The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 3, July 1899 - April, 1900 Page: 269
294 p. : ill., maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
The Old Town of Huntsville. 269
although it objected to the large number of legislators provided for
and the consequent expense to the taxpayers. The rates of postage
under the Republic are printed, "ten cents for single letters less
than a hundred miles; over a hundred miles 20- cents." The editor
rejoices over the establishment of a stage line to Houston-with
weekly trips "at the low rate for passengers of seven dollars each
way."
The stores of Huntsville in this period of course carried small
stocks. The goods were brought here, either by wagon from Hous-
ton, or by boat to Cincinnati, thence by wagon to, Huntsville. It
is related that Ephraim Gray was unwilling to sell 'more than three
yards of domestic to any one customer, lest his stock be' too soon
exhausted. Planters frequently had their season's supplies hauled
in wagons from 'Houston. The teamster did a thriving business and
was quite independent. It is told of a citizen of this period who. had
employed a teamster to bring a load of hams from Houston, that
after waiting a reasonable time in vain for the arrival of his sup-
plies, he wrote his Houston merchant a letter of inquiry. He was
told in reply that the order had been promptly filled, and the wagon
had,departed some weeks before. The weeks continued to roll by
until finally the long expected wagon one ,day rolled up, to the gate
of the now irate citizen. In response to an indignant inquiry as to
the cause of the long delay, the teamster coolly informed his
employer, that as the road passed his farm in Montgomery county,
he had stopped on the way to work out his crop.
What may be termed the first period of the history -of Huntsville
closes in 1846, when the new county of Walker was organized and
Huntsville became a county seat. In the closing years of this
period the town was incorporated by the Congress of the Republic.
With an intelligent and enterprising population numbering several
hundred, Huntsville now rivalled in size and importance any town
in what was then known as "Middle Texas."
'The First Legislature of the State of Texas provided for the
formation of a number of new counties. On April 6, 1846, the two
new counties of Walker and Grimes were created from a part of old
Montgomery county. On July 18, 1846, Walker county was 'organ-
ized. The Democratic party having brought 'Texas into the Union,
the people of the new State were naturally warm adherents of that
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 3, July 1899 - April, 1900, periodical, 1900; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101015/m1/282/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.