Freestone County, Texas Communities Hicks Springs Located on Clay Hill Road between Teague and Fairfield, about six miles south of Fairfield. Nearby communities were Pyburn, Clay Hill, and Mills. A primarily farming community producing cotton, corn and oats. A Farmers Alliance existed in Hick Springs. Hicks Springs had a church house where circuit preachers came by once a month in 1887. Excitement abounded when the Prairie Grove Association (Baptists) met in Hicks Springs in May 1887. Hicks Springs had 43 pupils in the 1887 scholastic enumeration. The school teacher for the year was N. F. Davis. In 1890, Hicks Springs hosted the first former Confederate solider reunion. *1* Over the years, some of the teachers at Hicks Springs were Dr. David Dies, Mill Little Anderson and Mrs. Ed Williford. In 1902, the Hick Springs school building burned and its pupils were transferred to Pyburn. According to Sheriff Sessions (Dec 2, 2003 article), the first county fair was also held at Hicks Springs. School: 43 pupils in 1887 Churches: Hicks Spring Baptist Church Led by A.F. Perry and had 13 members in 1879. Led by J.W. Wood and had 13 members in 1886. Led by P.E. Kirvin and had 17 members in 1887. Led by J.W. Wood and had 25 members in 1889. (Had 66 members in 1895 with A.B. Tedder as pastor, who also had Brewer and N. Providence on his route.) Cemetery: George Cemetery (in the area) Social Organizations: Hick's Farmers Alliance #2382 (existed in 1888) Businesses: Nearby Communities: Pyburn Valosta Driver Clay Hill Mills Fairfield Known Past Residents: Beasley, J. Frank Blakney, William Buchanan, Mrs. Jessie Carroll, Thomas Stanley Clark, W. A. Davis, Enoch Daviss, Nat F. (professor) Driver, Mary Driver, Sallie Hays, John Henderson, J.C. Hullum, Ben Peevy, W. H. Pyburn, A. J. Pyburn, J. M. Pyburn, Lyman E. (Sabbath school teacher) (died Aug 8, 1887) Scott, W. H. Sheffield, J.C. Sheffield, Rufus Short, James R. Sweeney, Reverend ? Terry, David Terry, Dewitt Clinton Terry, George T. Terry, Jack Wallace, S. L. Wood, Elder J. W. Wylie, William A. Young, Joe ================================================= SOURCES: *1* The Gazette: Fort Worth, Texas August 17, 1890 issue - Page: 16 FREESTONE COUNTY REUNION First Gathering of Ex-Confederate Veterans Ever Held in the County. Mills, Tex., Aug. 10 - The first reunion of ex-Confederate veterans in this county held at Hicks' springs closed last Thursday. It was perhaps the "biggest thing" Freestone county ever experienced. A large crowd was in attendance daily, and many spirited speeches were made by our local orators and old soldiers in and out of the county upon the great civil war and the causes that brought about sectional strife. The Mexia cornet band furnished music for the occasion, and when occasionally they would strike up Dixie a shot would go up from the crowd, and tears fill[ed] the eyes of the old soldier as he listened to that old war tune that had in perilous days cheered them on through scenes of blood and carnage, amid the roar of cannon and the din of musketry. A Confederate flag swayed in the breeze over the speaker's stand, and the frequent allusions to the stars and bars never failed to bring an outburst of enthusiasm and cheers from the audience. Capt. W. H. Richardson and T. J. Gipson of Limestone county, old heroes of the Lost Cause, in thunder tones, told of the valor, patriotism and chivalry of the Southern soldier. Capt. Richardson gave an earnest and eloquent appeal in behalf of the Confederate home and the crippled ex- Confederate soldier, who left his home, family and everything dear to him to fight for his country, to fight for a principle deat to every man who wore the gray, leaving a peaceful home surrounded with all the comforts of life, and returning maimed and crippled with health impaired for life to a home destroyed by fire, and farm devasted and ruined by an armed force of plunderers and house burners. For twenty-five years these noble heroes had fought the hard battle of life alone, or been thrust upon the charity of their neighbor. It was a shame that the great state of Texas with all its boasted wealth, with its schools, universities and asylums, with all its charitable institutions had failed utterly to provide for the maimed and destitute hero who wore the gray. His speech throughout was greeted with frequent applause and was well received by all., Other speakers followed. The reunion upon a whole was a grand success, and the commander, Maj. W. G. Blane, and other deserve great credit for the manner, in which it was conducted. This being their first attempt it is safe to say the reunion has come to stay. Several citizens of Fairfield pledged themselves to purchase suitable grounds provided they will make it permanent at that place.