USA > Texas > Wise County > Pioneer history of Wise County; from red men to railroads-twenty years of intrepid history > Part 31
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E. M. Allison
J. P. No. 1.
T. Ira Pirtle.
J. P. No. 2.
Jerry Mckay
J. P. No. 3.
J. B. Banks
J. P. No. 4.
A. A. Brown .
J. P. No. 5.
G. B. McCarty
J. P. No. 6.
M. W. Cannon
J. P. No. 7.
J. W. Walker J. P. No. 8.
A. R. Drake
Co. Commissioner No. 1.
J. C. Frazier Co. Commissioner No. 2.
I. J. Hartsell Co. Commissioner No. 3.
B. F. Martin Co. Commissioner No. 4.
NOVEMBER 8, 1904-1906.
County Judge, County Clerk, Sheriff, Tax Collector, County Treasurer, County Surveyor and Justice of Peace, same.
D. W. Cooper. Assessor of Taxes.
H. D. Spencer County Attorney.
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ADVERTISEMENTS.
LIST OF SUCCEEDING COUNTY OFFICIALS .- CON'T
1906-1908.
C. V. Terrell .
County Judge.
H. E. Brady
County Clerk.
Ben Short
Co. Supt. Instruction.
Carl Faith .
District Clerk.
H. D. Spencer
County Attorney.
J. M. Branch
Sheriff.
J. Wash. Davis
Treasurer.
C. C. Henderson
Tax Collector.
D. W. Cooper Tax Assessor.
A. Devereux Surveyor.
T. L. St. Clair
I. J. Hartsell.
D. R. D. Pruett .
County Commissioners.
J. M. Portwood
J. A. Tankersley
J. P. No. 1.
W. M. Workman
Constable.
FOUNDING OF BRIDGEPORT.
February 11, 1860, might be termed the date of the founding of the old town of Bridgeport. On this date Col. Hunt and others of Wise County secured for the West Fork Bridge Co. a charter from the state to put a bridge across West Fork River at a point in the neighborhood of the old town of Bridgeport. This was in pursuance of an agreement which had been entered into by Hunt et al, and the Overland Transcontinental Mail Co., which bargained to change the route of the mail line to run through Decatur and thence to Bridgeport instead of traversing the northern section of the county as originally it had done.
Hunt and others agreed also to put a bridge across Sandy Creek as well as the West Fork River, and to open up a traver- sible highway from Decatur via Bridgeport to Jack County line.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY.
The bridge across Sandy Creek was made of logs resting on stone columns with logs split and pegged down for floor. Cotton- wood sleepers were used in the West Fork bridge, which after- wards sprung out of shape and fell into the river. The old site of Bridgeport was soon decorated with a small building in which a typical pioneer saloon-the Buckhorn-was conducted. Another small building was erected and a store started therein. Pierce Woodward, a citizen of the community, then gave the place the name of Bridgeport, to which the town, although changed from the original location, has clung.
Thus is the first chapter of the founding of Bridgeport-ante bellum Bridgeport. But there are other chapters. The war came up and the mail route was abandoned and the bridge became useless. It soon fell into the river.
Upon the declaration of peace, the United States Government soon as possible took charge again of the frontier garrisons. A large post was built at Jacksboro called Ft. Richardson. Large quantities of supplies were needed for Ft. Richardson, and had to be transported overland from the east. The necessity of another bridge at Bridgeport to facilitate their hauling was apparent. Chas. D. Cates was then a merchant at Decatur and saw the commercial value of bridging the river at Bridgeport. In association with J. W. Hale, he secured a second charter from the state and built a second bridge at a cost of $5,500.00, at the former site of the old structure. Additionally, the old town was laid out into streets and lots; a combined saw and grist mill and cotton gin was erected and a store established. A toll of $1.00 for wagon and teams and fifty cents for horsemen was charged for crossing the bridge. Supplies for Ft. Richardson were shipped by railroad to Denison, and thence hauled overland via Bridgeport to Jacksboro. Money was made from the bridge enterprise. Mr. Cates then began to buy up land in the vicinity of Bridgeport and soon had 2,000 acres under control. Coal was then discovered to underlie the land and a pioneer company was organized to develop the mines. In this company were some of the old time well-known men of Wise County-J. C. Carpenter, J. G. Halsell, J. J. Lang, H. Greathouse, D. Waggoner and C. D. Cates. The mines were worked perfunctorily until the
459
ADVERTISEMENTS.
building of the Rock Island Railway into the section, when the plant was expanded and the output became profitable.
But we must return now to date May 1, 1873, when a great celebration took place to dedieate the new bridge. The celebra- tion occurred in the vicinity of the bridge, and was participated in by the eleet of the towns of Jacksboro and Decatur. The contingent of the latter town consisted of all the belles and beaux of the place-the former in shining white May Day attire; also the more sedate population and a big brass band. The Jacksboro contingent, besides its smartest citizenship, con- sisted of a squad of 150 dress uniformed United States soldiers from Ft. Richardson. Henry Thompson, a well-known citizen of Jacksboro, had charge of the Jacksboro end of the ceremonies.
May 1st, 1873, arrived. The Deeatur and Jaeksboro people left for the scene. The whole country was there. When the Deeatur people arrived they stopped at their end of the bridge and formed a procession to march across. The band was placed first and the young ladies in dresses of snow came after. The band struek up a martial air and the procession started. A. thrill was in the air. Everybody was praneing and march- ing, when presently a momentary spasm of fear shot through the Decatur folks. They looked to the other end of the bridge and the 150 soldiers were bearing down on them with guns. For an instant the crowd shrank away, but then it looked again and smiled. The guns of the gallant soldiers were bottles and in the bottles was the finest of champagne. Another such welcome they never received. The dancing was then begun. Two styles of dancing was en- gaged in-that which may be now called the old, but then the new, which was square dancing. The other was the style just then coming into vogue in high society-waltzing and racqueting. An itinerant dancing professor had been through the larger pioneer towns and taught the new vogue. The " Committee on Order," composed largely of citizens who knew nothing of the " vogue " called a halt that day on the new style and said it must be stopped, that it lacked something of being perfectly proper. A troublous time ensued, and the adepts of the vogue . were sorely aggrieved. But finally the believers in the old way
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PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY.
were convinced, were shown that the "new " had obtained in high society, and yielded their prejudices, and the dance went on.
The day was a grand celebration to the new convenience to travel. Oratory flowed forth, beeves were killed and barbecued, the band blared constantly and energetically, and individual spirits ran high. The occasion is remembeerd as one of the memorable functions of the time.
Thus was the inception of old Bridgeport. The big, bustling, busy Bridgeport of the present, came to life when the Rock Island Railway was built through that section of the county, upwards of a decade ago. The track was laid perhaps a mile cast of the old town, and the old town moved over to it, and has grown into a large, prosperous place filled with enterprising modern people. The coal mines have been developed to full capacity, bringing in many miners' families and an enterprising commercial pouplation attracted by the large monthly pay roll. The rich natural lands are being developed and small mills and plants started. Bridgeport is one of the best towns on the lower Rock Island Railroad, and no places promise more for the future. Besides its natural advantages it has a hustling array of merchants and a commercial organization-The 5,000 Club- to keep it climbing the path of progress.
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ADVERTISEMENTS.
A. B. CONLEY, JR.
E VERY town of enterprise sports some kind of commercial or ;business organization, and at the head of such organization may be looked for the man who best represents the enterprise and progressive spirit of the community. A. B. Conley, Jr., of Bridgeport, is the President of the Bridgeport 5000 Club, and thus stands the personality in whom is identified the action and energy of the town. The present Bridgeport is not an old town, but Mr. Conley wields control over the oldest established concern in the place, which is a large general merchandise store now at the height of its prosperity.
Mr. Conley is a native of Louisiana, born in Grant Parish, April 7th, 1873, but spent his early years in Ten- nessee, at Milan, where he attended the common schools of the town. He came to Wise County with his parents, Dr. and Mrs.A. B. Conley, of Decatur, in 18SS. Dr. Conley was for many years a merchant at Decatur and elsewhere and gave his boy a comprehensive training in the details of buying and selling, to which was added a collegiate education gained at the University of Kentucky.
At Lexington, Ky., in 1894, Mr. Conley married one of Kentucky's fair daughters, who was Miss Nannie McAndrew. To them have been born six children with names as follows: Ernest, Marion, Elmer, Frances, A. B. Jr., and Virginia.
Mr. Conley's success in business has been rapid, which is illustrative of the estimation in which he is held by the buying public of Bridgeport and vicinity. Only recently he has turned his attention to investments in Wise County lands and quite singularly enough his first investment was placed in the historical farm where the Babb family was massacred. Soon after he leased part of this property to the Ft. W. & D. C. R'y for a stone or ballast quarry, from which Mr. Conley derives a hand- some revenue. The general business interests of Bridgeport are safe in the hands of the President of the 5000 Club.
-
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PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY.
L. D. KIRKPATRICK
Furniture, Carpets, Mattings and Undertaker's Goods
A complete stock of the newest and best goods of the . latest designs. Call and look over our store, be convinced of the high quality of our stock and the reasonableness of the prices, at which they are offered.
BRIDGEPORT, TEXAS.
B. B. POORE Druggist BRIDGEPORT, TEXAS
The growth of our business is satisfactory to us, and reflects that the people of this community have discovered where to find entire satisfaction in buying drugs and other articles of our trade
WE KEEP ALL STAPLE DRUGS AND CAREFULLY FILL PRESCRIPTIONS WE HANDLE PAINTS, OILS AND GLASS OUR JEWELRY DEPARTMENT IS COMPLETE VISIT OUR SODA FOUNTAIN
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ADVERTISEMENTS.
The Wise County Index
The Boyd Index, Established October 3, 1893; The Bridgeport Index, Established July 4, 1902; Consolidated November 8, 1907,
ORION PROCTER - Editor; J. S. PROCTER and EDGAR PROCTER, Associates
Published Weekly at One Dollar Per Year by
Index Publishing Company = = Bridgeport and Boyd, Texas = =
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PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY.
Z. F. SNEED
[REGISTERED]
Pharmacist
Dealer in Drugs and Chemicals Prescriptions Filled at all hours
Also Optical Goods, Combs, Brushes, Paints, Oils, Wall Paper, Window Glass, Watches, Clocks Jewelry, News Stand, Musical Instruments, School Books, School Supplies, Fine Confectioneries, Stationery and Perfumery, Soda Fountain. In fact everything usually kept in a firstclass drug store
BRIDGEPORT, TEXAS
POEMS BY BELLE HUNT SHORTRIDGE, MY SISTER.
(KATE HUNT CRADDOCK.)
I have the sweetest haven Of any coast on earth; Where not a breaker heaveth, Nor any wind has birth. The sceret? Listen, do not start- My sister's heart !
I have the bluest heaven That ever leaned o'er soa : The calmest, elearest sky-world To bend and smile on me. Soft! it is too, a great surprise- My sister's eyes!
465
ADVERTISEMENTS.
I have a-lamp Alladin, Most commonplace and small; You'd see it every day, most, And wonder not at all. Yet it invokes the genii band- My sister's hand!
I have the prettiest picture, That smiles and frowns and nods.
The canvas is-my memory ! The painter's hand was-God's! It follows me from place to place- My sister's face !
There is " another of me With all the bad rubbed out." The spirit seems my spirit, Yet, it is gird about With light and beauty wonderful !- My sister-soul!
PARADISE, TEX.
Paradise is a thriving little Wise County town located on the Rock Island Railway, in a rich country in the southwest part of the county. Bill Anderson erected a store on Paradise Prairie in 1873. Charlie Jones put up a blacksmith and wood shop about the same time. This was the beginning of the old town which has since been moved a short distance to the railroad. It is now thickly surrounded with good enterprising people. The town has grown, and good schools, churches, banks and business houses have increased in number.
30
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PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY.
J. T. MORTON J. W. WOOD
MORTON & WOOD PARADISE, TEXAS
DEALERS IN Hardware, Implements, Buggies Wagons, Furniture and Coffins
HONEST GOODS AT HONEST PRICES
We invite an inspection of our Stock which is season- able at all times. We keep constantly on the lookout for bargains to offer you.
CALL AND SEE US
WISE COUNTY'S FIRST NEWSPAPER.
Taking into account the time, place and manner of starting, the establishment of Wise County's pioneer newspaper, is a testimonial to the genius and enterprise of the conquering race of Americans. Two years before the fierce warwhoop of the savage had died a death of stillness in the quiet forests of this wild county, the song of the printing press had been set up to chant triumphant anthems of praise in behalf of liberty, prog- ress and development, The pioneer editor was Tom Ed. . Bomar, a veteran newspaper editor, now living in Sherman, Texas, in retrospective enjoyment of an earnest and well spent life.
Mr. Bomar came out to this frontier from Sherman in the wake of that wave of progress that rolled over the land after civil war had fought to its own extinguishment and after sav- age depredation had somewhat abated. This was in the early seventies. He came across the wild country a horseback in the
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ADVERTISEMENTS.
spring glory of the year, and his description of the grandeur of the scenery that met his gaze has been, in part, quoted in the introduction to this book.
Touching upon his arrival in Decatur and his subsequent establishment of the "Advance Guard," the pioneer paper, Mr. Bomar says:
"Upon my arrival at Decatur I was directed to the Decatur Hotel, a single story, double building, which, if my memory serves me right, was a part frame and part log structure, con- ducted by Captain A. H. Shoemaker, where I was entertained in the most hospitable old-time Texas manner.
The "Advance Guard."
After a good night's rest I started out the next morning to interview the citizens of the little frontier town upon the sub- ject of establishing a newspaper, and found them fully awake to the advantages of such an enterprise. Among the first men I met in front of the old Collins and Waggoner store on the west side of the square, were Charles D. Cates, R. M. (Bob) Collins, and Uncle Sewell Brown, to whom I was presented by Captain Shoemaker. It only took about five minutes to make us friends, and it was agreed that we should see other citizens in company. Among the men I met that day were those men- tioned, together with Jack Brown, Charles More, Ceph Woods, Col. Bishop, Samuel L. Terrell, J. D. White, John W. Hogg, Granger Salmon, Clabe Cates, Col. George Pickett, Clay Fer- guson, Dr. T. H. Griffin, Dr. Wm. Renshaw, and quite a num- ber of others who lived in and near Decatur, whose kindness and warm friendships I have never forgotten, and which will last beyond the shores of time. The unanimous verdict was "'start the paper."
All preliminaries being satisfactorily settled, I returned to Sherman, bought an equipment, and in September removed my family to Decatur, and opened up for "great things" in the newspaper line, using the northeast room of the old wooden courthouse for a printing office. Here, on the 5th day of Octo-
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PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY.
ber, 1872, the first number of the "Advance Guard" was issued, the little room being filled to crowding with friends anxious to witness its "birth."
The original copy of the paper has been retained by Mr. Bo- mar as a prized possession, but in the following letter he has most generously consigned same to the Old Settlers' Associa- tion of this County for preservation :
SHERMAN, TEXAS, Nov. 27, 1906.
CLIFF D. CATES,
Decatur, Texas :
My Dear Sir-
Complying with your request I herewith hand you the first newspaper ever pulled from a printing press in Wise County. This relie of my boyhood days I have prized as almost price- less, but since you proffer to give it such care, and to make it a part of the archives of the Early Settlers' Association of Wise County, I cheerfully place .it in your keeping, hoping that the generations of today and of the future may, as they look on its time-soiled pages, be filled with reverence for the noble men and women who were its friends and supporters.
Your faithful friend,
TOM BOMAR.
The paper is of date Saturday, October 5, 1872, its appro- priate motto being "Westward the Star of Empire Takes Its Way," its contents being spread out on four pages of six columns each. The rates of advertising are estimated by squares and columns, one square running for one month cost- ing $3.00, while a half column for one month netted $25.00, and for six months, $60.00 It is stated that those who adver- tise by the year will be allowed to change copy quarterly, and that payments are due quarterly in advance : also, that all legal advertisements must be paid for in advance.
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ADVERTISEMENTS.
C. C. Hawkins
H. F. Hawkins
Hawkins Brothers
Dealers in
Hardware, Buggies, Wagons, Groceries, Agricultural Implements, Furniture, Twines, Oils, Pumps, Wind Mills
Chico - - - Texas
Agents for J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company
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PIONEER HISTORY OF WISE COUNTY.
The title of the paper is "The Decatur Advance Guard." Be- tween the words Advance and Guard stands or runs a railroad passenger train, and above the train are the words "The" and "Decatur." The general make-up of the paper would be credit- able to any town of Wise County today. Its editorials reflect timely topics, and are well written, and the typographical ar- rangement is clear, clean and tastefully displayed. Some very interesting things appear on the editorial page; for instance, the paper is printed a month previous to a Presidential elec- tion, and in the announcement column appears the following :
Come, let us cheer with lusty throat, The man who wears a long white coat, And in November let us vote For honest Horace Greeley.
It is a "reform" ticket the editor is urging as "the surest thing to beat Grant." Horace Greeley of New York is an- nounced for President; B. Gratz Brown of Missouri, for Vice- President ; Roger Q. Mills announces for Congress; Judge Piner of Denton, for District Attorney; the town of Austin for loca- tion of the State Capitol, and R. M. Collins for County Treas- urer of Wise County.
In a sketch headed "Decatur," the editor says in part :
"Decatur is situated near the center of Wise County, on one of the highest prairie points in Western Texas. From our pub- lic square, looking to the east, north and south, extends one of the grandest prairie views that ever mortal man was per- mitted to look upon, while to the west is the West Fork Valley, covered with a heavy growth of timber, dotted here and there with beautiful prairie glades and clearings made by settlers in that nice region of country."
Further along in the same sketch we detect the following significant statement:
"We have presented our town in what we deem to be a fair manner, and we ask those who doubt our statements to get aboard of the stage which runs tri-weekly between this and Sherman, and come and see for yourselves, and will wager
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ADVERTISEMENTS.
twenty green walnuts that you will be tempted to leave your low, sickly, flat lands and come and take up your abode where God's air can be breathed without the impurities so common in eastern counties. We extend a world-wide invitation to all, regardless of political or religious sect or creed, to come and see the 'city set upon a hill.'"
Under the head of "Salutatory," the editor greets his new constituency and passes to a discussion of national political questions in which he excoriates the "present administration," and again hoists the name of Greeley for President, "not regard- ing him as a Democrat," the editor says, "but as the nominee of the Democratic party, and as the surest chance to 'beat Grant.'" And, again, announcing what will be the paper's future attitude toward politics and politicians, the editor says:
"While we expect to make things of a political nature as warm as if heated by an old-fashioned hickory log fire, we will try to deal out the doses of correction to our political opponents in such a manner that it will not deprive them of life to take them. Red hot and no chance for cooling, is exactly what may be expected of us, and if any one gets a blistered shin, he stands forewarned, and cannot expect anything else if he goes wrong."
The "Salutatory" is concluded as follows: "Now, we have laid down our lines, and we expect to run it that way, regard- less of old "Spotted Tail, Little Moccasin, or the Bully-Boy- with-a-glass eye, or any other dog-goned 'Ingin' "
Among the advertising firms found using space in this first issue of the "Advance Guard," are Terrell & Kellum, Dr. Wm. Renshaw, Collins & Waggoner, Decatur House (conducted by Capt. A. H. Shoemaker), Cates & Woods, Shoemaker & Embry, druggists, Carpenter & Brown, Booth & Ferguson, lawyers, Dr. J. M. Embry, Dr. T. H. Griffin, Stanfield & Quigley, lawyers.
SEP 14 1903
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 0 014 647 523 1
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