USA > Texas > Washington County > Brenham > The history of Brenham and Washington County > Part 8
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So when you see the Savior face to face, He'll know you lived a life worth while.
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T. A. LOW
Theodore Augustus Low was born near Concord, Ten- nessee, May 20, 1849, and was the son of General Sam D. W. Low and Amanda Matlock Low, both of whom were born in the Commonwealth. Samuel D. W. Low was a farmer and a general in the Tennessee State Militia.
Mr. Low was associated with farm life until the age of 21, in the meantime attending school, and later becoming a student in the Ewing and Jefferson college of Blount Coun- ty, Tennessee. He arrived in Austin, Texas, in 1871, but after six months came to Brenham, Texas, embarking in the machinery and implement business. In 1876 he formed a co-partnership with W. A. Wood in the lumber and farm machinery business, the relationship continuing until 1887. Two years later Mr. Low again entered into the lumber business, this time with Rudolph Stuckert, and this firm was succeeded by T. A. Low & Sons. Mr. Low's two estim- able sons had attained their majority, and he began to teach them the principles of commercialism which he so well understood. In 1904, having been elected president of the First National Bank, Mr. Low turned the full control of the lumber yards to his sons, S. D. W. Low and T. A. Low, Jr.
T. A. Low was united in marriage in 1873 to Cecelia T. Baine, daughter of Moses Baine, who came to Texas in 1833. Three children were born of this union, S. D. W. Low, T. A. Low, Jr., and Mrs. William Morriss, all of whom re- side in Brenham. This good man entered into everlasting rest in 1911.
This statement of facts gives but little idea of the im- portant part Mr. Low took in the commercial, political and religious life of Brenham and of Washington County. As a business man he possessed the executive ability and power as an organizer that are chief factors in success. As a citi- zen and social unit his charity embraced all who were worthy, and his popularity made his loss felt beyond the circles of his own family and associates. He was too young to join the Confederate army, but most of his rela- tives participated. In his youth the stories told of the valor of those who wore the gray perpetuated in his soul a desire to honor and revere the illustrious dead. When the question came up at the Houston Convention of the United Daugh- ters of the Confederacy, to have the anniversary of the birth
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of Jefferson Davis observed in Texas, Mr. Low was deeply impressed with the idea. Upon the return of Mrs. James B. Williams, president of Brenham Tom Green Chapter, of Brenham, from the Houston conclave, he, at her sugges- tion, took up the noble work of having Texas pass a law setting aside June 3rd forever as a legal holiday in memory of Davis.
At this period of time Mr. Low was a distinguished member of the Legislature. Guided by his earnest wish to honor the first and last president of the United Confed- eracy of the Southern States, Mr. Low, on January 13, 1905, introduced house bill No. 91, page 92, of the House Journal of the 29th Legislature entitled, "An act to amend Article 2939, of the Revised Civil Statutes of the State of Texas, relating to legal holidays, and amending the statutes so as to make June 3rd a State holiday in honor of Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America, the same being the anniversary of his birth." This bill was read three times and passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, and was approved February 9, 1905, and became a law 90 days after the adjournment of the 29th Legislature.
Thus did ore influential and estimable man honor the immortal Davis, and perpetuate the life story of the South's great chieftain, in whom intellectual and moral worth strug- gled for supremacy, and who has had but few peers upon the face of the earth.
Brenham Tom Green Chapter, U. D. C., claims at least a part of the credit for it was at the request of its capable and efficient president, Mrs. J. B. Williams, that Mr. Low had the bill passed making June 3rd a legal holiday. And every year when time brings June 3rd, the people will ob- serve the anniversary of the birth of the great Davis; and they will honor, too, the memory of the good and lovable man, T. A. Low, who had June 3rd made a legal holiday in Texas.
Patriotism ever finds an abiding place in the human breast, and man naturally loves his fellow men, for
"All that hath been majestical In life or death, since time began, Is native in the simplest heart of all, The angel-heart of man."
SAM D. W. LOW
Sam D. W. Low, the worthy son of his patriotic father, T. A. Low, was born in Brenham, in 1874. He was educated in the public schools and at Daniel Baker College, Brown- wood.
When scarcely twenty years of age he was given a co- partnership in the lumber business of his father, the firm being styled T. A. Low & Sons. In addition to the duties at the lumber yard he superintended the farming, and took care of the stock on the farm. These avocations were pur- sued without interruption until the death of T. A. Low and the sale of the lumber yard. Since that time he and his brother, T. A. Low, have established lumber yards in some of the surrounding towns. Mr. Low is also actively engaged in farming and raising registered Jerseys. His influence is felt in commercial circles; and he is ever on the alert to find improved agricultural methods for the country, and to aid in civic betterment for the city.
Political affairs have interested Mr. Low since he was sixteen years of age; and, as a private citizen and as county and precinct chairman, he has been zealous in the pursuit of measures that had for their end the advancement and improvement of the democratic party. He declined all offices until his friends, without his solicitation, secured his elec- tion to fill the unexpired term of J. P. Buchanan in the 33rd Legislature. It was an exceedingly fortunate occur- rence for Washington County, for Mr. Low, in connection with various duties, introduced and had passed a piece of legislation that writes forever his name on patriotism's honor roll, and gives recognition to the important place that old Washington on the Brazos fills in the history of the Lone Star State.
HIS ACCOMPLISHMENT.
Beginning in 1845 with the first legislature, and ending with the present time, there have been senators and repre- sentatives of marked ability and unquestioned patriotism; but it remained for Sam D. W. Low, of the 34th Legislature, to honor the spot where liberty was declared, the Republic of Texas was born, and the place where the great Republic died. This patriotic work was accomplished when he had bill No. 646 passed, known as State Park Bill for Wash- ington County at Old Washington on the Brazos, which
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SAM D. W. LOW
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provided for an appropriation of $10,000 for the establish- ment and maintenance of "Washington Park."
In view of the fact that the people, not only in Washing- ยท ton County, but all over Texas, are co-equal in the ownership of this public park, the story of how it was obtained will probably be of interest. So a review of the circumstances leading up to the purchase of the park is given.
When E. W. Tarrant was superintendent of the Brenham Public Schools he suggested to the school children of Wash- ington County that a monument be erected at Washington, on the spot where was signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. Time had dealt unkindly with the ancient town, and every vestige of Elder N. T. Byars' blacksmith shop, in which this famous document was signed, had dis- appeared ; however, after some difficulty, the exact spot was located, and the 13 foot 9 inch stone was placed by the children July 4, 1899. The inscriptions on the gray shaft of Texas granite are, on the west surface, "On this spot was made the Declaration of Texas Independence"; east, "Erected by the school children of Washington County, July 4, 1899"; south, "The necessity of self-preservation, therefore, now decrees our eternal political separation"; north, "Here a Nation was Born." The unveiling was delayed by heavy rains, and did not take place until April 21, 1900, when Mollie White Harrison removed the Lone Star flag, and Frank H. Dever accepted the monument. These two children were students of the Brenham High School. This monument was placed on private property.
On April 14, 1914, the Young Men's Business Association, of which Frank Eberle was the secretary, passed resolu- tions asking that the legislature appropriate sufficient funds for the establishment and maintenance of a State Park at Washington, to perpetuate the series of historical facts that cluster around the old town. W. D. Notley, who suc- ceeded Frank Eberle as secretary of the Y. M. B. A., gave material aid in this work. The history of Washington was published in the Galveston News, March 3, 1915.
Mr. Low offered the Washington Park Bill in the 34th Legislature for the first time on March 6, 1915, and it failed of passage for lack of time. At the extra session, called April 29, 1915, Mr. Low again submitted the bill. Gov- ernor James E. Ferguson sent the following beautiful and patriotic message to the legislature :
"Executive Department,
"Austin, Texas, May 5, 1915.
"During this special session I shall assume the initiative in recommending for your consideration and passage various
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and sundry measures, having for their purpose the mate- rial and cultural advancement of our State.
"I want especially to ask this legislature to assist in this latter regard by providing for the purchase and improve- ment of certain lands in Washington County, on which was located the first capitol of Texas, and which is now marked by a shaft of stone, thoughtfully erected by the school chil- dren of that section, in 1900.
"Time lays as destructive a hand upon that which is historic as upon that which is uninteresting; and we, as patriotic Texans, should save to posterity the beauty and glory of this memorable spot, where first the birth of a new nation was announced to the world-where met the last Congress, that terminated the Lone Star Republic, and merged it into the sisterhood of these United States.
"I admonish you, therefore, as legislative representatives of this great Commonwealth, to do that which is necessary and practicable to preserve and beautify this hallowed ground, this altar of Texas independence, where citizen and alien may gather in the years to come, and from the white dust of travel find rest and recreation in the contemplative shade of this shrine of Texas liberty.
"Respectfully submitted,
"James E. Ferguson, Governor of Texas."
Washington Park Bill No. 646 was duly passed by the House of Representatives and signed May 19, 1915, by the speaker, Hon. John W. Woods. Washington Park Bill No. 11 was submitted to the Senate by Paul D. Page of Bastrop. It was adopted May 18, and the day following Lieutenant Governor W. P. Hobby attached his signature. On May 20, 1915, Governor Ferguson approved the measure "with personal pride and satisfaction."
The historic facts warranting this tribute to Washington on the Brazos are related in the appended story.
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WASHINGTON ON THE BRAZOS
"There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries."
And there are opportunities in the lives of towns which, if grasped, lead to the development of cities of great religious, educational and commercial importance. Washington on the Brazos, one of the biggest and most prominent places in Texas during the middle of the last century, is an example of a town that sat idly while its chances passed by. Nature intended that this spot should be a great business center, for she endowed it with many advantages. It is situated on high bluffs, at the junction of two rivers, and is a place of marvelous natural beauty. It is now deserted and almost forgotten; yet it is one of the most historic spots in all Texas, for it was here that the patriot fathers, in the pres- ence of danger and disaster, signed the Declaration of Inde- pendence, and the Lone Star of the Republic arose on the horizon of nations. The Star of Liberty is shining brightly still; but only the hallowed memories are left to mark the place of its birth.
Many facts clustering around this ancient and deserted town are of great importance to the students of history. In addition to being the birthplace of independence, the constitution of the Republic of Texas was framed and adopted at Washington; it was twice the capital of the Republic-the first and last capital. The first president, David G. Burnet, was elected there; and he and the last president, Anson Jones, were both inaugurated at this inter- esting old place. Washington was also the seat of the gov- ernment ad interim. While the Mexican invasion of 1842 was in progress the capital was removed from Austin to Washington; and, with the exception of the session of Con- gress held in Houston in the fall of 1842, Washington remained the capital until the end of the Republic in 1845. The old town is in reality the cradle and the tomb of the Republic of Texas.
Stephen F. Austin's first colonists arrived on the Brazos at its junction with the Navasota River, late in December, 1821, and were the first settlers in this section; and they
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were farmers. The first colonist who came to the west side of the Brazos was William Dever. Andrew Robinson and his son-in-law, John W. Hall, settled on the west side of the Brazos, opposite the mouth of the Navasota River, and on the site of Washington. Robinson built the ferry boat in 1822 which carried so many famous men and women, and only succumbed to decay in 1882. In 1824 Austin and Baron de Bastrop gave Robinson a formal conveyance of a league of land as a colony, the grant including his ferry and the land on which the town of Washington is situated. Robinson gave 640 acres of this land to Hall and his wife Patsy. Hall's greatest ambition was to build a town; and in 1833 he had the site surveyed and platted and named "Washington," by Dr. Asa Hoxie, after Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia. The following year Hall pur- chased the remainder of Robinson's land for $1,000.00 and set the pace in land deals for future generations by organ- izing the "Washington Town Company," composed of him- self, Dr. Asa Iloxie, Thomas Gay and Miller and Somervell. Much enterprise was used in exploiting the advantages of Washington over its rival, San Felipe; and Hall's dream of building a town came true, for in a short period of time 22 lots were sold for $1,902.35; and from these sales may be dated the growth of the place. The navigation of the Brazos River, which began in 1833, advanced the commer- cial interests very materially.
Unsuccessful efforts were made to have the general con- sultation of 1835 meet in Washington, but when the con- sultation adjourned at San Felipe, it fixed Washington as the place of holding the convention which drew up the declaration of independence and the constitution of the Republic of Texas. The delegates met promptly on the first day of March, 1836, all of them coming on horseback, and many riding from great distances. These men were of the most conscientious and honorable type. Most of them were refined, well educated, and prepossessing in appearance and speech. The youthful town then contained only one house large enough to accommodate this body of distinguished men-a two-story blacksmith shop, about 25 by 50 feet, which was built and owned by Elder N. T. Byars of the Baptist Church, and located a short distance from the ferry, on what was known as Main street; a structure framed and weather-boarded with clap-boards, with wooden shutters and a double door for the front en- trance. Richard Ellis was made president, and H. S. Kim- ble secretary of the convention. The declaration was writ- ten by George C. Childress, and followed closely Jefferson's learned document of 1776. On motion of Sam Houston, it
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was adopted, and on March 2, 1836, at four o'clock in the afternoon, the delegates signed it, thereby solemnly de- claring the political connection of Texas and Mexico forever ended; and as representatives of the pioneer colonists, they constituted Texas a free, sovereign and independent Re- public, fully vested with all the rights and privileges which properly belong to independent nations. The next work of the convention was the framing of a constitution to be adopted by the people, and the election and installation of the following officers: David G. Burnet, president ; Lorenzo De Zavala, vice president; Sam Houston, commander-in- chief of the army. The men who composed President Bur- net's cabinet were Samuel P. Carson, secretary of state; Bailey Hardeman, secretary of the treasury; Thomas J. Rusk, secretary of war; Robert Potter, secretary of the navy, and David Thomas, attorney general.
The day of the installation, March 17th, a courier arrived from Sam Houston bearing bad news. As the convention was ready to adjourn some alarmists rode through the Main street at full speed shouting in stentorian tones, "Santa Anna and the whole Mexican army are within a few miles, and rapidly advancing on the town; flee for your lives!" These men were evidently thieves, whose purpose was to frighten the people away and then rob their homes; but the effect was disastrous. The panic became general. Every man, woman and child who could obtain an animal or vehicle of any kind joined the procession that hurriedly moved eastward across the Brazos River, carrying luggage of every description. The cows lowed restlessly, the horses neighed and sniffed the air, and the very dogs tucked their tails and whined as if in realization of the danger which threat- ened the country. It is said that every citizen fled, save one Jesse Lott, who kept the tavern. This was the most hopeless time in the early history of Washington.
Confusion was created in the convention hall, and the delegates left hastily, without a formal adjournment. In the excitement the original manuscript of the declaration of independence was lost, but was found by Chief Justice Seth Shepard, formerly of Washington County, in the archives of the state department at Washington City, and by him returned to Texas, June 11, 1896, when Culberson was governor. The famous document is endorsed as fol- lows: "Left at the Department of State, May 28, 1836, by Mr. Wharton. Original." It was in this year that Col. Wharton was sent to Washington for the purpose of nego- tiating the recognition of Texas independence.
Fortunately, Washington did not long remain in the chaotic condition in which it was left by the "stampede,"
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for the people gradually returned; and with the fall of Santa Anna's army at San Jacinto, April 21, 1836, confi- dence was quickly restored, and it came into prominence again as a candidate for the capital in 1837. The first anniversary celebration of the signing of the declaration of independence was given at Washington, and took the form of a ball, in the convention hall. Invitations to this affair, some of which are still extant, read: "Washington, 28th of February, 1837. The pleasure of your company is respectfully solicited at a party to be given in Washington on Thursday, March 2nd, to celebrate the birthday of our national independence. Devereau J. Woodlief, Thos. Gay, R. Stevenson, W. B. Scates, Asa Hoxey, James B. Cook. W. W. Hill, J. C. Hunt, Thos. P. Shapard, Managers." People came from great distances to this entertainment. The blacksmith shop was illuminated with sperm candles, and the music was supplied by a few stringed instruments, to which the merry company danced the Virginia reel, knocked the back-step, or cut the pigeon-wing, just as they saw fit.
In 1842, when Washington became the capital for the second time, many people of note lived within its confines. Sam Houston and his family were residents for a short while; and Anson Jones lived a few miles out in the country at "Barrington." Nearly every prominent man in Texas came to Washington during this period. Religiously, edu- cationally, socially and commercially it forged rapidly to the front. A great volume of business was transacted, and brick buildings, some of them three stories high, were erected. Mrs. Jack Hall taught, in 1837, the first school. In 1839 Judge W. H. Ewing opened a school in a double log house. Rev. L. P. Rucker, of the Episcopal Church, in 1841 established an academy in a beautiful post oak grove in the western part of the town. This school was under the control of the Masons, and was known all over Texas as an excellent educational institution.
The newspapers were creditable to the craft, as evi- denced by copies still in existence. In 1839 Rev. A. Buf- fington began the publication of "The Tarantula," the first newspaper; which was followed in different years by the "Texas and Brazos Farmer," by G. Harrison ; the "National Vindicator," by Ramrod Johnson ; "The National Register," by Miller and Cushney. In 1845 Judge William H. Ewing commenced the editions of "The Lone Star and Southern Watchman." The "Texas Ranger" was published in 1847. The "Washington American" was edited by W. J. Pen- dleton in 1852. D. H. Rankin published "The Southern
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Watch Tower," which he moved to Brenham in 1853, and re-christened "The Brenham Enquirer."
The religious development of Washington had its begin- ning on January 3, 1837, when Z. N. Morrell of the Bap- tist denomination preached the first sermon, after which he organized a church with eight members. The American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York sent William Melton Tryon to Washington, and he and Judge R. E. B. Baylor held one of the most remarkable revivals ever given in this or any other town. The meetings occurred in the convention hall; and Tryon's silver-tongued oratory and Baylor's great persuasive powers so impressed the congre- gations that nearly everybody was converted, and there were only two or three people who failed to join the church. The candidates for baptism were immersed in the Brazos. Tryon was chaplain of the Texas Congress during its ses- sions at Washington. Robert Alexander, the first mission- ary from the Methodist Episcopal Church, came about this time. Rev. Roach and Rev. Andrew McGowan, Cumberland Presbyterians, arrived too. Dr. Martin Ruter, the learned educator and minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died in his 54th year, May 16, 1838, and was buried in the old graveyard at Washington. On his grave a white marble slab, three feet wide and six feet long, bore this inscription : "Thirty-seven years an itinerant minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Superintendent of the First Mission of the Church in the Republic of Texas." Rev. W. Y. Allen was the first minister to establish the Presbyterian Church. To Rev. L. P. Rucker must be given the credit for the greatest success in rearing up the pioneer Episcopal Churches. Thrilling encounters were had by these brave and noble soldiers of the Cross in the fight between religious influences and the usual vices incident to a new settlement.
Under the auspices of the Sons of Temperance, a great temperance demonstration occurred in 1849, and the crowd of people who came from all over Texas was estimated at 2,500 to 10,000 men, women and children. There were gov- ernors, senators, congressmen, judges, lawyers and other professional men, who participated in the exercises. This convention easily exceeded any gathering ever held before in the State; and the program was formulated to advance the interests of the cause of temperance. Miss Georgia Jenkins, who afterwards became the wife of Dr. Rufus C. Burleson, presented a silken banner to the State organiza- tion of the Sons of Temperance, and Dr. Burleson received it.
Navigation of the Brazos River was commenced in 1833.
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Hugh Kerr, of Washington County, says in his "Poetical Description of Texas," published in 1838 :
From Galveston as west we tend, The River Brassos comes in view; Close to the Gulf it does extend, There is no bay to enter through. A vessel passing in from sea Should not adventure, if her draft Exceed six feet, and swell there be, Across the bar she may not waft.
But when the bar is pass'd indeed, No other danger then to fear; Thence fifty miles she may proceed In any season of the year. At certain times small steamboats may One hundred miles still further go, At sundry towns touch on the way, Freight and passengers to and fro.
The names of towns upon its banks We here insert, though none are large; Velasco as a seaport ranks, Quintana, warehouse for discharge. One hundred miles above, presum'd, Old Sanfelipe or Austin stood.
Some forty miles above or more, We find the town of Washington; And higher up was heretofore, Tenoxtitlan,-old garrison.
This river borders on each side Exceeding rich and fertile land, With heavy timbers, prairies wide, And many farms on either hand. The Brassos' source is far above. Not yet explor'd through its extent, But Texas enterprise will prove Equal to its accomplishment.
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