GCHC NEWSLETTER JULY 2016

Issue 7 Volume 2 July 2016

Photo of the Month

Grimes County Historical Commission

Grimes County Historical Commission

Executive Board Chairman Russell Cushman Vice Chairman Joe King Fultz Secretary Vanessa Burzynski Treasurer Joe King Fultz

COMMITTEES Historical Markers Denise Upchurch Heritage Preservation Sarah Nash Newsletter & Publicity Vanessa Burzynski

Meetings of the Grimes County Historical Commission are held on the Second Monday of the Month at 7:00 pm in the Courthouse Annex in Anderson, Texas

Contact Information: Russell Cushman 403 Holland Navasota, TX 77868 (936) 825 - 8923 [email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/GrimesCountyHistoricalCommission�

mailto:[email protected]








PAGE 2 GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER JULY 2016

The Houston Post (Houston, Texas) Thur. April 5, 1900

A Farmer Suicided

Navasota, Texas, April 4 – Steve Floyd, a white farmer living near Pender’s store in East Grimes County committed suicide yesterday morning with a new revolver which he bought here Saturday. He went out behind his home, put his hat between his knees, the revolver to his forehead, pulled the trigger and blew the entire top of his head off. Justice Vickers held the inquest. He suffered a long time with his head and is supposed to have been temporarily insane when he committed the desperate act. He leaves a wife and several children.

The Houston Post (Houston, Texas) Thur. Jan. 3, 1907

Special to the Post

Decomposed Body Found

NAVASOTA, Texas, January 2 – R. W. Horlock of this city was hunting Monday in company with Arch and Drew Pitts on Shannon prairie near Dobbin. They ran onto the body of a darkey who was afterwards ascertained to have been know in life as Charlie Shannon. Shannon had been missing for some ten days and had probably been lying there dead. The body was very badly decomposed but not disturbed by vultures, so that it was fairly well established that death was not the result of violence. There were $13 in the fellow’s pockets.

The Eagle (Bryan, Texas) Mon. Jul 18, 1927

Comrade of Sam Bass Must Face Murder Charges

Austin – July 18 – A comrade of Sam Bass in the battle of Round Rock in 1878 when Bass was killed is still living and has been located in a

nearby state according to information received here from persons who searched out the faded landmarks of the historic gun fight at the old settler’s reunion at Round Rock. Only last week the district judge of Williamson County refused to quash the 49-year old indictment still hanging over the fugitive, it was stated authoritatively. It is understood the indictment charges Bass’ associate in connection with the fatal shooting of Deputy Sheriff Grimes, who was among those killed in the fight which took Sam Bass’ life.

Grimes was a relative of Captain H. A. Highsmith, who took part in the fight with the Bass gang and who two days ago led engineers and a throng of old settlers over every part of the battle ground. A state ranger recently located the remaining member of the Bass gang living in another state. The man is now extremely old and has been living in good repute among his neighbors for over a quarter of a century, it was said.

Deputy Sheriff Lyman Grimes, referred to in the foregoing article was the father of Mrs. W. M. Cobb of Cameron, and the grandfather of Benjamin Grimes of San Angelo, student at A. and M. College and a member of the Aggie band and of Ty Cobb of Bryan. Deputy Sheriff Grimes’ wife is living at Lampasas. He was killed by Sam Bass and his outlaws at Round Rock, dying instantly. Grimes County was named for Lyman Grimes’ father.


The Dallas Daily Herald (Dallas, Texas) Sat. May 27, 1882

Special to the Herald

Navasota – May 26 – This evening Colonel McKay of Houston attempted to get aboard the train while in motion. He stumbled against someone and fell between the car platforms. How he escaped death is a mystery. He was very badly mashed and bruised.

Amarillo Globe-Times (Amarillo, Texas) Mon. Jan 19, 1931

Robbers get $477 From Shiro Bank

SHIRO, Tex. Jan 19 – The Farmers State Bank here was robbed of $477 early today, E. R. Thomas, cashier, discovered this morning when he opened the bank for business. Entry to the bank had been secured through a back window, Thomas reported. The vault door was standing open and money was scattered all over the floor. “The vault was opened by the combination,” Thomas said. Clues did not reveal whether the robbery was committed by a lone bandit or by several. Approximately $4,000 was overlooked by the robber. Officers of Grimes County and surrounding counties were seeking the bandit thought to have taken a refuge in Houston. Thomas believed the robbery occurred about 5 o’clock in the morning.

The Galveston Daily News, Sun. June 17, 1962

The Texians, Fighting Off Indians Told in Early Taylor Sketch By John Gaines, News Staff Writer

Writers who enjoy digging into the past (sometimes better left buried) occasionally find something which sheds a new light on established history. During a recent visit in East Texas this writer was fortunate enough to find a series of hand written sketches, dated 1906, and written by a pioneer settler, on the history of a portion of Grimes County.

Mrs. Hattie Gulledge Taylor, born Oct. 3, 1858 in Holmes County, Miss., penned some 10 pages of local facts on early history of Anderson, the “Capital of Grimes”. Although she died Dec. 17, 1939, a great many of her personal papers were saved by reason of being tossed into some old trunks where they have remained until recent weeks. The style of writing is old fashioned and sometimes might tend to wander a little but this woman taught school for over 40 years and that probably qualifies her to say what she means to say exactly the say she wished to say it.

“From reliable sources, I glean many descriptions and anecdotes of how we Texans used to do in the days when the buffalo, deer and bear roamed at will over our prairies and woods, and when the long-horned cattle were proprietors and partners in the long sedge grass that grew from three to four feet high over all this land that is now under fence and holds a higher aim of production.

“During the latter part of the 1830’s and early 1840’s the nearest market for produce and supplies was the city of Houston, then only a small town, the foothold of men generally from the southern states who in after years became wealthy and distinguished citizens. “The great long-horned steers hitched to large strong wagons became the horned express


trains in transporting our cotton to Houston and returning with the family supplies. One of the keenest and sweetest pleasures of the children of those days was the eager waiting for the return of those wagons, freighted with good things to eat, especially so in the fall just before Christmas. The children would all collect in the open space hear the “big house” and by the light of the moon or small fire built for the occasion, would listen intently for the first crack of the whip, which was handled by expert hands. It was the warning of their approach.

“Over the bad roads and black prairies, this was a journey of toil, requiring patience and generalship. In the city of Houston the streets would often be blockaded with wagons that had come to a complete standstill in the black, sticky mud. The early pioneers had built their log house homes and brought their families far from the luxuries of life and the social advantages of society and educational training for their children, yet their isolated condition created a warm hospitality and a courage that was grand and beautiful. It bound them together as a band of brothers, ready and willing to aid each other to every possible way. Eager to divide whatever was rare in the way of seed, fruit, vine or blooming flower.

Families were considered as neighbors, who lived five and six miles apart, and money was loaned freely by those who had it, often without the scratch of a pen. In those days among that band of brothers the word of a man was as good as his bond. The privations and hardships were endured with fortitude, while industry and economy bore their fruits in sufficient return to enable them to gain the necessities of life.

The children were taught some at home by the parents and young men passing through the country seeking their fortunes were engaged by the heads of families to teach five or six months at a time, the

teachers boarding around with the families who sent to school. The little log school houses were built near the center of the neighborhood and most of the children walked two and three miles to school, through the big prairies of sedge grass along a row path, and as they trudged along, in their happy innocence, the tops of their heads bobbing along was all that could be discovered of their bodies above the tall grass.

“At this time in 1840 and 1841, the fears that over shadowed these pioneers families on account of the past, were augmented by the few travelers who journeyed through the Republic from the west to the east, carrying false rumors of an approaching invasion from Mexico which held them in constant expectation of another “run away scrape”. The first thing the pioneer mothers did when they moved into their log cabins was to set up their spinning wheels and looms and begin the weaving of cloth for family use. Often the first cloth woven was converted into a wagon sheet to cover the wagon and make ready for the apprehended move, when the Mexican army should draw nearer their homes. The fear was not realized, but the Indians did make occasional raids in the country, and horses and mules were stolen right out of the farmer’s lots while all were fast asleep.

The County of Montgomery, from which Grimes County was afterward taken, was one of the earliest counties in forming settlements. Among the early settlers can be mentioned the families of Abraham Zuber, Joshua Hadley, A. D. Kennard, Abraham Womack, Mr. Brigance (remembered by many as Gramp Brigance), Elington, Robinson, Fuqua, William Berryman and Francis Holland. Judge Jesse Grimes was one of our senators and for whom our county is named; Dr. R. B. Goodrich, who was here during the “runaway scrape”, Rev. Anderson Buffington, who was editor of


one of the first newspapers called “The Tarantula”., Dr. C. D. Dickson, ex-Lieut. Gov. of the state; Dr. G. M. Patrick for many years our county judge; James Scott, Maj. Willis Roan, Major Magee and Daniel Magee; A. McKisack, who owned the first cotton gin near Anderson; William Andrews, a large cattle owner, who left the county in 1842; Judge A. G. Perry, Dr. R. C. Neblett, whose practice extended for more than 20 miles on each side of his farm and Col. Bowen who had a large tanyard on his place. “J. L. Groce on his return from the “runaway scrape” named the place in a spirit of fun, Groce’s Retreat, a name that remains. ‘Martin B. Laurence came here about 1834 and was father of Groce Laurence, famous as being the Confederate soldier who stepped out of the ranks at the Battle of the Wilderness, and taking Gen. R. E. Lee’s horse by the bridle said: ‘Go to the rear General, we will take that battery.’ Many more of the old settlers in the county could be mentioned. Most of them lived and died here, and a numerous progeny now fill their vacant places as our best and most worthy citizens.

“In those early days in 1835 and 1836, to get the corn ground into meal in an old-time handmill was a laborious job and consumed much time. This old mill was fastened onto a post on the body of a tree, and the corn shelled and poured into the hopper and ground like we do coffee. After a while horse mills were established 20 or 30 miles apart, and whole neighborhoods would club together and have a wagon filled with sacks of corn sent by the different families. A guard of men would go with the wagons to prevent the Indians from capturing the corn, team and men.

“The men would carry the women and children to a little log house near Roans Prairie, built as a fortress with loop holes made around the wall and a chimney in case of cold weather. Here they would remain until the men returned. At one time while in this fortress the Indians somehow

heard news of the situation and came down upon the little band of women with murderous intent. The women were on the lookout and forthwith took up their guns and put them in the port holes, ready for action. Some of the women began melting the lead and turning it into the bullet molds and rolling out the ammunition. Everything was quiet, the gunners on the watch, and the wary Indians crept up slowly. The women waited until two or three Indians approached near enough to make sure of a good shot, and “bang” went two of the guns, and down went an Indian. The other Indians hurriedly gathered up the wounded man and made their escape, to return no more that time, though the women stood at their post watching lest they slip up and set fire to the house.

Anderson, the capitol of Grimes County, was located as a town about 1834 on land owned by Major Henry Fanthorp. The first store house and beginning of the town was a small log house, still sitting in the southern part of the present town, which was then called Fanthorp. The first post office was established in this store house where a few staple groceries and dry goods were sold. Afterwards, the town on account of its beautiful scenery was called “Alta Mira”, which name it held for several years. Maj. Fanthorp built the first home residence in the place, and when the demand came, established a splendid hotel and stage stand, which was known throughout the whole Republic of Texas for its high grade accommodation. This brought a stream of travel through the country by means of the old time stagecoaches carrying the U.S. mail and accommodating the traveling public.

About 1845 K. L. Anderson, vice president of the Republic of Texas, as a travelling guest at Fanthorp’s hotel, became too ill to finish his journey and died in the hotel. His body lies buried in the Fanthorp family cemetery. In memory of K. L. Anderson, the name of the town was again changed to


Anderson. In March, 1846 the first school in Anderson was opened in a house in the old part of the town, and in 1847 the Masons built a large two story frame building on the grounds now occupied by the present brick building (the new school building erected in 1903). This plat of land was donated by Henry Fanthorp and J. S. Black to the Masonic Lodge of Anderson. This school was organized under the auspices of the Masonic lodge and was well known as the Masonic Collegiate Institute. It was under the management of Prof. M. A. Montrose, one of the finest educators and scholars in the state at that time. This continued under the control of the Masons. They appointed the trustees who served several years without change in this capacity. The first trustees were Dr. George M. Patrick, Dr. D. C. Dickson, Dr. R. C. Neblett and Judge James Scott. This school was in a prosperous condition for several years, it being the central point of education for miles around. About the year 1851, the Episcopal church of Texas desiring to locate a central college in the state, and this school having gained a splendid reputation, the Masons made a proposition to the Episcopal Church of the State, through their delegates, one of whom was President Anson Jones (last president of the Republic) to donate all of their lands and buildings on the College Hill except their lodge room, if they would locate their college at this place. This proposition was accepted, and right away was established the school known as St. Paul’s College, under the management and control of its first President, Rev. Charles Gilette. This college continued for several years, and after its removal, the public school here was known as Patrick’s Academy, which flourished for several years before our “Civil War”. The college grounds have now lately been sold by the Masons to the county for public school purposes, and this new brick high school building wherein we are now assembled, was erected upon the very spot where

once stood St. Paul’s Episcopal College aforementioned. Anderson has ever had a spirit of educational progress and a desire for enlightenment.

The first newspaper in the county was established here about 1850 under the name of “The Central Texian” and had for its contributors many of the resident citizens, who wielded a ready and intelligent pen. Since the war newspapers established in the town are short lived and full of tribulations. In 1872 all the eastern portion of the Main Street was destroyed by fire, and until the railroad reached the town in April 1903 the town had been having a Rip Van Winkle sleep.

Henry Fanthorp


The Eagle, (Bryan, Texas) Wed. July 12, 1933

History of the Old Town of Plantersville as related by Mrs. Walter Greenwood

When LaSalle first explored our Texas land and claimed it for his monarch Grand, this hilltop where we are today was covered with great oaks towering toward the sky and was the haunt of the red man who could be seen stalking with majestic steps through the woods and glades following his profession of hunting and of fishing in the creeks and rivers that water this land.

There are prairies surrounding these wood lands, and in those early days when our forebearers came the prairies were vast flower gardens.

I have heard the old folks tell

Who once in this land did dwell

Such tales, it makes me long to be

A Pioneer and thus be free of all

Conventions that shackle me.

This vast region remained untouched until Stephen F. Austin, following in the footsteps of his father, Moses Austin, who had received permission from the Mexican government to settle 400 families in these unexplored wilds turned his vast colonization plans over to his son who settled 64 families in what is now Grimes County.

Among those original grantees were Jesse Grimes, Jarred Groce, Martin Byrd, Lawrence, James Lawrence, Franklin J. Greenwood, Joshua Hadley, John Landrum, William Montgomery, and Joel Greenwood. We are interested in the last three mentioned. For where their headrights cornered the town of Plantersville now stands. For ‘twas…

Before Santa’s cruel band invaded our fair Texas land,

Before Goliad and the Alamo swam in our heroes’ bloody gore

Before San Jacinto’s glorious day

Laid the cornerstone and paved the way

For Texas liberty.

Men brave and true with their families too

At the call of Mexico

Came to this land so wide and so fair

They breathed freedom into the air

Father and sons with their trusty rifles

For the woods and prairies wide

Were peopled with a race so fierce

They’d scalp even a little child

But they came and conquered the wilderness

Built home fires for happiness

The men in their coon skin caps

Home spun shirts and trusty rifle ready

The women so staunch and true

With cheer and fellowship steady

They knew not cities of fashion’s brue

Knew only to be brave and true.


From the year 1821 up to 1853 many prosperous planters were scattered through out this district. Their products had to be hauled to Houston in wagons drawn by oxen (a slow way of travel to us in the rapid age of automobiles, airplanes, motor boats, fast trains and rapid transit of every description). The citizens in 1853 decided they needed a town. Judge Henry Griggs, Colonel Isaac Baker and Dr. Mitchell gave the town site, each donating 10 acres of land from the original grants of John Landrum, William Montgomery and Joel Greenwood, whose head rights cornered where Plantersville now stands. The western half was set aside for church and school purposes. The eastern half was to be given for building lots with the understanding that only two story buildings were to be erected.

In the year 1853 this was a virgin wilderness but those old pioneer planters brought their slaves. Trees were felled, ground was cleared, streets running north and south, east and west, were laid out. A town was born which had to have a name. At a gathering of the people Mrs. Sarah A. Green suggested that in honor of the farming interest of the community they call the new town “Plantersville” and this name was accepted. There was already a Masonic Lodge in the community called “Planter’s Lodge” so the name seemed to be well chosen. Soon a post office was established, and then a general merchandise store built by Major P. W. Walton, and a blacksmith shop. A real town had come to stay.

From the beginning Plantersville was destined to be a school town. In the very year of its creation Prof. J. K. Markey established a school for boys near where our Community Club house is standing so you see Plantersville is still using its original 30 acres given by those grand olf

pioneer fathers. A school for girls was built where the present high school is situated. This was the Planters Lodge building. The upper story being used by the Masons and the lower for the school until the brick high school building was erected in 1912 on the same site. The Masonic hall was moved to another place.

Prof. Markey’s school for boys and the girls’ school under the efficient management of a Miss Wallace were successfully conducted for a number of years. Prof. Markey’s school was famous in this part of the state. Afterwards he built a well equipped boy’s school about a half mile from this site. It had dormitories that would accommodate more than a hundred boys. Part of the dormitory is still standing and has been converted into a home where his daughter Miss Bettie lives, and a niece, Mrs. B. J. Thorp.

This school was patronized throughout South Texas. Professional men from the cities and many wealthy planters from all sections sent their boys here. They came from Galveston, Houston and on up the state to be educated in Markey’s school for boys. This grand old Irish gentleman and teacher and DR. Burleson of Baylor University at Independence were contemporaries and friends. Dr. Burleson often visited in the Markey home. Prof. Markey was a teacher here most of the time from 1853 to 1886. He was one of Hay’s Rangers and served in the war between Texas and Mexico.

In 1861 Rev. Bayers, a pioneer Baptist minister from Old Washington organized the Baptist church and became its pastor. These denominations held services in the school house until the Methodist and Baptist churches were erected. The Baptist building was completed in the spring of 1872 and the Methodist late in the


summer of the next year. The Catholic church of St. Mary’s was built in 1873 and used to stand just below this building a little toward the left. This church was transferred to the KIein church in 1894 and the old building now houses the Victory School about three miles from here.

Plantersville has had heroes in all the wars that Texas has been interested in since pioneer days. There is still one grand olf veteran of the Civil War left in our village, Mr. Sherwood Wise. Mr. Wise has followed the ups and downs of his town through a long life and is beloved by every man, woman and child in this vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Wise were asked to stand and honors were given them on this, their 44th wedding anniversary. We furnished our quota in the World War. Most of our boys came back, but one sleeps in France, Ed Maywald.

At the outbreak of the Civil War the Central R. R. was operated as far as Bryan and Hockley was the shipping point for this district. The first railroad was built through here in 1879 and was called the Montgomery Central. It was afterwards sold to the G.C. & S.F.R.R company. About 1900 the Palestine division of the I. & G.N.R.R. was built running about a mile south of town. There is a flag station at Crooks Switch. After the Civil war Plantersville became a thriving business town and is still holding on even through these times of depression.

The Plantersville women have always been interested in uplift projects. In the World War our quot in everything was met to overflowing. The women are interested in club work and were told by one of the district presidents that the Plantersville-Stoneham Home Demonstration Club is unique in club annuals because it combines both domestic and literary features in its work.

The Plantersville-Stoneham Home Demonstration Club is the mother of the project which resulted in this Community Club House. Last year the club won first place at the county fair and received a prize of $25.00. That was the beginning. From time to time this little amount was increased until last winter it was decided to build a log club house just to house the club which had increased in number so that the ordinary living room was not large enough to accommodate the membership. This room was to be built as near as possible from the products of the forests which surround the town. One man donated the logs, one member of the club offered to pay for having the logs cut and prepared, some one donated oak timber from which to rive the boards, trucks and wagons and teams were offered, in fact, most everybody wanted to donate something.

The club women were as busy as the proverbial bee getting the house stared when the R.F.C. fund came into existence. This fund was used for lateral roads, cemeteries and things of that kind but this work soon gave out and there was no public work for the unemployed to which this fund could be applied. So a meeting of the community was called. Because the contemplated club house was not a community project we could not use the unemployed and pay for its construction with the R.F.C. fund. Our school had an extension cord from their church so we could have electric lights.

Everybody in town got interested in getting the house in shape so it could be used by the tenth of May. All the business men when things would permit, would put in some time on the building. Mr. Williamson and his high school boys did lots of work. In fact, from the time of its beginning


Mr. Williamson cooperated with Mr. Winkler in every way. On May 10, the young people with Mr. Williamson as director pulled off a very laughable farce called “Safety First”. The door receipts going toward paying for the house, from other little enterprises that week we had $75.00 to our credit in the bank, so we knew it was not going to be such a task to pay our building out of debt. Our sister town of Stoneham has an interest in this community club house and can produce her plays and other entertainments here.

We are proud of our new community club house and the enterprise among our citizens that made it possible. We are proud of our town with its shabby air of antiquity. We are proud of our old churches, we are proud of our boys and girls who have outgrown our ancient ways and have gone out in the world to seek their fortunes, but we are proudest of those grand old pioneers who sleep in our cemeteries and private grave yards. We are proud that their dust was not allowed to be moved from Grimes County soil and that they

Are resting ‘neath a beautiful tree

Or where the wind sings

On the loved prairie

Their rest is sweetened

By the songs of the birds

Their graves are made peaceful

By nature’s own dirge.

We will honor our forebears true

We will always laud and praise them, too

We are going to teach our children

The glorious part

These brave pioneers help to start

Their work goes on in our Lone Star Land

Made possible by that gallant band.

The Eagle (Bryan, Texas) Sun. Dec. 11, 1977

Iola Once Inhabited by Karankawans

The history of Iola is similar to that of many Texas communities in the Brazos Valley. And yet the town is very unique in some ways too. Mrs. Inez Hammond the town’s unofficial historian has compiled information on Iola’s beginnings and its development since then.

According to Hammond, the region around Iola was inhabited by the Karankawan Indians until squatters and settlers came with the explorers and missionaries in the early 1800’s.

The Bedias Indians, the Cushattess (sic) and Kickapoos were on friendly terms with the white settlers during this time. Hammond said the presence of those Indians helped to keep out hostile tribes. Remnants of these tribes were moved to reservations on the upper Brazos River in 1854.

Three of the earliest settlers were William Townsend, Daniel McMahan and Timothy Jones. All were given grants of land by the Mexican government prior to the time Texas became an independent nation. The town of Iola is located on one of these grants. Hammond said there are many theories as to how Iola got its name. Some think Iola was the name of an Indian maiden. Another version is that a young man from Iola, Kansas operated a store somewhere west of Iola and named it for his alma mater. There is also the suggestion Iola derives its name from Edward Ariola, who came to Grimes County from Louisiana during the Mexican regime. His son fought in the Texas Revolution and the War with Mexico in 1846-1847.

In the late 1840’s pioneers from other states began pouring into Central and East Texas. Among the settlers in Iola were the Mizes, McWhorters, Neeleys, Cobbs, Dvaises, Adkins, Franklins, McCarys,


Howards, Dodds, Caneys and Hadleys. Hammond said one of the most prominent of these settlers was William Neeley, grandfather of current resident Howell Neeley. The first Neeley owned the north section of Salt Lick Prairie, where the first community of Iola was located. His house was built near the present Burlington and Rock Island Railroad lines.

“Old Town” as it is still referred to by some old timers today, was established around the Old Katy Railroad line. It had two hotels, a drug store, horse and buggy stable, grist mill, several general merchandise stores, a post office, woodshop, Masonic building and cotton gin. Cotton was the main cash crop of the farming community before, during and after the Civil War. The cotton was transported via railroad to the Port of Houston and shipped overseas. Some land marks from the 1850’s still stand today. These include the Zion Cemetery and numerous farms located in the woods west of Iola not far from the Navasota River. Most of the farms have long since disappeared. However, on Hewell Stozer’s property there is a white stone chimney that was part of the slave quarters on the original Jim Davis farm. In town there is the Zion Methodist Church, now more than 100 years old. There also are many old wood frame homes, some having been repaired and others falling down.

Zion Methodist Church is just one of many churches built in Iola over the years. One of these is the Enon Baptist Church. It was built in conjunction with a cemetery by the same name and later moved to its present site. Even today the community has a large number of churches.

The first boom period for Iola was in 1909. The Trinity and Brazos Valley Railroad (T&BV) came through. This was when the Houston and Texas Central Railroad (H&TC) already had a line extending into a large depot in Old Town. The new railroad bought land just north of Old Town and as

these lots were sold the town moved to its present location. Iola also had its first school graduating class in 1909. Its members include Hazel and Lucille Sanders, Mary Chaney and Bonnie Mayers. Prior to 1909 there was only the McCary School located near the Navasota River. The class was taught in a brick structure one-half mile west of Old Town. In 1924 the brick structure burned and was eventually replaced with one still in use by the Iola Independent School District today.

Many businesses were built in Iola during the 1920’s and 1930’s. These included at hotel, gin, two black smith shops, and a millinery shop. A large number of homes also were constructed. During the 1930’s, 1940’s and 1950’s farming began to decline in the area. The population increased from 150 in 1931 to 400 in 1947. Today Iola has a population of about 500.

The emphasis is on cattle ranching and oil exploration, with a smaller number of residents farming small plots of land for their own use. Many residents are predicting the discovery of oil and subsequent drilling will cause another boom period. Hammond said a number of persons have moved into the area and many more have made inquiries.

“Why if I had a big apartment complex or homes for rent here I’d fill them up in an instant” she said. “Only it takes lots of money to do something like that.” Hammond like her neighbors is a strong supporter of country living and hopes Iola is able to retain its quiet, country atmosphere in light of the new activity. “I guess we’re going to have to wait and see what happens,” she said.


The Eagle (Bryan, Texas) Mon. Aug 16, 1926

Historical Stoneham Sketches By Mrs. Dave Stoneham

Historical sketch of Stoneham prepared and read by Mrs. Dave Stoneham at Grimes County Council of Women at Plantersville.

The history of the village of Stoneham is bounded by the history of the Greenwood, Morrison and Stoneham families and I shall so treat it.

One day in the spring of 1829 a party of travelers stopped at the home of Rufus Grimes, about two and one-half miles northwest of where Stoneham now stands. With true pioneer hospitality the strangers, Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Greenwood and Mr. Montgomery a brother of Mrs. Greenwood, were made welcome and given such information as they desired relative to securing land in the vicinity.

The Grimes home was situated on the brow of a hill looking south over the “Lovely Valley” which indeed it was with its thick carpet of spring wild flowers and the clear waters of Pecan creek flowing through it. So pleased were the new comers with the country, they decided to locate nearby. Having selected land lying just east of that owned by Mr. Grimes, Mr. Greenwood and his brother-in-law accompanied by Mr. Grimes went to San Felipe to attend to the drawing of the papers necessary. Mrs. Greenwood remained with Mrs. Grimes and upon the return of the men they continued as guests in the Grimes home until land could be cleared, logs and boards cut, and a one room log house built.

Mr. and Mrs. Eazley, parents of Mrs. Faw, were near neighbors as they counted nearness then. Soon others of Mrs. Greenwood’s brothers came to the colony and other families, among them the McIntyers and McIlrails.

When the Texas Revolution began and Houston called for volunteers, among those answering were A. Montgomery, G. W. Morrison and a Mr. White. When the army began to fall back to the east, after the fall of the Alamo and Goliad the colonists joined in the mad rush for the Sabine known as the “Runaway Scrape”. Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood were among the number. One of Mrs. Greenwood’s brothers drove the wagon with supplies and camp equipment and each taking a child in arms. Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood followed on horseback. The tiny baby in her mother’s arms was Evaline Greenwood. She was just past four months old when the battle of San Jacinto was fought. Also in the party of runaways was Caroline Hadley who afterward married Major Martin, commander of the military escort. Two of her granddaughters are Mrs. G. C. Stoneham and Mrs. Lillian Stoneham.

Mr. Morrison was the first judge of Grimes County which at that time included Montgomery County also. Other families who came in later were the Saunders., Yarbroughs, Stonehams, Loftons and Hugheys. Miss Evaline Greenwood and Mr. Jno. Stoneham were married in 1852 and lived at first about a mile north of the present town.

When the Santa Fe railroad came through, realizing the advantage of having convenient shipping point, Jno. Stoneham bought a tract of land along the proposed right-of-way from F. J. Greenwood and set aside a part of it as a townsite. Building himself a home and store and moving his gin over to the new station the little village was started. The Baptists had organized the first church and had been followed by the Methodists. In a few years the school building, used also as a church, was moved to Stoneham and in more recent years a neat Methodist Church and still later a Catholic church have been built.


At the outbreak of the Civil War there went from the Stoneham community Joe Stoneham, who was killed in action at Pleasant Hill, La., Dr. Benton Greenwood, Kihch Saunders, Geo. Keyser, W. R. Townsend, Bob McGinty and his father and others. Stoneham made no contribution to the Spanish-American War.

C. C. Stoneham was one of the first 19 young men called from Grimes County in the World War and was followed in a few months by his brother R. L. Stoneham. They were assigned to Co. E 360th Regiment, 90th Division and later transferred to Medical Relief when they went overseas with Co.’s A and C, of the same regiment. After two attacks of pneumonia, R. L. Stoneham was invalided home in the spring of 1919. C. C. Stoneham went into Germany with the Army of Occupation sharing that honor with two other boys from Grimes County. He was discharged in June 1919. There were also several Polish and Negro boys in the service, some of whom went overseas.

Mrs. Evaline Stoneham will be 90 years old on Dec. 14, 1926. She has spent a long and useful life, passing through all the varied experiences of pioneer days, Civil War and Reconstruction and the wonderful achievements of peace, having lived under the four flags of Mexico, Texas, The Confederacy and Old Glory. May she live to round out the century.

Evaline Greenwood Stoneham was born on December 14, 1835 and died on April 18, 1926 and is buried in the Stoneham cemetery next to her husband. Her parents were F. J. Greenwood and Polly Montgomery Greenwood.


Texas Centennial Marker In Memory of

Colonel Benjamin Fort Smith and Dr. Robert C. Neblett, Veterans of the War of 1812

Colonel Benjamin F. Smith, Veteran of the Black Hawk War 1812

Jared E. Groce, Joshua Hadley, William Robinson, Delegates to the First Convention of Texas 1832

Jared E. Groce, Francis Holland, Jesse Grimes, Delegates to the Second Convention of Texas 1833

Joshua Hadley, Dr. George M. Patrick, Delegates to the Consultation 1835

Benjamin Briggs Goodrich, Jesse Grimes Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence, 1836

Francis Holland, Anthony Drew Kennard, Soldiers in the Army 1835

Sarah Rudolph Dodson who made a Flag for a Military Company Army of Texas 1835

Erected by the State of Texas 1936

************* Texas Sesquicentennial Marker

In Memory of Jesse Grimes and Mathew Caldwell Signers of the

Texas Declaration of Independence March 2, 1836

Mathew Caldwell was called Paul Revered of the Texas Revolution. Caldwell’s daughters Lucy Ann and Martha Elizabeth came to Grimes County from Gonzales. Martha E. married Isham Dixon Davis and settled in Grimes County at Mesa near Iola by 1848 raised a family of 13 children in the house that is now a historic landmark. Many descendants still reside in Grimes County today. This plaque was placed by the 1986 Grimes County Sesquicentennial Committee, Carl Chaney, a great-great-grandson of M. E. Caldwell.


In Memory of Tapley Holland, John Camp Goodrich, Alfred Calvin Grimes, Martyrs of the Alamo Anderson Buffington, Benjamin Fort Smith, Heroes of San Jacinto Francis Holland, Michael Kennard, John F. Martin, Dr. Verplank Ackerman, William P, Zuber, Soldiers in the Army 1836 Robert Holman Dunham who was massacred in Mexico 1842 Kenneth Lewis Anderson, Vice President of the Republic, who died in Anderson July 3, 1845 William Carley Veteran of the Mexican War 1846 and all other pioneers who lived in this vicinity during the Days of the Republic.

Grimes County Courthouse Unique Victorian Texas Public Building Third Courthouse here. Site is an 1824 Land Grant from Mexico was donated in 1850 by Henry Fanthorp, first permament settler in Grimes County. Built in 1891 of hand-molded brick with native stone trim. Vault is same one used in previous buildings, has twice withstood fires. Tried here in the 1930’s a Clyde Barrow gang member vowed he’d see court in infernal regions. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark 1965


Joe Palmer

Joe Palmer was an associate of the Barrow Gang. He was convicted along with Raymond Hamilton for the killing of Major Crowson during an escape from the Eastham Prison Farm on January 16, 1934. For that crime, he paid the price. For on May 10th of 1935, along with Raymond Hamilton, Joe Palmer was executed in the State's electric chair. Joe Palmer was so well liked by his fellow inmates that they pitched in funds to have him buried in San Antonio, Texas as opposed to the prison's drab cemetery. More than six decades have passed since Joe Palmer was buried and his grave has been without a headstone for all these years. That is until recently! Patrick McConal author of "Over the Wall-The Men Behind the 1934 Death House Escape" published by Eakin Press had decided to do something about it after his talks with Palmer's niece Martha Palmer of Lubbock, Texas. Martha Palmer had finally realized her longtime dream, through the help of friends who saw fit, regardless of the life that Joe Palmer led, to see him have a marker on his eternal resting spot. Joe Palmer's new headstone dedication ceremony took place on May 16, 1999.

San Jose Historical Cemetery San Antonio, Texas

History of the Grimes County Courthouse

The first Grimes County courthouse was constructed of cedar logs in early 1800. Fire destroyed this structure in 1838 and in 1850 a ferocious wind destroyed the second courthouse. W. W. Arrington designed the third courthouse and built it from stone in February 1859. This third courthouse burned on May 15, 1890 and a fire destroyed the fourth courthouse on January 20, 1893. Presently, the current courthouse, the fifth courthouse, was built in 1894.

The courthouse bricks have 3 distinct colors. (1) the original hand molded red brick of the surviving 1890 east wall vaults; (2) the 1894 pinkish red brick on the south, west and part of the north walls; (3) a rustic brown colored brick on a section of the north wall. The third color of brick has an interesting story. The bricklayer had run out of bricks and was waiting impatiently for a wagonload of bricks to be delivered. While waiting for the bricks to arrive, he went around town gathering a few bricks to keep the job moving along. When the wagon arrived, he continued bricking with the original bricks.

During the election of 1898, the elections returns disappeared from the county clerk’s office and were supposedly burned. The Populist Republicans claimed victory and the Democrats contested the election. In the spring of 1899, five men gathered to discuss ways to fight the coalition. This group became known as the White Man’s Union Association. On November 7, 1900 the current sheriff Garret Scott lost the election but refused to step down for the newly elected sheriff. The incumbent sheriff barricaded himself in the county jail across the street from the courthouse. The opposing group fortified their stance inside the courthouse. When the two coalitions met, a gunfight began resulting in five

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/%7Etxgrimes/AndersonShooting1900.html


bullet holes in the Courthouse structure, four on the west side located near the second floor windows and one on the right side of the south entrance doors. They are still visible today. Three men were killed and several others were wounded, including the sheriff who was seriously wounded in the thigh. The Governor was called in and the wounded sheriff was taken into custody by the Texas Rangers and sent to Houston by train. One of the men killed was John J. Bradley Jr., an innocent bystander whose general store was across the street from the jail. Also shot and killed was William McDonald and Emmett Scott, the brother of Sheriff Garret Scott. A story in the New York Times described the shooting, saying that Scott and McDonald had a street duel and when the smoked cleared both were dead. All three men were buried at the Odd Fellows cemetery in Anderson.

In 1933, a Grimes County Grand Jury indicted Clyde Barrow for robbing a business in Navasota. The indictment was dropped after Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker were gunned down in a Louisiana ambush. In 1934, Joe Palmer, a member of the Barrow gang, was tried and found guilty and sentenced to death for killing Major Crowson of the Walls Prison Unit in Huntsville.

For as far back as anyone can remember, it has been a tradition in Grimes County for it’s citizens to gather around the Courthouse on election night to await the election returns. The County Clerk hangs two large tally boards outside his office and votes are posted as returns from all over the county come in.

Hollywood came to the courthouse in June 1997 when Goldie Hawn directed her first film made for TV named “Hope”. Grimes County residents were able to try out for parts in the movie and be a part of it. The town got to watch Main St. be renovated for the movie and watched the burning of

the constructed movie theater (where the Confederate Memorial is today).

Under the reign of County Judge Ira “Bud” Haynie, his wife at the time, Joy, pursued looking for grants to preserve and restore the present courthouse. Working with the Texas Historical Commission, this dream came true. On March 2, 2002 grand opening ceremonies took place in the beautifully restored Courthouse. In order to get the grant from the Historical Commission, the courthouse had to be remodeled to look as close to the original construction in 1894. Joy worked hard to make this possible, resulting in a “showplace” for Grimes County.

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/%7Etxgrimes/AndersonNYTimes_pictures.pdf

Documents

GCHC NEWSLETTER JULY 2016