Hopkins Co. TX - Old Timer Tells of Early Days in Hopkins Co. JJ Robertson From: B & J ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** From the historical files of June E. Tuck, who does not validate or dispute any historical facts in the article. Sharing with others to learn of Hopkins County and its people. Old Timer Tells of Early Days in Hopkins County Abilene, Texas, July 10, 1929 Editor Hopkins County Echo Sulphur Springs, Texas Dear Sir: I am an old Ex-Confederate soldier, who many years ago lived in your county. Being desirous of returning and being with you at your next Old Settlers Reunion, I wrote the Chamber of Commerce for dates. In his reply he suggested that I write a short story of my early days in Hopkins County. I am no writer but will do the best I can with a brief story, and if it does not find the waste basket, you may mail me a few copies of the paper. Enclosed I hand you a check for one dollar, for which please enter my name as a subscriber. Thanking you in advance for any favors you may extend me, I am, Yours very respectfully, J. J. Robertson Story of My Life Emigrating from Missouri in 1865, my father Dr. R. I. Robertson, finally located in Hopkins County with his family two miles southeast of Miller Grove, a small village with a two-story building used for Masonic Hall, church and school purpose. In 1866, my intended bride, with her father and his family emigrated from Missouri to Lamar County, near Paris. Having made up our minds to marry, I joined my father and family in February of 1868, visiting my intended bride. Making all necessary arrangements for the nuptials we were married at 8 a.m. In a one-horse buggy, we drove to Sulphur Springs for the night, guest of Dr. O. S. Davis. The next day we went to my father^Òs where we made our home for the year. I bought forty acres of land, on time, which had a one-room log house on it, built a blacksmith shop and added a side room to the log house. Here, four of our children were born, and our first child died. I added more land and farmed and traded, buying small bunches of cattle and sometimes sheep, driving to Shreveport for market, sometimes shipping by boat to New Orleans. In 1872, Col. J. A. Weaver was elected sheriff, Judge Stribling was elected justice of the peace, and I constable of Reily Springs Precinct. Col. Weaver appointed me deputy sheriff. I waited on the courts in Sulphur Springs often and knew all the old-timers. These were reconstruction days, and perilous times. The U. S. Government stationed troops in Sulphur Springs and the citizens in many places were in arms, with carpet baggers everywhere. They made it so hot for the Yankees that they built a stockade and many times were driven into it. A forage train was captured and burned in sight of the stockade. There was a large oak tree west of the city on which it was said seven men had been hung. I helped cut down and bury four men that were hung in Turkey Creek bottom. Col. Weaver was a true and tried friend to me. In the fall of 1875, I caught the Western fever, as many others did. I consulted Col. Weaver and he agreed to stock me with cattle and let me go. I had 50 or 60 head of my own. About the last of October we threw them together and I drove westward, having no special place in mind. About the first of November I located on the northeast corner of Brown County, only remaining there until July 1877, moved to Clear Fork of the Brazos river in Stephens County, where I ranched farmed and merchandised until September 1922. When the oil boom struck us things got so rough that I moved my family to Abilene, but still own my farm and ranch in Stephens County. J.J. Robertson Abilene, Texas Rt. 4, box 85A