Edward H. Tarrant

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Edward H. Tarrant, a prominent figure in the days of the Texas republic and early statehood, has remained a shadowy historical character. Even the family name has been spelled different ways: Torrence, Tarrants, and Tarrant. Edward H., like many who have borne the name, probably traced his origin to Leonard, a native of Scotland, who came to America early in the eighteenth century. Some accounts say he settled in Virginia and later removed to South Carolina.¹

Many facts about Edward H. Tarrant remain to be determined, including the names of his parents, and the day, month, and exact place of his birth. On at least two occasions, however, he said that he was born in South Carolina in 1799.² He probably was christened Edward Hampton, although there is no record of a signature or reference in any manner by him to "Hampton." He referred to himself as Edward H. or E. H. as did others, except some of his household and kin who called him Uncle Ned.³

After Tarrant's death, however, his widow married one of his friends and former professional associates, James Emerson Hawkins, and their first-born son was christened Wade Hampton. Years later, the mother explained that Hampton was in honor of the lamented first husband.⁴ A descendant of General Tarrant's sister, Nellie, the closest known relative, also believes the initial H. was for Hampton.⁵

Tarrant was described by one who knew him well in later life as being about five feet ten inches tall with blue eyes and fair complexion. He was unassuming, kind, and gentle, with many friends and few enemies.⁶

Edward H. Tarrant did not remain long in South Carolina. During the War of 1812, he was living in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. On November 20, 1814, he enlisted in Captain Alney McLean's company, 14th Regiment, Kentucky Detached Militia. That organization was a part of the command of Lieutenant Colonel William Mitchisson. The enlistment was for a period of six months. Tarrant must have been a good soldier, for less than three months later, on February 6, 1815, he was promoted to corporal.

It seems probable that members of the company continued to live at home and to meet regularly for training at a place known as the Old Russell Field, in the southern part of the county, east of Greenville, the county seat, near where Pleasant Hill Church was built later. It seems to have been spoken of locally during the war as Camp Jackson and at the close of the struggle was designated Russellville in mustering out papers. Tarrant, who was carried on the roster as E. H. Tarrants, was discharged and paid at the rate of ten dollars per month on May 20, 1815. He had received no pay since being promoted to corporal, and therefore was reimbursed for three months and fourteen days, $34.51.⁷

That record appears to be conclusive evidence that Tarrant did not leave Kentucky while in military service. Nevertheless, with his fellow citizens of Muhlenberg County, he bitterly resented Jackson's criticism, questioning the valor of some Kentucky troops.

How long Tarrant lived in Muhlenberg County, when he left Kentucky, and where he went are facts yet to be established. But in the early 1820's, he was in Henry County, Tennessee. By 1823 or 1824, he was well established in the new frontier environment, and was elected Colonel of Militia in a spirited contest with Major L. L. Hagler. General John W. Cook was in command of forces defending the region against Indians. In cooperation with the newly elected colonel, the general decided to give the militia some needed instruction in the art of warfare as waged by Indians and held three days of exercises at Spring Creek near Caladonia.⁸

In 1825, Tarrant helped to organize the first Masonic Lodge in Paris, Tennessee. That January he received his first degree, took the second in March, and the third in April. He was named Junior Warden in the charter granted Paris Lodge No. 55 on October 8, 1825. The following year, he was one of two representatives sent to Grand Lodge.⁹ By 1827, Tarrant also had become sheriff of Henry County.¹⁰

Two years later Tarrant was in Lexington, Henderson County, Tennessee. In October, 1829, he represented Constantine Masonic Lodge No. 64 at the meeting of the Grand Lodge and was elected Grand Senior Deacon. He was listed in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge as Past Master, but whether he served in that capacity in Paris or Lexington is not stated. In addition, he served as treasurer of Constantine Lodge in 1829.¹¹

Tarrant certainly was an influential figure in Henderson County. In 1832, when the courthouse was found to be in need of repair, Tarrant, Robert Baker, and J. Kerherdon were appointed commissioners to have the building restored. They let a contract to James Baker for approximately $1,000, and the work was satisfactorily completed on October 1, 1833. Apparently Tarrant also was the first clerk of the circuit court in Henderson County, with his term of office extending to 1836, when he was succeeded by Addison Tyle.¹² Tarrant, however, claimed to have been a resident of Texas prior to that date.

When Tarrant left Tennessee, his route, mode of travel, and destination are all matters of conjecture. One branch of his family believes he might have come to Texas by way of Mississippi. By November 23, 1835, apparently he had established his household of relatives, hired men, and slaves in Red River County. There on February 2, 1838, he received a league and labor of land from the Republic of Texas, as part of a uniform grant made to all heads of families resident in Texas on March 2, 1836.¹³

It seems possible that Tarrant returned to the United States to arrange for completing the move and did not return to Texas until after the revolution, for he was not a participant in any of the stirring events of that period.

In September, 1837, Tarrant was a successful candidate from Red River County for a seat in the Texas house of representatives.¹⁴ On September 25, President Houston called the Second Congress into extraordinary session. Tarrant presented his credentials, was sworn, and took his seat on October 17, 1837.¹⁵

Many difficulties faced the young nation, but to the people in Northeast Texas, the most serious and immediate threat was that of attack by hostile Indians. Mexican agents were active among the Indians around Nacogdoches. Hostilities were persistent and so general that white settlers moved into defensive areas and prepared to repel attacks. The situation was tense along much of the border.

The called session of congress adjourned on Saturday, November 4, 1837, and the regular session convened the following Monday. Alarming information regarding conditions around Nacogdoches had reached the capitol. Tarrant realized the gravity of the situation, and because of his experience in Indian warfare on the Tennessee frontier, he decided he might render greater service to his adopted country directing ranger activities than in the halls of congress. His last appearance in the house, apparently was on November 11.¹⁶ His resignation, dated December 12, 1837, was accepted the following day.¹⁷

Tarrant's brief stay in congress was spent in routine activity. He was appointed to such major committees as postoffice, postroads, claims and accounts, as well as to numerous special or temporary assignments. One of his more popular acts was encouraging western settlement. Tarrant's colleague from North Texas, Dr. Daniel Rowlett, introduced a measure to create a new county from the portion of Red River County west of Bois D'Arc Creek. Tarrant and a third representative from that area, Collin McKinney, were appointed with Rowlett as a special committee to consider the proposal. On October 28, they reported favorably and suggested the name Independence. When the measure reached the floor, Patrick C. Jack proposed the substitution of Fannin in honor of the hero of Goliad, which was accepted.¹⁸ For his service in the house of representatives, Tarrant was paid five dollars per day and five dollars for each twenty-five miles traveled going to and from the capitol-an estimated 1,000 miles.¹⁹ Tarrant was the first Chief Justice of Red River County. He was selected when Robert Hamilton, designated in December, 1836, failed to qualify for the post. Upon his return from the capital, Tarrant organized the local administration and began the transaction of county business. The duties of the office were similar to those of a present-day county judge. The act defining the boundary of Red River County contained a provision that the first court be held at La Grange (present-day Madras), the second Monday in January, 1838. Tarrant held the first Probate Court of Red River County at La Grange on February 12, 1838.²⁰ The second session was held on February 26 at Clarksville, which by that time had been selected as the permanent seat of justice of Red River County. Tarrant was also conducting a profitable law practice throughout the district and perhaps already had formed a legal partnership at New Boston with S. M. Peters, which continued until January, 1845.²¹

By 1839, he was one of the most prominent and prosperous men in Red River County. A survey of twelve labors, a part of the land he was entitled to by virtue of his pre-revolution residence in Texas, was signed on March 9, 1838. That tract was located on Elliott's Creek, and the field notes bear the signature of W. S. McClure, District Surveyor of Red River County.²² On August 19, he had another thirteen labors, to which he was entitled by the same certificate, surveyed on Pecan Bayou about ten miles north of Clarksville.²³ The same year he paid $800 for one Negro boy, and $600 for another.²⁴ On November 2, he petitioned the probate court, with Associate Justice William Wheat presiding, to be appointed guardian of Jesse Gilliam, minor heir and orphan of Simeon Gilliam. The petition was granted, and Tarrant posted bond of $1,000 with Ennis Ury and John G. Harmon as sureties.²⁵

Living on his farm about eight miles from Clarksville, Tarrant's interests, both agricultural and professional, became more closely associated with developments in the eastern part of the county, the area that became Bowie County in 1840. In 1839, he helped to organize, and on April 4 he became the first Worshipful Master of DeKalb Lodge No. 9, A. F. & A. M. He served in that capacity for the years 1839-1841, and 1844.²⁶

The demands of growing farm interests and his law practice induced Tarrant to resign as chief justice, on May 30, 1839, though he assured President Lamar that it indicated neither a lack of patriotism nor a reduced interest in the good of his adopted country.²⁷

While serving as chief justice of Red River County, Tarrant took a leading role in the activity of the militia against the Indians. Although it began at the local level, the Texas congress came to the rescue as Tarrant had confidently expected. On June 9, 1837, congress approved a measure signed by President Houston on December 28, to provide $25,000 for the organization of a corps of rangers.²⁸ On November 16, 1838, by joint resolution, congress urged citizens to organize and elect officers to lead them in defense of the frontiers. The resolution pledged remuneration to all who volunteered for action against the Indians, and recommended in the absence of regularly commissioned officers that citizens elect their own leaders.²⁹ The same day promissory notes were authorized to the amount of $100,000 for protection of the frontier.³⁰

During the summer and fall of 1838, hostilities were reported in Northeast Texas. Brigadier General John H. Dyer called out the militia for a campaign on the Trinity and in the cross-timbers. By the middle of November he had approximately four hundred men at Clarksville. Before moving, word reached him that a band of Caddoes was operating to the east near the Louisiana border. As captain of a company of Red River County Militia, Tarrant had forty men, and it was understood that there were about sixty Caddo braves. He was directed to exterminate the enemy on Texas soil if possible, but if necessary, to follow them into the United States. The Indians learned of the approach of the militia and withdrew across the border into Louisiana. When Tarrant found his quarry had fled, he followed and crossed the United States boundary, marching east from Fort Caddo at noon on November 20, 1838.

Thomas J. Rusk, major general in command of the Texas National Militia, had left Nacogdoches on November 16, to visit Red River and Fannin counties in order to aid in any way he could the campaign General Dyer was preparing. He arrived at Fort Caddo only a few hours after Tarrant had left.³¹ Upon learning of General Rusk's presence, Tarrant forwarded a description of his position and expressed readiness to place himself under the general's orders. Rusk, fearing the encounter might be a bloody one on United States soil, hurried to join the troops and assume command.

The Indians had taken up a position in a canebreak and Tarrant was ready to attack. When Rusk arrived, however, a parley was requested. The Indians agreed, and it was learned that they did not want to fight; they were hungry and had been seeking food. Rusk persuaded them to surrender their guns to the United States agent at Shreveport, except ten with which they could help provide themselves with food, and to agree not to leave the area until danger of hostilities to the west had subsided. In return for these assurances, Rusk promised that the Texas government would help supply them with food until peace was re-established and their guns were returned.³² Tarrant and his troops immediately withdrew to Clarksville.

When Captain Tarrant's company reached Clarksville, General Dyer with the main body already had departed for the upper Trinity. Rusk hurried on to overtake those troops, but directed Tarrant to follow with supplies, especially fresh beef. About the middle of December, Tarrant started for the army with thirty men,³³ although as a result of the government's financial weakness, he had been unable to procure the needed supplies. In the meantime, General Dyer had reached the Trinity, but found no Indians. The weather turned wet and cold, and since the troops were without winter clothing or sufficient food, they were ordered to return to Red River County.

Further measures for protection were deemed necessary. Congress passed an act approved by President Lamar on December 21, 1838, which provided for raising a regiment of 840 men, rank and file, to be organized into fifteen companies and eight detachments. One company of fifty-six men was to be stationed at or near Red River. In addition, Northeast Texas was to receive further protection from a force of 168 men to be stationed in the vicinity of the three forks of the Trinity.³⁴

The defenders of Northeast Texas were designated as the Fourth Brigade. Officers were to be elected by popular vote. Because Tarrant had impressed the people of the area with his ability and resourcefulness, he was encouraged to become a candidate for commander of the new organization which carried the rank of brigadier general. He was elected on November 18, 1839, and assumed command on March 7, 1840.³⁵ From that time, he was referred to by friends and associates as General Tarrant.

Activity along the frontier had been increased by the more active Indian policy of the Lamar administration. General Tarrant deemed it his duty to keep a close watch along the frontier, visiting exposed areas frequently. In November, 1840, he was at Warren, Fannin County, where Indian depredations were reported. While there he participated in the organization of the Masonic Lodge.

For some months, relative quiet prevailed along the border. On February 3, 1841, however, congress authorized a number of counties including Red River, Bowie, Lamar, and Fannin to raise companies of minutemen. The following spring, raids were reported along the frontier. By early May, 1842, volunteers were assembling on Choctaw Bayou at Daniel Dugan's place, west of Warren in Fannin County. On May 5, about seventy men organized themselves into a company and elected James Bourland captain.

General Tarrant appeared on the scene, but since they were not the militia, he was without official capacity; nevertheless, he was recognized as the leader and acted as commander.³⁶ The company moved from Warren to Fort Johnson near present Pottsboro. Tarrant had reports of an Indian village on the headwaters of the Trinity, and left to investigate on May 14 with sixty-nine men. He directed the march on a southwesterly course, and on May 19, two deserted villages were sighted on the western branch of the Trinity. They were on high ground and the general decided not to burn them lest Indians in the vicinity be attracted by the smoke; but most of the lodges were destroyed with axes.³⁷

The troops marched on to the Brazos. Finding no Indians, they returned to the Trinity, and on May 24, villages were discovered along a creek that flowed into the West Fork of the Trinity. The soldiers approached within three or four hundred yards, took position behind a thicket, and, when all was in readiness, General Tarrant ordered a charge into the nearest village, telling the troops, "I shall expect every man to fill his place and do his duty." The Indians were surprised and fled. Two miles from the first village, a second was discovered, attacked, and destroyed; a third village was seen nearby. The Indians by that time were recovering from their surprise and fighting back.

Tarrant established a command post in the second village and directed the attack from that position.³⁸ He ordered that no prisoners be taken. The women and children were permitted to escape into the brush, but the men did not ask, give, or receive any quarter. General Tarrant, however, took one small Anadarko boy about three years of age.³⁹

More than a thousand warriors, it was reported, lived in the villages. Fortunately, most of them were away hunting buffalo and stealing horses. Two hundred and twenty-five lodges were counted, and it was believed there were others in the timber. Included in the booty were "six head of cattle, thirty-seven horses, three hundred pounds of lead, thirty pounds of powder, twenty brass kettles, twenty-one axes, seventy three buffalo robes, fifteen guns, thirteen pack saddles, and three swords."⁴⁰

This was the renowned battle of Village Creek in which Captain John Denton was killed. It took place between present-day Fort Worth and Arlington, south of where the Texas and Pacific Railroad and Highway 183 presently cross Village Creek.

Tarrant realized most of the Indians were still at large, with their ability to harass the frontier little diminished. He, therefore, decided to return home and organize a larger expedition to complete the task of destroying the power of the Indians to terrorize the frontier. During the early summer, he worked diligently, and by July 29, 1841, he assembled a force of between four and five hundred men at Fort English [sic] in Fannin County. With these troops he returned to the Village Creek area. In the meantime, General James Smith gathered a force around Nacogdoches and headed toward the three forks of the Trinity. The Indians learned that troops were coming and moved out of the area.⁴¹ The force under Tarrant's command then returned to Fannin County and disbanded without an opportunity to test the Indian strength or its own fighting qualities.

That was the last and least satisfactory of Tarrant's Indian campaigns. The preparations were highly advertised, and perhaps the leader's reputation caused widespread and far reaching results to be anticipated. The war department understood General Tarrant was moving against "the Indian towns on the Brazos," and President Lamar was bitterly disappointed when he learned the expedition was less ambitious.⁴² The troops as well as the commander also had reasons to complain. The muster rolls represented the time of service as thirty days, while the men claimed pay for three months. The controversy was not settled until it was officially determined that the men were mustered into service on July 5, 1841, and released on October 5. Tarrant received no pay for service in the campaign until February 17, 1852, when he was allowed $709.75 for the three months service.⁴³

The record might seem, to those not acquainted with conditions on the frontier, a poor foundation for Tarrant's reputation as one of the outstanding Indian fighters of the Lone Star republic. It should be remembered, however, that Indian raids were usually made by small bands. Thus it was the constant vigilance of the settlers and their organized strength ready for retaliation upon the slightest provocation which tended to discourage raids. These were the qualities his associates saw in Tarrant's leadership. They were expressed in references to him as the "Hurricane," the "Hurricane of the North," and the "Old Hurricane."⁴⁴

Early in Houston's second administration, Santa Anna, again in power at Mexico City, indicated a desire to reassert authority over Texas. General Tarrant considered the two Mexican invasions of 1842 unprovoked aggression and advocated instant retaliation.⁴⁵ His neighbors in Northeast Texas agreed and urged him to lead an effort to persuade President Houston to adopt energetic measures for the protection of the country. They wished to prove to Mexico and the world that the Republic of Texas was strong enough to maintain its independence and to punish any nation that sought to infringe upon its sovereign rights. Colonel Bennett H. Martin wrote Tarrant from Clarksville on November 12, 1842, that the people wanted only leadership, and in such a crisis all eyes turned to him. They wished him to be their spokesman, to take to President Houston the message that they were ready to fight either along the Rio Grande or in the heart of Mexico.⁴⁶ No record of Tarrant's response to that appeal has been found, but he did publicly advocate an invasion of Mexico at a meeting in New Boston the next spring.

On May 29, 1843, a meeting was held at the courthouse in Bowie County for the purpose of nominating men to represent the county in the next congress. Tarrant made a lengthy speech in which he advocated an immediate invasion of Mexico to force the acknowledgement of Texas' independence and the release of the Mier prisoners. After his impressive appeal, a resolution was approved to appoint a committee of five in each district of the county to collect contributions for the purchase of munitions and supplies for the proposed campaign. The meeting also endorsed Tarrant as a candidate for the senate,⁴⁷ but he eventually decided not to make the race.

The next few months were busy ones for Tarrant and his neighbors. By June 15, 1843, a company of volunteers had been raised and $400 pledged, in District 1 of Bowie County, for its support.⁴⁸ On the national level a program had been launched for the organization of six companies for immediate service on the frontier. They were to be commanded by a major general to be elected by nationwide popular vote. In Northeast Texas it was thought General Rusk would be a candidate, but he declined. Tarrant became interested. He made a trip to Austin visiting a number of towns on the journey, sounding out public opinion. While at the capital, on June 13, 1843, he was licensed to practice law before the supreme court of the republic.⁴⁹ On the trip he received enough encouragement to persuade him to become a candidate. He, therefore, resigned his commission as Brigadier General of the Fourth Brigade, because he did not believe in holding one office while seeking another, and announced his candidacy for the higher commission.⁵⁰

The new command was considered a desirable position. The general was to organize six companies for immediate service on the frontier and take the field in person if he deemed it wise. Tarrant found himself faced with strong opposition including Sidney Sherman of Harris County, Memucan Hunt of Galveston County, Alexander Somervell of Fort Bend County, as well as a number of others. The campaign was spirited; the unofficial total number of votes cast was 8,857.⁵¹ Sherman received the greatest number, followed by Tarrant with 700 more than Hunt who ran third. In Red River County, Tarrant received only 299 of the 647 votes cast.⁵²

Some attributed his defeat to his absence on the frontier during the campaign. His activities in the spring and early summer of 1843 attracted the attention of President Houston who on July 6 appointed Tarrant and Judge George W. Terrell commissioners to negotiate treaties of peace and friendship with Indians on the western frontier.⁵³ That certainly was not calculated to promote Tarrant's candidacy, since it prevented any personal appearances or appeals to the public.

The meeting place was designated as Bird's Fort, but the commissioners went out an estimated eight miles on the prairie to contact the Indians as they came in. The redmen were disposed to be friendly. Terms were not difficult to reach, but it was not until September 29 that the treaty was signed with ten of the western tribes. The Wichitas and Toweash refused to meet the commissioners because the Creeks had told them the whites planned to murder the assembled chiefs.

Presents were given the Indians, and it was agreed trading posts would be set up. Three sites were designated, one on the south side of the West Fork of the Trinity near the juncture of Clear Creek, another at Comanche Peak on the Brazos, and a third at the San Saba Mission.⁵⁴

The boy whom General Tarrant had taken in May, 1841, at the battle of Village Creek, was taken to the treaty ground and turned over to his uncle, José Maria, a chief of the Anadarko tribe. It was arranged to have the boy returned to the general when he was eight or ten years of age to be educated. The child's mother was reported to be in the Choctaw Nation, and General Tarrant sent some articles belonging to her with the clothes and trinkets worn by the child when he was captured.

According to the Northern Standard, only Tarrant's patience and persistence prevented the commission from breaking up and returning home. But he insisted upon staying at the treaty ground as long as there was hope of the Indians coming in,⁵⁵ although his service on the frontier kept him from devoting time to his candidacy for major general.

General Tarrant lost the election for major general, but he continued to be actively interested in public affairs. When the question of annexation was revived in 1843, he became an advocate of the measure in Texas. The treaty was finally signed on April 12, 1844. But in June, the United States Senate refused its approval. James K. Polk, the Democratic presidential candidate, however, urged annexation. His victory encouraged President Tyler to try another approach, and the essentials of the rejected treaty were incorporated in a joint resolution which was approved on February 28, 1845.

When news of the favorable action by the United States House of Representatives reached Clarksville, a meeting was held at the courthouse to encourage final approval. Before the gathering a group met at Donoho's Hotel to decide upon a plan of procedure. Tarrant was not a resident of the county, but since he was prominent in the movement, he was selected a member of the committee of ten, composed of such eminent men as Charles DeMorse and Robert Hamilton of Red River County, along with George W. Wright and William H. Bourland of Lamar County, to formulate and draft appropriate resolutions.

Later a meeting of Bowie County citizens was held to sanction annexation. General Tarrant headed the committee on resolutions. He served with men such as Judge James N. Smith, David M. Chisholm, Dr. J. W. Fort, and Captain W. P. Rose.⁵⁶

When the joint resolution was approved, President Anson Jones called the Texas congress into extra session, then issued a proclamation for a convention to draft a constitution for the future state of Texas. Congress accepted annexation and approved the call for a convention. According to the election proclamation, Bowie County was entitled to three members. Tarrant, Ennis Ury, and Dr. Chambers were elected unopposed.⁵⁷ Tarrant set out immediately for Austin where the convention was to assemble. He was accompanied by John S. Peters and Colonel Heatherly. One night while camped on the Guadalupe River their horses were stolen, and they found it impossible to procure others. They were, however, able to buy a yoke of oxen and a wagon and proceeded at a greatly reduced pace.⁵⁸

The convention was organized on July 4. Four days later, July 8, 1845, upon motion of Lemuel Dale Evans, representing Fannin County, Tarrant was duly sworn and took his seat as a member of the convention.⁵⁹ He took an active part in the proceedings, and was appointed a member of the committees on education and on the legislative department. He also played a leading role in the discussions concerning public lands, taxation, and the judiciary. Perhaps he devoted the most time and thought to consideration of a reasonable tax rate and how much money was required to support a state government.⁶⁰

The convention completed its work and adjourned on August 28, 1845. Tarrant returned to Bowie County, but on his way to and from Austin he traveled across a part of the Mercer Colony where he had the year before acquired title to a few hundred acres of land. The country was developing at an amazingly fast rate. Only a short time before, it was believed a white man could not live in the area because of hostile Indians. The rapid increase of settlers had changed the prospects.⁶¹

Tarrant was impressed. Perhaps his interest had been heightened by what he had seen and heard at Austin. On August 18, General T. J. Rusk, president of the convention, offered a resolution proposing the Mercer colonization contract be declared unconstitutional and that the first legislature under the state government refuse an extension of time for fulfillment of the agreement and take the necessary action to institute judicial proceedings to void the whole transaction. For the next five days, the Mercer contract and contractors were under fire.⁶²

Tarrant decided to enter a partnership with friends for the establishment of a land agency to be administered from within the Mercer colony. It was organized as Caruthers, Tarrant, and Company. Members of the firm were James Caruthers of Jackson, Tennessee; E. D. Mason of Florence, Alabama; L. M. Rice of Boston, Bowie County, Texas; William Henderson of Clarksville, Texas; and Tarrant, who was to take up residence on Chambers Creek, Robertson County, in the Mercer grant.⁶³ After the adoption of the new state constitution, Wheelock, agent for Mercer, reported that various members of the constitutional convention were making large entries within the colony. Among them he named Tarrant, Rusk, and Irion.⁶⁴ Later when the attorney general of the state brought action to void the Mercer contract, General Tarrant assisted in the prosecution of the suit. He was said to represent certain "locative interests" in the so-called colony.⁶⁵

Caruthers, Tarrant, and Company advertised its readiness to act as agent in the location, purchase, or sale of land for persons living within the state or in other states. It would act as agent for payment of taxes or in any other business connected with land. It would attend to locating surveys, securing script, or other types of titles or certificates, upon shares or for cash at the option of the client.⁶⁶ Advertising was strong and widespread but not long continued, and there is little evidence of business by the company.

Tarrant's move to Robertson County, the area later organized into Navarro County, still later into Ellis County, and his partnership in the land company did not interrupt his interest in public affairs. He reached Chambers Creek in February, 1846, and the following July the first election in the new county of Navarro was held.⁶⁷ Dr. John A. Young was chosen chief justice, but he died soon after, and Tarrant filled the office and organized the county.⁶⁸ He was, however, little interested in local office. His new neighbors knew he had broad legislative experience, and when they had an opportunity to select a representative to the legislature at Austin, considered him an excellent choice. On March 24, 1847, a meeting was held at the courthouse, with Colonel James F. Patton, chairman, and C. M. Winkler, secretary, for the purpose of nominating a candidate for the next session of the state legislature. W. J. Ladd nominated General Tarrant. No other name was suggested, and the chairman declared the general to be the unanimous choice of the meeting.⁶⁹ Tarrant made a short acceptance speech.

General Tarrant entered the race for lieutenant governor in 1847, upon the "solicitation of a large number of persons in Dallas, Henderson, San Augustine, Shelby, and Rusk Counties,"⁷⁰ but continued to be a candidate for a seat in the house of representatives. Three other men entered the race for lieutenant governor: J. A. Greer of San Augustine—the encumbent, Edwin Waller of Austin, and S. G. Haynie of Travis County.⁷¹

That was before the days of vigorous campaigning by aspiring politicians. It was the eve of the party development, however, and Tarrant's opponents accused him of not following the party line, of not being a champion of the national democratic philosophy. In some quarters he was attacked bitterly, and accused of being a Whig which was probably true.⁷² The basis of the charge, however, stemmed from his known dislike of Andrew Jackson. That attitude was based upon Jackson's criticism of some Kentucky troops during the War of 1812.

Tarrant's strength was in the west. In Navarro County the vote was Tarrant 114, Greer 8, Haynie 1; in Dallas County, Tarrant 115, Greer 12, Haynie 2; in Fannin County, Tarrant 429, Greer 24, Waller 28. But in the east where the population was greater the returns were different. The vote in Rusk County was Tarrant 124, Greer 349; in Nacogdoches County, Tarrant 15, Greer 383, Waller 1.

The official vote for lieutenant governor was 11,785: Greer 4,890, Tarrant 3,589, Waller 2,979, and Haynie 327.⁷³

Tarrant lost the lieutenant governorship but was elected to the house of representatives. He was one of the most prominent members of that body. William G. Crump of Bexar County nominated him for speaker. James W. Scott of Harris County nominated C. G. Keenan of Waller County, who had served in each previous legislature and was known personally to most of the members. Tarrant received sixteen and Keenan twenty-seven votes.⁷⁴ Tarrant was, therefore by force of circumstances something of the leader of the opposition. His experience and abilities were recognized, and he served as chairman of the powerful Committee on Internal Improvements as well as other less important assignments.⁷⁵

As chairman of the Committee on Internal Improvements, he sought to encourage the building of railroads and to promote the increase of capital in the state.⁷⁶ He was also active in promoting expansion and settlement of the western sections of the state. He introduced a bill to create two new counties to the west of Navarro. One, in which his home was situated, he wished to name for his old friend and Red River County neighbor, Richard Ellis; the space in the bill for the name of the second county was left blank. When the measure was under discussion on the house floor, Representative William M. Cochran moved to insert the name Tarrant, there was no objection, and Tarrant County was created.⁷⁷

Friends and neighbors of Tarrant in Ellis County believed that he was displeased with the selection of Corsicana for the county seat of Navarro County. He wanted the Howe settlement, just west of his home on Chambers Creek, made the seat of government. When that was not done, he was determined to seek the creation of a new county. It was reported that he had the area canvassed to get names for a petition to the legislature, but less than the required one hundred residents were found. Not to be thwarted, he made another effort after a few weeks and acquired the requisite number of signatures.⁷⁸ The bill soon thereafter was presented to the legislature.

Tarrant continued to practice law in Corsicana, however, and to maintain his close friendships. Later he married a young woman from Navarro County. In addition, he made no protest when the county seat of Ellis County was located at Waxahachie, not the Howe settlement. Apparently he took no part in deciding the location of the county seat of Ellis County.

About the time Tarrant left Bowie County, he received a signal and appreciated honor. Hopkins County was created in 1846, and the county seat, located, as provided by law, near the center of the county, was named Tarrant.⁷⁹

Tarrant was quite busy during these years. He attended to his public duties with satisfaction to a majority of his constituents, promoted his professional career, and expanded his farming interest. Politically he came to differ more and more with the views of the national leadership of the Democratic party. In 1848, he felt a change at the national level would be in the best interest of the state and nation. He knew success was highly problematical. Nevertheless, he became a candidate for presidential elector on the Whig ticket. According to the Democratic Telegraph and Texas Register, official returns were made before all the votes reached Austin. The total tallied was 15,177 from sixty-seven counties; of those, the Democratic candidates received a majority of 6,159. Tarrant ran third on the Whig ticket with 4,289 votes, 221 less than W. B. Ochiltree, who led the slate, and 168 fewer than Samuel Yerger who ran second.⁸⁰ It was the termination of an able and sincere patriot's political appeal to a state-wide electorate.

In the summer of 1818, settlers around the three forks of the Trinity became interested in navigation of the river. Early in June, a public gathering was held at Dallas to select delegates to a convention at Huntsville on July 4, to make plans for navigating the stream. General Tarrant was active in the movement and presided over the meeting.⁸¹ His law partner at Waxahachie, James Emerson Hawkins, served as secretary. He was popular in Dallas and the next year affiliated with Tannerhill Masonic Lodge No. 52 in that city.

As Waxahachie grew, Tarrant took an increasing interest in the city. He bought property in the town and, in 1851, became a charter member of Waxahachie Masonic Lodge No. 90, where his membership remained until his death.⁸² Tarrant was a religious man, but showed little interest in denominationalism. Nevertheless, when a subscription was taken to build the first Methodist Church in Waxahachie, he was the third highest donor.⁸³

On April 6, 1851, General Tarrant married Mary Danforth, a young woman nineteen years of age then living in Navarro County with her sister's family, the Elisha Smith Wymans. The ceremony was performed by Noah T. Byars,⁸⁴ who had owned the building at Washington-on-the-Brazos in which the Declaration of Independence was adopted and the Constitution of the Republic of Texas drawn in 1836. In 1851, he was a Baptist minister living at Dresden in Navarro County.

The Tarrants resided on the Chambers Creek estate but took part in the social life of Waxahachie. He was active in the Masonic Lodge at the local and state level, and she was a leader in the small Episcopal Church community.⁸⁵ He continued to extend his legal activity into the western counties of the old 16th judicial district.

Tarrant, on occasion, was far ahead of his times. In 1856, when it appeared there might be a chance to encourage the building of a railroad into North Central Texas, he devoted much time and energy trying to arouse interest and to raise funds throughout the region. On June 28, a convention of twenty-five delegates with six proxies from Collin, Cooke, Denton, Ellis, Grayson, Johnson, Parker, Tarrant, and Wise counties met in Dallas to form an organization to promote and encourage construction of a railroad into the area.⁸⁶ Tarrant was elected president and his Waxahachie law partner, Hawkins, secretary. A resolution was adopted declaring "the extension of the Galveston and Red River railroad as far north as the Red River is the first and primary object of the citizens of Northern Texas."⁸⁷ Tarrant understood that a railroad would be a great financial asset to the state and would bring phenomenal economic growth to the counties in which he was especially interested. Unfortunately, high hopes and expectations were destined to await fulfillment for almost two decades. Then, it was another generation of leaders that brought a railroad from the gulf to North Central Texas.

In 1857, Tarrant moved a part of his household to Fort Belknap where he raised a crop of corn.⁸⁸ It would appear that he planned to transfer his permanent residence sometime in the future, for he also acquired land in Haskell County.⁸⁹ But events were to change his plans.

Two Indian reservations had been established southwest of Fort Belknap on the Brazos. In 1857, Indian depredations became frequent. Opinion was divided as to the real culprits. Some believed the Indians on the reservations were guilty, others, including Tarrant, were convinced the mischief was done by roving bands from the north and west.⁹⁰

Believing the western Comanches were causing the trouble, Tarrant decided to help raise a force to destroy their ability and desire to enter Texas. He used his attendance at court in the various counties he visited in 1858 to arouse the people and assemble a force to deal with the mischief makers. In poor health, he arrived at Weatherford in June, after court had convened.⁹¹ But that did not change his determination to get rid of the Indian menace. Tarrant, Captain John Robert Baylor, who lived near Weatherford, and Judge Gustavus A. Everts, sought to arouse the people to organize and drive the marauders from the state. Provisions and money were subscribed, and thirty-nine men were enrolled for the expedition to be launched on July 4. Some observers believed that at least seventy five additional men could be recruited in Parker County alone.⁹²

General Tarrant became so ill that when court moved to Buchanan in Johnson County, he was unable to go along. He followed, however, within a few days. In addition to attendance at the bar, he joined William H. Parsons in arousing sentiment in Johnson County for an expedition against the Indians.

The plan was to proceed from Belknap to the Canadian River. If the Indians had not been encountered by then, they were to be sought until found and rendered harmless. Those who wished to join the expedition were asked to report to Belknap with provisions and munitions for ninety days. Each full company was to have one four-mule wagon or two two-mule wagons. Leaders were to be Tarrant and Baylor.⁹³

From Buchanan, Tarrant and his family went to their home on Chambers Creek where they remained until the general was able to travel.⁹⁴ They then started to Belknap, but when they reached Parker County he was too ill to go on and was confined to bed at the home of William Fondren who lived about ten miles from Weatherford on the road to Belknap.⁹⁵ Dr. John J. Inge was called in on June 10, 1858, before Tarrant left for Buchanan. When he returned to Fondren's, the doctor was called again. He made the last of fourteen visits on July 30,⁹⁶ and on August 2 the general died.⁹⁷ His body was temporarily laid to rest, it is supposed, in the Fondren family burial plot, but removed to his farm on Chambers Creek in Ellis County on January 28, 1859. The remains reached Waxahachie on Thursday, January 27. The next morning at 8:00 A.M. a procession was formed under the direction of the Masonic Lodge to proceed to his late residence on Chambers Creek where the second burial rites were performed. Nat. M. Burford delivered the funeral oration.⁹⁸ Seventy years later, the body was removed to Fort Worth and on March 3, 1928, with proper ceremonies, was given its third burial, in Pioneer Rest Cemetery.⁹⁹

The passing of General Tarrant was widely lamented. The bar associations of Parker, Young, Dallas, Ellis, and Navarro counties at special meetings passed resolutions deploring his loss.¹⁰⁰ He was eulogized by an old friend, Charles DeMorse, editor of the Northern Standard, as a "pure minded man of great natural simplicity and character and habit, good sense, energy, patriotism and an ambition to render seivice to his fellowmen."¹⁰¹ The Waxahachie bar characterized him as an "enlightened statesman, profound lawyer, the kind and hospitable neighbor, the warm and devoted and self-sacrificing patriot, the man without a superior, and scarcely with a parallel."¹⁰²

Tarrant's will was drawn in Dallas and dated May 12, 1852. His wife was made chief beneficiary and sole executrix. The will was probated at Waxahachie on September 3, 1858,¹⁰³ with his Ellis County holdings alone valued at between forty and fifty thousand dollars.¹⁰⁴