Grimes County Historical Commission Issue 3 Volume 2 March 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,

Contact Information Russell Cushman 403 Holland Navasota, TX 77868 (936) 825 8223 [email protected]

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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 Bedias Jail Bedias, Texas

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER MARCH 2016 PAGE 2 Administrator’s Notice

Letters of administration having been granted to the undersigned on the estate of The Central Texian David B. Floyd, deceased, by the honorable Saturday, March 17, 1855 the County Court of Grimes County at the Anderson, Texas December term thereof, A.D. 1854, notice is hereby given to all persons having We are requested to announce that Hon. J. claims against said estate to present them Boone, D.D.C. for the district of Grimes duly authenticated within the time and Montgomery will lecture at the Court prescribed by law. Elisha Floyd, House in this place on Thursday night next, Administrator. on the subject of temperance. We trust that our citizens will generally turn out Letters of administration having been upon that occasion. granted to the undersigned upon the estate of Willis I. Roan, deceased, by the Probate Captains Henry and Walker have offered Court of Grimes County, at the February the services of themselves and companies term 1855. Persons holding claims against to Gov. Trias of Chihuahua. Their term of said estate will present them within the service in the expired on the time prescribed by law and those indebted 14th instant. must make immediate payment. John P. Roan, Administrator. Rangers – The companies of Texas Mounted Volunteers under the command of Letters of Administration having been Captains Henry, Walker and Travis, are by granted to the undersigned by the County special order of Gen. Smith to be mustered Court of Grimes County at the January out of service at the expiration of three term, 1855, on the estate of E. J. Hendrick, months from the time they were mustered deceased, notice is hereby given to all in. The Texan from which we persons having claims against said estate, obtain this information, censures Gen. to present them authenticated as required Smith very much for this step, which by law, and those indebted to the same to nothing but orders from the War make immediate payment. Margaret E. Department will excuse. The Indians Hendrick, Administratrix. continue to depredate on the frontier settlements. Joseph H. Dunham, Administrator of the estate of John H. Dunham, deceased, has The Railroad Convention at LaGrange fixed filed in my office his final exhibit and upon Galveston and Austin as the places of account current with said estate; also his terminus for the contemplated road, and petition praying for a discharge from said took measures for the survey of three administration; all of which will be heard routes, and the opening of books for the and acted upon at the next regular term of subscription of stock. Those who the County Court for the Probate of Wills to subscribe select the route; and in case be holden in and for the County of Grimes, they do not choose that which is finally at the Court House thereof on the first determined upon, they will be at liberty to Monday and 26th day of March, 1855, when withdraw their names. It is further and where all persons interested may resolved that no one be allowed to take attend and contest the same if they think stock to an amount greater than one-fourth proper. J. G. Chatham, Clerk his taxable property.

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER MARCH 2016 PAGE 3 $25.00 Reward for plaintiff, having made oath that he, said E. C. McClenny, is a transient person or Pocket Book Lost – Lost between Barry & that his residence is unknown to affiant. Montgomery’s saw mill and Anderson, a small green pocket book containing a $100 You are therefore commanded to summon bill on the bank of Mobile, a $50 bill the said E. C. McClenny to be and appear Louisiana money, a $20 gold piece, two at the next term of the District Court to be $10 pieces, one $3 bid and one $1 bill holden for the county of Grimes at the Galveston money, and one very old silver Court House thereof in the town of dollar. The finder will receive the above Anderson, on the second Monday after the reward by leaving it with Col. Barry or at third Monday in March, A.D. 1855 by this office. Thomas. J. Sharp publication in the Central Texian, a newspaper published in the town of Anderson, Grimes County, Texas., of this citation, for four successive weeks previous to the return date hereof, then Citation Notice and there to answer the petition of Sampson Buff now on file in my office. State of Texas – Grimes County Herein fail not, under penalty of the law, No. 347 – Sampson Buff vs. E. C. McClenny and have you then and there this Citation with your return endorsed thereon. To the Sheriff of said County – Greeting: Whereas, Sampson Buff of the afore-said Attest: A. Buffington, Clerk of the District State and County, has filed his petition in Court of Grimes County, with the the District Court of Grimes County, impression of the seal of this office, this the alleging that E. C. McClenny, whose 7th day of March A.D., 1855. A. Buffington, residence to him is unknown, is justly Clerk District Court Grimes County. B. indebted to him in the sum of three Franklin Brigance, Deputy. hundred and sixty-three dollars and fifty cents for this, to-wit: That some time in the I William Carley, Sheriff of Grimes County, month of ______A.D. 1853, on John S. do hereby certify that the foregoing and Parker, made, executed, and delivered to above is a true copy of the original placed him the said Buff, a certain note for the in my hand. WM CARLEY, Sheriff Grimes sum of $353.50 for value received and that County. he delivered the said note to said E. C. McClenny in trust and confidence that he Came to hand March 8th, 1855, and ordered would collect the amount thereof and to be published in the Central Texian a refund and pay over the sum of $363.50 to newspaper published in the town of him, the said Buff; he further alleges that Anderson, Grimes County, Texas for four the said E. C. McClenny did collect and successive weeks previous to the return receive the full amount of said note from day. WM. CARLEY, Sheriff Grimes County. said John S. Parker and he further alleges that the said McClenny has not refunded or paid over said amount to him, not will he, the said McClenny give any account of what he has done in relation thereto, and that he still refuses to refund or pay to petitioner said sum of money and therefore prays judgment and John W. Hutcheson,

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER MARCH 2016 PAGE 4 and six rated businesses. The population remained unchanged in 2000 but the number of businesses had grown to thirty- eight. BEDIAS, TEXAS. Bedias is at the intersection of State Highway 90 and Farm BIBLIOGRAPHY: roads 1696 and 2620, twenty-nine miles northeast of Navasota in northeast Grimes Grimes County Historical Commission, County. The community was named for the History of Grimes County, Land of Heritage Bidai Indians, whose name means and Progress (: Taylor, 1982). Adele "brushwood." The town in turn has given B. Looscan, "Harris County, 1822–1845," its name to the distinctive tektites—called Southwestern Historical Quarterly 18–19 Bediasites—found in Texas, most of which (October 1914-July 1915). have been discovered within Grimes County. Settlement of the area began in 1835, when Thomas Phiney Plaster established a plantation a few miles west of the present townsite; earliest reports of the community refer to it as Plasterville. In 1844 Archelaus B. Dodson took up residence on the northern edge of the settlement; his wife, Sarah Bradley Dodsonqv, reportedly designed the first Lone Star flag. A post office was established at Bedias in 1846, 1847, or 1867, according to various sources. A Baptist church was organized in 1848, and the first Methodist congregation in the community was formed by a circuit rider from Palestine in 1871. By 1885 the population had grown to 300 residents, who supported four gristmill-gins, three churches, and four privately operated schools.

In 1903 the International-Great Northern Railroad line reached Bedias. By 1907 the town had five general stores, two banks, two hotels, two gins, and sundry additional businesses; by 1915 a population of 500 was reported. Most of the town's business section was destroyed by fire in 1927 but was soon restored. In 1936 the town reported twenty-five rated businesses and an estimated population of 500. The community's fortunes declined during the 1960s. By 1967 its population had fallen to an estimated 290 and its businesses to five. In 1990 Bedias had a population of 301

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER MARCH 2016 PAGE 5 with tin over a thick wooden ceiling. It Bedias Jail measures 2.51 meters across the front and 3.11 meters on each side. The distance from the ground to the top of the walls is 2.22 meters. The door is wooden and measures 89 cm by 1.90 meters. There are three windows. The window on the front is small (27 cm x 34 cm) and has two round metal bars. The other two windows are on the north and south sides and measure 21 cm x 61 cm. They have 7 bars.

Window on the South Side

Two bars are missing from the window on the north side. The floor is also wood. There is a bed inside but it is not original to This calaboose is located in Grimes the jail. There were no Sanborn maps at County. It is on the corner of the 22100 the agencies visited for Bedias, Texas. This block of West Street and the 3600 block of structure conforms to Floor Plan 1a (see Main Street in Bedias, Texas on a lot owned Floor Plans). This calaboose was recorded by the Bedias Civic Club. It was originally at TARL as historic site 41GM459. located across the street between the current post office and State Highway 90. The exact date of the construction of this jail is not known, and I was unable to find a Sanborn Fire Insurance Map for the town of Bedias. According to Mackie Bobo (Mayor of Bedias), this jail was built in the 1920s and used until the 1950s after which time it was moved two blocks away to a site owned by the Williams family. They needed a barn and they added on to it and it remained hidden and forgotten until Mike and Mackie Bobo purchased the property.

When they demolished the barn they were surprised to find the old Bedias jail inside. The Bobo family recognized its historical significance and donated it to the Bedias Civic Club who is charged with the responsibility of maintaining it for prosperity. McAdoo Plaster was the father of Mackie Bobo, and he said that this jail was used mainly as a place to lock up drunks on Saturday night. This task was carried out by the local Constable or Sheriff. The front of the jail faces west. It is made of wood, and the roof is covered

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER MARCH 2016 PAGE 6 BIDAI INDIANS. The Bidai (Beadeye, and still others were taken in 1854 to the Bedias, Biday, Viday) Indians lived Brazos Indian Reservation in what is now between the Brazos and Trinity rivers in Young County. The last group eventually southeastern Texas. Although at times they ended up in , now ranged a larger area, their main Oklahoma, where their identity was soon settlements were in the vicinity of present lost. In 1830 Jean Berlandier wrote that the Grimes, , Madison, Walker, and tribe was dependent on hunting for their Trinity counties, and a number of place existence and that they were very poor. He names record their former presence in this also described their customs as area. The earliest reference to the tribe resembling those of the . He was in a Spanish document of 1691 which believed them to be one of the "oldest of noted that a group of "Bidey" lived in the native people." While later studies proximity of the . In 1718 and associated the Bidai with Atákapa customs 1720, reported that an agricultural people and rituals, conclusive evidence by the name of Bidai lived near the Trinity concerning their culture is not known. in eastern Texas. In 1748–1749 some of the Bidais were briefly at San Francisco Xavier BIBLIOGRAPHY: Lawrence E. Aten, de Horcasitas Mission before San Ildefonso Indians of the Upper Texas Coast (New Mission was built nearby for the Bidai, York: Academic Press, 1983). Jean Louis Deadose, and Indians. These Berlandier, Indians of Texas in 1830, ed. missions, which were established on the John C. Ewers and trans. Patricia Reading San Gabriel River near the site of present Leclerq (Washington:: Smithsonian, 1969). Rockdale, were abandoned by 1755. In William W. Newcomb, The Indians of Texas 1756–57 Nuestra Señora de la Luz Mission (Austin: University of Texas Press, 1961). was established on the lower Trinity River Andre Sjoberg, The Bidai Indians of for the and Bidais, and some of Southeastern Texas (M.A. thesis, the Bidais settled near this mission for a University of Texas, 1951). short time. It was the grouping of the Bidais with these other groups that has caused some confusion as to the origins The Texas State Times (Austin, Tex.) and language of the tribe. It was typically Vol.1 No. 47 thought that the Spanish grouped natives Saturday, October 21, 1854 on missions because they spoke common or similar languages. Thus, the Bidais were The Bedia Tribe – We saw upon our streets believed to have had some kinship to the yesterday almost the entire remains of a people. Upon further study, once powerful tribe of Indians, the Bedias. scholars have concluded that diverse Some five or six women, one brave and a languages were spoken by mission few children are the only survivors, and in residents but that they might have spoken a few years the tribe will be extinct. a second common language in dealing with Although well cared and provided for by one another. In the 1770s, the Bidais were the people of the country, with some of reported to have been in league with the whom the most of them have been French to sell guns to the Lipan , aquainted from their earliest years, they enemies of the Spanish. In 1776–77 the cannot refrain from manifesting by their Bidai population was reduced by about 50 countenance and language, their sorrow percent in a single epidemic, and by 1820 for the present depressed situation of their only a few small groups of Bidais survived. tribe, when interrogated as to its former Some of these joined the Akokisas; others power and greatness. – Central Texan joined the Koasati, who were living nearby;

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Bethel Cemetery

During the era, settlers in this area came together to form the Bethel Community. In 1843, a visitor died of smallpox and was buried at this site, which became Bethel Cemetery. Among those buried here is Sarah Bradley Dodson, known as the Betsy Ross of Texas. Part of an “Old 300” family from Stephen F. Austin's first Texas colony, Dodson created a lone star flag in 1835 to send with her husband, Archelaus, during the . The flag was one of two that flew over Washington-on-the-Brazos at the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836.

In 1852, four years after his wife died of pneumonia, Archelaus Dodson gave this burial ground to trustees of Bethel Presbyterian Church, who built a chapel next to the cemetery circa 1844. In 1904, trustees of the burial ground opened an adjacent section for local African Americans. That section of Bethel is sometimes known as Salem Cemetery. Today, a link to a community long gone, Old Bethel Cemetery is the final resting place of generations of Texas pioneers and area residents.

Following the dedication of the marker, the cemetery association recognized James Gustine, Billie Stone and his wife, Linnie Stone, for their many years of devoted service to the Grimes County Bethel Cemetery Association.

FM 1372, CR 410 Bedias, Texas Grimes County Year Erected: 2005 Marker Type: HTC Medallion and 24" x 16" interpretive plaque

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Sarah Bradley Dodson Though known as the “Betsy Ross of

In 1823 Edward Bradley and his family left Texas,” Sarah’s grave went unmarked for their Kentucky home to join the 1st three 100 years until the Bedias Community in hundred of Stephen F. Austin’s colony. 1935 organized a centennial for Sarah’s They settled on the lower Brazos River flag. At that time, descendants of her between Richmond and Columbia. Three family and others placed a pink years later, in 1826, the Dodson family of granite tombstone at her grave. North Carolina made Texas their home. On January 14, 2002, the Grimes County The Bradley’s had a daughter, Sarah, and Commissioner’s Court proclaimed the the Dodson’s had a son, Archelaus. Fate Dodson flag the official Grimes County had them meet, fall in love, and marry in Banner. May of 1835. Archelaus was among the early Texas volunteers when hostilities broke out with the Mexicans in the fall of 1835. He joined Andrew Robinson in forming the Harrisburg Company of Texas volunteers.

Sarah designed and made a flag for the volunteers. The Harrisburg Company flew this tri-color Lone Star Flag on their march from Harrisburg to Gonzales to join John H. Moore’s small army. Shortly thereafter Stephen Austin assumed command and Sarah’s flag passed to him. The flag was in San Antonio for the December 1835 siege of that city.

During the following March 1836 two other Lone Star flags flew over the Alamo before its fall – the Troutman Flag of the Georgians and the McGahey Flag of Independence. On April 21st of that year, Texas won its independence. During the days of the resultant Texas Republic, in 1844, with her family, Sarah moved from Fort Bend County to the Bedias community in northern Grimes County.

Sarah died of pneumonia in 1848 and received internment on the Dodson’s property. Four years later her husband gave the acreage where she was buried to the community for a cemetery, church and school. It is now known as the Bethel Cemetery.

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER MARCH 2016 PAGE 9 THE DODSON FLAG This exodus was known as the "Runaway Scrape." Plagued with measles, whooping cough and practically no provisions the Texans made their way through the swamps and marshes on foot and by ox cart. Nearly everything was soaked by the torrents of rain and flooded streams. On April 21st, the refugees could hear the cannon fire of the battle of San Jacinto, and doubled their pace, fearing the worst. The first Constitutional Convention met at A courier on horseback from Sam Houston Washington on the Brazos, on March 1st, caught up with the convoy, and the families 1836. Two out of three of the delegates of Texans learned of the thrilling victory at were under 40 years old, and all had been San Jacinto. elected for the express purpose of declaring the independence of Texas from Mexico and forming a government for the new republic. Mindful of the constant danger from the advancing Mexican army, no one knew when they all might have to leave to join the fight. On the opening day, a "Norther" blew through and the temperature inside the meeting hall - a wooden building with scraps of cloth for windows and doors - was 33 degrees. Historians record that flying over the hall This flag was introduced to the Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 28, was the flag designed and made by Sarah Dodson. 1838, by Senator William H. Wharton and was adopted on January 25, 1839, as the

Recognized as the first "Lone Star" flag, final of the Republic of Texas. she had originally created it for her When Texas became the 28th state of the husband Archelaus, a member of the Union on December 29, 1845, the national Robinson Company of army volunteers flag became the . From 1879 until formed in September, 1835, at Harrisburg, 1933 there was no official state flag, Texas. After serving at Gonzales, this although the Lone Star remained the de company marched under the Dodson flag facto state flag. The Revised Civil Statutes to San Antonio to lay siege to the Alamo. of 1879 repealed all statutes not explicitly Like practically all of the Texas volunteers, renewed and since the statutes pertaining these men returned to their homes to to the flag were not among those renewed, Texas was formally flagless until the prepare for winter after San Antonio had been taken from the Mexicans, not passage of the Texas Flag Code in 1933. realizing the strength of the Mexican The actual designer of the flag is unknown. reinforcements invading Texas. After the Dr. Charles B. Stewart is credited with Mexicans crushed the remaining forces at drawing the image used by the Third the Alamo and massacred the Texans at Congress when enacting the legislation Goliad, the Robinson Company was adopting the flag, and Sen. William H. assigned to protect the retreating civilians. Wharton introduced the flag to Congress.

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER MARCH 2016 PAGE 10 DODSON, ARCHELAUS BYNUM (1807– PLASTER, THOMAS PHINEY (1804–1861). 1898). Archelaus Dodson, participant in Thomas Phiney Plaster, soldier and the Texas Revolution, son of Obadiah and planter, was born in North Carolina on Sarah (Garrison) Dodson, was born in June 26, 1804. He moved from Giles North Carolina on December 31, 1807. He County, Tennessee, in 1835 with his wife, left for Texas in 1826, and was living in Dollie B. (Samuel), and established a Harrisburg in 1827. He married Sarah plantation near the site of present Bedias Bradley there on May 17, 1835; they had six in Montgomery (now Grimes) County, children. When the local committee of Texas. From March 1 until April 1, 1836, he vigilance and safety learned of Gen. Martín served as a lieutenant in Capt. L. B. Perfecto de Cos's planned invasion of Franks's ranger company on the northern Texas and sent out a call to arms on frontier. On April 2 he enlisted in Lt. Col. September 19, 1835, Dodson joined other James C. Neill's so-called "Artillery Corps" Harrisburg volunteers in forming a and was elected second sergeant. At the company under Capt. Andrew Robinson. battle of San Jacinto Plaster manned one Dodson was elected first lieutenant. of the "Twin Sisters."

Sarah Bradley Dodsonqv designed and, with He was tried by court-martial for a now help of other Harrisburg women, made the unknown offense and sentenced by Brig. first tricolor Lone Star flag of Texas; when Gen. Thomas J. Rusk to be reprimanded the company of Andrew Robinson, Jr., was before the entire army on parade on the mustered into the revolutionary army in evening of June 27, 1836, and dismissed 1835, she presented it to the members. The from service. He rejoined the army on July Robinson company participated in the 5, however, as a private in Capt. George siege of Bexar and did not return to East Washington Poe's First Artillery Battalion, Texas until early 1836, still led by the and by August 1 had been promoted to Dodson flag. Dodson was among those quartermaster of the First Cavalry detailed to ensure the safety of women and Regiment of the First Brigade, Army of the children beyond the Brazos River in the Republic of Texas. From then until Runaway Scrape; he contracted measles November 22, 1836, he was stationed at from some of the sick children and was Camp Johnson, on the Lavaca River. unable to participate in the battle of San Jacinto. Thereafter he returned to his plantation, where by 1840 he owned 2,952 acres. By The Dodsons continued to live in Fort Bend 1850 his Grimes County real estate had County until 1844, when they claimed their increased in value to $1,400. By 1860 it headright in Grimes County. Sarah Dodson was worth $11,000, and that year he died in 1848, and Dodson married reported $6,000 in personal property. His Katherine Maria McKnight McWhorter, a wife died in 1857, at age forty-nine, in widow with several children, in 1850. He giving birth to their ninth child, named moved the family to Live Oak County in Dollie after her mother. Plaster served for 1860 and became a rancher with his several years as postmaster at Bedias, and brother-in-law, Martin Culver, a cattleman. after annexation he was elected to the First Legislature of the state of Texas. He died of Dodson died on his ranch about five miles pneumonia in Austin on March 27, 1861, south of Alice on March 10, 1898, and was and is buried in the State Cemetery. At the buried in the Old Collins Cemetery. time of his death he was doorkeeper of the Texas House of Representatives.

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER MARCH 2016 PAGE 11 Runaway Scrape Washington-on-the-Brazos was deserted by March 17, and about April 1 Richmond The Runaway Scrape is the period in early was evacuated, as were the settlements on 1836 generally beginning with the Siege both sides of the Brazos River. The further and Fall of the Alamo and ending with the retreat of Houston toward the Sabine left Battle of San Jacinto on April 21. It was a all of the settlements between the period of terror and panic among the Colorado and the Brazos unprotected, and settlements of Texas, as Santa Anna and the settlers in that area at once began the Mexican armies swept eastward from making their way toward Louisiana or San Antonio, virtually unopposed. Galveston Island. The section of around Nacogdoches and San The term Runaway Scrape was the name Augustine was abandoned a little prior to Texans applied to the flight from their April 13. The flight was marked by lack of homes when Antonio López de Santa Anna preparation and by panic caused by fear began his attempted conquest of Texas in both of the Mexican Army and of the February 1836. The first communities to be Indians. affected were those in the south central portions of Texas around San Patricio, The people used any means of Refugio, and San Antonio. The people transportation or none at all. Added to the began to leave that area as early as discomforts of travel were all kinds of January 14, 1836, when the Mexicans were diseases, intensified by cold, rain, and reported gathering on the Rio Grande. hunger. Many persons died and were When Sam Houston arrived in Gonzales on buried where they fell. The flight continued March 11 and was informed of the fall of until news came of the victory in the battle the Alamo, he decided upon retreat to the of San Jacinto. At first no credence was Colorado River and ordered all inhabitants put in this news because so many false to accompany him. rumors had been circulated, but gradually

the refugees began to reverse their steps Couriers were dispatched from Gonzales and turn back toward home, many toward to carry the news of the fall of the Alamo, homes that no longer existed. and when they received that news, people all over Texas began to leave everything The news of the Texas victory at San and make their way to safety. Houston's Jacinto was received amid great rejoicing retreat marked the beginning of the by the participants of the Runaway Scrape. Runaway Scrape on a really large scale. The settlers immediately began the return to their settlements. For most, however, it During the runaway, the colonists gathered meant the beginning of a rebuilding, for a few personal possessions, abandoned many of the homes and settlements were their homes, and headed eastward under either burned by the Texans to prevent most difficult conditions. Rain and cold supplies from falling into the hands of the weather during the period slowed the Mexicans, or by the Mexican army as it settler's eastward progress along the moved eastward. The recovery seemed muddy roads and trails. There was speedy, however. Within a short time, the widespread hunger and sickness, and settlements were restored and the material many died. News of Santa Anna's atrocities evidence of the invasion disappeared. (some true, but some distorted by rumor) added to the frenzy.

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TWIN SISTERS. On November 17, 1835, after unsuspecting troops. The Twins were probably Francis Smith convinced the people of near the center of the Texans' line of battle and Cincinnati, Ohio, to aid the cause of the Texas ten yards in advance of the infantry. Their first Revolution, the Ohioans began raising funds to shots were fired at a distance of 200 yards, procure two cannons and their attendant and their fire was credited with helping to equipment for Texas. Since the United States throw the Mexican force into confusion and was taking an official stance of neutrality significantly aiding the infantry attack. During toward the rebellion in Texas, the citizens of this battle the Twins fired handfuls of musket Cincinnati referred to their cannon as "hollow balls, broken glass, and horseshoes, as this ware." Two guns, probably six pounders, were was the only ammunition the Texans had for manufactured at the foundry of Greenwood the guns. Among the crews serving the guns and Webb in Cincinnati and then shipped down were several men who later made prominent the Mississippi to New Orleans. William Bryan, names for themselves in Texas history, an agent of the Republic of Texas in New including Benjamin McCulloch, a future Orleans, took official possession of the guns on Confederate general who helped bring the March 16, 1836. From New Orleans the guns Twins back from oblivion in 1860. In 1840 the were placed on the schooner Pennsylvania and Twins were reported to have been moved, taken to Galveston Island. For some reason along with other military stores, to Austin, they were not accompanied by their limbers where on April 21, 1841, they were fired in and ammunition, perhaps because the celebration of the fifth anniversary of the battle dangerous military situation in the republic did of San Jacinto. When Sam Houston was not allow for any delays. The cannons arrived inaugurated as president of the republic that in Galveston at the beginning of April 1836. On year, the twins were fired as Houston kissed board the Pennsylvania was the family of Dr. the Bible after taking the oath of office. Charles Rice, who was moving to Texas. Upon arrival in Galveston the guns were presented Little is known about them after this. In 1845 to representatives of Texas under the Texas was annexed by the United States. sponsorship of Dr. Rice's twin daughters, Under the terms of annexation the state was to Elizabeth and Eleanor. Someone in the crowd cede to the federal government "all made notice of the fact that there were two fortifications, barracks, ports and harbors, sets of twins in the presentation, the girls and navy and navy yards, docks, magazines, arms, the guns, and thus the cannons became the armaments, and all other property and means Twin Sisters. pertaining to the public defense."

After several unsuccessful attempts to get the Historians have questioned whether the Twin Twin Sisters to the Texas army under Sam Sisters, which were by 1845 considered to be Houston, which was retreating toward the historical relics with little military value, were Sabine before the forces of Gen. Antonio López in fact turned over to the United States. But de Santa Anna, the Twins finally reached the evidence indicates that they were, and army on April 11, 1836. A thirty-man artillery certainly the and its "corps" was immediately formed to service the citizens believed that they had been. guns, the only artillery with the Texas army, and placed under the command of Lt. Col. All Texas military stores were removed to the James Clinton Neill. Only nine days later the federal arsenal at Baton Rouge, including the Twin Sisters saw their first action during a Twins, and there they remained unnoticed and skirmish between the armies of Houston and neglected for fifteen years. Then came the Santa Anna on April 20. In this fight Neill was election of Abraham Lincoln and the secession wounded, and command of the guns passed to crisis. Even before Texas called the Secession George W. Hockley. The next day, April 21, Convention, men were beginning to think about 1836, saw the battle of San Jacinto and the preparing for war. McCulloch, recalling his securing of fame for the Twin Sisters. That service with the Twin Sisters at San Jacinto, afternoon near the banks of Buffalo Bayou the thought that these guns should once again be Texas army struck at Santa Anna's on Texas soil.

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He wrote to Governor Houston informing him of removal by Union forces in August 1865 the current status of the Twins. Houston somewhere in either Houston or Harrisburg. agreed and wrote to the United States Graves's story is backed up by the diary secretary of war asking for the return of the account of a Union soldier, M. A. Sweetman, Twins. Before action could be taken on this who reported having seen the Twins near matter, however, Texas had seceded from the Market Square in Houston on July 30, 1865. He Union. The Texas Secession Convention recognized them by the presentation plaques appointed a commission to ask Louisiana for attached to them by the state of Louisiana the return of the Twin Sisters, but inquiries when they were returned to Texas in 1861. showed that the cannons had been sold to a However, this report, like all others regarding foundry in Baton Rouge as scrap iron some the final fate of the Twins, has never been years before. conclusively proved. To this day the Twin Sisters' final resting place remains a favorite George Williamson, commissioner for Texas mystery. Louisiana to the state of Texas, discovered that one of the guns was still at the foundry, BIBLIOGRAPHY: although in poor condition, and that the other had been bought by a private citizen in Iberville Galveston Daily News, November 14, 1909. Parish. Having found the cannons, Williamson Frank X. Tolbert, The Day of San Jacinto (New asked the Louisiana legislature to purchase York: McGraw-Hill, 1959; 2d ed., Austin: and repair them before presenting them to the Pemberton Press, 1969). Amelia W. Williams state of Texas. The Louisianans passed an and Eugene C. Barker, eds., The Writings of appropriation of $700 to "procure the guns, Sam Houston, 1813–1863 (8 vols., Austin: mount the same in a handsome manner," and University of Texas Press, 1938–43; rpt., Austin forward them to Texas. The guns arrived on and New York: Pemberton Press, 1970). E. W. April 20, 1861, the twenty-fifth anniversary of Winkler, "The Twin Sisters Cannon, 1836– their original firing. 1865," Southwestern Historical Quarterly 21 (July 1917). Jesse A. Ziegler, Wave of the Gulf The Twins next appeared during the battle of (San Antonio: Naylor, 1938). Galveston, January 1, 1863. Lt. Sidney A. Sherman, son of Texas revolutionary hero Sidney Sherman, was killed while in command of one of the Twin Sisters at that battle. After the recapture of Galveston the Twins once again disappeared until November 30, 1863, when Maj. A. G. Dickinson, commander of the Confederate post at San Antonio, reported that they were in the rebel arsenal at Austin, although in very poor condition. On February 8, 1864, Lt. Walter W. Blow wrote to Col. John S. (Rip) Ford, who was preparing an expedition to recapture the Rio Grande from invading federal troops, that he was preparing to send the Twins to San Antonio so that they could accompany Ford's command. However, there is no certainty that the cannons actually accompanied Ford on his campaign. Blow's February 1864 report is the last official and certain mention of the Twin Sisters. There are various stories as to their fate at the end of the war. One of the most intriguing and plausible is that a group of Confederates led by Henry North Graves buried the guns to prevent their

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Grimes County Cemetery Books

Volumes 1-4. Each volume sells for $50 each or you can purchase the entire set of books for only $150. For more information Contact John Ray Maxwell at 936-394-8273.

Navasota Bluebonnet Books can be purchased for only $60 at the Blues Alley

Volume 1 – North (Bedias/Iola/Keith) Volume 2 – Central (Anderson/Shiro/Roans Prairie/Singleton) Volume 3 – South (Courtney/Plantersville) Volume 4 - Navasota

Grimes County Heritage and Progress books are $75 each. For more information contact Russell Cushman.