USA > Texas > Navarro County > History of Navarro County > Part 12
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All of the homes in Rural Shade were built by hand, the slaves doing their part to erect the houses. A post office was established in 1858 and Wash Ingram was the first postmaster. Rural Shade continued as a post office until 1912 when rural free delivery was sub- stituted as more efficient.
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Rural Shade has had two different locations, the for- mer being about a mile South of the present location, to which the settlement was moved in 1883 after much discussion. This move was made to be nearer the road. One of the interesting inhabitants of early Rural Shade was a slave who belonged to Wash Ingram and whose name was Bozzle. The early residents made the claim that there was no blacksmith in Texas who could do as skillful work as this slave and many claim that with modern equipment the present blacksmith could not surpass this early artisan's work. A blacksmith in those days found it necessary to be very versatile be- cause every implement and farm tool was of necessity made entirely by hand.
In order to help get money with which to erect a new school in 1879 "Uncle Phil" Ware played the fid- dle at dances free of charge and thus did his part to promote early education in Rural Shade. Col. Floyd was the teacher of this first school which burned in 1883 and had to be rebuilt. Rural Shade now enjoys a good six-teacher school. In addition to the literary establishments during the early days of Rural Shade a singing school was also conducted at intervals by a man named Biddler. Singing was done without the help of an organ, but with a tuning fork, the teacher reading the words from a hymn book, the congregation thereupon singing the song.
Rural Shade is still a prosperous community with three grocery stores as well as garages, blacksmith shops, gin and other business establishments.
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The church where the old hymns were sung has grown into a modern institution with an enrollment of nearly two hundred members.
Numbers of negroes who now live near Rural Shade are descendants of slaves owned by the Ingrams and other early settlers. Some of these slaves still live on land belonging to descendants of their former masters.
RICHLAND
The trail which ran from Corsicana to Old Franklin, by way of Springfield, also went by the settlement around Asa Chambers' Store. Ownership, as well as lo- cation, of this store changed a number of times but the mail was always distributed from there. For many years it was the nucleus of a large settlement on Pisgah Ridge, a long, high ridge about 15 miles from Corsicana and separated from it by Richland Creek. Since the earliest settlements in Navarro, its scenic beauty has attracted attention, largely because of its outcroppings of limestone and rich historic interest. In this settlement were some of Navarro's best citizens, and for many years, some very rough citizens. There were many wild horses and many kinds of wild game. Many citizens drove their cattle here during dry sum- mers, coming from other parts of the county, to leave their herds for weeks on the open range near water.
The Bowmans, Tramels, Nashes, Picketts, Carrolls, Andersons, Meadors, Garlicks, Roberts, Ross and Tank- ersley were some of the early families.
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If Spanish fever cost newcomers some of their cows these pioneers gave them others. Horses were there for the taking.
Eleazar Nash moved to Pisgah Ridge from Massa- chusetts, in 1844. With one of his two step-sons, Clin- ton Fouty, he joined the rush to California during the gold excitement. The other step-son remained and took over the head-right to hold it. Mr. Nash later re- turned to Navarro and remained until his death. Dr. S. A. Ross moved there in 1847 where he reared a large family. The Nash family was also large. Many des- cendants of both families are still citizens of Navarro County.
When the H. & T. C. Railroad came through, a sta- tion was built and the present town of Richland had its beginning, the designation being taken from the near- by creek of that name. After that, at certain times of the year, the railroad was the one way of reaching the county seat because of the overflow of Richland Creek. For many years the country around Richland was engaged principally in stock raising but with the influx of citizens, pastures and ranges were cut up into farms. This was not done without some friction. The loss of free grazing aroused the ire of many. However, this section always has had a sufficient number of law-abiding citizens to keep balance and the "undesir- ables" gradually drifted out or passed out. Dr. A. N. Brown, who has lived there for fifty years, loves to tell of the change since that time, from a malaria-ridden district to a community of rich farms, healthful homes
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and good schools with their attendant developments of various kinds.
A lime kiln near Pisgah furnished lime to many of the early settlers. In fact there were many such kilns over the county. Many burned their own brick al- though it was not thought that the clay was good for brick in many places.
Run-away negroes often went to Richland Creek and Chambers Creek bottoms. Patrols and owners often experienced difficulty in recovering them.
With the oil boom of Navarro County Richland re- ceived a share, and now being on Highways 75 and 14, with gins, dairies, the rock quarry and other develop- ments, Richland has a bright future.
Some of the present citizens are Mayor H. W. Steppe, superintendent of schools E. P. Gaines, Drs. Edgar and Brown and the families of Swinks, Rich- ards, Hilburns, Elkins, Patricks, Madewells, Healer, Harmand, Lafland, Fluker, Tucker, Middlebrooks and pastors Poteet and Bohanan.
After the Civil War William H. Pursley moved to and settled a place a few miles north of Pisgah Ridge. He owned about twelve hundred acres of land, built a store and secured a post office in Pursley. He was a citizen of prominence. The store is still operated by his son. William Ward and son, John, also lived near there. John Ward's wife was a sister of Harvey Bee- man's wife. Later Mr. Pursley moved to Corsicana and built a house which was afterward owned by S.
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G. Mullins who reared his family there. Reverend E. W. Mullins, his son, became a brilliant minister and educator in the Baptist Church.
BLOOMING GROVE
Shortly after the Civil War several families settled a few miles North of Dresden and R. J. Grady and Sam Andrews built a small store and put in a stock of general merchandise. In about a year W. D. Grady bought out Andrew's interest and he and his brother operated the store. This point was called "Gradyville" for some years until Dr. James Davis bought an interest in the store and applied for a post office. When they were casting about for a name the appellation of Blooming Grove was decided upon be- cause of the fact there was a beautiful grove of trees near the location of the town and Dr. Davis had a young son whose name was Blooming Price and they combined part of the name of the boy with that of "grove." The post office was asked for and approved under the name of Blooming Grove.
Numbers of families began to move to the new town and settle within the town or nearby. Dr. H. B. Ran- som was one of the early physicians and Rev. G. P. Miller was pastor of the Methodist church which was built in 1869. The Christian church was built in 1874.
When the Cotton Belt railroad was built in 1881 it ran about one mile north of town, but the town grad-
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ually moved to the railroad and Blooming Grove is to- day a city of some 1500 population with a variety of business institutions of all kinds as well as up-to-date schools, churches and all conveniences that go to make up a thriving city.
Among the early residents of Blooming Grove were the Huffs, Campbells, Hartleys, McSpaddens, Williams, Langstons, Mabrys, Phillips, Whortons, Jones, Gradys, Henrys, Grimmes, Harris, Pruitts, Maggards, Carrolls, Georges, High's, Loyds, Robinsons, McClanahans, Sew- ells, Youngs, Coxes, Grants, Gowans, Fagalas and Grif- fins.
Some members of the business men's luncheon club and leading citizens of Blooming Grove at the present time are T. M. Sewell, mayor; R. B. McCormick, presi- dent of luncheon club; C. N. Dillingham, president of Blooming Grove Fair Association; Dr. W. M. Ellis, T. M. George, Jr., banker; Justin McSpadden, banker; L. I. Griffin, C. L. Tillman, John George, G. E. Ramsey, R. L. Harris, J. W. Harris, Dr. C. C. Kelsey, J. I. Saun- ders and J. E. Walker.
BAZETTE
Among some other settlements that were contem- porary with Taos was Bazette's Crossing, at which point a ferry was operated by an early settler from which the ferry took its name. There was no settle- ment at the location of the ferry but after the ferry had been in operation some few years a set- tlement called Bazette grew up a few miles West of the
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crossing. Soon it was found that a school and church were needed and an old fashioned log rolling was held and the house which served as both the seat of educa- tion and religious worship was built, being replaced a few years later by a still better edifice which is still known as Prairie Point Church. About 1872 a Mr. El- liston built a store and a post office was established and called Bazette. Parson Hickman, a Hardshell Bap- tist preacher, lived there and John Street. Two of the early teachers were a Mr. Hook and a Mr. Flowers. In the same building services were conducted for the Cumberland Presbyterians by the Rev. Modrall; for Baptists by Revs. Hines, Puryear, Simmons, Compere, Freeman and Mullins.
This settlement was closely indentified with the Westbrook family which lived near here for several generations, the Popes, Banks, McCluneys, McFad- dens were also early settlers. Middleton Westbrook's pasture was known far and near as a sanctuary for wild game for many years.
Early records speak of many herds of cattle going from Bazette Crossing to Shreveport and the Bazette road was the main road East and West at that time.
CRYER CREEK
The settlement of Cryer Creek is located about three and one-half miles North of the present town of Barry. William Melton is credited with making the first set- tlement there in the year of 1845.
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Mr. Duren came to Texas and after marrying "Uncle Billy" Melton's daughter, settled in the Cryer Creek community. Later the Maggard, Varnell, Wil- son, Pruitt, Weaver, George and Garlington families moved into this community. The Cryer Creek settle- ment was of considerable importance until the coming of the railroad, which drew traffic and trade away from it and caused it to suffer some decline as a trade and community center but it is still a thriving commun- ity with stores, a school and church.
KERENS
The town of Kerens was laid out in 1881 with the coming of the Cotton Belt railroad and was named for Judge R. C. Kerens of St. Louis. -
Two railroad attorneys who lived in Corsicana, Sam R. Frost and Bryan F. Barry, bought the plat and of- fered lots for sale in 1881 and 1882. Many settlers around Wadeville and surrounding communities bought lots and moved to the new community. Among the first business men in Kerens were T. S. Daniell, R. H. Daniel, W. C. McClung and W. C. Cherry. Within a few years these pioneer business men were followed by W. S. Price, J. W. Mabry, J. T. Joplin, W. B. Parker, G. W. Noble, William Noble, Charles Melear and J. Y. Carroll. The town of Kerens grew very rapidly and is one of the leading cities in Navarro County.
As soon as the railroad was completed work was be- gun on the depot and as the contractors were driving stakes for the location of the station, T. S. Daniell, for
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a Stetson hat, persuaded the engineer to move the depot to the West side of Sloss Avenue instead of lo- cating it on the East side.
The first newspaper in Kerens was the "Kerens Blade," published by B. H. Davis.
The town of Kerens was incorporated May 10, 1888, with W. P. Noble, mayor; Sam Suggs, marshall; J. W. Waters, T. S. Daniell, W. C. McClung, C. K. Melear and P. Owen as aldermen.
The schools of Kerens have always been of great concern to the citizens there. Some of the high-point students of leading Texas colleges and universities have been graduated from Kerens high school.
The pioneer citizens of Kerens were largely those who formerly resided in Wadeville and other of the settlements. Professor S. C. Scroggs was a prominent early teacher in Kerens. He was educated in Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, and married the daughter of Ezekiel Cherry, a Kerens pioneer. Other pioneer fami- lies were those of T. S. and R. H. Daniel, George and William Noble, Preston Owens, Doctors Mckinney and Mays, the Kimes, Prices, Andersons, McClungs, Jones, Coats, Melears, Heads, Washburns, Tyus, Carrolls, Merrows and McConnicos.
Kerens has all of the modern city conveniences. It is surrounded by good citizens and rich land and is about 15 miles East of Corsicana.
Some of the present leading and official citizens of Kerens are Fred Hulan, mayor ; aldermen : J. A. Daniel,
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L. S. Garrett, J. L. Whorton, Earl McClung and Hal C. Johnson; P. H. Brister, president of Chamber of Com- merce; Henry Ross, secretary of Chamber of Com- merce; Joe N. Everheart, president of Lions Club; J. J. Hendricks, superintendent of public schools; G. H. Wilemon, principal of high school; A. S. Pritchard, principal of grammar school; E. E. Nettles, president of Kerens National Bank; W. T. Stockton, president of First National Bank; H. C. Bowman, Methodist pastor; W. A. Corkern, Baptist pastor; Mrs. Homer Carroll, librarian; Mrs. J. B. Coates, president of Pioneer Club ; Miss Mary F. Weden, president of Music Club; Mrs. R. P. Walker, president of Garden Club; J. B. Reese, chair- man of board of Baptist church; W. B. Talley, chair- man of board of stewards of Methodist church; R. H. Daniel, chairman of board of elders of Presbyterian church; Mrs. J. C. Spurger, president of W. M. A., of Baptist church; Mrs. W. B. Talley, president of P. T. A .; Mrs. A. B. Keen, president of W. M. S., of Metho- dist church; C. E. Smith, postmaster.
DAWSON
The Cotton Belt railroad reached the present site of Dawson about the year 1881 and Henry and Dave Daw- son were living on farms inherited from their father, Britton Dawson. The two Dawson brothers donated land for a station and right of way and in their honor the town was named Dawson. The first dry goods store in the new town was operated by J. S. Dickson, although Goodman and Younger had opened a grocery store a short time prior to the opening of the Dickson
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establishment. J. M. Johnson moved his business from Spring Hill to Dawson upon the coming of the railroad and Joe Shultz entered the grocery and general mer- chandise business about 1884.
The first drug store in Dawson was established by Dr. W. H. Kirksey. Three of the earliest doctors were the aforementioned Doctor Kirksey and Doc- tors Dean and Holcomb, the latter moving there and practicing medicine in the early days.
The first religious services held in Dawson were con- ducted in a room in a hotel which served as a church. Miss Bell Young organized and taught the first Sunday School class in Dawson and J. S. Dickson did his part by leading in the singing. The first church building erected in Dawson was that of the Cumberland Presby- terians with J. W. Smith as the first pastor. For sev- eral years other religious denominations utilized this edifice as a place of worship.
The earliest educational institution in Dawson was conducted by a Mr. Westmoreland but the first organ- ized public school of Dawson was under the direction of Professor E. J. L. Wyrick who was a popular teacher.
Onstott and Clemmons built and operated the first gin at Dawson.
Some of the early settlers in the Dawson community were the Lawrence family and the families of William Walker, Samuel and William Wright, R. D. Bills, the Berry families and the Matthews, Westmore-
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lands, Wilkes, Gables, Dicksons, Hills, Smiths, Simms and Fullertons.
The population of Dawson has increased to where it is now around 1500 people, with an enrollment in the public school of over 500. A new $60,000 school build- ing has taken the place of the old school house and there is also a separate school for the colored popula- tion.
Those who are interested in historical background can find the monument marking the burial place of members of the surveying party who were killed by the Indians in 1838 about two miles West from town.
One of the early settlers in the Dawson-Spring Hill community was "Uncle" Harve Matthews whose sister was the wife of Dr. George Hill, the founder of Spring Hill. "Uncle" Harve lived as a bachelor in the home which he built until he married Miss Bette Priddy. "Uncle" Harve was responsible for the first steel cages being put in the Corsicana jail during his term as com- missioner.
M. M. Dickson, one of Dawson's oldest citizens, who has lived and worked in Dawson since the town came into existence, is still an active and loyal citizen.
The 1932 officers and members of the Dawson cham- ber of commerce are as follows: V. T. Matthews, president; E. B. Dawson, vice president ; H. L. Smith, secretary and treasurer. Members: C. M. Newton, J. F. Smith, C. O. Weaver, J. F. Simpson, Edgar Davis Carlos Berry, J. M. Beasley, J. B. Schwartz, Jim Gar-
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ner, Clyde Sims, Jack Fread, Bennie Matthews, W. Y. Cannon, W. M. Nelson, Frank White, N. G. Clark, L. W. Edwards, D. E. Mckinney, J. R. Graham, J. H. McCul- lough, J. W. McElroy, M. L. Berry, J. M. Sowell, C. A. Willis, J. L. Taylor, Gray Sims, W. W. Wolf, Major Davis, J. L. McCulloch, Guy Davis, Jim Davis, D. D. Sawyer, J. H. Slaughter, J. L. Turner, C. W. Turner, W. P. McMillan, Mike Hogue, Howard Lysles, H. Sil- bert, Jerry Berry, Horace Berry, Dr. Williamson, Dr. A. B. Worsham, R. B. Rodgers, B. W. Edwards, S. Ber- ry.
Ministers of Dawson are F. O. Waddell, pastor Meth- odist Church; J. T. Taylor, pastor Baptist Church and Jeff Coates, pastor Church of Christ.
FROST
About four miles from the present location of Bloom- ing Grove was an early settlement which was called Cross Roads and among the first to settle near here was J. A. Tullos in 1868. Colonel Jones settled near Cross Roads in 1869 and owned approximately 2500 acres of land and about 2500 head of horses. Others were Barney Gleen, Sam and Nathan Hollingsworth, Raleigh Hightower, Bob and Archie Calhoun, Rev. Henry Sears, Rev. H. M. McCord, Jim Sears, W. N. Haines and Rev. J. G. Way.
These pioneers soon made their plans for a church and school and the first building was erected on the Southwest corner of J. G. Way's land in which build-
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ing school was taught for two terms. This building was later moved to the McCord community and another built near the home now owned by P. O. Brinson. A new Baptist church was built near the school house where for several years school was taught by Tom Smith, who was later elected county superintendent of education. In 1875 this building burned and a new building was built at the cross roads, the lower story being used for a school and the upper story for a Ma- sonic Lodge.
Cross Roads soon became a prosperous village with a post office, five stores, a gin, a broom factory, and both Baptist and Methodist churches. In 1881 the railroad was built from Corsicana to Hillsboro and the new station near Cross Roads was called Frost. All of the business houses soon moved to the location around the railroad station hence the town of Frost, is to an extent, an outgrowth of the early village known as Cross Roads.
In 1888 Colonel Henry Jones assisted in establishing a school at which Miss Frankie Long was the first teacher. This school was called the Henry Jones School and was later moved nearer to the center of the dis- trict where it now stands.
Wylie N. Jones who came to Navarro County in 1874 was one of the early settlers of Frost, having owned a gin as early as the year 1878 in this community. In 1890 he completed a system of waterworks to supply the town of Frost with water from the adjoining lake and on this lake Mr. Jones built a small steamboat
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which is one of the few ever operated on inland waters of Central Texas.
In 1930 a very disastrous cyclone struck the business section of Frost, completely destroying everything in its path. Twenty-two people were killed and sixty-odd injured. With the usual courage and determination of the descendants of the early pioneers the citizens of Frost are rebuilding their town and it continues to be a thriving and prosperous little Texas city.
The town of Frost was named in honor of the Honor- able Sam R. Frost and his father, W. W. Frost.
Others of the early families who resided in Frost were those of R. J. Sanders, J. H. Galbraith and Dr. R. Knox. J. H. Taylor operated a drug store in Frost. He had the misfortune of being killed by one of the first trains which came into the town after the building of the railroad. The Sheppard family was also one of the pioneer families as were the families of George Smith, Sam Hooser and Tom Meador.
Some others of leading or long-time citizens of Frost are Dick Gaines, mayor; councilmen Will Sims and Aleck Strain; Ed Dickson, marshal; Rev. Cagle, pas- tor of Baptist Church; Rev. Haynes, pastor of Meth- odist Church; J. E. Laney, editor of Frost Enterprise ; W. H. Harrison, superintendent of schools; Mr. Mc- Micken, principal of schools; Mrs. McMicken, teacher of music; Mrs. J. E. Lattimore, teacher of expression ; J. W. Matlock, president of Frost National Bank; H. Arrington, cashier of Frost National Bank; Jerry
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Scott, president of Citizens State Bank; Ben Whaley, cashier of Citizens State Bank; Dr. Matlock, Lindsey Morgan, lumber ; Mrs. Lydia Grimes, Sam Jones, D. K. Robinson and wife, Mrs. Mitchell. John Beck was for many years one of Frost's loyal and enterprising citi- zens.
BARRY
The town of Barry is about ten miles West of Corsi- cana and at this time is a very thriving town with churches, schools and modern business establishments.
Barry takes its name from the fact that it was first located on land owned by Bryan T. Barry. The town originally was about one mile South of its present loca- tion, moving North upon the coming of the Cotton Belt railroad.
Some of the early merchants of the old town were Sam Taylor, Watson Brothers, E. W. Caldwell, Ross and Gibson and T. A. Hutcheson. In addition to these merchants some of the early settlers in and around Barry were the Woodruffs from Georgia, the Mitchells, Varnells, Browns, Scroggins, Wrights, Geo. Williams and Hodges families.
Records indicate that the first school building in Barry was a frame house 20 feet by 40 feet in size, and Frank Folk, T. A. Thornell and Jim Watson were among the early teachers.
Some of the leading and official citizens of Barry at
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the present time are: Rev. H. B. Prather, pastor of the Baptist Church; Rev. Brice Cox, pastor of Methodist Church; J. C. Watson, superintendent of schools; Dr. Baugh, physician ; R. W. Varnell, dry goods store ; Bour- land Co., groceries; Jim Carroll, groceries and ice; M. Means, druggist; Farmers (Cooperative) Gin.
Women active in civic and school interests are: Mrs. J. C. Watson, president of P. T. A .; Mrs. J. D. Bour- land, Mrs. R. A. Varnell (Red Cross) ; Mrs. L. C. Bos- well, Mrs. Ben Freeman, Mrs. C. E. Watson, Mrs. H. J. Reed, Mrs. Walter Mitchell.
PURDON
Among the first settlers around the place which la- ter became Purdon, were A. J. Tickle, Henry Black, Lige Fuller, Mack Hughes, Jim Curry, A. S. Gill, Bil- lie Woodard, and Wash Cleary. Capt. J. A. Harrison moved to Texas and built his home a few miles South of Raleigh, and called it Belle Point. He was inter- ested in the community and aided in building a school house, which was of logs and the benches were of split logs. E. C. Lee was one of the first teachers. Later a comfortable framed house was built and Gov. W. H. Murray of Oklahoma was one of the teachers there. Belle Point was an important community. The first church was Rehobeth, a Baptist church, and which is still in service.
In 1882, the Cotton Belt railroad was built through. Town lots were laid out and the town was called Pur-
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don. The report goes that "Purdom" was the name in- tended but the mistake in spelling was not corrected, and it remains Purdon. The first school in Purdon was taught in a seed house by Miss Blanch Maddox. This house also served as a church for a time. The first store was kept by O. E. Highsmith, and one of the first physicans was Dr. Wyatt. Dr. J. A. Gillean also practiced there for awhile.
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