USA > Texas > Eastland County > History of Eastland County, Texas > Part 9
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During the disastrous drouth of 1886-1887 emigra- tion stopped, but the natural advantages of the locality held the first settlers, and even in the most trying period brought Mr. P. N. B. Ghormerly.
The Freeman and Bashan brothers, J. C. McCoy, T. D. Freeman, E. J. Arnold, T. J. Finn, W. R. and C. C. Bashan and Dr. J. W. White organized the school community and a school house was put up at once. T. D Freeman was the first teacher, and A. J. Tyson, editor of the X-Ray, published at Rising Star, followed him.
The Romney Postoffice was established August 15, 1890, T. D. Freeman, Postmaster. The country has developed rapidly. All agricultural products, fruits and vegetables grow well, making this one of the most pro- gressive communities in the County.
Mr. W. P. Grubbs of Arkansas established the first store, then sold to H. D. Holbrook. At present T. D.
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Freeman, who has charge of the long-distance telephone and is Postmaster, has the only store in the village, which also contains a blacksmith shop, a gin and a good school.
The Baptist, Disciples of Christ and Methodists have organizations and worship at the school house.
The citizenship of this locality represents a moral and progressive people, who welcome all who come among them.
CHAPTER VII.
*DESDEMONA.
William and Ben Funderburg pre-empted the land on which Desdemona is built. The Funderburgs (who later sold their pre-emption to Bill Brown), Lewis Elli- son and Uncle Johnny Caruth were the first settlers of Hogtown.
Mr. Frank Roach, the first merchant of Desdemona, put up a 12x16 store building, the boys lending a hand, which was dedicated with a dance the night of the first wedding in the new, old town. Mr. Willie Matthews and Miss Ella Parmi, who were the contracting parties, w. re married at Tom Prather's home, Mary Caruth and Mr. "standing up" with them. After the ceremony the crowd, chaperoned by Lewis Ellison and wife, re- paired to Mr. Roach's new store and danced all night.
The first school house, eighteen by twenty feet, was
*Desdemona was named in honor of the daughter of Squire Wynn.
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built of hewed logs, with a log cut out at one end for a window. The benches were made by splitting trees in two-one of these with longer legs in front was put up by the window for a writing desk. Mr. Johnny Caruth and Charlie Mitchell were paid $80.00 to put up the house.
On the second Sunday in June, 1872, the Rev. John- nie R. Northcutt, a Baptist minister, preached under the large Spanish oaks shading the picturesque bridge which now spans the historic Hog Creek, at Desdemona, and kept up the appointments until September. He was then allowed the privilege of the log school house and or- ganized Rockdale Church, with nine members, John Caruth, wife and daughter-Mrs. Mary N. Jasper, Aunt Sallie Robinson, Nancy Ellison, Jim Ellison and wife, John Cowen and Mrs. Sallie Ivy.
Pleas Jones lived in the Hogtown community in a single log cabin, 10x12. For some unknown reason the floor of the cabin was the naked bosom of mother earth. A wagon board lay from the door to the hearthstone.
One night a young man hunting a locality where he might secure a school. stopped. as night had overtaken him, and asked for lodging.
"All right, pard," assented Jones. "Git down and come in. You'll have ter laret out ver nag, 'cause I bain't got no feed fer her."
The fare given to the man was in keeping with the rest of the surroundings, and his mind was relieved of won- dering who would sit up when a buffalo hide was thrown down on the wagon board, with a pillow, and he was told his bed was ready! Imagine his surprise when he
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asked next morning how much he was indebted for his and his mare's lodging and was told, "Well, seein' its you, I'll only charge yer a dollar !"
The young man, who was none other than Judge Hammons of Eastland City, rode on and secured and taught the school.
The town is beautifully located on rising ground, sloping east from Hog Creek. The community is in- corporated for school purposes, and expects to erect a large, handsome building.
There are five dry goods and grocery establishments, the most prominent among them are Captain A. J. O'Rear, staple and fancy groceries, and Dr. Snodgrass, drugs and general merchandise, who is also a stockholder in the fine gin stand and a successful practicing physi- cian.
DR. COPELAND, who has studied in Missouri Medical College, in St. Louis, and graduated from Fort Worth Medical College, is a physician of growing popu- larity and prominence.
That the doctors collect 95 per cent of their bills speaks well for the community, as it does for the soil which makes it possible.
A good school is maintained at Desdemona. The Baptist and Methodist churches have buildings and good organizations. The Christian Church building is in want of repairs,
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HISTORY OF EASTLAND COUNTY.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
The first church organized in the county, of which there is anything known, was in the Allen neighborhood and was effected by Rev. William Monk, a pioneer preacher, who attended his first Texas Annual Confer- ence at Tyler, in 1854. In 1865 Mr. Monk was on the Palo Pinto Misison, which included Eastland County. With a few members he organized a Methodist church on the Allen and Davidson ranch. The members were Peter Davidson, wife and four children, Robert Newberry and Uncle Bobbie Martin, with their fami- lies.
Mr. Monk writes: "In 1872 I was Presiding Elder on the Stephenville District. In 1873 I attended a Quarterly Conference at McGough's Springs. Rev. Levi F. Collins was the missionary and had organized a little church there, which I suppose was the second or- ganization in the county. The county was infested by Indians. We all went to church with our guns, not knowing what moment we would be attacked. Two nights before I went to McGough Springs the Indians stole my horse at Picketville in Stephens County. 1 made my way down there on borrowed horses, and from there to Comanche I went on a wagon, where I secured another horse."
The following letter is self-explanatory and will be interesting to many old settlers:
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"Iredell, Texas, October 13, 1903 .- Dear Sister Langston: You want to know what territory was in-
REV. WILLIAM MONK, IREDELL, TEXAS
cluded in the Palo Pinto Misison when I was pastor in 1865 and 1866. It included all of Palo Pinto County,
-
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all of Erath east of Stephenville and all of Johnson west of the Brazos River. Hood County was not organ- ized then. I also had two appointments in Parker County, Big Valley, where your father then lived, and Kickapoo. I made the round on my work every four weeks, preaching under trees, in private houses, under brush arbors and in little school houses. Our congre- gations would be from twenty to one hundred people. We had some great revivals. I organized the first church at Big Valley and held a great meeting. When I traveled the Stephenville District in 1872, '73 and '74, it included all the territory west of the Brazos River from Waco to Fort Belknap, Fort Griffin, San Angelo, Camp Colorado and Fort Mason. These were the out- side settlements, but all the territory to New Mexico be- longed to the district. I made the round every three months on horseback, with my Winchester rifle hang- ing to the horn of my saddle, and my wardrobe in a pair of saddle bags. These were the happiest years of my life. I believe all the preachers that were associ- ated with me then have passed away, except Levi Coll- ins and Brother Smith of Stephenville. If I could see you I could tell you many things of interest, but can write but little now. Wishing you success with your book, I am yours, W. MONK."
Today there are about 2,000 Methodists in this Coun- ty. Histories of a few of the individual churches fol- low :
RISING STAR CHURCH .- This charge first belonged to the Pecan Circuit and was served by L. S. Chamber- lain in 1877. In 1879 this same preacher was returned
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to the work and then organized the class at Rising Star with eight members, James Irby, Sallie J. Irby, An- drew Agnew, N. S. Agnew, I. P. Agnew, Sarah Agnew,
THE METHODIST CHURCH, RISING STAR .- Photo by Watkins, Rising Star
Dennis Bond and Sarah Tannerhill. Out of the eight members only James Irby and wife remain with the church today. It was at a night appointment this or- ganization was made in a little 10x12 log school house
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with a dirt floor, and was the first church organized in this part of the County.
The Rising Star Misison was created some time later with two appointments (Jewell being the other), and had an appropriation of one hundred dollars from the missionary board. It was included in the Breckin- ridge District, with A. K. Miller as Presiding Elder and G. F. Fair pastor, 1883-1885.
By and by a new school house was built near where the cemetery now lies, and served for church purposes. The class continued to gather strength; to its member- ship were added those of Uncle Tommie Anderson and his family. Mrs. L. S. Anderson still retains her mem- bership. She is the aged mother of H. E. Anderson.
In 1881 the first Sunday school was organized in the school house. A Methodist Sunday School in a school house did not prosper, so under the leader- ship of the indefatigable R. R. Raymond a church was built and later a parsonage. They are valued at $2,000. On a beautiful, grass-covered lawn this church has put up a tabernacle at a cost of $300.00.
In 1902, under the pastorate of J. H. Chambliss, as- sisted by J. C. Watkins, a most wonderful revival took place, resulting in such an increased membership that the church had to be enlarged. This was done at a cost of $500, making a total of $2,800 of church property. With a membership of nearly three hundred, a fine Sun- day school, both Senior and Junior Epworth Icagues and an active Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, the church is doing well.
Rev. D. A. McGuire is the present pastor.
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THE CHURCH AT RANGER was organized by Rev. Hightower in a tent in 1881. The membership has grown to ninety-two with church property valued at $1,500.00, which includes a house of worship and par- songe. The present pastor is Rev. B. R. Wagner.
M, V. MITCHELL
THE CISCO METHODIST CHURCH had its beginning in the fertile brain of a pioneer "circuit rider," Rev. Lamb Trimble. On the quiet hunt for any one who wore the name of Methodist, where he might find a kin- dred spirit, shelter and something to eat, he discovered M. V. Mitchell and wife (in a log hut 10x12 feet) running a sheep ranch. The tired preacher was not long
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in accepting a large hospitality in small quarters. The dirt floor to the little room had been overlaid with grass and on this was spread a carpet. The cubby-hole, (or shed room) and a bed of skins was the only place for the preacher, while plenty of blankets for cover and a good case of religion made him happy.
In 1880 this preacher organized the first church, and when that roll was called the only names were M. V. Mitchell and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Walton. Mr. Mitchell was elected steward. This church was begun in a little log school house, located where now lies the beautiful cemetery. Rev. Andrews was the next circuit rider, and John Lane s'eward. In 1881 Cisco was founded at the janction of the railroads, and everybody moved to town, the school, post office and church following the people.
Rev. Mills was the next pastor. Ile and Rev. R. B. Vaughan canvassed the new town for Methodists and found about twenty. The people were all living in tents A school house was soon built by popular contributions, and this sufficed as a place for the monthly preiching.
Two or three years later, during the pastorate of Rev. John A. Wallace, a small church, costing six or seven hundred dollars, was erected on the lot where the present building now stands.
During the pastorate of Rev. T. C. Ragsdale the house was enlarged to meet the growing demands of the congregation. This was swept away by the cyclone in 1893, and a beautiful and commodious house was erected at a cost of about $6,000. The church has a parsonage valued at $1,200, and a membership of three hundred and thirty members. During the past year under the pastorate of S. J. Vaughn there was a net gain in mem-
INTERIOR VIEW OF THE CISCO METHODIST CHURCH
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bership of eighty, and about $800 were expended in im- provements on the church and parsonage. The church is doing fine work in all departments. The building is lighted by electricity.
THE CARBON CHURCH was first organized in 1890 by I. N. Reeves, with about twenty members. There was no building other than Thurman's store, which was utilized, the counters serving, in part, for pews. As the preacher stood with his back to the door he could not understand, during this first sermon at 11 o'clock Sun- day morning, why a row of girls directly in front of him were so intensely amused. They caused so much confu- sion that he stopped shortly after he began and dismissed the audience. Afterwards he learned that a man out on the street in front of the door, with a woman's sun- bonnet on his head, was "making a monkey of himself."
At night the audience gathered early. The counters were filled with boys, who wore clanking spurs. The preacher had barely reached his "secondly" when one of the boys on the counter noisily left the room, brushing right by the minister, who stood near the entrance. In a very few minutes another boy was rattling his spurs in his rush to get outside with the one who started what was evidently meant to include all who sat with them. At this juncture Dr. Jules Trader rose to his feet and with an impetuous oath exclaimed, "Parson, I don't want to interfere, but if you'll knock the next boy down who tries to pass you, I'll stand by vou." The sermon continued without further interruption.
I. N. Neel, agent of the railroad, organized and taught a Sunday School in the station house where he lived. Later, the railroad gave the town an acre of
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ground on which to build a school house. When this was completed the Sunday School went there, and at the end of Mr. Reeves' second vear there were eighty-seven members. The church building was erected during the pastorate of Rev. Maxwell. The present pastor is Rev. J. H. Walker.
CHAPTER IX.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH .- This church organization might be truthfully compared to a mighty oak, whose roots dig down deep through the soil, drink in and trans- mit the food to the trunk, limbs, branches and leaves, and forage for the minerals that help color the foliage and make it a thing of joy and beauty, as well as a protection from the sun's fierce rays and the storm's beating rain. Nor is this all, it affords the song- sters of the forest a sheltering place for their young.
As this mighty oak has grown from a tiny acorn and is now able to withstand the terrible wrenchings of storm and tornado, so the Baptist Churches have grown in Eastland County.
Away back many vears ago --- Mr. McGough does not remember the date -- under a brush arbor, the Rev. W. H. Brashears organized the first Baptist Church in East- land with seven members, C. Brashears, J. R. Higgins, Enoch Dawson. Amanda Dawson, W. C. McGough and wife and the preacher This was known as Providence Baptist Church, and was one of four in the county when the Rev. C. G. Stevens of sainted memory projected and accomplished the organization of that wonderful body known as the Red Gap Baptist Association, which not
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HISTORY OF EASTLAND COUNTY.
only included the churches in this County, but finally embraced all the territory to El Paso and New Mexico.
There now exists a Cisco Baptist Association which includes all the organizations in the County with two or three exception :. The locations. names of pastor and present membership follow :
Carbon -- W. B. Cobb, 83.
Cisco-G. W. Sherman. 239.
Corinth-E. M. Hunt, 67.
Curtis-G. P. May, 46
Eastland-J. L. Mayes, 115.
Elm Creek-J. H. Vinson. 78.
Gorman-J. H. Vinson, 182.
Harmony-J. L. Mayes. 48. Jewell-W. L. Ayers, 59.
Liberty Hill-S. C. Steel, 34.
Long Branch-E. M. Hunt. 114.
Meriman-J. L. Mayes. 59. Midway-J. J. McCord, 91.
Monroe-D. G. Wells, 113. Mount Olive-J. J. McCord. 49. New Hope-E. M. Hunt, 35.
Pleasant Hill, No. 1-George W. Parks, 56.
Pleasant Valley-E. M. Hunt, 68.
Ranger -- Z. H. Reagan, 41.
Rich-I. Lamb, 10.
Rising Star-D. G. Wells, 29.
Round Mountain-G. W. Parks. 61.
Union-G. P. May, 41.
Union Grove-D. G. Wells, 29.
There is an organization at Desdemona, one near
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HISTORY OF EASTLAND COUNTY.
Pioneer and one at Ellison's Springs. Rev. C. Brash- cars is pastor of the last named.
One interesting feature of the work of this associa- tion is that it keeps a missionary continually in the field. Rev. I. D. Hull, the present Associational Missionary, has served several years. Last year the amount reported paid to missions-home and foreign- was $875.31. This did not include the $295.18 paid to the Buckner Orphans' Home, $52 foi ministerial education, nor $29.30 for the poor.
Rev. J. M. Reynolds, one of the Missionary Evangel- ists appointed by the Stato Board of the Baptist Conven- tion, lives in Cisco.
CHAPTER X.
OTHER CHURCHES.
THE RISING STAR CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH was organized by Rev. D. A. Knox in July, 1885, with fourteen members.
Conspicuous in the early history of the church ap- pear the names of L. M. Marshall, J. T. Winfield, H. W. Joyce, Maxwell brothers and Uncle George and Milas Wood. Services were held in the public school building and in the Methodist Church until 1893, when a house which is well situated in the northern part of town, was built. A comfortable manse is situated on the ad- joining lots.
The church is well officered by a board of six elders and one deacon, and has a Sabbath school under the ef-
* See Preface.
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ficient management of Prof. G. C. Barnes. The contri- butions for the different enterprises for the year 1903 exceeded all amounts for previous years together. No public collections are taken.
The present pastor is Rev. Z. T. Blanton. Perfect harmony prevails and it is hoped that this body may occupy its place as a persistent factor in the spiritual uplifiting of Rising Star and the surrounding country.
SABANNO CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- This church was organized about 1886 by the Rev. D. A Knox. For several years the congregation worshipped in the school house, holding its revival meetings under a brush arbor. In the summer of 1896 a house was built, and since then a tent has been provided for revivals, which are held annually.
C. C. Bullock is the present pastor, with Messrs. W. A. Erwin, B. F. Shell and J. S. Erwin elders and W. P. Porter and J. Robert Kincaid deacons.
LIBERTY CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- This congregation was organized in 1898 with ten mem- bers as the result of a revival meeting conducted by the Rev. W. E. Green.
As a church organization would not be allowed to oc- cupy the school house, Messrs. S. A. Fleming (Cumber- land), Sam Webb (Baptist) and W. T. Boyd (Metho- dist) met and decided to build a union house for these denominations. This was done. Several revivals have been held, these denominations always co-operating.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church now has about forty members. Messrs. B. L. Marshall, Louis Mar- shall, G. B. Kelley, S. A. Flemings and John D. Walker are the present elders, with Rev. C. C. Bullock as pastor.
...
THE TEACHERS' INSTITUTE
Photo by Smith, Gorman, Texas
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HISTORY OF EASTLAND COUNTY.
THE RANGER CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Rev. J. A. Williams, pastor, is in a thriving condi- tion, with a fine Sunday School and an active Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. The organization has its own church building.
In Cisco the Presbyterians have an excellent church building, well furnished.
THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST have several organiza- tions and church buildings in the County. Rev. Mc- Knight is the pastor of the Cisco congregation. R. C. Maddox is pastor of the congregation at Rising Star.
Mrs. Mc. D. Hunter is pastor of the Holiness Church at Rising Star.
SCHOOL DIRECTORY OF THE COUNTY.
School District No. 1 .- Yellow Mound, J. H. Jace; Bedford, F. M. Anthony; Dark Hollow, R. B. Evans; Pleasant Valley, D. H. Stoddard. Trustees : R. T. White, J. H. Harbin, J. H. Robbins.
School District No. 1 A .- Central, J. F. Dean, teacher. Trustees: J. B. Short, W. M. Eppler, W. C. Hazel.
School District No. 2 .- Freedom, T. E. Payne; Union, Lillian Hatten; Lone Cedar, Sam Poe. Trus- tees : L. J. Spann, J. R. Higgins, H. Brashears.
School District No. 3 .- Pleasant Valley, Maude Mur- phy; High Point, E. Lafoon; Grapevine, E. C. Mur- phy; Flat Woods, L. D. Harlin. Trustees : D. H. Col- lins, J. H. Bransford, J. W. Robinson.
School District No. 4 .- Conner, Myrtle Medearis ; Owen, J. A. Brashears; Cross Roads, C. P. Webb; Mer-
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HISTORY OF EASTLAND COUNTY.
riman, W. C. Higgins; Colony, H. C. Pelphrey. Trus- tees: W. A. Hise, Floyd Brewer, Charles Barker. School District No. 5 .- Triumph, Mattie Gatewood. Trustees : S. D. Shugart, Z. Z. Butler, W. A. Davis.
School District No. 6 .- Rush Creek, J. R. Ervin. Trustees : W. D. Messimer, A. P. Barton, J. F. Myers. School District No. 7 .- Tuder, J. W. Harmon. Trustees : O. W. Pollard. D. A. Harris, S. H. Boggus. School District No. 8 .- Lone Star, Emma Mahan. Trustees : Ed Parker, J. T. Jobe, H. F. Thomas.
School District No. 9 .- Nash Creek, J. B. Jordan; Nash Creek, Mrs. Jessie Sawell. Trustees : R. N. Echols, J. T. Earnest, E. A. McDonald.
School District No. 10 .- Alemeda, R. E. Boucher; Young Springs, Fannie Koonce. Trustees A. J. Will- Jams; A. S. Chauncey, Joe Jones.
School District No. 11 .- Rogers, F. R. King, Pearl Brabbin. Trustees: E. P. Nix, A. T. Lowe, Hue Guy.
School District No. 12 .- Jewell, H. M. Hayes, Pearl Mayes. Trustees : R. F. Simms, W. M. Mane, W. J. Newell.
School District No. 13 .- High Knot, Pearl Chas- tain, Hall Mark, J. R. Tanier; Center Point, Mamie Lovett. Trustees : T. J. Hilton, J. T. Brown, Will Greer.
School District No. 14 .- Rockwell, W. J. Justice; Bluff Branch, W. P. Caldwell; Sandy, Bessie Gray ; Liberty Hill, H. W. Gotcher. Trustees, J. W. Stamps, James Caradine, Robert Cove.
School District No. 15 .- Wood, H. C. Overby; Reich, Miss Ulala Howard; Cozart, W. D. Hazel. Trustees : J. P. Montgomery, J. P. Leverage, J. H. Ward.
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HISTORY OF EASTLAND COUNTY.
School District No. 15 A .- Nimrod, Adelle Keith; Mitchell, Dora Stewart; Hobart, Alice Davidson. Trus- tees : B. B. Hogan, R. C. Pass, S. L. Yeage.
School District No. 16 .- Cook, W. Bashabranner; Curtis, Will Allen; Ballard, P. P. Holbrook. Trustees: A. J. Woodyke, E. H. Pearce, J. F. Nichols.
School District No. 17 .- Long Branch, N. F. Brit- ton; Romney, W. J. Moreland; Pleasant Hill, R. P. Moreland; Griggs, Charles Parker. Trustees: Henry Milligan, W. L. Brayden, W. L. Barnett.
School District No. 18 .- Hickman, Eva Crume Trustees : G. B. Mullings, W. H. Hughs, S. W. H. Bushee.
School District 18 A .-- Macedonia, Ola Little. Trus- tees : E. C. Lane, H. B. Anderson, J. A. Haynes.
School District No. 19 .- Pioneer, F. W. Mullins, Julia Mullins. Trustees : S. P. Stovall, F. C. Mc- Bride, W. R. W. Smith.
School District No. 20 .- Wheat, Mrs. May Harri- son. Trustees, J. W. Adams, J. A. Porterfield, F. M. Hutton.
School District No. 21 .- Bumley, M. D. Mullings; Sabano, W. F. Walker. Trustees: W. T. Boyd, J. T. Blackwell, J. S. Erwin.
School District No. 2.2 .- Mountain, Ollin Kinnison. Trustees : C. H. Gunoway, R. S. Hoon, J. L. Fonville. School District No. 23 .-- Howard, Bascomb Mor- ton. Trustees, W. S. Prater, J. B. Kizer, J. H. Little.
School District No. 24 .- Leon, J. T. Singleton. Trustees : W. E. Vaught. J. W. Blair, J. W. Watson, J. W. Pitman.
School District No. 25 .- Elm, J. S. Purdy. Trus-
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HISTORY OF EASTLAND COUNTY.
tees : W. P. Orr, R. M. Gaun, J. H. Prichard, W. H. Mancill.
School District No. 26 .- Grigsby, James H. Bat- man; Jett, O. A. Fleming. Trustees: J. G. Burgess, D. P. Taylor, Gus Payne
School District No. 27 .- Grand View, C. P. Jones, Mrs. Lassie Jones. Trustees: W. H. Westmoreland, J. D. Barton, J. W. Carter.
School District No. 28 .- Peak, J. B. McEntire. Trustees : Bill Dill, J. O. Harris, J. R. Tune.
School District No. 29 .-- Desdemona. J. H. Hankins, Mrs. J. H. Hankins. Trustees : J. R. Brown, J. A. Cope- land, F. E. Terry.
School District No. 30 .- Okra, J. O. Bashaw. Trustees : D. M. Jacobs, H. E. Shiley, W. H. Mimms.
School District No. 31 .- Union, Gypson Crossland, Miss Lillian Hatton. Trustees: S. H. Code, J. L. Brown, H. D. Marshall.
School District No 32 .- Salem, W. T. Skinner. Trustees : . W. N. Hickey, G. R. Hamilton, J. M. Moore.
School District No. 33 .- New Hope, M. H. Per- kins. Trustees : J. L. Brown, W. S. Martin. W. D. Kinnison.
School District No. 34 .- Delmer. J. S. Bond. Trus- tees : Will Conn, J. E. Duneway, J. H. Kyle.
School District No. 35 .- Bullock, J. A. Sander- ford. Trustees : J. S. Williams, L. M. Cook, A. J. Al- lison, C. L. Hodges.
School District No. 36 .- Oak Grove, H. C. Poe. Trustees : J. R. Lanier, I. N. Poe.
School District No. 37 .- Yellow Branch, R. E.
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HISTORY OF EASTLAND COUNTY.
Sprawls. Trustees: A. G. Vaunoy, M. M. Doyle, Eli Gentry, M. G. Robertson.
School District No. 38 .- Britton, Annie Brooks, Mamie Brooks. Trustees : A. C. Brown, H. B. Bue, R. L. Rowe, F. M. Stone.
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
Cisco .- Superintendent, R. L. Abbott; A. V Britton, WV. T. Bachelor, R. Jung, Miss Bettie Harbison, Miss An- na Lee Fisher, Miss Annie Laurie Brown, Miss Frederic Mosley, Miss Sadie Yarnell-Miss Martha Conner Green, Primary. Trustees. L. E. Brannin, President; W. L. Armstrong, Vice President; Dr. W. P. Lee, Secre- tary Arthur Grist, Treasurer ; J. M. Williamson, Judge D. K. Scott, T. J. Worthington.
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Gorman-Superintendent. A. C. Ferguson; A. H. King, Alex Allen, Mrs. Tranquil McDaniel. Miss Claire Rush; Art, Miss Bailey. Trustees: J. Q. Eppler, Pres- ident; T. L. Gates, Secretary and Treasurer; W. S. Wood, J. A. Jones, W. L. Terry. W. F. Burleson, R. F. Nelson.
Carbon .- J. Speed Carroll, Superintendent; W. J. Allison, Binkley Drake, Miss Rebecca White. Miss John- nie Reed. Trustees: S. P. Finley, President; E. H. Boyett, Secretary; J. F. Edmondson, Treasurer; R. L. Littleton, T. L. Tucker, J. R. Foster. A. Boston.
Scranton .- O. C. Britton, Superintendent; C. C. Bullock, Mrs. J. S. Bond; Miss Lillian Bell. Music. Trustees : A. M. Sprawls, President; F. G. Boyd, Sec- retary; W. T. Rutherford, Treasurer; W. T. Gattis, As-
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HISTORY OF EASTLAND COUNTY.
sessor and Collector; W. D. Clinton, J. J. Ray, J. R. Sprawls.
Ranger .- C. D. Judd, J. E. Peters, Co-Principals ; Miss Ira Maxwell, Miss Jessie Cooper. Trustees: F. W. Melvin, President; B. P. Davenport, Secretary; W. R. Hodges, Treasurer ; R. L. Page, J. H. Harrison, H. W. Hilliard, J. M. Rice.
Rising Star .- E. H. Jones, Geo. F. Barnes, Prin- cipals; Miss Osie Hickman, Miss Minnie Brewer. Miss Erie Rich; J. E. Wells, Music; Miss Harmon Barber, Elocution. Trustees : H. E. Anderson, President; A. J. Rhone, Secretary; W. S. Michael, Treasurer : F. B. Weaver, Collector; W. C. White, J. A. Terrel, R. Garner.
Eastland .- W. A. Bynum, Superintendent ; Miss Josie Garner, Mrs. Julia Mayes, Miss Minnie Mood. Trustees : C. U. Connellee, President; E. Roper, Sec- retary ; M. Hill, Treasurer; J. R. Frost, J. J. Morgan, S. J. Day, J. T. Morton.
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY.
COUNTY JUDGES.
J. H. Calhoun, April, 1876: resigned October. 1877.
A. Lawrence, 1877-78.
J. T. Hammons, 1878-1882.
R. M. Black, 1882-86.
J. T. Hammons, 1886-88,
D. K. Scott, 1888-1892.
W. G. Davenport, 1892-94,
G. W. Dakan, 1894-96.
B. F. Chastain, 1896-98.
G. W. Dakan, 1898-1900.
J. R. Stubblefield, 1900-1902.
217
HISTORY OF EASTLAND COUNTY.
PRESENT COUNTY OFFICERS.
S. A. Bryant, Judge.
Ed T. Cox, Clerk.
G. W. Redford, Sheriff.
George Davenport, County Attorney.
D. E. Jones, Tax Collector.
W. C. Moore, Tax Assessor.
Walter Clegg, Treasurer.
J. H. Calhoun, District Judge. Mr. Cunningham, District Attorney.
R. L. Davenport, District Clerk.
Homer P. Brelsford, Representative.
Mr. Sebastian, Breckenridge, Senator.
Judge W. R. Smith, Colorado, Congressional Repre- sentative.
GEOLOGY OF EASTLAND COUNTY.
BY PROF. W. F. CUMMINS
The geology of Eastland County is very simple, as the strata belong to only two of the great geological series, the carboniferous and cretaceous. The cretaceous is found only along the southern border of the County. This formation forms no very great nor conspicuous area in the County, and consists principally of "sand roughs." The areas were once covered by beds of lime- stone, which has long since been eroded and the sands are the remnants of a once continuous bed that covered the whole country to the foot of the mountains west of the Pecos River. The beds belong to the Trinity sand formation, and forms a part of the catchment area that
218
HISTORY OF EASTLAND COUNTY.
supplies with water the great artesian water belt lying to the southeastward. This area was originally cov- ered with a dense growth of dwarf oaks. The surface is generally level, very few of the hills being promi- nent. The term rolling is very applicable, to this phase of topography. A friable sand of variable thickness deposited upon a hard floor of Paleozoic rocks, and subjected to the action of the prevailing atmospheric agencies, has given this character of topography.
The remainder of the County belongs to the carbon- iferous period. In describing the carboniferous in Texas I divided the strata into these divisions :
5. Cisco. 4. Canyon. 3. Strawn. 2. Millsap. 1. Bend.
The Cisco division is the highest and most recent of the divisions. One traveling westward along the Texas and Pacific Railroad goes off the cretaceous on to the Millsap division of the carboniferous about two miles east of Millsap. He would go off to the carbon- iferous about half way between Baird and Putnam. The Bend Division does not occur at the surface anywhere in this part of the State, but has been found in deep wells at Thurber and Fort Worth.
The following sketch will show the relative posi- tion of the divisions as they occur in this part of the State:
It is unnecessary to give a description of any of the divisions except that of the Canyon and Cisco. The Canyon division occurs in the eastren part of the Coun- ty, and was so named from the prominence with which some of the strata are seen at Canyon, in the western
219
HISTORY OF EASTLAND COUNTY.
part of Palo Pinto County, along the line of the Texas and Pacific Railway. This division is composed very largely of massive limestone, and may be easily recog- nized by this fact, the limestone in the other divisions being much thinner bedded.
The beds of the Cisco division are well exposed in the vicinity of Cisco, and the division was so named for this reason. The strata are mostly composed of con- glomerates, sandstones, clays and shales. This division extends from northeast to southwest through the en- tire county. It is distinguished by its stratigraphic position below, it being found always in the heavy beds of the Canyon division.
The strata of the cretaceous dip to the southeast, while the strata of the carboniferous dip to the north- west, in an exactly opposite direction. The dip of the carboniferous is at the rate of about sixty feet to the mile. This fact will preclude the notion that flowing artesian water can be found at Cisco or vicinity, the recurving area being lower than any point to the west- ward, and water will not rise higher than its source.
There are nine coal seams in the carboniferous formation in Texas. When I made my report on the coal fields of Texas, the first section of the coal measures ever published in Texas, I numbered these beds from one to nine inclusive. Only two of these seams are thick enough to be of any commercial value. These are numbers two and seven. Number two is found at Thurber, Rock Creek and Bridgeport. Number seven is found in Eastland, Young, Jack and Montague Coun- ties. Some attempts have been made to develop the coal in the vicinity of Cisco, in Eastland County, but
.
220
HISTORY OF EASTLAND COUNTY.
without any very great success. The outcrops of this seam in the northern portion of this County are nu- merous. The seam is twenty inches thick, with a band of slate above it, followed by a seam of coal four inches thick. The band of slate is from four to ten inches thick between the coal seams. At another place where I examined this seam are nine inches of coal and twenty inches of bituminous shale. This shale will burn when put on the fire, but loses none of its bulk in burning, and is absolutely worthless as a fuel. The difficulty in working this seam of coal in this vicinity is the fact of the thinness of the seam, and the further fact that if both seams are mined the stratum of bituminous shale will have to be taken out of the mine, for it is so highly impregnated with sulphuret of iron that when the material is exposed to the atmosphere and it slacks, the sulphuric acid escaping will set the whole mass on fire.
There are no other minerals in this County of any economical value. Gold and silver have been reported at several places, but the amount has always been so small that it would not pay to develop. Iron occurs at many places in several forms, but it is always of too small a percentage of metallic iron to be of any commercial value,
R01248 11782
R01248 11782
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