USA > Texas > Navarro County > History of Navarro County > Part 11
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Dr. W. S. Robinson came from Tennessee and made his home in Dresden. He practiced medicine within a radius of fifty miles, mostly on horseback, for the re- mainder of his life. Dr. Robinson was said to have had the first drug store in Navarro County, outside of Cor- sicana. He and his wife brought up a large family and have many descendants now in the county.
The town of Dresden, situated on or near Richland
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Creek, is about twenty miles West of Corsicana, and a few miles from Spring Hill. Trees, shrubbery and flowers flourished there.
Although surrounded by fertile land and every re- quisite for a town except easy transportation, Dres- den's growth ended when the railroads chose other routes.
A few miles from Dresden lived the family of James Haden and his wife (Priscilla January). They inter- ested themselves in the welfare of their community and in county affairs. Even in his old age, Mr. Haden was chairman of Navarro County's Democratic organiza- tion. Their children were Patty, Mary, Clemmie, Joel, John and Charles. Many descendants of this family live in Navarro County.
A tribe of Tonkawah Indians lived in the vicinity of Dresden and although unusually friendly they some- times became intoxicated upon the white man's "fire water" and would stage a battle among themselves and create a great deal of excitement. Mothers told tales of what the "Tonks" would do to bad children and the reputation of the tribe was probably made the worse from mothers scaring their children by tales of terrible massacres which the "Tonks" might commit any time the children did not behave as the parents suggested.
Dresden became one of the foremost communities in what is now Navarro County and at an early date took the lead in education and in 1872 a large two-story school building was erected about three-quarters of a
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mile Northeast of the town and was known as Dresden College. Professor Dick was one of the first educators and in 1875 J. B. Jones and E. J. L. Wyrick conducted a successful school there. Professor Jones married one of his students, Alice Gowan, the daughter of Richard Gowan, and they now reside in Corpus Christi. Prom- inent among early patrons of Dresden College were the Hartzells, Robinsons, Hadens, Ransomes, Davises, Gow- ans, Strouds, Polks, Highs, Thomasons, McMillans, Johnsons, Pevehouses, Welchs, Howards, Spivis, Stokes, Grants, Hicks, Youngs, Carrolls, Griffins, Fagalas, Mabrys, Bryants and Stokes. Only one store and a few residents of the old town are left at present.
The Rev. W. F. Grant was an early resident of Dresden and in addition to being a minister of the Gos- pel he owned a cotton gin and a corn and flour mill nearby. Other ministers serving Dresden in the early days were J. J. Davis, Finch Winburn, R. C. Arm- strong and Everett Armstrong, who were of the Methodist faith, while A. Templeton was Cumberland Presbyterian and the Revs. Freeman and Mullins were among the Baptist ministers.
Among the early settlers of Dresden, in addition to the ones spoken of as having patronized the college, was the B. F. Carroll family who came to Navarro County in 1851. B. F. Carroll was a member of the Sixth Legislature of Texas. B. F. Carroll, Jr., was a pioneer apiarian in this part of Texas having found a swarm of bees in 1866 while out hunting and after car- rying them home he began an industry which he con-
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ducted throughout his life. At one time the Carroll Apiaries were considered the finest in the State. Rec- ords indicate that in 1882 he sold several tons of honey. Mr. Carroll also had as a hobby the raising of fine poultry of many varieties and had rare specimens from as far away as Japan and Hindustan. His broth- er, Squire J. T. Carroll married Miss Pevehouse, a daughter of one of the early settlers and many of their descendants still live in Navarro County. Rufus Peve- house, an efficient sheriff of Navarro County, is a descendant of this early family.
The Gowan family came to Dresden from North Car- olina in 1867. Many descendants of this early fam- ily still reside in the vicinity, among them Frank Young. The Cunningham brothers, Estil and Jack, are also descendants of this pioneer family. The Thomi- son family and the Huff family of Blooming Grove are also early settlers of Dresden community.
S. J. T. Johnson and his brothers, Jerry, E. W. and W. D. came to Navarro County soon after the Civil War, settling in Dresden. These four brothers were in the mercantile business in Dresden until 1872 when S. J. T. was elected sheriff, and he afterwards en- tered business in Corsicana as a member of the firm of Drane and Johnson. Mr. Johnson was appointed commissioner to the North Central and Southern Ex- position at New Orleans in 1885, and representative at Queen Victoria's Jubilee in 1886. He was also one of the founders of Trinity College at Tehuacana.
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E. W. and W. D. Johnson moved to Corsicana where they went into busineess under the name of Johnson Brothers. Mrs. E. W. Johnson resides in Corsicana and, although her sons have moved away, her two daughters, Mrs. Chris Knox and Mrs. W. P. McCam- mon, still reside in Corsicana. W. D. Johnson resided in Corsicana after the death of his wife and daughter.
RALEIGH
The heads of families trekking westward in covered wagons, always remained on the lookout for a good place to settle. Wood and water were prime requisites to the pioneers. It was also necessary that suitable soil for cultivation be located. Practically all of the early settlements embraced these three favorable items. The first settlers invariably chose sandy land upon which to locate.
Several of the early families found these three things at a place near Dresden which was called Ra- leigh. Augustus Barry was one of the first men to lo- cate in this settlement and among other early families who lived around Raleigh were the Strouds, Keys, Crosslands, Tadlocks, Terrys, some members of the French family, and Dr. Reese and family.
There was a post office, blacksmith shop, church, school and grist mill at Raleigh. It is still a prosperous community.
TAOS OR PORTER'S BLUFF
In any new country first settlements were always made along the routes of transportation and this was
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true of frontier Texas as well as other places. The Trinity River was the first artery of commerce over which man and merchandise might be transported in- to Central and North Texas. The old town of Jeffer- son on Caddo Lake was the point farthest inland to which boats of much capacity might ascend and the early settlers of Texas came by boat to this point and penetrating the interior to where Navarro County is now located meant a trip of one or two months by wagon.
Since it appeared that the Trinity might become an important artery of commerce Col. Robert H. Por- ter conceived the idea of establishing a city on a tract of ground which he had received on the Trinity River in exchange for his services in the Texas Revolution. The river flowed directly through this grant of land and with the assistance of his friend, John H. Reagan, who was a surveyor, Col. Porter had a town survey- ed in 1848 and streets laid off and gave to it the name of Taos. A ferry was established here and records in- dicate that among the first ferrymen was David Flint. Lots in Taos seemed to be in demand, a twenty room hotel was built, houses soon sprang up and be- fore long Taos was a thriving village of blacksmith shops, stores, saw mill and records indicate that for some time it was one of the most important towns of Navarro County. A road East and West passed through Taos and it was an important settlement for a number of years. Taos was located approximately seventeen miles Northeast of Corsicana. Small steam- boats, known as packets, came up the Trinity River
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as far as Taos bringing coffee, tobacco and supplies which were needed. The arrival of every steamboat with its cargo and with newspapers from the outside world was something of a holiday and people came by wagon, horse back and on foot to greet the boat's ar- rival.
After the influx of settlers began, navigation of the Trinity River in small boats was pushed farther and farther North until in 1836 the "Scioto Bell" came up the Trinity approximately as far as the present location of Dallas. In 1842 the "Ellen Franklin" also made a trip of several hundred miles up the Trinity. Until about the year 1860 the lower reaches of the Trinity were constantly used by steamboats and as far North as Taos. The "Mary Clifton," a vessel large enough to hold 2500 bales of cotton, made several trips up the Trinity. Records indicate, however, this vessel only came as far North as Taos on one occasion. Among the smaller packets which navigated the Trinity at regular intervals the "Guadaloupe," the "Kate," the "Early Bird," the "Vesta" and "Belle of Texas."
In 1868 a steamboat known as Job Boat No. 1, under the command of Capt. James McGarvey, came up the Trinity to Taos and then ascended the river to what was then a thriving little village known as Dallas. The avowed purpose of this trip was to interest the public in making the Trinity more navigable. Charles N. Eley represented to some interested parties that be- tween the years 1865 and 1872 thirty-five steamboats were operating more or less regularly on the Trinity
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River. On December 17, 1868, the "Sally Haynes" vio- lated precedent by coming down the river on her maiden voyage. This boat was built in Dallas and launched amidst greatest enthusiasm. The "Sally Hay- nes" made several trips up and down the river until it struck a snag and sank.
Records on file show the rate charged by the ferry at Taos for six horses or three yoke of oxen and a wagon for transportation across the river to have been $1, sheep or hogs 212c per head, a man on horseback was charged 50c, while a two horse buggy or hack cost $2.50 although a one horse buggy was only $2.00 These prices were in effect when the river was low but if the river happened to be high the tarriff was in- creased in proportion. When the time came to decide upon a capitol of Texas, Taos was one of the towns seeking the location for the state house and, inciden- tally, this trading post came within a few votes of be- ing made the capitol of Texas.
Among those who lived in or near Taos were John Hamilton and his brother, James Hamilton, both of whom owned several slaves. William Lancford, Berry Lancford, Harris De Armand, W. L. and Frank- lin Browning, Eli and Thomas Smith, Ridley Thomas, Joseph, Benjamin, George and Alfred Bragg, the Lees, Poitevauts, Bartletts, C. B. Roberts, James Clark, Reu- ben Guinn, J. A. Johnson, John W. and Calvin Caldwell, J. B. Anthony, Frederick Seibert, J. C. Jeffers and Lewis Cadwell. Geo. and William Hogan also lived in Taos and when a road was opened from Chatfield to
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the South side of Chambers Creek they built a bridge crossing the stream. The bridge at this point is still known as Hogan's Bridge.
The history of Taos or Porter's Bluff as it was later ealled, might have been entirely different had not the H. & T. C. railroad extended its line from Bryan into Corsicana in the year 1871. The various river projects were started from 1853 to 1866 when the Texas Legis- lature passed an act incorporating the Trinity River Slack Water Navigation Company. About the time this occurred, however, the H. & T. C. railroad began vigorous extension of its line and the river project was doomed.
In view of the recent agitation for navigation of the Trinity River it is rather interesting to note that, at the insistence of residents of Taos, Federal aid was ask- ed of the government and in 1853 Lieut. H. C. Whiting, an army engineer, informed Jefferson Davis, Secretary of War during the administration of Presi- dent Pierce, that the Trinity River was the deepest and least obstructed river in Texas and handed his report in with a favorable recommendation that the government take steps to develop this waterway. Nothing was ever done about it. The coming of the railroad meant disaster to all of these towns living upon the river traffic since the railroad carried freight at such low rates that the steamboats soon gave up the unequal competition. After the steamboats were out of opera- tion the rate of a bale of cotton from Dallas to Hous- ton jumped from $1.05 per bale to $2.45 per bale.
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In 1866 a very destructive flood washed away much of the town of Taos and since the approaching steel rails of the H. & T. C. railroad dampened the ardor of those who lived on and by the river it gradually disin- tegrated.
A bridge was also built at Dallas which took much of the business away from the ferry in high water times and in the Eighties a bridge was built at Porter's Bluff displacing the ferry entirely. There is at this time no sign of the thriving town which eighty or ninety years ago flourished as the packets plied up and down the river. The only visible remains are scattered chim- neys and some old cable rusting near the river at the point where the ferry formerly crossed. In 1920 the Federal government ordered the bridge which spanned the Trinity to be removed and now it is impossible to cross the river at the point where once traffic was so brisk. The Trinity River Canal Association, now at work on securing Governmental aid, has as president, John W. Carpenter, who was born and grew to man- hood in Navarro County.
Taos was threatened with a competitor in 1848 and in Book "A," Page 314, in the Court House Records of Corsicana a town plot of 110 blocks was laid off and all provisions were made for a town several miles South of Taos. Several lots were sold, one of them to Stephen M. Riggs, who paid $50 for his parcel of ground and made provisions for a mill. Blacksmith shops and oth- er forerunners of frontier settlements were also plan-
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ned but this settlement did not long survive. It was called Trinity City.
CHATFIELD
The story of the location of the town of Chatfield is very interesting. About the year 1848, shortly after the settlement of Taos, an old man named Chatfield pitched his tent near a spring a few miles West of Taos on the road to Corsicana and from this "base of sup- ply" he peddled tinware and household articles to the early settlers. However, after each trip to the set- tlements he would return to his spring and once more erect his tent and display his wares to those passing along the road. In a short time after this itinerant merchant made the spring his headquarters another man by the name of Kincaid settled near the spring and soon a community sprang up which took the name of the old peddler, Chatfield.
Some of the early settlers around this spring, in the midst of which the town grew, were Captain Robert Hodge, and Josiah Hodge, his brother. R. L. Hodge, son of Capt. Hodge, was born and lived near Chatfield for 72 years.
Chatfield was a very important community about the time of the Civil War and is particularly remembered for one man who contributed his share to the Confed- erate Army. This man was B. F. Lisman who oper- ated a blacksmith shop at Chatfield and he made such excellent sabres for the Confederate soldiers that his
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daughter, Mrs. Joe Clayton, can today show a letter from the quartermaster saying that the Lisman sa- bres were the best he had seen. Mr. Lisman was post- master at Chatfield during the Civil War, at which time the post office was called Mesquite and during the period of the Confederate government. The name was later resumed as Chatfield.
Chatfield had excellent subscription schools for many years. One of the teachers there for several years, around 1854, was John Ballew. He also taught at Raleigh-and other places-and in his later years serv- ed as district clerk in Corsicana.
Chatfield also had an excellent artisan in the person of Bailey Crofford who made furniture of oak and wal- nut in Trinity bottom. It still excells most furniture of modern times. His furniture was made without nail or screw and that which can be seen today indicates the excellence of his craft.
Some of the descendants of the early pioneers of Chatfield who still live near this community are the following families: Robert Witherspoon, John and Will Finch, J. P. Thorp, George Meredith, Will Mizell, Nail McMullen, Ford Marchbanks, and some of the Braggs, Jeffers, Harpers, and Montforts. Many of the early residents of Chatfield still live in Navarro County and the names signed to a petition asking that because of his usefulness Mr. Lisman, be exempted from army duty, which is given herewith, will indicate some of these families: B. G. Scogin, W. B. Rose, N. (Nicholas) Graham, W. S. Hodge, J. R.
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Cooksey, J. R. Ransom, Wm. A. Neal, Zeke Beasley, Reuben Jones, B. Lile, Z. Westbrook, Henry Brown, James Lowry, J. G. Vaughn, W. Kerr, John P. Miller, Benjamin Kilgore, Henry Griggs, M. L. French, Dr. A. J. Cage (from Tennessee), D. M. Brown, J. A. Clayton, W. A. Lockhart, J. A. Farmer, J. G. Neal, B. J. Cham- bers and E. G. Sessions.
WADEVILLE
Wadeville also was one of the first towns in Navarro County. Records indicate that by the year 1850 quite a settlement had grown up Southeast of the present town of Kerens and was designated by the name of Wadeville when a post office was established in Mack Wade's store in 1866.
Col. E. H. Root located in Wadeville in 1851 and was followed between the years 1854 and 1856 by Capt. F. M. Martin, Rush Walker, J. T. Person, David Sherrill, Josiah Daniel, Allen Smith, Elias Carrol, Squire Coffey and the above mentioned Mack Wade. George and William Noble also moved into this settle- ment and Nelson and Frank Owen lived nearby.
Capt. Martin had a trading post on his farm prior to the Civil War but when the post office was estab- lished Capt. Martin moved his store from the farm to the center of the settlement. T. S. Daniel clerked in Wade's Store and was appointed postmaster and held the office of postmaster until his father and he formed a business under the name of Josiah Daniel and Son, at which time Col. S. P. Day succeeded Mr.
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Daniel as postmaster, also occupying the same position when the Wadeville settlement merged into the pres- ent town of Kerens. Before there was a post office at Wadeville mail was brought into J. T. Person's store, which is about four miles West of Wadeville, and hand- ed out over the counter along with the sugar and cof- fee. Among others who had stores at Wadeville from time to time were George Noble, Preston Owen and a Mr. Williams. J. H. Southworth and Mr. Spivey also operated trading posts in Wadeville for a short time.
About 1856 David Sherrill built a gin to take care of the cotton which was grown by the early settlers and after the Civil War both Capt. Martin and Pope Has- sell operated cotton gins. The lint was the only item considered of any value and during the ginning season the cotton seed was piled and burned, the smoke and smoldering flames giving an eerie appearance to the mellow fall nights. It was some time before the early Texans learned the value of cotton seed as a food for cattle.
Mrs. S. P. Day seems to have been one of the first educators in the Wadeville community, having taught a private school. Capt. A. J. Fowler was one of the instructors. Teachers who later assisted in the educa- tion of the youth of Wadeville were J. W. Hornbeak, J. A. Melear and a Mr. Bishop.
There was no church in Wadeville, the nearest be- ing adjacent to the Jameson graveyard, where reli- gious services were attended by the residents of Wade-
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ville. Services were also held later in the school house and records indicate that some of the early ministers were Dr. J. C. Ward, Rev. Beasley, W. J. Lackey, W. B. Preston and J. W. Hornbeak also preached from time to time.
The physical well-being of the community was look- ed after by Dr. John Selman who answered calls from the residents of Wadeville regardless of whether it might have been in the heat of summer or the chill of winter.
An interesting side light on life around Wadeville in the early days is given by a Mrs. Ambercrombie who wrote the following reminiscences of frontier life in the Swisher Magazine:
"Col. Root relates an interesting inci- dent which occurred in a rabbit chase upon the prairies, as was quite customary in our County. We often indulged in the delightful- ly wild sport of chasing the mule-eared rabbit. On one occasion I remember an unusually large party collected near my home at Wade- ville. At least eighty persons were equipped for the chase with twenty or thirty fine blood- ed Spanish hounds eagerly awaiting the sig- nal for action. We lost no time but were soon engaged in a glorious pursuit. The dogs ran splendidly and our fleetest horses were left in the distance. Foremost and conspicuous in the chase were two young men, Willie Day and
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Tommy Branburg, while Miss Ellie Ruffin, a fine equestrian, was equal to the emergency. The contest between the rabbits and hounds grew momentarily more exciting and every- one was wild with enthusiasm, but alas! this pleasure was suddenly and sadly abridged. The two young men and Miss Ruffin still held the front when, as if by magic, the trail was changed and of course the followers had to turn abruptly. These three persons collided with a most distressing result. The horses struck each other skull to skull, throwing all three riders to the ground. Upon examination it was found that Day was dead, Branburg seemed dying and Miss Ruffin was in a sense- less condition. Being miles away from water we conveyed them to the creek but no restora- tives could revive poor Day. We buried him sadly next day. Branburg eventually recov- ered and Miss Ruffin's injuries were slight. The sport of rabbit chasing went on and there were other amusements, such as candy pull- ings, weddings and Christmas dinners, dances, spelling-bees and house raising. When a man wanted to build a house, often he would hew his logs, clear a place and on a certain day his neighbors would help him "raise" it; getting it up and partially covered in one day. Neigh- bors were kind and helpful in sickness or mis- fortune. They were most free and thought- ful in their kindness, sitting up all night,
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sometimes for weeks, to minister to some one suffering and without a thought of pay; cooking and sending food."
Wadeville continued to be a thriving place until the coming of the railroad to Kerens at which time the in- habitants moved to the railroad and the only remain- ing indication of the once prosperous community is a few scattered piles of stone which once were the chimneys to the dwellings.
The history of Wadeville would not be complete without mentioning one of Wadeville's prominent citi- zens. Marion Martin, who was born in Kentucky in 1830, moved into Navarro County in 1853 and made his home near Wadeville. He was elected to the State Sen- ate in 1859 and took a conspicuous part in the political discussions of the era. Senator Martin was opposed to secession, declaring that the grievances of the South should be settled by a more peaceable method. Al- though he was opposed to secession, when the Civil War broke out Senator Martin enlisted in the Bass Regiment. He was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1882 after having been a member of the 16th and 17th Senates. His widow and son reside in Corsicana.
In 1852 the authority for a road leading from Corsi- cana to the Wild Cat crossing on Trinity River was approved and this road passed near Wadeville and Rural Shade and, although built eighty years ago, this is still a good road in dry weather.
Wadeville was a prominent stopping point for the
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HONORABLE MARION MARTIN
During his lifetime he was a member of the 16th and 17th Legislatures. He was Lieutenant Governor 1882-1884
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new settlers enroute to Texas and its tournaments, camp meetings, and political picnics served to keep its prominence alive.
RURAL SHADE
In 1850 Hugh and Washington Ingram came to Tex- as from Georgia and settled a few miles Southeast of the Wadeville community. After finding a suitable lo- cation they joined some other families and formed a group settlement, calling it Rural Shade. Among these families were the Owens, Austins, Wilsons and Sears and others. A year or two later Richmond and Ander- son Ingram joined their relatives in the community.
About the year 1870 James Ingram, one of Hugh In- gram's sons, applied steam to the grist mill and this was a novelty which attracted the attention and pat- ronage of the public for some time. The Ingram family is represented in Navarro County at the present time by Wash Ingram of Kerens. Both Mrs. Bob Coates and Mrs. Bruce Coates are members of this pioneer family. Dr. Green Kerr and Calvin Kerr of Corsicana were related by marriage to this early Rural Shade family.
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