Early Days In Fort Worth, Much Of Which I Saw And Part Of Which I Was - free ebook by B. B. (Buckley B.) Paddock

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Early Days In Fort Worth, Much Of Which I Saw And Part Of Which I Was

B. B. (Buckley B.) Paddock

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EARLY DAYS IN FORT WORTH

EARLY DAYS IN FORT WORTH

Much of Which I saw and Part of Which I Was By B. B. Paddock Fort Worth’s First Bank Building This 2010 facsimile of the rare first edition is limited to 300 copies. B.B. Paddock created this work just after 1900, perhaps 1905 or 1906. It provides early Fort Worth history and is a necessity for a Fort Worth collection. Albert L. Peters Bookseller P.O. Box 136814 Fort Worth, TX 76136 E-Mail: petersfortworth@aol.com I purpose writing a brief history of Fort Worth from the time of its selection as

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FIRST SETTLEMENT OF FORT WORTH.

FIRST SETTLEMENT OF FORT WORTH.

At the close of the war with Mexico, General Winfield Scott sent a troop of the Second Dragoons in command of Major Ripley A. Arnold to North Texas to establish a post to protect the then sparsely settled territory from the forays of the Indians which then inhabited this section. Major Arnold selected this as the most central point for this purpose. The post was first called Camp Worth in honor of Brigadier General William Jennings Worth. It was established on the sixth day of June, 1849. On Nov

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ABOUT THE INDIANS.

ABOUT THE INDIANS.

An effort was made in 1873 to remove all the hostile Indians from Texas to the Reservation in the Indian Territory. The removal was accomplished but it was not easy to keep them there, and there were occasional raids across the border and into the settlements. The exact date of the last foray is not accessible at this writing, but it was made as far south as Jack and Young counties, just west of Los Valley where James C. Loving had a ranch and his residence. The foray was led by two Indian Chief

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CREDIT TO WHOM CREDIT IS DUE.

CREDIT TO WHOM CREDIT IS DUE.

When it comes to calling the roll of patriots who worked so long and faithfully for the upbuilding of the city one ventures upon dangerous ground. The memory is at times treacherous and some of the best and truest are liable to be over-looked. But that their names may be enshrined in the hearts of the people and perpetuated by this modest record of the time the chance will be taken. It would be well to dig up the tax rolls of that day and make a copy of it, for every man in the city with but one

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FIRST PROMINENCE OF THE CITY.

FIRST PROMINENCE OF THE CITY.

Fort Worth first came into prominence in the year 1872. when Col. Thomas A. Scott, who had come into the ownership and control of the Texas &amp; Pacific Railway, in company with Col. John W. Forney, the editor and proprietor of the “Chronicle” of Philadelphia, made a trip across Texas for the purpose of selecting a route for this road across the State. Colonel Forney wrote voluminous letters to his paper describing in great detail what he saw and how he was impressed with the resources of t

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FORT WORTH BECOMES A CITY.

FORT WORTH BECOMES A CITY.

It has been stated that having nothing better to do—and there are few better things to do—the people took an active interest in politics. The first political movement of importance occurring about that time was the incorporation of the city. The Thirteenth Legislature in which Major K. M. VanZandt represented this county, passed an act authorizing the incorporation and the people were active in the preparation of a charter. Meetings were held almost nightly in the Court House for this purpose. T

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RAILROADS.

RAILROADS.

A volume might be written upon the struggles that Fort Worth went through in securing the railroads that have contributed so much to its growth and success. Mention has already been made of the failure of the Texas &amp; Pacific to reach Fort Worth on schedule time. A land grant had been given the road by the State conditioned on its being completed to Fort Worth by the first day of January, 1874. Generous and public Spirited citizens of the city, Maj. K. M. VanZandt, E. B. Daggett, Thos. J.

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PUBLIC FREE SCHOOLS.

PUBLIC FREE SCHOOLS.

Many erroneous statements have been made from time to time about the organization of the Public Free School System of this city. Credit for this work has been ascribed by different persons to almost every one that ever had anything to do with the schools, and to some that never had anything to do with them, except, perhaps what they were paid to do out of the school funds of the city. The truth of history makes it necessary to say that credit for the initial work essential to the organization is

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CHURCHES.

CHURCHES.

When the writer came to Fort Worth in October, 1872, the only church edifice in the town was that of the Christian church which occupied the center of the block bounded by Main and Houston, Fourth and Fifth streets. It was a small brick structure but of ample proportions to accommodate the small congregation that worshipped there. Elder J. A. Clark filled the pulpit. The Presbyterians had no organization at that time, but one was perfected early in the year 1873 and there were services once a mo

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FRATERNITIES.

FRATERNITIES.

Fort Worth Lodge, Number 148, A. F. &amp; A. M., is the largest and wealthiest Masonic lodge in the state. It was constituted April 14th, 1854, “Under Dispensation” issued by M. W. Grand Master Wm. M. Taylor on the 18th day of March, 1854, and chartered January 18th, 1855. Julian Feild was the first Worshipful Master and John Peter Smith its first Secretary. Its first home was a two story brick structure which stood in the middle of Belknap street, at the intersection of Elm street. The lowe

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KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.

The first meeting held to perfect an organization of a Lodge of Knights of Pythias was on July 23d, 1877. Queen City Lodge No. 21 was organized August 17th, 1877, with G. M. Otten, P. C.; T. S. Levy, C. C.; Max Elser, V. C.; Chas. Gay, M. of A. Red Cross Lodge No. 14 was organized February 26th, 1881, with S. Rosenfield, P. C.; W. R. Gause, C. C.; C. K. Fairfax, V. C.; H. P. Purnell, M. of A. The lodges at once took up the matter of the erection of a Castle Hall. Committees were appointed and su

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WATER WORKS.

WATER WORKS.

The work of supplying the city with water was agitated early in its history, but nothing definite was accomplished. The necessity for fire protection was imperative as the city was composed exclusively of wooden structures. Cisterns were sunk in the streets, one on Main street between First and Second; one on Houston street north of Weatherford. These were kept filled from rain water as far as possible and were guarded with exceeding great care that the water should not be wasted or diverted fro

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STREET RAILWAYS.

STREET RAILWAYS.

On September 6th, 1876, a franchise was granted to a company composed of J. P. Smith. K. M. VanZandt, W. A. Huffman, Morgan Jones and Geo. Noble for a street railway from the court house to the Texas &amp; Pacific depot. The contract for its construction was let to Morgan Jones and the work commenced on November 17th. The first car ran over the line on Christmas day and Mr. Walter A. Huffman officiated as conductor. The cars were about the size of an ordinary street omnibus and were propelle

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GAS WORKS.

GAS WORKS.

On August 31st, 1876, the first gas company was organized with J. P. Smith as President; John Nichols, Treasurer and J. Q. St. Clair, Secretary. A franchise was granted the company. On November 26th. a contract was entered into with John Lockwood, of New Jersey, to construct the works and lay the mains. Some idea of the extent of the plant can be gathered from the fact that it was to cost $20,000. The plant was added to from time to time, as the demand for light increased, until the entire busin

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PACKING HOUSES.

PACKING HOUSES.

It would be a harrowing tale to relate all the efforts made to provide a packing plant for this city. The Fort Worth Democrat, which had earned a reputation for “seeing things,” first made the prediction on April 25th, 1875, that some day Fort Worth would be a large producer of refrigerated meats for export. It harped on this in season and out of season and watched for every opportunity to advance the project. The editor, learning that a man was in Dallas negotiating to establish a plant there,

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FIRE DEPARTMENT.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

The first attempt to organize a fire company in the city occurred in April, 1873. A meeting for that purpose was called at the court house by the Democrat. When the night arrived it brought with it a “blue norther.” There was not sufficient interest in the matter to justify the people in facing the storm and the only person present was the editor of the paper. The following is his report of the meeting: “Pursuant to notice given in the last number of the Democrat, we proceeded to the court house

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NEWSPAPERS.

NEWSPAPERS.

“’Twere long to tell what steeds gave o’er, As swept the hunt through Campus-more.” It would be an almost endless task and one the writer will not essay to tell the history of the newspapers of this city. It has been the graveyard of the hopes and aspirations of ambitious men, who without capital, and oft times without experience, have undertaken the work of furnishing an unappreciative public with a newspaper in Fort Worth. It was on March 7th, 1860, that Fort Worth had its first paper. It was

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HOTELS.

HOTELS.

The advent of the railroad created a demand for increased hotel facilities and the public-spirited citizens proceeded to supply the demand. On December 1st, 1876, a company was organized with a capital of $30,000 of which Capt. J. C. Terrell was elected President; W. J. Boaz, Vice-President; J. Q. Sandidge, Treasurer and C. K. Fairfax, Secretary. K. M. VanZandt, W. A. Huffman, W. W. Dunn, J. C. Terrell, J. Q. Sandidge, B. C. Evans, J. E. Streeper, C. K. Fairfax and W. J. Boaz constituted the Boa

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STAGE LINES.

STAGE LINES.

Prior to 1880, all the passenger business and transportation of the mails for the entire country west of Fort Worth was conducted by stage lines, which radiated from the city as the railroads do now. The first line of importance and one that attracted the attention of the entire country was the Fort Worth and Fort Concho stage line which ran a daily line from this city to Fort Concho which stood where San Angelo is now located. This was what was known in postoffice parlance as “star route” servi

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THE COURTS.

THE COURTS.

At that time the Judicial District in which Tarrant county was a part included the counties of Denton, Parker, Wise and Dallas. Hon. Hardin Hart was District Judge. He was an appointee of Edward J. Davis and was not very popular with the bar or the people. He was about as rough a specimen of the genus homo as ever graced the bench. His habits were said not to be very exemplary and this contributed to his unpopularity. He was accustomed to use the vernacular of the bar-room and the poker game. At

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POSTAL MATTERS.

POSTAL MATTERS.

The Postoffice was conducted by Rev. J. A. Clark in the early part of the year, but he resigned and P. J. Bowdry was, after a spirited contest, appointed to succeed him. Mr. Clark kept what there was of the postoffice in the drug store of W. T. Ferguson. There was but little order and decorum in its management, as the postmaster was anxious to be relieved of his duties. It was not uncommon for the people to go behind the counter and help themselves to their mail. Bowdry held the office until Jul

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BANKS.

BANKS.

The first bank opened in Fort Worth was the banking house of Tidball &amp; Wilson. Tidball came to the city early in January, 1873, from St. Charles, Missouri. Associated with him was John F. Wilson, of Virginia. Wilson furnished the money and Tidball the experience. George B. Hendricks was the sole employe of the bank. Tidball and he constituted the entire force. In August, 1874, Maj. K. M. VanZandt, J. P. Smith and J. J. Jarvis bought the interest of Wilson and put in some more money and t

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TEXAS SPRING PALACE.

TEXAS SPRING PALACE.

This unique and attractive place of amusement came at a date within the memory of thousands now living, but it was such an unusual and beautiful edifice that a few lines in regard to it may not be inappropriate. It was erected in the Winter and Spring of 1888-9, and was located on the Texas &amp; Pacific reservation north of and opposite the intersection of Railroad and Galveston avenues. At that time Toronto, Canada, and Saint Paul, Minn. were having Ice Palaces and Sioux City, Iowa, its Co

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TELEGRAPH LINES.

TELEGRAPH LINES.

The first telegraph line was built into Fort Worth in the summer of 1876. It was owned and operated by C. L. Frost and Max Elser. After the advent of the Railroad it was sold to the Western Union. In 1886 the Baltimore &amp; Ohio Telegraph Company built into the city, but it soon sold to the Western Union....

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FLOURING MILLS.

FLOURING MILLS.

The first flouring mill for commercial purposes was built by Messrs. Wolcott &amp; Blandin. Work commenced on November 28th, 1874, and the first flour was ground June 26th, 1875. Later Joseph H. Brown bought an interest in the mill and secured the expert services of James W. Swayne as manager. Swayne, who was called “Jim” by his friends, was educated for the law and of course knew all about the manufacture and sale of flour. The second mill was built by Mr. M. P. Bewley, whose worthy son, E.

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REGISTERED CATTLE.

REGISTERED CATTLE.

The first registered cattle were brought to Texas from London, Ohio, by James A. Brock, then of Fort Griffin, now of El Paso. It was thought at that time to be a foolish venture, but time and experience has demonstrated his wisdom....

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LUMBER YARDS.

LUMBER YARDS.

Following the completion of the railroad to Fort Worth came lumber yards and lumber dealers from all over East Texas. All that section of the city bounded by Houston street, Monroe street, on the east and west and by Ninth street on the north and as far south as the railroad reservation, was one vast lumber yard; and the entire country west, southwest and northwest of Fort Worth was supplied with building material from this city. Hundreds of wagons were loaded daily and the roads out of Fort Wor

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EFFORTS AT UPLIFT.

EFFORTS AT UPLIFT.

The reformer was here then as now and tried to reform every one else but himself, just as they do now and with about the same success. The town was “wide open” to the horror of some and an effort was made at intervals to put a stop to the open gambling house. One Grand Jury falling under the influence of the “up-lifters” brought out indictments against about thirty members of a whist club that played whist in the rear of a saloon owned and managed by Henry Byrne. (His widow, Maggie, lives here s

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OH! THE FUN WE HAD.

OH! THE FUN WE HAD.

There was lots of fun in those days. No one had much to do but to enjoy life and boost Fort Worth. They did both to the extreme limit. A man could and did wear the same suit of clothes year after year and no one commented on his frugality or poverty. Women wore the same dresses to church, Sunday after Sunday, and no one was found to criticise. The girls, and there were pretty girls then as now, not so plentiful, only because there were not so many girls, wore the same dresses (that was before th

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STEALING AN EXCURSION.

STEALING AN EXCURSION.

One of the most amusing incidents of the time occurred in the Spring of 1875. A man by the name of George W. Cole from somewhere up in Pennsylvania had plotted a townsite out in Palo Pinto County which he called Lamar. He alleged in his advertisements that it would be a division point on the Texas &amp; Pacific. He sold a good many lots to the “sucker” element that is always ready to grab at any thing that sounds cheap. He went over to Tennessee and worked up an excursion to come and see Tex

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NEITHER COMPLETE NOR INFALLIBLE.

NEITHER COMPLETE NOR INFALLIBLE.

There is no pretense that these pages are a complete history of the early days of the city. There are many things, and some of them of importance and interest that have not been mentioned. Many persons of note who have contributed to the growth of the city are not enumerated herein. This is because the memory is faulty and not with a wish to withhold credit from any. Such as it is, it will serve to refresh the memory of some and be of interest to others who are not familiar with the struggles th

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