A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 2

Author:
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 954

USA > Texas > Henderson County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 2
USA > Texas > Freestone County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 2
USA > Texas > Leon County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 2
USA > Texas > Anderson County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 2
USA > Texas > Limestone County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 2
USA > Texas > Navarro County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 2

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).

RIVERS.

The rivers of Texas are numerous, and many of them are navigable. In the north- eastern section are the Red river, Big Cy- press and Lake Soda, which are navigable during the rainy seasons, and considerable trade is caried on with New Orleans by means of them. The Red river on the old Spanish maps is called Naugdoches, after an Indian tribe that formerly lived along that stream. The Sabine is the

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

eastern boundary of the State from the thirty-third parallel of latitude to the Gulf of Mexico. The Spaniards called it Adaes, but in 1718 De Alarconne called it Rio de San Francisco de Sabinas. The Angelina and Nueces rivers enter Sabine lake. Trinity river has been variously called. The Indians named it Arkokisa and La Salle called it River of Canoes, because he had to procure canoes to cross it. The San Jacinto empties into Galves- ton bay, after forming a junction with Buffalo bayou. The Brazos has been as- cended in boats 600 miles to the falls near Marlin. The Spaniards are said to have given the name Colorado to the Brazos, but by some meaus the names were inter- changed. The San Bernard and Caney creeks have been navigated, the first for about twenty miles and the latter abont seventy. In 1847 a small steamboat, built above the obstructions at the mouth of the Colorado river, ascended that stream to the falls above Austin, 600 miles. The Indian name for this stream was Pasho hono, and tradition has it that a party of Spanish explorers, after nearly famishing for water, suddenly came upon this river and reverently kneeling called it Brazos de Dios-" Arm of God." The Navidad and its confluent is navigable thirty miles, to Texana, and the Guadalupe has been navi- gated seventy miles, to Victoria. Its prin- cipal western branch is the San Antonio, which is sometimes called the Medina. The Nueces river is navigable for small vessels up to the vicinity of San Patricio. The Rio Grande, so prominent in the an- nals of Texas and her struggles with Mex- ico, and forming the boundary between the

two, is navigable for 500 miles, to Co- inargo. The stream bears three names. At Santa Fé it is called Rio del Norte; at Reinosa it is the Rio Bravo.

ELEVATIONS.

The elevations in Texas shown on the old maps at a time when guessing as to the character of a country was in vogne and were largely the result of imagination or highly colored descriptions given by per- sons who had seen these "mountains" from a long distance. While some of them are mountains, as stated previously, yet if they were in a mountainous region they would be called hills. The early maps had the Tehuacana mountains in Limestone county; Colorado mountains, above Austin; Guadalupe mountains in Kerr county ; Pack Saddle and other peaks in Llano county. Later maps liave Double mountain at the northwest corner of Jones county; White Sand Hills in Tom Green county; Chenate and other peaks in Pre- sidio county; and Eagle mountains in El Paso county. One of the highest points in the State, the top of one of the spurs of what is called the Guadalupe range, is 5,000 feet above the sea level, but it must not be understood that these spurs are anywhere near that figure from their bases. They are very modest and do not hold their heads very high. Red river, at the mouth of the Big Wichita, has an ele- vation of about 900 feet; San Antonio, 600; Austin, 600; Castroville, 767; Fort Duncan, 800; Fort Lincoln, 900; Fort Inge, 845; Fort Clark, 1,000; Round Rock, 1,145; Fort Chadburn, 2,120; Phan- tom Hill, 2,300; Fredericksburg, 1,500;

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

Valley of the Pecos, 2,350; Jacksboro, 2,000; El Paso, 3,750; highest point on the San Antonio and El Paso road, 5,765; Llano Estacado, about 2,400; Fort North, 629; Dallas, 481.

MINERALS.

Minerals, especially copper, exist in large quantities, said to be inexhaustible in several counties of the State, especially in Archer, Wichita, Clay, Haskell, terri- tory of Bexar, and counties of Pecos and Presidio. Immense hills of copper, ex- tending to the Rio Grande in the district indicated, are known to exist, some of the ore yielding 55.44 per cent. of pure metal. Tests have even shown a higher percent- age than the figures given. The ore con- tains, also, some silver and one oxide of iron. Manganese, cobalt, nickel, lead and silver are also found. Lead and silver are always associated together in the de- posits in Texas. A sample of the combi- nation, from a vein in Llano county, gave 286 ounces of silver and 74.45 per cent. lead. There are shafts in the section mentioned that were undoubtedly worked by the Spaniards, as at fifty feet from the surface drill and chisel marks were found. The most remarkable deposits of iron exist in northwestern Texas, considered by ex- perts to fully equal in extent and richness the deposits of Sweden, Missouri, New York and New Jersey. They comprise almost every variety, exhibiting magnetic, specular, spathic and hematite ores. Loose masses of ore lie scattered over the surface of the ground in Llano, Mason and other more western counties. Analysis has given 96.890 per cent. of peroxide of iron, with

2.818 per cent. of insoluble silicious sub- stances, proving it to be a magnetic oxide, which will yield 74.93 pounds of metallic iron to 100 pounds of ore. Coal, not only bituminous, and of the class of the best. western grades, but anthracite equaling the best Pennsylvania, is found, whilst de- posits of asphaltum, gypsum and guano are abundant. Many salt springs are also found, as well as springs impregnated with petroleum.

EARLY EXPEDITIONS.

There is little doubt that the Spanish claim to Mexico, when taking into con- sideration all the facts, was a just and equitable one, at least over the claims of France. Spanish explorers from the Mexi- can territory proper had traversed Texas as early as the latter part of the sixteenth century and the beginning of the seven- teenth. Being in Texas, they, according to the usages in vogue, no doubt took formal possession in the name of their sovereign, or not considering it a separate territory, waived the ceremony, looking upon it as a matter of course that it be- longed to the Spanish crown. But, not- withstanding these facts, historians usually begin the history of Texas with the land- ing of La Salle upon its soil in 1685.

After crossing from the lakes and de- scending the Mississippi river, and having planted the standard of France at its mouth, La Salle returned to France to obtain means and men to plant a colony at the mouth of the great stream in order that a new route be opened for commerce between France and her Canadian colonies. The "grand monarch " granted all that his loyal and

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

enterprising subjects desired. Louis XIV. gave him a commission to establish colonies and placed at lis command four finely equipped vessels: the Joil, a frigate of thirty-six guns; the Belle, carrying six guns, a personal present from the king to La Salle; the Amiable, a ship of some 200 tons' burden; and a small vessel, the St. Francis, a supply boat. A naval officer of distinction, Beaujean, who was in com- mand of the frigate, also was in command as sailing master of all the vessels, but under the direction of La Salle, except as to the navigation of the fleet, until they should arrive in America. Seven mis- sionaries, 100 soldiers, thirty volunteers, together with mechanics, girls, etc., accom- panied the expedition,-in all about 300 sonls, among whom were two nephews of La Salle.

The expedition started from Rochelle. but during the voyage, a long and tedious one, disputes arose between La Salle and his naval commander. The Spaniards cap- tnred the St. Francis.

On December 26 land was discovered, which was supposed to be the coast of Florida. They were mistaken and driven far to the westward by winds. A landing was finally made near Corpus Christi early in January, 1685, says Joutel, the historian of the party. They finally reached their

destination after many hardships and the loss of the Amiable; and to still add to their sad condition they got into trouble with the Indians, who killed two of their principal men, Ory and Des Loges, besides which the naval commander got angry with La Salle and sailed away to France with one of the two remaining vessels,

taking the crew and a considerable portion of the aminunition and supplies. La Salle was still anxious to get to the Mississippi river. Leaving Jontel in charge of the little fort which had been erected, the great explorer started on a hunt for the mighty current. He passed too far to the westward, having reached the Brazos; so he returned to the fort. He had ordered a faithful friend in Canada, De Tonti, to descend the Mississippi nntil he reached the month of the Arkansas, where he was to erect a fort and gather supplies for the colony he was to bring to America. He started to discover the point where he be- lieved De Tonti would be, but disaster again met La Salle, and he once more re- turned to his base of operations. He had started with twenty men, and only eiglit remained of that number. At the fort he found the numbers so decreased that he had only thirty-four persons left to him ont of the original 300. With seventeen companions, on Jannary 12, 1687, La Salle started for the northwest, taking with him Joutel, and leaving the fort in charge of Sienr Barber, who had married one of the maidens brought ont from France. This expedition was fatal to La Salle, as not only his nephew, Moragnet, and two of his most faithful men were slain by five mal- contents of his party, but the distinguished explorer also lost his life at the hands of Duhant, who in turn was shot by Heins. Joutel succeeded to the command, and pur- suing their journey across Red river they were gratified on reaching the mouth of the Arkansas river to see the French flag floating over tlie fort erected by the loyal De Tonti. As soon as this expedition into

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

Texas became known in Mexico measures were taken to dislodge the French, and the Count of Monclova, who became viceroy in November, 1686, made the dislodgment one of the first acts of his administration. A military post was established in the in- terior, and Captain De Leon made governor of Coahuila. The governor from his post sent out a party to oust the French from their post on the Lavaca river. This Span- ish captain or governor was a very humane man. He recovered, not to say captured, a few of the followers of La Salle, and kindly sent them back to their own coun- try. Also learning of the brutal murder of La Salle, Captain De Leon sought out two of the conspirators, who were among the Indians, and after a trial sent them to the mines for life. He founded the mis- sion of San Juan Bautista, on the Rio Grande, at Presidio. De Leon was suc- ceeded, in 1691, by Domingo Teran, who became much interested in Texas, and penetrated the country as far as the Red river. In 1712 Louis XIV. of France granted to Anthony Crozat, a merchant, the Louisiana country, and a trading expedition was sent out to the Rio Grande by him. In 1718 war was declared be- tween France and Spain, and in 1719 St. Denis aud La Harpe, two French captains, collected a small force and invaded Texas, but they were repulsed by the Spaniards. Don Martin D'Alarconne, at that time having become governor of Texas, backed by a considerable force, proceeded to dis- lodge the few remaining Freuch who had not left the country. La Harpe, in fact, had not left, but had taken refuge with some friendly Indians. As showing the

courtesy existing between military com- manders of that day, the following cor- responderce is given:

"Monsieur: I am very sensible of the politeness that M. De Bienville and your- self had the goodness to show me. The orders that I have received from the King, my master, are to maintain a good under- standing with the French of Louisiana. My own inclinations lead me to afford them all equally the services that depend upon me.

"But I am compelled to say that your arrival at the Nassonite village surprises me much. Your governor could not be ignorant that the post you occupy belongs to my government, and that all the lands west of the Nassonites depend upon New Mexico. I counsel you to advise M. De Bienville of this, or you will force me to oblige you to abandon lands that the French have no right to occupy.

" I have the honor to be, etc., " D'ALARCONNE.

"Trinity River, May 20, 1719."

To this polite epistle the French com- mander replied :

"Monsieur: The order from his Cath- olic Majesty to maintain a good under- standing with the French of Louisiana, and the kind intentions you have yourself expressed toward them, accord but little with your proceedings. Permit me to in- form yon that M. De Bienville is per- fectly informed as to the limits of his government, and is very certain that the post of the Nassonites depends not upon the dominions of his Catholic Majesty. He also knows that the province of Las Tekas (Texas), of which you say you are

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

governor, is a part of Lonisiana. M. De La Salle took possession in 1685, in the name of his Most Christian Majesty; and since then possession has been renewed from time to tinie.

" Respecting the post of the Nassonites, I cannot comprehend by what right you pretend that it forms a part of New Mex- ico. I beg leave to represent to you that Don Antonio de Miner, who discovered New Mexico in 1683, never penetrated east of the province, or the Rio Bravo. It was the French who first made alliance with the savage tribes in this region; and it is natural to conclude that a river that flows into the Mississippi, and the land it waters, belong to the King, my master. If yon will do me the pleasure to come into this quarter, I will convince yon that I hold a post that I know how to defend.

" I have the honor to be, etc., " DE LA HARPE.

"Nassonite, July 8, 1719."

Immediate hostilities between these two Chesterfieldian commanders seemed cer- tainly imminent, but, fortunately for the French, D'Alarconne, not being reinforced, as he had requested and had been prom- ised, resigned his position and returned to Mexico, thus leaving the French undis- turbed in East Texas.

About the same time another French force came to Texas, under M. Belisle, who formed an alliance with some of the more civilized tribes, but after a feeble effort to maintain a settlement the project of colon- ization was abandoned, and with the fail- ure also fell all claim of the French on Texas.

CESSIONS.

In 1768 France transferred her Louisi- ana possessions to Spain, but in 1800 Spain gave it back to France, being induced to this course through European complica- tions. In 1803 the Emperor Bonaparte sold Louisiana to the United States. Dis- putes then arose as to the ownership of a portion of Texas, and the claim was based npon the former occupancy by La Salle.

During the discussion of these matters a more serions one was hatching. The numerous and powerful tribe of Natchez Indians, and a number of other "hostiles," as we call them now, formed a league for the purpose of exterminating or driving from the country the French in Louisiana and the Spaniards in Texas. The plans of these red warriors were well laid, and numbers were not lacking to carry out their designs; for the Natchez, the Com- anches and the Apaches could put into the field possibly as many as 40,000 braves. Fortunately, the French commander, St. Denis, had been informed by some of his friends among the Indians of the plot, wherenpon he took a force and entered the Natchez country and administered snclı a telling chastisement to that tribe that it put them out of the notion of going to war at that period. At San Antonio, also, there were troubles with the Indians, but Governor Bustillos organized an expedition and settled the redskins for the time being.

MISSIONS.

From the time of the occupation of Texas by tlie Spaniards till 1820, a num- ber of "missions" (Catholic) were estab- lished. The first one was founded in 1690,

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

by Alonzo De Leon, on the Rio Grande, the first mass being celebrated May 25, that year. These missions were conducted by monks of the order of St. Francis. Desirable locations were always selected when obtainable. Large tracts of land were donated to the Fathers in charge, and as soon as practicable substantial stone buildings were erected. A chapel for wor- ship was first built, and generally so con- structed that it could be used as a fortress in case of an attack. As large a space as convenient surrounding the building was inclosed by a heavy stone wall. Buildings for the accommodation of the priests, soldiers and domestics were also erected. The most important, as well as the most famous of these missions, is the Alamo. The name and location of this ever-to-be- remembered mission changed several times from its first establishment. There was a time when the name of " Alamo" involun- tarily sent the hand of every patriotic Texan to his pistol belt or the handle of his bowie. The mission was commenced in 1700, on the Rio Grande, under the name of San Francisco Solano; in 1703 it was removed to a place called San Ildephonso; in 1710 it was moved back to the Rio Grande; about the year 1716 or 1717 it was re- inoved to San Antonio, under the name of San Antonio de Valero; in 1732 it was re- moved to the military plaza in the city, and in 1744 transferred across the river to its present location, taking the name of Alamo,-Poplar Church. The corner-stone of the building was laid May 8, 1744, and a slab in the front wall has the date 1757. In 1793 it ceased to be used as a parish church.

COLONIZATION.

An attempt was made by the Mexican government, during the administration of Marquis de Casa Fuerta as viceroy, to in- troduce colonies into Texas. The official named liad visited this portion of the dominions of the Spanish crown, and was. very favorably impressed with the country. He induced the king to defray the expense of bringing families from abroad, and it is said that about $70,000 was expended in bringing from the Canary Islands sixteen families. The new settlement was on the San Antonio river, and the village named San Fernandez. The Franciscan fathers were also working to make citizens out of the Indians, but it was a terrible, np-hill task. The red Indian was then just what he is now,-an Indian, and nothing more or less, as he possibly always has been and always will be. At one of the principal missions, San Saba, after the kind and con- siderate treatment given them by the fa- thers, the Apaches rose up one day and butchered every one at the mission, not even sparing a servant, either mnan or womanl.

At the beginning of the present century, after a lapse of over a century, very few missions had any population to speak of, and Texas was comparatively an uninliab- ited wilderness. San Antonio contained a population of about 3,000, and the only commerce was mostly carried on by bucca- meers. There were possibly 140,000 cattle and horses. Very few Americans had then come into the country. Philip Nolan, an Irishman, in 1797 entered Texas for the purpose of procuring a supply of cavalry

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

horses for the army of General Wilkinson, then in Mississippi Territory, with the consent of the Spanish anthorities; and having a letter from Baron Carondelet, Governor of Louisiana, he had no difficulty in procuring what he desired. He (Nolan) drew an accurate map of the country through which he had passed, and took notes and observations generally.

SKIRMISHES.

Again visiting Texas, ostensibly for the same purpose as previously, he was sus- pected of plotting against the interests of Spain, and was finally forbidden to enter the province. He managed to elude the vigilance of the Mexicans and made his way into the country as far as the Tehna- cana hills, in what is now Limestone county. Here, with fourteen Americans, five Spaniards and a negro, he took a posi- tion and built a blockhouse, intending to capture mustangs. He was pursued by Musquis, the commander at Nacogdoches, who, with sixty-eight regular soldiers and thirty-two volunteers, attacked the block- house with a small cannon, killing Nolan on the first discharge. The fight was kept up by the rest of Nolan's band, under Bean, for several hours, and they finally surrendered under promise of being sent to the United States. The promise was broken, however, as they were put in irons and sent to San Antonio, where they were imprisoned and inhumanly treated. They were then sent across the Rio Grande and remained prisoners for many years, somne of them dying and three escaping; one was shot. This expedition and several other matters then in dispute increased

the natural hostility that a monarchist had against republicanism. Philip II. declared that nothing but Spanish commerce should be conducted on the Gulf of Mexico, whilst on land non-intercourse with the United States was proclaimed. The claim of France to Texas was renewed on the part of the United States, after this Government had purchased Louisiana. If Texas had be- longed to France, and was a part of Lonisi- ana, the United States Goverment had purchased it. At this time General Wilk- inson was in command of the American forces on the border, and General Herrera in command of the Mexican forces opposite, on Mexican territory. These two generals, through some trickery, and the passing of a considerable sum of money to Wilkin- son, who it is charged was mixed up in the scheme of Aaron Burr, came to personal terms, and the result was the withdrawal of the American forces, much to the dis- gust of the soldiers. In the adjustment of matters between the two generals, an agree- ment had been made that a strip of conn- try lying between the Sabine and the Ar- royo Hondo should be respected as neutral ground, and remain unoccupied by either government. This strip of country be- came the resort of freebooters and desper- adoes of all kinds, and the troops stationed at Natchitoches were principally engaged in protecting travelers and traders passing across it. Lientenant A. W. Magee was one of the officers detailed upon this duty. This officer, with a number of others, con- ceived the idea of assisting the Mexican republicans and bettering their fortunes at the same time. The project of Burr was in Magee's mind, and he hoped to rescue

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

Texas from Spanish domination and organ- ize a republic. This he hoped to accom- plish by getting the assistance of leading Mexicans. An alliance was formed with some of the Indian tribes in the vicinity, through John McFarland and Samuel Davenport, who had been Indian agents. The services of Bernardo Gutierrez were secured. He had been engaged with Hidalgo in the revolutionary movement in Mexico, and had taken refuge at Natchitoches.

About the middle of June, Gutierrez, with 158 men, crossed the Sabine and had a skirmish with the Spanish guards. They marched forward and reorganized on the Trinity river, at that time having about 400 men. They reached Goliad and finally drove the Spaniards into San Antonio. Here the city was captured and the private soldiers released; but the officers, including the Governor and General Herrera, four- teen in all, were slaughtered by order of Captain Delgado, whose father had been murdered by the Spanish. The republi- cans held San Antonio for some time, but were finally defeated and slaughtered in the usual Mexican fashion.

Although this defeat was complete for the republicans in Texas, a new organiza- tion was formed in Mexico, under Morelos and one of the features of the movement was the occupation of the coast of Texas, including, of course, the harbor and island of Galveston, which afforded the republi- cans an outlet to the world by water. They occupied the island, and in Novem- ber were reinforced by about 200 men under Xavier Mina, a native of Navarre.

While Mina and Aury were occupying the island, Perry had taken possession of Bolivia Point, with 200 men.

The details of what followed from this time till Mexico became a republic are too homogeneous and prolix to relate here. Suffice it to say that Spanish domination ceased in Texas forever.

In 1812, Hidalgo was the first to unfurl the republican flag in Mexico, and although he failed, Morelos and others kept up the organization, struggling for freedom from the Spanish yoke. The mother country herself was passing through the ordeal of a change in dynasty, and it was a favorable chance to strike for independence. Itur- bide, the ablest of the loyalist generals, favored the movement, and a conference of the republican leaders was held. The re- sult of this interview. was known as the "Plan of Iguala." This plan was some- what modified afterward; but the result was the termination of Spanish rule in Mexico.

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A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 2

Author: Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 954

Author:
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 954