USA > Texas > Wise County > Pioneer history of Wise County; from red men to railroads-twenty years of intrepid history > Part 3
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stricted his actions in a manner natural only to closely populated territories. In the first place, as has been described, his original location was pre-empted from under him by another during his absence; in the second place, when on going to run the boundary lines of his second location, he found them conflicting with the line marks of a survey which had been made in the name of Crawford, Toombs and Catlett. It was thus necessary for him to purchase title from the original locators, which he did in preference to seeking a third spot on which to pitch his home. It is natural to presume, however, that Senator Toombs treated his former host most generously in this transaction.
In closing this incident the writer is tempted in fancy to stand with Woody at the threshold of this budding community and look back over the more than three hundred years of Ameri- can civilization to the time when our forefathers first set foot on the hallowed soil of the republic, and view their advancing footsteps towards this spot, every stride of which is contested by that savage race which has given way only in the face of Anglo-Saxon courage and determination, until in this the year of 1854, their furthermost western reaches are identified in the personality of Sam Woody himself.
Since the expedition of Cabeza de Vaca to Texas in 1835, three centuries and a half of waiting and preparation had been required to make it feasible for Woody to stand here on that April day, the distinguished denizen of the dividing line between an old and a rich civilization to the east and the point where its frazzled edge dips suddenly and is lost in vast primeval forests and uninhabited wastes of prairie.
It is a moment tense with romance, and I with Woody fecl the pressure of it behind and before. Looking behind our position is realized as the forerunners of civilization, and looking before, our hopes spring up as we view the glorious flower of life which is to blossom forth from the germ we are planting here to-day.
No chronicles of future times of peace should fail to make due record of this romantic moment of germ planting.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY.
SUBSEQUENT ARRIVALS AND LOCALITIES SOUGHT.
A few other settler families had straggled in by the time of the waning of summer 1854. John Butler, of whom little can be learned, should be mentioned here as being one of the first of the above class. He chose a place in the eastern part of the county, in the neighborhood of the point where Catlett Creek intersects with Denton Creek, on which he built a log cabin.
In July or August, William Calhoun came in with his family and pre-empted a location on Oliver Creek. The winter of 1854 and 55 seems to have been a pro- pitious time for the begin- ning of an earnest stream of immigration into the county, for many arrivals are noted in that season. Heading the column in the Deep Creek community were the families of James Brooks and Dr. Standifer, who settled on Walnut Creek, as the first neighbors of Mr. Woody. Upon one of the days prior to Christ- mas of 1854, a child was born in the Brooks family, the first white child born on Wise County soil. The JIM BROOKS. child now flourishes in the matured person of James Brooks, Jr., formerly of Wise County, but at present living in El Paso .* Dr. Standifer had been a surgeon in the U. S. army and established at the post of Ft. Worth, which it is said, Dr.
* Since the above reference to James Brooks as being the first white child born in Wise County was written, the writer has had communication with
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SUBSEQUENT ARRIVALS AND LOCALITIES SOUGHT.
Standifer was largely instrumental in having selected as an army post. On coming to Wise County he retired from the active practice of medicine, but gave some aid to the sick of his community which constituted him the first physician in the county.
On Feb. 28, 1855, the probable third birth in the county, occurred to Mr. and Mrs. Woody, a girl afterwards named Betty, and who, in later years, married James Boyd of that numerous and prominent family of the county. Mrs. Boyd now lives with her family in Western Texas.
Following soon after the Brooks' and Standifers' came Stan- hope Paschall and family to become permanent settlers in the community.
Mr. Manse MeCarroll of Tom Greene County, Texas, and Mrs. Lou Duck- worth, of Gibtown, Jack County, Texas, son and daughter of one of the original pioneers, namely Tom McCarroll. From statements made by
these two it appears that Mrs. Lou Duckworth, whose maiden name was Louisa Woody McCar- roll, was born in Wise County, Sept. 2nd, 1854, which would place the event of her birth about three months preceding that of James Brooks. Mr. Sam Woody was authority for the particulars relating to the birth of Jim Brooks, his statements being very positive. Subsequent discoveries, however, have mysti- fied the situation and it remains doubtful which of these two shares the honor of being the first county born. A photograph of Louisa Woody Duckworth, whose second name was taken from Mr. Sam Woody's mother, who was in attendance at the ac- couchment of Mrs. McCarroll, accompanies these statements. Louisa Woody MeCarroll married D. W. Duckworth of Gibtown, Jack County, Texas. 3
MRS. LOU DUCKWORTH.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY.
MUSTER-ROLL OF THE OLD CITIZENSHIP.
In the following list will be found the names of the majority of arrivals in the county during the years of the settlement period, which ended shortly before the beginning of the Civil War. The list might be described as a scroll of honor on which are inscribed the names of those hardy pioneers who stood steadfastly to the task of working out the problems incident to the first troublous years of the existence of the county. Some names have been necessarily left out, because the intervention of half a century of time has operated to blot them from mem- ory, to which defect the cause of apparent neglect is more due than to the prompting to ignore. The list was prepared under the guidance of an Old Settlers' Committee, and is submitted with a conviction of its correctness. The most of the names here presented represent the heads of families, but, much to the general regret, the list does not include the pioneer wives and mothers who bore an equal share of the privations of the times, sweetened the bitter hours with their love and sympathy, and refined and elevated the common life with the inspiration of their pure and lofty characters. The exigencies of the situa- tion does not provide their names. The list, accompanied by the locations occupied, follows:
Deep Creek and Boyd Valley. Sam Woody and sons, Will and Drew; Ben Crews; Bob Walker; Mat Walker; John Mann and sons, Jim, William, Brice, Henry, John and Andrew; Tom MeCarroll; Stanhope Paschall and sons, Dennis, Jack and John; Lawrence Ward, Sr., and sons, Henry, Frank. Lawrence and Will: Richard Boyd and sons, Jim, Tom and John; John and Polk Prunty: Ben and Dave Lewellen; Jim Gage: John Mapes; C. C. Leonard; Ben Earp:
Oliver Creek. Dr. Thomas Stewart; W. W. Brady; Parson Bebe: Marion Tefiteller; Wm. Calhoun: Andy Shoemaker and sons, Milton, William, Lauren, Tom, Jerome and Andy; Riley and Neri Hobson: Darb Pyeatt; John Crutchfield: Sam and Jim Brandenburg.
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MUSTER-ROLL OF THE OLD CITIZENSHIP.
Holmes Valley. Tom Cogdell; Rev. W. H. H. Bradford; Ben Monroe; Charles Browder; J. S. Standifer; Jim Brooks; Alonzo Dill.
Walnut Creek Valley. Samuel and Richard Beck; Pleas Bryant ; Jim Rucker; Nat, Rans, Clabe, Charlie, Bob, Joe and Dave Cates; Lemuel Cartwright and sons, Charlie, John, George; R. M. Collins; Billie Miller; C. H. Miller.
Sand Hill. John Roe; J. D. White; Charlie Thompson; Jack Hart, Sr. and Jr .; Wils, Tom and Steve Hart; Bob Newman ; W. A. King.
Lower Walnut Creek. John Curtner, Sr. and Jr .; Earnest Curt- ner: John and William Galley; John Gibbs.
Aurora. Major Slimp; Ben and Nick Haney; John Boyd; John Teague; Judge W. S. Oats; Wm. Oats and sons, Mark and John.
Huff Valley. Win. Hudson; Tom Geary: -- Huff and sons, · Matt, Jim, Charles and Budd; Jim Hudson; Joe Dewees. Prairie Point (Rhome). Sam Sheets; Tom, Sam and Jim Sheets; Elihu Teague; - Van Meter; Dave Fulton: John Day and sons, Jim and John; Josh King; Green Penington : Nick Dawson; Marion Edwards; Kit Simpson.
Halsell Valley. Eli Hogue; Henry Martin: Joe Henry Martin: John Williams; Electious Halsell.
Sweetwater. John Waggoner; A. Bishop; Ed Blythe; Dock Lindley.
Upper Catlett. G. B. Pickett; John W. Hale; Wm. Russell; George, Marsh, Garner, Bill, John, Jim and Joe Birdwell; Tom Weatherby; Sylvanous Bean: Grundy Kelly; Kelly; Jack Moore; Jim Watson; Jim Rodgers; High Russell; Perry Mills; Andy and Joe Marshall; Tom Robin- son; Jim and Tom Scarborough; Archer Fullingim; H. H. Wilton; Bat, John and Sam Millholland; John Wilson ; Lijah Hall; Dan Waggoner; Floyd Smith; S. M. Gose and sons, John, Dave and Coy; Jesse Fullingim; Ely Roberts ; Frank Roberts; Elijah Roberts.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY.
Decatur. Robert Wallace: John Wallace: A. B. Foster: Hugh Hardwick; Charles Hardwick; Jim Proctor; Wm. Perrin; Dan Howell; Elmore Allen; T. Perrin: Sam Perrin.
Sandy Creek. Henry and Tom Jennings.
Catlett and Sweetwater. John Staley; Lycurgus King: John Butler; Dr. William Renshaw.
Denton Creek. J. B. Brandon; Philo Martin.
Mouth of Catlett. Samuel L. Terrell; Jacob Kellam: Felix Gose.
Hog-eye Prairie. J. B. Earhart; Brushy, Dick Reiger.
Salt Creek. T. E. Camp; Jesse Kincannon; Diek Holden.
Hog Branch. George Guinn: Andy Scroggins; Balam Scrog- gins; Moses Followell: - Mackey: Bob Lewis: Stevens.
Paradise Prairie and Salt Lake Valley. Toller; John Woods; Oliver Reed; Wm. Burress; J. G. Stevens.
Bridgeport, Dry and Hunt's Creek. Alex and Tom Mahaffy, Pierce, Harry and Sam Woodward: W. H. Hunt; George Isbell; Rufus Booth; John and Straud Babb: John Arter- berry: Wm. Anderson.
Cumby's Prairie. Edward Cumby; Eli Roberts; Gabe Jones; Tom Jones: George Glass; Chesley Marlett; Woodford and Ben Bennett; Dick Couch.
Crafton. Elias Eden.
Garrett's Creek. Jako Garrett.
Audubon. D. D. Shirey; Clabe White: Press Walker; Mose, Jim, Carlo and Bab Ball.
Black Creek :. Wade Hudson; Martin and Harmon Cadell; Wil- liam Weatherby; Tinville Cecil; Bob and Alex Lowry; Jess Eads: Jesse and Warren Gage: Tom Allen: Hugh Allen.
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GREGARIOUS TENDENCIES NOTABLE IN SETTLEMENT.
Others. J. C. Carpenter; John and Wiley McDaniel; Ira Long; Major Holmes; Ceph Woods; Hugh Hardwick; P. P. R. Collom; Glen, Billie and R. K. Halsell: Polk Mathews; Jim Sensibaugh; Dutch Waggoner; Parson Windsor; Cal Mount; Dick Mount; Cal Pritchard; Elias Calhoun ; George Stevens; John Steadman; Hezekiah Jones; Wash Conley; Tom and Bill Marshall; Pleas Cartwright; Anderson, Bill and Wilson Cook.
GREGARIOUS TENDENCIES NOTABLE IN SETTLEMENT.
OTHER REMARKS.
By the time immigration was well established, three well- defined communities, composing the major part of the popula- tion, became clearly distinguishable. These were Deep Creek, Sand Hill and Upper Catlett Creek. Numerous independent locations, however, had been made throughout the county, the choice of home sites being largely governed by the accessibility to water and timber.
The fact that settlements had been made in most of the creek valleys leading into the cross-timbers from the prairies, beginning with the southern limit of the settled area in the Deep Creek community and ending with the northern limit in the region of Catlett Creek, points to the conclusion that the habit of well- digging had not as yet been formed, and that it was an industry of doubtful utility. Stock water and grass for grazing con- stituted the chief essentials of the people as keepers of small flocks of sheep and cattle and herds of hogs, and wherever such perquisites were found, settlements were made convenient thereto.
Western Wise County does not demand special attention here since there seems, at this time, to have been no general tendency towards settlement in that region, the only notable exception being in the genuinely picturesque example of Col. William H. Hunt at Cactus Hill, which was a cattle ranch located on Hunt's Creek, and which is to find full description in a succeeding chapter.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY.
The gregarious spirit of the pioneers brought them together in groups of habitation, the resultant intimacies of which re- dounded in many useful ways. All essentials of a social, relig- ious and educational nature were better effected through this collective system, which as well afforded mutual exchanges of labor and charitable assistance, and mutual protection against common foes. It was a time of isolation and loneliness with strong optimistic natures prerequisite to its forbearance, and the intangible factors of faith and hope, springing spotaneously from the collective community, came to succor the individual weak and faint-hearted.
The three mentioned communities were recruited from natural ·causes. Deep Creek got its adherents from former neighbors of Sam Woody in Eastern Texas and Tarrant and Dallas Counties, Sand Hill, from the drawing power of blood relationship, this community being principally inhabited by a population through- out which a general kinship prevailed. The originals embarked from Tennessee and other South Central states and all the " kinfolks " which were available to make the change, were prevailed on to follow, resulting in Sand Hill's becoming very nearly a large and happy family. Catlett Creek congregated its forces from the old counties of North and East Texas, princi- pally Hopkins, Red River and Lamar, where this frontier strangely called " Keechi," had gained a rising reputation for richness and fertility.
Such marks as these can be traced throughout all Wise County's population, both of the pioneer and subsequent periods.
CHAPTER II. CACTUS HILL.
The late Col. R. M. Collins, an eyewitness to the settlement of Wise County has written: "Amongst the advancing squadrons of American civilization, as a rule, the first to get on the outside and blaze the way is the man with his herds and flocks; then comes the man with the hoe, followed by the Methodist circuit rider, and next to him is the politician." From thence on the lamented Wise County editor described an early political incident in which there was much of a serious and humorous nature. We pause to dwell on that phrase which emphasizes the man with the flocks and herds as the one who " blazes the way for the advancing squadrons of civilization." Referred to Wise County, the statement is substantially confirmed in the example of Col. W. H. Hunt, who, as one of the very first settlers to seek out a location here, brought along his flocks and herds to pasture on the free and luxuriant grasses. Col. Hunt found Western Wise County better suited to his purpose, and there, on the banks of Hunt's Creek he established a most interesting and picturesque home and ranch quarters, the descriptive details of which, it is hoped, will provide an entertaining chapter of this book. The following remarks will be devoted to a de- scription of Cactus Hill itself, with character sketches of Col. Hunt and members of his family reserved for another place.
The locality was first occupied by Col. Hunt and family in 1855 but some time prior to that date he had brought hither a large number of cattle and sheep, and left them in care of cow- boys in his service. Hunt's Creek is a tributary of the West Fork of the Trinity River and the Cactus Hill home was estab- lished on it in the vicinity of the point where the Decatur and Jacksboro road finds a crossing. The house stood to the right of the road, facing south, on a rising prominence which stands out above both the creek and the road, and gives it an unob- structed view of the country for miles around.
(39)
40
PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY.
COL. W. H. HUNT.
41
CACTUS HILL.
The writer has been enabled to obtain from Mrs. D. J. Gal- braith, of Honey Grove, and Mrs. Kate Hunt Craddock, of Ter- rell, a daughter of Colonel Hunt, certain comprehensive sketches which detail the life and surroundings of this most genuinely picturesque and romantic feature of early Wise County life; in fact, more connected information has been vouchsafed on this point than attaches to any other phase of the historical matter under consideration. Mesdames Craddock and Galbraith's con- tributions supplemented by those of living pioneers forms the basis of the description of Cactus Hill.
Possibly the reader is asking at the outset for a brief reference to the part Colonel Hunt played in the history of the period in question, and also certain allusions to the prominences of his character. He was a man gifted with a genius for leadership; he was broad and charitable in his views; he was hospitable and sympathetic and endowed with unusual intelligence; a New Yorker by birth and a city-bred man, he was equipped to intro- duce direction and system into his personal affairs and the affairs of others, which he frequently shouldered. His mission in the early history of the county was one of counsel and guid- ance; he provided that broad and rugged leadership so essen- tial to all the local interests in their undeveloped and formative state. He is revered for his hospitable ways at Cactus Hill and remembered for the many benefactions which he conferred on the people.
Alluding again to Cactus Hill, it may be said that Mrs. Gal- braith visited the scene in the year of 1855, having ridden out on horseback from Bonham in company with Colonel Tom Bean, the noted Texan, and Miss Belle Cordell, Mrs. Hunt's sister. Much of Mrs. Galbraith's description is embodied in these statements. She thus indicates the surroundings :
"We could stand on Cactus Hill and look for miles in every direction and see the most beautiful scenery, great high hills covered with small live-oak trees and cactus of every variety ; the tall mesquite grass thrived in luxuriance, and intermingled with all these lovely decorations were great white stones and countless wild flowers; there was not a house in sight of Colonel Hunt's."
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PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY.
In this wild and rugged region sat Cactus Hill, a refined and cultivated home. The house was a large log structure with two rooms and a hall, with a porch in front and rock-floored kitchen and dining room in the rear. The lumber used in the flooring and door and window frames was brought by ox-teams from Jefferson, in eastern Texas, by James Proctor, and the glass panes of the windows were the first introduced into the county.
The prevailing evidences of culture and taste existed in the well-chosen library, in which were to be found the poetical works of Byron, Tennyson, Milton and Shakespeare, the latter being Colonel Hunt's favorite author. A spindle-legged me- lodeon brought from New York by way of New Orleans to Cactus Hill, was the first instrument of the kind in the country. A tuner often rode out from MeKinney to put the melodeon in order. Once in the dining room, the guests found themselves served from the finest of china, which existed in profusion.
In the landlord's big desk, which occupied one corner of the spacious west room, was kept the postoffice of the neighborhood, to which the neighbors came to receive and send mail. A short distance from the house a large basement was built under a two- roomed structure used for a granary and smoke-house, in which the dairy products were kept cool and fresh. Here also was kept a constant store of luxuries and supplies from the distant markets. Still further to the rear was a large blacksmith shop plentifully equipped with tools to which the neighbors repaired for blacksmithing.
The corrall was one of the best in the country, made of huge · logs tightly pinioned with bois d'arc pegs and entered through a massive swinging gate. The fences were ten feet high on three sides, the fourth being formed by a succession of barns and stables. A large "mount" of cow ponies was always on hand, besides which, pride was taken in the ownership of a goodly number of riding and carriage horses.
Besides the many cattle, a large flock of sheep was kept constantly recruited to number 3,500 on range about the country, the annual wool clip from which was transported in large cara- vans to Jefferson and sold, the caravans returning laden with supplies for the ranch, and also at times bringing back goods
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CACTUS HILL.
and wares for Howell and Allen's store, which lay on the route. One of the picturesque sights around Cactus Hill was the band of cow-boys in the employment of Colonel Hunt and other ranchmen of the section. No cattleman or wayfarer in that
" PAPPY DAD" A CHARACTER ABOUT CACTUS HILL.
region ever found himself independent of the hospitality of this household.
Col. and Mrs. Hunt were both characteristically hospitable, social and charitable. The big open hallway at Cactus Hill was
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PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY.
indicative of their open-hearted ways. Open house was kept in those days, and a chance guest stayed a day, a night, a week, as it pleased him. Everybody who came their way got the " glad hand " on the doorstep, be he friend or stranger. Mrs. Hunt was personally very attractive and entertaining, and her many efforts to bring happiness to her guests are facts of tradi- tion. The delicacies and luxuries of her stores were always at the command of the sick and needy, and the volumes of the library were never too precious to be circulated for general reading in the community.
Out of his own resources Col. Hunt built a schoolhouse for the use of his neighbor's children, and herein, though not a churchman, he organized and taught a Sunday school, the first in that part of the county. He also distributed bibles and testaments freely among the people, and even among the Indian tribes. It may be said that he always treated the Indians kindly, which won for him their friendship and esteem and eventuated in their calling him the " White Father."
The old settlers recall with pleasure the happy social life which prevailed at Cactus Hill during its prime days. The celebrated wedding of Miss Belle Cordell, is one of the best remembered events of the time. From Mrs. Galbraith we learn also that the Decatur lawyers had a habit of riding out to the place to spend the days in excursions about the country, and the evenings in backgammon, euchre and other games.
Meagerness of space allotment compels the ending of allusions to Cactus Hill at this point. Due expression must be given, however, to the esteem in which Col. and Mrs. Hunt were held by the frontier compatriots, who looked upon them as noble, generous characters, and as cheering and stimulating person- alities of a rather sombrous hour. The influence of their benefi- cent lives has been transported to the present time.
Of Cactus Hill, built in the wilds of nature's woods and prairies, it is appropriate to say that its appealing environment generated the genius of poetry in the soul of one who went forth to sing sweetly of nature and solitude and of the strength and pathos of these. Reference is made to Mrs. Belle Hunt Short- ridge, the gifted daughter of Col. and Mrs. Hunt, the first born
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CACTUS HILL.
white child of Western Wise County, who in mature years at- tained wide prominence as a poetess of unusual grace and power.
MRS. BELLE HUNT SHORTRIDGE.
The poem " Texas " reproduced in the first pages of this volume is from her pen, and a photograph and sketch of her life appears elsewhere.
CHAPTER III.
THE PIONEER STORE AND MERCHANT.
The influx of population had now reached the stage where it demanded a supply store, and there lived at Old Alton, in Denton County, the man who had interpreted the need and was on the point of supplying the necessity. His name was Daniel Howell, and had been a merchant at the old capital of Denton long enough to desire a change. He was a shrewd man, of a cautious and calculative disposition as is illustrated by the in- cident about to be described. He wanted to establish a trading post within striking distance of the western settlements, the tide of immigration towards which had revealed to him that at no distant date a county would be organized there and a County Seat selected; that his future interests would be materially enhanced should his store be located on the spot where the new County Seat would be established he remained convinced. But how was he to arrive at the exact center of the probable future county in the face of the fact that the territory had never been traced by a surveyor bent upon running county boundary limits, was the baffling problem that confronted him. He reason- ed that the new county would be created proportionate to the size of those previously formed, and upon this hypothesis he sought the Denton terminus of the imaginary land district line, which has been described as running through Wise County from east to west, dividing the land districts of Cooke and Denton from each other, which he followed into Wise County territory until he had come to where he thought a central line running north and south would cross. At this point he decided to place the structure for his store. Tradition points to the fact that he made further precise calculations as to where the north and south line would cross the east and west one, for he is known to have located the exact center of the county which, in times subsequent, has been definitely located a short distance southwest of Decatur.
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