Some of Douglassville Teachers 1919 - 1920
Inez welster, Fenny Hardy McCoy, Alice Ormond

This information was found in the vertical files (on a small scrap of paper) of the Atlanta Public Library. Neither source or author were listed.

This information was copied from The Cass County Genealogical Society, 1976, Vol III, No. 2, pg 10.

DOUGLASSVILLE
By John D. Hanes
Pg. 89

In north central Cass County twelve miles east of Marietta. Named for John Douglass, first settler in 1854.

In traveling Highway No. 59 through Cass County near the Sulphur River, a tourist passes through the community of Douglassville, located on top of a hill, being populated with an extraordinarily cultured people, mostly consisting of descendants of emigrants from Alabama and Georgia dating back to the first settler, who was a man by the name of Petty, who settled about five miles north on the banks of Sulphur River, where he constructed and operated a ferry boat for many years, until killed in an altercation with a man by the name of Watson over a fee charged for crossing.

Mr. Petty settled here in 1853, erecting a home near his ferry, which building survived the floods and storms until 1936, when it burned to the ground. His ferry was widely known throughout the state, as well as adjoining states, and has been mentioned in historical writings of Texas' development, the reason for its renown being the only place in Northeast Texas where a suitable crossing of the Sulphur River could be made, as was Carter's ferry, near Longview.

During the year 1857, several families emigrated to this community from Georgia, among whom mentioned were the families of Collier, Jackson, McCoy, Willis, and Douglass, followed soon thereafter by a party from Alabama consisting of the families named Crawford, Heldt, Hunt, Heath and Brooks. John Douglass, one of the above Georgians, erected a home on the present town site, made from hewn logs, which home, later improved with "mill made lumber" covering the logs, is still standing in excellent state of repair, being now referred to as the "Wilson Home."

The Georgians and Alabamans, evidently, vied with each other in developing this community, each endeavoring to out do the other in inducing immigrants from their respective states to settle here, which is indicated by the arrival in 1869 from Georgia by the families of L.D. Greene, Hardin, Alsup, McWorter and other, later to be followed by the families of Snipes, Swint, Wilson, Carlow, Webster, King and Prof. Granberry in 1870.

These latter arrivals found a flourishing school being conducted here by Josh Crawford who had erected a building and was teaching school on the site adjoining the present cemetery, just off the highway. Later, Prof. Patton erected a three-story structure on the site of the present public school lot, where he conducted a large school system, with enrollment including pupils from other states, as well as a wide area of Texas. These pupils, among whom was the Hon. Judge Talbot, formerly Judge of the Federal District Court in Dallas, Texas, boarded with families living here at that time, while attending Prof. Patton's school.

The history of Douglassville is rich in romance and reminiscences of Civil War days. Dr. A.C. Oliver organized Company D., 1 Texas Infantry, and a Mr. Curtright, father of the community sheriff, drilled volunteers through the thoroughfares of the community. Dr. Oliver was made 1st Lieutenant of his company; Andrew and Sam Carlow were assigned to Company 1, 32nd Texas Cavalry; James Carlow to Company D, 1st Texas Infantry; Willis Carlow to Company B, Morgan's Texas Cavalry and Wm. J. Hendricks to Company K, 7th Confederate Army. James P. Swint, also active in the service, was captured by the "Yankees" and incarcerated at Chicago either for the duration of the war or released in exchange of prisoners. Patrols were stationed along the roads near the town, as precautionary measures against surprise attacks.

A Post office was established here some time prior to the outbreak of the war; a Mr. McFarlane serving as its first mail carrier, transporting the mail to and from Jefferson, where it was brought in and collected by steam boats which docked at that point.

There churches flourished with membership in 1859, the denominations comprising the Protestant Methodist, Methodist Episcopal Church South and Baptist. The two Methodist institutions subsequently merged.

Either a man by the name of Patton or Easley, both of whom were son-in-laws of Abram Chapel, owned and operated the first store in Douglassville, the second one being established by Major Williams at a later date. Dr. Heldt was the first practicing physician, with Dr. Cook the second. The community retired from active service some years past.

Among the old settlers who spent their lives here were; Mr. and Mrs. Moody, grandparents of Senator Morris Sheppard, the families of Grogard, Henderson, Howe, A.C. Smith, Dr. Clopton, Dr. Terhune, Ellington, Powell, Dunklin, Stone, McCoy, Morriss, Judge Booty, of Tyler, and others, all of whom contributed to the social and educational development of this little community.

Douglassville, situated on a high elevation among the hills comprising the upper structure of the geologically defined Sabine Uplift, with its homes, churches, school, business houses and its community house snugly arranged, covering the hill-top as though designed by a master architect, presents a picture of serenity, contentment and happiness, with harmony and peace prevailing, lending inspiration to the artist and poet in search of a present day Eden. It is not surprising, therefore, to find these residents contented with their little community, having no aspirations to develop it to city proportions, but, rather, enjoying the natural environments of simplicity, serenity and sympathy among themselves, offering no encouragement to strangers to settle in their midst, but holding steadfastly to those principals handed down to them by their predecessors who first settled here.

Mr. A.D. Morriss and J.C. (Poor Boy) Morriss, owned the business knows as A.D. Morriss & Son Livestock Commission Co. Sales every Thursday - horses, cows, calves, hogs, sheep, goats, etc.