USA > Texas > History of Texas : from 1685 to 1892, volume 2 > Part 41
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539
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
an overland mail in coaches from San Antonio, Texas, to San Diego, California - a distance of fourteen hundred and ninety miles; four-fifths of which was without a road. Mr. Birch, before leaving New York for California, appointed Major J. C. Woods as general superintendent. The mail was to be semi- monthly, and the time occupied between the points named was not to exceed thirty days. Throughout Texas this enter- prise was regarded with as keen an interest as was the com- pletion of the railroad communication as now existing twenty- four years later. Mr. Birch at once proceeded to California to perfect his arrangements, while Major Woods, after making all necessary provisions for the inauguration of the enterprise, proceeded to San Antonio. The first mail left the latter city on the 24th of July in charge of Capt. Skillman as con- ductor, Major Woods himself accompanying it, and on the way, making all necessary arrangements for stations, hay and corn for the animals, and food for employes and passen- gers. He made the trip in thirty-eight days. Late in the autumn of this year Mr. Birch was one of several hundred passengers lost on the steamer " Central America." Soon afterwards his widow sold the entire contract and equipments to Otes H. Claton, of Charleston, South Carolina, and still later he transferred the same to George H. Giddings, of San Antonio, and R. E. Doyle, of San Diego, by whom, with Mr. J. C. Woods as superintendent, it was carried on with perfect success despite the repeated hostilities of the Indians, until the beginning of the civil war. There was also a branch route established under the superintendence of Maj. Butterfield, running from Fort Concho via Jacksboro, Gainesville, Sher- man, Fort Smith, Fayetteville and Springfield, Mo., to the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad. The travel by this route, without stopping for sleep, averaging from twenty-three to twenty-eight days, from San Diego to San Antonio and Gaines- ville, Texas, respectively, frequently menaced by small bands of savages, abounded in incidents of romantic interest, in
540
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
which women and children were often involved, calling forth acts of bravery and gallantry on the part of male passengers worthy of the highest admiration. Sometimes a small mounted guard accompanied the train. The price of a through passage was two hundred dollars, all expenses being borne by the proprietors of the line.
LIST OF ALL THE COUNTIES IN TEXAS -WHEN CREATED, AND FOR WHOM OR WHAT NAMED.
NAME OF COUNTY. WHEN CREATED. FOR WHOM OR FOR WHAT NAMED.
Anderson. .
. March 24, 1846 .. V .- Pres. Kenneth L. Anderson.
Angelina
. April 22, 1846. . Its principal stream.
Atascosa
Jan'y 25, 1856. . Its principal stream.
Archer . Jan'y 22, 1858 .. Dr. Branch T. Archer.
Austin . . Original County . Stephen F. Austin.
Andrews Aug. 21, 1876. . Richard Andrews.
Armstrong. . . Aug. 21, 1876. . James Armstrong.
Aransas. Sept. 18, 1871. . For Aransas Bay.
Bandera Jan'y 26, 1856 .. A pass in the mountain.
Bastrop. Original County. Baron D. Bastrop.
Baylor . Feb'y 1, 1858 .. . Henry Baylor.
Bee .Dec. 8, 1857. ... Barnard E. Bee.
Bell. Jan'y 22, 1850. . Gov. Peter H. Bell.
Bexar . Original County. A town in Spain.
Blanco . Feb'y 12, 1858. . Its principal stream.
Bosque
Feb'y 4, 1854 .. . Its principal stream.
Bowie
Dec. 17, 1840. . . Col. James Bowie.
Brazoria . Original County. From Brazos River.
Brazos Jan'y 30, 1841. . For Brazos River.
Brown
. Aug. 27, 1856. . Capt. Henry S. Brown, d. 1834.
Burleson
March 24, 1846 .. Gen. Edward Burleson.
Burnet
Feb'y 5, 1852. . Prest. David G. Burnet.
Bailey.
Aug. 21, 1876. ..
Borden. Aug. 21, 1876. . . Gail Borden, Jr.
541
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
NAME OF COUNTY. WHEN CREATED. FOR WHOM OR FOR WHAT NAMED.
Briscoe . .
.Aug. 21, 1876. . . Capt. Andrew Briscoe.
Brewster
Feb'y 2, 1887. . . Henry P. Brewster.
Buchel . . . March 15, 1887 .. Col. Augustus Buchel.
Caldwell. March 6, 1848. . Col. Mathew Caldwell, d. 1843.
Calhoun . April 4, 1846. . . John C. Calhoun of S. C.
Calahan.
Feb'y 1, 1858. . . Capt. J. H. Calahan, d. 1856.
Cameron
Feb'y 12, 1848 .. Capt. Ewen Cameron, k. 1843.
Cass.
April 25, 1846. . Gen. Lewis Cass of Michigan.
Chambers. Feb'y 11, 1858 .. Thomas J. Chambers.
Cherokee
April 11, 1846. . Cherokee Indians.
Clay.
Dec. 24, 1857. . Henry Clay of Kentucky.
Coleman Feb'y 1, 1858 .. . Capt. Rob't M. Coleman, d. 1837
Collin. April 3, 1846. . . Collin Mckinney, d. 1860.
Colorado.
.Jan'y 11, 1836. . Colorado River.
Comal
. Aug. 21, 1876. . Geo. C. Childress.
Childress.
March 24, 1846. Comal Creek and Spring.
Comanche. .. Jan'y 25, 1856. . Comanche Indians.
Concho . Feb'y 1, 1858 .. . Its principal steam.
Cooke
. March 20, 1848. Col. Wm. G. Cooke, d. 1847.
Coryell . Feb. 22, 1854. .. James Coryell killed by Indians.
Castro Aug. 21, 1876 . . Henry Castro, French colonist.
Cockran
. . Cockran, killed in Alamo.
Carson .
. . Samuel P. Carson, d. 1837.
Crosby.
·
66
. . Stephen Crosby.
Collinsworth.
. . James Collinsworth, d. 1837.
Cottle 66 66 .. Geo. W. Cottle, killed in Alamo.
Crane.
Feb'y 22, 1887 .. Rev. Wm. C. Crane.
Crockett
. Jan'y 22, 1875 .. David Crockett, k. in Alamo.
Coke.
March 13, 1889 .. Gov. Richard Coke.
Dallas March 10, 1846 .. Vice-Prest. George M. Dallas.
Denton April 11, 1846. .
John B. Denton, killed by Indians, 1841.
De Witt. . .March 24, 1846 .. Green De Witt, d. 1835. Dimmitt ... .. Feb'y 1, 1858. .. Capt. Phillip Dimmitt, d. 1841.
542
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
NAME OF COUNTY. WHEN CREATED. FOR WHOM OR FOR WHAT NAMED.
Duval. .Feb'y 1, 1858 .. .
Capt. Burr H. Duval, fell with Fannin.
Dallam. ..... Aug. 21, 1876 .. . James W. Dallam.
Deaf Smith. .
. . Erastus Smith, the deaf spy.
Dawson.
66
. . Capt. Nicholas Dawson, k.1842.
Donley. 66
66
. . S. P. Donley, ex-Sup. Judge.
Dickens
66
... Dickens, killed in Alamo.
Delta.
Jan'y 20, 1870. . Delta of the Sulphur rivers.
S
Capt. Wm. M. Eastland,
Eastland Feb'y 1, 1858. .. Black Bean martyr.
Edwards
Feb'y 1, 1858 .. . Haden Edwards, Sr.
Ellis.
Dec. 20, 1849. . . Richard Ellis, Prest. Conv.1836.
El Paso Jan'y 3, 1850. . The old town.
Encinal. Feb'y 1, 1858. . In English-an oak grove.
Erath
Jan'y 25, 1856. . Capt. George B. Erath, d. 1891.
Ector
Feb'y 26, 1887 .. Gen'l Mathew B. Ector.
Fannin
Dec. 14, 1837 .. . Col. James W. Fannin, k. 1836.
Fayette
.. Gen. La Fayette.
S A noted bend in the Brazos
Fort Bend . . . Dec. 29, 1837. . .
River.
Freestone . . Sept. 6, 1850. .. Its freestone water.
Frio
Feb'y 1, 1858 .. . The Rio Frio.
Falls
Jan'y 28, 1850 .. Falls of the Brazos. ‘
Foard
March 3, 1891 . . Falls of the Brazos.
Floyd Aug. 21, 1876 .. . D. Floyd, fell at the Alamo.
Fisher
. Aug. 21, 1876 . . Samuel Rhoads Fisher.
S Arthur, James and Tucker,
Foley 2 March 15, 1887 ..
Foley brothers.
1 It is believed that the name "Foard " is a misprint in the law, and that the intent was to name the county in honor of the old veteran Col. John S. "Ford."
2 Foley County is named for three brothers - Arthur Foley, who fell with Fannin's men; James Foley, who was killed by Mexicans west of the Nueces in 1839; and S. Tucker Foley, who was killed Aug. 5th, 1840, by the Co- manche Indians in Lavaca County.
-
543
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
NAME OF COUNTY. WHEN CREATED.
FOR WHOM OR FOR WHAT NAMED.
Franklin . . .
. March 8, 1875 . . Its principal town.
Galveston . . . May 15, 1838. . . Col. Galvez, Spanish officer.
Gillespie . Feb'y 23, 1848. .
S Capt. R. A. Gillespie, fell at Monterey.
Goliad Original County. Anagram of Hidalgo.
Gov.
Rafael Gonzales of
Gonzales. . Original County .
Coahuila.
Grayson . . . March 17, 1843 .. Peter W. Grayson, d. 1838.
Grimes .. .
. April 6, 1846 . .. Senator Jesse Grimes.
Guadalupe . . March 20, 1846 .. Guadalupe River.
Glascock.
. April 4, 1887 ... Geo. W. Glascock.
Greer ..
Feb'y 8, 1860 .. . John A. Greer.
Gaines Aug. 21, 1876 . . James Gaines of Sabine.
Garza
66
66
. .
Gray
66
66
66
.. Peter W. Gray, of Houston.
Gregg
. April 13, 1873. . Gen. John Gregg.
Hamilton. .
. Jan'y 22, 1858 .. Gen. James Hamilton, d. 1857.
Hardeman .. . Feb'y 1, 1858 .. . Bailey & Thomas J. Hardeman.
Hardin.
Jan'y 22, 1858 .. The Hardins of Liberty.
Harris. Original County . The founders of Harrisburg.
Harrison
. Jan'y 25, 1839 .. An old and learned settler.
Haskell.
Feb'y 1, 1858 . . Chas. Haskell, fell with Fannin.
Hays ..
.March 1, 1848. . Col. John C. Hays.
Henderson
. April 27, 1846. . Gov. James Pinkney Henderson.
Hidalgo
Jan'y 24, 1852. . Mexican patriot of 1810.
Hill. ..
Jan'y 7, 1853. . . Dr. Geo. W. Hill.
Hopkins.
March 25, 1843 .. A pioneer family.
Houston.
. June 12, 1837. .. Gen. Sam Houston.
Hunt.
April 11, 1846. . Memucan Hunt.
Hood.
Nov. 2, 1866. ... Gen. John B. Hood.
Hartley
Aug. 21, 1876. . O. C. & R. K. Hartley.
Hockley.
. . Col. Geo W. Hockley.
60
Lieut. J. C. Hale, fell at San
Hale.
Jacinto.
544
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
NAME OF COUNTY. WHEN CREATED. FOR WHOM OR FOR WHAT NAMED.
Hall .. ...
Aug. 21, 1876. . Warren .D. C. Hall.
Howard.
66
. . Volney E. Howard.
Hansford .
. .
. . John M. Hansford.
Hutchinson . .
66
66
66
.. Judge Anderson Hutchinson.
Hemphill.
. . Chief Justice John Hemphill.
Irion
March 7, 1889. . Dr. Robert A. Irion.
Jack.
Aug. 26, 1856. . Wm H. Jack and brothers.
Jackson
Dec. 5, 1835. ... Gen. Andrew Jackson.
Jasper
Original County. Sergeant Jasper, of 1776.
Jefferson
Original County. Jefferson Beaumont.
Johnson.
Feb'y 13, 1854. . Col. R. M. Johnson, of Ky.
Jones.
Feb'y 1, 1858 ... Prest. Anson Jones.
Jeff. Davis. .. March 18, 1887 .. Jefferson Davis.
Karnes
Feb'y 4, 1854. . . Col. Henry W. Karnes, d. 1840.
Kaufman
Feb'y 26, 1848. . David S. Kaufman.
Kerr.
Jan'y 26, 1856. . Maj. James Kerr, d. 1850.
Kimble.
Jan'y 22, 1858. ..
Kimble, fell at Alamo.
Kinney
Jan'y - 1856 .. . Henry L. Kinney.
Knox
Feb'y 1, 1858 .. . A county in Ohio.
Kent
Aug. 21, 1876. .. Andrew Kent, fell at Alamo.
King'
66
Alonzo King, k. in 1836.
Kendall
Jan'y 10, 1862. .
S Geo. W. Kendall, Editor and
Author.
Lampasas. .. Feb'y 1, 1856 .. . Lampasas River.
La Salle.
. Feb'y 1, 1858 .. . Discoverer of Texas 1685.
La Vaca.
. April 6, 1846. ... Lavaca River.
Leon.
March 17, 1846 .. Leon Creek.
Lamar
Dec. 17, 1840 ... Prest. Mirabeau B. Lamar.
Liberty.
Original County. " Young America."
Limestone. .. April 11, 1846. . Its stone and water.
Live Oak. ... Feb'y 2, 1856. .. Its beautiful live oak groves.
Llano
Feb'y 1, 1856. . Llano River.
Lamb.
Aug. 21, 1876. . Lieut. Lamb, k. at San Jacinto.
Lubbock
66
. . Francis R. & Thos. S. Lubbock.
HISTORY OF TEXAS. 545
NAME OF COUNTY. WHEN CREATED.
FOR WHOM OR FOR WHAT NAMED.
Lynn . . Aug. 21, 1876. . Lynn, fell at Alamo.
Lipscomb.
. . Judge Abner S. Lipscomb.
Lee. April 14, 1874. . Gen. Robt. E. Lee.
Loving Feb'y 26, 1887 .. Oliver Loving.
Madison Jan'y 27, 1853 .. Prest. James Madison.
Mason . Jan'y 22, 1858 .. For Fort Mason.
Matagorda. .. Original County. Matagorda Bay.
Maverick .... Feb'y 1, 1856. . Samuel A. Maverick.
McLennan . . Jan'y 22, 1850. . John McLennan, Sr.
McCulloch. ... Aug. 27, 1856. . Gen. Ben. McCulloch.
McMullen ... Feb'y 1, 1858. . John McMullen, the colonist.
Medina. .
.Feb'y 12, 1848. The Medina River.
Menard. .Jan'y 22, 1858. Michel B. Menard.
Milam. . Original County. Col. Ben. R. Milam.
Montague. ... Dec. 24, 1857. . Daniel Montague, pioneer.
Montgomery. Dec. 14, 1837. . The American general.
Moore. . Aug. 21, 1876. . Com. Edwin W. Moore.
Martin .
. . Capt. Wylie Martin.
Motley
66
S Dr. Wm. Motley, k. at San
Jacinto.
Mitchell
. ..
Asa and Eli Mitchell.
Mills.
March 15, 1887. Roger Q. Mills.
Morris March 13, 1875.
Midland. .March 4, 1885 ..
Midway between Marshall
and El Paso.
Nacogdoches. Original County. The old Mexican town.
Navarro.
April 25, 1846 .. Jose Antonio Navarro.
Nueces
April 18, 1846. . Nueces River.
Newton
April 22, 1846. . Sergeant Newton, of 1776.
Nolan Aug. 21, 1876 ..
Philip Nolan, the adventurer
of 1801.
Orange.
Feb'y 5, 1852. . Borrowed.
Oldham.
Aug. 21, 1876. . Williamson S. Oldham.
Ochiltree. .
. Aug. 21, 1876. . Wm B. Ochiltree.
Palo Pinto. .. Aug. 27, 1856. . Palo Pinto Creek.
35
546
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
NAME OF COUNTY. WHEN CREATED. FOR WHOM OR FOR WHAT NAMED.
Panola
March 30, 1846.Borrowed.
Parker
.Nov. 12, 1855. . The Parker Fort family.
Pecos
May 3, 1871 .... Pecos River.
Polk. March 30, 1846.Prest. James K. Polk.
Presidio Jan'y 3, 1850. .. Old military post.
Parmer
Aug 21, 1876. .. Martin Parmer.
Potter
66
66
. . Robert Potter, d. 1841.
Red River. .Original County . For Red River.
Sterling C. Robertson, the
Robertson ... Dec 14, 1837. ..
colonist.
Refugio. Original County. The Mission Refugio.
Runnels.
. Feb'y 1, 1858. . Ex-Gov. Hiram G. Runnels.
Rusk
.Jan'y 16, 1843 .. Gen. Thomas J. Rusk.
Reeves.
April 14, 1883. . Geo. R. Reeves.
Randall
Aug. 21, 1876. . Col. Horace Randall.
Roberts
66
" ... Gov. Oran M. Roberts.
Rockwall
March 3, 1873. . A local imaginary wall.
Rains.
June 9, 1870 ... Emory Rains.
Sabine.
. Dec. 15, 1835. . . Sabine River.
SanAugustineOriginal County. The old town.
San Patricio.Original County. The old town " St. Patrick."
San Saba. ... Feb'y 1, 1856. .. San Saba River.
Shackleford .. Feb'y 1, 1858.
Dr. Jack Shackleford, of
Goliad fame.
Shelby Original County.Gov. Isaac Shelby, of Ky.
Smith.
.April 11, 1846 .. Gen. James Smith, of Rusk.
Starr.
.Feb'y 10, 1848 .. Dr. James H. Starr.
Sherman
Aug. 21, 1876 ... Gen. Sydney Sherman.
Swisher
66
.Capt. James G. Swisher.
Stonewall. 66 60 .Gen. Thomas J. Jackson.
Schleicher. April 1, 1887. . . Hon. Gustave Schleicher.
Scurry. Aug. 21, 1876 ... Gen. Wm. R. Scurry.
Sterling 1. March 9, 1891 ..
. 1 The origin of the name " Sterling " is unknown to the author.
547
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
NAME OF COUNTY. WHEN CREATED.
FOR WHOM OR FOR WHAT NAMED.
Sutton . . April 1, 1887. . .
5
Capt. Sutton, of Santa Fe
expedition, 1841.
Stephens . . .
Jan'y 22, 1858. . Alex. H. Stephens, of Ga.
San Jacinto. . Aug. 13, 1870 . . San Jacinto River.
Tarrant. .Dec. 20, 1849. .. Gen. Edward H. Tarrant.
Taylor Feb'y 1, 1858. .
S M. D. K., Wm. M. and Robert
H. Taylor.
ThrockmortonJan'y 13, 1858 ..
pioneer.
Titus May 11, 1846. .. Capt. Titus, pioneer.
Col. Wm. B. Travis, of the
Trinity Feb'y 12, 1850 .. Trinity River.
Tyler
April 3, 1846. . . President John Tyler.
Terry . Aug. 21, 1876. . Col. Benj. F. Terry.
Tom Green. . March 13, 1876. Gen. Tom Green.
Upshur .. . April 27, 1846. . Abel P.Upshur, Tyler's cabinet.
Uvalde.
. Jan'y, 1856 .. ... A Spanish officer.
Upton . .
. March, 1891. ... Capt. Upton, Texas Ranger.
Van Zandt . . March 20, 1848 .. Hon. Isaac Van Zandt.
Val Verde .. . March 24, 1885 .. Green Valley.
Walker . .
.April 6, 1848 . .. R. J. Walker, Polk's cabinet.
Washington .. Original County. The Father of his Country.
Webb.
Jan'y 28, 1848 .. Judge James Webb.
Wharton . . April 3, 1848. .. Wm. H. and John A. Wharton.
Wichita. . Feb'y 1, 1858 .. . Wichita River.
Wilbarger.
. . Josiah and Matthias Wilbarger.
Williamson. . March 13, 1848 .. Major Robt. M. Williamson.
Wise
Jan'y 23, 1856 .. Gov. Henry A. Wise, of Va.
Wood.
Feb'y 3, 1850 .. . Gov. Geo. T. Wood.
Ward Feb'y 26, 1887. . Thomas William Ward.
Winkler.
Feb'y 26, 1887 . Col. Clinton M. Winkler.
Wheeler . Aug. 21, 1876 . . Judge Royal M. Wheeler.
Waller April 28, 1873. . Edwin Waller, pioneer.
:
·
Victoria .. .
. Original County. Gen'l Guadalupe Victoria.
Travis. Jan'y 25, 1840. . Alamo.
S Dr. Wm. E. Throckmorton,
548
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
NAME OF COUNTY. WHEN CREATED. FOR WHOM OR FOR WHAT NAMED.
Wilson. March 13, 1874. Rev. James C. Wilson.
Young.
Feb'y 2, 1856 .. . Col. Win. C. Young.
Yoakum. .Aug. 21, 1876. . Henderson Yoakum, historian.
Zapata. Jan'y 22, 1858 .. Col. Antonio Zapata.
Zavala. Feb'y 1, 1858. . Vice-Prest. Lorenzo de Zavala.
A CONFEDERATE HOME
was established in Austin, some years since, by contributions, as a home for indigent and disabled Confederate soldiers. It has since been aided by the State ; not in direct appropria- tion, of money (which is inhibited by a general clause in the constitution ), but by material aid otherwise. The " Home " owns handsome buildings, and ample grounds, and furnishes a well provided home for the disabled soldiers, who, unlike those of the Union army, can receive no pensions; but, to their credit be it said, many northern men and Union soldiers have contributed to the support of this institution.
STATE CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
On the 2d of January, 1857, the State Institution for the education of the Deaf and Dumb was opened at Austin, under an act passed on the 26th of the previous August, Mr. I. Van Nostrand being first principal. Liberally endowed at the beginning from the public domain, and with necessary annual appropriations since, it has grown in capacity and usefulness, adopting all the recent developments in the institution of deaf mutes in older institutions of that kind. It ranks in all respects, as a first class institution, having graduated a large number of young men and women, well educated, and trained in various arts of handiwork. It has a printing office - has long published a newspaper conducted and printed by the pupils, and has done much public printing for the State. It possesses a large tract of elevated land,
549
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
opposite Austin, on which stand the elegant buildings, out- buildings, etc.
INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND. - This institution, created at the same time and with the same endowments of land, was opened in 1857, in a rented building under the principal- ship of Dr. I. H. Lightfoot. In 1860 it was moved into handsome buildings erected by the State, in a beautiful grove; on elevated grounds, one mile northeast of the capital, where it still remains. Since 1874 - a period of sixteen years, it has been under the constant superintendency of Dr. Frank Rainey. Its field of usefulness has been constantly enlarging ; its capacity, increased by additional buildings, it now ranks with the most advanced institutions of the country.
INSTITUTIONS FOR THE INSANE. - In the center of a grove on a large tract of land, two miles north of Austin, stands the first asylum for the insane in the State, erected also under an act passed in 1856, with a landed endowment, and opened in buildings of stone and brick, to which have been added from time to time other costly buildings. Dr. Charles G. Keenan was its first physician and superintendent. Time suggested the necessity for another institution, which was located in Terrell, in Kaufman County in 1887. It also has ample grounds and buildings for the use of the institution under the charge of Dr. D. R. Wallace. In 1890 a third Insane Institution was founded and opened by the State in the suburbs of San Antonio. The three asylums are liber- ally endowed by the State with both land and money. It is capacious in extent, elegant in design, and embraces all the accessories and modern improvements necessary to the suc- cess of such asylums.
THE FIRST PENITENTIARY OF THE STATE was established at Huntsville, in 1852. It has since been greatly enlarged, and manufacturing establishments added to its facilities for being self-sustaining. Its first superintendent was James Gillaspy, and its first financial agent John S. Besser. Still, the number
-
550
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
of convicts, increasing after the late war, became too great to be employed inside the walls, and hence was forced upon the State the necessity of hiring them out in groups to work, under guards, on railroads, plantations, etc. As a partial remedy for this state of things, under an act passed several years ago, a second penitentiary was established in the midst of the iron mines near Rusk, Cherokee County. It was sup- plied with all necessary machinery for smelting the abundant iron ore in the midst of which it is located, and of which a large amount is annually reduced into pig iron and castings. Plows and other implements of husbandry have been extensively manufactured by its inmates. The two institutions combined are not sufficient to hold and employ all the convicts, and a third is an acknowledged necessity.
INSURANCE, STATISTICS, HISTORY, ETC. - In 1874 there was established a bureau of the State Government called " The Bureau of Insurance, Statistics and History." To this was added, April 1st, 1887, a department of agriculture. The first commissioner was Dr. V. O. King, who was suc- ceeded by Henry P. Brewster, General H. P. Bee, L. L. Foster and Mr. Hollingsworth, respectively. The commis- sioner is ex-officio a member of the Board of Directors of the State Agricultural and Mechanical College and is placed in correspondence with the Department of Agriculture in Wash- ington City, as well as with those of the several States and territories of the United States; and, " at his option," with those of foreign countries, and the representatives of the United States in foreign countries. He may also, for the same purpose, open correspondence with such organizations, societies and associations in the State, having for their object the promotion of agriculture, in any of its branches, as he may choose, as well as [with] such individuals as he may select in various parts of the State." (Act of April 1, 1887. ) It is needless to predict that this Bureau, wisely managed, is destined to be of great value to Texas.
551
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
MASONIC. - The first grand lodge in the Republic of Texas was organized in Houston, December 12th, 1837, by charter granted by the Grand Lodge of Louisiana. It was composed of three lodges ; one at Nacogdoches, one at San Augustine and the " Holland Lodge " at Houston, and comprised a membership of about two hundred. Dr. Anson Jones was first Grand Master and George Fisher, Grand Secretary.
The corner-stone of the first temple was laid in Houston May 28, 1838. Dr. Anson Jones delivered the address and the Masons were assisted in the services by officers and breth- ren of the parent grand lodge of Louisiana.
Among those participating in the organization of this grand lodge were some of the most distinguished citizens of Texas, among whom were President Sam Houston, the patriot, Dr. Branch T. Archer, the old colonial secretary, Samuel L. Williams and others.
MASONIC RUIN .- In the old burial ground of Richmond on the Brazos is the ruin of a monument erected in 1825 by Wm. Morton, a brickmaker and layer, in memory of a brother mason. The structure is of brick, about eight or nine feet high from the ground; the shaft of four sides, stands on a pedestal five feet square and six inches above the ground. From a projecting cornice the whole terminates in a point. In each of the four sides, smooth brick slabs are inserted, on which are found in quaint lettering on one side this inscrip- tion :
" An honest craftsman moulders here Remote from friends and home, His widowed wife and orphans dear How sad must be their doom! His morals pure, his soul refined, He acted by the ' square; ' In him those virtues were combined, Which time cannot outwear."
On the south front is a well-defined hand holding a
552
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
" plumb-line," both moulded in the brick, which bears this inscription.
" Behold, I will set my plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel. I will not again pass by them any more."
On the north tablet is this inscription :
"IN MEMORY OF ROBERT GELESPIE, A NATIVE OF SCOTLAND, WHO, A STRANGER IN THIS LAND, TRAVELED TO THE MANSIONS OF ETERNITY THE 7TH OF NOVEMBER, 1825. MAY HE REST IN PEACE ! "
On other slabs are the level and square. Probably at that time the number of Masons in all Texas did not exceed ten or twelve, as the white settlers were but few.
The order has steadily grown from that day, until at the present, it numbers over five hundred lodges, and more than 20,000 members. Its temples or lodges are found in almost every town in the State and their structure reflects credit on the order. There can be no question but that its deeds of benevolence, never emblazoned before the world, have been of great service in the cause of humanity.
THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS was first or- ganized in Texas, April 29, 1841, since which there have been fifty grand masters, embracing a number of distinguished names, among whom was President Anson Jones. Of its sec- retaries E. P. Hunt served nine years, Oscar Farish nine years, George W. Grover (all three of Galveston ) ten years, and T. L. Wrenn, of Austin, twelve years. The institution has ever been recognized as not only in a prosperous condi-
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
tion, drawing its membership from the best elements of society, but abounding in unostentatious deeds of charity.
Numerous other social and benevolent secret societies have been organized within the last few years - devoted to social elevation, deeds of charity, and other worthy objects. Among these are the Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor, The Elks, The Red Men and a number of others. Our foreign population also have numerous organizations for kindred purposes, as Turn Verein, Casino, Beethoven and Frohsinn singing societies, Arbeiter Verein, Kranken Unterstüzungs Verein, and Schul Verein ( educational ), Salamander Singing Society, Garten Verein, Lieder Kranz, Schützen Verein, Deutscher Club, Männerchor, German ladies aid societies, Grütli Verein, (Swiss benevolent association, found in all Swiss communities ), Catholic Knights of America, Sängerbunde and Hermann Söhne (charity), Gesang Verein. One or more of these societies exists in San Antonio, Galveston, Houston, Austin, Brenham, Dallas, Sherman, Denison, Fort Worth, La Grange, Schulenburg, Gainsville, New Braunsfels, Fredericksburg, Boerne, Castroville, Eagle Pass, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Victoria, Cuero, Halletsville, Bellville, Columbus, and in almost every town in the State where there is a considerable German population.
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