Hickory Grove   This was a settlement very near Bristol (exact road and location unknown). In 1886, people at Hickory Grove were busy branding cattle. Gilpin and Mullican, J. M. and Thomas Mullican had well known brands. Gilpin's pasture was the branding place on May 4, 1889. Between that date and 1900, Mullican bought Gilpin's interest. A ledger kept by the latter proved the versatility of the farmers. Plowing, planting, harvesting, keeping count of cattle, branding, acting as veterinarian and keeping a weather chart were a part of their daily life. Mr. Mullican kept for himself and others such recipes as "Leniment for horses: Alcahall - 1 pint; Camphor gum = 1/2 oz.; turpentine = 1=1/2 oz., Laudnam - 1/2 oz;; Harts horn = 1/2 oz; Oil of spike - 1/2 oz, Kian peper - 1/4 oz. applie often." Hickory Grove Store near Bristol The Hickory Grove gin and general store were owned by Wm. Mullican and his son, Lon. In 1909, the gin was operated by Morris Gilly. J. P. Sims bought the store and gin the same year and Ed Littleton was store manager. Mullican bought them back within a short time and operated both until they burned. One building doubled as a house of worship and school house. Reverend Thompson was well known for his all-day preaching. Among the teachers were Misses Sparkman and Pritchett, Carl Jones and M. M. Yowell. The building burned in 1921 and the pupils transferred to Bristol. References: Hawkins, et al, Ellis County History Workshop, History of Ellis County, Texian Press, Waco, 1972 Files of Mr. T. L. Mullican, Dallas, Texas Interview with Morris Gilley and Walter Wims   Copyright © 2002-2016, Ellis County TXGenWeb. All Rights Reserved. This page was last modified: Thursday, 01-Jul-2021 13:17:08 MDT