Gateway to Texas: The History of Orange and Orange County Page: 36
viii, 261 p. : ill. ; 24 x 29 cm. 2nd edition.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
GATEWAY TO TEXAS
wards Sabine Bay. This is the first instance of this kind
of overflow I have seen in Texas. Arrived at Ashworth's
ferry, we expected to find a boat, but there was none.
The family had left the place.
We went on, and at a wide and deep bayou Green
and Catlett swam over with their horses, expecting to
find a boat at a landing above, in which our baggage
could be ferried. But here again we were disap-
pointed: the boat was gone. Both parties now set to
building rafts. We failed for want of tools and loose
timber. Green succeeded in making one on which he
returned to us, but it was too frail. We now deter-
mined to go back to Ashworth's and take the rails and
planks there and build a raft. In this we ultimately suc-
ceeded, having to tote the timber 2 or 300 yards, to a
place where it would float. When it was completed it
would carry only two men and a small portion of the
baggage, so we had to make four trips, and paddle
with sorry paddles against a strong current to a land-
ing from which we could get out of the swamp...
As our provisions were short, Fleury took his rifle
and shot a fine calf which was with a herd of cattle
at the ferry. I took it on my horse and carried it to
Our raft.
All these took us until 8 o'clock at night, when our
last raft load reached the landing. We had our veal
cleaned, and some of it cooked, which we ate with
good appetite, without bread, salt or pepper. We also
had coffee, but no sugar nor milk. Having finished
our supper, we spread our clothes to dry as well as we
could, and lay down on wet ground and amidst briars,
and I slept well. My coat and pants were nigh getting
burnt up in the night by the fire spreading through
the grass, which became dry from the heat.
I, this morning on leaving Beaumont, lent old Kuy-
kendall $io.
Saturday, April 23, 1836
After breakfasting on veal without bread or salt,
and coffee without sugar or milk, we started at half
past 7 o'clock. Came to a house where a family named
Hatton had lived. The family had fled. Father and son
here this morning taking off some corn. Got a feed for
our horses, 25 cents. Hatton advised us to go to Pa-tillo's where we could get something to eat. Arrived at
Patillo's at 12 o'clock. No one at home. Got corn and
fed horses, ground corn and made bread, shot three
fowls and cooked them, opened a bee hive and got
some honey, and made a very comfortable meal.
While here young Hatton also came with a bucket,
which he filled with honey from one of the hives. We
remonstrated with him. but he said his father wanted
it and it was free for anybody. Green, who knew Patillo,
took a memo of what we used. We afterwards met Pa-
tillo on the road and paid him $.5so.
We crossed today Cow Bayou, Adams' Bayou, Cy-
press Bayou and arrived at Ballow's [Ballew's] ferry
after dark, passing for several miles through the worst
road I have encountered in Texas.
At the ferry we found Colonel William G. Hill, late
of the San Bernard, who had been to take his family
and that of E. Waller to the United States. He is now
on his return. Waller, whom I saw at Beaumont, has
charge of the negroes belonging to himself and Hill.
They are trying to take them up Red River. Hill's ad-
dress will be Alexandria, La.
Here I found my sorrell horse-in the hands of the
press gang. I knew him by moonlight, and took pos-
session of him.
Sunday, April 24, 1836
At Ballow's. Owing to the crowd of families now
here, we could not conveniently cross the ferry today;
bargained for flats to take us over in the morning.
Catlett's horse was missing this morning; hunted him
all day unsuccessfully; concluded he was stolen; of-
fered him the use of mine, as I had to take both along
with me.
This is one of Lafitte's old stations. Ballow is said to
have been one of his confederates, likewise old Shote,
at the Pine Islands. Here stands an old shed, part of
the shelter constructed for the African negroes that he
used to bring here. It is now a shelter for cows.
We kept guard all night for the protection of our
horses from the press gang, each man standing one
hour. About I o'clock in the morning Rains came rid-
ing up with the intelligence that Houston had had abattle with the Mexicans on the 21st, at Harrisburg;
killed Soo and took all the rest, 650o, prisoners. Al-
monte prisoner, Cos killed. Houston wounded. The
letter was written with a pencil, signed John Reed,
and addressed to Major Caldwell. I do not fully be-
lieve it but others do. It is likely there has been a battle
and a victory, but the result is too much wholesale.
Monday, April 25, 1836
Left Ballow's at half past 7 o'clock, ferry $i, Dobie
50 cents. Went down the river about one mile, turned
the lower point of the island, and ferried up the other
side four miles; landed on the east side of the river;
happy to find ourselves once more on Uncle Sam's
land, and under the protection of his laws.
The island belongs to the United States, as the ju-
risdiction of the United States extends to the western
bank of the Sabine. It is said to be 4o miles long, low
and marshy, the trees hanging over into the water.
Every place on the low banks on the American side,
where dry land could be found, was covered with
fugitives, who were eager to hear news, and received
the account of the victory with exclamations of joy.
David Harmon said that altogether 60 men
from the Orange section volunteered and went
to the front in the War for Independence. A mili-
tia company of 6s men was organized at Beau-
mont in August, 1835, commanded by G. W. Har-
graves, captain. Of this group, 20 took part in
the Battle of the Alamo. The next year, he took
21 volunteers and went to join Houston at the
Battle of San Jacinto, but arrived too late and
was sent to rout some hostile Indians, according
to Florence Stratton in The Story of Beaumont.
After the Battle of San Jacinto, the refugees
slowly returned to their homes across Texas.
During the next io years, Orange began to de-
velop. More settlers came; shingle mills were es-
tablished on the lower sections of the Bayous36
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book 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 Book.
Williams, Howard C. Gateway to Texas: The History of Orange and Orange County, book, 1988; Orange, Tex.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth39146/m1/54/: accessed May 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .