USA > Texas > Johnson County > A memorial and biographical history of Johnson and Hill counties, Texas : containing the early history of this important section of the great state of Texas together with glimpses of its future prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens of the present time, and full-page portraits of some of the most eminent men of this section > Part 26
USA > Texas > Hill County > A memorial and biographical history of Johnson and Hill counties, Texas : containing the early history of this important section of the great state of Texas together with glimpses of its future prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens of the present time, and full-page portraits of some of the most eminent men of this section > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
Steiner east his fortunes with the notorious filibuster, William Walker, and lost his life in the vain effort to civilize Niearagna.
C. N. Brooks, whose penmanship shows so beautifully in the county records, discharged the duties of both county and district clerk for several years. Ile died on a farm four miles west of Ilillsboro, in the summer of 1891. Nicholson, the first distriet clerk, was his brother-in-law.
Bragg and Sanford both died in this county, leaving an untarnished reputation and a progeny that fully sustains the honorable reputation of their ancestry.
Davis is still living, eight miles east of HIillsboro.
Clayton Williams, the second chief justice of the county, died several years ago.
At the time llill county was organized there were only a few hundred voters in the county, and they were engaged almost ex- clusively in stock-raising. The prairie part of the county, like a vast meadow, was covered with a luxurious growth of rich and nutritious grasses, upon which vast herds of cattle and horses roamed at will, a little less wild than those that rango the broad savan- nas of South America. On the Brazos river, which is the western boundary of the county, there were a few persons engaged in agri- culture in connection with stock-raising. Also a few small farms had been opened along the eastern edge of the Cross Timbers, along the western slope of the " Mountain," and on White Rock creek. There are now many farms in the county either of which numbers more aeres of cultivated land than
216
HISTORY OF JOHNSON
all the farms contained at that time. The people living in Hill county at the date of its organization were, strictly speaking. pio- neers, and like the pioneers of other coun- tries, they were brave, generons, hospitable, honest. A stranger was never turned from their door, nor was there anything received as compensation for the rude entertainment given. Indeed this was the case all over Texas at that date. The traveler was always sure of a hospitable reception at every cabin and ranch, and the only condition exacted of him was that he " unsaddle and stake out his horse." There were in those days some bad men as now, but as a rule the pioneer people were honest, and it was rare that any one was over charged with theft, robbery, arson or burglary. A few of those old pioneers still live among us, honored and respected by all, and it is a genuine treat to hear some of them relate their early experiences in Texas and Hill county. Many of our best and most worthy citizens are descendants of these pioneers.
COUNTY SEAT.
Lexington was the name of the first village of Ilill county. It was situated on Jack's branch, and was settled in 1851 or 1852. HIere the first goods were sold in the county, by Messrs. Ilarrison Abels and John Wor- nell. Jack's branch took its name from Mr. Jack Boyles, now a resident of Steiner's valley.
When the county was organized in 1853, with the temporary seat of government at the old town of Lexington, on Jack's branch,
an election was ordered for the purpose of selecting a permanent location for the county seat, and in that election the site which now partly embraces Hillsboro was chosen on account of its situation, it being within a mile from the geographical center of the county. This choice was made in Septem- ber, 1853, and although for many years the place remained nothing but a village, and three efforts have been made since its selec- tion to effect a change, the people by their votes have in every instance sustained the wisdom of the original choice, and renewed the expression of preference for Hillsboro, emphasizing their will on the last occasion by such an overwhelming majority that no attempt is likely ever again to be made for a removal of the county seat.
The election for the location of the county svat of the county was held on the 9th day of September, 1853, and resulted in the selec- tion of the present site-IIillsboro -- where Thomas M. Steiner had donated to the county 220 acres of land for county seat purposes.
While on the subject of the county seat we may notice here a recent effort to cut off the southeastern extremity of the county, ealled the "cold corner" (probably because it is so remote from the county seat), in con- nection with sections of adjoining counties, for a new county, to be called Ross, in honor of the State Governor, L. S. Ross. Hubbard, formerly " Hubbard City," is the principal town interested in this movement; and in order to obtain the amount of territory re- quired by law, it gave a large majority of votes in favor of the removal of the county
213
AND HILL COUNTIES.
seat of Ilill to Woodbury, eight miles west of its present locality, November 6, 1888. Following is the vote by precinets:
Hillsboro. Woodbury.
Hillsboro, No. 1
78
12
No. 2
295
5
No. 3.
280
3
No. 4. 232
12
Woodbury
24
107
Scott's Chapel. 79
110
33
Osceola
46
74
Covington
9
80
Files' Valley
66
6
Irene.
118
8
Brandon 185
13
Serivner's Schoolhouse 32
1
Aquilla
91
Massey 105
10
Itasca. 208
119
Blum 20
80
Whitney
185
46
Curbo
9
56
Bonita
31
17
Brushy Knob
6
129
Hubbard City 40
287
Blanton
14
81
Abbott.
95
Bynum
17
Mt. Calm
85
13
Fort Graham
25
59
Lebanon
77
1
Prairie Valley 47
1
Total.
2,641
1,287
During the last legislature T. C. Morgan in- troduced a bill for the "creation of Ross county." Some errors were detected in the bill, which the interested parties endeavored to remedy. In connection with this matter the Hillsboro papers published the following item: " In answer to an inquiry, the Com- missioner of the General Land Office officially 14
stated that the distance from the old county line of the northeast corner of McLennan county to Hillsboro, is eleven miles and 578 varas; and the distance from the northeast corner of J. J. Williams' 320-acre survey, third-class, 992, located in Hill county, to Hillsboro, is ten miles and 1,830 varas." The Hillsboro citizens held a mass-meeting and after discussion decided to send delegates to Austin to oppose the movement for the elision of the " cold corner."
The matter will probably never be settled until the proposed county is created.
COURTHOUSES.
The first substantial courthouse wasa two- story brick, which was burnt down September 3, 1872, the fire destroying a few of the pub- lic records, namely, all the records of the district court excepting possibly the minutes of 1857, and one record book (Book L.) of the county court, and all the records of the surveyor's office. From the district clerk's oflice there were saved only one or two books, and some from the county clerk's office. Five years' records of the probate conrt were burned. The fire was supposed to be the work of an incendiary.
In 1874 another courthouse, also a two- story briek, was erected, at a cost of $15,000, and this served until the present magnificent structure was erected.
When the " fullness of time " had arrived for the building of a new courthouse in keep- ing with the demands of the times, in 1887- '88, there was naturally an effort made for the removal of the county seat, as already
Peoria
218
HISTORY OF JOHNSON
mentioned, as is almost always the ease on such occasions. After the popular vote had decided in favor of Hillsboro, a mass meeting of the citizens of the latter place was called to order June 22, 1889, D. Overton, chair- man, for the purpose of devising ways and means to circulate petitions among the voters, to be presented to the commissioners, asking them to order the building of a new court- house at its August term that year. Appro- priate committees were appointed for the work. They did their duty, and accordingly the commissioners, Angust 14, 1889, in their legislative capacity ascertained that the peti- tions had been signed by 2,636 voters, which was a clear majority of all the voters in the county, and in fact " within 400 of the total number of voters." This was sufficiently decisive, and the court accordingly proceeded immediately to make arrangements for carry- ing out the wishes of the people.
On these petitions Captain A. P. McKin- non showed that there were fifty names of tax-payers who would pay, as shown by actual computation, $8,510 of the cost of the build- ing, and four-fifths of the tax-paying values of the county was represented upon the peti- tions. In representing the matter before the court, contrary arguments were called for, but none were presented; and the names signed to the remonstrances were found to aggregate 622. The diserepaney between this figure and the estimate that the number of petitioners was " within 400 of the total number of voters in the county," we do not pretend to account for, except possibly by
typographical error in the newspapers, or, as is often the case, by the supposition that some men signed both petition and remonstrance.
The plans designed by W. C. Dodson, of Waco, were accepted. The dimensions of the new courthouse are 105 x 130 feet; top of the tower, 130 feet from the floor of the basement; foundation, of hard limestone as high as the water-table; main walls, of hard first-class sandstone; corridors, with cement floors; steel eye-beams as joists, and nicely tiled; the joists covered with asbestos roofing; all the ceilings and the roof, of corrugated iron, and the stair-steps also iron; floors, all double, separated by two inches of cement; county offiecs and the county courtroom, on the first floor, and the distriet courtroom oe- eupying nearly all the second floor, wich a gallery, etc. All the office rooms are built in the most modern style, and those of the county and distriet elerks are fire-proof.
The contract was let December 19, 1889, to Messrs. Lovell, Miller & Hood, of Brown- ville, for $83,000, they agreeing to have the building completed by September, 1890. As completed, the present courthouse turns out to be one of the best and most beautiful in the State, if not altogether the best for the money. In 1891 the various county offees were moved in, and their arrangement in the building is as follows: Southwest corner, county elerk's office, fire-proof; southeast cor- ner and inner large room adjoining, county judge's office and courtroom; northeast cor- ner, sheriff and assessor; and northwest cor- ner, surveyor, tax collector and treasurer.
AND HILL COUNTIES.
The old courthouse was sold at auction, December 21, 1889, to C. J. George, for $120; and during the building of the new structure the county offices temporarily were mainly in the old Ewell hotel, nearly opposite the Com- mercial hotel, which was bought by the county for $2,750,-but little more than would have to be paid for rent for the time ocenpied.
JAIL.
The first jail was erected by William Young, about 1856 or '57, at a cost of $1,793. It was a log structure, in two divi- sions, the partition being of stone, and, being substantial and well built, it lasted for many years. It was located 290 feet north of the square, on north Waco street.
The present jail and sheriff's residence, at the northwest corner of the square, was erected in 1876, at a cost of $12,000. It is a large, commodious, two-story brick structure, sufficiently substantial for the requirements of the times.
ELECTION RETURNS.
In publishing the following votes it is not at all understood that the figures denote the popularity of the respective candidates at the time, for often a man is voted for who has not really permitted his name to be presented, and sometimes the most popular men in the county is placed upon the wrong ticket, or brought forward in some irregular or unsatis- factory manner, etc.
As some of the carlier records of the county were destroyed by fire, the election returns on file in the county elerk's oflice begin with
the year 1873. From them we select such data concerning the general politics of the county vote for the respective candidates as will be of public interest.
DECEMBER 2, 1873.
Governor -- Richard Coke, 1,302; Edmund J. Davis, 148.
State Senator-A. J. Ball, 817; William R. Shannon, 332; J. N. Chandler, 109; John U. Lippard, 125.
Representative-A. M. Douglass, 1,087; D. L. Middleton, 663; A. J. ITart, 616; J. B. Henderson, 269; Joe Robinson, 192; HI. G. Bruce, 290; G. L. Dobbs, 272; B. Lantz, 128; M. Wiley, 114.
Treasurer - W. K. Posey, 511; E. R. Goolsbee, 898.
Surveyor -- C. Veale, 855; N. C. Howard, 557.
For Constitutional Amendment, 1,124; against Constitutional Amendment, 135.
For county seat at Hillsboro, 497; for county seat at A. Fredoriek survey, near Peoria, 911.
FEBRUARY 15, 1876.
For the proposed State Constitution, 2,204; against the proposod State Constitution, 40.
Governor -- Richard Coke, 2,103; William Chambers, 1.
District Judge-J. P. Wood, 597; D. M. Pendergast, 1,465.
State Senator -- J. W. Moore, 1,753; B. J. Chambers, 177.
Representative -- W. L. Long, 307; A. M. Douglass, 861; J. R. De Armon, 451;
290
HISTORY OF JOHNSON
B. F. Yearby, 229; W. T. Burk, 242.
County Judge -- R. H. Sayers, 241; Il. Campbell, 687; J. W. Stevens, 937; S. A. Reavis, 201.
County Clerk-J. M. Duncan, 1,209; G. II. Ilardy, 141; G. P. Lee, 677.
Distriet Clerk-D. Derden, 1,266; S. C. Dyer, Jr., 774; W. L. Towner, 25.
Treasurer-E. R. Goolsbee, 1,774; G. W. Ilunt, 265.
Surveyor-C. Veale, 1,979.
Sheriff-John P. Cox, 1,502; II. G. Driggs, 621.
Assessor-J. S. Napier, 383; F. T. Weir, 510; L. II. Buchanan, 331; W. A. Scruggs, 107; C. W. Rciley, 402; J. J. Stoker, 350.
County Attorney-J. M. Abbott, 276; J. A. Martin, 659; C. W. Beech, 170; G. T. Jones, 578; A. P. Mckinnon, 360.
Commissioners elected -- District No. 1, A. W. Weatherred; No. 2, B. F. Burks; No. 3, T. W. Wiley; No. 4, W. S. Stanford.
August 28, 1876.
President-S. J. Tilden, Dem., 1,629; R. B. Hayes, Rep., 4.
Congressman-J. W. Throckmorton, 1,592; J. C. Bigger, 2.
For Prohibition, 871; against Prohibition, 632.
PROHIBITION IN IHILLSBORO AND VICINITY.
March 16, 1877-For, 187; against, 79. April 12, 1878-For, 249; against, 228.
NOVEMBER 5, 1878.
W. Il. Hammons, Gbk., 583; A. B. Norton, Rep., 1.
Congressman-Olin Welborn, 2,042; E. M. Daggett, 570.
Representativo- A. M. Douglass, 1,088; W. C. Griffin, 776; E. P. Walling, 763.
County Judge-J. H. Bullock, 1,313; J. S. Blanton, 1,370.
County Attorney-Jim Witten, 1,161; J. L. Crain, 1,376.
Sheriff-John P. Cox, 1,428; J. S. Napier, 1,262.
Assessor-F. T. Weir, 641; C. W. Reily, 716; L. D. Martin, 164; B. L. Hickey, 46; W. T. Westmoreland, 144; F. J. Calloway, 143; S. J. Rowan, 350; F. Bowman, 124; A. L. Johnson, 31; J. B. Serivner, 24; N. E. McGraw, 88.
Treasurer-E. R. Goolsbee, 980; J. W. Lowery, 1,229; G. W. Hunt, 358.
District Clerk-D. Derden, 2,494; II. B. Sumner, 89.
County Clerk-J. M. Dunean, 1,509; D. T. Sawyers, 811; G. J. Mathews, 336; J. B. Gayden, 37.
Surveyor-C. Veale, 696; W. M. Vanghan, 1,182; J. E. Cameron, 798.
NOVEMBER, 1880.
President-W. S. Hancock, Dem., 2,491; J. B. Weaver, Gbk., 530.
Congressman -- Olin Welborn, 2,593; J. C. Kerby, 461.
Governor-O. M. Roberts, 2,438; W. II. Hammond, 523.
State Senator .- L. S. Ross, 2,145; C. L.
Governor-O. M. Roberts, Dem., 2,044; | Wasson, 630.
1
221
AND HILL COUNTIES.
District Judge-Jo. Abbott, 1,579; J. M. Hall, 1,216.
Representativo -- J. Il. Littlefield, 140; B. D. Tarlton, 1,294; W. C. Gritlin, 703; W. Il. Tipton, 522; T. II. Campeer, 289.
County Judge -- A. W. Parham, 1,276; J. S. Blanton, 698; A. P. MeKinnon, 985.
County Attorney-V. II. Ivy, 1,228; E. Pendleton, 966; J. L. Crain, 586; G. A. Bell, 187.
Assessor-C. W. Reily, 2,478; J. W. Hudgins, 186; W. II. Webb, 281.
Collector-J. L. Burgess, 182; J. Il. Buchanan, 1,304; W. D. MeFarland, 326; W. A. MeMurray, 289; D. C. Wornel, 935.
Treasurer-J. W. Lowrey, 954; Ilamp Carter, 910; W. R. Long, 626; W. G. Ilar- ris, 465.
Distriet Clerk -A. Y. Kirkpatrick, 79; J. A. George, 336; J. J. Stoker, 979; II. N. Rees, 24; Ed. Hutchinson, 172; E. B. Reavis, 611; J. M. Fennel, 110; J. E. Cameron, 373; S. II. Riggs, 23; G. II. Royal, 166.
County Clerk-J. M. Dunean, 871; D. J. Sawyer, 524; D. Derden, 883; W. W. Wright, 714.
Surveyor-W. M. Vaughan, 1,481; C. Veal, 1,242.
Sheriff -- J. P. Cox, 2,250; II. P. MeKin- ley, 718.
Commissioners elected - District No. 1, William Carmichael; No. 2, Willis Brannan; No. 3, J. II. Harrison; No. 4, R. P. Ed- rington.
March 13, 1882, the county gave 842 votes for prohibition, to 1,145 against it.
NOVEMBER 7, 1882.
Governor-Jolin Ireland, 2,281; G. W. Jones, 802; J. B. Robinson, 13.
Congressman-Olin Wellborn, 2,283; J. C. Kearby, 737.
Senator -- A. M. Douglass, 1,629; W. II. Getzendaner, 825; J. G. Coley, 239.
Representative-J. II. Walling, 569; J. O. Files, 562; W. P. Cunningham, 491; J. M. MeDaniel, 610; J. D. Rumage, 99; W. P. Pardue, 231; F. Il. Wood, 362; William Craig, 159.
Floater-1. A. Patton, 2,401; G. II. Royal, 388.
County Judge-A. W. Parham, 2,381; J. S. Blanton, 613; S. A. Reavis, 55.
County Attorney-E. Pendleton, 673; V. II. Ivy, 1,257; J. L. Crain, 951.
Sheriff-J. W. Morrison, 1,345; Niek Farrar, 686; Tom Bell, 1,129.
District Clerk-J. J. Stoker, 2,447; E. B. Reavis, 649.
County Clerk -- D. Derden, 888; J. M. Duncan, 918; J. M. Rogers, 123; W. W. Wright, 1,219.
Collector-D. C. Wornel, 1,827; T. M. Tarver, 1,300.
Treasurer-II. W. Carter, 1,241; W. K. Posey, 287; W. G. Harris, 1,572.
Surveyor- W. M. Vaughan, 1,856; C. Venle, 1,255.
Assessor-C. W. Reily, 2,683; W. M. Bell, 473.
Commissioners elected --- District No. 1, M. D. Saunders; No. 2, Willis Brannan; No. 3, N. A Tekell; No. 4, T. K. Miller.
222
HISTORY OF JOHNSON
NOVEMBER 4, 1884.
President -- Grover Cleveland, Dem., 3,611; B. F. Butler, Gbk., 315; J. G. Blaine, Rep., 5; St. John, Pro., 97.
Congressman -- Olin Wellborn, 3,707; II. C. Bigger, 228.
Governor-John Ireland, 3,205; G. W. Jones, 690; A. B. Norton, 161.
District Judge-S. C. Upshaw, 1,922; S. II. Lumpkin, 82; J. M. Ilall, 1,983.
Representative, 39th District-B. D. Tarl- ton, 3,243.
Representative, 38th District-II. W. Tip- ton, 2,078; J. M. MeDaniel, 1,809; II. D. Brown, 135.
County Judge-A. W. Parhamn, 2,501; J. W. Stevens, 1,143. J. S. Richardson, 391.
Attorney-V. II. Ivy, 3,051; Cliff. Moor- man, 942.
Distriet Clerk-W. C. Griffin, 963; J. J. Stoker, 3,102.
County Clerk-W. W. Wright, 2,690; John P. Cox, 1,414.
Sheriff-J. W. Morrison, 1,491; W. P. Cunningham, 747; Tom Bell, 1,884.
Treasurer- J. C. Killough, 1,490; W. G. Harris, 1,509; J. G. Bentley, 1,111.
Surveyor-O. Holland, 3,628; E. S. Davis, 38.
Tax Collector-D. C. Wornel, 1,911; T. M. Tarver, 2,226.
Assessor -- C. W. Reily, 3,517; J. G. IIoward, 574.
Commissioners elected District No. 1, J. J. Serivner; No. 2, J. E. Ballard; No. 3, J. J. Elliott; No. 4, W. P. Pardue.
Angust 31, 1885, the county gave 1,620 for prohibition, to 2,091 against it.
NOVEMBER 2, 1886.
Governor -- 1. S. Ross, 3,791; A. M. Coch- ran, 132; E. L. Dohoney, 286.
Congressman-Jo. Abbott, 2,497; J. C. Kearby, 1,833.
Senator-S. C. Upshaw, 2,611; A. Red, 1,448.
Floater-G. C. Groce, 4,058.
Representative-W. II. Tipton, 339; C. M. Christenbury, 1,505; J. M. MeDaniel, 1,014; J. G. II. Buck, 491; J. J. Connolly, 1,000.
County Judge-A. W. Parham, 2,251; J. G. Abney, 2,153.
County Attorney-T. S. Smith, 2,205; D. Derden, 1,357; Clifford Moorman, 502; J. S. Blanton, 292.
District Clerk-E. S. Crumley, 2,758; J. J. Stoker, 1,120; W. C. Griffin, 536.
County Clerk -- W. W. Wright, 4,299; Joe Hardin, 29.
Sheriff-J. E. Ballard, 688; J. P. Cox, 2,041; Tom Bell, 1,732.
Collector-Tam Brooks, 875; George Car- michael, 2,172; D. C. Wornel, 1,366.
Assessor -- C. W. Reily, 3,023; James G. Iloward, 1,397.
Treasurer-J. G. Bentley, 1,355; J. C. Killongh, 1,720; J. D. Railey, 768; D. J. Sawyers, 575.
Surveyor-O. Ilolland, 1,953; W. W. Chap- man, 1,852; W. W. Lane, 303; MeCune John- son, 286.
Commissioners elected -- District No. 1, 1
223
AND HILL COUNTIES.
R. M. Elder; No. 2, Willis Brannan; No. 3, B. II. Turner; No. 4, J. M. Loveless.
AUGUST 4, 1887.
On State Constitutional amendments-For prohibition, 2,562; against prohibition, 2,- 695.
At this election there was a majority against all the amendments proposed, namely: To make the pay of the members of the Legis- lature $5 and 82, and mileage; to create a permanent university fund; to tax property in unorganized counties; to register voters at elections and number the tickets; and a long amendment to the article on the judiciary.
NOVEMBER 6, 1888.
President-Grover Cleveland, Dem., 3,389; A. J. Streeter, U. L., 929; Benjamin Harri- son, Rep., 370; C. B. Fiske, Pro., 147.
Governor-L. S. Ross, 3,258; Marion Mar- tin, 1,513.
Congressman -- Jo. Abbott, 3,096; Sam Evans, 1,517.
Representative, 38th District-J. M. C. Wilson, 3,046; C. L. Wasson, 1,632.
Representative, 39th District -- Sam. R. Frost, 3,178; G. W. Belcher, 1,535.
District Judge-J. M. Hall, 2,657; B. D. Tarlton, 2,162.
District Attorney-Pierce B. Ward, 2,276; W. C. Wear, 2,152.
Distriet Clerk-E. S. Crumley, 3,527; Wiley Curry, 1,232.
County Judge-J. G. Abney, 2,005; V. H. Ivy, 743; C. M. Christenbury, 872; 1. W. Young, 1,182.
County Attorney-T. S. Smith, 2,931; D. Derden, 1,770.
Sheriff-Tom Bell, 2,058; Jolin Cox, 2,- 813.
County Clerk -- W. W. Wright, 2,062; Will G. Duncan, 2,187; A. Thames, 605.
Assessor -- J. P. Railey, 2,411; James G. Iloward, 1,155; F. M. Sampson, 700; J. P. Williams, 457.
Collector-George Carmichael, 2,949; E. M. Vineyard, -----; A. W. Kuykendall, --; Croeket Wornel, -.
Treasurer-J. C. Killough, 4,686.
Surveyor-W. W. Chapman, 2,572; W. W. Lane, 2,144.
Commissioners elected --- District No. 1, I. Vermillion; No. 2, W. P. Cunningham; No. 3, B. II. Turner; No. 4, T. C. Carlisle.
JUNE 18, 1889.
For removal of the county seat to Wood- . bury, 1,270; against, 2,641.
NOVEMBER 4, 1890.
Governor-James S. Hlogg, 4,129; Web- ster Flanagan, 303; C. E. Ileath, 104.
Congressman-Jo. Abbott, 4,021; I. M. Darter, 214.
Senator -- M. M. Crane, 4,026; II. W. Bar- elay, 108.
Representative, 39th District-D. Derden, 3,987; D. C. MeCain, 79.
Representative, 38th District-J. M. C. Wilson, 4,079.
County Judge-J. G. Abney, 1,911; A. W. Parham, 1,886; B. F. Vinson, 830.
County Attorney -Tam Ivy, 2,523. .
224
HISTORY OF JOHNSON
Sheriff --- John P. Cox, 2,420; Jomm A. Stevens, 2,275.
District Clerk -O. H. Young, 2,176; E. S. Crumley, 1,494; J. P. Connell, 895.
County Clerk --- Will G. Duncan, 4,609.
Collector-George Carmichael, 1,753; Mat. MeCollum, 1,676; J. J. Moore, 1,128.
Assessor-J. G. II. Buck, 2,513; J. D. Railey, 2,154.
Treasurer-J. C. Killough, 1,946; T. B. Edrington, 1,505; D. Overton, 1,229.
Surveyor-E. S. Davis, 4,519.
Commissioners elected - District No. 1, L. B. Daniell; No. 2, W. P. Cunningham; No. 3, J. J. Elliott; No. 4, J. M. Loveless.
STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
Relative to voting-For, 1,008; against, 430.
Section 5, Article 7-For, 271; against, 1,045.
Reducing rate of interest-For, 916; against, 541.
Local control-For, 768; against, 621.
Relative to judiciary-For, 701; against, 708.
MISORLLANEOUN NOTES.
During the reconstruction period General E. J. Davis was elected Governor of the State, under the " Radical" regime, and during his administration came the odious militia bill, police bill, printing law, school law and all the leading " Radical" measures of the Twelfth Legislature, which culminated in martial law for Ilill, Walker, Limestone and Freestone counties, and the murder of Godley,
House, Mitchell, Applewhite and others by negro policemen.
In the fall of 1870 one James Gathings and " Slol " Nicholson killed a negro man and woman in Bosque county, and fled, it was supposed, to this county. Soon afterward, one morning before sunrise, Lieutenant Pritchett and two other officers and four negroes, under the authority of Governor Davis, went to the residence of Colonel J. J. Gathings, a distant relative of one of the refugees, near Covington in this county, and demanded opportunity to search the house for "little Jim" Gathings. The Colonel met them at the door and told them he was not there. They insisted, and he asked them for their authority, and they said they had it. He demanded that it be shown him. They then replied that they had left it in Waco, and he then told them that they could not search his honse except by force of arms. Two of the men then drew out their pistols and said that they intended 'to do that very thing. Next, Pritchett told the negroes to go in and search.
Gathings then seized a shot-gun and de- elured that he would shoot the first negro that came in; a white man could go in, but no " nigger;" and he eursed them in the severest terms imaginable. The search was made, but no boy found.
The officers and the negroes then started toward Covington. Gathings had them ar- rested before night, for searching his house without legal authority. They gave bonds for their appearance at court, but sent word that they were going to mob Gathings, and
to Abboth
225
AND HILL COUNTIES.
the citizens stood guard at his house for eight nights. The mob, however, did not appear. Nor did they appear at court, although Gath- ings and his friends were on hand.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.