Freestone County, Texas History News of 1857 Texas State Gazette published in Austin, Texas January 24, 1857 edition Page: 3 Fairfield, Freestone Co., Texas, } January 14th, 1857 } MESSRS. MARSHALL & OLDHAM: GENT -- If I may presume upon your acquaintance with me as a Democrat and a friend, I trust you will spare me a small portion of the columns of the Gazette while I endeavor to set forth my views of the true policy of our party at this time. The first object of importance is to know where we stand on the merits of the many plans for building our railroads. I am a railroad man, and desire to see the time when I can come to your city and go to the coast and to New Orleans by Railroad; but I desire also, that the State shall not be involved and her credit ruined perhaps by the selfish scheme of men who are seeking only to carry out some favorite plan by which they expect to accumulate fortunes for themselves and the party with which they are connected. I know this is a danger that we are likely to be in a the next session of the Legislature. A desperate attempt is to be made to control the monies of Texas, so as to build up the fortumes of certain railroad speculators, instead of building the roads themselves. I am willing for the State to give all the aid she can to railroads. I am not only willing but desire to see this done. I have always been in favor of the corporate system and always expect to be so, but like all monied bodies they must be watched and guarded against. It is in their power frequently to control legislation. I believe honestly that they were successful in carrying their measures at the last legislature by means of a lobby influence; otherwise how was it that a bill passed, over the veto of the Governor, giving to Mr. Bulter King's road, privileges which no other road in the State enjoyed? How was it, I ask again, sir, that at first it failed to get a constitutional majority and then, without being changed or altered, a reconsideration was moved and a constitutional majority voted for it? I want to see that vote explained. It never yet has been explained to the people of Texas. I would be willing to see the State aid railroads so as to get a trunk road and branches to Eastern and Western Texas, and would favor the amendment of the Constitution and make the State a stockholder for one half of the stock, if necessary; but I am opposed to favoritism and to the elevation of any man to a State office who has been connected with the financiering and engineering of the particular views of any private corporation; and believe that the people of Texas have determined to put only such men in office who are known to be advocating the general good of the State without being bound up to the destinies of a particular corporation. Yours, truly, T. ====================================================== Texas State Gazette published in Austin, Texas March 14, 1857 Page: 1 Our Lands and Stock The Editor of the Pioneer, has been visiting that portion of Freestone county in the vicinity of Butler. The editor says: "Suffice it to say, that that portion of our county offers the greatest inducements to the farmer, who is seeking a home among us, than any other we have yet witnessed. It is healthy, rich, and romantic. Good water, and wild game in abudance; and affords a munificent harvest to the planter, to the stock and to the cattle; and it just the place to enjoy "the comforts of a pretty wife and a happy home." "A life in the woods for me" Butler is a small but pleasant place - containing one dry-goods store, an M.D.'s office, and several work-shops." Mr. Hillery Manning has erected quite a tasteful structure for a dwelling. ------------- [Same issue, same page] Flour is selling at 5 cents per lb. at Fairfield, Freestone county. Here we pay much more. ------------- [Same issue, page #2] Our State News FREESTONE - A correspondent of the "Pioneer" lectures the citizens of Freestone upon their want of public enterprise. He says that they have a fine commodious Court House, but hints that it is the only public edifice to boast of. "We have the exterior of a fine building, originally designed for the two-fold purpose of a Masonic Hall and Female Seminary, but it has been standing for years in an unfinished condition, and we believe the building erected for a Male Academy stands in a like condition. We have also the hall of one church, without stove or chimney; and with our bleak northers piercing through the crevices of the bare walls, it is unfit for use, at least during the winter month. Again, some of the "older inhabitants" have told us that in by-gone days, an Artesian Well was being bored in our public square, designed to furnish a plentiful supply of water, pure and timpid beverage, but like our Female Seminary and Church, it progressed for a time and then stopped." ====================================================== Texas State Gazette published in Austin, Texas March 7, 1857 ... Bidders will state the distance and propose a schedule of departures and arrivals. From Anderson, by Kellum's Sulphur Springs, Lee's Vassbaiders?, Wilson's Store, and Joseph Hinson's to Fairfield, 100 miles and back, once a week. Leave Anderson Monday at 6 a.m.; Arrive Fairfield Wednesday by 6 p.m.; Leave Fairfield Thrusday at 6 a.m.; Arrive Anderson Saturday by 6 p.m. 6100 from Bonham, by Kentucky Town, to McKinney, 50 miles and back, once a week. ... ====================================================== Texas State Gazette published in Austin, Texas March 28, 1857 Page: 1 Several wagon loads of sweet potatoes have been purchased in this county to carry to McLennan, for seed. Freestone has furnished several counties with produce during the last year, and particularly with corn - Pioneer ====================================================== Texas State Gazette published in Austin, Texas April 18, 1857 Page: 3 Our Advertisers Runaway negro in Freestone co. See advertisement Benjamin Mayo, agent offering $150 reward. ====================================================== Texas State Gazette published in Austin, Texas May 2, 1857 EVANS, A. J. - Attorney at Law, Waco, McLennan county, Texas. Will practice in the counties of McLennan, Limestone, Freestone, Falls, Milam and Bell, and in the Supreme Court of the State. Prompt attention given to the securing, vald, and perfecting controveted and claims. Office east of Waco Inn. ====================================================== Trinity Advocate May 6, 1857 SUNDAY, 3 - Julius Oppenheimer, Palestine; W. T. Mitchell, Henderson county; R. Rose, Galveston; E. Hobbs, Fairfield. T. D. HUDGINS, Propietor ====================================================== Trinity Advocate May 13, 1857 [Original is in fragments. Tried to piece together best as I could.] Letters from the Junier. Horn Hill, Limestone Co. } May 2d, 1857 } ??? - As you know, I left Palestine on the 30th ult. in company with Hon. John G. Stuart, en route for Waco, for the purpose of attending the State Democratic Convention. Thursday night we stopped at the hospitable mansion of Col. Shelby Crawford, where we were well entertained for the night. The next morning we got an early start for Fairfield - Crossed the River at Bonner' Ferry at about 9 o'clock A.M. The banks were in a most miserable condition, and it was with great difficulty that we got through at all. At about 11 o'clock we reached Butler, Freestone county - this is a little village eight miles from the Trinity River and fifteen from Fairfield. The country immediately around is well settled up with thrifty and industrious planters. We got dinner at the house of Mr. Manning, where we received a cordial welcome from the gentlemanly proprietor and his lady. That evening at 5 o'clock we drew rein in front of Love's Hotel, Fairfield. This Hotel is one at which the weary traveller may stop with the full assurance that his every want will be promptly attended to, and we would advise all of our friends going that way, to give the Dr. a call. We called on some of our friends and acquaintances in Fairfield, among whom were the Proprietors of the Texas Pioneer. These gentlemen have had to struggle with many difficulies in publication of their paper, but are still in hopes that they may yet overcome the prejudices of some and the positive ill will of others. Fairfield now boasts one of the finest Court-House in the state. It is built of brick, is forty-eight feet square, two stories high, well arranged and finished inside, and is surmounted by neatly executed bulustrades, running around the entire building. When we were here before the then Court-House was a 12x16 slab- by, frame concern, squatted down in the centre of the Square. We noticed many other improvements of an equally substantial character.... [another fragment of the article:] ...we ever saw, reached Springfield at about 1 o'clock. Here we found a Convention in sessions, composed of Delegates from Freestone, Limestone and Falls counties. They had assembled for the purpose of nominating a suitable Democratic candidate to represent those counties in the State Legislature, this work was accomplished by the selection of Thos. P. Aycock, Esq., of Falls County, upon the first ballot. Mr Aycock is said to be a young man ... [another fragment of the article:] ...of Springfield, and we understand that a contract has been let out to erect a Temple of Justice about 400 yards East of the old one, on a beautiful eminence. It is to be forty-eight feet square, two stories high and will cost about $8,000. ... ====================================================== Texas State Gazette published in Austin, Texas May 16, 1857 Page: 1 $150 REWARD FOR the delivery of the following described negroes, to-wit: George, about 28 years of age, brown or copper color, 5 feet 8 or 10 inches high, weighs about 150 or 160 pounds, one leg rather short from having been broken. Larke, a boy about 22 years of age, some little lighter color about the same heigth round shouders and heavy built, weighs 165 to 180 pounds, very heavy forehad, when looking at you looks near under the brow, he has a scar on one of his checks, and the bones on the top of one of his feet has been hurt so as to leave some marks. George and Larke belong to Reuben Manning. On the same night one boy by the name of Mingo belonging to Wm. Carter, said negroes were all seen together the next day, they took with them 1 horse and 2 mares belonging to Wm. Carter the horse was a bay. one of the mares was a sorrel and the other a dun or clay bank color, the sorrel has had a fistula and is crest fallen. The negroes belong about 5 miles North East of Cotton Gin P. O., Freestone county. On the delivery of the abve negroes one hundred and fifty dollars will be paid a prorata reward will be paid for the horses according to value. Address Reuben Manning or Benjamin Mayo, Cotton Gin P. O., Freestone co., Texas. Benjamin Mayo, Agent for Reuben Manning, and William Carter April 1857 n35 tf ====================================================== Trinity Advocate May 20, 1857 WAGONS WANTED! TO HAUL COTTON to Houston or Liberty, for which a fair price will be paid. Apply to: F. WARD, Parker's Bluff. ====================================================== Democrat & Planter newspaper [of Columbia, Kaufman County, Texas] 26 May 1857 edition Texas Newspapers There are more newspapers in Texas in proportion, than any other State in the Union, and consequently more than any State in the World of the same population. A goodly number of these papers are established on a permanent basis, and a majority of them are conducted with decided ability. But many of them are short lived, and are changing proprietors, editors, name and sometimes locality, once and twice, and even oftener a year. Notwithstanding the great number of newspapers in the State, there seems to be a sad scarcity of names to call them by. In other States we seldom hear of two newspapers with the same name. It creates confusion in a great many ways. One paper frequently receiving mails due the other, &c. - This evil prevails to a great extent in this State. Thus we have three Gazettes--the State Gazette, at Austin; Liberty Gazette, at Liberty and Eastern Texas Gazette, at Jefferson. Two Times--State Times, at Austin and Corsicana Times, at Corsicana. Three Heralds--Jefferson Herald, at Jefferson; San Antonio Herald, San Antonio, and last but by no means least, Dallas Herald, Dallas, besides the Lavacca Herald, just demised, and the Daily Herald, just projected at Galveston. We have three Democrats--the Democrat & Planter, at Columbia; Upshur Democrat at Gilmer, and Henderson Democrat, Henderson, with perhaps another Democrat in Washington county, if it has not recently died out. There are two Messengers, one at Clarksville, the other at Woodville. Two Zeitungs (German), one at San Antonio, the other at New Braunsfel, and possibly a third at Castorville. Two Enquirer's--the Lamar Enquirer, at Paris, and Texas Enquirer, at Rusk, and a third with "a slight variation"--the Gonzales Inquirer. Two Flags--American Flag, at Brownsville, and Harrison Flag, at Marshall. Three Advocates--Trinity Advocate, at Palestine; Texas Christian Advocate at Galveston, and Victoria Advocate, at Victoria. Until recently we had two Texians, or rather one Texian Texan--the Central Tex(i)an, at Anderson, and the Western Texan, at San Antonio. And before the "great American party" became defunct we had any number of "Americans"--The Palestine American at Anderson County; the True American, Goliad, and other Americans too numerous to mention. Among the few Texas papers that glory in the monopoly of a patronymic to themselves, we may mention the News and Civilian, at Galveston; the Telegraph, at Houston; Item, Huntsville; Ranger, Brenham; Intelligencer, Austin; Ledger, San Antonio; Valley, Corpus Christi; Southerner, Waco; Mercury, Seguin; True Issue, La Grange; Advertiser, Bastrop; Watchman, Lockhart; our neighbor of the Express, Birdville; Patriot, at Paris; Standard, Clarksville; Republican, Marshall; Free Press, at Quitman; Sentinel, at Rusk; Star Spangled Banner, at Henderson; Reporter, at Tyler; Pioneer, at Fairfield and Printer, at Crockett, and a few others that do not now occur to us. The newspaper business is over done in Texas. At least half the country papers are starving. The subscription list of most of them does not reach 500, and unless they are so situated as to command heavy legal advertisements, or job- work, they go down in six or twelve months.-- Dallas Herald. ====================================================== Texas State Gazette May 30, 1857 [original has problems with left side] Rev. Charles Sexton, a printer, barber and layer, died at Fairfield on the ??th ult., after exhibiting symptoms of illness. The editor of the Pioneer, says he was employed in that office but nothing was ????? of his previous history, further than ijn ??? statement that he had published a paper in Kansas. [same issue] We take great pleasure in noticing the progress of Texas mechanics. The Fairfield Pioneer in referring to a notice we lately made of the manufacture of a Derringer pistol of fine workmanship by a mechanic of this city, says: "It is due our excellent gunsmith, Mr. A. L. Davis, to say he can show a specimen that will do credit to any Southern or Northern manfacturer. We were shown some pistols and a rifle, of his make, which were as good and which displayed as much taste of workmanship as any we ever saw." ====================================================== Texas State Gazette published in Austin, Texas June 6, 1857 Page: 2 Sam Houston on the Stump The following list appears officially in the Huntsville Recorder; it is from Houston himself: ... Fairfield, Freestone Co. Tuesday June 29 ... ====================================================== Texas State Gazette published in Austin, Texas June 13, 1857 Page: 3 Freestone. Fairfield, May 22d, 1857 "We are ready now to go to work and will roll up a big democratic majority for the nominees." ================================================== Texas State Gazette July 4, 1857 The Eastern Texian and Mr. Green's Views of Convention What has opened the eyes of that class of politicians, and brought the conviction home to them that conventions are wrong - that they should even abandon their State Convention appointed for the 16th, ins., at Fairfield? The fact is easily explained. A nomination by a K. N. convention would be equivalent to a nomination to stay at home; consequently they must resort to other expedients, and chicancry, to break down the paty which has been so successful in detecting their schemes, and thwarting their desgins. They must run an "Independent" candidate professing to be "a Jackson Democrat," (save the mark!) yet voting with the opposition when opportunities ... ================================================== Trinity Advocate July 8, 1857 edition (also appeared September 2 and 16, 1857) Page: 3 LOVE'S HOTEL (North-East Corner of the Public Square) Fairfield, Freestone County, Texas This large and popular Hotel, formerly the Walker House, has become the property of, and will hereafter be conducted by A. C. Love, who will endeavor to make it one of the first hotels in tehe State, by keeping a good table and making his guests an boarders comfortable. Travellers, and the public generally, will find it greatly to their convenience and pleasure to give him their patronage. The Stables will be attended to by experienced ostlers, who will give their attention exclusively to the stables. A. C. LOVE. Proprietor The best and most direct route from the counties of Henderson, Cherokee, Anderson, Panola, Harrison, and all the eastern counties, to Waco and Austin lead through Fairfield. May 13, 1857 42: 6m ================================================== Trinity Advocate July 22, 1857 THE OSCEOLA HOTEL FOR THE WEEK ENDING SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 1857: ... Thos. P. Whitt, F. J. Taylor, ??? Cockrum, Clabore McGee, Fairfield; Sam Nesbitt, ???; J. B. Streety, Jas. Nesbitt, Freestone County; ... ================================================== Trinity Advocate July 29, 1857 The present opposition to conventions from the Know Nothing or American party, is too flimsy and too inconsistent with their own recent acts, and the history of all political parties in this country for the past forty years, to require much in reply to their assaults. But two years ago that party had its secret county conventions throughout the State, to promote their success in all county elections - a State convention, held secretly at Washington, in June, 1855, which nominated a full ticket for State officers, even including Capt. Crosby for Commissioner of the Land Office. And again, in January, 1856, they held another State Convention at Austin, nominating for all State officers then to be elected. In the present canvass, they have held several county conventions, selected candidates for the Legislature, and in that of Harrison county, they nominated Gen. Houston for Governor, and proposed holding a State K. N. convention at Fairfield, on the 13th of June, which was only abandoned at the bidding of certain willy traders, who thought it better policy to let that matter pass, in order that the might play on the harp "of a thousand strings" - "no convention!" ================================================== Texas State Gazette August 22, 1857 Horse Thieves Henry D. Russel, the murderer of John Blackmore, of Washington County, has been arrested at Fairfield. He is about 40 years old. ================================================== Trinity Advocate August 26, 1857 edition Page: 2 ELECTION RETURNS Freestone Runnels: 357; Houston: 242; White: 300; Crosby: 280 ================================================== Texas State Gazette published in Austin, Texas August 29, 1857 edition Page: 4 Our Lands and Stock. the West FREESTONE - The prospects of Freestone county are better than anticipated by our friends some time ago. Some farmers are making full crops of corn, but there are others who will fail to make more than half a crop. Cotton looks well and must produce a good crop. Mast is not abundant, but in some part of Freestone the hogs will not have to be fed on corn. ================================================== Texas State Gazette published in Austin, Texas Oct. 15, 1857 edition Page: 2 A theatrical corps formed from the young men of the place, is playing in Fairfield.