Hopkins Co., TX - Bios: Thos. S. Glover
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Pat Howard <mendocinosunrise@gmail.com>

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         BIOGRAPHY OF THOS. S. GLOVER

Thos. S. Glover was born in Troupe County, Georgia, in the year 1836, and
migrated with his parents to the state of Mississippi. When only a boy he came
to Texas with his uncle William Glover in the year 1845, and stopped for a
time in Harrison County, and in the fall of the same year moved to Hopkins
County. Thomas was only ten years of age at this time. They settled near where
the old town of Tarrant was located. Mr. Glover relates many incidents of
early life in Texas. It was at this old town that he first met Miss Ruth
Lindley, a daughter of Uncle Eli and Sallie Lindley. Their first meeting was
attended with some romance. An acquaintance was cultivated, which resulted in
their marriage. From this union fourteen children were born, eleven are
living. They are six girls and five boys. Five of these children are living at
the home of their parents. They are all healthy, well born children. When Mr.
Glover came into Hopkins County it was almost an uninhabited wilderness. But
little attention was given to the law, though there was an organized court
held at the county site. The pioneer citizens had no patience with thieves,
thugs and evil doers. When a horse-thief was caught stealing or in possession
of property not his own, no redress was sought by the law. He was immediately
swung up on the most convenient limb, and that was the last of the
transaction. They stole no more, of course. The author has seen three horse-
thieves, each minus one year, hanging to one huge tree in a deep forest
growth. This gruesome sight was not pleasant to behold. Every citizen was a
law unto himself. The bowie knife and pistol were his body guards. These
weapons were a part of his dress, and nearly all disputes were settled by one
of the other of them. Men had to be men and stand up like man among men. A
coward was not recognized by the ladies, but a man was rewarded and
appreciated by them for brave and courageous deportment. William Glover had
employed Mr. Fanning to haul a load of salt from Grand Saline. When the salt
was delivered Glover paid Fanning for his services, and Fanning expressed
satisfaction. Upon the return from a buffalo hunt in which they were all
successful Mr. Fanning demanded more pay. Glover refused and attempted to
reason with Fanning, but to no good effect. Fanning said: “My name, sir is
Hugh J. Fanning. I am a blood cousin to General Fanning of Alamo fame, and I
fear no man on earth.” Mr. Glover replied: “I am not related to General
Fanning of Alamo fame, but, sir, I am not a coward when it becomes necessary
for me to act in defense of what I know to be right.” Fanning immediately left
Glover and returned in the afternoon armed with a rifle gun, a six shooter and
an ugly bowie knife. Mr. Glover was at his wagon with his family when Mr.
Fanning came up. Mrs. Glover, observing Fanning’s approach, ran to her
husband’s side and begged and prayed to Fanning not to kill her husband.
Fanning walked coolly around the wagon in order to get a better view of his
intended victim. During this time Glover had taken from the side of his wagon
a single barrel flint and steel shot gun. Fanning shot at Glover, but missed
his aim, his shot taking effect in the clothing of Mrs. Glover’s infant child,
which she had carried all this time in her arms. Quite a large hole was shot
through the infant’s clothing. Glover then shot, and killed Fanning on the
spot. The last words he ever spoke were: “Bill, you have killed me.” This
incident occurred just across the county line and not in Hopkins County. Mr.
Glover tells of an exciting bear chase in which Sam Bromley was sent for with
his dogs – Old Trimbush and other dogs. The bear was caught, carried to old
Tarrant, dressed, weighed and divided. It was the custom of the hunters to
have the owners of the dogs fire the first shot. On this occasion this rule
was violated, so the hunter who fired the first shot was called up to treat
the entire crowd, which he did, the hunters filling their Spanish gourds with
liquor, and going to their respective homes with bear meat and whisky. Gip and
Tom Glover are brothers and cousins to T. S. Glover. They are both good,
worthy citizens who are highly respected and esteemed for their real worth.
They have nice intelligent families, and are doing well.

SOURCE: Early History of Hopkins County Texas - E. B. Fleming, Publisher 1902
Pp. 123 - 126
   Transcribed by Pat Howard