in his own appropriate manner and graphically
related the stirring scenes and incidents (thing?)
which he passed in his early career in Texas.
He prepared his remarks by sau=ying that he was not
in the habit of speaking in public. "For several years"
say's he, "I use to be honored with speaking on a subject
more important than the one now on hand.
I have not arisen to address you on any political
subject but simply to say a few words of welcome
old Texans and young Texans alike. Every one that
came here in an early day is entitled to all the
reputations and also to all the respect that can
be offered upon them by those who came into
days. I am a stranger to most of you although I
came to Texas in 1843. In 1843 I crossed Rider River, and
we the traveled fourteen days and pitched our
tents near Elms Fork of the Trinity River just a
boce Dallas 14 miles."
Mrs. Julia King one of the lady pioneers of Texas
in its infancy being urged to give the benefit
her experience said that she has been a resident
of Texas for forty years and she now resides between
Mr. Kinstry's grove and Sherman and her path
who was Col. Shannon is now dead. She said,
"I was here when the first court met that ever con(?)
in Grayson County. There was no road leading to
place where the court was held from any point of
the county and I distinctly remember my family
cutting down a large pecan tree and and hitched
six yokes of otens to it and dragged it through
the brush and briars in order to clear a road
which they might make their way to where
Sherman now stands the neighbors me with him
and helped him clear the way my father, Y.J.
Shannon and my father's brother, James
Shannon made a donation of the first land
upon which the city of Sherman is now built.
Court was held near the old pecan tree on the (?)
square. The tree is now dead. My father's house is
the nearest house to the place, it had six rooms in it
and every time court was held we were oblige to
entertain and take care of the people, the officers
and everyone else who attended court as there
was not other house around for miles.

Old Settlers Association (Grayson County, Tex.). Old Settler's Association of Grayson County, Vol. 1.. The Portal to Texas History. http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth11279/. Accessed May 18, 2013.