Biography of Thomas C. Morris, Bowie County, Texas *********************************************************** Submitted by: V Richardson Date: Apr 2000 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/bowie/bowitoc.htm *********************************************************** Whatlington Manuscript Thomas C. Morris was a native of Mississippi but had long been a resident of Bowie County, having come to Texas in 1870, when but a young man in his 27th year. For many years he engaged extensively in farming and took an active, leading part in the Farmer's organizations of those times. In 1888 he was elected Commissioner of Precinct No. 2, as previously mentioned, but held that office one term only. About this time the farmers Alliance had assumed wide prominence, and Texas was playing a leading roll in this, at that time, popular organization. Here, as elsewhere throughout the State, preliminary to County organization, farmer's clubs were organized in every section of the County and it did really seem, from the deep interest universally manifested, that the farmer had, at last discovered a panacea for all of his ills, and the Paramount question discussed in the Clubs was the selection of County Officers, more particularly that of president. None but successful farmers, business men and solely identified with agricultural interest were eligible. The names of several such throughout the County were duly discussed, and a little later in Convention assembled at the Court House, * T. C. Morris was elected president of the Bowie County farmers Alliance. I was chosen as its Secretary - treasurer, and served in that capacity under President Morris during his incumbency. But like all previous efforts of the betterment of the farmer; --- the "Mudsiller", --- the Farmer's Alliance was short lived. Perhaps movement was not organized on a right basis. We Cannot say. Anyhow, it had the support of the mass of the most prominent and influential farmers, who were sincere in their desire for a better ystem, and the alleviation of the farmer's burdens, and it is still remembered what deep resentment was created against those "high-up" who caused its collapse, with the obvious aim to benefit themselves at the expense of the farmer. Subsequently, Tom Morris was elected Sheriff of Bowie County, who succeeded himself at the following election, thus serving as Sheriff for four years, retiring then from active politics with the consciousness of a faithful, honest and true adherence to every trust reposed in him by the people. His parents, long since dead, were D. A. and Phebee Morriss, and he was born on December 18, 1843. Before leaving Mississippi he married Miss Joanna Morgan, and from this union were born several sons and daughters, some of whom are residents of Bowie County, the best and most familiarly known being T. W. or Tobe Morris who was Clerk for four years of the County Court. Frank and Sam and George Morris are brothers of T. C. Morris, the first named now dead, and George is the efficient and popular Post master at New Boston. Sam Morris, (Long Sam, may his shadow never grow less), has a beautiful home and well stocked farm of several hundred acres a few miles west from Old Boston, and with but a few exceptions, he markets annually, more cotton than any other up- land planter in the County.