who shod lustre on Dallas county during that four years' mighty clash of arms; to portray how the sons of Dallas fought and starved and suffered and died under the flag of their native or chosen country; how, under the lead of their own chosen chiefs and neighbors, the Colonels Stone, Darnell, Burford, Hawpe, with their Lieutenant-Colonels Coit, Crill Miller and others—their fearless battery under John J. Good and their captains and lieutenants of companies, followed and upheld by perhaps nearly a thousand of the best blood of Dallas county; gray haired sires, young men in the primest vigor and youths of tender years; how all these went forth and bared their breasts to leaden rain and iron hail; many to yield up their lives in "storm, and shout, and clash of steel;" many to die in camp and hospital; many to survive bereft of limb or otherwise mutilated; all of the survivors to return home to the embrace of poverty and desolation and heart-broken wives, mothers or sisters, to perform a lustration rarely seen in the world's history, by faithfully, industriously and peacefully seeking to rebuild the waste places and once more live under their own "vines and fig trees." All these and the ordeal through which they were yet to pass, must be eliminated from these pages and left, in the hereafter, to some other pen, excepting such allusions to the process of reconstruction as seem essential to an intelligent understanding of events deeply affecting the rights and welfare of the people.

Reconstruction

Under President Johnson's appointment Andrew J. Hamilton became provisional governor July 25, 1865; under the same the first reconstruction convention met February 10, 1866, framed a constitution and adjourned April 2; on the 4th of June the people ratified the constitution and elected State, district and county officers; the Legislature met August 9, when James W. Throckmorton, elected by the people, succeeded Hamilton as governor. Congress, March 2, 186, repudiated the work of President Johnson; placed the Southern States under military rulers, with power to remove and appoint civil officers, etc.; in short, established a military despotism, under officers recently engaged in the subjugation of the people they were to rule. On the 30th of July, 1867, the military dictator over Texas—Philip H. Sheridan by name—removed Throckmorton and appointed Elisha M. Pease governor, who afterwards resigned. Under this system, with universal suffrage to the late slaves and disfranchisement to probably thirty thousand whites, a second reconstruction convention met June 1, 1868, sat three months, then took a recess till December 7th; "backed, filled," sailed to "windward and leeward"; fussed, fumed, quarrelled, and at last stood without a quorum and never completed their work, but simply quit in a state of bewilderment. The military dictator collected the fragments, patched them together without date or signature, and submitted the conglomerate mass to the people, to be ratified as the constitution of Texas, in order that she might be restored to the Union as a State!! The election to ratify this instrument was to have taken place in July, 1869, but President Grant, by proclamation, postponed it and ordered that it be held November 30th and December 1st, 2d and 3d, 1869. At that time the step-child of the military was legitimated and a full set of officers elected. Per military orders, the new legislature met, as a provisional body, February 8, 1870, ratified the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the United States constitution, performed some other prerequisites, and adjourned on the 24th to await the pleasure of Congress. On the 30th of March that body approved the unsigned and undated instrument as the constitution of Texas, and gave her permission to send members to that body in Washington. Thereupon the legislature reassembled on the 16th of April, the State officers were installed and it was said Texas was reconstructed; but until January, 1874 (when Richard Coke became governor), the chief officials, from the governor and the adjutant-general down to Sergeant Lufkin, perhaps the vilest of a mercenary State police, the State was treated much as an insurrectionary province.

Personal Memoirs

John Neely Bryan, in addition to what has already been said, was not only the first settler of Dallas county, and the first man married on its territory, but also the first lawyer. He had been a licensed lawyer in Tennessee, and, soon after settling here, brought his library, respectable in extent, which was of great utility, and was used by many. He was also licensed in Texas, and did some practice, but was too much engrossed with other cares to follow the profession regularly. His legal training, however, was of great benefit to others in drafting titles and other legal papers, and as an advisor to newcomers. He visited Austin and secured the creation of the county—then organized it. He was a trusted medium, on one or two occasions, through whom President Houston communicated with the wild tribes. He was a hospitable, large-hearted pioneer—freely spent his substance for others and public uses, and at last, from impaired intellect and other causes, died destitute. The children of Dallas ought to erect a monument to his memory, for he was ever the children's friend and the friend of their mothers.

James Martin Patterson, of the first regular mercantile firm in Dallas, was born near Lexington, Ky., July 31, 1812, the son of Francis and Mary (nee Martin) Patterson, and was reared on a farm near Bowling Green, becoming a millwright, and residing with his parents till, at the instance of John W. Smith, temporarily returned from Dallas, he left for that place in the latter part of November, 1845, in company with Mr. Smith. At New Madrid they temporarily separated on some business, to meet in New Orleans about the 1st of January, 1846. Mr. Smith failing to arrive, he started up Red river about the 10th. From Shreveport, with three single men, accompanying Mrs. William Clark and children, coming in a little wagon to join her husband at Dallas, he walked to his destination on foot, arriving late in January. One of his infantry companions was S. A. Venters, afterwards long in public life in Denton county. The names of the other two are forgotten. Mr. Smith, wife and child arrived about ten days later. The firm of Smith & Patterson, under great obstacles, built up a large trade, and was distinguished for enterprise. They sunk large amounts in the vain effort to clear out and navigate the Trinity. Their career sounds almost like a romance, and is too long to be repeated here. They enjoyed the confidence and patronage of the country. In 1851 James N. Smith, brother of John W., arrived and joined the firm—thenceforward J. W. Smith & Co.

In 1854 the firm dissolved in the bonds of fellowship, and Mr. Patterson went to farming. In August of that year he was elected chief justice of Dallas county, and, by five successive re-elections, presided over its affairs for twelve years. Under his administration the county had good roads, bridges, mile-posts and sign boards, was always out of debt, paid every obligation promptly, and ever had a few thousand dollars surplus. It is admitted by all informed on the subject that he was the model county chief justice in the State of Texas. At 75, in good flesh and with a clear conscience, but not in harmony with much of the looseness, a measure of humbuggery and an unhealthy desire for the vanities of the world, which characterize the times, he serenely lives in the bosom of his family, enjoying the repose due a well-spent life and the confidence and esteem of all who have known him longest and best.

Dallas County Pioneer Association

This Association was formed in the court house July 13th, 1875, the twenty-ninth anniversary of the organization of the county. For temporary organization, Wade H. Witt was president, Isaac B. Webb (now dead), vice president, and Martin V. Cole secretary. A constitution was adopted and 115 members enrolled. For the first year John C. McCoy was elected president; Isaac B. Webb, Wm. H. Hord, Mrs. Elizabeth B. Durgin and Mrs. Nancy J. Cochran (now dead), vice presidents; Edward C. Browder (now dead), secretary; John W. Smith, treasurer; Elder Amon McCommas (now dead), chaplain; executive committee, John M. Crockett, John H. Cochran, Mrs. Elizabeth B. Durgin, Mrs. Martha Beeman, Mrs. Fanny Laws (now dead), Mrs. Thomas Ellis, Wm. B. Elam and R. Alex. Rawlins. John Henry Brown, though not a pioneer of the county, was elected a member of the Association, on account of long residence in the State.

The next meeting was held at Shady View Park, Dallas, July 12, 1884. The officers elected were John C. McCoy, president; Wm. H. Hord, R. Alex. Rawlins, Mrs. Emily Beeman and Mrs. Elizabeth B. Durgin, vice presidents; John H. Cole, treasurer; Zach. Ellis Coombes, secretary; executive committee, Dr. A. M. Cochran, Martin V. Cole, Elisha McCommas, Mrs. Martha Beeman, Mrs. S. E. Johnson, Elder John M. Myers and Wm. H. Beeman.

The third annual reunion was held at Shady View Park, July 13, 1885. The officers elected were John C. McCoy, president; Wm. C. McKamy, Mrs. Elizabeth B. Durgin and J. A. Vanning, vice presidents; Martin V. Cole, secretary; John H. Cole, treasurer; executive committee, John M. Crockett, Mrs. S. E. Johnston, A. M. Cochran, Dr. A. A. Johnston, M. D. L. Gracey, Mrs. Martha Beeman, Elisha McCommas, Mid. Perry, Wm. H. Beeman and W. G. Veal.

The fourth and much the most successful reunion was held in the City Park, July 12th and 13th, 1886. The officers elected were John C. McCoy, president (died April 30, 1887); John J. Eakins (died 1886), Mrs. Virginia Bledsoe Rawlins, Mrs. S. E. Johnston, Mrs. Mary Knight Burford, Col. George Wilson, Wm. C. McKamy, David R. Cameron, George W. Glover, Richard Bruton and Middleton Perry, vice presidents; John M. Crockett, secretary; Martin V. Cole, treasurer; Elder John M. Myers, chaplain; executive committee, W. G. Veal, John Henry Brown, M. D. L. Gracey, Middleton Perry, Wm. H. Beeman, Elisha McCommas, Mrs. S. E. Johnston, John Hale and John H. Cochran.

The fifth annual reunion is to be held at the City Park, July 12th and 13th, 1887.

Mr. John Beeman lived at first in a sort of fortified camp, near his future home, on the north side of the road, about a mile beyond the State Fair Grounds, where he plowed the first land and raised the first crop in the county; but a year or so later Wm. M. Cochran grew the first wheat, and it was mown by John H. Daniel. Returning from the colony surveyor's camp on Farmer's branch, Mr. Beeman, riding one of the horses captured when Denton was killed in 1841, at Village creek, was chased by Indians from near the site of the Episcopal college to his camp, losing his hat and some letters, which were found next day. The Indians refused to risk an attack on the camp and retired. Mrs. Beeman, with her daughters, and Mrs. James J. Beeman, deceased, a few days after the arrival of Mrs. Gilbert, was the second civilized lady to see and to settle in Dallas county. She was born Elizabeth Hunnicut. Mrs. Beeman yet lives in the vicinity of her original home, and, by common consent, should be entered and kept on the rolls as "Mother of the Pioneer Association."

It is altogether foreign to my purpose to follow the moral and material progress of the city and county of Dallas down to the present time, or in any sense to serve as an advertising medium for them. Their rapid growth—phenomenal since the first railroad came on the 16th day of July, 1872—is well understood, not only at home, but extensively throughout the Union. The present population of Dallas, in its entirety—embracing the population on the John Neely Bryan section and the John Grigsby league, is believed to be about forty thousand souls of the county sixty thousand. In that limited space are twenty-five churches for white, and ten or twelve for colored people, with trunk line railroads diverging in nine directions and others under construction or soon to be so. Everything else, approximately speaking, has kept pace, and now the growth is marvelous. All the facts accomplished and all the present indications justify the belief that Dallas is to be the chief central city of a very large and productive country, with a corresponding trade and commerce. This much may be said in perfect candor, as it is said to our own people and not intended for those elsewhere; and more will not be said.

My chief object has been to stimulate an honorable pride and closer assimilation on the part of the citizens of the city and county, by culling from all available sources and putting in form for preservation, the most material, interesting and instructive facts connected with the settling and rescuing this admirable portion of the country from barbarian savagery, that the descendants of the pioneers may have indefeasible titles of inheritance to their courage, their patriotism and their heroic virtues.

My residence in Dallas dates only from July 17th, 1871, but my identity with Texas dates from 1824, and actual residence for over half a century so that Texas—one, entire and indivisible—holds my allegiance and my affections; and no human power can ever cause a betrayal of the one or the alienation of the other.

It is the first attempt of the kind ever made in the State—carried forward largely in the midst of other cares, and must needs be imperfect in the multitude of points sought to be covered; but I trust those for whom it is most largely intended may be gratified at the result.

Hoping yet, by the aid of those omitted and their friends, to make a COMPLETE list of the early pioneers of Dallas county, I beg them to believe me their friend, jealous of their good names, and keenly jealous of the good names and well being of their children and grandchildren; with the expression of a single deeply seated conviction—that the way to make good men and women is to train them in virtue's ways under the parental roof, and send them forth into the battle of life fortified in the principles of honor, truth, justice and charity.

Addenda

THE five men killed by Indians in the military road expedition of Col. Wm. G. Cooke, in the fall of 1840, mentioned on page 7, it is now quite certain, were killed at a spring four or five miles east of Ferris. This opinion is based on the discovery of human bones there several years ago, bearing conclusive evidence that they were the remains of white men, a fact communicated since the narrative of Cooke's expedition was printed in this work.

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In August, 1841, Gen. James Smith, of the Nacogdoches militia, led a regiment through Dallas county. The evening before he reached King's Fort, or Block House, where Kaufman stands, an attack by Indians on that house had been repulsed. Gen. Smith followed the Indian trail across Cedar Creek, East Fork and White Rock to the vicinity of Dallas. He crossed the Trinity where Dallas is and camped at the spring branch a mile or so from the courthouse, and sent Capt. John L. Hall in command of eleven others, to discover the Indians. Of this number were John H. Reagan, Samuel and Isaac Bean, John I. Burton, Hughes Burton, George Lacey, Warren A Ferris, a Creek Indian named Chaxty, and three others. They discovered a large Indian encampment low down on Village Creek and returned to the Dallas camp. Gen. Smith moved upon the village, arriving at noon the next day. Smith, in command of one battalion, and guided by Reagan, moved upon the upper end of the village, and Lieut.-Col. Elliott in command of the other battalion, and guided by Isaac Bean, moved upon the lower end of the village; but as the commands approached each other it was found the Indians had fled. The explanation was that Gen. Tarrant, with another party from Red river, had passed through the cross timbers above, and was then on Village Creek several miles above. The Indians had discovered him and fled. Corn was found in their fields, and more or less camp equippage. The expeditions, therefore, failed in their chief object of chastising the Indians, but indirectly effected much good. This was after the expeditions in May, 1841, in which John B. Denton was killed on Village Creek, and before John Neely Bryan pitched his lonely camp in Dallas, late in November of the same year.

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The locally famous cyclone struck Cedar Hill, eighteen miles southwesterly from Dallas, April 29, 1856. Mr. Dickson, a merchant, James Berry and family, Mr. Hart and family, and perhaps others were killed. Mrs. Merrifield and children escaped almost miraculously, the house being lifted and twisted into fragments, and "they in the midst" thereof, but none seriously hurt. The destruction of houses, fences and wagons was complete. Thence the wind shot northeasterly, only sweeping the earth at an unoccupied locality, on the ridge on the south side of the river, three or four miles below Dallas; next in Hunt county, aud lastly in the southwest corner of Arkansas. Some almost incredible incidents occurred.

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John Neely Bryan spent some time in California, pretty early in the rush for that country. He started home with a single companion. In the Gila-Colorado country they differed as to the route and separated. Bryan made the trip home alone, than which it would be difficult to conceive a more perilous or lonely one. Can it be possible that the people of Dallas will allow his remains to repose unmarked in Austin? Will they not, with one accord, see that they shall be brought to Dallas and rest under a monument, plain but darable, befitting his character and commemorating his memory?

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In July, 1843, President Houston accompanied the commissioners appointed by him to treat with the wild Indians, through Dallas county to Grapevine Springs. The commissioners were General E. H. Tarrant and Attorney General George W. Terrill. John E. Reagan was the pilot, and there was an escort commanded by Col. Thos. L. Smith, and a supply train. Before starting, Gen. Houston delivered a Fourth of July address at Crockett. The camp was moved first from Grapevine to near Thomas Keenan's cabin, in the vicinity of Farmer's Branch. The delay of the Eldridge party, who had gone out in March to bring the Indians in, compelled the president to leave before their arrival. The camp was next moved to what afterwards became known as Johnson's Station, and there, on the 29th of September, 1843, a treaty was concladed by Messrs. Tarrant and Terrell with the following tribes, viz: Tehuacanos, Keechis, Wacos, Caddos, Anadarcos, Ionies, Boluxies, Delawares and thirty isolated Cherokees. The Wichitas and Tow-e-ashes were deterred from coming in by the lies of some of the Creeks. Estecayucatubba, principal chief of the Chickasaws, signed the treaty merely for its effect on the wild tribes. Leonard Williams and Luis Sanchez, of Nacogdoches, were present and aided in collecting the tribes, who failed to assemble on the 10th of August, because of the non-return of Eldridge and his party. Roasting Ear, S. Lewis and McCulloch, Delaware chiefs, were present at the signing, and rendered service in favor of the treaty.

The Dallas Company in the Mexican War

Since the list on page 46 was printed, Messrs. Samuel A. Haught and Benj. J. Prigmore have furnished the following additional names of those who served in Capt. Witt's company in the Mexican war, viz.: Benjamin Abbott; Gilbert R. Brush, of Fort Bend county, an ex-Mier prisoner; Thomas Callahan, _______ Cotton, who was wounded in the service; _______ Goodman, called "Old Music;" _______ Gardner, whose revolver burst in Vera Cruz, wounding his hand and killing his horse; John Huitt (not the same who was sheriff of Dallas county), _______ Jolly (1), _______ Jolly (2), (brothers, afterwards of Hopkins county); _______ Kaufman, Benj. Leppard, James Newton, _______ Robbins (brother of Shelton), William Swinson, who married a Mexican and remained in that country; Alfred Siss, killed in a row in the City of Mexico; _______ Vance, a youth; Milton Vincent, and Harvey Vanslyke, who died in Puebla. This is a total of eighty-nine names out of what was probably ninety-five, though some of the survivors say 110, 114 and 121, all of whom are believed to be mistaken. Mr. Prigmore is confident the number was ninety-five.