Museum Memories
Submitted by Lucille Glasgow - Clay Co. 1890 Jail Museum
Henrietta, Texas

Among the many papers, clippings, photos, etc. that have accumulated in the Museum through gifts and estate "leavings" since 1997, when we opened, we often find odds and ends of which we have no record of the collector or donor. As we have learned more about cataloging and putting records in the computer, we are closing the gap on such unknowns. 

Anyway, we have an undocumented copy of The Flea, Vol. I, No. 4, put out in Jacksboro, Texas, April 15, 1869. It is an 8 x 16" paper folded to make a 4 page newspaper.  It has 2 pages of news and comments and 2 pages of ads. Even though I cannot space the ads as they are in the original, I think you will find them interesting as you recall that Jacksboro was in 1869 the location of an active military post, Fort Richardson. I will use most of the original spellings, punctuations and wording.

"The Flea - A First-Class Journal devoted to Politics, Religion, Science, The Arts, Music and the Drama. Published semi-monthly at JACKSBORO, TEXAS, by H.H. McConnell, editor and proprietor." (I am assuming this is the same man who wrote the classic Five Years a Cavalryman or Sketches of Regular Army Life on the Texas Frontier. He was stationed at Fort Richardson in 1869 and in the book quotes from The Flea as their paper.)

"LOCAL ITEMS - The paymaster, the one officer of the army to whose advent the troops look forward to with anticipations of 'a big time' and whose exit is generally marked by a universal spree, made his appearance and paid the men four months' pay on the 6th inst."

"Brevet Brig. General James Oakes, Colonel 6th Cavalry, is expected to arrive this week to assume command at Fort Richardson. In the event of his arriving, Col. Morris will proceed to Greenville to take command there."

"We shall not chronicle any more of the changes in the Quartermaster's Department of the Post until we establish a 'daily.' A semi-occasional journal cannot keep even with the items."

"Mr. R. W. Duke, of the Weatherford Times, is announced as a candidate for the office of District Clerk of Parker County. We trust that he will be able to 'set up' his formidable competitors, and 'knock' the rest of them into 'pi!'

"Eastin (evidently the proprietor of a dry goods, grocery store - see ad later) is so popular that he is like 'Mrs. Winslow's soothing syrup' - the children even care for him. (It has been said that no man can be really a bad man who loves children, and whom the children love, and we know of one little girl who walked a long distance to return to our friend Eastin an
article that she saw him drop.) But to change the subject, he has a fine assortment of new goods, champagne of several brands; and in fact his shelves are filled with a variety of choice articles in every branch in which he usually deals. [We expect Eastin will withdraw his patronage after the above notice. Editor]"

"The first of April came as it usually does, in the early part of the month, and we regret to state that the senior editor of this journal was victimized by Messers Aynes & Boaz, of our town. On the morning in question; the editor was very dry, and just then an individual appeared bearing gracefully under his arm a suspicious looking package which proved to be a bottle. On removing the wrapper a note was found with the compliments of two above named parties, asking the editor to accept the bottle as a slight mark of their esteem, & c. The cork was quickly removed, about 4 fluid ounces poured into a tumbler, and a smile spread itself over our senior's handsome face as he raised it toward his head. But, alas! He discovered it was nothing but rain water slightly colored with brown sugar, and he remembered at once, what he had before forgotten, that it was 'all fool's day,' and that he belonged to the noble army of victims of the time honored day. We forgive those two unhappy men. If their consciences can rest easy, we are satisfied."

"The New Constitution" - "The most memorable day in the annals of Texas, will be the 5th day of next July, and if the people of the state do their duty as we are satisfied they will, future generations will rise up and call them blessed. There are things in the proposed constitution that may be repugnant to the deeply rooted prejudices of many, but the patriot should reflect that he has to choose between two alternatives; Texas in the Federal Union, with all her rights restored, her senators and representatives giving her voice in the councils of the nation, if they adopt it.

"Texas out of the Union - her prairies and her towns echoing with the tramp of federal soldiers - her civil power a mere shadow - without substance - no rights, no privileges, no future - except a gloomy one - if they reject it.  Every thinking man must see that the only hope for this great state is to as speedily as possible resume its relations with the Union, for with its vast resources, mineral, agricultural, grazing, its immense extent of territory, large enough for an empire, and a climate that is unsurpassed, once back in the family of states, emigration will flow to it in a mighty wave, and before this generation has passed sway, it will be justly called the empire state of the Southwest. Think of this, voters! Don't let our demagogues and hot-headed politicians mislead you.

"Just eight years age today, the South entered on a struggle brought on by our fanatic leaders, and a desolate country and a million of bereaved families speak in unmistakable language as to the folly or the wickedness, or both, of the men who inaugurated the war. Let the people adopt this Constitution, and when Texas comes back into the Union there will be greater rejoicing among the angels in heaven over the one prodigal returned, than
over all of the states (such as our native state, for instance [Pennsylvania] ) 'that need no repentance.' "

"Four 'vacant chairs' were left in the garrison last week - four foolish soldiers having vamosed."

"We have reason to believe that the Courthouse will be finished in a year or two - if they have good luck."

"Mr. Henson, who killed a soldier at this place in November, 1867, has been released from the Post Guard House and turned over to the civil authorities, and is under heavy bail for his appearance at court."

"Every now and then a horse or two disappears from the vicinity of town, and we think, that if the people who lose their stock would use a little energy in tracing it up, that they would find these Indians to be native Texans; for it is hardly creditable that any small party of Indians would have the temerity to come right into the center of the town to steal."

"The Proprietors of 'the Coffee House' desire us to state that they will purchase all kinds of country produce."

"Snyder & Co's new drug and dental establishment is approaching completion, and two of the firm have gone to Galveston for a stock of goods."

"Capt. Madden has sold his property in town to Henry Thompson, Esq., and has moved into one of the new officers quarters at the post."

"The Company gardens at the post are looking well; the last few days of warm sunshine have brought things up wonderfully, and from appearances, the men will have an abundance of vegetables this summer."

"Aynes tells the following: He says a backwoodsman came into his store the other day, looked around to see the stock, and finally his eye lighted on some sardines. 'Look a here, stranger,' said he to David, 'let's have a box of them thar greased minnows.' "

"Now this may be true, but then Aynes played a cruel trick on our senior, on the first inst., and we hav'nt the same confidence in him we had. At the same time, he certainly has the finest lot of Queensware ever brought to this place. He can give you a splendid chamber sett, tea sett, or dinner sett, or sell you the pieces separate."

"A few short months ago it might truly have been said of Jacksboro, that: 'The sound of a church-going bell, These valleys and rocks never heard, Never sighed at the sound of a knell, Or smiled when the Sabbath appeared.'

"Now, a place of public worship is open every Sunday, and quite a crowd of well-dressed people, large and small, may be seen on the square going or cumming from church. We don't believe there is a more orderly frontier town anywhere than ours is."

"(Our Junior wants us to ask whether the great change for the better is not in some measure due to 'The Flea,' but we set our face against self-praise. Senior Editor)"

    Advertisements:

" S. W. Eastin, Jacksboro, Texas- Dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries, Hardware, Queensware, Hats, Boots and Shoes, Yankee Notions, A general assortment of Fancy Goods - Particular attention will be paid to filling the orders of either civilian or those connected with the army, for all specialities procurable in the Northern Markets. - Robertson County Whiskey always on hand, February 1, 1869."

"E. Eastbrun is now receiving at his store, Jacksboro, Texas, a large assortment of Dry Goods, Groceries, Notions, Military Caps, Hardware, Trimmings, Lamps, Stationary, etc., all of which he intends to sell at prices that Will Astonish the Word! - Wines, Brandies, Whiskey and Cordials, he has always on hand, as well as Fine Tobacco and Segars. Give him a call, 'see and believe,' "

"Aynes & Robinson, (Southwest Corner Public Square,) Jacksboro, Texas, are always supplied with a Full Assortment of Ladies Goods, consisting of all wool DeLaines, Mohairs, Alpacas, & choice Prints, and have just received an assortment of Silk and Cloth Paletots, which are sold at New Orleans prices. Family Groceries, Army Supplies, Trimmings, Stationary, Liquors, Wines, & Cordials, as well as choice brands of Cigars & Tobacco. This is the place to 'get your money back.' "

"Public Sale! Will be sold at Public Auction, by the undersigned, to the highest bidder at the Commissary Building, Fort Richardson, Tex, at noon, of Monday, April 26, 1869, the following articles of condemned Commissary property: One Platform Scale, one Iron Safe. The articles to be removed by the purchaser the day of sale. Term cash. (National currency) to be paid on the removal of the property. G. E. Overton, 2nd Lieut, 6th Cavalry, C.S.A.
Apr 15, 1869."

"Robbins & Co., (Rock store on public square) Jacksboro, Texas. Have on hand and are constantly receiving the largest stock of goods ever brought to this frontier, consisting of dry goods, groceries, hardware, saddlery, cloths, clothing, cassimeres, dress goods, straw and willow ware, Yaykee Notions and in fact everything usually kept in a first class country store. Don't take their word for it, but satisfy yourself."

"Cooper & McCown, Jacksboro, Tex. Dealers in family groceries, flour, corn-meal, produce, grain, hides and pelts, have also the finest bar room north of Waco. The bar is always supplied with the choicest drinkables, the finest cigars, & everything required to make it a first class sample room.  Two splendid marble-bed billiard tables and well lighted and comfortable room are among the attractions."

"E.J. Brown, attorney at law. Conveyancing, adjusting land titles, making deeds, registering wills, and pleading at the Courts of Jack, Denton, Parker, and Wise counties attended to. (Remember that Clay Co. was not reorganized until 1873.) Office, with J. l. Oldham, Post Trader, Fort Richardson, Jacksboro, Texas"

"J.L. Oldham, Post Trader, Fort Richardson, Texas, Dealer in staple and fancy dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, hats, and caps. Hardware, cutlery, Queensware, Woodware, Tinware. Yankee notions, hosiery and gloves, and in fact everything required to fill up a general assortment of goods, suited to the necessities of frontier life. Fine wines and liquors, always
on hand; and cigars of the choice brands. Feb. 1, 1869"

"Boaz & Cook, (west side of the public square) Jacksboro, Texas, Makes a speciality of family groceries and country produce. Whiskies, wines, liquors, cigars, and tobaccos of every variety, and of the best qualities always on hand."

"The Coffee House by Dullard & Lacey, is now prepared to furnish meals all hours, in good style, and at reasonable prices. They will endeavor to procure everything in the eating line that the market affords, and a long experience will enable them to prepare you a 'square meal.' Whiskies, brandies, and wines by the bottle, cigars and tobacco, of choice brands and
every variety of canned goods will be kept constantly on hand."

Published August 15, 2004

Pioneer Reunion is just around the corner and we're busy getting all geared up with displays of older western movie memorabilia.  We could use some more if you have any to share with us - posters, photos, etc., Also anything in the line of old cameras or other equipment to illustrate the growth of picture taking and picture making.

Speaking of old things- two great grandsons of Cooper Wright, Clay Co. sheriff when the 1890 jail was built, came from New Mexico to bring some of his tax receipts and other papers dating back to 1884 to be housed in our museum.  It is sometimes surprising to see how long paper endures in good condition.

Another interesting article has surfaced in the archives, coming from a part of the Theronne Thompson Collection.  Unfortunately, there is no date on it, a clipping from the Wichita Falls Times.  It was written by Jean Ann Hollenbaugh, correspondent, and headlined Quanah, Texas: 

"'Resting here until day breaks, and Shadows fall, and darkness disappears, is Quanah Parker, Last Chief of the Comanches.'  That is the epitaph of a great chief, son of a white woman and central figure at the final surrender of the Comanche Indians to white men.

"Quanah Parker, or Bed of Flowers, was born between 1845 and 1852 to Comanche Chief Peta Nocona and captive Cynthia Ann Parker.  She was captured May 19, 1836, during a Comanche and Kiowa attack on Parker's Fort near what is now the town of Groesbeck.

"Her whereabouts were unknown until 1840, when she was seen by some whites. She was not seen again for 20 years.  During that time, she married Nocona and bore him three children.  On Dec. 18, 1860, she was recaptured by Capt. Sul Ross and a group of Texas Rangers during the Battle of Pease River south of Quanah.  Most members of Nocona's buffalo hunting party were killed, though Quanah Parker escaped."  (Other versions of this battle indicate the men were absent; this was only the supply camp of the women, old men and children.  Quanah, Nocona and the other son were not present.)

"Conflicting accounts state the chief was killed then, but Quanah Parker later denied this, saying Nocona died some years later of an illness. Cynthia Ann and her baby daughter, Prairie Flower, were taken to live with her only known relative, an uncle named Isaac Parker. 

"Cynthia Ann longed for her Comanche life and tried several times before her death to return to the Indians.  Within a few years, both she and her daughter died.

"The Comanches were rovers of the plains, great horsemen, hunters, fighters, fiercely independent and proud nomads.

"During his teens, Quanah Parker joined a band of Comanches known as the Kwahadis (Antelope Eaters) who inhabited the Staked Plains region.  Quanah Parker became Comanche chief at age 19 after the Battle of Red River where Chief Bear's Ear was killed.

"Quanah Parker, at the height of fame as a Comanche chief, was described this way by a captured member of the 4th Cavalry in October 1871: 'A large and powerfully built Chief led the bunch, on a coal black racing pony...with a six shooter pistol poised in the air, he seemed the incarnation of savage, brutal joy.  His face was smeared with black war paint which gave his features a satanic look.

" 'A large, cruel mouth added to his ferocious appearance.  A full length war bonnet of eagle feathers descended from his forehead, over head and back to his pony's tail, almost sweeping the ground.

" 'While large brass hoops were in his ears, he was naked to the waist, wearing leggings, moccasins, and breech cloth.  A necklace of bear's claws hung around his neck.  Quanah was principal War Chief of the Quahadas.'

"In 1865, many of the tribes' chiefs signed a peace treaty with the government to end Indian warfare but Quanah refused, wanting nothing to do with the white men.  Seeing the tide turn on the Comanches after several bloody battles, Quanah led the last hostile band of Comanches into Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and surrendered in the spring of 1875, agreeing to live on the reservation with about 100 warriors, 300 women, children and old men.
"Quanah adopted the white man's clothes.  His new outfit consisted of a black derby hat, cutaway coat, trousers, waistcoat, white shirt and black shoes.  He kept his long hair.

"Quanah Parker learned to speak English, and he traveled extensively in Texas, Mexico and to Washington, where he became a well-known figure in Congress fighting on behalf of the Indians.

"Known as the 'Peacemaker,' Quanah was inspired by his mother to become the major force in bringing peace between Indians and white men.  He later turned to ranching and became a personal friend of President Theodore Roosevelt, who appointed him a federal judge."

As part of the same article, evidently from The Wichita Falls Times, is a reprint from their files, Oct. 25, 1910,  entitled, "Indian Chief Attraction at State Fair."

"Chief Quanah Parker of the Comanches was one of the attractions at the state fair yesterday, which was Quanah Route Day.  Chief Parker made a speech, of which the following report was published in today's Dallas News:

"Quanah Parker was then introduced to the audience.  He and 12-year old son, Gussie, were clad in war bonnets, buckskin clothes, and moccasins, beads, etc.  During the addresses of those who had preceded he had given close attention, and when his name was mentioned he closely inspected the speaker. 

"With the exception of a few words which could not be understood, Quanah Parker spoke as follows: 'Ladies and gentlemen, I say a few words to you. You look at me.  I put on this war bonnet.  That is my war trinket.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I used to be a bad man.  Now I am a citizen of the United Stated.  I pay taxes the same as you people do.  We are the same people now.  That is what I tell you, ladies and gentlemen.

"Now here is another thing I want to tell you.  Here is all my acquaintances come from Quanah.  They come from my town, the Quanah country.  All that used to be my hunting ground, snakes up there.  My town up there wanted to put railroad west of Quanah.  They came to me and I helped them out.  I vested $40,000 in Quanah Western.  I want to run it over to New Mexico.

"Well, now, I want to tell you one matter something else, ladies and gentlemen.  See my two hands.  Here is one Indian way and one white way. Here is Republican party and here is Democratic party.  I watch the two parties close.  Which is the best?  The Democratic party are trying to work for good of all of us.  It looks at rich man and poor man same.  Republican
party looks at rich man, but not for good of poor man.

"I go back home to Quanah tonight.  Me want to go right over on Mr. Burnett's ranch.

'At the request of someone on the stage, Quanah Parker here introduced his family to the audience.  The audience began to rise, as did the newspaper men, but Parker waved to the latter and said, 'Just one more minute.  Here is one more say.  My ways call for money every time they send me to fair. Two men came to me about a year ago to go to New York City, 'I give you $5,000 for tour six months, to take your family over there,' they say.  I
say, 'No; you put me in little pen.  I no monkey.'  That is all, gentlemen."