AVINGER TOWN
A reprint of an article from Vol.1 No.3 of
Cass County Genealogical Society Bulletin
A TOWN NAMED AFTER DR. J. H. AVINGER
From the Avinger Citizen
owned by: Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Townley

The first Avingers were three brothers who came to America from Germany before the Revolutionary War. Landing in New York, they made their way to the colony of South Carolina, where reference is made in a history book account of the battle of Utah Springs, S. C., to a "widow' Avinger." Reports indicate families by the name of "Avinger" still-living in Southern Germany. It is possible that the early spelling of the name was "Ebinger".

H. S. Avinger, after whom the town of Avinger, Texas was named, was born 9 March 1833, on a farm in Orangeburg, S. C., near the present small town of Vance. He attended the Jefferson School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa., graduating at the age of 19. When 22 years of age he journeyed by ship to New Orleans by river boat via Shreveport and up Cypress Bayou to Jefferson, Texas then 20 miles inland over the Jefferson-Clarksville road to a settlement called "Young's Chapel" He arrived in the spring of 1855.

Young's Chapel was located four miles west of Hickory Hill and three miles west of the present town of Avinger. Both communities are now a part of greater Avinger The community consisted of a Methodist Church (moved to Avinger in the '70's), a general store operated by Alfred Abernathy and three dwellings. Dr. Avinger obtained board and lodging. in the home of Rev. Thomas Young, for whom the town was, named. He returned to South Carolina in the spring and married Mattie Hooker. They returned to East Texas in the spring of 1857, and lived in Young home. The Rev. Thomas Young is the grandfather of Mrs. George Alford who still lives in Avinger.

Dr. Avinger bought the entire James Anders Survey, 640 acre, on 8 Jan. 1860, and built a large log house on the approximate site of the present John Avinger house. This house was remodeled in 1879 and remained in excellent condition until destroyed by fire on 18 June 1928. The lumber was cut in his own mill and planed by hand. His son, I,. H. Avinger, planed much of this lumber under the "big Oak tree" still standing until a few years ago. The Avinger Springs were located at the foot of the hill near the old home place and was once dammed to provide a Mill Race. L. H. Avinger learned to swim in the pool when a friend threw him out of the boat in twelve foot water. L. H., Carrie and Julie were the three Avinger children.

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Dr. Avinger built his first store north of the present Bill Bishop home, and established a General Merchandise concern with emphasis on drugs. The nearest other business north from his store was a blacksmith and carriage shop operated by an old Negro named Ned Cameron. Ned's wife was famous for her ginger bread and "Sweat potato beer". The Hickory Hill community one mile south consisted of a Presbyterian and Baptist church, Post Office and a general store or two. Residents of this vicinity were L.A. Pattillo, Davis Hendricks, M.D. Avinger, and Thos. M. Kimball.

A large orchard on the Avinger place covered the area extending from the present Henry Sturdivant and Esta MaCam residences to the W. A. McCain home and the Methodist Church grounds on the East and South sides of the block. M.D. Avinger, a younger brother of Dr. Avinger, arrived from South Carolina in 1860 and constructed a house about 50 yards East of the present Dean Yarborough house. This house was later occupied by the Fowler family until a portion was ripped off by a tornado, 15 April 1921. The old well on the place is still being used.

Their are Charlie, Kit, a half-brother to Dr. and M.D. Avinger, arrived from South Carolina in the 70's. He came to Hickory Hill via the new Eastline and Red River Railroad, then under construction from Jefferson to points west. The rail was completed to one-half mils of his destination. His first home was built on the present site of the W. L. Montgomery home, where he lived until he sold it to Fred Hall. His next residence was the present home of Mrs. Alice Haynes, and he opened a grist mill near this house. The old cement footing that served as a foundation for his engine is still visible. He was a natural carpenter and many of his sturdy articles are in use today. Kit Avinger died in the house now occupied by Barney Jackson.

When the Red River and Eastline railroad (later known as the Sherman, Shreveport and Southern) reached Avinger farm in 1877, Dr. Avinger, supplied the lumber from his sawmill, built and gave them free, the first depot. The new station was called ~ in his honor and he was made the first agent. One of the first engines ( a narrow gage, wood burner with 2 and a half foot driver wheels) carried the name Dr. J. H. Avinger on the cab instead of the usual number. The depot was located about where the bank is now and he moved his store to about the same site as the present Alford store. Dr. Avinger's store and depot were the first two buildings in Avinger. Hickory Hill Post Office was moved to Avinger on 23 Oct.

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1877, and in to Dr. Avinger's store on 16 Jan. 1878. Catherine Avinger, daughter of the doctor, became the first postmistress at this time.

The rails were extended to the Hearne place, three miles north of town and n turntable erected.

M. D. Avinger also built a building about this time, on the site where the Bishop Station is now located. A fine well of water and a big Oak tree which stood for many years are remembered. The tree was used as a hitching post for horses and teams. The building later housed the post office when M. D. Avinger succeeded his nephew as postmaster on 27 August 1886.

The story of Dr. Avinger's murder as given to us by his grandson, John Avinger:

Tragedy confronted the doctor on 27 June 1881, when walking from his office to his home. While en route he was asked to stop and see a sick colored woman. After treating his patient the doctor stepped from the sick room into the dark hall of the old house where he was attacked by a Negro with a sharp knife. The assailant fell to his knees, and with this movement slashed the doctor across the abdomen. The doctor's only reaction was to ward off the attacker with an extended arm as he slumped to the floor.

It was learned a short time later that the assailant was a Negro by the name of Hicks Ross who was a fugitive from Georgia, wanted for the killing of his wife. He had sharpened his knife at a shoe shop operated by a Mr. Simmons, and he fled into the nearby woods after he had carried out his premeditated deed.

The doctor was carried to his home and lived for three days before dying on 30 June 1881. Ross was captured before the death of the doctor by one of the numerous searching parties combing the area. Various spots where he might be expected to turn up were watched and on about the second day, a Mr. Stroman and another man captured him at a spring as he was drinking.

There was strong feeling among the people and it was contemplated to hang him then and there, and it was at the request of Dr. Avinger that he was turned over to the authorities for proper handling by due process of law. The Negro asked to see the doctor, stating that he was the "best friend he had ever had," and voiced the opinion that the doctor might go his bond: This was an ironic twist for such an occasion.

Ross was given a trial and sentenced to 10 years in the state penitentiary at Huntsville. Records in the trial, and newspaper clippings, indicate that the doctor was.

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instrumental in seeing the Negro receive a light sentence. Ross was reported to have died in prison from inflammatory rheumatism, but a former prison guard later admitted to the Avinger family that he had killed the Negro when he attempted to escape the prison.

Lawrence H. Avinger, son of the doctor, returned from Southwestern University at Georgetown, Texas, on the day of his father's death. He took over the various enterprises of his father, and the care of his mother and sisters. He relieved his sister, Carrie, (now Mrs. Hedik), in the post office, later turning the office over to his uncle. M. D Avinger. L. H. Avinger married Trudy Phillps of Orr Switch, in about 1885.

L. H. Avinger engaged in various businesses in both Avinger and Sulphur Springs, and his son John Avinger, operated the first motion picture theater in Avinger, 1913-14. John Avinger is the only direct descendent residing in the town that bears his name. Mrs. Alice Haynes, daughter of Kit Avinger, still resides in the city also.

The contributions of the Avinger family to the progress of this community will ever be remembered by the citizenship.

(EDITORS NOTE) There are many interesting and informative articles published in the early issues of the Societies publication. Due to the large number of members in the Society today who were not members at that time we have decided to selectively reprint some of those articles. Copies of the early quarterlies are available in some libraries but for those who may not have access to them we hope you find these reprints interesting and informative.

The CASS County HISTORICAL COMMISSION is completing the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the creation of Cass County with a special celebration on April 26, 1997 at the Court House in Linden. The Court House dating from 1859 is still the center of County government, and although it no longer houses all of the governmental functions, it remains the oldest functioning court house in the State of Texas.

It behooves us to remember the efforts and sacrifices of those men and women who struggled through the years to bring us to where we are today.

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