Early Fayette County, Texas News

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Houston Telegraph, published as the Telegraph and Texas Register, 20 Feb 1839

AN ACT.

To incorporate the towns of La Grange and Rutersville.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives iof the Republic of Texas in Congress assembled, That the citizens of the town of La Grange, in Fayette county, be and they are hereby incorporated and formed into a body politic and corporate, under the name and style of the corporation of La Grange, and shall have the same privileges and be subjects to the same regulations and restrictions as are conferred and imposed upon the citizens of the city of Richmond, by an Act incorporating the same, passed and approved November 18th, 1837.

SECTION 2. Be it further enacted, That the citizens of the town of Rutersville be organized in the same manner, and be governed by the same law, as mentioned in the first section of this Act: And further provided, That the Chief Justice for the county of Fayette be authorized and required to order an election to be held in each of said towns, under the superintendance [sic.] of a Justice of the Peace, for the purpose of electing a Mayor, constable, and five Aldermen, for each place; which first election shall be held on the first Monday in March next.

JOHN M. HANSFORD,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.

DAVID G. BURNET,
President of the Senate.

APPROVED Jan. 26, 1839,
MIRABEAU B. LAMAR

Houston Telegraph, 27 Mar 1839

We have been informed by a gentleman of Fayette county, that the companies which recently made the attack upon the Commanche [sic.] village, as stated in a former number of this paper, were not raised in Bastrop, but consisted of volunteers from the counties of Fayette, Bastrop and Colorado. They were commanded by Col. John H. Moore, of La Grange, who was called to the command by the unanimous voice of these volunteers. The prudence and fortitude displayed by him in this expedition, and the successful manner in which it was conducted, have endeared him to the people of those counties, and given him a lasting claim upon the gratitude of his fellow citizens.

The Civilian and Galveston City Gazette, 2 Nov 1842, page 2

A list of persons killed on the Salado, Sunday, Sept. 18th, 1842.

Nicholas M. Dawson of Kentucky, John W. Pendleton, Missouri, Zadoc Woods, Missouri, Robert Barkley, Tennessee, Edward Trimble, Missouri, John W. Scallon [Scallorn], Tennessee, Elam Scallon, Tennessee, John Dancer, do., Thomas Butler, do., Asa Jones, Aalabama [sic.], Richard Slack, Delaware, John Cummins, Maine, T. J. Church, Tennessee, H. W. Hull, Tennessee, David W. Berry, Virginia, Frank W. Brookfield, New York, Thomas S. Sims, Tennessee,

[elsewhere on page 2]

List of prisoners in Dawson's Company.

David S. Kornegay, North Carolina, Nathaniel W. Faison, Tennessee, Josh. Shaw, (old man,) Indiana, Robert A. Barkley, Tennessee, Norman Woods, Missouri, Wiber Herrald, Missouri, E. Manton, New York, Wm. Coltron, Jas. C. Robertson, Missouri,. ___ Patterson, William Linn, John Bradley, New York, Allen Morrell, Tennessee, ___ Melvein Adams. Total prisoners 15.

The Civilian and Galveston City Gazette, 1 Oct 1842, page 2

No news had arrived from the Frontier from Thursday until the time our paper went to press yesterday evening. The previous accounts follow in the order in which they were received and laid before our city readers in slips.

From the Houston Star Extra, of Monday morning.

Mr. Franks arrived from Independence this morning, and has brought intelligence that Col. Caldwell is surrounded on the Salado. Col. J. H. Moore with 150 men from La Grange, fought his way into his camp on or about Tuesday last; and Gen. Burleson, with 170 men from La Grange, fought his way into his camp on or about Tuesday last; and Gen. Burleson, with 170 men had reached the Cibolo, about a day’s journey from Caldwell’s camp, and wisely concluded to wait for the small scattering parties that were hourly rushing in from the East to join him. He probably pressed on and joined Caldwell on Wednesday or Thursday last. Gen. B. has plenty of ammunition, and says he wished to kill as many of the Mexicans as possible before they commence the siege of Bexar. He says that every Mexican killed out of town will tender the capture of Bexar easier.

The number of Mexicans already killed by our forces is estimated at 400 or 500. The Mexicans packed off their dead that fell at a distance from Camp, but many were left on the field so near the Texian Camp that they dared not venture to them. Colonel Moore counted 48 dead bodies of the Fayette Band lying where they fell. There were no dead bodies of the Mexicans near, but the prairie was all covered with blood around within rifle shot’s distance and showed that a very large number of wounded or dead Mexicans must have been packed off. Provisions have become so scarce in Caldwell’s camp that the soldiers commenced eating horses, but they still are in high spirits and confident of victory. They delight in being so near the enemy and join in the frequent skirmishes as cheerfully as they would run out to a ball or play.

The troops of Milam and Robertson counties, amounting to about 150 men, were on their march, and expected to join Burleson on Friday last. The Washington troops amounting to between three and four hundred, under Col. J. Cook, were on the march also, and expected to reach the Cibolo on Saturday last.—They were well supplied with amunition [sic.]. The Mexican force that had marched to Bexar from the South, was estimated at 3,000, and as Caldwell’s force, when augmented by the reinforcements of Burleson and the troops from Milam, Robertson and Washington counties, will amount to more than 1,000 strong, he will doubtless hold his position on the Salado until sufficient force arrive from the other counties to attack Bexar. Some of our spies had gone in close to Bexar, and reported that Woll was fortifying the place. They report also the horrid intelligence that a part of the prisoners captured in Bexar have been inhumanly murdered.

They saw them taken out of the city and shot. They were so far off that they could not ascertain their persons, but they fear that Mr. Smithers and John W. Smith were of the number! If this statement is confirmed the most terrible vengeance yet awaits the guilty murders. Not Texas alone, but the civilized world will rise up in judgment, and inflict a just and dreadful retribution on the miscreants who have thus outraged the most sacred principles of humanity.—The spies also mention that the dead bodies of the Fayette band were most shockingly mutilated.

Nacogdoches Chronicle, 15 May 1854, page 1

An American Lion, was killed on the 15th inst., in the vicinity of La Grange, by Lt. John Priam, and Col. Allen. This animal is very rare in this latitude. Its dimension are as follows, which we take from the’Monument.’

‘The aforesaid animal is so rare in this latitude that I determined to make a memorandum of its general dimensions, which are as follows: From nose to end of tail, 7 feet 6 inches; height, 3 feet; across the head between the ear-points, 2 inches; length of head, from nose to top of the head, 8 inches; circumference of fore-arm, at the elbow, 14 inches, length of tush, 1 1/2 inches; width of foot, 4 inches.

Houston Telegraph, Volume XXIX, Issue 10, 4-8-1863, Page 3

Advertisements

A

Alexander Hat Manufacturer, Re- Moved To La Grange, where he opens an extensive stock of goods of every description. He also received a consignment of Bagging and Rope, Leather, Shoes, Powder, etc., etc., of at least fifty thousand dollars.

He wants to buy 1000 bales of cotton and will pay the highest market price.
Transcribed by S Jackson

Houston Telegraph, Volume XXIX, Issue 118, 12-21-1863, Page 3

Texas Items of Interest

From an advance sheet of the Texas Almanac, issued by D. Richardson at Austin, for 1864, we derive the following information: the disbursements of the State for military service are over a million a year. The state debt is $3,340,619.80 (?#). The treasurer shows now on hand $62,149.03 in specie, $1,780,980 in railroad bonds. $124,930 Confederate notes, $800 Louisiana bank bills, $48,641.49 treasury warrants out, of which we may remark but a small amount is in circulation.

Texas had furnished before Dec. 1862, 33 regiments, 13 battalions, 2 squadrons, 6 unattached companies and one legion of cavalry; 19 regiments, 2 battalions, 1 unattached company and 1 legion of infantry; 1 regiment and 12 light batteries of artillery and 6,500 militia. Since then there have been raised within our knowledge some 10 regiments and 4 battalions of cavalry, several batteries of artillery and 10,000 State troops, reaching the aggregate of men furnished to the war by Texas at over 99,000. The largest vote was 67,000.

The estimated area of the State is 175,594,560 acres, of which 95,232,551 acres are still owned by the State. The land scrip is now sold at $2 per acre.

The officers of the State are as follows: Governor, P. Murrah; Lieut. Governor, F.S. Stockdale; Secretary of State, R.S. Towne; Governor’s private secretary, Jas. Pau; Chief Clerk, J.B. Morris; Comptroller, C.R. Johns; Chief Clerk, J.W. Howard; Tax Clerk, G.G. simcox; Accountant, W.H. Hotchkiss; Military Clerk, H. Winkel; Assistant Clerks, J.W. Phillips, J.B. Costa, L.C. Thornton and S.K. Miller; State Treasurer, C.H. Randolph; Chief Clerk, Pat O’Gowan; General Land Office Commissioner, S. Crosby; Chief Clerk, R.M. Elgin, Draftsmen, Robert Retchel, J.M. Hutchins, Assistant Clerks, J.W. Dilbril, A. Groones, J.N. Long, J.G. Gordon, A.B. McGill, C.L. Dilbril; Adjutant General, D.B. Culbertson; A.Q.M. General, B. Hendricks;  Clerks, R.A. Carlson, John Remoud, Thos. Lecher.

The Austin Gazette says:

A correspondent in the News proposes that the ladies and ministers of Texas shall appear at Church in a suit of domestic manufacture, and says, if the suggestion  is acted upon, our whole population will be clad in homespun.  We would be glad if this economical writer would inform us where homespun can be had at any price, as we have been trying, without success, to procure some for months past. We are not all weavers, and if we were, it is impossible to procure looms fast enough even to supply our soldiers in the field.  ….

From the La Grange True Issue.

Quite Spunky.—A detachment of soldiers, here one day this week, while impressing horses for the government, called to see an old German lady who had but one horse, and whose husband is in the army, and informed her that they wanted her horse for the service.”Vat?” said the old woman, “you take mine husband, and now wants to steal mine horshe too! Cot damn mine soul if I don’t cut the first man in two that comes in mine lot to take mine horshe,” taking sown in the mean time an old sword that hung in the scabbard by the wall.  The soldiers just then received a new idea upon the subject, and did not press either the horse or the old woman any further.

Transcribed by S Jackson

The La Grange Issue, Houston Telegraph, 8-17-1864, Volume XXX Issue 125, Page 1

Texas Items

The La Grange Issue says that Wamble who killed Hunt in that town on the 16th ult., has returned and given himself up to the authorities. He was bound over in $2000 to the next District Court.

There were six candidates for coroner in Fayette County, and fifteen for County commissioners. The county elected 24 justices of the peace and 13 constables.

Houston County may boast of 5 citizens anxious to serve the people as coroner. Mr. Cundiff is the lucky man.

Col. F. B. Sexton is addressing the people of his Congressional District. He will be at Woodville on the 19th, and at Jasper on the 20th.

Dallas County had five candidates for coroner. The wordy gentleman who edits the La Grange Patriot felicitates himself that the News and Telegraph are advocating State Rights. We opine it was little that gentleman and those who think with him regarded State Rights until they thought they saw in that doctrine a protection to them in the position they seem to occupy as drags in this war. “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” We do not know the editor of the Patriot but ten to one he voted against secession, and has seen nothing since to cause him to regret his vote. Such men should talk less.

Judge Bell carried Fayette, Collin and Red River counties. All the balance, as far as heard from, went for Roberts.

Fayette M., Roberts 405, Bell 443, Reeves 459, Sayles 425, Buckley 27. Tarver 141, Stell 534, Robards 481, Locke 216.  Dist. Judge, Smith 535, Waller 263, Darden 38.  Dist. Attorney, Lelaney 655, Bailey 129.  Representative, Ledbetter 402, Dancy 278, Robinson 154.  Chief Justice, Russell 456, Q.M. Mamfee [Menefee or Menifee] 398.  Sheriff, L.P. Webb.  County Clerk, Z.M.P. French. Assessor & Collector, J.C. Cabiness. Treasurer, B.B. Hudnall.  Surveyor, J.H. Etheridge. Coroner, J.H. Uiffy.

Austin county offi., Roberts 498, Bell 327, Reeves 19, Buckley 230, Sayles 484, Tarver 438, Stell 46, Robards 416, Locke 22.  Dist. Judge, Smith 522, Waller 298, Darden 36.  Chief Justice, Osterhaust 331, Catlin 331. Clerk, Matthews. Sheriff, Cloyd. Treasurer, Manny. Coroner, Hasler. Commissioners, Holland, McDade, Collins, Knolle.

Dallas-  Roberts 248, Bell 118, Reeves 193, Buckley 132, Sayles 31, Tarver 226, Stell 79, Robards 223, Locke 122. Ch’f Justice, J.M. Patterson. Clerk, Laws. Sheriff, McAdams. Assessor Cochran. Treasurer, J.P. Thomas. Surveyor W.H. Thomas.

Houston, Official, Roberts 304, Bell 143, Reeves 447, Buckley 2, Sayles 16, Tarver 123, Stell 262, Robards 241, Locke 4; Chief Justice, Odell. Clerk Aldrich. Sheriff Lacy. Treasurer Johnson. Surveyor Stewart. Assessor Duglass. Coroner Cundiff.

Red River,  Roberts 77, Bell 305, Reeves 279, Buckley 77, Sayles 41, Robards 177, Locke 2.  Collin,  Roberts 39, Bell 164, Reeves 38, Buckley 5, Sayles 156, Robards 198, Tarver 195, Stell 1.

Walker, Official. Roberts 417, Bell 19, Reeves 146, Buckley 210, Sayles 69, Tarver 71, Stell 35, Robards---  Locke 1. Chief Justice J.L. Smither. District Clerk J.R. Smither, County Clerk M.S. Gibbs, Assessor Carr, Surveyor Baldwin, Treasurer Randolph, Sheriff Royal.

Wharton, Official. Roberts 140, Bell 2, Reeves 9, Buckely 101, Sayles 35, Tarver 46, Stell 84, Robards 125, Locke 17. District Judge Waller 39, Smith 51m Darden 45. District Attorney Delany 65, Bailey 61.

Jackson, Official. Roberts 60, Bell 25, Reeves 25, Buckley 37, Sayles 9, Tarver 42, Stell 32, Robards 47, Locke 24.

Gonzales Official. Roberts 255, Bell 44, Reeves 58, Buckley 73, Sayles 135, Tarver 47, Stell 261, Robards 166, Locke 48.

Comal --. Roberts 200, Bell 304, Reeves 125, Buckley 141, Sayles 163, Tarver 188, Stell 227, Robards 343, Locke 168.

Rusk, Official. Roberts 737, Bell 31, Reeves 550, Buckley 187, Sayles 36, Tarver 720, Stell 11, Robards 717, Locke 23.

Guadalupe, Official. Roberts 262, Bell 123, Robards 337, Locke 45, Sayles 37, Buckley 156, Reeves 165, Stell 239, Tarver 119. District Attorney, 2nd Judicial District H. Maney 378, J. Nix 9.

Official returns from 14 counties, give Roberts 5,873; Bell 1,705; reeves 2,734; Buckley 2,168; Sayles 2,509; Tarver 3,966; Stell 2,068; Robards 5,566; Locke 803.

Transcribed by S Jackson

Dallas Daily Herald, September 9, 1865

The "New Era," is the title of a new paper about to be tarted at Lagrange, Fayette county, by E. C. & W. B. Rives, and under the editorial control of Mr. James Matthews. The first number was to be issued on the 18th Aug.