USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 3
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 3
USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 3
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 3
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 3
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 3
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R. B. Hutto was born in Williamson coun- ty, Texas, August 31, 1857. He grew up on his father's ranch and assisted in earing for his father's cattle until he reached his major- ity. Ile then launched out in the cattle busi-
ness for himself, in which he was engaged for nine years, and at the end of that time dis- posed of his cattle interests for $25,000. Hle then invested in farm property near Hutto, and now gives his chief attention to the rais- ing of cotton, making an occasional trade. Hle is cultivating 350 acres of his 700-acre traet. Ilis cotton erop in 1892 amounted to 132 bales.
March 13, 1885, Mr. Ilutto married Alice, daughter of Albert Barker. The other chil- dren in the Barker family are Jesse, Gus, Calvin, Ollie, Benjamin and Katie. Mr. and Mrs. Hutto have three children: Willis, born in 1886; Jessie, in 1889, and May, in 1892.
Mr. Hutto's success is attributed to his great energy, backed by good judgment, a combination not common to a great majority of our business men.
OSEPH MELASKEY, one of the pio- neer merchants of Taylor, was born in Russia in 1851, a son of Mendal and Jennie (Brownie) Melaskey. Our subject received his education in Hebrew, being what is commonly called a Jew, or Israelite. He caine to America at the age of twenty years, landed in the city of New Orleans, and then came as a steerage passenger to Galveston, Texas. Mr. Melaskey was theu withont money, and suffered much for proper food. While in that city he met a Mr. Blum, who gave him $25 and sent him to his uncle, B. Melaskey, at Austin. After remaining there one month our subject began selling water- melons, peaches, etc., in front of his uncle's store, and in one month made as high as $200. His uncle then gave him a team of horses, a light wagon, and a stock of goods, and Mr. Melaskey was engaged as a traveling sales-
r. J. hause
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man until 1877. Ile then established the third general store in Taylor, doing business under the firm name of J. Melaskey & Co., with a capital stock of $6,000, and B. and II. Melaskey, of Anstin, owned a half inter- est in the establishment. Four years later this firm dissolved, and the partnership of Melaskey & Goldstone was formed, which continned five years. Since that time our subject has continued alone, carrying a gen- eral merchandise stock amounting to abont $35,000, and his sales reach $75,000 anm- ally. He does both a cash and credit busi- ness. Mr. Melaskey erected the second brick business honse in Taylor, and at the present time owns two large business buildings. Ile also has city property to the amount of $25,000, has a good cotton gin and a $10,000 homestead.
Mr. Melaskey was married, in 1880, to Miss Sarah Pearlstone, a native of Leon connty, Texas, and a daughter of I. M. Pearl- stone, of Waco, this State. Onr subject and wife have four children: Himan, Lulu, An- nett and Harris. Both Mr. and Mrs. Melaskey are members of the Jewish congregation. The former also affiliates with the I. O. O. F., the American L. of H., Hill City Lodge, No. 241, I. O. B. B., and Maccabees, Taylor Lodge, No. 10.
W ILLIAM J. GAUSE .- The subject of this sketch is one whose name will live in the history of Milam connty, not because of the circumstance of its having been given to one of the towns of the county, but because liis personal worth is such that those among whom he has so long lived, will not willingly let the story of his life be forgotten, but rather will transmit it to their descendants, and thus into perpetnity. i
William J. Ganse is a son of William Ganse, who was a son of John Ganse, the last named being a native probably of North Carolina. He was of German extraction, a descendant of one of those thrifty, peace- ful people called " Pennsylvania Dutch." by whom not only the great Keystone State but others of the original thirteen colonies were settled in the early days of the Republic. John Ganse is known to have served in the American Revolution, and family tradition credits him with having been a good soldier. Ile spent his later years in North Carolina, where he was successfully engaged in plant- ing. William Gause, the father of William J., of this article, was born in North Carolina, in the year 1800. He grew up there, and at about the age of twenty, went to Alabama, locating in the vicinity of Montgomery, where he subsequently met, and in 1828 married Mary Ann Moseley, a daughter of Robert and Rebecca Moseley, who had moved from Sonth Carolina to Alabama, about 1820 or 1825. For twenty years William Gause was successfully engaged in agriculture in Mont- gomery county, Alabama, when in the year 1840, in the prime and vigor of manhood, he died, deeply mnonrned by a family who profoundly loved him, and by a large number of friends to whom he had endeared himself by his nsefnl services and genial nature. He had no civil or military record. Of him it can be recorded as the Psahnist said of an- other: His ways were ways of pleasantness, and all his paths were peace. He had, how- ever, a brother, Jolm Ganse, who was a man of public note in Alabama, in an early day, being one of the framers of the first State constitution, and both being ardent Whigs in the times when the political contest was between Whigs and Democrats. After the death of her husband, the widow of William
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Gause, accompanied by her two sons, William J. and Robert B., came to Texas, and settled in Harrison county. The family resided in that county until 1855, when William J. married and moved to Milam comty, the mother remaining in Harrison county, where she died abont 1859. The brother, Robert B., is still a resident of east Texas, living in Marion county, where he is engaged in farming.
William J. Gause, with whom this notice is mainly concerned, was born in Montgomery county, Alabama, November 26, 1829. He was reared in his native county, and, in his yonth, had the advantages of a good com- mon-school education, which he followed up, alter on, with some study of the languages and the higher mathematies. Thus qualified for the discharge of the duties of man's estate, he came to Texas in 1849, and east his lot with the people of this new State. From 1849 to 1855, he lived in Harrison county, where he had charge of his mother's estate, which he managed snceessfully. Marrying at the age of twenty-six, October 3, 1855, he purelased a traet of 500 aeres of land, lying in the southeast part of Milam county, to which he moved a year later, and where he resided until 1872, when he bought his present place, on which he then settled, and where he has sinee resided. Mr. Ganse has been actively engaged in farming all his life, and has met with a full measure of success. He owns 1,000 aeres of land in this county, 250 acres of which are in cultivation, and all of it more or less improved, well located and well stocked. Ile also conducts a mercantile business in the village of Gause, and is reeog- mized as one of the financially solid men of that loeality. He is a publie-spirited citizen, a man of liberal views, and also liberal with his ineans in fostering those enterprises
which he believes will stimulate the material interests of his town and county, and add to their social and moral advancement. Ile has passed life's sminmit, having reached that point in his career when his thoughts are largely of a reflective nature. Time and for- tune have dealt kindly with him, and, his life having been well ordered, his reflections ean not but be pleasant. All who know him accord him a high place in the community where he lives and pronounce his career an unqualified snecess.
Mr. Gause's wife, who yet abides with himn, and to whose counsel and assistance he owes mnich of the snecess he has attained, as well as the most wholesome pleasures of his life, ~ was born in Montgomery county, Alabama, October 3, 1835. Her maiden name was Lovedy A. Arinstrong, she being a danghter of Martin M. and Harriet ( Moseley) Arm- strong, who were born, the father in Ala- bama and the mother in Georgia, and who were married in Alabama, about 1829.
Mr. and Mrs. Gause became the parents of seven children: Harriet A., now the wife of Captain F. M. Adams, of Milam county; Willie F., of Covington; Fannie L., wife of F. B. Bever, of Crockett, Texas; Ammie, wife of Ed Sanders, of Cameron; William Stone- wall, who died at the age of six; Catherine C. and Robert B.
Mr. Ganse and wife and several of their children are members of the Methodist Claireh, of which he was Steward for a num- ber of years, and in which he was an active worker, especially in the Sunday-sehools, both in the capacity of superintendent and teacher.
Mr. Ganse' life has been well ordered, and is worthy of mention in this connection. Ilis temperate and moral habits are unexception- able. Ile never indulged in the ruinous pas- times of youth, and hence he reached and
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has enjoyed man hood in physical health and with a sound and practical mind. In dispo- sition he is genial and lively, full of hope and always looking at the bright side. Ilis devotion to his widowed mother was ever marked and is worthy of all praise. There could hardly be a better picture of filial affection, or one more radiant with love and tenderness than that of the stalwart young man, full of life and presumably with some of the waywardness of youth, eschewing all the pleasures and pastimes nsnally indulged in by those of his age and devoting his ener- gies to the task of lifting from his mother the responsibilities of her widowhood. The same faithfulness and devotion have character- ized his actions. toward the members of his own family, he bestowing upon them all the care and earnest solicitudc of an affectionate husband and father.
HOMAS BRUCE, .Commissioner of Precinct No. 1, Williamson county, is a member of the noted Scotch family of that name, made famons by the illustrious Robert Bruce, familiar to readers of Scottish history. In Colonial days two brothers of the name settled in the colony of Maryland, on the Potomac. Their descend- ants crossed the river into Virginia, where our subject's grandfather, Thomas Brnec, was born and raised. Ilis married life was passed iu Greenville district, Sonth Carolina, where he raised a large family, and lived to a good old age. The parents of our subject, James and Annie (Ponder) Bruce, in their turn, married, and passed their entire life in that neighborhood. The father was a man of influence in his community. although he never aspired to public office, and was a
member of the Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Brnce had ten children, as follows: Thomas, the subject of this sketch; John, of Greenville, South Carolina; William J., of Fannin county, Texas; Milton, of Haywood county, North Carolina; Joseph, of William- son county; Naney, now Mrs. Dennis Crain, of Greenville; Mary, now Mrs. Ballinger, of Birmingham, Alabama; Caroline, deceased; Angeline, now Mrs. Ballinger, of Buncombe county. North Carolina. The mother died in 1863, and the father in 1886.
Thomas Brnce, the subject of this sketch, was born in Greenville district. Sonth Caro- lina, November 25, 1836. At the age of twenty-two years he went to Atlanta, Georgia, and nine months afterward caine to Texas, spending the first two years in Rnsk county, after which he located in Washington county. In March, 1861, he enlisted for service in the late war, entering a company of State troops, and was stationed on the frontier. In the following May the company became a part of the regnlar service, Company B, Second Texas Cavalry, and was ordered to Arizona, and participated in the battle of Balverda and other engagements. After fifteen months there the regiment was ordered East, took part in the battle of Galveston, passed into Louisiana and remained there until the elose of hostilities. Mr. Bruce then resumed farming in Washington county, and in the fall of 1869 came to Williamson county, lo- eating on his present farm of 400 aeres, six and one-half miles east of Georgetown. In 1892 Mr. Brnee was chosen by the Dem- ocratie party as Commissioner of Precinct No. 1, which office he still holds, giving eminent satisfaction to his constituents.
In January, 1866, in Washington county. Texas, onr subject was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Russell. They had two children:
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Lelia, at home; and George, a miller at Georgetown. The wife and mother died in the fall of 1869. In 1872 Mr. Bruce mar- ried Mrs. Wileman, and they have had seven children, four now living: Ida, Kate, Aleta and Alta. Mr. Bruce is a member of the Methodist Church.
W ILLIAM P. BIRD .- From half to three-quarters of a century ago the name of Captain Joli Bird was as well-known to the scattered settlers of central Texas as that of General Sam Houston was to the whole people of the Republic immedi- ately atfer the battle of San Jacinto. He stood to the settlers of this section in the same relation that Houston did to all of the settlers, that is, as their friend and protector. The territory extending from the vicinity of where Belton now stands to the vicinity of Brenham he covered with his rangers, and not once but many times did his alertness, bravery, skill and daring save the people of this section from the visitations of the heart- · less savages of the frontier. Captain Bird has never been accorded as extended a space in the history of this locality as that to which he is entitled, and a somewhat fuller reference to him will therefore be made in this place in connection with what is said of his son, the subject of this notice.
William Bird, the father of John Bird and the grandfather of William P. of this article, was a native of England. He came to America some time during the latter part of the last century and settled in Tennessee. There his son John was born in 1795. He was reared in that State and practically on the frontier. The settlers at that date were in a constant state of warfare with the Indians, and all men able to bear arms, especially the
younger men, had abundant opportunity to become familiar with Indian enstoms and character. John Bird saw considerable ser- vice during those years as an Indian fighter. Ile also served under Jackson in the war of 1812, and in this way, by the time he had reached middle life, was well accustomed to the smell of powder and versed in the simpler arts of war. IIe was a man of strong physi- cal courage, full of daring yet cool and col- lected in danger. Ile possessed individuality and a certain gift of command which easily won for him the leadership in every com- munity and company in which he was thrown. Like most brave men he sympathized with the weak, and to excite him to action it was only necessary to tell him that some one was in distress. The spectacle of a few colonies of his fellow-countrymen struggling against a great military power like Mexico moved him as it did many another noble soul to cast his fortunes in Texas at an early day and where he willingly took up the life of a frontiersman with all its hardships and nn- certainties. IIe came to Texas in 1829, being then married and the head of a family. He nade liis first stop on the Brazos river at a place then known as "Old Cow Cooper's," located in what is now Austin county. He had been there but a short time when his services were demanded in averting attacks of the Indians and running down Indian horse-thieves and affording general protection to the lives and property of the settlers. Once in the service, his skill as a leader and the confidence which his presence always in- spired kept him there till his death. IIe was in nearly every expedition set on foot in this general section in those days, and organized at different times a number of companies for service against the Indians. He was opposed to the war of 1835-'36, by which Texas won
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her independence, but when volunteers were called for he raised a company with which he entered the service, and after serving for a time in front of Santa Anna took a position by General Houston's direction near the Brazos, where he gave to the scattered settlers needed protection against the Indians. Ile continued in active service as a ranger up to the date of his death, and, in fact, made his life the last offering to a people whom he had so long and faithfully served. He was killed in what is now Bell county, in 1839, while at the head of a company of rangers in pursuit of Indian horse-thieves. The cireminstances attending his death form one of those interesting episodes that mark the early history of Texas and one deserving a full discription in this connection.
On May 26, 1839, Captain Jolm Bird, with a company of thirty-one rangers, well mnonnted and equipped, left Fort Milam, at the falls of the Brazos, on a scouting expedi- tion against the depredating bands of Indians who were constantly making forages npon the unprotected settlements aronnd Fort Griffin, on Little river, which was at that time on the extreme frontier of Texas in that direc- tion -- the Bryants, Marlins and a few others on the Brazos being their nearest neighbors. The presence of the Indians was divined from the usual signs, and after a hurried march of some five miles upon the freshly made trail they suddenly came upon several small bands of Comanches. When discovered the Indians were evidently aware of the presence of the rangers and were engaged in collecting their forces. The rangers charged the redskins, who moved on ahead of the white men, thinking by that means to prevent pur- snit. Following on for some three miles over the prairie, the rangers found them- selves confronted by the same party of In- 'conntin' Injins." The helpless little com-
dians increased by others who had obeyed the signal to come together, and were arrayed in battle order and ready for a fight. The Tex- ans again charged upon them, and after a short skirmish the Indians again fed, the rangers pursuing them several miles further, but without overtaking them. Their horses being considerably jaded, the savages easily outrode them. The rangers now gave np the chase, but after retracing their steps for half a mile, and just as they were emerging from a skirt of timber on the south side of a small stream, since called Bird's creek, and at a point abont seven miles northeast of the pres- ent town of Belton, they were suddenly sur- rounded by about forty Indians, who shot their arrows at them from every direction. The rangers made for a ravine some 600 yards in front, where there was a spring, which they succeeded in reaching despite the desperate attempts made to thwart them by the sav- ages, who now retired to the top of a hill about 300 yards distant. A council of war was now held, when the Indians sent up three " signal smokes," which were in a like manner answered in as many different direc- tions. In about half an hour the rangers saw a large body of mounted warriors head- ing in the direction of their confederates. In a few minutes the hilltop seemed to be liter- ally alive with painted demons. Increased to abont 300 in number, and led by the fa- mous chief Buffalo Hmmmp; the Indians now arrayed themselves in battle order, ready and eager for the fray. Advancing a few paces, the entire company halted, and they remained silent and motionless for several moments, perhaps to give the little band of Texans in the ravine an opportunity of counting the enemy; but, as one of the rangers remarked after the fight, "thar warn't no time for
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pany of men well knew that this formidable army of red devils would soon swoop down upon them, and they were busy preparing to defend themselves against such fearful odds. Raising the Comanche war-whoop all along the line, the Indians charged down upon the men in the ravine, nttering the most un- earthly yells that ever greeted the cars of mortals, and at the same time pouring a del- nge of arrows. The Texans were brave and cool, and gave them a most deadly reception, cansing them to retire to the hilltop, without carrying off their dead and wounded. Again the enemy charged in overwhelming num- bers, this time advancing to within fifty yards of the ravine, but under the galling fire of the rangers they were once more compelled to retreat, leaving a number of their dead and wounded upon the field.
A still more vigorous attack was now made by the Indians, who were determined to rout the little garrison at all hazards. The strife became deadly. The gallant little band of rangers in the ravine fought for life, and taxed their energies to the utmost. The field was almost an open prairie, with little or nothing to shield the contending focs against the showers of arrows and leaden hail which were being incessantly sent. Victory trembled in the balance. The Indians charged re- peatedly almost to the brink of the ravine, but were often forced back. The brave Cap- tain Bird was killed early in the fight, and six other rangers were killed or wounded. The remainder, reduced to only twenty-five in number, and exhausted by the protracted contest, seemed doomed to almost certain de- struction, when James Robinnett, a young German, upon whom the command now de- volved, swore to his comrades that he would kill the chief in the next charge at the risk of his own life. Young Robinnett had not
long to wait before the Indians again charged down upon them, led by their chief, who was arrayed in full uniform, with an immense head dress of buffalo horns, and mounted on a splendid American horse, presenting a most Indierons yet formidable appearance. Taking deliberate aim, Robinnett fired at the chief, and true to his vow, sneceeded in killing him! Three unsuccessful attempts were made by the Indians to rescue the body of their chief but each Indian fell who appeared near his corpse.
The fight was thus kept up till near sun- down when the savages retreated to the hill, with heavy loss of men and horses. The Tex- ans' loss was five killed, their gallant and la- mented captain, a Mr. Galy, Jesse E. Nash, a Mr. Weaver, and a man named Hall who died from his wounds the next day, and they had two or three wounded. The loss of the Indians was supposed to be about one hun- dred.
Fearing another attack from the savages they remained in the ravine until the next morning; and, seeing no Indians in sight, the rangers mounted their horses (which had been seenred near by in the ravine) and made their way back to Fort Griffin, taking with them their wounded comrades. Their story was soon told and a force of about ten men in a few days collected and repaired to the battle-ground. The bodies of the slain were too badly decomposed to be handled then, but later a large coffin was prepared and into this uncouth receptacle all that was mortal of Captain Bird and his nufortunate comrades were placed and buried on the battle-grounds.
On Bird's creek where the engagement first commenced, the bullet holes may still be seen in many of the trees. The little spring in the ravine that slacked the thirst of the besieged rangers and cooled the
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fevered brows of their dying comrades still bubbles forth its sparkling waters as on that memorable day, murmuring on eternal requiem to the memory of the heroes who so nobly perished to protect their homes and loved ones. The battle-ground is now en- closed in a farm and all that marks the scene of this desperate conflict is a clump of alamo blanco trees, living monuments to the men- ory of the fallen heroes.
Captain Bird left surviving him a widow and four children. His widow, whose maiden name was Sarah Denton, was a daughter of Benjamin Denton, a native of Tennessee, where she was born abont 1800. She died in Burleson county, in 1870. The eldest child of Captain Bird was a danghter, Nancy J., who was six times married, and the mother of a large number of children, and who is now deceased. Ilis eldest son was William P., whose name heads this sketch. The two younger children were Thomas J. and Wincey, the former a son and the latter a daughter, both twice married and the parents of a num- ber of children. Thomas is still living, be- ing a resident of Burleson county, and the daughter is deceased.
William P. Bird, the eldest son of this pioneer family and one of the oldest settlers now living in Burleson county was born in Perry county, Tennessee, October 28, 1819. He was abont ten years old when his parents came to Texas. Ile received scarcely any education as there were no schools in Texas when he was a boy. His time was chiefly ocenpied after he reached his twelfth year in looking after his father's cattle over the range, Captain Bird soon after coming to Texas, having contracted to care for a large number of cattle on the shares. Young William made an effort to enter the Texas army for service against Santa Anna, but!
there was no organization in reach except that of his father, which his father refused to let him enter as his services were needed at home.
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