USA > Texas > Washington County > Brenham > The history of Brenham and Washington County > Part 3
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No ranks of distinction exist in the political organization that we have established to disturb the harmony and excite
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dissension in the national community. All possess the same freedom, all enjoy the same privileges, and upon all rests the same degree of responsibility to sustain the gov- ernment they have adopted. The time has gone by when the position of nations was governed by the action of physi- cal power alone-when the fate of empires was decided by the strife of battling legions. The influence that now controls the mass of mankind is mightier than the armed hosts that in former times shocked the world with their collisions. Public opinion, enlightened by intelligence, and based upon the broad principles of equality and rational liberty, is now the great lever which moves and governs the destiny of nations.
Texas has now nothing to dread from the force of external powers; whilst the integrity of our government is main- tained unimpaired-our intercourse with foreign nations conducted in accordance with the established principles of national law, and our policy dictated by justice and guided by wisdom-we must ever command the respect of the world, and reap the rich reward of a reciprocity of inter- ests.
The storms of faction engendered by the destructive spirit of party are now the only cause to excite apprehen- sions in the mind of the reflecting patriot. When that dan- gerous evil that has crumbled into ruins the proudest mon- uments of human wisdom is subdued by the purification of public sentiment, and the whole mass of society moves on in harmonious concord, giving to our government by their united action stability, dignity and power, then, and not until then, will Texas be free, prosperous and happy. Then when in future ages the transactions of our country are recorded for the instruction of posterity, let the his- torian tell to the world, in characters of blazing light, and in the language of truth and justice, that by the intelli- gence, virtue and patriotism of her people was reared the prosperity, the greatness and the glory of Texas.
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BRENHAM
Nearly seventy-two years ago, in the glorious spring- time, when Texas was a republic, life began for Brenham in a beautiful post oak grove, where native song birds sang wonderful melodies to fragrant flowers that bloomed on the surrounding prairies, and where quail, wild turkeys, prairie chickens and deer scurried away, frightened at the approach of the settlers. The grove was a princely gift, and good women honored a hero when they gave the new town the name of Brenham. People with inherent love of liberty, the Christian religion, education and progress came and built homes and were blessed with health, happiness and prosperity. The little place advanced along steady and sure lines, but with all the sunshine there were some shad- ows, too. During the civil war many husbands, fathers and sons donned the Confederate gray and marched away ; and some of them never returned to the firesides where afterwards sat the sad widows, mothers, daughters and sweethearts. Those who came back had to rehabilitate their broken fortunes and establish anew their households. Great calamities came with the awful yellow fever, and with the big fires and two storms. The sturdy city overcame its difficulties ; and with unfaltering courage has forged to the front until it can point with pride to commercial connec- tions, railroads, modern stores, industries, estimable women and business men of unquestioned integrity. It is one of the most important little cities in the interior of Texas, and physically, financially, intellectually and religiously it is really a Beautiful Brenham.
SELECTED COUNTY SEAT.
After the Republic of Texas was established, and a con- stitution had been adopted, the Mexican plan of govern- ment was discarded, and counties were organized. The municipality of Washington was organized in July, 1835; and of this territory the counties of Washington, Mont- gomery, Brazos, Burleson, Lee, Grimes, Madison, Walker and San Jacinto were created. Washington County was created March 17, 1836, and according to records in the capitol at Austin was organized December 14, 1837. The first county seat was Washington on the Brazos. In Sep- tember, 1841, the county seat was removed to Mount Ver- non.
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Between 1836 and 1844 the population in the southern and southwestern parts of Washington County increased so rapidly that a change in the seat of government was agitated, and the settlement where Brenham now stands was suggested as being more centrally located. Jesse Farral and James Hurt aided the cause of the settlement by the promise of 100 acres of land for a townsite. On Jan- uary 31st, 1844, Congress, which was then in session at Washington, responded to the popular appeal and ordered an election for the selection of a permanent county seat. This act also specified that a majority of all the votes cast was necessary to elect. Mount Vernon, Independence, Turkey Creek and Brenham announced. In the contest neither town received a majority, and another election was ordered. Turkey Creek and Mount Vernon dropped out of the race, leaving the field clear for Brenham and Inde- pendence. After an extremely exciting race Brenham was victorious by three votes. Her success she owed to the ability and masterly management of J. D. Giddings-one of the brightest and most influential citizens in the whole country. On horseback he visited every community and made eloquent speeches in behalf of the place so recently named Brenham.
TOWN COMMISSIONERS.
Congress designated William W. Buster, George W. Gen- try, Ephriam Roddy, James L. Farquhar, Asa M. Lewis, William Jackson, James Cooper and Joshua Graham as town commissioners of the new county seat; and they were authorized to survey and sell lots in the locality donated by the generosity of Farral and Hurt. The deed of Farral and Hurt of 100 acres of land was executed April 18, 1844. The gift was a part of a tract of land which Farral and Hurt had acquired by purchase from Mrs. Arabella Harrington, the boundary lines being as follows: Begin- ning at the northwest corner of the First Baptist church, thence with eart, line of Market street to the northwest corner of Germania lot, thence west with the street from Germania to West street, thence with West street north to a point running a parallel line with south line of 100 acres to the place of beginning.
AUCTION SALE OF LOTS.
An auction sale of town lots the latter part of April attracted many people to the new seat of justice. The lots on the corners of the square brought only $15.00 to $17.00, and some excellent sites were purchased at $3.00.
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FIRST INHABITANTS OF THE SETTLEMENT.
In February, 1844, there was no one living in the original townsite of 100 acres donated by Farral and Hurt; and there were few people residing in the settlement. In the rear of the Anthony hotel, outside of the townsite, was the rudely constructed house in which Jesse Farral, James Hurt and their families lived. Joseph Ralston's store was north of this dwelling. Ralston owned a number of goats, and as they were continuously around his place of busi- ness, the inhabitants dubbed the street "Goat Row," and it was so known until its name was changed to Market, June 13, 1874. Adjoining Ralston's, and on the north also, was a small log house in which the papers of the county were kept by District Clerk J. D. Giddings, pending the building of the court house.
A list of those living in the settlement, including the farmers who resided within a radius of three or four miles, in the spring of 1844, as nearly as can be ascertained, is as follows : Mrs. Arabella Harrington, whose league of land was granted March 22, 1831, under the colonization laws of Coahuila and Texas, and upon which the whole of Bren- ham, and much of the surrounding country, is situated, lived in the most beautiful part of her possessions, i. e., on the branch which runs past the home in South Brenham of Mrs. Ida Dawson, and just a little removed from Mrs. Dawson's present home. Dennis Harrell lived in the west on the left hand side of the present H. & T. C. railroad bridge. Henry Higgins was at Fireman's Park, with James McRea just across the branch from him. Billie and John Tom owned the land where Mrs. Anna Hermann's home is situated. John Brown lived where Dr. S. Bowers resides. Billie Norris' home was in the east on the branch which runs past Mrs. Ida Dawson's residence. H. C. McIntyre settled on his farm in 1839. Dr. Payne, when he was not practicing medicine or farming, operated a grist mill on the branch which runs through Burney Parker's present farm. L. P. Rucker and B. E. Tarver had farms to the north of Brenham. Joseph Ralston's farm was on Ralston's Creek. Jesse Johnson, or "Tub" Johnson, had a grist mill on Wood- ward's Creek. Rev. John W. Kenney lived at Kenney. Elliott Allcorn, Billie Cole, James Clemmons, O. H. P. Gar- rett, Sam Lusk and Sandford Woodward were farmers also.
THE FIRST BUILDING.
The first building to be erected in the original townsite was the court house. It was a small two-story wooden stru ture, situated on the lot where stands the present court house Jre Tom, Joe Miller and Hugh Sherrold were the
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architects. The first county judge of Washington County who presided in Brenham was William H. Ewing. The first district court was held by Judge R. E. B. Baylor, with "Ramrod" Johnson as district attorney, and J. D. Gid- dings district clerk. The first sheriff was James W. Mc- Dade. Among the first county clerks were John Gray and Sam Lusk; and the early sheriffs were James W. McDade, James L. Dallas and Van Irons. The prominent lawyers were R. E. B. Baylor, J. D. Giddings, Asa M. Lewis, J. & A. H. Willie, W. H. Higgins, John Sayles, W. Y. McFarland, Joe Crosby, G. W. Horton, W. H. Ewing, Barrey Gillespie, B. E. Tarver, J. E. & C. B. Shepard, W. P. Rogers.
FIRST HOME.
Asa M. Lewis, in the spring of 1844, built a hand- some home, for those times, on the vacant lot opposite the residence of Mrs. Julia R. Simon. This was the second building to be erected in the town, and it was a matter of great pride that it was cemented inside and out, and was equipped with glass windows-the only ones in the whole settlement.
EARLY SETTLERS.
At the close of the '40s and the beginning of the '50s Brenham had a roster of citizens which included J. D. Gid- dings, Sam Lusk, John B. Wilkins, D. D. Crumpler, George B. Cooke, C. F. Barber, James McRea, William Pressley, W. H. Ewing, David Estes, Jones Rivers, J. C. Mundine, William and Joe Mccutcheon, G. W. Buchanan, W. W. Hack- worth, L. Dupuy, James Stockton, James G. Heffington, Hugh Sherrold, Joe Miller, Joe and John Tom, Billie Nor- ris, John Day, Vardeman Lee, Dr. Blake, Dr. Ware, Dr. J. P. Key, Captain Early and their families; Mrs. Jame- son, Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Ewing and her son, Wash Ewing, Mrs. Paritz and daughters. Among the young and unmar- ried men were Robert D. Harris, Johnson Hensley, Alex Simon, James A. Wilkins, W. G. Wilkins, W. H. Higgins, Rafe Fuller, John Brophy, Charles G. Stockbridge, Dr. A. H. Rippetoe, D. C. Giddings, Thomas W. Morriss, J. E. Gray, J. C. Cade, John Petty, the Bassetts, J. N. Houston, George Wilson, Edmondson, McIlhenney, Murdock, J. S. Young and Dr. Noel. Dr. Blake was a homeopathic, and Drs. Rippetoe, Noel and Key were allopathic physicians. The prominent young ladies were Misses Malinda, Bersheba and Myra Lusk, Sallie and Harriet McIntyre, Mary Portis, Mary Pressley, Sallie and Mary Cooke.
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EARLY STORES.
The early stores were conducted by Joe Ralston, Brown & Wilkins, Harmon & Levison, French & Nunn, who han- dled general merchandise; G. B. Cooke and Elliott Allcorn, who sold dry goods, and J. G. Knapp and Rafe Fuller, who were proprietors of a tinshop and a saddle shop, re- spectively.
The first meat market was run by John Hensley and Jonathan Hensley, two brothers. As these butchers had no scales, they weighed the meat with more or less accu- racy, by holding it up and shaking it in their hands. They were pioneers in doing business on a strictly cash basis. Occasionally when some improvident customer inveigled them into granting credit, they invariably posted that cus- tomer's name with charcoal on the market house door, so that everybody in town might see the amount of his in- debtedness.
FIRST CENSUS.
The first census of Washington County was taken in 1850 by James A. Wilkins, under the direction of E. D. Little, and there was a population of 5,983, as follows: Whites, male 1,736, female 1,430; total whites 3,166; negroes who were slaves, male 1,416, female 1,401, totaling 2,817 slaves. Brenham city was not separately returned until the census of 1860, when the population consisted of 600 whites and 300 slaves.
COURT HOUSES.
In 1855 the court house was found inadequate to meet the requirements of the officials, and a new one was built of brick, the brick being manufactured in Brenham; John Stamps was the contractor, and when the building was completed it was the most imposing in the whole county. The present court house was built in 1884, at a cost of $65,000.00. C. R. Breedlove was county judge.
New citizens arrived every year, new houses were con- structed, and the small town became a business center. After the removal of the capital and decline of river navi- gation, a great many people moved from Washington to Brenham. Social conditions improved, for sensible men and women can always adapt themselves to circumstances. Although many of these pioneers missed the luxuries of the States which they had so recently left, they were as happy and cheerful as when they possessed all the com- forts and conveniences of life. The old Texan hospitality was proverbial. In the communities there was nothing that they would not share with each other. The stranger
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was invariably met at the gate with a cordial welcome, and he was gladly entertained, without money and without price, as long as he chose to stay.
RAILROADS.
The great trouble and expense incident to hauling mer- chandise, supplies, etc., by wagons from Washington and Houston, brought Brenhamites to the early realization of the necessity of establishing railroad communication with outside points. The first advocate and the most earnest advocate of a railroad, was J. D. Giddings, and with the patriotism that characterized his every movement where Brenham was concerned, he endeavored to build it. With the aid of his brother, D. C. Giddings, he organized the Washington County Railroad Company, which received its charter February 2, 1856; and he was the first president of the organization, with A. G. Compton as secretary. The contract was awarded King, Sledge & Company. J. D. Gid- dings made several trips to New York and Pennsylvania, where he personally purchased the rolling stock and all the supplies. Among the purchases was a big engine, named the "J. D. Giddings," which was considered the finest in Texas. Jacob Fetterly was the first engineer, and after a short service he was succeeded by W. F. Ray. In May, 1858, 111/4 miles of the railroad were completed, and beginning with October 1, 1860, trains were operated from Hempstead to Brenham, a distance of 21 miles. In 1871 the Houston & Texas Central bought this short line, which they extended to Austin ; the first train arriving in the cap- ital city on Christmas day. The machine shops and ter- minals were removed from Brenham at that time.
Brenham's second railroad, the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe, was built in 1879.
CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS.
Patriotism asserted itself in 1861, and many veterans who had helped Texas wrest her freedom from despotic Mexico shouldered their old muskets and marched side by side with beardless youths, at the Southland's call to arms. It was a sad crisis in the life of the little town. An old newspaper of this period states that Washington County had, in June, 1861, an army of 1,000 men, all tolerably well armed ; and that a camp of 600 men drilled daily during that month near Brenham. The La Bahia Rifles of 100 men, with Captain Lauderdale commanding, were from Gay Hill, and they carried a silken banner made by the young ladies of that vicinity, which was presented by Miss Lucie Atkinson at a camp drill held at old Mount Vernon in July, 1861. Some of the companies that went from Bren-
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ham and Washington County, in which Brenham citizens were enlisted, included: For Green's Brigade, 5th Texas Cavalry, Company E, of Brenham, with Hugh McPhail cap- tain, and Company F, with George W. Campbell, of Long Point, captain; in 5th Texas Infantry, Hood's Brigade, were the "Dixie Blues," John D. Rogers of Washington, captain; Company I, of 5th Texas Infantry, J. B. Robert- son, of Independence, captain. T. N. Waul's Legion company was organized on New Year's Creek, about six miles from Brenham. Col. D. C. Giddings went with the 21st Texas Cavalry to Arkansas. Captain Claudius Buster of Chappell Hill took a company to Galveston, where it joined Elmore's Regiment. Marold was captain of Company E, 16th Texas Infantry. Quite a number of Brenhamites joined Terry's Texas Rangers. The soldiers of Washington County were brave to a fault, and just as true as steel, and the war record of each one is above reproach.
RECONSTRUCTION DAYS.
Reconstruction came with the end of the awful war. In July, 1865, Brenham was made a military post, and the Federal soldiers were camped at Camptown; from which circumstance this colored addition to Brenham derives its name. Commanders were changed many times. Post and Sanders were respectable; but "House Burning Smith," as he was called, gave much trouble. The soldiers and the young men of the town became involved in a controversy at a ball on the evening of September 7, 1866. The sol- diers intruded into the ball room, and tried to bring some negro women with them. This the fiery Southerners re- sented, with the result that a man named Wyatt wounded two Federal soldiers and killed a third. John A. Shep- ard and H. K. Harrison counseled peace without avail. Late that night the soldiers, in revenge, burned the block of buildings in which was situated the hall where the dance occurred. The Brenham Banner's plant, owned by Daniel McGary and John G. Rankin, was also destroyed, but in settlement of another score. McGary, the editor, was made a prisoner because he had exposed the "Freed- men's Bureau," in charge of S. A. Craig, and denounced the Federal soldiers in the columns of the paper. From his cell in the jail, where he suffered imprisonment for 14 days, the intrepid newspaper man continued to write fiery editorials, with the result that many wrongs were redressed. This combination of affairs led to the formation of the Ku Klux Klan, of which a lawyer named Adams was the captain, and the organization of the Hook and Ladder Company-ostensibly a volunteer fire company, but in real- ity a military company, whose duty was to protect the lives
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and property of the citizens from the Federal soldiers. Military rule lasted until the latter part of 1869, when the Federal soldiers were removed.
During his services as Representative, Col. D. C. Gid- dings introduced a bill in Congress asking that the Bren- ham citizens, who suffered property losses by this disas- trous fire, and by another fire, in 1867, in which the Federal soldiers again burned a section of Brenham, be reimbursed for their losses. He filed the original list of claimants ; noth- ing, however, was accomplished. Efforts were made by later Congressmen to secure the passage of this bill, but without avail. On December 14, 1915, Representative A. W. Gregg again placed the Brenham war claims before Con- gress. These claims growing out of the wanton destruction by fire (originated by the Federal soldiers) of sections of the town of Brenham, now amount to $131,026.00.
FIRST BANK.
It became necessary at this period to establish a bank to handle the commercial interests of the people; and in 1886 the bank of Giddings & Giddings opened its doors for business. J. D. and D. C. Giddings constituted the firm.
THE YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC.
Next to the civil war, the saddest and greatest trouble ever visited upon the city was the yellow fever scourge of 1867. The town was almost devastated, and many vic- tims were interred in the old Masonic Cemetery. The death list of the Federal soldiers was very great. Among the brave citizens who did valiant service in this time of great distress was Col. D. C. Giddings. He nursed the sick and dying, shrouded the dead, comforted the living, and always his purse was open to the poor and needy. The noble physicians who labored night and day were John P. Key, A. H. Rippetoe, A. G. Gilder, Stockbridge, John L. Watkins, J. T. Norris and Ashbel Smith. Death claimed Dr. Key and Dr. Watkins. It took Brenham many years to recover from this blow.
BIG FIRE.
Another affliction came with the big fire of 1873, in which all the buildings lying between Baylor and St. Charles streets, from the H. & T. C. railroad on the south to Schir- macher's drug store on the north, were totally destroyed. All of these buildings were constructed of wood.
GERMANIA VEREIN.
The Germania Verein was organized December 4, 1870, by C. Witteborg, C. Scheutze, F. Gehrmann, R. Hoffmann,
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H. Levy, A. G. Koenig, L. Zeiss, J. C. Neumann, Theodore Giesecke and H. Scheuchs. The charter was granted in October, 1871. It is one of the oldest purely social organ- izations in Texas; and for forty-five years it has made life pleasant for its various members and for many other people. The capacious grounds were acquired in 1870, and each year something has been done to improve the place, until "Germania Park" is known as one of Brenham's beauty spots. It is a great social center.
BANKS.
In 1866 B. H. and Jefferson Bassett organized the Bank of Bassett and Bassett, which was discontinued in 1884. The F. A. Engelke Bank, organized in the '70s, became the First National Bank in 1883, with F. A. Engelke pres- ident and J. N. Brown cashier. The "Heber Stone Bank," which had been founded in 1889, was consolidated with the First National in 1890, and Heber Stone, who owned the controlling interest, was made president. H. F. Hohlt is at the head of this banking house now, and C. L. Wilkins is cashier.
On August 15, 1905, the Washington County State Bank opened for business, with H. K. Harrison as president and J. S. Giddings cashier. The officers at present are F. H. Bosse, president, and James S. Harrison, cashier. These two banks, with the Giddings & Giddings Bank, constitute the city's financial institutions.
SOME PIONEER MERCHANTS.
A list of the merchants who were in business in Brenham during and immediately after the war, reconstruction days and yellow fever epidemic, included Wilkins Brothers, Thomas H. Dwyer, Robert Crow and Atreus Mccrary, Wood and Green, Harmon and Levinson, William Zeiss, M. A. Healy, Alex Simon, Henry E. Lockett, William Axer and Peter Diller, John Lusk, Carrington and Brophy, John Nor- ton, Bolling Eldridge, R. Hoffmann, Watkins and Wright, S. S. Hosea, Henry Wood, "Bud" Chadwick and Miesner. The bank of Giddings & Giddings was established in 1866. The only hotel in the town at this period was the "McIntyre Hotel," a two-story frame structure situated on the lot where the Anthony Hotel now stands. In 1873, H. C. McIntyre built what is now the Anthony Hotel, at a cost of $40,000.00, and it rented for the first year at $400.00 per month. There were very few brick store houses.
Of these merchants there are four only living, i. e., James A. Wilkins, William Zeiss, M. A. Healy and Bolling Eld-
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ridge; two, James A. Wilkins and William Zeiss, have re- tired, and two, M. A. Healy and Bolling Eldridge, are still in business.
JAMES A. WILKINS.
James A. Wilkins' work in the mercantile business be- gan in January, 1844, when he was nearly thirteen years of age, in the store of his father, John B. Wilkins-then the second store in the settlement which became Brenham- and when he was not attending school at the Hickory Grove School, he was clerking. As soon as he attained his ma- jority he went into business for himself, and at the com- mencement of the war between the States he had the big- gest general merchandise store in Brenham. His love of country caused him to enter the army, and he enlisted in Captain I. M. Onins' Company, Colonel George Giddings' Battalion, serving four years as quartermaster. At the close of hostilities he returned to Brenham, and, associated with his brothers, John and W. G. Wilkins, again em- barked in the mercantile business. During the close of the '70s Mr. Wilkins retired, and in 1883 was elected mayor of the city of Brenham, serving for twenty-two years in that capacity. In 1905, on account of advancing age, he de- clined to become a candidate for re-election. He is an Odd Fellow, and holds a fifty-year medal in that organization ; has been a Mason since he was twenty-one, and is a charter member of Brenham Royal Arch Chapter.
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