By Norma Moore
(The article below was taken from "The Flo News" and published in the Buffalo Express December 26, 2006)
Mt. Zion Church has
been established since 1856. Keechi settlement was one of the first to
attract settlers with such desirable land. With Keechi, Buffalo, Alligator
Creeks and the Carter Lake, the fertile land and wooded area all were a natural
resource that captured the attention of many.
The Keechi Indians were the first settlers who were very
satisfied with the water resources. They camped along the banks of the
different creeks and lakes. They soon realized how the land was ripe for
farming their corn and different vegetables. With the abundance of
buffalo, other wildlife and fish they had a good living. The Indians from
the early 1700's until 1851 called Keechi area home due to more settlers and the
lack of Bison diminished their food supply the Indians picked up and moved to
Mineral Wells. The mark they left on our history paved the way for a
resourceful life for the white settlers.
The Keechi settlers have given thanks for all the lessons of
life they have given our people from generation to generation. Many of the
Indians methods are still being used today.
The Mt. Zion Baptist Church was the first community building,
built in 1856. This was the first house of worship being built by the
white settlers. The men and boys built this building so the settlers would
have a place of worship The women and girls served food to the men folk
and cleaned this new wonderful building. They felt blessed with this new
Church; Mt. Zion Baptist Church has been a special legacy since the pioneer
days.
J. T. Danford, along time citizen and dedicated Christian of
Leon County was an outstanding leader on homesteading, farming, land
development. He was a loving family man who provided a wonderful life for
his family. J. T. came to Leon Co. in 1875 from Alabama, upon seeing the
plentiful game, green glades and fertile pastures, knew he had found his home.
First J. T. made his home in Nineveh, Leon Co. settlement. He worked the
land, growing crops, vegetables and raising livestock. J. T. with such a
love for God was a faithful servant, as a Baptist Minister.
J. T. and his wife Rebecca were wonderful parents and
neighbors who were committed to the Keechi Community. They were both of
strong character, hard workers who strove for perfection. Jimmy Scott, Joe
Lee Danford, George Washington, Elijah Coats, Robert Recknors, Homer Johnson,
Doctor Murray Brown, Joe Mullenax, Frank Yerby, Johnnie Keils, Ernie Ferguson,
Robert Nestor, James Selbron and will Magourik are just some of the people who
built Keechi into a thriving community.
Keechi meaning "The Land of Peaceful Waters" well fit this
community. In 1895 when other settlers chose Keechi for their home wanted
to do away with the Indian name so they held a vote and the town was renamed
"Fay". Yet in 1906 due to another vote the town went back to being known
as Keechi. Keechi was a thriving, flourishing town during the pioneer
days. With a church, large general store, small stores, post office, two
schools (with four teachers), a Mexican school, stage coach service, sawmill,
cotton gin, and a dipping vat.
There is a legend that two families, Brooks and Green drove
six hundred head of Longhorn from Mississippi to Keechi where they had some
land. This caused quite a stir and still being talked about today.
Keechi has been known for its people also such as Preachers, Brother Bob, J. W.
Recknor, J. T. Danford all of Keechi built a Christian foundation for Mt. Zion
Church, bringing a remarkable ministry to Leon county. Since 1856 there
have been faithful servants all through the years carrying on the service of
worshipping and serving God. their Church motto as rue Christians
contriving to carry on "The Sword of The Lord". Pleasing God is the heart
and soul of the Keechi community.
(cont. in Buffalo Express published Jan 2, 2007)
The Church was erected in 1857 with the foundation of Keechi
settlement that was established in 1856. The Mt. Zion Church was the heart
and soul of the Keechi community. The Church started out as an independent
Baptist Church with Bro. W. T. Chase, S. P. Cummings and J. W. Richardson as the
preachers. This Church was built with loving hands by Christian families
who dreamed of a blessed homeland.
Some of the original settlers who built and established
Keechi were S. M. Brown and wife Julia; they both were teachers and
homesteaders. He taught at Peeler Switch, walking five miles each way.
She taught at Keechi. Dr. Brown soon became Leon county's first doctor.
He attended medical school in Tennessee, returning to Keechi to have a long
history as a County doctor.
Dr. Brown tended to the peoples medical needs by riding his
horse with his medical bag fitted with his supplies. He rode the roads
tending to his patients as a family doctor and dentist.
George Washington and Martha coats were homesteaders and
business owners of a general store in Keechi. They provided trade and
economic growth. Other business owners in Keechi were Val and Molly
Mullenax family. they were decent, respectable, hard working citizens who
were very important to Keechi in making it a developed, worthy township.
George Coats family has been in residence since the 1800's
and has been home to one generation after another. Elijah and Mary Coats
were important farmers, ranchers and dedicated members to Mt. Zion Baptist
Church. Elijah was a Mason and she was an Eastern Star. They both
loved, supporting parents and the best of neighbors. They served the
people and their community to the fullest. They are credited with being of
noble character and their decedents have followed in their foot steps.
Loy coats married Homer Johnson they were homesteaders,
leaders, farmers, ranchers, teachers, they both taught at Sand Lake. He
was the principal at Keechi who brought advanced educational standards.
With love for this great Country served with honor in the U. S. Army Corps of
Engineer.
Their children Sue, Lary and Sammy who are homesteaders in
Keechi with beautiful property, they work hard with adding improvements to the
land. Between these three outstanding people Keechi has pride and honor.
Sue and Lary are both Pharmacists and Sammy being an Anesthetist are remarkable
in promoting advanced medical technology for Leon County. We feel so
blessed to have them in our community.
Beatrice Coats who was married to Lester Danford were
prominent homesteaders of Keechi and devoted Christians and lifetime members of
Mt. Zion Church. Beatrice a promising devoted teacher of Sand Flat,
Oakwood, Concord, and Buffalo Schools was excellent in the educational gain.
Lester was a building contractor and stock farmer who helped
with land, home, and community development. He and his wife also helped
with establishing the Masonic Lodge in Leon County. Lester also served as
a soldier in WWII and was a hero to his County.
Joe Mullenax and family who were proper citizens who were
farmers, ranchers, business administrators and public servants of Keechi, Flo,
Centerville, buffalo and Jewett all through our history. In the beginning
Joe married Annie (Yerby) Mullenax. "Aunt Annie" was known for being a
role model and one of the sweetest ladies you could ever know.
Joe was a Leon County deputy, he and Annie lived in the
Centerville Court House area, beneath the old jail that was upstairs, and Annie
kept a watchful eye day and night.
The Yerby and Mullenax families have a long history in the
Keechi community. Franklin Monroe Yerby was an outstanding carpenter,
blacksmith, and Post Master in Flo. His daughter Zelda worked at the Post
Office in Flo. Frank was honored with a party to celebrate his
eighty-eight birthday at the home of Joe and Annie Mullenax, this was a great,
great event.
Val and Molly (Henson) Mullenax, who have brought great
wealth and promotional opportunities and with them we have our Gondal, Rondal,
Cindy and Randy Mullenax and their children. The all bring such special
leadership to the Community.
Molly Henson, the descendant of Oscar Henson and James Mae
Henson all settlers of Keechi have been vital in bringing greatness in the
Christian family establishment to Keechi.
James Mae owning several acres of land has brought land
development to a new level. James Mae and family members have all gone
into the teaching profession and have done a mighty fine job.
Ernie Sr., Ernie Jr. Ferguson, Pleaz and David Ferguson all
long time leaders of Keechi can be credited with helping Keechi keep its
greatness and moral character.