News of 1866 - 1869

NEWS OF 1866

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - May 26th, 1866 edition - Page: 5

Hotel Arrivals
PALMETTO HOUSE - ...
L. H. Smith, Freestone Co., Texas

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - June 6th, 1866 edition - Page: 2

Address to the People of Texas

Freestone County - A. Deming, ???? Peck, Fairfield

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - June 7th, 1866 edition - Page: 2

Hotel Arrivals
Crawford House

… E. P. Blain, Fairfield; ….

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - June 13th, 1866 edition - Page: 5

Hotel Arrivals

J. R. Means, Fairfield;

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - June 17th, 1866 edition - Page: 5

Hotel Arrivals

WASHINGTON - ...Wm. Hines, Freestone Co., F. and T. W. Speed, do, ...

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - July 3rd, 1866 edition - Page: 5

Hotel Arrivals

PALMETTO HOUSE - ...Mrs. Sallie, Doler and children, H. Manning and lady; Freestone, co; ...

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - July 20th, 1866 edition - Page: 5

Hotel Arrivals

WASHINGTON - A. R. Easley, Grimes co; F. M. Bradley, Freestone co;...

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - July 31st, 1866 edition - Page: 5

Hotel Arrivals

[Problems with original]

[PALME]TTO HOUSE - Dr. Wm P Mooner, Freestone; [???] T. Mooreland, do; ...

Dallas Herald (of Dallas, Texas) - Dec. 14th, 1866 edition - Page: 4

W. L. MOODY
(LATE OF FAIRFIELD)
COMMISSION MERCHANT
GALVESTON, TEXAS

WILL give personal attention to all business entrusted to his care, after the first day of September, 1866.
Aug. 4, 1866 – 46:3 mos.

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - Dec. 14th, 1866 edition - Page: 5

Hotel Arrivals

WASHINGTON HOTEL - ... W. J. Blain, Freestone ...

Dallas Herald (of Dallas, Texas) - Dec. 22, 1866 - Page: 3

FAIRFIELD FEMALE COLLEGE
FAIRFIELD, TEXAS

The next session of this Institution will commence on the first Monday of January, 1867.

FACULTY
REV. HENRY L. GRAVES, D.D., President
Ancient Languages, Mathematics, Moral and Intellectual Philosophy

MISS ARBY M. RANDOLPH
Modern Languages and Belles Lettres

MISS OPHELIA F. GRAVES
English Literature

MISS SALLIE M. FORT
Music

MISS BETTIE W. GRAVES
Ornamental Department

MICHAEL FARLEY, ESQ.,
Treasurer

Experience per session of twenty weeks, payable in advance, in specie or its equivalent:
Preparatory Department .................. $20.00
Collegiate Department ................... 25.00
Modern Languages, each................... 10.00
Music on Piano........................... 25.00
Use of Instrument........................ 5.00
Music on Guitar.......................... 25.00
Embroidery, Chenille, Wax & Fancy Work ... 20.00
Drawing & Painting in Water Colors ....... 20.00
Grecian or Oriental Painting.............. 20.00
Oil Painting.............................. 30.00
Incidental Fee............................ 1.00
Board per Month........................... 12.50
Washing per month......................... 2.50

Flour taken at market value

Boarders furnish their towels, lights, looking glasses, one pair of sheets and pillow cases.
Pupils are charged from the first of the month in which they enter, to the end of the session, with no deduction or the time lost, either in tuition or board.
Every article of clothing must be marked with the owner's name in full. All letters should be directed to the care of the President.
Instructions relative to correspondence will be carefully observed.
HENRY L. GRAVES, President
December 14, 1866-13:5mos

NEWS OF 1867

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston , Texas) - March 13th, 1867 edition - Page: 11

Loss of the Brig Derby

Particulars of the Wreck - No Lives Lost -
Letter from Capt. McMullen XE "McMullen"

...

The brig Derby which sailed from Galveston on the 26th ult., for Igupoe, Brazil, with one hundred and fifty passengers on board, was wrecked on Sunday, 10th inst., at about 4 1/2 A.M., on the coast of Cuba, about thirty miles west of Havana, at a place called Plaza de Banes, but fortunately no lives were lost. Several of us were pretty badly bruised; and M. Crolle, of Freestone county, Texas, had his collar bone broken; no one, however, was seriously injured.
...

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - April 12th, 1867 edition - Page: 1

Hotel Arrivals
WASHINGTON HOTEL

...
H. A. High, Freestone
W. M. High, do [meaning ditto or also Freestone]
...

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - April 27th, 1867 edition - Page: 1

Hotel Arrivals

PALEMTTO HOUSE - … Mr. Alford, Trinity River, … J. G. Lynch, Pine Bluff … Capt. N. T. Avent, Pine Bluff …

[Mr. Alford is included since I believe him to be from Freestone county.]

Dallas Herald (of Dallas, Texas) - May 25, 1867 edition - Page: 2

The Fairfield, (Freestone county,) Pioneer, has been discontinued for want of support.

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - July 6, 1867 edition - Page: 4

Texas Items

CROPS - The Houston Transcript of July 4th says:
"We have just seen a gentleman from Navarro county, who came all the way through to Houston on horseback, passing through the counties of Freestone, Leon, Robertson, Brazos, Grimes and Montgomery. He says that the wheat crop of Navarro, Dallas and Ellis counties is almost an entire failure on account of the weather. In the other counties mentioned he says that the crops of both of corn and cotton are very poor, and that thousands of acres have been turned out in consequence of having become imbedded in grass and weeds.
...

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - July 9 & 10, 1867 edition - Page: 4

Justifiable Homicide - We learn from the Texas Conservative [a Corsicana paper], that on the 10th of June, Mr. J. Q. Carter, of Freestone, killed Mr. Edwards, a former partner, in a business quarrel. Mr. Carter was placed on trial, and acquitted on a plea of justifiable homicide.

Dallas XE "Dallas" Herald (of Dallas, Texas) - July 13, 1867 - Page: 3
[Also appears Feb. 2 on page 3; Feb. 16 on page 3; March 2 on page 3; March 16 on page 3; March 23 on page 3; April 20 on page 3]

FAIRFIELD FEMALE COLLEGE
FAIRFIELD, TEXAS

The next session of this Institution will commence on the first Monday of January, 1867. [Note - year mistyped. Should be 1868.]

FACULTY
REV. HENRY L. GRAVES, D.D., President
Ancient Languages, Mathematics, Moral and Intellectual Philosophy

MISS ARBY M. RANDOLPH
Modern Languages and Belles Lettres

MISS OPHELIA F. GRAVES
English Literature

MISS SALLIE M. FORT
Music

MISS BETTIE W. GRAVES
Ornamental Department

MICHAEL FARLEY, ESQ.,
Treasurer

Flour taken at market value

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - Sept. 7, 1867 edition - Page: 4

     We have been shown a letter from the interior, which states that there is great mortality among the people of Limestone county. The "black tongue" is the prevailing disease. Not a house but there are four or five confined to their beds. At least so says the writer.
     The wheat crops were cut short by the continued rains. Corn crops are abundant in the vicinity of Freestone and Limestone counties. Waco included.
     Beeves are in fine order, and selling for twelve per head, and in great demand. The grazers are in high spirits, the grass splendid, more luxuriant than it has been for years.
     Texas flour is sold for $12 (specie) per bbl. Butter only 10 cents per pound. Chi[c]kens $5 per dozen. Eggs 35 cents per dozen.

Dallas Herald (of Dallas, Texas) - Sept. 28, 1867 edition - Page: 2

The Bureau Agent at Cotton Gin, Texas, has prohibited the carrying of fire arms in the counties of Freestone, Limestone, and Navarro, after the 1st of October next except by special permission.

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - October 15 & 16, 1867 - Page: 8

Trouble in Freestone -- We learn that a difficulty exists in Freestone among the negroes. Report says that the negroes had subscribed to the building of a school-house near Cotton Gin. One negro refused to pay his quota or discharge it in work. Captain Culver had him arrested, tried, rode on a raid, ducked and otherwise summarily treated, and as soon as the nigger got loose from the military, he prosecuted the negroes who had inflicted the punishment, before Squire Carter. The defendants and their friends armed themselves and refused to be arrested. Captain Culver also came to their assistance, and told Squire that he was the law, and that the proceedings must be dropped. But the enraged freedmen determined to put the matter through, vulgarly believing that the civil law was superior to Captain Culver. Last accounts state that Culver was at Fred. Miller's with an armed body of negroes, and word had been sent to the commandant at Centerville to take the matter in hand and suppress the dark rebellion, and if this was not done by last Tuesday, the gallant citizens of Freestone would regulate the affair themselves. -- Corsicana Observer, Oct. 4.

San Antonio Express (of San Antonio, Texas)
Nov. 28 & 30, 1867 editions - Page: 5 (on the 28th) and 2 (on the 30th)

The Murder of Another United States' Officer
----------
We have the following letter from a gentleman living at Hillsboro, Hill:

Hillsboro, Hill County, Texas }
November 20, 1867 }

     It falls to my lot to report to you another one of those horrid acts which have blackened the reputation of our State.
On Friday the 15th instant, Captain C. E. Culver, the Bureau Agent stationed at Cotton Gin, Freestone county, and his orderly, were murdered three miles north of Springfield, Limestone county.
     It appears that Captain Culver had some little difficulty with one Wm. Stewart, and this same Stewart claims to have killed both Captain Culver and his orderly, and says they fired on him first; but, strange to say, they were shot with different guns. Captain Culver's head was also severed asunder, done with an axe or some other sharp instrument. There was a large bullet hole through his right breast, and there was no hole in the shirts or vest Captain Culver had on at the time he was killed. It is strange that a large ball should pass through a mans body and not through the clothes he had on at the time. It is a great mystery. Would it not be well for good General Reynolds to have this thing thoroughly investigated? The clothes Captain Culver had on are now in the hands of Lieutenant D. F. Stiles, at Waco, and can be seen by any one. These mysteries are quite common in this part of the State.
     Captain Culver was an active member of the Union League of America, and was to open a Council in Springfield on the night of the 16th, and the rebels of that place had said he should not do it, and they made good their threat.
     As soon as I learn further particulars I will write you. There were two freedmen reported to have been killed at Cotton Gin on the 16th, and the rebels were disarming the freedmen in Freestone county on the day of the threat to kill Captain Culver.
   Yours in haste,
                        J. H. TOLEDO

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - November 30, 1867 edition - Page: 7

More Decapitations
-----------

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF TEXAS }
AUSTIN, TEXAS, November 18, 1867 }

SPECIAL ORDERS, No 206.

V.      Upon the receipt of this the commanding officer, post of Waco, Texas, will immediately order 2nd Lieutenant D. F. Stiles, 26th Infantry, and 25 picked men, to proceed to Cotton Gin, Freestone County, Texas, and establish a temporary military post.
     Thirty days rations will be furnished this detachment, the necessary camp and garrison equipage, and forty rounds of ammunition to each man, will be issued.
     The Quartermaster's Department will furnish the necessary transportation.

VI. 1st Lieutenant James F. Hill, 6th U. S. cavalry, with a detail of 10 cavalrymen, will at once proceed to Cotton Gin, Freestone County, Texas, and investigate the killing of C. E. Culver, late Sub-Assistant Commissioner, and a U.S. soldier at that place. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, he will report to his proper station, and report to this headquarters.

By command of Brevet Major General J. J. Reynolds.

C. E. Morse,
1st Lieut, 26th Inft'y, A.A.A.G.

------------

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF TEXAS }
AUSTIN, TEXAS, November 19, 1867 }

SPECIAL ORDERS, No 207.

I. In compliance with authority from the Major General commanding the Fifth
Military District, the following appointments and removals are made:

...
FREESTONE COUNTY COUNTY"
Wm. Patton to be clerk of the county court, vice A. G. Anderson, removed.
...

San Antonio Express (of San Antonio, Texas) - Dec. 6, 1867 edition - Page: 1

Our Galveston Letter
--------

The Coming Convention - Removal of Headquarters - The Brenham Desperadoes -
Violation of Orders - Freedmen's Schools - Personal - City Items - Erratum

Galveston , Texas, Dec. 1, 1867

Editor San Antonio Express:.
..
     Reliable information of the murder of Mr. Culver, the Bureau Agent at Cotton Gin, places the matter in an altogether different light from that which was derived from rebel sources.
     Mr. Hall, a Union citizen of Cotton Gin, was, on the day of the murder, traveling in a carriage with his wife, from Freestone county to Springfield. He states that on his way, at a place where the roads forked, he was suddenly startled at the appearance of three desperadoes, fully armed, who, emerging from the bushes, peered eagerly into the carriage; but, seeing a lady present, they suffered the vehicle to pass on. Mr. Hall remarked to his wife, on passing them:
     "Those men are up to some mischief-they intend to waylay some Union man."
     His wife, who was alarmed, replied that she was fearful they intended to do some harm to her husband, who was well known as a Unionist; being, in fact, employed as a clerk for the Bureau Agent. Mr. Hall, however, attributed to his wife's presence the fact of no assault being made on him. It did not occur to him at the time, though he knew of the absence of Mr. Culver and his orderly, that they were on the same road and would have to pass by this place. Later he heard of the murder of Captain Culver and his orderly, saw their bodies riddled with musket balls and buckshot, and the deep ax wound nearly severing the neck of the body of Culver; and, going back to the spot whence he had encountered the desperadoes, saw marks of blood and struggle. The supposition is that at this place, Culver with his orderly were beset by the ruffians; that at the first fire Culver was brought to the ground, from his horse; that the orderly was unhorsed but able to limp off, as the blood marks on the ground plainly showed; but that, firing again, the orderly was killed; and, though the death of Culver was certain probably at the first fire of the party, yet to make sure, the inhuman monsters nearly severed by the blows of an ax, his head from his lifeless body. During the melee, it is presumed, Stewart got wounded, either from the fire of his own party or the waylayed men, and that therefore the bodies of Culver and his orderly were carried to the vicinity of Stewart's house and the story of killing in self-defense, etc., originated.
...
   HUMPHREY

Dallas Herald (of Dallas, Texas) - Dec. 17, 1867 edition - Page: 2

1st Lieut. Jas. F. Hill, 6th U.S. Cavalry, has been ordered by Maj. Gen. Reynolds, to "proceed to Cotton Gin, Freestone County, and investigate the killing of C.E. Culver, late sub-asst. Commissioner, and a United States soldier, at that place." -- Second Lieut. D.F. Stiles, 26th Infantry, has also been ordered to Cotton Gin, with 25 picked men, to establish a temporary military post at that place.

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas)
Dec. 19 & 21, 1867 editions - Page: 6 (on 19th) and 5 (on 21st)

Letter from Freestone County.
Fairfield, December 1, 1867

Editor Flake's Bulletin:
     After having been well acquainted with all the country in Middle Texas, and comparing notes of soil, climate, etc., we are convinced that there is no portion of the State, combining so many advantages as the country bordering on a line between the prairie and timber. Just here we have the advantage of the bracing and invigorating atmosphere of the prairie, and not far enough in the timber to be debilitated physically by the malaria of the timber swamps.
     Its here we can raise a variety of crops, the soil and atmosphere being adapted to the growth of almost everything, whilst in the prairie, or wheat region proper, it is so subject to drought, as to make the growing of corn and cotton profitable; in the lower timber regions, where cotton grows luxuriantly, also the excessive hear and moisture produces the smut, or rust in the wheat. The very pabulum, in a heated, stagnant, moist atmosphere, on which the cotton plant feeds and grows fat, is poisonous to small grain, as well as to human health. Ordinarily, fruits and vegetables (except small grain) do not grow to much perfection in the prairie or wheat region. Potatoes are carried from the timber into the wheat region and exchanged for wheat readily, measure for measure. The malarial fevers prevail to a great extent every year in the timber, while in the wheat region there is a perfect immunity enjoyed, except in the creek and river bottoms. The last two or three years have been an exception to this general rule; particularly last year. The rains have extended far in the great north-western prairies, and have carried with them malaria to poison the blood, as well as vegetable productions, large potatoes and ears of Indian corn, etc. Wherever the waters have been dried by the solar hear, the fevers have been more general than in the river bottoms, where the atmosphere was kept humid all the season. Such is the powerful effect of malaria on the constitution that you can point a citizen of the prairie or timber as accurately as you can a Mississippi overseer from a Tennessee hog-driver.
     Most of the emigration this year is into the open prairies or wheat region. There is a constant stream progressing here all the time, we estimate that there has been an average of twenty wagons passed daily since the first of November, sometimes more than a dozen in a train. At night the roads are illuminated by their fires, most of them look and careworn, as if they had seen better days, and wished to better their condition. You can guess well where they are from, by their teams and outfit. A long string of oxen, Eastern Texas; small ox team, or poor mules, Louisiana; horses or mules, and wagons all in good fix, Tennessee, or beyond the Mississippi' one thing to be noted, no negroes and but few boys.
     It is sometimes interesting to interrogate them: for example, meeting a man and family with two yoke of oxen, pony tied behind, says he is from Fanning county, his reasons for moving; has not seen a dollar of his own since the war; learns there is plenty of money at Bryan; says there is an abundance of every sort of provisions in Fannin, but no market nearer than Jefferson; is tired of waiting for the Central railroad to tap him; thinks he must go to the road. He popped his whip after we suggested to him that he probably had been too hasty in leaving the "flesh-pot"; that he would think of them at Bryan, where too many had already congregated to catch the few floating pennies; that he ought to have husbanded his resources, and waited for the Central railroad.
             Upper Country

NEWS OF 1868

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - May 12th, 1868 edition - Page: 1

Hotel Arrivals

PALMETTO HOUSE - N. T. Clifford, Freestone co - A. P. Steward, do [ditto] -
Wm. Roberts, do [ditto]

[I guess this is John Edwin Bonner s/o William]

The Daily Austin Republican (of Austin, Texas) - July 23, 1868 - Page: 3

NOTICE to Creditors that Bankrupt has applied for Final Discharge.
In the District Court of the United States for the Western District of Texas.
In the matter of J. E. Bonner, vs. Creditors, Bankrupt. In Bankruptcy.
United States District Court, Clerk's Office At Austin, on the 21st day of
July, A.D. 1868.
Please to take notice hereby, that a petition has been, to wit, on the 15^th day of July, A. D. 1868, filed in said District Court, by J. E. Bonner, of Freestone County, in said District, who has been heretofore, duly declared bankrupt under the act of Congress entitled "An act to establish a uniform system of bankruptcy throughout the United States," approved March 2, 1867, for a discharge and certificate thereof, from all his debts and other claims proveable under said act, and that the 14th day of August, A.D. 1868, at 2 o'clock p.m., at Austin, before W.D. Price, Register in Bankruptcy, the time and place assigned for the hearing of the same; when and where you may attend, and show cause, if any you have, why the prayer of the said petition should not be granted.
                MATTHEW HOPKINS
                Clerk of the U.S. District Court
                    For said District

The Daily Austin Republican (of Austin, Texas) - August 4, 1868, p. 2, c. 2

Judge Hancock stated in his speech on Saturday last, that there has been but one instance of opposition to the military authorities in Texas, and that took place sometime ago in Freestone county. . . . We would also inform him that at Tyler the officer in command has been for some time on the defensive, several of his men have been killed and reinforcements have been called for by the officer to enable him to hold the post.

The Daily Austin Republican (of Austin, Texas) - Sept. 24, 1868 edition - Page: 3

What Does it Mean ?

     We take the following from the State Gazette of Sept. 23. We will have something to say in regard to them hereafter:
     THE FREESTONE DIFFICULTIES – We are happy to announce that the Freestone difficulties are all over. Messrs. McCracken and Henry left here the other day for home, bearing the order of Gen. Reynolds, which will prevent any further arrests of parties implicated in the resistance to the military, near Cotton Gin, some time ago, except as to one, who has fled the country. These gentlemen speak in complimentary terms of the Commanding General.
     Now we say, with deliberation, that with the triumph of the radical party and the election of Grant, …

Flake’s Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - Sept. 25, 1868 edition - Page: 4

The Freestone Affair

The following paragraph disposes of the cases of those persons concerned in the affair in Freestone county, in which three murderers were taken from arresting parties, a Lieutenant and ten men:
HEADQUARTERS 5th MILITARY DISTRICT,
State of Texas

Austin, Texas, Sept. 19, 1868.

Special Orders, No. 36
1. The parties charged with an assault with intent to kill, in Freestone county, in the month of April last, and who were rescued from military custody by a body of armed citizens, have been surrendered to the military authority at Austin for trial. One of the ringleaders of the rescuing party has fled the State; the other has already suffered severely from an accident and loss of property. No further proceedings in this case will be taken with regard to the rescuing party, who are believed to have been mislead by said ringleaders. They are released from parole, and can returned to their homes and business with assurance of the protection of the government, so long as they continue to respect and obey the laws thereof, and of this State, as good citizens. These conditions apply to all concerned, except the man who has fled the State.

-----------------------------
[same issue, same page]

Military Appointments:

...
Freestone County-- Davis S. Evans, to be Justice of the peace for Precinct No. 4, to fill a vacancy.

Flake’s Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - Sept. 26, 1868 edition - Page: 4

The Freestone troubles are now in a fair way for final settlement. Gen. Reynolds having agreed to cease making further arrests in Freestone, provided Messrs. Davis and Oliver would peacefully surrender themselves to the military authorities at Austin, those gentlemen this week were to have departed for Austin, for that purpose, accompanied by Judge E. A. McCracken, of Freestone, and John Henry, Esq. of Limestone.
-- Texas Conservative, Sept. 19th

Gen. Reynolds agreed did he?

Flake’s Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - Oct 20, 1868

LIST OF POST-OFFICES IN TEXAS

Cotton Gin, Freestone.....R. H. Roark
Fairfield, Freestone......S. W. Moorhead

NEWS OF 1869

Flake’s Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - January 2, 9, and 16^th, 1869 - Page: 8

Fairfield, Freestone Co., Nov. 21, 1868 - The Galveston News send four more copies to this office than Flake's Bulletin, and the Houston Telegraph five copies less than Flake's Bulletin.
SAM. W. MOOREHEAD, P. M.

Flake’s Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - January 30, 1869 - Page: 8

Districting of Texas

...
8. To the Post, of Waco, embracing the counties of Bosque, Hill, Navarro, Coryell, McLennan, Freestone, Falls, Bell, Hood, Johnson, Ellis and Limestone, companies D and G, Seventeenth Infantry and company E, Sixth Cavalry. Headquarters at Waco, McLennan county.
...

Houston Union (of Houston, Texas) - June 9, 1869 - Page: 4

Republican State Convention. Official Proceedings.

Houston, Texas, June 7th, 1869
...
18th, Robertson, Leon and Freestone - P. W. Hall, Jack Rodgers, Saml. W. Morehead. Alternates, T. Angling, Benj. Winn, Ed Butler, Benj. Thornton, Peter Miller.
...

Flake’s Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - June 12, 1869 - Page: 2

Constitution of the State of Texas

Adopted by the Constitution Convention convened under the Reconstruction Acts
of Congress passed March 2, 1867, and the Acts supplementary thereto; to be submitted for ratification or rejection at an election to take place on the first Monday of July, 1869.

...

[Senatorial and Representative Districts]
...
18th District - Robertson, Leon and Freestone.
...

Flake’s Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - June 19, 1869 - Page: 5

Headqur's Fifth Military District }
State of Texas }
Austin, Texas, June 12, 1869 }

General Orders, No. 139

The following appointments to civil office are hereby made:
   Freestone county - Fred. W. Reinhard, county judge, vice N. L. Wormack, disqualified.
   Charles William Stocker, clerk of the county court, vice A. G. Anderson, disqualified.
   Hugh George and Henry Stagner, county commissioners, vice W. McDaniels and E. A. McCracken, disqualified.
   Charles William Stocker, justice of the peace, precinct No. 1, vice W. F. Watson, resigned.
   Freestone county - Sergeant Frederick L. Clarke, Company L, Fourth Cavalry, sheriff, to fill a vacancy.
   III. First Lieutenant Phineas Stevens, Thirty-fifth Infantry, Brevet Captain, U.S.A., having elected under the provisions of paragraph 1, section 3,
General Orders No. 17, current series, Headquarters of the Army, to "await orders", is hereby relieved from duty with his regiment. He will report in person at the Headquarters for orders.
   IV. Brevet Captain Phineas Stevens, First Lieutenant, U.S.A. is hereby assigned to duty as Agent for the State of Texas, and is authorized to contract in behalf of the State with Texas Central Railroad for convict labor out of the State Penitentiary for said road; and will continue to act as Agent for the State in carrying out the provisions of such contract, under instructions from this Headquarters.

Flake’s Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - Aug. 4, 1869 - Page: 4

Editorial Paragraphs

Mr. E. T. Jackson writes to us claiming that he was the inventor of the revolving dining table, and that he dined fifty people from off one in Freestone county in the year 1861, and on the fourth of July. He gives some further particulars by which it appears that his table had attachments superior to those which are patented. We do not describe these lest somebody shall steal the improvements, as they seem to have done with the original invention.
An inventive genius, ten to one he is a printer, has invented a revolving dinner table, which much resembles the inking plate on a small card press. There is an outside circular rim that is stationary, on this the diners place the plates from which they eat, while the dishes from which are served stand on a revolving centre piece, thus each guest may bring the food to his own plate and dispense with Caesar, Pompey, and the rest of the waiting fraternity.

Flake’s Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - August 21, 1869 - Page: 5

Military Appointments

Freestone county - James King, county commissioner, vice John Burleson, disqualified.

The Galveston Tri-Weekly News (of Galveston, Texas) - August 27, 1869 - Page: 1

Texas News

The Fairfield Ledger estimates the cotton of Freestone county this year, at seven or eight thousand bales. A great draw-back to the county is the poor mail facilities. The Ledger says according to contract Fairfield should have a semi-weekly mail but it comes nearer being a semi-monthly.

[Page: 2 of same issue]

Texas News

The Fairfield Ledger, of the 20th says, that in Freestone county the reports from the crops are as cheering as could be desired. Should the worms come now, they couldn't prevent the making of a pretty good crop. The fear now is on account of hands to gather the cotton. Nothing like enough can be gotton [gotten] in the county.

[Page: 4 of same issue]
[Note – The Fairfield mentioned is Fairfield, S.C. While not topical to Freestone Co., TX., I included just because of its interesting history.]

Confederates Still in Yankee Prisons

The Sumter Watchman states that a lame man passed through that town a few days ago, calling himself a Confederate soldier, and stated that he had been released from prison at Johnson' Island in December, 1868. He says that when he left that place there were eighty-six Confederate soldiers at that place who had not been home or heard from their friends since the war. Five of these were from South Carolina, and he gave their names as follows: Major Mobley of Fairfield, about 32 years of age, fair complexion, 5 feet 8 inches or 6 feet high; Lieut. Simmons of Fairfield; Capt. Zeigler and Lieut. Easterling, of Orangeburg, and Lieut. R. W. Boyd of York. He begged that these names should be published, that their friends might learn of their whereabouts and that they were alive.

The Galveston Tri-Weekly News (of Galveston, Texas) - September 8, 1869 - Page: 1

Texas News

A correspondent of the Fairfield Ledger, writing from Cotton Gin, Aug. 25th says:
Fine rains have fallen in and around this place lately, which has insured a good cotton crop. Some complaint of boll worm, but only among a few farmers. I think we may certainly count on ten thousand bales of cotton for Freestone; she has double the area of land in cotton this year that she had in last year, and the prospect is equally as fine. From an account kept by Major A., lately of this place, there was sent upwards of eight thousand bales from the crop of 1868, surely our calculations for this year's crop are not too large. Some of our farmers have already commenced picking. There seems to be considerable uneasiness felt in regard to the scarcity of laborers for gathering the cotton.

The Galveston Tri-Weekly News (of Galveston, Texas) - September 10, 1869 - Page: 4

DR. J. S. WILLS'
Family Eclectic Medicines
Prepared at Cotton Gin, Freestone Co., Texas

VEGETABLE CALOMEL PILLS
     This medicine is composed of the concentrated and active principles of vegetables, consequently the dose is small and of uniformity of strength. It possesses all the good properties of the mineral calomel, and none of its bad effects, and may be given safely and successfully in all cases when the mineral calomel, blue mass, or other cathartic is indicated, and is superior to anything else in removing the morbid matter from the human system and in exciting a healthy action of the liver and other secretions. One dose is generally sufficient to reduce a fever.
     Dose - Two pills; 1 if easy acted on; if hard or costive, 3 pills.
     Price per box, containing 24 pills, 50 cents, or 10 pills 25 cents.

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CHILL KILLER PILLS
     A certain and effectual cure for Chills and Fever, Remittent, Intermittent, or Billious Fever, and a superior remedy in all cases where tonics and stimulants are indicated.
     Dose - Two pills every one, two, three, or four hours, as may be indicated.
     Price per box, containing 20 pills, 75 cents.

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CHILL KILLER
In Liquid Form

Prepared for such persons as may prefer a liquid to pills, and for children, &c.
Dose - A teaspoonful, given as directed for the pills.
Price per bottle, 75 cents.

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THE CELEBRATED EGYPTIAN REMEDY

Dr. Wills is in possession of this wonderful remedy, and is preparing it in connection with his other medicines for the public. It is the most popular remedy of the world. There is not a pain or ache, nervous or inflammatory, but that this remedy will relieve in five minutes, and in all nervous pains entirely cure.
Price per bottle, 50 cents, 75 cents to $1, as per size.

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The following gentlemen have the above medicines for sale, and pamphlets giving directions how to administer them, with testimonials, recommendations, &c. Call and get one.

    ....
    COL. S. R. WORTHEM, Merchant, Woodland, Texas.
    ...

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - September 15, 1869 - Page: 7

Canvass of Governor Hamilton,
Austin, Sept. 7, 1869

I will address the people of Texas at the times and places following, to-wit:
   September 17 - Georgetown, Williamson county.
   18 - Belton, Bell county.
   20 - Waco, McLennan county.
   21 - Martin, Falls county.
   22 - Calvert, Robertsoncounty.
   23 - Centerville, Leon county.
   24 - Crocket, Houston county.
   25 - Palestine, Anderson county.
   27 - Fairfield, Freestone county.
   28 - Corsicana, Navarro county.
   29 - Athens, Henderson county.
   ...

Dallas Weekly Herald (of Dallas, Texas) - September 18, 1869 - Page: 2

It seems to be the impression among some of the P.M's - Waco for instance - that Dallas is a distributing Postoffice. Frequently, we are assured by our P.M. that large packages of letters are directed to this office, which, upon being opened prove to be fore nearly every Postoffice North, East and West of us, - and some times letters are found among them intended for Limestone, Freestone, Navarro, and other counties, even further South. We are also informed that the P.M. at Bryan was frequently guilty of some violation of duty. We hope the papers at Waco will call the attention of the P.M. at that place to these facts.

The Galveston Tri-Weekly News (of Galveston, Texas) - October 4, 1869 - Page: 1

Texas Items

At the late term of the District court, in Freestone county, in the case of The State vs. Rutherford, for the killing of Waters, verdict of "not guilty". A mistrial in the case of State vs. Milner, who killed Davis. Rebecca A. Grayson vs. J. C. Grayson for divorce - granted.
The Fairfield Ledgers hears of serious damage to the cotton crop, by the long and severe drouth [drought]. It says:
One third of the expected yield has been lost by it. Freestone XE "Freestone" will make as much as the present number of hands can gather anyway.

Dallas Weekly Herald (of Dallas, Texas) - October 9, 1869 - Page: 2

     The Waco Register says a college is to be built at Tehuacana Hills.
     Where are those "Hills" Mr. Register?- [Houston Times]
     Near Cotton Gin, in Freestone County - [Countryman Gentlemen, Tehuacana Hills is in Limestone.
[Corsicana Observer]

San Antonio Express (of San Antonio, Texas) - October 21, 1869 - Page: 2

The Fairfield Ledger, a Hamilton Democratic paper published in Freestone county, thus speaks of the situation:
A more hopeless state of political chaos, could not well exist under the sun, than that which reigns supreme among the opponents of radicalism. There is not a well defined plan for the defeat of that party, nor a recognized line of united action, laid down for the government of the masses of the opposition, within the State.
It certainly looks that way, and what different could have been expected of a political movement which was predicated on the disorganization and disintegration of all political parties in the State. The postponement of the election from July to November killed the Hamilton movement.

Flake's Bulletin (of Galveston, Texas) - November 6, 1869 - Page: 6

Appointments of Boards of Registrars are being made for the various counties in the State. We notice appointments for the following counties:

...
Freestone County - Captain George Ballantine, U.S.A., H.T. George, Geo. Jackson.
...

The Galveston Tri-Weekly News (of Galveston, Texas) - December 6, 1869 - Page: 1

ELECTION ITEMS

The total registration in Freestone county foots up 600.

The Galveston Tri-Weekly News (of Galveston, Texas) - December 10, 1869 - Page: 2

Freestone County

Waco, Dec. 9, 1869

To the Editor of the News:
The official vote of Freestone county stands:
For Governor Hamilton 594; Davis 668;
For Lieutenant-Governor - Flanigan 623; Baker 525; Thompson 36.
For Comptroller - Bledsoe 614; Monroe 292; Diamond 260.
For Treasurer Honey 609; Thomas 602.
For Commissioner General Land Office Spense 595; Keuchler 614.
For Congress Clark 655; Eliot 524.

Evans is elected Senator, certain, in this District.

The Galveston Tri-Weekly News (of Galveston, Texas) - December 13, 1869

[Election Returns]

Freestone ... 594 668

The Galveston Tri-Weekly News (of Galveston, Texas) - December 22, 1869 - Page: 3

Texas Items

The Freestone Ledger says: Our streets are almost daily crowded with immigrants from the older States, seeking homes in his, the Empire State of the South. Freestone is receiving a liberal share, and we have room for many more, and extend a cordial welcome to all who desire good lands, a healthy country and good society, and are willing to assist in developing the vast resources of our county. We do not want politicians, office-seekers, fiddlers or dancing masters, but we want mechanics, farmers, and enterprising men, who know how, and having the will, to build up a country.

The Galveston Tri-Weekly News (of Galveston, Texas) - December 31, 1869 - Page: 4

AGENTS OF THE NEWS

COUNTIES POSTOFFICES AGENTS
...
Freestone Fairfield A. G. Anderson
...

[Same Issue; Page: 6]

Landings on Trinity River with Distances from Galveston
Revised and Corrected by the Pilots,
Messrs. Dugat Williams and J. W. Whitefield.

DISTANCES FROM GALVESTON         One Landing to Next [Total]
…Parker's Bluff...........……………….                        2                   540
…West Point………………………….                      15                 555
...Pine Bluff....…………………………                     20                  575
…Jackson's Bluff……………………..                      15                  590
…Wild Cat…………………………….                     50                  640