|
Emily Ann Elizabeth (Brown) Stokes-Fullwood
Feb 6, 1839 - Oct 1, 1930
REMINISCENCES OF CORSICANA DURING EARL DAYS GIVEN
PIONEER WOMAN WHO CAME HERE IN 1869 TELLS OF HARDSHIPS ENCOUNTERED
On December 22, 1869, a long train of wagons, consisting of four ox
teams, two yokes to a wagon, eight mule wagons, and two hacks, with
our party of emigrants from Meridian, Miss., having trailed six
weeks through rains, snows, sleet and mud, half frozen and without
breakfast, drove into Corsicana while the most terrible blizzard was
howling, and found our retreat a failure. Oh, how terrible! The
merchants had been notified by Esq. David Haggard Thomas and Dick
Stokes of our coming, so they were on the lookout for us. But what
could they do for us? There was not a tavern, hotel or vacant house
to accommodate such a party.
The merchants were very kind, and sympathetic, but could do nothing
for us, but direct us to a lake or tank of water three miles west of
Corsicana on the Dresden road. And there, we build log heaps and
camped and ate our breakfast and dinner and slept. The warmth of the
fire rejuvenated us and so thawed our almost frozen blood that we
were able the next day to continue our journey and in good time
arrived in Dresden and were taken in and cared for by our brothers,
Thomas and Dick Stokes.
We remained with our kindred until the raging blizzard had spent its
force, and ceased, and the men, W. W. Stokes, father; S. W. Stokes,
husband; G. W. Brown, R. T. Brown, brothers; Hiram Brown, Charley
Ransom, Henry Edwards, and others, went out to Cryer Creek and
bought out the Melton Town, as it was called, and with Mr. Dave
Maggard and Mr. Dave Williams formed the Mississippi Colony.
The railroad was completed as far as Kosse and there was no
furniture store in Corsicana. There were four ox wagons sent there
for bedsteads, chairs and such things as we were in actual need of.
It took three weeks for the wagons to go and return with our much
needed supplies.
To the best of my recollection there was three log store houses, a
log court house and jail, and blacksmith shop. The merchants were
the Keltons of Cryer Creek and the Corsicana Observer gave us the
news of the county. The lumber to build our first home at Cryer
Creek was hauled on ox wagons from East Texas, but when the rail
road reached Corsicana, it brought all things needful and it began
to grow, and spread its wings out to reach further and further,
higher and higher, until it became a city of some importance.
But when the oil field was opened up its growth was like a bed of
mushrooms, it grew so fast. A galloping horse could hardly keep up
with it, and its population is in the thousands instead of a few
hundred.
In January, 1894, I left this county and returned in June, 1926,
but, Oh, what a change. Not a building I can recognize except Col R.
Q. Mills’ home. All the city has changed to more modern residences.
The faces that I once knew and loved have passed away and strangers
have taken their places. Excepting a few can I look into their faces
and say, I once knew you, and love you still.
And now I am old and feeble, an octogenarian, a shut-in, but I enjoy
life, and am glad to look on the changes as they come and go, and
watch the growth of Corsicana from a log village to a large and
flourishing city.
Mrs. E. A. E. Stokes Fullwood, Corsicana, Texas Motor R. A., Box
263.
Notes:
|
Navarro County TXGenWeb