Grimes County Historical Commission Issue 7 Volume 2 July 2016

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]

Grimes County Historical Commission Executive Board Photo of the Month 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

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The Eagle (Bryan, Texas) Mon. Jul 18, 1927 Comrade of Sam Bass Must Face Murder Charges The Houston Post (Houston, Texas) Thur. Austin – July 18 – April 5, 1900 A comrade of Sam Bass in the battle A Farmer Suicided of Round Rock in Navasota, Texas, April 4 – Steve Floyd, a 1878 when Bass white farmer living near Pender’s store in was killed is still East Grimes County committed suicide living and has yesterday morning with a new revolver been located in a which he bought here Saturday. He went nearby state according to information out behind his home, put his hat between received here from persons who searched his knees, the revolver to his forehead, out the faded landmarks of the historic gun pulled the trigger and blew the entire top of fight at the old settler’s reunion at Round his head off. Justice Vickers held the Rock. Only last week the district judge of inquest. He suffered a long time with his Williamson County refused to quash the 49- head and is supposed to have been year old indictment still hanging over the temporarily insane when he committed the fugitive, it was stated authoritatively. It is desperate act. He leaves a wife and understood the indictment charges Bass’ several children. associate in connection with the fatal shooting of Deputy Sheriff Grimes, who was among those killed in the fight which took Sam Bass’ life. The Houston Post (Houston, Texas) Thur. Grimes was a relative of Captain H. A. Jan. 3, 1907 Highsmith, who took part in the fight with Special to the Post the Bass gang and who two days ago led engineers and a throng of old settlers over Decomposed Body Found every part of the battle ground. A state NAVASOTA, Texas, January 2 – R. W. ranger recently located the remaining Horlock of this city was hunting Monday in member of the Bass gang living in another company with Arch and Drew Pitts on state. The man is now extremely old and Shannon prairie near Dobbin. They ran has been living in good repute among his onto the body of a darkey who was neighbors for over a quarter of a century, it afterwards ascertained to have been know was said. in life as Charlie Shannon. Shannon had Deputy Sheriff Lyman Grimes, referred to been missing for some ten days and had in the foregoing article was the father of probably been lying there dead. The body Mrs. W. M. Cobb of Cameron, and the was very badly decomposed but not grandfather of Benjamin Grimes of San disturbed by vultures, so that it was fairly Angelo, student at A. and M. College and a well established that death was not the member of the Aggie band and of Ty Cobb result of violence. There were $13 in the of Bryan. Deputy Sheriff Grimes’ wife is fellow’s pockets. 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.

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The Dallas Daily Herald (Dallas, Texas) Sat. The Galveston Daily News, Sun. June 17, May 27, 1882 1962 The Texians, Fighting Off Indians Told in Special to the Herald Early Taylor Sketch By John Gaines, News Staff Writer Navasota – May 26 – This evening Colonel McKay of Houston attempted to get aboard Writers who enjoy digging into the past the train while in motion. He stumbled (sometimes better left buried) occasionally against someone and fell between the car find something which sheds a new light on platforms. How he escaped death is a established history. During a recent visit in mystery. He was very badly mashed and East Texas this writer was fortunate bruised. 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.

Amarillo Globe-Times (Amarillo, Texas) Mrs. Hattie Gulledge Taylor, born Oct. 3, Mon. Jan 19, 1931 1858 in Holmes County, Miss., penned some 10 pages of local facts on early Robbers get $477 From Shiro Bank history of Anderson, the “Capital of SHIRO, Tex. Jan 19 – The Farmers State Grimes”. Although she died Dec. 17, 1939, Bank here was robbed of $477 early today, a great many of her personal papers were E. R. Thomas, cashier, discovered this saved by reason of being tossed into some morning when he opened the bank for old trunks where they have remained until business. Entry to the bank had been recent weeks. The style of writing is old secured through a back window, Thomas fashioned and sometimes might tend to reported. The vault door was standing wander a little but this woman taught open and money was scattered all over the school for over 40 years and that probably floor. “The vault was opened by the qualifies her to say what she means to say combination,” Thomas said. Clues did not exactly the say she wished to say it. reveal whether the robbery was committed “From reliable sources, I glean many by a lone bandit or by several. descriptions and anecdotes of how we Approximately $4,000 was overlooked by Texans used to do in the days when the the robber. Officers of Grimes County and buffalo, deer and bear roamed at will over surrounding counties were seeking the our prairies and woods, and when the long- bandit thought to have taken a refuge in horned cattle were proprietors and Houston. Thomas believed the robbery partners in the long sedge grass that grew occurred about 5 o’clock in the morning. 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

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER JULY 2016 PAGE 4 trains in transporting our cotton to teachers boarding around with the families Houston and returning with the family who sent to school. The little log school supplies. One of the keenest and sweetest houses were built near the center of the pleasures of the children of those days was neighborhood and most of the children the eager waiting for the return of those walked two and three miles to school, wagons, freighted with good things to eat, through the big prairies of sedge grass especially so in the fall just before along a row path, and as they trudged Christmas. The children would all collect along, in their happy innocence, the tops of in the open space hear the “big house” and their heads bobbing along was all that by the light of the moon or small fire built could be discovered of their bodies above for the occasion, would listen intently for the tall grass. the first crack of the whip, which was “At this time in 1840 and 1841, the fears handled by expert hands. It was the that over shadowed these pioneers warning of their approach. families on account of the past, were “Over the bad roads and black prairies, augmented by the few travelers who this was a journey of toil, requiring journeyed through the Republic from the patience and generalship. In the city of west to the east, carrying false rumors of Houston the streets would often be an approaching invasion from Mexico blockaded with wagons that had come to a which held them in constant expectation of complete standstill in the black, sticky another “run away scrape”. The first thing mud. The early pioneers had built their log the pioneer mothers did when they moved house homes and brought their families far into their log cabins was to set up their from the luxuries of life and the social spinning wheels and looms and begin the advantages of society and educational weaving of cloth for family use. Often the training for their children, yet their isolated first cloth woven was converted into a condition created a warm hospitality and a wagon sheet to cover the wagon and make courage that was grand and beautiful. It ready for the apprehended move, when the bound them together as a band of Mexican army should draw nearer their brothers, ready and willing to aid each homes. The fear was not realized, but the other to every possible way. Eager to Indians did make occasional raids in the divide whatever was rare in the way of country, and horses and mules were stolen seed, fruit, vine or blooming flower. right out of the farmer’s lots while all were Families were considered as neighbors, fast asleep. who lived five and six miles apart, and The County of Montgomery, from which money was loaned freely by those who had Grimes County was afterward taken, was it, often without the scratch of a pen. In one of the earliest counties in forming those days among that band of brothers settlements. Among the early settlers can the word of a man was as good as his be mentioned the families of Abraham bond. The privations and hardships were Zuber, Joshua Hadley, A. D. Kennard, endured with fortitude, while industry and Abraham Womack, Mr. Brigance economy bore their fruits in sufficient (remembered by many as Gramp return to enable them to gain the Brigance), Elington, Robinson, Fuqua, necessities of life. William Berryman and Francis Holland. The children were taught some at home by Judge Jesse Grimes was one of our the parents and young men passing senators and for whom our county is through the country seeking their fortunes named; Dr. R. B. Goodrich, who was here were engaged by the heads of families to during the “runaway scrape”, Rev. teach five or six months at a time, the Anderson Buffington, who was editor of

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER JULY 2016 PAGE 5 one of the first newspapers called “The heard news of the situation and came down Tarantula”., Dr. C. D. Dickson, ex-Lieut. upon the little band of women with Gov. of the state; Dr. G. M. Patrick for many murderous intent. The women were on the years our county judge; James Scott, Maj. lookout and forthwith took up their guns Willis Roan, Major Magee and Daniel and put them in the port holes, ready for Magee; A. McKisack, who owned the first action. Some of the women began melting cotton gin near Anderson; William the lead and turning it into the bullet molds Andrews, a large cattle owner, who left the and rolling out the ammunition. Everything county in 1842; Judge A. G. Perry, Dr. R. C. was quiet, the gunners on the watch, and Neblett, whose practice extended for more the wary Indians crept up slowly. The than 20 miles on each side of his farm and women waited until two or three Indians Col. Bowen who had a large tanyard on his approached near enough to make sure of a place. “J. L. Groce on his return from the good shot, and “bang” went two of the “runaway scrape” named the place in a guns, and down went an Indian. The other spirit of fun, Groce’s Retreat, a name that Indians hurriedly gathered up the wounded remains. ‘Martin B. Laurence came here man and made their escape, to return no about 1834 and was father of Groce more that time, though the women stood at Laurence, famous as being the their post watching lest they slip up and set Confederate soldier who stepped out of the fire to the house. ranks at the Battle of the Wilderness, and Anderson, the capitol of Grimes County, taking Gen. R. E. Lee’s horse by the bridle was located as a town about 1834 on land said: ‘Go to the rear General, we will take owned by Major Henry Fanthorp. The first that battery.’ Many more of the old settlers store house and beginning of the town was in the county could be mentioned. Most of a small log house, still sitting in the them lived and died here, and a numerous southern part of the present town, which progeny now fill their vacant places as our was then called Fanthorp. The first post best and most worthy citizens. office was established in this store house “In those early days in 1835 and 1836, to where a few staple groceries and dry get the corn ground into meal in an old- goods were sold. Afterwards, the town on time handmill was a laborious job and account of its beautiful scenery was called consumed much time. This old mill was “Alta Mira”, which name it held for several fastened onto a post on the body of a tree, years. Maj. Fanthorp built the first home and the corn shelled and poured into the residence in the place, and when the hopper and ground like we do coffee. After demand came, established a splendid hotel a while horse mills were established 20 or and stage stand, which was known 30 miles apart, and whole neighborhoods throughout the whole Republic of Texas for would club together and have a wagon its high grade accommodation. This filled with sacks of corn sent by the brought a stream of travel through the different families. A guard of men would go country by means of the old time with the wagons to prevent the Indians stagecoaches carrying the U.S. mail and from capturing the corn, team and men. accommodating the traveling public. “The men would carry the women and About 1845 K. L. Anderson, vice president children to a little log house near Roans of the Republic of Texas, as a travelling Prairie, built as a fortress with loop holes guest at Fanthorp’s hotel, became too ill to made around the wall and a chimney in finish his journey and died in the hotel. His case of cold weather. Here they would body lies buried in the Fanthorp family remain until the men returned. At one time cemetery. In memory of K. L. Anderson, while in this fortress the Indians somehow the name of the town was again changed to

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Anderson. In March, 1846 the first school once stood St. Paul’s Episcopal College in Anderson was opened in a house in the aforementioned. Anderson has ever had a old part of the town, and in 1847 the spirit of educational progress and a desire Masons built a large two story frame for enlightenment. building on the grounds now occupied by The first newspaper in the county was the present brick building (the new school established here about 1850 under the building erected in 1903). This plat of land name of “The Central Texian” and had for was donated by Henry Fanthorp and J. S. its contributors many of the resident Black to the Masonic Lodge of Anderson. citizens, who wielded a ready and This school was organized under the intelligent pen. Since the war newspapers auspices of the Masonic lodge and was established in the town are short lived and well known as the Masonic Collegiate full of tribulations. In 1872 all the eastern Institute. It was under the management of portion of the Main Street was destroyed Prof. M. A. Montrose, one of the finest by fire, and until the railroad reached the educators and scholars in the state at that town in April 1903 the town had been time. This continued under the control of having a Rip Van Winkle sleep. 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 Henry Fanthorp purposes, and this new brick high school building wherein we are now assembled, was erected upon the very spot where

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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 The Eagle, (Bryan, Texas) Wed. July 12, Greenwood. We are interested in the last 1933 three mentioned. For where their headrights cornered the town of History of the Old Town of Plantersville as Plantersville now stands. For ‘twas… related by Mrs. Walter Greenwood

Before Santa’s cruel band invaded our fair When LaSalle first explored our Texas land Texas land, and claimed it for his monarch Grand, this hilltop where we are today was covered Before Goliad and the Alamo swam in our with great oaks towering toward the sky heroes’ bloody gore and was the haunt of the red man who Before San Jacinto’s glorious day could be seen stalking with majestic steps through the woods and glades following his Laid the cornerstone and paved the way profession of hunting and of fishing in the For Texas liberty. creeks and rivers that water this land. Men brave and true with their families too At the call of Mexico There are prairies surrounding these wood Came to this land so wide and so fair lands, and in those early days when our forebearers came the prairies were vast They breathed freedom into the air flower gardens. Father and sons with their trusty rifles For the woods and prairies wide I have heard the old folks tell Were peopled with a race so fierce Who once in this land did dwell They’d scalp even a little child Such tales, it makes me long to be But they came and conquered the A Pioneer and thus be free of all wilderness Conventions that shackle me. Built home fires for happiness The men in their coon skin caps This vast region remained untouched until Home spun shirts and trusty rifle ready Stephen F. Austin, following in the The women so staunch and true footsteps of his father, Moses Austin, who With cheer and fellowship steady had received permission from the Mexican government to settle 400 families in these They knew not cities of fashion’s brue unexplored wilds turned his vast Knew only to be brave and true. colonization plans over to his son who settled 64 families in what is now Grimes County.

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From the year 1821 up to 1853 many pioneer fathers. A school for girls was prosperous planters were scattered built where the present high school is through out this district. Their products situated. This was the Planters Lodge had to be hauled to Houston in wagons building. The upper story being used by drawn by oxen (a slow way of travel to us in the Masons and the lower for the school the rapid age of automobiles, airplanes, until the brick high school building was motor boats, fast trains and rapid transit of erected in 1912 on the same site. The every description). The citizens in 1853 Masonic hall was moved to another place. decided they needed a town. Judge Henry Griggs, Colonel Isaac Baker and Dr. Mitchell gave the town site, each donating Prof. Markey’s school for boys and the 10 acres of land from the original grants of girls’ school under the efficient John Landrum, William Montgomery and management of a Miss Wallace were Joel Greenwood, whose head rights successfully conducted for a number of cornered where Plantersville now stands. years. Prof. Markey’s school was famous The western half was set aside for church in this part of the state. Afterwards he built and school purposes. The eastern half was a well equipped boy’s school about a half to be given for building lots with the mile from this site. It had dormitories that understanding that only two story buildings would accommodate more than a hundred were to be erected. boys. Part of the dormitory is still standing and has been converted into a home where his daughter Miss Bettie lives, and a niece, In the year 1853 this was a virgin Mrs. B. J. Thorp. wilderness but those old pioneer planters brought their slaves. Trees were felled, ground was cleared, streets running north This school was patronized throughout and south, east and west, were laid out. A South Texas. Professional men from the town was born which had to have a name. cities and many wealthy planters from all At a gathering of the people Mrs. Sarah A. sections sent their boys here. They came Green suggested that in honor of the from Galveston, Houston and on up the farming interest of the community they call state to be educated in Markey’s school for the new town “Plantersville” and this name boys. This grand old Irish gentleman and was accepted. There was already a teacher and DR. Burleson of Baylor Masonic Lodge in the community called University at Independence were “Planter’s Lodge” so the name seemed to contemporaries and friends. Dr. Burleson be well chosen. Soon a post office was often visited in the Markey home. Prof. established, and then a general Markey was a teacher here most of the merchandise store built by Major P. W. time from 1853 to 1886. He was one of Walton, and a blacksmith shop. A real Hay’s Rangers and served in the war town had come to stay. between Texas and Mexico.

From the beginning Plantersville was In 1861 Rev. Bayers, a pioneer Baptist destined to be a school town. In the very minister from Old Washington organized year of its creation Prof. J. K. Markey the Baptist church and became its pastor. established a school for boys near where These denominations held services in the our Community Club house is standing so school house until the Methodist and you see Plantersville is still using its Baptist churches were erected. The original 30 acres given by those grand olf Baptist building was completed in the spring of 1872 and the Methodist late in the

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER JULY 2016 PAGE 9 summer of the next year. The Catholic The Plantersville-Stoneham Home church of St. Mary’s was built in 1873 and Demonstration Club is the mother of the used to stand just below this building a project which resulted in this Community little toward the left. This church was Club House. Last year the club won first transferred to the KIein church in 1894 and place at the county fair and received a the old building now houses the Victory prize of $25.00. That was the beginning. School about three miles from here. 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 Plantersville has had heroes in all the wars club which had increased in number so that Texas has been interested in since that the ordinary living room was not large pioneer days. There is still one grand olf enough to accommodate the membership. veteran of the Civil War left in our village, This room was to be built as near as Mr. Sherwood Wise. Mr. Wise has followed possible from the products of the forests the ups and downs of his town through a which surround the town. One man long life and is beloved by every man, donated the logs, one member of the club woman and child in this vicinity. Mr. and offered to pay for having the logs cut and Mrs. Wise were asked to stand and honors prepared, some one donated oak timber th were given them on this, their 44 wedding from which to rive the boards, trucks and anniversary. We furnished our quota in the wagons and teams were offered, in fact, World War. Most of our boys came back, most everybody wanted to donate but one sleeps in France, Ed Maywald. something.

At the outbreak of the Civil War the Central The club women were as busy as the R. R. was operated as far as Bryan and proverbial bee getting the house stared Hockley was the shipping point for this when the R.F.C. fund came into existence. district. The first railroad was built This fund was used for lateral roads, through here in 1879 and was called the cemeteries and things of that kind but this Montgomery Central. It was afterwards work soon gave out and there was no sold to the G.C. & S.F.R.R company. About public work for the unemployed to which 1900 the Palestine division of the I. & this fund could be applied. So a meeting of G.N.R.R. was built running about a mile the community was called. Because the south of town. There is a flag station at contemplated club house was not a Crooks Switch. After the Civil war community project we could not use the Plantersville became a thriving business unemployed and pay for its construction town and is still holding on even through with the R.F.C. fund. Our school had an these times of depression. extension cord from their church so we could have electric lights. The Plantersville women have always been interested in uplift projects. In the World Everybody in town got interested in getting War our quot in everything was met to the house in shape so it could be used by overflowing. The women are interested in the tenth of May. All the business men club work and were told by one of the when things would permit, would put in district presidents that the Plantersville- some time on the building. Mr. Williamson Stoneham Home Demonstration Club is and his high school boys did lots of work. unique in club annuals because it In fact, from the time of its beginning combines both domestic and literary features in its work.

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Mr. Williamson cooperated with Mr. The Eagle (Bryan, Texas) Sun. Dec. 11, Winkler in every way. On May 10, the 1977 young people with Mr. Williamson as Iola Once Inhabited by Karankawans director pulled off a very laughable farce called “Safety First”. The door receipts The history of Iola is similar to that of many going toward paying for the house, from Texas communities in the Brazos Valley. other little enterprises that week we had And yet the town is very unique in some $75.00 to our credit in the bank, so we ways too. Mrs. Inez Hammond the town’s knew it was not going to be such a task to unofficial historian has compiled pay our building out of debt. Our sister information on Iola’s beginnings and its town of Stoneham has an interest in this development since then. community club house and can produce According to Hammond, the region around her plays and other entertainments here. Iola was inhabited by the Karankawan Indians until squatters and settlers came with the explorers and missionaries in the We are proud of our new community club early 1800’s. house and the enterprise among our citizens that made it possible. We are The Bedias Indians, the Cushattess (sic) proud of our town with its shabby air of and Kickapoos were on friendly terms with antiquity. We are proud of our old the white settlers during this time. churches, we are proud of our boys and Hammond said the presence of those girls who have outgrown our ancient ways Indians helped to keep out hostile tribes. and have gone out in the world to seek Remnants of these tribes were moved to their fortunes, but we are proudest of reservations on the upper Brazos River in those grand old pioneers who sleep in our 1854. cemeteries and private grave yards. We Three of the earliest settlers were William are proud that their dust was not allowed Townsend, Daniel McMahan and Timothy to be moved from Grimes County soil and Jones. All were given grants of land by the that they Mexican government prior to the time Are resting ‘neath a beautiful tree Texas became an independent nation. The town of Iola is located on one of these Or where the wind sings grants. Hammond said there are many On the loved prairie theories as to how Iola got its name. Some Their rest is sweetened think Iola was the name of an Indian maiden. Another version is that a young By the songs of the birds man from Iola, Kansas operated a store Their graves are made peaceful somewhere west of Iola and named it for his alma mater. There is also the By nature’s own dirge. suggestion Iola derives its name from We will honor our forebears true Edward Ariola, who came to Grimes We will always laud and praise them, too County from Louisiana during the Mexican regime. His son fought in the Texas We are going to teach our children Revolution and the War with Mexico in The glorious part 1846-1847. These brave pioneers help to start In the late 1840’s pioneers from other Their work goes on in our Lone Star Land states began pouring into Central and East Texas. Among the settlers in Iola were the Made possible by that gallant band. Mizes, McWhorters, Neeleys, Cobbs, Dvaises, Adkins, Franklins, McCarys,

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Howards, Dodds, Caneys and Hadleys. these lots were sold the town moved to its Hammond said one of the most prominent present location. Iola also had its first of these settlers was William Neeley, school graduating class in 1909. Its grandfather of current resident Howell members include Hazel and Lucille Neeley. The first Neeley owned the north Sanders, Mary Chaney and Bonnie Mayers. section of Salt Lick Prairie, where the first Prior to 1909 there was only the McCary community of Iola was located. His house School located near the Navasota River. was built near the present Burlington and The class was taught in a brick structure Rock Island Railroad lines. one-half mile west of Old Town. In 1924 the “Old Town” as it is still referred to by some brick structure burned and was eventually old timers today, was established around replaced with one still in use by the Iola the Old Katy Railroad line. It had two Independent School District today. hotels, a drug store, horse and buggy Many businesses were built in Iola during stable, grist mill, several general the 1920’s and 1930’s. These included at merchandise stores, a post office, hotel, gin, two black smith shops, and a woodshop, Masonic building and cotton millinery shop. A large number of homes gin. Cotton was the main cash crop of the also were constructed. During the 1930’s, farming community before, during and 1940’s and 1950’s farming began to after the Civil War. The cotton was decline in the area. The population transported via railroad to the Port of increased from 150 in 1931 to 400 in 1947. Houston and shipped overseas. Some land Today Iola has a population of about 500. marks from the 1850’s still stand today. The emphasis is on cattle ranching and oil These include the Zion Cemetery and exploration, with a smaller number of numerous farms located in the woods west residents farming small plots of land for of Iola not far from the Navasota River. their own use. Many residents are Most of the farms have long since predicting the discovery of oil and disappeared. However, on Hewell Stozer’s subsequent drilling will cause another property there is a white stone chimney boom period. Hammond said a number of that was part of the slave quarters on the persons have moved into the area and original Jim Davis farm. In town there is the many more have made inquiries. Zion Methodist Church, now more than 100 years old. There also are many old wood “Why if I had a big apartment complex or frame homes, some having been repaired homes for rent here I’d fill them up in an and others falling down. instant” she said. “Only it takes lots of money to do something like that.” Zion Methodist Church is just one of many Hammond like her neighbors is a strong churches built in Iola over the years. One supporter of country living and hopes Iola of these is the Enon Baptist Church. It was is able to retain its quiet, country built in conjunction with a cemetery by the atmosphere in light of the new activity. “I same name and later moved to its present guess we’re going to have to wait and see site. Even today the community has a large what happens,” she said. 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

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The Eagle (Bryan, Texas) Mon. Aug 16, When the Texas Revolution began and 1926 Houston called for volunteers, among Historical Stoneham Sketches By Mrs. those answering were A. Montgomery, G. Dave Stoneham W. Morrison and a Mr. White. When the army began to fall back to the east, after Historical sketch of Stoneham prepared the fall of the Alamo and Goliad the and read by Mrs. Dave Stoneham at Grimes colonists joined in the mad rush for the County Council of Women at Plantersville. Sabine known as the “Runaway Scrape”. The history of the village of Stoneham is Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood were among the bounded by the history of the Greenwood, number. One of Mrs. Greenwood’s Morrison and Stoneham families and I shall brothers drove the wagon with supplies so treat it. and camp equipment and each taking a child in arms. Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood One day in the spring of 1829 a party of followed on horseback. The tiny baby in travelers stopped at the home of Rufus her mother’s arms was Evaline Grimes, about two and one-half miles Greenwood. She was just past four northwest of where Stoneham now stands. months old when the battle of San Jacinto With true pioneer hospitality the strangers, was fought. Also in the party of runaways Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Greenwood and Mr. was Caroline Hadley who afterward Montgomery a brother of Mrs. Greenwood, married Major Martin, commander of the were made welcome and given such military escort. Two of her information as they desired relative to granddaughters are Mrs. G. C. Stoneham securing land in the vicinity. and Mrs. Lillian Stoneham. The Grimes home was situated on the brow Mr. Morrison was the first judge of Grimes of a hill looking south over the “Lovely County which at that time included Valley” which indeed it was with its thick Montgomery County also. Other families carpet of spring wild flowers and the clear who came in later were the Saunders., waters of Pecan creek flowing through it. Yarbroughs, Stonehams, Loftons and So pleased were the new comers with the Hugheys. Miss Evaline Greenwood and Mr. country, they decided to locate nearby. Jno. Stoneham were married in 1852 and Having selected land lying just east of that lived at first about a mile north of the owned by Mr. Grimes, Mr. Greenwood and present town. his brother-in-law accompanied by Mr. Grimes went to San Felipe to attend to the When the Santa Fe railroad came through, drawing of the papers necessary. Mrs. realizing the advantage of having Greenwood remained with Mrs. Grimes convenient shipping point, Jno. Stoneham and upon the return of the men they bought a tract of land along the proposed continued as guests in the Grimes home right-of-way from F. J. Greenwood and set until land could be cleared, logs and aside a part of it as a townsite. Building boards cut, and a one room log house built. himself a home and store and moving his gin over to the new station the little village Mr. and Mrs. Eazley, parents of Mrs. Faw, was started. The Baptists had organized were near neighbors as they counted the first church and had been followed by nearness then. Soon others of Mrs. the Methodists. In a few years the school Greenwood’s brothers came to the colony building, used also as a church, was and other families, among them the moved to Stoneham and in more recent McIntyers and McIlrails. years a neat Methodist Church and still later a Catholic church have been built.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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Joe Palmer History of the Grimes

Joe Palmer was an associate of the Barrow County Courthouse Gang. He was convicted along with The first Grimes County courthouse was Raymond Hamilton for the killing of Major constructed of cedar logs in early 1800. Crowson during an escape from the Fire destroyed this structure in 1838 and in Eastham Prison Farm on January 16, 1934. 1850 a ferocious wind destroyed the For that crime, he paid the price. For on second courthouse. W. W. Arrington May 10th of 1935, along with Raymond designed the third courthouse and built it Hamilton, Joe Palmer was executed in the from stone in February 1859. This third State's electric chair. Joe Palmer was so courthouse burned on May 15, 1890 and a well liked by his fellow inmates that they fire destroyed the fourth courthouse on pitched in funds to have him buried in San January 20, 1893. Presently, the current Antonio, Texas as opposed to the prison's courthouse, the fifth courthouse, was built drab cemetery. More than six decades in 1894. have passed since Joe Palmer was buried The courthouse bricks have 3 distinct and his grave has been without a colors. (1) the original hand molded red headstone for all these years. That is until brick of the surviving 1890 east wall vaults; recently! Patrick McConal author of "Over (2) the 1894 pinkish red brick on the south, the Wall-The Men Behind the 1934 Death west and part of the north walls; (3) a rustic House Escape" published by Eakin Press brown colored brick on a section of the had decided to do something about it after north wall. The third color of brick has an his talks with Palmer's niece Martha interesting story. The bricklayer had run Palmer of Lubbock, Texas. Martha Palmer out of bricks and was waiting impatiently had finally realized her longtime dream, for a wagonload of bricks to be delivered. through the help of friends who saw fit, While waiting for the bricks to arrive, he regardless of the life that Joe Palmer led, went around town gathering a few bricks to see him have a marker on his eternal to keep the job moving along. When the resting spot. Joe Palmer's new headstone wagon arrived, he continued bricking with dedication ceremony took place on May 16, the original bricks. 1999. 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 San Jose Historical Cemetery the courthouse. When the two coalitions San Antonio, Texas met, a gunfight began resulting in five

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER JULY 2016 PAGE 17 bullet holes in the Courthouse structure, the constructed movie theater (where the four on the west side located near the Confederate Memorial is today). second floor windows and one on the right Under the reign of County Judge Ira “Bud” side of the south entrance doors. They are Haynie, his wife at the time, Joy, pursued still visible today. Three men were killed looking for grants to preserve and restore and several others were wounded, the present courthouse. Working with the including the sheriff who was seriously Texas Historical Commission, this dream wounded in the thigh. The Governor was came true. On March 2, 2002 grand called in and the wounded sheriff was opening ceremonies took place in the taken into custody by the Texas Rangers beautifully restored Courthouse. In order and sent to Houston by train. One of the to get the grant from the Historical men killed was John J. Bradley Jr., an Commission, the courthouse had to be innocent bystander whose general store remodeled to look as close to the original was across the street from the jail. Also construction in 1894. Joy worked hard to shot and killed was William McDonald and make this possible, resulting in a Emmett Scott, the brother of Sheriff Garret “showplace” for Grimes County. 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