Indian Wars and Pioneers of Texas Page: 283 of 894

View a full description of this book.

INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS.

249

conducted a literary and music school until 1844
when he emigrated to tie republic of Texas, an(
settled in Gonzales County, where he engaged ii
merchan(ising witlh Dr. Caleb S. Brown, who wa!
also from Mississippi. This copartnership con
tinued for twelve or thiirteen months. A man ol
rare personal magnetism, fine address and brilliant
talents, Mr. Braches soon took rank as one of the
ablest and most influential citizens of the community
and in scarcely more than a year (1842), was
elected to represent the district in the Texas congress.
While going to and returning from the seat
of government he first met his future wife and
shortly after the close of the session they were united
in the bonds of wedlock. He was a participant in
the battles of the Hondo, Plum Creek and the
Medina, and numerous Indian expeditions in which
he behaved himself with conspicuous gallantry.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Braches were members of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church for many years
and were liberal contributors to schools and
churches. During his lifetime Mr. Braches devoted
many thousands of dollars to these purposes.
He died July 7th, 1889, at his home in Gonzales
County, admired and respected by a wide circle of
friends extending throughout Texas.
When Bowie started upon his San Saba expedition
Mrs. Braches liad beeves killed and dressed,
food cooked and a general supply of provisions
prepared for the use of his men on their march.
He wrote out and tendered her vouchers against the
Republic to cover the expense that she had incurred,
but thlese she refused to receive, saying that she
consi(lered it a pleasure as well as a duty to aid in a
movement designed for the protection of the homes
of the settlers to the full extent of her power and
that she could not tliink of receiving pay for such a
service. Sentiments equally unselfish and praiseworthy
inspired all her actions. A distinguished
Texian says of Mr. and Mrs. Braches: " After Mrs.
Braches' parents died she I)ecame a mothler to her
younger brothers and sisters, viz., Mary, who marrie(1
John Smothers; Isabella, who married in lier
house in 1840, Gen. Henry E. McCullocll; Fannie,
who married in her house Mr. Gelhorn; Euphemia,
who married Wim. G. King, of Seguin; William,
who died young, and Travis H. Ashby, who

0 died after being a Captain in the Confederate
army.
n " A braver or grander-hearted woman never trod
s the soil of Texas, and all of the survivors of those
early (lays, from San Antonio to the Colorado and
f from Texana and Victoria to the foot of the mount
tains, will attest the trutli of tllis statement.
Knowing her from boyhood and not having seen her
for a little over twenty years I willingly and conscientiously
pay this tribute to her. Mr. Braches,
for forty-six years, proved himself to he worthy to
be the husband of such a woman. It is needless
for me to speak of his character to those among
whom he so long lived. That he was a polished
and refined gentleman, of kindly heart, all will admit.
He was to have been my guest at the State
Fair last fall, but sickness prevented his coming.
My little grandchildren, inspired by the eulogies
of their grandparents, were sorely disappointed at
his not coning. In conclusion, I can only say that
I believe Charles Braches to have been incapable of
a mean or dishonorable act. IHe was, in the highest
sense, an honorable and benevolent man and
good citizen."
Mrs. Mary Jones, wife of Mr. H. K. Jones, of
Dilworth in Gonzales County, a station near the old
family homestead, is the only surviving child born
of this union. Mrs. Braches was the soul of patriotism

a lady of rare refinement and intelligence,
and her deeds of kindness and charities were innumerable.
Her grave will be watered by the tears
of the widow and orphan. IIcr life is a part of,
and interwoven with the most stirring period of
Texas history. To lier belongs the glory of a Roman
matron and the halo of a tender Christian mother.
She was one of tile best known, best beloved and
noblest of the noble Texian matrons who inspired
the men of earlier days to resistance to tyranny and
deeds of heroism and kept the fires of patriotism
brightly aglow upon thle hearthstones of the country.
At her home, to the time of her death, she
maintained that free and elegant hospitality that
made the South famous in olden time. Her name
deserves to be wreathed with imperishable immortelles
and to be inscribed upon one of the brightest
pages of the State's history. Peace to her ashes
and lasting honor to her memory.

Upcoming Pages

Here’s what’s next.

upcoming item: 284 284 of 894
upcoming item: 285 285 of 894
upcoming item: 286 286 of 894
upcoming item: 287 287 of 894

Show all pages in this book.

This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.

Other items on this site that are directly related to the current book.

Indian Wars and Pioneers of Texas (Book)

Indian Wars and Pioneers of Texas

A history of pioneers in Texas and their confrontations with local American Indians.

Relationship to this item: (Has Format)

Tools / Downloads

Get a copy of this page .

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.

Brown, John Henry. Indian Wars and Pioneers of Texas, book, 1880~; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth6725/m1/283/ocr/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .

Univesal Viewer

International Image Interoperability Framework (This Page)

Back to Top of Screen