Freestone County, Texas
History and Newspapers


The Mexia Weekly Herald - Friday, July 29, 1927 - Page: 4
COTTON GIN PAPER OF 1887 IS DISCOVERED, TELLS OF LIFE IN TOWN NOW ALMOST VANISHED

BY PAUL COHN
(Written for Mexia Daily News)
  There has just been brought to the writer's attention, a copy of the Freestone 
Herald, published at Cotton Gin, Texas, dated June 23, 1877, being Vol. III, No. 
12. This is a six column paper, four pages. The front pane is of general interest, 
poetry, a short story, "Making a Home on the Farm" and other similar items making 
up the front page.
  The second page is the editorial page, stating: "Freestone Herald, Anderson 
and Storey, prop'rs, with Goo. K. Anderson, Editor and Publisher and classes 
itself as the Official Organ of Freestone County. Subscription rates are $2 per
year. Advertising rates are based on 1 square, 10 lines, 1 insertion $1 with a 
charge for each subsequent insertion at 75c. The paper was published on Saturdays.
  Mention is made in the editorial relative to those desiring public schools 
should organize school communities and avail themselves of the public school law, 
and make returns to the County Judge on or before Sept. 1, for the next year
scholastic prorata.
  Says an editorial: "The Crockett Patron seems to think the Local Option does 
good in the suppression of crime. Two of our county justices have resigned. No 
whisky, no business. Must go to the plowhands or something else."
  "A letter from C. E. Jones in Coleman County states that one corn in the valley 
fields, which was in the silk and promised finely was killed by a frost two weeks
before. The fields were dry enough to burn. It is feared the mast, which is most 
important to them is a!so killed. Such a thing in June is unprecedented in Texas.
Reliable parties showed the editor evidences of the work of trust about the same 
time on sweet potato vines, and rose leaves in Freestone County, but no damage
resulted to crops. Perhaps not one individual in a hundred was aware of the frost 
at the time stated.
  A communication dated June 19 1877, addressed to the Herald advised that on 
Tuesday evening next, 26, a musical and dramatic concert will be given at the 
Opera House at Mexia for the benefit of the Baptist Church. The best talent of 
the town had been largely drawn upon, and will be aided by distinguished 
performers from Tehuacana Hills, Corsicana and other points. The minor drama of 
the "Toodles" will be presented for the first time. "Your presence and that of 
the people of your vicinity is respectfully solicited."
  Another editorial concerns an error alleged by the Herald on the part of the 
Rusk Observer in censuring the Mexia Ledger, which as the Observer stated, "was
threatened by the lawless element of Freestone County for discharging its duty 
in condemning the mob which removed several prisoners from jail and hung them and
also censuring some of the officers of that county for a failure to discharge 
their duty." The Herald calls attention to the fact that the event occurred in 
Limestone County, not in Freestone County, and the people of this county would 
never censure the Ledger for condemning mobs and that the Observer has no grounds 
for its charges. Some of the citizens of Groesbeck condemned the Ledger.
  Minutes of the Elders' and Deacons' Convention held at Cotton Gin on the Thursday 
before the 4th Sabbath in June, 1877, is also published.
  A reprint is had from the Corsicana Index of a letter written by Major John B.
Jones of the Frontier Battalion to his father Col. Henry Jones, relating war 
incidents in chasing outlaws and bandits.
  A column is devoted to Texas items: Palestine sent St. Louis its first peaches, 
bringing $7.50 per bushel. Palestine also had the first raspberries on the St. 
Louis market.
  First wheat in Sherman brought $1.10.
  Gov. Hubbard has issued a proclamation declaring Parker county no longer a 
frontier county and not subject to Indian incursions. Six shooters will have to 
be laid as idle.
  Waco Examiner reprint states that Perry Davis was found guilty in the District 
Court for the murder of Policeman Neal and penalty assessed at death.
  Wheat crop in McLennan County is much injured by the rust. It is estimated that 
the crop will be a third less than estimates several weeks before.
  Incident reported was the firing upon a party of three prisoners charged with 
horse stealing, and one killed. Party shooting unknown.
  Bird Bailey one of the prisoners, and the one killed was a notorious character.
  Page Three of the paper is the local page and only page carrying local 
advertising and local personals. 
  "E. Hobbs this morning placed three cotton blooms on editor's desk—the first 
of the season in this section.
  "Exercises at Oak Island Academy close next Thursday evening 28th inst. Reading, 
Essays, and Declamations in the afternoon, beginning at 3 o'clock; and same 
continued at night with music."
  "An incident is told wherein a convict hired to a Capt. W. W. Lang of Falls 
County escaped, making his way through Freestone County, towards Oakwoods, selling 
his horse, stolen, to a freedmen taking a note payable in the following fall. 
Description was given.
  Fairfield, June 20, 1877, announcement of Public Installation of officers 
Fairfield Lodge No. 103, A. F. & M. with address by Capt. J. D. Shaw of Mexia in 
the Methodist Church at Fairfield, and after the ceremonies, a basket dinner on 
the grounds near the Capt Bragg residence grounds.
  A column is devoted to Freestone County Estrayed stock, etc.
  Dr. J. S. Wills advertised as General Druggist and dealer in various other 
articles.
  J. M. Day, Watchmaker and Jeweler, Commerce St., Mexia, also advertises.
  Page 4 of the Herald carries general lot of items of general interest, with the 
usual advertisements of Salves, Pills and what-nots.
  Cotton Gin, according to statements of old timers, was a flourishing community 
around the 70's and received its name from the fact that the first Cotton Gin was
located at this point and as farmers would reply when asked as to their destination, 
"Cotton Gin," and so it was natural when the post-office was located there, the
name Cotton Gin should stick. Stores supplied the needs of the territory eastward 
and northward. However as the railway extended to Mexia, it was natural the 
inland town became of lesser importance and gradually simmered down to its present 
status. When you motorists pass through Cotton Gin, you see a relic of a past day,
still holding on tenaciously onto a tiny portion of this past existence.