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Memoirs of Southeast Denton County
by Dr. David F. Kirkpatrick

Dr. David F. Kirkpatrick, the author of this memoir on life in southeast Denton County, was born May 10, 1861 in Wilson County, Tennessee. In 1869 he came to Texas with his parents and settled in Lewisville. Dr. Kirkpatrick attended Texas and received his medical education at Tulane University and at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. After practicing medicine in west Texas, Dr. Kirkpatrick returned to Lewisville where he set up a practice and remained for the rest of his life. Dr. Kirkpatrick died on August 20, 1938 at the age of 78.

DENTON COUNTY HISTORY (MEMOIRS) DR. KIRKPATRICK

The subject of this paper deals with pioneers' southeast part of Denton county, what is now county commissioners precinct no. 2. I endeavor to stick to facts that I got from a reliable source and not from what some body thinks - opinion of remote dates apt to be wrong as right. However, I wish to say I have witnessed doings here since June 1869, when my fathers family arrived with hisself; wife and four children. They drove into Lewisville, one yoke oxen pulling in a covered wagon.

The country looked great and has proved to this day parents were pleased. Everybody gave us a welcome glad hand of fellowship and encouragement. In Main these were our kind of people. This, like all border countries, only soil was more fertile; was good range for stock, wood for fuel was accissiber; and too, water was here springs, an occasional surface well, to say nothing of waters of Elm Fork, of Trinity, Denton, Hickory and Timber Creeks. What more would emigrants expect. The settlers were hospitable, near all were from states just east of Mississippi River. Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia, Missouri had good representation, Arkansas a few. The latter had started west to Texas and stopped by wayside in Montana and Arkansas on account of bad roads. All were dirt roads extended east from Memphis Tennessee. Interesting because willow timber were always accissiber, light and not hard to cut - strange to say, but it is a fact that willows when cut and half covered by earth will grow. I witnessed this in the last sixties all way from two miles east part of Memphis and out into Texas. We witnessed there and later this willow there and sprouts, grew into bushes, saplings and trees all from cross laying of this timber in creeks, bogs, and bad places in roads. Seems that it is easier to enter south east part of Denton county than from north; hence, emigrants fell into military road from Greenville, Plano, to Fort Richardson Jacksboro. This road passed through Lewisville and patrolled by Federal troops, the People called them damyankees..

Here they could see many things to invite them to pitch their tents since waters from springs and creeks were here as well as timber, free range. No more fertile soil to be found anywhere. Wild game, turkeys, deer, quail prairies, chickens, rabbits, galore wild hogs too was an item worthwhile of razor back breed to be found in cross timbers and bottom lands along Elm, Hickory and Denton creeks and many bunches were found in cross timbers. These hogs would get fat in autumn and winter on mass, acorns from post oak trees, pecans, walnuts, and haws. These pioneers as a rule built a cabin of post oak logs two or more rooms, covered by clap boards, floor puncheon made from logs split open in middle-laid floor. Chimney was built up of small timber or sticks well daubed with mud clay and sand. This plaster filled the cracks, well plastered inside and outside. Exciting times came fronts when this stick and dirt chimney caught on fire. Few cook stoves were here, cooking and preparing food was done on fire place main room of the home. This room served as reception room, parlor, dining, and kitchen. And bedroom as well. High bed steads, beds four feet above floor a trundle bed for children to push under, as a rule the family dog occupied vacant corners. The food was of course rough and no great variety consisted in Main and Prominent. Corn bread, black or brown wheat bread, all ground on crude ante- quated mills. Plenty of beef always in evidence sometimes venison vegetables in season. No canned goods some dried fruit. (peaches only) No cereals, except rice that cost 30 cents per lb., beans and peas, milk and butter sometimes plentiful. Potatoes galore songlum molasses. Eggs and poultry in evidence all this was fine but our usual fare was corn bread and beef. Crops grew well in spite of poor cultivation. Corn yield around 50 bu. per acre, cotton-one bale. Not any outside workers. That first cotton was hauled out to Galveston or Jefferson here in 1870. By teams of oxens, two yoke oxens would haul about four bales making the trip in six weeks more or less. These teamsters would bring back on return merchandise or pine lumber from saw mills en route. This lumber sold at $7.00 per 1,000 ft. deliver here cost at 75 cents at mills, corn was worth 25 cents, wheat 50 cents, whiskey sometimes as high at $1.00 gallon. Songlum molasses 30 cents gallon. Prices of stock: a cow and calf about $6.00, yoke of oxen (2) $30.00 sometimes as low as $18.00. A good saddle pony $20.00, wild horses on range $5.00 or $7.00. All this stock native, mustangs, only mules were brought in from Mexico bearing Mexican brands. Everybody had a branding iron to stamp their stock out on open range not a fenced off pasture in the state. These pioneers were accommodating obliging and were not so selfish all were in sauce box and got aid and sympathy when needed when a beef was slaughtered and that was often in summer when the bacon and lard were stale and rancid. This beef was distributed to neighbors as needed. Next week another neighbor would slaughter and habit prevailed to go on around then. Everybody aided in bearing the other fellows burdens as a rule they needed it. Fashions in clothing not a bit of change to these many years. Ladies dresses were same as their grandmothers' and great grandmothers'. The whools skirt was worn if lady wanted to be well-dressed. Ladies dresses were of cotton stuff or linsy. The latter was wool, color, drab brown or black no bright colors. When they could afford it thin muslin stuff for hot weather, sometimes a silk or satin dress. In Main these dresses were ancient handed down from mothers and grandmothers. All same color-no change with seasons. If possible thin or light material if they could obtain it when cold weather came they'd put on one more dress if very cold three dresses if they had them.

The face powder was flour or maybe powdered chalk - not a lip stick, nose powder, a vanity case or any drug store complexion or small mirror this side of Paris France Mens' clothing was simple has yet satisfying. He was lucky if he had one white, bleached cotton shirt. Common dress was duck overalls, hickory shirt and Kentucky jeans trousers and coat. For winter, shirt, boots, yes he had boots with high heels were in demand always, no difference, his work he was following on farm or riding the range. He wanted a good hat too, but ordinarily he just wore the old one. All transportation was by horse back and farm wagons. Nearly everybody even women would not hesitate to mount unruly, an bronco many times they ride astride like a man. This was against custom, moral code, a disgrace. Must pride a side saddle if a man's saddle was only available they must cross right leg over horn of saddle was imperative and to show anything above the foot was an unpardonable sin. Such act was bad play, a disgrace even cloud her future. The riding skirt was remedy to cover everything below waist line. The garment an over top skirt that fitted no where coming six inches traveling on ground when standing made of cheap cotton cloth, color sad brown or black. Many showed to be ancient vintage inherited, from mother and grandmothers'. These skirts never wore out. At close of last century this garment was thrown into discard - to disgust of many. Too, she would ride horse back in sensible manner a stride man's saddle. Sensible manner riding horse back later came the bicycle, was popular of course with the ladies as well as men and it was commendable. I recall an instance when one young lady had a wreck, ludicrous happening, her long hair streaming back caught in rear where thus upsetting of brigde. She was game and resumed riding bicycle later after recovery of her injuries. She adjusted her hair in knot back on top of head. The ladies head gear no to a poke was forgotten. Bonnet - very few could afford a hat those who had one could keep it over for next season. The hat was always same fashions did not change for years. Material of this hat was leghorn or straw some 2 or 3 inches brim, trimmings artificial flower, wreath extending around like a hat band. A bunch of roses violets or morning glories here and there. A swell ostrich if they could afford it. Invariably two streaming ribbons plenty long to tie in a big bow under chin.

After one or two years service this hat would fade trimming had appearance of a last years bonquet.

We well remember one of these hats that did service for a mother and four daughters for 17 years.

These people were scattered about very few had a near neighbor always on alert to go some where or do something wanted entertainment - hence unpromptu parties and gathering was common. A quilting bee, house raising or log rolling would bring them together for a day and night. A dance or play party, candy pulling was common. Men had shooting matches to test out their markmenship. Ladies did not attend. They were not encouraged to use fire arms after there was no dread of hostile Indians. Believe that no Indian raids happened in this favored spot since 1870. Wonderful feast of eats and play party or dance at night. In this section all church people put a ban on the dance. These is always a way to hedge around in lieu of dance, a play party was a fine substitutes no fiddle but they went strong on dancing 'weevily wheat" and rounded out a fair dance by keeping time with singing. Camping meetings and protracted meetings came in summer. Many got religion but a large per cent would lose it at a dance next winter, following the season of revival meetings moved get good again, get warmed over. But like warmed over biscuit were not good as when fresh. A recall that I attended a church trial at Hall three miles west of Lewisville, a ludicrous affair and shall record it. I went by this church while hunting for a milk cow, seeing a crowd there went in to see what it was all about. Christian church trial. The much beloved Rev. Terrell Jasper was chairman was in session at Hall year 1871 and one of their ministers was charged of getting drunk having imbibed - too freely of Spiritus Frumenti. It was no offense to drink whiskey but to extent of intoxication was a sin as law laid down by Alexander Campbell. If he sinned he must be baptized. He objected a heavy debate pro and con was not getting anywhere when there appeared an old fellow person who enacted scene worth while McCune a jolly old booze fighter and was pretty well organized on "corn licker" this was his normal condition. He was all attentive. He was a near neighbor and friend of the accused minister. In finally old man Mc Cune a non church man rose to attention asked to speak said he wanted to ask the brother one question. He asked the brother if it was good whiskey he imbibed. The accused brother replied yes. I heartily forgive you and will forgive anybody, every body for getting drunk on good whiskey. This speech threw cold water on further proceedings. Everybody sat still some looking about at their fellows one fellow sneaked out followed by others in a few minutes old man McCune and this writer were alone. The brother was not baptized 2nd time McCune thought the trial an outrage will not try to put here his remarks because it would not look good. Schools were in evidence in nearly every community. At first Private school only usually taught in home of teacher there were no public funds to support schools. Teachers of these little country schools were paid about $1.00 per month tuition sometimes for each pupil. Terms of school usually 3 or 4 months - sometimes two terms a year usually one term. Sometimes as many as 20 pupils in school. In the main all in lower grades. Teaching -- 3Rs -- Reading, Riting, Rithmetic. First attempt was made towards free schools about 1872. Many of the teachers' salaries were never paid. Along with public free school came teachers bright college men like the two mentioned in this paper, Emory C. Smith and Alvin C. Owsley. Then both were sort of a lawyer in utero.

This was common for the embryo lawyers to take up teaching in inflate their depleted pocket books. As stepping stone to legal and other professions, and it was common nearly every where for these teachers to organize a debating society the weekly meetings thus giving them an opportunity for practice public speaking and too another public spelling matches same and were popular with young people as well as all ages.

There were no organized clubs or lodges - The few public meetings were attended by nearly everybody from fact they wanted to go places and had no where else to go. Among the early settlers was one Rev. Mr. Holford Baptist minister, he came in with the Lipscomb families from Mo. thro Indian Territory entered Texas north of Whitesboro. Rev. Holford settled on Prairie that now bears his name organized a Baptist church whenever possible. Believe that congregation lonesome dove. Tarrant still exists in a small way. Doc Harris, lay Baptist minister was his friend and did live near Harris for several years in sixties and fifties. First church building came in 1845 through effort of Mrs. Chinn assisted by few ladies of community. Her plan was wonderful when she presented it to patrons of the mill and it was a success. Each patron was asked to contribute log when sufficient material was thus accumulated a day was set for house raising. The good ladies provided dinner and Chinns church and school building of 1845 was a fact size about 24 x 24 feet, rock chimney 2 doors one large window size 1-1/2 x 2 feet. This window was closed by shutter of boards. Roof was covered by boards. This structure remodeled is standing 1937 now stately and strong surrounded by graves on all sides. Year 1897 the house was repaired, but pine lumber siding to protect walls rock chimney torn away.

The organized churches christians and Methodists, and too at all on Hobford prairie they had organizations as well as Baptists Presbyterians at flower mount church. South 3-1/2 miles Cumberland Presbyterians were strong under leadership of Rev. Mr. Gregory. Camping meeting every summer. Then every body for miles around would move in strike camp.

This community went strong on singing and singing schools and at this late 1937 the church has a good choir that equals some of the best in county seat. For years perhaps 20 churches Baptists, Christians, and Methodists were busy teaching their doctrine at every sermon and too they enjoyed debates and chewing the rag over subject of baptism. The Rev. Gregory stood aloof attended to his little flock and never entered into any of their discussions and rag chewing. East of Lewisville and Elm river Baptists and Christians held as leaders Rev. Jimmie McWhorter, known as little Jimmie was champion of Baptists was active and never missed an opportunity to preach attend funerals picnic or do something worthwhile.

Rev. Mr. Terrill Jasper lived on Holford prairie christian he too never missed an opportunity to preach and serve the people always mounted on some big sorrel horse. He had habit of going sounds far and wide when he saw that some needed aid it was forthcoming. He was always cheerful. Singing schools and writing schools. Also school in mathematics were common. Term usually of two weeks of tuition about $2.00. Sort of an out for young people to get together.

It was not until about 1873 that game of baseball was sponsored. Fact Athletics were not encouraged another high point concerning the pioneers in this section case of the Kealeys' and Tom Kealy. Leaving Michigan their former home bound for San Antonio coming though with good teams and wagons struck camp and live Denton and Collin counties, 12 miles NE of Lewisville. Mr. Harrington visited their camp till late in night and persuaded Kealeys to settle here he made them a loan of $2,000.00 gold with this they settled here and were useful citizens for more than half century. Kealy Mill came also carding machine. This year 1858 shorttime later a cotton gin was all propelled by steam engines. July 4, 1876 was a faily day. This writer attended Bullards Mill barbecue centennial everybody was then that did not go to other towns to celebrate. Rev. Mr. Lath Bullard Presbyterian minister was master of ceremonies. A speaker some lawyer from Denton (no not reach his name). Everything went well till it was noted that a big flag, stars and stripes floated over the bush arbor that gave crowd shadow from sun. This flag was ordered lowered in fact taken off the grounds by one tough Exconfederate soldier who had not yet adjusted himself to national government. He said that he fought that rag 4 years and if it was not lowered that they would shoot it down. It was lowered promptly. Believe that I only saw one fight, but no shooting. The barbecue dinner was great. Later a few horse races on French Town prairie rounded out a perfect day for 100th anniversary of USA in this isolated district.

Grasshopper. A wave of grasshoppers came fresh from Kansas in torented flood darkened the sky bringing about a twilight at 4 p.m. latter days of Aug. 1873. We believe that this hoppers far excelled Pharoah's celebrated plague of locust of Egypt.

The pest seemed to be distributed throughout NORTH Texas. Had appetites like a hired hand were not choice as to food - all foliage, grass, cotton stalks leaves, barks of trees twigs small limbs fell prey to the ravages.

Cool weather was our relief rains came also after some two month. It was a common sight to see small gullys ravines and creeks absolutely chocked by the dead hoppers drifted.

Prior to cold weather eggs were deposited in ground to insure another crop next April. One female would lay 2 or 3 hundred eggs deposit in ground then die promptly. Every egg was guaranteed to hatch a little green hopper. We suspect that a prolonged stay but was amazed when the pest had grown size of the common house fly a fine welcome a norther came and with it departed the hopper south ward that made everybody feel lucky and happy. My opinion, from observation from year 1873 to 1937. Where these settled no one ever found out. Supposed by wise acres settled in Gulf Mexico and fed the fishes. These children of toerrtial was wave seemed to be hellbent on going south.

Old times told us that two instances some 12 and 15 years prior of similar devastation of grasshoppers. For weeks our water supply on surface wells, ponds, surface tanks, creeks, and rivers was polluted with billions carcasses, debrae, still it did not bring us any illness, sickness - only a want frestilence subside it did about christmas, it did another prominent character cause into lime light in 1875 - Sam Bass age 17, he came to Denton early seventies was sheriff Egans hired man and stock rustler.

Absolutely illiterate and no culture had fair sense. Always chewing tobacco and too drank whiskey but all in all was respected by the tough element.

At times he majored in horse racing sported a small racing mare called "Denton Marie". Left Denton county with Joe Collins his cousin with a herd of beef cattle for Abilene Kansas. Sam returned to Denton a few months bringing some $20,000.00 gold in $20.00 gold pieces his part of the loot in robbing a union pacific Express train. He made camp some 8 months 3 miles north west Chinn's Chapel. This his rendervous going into Denton nights for whiskey and tobacco and supplies. Going and coming as they pleased occasionally would take leave for 3 or 4 days to rob a train - not many.

Finally sheriffs and U.S. Marshalls got after the gang in earnest more or less. Finally sheriff Egan of Denton got busy and sailed into action. Had a posse of some 80 men. These men in main were farmers armed with shot guns and revolvers.

Sheriffs party found them 2 miles north Chinn's Chapel cooking a meal. Frank Jackson and Henry Lenderwood both Denton men, were guards and on the look out. Sheriff and party approached 60 to 80 yards aways when guards fired killing two horses. It was plainly observed that the train robbers did not want to kill any one. They promptly mounted their horses and rode east to Elm River. I went over this battlefield one hour later, noted the ravages that these citizens did to timber, shooting high 20 feet above ground. Newspapers made big headlines describing a big battle. No battle farmers were scared out of their boots Robbers ran out of it.

Doctors -
Some communities had a physician at least would practice medicine many were incompetent having adopted that role while in route to Texas never saw medical college. As a rule these men were endowed with good horse sense as well as nerve. All carried their medicines in saddle bags thrown across saddle. True their stock of medicines were small if it had been larger they would not know what to do with it. Gimime, strychine, opuin preparations, Calomal Fld. Ext. Engot etc. was the stock think of it giving this medicine which they knew little about pour it into a patient they knew less. The guimine was expensive cost $7.50 per ounce. This drug was imperative, had to have to combat malaria. No capsules patient usually took the bitter drug dissolved in cold coffee. Occasionally a college graduate was to be found. I mention two Dr. Lipscomb and a Dr. Cash, Ware College men, Dr. Lipscomb of Grapevine was great came here bout 1848. Dr. Cash came to Collinco 1854 a brilliant fellow graduate from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He did an operation opened the abdomen for obstruction of bowels with common pocket knife used needle and thread furnished by the house wife. There being no surgical instruments at hand. Patient recovered. He returned to his native state N.C. Dr. J. M. Gilbert came here from Miss. 1871 graduate Tulane. Dr. J. F. Ford graduated about 1870 moved to Decatur after some 15 years stay in Lewisville. Here are able well qualified as any state. Railroad came in 1879 there we leave off as these parts were no longer a pioneer country.

Newspapers.
Newspapers were rare and far between sometimes ancient 3 or 4 weeks. The Nashville Tenn. Banner and New York Sun, Courier Journal of Louisville, Ky. were welcome visitors - On arrival the neighbors would come in after supper to hear the news. These papers were passed out to others until worn out. Did not matter if paper was a few weeks old F. N. Oliver brot in first newspaper here in 1872. It is continued regularly since that date. Now it is called Louisville Enterprise edited by Jack Lewis. Kealy Brothers Jno & Tom Kealey & Rawlings built mill 1860 (steampower). Had a carding machine and cotton gin erected in late sixties steampower. Mill Clayton & Crocket Kealy put in a cotton gin in 1870 ox-power four (4) oxens treading on inclined wheel. Gin stands were crude little improvement of Whitneys first model out put of cotton was about 3 babs working 8 hours a day i.e. working 8 hours before dinner and 8 hours after dinner. A high point when Bill Nye then age about 17 was touring this part of the state in a mountain wagon the country engaged in painting signs advertisement or, building on roof of this gin building painted sign: "TUTT TAKE PILLS" - Large letters 6 feet or more that was plainly visible for miles around. White letters with black background. Mind you this fellow employed me to aid him in his work for some six hours paid me 50 cents. I climbed his ladder carried paint water. This same individual Bill Nye afterwards became the great humorist and satyrist that made millions laugh sometimes we entertain angels unaware.

Cotton Gins.
Cotton gins sprang up in surrounding country first Mark and Ed Bradley, Donald, Beavers and Cowan, Wakefield all to west of Lewisville. John Buster east of town Henry Hill a Little Elm. Also conducted distillery in Lewisville 1896-98. Making a whiskey he called "white mule." Gin by ox-power tread wheel of Mr. Chinn was operated till 1875. J. N. Kealy and John Buster operated Round Bale Cotton Gin 1892 for some 8 years. At this writing all county cotton gins quit, burned thrown into the discard all now in towns and on railroads - not any county gins. Cotton seed is now 1837 an important by product. It was not till about 1880 that the cotton seed was worthwhile.

The town of Lewisville established about 1858 first merchant was Tom Davis and son S. R. Davis. Prior to that Joseph minor kept a store at his home farm 1-1/2 miles west, later he moved store to Lewisville. This town place was here called niggerville from fact that the Crafts Rawling and T. Ox families settled here with a lot of their slaves some 60 or more. These negroes were we believe the biggest lot negroes in county. The name was objectionable name Lewisville came incidentally a bunch of citizens on the street discussed the name and it was unanimous they didn't like Niggerville. When fellow one fellow suggested name Lewisville in honor of man Lewis of the community name was settled then and there. Mr. Lewis lived here 2 or 3 years. Little was known of him or where he went. A non entity probably went way of Ward's ducks. Horse thieves as well as cattle thieves were a menace after the war between the states that lasted several years. The lawless element in Indian territory well organized and had agents. One station over on Elm river east of Denton, another further south near north, line Hill county, sometimes horses here would be a carrier as far as western Arkansas. It was easy for these thieves to make trip from one station to another in one night. Secrete the stock during day at night would make next station, was easy to make trip from Hill county to territory in 2 or 3 days. The station in Arkansas was managed for years by the famous or rather say infamous Belle Starr. Cattle Rustlers were prominent. One strong bunch operated here in early '70's. The Record brothers. Their headquarters were over in Dallas county only a few miles away from Line Denton Co. Their methods was simple and worked out efficiently as long as it lasted, would get their gang and start west cutting in all cattle in route, their herd getting larger and larger every mile or so traveled. Their destination was Chishulm trail. There they would sell herd to cattlemen driving herds to Abilene Kansas. At last summer 1871 they met their Waterloo in camp at mustang springs (Coppell), Dallas Co. A posse of best citizens of Grapevine and vicinity well organized descended on their camp at night. An easy capture without firing a shot. These rustlers were quickly dispatched, seven men all were promptly hung to one limb of massive post oak tree half-mile north east of Spring. This put a quieters on cattle stealing did more than a dozen courts of law would accomplish. Believe this was only and last instance of wholesale cattle theft here. True there has always been and is to this sweet day cattle thieves but in a minor degree. A fellow named Sterling of English extraction established himself as local butcher dealt almost exclusively in stolen cattle. He came here in about 1870. No family but tough through and through idle crowds were tired of loitering about saloon would call on him to while away idle hours. He always kept a jug of whiskey on end of counter. His peace was on lot now stands post office and First National Bank. He went strong and til five years later he was assassinated in his place of business. Shot in back a heavy charge. Jim Powell was charged with the crime from fact that he and Sterling had a lawsuit in progress. Powell was an honest man but sentiment and local wise guys picked him out as the murderer. A reprobate and criminal. One Howell Lamb was deputized as guard. Powell was given a speedy trial and was acquitted 2 or 3 years later it came to light that Howell Lamb was the assassin.

This fellow Lamb met same fate as Sterling two years later when George Rawlings, a negro shot him killing him instantly and made a quick get away. Later it was learned George Rawlings went to Kansas City safe and is a good citizen. This one of two instances only where a negro murdered a white man here and got away with it by skipping out and was never apprehended. Observed evidences of an ancient Indian village. Rev. Doc Harris a Baptist settled here. At spring on Denton creek was a friend and boon companion of Rev. Mr. Holford. Good water from a spring and wonderful pear orchard some 25 or 30 trees. D. S. Donald of Krum told me that he gathered fruit from this orchard 1861 to 1864. This was good fruit nothing like it that nursery new horticulturists have not been able to produce. Anything like it at time no explanation was offered as to author of his orchard. Forty years later Donald recognized this same pear as in the great pear orchard Palo Duro Canyon northeast Texas.

Halfords home was on prairie some 6 miles north east of Doc Harris place Chinn, Wakefield, Donalds, Pinkleys and others near Chinn church, school house.

Judge Nat Burford, Dallas U.S. Commissioner, Northern District Texas told me that was clerk of first court heed in Denton county about year 1846.

This session was held under trees at Murphy Spring one mile south Alton. The U.S. Military coming by way of Greenville, Plano, Lewisville on to Ft. Richardson now known as Jacksboro.

Days of reconstruction this road was patrolled daily by Federal troops. Later the village of Dallas asserted herself and turned that way but balance of route on to Ft. Richardson not changed. Military trains all crossed Elm fork of Trinity at Fouts Crossing. A ferry boat operated by A. J. (Jack) Fout, and did a thriving business. Collecting 75 cents for wagon and one team.

Stage coach bringing mail and passengers drawn by 4 horses. Wet seasons with muddy road would attach 6 horses making semi-or weekly trips. Relay stations for rested teams placed some 8 or 10 miles. Coach would make 6 or 8 miles per hour. For years every stage coach carried tired passenger all coming from east of Mississippi river was quite easy to detect one from north of Mason-Dixon's line evidenced by his wearing a derby hat. These were called dudes. If he had a Eastern brougue called him a Yankee.

It was a surprise, strange how soon that political differences were settled. Races and people from all quarters even foreigners and Texans, southerners were united citizens of this southland.

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