USA > Texas > A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume I > Part 17
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result of this trouble the government removed the red man from his home and further from the settlements, and this removal engendered still more bitter feeling against the white settlers.
When Texas cast her lot with the cause of secession and the war was on in earnest, Mr. Pickett enlisted at Decatur and became captain of Company B, Fifteenth Texas Cavalry, under Colonel Sweet. At Clarksville he was elected major of the regiment, and at the reorganization at Little Rock he was promoted to lieutenant- colonel. The regiment rendezvoused at Pine Bluffs, Arkansas, until that post and the regiment surrendered, but Colonel Pickett happened to be recruiting troops at home when that event took place and accordingly escaped capture. At that time the Indians had become so troublesome in their marauding and murdering expeditions that he felt it to be impossible for him to return to the field, and at the suggestion of Governor Throckmorton requested his transfer from the Confederate to the state service, which was granted, and he was placed in command of the military post at Decatur and held that position to the end of the war. While Colonel Pickett's serv- ices to the cause were of the most important and responsible character, nevertheless in his per- formance of duty he was compelled to undergo a hostility at home which was far more bitter to him and also more dangerous than active service in the field of war would have been. Many orders had to be executed against Confederates and de- serters from the army which caused exceeding animosity toward him, and, worst of all, a rancor that did not cease with the close of the war. Many threats were made against his life on ac- count of his offensive official acts and there were many attempts to waylay him as he went to and from his home, but he almost miraculously es- caped them all and lived to see all his personal enemies become his friends, recognizing the loy- alty and straightforwardness of his conduct in a time and under circumstances that would over- come a less brave man.
Col. Pickett came to Texas from Owensboro, Davis county, Kentucky, where he was born July 9, 1832. His father, Willis M. Pickett, the place. of whose birth is not known with: certainty, was.
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of a Virginia family that settled near Lexington, Kentucky, where he was reared and where he married Lucy Boller, who died in 1850, preced- ing her husband to the grave some thirteen years. The father was a Baptist minister, and, moving to Texas in 1842, probably preached the first Baptist sermon ever delivered in Red River coun- ty, and for many years he was engaged in the work of the ministry and in organizing churches all over the northeastern part of the state. He and his wife both lie buried at Clarksville. They were the parents of the following children: Au- gustus, who died in Owensboro without a family ; Mary, who became the wife of John Loving and died in Red River county ; Col. George B., next in order of birth; Florida, who married Joseph Briant and died near Clarksville; and Mrs. America Dinkle, a widow, residing at Greenville, Texas.
Col. Pickett married in September, 1850, Miss Cordelia Scarborough, whose father, Middleton Scarborough, was one of the first settlers of Red River county, coming to Texas from Arkansas. The children born to Col. Pickett and wife are: Mrs. Mary Shoemaker, of Decatur ; Mrs. Thom- as J. McMurry, of Decatur ; Elizabeth and Elec- tra, both at home ; Augustus, who married Mag- gie Fullingim, of Wise county; and Thomas, single.
Col. Pickett was one of the most extensive stockmen of this section of the state, during the years of free grass becoming increasingly identi- fied with the raising of cattle and horses. His horses he disposed of soon after the war because of the losses imminent through Indian depreda- tions, but his cattle interests in Wise, Jack and Young counties he continued until about 1870. Three years before this he was offered ninety thousand dollars for his most important brands, and only a short time after this offer was de- clined the Indians swooped down upon his ranches and by successive raids drove off cattle until he was glad to dispose of the remnant of his herd to the government at the bagatelle of four thousand dollars, his loss being almost com- plete.
The career of Col. Pickett presents many phases of interest and historical importance, suf-
ficient, if written in detail, to make an extensive biography. A few words in closing this brief sketch must be said of his public career since the war. Always interested in practical politics as an ardent Democrat, he has served often in the state legislature and has left his impress upon much permanent and beneficial legislation. He was first elected to the assembly in 1874, was re- elected in 1876, and in 1878 was elected county judge of Wise county. While in the legislature he was author of a bill providing for the station- ing of bodies of troops every ten miles along the frontier and for a daily patrol between the camps; thus increasing in a marked degree the wonderful efficiency of the Ranger service for which Texas has always been noted. During the eighties Col. Pickett was sent to the legislature three times consecutively. A man of broad ex- perience not only in the common affairs of life, but also in the events of that epoch which con- tains the fascinating pioneer history of Texas, Col. Pickett has long been much in demand as a public speaker. Of pleasing address, pictur- esque in language, full of solid fact and anec- dote, his appearance in the serious deliberations of a lawmaking body or in the more festive occa- sions of reunions and political gatherings is certain to secure respectful and rapt attention.
JAMES M. GRAYSON. The history of pioneer life in Montague county is familiar to James M. Grayson, who lived here during the period of early Indian depredations when the red men were often hostile and commit- ted many a murder, as well as much thieving. Brave and fearless, Mr. Gray- son continued to reside on the frontier and aided in its reclamation for the purposes of civil- ization. He has become a prominent farmer and stockman and now has valuable interests in Mon- tague county. A native of Marion county, Ten- nessee, he was born May 16, 1831, and was reared to farm life upon the homestead place of his parents, Henry and Nancy (Hixon) Gray- son, the former a native of Virginia and the lat- ter of Tennessee, in which state they were mar- ried.
J.M. Gray son & Hefe
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Henry Grayson, the paternal great-grandfather of our subject, came from England to America, being the only one of the family to cross the At- lantic. He settled first in Virginia and after- ward removed to Tennessee, where he reared his family and spent his last years. His son, Henry Grayson, was born in Virginia and with the family went to Tennessee, where he also re- mained, reared his family and died. His chil- dren were: Benjamin, Joseph and Henry, Jr., the last named being the father of James M. Grayson. Benjamin and Joseph Grayson re- moved to Missouri, where Joseph and his wife died, leaving a family of small children without means for support. Henry then went to that state and took his children back with him to Tennessee, caring for them until they were able to care for themselves. He married and set- tled in Tennessee, becoming a prominent farmer, stockman, and slave owner there. He had a large tract of land and also built and operated an extensive flour mill, having the finest water power mill in Tennessee. Early in life he was an influential Whig and later became a Democrat. Possessing much oratorical ability as a fluent speaker, he did effective work in campaigns, but never sought office for himself. Believing in se- cession he did much valuable service for the Confederacy, although he was too old to enter the army. His farm lay in the track of both the northern and southern troops, who foraged off his place, taking his stock, destroying his per- sonal property, ruining his fine mill and devastat- ing his estate. Some of his slaves left home during the war and others at the close of hostili- ties and the ruins of a vast estate were all that was left of his life's earnings. However, he managed in later years to acquire a competency for old age and he passed away on the family homestead at the ripe old age of eighty-two years. He was a broad minded, intelligent busi- ness man, also possessed strong social qualities and greatly delighted in entertaining his many friends. He was likewise charitable to the needy, was a considerate neighbor and all who knew him respected him for his loyalty in every relation of life. A faithful member of the Chris- tian church, he was a great bible student, earnest
in church work and exemplifying in his life his religious faith. His wife survived him and died in 1882 at the age of eighty-two years. She was reared in Tennessee and passed away at the old homestead there. She was a descendant of the Hixon family, widely and prominently known in the state. She had a brother, Joseph, and there were also other members of the family, but the record has not been kept. Mrs. Grayson was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church for many years and a worthy Christian lady, be- loved by all who knew her.
In the family of Henry and Nancy Grayson were eight children: Pleasant, a farmer and local Methodist minister, served with the federal army in the Civil War. Louisa became the wife of Joseph Burnett. William, also a member of * the Union army, has made farming his life work. Patrick H. served in the Confederate army and has also followed farming. James M. is the fifth of the family. Sarah is the wife of W. Cowan of Roanoke, Texas. Houston was also a Union man in sympathy but remained at home during the rebellion. Anderson, better known as "Doc," served in the Confederate army. Thus two brothers were Union soldiers and two were Confederate, and one neutral. All lived to re- turn home and enjoy peace and happiness in a re-united family and nation.
James M. Grayson was reared in Tennessee and following his marriage removed to Texas in 1857 with his wife and one child. He first purchased land in Grayson county and there es- tablished his home. He had previously learned the blacksmith's trade with his father and had followed that pursuit from early boyhood until manhood. When he came to Grayson county he built a shop and carried on blacksmithing and wagon work, so continuing until 1860, during which time he made a prospecting trip through western Texas. On Leon river he discovered a mine of good coal. He visited many sections of western Texas and the same year moved his family to Montague county with ox teams, carrying with him provisions for a year. Loca- ting at Spanish Fort on Red River, he soon built a cabin of cottonwood poles covered with clapboards. There were only a few settlers in
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this part of the county and Mr. Grayson re- mained for only about two months, during which time the chief, Johnson, and a few braves of the Kickapoo tribe of Indians visited him. Hearing that he was a blacksmith and repaired guns they wanted to borrow some tools to fix their guns, but Mr. Grayson refused to loan them and the chief and men went away mad. The following day the full band of Indians appeared on the opposite bank of the river, where they encamped and held a war dance, which they kept up all night, yelling and singing until the dawn. Mr. Grayson was unable to sleep but lay on his bed all night listening. One of the Indians crossed the river and made his way to the cabin so quiet- ly that the watch dog was not awakened. He placed his gun within the cracks of the cabin within two feet of Mr. Grayson's head and pulled the trigger. The cap snapped but the gun did not go off. Mr. Grayson then jumped out of bed, got his gun and called to his faithful dog. The Indian ran but the dog caught him. He continued running with the dog holding on to him and finally he succeeded in getting back across the river. The dog returned the follow- ing day. Soon after Mr. Grayson found out that two Indians had been killed by the Porter family and that the chief and his warriors had called to borrow tools to prepare their guns for a cam- paign of revenge and when Mr. Grayson refused to make the loan they thought that he was in league with the Porters. Within a day or two Mr. Grayson got his stock together and moved his family to Farmers Creek, a long distance from Spanish Fort. There he secured a pre- emption claim and began raising hogs. His near- est neighbors were eight or ten miles away and these were few in number. The Indian uprising had begun and settlers in different parts of the country got together and formed a company of two hundred members to resist the raids and dep- redations of the red men, whom they drove at once out of the territory. They made regular war on the Indians, the contest being known in history as the Kickapoo war. Later the gov- ernment troops were called into the fighting and overtook the entire band on Devil's river, where a big fight occurred and the Indians were all
killed save a few stragglers. Among the soldiers were twenty killed, including Lieutenant Gid- deon and Joe Jones, both well known and high- ly respected men. A part of Captain Roland's company participated in the fight. The Indians had declared war when Mr. Grayson refused to loan his gun tools to the Kickapoo chief. Three years after the Devil's river fight the remnant of the Kickapoo band slipped back into the country and massacred the Porter family and burned their home. One child, however, man- aged to hide and was the only member of the family to escape.
Mr. Grayson remained for about two years on Farmers Creek engaged in the raising of hogs. In September, 1862, he was employed as a com- pany blacksmith and located with his family at Red River Station, where was stationed a mili- tary company for the purpose of guarding the frontier and fighting the Indians. They were under command of Captain Brunson, who later resigned and was succeeded by Captain Roland. The command patrolled the Red River valley and country and continued thus until 1864, when Colonel Bowland, who had a regiment at Gainesville, disbanded the company and ordered Captain Roland's command to the southern part of the state. Mr. Grayson, however, remained at Red River Station, following his trade and do- ing all kinds of machinist work for the cow- boys and others who came from long distances. As he had opportunity he secured cattle and calves and when the war closed he had a large herd. The range was then free and grass was abundant, so that there was excellent pas- turage for the stock. Many kinds of wild game were plentiful, buffaloes were seen in large num- bers and wild beasts roamed at will over the prairie.
In 1867 Mr. Grayson located a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres near the Station, to which he removed in 1868. All through the years the Indians had continued hostile until about 1870, making moonlight raids and stealing stock, so that he was obliged to move his horses from place to place at night that he might hide them from the red men, who continued their depredations, so that the settlers were constantly
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on the alert, being always in readiness to jump into the saddle and go in pursuit. Mr. Grayson took part in many of those raids and often was in much danger. He was frequently an excellent target for the Indians, but he seemed to bear a charmed life and was not injured. In 1867 word came from the town of Montague of an Indian invasion and the settlers got together about thirty strong. The Indians had secured a large bunch of stock, so that the trail was easy to follow and the settlers pursued them to Big Wichita river, where they overtook the band and charged upon them. There were between three and four hundred Indians, whom the settlers re- pulsed and started on the retreat. Mr. Gray- son's horse gave out and could not go faster than a walk. The Indians were in hot pursuit and seemed to be coming up on each side of him. A companion had remained with Mr. Grayson but the majority of the white men were on ahead. At a certain point the friend charged the right wing of the Indians and scattered them, but the left wing continued to fire at. Mr. Grayson and he at them. Hundreds of bullets whizzed past him but he was unharmed. The Indians, how- ever, were not so fortunate, for as, the result of his shots he saw many of the ponies running back without their riders. His escape appeared mir- aculous and under the cover of darkness the white settlers retreated. As many as twelve of the Indians were killed but none of the white settlers were injured. Mr. Grayson's last en- counter with the Indians was when he was with a party of friends on a hunting expedition. The members of the party became divided and he and Pleasant Wilson with a span of horses and wagon were cut off from the party by a band of thirty Indians. Wilson left the wagon and went to the brush. . The team stampeded and Grayson depended upon his horse for safety. An Indian, however, had a fleet horse, cut across his path and was riding toward him with uplifted spear. Grayson then turned down a ravine on one side, while the Indian was on the other. He rode to the brush and finally got into the ravine where he rode on until he came to a place where a tree had fallen across the branch. He then dismounted, thinking he could make his way
to the brush on foot and would abandon his horse to the Indians. He had crawled under the log and the horse unexpectedly followed him by getting on its knees and working himself through. Both he and his horse thus managed to get into the heavy brush, where the Indian feared to pursue him. Mr. Grayson supposed his companion was killed and Wilson had the same opinion of Grayson. The latter was cut off from all the hunters, but during the night he returned home, where he secured the assist- ance of three friends and then returned to find the hunters making their way toward his home in the darkness. It was supposed that Wilson was killed, but he had kept in hiding until the Indians had all dispersed, when he made his way to a ranch some miles away, told who he was and was cared for until he could return to the settlement.
Another raid was made when the Indians had gathered about all the horses in the country. The whites followed them into the Wichita Moun- tains, Mr. Grayson being one of the party, and found them in their stronghold. They were obliged to retreat without making any fight and the Indians discovered them and followed them, attempting to steal all of their horses that night. Many of the horses stolen by the Indians were afterward paid for by the government.
Mr. Grayson has seen the frontier in its wild- est condition when the hostile Indians were in their native huts dressed in their war paint and feathers. He remained fearlessly, however, in the pioneer district and with other brave settlers aided in reclaiming this part of the state for the uses of civilization, making it possible for other settlers to come here and develop the country. After a great struggle he succeeded in getting his farm well under cultivation. He remained upon the homestead claim and subsequently se- cured his title to the land when it came into the market. His first home was a little cabin built of cottonwood logs, around which was a shanghi fence. He began breaking the prairie and planted corn and though he never plowed the corn field or did any work there after sowing the seed he raised thirty bushels of sod corn to the acre. This he sold to the government troops
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stationed at Fort Sill for one dollar per bushel. For eight years his corn crop was disposed of in this way and he never failed to raise a good crop. During the same time he also raised one crop of oats which yielded about eighty bushels to the acre and brought sixty-five cents per bushel. The range at that time was free and he handled many cattle, which he sold from time to time. At length, however, he reduced his herd by sale, while the Indians also stole many a head. He continued buying and handling stock, however, driving his cattle to the north and in both his stock dealing and farming interests he was prosperous. As his financial resources thus increased he added to his land and is yet the own- er of about thirty-four hundred acres, for which he paid from two and a half to six dollars per acre. All has become valuable and he has a perfect title. His land is unencumbered by in- debtedness and he also has a good bank account. In recent years he has rented his farm lands but has a bunch of cattle on pasture. There are twelve tenants upon his place in charge of twelve hundred acres of land, which is under a high state of cultivation and there much produce is raised, furnishing many supplies to the family.
Not only has Mr. Grayson prospered in his business undertakings but has contributed in sub- stantial measure to the religious and intellectual development of the community. While in Ten- nessee he was converted and became a member of the Christian church in Texas. Following his removal to Texas he lived in a community most- ly composed of Methodists and Baptists. Later, however, he induced a preacher of his own de- nomination to come here and a church was or- ganized. Services were continued for some time but the congregation is too small for regular services. Mr. Grayson is an elder of the church, takes an active interest in its work and performs the baptismal rites when called upon to do so. He has also been a leader and promoter of the cause of education and furnished a house for school purposes. He also allowed a school to be taught in the basement of his residence and he served as school director for many years but later has left that service to younger men. He is a man of firm and unfaltering convictions in
religious faith and is equally strong in support of political principles as an advocate of Democ- racy. He was the first to fill the office of justice of the peace in this part of the country and he has never faltered in the performance of any public or private duty.
In 1855 Mr. Grayson was married to the sweetheart of his youth in his native county in Tennessee, the lady of his choice being Miss Emeline D. Moore, who was born March 19, 1836. She has been a devoted wife and help- mate to him, remaining by his side through all of the days when the Indians menaced the property and lives of the early settlers, and bravely shar- ing with him in the hardships and dangers of a frontier existence. Their mutual love and confi- dence has increased as the years have gone by and they have had a happy home and congenial companionship. Mrs. Grayson is a daughter of George and Nancy (Davis) Moore, both na- tives of Tennessee. Her paternal grandfather was John Moore, who with a brother emigrated from Europe and settled in Tennessee, where he became a prominent farmer, reared his family and spent his last days. His children were: George, father of Mrs. Grayson, Richard, of Arkansas; Mrs. Drucilla Boyd; Mrs. Polly Ringe; and others whose names are forgotten.
George Moore was reared in Tennessee, was afforded excellent educational privileges and studied surveying, which he followed for some time. He also taught school and filled many offices, being well qualified for positions of public trust and responsibility. His fellow townsmen kept him constantly in public office, although his private business interests were those of a farm, which he successfully conducted. He was a man widely known and highly re- spected and his death, which occurred in 1844 when he was forty-four years of age, was the occasion of deep regret among his many friends. His wife long survived him and reared their children until they became prominent and val- ued members of society in the communities in which they lived. Mrs. Moore remained upon the old homestead in Tennessee until her demise. She was descended from an hon- ored and prominent family of that state,
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the Davises being wealthy and well known, They were large slave owners and were influential and popular people. Mrs. Moore was reared by her grandfather Davis, who in his early days was a coverlid weaver and dyer. Mrs. Moore had a brother, Washington Davis, who became a very prominent man. Unto Mr. and Mrs. George Moore were born nine chil- dren: Napoleon B., who served through the Civil War in the Confederate army ; Martha J.,, the wife of Patrick Grayson; Milla A., who be- came Mrs. Maxwell; George W., of Tennessee ; Marquis D .; Mrs. Emeline Grayson; Thomas J., who served in the Confederate army ; James M., a stock farmer and minister of the Presbyter- ian church, who has also represented his district in the state legislature; and Richard J., a Pres- byterian minister of Tennessee.
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