1870s Fayette County, Texas News

The Galveston Tri-Weekly News, 15 Jun 1870, Volume: XXVIII, Issue 122, Page 3

Texas Items

Gov. Davis, learning that negroes were excluded from juries in Fayette, telegraphed to the Judge of the District Court, inquiring about it.  Recently, in consequence of this dispatch Fayette has had the honor, as we learn from the New Era, to find some of her most incompetent negro population in the jury box.

Transcribed Donna Baker

The Galveston Tri-Weekly News, 26 Oct 1970, page 2

The Overflow

The LaGrange New Era says that while the losses by the late overflow of the Colorado do not compare with those of 1869, they are quite heavy in Fayette County.  The river was not as high by seven feet as in 1869.  The houses in the first bottom were reached by the water and considerably damaged.  Much of the cotton that had been picked was in pens, and the corn crop generally was yet in the fields.

Note: Article continues with flood information in Austin area. Transcribed by Donna Baker

The Galveston Tri-Weekly News, 11 Mar 1872

Mrs. Abbie Eccles desires information of Mrs. Anna Maria Eccles, formerly residing near LaGrange.  Any one having such knowledge will please address it to Abbie Eccles, Galveston Postoffice.

Transcribed Donna Baker

The Colorado Citizen, 10 Dec 1874, page 2

Prof. S. H. Lumpkin was admitted to the La Grange bar during the recent term of the District Court, with license to practice law in this state.—La Grange Record

On Wednesday our sheriff, Mr. Louis Jest, left La Grange for Huntsville transferring ten boarders to the State prison, leaving fourteen still in jail here.—La Grange Record.

The Galveston Daily News, Sunday, September 03, 1876, Page 1

Flatonia, Sept. 1, 1876
Eds. News— Flatonia promises to be one of the largest towns on the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad. Beautifully located in the southwest corner of Fayette county, its surroundings present a picturesque scenery. At present the town has a lively appearance. Cotton is coming in at the rate of 75 to 100 bales per day, and sold at high prices. Up to this date 900 bales of this year's growth have been shipped.

The merchants of Flatonia are all wide-awake men. They organized a Road Association, repaired and opened new roads leading in every direction from the town. They have purchased new stocks, and can furnish everything a man wants. Farmers have no trouble to bring their produce to our market, even those living twenty and twenty five miles from here will find good roads leading to this point.

If the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio railroad would, to some extent, reduce their tariff, a large portion of the Cuero trade would come to this place. Merchants from Cuero are moving their stocks to this place, and a share of the Cuero trade is expected any way.

The range on the vast prairie extending all the way to the coast is abundantly supplied with grass and water, making Flatonia the most convenient place to drive stock for shipment to Galveston, New Orleans, St. Louis and other markets.

Peace and quietness is always prevailing, and thanks are due to our citizens for it. They have organized a "home protection company," consisting of fifty men: G. W. Tuttle, captain. Four men are on guard duty every night patrolling the town. Thieves would do well not to pay us a visit, as the boys are in earnest.

Contributed by Debbie Hanson

The Schulenburg Argus, Friday, January 25, 1878

The entertainment given last Saturday at Baring's Hall for the benefit of Mr. Repsdorph who lost a leg last summer by being run over by a train, was well attended. Miss Repsdorph provided entertainment on the piano. Prof. Gates and Mr. Branser, violinists, were excellent. After the performance, everyone stayed for the dance.

The Schulenburg Argus, Friday, January 25, 1878

When will the Commissioner's Court of Fayette County wake up and erect a substantial bridge over the Colorado River on the road leading from Schulenburg to La Grange? We are paying abundant taxes and receive back little in the way of improvements. They now have to use the ferry to cross the Colorado. An iron bridge could be built for $20,000.

The Brenham Weekly Banner, 29 Mar 1878, page 2

—Fayette county has a telephone epidemic. Forty telephones have been erected in LaGrange; a couple of dozen in Flantonia [sic.] and ever so many in Schulenburg.

The Galveston Daily News
December 3, 1878

Record: Mr. Fritz Homuth, who killed Reynolds at Weimar recently, was released on light bail. It seems Mr. Homuth did the shooting in self defense.

Contributed by Debbie Hanson